SARGENT HOUSE

As many times as we’ve heard Morrissey exclaim through multiple songs and various PETA campaigns that meat is, in fact, a murderous act, it’s hard to ignore how cool of a stage prop it can actually be. I mean, who doesn’t like a severed, bloody pig’s head in conjunction with their favorite band? Since 17, Teresa Suarez, aka Teri Gender Bender, founder and guitarist of Mexican garage Punk band, Le Butcherettes, has been using blood and gore for her live performances for reasons that extend far beyond the grotesque, and into the ideals and ethics of the importance of the feminist movement.

With Sylvia Plath, Kathleen Hanna, and Chilean musician and artist, Violeta Parra as ongoing influences. Teri, now 23, has evolved from her days as a teen armed with a guitar and a bloody apron, into a woman who refuses to lose that fiery, teenage angst that continues to spread the word of feminism to whomever is willing to give a shit. Having already completed her sophomore album with fellow band members Lia Braswell (drums), and bassist/The Mars Volta , At The Drive-In guitarist, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Le Butcherettes’ newest record will be less blood on stage mixed with literary references musically than their debut, SIN SIN SIN, but more references and possible inspiration from living life in a new country on Cry Is For The Flies. We interviewed Teri to find out what’s what.

VICE: You recently played Coachella. How was it?
Teri Gender Bender: It was crazy. We played around 1:55 pm, so it was really hot. I think that the set went by swell. Lia [Braswell, drummer], and Omar [Rodriguez Lopez , who’s on bass now, were fine, the heat didn’t affect them, but the heat got to me. I had a migraine the whole festival and I couldn’t even watch any bands, I had to go lay down in the van and ended up throwing up the whole time, and it happened both weekends.The heat was just terrible. But it was great. I’m not complaining.

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Without warning, it looks like Omar Rodriguez Lopez has dropped a new solo album, today! Check out Un Corazón De Nadie, released on Thursday, May 17, 2012. You can stream the 10-track album via Omar’s Bandcamp. It’s also available for purchase as a $6.99 download. The album is trippy and sexy, with progressive tones and ambient beats that will have you on your toes. You’ll here lyrics in both Spanish and English on this mysterious album. Click below to give it a listen.

(Source: grimygoods.com)

Check out the video interview with Teri Gender Bender talking about her new and upcoming Le Butcherettes album “Cry Is for the Flies”.

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez wears the same thing every day: teal-colored jeans and a fitted canvas jacket. His eyes are intent behind his glasses; his focus is acute. For the bulk of his 35 years he’s been consumed with expressing his creative vision. Relentless in the pursuit of his own voice, he has alienated friends and collaborators. By his own admission, he’s behaved like a dictator.

The brain behind Grammy-winning progressive rock group The Mars Volta, Rodriguez-Lopez has written all the band’s music, mixed the recordings by himself and fired musicians at will — sometimes without so much as an email to let them know.

“I’ve been a real bastard over the years,” he admits, perched on a couch in the top-floor sun room of his Echo Park production offices, looking out over L.A.’s sun-soaked Eastside hills. “All in the name of following my vision.”

Wiry thin, he has an Einstein-style wild mess of dark hair and big, round, smudgy spectacles. He’s the kind of guy who forgets to eat, shower or brush his teeth when he gets on a roll writing music.

He certainly has his admirers; devoted Mars Volta fans liken the band’s members to gods. They obsess over their innovative, genre-shattering, long-winded compositions, full of changing time signatures, singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s high-pitched howling vocals and Rodriguez-Lopez’s experimental guitar riffs.

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An interview is one of the most authentic and honest windows into the hearts and minds of the artists and musicians we’ve come to admire. And, in this particular case… an added dose of humility. Logistics and self-deprecating humor aside, there is no better approach towards familiarizing yourself with the music you know and love, than by speaking with the musicians who have created the compositions that their fans have come to hold dear to their hearts. Throughout the years Lisa Papineau and Juan Alderete of Big Sir have created a fan base dedicated to the evolution of their multifaceted sound.

