Guantanamo Baywatch - Reptile Roommate

I came across this band several weeks ago when I was planning my trip out to Portland. This was the only band playing while I was out there that came up when I searched the term "garage". Needless to say, they did not disappoint. One bit. I would even say they exceeded my expectations. Initially I was drawn to this band for, well, the reasons are too many to list. But fuckit! I love garage. I love surf. I love garage-y surf. The kind found on some of the 50's & 60's comps I got at home, like Strummin' Mental, or Diggin' Out. I love the fun-first, irreverent, borderline offensive (but too funny to be) song titles, like Titz & Twatz, Clam Party, and Cum Fart Food. But most of all I love the fact that this band is TIGHT. This is a good band. And their recordings, while definitely for fans of the lo-fi, indie variety, showcase a band that not only brings it with the energy, but is capable of geetin er done in the studio as well.

So, on to Portland. I see them in the basement of an indie record store in Belmont (I think it was Belmont). They don't even serve alcohol in this place so I am nippin' it on the flask. The singer/guitar player gets on stage, takes his pants off, puts on a pair of short 80's beach shorts, and as he turns around a projection of a giant pepperoni pizza is shone on the backdrop behind (and on top of) the drummer. The pizza starts spinning around. I'm laughing my ass off. The bass player goes up on stage and I notice on the back of her guitar is a painting of the King! Amazing. Band starts playing, kids start dancing, faux-hawked lead singer/guitarer keeps tryin to come out into the crowd with his axe, these dudes were feelin it, and the kids were LOVING IT! Great energy from the band. Great vibes from the kids. Got to get these dudes out to New York.

So, what I have here for you is their tape, Reptile Roommate, on Gnar Tapes. Six succulent cuts of Sun, Fun n' Sleaze. Enjoy!

(Coming Soon: "Postcard From the Tar Pitz")

Lost Classic - Wild In The Country (1961)

I discovered this gem thanks to TCM a few months ago. Hooked instantly by the stunning title track which plays during the opening sequence panning across gorgeous hills and valleys, I sought out more info about this film, a rare dramatic role for Presley. Fans of Elvis are surely aware of the early promise he displayed in films such as Love Me Tender and Loving You, but Wild In The Country is one that had completely escaped my attention. I've never been a huge fan of the King's post-Army output, but there's no denying he had a unique ability to deliver a song. Between the title track and his pared-down acoustic rendition of the lovely "In My Way", his gifts are on full display. I've prepared a four track sampler from this film, all sparse, acoustic material, two of which appeared in the film (Wild In The Country, In My Way), one gorgeous number which was left out of the film and later issued on the Elvis For Everyone LP (Forget Me Never), and an acoustic demo of another outtake (Lonely Man). More people need to see this film and hear these wonderful treasures. Click on the poster.

Druids Of Stonehenge - Creation (Stereo) 1967

So, I came across this record a couple months back. I've seen mixed reviews about this band around the web, but this record slays me. The drums sound great (drummer is killer as well), David Budge (singer, center, below)'s got a great voice, these guys are just tight. Pretty straight ahead garage with some psych undertones, they cover a few of the prototypical bar band repertoire of the late 60's, however to great effect. I must've heard hundreds of covers of both "I Put A Spell On You" and "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", but these renditions are definitely my favorites of both. (Side note, Big Papi just yanked a donger off Jeff Niemann)

Anyways, I'm gonna get to the point here. I have this record in stereo on vinyl. The mix is killer. Love the panning. Buuuut, apparently the label that owns the digital rights refuses to put it out. All the copies I've found on the web have been in mono. I HATE listening to mono in headphones. My friends know this. So, today I bucked up and finally figured out how to rip vinyls onto the computer. Unfortunately, I did not figure out how to "trim" the tracks (you'll hear the needle drop on the first track of each side). But all in all I think this is a pretty quality stereo version of this record for the Ipod. For more info, there's a good bio here

The Animated Egg - Guitar Freakout (Sundazed)

Killer psych guitar record from the folks at Sundazed. This is about as lazy a post as you can get, but since the gang over there already went through the trouble of a press release, here goes:

"The late L.A. session guitar genius Jerry Cole has long been worshipped for his work with everyone from the Beach Boys and the Byrds to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley and by surf fans as the leader of the Spacemen. But unbeknownst to many, Cole was also the driving force behind the Animated Egg, a fictitious band whose lone, self-titled 1967 LP is one of the greatest psychedelic exploitation records ever to hit the budget bins of U.S. chain stores—and eventually the want lists of big-spending DJs and collectors.

