tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37850344230638157102024-03-13T06:03:13.959-04:00FFanzeen: Rock'n'Roll Attitude With IntegrityThrough the writings and photography of Robert Barry Francos, a view of the arts and culture, including everyday life.Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.comBlogger809125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-89309378437878260002023-05-20T00:06:00.001-04:002023-05-22T17:53:25.144-04:00The First Time I Saw Joey Ramone: For His Birthday (May 19, 1951)<p><i style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Text by Shari
Edmands / FFanzeen, 2023</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Introduction © Robert Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Images from the Internet</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US">I became acquainted with Shari while she worked at Max’s Kansas City, in
the late 1970s. She is an amazing artist and cartoonist, and I published a few
of her humorous </span></i><span lang="EN-US">Max’s Funnies<i> in the print version of my physical </i>FFanzeen<i> in
the early 1980s. This is a reprint of a Facebook blog on May 19, 2023 that she
wrote about the first time she was Joey Ramone perform in a pre-Ramones band
which shared a bill with SUICIDE, reprinted with her permission. – Robert Barry
Francos, 2023<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LzOMZQIG0SzW5xvI6QQfyrG0CLMrOL783Z3vTDAxO9u9jbWSYHAlSav6uJbsoYJ2E9qN_1fdWuabS-gDj5gTa1QieC0b3LKQX66qNDQ1HJJuYrkuQUzNuR9cjuyLeTy17nCWHTN-oCiTlZeha8eGWeqmpYB0MWj9xApe9jltz5HlCf8YO9-l2DaG2A/s750/Jeffrey-Hyman-Joey-Ramone-Sniper.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="750" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LzOMZQIG0SzW5xvI6QQfyrG0CLMrOL783Z3vTDAxO9u9jbWSYHAlSav6uJbsoYJ2E9qN_1fdWuabS-gDj5gTa1QieC0b3LKQX66qNDQ1HJJuYrkuQUzNuR9cjuyLeTy17nCWHTN-oCiTlZeha8eGWeqmpYB0MWj9xApe9jltz5HlCf8YO9-l2DaG2A/w400-h224/Jeffrey-Hyman-Joey-Ramone-Sniper.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sniper</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The First Time I Saw Joey Ramone: For His Birthday (May 19, 1951)</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The very first time I saw
Joey Ramone perform live was as “Jeff Starship,” fronting the glam rock band
(we called it “glitter” back then) SNIPER, at Coventry, on Queens Blvd in
Sunnyside, Queens in 1973. I was 16 at the time and going to Art & Design High
School in the city. SNIPER was opening for a duo that my Art & Design
friends and I had heard much about, and we’d gone to check out: SUICIDE. We
knew the singer was a painter/sculptor/installation artist that was getting a
lot of attention, so we were intrigued.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">When we got to the club,
we found a place to sit on the floor about twelve feet from the stage. The
crowd all found seats on the floor around us. The room filled up fast.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the lights went down,
and SNIPER got on stage, I was immediately spellbound by the lanky front man
with bangs and sunglasses. First of all, he was taller than anybody I had ever
seen in my entire life – let alone someone fronting a rock and roll band. Even
without the 8-inch-high hot pink platform boots he was wearing, he would’ve
been taller than anyone I’d ever seen. Super long skinny legs in hot pink shiny
hip-hugger spandex pants, hot pink platform boots, and a dangling long black
scarf. Long dark wavy hair with short bangs, big cheekbones, and round shades.
And he had a stance that looked as if he was hardly moving, but even without
moving much, his delivery actually seemed quite aggressive. He had a unique
vocal style. Everything about him was unique.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don’t recall the music
very well to tell you the truth. And I don’t recall the other members of the
band because I couldn’t keep my eyes off the singer. I just remember thinking “I
will <i>never</i> forget this front man for the rest of my life.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">After their set, we were
anxious to see the headliner. I’ll make this next part short because this story
is really about Joey, but I can’t leave out my first impression of SUICIDE. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11ma5blxeZF_EZwyKVxY-R1IjdW7w9EB5jIVqzc5O_aB6tuhnp6CxWQAvc6SZsFHIEDYkp8IyhYxiShoW0Q5cLwhF2qBkUxSs-G_JlE8pt80XnALvMp6akFFNSsHi5D3t757tTil-hywoD-ruGR1aZcCGSKdxvknCCbPuNNCSKPOjPa5hPoQB5tCYaA/s1280/53fgo4R4CrumEGFHK7uTsh.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11ma5blxeZF_EZwyKVxY-R1IjdW7w9EB5jIVqzc5O_aB6tuhnp6CxWQAvc6SZsFHIEDYkp8IyhYxiShoW0Q5cLwhF2qBkUxSs-G_JlE8pt80XnALvMp6akFFNSsHi5D3t757tTil-hywoD-ruGR1aZcCGSKdxvknCCbPuNNCSKPOjPa5hPoQB5tCYaA/w400-h225/53fgo4R4CrumEGFHK7uTsh.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Suicide</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">It got dark, and all of us
in the audience were sitting on the floor, waiting for what seemed like an
interminable amount of time, looking at the door behind us from which the duo
would be entering. Finally, a guy dressed all in black leather comes into the
room, dragging a large thick chain behind him. Slowly approaching the stage, he
wields the chain menacingly around the edge of audience, shouting
unintelligible stuff, and being incredibly menacing. I can’t remember if he was
on a mic yet, but he was loud. And I don’t remember if the keyboard player,
Marty Rev, was on stage yet at that point. I only remember my first glimpse of
the singer, Alan Vega, and he held us all in thrall. I was sitting there, and I
remember thinking, “Okay this is scary. If I get up now and try to leave, I’d
have to make my way out by stepping over all these people in the dark, and he’s
gonna see me, and he’s gonna come running after me with that goddamn chain...”
I had no choice but sit there and wait and see what happens next. So, I stayed.
When they were finally on stage, the music was deafeningly loud and strange,
and different from anything I’d ever heard before. And despite the terrifying
theatrics of Alan’s entrance, the music was actually mesmerizing, and I became
of a big fan of SUICIDE. Years later at Max’s, Alan and I would become great
friends. He was a real sweetheart. A true innovator.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back to my Joey story…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">For three years, after
seeing that show at Coventry, I would remember that strange looking singer I
saw fronting that opening band, wondering what ever happened to him, if he was
still performing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">By 1976, I was still
living at home in Queens, and going to SVA (School of Visual Arts) in the city.
One day I was at my boyfriend’s place. He had just bought a new album. It was
by this band THE RAMONES; he said that I just had to hear because they were
great. Totally different than anyone. Then he showed me the album cover. I
couldn’t believe it. I was like, “Oh my God, that’s the <i>GUY</i>!!! That’s
the <i>GUY</i>!!! That’s that front man I told you about! The lanky one with
the bangs and the glasses! It couldn’t be anyone else! That’s the singer of
SNIPER!” It was so weird that I was the only one in my crowd that ever saw him
play in any band before THE RAMONES. Needless to say, that was a great first
album, and the rest is history.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">I saw them for the first
time at Hurrah’s in August 1978 with my friend Jane. She and I were up front
and center, standing right against the stage. And many years later I met his
beautiful mom, Charlotte, a very sweet lady. And it was obvious that he
inherited those big high cheekbones from her.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, that’s my Joey
Ramone birthday story.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MlwFAOT5pMs" width="320" youtube-src-id="MlwFAOT5pMs"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PfFeV-Ti80Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="PfFeV-Ti80Y"></iframe></div>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-67333865223835322792023-05-14T17:49:00.000-04:002023-05-14T17:49:45.657-04:00Memories of My Mom on Mother’s Day, 2023<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Images from the Francos collection</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlSamUKKv9ej-TQUTnfRoSQm9nxVBhz1Wk5MoCLUQ4la_ZwZqfpXzQ_s1BLjUi47ZTUhryLDKrZFjFY-3H998DXLbqgYSvrUEzuzQQYLpTsLx1ltTSDiKEZbwAkMjGUT92pmDfg5R6Y1m2hb7NdJ8bBBtvJZe-cbLUwg5iUWzC81_rYCBWFOBn-lYDw/s1120/031scan0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1120" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlSamUKKv9ej-TQUTnfRoSQm9nxVBhz1Wk5MoCLUQ4la_ZwZqfpXzQ_s1BLjUi47ZTUhryLDKrZFjFY-3H998DXLbqgYSvrUEzuzQQYLpTsLx1ltTSDiKEZbwAkMjGUT92pmDfg5R6Y1m2hb7NdJ8bBBtvJZe-cbLUwg5iUWzC81_rYCBWFOBn-lYDw/w400-h289/031scan0176.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Memory of My Mom on
Mother’s Day, 2023</span></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">October 19, 2023, would have been my mom's 97th
birthday, being born in 1927, but she never made it past June 25, 1981. I am
more than a decade older now than she had ever been.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">This piece is to
celebrate Helen Rosen. The Rosen siblings are, in order of age from eldest to
youngest, Miriam, Elsie, Eli and Helen. Elsie is the last remaining sister, approaching
the century mark this coming October (living in Boca Raton, Florida, the last
time I saw her was on her 90th birthday). I used to love going to her house in
Queens before she retired South, and would spend a couple of weeks in Flushing,
NY, every summer when my mother could not take my energy anymore. Elsie made
the best noodle kugel in the world. But I digress…</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEfx5R7bC7P7XUL1R-H1tI1LZUW5FHeb-qVYk8BJMjyLU0UK1h_zQU1eAQpQe7C3qpyH1eQ6jtBXSsLzoap2quT3ejdkbmn6q44nw5tcckhVfEJm5C1cVUS7PM_NB3TD-j92xNFHhI4TgAH3k9Iyqi52AhqvpF05_JHrVRqzlupN2DHervHZtKIao7Q/s865/029scan0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="767" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEfx5R7bC7P7XUL1R-H1tI1LZUW5FHeb-qVYk8BJMjyLU0UK1h_zQU1eAQpQe7C3qpyH1eQ6jtBXSsLzoap2quT3ejdkbmn6q44nw5tcckhVfEJm5C1cVUS7PM_NB3TD-j92xNFHhI4TgAH3k9Iyqi52AhqvpF05_JHrVRqzlupN2DHervHZtKIao7Q/w355-h400/029scan0076.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Driving mom crazy at Camp HES, about 1965</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Helen was born in
Brooklyn in 1926, the first American generation of the maternal family, and her
first language was Yiddish. She did not learn to speak English until she went
to school. She grew up in the then-highly Jewish Williamsburg neighborhood, and
was quickly nicknamed – for obvious reasons – Blondie. Eventually, she would go
by Lynn. Her neighbors included Mel Brooks, and drummer Buddy Rich. In fact, her
best friend then, Millie (aka Lefty), married Mel’s brother right after he
returned from World War II from the Air Force where he was a bomber pilot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7vbXY04vSZbueWFlSJhG6f7bzxrWFTPAMaSDPWK3UH_hgkm94BG0awVYLqVxcPrbDGV2KjNS106qHQzpEnPSh_5kw3qRDC8l5eg9X547lrLhQQaN-CMQf9S13Yn0sZfFg3ZroBoEAsQBUd0RNMgMarpcnL3UNpvBhbyE7RYMnV_O9hB_hwIJ679zJg/s1009/004scan0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1009" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7vbXY04vSZbueWFlSJhG6f7bzxrWFTPAMaSDPWK3UH_hgkm94BG0awVYLqVxcPrbDGV2KjNS106qHQzpEnPSh_5kw3qRDC8l5eg9X547lrLhQQaN-CMQf9S13Yn0sZfFg3ZroBoEAsQBUd0RNMgMarpcnL3UNpvBhbyE7RYMnV_O9hB_hwIJ679zJg/w400-h278/004scan0020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Helen on the far left, Chickie next to her</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">In her teens, the
family moved to the Bensonhurst area in one apartment, and then to another
where I was conceived (I was born in the no-longer existing Brooklyn Doctor’s
Hospital). But more on that later. She attended an all-girl’s high school,
which she hated. My mom loved the boys, and the estrogen-fueled locale was not
for her. She dropped out of high school, but not before picking up a smoking
habit, with Kent being her brand of choice.</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">During the war, she
first dated a guy whose last name was Schmuckman. She eventually told me, “I
liked him too much, so I dropped him. I refused to be Mrs. Schmuckman.” She did
get engaged to somebody after that, who never returned from the battlefield.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">She was on a blind
date with a friend, Chickie, in 1947. The story goes, the two men walked into
the room, saw them sitting there, and one of the guys turned to the other and
said, “The blonde is mine,” though he was being set up with Chickie. That was
my father, Leo Francos.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6cbVA65ZDJqp97zEmFVCQIhvIv-zmWaVUOblwKLBNbiU67jryJRUTF9Ub8rcuHMHNjGSszIqdWFl7Yq5Fj6XW94idCOYWJ5l_mc8uTezhPsMD8YZhgF-NUoALwQ6n6ovf7mDvMCkdYKY_7za-VR1Wu7nBAVaKB4Jg8-BhxV2iYBikPPnaIgddE4p0A/s1044/scan0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6cbVA65ZDJqp97zEmFVCQIhvIv-zmWaVUOblwKLBNbiU67jryJRUTF9Ub8rcuHMHNjGSszIqdWFl7Yq5Fj6XW94idCOYWJ5l_mc8uTezhPsMD8YZhgF-NUoALwQ6n6ovf7mDvMCkdYKY_7za-VR1Wu7nBAVaKB4Jg8-BhxV2iYBikPPnaIgddE4p0A/w284-h400/scan0060.jpg" width="284" /></a></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Helen and Leo were
married in 1948, and after a Honeymoon in Quebec City, moved into the Rosen apartment. My grandmother, Sadie, did
not like my father (he was a handful…think a smaller Archie Bunker), and she
and the rest of the family moved out. My immediate family stayed in that
apartment, in one form or another, until 2009. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23DIXXkpWxgnhFmgbCzIApiAHUg16KLZLwq0_JX8V1zegl9kDJXoWtuRTKJW2rZ3ShdQGqU5zqTB8uehqTWmgQq2kBy_ln1RIzlrgkuRI_U2GicLgMiVV8M5J9GgVXva66BRuXzGfVWq3F5l6cvd7I26gVYBKrwLnEepuu9xUqUEYEIlzYr1Uiw39gA/s1591/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1591" data-original-width="912" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23DIXXkpWxgnhFmgbCzIApiAHUg16KLZLwq0_JX8V1zegl9kDJXoWtuRTKJW2rZ3ShdQGqU5zqTB8uehqTWmgQq2kBy_ln1RIzlrgkuRI_U2GicLgMiVV8M5J9GgVXva66BRuXzGfVWq3F5l6cvd7I26gVYBKrwLnEepuu9xUqUEYEIlzYr1Uiw39gA/w229-h400/scan0001.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Honeymoon in Quebec</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">When I was thirteen,
after my Bar Mitzvah, my mom did as she said she was going to do: she went to
work (her first job since a munitions factory at the Brooklyn Pier during the War).
She was a keypunch operator for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and would
eventually become the supervisor.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><v:shape alt="A person and person posing for a picture
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<v:imagedata o:title="A person and person posing for a picture
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike my dad (until
he retired), my mom was a social butterfly, enjoying the company of others,
with a cackle of a laugh that ran through the Rosen family, that I adored, and
eventually inherited. My parents were known for their wild parties, especially
on Halloween (I have the old black and white photos to prove it), and heavy drinking
was common. They had a rolling bar in the corner of the living room that stayed
until my dad moved out, years after my mom passed on. The parties stopped when
they found my older brother, then a toddler, under a table with an open bottle
of Scotch in his hands. Even so, we often hosted dinners in the living room that
were held on a foldable aluminum table that was kept under my parent’s bed.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xVG-mMBMEUOqDeUnBzbFrYEROWudiYBCQSGyEK1dQMKMxFt3HIr2vK1DZIcySLPZ5D1jwTdsdUBMQyfcurJPKRGC9kgb__ADSKIsE27avJOfX7mq44p7tPZbgjaPdzGH_MwxvMJeuYrJ0PzFotxeQ08Zs5V_qQ08nw3wVkWj4tMTIiHu7vXWGOAXBg/s831/scan0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="733" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xVG-mMBMEUOqDeUnBzbFrYEROWudiYBCQSGyEK1dQMKMxFt3HIr2vK1DZIcySLPZ5D1jwTdsdUBMQyfcurJPKRGC9kgb__ADSKIsE27avJOfX7mq44p7tPZbgjaPdzGH_MwxvMJeuYrJ0PzFotxeQ08Zs5V_qQ08nw3wVkWj4tMTIiHu7vXWGOAXBg/w353-h400/scan0081.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Halloween party in our living room</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">To be fair, while my
mom had her kitchen specialties, such as being creative with pineapples as
crudité, she was not a very good cook, because she simply did not enjoy the
process. Meats were overcooked and tough, and veggies were mushy from cans. My
brother Richie said, years later, that he first discovered how good steak was
in his early twenties when he went to a steakhouse (he is now an excellent
cook). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the things I
loved about Helen was that she was persistent, knew what she wanted and would
settle for nothing less. For example, whenever my father bought a new car every
four years or so, it came from Helen’s paycheck. She did not care what brand of
car it was, letting my dad handle that end, but she insisted that it had to
have a vinyl roof. I never figured out why, but it drove Leo crazy. Yet, he
complied every time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another occurrence she
put her foot down was at Passover when I was a young teen. Tradition decried
that two (meat and dairy) separate set of dishes needed to be used during the
8-day holiday, so my mother would climb up and take the Passover dishes down
from the upper kitchen cabinet and put the two sets of daily dishes in their
place. Of course, living in an apartment in Brooklyn meant cockroaches were a
natural part of our environment, thereby Helen would have to wash all the
Passover dishes, and eight days later, when she switched them back, she would
have to wash all the daily dishware. Finally, she had enough. “Leo,” she said
sternly, “I’m not doing this anymore. <i>Ganish</i> [enough]!” This led to a
multi-day fight that ended with my mother – all five-feet of her – standing her
ground and saying, “Fine, you want it done, Leo, you do it!” And he did. That
was the last year we switched dishes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><v:shape alt="A person holding a bag next to a child
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9ZZfpVvDGZ4wOmpS6yILO7j6E9DDUDCP48WjvmXXJGsAnMvIHS_c2XYtDsjlZEnUYdiJ4HzL_77ILbsq9qMBCxLYaRSvBqtBU9-fFUL5JfE6cZWjyOeMyNNupeTaPKcSZjUQOdG3OLy-rvT_CMvj221SMjuLH22vlNS8mmPt0NxseZdRWxjsRgzWuQ/s905/027scan0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="905" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9ZZfpVvDGZ4wOmpS6yILO7j6E9DDUDCP48WjvmXXJGsAnMvIHS_c2XYtDsjlZEnUYdiJ4HzL_77ILbsq9qMBCxLYaRSvBqtBU9-fFUL5JfE6cZWjyOeMyNNupeTaPKcSZjUQOdG3OLy-rvT_CMvj221SMjuLH22vlNS8mmPt0NxseZdRWxjsRgzWuQ/w400-h385/027scan0101.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At World Fair, Flushing, NY, 1965</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">Helen had some health
issues over the years, such as a cigarette being flicked out of a car window in
front of us and landing in my mom’s eye. Another time, she fell down the
basement stairs and broke her coccyx (tailbone), giving her pain for the rest
of her life. She was warned not to have any more kids, but she had me anyway (I
am pretty sure I was unexpected).</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">After a heart attack in
one occurrence, and then falling on a subway station platform (or perhaps she
was pushed), she was informed that she had a brain aneurysm, and would need an
operation that was dangerous to remove it. She went under the knife, and
technically the operation was successful, but her brain swelled, and she died
three days later at age 54, on June 21, 1981.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YCvC1hHaryPAm1aS2g2egfFJnS7dbw97Dm8a2xbYWGgwsclNqjKe_eOu8cl5Q8-xwb8RdkPoPUlYDt69_NBd6LxNpyuqPXXPHQSN2NwuXe3dENvvrbl2NCd16ocGfV92Rs7xSRf_m9uuu3bBXsEemlwg3PLenFk5kumCSqPIL7WbAGw8XsfohPSm0Q/s822/scan185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="822" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YCvC1hHaryPAm1aS2g2egfFJnS7dbw97Dm8a2xbYWGgwsclNqjKe_eOu8cl5Q8-xwb8RdkPoPUlYDt69_NBd6LxNpyuqPXXPHQSN2NwuXe3dENvvrbl2NCd16ocGfV92Rs7xSRf_m9uuu3bBXsEemlwg3PLenFk5kumCSqPIL7WbAGw8XsfohPSm0Q/w400-h360/scan185.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Day of my Bar Mitzvah, 1968</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">I still picture my mom
sitting at the kitchen table in the evening after supper dishes were done, smoking
a Kent and reading a Harlequin romance novel (she read about one per day, and
was part of a collective that exchanged books at work). There is so much I
would love to ask her about now, but as kids, we did not realize our parents
would not live forever.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Other stories about her and photos can be found in earlier blogs,
such as <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-mel-brooks-set-my-mother-on-fire.html" target="_blank">How Mel Brooks Set My Mother on Fire</a>, <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2010/10/for-my-mom.html" target="_blank">For My Mom</a> (on her birthday), and some photos of her with my father, <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2010/09/oh-how-they-danced.html" target="_blank">Oh How They Danced</a>. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Feel free to add your own stories about Helen on the Blog's comments section below.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0G8KSDe9hPgZhOJ1vC_sJlCaVk2nSFXv7ZK32n43-5r8o__6vX79t-38o8nGQMSDj48ek0QUtqhmewByXxkSwCFr52IO8AjSQRP-PEMreSeEN0BCVmACmT4O5c65SZC9u5uLYoA3dgcSvoE9jNmax8-hZaaT1RTF6DZOheug8t_mjhB9pivpBgaOyA/s941/scan0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="843" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0G8KSDe9hPgZhOJ1vC_sJlCaVk2nSFXv7ZK32n43-5r8o__6vX79t-38o8nGQMSDj48ek0QUtqhmewByXxkSwCFr52IO8AjSQRP-PEMreSeEN0BCVmACmT4O5c65SZC9u5uLYoA3dgcSvoE9jNmax8-hZaaT1RTF6DZOheug8t_mjhB9pivpBgaOyA/w359-h400/scan0177.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><p></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-87564959298935097982023-05-05T03:00:00.026-04:002023-05-05T03:00:00.138-04:00Jitters on the Toilet (1980)<p> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Jitters on the Toilet<br /></b></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Text by Dave
Post / FFanzeen 1980 / 2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Introduction ©
Robert Barry Francos / FFanzeen 2023</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Image created by Dave Post, photographed by RBF</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ronnie and the
Jitters were a fun band. I have <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2010/03/two-on-ronnie-jitters.html " target="_blank">written about them</a> before, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">but this was submitted by a band member. The Jitters
are Dave (bass, who wrote this ditty), Ronnie (vocals), Warren (sax), and Steve
(drums). <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This short piece
of humor was published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No. 6, dated Year-End 1981. – RBF, 2023</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Arriving upon the club in
our ’68 Dodge Coronet Wagon, the first business the Jitters attend to, even
before checking out the stage and sound system, is a meticulous men’s room
inspection (Steve, who takes special pride in this work, will sometimes even
investigate the ladies’ room!). Each member of the band gives the room a fastidious
examination right down to Ronnie, conducting the “white glove” test for dust
and grime.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 86.35pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Warren inspects all the mirrors, if there are any left, for cleanliness
and breakage, since his face rarely leaves them anyway. This being done, he
compulsively checks out each and every urinal, toilet, tap (hot </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">cold), and specialty
devices to see whether or not they function correctly, while my own job is to
determine if there is enough paper towels and toilet paper for safely taking a
“New Wave” shit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 86.35pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Steve, a former plumber’s helper from Chicago, inspects all the pipes
for leakage and proper drainage, and makes sure there are adequate waste receptacles
on hand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 86.35pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One thing we’ve invariably learned after a year’s tour of duty, is the
uncanny comparison of clientele to the geographical locations of the clubs,
whether it be Uptown, Downtown, Jersey, or the hinterlands. A perfect example
of this is the men’s room at the Meadowbrook: a ritzy New Jersey “New Wave”
club with a men’s room attendant (the ladies have a matron). As you wash your
hands, he already has a towel in waiting, and will sell you your choice of
cologne. This rest room also has a lounge with a couch, military etchings on a
wall absent of graffiti, and ice in the urinals.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 86.35pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On the other hand, CBGB on the Bowery, well, no need to elaborate on
the denizens of this area, or their bathrooms.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 86.35pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While not at all complete, we hope this guide will help ease the
apprehension one feels when entering an unknown “New Wave” facility. So, in the
immortal words of the Ramones, flush twice: “It’s a long way back to Germany.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 86.35pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Image can be made larger by clicking on it.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 86.35pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQx9G16wkDCDtAC2n8wmMeCIEWt0yiyy3oK4Z-1-zzq9UGckV2YJbS7LjOa0rbMaGnam7po8iq273_ezqdPZywy_RJXoqIrx0z8PvFRgErfkBmRSHoqCMy08UoIyRikWx1HMlOADbRo_NhlRxTG8umGR33-2ZzCxvr6tg3Dn7yixPJZAXvrdQCrwtuQ/s3027/IMG_54511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="3027" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQx9G16wkDCDtAC2n8wmMeCIEWt0yiyy3oK4Z-1-zzq9UGckV2YJbS7LjOa0rbMaGnam7po8iq273_ezqdPZywy_RJXoqIrx0z8PvFRgErfkBmRSHoqCMy08UoIyRikWx1HMlOADbRo_NhlRxTG8umGR33-2ZzCxvr6tg3Dn7yixPJZAXvrdQCrwtuQ/w400-h199/IMG_54511.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-50513846428165309692023-04-05T03:00:00.092-04:002023-04-05T15:00:49.741-04:00A Lot O’ BLOTTO (1981)<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1981/2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My pal Dennis
Concepcion, who turned me onto Blotto, came with me when I went to interview the
group at a club on Long Island. Backstage was a weird mix of calm stillness and
pandemonium. Their comments on past members is a bit harsh, in my opinion, but
the band played on, and they were pretty much self-deprecating anyway, so I
took that as the band’s “personality.” After the interview was over, but before
they went onstage to play, two members whipped out a chess board and were
deeply into it. On the other hand, being a smart ass, I mentioned to Cheese
Blotto (d. 1999) that perhaps he should shave his head as he was noticeably balding. Not
only did he do it right then and there with one of those tiny travel razors,
Dennis documented it with photographic evidence. The pictures are included in
the original article, and as far as I know, Cheese remains curds-less. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">This interview
was published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">No. 8, dated 1981. – RBF, 2023</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d0cJQtw1PpCG7CZGmUS3YHIbvgTLhuiov18qC_zQyMxy9oyhosEpPqL3x2FXWU9gCBz5pAy4zO3U0SgkAvJE9f142IVx_zpsXz84zU9blKeBZosbZ2E_5yQkW-UFIlsAdIrJRX1py_MN2ZNK8uk8RknReo0Mn5QltlawZcWl51pjhX5l_lPX0HQT8g/s1200/1200x0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1200" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d0cJQtw1PpCG7CZGmUS3YHIbvgTLhuiov18qC_zQyMxy9oyhosEpPqL3x2FXWU9gCBz5pAy4zO3U0SgkAvJE9f142IVx_zpsXz84zU9blKeBZosbZ2E_5yQkW-UFIlsAdIrJRX1py_MN2ZNK8uk8RknReo0Mn5QltlawZcWl51pjhX5l_lPX0HQT8g/w400-h319/1200x0.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rear: Bowtie, Lee Harvey, Sarge<br />Front: Broadway, Cheese</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A Lot O’ Blotto</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rock’n’roll. Blitz. New
Romanticism. Punk. Psychedelic Revival. New Wave. Cabaret’n’roll?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There appears to be a new
trend in rock’n’roll which refused to take itself seriously a-toll. Out on the
West Coast, there is a group called the Toons, who sing of “Roast Chicken
Faces”; in New York City, there’s Junk Rock, who explain the virtues of being a
“Sanitation Man.”; and from Albany, NY, there is the more popular leader of
this movement, named Blotto.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Blotto came into prominence
two years ago with the hit, “I Wanna Be a Lifeguard” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">[which still airs on the radio and weather reports
every summer to this day – RBF, 2023], </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">which was played </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">ad nauseam</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"> in, in seemed, every club (though the outer boroughs still cheer when
it comes up). That cut was off a four-song 12” EP which sold quite well for an
independent label, titled </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Hello! My Name is
Blotto, What’s Yours? </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">At that time, the lineup
was Broadway Blotto (Bill Polchinski; vocals/guitar), Bowtie Blotto (Paul
Jossman; vocals/guitar), Blanche Blotto (Helena Binder; keyboards/vocals),
Sergeant Blotto (Greg Haymes, d. 2019; vocals/percussion), Cheese Blotto (Keith
Stephenson; bass), and Lee Harvey Blotto (Paul Rapp; drums).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">The next year (that is, the
last from now), a new EP hit the stands, sans Blanche, with Chevrolet Blotto
taking over the keyboards, titled </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Across and Down</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">. Although none of the songs reached the cult status of “Lifeguard,”
the four songs on it were consistently good in their own, bizarre ways.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now the present, and the
release of a new record, this time a 7” 45.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There have been quite a few
people who have been onto me because I think these guys are okay. Well, hell,
they like what they’re doing: acting a bit irreverent and making damn asses of
themselves. Sure, it’s not mainstream rock’n’roll-whatever, but the point is
that they are not trying to claim they are. Nothing pretentious here, just a
lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What amazed me was the fact
that they use their stage names all the time, even among themselves. Very
weird.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a rule, they are nice
guys, but a bitch to interview. It was nearly impossible to get a straight answer
from them. In fact, what follows, is all that was coherent of a ninety-minute
interview.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Broadway Blotto: Our new
single will be out soon. “When the Second Feature Starts” is on the A-side, and
on the B-side is a song called “The B-side.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: How
original!<br /></span></i>Broadway: Somebody had to
do it!<br /><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Sergeant Blotto (Sarge): We
figured it was better than running the same song backwards. Like Napoleon XIV </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">[“They’re Coming to Take Me Away Ha-Ha” – Ed, 1981].</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: Why
a single instead of the usual EP?<br /></span></i>Broadway: Why not?! It’s
cheaper.<br />Sarge: Now we can play them
in jukeboxes at diners, by the eclairs on the counters. Also, with a song like
“B-Side,” you can’t put that on the back of an EP.<br />Broadway: And also, after
we put out our last EP, we said, “We’re not putting out any more EPs. It’s
either albums or a single.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: Why
not an album?<br /></span></i>Lee Harvey Blotto: We
wanted to do a single.<br />Broadway: You can’t put an
album on a jukebox either.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: They
used to have a shorter album on the jukebox. They were called EPs. [All laugh]<br /></span></i>Lee Harvey: One’s like
Frankie Valli.<br />Broadway: I like Frankie
Valli. He’s my favorite.<br />Sarge: He was okay.<br />Lee Harvey: Was? Isn’t he
still alive?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen:
That’s debatable. [That was meant career-wise; as of this writing, FV is still
alive – RBF, 2023].<br /></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Sarge: I don’t know – check
the list behind you. </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">[Written on the wall
of the club where the interview is taking place is a list of dead
rock’n’rollers – Ed., 1981]<br /></span></i>Broadway: You mean, “All
the people who died, died?”<br />Sarge: Yeah. “All my
friends, they died, died.”<br />Lee Harvey: Or the sequel,
“People who lived.”<br />Broadway: We were going to
put out a song, “People who Dine, Dine.”<br />Lee Harvey: Did you hear
about that band playing, the Dead Lennon?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen:
Yeah, from Boston.<br /></span></i>Lee Harvey: Well, they used
to be on Lawrence Welk, didn’t they?<br /><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Broadway: Yes, until they
died. </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Arrrggghhh</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">.<br /></span>Sarge: Then they
decomposed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: Did
you ever notice that the music for the chorus of “People Who Died” is identical
with “Red Hot”?<br /></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Broadway: Yeah </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">[sings “Red Hot”:]. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">“My gal has died, died” </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">[laughs]. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Have you seen the video tape from “I Wanna Be a Lifeguard”? It was
filmed at various shoe stores and lakes in Upstate New York.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: The
song came out two years ago. Isn’t it a bit late now?<br /></span></i>Broadway: Hey, we’re timely
guys.<br />Lee Harvey: It’s kind of a
statement because, like, Albany is two years behind everything and we were just
noting the other day that Legs Diamond, the gangster, was shot in Albany two or
three years after all the gangland slayings in Chicago and New York had taken
place. People had already forgotten it and went on to new things, like baseball
and other pastimes. So, that’s why our video tape is two years late. Plus, the
fact that some guys came up and said, “Hey, we want to do a video tape of you
guys and it won’t cost you anything,” and we said, “Well, now you’re talking.”<br />Sarge: You see, we don’t
like to spend our money on video tapes and things like that. Every once in a
while, we like to spend it on foolish little things – like food.<br />Broadway: Luxury items like
that. So, is it true that all the street signs in New York (City) are color
coordinated? My cousin told me that. In Queens, its white on blue, the Bronx,
is blue on yellow, Manhattan’s black on yellow, Staten Island is black and blue
–</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[At this
point, the discussion went on a long tangent on how the band found out about
Lennon being shot while on their way to tape an “Uncle Floyd Show” and had to
act zany. From there, it went to the imagined shooting of Queen Elizabeth and
the shooting of the Pope, and two tourists from Buffalo, NY, where we pick it
up.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Broadway: It was on the
tour plan: “Would you like the $1000 tour to Rome and you get to see all the
monuments, etc., or would you like the $500 tour where you just see Rome from
the bus, or would you like the $25 tour, where you get to see everything, but
you have to get shot.”<br /></span>Lee Harvey: “Well, let’s
see – if I save up enough money in Buffalo doing piecework separating weenies
from chickens –“</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen:
Tours in the future?<br /></span></i>Sarge: On August 24, we’re
play the Garden –<br /><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Broadway: That’s </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">planting</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"> the garden!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnxLf8EWB3UmiARuwuiRcpaWnz9Wz4ZJZ-vcEcNAw49lXSXxHVmNZOezwa4BA5tSwhdVHgwrX2du3HG4Aob0NXgPmPBVy89SPYzgegDwsGXVinybuY0ZPzFK5PMWKru8IdYg9bv_2jlR9IuuljYz2DS4CIjO4KgsFCJThKY5bLS9i-5hs6TQSkC8ztg/s226/images.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="226" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnxLf8EWB3UmiARuwuiRcpaWnz9Wz4ZJZ-vcEcNAw49lXSXxHVmNZOezwa4BA5tSwhdVHgwrX2du3HG4Aob0NXgPmPBVy89SPYzgegDwsGXVinybuY0ZPzFK5PMWKru8IdYg9bv_2jlR9IuuljYz2DS4CIjO4KgsFCJThKY5bLS9i-5hs6TQSkC8ztg/w320-h316/images.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: Whatever
happened to Blanche Blotto?<br /></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Broadway: What’s become of </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">who</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">?<br /></span>Sarge: That’s old news. Why
don’t you ask us what’s become of Chevy (Blotto)?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCoI4-NPro_vQJUri7DE-YwwecgbT6mRa5JY5sZBfYWuu7CwA-vzfzi1-cdPqTUeRBdHikJu-nmx-M12cf-Na51yuzSHGeodkWLEFxsUd-XvirXYHeY70UTfpuTq9ww4QuzohIXpAhi47D_LlNjsVIO61rk4vqL1rM7w3WmV5s6mK6GnrscwQF3z0cA/s599/R-2338550-1543254362-4863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="599" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCoI4-NPro_vQJUri7DE-YwwecgbT6mRa5JY5sZBfYWuu7CwA-vzfzi1-cdPqTUeRBdHikJu-nmx-M12cf-Na51yuzSHGeodkWLEFxsUd-XvirXYHeY70UTfpuTq9ww4QuzohIXpAhi47D_LlNjsVIO61rk4vqL1rM7w3WmV5s6mK6GnrscwQF3z0cA/s320/R-2338550-1543254362-4863.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen:
Okay, what’s become of Chevy?<br /></span></i>Sarge: Well, it’s all
pretty strange. Two weeks ago, he dropped out to join the sink-hole worship
cult down in Florida, and he’s living in a tent just outside that sink-hole.<br />Broadway: He’s a Chevrolet
that wants to be at one with the Porches. Actually, his warranty ran out. We
heard from [Ralph] Nader’s people and we had to recall him from the group.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qVUsgL-M3I2F0BWZJ85eql1g7eT7nqqgdAlgomh93EVYYO1o8Os8IDbRsRZNHZn6WgFYgqNGCwL18E4V3MeE4mEiv8zh-yvSs6LnWW8kG0Uj_LQxo2esSWifI_37tDMDDYhBDiAFeVsY3FdlSN3zytzBTa1LFQJs9pvU88vtkAR0LwJKEVDwDNTXOg/s600/2749258%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qVUsgL-M3I2F0BWZJ85eql1g7eT7nqqgdAlgomh93EVYYO1o8Os8IDbRsRZNHZn6WgFYgqNGCwL18E4V3MeE4mEiv8zh-yvSs6LnWW8kG0Uj_LQxo2esSWifI_37tDMDDYhBDiAFeVsY3FdlSN3zytzBTa1LFQJs9pvU88vtkAR0LwJKEVDwDNTXOg/s320/2749258%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: Who
is replacing him?<br /></span></i>Broadway: No one could
replace Chevrolet Blotto.<br />Sarge: Now, we’re just the
Blotto Quartet.<br /><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Broadway: Actually, Sarge is filling in on keyboard stuff, Lee Harvey
is picking up the slack on the vocals, and </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">business as
usual</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvndDQEt6CxCOBeAy8OOI7O9uisEKzUEWtKYhQy2D7Vry21fkiypfp6hhbcWxm3T_C4zOSLQskoL6kPA7TXH75jr9yo1pV-xXuUQk9T-5zZYA9MSkzE5Qsf4Qda4fFpffYF41g5-1Ktbn874Z7T8exkt2T2IPqR5Pdar4LDT9sv12BbcZANoMu6_svA/s640/ab67616d0000b27372d34d5844ce2f99d653ecef.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvndDQEt6CxCOBeAy8OOI7O9uisEKzUEWtKYhQy2D7Vry21fkiypfp6hhbcWxm3T_C4zOSLQskoL6kPA7TXH75jr9yo1pV-xXuUQk9T-5zZYA9MSkzE5Qsf4Qda4fFpffYF41g5-1Ktbn874Z7T8exkt2T2IPqR5Pdar4LDT9sv12BbcZANoMu6_svA/s320/ab67616d0000b27372d34d5844ce2f99d653ecef.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">FFanzeen: Why
“Blotto”?<br /></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Broadway: Why </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">notto</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">? Well, if you play
crossword puzzles – which I don’t – you find the words include “spiflicated” </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">[not in my edition of Websters – Ed., 1981], </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">six letters, beginning with “B,” fifth letter “T,” ending with “O” –
with a “LOT” in the middle!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CBRJ6jQfap0" width="320" youtube-src-id="CBRJ6jQfap0"></iframe></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vyJSetm6U0k" width="320" youtube-src-id="vyJSetm6U0k"></iframe></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V2TZyILPUk8" width="320" youtube-src-id="V2TZyILPUk8"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-47342965100249278322023-03-10T02:00:00.060-05:002023-03-10T02:00:00.228-05:00Documentary Review: Pieces of Us<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Images from the Internet</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14-Atil91do9KHlhszUOiW96lTVn6R4A8kTel_ixhuDJoLjVaZV8M6ApO3zeTFnIDt8-VQY-5_8zWm1fvd_Hzki_XjRo7ChLufgdpSyQjv3i59gc3yhMYAaahpQCHOeg7G3u0Ch7J9iHvO78T4_Pk-pDCZhUQYma-xC1kkIMWVxYnqdcF5Y_HDITG9w/s1200/MV5BZWNhZTdmZDctMzMxZi00Njk3LWFiYmMtZGUyZWVkNzUzMWFhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDExNzQ5OTA@._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14-Atil91do9KHlhszUOiW96lTVn6R4A8kTel_ixhuDJoLjVaZV8M6ApO3zeTFnIDt8-VQY-5_8zWm1fvd_Hzki_XjRo7ChLufgdpSyQjv3i59gc3yhMYAaahpQCHOeg7G3u0Ch7J9iHvO78T4_Pk-pDCZhUQYma-xC1kkIMWVxYnqdcF5Y_HDITG9w/w270-h400/MV5BZWNhZTdmZDctMzMxZi00Njk3LWFiYmMtZGUyZWVkNzUzMWFhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDExNzQ5OTA@._V1_.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #201f1e;">Pieces of Us</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #201f1e;"><br />
</span><i><span lang="EN-US">Directed
by Cheryl Allison<br />
Wow Films; EEC! Productions; Blue Door Films II; Freestyle Digital Media<br />
92 minutes, 2021 /2023<br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.piecesofusthefilm.com/">www.piecesofusthefilm.com/</a></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><i><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PiecesofUsDocumentary">www.facebook.com/PiecesofUsDocumentary</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Originally, I was going to
say something about how this is a challenging time to be openly gay, what with
the rise of Republican autocratic Christianity, and while that is definitely true,
I cannot think of a time after, say, the Stonewall Riots of 1969, where is has
been safe to be LGBTQetc. Sure, the arrests have gone down (for now) and there
is more of a presence on media, but uncalled for and unnecessary violence towards
the community continues, if not recently increasing due to hateful pundit right-wing
talking points.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have to admit, growing
up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, I had my own biases for most of my early life because
I did not know better, but through education and working at a Baskin-Robbins a
block away from the Stonewall, I quickly became a proud ally, and have marched
in a number of Pride events. That’s me; but it is time to discuss this documentary.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">While LGBTQetc. violence
is a social problem, it most effects those who has had direct contact with this
force. It is the post-violence that is the focus of this film, telling the
story of five particular people. What is important to acknowledge is that
though these subjects have had horrendous things done to them, it is not these
actions that are the main focus, in a woe-in-me fashion, but is rather centered
on coming through on the other side, with love and support around them. Despite
the pain, this is a positive project.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZl3W6L4Pc4pjPifrX2s1TVCHSrPjickWv2O_8WZSsbMSAn6TI_EbJUD0r9EkdgQhZGnwlhwqhCTsJRkI5bQj9XPwNGBzvwkJ7n_4I4ZB-GOdmK13Ejly3uvfvajBfnRJDm0FfIMjlSexWRMfNVhYeHlYne1-o3Xg15r7yfcG8gk_xdrJ9UvGYpXfyWg/s1500/Jipsta+and+students.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZl3W6L4Pc4pjPifrX2s1TVCHSrPjickWv2O_8WZSsbMSAn6TI_EbJUD0r9EkdgQhZGnwlhwqhCTsJRkI5bQj9XPwNGBzvwkJ7n_4I4ZB-GOdmK13Ejly3uvfvajBfnRJDm0FfIMjlSexWRMfNVhYeHlYne1-o3Xg15r7yfcG8gk_xdrJ9UvGYpXfyWg/w400-h225/Jipsta+and+students.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>JP Masterson aka Jipster</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The film starts in earnest
when we meet Jipster (JP Masterson), a white rapper who works as a middle
school psychologist in Brooklyn; he was beaten in a New York subway station -
West 4<sup>th</sup> Street, of all places, the heart of the city’s gay
community – for holding hands with Peter, his partner. Interestingly, we see
the local television news story about the incident to launch the topic.
Masterson is an engaging talker (as a rapper, one would hope). We get to meet
his school’s principal, Dakota Keyes, and even some students, who fully support
him.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0jWtfDrdOG6FFmokqx8p-hj7LegJWXexrgdjKCPtf1ZK3rfa8rFFTP80Gqt74jXRoNBeC2h46B9YLtGd7KYHYVQDSoD4cKGZH3fayXNBfQTyONBJvArsayiW-TRIblV7JHt6J9h-miQGp5BNWKcOFIoYVb4fjDxPSYFAoKWyDZMW4pjX8IvDH0bL6A/s5120/MV5BNzMwM2IzYjEtMTJjMS00NWJmLThmZjYtZjQ5ZTBlN2EwNWEwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDExNzQ5OTA@._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0jWtfDrdOG6FFmokqx8p-hj7LegJWXexrgdjKCPtf1ZK3rfa8rFFTP80Gqt74jXRoNBeC2h46B9YLtGd7KYHYVQDSoD4cKGZH3fayXNBfQTyONBJvArsayiW-TRIblV7JHt6J9h-miQGp5BNWKcOFIoYVb4fjDxPSYFAoKWyDZMW4pjX8IvDH0bL6A/w400-h225/MV5BNzMwM2IzYjEtMTJjMS00NWJmLThmZjYtZjQ5ZTBlN2EwNWEwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDExNzQ5OTA@._V1_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mykel's flag dance</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Flag dance performance
artist Mykel picked someone up and brought him home, where he was attacked and beaten.
