Dig ‘in: Flyying Colours, Dry Cleaning, John Langford, Horsegirl, Vomit Launch

Dig ‘in with us as we comb through the latest releases that’ve caught our ears, plus the resurrection of a prior, under-appreciated gem, and find out what performances we’re excited to see and hear that are coming to Chicago’s stages.

INCOMING

Flyying Colours - Fantasy Country (Club AC30/Poison City LP)

When Flyying Colours’ “Big Mess”/“Goodtimes” single surfaced last year it was a welcome sight from this Melbourne outfit that had gone nearly half its playing career since their last release, 2016’s stellar Mindfullness album. Both songs are included in the Fantasy Country release and serve to illustrate the varied sonic textures that the band is capable of delivering. For comparison sake, “Goodtimes” is in keeping with Formula One open-road racing; maneuvering through some twists and turns over the course if the song, whereas “Big Mess” is a dragstrip, blow-you-hair-back ride; a full-on speed assault from the get go. Band co-founder, Brodie Brümmer, cut his teeth listening to the Beatles and Nirvana growing up, and those influences surface in Flyying Colours’ compositions with psychedelic flourishes that are times interspersed with aggressive noise elements. The coupling of Brümmer’s and fellow guitarist/co-founder Gemma O’Connor’s vocals envelop the songs in a blissful, melodic pleasure zone, as evidenced in the intoxicating “This One.” Flyying Colours were scheduled for stateside performances last year before being derailed by quarantine measures; here’s hoping that some rescheduling awaits in the future.

Dig in over at their Bandcamp page

Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg (4AD LP)

First long-player for this London quartet that continues the impressive trajectory established with their pair of 2019 EPs (Sweet Princess and Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks). Florence Cleopatra Shaw’s spoken word narratives bring to mind a few of the wry observations Ann Magnuson would deliver from her time fronting Bongwater. The storytelling pulls you in; like an overheard conversation that you can’t resist eavesdropping on. All the while, the superb instrumentation frames Shaw’s tales with a complimentary propulsion and tension/release dynamic that’s as commendable for its restraint as it is for its audaciousness.

Listen up at their Bandcamp page.

Eleventh Dream Day - Since Grazed (Comedy Minus One 2xLP)

A double dose from EDD that roughly coincides with their twice-a-decade release pattern at this stage of the band’s tenure. Which is more than fitting, since this suite of songs progress in a leisurely fashion; providing ample opportunity to form an intimate and lasting impression for the listener. The title track and “Every Time This Day It Rains” are prime examples of the expansive pastoral pace set by the band, but of course Dream Day are more than capable of throttling up, as “Yves Klein Blues” and “A Case to Carry On” aptly demonstrate. Chicagoans will undoubtedly relish the next opportunity to see the band bring these new set of songs to a local stage after being denied the opportunity during the recent lockdown.

Swing on by their Bandcamp page for a listen.

Fake Fruit - Fake Fruit (Rocks In Your Head Records LP)

Bay City (Oakland) rock’n’rollers debut with a seriously addictive slab of staccato and driving dance punk. Hit me with your rhythm stick, indeed! Principal vocalist, Hannah D’Amato, possesses a timbre quality that may get her labeled as the Courtney Barnett of the Western Hemisphere. Fake Fruit produce songs of defiance that fly in the face of being left down (& under) out.

Get it while it’s ripe over at their Bandcamp page.

UPCOMING

Ganser

Where: Empty Bottle (Directions)

When: July 8. 9, 10 9:00 PM

Well-earned residency from this Chicago outfit that has continued to evolve since their 2015 debut. Ganser’s Just Look At That Sky LP was among the best releases of 2020 to these ears. Registering as a cross between the foreboding post-punk of Bush Tetras and the crack-smart construction of Vomit Launch, the band displays versatility that enables them to outpace strict genre classification. To paraphrase the band, be prepared to drink it all up for this hell of a day.

Horsegirl

Where: Schuba’s Tavern - 3159 N. Southport Ave.

When: July 10, 7:30 PM

With their track “Ballroom Dance Scene” earning rotational airplay on SiriusXMU, this local teenage trio has elevated their presence during their brief existence, albeit rarely on stage due to the lockdown. The three recorded tracks that the band has been able to release thus far display a textured and nuanced tilt with dissonant elements balanced with the harmonious, intertwined vocals of Penelope Lowenstein and Nora Cheng. Their recent signing with Matador will undoubtedly provide additional listening depth as the band greatly expands their oeuvre. This performance is sold out, but another opportunity awaits later in September when Horsegirl again takes the stage at the Pitchfork Musical Festival.

Jon Langford and his Fancy Men with Sally Timms

Where: Sketchbook Brewing Co. - 821 Chicago Ave., Evanston

When: July 11, 6:00 PM

A strong argument could be made for declaring Jon Langford the hardest working entertainer in indie; with a lineage of bands that’s now surpassed double digits. His latest outfit, Fancy Men, is an update of the 3 Blokes, sporting John Szymanski (guitar), Alan Doughty (bass) and Dan Massey (drums). Additionally, the lovely and acerbic Sally Timms will join in for the performance. Word has it that the pandemic layoff has afforded Langford time to work on a bevy of new material, so expect to hear some fresh cuts along with a mix of career-spanning classics and the always welcome dose of levity.

UNCOVERED

Vomit Launch - Not Even Pretty (TeenBeat compilation CD)

How can this Chico, CA band that formed in 1985 as “an excuse to drink beer,” not be dear to NWWDFF’s hearts? By the time Vomit Launch called in a day in 1992, they had released a handful of albums and singles; including a couple of early cassettes, which is fitting since bassist Larry Crane was the publisher of Tape Op magazine. The posthumous Not Even Pretty compilation assembled by label honcho Mark Robinson (Unrest, Flin Flon, Air Miami, etc.) provides a fair overview of the band’s output to serve as a good launch point. The presence of covers from Barbara Manning (“Every Pretty Girl”), the Bats (“Block of Wood”) and Pere Ubu (“Heart of Darkness”) gives an indication of the band’s versatility and varied influences. Vocalist, Patricia Rowland, provided an uninhibited feminist presence that predated the onset of the Riot Grrrl movement by a good half-decade. The real payoff comes via the band’s originals, including the horn-laden “Knock Yourself” and the pop magnificence of “Relapsation.”

We recommend listening along over at our Spotify page. Here’s this week’s content: