3H-B

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       3ח-B

This is a follow-up post for Shalosh Hait one I made a couple years ago.
This one is dedicated to the bassist Ram Aruveni who passed away a couple of days ago.

Here we have another unofficial cassette, claimed to be "the last recording session they made", albeit I find it false. I think it's a mix of various sources, both studio and live Pargod sessions.

Ran Slavin, David Opp, Ram Aruveni

Side A:
00:00 Daydream [Track 15 on their sole full length bonus CD]
04:32 Untitled [Longer, unedited version of track 14 on their sole full length bonus CD]
12:25 Untitled [Different version of one of the two 1989.08.10 Untitled tracks from the last post]
17:22 במצב של חריטה [Different version of track 13 on their sole full length bonus CD]
22:50 Untitled
26:02 Untitled
29:22 Untitled

Side B:
00:00 Untitled
00:54 Untitled
05:14 Untitled
07:17 Untitled
11:00 מפיות חומות (Brown Napkins) [Early version of a song by a band called Rir, Ran Slavin's post 3H band]
16:01 Untitled
20:17 משהו מדומה [Different version of track 9 on their sole full length bonus CD]
25:01 London Time [Track 5 on their sole full length bonus CD, also track 3 on the bootleg from the last post]
28:43 אל תצעק (גיטרות) [Different version of track 12 on their sole full length CD]

RIP Ram


Among other things Ram also operated in One Two Four Nine , Barbara (both with David), Solo . Even toured with Rabies Caste on their 2002 US tour. So yeah, as you can see, this guy is a fan favorite here in the blog.

מעצ

1982, days of the Lebanon War, a couple of Israeli leftists formed an activists group called ועד למען בריאות הציבור (Public Health Committee). Among their anarcho activities, they were also making music, playing live in some peace protests.
Those roots led to the formation of מעצ (Ma'atz), a socio-political band, merging ethnic/oriental music with new wave. Minimal Compact would be the first thing to come to mind, but influences are varied from Gang of Four to Yemenite folk.

Based in Tel Aviv, yet they weren't really part of the local new wave scene. They didn't perform often and when they did it was mostly on students festivals in colleges and less in clubs.
Ilana Tzabari (Bass, Vocals), Ziv Lewis (Synth), Hezi Davidian (Guitar), Lior Saar (Bass, Drum Machine). Also contributed in the group's early days were Nevo Svorai (Vocals) and Ido Amin (Drums).

The bandcamp up above is their first and only cassette, self released on February 1988. 200 copies were initially pressed by their own "label" called "לא BUDGET" (לא=No). Later sources say about a 1000 were sold, I think it's a bit exaggerated, but probably more were pressed indeed. Personally I think it's a cool album, but not something I listen to often, other than the first track which is a straight-up classic with its iconic samples (Hebrew needed) and guitar work. Track 8 is also a personal favorite, but I'll always come back to a cover made by the blog sweethearts Mujahideen. 
In 2001 it was re-released by Earsay on CD with bonus tracks. Those are not on the bandcamp version so I got you.

Ilana Tzabari, Hezi Davidian, Lior Saar, Ziv Lewis

מעצ - שבת אחים קטעי בונוס / Ma'atz - Brotherhood Bonus Tracks 

10. הודי
11. לעבודה ולמלאכה
12. שישי אינסטרומנטל
13. עיזים
14. שעונים
15. קן בין עירוני
16. מוצקים
17. Jc Hopes
18. Remix השעון ההיסטורי

Now, the real intention of this long planned post (since this blog formation pretty much, like most other posts), is to share rare demos that I have on my PC. I can't remember how I got these. I'm sure it'll interest some local readers of this blog who probably enjoy this band more than I do. I know the band has recorded a full length worth of materials with Nevo, I reckon this is it. 1985-ish recordings, maybe someone will correct me. I left the titles as they were in the original files.

Tzabari, Saar, Davidian, Lewis
Photo by Dvora Gruda

מעצ - סקיצות / Ma'atz - Demo

1. מוצקים [full version of track 16 above]
2. עיזים [full version of track 13 above]
3. גטס
4. תורכי [early version of אילמז]
5. ערבי
6. קונסולה [early version of שבת אחים]
7. טבול ראש [early version of טבול ראש בחול]
8. על האדמה
9. פלייבק [early version of השעון ההיסטורי]

In 2023 Nevo also uploaded a collection of his demos with the band to his own bandcamp:

First track here is an early version of a song that Nevo's later group (called Israel) will play.
The following are the same as in the demo I uploaded (some are slightly different versions):
3 is track 5, 4 is track 8, 5 is track 2, 6 is track 7, 7 is track 1.

