PG Six – Live at the Tavern (Feeding Tube)

PG (Pat Gubler) is still going strong but starting with Tower Recordings’ The Fraternity of Moonwalkers in 1996, this guitarist/multi-instrumentalist helped define what would become the ’00s experimental folk scene. His 2001 solo effort, Parlor Tricks and Porch Favorites, is an absolute peak from the last gasp of the IRL music era. I still can’t wrap my head around Feeding Tube records. Is it financed by some billionaire ageless Nosferatu with a massive Jandek collection? Is it a mafia pyramid scheme? They crank out a ton of incredible no-fans vinyl. That aside, here is an LP of live prime Parlor Tricks-era PG Six with great sound quality containing all the hits.

Quivers – Golden Doubt (Ba Da Bing/Bobo Integral/Spunk!)

This Melbourne group’s 2nd LP finally lands on my porch, a great day. This will get called “jangle”, but I’m gonna call this pure pop. It’s got the same type of simple heartfelt songs as the first, this time layered with more glorious backing vocals and an added lushness in the production, some synths and swooping strings. Hit single from 2019 “You’re Not Always on Mind” kicks off side B and is not miles from U2’s “With or Without You” or to bring this back to Australia, early INXS banger “Don’t Change.” There’s not a weak track on here, and lovers of feeling feelings while rocking out will love this.

So Cow – Bisignis (Dandy Boy)

Dandy Boy is a new label brewing across the Bay from me in Oakland with some interesting stuff on the horizon, including this upcoming cassette and CD by Irish band/person So Cow. He’s been active since at least 2005, making smart and bitter punky pop (though not pop-punk). The satirical lyrics and deadpan vocal delivery bring to mind ‘90s Shrimper act Nothing Painted Blue and maybe Big Dipper, though he seems fond of early Television Personalities too. So Cow’s own Bandcamp page is loaded with hits of his own and a great covers album, where he covers everything from the aforementioned TVP’s to Shonen Knife.

——————————————————————————————————

If you appreciate what we are doing here on Free Form Freakout, please consider making a small donation via Ko-fi. All donations received go towards paying our guest contributors and covering our website hosting fees.