Everybody loves this little purple man. He can sling a riff smoother than silk.
Call him whatever you like Artist, Maven or a pompous Perfectionist he kows how to write a song so if you make it sound like shit it’s because you suck.
Little Red Corvette MP3 by Montagna & The Mouth to Mouth from their CD L’avenir. First time I heard this it took me totally by surprise. I mean what’s not to like about a really well done Prince cover right? Raspberry Berret MP3 by Aviso’ Hara. This originally came out on 7″ EP called Mature & Satisfied. Features Claude Coleman Jr (Ween/Skunk/Amandla) on backing vocals. Best pop punk version of this song ever in my humblest of opinions. L. M. L. Y. P. (Ween Is In Trouble Dudes) MP3 by Ween from God Ween Satan The Oneness (1990) – This song is called “Let Me Lick Your Pussy”. Saw them do this once at the Court Tavern in 1991. Was awesome. When Doves Cry (Prince Cover) MP3 by Damien Rice from Like A Version Vol. 1
So when I started this documentary project on the Sound Station last summer in 2011 it was really to celebrate something that was pretty unique to my dear old town of Westfield, New Jersey. The hope is that this story turns into a comeback for a little cultural mecca that was just starting to gets it’s legs back. Embraced by the local NJ music scene like The Court Tavern was this was just another unexpected blow. The record store was going through a resurgence finding their audience on facebook and throwing free shows they were able to stick their heads-out from the recession but nothing could prepare them for this. This is a place where there was always a steady diet of discovery of all sorts of genres funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop or whatever your discerning rock taste was into. Chances are Bob would always have a recommendation for you and if he didn’t I was usually was just happy to be able to walk into the place and talk about music — music therapy. Just knowing the place was there gave musicians and music fans like myself comfort.
Ava shopping for records at the Sound Station
Anyway, most of you reading this already know this but for the one’s that have not stepped into a record in years. Maybe it’s time to consider stepping into one because it’s a sort of experience that can’t be replicated. My hope is that this short inspires you in some way and we can do an update as the tale unfolds. Stay tuned!
Just one of many amazing Blues, Soul and Funk records I found at Sound Station
Music to discover or rediscover: Problems MP3 by Lee Fields & The Expressions Greasy Spoon MP3 by Mel Brown from Chicken Fat Radio MP3 by Raphael Saadiq from Stone Rollin’ One More Night MP3 by CAN from Ege Bamyasi Black Snake MP3 by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears from Scandalous
ALBUM REVIEW: Little did these two bands know that their last performance would leave behind rubble and a set of burnt out souls. I’m of course talking about the fire that destroyed the Sound Station in Westfield where above video was shot a week before that tragic Sunday on Jan 22nd, 2012. This was not their intent only metaphorically of course. Bob Larsen the owner loves to celebrate all sorts of music and these guys were part of that musical entertainment. So, if your a fan of noise, as he is, and copious guitar notes then you’re gonna love A FUCKING ELEPHANT and EL DRUGSTORE on Nefarious Industries. Besides the fact we love capitalization. We sincerely dig these two bands and are rooting for the Sound Station to come back stronger in a badly needed music scene where culture is slowly disapearing. Fortunately for us bands like these two have put out split LP that is as much gut spilling as it is ear bending. Taking the art of noise to places that need exploring. Disfigured in the anti matter of rock something great will rise again. Your spine will bend a little when El Drugstore goes off the rails in what’s best described as a cacophony of uprooted trees being torn down by a bulldozer where Live at Pompei once stood. These jams bend the sequence of time. Those Arm Rests are Fire MP3 by El Drugstore
The opening track are by AFE make you feel right off the bat that bands like Neurosis and Melvin have had impact. Two of my favorites combined with the anti-Rush. Now for the avid listener it obvious why these two bands put out a split release together. Their line in “Football with Ukrainians” describes the music best. “They scream heart attack”. I mean shit this is a beating. When I was chatting with Matty Keys the guitarist he was we have to be totally sober to place this music. A listen and you’ll realize this music is about precision. Well at least as much as you can have accuracy if your scalpel is buzzsaw carving through sheets of metal and earth. Lots of guitar taping on few numbers and juggling of said notes in furious numbing beating like a boxer on punching bag. Football With Ukrainians MP3 by A Fucking Elephant
This noise reminds us of: Self-Doubt MP3 by Neurosis(1989) Get more from Relapse Bocabola MP3 by Boredoms from Pop Tatari (1992) Superpussy MP3 by Rapeman from Budd (1988) Over From Underground MP3 by Melvins live 10 Songs (1986). Organ Donor MP3 by Unsane s/t (1991/matador)
Bobby Albert - Serving Hub City Rock from 1981-2012
Nobody knows the answer Why Bobby Albert Jr would one day wake-up on a cold January and decide The Court Tavern(124 Church St) would close it’s doors forever. Maybe he got an offer he could not refuse — but I doubt it. Maybe the burden of a looming $60 thousand dollar bar license was just too huge an amount of hard swet and pride he was not willing to cough up one more time. The hole was just to big so he folded his hand.
