DlSicORDER 7A guide to CITR fm 102 , Disorder 4uly19«4, Why Isn't
live minutes of my time" is how Art radio ignored them, as did the big record Bergmann describes "Hawaii," the under companies. As with any other underground" ground hit he wrote while in the Young act in the mass-media world of North America, Canadians. Those five minutes have hounded they reached a point where they had to break him since. Like the time in 1983 when Bergmann into the mainstream or break up. was onstage with Los Popularos at UBC: some "It was time for a change," is Bergmann's rabid drunk, recognizing Art from the YCs, reply to queries about the split. "Besides, we spent an hour howling at the top of his lungs, weren't big enough. I like to work in a band, a "Young Canadians ... fuckin' Hawaii .. play situation where there's a lot of creative argu fuckin' Hawaii ... leschogo to fuckin' Hawaii-i" ment going on. Maybe that's my problem. But "It bothers me," says Bergmann, "because I the Young Canadians were just too small for us think I've written a lot better songs than that. to rub off on each other.'' Not just that, but that EP sold about 5,000 He got the band he wanted soon after, copies, and I never saw a cent of it. The guy who forming what was unfortunately described as owned Quintessence must have ... no, I better "Vancouver's first punk super-group:" Los not say that. I don't need a lawsuit." Popularos. It would be easy to accuse Bergmann of being The band first emerged as a "fuck band" on ungrateful for past success, but he has a point: the Bud Luxford compilation and featured Gord he has written better songs, and none have Nicholl and Tony Bardach (ex-Pointed Sticks), received the attention given "Hawaii." After Buck Cherry (ex-Modernettes), Zippy Pinhead seven years and four records with three different (ex-Dils), and Bill Shirt (ex-Active Dog), along bands, he's in the unenviable position of being, with Bergmann. Originally dubbed Los Radicos as one wit put it, "a semi-legendary folk hero of Popularos, the band played for the hell of it, the Vancouver alternative music scene.'' more often than not for free. Roughly translated, that means that while The "Radicos" was dropped when the band there may be a loyal audience who will look became a serious project. Burdened by inflated forward to hearing the songs he's recorded with expectations, the band almost didn't survive his new band Poisoned, there are a great many their first tour. Cherry left, and the band laid low more people out there who will, at least for now, long enough to shed the ludicrous "super continue to say, "Oh, yeah ... Art Bergmann ... group" tag and coalesce into a pretty decent pop wasn't he the guy? ... yeah, let's go to fuckin' This band. Los Pops managed to put out a moderately Hawai-i-i-" interesting single and an EP, Born F.ree , which, It shouldn't happen that way, and maybe it although spoiled by muddy production, show won't. The songs Bergmann's recorded with cased Bergmann, Shirt and Nicholl as talented Poisoned are as good as anything that has come and capable tunesmiths. out of Vancouver: sophisticated, well-crafted "Like all great bands, we were really awful songs that still have a raw edge. Bergmann's sometimes," says Bergmann of Los Popularos. voice cuts through with emotion and intensity, a "In the end we broke up because we couldn't mixture of sincerity and cynicism. The tapes Man record anymore. We'd signed a three year have a lot of people saying that this could be the contract with these people, and after Born Free big break for Art Bergmann, the one that brings didn't make them a million bucks, they decided him to a big audience. that they wouldn't give us any more money to Bergmann is more cautious. "Could be, could record, but they wouldn't release us from our be; right now, we're still underground. I mean, I contract. And you can only play live without a always think that a new band is going to be the record for so long before you end up banging one that makes it. You might say I never let my your head against the wall. So we wrote them dreams die." a letters, which got no answers. Finally, we just Looking back on his career, it's easy to decided to call it quits. But I still get together understand the guarded optimism. Great things with Bill and Gord to write the occasional pop have been predicted for Art Bergmann, and not tune about sex, death and religion." without basis. But in the end, something always Which brings us, and Art, to the present, and seems to go wrong, and the prophecy and the Poisoned. Bergmann is back up front, singing potential remain unfulfilled. his own songs, supported by a band made up of The Shmorgs were the first Bergmann-led Ted Rich, Fred Hamilton and Taylor Nelson- band to make it to vinyl, with a record released Star? Little (all of whom most recently appeared with on their own Stray label in early 1978. Psychic Healers) and Murray Anderchak. He's "That was a bunch of guys from White Rock recorded 10 songs for a demo tape (three of and Surrey. We started out as a really basic