GILGONGO RECORDS

(click here to return to discography).

GAY BEAST - s/t 7" (GGGR-024).

GAY BEAST.
Released on the heels of an incredible second full length on Skin Graft (“Second Wave”), this single offers a classic /
ancient / much loved gem from early in their existence (called “Multi-Purpose Anti-Form”), and an incredible hectic dual
cover / splice (Dymaxion and The Need) on the tail end of the B-side. Noisey and spastic, yet much more so complex and
intricate, somewhere between Devo and Scissor Girls, but with a specific and special energy that is uncompromising
and legit. Beautiful four color tri-fold out covers done by the Beast’s Dan Luedtke. MP3s: "Multi-Purpose, Anti-Form".

no photos yet.

select reviews:

Auxillary Out:
I pull out Gay Beast's LP "Disrobics" on a regular basis and now hearing this 7inch as well, I'm convinced they are one of the best fucking rock bands on the planet right now. The king of the show is the first side "Multi-Purpose Anti-Form" which I played probably a good 30 times in the first two days I got it. GB start out with a rather mellow intro before jumping into the verse. The song is actually a bit slower than Gay Beast usually moves but it's certainly not devoid of energy. "Multi-Purpose Anti-Form," however, is also Gay Beast's most melodically rich work to date. An endlessly spinnable jam where each element feels so fucking right. Each instrument, the fuzzed out vocals, everything is dynamic and perfectly placed. And goddamn, this song is so well crafted. It moves in stages with each moving seamlessly into the next, and what is most effective is that each successive stage outdoes the previous one. There's this tremendous tension that builds as the song just keeps getting better. Seriously invigorating, one of the best songs I've heard this year. When are these guys gonna get another LP out already? I'm dyin' here!

The B-side features two tracks the first of which is a short instrumental titled "Pressing Hard." It's got all their signature, off-kilter rhythmic prowess but it feels a bit underdeveloped like it's a warm up rather than a full-fledged song. The last track is an expanded, re-recorded mash-up of Dymaxion/The Need covers, "SM Head, LG Torso, Crushing Grip/Whitewash" which was also on their "Navy Quilted Pier" 3". The first half is angular and scrappy which sets up the second half perfectly. When they hit the "Whitewash" bit the track gets real great real quick, rolling along on a fantastic walking guitar line and ending on a strangely contorted bridge. A cool jam sure to make its songwriters proud.

City Pages:
Cue up side A of Gay Beast's new self-titled 7", "Multi-Purpose Anti-Form," on the record player, and prepare to be greeted by 10 minutes of bestial noise rock and artistic vision, a cacophony that is both challenging and, inexplicably, almost dancy. Think somewhere between Battles, Shellac, and Le Tigre, with more emphasis on the first two.

The label of noise rock is limiting, as it alienates most fans of melody. Gay Beast may not utilize vocal choruses, but the guitar plays well off of the blips, whistles, and keys, building into serious jams that sound like rock music without giving in to the usual structural requirements. The fact that the band refers to "Multi-Purpose Anti-Form" as their "most pop" song says wonders about their approach, as it is layered in distortion and time changes, even if the vocals are sung in a straightforward manner--a rarity for keyboardist Dan Luedtke, whose vocals are heavily distorted.

The B-side is a cover medley blended with Gay Beast's rhythmic experimentation. After jumping time sequences seamlessly throughout "Pressing Hard" and "Sm Head, Lg Torso, Crushing Grip," the crowning blow is delivered when Luedtke barks over a repetitive acid-surf guitar that ends too quickly as the record fades out to a ringing that just may be my ears.

Gay Beast is available for purchase from Gilgongo Records or your local record store.