Finger - Ship Full Of Holes 7'' (Jettison, 1992)

Finger
Ship Full Of Holes 7''
Jettison
1992

Rating: 6 chaste firetrucks out of 10

This Finger slab is one of those rare instances where the b-side is much better than the actual single.  Finger were active in the Raleigh in the early nineties, notable for being the first(?) band of local legend John Howie (Two Dollar Pistols, tons of solo work, and playing with Sarah Shook these days).  The title track is nothing special: sludgy, mid-tempo "alternative" rock that would have fit in fine on the "Singles" soundtrack.  The real treat is side b, where they do a fun cover of "All This And More" by the Dead Boys, a song I'm happy to hear no matter who plays it.  If you were to happen across it, it's worth a listen just for that cover. 

Picasso Trigger - Valentine 7'' (Jettison, 1993)

Picasso Trigger
Valentine 7''
Jettison
1993

Rating: 7.5 European marquees out of 10

At a time when most of what was coming out of the Triangle was pretty straight-forward indie rock, Picasso Trigger came on the scene full of piss and vinegar sounding like King Gordon-fronted sonic youth on a punk rock binge.  The title track is also on their great debut album "Fire in the Hole," something I'm almost positive I owned on cassette even though it's not listed on Discogs.  The B-side is equally worthy of attention, a strong jam named "Calling God."  Pretty sure if this band came out today it would be hot shit with the kids. 

BeatlesS - Lil' Man 7'' (Jettison / Wifflefist, 1993)

BeatlesS
Lil' Man 7''
Jettison / Wifflefist
1993

Rating: 5 kid messes out of 10

I have absolutely no idea how to describe BeatlesS...they were a local band at the very start of my college career in the Triangle, and neither then nor now did I have a clue what to say about them.  There's some industrial influence in there, and early electronic influences before that genre became what it is today, and...shit, I don't know.  Just know the credits list a broom, shop vac, and something called a "cattle-a-sound" as part of their instrument stable.This shit is so weird I have no idea if it's good or awful, but I know I sure as hell don't understand what is going on.  So it gets a rating right in the middle and I'm moving on, confuses as always.