which can be heard on CITR) and is planning to three-chord rock 'n roll and went on from there play around Vancouver as a prelude to taking as I learned to write songs. We went through a another grab at the gold (maybe brass?) ring. bunch of different lineups, and I ended up doing There are a lot of people pulling for all the writing for the band, which was a real Bergmann, a lot Of people saying that Poisoned burden. And then we were stupid enough to put is 'the one. Anticipation is in the air, inflating out a record.'' The LP, simply entitled Shmorgs, expectations once again. We'll have to wait and is an uneven, but nonetheless interesting, see if Poisoned can avoid the pitfalls Berg record that, despite Bergmann's disclaimer, is CD Gets mann's other bands have encountered. Berg well worth looking for. Considering how the mann seems to be taking it pretty much in album sold, however, the Bergmann basement stride. might be a good place to start your search. "I don't know. I just want to get back to After the Shmorgs, Bergmann went on to form playing live and then do some recording in a the K-Tels with Jim Bescott and Barry Taylor. 24-track; then we'll see what happens. It's tough K-Tel International was not amused: the people POISONED to get back to being the focus of a band, singing who brought you Veg-A-Matic and Myron and so on. It's a lot easier just staying in the Florens' Greatest Hits threatened legal action, back playing guitar and doing backups. But and the band was renamed the Young Cana yeah, we'll see what happens ..." dians. And, if it happens, maybe Art Bergmann can It was with the Young Canadians that leave that particular five minutes of his time Bergmann came closest to success. The band behind and say once and for all - "Fuck released two excellent EPs (including that "five Hawaii." minutes of my time" that continues to plague -CD Bergmann), toured with the Boomtown Rats, and collected impressive notices and fans across Poisoned will be appearing July 20th with the North America. Actionauts aboard the good ship ' 'Hollyburn'' in Yet for all their apparent success, the Young yet another Boating with Bud extravaganza. Canadians remained an underground band; [You owe me one, Luxford. ] Discorder July 1984 Discorder July 1984 oK-HftAfc
c/o CITR Radio 6138 S.U.B. Blvd. Vancouver, B.C. V6T 2A5 Dear Airhead, Who is this Sukhvinder Johal, hater of all he does not understand? In his interview, Dear Airhead, turned editorial, with Linton First of all, I'd like to Kwesi Johnson, I was disgust dedicate the entire playlist ed to read his needless views show to a dear friend (whom on Rastafari. Does Sukhvinder I'll call Mr. E), because at the really believe that the Rasta- present time he can't p!ck it influenced reggae does not up on his receiver, and he just make political statements? doesn't know what he's mis sing. I was also shocked to be called naive and myopic by Secondly, after reading someone who does not know Tom Harrison's many reviews Rasta or the beneficial effects and listening to his silly pu the Rastafarian lifestyle has bescent voice on "Sound had on countless non-Rastas. proof" ... I think you should Rastafari is not only the fol continue your ''Sneer of the lowing of an Ethiopian king, Month" episodes and throw but a complex and caring his pitiful face in it. For lifestyle. "Occupation," you can fill in "Superficial Suckwinder" and Please, in the future, stick for "Likes," "Only his own to the facts, and if you feel it taste in music." and know it, only then say it, because such prejudice is I've got to hand it to that really the root of the world's Jason Grant fellow. Before troubles. reading the write-up in the Sun, I had no idea he was so young, yet he's brilliant, very Now look here Praises, ol' literate, and dedicated to chap, it'd be all too easy for I & CITR. His reviews and ran I to get into a theological dis dom notes top Harrison's any cussion in these columns. I day. I'm impressed. mean, it's hard to actually discuss religion with a zealot Regards, (ask the Sikhs and Hindus in In Anacin dia, ask the Catholics and Pro P.S. - I noticed the address testants in Ulster)! Suffice to for information on Jonathan say that apart from 'myopic' Richman printed up in a pre and 'naive,' which, I'll be the vious issue of Discorder. Do first to admit, are merely my you happen to have one for opinions, the rest of that para The Cure? graph is true: I did 'stick to the facts.' By the way, what's more Take it easy on poor Tom. It the root of the world's troubles: can't be easy writing for the a questioning analysis like mine ugliest newspaper in Canada. or religious zealousness like /=£> For information on The Cure yours? (Clue: You may find the write: P.O. Box 2al answer in LKJ's Age of Reality London, England off Forces of Victory.) W.la 1al —SJ CinnFtDiSfcORDER Contributors: Steve Robertson Mike Dannls, fmlQ2 Cable 100 July 1984 Vol. 2 No. 6 Jim Main RobSimms DISCORDER is a monthly paper published by the Student Radio Gordon Badanic Society of the University of British