ION INDIE MAGAZINE July 2014, Volume 2 | Page 88

By Kiki Plesha Photo by Gene Ambo As MARK PANICK describes it, “If Black Rebel Motorcycle Club had sex with Lux Interiors Pumps…the afterbirth from such an unholy union would be RAZORHOUSE.” OK, you have my attention! And a wonderfully visual dream sequence running through my mind… Razorhouse takes its name from the Mayan spiritual teachings in the POPUL VUH and have recorded a series of EPs, each referred to as a "Codex"--the term for a section of the Mayan writings. The first EP release titled “Codex Jun” is a raucous mixture of biting tones and cinematic textures from start to finish. Mark Panick is a staple in the Chicago music scene—both now and back in da day when I was a much younger fairy. He is known for “marching to a different drummer”…and I dig that shit. His “schtick” musically was known as “Industrial Punk”—which in my warped mind conjures visions of Devo in a factory with Laverne and Shirley bottling beer…of course, Panick would probably dress them in leather. What was I talking about again? Oh yeah… Panick describes the “make over” (and I DO love me a make-over!) of his band Razorhouse as “transformed into a post-modern eclectic music experience that is part house project, part singer-songwriter louche’--all combined with raunchy ear candy guitar and percussion”. I think I’ve met my “wordsmith match” and I don’t even know how to follow that, but I’ll try… I couldn’t help but notice that Panick lists himself in the “careers” section of Facebook as “Vomit-Mopper at Baraboo Clown College”. I have battened down the hatches in anticipation of working with such a poet on this tantalizingly tantric tale. Take THAT alliteration, Panick! Razorhouse boasts an auspicious line up of musical muses…there’s front man, songwriter, and guitarist Panick, serving up gritty vocals. He is renowned for the seminal underground bands THE BONEMAN OF BARUMBE and CHAC MOOL--as well as his work with REVOLTING COCKS. Panick, also considered a visual and performance artist, is eclectic and quirky. His commentaries are known for conjuring mind-smacking absurdities. I love that. And his eccentric point of view and “pushing the boundaries” style—delivered with growling vocals--is meant to lure the listener into a seduction of sound, then hold them in such