Scene Point Blank spotlights a new album every month. It's not paid-for advertising space. We collaborate with labels and bands we appreciate. We started this site as music fans and that's what's important.
Anyway, our featured stream for the month of May comes from San Pedro, CA band Clown Sounds, one of many projects from Todd Congelliere, perhaps best known for as the founder of Recess Records and a member of Toys That Kill, F.Y.P and many more DIY projects.
We've worked with Todd a lot over the years and we're happy to share his work.
Born Under A Bad Sigh isn't brand new -- it released on Feb. 25, via Recess. But, again, we think sharing music is important. Not what's brand new or getting the latest hype. You can find that elsewhere.
So check out album name below. We also asked Todd for some new perspective on the record. After all, the world is in flux these last few years and things are always changing. So how does he feel about album name today?
Scene Point Blank: Tell us a bit about putting this record together. Is it a collection of things you've been working on for a long time, or more a spur-of-the-moment writing session?
Todd Congelliere: Well we started recording before covid and then that dramatically slowed it down. It actually made it better 'cause I would get months of breaks from it and once I returned to overdub or mix it still sounded fresh. There’s been two aborted Toys That Kill records 'cause every time I’d revisit it did not sound fresh. I blame my songwriting on that one but this Clown album always kept energy in a jar. Everyone kicked major ass on it.
Scene Point Blank: You're involved in a lot of bands. Did these songs start as Clown Sounds songs, or do you decide the outlet/band after writing?
Congelliere: Even though Clown Sounds started as a live band to play my solo songs, it has since just turned into a band-band. The song "Sanity, I’m on The Line" is the only solo song that was inserted, and overdubbed by the guys. It was supposed to be part of a band I was starting called Clown Keys, where I play piano. But why the fuck would I do that?!
Scene Point Blank: I'm old and can't remember the details of the last Clown Sounds record. How do you perform these songs live (solo or full band)?
Congelliere: Full band only. I’m not into doing anything solo besides record.
Scene Point Blank: The record has been out since February. Has your perspective on the record today changed from when you first held the test presses? Any songs that hit you differently today?
Congelliere: They're all better than when we started.
Scene Point Blank: How is the vinyl supply? Will a repress be coming?
Congelliere: About 40 left. No repress planned.
Scene Point Blank: Any tour dates we can share?
Congelliere: We’re doing some outta town stuff like Fest in Gainesville in October and much more. Check our IG.
