I haven’t really been doing these weekly like I had been. Judging by the paltry download numbers I’m guessing most of you really don’t care all that much about lucking into some interesting obscuroid for ears. But hey if anything it give me a reason to rip my collection to Mp3 form and if I can steer a few of the younger fans/followers away from Brokencyde and/or Attack! Attack! all the better.

This weeks Digging for Fire brings us to an oft forgotten band of the 90s Stoner/Grunge/Lets lets put all in a pan and fry it up movement, 16. 16 released their debut album Curves That Kick on Pushead’s now defunct Bacteria Sour label in the early 90s. And as you can see by the above graphic, getting put out on Bacteria Sour also carried with it the sweet little perk which of getting Pushead to do your cover artwork!

16 sound was very much in the vein of Helmet, Unsane and even Today is the Day. Sludgy Metal with a heavy Hardcore influence that while uncompromising in it’s assault was also pretty accessible in it’s sound. While 16 never really reached the critical, commercial or cult like status of some of their like-minded compatriots they did steadily release solid albums over the course of their career including a brand new one this year (which I’ll review later). It’s a shame that even with so many bands looking back and being influenced by this sound nowadays that 16 still isn’t getting their due. Get familiar!

16 – Curves That Kick

- My Pal the Crook