Comprised of splashy, fuzz-drenched “Now Sound” instrumental groovers, The Animated Egg easily lives up to both the eBay hype and the promise of its evocative track titles: “Sure Listic,” “Sock It My Way,” “Sippin’ and Trippin’,” and—yes indeed—“I Said, She Said, Ah Cid.” In addition to the rare self-titled LP by the Animated Egg, this collection also includes cuts by other related Cole projects: the Projection Company, the Generation Gap, T. Swift & the Electric Bag, and the Stone Canyon Rock Group. Sourced from the original analog masters, Sundazed’s glorious CD and high-definition double-LP vinyl editions of this hallowed prize are a must for turntablists and brain-trippers alike. "

2-LP set. If you're looking for a gift for me, look no further...

Si, Para Usted (Volumes 1 & 2)

Communist Cuban Funk from the 60's & 70's (although on volume two there is a completely out of place Juan Pablo Torres track from 1990). Mostly instrumental, superb sound quality. Each volume is a double-LP set pressed on 180-gram vinyl. Issued by Waxing Deep & Light In The Attic, a label you will be hearing much more from. Highly recommended

Los Holy's - Sueno Sicodelico (1967)

Los Holy's were a Peruvian Psych-Surf outfit who put out this killer record of instrumentals back in '67. The back sleeve of this LP sums up their vibe perfectly (albeit with a wonderful english-as-a-second-language quality): "Los Holys symbolize the restless and evolved heart of today's youth. Do we know all of the sounds that are heard at the bottoms of the sea? Space stations don't capture sound-waves produced at thousands of light years? We will try to reproduce those sounds with our instruments and maybe they'll end up being more pleasant than the crashing of waves." This is almost as perfect an instrumental record as you can get, forgiving the super-cheesy surf rendition of Unchained Melody. This group was featured on each volume of Back To Peru, both tracks of which came off this record. Been meaning to post this one for quite a bit...

Margo Guryan - Take A Picture (1967)

Another record I've been quite obsessed with lately, I came across this one looking through the Sundazed catalog. Apparently the title track was used in a film commercial recently, though I'd never heard it (apparently the commercial didn't run on MSNBC...) The story about this gal goes something like this: classically trained jazz pianist from New York, discovers pop music through Pet Sounds, writes/records killer album, decides she doesn't want to tour, record flops, becomes music teacher in LA. Is this saccharine pop? Maybe (though I don't think so). Guryan's singing style comes across like a gentle whisper, and the tenderness of her lyrics only reinforce the comforting quality of this music. But what really stands out to me is the production. The drum sounds on this record are fantastic. The kick is prominent throughout, and the toms really pop out at you. Please give a listen and share your thoughts.

More Beatles Cartoons

Here is a select smattering of shimmering 1960's Beatles cartoons:

And Your Bird Can Sing



I'm Only Sleeping



If I Fell



I'll Follow The Sun

It's Been Awhile

So, it's been way too long since I posted on here, thought I'd sign in and give an update. I moved into a new apartment February 1st and it's like a whole new world for me. Great place to just kick back, unwind, listen to some tunes & just enjoy the three B's: Beers, Bros, and Brews! Anyways wanted to post something I've been listening to alot lately. Recently got into a compilation kick, great way to discover new & obscure artists from yesteryear. Here's one I came across a couple weeks ago. Picked up the vinyl last weekend. Killer mix of Surf, Psych, Garage, Disco, Funk & Soul from late 60's/early 70's Peru. Highly recommended.

