Unpiano | Music Blog

The first all-girl punk band from Switzerland (actually, I think they were the first punk band from Switzerland period), Kleenex dropped their first LP Liliput on Rough Trade in 1982. Sparse, ramshackle instrumentation, near-hoarse lead vocals and nonsense lyrics – what’s not to love? This record (and their later output as “Liliput”) was a huge influence on the 90s riot grrl movement (Kill Rock Stars releasing a complete Kleenex/Liliput discography in the early 2000′s), but regardless of associations and influence, this is just really fucking fun punk record. My four-year-old daughter couldn’t get enough of this Jazzercize-clad Swiss TV appearance below.

Kleenex – Nighttoad
Kleenex – Nice

Bonus:
Kleenex – Nice (video)

More gems from the HSA Mix Trade came in the mail this week. Scottish band Josef K had a bunch of singles on Postcard Records back the Eighties and wrote songs that made you feel sad in that pleasant way. Some great crooning from singer Paul Haig and you can never go wrong when you mix a disco beat with post-punk guitars. They never quite got the recognition they deserved, but then again they may not have wanted it anyway. Click on the photo above to check out their songs before they got all polished.

Josef K – It’s Kind of Funny
Josef K – Sorry For Laughing
Josef K – Pictures (Of Cindy)

Bonus:
Josef K – Sorry For Laughing (video)

This hot hot hot re-working of 80′s NYC post-punk legends Bush Tetras ended up on mix CDR that was going around. As if the original wasn’t already a dance party winner, this version is perfect for summertime basement rave-ups in 100 degree weather.

Bush Tetras – Snakes Crawl (Burgler Tom Edit)

Okay, this post is a blatant steal from Audrey, who used this song in the promo trailer for her upcoming dj night at Underground SF. I’m aware that it is sort of lame to steal a song from someone who is using it to promote their own music activity but I couldn’t resist. Besides, right now I’m talking about her night anyways so it’s sort of like promo or something anyways right? Nevermind, just go to her night when it happens. She has amazing taste in music (on par with a 50-year-old aging rocker) and it will be super fun. It was going to be on third Thursdays (ahem) but is now gonna be some other day. Just check her site for dates..

The Monochrome Set – Eine symphonie des Grauens
The Monochrome Set – Eine symphonie des Grauens (faster, dirty live version)