Tag Archives: The Sellwoods

Albums

The Sellwoods — House Rockin’ Party Tonight

The Sellwoods

House Rockin’ Party Tonight

Chaputa Records

Release: 04/29/2022

At last the long awaited LP from The Sellwoods is finally here. It is adequately called House Rockin’ Party Tonight. Within it’s grooves are the caveman stomping sounds reserved for everything delightfully demented about garage punk. Fans of The Incredible Staggers, The Sonics or Miracle Workers will find this record in tune with likeminded savage sounds. So,  it’s not surprising then that House Rockin’ Party Tonight was released via the renowned Chaputa Records. This record is not for the faint hearted. Rather it’s fuzz driven rock n’ roll is for those seeking music akin to the Born Bad compilations.

House Rockin’ Party Tonight kicks off strong with the pounding track “Shakedown.” In pure cave person garage punk fashion this is a song delivering a blow like a blunt club. It has a strong beat, which is extenuated but the prominent use of the organ playing. It’s simple and straight to the point.  In a similar take is “Why.”  Both of these tracks exude the emphasis of playing on the primitive side of garage rock.

Things pick up with “Curse Of The Ramones.” This is a track that edges more on the punk side of garage. Think along the lines of a snotty homage toward the three chord wonders, The Ramones. In contrast “Johnny Needs A Drink” has a Link Wray meeting A Rebel Without A Cause feel to it. It’s the kind of rock n’ roll that borrows off afore mentioned novelty idea by giving it a noticeable b-movie flair.

Much of the strength on House Rockin Party Tonight resides on the b-side. Starting this side off is “Demented Planet.”This track was originally put out on the Demented Planet EP released on June 25, 2021. It’s haunted debauched rock n’ roll at it’s best. This is a song that strikes all the right raunchy chords for untamed garage punk. It’s a feeling brilliantly felt in “Volcano Girl” and the spooky “Down In The Alley.” Both of which is also on the EP.

Another stand out song in this record is “One Eyed Cat.” From start to finish it’s solid, cruising for a bruising music. This is rock n’ roll meant for the simplistic nature of hot rod kicks.It’s a track following in line with the signature nature found in The Sellwoods defiant attitude. Be sure to waste little time by turning the dial red hot to play this one loud.

Among my favorite tracks on House Rockin’ Party Tonight are “The Walk Of Shame” and the cover of “Something Else.” “The Walk Of Shame” is an easy tune to follow. One might guess there may be some prudish societal stigma for leaving a house in the early hours after a passionate affair. The only lyrics are “the walk of shame means nothing.” This comes across as an absolute dismissal against misgiven notions of puritanical shame. If you needed a tune for this kind of meander, then you now have this garage punk anthem for a leisurely, yet self-aware excursion after leaving a bed other than your own. Enjoy!

“Something Else” is tune that ages well. It’s insolent and rebellious approach was arguably perfected by the late Sid Vicious. Now it’s brilliantly done by The Sellwoods. They capture a definitive ’66 garage rock feel by adding the spirit found with a Girls In The Garage comp.. No mistake here, this isn’t a homage to Frank Sinatra, this is rock n’ roll.

The Sellwoods have long chosen which path to follow at the devil’s crossroads. It’s the path of lifelong degenerate rock n’ roll. Now with a host of releases under their belts, they bare House Rockin’ Party Tonight for you to hear. This records boasts the sounds of germinating garage punk demanding to be heard. Top tracks are “Demented Planet,” “The Walk Of Shame” and the cover of “Something Else.” That said, this records in it’s eternity ought to paid attention to. Now, pick up this album.   

For more of The Sellwoods check out their Bandcamp or Facebook!

Top 5 Reviews

Top 5 Albums of 2021

Every year, I publish a list of my favorite albums that I have written about or enjoyed. This list isn’t meant as a competition, rather it’s a celebration of work from very talented artists. 2021 was a special time. It saw the release of many great albums and singles. The year brought excitement of the possibility of life returning to a sense of normalcy. Which, for me, was refreshing after the turbulent and Pandemic-ridden year of 2020. Unfortunately, that was not quite the case. Toward the end of 2021 it was becoming to clear of the challenges continuing to face us.

Luckily, navigating 2021 found myself in the midst of great music. Groups like RMBLR, Bambies, The Sex Organs, The Sellwoods and of course La Femme released top notch albums. Since being introduced to them, they have been a constant companion on my turntable and DJ sets — for the willing and unsuspecting listeners alike. Below are my selections that stood out for 2021. All articles were published exclusively here at nixbeat.com, with one honorary mention.

RMBLR – MF/EP from (Spaghetty Town Records)

Excerpt: “RMBLR’s new record is one of the most anticipated releases for 2021. For good reason too. Within it’s grooves contains the savage speed of punk with the depravity of trash derived glam rock n’ roll. It boasts a style nodding toward Dead Boys by playing on a familiar sonic devastation coupled with an equally snotty attitude. This concoction delivers the much need adrenaline shot to the pandemic overdosed heart. Which, is not surprising for a band made up with members from The Heart Attacks and Biters.”

