The MT Field Unit: Recent Episodes
Malcolm Tent
Welcome to the loud world of the MT Field Unit! I'm your host, Malcolm Tent.
I do a lot of touring in the US, either as a solo punk rock acoustic dude, or with my band Ultrabunny. I have a funny habit: I record every concert I go to, whether I'm on the bill or not.
I've been doing it since 1983. All of my recordings are multitrack and I usually get to mix them in order to achieve optimal sound.
Most of the bands I record are indie and underground. A number of them have never even entered a recording studio. So here's a unique opportunity to check out some excellent sounds you might not hear otherwise.
Be sure to visit my website (www.malcolmtent.net) to see where I'll be next. Who knows? I may be recording a concert that you'll be at!
BASSOON's crushing instru-metal onslaught has been called "the Melvins colliding with Melvin Sparks" and hailed as "Brooklyn’s heaviest and most challenging" trio, delivering hand-hammered stoner-metal-fusion chamber odysseys since 2008. Their "eviscerating eponymous debut" of 2012, dubbed "an unholy union of high-brow fusion and low-end sludge". Originally the brainchild of Stuart and Harvey Milk's Steve Tanner during Stuart’s collaboration with Harvey Milk on the Special Wishes album, heavy bass/keyboard riffs over a drum machine gave way to the current power trio with guitarist Sean Moran and drummer John Mettam. The group heads Northeast in Spring 2017 for a brief tour before entering the studio to cut a second record.
"For fans of intelligent metal, any project attached to Stuart Popejoy and Steve Tanner of the Athens, Georgia noise rock outfit Harvey Milk is certainly worth investing a moment of your time to check out. But what if said project emerges without the input of its primary principles? Truth be told, Bassoon is only Tanner's group in theory, conceived during their collaboration with journeyman avant-jazz bassist Stuart Popejoy, who participated in the creation of Harvey Milk’s 2006 LP Special Wishes. However, Popejoy turned the concept into a full-fledged vision with the help of guitarist Sean Moran and drummer John Mettam with this eviscerating eponymous debut (released August 2), with nine compositions that sound like the Melvins colliding with Melvin Sparks in an unholy union of high-brow fusion and low-end sludge. Call it ‘Bash and Bop’ with all apologies to Tommy Stinson." -- Dirty Impound
“The power trio is one of Brooklyn’s heaviest and most challenging, bringing to mind a mixture of Melvins-style avant-sludge and daredevil ’70s fusion.” – Time Out NY
“The riffs are interesting, original post-Zep, post-Zap, post-Maha sorts of things… the band takes no prisoners” – Grego Applegate Edwards
https://bassoon.bandcamp.com/
These dudes are from the greater DC area. They opened for THE PIST and burned the house down! Here's their set in full fury. Turn it up loud; your neighbors won't know WHAT the hell is going on.
Band photo by Chadd Heath.
A little self indulgence with this one. I took some interesting sounds I found on the road and manipulated them ever so slightly. The result was something unexpected and mildly nerve wracking. Play with the lights off for maximum effect.
SPIRIT OF update the pastoral folk tradition for the 21st century. That is to say they are a guitar duo playing lovely melodies with beautiful vocals. And they are electric and they are loud! Hopefully this recording from the Lyric Theatre in New Haven does justice to their sound.
We just lost one of the greats. Grant Hart was 100% unpredictable. I've seen him chew out close friends for no reason and I've seen him share his food with bums on the street. His performances could be dire or inspired depending on his mood, which was quite capricious.
He was a great conversationalist. There's no way I could remember all of the factoids he would casually drop in the course of an idle chat after a show. Much of his stored information wound up in his songs and his songs are amongst the best I've ever heard.
Grant was kind enough to let me tape his shows. Here's a selection from a few of the best. There are lots of fond memories in these recordings and I'm glad that Mr. Hart allowed me the means to relive them. Please enjoy and share freely.
You're The Reflection Of The Moon On The Water/ So Far From Heaven/ Is The Sky The Limit (recorded live at The Cake Shop, NYC 11/22/13)
Awake, Arise/ 2541/ My Regrets/ She's A Woman (And Now He Is A Man)/ Barbara/ Where You Gonna Land (Next Time You Fall Off Of Your Mountain)/ Getaway In Time (recorded live at Bruar Falls, NYC 9/27/10)
Parchman Farm/ Green Eyes/ Turn On The News (recorded live at The Cake Shop, NYC 1/14/10)
Charity, Chastity, Prudence, and Hope (recorded live at Northsix, NYC 1/30/03)
Photo from The Cake Shop, NYC 1/14/10 by Malcolm Tent.
Here is a very rare recording of a complete set from the ill- fated "Grave New World" tour. Well, almost complete. The gig took place at a strip bar on a Sunday afternoon. The band was cut short to make way for the topless dancers. That was still a better fate than what Discharge faced on most of this tour. It's a long story, best told by others. Dig this artifact of crossover gone terribly wrong, audience abuse and all.
It's epic.... it's informed.... it's got a storyline.... it's rock to the Nth degree.... it's THIS CRIMINAL SOUL recorded live at the lovely Lyric Theatre in New Haven, CT. It was their cd release party and thus, history in the making.
https://www.facebook.com/ThisCriminalSoul/ https://thiscriminalsoul.com/
If ever there was a band who needed no introduction, it would be PSYCHO. So without further ado, he's a scorching live set of theirs from Club Bohemia in Cambridge, MA.
