After many years of being out of print, Young Vulgarians' two most infamous albums - "Sassculinity" and "Milquetoast on a Catafalque" - are now available via Silvis Records for free! Because, as COVID-19 ravages the land, and as we enter the early 2020s, why not distract ourselves with the frivolously gilded dreams and nightmares of our early 20s? (How have we done since then?)
Young Vulgarians began in 2001 as a solo project recorded on synthesizers and a Tascam 4-track. A Philadelphia industrial music label made an agreement to release the project's music and promote it on the US east coast, and in Germany. Live shows would be required. A band was formed around the early demos, but the label was not able to follow-through on its agreement and release YV's music due to competing investment requirements.
The live incarnation of Young Vulgarians persevered, and self-recorded and released a variety of albums on CD-R as "Caffeine Library Records." This included the "Songs 4" EP, and a 67-track album. The band used a unique combination of mid/late 1980s synths (inexpensive and vastly unpopular at the time) run through effects pedals and loud 1970s guitar and bass amps. YV quickly garnered a reputation for outrageous live performances around the Philadelphia area, which included energetic Iggy Pop-like antics, keytars, ritualistic destruction of 1980s computer equipment, and redistributing income by throwing money paid to the band at its last show off the stage. The band was notoriously loud due to the need to match the volume of its intensely zealous drummer. Because there were no other bands quite like it, Young Vulgarians found itself performing alongside underground acts in a dizzying array of genres: shoegaze, post-hardcore, skramz, stoner and doom metal, indie rock, electroclash, and post-punk. YV's followers were as loyal as they were limited in number.
After seeing the band perform live at the Khyber in 2002, audio engineer and composer Darren Morze invited the band to record at his studio. YV recorded "Sassculinity," a full-length album capturing the erudite intensity of the band. A group of Philadelphia music aficionados including Morze formed Counterpole Records, intended to feature YV and other unique artists. YV recorded the "To the Top" 7" (which was never pressed or released) as well as their full-length album "Milquetoast on a Catafalque." The Milquetoast Session involved full indulgence of the band's unconventional recording preferences, stemming from esoteric philosophical and occult principles. Vocals were recorded outdoors in below-freezing weather by a 3 story array of microphones. Vintage synthesizers were run through an array of pedals and tube electronics. Tracks were blasted outdoors and then re-recorded. The band drew upon influences including gothic music of the prior decade, Edwardian-era popular music, 1980s synthpop, and the mishmash of sounds around them. Lyrics reflected an interest in 19th century symbolist poetry, silent film (the singer was working as a silent film researcher), Frankfurt school philosophy, and various forms of nostalgia.
After a failed round of fundraising, Counterpole Records was abandoned. YV relinquished plans to tour in support of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, and An Albatross. Subsequently, Young Vulgarians struck up a deal with Goodnight Records, and migrated to Atlanta, GA to record the album "Napoleonic Melodrama." Around this time, the band dissolved due to its members - who had just graduated from college - deciding to pursue diverging career and personal interests. YV's singer and creative director ultimately moved to Zambia as a Peace Corps volunteer, then to an island in Alaska. The band played two reunion shows which were well attended - one in 2006 in a basement, and one in 2007 at Mojo 13. After a failed attempt at remote collaboration, Young Vulgarians re-emerged as a solo project (as it began) in 2013 with the release of Darktangle on Silvis Records. In 2018, it released its Autumn Trilogy. By 2020, the solo incarnation of YV had morphed sufficiently that it was rebranded as Masquerade Generation. (See masqueradegeneration.bandcamp.com )
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