This is fine.
Moar SXSW interviews! Yes we are crazy people and are planning to share more SXSW interviews than you could possibly imagine. Today I am pumped to share with you an interview with some old friends of ours Criminal Hygiene. These guys are on a high right now with the upcoming release of their new album Run it Again just prior to their Austin visit. We are excited for them. Hit the jump for answers.
Criminal Hygiene is an L.A. based band we have known for many years after meeting at SXSW one year and doing a show together afterwards. Well the guys went quiet for a few years after that, but have returned this year with a ton of new music and a new album on the way. Their latest single “Dangers of Convenience” can be found below and features the always enticing garage rock, in your face style which is what caused me to originally be turned on to the band. I’m happy for the boys to hop on to major label Dangerbird to release the new album Run it Again on March 1st.
Come on now, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you’re aware of our love affair with all things Criminal Hygiene. These guys have been pleasing our ears since we first heard their music and we try to do all we can to spread the good word about quality sounds. With all that out of the way, the boys just sent us this lovely new track called “Turpentine”. What starts as a poppy sort of rock tune yields its way to yet another raucous and guitar laden track from a rowdy rock band. It just keeps getting better and better. If you don’t know, get wise fool.
Download: Criminal Hygiene – Turpentine [MP3]
When we got a call from our friends in LA outfit, Criminal Hygiene, we jumped at the champ to help them organize a show. We got a couple of our favorite local acts, Pharaohs and Big Bill to join in on the bill, thus cementing a great rock n’ roll party that everyone would enjoy. Read on for a few short words and photos by B. Gray.
We know you’re all looking forward to the 4th of July and whatnot, but we want to give you plenty of time to plan your Sunday evening. We’re sponsoring a great little rock n’ roll show with a bunch of our friends, both in and out of town; it takes place at the Mohawk at 9 PM. Big Bill, one of our local favorites, is headlining the gig, and it’ll be one of your last chances to catch them before they embark on their big US tour. Also, rocking the night will be our favorites, Criminal Hygiene, who are coming all the way from LA to grace us with their presence; they’ll even be tending bar before the show at 6, so be sure to come hang out with the band. But, you better get there early to see Pharaohs, who’ve been banging out power-pop ditties for some time in our fair city, always winning us over. It’s sure to be a great night, so join us, please.
Frequent readers of our site, know that I am a huge fan of L.A. based rockers Criminal Hygiene. Once again, the band has completely surprised me with another superb track found below called “Raid”. Of course it’s a rockin’ number like we’ve come to expect from these guys, but let’s not forget the overall fun quality you hear throughout. These guys are just in it to create some solid tunes man.
This track is available on a new 7″ split with fellow rockers Dagos. Buy that one from Summer Bummer here.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/01-Raid.mp3]Download: Criminal Hygiene – Raid [MP3]
If it needs to be said again, I’m a huge fan of L.A. based rockers Criminal Hygiene and their noisey, gritty, punk rock twanged sound. I believe my fandom began around this time last year when I was jamming the band’s debut, self-titled LP. Then SXSW came, and the band secured my allegiance with their high energy and raucous live show. So with all of that out of the way, the point of the post is to share with you this incredible new track by the band called “Withdrawn”. I’m hearing a bit of a more polished and focused sound from the band here, but of course they haven’t lost their punk edge. Personally, I think this is a tune that shows us a band who can really make something of themselves in the future. I’m in.
This track is on a new EP of same name that can either be streamed on bandcamp or purchased via vinyl format from Cultist.
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Los Angeles based homies Criminal Hygiene are a band that really made a name for themselves in the ATH musical guidebook during SXSW last year with their rowdy and intense live performances. They also staked a claim in my music notes with their highly underrated 2013 debut release CRMNL HYGNE (fully streamable on bandcamp btw).
My fandom out of the way, the point of this post is to let you know that the band just sent us this new track “Pickman” to share with you guys. The song is just downright badass from start to finish. It begins in the typical sludgy rock style I’ve grown accustomed to from the guys, and then ends with some thrashing, intense rock n roll that’s sure to wake up even the casual rock fan. WAKE UP.
This jam can be found on the soundtrack for the new transmedia novella project The Red Bicycle. The digital soundtrack features tons of great music from local L.A. bands and is free with purchase of the novella. You can pick that one up for only $9 over on Big Cartel.
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No, I am not done yet. This one and a gallery of the showcases is all that is left. If I can muster it, I’ll do a best of post. Best-ofs are easier well removed from a festival because lasting memories help define what really got you going.
Anyway, this giant gallery of daytime show goodness includes some candids and portraits from around the conference during the unofficial events. Highlights include Wax Idols, Nobunny, The Soft Moon, Criminal Hygiene, Bleeding Rainbows, that band Thurston Moore is in, Delorean and so much more.
Click through. Play a game of “oh yeah, I was there.”
I would love to say that I’m ready for next week, but in reality, my brain and body can never be fully ready for what’s about to take place. To help myself, and you faithful readers, ease a little of the stress coming our way, we’ve got another artist preview coming your way. As always, we’ll tell you a bit about the bands and also post shows we see listed. Follow the jump for more.
