Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Wed., Dec. 17, 2003, 10-12 PM
As I am typing out this week's playlist, I put on the "No New York" comp. I guess it is the Theoretical Girls 7" along with the Acute Records Theoretical Girls retrospective cd I picked up this week that made me want to listen to some more no wave to try to put the Theoretical Girls in a better perspective with the rest of the no wave scene. I find myself struck by the tuneful structure and inventive synths in D.N.A. I love no wave, but I have to admit that it can be difficult to listen to No New York straight through, and I haven't done so in a while. However, listening in one shot allowed me to draw comparisons that might not be so obvious when I just listen to one band or individual tracks.
1. Theoretical Girls, "You Got Me", Theoretical Records, 1978: The Theoretical Girls released one 7" during their existence. Within the past year or so, Acute Records has put out a retrospective of the Theoretical Girls compositions written by Jeffrey Lohn. Most of the tracks on the cd are live recordings; only "U.S. Millie" was previously released on the 7". The Theoretical Girls are better known as Glen Branca's first band, and he went on to some later fame with the Static and his guitar symphonies. The Branca tunes by the Theoretical Girls have been available for a while on a reissue cd of Branca's early material ("'77-'79" on Atavistic Records). "You Got Me" was a Branca tune and is on that cd. However, Jeffrey Lohn also did much of the writing for the Theoretical Girls, and his tunes were not previously available except for the one song on the rare 7". The Acute cd remedies that problem. I have meant to pick it up for a while, but I knew Acute was about to reissue all of the Metal Urbain stuff, so I figured I would hold off on getting the Theoretical Girls cd until the Metal Urbain cd came out to save on shipping. I went to the Acute site to see if there was any information about when the Metal Urbain cd was coming out (it is some time in January . . . and I can't wait), and I saw that they had a limited number of the original Theoretical Girls 7"s for sale because Jeffrey Lohn found some in his flat and decided to let them go. I jumped at the opportunity to pick up a mint stock copy of this really rare record at a very fair price. I had been looking for the 7" for a while and been intimidated by the prices I saw it going for at auction. You should go order yourself a copy of this 7". It is a seminal artifact of early no wave, and there is no better feeling than being the first stylus on a 25 year old piece of beautiful vinyl.
2. Theoretical Girls, "U.S. Millie", Theoretical Records, 1978.
3. Rapture, "House of Jealous Lovers", DFA Records, 2003 (new release): From the comp of DFA bands out now.
4. Girls, "Methodist Church", Brasch Music, 1986: This is from the lp "Girls Reunion", a title which is misleading because it is a retrospective record that contains one song from their Hearthan 7" and a number of other previously unreleased studio tracks (all of very good sound quality). The Girls had broken up somewhere around 1980-81. Robin Amos, of the Girls, continues on in Cul de Sac. This is my favorite Boston art record and one of my very favorite records. There is such great diversity. "Jeffrey I Hear You", "Pedestrian Walk", and "These Things" are almost straight ahead pop tunes. "Doggie Auto" and "Vietcong Women" are spastic but also wacky and fun. "Methodist Church" is hard-driving synth punk. "Cubist Grid" and "Keep It Simple" are more conventional synth driven no wave. The lyrics are generally meaningless (as in from Doggie Auto: "The greyhound likes it fast. Chihuahuas are conservative."), but the vocals are strong and float over droning, spastic, or no wave song structures in a way that is very reminiscent of early Pere Ubu (which is appropriate since they put out their 7" on Hearthan). Almost all the other songs are stand-outs as well. One striking thing is that, unlike most retrospective records, it truly works together as an album. There is an ebb and flow to it that ties the package together. I generally try not to play any one band too often on the show, but I allow myself to play the Girls as often as I want.
5. Vexers, "Love in the 22nd Century", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
6. Metal Boys, "Sweet Marilyn", Rough Trade Records, 1979.
7. James White and the Blacks, "White Savages", ZE Records, 1979: From the "off white" lp. I didn't realize this tune was an instrumental when I cued it up. Without the lyrics it is a bit too much of a free jazz rip-off, but it isn't terrible.
8. The Waitresses, "#1 Slide", Stiff Records.
9. Sunshine, "Insomnia", Gold Standard Laboratories Records, 2003 (new release).
10. Weirdos, "Destroy All Music", Bomp Records, 1977.
11. Victims, "TV Freak", 1978: From Australia. Taken off Killed By Death #4.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
12. Modern Lovers, "Girlfriend", Beserkley Records, 1976: This material from their first record was recorded in 1972 for Warner Bros., but it wasn't released until 1976. It thus got swept up with the punk revolution although it really was much older. David Robinson, later of the Cars, and Jerry Harrison, later of the Talking Heads, were in the band for this record.
13. Orange Juice, "Simply Thrilled Honey", Postcard Records, 1980.
14. Filth, "Don't Hide Your Hate", Plurex Records, 1978: From the Netherlands. Taken off Killed By Death #4.
15. Cheetahs, "Radio-Active", Zoom Records, 1979: From Scotland.
16. Whirlwind Heat, "Purple", V2 Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
17. Young Marble Giants, "Searching for Mr. Right", Rough Trade Records, 1980.
18. Neats, "Six", Propeller Records, 1981: From the Propeller Product 7" comp.
19. Dishes, "Use Your Arms", File 13 Records, 2003 (new release).
20. Fat Day, 100% Breakfast Records, 1997: Not sure what track I played here. They sort of all run together. From the Burrega lp.
21. Spike in Vain, "Hamlet's Dilemma", Trans Dada Records, 1984: I found this record on the Scat Records site. Apparently, the guy who own Scat was in this band and had some mint, stock copies of this lp left over. Good hardcore.
22. Melt Banana, "A Dreamer Who Is Too Weak to Face Up To", 2003 (new release).
23. Beaver, "Life Is a Joke", Choice Cut Records, 1981: Pre Government Issue.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
24. Vomit Pigs, "Baby's Playing Games", Existential Vacuum Records, 1992: Originally issued on Bad Wreckords in 1978. I have seen the original 7" go at auction for $1500.
25. Vomit Pigs, "Useless Eater", Existential Vacuum Records, 1992.
26. Pagans, "Not Now, No Way", Crypt Records: Originally on Drome in 1978.
27. Richard Hell and the Voidoids, "Liars Beware", Sire Records, 1977.
28. Effigies, "Below the Drop", Autumn Records, 1981.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
29. An Albatross, "The Revolutionary Politics of Dance", 2003 (new release).
30. Feelies, "Fa Ce-La", Stiff Records, 1980.
31. Adverts, "One Chord Wonders", Stiff Records.
32. Charlie Dold, "Sins on My Shoulder", The Bus Stop Label, 1991: Back when I was in college, this was a major hit on WHRB, where I was a DJ. I wouldn't play it then because my show was a punk/hardcore show, and this kind of pop was destined to be the ruin of the Record Hospital and certainly all of western civilization. Yet, even then I would have admitted that this tune charmed the pants off me. Ten years later I will even play it on my show. I have gone soft. Or I have nothing to prove.
33. Slumber Party, "No Sleep Tonight", Kill Rock Stars Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
34. Ultra Dolphins, "Duck Butter, Then", If & When Records, 2003 (new release).
35. Savage Republic, "The Ivory Coast", Independent Project Records, 1982.
36. Liars, "Rose and Licorice", Version City Records, 2002.
37. Tubeway Army, "The Life Machine", Beggar's Banquet Records, 1978.
38. Quails, "Atmosphere", Inconvenient Press & Recordings: Their second lp. Came out in the last couple years.
39. Chills, "Purple Girl", Creation Records: Originally on Flying Nun, 1982?.
1. Theoretical Girls, "You Got Me", Theoretical Records, 1978: The Theoretical Girls released one 7" during their existence. Within the past year or so, Acute Records has put out a retrospective of the Theoretical Girls compositions written by Jeffrey Lohn. Most of the tracks on the cd are live recordings; only "U.S. Millie" was previously released on the 7". The Theoretical Girls are better known as Glen Branca's first band, and he went on to some later fame with the Static and his guitar symphonies. The Branca tunes by the Theoretical Girls have been available for a while on a reissue cd of Branca's early material ("'77-'79" on Atavistic Records). "You Got Me" was a Branca tune and is on that cd. However, Jeffrey Lohn also did much of the writing for the Theoretical Girls, and his tunes were not previously available except for the one song on the rare 7". The Acute cd remedies that problem. I have meant to pick it up for a while, but I knew Acute was about to reissue all of the Metal Urbain stuff, so I figured I would hold off on getting the Theoretical Girls cd until the Metal Urbain cd came out to save on shipping. I went to the Acute site to see if there was any information about when the Metal Urbain cd was coming out (it is some time in January . . . and I can't wait), and I saw that they had a limited number of the original Theoretical Girls 7"s for sale because Jeffrey Lohn found some in his flat and decided to let them go. I jumped at the opportunity to pick up a mint stock copy of this really rare record at a very fair price. I had been looking for the 7" for a while and been intimidated by the prices I saw it going for at auction. You should go order yourself a copy of this 7". It is a seminal artifact of early no wave, and there is no better feeling than being the first stylus on a 25 year old piece of beautiful vinyl.
2. Theoretical Girls, "U.S. Millie", Theoretical Records, 1978.
3. Rapture, "House of Jealous Lovers", DFA Records, 2003 (new release): From the comp of DFA bands out now.
4. Girls, "Methodist Church", Brasch Music, 1986: This is from the lp "Girls Reunion", a title which is misleading because it is a retrospective record that contains one song from their Hearthan 7" and a number of other previously unreleased studio tracks (all of very good sound quality). The Girls had broken up somewhere around 1980-81. Robin Amos, of the Girls, continues on in Cul de Sac. This is my favorite Boston art record and one of my very favorite records. There is such great diversity. "Jeffrey I Hear You", "Pedestrian Walk", and "These Things" are almost straight ahead pop tunes. "Doggie Auto" and "Vietcong Women" are spastic but also wacky and fun. "Methodist Church" is hard-driving synth punk. "Cubist Grid" and "Keep It Simple" are more conventional synth driven no wave. The lyrics are generally meaningless (as in from Doggie Auto: "The greyhound likes it fast. Chihuahuas are conservative."), but the vocals are strong and float over droning, spastic, or no wave song structures in a way that is very reminiscent of early Pere Ubu (which is appropriate since they put out their 7" on Hearthan). Almost all the other songs are stand-outs as well. One striking thing is that, unlike most retrospective records, it truly works together as an album. There is an ebb and flow to it that ties the package together. I generally try not to play any one band too often on the show, but I allow myself to play the Girls as often as I want.
5. Vexers, "Love in the 22nd Century", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
6. Metal Boys, "Sweet Marilyn", Rough Trade Records, 1979.
7. James White and the Blacks, "White Savages", ZE Records, 1979: From the "off white" lp. I didn't realize this tune was an instrumental when I cued it up. Without the lyrics it is a bit too much of a free jazz rip-off, but it isn't terrible.
8. The Waitresses, "#1 Slide", Stiff Records.
9. Sunshine, "Insomnia", Gold Standard Laboratories Records, 2003 (new release).
10. Weirdos, "Destroy All Music", Bomp Records, 1977.
11. Victims, "TV Freak", 1978: From Australia. Taken off Killed By Death #4.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
12. Modern Lovers, "Girlfriend", Beserkley Records, 1976: This material from their first record was recorded in 1972 for Warner Bros., but it wasn't released until 1976. It thus got swept up with the punk revolution although it really was much older. David Robinson, later of the Cars, and Jerry Harrison, later of the Talking Heads, were in the band for this record.
13. Orange Juice, "Simply Thrilled Honey", Postcard Records, 1980.
14. Filth, "Don't Hide Your Hate", Plurex Records, 1978: From the Netherlands. Taken off Killed By Death #4.
15. Cheetahs, "Radio-Active", Zoom Records, 1979: From Scotland.
16. Whirlwind Heat, "Purple", V2 Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
17. Young Marble Giants, "Searching for Mr. Right", Rough Trade Records, 1980.
18. Neats, "Six", Propeller Records, 1981: From the Propeller Product 7" comp.
19. Dishes, "Use Your Arms", File 13 Records, 2003 (new release).
20. Fat Day, 100% Breakfast Records, 1997: Not sure what track I played here. They sort of all run together. From the Burrega lp.
21. Spike in Vain, "Hamlet's Dilemma", Trans Dada Records, 1984: I found this record on the Scat Records site. Apparently, the guy who own Scat was in this band and had some mint, stock copies of this lp left over. Good hardcore.
22. Melt Banana, "A Dreamer Who Is Too Weak to Face Up To", 2003 (new release).
23. Beaver, "Life Is a Joke", Choice Cut Records, 1981: Pre Government Issue.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
24. Vomit Pigs, "Baby's Playing Games", Existential Vacuum Records, 1992: Originally issued on Bad Wreckords in 1978. I have seen the original 7" go at auction for $1500.
25. Vomit Pigs, "Useless Eater", Existential Vacuum Records, 1992.
26. Pagans, "Not Now, No Way", Crypt Records: Originally on Drome in 1978.
27. Richard Hell and the Voidoids, "Liars Beware", Sire Records, 1977.
28. Effigies, "Below the Drop", Autumn Records, 1981.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
29. An Albatross, "The Revolutionary Politics of Dance", 2003 (new release).
30. Feelies, "Fa Ce-La", Stiff Records, 1980.
31. Adverts, "One Chord Wonders", Stiff Records.
32. Charlie Dold, "Sins on My Shoulder", The Bus Stop Label, 1991: Back when I was in college, this was a major hit on WHRB, where I was a DJ. I wouldn't play it then because my show was a punk/hardcore show, and this kind of pop was destined to be the ruin of the Record Hospital and certainly all of western civilization. Yet, even then I would have admitted that this tune charmed the pants off me. Ten years later I will even play it on my show. I have gone soft. Or I have nothing to prove.
