FRIDAY NOV 30, 2018
529 & 529 & Chunklet Industries Present:
Man or Astro-Man?
Tar
Arcwelder | Velvet Monkeys | The Stroke Band
Man or Astro-Man?
"Man or Astro-man? is a surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama, in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade. Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like that of Dick Dale and The Spotnicks with the new wave and punk rock sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Man or Astro-man? was known for their anachronistic dedication to science fiction themes, audio samples, obscure electronic devices (such as theremins and tesla coils), and high-energy live performances. Their earlier albums like Is It ... Man or Astroman? and Destroy All Astromen! were known for their traditional surf rock instrumentation and sci-fi sound bite song introductions, but their later albums like EEVIAC... and A Spectrum of Infinite Scale were known for their use of synthesizers, printers (like the Apple ImageWriter II), and their more abstract, experimental sound. Their recordings were often peppered with sound bites from obscure science fiction films and TV shows. It's largely believed the group took its name from the poster of the U.S. release of the Japanese film The Human Vapor, which includes the tagline “IS HE MAN OR ASTRO-MAN?”, the line seemingly appropriated as the title of their first album, Is It ... Man or Astroman?."
"Man or Astro-man? is a surf rock group that formed in Auburn, Alabama, in the early 1990s and came to prominence over the following decade. Primarily instrumental, Man or Astro-man? blended the surf rock style of the early 1960s like that of Dick Dale and The Spotnicks with the new wave and punk rock sounds of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Man or Astro-man? was known for their anachronistic dedication to science fiction themes, audio samples, obscure electronic devices (such as theremins and tesla coils), and high-energy live performances. Their earlier albums like Is It ... Man or Astroman? and Destroy All Astromen! were known for their traditional surf rock instrumentation and sci-fi sound bite song introductions, but their later albums like EEVIAC... and A Spectrum of Infinite Scale were known for their use of synthesizers, printers (like the Apple ImageWriter II), and their more abstract, experimental sound. Their recordings were often peppered with sound bites from obscure science fiction films and TV shows. It's largely believed the group took its name from the poster of the U.S. release of the Japanese film The Human Vapor, which includes the tagline “IS HE MAN OR ASTRO-MAN?”, the line seemingly appropriated as the title of their first album, Is It ... Man or Astroman?."
Tar
"Tar formed in 1988 by virtue of changing their name from Blatant Dissent, and scrapping most of the set. The original members were John Mohr, Mark Zablocki, Tim Mescher and Mike Greenlees. Enough songs were recorded for an album in 1988, and were eventually released as a single (Play to Win, No Blow, 1988) and an EP (Handsome, Amphetamine Reptile, 1989). The band recorded for Minneapolis-based Amphetamine Reptile until 1992, after which they recorded for Chicago's Touch and Go label. Tom Zaluckyj replaced Tim Mescher at the beginning of 1991. Tar toured extensively in the US, less so in Europe. The band was brought to a conclusion through mutual agreement in 1995 after the recording of their fourth and final album, "Over And Out." A final show was played Thanksgiving weekend, 1995 at Lounge Ax in Chicago.
The band briefly reformed at the request of the fine folks of the Premier Rock Forum, playing their BBQ in Chicago, on June 30, 2012. Then, at the request of the great Shellac of North America, another recital was given on August 26 of the same year at Lincoln Hall, also in Chicago."
"Tar formed in 1988 by virtue of changing their name from Blatant Dissent, and scrapping most of the set. The original members were John Mohr, Mark Zablocki, Tim Mescher and Mike Greenlees. Enough songs were recorded for an album in 1988, and were eventually released as a single (Play to Win, No Blow, 1988) and an EP (Handsome, Amphetamine Reptile, 1989). The band recorded for Minneapolis-based Amphetamine Reptile until 1992, after which they recorded for Chicago's Touch and Go label. Tom Zaluckyj replaced Tim Mescher at the beginning of 1991. Tar toured extensively in the US, less so in Europe. The band was brought to a conclusion through mutual agreement in 1995 after the recording of their fourth and final album, "Over And Out." A final show was played Thanksgiving weekend, 1995 at Lounge Ax in Chicago.
