Video: “Retox 'YPLL' Documentary”

What we got here is a sweet ten minute documentary directed by Mitch Massie about the punk band Retox. Featuring new music from their forthcoming LP YPLL  (Out May 28) and open discussions about their recording process, touring, and overall philosophy on what it means to be a small hard working band today. Featuring interviews with band members Justin Pearson, Mike Crain, Brian Evans, Thor Dickey as well as fellow musicians Jason Hamacher (Frodus,) Buzz Osboorne (The Melvins,) Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs,) Trevor Dunn (Tomahawk,) Maxamillion Avila (Antioch Arrow) and Aaron Montaigne (Heroin.) 

Throwback Thursday’s: The Resurgence of Indie Labels

This week’s Throwback Thursday coincides with an annual event that takes place tomorrow in San Diego California. San Diego Music Thing Music Conference and Festival is a place for all things music and one aspect of music is business of course which brings us to the panel, Music Industry 101: Basics, or everything you need to know to get started in the business of music in 2012, which occurs at the event each year. The video below is of last year’s panel included Justin Perason, of Three One G Records and The Locust, Jello Biafra of Alternative Tenticles Records and The Dead Kennedys, Scott Simoneaux of Aquarium Drunkard/Autumn Tone Records, Josh Feingold from Songs Publishing and Scott Pactor of Zoo Music. In the hour and five minute stream you get to hear words of wisdom from some very interesting and inspirational folks as they field questions from the crowd including things like how to start a label in 2011, digital distribution vs. physical, file sharing, Major Labels vs. independent, their opinions on vinyl’s resurgence, how to get signed and more. The sound quality is a bit crap so you might have to boost the volume up a bit but it’s well worth the watch if you are a fan of any of these peoples work or just wan tto learn more about the music business today, yesterday and the future.

The Resurgence of Indie Labels from San Diego Music Thing on Vimeo.

Video: ALL LEATHER - "We Eat Gauche Caviar" NSFW

You may recall that back in September of 2011 we recommended some lite reading in the form of Justin Pearson’s “How To Lose Friends And Irritate People.”  Included with the book was a new tune from Justin’s band ALL LEATHER entitled "We Eat Gauche Caviar." Well it looks like the band went ahead and made the song available digitally yesterday via iTunes with a bonus remix from Ese & Zain and a Mitch Massie directed video which we are sharing below. As is the case with most things that come from Mr. Pearson the visuals are most certainly NSFW.

Read This: Justin Pearson - "How To Lose Friends And Irritate People"

"In his new book, How To Lose Friends and Irritate People, Justin Pearson reveals his misadventures with two DJ duos borrowing him as a frontman, lending some “punk” street cred to their music. Known for being part of bands like The Locust, All Leather, and Retox, as well as the owner of Three One G Records, Justin has paved the way for bizarre, abrasive and political music, while pushing the envelope of what is expected or what can be done in a band. The Bloody Beetroots and Designer Drugs approached him to sing on their albums, and what came out of those two experiences is both pathetic and hilarious. From being forced to lip sync at Australian festivals in front of thousands, to being lost in the woods somewhere in Pennsylvania at a music video shoot gone wrong, Justin questions not only the DJ’s motives, but his own as well. Embracing actual musical instrumentation instead of laptop playlists, Justin trudges through the murky waters of musical capitalism."

How To Lose Friends and Irritate People is comprised of two stories, “Now I Will Make a Sound For You to Hear, A Sound Without My Mouth” and “A Sucker is Born Every Minute” separately bound in each own’s book, as well as a flexi record in each book featuring All Leather “We Eat Gauche Caviar” and Ill Saint M “A Pig’s Orphan” (featuring Justin Pearson). All parts bound together as one, creating more than just a book, but a collectors item, artifact, and maybe even an all around “fuck you” to Kindles and digital downloads.

I read Justin's first book, From The Graveyard of the Ariousal Industry, and it was a lot of fun, if you haven't picked it up do so now as it's soon to be out of print

Purchase the Novellas HERE, I ordered my copy today.

Justin Pearson has been busy

One of my absolute favorite people in music, Justin Pearson, has a lot of good stuff going on right now worth mentioning.

First up we have the season premiere Young, Broke & Beautiful on IFC premieres Friday, June 24th at 11PM. The episode features a live performance by Retox and an interview by Justin. Check out the IFC website for more info.

Justin is also going to be going on tour in Europe with Blue Note who are of course the reformed legendary band the Swing Kids. You can and SHOULD catch them at one of these dates...

Also worth mentioning is the documentary "Parallel Planes" Justin and many other notable musicians are featured in this monster. Details below...

“Parallel Planes” a documentary film which portrays different american musicians and the similarities between them. The subject matter focusses on DIY, Punk, Noise, Art and very prominently: the courage of progression. Starring: Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi), Valentine Falcon (Get Hustle), Michael Gira (Swans, Young God Records), Mick Barr (Orthrelm, Ocrilim, Octis), Justin Pearson (The Locust, Swing Kids, All Leather, Retox, etc.), Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu), Eric Copeland (Black Dice, Terrestrial Tones, Solo etc.), Weasel Walter (Flying Luttenbachers, UGExplode etc), Zach Hill (Hella, Solo etc.), Jenny Hoyston (Erase Errata, lesbians, Solo etc), Alap Momin (Dälek, MRC Riddims), Greg Saunier (Deerhoof etc.), Otto von Schirach, and more.


CALL FOR DONATION: PARALLEL PLANES from pietsche on Vimeo.