Thursday, December 2, 2010

David Bixby


Ode To Quetzalcoatl (which might be the best name for a record in the history of music) was originaly pressed on vinyl with a run of only 1,000 copies. David Bixby had recently "found God", but the drug addled folk singer was shunned by the conservative christians as well as the hippies (if only he'd wandered on to the set of Godspell). Eventually finding himself accepted by a cult, Bixby was asked to record this record to help fund them. Eventually he was disillusioned with the cult and managed to get out.

This is a deepy personal recording and there's a real eerie quality about it...plus you get awesome song titles like "Drug Song" and "666".

Q

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Saint Vitus


Sad news yesterday that original Saint Vitus drummer Armando Acosta passed away at 58 years young. As a guitar player, I never pay a whole lot of attention to the drums of a band but I do notice when they are especially amazing (Mountain's Corky Laing and Melvin's Dale Crover come to mind). Armando Acosta was also that kind of drummer.

I didn't hear Saint Vitus 'till the end of 1986 when I got SST's great comp tape "Blasting Concept 2". For me, the stand-out track was Saint Vitus's "Look Behind You". In fact Dave Chandler's Wah pedal sound on that (especially the awesome audible clicking off of the pedal) is what made me buy a wah pedal of my own. I've never forgotten how to play that song and can't help but play it every time I hook up the crybaby.

This early 12" EP is on the CD reissue of Hallow's Victim, which is amazing and since I think all their stuff is finally in print again, you might as well skip the download and head straight to their store. Oh wait, you already own this I bet...

War is our Destiny

Monday, November 29, 2010

Neil Merryweather



You can read all about Neil Merryweather here, but let's talk about this record. It's in the top ten of best rock records ever made. I'm not stating an opinion, that is a fact. More consistent than pretty much anything from that era, it's also explosive fuzz guitar at it's peak. Turn it up and you can feel the heat of vintage transistors being over driven as guitars scream to 11.

Not sure how to describe this one...partly later Electric Prunes, a bit of Highway Robbery, and 100x heavier than Edgar Winter at his rockingest. It's hooky, raw and LOUD.

This is also one of those records that is SO good, I gotta say that you'll miss out if skip around like it's so easy to do these days of mp3 blogs and torrents. Even the slower songs will get stuck in your head and have incredibly well written guitar parts.

As of now there are 2 from private sellers on Amazon for 18 bucks each, so if you don't take my word for it, check it out here first then go order this Canadian masterpiece of epic rock.

Is it just me or do the verses of "You Know Where I'd Rather Be" sound like it could be from a newer Melvins song?

Star Rider, eh?

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Powder


Wot's that you say? You like the 60s? You like the hip new rock beats coming from England like the Who and The Pretty Things? Well my friend, if you haven't listened to Powder's CD of mostly 1968 demos you're in for a groovy treat.
Powder were actually from San Mateo, a small town near San Francisco, and just a few train stops from Redwood City where I work. I couldn't find much info about any tours or label support, but after the short lived band broke up, Thomas and Richard Frost backed Sonny & Cher for a tour, then recorded a bunch of great (but very produced and sugary) pop tunes that you can get re-released here for a reasonable price.
In any case, ignore the reviews that say that these songs are just Who knockoffs...there are a couple semi-blatant riffs sure, but these guys definitely knew how to write great songs. I think you'll dig it.

Visualize

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The Dentists


The Dentists were a band from South Eastern England who formed in 1984, and released this amazing record just a year later. Pure jangle bliss, with plenty of 60s garage and psychedelia influences somewhat similar to The Soft Boys at their lighter moments or maybe '60s tunesmiths The Action. Well, whatever they really sound like, it's damned good and this could be the first, true "Brit-Pop" record. If you lik pop, prepare to listen to this for the rest of the day.

Powdered Lobster Fiasco

Friday, October 15, 2010

Embryo


It's been a while since I've posted, so I thought I'd better come back with something really good. So, here's one of my favorite krautrock/prog albums of all time. In fact, wikipedia calles them "one of the most important German Krautrock bands of the 1970s".

What do they sound like? Some of the guitar reminds me of Hawkwind, some of the bass lines remind me of Goblin and then there's the world beat element that's a little like Mandrill, while "Marimbaroos" verges on Martin Denny space rock. OK, that's not super accurate but they're a hard band to pin down. If any of what I mention strikes a nerve though, you'll want to take a listen.

also, did you know there's also a documentary about their 1979 bus tour throughout India? It's called Vagabond's Band. Here's a preview. If you don't watch it, you're an idiot!