33. Slumber Party, "No Sleep Tonight", Kill Rock Stars Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
34. Ultra Dolphins, "Duck Butter, Then", If & When Records, 2003 (new release).
35. Savage Republic, "The Ivory Coast", Independent Project Records, 1982.
36. Liars, "Rose and Licorice", Version City Records, 2002.
37. Tubeway Army, "The Life Machine", Beggar's Banquet Records, 1978.
38. Quails, "Atmosphere", Inconvenient Press & Recordings: Their second lp. Came out in the last couple years.
39. Chills, "Purple Girl", Creation Records: Originally on Flying Nun, 1982?.
Monday, December 15, 2003
Wed., Dec. 10, 2003, 10-12 PM
1. Rocket From the Tombs, "Final Solution", Smog Veil Records, 2004 (new release): This is from the reunion lineup of Rocket From the Tombs ("RFTT"). RFTT existed for less than a year in 1974-75. They never recorded a studio record, but some live tracks have come out on boots and then a couple of years ago on a legitimate release. They have now come back for a tour and have recorded studio versions of their original songs. These will be released as "Rocket Redux" in February, but are available at their shows. I saw them on Dec. 8 in Raleigh.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
2. Poodle Boys, "Pop Party", Gustav Records, 1982: This song was originally released in 1978. I took it from the Gustav comp "It Happened . . . but Nobody Noticed". Gustav was Craig Bell's label. Craig was the bassist in the Mirrors, then in RFTT, and then in the Saucers. I talked with Craig before the RFTT show on Dec. 8. I am very interested in Gustav Records because I am from Connecticut, and Gustav was out of New Haven, CT and released southern CT bands. I have arranged to have a phone interview with Craig early next year to learn more about CT punk. I will transcribe the interview and post it on this site.
3. Embarrassment, "Sex Drive", Bar None Records, 1995: Originally from their first 7" from 1979. They were from Kansas.
4. Dennis Most and the Instigators, " Destructive Love", Most Records, 1979: From W. Massachusetts.
5. Endtables, "Process of Elimination", Tuesday Records, 1979: From Louisville, Kentucky. I took it from the Bloodstains Across the Midwest comp.
6. Freeze, "No Exposure", Modern Method Records.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
7. Peter Holsapple of the H-Bombs, "Big Black Truck", Car Records, 1978: Early local power-pop. Had Mitch Easter and Chris Stamey playing on it. Apparently, Peter was in the H-Bombs before this, but they didn't record anything. He used the "of the H-Bombs" because he had some recognition with them. I had a caller who seemed angry with me because I pronounced his name Hole-sapple in stead of Wholes-apple. I apologized, but that didn't seem sufficient for the caller.
8. Lyres, "How Do You Know", Ace of Hearts Records, 1986.
9. Sunshine, "Insomnia", Gold Standard Laboratories Records, 2003 (new release).
10. Shellac, "Rambler Song", Touch and Go Records, 1993: From the first 7".
11. An Albatross, "Electric Suits & Cowboy Boots", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
12. Delta 5, "Try", Rough Trade Records, 1980: From the third 7".
13. lcd soundsystem, "Give It Up", DFA Records (new release): From the DFA comp of singles they've put out over the last couple years.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
14. Stukas, "Klean Living Kids", Chiswick Records, 1977.
15. Foreign Objects, "World at War", Squared Circle Records, 1980: Massachusetts band.
16. Creation, "Biff Bang Pow", Planet Records, 1966: From a reissue of all their singles on Get Back Records.
17. Rocket From the Tombs, "Muckraker", Smog Veil Records, 2004 (new release).
18. Angry Red Planet, "Mediocrity", Angry Red Records, 1987.
19. Sorry, "Listen", Radiobeat Records, 1984.
20. Melt Banana, "shield for your eyes, a beast the well on your hand", A-Zap Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
21. Game Theory, "Bad Year at UCLA", Rational Records, 1982: From the infamous Blaze of Glory lp. They didn't have the money to print covers, so it was placed in a trash bag.
22. Fire Engines, "Get Up and Use Me", Codex Records, 1980. I couldn't find the year on the 7", but I looked it up in my "International Discography of the New Wave Volume 1982/83" that I just picked up. The book is a great resource for researching punk records, especially for 7"s that don't show up in the Trouser Press Guide.
23. Books on Tape, "She's Dead to Me", Greyday Records, 2003 (new release).
24. Dancing Cigarettes, "Pop Doormat", Gulcher Records, 1981.
25. Mates of State, "Ha Ha", Polyvinyl Records, 2003 (new release).
26. File Under Pop, "Corrugate", Rough Trade Records, 1979: This is a weird little Rough Trade noise record. Except for this tune it was recorded at Heathrow Airport.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
27. Magnetic Fields, "Old Orchard Beach", Harriet Records, 1989: From their first 7". This was before Stephin Merritt took over vocals. Susan Anway is on vocals. She was previously in the Boston art-punk group V; (the band name includes the semi-colon) who get some play on my show. They have a great self-released 7" from 1980, a couple tracks on the Propeller label comps, and a 12" ep on Propeller.
28. Wingtip Sloat, "Blessed Nimbus, Churning", self released: From their first 7". It is a weird little package with each cover having unique collage art and stamps and inserts of scraps of paper and cardboard.
29. Wire, "Lowdown", Harvest Records, 1977: From the "Pink Flag" lp.
30. Numbers, "Too Cool To Say Hi", Archigramophone Records.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
31. Jam, "David Watts".
32. Essential Logic, "Aerosol Burns", Kill Rock Stars Records, 2003 (new release): New retrospective of most of the Essential Logic stuff.