Columbia. DISCORDER provides a guide to CITR Radio, which broadcasts throughout the Vancouver area at Michael Shea FM 101.9. Larry Thiessen CITR transmits its 49 watt signal from Gage Towers on the UBC Fiona Mackay Campus. For best reception be sure and have an antenna attached to Dave Jacklin your receiver. For those of you with persistent reception problems, CITR Jim Main is also available on FM cable at 100.1 in Vancouver, West Vancouver, Norifi Vancouver, Burnaby, Rjchmond, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Alex Waterhouse Hayward MOBILE Maple Ridge and Mission. DISCORDER is distributed throughout the Vancouver area. Enquiries Chris Dafoe aoou. advertising in DISCORDER or distributing free copies of John Giles DISCORDER a; a new location can be made by calling 228-3017. General Dave Ball CITR business enquiries or information about renting the CITR Mobile Distribution: like Mines Sound System is also available at 228-3017. The request line is 228-2487 or 223-CITR. SOUND Advertising: Dave Ball Harry Hertscheg 228-3017 free at these locations POINT GREY WEST END DOWNTOWN Duthie Books The Bay Theatre A&A Records Frank's Records Benjamin's Funky Cafe Arts Club on Seymour University Pharmacy Benjamin's II Black Market Video Stop Breeze Record Rentals Collectors' RPM Re'cords The Video Store Camfari Concert Box Offices Denman Grocery Duthie Books KITSII.ANO Downtown Disc Distributors Bill Lewis Music English Bay Books Kelly's Records Black Swan Records Little Sister's Broadway Video & Sound Manhattan Books Odyssey Import Records Check-It-Out Clothing Melissa's Records Railway Club Deluxe Junk The Edge Hollywood Theatre EAST SIDE Towne Cinema Lifestream Natural Food Store A & B Sound - Car Stereo Vancouver Ticket Centre Neptoon Records Collectors' RPM Records /'/GRILL Octopus Books Highlife Records Ridge Theatre Joe's Continental Cafe NORTH SHORE Scorpio Records Kelly's Records (Oakridge) A&A Records (Park Royal) Soft Rock Cafe Memory Lane Records Kelly's Records (Park Royal) Neptoon Records Rave Records (Lonsdale) X-Settera Clothing Octopus Books East Sam the Record Man (Cap Mall) Yesterdays Roxy Theatre Deep Cove Bicycle Shop 1/QAiLepiii/cA dtol'Caur&u'tfrj£„ Zulu Records Savoy Cinema Treacher's Records RICHMOND GASTOWN Vancouver East Cinema A&A Records Be-Bop Beatwear Vancouver East Cultural Centre Cubbyhole Books Cabbages* Kinx The Waterfront Kelly's Records 'fecduutr/Aj meujuxfe qriUtA teyuwU Deluxe Junk Western Front Pauls Music Golden Era Clothing ousuie^ You're in a hot, sweaty little basement closet with about 100 other people. You forget what this club's name is, but it doesn't matter because, aside from the fact that bands play here from time to time, there is nothing here to suggest that this place keeps regular hours. The decor is decidedly con crete. There's warm beer for sale until it runs out or the cops fl^v • arrive. You sip your tepid brew and hope the band will be good, all the while remembering that you missed The Darby Crash Home Movie Festival to be here. You've heard that these Minutemen are good. Good and hardcore! The lights go down and bodies start nudging to ward the stage. Three rather nondescript fellows walk on, two of whom are rather large. They must be the road crew or some thing. You don't have a chance to conjecture any further... The Minutemen have launched their mutant punk funk barrage. The best bands are always the most difficult to pin down 3 with labels. The Minutemen are widely regarded as part of the California hardcore music scene. It is true that the band is from San Pedro, California (or "Peedro," as they like to call it), but in terms of their music, "hardcore" is a bit of a mis nomer. White funk on fast dope might be a better description of a typical Minuteman song. - -. V „ 1 Breakneck quasi-funk rhythms with jagged shards of sharp, trebly guitar jumping in and out like a sing-stringed pogo stick; rock trappings, so we stripped all with car noises. None of the Collectors' RPM. If you've short, intense and to the point. the songs down to the bare songs are about cars, though." never heard the Minutemen, The Minutemen are D. Boon bones." Watt cites Wire, The The band are planning exten phone 228-CITR and say "I on guitar and vocals, Mike Watt Pop Group and Captain Beef- sive touring of North America wanna hear about five Minute on bass and vocals and George heart as primary Minutemen over the next few months. Last men songs" (since most of their Hurley on drums. Boon and influences. "When I first heard year they supported Black Flag songs average about one Watt started playing together The Pop Group, I was really on a European tour and came minute in length, such a re some 12 years ago and eventu floored. Here were these guys away rather disillusioned by the quest probably wouldn't be ally formed a band called the playing this kind of funk stuff British hardcore scene. deemed excessive) or, better Reactionaries. "When we were that sounded really white. I "They're very conservative yet, catch them live. I hear just starting out, we couldn't