If you wanna see some videos documentation, they participated in an indie film called Tiftuf directed by Danny Yitzhaki (Tzabari's husband at some point), where you can catch them in action in a couple of scenes.

Infected - Breathe

Infected Mushroom (not the trance duo) was formed in a small Israeli town called Nahariya, released an album called Don't Panic in 1993 and broke up. Pretty soon after some of them moved to London and started Infected.
If you want to check that first incarnation you can get the album's re-released CD version (shorter than the original cassette) in this awesome dead blog (please come back).. personally I always had a mixed feeling about that one, it's a weird one, even for me. Avantgarde goth/post punk/funk metal idk, Bauhaus-Primus-Cardiacs, they didn't stop there, pretty diverse. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.

Shachaf Barkai, Amir Shoat, Jon Acker at Bull & Gate , 1994
Photo by Mick Mercer*

Anyways, we're here to talk about the London trio, which I have much more sympathy towrads. Amir Shoat (vocals) and Jon Acker (bass, synths and drum programming) were both the founders of the original group, they were joined by Shachaf Barkai (guitar) who also participated as a guest on Don't Panic. The three were a bit more focused this time, and embraced the goth-industrial influences to the end (I don't mean they've gone straight up Skinny Puppy by saying that). It's still weird, still very unusual, and great all the way doing their own thing.
They were active mostly around Camden Town, especially The Bull & Gate club, between 1993-'96, and recorded a couple of tracks which were compiled to their sole release, Breathe. I think it was released on tape in 1996, but I only have a CD version which says 1999, so I ain't really sure.

I need to get a new scanner..

1. Shake [1993]
2. Breathe [1993]
3. Happy [1993]
4. Grey [1994/95]
5. Toxic [1993]
X. Winelight [bonus track I added, taken from Fuckin' Hardfloor Volumes 1+2 Compilation, 1995]

"Breathe" (Lossless rip)

*That awesome pictures up there by Mercer was stolen from the Bull & Gate facebook group page, where, if you bother to search, you'll find many more by him and some flyers. Mercer actually published a photo book of them.

The Bigots - Artificial Head

Not dead yet, and not in a very chatty mood, but hadn't post in quite a while so a short one as usual.
These folks were a trio active around mid-late 90's, London, mostly the Bull & Gate venue scene. 

The group consist of two Israeli fellows, Dotan Cohen (gtr, vox) and Shmil Frankel (bass), and a mystery drummer who's identity I do not know (sry). 
This here is their only (unreleased) full length album, I assume recorded around '99-'01, sent to me with the blessing of Dotan, so thank you sir. They also recorded (and released) an EP called Silence (which I never got) and participated in compilation called The Mercy Killing Of Tarantula Pie (which I'll post soon).

Some pretty sweet post hardcore noise rock, Scratch Acid-Jesus Lizard thingy, done pretty well.

Shmil Frankel, Dotan Cohen, ???

1. The Hit

2. Eye Ball

3. Margarine Man

4. Night Walk

5. Artificial Head

6. Dead Or Alive

7. Collect The Prize

8. Jump Up

9. Intention To Kill

10. Sweet Sister Paranoia

Lossless rip, thank you Dotan

If you have anymore info, or a rip of the Silence EP, share with us. 

They deserve to get some digital recognition. Enjoy.

Oh, and on a different note: FUCK YOU BLOGGER for changing your editing option. It has now became a bigger pain in the ass to write posts. Good job morons.

D-Smile - Kiss

Short lived group formed by two sisters and three other guys who've been in and out a few more known groups around that time. Nothing too shabby here, very 90's, catchy grungy noise rock, if you're really in need for more of this kind, go ahead.
Probably some (not more than five) people are looking for this, so.. enjoy.

1. Come On
2. Oh Lover
3. Come On The Bird
4. Spiritual Whore
5. Peace Time
6. Vitamin See
7. Don't Leave Me
8. Streets Of N.Y.
9. Turn The Light
10. T.V Song
11. Calling To The Child

Join The Kiss Army

Various Artists - Haifa Point

Here's a compilation of local Haifa-Krayot bands in the late 80's, I don't have much info about who and what, all are pretty anonymous, but I have a fine gut feeling that all the artists here circle pretty much the same participants. There's plenty of uncertain info coming ahead.