33. Chronic Disorder, "Fire", Gustav Records, 1985.
34. Deadbeats, "Let's Shoot Maria", Dangerhouse Records: From the Dangerhouse Volume One comp. Previously unreleased.
35. Dismemberment Plan, "Life of Possibilities", DeSoto Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
36. Crass, "The Unelected President", Peace Not War Comp, 2003 (new release): I was a little surprised to see a new Crass tune on this comp. Who knew they were still around? Not their best stuff, but I guess it was always about the message anyway with Crass.
37. Black Market Baby, "World at War", Limp Records, 1981: From the comp "Connected".
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
2. Poodle Boys, "Pop Party", Gustav Records, 1982: This song was originally released in 1978. I took it from the Gustav comp "It Happened . . . but Nobody Noticed". Gustav was Craig Bell's label. Craig was the bassist in the Mirrors, then in RFTT, and then in the Saucers. I talked with Craig before the RFTT show on Dec. 8. I am very interested in Gustav Records because I am from Connecticut, and Gustav was out of New Haven, CT and released southern CT bands. I have arranged to have a phone interview with Craig early next year to learn more about CT punk. I will transcribe the interview and post it on this site.
3. Embarrassment, "Sex Drive", Bar None Records, 1995: Originally from their first 7" from 1979. They were from Kansas.
4. Dennis Most and the Instigators, " Destructive Love", Most Records, 1979: From W. Massachusetts.
5. Endtables, "Process of Elimination", Tuesday Records, 1979: From Louisville, Kentucky. I took it from the Bloodstains Across the Midwest comp.
6. Freeze, "No Exposure", Modern Method Records.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
7. Peter Holsapple of the H-Bombs, "Big Black Truck", Car Records, 1978: Early local power-pop. Had Mitch Easter and Chris Stamey playing on it. Apparently, Peter was in the H-Bombs before this, but they didn't record anything. He used the "of the H-Bombs" because he had some recognition with them. I had a caller who seemed angry with me because I pronounced his name Hole-sapple in stead of Wholes-apple. I apologized, but that didn't seem sufficient for the caller.
8. Lyres, "How Do You Know", Ace of Hearts Records, 1986.
9. Sunshine, "Insomnia", Gold Standard Laboratories Records, 2003 (new release).
10. Shellac, "Rambler Song", Touch and Go Records, 1993: From the first 7".
11. An Albatross, "Electric Suits & Cowboy Boots", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
12. Delta 5, "Try", Rough Trade Records, 1980: From the third 7".
13. lcd soundsystem, "Give It Up", DFA Records (new release): From the DFA comp of singles they've put out over the last couple years.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
14. Stukas, "Klean Living Kids", Chiswick Records, 1977.
15. Foreign Objects, "World at War", Squared Circle Records, 1980: Massachusetts band.
16. Creation, "Biff Bang Pow", Planet Records, 1966: From a reissue of all their singles on Get Back Records.
17. Rocket From the Tombs, "Muckraker", Smog Veil Records, 2004 (new release).
18. Angry Red Planet, "Mediocrity", Angry Red Records, 1987.
19. Sorry, "Listen", Radiobeat Records, 1984.
20. Melt Banana, "shield for your eyes, a beast the well on your hand", A-Zap Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
21. Game Theory, "Bad Year at UCLA", Rational Records, 1982: From the infamous Blaze of Glory lp. They didn't have the money to print covers, so it was placed in a trash bag.
22. Fire Engines, "Get Up and Use Me", Codex Records, 1980. I couldn't find the year on the 7", but I looked it up in my "International Discography of the New Wave Volume 1982/83" that I just picked up. The book is a great resource for researching punk records, especially for 7"s that don't show up in the Trouser Press Guide.
23. Books on Tape, "She's Dead to Me", Greyday Records, 2003 (new release).
24. Dancing Cigarettes, "Pop Doormat", Gulcher Records, 1981.
25. Mates of State, "Ha Ha", Polyvinyl Records, 2003 (new release).
26. File Under Pop, "Corrugate", Rough Trade Records, 1979: This is a weird little Rough Trade noise record. Except for this tune it was recorded at Heathrow Airport.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
27. Magnetic Fields, "Old Orchard Beach", Harriet Records, 1989: From their first 7". This was before Stephin Merritt took over vocals. Susan Anway is on vocals. She was previously in the Boston art-punk group V; (the band name includes the semi-colon) who get some play on my show. They have a great self-released 7" from 1980, a couple tracks on the Propeller label comps, and a 12" ep on Propeller.
28. Wingtip Sloat, "Blessed Nimbus, Churning", self released: From their first 7". It is a weird little package with each cover having unique collage art and stamps and inserts of scraps of paper and cardboard.
