R.I.P. Keith LeBlanc, 1954-2024

Sadly, drummer Keith LeBlanc, of Sugar Hill's house band and Tackhead, has passed away at the age of 69. He'll be greatly missed. 

Midweek Mixdown: Veronica Vasicka's Minimal Wave

Veronica Vasicka spins an intriguing 2-hour selection of rare 80s electro on her Minimal Wave show.

Veronica Vasicka presents a monthly 2-hour show on NTS Radio featuring the lost synth-wave treasures she has archived from the late 70s and early 80s, along with other iconic underground electronic music drawn from over four decades. Expect to hear exclusive tracks from releases on her seminal Minimal Wave and Cititrax labels plus cassette-only and private press rarities.

Featuring: Anne Clark, Conrad Schnitzler, Strafe, Vicious Pink, Skinny Puppy, Crash Course In Science, The Neon Judgement, A Split-Second, Nine Inch Nails, Das Ding, The Human League, Soft Cell, Gerry and the Holograms, Stephan Eicher, Deux, The Residents, Chris & Cosey, Propaganda.

Listen right here. 

Introducing: Masterpiece Machine

Members of Fucked Up and Power Trip decided it was time for an 80s industrial throwback and formed Masterpiece Machine. Hear "Rotting Fruit" below. 

Here's the scoop... Riley Gale, Mike Haliechuk and Jonah Falco – members of Fucked Up and Power Trip – have coalesced to create the throbbing musical beast that is Masterpiece Machine. Imagine the pounding the drum of Psalm-era Ministry with flashes of Nine Inch Nails, massive rock riffs, cinematic electronics, and post-hardcore influenced vocals. Rotting Fruit b/w Letting You In On A Secret is their debut 12” single. In this chaotic world, industrial influenced music seems more relevant than ever as it channels the unstoppable wheels of a mutating mass of electronic and biological matter lurching towards an unknown destination. 
Singer Riley’s love of comics led to a collaboration with celebrated comic artist and animator Lale Westvind, known for critically acclaimed works such as Grip, Hot Dog Beach and Hyperspeed to Nowhere. Lale’s art for Rotting Fruit/Letting You In On A Secret perfectly captures the aforementioned musical qualities as technological chimeras made up of biological matter cruise a desert landscape seemingly without purpose, while simultaneously racing towards the future head on.
Released as a 12" single by Triple B Records and Quality Control Records on April 9th.  Art by Lale Westvind: lalewestvind.com/index.php?/about/about/  Listen to "Rotting Fruit" below. 

R.I.P. Bill Rieflin, 1960-2020

Remembering Seattle-born drummer deluxe Bill Rieflin who passed away yesterday after a lengthy battle with cancer. Check his work with The Blackouts.