***Four years into PREENING's existence and the Bay Area trio hasn’t shown any signs of stagnation–they remain committed to the urge to move forward, to push themselves and their audience. Thus, the restless and relentless motion of Preening’s new 12” EP on Ever/Never Records, who also released 2018’s excellent Greasetrap Frisbee 7”. Preening sounds more than ever like no one but themselves–MAX and ALEJANDRA's duel (sic) vocals and sax/bass interplay is masterfully augmented and driven by SAM's all-hands-ondeck drumming. “Twinning” exemplifies all of these aspects, achieving a head-spinning velocity occasionally interrupted by sections that mimic drips and chimes amidst the cacophony. This is dance music for sleep-deprived geniuses and those who love them. “Rapt Fashions” demands to know “Whose body is this anyway?” And then, to drive the theme of dislocation home, the EP ends with a wigged-out “Extortion” dub mix by ANDY HUMAN (of The World / Naked Roommate / Reptoids) & BRETT EASTMAN (Reptoids). Dragged Through The Garden proves that Preening and Ever / Never continue to deliver the goods, and then some.
12" $24.95
02/05/2021
***Oakland three-piece PREENING is MAX NORDILE (saxophone, vocals), ALEJANDRA ALCALA (bass), and SAM LEFEBVRE (drums). Gang Laughter, mostly recorded in the summer of 2018 by HL NELLY at Santo in West Oakland, is Preening’s first full-length. The album follows three 7”s on labels Ever/Never, Fine Concepts, and Digital Regress, and at least three self-released cassette tapes since 2017. Jackets screen-printed in Oakland by Fine Concepts. “In an effort to ensure that as few people hear them as possible,” “hot new Oakland trio” Preening’s “misshapen angles,” “spittle,” and “occasionally funky” “guitarless no wave” is “an interesting listen” and a “slyly antagonizing joyful noise” that’s “as irritating as anything else in Preening’s discography,” though “I can’t tell if it’s a gag” and “there’s a charm.” Also, “the vocals have a bewildering quality.”
LP $17.75
03/08/2019
***PREENING is a band that is literally bursting with ideas. Their music is chockablock with tension and pressure—gaskets blowing; pipes exploding; circuit boards fizzling out. A trio comprised of some of the Bay Area’s most active underground musicians, Preening are poised to cement themselves as one of their scene’s most crucial exponents of non-trad punk. Within Preening’s tumultuous music, elements careen and collide—sax bleats; bass lines access spinal nerve-spots; drums poke and pound. On this release, the trio blast through five cuts of controlled chaos, exuding a nonchalant confidence in their mission. (STREET DATE - 2/23/2018)
7" $9.25
02/23/2018
***Composed of ALEJANDRA (bass/vocals), MAX (saxophone/vocals), and SAM (drums), Oakland trio PREENING formed and played its first show late 2016. Two self-released cassettes, Plaza Demo and Preening Demo Again, appeared in editions of 100 in 2017. Preening's first record, Beeters, was recorded by JOEY SEWARD in Shelton, WA during a pitstop on tour, the four-song record reveals what a friend called Preening's "slyly antagonizing joyful noise." Edition of 500 copies.
7" $7.00
08/04/2017