A little bit of mid/late 90’s San Diego for you here. In my reading this has been described as art noise, whatever the fuck that is, but I was buddies with one of the guys in the band Devon, and damn it I dug these guys. He always did me right and was way ahead of his time on the computer, and would make me CDs of music he’d found in the age before the music blog, at the dawn of the internet. I can’t remember which instrument he played but I do know that he was a lover of your finer beers and the only guy I’ve ever known that would go through the process required to take olives from the tree and process them so they were edible. I’ve never been a fan of the olive except back then I liked them in my martini. Kind of that heroin music sound to them and if you close your eyes you get the feeling they would go well on a Quentin Tarantino movie soundtrack. Is it the reverb that gives one that impression? Being drunk most of the time back then these guys seemed like the best band in the world and that’s not an insult, I listened to this tape a bunch when in a stupor. For a little bit of ancient (and recent?) history on the band go here. Might have been lost in time forever if it hadn’t have been for this post, doesn’t that just make your day? The first and last tunes are the standouts for me.
It just popped into my head today that I’ve been a white collar worker for the last 5 years (6 if you include the year I was a substitute teacher). No big deal I guess but a long way from all those blue collar years of swinging a pick and kicking a shovel. It shows though as I’m in the crappiest shape of my life, with the exception of when I was a drunk, in and out of drunk tanks and hospitals. On that note a song came up tonight while I was checking out what I wish I had hard copies of, on my hard drive, and ran across Lemmy doing Thirsty and Miserable from Rise Above – 24 Black Flag Songs To Benefit The West Memphis Five. Check it out, great cover.
Well my good bro Jeff up Humboldt CA way did me right yet again and sent me three CDs the other day and I thought I would pass on the goodness to all of you. Known Jeff for something like 20 years and he has never stopped doing me right. I will be posting all three CDs which include Raiding The Airwaves (a benefit comp for Humboldt Free radio Alliance), the Hitch’s Motorcycle Nurseryrhymes and this one. I did a Fire Demons post a while back here which you should check out even if it is to just check out the funny video I have for you there. Jeff is one of those multi talented dudes and is actually one of my favorite artists in this ugly world. In this band he plays the drums, whereas most of the bands he’s played in he played guitar and you get Robert Tripp on guitar. Check them out at their Fire Demons myspace if you don’t believe me because it’s just the two of them. I needed this stuff as it took me away from the constant high speed thrashing I subject my ears to. This stuff leaves you with a more of a heavy in the gut feeling like a good pot of greasy chili. It’s hard to believe there’s no bass and Jeff just rocks the skins. My favorite tune on this one is Cape, but I’d be interested in knowing what you think.
Don’t Piss Me Off
Hole In The Ground
People Like You
Bad Move
Dented
Just Another Jock
Cape
Always Broke
Sick And Tired
Big Loaf man
While on the Humboldt groove my buddy James a band mate of Jeff’s and another super musician emailed me some tunes that I’ve been meaning to post. He also sent me some CDs not too long ago that I will need to post (damn I’m starting to get backlogged on stuff I need to post, you might say I’m running a constipated music blog). Anyway this is some random stuff that will take you back in a Humboldt time machine. Great stuff.
My boy and one of three monsters he caught that day…
The weekend is finally here (doesn’t it just seem sometimes to take forever to get to that all illusive Friday night) and it was payday. After the bills are paid I’m usually just left with pocket change but there’s always enough left for a stop at one of two buffets for the old lady and I in the big city. You guys are probably tired of me mentioning that, but it’s the little regular things that keep it going. My bro Erio commented in my last post that he didn’t much care for Rush but that he did like the tune Bastille Day.
Now that turned out to not only be a great tune but one that I don’t think I’d ever heard before, which made me think even more about how radio stations just play the same thing over and over again. Enough of that and on to something a little harder and heavier.
