Thee Lolitas - Velvet Underwear 2x7” (Fandango/Arnold)
I mean, if I’m being perfectly honest, this is significantly better
than I would expect of a band called Thee Lolitas whose press
sheet employs the words both “sleaziest” and “filthiest.” Title
track is a sped-up VU rip that I liked a bit more when I accidentally
played it at 33, but it’s not bad at all. B side is an OK “Cocksucker
Blues” cover that I’m sure will suit you fine if you’re for some
reason wishing more bands would cover that song. The second disc
appears to be a completely different record (big hole 33 instead of
small hole 45, different labels) that has been shoved into the same
sleeve as the first one. I certainly don’t find it necessary to have a
second disc of Thee Lolitas, but I didn’t throw it in the trash either,
so there’s that.
Lumpy and the Dumpers - “Bat” 7” (Total Punk)
First vinyl pressing of a cassingle from 2012 with an original
(“Bat”) on the A Side and a cover (“X Rod” by Max Load, which I’d
never heard before) on the flip. Which sounds totally egregious,
but is in fact completely necessary. This shit sold out in about 12
seconds or something, which seems about right. Lumpy and the
Dumpers are easily one of the best punk bands in existence right
now. Is it sacrilegious to say I think the original here is a much
better song than the ‘70s punk cover? Well, I do. Suck it.
Mac Blackout Band - MBB (Pelican Pow Wow)
Debut Mac Blackout Band LP continues in a similar vein to the 7”,
landing somewhere between the Mac Blackout solo LPs that came
out a few years ago and his work with the Daily Void, Functional
Blackouts, etc. The result is some catchy, synthy, punk songs with
driving guitar lines that I’m sure are already landing references
to Jay Reatard. It’s a fair point of comparison, though MBB are a
little more moderately paced and a little more out there. I suspect
that for many, th