Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 103
Date: Sunday, 7 May 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 103
Sunday, 7 May 2000
Topics:
NEWELL/CLEANERS MP3 still available
Humble pie
I heard the single!
Can somebody please explain?
Generation X-Ray Spex
The Albums I Listen To/Lost Bands
Universial Honey
Is it a promo or an advance copy?
Wisely peeps
Bill, & a great forgotten album
My great lost album: M's "The Official Secrets Act"
Hi - newbie here
Fingerprintz and some other band.
bicker backer brew ha ha
Time for a quick Napster
Translation, anyone?
Therapy for Chris Vreeland
TVT
Re: Great Lost Band
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 17:54:49 -0400 From: "Ian C Stewart" <ian@AUTOreverse.net> Subject: NEWELL/CLEANERS MP3 still available Message-ID: <200005062157.RAA31734@mail.netwalk.com> Hi Just wanted to let everyone know that the MARTIN NEWELL/CLEANERS FROM VENUS exclusive (and official!) MP3 on AUTOreverse is still there! And still free to download! The song is "Incident In A Greatcoat," which will be on the Cleaners compilation "My Back Wages," out this summer on Jarmusic. And it's awesome! Hear the raw, un-Partridged charm of The Cleaners! http://www.autoreverse.net/ The Martin Newell issue of AUTOreverse is still available as well. Ordering info is on the website. Any questions, I'm your guy... Ian C Stewart
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 19:59:38 EDT From: KINGSTUNES@aol.com Subject: Humble pie Message-ID: <36.58b2dc3.26460bea@aol.com> Alright, my turn. This will be civil, no yelling. I apologize for taking up this much space on the subject, so I plan to respond once more to Dom and relax for a while. Give this a rest, right? When I return, I will keep to more fun stuff! I freely admit that I have been arrogant. I am sorry if that has offended some on this list. I descended to the pits of of being a pompous asshole. I am sorry. That being said... >>Yeah, true enough. "Vincebus Eruptum" and all that business...pretty damn close to what Sabbath were doing, but nowhere near successful or well known enough to deserve the same accolades (as you seem to concede). Americans always mention Blue Cheer, just like they always mention Elvis when we all know that Cliff is the true King!<< My point was that there were a lot of early musicians and recordings that were seminal in the developement of metal. All of it is Rock N' Roll, ultimately. one thing leads to another. But Black Sabbath is the first group I recall that went whole hog into that sound. As a precursor, Blue Cheer is releveant, no? >>Oh yeah, and "youngster"? Nice try, but making yourself sound like a prize git isn't going to make me angry.<< Again, I apologize. Then again, you were putting up some fighting words yourself! I'll make a deal. Express your opinion without getting personal, like you have avoided doing so in your last posting, and I'll do the same. OK? You are obvioulsy knowledgable and passionate, and we can agree and disagree without the boxing gloves. I think the chalkhillers would agree. >>I think you'll find it was William Burroughs, but bless your heart for trying.<< (re: the term Heavy Metal) You're quite right. I completely forgot. ''Naked Lunch'. Steppenwolf were the first to use it, however. >>Rubbish. That's where your argument falls over, goes a bit pale and vomits copiously into the gutter...from your perspective, sure, metal is limited and narrow. It isn't really like that, but certainly the stuff that most people get to hear fits your description...point (not really) taken.<< (about the versatility of metal) OK, I'm certain you know more about metal than I. I obviously have not heard a great deal of what's out there. But I will tell you this. I am a teacher, as well as a professional musician. I have seen kids come to me for 26 years now, wanting to play the latest whatever. My attitude, which developed quickly, was not to be condescending, but to give them what they want. In return, they would be exposed to whatever I could throw their way. I never told any of them that what they were listening to was rubbish. In all that time, I have figured out and taught all sorts of stuff, and a lot of metal. I was not a huge Van Halen fan (just an example! I'm not calling them metal or whatever! please, bear with me!) but through the kids I learned how to play Eruption, Hot For Teacher, etc.; and from that I gained an understanding and appreciation for Eddie's