I'm a music snob, let's face it. I rarely listen to new music, unless it's a band I'm friends with, or something off Burger Records, or a friend recommended them because this new band is just absolutely fucking amazing, and even then, it takes me a while to actually listen to that new band and then decide whether I like it or not.
My brother has very strange taste in music, so I only listen to half the shit he recommends. One week, he'll send me an Indian pop ballad, and the next he'll be on a Journey flashback kick. We talk online, mainly to send each other YouTube videos, and a few weeks back, he sent me a video for a band I'd never heard of: Phosphorescent.
Phosphorescent - "Muchacho's Tune"
Let's just say I've been a little obsessed with this song. And the lyrics really kill me: "I found some fortune, found some fame; I finally cauterized my veins. Yeah I've been fucked up, and I've been a fool." I love how melodic the song is, with the subtle piano in the background, the horn that comes in midway, and how haunting and desperate Matthew Houck's voice is, how it sinks into your bones. Phosphorescent is essentially Matthew Houck. In 2001, Houck began performing in Athens, Georgia under Phosphorescent, and the name just stuck. In 2003, Houck recorded A Hundred Times or More under the Athens, Georgia label Warm Records. Since then, he's recorded seven albums. The last one, Muchacho, off Dead Oceans, was released in March of 2013. The end.
August 6, 2013
Last night, Warren played a song during our set that somehow seeped into my subconscious and I woke up singing it.
That song: "Prominent Men", by The Velvet Underground.
There isn't much information on the song, besides that it's a demo and was recorded in 1965. The song was later put on the Peel Slowly and See Velvet Underground five-disc box set released by Polydor (a record label under Universal) in 1995. The first disc (CD version) of Peel Slowly and See is comprised of demos, and only features Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sterling Morrison on the recordings. During this period, however, though not featured on any of the demos, Angus MacLise was the official drummer of the band. He would later be replaced by Moe (Maureen) Tucker.
1. "Venus in Furs"
2. "Prominent Men"
3. "Heroin"
4. "I'm Waiting for the Man"
Couldn't find a YouTube video for this one unfortunately.
5. "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"
6. "All Tomorrow's Parties"
In other words, "Prominent Men" was maybe one of the first songs the band ever recorded.
The year was 1964. Lou Reed, a recent graduate of Syracuse University, moved to New York City and began working as an in-house songwriter for Pickwick Records. Welsh musician John Cale had just moved to New York City to study at Goldsmiths College, earning himself a Stateside scholarship through his talent for piano and viola. Cale subsequently participated in John Cage's marathon piano experiments and became part of La Monte Young's The Dream Syndicate. Sometime during that year, Lou and John met at a party, and soon realized that they shared the same affinity for the avant garde experimental vibe that was surfacing in rock and roll. Their first band together, called The Primitives, was "a short-lived group assembled to issue budget-priced recordings and support an anti-dance single penned by Reed, 'The Ostrich'." (This endeavor was most likely fueled by Pickwick Records and John's access to a recording studio). The pair realized their collaboration was maybe something worth pursuing and recruited Sterling Morrison, a classmate of Lou's from Syracuse, to play guitar. Angus MacLise, John's flatmate, was brought on to play the drums. They then, as a quartet, started calling themselves "The Warlocks", and then "The Falling Spikes". One day, Tony Conrad, a friend of John's at the Dream Syndicate, showed the group a contemporary pulp paperback that caught his attention about the secret sexual subculture of the '60s. The cover bore the following: "Here is an incredible book. It will shock and amaze you. But as a documentary on the sexual corruption of our age, it is a must for every thinking adult." The title of the paperback, The Velvet Underground. MacLise, interestingly enough, suggested using the name for their band. At this point, Lou had already written "Venus in Furs" and the band unanimously agreed that the Velvet Underground fit their style.
Back to the demos.
In July of 1965, Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sterling Morrison recorded a set of demos at their Ludlow Street Loft in New York City. Shortly after making the tape, Cale took a trip to London and attempted to give a copy of it to Marianne Faithful, hoping she'd in turn hand it over to Mick Jagger, and the rest would be history. Needless to say, that never happened. The demo tapes were more or less shelved. They were never heard of until Peel Slowly and See and are considered the absolute most rare sounds of a band that changed rock and roll.
