The Jerky Boys

Back in '93 I graduated from college up at Humboldt State University with two very interesting, although useless degrees. I had worked as a groundskeeper on campus, putting myself through school, for three years though, so I did have some useful, albeit poorly paid skills. Got a job with this nut Tom Lindquist, a hell of a guy (who if you sweet talked enough didn't mind taking the day off and going out on his boat [I use the term "boat" loosely] ocean fishing). Hell, one out of every three days it was pouring rain so we couldn't work anyway. There was three of us on his work crew, the foreman Dan and my fellow grunt John. Hell of a job digging ditches (Tom rarely rented a trencher), shoveling rock (Tom rarely rented a skid loader) and hauling concrete with wheel barrows (Tom never rented a concrete pump). Probably the best shape I've ever been in my life, WORKED MY ASS OFF, although just about every day we were stoned and amped on meth. Most of the job sites were hell of far away from the shop (Tom's house) so on the drive home the three of us would work on a 12 pack every night. Tom's wife got pretty pissed one day when she saw all the empty beer cans in the back of the truck so Tom told us he wasn't going to pay us for the drive home if we were going to be drinking beer.  That was fine as long as it didn't interrupt beer thirty.  Anyway John and I got to be pretty good buds (maybe not that good, as I have no idea where he is today) working there, mainly because we car pooled back and forth to work (a 20 minute drive each way between Arcata and Trinidad). There's two things I really remember about John. Dude was a huge fan of the movie Friday and could recite the movie from beginning to end (and you know how it is when you're geetered out, it's hard to keep your mouth shut). The other thing, was that he turned me onto the Jerky Boys. Anybody remember them? Their first record came out in 93', John had it on cassette, so he and I would listen to that on the drives. Not sure what made them pop in my mind today, but I gave them a listen and it was good for a chuckle (much funnier when you're high and 23, I think).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI9QhliWLbI&w=480&h=360]

The Dickies - Paranoid b/w I'm Ok, You're Ok 7"

A snapshot I took of a youtube video I ripped of the season 2 finale of the Walking Dead, which is a based on a comic book series by the same name (I'm not familiar with the comic series). I don't know if any of y'all watch that show, but when they introduced this new character (Michonne) it just blew me away. With it being a season finale, I of course have to wait 6 months for it to kick back in. My wife says the show is my soap opera, and with the drama involved I suppose it is, but it's a soap opera with fucking ZOMBIES man! For better or worse (AMC is a Fox company) it's pushing the limits of what can be shown on primetime TV. I remember DJing on KHSU and having to wait until after midnight to play music with cuss words.  There is a case going before the Supreme Court, I think where Cher cussed on live TV during an awards show, that may end up crippling or completely doing away with the FCC anyway. The wife was cutting out an ingrown toenail for me the other day and not to get too deeply esoteric or anything but what did people's toes look like before there was toenail clippers. I suppose the wealthy guy and gal probably had some tools for that purpose, but the average Joe must have had some horrible looking toes or feet.  Makes you wonder when did the foot fetish first become popular?  Anyway cutting out that ingrown toenail left me with puppy dog eyes for the old lady.  Made me think of how in a Bugs Bunny carton, Bugs pulls a thorn out of a lion's paw and the lion was forever indebted to him. The Dickies were not a band I really was into in the late 70s early 80s. The guy's voice drove me nuts and I was pretty much just into the political/social bands of the time, not the sillycore stuff.  I suppose another factor was the fact that they were a big label band almost from the getgo.  Of course times change, and I grew to appreciate these guys for the punk icons they were (are), and a good band is just that.  This was their 2nd single in 1978, preceded by their ten inch single and their demo from 1977.  What you get here is undoubtedly the best "Paranoid" cover ever recorded along with a super snotty punked number.  I suppose they are still around today which makes it something like 35 years, check their Facebook.  Anyway...

