Today’s playlist comes from Tristan Tozer of the punky, rocky, gnarly Drug Apts. The playlist is a tribute to the structures that inspired the band name, which Tristan will tell you all about. You can hear their Drug Apts EP now on Bandcamp, so check that out and enjoy!
–Dave Lucas, Talkhouse Marketing Manager
“The Drug Apartments, eh? What the fuck is this all about? What have I just clicked on?” Well, let me tell you:
Drug Apartments is a band and the name is a reference to drug apartments, those Mid-Century Modern complexes scattered throughout Sacramento, California. The kind with rows of palm trees out front and mock English names like Dorchester Court or the Royal Arms.
Common features include: concrete stairs, prison-style walkways with dudes looking in your window every five minutes, moms beating their kids next door and cop car lights reflecting off the pool. An ex used to say, “I hate living in these fucking drug apartments,” and friends would say, “It’s three blocks that way, past the drug apartments.”
We all spent time staying up and crashing in them, or we tried to sleep through the noise emanating from their windows. I hear they’re better these days, but who knows? So the name is rooted in places and times. Plus it scans well and is fun to say, like Swell Maps or Destroy Boys.
Anyway, Drug Apartments play rocky punk and punky rock: sometimes we stretch out, other times we rear back then attack. We’re gnarly and curt, heady and trancelike. We turn on a dime or give no quarter. We like it both ways. We have a self-titled EP out that you’d likely enjoy. Cheers.
Here are some jams that inspire our musical outlook in some form or fashion. Should be fun to listen back to this after we record our LP to see what we ended up stealing:
Liliput – “Eisiger Wind”
Just transfixing, really. Hard to move or think or do much of anything when this song is on. The middle bit is maybe the best thing ever put to tape.
Leather Nun – “No Rule”
Larry Rodriguez, prominent Sacramento-based music spiritualist, played this for me and some friends at a tender age. Played the Faith/Void Split LP and the Gordons’ Future Shock that night as well. Some night!
The Casual Dots – “E.S.P. For Now”
This track has a nice jounce about it. Some sweet parallel guitaring going on.
Generation X – “Wild Dub”
When Drug Apts is elected president, one of our first actions in office will be to pass legislation requiring music producers to dub out all punk rock and power pop recordings.
Empire – “All These Things”
Really dig this song. Everything about it just works so well.
Prince Far I – “Bedward the Flying Preacher (Pay It All Back Vol. I version)”
Pay It All Back Vol. 1 turned my world upside down and this tune is especially arresting. It just sets the whole thing off nicely. The drums fucking boom along with Prince’s voice as he spins out a cautionary tale.
Primal Scream – “Blood Money”
Fucking Mani, man. He owns this track. Bet he was was wearing some sweet gear while laying this down as well. Dog.
Explode into Colors – “Wooden Ghost”
Played a show with them recently and they just slayed. Not sure they’re coming back for another go but they should.
Mark Perry & Dennis Burns – “You Cry Your Tears”
Dirgy, ASMR-laced little number. Like something a prison camp/gulag jam band might turn out, assuming jamming is allowed in prison camps.
Cupid Car Club – “Grape Juice Plus”
A couple of us in the group are full-on Nation of Ulysses and were quite despondent when word came out leaders were captured and summarily executed. So imagine our joy when they rose from dead in transmogrified form to deliver us this prophetic jam. P Power.
Flaming Stars – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”
Stoic pessimism twined with drums being savaged. Lovely.
Special bonus alternate playlist!
Skullflower – “Slaves”
Or you could skip all of the above and just play this track over and over at full volume. Does wonders for one’s general demeanor.
