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.

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!!!

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

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