29. Wire, "Lowdown", Harvest Records, 1977: From the "Pink Flag" lp.
30. Numbers, "Too Cool To Say Hi", Archigramophone Records.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
31. Jam, "David Watts".
32. Essential Logic, "Aerosol Burns", Kill Rock Stars Records, 2003 (new release): New retrospective of most of the Essential Logic stuff.
33. Chronic Disorder, "Fire", Gustav Records, 1985.
34. Deadbeats, "Let's Shoot Maria", Dangerhouse Records: From the Dangerhouse Volume One comp. Previously unreleased.
35. Dismemberment Plan, "Life of Possibilities", DeSoto Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
36. Crass, "The Unelected President", Peace Not War Comp, 2003 (new release): I was a little surprised to see a new Crass tune on this comp. Who knew they were still around? Not their best stuff, but I guess it was always about the message anyway with Crass.
37. Black Market Baby, "World at War", Limp Records, 1981: From the comp "Connected".
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Fri., Dec. 5, 2003, 12-2 AM
A little more than an hour of this week's show focused on Cleveland (with a little Columbus and Akron thrown in for good measure) to get ready for the Rocket From the Tombs ("RFTT") show on Monday. It is difficult to overestimate the pre-punk importance of RFTT and the Cleveland scene. Most of the elements of Pere Ubu and the Dead Boys can be heard in RFTT, and the core early songs of those successor bands were covers of RFTT songs. I am next on the air Wed., 12/10 from 10-12 pm.
1. Stiff Little Fingers, "78 RPM", Rough Trade Records, 1978: B Side of the Alternative Ulster 7".
2. Nurses, "Hearts", Round Raoul Records, 1979: From their first 7". The perfect mix of pop tunes and a sparse structure that keeps them from being too "New Wave" like a number of other early DC punk bands.
3. Stranglehold, "She's Not Leaving", Taang!: One of the first Taang! Releases.
4. Erase Errata, "Let's Be Active c/o Club Hott", Troubleman Unlimited Records, 2003 (new release): In unrelated news, I saw on the Troubleman Unlimited site that they are putting out the next Fat Day record. That is exciting news. I was in college radio with the members of Fat Day in the early 90's. I went to their website the other day and it wasn't there, so I thought that maybe they broke up, but when I saw news of the signing I guess they are just starting a new site to go with the new label.
5. Reducers, "Let's Go", Rave on Records, 1986?: A live track from a 7" that has two live tracks on the A side and reissues the two tracks from their first 7" on the B side.
6. Vibrators, "Stiff Little Fingers", CBS Records, 1977: The band Stiff Little Fingers (see the first tune) stole their name from the tracks.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
7. Flying Luttenbachers, "Clank", Skin Graft / ugExplode Records, 1996.
8. Big Black, "Passing Complexion", Homestead Records, 1986.
9. Martin Rev, "Black Ice", File Thirteen Records, 2003 (new release).
10. Mars, "Helen Fordsdale", Antilles Records, 1978: From the No New York no wave comp.
11. Ebba Gron, "Bevapna er", Mistlur Records, 1979: Somehow it is more fun to listen to catchy punk songs when you can't tell what they are saying since they are singing in Swedish.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
12. Dag Vag, "Dimma", Ball Records, 1978: Great Swedish noise.
13. Fall, "City Hobgoblins", Rough Trade Records, 1980.
14. Mountain Goats, "Pure Intentions", Shrimper Records, 1992: From the first 7".
15. Tall Dwarfs, "Cant", Flying Nun, 1987.
16. Undertones, "Family Entertainment", Strange Fruit Records, 1986: From the Peel Sessions recorded Jan. 21, 1979.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The next three sets were an experiment where we played a Rocket From the Tombs song and then played the same song by a RFTT successor band. I hoped to draw comparisons between the bands.
17. Rocket From the Tombs, "Final Solution", Smog Veil Records, 2002.
18. Dead Boys, "Final Solution", Sire Records, 1977.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
19. Rocket From the Tombs, "Life Stinks", Smog Veil Records, 2002.
20. Pere Ubu, "Life Stinks": Originally from the Modern Dance lp. I took it from the cd box set. I think the comparison here was the most successful. By the time of this recording, David Thomas had perfected his spastic style, and the roots of this can be heard in the RFTT version. The Pere Ubu version is faster and less conventionally structured than the RFTT version.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
21. Rocket From the Tombs, "Muckraker", Smog Veil Records, 2002.
22. Saucers, "Muckraker", Orange Records, 1979: The Saucers were Craig Bell's band after he moved to New Haven. Bell was also in the Mirrors before RFTT.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
23. Black Flag, "Six Pack" (request): Not Cleveland related, but glad to honor a good request.
24. Girls, "The Elephant Man", Hearthan Records, 1979: The Cleveland connection here is David Thomas' record label. The Girls were from Boston. This is the only record they put out while they were together. I think they were the only non-Cleveland band to record on Hearthan. It isn't clear to me how this came to pass. I think they dragged Pere Ubu to their practice space when Ubu was playing Boston. Daved Hild, of the Girls, subsequently played with David Thomas and the Wooden Birds and on other occasions.