July 25, 2013
I generally hate everything about Texas. It's a completely biased opinion of a state I've never been to, so I know how bullheaded and one-dimensional I sound when I say that, but I do. I really hate Texas. Why? If you're driving through Texas and a little piggy stops you in his cowboy done-up Crown Victoria, you're stuck in Texas until you sort it out. A friend of mine was once strip searched at a gas station because a cop found half of a moldy weed brownie in her van. Cops alone are reason enough for me to stay away. But other reasons? I'm not white. It behooves me to steer clear of any situation where I could potentially be discriminated against because of my ethnicity. Technically, on standardized forms and surveys, I'm considered "White" because "Middle Eastern" isn't an option, but my skin is a little more olivey and my eyes are rounder and darker than most crackers wandering through the "go big or go home" state. So I watch my back. When I have to. Which means, don't go to Texas.
But Austin, the state's capital and home of the Austin Psyche Fest (arguably the best music festival in the country) and SXSW (a smorgasbord of bands and promoters fronting as a film festival that spans two weeks), is famous for its music scene (think 13th Floor Elevators, Daniel Johnston, Spoon, the Black Angels, Explosions in the Sky).
The Strange Boys is another gem of a band from the capital of a state that I unabashedly despise for no reason.
The Strange Boys was formed in 2001 by then 8th graders Ryan Sambol and Matt Hammer, and was originally a duo punk band with Sambol on guitar and Hammer on drums. In 2003, Sambol's brother Philip joined the band on bass, and their sound slowly began to evolve into what they would later be famous for. Greg Enlow joined the band in 2004, first on percussion and organ, and then later on guitar. With the four members finally molding into a vibe, the band released their first EP Nothing in 2007 on Dusty Medical Records, an obscure record label based in Milwaukee, WI that also reps Black Lips. The EP only had four tracks on it, but got the attention of Larry Hardy, founder and mastermind behind independent LA record label In The Red Records. Hardy originally wanted the Strange Boys to record their debut album with the late great Jay Reatard. But when
the product wasn't to either of their likings, Hardy sent the Strange
Boys back to Texas (shudder) to work with record producer Orville
Neeley. After two years of working on multiple sessions, the Strange Boys finally released their first full length album, The Strange Boys and Girls Club, (read the review here).
"Heard You Want to Beat Me Up"
For the next year or so, the Strange Boys toured, and finally put their Texas feet on European soil, where they caught the attention of Geoff Travis, founder and head of Rough Trade Records. Travis was so enamored by the Strange Boys that he made a deal with Hardy that would ultimately split their next album release under Rough Trade in Europe and In The Red in the US. But before that happened, the Strange Boys would change their lineup. Matt Hammer, founding member and original drummer, left the band, for reasons I can't find on the Internets. He was replaced by Seth Densham (of the mediocre Mika Miko). Hardy sent the Strange Boys down to Costa Mesa to Mike McHugh's Distillery (RIP). I've met Mike McHugh. He's quite possibly the most insane person I've ever had the pleasure of talking to. The Allah Las, the Growlers, Tomorrow's Tulips, and Nick Waterhouse have all recorded in the Distillery, an analog only recording studio. McHugh is a genius, and I'm sure that's why Hardy sent the boys his way.
For the sessions that would result in their second full length album, The Strange Boys brought on Jenna Thornhill-DeWitt (also from Mika Miko) on saxophone and backing vocals, and Tim Presley (of Darker My Love and the post Strange Boys phenomenon White Fence). The finished product, Be Brave, was released on both UK and US labels in February 2010 (read the review here). Trivia: the title track from the LP was used in a 2012 Dell Commercial.
"Be Brave"
Critics thought Be Brave was less cohesive than Boys and Girls Club, specifically with the absence of Hammer's drumming. After the Be Brave sessions and the completion of the album, drummer Seth Densham left the band and was replaced by Mike La Franchi. Whether this happened as a result of negative criticism or not, the Strange Boys were used to the musical chairs of their lineup, and geared right up for their third album. During this point, Jenna (the only girl) and her saxophone also left the band.
The Strange Boys final album, recorded in 2011 at the home studio of Spoon's Jim Eno. Titled Live Music (pronounced like give), the album received less success than the previous two, with critics noting that their original "strange" garage rock sound was waning (read the review here). Live Music was released in October of 2011, and would be their last studio album to date.
The Strange Boys are one of those bands that come around and disappear before you can even really sink your teeth into their juicy meat. It's a shame they don't tour anymore. I'd love to see them play in a warehouse downtown stuffed with underage debauchery. Maybe they will someday.
The end.
