These LOAD RECORDS guys were supposed to play in Allston last night with SKIMASK, GUERILLA TOSS, and ARVID NOE, but they had to cancel. And it is really a shame because SKOAL KODIAK(from Minneapolis) are grinding out some of the most listenable gnarly, keyboard tinged scuzz rock going down in 2011. What absolutely separates them from the noise rock pack is their penchant for the groove. They also have a majorly awesome affinity for synths and drum machines(though there’s also plenty of live drumming). KRYPTONYM BODLIAK, their record on LOAD is front to back weird funk, with the lead singer’s vocals the distorted, garbled cherry on top. At times these guys come off like midwestern brothers of our own SKIMASK, ranting front man atop funky noise rock backdrop. On “Sciswell” the vocals and keyboard riff nearly swallow themselves creating a very psychedelic groove indeed. “Tomah Triangle” is the jam of the record for me. The song creeps along pulling you in until you finally let down your guard and then a most killer sax riff arrives to just kill kill kill you. Memories of another Michigan band, THIS ROBOT KILLS, who put out a record on a Providence record label(Corleone Records) get stirred up by this record. This is a mean, awesome record. Hopefully, they come back soon. We’ll see what we can do to help.
