Date:      Sat, 07 Jan 1995 16:01:34 EST
<title>CHOKE, INC. NEWSLETTER  VOL. 2 #1</title>
<h1>CHOKE, INC. NEWSLETTER  VOL. 2 #1<br></h1>
<xmp>
  			CHOKE, INC.
			1376 W. GRAND AVE.
			CHICAGO, IL. 60622
			choke@spagmumps.com


			"And then one day 
			   in the shower 
			 I realized 
			   I didn't miss her anymore."
					- Vacek
	

Welcome to the second year of this humble publication. thanks to
everyone who has sent me stuff or just a note saying good job, etc.
and remember ... shoot newt.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1994 and I'M GETTING OLD

This is gonna be a quick little ditty about what i think the
highlights of '94 were. (music-wise, that is)

DAZZLING KILLMEN	Face of Collapse
NEUROSIS		Enemy of the Sun
KYUSS			Sky Valley
BEASTIE BOYS		Ill Communication
RODAN			Rusty
MULE			If I Don't Six
MELVINS			Stoner Witch
HAMMERHEAD 		Into the Vortex
SHELLAC			At Action Park
UNSANE			Total Destruction
CHERUBS			Herion Man
SLAYER			Divine Intervention
and of course everything that Choke, Inc. has put out this year.

BEST SHOW OF 1994 : Skin Graft Irritational

Publications	Subversive Workshop
		219 South Capitol Pkwy.
		Montgomery, AL. 36107
		Free with 2 stamps

		Fucktooth
		c/o Jen Engel aa704@po.cwru.edu
		(Address coming)

	    	The Baffler
		P.O. Box 378293
		Chicago, Il 60637
		$16 for 4 issues (these are books, so this is very
		 worth it)

Peeves : chicago music critics who keep thinking craw sounds like the
jesus lizard. get a grip. Also, booking agents. We need one, but are
too weird for anyone so fuck 'em all. we're gonna continue to book
ourselves. 

And finally, a huge thanks to Cheryl Botchick for writing what is
probably the best review of any album I have ever read, and having it
about craw's lost nation road as a bonus. (Nov. 28 CMJ report)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Choke, inc. headquarters finally got their own modem so those of you
who have sent them mail and never heard back, they now have no excuse
(provided the two can figure out how to install it:)

Be on the lookout for new releases by Today is the Day(Amrep), Season 
to Risk(Red decibel/columbia) and the split single from Truman's 
Water/Azailia Snail on Choke, inc. Meanwhile Tar is finishing up
writing their next batch of material and plans to go back in with
Steve Al Bundy (just kidding, steve) soon to record. They played a
rare show in cleveland here with us last night and ruled. 

The vinyl Lost Nation Road by Craw is out but many are sans the
promised lyric sheet due to technical difficulties. They should,
however be on the web site and the ftp site listed at the end, so if
you like to read bands lyrics check 'em out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

AMERICA'S INJUSTICE SYSTEM

I went to my trial on the 12th of dec. and the cop didn't even show
up. So we made the motion to dismiss the case on grounds of no proof.
The county prosecutor said no way. If we wanted to go that route he'd
issue a continuance and subpeona the cop and pick up next month. the
only problem with that is that cop can do this continuance shit for
about 8 months before getting into trouble. so more than likely for
the next 8 months i'd be going to court and finding that he didn't
show again and get another continuance. fuck them. My two other
choices were plea bargain down to general disorderly conduct (from
aggrevated) and pay $100 fine and have a misdemeanor on my record OR
take what is called selective intervention, pay $200, take 3 months
probation and have not go on my record. So thats what I did. fuckers.
All for saying to a cop after he called me an asshole "thats why
nobody likes you." truth hurts, eh dickhead?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

REVIEWS

COME, COBRA VERDE, ALKALOID 12-5-94 Euclid Tavern Clevo

Alkaloid used to be called poobah but someone else had that name.
anyway, these guys I like. yeah maybe at times dave the singer sounds
vedder, but he has more than enough of his own schtick to let that
pass. heavy rok music that works very well. Cobra Verde springs from
the ashes of Death of Samantha. They are also a fine, talented band
in the rock (not rok) arena. energetic, etc. Come was great. never
having been a big fan of theirs before, i was refreshed at enjoying
their live set alot. all and all a rock night, but sometimes i find
myself in need of a good rock night and this was one of those nights. 

SLANT 6, MAKEUP and someone Euclid Tavern

Didn't get the opening bands name cause they were a last minute
addition. not very good anyway. Makeup comprised itself of some
members of nation of ulysses but weren't anything like that. They
were really cool and unbrandable, taking just a drum/guitar set up
with frantic Guy Picciotto-esque (Fugazi) rants and sometimes a crazy
organ making groove music. That was O.K. Slant 6 need to learn how to
play. At the risk of sounding like a total guy, these ladies don't
rock. I guess there is a minimalistic attraction to their sound but I
don't get into them. Reminds me of when I was in my first band in 8th
grade and nobody really knew what to do. 