July 23, 2013
Last night, I had my first solo DJ experience, which means I was standing behind the turntables ALL BY MYSELF for four hours. Straight. Without breaks. Except for running back and forth to the bathroom to take a quick piss, and sneaking cigarette drags from strangers outside. When spinning vinyl, all vinyl, it's nearly impossible to leave the records spinning to their own devices. What happens if a song skips and you're not there? Or the sound is too low? Or the song ends sooner than you thought it would? So last night was a fun experience for me, and definitely made me feel like a real DJ.
Here's my playlist from last night, though I'm sure I'm missing a song or two, and in no order, because let's face it, I was drinking last night, and went to sleep at 3am, so the flow's a little off. (Click on the song titles)
More from "The Whole World Is Gay" (I thought I'd post the videos first so you can read about the band while you listen)
The Fall - "In My Area"
The Fall is an English post-punk band that formed in 1976 by Mark E. Smith, it's only constant member. Emerging during the overwhelming punk movement that blew up in the UK in the '70s, The Fall's sound has continuously evolved through numerous stylistic changes, mainly as a result of the ever changing lineup of band members. Although The Fall never fully reached commercial success, as of 2013, the band has released thirty studio albums and "more than triple that counting live albums and other releases" (Wiki).
The Fall's music is characterized by "repetition, an abrasive guitar-driven sound, and is always underpinned by Smith's often cryptic lyrics" (Wiki).
Grupo 606 - "En el Valven"
There isn't much information about Grupo 606 on the Internets in English, so if you read Spanish, knock yourself out.
Jody Reynolds - "Fire of Love"
Jody Reynolds was born in 1932 in Denver, Colorado and was raised in Shady Grove, Oklahoma. He was raised on country music and would come to idolize Western swing acts like Bob Wills and Hank Thompson. But when he heard Elvis (who would later become his friend) and Carl Perkins on the radio, playing their rockabilly sound, he began emulating them. He formed the band The Storms in the early '50s and wrote his most famous song "Endless Sleep" in 1956 after supposedly hearing "Heartbreak Hotel" on a jukebox. "Endless Sleep" would be his only hit, peaking at #5 on Billboard, and would be the start of a trend of "teen tragedy tales" that would continue on through the '60s. "Fire of Love" was his follow up single but only reached #66 on the charts.
The Troggs - "I Can't Control Myself"
The Troggs were an English band from the 60s who were signed by Larry Page, the manager of the Kinks. They're the guys who did "Wild Thing" and "With A Girl Like You." I really love The Troggs, and consider them one of the more overlooked garage bands from that era. When "I Can't Control Myself" was originally released, US radio stations curtailed its airplay because of its "suggestive" lyrics. And the scream at the beginning of the song was taken as an orgasm. Listen for yourself.
The Western Front - "Looking Back At Me"
I knew there was something familiar about the voice on this track. The Western Front is an American band from Portland, OR, formed in 1985 by Fred Cole (that's right, DEAD MOON), Kevin Conner, and Jeff Evans (notice how all these guys have last names that are also first names - yes I'm very observant). Although Cole's other bands (The Lollipop Shoppe, The Range Rats, Dead Moon, and Pierced Arrows) are all influenced by punk, Western Front has a more country vibe to it, which makes the sound almost timeless. The band only ever released three singles (which I'm sure are rare beyond belief) and then disbanded in 1986 so Cole could form The Range Rats with his badass wife Toddy.
Los Rollings - "No Tienes Mi Querer"
Los Rollings are another latin psychedelic band that I can't find any information on. I'm assuming they're from the '60s because of their sound, but can't be positive about that. This song is really amazing though.
Benny Joy - "Nowhere"
Benny Joy was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1935. Considered a rockabilly artist, Joy wrote and recorded his own compositions in a time when rockabilly was forming as an alternative to folky traditional songs.
I couldn't find a video of "Nowhere" on YouTube, but you can listen on his MySpace page (yes MySpace still exists) by clicking here.
Jack Starr - "My Love For You Is Petrified"
Jack Starr is another one of those "outsider" musician (remember Peter Grudzien from Side A). Starr was a Dallas-based teenage rockabilly hermit from the '50s and early '60s. According to his last.fm page, all of Starr's tracks were "homemade, a few notably recorded in his mother's bathtub to acquire the right level of echo." I love bathtubs. I love men in bathtubs. Totally fits.
Leonard Cohen - "Tonight We'll Be Fine"
Hopefully you already know everything there is to know about Leonard Cohen, but in case you don't, here's a quite recap. Leonard Cohen, born in 1934, is a Canadian singer/songwriter, musician, poet, and novelist. Cohen continues to tour every year, and lives in Miracle Mile (that's right, I've met him a couple times).
