The Perlich Post: Moon Duo take off

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Moon Duo take off

Performing and recording with San Francisco psych monsters Wooden Shjips isn't enough noise-making activity to keep Erik "Ripley" Johnson and Sanae Yamada busy. So last year the guitarist and keyboardist took their fascination with Suicide, Silver Apples and the Ruins to the next level by forming Moon Duo in a bid to prove that two determined musicians with the right effects and amplification can shake the walls as well as any band.

Their entrancing new four-song Escape (Woodsist) album builds on the krautrockish repetitive rumble attack of Moon Duo's two prior limited-run EPs, Love on the Sea (Sick Thirst) and Killing Time (Sacred Bones) by taking a more song-oriented approach to compositions while remaining true to the pounding groove.
The fact that Moon Duo have hit their stride with a recording called "Escape" shouldn't be cause for concern that they plan to jump Shjip. Apart from a brief Moon Duo tour which will bring them to SXSW to play the Woodsist showcase at Red 7 in Austin March 20, Johnson and Yamada are working on a new Wooden Shjips recording which will follow the release of another collection of the Shjips' rare singles tracks –cleverly titled "Vol. 2" – set for release March 22 on Sick Thirst.
Along with songs originally issued by Sub Pop, Mexican Summer and Yeti Magazine, the seven song compilation includes a scorching live recording of Death's Not Your Friend from their split tour 7" with The Heads in addition to a boisterous rip through the Bridget Bardot and Serge Gainsbourg classic Contact and a timely rendition of Neil Young's Vampire Blues. Unfortunately for everyone but eBay dealers, the Shjips' crack at Spaceman 3's I Believe It from their Great Pop Supplement split single didn't fit on the 44 minute LP.

Wooden Shjips Vol. 2
1 Loose Lips
2 Start To Dreaming
3 Vampire Blues
4 Death's Not Your Friend [Live]
5 Contact
6 I Hear the Vibrations [E-Z Version]
7 Outta My Head

Bopper's Hat Jam by Moon Duo