Bitter Grapes X Huge Palms Vol. 2

Bitter Grapes X Huge Palms Vol. 2

(Bitter Grapes)

LP | DL

Manchester garage-psych label Bitter Grapes launch an important compilation of bands which have performed their Huge Palms membership evening by way of the yr.

There are particular matches made in musical heaven, and the Bitter Grapes-Huge Palms is one such match of musical misfits that stands out from the group. The garage-psych label, based mostly out of Mars Tapes within the legendary Affleck’s Palace and accountable for the unbelievable Meltchester Pageant, have teamed up with Manchester music establishment Huge Palms to current the second quantity of bands which have performed the label’s membership nights by way of out the yr. As a snapshot of the native, nationwide, and worldwide garage-psych-punk scene, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher set of tunes.

The compilation cranks up proper from  the beginning with Australia’s Drunk Mums. Their monitor Journal, taken from the album Beer Child, swaggers in a new-wave punk model, like The Rezillos at their greatest, quick and sharp. These after exclusives are rewarded shortly after with Ahmed & The Romans’ Mathmatics. Tipped by us as ones to look at, their EP, launched final yr, showcased they bizarre and wired psych sound to perfection. They proceed to be a beautiful prospect on the scene and, as members are additionally concerned within the label, integral to its continued progress.

Bitter Grapes hold issues native with an important slice of darkish and brooding psych-punk from the palms of Lifeless Stilettos, with their very own title monitor. A fast scan by way of their Bandcamp, and this can be one other unheard monitor, a breadcrumb for a future Bitter Grapes launch? We will solely hope as Lifeless Stilettos actually sound like ones to pay attention out for. As do the mind-melting SLAP RASH. This Manchester duo sound like a drive to reckoned with on Protecting Crops. Half John, half PiL, all energy.

And, earlier than we momentarily depart from Manchester, we’re handled to the barnstorming Rusty Cutter, the newest single from Wax Head. On an already sturdy facet A, this nearly tops the remaining…solely simply. Earlier than we flip issues over for facet B, we’re left with the nice synth-psych groove of Italy’s a/lpaca. Their Make It Higher LP was an early launch on Bitter Grapes and for followers of King Gizzard and Slift, they’re a must-hear.

Sizzling Rubbish returned at the beginning of the yr with the stellar Valuable Dream, and from that, we get Look At My Cellphone with its bounding rhythm and catchy hook. Nice stuff from the Toronto band earlier than we fly proper all over the world for a slab of Supply. From their Without end Givig Handshakes album, Bitter Grapes have gone for the perfect with joyfully pulsating Baader Meinhof. Two-thirds by way of the album and we’re in little question that the parents at Bitter Grapes have nice style certainly.

Issues drop down, a respite of jerking new-wave post-punk from Dr Positive’s Uncommon Apply. These are completly new to us however verify simply why our eyes ought to be fastened on what’s coming from our Antipodean cousins. One other band to be aware of for 2025. The monitor, Infinite Progress was launched in 2021, however as quickly as I end scripting this I will likely be taking part in their newest album, Complete Actuality, and linined one thing up for my subsequent From The Storage present.

Native future Manchester heroes (based on MK Bennet) Chemtrails are up subsequent with Sycophant’s Paradise from their addictive album The Pleasure Of Sects, which they launched at the beginning of the yr. If the celebs align, they might be in for some large issues. What a compilation like this highlights is that, simply as we now have our ears to the grassroots underground always right here at Louder Than Warfare, there are bands that go us by, surrounded by the keenness of every little thing we do cowl. It’s hammered dwelling extra once we hear the Fruit Tones‘ Again In The Evening (Once more). It oozes the basic proto-punk blues groove that ought to have pricked up many an ear on the LTW headquaters.

And eventually, to spherical issues off, and watch out what you Google for at work this Xmas, France’s Bare Gentle Males ship Dangerous Daddy. It’s a pounding journey into garage-punk weirdness to carry the compilation to a detailed and show that Bitter Grapes are delivering a few of the greatest in nationwide and worldwide bands to the Manchester stay scene.

Maintain yer eyes peeled subsequent yr for extra and, when you can, whereas shares final, head on over to their Bandcamp, or on upstairs to Mars Tapes and choose up a replica of this compitaion. I guarentee that you’ll not be disenchanted.

Bitter Grapes are on-line, Bandcamp, Fb, X, and Instagram.

Mars Tapes are based mostly in Affleck’s Palace, Manchester. They’re additionally on Fb, Instagram, and Discogs.

Huge Palms are on Instagram and Fb.

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Phrases by Nathan Whittle. Discover his Louder Than Warfare archive right here.

Nathan additionally presents From The Storage on Louder Than Warfare Radio each Tuesday at 8pm. Tune in for an hour of fuzz-crunching storage rock ‘n’ roll and atone for all reveals on the From The Storage Mixcloud playlist.