First off, what a brilliant name VHS is, conjuring up images of eighties technology, analogue sounds, minimalism and rudimentary recording methods. Secondly, they have the ability to change the meaning of VHS anytime they like a la Supernormal Festival 2016 headliners MDC (Millions of Dead Cops, Millions of Dead Children and Millions of Dead Christians)
Hailing from Seattle and originally put together back in 2014 by Josh Hageman and Chris Costalupes, this debut incorporates all of the above mentioned influences and more. Starting off making lo-fi noise recordings on cassettes, the pair ventured into the live arena but soon realised they couldn’t recreate the sounds that they created on tape onto the stage. Therefore, they eventually recruited Morgan Travis and Gavin Tiemeyer to complete the line-up which, after a few 7” releases, have recorded this full length 8 track masterpiece.
First track ‘Fully Realized’ starts off with feedback and a stabby, staccato, Gang of Four style tinny guitar riff that permeates throughout the track. With its insistent drumming that reminds one of Big Black’s drum machine, this really does scream mid to late eighties post punk! However, VHS are in no way a backward looking band. Once the vocals kick in you realize this four piece don’t care what you think. They are just doing what they want to do. And once the cacophony of this tinny and caustic sounding opener finishes, you are just waiting to hear what the brilliantly named ‘Wheelchair’ will produce.
Surprisingly, it’s a little more upbeat than the opener with a ‘classic’ punk tempo, albeit with some atonal guitars, out of time singing and the “gift of life” refrain. It’s over before you realise what hit you, but that is what I love about this band.
‘Hospital Room’ follows quickly and this is a sedate affair compared to the previous tracks. It has a real 80s tinge to it that reminds one of the Banshees sound, along with the insistent lyrics from Hageman. ‘Public Act’ again is a little more subdued, yet it has plenty of noise surrounding it.
The Cure influences really start to kick in with ‘Crooked Echo’, but then it gets spiky and punky and tinny, and again develops into a Big Black near unlistenableness. Still great though. ‘Binge Everything’ brings the upbeat punkiness back to VHS and it very quickly gets through its three minutes.
Last tracks ‘Art Decay’ and ‘Constant Hiss’ are very similar in their approach. Both have great guitar lines running throughout, yet both descend into harrowing post punk dirges, squealing guitar (‘Constant Hiss‘ especially) and are both heavy going. It’s the aural equivalent of trying to find a way out of a muddy trench. However it’s bloody worth it! VHS have great ideas and more music from them is very welcome! Post punk. Post rock. Post everything at the moment. Nice.
VHS release Gift Of Life on 29th July 2016 through Suicide Squeeze Records.
