Dispatch 56: The Basement Room by Solar Maximum Featured at Caliper Music Blog

Dispatch 56: Happy new year! We are excited about our new digital-only single titled The Basement Room making today's Featured Track at Caliper Music Blog, the top playlist for experimental music!
 Shut your eyes and go back in time with this hauntingly poetic telling of the fate of Tsarina Alexandra and her family in a basement in 1918. Inter-dimensional bass, tribal drums and minimal keys provide a dark, psychedelic, droning soundscape for this new poem by Pallas.
 The piece was released on Christmas day 2018 and can be found at the labels Bandcamp page. The track was recorded and mixed by Chong.
 Though mostly quite over the past year and a half, Sammy and Heather (aka Pallas) did release the Some People Witnessed Actual Space-Time Distortion single in jan 2018 and perform a sellout show supporting indie band Fuck on it's West Coast tour in August. For social updates, follow us on Instagram.

  Caliper Music has been reviewing, interviewing and featuring experimental music from around the world in almost-daily blog posts, and in the every-so-often "Feel Guide" playlist collection series. The site is curated by Matt, an experimental artist, who uses the moniker moduS ponY to release his music. Follow Caliper on social media at Facebook and Twitter

#mclrecordingco, #solarmaximumduo, #experimental, #psychedelic, #experimentalpsychedelic, #newsingle, #2basses, #dronemusic, #lo-fi, #rasputin, #calipermusic,

Dispatch 55: Solar Maximum perform LIVE at The Octopus in Oakland!

Dispatch 55: Northern California's ultimate drone lords, Solar Maximum venture out of their quiet El Cerrito HQ to perform for the masses at The Octopus Literary Salon in DT Oakland. The experimental psychedelic duo of Sammy and Heather Salazar are performing with friends Matt Baldwin, a folk psyche guitarist from the Berkeley, Ca folk-psyche scene of the mid-2000's and former Brian Jonestown Massecre alum and Birdman Records artist Brian Glaze &Tiffany's.
 The show is billed as a Night of Psyche and Drone and judging by the weight of the bill, its promises to be a fun evening on both counts.
 Solar Maximum start the night performing their Ritual of Duality at 10pm sharp, followed by folk psyche troubadour Brian Glaze & Tiffany's. Berkeley, California folk-electronic-psyche wizard rounds out the evening.
 The Octopus Literary Salon (2101 Webster) in DT Oakland, Ca. is a cafe & bookstore that hosts events ranging from book readings, poetry, to music and more.
 The Night of Psyche and Drone starts at 10pm and goes til midnight.

Dispatch 51: Happy new Solar Maximum...*spacetime distortion

Dispatch 51: With the new year comes a new release from the ultimate drone lords.
(*Some witnesses report actual spacetime distortion) pt1 is the title of this slow, deep emotional soundtrack. True to form, the low bass plows onward allowing the soaring nature of the astrobass to come clear. The temporal beat seems to emanate from under water and merely hints at the rhythm, leaving only room for the feelings angst, the wanting for closure. In the end, no such relief. Pt 2? Maximalist. Purely.
 The track is only available as a stream on the bands Soundcloud page but will hit the MCL Bandcamp store upon release of the EP, sometime very soon. Look back here for details.

Dispatch 50: Explosion or Implosion: ATTN:Magazine Thinks the Latter

Dispatch 50: Sounds like Jack at ATTN:Magazine in England had a really good experience while listening to our album for review. He writes about the implosion sensibility of the record, an inward look as opposed to an outward expression of the album. He then paints a really great visual picture with words.
 ATTN:Magazine is based in Bournemouth, England and features interviews, articles and reviews on new experimental music and sounds.
 Read the review here.

Dispatch 49: DS Peligro Vinyl Now Available at MCL Bandcamp!

Thao's Sunday LP with poster insert

Dispatch 49: The DS Peligro album Thao's Sunday is out and  available at the MCL Recording Bandamp store along with the previously released digital download! It was made available with a record release celebration in Venice, Ca. on Oct.15th, just in time for xmas.
 Sit back and enjoy. It's a dark rock album with roots in dub and guitar rock. These eleven fantastic tracks tell a full story that is ripe for interpretation by the open mind of the listener.
  The classic black vinyl 12" album comes with partial dimensional printing on the jackets and the usual for all MCL albums, an inserted handprinted 11x17 poster. All the designing and printing was done at MCLscreenworks. Instead of the boring old download card, all our records have a card inserted prompting one to email us here at MCL Recording and we will send you a digital version for free. (I here the interns are throwing in freebies now and then!).
 Thao's Sunday is available here.