didn't know that that kind of over there. The crowd was they're devastating. Just like really play. I learned guitar by music existed." Boon and Watt strictly black leather and porcu the missile. listening to CCR, Black Sabbath jammed without a drummer pine hair. They didn't know and Blue Oyster Cult," says for a short time before recruit what the hell to make of us, that Mike Watt. According to Watt, ing George Hurley, who had sort of thing. I think that if we'd the Reactionaries was just played with them before in the looked like them, we'd have speeded up rock and roll influ Reactionaries. Since 1980, they had half the battle won." enced by Sex Pistols, Clash and have released numerous discs, If you don't like hardcore, Jam. "We never knew you including the highly acclaimed that does not necessarily mean could write your own songs. We LP What Makes a Man Start you won't like the Minutemen. \ j /\ thought we were too lame." Fires? Although Watt is the They play hard and fast, but it's The band only lasted for eight principal songwriter, all three not thrash like so much British months. contribute tunes. "Soon we're and American hardcore these . \> J! It was January, 1980, when going to be releasing a double days. They'll be appearing in Boon and Watt formed the album," says Watt, "45 songs Vancouver on Friday, July 6 at Minutemen. "We wanted to in 35 minutes. We figured that, the Waterfront. Tickets are get rid of a lot of the standard just for fun, we'd intersperse it available at Zulu, Odyssey and Radio Hell Membership Wants You Remember how much you you can learn something. Application HATED Boy Scouts? Dib dib About radio, and how it works. and all that stuff. Or Girl And --put down that knife, Guides? Or any of those clubs Earl- you could get involved in NAME '_ AGE your parents MADE you join? on-air work. "It's good for you," they said, Interested? Fill out and mail right? "You'll learn some in this membership application. ADDRESS thing," right? Summer membership fees are CITR isn't like those clubs. $10.00 for UBC students, POSTAL CODE PHONE It's not good for you at all. In $12.50 for others, until Septem fact, joining CITR will do abso ber. And you don't have to be a STUDENT? Y N UBCSTUDENT lutely nothing for you, except UBC student to join. increase your capacities for ab But -- when you do join, don't I'M INTERESTED IN SENDTO: normal behavior, expand your tell your parents. This is one musical tastes and knowledge club they won't want you to PROGRAMMING. TELL CITR RADIO and -oh, here it comes, right?-- join. ME MORE. 6138SUB BLVD., UBC VANCOUVER, B.C. V6T 2A5 Discorder July 1984 J,rr) MQil Discorder July 1984 Lou Reed resurfaced recently to speak about his latest re lease, New Sensations. During 4¥¥*¥¥^¥4^¥*^*¥ the course of the conversation we covered music, love, poli Vinyl tics, New York, and various other subjects. It was only later when transcribing the interview that I realized that all of Lou's responses were culled directly ***¥¥***¥*¥ from the lyrics of his new Verdict album. Discorder: The new album is a real comeback for you. Did anything in particular prompt this resurgence? Lou Reed: The President called me to give me the news/I've been awarded the Nobel Prize in rhythm and blues,/ and gerous city in the world and Stevie Wonder wants to record damn proud of it. one of my songs. LR: I got my Mace and you got D: That's quite interesting, yours/You gotta protect your about the President and all. own life. LR: Don't want to talk about D: Do you still hang out there? politics today,/I feel too good, LR: The other night we went to let me have my way. see Sam's play/ It was very D: All right, let's talk music, physical; it held you to the then. Have you been keeping stage/ Here's to Travis Bickle track of the "New Music?" and here's to Johnny Boy/ LR: There's not too much you Growing up in the mean streets hear on the radio today. of New York. D: Very true. New Sensations is D: Sounds like you're mellow very basic compared to some of You may often wonder why major record deal. With at least ing. Where do you stand on one company sniffing now, we the current over-produced nuclear arms? CITR never reviews local demo songs on the radio. tapes in DISCORDER. Well, can only cross our fingers and LR: I would not run from the hope the Actionauts get what LR: I really hope you like it, it holocaust/1 would not run from wonder no more, for in this isn't very long./It's rooted in issue we take a look at 15 songs they want. the bomb/I'd welcome the the '50s, but it's heart's in chance to meet my maker/and by seven local artists. Although 1984. this reviewer readily admits fly into the sun. D: Is there an overall theme to D: Any last words? having a strong bias towards "Down at the Beach" by the the album? music with fast, driving guitars Sound Surfers is a somewhat LR: When it's all too much you and machine gun drumming slowish, typical melody with LR: It reminds me of the movies turn the TVset on/and light a (i.e., The Enigmas), the music fairly standard arrangement Marty made about