Shimmy's Top 5 Garage Punk Records of 2008!

Portugal's Act-Ups
I didn't dig into many new reissues this year, so it's all REAL new music... admittedly I don't listen to much REAL new music, but here's what I have heard this year that's been killin' it for me:

#5. John Barrett's Bass Drum of Death 7" (Fat Possum) - Thank god for myspace. Unbelievably that's how I found this Mississippian character in the Spring of '08. At his New York debut show (at Hullabaloo!) in March we were blown away-- it was as good live as on the demo CD/myspace tracks! Maybe 2005-2007 were the years of maximum White Stripes ripoffedness, but this record proves itself a step better: who needs a two man band when you can have a one and a half man band? This disc is full of stomp, power chords and an unmistakeably strong howl. Let's hope this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship...

#4. Ryan Pits & the Boy Toys - Demo - Not technically a record, since it's only a CDR demo, but if you don't have this, myspace them and demand it. This new Indiana band includes a former touring member of the Brimstone Howl, and you can expect some of that energy on this disc-- but also a 60's POP sensibility that is timeless and perfect. The early Black Lips comparisons are obvious, not least in the gaybaiting bandname and muddled lo-fi production sound, but the POP will overrule any fears you might have. Plus, this is unquestionably the most TREBLE I have heard in a 2008 release... Treble junkies, feast!

#3. The Act-Ups - Play The Old Psychedelic Sounds of Today (Hey!Pachuco/Groovie) - Disclosure: I did write the sleevenotes for this LP, but, having never been paid, I think I'm unbiased enough to review it. Third time is definitely a charm for this band, aka the "Portuguese Dirtbombs". Their three guitar sound never seemed suited to lo-fi and this album fixes that oversight with nearly perfect production, courtesy of Barreiro's new King Studios. Musically the album combines some of the dancey soul aspects of their first album from 2003 with the darker lyrical content of 2006's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell...

That last album's concept album approach didn't quite coalesce so this time we're treated to more of a collection of songs, starting off with the hard-charging (and perfect single) Death on You... the fuzz is SO deep on this one, you're likely to want to listen to it on repeat for a while. As the album spins from song to song, I'm reminded of Lou Reed's name for the last Velvets record-- "Loaded" (with hits)... too many to describe here, but between hard-rockin' garage nuggets there are atmospheric guitar pieces recalling the group's previous 10" cover of Can's Mushroom Head, a killer shuffle tribute to Madrid's Los Chicos (which segues into Beefheart!) and some memorable pop soul like It's No Shame. This band has found its sound, and it's good!

#2. The Okmoniks - Party Fever!! (Slovenly) - Going to and booking lots of shows, I've realized this year that there are fewer and fewer bands that know how to make a party happen, gimmick-free, simply by plugging in and playing. The Okmoniks are one of those few bands, and they've made a record that does the same. Not much more to say besides that the somewhat fuzzy production is PERFECT, the hooks are IMMEDIATE, and you need to get this record.

#1. Nobunny - Love Visions (Bubbledumb/1-2-3-4-Go Records) - That this record is #1 on my list should come as no surprise to anyone, as I've become an evangelist for this silly wabbit over the past year. Drummer of the Okmoniks, also the man behind the Sneaky Pinks record, he's done a great job of hiding in plain sight until just about a couple of months ago when he began to explode (LP has been reissued by 1-2-3-4-go records). We're not sure how big this thing is going to get but we hope it eclipses a lot of other bands that do not know how to party or write a hook. He does both in spades on this LP which is definitely a repeatburner for me (as well as too many friends of mine to count). Yes, it's Ramones + Bubblegum etc, but who cares when the hooks are as powerful as in "Mess Me Up", "I am a Girlfriend" or "Boneyard"? We can only hope that the trend of hooky danceable garage music (Black Lips, KK/BBQ...) keeps getting THIS good!

Honorable Mentions:
The Audacity - Tour CD - Amazingly prolific for a bunch of recent school grads, this Fullerton group shows oodles of promise. Again, forget the Black Lips comparisons. Live they were noisy and fun but the CD reveals them to be into some weird twisty songwriting.
King Khan & BBQ - Animal Party (Fat Possum) - This brand new record on FP continues a streak of fun KK/BBQ singles. You probably won't DJ this one as much as the last one (on Crypt), but it's got a great sleeve with a coloring book, a groove and it's good for a laugh. What more do you want for your $7?

Take a listen to some my favorite tracks from my favorite albums on my Best of '08 podcast: