RBF’s Eclectic Excitement Playlist – August 2022

 RBF’s Eclectic Excitement Playlist – August 2022

Text © Robert Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2022
Images from the Internet

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.

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.

Note: There is no advertising on this page, so I will not be making anything off the work of others.

AgesandAges
“No Nostalgia”
Knitting Factory
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.

Cherie and Marie Currie
“Since You’ve Been Gone”
Capitol  Records / Renaissance Records
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.

Chris Stamey
“Summer Sun”
Ork Records
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 interviewed for another fanzine. 

Cycle Sluts From Hell
“I Wish You Were a Beer”
Epic Records
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 interviewed 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.

The Diodes
“Tired of Waking Up Tired”
Bongo Beat Records
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.

John Watts
“URSo”
SoReal Records
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.

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
“The New Teller”
Beserkley Records
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 There’s Something About Mary (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 Beserkley Chartbusters Vol. 1. It remains my fave of his songs.

Psycotic Pineapple
“Hang on for Your Life”
Richmond Records
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.

Rachel Harrington
“Summer’s Gone”
Skinny Dennis Records
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.

X-Teens
“Change Gotta Come”
Dolphin Records
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”?

CD Reviews - Mixed Batch

Here are some CDs that cover the entire country, in both geography and style.

Listening to Vancouver-based CINDERPOP on “Their Skies Are Beautiful” (bongobeat.com) is just what I would imagine it would be like to float in one of those saltwater immersion tanks that gives one a feeling of weightlessness. Super powerpop that is incredibly smooth and polished as ice over glass. A substantial ‘sixties influence as deep as a homage to bands like the Association or Beau Brummels meet the Dream Academy. Kevan Ellis has a voice that glides over the music and programmed sounds. To be fair, and to their benefit, the programming is exceedingly credible and accessible, and not rinky-dink plunking as it tends to be. Very purdy. . – RBFrancos/FFanzeen

The DARK MARBLES originated, in many ways, in the garage revival of the 1980s. Lead singer Yod was in the Buffalo band, the Splatcats, and more recently in the Bernie Kugel Experience. The three cuts presented on “Let’s Go!: First Three Singles” (darkmarbles.com) are actually from that revival mold, and yet all three are different. “Run Through the Rain” is the purest of the paradigm, with cool farfisa sounds and twangy guitars. “In Angola”, written by Yod, is a moody piece, more arty than garagey, but still maintains enough to see the influence. The last cut is a cool cover of The Good’s (i.e., Bernie Kugel) first single, “Walk Around the World”. More pop than garage, the song is well covered by the DM, and they add their own touch to make it their own. Not we sit back and wait for the whole album. – RBFrancos/FFanzeen

When one thinks of “theatrics” in rock in the U.S., one may reflect along the lines of Alice Cooper. In the U.K., it’s probably more towards the Who. In fact, British rockers have more readily adopted Dance Hall than we have with, say, Tin Pan Alley. “Waking the Mystics” (zarathustrarecords.com) by SOPHE LUX, from the U.S. West Coast, is the brilliant brainchild of Gwynneth Haynes, who wrote most of the music here and mixes rock, theatric technic, a vivid imagination, and a band who is totally attuned, and has produced a collection that stands out. Song topics include a “Marie Antoinette Robot 2073” suite, our idiot president who uses religion as a guiding force (from “President”: “Countless bodies burning bridges losing liberties/For a war based on the export of democracy…/You’d turn the water right into wine.”), to a time-tripping “Lonely Girl”. The music never talks down to the listener, and certainly is thoughtful…with some killer tunes with that said theatrical touch. Plus, the CD is enhanced so one can watch their brilliant “Target Market” video, which is the opening cut and a possible breakthrough shot. – RBFrancos/FFanzeen

This is some really fun and fucked up shit. Imagine the Ramones if they had grow’d up on Hank Williams rather than the Beach Boys. Picture the Plasmatics if they had flowered on Patsy Kline rather than Black Sabbath. With fiddle and tongue firmly in place on “Usurpers of the Tradition” (unclefucker.com), UNCLE FUCKER just WHIP through their number with a ferocity that’s rare even today. To give you an example, think of Charlie Daniels’ fiddling as the devil in “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”, and then triple it. Great covers of “Ya’ll Come” and “Rolling In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” just burns rubber. This ain’t yer daddy’s bluegrass, this is a country all its own. Never heard nothin’ like it before; I gotta see these guys live, too! – RBFrancos/FFanzeen

In those glorious pre-punk-entitled days when it was just underground rock, bands like the WHITE DEMONS were a fun part of going to CBs or Max’s. They call themselves “Action Rock”, which I’m willing to agree is an accurate label, as I would with bands like the Dolls, Heartbreakers, Demons, and so many others rocked their way into our hearts. These guys are pretty solid and heavy, without being cumbersome. Their songs on “Say Go” (sonicswirlrecords.com) are catchy, and this is eminently worth giving a listen. In a time when bands were held back by the excesses of studio technology, as they are again today, it’s refreshing to see/hear a band just rock out without all the bullshit that not just pads, but disguises the sound. Melodic without being sappy, rocking without being boring, and musicianship that is nut grabbing. Ahhhhhhh, thanks, WD. – RBFrancos/FFanzeen

As always comments are welcome, and feel free to send us your material to review.