#78: Quality riffs and tormented rhythms
Raisin Awareness; Hired Fun; Urine Hell; Flat Girther; Plack Blague
Raisin Awareness
When the first search result for your band links to dad jokes, something has gone wrong. (The joke: “I’ve started telling everyone the benefits of eating dried grapes. It’s all about raisin awareness, really.”)
But this UK pop-punk trio formed during the darkest days of lockdown, when no one was thinking straight. “You know what’d be cool? A band called Raisin Awareness. Get it? Ha! Now, back to sanitizing my groceries.”
Three years later, Raisin Awareness has yet to settle into the “It was a dumb joke, and now we’re stuck with it” malaise of the quirkily monikered. They’re going all in: Their upcoming full-length is called Currant Times, and in the new video for “No More,” they don grape costumes like they’re auditioning for a 1980s Fruit of the Loom commercial.
Despite that Big Shtick Energy, Raisin Awareness’ lyrics play it straight. In the press release for “No More,” singer-guitarist Jo D discusses her struggles with anxiety and depression, likening the noise in her head to a famous landmark.
“Much like London’s Piccadilly Circus’s bustling, overwhelming nature, my mind is constantly filled with noise, confusion, and turmoil brought on by anxiety and depression.”
Would the U.S. equivalent be Times Square? Has Piccadilly Circus also turned into a large outdoor mall full of supersized versions of chain restaurants and stores? “Take some photos in front of the iconic advertising screens,” suggests visitlondon.com. Hmm, doesn’t bode well.
Hired Fun
This is one of the more unexpected metal names I’ve encountered, and vocalist Ian Devine rocking a skin-tight long-sleeve crop top, skirt, and matching socks in this live video isn’t something I expected either. But the goateed dude rocking a pointy Gibson Explorer? That’s 100 percent expected.
Urine Hell
Recently I turned on Google’s Generative AI function, because I’m interested in destroying the world.
While it offered zero help for Raisin Awareness (referring me to a UK initiative to remove dried fruits from schools), the robots tell me that Urine Hell comes from Chicago and plays a mix of “quality riffs and tormented rhythms.” I’ve been writing about bands for 30 years now, and not once have I ever considered describing rhythms as “tormented.” IT’S SO ADVANCED!
The AI, whom I’ve decided to call Small Wonder, also tells me, “Urine Hell’s name and first virtual demo in December were notable.” Well at least we agree: The name is notable, Small Wonder.
Its origins remain a mystery, much like the quartet’s surnames. In an interview, they only go by their first names “to avoid discovery of their crowd-surfing alter egos.” Yeah, you probably don’t want to explain to your boss your band is called Urine Hell. (Then again, what if they’re a fan of Urinetown?)
And what of their music? Their bio self-identifies as “Metal up yr pee hole!” though a featured review for their Weakling EP on their Bandcamp says, “weirdo kinda-maybe hardcore that sounds like vomiting the soul?” Fan Dread Prospector raves, “Mind and soul-blowing filth that captures the worst of the paranoia and self-loathing at the heart of human existence... Each track is chaotic and deranged but somehow also almost contained.”
So it’s shouty, sludgy, and shirtless, judging by the live videos I’ve watched. There’s an album title for free, Urine Hell: Shouty, Sludgy, Shirtless.
Flat Girther
This Brooklyn Flat Girther describes itself as “an alt hip-hop/hardcore musical act.” That probably puts an image in your head, though I bet it isn’t this one:
This video is closer to what I imagined, except for the Jason Mantzoukas character in the back right:
Flat Girther’s music is best described as caustic and inscrutable, which jibes with the title of their debut EP, Songs for Fedposting. “Fedposting,” if you’re unaware, is when law enforcement tries to entrap people online by using violent rhetoric. Here’s Wikipedia’s example:
“How do you do, fellow channers? Any bombings planned for today?”
“Stfu glowie*, stop fedposting.”
But Flat Girther’s Sonic Bids bio buffs out those rough edges by talking up the music’s “relatable issues” and its “way of bringing people together and inspiring positive change.” Then there’s this section, which feels like it came from a band-bio template.
Overall, Flat Girther is an incredibly talented and innovative musical act that is pushing the boundaries of the alt hip-hop/hardcore genre. With their unique sound and engaging performances, they are sure to continue making waves in the music world.
Whatever, narc.
Plack Blague
We love spoonerisms at BNB HQ, so I appreciated this name even before I saw their album described as “throbbing tracks of sadistic Electronic Body Music full of demented Industrial eroticism.” And they took a photo in front of my beloved former neighborhood hangout/place of employment/site of my wedding reception, the Empty Bottle!
Sole member Raws Schlesinger performs in a leather ensemble, complete with studded jockstrap, vest, gimp mask, and spiked arm…dealies. (What are those called?) And he does all this in Lincoln, Nebraska, a state with a pretty dismal reputation for LGBTQIA+ issues. Schlesigner came up in the local metal and punk scenes and played drums in grindcore bands for years before starting Plack Brague, which blended his love of disco and metal. As he told Revolver, “I'm too gay for metal, but too metal for gay.”
As far as the name goes, obviously it’s a take on the bubonic plague, but there’s an extra layer, Schlesinger tells Out:
Raws said he always thought of his project and stage presence as “a train wreck you can’t stop looking at,” much like disasters, but wanted a moniker that was equally shocking and humorous. The word, “Blague,” translates directly to “Joke” in French, “which is a reflection to never take yourself or life too seriously,” Raws said, his live performances offering a tongue-in-cheek celebration of oddities.
Knowing Plack Blague’s deal, I couldn’t help but be tickled by this listing in their upcoming shows:
Turns out it’s a venue that used to be a school, not an actual school. Bummer, but at least there (probably) won’t be Proud Boys starting shit outside.
POST-SCRIPTS
In BNB #38, we met Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum, an electro-rock outfit featuring a well-known actor. According to a recent press release, the band has shortened its name to Princess Goes, though it doesn’t explain why. I mean, the original is unwieldy, but they’ve forgotten the first rule of Band Name Bureau: NEVER CHANGE YOUR NAME.
Princess Goes…five words without dropping Michael C. Hall’s name in the press release. Actually zero words in the subject line: “Princess Goes (Michael C. Hall) 2 New Videos + ‘Come Of Age’ LP Out October 6, Coverage?”
(Also, I understand. It’s hard to get any kind of coverage.)
* - I also had to look this one up.
Band Name Bureau: a tongue-in-cheek celebration of oddities.