I think this was compiled by "Marcelino" aka "Mr. Chello" (probably Israel Dotan), who joined the latter incarnation of the more known group among these no names, called שרמוטה מעופפת בהרים (Sharmuta [Slut] Flying In The Mountains). They were somewhat a "cult" band in Israel (even though few are the people who heard them and you can count on two hands the amount of shows they did between '87-'90), playing their own version for music, which came as what one might call avant garde industrial music, known for incorporating bizarre self made instruments and for playing a gig at a mental asylum in Tirat Carmel (at least one of the members was hospitalized there during the years).

M.I. Dotan - pretty sure is just the aforementioned Israel Dotan.

Both songs presented by Katherina And Patricson, were later recorded by a band called איוב (Eyov), so I guess this is just an early incarnation of Eyov which included, surprise, former members of Sharmuta (Yuval Hillman who played bass, Mor "Matt" Romi on guitar).

Jem Boom Jem's track is also called "You Have To Look For", it was recorded in 1987, in Kiryat Motzkin.
Zohar Leshetz (aka Bionic Shultz, of Sharmuta) doing the vocals, both Doron Reubens and the aformentioned Yuval Hillman on bass, Keren Alon on guitar.

Honestly, this tape doesn't represent the most amazing music you'll hear today, it's far from being something I'd strongly recommend, but some might enjoy some tracks here, and if not, it's here for the sake of documentation. You can find here a lo-fi blend of industrial/electroncis/synths/post punk/acoustics.
Personal favorite is the D. Zonder Men's track.

Hebrew readers who might amuse themselves with Yoram Bar's bashing review over here, should also take notice for the comment by Boris "Swisa" Svirsky (founder of Sharmuta F.I.T.M.) claiming these two tracks by his band absolutely don't represent their true sound.

What's the point.. (lossless tape rip)

Many thanks once again for Rani Zager who opened up his ZazBenDoom tapes vault.

If you happen to have the sole Sharmuta official release, 1991 "Classic Hits Compilation", and willing to share, no one here will stop you, be sure of that, nor will anyone prevent you from shedding light on the other obscure artists here. Info, photos, etc.. are always more than welcome (I can contribute some more info, pics and audio regarding Sharmuta if anyone cares).

Mefageret

מפגרת ([she]-retard) were a hardcore punk band active in a town called Yehud between 1993-1997, somewhat "the golden era" for punk in Israel. Even though they were pretty well known among the scene at the time, everytime I ask someone to tell me their story, it always end up with a short answer filled with disinformation (some spread by themselves, using pseudonyms for instance) and rumors. I know they were pretty likened by inner circles, but also heard they had some bashes because one of them seemed to rat out, or cause they were just acting weird.  Some  of the members are said to become religious in the next following years, rumors which are also explaining their disappearance and are cited for irony due their highly extreme anti-religion lyrics. They were even said to be connected Uzi Meshulam's group.

Musically both of their demos are considered pretty cult, and both stand as my all time favorite Israeli punk releases.
First one is much more raw, featuring fuol noisy hardcore punk. This rip is taken from the 2002 bootleg discography release. This means this rip does not include some sketches that were between the songs, also missing are three last songs, which were recorded live*.
The full artwork I've included within the link is of the first, original tape !

1994 - Carpe Diem

1. חופש בקופסא (Freedom In The Box)
2. שחררו את וענונו (Free Vanunu)
3. אשכנאצים (AshkeNazi'm)
4. D.D.T.
5. כשיגיע המבול (When The Flood Will Come)
6. פעולה ישירה (Direct Action)
7. מפגרת (Mefageret)
8. תקנות חירום (Emergency Regulations)
9. המתנחלת כאישה (The Settler As A Woman)
10. צנזורה  (Censorship)
11. מדור עסקים (Business Section)
12. אלצהיימר (Alzheimer)
13. שחררו את וענונו (Free Vanunu) [Live]*
14. כשיגיע המבול (When The Flood Will Come) [Live]*
15. חופש בקופסא (Freedom In The Box) [Live]*
X. שחררו את וענונו + צנזורה + חופש בקופסא [Live video above, bonus I've edited from Isvey Pere video compilation]

By the time their second release came, one of their two guitar players has joined the army, and was usualy replaced live by others from the scene like Shmulik Perry (Oi Va'avoi, Riot 94), Santiago Gomez (Nekhei Naatza, USF and many more).
This release saw them injecting metallic hardcore riffs with smart and tasteful ska bits. The lyrics for the brilliant 5 seconds opener are translated "Atom-Bomb", read the track's title and you'll figure what this is all about. Also within the link, the original tape full artwork, including catalogue for the fake (and if not very ultra-rare) distro of their own Media Spread Disease records.

