Evil Genius
There is something special about getting a bunch of people together for a potluck and live music on a mild winters Monday night. Firstly this was not a potluck of close friends but close community. The food was very tasty and was openly shared and it started conversation between virtual unknowns. The scene was our lovely little place, Evil Genius. A Monday night would seem a challenge but people braved the first day of work for the week to show their support for our official NZ music gig of May. So to the music! we were very lucky to have touring duo of Luckless (Ivy Rossiter) and Nadia Reid on the "Ballads and Badlands tour". They are currently just past the halfway mark of their tour which started deep down in the South and will end in Auckland.
Dinner was served at 6-6.30 with a stew, veg lasagna, yummy risotto, fresh fish in a cream sauce, roasted vegies, a tasty dahl, beef pasties and even chips from the takeaways. Finishing was biscuits and huge pecan pie which got polished off. So the musicians were well feed and got onto there work of providing entertainment for packed little shop. Luckless started things of with 4-5 of her songs from her latest album. Equip with Electric guitar and loops pedal Luckless set the tone with her airy instrumentals and well crafted songwriting. Nadia Reid then stepped in and playing a selection of her heart felt folk song accompanied by a double bass player(sorry bro forgot your name). Nadia and Luckless teamed and played a selection of the songs from their tour. Packed with stories from the road and harmonies to break hearts, both performers gave us works from a light and dark past. The conclusion was two very talented performers combining to give us a look into the future of singer songwriting here in New Zealand. Luckless album and Nadia Reids EP in store now at Evil.
Vinyl geeks know whats the deal with record lingo. Mostly its a pile a poo's but like anything that's collectible it's necessary. So here is a bunch of terms I could come up with including a average grading system.
LP - Long play record/ Usually a full album on 12" vinyl.
EP - Extended play. usually 4-6 singles. Between a single and album.
Single - A single release from a album.
33, 45, 78 RPM records - Speed play, Revolution per minute(RPM). 33RPM
7", 10", 12" The size of the record in inches.
Rare - A record that is highly desirable but pressed in smaller amounts and very collectible.
Scarce - Records that are pressed in small amounts but are not regarded as desirable collectible records. Scarce records usually are not worth much.
Common - Records that were pressed in huge amounts from popular artists.
Grading of records. I grade cover first because you see the cover first then the record. When grading you need to inspect the cover/record in good quality light and lookout for any blemishes including rips, spine wear, discolouration writing and spindle wear for cover. For records scratches, scuffing and label wear. All records need to be graded the same. Rarity and age is not a factor and is graded the same as any other record.
Something you may not know is the difference between scratches and scuffs. Scratches cause audible defects (pops & clicks) and you can feel a scratch with your finger nail. Scuffing of records most commonly happens when the record is taken out and placed back into its inner sleeve or cover. This is very common the more you play and usually the effects on audible sound is very minimal at first and also depending on the pressing quality this can affect play.
How bout some skanking Evil grading
M - Mint. Cover, brand new sealed or no blemishes what so ever. Record, brand new sealed and never taken out of its sleeve/cover.
EX - Excellent. Cover is near new but has been handled unsealed and can even be 2nd hand. Record, Basically the best a record can be out of it's sleeve. Barely played. Once a new record is taken out of it's sleeve for the first time it will be down graded from a M to a EX grading. Again 2nd hand record fit into the equation.
VG(plus) - Very Good plus. Cover looks clean but has slight signs of wear. Record again looks very good but you will notice that there is light scuffing.
VG - Very Good. Cover has some wear or slight discolouration. Record has a good amount of scuffs or a small scratch but still plays really well with a couple of light pops and clicks.
G - Good. Cover has light damage, small rip or discolouration. Record has lots of scuffs and lots of light scratches and has a good amount of audible feedback.
F - Fair. Cover has lots of damage to spine or rips to cover or heavy discoluration. Record is covered in scuffs and scratches. Record still plays but with lots of loud pops and clicks.
P - Poor. Crap shit and fucked.
We try to grade our records fairly at E.G and sell between VG and M items in store. G graded stuff goes outside and P gets the bin treatment.
New Zealand music month is on again and I have a selection of albums that I would thoroughly recommend.
Human Instinct, Stoned Guitar. PYE records 1970.
This is the 2nd album from acid blues rock psych band Human Instinct featuring on lead guitar, legend, Billy T.K. I got a copy of this about 5 years ago. I listened to a lot of Hendrix and Led Zep but this album introduced me to the big world of psych/prog and blues rock. The track "Black Sally" has a very hard bass driven blues rock sound. The next two songs "Stoned Guitar" and "Jug a Jug" have very psychedelic intro's followed by heavy blues funk rock. Huge if your into Hendrix or heavy psychedelia.
The Clean Compilation, Flying Nun 1988.
