Just who was that Masked Man?

This one was a pain in the dick to track down. I was always under the assumption that this dog was hung under the moniker of "Mask Man & the Agents", and as it turns out, I was partly right. As the sometimes super spy 'Mask Man’ and captain of the 'Cap-Tans', Harmon Bethea has put his brand on some sweet-ass soul the likes of 'One Eye Open' and 'Yaw'll', but the ultimate ode of this incognito 'Love Bandito' remains his race-conscious interpretation of the Jesters penned novelty tune 'Roaches' released on the Musicor label in 1972 and subsequently comped on Norton record’s ‘Big itch 3’.


Now, if only we could get Jerry Lot in on the action.

Roaches - Harmon Bethea

Psycho, psycho, psycho, psycho...

Ladies & gentlemen, there is fuzz...and then there is FUZZ(w/ a capital UZZ). That's exactly what it took for a couple of Pennsylvania teens to accomplish the Herculean task of out-sonicing (Heh, I created a verb) the Sonics. Famously comped on 'Back from the Grave', this record boasts a reputation seldom rivaled, and deservedly so. In addition to insuring that the seminal 'Psycho' was worthy of it's name, Pittsburgh's Swamp Rats also managed to outshine the Sparkles with a cover of their signature tune(No Friend of mine)and put their stamp on the most blood-curdling version of 'Louis, Louis' that has ever been spun. Far from a mere cover band, the 'Rats' penned some genuine angsty trashers such as 'Hey Freak' before goin the way of the Dodo bird. Lucky for us their unpressed input has finally seen the light of day again on the re-release of the long out of print 'Disco Sucks' collection re-title 'Disco Still Sucks'.

On a personal note, I picked this gem up several years ago from a friends spread, and upon giving it a spin to ensure that the 'I' were crossed and the 'T's dotted, those in attendance commenced to wince in abject terror causing one gentleman to remark "What is that noise!"

Now, if that isn't a ringing endorsement, then I don't know what is.

Released in 1966 on the St. Clair label, 'Psycho' is so ahead of its time it hasn't even come out yet. Dig in!!!


Psycho - The Swamp Rats

Its a Jerzy Thang...

And for all of you insomniacs...

Everything is Bigger In Texas.

Before reaching lasting fame as "Tres Hombres", there were two Caballeros by the name of Billy Gibbons and Dan Mitchell who hitched their wagon to the Lone Star state in the form of The Moving Sidewalks.



Best known for the infectious, organ-driven stomper '99th Floor', the group originally released two singles on the local 'Tantara' label - 99th Floor/What Are You Going To Do (1967).I Want To Hold Your Hand/Joe Blues (1968)- before laying down a full length by the name of 'Flash'. Eventually their were picked up by 'Kingmen' benefactor 'Wand' records who redistributed the '99th Floor' single in addition to licensing album cuts 'Need Me' and 'Every Night a new Surprise' for release under their own imprint. Read on...



"Gibbons founded the Texas psychedelic group in the mid-1960s and quickly drew a large following, especially in the Houston "Teen Scene". Their single "99th Floor" was a hit and topped the charts at #1 in Houston for six weeks. The success of this record led the Sidewalks to sign with Wand Records which then released "Need Me" which also became a Top 10 Hit. The group was asked to open for many legendary rock tours, including Jimi Hendrix and The Doors. After Tom Moore and Don Summers were drafted into the U.S. Army,Billy Gibbons and Dan Mitchell added Lanier Greig and formed the original ZZ Top. They recorded the first ZZ Top record "Salt Lick" which was released on London Records."

Enjoy!

99th Floor - The Moving Sidewalks

'Sin & Soul'

Rolled out of bed in the P.M. and got me some Dunkin' Donuts before takin' a trip to New Brunphis (AKA. New Brunswick) for a haircut and a trip to the friendly neghborhood junk store. Lo and behold, they're in the record racket now. Less steller is the fact that everything is priced to sell to the freshmen crowd, hence the $20 dollar price tag for a 'Flaming Groovies' LP. That said, I did managed to sneak a couple of good cuts by. Scores include:

Cherry People - self titled (Heritage)
Sneakers & Lace - Skate Boardin' (Arth)
Alex Keack - Surfer's Paradise (Crown)
Leonard Cohen - Songs From A Room (Columbia)
Bauhaus - Bela Lougosi's Dead (Small Wonder)
T-Bones - Shapin' Things Up (Sunset)
Oscar Brown Jr. - Sin & Soul (Columbia) p.s. Thanks for the heads-up Devil.
Gospels in Rythhm - N/A (Coronet)
Wings Over Jordan Choir - Amen (Gusto)

Et Tu, Brute?

Perhaps DC should regulate knives in the back...

In a time when Turtles ruled the earth!!!

In honor of Devildick and his addoration of all things 1-4-5 and 'Twangy'...



Long before Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman rode the White Whale to Frank Zappa's doorstep, these two 16 year old gawkers teemed up with classmate and all around ace guitarist Al Nichols to kill the So-Cal Surf competition as the Crossfires. A local smash in their neck o' the sand, these kids were so tops that they managed to kill famed ax-hanger Eddie Bertrand in their Battle o' the Bands, no small feat considering Bertrands tenure in the Bel-Aires (Mr. Moto) and later Eddie & the Showmen (Squad Car). Though they recorded about a dozen killer tracks, only two singles ever saw the light of day during their lifespan, the hen's tooth above and a bonified snotty punker that goes by 'One Potatoe, Two Potatoe' (Not to be confused with the 'Elite' song of the same name). Enjoy.

Jekyll & Hyde - The Crossfires

Fiberglass Jungle - The Crossfires

Love it to Death Live...er Dead...Whatever!