With the two having such a diverse creative output that extends far outside of their album releases, Lisa and Juan always seem to give the time needed to Big Sir for stages of growth in the bands legacy to continue and 2012 marks the next cycle. The ethereally haunting vocal and synth work of Lisa Papineau along with the sea of effects bassist of The Mars Volta Juan Alderete utilizes combine for a compositional mastery in which the sum is greater than the parts. With this Los Angeles dynamic duo’s third full length album, Before Gardens After Gardens, set to release on February 7th of this year via Rodriguez Lopez Productions / Sargent House, Big Sir has created an authentic and diverse harmonious experience bound to have you yearning for more. When we received the album from Sargent House and dove in together, it felt like love at first sight.

Sound Colour Vibration was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to speak with Big Sir and get a firsthand look at the creative dynamic behind this band and their insight regarding a shared passion for music enriched with Los Angeles tradition, trust and mutual respect for one another, the influence of fearless whip-cracking manager and Sargent House matriarch, Cathy Pellow, creative contributions and unique signature musicality of fellow artists, and the strong camaraderie setting the foundation for their beautifully cultivated sound. Ladies and Gentlemen… It’s our pleasure to present to you Sound Colour Vibration’s exclusive interview with LA band, Big Sir.

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So after many requests we decided to give it a go and set up our own discussion forum where like minded folk can come talk about Music, Art, Films and of course each of the artists we have over here at Sargent House and Rodriguez Lopez Productions have their own forums within it.  I want to say a huge thank you to Luke Hurd of The Marble Shrine who built it and is our Global Moderator, Top Dog. He did a great job and so far the discussions are great, intelligent and not full of stupid board trolls. We also have decided to have one fan be the moderator for each of our artists sub forums. This way we can all be a real community and keep out the negative nonsense that kills all great discussion boards. So stop by and have a look and if you like it join up and join in on the conversation.  http://sargenthouse.com/forum

Big Sir the long time band of Lisa Papineau & Juan Alderete have a fantastic new album called Before Gardens After Gardens coming out on RLP/Sargent House on February 7th. You can stream or get a Free Download of the track Ready On The Line  HERE . We have the CD and some new merch now available for Pre-Order HERE and we are offering a great Deluxe Bundle for only $30. To find out more about the Album and all the special contributors that played on it go HERE.

With Omar Rodriguez-Lopez suddenly reforming At The Drive-In, his Mars Volta bandmate/brother Marcel has time to spend with his other project, Zechs Marquise. Based in El Paso, the latter Rodriguez-Lopez plays drums in the instrumental progressive rock band with his other brothers Marfred and Rikardo on bass and keyboards, respectively. Their sophomore album, Getting Paid, dropped late last year from Rodriguez-Lopez Productions (it’s a family thing), and they’ve just delivered a new video for one of the tracks.

We first brought you their single “Everlasting Beacon Of Light” back in August. The track leans towards trip-hop before erupting into typical Rodriguez Brothers insanity, but the video pretty much starts and ends in the insane. In the clip, the name of the song appears to be the name of a smokeable drug. Inhalation of said drug leads to animal-headed people, dusty graveyards, latino gangs, and secret Zechs Marquise shows. Talk about gateway drugs. Check out the exclusive video, directed by The 90s, below.

Nice cameos from Teri of Le Butcherettes and Matthew Embree of RX Bandits

Big Sir, the Los Angeles-based project of vocalist Lisa Papineau (ME & LP, M83, Air) and The Mars Volta bassist Juan Alderete, will release their third album, Before Gardens After Gardens, in February. The two composers’ articulate, electronic-tinged blend of R&B, jazz, and hip-hop falls somewhere between Papineau’s acoustic solo work and Alderete’s forays into prog-rock as part of The Mars Volta.

