Even more end of summer fun: Atomic Rooster

In a similar vein to the below piece regarding Grand Funk Railroad, I bring you this awesome/incredible/hilarious video of Atomic Rooster playing on the UK's The Top Of The Pops. Awkward dancing abounds!

End of summer fun with Grand Funk Railroad

If the splendid yet sometimes awkward transformation from 1960's acid soaked rock into the hard rock/heavy metal sound of the early 1970's could be trapped in a bottle and unfairly condensed into an easy-to-digest 1 album summary, I think Grand Funk Railroad's On Time would suffice nicely. This grainy footage from a live show in 1969/1970 exemplifies just how perplexed the audience was at the time, unsure of how to react (it's quite funny, actually...see about 0:46 into the clip below) to Grand Funk's thumping basslines, sped up tempo, and bluesy riffage.

As many around me are sure to know, Grand Funk has been a large part of my personal summertime playlist. A live version of the track 'Are You Ready?' from the aforementioned On Time LP is posted below. Throw your misconceptions out the window and open your mind. It'll pay off in the end, trust me.

Fang - Landshark

Bay area punk band Fang came to prominence in the early 1980's with their debut LP, Landshark, an edgy LP that dealt with the ever-growing self-aware nature of the punk/hardcore scene of the day (specifically seen in the classic track 'The Money Will Roll Right In'). This LP was released shortly after their contribution on the Not So Quiet On The Western Front compilation LP was released.

In 1989, singer Sam McBride was sentenced to six years in prison for murdering his girlfriend, Dixie Lee Carney. While that factoid certainly won't win him any humanitarian awards, it is difficult to deny the influence that Fang's dirgy tone, speed, and ruthless attitude had on the punk and hardcore scene of the late 1980's/early 1990's (both Nirvana and Mudhoney would cover 'The Money Will Roll Right In' live on multiple occasions, Mudhoney eventually deciding to properly record the cover as a b-side).

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Big Black - Kerosene

"I was born in this town. Lived here my whole life. Probably come to die in this town. Lived here my whole life."

While I would argue that these lyrics are almost too relative for most, the sheer 'I don't give a fuck' nature of Albini's prose, combined with the maniacal-yet-mechanical nature of the song itself cannot be challenged. Many would agree that the concept of suburban hostility is somewhat cliche in the grand scheme of all things 'punk', but I dare say that Big Black set the bar rather high with this specific track off of 1986's Atomizer.

This song encapsulates an anger and frustration that many punk and/or hardcore songwriters wish they could obtain. Albini's distinct ability to bottle up frustration, anger, and cynicism is ever present and unparalleled. Even funnier, people still try to pull this shtick off when they can simply put on the A side of Atomizer and cease dabbling with inferior imitations.

Check it out for yourself and make your own decision:

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Flower Travellin' Band - Satori

For the love of whatever you hold dear, do not deny it. Let it take over you. Let it become you. Live it. Embrace it.

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Goatsnake - Flower Of Disease

With all of my talk about things related to Scott 'Wino' Weinrich, I find it hard to believe that we have yet to discuss Goatsnake. Strangely enough, Goatsnake is made up of members of some rather often overlooked, yet incredibly talented bands, creating one uber-talented band that reigns supreme over many.

Goatsnake rose from the ashes of The Obsessed, as the band's rhythm section began jamming with the likes of legendary metal mastermind Greg Anderson (of Thorr's Hammer, Burning Witch, and SunnO))) fame). The trio finished their lineup with the addition of Pete Stahl (who had previously played alongside a young Dave Grohl in the D.C. hardcore band Scream). The band was able to record some tracks and tour a bit before becoming overwhelmed by Anderson's other projects and fading into obscurity. Eventually, in 2000, Goatsnake (with a new rhythm section) headed back into the studio to record what would become their greatest effort, 2000's Flower Of Disease.

This album (the band's second, released on Anderson's Southern Lord label) would perfectly encapsulate the band's sound, one that was both classic and yet contemporary...a sound that, in my opinion, is second to none. See for yourself via the link below. Be sure to check out the standout track, 'El Coyote', a track so chocked full of boogie rock that you might just not know what to do with yourself. Enjoy!

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Holy Neglected July, Batman!

Okay, okay, so I realize it's been nearly a month since I've posted anything on here. I should point out that I've been out and about having some summertime fun and therefore unable to upload some raging tunes for y'all.

Ultimately, that's no excuse. Therefore, I've broken out some big guns to post for what remains of July to make up for lost time. Hopefully you will share my enthusiasm for these tracks and we can all happily enjoy what remains of our sticky summer weeks.....





So by now we are well aware of my tendencies toward all things "grunge" related. We know of my weird obsession with Nirvana, the Melvins, and other related bands. We also might know that recently I finished my Soundgarden vinyl collection (all LPs and 12" EPs) and that I recently picked up a fresh, mint copy of C/Z records' 1985 compilation, Deep Six. For those not familiar with this compilation, it is considered the very first evidence of what would be later considered "grunge" music. This compilation contains tracks from six different bands (Green River, Malfunkshun, the Melvins, Skin Yard, Soundgarden, and the U-Men), that would collectively encapsulate what would later become known as the 'Seattle sound'. This comp has some excellent cuts on it, including Malfunkshun's highly underrated track, 'With Yo' Heart(Not Yo' Hands' and some excellent early material by Soundgarden.

If you think you are too "punk" or so musically advanced that you are beyond this compilation, I strongly suggest that you pull your head from out of your ass and try again. If there is one thing that the mid 1980's Seattle music scene did, it allowed for various musical genres that seemed unrelatable to co-exist. A wondrous cornucopia of sounds and influences that, ultimately (for better or for worse), would captivate the pop-culture world.

Without further ado, I give you C/Z Records' Deep Six compilation:

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