Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday August 30th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
I am DJIng a birthday party this Tuesday for the Mixed Taped Sessions. Actually since I would be DJing anyway I guess I can say I was DJing Tuesday and a Birthday party broke out. There are three bands playing in the back-room all from various edges of the world of Rock via Punk. But enough about them. Just kidding. The line -up is The Black Hollies/The Monumentals/Stuyvesant doors open at 8 p.m. and all this entertainment is FREE. Like the bill I'll be making my way through almost 40 years of Punk Rock and of course anything else that crawls into my boxes from genres far and wide.

Primitive Sound System Mixed Tape Sessions and the continuing food stylings of el Diablo Every Tuesday! (9PM - 2AM or later)

Maxwell's
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703

Adrenalin O.D. - "The Nice Song In The Key Of "D" (Buy Our Records Inc. cat. BOR-7-005)
Fast, Loud, and Stupid. Welcome to the world of Jersey Hardcore. These guys were untouchable. I saw them a lot and they were always amazing. Buzzing is an understatement for their chosen guitar sound. This thing blasts by in 1:13 and it never looses its La,La,La feel. Stooopidly I sold "The Wacky Hijinks of..." and "Let's Barbeque" ep. You can only own so much.

JFA - Blatant Localism EP - "Beach Blanket Bong Out" (Placeb cat. PLA101)
JFA are from Arizona so when they are talking about "beach" that is pretty much all there is. The singer goes as far as to say, "Surf Punks we're not," yeah no shit, not much of a surf in Arizona from what I can tell. The photo on the cover has always killed me. There are 4 kids on the cover. Three of which are a bit Hardcore but it is the fourth kid that cracks me up. He is wearing his Dad's bermuda shorts with a short sleeve T tucked in his pants and big ass 60's Foster Grant type shades. This kid IS Punk Rock. (I dropped my first copy of this right on its edge and it cracked in half. I ordered a new one by mail in 1985. To this day I prefer ordering records from the labels directly.)

Gang Green - "Alcohol" (Taang! Records cat. TAANG SIX)
I'D RATHER DRINK THAN FUCK! This sounds like it was one take in someone's garage. This is one of those many TOP 10 FAVORITES of mine. this song gets me going every time. Screamed, pummeling ode to what else, BEER! Let's make no mistake, these guys aren't screaming for the Grey Goose. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT... I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT! .... ALCOHOL!

Dead Kennedys - "Too Drunk To Fuck" (Alternative Tentacles cat. Virus 2 pic sleeve with insert)
LET'S RIDE! Jello's voice is so unique and the band is as tight as the Bad Brains but with a very California feel. There is something surfy buried in there that keeps it all weirdly "fun" despite the subject matter. I only saw these guys twice and both times it was jaw dropping. The sharp as knives guitar lines of East Bat Ray are the only thing that could possibly compliment Jello's pissed off whiny screams. Hammering beats and a bass line (that is felt not heard) keep it all a bit head bobby.

Dils - "I Hate The Rich" b/w "You're Not Blank (So Baby We're Through)" (What? Records cat. WHAT 02 pic sleeve (No this isn't one of the ones with the stain on it)
"I Hate The Rich" opens with a guitar line that could easily intro a children's song. I bet Hank would run around slamming into things while this is playing. I guess that does make this a children's song. I'll have to wait some time before I tell him what it's about though. I won't call this nostalgia but what the hell happened to music? Did kids forget what is necessary to make Punk Rock? 1-4 members who hate their very existence and even more than that hate everyone else and the state of the world around them. Don't worry how it sounds on tape just shove it in people's faces and when preaching to the converted make sure you don't talk down to them. Don't worry if it doesn't sound like anyone else, actually that is the whole idea. No one cares who your influences are. Yes, Gang of Four was a great band. No your band is not and guess what... you couldn't sound like them if you were doing cover versions. Oh yeah, and play your instruments like you were using them to demolish the room you are playing in. The Dils understood.

The Weirdos - "Destroy All Music" (Bomp! cat. Bomp112 pic sleeve)
DITTO!

buzzcocks with Howard Devoto - Spiral Scratch "Boredom" (a New Hormones product cat. ORG-1)
The Buzzcocks were like no other band before or after. I almost don't feel anything else need be said. I only wish I had gotten to see them live in 1977. Hopefully there is no Heaven and Hell and just a peaceful existence where you get to experience the things you weren't able to do for whatever reason while breathing.

