Alicia Saye, bassist for hardcore punk band, Hacker, previously, Infinite Void, Deep Heat, The Diamond Sea is also a sound engineer, Cult Ritual Audio, and outstanding human. Enjoying collaborating with bands on their passion projects Alicia helps them get to where they want to be, working with great people like Cable Ties, Shove, Phantasm, Hex Debt, Blonde Revolver, and more. Plus, Alicia is a production coordinator for PBS 106.7FM!

Gimmie enlisted Alicia to curate tracks for our Crafty Cuts selections. Among them, a standout that marked a significant chapter, during a period of musical exploration, and that provided solace. There’s also a track from a band that brought unique queer visibility to the punk scene, fostering celebration and a safe space; they even stayed with Alicia while touring Australia. Additionally, a track with a horny lead line. An encounter with something fresh and compelling that felt like a reclaiming of something significant in music. A track that was delivered to listeners in pillowcases with speakers sewn in to induce nightmares. Something from a pop star who’s childhood nickname was ‘Nippy’. Not to forget a local band brimming with endless creativity. And much more, including two tracks from one particular band because, quite simply, they’re that good!

Green House – ‘Perennial-Bloom’

This whole album is great. It came out in 2020 to give everyone a specific time reference for its relationship to me. It was definitely a time where I chose to investigate a few other avenues for music. This album was therapeutic for the time.

Special Interest – ‘Young, Gifted, Black in Leather’

I’m notoriously shit at describing music, so this format works well for me. I’m not entirely sure how this came across my path or from whom, but after years of hearing reincarnations of every genre possible, this itself was something I obsessed over that felt fresh and powerful. The music felt like it was taking something back.

Whitney Houston – ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’

Anyone else miss Whitney? What a travesty.

Limp Wrist – ‘Just Like You’

Never really come across a band that has queer visibility in the punk scene the way that Limp Wrist did. I miss it. I miss the celebration of them and the safety of the space. They came out a few times, and one of those times we had them stay at our house when I was still in Sydney. One particular time, I was walking to the kitchen through the lounge, and they were all applying lotion to each other’s backs… like a little train. It was gorgeous, like a Tom of Finland model session. I had to bring it to their attention, the hilarity of the situation. There was another time where… we (me, some friends, and Paul from LW) may or may not have broken into a local swimming pool, only to be busted by the cops; we took a run for it. Those were the years of skinny jeans, and I guess you’ll just have to visualise us hiding out in the bushes, trying to put tight jeans on wet legs while the cops drive up and down the back streets.

Enzyme – ‘Masquerade’

THIS SONG. Everyone of them has endless amounts of creativity in them. Perfect blend. 

Integrity – ‘Hollow’

Because……of the dive bomb leading into the horny lead line at the end.

Ancestors – ‘V’ (from album III)

This one is added because its whole deal is nightmares/haunting. They had merch that were pillowcases with speakers and a track sewn into them to help induce nightmares. The artwork on them is amazing, upturned couches, baths filled with black liquid. I was sent some test presses of the album by a friend, and my girlfriend at the time told me it was ‘upsetting.’ I think that’s possibly the best description given for this.

Good Throb – ‘The Queen Sucks Nazi Cock’ & ‘Bag’

Two songs here! Both lyrically unhinged and a perfect example of what some would describe as musical naivety, which for me is musical genius.

Tozcos – ‘Nunca Pasar á n’

Riffs! Another banger release out of Quality Control Records in UK.

Vampire – ‘Built For Decline’

Something new, local and killer. This is not my band, just love them!

Visit: https://cultritualaudio.bandcamp.com and listen to Hacker (we LOVE them!) https://hackerhc.bandcamp.com