 

Paranoid I'm Ok, You're Ok Well ripping this got my curiosity going as I'd never heard the demo that was made in November of 1977.  Difficult as hell to find as the demo itself as I'm sure it wasn't released on cassette as demos were back then, for just anybody and everybody to buy.  It was probably just for record companies and radio stations.  Turns out this guy has it posted just as it sounded on my favorite radio show (the reason I discovered punk rock) the Rodney on the ROQ show. Check that out on Chrisosurfs, well worth a listen to just hear Rodney. A little more searching and I found out that on the ROIR cassette release of the Dickies' "We Aren't the world" they have those demo tracks. I found them at Anajondas-Stash. Needless to say I was blown the fuck away, it doesn't get any punker than this...guaranteed... Hideous I'm OK, You're OK You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla) Walk Like an Egg Just for the hell of it I went ahead and found some of the other covers The Dickies did... Silent Night Hair Nights In White Satin (Moody Blues) Nobody But Me (Isley Brothers) She (The Monkeys) Pretty Ballerina (The Left Banke) Eve of Destruction (Barry McGuire) Sounds of Silence (Simon & Garfunkle)

 

Nonagon - People Live Everywhere 12" ep

I hate it when my wife gets the mail first because she plexes on how I'm always getting records and how can that be since we're broke all the time.  I have to constantly explain to her that either I bought the record for a ridiculously low price (sometimes just pennies more than the shipping cost) or it was being sent to me for review.  I don't think she believes me that there are one or two people in the world who are curious what I to say, but that may be because my mouth has gotten me into all kinds of trouble in the past. She must have been double bummed because with professional packaging and the fact that the record is built like a tank being pressed on 180 gram vinyl.  The band and I had some correspondence prior, this is what they had to say... "We appreciate the work you do on the website and want to let you know about our new record that was released on this February (submitted here for your consideration).  We’re a Chicago band called Nonagon.  We’ve been playing in and around the Midwest lo these 6 or 8 years.  We’re comprised of Tony Aimone (whose previous bands include The Blue Meanies and Taylor), Robert Gomez, and John Hastie (who both played in a bunch of bands you won’t remember).  Our recorded output has been admittedly sparse, so we’re treating the February release of our new EP as something of a big deal. We’re hoping you might humor us by considering a feature or a review or an interview or adding it to your playlist or even just a listen...  People Live Everywhere is a 5-song EP pressed on 180g vinyl. It was recorded over 3 days in the spring of 2011 at Kerguelen Studio, a one-room, all-analog facility in Astoria, NYC run by Justin Foley – he of the band The Austerity Program - who wielded the mics and turned the knobs. Mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service. Packaged with a card for a free download of the mp3s. Jacket designed by Robert Gomez using photographs by Nathan Keay. We did a “commercial” for the record that is posted here: http://youtu.be/T40mD6PE5ts. People Live Everywhere is a decidedly DIY affair. All planning, promotion, selling, and funding has been handled by the band ourselves. We’re pretty dang proud of how it’s all gone so far. Stream the EP here: www.nonagonchicago.bandcamp.com (this, aside from our shows and a couple of Chicago record stores, is also the primary retail option) Free Track Download for the public: http://nonagonchicago.bandcamp.com/track/fresnel-lens Vinyl copies can be obtained by contacting us at nonagonchicago@gmail.com. Here’s a place you can go for more information and ephemera: http://nonagon.us/media/people-live-everywhere If there’s anything else you want to know about (lyrics, interviews, the good folks of the PRF, how we stay so young looking, etc.), CONTACT US at. nonagonchicago@gmail.com www.nonagonchicago.bandcamp.com www.nonagon.us https://www.facebook.com/nonagonchicago

Like when Mom held your hand to go across the street, you should have no problem getting to know these guys.  There's a lot of links there to check out and links within links...links to stream the music, links to other reviews, enough to satisfy any link fetish.  When I wrote back to the band (John) asking for a physical copy of the record, I already knew I dug these guys.  Glad that I did get a physical copy because as it should be with any record you get, the package that holds the music is a work of art unto itself, the finest in DIY craftsmanship.  The music takes up where that leaves off and is excitingly, not a disappointment.  These guys don't fuck around when it comes to their music and play their instruments like they go to sleep with them every night. The music is furious but it's not angry at all.  One of the reviewers suggested that they sounded like Fugazi, which kinda puzzled me so I went and listened to some of the Fugazi stuff I have.  I'd say Nonagon listen to Fugazi and are maybe influenced by them, but they have a more urgent almost jazzy sound.  I was thinking along the lines of Amphetamine Reptile and Touch and Go type bands, Killdozer a little bit in their slower, maybe Jesus Lizard when they speed things up, but what the hell do I know.  I do know that they have instantly become Mustard Relics and will be on a list that I probably won't come up with of top finds in 2012.  Check out the first tune (they all rock) on this bad boy...