Back in the mid-1980s, I worked with a man named Glen who had a great sarcastic
sense of humor, who was murdered by someone he brought home, so I can empathize
with the event. While being afraid of reporting this incident to the NYPD, he
reaches out to Beverly Tillery, who is the Executive Director of the New York
Anti-Violence Project (AVP). She is also interviewed, giving a lifeline for
those who may need her services. The person who counseled Mykel was transgender
icon, Victoria Cruz.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM7X30cffPfZEI5SB5qjsUuLsIIw73z9e3LLoKXX9Y7lFjsUq6CFVoEcDH8fYZuVXqdIaqPstGrA1X4KqFIABwZsc-jmGcoWNT6glzhqzTwGz1NZ2gEU-6FZkgEo9njPcFC_f2OQ-TLW71T_uHhRggZbq_3N5oUy2fpuEmixoGPSackVNQ32ZEopDcw/s5120/MV5BY2I4Y2JhOWItYjgxYy00NTM5LTkwZjAtMWQxZDVlMmZjOGNmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDExNzQ5OTA@._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM7X30cffPfZEI5SB5qjsUuLsIIw73z9e3LLoKXX9Y7lFjsUq6CFVoEcDH8fYZuVXqdIaqPstGrA1X4KqFIABwZsc-jmGcoWNT6glzhqzTwGz1NZ2gEU-6FZkgEo9njPcFC_f2OQ-TLW71T_uHhRggZbq_3N5oUy2fpuEmixoGPSackVNQ32ZEopDcw/w400-h225/MV5BY2I4Y2JhOWItYjgxYy00NTM5LTkwZjAtMWQxZDVlMmZjOGNmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDExNzQ5OTA@._V1_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Victoria Cruz, Mykel</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Victoria was at the
Stonewall riots in 1969 (as was musician Jayne County), becoming a crisis counselor
at AVP, literally saving lives with her generosity of spirit (e.g., to paraphrase,
“Don’t say ‘victim,’ say ‘survivor’”). Dressed in Native American paraphernalia,
she meets with Mykel at a Brooklyn beach and they talk. I am not ashamed to say
I was teary at one point.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvEB2tAp_w4Mxauqz7ti9nVhZXjEN1cnUHgsMaZ3aN1jd_rumhpK6VdoXR2qEn0qSgfZheYupDeAvi_N-fJ80d1_ZjisUCzBWWF6SK4Hc1DGpR5DLmzEyxP6t8i0yXKv9CcFpnfELarYUrpisuIv2Rpwdsm4Gj9PLEJR6eOdWLRbNoOQONs1uKBSXYw/s1500/Leia+Pierce.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvEB2tAp_w4Mxauqz7ti9nVhZXjEN1cnUHgsMaZ3aN1jd_rumhpK6VdoXR2qEn0qSgfZheYupDeAvi_N-fJ80d1_ZjisUCzBWWF6SK4Hc1DGpR5DLmzEyxP6t8i0yXKv9CcFpnfELarYUrpisuIv2Rpwdsm4Gj9PLEJR6eOdWLRbNoOQONs1uKBSXYw/w400-h225/Leia+Pierce.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Leia</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thus, the viewer is introduced
to Leia. She is a single mother from Denver, whose 9-year-old son, Jamel,
committed suicide after being bullied. In my opinion, this is being fostered by
right-leaning hate speech that is flooding the media. To me, outlets like
FoxNews is as much to blame as his classmates that bullied him until he could
not take it anymore. This is the desired future of the Republican party, while
they hypocritically scream “save the children.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Leia was counseled by
members of local and national organization PFLAG, here represented by Bianca and
Brett, who explain their services. It is really smart filmmaking to not only
show the problems that the people who were attacked went through, and their journeys
back to their lives, but also to focus on the organizations that are there to
support people in those situations. I respect that a lot. Another example,
which is focused on here is the first Straight-Gay Alliance advocacy group, The
Swish Ally Fund, founded by Sue Sena, who is also featured.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUBqA_AYtalfmIBCoSGLSffdoDr16EUKFOrkLqJ2I3_wnAloakYcZNr9zTB2XSCx7an4JSFhnSFVDKhX8SHhWx4kmGusGqb1thvYFoc-IDSVVotH_BOQEqRVDw2PgvHzgG8bnjKPjx8KT7ADjSOcm8pk24lSSWjwgz4GrO1AaMVAMcOKJi0rlwNiEcA/s1500/Prince+Manvendra+at+Stonewall+Inn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUBqA_AYtalfmIBCoSGLSffdoDr16EUKFOrkLqJ2I3_wnAloakYcZNr9zTB2XSCx7an4JSFhnSFVDKhX8SHhWx4kmGusGqb1thvYFoc-IDSVVotH_BOQEqRVDw2PgvHzgG8bnjKPjx8KT7ADjSOcm8pk24lSSWjwgz4GrO1AaMVAMcOKJi0rlwNiEcA/w400-h225/Prince+Manvendra+at+Stonewall+Inn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Prince Manvendra Singh-Gohil</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The centerpiece of the film
is Prince Manvendra Singh-Gohil, the “world’s first openly gay prince,” who is
from India. Of course, he received numerous death threats and abandoned by his
family, which led him and his husband, Duke DeAndre, to become global ambassadors
to LGBTQetc. rights. We meet him in India at a compound set up as a safe place
for the LGBTQetc. community in that country. As he visits New York, they touch on
the importance of Stonewall, and we see the triangular Christopher Street Park (a
place I have been many times), directly across from the Stonewall. Nearly everyone
in the film comes together for the coda at the World Pride Parade there (if I
may digress, if you have the chance to get to a New York Gay Pride Parade, <i>do
it</i>!). It is truly a joyous moment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The director of this documentary,
<span lang="EN-US">Cheryl
Allison, is an actor, producer, and a filmmaker focused in on sexual-based
injustices (e.g., <i>Shatter the Silence</i> in 2019). She does a magnificent job
here getting the point across. One aspect of this I particularly liked is that
she takes each case study and shows them individually, rarely cross-cutting
back and forth between them until further on, when you realize all of the
subjects intertwine in their lives one way or another. And yet, they roll from
story to story, organically growing as one introduces the other and the effects
they had on their lives. This gives a better picture of “flow,” from hurt to
healing for each individual, since everyone had their own pathway through PTSD
into health.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">This film is mostly New
York-centric, a “Blue” city in a “Blue” state, where generally being LGBTQetc.
is not only broadly recognized, but mostly accepted. And, yet, even in this
melting pot, there is a unfounded hatred for the “Other,” be it due to various religious
beliefs or just being afraid to come out of the closet (e.g., Republicans like American
Conservative Union chairman Matt Schlapp, who is currently accused to
sexually assaulting a male driver during Hershel Walker’s failed campaign).
What I would like to see, going forward, is this film become a series, because
once one gets below the Mason-Dixon, I am willing to assume that the violence
level would increase exponentially, and it needs to be addressed to be able to
heal as a country.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a powerful testament
to love that arises like a phoenix from violence, giving voice to advocacy and
positiveness, rather than negativity. It manages to be emotional, inspiring,
and pointed, without being maudlin, sappy nor sensationalistic. It is a
powerful piece of work. This should be shown in schools across the country, especially
in Red states like Florida and Texas, where homophobia is rampant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The documentary is
available on Apple TV, iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, DirectTV, and Spectrum, among
others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">IMDB listing <i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14320356/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0" target="_blank">HERE</a></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/thh13FgIZCg" width="320" youtube-src-id="thh13FgIZCg"></iframe></div><br />Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-5714852413974518422023-03-05T02:00:00.060-05:002023-03-05T02:00:00.223-05:00THE VIPERS Interview: The Pure Sound of Marac’n’Roll (1985)<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1985/2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from the Internet unless indicated<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Vipers-59760180529/">https://www.facebook.com/The-Vipers-59760180529/</a></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">During the
early 1980s, The Vipers were among the garage revival elite from New York, including
the likes of The Mosquitoes, The Chesterfield Kings, The A-Bones, The Fuzztones,
and The Tryfles. The each had their own niche, be it rockabilly, voodoobilly,
or fandom. The Vipers leaned mor towards the pop spectrum of the garage sound. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This was originally
published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> No. 13, dated
1985. – RBF, 2023</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfXN6J-yUdVEjeipRJuuMeIR2HgFFLOdkp8OLiFWD5yfXW-_dw3oJA0DVQPOhfXIQ6_kOvce-Bu364s1UJg8T8pjcXrAAngVZsSK_87y9rWmnTfcsUnpOx8smYas7LLL69DYAqXCqQALiN0nXGKH-2y6zboqKQuPzg0ZrDGQ7DYvAIG4TjiA5UpBSRSA=s600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfXN6J-yUdVEjeipRJuuMeIR2HgFFLOdkp8OLiFWD5yfXW-_dw3oJA0DVQPOhfXIQ6_kOvce-Bu364s1UJg8T8pjcXrAAngVZsSK_87y9rWmnTfcsUnpOx8smYas7LLL69DYAqXCqQALiN0nXGKH-2y6zboqKQuPzg0ZrDGQ7DYvAIG4TjiA5UpBSRSA=s320" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Vipers: The Pure Sound of Marac’n’Roll (1985)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vipers. A name that sticks terror
in your heart? Nah, not if you’re involved with the local revival of the ‘60s
sound here in New York.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And what’s a better place
to see and meet a Viper than in a cave? A CaveStomp! that is. For those
uninformed, the Dive is a club where the psychedelic crowd meet, and every once
in a while, Thursdays belong to the Vipers in what has become known as the
CaveStomp!, where the elite get to their feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Vipers are Jon Weiss (lead vox/saxophone/percussion), Paul Martin</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(lead guitar/vox), Graham May (bass/vox), Pat Brown (drummer and possibly ex-governor of California), and David Mann (guitar/keyboard/harmonica/vox).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had been trying to
interview the band for a while now, but we never seemed to be at a convenient
spot. Well, the first Thursday in September, before their return to the
CaveStomp! at the Dive, I connected with Jon, Paul, and Graham.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5QM0lTTha8qENVg4-lFwKYkUqUMB3jfAKdkTRgZQ-QYhVALfhoT2t8PGklZH7fYkSNHI4qBzAbcnCKoqLnRiQ_APQH7UBgeW9YqKyQ8S1CA-WdHvyO_FKzUSfnqNO4p9GgOX_YjHrW_Ijri_f0YGRAzThZa2WeXDlj95GVBsTN03Mb_88DNY1Dxj1Ew=s784" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="784" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5QM0lTTha8qENVg4-lFwKYkUqUMB3jfAKdkTRgZQ-QYhVALfhoT2t8PGklZH7fYkSNHI4qBzAbcnCKoqLnRiQ_APQH7UBgeW9YqKyQ8S1CA-WdHvyO_FKzUSfnqNO4p9GgOX_YjHrW_Ijri_f0YGRAzThZa2WeXDlj95GVBsTN03Mb_88DNY1Dxj1Ew=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Dive gave you back
your Thursday night.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Jon Weiss: They forced it back on us – by popular demand. <br />
Paul<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin: This time it’s only going
to be four weeks. Every Thursday in August. In September, the album will be released.
We produced the album, and Nadroj Wolrat helped us produce it. </span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What’s
the name of the album?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jon: It’s called <i>Outta
the Nest!</i></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: “Outta”
is a popular –</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Graham May: – Eastern
drawl. <br />
Jon: The Nest is the name of our studio where we rehearse and we do our
four-tracks, so most things are conceived there. <br />
Graham: That’s where we recorded our single [“Never Alone” b/w “Left Your Hold
on Me,” on Midnight Records – RBF, 1985]. <br />
Paul: We also recorded “Nothing’s From Today” out on Bomp!’s Battle of the
Garages, Vol. II there.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDuu3s_7Nxj0iWSL-opc68BUoyzIhoziDJ2vnjKpsuIQzmUI8hFTdNIkNQfVOG0eBMy9H31M9eg1p8oFYnrdSmRnK3k0w0Ha2qiIG2CGz_3yP36n-NUymCoDo4ResnXGI1PY7Dp9XfxwYfDQX2eUqEb8iptHrWTprJc5AcwRLYKqpvBXA32iFruMd-Nw=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="300" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDuu3s_7Nxj0iWSL-opc68BUoyzIhoziDJ2vnjKpsuIQzmUI8hFTdNIkNQfVOG0eBMy9H31M9eg1p8oFYnrdSmRnK3k0w0Ha2qiIG2CGz_3yP36n-NUymCoDo4ResnXGI1PY7Dp9XfxwYfDQX2eUqEb8iptHrWTprJc5AcwRLYKqpvBXA32iFruMd-Nw" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Where
do your recordings go from here, after </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Outta the Nest</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jon: We have a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lot of new tunes we gotta do.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul: We want to
do a second album right away. We already got the first song in the band and we
will be on the road by October or November. <br />
Jon: We’ll be on the road, playing other dives.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Why doesn’t
any of your recordings sound like you do live?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Paul: We use chintzy recording equipment. It doesn’t sound much like anything.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: It
sound a lot pop-ier.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: I think it’s because the conditions are a little more ideal in the studio.
Also, live, we rip it up. We go a little too nutty; we get a little manic.
Things get a little rougher than in the studio. <br />
Paul: There’s more time for contemplation in the studio. <br />
Graham: You can go over any part you don’t like in the studio. <br />
Jon: They’ve yet to make a tape that can capture the true Vipers sound. It’ll
always come out sounding a little more pop-ier until we do a live album. ‘Til
then, it cannot be captured!</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You’ve
sort of been lumped together with the psychedelic scene, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t think you’re psychedelic at
all.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: I agree. <br />
Graham: And garage, too. <br />
Jon: I think we’re a garage band. I would like to be termed as a garage band. I
think that’s truer. <br />
Paul: More than a psych band.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Think you’ll make it on a </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nuggets 1995</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: I think when we evolve, maybe we’ll end up a psychedelic band. <i>[Laughs]</i></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: The
first time I saw you, I thought you sounded more like you were leaning towards a
Dick Dale (d. 2019) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the Del-Tones
sound, than to, say, the Standells or Chocolate Watchband.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Paul: We do have a couple of Dick Dale-esque type numbers. We’re probably going
to whip them out on the public after the album comes out. <br />
Graham: We’re thinking of using a bit more saxophone-oriented instrumental-type
songs, along with the hot numbers we’re doing. <br />
Paul: Do you think we have those leanings?</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Not
so much the surf sound, but towards that pop sound.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: What kind of pop would you compare it to?</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I
would say more toward (Paul Revere and) the Raiders, or the Monkees.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: We put an emphasis on melody. That’s something that we do do. And yet, it’s
very guitar-oriented.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Not keyboard
up front, like most psych bands.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: That’s true. We’re a guitar band, professionally. <br />
Paul: But some of our new stuff is gritty, and not just strictly pop. It’s
getting a lot grittier now. Some of our older recordings – we did “Medication”
and a couple of other tracks – they were more poppy sounding than what we’re
doing now. <br />
Jon: We’re all taking hormone shots. We <i>have </i>put up some pretty wimpy stuff,
but as we’ve been around longer, we start to get more confident, and we
actually start sacrificing melody for more emotion. A lot of times you can hide
behind some pretty nice sounds, and they just sort of gloss over what you’re
trying to say. <br />
Paul: Or you try so hard getting it to perfection you never get to lash out. <br />
Jon: That’s something Paul is really against. Like in rehearsal, I’ll say, “Let’s
do it again and again,” and he’ll flip, ‘cause it can make it just too sterile;
too nice. And now, as we get more confident, we do things on a much rougher
scale. <br />
Paul: It’s more comfortable getting hell-bend and going over the edge with it.
Having a lot of fun and raunching it up. And it does have that real impact. If
you know it well enough to pull it off well, but at the same time not having
refined it by going over it note by note – it’s kind of neat to just get up on
stage and just raunch out a few numbers.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Yeah,
I think you’re in that period of music that most people forget, between the
Dick Dale guitar and the psychedelic Farfisa, which is still garage sounding. I
call it maracas music. Most of the garage sound seems to lie in this period.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: Marac’n’roll. <br />
Graham: Like Davy Jones of the Monkees (d. 2012). <br />
Jon: I think why that exists is that a lot of lead singers are front men and
can’t play anything, and they need something up there. Like with Davy Jones,
well that doesn’t need an explanation.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglPQJpvtPnNcFWpevh59ZtlV6gXVHMdwrtnDgsPkcBRhn83vUVYd-kawsvZf0zO-DxaPipOYLw3BrUCefxnkJSE3adFkyFGNDTbRcxq6G5OyaGMyecsZt6-A4ewrI3JmjtnyQ2pUoyAkLYi-brr75DN6Mjv4fAgFJ3sG-ih8wKwbnbKEOJRGNh6moCGQ=s649" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglPQJpvtPnNcFWpevh59ZtlV6gXVHMdwrtnDgsPkcBRhn83vUVYd-kawsvZf0zO-DxaPipOYLw3BrUCefxnkJSE3adFkyFGNDTbRcxq6G5OyaGMyecsZt6-A4ewrI3JmjtnyQ2pUoyAkLYi-brr75DN6Mjv4fAgFJ3sG-ih8wKwbnbKEOJRGNh6moCGQ=w225-h320" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Well, he always had the tambourine for back-up!</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: You need something to play with. <br />
Paul: It’s cute, anyway, seeing this furry little creature playing a tambourine
on stage. <br />
Jon: You see, when we stop doing these songs, they’re going to continue. It’s
really good, because there are so many bands now, springing up in New York,
that have no place to play. This place (the Dive) is cool; this place is real.
It’s a place to work out your stuff. Look, here comes Pat Brown, or drummer!
Sit down, Pat!</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I’m
doing an interview of the band, of which you’re now part.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: Pat’s different than most drummers. <br />
Pat Brown: You might call me a team drummer. <br />
Jon: He’s a primitive stick-and-stone man.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What’s
the most obscure song you guys do?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Pat: “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICoCdE3a8NU" target="_blank">Surprise Surprise</a>” by the Loved Ones. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: That’s
with Gary Pig Gold, one of our occasional columnists.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: Do you have the record?</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: No,
I don’t have that one. How about something easy now, like how did the band get
started?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Paul: Pretty much out of apathy for anything else that’s going on. We wrote half
a dozen songs and decided to put it together. <br />
Jon: The fact is that all of us disliked all this music. We said, “Shit,
someone’s got to do what we like.” We were all friends in the beginning anyhow;
we all shared the same likings. It was the only way to go, since we all played
music.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Do
you ever get any negative press because you do so many originals?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Paul: We get very little negative press. <br />
Jon: Most of our press has been pretty good, the small<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>amount we’ve received. A lot of people seem
to take our strong point as the fact that we’re songwriters. That’s the thing
that sets us apart, that we do originals. That we write some pretty good ones. <br />
Graham: We love to play old songs, though, too, so we generally give people who
really want those old tunes a lot of that, too; so, it’s not that much of a
negative response coming back to us. <br />
Jon: But we’d be cheating ourselves out of a blast if we didn’t play our songs.
</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
There seems to be a contingent of people who belie that garage bands should be
playing these more and more obscure songs.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Paul: If you’re not really into it that much, it’s hard to really get a hold of
these things, and to research all of the material that does exist.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: That
mentality –</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: I understand what you are saying. “First of all, there are very strict
rules to be a garage band. Do not make innovations. Do not change the
sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go out of your way to get the
right fuzz Vox and the right fuzz note setting. Go out of your way to get it no
matter how much it costs.” The reason this gets so much bad press is because
you have to have the money for the clothes, you have to have the money for the records,
and for the instruments. But I think those boundaries are open enough to write
just as good a song and to cover those songs, because they’re great, so there’s
nothing wrong with it. <br />
Graham: We wouldn’t be able to write them if we didn’t play them. We wouldn’t dare
take an original song or an idea for a song and use it to our extremes without
having been able to play so many covers exactly the way they were played. <br />
Jon: You might say it’s almost fanatical, to really like something to that
point, and a lot of the people who like the sound <i>are</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>collectors. It’s the last thing that they own.
This is the last sound that we own that hasn’t been screwed over by disco. It’s
the last thing that has not been screwed up by the guy wearing a dress telling
us to dance <i>[Boy George – RBF, 2023]</i>. This is something you can’t let
go. We just won’t let it go. The people who like this sound, they get really
pissed, and I don’t blame them, if the sound gets too blah. It’s not an exercise.
It’s not difficult for us at all, what we do. Other bands seem contrived or
seem to work too hard at being a ‘60s band, and that’s not true. It’s the most
second-nature, natural thing to do. I do not think anyone who listens to this
music resents original tunes. I think they resent tunes that are complete
rip-offs, or else they just don’t compare. The only songs they know are the
really good ones. And only the really, really good ones make it on the compilations,
not the bad ones.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: It
seems a lot of people play this game of” Let’s see who can play the most
obscure tune.” Sort of like a competition.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: That’s true. We don’t like that. But it’s not done with any malice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not done, like, “We’re in this club and
you can’t join.” They just go in these, like, warehouses and search; and it’s a
gas when you finally find something. Some of our best times on the road and
stuff is to hit the local record shop, beat the guy silly, and go down to the basement
and go through all their records.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I
like to go out on weekends to the suburbs and hit –</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Paul: – Tag sales. <br />
Jon: You get little old ladies with stacks that have been sitting in closets
for years. Records and clothes. right, Pat? Looking for the perfect shirt?</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: And
you play music to support your habit, right?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: And a few others.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: As
far as collectors go, I’ve been, like, snubbed by a few of these people
because, say, I didn’t know every Yardbirds song ever done. “You’re not worth
talking to –“</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: Oh, man! That’s part of the whole<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>underlying
attitude of this scene going on. People are, “What’s that?” “What’s <i>that</i>?”
Passing cassettes around and stuff, but there’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>so much being resurfaced, there’s even less emphasis on that now. I
think. Except for the hardcore people; the collectors. <br />
Paul: With us, it’s a matter of sharing, ‘cause we can get up there and do it.
DJs are like that, too. They like playing their collections for people.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: To
me, collecting records is not paying $35 for an obscure single, it’s going to a
garage sale and finding it for a dime. If<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>someone comes up to me and says, “I’ve got so-and-so by the Hurd,” and I
ask “How much did you pay for it?” and he says “$35,” I say, who gives a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shit. Anyone can get it for </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> money.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Paul: Well, there’s different levels of being a collector, too. You go through
that phase of practically having everything, and then you make a list of things
you <i>don’t </i>have. Or if you have a double in your collection, you might trade
it for something else. But that’s the upper echelon collector.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: But
that’s business-like. I do it for fun.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Graham: It’s like, to be able to turn people on to a sound, of when there was a
naivete in rock’n’roll, and stuff like that. <br />
Jon: Yeah! Every once in a while, someone will send us a tape of good music. We
don’t care if it’s on tape.</span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I prefer
vinyl because it melts down better to be shot straight into the arm of a true
vinyl junkie!</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Jon: We’re just enthusiasts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwJiILocakVTLCfCgIxDVTey8MjTomLzDzImMQVut4Lg3ZHxP6mPPICEYFWx4E8gbyEjtp2zXI2-XH-FmGUJ6wwLeB-w0df8v6zaHOU3xwvRcZ461gOdMlOi_JOElT6MVBo5R8uygmS3dGa1C9DdL13eEdTOY-Rjka6n85PaEb0RuFup6XWMX4EHx8VA=s742" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="742" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwJiILocakVTLCfCgIxDVTey8MjTomLzDzImMQVut4Lg3ZHxP6mPPICEYFWx4E8gbyEjtp2zXI2-XH-FmGUJ6wwLeB-w0df8v6zaHOU3xwvRcZ461gOdMlOi_JOElT6MVBo5R8uygmS3dGa1C9DdL13eEdTOY-Rjka6n85PaEb0RuFup6XWMX4EHx8VA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jon continued
to be an enthusiast. He took the CaveStomp! into the new century (I saw one at
CBGBs with ? and the Mysterians, the Lyres, etc.), that brought out the newer
garage bands, as well as those classic performers. Little Steven (of the E
Street Band and now has a podcast) picked up the financial slack and put a large
part of himself into the movement that, hopefully, will not die. And while the
second Vipers album did not come out, and the band is gone into the ether, what
they were striving for, hopefully survives.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-JbqA3h_k4" width="320" youtube-src-id="a-JbqA3h_k4"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-32264811569978065332023-02-10T02:00:00.065-05:002023-02-10T02:00:02.619-05:00Music Reviews from 2005<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Updated from Jersey Beat, 2005<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Images from the Internet</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Music Reviews from 2005</b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Some of this was first
published in a slightly different form in my column for </i>Jersey Beat<i> fanzine (digital version) in 2005, which
is no longer available, and is now alphabetized by first letter/first name,. I
have updated it and added new text. This is in a different format than my usual
blog reviews. Titles are in italics and songs are in quotes. Please note that
as some of these bands are no longer in existence, the same can be said about a
number of their contact information.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3vWgeP6aIx8oGYJPQbB2HYgArL7GZX8m0ff1QVLXTahKhr8dTLGRil-NOH18LRBs7gzxscWYi7ZvXBBVetzaHO6N-JGwBjpkxgTyWkM8fMJJVzhFwSHLh842q4l_UTcWws_9sB3P7vpryixfWcRhcerx45KjR9cv74h5Ges6-WKv2_JlMTbquoMApw/s1200/Alexander%20Hacke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1200" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3vWgeP6aIx8oGYJPQbB2HYgArL7GZX8m0ff1QVLXTahKhr8dTLGRil-NOH18LRBs7gzxscWYi7ZvXBBVetzaHO6N-JGwBjpkxgTyWkM8fMJJVzhFwSHLh842q4l_UTcWws_9sB3P7vpryixfWcRhcerx45KjR9cv74h5Ges6-WKv2_JlMTbquoMApw/w320-h282/Alexander%20Hacke.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk126593069"><b>Alexander</b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126593069;"> <b>Hacke</b>
– </span><i>Sanctuary</i> (<a href="http://www.koolarrow.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.koolarrow.com</span></a>).
Hacke is also a member of noise-makers Einsturzende Neubauten, probably one of
the leaders of the experimental and industrial sound genre. For me, well, this
was nearly an hour wasted in my life. While I don’t think that music
necessarily needs to follow a formula, I do believe that to keep my interest,
it needs to be more plug and play than programmed. With rare exceptions (e.g.,
Suicide), programmed music has its place, but not in my library. For example,
on “Sister,” there are noises over an instructional tape of how to avoid being
raped. Hacke’s specialty is to take assorted snippets of recordings, and then
have them “filtered, distorted, processed, and re-assembled.” At least two of
these cuts are over 10 minutes. What hath <i>Sgt. Pepper</i> wrought?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The <a name="_Hlk126592834">Analouges</a></b><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126592834;"></span>, out of Brooklyn, are a duo consisting of ex-Broadway
child star Lydia Doran, and guitarist Jim Saxa. While their self-produced and
self-titled CD (<a href="http://www.theanalogues.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.theanalogues.com</span></a>) is
short, consisting of only 4 songs, it’s a pretty nifty collection. And while
their cover of Zeppelin’s “Going to California” is what may stand out for some,
it’s the beauty of Doran’s voice and sound produced by Saxa’s custom 7-string
and baritone guitars that attracts me. Despite the guitar, their material is the
sort of stuff you would almost expect to hear with Doran splayed across a piano
in a smoky bar with her <i>chanteuseness</i> in full blossom. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">For <b>And This Army,</b> I
wanted to make a brief comment on their 4-song eponymous EP (www.andthisarmy.com),
which they were giving out at a gig. Really masterful playing: they are to punk
what prog was to rock, pushing the limits of a definition into a fine form
(unlike prog). Each song is solid, with “The Ghost of Johnny’s Pizza” and the
very long “Space Elevator” standing out. Good live band, as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlQEqs-iNlIwmDzJ4a6-vOvyXqRMDjGxolmJ9VWaX9xPt2l9dysIGAhHTs2KjpbrCjdt_CRaIzdeid42D_LkXde8wlDxNAZqBQCZ0Pa57pUsPrVLOkbsz__Eq-htH2fOnXcHpOuOJvG_LlxeQDe9C3Oz78SkUXvLayiM_mhTfjsmiG4YuizdrR5-O5w/s500/Andi%20Camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlQEqs-iNlIwmDzJ4a6-vOvyXqRMDjGxolmJ9VWaX9xPt2l9dysIGAhHTs2KjpbrCjdt_CRaIzdeid42D_LkXde8wlDxNAZqBQCZ0Pa57pUsPrVLOkbsz__Eq-htH2fOnXcHpOuOJvG_LlxeQDe9C3Oz78SkUXvLayiM_mhTfjsmiG4YuizdrR5-O5w/w320-h320/Andi%20Camp.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">With just a guitar
(herself) and drums (Ryan Heise) backing up her vocals, <b>Andi Camp</b> shines
on her new release, <i>Magnetic</i> (Grafton Records, c/o <a href="http://www.yarrrpr.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.yarrrpr.com</span></a>). Her voice is a bit
rough, but it maintains its power and its vocal equivalent of bedroom eyes. With
lyrics that are biting and well written, one cannot put her into a cage of
style. She is way too jagged and raved to be considered singer/songwriter, but
she is also too soft to be considered rocked. Falling somewhere in-between is
actually perfect for her because she is bigger than one brand. Her songs are
chock full of longing, yearning, and subtlety. The last cut, “Moonshiner,” is
with a full band, and vocals that are shared with Anderson Rice. Although it is
different than anything else on the CD (i.e., country; so far away from her
previous pop band, Ribbon Fix), it also shows that she can handle the full
instrumentation. Very clever CD package (her own design), that could easily win
artistic awards, hand numbered by Camp (mine is 354).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrzM3FBfbl9rxviBj5nQZs_qHn-bG0N5kEjMYS0UoQ2URKwTTEWdiI2_SzsTeT6TAyDwUq2OyO0jVR5IJUNQ1MWuQiekpehJI1WtkbumbNfJ5Bzo44MILnS5GHpmtLr2HV3wg0jJnV98nz7l7m1gv0SHfRs5W9o81Z83ANs_gXUR0o_3ZVcAFxMBlJA/s640/Arms%20of%20Kismet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrzM3FBfbl9rxviBj5nQZs_qHn-bG0N5kEjMYS0UoQ2URKwTTEWdiI2_SzsTeT6TAyDwUq2OyO0jVR5IJUNQ1MWuQiekpehJI1WtkbumbNfJ5Bzo44MILnS5GHpmtLr2HV3wg0jJnV98nz7l7m1gv0SHfRs5W9o81Z83ANs_gXUR0o_3ZVcAFxMBlJA/w320-h320/Arms%20of%20Kismet.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even better than his last
release is <i>Cutting Room Rug</i> (<a href="http://www.wampus.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.wampus.com</span></a>)
by <a name="_Hlk126592737"><b>The Arms of Kismet</b></a>. Mark Doyon continues
his quest for a great song, and his hard work is all the more enjoyable for the
listener. Less congested sounding than the last time and yet still maintaining
a high sense of quality, Doyon’s songs are melodic without being sappy, pointed
without being bitter, and first-person without being egocentric. Again covering
many styles, he still stays true to his vision. Remarkable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6AffaoW3XJYwSdiHDHtZdi2D6uKggPOdaVlDNnW9hOwp25v9Nz8tVgQPSUIYD-L-OPD6M7cPB_F35aR5m4oY-z0JVzL_sgbO19nI3QPMBhZCbs-mH__hnzDiFaE7RCDwbRFsmXy3g-K8kV0ZcmdbrixLRF9lqfA3LTqu5KWlRotaFjOXIp3c_Zl6sw/s600/Carrie%20Newcomer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6AffaoW3XJYwSdiHDHtZdi2D6uKggPOdaVlDNnW9hOwp25v9Nz8tVgQPSUIYD-L-OPD6M7cPB_F35aR5m4oY-z0JVzL_sgbO19nI3QPMBhZCbs-mH__hnzDiFaE7RCDwbRFsmXy3g-K8kV0ZcmdbrixLRF9lqfA3LTqu5KWlRotaFjOXIp3c_Zl6sw/s320/Carrie%20Newcomer.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">When one is a reviewer,
many times the way one first hears an artist is when they have the chance to
review them. That is what happened with <a name="_Hlk126592629"><b>Carrie
Newcomer</b> </a>when I wrote about her last CD, <i>Betty’s Diner</i>, which
was her ninth release. This new one, <i>Regulars and Refugees</i> (<a href="http://www.rounder.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.rounder.com</span></a>), picks up where the last
one left off at the diner, and looks at its patrons, viewing their lives in
first and second person. Carrie’s voice is full and powerful. Just a skilled
piece of work, whether looking at it as individual pieces or as a collection. The
songs have a leaning toward a country lilt, but are certainly not C&W
(crossover?), just slice of life examinations that are fascinating. In the
booklet, there are short stories about the denizens of the diner, and their
life situations that serve as back stories to the songs. Carrie’s voice is deep
and mature, and full of emotion. Fave cuts include “I Fly,” and “Five Years
On.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9hHQfvxqgMktnij3boa_22N69qwpzEd-FHVl7DNcudbCbPUOKB3bCU3RRoEzt212hFbNNytFJR_xIVcAod2XYgZksceJbXOBDokKFPbLRa3A-tfmOrFFt7KrC0gAY1R9LViftay_Sg3iKUoFAK6TNG57SGaeNdRuX9iXNxWTdvyguELYDzPfJuLgSA/s640/Chris%20Pureka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9hHQfvxqgMktnij3boa_22N69qwpzEd-FHVl7DNcudbCbPUOKB3bCU3RRoEzt212hFbNNytFJR_xIVcAod2XYgZksceJbXOBDokKFPbLRa3A-tfmOrFFt7KrC0gAY1R9LViftay_Sg3iKUoFAK6TNG57SGaeNdRuX9iXNxWTdvyguELYDzPfJuLgSA/s320/Chris%20Pureka.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Chris Pureka</b> has a very distinctive style, with a unique voice
that is deep with a sharp vibrato. She revels in it on her <i>Driving North</i>
(<a href="http://www.madmissionmusic.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.madmissionmusic.com</span></a>). Hailing
out of Massachusetts’s Valley community, she is pure fire and she strips her
songs to the basic emotions. The songs are stark in their portrayal of a
relationship on the road to ruin, and Chris’s voice is somber and direct. Her
guitar playing is stern and unswerving, with each note echoing the high emotion
the song relates. It will grab your attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUoWtx4A0TiXv1ZozDCZyRzlboGJCX6PC189BD9hMoYVOqV7DzGdTpH9BsdQw2Ggm9EGxC8uzjo0HHsgv7se682Vs2vmxXtXWe0AleWCsCvop2n5VRvYD17tzqAr_VAf8fVuy-3JaYoWjPBiZkPuBVt54fR9KPeFlzDcXY8BC9m6t3SRH6BgkeefCJQ/s316/Devendra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="316" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUoWtx4A0TiXv1ZozDCZyRzlboGJCX6PC189BD9hMoYVOqV7DzGdTpH9BsdQw2Ggm9EGxC8uzjo0HHsgv7se682Vs2vmxXtXWe0AleWCsCvop2n5VRvYD17tzqAr_VAf8fVuy-3JaYoWjPBiZkPuBVt54fR9KPeFlzDcXY8BC9m6t3SRH6BgkeefCJQ/s1600/Devendra.jpg" width="316" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Devendra Banhart</b> is stylistically hard to pin down. While the obvious
bin of choice is singer/songwriter or folk, that’s a bit too narrow. His voice
has a glam warble (think Bolan), and the songs on this CD, <i>Cripple Crow</i>
(<a href="http://www.xlrecordings.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.xlrecordings.com</span></a>),
have very different influences. Yes, there is s/s style and folk, but there is
a wide range of levels of instrumentation, from spare to full-out, and there is
more than a share of pop and a smattering of blues/R&B, all without going
outside his range, which is nice. There are even some Spanish songs (his
background is Latin American), though he associates himself with First Nations
culture (with some Asian Indian mixed in). This guy is highly prolific, with
four full releases since 2002. That is of the heart of the problem, though. While
he writes a lot, it does not mean all these songs need to be recorded. This
collection, for example, could definitely use some editing of its 74 minutes
length. A perfect case in point is “Chinese Children,” based on a basic I-IV-V
progression, but does not really say anything or present anything new. In other
words, it is not really a good song. While much of the CD is fine, it needs to
be thinned, as it has much too much filler. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOLWJIbSsghkYmYEBg2Sb5NRkDBYjLhl9MHts2cCnzHGyDPCowoKvBPRNayTfjDrQFFggdCl8l4pHtA17nZdEd4WHjK3nThFRMDUPuwp21TJwMGt45MsvZzFt4qnUYtGXkEDtdzuUYOdpxu-qtZSCDoO83-CHGr29DngEKKRZ-bJdh2hixCs4o9XYwA/s500/Heaven%20Earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOLWJIbSsghkYmYEBg2Sb5NRkDBYjLhl9MHts2cCnzHGyDPCowoKvBPRNayTfjDrQFFggdCl8l4pHtA17nZdEd4WHjK3nThFRMDUPuwp21TJwMGt45MsvZzFt4qnUYtGXkEDtdzuUYOdpxu-qtZSCDoO83-CHGr29DngEKKRZ-bJdh2hixCs4o9XYwA/s320/Heaven%20Earth.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk126592939"><b>Heaven
& Earth, Featuring Stuart Smith</b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126592939;"> </span>(<a href="http://www.blackstarrecords.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.blackstarrecords.com</span></a>),
is solid ‘80s style hair band rock with a strong blues background. Just look at
some of the personnel on this 72 minute opus, which includes Richie Sambora
(Bon Jovi) and Steve Priest (Sweet; d. 2020), and other members of Deep Purple,
Toto, Rainbow, and Heart. For some, this is for the early ‘80s what disco was
for the ‘70s, and for others, it was sheer heaven and earth. For me, it was,
well, there. At the time I was listening to a lot of punk, post-garage, and
roots stuff, so metal was not part of my lexicon. I mean, I fell asleep at a
Led Zeppelin concert (late ‘70s). That being said, this is much better than I
expected it to be, honestly, and I am sure part of that is twofold: first, the
vocals are shared song-by-song by varied artists, so it never gets sound-alike.
Second, the screechy vocal quotient is kept at a minimum, which is my biggest
point of contention of this style. There is a lot of imagination here, as even
within its genre it stretched out to embrace Bach’s Concerto, Steeleye Span
type material, and just plain classic rock with silliness, like “(I Hate You So
Much) It Must Be Love.” One constant through the whole CD is Stuart Smith’s
blazing guitar, who fires up a storm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFdJh0OA_58NgyqxgZye1fpEoFtenXvpRmg2PmQkREZqxC0Qt7KB9JAiGCyQg7Nko83cQGAPtBQepF-25cwTT3VYY8o9Tx11yESrPqlKmmkv_bTUF37W_9hFLz5tw5ZwNoFq2Dw5KZOMHAiFEJmMA5wru6ihELXNkHm295bXOq9-o-7wmHNDLgYfcgA/s342/Jeannie%20Kendall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFdJh0OA_58NgyqxgZye1fpEoFtenXvpRmg2PmQkREZqxC0Qt7KB9JAiGCyQg7Nko83cQGAPtBQepF-25cwTT3VYY8o9Tx11yESrPqlKmmkv_bTUF37W_9hFLz5tw5ZwNoFq2Dw5KZOMHAiFEJmMA5wru6ihELXNkHm295bXOq9-o-7wmHNDLgYfcgA/s320/Jeannie%20Kendall.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The surviving half of The
Kendalls, a daughter/father duo, <a name="_Hlk126592656"><b>Jeannie</b> <b>Kendall</b>
</a>strikes out on her own with <i>All The Girls I Am</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Golden, c/o CbuJ Entertainment, 3730 Vulcan
Drive, Nashville, TN 37211). She uses the opportunity to break out a bit,
covering country, yes, but also adult contemporary pop and some folk based
tunes (the title cut, one of the best here). Jeannie’s voice has a bit of a
Dolly P. lilt, but she definitely has her own voice, which fits the material. Her
choice of songs covers various life stories. Not a songwriter herself, she has
picked a number of pieces that accentuate her voice and style(s), including two
by pop mistress supreme Harriet Shock, a superb songwriter and singer in her
own right. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9tsujJsa94NsnRFPn6MgLz9wzyUIKkUk9DtJYsLz06pBwTDPCdN1mv-c8EYPjTtShocc8yIatcRbaM2x33OhDu0CnVwwIflharxGl0nOXnss_iHAOqwKEex1IwCxag3rLbZ_SoNIJliloTJFVVBuUvEF2oo8w4h_YqThnUlkNGFzMxjQBZQ2YWr8Ww/s640/Jules%20Ellison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9tsujJsa94NsnRFPn6MgLz9wzyUIKkUk9DtJYsLz06pBwTDPCdN1mv-c8EYPjTtShocc8yIatcRbaM2x33OhDu0CnVwwIflharxGl0nOXnss_iHAOqwKEex1IwCxag3rLbZ_SoNIJliloTJFVVBuUvEF2oo8w4h_YqThnUlkNGFzMxjQBZQ2YWr8Ww/s320/Jules%20Ellison.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">RealPlayer lists <a name="_Hlk126592809"><b>Jules Ellison</b> </a>as “general jazz.” I think her
material on <i>Love is a Very Good Thing</i> (<a href="http://www.julesellison.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.julesellison.com</span></a>) would be more
correctly labeled “adult contemporary.” A better way to look at it is comparing
her very sweet vocals to one of the songs she covers here, John Lennon’s “Love.”
That’s the type of material she covers, sort of ballady, bluesy stuff. About
half the songs are hers, and half are covers, but she does each one in her own
style, with a soft voice that has a tone of hidden power. This CD never drags
as with some AC singers, but rather it has an aerie quality while not being
flighty. Am I making sense? Well, one listen will explain it all, and it is
worth it if you like this kind of stuff, and sometimes I do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwEnG0KUvcXykDI3bKZ2nkMkOekRKFCULWKBl-C1wHfssJq8BaWXi6-eF_Q8evU3UqE3cYRPoqCelzhiH-WqgnYGEH1ZcsQu6yBoP1wcb6lfS8hb5opPBv8cG61y6Ef7a9xvy7u8f6Xt-dBC2xuHdCjH6daHS5-q3Jnv47Fzu-bwR9zF3Q0kQdi6wCg/s640/Ken%20Elkinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwEnG0KUvcXykDI3bKZ2nkMkOekRKFCULWKBl-C1wHfssJq8BaWXi6-eF_Q8evU3UqE3cYRPoqCelzhiH-WqgnYGEH1ZcsQu6yBoP1wcb6lfS8hb5opPBv8cG61y6Ef7a9xvy7u8f6Xt-dBC2xuHdCjH6daHS5-q3Jnv47Fzu-bwR9zF3Q0kQdi6wCg/s320/Ken%20Elkinson.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The one consistent comment
on previous reviews of New Jersey native (and California resident) <a name="_Hlk126592858"><b>Ken Elkinson</b> </a>and his solo piano works is
“emotional.” He shows that on his newest release, <i>Opal</i> (August Son
Productions, c/o <a href="http://www.kenelkinson.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.kenelkinson.com</span></a>). One
reviewer said, of an earlier work, it was New Age. I did not hear that one, but
it certainly is not true of this lovely release of original instrumentals. These
are almost narrative, with some jazz elements to spruce it up even further. Every
one of the single word named pieces can easily touch the heart. Usually with
solo instrumentation, I think this would be great to have on in the background
while having company, but Ken’s music is so textured, it deserves more
attention than that, which is a credit to his work. His use of switching from
major and minor keys, with some strong use of dissonance to create a haunting
melody (e.g., “Change”), just increases the power of his output. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KobwtSYR3HYI5LqiYFfWxykx-5RpkhhNzLZNzGknpK_tiOmO1YveFZTv6L7Hld9ds0BZEY7-4V6bhaQ77t6yoCAqHsWNJY0ELu-cphyqQ7asQ-fW4X7VedJ5mZNOcgk2ilg1HvagEyyMuTYAwMp7x3sbOtsk59NdvbpONhEUX1Fq9DxJPvREFQfP0w/s300/Kimya%20Dawson%E2%80%99s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KobwtSYR3HYI5LqiYFfWxykx-5RpkhhNzLZNzGknpK_tiOmO1YveFZTv6L7Hld9ds0BZEY7-4V6bhaQ77t6yoCAqHsWNJY0ELu-cphyqQ7asQ-fW4X7VedJ5mZNOcgk2ilg1HvagEyyMuTYAwMp7x3sbOtsk59NdvbpONhEUX1Fq9DxJPvREFQfP0w/s1600/Kimya%20Dawson%E2%80%99s.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk126592429"><b>Kimya</b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126592429;"> <b>Dawson</b>’s
</span><i>Hidden Vagenda</i> (<a href="http://www.krecs.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.krecs.com</span></a>)
is so listenable, even if in a totally conventional way. In fact, if I may be
so bold as to push on an icon, Kimya sounds like what I would imagine Ani
DiFranco would sound like if I were to just read her lyrics. Well, maybe the
bastard child of DiFranco and Mary Lou Lords with both Dylan and Jonathan
Richman. Yes, it is that bizarre. Definitely in the anti-folk milieu, her voice
is child-like and unassuming; well, let’s just say she may never get past the
first round in “American Idol,” but that is more the fault of “Idol” than
Kimya, who I admire for every aspect of what she is doing. With vocal pacing in
a very Dylanesque dance, she comes across as sort of a musician’s musician,
which is evidenced by the number of people who sound like they <i>had</i> to
join in. Her wordplay is a testament of lyrical stream of consciousness. While
the songs tend to sound perky, just about every song is either centered around
death, or it is mentioned; and yet it is not in the least morbid. The songs
have some great hooks and will stay with you if you listen to this a couple of times.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyNeVyqK2DpVVXzz66_c2HMGMk_HpNLFjZbw2f5UZd48hO-XUxRfv88Jxl_nn42XJ1MAfAfCEDSI1LLGVKjGAuHw5zmt7WIk29MwsYBoMnBc58LdArXCcw071M7ZGUnQAx41GDwuVJPaWV5rffPzTefCrt2HRC_DG7ygWmGP7M66beTjSzhxvi8ZGaQ/s600/Koorp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="600" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyNeVyqK2DpVVXzz66_c2HMGMk_HpNLFjZbw2f5UZd48hO-XUxRfv88Jxl_nn42XJ1MAfAfCEDSI1LLGVKjGAuHw5zmt7WIk29MwsYBoMnBc58LdArXCcw071M7ZGUnQAx41GDwuVJPaWV5rffPzTefCrt2HRC_DG7ygWmGP7M66beTjSzhxvi8ZGaQ/s320/Koorp.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The <a name="_Hlk126593153">Korps</a></b><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126593153;"> </span>– <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Hello World</i> (<a href="http://www.gulcher.gemm.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.gulcher.gemm.com</span></a>). Talk about idiot
savants. Kenne Highland coming off the Gizmos and the Marines, and Ken Kaiser
joined forces in 1977 to form the Afrika Korps. And from that, they joined
forces with some of the Slickee Boys and reformed as the Korps. The music they
produce is solid punk-bar-garage. Song topics on this reissue are, well, silly
and juvenile, but they’ll hold your attention and odds are you will shake your
head and laugh at the pure “what de…” factor. I remember when this LP came out
in 1978, I enjoyed it so much. Now that I get to hear a clear version of it
again, I remember why it made such an impression on me. It is definitely like
two guys next door goofing around, but what they are playing is so cool that
you get it. Some songs are love songs, some are love lack angst, some are just
ire. There’s even a couple that are just the same words as the title over and
over, like “Don’t Get Fresh With Me” and one of my favorite song titles, the
bluesy “I Went Downtown, To See My Gal, She Wasn’t There—So I Left.” Actually,
there are many highlights here, like “The Progression” that not only fills you
in on how to play this song, but tells you how to play most of rock’n’roll: the
I-IV-V progression. The highlight, though, is Martha Hull doing the vocals for
“(I Wanna) Burn Out,” with lyrics like “I wanna be like Janis and Jimi/A dead
and buried wasted hippie.” In the great liner notes by Kaiser, he correctly
states, “She took a song that was meant as a little joke and made it into a
work of genius.” Tacked on at the end are Kaiser’s 1977 45, which I have always
admired, “I Love You Laurie,” some redundant outtakes of “Hello World,” and a
fun cut by The Kennes, “With a Shiksa Like You,” from 1977.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCn7qOxmIRd4FOnZU1jG8zl_LB3CY5I25sGAUPK8r5R8Vckjtb550E6M_F-jQzieAuvGCwBI36kGzsX8VPzCgkSsoo9BeQY1z6FmNWBvG6wdKRPZcXyWTatBwuyiupp0AWFRSyeLp40x_lnO4AUOvN2XOIp0qYwfJxhq8ylEGoFvw5B_UJagcyU07_w/s640/Lanky%20%E2%80%93%20Odd%20Hour%20Work%20Week.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCn7qOxmIRd4FOnZU1jG8zl_LB3CY5I25sGAUPK8r5R8Vckjtb550E6M_F-jQzieAuvGCwBI36kGzsX8VPzCgkSsoo9BeQY1z6FmNWBvG6wdKRPZcXyWTatBwuyiupp0AWFRSyeLp40x_lnO4AUOvN2XOIp0qYwfJxhq8ylEGoFvw5B_UJagcyU07_w/s320/Lanky%20%E2%80%93%20Odd%20Hour%20Work%20Week.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk126593042"><b>Lanky</b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126593042;"> </span>– <i>Odd Hour Work Week</i> (<a href="http://www.lankymusic.com/">www.lankymusic.com</a>). Can a musician sound <i>too</i>
pretty? Lanky has a sweet, sweet voice, and with the superb production values
and pop sensibilities, his release is beautiful. Perhaps it is the years of my
lo-fi and punk sensibilities that make this, well, not pull my chain. Now, I like
pretty, too, but this is just so perfect – not a crack or a seam – so mellow,
so mainstream sounding, that it doesn’t really fall into any category that my
mind seems to grasp anymore. I can imagine loads of <i>Brigitte Jones’ Diary</i>
type fans out there clamoring for him, throwing keys and other assorted
garments at this Adrian Brody look-alike (at least the picture I saw). Please,
get this man some airwaves, as there are loads of people out there who would
appreciate his sound; the same ones who listen to Josh Grogan, Bocelli, Andrea,
or Justin Timberlake, I guess. He deserves it because it is all just so <i>beautiful</i>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_q_cvgw81ct8f1mBFob3CkPfnBDa87mY5UuspsSs8zL6qhaY8NgaGrl3twkmDTmp3ZOhBQR5Fx9Q3M1PAc9XmpUnWhQlLaQMLd4vaIODSvAZnhLHSOFsGArD2NSOr6k0nbm7Y-ZFyjnxCKVNDiMWUAHn2BQSpcbIiuLme83RJeCluQiM_8cEUtF_5Q/s220/Lesley%20Gore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_q_cvgw81ct8f1mBFob3CkPfnBDa87mY5UuspsSs8zL6qhaY8NgaGrl3twkmDTmp3ZOhBQR5Fx9Q3M1PAc9XmpUnWhQlLaQMLd4vaIODSvAZnhLHSOFsGArD2NSOr6k0nbm7Y-ZFyjnxCKVNDiMWUAHn2BQSpcbIiuLme83RJeCluQiM_8cEUtF_5Q/w320-h320/Lesley%20Gore.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lesley Gore</b> (d. 2015) has taken a different road on her first new
recording in decades, <i>Ever Since</i> (<a href="http://www.enginecompanyrecords.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.enginecompanyrecords.com</span></a>)
by recording new material. Well, that is not totally true: she does a real
slow, powerful version of my favorite proto-feminist “You Don’t Own Me,” that
just burns. Gore’s voice has certainly matured well, like a velvety wine,
playing the chanteuse for all its worth. In other words, she succeeds in
growing up with her image and style. Her selection of songs is perfect for her elegance,
some by herself, some by others, but many outstanding, such as the beautiful
title song, the wistful “It’s Gone,” “Better Angels,” “Words We Don’t Say” (one
of my faves here), “We Went So High,” and the slightly snarky “Not the First.” Not
a bad cut here. A powerful re-entry. And I would like to say a special thank you
to fellow cabaret singer Ingrid Saxon for getting me in to see Lesley perform at
a Joe’s Pub gig to promote this release.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOG8NWlIzYLRVqZmOdqWCPidS7ewtv7TtQ1RyJa8iPf_8ayxvZ8kuTmezZG4HnT0A0itxw23Li4Hsro0WJwfr5oPl6lGl3msvp5ZhMyOVW-OpmAg5KJuKwY2HhastfbdkL9m7Azy3u6yzKETl2GpxoSZg_cv8MmGHM9RTObssMuMFxfyfAtCJ_P_9fw/s640/Mary%20Gatchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOG8NWlIzYLRVqZmOdqWCPidS7ewtv7TtQ1RyJa8iPf_8ayxvZ8kuTmezZG4HnT0A0itxw23Li4Hsro0WJwfr5oPl6lGl3msvp5ZhMyOVW-OpmAg5KJuKwY2HhastfbdkL9m7Azy3u6yzKETl2GpxoSZg_cv8MmGHM9RTObssMuMFxfyfAtCJ_P_9fw/s320/Mary%20Gatchell.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Floating smoothly between
singer/songwriter, soft rock and cabaret is <a name="_Hlk126592601"><b>Mary
Gatchell</b> </a>on her <i>Indigo Rose</i> (<a href="http://www.marygatchell.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.marygatchell.com</span></a>). Mary’s voice is
both soulful and sweet, easily innocent and sensual at the same time. As well,
she is a talented songwriter, whose tunes can go from lush, to comedic, to
profound. This CD was her first studio release (she had already released a live
recording), and starts with the melodic and perceptive “Stronger Backs.” Other
fave cuts are “War and Peace,” “Emptiness Settles In,” “Digging for Clouds”
(which is an expansion on the saying “fighting for peace is like…”), and the
bittersweet yet comedic “Green Card.” The last is obviously recorded live (in
studio?) with a bunch of girlfriends, and I dare anyone to listen to it and not
be humming it for a while after. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk126593199"><b>Model
Citizens</b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126593199;"> </span>– <i>Model
Citizens</i> (<a href="mailto:Rapid_Randy@hotmail"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Rapid_Randy@hotmail</span></a>.com). Hailing
from Birmingham, this trio kicks out. With a definite low-tech, demo feel, they
are bar rock in the way that the Gizmos were: not metal, just rock. With a punched-up
sound, there are definite possibilities for this band. It is the recording, not
the group, which lacks power. The songs are strong, the guitar playing flays,
and the band is just plain fun. Coming from Alabama, there is definitely a
small country influence, especially on “Green Ashes,” which works for them and
does not bog them down. They are worth a listen. I hope I get the chance to see
them play, ‘cause I bet they are a hoot live. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIjAxqb3H57WHW1lnA1TECeMhVNIljGwXqjF7gUyo_Yxiwrr0SMf_2vcP_Un7ggPyBQGOhoF7P8BN330OiewmXWcVhy_DXvQCcrV5QfcluEP8eKM3c8e66m6edIeT1RO-xRJsnfPwtIO6ngqM6c3v8v-iDW4p8b5RtIBiWhpnpv3YRFmlNv6jJLtfEQ/s640/Paula%20Frazer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIjAxqb3H57WHW1lnA1TECeMhVNIljGwXqjF7gUyo_Yxiwrr0SMf_2vcP_Un7ggPyBQGOhoF7P8BN330OiewmXWcVhy_DXvQCcrV5QfcluEP8eKM3c8e66m6edIeT1RO-xRJsnfPwtIO6ngqM6c3v8v-iDW4p8b5RtIBiWhpnpv3YRFmlNv6jJLtfEQ/s320/Paula%20Frazer.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">With <i>Leave the Sad
Things Behind</i> (<a href="http://www.birdmanrecords.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.birdmanrecords.com</span></a>),
<a name="_Hlk126592786"><b>Paula Frazer</b> </a>continues her amazingly
prolific output, including her days with Tarnation. With a Celtic lilt and a
slight ‘60s pop and country influence (she come from Georgia), Paula treads
Sarah McLaughlin territory, and Sarah better look over her shoulder, because
Paula not only has a powerful and melodic vocal, but a great turn of a musical
and lyrical phrase. Her songs are catchy and never pander. I listened to this
CD like three times in a row before I could put it down. While the libretto can
be seen as the musical equivalent of a “chick flick” (very roses and romance),
she remains accessible to all. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplg2RJfdLZOiHNo0ldeQcWv8vqRXWt1zF6nLg2oeUYuyYYnO-LtjCZ1oEUstTSg1ufk8GbqJZpWwgLcwbBwPOlo4l9Y0maNQE-NVTPgp5YVfzwUqkB2ueTBiw6Wfwnj7Qr_5g5g87n4UsatSuQmOFnfrbwuuz-_NobLKUmhCTB8b9JLRMaLjJA_T76Q/s600/Poisoned%20Aeros%20%E2%80%93%20Turbulence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplg2RJfdLZOiHNo0ldeQcWv8vqRXWt1zF6nLg2oeUYuyYYnO-LtjCZ1oEUstTSg1ufk8GbqJZpWwgLcwbBwPOlo4l9Y0maNQE-NVTPgp5YVfzwUqkB2ueTBiw6Wfwnj7Qr_5g5g87n4UsatSuQmOFnfrbwuuz-_NobLKUmhCTB8b9JLRMaLjJA_T76Q/s320/Poisoned%20Aeros%20%E2%80%93%20Turbulence.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk126593224"><b>Poisoned</b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126593224;"> <b>Aeros</b>
</span>– <i>Turbulence</i> (<a href="http://www.doublehell.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.doublehell.com</span></a>). Sheer brilliance. While
the band’s name may not raise an eyebrow here in the States, in their native
Hamilton, Ontario, it’s a sharp pun. But before I even start on the music
itself, just know that they are joined in the studio by the likes of members of
Teenage Head, the Forgotten Rebels, the Vapids, Dave Rave DeRoches, Jack
Pedler, and even Sylvain Sylvain. Up front is the dual winsome vocalists and
chief songwriters, Buckshot Bebee and Rosmarinus (aka Ro the Knife). Think Dictators
with female leads. That kind of power and humor are rampant throughout the release.
There is not a bad cut here. Having seen them play in Brooklyn (opening for
their pals, the She Wolves), I can attest that it is not studio magic that
makes them shine, but pure talent. To show their humor, there is a blank disk
included, so one can copy the CD and give it to a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9UBWk0qSqsOX-VWn4MJU2R9iwSzuGoJmVt4dK-3FCREGDVzezszpZbhYTfNaJd84UMPtxAxvQ1oyHxfoLi0qErYk0yMWIwIMtjixV1zsd13D89Q4E6fRfFzazCUZH7UirdU3kjvp0DmLnC7pNe3W7gP5EYa_BzdA9TuQ13UBmgcrdGTPZlC565Px6Q/s500/Quantice%20Never%20Crashed%20%E2%80%93%20Turbulence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9UBWk0qSqsOX-VWn4MJU2R9iwSzuGoJmVt4dK-3FCREGDVzezszpZbhYTfNaJd84UMPtxAxvQ1oyHxfoLi0qErYk0yMWIwIMtjixV1zsd13D89Q4E6fRfFzazCUZH7UirdU3kjvp0DmLnC7pNe3W7gP5EYa_BzdA9TuQ13UBmgcrdGTPZlC565Px6Q/w320-h320/Quantice%20Never%20Crashed%20%E2%80%93%20Turbulence.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Quantice Never</b> <b>Crashed</b> – <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember when singer Philly (Rabbit) started
out in his first band, Howard Finster. They were fun, but kids. Then it’s a
couple of years later, and he fronted the much-improved QNC. Solid screamo approach,
his vocals – as is common to the style – has that “Ro Ro Ro-ro-ro”-ness that
can be either a lot of fun or really, really grating. Well, this is just fine,
I am happy to say. Live, I could not make out a word he was saying, though the
music is a rat-tat-tat of slicking power. But with the lyric sheet included, I
have learned that their lyrics are very well written, all in first person
perspective, and the music is actually quite melodic. Live, as is on the CD,
their power is quite noticeable. Hell, they are just a fun band. It is amusing
that the first cut is actually an acoustic instrumental that never lets the
listener be aware of what is to follow. Also like their fellow Staten Island
natives, the late band Monty Love, their song titles have absolutely nothing to
do with the actual lyrics, such as “William Shatner’s Powergun” and “Shaolin
Casanova.” Worth seeking out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeLLfM6f3kEU8wt31HCU6RbA3XkvH0mtzSaEMrzUDCg0_LnMPVf9xaeEzwOP5pQ_7YByPBbjWedF7ci0g9VCOl6XoKbUmJeNziAS4Kk0YhxcjG7FZUOdL94-GomnxgamFldACEVC7lAGVR0mcziRG_hUjhWf1Q59PGxGi83fNEAJUAL9_l5XVSnNFpg/s400/Tommy%20James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeLLfM6f3kEU8wt31HCU6RbA3XkvH0mtzSaEMrzUDCg0_LnMPVf9xaeEzwOP5pQ_7YByPBbjWedF7ci0g9VCOl6XoKbUmJeNziAS4Kk0YhxcjG7FZUOdL94-GomnxgamFldACEVC7lAGVR0mcziRG_hUjhWf1Q59PGxGi83fNEAJUAL9_l5XVSnNFpg/s320/Tommy%20James.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tommy James</b> re-recorded his old chestnut, “Sweet Cherry Wine”
(Aura Records, co <a href="http://www.tommyjames.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.TommyJames.com</span></a>) with
the help of gospel group <b>the Kootz</b>, (rather than the Shondells) backing him up
his time, on this three-song CD. James had found <i>The Lord</i> a number of
years ago, and he brings that “light” to this recording, giving the tune a
whole different meaning. TJ definitely has his voice intact, and with the
Kootz, he turns this song into a powerful testament. The second song is
actually a shorter version of the first. The third is the “B” side, “Amy,”
which has his distinctive voice, but a rhythm machine and synthesizer to back
him, which greatly reduces the feel of the song, unfortunately.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRr5E43WjYJgOFCGGw96hKZADiFCDvVfeyn9shS3pYpGY0IMOJkPjzF0LuypZNZkPTV5MrqmS-VUQR2IEqE14oCnbYcFIsK5HLdujJni9_EhP0lyR0gD_tjE5qDL7YF7WTePluQHHiK5OS6Nv8xgOpB0f87rpQEOtAzx1rymZIQGN4ORO4pWZWArDpg/s466/Various%20Hurry%20Home%20Early%20VThe%20Songs%20of%20Warren%20Zevon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="466" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRr5E43WjYJgOFCGGw96hKZADiFCDvVfeyn9shS3pYpGY0IMOJkPjzF0LuypZNZkPTV5MrqmS-VUQR2IEqE14oCnbYcFIsK5HLdujJni9_EhP0lyR0gD_tjE5qDL7YF7WTePluQHHiK5OS6Nv8xgOpB0f87rpQEOtAzx1rymZIQGN4ORO4pWZWArDpg/s320/Various%20Hurry%20Home%20Early%20VThe%20Songs%20of%20Warren%20Zevon.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Various</b>: I remember when the president of the Flamin’
Groovies fan club quit because the band covered <a name="_Hlk126592896">Warren
Zevon’s </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(d. 2003) “Werewolves of
London.” I don’t have as disparaging an opinion of the guy as the ex-prez, but
he always fell into the Dave Matthews column of <i>I-don’t-get-it.</i> Yeah, he
writes pretty songs, but the whole appeal never really touched me. On the tribute
CD <i>Hurry Home Early: The Songs of Warren Zevon</i> (<a href="http://www.wampus.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.wampus.com</span></a>), one thing I do find
amusing, is how well his work is adaptable to the “new” country sound, as it
seems a majority of those covering his tunes here went that route. There are
some nice touches, and all the songs are respectful, so if a listener is
inclined towards moody and edgy kinds of lyrics and non-standard pop-based
melodies, I would definitely recommend this. And there are no werewolves of
London here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOYjnooNo-CuW4NmbvUViZsABfX068jPATec6Rowq0CX2ajQpEtY8bOX-jCCYUlQjN_uYtg-I9UWr18bRDns0r__49Dq03w6k5RORmIbQonW5ZbJh8XWFapux5qU6WMALTV42vXO4cR7trYv9QOud9D6qj9o5k5oRRtAUqf7jNBLn24wOmJDUbm0Fqw/s640/Various%20Mama%20Kangaroos%20Philly%20Women%20Sing%20Captain%20Beefheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOYjnooNo-CuW4NmbvUViZsABfX068jPATec6Rowq0CX2ajQpEtY8bOX-jCCYUlQjN_uYtg-I9UWr18bRDns0r__49Dq03w6k5RORmIbQonW5ZbJh8XWFapux5qU6WMALTV42vXO4cR7trYv9QOud9D6qj9o5k5oRRtAUqf7jNBLn24wOmJDUbm0Fqw/s320/Various%20Mama%20Kangaroos%20Philly%20Women%20Sing%20Captain%20Beefheart.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Various</b>: And then there is the meeting place of extremes – of
pretty noise – with the compilation <a name="_Hlk126593116"><i>Mama Kangaroos: Philly
Women Sing Captain Beefheart</i> </a>(www.genusrecords.com). The Capt was a
forerunner in the rock/jazz fusion in a space cadet genius kind of way. Sort of
to rock what later Miles Davis was to jazz. One of the beautifies of this
freewheeling style is its adaptabilities. Many styles are represented here,
from straight on rock to electronica, to Tom Verlaine-ish (d. 2023) guitar
ramblings, even to country. The album begins slow with drum machines and
programming, but as it starts with “Run Paint Run Run” (Big Mess Orchestra) and
the verbal hiccupping of “Apes-ma” (Radio Eris) and “Abba Zaba” (Voices of
Africa), it is straight ahead interesting for more than an hour. Some of other
fave cuts include “Crazy Little Thing” (Mia Johnson with Tom Gillam), the
soulful “I’m Glad” (Janet Bressler), the complete bedlam of “Ashtray Heart”
(Beware the Blunted Needle), and the Appalachian “Orange Claw Hammer” (King of
Siam). As experimental as could be, which is exactly what the good Captain may
have imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tCrpwFY07234cJK47T-8YHhDgYAVOmcmx52fqwBEw_P2ed4Yv4YMLChOGKNQybRvpt23GGdT86TH8Mc-JDeIxSWM_TaNxAwWSlTg19iqyvio5hxocsXdWC1R3iEmYJP6c_8LmJHlm-8TWui8ANinzebu4wa7vRRi-HiEyu4ITd57-KUUQvFiGEuc9w/s1200/Vetiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tCrpwFY07234cJK47T-8YHhDgYAVOmcmx52fqwBEw_P2ed4Yv4YMLChOGKNQybRvpt23GGdT86TH8Mc-JDeIxSWM_TaNxAwWSlTg19iqyvio5hxocsXdWC1R3iEmYJP6c_8LmJHlm-8TWui8ANinzebu4wa7vRRi-HiEyu4ITd57-KUUQvFiGEuc9w/s320/Vetiver.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Speaking of Devendra Banhart
being prolific, he is also a member of the group <a name="_Hlk126592563"><b>Vetiver</b></a>,
who label their style as “chamber folk music” to describe their 5-song CD EP
release, <i>Between</i> (<a href="http://www.vetiver.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.vetiver.com</span></a>),
which includes a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Save Me a Place.” I would call this
more ambient than folk, with Vetiver’s soft, lush tones and anesthetizing
quality. Not boring, per se, but lulling, including the vocals by Andy Cabric. Actually
Cabric recorded three of the songs as a solo. One may also be surprised that
members of My Bloody Valentine and Mazzy Star also make an appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHf1EBgDx_KgtqGDwzpj2010kaZ3LFUq6d_UVycsK1ggiJVFYmL8ISqmaAz6IIE8f_y3rUhfVAm5k34WNC7Mg4nYGcDcOf2CD6nSz_e40pN8R7Hj-W70E0Db80mietoRKdNyFe30nng0okYs6aqyFiew6tax4-t8giDSO9Lv5hP5ANmdrbhBK2B-qiQ/s248/World%20War%20IX%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="248" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHf1EBgDx_KgtqGDwzpj2010kaZ3LFUq6d_UVycsK1ggiJVFYmL8ISqmaAz6IIE8f_y3rUhfVAm5k34WNC7Mg4nYGcDcOf2CD6nSz_e40pN8R7Hj-W70E0Db80mietoRKdNyFe30nng0okYs6aqyFiew6tax4-t8giDSO9Lv5hP5ANmdrbhBK2B-qiQ/w320-h262/World%20War%20IX%20.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk126593307"><b>World
War IX</b></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk126593307;"> </span>– <i>When
A Good Time Turns to Shit</i> (<a href="http://www.worldwarix.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.worldwarix.com</span></a>)
A two-song single from this band who are a definite throwback in sound to 1976.
It is kickass, but it is also melodic. Max’s vocals need to be up front in the
sound a little more, making this the feeling of it being more like a demo, but
do <i>not</i> let that distract you from getting this. “Intervention” is about
exactly what you would think. Actually, “Treasure Hunt” is not that
thematically different. If these guys were around when CBGB opened, they would
probably be in a few of the history books. And while you are listening to the
music, enjoy the artwork drawn by guitarist Justin, and see if you can find his
comics (whose topics include his obsession with GG Allin and a retelling of
their early gigs), they are worth reading as much as this is enjoyable to be heard.
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-71335057312271663142023-02-05T02:00:00.084-05:002023-02-05T02:00:00.236-05:00THE STEINETTES (1980)<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Text © Robert Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 1980/2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></i></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Steinettes
were a brief moment in time, yet their short span made them a cult classic to
fans of the ‘60s girl group sounds that they emulated, and for the comic timing
in the two singular-word-titled Robert Altman films in which they appeared, </span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">HealtH<i> and
more famously </i>Popeye<i>, where they appeared as Olive Oyl’s four
girlfriends. In both, they were sort of the Greek Chorus with a song in their
hearts.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The group as
a collective is gone now, but every once in a rare moment, they regather at
parties and perform their old routines. Luckily, often, there is someone there
with a camera.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This interview
appeared in </span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen<i>, issue No. 6, dated Year-end 1980.</i></span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1EBgBxNIiDFWippgENt2nX6AXZpChaGJvigUgJVKtTzaMLOe1HiJHptSV_PMIc0bHmPrr0lE-2FhGck9vmds0BP0cdyoCCH3i1cFYiv5MflT1YE2gW7kOXDD_IC02A13IaOBVG3wNrjmlDFNnE5PIQzu5WfJijajBHkQ77nD_l73h64SPdwO-MEw5Bw=s2048" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2048" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1EBgBxNIiDFWippgENt2nX6AXZpChaGJvigUgJVKtTzaMLOe1HiJHptSV_PMIc0bHmPrr0lE-2FhGck9vmds0BP0cdyoCCH3i1cFYiv5MflT1YE2gW7kOXDD_IC02A13IaOBVG3wNrjmlDFNnE5PIQzu5WfJijajBHkQ77nD_l73h64SPdwO-MEw5Bw=w400-h261" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(photo by Dennis Concepcion)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Steinettes (1980)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alphabetically,
it’s as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="871" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgldmarpl89lxTan2lux1M7nMobLDca1bopDGHWV111th-ZWd1YZqG6-r1MUbn4rEpklSnHjlsHgWdz2nye97kRX2QAp3EJKzeH_-zXSmDdNcn8db4hpD7QNwYoescRshOeeC17EF4-u5-lpVP-isHANal3lb9mimvGLJm73AteaOfMnWzN3o3wJCSKcA=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Natalie Blossom, far right <br />(photo by Dennis Concepcion)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgldmarpl89lxTan2lux1M7nMobLDca1bopDGHWV111th-ZWd1YZqG6-r1MUbn4rEpklSnHjlsHgWdz2nye97kRX2QAp3EJKzeH_-zXSmDdNcn8db4hpD7QNwYoescRshOeeC17EF4-u5-lpVP-isHANal3lb9mimvGLJm73AteaOfMnWzN3o3wJCSKcA=s871"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Natalie
Blossom. Blonde and sort of modish-looking with ‘sixties hairdo and make-up. The
ham of the group, she is always making faces and clowning for both the camera
and the audience. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, she now resides in Brooklyn,
just a stones-throw away from the Midwood Theatre. Some of her solos are the
Angel’s “My Boyfriend’s Back” and Betty Everett’s “The Shoop-Shoop Song (It’s
in His Kiss).”</span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYI-5es5vUCqyCd4d0xRWi72FlGDdyWN_XaeU5uvOb4khvorvute0aTS2tLRdVjiKKj56PRyQkAqKSW9E04goJRs4N07a3rSQun0Q8IV0z80_BhF0M3nCSdPWkJjB9N5F_tvjcX0wodsCBFv_s0q9E1R18l5hoUDBNj1hL3xLfJsZ2FvhvdYAvLc5ZtA=s1652" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYI-5es5vUCqyCd4d0xRWi72FlGDdyWN_XaeU5uvOb4khvorvute0aTS2tLRdVjiKKj56PRyQkAqKSW9E04goJRs4N07a3rSQun0Q8IV0z80_BhF0M3nCSdPWkJjB9N5F_tvjcX0wodsCBFv_s0q9E1R18l5hoUDBNj1hL3xLfJsZ2FvhvdYAvLc5ZtA=s320" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Julie Janney </i><i>(photo by Dennis Concepcion)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Julie Janney.
A blonde who tends to wear a red T-shirt from her home state of Indiana. Of the
foursome, her voice is the strongest, so she gets some of the more difficult
songs to sing, like “Be By Baby,” and “Walking In The Rain,” both by the
Ronettes. Usually, she sways her hips when she sings.</span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhInf8iO0tG3TkdOlxVIYlulhew4plJBPyhJd7sEhhj4THy49L28uKq9JvCnlQSzTFIFJ2CYNVB7vYhomQzgzK61VgozDLTbpRcGesDmEdHhCotmtEgqtinbGuIAzV1yU7CRfYFQ5EQg_HyyCGGdRbahT50hL7n-TpEMYsEPoCWYGTdZ_6jo2T-QPYb4Q=s1906" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="1906" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhInf8iO0tG3TkdOlxVIYlulhew4plJBPyhJd7sEhhj4THy49L28uKq9JvCnlQSzTFIFJ2CYNVB7vYhomQzgzK61VgozDLTbpRcGesDmEdHhCotmtEgqtinbGuIAzV1yU7CRfYFQ5EQg_HyyCGGdRbahT50hL7n-TpEMYsEPoCWYGTdZ_6jo2T-QPYb4Q=w320-h240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Julie, Patti Katz, Natalie Schaffer <br /></i><i>(photo by Dennis Concepcion)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Patty Katz. The
spokesperson of the group and the only native New Yorker (Great Neck, Long
Island). This brunette is the bass vocalist (very rare in all-female groups)
and her repertoire includes one of the unit’s best renditions, the Shirelles’
“Foolish Little Girl” (with Natalie), and “Dedicated to the One I Love.” Patty
is the one who talks the cops out of kicking the group off the street corners
when the crowd exceeds the sidewalk and spills onto the roadway (as they
usually do, by the second song).</span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dianne
Shaffer. The “Ringo” of the group, was the last member to join. This brunette
is also the shortest. She wears pigtails and is the group’s verbal comedienne
(as opposed to Natalie’s physical comedy). A couple of her songs are Shelley
Fabares’ “Johnny Angel” (a la <i>Swan Lake</i>), and the Chantel’s “Maybe,” in
which she holds the record for saying the most “maybes” in the shortest time
span. Naw, I’m just making that up, but I still wouldn’t be surprised.</span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC3uYUxk6u5CC0Imf_NusJ7yTjtxmKMyqADEeJ_U7bBaFvIl8AIgNMnPExfl-ipU3f5Cw3_bbYvLYKCR2p57dMnT8UBaPsxoQodjJqxtaKCFDNTAnd34nVszcMzEBd7Rk1zTaiTnZfmg9p7hl2G-fOpYySp7EgYV2WbIyZZiU6Ak0diEnbBG9LXHVM6A=s960" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="960" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC3uYUxk6u5CC0Imf_NusJ7yTjtxmKMyqADEeJ_U7bBaFvIl8AIgNMnPExfl-ipU3f5Cw3_bbYvLYKCR2p57dMnT8UBaPsxoQodjJqxtaKCFDNTAnd34nVszcMzEBd7Rk1zTaiTnZfmg9p7hl2G-fOpYySp7EgYV2WbIyZZiU6Ak0diEnbBG9LXHVM6A=w320-h207" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Singing "Sugar Fit" from </i>Health<br /><i>(photo by Dennis Concepcion)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Put ‘em all
together and no, they don’t spell <i>mother</i>, but they do spell out <i>Steinettes</i>.
Now, there are two questions that may be plaguing your mind at the moment:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First, and
quite simply, what are the Steinettes? Well, so far we’ve established that they
are a singing quartet of girls…er…women. So, what’s so unusual about that? Well,
they are New York street performers who make their living by putting a
trick-o-treat pumpkin out front and singing <i>a cappella</i>. This summer, it
was on West Broadway, twixt Houston and Prince, in SoHo. Next summer, who
knows? The police have been giving them a bit of a hassle about their listeners
blocking traffic. They also perform once in a while in Sheridan Square Park, on
Christopher Street.</span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4oi-NsOsU1gGdcpLfRmKLFt2DADyMgX331VKt8EM6spuHH0rGWJxJAoE4aPwJFcRUbUYrsdIPLgI4hqFJIivSWmaO8r5SatnnoBeU-QSPYCXu4RRczJ0TjLhXBZT6Ji642LqmMPoh4JBuAkw9k7924iZrAvfsNwZnhWYJBHI7GilnzLatdX_24YGFpg=s1521" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1521" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4oi-NsOsU1gGdcpLfRmKLFt2DADyMgX331VKt8EM6spuHH0rGWJxJAoE4aPwJFcRUbUYrsdIPLgI4hqFJIivSWmaO8r5SatnnoBeU-QSPYCXu4RRczJ0TjLhXBZT6Ji642LqmMPoh4JBuAkw9k7924iZrAvfsNwZnhWYJBHI7GilnzLatdX_24YGFpg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Singing "Dominique" by the Singing Nun<br /></i><i>(photo by Dennis Concepcion)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As you look
over their names, you will notice that there is no one in the group named
Stein. The second question, therefore, is how did they get the name Steinettes?
The first version of the group, (sans Dianne), was formed by comedian Phil
Stein for a review that he was putting on. The quartet was used as filler (what
a waste of talent!) during his costume changes. When the show ended, so did the
Steinettes. They re-formed for another review, this time with Dianne. When they
rehearsed under the Washington Square Arch and a crowd started forming, they
thought, “Hmmm.” And a quartet was born – sort of a “Hey kids, let’s put on a
show” history. (For more specific details on their early career, check out an
article written in the <a href="https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/484165558/" target="_blank"><i>New York Daily News</i>, October 17, 1979</a>.) But think that’s a dull story. Here’s the one they prefer:</span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Patty Katz: I
was going uptown on an express train, and Julie and Dianne were sitting next to
each other and singing. It was real empty. I sat down next to them and for some
reason I came in with the third harmony. And (Natalie) just got in. She was
going to Brooklyn. And she came in and did fourth harmony. And we said, “Hey,
cool!”<br />
Dianne Schaffer: “We got a group!”<br />
Natalie Blossom: And they were really getting off singing to each other. I
thought they all knew each other. They were laughing at themselves, and I was
laughing with them, so I just came in with the fourth harmony.<br />
Patty: We were all singing different songs.<br />
Natalie: That’s why it was so funny.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Any way you
look at it, the first official gig as the Steinettes (as opposed to four
actresses singing together) arrived around Labor Day, 1978.</span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVGMHTwl6HZHriSqoOh0D4oykOJMQ0KvHZW-8Vilsx6eFMRB_Z8XdQ-mVMS1OWkHfjAxRr0nsDoWrXhwwUMRESzH_yxF-HtXn2Qo5c4jLBFvR8d1UVVyIXp98r-rNlWmRpn6hTVGlrx8XugcgI13Z4TiqnUnO9tzsjPW--KtktTfYnsrjdELSgZV2_wg=s960" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="960" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVGMHTwl6HZHriSqoOh0D4oykOJMQ0KvHZW-8Vilsx6eFMRB_Z8XdQ-mVMS1OWkHfjAxRr0nsDoWrXhwwUMRESzH_yxF-HtXn2Qo5c4jLBFvR8d1UVVyIXp98r-rNlWmRpn6hTVGlrx8XugcgI13Z4TiqnUnO9tzsjPW--KtktTfYnsrjdELSgZV2_wg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(photo by Dennis Concepcion)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hanging out
with Dennis Concepcion in the spring of 1979, we were eating at the late and
lamented Burger Towne at Sheridan Square on 7th Avenue South and Christopher
Street, across the narrow road from the triangular park (you see it coming,
don't you?). As we ate our burgers, through the window we saw this large crowd
gathering. Having finished, we went outside to see what was going on.</span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We entered
the park, and saw the four. All were wearing silver jackets with their
“Steinettes” logo on the back, sort of like a gang would. Three of the four
were wearing sweat-sox in the bobby-sox style, with sneakers. Natalie was
wearing black pumps and had on a black and white striped T-shirt that just came
short of her waist; Julie, her red Indiana T-shirt; Patty’s was white with a
Minnie Mouse design; and Dianne’s was blue with some writing that I can never
quite remember. These are still, to this day, their work clothes. Two blondes,
two brunettes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It was love
at first sight.</span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since that
time, between Dennis and myself, we have renamed the spot “Steinette Park,” and
thus it shall ever more be. But that was the last we were to see them for a
long time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During the
early Spring of this year, <i>FFanzeen</i> managing editor Stacy Mantel, art
editor Alan Abramowitz, and I were walking around SoHo (see it coming again,
huh?) to the SoHo Music Gallery, a really good record store on Wooster, and we
saw a large crowd. I heard the voices long before I saw who it was, but there
was no question in my mind who they were. “My God, it’s the Steinettes!” I
shouted. The three of us went over and there were two more Steinettes converts
– proselytizing was unnecessary. We sat through both of their one-hour sets
(with a five to fifteen minute “intermission” to catch their breath and new
audience.</span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A few months
after that, an actor with whom I worked named Richard “When’s <i>FFanzeen</i>
comin’ out” Hill asked, “Hey, did you ever hear of a group called the Steinettes?”
He seemed surprised that I did. Well, as it turns out, Patty is his friend, and
before the week was out, my friend Dennis and I had interviewed them. Now we
rarely miss a performance.</span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course,
there is an argument against them – namely that they are actresses and not
really rock’n’roll singers; that they do not deserve as much attention from the
music world as they are getting. Bull. They are, in fact, four girls who grew
up listening to the Chantels, and Ronettes, and Shangri-Las, and loved them as
kids (didn’t we all?), and in their way, are singing for both fun and
(hopefully) profit. But that element of fun is very important to the way they
perceive their music. No two sets are identical, distinguished by all the improv
joking around that happens between them and their audience – even among
themselves. They are always talking to the audience, sometimes including them
in the act. But more than anything else, they have fun. And more than anything
else, that is what rock’n’roll is all about, isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1029" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFu0RcOTSg8k3oHQjYnCAuSnHv0879V0rMMjecGpFfuK0tBCDDSobsMmfaI8XZ6fNMUbMsOe_lvmBMdI3F6ipHFu9VzLFBKR5kU48jSKA3irphQV3C1_t5i5sMJ3TZcP1fmI3lbxh1tFVGGaqEcnksquZhf-2yY8kuIQJE6pEQQE8cdbadAyVDNJJAeg=w320-h179" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Scene from </i>HealtH</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFu0RcOTSg8k3oHQjYnCAuSnHv0879V0rMMjecGpFfuK0tBCDDSobsMmfaI8XZ6fNMUbMsOe_lvmBMdI3F6ipHFu9VzLFBKR5kU48jSKA3irphQV3C1_t5i5sMJ3TZcP1fmI3lbxh1tFVGGaqEcnksquZhf-2yY8kuIQJE6pEQQE8cdbadAyVDNJJAeg=s1029"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><p></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But still,
there is the acting part of the group that cannot be ignored. And their career
seems to be taking off. Robert Altman was turned on to them, and he offered
them the role of the pseudo-Greek Chorus in his film, <i>HealtH </i>(1980)<i>. HealtH</i>,
which took what seemed like forever to come out, has been released in LA, where
it was badly shot down by critics (nothing bad said about the Steinettes). <i>So,
it was canned before it ever reached New York.</i> However, they are also in
Altman’s <i>Popeye </i>(1980), which appears as if it will be a hit. Maybe if
it does really well, they will re-release <i>HealtH</i>.</span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As far as
publicity for the film goes, the Steinettes seemed to have been almost ignored.
When <i>Life Magazine</i> had a large feature on <i>Popeye</i>, they were never
even mentioned in the cast. Ditto with many film magazines. Luckily, they
haven’t been totally ignored. Papers such as <i>The Daily News</i> and <i>The
New York Post</i> have run articles on them. And now they are going to be on”20/20”,
and have a great shot at a guest appearance on the new season of “<i>Saturday
Night Live” (it didn’t happen – RBF., 2023).</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hope they
go far, because they represent a genre of song-style that has not been around
lately, but is sorely missed.</span></span></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgt0kmXMxMI2xS5OgreeB63c3m2ASjHtRiQwFzifbFDo6G75JeJtDUsxWZHvEnd_z-buQGt0gSIGljhxdboIHsHjvCmiBnPBlE9O4Xg9cSeOs1Vr3Fd35gzKG7jZPkI5pPuAa0aFduSaEj3xKAhZo-QaSPzz4HOjfN6GPolOgmhPZm_TFG9DShGDpEyQ=s1775" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1775" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgt0kmXMxMI2xS5OgreeB63c3m2ASjHtRiQwFzifbFDo6G75JeJtDUsxWZHvEnd_z-buQGt0gSIGljhxdboIHsHjvCmiBnPBlE9O4Xg9cSeOs1Vr3Fd35gzKG7jZPkI5pPuAa0aFduSaEj3xKAhZo-QaSPzz4HOjfN6GPolOgmhPZm_TFG9DShGDpEyQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dennis Concepcion and the Steinettes<br /></i><i>(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="40address" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The following
short documentary gives a nice overview of their music, after an intro by
Patti. Dennis, mentioned above, took some of the still photos of them
performing live, and can be seen wearing a Schaffer Music Festival tee-shirt in
front of the crowd at 11:36.<br /><br /></span></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-39295228872267563982023-02-01T16:33:00.061-05:002023-02-06T16:51:44.656-05:00Essay: A View of Modern Punk Rock<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023<br /></span></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Updated from Jersey Beat, 2005<br /></span></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4-0_4z3VlmcOHzESY3B0HcaGzx5SDjG-cYJIHm1HtIJ5e4YVtC7NjpPpHZYoSzYhTH9Rv59T-rCrhm4SR1Ke_Wm2pAhywQd0jHOdn69xNYr7CPjBFcOhIrVjUzt3iQjs3aopF8E8Uu8eBnHjGnJn3ucvIi0yJfr6f-vEL89NrsOzDhAEfNla9WcruWQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4-0_4z3VlmcOHzESY3B0HcaGzx5SDjG-cYJIHm1HtIJ5e4YVtC7NjpPpHZYoSzYhTH9Rv59T-rCrhm4SR1Ke_Wm2pAhywQd0jHOdn69xNYr7CPjBFcOhIrVjUzt3iQjs3aopF8E8Uu8eBnHjGnJn3ucvIi0yJfr6f-vEL89NrsOzDhAEfNla9WcruWQ" width="240" /></a></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #201f1e;">A View of Modern Punk Rock</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #201f1e;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This was first published
in another form from my column in </i>Jersey
Beat<i> fanzine (digital version) in 2005, which is no longer available. I have
updated it and added new text.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQSWWf_oVUhHOn1LkerY4mHdPezq27PoYhWBhSF3hlFfkSpZQxV_0lBt1dvWVvZaZABIpXrlWnRgM8zpgeGHA_DpDKws_0jQiVPUSKGwG4jMPSGZcRZks1BUdqOAYGBGAEt54v8eYg2at3qaz_oGDXaFOIaNabEVu0DODyuYoX_-U2HzMVlw29sKbDw/s1026/Ramones-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="1026" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQSWWf_oVUhHOn1LkerY4mHdPezq27PoYhWBhSF3hlFfkSpZQxV_0lBt1dvWVvZaZABIpXrlWnRgM8zpgeGHA_DpDKws_0jQiVPUSKGwG4jMPSGZcRZks1BUdqOAYGBGAEt54v8eYg2at3qaz_oGDXaFOIaNabEVu0DODyuYoX_-U2HzMVlw29sKbDw/w320-h154/Ramones-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ramones (pic by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a gross generalization,
there are two ways to look at music: forward and backward. In the modern punk’s
vision, bands and fans imagine themselves doing the former more than the
latter. They often deride the First Wave pre-1975 (or so) music as <i>hippie</i>
and <i>too structured</i>. Well, as someone pointed out to me, more time has
passed since the Sex Pistols broke up (1978) than from the beginning of
rock’n’roll (for argument’s sake, let us say 1955) until that point. We all use
what we grew up with as a point of reference for what we see in the future. It
is easy to look back and say anything pre-Ramones, or even pre-hardcore, is
worthless. Okay, but if you were there when the Ramones started in ’74, you had
rock’n’roll – not punk – to use as your starting point.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKhPPqjAoTuRYH51lktL5Yu4GHUxV-p0qx2nDGQptRwPTcTtPrA9wjIcJscUJf_WFNNd8JGh3CzuhPt5pmZ0J9SCqkRjEs1McE9OeT8Zu1Vzq11wXWPaPGgvP8b_ntVciDfkmg1PtjjJzPaDjnrpg-ls4gTHdh0Mwz39ocwWNt2EXdIkBu1wIjf0afA/s518/EddieHotRods-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="359" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKhPPqjAoTuRYH51lktL5Yu4GHUxV-p0qx2nDGQptRwPTcTtPrA9wjIcJscUJf_WFNNd8JGh3CzuhPt5pmZ0J9SCqkRjEs1McE9OeT8Zu1Vzq11wXWPaPGgvP8b_ntVciDfkmg1PtjjJzPaDjnrpg-ls4gTHdh0Mwz39ocwWNt2EXdIkBu1wIjf0afA/w222-h320/EddieHotRods-1.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Eddie and the Hot Rods (photo by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Ramones used surf and
pop as their foundation and gave that a twist, giving the British punks
something newer to build upon (Malcolm McLaren learned it here from the likes
of Richard Hell and disastrously managing the New York Dolls, and then returned
to England to help create the Sex Pistols), and then the hardcore scene
combined the First Wave New York and Second Wave London scenes to create the
Third Wave. One of the first US hardcore fanzines by the late Paul Decolator was
even named <i>Third Wave</i>. Each Wave brought something different into the
mix.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPlMbo-LyEntngJs6xuI778Uw88_5rGgbCMM1HWGgSLVVa2rAh3r6Mx0JyLSmkc9JtWqrQFGMX5Kcu00w2Y0LRUs4iNwNrD4BgucYz1kKAvmjbQHu26ac-frGGzXp7XZppk2cnvhUY9bgm9st7kaJKa1mf_2ru-Wm25WEzEYjPvt94cZ9HaqDJtNR1MA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="409" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPlMbo-LyEntngJs6xuI778Uw88_5rGgbCMM1HWGgSLVVa2rAh3r6Mx0JyLSmkc9JtWqrQFGMX5Kcu00w2Y0LRUs4iNwNrD4BgucYz1kKAvmjbQHu26ac-frGGzXp7XZppk2cnvhUY9bgm9st7kaJKa1mf_2ru-Wm25WEzEYjPvt94cZ9HaqDJtNR1MA=w320-h294" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I discussed with a
former fanzine editor, some of us who are old enough to remember pre-Ramones
seem to find it somewhat easier to see other kinds of music as possibilities. Many
of those early ‘70s punks came from the harder sounds of glam and metal (e.g.,
John Lydon singing along to Alice Cooper’s “Eighteen” as his audition for the
Pistols), and I came from listening to folk, both traditional and modern. My
punk sensibilities are a bit different than most I know, for that reason.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvBJGB5c3bmDLuv8YGqwmqb0Q6vFlwns1SLKaNUZyFwkgEfH5sicFIqp9Jo345m8B9HomDcb5wRDRlHgZCx4eplKrNFbypXLIJHoIhkItwQ-qUYqYrl4Jjf9OEXNwAmEKBLVjT1WahMSVaQFKxGxXRDCLggj2RBilt-VyY_FJZ3OY08LxdrO69JyerA/s525/deadboys.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="447" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvBJGB5c3bmDLuv8YGqwmqb0Q6vFlwns1SLKaNUZyFwkgEfH5sicFIqp9Jo345m8B9HomDcb5wRDRlHgZCx4eplKrNFbypXLIJHoIhkItwQ-qUYqYrl4Jjf9OEXNwAmEKBLVjT1WahMSVaQFKxGxXRDCLggj2RBilt-VyY_FJZ3OY08LxdrO69JyerA/w272-h320/deadboys.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dead Boys (photo by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have often posited that
folk music (e.g., Dylan, Ochs) of the ‘60s is the same in spirit of those of
the punk era: protest music that just became more electrified, simplified,
faster, and louder. But the themes are often the same (tell me “Positively 4th Street”
is not punk). That is why so many members of punk groups started doing solo
singer-songwriter styles as they aged and their bands dissipated.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafkULZ7odSfcCaFgGOzbnel6Yr4MCoYEuZXoizJG0I3P01Y-a_IRL6mtR6qcf7uwz5ma8sFhajLWI2HQJES_TBbSZyDT-uT6E36oii7ZW8RIPzxubRKlWQ_V2CuLQVYsu5GiyrPNFbjVX6QLbdDQQFtpP_oBuByBdbjPBB1lBNbKFWASg9FARnd1Whg/s378/HuskerDuBobMould.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafkULZ7odSfcCaFgGOzbnel6Yr4MCoYEuZXoizJG0I3P01Y-a_IRL6mtR6qcf7uwz5ma8sFhajLWI2HQJES_TBbSZyDT-uT6E36oii7ZW8RIPzxubRKlWQ_V2CuLQVYsu5GiyrPNFbjVX6QLbdDQQFtpP_oBuByBdbjPBB1lBNbKFWASg9FARnd1Whg/s320/HuskerDuBobMould.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Husker Du (photo by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The up-and-coming punks
have bands like the Ramones, the Pistols, Black Flag, and arguably Nirvana to
use as their history, but we did not. There was no punk. There were bands like
the Velvet Underground, the MC5, and the Stooges, but in a time when FM radio
was basically album rock (such as Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yes and CSNY),
the odds of even finding out about VU and the like was slim. Unless you knew
someone who was hip enough to turn you on to that stuff (in my case, it was
Bernie Kugel, the first record collector I had met and a fine musician in his
own right).</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_lZTh-u465_R7WKabJ_3tNAgDqNPKQS4IdK3Ta2N3i7PmRY39jP9G9lcLJzfRLdEoGY-yvWtaVOrtYVWz89bYrQ-6PB2uzvs8o9IAJFSqwfdm8Ox-x6S8zXR--OyNt2WgS1z12D9eJ1lHDozXfxdutqbjgZFd7Ds9gSrDUHeY-DCTnyry_8DssqJ3Q/s834/RichardHellVideowave-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="834" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_lZTh-u465_R7WKabJ_3tNAgDqNPKQS4IdK3Ta2N3i7PmRY39jP9G9lcLJzfRLdEoGY-yvWtaVOrtYVWz89bYrQ-6PB2uzvs8o9IAJFSqwfdm8Ox-x6S8zXR--OyNt2WgS1z12D9eJ1lHDozXfxdutqbjgZFd7Ds9gSrDUHeY-DCTnyry_8DssqJ3Q/w320-h252/RichardHellVideowave-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Richard Hell (photo by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">But mostly we who were
rebelling had very few alternatives. I mean, if you wanted to be really
radical, you could listen to Bowie (of whom I was never a fan), or the Count V
(who did “Psychotic Reaction” in the mid-‘60s, before just about anyone knew
about maniacal fuzz). Hell, even the Rolling Stones were looked on as scary. Once
the ‘70s started, I almost stopped listening to broadcast music because there
was such a dearth of anything out of the mainstream. I was fortunate enough to
see Slade during the early ‘70s though, who showed me what was possible, but
even they were arena rock, just as loud and hard as can be (the opening band, that
I found tedious, was Aerosmith).</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UnB3zQK3spxEdYpnnyPF7_AiDvvYg0Txrc7HXYMK-gRYirbAmFRxdUFNxiE7a-pGYtnkJICl22xL4lBrczqZdbW6zgq5oud-SgYb3hQ_LXuVvPP9LiZZ-BKUO5lgpMPvKWvn57i6We1tfiomWYNO_TEpjgbj3COEMHt1UrJfITO4r5qsn_a5XMIRUw/s387/HeartbreakersJohnnyThunders.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="387" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UnB3zQK3spxEdYpnnyPF7_AiDvvYg0Txrc7HXYMK-gRYirbAmFRxdUFNxiE7a-pGYtnkJICl22xL4lBrczqZdbW6zgq5oud-SgYb3hQ_LXuVvPP9LiZZ-BKUO5lgpMPvKWvn57i6We1tfiomWYNO_TEpjgbj3COEMHt1UrJfITO4r5qsn_a5XMIRUw/s320/HeartbreakersJohnnyThunders.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Johnny Thunders/Heartbreakers (photo by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">To sum up: from the
opening of CBGB as an alternative music venue in 1974 to now is nearly 50
years. If one was to flip that from the time before CBGB, which would be the Roaring
Twenties, when Jazz and Swing were considered radical. When punk started, there
was only a 20-year history of rock’n’roll to build on, as opposed to the 50-years
of the present punk sound. You can poo-poo early rock’n’roll as being too
standard (aka boring), but considering the shift of what the Ramones (and the
like) listened to with what they ended up bringing, was far more radical than
just about anything going on today. How much of what you are listening to now
is fundamentally different than the bands of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s? Or even
the Blink-182s of the ‘90s? You better start swimming or you’ll sink like a
stone…</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-22659993112713068042023-01-20T02:00:00.028-05:002023-01-20T02:00:00.223-05:00Study: An Open Letter to C.P. Snow About “The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution”<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from
the Internet</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is a paper I presented for my Master’s in
Media Ecology at New York University, for the class Communications Revolution
and Culture in America II, led by Neil Postman and assisted by Janet Sternberg.
The footnotes will be in brackets where applicable. Information about CP Snow
and his treatise can be found <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Two_Cultures" target="_blank">HERE</a>, thanks to Wikipedia.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM0R_iQ5m_rep0zFwS9gPW-Gb3zX4uCCOCrr1jxlupfmk4BqPF9QjCu0OamXOkQktxLdovMIY6BBFhPTKCwOJl9TCm8OEOwpLgrcvZBmcM-6j4LkW7fadtf_-ZrEQwZsrc1drRIIVVqnobAlOS3r5OnB5cARViX8XaHaiIENBu0oDf0fgUrVNWe6ZCQ/s377/TheTwoCultures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM0R_iQ5m_rep0zFwS9gPW-Gb3zX4uCCOCrr1jxlupfmk4BqPF9QjCu0OamXOkQktxLdovMIY6BBFhPTKCwOJl9TCm8OEOwpLgrcvZBmcM-6j4LkW7fadtf_-ZrEQwZsrc1drRIIVVqnobAlOS3r5OnB5cARViX8XaHaiIENBu0oDf0fgUrVNWe6ZCQ/w280-h400/TheTwoCultures.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An Open Letter
to C.P. Snow About <i>The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Closing the gap between our cultures is
necessary in the most abstract intellectual sense, as well as in the most
practical.” – C.P. Snow, <i>The Two Cultures<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr. Snow:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Having read your 1959 Rede lecture, I would like
to share some of my thoughts on your theory of the existence of two distinct
cultures among scholars and examine how that theory relates to the present time
[1990s].<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I acknowledge the fact that your lecture
presented a viewpoint regarding the intellectual community of England at the
time. I will explore your ideas in relation to the contemporary American intelligentsia.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You state that you believe the “intellectual life
of … Western society … is split into two polar groups” [C.P. Snow (1959). <i>The
Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. </i>New York: Cambridge University
Press; p. 3], with one pole representing scientists (i.e., physical) and those
in literary studies at the other [Ibid., p. 4]. You add that not only are these
groups polarized, but “the separation between scientists and non-scientists is
much less bridgeable among the young than even thirty years ago” [Ibid., p. 17].
Although that may have ben the situation in the United Kingdom up to the late
1950s, it appears to have become less true over the years in the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You posit that the separation between science
and literary studies, which arises in part through education, is less severe in
the States [Ibid., pp. 16-17], and that the American system in “hoping to take
the problems in hand within 10 years” [Ibid., p. 18]. This trend in American
education in the late 1950s may explain the reduced polarity of these two intellectual
changes within the American scientific and literary cultures, as I will discuss
below.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your belief that the “industrial society of electronics,
atomic energy, automation … will change the world much more” [Ibid., p. 18],
appears to have been prophetic. Due in part to an occurrence that seems to be a
by-product of the atomic age, one outgrowth that I believe has helped fade the
self-imposed line of segregation between science and literature is a genre of publication
known as science fiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As the power, possibilities, and potential
harm of the atomic age have become known over the decades following the end of
World War II, the imagination of both scientists and non-scientists alike have
been captured by the phenomenon of fission. Writers such as Arthur Clarke and
Theodore Sturgeon turn to science for their source of inspiration and use
technical scientific information and phraseology to help spread this
technological information to both poles. Despite the definite “pop culture” of
the genre, scientists were intrigued by the information and the forum in which it
was presented, and the literary community learned the metaphors and processes
of the scientific rationale. The scientist was also exposed to a form of
writing that was fictional, yet presented a literary world with which they
could make some association.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-mKdsGszagqcrefzbvrTU8R74VBa1GWqkaDPjA56CyigrTDcVMUA_7uP20Y9wAaDGXTQWkdn8M-OGAi0aROjz_Gox_XEcfycM8UkvoDnmfKHEA6SwD3R92D5xogqWcbmdShgRLtgyQItcVKqL1aq8hnEnqyVNCffs_ULJckdt3yPW-c--rtTRUIe3Q/s650/dizikes-650.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="650" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-mKdsGszagqcrefzbvrTU8R74VBa1GWqkaDPjA56CyigrTDcVMUA_7uP20Y9wAaDGXTQWkdn8M-OGAi0aROjz_Gox_XEcfycM8UkvoDnmfKHEA6SwD3R92D5xogqWcbmdShgRLtgyQItcVKqL1aq8hnEnqyVNCffs_ULJckdt3yPW-c--rtTRUIe3Q/w320-h224/dizikes-650.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the leaders of the field of science
fiction, for example, was Isaac Asimov. As you point out yourself [Ibid., p.
1], Asimov was trained in both the scientific and literary realms, capable of moving
freely between the two. He wrote fiction and nonfiction, and analyses of both science
(i.e., physical and social) and classic fiction (e.g., Shakespeare) – as well
as writing original fiction. With credibility in both cultures, he could be a bridge
that was needed to reach both shores.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As this fiction began to be accepted by both
cultures, the influence became as a pebble in a pond, rippling outward and
affecting society as a whole, thereby connecting the cultures on some levels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the early 1960s, the space program captured
the imagination of both poles in America. This science fiction-made-real had
both non-scientists and scientists alike observing the technological
advancement, helping to further disseminate technological language to the lay
scientist and literary audience. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Through the late 1960s, collegiate curriculum
underwent a drastic change. Previously, educational systems in the United Kingdom
had “set ourselves the task of producing a tiny elite … educated in one
academic skill” [Ibid, p. 19]. This was also true for the United States. As
riots over the Vietnam War and the narrow choice of subjects allowed in core
programs exploded on campus after campus in America, the narrow views presented
to the students were broken down, and the choice of topics available became
more flexible. This situation helped open a door to educational elasticity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With this opening up within some of the divisions
of culture, each of these previously polarized groups began taking ventures into
the other’s area of expertise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Social scientists were among the first to
venture out by publishing mostly nonfictional works that were read by both cultures,
including Alvin Toffler’s <i>Future Shock </i>(1970) and Neil Postman’s <i>Amusing
Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business </i>(1985). The
physical scientists tended to write more fiction, such as physician Robin Cook’s
<i>Coma </i>(1977) and scientist Michael Crichton's</span><span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Andromeda Strain </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(1969). All these
excursions were being accepted and read by both sides of the intelligentsia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It does appear that even at present,
literary-based thinkers still use science fiction as an outlet for
technological meanderings. A reason for this occurrence may be referenced to
the comment in which you suggest that you believe writers must learn and
develop their craft, whereas scientific learning is more innate, coming
naturally [Ibid., pp. 10-11]. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A further step along the path of joining the
two intellectual cultures you posit in Western society has been the spread of
the global-village mentality. As non-Western cultures influence the West, they
bring other philosophies and ways of study with them, sometimes subtly changing
the overall method a society uses to view itself and others, thus generating
new ideologies. Innovative ideas have merged into the Western mindset, helping
to further melt the barriers that were once a solid element in the West.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Therefore, I believe that in the United
States, whereas there may be some separation between the cultures of the intellectual
communities, the black and white borders you fear becoming further stratified
have changed and continue to gray under the very Second Law of Thermodynamics,
with which you referred [Ibid., p. 15].<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 314.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>C.P. Snow's full lecture in PDF form can be found <a href="https://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/students/envs_5110/snow_1959.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></span></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-87358005853054372692023-01-10T02:00:00.049-05:002023-01-10T02:00:00.216-05:00Documentary Review: Falling Higher: The Story of Ampage<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Images from the Internet</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwskswucPoNtfqQdlLJYUK0LcPEEhwePl2jFWWquDeGfVcE4Z8ps422HiHifeZIZGK_I9ALyafxl0ad0QtWLcLDt19u7GDxibLcd2kCEFWGnZot0qa_63iHrCIxTJhTMsLt_kddTNR8IyaBlaPE3SVT3g5zuPLHUxdf6t760CZKG2_udZT0zebEisQag/s960/fc662954-a9a7-fa06-38d9-c84052923c79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="648" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwskswucPoNtfqQdlLJYUK0LcPEEhwePl2jFWWquDeGfVcE4Z8ps422HiHifeZIZGK_I9ALyafxl0ad0QtWLcLDt19u7GDxibLcd2kCEFWGnZot0qa_63iHrCIxTJhTMsLt_kddTNR8IyaBlaPE3SVT3g5zuPLHUxdf6t760CZKG2_udZT0zebEisQag/w270-h400/fc662954-a9a7-fa06-38d9-c84052923c79.jpg" width="270" /></a></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Falling
Higher: The Story of Ampage<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Directed by Colin J. Felger<br />
Force Field Studios; Freestyle Digital Media<br />
76 minutes, 2023<br />
<a href="http://www.forcefieldstuidos.com/">www.ForceFieldStuidos.com</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/FallingHigherFilm">www.facebook.com/FallingHigherFilm</a>
<br />
Soundtrack link <a href="https://promo.theorchard.com/mWzAekroM9GYXRT2DEqu" target="_blank">HERE</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Sunset Strip in
California is known for a lot of things, from the stars that line the streets
with entertainers’ names, druggies, hippies, and a <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062203/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">film concerning a riot</a> there
(1967) During
the 1980s, what was most prominent for the Strip was glam hair metal bands,
such as Mötley Crüe, W.A.S.P, the L.A. Guns, and Ampage.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">During this time, I was
listening to the First Wave of punk, British punk, hardcore, and was getting
into the garage revival in New York. Hair bands relied on long guitar solos,
which were anathema to me, but they were still omnipresent thanks to the likes
of MTV, and local stations like V66, V68, etc. But of all the bands mentioned
about the Sunset Strip above, I did not know of Ampage. This documentary mainly
focuses on the lead singer and driving force of the band, Mark Mason (commonly
known as Mase). I may not be the only one who is unaware, as there is not even
a Wikipedia page for the band or Mason (this needs to be corrected). That is
just one of the reasons why I feel that this film is important, as a testament
to the band’s trajectory.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Like many bands, the core
is the lead singer and songwriter, in this case Mase, and whomever is playing
behind him may change, but it Is technically the same band. It is rare for find
a band that has been playing (on and off) for forty years and keeping the same
members (the only one I can think of off the top of my head is ? and the
Mysterians).</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCh2eOxNoKnUolKHItJ9NprC3PjE_BKSgeF6ySUlJ-XpYH4ra3cM9h22ip16JwdxAtE9y-A3ZIzWgfaBKAYbFTccGFB3hLb1IFfwBMyy63PWvSBjVqigN8F1j6GLrCHtbvV-BwhnPo3NnqFV42mndiEtp8HCGxhWc5nmofO5zgl469_CwTV3u3ddrjw/s389/hqdefault%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="389" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCh2eOxNoKnUolKHItJ9NprC3PjE_BKSgeF6ySUlJ-XpYH4ra3cM9h22ip16JwdxAtE9y-A3ZIzWgfaBKAYbFTccGFB3hLb1IFfwBMyy63PWvSBjVqigN8F1j6GLrCHtbvV-BwhnPo3NnqFV42mndiEtp8HCGxhWc5nmofO5zgl469_CwTV3u3ddrjw/w320-h218/hqdefault%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the years, the whole
sound of the band has been morphing as well, starting off as hair metal
(without the screeching), and eventually turning into a rock band over the course
of their nine albums. The history of the band, and especially Mase, ranges from
drug and alcohol-fuel debauchery, to married life on a ranch. I also found it
fascinating that Mase is a major triathlon athlete and has competed nationally
in his middle age.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The film is narrated by
actor Jake Busey (recently in 2019’s <i><a href="https://indiehorrorfilms.blogspot.com/2022/07/reviews-5-various-ghost-titled-films.htm" target="_blank">Ghost in the Graveyard</a></i>), as Mase was friends with his dad, actor Gary, who sang on one of their records.
Also shown in archival footage, is Jeff Conaway (<i>Grease</i>; “Taxi”; d. 2011),
who went on tour with the band as a co-singer.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Among those also
interviewed, we are presented with Bill Stokem (bassist since 2016), Mark
Pearce (guitarist since 2016), Jason Fish (drummer since 2017), Happenin’ Harry
(1988 road manager), Mark London (drummer, 1986-88), Punky Peru (drummer in
1981), Loren Molinare (guitarist 1997, and in the punk band the Dogs), Frank
Scimeca (bassist for 5 years), Billy Vaughn (bassist 1986-88), Rick Allen (Def
Leopard drummer in archival footage), Cameron Cutler (president, Higher Source
Records), and family members. One person absent is the original drummer, Mike
Kroeger, who passed away from Leukemia in 2016, for whom there is a touching section
dedicated to him in the film.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRB0HAOKUp7VCJl5-Fj_J2T2Vul8LWQz3A4ktP6kb6cmPEMwpiUsnEEBw3rrCJ-eyLVU_Q09R4m78SqeqTnweoFVakOE0eqS-Ezfhwh5kYdzU4KnZjS5bUedpMiQ2muell0A2W_vnaCkwgj7pUZgqVUkZTpi_Vx3oHPjx2FG5f8jTA__hGIT0hjWy0g/s469/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="469" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRB0HAOKUp7VCJl5-Fj_J2T2Vul8LWQz3A4ktP6kb6cmPEMwpiUsnEEBw3rrCJ-eyLVU_Q09R4m78SqeqTnweoFVakOE0eqS-Ezfhwh5kYdzU4KnZjS5bUedpMiQ2muell0A2W_vnaCkwgj7pUZgqVUkZTpi_Vx3oHPjx2FG5f8jTA__hGIT0hjWy0g/w320-h186/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">While I still do not think
I would go out and buy their music, I find their later years’ material more
appealing. There are lots of archival clips of them throughout the entire career
of the band. Wisely, they had someone videotape (obviously VHS of some form by
the visual noise factor), giving a more complete picture of what it was like to
record and tour with the band, and I enjoyed watching them being interviewed on
several radio shows (visual, not just the sound).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The clips of them playing
music on the stage, or just on the soundtrack, is often short, making it a
little harder to get a greater picture of their sound (obviously, this was
dedicated to their fans who could sing along with them, word for word, as is
stated in the documentary), but with that much of a catalog, if they played
whole songs, this would be hours long. Luckily, if you are interested, there is
a link to buy the soundtrack above.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">I must say, as they are
presented in the video, Mase and the various members of the band seem to get
along (though some had left to form other groups), and they come across as amenable.
No trash talking, though Mase has a self-depreciation moment.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlcC83PY9-KmB1P2iqER9a6U72e72yEu_VbxklzKuVtKJhT3tL7NKFpjfB5CXp80F-uDnz7z3ROY_yMN1YmaBoPO6hubdJ47AzCItrzTiwIPdJPxBsIegmmQGsT_2muNtky2EEz7IX82G47LJW6nXRHolACOVNeME0UuTXhmES5DFOC8b_ZZM_5Ihvw/s225/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlcC83PY9-KmB1P2iqER9a6U72e72yEu_VbxklzKuVtKJhT3tL7NKFpjfB5CXp80F-uDnz7z3ROY_yMN1YmaBoPO6hubdJ47AzCItrzTiwIPdJPxBsIegmmQGsT_2muNtky2EEz7IX82G47LJW6nXRHolACOVNeME0UuTXhmES5DFOC8b_ZZM_5Ihvw/w320-h320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many band documentaries
have a similar pattern, including this one, of the group starting out, getting
big, becoming small, being a cult idol, and striving to achieve fame again into
middle age. And yet, each band’s story is different, as well.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">One thing I noticed, that
has nothin’ to do with nothin’, is the tee-shirts worn. Two people wear
Soundgarden and Misfits tees, for example, where Mase seems to wear the band’s
Ampage shirt frequently.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">The story of the rise and
fall to/from fame, and the desire to get it back reminded me of the also single-named
band from Canada, <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2022/09/documentary-review-anvil-story-of-anvil.html" target="_blank">Anvil</a>, who similarly had a documentary made of their story. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;">This release will be
available to rent and own via global digital HD Internet and satellite
platforms on January 24, 2023, through Freestyle Digital Media.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XYflhsBg_zc" width="320" youtube-src-id="XYflhsBg_zc"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-79748195206812648992023-01-05T02:00:00.108-05:002023-01-05T16:45:06.378-05:00THE FUZZTONES Interview: Leave Your Mind at Home (1985)<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1985/2023<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from the Internet unless indicated<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Fuzztones-275731423470">www.facebook.com/The-Fuzztones-275731423470</a></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxN7e5rm6wCGCA4vNXv89X89nq_8vINwgJ25fCEhF55orR4VSMa7gImtBCZRNKcoJ3hluV4OK8h7N8gN5qOD6hib-_BVoSdmxgaV87etDlGKsYAeFmC0gMthdobQ8QJ3nr2vmKhhCWO6n_MYv6oDaRqMcKDblSlgWiRByN19EwDiY8FaNX3Lk_-eY7Yg=s261" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="261" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxN7e5rm6wCGCA4vNXv89X89nq_8vINwgJ25fCEhF55orR4VSMa7gImtBCZRNKcoJ3hluV4OK8h7N8gN5qOD6hib-_BVoSdmxgaV87etDlGKsYAeFmC0gMthdobQ8QJ3nr2vmKhhCWO6n_MYv6oDaRqMcKDblSlgWiRByN19EwDiY8FaNX3Lk_-eY7Yg=w400-h296" width="400" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While hardcore
was digging its claws into a Third Wave of Punk in the early 1980s, there was a
concurrent movement of proto-punk influenced sounds called the garage revival
that was also exploding. While hardcore became a Next Big Thing, the garage and
psychedelic strands kind of petered out by the late ‘80s, and disappeared into
the newer grunge sound out of Seattle. While it was in its prime, one of the
major players in the New York garage/= scene was The Fuzztones. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This was originally
published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> No. 13, dated
1985. – RBF, 2023</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilZS24BTkrnupIbuqpEXYN7W_b26ybri_0ll8lH5CIyWwTcezI9SqWf2omUoX_fgGixLu1MprvvWhi5vRhIPdauCp-vBsAlkIAnyprsxbnTBU1UbS-uO31kMx5TgEA23odwlLrS0MoG5UchTUHlaJQRbJEis1mrrUSD7R_RotwzkgOaggnqlzkBoz8sg=s1851" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1851" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilZS24BTkrnupIbuqpEXYN7W_b26ybri_0ll8lH5CIyWwTcezI9SqWf2omUoX_fgGixLu1MprvvWhi5vRhIPdauCp-vBsAlkIAnyprsxbnTBU1UbS-uO31kMx5TgEA23odwlLrS0MoG5UchTUHlaJQRbJEis1mrrUSD7R_RotwzkgOaggnqlzkBoz8sg=s320" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Fuzztones: Leave Your Mind at Home (1985)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s hard to classify The
Fuzztones into a niche. Yes, I know that statement is a cliché, but for this
band, it fits. The elements of the recipe that makes up The Fuzzone sound is a
bizarre mixture of their tastes. Foremost is garage, with a wild psychedelic
sound following close behind. Then there’s the tabs of surf, bubblegum, British
Invasion, heavy metal (just a smidgen, really), and tied together with a string
of humor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I caught up with the band
at soundcheck time at the Peppermint Lounge, the first weekend of December of
1984. Even there, with no one else around but girlfriends, friends, members of
another fun band, The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX5a8L8ta6I" target="_blank">Cheepskates </a>(and nice guys, too) who were opening for them, and Pep staff, and The Fuzztones,
who were dressed mostly in black and surrounded by Vox equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Though the whole band was
present (including Elan Portnoy (lead guitar), Ira Elliot (drums), and they’re
all neat guys, I decided to pick out lead singer Rudi Protrudi, and keyboardist
and sometimes vocalist (not enough, though) Deb O’Nair to speak for this piece because
(a) they formed the band, (b) they are the so-called leaders of the band, and
(c) transcribing a tape with more than one voice of the same sex can drive one
crazy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So there we huddled in the
lower dungeons of the dressing room, and began by talking about their previous
band, Tina Peel. An argument can be started on why so many questions about this previous incarnation,
as The Fuzztones are what’s now and Tina Peel is what’s was, but it’s time all the
questions about TP were asked and done with.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So armed with a bunch of
written questions by Nancy Foster (aka Nancy Neon) as well as a number of my
own, I set out into the beginning…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></i></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqgE-Sc6toOh-H_K4HxYq27gT56_sjbgfls5EOYI-18n13dYqo96fSfvAnCKngP3KiukIyzmQkQLNbzH-cmJO83nBs2REoDStDlIN0OjNSmTHSZSmBXumsmPYXbcNI-k_ZU-7XABX9PTe90Rrnl9znzCSIPlHgFxkNf3lnw-G5Y_vX2Uhg6sGM_iaGMw=s494" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="494" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqgE-Sc6toOh-H_K4HxYq27gT56_sjbgfls5EOYI-18n13dYqo96fSfvAnCKngP3KiukIyzmQkQLNbzH-cmJO83nBs2REoDStDlIN0OjNSmTHSZSmBXumsmPYXbcNI-k_ZU-7XABX9PTe90Rrnl9znzCSIPlHgFxkNf3lnw-G5Y_vX2Uhg6sGM_iaGMw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tina Peel at CBGB <br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You’re both from Pennsylvania?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deb O’Nair:
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: When did you
move up here?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rudi Protrudi: ’76? No. ’79? I don’t remember. <br />
Deb: Six years ago. Almost seven years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How did Tina
Peel form?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: Out of sheer frustration and boredom in Harrisburg. <br />
Rudi: Harrisburg is, like, the most boring place you could ever imagine. And at
that time there wasn’t even anything resembling rock’n’roll, let alone what we
were doing. I mean, there wasn’t even any bands covering Bad Company. There was
nothing. <br />
Deb: Everything there was very disco-funk. The Commodores. And there was an
off-shoot of all those people who were into, like, Pure Prairie League and The
Eagles. There was no real rock’n’roll except for the occasional oldies nights. <br />
Rudi: We were into the ’76 punk scene in New York. We used to come up in a car <i>[170
miles between Harrisburg and CBGBs – RBF, 2023]</i> and get totally fucked up
out of our minds. We’d just run straight into CBGB’s and just tear it up all
night. CBGB’s was really wild. You would never know that by going there now. We
would never have any inkling of what an incredible rock’n’roll club it was. We
must have seen every band that was cool. <br />
Deb: We just wanted so bad to be part of that. My God!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Was that before
they move the stage (from the left side to the right)?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: I’d been there before that. But by the time we were really hanging out…we
were coming up here about once a month. We’d just hang out and I got to know
the people up here. I played with the Dead Boys at that time. I was this close
to being their bass player before they got Jeff (Magnum). And when I got this
close, I realized I just had to come up here. So we moved the whole band up
here and played together for 4 years – before it slowly choked to death, I guess.
<br />
Deb: We were so excited in Pennsylvania; we had this band together that was
unlike anything anyone there had ever encountered. We fashioned ourselves after,
like, The Ramones, The Archies, some surf, and The Sex Pistols. <br />
Rudi: Just kind of a conglomeration. It was kind of a statement people never
really understood. Especially in New York, people never really understood what
Tina Peel was about. Most of the people didn’t even understand the name. They’d
always come up to Deb and say, “Are you Tina?” and “Are you related to David
Peel?” And if they couldn’t get the name, they’d never understand the meaning
behind the band. The last thing we put out, after we broke up, was a cassette
of, like, X-rated songs <i>[Extra Kicks</i> – <i>RBF, 1985]</i> that immediately
the press said, “Oh, this is about the singer’s organs!” It was just a
compilation of stuff that we hadn’t released that happened to be dirty. We
thought it would be funny. But no one ever understood the whole meaning behind
the songs and why we did it. It was a statement as much about, basically, how
everyone was cool. In New York, everybody was cool, so they had a leather
jacket and a spike haircut. In Pennsylvania, everybody wore flannel shirts and
had hair down to their asses. And they were really cool. Our thing was that we
could take a punk beat, put in a bubblegum melody, sing about sex in three-part
harmony, and have as much to do with The Archies as we did The Sex Pistols. We thought
it was just a tongue-in-cheek way to tell everybody, “Nothing is cool!
Everything is cool!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You put (a
cover of) the Miamis’ “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkOZAlSogwQ on the tape." target="_blank">Wang It</a>” </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Rudi: Yeah. I saw them do that when they opened for the Dolls at Max’s. And a couple
of years later I ran into Jimmy (Wynbrandt) and asked him if I could have it. I
went over to his house and he showed it to me, and I taught it to the band. <br />
Deb: The whole thing is that we were very much like the Sic F*cks. But in a
very homogenized pop way. All between-the-lines. <br />
Rudi: See, another thing was that it was also about outrageousness. When
someone looks like Sid Vicious and yells, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_s2OdBYABA " target="_blank">Chop, chop/Chop up your mother</a>,” that pretty much what’s expected out of someone that looks like that. But when
you Look like the Bay City Rollers and sing “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_s2OdBYABA " target="_blank">Penis Between Us</a>,” that’s outrage. And if you want to talk about real outrage, when we did “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbjzwB_kqK0 " target="_blank">Exceptionto the Ruler</a>” at Hurrahs, people really took offense. You can hear one guy on the tape, he
came on stage to beat me up. What people don’t realize is that “Exception to
the Ruler” was also a statement. It was written as an anti-macho rock star
song. There were songs like “Big Ten Inch” by Aerosmith or “Squeeze My Lemon”
by Led Zeppelin. Rock stars were always singing about how their cocks were so
big. So, I thought, wouldn’t it be funny to write a song about a singer having
a small one? And, of course, no one would ever do that because wouldn’t <i>that</i>
blow their image? So I did. To add insult to injury, I put it to the tune of “Peter
Gunn,” which I thought Was really clever. No one ever got any of this stuff.
Eventually, the main reason we broke up was that it was so frustrating. The
whole idea was we were supposed to have so much fun with it and everyone took
it so seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: The whole
underground scene started as a backlash to the corporate seriousness of the established
music situation.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: We had a hard time with that, too, because we got a manager and he tried
to make us professional. And the more professional he made us, the less fun it
was. That’s the whole reason we formed The Fuzztones, because we were no longer
having fun with Tina Peel. The Fuzztones became sort of a side project. We
started the band in 1980, and me and Deb were getting really tired of all the crap
we were going through. People tried to make us into a New Wave band. <br />
Deb: At the same time, we saw too many commercial bands getting too close to
what we were doing in Tina Peel, and we thought, let’s stop because we don’t
want to get commercial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: The Fast?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: Not the Fast. The Fast weren’t very much like us at all. <br />
Rudi: Bands like the B-52s, and later on Toni Basil. Man, those people ripped
us off left and right. We were before any of them. You listen to their music
and, like, they were so close to us, except they didn’t sing about penises and
blowing up poodles in microwaves <i>[“<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBXD3o-dXbU " target="_blank">Fifi Goes Pop</a>, my favorite TP song” – RBF
1985/2023].</i> They sang about stuff that could go on the radio. Up until the time when we got
a manager, we weren’t thinking of a record contract. We were just thinking, wouldn’t
it be fun to get out and do this outrageous stuff. That’s why we got the
Fuzztones together. And if you listen to the things we did release, it’s pretty
evident that we were ‘60s inspired. Even “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiMXCeNF5p0" target="_blank">Fabian Lips</a>” in ’76, when (Tina Peel)
put that out. <br />
Deb: In ’76, we did a 4-song EP in Harrisburg, that had “Fabian Lips” on it,
that was psychedelic. <br />
Rudi: That was <i>very</i> psychedelic. Even back then we were doing it. Even
the covers we covered: “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjaHU8iuhmI" target="_blank">Too Much to Dream</a> (Electric Prunes), “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwE4OPwer1Y " target="_blank">Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White</a>” (Standells), “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAqCt2c5BcU " target="_blank">Hard Times</a>” by the Centuries. We still do some of these songs in this
band. We just like good rock’n’roll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You do
mostly ‘60s-oriented stuff, but Rudi, I know that you really like some ‘50s
stuff, like Jerry Lee Lewis.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: I like to do what I’m good at. It has to do with personality and taste. The
rest of the band has pretty much of a varied taste. We all have one thing in common,
and that’s the garage sound that we all like; love. <br />
Deb: That’s true. Michael (Jay) is really into English R’n’B. He loves people
like The Pretty Things. And Elan’s (Portnoy) really into Link Wray (d. 2005) and
Dick Dale (d. 2019). Ira’s (Elliot) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Into the Beatles. I really dig the surf stuff and lots
of ‘60s stuff. But this is one thing we have in common that works with all our
musical styles. It makes us really unique. Because of all our styles, we don’t
sound like we’re straight out of a garage single released in ’66. Some of our
stuff does, but some of our stuff doesn’t, like “Ward 81” on the <i>Rebel King</i>
compilation <i>[on Sounds Interesting Records – RBF, 1985].</i> <br />
Rudi: I think that even when we do ‘60s covers, that we add something to them
that’s different. And there’s a lot of press people who don’t feel that way. But
there are a lot of people who are, like, 19 and 20, who weren’t around back
then, and they don’t know what it really sounded like. I was there. And bands
didn’t look like us or sound like us in the ‘60s. If anyone tells you they did,
well, take it from me ‘cause I was playing back then and they didn’t. <br />
Deb: Rudi had garage bands together when he was 15. <br />
Rudi: In fact, I wrote “Penis Between Us” when I was 15. I have tapes of my
first band, Rigor Mortis, doing it. “Fabian Lips” Was a different song when I
was 15, when I wrote it. And a song we do now called “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avRYEOKFqy4" target="_blank">Brand New Man</a> in a Brand
New Suit” used to be a song from Rigor Mortis called “Crotch Rot.” And so it all turns
around. And it all comes back because it’s rock’n’roll and rock’n’roll won’t
die. There’s always gonna be hardcore fanatics, like us. It doesn’t matter if
we were playing psychedelic/garage or bubblegum pop in Tina Peel, it’s still
rock’n’roll. We’ll always be playing that, no matter what’s in style.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Even the newer
covers you did were by ‘60s garage-oriented bands, like the (Afrika) Korps and
the Slickee Boys.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: Well, it’s rock’n’roll. We did “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1xMh3RzJms" target="_blank">Jailbait Janet</a>”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (the Afrika Korps), “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTPpGz8SXd0" target="_blank">Gotta Tell Me Why</a>” ,
“<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKoxRW0JCqQ " target="_blank">Heart On</a>” (both by the Slickee Boys), and we did another that I don’t remember. We were
inspired a lot by the Slickee Boys back then. <br />
Deb: They’ve got quite a track record. Ken (Kim Kane, rhythm guitar of Slickee
Boys – RBF, 1985) put out our first records on Daicoit Records. One side of the
record is one label, Limp Records, and the other is Daicoit. <br />
Rudi: That must be a first. I never heard of anybody else doing that. <br />
Deb: They were a big influence on us. They’re real die-hards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLDbADHX8_85OkEgbZbm6ES93qbr4iIWHJd0dMcatBfwVSPYW-RphvruCoieHkmElEXsLEqTj1gM2V4udVRGSfahV5G6UE8M9SJGj7_hlacwXNJ1DmEHYSlozh15Odm6Sa_UjFBYrgVymtrK_PY6d12w2NXku-f3I62Snlc0oTQUtlVoWEvew6zK_ucg=s466" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLDbADHX8_85OkEgbZbm6ES93qbr4iIWHJd0dMcatBfwVSPYW-RphvruCoieHkmElEXsLEqTj1gM2V4udVRGSfahV5G6UE8M9SJGj7_hlacwXNJ1DmEHYSlozh15Odm6Sa_UjFBYrgVymtrK_PY6d12w2NXku-f3I62Snlc0oTQUtlVoWEvew6zK_ucg=s320" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fuzztones, Rudi, Irving Plaza <br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: At what
point did Tina Peel become The Fuzztones?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Rudi: At the same time Tina Peel was together in 1980, The Fuzztones formed.
Originally it was just a fun project. It was all the same time as Tina Peel. We
used to open for Tina Peel as The Fuzztones. Originally, we were called The
Fabulous Fuzztones, ‘cause it was just a joke. But the thing is, we had so much
fun with it, there was no reason to do Tina Peel anymore. As Deb and I got
serious, the other guys weren’t. “Oh, who wants to do ‘60s stuff? We want to
play in a band that does new music with synthesizers.” We kicked them all out.
We must have gone through a million people before we got the guys we’re playing
with now. <br />
Deb: We did play a gig down in Washington D.C. doing Fuzztones material as Tina
Peel ‘cause we weren’t that well known down there. But as The Fuzztones, the
first time we ever played was at small Club 57 (on St. Mark’s Place). We had a
party there. That was before the Cavern. Then we played the first psychedelic
weekend at the Cavern. We played CB’s a couple of times. <br />
Rudi: We spent the first two years of The Fuzztones playing little clubs and
getting no money and no recognition whatsoever. No one wanted to hear about
what we were doing. Then, after the Cavern, people started listening a little.
But what really seemed to open people up was the Pep has a psychedelic show
here. They had The Slickees, The Vipers, The Chesterfield Kings,, and Plan 9.
Then people realized that there was something going on and they would listen to
us. We were together longer than all of the bands that were in that thing, and
no one heard of us, still. We went through paying our dues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How did you
find the other Fuzztones?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: Elan and Michael came from a band called The Monitors. They did a lot of R’n’B.