innovations. I also soon learned that his tapping techniques were not original - soon I was turning these same students onto Alan Holdsworth and Frank Zappa. I had a connection! Now, in all that time, I have heard a lot of metal and taught some. Maybe I didn't get the picture, but it seems to me that if it veered to far from its signature crunch, attiude, minor key, diminshed 5th Marshall distortion sound, the kids were complaining that the artists in question were selling out. My point about Led Zeppelin being more verstaile was based on the fact that the musical landscape of the times permitted them to move from acoustic to reggae to blues and so on, and they could do it because they were versed enough in other music forms to do it and the times allowed for it. Many groups, Beatles, Stones and Kinks included, were thoroughly versatile, and any given album would run the gamut. I have simply not heard any metal albums that do so, although I have heard some great acoustic work. You teach me! Tell me what to listen for. But I ask you, in all humble sincerety, that if metal gets too versatile, doesn't it run the risk of losing it's audience? >>Remembering the old days doesn't make your opinions any more valid than mine I'm afraid.<< "Day after day, alone on a hill...." I suppose when the last holocaust victim is dead, we can rewrite WWII as we please. I know, that's an extreme example, but to say that having been around when history was made is not relevent to a historical discussion is a little, shall we say, far fetched? I apologize if you felt your validity was being questioned. I only wanted to shed some light. >>(Regarding Zep being ahead of Sabbath)<< Come on, that's just being silly. I know my facts - Sabbath formed in 1967 and Led Zep formed in 1968, so you're just plain wrong on that one.<< Well, first, I didn't know that. Maybe that meant something in Britain, but (excuse me for being there) their first release in the States, which I assume to be their debut (I could be wrong), was in either '70 or '71. I remember a friend of mine had it, and it was pretty scary, especially the title tune. Zeppelin's first release was in early '69, almost 2 years before. Sabbath may have been formed first, but it took them a while to become noticed on the world stage and to have their effect, while Zeppelin had already made history. >>Maybe the phrase "heavy metal" wasn't used before Zep appeared, but once Tony Iommi started playing those powerchords the ball was rolling...he hit that Bflat in "Black Sabbath" and the genre was born.<< I agree 100% percent there. That dimished 5th with that saturation of fuzz was the herald. That's exactly what I meant when I first said that metal truly began with Sabbath. By the way, have you ever heard the 'Iron Butterfly Theme' on their first album, 'Heavy'? -I'm not saying it's metal, but a pretty good precursor. You might like it, if you haven't heard it. >>A lot of metal fans (and Slayer fans are a classic example) would not accept AC/DC or Kiss as metal bands, for purely aesthetic reasons. They're seen as being too sissy or not heavy enough, but go to any Kiss or AC/DC concert and the audience is composed almost entirely of easily identifiable metal fans.<< No argument there. But is that what makes them metal? Is Aerosmith metal? Technically, maybe I'm wrong. But, and this is the big question for any proponent, what is the public perception of who is metal? By the way, to keep things balanced, I asked some non-musicians, and of those who were familiar, I got the same reaction. But then again, maybe this whole point is silly...... >>And try using a spell checker. Ecletcicism indeed.....<< Now, now; don't accuse me of cheap shots to score points when you turn around and say something like this. Besides, you have a number of spelling mistakes in your postings. Le'ts play fair. I'm trying! >>To people who don't care about the genre, Metallica have done more defining, if you will. To well-informed metal fans? Motorhead. Black Sabbath. Judas Priest. Thin Lizzy. Iron Maiden. All more important in the grand scheme of things. Sales-wise you're totally right, but I couldn't give a fuck about record sales. Puff Daddy sells lots of albums, but his only contribution to Hip Hop is to water it down and sell it to people who wouldn't like, or understand, the real shit. Likewise recent (i.e. the "black" album onwards) Metallica. Besides, Metallica have sucked for the last ten years.