MOG - tnstranger's Posts

Doom Metal Lesson #1: Pentagram

tnstranger — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:23:44 GMT

As a washed up musician and a member of the middle class, frustrations much like the ones in my formative years started to pop up over the last few years. Living in East Nashville and working in Rivergate can do that to you (I am not in the “cool/hip” part, I am nearer the beer at 9am and making babies for income crowd) So what happens…

Metal Returns!

It turns out most my exposure to Metal was all Hit Parader and Circus as a kid. There was a whole other wing of extremeness going on across the pond and near my front door that I completely missed. Bathory, Celtic Frost and Sodom in Europe. The Obsessed, Pentagram, Unorthodox and a ton other doom bands right next door to me in Maryland and Virginia.

Doom it is agreed started with Sabbath, but Blue Cheer, The Stooges, Sir Lord Baltimore, and Pentagram influenced a whole wing of Metal that grew up to be St. Vitus, Candlemass, Catherdal, Trouble, Witchfinder General and then The Sword, Witch, and a few others today. Doom is defined (IMHO) by downtuned, groove laden songs sung about drugs, witches, mythology, satan, and other super cool things. Plus it is HEAVY. Like really HEAVY. And I love it! So…

Doom Band #1 Pentagram

They started in 1970, so they were literally neck in neck with Sabbath. But the heavy was accentuated around 1971-72 so there was definitely a few spins of the first records possible. The Relapse release “First Daze Here” documents the beginning, and tracks like “Forever My Queen”, “Walk in the Blue Light” and “Starlady” are head bobbin’ groove fests, not to mention criminally overlooked retro classics. They really came into to focus in 1985 with the release of “Relentless” with a new line up under singer Bobby Liebling (who is the closest I have seen anyone come to actually looking like a vampire) and the addition of Victor Griffin who is one mean riff writer. This album is currently Hank III’s favorite album and they even played together (I would have loved to see that…) Regardless, as a Rock dork it rarely gets better than the bonehead stomp of bands like Pentagram, Bedemon, Sir Lord Baltimore, Blue Cheer, Groundhogs, Leaf Hound and other old forgotten dinosaurs I am slowly finding out about. To all the guys and gals digging Witch, The Sword, Witchcraft, and other retro groovers of today, lend an ear to the old guys who started it. Part 2 to come, I’m sure you can’t wait….

Old School vs. New School

tnstranger — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:15:28 GMT

I have decided what my problem is with Music. People prematurely deem things to be great, and then get overly excited if there is a difference of opinion (I myself have been guilty of this in the past.) However, I have a barometer for this problem: Time.

I once thought Alice in Chains hung the moon. A few years later and I realize some of it still stands but on a whole it was kinda weak. I thought in the late 90’s Elephant 6 was the future of rock. Now I own Zero cds made by those folks (except NMH). Everyone wanted me to like the Strokes a few years ago and now they are forgotten. Even the holiest of Holies to me, Nirvana, are being treated like a 90’s fad and are largely dismissed!

The problem I have with talking about music with others is that I listen to and search out things that I read about from the past, and nobody has ever heard of most of it, so we can’t have a conversation about it. (check out my mog and if any of you like any of my music, let's chat!) And it pains me because no one else is aware of these artists but yet they want to go on about how amazing (enter new hip artist here) is. It seems the majority of music loving folks triumph things now and then move on the next “new” thing.

Here is my point, it seems like we are over the hump of western culture and it is going downhill fast. Let’s take 1996-2006. 10 years. (I picked this time so no one can use grunge bands) Who is still around from the beginning of that era and still relevant? Or who from this era do you think will last? (Ps Death Cab for Cutie is excluded for obvious reasons (ie the fan club that lives here))

Also once you cast your ballot, print this page, put it in your sock drawer, pull it out in ten years and see if you were right.

(Dear 2012 reader, I told you so!)