Beach House - Devotion

Not A Second Time

So i've been on a bit of a hiatus but couldn't resist posting when I came across this. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting indian-style on the shag carpeting in my first house, watching the Beatles Cartoons. Happy Halloween

Kim Deal Mini-mix

Today I want to share a few of my favorite Kim Deal tracks. I've been a Pixies fan since the ninth grade. The next spring she put out the second Breeders record, Last Splash, to this day still one of my favorite albums of all time. 1995 saw her put out the only Amps record, another classic which I will save for a separate post. She's released a couple Breeders records sporadically the past 14 years since, but I'm including one of my favorite tracks from 2002's Title TK, a track which actually dated back to the Amps days, Forced to Drive. Also, a cover of Chris Bell's "You & Your Sister" (w/ Tanya Donelly). Feast:

No Aloha (from Last Splash)
Dedicated (from The Amps - Pacer)
Forced To Drive (from Title TK)
You & Your Sister (from This Mortal Coil - Blood)

Mike Nesmith, or More From The Monkees

I've already espoused on my love for The Monkees. Today I wanna share two of my favorite Mike Nesmith tracks. I'm pretty much on the fence as to whom my favorite Monkee is, it's tight between Micky & Mike. Nesmith (pictured left enjoying an ice-cold soda during the Headquarters sessions) was actually the only one of the Monkees that was chosen from open auditions. Apparently he showed up on his motorcycle wearing a floppy woolen cap and carrying a bag of his dirty laundry and the casting agents knew they had their man. He was also the only Monkee who was a legitimate songwriter & musician before the creation of the group (Peter Tork had some experience but hadn't released anything). Anyways, I'm not here to give you the guy's whole life story, here are two tracks from The Birds, The Bees, & The Monkees, both Nesmith compositions featuring Mike on vocals.
Tapioca Tundra
Magnolia Simms

Mickey & Coco Dolenz / Monkees Demos

I've always been a big Monkees fan. I used to watch the show every day after school when I was 8. A few years ago Rhino put out Deluxe Editions of their first few records, remastered, with b-sides, outtakes, the whole shebang. The Headquarters deluxe edition contained two unreleased demos of Mickey harmonizing with his sister Coco. There's just something about brother/sister harmonies that really gets me.

She'll Be There
Midnight Train

Virtual Mixtape Vol. 1

People are always asking me what I'm listening to, so back in May I decided to compile a virtual mixtape. I actually kinda ripped the idea off of Bradford Cox. Anyways like anything it required sufficient procrastination before coming to bear, (or just me figuring out how to upload such a large file) but at long last here it is. My criteria for this mix was basically that I could only include music I'd been listening to alot the past six months or so and one track per artist (i bent the rules a bit with that Atlas Sound track...). Its slightly dated from my perspective but nonetheless hopefully some of you will discover a new treasure. Most of these tracks were released this past year, however there are a few exceptions where I just really wanted to include certain songs. I hope you like.

Tracklisting
1. Pomegranates - Tesseract (from Everybody, Come Outside)
2. Cats In Paris - Castle Walls (from Courtcase 2000)
3. Hot Panda - Bullhorn Romance (from Volcano...Bloody Volcano)
4. Clues - Perfect Fit (from S/T)
5. Antlers - Dogwood (from S/T)
6. Sunset Rubdown - The Mending of the Gown (from Random Spirit Lover)
7. Ten Kens - Worthless and Oversimplified Ideas (from S/T)
8. Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band - Who's Asking? (from S/T)
9. Mussels - My Hands Your Heart (from Little Voices)
10. Maps & Atlases - Artichokes (from You and Me and the Mountain)
11. Good Shoes - All In My Head (from Think Before You Speak)
12. The Research - There Are No Subs In My Team (from The Old Terminal)
13. The Spinto Band - The Black Flag (from Moonwink)
14. The Dutchess & The Duke - Ship Made of Stone (from She's the Dutchess...)
15. The Ruby Suns - Ole Rinka (from Sea Lion)
16. Death Vessel - Fences Around Field (from Nothing Is Precious Enough)
17. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened (from Microcastle)
18. It Hugs Back - Unaware (from Inside Your Guitar)
19. Miniature Tigers - Like or Like Like (from Tell It To The Volcano)
20. Atlas Sound - River Card (from Let The Blind Lead Those Who Cannot Feel)
21. Beach House - D.A.R.L.I.N.G. (from Devotion)
22. Asobi Seksu - Blind Little Rain (from Hush)
23. Of Montreal - A Dreamy Day Of Daydreaming Of You (from Coquelicot Asleep...)
24. Caribou - Irene (from Andorra)

