White Drugs
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White Drugs

Denton, Texas, United States | INDIE

Denton, Texas, United States | INDIE
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"Sniffing Around Denton's White Drugs"

For a band that has only had one release to date, doesn't play out often and has never really toured, White Drugs is nonetheless a relevant name you hear tossed around from time to time in Denton. Assuming people aren't talking about actual white drugs when dropping their name, the band has earned the respect of many in Denton's music scene—and without the whole to-do that most bands need to reach that point.
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More About

* Chris Breight
* Denton
* Matthew Barnhart
* Echo Lab

Three and a half years after Harlem, their first and only release on guitarist/singer Chris Breight's own Kunst Waffe label, White Drugs has come out with a sophomore effort on Amphetamine Reptile. The album, called Gold Magic, is available only on vinyl, and in a limited pressing of 300. Recorded at the Echo Lab with Matthew Barnhart, the album is different in sound quality from Harlem, but still recorded using only analog equipment.

"Our first record was recorded on a four-track cassette machine," explains Breight. "With this one, we went to a two-inch, 24-track tape machine. So it doesn't sound clean—just a little more polished."

As to whether or not the band has been "signed" to Am Rep?

"It's not really an official contract, per se," Breight says. "Am Rep is a semi-retired label, and we haven't really discussed anything beyond these releases."

By "these releases," Breight is referring not only to Gold Magic, but also to a pair of other compilations White Drugs is featured on that are soon to be put out by the Washington state-based label.

One of these is a double 7-inch compilation that's Volume 12 in a series of Am Rep comps called Dope, Guns and Fucking in the Streets. The other release is a 7-inch split with H•O•F (Halo of Flies) called 35 Power, in which both bands collaborated.

"We sang on the H•O•F track and he played synth on our track," says Breight.

Because of this sudden spate of action, the band has decided to go on a mini-tour that will kick off with "an obligatory LP release show" at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios on August 19. The show will also feature Kaboom and Puffy Areolas.
- Dallas Observer


"White Drugs pour it on"

For some forceful chutzpah and ear-piercing vocals, check out Denton’s White Drugs during their record release show at 9 p.m. today at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, 411 E. Sycamore St.

White Drugs doesn’t bother with safe stuff. Lyrically, the band reflects on illicit substances and putting a girlfriend up for sale. Fuzzy guitars, wham-boom-pow drums and throat-shredding vocals make the band a sure thing for an evening of testosterone-drenched music.

And yet White Drugs, which unveils its latest release, the vinyl-only Gold Magic, isn’t a mere noise factory. Melody is important to the local quartet.

Sounds like: Black Francis and the Stooges becoming blood brothers in a small Texas town.

Details: White Drugs headlines after sets by Puffy Areolas and Kaboom. Doors open at 9 p.m. Cover is $15. - Denton Record Chronicle


"It List and White Drugs Release on AMREP"


it list and white drugs release on amrep

It's been a while since we've heard anything from Denton's White Drugs, and its been even longer since I've thought much about late 80's/ 90's indie heavyweight Amphetamine Reptile, but today we have news on both fronts-- the record label, responsible for presenting the world with incredible records from bands such as The Cows, Jesus Lizard, Melvins, the Urinals, Dwarves, Killdozer, and more, will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a concert featuring performances from Melvins, Boss Hog and several others, including their latest signees-- White Drugs. The band has released its latest full length, Gold Magic, which has already been reviewed in Dusted Magazine and is available here. The label also included some choice words for Denton on its website:

"Denton, Texas is the cave these fuckers call home. Singer songwriter puh-lease. Exterminate yr dead-end trend. Stop being a person and become a man."

UPDATE-- White Drugs responded with some comments on how they connected with AmRep and more:

"I sent Tom a copy of Harlem on a whim when it was released. He took to it immediately and we started exchanging emails over the years--years due to our laziness and him (literally) being in a coma--about a collaboration. I sent him what would become the new LP after it was recorded and the talk of a split came up again. We recorded the other AmRep material whilst resting (aided by technical difficulties) on the LP--you know, no real impetus to put it out. We were asked to play TotalFest and Haze invited us play the 25th Anniversary shindig within the same week. Impetus appears. And shortly thereafter Haze offered up the AmRep logo so I obliged.