<< This reinforces my point about variety in metal or any purist form! I just said that about Metallica! My students have been complaining about them for years. I know hard core reggae guys who think Bob Marley was a sell out. I mean, we could go on. Unfortunately, Metallica has done more (from the standpoint of a non metal fan) to define the genre in the public eye. That may suck where you're concerned, but you have to deal with that when interfacing outside the fan base. >>Ooh, nice escape route. I don't dispute your passion, just your ability to view metal in the same way as I, a genuine metal fan, can do. Oh, and snobbery is definitely an option, but I seem to have touched a nerve there so moving quickly on...<< Alright, I take that back. I am the biggest musical snob there is. That snide comment about Iron Maiden (sorry, I couldn't remember a song) was based on a comedy skit that some guy did years ago on HBO - he was talking about people's memory of pulp culture like 60's TV. He started by saying, "on the count of three, everyone sing the theme from the Cosby Show. 1,2, 3..." and of course, nothing. Then he said, "Now watch this- Juuuust sit right down and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip..." and the whole audience finished the tune! My point was that the greater audience will not be aware of Iron Maiden as they would say, the Beatles (I know, apples & oranges & lemons). Metal, from an outsider's perspective, just will not appeal to a greater audience on the whole. Maybe it does in Germany or wherever else. But I usually find the strongest songwriters in genres that have a wider audience base. Of course, that depends on what you look for in a song. That's a whole other can of worms we can tackle later. The great Irony of all this is that (finally, an XTC reference!) XTC suffers from a serious lack of audience appeal themselves. But their are other reasons for that. That's a fact that validates your point. So, tell me; teach me. You get the idea of my background. Who would you recommend I listen to? If there are great songwriters I haven't heard, I want to hear them. I'm serious! I'm not being smart. Or an ass. Hopefully. Anyway, thank you for a more civil toungue this time. I in turn will climb down from my high horse. I think we can get on, yes, no? Maybe we can learn from each other. Maybe I can salvage my reputation as well. Besides, I want to get back to XTC! Notsgnik "the fool on the hill" Mot
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 06 May 2000 20:24:43 -0400
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>
Subject: I heard the single!
Message-ID: <200005070026.UAA32217@nantucket.net>
Yippee! I heard ITMWML!!! I'm sorry, but it just rocked SO hard... Honostly,
it sounded like Nonsuch meets Skylarking, with Black Sea guitars. Actually,
the song REALLY reminded me of "Was A Yes" from Bull with the Golden Guts...
When I sing the song in my head, sometimes I go into Was a Yes by accident.
Does anyone else notice similarities between these two songs?
Getting excited for the album,
Kevin Diamond
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/79/the_french_electric_all-st.html
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/84/bass-cleff.html
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/85/starving_artists.html
--
"No one in the world ever get's what they want, and that is beautiful.
Everybody dies frustrated and sad, and that is beautiful"
-John Linnell (of They Might Be Giants) / "Don't Let's Start"
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 06 May 2000 22:48:57 -0400
From: "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net>
Subject: Can somebody please explain?
Message-ID: <200005070251.WAA06956@nantucket.net>
I'm sorry, I'm having some trouble "getting" the cover of the I'm the Man
who Murdered Love cover. I see the face, and I see the bullet hole in it's
head, but... what exactly is the head made out of? I don't see the
signifagance as to why that face represents love. I would understand if
there was, say, a heart with a bullet hole or something, but I don't get
that. Can somebody explain it to me? Thanks.
Kevin Diamond
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/79/the_french_electric_all-st.html
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/84/bass-cleff.html
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/85/starving_artists.html
--
"No one in the world ever get's what they want, and that is beautiful.