1996 - Pulsa De Nurra

1. איך לפרק התנחלות בלי לאבד חיי אדם יקרים (How To Dismantle A Settlement Without Losing Precious Life)
2. דוסים לאוגנדה (D.O.S.S. To Uganda)
3. 21 פסיכיאטרי חיות (Twenty One Psychiatric Animals)
4. Khaki Nightmares
5. More Than Imagination
6. Cynigog (Israel Belongs To Me)
7. PCP Revelation
8. גראפיטי בכותל המערבי (Spray The Western Wall)
9. Free Vanunu!
10. Wrong Answer
11. 11 הצבא צועד על מוחו (ואח''כ מנסה להשתמש בו) (Thee Army Marches On Its Brain (And Tried To Use It))
12. Evacuate Or Die!
13. 100 Gates of Stupidity
14. Never Trust A Vegeterian

As usual, if you have better rips, original tape rips, stories, corrections, thoughts, share with us.

Rabies Caste ‎- Children Can Fall Into Bucket And Drown

Russell, Dale Rabid, Dave K.

Dear nature, thank you for bringing upon us a new virus, to help us reduce and balance our unthoughtful and selfish overbreeding, and for what seems to be an amusing upcoming socio-economical chaos to break the boring life routine, thanks to the hysterical morons. I only wish that instead of those lame flu symptoms, perhaps you could have made it a bit cooler ? some kind of nerve system-hard to trace virus, something brutal and violent.. something like, I donnu..

Rabies Caste are showing signs of life lately (you can follow on their facebook page) and updated that they are re-releasing their '98 debut magnum opus, For The Vomiting Tractor Drivers, for the first time on vinyl (suppose to happen this May, through Dada Drumming).
In order to celebrate all of the above, here's one of their long sought early demos, provided straight from the personal cassette collection of Mr. Rani Zager, a mentor and guidance for the musical education of me and many other local miserable bastards. We all thank you Zazbendoom.
Done my best to rip it lossless, but the source quality ain't high to begin with. Sounds pretty fair though, and contain great material, another superb release by sludge lords.

1. Neon
2. Horse
3. TRP-P-2
4. Instilling
5. Goddamn
6. Inch

SPREAD THE DISEASE!!!

One Two Four Nine - TV Dog

David Opp's Cadaver Eyes are touring the UK this coming March, plus I've recently heard Nada Surf's Popular after a long long time. Those are two reasons to make this post.. besides I know a few people are seeking it and it's a damn solid album so..
How the hell do I link Israeli industrial doom noise psychos to that forgotten surprising one hit wonder, you might ask yourself ? now there's a question.. let's dig in a bit lads.

After the break of 3Het, both bass player Reem Hareuveny and drummer David Oppenheim moved to New York City, Teaming up with a British guitarist named Robert Randall under them name One Two Four Nine, as Robert and Reem shared vocals duties. Now Robert here, was formerly in a group called Because Because Because with Daniel Lorca & Matthew Caws, both will continue to... drum roll.. yeah, Nada Surf. Yes, that's it, here's the useless piece of information I wasted my time to write about.
Back to business shall we ? I can't say TV Dog is a one in a kind masterpiece or anything like that, you've all heard things like that, pretty generic for it's time. But, nonetheless, this 1994 release is a top notch slowcore/indie rock/alternative creation. If you're suckers for any of those (and why wouldn't you be ?) that's a good damn one to know and brag your hipster friends about.
Self produced by the group and the aformentioned Matthew Caws, released via Toastheadman (their own label ? proto-Heart and Crossbone ?).

1. Fourteen
2. Sixteen
3. Eight
4. Nine
5. Three
6. Four
7. Six
8. One
9. Seven
10. Fifteen
11. Thirteen
12. Twelve
13. Ten
14. Eleven
15. (0:09)
16. Five

1249 OneTwoFourNine - tv dog 10551355 (lossless)

CE March, 2020, UK

Soon after their most "commercial" release, the pair of Reem and David continued with many other projects together and apart, doing the Scott Walker thing (as in going more extreme and more experimental), among their projects are Barbara, Mildew and Cadaver Eyes.

