Thursday, June 23, 2005

Listen! Listen, Listen, Listen, Listen, Listen!: No Straight Lines

Hello all. Welcome back for round two of my illustrious little music column. I hope everyone found at least one artist from last week that really stood out for them. One thing I noticed in the comments was an affinity for tunes that may be a bit more, let us say, guitar oriented?

Being the man of the people I am(well, this week anyway), this weeks theme is chock full of guitar. I thought it might be interesting to examine the genres surrounding punk as we know it, without focusing on the obvious touchstones that everyone probably knows anyway. So as much as I love them, there will be no Sex Pistols, no Ramones, and no Clash.

More specifically, I'll be examining some albums that are Proto-Punk, Punk on the Cusp of New Wave, 80's Punk, Modern Interpretation of Punk, and Post-Punk.

Hey Ho, Let's Go!(Alright, so there's a Ramones reference. I couldn't help myself.)




Iggy Pop & The Stooges: Raw Power

The year is 1973 and the place is Detroit, Michigan. Here and in a few other cities, the Jurassic stirrings of punk had already begun to swagger out of the primordial ooze in the form of bands like the MC5, Blue Cheer, and The Velvet Underground. The Stooges, fronted by resident wildman Iggy Pop, had already begun building a name for themselves since 1969, releasing both their eponymous debut as well as 1970's Fun House. While both of these albums gave the world a very clear glimpse of a new primal, overtly sex charged and downright dangerous direction that rock and roll was about to take, nothing could have prepared the world for Raw Power.

In possibly the most aptly titled album ever, Raw Power makes a mad grab at your most base human instincts and does not let go for the over-way-too-quickly 32 minutes that it lasts. The songs themselves are short blasts of throaty growls, sweaty walls of punishing breakneck riffs, and the occasional pounding of the piano holding on for dear life. There is a certain theatrical quality more often prevalent in the glam rock of the time. Given the fact that at the time David Bowie's management group took the swarthy group on at Bowie's urging, this comes as no surprise.

To anyone who has never known the pleasure of starting their car and peeling out to the banshee wail strains of Ron Asheton's guitar on the blistering opener, "Search and Destroy", it is impossible to describe, and I beg you, for the love of God, get a copy just to do that.

Simply put, if music were a weapon, this record would be an atom bomb strapped into shiny leather pants.

Key Tracks: Search and Destroy, Gimme Danger, Shake Appeal





Television: Marquee Moon

A bit further North in NYC circa 1977, Televison was releasing their now classic album Marquee Moon the several years after Iggy and the Stooges were tearing things up in Detroit. For two albums under the proto-punk banner, the two bands couldn't have been more different. Whereas Iggy and his band of misfits seemed to write hormonally charged tunes straight from the crotch, guitarists Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, along with bassist Richard Hell and drummer Billy Ficca took a much more cerebral approach to their material.

Not content to bash out chords and wiggle their hips, Television took their love of jazz forms and jam sessions, and coupled it with angular guitar lines producing slightly loose, yet very confident
song structures in which snaking guitar lines circle and intersect one another in mesmerizing trails. Verlaine's slightly nasal, but endearing voice adds a unique personality to the mixture.

While 1977 seems to remind people of obvious punk staples, it's important to recognize Televison's contribution in the NYC scene of the era, and the fact that they were one of the bands which can be viewed as bridging the gap between punk and New Wave which followed. Despite lack of widespread knowledge of the band by the mainstream, the influence of Televison is absolutely crucial and undeniable when one looks at the guitar work in bands such as Gang of Four, who themselves have currently spurred on many imitations in the current scene in bands such as Liars, Franz Ferdinand, and Interpol to name a few.

Key Tracks: Marquee Moon, Elevation, Prove It





Repo Man: Original Soundtrack

Despite how it looks, the East did not have a lock on punk. By the early 80's, punk had not only made the jump from the UK and established itself in NY with bands like The Ramones and New York Dolls, the Manifest Destiny of punk rock went West, young man. And the urban sprawl of Los Angeles is where it decided to squat.

I don't know how many of you have actually seen Alex Cox's brilliant 1984 film Repo Man, but its far out, sci-fi, low budget, F**k off attitude really grabbed me by the throat in high school. But what got me at least a couple of years before the movie, was the soundtrack.