New York/ cigarette/Then a Public Service reviewed here shows, in places, and delivery. The playing and Those frank and brutal movies Announcement/Come creeping certain songwriting ability, production are up to stratch, that are so brilliant/They're on./You see a lung corroding/ well-crafted textures, and but the band's songwriting abil very inspirational, I love the Or a fatal heart attack? Turn to promises much listening enjoy ity seems below their playing thing they do. me. Turn to me, turn to me. ment. (But then again, other ability. At this point the best D: New York: the most dan -Jim Main bits are kinda dull.) thing about the Sound Surfers ^^Bom^rTugga^hugga^onk • •••• is still their name. chomp-wizzle wizzle-womp ... The two most upbeat demos speed it up, slow it down, spin Two years ago amid an unu it around, throw it up ... non are those by the Mike Club and The last two artists, Emily sually hot summer in England, Procedures For Approval, or stop dancing, a little head bash Shriekback released their first and Family Plot, have both put ing to the side and oh, so cool. P.P.A. for short. out their current material as single, "Sexthinkone." It P.F.A.'s two songs, "Decad cassette-only, limited edition sounded like its title -- provo ence" and "Waiting for the releases. The tapes are avail cative, sinuous and insinuating, alluring and slightly dfsturbing. Wind to Blow" are very remin able at most independent re / Now, the summer of 1984, and iscent of early stripped down cord shops (like Zulu). ' the group, primarily composed versions of Ultravox or Simple of Barry Andrews, Dave Allen Minds, with not quite as much and Carl Marsh, have finished drive (perhaps due only to the Family Plot is Madelaine recording their, second long- stark production). Both songs Jam Science is 40 minutes of playing disc to date, Jam Sci are melodic, with emphasis on Morris (ex-MOEV) on vocals, repetitive concrete bunker beat and the Addington clan (ex- ence. The weather forecast: catchy rhythm hooks. Hope ... slap it on and practise the cool and dry. fully, the band will continue to Insex) on drums, synth and two latest groove moves and don't record. basses. Their four-song tape worry about sweat collecting on was recently recorded on a your brow -- like the weather, 4-track porta-studio, but the this record is cool and dry, The Mike Club's two songs sound does not suffer for the Subtle variations in tempol lack of heaps of technology. revolve around Rachael Melas' abound, but not enough to There are three slower paced brilliant basslines and Michaela distinguish any one track re-j songs, and the sinister "Grave- Arrichello's effervescent markably from the next. The! digger," which made it to the vocals breathe heavily up front, While Jam Science may vocals. The heavy bass/drum CITR Top 5 a few weeks ago. If sound so contrived that it could funk rhythms in both "Riff driven by an understated bass you liked Madelaine's vocals score and the pervasive bunker have been composed by a com Rapp" and "My Dream" es when she sang with MOEV, beat. Shriekback may have lost puter program, Shriekback tablish a fluid tempo, with the combined with the sound of The the shriek that gave them an once again succeeds in con squeaky-high rapping phrased Cure circa "Pornography," interesting edge on their first structing a textural aural around and around the twisting you'll love this. imported release, Tench, but sculpture (sorry, Hugh) that synchopations. Very good. they can still weave a seductive adds depth to the rigid melodic musical maze. formula they have confined themselves to. The lyrics are Emily's three songs on the suitably arcane, but who is Hiroshi Yano's "House" and CITR playlist ("My Wife, She going to spend the time to "Step Down" are both finely Married a Butcher," "Doomed decipher their cryptic messages structured instrumentals which to Fail," and "I've Got a Steel Shriekback while sliding on the dance floor (strangely enough) seem too Bar in My Head") are all from anyway? After listening to the short. Just as one is beginning her recent cassette release on album several times, I can think to relax to these slow, layered the MO-DA-MU label. Drum Jam Science of only two conclusions ~ either mood pieces, they rather machines and layer upon layer Shriekback has fallen prey to abruptly fade out, leaving the of synth programs are used to the easy allure of the electronic listener definitely wanting weave a rich, pulsing sound To cop a quote from Aaron white funk that left Cabaret more. that rolls along. "Steel Bar" is Copland: "The simplest way of Voltaire wailing in the wings the catchiest of the songs, but listening to music is to listen fof OR they have recorded THE "Doomed to Fail" is my per the sheer pleasure of the music dance disc of 1984. sonal favorite. Eerie, macabre, "Bushwacked," by the Ac al sound itself -- that is the, stylish, but neither shallow nor tionauts, although by no means sensual plane." With that detached. Dare I say it? This is a monster master rockin' tune mind, pick up a copy of Jam synth