The Clean was the first Flying Nun band I really liked. Currently still one of the favourites. This is a best off albums of the first 3 or so 12" EPs. The Clean fits into the Flying Nun mould with their fuzz rock guitars and organ sounds. Checkout other Clean EPs, "Boodle Boodle Boodle" and "Great Sounds Good"
Family Cactus, Spirit Lights. Arch Hill 2011.
Family Cactus was the first live band my daughter heard. The scene was the Island Bay Festival. After the gig i purchased a copy of the album. The album is a combination of lovely melodic pop lyrics and ambient indie sound. The band is also local to Wellington.
Ticket, Awake Down Under records 1972
Another band in the same vein as Human Instinct. Ticket were a 4 piece blues rock band with hints of psych and even funk. This is their first of two albums and my personal favourite of the two. Extremely rare and hard to find on vinyl both of the Tickets albums.
Heart Attack Alley, Living in Hell, Voodoo Rhythm 2012
I'm really into blues music and the standout NZ album has always been Paul Ubana Jones self titled album from 1988. But this puppy has a real different sound. Paul Ubaba's album is mostly acoustic and is a detailed album of him and his amazing guitar work. "Living in Hell" has a real heavy underground blues sound with thumpin bass, lush sexy lyrics from their female singer and the dominant blues harp from Karl Steven. Sounding more like Howling Wolf than Sonny & Terry. Awesome
Phoenix Foundation, Fandango. Phoenix Foundation records 2013
Here is a new goodie. I listen to new music nearly everyday and this album i instantly really liked. That's a great sentiment to this wicked Wellington band. The album's sound is very pop with hints of psychedelia. There is always high class song writing from these guys. This is the new fav for winter.
Space maniacs "Planet of the Tapes" have landed in Evil Genius. On Monday the 13th of May Wellington will be invaded, yes you heard it right here, INVADED by manic half tape and half something...............something else no scientist could ever explain. The Tapes will wipe the earth like other planets that have stood in there way with I-KILL laser vision, earth shattering fuzz guitar riffs and killer drums. The destruction will be so widespread in New Zealand that the tapes will cause humongous tsunami waves. The waves will spread to all corners of this once happy place we call Earth. Our only recommendation for survival is to carry surf boards loaded with ultra laser guided homing missiles. Not 100% proven but 99.6% will cease to survive the invasion.
Planet of the Tapes, live at Castle Takeaway (Stink Magnetic record company NZ) 33RPM 7" vinyl with 4 super mean surf songs Link, Dick, Lux and Ivy would be proud of. Specially In store now at the home of rock n roll E.G
Well yeah! it's NZ music month and that means heaps to us. We're totally into supporting all NZ bands. And that thoroughly includes all of the music that's not entirely known to the public. We want all you music lovers to be more open about what you choose to listen to. One thing you may not know is that high class music writing, singing and production does exist outside the POPULAR circle. There is actually thousands literally thousands of great NZ albums out there. Some are just lucky to make it or in the right place at the right time or some have rare super talent or they helped towards a new era of music, Johnny Devlin, the Clean, Human Instinct, Trinity Roots, Phoenix Foundation, Beastwars etc.
On the NZ music buzz here are some gigs to checkout. Prog band Melting Faces are playing Puppies with support from ghost blues man Daniel Boobyer Thursday 9th $10 and Brockaflowersaurus Rex and Evil usuals Digg will be hitting up a night of funk at Bodega Sat 11th $10pre or $15door. How bout some folk blues and country at Puppies with Tiny Ruins and support from French for Rabbits Sat 18th. And lastly Dave Dobbyn has asked a few musicians to come along and play his songs and in return he will perform with his guests on their own songs. Bodega 25th May $35 pre or $40 door.
We really need new stock and we have money to pay you or you can just have some credit. We are after vinyl records, CD's, tapes, DVDs. We are a bit fussy when it comes to anything apart from records but bring it all in to make a couple of bob.
More on gigs there are a couple coming up at Evil. This Friday night the 10th from 6pm we have the sounds of Sonic Delusion(solo). He will put together an acoustic and electronic selection of loops and soulful indie lyrics. Bring takeaway kai and the kids for this one. The following day we have two very eclectic experimental bands playing from 2pm. Firstly the Toucan Stubbs then followed by Dick Whyte & the Bent Folk. A collection of different instruments looping and some interesting lyrics. A combination of prog folk to gypsy psych noise experimental. Shit what do i know.
Evil crew is at Mighty Mighty every Friday from 6-9pm. DJ's Eclectica, Rose-aye and Apa from the Hutt. This Friday 10th May i will (Apa from the Hutt)playing 100% NZ music strictly on vinyl records. Everything from 60s-70s garage, beat, RnB, psych to 80s flying Nun, fuzz indie post punk to new rock, indie, country, surf, and funk reggae. DJ Eclectica will be on the following week and he will provide more interesting unheard but solid selections. We intend to teach you, not provide the hits and Mighty will be the meeting place. Yes I'm from the Hutt, Lower actually.
