SandwichBubble is one of Sputnik’s soundest denizens and a longstanding hero of the Digbox. Today, he comes to conquer!

How very conceited of me to think anyone wants to hear my lame digs, amiright? Yeah, I know, I’m well aware. But, I actually have a few reasons for wanting to do this. For one, I helped make the new logo for this series, so I feel like I have a small stake in its success. But the main reason was because I wanted to check if some of my recent Bandcamp finds were on Spotify. See, I’ve barely used my Spotify account the last 2-3 years, and I know people that prefer streaming their music, so I thought this would be a good way to introduce you all to some good tunes and finally give me a reason to use my Spotify account. Seriously though, Bandcamp is way better and all of you should be using it to find music. Anyways, strap in, because here we go:

[“Digbox” – reimagined by SandwichBubble, 2021]

Cold Meat – Nice Girls

You just can’t beat some good hardcore/garage punk. You just can’t, alright? I recently found this Australian band on one of my Bandcamp digging sessions and was immediately hooked by Cold Meat. Their particular brand of raw punk rock gets me going. I wouldn’t go so far as to call “Nice Girls” anarcho-punk or something, but there’s definitely some 80s influence to the vocals. Think Eve Libertine of Crass, if you really need a name. Lyrics are sharp and properly pissed off, detailing the struggle of a girl being used as a doormat by her partner. Great little punk number by a great hardcore punk band. One listen and you’ll be yelling along with them, guaranteed.

Traffic Sound – Meshkalina

It’s always nice to find something amazing that’s not from the few countries I usually pull my music from. Not for a lack of trying; it’s just incredibly hard to find music from countries that don’t ever get rereleased or posted online on someone’s sketchy blog from 2008. Peruvian progressive rock band Traffic Sound is definitely lucky in comparison, who have enjoyed the luxury of having their work rereleased and preserved. “Meshkalina” is probably the group’s most well-known song, and for good reason. It’s an absolutely wonderful, drugged-out nightmare of a tune about ritual drug use in the ancient Inca civilization. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better muse for a song from 1969. And they do that premise justice with some of the best funky prog rock you’ll ever hear.

Bob Lind – Not That I Would Want Her Back

Folk singer Bob Lind, best known for the one-hit wonder Elusive Butterfly, wasn’t exactly a big name in his time. A spiral of bad decisions involving drugs and alcohol eventually led to Lind taking a 40 year hiatus from music. But before he did, he released Since There Were Circles in 1971, which is widely considered to be his best work. And the best song off that album, for my money, is “Not That I Would Want Her Back.” It may not be all that different from the soft country rock tracks of the 60s and 70s, but I challenge anyone to find a better one. It’s pretty much everything you could ever want in an infectious, depressing pop song. Great lyrics, perfect melodies, tonally-appropriate guitar that doesn’t overpower the mix. And when the narrator’s denial’s juxtaposed with those cheesy backing trumpets. It just does something to me, man.

Pardoner – All Your Happy Feelings

I don’t think I’ve heard any new band that has ever captured the classic indie rock sound better than Pardoner. Seriously, they sound like someone found some flannel-wearing fools from the 90s, plucked them off the street, put them in a time machine, and sent them to modern day. “All Your Happy Feelings” blends indie with emo and alternative rock seamlessly into a rockin’ little tune, full of fuzzy guitars and slacker vocals. They might be slightly out of time for modern ears, but I could sing along to this song on repeat for hours.

Idi Et Amin – Rain Brunette

What’s this? A somewhat timely dig? I know, I’m proud of myself too. I was originally going to put a track off Idi Et Amin’s great debut LP on here, but to my confusion, it’s not on Spotify. But their EPs are. Yeah, I don’t know. At least we’ve got something by this band on there, because I think they deserve a lot more attention. “Rain Brunette” does little to deviate from the hazy shoegaze/noise pop of their past releases, but I think it’s a sound that suits them well. That distinct effect-pedal-heavy guitar is on-point, and the little noise passage towards the middle of the song is a nice touch. Far from the band’s best work, but definitely a good introduction to their sound. Recommended listening for sneaker-staring enthusiasts everywhere.

Thank’ee Sandwich for digging your digs at us! I look forward to digging them!

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