Strange times we're livin' in here. Or at least they are for me. Here the air conditioning is flat busted (might need more Freon but I'm too lazy to find out) and although it's hot and humid to the point where I feel like I'm living in Dan Blocker's armpit I'm really not as riled up about it as I might have been as a kid. I guess all of those Diet Dr. Peppers are helping me get through these dog days more than I woulda expected. But hey, with the cold drinks and music on the bedside boom box and naturally the fine reading material that goes along with all of it I'm certainly not complainin'. I just figure that right now I'm livin' the kinda life I lived, or at least wanted to live, back when I was four---one where goofing off and indulging yourself in your own world was the height of suburban slob heaven---only now I have enough dexterity to wipe my own ass.
Total Music Association-WALPURGISNACHT CD-r burn (originally on T.M.A., Germany)
It's surprising how many of these heretofore unknown by moi platters dealing in European hard jazz have remained hidden more'n Anne Frank until now. These Total Music Association guys included---with a total eruption in the best Euro avant tradition I wonder why this platter never got the attention it deserves. They play in that German all-out style best typified by Peter Brotzmann and Gunter Hampel and this being a large "collective" so to speak you'll get an idea of where its headed. If you're a fan of those Alan Silva albums and the various Sun Ra arkestras WALPURGISNACHT goes in a sorta same direction. Given how there just has to be a download available somewhere on the web aren't you glad you're living in the here and now when such once impossible-to-latch sounds are now available with the mere flick of a finger???
Gravedigger V-ALL BLACK AND HAIRY CD-r burn (originally on Voxx Records); THE UNCLAIMED CD-r burn (originally on Resonance Records)
Even though the movement started out as yet another fresh branch off the punk rock tree, by the late-eighties the whole "garage revival" shebang did seem kinda pallid once the decade ground to a thankful end. The whole "scene" just seemed to be awash in groups who might have adapted to the superficial aspects of the quest, but for the most part they just couldn't rock 'n roll out like their idols. The same thing happened to those Velvet Underground aspiring types who might have been able to pluck out "Sweet Jane"s galore on their acoustics but never could capture the bared-wire intensity the band wreaked throughout their late-sixties career. Somehow the sweetness, essential to the Velvets on scant occasion, made its imprint but the atonal thrust just couldn't latch onto the smooth walls of these precocious petunias' minds.
Of course as any Chesterfield Kings fan can tell you this wasn't always the case, and the early-to-mid eighties garage band scene was definitely brimming with a load of talent that was worthy of the mid-sixties credo as can be. Voxx's Gravedigger V were one bunch who could take the wild strains of the past and KEEP 'em wild, and this burnt offering is just fulla the kind of powerful teenage jamz that were being made available to us in the face of Prince. Too many covers'n not enough originals true, but the spirit is there and thankfully these guys didn't droop down into Sha Na Na mimic territory given how a good portion of this owes about as much to the New York Dolls as it does the Seeds.
The Unclaimed were one of the bands that revved up this whole sixties as mop top suburban knotty pine basement rehearsal room movement, and these El Lay Music Machine wannabes sure did a bang 'em up job on this platter which retains a sense of originality and spark 'stead of poses gleaned off faded SHINDIG memories. Lead singer Shelly Ganz's voice is rough and ragged like the better sixties belters, and he and band produced some mighty fine music that sure sounds better'n a good portion of the revival quap I was gettin' sent once 1988 rolled around. Of course a lotta this is akin to watching some eighties revival of a sixties sitcom 'stead of the real thing, but hey if nothin' else was available like, why up nose at it?
The Teen Kings-LOST & FOUND: THE UNRELEASED 1956 RECORDINGS CD (Fuel)
Not too bad recordings taken from Texas Tee-Vee which I'm sure must've upset a whole loada old timers tuning into the set hopin' to catch some thirties-vintage moom pitcher. Sound quality is pretty good considering the source and age, and the performance from Roy Orbison and band is top notch early rock 'n roll with that country feel that pretty much epitomized the white outlook on the form at the time. Longtime faves mixed in with a few originals make for one of the better fun times I've heard in fifties rock since my last spin of the Rock-A-Teens. Disque is filled up with a recorded phone conversation with the surviving bandmembers which ain't exactly thrilling, but you might learn a thing or two as Bill Cosby used to say and like no more comments about that!.