If you, dear reader, do not appreciate the genius that is the Alice Cooper band, then I am afraid we have reached an impass. Might I suggest you continue on to greener pastures. Now, for all those in the know, dig this live footage circa 1971' in Asbury Park NJ (Popular consensus places the venue as the Sunshine Inn). I love the part where the Coop cues Buxton out of the solo. Rock!

You Don't Know Dick # 1

Chapter One: Loomings

"What of it, if some old hunks of a sea-captain orders me to get a broom and sweep down the decks? What does that indignity amount to, weighed, I mean, in the scales of the New Testament? Do you think the archangel Gabriel thinks anything the less of me, because I promptly and respectfully obey that old hunks in that particular instance? Who aint a slave? Tell me that. Well, then, however the old sea-captains may order me about - however they may thump and punch me about, I have the satisfaction of knowing that it is all right; that everybody else is one way or other served in much the same way - either in a physical or metaphysical point of view, that is; and so the universal thump is passed round, and all hands should rub each other's shoulder-blades, and be content".

-Herman Melville

"Reason Flows From My Fountain Pen"

Courtesy of the Raritan Center Record Expo - I couldn't dig up much on the above platter sufficed to say that it's a psych comp darling (most notably pebbles # 2), and these Texas teens definitely have a mind for Manzerick. Distributed by Buddha records Cobblestone subsidiary, this 1969 cut by the Crystal Chandelier b/w 'Your Land of Love' is so fuzzed out it's in danger of being shotgunned by Randy Alvey. Enjoy!

Suicidal Flowers - The Crystal Chandelier

The Devil & the Ding, Dong, Ditch

1. Lude Boy - Social Distortion
2. Telling Them - Social Distortion
3. Daddy's Gone Mad - Legal Weapon
4. Puss 'N' Boots - Red Cross
5. Out of My Head - Modern Warfare
6. Street Fighting Man - Modern Warfare
7. Deception - Secret Hate
8. New Routine/Suicide - Secret Hate
9. Suburban Bitch - Conservatives
10. Just Cuz/Nervous - Conservatives
11. Evil - 45 Grave
12. Concerned Citizen - 45 Grave
13. 45 Grave - 45 Grave
14. Dogs - Christian Death
15. Reject Yourself - 100 Flowers
16. Marry It - Rhino Thirty Nine
17. Death on the Elevator - Superheroines
18. Embalmed Love - Superheroines

Here is one for my crushed-velvet peeps. This seminal Cali-punk complation features alt. cuts of several '45 Grave' tunes (A highly undrerated band) off the 'Sleep in Safety' lp in addition to the vinyl debut of Death Rock/punk pioneers Christian Death (pre- 'Only Theatre of Pain')and The Super Heroines (featuring future Christian Death / Shadow Project guitarist Eva O). I'll let 'Alt. Music Guide' fill in the blanks:

"Recorded in 1981 for $550, this Southern California punk compilation (featuring one of the earliest performances of Redd Kross, here as the pre-lawsuit Red Cross) has been known to command prices in excess of $100 for a good vinyl copy. Well-known and obscure bands are represented side by side -- Social Distortion, .45 Grave and Christian Death rub shoulders with 100 Flowers (the serious side of punk comedians the Urinals), Secret Hate and Conservatives, amongst others. As a quick profile of the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Orange County scene circa 1981, this collection is hard to beat. ~ Steven McDonald"

And now for something in the Jugular vein...

Labels don't get no sweeter than the figural outing of this 1958 ode to hunchbackery. Pretty much the same cut on the flip, though it's a good cut to begin with. Comped a billion times, I think it bears repeating.Boo!

Igor's Lament - Tony & the Monstrosities

Saturday Night Special

New to the fold, this stealth-trigger, factory engraved Hopkins & Allan is pretty smart lookin'. Chambered in .38 rimfire, I don't think I would have risked firing this little pepper brandy new, much less 100+ years after the fact (though the people's republic of New Jersey does not recognize it as an antique), less it blow my hand clean off. Durability aside, it need only be true for one shot (the one that counts). Lets say "Strictly heirloom".

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad...MAD!!!

Straight out o' NYC 1979! Scored this a couple o' weeks back. I initially left Ye Ole' Record shoppe without it, but reconsidered after realizing I would never see it again.

The little girls don't know, but the little punkers understand (wink).




Courtesy of Screamin Mad George (of Re-Animator fame)and former 'Cramp' Julie Gztzertenzendndzenzzen (somethin' like that anyways)The A-Side kills, though the flip is kinda beat (still miles better than the pap that passes these days).

Now if only someone will put the 'Eyeball" single in my hands...

Merry Christmas

Fresh from a shelac shack in NYC...

I Want Two Wings - Rev. Utah Smith

And just who on God's green marble could possibly be outlandish enough to inspire Rev. Charlie "Wrapped Up and Tangled Up in Jesus" Jackson? Read on gentle reader, read on...

"Rev. Utah Smith (1906 - 1965) first was a "traveling evangelist" out of the Churches Of God In Christ before he settled in New Orleans. There he founded the Two Wings Temple and the song "Two Wings" became his "theme song". Smith oftentimes used two wings while singing this song. Even before he came to New Orleans he played an electric guitar. He toured the South and was famous for this particular song. Smith recorded "Two Wings" first in 1944, but the 1953 recording is the more famous one. Sister Rosetta Tharpe stated Smith being one of the great "old" guitar players in gospel music. Smith's "Two Wings" might be a good example of simple southern community singing."

The flip ain't nothin' to sneeze at neither...

God's Mighty Hand - Rev. Utah Smith