CITIZEN FISH

I will freely admit that I joined the CITIZEN FISH camp pretty late in the game. The early '90s were, by most accounts, the heyday of both the band's output and their popularity, but I didn't even see them play live until 1997 (and even then, it was only because Karoline was on tour with them, I am not sure I had ever even heard their music). But it didn't take much to see why people and punks from virtually every subsection of every scene were into the band, and I've been an unabashed fan ever since that first show. I'll still hold Life Size as my favorite record, but please don't ask me to pick a favorite show because there have been to many to choose from...and they are never bad. It just doesn't happen. The Psychological Background Reports are collections of outtakes, field recordings and remixes, things that few bands could pull off in an even remotely interesting fashion, but when CITIZEN FISH digs into the archives, the result is nothing short of fantastic.  This is the first installment, circa 1993....a full hour of dub, reggae, remixes, techno (lest you thought Phil was a latecomer to the electronic music game!), alternates and interviews, all carefully manipulated for your listening pleasure. Sometimes I rip tapes and leave them in the background while I get on with life, but this one held me mesmerized....the manipulation is every bit as effective today as it was then. And, for the record, no matter how many crucial shows (or years?) I missed out on by jumping on the bandwagon late, I wouldn't change a thing about my relationship to the band or their music because it's been nothing short of perfect from that show in San Luis Obispo until today...

FIRST PSYCHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND REPORT

KUCHALANA

Closed minded hardcore pricks can move right along to Wednesday (when I will probably post some synth drone annoyance) and try your luck, while those of you who like to approach punk with open ears and no preconceptions are probably about to be stoked. I admit that I like this more than I think I should, and that I cannot really defend my appreciation of what is essentially  college beach cabana meets surfer douche outfit with one kinda punk song (and my defense would not extend to the 6+ minute "The Fall" -  I have no excuse for that one), but that doesn't change the fact that the jams are chill...which is the whole point. It's the dub element that appeals to me more than the reggae - "Silent Stare" into the weird "Silent Songs #2" remix that closes the tape are fukkn killers...and the whole tape somehow makes me feel like I'm on vacation. I cannot imagine that very many people will listen to this, considering the general demographic of Escape visitors and my description, but I think that those who do will be rewarded.

THE INPUT FOR AN OUTPUT

D.C. TODAY

I could talk about this tape in the context of the Washington, D.C. metro area and the current crop of ridiculous bands from there. Or I could talk about this tape in the context of the importance of mix tapes as a tool for networking and underground community. I could also discuss this tape as a representation of the progression of the punk scene/sound from the early Dischord days onward. Or perhaps I could just say that D.C. Today is a brilliantly crafted document of punk and hardcore from the area circa 1989. Bands that you may have heard of include MFD, AGENT 86, and SHUDDER TO THINK, but almost all of this shit is new to me - the east coast hardcore is crucial, the goth punk is completely legit, the ska is....well, it's ska but there are only two or three songs, and the sporadic between track phone interviews are fukkn brilliant little time capsules. I know Mike probably made this for a few friends, but I could not be happier that a cope made its way into my hands. Favorite jams: DESECRATION, GUT INSTINCT, STOMP, RANCID (not the one you are thinking of), THE WAIT and STRANGE BOUTIQUE. This is why mix tapes are fukkn great, especially 20+ years in the future.

D.C. TODAY: A Compilation Tape Of Bands From Maryland/DC/Virginia

As an extremely pleasant side note, I realized well into the digitization of these jams that the compiler was one Mike Straight, who was one of the first punks I met who really let me know (inadvertently, perhaps) that I was on the right path. The idea of putting snippets from telephone interviews in between choice tracks fits perfectly with my memories of Mike, and hearing his voice is a blast from my past (even though I probably didn't meet him until 5 years after he compiled this tape). Last I knew, Mike bought a house that was a glorified squat in Philadelphia and had convinced someone to give him money to go to school. Maybe my memory is incorrect (as is often the case), but someone should put me in touch with that dude because he was always super good to hang out with.

DAUERRAUSCH 4

A 21 band solidarity compilation released to support the Autonome Kulturzentrum in Hanau, Germany (a squat near Frankfurt,  active since 1986). Melodic acts like PEACE OF MIND and KELLERBASSELN reek of the catchy but powerful political punk of the '90s, while Poland's HOMOMILITIA start the tape off with relentless dual vocal crust. Other highlights include SCUM OF TOYTOWN (comparisons to early CHUMBAWAMBA are not out of line), ROTZLÖFFEL and GEHRINSCHLAG (totally blown out noise drenched D-Punk), KÜPPERS ROTE ZONENKUGEL and PANZERKROIZA POLPOTKIN, whose dark minute dirges could easily inspire new legions of goth obsessed jungen. The tradition of gruff German street punk is well represented also (REICH & SCHÖN, KINDLE, MARKSMAN), and while there are surely a couple of clunkers (30 songs here, what do you expect?) this is top quality from a slew of lesser know late '80s/early '90s acts. 

