LA is the at times awkward, at times transcendent confluence of surf, skateboard, hardcore punk, hip hop, and celebrity culture of present and past. Weirdo Rippers by No Age is an album (actually a compilation of vinyl EPs finally given wide release) that gives a window into the current world of underground art culture in the City of Angels.
No Age make Lo-Fi experimental rock rooted in the West coast underground hardcore punk scene of the 90s.
In April 2006 former members of the band Wives played their first show after forming in December. The now legendary LA venue, the Smell hosted that performance in its Gallery Row location downtown.
So many hardcore, experimental, folk, noise, or punk bands are associated with the Smell that listing a few should suffice: Health, Abe Vigoda, BARR, Mika Miko, and of course No Age. The Smell united these musicians, artists, and their fans under a solid roof and the ethics of respect, tolerance, volunteerism, and all-ages, alcohol-free fun. There is also a vegan snack bar and a library.
I saw No Age play the Vera Project in September to a placid crowd constituting Seattle underage/experimental music elite: musicians and their friends. Though the audience was introspective, No Age performed like a sonic ocean, complete with reefs and shoals hidden just off the coast of a fuzzy continent steeped in mountainous distortion.
The Pitchfork Media review's touting of the band's ability to create a kind of lo-fi/surf music that is not quite punk or pop, captures the jaw-dropping creativity of No Age. The new album writes reviewer Brandon Stosuy, "builds into something much bigger than its constituent parts."
Something is the critical value in music and art. Something about lo-fi music performed with forceful artistic intention get my blood flowing every time. Creating simple, unique music cuts through so much of the bullshit that has become typical entertainment. Maybe it seems like hype, but I really feel like this will be the music kids my age in twenty years will be talking about in guarded tones at the back of whatever run-down arts venue is alive in Seattle or LA or Vancouver or Brooklyn in the future.
The music, like a lot of music that comes across my desk, seems to be about living a life that is independent, honest, and fun (not extreme, revolutionary, or alternative).
The fact that having a good time with your friends and making a record seems edgy or new is perhaps a sad indication of an America steeped in consumerism, fear, social networking, professional sports, and meaningless wars. Or something.
No Age, guitarist Randy Randall and singing drummer Dean Spunt, are currently touring on the East Cost, but will return to their friends in California in mid-November, and their Seattle friends sometime soon after that.