basement
punks get a year wiser
Emphasizing creativity and innovation above
budget and sanity, this has been a challenging and productive year for Napkin
Records. To celebrate their first birthday, Napkin hosted an all-day bash with
some of their label's best talents, including Hemogoblin, Lesser Pissers,
Bertha Cool, and Industrial Priest Overcoats playing a showcase at Neptoon
Records. Even more promising, a 20-track tape was released free-of-charge,
featuring some great art work and the rest of a largely new but impressive
roster, including Gender Dog and Night Detective.
“Basement punk bands with no way to
facilitate producing their music” are Napkin's focus according to label
co-founder Rob Tunold, who started the label with Ben Beckett in 2012. They’ve
populated their roster with acts “so focused on making music that they don't
have anything to do with it,” says Tunold. This includes two completed EPs by
Lesser Pisser and Girl Dracula, a cassette by Industrial Priest Overcoats, and
two compilation cassettes—including their anniversary release—featuring all of
their talents.
They follow in the ambitious vein of
several other Vancouver start-ups, promoting a local roster and distributing
them amongst independent record stores and through repeated live appearances.
But they can't take their influences too seriously. “Richard Branson is kind of
always been the guy. My dream date has been windsurfing with Richard Branson.
Give me Richard Branson, a hot air balloon and a Jeep Wrangler,” Beckett jokes.
In addition to operating as a label, they
publish an online magazine called the Weekly Douche, which includes “doing band
and show reviews, crosswords also an advice column with Mel Venus,” says Beckett.
The contents are satirical, subversive, and, at times, surreal as their writers
take the form of characters and caricatures of various stereotypes. “We're
doing everything a paper would do, but better,” Tunold quips.
“We're also actively recording anybody who
wants to record, for a fraction of what anyone's charging,” Tunold makes clear.
Although they began in a promising location filled with many of their friends,
they've since moved homes to Frownstairs.
We were treated to complimentary performances by many of
their acts throughout the night. Hemogoblin were ferocious during their set. A
uniquely heavy two-piece, head banging their way through nearly metal
psychedelic thrash. Though their performance was an exception to the post punk
influence of their label contemporaries, they were welcomed with wild applause
tonight. A split with them and Bertha Cool, who also performed that
night, is due from Napkin later this year.
Industrial Priest Overcoat followed with a high energy,
shrieking performance that saw all the members of the act trading instruments
and roles with adept ability. Beckett alleges they're the reason for Napkins
creation. “That's the kind of band Napkin Records is about, our flagship band,
as opposed to any kind of mission statements we might have,” Beckett asserts.
“It's the work of Trevor McEachron, who records everything in his bedroom, all
instruments himself, for years. We put together a band for him, and we're
putting out his record, and the music is amazing.”
In autumn, Napkin Records is embarking on its
first American tour through the East Coast, starting in Ohio and hitting many
notable cities. Before they leave they'll be making additions to the current
roster, including the Whirlies, Gender Dog, and Barrett's Syndrome. They're
also very willing to pick favourites, referring to Industrial Priest Overcoats
as their current flagship band and looking forward to scheduling a
fundraiser.
The no-cost, community-dependent
performances like Neptoon's celebration are what keep Robert Tunold and Ben
Beckett motivated to continue their label. “Anything we've done that's been
free, we've been happy to do. Whether it’s house parties such as Frownstairs or
at Neptoon records today.” With as much progress, we can't help but look
forward to their next exhibition.
Napkin
records are co presenting Bertha Cool, Industrial Priest Overcoats, and Night
Detective at Astorinos, on April 28th with the Safe Amplifcation Society
by Matthew Youdan