We're having an obligatory LP release soireé at RGRS on 8/19 w/ Puffy Areolas (Siltbreeze) and Kaboom."

(If you haven't seen Puffy Areolas live yet, do yourself a favor and go to this show. Trust me.)

Anyway, we've asked the band for some comments and we'll add them if and when they send them to us. Now for shows: - weshotjr.com


"Dead Beat: White Drugs (album review)"

Save yourself some time and file White Drugs', Gold Magic, under Steve Albini. With nods to Shellac, Big Black, Gang of Four, and Wire, the Denton band's recently released, second full-length clearly follows in Albini's tradition of rigid, ascetic post-punk. And with White Drugs on renowned noise label, Amphetamine Reptile, the band fits well among many of his peers like The Jesus Lizard.


There's only one nagging problem. While White Drugs is clearly erudite in its genre, Gold Magic ultimately sounds like a recasting of the classics that informed it, too derivative, hollow. I'm a huge fan of unconventional, math-y time signatures, bass-addled, jagged guitar tone, and snotty vocals -- aspects that virtually all of the band's songs are built on. But most of those qualities sound like posturing, falling short. Almost every song could benefit from more experimentation, more personality or swagger, or an increased willingness to open up and let the weird hang out. Aside from a few standout tracks like "Unmaker," "Hi-way to Haiti", "Blood Is Up", and "Untitled", most of the record seems like a shallow approximation of their forbearers' styles.


This is one of those records I want to like far more than I can naturally enjoy. Even the album art, and hand-numbered, DIY packaging practically beg to be thrown on the turntable. Instead, Gold Magic sounds like the most informed, talkative nerd in class. Smart -- but dear god, shut up unless you have something worthwhile to say.
- Quick DFW


"White Drugs – Gold Magic"

A couple or so years ago a review popped up on Your Flesh penned by AmRep founder Tom Hazelmyer for the disc Harlem by the Denton, TX group White Drugs. Seeing as how a large chunk of my music taste and a slightly smaller but still rather large chunk of my music collection have been molded around Mr. Hazelmyer’s label, I took the heaping praise he laid upon the disc to heart and sought it out. Unfortunately at the time Harlem was a bit harder to get a hold of, but nonetheless I got a chance to listen to it and it proceeded to prove why it got all those kind words/comparisons with a blistering set of dirty garage flavored noise. Information about the band seemed pretty scarce however, even with the presence of a MySpace and an actual working website. There was little in the way of actual activity from the band, other than the physical evidence that is Harlem which was released on the bands own label Kunstwaffe

So yeah, that was probably early ’08 and time passed and then I noticed the name White Drugs in a list of bands that would be performing in August at the AmRep 25th anniversary bash. Very cool I thought, however I couldn’t quite figure out how they fit in with the whole thing aside from definitely sharing many attributes of plenty of bands that were part of the roster over the years. Then out of pure coincidence an opportunity arose to hear the bands new record Gold Magic and I gladly jumped at the chance to do so. However, not only was I extremely pleased to hear a new White Drugs record, I was given my answer as to why they were playing the AmRep bash in the first place and that’s because Gold Magic is in fact being put out by AmRep in conjunction with Kunstwaffe on July 20th.

With Gold Magic the band continues onward with the full rock ‘n roll swagger that their previous material was dripping with, maybe even more so than before. All I know is that this thing locks into a groove pretty early and keeps with it for damn near the entire half hour by pumping out absolute riffs galore that are given a deep bathing of filthy feedback. To put it simply, you’d be wise to check this out. It’s everything you would pretty much want to hear on a release from a label that has helped develop a certain style of music as much as it has.