They had seen us at the Cavern and remembered us. Then they saw an ad we put in
<i>The (Village) Voice</i>, and Michael came to an audition. <br />
Rudi: We thought he was really weird. This guy came down and he was dressed
like a Flamin’ Groovie. Only weirder. He had a mod hat on. He was wearing a mod
three-piece suit and granny-glasses. He looked like a Byrd. I couldn’t believe
it. We started playing and he really fit. At that time, I had already broken up
The Fuzztones after two years of total frustration. It wasn’t fun, we weren’t
getting any money. We made about six bucks every time we played. I hung it up
and I got into what I thought was going to be a rockabilly band, The Drive-Ins –
‘cause I used to see them and they were rockabilly, and then when I joined
them, they started playing bullshit – which is how I met Ira, our current
drummer. All of a sudden, Michael got a hold of us and The Fuzztones sounded greet.
I had thought that maybe I should get another guitar player and he brought Elan
down. It was like a dream come true. What I always wanted The Fuzztones to
sound like. Meanwhile, I had made a commitment to the Drive-Ins. So, the Fuzztones
perfumed and I continued to play with The Drive-Ins. Me and Ira got pretty
tight. I love the way he plays the drums. I stole him from The Drive-Ins; broke
that band up. They made a pitiful attempt to get back together without us, but
that was it – so we broke up The Drive-Ins and now we’re The Fuzztones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How much influence
did <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZExWt-bj-k" target="_blank">Music Machine</a> have on you?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: Not nearly as much as you would think, just because I wear a black glove.
Visually, I thought they were just the coolest looking band I’ve ever seen. Except
possibly the Dolls. <br />
Deb: They had a bigger effect on me. It’s just my style of playing. A lot of that
stuff is similar to what I’m used to playing. <br />
Rudi: Oh, they’re starting the guitar soundcheck. Talk to you later. <i>[He
leaves]</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijwUNII5OU2a8uOxKFntRlUk1Q_KLZN113M-R16BJQEEmqBeCQvuq7wlUsMvnYSBwLgOnjFznhZZaGvNTHUiEwt1HbibpgSfBDNIQsMZZ2eODAtNuydD3Jn3LutQU-SmOjk8RC-cbpK_5vZSO8M9XNAWqv3AWdA1mjNoyAtvy6s2AFrhGZJs4JJNX2HQ=s540" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="540" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijwUNII5OU2a8uOxKFntRlUk1Q_KLZN113M-R16BJQEEmqBeCQvuq7wlUsMvnYSBwLgOnjFznhZZaGvNTHUiEwt1HbibpgSfBDNIQsMZZ2eODAtNuydD3Jn3LutQU-SmOjk8RC-cbpK_5vZSO8M9XNAWqv3AWdA1mjNoyAtvy6s2AFrhGZJs4JJNX2HQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fuzztones, Deb O'Nail, Irving Plaza <br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Nancy wanted
to know, where do you get your mini-skirts?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: That’s my secret. I do a lot of thrift shopping out of town, and then I
just convert them. Sew them to fit me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What are
some of your pre-Tina Peel bands?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: Not too many. The original Tina Peel, I joined when I just turned 19. I
sang lead in a band when I was 16 that did, like, David Bowie (d. 2016) covers,
along with Lou Reed (d. 2013) and Roxy Music, too. Just a bunch of high school
kids. I can’t even remember what the name was. Then I sang lead for another
band when I got out of high school. We did a lot of Patti Smith and Who. We played
only two gigs, so we never really had a name. We played a wedding and a show in
a huge warehouse that someone rented out for a party. That’s pretty much it. <br />
Deb: Will you be doing more singing in The Fuzztones? <br />
Deb: Yeah, we’re looking for some songs for me right now. Our material is kind
of heavy. And I don’t have a raspy voice. I sang lead in a country band, The Dognapers.
But it wasn’t strict country; it was old country swing, like Patsy Cline (d. 1963)
and Hank Williams (d. 1953). I love old country music. I was brought up in the
sticks. I’m looking forward to singing. I always wanted to sing in the band.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Who are some
of your other influences?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: Nancy Sinatra in her (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndP8T_8h3Vs" target="_blank"><i>The</i>)</a><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndP8T_8h3Vs" target="_blank">Wild Angels</a> </i>(1966) period, definitely. Cher. I’m thinking of dying my hair black. I
think it’s time to make the change. A lot of guys influenced me. I was brought
up with all men around me. The very first rock’n’roll record song I ever heard
was a 45 called “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do7uvkg6Q_A " target="_blank">Bop-a-Lina</a>” (Ronnie Self). When I was a kid I was into Alice Cooper. I do like a lot of gore and shock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I really
like the way you dress now, but I also really liked the dots and stripes of
Tina Peel, which was sort of gore and shock.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: We were into, like, Op-art. We wanted to come across as some crazed ‘60s
Op-art freak-out show.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: And now you
dress basically in black.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: Yeah, I’m trying to get away from that. I’d like to combine some black
with something triptych. Triptych and tripped out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Whom do you
consider the coolest dressers of the ‘60s?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: Nancy Sinatra, definitely. I think Cher. I dug the way Cher could be so casual
in corduroys and go-go boots. Her beginning period was very cool. Sean
Bonniwell (of the Music Machine). That’s why I’m into black now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: But no
leather glove</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Deb: No leather glove. Just cool medallions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Do you ever
get any mash notes?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Deb: No. One time I got a really cool little poem from some guy. He actually
jumped up on the stage and put a little poem on my organ. And it had something
to do with “flowers and love” and “sending me on to future highs, and “pushing
too hard.” He had all these different short things in it. That’s the closest I’ve
gotten, as far as mash notes go. Oh, they’re calling me for my soundcheck. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[After the soundcheck
with Rudi]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: When you put
out </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Extra Kicks<i>, was it sold, or just given to critics?</i> <br />
Rudi: Actually, we did it as a Christmas present for our friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Why did you
spell the name as Teen Appeal on it?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: This guy, a fan, gave us 300 tee-shirts with it spelled that way. And I
thought, since the band has already broken up and we already have these
tee-shirts to promote the <i>Extra Kicks </i>cassette, why not spell it that
way? Maybe people would get it then. We sold it through the mail. It got reviewed
in about four or five places. I don’t have any more. Actually, if The Fuzztones
get really big and there was some interest in Tina Peel, I’d like to put out an
album. Midnight Records, who put out our new album <i>(Leave Your Mind at Home)</i>,
I’m going to try and see if I can get them to release a Tina Peel album. We
have enough material, and no one’s ever going to hear it because you can’t get
the 45s anymore. I’m proud of it. I thought we were one of the most clever
bands that ever was. And definitely one of the most hated. You have to be doing
something right to be that hated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ1uLy3zHsIVquZWnvb-MV77z5jQZNKPBAFLB9KGmBuOGVxyUHPvRX1k4SzDZQ4PuRoTX1wVM3P4DTLlB_HNaj1YswFn7wjyK2Z8VM-4lClrSzL0WDH6ISPO6o5iB6_xhDvUYCRE9KInawRvZ3B1tUjptYEFHDbq4izgUhkC-8AX0NWJTzbc8_VBXnHQ=s600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ1uLy3zHsIVquZWnvb-MV77z5jQZNKPBAFLB9KGmBuOGVxyUHPvRX1k4SzDZQ4PuRoTX1wVM3P4DTLlB_HNaj1YswFn7wjyK2Z8VM-4lClrSzL0WDH6ISPO6o5iB6_xhDvUYCRE9KInawRvZ3B1tUjptYEFHDbq4izgUhkC-8AX0NWJTzbc8_VBXnHQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You do all
the band’s art. Which do you prefer, music or art?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: Music, probably. I had always anticipated an art career. I went to art school.
I got into a band at the same time and had to stop art school in the middle
because we got six hours of homework a night, and I couldn’t do it because I
spent all night working with the band. I didn’t do my homework, so they kicked
me out of art school. The York Academy of Art, in York, Pennsylvania. I’ll go
back. I never dropped it. I do the art for the band and for other people. I’m
doing the <i>Garage Sale </i>cassette cover for Jeff Tamarkin (for ROIR Tapes).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Do you do
all the jacket designs?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: I do most of them. One of our roadies does some. I did the ones with the
drums. That’s my logo. He’s more into EC Comics. He likes dripping skulls and
maggoty brains. You’d be surprised how many people are coming to shows that I
see walking around in our <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>jackets. I
see logos and I didn’t do them. They do their own.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What about
your heavy metal band, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCRNykNIZU " target="_blank">Vulcan Death Grip</a>? Are you still doing that?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Rudi: Yeah. That’s me, Ira, Ann Magnuson, and Randy Pratt <i>[bassist of Cactus
– RBF, 2023]</i>. Randy used to be our bass player in the early days, then he
went into heavy metal. Ann was actually on the <i>Extra Kicks</i> tapes. She
and Wendy <i>Wild [of Pulsallama, and The Mad Violets; d. 1996 – RBF, 2023]</i>
sang back-up on “Exception to the Ruler.” We’ve worked out this thing that is a
parody of heavy metal. It’s just for fun – and a lot of money. We usually make
more than The Fuzztones. But it’s just for fun and we’ll continue doing it as long
as it doesn’t interfere with this band.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgroD0PmeWbUcLrdEFE1pbUn9EBZR1k2Pbv1pweQ3qeDjG7511v_s7v_EN3FzVSjrXx9qgwwdUzdW1dexlIBD3N_6ANkwmcfc-140ghtFc_Ng65uv33Qx0DV0HBtAdfEV_TwSn7FQHcbeETlJops9Nowh28TZIBqTXI6-DppHsXtLxAhBiFozbZF7tmzw=s715" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="715" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgroD0PmeWbUcLrdEFE1pbUn9EBZR1k2Pbv1pweQ3qeDjG7511v_s7v_EN3FzVSjrXx9qgwwdUzdW1dexlIBD3N_6ANkwmcfc-140ghtFc_Ng65uv33Qx0DV0HBtAdfEV_TwSn7FQHcbeETlJops9Nowh28TZIBqTXI6-DppHsXtLxAhBiFozbZF7tmzw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fuzztones, Irving Plaza <br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: It’s real
hard to categorize The Fuzztones. Where do you think you fit in?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: I think we have a ‘50s rock’n’roll attitude, a ‘60s garage band influence
in dress and in general minimalism; we use entirely authentic instrument
because I think the coolest guitar sound is a Vox or a riff through an old
Fender or an old Vox. And then from the ‘70s, really trashing rock’n’roll bands
like the Dolls, Stooges, and the MC5, and that’s where our energy comes from.
And all this comes out in our music. Music is always going to be an extension
of what you are, unless you’re some plastic jerk like in a techno-synth band
and you’re just doing it for a living.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What about a
Fuzztones tour?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Rudi: We’re working on a tour of California and possibly England. This is it for
me. This is the last band I’ll ever form, ‘cause this is the music I want to
play. After that, like, maybe I’ll move to New Orleans and play Blues in
somebody else’s band or something, ‘cause I’m into that, too. This is my dream come
true, what I’ve been waiting for since I was 15 and Rigor Mortis was playing. I’m
really proud of it. I think I’m playing with the best rock’n’roll musicians in
New York. Everybody’s like a gang, sticking together and hanging tough. We
still have a long way to go.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4YedETTw9S-dBWGVWUsQ1x9M4919tz11OiOLByaaFcba9WSDn0odey7kcPEZrNtQiXzxRXydYLoOVoAHvCBwPNW2b4puNLm_5kaLF2BdwBZlOPQmlfRQvSOJn1Ljtf-xBCHKzT8vOEHySseQYsXkxoo_8J5JnZPDOaFFrCeZYClM5lcls5lQIffHlzQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4YedETTw9S-dBWGVWUsQ1x9M4919tz11OiOLByaaFcba9WSDn0odey7kcPEZrNtQiXzxRXydYLoOVoAHvCBwPNW2b4puNLm_5kaLF2BdwBZlOPQmlfRQvSOJn1Ljtf-xBCHKzT8vOEHySseQYsXkxoo_8J5JnZPDOaFFrCeZYClM5lcls5lQIffHlzQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some of what Rudi said
at the end, about The Fuzztones being his last band, has somewhat held true,
though I’m willing to guess not how he imagined it back then. In 1987, Deb
would acrimoniously leave the band, and Rudi would move first to Los Angeles
and then to Germany to reform the band as its only original member. The Fuzztones
still record from there, its latest being the ironically named NYC in 2020, and
keeps a wide fan base as one of the few remaining garage revival bands of notoriety.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/htjrlGMnsJY" width="320" youtube-src-id="htjrlGMnsJY"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sNFgr5WYLJ4" width="320" youtube-src-id="sNFgr5WYLJ4"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7B8VT8QfJOg" width="320" youtube-src-id="7B8VT8QfJOg"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5SOm4b4obqM" width="320" youtube-src-id="5SOm4b4obqM"></iframe></div>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-2116034660845881552022-12-15T02:00:00.034-05:002022-12-15T02:00:00.191-05:00 RBF’s Eclectic Excitement Playlist: NSFW Edition – December 2022<p><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">RBF’s Eclectic
Excitement Playlist: NSFW Edition – December 2022</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br />
Images from the Internet<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This edition of the playlist are songs that really
should not be played in front of general co-workers, little ones, or most
relatives due to content and language. I am interested in listening to the
obscure music arena than prattling on about it, despite my brief comments These
will be of a multitude of genres, from punk to folk, to just out there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The songs are listed alphabetical by first letter
of the artist or group (with a single exception here), and not listed in a
“ratings” order. Art is subjective, so I hope you like these as much as I enjoy
them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Note: There is no advertising on this page, so I
will not be making anything off the work of others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">California Speedbag<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Shitlist”<br />
Smog Veil Records</span></i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">For some
reason, I just fell in love with this <i>I kilt my wife</i> song, rough as it
is. It came off an anthology album from Cleveland called <i>Pie & Ears, Vol
1</i>. I know nothing about the band. While many of the songs on this list are
funny, this one is dead serious, and that’s part of what I like about it.<br /></span></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eM5F9Q664F4" width="320" youtube-src-id="eM5F9Q664F4"></iframe></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">The Clap<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Disco
Jesus”</span></i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Kleen Kut
Records<br />
As both an atheist and a person who abhors disco, I love this single. It is
both joyous and mocking at the same time. How can you not love lyrics like, “You
oughta see him do The Hustle / Upon that funky cross.” This won’t make me a
believer in either disco or Jesus, but I’ll sing along: “Dance, dance, disco
Jesus!”<br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-AyuM2t7O3w" width="320" youtube-src-id="-AyuM2t7O3w"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><i><br />
</i><b>Eddy Gorodetsky and Tom Couch<br />
</b><i>“Wop Muzik”</i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">415
Records<br />
“Pop Muzik” by M is a gawdawful song, but was a massive hit at the time, This punkish
spoof actually comes quite close to the original, but is hilarious. Maybe it’s
because I grew up in a deeply Italian neighborhood? The flip side, “Reasons to
be Hungry,” a parody of Ian Dury’s “Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3,” is also
worth a listen.<br /></span><br /><o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FbmQao5_wPU" width="320" youtube-src-id="FbmQao5_wPU"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Garfunkel and Oats<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“The
Loophole”<br />
Garfunkel and Oats</span></i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">This duo
is made up of actors/musicians/comedians Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome. Their
songs can be political or social criticisms, or about their own personal
experiences with sex. What is noticeable right off the bat is that their tunes
are wordy, and often sung fast by both of them at the same time. This </span>particular <span style="line-height: 107%;">song is both funny and poignant, especially in this
current religiously-charged social and political moment in history. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j8ZF_R_j0OY" width="320" youtube-src-id="j8ZF_R_j0OY"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Jimi LaLumia and the Psychotic Frogs<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"> “Eleanor Rigby”</span></i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Death Records<br />
Yes, this was a real group who would occasionally play at Max’s Kansas City.
The punk take-off of the Beatles ditty takes a dark song and makes it even
darker. A thing of beauty, Jimi’s deep and raspy voice fits the new lyrics, as
did John Lennon’s overproduced vocals on the original. The flip side of this
single is a great cover of Wayne/Jayne County’s “Fucked by the Devil.”<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vGffo6aB2c0" width="320" youtube-src-id="vGffo6aB2c0"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Rachel Bloom<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Fuck Me
Ray Bradbury”<br />
Rachel Does Stuff</span></i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Rachel Bloom,
who has a perfect voice for this kind of material, rose to fame and won an Emmy
for the television series, ”My Crazy Ex Girlfriend.” But this was the one that
set off her career, full of bold ideas and no gatekeeping. She sort of carried
on where Sarah Silverman left off.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e1IxOS4VzKM" width="320" youtube-src-id="e1IxOS4VzKM"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Sic F*cks<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Chop Up
Your Mother”<br />
</span></i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Sozyamuda
Records<br />
This is fun punk rock, with Russell Wolinsky fronting, and the F*ckettes behind
him, who are none other than scene darlings and sisters Tish and Snooky
Bellomo, who run the Manic Panic hair products empire. I have seen the band a
number of times, and you can too in digital form by watching the slasher flick <i>Alone
in the Dark, from 1982, where the group performs this song and “Rock or Die.”</i><br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HuEIzmQHjXQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="HuEIzmQHjXQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">The Swinging Erudites<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Walk With
an Erection”</span></i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Dimensional
Records<br />
At the lead of this group that spoofs the Bangles “Walk Like an Egyptian” is Johnny
Angel Wendell, a Boston rocker who also headed the bands Thrills and the Blackjacks.
I saw Thrills play CBGB (and drove him and late lead singer Barb Kitson to
where they were staying afterwards), and Wendell performing a solo “punk
Sinatra” shtick that was hilarious at The Rat in Boston. A man of many talents.
Also check out the Erudites’ “Living on My Hair,” an excellent take-off of Bon
Jovi.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wddsjUAUTss" width="320" youtube-src-id="wddsjUAUTss"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Wayne County and the Electric Chairs<br />
</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Fuck Off”</span></i><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Safari
Records<br />
Infamously now Jayne County, this was a relatively big hit for her. Most of her
music is blues rock based with a total punk attitude, with other songs including
“Man Enough to Be a Woman” and “You Make Me Cream in My Jeans.” Her
contribution to the first wave of punk down at Max’s Kansas City has yet to be reckoned
with by many. Perhaps a street sign on Park Avenue similar to the Ramones
outside CBGB?<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJYnSMk9seE" width="320" youtube-src-id="LJYnSMk9seE"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Mike Brown and the Sneakies<br />
</span></b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">“Fuck You”<br />
M Records</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">This is going to have to
remain as an Honorable Mention because I could not find a video for it. It is a
break-up song that is both full of angst and the release from it. If you can
find it on another non-video platform, it’s worth the search.</span></span>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-35448950019100855342022-12-10T02:00:00.043-05:002022-12-10T02:00:00.218-05:00Review: Wendy O. Williams: Live and Fucking Loud in London!<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br /></span></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">|Images from
the Internet, unless indicated</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzr2D7YtJtZuRq4qMtMXDhvED6YlO1_7OjGXoBuDXj8uunRRNspUOUgCvIlv7wgj6CoSKnulP3GMhLobOmMvF24EPoAkKZJ15VxKUcPJpseHoeTEexcysRvjeyleC-5uvfQ6GmqAwp0LiBqP8lRWW61-OUZUjjHQ6D4MBMKwrxnUaiQJo1w4GG_nM0w/s2158/MVD10420D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2158" data-original-width="1521" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzr2D7YtJtZuRq4qMtMXDhvED6YlO1_7OjGXoBuDXj8uunRRNspUOUgCvIlv7wgj6CoSKnulP3GMhLobOmMvF24EPoAkKZJ15VxKUcPJpseHoeTEexcysRvjeyleC-5uvfQ6GmqAwp0LiBqP8lRWW61-OUZUjjHQ6D4MBMKwrxnUaiQJo1w4GG_nM0w/w283-h400/MVD10420D.jpg" width="283" /></a></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Wendy O.
Williams: Live and Fucking Loud in London!</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
Directed by Rod Swenson </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Trilion Pictures;
Sledgehammer Entertainment; MVD Entertainment Group<br />
55 minutes, 1985 / 2022<br />
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.mvdvisual.com/">www.mvdvisual.com</a> </span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back in the late 1970s,
I saw this relatively new band a couple of times at CBGB, led by Wendy O.
Williams (a.k.a. W.O.W.) called the Plasmatics. They were wild, including
sawing a guitar in half with a chainsaw while still plugged in (noise
reminiscent of Lou Reed’s <i>Metal Machine Music</i>).</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back then, Williams (d.
1998) was known for a lack of clothing that might make Iggy blush, stage presence,
and a voice so gravelly you could use it to cover a country road. The
Plasmatics were getting quite a name for themselves, and not just from blowing
up a car during a show on a Manhattan pier. They broke up in 1983 (they
reformed for a moment from 1987 to 1988).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOHIrHKxCQjS4SdLn9D8NTlUEMs7Nha_--I-W3tFUFSVlmw0KMEowO1_IIo8Az-Z6ERCRRHJOS7w8Oxwq7E-rUqxeSx4jxpxb-2EfY2NLGIUkweJHC0DQzOvhGm5qU86zbOVLNZmGlcmznB1J6RjkBZEjvhausDjrbWn6ssD7cc8Wi512_jq4Pyk97Q/s331/Plasmatics-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="331" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOHIrHKxCQjS4SdLn9D8NTlUEMs7Nha_--I-W3tFUFSVlmw0KMEowO1_IIo8Az-Z6ERCRRHJOS7w8Oxwq7E-rUqxeSx4jxpxb-2EfY2NLGIUkweJHC0DQzOvhGm5qU86zbOVLNZmGlcmznB1J6RjkBZEjvhausDjrbWn6ssD7cc8Wi512_jq4Pyk97Q/s320/Plasmatics-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Plasmatics at CBGB (pic by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">After the first demise
of the Plasmatics, Williams went on her own journey, including acting (e.g., 1986’s
<i>Reform School Girls</i>), and forming a new band – guitar: Michael Ray (who
also worked with the Plasmatics); bass: Greg Smith; drums: T.C. Tolliver,
including all doing backing vocal duties as well – and toured extensively.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">The part of the tour
that is represented on this DVD was shot during October 1985, at the Camden
Palace in London. Hot off a Grammy nominated album (produced by Gene Simmons of
KISS), she moved out of the punk world and into metal, including speed metal on
Kommander of Kaos, the album she was promoting on this journey through Europe.
This particular show was originally broadcast overseas on Sky TV (I believe it was titled <i>Bump and Grind</i>), and fell into
obscurity for years.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">At this stage of her
career – some might call this her “pinnacle” – she was in top form, both
musically and working the stage. Geologist and Plasmatics’ guitarist Richie Stotts
may have been gone, but the power trio backing her up were dedicated and in
fine form keeping up with her Tasmanian Devil stage antics. To be honest,
through the growl in her voice and the speed of the songs, I cannot tell most
of the lyrics, but I do not care, it is the performance that matters.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cuM4Vo76J9YUUlPi_KTjIAtyNgpAJjz7senNwYCVEmDGGB_8yXXpI5tVTXj4EMCVrrBpVG7IHNlGhVi4Ml57Nd5_b0v3AmognIA7SmSNc2WPROA6H6bMApEtfqrCwj9LwY1v2B6wlF_CMVfVqmZ1brKxs7t7ioJ4lDDevtsoE9B-4dDI3pLfvPmttw/s425/R-4569391-1368653734-2876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cuM4Vo76J9YUUlPi_KTjIAtyNgpAJjz7senNwYCVEmDGGB_8yXXpI5tVTXj4EMCVrrBpVG7IHNlGhVi4Ml57Nd5_b0v3AmognIA7SmSNc2WPROA6H6bMApEtfqrCwj9LwY1v2B6wlF_CMVfVqmZ1brKxs7t7ioJ4lDDevtsoE9B-4dDI3pLfvPmttw/w298-h320/R-4569391-1368653734-2876.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">The video was directed
by Rod Swanson, which should be no surprise as he managed her career from the beginning,
meeting when she was still doing porn (e.g., <i>Debbie Does Hollywood</i>) and
live sex shows (fortunately, she got outta da biz before AIDS hit hard). Rather
than criticize her, I think this was an important step for her getting used to
being mostly unclad on stage when singing. As she once said, “It was just like
working in a doughnut shop, except you didn't wear a paper hat”.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, back to the
DVD, the show begins with the blistering guitarwork of bare-chested Ray, and of
course it only builds once Williams hits the stage with “Gone Wild.” But it is
the second song, “Pedal to the Metal,” where her inner Ramones comes in (right
down to DeeDee’s count-off at one point), Williams just blisters. By the third song,
she is in total sweat from dancing around on the stage. Considering she was in
her late 30s by this point, she goes full tilt out.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVU_zQejfK-jIWUjtrXEV75JGsCwThKc9w7pMV7yHUnuyt0DTterOUurtZadCmj5I3mY4Rnu-se9NQyi0g-WHQ5XYeEm4HMQJughWg_xvpboATBj2UdDDBIbaUNhmrH8rIAx4kPH_BBLzztYNf05MvkZrcDnsp-xvJWV7ni0sAbjGevco7yKEaGHhvQ/s480/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVU_zQejfK-jIWUjtrXEV75JGsCwThKc9w7pMV7yHUnuyt0DTterOUurtZadCmj5I3mY4Rnu-se9NQyi0g-WHQ5XYeEm4HMQJughWg_xvpboATBj2UdDDBIbaUNhmrH8rIAx4kPH_BBLzztYNf05MvkZrcDnsp-xvJWV7ni0sAbjGevco7yKEaGHhvQ/w320-h240/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">The song “You’ll
Succeed” sounds more like “You’ll Suck Seed,” reminding me of Johnny Thunders
and the Heartbreakers’ “Born to Lose”/”Born Too Loose” double entendre. “Party
Tonight” is a killer tune as well.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Jammin’” is just what
it says: Williams goes backstage to wipe off and remove more clothes, and the
band jams for longer than I was interested. As talented as this trio is, and
they truly are, like most jamming, it is a “show” with little melody but lots
of note fingering. This is the main reason I like the simplicity of the Ramones
rather than hair bands.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">By the time she gets
to “Jailbait,” she is joined by <i>the</i> Lemmy (d. 2016) and Wurzel (d. 2011)
from Motörhead for just this song (and if you are in NYC, be sure to check out
the Motörhead cover band, Motörbrained).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbNarKedRBlVi337hgla0JhTtwt6ECoDaKIx06liP6KE9kdgEvFcO75bLSAyUYivYGgT3efszHNL1FCgzWVnd5i0tZMASwYkUTy5-h0xnBU1tmj6myYrWJNzvoQI4Gr5BjcInkW5G9fyfhXBVODikP4iC042yhF4NYqdb137shmUS3fURwvAsMIci_A/s645/63611AEF-wendy-o-williams-new-dvd-features-rare-1985.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="645" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbNarKedRBlVi337hgla0JhTtwt6ECoDaKIx06liP6KE9kdgEvFcO75bLSAyUYivYGgT3efszHNL1FCgzWVnd5i0tZMASwYkUTy5-h0xnBU1tmj6myYrWJNzvoQI4Gr5BjcInkW5G9fyfhXBVODikP4iC042yhF4NYqdb137shmUS3fURwvAsMIci_A/w320-h180/63611AEF-wendy-o-williams-new-dvd-features-rare-1985.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Amusingly, the camera
keeps going back to a guy in the front of the audience who has a huge green mohawk
and heavily studded leather jacket who seems to watch the show stoically
(though occasionally doing a head bop), not even joining in for the chant-along
of “Bump and Grind.” Also, during this song, Williams goes back to form and
sledgehammers a television. Like comedian Gallagher (d. 2022) and his watermelon,
well, you just have to come to expect that. But Ray playing while sitting on
Williams’ shoulders is a nice touch.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pyrotechnics are used intermittently
throughout the show, though not to KISS level, but more appropriate to the
venue. It’s all fun, and it smokes up the stage for “Fuck That Booty,” which I
thought was the weakest song of the show, though Ray gets to show off once
again.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">During the last song, “Fuck’n’Roll,”
a killer number, I thought about the difference between Plasmatics Williams and
this show: for this, she uses way less props, even with the TV smashing. I
remember her holding up signs. And while she is still sensual as hell, she no
longer rubs her crotch often nor goes topless with electrical tape Xs over her
nipples. But it is good to see her chainsaw a guitar again, as she finishes off
the show. I always wondered what guitar mavens like Binky Phillips and Tom Guerra
thought about that practice. One other difference is that Wendy seems even more
comfortable and confident as a singer on stage.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">The DVD’s visuals and
sound are crisp and clear, most likely shot on the superior European PAL technology.
This is a hard rockiin’ set with some punk elements, but Ray’s guitar makes it
solid hair metal with a hard edge. Miss ya, Wendy O.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">Set List:<br />
</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US">Gone Wild<br />
Pedal to the Metal<br />
You’ll Succeed<br />
No Class<br />
Party (Tonight)<br />
Jammin’<br />
Hoy Hey (Live to Rock)<br />
Jailbait<br />
Ain’t None of Your Business<br />
Bump and Grind<br />
Fuck That Booty<br />
Fuck’n’Roll<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d5Dp_P8SLrY" width="320" youtube-src-id="d5Dp_P8SLrY"></iframe></div><br />Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-66740875305711662642022-12-05T02:00:00.086-05:002022-12-05T02:00:00.218-05:00THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS Interview: The House of Garage (1985)<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1985/2022<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">mages from the Internet unless indicated<br />Facebook page is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1641279512771946/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=3178010542432161" target="_blank">HERE</a><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-aUC0o6eQUMuNifvYOUyCYJiuXvRM_TYs4aSTTfHZCM-6nmJzNUV1gggD9el2sf1Nt9x1EdwFIcdy3c1YAMlDWAhle61FHZT6PgTU-6ie4_npmlz8T6luQIYVmLSG_zCtBT-wbIc_cQ4cAq4CV7pNLlfhSPjtcqkXYAwMKy4CepJh_UGI8O3Lgmn26w=s416" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-aUC0o6eQUMuNifvYOUyCYJiuXvRM_TYs4aSTTfHZCM-6nmJzNUV1gggD9el2sf1Nt9x1EdwFIcdy3c1YAMlDWAhle61FHZT6PgTU-6ie4_npmlz8T6luQIYVmLSG_zCtBT-wbIc_cQ4cAq4CV7pNLlfhSPjtcqkXYAwMKy4CepJh_UGI8O3Lgmn26w=w346-h400" width="346" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A few times a
year, weather permitting, I would fly up from New York to visit Buffalo
Musicians’ Hall of Famer and friend since high school Bernie Kugel, and would
pile into the car of record collector extraordinaire, Mad Louie, the Vinyl
Junkie’s car, and head over to Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, to make a
pilgrimage to the House of Guitars. Besides the obvious front room of
instruments, given the name of the place, the back also had a very disorganized
yet quite eclectic new and used recording section. But the main reason to head
over was to visit the two members of the Chesterfield Kings, who worked there.
Andy Babiuk, who took care of the front with all the instruments (and has
written books on the gear used by the <a href="https://www.andybabiuksfabgear.com/beatles-gear-1 " target="_blank">Beatles </a>and the <a href="https://www.andybabiuksfabgear.com/new-page-3)" target="_blank">Stones</a></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,
and Kings leader and voice/harp Greg Prevost (he also co-wrote the Stones’ book
with Babiuk), who skillfully manages the mess in the back.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Greg is a very
interesting and charismatic character, with his omnipresent eyeliner and
2-liter bottle of soda (Tab). He’s also a well-recognized collector of hopelessly
obscure garage recordings and old television shows.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we got
there, he would be running all over the store at a customer’s request to fetch
a recording, or answering the phone. Between, he’s smiles and laughs, and a bit
of gossip. He had been there a long time, and eventually retired some years
after this interview took place. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This was originally
published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> No. 13, dated
1985.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwrhRpUktsx8Hcdj2hPXO0tkHOjJGbyZ8wC0lds41OJFVoYkuJE43-V8vDZJbtWgUS4_y5k1a-PsBFUCH34rdKZuF3LPd5SOlklD7xZ7JAx7IE4KxTNctsRbEZ8KKO-U8XGs375LHhx1G6V4JkzU1aw0HOK7rDMRCLWw1o-Px178pgiNMhrl3ubuBEIQ=s355" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="355" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwrhRpUktsx8Hcdj2hPXO0tkHOjJGbyZ8wC0lds41OJFVoYkuJE43-V8vDZJbtWgUS4_y5k1a-PsBFUCH34rdKZuF3LPd5SOlklD7xZ7JAx7IE4KxTNctsRbEZ8KKO-U8XGs375LHhx1G6V4JkzU1aw0HOK7rDMRCLWw1o-Px178pgiNMhrl3ubuBEIQ=s320" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Chesterfield Kings: The House of Garage (1985)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Without a doubt, the
leaders of the new garage/psychedelic scene are the Chesterfield Kings. With their
self-titled album and single, “She Told Me Lies” b/w “I’ve Gotta Way With
Girls,” on Mirror Records, they’ve shown the world exactly how they think music
should be </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a la </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">mid-‘60s raunch’n’roll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is clear who they model
their live shows after: the likes of the Rolling Stones and the Chocolate
Watchband, circa </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Riot on Sunset Strip </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(1967), but their music goes beyond that, into an area of relatively
unknown classic cult groups that have been cropping up in dozens of compilation
albums on labels such as Voxx/Bomp! and Moxie. The more obscure, the better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Kings consist of Doug
Meech (drums), Andy Babiuk (bass), Orest Guran (organ/rhythm guitar), Cedrick Cona
(lead guitar), and as front man, Greg Prevost (vocals/</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hot</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> harmonica). The Kings is a
band who has opened a whole new chapter in how rock’n’roll could and should be
played – no holds barred.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Last summer (1984), while
vacationing in Buffalo, I headed over to the House of Guitars (the HOG to
friends) in Irondequoit, NY, which is a suburb of Rochester. In this humble record
and musical instrument store, run by showman Armand Schoenbroeck, who has a few
cult albums under his own belt, works Andy and Greg. I didn’t have much of a
chance to say much to Andy, as he works in the business front part of the
store, but I did get a chance to talk somewhat with Greg.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On this trek, I dragged
along two willing cohorts and record collectors, Bernie Kugel, of the band
Mystic Eyes, and Mad Louie, the Vinyl Junkie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What follows is a brief
part of the conversation. Actually, I just turned on the cassette recorder and
let Greg, Bernie, and Louie do most of the talking. In between constant phone
calls by customers asking about purchasing Bruce Springsteen tickets and great
music playing on the PA (supplied by Greg), there was a lot of harmless kidding
around at the expense of many (myself included), all in the fun of conversation
and admiration. Note that “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">” indicates that we were all laughing at that point.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is technically not an
interview in the true sense of the word, but I like to feel it’s informative
enough to hold the reader’s interest, and give some insight to at least a fifth
of the band.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhllFjioCp22mJJ-lPAqwxwP0iHqGQOrAL6F66iKFUDB3hlvk2NcpRBw-31UNGXKwGLq3b1-a9Wj9AUGJ_pWPDv8KT7kTMC2diDJxGLj2hofaXH8_BwXEZXHXGw77HxvnRKi6buFzzHo0XoxppL-Dwa2FnftHP9jMdPWP4aZezKQx1XY6yhg_NSnOY_dg=s452" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhllFjioCp22mJJ-lPAqwxwP0iHqGQOrAL6F66iKFUDB3hlvk2NcpRBw-31UNGXKwGLq3b1-a9Wj9AUGJ_pWPDv8KT7kTMC2diDJxGLj2hofaXH8_BwXEZXHXGw77HxvnRKi6buFzzHo0XoxppL-Dwa2FnftHP9jMdPWP4aZezKQx1XY6yhg_NSnOY_dg=s320" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why don’t you have
Armand (Schoenbroeck, Mirror Records) help you produce a (garage) compilation
album?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Greg Prevost: I could do it, but – <br />
Bernie Kugel: It must cost a whole lot. <br />
Greg: Not a whole lot. Just make up a thousand. <br />
Bernie: You can save it. <br />
Mad Louie: Yeah, since you just blew $400 on singles a month ago. Plus, you
took me out to lunch Saturday, so you’re broke for the next 10 years.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
would you put on it?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: Mostly Upstate (New York) stuff that nobody’s got.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Looks like you only have about 5 of these CDs [in the store].</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: I know. Now it’s like the big thing. <br />
Bernie: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Index_(band) " target="_blank">The Index</a> album on CD </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[laughs].</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Louie: Rhino put the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Turtles Greatest Hits </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">on CD. It’s got an extra song that isn’t on the album. <br />
Greg: Did you get </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the thing?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Louie: I don’t want a CD player. I heard </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the thing</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and I hate it. It sounds too clear. <br />
Greg: I like those scratches. <br />
Bernie: Yeah, you need them on old records. That’s why when we plug in, we don’t
plug in all the way. That’s why there’s so much distortion </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[laughs]. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Makes it sound like a ventilator or a fan, like that </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jades of Fort Worth </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">album. It sounds like someone has a radio playing through the amp, or
something. <br />
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Voice over PA: Got any Springsteen tickets left? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Greg: That’s all I’ve been hearing. I think
it’s time for some sounds </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[puts tape on PA].</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: Is this the Phinx re-issue album, or the original? <br />
Greg: This is the 45 [“<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yHVzRKQLkI " target="_blank">My Baby Don’t Care</a>”]. I didn’t get the album. <br />
Bernie: Miriam (Linna) and Billy (Miller, d. 2016) keep writing about them in
the magazine (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kicks</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">). <br />
Greg: Oh, that’s pretty good, isn’t it? I like that. <br />
Bernie: “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” We were going through this whole thing – I think
I was with you, Robert – all these crappy record in the Salvation Army. There
were hundreds, and “Sid Herring! They let him make records after <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGants/ " target="_blank">the Gants</a>?” I almost spit up my Coke. <br />
Greg: Somebody should find him. I tried, but no luck. <br />
Louie: Probably in a fishbowl.<br />
Greg: JD (Martignon, of Midnight Records in New York; d. 2016) told me he was
puttin’ out a book. <br />
Bernie: Robert saw it. It’s out already. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: It’s
all [about garage] compilations. It lists every song on every album.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: That’s not bad.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: But
with all the albums being released, it’s outdated as soon as it comes out.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: He’ll probably have to update it every week. “A new issue each week!” <br />
Bernie: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Back from the Grave,
Vol. 300</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> this week. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs] High
in the Mid-Sixties, Vol. 16: Lake Placid, New York, 1963.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Louie: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vol. 18: Dumbfuck,
Iowa</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Boy, Greg (Shaw, Bomp! Records; d. 2004) is
really putting out those </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">High in the Mid-Sixties
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">stuff</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: I know. Why don’t they just call them </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pebbles </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">records anymore? <br />
Louie: I think he wants to be more regional. Like Greg (Shaw) always says, “We have
the Northeast, the Mid-East – <br />
Greg: South. I really like “The South.” That was pretty – vague. <br />
Louie: “16 Degrees West of the East.” <br />
Bernie: “New York City, from Fifth Avenue to 125 Street.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who’s this (on the PA)? <br />
Greg: You don’t know who this is? It’s the Wild Things. “From Santa Claus,
Indiana.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: The Wild Things. Oh yeah, from the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">19th Santa
Claus: Early ’63 to January ’64</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: That was good, Bernie. Santa Claus punk records. I’m surprised they don’t
do something like that. There’s a lot of punk Christmas songs. ”<br />
Bernie: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Christmas Pebbles. [Picking
up </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hot Ones</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Standells " target="_blank">theStandells,</a> from the stacks] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You get down to this stuff
here; you get “99-1/2 Percent Won’t Do,” “Eleanor Rigby,” followed by Soul
Drippin’.” <br />
Greg: Then you know you don’t want to buy it. <br />
Bernie: Primo stuff here. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I like this Michael (Taylor, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bad_Seeds_(American_band)" target="_blank">Bad Seeds</a>)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> stuff. <br />
Greg: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You really like that? <br />
Louie: Awful. I told you he likes it. <br />
Bernie: “Zilch, Pt. II.” Aw, that’s a great one. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: Oh, it </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> good. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs]</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bernie: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Holding up a Chocolate Watchband album from Eva Records,
whose liner notes Greg wrote.] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Oh, good liner notes. How much
did you get for this one? <br />
Greg: A free copy of the record. <br />
Bernie: Did they actually do it? <br />
Greg: They actually sent me a copy. It was bent in half, but they sent me one.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I’m
so ignorant on so much of this stuff.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: Well, Greg’s gonna be opening up a school. He’s gonna have a punk
summer camp. <br />
Louie: All you have to do is sit there, eat shit, drink Tab, and watch videos. <br />
Bernie: “This is a bottle of Tab I have from ’66. One of the test bottles. Let’s
see how it tastes.” Have you seen the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLq8q7QKnPE" target="_blank">Richard and the Young Lions</a> video yet? <br />
Greg: Naw. I heard there’s one out.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I
hear you’re out touring a lot right now.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: I wouldn’t exactly call it a tour. We just do weekend-type things. It’s
not worth playing the middle of the week anywhere, ‘cause nobody goes out. Who
wants to play for $300 in some hick town?</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: It
could be worse. Could be like when <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HzuH8aIAGM&list=OLAK5uy_kff_iVOjREQek18C7hzVI5XaGcszQPYaA&index=3 " target="_blank">the Gizmos played at Max’s</a> on a Tuesday and there was no one there. Except for a couple of drunks and me.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: Really? Outrageous.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Who
did this song (on the PA)?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vwh3t4gsIY" target="_blank">The World Ain’t Round It’s Square</a>,” by the Savages. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Have
you heard <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp9vqcp88yg" target="_blank">the Tryfles</a> do it? </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Greg: The Tryfles? Yeah.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: They’re
a fun band.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: Yeah, I saw them once. At the Dive.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Didn’t
I see them open for you at Irving Plaza?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: Was it that night? No, I don’t think so. I think it was the Lyres, the
Vipers, Outta Place, then us, then Green on Red. I remember, I was real sick
that night. It was horrible. It was the worst night I ever had. We had to cut
the set short ‘cause my throat went out. All the way down (to NY) I had this
sore throat, or somethin’ like that. All the way down, I’m drinking like two
gallons of orange juice. “Maybe my throat’ll get better.” And by the time we
got there, it was, like, three in the morning, and my voice was shot. I kept
coughin’. It was horrible.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Everyone there had a good time, though.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: It was okay, but I don’t know. Then that guy was, like, somebody threw
somethin’. Then he got beat up by some guy in the front.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I
remember once seeing Iggy (Pop) at the Brooklyn Zoo (club), and right in the
middle of the first song, someone thew some ice at him. He stopped the song and
said, “Don’t throw that fuckin’ shit at me, man. That ain’t a request, that’s a
command.”</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: Really?</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Then
he started the song from scratch. He was pissed off.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: This (on the PA) is Monoman’s (Jeff Conolly, of the Lyres) favorite
record (“<a href=" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4996rWJwLJs" target="_blank">What a Girl Can’t Do</a>”).</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Who
is it?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: The Hangmen.<br />
Bernie: This is like an oldie to me. It was one of my first records. <br />
Louie: What about this (next song on the PA)? <br />
Bernie: The Swamp Rats? Alright. <br />
Greg: “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex8oW6vcXZo" target="_blank">Hey Joe</a>,” on CD. <br />
Louie: Know how many versus they could put on one CD? About 30. <br />
Bernie: What’s that ‘70s thing that the Swamp Rats were on? <br />
Greg: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Disco Sucks</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? <br />
Bernie: Not Galacticus [post-Swamp Rats]. No, the other one. <br />
Louie: Yeah, I remember that. <br />
Bernie: Where he does, like, “Somebody Real Famous.” They put, like, some of
the songs on an album. It says, “Everything on this album was recorded in a
one-track studio in a radio station.” <br />
Greg: They’re real mad about that [fantastic] DJ’s album [pre-Swamp Rat] that
Eva (Records) put out. Their manager’s a DJ still, right , and he’s on the
radio saying, “Any stores out there carrying this record, we’re gonna smash
them all if we come find ‘em,” They’re really mad. <br />
Bernie: What did you think of that </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Battle of the Garages,
Vol. II </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">album? <br />
Greg: There’s some good stuff and some bad stuff.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I
liked it a lot.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: What did you hate the most about it, besides my song </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[a cover of the Stoics’ “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EGepzpBhBg" target="_blank">Enough of What I Need</a>”]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? <br />
Greg: I don’t remember. There’s this group called Mystic Eyes on there… <br />
Bernie: What did you think about that psycho-crap on side two? <br />
Greg: I couldn’t hack some of that stuff. Side one’s pretty good, and side two,
there was some stuff...</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Louie: Did you sell any
copies of this? <br />
Greg: The Lyres album (on Ace of Hearts Records)? Yeah, check your Lyres album.
Hold it up to the light. Monoman says if you can see through it, like this purple
color, it’s real rare. Mine’s like that.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Greg: Know what I found
out? Did you ever hear of the Storytellers? “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfDq7r5jM3Q" target="_blank">Cry With Me</a>.” It’s this great snotty-fuzz record. They’re from Jersey. And all the guys or
most of them are Asbury Park, in Springsteen’s group. <br />
Louie: Really? <br />
Greg: Yeah. Rick Noll was tellin’ me. <br />
Bernie: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Singing like Bruce:] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Baby, I was pushin’ too hard.” <br />
Greg: This is the best version of “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Oh-4zEp-w " target="_blank">Maggie’s Farm</a>.” The guitar player is great. <br />
Bernie: Who’s this (on the PA)? <br />
Greg: Defiants.” I like the guitar playing. He plays two notes the whole song. Except it does
change. I was a bit disappointed when he did the change. Right here. Then he
goes right back into the two notes. Oh, up a step. <br />
Bernie: Do you find that there are a lot more independent records still
undiscovered out there? <br />
Greg: Yeah, never ending, really. I keep thinkin’ I heard them all but they’re there.
Real great stuff. <br />
Bernie: And you thought you could stop with </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nuggets. [Laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Louie: It’s getting to the point where you find stuff repeating on albums. <br />
Greg: Yeah, it’s real bad. <br />
Bernie: It seems the guys putting out the records are getting real desperate. <br />
Greg: Yeah, they are. <br />
Bernie: That’s why you’ve got to get into it here. <br />
Greg: Yeah, I’ll put out 30 volumes to start. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Box sets. 10 album boxes. <br />
Bernie: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Unreleased Independent
Punk…January ’65 through March ’65.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: That’s
the first box set. [Laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: “From Bernie’s basement recording studio. We use just a plastic recorder
in the corner.”</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: “July
7<sup>th</sup>, 7:30 to 9:30.” [Laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: Yeah, that’s it. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: “Three-hour live tape.” <br />
Bernie: “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQ7LO_7dec" target="_blank">Rising Storm</a> arriving for rehearsal.” </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Greg: “Hear them drive up in a car.” <br />
Bernie: “You guys ready to play?” Record goes on, that’s it. “Next month, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rising Storm, Vol. II.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: They
oughta release a record of the guy in Bill Haley’s band who stands there during
the applause at the end, just saying, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NMJ2V6BzIo " target="_blank">“Bill Haley” over and over</a>. It’s always the same guy.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Greg: Yeah. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Probably his brother.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: Yeah, Alex Haley! </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Why
do you think they call it the “</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roots</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> of Rock’n’roll”? Sorry, ‘couldn’t resist.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Bernie: Heavy metal </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[on the PA]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? <br />
Greg: The Merlyn Tree. “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT3MEcpgyzs" target="_blank">Look in Your Mirror</a>.” <br />
Bernie: Where can I find more Stoics records? <br />
Greg: I got a whole lot of them in my basement. <br />
Bernie: Acetates? All unreleased stuff? <br />
Louie: He’s got the master tapes, to hell with the acetates. <br />
Bernie: “Bill Ash </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[of the Stoics] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is in my closet.” And the guy, Rich Marachalla, whoever they put on the
record </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[“<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm_gDZ3TNL8" target="_blank">Enough of What I Need</a>,”
as co-writer]. [Laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Greg: That Stoics record is pretty rare.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bernie: What about this
record </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[picks up 45 of Alvin Cash
and the Registers, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzsP6osP6u4" target="_blank">Twine Time</a>”</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? <br />
Bernie: What does it sound like? <br />
Greg: It’s soul, but it’s good. It’s like James Brown. It’s Doug’s favorite
album, our drummer - </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Phone
interruption]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All things
must pass to others, so at this point, so did we.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8iEJDVNixi6cro1BVdV6BQA6MjrZWrFi3YUhTAJwOzcYRCQlTNWKuaGk4Y3idyap_mU7pCETieVOPBAbTWVMVhYKaGmkEM2s5BRq1tcASDJvkXCzBiTbIXoWkzPTF4PS24iDSaNWrNxDDinmVxAL6HeClUIF5mTbc8YtsXeTMcFeBQwOZaWuVQ2yMnQ=s730" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8iEJDVNixi6cro1BVdV6BQA6MjrZWrFi3YUhTAJwOzcYRCQlTNWKuaGk4Y3idyap_mU7pCETieVOPBAbTWVMVhYKaGmkEM2s5BRq1tcASDJvkXCzBiTbIXoWkzPTF4PS24iDSaNWrNxDDinmVxAL6HeClUIF5mTbc8YtsXeTMcFeBQwOZaWuVQ2yMnQ=s320" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Greg Prevost and Kings in-store performance,<br />Virgin Records, Times Square, NY, with Nancy Neon<br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
conversation, you may notice, is quite dated. The timeframe was obviously
before CDs became the standard, and it was discovered that CDs were actually
cheaper to put out than vinyl. Now we all have large CD collections of the even
rarer cuts that could not be afforded to put out on LP form. And while we all
agree that the feel and sound of vinyl is something we all still cherish, the material
available on more cold and harsh CDs and now digital has become more of a boon
and less of a curse. This especially became true among rarity collectors with
the advent of CD-Rs.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As a side story,
after this interview was published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen,</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> a friend of Greg,
Bernie and Louie’s was riding the subway in Manhattan late one night after a
long squawk. Asleep across the seats, he woke up and saw a newspaper on the
floor in front of him. “Is that Bernie, Greg and Louie? What they hell are they
doing in the paper?” Obviously, he was looking at a discarded copy of </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Freaked him right
out.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">During the summer
of 2001, on the way back from a photographic road trip, I made a stop off to
see Greg at the HOG. It was the first time I’d been there in a least a decade.
The phones were just as busy and the customers just as questioning for material
(this time, for rap), but shooting the shit with Greg was as light and fun as
always. And I made sure to assure him that there was, indeed, no tape recorder.
And the Chesterfield Kings are no more. Greg has gone solo and now goes by Greg
“Stackhouse” Prevost, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvzV29lHpHM" target="_blank">singing Americana blues</a>, and is still releasing music. On
CDs. </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 170.65pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9g1Zrt7j80c" width="320" youtube-src-id="9g1Zrt7j80c"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P9FRtYlo2jc" width="320" youtube-src-id="P9FRtYlo2jc"></iframe></div>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-22469703522957622472022-11-15T02:00:00.065-05:002022-11-15T02:00:00.212-05:00RBF’s Eclectic Excitement Playlist – November 2022<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">RBF’s Eclectic
Excitement Playlist – November 2022</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br />
Images from the Internet<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Here is my limited monthly column of some relatively
cult music, be it due to initial limited release, or just having fallen out of
the mainstream eye. These will be of a multitude of genres, from punk to folk,
to just out there. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The songs are listed alphabetically by first letter
of the artist or group, and not in a “ratings” order. Art is subjective, so I
hope you like these as much as I enjoy them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Note: There is no advertising on this page, so I
will not be making anything off the work of others.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Amy Rigby<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Dancing
with Joey Ramone”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Signature
Sounds<br />
This song is amazing, as Amy tells I am assuming is a true story about her
dancing with you-know-who at a club. There are so many great songs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mentioned within the song, that I actually
wrote a <a href=" https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2011/04/amy-rigbys-dancing-with-joey-ramone.html" target="_blank">blog </a>about it in 2011.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VqGPTFZ-fxM" width="320" youtube-src-id="VqGPTFZ-fxM"></iframe></div><br /> <i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Angela Easterling <br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“I Feel
Like Drinking”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Angelaeasterling.com<br />
I had my period in the late ‘70s where I was infatuated with country. I have
always liked Americana for as long as I can remember, and Angela walks that
fine line between the two. The whole album from which this originates, <i>Earning
Her Wings,</i> is great song after great song. <br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Pxftmp6QDo" width="320" youtube-src-id="_Pxftmp6QDo"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Carrie Newcomer<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Five
Years On”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rounder
Records<br />
I had the opportunity to see Carrie perform in New York a few years ago, and
she was as engaging as she is in this on-the-fence relationship song. I have
been in this position so I can relate. Despite the noise beginning, when the
starts proper, it is quite compelling. <br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YqeM8WmUMeQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="YqeM8WmUMeQ"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Firebug<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“End of
the World”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Buddha
Belt Records<br />
I first became aware of this song when I heard the EP on which it was featured
(in both a short and longer version). Jules Shapiro’s vocals are quite unique
in this soft rocker. I understand they have a new record out. At some point,
I’ll have to check it out.<br /></span><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9VxAMQhsrzU" width="320" youtube-src-id="9VxAMQhsrzU"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mad Agnes<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Dancing
Man”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">madagnes.com<br />
This singer-songwriter trio consists of <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2008/10/margo-hennebach-have-you-ever-heard.html">Margo Hennebach</a>, </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mark
Saunders, and fronting the vocals on this song (as they all have their own
repertoire), Adrienne Jones. This upbeat number is a personal view of Jones’
personality, as seen by herself and others. It’s quite catchy. <br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FCpWEiX08fc" width="320" youtube-src-id="FCpWEiX08fc"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mary Lou Lord<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“His Indie
World”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Kill Rock
Stars Records<br />
Part of the nascent Riot Girrrl scene in Seattle before moving to the Boston
area, Mary Lou wrote or sang many pieces about her ex-lover Kurt and his new
flame, Courtney. This one is a lovely one about being attracted to someone who
is into independent music. Nearly all these bands mentioned went on to some
level of fame. I <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2008/10/mary-lou-lord-who-is-mary-lou-lord.html" target="_blank">interviewed </a>her when her first EP was released, for <i>Oculus
Magazine</i>. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uE-Y04RG870" width="320" youtube-src-id="uE-Y04RG870"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Oral Fuentes Reggae Band<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“One Stop”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">oralfuentes.com<br />
To be honest, pure reggae is repetitious to me, perhaps because I do not imbibe
so I lose the groove. Oral’s band, though, mixes different types of reggae, ska
and Belizean riddims to make a sound that I can relate to, which is good
because he's an ex-neighbor and friend of mine, who I had the chance to
<a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2011/04/oral-fuentes-bringing-positive-belize.html" target="_blank">interview</a> a while back. We actually met over the back fence. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tv4GPT0pz8U" width="320" youtube-src-id="tv4GPT0pz8U"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">She Wolves<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Hundred
Bucks”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Poptown
Records<br />
In their two incarnations, this power punk/rock trio were so much fun. This is
one of their earlier, punkier songs, with Donna She Wolf’s guitar and vocals
smashing, <i>the</i> Tony Mann on drums smashing, and bassist and vocalist
Laura Sativa just, well, smashing. I wrote an <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2007/05/she-wolves-mynks-delancey-592007.html" target="_blank">article </a>about them as my very first blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br /></span><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzsgys1OsjM" width="320" youtube-src-id="zzsgys1OsjM"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Star and Dagger<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Your
Momma Was a Grifter”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">333
Records<br />
Donna She Wolf transformed into Dava She Wolf, and joined this down and dirty,
bluesy rock collective with a smoky edge. The song reminds me a bit of “House
of the Rising Sun” in attitude, and the video, based on Russ Meyer’s <i>Faster
Pussycat! Kill! Kill! </i>(1965) is sheer perfection with Dava nailing her Tura
Satana vibe. <br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wjO4ZpIwgxk" width="320" youtube-src-id="wjO4ZpIwgxk"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tamara Hey<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Right
This Minute”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tamaramusic.com<br />
To give you some idea, I went to see a singer-songwriter at the Rockwood, and
after her show, Tamara came on. We figured we would stay for a song or two to
see what she was like, and ended up staying the whole set, and getting a CD to
boot. Tamara’s songs are not typical love-spoon-June types, but deeper meanings
of relationships, including, sexual identity, loss, and passion.<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OPose5LB3i4" width="320" youtube-src-id="OPose5LB3i4"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-25463649425731115322022-11-05T03:00:00.042-04:002022-11-05T03:00:00.234-04:00THE RATTLERS Strike! (1981)<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1981/2022<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The New York trio,
The Rattlers (1979-88), were known more for family connections than the band,
which was a shame. I saw them play a number of times, and between the high
kicks were some kick-ass tunes. They rose from the ashes of Birdland, which
included Lester Bangs on vocals. I saw Birdland open for the Ramones once at My
Father’s Place, in Roslyn, New York. When they clipped their Bangs, they became
The Rattlers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This interview
was published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No 7, dated 1981.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxYIBx2sj8e4M3bcecLsx2Z2gJWVHcKGPuNz_PpnKaAuPlOE1q8nWPRTmmNXzLguX0yrMH6nQR_JpVLFYxrB_EQLvcI1hyRif3wRX--dUVdnFzzNbt1RS5rsUVub0TSSJodAKFQnULF6Oj-KFKp7YlWpTUd3yf3TG2iheGsX-BAVnzzkJbYDvbtetZlg=s535" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="535" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxYIBx2sj8e4M3bcecLsx2Z2gJWVHcKGPuNz_PpnKaAuPlOE1q8nWPRTmmNXzLguX0yrMH6nQR_JpVLFYxrB_EQLvcI1hyRif3wRX--dUVdnFzzNbt1RS5rsUVub0TSSJodAKFQnULF6Oj-KFKp7YlWpTUd3yf3TG2iheGsX-BAVnzzkJbYDvbtetZlg=w400-h334" width="400" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Rattlers Strike!</span></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why is the New York press
ignoring The Rattlers, one of the outstanding bands on the East Coast today?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nearly all their press clippings
are due to their appearing with famous relatives or from out-of-town papers.
Matty Quick, the band’s drummer and driving force of this power trio, explains
it this way: “We’re so far underground. We don’t have any records except that
one disc </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[“On the Beach” b/w “Livin’
Alone, released in 1980 on Ratso Records – RBF, 1981]. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We don’t have any singles out there for them to buy, so it’s really
hard. It’s hard to fill a club. When kids don’t have an opportunity to hear
your records over the radio, they’re not going to come out. You go to a club
and there’s two-three hundred kids instead of a thousand, you know, it’s sort
of like a vicious circle. You gotta have vinyl to get to them. It’s not that we
do so bad with our audiences, it’s just that they don’t know who we are yet.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH9o4FVwTVQ4Rd9xktEub69Tm76l87re0lGR7qAP6oO9WNZPugdZFqxPH588jC8To9Tr7tTvSTy6nbxjga15ImhZBm-BrtwmH8cL6_Dp8DExj6dSz6OkGhREabKgpvQdVj897tsOOboXSFRf7NECNcDqn51duxSneAN5hfGlJfc6qOtI8wW6Lr2O5M7w=s600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH9o4FVwTVQ4Rd9xktEub69Tm76l87re0lGR7qAP6oO9WNZPugdZFqxPH588jC8To9Tr7tTvSTy6nbxjga15ImhZBm-BrtwmH8cL6_Dp8DExj6dSz6OkGhREabKgpvQdVj897tsOOboXSFRf7NECNcDqn51duxSneAN5hfGlJfc6qOtI8wW6Lr2O5M7w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“And that’s because we don’t
get much press,” guitarist Mitch Leigh picks up, “which brings us back to the
original problem – why </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">don’t</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> we get press? We stayed in Chicago and we got press. We got press in Boston.
And we got minor press in New York City, like </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Villager</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Where can be get press in New York other than </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Village Voice</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">New York Rocker</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? The New York press hasn’t written about us in a year.” Matty claims
that “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Voice </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">wrote about us when we broke up Birdland </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[two years
earlier – RBF, 1981]. </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We were the “band that
broke up.” And it was only to kiss Lester’s ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The lack of a record is
what seems to be hurting The Rattlers the most right now, but “the press is
really discouraging any form of building here in New York,” states the
ever-moving Mitch, with his graceful spread-eagled jumps in the air on stage,
and high kicks that bring his feel level with his head. “God, you gotta ask yourself,
‘What the fuck is going on?’ These papers aren’t writing about us. Then people
won’t come to see you. I wouldn’t expect a paper like </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The New York Post </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to write on us. I’d expect an underground paper to, because we’re an
underground band.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpShYnvjDcBMm-gH4dz87aaeVgB4JygVsRT5QWqTid9leEtZCco5d9_P7GLQfs1SGEZwByRXyBhBxXG2Wjglku_9Dfgt4sPbIE9sl15L6ytq9uTbYC5C4dAqdAqVCAJtDDDlCiUS6iDLtWobe5IouUP9J2r6K4lA4Galaya2lDvTQPgi4IrWEgoqlIzw=s452" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpShYnvjDcBMm-gH4dz87aaeVgB4JygVsRT5QWqTid9leEtZCco5d9_P7GLQfs1SGEZwByRXyBhBxXG2Wjglku_9Dfgt4sPbIE9sl15L6ytq9uTbYC5C4dAqdAqVCAJtDDDlCiUS6iDLtWobe5IouUP9J2r6K4lA4Galaya2lDvTQPgi4IrWEgoqlIzw=w198-h320" width="198" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mitch/Mickey Leigh<br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But what press they’ve
gotten has been favorable. They’ve had their picture in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">People</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, and been briefly
mentioned in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The New York Post, The
New York Daily News</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, and </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Billboard</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, but that was due to
relatives rather than themselves. They were almost completely ignored, sort of
a “Here’s so-and-so. Oh, and those guys are The Rattlers. Now more on
so-and-so.” Not the sort of thunderous types they could use to push their
career.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The lesser-known papers
have written about The Rattlers, as Chicago’s </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Prairie Sun</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (by excellent rock’n’roll writer Moira McCormick) and Boston’s </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What’s New</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, but they have focused on their performances or their records, and
have written nothing on the personal side of the group. Matty said, “Boston is
really incredible the way they support the bands up there. And in Chicago, all
the major press, like </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Village Voice</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (equivalent) of Chicago, liked this band we played with. They were one
of the ‘good bands in Chicago.’ They sucked. They were like the Knack.” Mitch
pitched in, “But still, they got support. Local support. We go to Boston, and
they play our tapes on the radio. They play our record on FM stations.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“WBCN </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Boston]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> was the first major radio
station to play our record,” chimed in Dave Merrill, who leaps in the air come
close to rivaling Mitch’s, but whose bass playing is hardly rivaled by anyone.
Matty finished the point by commenting that, “The reason they don’t give us
more airplay is because we’re not a Boston band, and they like to help their
bands. Like, when they can slip us in, they do, but they always try to slip in
a hometown band. The attitude is, like, ‘Let’s promote our own’.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With all this lack of local
publicity, you would think that the audience would not be there. Wrong. The
audience is there and vocal in their own way. “Dancing is the best reaction you
can get,” Matty claims. “In New York, you get the least amount of dancing. We
go to some towns, and all of a sudden the whole floor is full of people
dancing. That, to me, is the biggest turn-on, when they’re out there having
that kind of fun, rather than just watching. In New York, everybody just stands
there. Whatever the reason, they’re afraid to react. They don’t react, whatever
the situation is. Dancing really gets me off. I think we do best when people
dance.” Here, that tends to be a problem because, as Mitch puts it, “In New York,
they’re the coolest. Everybody is too cool to dance or show any kind of
emotion, bad or good.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“We do like the guys in the
front who bounce on the tables when we finish (at Max’s Kansas City),” Matty
defends. “We like them.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ6qPhZbogOYKYy2sLVwCJczJJCJjzwTxnhrAkzWbDOP_lKsNTrQUHha2-GNR6uSLq8rFxcbkvq59oH-ccXo6Qkz6VaDGaU205GQqJx0aLzKj4XnTwgU7BYUbh8qhWS32Nw-J1Br8Kp1atbN8FpDXM44lURaYUPuRi4YeHZOdCB-ZTe1U4fcy2LHRYyg=s532" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ6qPhZbogOYKYy2sLVwCJczJJCJjzwTxnhrAkzWbDOP_lKsNTrQUHha2-GNR6uSLq8rFxcbkvq59oH-ccXo6Qkz6VaDGaU205GQqJx0aLzKj4XnTwgU7BYUbh8qhWS32Nw-J1Br8Kp1atbN8FpDXM44lURaYUPuRi4YeHZOdCB-ZTe1U4fcy2LHRYyg=w205-h320" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dave Merrill<br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And so, the tale continues.
And what of their management, FBI </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Frontier Booking International,
run by Ian Copeland, brother of The Police’s Stuart – RBF, 1981]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? Mitch explains, “We’re not very high on their priority list right
now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, it’s back to the problem
of press, or lack of it. But what of the papers here in town, such as the one’s
they mentioned? “You wouldn’t think that papers like that would have so much
sway in the biggest city in the fuckin’ world. They dismiss us. Is it something
to be ashamed of that we want to make records for people? They put us down
because of that,” complains Matty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mitch goes on to say, “They
don’t like us at all. They said that we can’t sing, and we have no good songs.
They didn’t say that in their paper, but that’s what they said to somebody who
called up and said, ‘How come you don’t write about The Rattlers?’ That’s what
they tell people over the phone.” Dave concludes, “They have shit taste,
anyway.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeN5ceWR1BuGR0aNVh9j_N8zEWt-aAo2nnIOI9HJYbyynxN_OII2MxRgKrHwLVna4uke7hZlS_Kmqaeky_1ZcgMnFbjFtxxZhivlYUhlK1u33ffJAIyMkafwMksPPoynfP6Me6kJ-X43T2fIt8wEmwl5cwHfSAMy9qXxacmqyEDGC5Hgrt96xXSXbRHg=s300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="300" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeN5ceWR1BuGR0aNVh9j_N8zEWt-aAo2nnIOI9HJYbyynxN_OII2MxRgKrHwLVna4uke7hZlS_Kmqaeky_1ZcgMnFbjFtxxZhivlYUhlK1u33ffJAIyMkafwMksPPoynfP6Me6kJ-X43T2fIt8wEmwl5cwHfSAMy9qXxacmqyEDGC5Hgrt96xXSXbRHg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But the gigs go on, and The
Rattlers build in popularity. Having such little press, however, means they get
“stuck” at a lot of gigs, such as when they opened for David Johansen at the
Fast Lane in New Jersey. Their total take for the night was $50. But they look
at it almost humorously, as Mitch explains that, “We got to see a bunch of
slugs outside the dressing room. There was an alley right by the dressing room.”
Matty added, “It was the highlight of the night. We peed on them to see if the
salt content of our urine would dissolve them, but all they did was steam and
crawl away.” But Dave retorted, “You would be steamin’ too, if somebody pissed
on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With their word-of-mouth popularity
spreading, it’s only a matter of time now before the band breaks the New York
press. They have toured with a few big groups and have a possible upcoming tour
with 999. Only time will tell when the headlines read, “The Rattlers.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipyM8-AlkqmI7OoTLh497fwYXha_FaQHrKDnaYiF9aC4iSzrMXQ_fr81Ux122ndBdLU0XErI0mDKxiOS7uN9e4VNxKKmjL90XbrtQOI3mv8dEU7gApLdl4B9EBSFnMv2mBWvHHr4IgngnnAwPbFiBvEdt5qwRwstVrHORT4CvSiocq6IIriecxQUiSmg=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipyM8-AlkqmI7OoTLh497fwYXha_FaQHrKDnaYiF9aC4iSzrMXQ_fr81Ux122ndBdLU0XErI0mDKxiOS7uN9e4VNxKKmjL90XbrtQOI3mv8dEU7gApLdl4B9EBSFnMv2mBWvHHr4IgngnnAwPbFiBvEdt5qwRwstVrHORT4CvSiocq6IIriecxQUiSmg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After some
changes in the line-up, the band members would move on. Mitch [aka Mickey] would
be in bands like STOP, Sibling Rivalry and Harry Slash, but it would be his
autobiography</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, I Slept With Joey Ramone</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> that would put him into the press. Dave would move on
to more experimental, electronic music for a while, including being in a band
that played on one of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethons in the
1980s. Recently, he has been with a straight-ahead rock’n’roll band called
HEAP. As for what happened to Matty, I’m not sure.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx7FNCLjUBY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Xx7FNCLjUBY"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7i0ZI5f27ws" width="320" youtube-src-id="7i0ZI5f27ws"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-30294887391832259172022-10-15T03:00:00.037-04:002022-10-15T03:00:00.209-04:00RBF’s Eclectic Excitement Playlist – October 2022<p><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">RBF’s Eclectic
Excitement Playlist – October 2022</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br />
Images from the Internet<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is my limited monthly column of some relatively
cult music, be it due to initial limited release, or just having fallen out of
the mainstream eye. These will be of a multitude of genres, from punk to folk,
to just out there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The songs are listed alphabetically by first letter
of the artist or group, and not in a “ratings” order. Art is subjective, so I
hope you like these as much as I enjoy them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Note: There is no advertising on this page, so I
will not be making anything off the work of others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Babes in Toyland<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Bruise
Violet”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">WMG<br />
Part of Seattle’s Riot Girrrl scene, they were overshadowed (as was everyone
else) by Hole, though I thought this group was more interesting. The song is
about the Kat Bjelland (vox) and Courtney Love rivalry. I always felt the Riot
Girrrl movement was more interesting than the testosterone-fueled concurrent grunge
sound. I’m glad I was able to see them live at CBGB.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gCjufvdq_1c" width="320" youtube-src-id="gCjufvdq_1c"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Get Wet<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Morton Street”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Boardwalk
/ Columbia Records<br />
Sherri Beachfront has an amazingly powerful voice, and for a brief moment of
time, it was recognized on a major scale, with a relative hit single of “Lonely”
and a cover of “Where the Boys Are.” The music is pure pop with Zecca’s
keyboard soaring. I <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2009/10/get-wet-wild-and-wonderful.html " target="_blank">interviewed </a>them at the time, just as their album was
released. There is a lot of good music with a bend toward the theatrical on the album,
but this song always felt the strongest, if not mainstream radio friendly. This
is the live version from a show at the Ritz where I was also in attendance.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ZggecEVtko" width="320" youtube-src-id="0ZggecEVtko"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">HER and Kings County<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“My
Backyard”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">WMG<br />
Mixing country, rock and a tad of rap, HER hails from Brooklyn, but has since
moved to Nashville to be closer to the source. She has a good voice for both
country and rock, and has a new album. Not to be confused with current rapper
H.E.R.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEOkwwRzwy8" width="320" youtube-src-id="oEOkwwRzwy8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Lizzie Borden and the Axes<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Out of
Touch”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Never
Found Guilty Records<br />
I first heard this Boston pop ditty on a local indie music channel (“V66”) in BossTown.
They were pretty popular on their own turf, but I find this very infectious
melody keep popping up in my head all these years later. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-8mxhMnQFHE" width="320" youtube-src-id="-8mxhMnQFHE"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Pandoras<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Stop
Pretending”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Rhino
Records<br />
The band is better known for “Hot Generation,” but I like this cold-hearted
attack so much more. They were commonly crossing over between garage and rock,
until the death of lead singer Paula Peirce. Although they were a California
band, I saw them play once at Irving Plaza, in New York.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ZBtf4DDEgU" width="320" youtube-src-id="0ZBtf4DDEgU"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Patsy Montana and the Prairie Ramblers<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“I Want to
Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Melotone
Records <br />
It’s funny that this should be here, because at one time this was such a major
hit, it is the very first record disc (78) by a woman to ever to sell a million
copies, way back in 1935. It’s definitely the yodel that makes the song, but I
love the lyrics, as well as Patsy’s voice. Lyrically, a sweet other-side to
Doris Day’s “Button’s and Bows.”<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rAYwYscqXJQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="rAYwYscqXJQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Planet Smashers<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Fabrication”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Stomp
Records<br />
I actually know very little about this ska punk band from Montreal, but their
intensity is striking, and the social statement of the song also attracts me. Should
be right up there with The Specials, rather than the more amusing-toned
Madness. The drive in this song is what helps propel the message. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d_2U8l2hUFg" width="320" youtube-src-id="d_2U8l2hUFg"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Slickee Boys<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Ya Gotta Tell
Me Why”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Dacoit
Records<br />
Man, not only were the Slickee Boys a great band out of the DC area, like the
Fleshtones, they were even more so live. Luckily, I saw them more than once at
CBGB. They are better known for “Heart On” and their cover of “Glendora,” but
the beat and excitement of this song keep me coming back. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qTPpGz8SXd0" width="320" youtube-src-id="qTPpGz8SXd0"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Speedies<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Let Me
Take Your Photo”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Golden
Disc Records <br />
Like the Jag’s “Back of My Hand,” there was a time when this power pop song was
all over the clubs. Not surprising, though, because it has an extremely catchy
chorus. Happily, I saw them open for The Tourists (who would change their name
to the Eurythmics) at the Bottom Line, in New York.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aiWy87b9m9c" width="320" youtube-src-id="aiWy87b9m9c"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Vipers<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Cheated
and Lied”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Passport
Records / Jem Records<br />
When the garage revival was at its height during the early-to-mid-‘80s, one of
the regulars on the scene were this garage pop band, led by <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2022/06/an-interview-jon-weiss-farther-outta.html" target="_blank">Jon Weiss</a>, who later helped organize the CaveStomp! series of shows. I interviewed them
when their <i>Outta the Nest </i>LP was released. Their “Nothing’s From Today”
is better known, but I like this one even more.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-JbqA3h_k4" width="320" youtube-src-id="a-JbqA3h_k4"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-39148689771234170712022-10-10T13:32:00.018-04:002022-11-18T15:25:41.872-05:00The Rat-Taled Dream<p> <i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYylqnR5ldN01PNFcGLjeTLEjfYicBiP4OgplVbeyYXi05xF82Nc0KuJF97i6LFcwAMuuajuC-vQtkoLOEVYMzN9whaqeo9ehPuVDZNL-DllwoHN1BN70lend0I7FiTrnXIMyxYKZ2Wb87qTOy7BDabKM2avG22DtwzYcON02MvPyswEulaazBppv5g/s960/rathskeller1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYylqnR5ldN01PNFcGLjeTLEjfYicBiP4OgplVbeyYXi05xF82Nc0KuJF97i6LFcwAMuuajuC-vQtkoLOEVYMzN9whaqeo9ehPuVDZNL-DllwoHN1BN70lend0I7FiTrnXIMyxYKZ2Wb87qTOy7BDabKM2avG22DtwzYcON02MvPyswEulaazBppv5g/s320/rathskeller1.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A Rat-Taled Dream</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the dream, it is the present time, and despite the fact that the club
The Rathskeller (aka The Rat) in Boston is long gone, I went to see a show with
Kandy Kabot, who lived in the city for a number of years. I had been to the
club numerous times between 1980 and 1985, so I was a bit familiar with it.
However, the map does not match the territory in my dream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">As we approached the club, the front of it was lined with people waiting
to get in, and there were windows on the front that went longer than the club’s
entrance could fit in reality. We looked inside and there was a big room with
marble floors, as people lined up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Inside, at the head of the line, was a fortune teller reading tarots,
who had to be paid in order to get into the club, above the cost to get in. I
am not a believer in mysticism, especially having dated the assistant of a
professional psychic during the early 1980s, so I was trying to figure another
way into the club. When I got back to the glass doors, Kandy was gone, I looked
in and she was on line to the fortune teller.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k-oycaDlxCXOwN2rPbGuegSNOEYjmoIsSWjQxTZQFrdYwHZfUAMsCjE997mr_va_IQKbhmsT_SZq8fdK3i3rMF9nZZg08Z0iwvS9Iv2nFOXzdoCQwhpltO84ku6_tf6k0v1oRgGgymYgIV82B93r4P1tJn16RuEcoZZMV7re200KmKg3Fdjfaku4WA/s790/SecretService.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="790" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k-oycaDlxCXOwN2rPbGuegSNOEYjmoIsSWjQxTZQFrdYwHZfUAMsCjE997mr_va_IQKbhmsT_SZq8fdK3i3rMF9nZZg08Z0iwvS9Iv2nFOXzdoCQwhpltO84ku6_tf6k0v1oRgGgymYgIV82B93r4P1tJn16RuEcoZZMV7re200KmKg3Fdjfaku4WA/w320-h243/SecretService.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Secret Service<br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Somehow, I got into the place in a roundabout way, avoiding the seer and,
for the moment, since the doorman was not there, I got in without paying. I
went backstage and ran into the opening group (didn’t catch the name), which
were a bunch of young guys who were in good spirits and friendly, and I hung
out with them for a while, getting along well. They reminded me of the Long
Island band The Secret Service, who I had seen at The Dive Bar in New York City
in real life in the 1990s.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Naturally, I had my camera with me, but questioned whether it would work
since I have not used it in a long time, and was unsure of the batteries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I heard someone speaking behind me, and it was well known Boston musician
Al Quint who I do not know personally, but with whom I am Facebook friends. In dream
logic, however, I had seen him play before, in the 1980s. I turned around and
said hello, and he said, “I know you! You took that picture of me onstage that
I really liked.” I was impressed he remembered me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggecVrq4Rd1-U9c92Lk07L11MWCSlmGCYdOpcMF0972CM4JZ0zovCGHmaK-MlhAD_2uA0PfUkUqP3tgQRKthpWqMQmcmmCY8BZwV4q2tFYwfQtK21rrdqY4DY4ddEV3_gSaLpDX-U_2aU0hDYd9bmJGSw3IQph0Dw-jDZ5-j359tIfnr059qD2_TACuA/s471/Dogmatics-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggecVrq4Rd1-U9c92Lk07L11MWCSlmGCYdOpcMF0972CM4JZ0zovCGHmaK-MlhAD_2uA0PfUkUqP3tgQRKthpWqMQmcmmCY8BZwV4q2tFYwfQtK21rrdqY4DY4ddEV3_gSaLpDX-U_2aU0hDYd9bmJGSw3IQph0Dw-jDZ5-j359tIfnr059qD2_TACuA/w250-h320/Dogmatics-3.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Dogmatics at The Rat<br />(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We walked down a long corridor together and talked generally, until we got
to the main room, where he took off to get ready. And instead of the lovely
dive bar that the Rat actually was, in the midst of the dream, it was a large
room with rows of folding chairs with a dais in front with four or five tables.
The place was crowded, and in about the fourth row sat the opening band, who called
me, saying they had saved me a seat. As I shuffled through the row to</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> their enthusiastic waving me over, I woke up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-45445720462491439762022-10-05T03:00:00.067-04:002022-10-06T17:04:12.336-04:00HELEN WHEELS: The Interview (1983)<p> <i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1983/2022<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have told
this story before: before I even knew who punk/metal vocalist and songwriter Helen
Wheels was, she made a deep impression on me. Though unidentified, she turns up
at the CBGB bar in the 1978 film, </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Punking Out</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, where she mentions that she is never bored, as she
fidgets around; the full 25-minute film is linked <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2021/12/review-punking-out-1978.htmlthe " target="_blank">HERE</a>; </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen’s comment is at about 22 minutes. Her strong
personality and sharpness shook me up for some reason, and made me look at my
own life. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Born Helen
Robbins, it was the Dictators’ Handsome Dick Manitoba who gave her the “Wheels”
to her name. But her larger claim to fame was as a songwriter who penned some
songs for Blue Oyster Cult, including the B-side of “Don’t Fear the Reaper," “Tattoo
Vampire.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The petite and
muscular Helen formed the Helen Wheels Band, and I knew I had to interview her.
But, I’m getting ahead of myself.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMW-Er6oUpgr83UDVnGELBxqRqB4CYL4MGAnUt5E9SNIY4qUHpAqDYKBAhuG6wKeXwdYNLJPtKponZVna_Pfcf2phmTlRCEgj3OjBQy0ysN19O8aplQ4WAehqz8m5QZ9oFkCqJOHC_jWxdPNHvh6TvhVGDtI87nrAZ5nifOoqAnnITYV0AKSm-ktedBg=s320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="320" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMW-Er6oUpgr83UDVnGELBxqRqB4CYL4MGAnUt5E9SNIY4qUHpAqDYKBAhuG6wKeXwdYNLJPtKponZVna_Pfcf2phmTlRCEgj3OjBQy0ysN19O8aplQ4WAehqz8m5QZ9oFkCqJOHC_jWxdPNHvh6TvhVGDtI87nrAZ5nifOoqAnnITYV0AKSm-ktedBg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Helen Wheels being not bored in </i>Punking Out</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen Wheels: The Interview (1983)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen Wheels’ stage persona
may appear to be a frightening one. She licks knives and sticks them into the
stage reasonably close to the audience, and shoots a pistol – point blank –
into the crowd. With blanks, of course.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her prior two bands, made
up of biker types, added to this mounting paranoia. In these two previous
forms, Helen’s music was not overly appealing to me. True, she wrote some cuts
for Blue Oyster Cult’s infamous </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Agents of Fortune </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">album (the only one I like, actually), the music she performed was
heavy metalish, which was not the kind I wanted to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So, with some reluctance, I
went to see a Helen Wheels Band show (honestly, she was playing with a band I
wanted to see) and I liked what I saw. Then her six-song EP, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Post Modern Living</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (on Real American Records) came out and I was a bit more impressed,
but the funk strumming was a bit tough for me to take at times. Despite all
this, I found myself going to more of her shows at varied locations, from CBGB
to the School of Visual Arts (SVA). Before I realized it, I was entrapped by
the powerhouse. Her music is more down-to-earth rock’n’roll than previous
incarnations, and I’ve come to love the record. What’s more, but don’t tell
anyone, Helen Wheels is a pussycat. Her values are vastly different than my own
liberal ones, and there are beliefs she holds true that never entered my ken.
She’s open and has an infectious personality that’ll knock you on your ass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are a lot of things I
could have asked Helen about, from her connection to BOC to her stance on UFO
culture and her own abductions, to her tattoos, but I decided against that for being
too obvious. So, when I interviewed her at the Brooklyn Zoo (March 26, opening
for Iggy Pop), I walked in with only one question on my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhshSq5zGwcludgzb-kUHLWBVH6VaNXaizDfXW1J-pnbyMqy3DsM6LxqPg1x2UGJccRc5g36D54ekaOmOBgo9zksUF9lQyYcSqsZVogdIyy6CGWqt1Awu6I0oaYlWy6hprYH-9VHetlK8SOf8Ue5cMy1_HMutKPfFGZ9kYe9CnIiTo0DvErM8Kjdxeegg=s1049" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="972" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhshSq5zGwcludgzb-kUHLWBVH6VaNXaizDfXW1J-pnbyMqy3DsM6LxqPg1x2UGJccRc5g36D54ekaOmOBgo9zksUF9lQyYcSqsZVogdIyy6CGWqt1Awu6I0oaYlWy6hprYH-9VHetlK8SOf8Ue5cMy1_HMutKPfFGZ9kYe9CnIiTo0DvErM8Kjdxeegg=s320" width="297" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the movie </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Punking Out</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, there’s a shot of
you at the bar of CBGB, saying that you’ve never been bored in your whole life.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Helen Wheels: Yep, it’s true. I’m still never bored. I’m so busy all the time
doing stuff, and if I don’t have something else to do. I just go over and pump
some iron. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How
long have you been doing that?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Kinda in a less serious way, for a couple of years, but quite seriously
for three months. At least four days a week. I find it’s something that’s
making me extremely happy, as well as strong. I mean, I can bench press 130
pounds now, which is quite a bit more than I weigh. I guess it stimulates the blood,
but just being strong, you have a new kind of confidence. I mean, I was always
strong and I always carry a big knife, but now, sometimes I don’t even carry my
knife. It makes you feel pretty cocky and good. It’s my latest favorite thing
to do – when I get sick of making phone calls and booking the band, and making
posters and all that other stuff, and I still work on the wardrobe, making new
costumes. Plus, the way I keep from being bored is that I haven’t had a
television in 12 years, so that really helps. I think television is a negative
kind of thing – video games – kind of programming things. And I think it gets
people kind of depressed and down, so I read a lot, and pumping iron is the
best thing for me lately. It makes me feel really cheerful. It must stimulate
certain hormones or something, because I get really high off it. The same kind you
get off singing, from the oxygen. I really enjoy it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Before
you were doing it seriously, you were always in good shape; muscular.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Yeah, for years I’ve always had a set of dumbbells around and I would
lift, here and there. I always enjoyed doing any kinds of test of strength: arm
wrestling (for example). But I find it’s also amazing because it’s the only way
I’ve ever heard of to actually get a perfect body.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: So
you do more exercise than just lifting weights.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: I do chinning, I have a trapeze. I hang upside down, do sit-ups hanging upside
down, and I have a bench. I also have, like, leg presses, and extensions.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You
have all this where you live?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Yeah, I’ve got a home gym. I even got a little trampoline to run on. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Isn’t
it better to work out with a coach present?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Yeah, my boyfriend’s my coach. He’s great. He did a lot of weight
lifting when he was younger, and now we work out together. The main thing is to
keep good form, whatever you do, because you can hurt yourself pretty badly.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Are
you going to start competing?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: I was fantasizing about competing in this contest in Queens, but I might
wait until there’s one in Manhattan, ‘cause I really don’t want to take the
subway out in my little posing suit. Actually, I have to get a posing suit. I
don’t have anything quite small enough.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrbsu8Wyx808ZgIp-j-T-dxxcUgf43cYWe3PiQDI6tSriG9tYpr35QZNfMQ7Em1VmAxPm9RGAeyGV9yrEVsjG3NfIdFQKzStDXOZ-kCc9sVJeQ4mMha8mShjZsw9sGglbT8_12iaOpm2atNut-OUR7ZRhVaUJbPd0saSeGuoCQ6iqeU-aXxZdXTDDymQ=s581" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="581" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrbsu8Wyx808ZgIp-j-T-dxxcUgf43cYWe3PiQDI6tSriG9tYpr35QZNfMQ7Em1VmAxPm9RGAeyGV9yrEVsjG3NfIdFQKzStDXOZ-kCc9sVJeQ4mMha8mShjZsw9sGglbT8_12iaOpm2atNut-OUR7ZRhVaUJbPd0saSeGuoCQ6iqeU-aXxZdXTDDymQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You
could always use your leather bikini (that she uses on stage).</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some of those girls really don’t have too much on. I’ve recently become
friends with the middleweight Miss America, <a href="https://saradas.org/index.php?topic=95100.0 " target="_blank">Leslie Barber</a>, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">who is absolutely incredible. She’s my height and she has, like,
fourteen-inch biceps. She’s great.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5dAvenFGkmTzyULdD3fMFRlgAWnmQ9zy7r-RehT1qo0Uw5HpWYJTcZLNRBynE4GqXt40w2M9Hm6Murfgk_mHb97Rm66eAMGx012383M9EBUnZpSYP3ahyV3uS49_gV_5zAU0Az09EuM-LMem93zoz_XfJh61SkqOkoYpzC59iI1AJjGF0yF_t8hMH_w=s465" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="465" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5dAvenFGkmTzyULdD3fMFRlgAWnmQ9zy7r-RehT1qo0Uw5HpWYJTcZLNRBynE4GqXt40w2M9Hm6Murfgk_mHb97Rm66eAMGx012383M9EBUnZpSYP3ahyV3uS49_gV_5zAU0Az09EuM-LMem93zoz_XfJh61SkqOkoYpzC59iI1AJjGF0yF_t8hMH_w=s320" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Have
you ever been interviewed by any bodybuilding magazines?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Yes. As a matter of fact, a magazine called </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lady Athlete</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> photographed me at the Ritz on Monday. They’re doing a big piece on
me. They did “before” pictures, where I’d only been working out for a couple of
weeks. They may be here tonight also, with the editor of </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Body and Power</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, which is the biggest bodybuilding magazine. The writers have taken a
lot of interest in me, because they feel I might be good for the sport, in a
sense. Women’s bodybuilding is a very young, fledgling sport, and people have a
lot of misconceptions about it. Like at the competitions, there might be 300
men and eight women. <u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
kind of misconceptions?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Oh, you know, that the women are gonna end up being, like 230-pound
bull-dykes after six weeks. It doesn’t happen, because women don’t have
testosterone. They have different hormones, so the main thing that most women
will get first is that they’ll lose their body fat, which will make them happy.
