South of Gilman St.
Welcome to South of Gilman St., an mp3 streaming/internet radio site dedicated to the music that put the Bay Area punk scene and the Gilman St. Project on the map. Click on the Listen link to tune-in (this may require some tweaking in your browser) or point your favorite mp3 player at http://gilman.duckpond.net:8000 and start enjoying.
And while you're listening, explore the database to find out more about the bands, albums, and songs you're listening to and even make requests. Don't forget to rate stuff you like (or dislike)!. The console is a little window that will keep you up on what's currently playing while you're exploring other parts of the site. There's even a forum where you can chat about stuff and an image gallery of flyers and album art.
Want to know more about the site? Here's some info. Curious about what the Bay Area scene is like? The liner notes from the seminal Turn It Around 2x7" really captures what Gilman St. is about. For a more recent perspective, check out an interview with band-member and punk insider Jesse Luscious.
2011-03-17 - That time of year
Oh hey, it's that time of year again where I wax nostalgic about another year passing and then post some more songs.
I actually had some bigger plans to mark this year's cycle but there are some factors outside of my control that threw a wrench in that (hint: the non-arrival of Centos 6) so that news will have to wait.
I've got a pretty wide range of "new" music to throw into the mix, however, from the 90s girl-fronted power pop of Discount, to reformation band Shotwell, to the hilarious formula of Tuuli, and an early work from Pidgeon.
Discount's Half Fiction really brings to mind Co-Ed and Tilt, both that also feature really strong female vocals. Musically, it leans a little poppier than Co-Ed so give it a listen if that's your thing.
Shotwell is, well, Shotwell, filled with ex-band members: ex-Crimpshrine, ex-Gits, ex-Bedlam Rovers, ex-Flophouse. Musically, you definitely hear the post-Gilman heyday - see if you can trace all its influences on Celery, Beef, and Iron.
Tuuli... what I can I say, I saw the Rockstar Potential CD in the used bins at Amoeba and just had to get it, sound unheard, just from the cover. I was actually pleasantly surprised. It's not gonna knock your socks off, but it's a fun slice of goofy power pop.
And finally, From Gutter w/Love, Pidgeon's first release. Pidgeon was one of my favorite finds a couple of years ago and I'm puzzled why I didn't pick this one up sooner. Val's anime-cute vocals cutting through the gritty, hook-y guitars just melts me inside. Check out Down for my favorite track.
2010-11-18 - Revisiting Bands
So I gushed about Double Dagger and Japandroids recently - More and Post-Nothing remain two of my absolute favorites from this decade . I picked up follow-ups from both bands a while back (err... actually back in the summer) and while I can't say neither Masks nor Art Czars/No Singles are quite up to their predecessors, both are solid works. Japandroids' cover of Big Black's Racer X is a must-hear: they out-Big-Black Big Black!
2010-07-26 - Crimpshrine Sessionography
Paul Colucci wrote in to share some extensive research he's done into the complete sessionography of Crimpshrine. He's allowed me to share that information on the Crimpshrine page and I think all you hardcore Crimpshrine fans (me included) will find it fascinating and, frankly, AWESOME.
Thanks, Paul! I can't tell you how cool it is to have that information here.
2010-06-01 - Dumb name, awesome band
Two posts in one year? I know, crazy, right? I actually came across something recently that I'm really digging, though, enough to get it up for listening here.
Like Double Dagger from my last post, Japandroids are a two piece (and make a sound way bigger than believable for two people). They're out of Vancouver and lean more toward a pop sound (if it can be called that) than Double Dagger (which I'd say has more of an art sound). I guess it goes without saying that they have a spare/minimal sound - focused I will call it.
Anyway give it a listen - Wet Hair in particular is ridiculously infectious, a pop punk sound reduced to its barest elements.
They're on Polyvinyl Records and when you order CDs from them, you get "Instant" MP3s as well - very cool.
2010-03-08 - Another year, another post
This time I actually have some new music to mention - both are recent finds for me and while neither are in the traditional Gilman sound, they have blown me away. They share a similarity in the sense that I'd lump them in the "post-punk" genre (I'm lousy about genres though, so chime in if you've got different ideas) but other than that, they are quite different bands/works.
Pidgeon hails from San Fransciso and right away you'll notice their distinctive hard/soft guy/girl sound. A friend of mine pointed out similarities to the Pixies, especially in their early years before Black Francis took over most of the singing. Another point of description is "a punk rock Asobi Seksu". Of course, I'm sure they'd gag to hear either of these comparisons, but at least they'll get you in the ballpark. Their disc Might As Well Eat Worms comes from Absolutely Kosher.
Double Dagger comes out of the other coast, from Baltimore. The trio (vocals, drums, bass - no lead guitar!) makes a huge sound, filled with hooks aplenty. More is their latest work, off Thrill Jockey records. Love it!
Anyway, as always, give it a listen and enjoy!