Black Ace - "Farther Along"
Not a lot of information on Black Ace besides him being a steel guitar player / gospel singer from either the '20s or '30s. You can listen to "Farther Along" here.
The End.
July 15, 2013
As promised, the list of songs on "The Whole World is Gay" mixtape I've been ranting about for the last couple posts.
Side A:
The Modern Lovers - "The Sweeping Wind"
The Modern Lovers is a band led by Jonathan Richman (if you don't know who that is look him up right now), with Ernie Brooks, David Robinson (of The Cars), and Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads). They only existed as a band from 1970 - 1974, and only ever made one album, the eponymous The Modern Lovers, so they're kind of a cult phenomenon. And they're amazing.
"The Sweeping Wind"
Ola Belle Reed - "You Lead Me To The Wrong"
Ola Belle Reed was born in 1916 in Lansing, North Carolina. Lansing celebrates her music and life by hosting an annual Ola Belle Music Festival. Ola Belle has this Karen Dalton thing going on, but also very Lead Belly (minus the black man aspect) because of the time period.
As mentioned before, I can't post "You Led Me To The Wrong" on my blog for some reason, but you can listen here.
Roger Miller - "My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died"
Roger Miller "is best known for his humorous novelty songs, which overshadow his considerable songwriting talents as well as his hardcore honky tonk roots." (stole that quote from the Internets, but it's pretty good, huh.) He's the guy who wrote and sang "King of the Road." His songs are all amazing, super silly, and perfect dance tunes. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
"My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died"
Peter Grudzien - "The Unicorn"
Peter Grudzien is considered an American country/psychedelic singer/songwriter, commercial artist, photographer, and recording engineer. According to Wiki, his music is considered "outsider music" which is ironic considering he was a commercial artist, but hey, I wont judge. Grudzien was heavily influenced by Hank Williams and Bob Dylan. Only 500 copies of his album The Unicorn, released in 1974, were ever pressed.
"The Unicorn"
The Red Krayola - "Transparent Radiation"
The Red Krayola was a psychedelic experimental rock band from Houston, Texas, that formed in 1966 under International Artists, the same record label as 13th Floor Elevators (Roky sang on some of their songs, so they were obviously buddies). The band made "noise rock" and experimented with folk and psychedelic instruments in a way that would later influence the lo-fi aesthetic of 1990s indie bands. The version on "The Whole World Is Gay" is the demo, sung playfully but with complete sincerity by lead singer Mayo Thompson. It reminds me of Lou Reed in early Velvet Underground, especially when Mayo laughs. "Transparent Radiation" (demo)
The album version is much different.
"Transparent Radiation"
Rodriguez - "Hate Street Dialogue"
Sixto Rodriguez is a genius. Please listen to him. There's even a documentary about him, Searching for Sugar Man. Rodriguez began playing music and recording in 1967 in Detroit, Michigan. But by 1975, after the dismal record sales from his albums Cold Fact and Coming From Reality, he was dropped from record label Sussex. Watch the documentary. This song was written by the producers and session guitarist of Cold Fact, but it's still amazing. Sixto makes it his own.
"Hate Street Dialogue"
Lee Hazelwood - "Poor Man"
Lee is possibly the most underrated singer/songwriter that ever lived. Finding fame beneath the shadows of his longtime partner/musical collaborator Nancy Sinatra, Lee was never fully appreciated for his genius. His sound is often described as cowboy psychedelic, and if you listen to him, you'll understand exactly why. He sings about love and loss, like most songwriters do, but his baritone voice makes your bones shake with empathy.
"I'm just a poor man with a heart full of love - for you."
I can't post the video on my blog, fuck you YouTube, but you can listen here.
Holly Golightly - "Sent"
Holly Golightly (yes she was named after Breakfast at Tiffany's) is a contemporary British singer/songwriter who's sometimes a little country, sometimes a little folky, and sometimes a little garage-rock bluesy. I generally listen to older music, but she's kind of a gem, along the same road as Mazzy Star.
"Sent"
Michael Hurley - "Wildigeeses"
Michael Hurleyis another one of those wonderful musicians who just couldn't get enough attention while he was in his prime. Hurley was raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1941. His first album, First Songs, was recorded on the same reel-to-reel machine that taped Lead Belly's album, Last Sessions. Considered an American folk singer/songwriter/guitarist, the more obscure my research into music gets, the more I see his beautiful name.
