Hot New Releases from Chicago’s Randy Records: Uh Bones & The Memories
by Katie Ingegneri
Have I told you yet how much it rules to be a rock n roll fan living in Chicago today? I think I have— that’s why this publication exists — but these latest albums I got to listen to are just driving the point home. I always used to wish I grew up in the 60s listening to the rock n roll that was coming out then, but hey, it’s actually still happening now. What a time to be alive!
I got to stream the two latest releases (out July 17) from Chicago’s Randy Records, run by Nathan Johnson of The Yolks who also plays in Uh Bones and The Rubs, all flipping sweet bands. The albums are “Honey Coma,” Uh Bones’ full-length debut LP, and “Home Style” by The Memories, the project of Rikky Gage, who is also associated with White Fang and Free Weed (and the record label Gnar Tapes), based in LA.
I love supporting local bands and especially local record labels, and was very excited to recently discover another Randy Records release, a Teenage Lovers 45 by Max Kakacek (formerly of Smith Westerns & currently of Whitney) at Bric a Brac Records — I had no idea that there were already so many good things on this label, so be sure to check out everything they have to offer.
BUT CHECK OUT THIS NEW SHIT FIRST. Cause I did, and you don’t wanna miss em! With garage rock, punk, and psychedelic influences, catchy pop melodies and 100% satisfying sounds, these new albums from Uh Bones and The Memories are absolutely sure to make your summer — and the rest of your life — better.
Uh Bones: “Honey Coma”
https://randyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/honey-coma
Put on “Honey Coma” by Chicago’s Uh Bones and it’s 1965 again. With lo-fi, retro garage rock echoing The Kinks and Velvet Underground and the psychedelic vibes of Apache Dropout and White Fence, it almost makes you forget the 70s, 80s, and 90s ever happened. Songs like “Trouble No More” are like if the Rolling Stones were dropping acid at the beginning of the 60s instead of the end, and the whole album reminds me of some of my favorites like Brian Jonestown Massacre’s nod to British 60s garage rock “Take It From The Man!” But as Bob Dylan would say, this isn’t British music, this is American music, and god bless America indeed.
Featured on the LP are Luke Trimble (guitar, vocals), Nick Beaudoin (bass), Joe Montanaro (drums), and Nathan Johnson (organ). For those of you who aren’t in Chicago, you have a chance to catch Uh Bones on tour this summer! I have yet to see them play myself so I’m pretty psyched for whenever they do some shows here on their home turf.
TOUR DATES for the Uh Bones summer tour:
7.23 Madison, WI at Univ. of Wisconsin w/ Heaters
7.27 Des Moines, IA at Vaudeville Mews w/ Heaters
7.28 Minneapolis, MN at 7th St. Entry w/ Heaters
7.29 Columbia, MO at Cafe Berlin w/ Heaters
7.30 Kansas City, MO at Riot Room w/ Heaters
7.31 Lincoln, NE at Zoo Bar w/ Heaters
8.1 Denver, CO at Lost Lake Lounge w/ Heaters
8.2 Grand Junction, CO at House Show/Pool Party w/ Heaters
8.3 Salt Lake City, UT at Diabolical Records w/ Heaters
8.4 Los Angeles, CA at Gnarburger (afternoon show)
8.4 Los Angeles, CA at TBD (evening show)
8.5 Oakland, CA at Golden Bull w/ Big Tits
8.6 San Francisco, CA at Make Out Room
8.7 Portland, OR at SMMR BMMR Festival w/ Pookie and the Poodlez
8.8 Seattle, WA at Pizza Fest Festival w/ Nobunny
8.9 Spokane, WA at Neato Burrito/Baby Bar w/ Pizza Time
8.10 Missoula, MT at Real Lounge
8.12 Sioux Falls, SD at Total Drag
If you’re looking for their tour contact, it’s iden.josh@gmail of Panache Booking. Hop on this train now cause it’s gonna be one hell of a rocking summer.
The Memories, “Home Style”
https://randyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/home-style
According to Randy Records, The Memories are like “Daniel Johnston, R. Stevie Moore and Ween trying to write Beatles songs.” I’m seriously digging these hazy “slacker pop” songs that weave between late 60s folk-rock sounds and morose-yet-hopeful 80s teenage synth vibes, with a splash of retro 50s pop dreaminess and 21st century shoegaze. My favorite track is “Dancing In My Dreams,” a sparse, synth-heavy pop song that’s catchy as hell, a bittersweet late-night lament to someone who may or may not exist. Other highlights include “Don’t Be a Drag” with a drunken sing-along-at-the-dive-bar quality, and “Don’t Be a Fool,” a swaying modern 50s-style teenage romance with Beach Boys melodies. Can’t wait to actually pick up this album. I’m kinda in love now.
Get hip to what Randy Records is selling now cause rock n roll is alive and well and we should all be ever-grateful. Next for Randy Records is the debut LP of Spike and the Sweet Spots (which I am super pumped about, I’ve been hooked ever since I saw them cover Brian Jonestown Massacre’s “(David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six” at Abbey Pub) and a new 7" by The Yolks. Both records are pressings of 300, and 100 of each are pressed on white vinyl, NICE. I gotta get my hands on summa dat — if it’s not too late!
Randy Records Store: http://randyrecords.bigcartel.com
Bandcamp: http://randyrecords.bandcamp.com
Rock n roll makes you remember you’re STILL ALIVE and life is GOOD so fucking go out and seize the day. And support your local bands and labels like Randy Records, who are making the world a better place.
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