Dan Melchior in London (with Pheromoans & Lot Lizards) May 18, 2011

DAN MELCHIOR & DAS MENACE
Dan Melchior has released a record on nearly all noteworthy (and many non-noteworthy) underground labels in his lengthy tenure, so why not add Siltbreeze to the list? One way or another, I’ve avoided Melchior’s discography up until this point, maybe in some sort of twisted allegiance to techno-master Thomas Melchior (as if there isn’t room for two Melchiors in my life), so the sting of album-opener “Atomizer” was particularly sharp - this warped, unhinged symphony of looped electronics, detailed twang and off-the-cuff vocals makes for the type of punk anthem that leaves even a seasoned vet like Roland Woodbe with a new crease in his khakis. The rest of Assemblage Blues, while never quite as fried as “Atomizer”, follows suit nicely, twisting up acoustic guitar and Speak & Spell sound effects in some alternate universe where Black To Comm and The Fall co-exist peacefully. And yet, amongst the rambling culture references and unleaded vitriol, authentic hooks are slowly revealed, like a skeleton in the bedrock. Melchior has proved be another sad case where I have to go back and sheepishly purchase his other albums that I so rudely ignored, but maybe I won’t, since there’s no way any of them can top Assemblage Blues anyway - this thing is just too good.
(Review of 'Assemblage Blues' from Yellowgreenred)

THE PHEROMOANS
This band has been making quite a glorious racket lately. Their sound is a primitive clatter where rules and regulations don't apply. Angular, bare bones garage-punk at its finest. Pure and uninhibited. The punk-turned-poet vocal warbling is not unlike that of Mark E. Smith's (pre-football announcer), but way more spiteful.

LOT LIZARDS
Furious lo-fi fuzz and caterwauling that will go down well with fans of Black Time or the Cramps - though with just a guitar, drum kit and, on some songs, an organ, they’re a bit lighter on their feet. 

Entry on the door: £5.

Orsman Road is off Kingsland Road, just south of the Canal.