Once, after a infamous patron argument Bobby once put up a sign behind the stage and painted over a mural by E-Gun(RIP) that said “Cruel but Fair” that would yet stamp the attitude of his bar. Years later the mural was uncovered again to reveal all the past “floating chromosomes” on the wall. Even though the sign was ugly it was a statement that had been a part of the folklore and lure of the Court Tavern crowd – always in chaos but always intriqueing. This was one of many incidents you’d hear about from the dixie cup chain of hooligans and curmudgeons who congregated here to celebrate rock-n-roll and get the occasional cocktail. For the most part the bands were understood and respected as Artists, well at least most of the time. The point is that this was punk rock bar that embraced most of us –no matter how weird or misunderstood.
Plugspark Sanjay
The Final Fuck You MP3 by Boss Jim Getty’s from Tigrebeat Hit It Now MP3 by Plug Spark Sanjay from the IMF Compilation (1999) Damned MP3 by Nudeswirl (1993) Mr. Sad MP3 by True Love from i was accident (2003) Kicked My Dad MP3 by Buzzkill
His father Bobby Albert Senior first ok’d live music in the bar then in came the local rock bands like The Smithereens, Crossfire Choir and Opium Vala. There was also bands like A.O.D., The Blisters, PEDs and Bad Karma. Ok so you maybe you never heard of any except for one of these bands but the point is local bands used to draw just as much as any indie touring band. Matter fact the local bands these days are all pretty well known so sort of perplexing with so many high profile punk shows that the situation got to be too much. This was a place where turning up the volume was par for the course and sometimes the band just played for flies and that was part of the risk of bringing in outside bands or having locals who just forgot to tell their friends. Sure the club/bar has had it’s fair share of early performance by the likes of Flaming Lips, Buthole Surfers and Superchunk. The list of who’s who goes on and on so here we’ll post some of these lesser known bands. (so second post is coming) The truth is this past week I’ve been bumming pretty hard as are a few of my other friends. Literally stayed away from facebook to take a step back after I heard the news. Just in December the Mayor of New Brunswick celebrated the clubs 30th Anniversary in the local press. In my humble opinion culture has pretty much been erased out of New Brunswick in the past 20 years since it began rebuilding the city so its always been a sideways battle. Homogenized from the day J&J decided to move-in and every bit of cheap real-estate bought up by UMDNJ under eminent domain in some cases we lost other amazing clubs there like The Roxy and The Melody Bar where Matt Pinfield used to spin (even when he was famous). Like roaches the music will survive somehow but it won’t have a place to hang it’s hat or hoodie like the Court. Well at least until somebody sees an opportunity as the court is now officially for sale.
My friend and rat bastard Cliff mentioned on one of the Facebook threads that we were done with this culture. Which is true maybe it’s time for the next generation to make their own fucking thing but for me it’s like loosing a bridge to my youth. Which was maybe ill spent at times but damn was it fun burning through those brain cells and hearing for that matter. This we can all agree on. Maybe even selfishly at times booking my bands with bands I wanted to see and hear; trying to help build up a scene and knowing full well the mystique was a commodity that paid-off in spades or could fail miserably. But at the end of night we’d always hear these words last works.
“You Don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here”
Well at least until the next time. Lets hope somebody else picks up the torch for next generation of Sonic Youths and pulpit pues.
Now on to the music.
Download: The Diamond Church Street Choir MP3 by The Gaslight Anthem from American Slang. This is super poetic tribute song that Brian Fallon wrote which is about my comrade Andy Diamond who I guess up until a few days ago booked bands there. He had some serious shoes to fill with the likes of Tom Crowe, Eric Gundry (the Artist behind the murals RIP), Adam and Sluggo who’s tastes were broad giving a lot of bands a place to practice and show-off their craft.
