So alright some of you could say that I’m writing about this compilation (out today via Workerbee Records) because I’m on it.  This would be fair enough to say.  You could also think that I’m writing about this compilation because my good friend Chucky here is also on this marvelous piece of downloadable ether.  This as well would be a fair judgment.

The truth is actually I’m writing about this because it a free downloadable compilation featuring Poison Control Center, Christopher the Conquered, Nate Logsdon, Land of Blood and Sunshine, The Gold Hearts, Mantis Pincers, Diamonds For Eyes, Slut River, The Golden Veins, White Flashes, Sudden and Suttle, and everybody’s least favorite band in the world The Cryogenic Strawberries.

Hell being honest with all of you, the moment that cemented my desire to start making music and distributing it locally was seeing Poison Control Center play Veshia at one of their earliest shows.  So the fact that not only am I on this compilation I’m on it with them and a bunch of the other bad assed Iowa musicians is not something that I take lightly.  This compilation is spectacular, give it a download and tell me that I’m selling you snake oil.

Most people start yawning the second that I tell them that I’m into art, but when it comes to fantastic photographers like Asger Carlson, I don’t have any choice but to do some gushing.  Asger uses photographs and software to create such macabre and interesting portraiture that it makes Francis Bacon look like Norman Rockwell.  Currently he is working on a few new series, each one of them is well worth the trip around his webpage.

(click on image to go to Asgercarlson.com)

Whilst trying to set up an interview with the big man himself, I was requested by him to share this with the readers of Centipede Farm.

Hopefully in the coming days we can hammer out an actual interview with the man, but until then, holy crap… I just got an email from Lloyd Kaufman.

The other day Nate from Mumfords’ started a trend online trying to remember some of the “classic” bands from Iowa.  Which brought up from my dusty memory banks Sleep Said the Monster.  Sleep Said the Monster was a project by singer/songwriter Braden Rapp as he used to self-describe his music was a combanation of Phil Collins and Cradle of Filth.  Check out what remains of the band online, or buy their CD from one of the few remaining places that has it.

The first time you listen to Nobunny is kind of like the first time that you have sex.  There’s a lot of confusion, mixed emotions and you begin to wonder why your uncle is making that sound.  Raw Romance is where it all began folks, and it’s now on vinyl.  It’s all there in all of it’s Ramones Via Rocky Horror Picture show glory.  It’ll make you yearn for the days before First Blood came out.

ORIG∆MI – Memories (EP)
Sounding like a pop album set in the world of Blade Runner, Beau Manancourt creates a world cold and distant, yet not disingenuous or contrived sounding as many of his contemporaries.  This is my first exposure to Beau or the label he belongs to Disaro Records, but both seem very interesting and well worth the investigation. You can stream it over at bandcamp.

Everyone give a warm welcome to our new contributor, Ira Rat. –ch

For those of you unfamiliar with the “legend” of Jeff Magnum,  a quick look around online will find people calling him anything from indie rock’s J.D. Salinger to the second coming of Jesus.  Well, alright, so I’m the one saying these things. Honestly though when you realize how many of this man’s veracious fans devour anything he merely glanced at you might just begin to get a sense of reverence that flooded the Hennepin theater on February 4^th.

When it was announced that Jeff would be touring for the first time since 1998’s “In An Aeroplane Over The Sea” I was only slightly less shocked than when I heard that Jandek was going to start doing live shows a few years ago.  Early bootlegs of recent live performances’ shakiness not-withstanding I promptly bought the tickets the second that they went on sale.

Saying that Jeff hasn’t lost anything in the intervening years would actually be a disservice.  The intensity that he has built up in these songs during his hiatus is astounding. Even going so far has playing the previously unreleased song Little Birds as though he was channeling the holy spirit like a Pentecostal preacher.

All said for once the exorbitant price-tag for the show is well worth the experience.