VIDEO: “Sugarcrush” (Directed by Ewan Jones Morris and Casey Raymond)
[media][/media] Cardiff-based noisepop five-piece Joanna Gruesome share the animated music video for “Sugarcrush.” Directing duo Ewan Jones Morris and Casey Raymond scour the dark corners of the internet and stitch together a stream-of-consciousness video collage, replete with a singing hamburger, wormholes, infomercials, dancing clowns and more! Watch the video over at Pitchfork.
The band is set to make their U.S. debut at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon. Full CMJ schedule listed below:
CMJ SCHEDULE:
10/15 Brooklyn, NY – Cameo Gallery (Oh My Rockness/Insound showcase)
10/15 Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s Alright (Force Field PR showcase)
10/16 New York, NY – Pianos (Kanine Records/SESAC) – 3:30pm
10/16 New York, NY – Pianos (Old Flame Party) 7:45pm
10/17 New York, NY – Cakeshop (Capeshow Presents) 12:00am
10/18 Brooklyn, NY – Shea Stadium (Portals Music) 9:00pm
10/18 Brooklyn, NY – 285 Kent (Pitchfork showcase) 11:15pm
10/19 Brooklyn, NY – The Rock Shop (Lost Colony party)
10/19 Brooklyn, NY – Death By Audio (Agency Group showcase)
Bio:
Thrilling Cardiff-based noisepop five-piece Joanna Gruesome will be releasing their terrific debut album via Fortuna POP! (Europe) and Slumberland (USA) in September. Brimming with irresistible pop melodies and spiked with dissonant fuzzy jangle, their songs are shot through with loud discordant feedback and super-fast, hardcore punk drumbeats. This album sees their first foray away from recording in a living room to a proper studio under the guidance of producer MJ of the much lauded Hookworms.
Kicking it against sexism and homophobia, nothing is off-limits, drawing inspiration from DIY scenes such as Riot Grrrl/noisepop/C86 /K Records as well as post hardcore like Drive Like Jehu/Converge and the art rock of The Velvet Underground and My Bloody Valentine, Joanna Gruesome offer a staggeringly diverse album, unexpectedly quiet and surprisingly loud.
Joanna Gruesome comprise Alanna on vocals, Owen on guitar, Max on bass, George on guitar and Dave on drums. They all met in an anger management counseling group. During the course they were told that writing, making music, dancing or painting could relieve tension and help reduce feelings of anger. One initiative involved a project where they were assigned a group to compose and perform a song in front of other members. Initially they found each other infuriating but gradually acknowledged their musical chemistry and decided to continue with the band outside the therapy group.
Most of the album was written during a month long stay in a seedy west Brighton hotel (now closed down) called The Hell House. The residents were pretty strange, kept attempting occult rituals/using Ouija boards etc and many of the songs were written to distract from the weirdness. Heart-wrenching and exhilarating in equal measure, these are not cheerful songs.
Awash with nods to mental illness and the dark recesses of the mind, the record is littered with references to the devil or zombies and allusions to comic books. “Secret Surprise”, in which mental illness takes a physical form and is fought using razor blades. Or “Anti-Parent Cowboy Killers,” which is about stealing a scooter and driving it into the ocean when you should be in school LEARNING. Or “Sugarcrush,” about spending a summer burning knitwear.
They have built-up a phenomenal live reputation, blending obnoxiously loud guitars and the occasional band uniform, with a high energy performance dispersed with quieter reflection, boy/girl vocals and teenage angst.
Joanna Gruesome
Weird Sister
Street Date: Sept 10, 2013
1. Anti Parent Cowboy Killers
2. Sugarcrush
3. Wussy Void
4. Madison
5. Lemonade Girl
6. Secret Surprise
7. Do You Really Wanna Know Why Yr Still In Love With Me?
8. Candy
9. Graveyard
10. Satan