Stares 'n' stripes

Tour junkies White Lung are once again crossing the nation, bringing their short-sharp punk attack to pubs'n'clubs'n'basements across the country. I've seen them a couple of times previously, and it's always been a pleasantly brain-crushing experience. There were also some local and imported noise generators on hand to start things off.

First up were Caymans, once again bringing the primitive thud (from Joni Sadler) and anti-banter and Royal Truxian guitar (courtesy of Blake Hargreaves).


Caymans at Babylon, April 17, 2012

Now with more saxophone! Which occasionally made it sound like Morphine crossed with a Kim Salmon & The Surrealists.


Caymans at Babylon, April 17, 2012

Next, Montreal's Hand Cream who really had me thinking of 1982 style postpunk. Bass and keyboard action from Marlee Shambles and Crystal Meth!


Hand Cream at Babylon, April 17, 2012

Meg Champ on guitar and yelling, Brother Simm on drums.


Hand Cream at Babylon, April 17, 2012

And finally the usual face-melting goodness from White Lung.


White Lung at Babylon, April 17, 2012

The shouty bit!


White Lung at Babylon, April 17, 2012

White Lung will be back in this part of the world in early June, touring behind their upcoming LP Sorry, if I hear things right.

• Show Reminder: The Acacia Strain, Lionheart, No Bragging Rights, Aimless Endeavor and Torn Apart By Wolves perform at Mavericks; Annihilator and Aggressor destroy a sold-out show at Brass Monkey; Kalle Mattson, Frank Deresti & The Lake Effect and Kaleigh Watts perform at Zaphod's; Thread is on stage at the Rainbow; The Long Distance Runners with openers Chris Landry and Gareth Auden-Hole whoop it up at the Elmdale.