Hello? Yes, I’m standing alongside the Hume Highway outside Melbourne. We’re going to need an ambulance, stat. Send whatever driver is most prepared to handle a supremely dissonant scene. Ah, well, I can’t see much at all, but—as unlikely as it seems from both practical and metaphysical perspectives—it sounds as if there has been a devastating multi-van pile-up involving Joy Division, circa Daydream Nation Sonic Youth, and Slip It In-era Black Flag. Nope, not kidding. Seriously, it’s nasty—you can’t really tell where any one influence begins or ends. The whole thing is just melded together throwing o a shit-ton of heat.
Actually, to be completely honest, it’s terrifying … yet also weirdly gorgeous and enlivening. No, I can’t give you any more information. I’m putting my headphones on and heading into the smoke. There’s a very persuasive voice amidst the cacophony whispering, “Embrace the pain.” And my personal belief is we all should. Dial tone.
—Shawn Macomber