Dispatch 46: Solar Maximum Release Full Live Performance Video

Dispatch 46: On a warm summer evening in early September, Solar maximum did an intimately live in-store performance at Hercules Records in Berkeley, Ca. A single stationary camera documented their performance.

Dispatch 45: Solar Maximum Perform Live at Hercules Records in Berkeley

Sammy and Heather are Solar Maximum

Dispatch 45: Sometimes we are fortunate enough to be part of something that will only happen once in a lifetime! The MCL Recording Co. is very happy to announce the live debut by those ultimate drone lords, Solar Maximum! On Tues Sept. 6, 2016 at 7pm they bring their own unique brand of experimental psyche drone to Hercules Records for a rare in-store performance promoting their new album. The limited edition LP's with handprinted jackets and poster is available at Hercules while supplies last. Its also available online at MCL Recording Co. Bandcamp.

 Sammy and Heather started together with their fast and loud stoner-punk thrio Leather Pills in 1999, learning and jamming a whole set of Ramones songs for fun. A twist of fate and Leather Pills went live without a clue!  The Pills kept rehearsing, recording and gigging until 2004, and on more than a few occasions, supporting Marky Ramone and the Speedkings, D.I and The Lewd.  Since then, Sammy and Heather have continued to write and record at home both together and separately. Sammy has also become a principal in the Oakland Ca. music/art collective known as Her Majesty theE Spleen. 
 So in the early summer of 2015, coming together in the couples home studio, plugging in, turning on and tuning out as they say, Sammy and Heather began the sessions that have become the core of the bands existence to this point. Recording almost all of the sessions they have done, each session an event and throughout those events are moments. Those moments are Solar Maximum.

  This will be part of the monthly block party held first Tues of the month at Adeline/Alcatraz in Berkeley, Ca. which always includes Hercules Records, a really cozy indie record shop specializing in new and used rock, blues, soul jazz, hip-hop and Solar Maximum, you know the good stuff. Good selection is always changing and great prices. So come hangout and enjoy a nice festive evening with good friends, vinyl records and Solar Maximum.
"Heavy psychedelic droning riffs are what Solar Maximum is bringing to the party!"

Dispatch 43: 'Soundtrack: Event I Uranian Fire' LP by Solar Maximum available on Vinyl now!

Dispatch 43: Music for closetLames is excited to announce that "Soundtrack: Event I - Uranian Fire" (MCL343) by Solar Maximum is now available for purchase on 12" vinyl at our label Bandcamp store, and at Mod Lang Records in El Cerrito, CA.

 The limited run of only 143 numbered copies with the beautiful 11"x17" poster insert come housed in very special hand-printed jackets.
 The ultimate drone lords have offered up a complete DIY package here. The ambient, experimental psychedelic music on the record was conceived, composed, recorded, mixed, and produced by Sammy and Heather. They also conceived, produced, hand-printed, and assembled the covers and poster insert. Aaaand, they are also working the release and promotion of the album. Some help came from Matt Kelley for mastering and Pirates Press for vinyl pressing. Just the way they like it. The band says: We do this kinda stuff because we believe there is value in the hand-produced aspect of our releases, and we enjoy all of the various aspects of the project. We think it's cool that each of these records is unique and we both had our hands on every single one of them.  It makes these pieces really personal.
This is Sammy and Heather to the max!

  The album has already been described this way:

 "This is an incredible piece of work as it is so zoned in as a total concept. It is full on, flat out and limber. It is the maxiumus of solaris. The bass is the maximum bass. The riffs are the ultimate riffs. The sound aches with perfection. The ensemble roars..."
-Bill Boethius, England

"Solar Maximum's new work has a surrealistic, Eraserhead kind of feel. The music evokes a posterized imagery in black and white with the low-frequency sound. The bass is heavy and rich, and it has the sound of belonging in a David Lynch movie soundtrack.  "Soundtrack: event I uranian fire" brings together psychedelic rock and a gritty ambient sound that is easy to get lost in. 'Uranian Fire' is music you listen to straight through."
-Becca, Fiberglass Jacket Blog


 "I can only say this is absolutely fantastic. Congratulations for the masterpiece!"
-Daisuke Muraoka, Japan

Uranian Fire is available at our Bandcamp store where you can find other great tracks by Solar Maximum, closetLames, PallasCatfight, SMDS and DS Peligro, whose new album Thao's Sunday will be available on vinyl in October here on MCL!
 The best shit is always on MCL Recording Co!