Full review here!

Bambies – Summer One (Spaghetty Town Records )

Excerpt: “Bambies have released their new record Summer Soon. This album plays at the blistering speed of 45rpm. Featuring 12 solid tracks, this is a record that demands to be played loud. Which is perfect for this no holds bar punk rock n’ roll band.  This group is a based in Montreal, Canada and are made up of tri-national (Canada, France and Costa Rica) degenerate rebels-without a cause.  If you are fan of The Briefs, The Spits or Les Lullies, then Summer Soon will be up your alley.”

Full review here

The Sex Organs – I Hate Underpants 7” (Orgastic Records)

Excerpt: “Hurtling back toward the planet Earth are fuzzy primitive garage duo The Sex Organs. The third rock from the sun hasn’t been the same since they released their phenomenally outrageous LP Intergalactic Sex Tourists through Voodoo Rhythm Records in 2017. It was a record that shook the fabric of decent society to it’s core. Unfortunately, over the last fours years, the Earth has seemed to lull into an era of un-sexiness. This is largely thanks to a pandemic that has wrought devastation to it’s four corners. Thankfully, The Sex Organs are back with their new 7” via their own label Orgtastic Records ,and they are here to stimulate the desperate lives of a post-covid world.”

Read the full review here.

The Sellwoods – Demented Planet EP (Chaputa Records)

Excerpt: “Since 2012 The Sellwoods have hoisted the black Cuban-heeled flag of garage rock revival.  Based in Portland, Oregon, this group pounds 1960’s garage punk  by blending it with hot rod, sizzled out fuzz driven rock n’ roll.  Fans of The Fuzztones, The Gruesomes or The Cynics with find the Demented Planet EP well among like-minds. It’s not a surprise then that The Sellwoods have found a home with Chaputa Records. Like previous releases, this EP comes via this label which is renowned for garage punk catalogue. So, readers beware. this EP’s lives up to it’s deranged potential. It’s not be handled lightly.”

Read the full review here!

La Femme – Paradigmes (Born Bad Records)

This one is an honorable mention. While not an album I reviewed here on NixBeat.com, it was a release that left a profound impact. La Femme have long been a favorite group that continues to release solid album after album. Their latest Paradigmes perfectly captures a masterpiece mixing sounds of new wave, garage rock with synth driven psychedelia. Listening to this is unlike any other trip and inspires an experience akin to the swirling illusions an out of this world sci fi film noir. Top tracks that are “Paradigme,” “Cool Colorado,” “Nouvelle Orléans” and “Disconnexion.” Play these loud for any discotheque.

Albums

The Sellwoods — Demented Planet EP

The Sellwoods

Demented Planet EP

Release: 06/25/2021

Chaputa Records

Since 2012 The Sellwoods have hoisted the black Cuban-heeled flag of garage rock revival.  Based in Portland, Oregon, this group pounds 1960’s garage punk  by blending it with hot rod, sizzled out fuzz driven rock n’ roll.  Fans of The Fuzztones, The Gruesomes or The Cynics with find the Demented Planet EP well among like-minds. It’s not a surprise then that The Sellwoods have found a home with Chaputa Records. Like previous releases, this EP comes via this label which is renowned for garage punk catalogue. So, readers beware. this EP’s lives up to it’s deranged potential. It’s not be handled lightly.

While only four tracks, the Demented Planet EP boasts a furry of rabid, primitive punches. This is evident with tracks “Volcano Girl” and “Down In The Alley.”  “Volcano Girl” has a kind of vacant, snotty vocal presence behind a prominent organ heavy presence. The latter is thanks to the guest contribution of The Reverberations own Dave Berkham. In contrast, “Down In The Alley” vaunts a wild sound that grabs a hold of it’s listener with the drop of the first note. It’s a kind of thriller tune that is sung from the perspective of a creeper-like figure waiting for a kill.

“Goldstar 500” follows up with some raucous hot rod garage. It’s simple and straight to the point. The title track “Demented Planet” celebrates The Sellwoods ability to knock out the savage beat. It’s haunted caveman nature begs a nod toward fellow rockers Screaming Lord Sutch or The Graveyard Five. For this reason, this track is perhaps the most exciting track on the EP and ought to be played uninhibited by the constraints of volume control.

The Sellwoods do not disappoint. I’ve enjoyed their material ever since catching them opening for The Jackets in February 2020. It would be amiss not to pay The Sellwoods their dues. Their composition is tight and fun.  Furthermore, these rock n’ rollers know how to strip down that rock n’ roll down to the bare essentials and then turn around to seamlessly bash it into one’s skull.  The Demented Planet EP is meant for lovers of the primordial noise of garage punk. So, get this record and give it a well deserved spin.

For more of The Sellwoods, check out their Bandcamp!