by Dan Goldin (@paintingwithdan)
Last month Sea Moss and Miscomings, two of the weird wild pacific northwest’s most promising noise punk bands, announced Big Tube Scene, a split LP that includes each band doing their own thing in additional to a pair of collaborative tracks (triumphantly named “Seacomings” and “Mismoss”). Due out on June 26th via Zum Audio, it’s the type of record that pairs uniquely deranged minds, which is to say it’s a split that really seems to bring out the best in both bands. Channeling pure chaos, Big Tube Scene is warped art that mutates, bubbles, transfixes, thrashes, and rattles our brain chemistry. The record is brutal in tonality, loud, acidic, and most of all, rhythmically engaging. While the record’s announcement came together with “Seacomings,” Sea Moss and Miscomings return today with their own respective singles, “First Greens” and “I’m Blue”.
“First Greens,” the record’s opening track finds Sea Moss entranced in a thick lo-fi skronk that’s equal parts dizzying and jarring, setting its own minimal space as the dazzling rhythm and pulsating noise collide head-on. The Portland based duo shift in and around a deep groove with a kinetic energy that becomes fractured, splintering at the seams as the melody ping-pongs around in our heads before devolving in a sea of detached carnage. Sea Moss are visionaries, Zach D'Agostino (drums, electronics) and Noa Ver (vocals, electronics) prove once again to be capable of bending reality.
Miscomings follow a similarly demented approach, but there’s something a bit more sordid and ruthless to “I’m Blue,” a song that feels off its axis from the get go. With a undeniably danceable bass line and a guitar riff that would make Gang of Four proud (or give them nightmares… dealer’s choice), the Seattle based quartet lock in with a hypnotic resolve, bouncing between disarray and no-wave squalor with a real splendor. There’s a palpable sense of fun in their reckless grooves, careening between feral distortion and unhinged hooks with an aerobic sense of energy.
Speaking about their single, Miscomings shared:
"‘I'm Blue’ is about the cycle of absurdity of our modern life. The taboo of our most base human functions. Our existence being political by default and our need to defend our actions at every turn from inherent oppressors. The metaphor of the cycle of waste in the end. I'm Blue is about these basic functions and how challenging those can be in a world that questions our instincts. The way shit is too visceral to think about, even though it's an important part of our constant intake. Miscomings has a fascination with fecal metaphors, taking influence from prankster punks that use gross themes like Butthole Surfers, Arab on Radar/Doomsday Student, Primus, and The Locust. Nothing more suiting to ponder in our current world, than our refused consumption, the shit of it all, the literal poop. We all resonate with this need to do so, to expel, to shed, to move forward a little lighter.
The music video directed by M. Heck further defends this celebration of gross. When Heck presented the idea of a bug hunt with a hunter in a ghillie suit, our DIY hearts leaped on it. Heck made all the paper mache bug heads, and with the help of partner Jac, schemed up and shot the claymation moments. He used an old school VHS camcorder to film all the greenscreen and outdoor scenes. In reference to his inspiration for the video Heck quotes the movie Aliens, “Is this gonna be a stand-up fight, sir, or another bug hunt?
Miscomings takes joy in delivering the absurd in an intense way. And let's be honest, poop is a great unifier whether we like it or not. We all exist in the shit."
In regards to Sea Moss’ “First Greens” video, Ver shared:
"Our friends made this music video, it features a gentleman named Phillip Valentine. Phillip was told to show up wearing whatever he wanted and to dance like no one is watching. This is what he chose to do. The video was filmed at Lloyd Center shopping mall, which is probably haunted."
Catch the bands on tour together next month:
06/20 - Seattle, WA @ Club House
06/26 - Chico, CA @ Naked Lounge
06/27 - San Jose, CA @ Jade Cathay
06/28 - Oakland, CA @ Stork Club w/ Gumby's Junk & Pateka
06/30 - Bakersfield, CA @ 415 BKFD
07/01 - Joshua Tree, CA @ Art Trap
07/02 - Las Vegas, NV @ Tyler's House
07/03 - Long Beach, CA @ Vine w/ Pop Hysteria
07/04 - Los Angeles, CA @ Oblivion w/ Guck & Rearranged Face
07/05 - San Diego, CA @ Print Shop w/ Rx Pinknoise
07/07 - San Luis Obispo, CA @ Humdinger w/ Brain Maggot & Femicide
07/08 - San Francisco, CA @ Bric A Brac w/ Ick
07/09 - Ashland, OR @ Local 31 Pub
07/10 - Eugene, OR @ Ghost Town w/ Screechers
07/11 - Portland, OR @ High Limit Room w/ Spring Breeding, Happy Death Men, & Obedient