Oktoberfest

Friday, October 1, 2010

Stitch


OK, so I grabbed this off another blog a while back but I can't think of a better "obscure" metal 7" to start October with than this...not that I really tried mind you.

Anyway, for fuck's sake check these guys out. They were a Swedish band but this single sounds really NWOBHM. The A side, "Devil's Deal" is catchy as hell and features some pretty amazing lyrics too.

NWOSHM

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Highway Robbery


Sneaking in one of my all-time favorite rock records before October gets here, Highway Robbery's sole LP "For Love Or Money" is cut from the same cloth as Grand Funk and Cactus (at their best). Heavy fuzzed out guitars and great lead vocals with sweet harmonies.
I don't know much about these guys, but a couple of them went on to be in ATLEE. If you like music, check these guys out - you won't be sorry!

Lazy Woman

Monday, September 27, 2010

The Stripper


I gotta thank the folks over at RockyMusic for this one. I don't own this album, but I'd love to find a copy.

Richard O'Brian (Rocky Horror, Shock Treatment, The Crystal Maze, etc...) wrote this noir/pulp musical (based on a Carter Brown novel) which hit the stage in 1982. For any fan of Rocky Horror this is a must have. Even though I love that film and Shock Treatment, I'd never hunted this down...'till now! More info on it here.

Baby You Give Me a Hard On

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Shit From An Old Camcorder


While I'm being lazy working 6 days a week and not posting any new records to my blog (some vinyl rips soon though!) here's some recent stuff I uploaded to Youtube:

Melvins live at UCLA 1993

Bikini Kill live at the Macondo, LA.

And a cheezy little horror movie short I made in the 12th grade


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Field Trip


This post is for those of you who have a soft spot for late 80s/early 90s college rock. Anyone? OK, well back then my weekends consisted of taping Headbanger's Ball and 120 Minutes on MTV. Remember when you had to PAY for music? And you couldn't type things like "Poison Idea live" into youtube and spend hours watching great underground clips? Well, watching free music stuff on TV was pretty sweet back then, even if it wasn't totally your cup of tea, or even if you had to stay up till 2 a.m. to watch the one Didjits or Nuclear Assault video they were going to play.

Anyways, Field Trip's video "Slumberjack" was one such tune played once or twice and after several listens on my VHS tape, I picked up the CD. It's a bit more mellow and produced than the stuff I listened to even back then, but there are some great tunes and catchy guitar twangs. They did a reunion recently and were way more rockin and abrasive then this CD would suggest. Hopefully they'll play again. I uploaded a couple shitty clips from my cell phone as well.

If you're a fan of stuff like fIREHOSE, the Meat Puppets and Wonderful Broken Thing / Chance the Gardener give this a spin. "Blue Blanket"is my favorite tune on here, and did I mention this band features the drummer from the amazing MENSCLUB?

Music

Video Clips

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Real Greg Brady


Holy Sherwood Schwartz! This is an amaaazing CD single.

Let's get one thing straight. I LOVE the Brady Bunch. That show NEVER jumped the shark (yes, I even liked the music, the Hawaii and Grand Canyon episodes, AND Robbie Rist as everyone's favorite jinx Cousin Oliver). Hell, I even enjoyed the cheezy Very Brady Christmas's and how could you not love the Variety Hour? Fake Jan and all...Even the cartoons...and yes, even Ann B. Davis's cookbook. I'm a fan.

You know, Barry Williams has a TON of talent, but I don't think he's ever gotten to show much of it off. Maybe if he'd gotten Donnie Osmond's gig in the Technicolor Dreamcoat...but I digress. Here Barry sings three (pretty similar) versions of Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady" (maybe one of the most annoying rap songs ever written) but changes the words to be about his career as Greg Brady. Some of it's in really bad taste too! The 4th song is taken from the "Return of Johnny Bravo" disc and is a cover of "We Are The Champions" by Queen. It's totally unnecessary, sure, but he does a pretty stellar job of it. Let me know what you think, and don't tattle on me for uploading it.

Time To Change

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Cat Rapes Dog


My bandmates and I were talking about that Swedish Death Metal book last night, which doesn't have much to do with Cat Rapes Dog, but maybe I had Swedes on the brain this morning.
Cat Rapes Dog are my all-time favorite industrial (or "electro-punk" if you like that term) band and have been since my friend Lindsay dubbed me a few songs off this record back in '90 or '91.

