Indian Jewelry formed in Houston, Texas in 2002 out of the ashes of noise-rock collective Swarm of Angels. They have changed their name several times; some of the best ones are Corpses of Waco and Perpetual War Party Band. Known for their insane live shows where they perform in the dark with only a single strobe light, as well as their incessant touring, Indian Jewelry is the perfect soundtrack for a bad acid trip. “Going South” was originally featured on Sangles Redux in 2005, with an extended version included on their 2006 release Invasive Exotics. They plan to release their latest, Sufi Headbanger, this September on Girlgang Records.
The Fresh and Onlys are a five-piece garage rock band out of San Francisco. They formed in 2008 and are considered part of San Francisco’s “new garage” scene, which includes WNUR favorites like Ty Segall and Thee Oh Sees. “Waterfall” is the standout first single off their 2010 LP, Play It Strange, released on In the Red Records. The group also recorded a 7” single for Chicago’s Hozac Records, featuring the tracks “Tell Me What You Want to Know” b/w “Nothing Ever Happens.” Their most recent release, Secret Walls, came out last year on Sacred Bones Records.
Rites of Spring was a post-hardcore band that formed in 1984 in the burgeoning Washington D.C. hardcore scene. Band members include Guy Picciotto and Brendan Canty, both of whom later joined Fugazi, and Mike Fellows of Silver Jews and Royal Trux. Rites of Spring released their eponymous debut album on Dischord in 1985, which was produced by Ian MacKaye, then of Minor Threat and later also Fugazi. Rites of Spring is often credited with starting the “emo” genre, although Picciotto calls emo “the most retarded term ever” and refuses to take credit. The group broke up in 1986, having played only fifteen concerts.
Women was a four-piece post-punk band formed in Calgary in 2007. They recorded two albums, Women and Public Strain, both released on Chad VanGaalen’s Flemish Eye Records in Canada and on Jagjaguwar internationally. The group broke up after an onstage skirmish in Victoria, British Columbia at the end of October 2010. Since the break-up, members have gone on to play with acts like Fels-Naptha, Friendo, Porcelain Raft, and The Dodos. Unfortunately, guitarist Christopher Reimer died in his sleep this past February, dashing any hopes of a reunion. “Shaking Hand” is a track off their debut self-titled, and it’s among the tracks the group recorded for the album in VanGaalen’s basement. It’s one of the best songs on a great album, so check it out.
The Slits were maybe the most popular female punk band to come out of London in punk’s heyday during the late ’70s. Today’s track, “Vindictive,” is a cut from their Peel Session recorded in 1977, one year before the release of their more reggae-influenced debut Cut. Members of the ever-changing Slits lineup included Ari Up (Ariane Foster, also part of the dub collective New Age Steppers); drummer Palmolive (Paloma Romero), later of The Raincoats; and Budgie (Peter Clarke) of The Spitfire Boys and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Although they officially broke up in 1982, the Slits reunited in 2005 and continued to perform together until Ari Up’s death in 2010.