THE SELLWOODS: Two Stroke Smoke 7″ EP

Portland-based garage-punk band The Sellwoods unleashed their much anticipated Two Smoke Stroke EP, via Spanish label Chaputa Records in February. Lucky for me I managed to get my mitts on the limited edition obstreperous orange vinyl which included a free fridge magnet – what more could a girl ask for?
The band have been around since 2011, and I discovered them quite by accident a couple of years ago, whilst perusing Facebook for some garage-punk action (as one does). The thing that first attracted me to this bonkers bunch was their obvious love for having fun with what they do, and adopting ‘60s kitsch in the form of drag-racing model kits, artwork along the line of Ed Roth, Horror, the striped t-shirts, the German helmets and iron crosses, bandit masks – all things synonymous with ‘60s trashy counterculture and more recently bands of their ilk such as The Mummies, Thee Mighty Caesars and the budget rock end of garage-punk. So basically ticking all the boxes for me, and then some! On the top of my must see list for sure.
To the music. Guitarist Blind Baron delivers fuzz by the dumpster load whilst The Baroness and The Count provide tumultuous thumping from the rhythm section, complimented by Miss Kitka who kreates kooky key-work straight outta the ‘60s horror sitcom TV theme tune book.
Both ‘Two Stroke Smoke’ and ‘Want Me’ are a girl/boy efforts vocals-wise – both full of don’t give a toot attitude; he’s been left by his baby, she’s riding into the distance on her two stroke – and boy is she angry (of Collins Kids ‘Whistle Bait’ proportions). The latter (their version of The Night Crawlers‘ ’66 fuzz-and-shout monster) with it’s repetitive riff, proves yet again that simplicity is the most effective weapon. ‘No More’ brings a more ‘70s tinged punk flavour, and my favourite ‘Kimchi’ = Girls In The Garage at it’s trashiest best (trashi-best!).
Do yourself a favour and go check out their back catalogue if you haven’t already. All deets available through their Facebook page and the EP is available via Chaputa Records who incidentally have other fab releases, so go take a peek.

After two ep’s that have worn out the turntable’s diamond, the Portland band delivers a new slice of garage punk in every rule. Matt and Melissa have caught some beer packs and have gone into the basement of Dave Berkham (Reverberations) to play with the recorder that good Dave has caught and those sessions come out these four new songs. They start with a “Two Stroke Smoke” that oozes spirit and adolescent attitude through all the pores that complements the possible shortcomings that may have the now quartet with the incorporation of Miss Kitka to the keys present in this theme that will undoubtedly dance Lux Interior wherever you are. “Kimchi” is another garage punk exercise loaded with keyboard crushes neurons, two own songs that give way to two versions on the b-side, starting with a magnificent review of “No More” by Morning Dew where Matt is really fine at guitar. They close this device with another devilish reading of the “Want me” by Night Crawlers that makes you dust off the garage punk bible according to Tim Warren. All this with a magnificent cover of Rui Ricardo fixed on the payroll at the factory Chaputa, the retouching of Mike Mariconda and the uncompromising delivery of a band that freaks me out.