The soundtrack for Repo Man does a phenomenal job of capturing a time and place through music. The heavyweights of West Coast punk rock at the time come out in full force, including Black Flag's raucous, yet pointed track "TV Party", Fear's sinister and nihilistic "Let's Have A War", and The Circle Jerks with two very different tracks. Add a few cuts by unknown bands such as The Plugz, who give a very distinct Latin flavor to the proceedings, as well as one of the most badass songs with someone talking, "Bad Man" by Juicy Bananas, and you've got one of the best damned soundtracks in history, not to mention a good primer on the state of punk, circa 1984.

Key Tracks: "TV Party" by Black Flag, "Repo Man" by Iggy Pop, "Coup d'Etat" by The Circle Jerks, "Reel Ten" by The Plugz






The Thermals: More Parts Per Million

Fast forward to 2003...there have obviously been some punk bands since 1984, and some of them may have been decent, but a lot of the pop-punk and cream puff bastardization of emo in recent years has been disappointing to say the least. Along came The Thermals from Portland, Oregon. There's not much to say about this album, honestly, and that's its greatest strength. It's a simple affair. A stripped down trio, with bass, drums, and guitar. The songs are almost all short, uptempo blasts of joyful noise. Adding to the charm of this record is the lo-fi, reverb-y basement sound that gives it a crackle of DIY authenticity and urgency. It amazes me still how much can be accomplished with three chords and the will to have fun.

Though their second album, F*ckin' A is also extremely good, I give the nod to this one for the charming lack of polish, and just downright infectiousness.

Key Tracks: No Culture Icons, Goddamn The Light, I Know The Pattern, Time To Lose





The Evens: The Evens

Here we are in good old 2005. There is a strange and nebulous banner that floats out there and that banner is "Post-Punk". In certain respects, genre classifications such as this one are kind of self-defeating, because it seems that in giving it such a broad tag, we're left with more questions about what it is at all. I don't have an answer, but I'm pretty sure that this band would fit the bill.

Ian MacKaye, the man behind some of the best known hardcore bands in history(Minor Threat, Rites of Spring, Fugazi) the driving force of the DC scene, and founder of Dischord Records teams with Amy Farina, drummer from the Dischord band The Warmers.

This project finds MacKaye in different territory. The duo present a stripped down product, naked and stark. Much of the intensity that is present in other MacKaye fronted bands is still here, though channeled in a more subdued way, bubbling under the surface. The skeletal structure allows the well blended harmonies to buoy the songs and give them a certain heart and levity we wouldn't normally see from someone we've come to love as frontman of bands like Minor Threat. There are undercurrents of wistful optimistic thinking and battles with ennui.

While it takes a couple of listens, once you finally get it, it sticks.

Key Tracks: All These Governors, Mt. Pleasant Isn't, If It's Water, On The Face Of It

As I hope I was able to illustrate, the roots eminating from Punk Rock branches may snake off in a multitude of directions, but the fruit it has brought to bear from the musical tree is among some of the most exciting and unexpected.



48 comments:

Sheriff Officer Greg the Bunny said...

Kern,

another epic tour de force of music prose that sets the damfino blog apart from the other gunch filed wasteland that is cyber babble....well done...blah

Kern said...

Sheriff-Thanks! I was initially going to the columns on Friday, but Jed mentioned that he wouldn't be in, so I moved it up a day. It was a lot of fun to write. I've got some very interesting themes coming up. Stay tuned!

krysta jo said...

Alex, AMAZING. As usual.

Kern said...

KJ-Thanks! It's nice to be do a little writing on a regular, quasi-focused basis again. Especially on a subject I'm so deeply in love with. I find myself wondering as I write these things if I'm making them too long, as there are some themes I think I could write a lot more about.

Do you know if Senor Jed is going to grace us with his presence this morning, or will he be in this afternoon?

krysta jo said...

I have not heard/seen Jed-o today, but since he turned down Thursday night drinks, I would assume he is not coming to Ames today. Slacker.

I am intrigued by your music choices. Very nice. Oh and you have an incredible grasp of the English language.

Kern said...

Aw, shucks. Now I'm all a-blush. Thanks.

