1000 Yard Stare

We’ve been sitting on this record for 14 months and it’s finally ready to start rolling out for the current preorder. From a label perspective, at least personally - it’s really difficult to marry the idea of the thematic message of Bootlicker and the “push” to “market” a product. At the end of the day, that’s what you are. And that’s what I am too.

I’m a consumer.

I’m a consumer trying to deal with the fact I live in a sick society chasing a promise that can’t be attained.

But consumption is fundamental to this life experience. War crimes in real time an arms length away, mandatory connectivity to hive mind. The common human experience is experiencing the shift. The 1000 Yard Stare is common place, no longer experienced only by soldiers and victims at the front. The front is everywhere. Colonial legacies, genocide, poisoned drug supplies and failed policy, killer cops, global warming, Neo-Liberal fallout, rising Fascism.

The Information Age in its current state is one that sees the mask of the emperor starting to slip. A power struggle with the worst players moving into prime positions for takeover. Identity politics running the resistance while the working class is dismantled in front of us. The only thing to keep us satiated in an age of endless trauma experience is immediate gratification. The absurdity of all of this that we live, love, buy and die within that framework. It's so fucking cynical. So here we are. You can hear the first single now on Bandcamp.

Bootlicker's newest album, 1000 Yard Stare is 10 tracks of violent music for a vile world. Musically, this sees the group sticking to their UK82 meets American Hardcore with the echoes of Discharge guiding the hand. Skeptix, Special Duties, Svart Framtid are the seasoning. D-Beat propulsion and the knobs broken off at 11. We’ve got a t-shirt rolling out with this too so, y’know - be the envy of your friends.

Static Shock will be handling UK/Europe. Please order from them if you're over there unless you love paying heavy shipping.

Traumatizer and Jug are on their way into the world for everyone to love. If your brain is smooth and your body’s doomed (it is) then you should be pleased as a drunk with no conscience. I don’t know what to say about these that I haven’t already said. I’m incredibly proud of them. They rip. They’re cool as hell. Both bands absolutely floored me live and I couldn’t be more stoked they let me put them out. I’m down to about 30-50 left of each so if you’re keen to cop - hit that button. Personally I think they’re essential but I think everything I put out is and I think I’m definitely alone in that department.

Preorder for the monument that is Megalithic Youth is out. Part of the new series: Minted. Minted is going to include projects that are still part of the Neon Taste Records vibe but fall into the experimental side of things. Here’s where you’ll find Noise, Experimental, Industrial, Leftfield type stuff. Essentially not necessarily under the Rock Music umbrella. I’ve always been a fan of early Industrial, Musique Concrete and Power Electronics. I hunt down the zines especially whenever I can and much of the attitudes, artwork and uncomfortable nature of some of it has helped me grapple with my own brain. If you haven’t heard it yet, Megalithic Youth roll out this intensely lush Post-Punk/Industrial cacophony that gives way to the impending collapse we all love to fetishize instead of do something about. I love it. I think it’s fantastic and I think it is the perfect way to push into this new series on the label. We’ve already lined up two more releases under the Minted moniker for you to look forward to. I know I am.

We’ve got a new pressing of Chain Whip - Call Of The Knife, this time on a tasty coloured vinyl for all 300 copies. Preorder is rolling now. Should have them late May. Got a distro? Got a desire? Tell me. Let me fulfill it. Let me help you to help yourself to this piece of art i’m so proud of.

This month our favourite Torontonians, Imploders are eating their way across the UK. Friends and countrymen. These fragile Canucks prefer bacon and eggs. Breads and spreads just won’t cut it. I love them. Be kind to them. In May, Bootlicker heads to Japan for an insane run of shows that we are completely blown away with. I can’t believe I’m going to share the stage with Framtid, Systematic Death, Evil, Unholy Grave, Skizophrenia, Forward and more. What the fuck. Webstore-wise, we’ve added a bunch of scary Black Metal patches and new records by scary Black metal bands like Mutiilation and Suicide Circle. They should be showing up next week along with the new Beach Impediment, Iron Lung and Uranium Club LPs.

Personally, I haven’t had much time for listening or doing anything fun so getting out will be fun as hell. I’m in school studying but that should be coming to an end shortly and then it’ll be just a few months before Chain Whip heads down to CY Fest on tour with new friends Golpe. 2024 looks to be pretty ok. Hope I don’t have to get a real job. On one more note - I’m increasingly aware that as Bandcamp and streaming sites continue to erode, it’s always better to go directly to the label for your records. Bandcamp is unfortunately essential, Spotify is uhhhnnoying but essential (I guess). If you’re looking to support us, please hit us right here if you can at neontasterecords.ca Thank you so much.

Until then and until forever -
Free Palestine

Josh