The latter as I said are touring this March in the UK and if you happen to live there, do yourself a favour and drop by one of their shows. I'd personally recommend going to Brighton one, where another group called 72% are also performing, and that's what they call killing two stones with one bird, cause 72% are responsible for one of the best albums of last year, and I do mean that.

Mildew - Flat On The Face / +

Original '98 cover

So after Israeli group 3H split up, both drummer David Oppenheim and bass player Reem Hareuveny moved to new york, forming there short living trio called One Two Four Nine (nice alt. rock, I'll post their album somewhen), than, same year (1995), going even further, towards much more extreme and experimental realms, acting as the semi-active to this day, menacing metallic noise duo Barbara.
In 1997 David's solo project Mildew, Ovesh in Hebrew, released it's first cassette [if you have it, please share]. Mildew was his first shift towards electronics (at least recorded, as far as I know), using samples, keys, computer and triggers.
After a few Barbara demos, Reem had to come back to Israel in 1998, due to personal problems, leaving David alone, to concentrate on Mildew. Flat On The Face is the only full length, recorded straight after Reem left, and it is one of his finest creations in my opinion (and let the record show that I truly admire a lot of his stuff, and he has released a vast variety).
Musically I always get an image of the Scorpion VS Johnny Cage fight, while trippin badly on a large dose of ketamine, and that Fear Factory remix in the background getting a minimal remix by Duran Duran Duran having a program crash. A Y2K version of Chu Ishikawa's Tetsuo OST. Or as his own legendary label Heart And Crossbone states "super slow, dark & repetitive electronics, drum machine gone out-of-control, a digitized binhexed godflesh floating in cyber-outer-space".
This was self released as an "interactive piece" with an external controller, I'm uncertain about the meaning of this, since I own only the 2005 repackaged re-release. But there it is on bandcamp, enjoy.



An interview with David a bit after, but same era, if you're willing to know more about
Bonus track for fans, unreleased - Shir HaShiryem (I think it was recorded after the album, but not quite sure)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

boy man machine

Now for the plus meaning - just paying your attention to a new release coming up next month, Drose - boy man machine +
Those agonizing long "end of the year" list I've written on this humble blog, are filled with great albums, but to be honest, only a few truly lasts with me afterward. 2016's Drose is still a one I come back to, that's why I give it's upcoming exciting re-release this very special honor.
Cmptr Stdnts, what seems to be like a promising label (responsible for last year's Big'n EP), are in charge for giving boy man machine a new life, both again on vinyl and more important, first time on CD, with bonus songs and a very thoughtful design.
Do I need to write again about the brilliant dissonance between the soulful emotional vocals to doomish industro music on this one, harmonized together in a wonderful biomechanical album ? I think not..
Do yourselves a favor and pre-order it here

3ח

3ח aka שלוש חית                                                                                                                                        3H aka Shalosh Hait

David Opp, Ran Slavin, Reem Hareuveny
Photo by Ofer Azulay, at Pargod

This enigmatic name belonged to a somewhat legendary (for me at least) Jerusalem trio active in the late 80's. They were part of a local "scene" circling a few bands which mostly played at Pargod theater, which is the name the scene was known as. "Rock sessions" often occurred, comprised of different members of the scene, free-thinking, improvising and experimenting with each other.
3H began more as an idea of such art rock act, going through name variations (3H-B, B-3H, etc..) on each show, without committing to a specific sound, often involving industrial acts, sampling (one of the first to do so in Israel), inviting guests (for instance a street violin player they met a day earlier) and on and on. After some time they've settled on 3H and began performing with more "proper" songs.

Their roots lay in 1982's Cholera, the first hardcore (and actually first punk) band in Israel, including both David (Dudik) Oppenheim and Ran Slavin, drummer and guitarist for 3H. After Cholera, Slavin took off to London for a couple years, and came back to form the group with Dudik. Both of them at the time art students, were joined by Reem Hareuveny on bass, thus creating what I see as one of the most important groups here in local alternative music.
Still retaining the pissed and abrasive energy they had in them, 3H were playing their own kind of post punk, unlike anything I can think of. You can hear the vast wide influences through Crime & The City Solution, Swans, This Heat, Neubauten and generally, anything that was worth listening to at the time, but yet again, just as influences. They didn't imitate any of these, or anyone else.