As for Jed, he mentioned something about an Arts Festival or something? I didn't get the specifics, but I got the impression that he said he'd be on at least a little today, but not at all on Friday.

krysta jo said...

Iowa State Extension, in all its infinite wisdom, "purchased" a bridge at the Des Moines Arts Festival. Therefore, all the Extension employees have been strong-armed into "volunteering" and manning the bridge. I didn't catch when his shift was but I do remember something about mornings, afternoons, and Friday. He'll probably appear when we least expect it. Somehow my mom avoided the strong-arming and is safely tucked away in her cube.

I, on the other hand, have 2 more hours of Statistics this afternoon including a 60 point quiz.

How's your day shaping up?

Kern said...

I have a lot of irons in the fire, but none of them are time sensitive to any great degree. Lots of data entry and relabeling and all that good stuff. How's the weather there?

krysta jo said...

The weather is amazingly hot. It's going to be near 100 today but it's so sunny and wonderful that we cannot complain too much.

You?

Kern said...

Well, it's not too hot, but yesterday it rained and such. Usually we get a lot of really nice summers that are almost rain-free. So far this summer is not going too well in that regard. Though Father's Day weekend was amazing.

I bet it's going to be damn hot when I come back to DM...

krysta jo said...

We are all counting on the weather being absolutely fantastic when you come visit. It's been an amazing summer here so far. Last summer it was so cold we went skiing maybe twice and I was wearing a heavy sweater at the State Fair. Yuck.

Kern said...

Sounds like you got our weather. Last year when I was back, it was pretty damn warm. Well, to me anyway. But I know I've become wussified somewhat by the temperate climate here.

krysta jo said...

Yeah...ya Sally. Just kidding. I lived in Georgia for two years and now I absolutely cannot stand any type of winter weather, so I completely understand.

Kern said...

Yeah, I haven't even been back for an taste of Iowa winter. I'd probably die. The winters here being so mild and all.

I prefer the term, Nancy, if you please.

Heh heh.

krysta jo said...

Ok Nancy. Ha ha. You think you're so funny.

So how's the dating situation? You have any new prospects lined up? Have you by chance been watching the evil Reality Show, Beauty and the Geek? Yes...cheesy. However, I can guarantee you are not as bad off as some of those guys.

Kern said...

My dating situation is back to the status quo: quiet and desolate as the plains. There aren't any prospects to speak of, which isn't surprising to me.

It's really hard to meet people here. It's not that people are rude here, just indifferent. The ladies here are very hard to approach. It's like you have to know someone to get introduced. It's so different from the Midwest in that regard. It's kind of this weird vibe where people don't like strangers approaching them.

I have been watching Beauty and The Geek religiously. I love that show! I toyed with the idea of applying for it. I'm kind of a geek, but probably a bit less clueless than most of those guys, so I'd be kind of like a ringer. I'd just have to initially play a lot geekier than I am, and I could potentially sweep the whole game!

Well, I guarantee you that Richard has now kissed more girls in that short time span than I have in the last two years.

Pardon me while I weep...

krysta jo said...

Please don't weep. Richard is ugly and stupid and completely incompetant in the ways of social behavior. Each time I watch, I want to silently kick him in the head. Really aggrivating. Unfortunately I missed the first episode that he and Chuck started not liking each other. I was sad last night that Richard didn't get voted off.

I cannot believe you watch that show too! I really though I was a freak. Well I am but that's beside the point. You wouldn't happen to watch Airline on A&E do you?

Kern said...

That one I don't watch. I try really hard to stay away from reality shows if I can help it, but when it involves a bunch of geeks trying not to be too inept around attractive women, the lure is far too great.

I am a huge fan of the Average Joe series, if for no other reason that its Naturalistic view of Nice Guy v Hot Guy in the dog-eat-dog dating environment of today. There is not one shred of comforting feel good, underdog wins the day business here. No sir, this shows the true Hobbesian nature of this dirty business...a nasty, brutish, and short crash course of clueless but well meaning men on the harsh realities of the turgid romantic whirlpool that we participate in.

I can identify...

krysta jo said...

