Top 5 of 2012: Matt Murillo

Matt Murillo plays guitar and sings in THE MAXINES which are wrapping things up right this year. He and Kelly have had a great run, so we’re looking forward to what he’ll do next.

… Talented, fun and posi. Matt is a Texas punk with a pedigree. Don’t miss out on this awesome list …

1) CATATONIC YOUTH – Piss Scene 7″ Re-issue (Perennial)
Hayes does it again. Why waste $50 on the Hozac original when you can get this psycho blast of awesome at a reasonable price from Perennial….and it has an extra song….and it SOUNDS BETTER! This has been the most played record on my turntable all year.

2) HOODED HAGS – LIVE
Rock & Roll all-arounder Chris Sutton’s latest freak//fun-fest. The star of this gig is front-woman Karen Harrington. Fantastic guitars. Reckless drumming. Raw, savage rock & roll as it was meant to be. Stay up late, call in sick.

3) NAOMI PUNK – The Feeling Lp (Couple Skate/Captured Tracks)
Just when I thought I couldn’t POSSIBLY stomach another reverb laden psych-pop outfit, along comes Naomi Punk. The secret here is in the drummer. He clearly doesn’t follow the rules. Charlie (Watts) is not his darling. This spring’s The Feeling (Couple Skate Records) blew my mynd. So much so that I bought several copies and passed them along to my friends whom I thought might dig this post-art-rock-grunge-march. Captured Tracks has apparently picked up the Lp and will reissue it. I’m pulling for these kids. 

4) WOUNDED LION – LIVE
I was lucky enough to catch Wounded Lion live in Los Angeles this summer. Their Lp IVXLCDM (In The Red) had been on heavy rotation at home and in the tour van. They walked the delicate thin line between art and party. Chaos ensued. Equipment was broken, bums were shaken and friends were made.

5) PROTOMARTYR– No Passion All Technique Lp (Urinal Cake)
Not your mom and dad’s Detroit. Working class literary “punk”. Focused and tight…rhythmic. Could this be some unearthed and drunken Factory Records b-sides? This record sounds like scotch and black mollies. Mark E. Smith is sitting up in his grave applauding.

Also rans: PLEASURE BEAUTIES, WIMPS, SIC ALPS s/t Lp, ANOTHER DREAM PUNKHOUSE (Seattle), IVAN THE TOLERABLE, UNNATURAL HELPERS – Land Grab Lp, THE MALLARD, THE SHIVAS, THE WILD ONES and GAG! HAPPY NEW YEAR!