The Clash-THIS IS DUB CLASH CD-r burn
More of the Clash to bore us but considering how they're getting into their Jah Rastafari schtick maybe they're borin' us in-a Babylon. To be honest this ain't anything to up toffee nose over what with the interesting effects and catchy reggae riffs to help me ease off into slumberland. Kinda engaging like some rare early-sixties single produced by the likes of Joe Meek or even some dunce who didn't know what he was up to but hit upon a big surprise. Even the rap crap part sounded like it coulda been a MAD magazine free record enclosure.
Alvin Lee-THE LAST SHOW CD-r burn (originally on Rainman Records)
Sure the guy was the young hot flash many of you thought he was back when he was fronting Ten Years After but sheesh, those old blooze lines done up by British Invasion hasbeens sure can wear thin. Has all the charm of one of those PBS specials that used to run on hot weekday afternoons and there was nothin' else on to watch but soap operas so you had little choice. An' sheesh, he doesn't even do that one song about dykes and fairies that actually got some noticeable FM airplay back 1971 way.
Various Artists-MUCHO MERCENARY SAUCER GAMES CD-r burn (Bill Shute)
Here's one of them older Bill burns the guy musta sent me at least five years ago only I just happ't get to it now. Shouldn'ta waited so long because hey, this one is a good punch packer (as opposed to fudge packer) of a disque and filled with loads of fun material from a song poem from the king of 'em all Rod Rogers to the Joe E. Ross novelty "Ooh Ooh" (also on the Norton album A TRIBUTE TO JOE E. ROSS) and the theme from the GILLIGAN'S ISLAND pilot that was later shot around for the first episode of the actual series. Other surprises include a cut-in record originally released on the legendary Fenton label which ain't funny at all but were they really ever, an "answer record" to "Hot Rod Lincoln" called "Side Car Cycle", some neo-hard local rock from Bill Case and a whole load of things that aren't really tip top but Bill's bottom barrel makes most people's tip top look like rejects from the local Vacation Bible School. One question, are the Pyramids who do the halfway there "Playing Games" the same as the surf group who did "Penetration" all those years ago? Sure ain't the free jazz group that's for sure!
***In case yer wond'rin' how my week went well...mixed bag o' blessings here. Good news...found the old TEENAGE WASTELAND GAZETTEs I was searchin' for not to mention I WANNA BE YOUR DOG #1 as well as various funzines and the like that I plan on reading during those quiet times in my life. Also discovered quite a few that will probably go on the auction block when I get around to it. Bad news...still can't find my LOVE AND LAUGHTERs and not only that but I got spiked on my bid for a copy of I WANNA BE YOUR DOG #2 at the last second thus depriving me of a mag that I could truly sink my psyche into even if it all is in French (it's le spirite that counts). Oh well...if any of you out there plan to kill yourselves and have these fanzines and whatnot I can use, please include me in your will and be sure to have enough $$$ left to pay for postage and handling.
***BEDDY-BYE REPEATO PLAY OF THE WEEK---DR. MIX AND THE REMIX'S WALL OF NOISE: sounds like the last stop on the 1964-1981 rock as bared-wire intensity train ride to me, what with its recreation/rehashing of the Velvets/Stooges/Seeds/Troggs credo in electronic cyborg (yet still firmly punk) drama. It might just be a tad away from the electronica that permeated the sick eighties, but thankfully the o-mind attitude and approach that made the best rock of the past seventeen years keeps it from toppling over into Human League territory. How we have shriveled since then. Hope more of their offerings will be made to the public and like more sooner'n you know what...
***And like w/o any further, here are some of the things that have been splitting my peas these past few days. Thanks to Paul and Bill of course, though as for Bob well...I should say that I spun one side of the Tony Conrad tape you sent and it was swell but didn't get around to the rest. Will try to finish up for next time, so don't be too mad at me. Only managed to buy one newie for this week's roundup, but thankfully that problem should be taken care of next time we meet...
It's surprising how many of these heretofore unknown by moi platters dealing in European hard jazz have remained hidden more'n Anne Frank until now. These Total Music Association guys included---with a total eruption in the best Euro avant tradition I wonder why this platter never got the attention it deserves. They play in that German all-out style best typified by Peter Brotzmann and Gunter Hampel and this being a large "collective" so to speak you'll get an idea of where its headed. If you're a fan of those Alan Silva albums and the various Sun Ra arkestras WALPURGISNACHT goes in a sorta same direction. Given how there just has to be a download available somewhere on the web aren't you glad you're living in the here and now when such once impossible-to-latch sounds are now available with the mere flick of a finger???
