Red Martian has landed back on familiar soil. The band has been rocketing around the UK for the past couple of weeks. From London to Glasgow (and places in between) they played 10 gigs in 15 days, gazing at their shoes and making finely woven blankets of sound wherever they went. They were “out there” in support of their latest release Glasses Cannot Go to the Puzzle Remixed by Severed Heads. MAN, that was a mouthful. Ok, so who are these crimson creatures of Mars?

Red Martian is a Seattle three-piece which has been playing around the scene for the past 5 or so years. Their music is a wash of dive-bombing guitars that swallow delicate (yet emotionless) vocals which are backed by droning bass and raucous drums. In their live set, the listener is bombasted with sonic sheets of fuzz and buzz: an appropriate soundtrack for any galactic trip.

To start off on the right (moonboot wearing) foot, I suggest you go out and get their 3 inch mini-cd, Glasses Cannot Go to the Puzzle (original, released in 2003). “Super Computing,” Misfigured Balloon” and the title track are all addictive examples of their dream pop drone. What label is this fine album on? Like all Red Martian albums, Glasses is released without the support of a label. Inside all of their albums a kind of manifesto is printed: “DIY-Record labels are obsolete.” In this super computin’ world, this makes total sense. I mean, who needs a damn record label when you’ve got “the internets,” home studios, and cheap cd duplication plants. But I’m straying off course here.

You need to know about this new Severed Heads remix album. Australian electronic eclectician and Severed Heads member Tom Ellard zaps a stun-gun-barrelful of beats and effects to remake/remodel Red Martian’s songs. You can dance to this ambient album if you want to, but your knees will be oatmeal by the time you get to the cut called “Megane” on the B-side. That’s right! I’m talkin’ ‘bout the B-side of an honest to God record kids! Glasses Remixes is a record-only release on pearly white, 180 gram vinyl. This is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s available in both 10 and 12 inch formats. And the 10 inch-er comes with a gatefold cover. Oh man I can’t wait to bring these babies to the first RECORD PARTY! I’m definitely gonna play the future club hits “Himitsu” and “Edo” back to back. You’ll know why, when you hear ‘em.

I’m at a loss for words when describing Red Martian’s sound. I could use Jabba the Hut’s language or flowery wookie-speak to sing the praises of such an extra-terrestrial band, but that jibba jabba would just fall on deaf ears. Instead, I know what I can do. I’m gonna give you the skinny on Red Martian using binary code. So here goes: 101011010010011010100010010010100111010…

(Dear Pencil Necked Geeks,

Please, no comments on the binary code I just typed out.

I know it’s not correct.

Thanks, PG.)

NOTE: Red Martian plays the Sunset Tavern in Ballard on July 5th, 9pm!