DIVIDED HEAVEN prove that "singer songwriter" is not a dirty phrase! Recorded live at Zephyr in the very thin air of Santa Fe, this dude delivers the goods.
https://dividedheaven.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/album/6ANYjNv8v9UOulFsFdqNz4
Before there was DEVO (the band) there was DEVO (the idea). The dudes who conceived of DEVO are Jerry Casale and Bob Lewis. They recently shared the stage for the first time in 40+ years and I was there to document it.
Immediately afterward, Jerry Casale and David Kendrick (who was DEVO's drummer on several albums and tours) had an onstage reunion. I rolled tape and played guitar; an epic moment for yours truly and one of many epic moments for all in attendance at the DEVOtional fan gathering.
Personnel on "Auto Modown" and "Beehive": Jerry Casale: bass, vocals Bob Lewis: guitar Scott Orsi: keyboards, vocals Nick Ciasullo: drums
Personnel on "Beautiful World": Jerry Casale: bass, vocals David Kendrick: drums Scott Orsi: keyboards, vocals Malcolm Tent: guitar, vocals
Photos by Michael Pilmer and Joshua Wizinsky.
These Danbury stalwarts recently called it quits and in honor of the momentous event I give you a recording of their hemi- semi final performance. Recorded live at the Wamleg in Wallingford, CT as part of the CT Punk Fest, you'll hear that these dudes went out with anything but a whimper.
https://www.facebook.com/twofistedlaw/ https://twofistedlaw.bandcamp.com/ https://www.reverbnation.com/twofistedlaw
It's always a treat for me to roll into a town and find myself on a bill with a band who are smart, funny, and who ROCK. JJCnV totally fit the bill. I hope you dig this recording of them live at the Loudhouse as much as I enjoyed making it.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/jjcnv/ http://flabfjord.bigcartel.com/
How does one describe these dudes? Power trio? Student of Robert Fripp? Wild mountain music boys? Psychedelic garage rock? I have no idea, so I'll let the music do the talking. And the band, too, cuz there's an interview after the music. Listen!
thethursdaytorys@gmail.com https://thethursdaytorys.bandcamp.com/releases
If you like it fast, frantic, and involved, then crank this live set recorded on day #2 of the CT Punk Fest at the Wamleg.
https://www.reverbnation.com/CRYHAVOCPUNX http://cryhavocct.bigcartel.com/
All the way from Detroit, Carmel Liburdi sings of serial killers, organized religion, and the perils of personal politics. Here she is live at Neverending Books in New Haven, CT. She's accompanied by Gwen MacPhee on acoustic bass and together they kick up some dust!
Recorded live at Cafe 9 opening for the Murder Junkies, these Watertown lads pick up the ball where Black Flag dropped it in 1983. Prepare to have your ears pierced.
More Intercourse: https://www.facebook.com/nononoiserock/
The spirit of poetry is alive and Leahjoy Pearson proves it! Reading from her book "Poems From A Broken Heart" in an intimate setting, Leahjoy shows that her heart may be broken, bur her spirit is not.
Connecticut's long running doyens of the bizarre lay it down weird and wonderful in Naugatuck (if you live in Connecticut you'll appreciate why that's a heavy statement). And did I mention that LAMB BOMBS rock? Well, they rock. Listen and love.
Here is more: https://lambbombs.bandcamp.com/releases
Originally released on the TPOS label in 1993 on cassette. A rare acoustic/ electric set by Danbury's immortal sludgemeisters. From the original liner notes:
"This is a document of one sweaty night in Newtown. If you were there, you were there. If not, turn up the heat, quaff the brew, and poke a hole in your ear with a toothpick. For this is HED and that's the way to do it."
Since you're online right now, check out this amazing remaster of some HED studio recordings:
https://hedmusic.bandcamp.com/releases
Satisfaction guaranteed!
What rhymes with "raunch"? Honch! Maybe not lyrically, but certainly musically. These young lads know how to get down and get out. And they do a wicked extrapolation on the Gun Club. Recorded at Cherry Street Station in Wallingford, CT in the live and in the raw!
One of Connecticut's finest ever punk bands, The Pist recorded live at the German Club in Mystic, CT. Probably the only punk show to ever occur in Mystic! This was from the second of two nights for The Pist, and here's how it sounds in all its ragged glory.
A veritable sludge feast recorded live on the spot at The Pharmacy in Philadelphia, where the streets are narrow but the Vietnamese sandwiches rule!
Check out the further adventures of the Human Adult Band at http://www.dihd.net/
Check out the Gribschnobler with their excellent improvised music and 100% real lyrics about what it's like to be committed.
Here's a podcast of their own: http://gribcast.libsyn.com/
Recorded live at Cherry Street Station, these mathy CT allstars lay it down with precision!
You want punk rock? We got it here, recorded in the great outdoors at an old fashioned Irish resort in the Catskills.
www.thelostriotspunx.tumblr.com https://thelostriots.bandcamp.com/
Recorded live at Legion Bar in Brooklyn, 10/23/16. Songs: We're Really Very Nice People/ Gratest Hit/ I Wanted The Best; I Got A Coffin/ Squirrel Attack/ Power Pap Pap Punk/ In A Towering Pet/ Contracted Civilian Interrogator/ Entropy Wins Again.
personnel: Malcolm Tent: bass Bobby Bunny: guitar, voice Dana Cataldo: percussion
Thanks to TRIM (noise from Boston) for letting us borrow Dana. www.ultrabunny.com