with guts. Recom like their previous "Hash As Science and let your body do mended. sassin," is nevertheless a fine the thinking. mid-tempo pop song. The -Michael Shea overly slick production is a deliberate attempt at getting a --Gordon Badanic PAGE 6 Discorder July 1984 Nocturnal Emissions Crowning in a Sea of Bliss Does anyone remember the movie "Fantastic Voyage?" You know, the one in which Raquel Welch, Donald Pleas- ance and the other human microbes are injected into an ailing scientists's body and sub sequently do battle against all sorts of antibodies, organs and other resident bile before tak ing on the ultimate inner space foe, the big bad brain tumor? If you do, you'll probably agree that it is the all-time greatest -if not the only- B-grade bio- anatomical thriller. We know that poor Donald loses his life at the hands (?) of Bliss," required listening for tends to evoke esophageal element whatsoever. As Snake- be a rather lazy record. There a massive white corpuscle, but pre-med students and a must imagery makes its extremely finger so succinctly puts it: are more than a few interesting one has to wonder at the se for all emetic fans. dangerous listening for compul "The content gets lighter and noises, but it doesn't sound like quels that might have been To its credit, this marrow- sive overeaters; "no brekky" more superficial as the techno much thought or inspiration spawned had Raquel & Co. curdling record has tremendous appears to be the central motif logy gets heavier and more pre went into the album as a whole. foregone that teardrop of deliv potential as a motivational tool. here. dominant until we get to our I can live quite comfortably erance and set up a household It will certainly discourage Hunger pangs and gastric present situation, where tech without this record, but, who inside Dr. Banish's carcass — small children from putting for juices aside, there really isn't nology is art and the artist just knows, it might be your cup of "East of Intestine" or perhaps eign objects into their mouths. that much happening on this the poor slob that pushes the bile. Just make sure you give it "Indiana Jones and the Orifice Unwanted relatives overstaying record. There's plenty of buttons." Anyone familiar with a listen before you shell out the of Doom?" Any filmmaker with their welcome? Just slap Noc rhythm, but it all reeks of Snakefinger's work on Ralph measly arm and leg it's going to cost you to own your own copy. enough guts (sorry) to under turnal Emissions onto the turn excessive technology; not that I Records knows that his atti Technology doesn't come take such a project would find table, and they'll be waltzing have anything against techno tude toward music is hardly cheap. himself with a ready made out the door before you can say logy, it's just that so many anti-progressive. soundtrack in Nocturnal Emis Pepto-Bismol. The fact that records of the "industrial" Speaking for myself, I find sions' "Drowning in a Sea of "Drowning in a Sea of Bliss" genre are devoid of any human ' 'Drowning in a Sea of Bliss'' to Steve Robertson Nick Cave Legendary and the Pink Dots Bad Seeds The Tower From Her to Eternity People who expect to be totally dumbfounded by anyone with a name like The Legendary / rom the wreckage ot the in the effective interaction be- y, Pink Dots should approach their Birthday Party, Nick Cave tween the rhythm section (bass latest LP with less trepidation emerges with his gothic horror and drums) and the guitar and than first reactions might indi show intact, albeit much refin piano at the high end. Bar- cate. The group makes wide use ed: from the Sex-Horror-Vamp- geld's and Race's guitar work is of mechanical and electronic ire-BIIITE of a Bram Stoker to at times understated, leaving gadgetry - each song immed the oh-so-subtle terror of an the rhythm section to carry the iately comes across as "really Isak Dinesen. As usual, Cave feel of the song (as in "Ava different"— but everything delves into stuff we all would lanche"), and at times like a about the album is treated so rather not think about: death, buzzsaw. As with the Birthday carefully that a first-time list fear, desertion, loneliness; and, Party, the sound is usually ener is struck by its intimacy for a change, he has his emo bottom heavy. more than anything else. tions barely under control, ex Nick's vocals are, at times, a cept for that incredible eruption There is nothing worse than dissertation, and, at times, a having someone sit you down in at just the right moment. Nick shamanistic chant. I don't claim admits to calculated excesses in the middle of a room, stick on to understand everything in the an unfamiliar record and say both singing and music in the lyrics, so the readers will be past, but this record is largely "Listen to the WORDS!" or spared a literary analysis. A lot free of them. This is not to say "Ignore the electronic noise of it is obscure, but I don't know that old Nick has wimped out; and listen to the MELODY in whether this obscurity is delib From Her to Eternity will grip the