GIRLS AGAINST BOYS, SOUL COUGHING and the SMOOTHIES Euclid Tavern

Practice made me miss the smoothies. Soul Coughing really rule. White
boy hip hop with double bass, casio and cd rom and spastic frontman.
Their cd is very good. check them out if you can. Girls vs. Boys were
good. Nothing spectacular, except their encore set which was mostly
white noise - way cool. otherwise, a good attempt at rehashing alot
of stuff we have seen over the last 10 or so years. well done. 

ASPHALT, SISSY, DISENGAGE, DUVALBY BROS. and FLINT RUBBLE BUBBLE
CAKES Peabody's Down Under

Local Cleveo extravaganza. Flint Rubble Bubble Cakes are hip
hop/rap/p-funk-ish and really good at it. new guitar player and
second vocalist adding to the coolness. Duvalby Bros. rule. will be
picked up soon and have a single coming out on Spazz Action, a local
cleveland label run by Scott Pickering. Disengage was good this
night, but saw them the next night and they were way better. heavy
rifs and scorched vocals. Sissy was a project in cleveland that
lasted about a year and a half and about 15 different personnel
changes. over the holiday they all were back in town and played this
show. it was never a favorite band of mine and they pretty much
sucked for this reunion. Asphalt is cleveland's brutal metal band.
slow metal, etc. need i say more?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

THE WAY THINGS ARE

	The only decent excuse for a human being is that who sends me
material for this publication. George Vacek from Athens, Ga is such. Here
goes ...

It's the very first day of 1995, and so I kinda got reflective and 
started thinking about 1994.  And one of the things I realized about
1994 is that I didn't review hardly any concerts or CD's, despite numerous
promises to Rockie that I would.  So to start this new year right
(and no, I'm not gonna make a resolution to do better) I figured I 
could put some reviews together.  

the Jesus Lizard:  "Show" 1994 Giant Records.  Plus a couple shows, Athens GA. 
  In my opinion, "Show" suxs.  One thing about about the Lizard is that
the live shows have an intensity which make you say "Yow!" but such intensity
doesn't come thru in the studio recordings.  So "Show" which is a live 
recording should have come out somewhat intense.  It fails in that regard.  
And most of the music appears elsewhere too, so there's not much point 
getting this CD. Regarding the actual live shows, JohnnyG and I agree that 
they are slipping somewhat as well.  Every time we see the Lizard they aren't 
quite as good as the previous time.  Still worth it to go to the shows, but 
it is hoped that the trend doesn't continue.

beats the hell out of me:  self-titled 1994 Metal Blade.  
  I went out of my way to get this CD, only to find out that it's not worth 
going out of your way for.  It is a good CD though, so give it a listen if
it falls your way.  The band plays real tight.  You'll find yourself singing
along even during your first listen.  But that is simply b/c the vocals are
quite clear and the melodies catchy in an almost pop sorta way.  The lyrics 
are simple and the topics fairly unoriginal.  Oh well.  These guys would
probably be a good group to see live if you needed something to do for an
evening since you could enjoy the show even if you were completely 
unfamiliar with them.  And when you started to get bored, you could always go
track down the old "Galaga" game at the back of the bar.  These guys are
solid and good, just not exceptional in any way.

MULE:  "IF I DON'T SIX" 1994 Quarterstick Records and a live show in Atlanta 
GA. You've heard other good reviews already.  What are you waiting for?  Buy 
the CD, go to the show.
  
Reviewed January 2nd.

brise-glace: "when in Vanitas..." 1994 Skin Graft.
  5 songs (but 50 minutes) of dark instrumentation which makes me think about
breaking things.  Subtle enough to have as background music during a romantic 
dinner.  Dynamic enough to be cranked loud enough to feel.

> EDITORS NOTE : FAR BE IT FROM ME TO REVIEW MY OWN BAND, BUT I AM
> GOING TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ... SUE ME. AND THANK YOU GEORGE.

craw: "lost nation road" 1994 choke, inc.
  What insane fuckers!  Along with the late Dazzling Killmen, these math-rockers
have torn the post-punk music scene a new asshole.  This must be the result of
what happens when Einsteinian geniuses go a little too heavy on the chronic.  
Don't expect to like their brutal assault on the first listen.  Expect to be
afraid and disgusted.  But after a few listens you'll be addicted to them and
hating yourself for it.  If you are familiar with craw's self-titled debut,
then imagine that cup of coffee boiled down into an espresso.  A deep dark 
sludge with plenty of kick.  All the typical adjectives like tight, crisp, 
brilliant, dynamic or intense are simply understatements when describing this
band.
  I'd like to review a live craw show for you, but of course those bastards
never tour through Athens or Atlanta.  I can only assume that one needs to 
rest up for a day before their show and recuperate for a week after.
  As an aside, don't be satisfied with a cheap tape copy of your friend's CD.
The cover art alone is worth the price of the CD.  9 different pieces by the
likes of Derek Hess.  Each one a visual slap in the face that is in perfect 
harmony with craw's aural attack.