The band briefly reformed at the request of the fine folks of the Premier Rock Forum, playing their BBQ in Chicago, on June 30, 2012. Then, at the request of the great Shellac of North America, another recital was given on August 26 of the same year at Lincoln Hall, also in Chicago."
Velvet Monkeys
THE VELVET MONKEYS were formed in Washington, D.C. in 1981 and found many like‐minded bands in the mushrooming local scene of art-rock, hardcore punk and go-go music. Vocalist and guitarist Don Fleming (later of Gumball and producer of Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, Posies, Screaming Trees, Alice Cooper, Andrew W.K.) and drummer Jay ‘The Rummager’ Spiegel (also in Half Japanese, Gumball, Dinosaur Jr.) have played together on every Velvet Monkeys release since the cassette‐ only Everything is Right was released in 1982. The band’s move from minimalist art‐rock towards an increasingly heavier sound included an ever-evolving list of bandmates that have, at times, included Thurston Moore, Julie Cafritz and J Mascis. Don and Jay also played together in B.A.L.L. and Gumball. There’s only been one other Velvet Monkey show in the last decade.
THE VELVET MONKEYS were formed in Washington, D.C. in 1981 and found many like‐minded bands in the mushrooming local scene of art-rock, hardcore punk and go-go music. Vocalist and guitarist Don Fleming (later of Gumball and producer of Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, Posies, Screaming Trees, Alice Cooper, Andrew W.K.) and drummer Jay ‘The Rummager’ Spiegel (also in Half Japanese, Gumball, Dinosaur Jr.) have played together on every Velvet Monkeys release since the cassette‐ only Everything is Right was released in 1982. The band’s move from minimalist art‐rock towards an increasingly heavier sound included an ever-evolving list of bandmates that have, at times, included Thurston Moore, Julie Cafritz and J Mascis. Don and Jay also played together in B.A.L.L. and Gumball. There’s only been one other Velvet Monkey show in the last decade.
The Stroke Band
Legendary 1970s Deep South freaksters, THE STROKE BAND were seen and heard, until now, by only a few South Georgia pot heads, rednecks, sheriffs, strippers, and intoxicated U.S. Marines. Fronted by Bruce Joyner – a swamp rat synthesis of Buddy Holly, Bryan Ferry and Jerry Lee Lewis – The Stroke Band were an art-punk aberration to anything else happening in South Georgia in 1978 - 79. Their Anthology Recordings re-release of the Green and Yellow album is the first in any form since the private press LP came out in 1978. The Green and Yellow digital and double CD releases include the original Green and Yellow album; plus the band’s only live performance at Joe’s Cellar - a notorious strip club in Albany, Georgia; and a set of demos and psychotic improvs from their Cork House headquarters in Valdosta. Singer and band leader Bruce Joyner signed to Sire Records with The Unknowns in 1981 and has released several acclaimed solo albums since 1983. His latest album, Bruce Joyner & Netherglades 'Love And The Blood Vodou' was released earlier this year. Don Fleming, guitarist for the Stroke Band, went on to front his own bands The Velvet Monkeys and Gumball. This will be the first Stroke Band show in 39 years.
Legendary 1970s Deep South freaksters, THE STROKE BAND were seen and heard, until now, by only a few South Georgia pot heads, rednecks, sheriffs, strippers, and intoxicated U.S. Marines. Fronted by Bruce Joyner – a swamp rat synthesis of Buddy Holly, Bryan Ferry and Jerry Lee Lewis – The Stroke Band were an art-punk aberration to anything else happening in South Georgia in 1978 - 79. Their Anthology Recordings re-release of the Green and Yellow album is the first in any form since the private press LP came out in 1978. The Green and Yellow digital and double CD releases include the original Green and Yellow album; plus the band’s only live performance at Joe’s Cellar - a notorious strip club in Albany, Georgia; and a set of demos and psychotic improvs from their Cork House headquarters in Valdosta. Singer and band leader Bruce Joyner signed to Sire Records with The Unknowns in 1981 and has released several acclaimed solo albums since 1983. His latest album, Bruce Joyner & Netherglades 'Love And The Blood Vodou' was released earlier this year. Don Fleming, guitarist for the Stroke Band, went on to front his own bands The Velvet Monkeys and Gumball. This will be the first Stroke Band show in 39 years.