Cat Rapes Dog was started in 1984 by Joel Rydström and Magnus Fransson, just one year after Skinny Puppy's debut ep and Alien Sex Fiend's first cassette, but they never got the attention those bands did. "God Guns & Gasoline" didn't come out 'til 1990, but it's still my favorite. "Maximum Overdrive" is another excellent record (especially the track "Schizophrenia").

Anyways, check this out unless you want to buy the CD on amazon for $255 new. (or used from private sellers at around $9). Crank up tracks like "Homo Bulldozer", or "American Dream" and blow something up.

Ass For a Brain

Oh why the hell not- here is the OOP "Maximum Overdrive" as well:

Hell Is Real

Monday, August 30, 2010

Dull Knife


A year before I was born, West Germany's Dull Knife cut this unusual Prog Rock LP. I dig it, but it took a few listens to appreciate the less rocking tunes like "Walk Along The Muddy Road" and the rock opera sounding "Song Of A Slave". There are better German prog records out there, but don't let this one slip through the cracks.
Also, come on man -look at that cover!

Wounded Knee

Monday, August 23, 2010

Hausu


Possibly the craziest film ever made is Nobuhiko Obayahi's Hausu (AKA "House", 1977). I gotta thank the Manchester Morgue for posting this last year and turning me on to the film which had gone under my radar 'till then. The soundtrack is nearly as wacky, ranging from Goblin-esque prog to 70s rock that would be more at home in a Leif Garrett foosball flick.
So nope, this one I don't actually own but will be happy to buy should it become available — just as I currently own a copy of Hausu, but can't wait for the Criterion release due out soon.

Cherries Were Made For Eating

Goldy


Back in 1994 when I was pimpin' (yeah right) I ordered this CD from one of those Colombia House 9 records for a penny deals. It's as funky as you'd expect from the dangerous crew, and it's a slightly more consistent record than anything Too $hort or Ant Banks released (IMHO). the rhymes keep coming and the bass sounds like a wet fart from a big black booty. Way fucking underrated. Too $hort, as usual, makes a guest appearance and like on Ant Banks's "Big Badass" busts rhymes that rival those on his own recordings.

If you don't feel like burying your face in the nappy dugout after listening to this, then you're listening wrong.

Oakland, California Where the Mac Was Made

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Methuselah


I have to admit, I'm a big fan of Renaissance folk band Amazing Blondel. I'm not ashamed and I'll be posting some too if it falls in the OOP/hard to find category. Methuselah is the prior HEAVY ROCK band of John Gladwin and Terry Wincott. Actually, the first track isn't very heavy. If you're one of those impatient iTunes skippers who never listens to a complete album, skip that track and start on track 2 .
Oh, the weird religious lyrics are a turn off? Too bad- this ain't "Godspell", it's "Jesus Christ Superstar" on PCP. Now go dig this slab of heavy UK psyche, heathen!

Spine of God

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Black Jack

VINYL RIP

Man, there were some great punk rock records in the mid to late 90s. No, really! The Candy Snatchers, Hookers, Spiderbabies, Son of Hercules, ANTiSEEN...just a few who put out some great stuff. One underrated classic is Black Jack's self-titled LP.
Estrus put this out then seemed to disown it when Black Jack pissed off everyone at a Garage Shock fest with a barrage of heel shit-talking that didn't go over so well (from what I remember reading — I couldn't find out anything online).
A mix of the Misfits, ANTiSEEN, and early '80s West Coast punk, it was an unusual release from Estrus and at the time a breath of fresh air from a label whose releases were getting a bit "same-y". It didn't get great reviews, but this is a fun fucking record — raw, sloppy, and catchy as hell.
Ripped from my LP in glorious 320kbps, the songs go into one another so I left the tracks as "Side A" and "Side B" (Jpg of track listing included). Anyone have more info on these guys or what they're up to now? Lemme know in the comments!

I'm Gonna Step On You!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Ronsons


The Ronsons featured Kurt Vanderhoof of Metal Church and the Lewd, and Dan Garrett of Murder and the Fuckin' Flyin' A-Heads.
Two of their songs ("Butcher Town" and "You'll Be Taken Care Of") were covered by Buzz and Dale of the Melvins and Pat Fear of White Flag in their one-single project, "Sawed Off" (Gastatanka Records).
This is a 37 minute live and practice tape of the Ronsons, and I think all that exists. I ripped my cassette, but did a little mastering and it sounds pretty good overall. I forgot to do hiss reduction, so there's a bit of that goin' on...but don't let it scare you off, it's a GREAT listen for those adventurous enough.

