New label is Toronto’s trashiest
Alienated noise rockers rejoice: Buzz Records has high hopes for 2011 with planned vinyl and digital releases – all out of a house/garage on Cecil St.
On board so far are Jesus Lizard-inspired locals Connoisseurs of Porn, psychedelic rockers Queen Licorice, video producer Dean Tzenos’ lo-fi project Odonis Odonis, garage punks Total Trash and Kitchener’s Mighty Atom.
Buzz was started by 21-year-old Denholm Whale and his high school pal Erik Jude.
“I think he was the only other kid in our grade that listened to The Melvins,” says Whale. “We grew up listening to bands like Jesus Lizard, Sonic Youth, Scratch Acid, Flipper, and The Pixies. We are starting to hear more and more bands with that similar influence but until recently, Toronto’s indie scene has alienated a lot of them.”
While local labels Telephone Explosion and We are Busy Bodies have a fair share of bands, Whale feels there’s room for Buzz in the mix. And they don’t expect to make a profit.
“(Small labels) have the power to make music very personal. The more work put into bands like METZ, Connoisseurs of Porn, and Anagram … the more development we see in the independent music community. I still feel that more of an impact can be made…. We want to make records we will like and to financially keep the ball rolling, but it depends on how well the city responds to these sounds.”
Since last year the labelmates have kept the community intact with shows in their Chinatown area garage.
Check out Buzz’s next showcase at 73 Cecil on Jan. 28th with Ancestors and Induced Labour ($5).
- Marsha Casselman
The Connoisseurs of Porn – Chicken
The Connoisseurs of Porn | Myspace Music Videos
I’m so happy people are starting to notice Buzz, they definitely deserve it. I live at the Cecil house, and they’ve turned that garage into something outstandingly more impressive than what it was before. Keep on spreading the good word!
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