Video: Chromatics – “Into the Black" (Neil Young Cover)

Here is one I missed. Seems that Portland’s Chromatics, dropped this video from their excellent 2012 LP Kill For Love some time ago, by my count that’s 6 now? Tapping Alberto Rossini for filming and directing once again, the Neil Young cover of “Into The Black” gets a similar treatment to what we have already seen from the band in regards to the visuals. Shot on location at suite 304 in December of 2009 you can now enjoy both the sights and sounds of the Chromatics below, if you like what you experience I recommend going straight to the source and buying the full record for a very affordable $5 from The Troubleman Unlimited/Italians Do it Better Store. 

Listen: Chromatics – “Kill For Love” Full LP

I’m not usually one to post a full stream of an album that is officially out but I’ve been listening to this album heavily since it dropped earlier this week, it will most certainly be on my 2012 best of list and I obviously highly recommend it.  For those  who have been patiently waiting for the latest LP from Portland’s Chromatics, wait no longer,  the bands dreamy synth sounds get right under our skin, and they have very kindly put their full LP ‘Kill For Love’ on soundcloud for us all to stream. You can purchase it in full right now on i-tunes but if you are anything like me and actually like to own the music you pay for I recommend going straight to the source and buying it for a very affordable $5 from The Troubleman Unlimited/Italians Do it Better Store.

Video: Chromatics – “Back From The Grave”

Wow yet another new track from Portland’s Chromatics, this one is called "Back To The Grave" and it’s the 5^th tune the band has shared form their forthcoming LP, Kill For Love.  Again the tune is top notch building on the hazy disco pop sound that the band is becoming known for. Alberto Rossini sticks to directing duties; the footage was shot at Rossini’s chalet in February of 2010, located on Yellowhead highway in Valemount, British Columbia.

Video: Chromatics – “Candy”

Another new track from Portland’s Chromatics, this one is called "Candy" and it’s another slice of dreamy indie pop that fits in nicely with what we have so far heard of the bands delayed  Kill Your Love LP. Alberto Rossini once again took on directing duties; the footage was shot at the House On The Hill back in the Autumn of 2011.  This marks the 4th song that the band have shared from the LP which makes the delay somewhat strange, if delaying something means we get to hear chunks of it ahead of time, and for free, then I’m all for it.

The History Of Big League Chew

Collecting Candy has a great story on the history of an American classic, Big League Chew. Although I haven’t picked up a pack for myself since I was a child, the iconic bubble gum is forever ingrained into my psyche. Perhaps it was the unique twist of shredding  the product to mimic chewing tobacco that drew many in or for folks like myself the fantastic Bill Mayer Mad Magazine like character art that graced each pack. Whatever the case Big League Chew’s story is a fascinating one.   

The story of how Big League Chew first came to be is well-known, at least the basics are – it’s written on the back of every new pouch of Big League Chew sold, and it goes like this;

“Sitting in a bullpen one night, Portland Maverick’s left-hander Rob Nelson, and teammate Jim Bouton, the former New York Yankee All-Star, wanted something really different and fun to chew.

So they came up with a great idea – shredded bubble gum in a pouch – and called it Big League Chew.  It soon became an amazing hit with ballplayers everywhere.

That was over 25 Years ago.  Today, more and more professional and amateur players in all sports are turning to Big League Chew, a fun gum that keeps your mouth from getting dry when the game is on the line. “

That’s the highlight-reel version of the colorful origins of Big League Chew that are expanded on in great detail HERE.