25. Television, "Venus", Elektra Records, 1977: The RFTT connection here is Richard Lloyd, who is taking the guitar part of the deceased Peter Laughner in the reunion line-up for RFTT. This is appropriate because Laughner was a huge fan of Television and Tom Verlaine. When Lloyd quit Television, Laughner sought to take his place and I think that he even did for a few weeks.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
26. Easter Monkeys, "14th Floor", Hit & Run Records, 1991: Recorded in 1983 but not put out until later. From Cleveland.
27. Gaunt, "Revolution", Datapanik Records, 1992. Gaunt and the Datapanik label are from Columbus, OH. Datapanik named after the Pere Ubu ep "Datapanik in the Year Zero". Gaunt looks back on the Cleveland punk sound, especially the Pagans.
28. Rubber City Rebels, "Rubber City Rebels", Stiff Records: From the Akron comp. Not sure why a British label put out a comp of just Akron bands. Akron is the Rubber City because of the dominance of the tire industry (don't know if that is still true in the post-industrial age). Why is Greensboro called the "Gate City"? I have asked a lot of people this question and never gotten an answer. Email me if you know the reason why.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
29. Clocks, "Time Is on My Side", Terminal Records, 1980: From the Cleveland Confidential 7" comp put out by the Pagan's Mike Hudson. There was subsequently a 12" comp. Put out by Hudson also called Cleveland Confidential.
30. Electric Eels, "Agitated", Scat Records, 2001: A two lp set that is the most comprehensive retrospective of the Electric Eels. Along with RFTT, the Electric Eels were Cleveland's other most influential pre-punk band.
31. Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, "Can't Kill Stupid", Datapanik Records: From Columbus. Ron House of the TJSA was previously in Great Plains.
32. Mirrors, "Frustration", Scat Records: From the three 10" set "Those Were Different Times". One 10" each for the Mirrors, Electric Eels, and the Styrenes. Craig Bell was originally in the Mirrors before RFTT. They put out one 7" on Hearthan.
33. Styrenes, "You're Trash", Scat Records: From the above mentioned three 10" set. They were part of the Cleveland pre-punk scene. Anton Fier was in the Styrenes at one point.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
34. Mike Rep and Quotas, "Rocket to Nowhere", Siltbreeze Records.
Now we are done with Cleveland. Time to play some new releases.
35. LCD Soundsytem, "Give It Up", dfa records, 2003 (new release): Comp of dfa releases.
36. The Vexers, "Vicious", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
37. Explosions in the Sky, "First Breath After Coma", TRR Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
38. An Albatross, "The Revolutionary Politics of Dance", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
39. Jad Fair, "Frankenstein Must Die", Armageddon Record, 1980?.
40. Melt Banana, "A Dreamer Who Is Too Weak to Face Up To", A-Zap Records, 2003 (new release).
41. Quasi, "Good Time Rock-n-Roll", Touch and Go Records, 2003 (new release).
See you at the Rocket From the Tombs show at King's in Raleigh on Monday night. I'll put a review of the show here soon.
1. Stiff Little Fingers, "78 RPM", Rough Trade Records, 1978: B Side of the Alternative Ulster 7".
2. Nurses, "Hearts", Round Raoul Records, 1979: From their first 7". The perfect mix of pop tunes and a sparse structure that keeps them from being too "New Wave" like a number of other early DC punk bands.
3. Stranglehold, "She's Not Leaving", Taang!: One of the first Taang! Releases.
4. Erase Errata, "Let's Be Active c/o Club Hott", Troubleman Unlimited Records, 2003 (new release): In unrelated news, I saw on the Troubleman Unlimited site that they are putting out the next Fat Day record. That is exciting news. I was in college radio with the members of Fat Day in the early 90's. I went to their website the other day and it wasn't there, so I thought that maybe they broke up, but when I saw news of the signing I guess they are just starting a new site to go with the new label.
5. Reducers, "Let's Go", Rave on Records, 1986?: A live track from a 7" that has two live tracks on the A side and reissues the two tracks from their first 7" on the B side.
6. Vibrators, "Stiff Little Fingers", CBS Records, 1977: The band Stiff Little Fingers (see the first tune) stole their name from the tracks.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
7. Flying Luttenbachers, "Clank", Skin Graft / ugExplode Records, 1996.
8. Big Black, "Passing Complexion", Homestead Records, 1986.
9. Martin Rev, "Black Ice", File Thirteen Records, 2003 (new release).
10. Mars, "Helen Fordsdale", Antilles Records, 1978: From the No New York no wave comp.
11. Ebba Gron, "Bevapna er", Mistlur Records, 1979: Somehow it is more fun to listen to catchy punk songs when you can't tell what they are saying since they are singing in Swedish.
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12. Dag Vag, "Dimma", Ball Records, 1978: Great Swedish noise.