You'll Be Taken Care Of

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Griffin



This lost classic made the blog circuit for a while and it's CD reissue came and went pretty fast -but in case you missed it, this is some damn INCREDIBLE power metal.
A bit like Paul DiAnno-era Maiden getting jumped in a dark alley by Raven all with amazing sheiks and growls from singer William McKay. Very competent and creative guitar work throughout as well. Fucking essential man!


Heavy Metal Attack

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Ten Yard Fight


If you're in a manly mood, no other music hits the spot like some youth crew hardcore. Well, perhaps a Manowar record would do the trick as well but then I'm not sure European heshers embrace the male bonding as much as the hardcore scene - and besides, nothing says "touching ass" like football-themed straight-edge hardcore.
Actually, this is one of my favorite pieces of hardcore from the '90s. The Outlast 10" comes close, and I'll put that up if it's OOP as well.
TYF uses football imagery as a metaphor for the sXe lifestyle ("You fumbled the ball" = breaking edge, get it?) and while it's all a bit tounge-in-cheek, the great songwriting have made these demos a classic. Youth crew sXe was always a good soundtrack for doing hotrails of speed to as well.
Anyway, if American football isn't your thing, and you'd rather hit the gym, Aesop recently posted this great (and funny) Dead Lift cassette here, otherwise check it out!

When the Cowboys Were Strong

Monday, July 12, 2010

Mel Gibson




I'm not posting any music today, because I'm too busy listening to this amazing tape:
(also, because I am lazy).

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/07/exclusive-new-audio-mel-gibson-admits-hitting-oksana-threatens-kill-her-listen-it

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Bad News


As Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth would say: "BAD NEWS EVERYBODY!".

Even though Spinal Tap started as a Rob Reiner sketch from 1979, spoof metal band Bad News (featuring three cast members of the Young Ones) beat the Tap movie by a year.
Debuting on BBCs channel 4 in 1983, the first Bad News short film focused on the band's struggles as a pub rock metal band in England. "More Bad News" released half a decade later had the band gaining moderate success and playing at the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington.
While this CD can be enjoyed without having seen the films, I advise to watch the video first. Also, unlike the Spinal Tap records, this has comedy skits as well as their incompetent Motorhead-esque songs. This is a great CD, so quit listening to Mary Hopkin numbers and download some BAD NEWS!

I could play "Stairway to Heaven" when I was twelve. Jimmy Page didn't actually write it until he was twenty-two. I think that says quite a lot. —Vim

Lager

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Sylvain Sylvain

VINYL RIP (320 kbps)


Overshadowed by Johnny Thunders larger than life druggie "Guitar God" persona, Sylvain wasn't exactly "chopped liver". Though never much of a song writer with the dolls, he really proves his worth on this RCA solo record. The music on this is similar to what Roy Loney of the Flamin' Groovies did solo - a 70s take on 1950s Rock 'n' Roll.
Even though clean and wimpy production plagues this from being a great album, Sylvain's catchy tunes make it a must own for any fan. If "Teenage News" doesn't make you wanna get up and twist then there's something wrong with you.

Dance Like a Monkey


Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Baby Sitters


If more people knew Alan Arkin was in a children's music folk band, this CD would be in print and more popular than Lady GaGa.
Not as weird as "Sharon, Lois and Bram" but still highly entertaining, the Baby Sitters incorporated pots and pans and non traditional instruments and sometimes did some mighty strange vocalizing. It makes me wish I was still sucking on my mom's ripe tit. Well, not my mom's, but someone's.

40 pee-boner inducing tracks broken into 2 parts:

Part 1
Part 2 (contains insert scans)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Serpent Crown


My new favorite bay area band is Serpent Crown who feature an all star cast of miscreants: Dara Santhai (Santhai,Ravana,and local artist extraordinaire), Will Carroll (Old Grandad, Scarecrow, Death Angel, Cutthroats 9) and Dave Dinsmore (Lab, later era Bl’ast!, Unida). Strangely enough Dave — who plays barefoot — had his shoes stolen by our old drummer once when we played with one of his bands.
Serpent Crown are a tasteful blend of black metal, power metal and thrash, with Dara’s singing adding a bit of really cool 45 grave style to it all. At least that’s my take on them — I can’t really keep up with all the sub-genres these days. In any case, it all makes for a pretty rare original sound during an oversaturated time for heavy music. AND it rocks!

