One-time drummer of Melbourne’s Witch Hats and now part of Miniature Submarines and Snawklor, Duncan Blachford has still another project in Rubbish Throwers. A jazz-damaged quartet he currently leads, it’s also the name he ascribed to some unrelated old solo recordings he found languishing on CD-R. Released as a 7-inch EP limited to 150 copies on his own Endless Melt imprint, these four mostly instrumental songs have got a second chance at life, albeit a life of modest cult appreciation given that small run.
The lead-off ‘Tape Worms’ is turbulent and primordial, all blown-out drums, bullying bass, and guitar that alternately stabs, screeches, and bristles. It’s quite invigorating, as is the feedback-scarred ‘Weak Eyelids’, featuring some deep, moan-like vocals lost deep in the wilderness of its corroded rock. Those first two songs are three and four minutes, respectively, while the two on the flip average two minutes. ‘Downed’ wields numbing kick drum and almost melodic guitar, working towards something quieter and more meandering after the A-side. But then ‘Willworker’ heads straight back to the clawing riffs and needling noise, with another bout of spooky vocals as well.
These songs were recorded straight to computer with a single mic, each part basically a first take fresh from improvisation. Despite those restrictive origins, there’s a surprising amount of atmosphere here. While not for everyone, it’s hungry, mean, and mysterious. And it holds up well with repeated listens. In fact, play it enough times for the vinyl to begin to degrade and you’d be hard pressed to hear any difference in this inky ruckus.
Doug Wallen
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