Everybody dies frustrated and sad, and that is beautiful"
-John Linnell (of They Might Be Giants) / "Don't Let's Start"
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 21:16:50 -0700 (PDT) From: Molly Fanton <mfanton99@yahoo.com> Subject: Generation X-Ray Spex Message-ID: <20000507041650.28239.qmail@web1303.mail.yahoo.com> Rory wrote: << D'oh! It wasn't Generation X, was it? It was X-Ray Spex! Generation X were, of course, Billy Idol's band. I hang my head in shame. Rory "Follow Him. He speaks in sentences" Wilsher>> Billy Idol was a member of Generation X. Poly Styrene was the lead singer of X-Ray Spex (which is a great punk group). Molly ===== Molly's Pages: http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/index.html AIM Name: MFanton00
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 21:26:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Molly Fanton <mfanton99@yahoo.com> Subject: The Albums I Listen To/Lost Bands Message-ID: <20000507042655.28841.qmail@web1303.mail.yahoo.com> I'm sorry I'm not really posting XTC content. I've just wanted to add my list of albums I listen to in it's entirenty (sp). Skylarking - XTC Hounds of Love - Kate Bush Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles Tommy - The Who The Kick Inside - Kate Bush Golden Age of Wireless - Thomas Dolby A Secret Wish - Propaganda Thank You For the Music - ABBA (boxed set) The Wall - Pink Floyd Solitude Standing - Suzanne Vega The lost band I can think of are a great ska band from the late 70s/early 80s called, The Bodysnatchers. They were an all-girl group who just knocked me out when I first heard them. I've only heard a couple of songs from them, but they are totally awesome. I've only found just a few of their songs on different Ska compilation albums. I wish I could find their EP (I don't think they made a full album) on CD. Molly XTC song of the Day - Playground Non-XTC Song of the Day - Do the Rocksteady - The Bodysnatchers ===== Molly's Pages: http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/index.html AIM Name: MFanton00
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 21:11:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Molly Fanton <mfanton99@yahoo.com> Subject: Universial Honey Message-ID: <20000507041157.27837.qmail@web1303.mail.yahoo.com> Someone mentioned this group. I have a question, is this the group with a female lead singer. I know I've heard of them, since I can get Canadian radio. It seems like their music is good. Man, my brain has frozen up. Molly ===== Molly's Pages: http://www.angelfire.com/mn/mollyfa99/index.html AIM Name: MFanton00
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 May 2000 00:27:21 -0400 From: "C. Bisson" <cbisson@mediaone.net> Subject: Is it a promo or an advance copy? Message-ID: <3914F0A9.62AD3492@mediaone.net> I will break the rules and write a short post. Received 12 copies of Wasp Star today and would like to know if they are advanced copies or promos. The rear cover of the jewel case is punched where the bar code is. The number on the disc is TVT 3260-2. There is no stamped impression "Promotional" as with Nonsuch nor a heading "Advance Copy" as with What Do You Call That Noise, and not even a different package as with A is for Apple. Hooray for Holly Up On Playground. I thought that was pretty cool. Anyone who knows the answer for sure I would appreciate a private reply. Thank you.
