I guess first off we'd like to say a little thanks to all those who expressed interest in this in the first place. Those crazy scientist types down in athens, ga. Yea, you know who you are. And then theres those kids from carnegie mellon institution for the mentally unstable. we love ya. I'm gonna start off by restating what we intend to do with this little thing here. First and foremost this is going to be an informative little column where one may find the latest tour and release info on all of the bands on Choke, Inc. Even though its primarily on all of the stuff about the label, they have nothing to do with this, so don't think we're going to be pushing all of our stuff like commercial meatheads. This is for fun.
So I'm trying to be a good little band member and give people who can't find our record in stores the address of the label. I post a nice little message on alt.music.alternative, where all the cool bit-heads hang out, and then realize that I had so much fun writing the little paragraph describing to everyone how many people have told me that they can't find the record or its sold out, that I forget to actually include the address. What a bolt head.
Well, there's us(craw) from Cleveland, a very crazy bunch of southern ohioans called Milkmine, and a nifty little classical orchestra from Ann Arbor called Morsel. They're not really a classical orchestra. I'm being a dork. They're a four piece with nice, heavy grooves and a little lady who sings, screams and plays the meanest fucking flute you'll ever hear. Pretty tripped out. We're all routing for this little instrumental band from Huntington, W.Va to be the fourth band. They're called Karma to Burn and absolutely blew me over when I saw them. We all hope they go with Choke, Inc., but they seem to be getting a lot more attention than I think ever they expected. We'll keep you posted on that.
CHOKE, INC.
1376 W. GRAND AVE.
CHICAGO, IL. 60622
Feel free to flood them with demo tapes.
Since none of them are here, or even know what a computer is(they're gonna kill me for that) I think this is the perfect time to warm up with some Milkmine stories. The two of us and TAR from chicago played one warm night in Cincinatti, Milkmine's hometown. After the show all three bands went back to Milkmine's house to get naked with each other and party all night. In the course of the early morning, in between the times where national John, the singer of Milkmine, tried to get our pants down, we got to hear this excellent story of how Milkmine beat the shit out of the Reverend Horton Heat and the Supersuckers on the same night. The two bands in question were playing a show across the street from another club where Milkmine was playing that night also. The Rev's and Supersuckers' show got out early, and both bands ventured across the street to check out the other show. Milkmine was on stage and the drunken Reverend told the singer for the Supersuckers that he'd give him $40 to jump up on stage and onto the band's drum kit. And so it was done. Lou, who at that time was drumming for Milkmine, indeed was not amused and proceeded to get up from behind his kit and start pummeling the offender. Hence, a very large scene between the Supersuckers, the Reverend and Milkmine ensued where in the end the offending bands were taken outside of the club by Milkmine and some of their friends and properly taken care of. Don't mess with Milkmine. The Reverend, we're happy to say, escaped with a VERY black eye and brused ego. Serves him right.
- After the first of the year craw will be hitting the road fairly heavily. Possible runs with Season to Risk and others are being setup as I speak. We will be taking a new booker on in January. Anyone who is receiving this letter and is interested in trying to setup a show with us in your town, mail me and I'll send you the booker's number.
- Reviews of the CD are starting to trickle in, and for the most part people are really impressed. Which, of course, makes me pretty nervous and skeptical. Interestingly, however, is that not one of the reviews have cited the same bands when trying to say we sound like someone. Everything from slint to carcass. I guess we just sound like everyone. Hmmm ...
- If you have the CD (as opposed to the tape version) you know what crazy artwork is included. If anyone is interested in information about the three artists whose work is on the CD (or even our bud, Derek Hess, who does our 7" covers, flyers and shirts) let me know here, or write the label about it. We both know how to get in touch with them.
- Steven Kasner, the fellow who painted the cover and one of the inside panels on the CD, has joined forces with his friend Vaughn Bell and organized an art show which got so much attention at the Cleveland opening that the boys are going to take it on the road. It even got mentioned by Dan Rather on the big news. The show contains artwork from John Wayne Gacy, Richard Ramirez, Henry Lee Lucas, Ottis Toole, Charles Manson and Elmer Wayne Hensley, in addition to the artwork of the two organizers themselves (Steve's and Vaughn's work is way more disturbing than most of the work by the serial killers in my opinion.) Its a very interesting look at death, dreams and consiousness. At this point I'm unsure where and when the two plan to take their exhibit, but I will keep everyone posted.
CITY CHICKEN / KARMA TO BURN
Dec. 5 Peabody's Cafe, Cleveland, OH
- City Chicken are rapidly developing a large following in the Cleveland/Akron/Kent area. Their sound falls somewhere between Helmet and many other semi-heavy funk bands. This might turn some people off (the funk label) but these guys can play. Fast riffs and thumpin bass and drums make them very fun to listen to. Karma to Burn rule. Instrumental band that is huge and dynamic. See them. This was the fourth time I've them in about a month and they still haven't grown tiring. There aren't many bands like that anymore. City Chicken has a tape out and a CD release in the wings. Karma to Burn has nothing but shirts, so buy one.
- NEUROSIS - ENEMY OF THE SUN
Alternative Tentacles Records VIRUS 134CD
This is completely nuts. Heavier than anything they've done prior to this and also more chaotic. Many tape loops and samples throughout the recording. The last song is a 25 minute Crash Worship-ish percussion piece which ends in a locked groove(vinyl version.) Get this now.
- TODAY IS THE DAY - SUPERNOVA
Amphetamine Reptile Records AMREP 022
This band knocked me out when I saw them on the clusterfuck tour this past fall. A three piece that utilizes their instruments to the extremes. Many fucked up tape loops, samples, distorted, screaming vocals and totally fucked up rhythms. A few noise montages thrown in for fun. Not for the weak.
- DON CABALLERO - FOR RESPECT
Touch and Go Records TG120CD
Don Caballero are one of the few really interesting instrumental bands (next to Karma to Burn). The drummer plays an awful lot. Sometimes its really great, then sometimes I wish for a few seconds it wasn't as busy as it is. Other than that, this CD is fuckin right on. Nice thick sound, great songs, and no singer to kill the band.
January has craw in the following :
10th - Cleveland
11th - Ann Arbor
12th - Dayton
14th - Pittsburgh (tentative)
15th - Philadelphia
16th - Asbury Park, NJ
17th - Baltimore
21st - Huntington
23rd - Cleveland
29th - Richmond
February for craw is still in the works. Also rumors of a possible hitch up with the White Zombie/Prong tour for a few shows in the midwest.
Both Milkmine and Morsel will be recording their first full length releases in the month of february. I have been lazy so did not get any tour information on them other than Milkmine is touring with the Unsane in January. Morsel will be recording in Chicago with Steve, and Milkmine will be recording in Baltimore with The Punisher.
One final side note : Season to Risk just got pulled onto the Barkmarket tour, so the dates listed above for craw will only be craw and other locals, not craw and season to risk. Thems the breaks.
In endium (whatever), if you know anyone who would like to get this little platter of silly info, tell them to mail me at rockie@neurosis.wariat.org. And if anyone doesn't want this, please do the same. I should be coming out with one hopefully once a month. And if anyone wants to maybe contribute a small tidbit here and there, feel free to send it to me. Subject, of course, to my hammer and sickle - what do you want? My dog edits this, so i can edit you. Nyah.