Seriously, we are all intelligent here (for the most part) who is your choice for Rolling Stone/Spin/AP etc. etc. artist of the decade 2012? You can only pick two…

Ryan Adams

tnstranger — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:17:50 GMT

I was in Wilmington, NC in 1997 when I First heard Whiskeytown. I heard 10 seconds of “Inn Town” off “Stranger’s Almanac” and bought it right there. In all of alt-country at the time, I liked them the best. First off, they were a current and still performing band and the songwriting was head and shoulders above the rest of the “No Depression” magazine crowd. It was timeless instead of tongue and cheek or overly earnest like a lot of that stuff tended to be.

I saw Whiskeytown live that year at a half full Music Farm in Chucktown and it was great. The next day the manager of the store I worked at, that went also, remarked about how much of an asshole Ryan Adams the lead singer was. I had never heard of anyone being offended by a musicians “assholitude” before, since I just took for granted all musicians are assholes (at least the majority of the ones I have met.) But that would be the first in a long lime of times I would be reminded how much of an asshole Ryan Adams is by other folks….

Let me preface this with a disclaimer. I too think that Ryan Adams has been an asshole in the past. His posturing during the “Gold” tour, the embarrassing Elton love fest, the Ryman thing (but I will forgive him that because I was there and that guy was drunk and interrupting the whole show), dating Alanis, his need for dressing like what he sounds like at the time, etc. etc.

But I forgive him. We are the same age and if you gave me that talent, those drugs and actresses, those hotels, those rowdy crowds, I would have done far worse. But I digress…

Take away all that attitude and prissy behavior and listen to the songs. Now who is a better writer today? Name them. I am sure you can come up with at least one name. We all have our fruity sensitive singer songwriter we hold dear, but seriously. He is pound for pound the best writer going today.

You may wonder where I am going with this. My point is I think this guy is the shit. He has not done one thing (give or take one tune or two) that I dislike. Plus he puts out about a forth of what he actually records and still puts more quality work out than any other solo singer/songwriter guy today. I am the pickiest person I know when it comes to new music, so much so most people find it is unbelievable and I am just being snobby. My point is my wife thinks I am gay for liking him so much, none of my friends like the guy or have heard of him, radio play is scarce, and rarely is he recognized as a talent. Why?

Is it because John Mayer is just so good no one can make room for him? Sufijan Stevens? Bright Eyes? How are these guys better? If anything they are the same but yet more posey and fey and hateable. Yes, I know John Mayer plays guitar well. Good for him. But is his style is all SRV, and I wasn’t much for him either. Ryan has his traits and they can be grating too but those songs are undeniable.

This is just to get a read from all those in Mogland and a) if you have heard of him and b) if this made you curious and c) to slag off John Mayer. Also, I respect everyone has taste here but ol Johnny boy sure gets under my skin for some reason. Must be the pout…

Help my friends open for the NEW YORK DOLLS!!!

tnstranger — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 14:39:46 GMT

+PLUS+

Go Here:

http://blueroom.att.com/garage/voting/index.php

scroll to Nashville and choose the Turncoats. My old college buddy is in this band and they are really good. Seriously, i always have to pretend i like all my friends bands but with them i reallly mean it! They play 60's influenced Rock with NO indie bullshit. Most bands i see are too "cool" to just play danceable catchy rock down at the RNR club and they do it for sure! It warms an old mans heart to see these guys get recognition for actually being a good band with GOOD songs.

They have a 7 inch out on Grand Palace and hopefully an album on the way. i heard the demo and it is frigging awesome....

NEW YORK DOLLS IN NASHVILLE!!!

tnstranger — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 21:49:50 GMT

DUDE!! Very excited! December 1st at City Hall. I'm one of the party poopers since in my opinion the Dolls were Johnny, Jerry, and Killer Kane and without them its a farce but....hearing "jetboy" live played by ONE old member is worth a see (plus there's two!) I saw the dvd and they do put out live. That new record sure is a stinker though but wadda i know....