DaraBeast

Dr. Bob's Nightmare


I don't know how popular they were in their hometown of Hostile City, Philadelphia, PA but Dr. Bob's Nightmare remain to me the best '90s band that never "made it".
Super catchy in the vein of the Hard-Ons, and grittier than stuff like the Queers or the Parasites, this CD has never collected too much dust over the past 15 years.
After their break-up, they formed the 440s down in Arizona. I know Wendy now lives out here in the Bay Area and still plays music, but if you have any more info on these guys then leave a fucking comment!

Kansas City Bomber

art

Friday, June 25, 2010

Strange Fruit


One of my favorite "Dramedies" is the 1998 film, "Still Crazy". If Spinal Tap wasn't a mockumentary and had more story and heart, it wold be something similar perhaps. Also, Bill Nighy (Pirate Radio, Sean of the Dead, Pirates OTC movies, etc...) is just amazing as the aging lead singer/wanker Ray Simms.
Strange Fruit's music varies from Thin Lizzy meet Bad Company ("All Over The World") to doomy over the top acid rock ("Scream Freedom") but you won't enjoy it nearly as much (or maybe at all) unless you've first seen the film.



Monday, June 14, 2010

My Van Was Stolen!! -and Just found!



I am angry. And sad, but pretty fucking ANGRY. I will post an ANGRY MUSIC comp here tomorrow. But in the meantime, my sweet ride is gone.
I blogged about her here and even made her a mixtape.



*Update! The police found the van. Bayshore area off 3rd st. They snagged my radiator and fucked up some shit getting to it. They also stole both batteries and tore off half my front bumper and pulled out my hood release. I'm insured for damages...but I'm sure the insurance thing will be a big pain to deal with. I may have to pay some $ out of pocket. Bah.


Yiddish Folk Music


I'm getting so sick of all the requests for Yiddish folk music, that I decided to cave in and post some. I got this CD eighteen years ago when I worked at a record shoppe (a quality LaserLight product!) and I've kept it over the years because there's something eerie and depressing to me about this music. I also found it pretty fucking weird. My favorite track is "Ein Mul Ti Ich Si Banaien". I have no idea what it means, but it brings to mind a father who is brooding over what a dissapoinment his son is to him. Though perhaps I am projecting.


If I Were a Rich Man


Friday, June 11, 2010

Game Room Soundtrack


Lately I've been playing a lot of X-Box Game Room. For those who don't know, it's a virtual multi-leveled arcade space where your X-box "Avatar" goes and can purchase classic arcade, Atari 2600 and Intellivision games for three bucks each. Added features are "mascots", 3D replicas of the original arcade cabinets, leaderboards, the ability to record and rewind gameplay, and creating and sending game challenges to your friends. I've been playing M.A.M.E. (a free emulator program) since it came out, but game room is much, much more fun, even with some of its bugs.
Anyways, on a forum I go to "Game Room soundtracks" were discussed, so I thought I'd upload mine. It's mostly old New Wave with some punk and classic metal thrown in. Again nothing obscure, so only download if you feel like listening to this sort of comp or have blisters on your thumbs due to infuriating hours of Gravitar and Space Duel.

Pac Man Fever

JPG of track list

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Glenn Tipton's Flying Hat Band


This is actually half of a post, because instead of ripping the entire split CD bootleg of The Flying Hat Band and Antrobus, I'm only doing the four Tipton tunes. Antrobus are actually Scotland's Iron Claw (for some strange reason) who are AMAZING, but whose CDs are in print and reasonably priced.
As for the flying hat band, their unreleased LP isn't out anywhere so far as I know, but these four songs are available on your finer boots and blogs. Supposedly the record label thought it sounded too much like Sabbath and didn't release it (they were also from Birmingham and had the same management company). Personally, I think they have more in common with Deep Purple and Captain Beyond** but what do I know anyway?

Hallelujah!