And then they’ll get definition. And they’ll get strength.. If you have a bad back,
it helps your posture a lot, as long as you watch your form.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihIU964d3JaL4nE1mBP0LYt_dacXP73iIYon0P4jR_D7SmSjg03r4J_DrGAjsQFu8LimlEUMQCCKZ886j5o5ccNbdvj5OlT0sDrbcogFKTujOL83R_TKmyEOYASE7R06y-h0aFvASswU8mUDtDkXlz9MS79viHYHFwKaVUmUZeNsHikaR8q9QAHUWdzQ=s328" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="328" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihIU964d3JaL4nE1mBP0LYt_dacXP73iIYon0P4jR_D7SmSjg03r4J_DrGAjsQFu8LimlEUMQCCKZ886j5o5ccNbdvj5OlT0sDrbcogFKTujOL83R_TKmyEOYASE7R06y-h0aFvASswU8mUDtDkXlz9MS79viHYHFwKaVUmUZeNsHikaR8q9QAHUWdzQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Maybe I should try it.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: A lot of people I know are, just because they see what it’s doing for
me. I think it’s real positive in the same way that I feel, like, with our
rock’n’roll: we’re really trying to show a strong, healthy, American image.
Strong is the right word, rather than the kind of degenerate, debilitated
Communist-junkie thing that is really what the media is putting out. You know,
I won’t name names, but they really love the bands where there’s drug addicts,
and stuff, because those people are so easy to manipulate. Put them in the
big-time, tell them what to do, how to act, what to wear; you can’t put this
song on the record, you put this one on. I firmly believe there’s a </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">major</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> conspiracy going on in
this country, and the way it affects rock’n’roll is that they choose the
patsies, rather than strong artist who want to control their own image and
their own music. They can’t control us. To me, the bodybuilding fits in
perfectly with what I’m trying to say with my music, which is, “look to yourself.
Be strong yourself, because we’re the only ones who can turn this country
around.” I firmly believe we’re the only country – unless there are some other free
countries that have a Constitution (and) a Bill of Rights – that encourages
creativity and invention, instead of squashing it. I mean, there is no
rock’n’roll in Russia, there’s no rock’n’roll in Poland. They only give you
disco, because disco is for mechanized minds that don’t think. I mean, those
beats-per-minute puts part of your brain to sleep. It’s a serious thing. People
don’t realize the seriousness of media control. And, of course, punks, and all
the people, they get their images from the media, so the media even twists
around the strong and good ones. I really try to speak in no uncertain terms
about what I want and what I feel; what I want to bring to people from my
music, aside that it’s fun, kick-ass energy. That’s the top thing. That’s what
rock’n’roll is, is freedom. I want it back the way it was – 1776.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Do
you feel Reagan is trying to ruin that with his cutting the budget in the arts
areas?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: I think Reagan is a pawn. He’s not in the Council of Foreign Relations,
which is unusual for a president, but everyone who advises him, is. He’s not
that evil, but he’s not in control, either.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
is the fascination you have for motorcycles?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Speed; throbbing energy – I only like American motorcycles.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Harleys, of course.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Harleys. I like Indians. They’re hard to come by. I’ve been riding
motorcycles since I was fifteen, and that’s more than half my life. Motorcycles
(are) the same thing as rock’n’roll. They’re about freedom. The people that are
riding – some of them are outlaws and some of them wanna just get there and
ride, ride, ride. They just wanna be out and be free. It’s just “headin’ down
the highway / Looking for adventure.” It is ultimate. I mean, I like the real
hardcore, outlaw bikers. I think those people are kinda like, you know, the
last cowboys. And by outlaw, that doesn’t mean killing people, that means
making your own laws. Living your own life, having your own values. I don’t
give a shit what the world thinks of me anymore. I’ve been suppressed. I’ve
been put down, and I’ve been really maligned in some press. I’ve been censored
off of national TV and radio for speaking out against drugs, and of being
basically clean-cut, and a kick-ass, biker-rock’n’roller. And I fuckin’ resent
it, because look who they put up there. Anybody who shoots dope gets first
crack at it, and so many fans have died since I started rock’n’rolling, and so
many of them are like the people who come here in the audience. You have a
responsibility, as a person on stage, to put out a positive message, to say
something uplifting, something that’s good for people. Not just that it’s all
immaterial, that you have no future. That’s something that the Brits did when
they said that punk started in England. We all know that they copied the Ramones.
Punk started in 1976 on the Bowery at CBGB’s, which is where the punks adopted
the motorcycle jackets as their symbol of freedom, ‘cause it was a biker bar.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Actually, it was ’75.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: ’75 was the beginning, ‘cause ’76, it was kind of like the christening.
And you had the real American bands, like the Dictators.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Great
band!</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Fantastic band. And they got shut down. I resent it, ‘cause they were
one of the greatest bands. The Ramones, bands like that, that were very
patriotic. I mean, if you look at a Ramones logo, it’s a presidential seal:
Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and whoever they have now</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Ritchie.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Then they bring over the British disco shit and all that, and mixing it
up with the rock’n’roll. And then they’re calling </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> New Wave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Don’t you feel that it is also from American groups, like Devo?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
Helen: Yeah, but to me, that was more like “thin-tie, wimp rock.” Yeah, that
was the same kind of thing that the press did. They picked up those bands, and
called those bands the New Wave, and they left out the Dictators; the Ramones,
who should have had a No. 1 hit a </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">long</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> time ago. They’re doing all right, but they’re not having the success
they should have. Look at some of the big Brit bands. They aren’t very
talented, and any kids who were hanging out in the early days, I mean, those
were not the bands they went to see. They were the thin-tie ones with the least
energy and the most, like, disco mixing, which is what they went to for big
money; and to me, that was a real sick perversion of the whole thing … it has
no place in what I want to say. It goes back to what I was saying about having
responsibility. I see junkies up on stage, and the audience thinks they’re the
greatest fuckin’ thing they’ve come across since the Sex Pistols, or whatever
shit they got last from the media, and then they think, “Oh, man, it’s so hip.
Let’s try shooting dope. Let’s check it out. That’s what our rock’n’roll heroes
are doing.” Right from Keith Richards on down. And the media loves it. Then I
go to the shows and the kids that were alive and wonderful – full of energy –
they’re, like, nodded out on the tables. And then, one by one, like Jessie Blue
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[not to be confused with the bland “Oranje Guice”
singer, Jessi Blue – RBF, 2022]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, they die. By accident,
you know? “We didn’t shoot junk all the time, just now and then.” Jessie Blue
was a friend of mine and she was a real talented girl. She had a lot of heart
and soul. She was in the Slander Band. She was just “foolin’ around,” you know.
She was in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Punking Out</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> with me. And she died from it. So many of them died from it. If they
don’t die, they’re like the living dead. And that’s worse, ‘cause then they’re
just a patsy of the powers-that-be, that don’t want people like me around to
say, “Take your vitamins, lift weights, and be strong, and you can control your
own life, and bring the country back to health with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Was
there ever a time when you were into drugs?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: I’ve taken drugs, sure, but I really cleaned up my act. The older I got,
the smarter I got. I found out that I wanted to live. I still go 100 miles an
hour on a motorcycle once in a while; 110.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
[Faking shock:] But isn’t that illegal?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: Well, the laws – you know, you do it late at night when there’s no one else
on the road so it’s not a danger to them. I think everybody has the potential
to be their own person. Everyone has the potential for the kind of health and
happiness and freedom that I’m talking about, in this country, anyway. It’s
only because of the twisted media image that so many people are down on
themselves; sad, can’t find a place in life. That’s what [the media] want. They’re
trying to beat down the strongest ones. I always come back. I always come back
stronger, too. And that’s what I hope to encourage other people to do, to fight
for whatever the fuck you wanna do. If you want to be an accountant, man, fight
to be that accountant. Be the best one that there is. But if you want to be
something that’s impossible to get at, like the president, or a total outlaw,
or a rock’n’roll star, just follow your heart. That’s what “Break the Chains”
is about, it’s about personal freedom. Following your intuition and your heart.
To be whatever you want to be. I was just a kid who dreamed. There’s not too
many people up there giving you a positive word. There’s all this negativity
coming down. They have to fantasize because the reality is made so miserable
for them. I see a lot of people now; they just want to escape. But I figure the
real thing to do is just make it better so you can be in reality and feel good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How
do you propose to do that?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: I think I’m already doing it through the best methods I can. If people
will get our record and check out some of the political inserts and some of the
information there, pass the information along, and just become more
well-informed about the fact that there is a media conspiracy in this country.
Bankers own Marshall Amps, own ABC’s studios, own Hollywood, own all the
newspaper chains, own just about everything except fanzines. Which are pure.
Just the way, like, a lot of the new bands are real and pure, and that’s why I
love them. I’ve had interviews for big papers where they said, “This part is
too hot. Take it out. Leave in this nice part here. Leave in this stupid part
here, this joke here.” Then fuck the whole thing, ‘cause if I can’t say
something that means something to me, then why say anything at all? … Along
with the real punk bands, and the real New Wave bands in the late ‘70s, was
this immense network of fanzines crossing the country. There’s still quite a
few of them. We got a list of 3000 of them with our record. Maybe 50 went out
of business within that time, but a couple of new ones started. And to me,
that’s where I find out about the censored bands, the local bands, the real
stuff going on. They don’t wanna give me big money for stuff yet, but they’re
gonna have to pretty soon, ‘cause I won’t shut up and I won’t disappear. Not
unless they actually try to assassinate me or something, which they won’t do
because I’m too strong. I won’t stand for it. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s not just me. There are a lot of people coming up now that just
aren’t going to disappear, that are positive. And I think it’s really going to
start turning the tide, because people, even if their minds say, “Yeah, let’s
shoot junk because so-and-so there is so cool, and this-and-that. Let’s snort
speed and do all this stuff,” their inside animal, their intuition does not
want that, even if their minds want to do it. If someone starts speaking to
their inside animal – this is like, magic stuff, and it’s saying, “Be strong,
be healthy. Be who you want to be. Really realize your fuckin’ dreams.” The
animal says, “Do that, do that. Try it.” ‘Cause I find the more I follow my intuition,
the happier I feel. Our record is being played in 40 states now, just by our independent
efforts. Features all across the country. It’s being played in Buenos Aries,
London – I think it’s tremendously exciting that this can be done
independently. Independent records are really the healthiest thing in the whole
industry. It’s the same as the fanzines; it’s made of the people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTpJzE7AZrppa-36DP_diUF0vtOJWU_dX2po0XFBVbbJ2zj17so9zkebuNAG_rouZgnzCJ17Ft0CBc8AiUuMhQp_3Wt2G873gYDFU4J7hhSxeN9kydr52JEcIvpnZNa9LTuJlEjCuuYO4a20NM0ZqyYC6VxJxeog1hB_ZEo4R4zAuIvJX_EV3k34ClaQ=s595" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="595" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTpJzE7AZrppa-36DP_diUF0vtOJWU_dX2po0XFBVbbJ2zj17so9zkebuNAG_rouZgnzCJ17Ft0CBc8AiUuMhQp_3Wt2G873gYDFU4J7hhSxeN9kydr52JEcIvpnZNa9LTuJlEjCuuYO4a20NM0ZqyYC6VxJxeog1hB_ZEo4R4zAuIvJX_EV3k34ClaQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: So,
you would say your record was a success.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: Absolutely. I think it was an artistic success because we put out the
image, and the music, and the songs that we chose. We did it at an ultra-budget
price with real good technology. We had wonderful people working on it. It’s
getting played on some 150,000-watt stations, which compares with the Pat
Benatar sound, or whatever shlock they get paid to play. I think the fact that
it’s getting played in 40 states, is a tremendous success for us. And now, a
year after its release, it’s still being picked up as a new add by maybe 5-10
stations a week that we know of. We haven’t made a fortune out of it, but we
sold out the first pressing, and we’re pretty well into the second pressing
now. I hope I’m not naive and that it hasn’t peaked yet. The way I look at it,
it’s going to bring us a lot of success. As an independent, it’s gotten good
out there. We got fantastic reviews cross-country. In fact, we’ve got response
from radio stations that said they weren’t even going to listen to the record
because they thought the reviews were all hype, ‘cause nobody had an EP with
six great songs on it. Then they write us these letters: “Fuckin’-A. I didn’t
believe the reviews ‘cause they seemed like a hype, but the record is great and
we’re playing all six cuts.” We did a taped interview by [scene photographer
and writer] Mariah Aguiar (d. 2005) that has been on 30 radio stations across
the country, and we have a request for that quite regularly. In fact, I’m going
to do a syndication radio show that’ll be on about 15 radio stations on the
East Coast in April. It’s a new show, coming out of New Brunswick, New Jersey.
And the college stations, where they are not programmed to play only this and
only that, we’ve had tremendous success because … they </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">like</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> it. And that’s the young
people. That’s fine with me. I hope we hit all the people. I think we got a
real good start. I think we’re doing real well. I’m hoping to win the lottery
so I can make another record. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Laughs] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’m ready. Joe Bouchard (bassist for Blue Oyster Cult) wants to produce
it again. The same engineer (Corky Stasiak) wants to do it. They’re really
tremendously excited that what could have been a dinky project has won them a
tremendous amount of acclaim, too. It was Joe’s first outing as a producer, and
he’s getting all kinds of kudos, so he’s ready for the next one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How
is this band different from your previous two?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: Well, I always like to think that as I progressed as a singer and a
writer, my musicians have just gotten better and better. I think that this band
[Jack Rigg, guitar, who currently works with Bouchard as writer and composer;
Orville Davis, bass, has gone country; Paul Garisto, drums, is a
session/touring musician including with the Psychedelic Furs and Iggy Pop –
RBF, 1983/2022] has the most variety, musically. It’s not all, like 4/4, heavy
metal or something. I think everybody feels a real freedom with their
creativity. We’ll write a lot of songs and boot out most of them and just keep
what seems kind of golden and special to us. Songs that we all like. I really
don’t think we have any boring songs. And I certainly never get bored on stage.
I think it’s the best band by far that I’ve ever had. I love the rhythms. There
are so much more unusual rhythms, and it’s challenged me to write in many new
ways. Like, now I’m writing a lot more as we’re writing the music, rather than
writing a poem and setting it to music. It’s more of a give and take product. I
think I’m doing my best writing now than I ever did in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Do
you think that you’re playing with guns and knives on stage promotes violence?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: No. Certainly no more than television does. I think a lot less. What it
does is promote an image that people are little bit afraid of, which is the
armed and dangerous woman. I think it’s an important cultural image to put out,
and that’s one reason to do it, because of the “weaker sex” bullshit. … When
people are hassling everyone else on the street, as I pass by, they say, “DT
ticket,” which means, “Don’t Touch.” That means you don’t fuck around with this
person because this person knows themselves, and looks a little weird. See, I
don’t believe in gun control, because the way that things have gotten, all the
bad guys have guns. They buy a Saturday night special for $25. Why shouldn’t I
have a gun to protect my house? I don’t think it invites trouble. The same as
bodybuilding. I think it gives a different image of womanhood for the ‘80s,
that a woman is not passive. People don’t think of women as fighting back. If
they did, they wouldn’t fuck around with them so much. Nobody fuckin’ touches
me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_AB5oYDE-DsMvZtI4y13F5O9jXWuojMSRdVVNQ0rCA8flGRyOEK-969YGap5Ggvwzdw5vFWCJvBZKbiafjh4UZNGfcin6T5BEqD83fQO1S0SpIh9Kuqadwhjv34zDdsNb9Rhstrq1iB0Rj6YAvI6b9jjvz6jQJlfQN8vPDw5xM3HLoInZkxhUWxsZQ=s809" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="559" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis_AB5oYDE-DsMvZtI4y13F5O9jXWuojMSRdVVNQ0rCA8flGRyOEK-969YGap5Ggvwzdw5vFWCJvBZKbiafjh4UZNGfcin6T5BEqD83fQO1S0SpIh9Kuqadwhjv34zDdsNb9Rhstrq1iB0Rj6YAvI6b9jjvz6jQJlfQN8vPDw5xM3HLoInZkxhUWxsZQ=s320" width="221" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Are you
trained in any of the martial arts?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: No, but I wouldn’t mind being. It’s not something I would put out of my
mind. Bodybuilding is one way of making myself strong and I might be interested
in doing that. … Although the ultimate defense is a .45. It’s the same as
pressing 125-plus pounds. When I can press 180 pounds, then if a 180-pound man
starts to attack me, I’d be able to pick him up and throw him against the wall,
and break his head. That’s what I see is a great use for that. When you can do
pushups on your fingertips, you can put your finger right through somebody’s
throat, or you pump out their eyeball, they won’t bother you. If you’re strong
enough to rip their nose off their face, that’s great. To me, it’s holy. It’s
kind of an art, to make yourself strong and whole. I am very spiritual. To me,
I’m one with nature. That’s </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">my</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> goddess. And nature demands me to be the strongest, most intelligent,
most creative being that I could possibly be. To do the most with my life. To
me, that’s living an entirely spiritual life. Just to be the fullest human
being that I could be. If I’m not writing songs, I’m managing the band, or
working and doing something for bucks, or sewing my costume. I believe in doing
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">everything</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> related to my life. I’m a great cook, you know? I enjoy every aspect
of living. I really try to. Even if you feel shitty, there’s something good you
can get out of it. Read a book or something. It’s just a matter of keeping your
mind alive. And not being discouraged by all the shit that’s in the world. I
can’t stress the media conspiracy enough, because they want to put us down.
They really want powerless people. The same thing with gun control. That’s the
second amendment. There must be an armed militia of the people to keep the
Constitution in line for when all these scumbags in Washington are changing the
immigration laws and doing all this stuff that is destroying our country. We
must have an armed populace that has the brains – and they don’t get the brains
from eating Wonder Bread – that can take care of themselves. What they’re doing
with all this shitty food to these kids now is terrifying, because we’re
getting a new generation of nutrition. That’s something people should be
immensely aware of, just taking care of their bodies and their minds. Plus,
it’s like a suicide country, if you just let it tumble down the way it’s going.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How
do you think we can change that?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: By becoming more well-informed, by watching our own personal health and
strength, by finding out what we are guaranteed in our freedoms and making sure
we get those guarantees. That’s what this country is built on, is the
Constitution/Bill of Rights. And that’s what gives us the right to rock’n’roll.
The right to express ourselves and to speak out about what we really believe
in. From the selfish standpoint of an artist, I would do anything to protect
the freedoms of this country, because they would have killed me in Russia. They
would have put me in jail 15 years ago, just for being an outlaw, let alone
singing rock’n’roll. Because I won’t be told what to do. I really believe in
that for everyone: self-determination. And I think that people are hungry for a
positive, American message. I’m fuckin’ sick of the British Invasion, which
never ended since the Beatles, and then try to pummulgate it into everyone’s
minds here that the Brit bands are the good bands, because they’re the ones in
the media. They’re the ones getting $3,000 when we get $300 or something.
People say, “Why don’t you go over to England and make it big over there, and
then come back?” That’s the last resort, because I’m American and I’d really
like to make it in my own country first. I wouldn’t mind doing well over there,
too, because fans are fans. They have to clear the songs with the BBC, you know.
I mean, it’s not a Communist country, but there’s a lot of political repression
there. And to me, most of them are neo-disco (and) it’s all this synthesizer
hype bands – and it’s all phony. And I really resent it that our media and our
people are slobbering over all the English stuff. There’s thousands of great
American bands here that are not getting a chance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You
can hardly get a gig at a major club in New York on a weekend unless you open
for a British band.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <br />
Helen: I’ve got everything going against me: I’m a chick, I’m white, I’m real
American. I’m not a commie, I’m not gay, I play rock’n’roll – they don’t want
me, but I’m not going away. … But I try to keep a positive thing going. Most of
the people that are rockin’, they just wanna rock, and bless them. May nature
bless them and let them rock. It’s the healthiest thing they can do.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9S_JMwsD33TOOkFGo2ePlkRPAJNPrw7ciVXbfA-qIYuiTmC0VdYkP_otlUORXOL400DzF5j865cW3TCy3uk_RdTGxb5y-6P0qSv3VHKSuZYQAX_QkaPBTkb3Q7cQscV7uonyWvVVVEuI7tUXV8TZSLWZry9zwWfPtNlyTDIh5ts8w8JCM6F3sxy8J6Q=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1021" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9S_JMwsD33TOOkFGo2ePlkRPAJNPrw7ciVXbfA-qIYuiTmC0VdYkP_otlUORXOL400DzF5j865cW3TCy3uk_RdTGxb5y-6P0qSv3VHKSuZYQAX_QkaPBTkb3Q7cQscV7uonyWvVVVEuI7tUXV8TZSLWZry9zwWfPtNlyTDIh5ts8w8JCM6F3sxy8J6Q=s320" width="319" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When it came
time to publish the article in its original form, I told Helen I was going to
make it into the two-page center. She hand-created a beautiful piece of illustration
as a border, after I gave her the dimensions, which I used, of course. It was
not boring.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Looking back
in hindsight from 2022, I wonder what Helen would make of the modern, Internet-informed,
COVID-infested, anti-vaccination, White Nationalist groups, “fake news,” post-Trump,
and post-1/6 insurrection America. Unfortunately, we will never know. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 1996, Helen
moved to Ithaca, New York, and after a stint as a trainer and opening up her
own small press imprint, she became a member of the band Skeleton Crew and was
recording a new album (</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen Wheels and the
Skeleton Crew</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">).</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen went into Ithaca
Hospital for some corrective back surgery, having hurt it over a decade before,
caught an infection, and passed away on January 27, 2000, at the age of 50.
Maybe her goddess was lovingly trying to protect her from learning about 9/11,
nearly two years later.. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wa1pWXvcIsk" width="320" youtube-src-id="Wa1pWXvcIsk"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UBQwr26gwBk" width="320" youtube-src-id="UBQwr26gwBk"></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 170.65pt;">
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T_NCoWnIlEk" width="320" youtube-src-id="T_NCoWnIlEk"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-56021252916997706852022-09-25T16:44:00.041-04:002022-09-28T15:53:11.495-04:00Documentary Review: Anvil! The Story of Anvil! Restored and Returning Again!<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Images from the Internet</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIbZY-uIggul4oNkf7LnBezAhw5_ErPVtL2fYm1M_jXg261-Y7sdoiKH5Fu2Cp7cfaL9oafdKk1PlwIbjX8gtOyJ7uIcFRyoxmnhqcdMu-6-Oitq8IvN0tL82-4fheqJ0Mdo6d7Eu_hf5bu0apggzZNXvzD-MaIITdGjVjs1eyXIk7VpNMh9s0GFSZQ/s475/6986110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIbZY-uIggul4oNkf7LnBezAhw5_ErPVtL2fYm1M_jXg261-Y7sdoiKH5Fu2Cp7cfaL9oafdKk1PlwIbjX8gtOyJ7uIcFRyoxmnhqcdMu-6-Oitq8IvN0tL82-4fheqJ0Mdo6d7Eu_hf5bu0apggzZNXvzD-MaIITdGjVjs1eyXIk7VpNMh9s0GFSZQ/w265-h400/6986110.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Anvil! The
Story of Anvil! Restored and Returning Again</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
Directed by Sacha Gervasi </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Utopia; Portobello
Electric; Abramorama<br />
80 minutes, 2008 / 2022<br />
<a href="http://www.anvilthestoryofanvil.com/">www.anvilthestoryofanvil.com/</a><br /></span></i></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.anvilmetal.com/">www.anvilmetal.com</a> (to purchase recordings and merch)</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">I will be honest with
you: when the film was first released in 2008 or 2009, I didn’t see it. I was
in the process of moving to Canada by sheer coincidence, as the band is from Ontario,
so my time was otherwise occupied dealing with packing and governmental
hoo-haa. It is worth noting, even with me not seeing it then, the film is tied
for 6th place as one of the highest rated documentaries of all time on Rotten
Tomatoes.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, 13 years after its initial release to great
fanfare and attendance, the film is now being rereleased (as <i>Anvil</i>), and
I have the good fortune to get the chance to review it. To be further honest, I’m
not a dyed-in-the-wool metal fan. There are metal bands I like (The Dictators,
for example), and certainly a lot of Canadian Bands of the late ‘70s (Teenage
Head, The Diodes, Forgotten Rebels, etc.), but it is interesting how this is
kind of a mix-up of both those styles.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-roplUD3HaSEX4ecZxL2DTi5kooH6kbb7Mq47xvs5fA2IigBM_cRnv-4GzHsdCmpO6P26yOEJwNXjDNhH3Q7VtwklmvFiFpmmILj3Yp4PBgCJAiSPLdbWrWcPws4QFoLWa0ULysdDZXowa9kktObxgGmguj9BxfmNsbC4yJ5D30GpCqGFSZyerWANlg/s225/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-roplUD3HaSEX4ecZxL2DTi5kooH6kbb7Mq47xvs5fA2IigBM_cRnv-4GzHsdCmpO6P26yOEJwNXjDNhH3Q7VtwklmvFiFpmmILj3Yp4PBgCJAiSPLdbWrWcPws4QFoLWa0ULysdDZXowa9kktObxgGmguj9BxfmNsbC4yJ5D30GpCqGFSZyerWANlg/w320-h320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For a while in the late ‘70s to early ‘80s, Anvil was
at the top of their game, being highly influential on a number of bands at the
time due to their 1982 album <i>Metal on Metal</i> (which I have never heard to-date),
such as Lemmy (d. 2015) of Motörhead, Slash of Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Anthrax,
and even Metallica, all of whom are represented in the documentary. And how did
a band that went up to almost famous be so influential? Think of the Beach Boys’
original <i>Smile </i>album, and how it had an effect on the likes of the
Beatles <i>Sgt. Pepper’s</i> or, to some extent, Simon & Garfunkel’s <i>Bookends.</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">While there are other
members of the band who are represented here, the main focus is on vocalist/guitarist
Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer/painter Robb Reiner, who have been
friends since childhood. They struck it to the “almost” dial of fame, ending up
being a cult band (you know the expression: “A musician’s musician”).</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">The film is broken up
in to a number of unofficial chapters. For example, there are many short
interviews with some of the (2008 and still, now) top in their field metal
musicians, many of whom I have mentioned above.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite all the <i>mishigas</i>,
here is a certain level of joy that permeates the film, thanks to the director,
Sacha Gervasi, who is not only friends with the principals, but was also the
band’s roadie during their heyday. We see Lips and Robb in their relatively lower
middle class day jobs that they seem to be happy with, and their spouses who
put up with them. For me, one of my favorite things is that while Gervasi
present Top-Level musicians that are fans of Anvil, they also show the joy of
Lips and Robb as they meet other musicians, such as Carmine Appise, Tommy Aldridge,
and a very somber Michael Schenker (who comes across as confused as to who Lips
is), sometimes chasing after them to say hello at stadium-level gigs. It’s quite
touching.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-ZMjfQ-qeUEI0vqUt3q-ucn-4_XOAVG4E392qxSDdg0bbR4X7fHQhN-r1PS4sG7bwmCNnbHqTZ-voUBkCDR5_wq9aLy-ps7eNveFEwWHHqvz7rfw9i8mJe00HgcVp3G8Vcr5WHxp4ccVF1HkqDq-bnCoN-sjR4C535E6RQAOjFPhBd08H-3vQf4Xbg/s1529/Anvil_-_Steve_%E2%80%9ELips%E2%80%9C_Kudlow_%E2%80%93_Headbangers_Open_Air_2014_07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-ZMjfQ-qeUEI0vqUt3q-ucn-4_XOAVG4E392qxSDdg0bbR4X7fHQhN-r1PS4sG7bwmCNnbHqTZ-voUBkCDR5_wq9aLy-ps7eNveFEwWHHqvz7rfw9i8mJe00HgcVp3G8Vcr5WHxp4ccVF1HkqDq-bnCoN-sjR4C535E6RQAOjFPhBd08H-3vQf4Xbg/s320/Anvil_-_Steve_%E2%80%9ELips%E2%80%9C_Kudlow_%E2%80%93_Headbangers_Open_Air_2014_07.jpg" width="251" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">The documentary really
picks up with Lips and Reiner (along with another version of a cobbled together
band…let’s face it, no matter who backs them up, Anvil is Lips and Reiner) when
the film starts in the second act, as Anvil begins a month-long tour of Europe,
set up by their tour manager, Tiziana Arrigoni, that does not <i>quiiiiite</i>
go as expected. Right from the start, they are unable to board the train to
take them to their second gig, and they have to find other means. This is just
the start of an almost <i>This is Spinal Tap</i>-esque (1984) level of a state
of confusion and roadblocks. The big festivals go somewhat smoothly, but when
they play smaller clubs and travel from one to another, that where the issues
arise, as they do with any touring band at the club level (I recommend Henry
Rollins’ 1994 book, <i>Get in the Van </i>for a view of touring life).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCFRA7ewgf6kK2p0jxzemkX4HLD95dhLl5LUwunyqYnaY2j6rypQDWXBTKHNTP9ibYTg5lN8xgN7UeGuGllaccTqi3ZdBSObM1w6XGNB0Zo_f4ETG52IJijZzmhbWM5YjPhCJfTFtMgj82sBLzMY9mGFJHf6AB_P0QWggZOS1ua7Zf2Q2KUkQ0ulG1w/s640/ab67616d0000b273b373f822ea9e39ed1b4730cd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCFRA7ewgf6kK2p0jxzemkX4HLD95dhLl5LUwunyqYnaY2j6rypQDWXBTKHNTP9ibYTg5lN8xgN7UeGuGllaccTqi3ZdBSObM1w6XGNB0Zo_f4ETG52IJijZzmhbWM5YjPhCJfTFtMgj82sBLzMY9mGFJHf6AB_P0QWggZOS1ua7Zf2Q2KUkQ0ulG1w/w320-h320/ab67616d0000b273b373f822ea9e39ed1b4730cd.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the next larger
section of the film, while in their 50s, Lips and Robb decided to record their
13th album, appropriately titled <i>This is</i> <i>Thirteen</i> (2007; currently,
they have 19). Hoping for lightening to strike twice, they hire the same well-known
producer of the <i>Metal on Metal</i> album from decades before, British Chris
Tsangarides (d. 2018), a Grammy winner who has worked with the likes of Thin
Lizzy, Judas Priest, and Yngwie Malmsteen). The issue is raising the thousands
of dollars it would cost, and the flights.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">As much as this is a
story of a band on the roller coaster ride of fame, it is also about different
types of family: for example, it focuses in on relations and spouses and how
they deal with being married to someone who has a laser vision dream outside
the family; the other is the brotherhood of Robb and Lips, two nice Jewish boys
who have known each other since they were mid-teens, and yet get along better
than those other two nice Jewish boys from Queens, Simon & Garfunkel.
Sometime they fight like, well, other families, but they both know that their
entire dreams and lives are dependent on each other, and it runs deeper than an
argument (even when it comes to fisticuffs, as Robb explains about a necklace
his father gave him).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPw2rMLRCkOlW_0LyYYql0D6vWVHd4IccJqVYvHiteucuQyQ42N0TS4OzZtZ944keX7p-LDhMc4GzN3zk159ebGDDeO89kInVDoBXzpsYiyTAtQhM-90qcR5WyK9ncRj3cybx3U7wIw7JOc-XIMpr0iZO-EIyvW_BR1UfG5pbvjhI-GPG78mb26L6KA/s2296/Anvil_backstage_at_the_2010_Independent_Spirit_Awards.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2286" data-original-width="2296" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPw2rMLRCkOlW_0LyYYql0D6vWVHd4IccJqVYvHiteucuQyQ42N0TS4OzZtZ944keX7p-LDhMc4GzN3zk159ebGDDeO89kInVDoBXzpsYiyTAtQhM-90qcR5WyK9ncRj3cybx3U7wIw7JOc-XIMpr0iZO-EIyvW_BR1UfG5pbvjhI-GPG78mb26L6KA/w320-h319/Anvil_backstage_at_the_2010_Independent_Spirit_Awards.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">I can understand why
this film is so beloved. It is both moving and jaw dropping when it comes to the
level of angst they go through just in the day-to-day to try and see the fruition
of their dreams. This makes it very heartening to the spirit of the viewer.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">The film has been rereleased to 200 theaters in North America, included limited
extended runs. If you manage to catch it, there will be an added 18-minue filmed
interview with Lips, Robb and the director, Gervasi. Also, it is available for digital pre-order on iTunes and Vudu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">IMBD Listing <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1157605/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0"><i>HERE</i> </a></span></span></p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CjjOFeHdOjw" width="320" youtube-src-id="CjjOFeHdOjw"></iframe></div><br />Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-18791783307818930682022-09-15T03:00:00.032-04:002022-09-15T03:00:00.209-04:00RBF’s Eclectic Excitement Playlist: Other Music Edition – September 2022<p><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">RBF’s Eclectic
Excitement Playlist: Other Music Edition – September 2022</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br />
Images from the Internet<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This edition of the playlist are songs that tend to
be considered Other Music, as they don’t necessarily fit comfortably in a
category. Most of these artists have the delusion that what they are doing is
mainstream and palpable to the general public, but it’s more a cult following
that is interested. This is different from just odd stuff like Barnes and
Barnes “Fish Heads,’ the Residents’ “Satisfaction,” or Christopher Milk’s “Locomotion”
in that these three, for example, were purposefully made to be odd, whereas
Other Music is more organic to the artist’s style. What I find surprising is
how many of the tunes below are actually on major labels, perhaps as loss
leaders? Despite my brief comments, I am interested in listening to the obscure
music arena than prattling on about it <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The songs are listed alphabetically by first letter
of the artist or group and not in a
“ratings” order. Art is subjective, so I hope you like these as much as I enjoy
them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Note: There is no advertising on this page, so I
will not be making anything off the work of others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 115.6pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Edith
Massey<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Big Girls
Don’t Cry” / “Punks Get Off the Grass”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Egg
Records</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The “Egg
Lady” from John Waters’ <i>Pink Flamingos</i> was as bad a singer as she was an
actor, but man, she had personality. She was celebrated and integrated into the
punk scene down at Max’s, so this single, both sides of which are on this
video, makes so much sense. The cover of the Four Seasons’ classic is straight
out of the Heartbreakers’ playbook, and the flip reminds me of Cherry Vanilla’s
“The Punk,” but from an older perspective. Both songs are ridiculous and fun. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aQBqaXUwzDU" width="320" youtube-src-id="aQBqaXUwzDU"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Gloria Balsam<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Fluffy”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Richmond
Records</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Gloria
worked for Richmond Records back in the 1980s, and had the chance to record
this. She is a comedian, but did this straight. I loved it from the first time
I heard it, and it has a strong cult following, but it can also clear a room as
she reaches for those high notes. I never tire of this.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fedoPm6Vg9o" width="320" youtube-src-id="fedoPm6Vg9o"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">John Trubee<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“A Blind
Man’s Penis”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Only
Label in the World</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">In the
back of a country magazine in the ‘80s, Trubee had an advert that stated he
would put anyone’s original poems or lyrics to music. Someone sent in a ditty
called “Stevie Wonder’s Penis.” Wisely, the name was the only thing Trubee
changed, and was born a psychedelic punk country song that was pure gold.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7vFFewvHwEY" width="320" youtube-src-id="7vFFewvHwEY"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Legendary Stardust Cowboy<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Paralyzed”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Mercury
Records</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">I still
remember hearing this 45 for the first time at a friend’s house when we were in
high school in the early 1970s. I couldn’t quite grasp what I liked about it,
having been mostly a folkie before then, but its energy and off-beat
drumming/trumpet just kept it getting weirder and weirder. Now I find the song
kind of relaxing, in an odd way, as I came to appreciate its punk
sensibilities.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9EEZAivzl1Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="9EEZAivzl1Q"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Mrs. Miller<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Green Tambourine”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Capitol Records</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Mrs.
Miller’s high, vibrato voice first came to notice in the film <i>The Cool Ones</i>
(1967), where she sang the standard, “It’s Magic.” This is the number she is
most known for, but her cover of the Lemon Pipers is mind-boggling. She seems
to be playing over the actual tracks for the original song, and she definitely
gives it her all.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XBmR1skSQKg" width="320" youtube-src-id="XBmR1skSQKg"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Sam Chalpin<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Leader of
the Pack”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Atco
Records</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">This elder
cantor is the father of Ed, who first recorded Jimi Hendrix. I worked for Ed
for a brief time at his studio. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam
believed he was a better singer than anyone on the Top 10 at the time, so Ed
had him sing along to some background tracks and created pure magic. Sam’s
version of “Satisfaction” is better known, but I’ve always like this one
better.<br /><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ps13F9_eeY0" width="320" youtube-src-id="ps13F9_eeY0"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Shaggs<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“My Pal
Foot Foot”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Light in
the Attic</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">This quad
of sisters are, without question, the queens of Other Music. No sense of
rhythm, melody or lyric form, they coalesce into something new and different,
that is both disturbing and enjoyable at the same time. Their album, <i>Philosophy
of the World</i>, is packed solid with attitude and being off-key.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k5T2kaFiFgg" width="320" youtube-src-id="k5T2kaFiFgg"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Tiny Tim, </span></b><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Gary Lawrence and His
Sizzling Syncopators</span></b><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Do Ya
Think I’m Sexy”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Vo-Do-De-O-Do</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Sure, Tiny
Tim is widely known for his falsetto renderings of standards like “Tip Toe
Through the Tulip,” which made him famous, but his later, modernization as it
were, was equally bizarre in another direction, such as this Rod Stewart cover.
It was for an MTV promo and is an attempt at “straight” radio. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gz-RNe7xoVI" width="320" youtube-src-id="gz-RNe7xoVI"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Wild Man Fischer<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Merry Go Round”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Bizarre
Records/Reprise Records</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Larry
Fischer was a street guy who found his way into Frank Zappa’s prevue, and Frank
took him under his wing to record him. Whether Zappa was serious or messing
around with the guy, Larry took it very sincerely, leading to a rift between
Fischer and the Zappa empire to this day. But the music is bubbly if crackling,
and the songs total nonsense. But that is what is the charm.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CHqR1Rql5r8" width="320" youtube-src-id="CHqR1Rql5r8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-10530843690315932602022-09-05T03:00:00.051-04:002022-09-05T03:00:00.211-04:00 King of Skeptics: An Interview with JONATHAN KING (1981)<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1981/2022<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitPL97iErRZ82yAi-Gtmmgtbx2bAmPjmfQh029ZF6l9ugK2aTVrDV13PPEuv2BsnFHZHg0NpZYfW5RXt9rcQPCauxxjLM64bXCQi8fc5bpZfwTiWsZ64JL2q1bu3yD_mE0MS556iV3P_vTRyVN088IHLzxJ5YWQXIArtmqR8d8indeL1Dbcr4zRzId8A=s634" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="634" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitPL97iErRZ82yAi-Gtmmgtbx2bAmPjmfQh029ZF6l9ugK2aTVrDV13PPEuv2BsnFHZHg0NpZYfW5RXt9rcQPCauxxjLM64bXCQi8fc5bpZfwTiWsZ64JL2q1bu3yD_mE0MS556iV3P_vTRyVN088IHLzxJ5YWQXIArtmqR8d8indeL1Dbcr4zRzId8A=w400-h297" width="400" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One afternoon
while sitting and chatting in her Times Square office with former National
Publicity Director for Sire Records Janis Schacht, about life and the Ramones,
she suggested I might be interested in interviewing a local-based, London-bred
acerbic talk radio host, Jonathan King. This is the same, Jonathan King, it
turns out, who had the hit in the 1960s with “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon,” a
treacly yet enjoyable pop number. Sure, why not?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It seems his
career had actually been much more expansive than I had imagined. When I told
her I was impressed, she looked at me hard and explained that King did not like
people who just liked him solely based on the criteria that they like his
music. I decided to take a more offensive tone rather than defensive or
placating one when we talked.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I grabbed
video editor Alan Abramowitz. As it turns out, having Alan along worked out
well, because it seemed Alan, being young and blond, was just Jonathan’s type.
Alan, being the straight blade innocent that he was, had no idea of Jonathan’s
flirtation, especially before and after the interview proper. It was quite
amusing to watch the dynamics of the situation. It also put Jonathan in a
playful enough mood to have fun during the interview.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes, I am
totally aware of what Jonathan King has been accused and do not condone it,
though he insists on his innocence. However, this interview took place decades
before his arrest, and concerns interesting aspects of the music industry, so I
believe it has merit in publication<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This interview
was published in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen, </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No 7, dated 1981.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHzoJtAUMn044haVzxcm-8IWvEfNb0a8Wb888koo3lyUYDVIjl8hLEGeZqxBxYr63xV8s4pDAxupqwZ_RTR-34YCnVkiYadPZDAxgcBbP1vIQifZLDL5ZPWaj9M-0BzvU83NlgkgrIOc0QKGxDTs45aVEXR3lEgKKqRio6CoDheFDneNKRjslwcFqt-Q=s615" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="615" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHzoJtAUMn044haVzxcm-8IWvEfNb0a8Wb888koo3lyUYDVIjl8hLEGeZqxBxYr63xV8s4pDAxupqwZ_RTR-34YCnVkiYadPZDAxgcBbP1vIQifZLDL5ZPWaj9M-0BzvU83NlgkgrIOc0QKGxDTs45aVEXR3lEgKKqRio6CoDheFDneNKRjslwcFqt-Q=s320" width="320" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King of Skeptics: An Interview with Jonathan King</span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I wanna catch phrase<br />
I wanna start a craze<br />
I wanna gimmick<br />
I wanna hit<br />
I’m just a poor boy<br />
With a song and a smile<br />
And not just another<br />
Shallow entertainer<br />
– Neil Innes (d. 2019)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There is no doubt that
Jonathan King knows what he wants and, more importantly, knows how to get it.
His past is a perfect example of that. While at Cambridge, he had his first hit
record, “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon,” in 1965. Since then, under a variety of
names, he has had hit after hit on the charts in England – if not as an artist,
then as a producer, having introduced such groups as 10cc, Genesis, the Bay
City Rollers, and the original theater production of </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rocky Horror Show</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Despite all his success in
England, King has never “made it” here in America, but he is determined to
break this market. Since coming over last year, he was offered the temporary
job as DJ on WMCA-AM, a talk-oriented show featuring guests and call-ins. And
from this stepping stone, he hopes to take over the musical direction of a FM
station and create a monster success. And if anyone can do it, as past
experience has shown, Jonathan King can.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But the question is, is
King part of the solution or the problem? His idea of a New Wave station
utilizes a commercial format, playing the same records over and over, much as
Top-40 stations do now. Whether this is good or bad is a debatable point – but
most likely it is commercially viable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The following interview
took place at the old UK Records headquarters in midtown Manhattan in December
1980. Though the interview spanned a mere half-hour, more was said than during
an average hour-long discussion. King knows his mind and speaks it very
quickly, often embroidering his points considerably.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8_7LVtEeS--APzA-xbP7iue5H0DP7spelwvgGU1_udwPlu9ay_iV_R2NGReyfFxsry78b-NzLKU5SvLeI_3gL-qdvZo0_gkt1fO0HZ8oKqRmJmQokl14y0fuYxGqFXflIuscbddSF2mlaf_DCklxz3GDZmwF9uVMZCrct7H-AVY6xqDR9O6YdXYzzwA=s332" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8_7LVtEeS--APzA-xbP7iue5H0DP7spelwvgGU1_udwPlu9ay_iV_R2NGReyfFxsry78b-NzLKU5SvLeI_3gL-qdvZo0_gkt1fO0HZ8oKqRmJmQokl14y0fuYxGqFXflIuscbddSF2mlaf_DCklxz3GDZmwF9uVMZCrct7H-AVY6xqDR9O6YdXYzzwA=w212-h320" width="212" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jonathan King </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[glancing at the cover of an issue of </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">] “Rock and roll with
integrity?” But I have no integrity whatsoever. What am I doing in this place?