Their only album recorded in 1990, released 1991, limited to 500 copies, is the one above. You SHOULD check it out. An absolute all-time fave for me, featuring ten tracks of their varied repertoire and one hell of a menacing cover of Carole King.
That's the re-mastered version up there, re-released in 2009, also limited to 500, this time with an extra disc filled with unreleased live bonuses, rehearsal material, and some from their second unfulfilled album. Making justice to a local group which never got the respect it deserved.

Flyer for Aaliya Ve'rock Ba Marathon
Local bands marathon.

1989.05.10 - Live Bootleg at Aaliya Ve'rock Ba Marathon, Gerard Behar Center, Jerusalem

1. I Feel The Earth (Carole King Cover)
2. In The Field
3. London Time
4. Brara
5. Jerusalem 80's
6. מפולת של עובש [Mold Avalanche]
7. Scarface Runner
8. רחובות אדומים [Red Streets]
9. Trashman
10. Mystery Dance (Elvis Costello Cover)

11. Kankan
12. [audience]
13. הג'ונגל האוסטרו-הונגרי [Austro Hungarian Jungle (cut up in the end)]
14. Scarface Runner [Reprise]

There's plenty of material that still lays in dust on tapes somewhere, and it's a shame. Here's some stuff I managed to scavenge, mostly ripped it off a short series of radio specials called "Soundman of Pargod" by Eli Shargorodsky, who was among other things, the soundman of Pargod, recording many shows and stuff, handling a great archive. So much much much respect to him (and if by any chance you read this, please continue sharing Eli !)

Ran, Dudik, Reem

Bonus unreleased material

198? - Bass I
198? - Mystery Dance (Elvis Costello Cover) + מעדן חלב [TV Commercial cover, radio rip]
198? - Scarface Runner [Live at Pargod, radio rip]
198? - Untitled
198? - שחרחורת [Ha'breira Ha'tiv'it Cover, without Slavin, with Eli Shargo, radio rip]
1987 - רחובות אדומים [Red Light Streets]
1989.01.23 - Untitled + Film [Live at Pargod, radio rip]
1989.08.10 - Untitled [Live at Pargod, radio rip]
1989.08.10 - Untitled [Live at Pargod, radio rip]


Eventually 3H dissolved around 92, as all three members proceed exploring and innovating for more than a three decades length careers, via many other brilliant musical projects and through other art forms. I'll probably post some more of their music, I have nothing but pure appreciation for these guys.
Ran Slavin | David Opp

Yuppies With Jeeps - Yuppies With Jeeps

Daniel Kiczales, Noam Yaish.
I think it's from 2002, but that's earliest one I have

Still breathing :) Sorry for lack of posts, I don't really have time to operate this as I thought I would


Yuppies With Jeeps are a jerusalem duo, which released 3 albums during a period of more than a decade. They became a real cult thing for proto-hipsters with their first one (2002) and made a lot of anticipation feelings at their fans with every new album they released.
Honestly, I'm not among their biggest fans, not sure why, maybe because of their weird oriental folk music which makes me think of a bad combination between Beefheart and gagaku music, maybe because I'm not intellectual enough to get their lyrics (I bet 80% of their fans don't get it either), maybe it's the sometimes whiny vocals, and maybe it's just not really that good and those proto-hipsters I mentioned were just looking for a new messiah at the time.
Over the time I learned to appreciate their debut album very much. Maybe someday I will like their next two.

 Anyway, this post is about their first EP, something not a lot of people know, and I think it can interest both fans, people who don't know them, and people like me who knows but not much cherish. Released in 1999 by Fact Records, consisting 5 tracks of the group's early experiments. Semi electronic tracks with cultural samples (Whiteboyday, Japanese In Cotton, Muppets), a noisy rock track with features some elements of their future work, specially the singing (Moron In A Suit), and a beautiful folk rock song (Ocean) which I think is one of Daniel Kiczales's (the singer) finest works.