**BTW, if anyone knows where Rod Evans lives in San Francisco, let me know. I wanna buy him lunch.

King Tuff


Sometimes I hear a record and think: "GODDAMN, there was a chance I wouldn't have stumbled across this and my life would have been BULLSHIT!" Well, that's a bit how I felt when I heard "King Tuff Was Dead".
King Tuff is Vermont native Kyle Thomas of Witch (and new band Happy Birthday) fame and I first heard his music on Caroline Keddy's KUSF show. It was one of those rare instances where I grabbed a post-it and wrote down the name of the artist and record, because I had to have it. I had heard people mention "King Tuff" once or twice, but I assumed he was some Lee Scratch Perry reggae figure I hadn't heard of.
Finding "Was Dead" in record stores or online — even the second pressing — isn't an easy task. there is a second pressing on eBay as I type but it's going for $19.99 + $5 shipping. Well, 'til something cheaper (like a 3rd pressing) comes along, take a listen here. Also, Happy Birthday just released their first record and it's available from Sub Pop.

It's a Gas-s-s-s

Sunday, June 6, 2010

No Fraud


No Fraud from Venice, Florida have been "keeping it real" playing skate rock/hardcore since the mid-80s. The first EP is a brilliant piece of G.B.H. influenced hardcore, while their debut LP, "Hard to the Core" adds a bit more melody a-la early Dag Nasty. This CD comp has both of those as well as their "Cheezier Than Thou" cassette.
Thanks to my buddy Pete Jay for giving me this here CD ten or so years back - he was also one of many revolving members of No Fraud.

They may be playing a skate park near you, so be on the look out, poseur!

Puszone

Friday, June 4, 2010

Guest Blogger...Iggy Pop?


Iggy Pop wants you to hear this music and who the fuck are you to say no? He was cutting open his chest when you were cutting open your Stretch Armstrong, candyass.
This comp came free with an issue of "Mojo" I picked up (mostly for this comp, though that magazine does have some great features in it from time to time). It's not obscure stuff, but it is a good, solid comp that has already come with me on a road trip or two. It's the kind of CD that everyone in the van can agree on.
The liner notes list ALL 43 of Iggy's musical selections (only 15 made it), so I scanned that in too. Some really great stuff.


A Little Bit O' Soul


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Pussy Galore


What's that you say? The original "Exile on Mainstreet" isn't raw enough for you? Well, no matter - Pussy Galore will make it totally unlistenable!
That is, unless you're the special type who loves the lowest of the lo-fi. Bassholes, Gibson Brothers, '68 Comeback and the like. when I was 18 this stuff said to me that it was perfectly acceptable to release a boom box recording on vinyl. Not just a good sounding boom box recording either. How about a recording at the back of a shitty club you were playing (while drunk and out of tune) with batteries that were dying and annoying beer bottles clinking around? Your record need not have to sound like Boston or Queen or even as quality as the Cramps or Ramones - That's what Jon Spencer and Jeffery Evens tought me. Bless them.
In any case, if you love Exile give this a listen. If you already love Pusy Galore how about revisiting this great tribute to commemorate Exile's anniversary? Eh? Nudge Nudge.

It's Just A Click Away
It's Just A Click Away

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Tar Babies


In an era before The Bellrays and the Dap Kings, the Tar Babies (and the Big Boys) were bringing out the funk!

Three ex members of the Madison, Wisconsin hardcore scene calling themselves the "Tar Babies" and playing funk music must have been pretty daring back in 1982 (depending on what side of the tracks they were performing at I imagine). While their earlier band Mecht Mensch were a pretty great punk band, the Tar Babies were also more than capable at handling complex funk-based tunes. Less jazzy than their SST label mates, Universal Congress Of... and certainly less punk or "alternative" than the rest of the roster, perhaps they were just out of place in the '80s and never got as huge as they should have been (after all, the Chili Peppers didn't get big 'till they "whited" up their sound). If not for the "Savannah Slamma" skate video they were in 21 years ago, I may have never heard of them either.
"No contest" is my favorite, but "Honey Bubble" and "Fried Milk" are classics as well. I got their 4th record on cassette several years ago...but I've actually never played it yet for some reason.

fun fact: their bass player is the drummer of Old Skull's dad!


Husker Dude


Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Shonen Knife


It's my birthday, so I'm feeling happy. Shonen Knife reminds me of happy.
For me this is their "classic" album. It features a few of my favorite songs (Baggs, Lazybones, Diet Run) as well as a great cover of "The Luck of the Irish" featuring Redd Kross's Jeff McDonald. Another great track is the tribute to one of my favorite bands called simply "Blue Oyster Cult" that borrows ever so slightly from Agents Of Fortune's "Debbie Denise".
If a few of you are new to Shonen Knife, don't let the first song (that sounds more like Cibo Matto) scare you off. You're also better off starting with 1992's "Let's Knife", which is sort of a re-recorded compilation of earlier stuff.