***
Even though the movement started out as yet another fresh branch off the punk rock tree, by the late-eighties the whole "garage revival" shebang did seem kinda pallid once the decade ground to a thankful end. The whole "scene" just seemed to be awash in groups who might have adapted to the superficial aspects of the quest, but for the most part they just couldn't rock 'n roll out like their idols. The same thing happened to those Velvet Underground aspiring types who might have been able to pluck out "Sweet Jane"s galore on their acoustics but never could capture the bared-wire intensity the band wreaked throughout their late-sixties career. Somehow the sweetness, essential to the Velvets on scant occasion, made its imprint but the atonal thrust just couldn't latch onto the smooth walls of these precocious petunias' minds.
Of course as any Chesterfield Kings fan can tell you this wasn't always the case, and the early-to-mid eighties garage band scene was definitely brimming with a load of talent that was worthy of the mid-sixties credo as can be. Voxx's Gravedigger V were one bunch who could take the wild strains of the past and KEEP 'em wild, and this burnt offering is just fulla the kind of powerful teenage jamz that were being made available to us in the face of Prince. Too many covers'n not enough originals true, but the spirit is there and thankfully these guys didn't droop down into Sha Na Na mimic territory given how a good portion of this owes about as much to the New York Dolls as it does the Seeds.
The Unclaimed were one of the bands that revved up this whole sixties as mop top suburban knotty pine basement rehearsal room movement, and these El Lay Music Machine wannabes sure did a bang 'em up job on this platter which retains a sense of originality and spark 'stead of poses gleaned off faded SHINDIG memories. Lead singer Shelly Ganz's voice is rough and ragged like the better sixties belters, and he and band produced some mighty fine music that sure sounds better'n a good portion of the revival quap I was gettin' sent once 1988 rolled around. Of course a lotta this is akin to watching some eighties revival of a sixties sitcom 'stead of the real thing, but hey if nothin' else was available like, why up nose at it?
***
Not too bad recordings taken from Texas Tee-Vee which I'm sure must've upset a whole loada old timers tuning into the set hopin' to catch some thirties-vintage moom pitcher. Sound quality is pretty good considering the source and age, and the performance from Roy Orbison and band is top notch early rock 'n roll with that country feel that pretty much epitomized the white outlook on the form at the time. Longtime faves mixed in with a few originals make for one of the better fun times I've heard in fifties rock since my last spin of the Rock-A-Teens. Disque is filled up with a recorded phone conversation with the surviving bandmembers which ain't exactly thrilling, but you might learn a thing or two as Bill Cosby used to say and like no more comments about that!.
***
More of the Clash to bore us but considering how they're getting into their Jah Rastafari schtick maybe they're borin' us in-a Babylon. To be honest this ain't anything to up toffee nose over what with the interesting effects and catchy reggae riffs to help me ease off into slumberland. Kinda engaging like some rare early-sixties single produced by the likes of Joe Meek or even some dunce who didn't know what he was up to but hit upon a big surprise. Even the rap crap part sounded like it coulda been a MAD magazine free record enclosure.
***
Sure the guy was the young hot flash many of you thought he was back when he was fronting Ten Years After but sheesh, those old blooze lines done up by British Invasion hasbeens sure can wear thin. Has all the charm of one of those PBS specials that used to run on hot weekday afternoons and there was nothin' else on to watch but soap operas so you had little choice. An' sheesh, he doesn't even do that one song about dykes and fairies that actually got some noticeable FM airplay back 1971 way.
***
Here's one of them older Bill burns the guy musta sent me at least five years ago only I just happ't get to it now. Shouldn'ta waited so long because hey, this one is a good punch packer (as opposed to fudge packer) of a disque and filled with loads of fun material from a song poem from the king of 'em all Rod Rogers to the Joe E. Ross novelty "Ooh Ooh" (also on the Norton album A TRIBUTE TO JOE E. ROSS) and the theme from the GILLIGAN'S ISLAND pilot that was later shot around for the first episode of the actual series. Other surprises include a cut-in record originally released on the legendary Fenton label which ain't funny at all but were they really ever, an "answer record" to "Hot Rod Lincoln" called "Side Car Cycle", some neo-hard local rock from Bill Case and a whole load of things that aren't really tip top but Bill's bottom barrel makes most people's tip top look like rejects from the local Vacation Bible School. One question, are the Pyramids who do the halfway there "Playing Games" the same as the surf group who did "Penetration" all those years ago? Sure ain't the free jazz group that's for sure!
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