The Best Band in Kansas is Bummer
Back in August we asked you to help us find the best unsigned bands in America. After listening to hundreds of submissions, we finally narrowed down our pick for the corniest state in the union. The best band in Kansas is Bummer.
Let’s take a journey to the storied lands of Olathe, Kansas. Lord knows I don’t need to describe the place; you’ve already got gleaming visions of the grand architecture and a sense of wonder instilled from the city’s legendary representation in film and literature. Olathe: where dreams are made, and fortunes are found.
But there is so much more to the 4th-largest city in Kansas. Indeed, Olathe possesses a dark underbelly. In Olathe, the kids are not alright. From this formerly pristine burgh, there are three young men who are causing an awful racket. They go by the name Bummer, and their latest EP Milk fucking rules.
Though they’re not yet old enough to drink, Bummer are bringing the 90s back (and not in a “OMG I WISH I WAS A 90s KID” way that enrages rapidly aging jerks like me) in the form of grungy, sludgy, ugly, punk of yesteryear. Think Melvins or Mudhoney.
It’ll take you about 14 minutes to listen to Milk. If you’re THAT pressed for time (you’re not), invest 3 minutes and 44 seconds to check out the gnarly grunge riffs on “Estocada”. I’d encourage you to listen to the whole damn thing though. Opener “Infinite Witches” is not only the sickest fucking song name ever, it’s also a complete burner of a song. “Phantom Limb” comes in and rips your stupid beret off with a killer distorted bass riff. “Cave Teeth” brings the kind of chaotic punk noise that will appeal to fans of bands like Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes. Listen:
Here’s what other judges had to say:
Stockhausen: If you feel the need to rip your way through a sweaty night of shenanigans, booze, and improvised pyrotechnics, you better be listening to Bummer the whole time. Raucous fun and punkish rough edges abound in this stomper of a good band, so turn up to 11, meet me behind the gas station in half an hour, and don’t forget the beer.
Masterlord Steel Dragon: I don’t like, appreciate, acknowledge the importance of, or know jack-shit about punk music, but throw enough sludge into anything and I’m bound to like it. I can dig Bummer, dudes.
Go like Bummer on Facebook tell ’em we said “sup”.
The Toilet ov Hell is on an absurd quest to find the best unsigned band in each state of this glorious union. The purpose? To shine the spotlight on bands that deserve more exposure. Also, we’re going to determine once and for all the greatest state in the nation. Each state winner is decided by a collection of 25 judges. After we’ve announced the winner of each state, we’re gonna throw them all in a winner-take-all bracket and leave the votes up to you. Who will be the best unsigned band in the United States? Which state is superior? We can’t wait to find out.
Previous winners:
Alabama — Phylum
Alaska — Terraform
Arizona – Take Over And Destroy
Arkansas – Torii
California – Destroy Judas
Colorado – The Sleer
Connecticut – Autumn’s Eyes
Delaware – Sloss
Florida – Capracide
Georgia – Lost Hours
Hawaii – Darkest Path
Idaho – Rotten Hand
Illinois – Deus Ex
Indiana – Thorr-Axe
Iowa – Blizzard at Sea