Alternative TV - "You Bastard" (Deptford Fun City Records cat. DCF 002)
Straight up snotty. Why can't all Punk bands except the fact that a rehearsal and a show should be the same thing. Listening to the drummer struggle to make his moves is so anxiety filled it makes me want to smash his kit for him. "Leave me alone, you wasted time, You Bastard, you waste of time." I think I want that on my headstone. Two minutes and thirty-eight seconds!

The Mekons - "I'll Have To Dance Then (On My Own)" Fast Product cat. FAST 7 pic sleeve)
Ahh, The Mekons. I'll be in an old age home and these fuckers will still be relevant. This is an early burst of Punk creativity. This is what Pere Ubu would sound like if they picked up the pace. Crazy Beefheart guitar lines jangle away while the "rhythm guitar" practically gets splintered by lightning fast riffing. The bass is heavy and upfront and it's all held together by stylized vocals and roll heavy drumming.

The Last - "She Don't Know Why I'm Here" (Bomp! cat. BOMP-119 D.J. Copy pic sleeve)
One of the few tracks that people think is the real deal. Instead it came out 10 years after the "67 hey day. Lead off by a throwback guitar intro, double timed drumming, sloppy organ and just slightly off set vocals the track screams from start to finish. The only moment that breaks form is a Punk guitar line about 3/4 of the way in that should get anyone pogoing. I gotta be honest, I can barely make out many of the words but who cares. Echoed screams and 4 track recording muddy everything up and push the meters into the red just the way I like it.

The Special A.K.A. - "Gangsters" b/w "The Selecter "The Selecter" (2 Tone Records cat. TT1/2)
No Doubt are Ska... HAHAHA. Ok, so some might not even consider this Ska but hey this 45 is one of my favorites. Nicely paced and played way better than most New Wave bands wished they ever could. I have said it before and I will say it again...a band is only as good as its drummer. Both tracks have nice loud drumming cranky guitar and naive organ sounds. "The Selector" could qualify as one of the spookiest as well as grooviest tracks ever. Slow horn lines over steady beats, percussion and bass. Perfection.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday August 16th - 9PM - 2AM

YIKES!
I thought this week was a sold out show or something and I wasn't spinning... I was wrong. For whatever reason in my mad dash to fill my boxes I pulled a whole bunch of Latin, Blues, Gospel, re-issue/previously unreleased Funk and Soul as well as New Funk and some 50's Rock. I could see cruising around in the summer with the windows low and the radio loud announcing your arrival to each unwilling audience with this mix leading the charge. Some notable folks waiting their turn are Ray Barretto, Fania All Stars, Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental, Oscar Brown, Leon Thomas, The Meters, Little Sonny, Dale Hawkins, Swamp Dog, The Meditation Singers, Merry Clayton, Nina Simone, Solomon Burke and numerous others. I definitely pulled this one from the gut and it should prove to be spontaneous if anything.

Primitive Sound System Mixed Tape Sessions and the continuing food stylings of el Diablo Every Tuesday! (9PM - 2AM)

Maxwell's
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703

Spencer Jackson Family - "Bring Back Peace To The World Pt II" (Scarab cat. SR-002)
Grupo Folklorico Y Experimental - "Anabacoa" (Salsoul - Salsa Series cat. S-8713)
The Creators - "Boy, He's Got It" (Phillips cat. 40058 (PHW26162))
Soul Fire Educational Series Vol. 1 (Drums) - "fast paced funk instrumental" (Soul Fire Records cat. SFE-001)
The Jimi Entley Sound - "Charlie's Theme" (Espionage Disk - Microgroove Test Record cat. ESP 00I)
The New Mastersounds - "Butter For Yo' Popcorn" (Soul Cookers - "Still Cookin' The Hardway" cat. ?)

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Primitive Sound System at Maxwells - Mixed Tape Sessions - Tuesday August 9th - 9PM - 2AM

Hello Y'all,
Maybe it is just the heat (because we definitely know it is the humidity) but I began pulling Summer records including records that just remind me of Summer. Some how this culminated in a stack of records including Summer, surf, cars and girls (as the Dictators taught us), mini-skirts and hot pants and finally a handful of records with booty or Go-Go in the title. Ah, Summer. I have a lot of Summer music and it turns out there are a lot of records that remind me of Summer. The thermometer has broke 90 almost 20 times already this year. OK, I'm just throwing that out at you, do with it what you will. I guess what I am saying is; wouldn't it be nice sipping a cold one while the sounds of Summer crash down around you? Come by and remember; if your drinking don't drive; if your driving don't drink and always tip your bartenders... oh yeah, and NO swimming for 30 minutes after you eat.