15 minutes Prior to this photo Corey Parks from Nashville Pussy lit Eric on fire. Photo by me
About those fuckin’ bands
There were so many to mention that I’ve either seen there, played with or wish I’d seen. Here’s my List of memorable shows: Nudeswirl(2x), Buzzkill(12x), Monster Magnet, BarkMarket, Transilvia, Boss Jim gettys'(10x), Mule, Don Caballero, Nashville Pussy, 9lb Hammer, Bionic Rhoada(6x), Mad Daddies(3x), The Raging Lamos, Whirling Dervishes, Tiny Lights, Chris Harford and the band of Changes, Deadguy, Duochrome, Ween(5x), MoistBoyz(2x), False Fron(3x).. jesus this list will never end but it was a lot of rock and I’ll never forget mostly thanks to the intertubes. I will say the songs I’m post barely make a dent so we’ll have to do a follow-up post.
Adios Amigo MP3 by MoistBoyz from II Longhair MP3 by Monster Magnet from 25 – Tab El Camino MP3 by Ween from God Ween Satan The Oneness (1990) Gimme What I Need MP3 by Mars Needs Women from Sparking Ray Gun (1995)
Wish I’d seen these shows:
Pussy Galore, Flamming Lips, Nirvana, Mudhoney, Supersuckers, Butthole Surfers, Urge Overkill… there’s more.
MUSIC REVIEW: Kate Tucker – Ghost of Something New EP (Noise Trade) – I’m going to tell all you manly men types with your new mustaches and hippie cologne. You would not want to leave this girl for fear she’d write a killer song which on first listen would turn you into a puddle of salt. So fair warning. Lucky for you she mixes it up a bit on her most recent EP but still delivers sultry alt country angel tinged vocals that are truly aspirational. The shining light of alt-rock maybe. You can be brave here but even she admits to us on the twitter she only “seems to write sad songs.” In this case we recommend a whisky chaser to get you in the mood because to us these songs are like having drinks with an old friend. This amiable friend happens to be a little dark at times but somehow she gives us hope even when we are down. Her voice brings on a little smirk and fills us like lighting does on a silent stormy night with her melodic electric guitar interplay. In particular on her opening song “Revolution” and equally pervasive on the title track bringing the EP to a close. Here’s a video from her 2010 release White Horses plus a couple treats. Check her out I have a feeling you’ll be hearing more from her soon.
To say this music is dance floor friendly is probably the understatement of 2012 yet by Truth & Soul Records. First up is an Ethiopian big band that is literally on fire called Zafari with something they call “King Masaru”. The mother of a beat starts it off with some horns moving you along that will make you groove till your ass falls off. The second thing below is from A Tribute To Isaac Hayes by El Michels Affair called “Run Fay Run” which is featured on a exclusive 45 (yup vinyl). Get the other side from these guys. You’ll be fan of the label moving forward. We guarantee it. You don’t need to know these groups by name. Let them do that for you. You just need to love these type of afro-beats. Your body and ears will follow.
So welcome everybody to 2012. Here’s some new music kicking it off with the very pleasant music of Little Jungles not to be confused with little daggers. This track is Psych rock with nice little lead guitar through-out.
Download: Nothing Will Grow MP3 by Little Jungles (2012)
You may ask what’s a Mondrian? Some freaky dutch Neo Plasticism? No it’s pop music made by a French band called Mondrian who have made a killer video for another one of their tracks called Beware! The Killer! featuring some bizarro product called the “Infidelity Machine” Somebody’s paranoid. Anyway, today though we present to you a free single called Paris of a equally great song.
So here’s a new one by the band known as Redanda from Hamilton, Canada on Wolfshirt Records. They make tight indie inspired music. Arctic Monkeys would be a fair comparison for their sound. What my favorite part is that their first EP is named Carl.