Interesting description. :) I try equally as hard to stay away from reality tv, but occasionally I'll catch an episode or two of The Bachelor and I am really getting in to this Beauty and the Geek. Oh and let's not forget the Real World. There's a new season and for some insane reason, I have started watching again. I feel like I am 20!

Airline is a good show - even to watch just once. They are self-contained episodes of people yelling at airline personnel. Last night this guy was wasted and he told the people that his dad was a lawyer and then a cab driver. Also..he said that he was in the military (complete with a ponytail and all) and that he was transsexual. Needless to say, he didn't get to fly home. Oops.

Kern said...

He doesn't sound like a security risk or anything, right?

krysta jo said...

Definitely not. I could only hope in that situation that he is seated right next to me. AWESOME.

Kern said...

By the way, would it be safe to say that Beauty and The Geek has possibly the worst theme song on TV at the moment?

krysta jo said...

I think that's a possibility.

Kern said...

You know, I think Rich is a bit of a wanker, but honestly, Chuck is just as bad at the other end of the spectrum. I think since he gave Scarlett a little backrub the other night all of a sudden Mr. Nosebleed thinks he's a stud. I hope they both fail.

In a way, I like seeing Richard stick around just to torment the arrogant bastard.

Also, how is that little twirp getting more action than me?

krysta jo said...

Because the girls are acting. The only reason any of those girls are on the show is because they are Hollywood hopefuls. Trust me, they are kissing him to prove their depth of acting skills. You gots nothing to worry about.

I hope that the show producers knock on my door and award me the winnings.

Kern said...

Hmm, I'm really starting to think applying for the show may not be such a bad idea.

Even if that explains why Richard is getting the ladies(not really), it doesn't really help my current drought.

krysta jo said...

I'm sending happy thoughts your way. If I knew someone out there, I'd work my magic (if I had any). :) Maybe you ought to just move back to the Midwest!!! There are nice girls here.

Kern said...

Thanks for the happy thoughts. I think I'm a little bitter because a friend of mine back there that I've known for years basically promised he'd introduce me to some girls when I came back. As the months have gone by since, there's been a lot of hemming and hawing, now to the point where I might hang out with one girl, if she feels like it. I think it really bothered me that he got me all excited for nothing, especially when I am starting to think he never had the intention of making anything happen in the first place.

I'm just being Mr. Bitter today. I'll snap out of it.

krysta jo said...

Don't be Mr. Bitter. It's so hot - it's hazy here. :)

I've seen photos - you'll find someone ... most likely soon.

What do you call a guy with no arms and no legs, laying on the porch?

Kern said...

Doorstop?

krysta jo said...

MAT.


Gosh...oh and also "worse off than you!! :)"

Kern said...

Heh, that's probably true. To be honest, I'm probably being a little dramatic. To be honest, I've kind of gotten used to my life as a single person, and in certain ways it seems kind of scary when I think of trying to add another person to it. I've become so used to doing my own thing my own way for so long, I don't know if I could do it.

I was just thinking, it's probably a good thing I posted today; if not, we might not have had a new thread to comment in.

Kern said...

Grr...used "to be honest" twice in two sentences. Way to go, Kern...

krysta jo said...

That's it. You are banned from the Damfino blog because you overused a trite connector "to be honest."

Single life pretty much rocks as far as responsibility goes. I completely understand - I have built my little life by myself and am quite fond of it.

Kern said...

Speaking of which, what's the news with you and your new beau?

krysta jo said...

It's all good. He's coming down to Ames for July 4 weekend...

Kern said...

Ah sounds good. Big plans?

krysta jo said...

We are spending some quality time together doing things like mini-golf, wine tasting, go-cart racing, etc. Also, we are spending family time with my family because it's my little sister's birthday on the 6th.

Kern said...

I see. Sounds like an action packed weekend. My 4th plans are up in the air, but I may go on the third to see this band called Maximo Park play at the Crocodile Cafe. I've been really remiss in my live show going this year...

krysta jo said...

We are going to see Johnny Radial and the Retreads.

Kern said...

Is that country? For some reason it kind of sounds like a Rockabilly band. I like Rockabilly quite a bit, actually...

krysta jo said...

Actually it is 4 old drunk guys from my hometown who play covers. The music gets poorer the drunker they get, but the drunker I get, the better the music gets.