Power Pop

tnstranger — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:14:59 GMT

How many other people count this as a big part of their collection or listening habits? This "genre" could be my favorite area of study. This has even led me to form a "Power pop" band (but i will keep all that to myself, your welcome)

I have uncovered a few nuggets this past weekend and i was seeing if any mogs had a suggestion. Here's what i have found so far that pleases my ears:

Raspberries Big Star Badfinger Real Kids Nervous Eaters Matthew Sweet SVT The Sterics

I will post a "mog" sharing what i have heard so far later when i have more time. Any others? i tend to be a little more on the raw punk side then the Dwight Twilly/Marshall Crenshaw side (even though Marshall is awesome and one day i need to buy that cd!)

Any other 70's or early 80's gems i am missing?

Scorpions :Guilty Pleasure #1

tnstranger — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:31:25 GMT

Since mogging, I have mostly tried to keep the course of “cool”, but now I’m gonna really get out the dork.

As a wee lad in the late 70’s, early 80’s, I was quite the record buyer. My grandma would give me $5-10, every weekend to buy something. This means I can remember “Record Stores” when all they sold was records. Back then they had the import section. It was usually full of Punk or Metal and even some “questionable” material. One such item bought was the picture above, Scorpions “In Trance”.

I can see the scrunched up faces now, “You’re high, Scorpions, ech! They suck!”

I would agree with you but from 1971-1979 (even up to “Love at First Sting” 1984) they were REALLY good. The reason for this is one Uli John Roth. Weighing about a buck-o-five, in satin trousers and scarves, Roth was (and still is) a BADASS guitarist. A little too derivative of Hendrix, but too good to look down on, Roth made those early Scorps records smoke! “Dark Lady”, “Polar Nights”, “Virgin Killer” are all top notch compositions by Roth. As far as metal goes, Scorpions were in the early days a very innovative band. They were highly melodic, Klaus Meine’s vocals were extremely different, and the songs could be punky, proggy, and psychedelic all in one track. Their albums covers could also be some of the most fucked up. “In Trace” is very erotic (there is a version with nipples), “Taken by Force” was a rocker and a spy shooting each other in a graveyard, “Lovedrive” sports a guy stuck to a girls breast by a bubblegum like substance in the back of a limo (by Pink Floyd designer Hipnosis) but “Virgin Killer” had a 11-12 year old girl nekkid on it (probably the most headshakingly strange and disturbing record covers ever)

What I am getting at is, if you like NWOBHM or classic metal, it rarely gets better. “In Trance” is my favorite. As a kid, the music was really strange and some of the heaviest stuff I had heard up until then. “Dark Lady” should be sample if you are interested. If you ever liked old metal and never gave them a chance or shrugged them off as the schlock crap they were (and still are for the most part) in the late 80’s, give it a chance.

Scorpions "Speedy's Coming" 1974 w/ Uli John Roth

Billy Childish

tnstranger — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:45:55 GMT

I first heard Mr. Childish during the great “buy everything ever that came out of Seattle plus everything Kurt Cobain mentions in magazine articles” blitz in 1992. We had a car full of newly purchased Half Japanese but a cd by Thee Mighty Caesars was played first. “When was this made? In the 60’s” I asked. “Last Year” Hunt said.

I couldn’t believe it, but the studio is famous now because of Jack White, “Toe Rag.” If you like the Kinks, Early Clash, or just Punk Rock, he is essential. He has released over 100 albums (not too hard of a feat if you record songs numerous times and make records in your bathroom) and about 10 of them really good. He started out in The Pop Rivits, a typical 70’s British punk sounding group, then formed The Milkshakes, who played Star Club era Beatles sounding originals to piss off punks (great great stuff btw), Formed Thee Mighty Caesars (my favorite era), that played stripped down raw 60’s Garage influenced British Punk, then became semi-known in Seattle in Thee Headcoats during the grunge years with a Sub Pop record and big Mudhoney endorsement. His lyrics are poetic but direct and the musicianship is surprisingly tight and bombastic for how crude they were recorded. Seriously, this guy REALLY should be better known plus his interviews are always entertaining because ol’ Billy puts up with no bullshit and is very anti-commercial. He is also a writer (“My Fault” is a disturbing read detailing his life as an abused child, son of a drunken dandy, and life as a no-account) and a prolific painter.