13. Fall, "City Hobgoblins", Rough Trade Records, 1980.
14. Mountain Goats, "Pure Intentions", Shrimper Records, 1992: From the first 7".
15. Tall Dwarfs, "Cant", Flying Nun, 1987.
16. Undertones, "Family Entertainment", Strange Fruit Records, 1986: From the Peel Sessions recorded Jan. 21, 1979.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The next three sets were an experiment where we played a Rocket From the Tombs song and then played the same song by a RFTT successor band. I hoped to draw comparisons between the bands.
17. Rocket From the Tombs, "Final Solution", Smog Veil Records, 2002.
18. Dead Boys, "Final Solution", Sire Records, 1977.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
19. Rocket From the Tombs, "Life Stinks", Smog Veil Records, 2002.
20. Pere Ubu, "Life Stinks": Originally from the Modern Dance lp. I took it from the cd box set. I think the comparison here was the most successful. By the time of this recording, David Thomas had perfected his spastic style, and the roots of this can be heard in the RFTT version. The Pere Ubu version is faster and less conventionally structured than the RFTT version.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
21. Rocket From the Tombs, "Muckraker", Smog Veil Records, 2002.
22. Saucers, "Muckraker", Orange Records, 1979: The Saucers were Craig Bell's band after he moved to New Haven. Bell was also in the Mirrors before RFTT.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
23. Black Flag, "Six Pack" (request): Not Cleveland related, but glad to honor a good request.
24. Girls, "The Elephant Man", Hearthan Records, 1979: The Cleveland connection here is David Thomas' record label. The Girls were from Boston. This is the only record they put out while they were together. I think they were the only non-Cleveland band to record on Hearthan. It isn't clear to me how this came to pass. I think they dragged Pere Ubu to their practice space when Ubu was playing Boston. Daved Hild, of the Girls, subsequently played with David Thomas and the Wooden Birds and on other occasions.
25. Television, "Venus", Elektra Records, 1977: The RFTT connection here is Richard Lloyd, who is taking the guitar part of the deceased Peter Laughner in the reunion line-up for RFTT. This is appropriate because Laughner was a huge fan of Television and Tom Verlaine. When Lloyd quit Television, Laughner sought to take his place and I think that he even did for a few weeks.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
26. Easter Monkeys, "14th Floor", Hit & Run Records, 1991: Recorded in 1983 but not put out until later. From Cleveland.
27. Gaunt, "Revolution", Datapanik Records, 1992. Gaunt and the Datapanik label are from Columbus, OH. Datapanik named after the Pere Ubu ep "Datapanik in the Year Zero". Gaunt looks back on the Cleveland punk sound, especially the Pagans.
28. Rubber City Rebels, "Rubber City Rebels", Stiff Records: From the Akron comp. Not sure why a British label put out a comp of just Akron bands. Akron is the Rubber City because of the dominance of the tire industry (don't know if that is still true in the post-industrial age). Why is Greensboro called the "Gate City"? I have asked a lot of people this question and never gotten an answer. Email me if you know the reason why.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
29. Clocks, "Time Is on My Side", Terminal Records, 1980: From the Cleveland Confidential 7" comp put out by the Pagan's Mike Hudson. There was subsequently a 12" comp. Put out by Hudson also called Cleveland Confidential.
30. Electric Eels, "Agitated", Scat Records, 2001: A two lp set that is the most comprehensive retrospective of the Electric Eels. Along with RFTT, the Electric Eels were Cleveland's other most influential pre-punk band.
31. Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, "Can't Kill Stupid", Datapanik Records: From Columbus. Ron House of the TJSA was previously in Great Plains.
32. Mirrors, "Frustration", Scat Records: From the three 10" set "Those Were Different Times". One 10" each for the Mirrors, Electric Eels, and the Styrenes. Craig Bell was originally in the Mirrors before RFTT. They put out one 7" on Hearthan.
33. Styrenes, "You're Trash", Scat Records: From the above mentioned three 10" set. They were part of the Cleveland pre-punk scene. Anton Fier was in the Styrenes at one point.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
34. Mike Rep and Quotas, "Rocket to Nowhere", Siltbreeze Records.
Now we are done with Cleveland. Time to play some new releases.
35. LCD Soundsytem, "Give It Up", dfa records, 2003 (new release): Comp of dfa releases.
36. The Vexers, "Vicious", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
37. Explosions in the Sky, "First Breath After Coma", TRR Records, 2003 (new release).
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
38. An Albatross, "The Revolutionary Politics of Dance", Ace Fu Records, 2003 (new release).
39. Jad Fair, "Frankenstein Must Die", Armageddon Record, 1980?.
40. Melt Banana, "A Dreamer Who Is Too Weak to Face Up To", A-Zap Records, 2003 (new release).
41. Quasi, "Good Time Rock-n-Roll", Touch and Go Records, 2003 (new release).
See you at the Rocket From the Tombs show at King's in Raleigh on Monday night. I'll put a review of the show here soon.
