https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

Elephant Rifle Premiere “I’m Bad at Driving” Video

Posted in Bootleg Theater on November 7th, 2018 by JJ Koczan

elephant rifle

Reno’s Elephant Rifle aren’t three songs into their 2018 album, Hunk, before they’re advocating punching nazis, so yeah, I’m down. Rooted in punk, but thick in tone and groove, the four-piece keep both a political edge and a hellraising post-hardcore aspect to the 12-tracker, but there’s room among cuts like “Fuck My Name” and “Mass Strangling” and “Current Wars” and opener “Hunk’s America” with the drunkard’s-poetics lyricism of “Frat Poison,” “Big Milk” and “I’m Bad at Driving,” all of which offer no shortage of instrumental shenanigans to coincide. Intensity varies but tension is largely universal, and left, right or center, everyone seems to wind up taking a hit by the time the album is done. “Frat Poison” and “Sorority Row” would seem to cover both bases, for example, and likewise, the jangly West Coast noise rock of “Broomrider” complements the crashing and percussive drive of “Cowboy Poetry” earlier. They push, they pummel, and indeed, the punch, but the frenetic energy they bring to bear isn’t without consideration behind it — there are adults in the room.

Fair enough. The band — Brad Bynum, Mike MayhallClint Neuerburg and Mike Young — tracked with Tim Green (The Fucking Champs) — and Hunk carries the raw clarity of his work, but personality abounds on the band’s part, to put it mildly, and though by the time they engage Dr. Seuss on “Hit the Showers,” the onslaught of commentary seems to be somewhat less pointed than it was at the outset, there’s little arguing with the fact that the American age of media saturation, information saturation, and a willfully blurred line between truth and fiction accommodates all of the above and still has space in its infinite data servers for a song like “I’m Bad at Driving,” which, in terms of subject matter, is pretty much what the title would have you believe. There’s a video for the track premiering below — that’s why we’re here; keep up — and in addition to highlighting the song itself, it’s a good look at the persona driving the band throughout Hunk. Chicanery abounds. I hope their next album has a song about incels, because fuck that shit too.

I’ve included an embed of the full album from Elephant Rifle‘s Bandcamp, because in my imaginary world in which I have any grasp of how media works, you’re more likely to check out the record if I do that. Anyway, it’s there, so dig in as you will, but have some fun with the video first. It’s like every Uber driver’s worst nightmare come to life.

For those in the area or who can head that way, Elephant Rifle play Off Beat Music Festival in Reno this weekend with Big BusinessEaldor BealuDeath Valley Girls and others. Info is here.

Enjoy:

Elephant Rifle, “I’m Bad at Driving” official video premiere

The video for “I’m Bad at Driving,” a song from Elephant Rifle’s new album Hunk, features a hard-partying women’s softball team, joint-rolling heshers, magical black metal priests, and … goats?

Order here now: http://elephantrifle.bandcamp.com

Elephant Rifle is from Reno, Nevada. The band’s music is a mix of ’90s noise rock, ’80s hardcore, and ’70s classic rock, with strains of metal, psychedelia, post-punk, and more. The band has earned a solid rep for its sweaty, visceral live shows. This new LP, Hunk, is the band’s third full-length album.

“I’m Bad at Driving” is about behind-the-wheel anxiety. The song sounds a bit like the Jesus Lizard covering the Knack or something. In the video, ER vocalist Brad Bynum drives around at night, shuttling the aforementioned colourful cast of characters to who know where. Things start strange and get stranger.

Hunk features 12 slabs of savory sonic meat recorded with the great Tim Green at Louder Studios. (He was a member of Nation of Ulysses and the Fucking Champs, and he’s recorded a bunch of great albums by people like the Melvins, Comets on Fire, and other bands you probably already love.)

The “I’m Bad at Driving” video was directed by artist, illustrator, musician, and filmmaker Jeff Rogers, a.k.a. “Metal Jeff.” He also directed the 2014 Elephant Rifle video “I Can’t Believe You’re Still Alive.”

Elephant Rifle, Hunk (2018)

Elephant Rifle on Thee Facebooks

Elephant Rifle on Instagram

Elephant Rifle on Bandcamp

Tags: , , , , ,

Crucialfest 6 Announces Lineup; Russian Circles, SubRosa, Mos Generator, Fuzz Evil, CHRCH and More to Play

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 10th, 2016 by JJ Koczan

Fucking a, Crucialfest 6. You win this round.

The Salt Lake City-based festival has announced its 2016 lineup, and it’s both all over the place stylistically and awesome, so kudos all around. My understanding is early-bird tickets are on their way to being sold out, and with the likes of Russian Circles, SubRosa, Mos Generator, Form of Rocket, CHRCH, Mammoth Salmon and a slew of others I both have and haven’t heard of, I can’t say it’ll be a surprise when they’re gone. Hell, Ape Machine are gonna be there. You know it’s a party when they show up.

I’m not sure if this is the full roster of bands or if Crucialfest 6 will be adding more, but it’s a killer assemblage as it is, as the PR wire can confirm:

crucialfest 6 poster

Crucialfest 6 lineup announced

Salt Lake City, UT

Russian Circles, Helms Alee, SubRosa, Wizard Rifle, Mos Generator, Theories to headline Crucialfest 6 with historic reunion sets from SLC natives Form of Rocket, Ether, The New Transit Direction

When: June 15-18, 2016
Where: The Urban Lounge, Metro Bar, Kilby Court, The Art Garden
Web: Crucialfest.com
Tickets: bit.ly/1QLqLPN -Early bird discount wristbands still available

Crucialfest announces its most incredible lineup to date with Crucialfest 6! This June 15-18th CF6 brings the heavies to downtown Salt Lake City. Hosting 10 showcases and 50+ bands over 4 days (plus a warm up show June 11th), CF6 promises to deliver high-energy live performances from local and national bands alike, and a memorable experience for all. Crucialfest aims to heat up the local rock/metal scene & the touring environment for Utah bands by putting them on the stage with internationally recognized bands. It revitalizes the local scene with reunion sets from some of Salt Lake’s most influential bands. Info and tickets at: www.crucialfest.com

Confirmed Lineup:
Russian Circles, Form of Rocket, The New Transit Direction, Ether, Helms Alee, SubRosa, Wizard Rifle, Mos Generator, Theories, Gaytheist, INVDRS, The Drip, InAeona, Immortal Bird, Ape Machine, Greg Bennick, CHRCH, Colombian Necktie, Baby Gurl, Elephant Rifle, Heartless Breakers, Fuzz Evil, Mammoth Salmon, Throes, Oxcross, Worst Friends, Mercy Ties, Muscle Beach, Sol, Bereft, Die Off, Handicapitalist, Thunderfist, I Buried The Box with your Name, MKNG FK, Donner Party House, Discoid A, Exes, Moon of Delirium, Turbo Chugg, Cicadas, Wulf Blitzer, Yeti Warlord, Former Tides, The Future of the Ghost, Scary Uncle Steve, Turtle Neck Wedding Dress, Cactus Pharm

bit.ly/1QLqLPN
https://www.facebook.com/crucialfest/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1542572209373510/
Crucialfest.com

Russian Circles, Memorial (2013)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,