Every month is New Zealand music month at Evil Genius. Just like all good record stores we support all New Zealand music from popular to unknown to weird and interesting. Here is a list of list of new music that has come into the store in the last week.
Newtown Rocksteady, Goin Steady. New EP on CD from local Wellington late 60s influenced Jamaican rocksteady band Newtown Rocksteady. We have the new Rough Peel records release on 7" vinyl a split single with the southern folk band "the Eastern" and sludge stoner rock band "Beastwars". Random mix of bands, the catch is Beastwars are covering an Eastern song and vice versa. We got a stack of records from Anthony Milton's noise record label PseudoArcana including vinyl LPs from his own Mrtye, "Ornate Shroud" and "Witchfucker". Produced from Milton is lp release "Pipe and drum songs from Bolivia" and checkout dark noise lp NTHnth, SthSTH and a great little package from CJa, "Stand Heavy" the 10" lathe cut includes a 7" lathe single a CD plus a decent size comic and download code. Wicked package. We have just put out most of Auckland's indie label, Powertool records CDs on the racks this week. Something soft in store from singer songwriter, Erin. We have her new EP cd Rhythm & Soul. Phoenix Foundation's new album "Fandango" a selection of psychadelic and indie fuzz sounds is a double LP and double CD to match the LP. Finally, tapes anyone? Marineville have this little beauty for us. A full album of indie rock on tape. Tapes I think will be back in sometime soon and the format has its cool aspect but is also a hated format. All these releases and more coming in all of the time at Evil Genius. Support NZ music and get yourself a piece of art that will take you to that place.
Known as the Dunedin sound, Flying Nun records was actually formed in Christchurch by Roger Shepherd in 1981. Pin Groups 7" "Ambivalence" was the first release but the 2nd Nun release from the Clean called "Tally Ho" peaked at number 19 in the NZ music charts and this gave the label a profile and some income to continue. It's regarded as the Dunedin sound due to the amount of bands that came from the small southern city. Flying Nun's sound is based mainly around lo-fi experimental fuzz indie pop rock with hints of industrial and post punk. Some of the awesome bands to appear on the label include the Tall Dwarfs, Straitjacket Fits, the Gordons, the Chills, the Axemen, Able Tasmans, Dead C, Skeptics, Snapper, Bailterspace, the 3Ds, the Expendables, D4, Die Die Die, Phoenix Foundation, HDU, Garageland, Pavement, & Betchadupa.
Awesome fucking awesome, eh? Especially HDU and the Clean. We have a section at Evil Genius dedicated to the Nun. About 40 lps and singles instore right now for May.
Surf Friends, Confusion
Powertool records 2010
OK, not a new one, this album. After thinking about typing randomly and thought, no, I own a record store, so here it is. Unrandomly I got a 2nd hand copy of Surf Friends' album Confusion two weeks ago and since then had a parcel come in the mail from their release label Powertool records this week containing a new copy of Confusion and a good selection of the labels other works. I first listened to this album in store and liked it then I took this puppy home for a better listen and heard a strong influence sound of the Clean. I'm a really big fan of the Clean, quite possibly my favorite NZ band for the last 5 years, and other bands like Gordons, Bailterspace, Straightjacket Fits and Joy Division fit into the sound of this highly desirable listening album for me. So the album Confusion slots right into the Flying Nun niche. Lots of fuzz guitars, echoey backround sounds and catchy drums. The song Confusion itself is 10 minutes of everything that is indie fuzz rock.
Surf Friends, Confusion 12 track album and loads of other Powertool albums will hit the shelves very very soon.
Yes you heard it right here, lock down the hatches get equip with bows and spears. Lock away the Children and the old because Evil Genius monsters are coming with there spine tingling neck slicing vinyl records. Every Friday at the house of Doom (Mighty Mighty) from 6-9pm the Evil Genius mob will entice you with there spontaneous mix of ravaging surf, garage, rock n roll, RnB, Rockabilly, Soul funk, Psych and generally mean music. Mighty will tempt you with the HOUR OF POWER from 6-7 from cheap tonics and tasty toasties then we will cut your head of and leave them speared up at the gates.
Human fine print
Come to Mighty Mighty from 6-9pm every Friday
DJ plays music of record players
You drink the big $6 castlepoint beers
Eat the toasties
Have some fun
Go home.
Vertigo records is a UK based record label founded in 1969. It was the label for European rock bands at first then started recording American and even New Zealand bands. Vertigo records signed mainly progressive psychadelic and hard rock. Some of the awesome bands signed to Vertigo were Black Sabbath, Juicy Lucy, Gentle Giant, Warhorse, Manfred Mann, Nucleus, Kraftwerk, Metellica, Bon Jovi and even NZ bands Split Ends(Enz), Mantis etc. In store every month at E.G we will have a special section dedicated to choice as record labels. And this month Vertigo records is it.