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 22:34:52 -0700 From: "Drew MacDonald" <drewmacdonald@mediaone.net> Subject: Wisely peeps Message-ID: <000d01bfb7e5$f86dc340$ac841818@we.mediaone.net> This is to second Bill Douglas' recommendation of Willie Wisely (#6-102). Oddly enough, while Bill may not have "heard a peep out of him lately," Wisely is in fact playing the International Pop Festival a mere 49 hours before Bill's band, Einstein's Sister. Willie had been scheduled to appear with his band The Conquerors, but that outfit just broke up, so he'll be doing his own thing on IPO's opening night, Friday July 21. Einstein's Sister --whose LEARNING CURVES album is indeed a winner-- is scheduled for the following Sunday. This year's IPO, the third annual, looks to be the best yet. Click http://www.sandplum.com/ipo/about.htm for details. Drew np: The Chills - SOFT BOMB
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 22:56:04 -0700 (PDT) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: Bill, & a great forgotten album Message-ID: <20000507055604.24555.qmail@web2104.mail.yahoo.com> RE: Don't forget "Sharkey's Night" by Laurie Anderson, on which WSB does vocals, and Frank Zappa's reading of "The Asshole That learned to Talk," ----- Burroughs can also be heard all over Material's Seven Souls lp released 10 years or so ago. He also has a small part in the film Drugstore Cowboy. Throbbing Gristle were huge fans, GEnesis P. Orridge befriended him. And there was that Nike commercial a few years ago. Oh, I love that Frank Zappa reading too. Very funny. ----- Told you my great forgotten band, also have a great forgotten album by a band that is fairly well known: Born to Laugh at Tornadoes by Was (Not Was). THis album went nowhere when it was released around '83 or so. I think people didn't know how to relate to it. It's too wierd to be mainstream, too mainstream to be new wave, hysterically funny but not a comedy record, and has a different guest vocalist on nearly every track (where else can you hear Mel Torme, Ozzy Osbourne and Doug Fieger of the Knack on the same album ?). To my ears it's about the best thing Was (Not Was) ever did. ------- All this arguing about what is and isnt heavy metal remends me of the evening I spent a few years ago at the house of some friends of mine from India who were in the states for grad. school. I was asked a question that I really coulden't find words to answer: How do you tell what sort of music you are lstening to? This question came from a man who had absolutely no knowledge of western music at all, and had no idea how to tell classical from country from jazz, from rock. Trying to answer, I was struck by the fact that words really can't express in a satisfying way the appeal of music.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 00:28:35 -0700 From: "Benjamin Adams" <jazzbutchr@worldnet.att.net> Subject: My great lost album: M's "The Official Secrets Act" Message-ID: <LPBBKGDMNFFEGHNBHCGHEEEDCCAA.jazzbutchr@worldnet.att.net> So, you're Robin Scott, mastermind behind the "group" M. Your debut album, "New York London Paris Munich," has been a hit worldwide, and everyone's talkin' 'bout . . . "Pop Muzik," your glorious, groundbreaking single. So how you you follow it up? You release an ambitious, dense, challenging, poppy, intellectual CONCEPT ALBUM! About the COLD WAR! Of course! What a GREAT IDEA! Yes, to my mind the most criminally ignored and underrated album of the 1980's is M's "The Official Secrets Act," which I first heard in 1981 and completely changed my life. (I was only 15, I hadn't lived a lot of life to change!) I still love this album to death and wore out several vinyl copies before the CD reissue (Westside WESM 502) was issued. >From the opening instrumental, "Transmission," through to the apocalyptic final track, "Official Secrets," this album spins a tale of Reagan / Thatcher era Cold War intrigue, through the dilemma of a disillusioned spy who wants to quit British Intelligence. The music is complex yet immediately accessible, the lyrics are funny and woeful, and the feeling of genuine paranoia that grows while listening is palpable. Of course it bombed miserably, and Robin Scott / M entered the trivia category of "one-hit wonders." Too bad, because this is truly one of the great concept albums, and one I believe many Chalkhills denizens would enjoy a great deal. Check it out! Benjamin Adams