Vikings

Always one to take it one step further I've gone through the trouble of getting a few tunes off their first (2008) release.  More of their killer sound really, maybe just a little less refined, but still very digable (maybe I can get these guys to send me a hard copy of this too)...

Fake Baby Lucius Perlerorneq

On this live set these studs show that they're not just studio musicians and in fact they shred live.  Sadly, their mid-west-ness is very different geographically (and culturally) from mine so I don't imagine they'll be playing in my neck of the woods...hmmm

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crsGDq5OWeg&w=640&h=360]

L'Assassins - S/T 7"

Another piece of vinyl beauty I got in the mail and before the official release date no less.   A reward for that 200 yard walk down my driveway to my mailbox.  Here' what they have to say...

All-girl 60s, surf, punk rock'n'roll!!! These gals have been playing around Minneapolis for the last year catching the attention of garage fans locally, including your's truly. So I was beyond excited when they approached me about putting out a record. It really was about time they released an injection of their Joan Chuck Berry Jett meets The Rollingstones laced jams on a hot slab of 7" wax for the rest of you. Spring/Summer Midwest tour in the works and a new video soon!

Web Link to L'Assassins Tunes/Bio: www.bigactionrecords.net/LAssassins.html

Line up:

Tea Ann Simpson - Vocals

Monet Wong - Guitar/Vocals

Ariel Dornbush - Bass Vocals

Angela Clark - Drums/Vocals

For fans of:The God Damn Do Whop Band, Joan Jett, Surf, Rock'n'RollFormat : 7" 45 Release date: 4/1/12

Contact: Zabby

www.bigactionrecords.net

915 Scheffer Ave

Saint Paul, MN

55102 USA

(651) 334-1980

From the get go L'Assassins kick ass.  All three songs shred on this puppy and as happens sometimes with the shortness of the 7" format, you are left wanting more.  They're pretty much as described, surf with that punk snottiness standing on a rockabilly foundation.  If I was Zabby, handling their stuff, I'd send a copy to Quentin Tarrantino, as any one of these tunes could easily be in a soundtrack to one of his flicks.  The fat guitar sound makes me wish I had better speakers on my computer, but when I spun it on the turntable using the my stereo's speakers I was impressed by that and the nice bass sound (maybe I have the bass turned up to high though).  I like the vocalist, a little edge in her voice.  On the tune I've included the singer sounds a lot like Wendy O. Williams of the Plasmatics, and as such really lends itself to the punk sound.  You can listen to all three tunes at their website above, but I like to have a little something here as well...my favorite of the three, makes you want to dance the "jerk"...

7pm

...a vid from their first ever show, great stuff... [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlxdnCOZt0w&w=640&h=360]

