Lovvers are another band in the recent trend towards a punk reawakening. The guys from the UK will be releasing their OCD Go Go Girls/Flowers 7″ August 3rd for download through Wichita Recordings. (Aug. 10th for the real deal) The sound is full of no-fi, fractured guitars with buried vocals well behind recognition at times. The group played @SXSW this past spring along with appearances beside Yeasayer, Jay Reatard, and Times New Viking amongst many others. I’ve included two tracks off the 7″ in “OCD Go Go Girls” and “100 Flowers.” A new album entitled THINK (a 13 minute, 7 song chaotic stroll) is out on Wichita as well. Some more info on this guys here. Also included is “Wasted Youth,” from THINK and for those of you lucky enough to see these guys in the northeast, I’ve included the latest tour details.

Lovvers – OCD Go Go Girls
Lovvers – 100 Flowers
Lovvers – Wasted Youth

TOUR DATES:

July
16 – Cake Shop, New York NY
17 – Comet Pizza and Ping Pong, Washington DC
18 – Talking Head, Baltimore MD
20 – Vollrath, Indianapolis IN
21 – Empty Bottle, Chicago IL
22 – The Garden Bowl, Detroit MI
23 – The Bug Jar, Rochester NY
25 – Divan Orange, Montreal QC
26 – O’Briens, Boston MA
27 – AS 220, Providence RI
28 – The Space, Hamden CT
30 – WFMU, Hudson Valley NY
31 – Danger Danger Gallery, Philadalphia PA

August
01 – Death By Audio, Brooklyn NY
12 – Barden’s Boudoir, London
20 – Captain’s Rest, Glasgow
21 – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh

Not only have The Specials reunited for a short 2009 reunion tour, but The Sunday Times (UK paper) has offered a complimentary CD of live recordings from their recent show at the Brixton Academy. Their first, self titled, LP sits on my shelf as one of my favorite albums of all time and are still considered as one of the heavyweights from the late 70’s punk movement. Although not available for proper purchase, I’ve seen this live edition on ebay for cheap. If this is your first time to become acquainted with these guys, their vinyl is still available for purchase and is a must have for, well, anyone.

The Specials – Friday Night, Saturday Morning
The Specials – (Dawning Of A) New Era
The Specials – Monkey Man

Toronto locals, Little Girls, serve up a rather groovy release on Mexican Summer with Thrills. Post punk, minimalism (self-described) at it’s finest with “Tambourine,” and others on this 12″ release. It’s already sold out though for those of you who want one. Maybe they’ll make it on a full tour soon, but could be relegated to the Northeast for the time being. Really good shit.

Little Girls – Tambourine

When you cross Lou Reed-like vocals and Sonic Youth influences you get a great band called Gun Outfit.  Their debut album Dim Light has eerily similar sounds to Daydream Nation, although not as evolutionary in terms of a genre changer.   This lo-fi, three piece punk band from Olympia, WA burn through each song leaving you breathless when they are done with their 28 minutes.  The tag team singing duo of Dylan Sharp and Caroline Keith play off each other flawlessly with the contrasting deep tones of Sharp against Keith’s angelic voice.  As a first time listener to their music you might feel like you be in a time warp to a different decade all together and it is one that everyone should take.  Album out now on PPM recordings.  Buy it here. I’ve given you the vinyl link, cd is also available. On to the tunes!

Gun Outfit – Guilt-Regret
Gun Outfit – In the Dark