Download: This Bed Is A Rock MP3
Somehow the kids dig prog rock. I’m not quiete sure how you get to Captain Beefheart from what it is today as a truly misunderstood and wide genre of music. Prog rock used to be a dirty hippie word until the math geeks slowly adopted copious notes and the notion that it’s ok to mix your metal with your jazz. Mostly though it’s just a “Other” category. Now it’s cool. Not sure how the leap happended but it did. Somewhere in the basement stax is the vinyl for Songs for the Terrestrially Challenged(1995) LP which is The Speaking Canaries first release. I have no freaking clue if it’s the hi-fi or low-fi version. I’ll have to dig it up and remind myself. The first and only time I saw Damon Che’s “other” band was them opening for Chavez at Brownies on Ave A. I dragged my friend Elie and Walter promising the guitar riffage was akin to Eddie Van Halen so we could get there early. Secretly I was checking them out as through a friend I was asked if I wanted to play bass in the band through my housemate Brett Martin from Nasty Little Man. Needless to say I didn’t take them up on it or even try out (stupidly) because I think I was in like 3 bands at the time. Anyway, already drunk and sullen from the bar the E-man was telling us “these guys don’t sound nothing like Van Fucking Halen -Chamo”. Walt did. Well at least the guitar tone and occasional note hammering made for a good segue and ocasional leg-kick. No DLR for sure. Thinking back I should of gone for it. Anyway fast forward from 1996 to 2012 and this stuff still holds up on the latest and most available Canaries release up on the emusic Get Out Alive: The Last Type Story (2003).
In 1976 Marnie Stern was born into progressive rock. She’s had critical acclaim early on and been wearing her influences on the sleeve with her brand of Vai inspired guitar tapping. Personally I always thought the Zappa prodigy looked like a goon then he went solo and I was proven correct. I guess the point is once you start adding the guitar noodling bringing you back to the one become irrelevant which is what is so interesting to hear how these groups with no choruses perceive music. They have no anchors except for the drums and the melody if you can find it; is just out there floating in space for you to get it and grab on to the vocals. Marnie does her brand pretty girl makes indie music fairly damn well with the drums really tightening the reigns. If you like her singing I think you may also like Le Butcherettes. End of the day her music is enjoyable. Check out her most recent self titled music.
Get some music: Terristrial Famous / No Space MP3 By The Speaking Canaries from Songs For The Terrestrially Challenged I Wear Glasses in the Most Brutal Sport Ever Invented MP3 by The Speaking Canaries from Get Out Alive: The Last Type Story Transformer MP3 by Marnie Stern from one of the longest ever album tittles ever called This Is It And I Am It And You Are It And So Is That And He Is It And She Is It And It Is It And That Is That Seriously? Obey Your Concert By U.S. Maple from Acre Thrills
Dear 2012, can we put on our wish list that PULASKI the band of Baltimorians make some more music for us this year? Whiskey and beer can sometimes coax the muse out of the best of bands in Pulaski’s case it’s the simple motivation like these except for maybe breakfast food. Ok they’re prone to write the occasional break-up song like their classic “I want my records back” or the religious anthem the “Black Hand of g*d”? The inspiration is pleasantly misanthropic my friends so help reel in the vibe. They’ll brew a song about almost anything using any device that is of particular amusement at their disposal including toilet paper rolls and snoring. Beneath it all tho they have great handle on the song craft and really put the joy in music. They haven’t put out any new rock music in awhile except for the below version of “Frosty” but we can hope that the descendent’s of Sick and other Balmer bands can get a few hours away from their families and make some concerted noise together. I even hear there is a unapproved Documentary on the band that probably is not suitable for the general public on facebook but we’ll see about that.
If your a fan of these bands you’ll like Pulaski: Prom Night At Hater High MP3 by The Long Winters from When I Pretend to Fail Wasted MP3 by Camper Van Beethoven from Telephone Free Landslide Victory She Don’t Use Jelly MP3 by The Flaming Lips from Transmissions From The Satellite Heart (1993)
We did a post a few months ago back in the 2011 about the best bassplayers however it was incomplete list because we subconsciously some how left off bass wreckin’ Mike Watt. Our readers quickly pointed out the error. Jesuz H Christ me off all people can’t ignore the 10×10 original photo I have of the man wearing his chucks sitting on a comfortable chair in my downstairs bathroom. If I can get a good scan I’ll post the photo. It’s pretty cool. Whole story there how I came about it but for now lets focus on this punk innovator. My favorite thing about him is his attitude towards the bass instrument. He never has shown mercy for the thing. I’ve seen him breaking strings and not even pause. The mother-effer just keeps playing whatever he gots. He might was well be playing some rocks he found in Pedro. He’d still make better music than anything being as passed off as punk rock these days. Anyway you get the point. Here’s a few from the archives and one from his 2011 release Hyphenated-man. The man qualifies as a living legend.
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