Free Download

Smooth Afternoon Sounds

To celebrate today's perfect Boat Weather, here are two sunkissed classics from yesteryear. This first needs no introduction:

Lionel Richie - Hello

Next, sun-dry your apricot slices on the soft, supple sounds of Neville & Ronstadt, with this classic cut from 1989:

Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt - Don't Know Much

"Feeling" Nirvana

I was thirteen years old when Nevermind came out. I still remember sleeping over my friend Steve Spooner's house watching Smells Like Teen Spirit debut on MTV (ah, music videos, those were the days!) I remember being fourteen years old in the Summer of '93, right before my sophomore year in high school, reading all the music mags, anticipating Nirvana's album coming out at the end of Summer. I swear, I wish I could describe the feeling I had for Kurt. He knew. I remember hitting play for the first time on In Utero. From the very first chord of Serve The Servants, I knew. He hadn't let me down. I can't really describe that emotion, but it was powerful.

It was only a few months later when The Beavis and Butt-head Experience came out on CD. I was on thanksgiving break from boarding school, and there couldn't possibly have been two things I was more in love with at the time than Beavis and Butt-head, and Nirvana. Lo and behold, the very first track on the album was a Nirvana song!!!! Can you believe it??? But the thing that really stopped my heart was the song. I Hate Myself And Want to Die was an outtake from In Utero and rightly belonged on that album, were it not for Kurt fearing the mass audience would miss the (saracastic) intonations. But that song stopped me right in my tracks. I've never forgotten how it made me feel, and it would be a waste of my time to make any attempt to describe how or why it did. In stead, i'll leave you with it, plus two more songs which, in the days before downloads, I obsessed entirely over, years ago, when I was more young.

Nirvana - I Hate Myself And Want To Die

Nirvana - Curmudgeon

Nirvana - Sappy

Daily Deuce - The Zombies

Here's a new segment that I'm calling the Daily Deuce. I know, I know. All of my segments are new. Just go with it. Today's daily deuce focuses on another all-time favorite british group of mine from the 60's, The Zombies In 2002, the band remixed into stereo their entire Decca catalog, which had previously only been available in Mono, and which also only consisted of two full-length LP's and a few singles. I'm generally not a fan of remixes, especially ones thirty-six years in the making. However, the entire band were present for these remixes, and they sound incredibly faithful to the original mono masters. Being the wide-stereo sucker that I am, I just had to have this one. Anyways, here are two stand-out tracks from one of my fave bands that just barely got going before calling it quits, The Zombies.

The Zombies - The Way I Feel Inside (from Begin Here)

The Zombies - How We Were Before (Indication single B-side)

All-time Faves: Yesterday...and Today

One of my favorite albums as a kid was my mom's cassette tape of The Beatles' Yesterday...and Today Most Beatles fans know that until Sgt. Pepper came out, Beatles' albums in the U.S. were released in different versions than those in England. Capitol Records did this to squeeze every ounce of profit out of the Beatles that then could. Anyways, when the Beatles' catalog was released on CD in 1987, Capitol rectified this by releasing only the British versions of their records. Aside from the fact that those albums were (poorly) remixed at the time, there were only few notable differences. One of the main differences were in three songs from Yesterday...and Today: Dr. Robert, And Your Bird Can Sing, and I'm Only Sleeping. The versions of these three songs were different mixes than the versions that were released on Revolver, and were never released on CD. Hence, the only way to hear these versions, the ones I grew up with, are to hear them on vinyl. But Hark!!! Technology exists to rip vinyl to digital now!!!! Here is the original Yesterday... and Today mix of I'm Only Sleeping, one of my favorite songs ever!!!

The other song I'm posting is the American (Capitol) version of Help! complete with James Bond-esque guitar intro. This is from the recent Beatles Capitol Records Box Set. You gotta hear the sound quality on this. Its like hearing it all over again for the first time! So, without further ado:

The Beatles - I'm Only Sleeping (Original Yesterday... and Today mix)

The Beatles - Help! (US Version)

More Music, Born of Boredom

Two songs from my favorite Polvo album, Today's Active Lifestyles.

Polvo - My Kimono

Polvo - Sure Shot