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The Routes - Surfin' Pleasures
Topsy Turvy Records TTR-027
LP / CD / Streaming out November 8th 2024!
LP limited to 1000 copies with embossed cover and inner sleeve (artwork by Peter Saville and Malcolm Garrett). Pressed at the same pressing plant as the 40th Anniversary pressing of Joy Division "Unknown Pleasures".
First 100 copies ordered directly from Soundflat mailorder come with a numbered poster and postcard (signed by the band).
Preview:
Link
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, The Routes are back with their unique blend of “beat-you-to-death surf music” (Iggy Pop). Their latest target: the music of Joy Division!
Having previously surfy-fied the songs of Kraftwerk and Buzzcocks, “Surfin’ Pleasures” sees The Routes take on the music of Joy Division. As with their previous “tributes”, this is not an album of note for note cover versions. The Routes have only taken subtle melodic and rhythmic hints from the original songs; rearranging them into songs of their own, respectfully and lovingly translating the music of Joy Division into a different musical language.
“Surfin’ Pleasures” sees twelve classic Joy Division songs reimagined and rearranged as banging 60s surf guitar instrumentals (à la The Ventures, Dick Dale, Shadows, Trashmen, Terauchi Takeshi, Link Wray, The Surfaris and The Astronauts and more).
Prepare to be taken on a wild musical trip where “A Means To An End” and “Ice Age” are transformed into the background music of a 60s drag race movie, “Transmission” hints at the classic Astronauts sound, and “Digital” gets the beach party treatment... You don’t have to be a fan of Joy Division to enjoy these tunes, and likewise if you’re a Joy Division fan you don’t need to be a fan of surf music to enjoy them.
The record cover comes courtesy of British design icons Peter Saville and Malcolm Garrett. It is a reworking of Peter Saville’s design for Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures”. Reminiscent of the op art of Bridget Riley, the lines are no longer that of a pulsar, but that of the sound wave of a reverb tank.
Blasphemy or alchemy? You decide!
One thing is for sure is that The Routes have provided the world with yet another future cult classic, destined to irk or jerk for eons to come.
NEW ALBUM: Reverberation Addict (Topsy Turvy Records)
Release date: October 6th 2023
The Routes are back with their fourteenth studio album “Reverberation Addict”.
Having tackled the music of Kraftwerk on their 2022 album “The Twang Machine”, The Routes have applied their sound (described by Iggy Pop as “beat-you-to-death surf music” on his BBC Radio 6 show) to the genius of Pete Shelley and Buzzcocks.
“Reverberation Addict” sees fifteen Buzzcocks songs reimagined and rearranged as 60s surf guitar instrumental bangers (à la The Ventures, Dick Dale, Terauchi Takeshi, Link Wray, The Surfaris and The Astronauts and more).
And what better endorsement or seal of approval is there than having UK graphic design icon Malcolm Garrett MBE RDI (and designer of the original Buzzcocks records) onboard for the design? Yes, it’s the real deal!
Whether you see it as musical blasphemy or musical alchemy, The Routes have provided the world with another potential future cult classic, destined to irk or jerk future generations for years to come.
Available as a regular black vinyl LP:
https://www.soundflat.de/garage-mod-surf-en/garage-mod-surf-lp/routes-reverberation-addict-black-lp
OR limited edition translucent blue vinyl LP:
https://www.soundflat.de/garage-mod-surf-en/garage-mod-surf-lp/routes-reverberation-addict-blue-transparent-lp
NEW EP: Sonidos Zzumbantes Del Surf Instromental
On 7th September The Routes have a new 4 track 7" EP "Sonidos ZZumbantes del Surf Instromental" coming out on Spain's Ghost Highway Recordings. It contains four Buzzcocks songs, arranged as 60s instrumental surf bangers
Hi Everyone,
Just a heads up that The Routes "Instrumentals" album from 2013 has been reissued by Otitis Media Records. It's available on red/white (150 copies) or blue/white vinyl (150 copies), and comes with brand new "Blues Theme" inspired artwork and an obi strip.
Available here while stocks last:
Hotwired:
Link
You Nearly Got Me:
Link
Thanks
CJ
The new album by The Routes "The Twang Machine" will be released on LP by Topsy Turvy Records on June 3rd.
The Double Crown Records / Otitis Media Records CD release will follow shortly after. It will also be available on most digital platforms.
Formed in 2006, although far away from the Tokyo garage scene, The Routes are undoubtedly one of the most prolific underground garage bands in Japan of the last decade. 2021 saw The Routes release three studio albums (two of which were instrumental), taking their album tally up to 10 studio albums. It’s 2022, and not showing any signs of slowing down The Routes bring you “The Twang Machine”.
Imagine a bizarre alternate universe in which the Moog synthesizer was invented before the guitar, and visiting thrift stores you’d find records such as The Ventures “Guitar Indigo” and Dick Dale “Twanged On Bach!?! Well, here is a record that could well be from that universe! The Routes – Twang Machine. Yes! Ten slices of Kraftwerk arranged into mid-sixties instrumental rock ’n’ roll/surf guitar bangers. An aural testament to The Routes’ love and respect of the music of Kraftwerk. Hear Showroom Dummies reimagined as a Spaghetti Western film opening theme, Radioactivity drenched in reverb ala The Astronauts… Trans Europe Express at shinkansen speed racing to burst the sound barrier, and many more of Kraftwerk’s classic songs as you could never imagine them.
Whether you see it as musical blasphemy or musical alchemy, this album is set to become a cult classic, destined to irk or jerk future generations for years to come.
New album by The Routes "Shake Five" out July/August 2021.
New video - Mongolian Chop (taken from "Shake Five"):
Link
"Shake Five" available on:
LP (Topsy-Turvy Records)
The limited yellow vinyl version is limited to 100 copies only:
https://www.soundflat.de/garage-mod-surf/garage-mod-surf-lp/routes-shake-five-yellow-vinyl-lp
CD (Double Crown Records)
Featuring artwork by the amazing Joseph Harmon.
https://www.doublecrownrecords.com/
Tape (Otitis Media Recordings)
With reversible cover, featuring both the LP and CD covers.
https://otitismediarecords.com/
The album is already available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon, and all the regular places...
Thank you
Stay safe
Chris
My band The Routes will release a new instrumental album "Instrumentals II" on Groovie Records at the end of this month.
The album is a follow-up to our 2012 "Instrumentals" album, and features another 10 original instrumental cuts.
The album ranges from spaghetti western to surf, and makes stops in garage and stompin' rock & roll territory along the way; taking influence from Link Wray, Dick Dale, Trashmen, Ventures, Terauchi Takeshi, and the Strummin' Mental compilations. Recorded in mono, this album is raw and LOUD (surf music with garage production).
"Instrumentals II" will be available on LP (color vinyl limited to 100 copies, black vinyl 400 copies), and digital.
You can check out the album and preorder vinyl on the Groovie Records Bandcamp page.
https://groovierecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-routes-instrumentals-ii-limited-color-lp