1. ואייטבוידאי (Whiteboyday)
2. דביל בחליפה (Moron In A Suit)
3. יפניות בצמר גפן (Japanese In Cotton)
4. מאפפטס (Muppets)
5. אוקיאנוס (Ocean)

Self titled EP

Plastic Venus - Live at Roxanne, Tel Aviv, Israel

Ronit Bergman, Diamond, Hagar Magen, Yoram Gur

Even if you don't know or care who Plastic Venus are, you should definitely check this bootleg cause it contains one of the greatest cover songs ever recorded (swear to god), astonishing performance of The Sound's Winning.

Now with this being said, let me introduce to you local noise rock/shoegaze pioneers, Plastic Venus, formed in 1990, who released the following year their self titled debut album (which was actually a full live performance). Re-issued as cd in 2001 with bonus tracks. Re-issued again in 2012 as an addition to a short documentary about them.

All of these are sold out as far as I know, but the reason I won't post that great piece of music is that it supposed to be re-issued once again! this time by Captured Tracks, which I hope will happen soon. (anyway it's pretty easy to find it online, be sure that you'll check if you don't know it)
Edit: so long has passed and no news about the re-release, BUT, you can check this masterpiece on their own bandcamp! be sure you that!

1991 album is the only release of the first line up, including Yoram Gur (guitars), Ronit Bergman (vocals), Hagar Magen (bass) and Ilan "Diamond" Abramovitch (drums). Later on the group figured out they have nothing to look for in Israel, packed their stuff minus drummer and moved to London in 1993, where they released their second album, the much more shoegaze oriented Helven Park.

Live at Ha'gada Ha'smalit, 1991

Instead of the debut, I'll share with you another live show by the classic line up.

Live bootleg at Roxanne, Tel Aviv (16.08.1992 or 02.1992 not quite sure)

1. רק אם תחבק (Only If You'll Hug)

2. TV

3. משהו לא בסדר (Something's Wrong)

4. Kiss

5. 13

6. מוקיון של אלוהים (God's Clown)

7. מרזב (Gutter)

8. Yes

9. Winning (The Sound Cover)

10. מלאך (Angel)

Bunch of young punks playing a bunch of terrific noise


Edit (2): so now I'm sure about the date, this was 1992.02.15. This download lacks the encore of the show, which was recorded by someone else, you can hear it here. Tracklist for the encore:

1992.02.15

00:00 מלאך (Angel) [same version as in the download link]

06:56 TV [Reprise]

11:20 מרזב (Gutter) [Reprise, interrupted]

13:45 מרזב (Gutter) [Continues]

17:35 רק אם תחבק (Only If You'll Hug) [Reprise]

Ausweis

Guy Katz, Ant Weiss, Michael Gorodinsky, Sergey Engel
ZOA, Tel Aviv, 1998

Ausweis were a Jerusalem band, comprised of teens who did aliyah (google it) from the USSR to Israel among with many soviets during the 90's. As foreigners who don't speak the language, and coming out of different culture and education, they didn't fit in, and felt out of their place. So was their music. Ausweis didn't fit into any local scene and were very isolated musically.

Formed by vocalist Anton Weiss in 1994 after meeting guitarists Eddie Korshonsky (who passed away, died of a heart attack before the first rehearsal) and Sergey Stephanoff.
Sergey brought Gena Yashinsky (drums), and this line up was supported by Ilia Mazya (who was playing in another russian band called Peregrin Krol) on bass for a one show.
Sergey Engel joined later that year, as permanent bass player. Another thing he contributed was "punk terminvox", an electric device he created while being young, which makes noise once fingers touch it and electricity start to flow, the terminvox was mostly played by Anton.
Second guitarist, Jenya Hermatzki joined for a short time somewhere between 1994-95, and was replaced by Guy Katz, who eventually became only guitar player when Stephanoff left to Canada.
The band saw two more drummers during their existence, Ofer Melech (95-96) and Michael Gorodinsky as the last one.
Ausweis described their music as "Ambient Hardcore Jazz-Trash Band" and I'm not gonna argue, but if it was up to me I'd just said experimental funk metal and call it a day. Someone once said their music sounds like a blend of Helmet, Klaus Nomi and Rammstein, all I can add is you should put some more ingredients in the blender if you want the right recipe for what they sound like.

