Shake Appeal is a column that highlights new garage and garage-adjacent releases. This week, Evan Minsker discusses a pile of music from New Mexico's Germ House, New Orleans hardcore originators the Sluts, L.A. power pop sweetheart Wyatt Blair, Chicago outfit Negative Scanner, Virginia punks the Great Dismal Swamis, and Oakland's Meercaz.
Germ House: Showing Symptoms [Trouble in Mind]
When you're combing the internet for stuff to include in a column like this (and this is applicable to pretty much any genre of music), it's easy to get swept up by whatever's "most exciting"—who's shouting the loudest, who's making the most noise, etc. It's nice when something a bit more nuanced grabs your attention. On Showing Symptoms, Germ House, the recording pseudonym of Justin Hubbard (which, live, is a three-person band), doesn't make the loudest record—an instance where "lo-fi" doesn't necessarily mean "blown out"—but he's got one that's ambitious in scope. Rarely does he retread his own steps with these songs, seeming to find multiple avenues in the same three- or four-minute tracks. Occasionally, his ferocity shines through, and whenever he turns the power up, he does it for songs with catchy, satisfying melodies.
Sluts: 12" of Sluts [Jeth Row/Race!]
I'll level with you: I did not know much about the Sluts prior to learning about the Jeth Row/Race! reissue of their 1982 12". I'm happy to have been educated. Here's what I learned: They were a hardcore band from New Orleans who lasted two years in the early 1980s and produced only one record—this one. Their frontman Dee Slut (Dave Turgeon) auditioned to be Black Flag's frontman (the job ultimately went to Rollins). Most importantly, this 12" is great—songs split between sides "Fuck" and "You" that are scummy, loud, fast, and violent. Original copies of this go for exorbitant prices on Discogs. This one's $13. Read more about the Sluts here and here.
Wyatt Blair: Banana Cream Dream [Lolipop/Burger]
King Tuff better watch the throne, because Wyatt Blair has a power pop album that's making everyone else in the game look bad. Banana Cream Dream came out last year, and now it's got a remaster and some new artwork. These are love songs with stomping drive and rafter-reaching guitar solos. He embraces camp, especially when he explains the title of "You & I (Are Just Letters of the Alphabet)" in a dramatic spoken word interlude. Each online sale goes to benefit My Friend's Place, so help out some homeless youth while enjoying some truly stellar power pop.
Negative Scanner: "Ambitious People" [Trouble in Mind]
Back when Trouble in Mind were first starting up, they were a 7"-only label, and their earliest singles featured some promising early work from guys like Ty Segall and the Moonhearts (Mikal Cronin and Charles Mootheart's old band). They also put out a record by Tyler Jon Tyler, the Chicago outfit that disbanded back in 2012. Now, Rebecca Flores and Tom Cassling from that band have started Negative Scanner and returned to Trouble in Mind. It's awesome to hear Flores embrace the full extent of her power as a frontwoman—her voice sounds huge here. On their brief debut, they make an impact and assert themselves as a band worth following.
The Great Dismal Swamis: Phantom Tollbooth EP [Windian]
Earlier this year, Windian Records head Travis Jackson died in a tragic accident, and subequently, the Travis Jackson Memorial Fund was set up to help support his family. If you haven't kicked in to support that fund, here's a great way to do that: Buy a very awesome limited 7" by Norfolk, Virginia punks the Great Dismal Swamis. There aren't a lot of frills here—these are four bare bones, muscleheaded punk tunes with shades of OFF!. Even if you're too late to grab a physical copy of this one, the Great Dismal Swamp-adjacent punks merit a spin.
Meercaz: various demos [self-released]
I was a fan of Muslim Delgado and co.'s 2009 Meercazalbum, so it's been a treat to see a few new songs pop up on the internet. Whether or not they'll surface on a release any time soon is unclear, and even if they're "just demos", they're pretty undeniable. All of the most recent ones follow the "girls names songs" tradition. There's "Rosey", which could've been a swooning hit in the Mickey & Sylvia era. While "Linda Lee" may seem rudimentary and repetitive at first, it picks up big time at the chorus. The big highlight, though, is from four months back: "Kate...Actually" is the most fully realized track of them all—an incredible earworm. It's set to appear on the next Meercaz LP; here's hoping that surfaces soon.
Also Worth Hearing: A practice session from Bad Indians following their 27th (!!) lineup change; new singles from GAMES (Hozac) and Quitty & the Don'ts (Hidden Volume); a video for Calliope's "Casino".