Before Gardens After Gardens’ first single “Ready on the Line” spikes Papineau’s exquisitely harmonized Bjorkian voice with whistles, chimes, and mechanical claps. The subtle background heartbeats, reminiscent of Timbaland’s early work with Aaliyah, anchor the buoyant track, which otherwise threatens to float away on Papineau’s upper range, especially when she screams, “Get so high!” Stream it or download it below.

Big Sir – “Ready on the Line”

Before Gardens After Gardens is out February 7th on Rodriguez Lopez Productions / Sargent House. The album also features contributions by The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala, RX Bandits’ Matthew Embree,  bassist Jonathan Hischke, and Beastie Boys producer “Money” Mark Ramos-Nishita.

What a year. Sargent House and Rodriguez Lopez Productions artists put out some damn fine albums this year and we encourage you to take a listen to any you may have missed, we have put a link to stream in full each of them.  We are also very excited for 2012 we’ve got a load of great music coming your way from Big Sir, Good Old War, Fang Island, Adebisi Shank, This Town Needs Guns, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Le Butcherettes, Tera Melos and I’m sure a few other new additions. 

I also just want to give a big thanks to everyone that supports musicians and helps spread the word about all the things you think are great and deserving. Never be shy, always encourage others to check out bands you like - it really helps and is appreciated by all of us in the world that believe someday quality will overcome the crap - we may still be the most underpaid and under appreciated group out here, but I like to think one day we shall prevail!

In Chronological Order by Release Date (latest to earliest) - Click on Album Cover to stream album

SARGENT HOUSE & RLP ARTISTS RELEASES IN 2011 


Boris
New Album  (US Version)
This version has 4 new songs and different versions to the Japanese Release
Label: Sargent House
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Vinyl / CD / Digital


And So I Watch You From Afar
Gangs
N. American Label & Mgmt: Sargent House / Released November 7, 2011
European Label: Richter Collective / Released May 2011
CD / Digital

Russian Circles
Empros
Label & Mgmt: Sargent House
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Vinyl / CD / Digital


This Town Needs Guns 
Adventure, Stamina & Anger
Label & Mgmt: Sargent House
Release Date: October 10, 2011
7” Vinyl / Digital


Zechs Marquise
Getting Paid
Label: Rodriguez Lopez Productions
Management : Sargent House
Release Date: September 27, 2011
Vinyl / CD/ Digital


Hella
Tripper
Label & Mgmt: Sargent House
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Vinyl / CD / Digital


ME & LP
Chez Raymond (EP)
Label & Mgmt : Sargent House
Release date: August 9, 2011 
CD / Digital


Boris
Heavy Rocks (2011)
Not to be confused with Heavy Rocks that came out in 2003 
Label: Sargent House
Release Date: May 24, 2011
Vinyl / CD / Digital


Boris
Attention Please
Label: Sargent House
Release Date: May 24, 2011
Vinyl / CD / Digital


Le Butcherettes
Sin Sin Sin
Label: Rodriguez Lopez Productions
Management : Sargent House
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Vinyl / CD/ Digital


Deafheaven
Roads to Judah
Label: Deathwish, Inc
Mgmt: Sargent House
Release date: April 26, 2011
Vinyl / CD / Digital


Omar Rodriguez Lopez
Telesterion
Label: Rodriguez Lopez Productions
Management : Sargent House
Release Date: April 16, 2011
Vinyl / CD/ Digital


Gypsyblood
Cold In The Guestway
Label & Mgmt : Sargent House
Release date: April 12, 2011 
Vinyl / CD / Digital


Adebisi Shank
This Is The Second Album of A Band Called Adebisi Shank
Label & Mgmt: Sargent House / Released March 15, 2011
Irish Label: Richter Collective / Released August 2010
Vinyl / CD / Digital


Therapies Son
Over The Sea
Labels: Sargent House (USA) / Transparent (UK)
Release date: March 15, 2011 
10” Vinyl / Digital


Tera Melos
Zoo Weather (EP)
Label & Mgmt : Sargent House
Release date: February 22, 2011
Cassette / Digital



THANKS!