Well my bro Jason over at Lo-Res Viscera was one step ahead of me (actually he’s giant steps ahead of me in other ways) and did a post I was planning on doing. Rather than walk in someone elses footsteps (normally that wouldn’t stop me) you should definately go to his always awesome site and get Neurosis’ The Word As Law. That really is my favorite album by the band, maybe because it was my first exposure to them. My buddy Doug Rogers back into college dubbed it onto a cassette for me to groove to. Do you guys remember taking record store released cassettes of bands you didn’t like and putting tape over the tabs so you could record over them. Anyway that’s what Doug did to put Word… on a cassette for me. I played the shit outta that tape to the point that it finally wore out. I couldn’t find it for cheap so I just got it in a torrent a while back. I do like the later Neurosis stuff but there’s something about this straight ahead stuff that speaks to me more than their “out there” stuff. Pain Of Mind is definately my second favorite and fortunately for you I have the 2000 re-release that included a bonus CD. This rip came in a torrent as well but I do own this re-release of Pain… My favorite tune is Dominoes Fall which you get in a demo version as well. Every memeber of this band is perfect and for me the dual vocals just put them over the top. This is just a must listen to album. Let me know.
Had a crazy day today all because I forgot to take one of those important pills before crashing last night. Made up for it though and got to have a smoke with the old lady at home while taking care of my doctor prescribed sanity. If there’s a lesson to be learned it’s what the band Generic said “use your brain don’t screw it up”. Speaking of crazy, that’s a word that describes all the different kinds of emails I get. It’s interesting what the spam filter leaves for you to pick through. Even starting to get spam sneaking through around here if you guys have noticed before I delete them. Of course there is that essential email that you get from people that are close but it’s all that other stuff that keeps you on your toes. Is it because just once I tried to get that free iPod phone that some add said I had won? Not just in email but especially on TV it seems like everyone is needing a bigger dick. Hell I don’t know, you know how you get all kinds of emails these days, hell my grandfather, at 80 has even started to get into doing it. Once in a while I get one that makes me think or chuckle more than usual and I thought I’d pass one on here.
The Law of the Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’ This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’ He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks takeover their day. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so…Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Every once in a while I stray from the classic rock radio station the wife and I listen to, and try out the top 40 station. Heard a song that I really liked that they used to play a while back by the band/singer Everlast called What It’s Like off the album Whitey Ford Sings The Blues. Not a popular music guy for the most part even though that’s mostly what’s in this post, but damn the lyrics are so good in that song. Check it,
“We’ve all seen the man at the liquor store beggin’ for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you fuckin’ slob’s all he replied
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
‘Cause then you really might know what it’s like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it’s like [x4]
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said don’t worry about a thing baby doll I’m the man you’ve been dreamin’ of
But three months later he said he won’t date her or return her call
And she sweared god damn if I find that man I’m cuttin’ off his balls
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin’ through the doors
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore
I’ve seen a rich man beg
I’ve seen a good man sin
I’ve seen a tough man cry
I’ve seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I’ve seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked the baddest dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start
I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late at night
Liked to get shit faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45
Talked some shit
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of his pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that’s what they say when you play the game”
I guess Everlast was also a member of House of Pain who did that “Jump Around” thing (worthy of a post?). Another guy from House of Pain went on to be in Limp Bizkit (oh boy). Anyway I checked out the whole Whitey Ford… album and could not come up with another tune I dig except another radio hit Ends.
On that radio theme, my classic rock station, like all radio stations, even ones playing older tunes, tends to play the same songs over and over again. One such song is Tom Sawyer by Rush. The version I’ve given you here is the live version. No doubt the very best of musicians in Rush, but I just can’t get past my memories of anti-punk stoners listening to it over and over again at the park across the street from my house in the very early 80’s. Another tune they play but not nearly as often, as say Ozzy’s Crazy Train, is Hello I Love You (mix) by the Doors. Hello I Love You (live) is probably one of my favorite Doors tunes but I’m not sure why as I’m not a big fan of songs with lthe word love in the title. My bro Alex was one of the hugest Doors fans ever back in college and probably secretly still is. The Doors were anything but a typical rock band though but ended up having another dead doper for a singer.
There’s Gary Jules – Mad World, there’s Tears For Fears – Mad World and there’s R.E.M. – Mad World. My favorite is R.E.M.’s version but the tune is so good it would be hard to mess it up. I was always a secret R.E.M. fan. Dude’s voice is just so damn good. Do you have a favorite or do you even like the tune?
