Between 2022 and 2025 Frysian psych-punk garage Maryscoovy had the opportunity to mess around and play really fucking loud @ Dee Nijverheid in De Westereen, an "anti-squat" building they themselves lovingly referred to as The Rathaus. It was an oasis for creativity and lots of live music. The quartet honed their craft to create a bunch of super tight high energy songs and the cream of the crop is now available on their debut album Bizarre Cast of Characters, aimed all the folks who don't fit in (and most likely don't want to).
Despite flying the garage flag, the band goes way beyond the limitation of "one two three four" rock songs. Things get weird in a good way and there is plenty to enjoy for fans of Pere Ubu, Pixies, and even the doyen of smart tongue-in-cheek avant-garde, Frank Zappa.
They have a mild obsession for food - the album is bookended by two of them, Them Scallops and Chicken Teriyaki With Sesame Seeds Marinated For 24 Hours), can come up with a song for a guy who is pestered by the law, claiming that he is only a humble dude cutting the grass (Lawnmower), and write a tribute for a self-proclaimed outsider (Chimichangas on ma mind). And yes, quite a few rat-inspired songs, the spirit animal of the punk underground. Bizarre Cast of Characters is a lot of fun, but also a plea to follow one's dreams instead of orders.
Side note: sadly De Nijverheid is no longer there. It has been torn down in February this year to make room for apartments.
Maryscoovy:
Arjen Heidstra:: guitar, lead vocals
Wiebe van Kammen: bass, backing vocals
Jan Gerrit Schippers:: drums
Alex Bruinsma: guitar, second lead vocals
Bizarre Cast of Characters is released on their own label La Casa de las Ratas. Buy it on blue-orange melt vinyl (100 hand-numbered copies) from their website. Comes with a full-colour lyrics sheet, postcards and a sticker.
Side A:- Them Scallops
- Ratcult
- Ghost Activity
- Chimichangas on ma mind
- King of The Couch
- Wuafnar
- I Am a Rat
- Static Sponge
- Lawnmower
- Numbskull
- Chicken Teriyaki With Sesame Seeds Marinated For 24 Hours
- 07/18 Vogelpop (Mainstage), Ansen
- 08/29 Skrik Festival, Wommels
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