(Source: sargenthouse.bandcamp.com)

Ho, Ho, Ho. You know us over at Sargent House and Rodriguez Lopez Productions, we like to turn people onto music, and we like to thank the people that support us and all our bands over here. So on December 23, 24 & 25 we will be giving away up to 100 FREE downloads each day of our albums so that you can try something NEW, or so that you can finally get that album you wanted but have just been to broke to do so. We hope that by spreading good will and good music it will in turn be something you all realize is important to do as well. Support true musicians and the labels that love them. Tell your friends about great bands or albums, do your part to give true musicians the support they need to continue to record and release music for all of us. Heck if you get a FREE album, why not also go buy one of some deserved band while you are at it, if you can. It all helps.

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Sargent House & Rodriguez Lopez Productions.
All bundles are 15% off and other select items as much as 50% off. We love you, and want to thank all those that support our labels and our bands. We are truly grateful. Be Kind to each other.

MAKE SURE TO ORDER BEFORE December 16th so you can get it by Christmas!

At its core, Zechs Marquise is about exploration. Specifically outer space exploration. As previously detailed in the 8/24 edition of Riffs, Rants, & Rumors, the band has close familial ties with the progressive rock band The Mars Volta—they even share a keyboardist. However, with the recent release of their latest work Getting Paid, the band demonstrates that they have taken steps towards creating a real sonic separation from any musical comparison to TMV or any other band out there. Bassist Marfred Rodriquez-Lopez stopped by to give us an idea of how Zechs Marquise manages to separate themselves from their peers, what influences the band musically, and the story behind supporting the last tour of one of their longtime friends, RX Bandits.

OS: When the band first started it was called Monolith. What was the reason to change the name besides the obvious reference to Gundam?

MR: (laughs) It is mainly because we realized there was something like three or four bands with the name Monolith from Texas. It’s funny, because they were from each of the major cities. There was one based out of Dallas, one based out of Austin, one out of Houston and another one out of San Antonio. So that was the main reason. We all loved the name, but then we were like “Oh man, there’s another band with that name? And they’re from Texas as well?”

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Sargent House and Rodriguez Lopez Productions are offering a very wide selection of both brand new and older titles from a bunch of our artists - JUST ADDED the new albums from  Hella, Zechs Marquise, And So I Watch You From Afar, and a classic old EP from Days Away,  to the list of CDs included.  Pick any 5 for just $25 - now that’s a sweet deal. CLICK HERE TO GO TO 5 FOR 25$ - * CD’s are regular price when sold separately.

LIKE VINYL INSTEAD? Check out our 5 for $65 SALE HERE 

* Click the Band Name to check out the band, or click the Album title to stream the whole album 

ALBUMS CHOICES FOR THE 5 FOR 25$ 
Adebisi Shank - This Is The Second Album of A Band Called Adebisi Shank
And So I Watch You From Afar - Gangs
Bygones - by-
Cast Spells - Bright Works And Baton
Days Away - Ear Candy For The Headphone Trippers
El Grupo Nuevo De Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Cryptomnesia 
Fang Island - Fang Island
Good Old War - Only Way To Be Alone
Good Old War - Self Titled 
Gypsyblood - Cold In The Guestway
Hella - Tripper
Le Butcherettes - Sin Sin Sin 
Lisa Papineau - Red Trees 
Native  - Wrestling Moves 
Native - We Delete Erase
Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Xenophanes 
Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Mantra Hiroshima 
Omar Rodriguez Lopez - どういたしまして
Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Un Escorpion Perfumado
Red Fang - Red Fang
Red Sparowes - The Fear Is Excruciating But Therein Lies The Answer
RX Bandits - Mandala
RX Bandits - And The Battle Begun 
RX Bandits - Live At Park Avenue 
Tera Melos - Patagonian Rats
Tera Melos - Untitled 
Tera Melos - Drugs Complex
This Town Needs Guns - Animals 
Zach Hill - Face Tat
Zechs Marquise - Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare
Zechs Marquise - Getting Paid