Twenty something years ago I would not be caught dead listening to Motley Crue but I think age has softened me up a bit. If you follow this blog though you can tell my musical taste is varied, maybe it’s always been that way. I’ve always had a hard time stomaching that rock star thing, but my rocker wife has definately rubbed off on me. The other day I heard Looks That Kill and I have to admit I was kind of rockin out to it. The steady beat and the constant chug of the guitar, simple but effective. That one’s for you Kim because you got the looks that kill.
Finally (did anyone make it this far) Warhead’s (Japan) Pride As A Human Being is the best (new to me) three minute song I’ve heard in a long time. I got it from http://churchofzer.blogspot.com/, a newer music blog with an interesting take on some pretty damn good musical selections. The vocals are over the top on this tune and I’ve been grooving to that crusty sound lately.
Well if you made it this far I am very impressed and surprised. Thank you for doing that.
Another one of those albums I wish I had, used to have it on tape (my wonderful friend Marisol made it for me in college), but it must be swimming with the fish. In case you missed out I did post a couple of Poison Girls 7″s I have on vinyl, but this is probably my favorite or their releases. I will post some of their later poppier stuff another time but for now this is all you need. There’s something about a well recorded live set, at least that’s the way I see it. I did find this posted at Rocket Remnants and his way with words saves you my feeble attempt at a write-up, but I will say that I think that Fernando’s rip is superior. One thing that’s been cool about this blog is that I’ve got a link to some of my old friends and made some awesome new ones along the way. Thanx Fernando! EDIT: This is not Fernando’s rip, this is obviously just one I found on youtube (oh the times they are a changin’)…
Below is the full write up from Rocket Remnants…
A classic piece of anarcho-post-punk from 1981, capturing a live performance by the greatest of the British politico bands of that period.
‘Invisible people, show yourselves.
People in hiding, come out.
Say what you want. Show who you are.
Reclaim the life that is left.
Those who desire peace and freedom must create a new economy.
The economy of peace will depend on a currency of trust.
Invisible people, show yourselves.
There are more of us than you think.’
Formed in 1976, the Poisons served their apprenticeship during the classic punk years, and found their niche in the early post-punk period along with artists such as Flux of Pink Indians, Honey Bane and Crass.
Being close neighbours of Crass (literally and ideologically), the Poisons worked productively with their fellow anarchic evangelists, touring together and sharing space on single and e.p. releases.
Crass Records was initially responsible for putting out the Poisons’ music, but due to a falling-out (over feminist ideology… what else are anarchists going to bicker about?) the band started their own label, Xntrix Records.
Deeply ideological lyrics, that discuss anarchy, radical feminist ideas, sexual politics, state control, pacifism and resistance, are perfectly accompanied by the angular, choppy, sometimes tribal music prevalent to the post-punk sound of the time.
This is a deeply provocative piece and in some ways still a challenging listen. But it’s not a lecture; it’s not like listening to Consolidated; this is music to pogo to.
The singer, Vi Subversia, had the most incredibly apt voice for expressing the band’s antipathy and disgust with the state, and those who maintained the oppressive systems of the state.
With a gravelly Marianne Faithful kind of snarl, you can not miss the real venom in the delivery of the lines: ‘I’m not your fucking Mother/I’m not your fucking whore/ I’m not your baby sister/ or the girl next door/ you can roll your eyes to heaven/ for a virgin to adore/ but there’s someone right beside you/ who could ask for more?/ as you eye each other up/ for a fight or a fuck.’
Or shiver at the fear and paranoia encapsulated in songs such as ‘S.S. Snoopers’ (that’s social security rather than nazis, but then again…) and ‘Don’t Go Home Tonight’.
These were bleak and dark times for many; crystallized here in this captured performance most effectively.
But it wasn’t all nihilism and self-harm inducing; the Poison Girls’ gigs I was at were among some of the best gigs I ever attended.
The anarcho-punk movement at that time was fairly small, and going to a Poisons’ show was like attending a family reunion. In fact I would go as far as saying that Vi’s fiftieth birthday party, which took place at London’s Hammersmith Clarendon Ballroom (R.I.P.), 1985, was one of the most joyous and celebratory gigs I have ever attended.