DAUERRAUSCH 4: A Soli-Sampler für das AKZ Hanau

RUDIMENTS

RUDIMENTS were well established before I moved to San Francisco, but I was lucky enough to watch their evolution into a terrifying whirlwind of narcotics and punk. If you are scared of ska, then perhaps you should stay away, but 1996's Bitch Bitch Bitch is a mandatory release filled with chaos and drug fueled depression...everything from the blazing sinister '80s hardcore of "Neon Crucifix" and "El Camino" to the chilled out "Underwater" or the unquestionably danceable "Terror In The Heartland," tracks that could teach fans of the dirty ska/punk from more well known bands a lesson or two in the ways of determination in the face of squalor. The recording is damaged in the manner of later FLAG or a distorted basement amalgamation of Albini's work, and that edge gives songs like "Superhero Chickenshit" an authenticity that is impossible to manufacture. They toured relentlessly for half a decade, exporting Mission District ethos to the heartland of the country for $50/night, sharing the stage with much more popular and less worthy bands. Their live shows in the late '90s were epic, and while few of their other releases capture the final era of RUDIMENTS, this full length definitely does. 

Scottzy made me this tape before the LP came out, and I played the shit out of it. The LP on one side and a slew of demos and live tracks dating back to 1994 on the flip. The RHQ 4-track recording of "Smokin' Hubbas" might steal the whole tape for me, but you are welcome to choose your own favorite. Had some of the best times with these dudes - cared about stuff a lot less back then but, in retrospect, perhaps it meant a lot more.

BITCH BITCH BITCH + MORE!!

"They comfort my buns, they keep me, you know, supported and able to be endowed to do what I do...which is, you know, get high."

BEATS

There is no sense in me pretending that I am anything approaching an expert on these sounds. Just three acts make up the A side of this mix tape, Nigeria's CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY and KING SUNNY & HIS AFRICAN BEATS with a couple of tracks from Senegal's TOURE KUNDA to round out the party. Mesmerizing sounds that I love, whether or not I know anything about them or their historical relevance (CHIEF EBENEZER takes the cake for me, if anyone is keeping track). From northern Africa to musically rich Jamaica for the flip side, 45 minutes of classic ska from well known acts (TOOTS & THE MAYTALS, JIMMY CLIFF, BURNING SPEAR, DESMOND DEKKER) and deeper cuts from ERIC MORRIS, THE MELODIANS, LORD CREATOR and others. Again, I am no historian here, but these sounds make me want to delve deeper - and that, dear readers, is the power of a good mix tape - even though I get the feeling that this is just a vinyl comp committed to shell form (at least the Jamaica side), it still has the same effect as if one well meaning historian spent one alcohol soaked evening sharing the best possible examples of a genres to all his/her friends. Highlights for me? LORD CREATOR, CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY, AUGUSTUS PABLO, and SOUL VENDORS. The shit is good, enjoy.

AFRICAN SOUNDS // JAMAICAN SOUNDS

GET OFF MY LAND

A hunt saboteurs benefit cassette from the late '80s featuring a handful of bands you know (INTERNAL AUTONOMY, SOFA HEAD, AOS3) and heaps more that you are about to enjoy. BEDOOHA's first tune comes off like a killer WIPERS outtake, R.D.F. would have been a favorite of mine had I heard them at the time, and the B side of the tape is packed with lo-fi dub brilliance. HAPPY SHOPPERS' two drugged out tunes take the cake for my ears, while THE AK47s and a bedroom 4 track instrumental from MR. LULLEY are total winners.  A chilled out and not at all serious sounding comp, meant to benefit a wholly serious cause.

GET OFF MY LAND

NOTHING TO LOSE BUT OUR CHAINS

Late '80s UK comp benefitting Anarchist Black Cross (did you ever wonder how much money a $2 cassette comp could actually raise to benefit any cause?) and featuring a few tracks from a few really good bands. This D90 starts with INTERNAL AUTONOMY (who contribute four of the best songs on the tape) playing a genuinely weird sax and keyboard fronted number before HERB GARDEN launches into one of the few hardcore songs included. Reverbed dub (TOTTENHAM AK47s, CITIZEN FISH), classic UK punk (THOUGHT POLICE), proto industrial punk (K.Y.J., PLUG, SLOWJAM) are all represented, while POLITICAL ASYLUM, MORTIFIED and EMBITTERED provide other highlights. There are a couple of turds, to be sure, but that's to be expected on a 90 minute tape.