Primitive Sound System Mixed Tape Sessions and the continuing food stylings of el Diablo Every Tuesday! (9PM - 2AM)

Maxwell's
1039 Washington Street
Hoboken New Jersey
(201) 653-1703

45s:
Supercharger - "Rev It Up" (Bag Of Hammers cat. ?)
The completely incredible Supercharger picked up where The Gories left off... shitty equipment tortured by sloppy, fast, and hard playing but resulting in what can only be described as brilliant. "Rev It Up" speeds along at double time and sounds like it is fighting its way out of a smashed AM radio. If you can even make out half of what is going on you will be sucked into the instantly catchy lyrics and hooks. Like the Minuteman the guitar solo is part of the song no different from a chorus and the whole thing will blow by you if you blink.

Hal Blaine (The Drummer Man and The Cougars) - "Gear Stripper" b/w "Challenger II" (RCA Victor cat. 47-8282)
Come for the stripper but stay for the challenge. "Challenger II" starts off with the sounds of a hot rod launching off the line and on to victory. Twangy, fuzzed out guitar and vibes race Blaine's constant rolls and Go-Go style beat. "Gear Stripper" starts out with the same revving engine but dies a fast death in a corny ass song. I think my kid might like this. (Both sides were produced by lee Hazelwood.)

Syl Johnson - "Annie Got Hot Pants Power Pt. 1 & 2" (Twinight cat. TW151)
Ohs, Ahhs and Koos from the ladies and nothing but the deepest admiration from the guys. Heck Syl's neck hurts just from looking at his ladies style. As best I can tell I recently completed my collection of Syl Johnson 45's on Twilight/Twinight and I look forward to featuring them on an upcoming night. Syl plays guitar with the best of 'em but his talents don't stop there. He has one of the strongest voices that he perfectly highlights on his Soulful Funky songs.

The Phantom "Surfers" - "Banzai Washout," "Oribitron," "Aye Five Gold," "Erotica," and "Surf Rider" (Estrus Crust cat. ES-713)
The Phantom Surfers never disappoint whether it be an entire record dedicated to the grueling sport of slot car racing or pseudo surf tunes ala The Ventures these guys are nothing if they are not the funniest and most entertaining band ever. The music has an authenticity to it that seems lost on other bands just trying to damn hard to imitate their forefathers. The Surfers should teach a class in this stuff. Lighten up people it's only Rock-N-Roll. God I miss these guys... "Hey Surfers, New Jersey has an ocean too! How's about another East Coast Swim?"

Billy Stewart - "Summertime" (Chess cat. 14257)
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a hell of a lot of songs that are "one of my favorite songs of all time," BUT... The actual song "Summertime" regardless of the performer is a flawless composition. Taken fast, slow, mid tempo, funky, soulful, bluesy, Rock Jazz, Latin, etc... it is hard to fuck this one up. Billy Stewart's arrangement with its own brand of vocalese and scat make it a true stand out. I have brought along a few other versions to represent the versatility and brilliance of this song.

Pavement - "Summer Babe" (Drag City cat. DC9)
Something about Pavement makes me think of Summer despite the title on this one. These guys were handi-capable of doing everything perfectly without ever looking like they gave a crap. That feeling that everything could go horribly wrong or just fall apart without warning yet (and sometimes regardless) it all works perfectly and dare I say flawlessly. Here the band grooves through a mid-tempo Pop Hit which is at times is velvety smooth and equally rough at others.

New Crack:
Parliament - "Red Hot Mama" b/w "Little Ole Country Boy" (Invictus cat. Is-9091)
Parliament - "Breakdown" b/w "Little Ole Country Boy" (Invictus cat. Is-9095)
This is the original more guitar heavy version of "Red Hot Mama" (another one of my favorite songs of all time) is a raw burst of emotion and music as physical presence. If you weren't ready for what is contained in these grooves it could easily knock you on your ass and don't expect a hand up when its two and half minutes are up... you're on your own.

"Breakdown" opens with some incredibly steady and groovy drums which are complimented nicely by guitar and Gospel tinged vocals and backing. Like some of the Sly Stone stuff this track highlights the drums perfectly and would seem to be a showcase for them. It's as if the band wanted to show off the talents of the fancy foot and stick work of their very fine man at the traps and all I can say is I am glad they did.