Forget Barry Manilow concerts, here was a very sincere and genuine love offered to a brilliant artist and performer by a deeply reverant audience.
The advice given during the song ‘Daughters and Sons’ (‘Daughters and sons/ sing your own songs/ got your own songs to sing’) seems to have been heeded, as both Vi’s kids (Pete Fender and Gem Stone) went off and created their own bit of anarchy with the bands Rubella Ballet and Fatal Microbes, both of whom raised a fair amount of attention and interest.
The Poison Girls’ own career was mainly ignored by the music press. Having a front woman in her mid-forties spouting radical feminist ideas was probably not the most eye-catching of copy. But in the true spirit of punk, Vi merely questioned established gender roles and stereotypes, in similar ways to bands like the Slits and X Ray Spex had.
But both of those bands featured young women, of course, and their digs at patriarchy were hardly going to raise the spirit of Mary Woolstonecraft.
Whereas the Poisons were so provocative they forced listeners to delve deep into their own consciences, and many didn’t really want to do that (the residual machismo that was ubiquitous to music journalists at that time wouldn’t have led to the band being office favourites).
During the time the band were active they fell out with most of their genre mates, they upset the extreme left (the SWP accused the band of describing their party as bullies) and they upset the extreme right (ditto. And they meant it). But for those who connected with their philosophy and ideology, they were a deeply motivating and inspiring force.
Released on clear vinyl, on Xntrix Records. Recorded live in Edinburgh, 5/7/81.
Along with many other Poison Girls’ recordings, this has not had a CD release.
I believe, they were a band that never got the recognition they truly deserved.
The Poison Girls:
Vi Subversia – voice, guitar.
Richard Famous – guitar, voice.
Lance D’Boyle – drums
Bernhardt Rebours – bass, voice.
Nil – tapes.
If there is an interest in this album, I will post more of the Poisons’, now hard to get, albums in the future.
I hope you enjoy this
The Poison Girls – Total Exposure
Tracks:
Persons Unknown
State Control
Old Tart’s Song
Bully Boys
Tension
Another Hero Bites
Don’t Go Home Tonight
S.S. Troopers
Other
Daughters and Sons
Fucking mother
Dirty Work
Alienation
A little bit of mid/late 90’s San Diego for you here. In my reading this has been described as art noise, whatever the fuck that is, but I was buddies with one of the guys in the band Devon, and damn it I dug these guys. He always did me right and was way ahead of his time on the computer, and would make me CDs of music he’d found in the age before the music blog, at the dawn of the internet. I can’t remember which instrument he played but I do know that he was a lover of your finer beers and the only guy I’ve ever known that would go through the process required to take olives from the tree and process them so they were edible. I’ve never been a fan of the olive except back then I liked them in my martini. Kind of that heroin music sound to them and if you close your eyes you get the feeling they would go well on a Quentin Tarantino movie soundtrack. Is it the reverb that gives one that impression? Being drunk most of the time back then these guys seemed like the best band in the world and that’s not an insult, I listened to this tape a bunch when in a stupor. For a little bit of ancient (and recent?) history on the band go here. Might have been lost in time forever if it hadn’t have been for this post, doesn’t that just make your day? The first and last tunes are the standouts for me.
Well my good bro Jeff up Humboldt CA way did me right yet again and sent me three CDs the other day and I thought I would pass on the goodness to all of you. Known Jeff for something like 20 years and he has never stopped doing me right. I will be posting all three CDs which include Raiding The Airwaves (a benefit comp for Humboldt Free radio Alliance), the Hitch’s Motorcycle Nurseryrhymes and this one. I did a Fire Demons post a while back 
My boy and one of three monsters he caught that day…
Another one of those albums I wish I had, used to have it on tape (my wonderful friend Marisol made it for me in college), but it must be swimming with the fish. In case you missed out I did post a couple of Poison Girls 7″s I have on vinyl, but this is probably my favorite or their releases. I will post some of their later poppier stuff another time but for now this is all you need. There’s something about a well recorded live set, at least that’s the way I see it. I did find this posted at 