Dispatch 41: Solar Maximum's Uranian Fire vinyl LP available July 25!

Dispatch 41: We are very happy to announce that our 1st experimental psychedelic album "Soundtrack: Event I Uranian Fire" will be available on 12" black vinyl Monday, July 25th (around 9 PM Pacific)! They will be available thru our label Bandcamp (musicforclosetlames.bandcamp.com) and BigCartel (http://handprintedbymclscreenworks.bigcartel.com/) stores. Heavy drone! Super limited run of only 143 pieces! They come in hand-printed and numbered jackets and (usually) a cool screen printed 11x17 in. poster insert.
This whole offering, inside and out, was conceived and executed by Heather and me (Sammy) just for you! We hope you enjoy it.
First one down, NEXT!!!
Always on Music for closetLames!

Dispatch 40: Her Majesty theE Spleen - out with 'Assault and Batterie'

Dispatch 40: Its been a little while,  speaking relatively to the Spleen world, since we have heard anything coming from the direction of the HMS collective, but to be sure, when we do, it's always a doozy!
  Never ones to disappoint, we have Assault and Batterie, a slower, drudging track that would have made the perfect soundtrack to a great mushroom trip i had years ago! The track was recorded on a handheld then produced by Phonic theE Bomber.
 Prepare oneself. Grab a seat. Close your eyes and open your mind!
 Whoa! Why is that bunny looking at me with that evil eye? Released thru the bands soundcloud page.

Dispatch 35: PallasCatfight and Solar Maximum release another collaboration!

 "When the Well of Tears is Dry but you're not Finished Crying"- palaceCatfight

Dispatch 35:  Solar Maximum and PallasCatfight have been keeping busy in studio making a batch of collaboration tracks together and having a great time releasing them thru the Solar Maximum soundcloud page and our Music for closetLames Bandcamp page where you can purchase these collabos as singles. Collect them all!
 The latest work is titled "When the Well of Tears is Dry but you're not Finished Crying". PallasCatfight is essentially Heather's project (along with various backup players) where she is vocalizing, mostly poetry these days but there is a new 3 song EP in the works for the near future which features Heather singing called Biggest Brat on the Block. Look out for that soon here on MCL. 

Dispatch 34: Solar Max Uranian Fire LP test pressings approved!

Dispatch 34: The test pressings for the Solar Maximum LP titled Soundtrack Event I: Uranian Fire (MCL343)

have arrived at MCL HQ and have been approved. The album will be available for pre-order soon thru the Music for closetLames bandcamp page. It will be a limited numbered release of approx. 143 copies (rare black vinyl) so get on it before they are gone.
 The LP jackets and poster inserts will be handprinted at our sister screen shop MCLscreenworks. Check back soon for availability.
In the mean time, the digital version of the album can be heard and purchased here at the MCL bandcamp page along with plenty of other cool music from the MCL family! Lets go!

Dispatch 33: New Solar Maximum single Devils Thrill (Moments1&2)

Dispatch 33: Devil's Thrill is the psychedelic and transcendental new single by Solar Maximum, our resident stoner jam-heads and their brand of minimalist riffage, once called a metal haiku. The track comes in at just under 14 min, so prepare yourself right, get comfortable, sit back and enjoy. The relaxing will come when you close your eyes and let the Devils Thrill fill ya. Come on, it won't hurt ya. It feels good to let the music flow right thru...anyway you dig it, we hope you do...

Dispatch 31: Bill Boethius with Solar Maximum on "Maxed Out"

Dispatch 31: Another astounding track has been produced using the set of tracks (Solar Selfies) we made available as a project for different artists to play too, with, for, about etc. to see what kinda unique music come out of each artists approach. We have been duly impressed ever time!
 This time we asked the "Dali of Guitar Noise," Mr Bill Boethius to take a stab. Maxed Out is the track he gave (and named)! Full of texture and screaming guitars, the track explodes...a few times!
Give it a listen and then maybe listen again! Have fun.

Here is a playlist of all the collaboration tracks we have made available thus far.

Sunday Edition vol.3 - Poems, Music and Orbs...thats a nice Sunday!

[For your Sunday afternoon reading and/or viewing pleasure, we present vol.3 of THE SUNDAY EDITION at Music for closetLames. A bit of this, a bit that, maybe art, whatev's. May include contributions from friends, associates, accomplices, not to exclude detractors, and maybe even us sometimes. So, kick back and dig in...]