TREBLE!" If one aspect of your vitals until it hurts. erate or the normal labyrinthine a new musical encounter re product of Cave's bent mind. quires special emphasis in The lyrics do, however, have an order to be appreciated, other al tendencies abound; but by The Bad Seed's consist of unmistakable spiritual feel to facets are in danger of being underplaying the production ex-B.P. drummer and guitarist them, considering god (God), regarded as weakened. Artists end and opting for a "small" Mick Harvey, ex-Magazine bas spiritual passion, and the life who try to incorporate MEAN sound with relatively simple sist Barry Adamson, Blixa everlasting malevolently but INGFUL prose into their music mix-downs, the Dots have kept Bargeld of Einstuerzende Neu enviously. He won't be able to often succeed only in appearing from resembling something baten on guitar, Hugo Race on have his true love love him on maudlin or self-indulgent. The from the distant psychedelic guitar, and Cave's paramour "Wings Off Flies" until he Legendary Pink Dots have world of early Pink Floyd and Anita Lane on piano. They play finds a one-winged fly. An avoided this situation. All the other creative but prehistoric as well together as anyone interesting predicament. \ lyrics are placed where they can giants of the early '70s. could in trying to interpret ' Altogether a twisted, bizarre, / be understood perfectly; but Legendary Pink Dots will not tj Cave's baroque, dense mater- sick album, but an overpower it's also possible to flow with suit everyone's taste. They are ing and compelling one. Great! the mood set up by the music. different. However, they are Every song on this record has Bats Belfry The use of violins and other not, despite their name, an j something going for it, mostly conventional instruments in obscure band that some frus " '/ pre-set, classical forms lends an trated audiophile has dredged exotic, slightly world-weary out of self-imposed oblivion appeal which is never allowed solely to inflict some new to lapse into cornball. Just musical wound on a public when you're about to say, "Uh, which it sometimes seems will oh ... that sounds like early listen to anything while at other Tuxedomoon" or "Hmmm ... times subsists on a diet of shades of Fad Gadget," some commercial FM. Buy this subtle or not-so-subtle effect album. Listen to it alone. The interrupts your constant search Legendary Pink Dots have to find a slot for this album. many things to tell you. None of the cuts on the "Tower" are harmless. Suicid -Larry Thiessen PAGE 7 Discorder July 1984 and, it being his album, gives himself space to develop a few ... more Vinyl interesting solos: not great, mind you, by his previous Miles Davis standards, but at least they're decent. Unfortunately, Miles R.E.M. has also taken up the synthe sizer along with his sideman/ co-producer Robert Irving III. It Reckoning sounds as if one of them is Decoy chained to the controls at all times, for synthesizer is every where. People should be issued Reckoning: aka File Undei iicenses to use these things, Water. The music of R.E.M. We've all heard the predic after they've passed a test that tions that in 10 years time has a rich and pastoral quality keeps gratuitous noodling like technology will be an omnipre this in check. The problem with about it which sets the record sent force in our lives. Comput - apart from most others. Their ers will be in every home and the synths as used here is that sound, though an amalgam of office, regulating everything the intensity of single notes so many recognizable elements that we do. There will be no doesn't vary; this flattens some (from the Byrds to the Allman ion that a person in the beautiful sounds being produc- Brothers) is, conversely, indi funct °H h" tho nthpr musicians. Western Wor.d can perform H**,-" vidual. The band itself is com "emotional editing" with the R.E.M. avoid being staid be- That's Right" has some lovely rest of the band identifying cause they take a chance. Most without the aid, or interference, posed of a group of likeable, llauetrade-offunas UCIV,CObetweeMn Marsalis hard working, thoughtful, sin parts they don't like or suggest-bands don't take that chance of synthetic gimmickry. " .».».—..- ing alternatives; b) Stipe wants with their second album, It looks like a lot of people and guitarist John Scofield that cere people. Yet the whole is settle down in a much more than the sum of the his lyrics to be "emotionally R.E.M. do. They have consci- creating music these days to great blues parts. I could never confuse true but yet leaving room for ously decided to move away would like to herald in the age groove; what's stuck on top are R.E.M. or their music with any broad interpretation;" c) "at from the dense sound of their of technology right now. Count- synthesizer bits that to me have other band. And so we encap the end of the day they are just first, Murmur. Instead, they less musicians have indulged in absolutely no purpose. I wanted more pop songs." reveal their songs to a much their own private techno-trips to