BACK on the chain gang, kids.
In order to get back into the Eclectic swing of things, I'm writing a variation on the "Put your music player on shuffle" meme that was running around recently.
1) Baby I'm Drunk-The Reverend Horton Heat
Horton's a psychobilly freak from Texas, and this is a fantastic track trying to explain to his ladyfriend why, indeed, he cannot explain what happened that evening. Thus, the title.
2) Out from the Inside-The Wildhearts
The Wildhearts are really, honestly, sui generis. I heard about these guys when they were opening for the Darkness. It's hilarious, the descriptions of that tour, because apparently they attracted their fans as much as those of the Darkness. And they are one of those bands whose fans get rather agitated when you are ANY other band than the Wildhearts. This record is one of their more accessible pieces of work, the others being...less poppy and more...metal insanity? Worth checking out.
3) Night Time is the Right Time- Bettye LaVette, Andre Williams.
What people forget, with the advent of the Motown sound, is that there were artists and record labels, even in Detroit, that played soul music. Motown soul was cleaner and more accessible than their competitors. Artists like Nathaniel Mayer, Bettye LaVette, and my badass uncle Andre made music that was funkier, sexier, and much much dirtier. This is a live joint from a concert at Southpaw a number of years ago, an old soul music revival show emceed by muthafunkin' Rudy Ray Moore himself. The bad bad Dolemite! Worth your time to pick up, kids.
4) Whatever Happened To-The Buzzcocks
See, whenever anyone talks about pop punk and talks about blink 182 or Good Charlotte, and uses the term as a pejorative, I want to put on the singles comp "Singles Going Steady" and explain that while the former is crap, this record is amazing pop punk that should be the example. Hooky, accessible, and sparkling. This is the first Manc band to capture me, personally. Some of the songs on here have been in commercials. Think about how much of the first gen of punk rock has made it to that kind of mainstream acceptance.
5) Mirror in the Bathroom-the English Beat
Ah, two tone. Ska. I was never a big fan, but I've gotta be honest, this shit is dance music. Just lose your inhibitions, put on some shades, and SKANK MOTHERFUCKER! I really dig the singing on this, it's so rhythmic and it's as much an instrument as anything else in the band. Singin's just another solo! I love it.
6) Fire on the Moon-The Bellrays
You probably don't know her, but the singer of the Bellrays, Lisa Kekaula, is the best singer in America. I'll put her against anyone you want. C'mon. Renee Fleming vs. Lisa Kekaula in the octagon. I would pay for that show. C'mon. $35 for that? You'd do it too. Admit it fucker.
7) I'm Through With White Girls-The Dirtbombs, live in 2002.
Enough has been written in this blog about the 'bombs, so I'm not gonna go into them as a group. The singer on this joint, however, is worth mentioning. Unca Jim Diamond, folks. He's an amazing dude. Some people who like the White Stripes and other bands have some issues with his business methods, but I've personally never had an issue with the dude. He was the one who sold me a copy of the second motor city ghetto blaster comp, notable for its ko and the knockouts tracks and some hot tracks by the 'bombs and the paybacks. Jim Diamond, however, seems to me to be one of the good guys.
8) Swamp Thing-Chameleons UK
I bought a college rock comp from rhino a number of years ago, and I honestly think I've never listened to this through. It reminds me of a lot of the stuff that came out on 4ad in that time period, though-atmospheric opening, guitar mixed low, drums right up front, a little synth (which is good for the soul). This feels like music I could ignore really easily. If I'm gonna listen to something like this, I'd opt for Bauhaus, and Bela Lugosi's Dead in particular. They manage to increase the tension in a way where I want to listen to all nine or so minutes of the track, where this just makes me wanna change it.
9) It's Only Money-Thin Lizzy, Live UK Tour '75
Rollins describes TL singer Phil Lynott as his "perro del camino", his road dog. Phil seems like a dude who was destined, even if he'd lived, to have the walkin' blues. Wander the world, have adventures, be a live action version of Kwai Chang from Kung Fu (RIP dave). I've already talked about the drugs, so I don't need to do it again. But I will say that I believe Thin Lizzy is the best band to come out of ireland, and that Phil would rope a dope Bono into submission. WITH HIS AFRO.
10) Gimme the Car-Violent Femmes
We close with yet another one of the songs about sex on my mp3 player. No young man in his right mind would tell his dad about the fact that he's gonna get this girl high and fool around with her while she was unconscious. Gordon Gano, there was a reason you weren't getting any when you were fifteen!
