No Clutter - House of Gain Records

No Clutter marks the first release by new label House of Gain Records, founded by Gary Dimes (GutBug) and Chris Garth (Dead Mammals). The duo drew on Sub Pop, SST and Dischord, as well as 90s alternative compilations like Blast Fast's Nothing short of Total War and C/Z Records Teriyaki Asthma for inspiration.

Featured on said compilation are seven bands from Kent, fourteen tracks in total with each band contributing two. Unfamiliar with the music scene in that region, I'm intrigued to hear what it has to offer.

Margate's TARMAC 'Days/Daze' recalls the spiky Post-Punk of Wire during their 1976 – '80 run, the Vocals especially reminiscent of Colin Newman whereas Konnichiwa' adopts more of an angular Post-Hardcore approach ala Fugazi. Both tracks are packed with energy and exuberance and its easy to see why they're currently making waves on BBC6 Music and beyond. Rochester's Dead Mammals features label co-owner Chris Garth and are the only band I'm familiar with due to their collaborations with Trepanation Recordings (RIP) and Forbidden Place Records. 'Waste of a Day' can be found on the From the Muddy Banks of the Medway live record and if you hadn't already guessed, they have a penchant for Nirvana, the track certainly sounding like it would have fit in nicely alongside the noise laden, heavier pieces on In Utero. 'Flag' is slightly longer at over four minutes with an infectious hooky sound that'll lodge itself into your brain. Gouge Away's Deep Sage also came to mind what with its effectiveness in blending together Hardcore and Alternative influences. Fantastic.

Rochester duo The Missing Persons List are next and 'Broke' has an American Hardcore sound such as can be found on early Husker Du recordings such as Everything Falls Apart and Land Speed Record while 'GWIL' has a far more traditional late 70's Brit Punk Melodic approach, harmonica in tow with rough Vocals, think Conflict's Colin Jerwood fronting The Clash. Despite being short in length both tracks are exceptionally well performed. GutBug features the label's other co-owner Gary Dimes and are Gillingham's sole representative on No Clutter. From Dwayne Dennison's Slide Guitar to David Yow's Vocal inflections I'm sure that a fair amount of Jesus Lizard has been consumed as can be heard on 'Are you ok Jim?' and 'Pests'. However there's also a cool electro/synth undercurrent running throughout ala Braniac, which helps add texture and variety to proceedings. Rochester's Sonic Hawkins is the solo project for Darrell Hawkins of Alt-Rockers Wild Palms. 'Reanimate' is essentially Electro Pop that amusingly reminds me of Danny Dyer's Chocolate Homunculus from Peep Show while 'Nude Music' is a little more appealing with the cool detached slacker style of artists such as Beck. I applaud Hawkins' willingness to sonically experiment even if the results aren't totally my cup of tea.

The last of the Rochester contingent are two-piece The Gorgons whose songs 'Leather Gloves' and'Shaker on my Shoe' are less polished than say The White Stripes and whose dirtier sound is exactly the kind of thing you would want to hear from a Garage-Rock band. Superb. Finally there's Margate's Traps, whose tracks 'Easy Boss' and 'Punching Judy' are the longest on the record. They mix classic Melvins Sludge Metal with Karp's eccentric Post-Hardcore and a little Grunge. In short they are fucking excellent and well worthy of your hard earned time and cash.

Its to Chris and Gary's credit that No Clutter has turned out as good as it has. With a diverse range of artists, there'll undoubtably be something here which ticks your boxes.