take an icepick to the grooves sulate R.E.M. But there is also and t0 eel bits more. There is, for instance, Peter buck is the "rock" side greater extent, both lyrically in the past couple of years try P those right of things. He is the musical and musically. For R.E.M., this (need I name names?); their off- '* happens again and again Michael Stipe. And there is on Peter Buck. In a sense, historial and archivist. He is a extension and expansion re- success in the use of synthesiz- Decoy's seven tracks, and stage hound. He fires the band veals the depth of their writing ed instruments has depended it's frustrating as hell. R.E.M.'s energy derives from N the contrast of these characters. with the energy which has them and playing ability, as much on their attitude to- °t only is it annoying to try constantly touring, writing and R.E.M.'s Reckoning reflects ward the synthesizer's place in to listen to Decoy closely, as Stipe, of the mournful, almost one w monochromatic, but expres recording. It is his sense of the the growing maturity of a band, music as on their technical °uld a jazz album, it sive voice, is the lyricist. Stipe's past, balanced with Stipe's R.E.M. provide, for a second ability in playing it. doesn't work as funk music lyrics always touch me, but I idealism and freedom from the time, that rarest of albums: one Miles Davis has entered the either; it simply doesn't move. past which gives R.E.M. that which, in a subtle, almost sub- techno-camp as well on his last The on|y Place I would listen to must admit: I don't know what a record llke the hell he's on about. It seems wonderful sound: a sound that versive way, challenges the few LPs; Decoy reveals that this is driving his lyrics vacillate (roughly) is, at once, familiar and com- listener. Reckoning is for think- he's stuck firmly in those around in a car, like so much forting yet involving and in- ing (interpreting as you will), or chrome-lined trenches. Using a otner cow fodder music. That's between the extremes of emo a tional involvement: distance ventive. for relaxing, or, further yet, for few funk musicians (on this shame, 'cause the players on and warmth, trust and mis The sound is composed of: a cleaning the house. Put their record Darryl Jones is on bass; Decoy could be capable of Marcus Miller has appeared in something so much better, trust, revelation and conceal fluid rhythm section, ringing stories, however obtuse, to Fiona ment. Stipe recently told of a guitars, accents of piano, and good (and varied) use. There the past) and a few people who MacKay time when he would not allow splashed of "other" sound are few others so worthwhile, have real potential as jazz play his songs to use "I" and "You" which occasionally, fill the ers (e.g., Bill Evans and Bran- — those were too personal. spaces. It is much much finer No. 1 ford Marsalis on soprano sax Stipe's lyrics always deal with and accessible pop music than es), Davis has put together the general and the ambiguous the appealing but staid likes of songs with such titles as "Ro and the abstract (for several Orange Juice, Big Country or bot 415" and "Code M.D." reasons): a) they undergo an (more favorably) Aztec Camera ^^^^^^^^^^M Miles plays trumpet, of course, Discorder July 1984 lftiH»*1*g, alow oris Go* Lapped- .d .NOl wait a «*» tooKott my ^ people star | VSfeg»-;3^S8aei res•'-ssss S,» tr s~ ss'S-• pirate's delight with: ws V rTSuo?BS 9-rt^ sicnaaf rela „«*! Keren" O^^Sa, Hayes £ up * J» •** the aud»-l fcandmaior >a^T 0a, ^ e-l Ichordson < Driver" an° • PERSUASIONS Fly by Night DISCOGRAPHY Acapella, 1967, Reprise Re- I Just Want to Sing with My T H E A T R"1 cords (RS 6394 Straight), out Friends, A&M Records TWL place -to eppetfteuAeppededl of print (MCA 3656), out of print by Christopher Durang We Came to Play, 1971 and Chirpin', 1976, Elektra/Asylum 1975, Capitol Records (ST Records (1099) 79andSM791) Comin' At Ya, 1979, Flying BEYOND Street Corner Symphony, 1972, Fish Records (FF093) (Flying vWcauvVs miUj "Btj Mmo> ^ ujltffilub - Capitol Records (ST 872) Fish, 1304 W. Schubert, Chi Spread the Word, 1972, Capitol cago, IL 60614) Records (ST 11101), out of Good News, 1980, Rounder print Records OPENS We Still Ain't Got No Band,' Just Us, 1984, Rounder Records JULY 4 1973, A&M Records (MCA (3083) (Rounder Records, 186 326), out of print Willow Ave., Somerville, MA {jAJ\es (jood -to c/cedt, & singles I with the MD's SUNDAY MAG SATURDAY • DINNER REPORT: 6 pm news and info, to digest & discuss • MAGAZINE special news special week- feature. ' news. <• SUN. NIGHT HIGH PROFILE: 8 pm- *.*LIVE!.% Various artist and their music highlighted *unkown tracks host Mark •career facts Mushet delves weekly into. 10 10 ..fASr.. MIXING.. • ' ! PA JAMA the l,2,3f PARTY 11 FINAL VINYL: 11pm. W — •SHOW number his bag of JAZZ • ...MATCHING. album alternatives to ALBUM NEW PLAYLIST ALBUM I funk, rock ti' soul. ion the 12 playlist!! give you • .\- the0-w^ music BLENDING.... . Album* 11pm ....SCRATCHIN BEDTIME AGAINST FOR MEDICAL BONGO'S. 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