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 10:07:33 -0500 From: "Jan C. Harris" <wow@bluemarble.net> Subject: Hi - newbie here Message-ID: <006f01bfb836$78481d40$3024aa98@f9nw8> Hello Chalkhillians! I'm an XTC fan from Indiana. A recent arrival, I came on board last year with Apple Venus Vol I, and was so enthralled with the heathen sensibilities, it is now sitting at #2 on my XTC list, with Nonsvch at #1. Tied for #3 are Oranges and Lemons, English Settlement, and (unbelievably) Skylarking. I had heard them before on Peter Gabriel's Real World with "Nearly Africa," which I loved, but I'm a conservative music buyer, and wait until love hits, and then acquire everything. I still don't have everything XTC, but I'm off to an admirable start. I picked up my local weekly rag this week, and was pleasantly surprised to find not only a marvellous article on Aimee Mann, but a wonderfully written article on XTC. to quote a bit: "XTC have been at it so long, or are so supremely inspired, they make it look easy. Wasp Star comes hot on the heels of a masterpiece (last year's ornate orchestral set Apple Venus, Vol. One), and for that it is even more extraordinary..." To read more: http://www.indepen.com/2000/may0400/music/music.html and YES! I was belting out Jason and the Argonauts over lunch and the cheesy TV ad yesterday! JanCarol
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 May 2000 11:02:55 +0000 From: Scott Barnard <gforsche@videotron.ca> Subject: Fingerprintz and some other band. Message-ID: <"000601bfb813$cc217f60$736ac818"@oemcomputer.videotron.ca> Nice to see the sadly overlooked Fingerprintz mentioned by Tyler Hewitt in 6-102. I in fact had the good fortune to see them live (Theatre St-Denis, Montreal, January '80). They were backing up a band which some might say have also been given short shrift. Their name escapes me right know, it was so long ago...was it... X-Ray Spex? Generation X? Anyway, one of those. The crowd loved Fingerprintz because they covered "New Rose" (only three years too late), but hated the headliners; they were too "poppy" and "quirky" - don't you just hate that? S. P.S. Another band on the bill were called Heaven Seventeen (a local band, not the Human League spin-off) who would go on to forge a brilliant career as the much-loved Men Without Hats.
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 May 2000 10:37:28 -0500 From: Mark <lollard@usa.net> Subject: bicker backer brew ha ha Message-ID: <39158DB8.AF76F6B6@usa.net> Man......green with envy for you who have WS in your greasy little palms....oh well, again I wait for the official release date...*sigh*.......I can remember awaiting the release of Black Sea, ES, Mummer, etc. I Feel like a kid two weeks before xmas. Good things come to those who wait.........and for you posting nonXTC content, inwhich i usually read, now....it's only talk....... I want my Wasp Star. Mark in Omahahahaha
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 07 May 2000 20:13:52 GMT From: "Nathan Mulac DeHoff" <xornom@hotmail.com> Subject: Time for a quick Napster Message-ID: <20000507201353.24060.qmail@hotmail.com> Digitalmaster: >First" on the Napster Thing that Partridge said to the guy from Spin: "Oh >yea yea yea I've heard all this. Well I think that's kind of low. Musicians >are trying to pay the rent by selling their record and they get crappy >enough deals as it is. So don't steal the last pennies from them or else no >one will make music anymore." > >Strait from the mans mouth, but I am sure a bunch of people will still feel >its fine. As I said in an early message, I am 99% behind MP3's and trading >for us responsible folk. HOWEVER, most people are not responsible and if >they can, they will copy and never buy. Free is the magic word. The one thing I'm wondering is whether these irresponsible people would EVER buy a CD put out by a band like XTC, or if they have the mentality that they'll go without if they can't just get it for free. If the latter is true, then there's really no way that XTC could make money from them, anyway. Of course, I don't really know the facts here; maybe there are enough people who rip off stuff that they might otherwise consider buying to make Napster and MP3 an actual concern. -- Eat your broccoli, Nathan DinnerBell@tmbg.org http://www.geocities.com/fablesto/
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 14:15:46 -0700 (PDT) From: John Relph <relph@cthulhu> Subject: Translation, anyone? Message-ID: <200005072115.OAA15033@mando.engr.sgi.com> There's a bit of a mention of XTC on this page: http://www.nestor.minsk.by/mg/news/mw81229.htm Is there anybody out there who can translate it? -- John