Kern said...

Ah gotcha. What kind of covers?

urnotme said...

Alrighty then.

Kern- absolutely fabulous choices and writing! I fel like I was reading spin or a better version of Rolling Stone. I sure hope you do something like this for a living.

What do you do?

Anyway. I love Iggy Pop. In fact I have the album that you reviewed. Television I have not heard of and have yet to listen on Amazon, but will soon. I am pressed for time as it is now. Repo Man- I've never heard the soundtrack, but I have seen the movie. Actually it was like last year and damfino and I were out at 1/2 price books or something and he made me buy it. We watched it and truly thought it sucked. Some things were endearing, but for the most part I didn't dig. Maybe cause I never saw it when it first came out and I judge it compared to everything I've already seen. Maybe I should give it another try. I still own it. Ok ok. The Thermals I have the fuckin' A album and really like it. I have yet to listen to this one. The same with the evens.
It seems like you picked some really good choices here and I look forward to mini listen to these later today and hopefully download!

So, it's 6:08 and I'm off to hold a Garage Sale with my mother in this incredibly shitty heat. I'll be back.

Out

Oh nice Gonzo pick--that's familiar-what's it from??

Kern said...

Urnotme-Thanks for the support. I used to write a little bit when I was younger, but besides this and the occassional poem, I haven't done as much writing as I would have liked. I actually have a novel/screenplay that's been in second draft hell for several years now. I am currently working in a law firm, as an Offsite/Transfer Clerk in the Records Center. That's my special way of saying I track down files and get them in and out of the office as need arises.

Anyway, I'm glad a lot of the choices are new to people for the most part. That's kind of my hope for the column is to bring people something they haven't heard, so if they like it I can sort of live vicariously through them as they are blown away by it for the first time. Raw Power is one of my favorite albums ever. I only have it on vinyl now, as I think my copy that I had in DM got lost in the move up here.

Televison is one of those bands that is relatively obscure unless one delves into the whole NYC punk thing circa 1977-1985 where it began switching over to new wave/no wave and artsier permutations as time went by. I think they're awesome, and it's amazing how a band that so few people have heard were able to have such an unseen influence on music that we even listen to today!

That first Thermals album is my favorite. I love the grittier feel of it. F*ckin' A seemed almost too cleanly produced, and I take a few points off for that.

The Repo Man soundtrack is essential listening, whether one likes the movie or not. The movie is for sure a love it or hate it kind of deal. I'm a warped individual and it kind of fits my personality perfectly. I can't explain why I love it, but I think it's the little touches when you've seen it more than once. Like the fact that almost all the male characters are named after beers(Miller, Lite, etc.), all the generic everything in all the stores, and the air freshners that pop up everywhere after one of the characters mentions it. I'm a weird bastard, what can I say?

Also, I think The Evens album is one of the most slept on albums this year. I'm really trying to get into peoples hands. If you listen to it, and it seems just ok the first two times or so, keep after it. It wasn't until listen 4 or 5 that I thought it was amazing. I think it was because I wasn't really sure what to expect and after I came to listen to on its own terms instead of trying to figure out what it sounded like or should sound like, I was blown away.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback! It's great to know that I might be helping people pick up something they may never have heard of otherwise.

Kern said...

Oh, and the Gonzo pic is sort of the Hunter S. Thompson(RIP Doc!) trademark. It's a fist and dagger combination. I have a tattoo of that on my back that I got when I was 19. By that time I had been a devoted follower of HST for a few years. I found the particular pic in a Google Image Search.

Damfino said...

Kern - with urnotme hopefully burning off a cavalcade of discs to further my punk knowledge, I say thankyee for the assistance.

I have always dug the Iggy Pop - and I am very excited to hear Television.

There is a late 80's early 90's gap in your write up! Was punk on vacation?

Finally, I gotta admit, I am in the middle of completely digesting Ryan Adams and Neko Case - my dip into punk might be slight for the moment.

Yo

Kern said...

Jed: Was not a mistake. I think there wasn't much good punk related material in my opinion to write about until The Thermals. I know there are some, but I wasn't really that into them. Just wait until this week. It's the first time the theme incorporates multiple genres!