There’s almost no such thing as a permanent band break-up anymore, which is not to say that every band should get back together. In fact, most shouldn’t. Then there’s Black Tambourine.

One of the most influential groups you’ve never heard of, the noise-pop band recorded just a handful of songs during its brief tenure between 1989-91, resulting in two EP releases in 1991 and ’93,  followed by a couple of complete-works-of compilations over the past couple years, including 2010′s “Black Tambourine” (which we wrote about here).

Now, after two decades of scant activity, Black Tambourine has announced a handful of already-sold out shows and ”OneTwoThreeFour,” a new EP of Ramones covers. Both come in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Chickfactor, a magazine co-founded by Black Tambourine singer Pam Berry, who also helped start Slumberland Records.

Black Tambourine only recorded four songs for the EP, a double-7-inch in physical form, but it’s a must-have for twee-pop fans, if “What’s Your Game” is any indication. The song highlights the Ramones’ girl-group influence with velvety spikes of guitar blanketing ethereal, floating vocals from Berry (and backing harmonies from Linda Smith, Rose Melberg, Dee Dee from Dum Dum Girls and Jenny Robbins from Honeymoon Diary.

“OneTwoThreeFour” is due May 15 on, of course, Slumberland.

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February 20, 2012 at 9:59 am | Share |