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 22:22:51 +0100 (BST) From: Rory Wilsher <rory_wilsher@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Therapy for Chris Vreeland Message-ID: <20000507212251.11837.qmail@web1501.mail.yahoo.com> Chris, You are obsessed by sex. Rory "Your Therapist" Wilsher
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 15:54:32 -0700 (PDT) From: travis schulz <xtcisadarngoodband@yahoo.com> Subject: TVT Message-ID: <20000507225432.14419.qmail@web1102.mail.yahoo.com> I agree with what was said recently concerning TVT's website- it needs improvements. If only they would update things more often, it would be a lot better. But I do want to point out that TVT has done a pretty good job in promoting XTC in a few ways. Nearly every radio trade magazine has a full page ad for WASP STAR and "I'm The Man Who Murdered Love" right now- and it's a nice looking ad too. Ads appeared last year in Spin and Rolling Stone and on TV. Let's see if TVT can get their videos in rotation- that's a good challenge I hope they'll meet. By the way, WASP STAR has been quoted...."joyful melodies, intriguing lyrics...an album with more hooks than Mike Tyson"-from the upcoming issue of Interview magazine. And a quote in the new Playboy...."The godfathers of Brit-pop are back with their most lyrical and FOCUSED work since Oasis were toddlers." If TVT would start to offer more items exclusively, like t-shirts, posters, etc. not to mention exclusive releases (like FUZZY WARBLES perhaps) they will redeem themselves for having a less than perfect website! BYE....
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 09:49:15 -0500
From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
Subject: Re: Great Lost Band
Message-ID: <l03130302b53b2b0bdd4e@[208.13.202.52]>
>In 6-99, Tyler said:
>>I know, what do you think is a great lost band or album? One that is really
>good, and should have been huge, but somehow didn't make it? It should be
>one >that's fairly obscure.
The Pajama Slaves Dancers out of Westfield, MA in the mid-to-late 80's.
They were similar musically to The Dead Milkmen, especially with their loud
and snotty original lead singer; I remember when the debut Dead Milkmen
album came out somebody wrote on the promo copy in WMUA, the college radio
station I was on at the time "Sounds a lot like PSD." When they got around
to a couple of self-pressed albums in the mid-80's, they'd changed lead
singers and added an extra guitarist/occasional singer/songwriter(the great
but occasionally tasteless Daxe Rexford, who looked like he belonged on a
construction site rather than a stage), and gone in a more goofy rubber
chicken direction. Try to imagine NRBQ and Frank Zappa's kids forming a
punk band, and you're in the ballpark. Their sense of humor was often
juvenile, but resulted in some great trash-rock classics that should have
been nationally known but weren't.("No Dick," "Homo Truck Driving Man,"
"Bare Naked(In Bed With You)," "Thank God for College Radio," a rather
surprising cover of America's "Horse With No Name," to name a few)Be
warned- they were also rather rude and politically incorrect at times.
Their two self-produced albums, Cheap Is Real and Pajama Beach Party are
the better bet if you can find them(good luck), next best thing is a
one-off album on the national independent Enigma some time in the late 80's
which contained some of the best stuff from both their self-produced albums
and a few new songs. Haven't heard it myself, but that's probably all you'd
find of theirs that's nationally available.
Honorable mention goes to The Reducers, a mid-80's rock and roll band out
of New London, CT; all three of their albums sound like a more rootsy
Ramones with more developed instrumentation and song structure, and with
more of a small-town Connecticut consciousness, and also The Neighborhoods
out of Boston, whose five or six albums on various independent labels are
all worth searching for. They have one album on Warner Brothers, compiled
in the early 90's mostly from their last album Hoodwinked, and a few
chestnuts from previous albums, including a rerecording of their first
single from '78. Unfortunately they broke up after the non-promotion of
their supposed overdue break. Frontman and main songwriter David Minehan
was touring with Paul Westerberg a few years ago, and I've seen credited in
local Boston mags with producing and mixing local talent, so at least he's
still in the business.
Christopher R. Coolidge
Homepage at
http://homepages.together.net/~cauldron/homepage.html
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-103 *******************************
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8 May 2000 / Feedback