I would be in the “no integrity section”<br />
FFanzeen: Okay, I’ll be in the back.<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: I’d prefer the front cover, please. I’m
prettier than all these people<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Not
Ronnie Spector</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<br />
King: Ronnie Spector. Oh, well. Anyway, yes, right. </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[FF stammers
over question, King turns to Alan] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He can’t ask the questions cos he’s gazing at me with such love and
admiration, never having met anyone so intellectually and physically beautiful
in his life before; his eyes are gazing at me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I
still prefer Ronnie Spector.<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: Don’t worry. Phil Spector felt the same
way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: “Una
Paloma Blanca” is really a miserable song.<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: Awful<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: But
it was a big hit for you in England. Did you record it simply because you knew
you’d make a lot of money from it? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: No, it’s really hard to explain – or it
should be hard to explain. There are creative buzzes of various kinds, and I
get a great buzz creating something which is commercial and appeals to a lot of
people, and which people like. Therefore, I got a great creative buzz out of
making a record which had come up and flopped in England, improved it
commercially, and producing a final product which was a large hit. One of the biggest
hits of the year in Britain. I do get great enjoyment. You don’t have to only
get enjoyment in the music business by creating something marvelous. You can
get it from promoting something, from marketing something, from selling
something, in various different ways, and it gave me a great creative buzz to
make a hit record out of “Una Paloma Blanca,” although I never liked it myself
as a piece of product.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What’s
the story on Blue Swede and your “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNLo7OzNd_Q" target="_blank">Hooked on a Feeling</a>.” <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: Well, “Hooked on a Feeling” was a
record I did like. I had a hit with it in England and around Europe and, as you
know, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q0UTFq-o-o" target="_blank">Blue Swede</a> did steal it, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">made an almost identical copy </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[you remember:
“Oogha-chaga, oogha-chaga in 1974 – RBF, 1981]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, and had a Number One here in America, simply because my record was
not promoted and marketed here. [My version] came out on London Records which,
then, was virtually the equivalent of a morgue, as far as records were
concerned, went on to remain the same, unfortunately, and therefore killed a
number of my acts and bands. But I think it got lost for that one reason. The
Blue Swede record came out on Capitol, which was run by Al Coury (d. 2013), who
now runs RSO Records and got that complete marketing and promotion treatment.
In a way, it was flashing to me, because it showed me that I did make the right
record in the first place; it just got lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: A
lot of your songs can be considered “novelty records.” Don’t you ever want to
be taken seriously? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: I never want to be taken seriously. I
never take anyone else seriously, either. There’s no point in taking anything
seriously, when we can all be wiped out by a meteor landing on the Earth three
seconds after somebody has read this article. So, I don’t believe in taking
things seriously at all. I believe in having a lot of fun. I’ve done certain
things that one could take seriously if one wanted to, ranging from discovering
Genesis, or </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Rocky Horror Show</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, or 10cc, or any of the other more creative bands I’ve discovered, to
some of my more creative recordings, like “Hooked on a Feeling” or “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD51MJXfV4Y" target="_blank">Satisfaction</a>”
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by Bubblerock, which is one of my better records. No, I don’t expect
people to sit down and start essays in </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The New York
Times</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> about the brilliance of my musical
metabolism; I don’t want that at all. I just want people to buy my records in
bulk, have fun, like the bands I find, like the artists I discover – and I
don’t take life seriously at any time. The moment you start doing that, you’re
open for unhappiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Why
don’t you perform live? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: I performed live sporadically, until I
had my first hit </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[“Everyone’s Gone to
the Moon – RBF, 1981], </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and I never really liked
it. I felt uneasy on stage. I’m not a performer. My greatest talent in the
music industry is probably as a producer. I know how to find, discover, nurture
and create hit records, bands, and acts probably better than anyone else in the
world. And, he said modestly, I really like doing that. Now, I had my first
hit, and I had to make a decision: do I want to become a performer? Now, all
performers are cunts. I have a little sign hung above my bed saying, “All
Artists are Cunts.” In fact, I had dinner with Rod Steward and Britt Eklund,
and spent the entire meal saying how all artists were cunts. It took Rod the
whole meal to realize that all the analogies I was illustrating this argument
with were coming from the way he was treating Mercury/Phonogram. He finally
discovered that I was basically insulting him – during the sweet course. Rod,
being a Scotsman, is shrewd enough to realize he’s better off if he has his
meal first, before he leaves. He got up, stormed out of the restaurant and
didn’t speak to me for a year. Well, Britt and I had a good giggle about his
uptightness. I put in a few good insults at her as well. I said to her, “Oh,
Britt, isn’t it wonderful? You’re so lucky. What a coincidence that every man
in your life has had so much money.” That made Rod giggle. Anyway, all artists
being cunts, I decided I wasn’t going to be an artist. I was already a cunt. I
didn’t want to make myself more of one. To be a good performer, and to be an
artist, you really have to have an inflated opinion of yourself. You have to
project over-the-top mannerisms, style, gestures, and everything. I could have
done it. I could have learned to do it. If I’d wanted to be a rock star, in the
mid-‘60s, I could have slaved away at the boards. I have enough imagination to create
an incredible stage show. Genesis has a lot to thank me for their stage ideas.
I’m sure I could have become a rock star. How boring. Can you imagine being a
rock star? Can you imagine anything more tedious and stupid? Far more nicer for
me, who has had the chance to be a rock star, many times over, and every time
to have rejected it. Isn’t that much cooler? Elvis Costello can’t claim that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Have
you produced or recorded anything lately? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: Not much. Towards the end of 1979, as a
favor to a very dear friend of mine, Sir Edward Lewis (d. 1980), who is the
chairman/founder of Decca-London Records, I have gone back to Decca as sort of
the boss, to revive this dead corpse of a record company, which I did. And we
got a lot of records back on the chart. I had “Nights in White Satin” by the
Moody Blues on the charts for the third time in the Top 10, and a variety of
other hits on Decca. And, in fact, again, by the end of the year. Decca was
again one of the most successful companies in Britain. The reason for this is
because Sir Edward was selling the record company to Polygram, who did in fact
buy it, and he wanted to sell them something that was a positive, active,
successful entity, as opposed to a flop. It worked very well. He sold the
company, and the new company immediately approached me and asked if I would be
interested in running Phonogram/Mercury and Decca. A lot of other record
companies in Britain asked if I would be interested in running their companies
in England, and even in America. Sums of money were mentioned, ranging to the
top offer of $750,000 a year. And I looked at myself in the mirror – especially
parts of my anatomy, the most interesting little bits I can observe – and I
said, “Jonathan, do you really want to be a record executive? Here you are,
just into your early thirties. I don’t want to do something that will keep me
going for another ten years, wearing suits and ties. I would prefer to relax.
Fortunately, I have earned enough money through the bands that I’ve been
associated with over the years to be able to do whatever I want. What would I
like to do?” And I decided I would like to come to America and live in my
apartment/office, which I’ve had for ten years now in New York, and do two
things: one, cover the presidential election, because presidential politics in
America fascinates me, as do politics in England – I find them very
interesting, and two, broaden my perspective out of just the music world, but
also break into the American market because, as you know, in England, I am a
fairly well-known personality from fifteen years of doing a variety of things.
In America, apart from “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon” fifteen years ago when I
was a little seventeen-year-old teenybopper, nobody knows me and remembers me,
right? So, it’s a whole new virgin market and a difficult market to break. And
I’ve decided I’d try and do that, so I came over here to do weekly reports on
the election, called “The King of New York,” which goes out Saturday afternoons
on the BBC in Britain, and has about six or seven million listeners. I still do
that column. Then, while I was here, I was offered a guest slot on WMCA-AM,
“New York’s finest news and conversation station,” and they got good reactions,
phones went, letters poured in, so they asked if I would do the 10 to 12 morning
show on a regular basis for a while, and I thought about it and decided, yes,
why not? Because my other ambition has been, for a while, to try and shake the
bland, boring, tedious American radio station back into shape again. And I
think I’m probably the only person who can do it, cos I’m young enough to know
what the (new) music’s about, yet old enough to have had the experience and
success in the industry to have built up a good reputation, so people don’t
look at me as a lunatic. So, bearing that in mind, I’m still trying to do that.
I’ve got three FM stations on the boil at the moment. I’m trying desperately to
get one of them to allow me to move in and program a New Wave radio station for
young people who like to hear that new sound younger bands are making; people
like the Police, B-52s, Elvis Costello (and) a variety of artists that are around.
Playing that all the time, instead of what I call “Dinosaur Rock,” which WPLJ
or WNEW play, or disco, which is fine if you’re into disco, but not at all fine
if you’re not, or any other music formats around you which are very limited or
specialist. My thinking is that the 1980s AM radio is going to become more and
more talk-oriented. And FM radio is going to widen out and appeal to a broader
spectrum of the community. How nobody has ever done this before I really cannot
understand. It’s such a yawning gap in the marketplace, you would think anybody
with any brains would cater to that area, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimOW-75QifqaRzWP5Y9jySLC3_hBunIg-ov3feJDDGckPqOudRalSb9Fr77Z-yQbwLL-iUgwDRpSRbLBVSuqeXQpsoTwgllJAa5QhqaPcKIsl9mDoYJuJtmeJVig3RfHOJQAzbe8svv9VT_lhpiOvVvwvFRB2zx3h48WG5DJVDGvRcyQ2VwWXCRtnuqw=s480" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimOW-75QifqaRzWP5Y9jySLC3_hBunIg-ov3feJDDGckPqOudRalSb9Fr77Z-yQbwLL-iUgwDRpSRbLBVSuqeXQpsoTwgllJAa5QhqaPcKIsl9mDoYJuJtmeJVig3RfHOJQAzbe8svv9VT_lhpiOvVvwvFRB2zx3h48WG5DJVDGvRcyQ2VwWXCRtnuqw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: WPIX
did that for a little while. <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: No, they didn’t, you see. This is one
of the two reasons why there is no New Wave radio in New York,: one is because
New Wave radio is thought to appeal to the twelve to twenty-five-year-olds who,
according to demographics, no longer have much buying power apart from pimple
creams, right? I happen to think that’s wrong. I happen to think that, a) the
audience has more buying power than people think, and b) New Wave radio would
not only appeal to that segment of the community, but would also appeal to a
lot of people in their late twenties and early thirties. And I think a lot of parents
whose kids would be setting their dial to a New Wave station would like what
they heard and leave it turned to that. So, that’s one point. The second, WPIX
sort of tried a New Wave format, but when I say sort of, it was a disaster. I
listened to it quite regularly. They would play any new record that came out, especially
if it was on a little label. Now, I know the music business. If a record is on
a little label, it’s got a fair chance of being a real piece of shit, because if
it’s not good enough for the big labels and has to crawl out of a little label,
it usually is bad. And indeed, much of the records WPIX used to play were
ghastly. Now, they had the advantage that one record in twenty was great, and
you wouldn’t hear it anywhere else, but the other nineteen were such rubbish,
it was presented in a neo-mid’60s progressive laid-back amateur fashion. So,
what happens? Nobody listens. You see a tiny little minority listenership, but
the figures dropped way down, because it was presented so badly. They said it
was New Wave – it wasn’t New Wave radio. It was just amateur mess radio; you
cannot run a radio station like that. And so, everybody thought as you do </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[do I? – RBF, 1981] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that WPIX was New Wave radio, it didn’t work, therefore New Wave radio
doesn’t work. They’re thinking wrong. New Wave can work marvelously, but only
if the very best is played. If it’s presented well, if certain things are
encouraged, and if people put their money where their mouth is and back the
people they really believe in. You see, it’s easy to play PIX format: play
everything, and then be able to say, “We were the first to play ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-P2qL3qkzk&t=64s" target="_blank">Money</a>’ by the
Flying Lizards.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Admittedly, we only played it once every five days because we play so
many records, but we were the first.” Well, that’s bullshit. You don’t do
things like that. There’s only a handful of good records at any given time. You
play that handful and they’re damned good records, you break new bands, new
artists. I can program a New Wave station with about forty or fifty record
companies didn’t know ought to be singles, great New Wave singles, marvelous
oldies by people like the Sex Pistols and the Boomtown Rats </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[oldies? – RBF, 1981] </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that never saw the light of day, and it would be a hell of a good radio
station, and it wouldn’t be a mess. WPIX was a mess.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: By
doing that, wouldn’t you be guilty of doing the same thing that WPLJ is doing,
just programming the same things over and over? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: Well, PLJ programs that same thing over
and over, but they program Dinosaur Rock over and over again. They would put in
a Police track or B-52s or something – Talking Heads – to keep people happy.
But ninety percent of their format is Zeppelin, Sabbath, and all the various
Pink Floyds, all people who are considerably older than I am, and the same old
music churns out – and when you hear “Stairway to Heaven” every three minutes,
you think, “God, here it goes again, I can’t believe it.” PLJ, ABC and the NBCs
are Top 40 formatted. Okay, what I would be doing, in a way, is Top 40 New Wave
format. But that’s different because Top 40 doesn’t exist anymore. Top 40 used
to be marvelous in the mid-‘60s. Now we’re split into specialist groups so, as
a result, there are records that will be major big hit records that we may not
want to hear. I think a tight-formatted New Wave station playing new records,
bands that are not heard anywhere else in the city, and repeating them a lot so
you can hear them enough to really get into them, would do enormously well. But
you need that control. There’s no point in saying that people who want the sort
of PIX format back are basically the failed rock musicians who, with their second-rate
band, knew they had a vague chance of having their record played somewhere at
some time cos PIX had such an open format with nobody listening as a result. But
they would play anyone, so Fred Nerle and the Scroggs from down in Greenwich
Village would be sure that their second-rate piece of rubbish will b played on
WPIX, so they could champion PIX. The listeners didn’t champion it. The listeners
thought it was a pain in the ass. The protest that was made when it came off
was like somebody making a slight fart in Staten Island. I mean, it really had
no impact when it left the scene because, although it was doing some good
things, it was a mess But to run a good New Wave station you’ve got to find
somebody who actually knows what he’s talking about from a New Wave level, cos
you can’t go by any of the sales. Any little individual group can hike the
sales in one shop by getting their mother, father, and friends to go in and buy
it. There is no way they can find out. The phone would be ringing by friends of
a band calling in. The only way you can virtually guarantee success if the guy
picking the music has hellishly good ears. Now, according to the latest
ratings, my ears are worth $750,000 a year. That’s what the record companies
are prepared to pay me for the use of my ears in running their companies. With
these kinds of ears, you know you’ve got something that is pretty invaluable,
and with a little bit of luck, somebody in the radio world is going to pick up
on that idea and say, “Hey!” Plus, when the ratings come up on my WMCA show and
they see that I’ve slaughtered all the opposition on AM, they will be very keen
to get me on FM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Your
born name is Kenneth, but you record as Jonathan and use many other pseudonyms.
Why? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: Well, there was a very good reason for
that. I decided that if I put out three records by Jonathan King, people would
listen to all three, decide with was the best, play it, and I would have one
hit, even if all three were potential hits. If I put out three records under
different names and nobody knew they were me, and people thought the records
were better than any other around, they’d play all three and I’d have three
simultaneous hits, make much more money, and be all over the charts. So, that
was the reason I did it, and it works. Three times in 1971, I had three
simultaneous Top 30 records under various different names, so it was a great
way of doing things. I reached the point where, in 1972, any new artist at all
who came out, people thought it was Jonathan King. You couldn’t be an artist
without people saying, “Are you really Jonathan King? When I launched 10cc, one
of the great problems we had to overcome was getting people to realize that
10cc were actually a real bunch of four individual musicians, and not me under
another name. Especially since I thought up the name, and it was a very
“Jonathan King” sort of name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Do
you have any new artists, like New Wave artists, that you are getting ready to
produce, or that you want to produce? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: No, I don’t really want to get into the
production end of the music thing just yet at all. I mean, the basic situation
is I want to make myself known in America, and I’m going about it on a certain
route. And the route I’m using at the moment is talk radio, with TV
appearances, which are being booked up because of the talk radio success, and
so on. Now, it may well be that the next stage, hopefully, is that I will
succeed in getting an FM radio station, and if I do, then I will turn it into a
success. I’ve told everyone that I guarantee that within six months, it’ll be
the Number One station in the country. And I have no doubt that I would be. People
were saying the same thing about the disco format when WKTU started up, and it did,
indeed, go on to do exactly that, because the time was right, or “The Tide is
High,” as Blondie would say.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
Would you like to go into a bit of detail about the format of your AM radio
show? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: The talk show is very simple,
basically. It runs the gamut between serious things like heroin addiction,
abortion, capital punishment, and so on, and the lighter subjects like heroin
addiction, abortion, and capital punishment. I interviewed Dusty Springfield (d.
1999), and I was hoping Bowie (d. 2016) was going to come on, but he never did.
John Lennon was due on the week after his death (1980). Unfortunately, he had
to cancel. It ranges from one end of the scale to another. The only common
denominator is if it bores me, I stop the discussion. And if it bores me, it
will probably bore the listeners. I’m finding we’ve been getting the most enormous
amount of young listeners now, a really large amount of college kids and
teenagers. How, I don’t know, since most of them are at school or at college
when the show is on. We have phone calls; we have interviews on every topic
under the sun. I mention things that have happened in the world and my thoughts
on them, and usually send them off a bit with a light ribbing. It’s all good
fun. Like yesterday, the whole show was devoted to a discussion on the lack of
New Wave radio on FM. And I must say that I’ve had letters since, cos I thought
we really shouldn’t get into the topic because it was a talk show, and
essentially listened to by people who don’t want to listen to music. That was
yesterday, and this morning I had three letters which said, “Please don’t say
that, we all love music and we love good talk, and the reason we’re listening
to you on WMCA is because it’s impossible to hear good music on the radio at
the moment. And rather than listen to crap, we’re listening to good talk, and
we would love a good New Wave station,” which is a marvelous thing. I really do
believe that that is true. I think the ‘80s will see a lot of people listening
to a variety of things. Given my own choice, I would listen to some
personalities on talk radio and then switch to a good music radio station to
hear music. And I wouldn’t stay on one or the other all the time. I’d bounce.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen:
You’ve said that people are like sheep, and you don’t like people who immediately
like you without knowing anything about you. <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: Right, That’s why I’ve never gone out
of my way to get fans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Yet
you produce this pabulum-type of music to suit that very group. Isn’t that
contradictory? <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: No. As I’ve said, it gives me a
creative buzz to be able to sell things to large quantities of people. If the
people want to be stupid enough to like me as a person rather than the records,
then that’s their fault. There’s nothing against people liking the record.
Because they have different tastes than me does not make them inferior human
beings. I consider them inferior as human beings when they’re foolish enough to
like somebody they’ve never met, and never spoken to, and don’t know anything
about, just on the basis of the music that they like. I mean, if you were to
tell me that you think Paul McCartney is a fantastic guy, although you never
met him, because he makes such nice records, I’d say you were an idiot. And likewise,
anyone who would say the same about Jonathan King. And even when somebody meets
me, they would realize that, as anybody with sense does, that there is no black
and white. Nobody’s perfect, and that I’m part good and part bad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You’ve
said that you like everything that you’ve done so far. At the same time, you
refer to yourself as cynical. <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: I’ve enjoyed it. I don’t think I’ve
done anything of great earth-shattering depth. I mean, even if I’d written
plays to the worth of William Shakespeare, or novels to the worth of Charles
Dickens, and I was satisfied with my artistic abilities, I still wouldn’t fool
myself. I’m cynical. They say, “The cynic is the true lover of humanity.”
Somebody else said, and I think it was Oscar Wilde, “A cynic knows the price of
everything and the value of nothing.” My answer is that everything has a price
and nothing has any value. Which, I think, is the true cynical answer to give.
We’re here, and we won’t be here tomorrow. There’s no point in overdramatizing
everything. My interpretation of a cynic is one who sees life as it is, not as
they would like it to be, or as others would like it to be, but as, in reality,
it is. That applies to people who believe in extremely weird things like God,
or the Devil, or any kind of various lifestyles other people follow. I would
use the word cynic without any of the derogatory implications it has. To me,
basically, I’m cynical. A total cynic. I’m probably the most cynical person you
would ever meet. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I don’t think there’s
anything wrong with being cynical. To me, being cynical is being sensible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
you’ve said is almost word for word the opposite of what Cervantes said [in </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Man of La Mancha</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">], that the maddest
thing you can do is see life as it is, and not as it should be. <br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King: But then, there aren’t many windmills
around here.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxsRsVOMUsT8ZaBqZdnkcKXPF7ciofBFAjg_W-EeDsSxw8d-6uZLfaUCtAZD45lB1fH0NhbOI_DtQIlLdiSyZvi4IU45H2pd--PhIUcpP_IybOgxCCtmGXE7UjTpBRg_aF7gOHrKRqgqGWLY2pTmf2oydXkAIHx2OnsePWQsDKfH-lhL6bYKCvZvft7Q=s487" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="487" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxsRsVOMUsT8ZaBqZdnkcKXPF7ciofBFAjg_W-EeDsSxw8d-6uZLfaUCtAZD45lB1fH0NhbOI_DtQIlLdiSyZvi4IU45H2pd--PhIUcpP_IybOgxCCtmGXE7UjTpBRg_aF7gOHrKRqgqGWLY2pTmf2oydXkAIHx2OnsePWQsDKfH-lhL6bYKCvZvft7Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Having met and
talked with Jonathan King, I liked him. Yes, he was cynical and used his
opinion like a straight-razor, but he was also straightforward and direct, and
firmly believed in his convictions. I also think that his convictions were (and
are) what was wrong with the music industry: namely the bottom line is more
important than the value of the music. His total lack of regard for independent
music was shocking to me, but then again, considering his “place” in the
history of the music industry, it is hardly surprising. Did there really need
to be a disco version of “Una Paloma Blanca”? Did there really need to be an
“oogha-chaga” version of “Hooked on a Feeling”?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
statement he made I find questionable is that only the best New Wave music
would be played. And just what is the totally subjective “best”? And who would
be the person or persons who would decide that? Gatekeeping theory states that
one or few choose what the majority will know, but a subtext is the question of
whether the chooser would be an independent thinker or a cog in the machine.
The fin de sicle has shown, I believe, that independent thought in the music
industry – especially radio broadcast such as it is in the age of the Internet
– is dead. Demographics numbers and polls speak louder than even program
directors. The disk jockey has been reduced to mere personality and no longer
has a say in the output. These days, you’d have a better chance of finding a
religious station than any kind of new music on-air.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/73ks2TPPyho" width="320" youtube-src-id="73ks2TPPyho"></iframe></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CsqnG-w3zIk" width="320" youtube-src-id="CsqnG-w3zIk"></iframe></div><br />Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-19246302045618137922022-08-15T03:00:00.049-04:002022-08-15T03:00:00.211-04:00RBF’s Eclectic Excitement Playlist – August 2022<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">RBF’s Eclectic
Excitement Playlist – August 2022</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022<br />
Images from the Internet<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is my limited monthly column of some relatively
cult music, be it due to initial limited release, or just having fallen out of
the mainstream eye. These will be of a multitude of genres, from punk to folk,
to just out there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The songs are listed alphabetically by first letter
of the artist or group, and not in a “ratings” order. Art is subjective, so I
hope you like these as much as I enjoy them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Note: There is no advertising on this page, so I
will not be making anything off the work of others.</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">AgesandAges<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“No
Nostalgia”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Knitting
Factory<br />
What is noteworthy about this ensemble, of course, is the harmony that brings
out the rhythms as well. Even the solos are interesting if occasionally breathy.
I like this live rendition as much as the original studio recording.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YejfDBySgRw" width="320" youtube-src-id="YejfDBySgRw"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Cherie and Marie Currie<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Since You’ve
Been Gone”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Capitol <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Records / Renaissance Records<br />
After leaving The Runaways (who I saw her play with at CBGB), lead vocalist
Cherie went on to her own solo career, highlighted by this gem featuring her
twin sister. Though they look alike, it’s easy to tell which is which by the
way they dance. Cherie has some very distinctive splits. This song actually
charted in the US Top 100, but faded as fast as it came. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vzofZh6hFMQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="vzofZh6hFMQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Chris Stamey<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Summer
Sun”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Ork
Records<br />
Known for his work with Alex Chilton and the dBs, this solo release (produced
by Chilton) is a sublime slice of love on a hot afternoon in a pop format.
Stamey’s voice is perfect for what he is trying to say. I’m surprised this did
not become bigger. I once spent a fun afternoon hanging out with Stamey and
Chilton while they were being <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2010/03/alex-chilton-remembrances-plus-1977.html" target="_blank">interviewed </a>for another fanzine. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3haFqlOmhCw" width="320" youtube-src-id="3haFqlOmhCw"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Cycle Sluts From Hell<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“I Wish
You Were a Beer”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Epic
Records<br />
A tongue-in-cheek metal cult classic, this is off the band’s only album. It’s
co-writer, Honey 1%-er, would go on to the She Wolves as Donna She Wolf, and
then Star & Dagger. I <a href="https://www.punkglobe.com/shewolvesinterview.html " target="_blank">interviewed </a>her more than once. The song is wild, ridiculous, and
incredibly catchy. The whole “Singing in the Rain” part is a distraction, but
the rest is gawdy good.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BeuNckmt7h8" width="320" youtube-src-id="BeuNckmt7h8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">The Diodes<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Tired of Waking
Up Tired”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Bongo Beat
Records<br />
This group is part of the Toronto First Wave punk movement, and occasionally
still tour. Their other songs include the hook-laden “Child Star” about the
death of Anissa Jones, and a cover of the Cyrcle’s “Red Rubber Ball.” But this
live version of their song is, for me, my fave version.<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KjcK3EmNKcA" width="320" youtube-src-id="KjcK3EmNKcA"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">John Watts<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“URSo”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">SoReal Records<br />
The story I heard is that the song was originally supposed to be “You Asshole,”
but Watt’s daughter suggested the change to make it more marketable. I agree. John
is the lead of the British group Fischer-Z, as well as having a solo career. I
had the opportunity to introduce him at a General Semantics conference where he
performed. John’s voice is deep, and the regret of the song permeates the
message. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R5f4OtAiiFA" width="320" youtube-src-id="R5f4OtAiiFA"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“The New
Teller”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Beserkley
Records<br />
Yes, I know Richman is an indie artist icon, and many of his songs, such as “Roadrunner”
and “Abominable Snowman in the Market” are must haves. His appearance in the
film <i>There’s Something About Mary </i>(1998) solidified his role as cult. I’ve
seen him live at last four times since 1977 through 2018. However, this song is
different as it wasn’t on any of his releases, but rather a compilation album
called <i>Beserkley Chartbusters Vol. 1</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>. </i>It remains my fave of his songs.</span></span><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ebURIAawBRI" width="320" youtube-src-id="ebURIAawBRI"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Psycotic Pineapple<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Hang on
for Your Life”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Richmond
Records<br />
A song about driving that you should never listen to while driving, because
odds are you’ll be speeding by the end. The vocals are unique and the song is
hilarious. But it should be noted that all their songs off their album are
worth a listen, such as “I Wanna Wanna Wanna Wanna Get Rid of You,” “I Forgot
Who I Forgot Who I Was,” and the deadpan “Headcheese,” which is another
favorite. The whole LP is spectacular in their quirky way. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PvtnTLgVlLU" width="320" youtube-src-id="PvtnTLgVlLU"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Rachel Harrington<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Summer’s Gone”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Skinny
Dennis Records<br />
Americana music, a branch of Bluegrass, can be perky as hell, or hauntingly
beautiful in gothic tones and themes. This falls into the latter. The banjo is
striking in its slow pace as the ballad tells the story of the rains after the
harvest, and a mystery of a family. It has stuck with me from the first time I
heard it. <br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RkrKmqPdLFQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="RkrKmqPdLFQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">X-Teens<br />
</span></b><i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">“Change
Gotta Come”<br />
</span></i><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Dolphin
Records<br />
Hailing from the DC area, this is a pop rock band with some punk attitude. The
chorus is catchy as fire, amid the topic of the possibility of the end of the
world. Note that, in my opinion, the video is too much, so you may want to
forward to the actual song at 1:30. And maybe you will be able to answer the
question, “Whatever happened to the Love Generation”?<br /></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L6h8H5bvDgw" width="320" youtube-src-id="L6h8H5bvDgw"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785034423063815710.post-63408662715039089322022-08-05T03:00:00.034-04:002022-08-05T03:00:00.212-04:00TEENAGE JESUS AND THE JERKS: The Interview (1977)<p><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">© Robert Barry
Francos / FFanzeen, 1977/2022<br /></span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Images from the Internet unless indicated</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyA0zlhSQjLLCnqxlzN-ukz0LwVF--1KkA2fm-wnFmyA_43VFPcL-epaenbrpAEEyLb4PFMM6XC7celanyIjhzWYTlekRr1CRdvqiRmAM9iB3ufzbR4-Jn0Q48lVASj772JsMpjIK0L5pyvV76-m1OOPMaPWWYghC_4mYOnFc-36t01FJzfq-5g7FWEQ=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyA0zlhSQjLLCnqxlzN-ukz0LwVF--1KkA2fm-wnFmyA_43VFPcL-epaenbrpAEEyLb4PFMM6XC7celanyIjhzWYTlekRr1CRdvqiRmAM9iB3ufzbR4-Jn0Q48lVASj772JsMpjIK0L5pyvV76-m1OOPMaPWWYghC_4mYOnFc-36t01FJzfq-5g7FWEQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There have
been very few interviews where the people involved have just annoyed me right
off. One was the great guitarist <a href="https://ffanzeen.blogspot.com/2010/01/chris-spedding-session-with-chris.html" target="_blank">Chris Spedding</a></span></i><span lang="EN-US"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (although I was just an observer; he was obnoxious to both the interviewer and
about the topic, rock’n’roll); another was Teenage Jesus and the Jerks.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had never
heard of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks until I saw an ad that they were playing
at Max’s on a Monday night. I said to myself, what a great name for a band, I
gotta interview these guys. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Going upstairs
to the dressing rooms, I found the band, passed out copies of </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No. 1 to them, and
asked for the interview. I did not yet know anyone playing in the band at that
time. If I had been a bit more of a scene-hanger-outer, I probably would have known
of the exploits of Lydia Lunch, another of the Max’s groupie collection (e.g.,
Nancy Spungen). I later heard the stories of her famous taxi ride with the Dead
Boys, who named at least two of their songs after her (“Caught With the Meat In
Your Mouth,” and “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLZL7ocflGc" target="_blank">I Need Lunch</a>”). I was obliviously innocent.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As well, I had
no idea who James Siegfried was – who would later turn up variously as James
Chance (of the Contortions) and James Black (and the Whites) – or the late
Bradley Field (who worked at the Strand Bookstore). Bass playing Reck, from
what I gather, was recently from Japan and was not well versed in English. At
least, that was the impression that was presented to me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In an
interview for Playboy, if I remember correctly, Marlon Brando once said that
the reason he hated doing magazine interviews was because in print, you can’t tell
when someone is joking. I fully understood that statement, especially after
interviewing this band. The reader cannot tell the contemptuous tone to which
the band answered my admittedly unprepared questions (remember, I hadn’t seen
them, nor heard of any of them, having gone in totally blind). In hindsight, I
should have interviewed them afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>As the
interview – if you want to call it that – proceeded, I was getting more and
more put off, to the point that a “whatever” feeling finally took hold of me. It was published in </i>FFanzeen <i>No. 2, dated October 31, 1977.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheVGkm4bPlFf6ezfEm48aYoi-bwFQ3P80-mENRDj-l6q2geQkA4SSMW527eRRr8ZciRJdOIf-quZ3SbvrYVnXktZ2p87kDH3ThDyodMkWVEhiGVG5NFt88nLdMZkh8KDWudYQbCo5TClJFjysIs-ZPER6pJSFTaNoGllX1QP60MHF8S9ZY0yudwDuA_A=s639" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="639" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheVGkm4bPlFf6ezfEm48aYoi-bwFQ3P80-mENRDj-l6q2geQkA4SSMW527eRRr8ZciRJdOIf-quZ3SbvrYVnXktZ2p87kDH3ThDyodMkWVEhiGVG5NFt88nLdMZkh8KDWudYQbCo5TClJFjysIs-ZPER6pJSFTaNoGllX1QP60MHF8S9ZY0yudwDuA_A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teenage Jesus and the Jerks<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At first, I was seriously
thinking of not printing this interview with this bunch of poseurs, but the way
I figure it, because a group grabs me the wrong way is no reason to deny you,
the reader, the pleasure of learning to feel the same.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is not that this band is
obnoxious, but that it is bullshit obnoxiousness. Their “attitude” is their gimmick.
People like to be assaulted, as long as they know there is no physical threat
(i.e., fans of Ruby and the Rednecks).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Oh, yeah, if you read </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> No.1, you may have
remembered I mentioned that some of the Cramps interview was drowned out by
people telling dead baby jokes. Well folks, these are those people (along with
Jim Marshall, editor of </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">New Order</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fanzine).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The band consists of lead
singer / guitarist Lydia Lunch (Teenage Jesus), saxophonist (?) James
Siegfried, bassist Reck (who quietly sat tuning his bass during the whole
interview), and drummer Bradley Field (not present at the time). Also in the
room were two of their female roadies who got into the action.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You will note, towards the
end, I more or less gave up and let them go on by themselves. This interview
took place in the Max’s Kansas City dressing room on August 8, 1977.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYOV8a7w1smozP7o6vp4uUGOQCDPBCLSfUl85ZBgW25lVm7AZoZEmO67tdOF9iyXoj1E2CJq7cMUwV3zBetm-pL31C_4Bytw6g_xR4lO_X2xNNCzfnq-sqBGnfNxD4KxMiFXjTPERKJ79LIVW7vHc4k0PxEU8JAEQ3TzPj0-f7zHOgdC75ptgl4ivvxA=s536" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="536" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYOV8a7w1smozP7o6vp4uUGOQCDPBCLSfUl85ZBgW25lVm7AZoZEmO67tdOF9iyXoj1E2CJq7cMUwV3zBetm-pL31C_4Bytw6g_xR4lO_X2xNNCzfnq-sqBGnfNxD4KxMiFXjTPERKJ79LIVW7vHc4k0PxEU8JAEQ3TzPj0-f7zHOgdC75ptgl4ivvxA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(ffoto by Robert Barry Francos)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 1: Ask them what
they think about God?<br />
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What do you think about God?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia Lunch: My father, you mean?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: I
take it you’re Teenage Jesus.<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: You take it. And you know what you can
do with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: How
long have you been together?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Two and a half months.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You’ve
been gaining a lot of popularity ...<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Who wants popularity? I don’t care if
we have popularity. We want unpopularity.<br />
James Siegfried: We were really mad that people liked us. We wanted them to hate
us.<br />
Lydia: They don’t have the right idea if they’re outright fans. I don’t care if
they don’t like us as long as they don’t like us for the right reasons. I’d
rather have them hate us for the right reasons than to like us for the wrong
reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Why
do you want to be hated?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: I don’t want to be hated, but I don’t
want mindless assholes to like us so we can have a KISS army, a Teenage Jesus
army, no. We’re annoying. We have annoying sounds. If you like to be annoyed,
you should love us. Otherwise stay home and listen to Dictators’ records. Because
everything is so boring.<br />
James: We make that normal stuff obsolete.<br />
Lydia: We don’t play chords. I never played guitar before but I wrote all the
music and all the words, except for the two that (Siegfried) wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
type material do you do?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Factory, mechanical, and military.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What’s
the purpose of getting a group together if you ...<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Because I was bored with all the other
bands. We have to entertain ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Does
that include the Cramps?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Don’t bring band politics into this
interview.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
do you consider the ultimate goals of the group?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: The ultimate goal of the group is to
annoy. We just want to show the other bands how bad they are. New Wave is dead
wave. There’s no such thing because all the New Wave bands are re-hashed Who. We
have one influence: I live in front of a factory. That’s the only influence.<br />
James: Wait until you hear the music.<br />
Roadie 1: Their music is comparable to riding the IRT.<br />
Roadie 2: During rush hour. It smells the same.<br />
Lydia: It’s smell for the ear. It’s stench for the ears.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: If
you have no influences and you don’t listen to any of the new bands, what do
you listen to?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Nothing. I don’t even have a stereo or
a record player. I don’t have a TV, and I hate bands and I hate music.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: And
what do you do to amuse yourself?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: I play with myself. I have my band to
be amused by, (and) the asinine audiences who’ll sit there and applaud for anybody.
How are you amused?<br />
James: He amuses himself by asking dumb questions.<br />
Roadie 2: Why did you start your magazine?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Well
...<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: We really don’t care. Just ask your
questions and get out. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[laughs] [breaks
character – RBF, 2022]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Who’s the grouchiest band
you know?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
songs do you perform?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Back into
character – RBF, 2022]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> You want the titles? Forget
it. You can listen to it when we play. We don’t even announce the songs. If you
want titles, forget it. Wait until our album comes out.<br />
Roadie 1: I want to turn your brain to mush so it will be soft enough to touch.<br />
Lydia: That’s not one of our songs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHRN8BpsTFDawoD-38PU4kamPvqYj-1dvbTothNbodcGNBjDMhgACMi72FwQNZnCQ9cu613KWiGDwUlH4NuBKd099zo701MKEJdO_LohB12WLDbEsoRp2eeAO-aja0EsYrreqO7JUEtNZrjQ-ajY86sGhwpXPtWnwaB7fBNgjA5TW8AOqhXRV5Amp0pQ=s220" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHRN8BpsTFDawoD-38PU4kamPvqYj-1dvbTothNbodcGNBjDMhgACMi72FwQNZnCQ9cu613KWiGDwUlH4NuBKd099zo701MKEJdO_LohB12WLDbEsoRp2eeAO-aja0EsYrreqO7JUEtNZrjQ-ajY86sGhwpXPtWnwaB7fBNgjA5TW8AOqhXRV5Amp0pQ=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: If
you come out with an album, are you going to listen to it yourself?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: That’s the only thing I’d listen to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: Ask her some of
the questions you asked the Cramps</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. [Looking through FFanzeen
No. 1]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “What’s your favorite song in the set?”<br />
Lydia: No comment. They’re all my favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “Is there such a
thing as punk rock?”<br />
Lydia: I guess. That’s what my mother listens to.<br />
Roadie 1: Don’t they play that on WABC or something?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixviLg2UnENVNS-1bdu4OguahYUVScKwmk3b9QBoLqLmSxfbHYbcW0jtjzP13NChnfPnExQmtQNPQYI8p8dEYv7Lnb-dJYhMlp-oEJe08Pht_rG3zM_ZCnBPw60ONmt5KCEqipTGraAzzASvuJqQ4jvgit1vuZAojYQm9veYmukIEUWw_NtrO-gkir1Q=s396" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="396" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixviLg2UnENVNS-1bdu4OguahYUVScKwmk3b9QBoLqLmSxfbHYbcW0jtjzP13NChnfPnExQmtQNPQYI8p8dEYv7Lnb-dJYhMlp-oEJe08Pht_rG3zM_ZCnBPw60ONmt5KCEqipTGraAzzASvuJqQ4jvgit1vuZAojYQm9veYmukIEUWw_NtrO-gkir1Q=w320-h283" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>[ffoto by Robert Barry Francos]</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “How was the
group formed?”<br />
Lydia: I said, “Do you play anything” to (Reck) the bass player at CBGB. He
couldn’t speak English. I knew Bradley, and he never played drums so I just got
him in the band. I won’t mention how we got (Siegfried).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “How did it pass
that there would be no bass?”<br />
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: That one won’t work. You can ask some of the
other questions, from the other interviews.<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Why don’t you (roadies) ask questions.
You probably think of better ones than he does.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 1: Does your feet
smell?<br />
Roadie 2: OK. “How do you like playing CBGB” [from the Tom Petty interview –
ed., 1977]?<br />
Lydia: We hated it. We hated playing Max’s. We hated playing out. We like
rehearsing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “Do you like
playing the Bottom Line?”<br />
Lydia: We loved it only we never played there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “Are you on tour
now?”<br />
Lydia: Yes, we are. We’re touring all the local washrooms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “What was it like
playing with the Runaways?”<br />
Lydia: Playing with the Runaways is equitable to playing with dead babies, only
not as much fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “How did you meet
the Heartbreakers?”<br />
Lydia: We never have and never wanted to. Why don’t you ask us what we think of
certain bands in particular?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: OK. What do you
think of the Dead Boys?<br />
Lydia: They’re dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: What do you think
of ... .<br />
Roadie 1: The Erasers?<br />
Lydia: Erase the Erasers. That’s what I say to all bands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: OK, I like this
one: “What single?”<br />
Lydia: We’re going to do a single at the end of the month for Ork Records </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[this record was not released on Ork’s imprint – RBF,
2022]</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Who cares. Big deal. We’re gonna get ripped
off like Richard Hell and Television, and all the others who did singles for
Terry Ork and didn’t get a penny.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “What is your
ultimate goal?”<br />
Lydia: To die. To live and die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “Do you see
yourself branching out into other media, like television?”<br />
Lydia: I’m gonna be a movie star. Or an attraction. I already am.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 2: “Do you have any
hobbies?”<br />
Lydia: No.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roadie 1: Don’t you basket
weave?<br />
Lydia: I used to. Don’t you want to know how old we are?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: No. I
don’t think it matters.<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: I think it matters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Alright,
how old are you?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Eighteen. The bass player’s nineteen. The
rest I guess it doesn’t matter.<br />
James: I’m twelve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: You
don’t want a following, but do you have one?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: What
kind of people ... er ... follow you?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Scary ones. Only in the dark. Usually
big and black.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen: Where
are you from originally?<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia: Why do you ask these questions?<br />
Roadie 1: Originally she was from her mother.<br />
Lydia: That’s unoriginal.<br />
Roadie 1: Originally she was from her father. They had a weird family.<br />
Lydia: You might as well let the tape run out since we don’t have anything else
to say.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieeWndBqdUStMSeKM3_3wcJlvnIL4dpdYoi9Nqp4RdwNXEILDm6-ZiofkO5whSZdpe9HGeYi1AVETByi1CQpPw16T5XgT_IdlSnK7xOePRZA6aTdHtReN1FR54yl7VpB3GuOq8-Vf_SDa7jI7bPsVfzdhktgC5SAOz1DkOXJ4aqXbQt_eVd9O6Nbc3yw=s380" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="380" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieeWndBqdUStMSeKM3_3wcJlvnIL4dpdYoi9Nqp4RdwNXEILDm6-ZiofkO5whSZdpe9HGeYi1AVETByi1CQpPw16T5XgT_IdlSnK7xOePRZA6aTdHtReN1FR54yl7VpB3GuOq8-Vf_SDa7jI7bPsVfzdhktgC5SAOz1DkOXJ4aqXbQt_eVd9O6Nbc3yw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While the band would be at
the forefront of the whole No Wave movement, it was doomed to fail because
there was nothing to determine what was interesting. Very little of it was,
though the sub-scene would later transform into the industrial / noise
movement. Reck would eventually go back to Japan, and form the punk band,
Friction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia, of course would
re-emerge in various incarnations in multimedia, including music (with the
likes of Beirut Slump, Eight-Eyed Spy, Queen of Siam, Devil Dogs, 13.13,
Honeymoon in Red, Stinkfist, The Drowning of Lucy Hamilton, Shotgun Wedding,
and Lydia Lunch Retrovirus), a written word performance artist (sometimes in
cahoots with X’s Exene Cervenka), and acting in a number of independent films (often by director/writer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd0IwH8l1PQ" target="_blank">Richard Kern</a>), many of which helped spearhead the whole transgressive DIY movement. So, in a way, she did get her wish and become a movie star.</span></p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Later on in the 1980s, she
would turn up on Alan Abramowitz’s cable access music/interview program, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKeDow8Owb8&t=180s" target="_blank">Videowave</a>,
on which I worked as a crew member. When she walked in with her manager, she made a snarky remark, and the manager
said she should cool it. I think the manager knew how low-budget we were and
how hard we were trying. After that, Lydia was pleasant to everyone. I’m not
sure which of the two sides was the honest one, but it was easier to deal with
her in this private incarnation than her public one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Currently she has a podcast,
co-hosted with experimental bassist Tim Dahl (the band Child Abuse, among
others), called “<a href="https://lydianspin.libsyn.com/" target="_blank">The Lydian Spin</a>.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lydia has a very large and strong
following, and people who really like her personally, but for me the turning
point of the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FFanzeen </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">interview that pissed me off more than anything else was when Lydia
says, laughing, “Who’s the grouchiest band you know?” On some level, I could
have respected the group if the band had truly believed what they were saying,
but to put me through all that and then for it to actually be bullshit posturing,
well, that puts it into another territory. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HGkH2n7ITic" width="320" youtube-src-id="HGkH2n7ITic"></iframe></div>Robert Barry Francoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17403914616932689149noreply@blogger.com0