Why I Love Independent Record Labels

A big thanks to Oppressive Sound System Releases for their awesomeness.

Get That Fuckin' Guitar Outta Here! - Zombi

Many self-described "rock-n-fuckin'-roll enthusiasts" curse the day rock artists discovered the synthesizer. Hell, some are still convinced that Rush's 80s material was all a bad hairspray-induced nightmare. However, some would go on to embrace this sound and gain a few fans along the way.

Zombi is a progressive electronic/space rock/prog rock band originating in Pittsburgh circa early 2000s. The band consists of two solo multi-instrumentalists: Steve Moore, the bassist for Krautrock band Titan, and A.E. Pattera, who just released his debut solo album under the name Majeure. While fans of King Crimson, Rush, and Tangerine Dream will hear the influence instantly, film nerds might also notice that Italian horror film soundtracks of the 70s, such as Suspiria and the international version of Dawn of the Dead have also rubbed off on them.

While their newest album, Spirit Animal, does in fact include use of the electric guitar, the rest of Zombi's material employs the use of synths, keyboards, bass, and drums to craft their sound. The synths churn out mellow, yet epic soundscapes, the bass thumps rhythmically along with a strong, distinct tone, and the drums bring the complex and aggressive rocking nature to wrap up the package. It's the perfect soundtrack to that anxious, high-speed midnight drive through nowhere in particular.

Give Surface to Air a spin a try not to pretend you're on a secret space mission.

Get That Fuckin' Guitar Outta Here! - Lightning Bolt

I don't think anyone is quite prepared for what Lightning Bolt has to bring on their first listen. The guys look tame enough; two pale, skinny white boys named Brian from Rhode Island who cite avant garde composers should be fairly harmless, right? My incorrect preemptive judging of the band only furthered the positive impression they gave me.

Chippendale is perhaps the perfect embodiment of Animal (the Muppet). If anything, the man does something the creator of the character, whose exaggerated, unparalleled hyperactivity made him an iconic puppet, could never begin to fathom. People falling and holding on to his drum set for dear life is something this man simply brushes aside. His spastic playing has convinced some of his fans and onlookers that he's simply not human. I wouldn't be surprised at all.

Don't let your friend who's been playing in that Three Doors Down/Kenny Chesney cover band for three years fool you, this man uses a bass guitar equipped with a couple banjo strings, numerous pedals, and nothing else. Chippendale's seemingly random, ADD-fueled clamoring is made sense by Gibson's heavy, noisy goodness. Live, it seems he is the calculated, controlled method behind his co-conspirator's blind rage.

Together these noise makers have a wide variety of unconventional venues, the oddest most likely being in a small kitchen in a Texan house. Like a small handful of other bands, they perform guerrilla-style - right smack dab in the middle of the floor - almost always forgoing any traditional stage. Their albums are recorded live in-studio, only furthering the potential chaos these two deliver.

This band may appear to lack members, but they are sure as hell full in sound.