Search - Critters Buggin :: Host (Reissue)

Pacific Northwest weirdness rules

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my all-time favorites



Industrial noise garage thrash Pacific Northwest out funk jazz--that's what we've got here. The inimitable Skerik (of the Taint Septet and lots of other projects) together with Matt Chamberlain (drum set, Taos drums, table, idiot guitar [?], lap slide, loops, screaming, percussion) and Brad Houser (basses, bass clarinet, screaming) link up to purvey weirdo/accessible sounds of the first water.



This music strikes me as much more dynamic, vital, and interesting than, say, Secret Chiefs Three. For one thing, there's such a genuinely freakish sci-fi, horror movie soundtrack vibe (e.g., "Mount Blasta," "Crowley Dissertation," "Bill Gates") as to make these guys almost a class unto themselves. Plus, Matt Chamberlain has a brilliant world-funk approach to his drum kit and percussion voicings. Additionally, they've managed to snag this completely outrageous garage jazz/punk vibe, analogous to the best pulp science fiction, or perhaps William Gibson at his most expressive. Mona Lisa Overdrive, indeed.



Fans will be thrilled to learn that all their discs will soon be back in print, as they've gotten the rights back and will be reissuing them in the summer of 2004. Plus, their latest, Stampede, will be available Sept. of 2004 from Ropeadope.



I'm a fan. Big time."

One of my all-time favorites

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 06/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my all-time favoritesIndustrial noise garage thrash Pacific Northwest out funk jazz--that's what we've got here. The inimitable Skerik (of the Taint Septet and lots of other projects) together with Matt Chamberlain (drum set, Taos drums, table, idiot guitar [?], lap slide, loops, screaming, percussion) and Brad Houser (basses, bass clarinet, screaming) link up to purvey weirdo/accessible sounds of the first water.This music strikes me as much more dynamic, vital, and interesting than, say, Secret Chiefs Three. For one thing, there's such a genuinely freakish sci-fi, horror movie soundtrack vibe (e.g., "Mount Blasta," "Crowley Dissertation," "Bill Gates") as to make these guys almost a class unto themselves. Plus, Matt Chamberlain has a brilliant world-funk approach to his drum kit and percussion voicings. Additionally, they've managed to snag this completely outrageous garage jazz/punk vibe, analogous to the best pulp science fiction, or perhaps William Gibson at his most expressive. Mona Lisa Overdrive, indeed.Fans will be thrilled to learn that all their discs will soon be back in print, as they've gotten the rights back and will be reissuing them in the summer of 2004. Plus, their latest, Stampede, will be available Sept. of 2004 from Ropeadope. I'm a fan. Big time."

Genuinely weird

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 06/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's not that easy to make original music, music that proceeds from certain precedents, but essentially stakes out its own territory. Borrowing from garage, thrash, ambient, and jazz, Critters Buggin has managed to create a new music that is more than the sum of its parts. One of the finer discs in my collection. Highly recommended."