Top 13 (of the Week)

Sure,you know what's cool. But do you know what's really fuckin' FAR OUT? That's where Advanced Demonology comes in. Every week, (K)en and (S)wilson trudge through the murky waters of the pop culture hellscape, dredging up sparkly morsels of wonder. These are the result of our latest foray into the world of the weird, our wildest, wiggest-out picks of the week. Call it our 13 Point Program.

13. Barb Wire Dolls
If you base the quality of a punk rock band on how hot the girl lead singer is (and I do), then Barb Wire Dolls is the best new punk band in the goddamn world. I mean, holy smokes is this chick photogenic.  Their debut album, Slit, is out now. It's fun, poppy, snot-rock. The vinyl version is due out on  Jan 15th. Crazily enough, there's a doc in the works about 'em because they're the first punk band from Greece to make it (sorta) in the US.  Anyway, cool tunes, foxy chick, punk rock. It's can't-miss situation. (K)

12. The Visitors (1972)
You can tell right from the get-go this one is going to be a long slow bummer, 1972 Style. James Woods plays an ex-Vietnam vet who lives on a farm with his girlfriend, new born baby and an aging alcoholic father-in-law.  When they get an unexpected visit from a couple of his old army buddies who have an axe to grind about some shit that went down in 'Nam. Steve Railsback, who played Charlie in Helter Skelter, is as deranged as can be. (S)

11. Blood on Satan's Claw
I've been waiting decades to see this early 70's Satanic-shocker from Tigon, and it was worth the wait. Super creepy flick about kids in an 18th century British village pledging their allegiance to Satan, who stomps around like a mutant goat. I think Black Metal got it's whole schtick from this fucked-up movie.  Also, Linda Hayden is the most evil-looking 18 year old I've ever seen in my life. (K)

10. The Devil Loves Anal Sex
If anyone should know anything about the Devil and anal sex it's going to be gay porn star right? Joseph Sciambra was "saved" from gay porn and homosexuality by Jesus Christ. If you find this video compelling check out the rest of the story! (S)

9. Unknown Mortal Orchestra
UMO is a pop-psychedelic band from New Zealand and/or Portland (there probably isn't that much of a difference). Their second album, the cleverly titled “II” is out next month, and it's awesome, like the Polyphonic Spree on a hot dog budget jamming with Marc Bolan in a basement somewhere. Bonus: the cover has a naked Satanic chick with a sword on it. Double-bonus: pre-order the vinyl from the band, and get an art-print of said naked devil-childe to adorn your wall. (K)

8. Thy Courage Quail -Goblin's Gate
Really nice downer folk, good tunes, great banjo. Songs about being lost in the wilderness of life. "Old Fat Fox" is a highlight. (S)



7. Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings
Rack toys weren't good toys, they were the bullshit plastic junk they sold at the drugstore. They were also one of the greatest things about being a kid. Since they cost next to nothing, you could almost always convince your parents to get you a rubber Dracula or a Banana Splits kazoo. This far-out book collects hundreds of photos of these long-gone childhood trinkets. It's eye-popping and hilarious. I mean, really, a Police Woman Crime Lab Play Set? (K)

6. Puffy Areolas - 1982: Dishonorable Discharge
Brilliant! These serious down home rust belt belt freak out punks/pukes named themselves after something truly delectable, that doesn't get enough media attention, if yah ask me. My guess is that 1982 is the year these scumbags ( I mean that as a  term of endearment) were born?  Bongs explode and beer cans melt. (S)

5. Carny (1980)
I'm not sure why The Band's Robbie Robertson made and starred in a movie about carny hustlers, but he did, and it's great. Gary Busey is an evil clown, Jodie Foster is a teenage runaway, there's freaks and strippers and homicidal rednecks and hustles and hassles. Bitchin'. Really well made and cool flick. (K)

4. Black Science - An Echo Through the Eyes Of Forever
Like if Roky Erickson fronted the Cult or Guns "N Roses? Or maybe if the Replacements took acid as much as they drank? It's like cock freak out rock? it rules! it's really out of fashion to do this kind of thing right now whatever this thing is. This is some of the most out there shit in the out land I've ever outed. Do yourself a favor and spend the time on the lyrics they are fuckin' worth it: "Sitting out on your house, Watching hardcore U.F.O's , Drawing pictures playing solos till ten, are you amplified to rock?" If you order the "Chaos Magick Edition" of the CD the band promises to personally enchant the disc with a rare chaos magic ritual and they are not joking. The disc will arrive haunted! (S)


3. Krautrock: the Rebirth of Germany
Everybody loves Krautrock, ie weirdo German bands from the 70's who mixed rock with jazz, prog, punk and whatever else and made gonzoid experimental head-melter albums. But how did it happen, and who's to blame? This killer doc from the BBC tells the whole kooky story. (K)

2. Death Drug (1978)
This is a tough film to track down and an even tougher one to watch, but  it's worth it.  Philip Michael Tomas stars in an ant-PCP film. Only be careful, you might actually need to smoke PCP to numb the pain. (S)

1. Jessica Pratt
We didn't bother to do any end-of-the-year Top Ten lists because, honestly, there was so much amazing stuff this year that paring it down just seemed impossible to me. Clearly, we are in a rock n' roll Renaissance of some kind. But anyways, that being said, I do have a favorite album of 2012, and it's this one, the self-titled debut by Jessica Pratt. A singer-songwriter from SF, Pratt's plaintive folk songs are deadringers for long-gone hippie death goddesses like Judee Sill or Vashti Bunyan. Her album is haunting, eerie, melancholic, and amazing. I listen to it everyday. I believe I am bewitched! (K)

Top 13 (Of The Week)

Sure,you know what's cool. But do you know what's really fuckin' FAR OUT? That's where Advanced Demonology takes over. Every week, (K)en and (S)wilson trudge through the murky waters of the pop culture hellscape, dredging up sparkly morsels of wonder. These are the result of our latest foray into the world of the weird, our wildest, wiggest-out picks of the week. Call it our 13 Point Program.

