Eau Claire is a very cool city here in Wisconsin. Xtine and I rolled through there on a road trip a couple of years back, mostly because my bladder was about to explode and we needed some snacks for our drive to Bessimer, MI. Wasn’t sure what to expect, other than maybe running into someone who knew Justin Vernon or whatever. Turns out, the town is actually pretty kick-ass. One of the gems we stumbled upon was Revival Records, a candy store for record nerds like us. I left with a stack of kick-ass records so big I had to sit on the trunk to get it closed. Knowing a band like Gash emerged from the already amazing Eau Claire music scene makes perfect sense; there’s clearly something in the water up there.
Gash’s ‘At Least You Know What You’re Laughing At’ made me feel like…. Hey now… the art school kids decided to make a jam band and added some cool digital samples that pop up here and there, like that weird guy that loves great obscure music at the bar who shows up randomly and surprises you from time to time, but you’re always glad he drops in. In this case, I will say his name is Jeremy…. for no reason whatsoever. The actual experimental noise that these damn creative nutjobs are producing is some of the best original song collections I’ve heard in quite a while. I mean…. I have A.D.D., and I love the occasional sit-down with some psychedelics. Other than that. Let’s get back to this short but sweet album, why don’t we?!
‘At Least You Know What You’re Laughing At’ has 8 songs, all of which are under three minutes, and none of them gives you a second to breathe, unless you count gasping for air between songs. Although all songs are their own animals… here are three that stood out to me on my first listen. First up is “good and bad,” which kicks things off like someone just plugged my brain into a car battery…. it’s pedal to the metal… some wild ass energy I tell ya… with some sharp turns. Next up, “risking heaven” is like a demo version of a dream Jeff Mangum told a friend who was high as fuck but could play a mean acoustic guitar. Then there’s “data master,” which is like a basement show where the band invited some fucking cool ass robot to jam with them… it’s probably Bender…. that’s a robot that kicks ass… and somehow the song actually works. Bottom line: Gash nailed it. If you like your rock loud, weird, and in small doses at a time… then you’re gonna love this record. Kinda like talking to that weird music guy at the bar… just little one liners all night that keep getting better and better. Just give this album a spin today and enjoy the musical madness that is Gash.
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/gash_________
https://gashrash.bandcamp.com/album/at-least-you-know-what-youre-laughing-at
https://angeltapes.bandcamp.com/merch