After this, go listen to the Sleaze Sisters, Supersnazz and the 5,6,7,8's!

Bear Up Bison

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

TSOL - Change Today?


I first heard of T.S.O.L. in 6th grade, because for some weird reason all the 7th graders (even the preppies) somehow got into them (maybe it was the same year they played a party in the desert - a show my band mate Nick got to see - and news spread to us middle schoolers?). In any case, I'd heard them ("Code Blue" really appealed to my sense of humor at the time), and seen pictures of them when I got my "Hardcore Punk in California Book" in 8th grade, but I didn't get INTO them 'til a year later when in 9th grade (the year I really got into all the punk stuff) I bought a skate video called "Summer Sessions". the video was pretty crappy, but it was my first skate video so I watched it over and over again. Also, the entire soundtrack was nearly every song off of "Change Today?"
It was the beginning of the end for TSOL, and by the time I was a senior, my friend who was into stuff like Tesla, Skid Row and Guns 'n' Roses became a fan (always the sign of a band going "mersh"). They also, as you know had no more original members.

Anyways, at band practice the other day we all broke into an A cappella version of "How Do", and last practice I annoyed Nick trying to figure out the riff to "Red Shadows". He swears he'll never listen to this record again after that. This is for you, buddy!

p.s. For some reason I never got in to the opening track, "Black Magic" so I always start on the second song. Always. Maybe I'll give it another chance.


Heroin!


Thursday, May 20, 2010

HORNSS


Wow, how long has it been? So yeah, I got the old '83 diesel chevy van and haven't blogged since!
Just one more thing to suck up my time, right? Also I went back home to Palm Springs for a few days (Film Noir festival and Grandma's 89th birthday!), also been working 6 days a week as usual, and band practice...and to top it off street cleaning is 7 DAYS A WEEK in my neighborhood! And they still can't get rid of the human shit that's everywhere! I mean, if you're homeless and you gotta poo, by all means take a dump on the street, I don't own the sidewalk or tarmac...just clean up as best you can, or make some kind of effort. Sheesh!

Anyways, I'm still kinda busy, but more rips are on the way! In the meantime, our new band finally has a Myspace page with a couple rough songs recorded at band practice (with overdubs and tinkering obviously)

check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/HORNSS

http://www.myspace.com/hornssf

be back soon with something good!

-Mike

Friday, April 30, 2010

Rolling Rooms: A Blog the Jerk! Comp


I basically grew up in the late '70s and early '80s. At least those were the formative years of me sneaking my first beer, managing to score a few copies of Oui magazine from a friend, trying cigarettes and weed for the first time, and watching all kinds of things on cable my mom didn't know I was watching.
Back in those days a young kid could glean from movies that a. you weren't cool without a cool car and b. you will never get laid without a cool car. and c. beer and weed were cool (this was pre Nancy Regan, remember). The "cool cars" back then (according to Hollywood) were Corvettes and Custom Vans. The film "The Van" and the van featured in "Rock n Roll High School" left a permanent mark on my brain, and though my first two cars were neither of those things, I have gone through life with van-envy. Until now.
That's right, I finally got myself an old Chevy van! A 1983 G20 with a diesel engine (vegetable oil conversion kit included). Am I excited? HELL YES. Of course parking it in San Francisco is going to be a nightmare (as of this post I'm picking her up in a day or two).
Well, 'till I pick her up, I have been obsessively "vanning" the internet. I Joined a couple of online van sites, been reading mechanic manuals on my van, and constantly visioning all the custom things I wanna do to her. I also made this Van-tastic (yeah I went there) comp for my first trip out with her!
I'm not posting a track list since some of it is major label, in print stuff...but it's a "mixtape", so no harm done. It's pretty freewheelin' and I tried to mix some old hits with some more obscure stuff (like the James Rolleston song from "Bad News Bears in Breaking Training" and "S.O.U.L.")