If you are interested the best places to start is: The Milkshakes “19th Nervous Shakedown” comp on Big Beat Thee Mighty Caesars “Caesars’ Pleasure” comp on Big Beat or Thee Mighty Caesars “Surely They Were the Sons of God” on Crypt Thee Headcoats “The Good Times are Killing Me” on Vinyl Japan Thee Headcoats “Conundrum” on Super-Electro

The Ballad of David Allan Coe

tnstranger — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:00:42 GMT

Above this “mog” is the first picture I ever saw of David Allan Coe. I had only known him as the guy who wrote that song that I cannot name here. His hair, his non-PC song lyrics, all photos I ever saw of ol’ DAC just screamed “clown.” (Just take a look at any late 80’s early 90’s release if you don’t believe me) That was before I heard him. I was in a local Murfreesboro record shop and saw a record of his named “Human Emotions.” He was dressed just like above, the album had 2 sides: Happy Side and Su-i-side. It also had a letter addressed to his wife who just left him on the back. This guy looked like GG Allin’s older brother and I could not resist (plus it was $2.99) I took the album home and played it. “Would You Lay with Me (in a Field of Stone)” was the first track. This was a big Tanya Tucker hit, but growing up above the Mason/Dixon I had never heard it (or any country for that matter, really.) I was immediately hooked. I could not believe someone who looked like that could write so beautifully and masterfully. I now have most his albums. All kidding aside, DAC could be one of Country’s most talented songwriters. He is definitely the most interesting and the most underrated country songwriter. Any fan of Merle Haggard, George Jones or even Gram Parsons would feel right at home with DAC on the stereo. He has covered Neil Young, John Prine, Tim Hardin, Jackson Browne, and many others that don’t get country covers. Plus his two “Underground” party albums are f%*&ing hilarious (if you can suspend your political correctness) If you don’t believe me, take a listen to “Spotlight”, “Rollin’ with the Punches”, “River” or any other early track and try not to be surprised at the intensity of his delivery but also the mood he creates within the song. “Crazy Mary” and his cover of Guy Clark’s “Desperados Waiting for a Train” can only be described as Goth Country, spooky and atmospheric unlike ANY country song and those were done in 1971. PLUS: If you still don’t get it or turn your nose up, check out his “Penitentiary Blues” album. The backing group sounds like “Highway 61 Revisited” after a knife fight. It is as close to Chess blues a white man ever got. Plus his jungle calls and the Screaming Jay Hawkins-esque rap about his last prison meal requiring “the eyes of a spider crawling backwards and the hind leg of a giraffe” is absolutely the coolest thing I have heard in a LONG time.

Celtic Frost

tnstranger — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:24:21 GMT

For all the metalheads (closeted or unashamed!) CELTIC FROST You have either: -never heard of them -once loved them, then hated them post "Cold Lake" -think S.O.D. made them up

I had a horrible job last year. So in light of the frustration i felt, I ran back into the arms of metal. First, I shopped Amazon and got plenty of recommendations. Celtic Frost came up. I bought it. Competely went apeshit over them. Then a few months ago, they released a new record (one they had worked on for over four years!). "Monotheist." This album is the best return to form from an unlucky band, the one that just didn't get noticed or if they did, it wasn't the right time to be noticed. There are plenty of ways to look up their history so i will spare my fingers. If you like smart, innovative, avant-garde metal. Look no further. Not only gifted with one of metal most incredible and unique voices, Tom Fisher also understands art and the way to make a metal riff punish your ears. This guy is a genius in my book. Apparently, he has had personal problems and it shows. This album is a teeth knashing, bile soaked riff fest. I am competely geeking out on this new album and no one will join me! The track "Obscured" could be a lost Bauhaus outtake. This somber tune is just TOO cool. "Domain of Decay" is just simply HEAVY

Nirvana fans take note: Kurt Cobain sited Celtic Frost a few times as an influence, I also believe he swiped the guitar sound for "Bleach". Give Metal a chance folks!