Comintern.com is their debut and only official release, recorded in December 1997, released a year later by local label Earsay, thanks to a guy named Michael Meresse (the stoner looking guy in the documentary below) who got the money to fund it and helped a lot to promote the band. Also contributed guitars was Dave K. of the band Rabies Caste

1. Comiraden (contains samples of Maria Ulyanova as vocals)

2. Inside

3. Carpenter

4. Twist

5. Hurt

6. Vint 2

7. Pain Killer

8. Trackrek

9. Working Class Hero (John Lennon Cover)

10. Vint 3

11. מוות (Death)

Get it here

Meanwhile, while the album slowly gets to your music library, you can watch this great short-documentary by Duki Dror, released in 1999, after Ausweis were already dead (english translation)

Now, here is their (very unofficial) "discography" for you rarities seekers

Mujahideen - Dead Language

Uri Crystal, Alon Ovnat, Harel Schreiber

Local music scene here is pretty small, seems like everyone knows everyone, and every time something new gets released, it always gets praised as "original and unique" which is almost never true. Maybe, very far often original and unique when it comes to local terms, as in original in Israel, but been done in the rest of the world for a long time.
Unfortunately, the only group here which IS making Original And Unique music is being pretty much ignored by the local media, these guys I'm talking about are Mujahideen, and they are truly something you've never heard before.

Mujahideen are a trio active for a decade, made by three guys who had a few musical acts before (name dropping won't probably help make you listen to this so I won't, but their ex-works are very good as well, especially vocalist's youth band).
Alon Ovnat - vocals, screaming, yelling, muezzining, trilling, preaching + effects and noise
Harel Schreiber - bass grooves that makes their music stuck in your head
Uri Crystal - programing, beats, samples, atmosphere that puts you in trance
I've followed this brilliant trio some time before their debut ep was released in 2009, and waited up until 2014 for their first full length to be released, and if I got to wait 5 more years for their next masterpiece to come, so be it.
What makes Dead Languages a masterpiece for me ? first it's as I already said, something I have never heard being done before by anyone, anywhere.. Its themes are full with cultural references (poets, other native acts) and protest. The music is just hypnotizing, catchy, danceable, noisy yet clean and mostly very hard to define, influenced by post-punk/industrial/electronics with a mid-east touch.
This is my favorite for 2014, and probably Israel's finest album for the decade.

You can get it through bandcamp and when you'll understand you need this on physical (released as limited vinyl and cd-r) try contact Heart & Crossbone.



To satisfy my hunger for their music during those five years of no releases, I've collected some live treasures by them, so once you're hooked to the album you can get it here

2006.03.28 - Live bootleg at Sira, Jerusalem
I'm pretty sure it's their debut show

1. Celestial Blues (Andy Bey Cover)
2. הזויים (מע"צ קאבר) - Dazed (Ma'atz Cover)
3. Refuse (Pailhead Cover)

by Yael Meiry

4. הקץ (ישראל קאבר) - The End/Awake (Israel Cover)
5. Auguries of Innocence
6. Celestial Blues (Andy Bey Cover) Reprise

2009.11.24 - Live session at Pnimit Gimel, Radio Kol Ha'kampus

1. Blame Blues
2. בצע כסף (ישראל קאבר) - Greed (Israel Cover)
3. עורבים - Crows
4. דרך - A Path
5. Mother of Liberty (Killing Joke - Implant / The Death and Resurrection Show Cover) --- [Implant part is awesome, great dubby version of this Killing Joke's killer]
6. Stillness
7. להיות אדם (זוהר ארגוב קאבר) - Human Being (Zohar Argov Cover)

2010.11.12 - Live bootleg at Zimmer, Tel Aviv

1. Stillness
2. הדרך - A Path
3. Progress And Order (Gdudei Elkazei Cover)
4. עורבים - Crows
5. Human Factor
6. Auguries of Innocence

2014.07.07 - Live session at Radio Kol Ha'kampus

1. הדרך - A Path
2. Culture Slaves
3. נקמות - Vengeance

by Ariel Efron

4. Stillness

5. Untitled New Song

6. בצע כסף - Greed

2014.09.19 - Video bootleg at Zimmer, Tel Aviv (Youtube)

1. הזויים - Dazed (With Mafatal)

2. הדרך - A Path

3. עורבים - Crows

4. Untitled

5. Culture Slaves

6. Untitled

7. נקמות - Vengeance

8. Progress & Order 

9. Mother of Liberty 

10. Refuse 

11. למה לא (איציק קלה קאבר)/להיות אדם - Why Not (Itzik Kala Cover)/Human Being

I know there's also a recording of a live show at Patiphone club, from 2009, but I couldn't get my hands on it, so if one of you readers has it and willing to share it.. that'll be kind of you