Speed Freaks and Skin Grafts

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They’ve released split 7″s with AIDS Wolf, Comanechi and Crystal Castles, so how could we not love them? PRE has also released two full-length albums, the second of which came out in June this year. They’re a noise making, obnoxiously crazy, hardcore punk machine from the UK who has a reputation for erratic new-wave post punk and playing chaotic live shows across the world (for their very first show in London they locked fans outside and made them watch through the windows).

Led by spastic, bratty Japanese front-woman Akiko ‘Keex’ Matsuura, who jumps around and screams like a creature from the underworld, the band creates a twisted wall of noise that foams at the mouth. Electrified drones meet rocket-fuelled bass riffs, lightning guitars, rumbling drums and ear-piercing screams; a combination of four enthusiastic young dudes and one wildly erratic young woman.

The band is signed to Skin Graft Records, which was originally founded in 1986 as a comic book label. The first record released by the label was in 1991, a split 7″ with Dazzling Killmen and Mother’s Day. Most of the bands on the label have a similar noisy appearance to PRE, making it a very suitable environment for them and their label mates. It has helped PRE team up with a selection of like-minded bands and has led to the flurry of 7″ vinyl releases.

PRE has also released two full-length albums, both via Skin Graft Records. The first, titled Epic Fits came out in late 2007 and can now be purchased in four different formats (limited edition metal box CD, standard CD, digital downloads or gatefold vinyl) from the label’s website. Their second album, Hope Freaks, recorded with Steve Albini in his Chicago studio, was released in June 2009.

PRE- Haircut Tacos: MP3

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Posted by Nick Fulton under London, UK
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