NOTHING TO LOSE...BUT OUR CHAINS

A.O.S. 3

Look at those paisleys!! You know this shit sounds like a bowl of non-confrontational corn flakes, right? You should also know that I'm posting this A.O.S.3 demo to remind you that you should be working in your garden (urban or otherwise), reconnecting with long lost friends (digitally or otherwise), making a mix tape (analog only), or smashing the system instead of downloading long forgotten tapes off the internet.  Seriously. The most interesting tune here is "3rd World War," which somehow takes the bass line from DEAD KENNEDYS "Holiday In Cambodia" and slows it down to make it relatively uninteresting, adds a guitar lick lifted directly from JOY DIVISION and peppers the tune with vocals trying so earnestly to be intense. The acoustic BILLY BRAGG sounding tune "Embers" is the shortest jam on the tape, and even it approaches the 4 minute mark...get ready to get into some anarcho dub/ska/reggae. Or perhaps you could read a book, totally up to you.

Live at The Kazbah, 1990

NATTY CHARIOT

End the week with a mellow swagger instead of a raucous explosion. Natty Chariot comes to us from the same chap who put together the excellent Behind The Iron Curtain mix tape posted back in January, and this time, as the subtitle suggests, we get one solid hour of Jamaican reggae/dub singles. The tempo is dreary and dragging throughout, but the vibe is fukkn excellent on tunes like "Natty Dread Come Over" from LITTLE BOP and KING TUBBY & MICHAEL CAMPBELL's spaceland freakout "Internal Energy." The vinyl crackle on the tape's namesake performed by OBSERVER is almost as mesmerizing as the monotonous driving beat and, and I ROY's "Drifter" with it's lazy horns seems positively upbeat by comparison. A few years ago, you never would have convinced me that I would have liked this tape, but it started with my friend Peter and slowly my mind opened. No, it has nothing to do with weed, but Natty Chariot is a burner.

NATTY CHARIOT Side A

NATTY CHARIOT Side B

BTF

I frequently post tapes by bands about whom I have little or no information, but this one takes the cake.  The tape is unmarked, there is nothing on the cover besides the scan you see above, and I can't really even be sure that BTF is indeed the name of the band.  And the music is even more mysterious; tripped out space dub with dark anarcho punk vocals, it's like PINK FLOYD, ZOUNDS and HAWKWIND teamed up to make a record and decided to take acid and listen to reggae instead.  Favorites include tracks 04, which is more on the punk end of the spectrum, 07, which is just truly fucking bizarre.  Of course, I would relish any information anyone might have about this tape...the more you listen, the better it gets.  Trust me.

BTF

INTENSIFIED

For years I was baffled by the punks' seemingly collective interest in ska and reggae, and then something just clicked. I'm still not a total fan, and certainly nothing approaching an expert, but I've amassed a few records, and I certainly enjoy putting them on from time to time (people still keep telling me that if only I smoked weed, all would become clear...in music and in life, but I digress...).  It shouldn't come as a surprise that in amongst a heap of tapes from an old UK punk were a few ska cassettes, mostly compilations like this one, titled Intensified.  The subtitle, Original Ska: 1962-66, pretty much explains it,  and here is 45 minutes of killer first wave jams to satisfy my self imposed friday compilation obligation.  Skank your week goodbye with the likes of TOMMY COOK, ROLAND ALPHONSO, STRANGER COLE and loads more.

INTENSIFIED

Also, I'm going on a short tour again...leaving in about 10 minutes in fact.  I'll be driving for Oakland's LAUDANUM and BLACK GANION from Nagoya, Japan, and both will be delivering heavy blows to cities up and down the west coast.  Stop by and say hello if you are in the area (or if we will be in yours), and expect another post around Thanksgiving day. Cheers...

RINGI-RANGA PER NOI Oi! GURE AUKERA RINGI-RANGA OEEE!!

Friday again, and this time you get a mix tape. I wish I could share the time that went into this one, it epitomizes the glory of The Mix Tape. Fold out cover lifted from newspapers and magazines, all taped together collage style; the songs painstakingly handwritten (alternating ink colors between artists and tracks), even including the year of release; and most importantly: the music chosen carefully for maximum flow and listening enjoyment. In 2003 we played a show at a squat in Bilbao, in Spain's Basque region. The lone resident to greet us was a cheery skinhead who spoke almost no english but did everything possible to make us feel welcome. He repeated over and over that he was "left skin," and would raise his left fist (in solidarity with all "good" skinheads I suppose). He didn't stay for our show (he went to work, like every good skinhead should), but when I woke up the next morning, there was this mix tape at my door, he had made it that night after work. We listened to this almost daily for the rest of the tour and I still bust it out from time to time, just a solid good time, with lots of songs by and about....well, skinheads. Good friday...

RINGI RANGA side 1

RINGI RANGA side 2