13. Sure Fire

In 1990 Jon Jost released this slow burn of a little movie starring america's most underrated actor (maybe not rated at all) Tom Blair. It's a film about self absorbed myopia, real estate scams, fatherhood, narcissism, and alienation all set in beautiful Utah. Slow burning art film drama at it's best. (S)

12. Noise Arch Blog

This blog obsessively collects weird/noise/experimental cassettes from the 80's. Back then, cassettes were the weapon of choice for out-there sonic explorers. Anchored by the long-lost magazine Sound Choice, "Cassette culture" spawned the first bedroom composers. Most of 'em were staunchly underground and offered no commercial potential. Imagine, no Pro-tools, no garage band, just sweat and noise and cassettes. Ear battering fun for everyone! (K)

11. Gamma - Gamma 1 (1979)

By 1977 the band Montrose had run it's course. Ronnie put out a pretty good solo record called Open Fire in 1978. in 1979 he formed Gamma. It's more of an 80's AOR type band with lot's of keyboards, kind of like if Night Ranger ( another bay area band, with whom Gamma's keyboard player, Alan Fitzgerald would later join) was actually listenable.  Even though the keys dilute, it still has Ronnie's signature "bring the fire" guitar playing. This is as about as far into this stuff as I can handle. (S)

10. Sonic Jesus

Italian psych freakout kings get real, real gone on the tripped-out track complete with 80's public access video collage visuals to keep things woozy. I dig these dudes, they're underground in a world where nothing really is anymore. Debut album coming soon. It's gonna be a monster! (K)

9. Sapphire Thinkers - From Within (1969)

Sunshine pop backed by a biker band like Steppenwolf or Black Pearl?  Sounds like it. This is a widely circulated gem on the inter-web pick it up at your local psych-blog. All anybody knows is that they are maybe from California. (S)

8. Warm Speakers 

As we've mentioned on the show more than once, Swilson and I are up for anything "wave". Same thing for "fi". Warm Speakers, from NYC, are practitioners of "Glo-fi". What the is that? From what I can tell, it's psyche-y shoegaze-y Nyquil jams for neon maniacs. And I dig it. Glow on! (K)

7. Jack Wrangler : Anatomy of an Icon

This documentary, put out by  tla releasing, a former video store that yours truly worked at for a few years in Philadelphia, is really hilarious.  It chronicles his life from gay porn Icon, to straight porn Icon (!), to his  success in "legitimate" theater. Also he married songbird Margaret Whiting who was twenty years his senior and he was gay! A Totally interesting and charming character, well worth the watch. (S)

6. Creepy Calvin Klein ads from the 90's

They based these on, what? Porn auditions? White slavery auctions? Apparently these ran, briefly, on TV in the 90's. They'll make you feel real dirty.  (K)

5. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - 12 Bar Bruise (2012)

The record is out today! It's got everything you'd expect from these Aussie freak flaggers. Lot's oh drivin' drums and oohs and aaahs and oh no's in all the party places, distorted vocals, non-distorted vocals, twanging, banging, droning guitars like surfing' bird and cut your hair mashed up by….well…. Australians, drunk Australians, if you know what i'm talkin' about. You hear me talkin'?  Get it! (S)

4. The Strange Sound Phenomenon

All over the world, people are experiencing weird, disturbing sounds. Basically, they sound like the Earth itself, groaning in pain. That's probably what it is. Why not? (K)

3. All Saved Freak Band - For Christians, Elves and Lovers (1976)

Maybe the most exciting Jesus Rock band of all time. Born out of an ohio commune with a history that crosses paths with heavy hitting rock bands like James Gang and It's A Beautiful Day, the culturally significant milestones of Kent State, kidnapping, brainwashing, deprograming, industrial accidents and the loss limbs. The All Saved Freak Band breaks most musical boundaries in it's attempt to save the souls of the Rock 'N Roll generation, whirling psychedelic ballroom blitz, beautiful chamber folk, down and dirty beard boogie, all praise to the most high. I could only get my sinful digital hands on For Christens, Elves and Lovers a record that owes as much to the Lord Of The Rings as it does the bible. (S)

2. Get Well Soon - Roland , I Feel You

Wow. I will tell you from the onset that I am thoroughly confused by what's going on, but I'm into it, nonetheless. Get Well Soon is a one-man band(?) who composes soundtrack music for crazy, hallucinogenic movies that don't exist. Except, well, since there's a video for Roland, I Feel You, they sorta do. It's from Get Well Soon's upcoming Giallo-inspired album, The Scarlet Beast O'Seven Heads. Confusing, but awesome. (K)

1. Liespotting: Proven Techniques To Detect Deception by Pamela Mayer

Deception and lies are a part of life. We all lie all day about all kinds of things. "yeah I like your new shirt", "it's really no problem", "i'll be back in ten minutes". Lies help smooth things over and keep society moving. We are hard wired to deceive. Babies learn to fake a cry to get attention, birds, fish and plants use all kinds of trickery in mating selection and food acquisition. Those are "white lies" but when people lie about the big stuff, in business dealings and relationships. That's where it hurts.  Since most people are statistically more likely to lie at work, this book by former entertainment executive Pamela Meyer is geared up to help make the difficult  decision of weather or not to trust someone in the work place easier.  Mostly it's an amazing book about the nature of human communication. How words only make up a small percentage of actual communication. How to read body language, eye movement and even smells when dealing with someone else. Since I live in Los Angeles where lies grown on palm trees and deception is in the water I thought It might come in handy (S)