#vomit launch

3/30/26.

Tough Customer were a Vancouver, British Columbia band active in the 2010s that, as far as I can tell, are no longer active. I learned about them when looking for a copy of the reissued 7" from Quite Ridiculous Nonsense, which lives up to its name in a glorious, unexpected way (really - give it a listen. Household appliances never sounded so good).

Tough Customer "Darlene" 7" sounds like it was music made in the late 1970s/early 1980s. The first things I thought of were Oh Ok, Pylon and Vomit Launch. None of those came up on the Bandcamp page comparisons which were: Raincoats, Kleenex, Long Blondes, Talking Heads, Cindy Lauper, Petticoats.

7/21/25.

Many years ago I was watching Chico greats Vomit Launch play - they did an amazing version of The Bats' "Block of Wood". On that night, after each song, I kept yelling "Bats! Bats! Bats!". Larry Crane, the bassist, looked at me and finally said, "Alright, calm down." And they launched into "Block of Wood."

The Bats (3/4 Christchurch, 1/4 Dunedin...all New Zealand) mean a lot to me. When I got the email announcing their new album, "Corner Coming Up", I was sitting in the waiting room at my doctor's office, so I did not scream, "Bats! Bats! Bats!" out loud, but, in my heart I did.

"Lucky Day" and "Loline" are the two initial singles that will serve to tease/entice us until the rest of the album comes out in mid October on Flying Nun.

4/10/25.

I've listened to Salem 66 (Boston, Massachusetts) over the course of many years. At first, I just couldn't find a rhythm with the band. One song I'd like, then two wouldn't click. That all changed a couple of years ago when I realized something. The original 3 person lineup was the sweet spot for the band. After their EP, they added another guitarist, whose "chops" sometimes interfered with the songwriting of Beth Kaplan and Judy Greenwald.

"SALT", is the first release from the band in 35 years and it appears to be a collection of songs from their recorded output. I see songs from all LPs and the EP here. "Across The Sea" (the 7" version) is the only one available for streaming on the album page. But, with a little hunting you can listen to all the songs, since their discography is available here on Bandcamp.

7/6/24.

There was a time in the late 1990s and early 2000s that I didn't either have or make time for new music. So I was surprised to see this release from Sacramento band The Frenchmen. I mean, this is right up my alley and I'd never heard of them.

Up my alley because this sounds like some holy musical combination of Vomit Launch and The Aislers Set. On the Sacramento scene in the late 90s/early 00s they must have been influenced by Go Sailor and Rocketship.

3/9/24.

Sealed Records has been on a winning streak as of late. Their reissues of Dolly Mixture and Andy Stratton have been covered here, and recent releases of the Groucho Marxist label and now Twelve Cubic Feet are truly outstanding.

"Straight Out The Fridge" is a reissue of an early 1980s 10" from this London based group whose members were in many other bands including Solid Space. Really, Twelve Cubic Feet sound like a punkier Marine Girls with some of the swag of early Orange Juice. And the vocals really remind me of the great Vomit Launch and Life Without Buildings.

2/25/22.

The Raincoats are a London, UK band that have been around for decades. They are frequently mentioned as an inspiration to many musicians. Their John Cale/V.U. violin sound is instantly recognizable, and the delivery of both vocals and instruments definitely fit into the late 1970s punk scene.

Kurt Cobain loved this band and asked them to tour with Nirvana, but his untimely death prevented that from happening. I cannot imagine that bands from BMX Bandits to Vomit Launch weren't inspired by the likes of this band. While it definitely has a punk edge, there are songs where a minimalist approach a-la Young Marble Giants can be heard.