(Page 1): More prose from the twisted mind and pen of John Middle.

  A precedent a funeral pyre. A lawyers recurring dream... A digital glitsch... Over driven in solid state... A march of skinny pennies... A sonnet sung in machine code... Sodomy and Victories made of ego and boredom. We are RIGHT They are WRONG Sad WORDS (STOLEN from poems and forced into hard labor by Matthew Bender TM) A rainbow scorched black and hideously crooked. Technicalities and leverage. Your child is starving. Mine is anorexic. A future unlimited Cast into irons. blinkered. Simplified. Lobotomized. and writhing. Justice cost an arm and a leg. Clapping now not an option.... hopping mad. That sound? (It's SUCTION>) HEX cast. TORT law. TOXIC MOLD "I OBJECT" perfect DIS-FUNKtion. Injunction. S and M SO HIP it hurts Love distracts RESTRAINT Brown shirt. A submarine became A SUNKEN BOAT. Harmonic distortion. An eye of GOAT.

(Page 2): Ramones Live New Years Eve 1977. (Ramones - Its Alive!) My favorite Ramones concert.

(Page 3): Her Majesty thee Spleen...We play for the orbs. Often times at jams we are accompanied by orbs who come out to dance to the hypnotic sounds of the Spleen. This is a fine example of the spectacle. Any thoughts?

Sunday Edition vol. 2: Flyer Art from the Archives

[For your Sunday afternoon reading and/or viewing pleasure, we present vol.2 of THE SUNDAY EDITION at Music for closetLames. A bit of this, a bit that, maybe art, whatev's. May include contributions from friends, associates, accomplices, not to exclude detractors, and maybe even us sometimes. So, kick back and dig in...]

 Byline: Sammy Salazar

 I have been doing gig flyers and posters for my bands (including but not limited to Decembers Child, Bigger Than God, Anonymous Beef, closetLames, Leather Pills, Solar Maximum...) since i began gigging in H-Town in the mid 1980's and straight thru my continued years in the SF bay area. I uploaded a bunch of them to gigposters.com some years ago and just found the link recently. I will be uploading more soon to fill out the collection, but in the mean time, take a look at these gems...

Dispatch 28: DS Peligro Track Featured at CaliperMusic Blog!

DS Peligro

Dispatch 28: Always nice to announce that Caliper Music has featured another MCL artist as the daily feature on the blog. This time around its experimental sound addict DS Peligro and his track "One Minute Funk" (which actually clocks in at 4:44 but hey, are we splittin hairs here?...). A super quirky track that makes you feel good.
So much more over at his soundcloud page. Headphones on, volume up, enjoy! ...Always on Music for closetLames.

Dispatch 26: First Solar Max and Trauma Collabo made Available!

Dispatch 26: We are very happy to announce a new collaboration project with sound artist Trauma in Germany. We met on Soundcloud and were instantly mutual fans. Trauma's offerings are a bit more electronically based than Solar Max and so we thought it might lead to a cool mashup! It has! Here is the first part of said mashup! Birthday Party is now beating like a heart! Trauma employs the Kaossilator on this exclusively. Take a listen and let us know what you think! More to come soon!

Dispatch 25: HMS Video Featured at CaliperMusic Blog!

John and Sammy of HMS.

Dispatch 25: We are very excited that the video for Her Majesty theE Spleen's track called Aunt Anxious was the featured video of the day on the CaliperMusic blog last Sat. Feb 6, 2016. John Middle of the Spleen (and ACME House of Music in Oakland) is at it again with some really intense psychedelic visuals accompanying the track recorded in early Jan. at HMS HQ by Emery Bored. There sure is plenty more where that came from on his Youtube channel and also here at soundcloud!
 Look out for some Her Majesty theE Spleen hitting the MCL bandcamp page later in the year.

Dispatch 23: Heather Caught in Palace Catfight!

Heather Salazar of Solar Max and Palace catfight owning the bass!

Dispatch 23: We have started re-mixing a few Palace Catfight (a project of Heather's) tracks to be included on the Music for closetLames sampler this spring. Look for a sneak peek on our soundcloud page coming up very soon.
 Palace Catfight is a project Heather has worked on and off for many yrs. Vocalizing over loopy analog beats that we've created together with an old keyboard rhythm thing along with screamin gtr and bass.  Lyrics about confusion, defiance and chaos. Rhythms reminiscent of Sleaford Mods in their repeatative nature.
 Watch for this, its gonna kick-ass!