White Drugs – Black Wizard Gloaming (stream)

As of right now, you can pre-order Gold Magic through the bands Kunstwaffe label. It’s limited to a pressing of 350, so don’t slack folks and pick this up. For those interested in hearing the bands previous record Harlem, which I highly suggest you do, it’s also available on the site now as well. With that, enjoy! - builtonaweakspot.com


"WESHOT JR COMMENTS SECTION"


Anonymous said... ". . .all of the guys in White Drugs are complete pricks. Even if their music was amazing, which it is FAR from being, I don't want to see them play because they're a bunch of ex frat-boy assholes. Attn. bands who are trying to use their prickdom and snobbery to "make it"....your time is over. There is no future in what you do. The kids of today want a little intelligence and kindness with their angst. . . ." 4:09 PM?"White Drugs is completely unoriginal, less-than-meciocre (sic), two chord jock and roll for beer-guzzling shitheads to gaybash to. Boring....as....Hell. My 9 year old brother rocks harder than them. Seriously. You know things are going downhill when people start giving props to posers like white drugs. Suck it." 3:28 AM?--Courtesy of insightful, yet anonymous, interweb blogger(s) via Weshotjr.com comments section - WESHOTJR COMMENTS SECTION


"HAZE XXL AMREP review"


AMREP review of Harlem via Yourflesh by Haze XXL:

Let me start by saying, I don't know fuck all about these guys. Shit, I couldn't even tell you where the hell Denton TX is but when a CD shears yer head off on first listen, it doesn't really matter, does it? Since I'm neither a critic nor writer, I can cheat and start off with a bunch of immediate comparisons: Primo DRUNKS WITH GUNS psychotic, unhinged energy and ballistic red lining production; a Cosmic Psychos-style penchant for hooks, but throwing in a shitload more complexity to the songs. It's obvious these guys have a few well-worn Stooges or Sonics records in the collection, but thankfully aren't leaning on 'em so hard as to be unoriginal. Nothing wrong with a dash of acid and a dollop of garage in the mix, so long as it doesn't overwhelm the flavor, ya know? Toss in some Killed By Death punk references like the Pagans, way early Leather Nun as well. All that said some new school head stomping stew comes out the mess. Shit, "Heil Vacation" sounds like a methed up Marc Bolan attempting to write a No Wave tune. Catchy and clever lyrics that capture the brutality of the songs and mix like, "I Hate Your Face." Hey, when you title a song "Kleaning Krew" and convincingly rant, "there's a spot upon your heart, WIPE THAT FUCKER CLEAN," fuck… sign me up. Yeah I'm sure there's a smart assed smirk in there, but that's some old-fashioned chest thumping and bile, something that's been missing in rock bands for ages. I just wanna lock these guys in a room with Bright Eyes and let nature take its course.
--Haze XXL - Yourflesh


Discography

Harlem (Kunstwaffe)
Gold Magic (Amphetamine Reptile)
Dope Guns and Fucking in the Streets Vol. 12 w/The Thrown Ups, Vaz, Gay Witch Abortion, Boss Hog, etc.
35 Power split with Halo of Flies(Amphetamine Reptile)

Photos

Bio

All rights, in regards to the reproductive capabilities and natures of any and all White Drugs members, media outlets, or derivations, are hereby labeled as Double Private. This in no way binds White Drugs to limit public exposure of private extensions inherent, in part or parcel, in any song, manner of being, personal proclivity or fetish. It, in fact, purports that the above be doubly excluded from direct sampling or reference by the public at large or private parties, however small and seemingly void of malicious intention. Furthermore, White Drugs would like to warn that infringement of this policy will warrant the removal of devices intended to conceal and constrain the Double Manly Powers of any and all White Drugs and their subsequent dependents, including, but not limited to spouses, significant others, relatives, domesticated animals, botched cooking experiments, attorneys, or record collections: Thus, dooming onlookers, passersby and the intended targets to a Double Shock of Double Manly Privacies*. Alas, though warned, many will attempt to tease this wriggling worm of destruction. As White Drugs releases, be they of pre-packaged consumer grade or spontaneous emission, bulge like horns of plenty, brimming with sticky titillations. The allure of which can be denied by no man, vaginal or penile. But, for the sake of society and humankind, White Drugs pleads, nay implores, that self control and emotional restraint be exercised at all costs, without thought to any consequence save the threat of the Double Shot of Double Manly Privacies.

*An occurrence not yet unleashed on western shores. If so inclined, curiosity seekers should reference the "D" volume of any encyclopedia. Any mention of death and absolute manly disaster should be attributed to the Double Shock of Double Manly Privacies, regardless of entries supplied by the author(s).