Montreal’s Ultrathin have been hammering out their distinct take on psychedelic punk for more than a few years now. A single, three tapes, a series of killer shows with bands like Red Mass, Soupcans and Tyvek; Ultrathin hasn’t been idle. But now, with their debut LP courtesy of Bruised Tongue, the ‘thin have finally broken the surface. Ultrathin is stepping towards the light, so to speak, and have dropped one of the year’s finest displays of frustrated punk and bad-acid psych.

Opener “White Walls” establishes the Ultrathin template – head-down rhythmic drive led by drummer Matthew Wilson as bassist Mark Fragua’s desperate vocals fight to be heard above Shaun Anderson’s corrosive guitar mangling. “Got A Feeling” focuses these elements into a blistering punk attack. “I Wanna Know” transitions effortlessly from mid-tempo burn to a ride off into the sunset, sparks trailing everywhere. I’m sure you can figure out what “Scum With A Badge” is about; ditto for “Sick of Living” which finds an echo on a savage cover of the Pagans’ “Real World.” “Whac-A-Mole” shows off Ultrathin’s snotty garage roots, which feels almost pleasant after the annihilating meltdown of “Out From the Cold.” In case you still had any doubts, “In My Mind” will erase them, closing out the album with a Spacemen 3-like intensity.

There are only 238 copies of this excellent LP out there, so don’t sleep on what is surely to be a hidden gem of this year of our Lord, 2014. – Erick Bradshaw

We’re keeping things in the family with our two latest releases:

BOYHOOD- When I’m Hungry

Those of you keeping track of our output over the past year will already be more than familiar with Boyhood’s bedroom blended brand of psych’d out slow-burning poly-pop. Following a quickly out-of-print five-song EP and a springtime tour of the Eastern US, Boyhood baited us with a track on last summer’s Afterburners Vol. 2 compilation setting the tone for what would become her first full-length, When I’m Hungry. Continuing in the tradition of her first release, Caylie Runciman is a one-woman arsenal. Having written, performed, and recorded all instrumentation completely on her own, the ten tracks on When I’m Hungry channel an energy reminiscent of deeper cuts from the 90s American DIY canon years beyond the young mind that spawned them. Available NOW in an edition of 100 half-black/half-white 25 minute cassettes with digital download.

GRIME KINGS- First View of the New

The newest addition to the Bruised Tongue roster further exposes the damaged genius of the Runciman bloodline.  The verdict is still out on whether to point the blame at a genetic mutation, a tainted Belleville municipal water supply, or “the brown acid”, but there is definitely something to be unearthed here.  Brother of the Boyhood mastermind, Callum Runciman has become a staple of the ‘hood’s live lineup over the past year while writing and recording with his own crew of barely legals under the Grime Kings moniker. First View of the New is a 40 minute walk around the brain of a 17 year-old prodigy discovering himself in front of a 4-track. Album opener, Modern Day Lady’s bombastic party beats might invite you in, but Angel or Ghost’s Cleaners from Venus-esque keyboard melody is there to keep you in check.  Grime Kings dip their toes in several different cesspools of distortion on this release and they do it all with soul, style, and substance. With high school graduation and age of majority only a few months around the corner, we can’t wait to hear what they’ll come up with next. Available NOW in an edition of 60 pink 40 minute cassettes with digital download.

Hard to believe it’s already been over 3 years since the Famines‘ live-recorded sophomore release, 14 July, 2008 was first unleashed upon the world.  After five cross-Canada tours, hundreds of shows, and another East-coast tour on the horizon for the fall of 2012, we figured it was time this cassette saw the light of day again.

Originally released with a whopping 364-page book documenting every conceivable detail of the recording process, 14 July 2008, served as an introduction to the band for many. If you’ve seen the Famines live, you understand. 14 July 2008 is a document of the band doing what they do best. Raymond’s amp tweaking like a feedback beacon in between howls while he rolls on the ground, Garrett’s raw force pounding your chest in from behind a fury of flailing arms and whipping hesher hair… it’s all here. You can feel it.

We’ve streamlined the package, spared our sanity, and offered the accompanying book as a digital download along with the usual mp3 version of the album this time around. Pick up a copy on the Famines East Coast 2012 tour, or here in Ottawa at the release show with Swollen Eyes and the Yips at Pressed.

Read about original release (along with the rest of the Famines discography) in great detail here.

Stream 14 July, 2008 here.

See the Famines here:

17 Oct. 2012 at the Artel with guests, Kingston, ON
18 Oct. 2012 with the Yips and Swollen Eyes, presented by Ottawa Explosion at Pressed, Ottawa, ON
19 Oct. 2012 with Double Dragon, the Charming Ruins and Drums at the Spill, Peterborough, ON
20 Oct. 2012 is a 5 PM matinee set at FRU Fest with Familiar Friends, HVYWTR, Brodie West, Pachamama, Symbol, Silent Land Time Machine, Bleet, Dutch Tokyo, etc., at the 32 Gordon ANAF, Guelph, ON
20 Oct. 2012 with Cartoons, Sam Coffey & the Iron Lungs and Cursed Arrows at the Silver Dollar Room, Toronto, ON
21 Oct. 2012 is a matinee show at Hot Dog Records, London, ON
21 Oct. 2012 at the Brain with Rituals, Hamilton, ON
22 Oct. 2012 a live on-air performance and interview 8-10 PM on CKUT 90.3 FM, Montreal, QC
23 Oct. 2012 with Maiden Names and Yellowteeth at ReNeu Boutique, Fredericton, NB
24 Oct. 2012 with Yellowteeth at the Royal Canadian Legion No. 26, Sackville, NB
25 Oct. 2012 with Wildcat at Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown, PEI
26 Oct. 2012 with Perplexus and the Beaten Hearts at Plan B, Moncton, NB
27 Oct. 2012 with Oromocto Diamond at Pizzeria Gemini 2, Quebec, QC
28 Oct. 2012 with Kurvi Tasch and Ruff Talons at L’Esco, Montreal, QC
29 Nov. 2012 with Fist City and the Allovers at Broken City, Calgary, AB
30 Nov. 2012 with and the Allovers Edmonton, AB