1) Baby I'm Drunk-The Reverend Horton Heat
Horton's a psychobilly freak from Texas, and this is a fantastic track trying to explain to his ladyfriend why, indeed, he cannot explain what happened that evening. Thus, the title.
2) Out from the Inside-The Wildhearts
The Wildhearts are really, honestly, sui generis. I heard about these guys when they were opening for the Darkness. It's hilarious, the descriptions of that tour, because apparently they attracted their fans as much as those of the Darkness. And they are one of those bands whose fans get rather agitated when you are ANY other band than the Wildhearts. This record is one of their more accessible pieces of work, the others being...less poppy and more...metal insanity? Worth checking out.
3) Night Time is the Right Time- Bettye LaVette, Andre Williams.
What people forget, with the advent of the Motown sound, is that there were artists and record labels, even in Detroit, that played soul music. Motown soul was cleaner and more accessible than their competitors. Artists like Nathaniel Mayer, Bettye LaVette, and my badass uncle Andre made music that was funkier, sexier, and much much dirtier. This is a live joint from a concert at Southpaw a number of years ago, an old soul music revival show emceed by muthafunkin' Rudy Ray Moore himself. The bad bad Dolemite! Worth your time to pick up, kids.
4) Whatever Happened To-The Buzzcocks
See, whenever anyone talks about pop punk and talks about blink 182 or Good Charlotte, and uses the term as a pejorative, I want to put on the singles comp "Singles Going Steady" and explain that while the former is crap, this record is amazing pop punk that should be the example. Hooky, accessible, and sparkling. This is the first Manc band to capture me, personally. Some of the songs on here have been in commercials. Think about how much of the first gen of punk rock has made it to that kind of mainstream acceptance.
5) Mirror in the Bathroom-the English Beat
Ah, two tone. Ska. I was never a big fan, but I've gotta be honest, this shit is dance music. Just lose your inhibitions, put on some shades, and SKANK MOTHERFUCKER! I really dig the singing on this, it's so rhythmic and it's as much an instrument as anything else in the band. Singin's just another solo! I love it.
6) Fire on the Moon-The Bellrays
You probably don't know her, but the singer of the Bellrays, Lisa Kekaula, is the best singer in America. I'll put her against anyone you want. C'mon. Renee Fleming vs. Lisa Kekaula in the octagon. I would pay for that show. C'mon. $35 for that? You'd do it too. Admit it fucker.
7) I'm Through With White Girls-The Dirtbombs, live in 2002.
Enough has been written in this blog about the 'bombs, so I'm not gonna go into them as a group. The singer on this joint, however, is worth mentioning. Unca Jim Diamond, folks. He's an amazing dude. Some people who like the White Stripes and other bands have some issues with his business methods, but I've personally never had an issue with the dude. He was the one who sold me a copy of the second motor city ghetto blaster comp, notable for its ko and the knockouts tracks and some hot tracks by the 'bombs and the paybacks. Jim Diamond, however, seems to me to be one of the good guys.
8) Swamp Thing-Chameleons UK
I bought a college rock comp from rhino a number of years ago, and I honestly think I've never listened to this through. It reminds me of a lot of the stuff that came out on 4ad in that time period, though-atmospheric opening, guitar mixed low, drums right up front, a little synth (which is good for the soul). This feels like music I could ignore really easily. If I'm gonna listen to something like this, I'd opt for Bauhaus, and Bela Lugosi's Dead in particular. They manage to increase the tension in a way where I want to listen to all nine or so minutes of the track, where this just makes me wanna change it.
9) It's Only Money-Thin Lizzy, Live UK Tour '75
Rollins describes TL singer Phil Lynott as his "perro del camino", his road dog. Phil seems like a dude who was destined, even if he'd lived, to have the walkin' blues. Wander the world, have adventures, be a live action version of Kwai Chang from Kung Fu (RIP dave). I've already talked about the drugs, so I don't need to do it again. But I will say that I believe Thin Lizzy is the best band to come out of ireland, and that Phil would rope a dope Bono into submission. WITH HIS AFRO.
10) Gimme the Car-Violent Femmes
We close with yet another one of the songs about sex on my mp3 player. No young man in his right mind would tell his dad about the fact that he's gonna get this girl high and fool around with her while she was unconscious. Gordon Gano, there was a reason you weren't getting any when you were fifteen!