Always tuned in.
There’s that famous Eno quote that everyone who bought a copy of the first Velvet Underground record went out and started a band. If that’s the case, then SIMPLY SAUCER is one of the best proof positive examples of that theory. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario and forming in 1973, these early adapters laid down a collection of demos and live recordings that today makes record geeks exasperated and covered in flop sweat.
Continue reading “Simply Saucer – Cyborgs Revisted”
Mono-Tone Records in France has seemingly done the impossible and rounded up a proper full-length collection documenting Memphis’ legendary all-female punk quartet, THE KLITZ, with Rocking the Memphis Underground 1978-1980. Formed sometime around 1978, the band was initially comprised of Gail Elise Clifton (vocals), Lesa Aldridge (guitar), Marcia Clifton (drums), and Amy Gassner, who was later recruited to play bass.
Continue reading “The Klitz – Rocking the Memphis Underground 1978-1980”
The spontaneous regeneration of THE PREFAB MESSIAHS continues to be one of the best left field surprises of the past few years. For those in need of a history lesson, the group started their life back in the early 1980’s as a band of young, scrappy, left field, DIY, post-punk, garage-psych-pop provocateurs, and a part of the Wormtown (Worcester, MA) underground scene. It was there they spent time kicking around with private press legend Bobb Trimble, playing local gigs warming up for bands like Mission of Burma, and recording a ton of spiky, retro-delic rockers. Continue reading “The Prefab Messiahs – Psychsploitation… Today! CS”
In a better, or at least fairer world, the artist known as BROTHER JT would be a big star instead of a cult figure revered by record geeks like myself, and musician types. Who knows, in some sideways universe perhaps he is, but it’s certainly not in this one. After getting his start in the 1980’s with garage legends The Original Sins, JT was rechristened Brother JT by legendary rock scribe Byron Coley. From there, he set off on his own long, strange path. Continue reading “Brother JT – Tornado Juice”
Content Nausea is PARQUET COURTS’ second album of 2014. Credited to the group’s alter ego, Parkay Quarts, the album is mostly the work of members Andrew Savage and Austin Brown along with some instrumental assists from Jackie-O Motherfucker’s Jef Brown on saxophone and Eaters’ Bob Jones on fiddle. Continue reading “Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea”
THE PAPERHEAD’s latest album, Africa Avenue, is definitely one that makes no bones about what is spinning in these guys’ collective wheelhouses. I’m picturing worn out copies of Kinks, early Pink Floyd and Love albums by the score. Continue reading “The Paperhead – Africa Avenue”
The ghosts of an Old Weird America hover in the atmosphere above STEVE GUNN’s achingly beautiful album, Way Out Weather. From the sustained spectral guitar slides and the groping in the dark piano figures that start the opening track, it’s clear this is a record that’s all about the search.
Continue reading “Steve Gunn – Way Out Weather”