Vankhana

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Tony Rojas


Most of San Francisco knows Tony from being in Shotwell (and Flophouse and his other current bands), however, hidden deep in the recesses of Tony’s closet (according to Jimmy Shotwell) lie boxes of Tony’s solo CD. It’s too bad there aren't more out there, 'cause for a while this didn’t leave my stereo and a lot of people would really dig it.
It might not be for every fan of his other bands — some of it sounds more like Chance the Gardner or Wonderful Broken Thing rather than the sorta Mission District peace punk (if that’s what you wanna call it) he normally plays — but if you’re like me and like mellower stuff too (Bill Fox's solo stuff comes to mind on “Brother”) you might wanna give this a chance. There’s also a couple garage rock stompers, a little bit of Cheap Trick, and some good ol' political lyrics, including a better, acoustic version of Shotwell’s “R U Insane”.

Salt of the Earth

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Meat Sluts


The definition of a "good time at a show" is a Meat Sluts show. I don't know if it's their cute outfits, occasional contests or guy bounding about in a giant hot dog costume, but they also have good catchy garage punk songs to back it up. I generally hate "prop rock" bands, but they ain't no "prop rock" band.
The Meat sluts feature ex-members of the Double D's, the Loudmouths, and the Womentors. Scarlet (the most exuberant drummer in the city) also plays in Lost Puppy . The Meat Sluts are a band that encourages elbow raising and I've definitely been pretty wasted every time I've seen them. Also, even tho' one of 'em is vegan and one vegetarian you may still find yourself covered in Oscar Mayer corpse by the end of their set. Last time I saw them at the El Rio, the whole place stunk like a 3rd grader's lunchbox.
Anyways, the band gave the OK to have their CD posted here, so check it out, and next time they're in your town, go check them out!

HubbaBubbaBaby

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Glam!


Glam, glitter, bubblegum...I was never too sure what the major differences were, but I used to eat all that shit up like a Jolly Rancher covered Pixie Stick. This fine compilation will school all but the highest authority on the genre — most bands on here barely put out a single or two, I think — and will make the less jaded step into some knee high sparkle boots and get down.

I scanned the insert at a readable size and included it, since there's a wealth of info on the bands (and some snazzy photos). Great songs, obscure bands, what's not to like??

Do Ya Wanna Touch?


Sunday, April 18, 2010

MRR Radio



While I'm figuring out what to rip and trying to muster up the energy to do a whole slew of new posts, my friend Ron asked me to be a guest DJ on his Maximum Rock n Roll podcast. I like what I played, and the other guys played some killer tunes -most of which I'd never heard before. So check it out! Lots of DRUNK fun!

link to podcast page. Right click "download", or just click it to play in browser.

MRR

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Monster Comp Time!



Howdy folks,

Been busy and not ripping anything —and prolly won't for a few days yet, but in the meantime I was a guest blogger over at Illogical Contraption, where Shelby gave me the blog theme of "Monsters". I made a 38 (?) track comp so check it out if ya wanna!

How to Make a Monster

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Haunted Garage


Let's go back to 1990 Hollywood. There was no band in L.A. more fun and entertaining than Haunted Garage. Not The Duchess Se Sade, not the Mentors, not even Celebrity Skin. Live, in a spectacle of fake blood, mousetraps and gore gore girls, you'd hardly notice that their songs weren't very good. Unfortunately, this being an MP3 blog and all, it's their songs — not a live video — that I'm posting.
I remember one show I went to on the morally bankrupt "Sunset Strip" had Tool and White Zombie opening for these paragons of gore. I think they opened with a woman giving birth to singer Dukey Flyswatter that night. I can't remember. But I still have a photo of it somewhere.
Last time I saw Dukey he was at Mondo Video (RIP) browsing the horror, and shorty after I moved back to S.F. they played a reunion show that I can only imagine was amazing.

Satan Of The Morning

Friday, April 2, 2010

Kryst The Conqueror



1989 was not really a good year for two Misfits to release a classic 80s metal sounding record. Maybe there really never was a good time for this to be released. Back then I was burnt on stuff like Maiden and getting into the noisier punk records being released. Still, I couldn't resist picking this CD up a couple decades ago in a cut-out bin.
you know what? It's a pretty damn decent EP of 1984ish metal. It's like they didn't care (or were aware) of what was happening in music at the time. they got Jeff Scott Soto (of Yngwie's Rising Force) to come in to the studio, called him "Christ the Conqueror" and made him sing some awesomely corny fantasy lyrics. It's not often that something I thought was a total joke at the time becomes a personal favorite.
Anyways, most of you remember this one, but maybe you haven't heard it in a long time. It may have grown on you since you last gave it a spin, or maybe it's like what my mom said in the late 80s: "The music of today finally makes appreciate KISS".

Thunder Thruster