MAN...or ASTROman?: "DESTROY ALL ASTRO-MEN" 1994 Estrus.
  I call it high-powered beach music.  JohnnyG says it is "Wipe-Out!" played
21 different ways.  Whichever, it's pretty fun to listen to.  Or drive a
car to (if you don't mind speeding tickets), or have sex to, or study to,
or rollerskate to.  I saw MAN...or ASTROman? live at a rollerskate rink
sometime before xmas and it was one of the most interesting shows I've seen.
A $5 cover also covered the price of skate rental.  21 versions of "Wipe-Out"
were appropriate given the skating ability of most people there, including
myself.  It didn't help that the sweat in the air condensed on the floor in
a sheen so slick that motor-oil engineers began to study it.  A lot of fun
in any form, check out MAN...or ASTROman?.

-----

Hey, it is now January 5th, and you know what that means, right?  Yup,
that means the Choke Newsletter is late, and Rockie ain't pulling his weight.

> EDITOR'S NOTE : BLOW ME

But it also means that I can probably quick review a couple more CD's 
before the issue comes out.  Also, historically January 5th is two-bass
day, so I will only review bands with two basses.  Sorry, if you are anxious
to hear about Primus's latest, don't look for it here.  Go read "Rolling
Stone" or something.

COP SHOOT COP: "RELEASE" 1994 Interscope.
  CSC is gritty and mean and all that stuff, singing about the seamy side 
of life.  But, you know, when I listen to their CD, intead of getting an 
image of REAL life in all its nasty detail, I get an image of a MOVIE showing 
life in all its nasty detail.  Maybe it's just me.  Regardless, this CD, as 
with the previous CSC works, allows a listener who is willing to face the 
world's shit a chance to do so, without forcing them out into muck which 
is over their heads.  Lest you think all this is a negative review of CSC,
I will simply say this.  They are good.  Buy their shit and listen to it.

MiLKMiNe: "braille" 1994 choke, inc.
  If you want a review of a MiLKMiNe show, you will have to dig up the
old newsletter in which JohnnyG's review appears.  I saw the same show,
and although I can't relate entirely to his description, it sure is 
picturesque.
  As far as the CD goes, I can honestly say it is unlike anything I have 
ever heard before.  Well, except when I heard them in the live show.
Not only does the band have a unique sound, but no two songs on this
release are much alike either.  Which means that listening to the recording 
leaves never a dull moment.  
  Another cool thing about MiLKMiNe is that they are only a 3 member band.  
No, I am not digressing into some pro-Rush stint!  But unlike other 2-bass 
bands like CSC (above) who's double-bass sound is somewhat masked by piano, 
guitar, and other instrumentals, with MiLKMiNe there is only the 2-basses 
and drums.  So you can't miss the heavy bass sound.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone else who has promised me material in the past few months but
has failed is going to hell with all other freeloaders. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

TOURS

Craw	Jan. 27 - Feb. 11 (pre-tour tour)

	Only half are confirmed - mostly east coast - here are the
	 confirmed ones.

	jan 30	Asbury Park, NJ
	feb 1	NYC (?)
	3	New Brunswick, NJ
	4	Baltimore
	7	Richmond
	8	Greensboro, NC
	9	Cincinatti
	10	Lexington
	11	Nashville

	NYC, DC, Philly, Knoxville, and others still
	 in works. And ATLANTA and ATHENS in March, George.

Will probably send out something real quick before we leave with
final dates. Then big tour in March.

Once again the boys at choke, inc. headquarters have failed to fill
me in on the whereabouts and happenings of the rest of the choke
roster. no other tour info as such.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Again, feel free to send the choke inc guys demo tapes, etc. and
none of you losers are sending me anything to put in this. get with
it. then maybe I could get it out a little more than recently.
Booking info for craw mail me or call 2162296848 ask for chris
anderson. booking info for morsel call 5139610357 ask for lucia.
booking info on other choke bands mail choke@spagmumps.com

--- rockie@neurosis.wariat.org

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Back Issues at FTP 141.214.4.135 under the directory /docs/choke. WWW
stuff located at "http://kzsu.stanford.edu/uwi.html" ... Thanks Jon.

		  What a wonderful thing
		Imagination
		  I press her against the washer
		Penetration
		  In walks her boyfriend
		Introduction
		  That thought and the motion
		Eruption
			-vacek
> there are people you can talk to about stuff like this, george ;) <


-- 
      "It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times ... 
	     stupid monkey!"  - Montgomery Burns