Matt Ebert

Got quite the package in the mail the other day, 3 CDs and an LP from a guy named Matt Ebert, we had messaged back and forth a little bit via email. Here's what he had to say... "Hello Mustard Relics.  My name is Matt Ebert. I'm an independent musician outta ATL.  I was checkin out your site and thought you might enjoy my music.  Its kind of a fusion of all kinda music..jazz, blues, punk, funk..ect.  Anyways I saw that you dug all kinda music and thought you'd enjoy my new record.  Its a vinyl release(cd included) and I was wondering if i could send it to ya. Got some of the new tracks up on FB, Mattebertmusic. I was readin the mustard relic for an hour or so when i thought "I bet this guy'd like my stuff". No, I don't play everything but i write it all.  I know some bad ass musicians so i manipulate them for a better sound. I'll send ya my latest deal and my last couple of cds.  They're all fucked up little jazz fusion/funk/bluesy whatever kinda records.  You'll dig 1 er 2 of em....maybe." So I already like the guy, just because he took the time to hang around my place for a while, even though in these impersonal interent times, he could be a serial killer. Serial killer or not, this guy is as serious as a knife to the eyeball as far as creating good music. If you don't believe me, go check out Hanging Sounds and Ripple Music (this review makes for a REALLY good read and if I was a bastard, which I am, I would just cut and paste his words here), they know what's up. So if you read that, what am I going to say? When I listened to Matt's stuff before reading anything or getting the music in the mail, the first thing I thought of was Mr. Zappa. Like Frank, Matt is a very talented musician, writter and arranger, but on top of that, again like Frank, he has the sense of mind to surround himself with some top notch musicians (or is that in Atlanta these high caliber musicians are a dime a dozen, I don't know). Matt pretty much describes his music perfectly as "jazz, blues, punk, funk..ect". In my burnt out mind I will oversimplify it and say that it's just plain old fun, easy on the ears, groovy. Matt's vocals have some serious feeling, so maybe it's not cool to call them fun, maybe deep is a better word. There's quite a few musicians that play on these three records, but one thing they do is nail the groove. The quality of the production is incredible especially when you consider that these are all DIY, self released projects. I'm surprised he isn't sign to at least a minor label. I went ahead and ripped/labeled some of my favorite tunes, all three records are equally good, but as with most musicians, the earlier you go the rawer you get...

"Hard Work" (2011)  One of the reasons I prefer to get "hard copies" of the music I review (other than the fact that I am a music hoarder), is the artwork (this is my favorite artwork-wise of the three releases).  In the age of digital only releases, there's something missing when you can't physically hold the whole thing in your hand or slap the vinyl on the turntable.  Obviously Matt's newest release, and probably the most polished.  This first tune reminds me of the Beastie Boys when they have their groove on and are playing live instruments...

Ain't Never

...and a Sabbath cover?  Yes and captures the soul of the original but done in an Ebert-esque way...

Hand of Doom

"Snakes & Tornadoes" (2009) The horns really stand out on this album more than the others, not sure why.  This first tune starts art very Tom Waits-y (not just the gruff vocals) and then takes on a whole other flavor...

Time (Don't Waste Mine)

...hardcore vibe with horns and even a noodly quick guitar solo...

I'm Hip

...new territory as far as being digable for me, this one is probably the most pop/hip hop tune of all...

Do It

...maybe my favorite of the lot, distorted blue grass, country, slide guitar, kin to a band I've posted around here called Los Duggans...

House Carpenter

"R&Bewilderment" (2007)  The earliest of the three, this one could be thought of as the roots of the Ebert experience. Fuzzy funky with the Mowtown backup singers

Sweet Nothing

Can you say catchy as fuck ("Bang Bang"), Hendrix guitar and real heavy on the bass...

The Top of Gainsville (Bang Bang)

...this one is just cool, acapella, air guitar, beat box...

Raymond

...and on the CD it breaks right into this Zepplin cover on heroin...

Communication Breakdown

The website is obviously under construction, but my source says a guy who is not a lazy stoner is on it now, so it may blow up soon, check it...

www.ebertmusic.com

Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo

Stay tuned (always wanted to say that) for reviews of some pretty killer submissions from the likes of L'Assassins, Nonagon and Matt Ebert. For now, I had to get this off my chest... I mentioned Witchiepoo in the last post...anyone else watch H. R. Pufnstuf back in the 70s (channel 5, KTLA in Los Angeles or was it channel 13, KCOP)?  Some pretty nutty stuff, that could only have come out of the 70's (only 1969-70 to be exact), Barney has nothing compared to that, in fact nobody has nothing on that show (except, of course other Sid and Marty Kroft creations).  Sid and Marty Kroft were "visionaries", as my buddy Phil put it.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBFYYRyDPBs&w=420&h=315]

A cover of that tune believe it or not... [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aq55JTd4A8&w=790&h=593]

Got that tune from the "Saturday Morning Cartoons Greatest Hits" featuring some pretty killer bands doing covers of a lot of stuff that is almost subliminal to me. I got it from here. Trip on the Buttholes doing the ever incredible Underdog theme song... [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDVLiuto5Ec&w=790&h=527]