SG Recommends

[girl]

I will have to check this out because I am a huge fan of Mission of Burma. I’ve seen them 5 times. Once with the Pixies and The Bennies! And twice Roger Miller repeated everything Clint Conley said because of his huge protective headphones.

[essgee09]

"girl" wrote:

I will have to check this out because I am a huge fan of Mission of Burma. I’ve seen them 5 times. Once with the Pixies and The Bennies! And twice Roger Miller repeated everything Clint Conley said because of his huge protective headphones.

I should mention Peter plays guitar on it,not drums.I think you`ll like it I could`nt find a thing on Youtube by them

[essgee09]

St Johnny-Speed Is Dreaming(1994)

This Hartford,CT band sadly did`nt last much longer than 3 records.Combining Dinosaur Jr guitar power with the vocals of Pavement was a good mix.Tony and I used to talk about this band,I was surprised he even heard of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeyzrKiAh_4 jeyzrKiAh_4

[essgee09]

Bailter Space-Robot World(1993) and Wammo(1995)

New Zealand band that many have missed the boat on.Often compared to MBV,Sonic Youth,Swervedriver,and the Jesus And Mary Chain;they have a great guitar sound and alternately accessible and noisy approach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hILcVdTrVQ 9hILcVdTrVQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO5yH3CiSBc aO5yH3CiSBc

[Yeah Right]

Decent tunes I have to ask though:

"essgee09" wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hILcVdTrVQ

Is that their singer or just a photo of Kevin Sheilds?

[essgee09]

"Yeah Right" wrote:

Decent tunes I have to ask though:

"essgee09" wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hILcVdTrVQ

Is that their singer or just a photo of Kevin Sheilds?

Looks like Kevin to me and not Alister Parker

[essgee09]

Versus-Dead Leaves(1995) and Two Cents Plus Tax(1998)

The Versus story begins in 1990 in NYC with two brothers Richard and Ed Baluyut.Both had previously played in a band called Flower.A chick from Texas named Fontaine Toups joined towards the end of the break up.They named themsleves Versus after the Mission Of Burma album.The first Versus demos featured 3 guitars and a drum machine.Richard convinced Fontaine to pick up the bass and Ed to return to the drums.The first ep came out on their own Remora label called Let`s Electrify.Laura from Superchunk considers it to be one of her top 10 fave records.Dead Leaves compiles a number of their 1993 singles plus unrealeased and damn they had some great early singles.The Star Are Insane in 1994 for the Teenbeat label was their first full length.An ep in `95 called Deep Red followed with another Baluyut brother added on 2nd guitar.1996`s Secret Swingers was a move to the Caroline label,it was also Ed`s last record with the band.Patrick Ramos soon joined on drums
Two Cents Plus Tax followed in 1998,one of their greatest records,a big production budget gave them a big sound.Sadly Caroline dropped them and they signed with Merge.The 1999 ep Afterglow followed and in 2000 their last record Hurrah came out.Allmusic gave Hurrah 2 stars which is unfair since there`s hardly a bad song though less production cash went into it.They reunited soon again to open for Mission Of Burma.Things got quiet after that but they`ve since done some shows including a Xmas show with Yo La Tengo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywazLwhrw3k ywazLwhrw3k

[essgee09]

Flying Saucer Attack-s/t(AKA Rural Psychedelia)(1994)

Bristol,UK band that not enough folks have heard of.Dave Pearce and Rachel Brook was the core of the group
Shoegaze taken to extremes.Waves of feedback/distorted guitars,folkie acoustic picking plus hushed vocals.as one critic said,they make Sonic Youth sound like the Rolling Stones.Their first record was their best.Brook left in 1996 or 97 leaving Pearce alone and whoever he got to back him for live shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcbx1NU-3GI fcbx1NU-3GI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hB2C-cw_bc 5hB2C-cw_bc

My avatar is the cover of their Further album

[essgee09]

Eleventh Dream Day-Lived To Tell(1991) and El Moodio(1993)

I`ve talked about them before and said they`re my favorite other rock band besides Dino.Here`s their story:

Rick Rizzo met Janet Bean while attending college in Kentucky.Rizzo,a Chicago native who was into punk rock.Bean was working as a waitress and also played the drums in a Louisville band.They dated and Janet decided to move to Chicago with Rick and form a band in 1983.Janet`s friend Shu Shubat played bass and Baird Figi was on guitar with Rick on guitar and vocals and Janet on drums and backing vocals.Shubat left because she could`nt hear herself over the roar of Rizzo and Figi`s guitars and Doug McCombs was recruited in 1985.
Their sound was rooted in Neil Young,Television,and the Velvet Underground.Lots of guitar solos and quirky storytelling was the norm.
In 1987 they released theit first ep.Though lacking in the fire of the live gigs,it was an ok effort.In 1988 they recorded their first full length Prarie School Freakout.Cut in 6 hours with help from alot of beer and a buzzing amp they could`nt fix.It remains their most ‘garage’ record.Both records came out on the Amoeba label which Rizzo commented that ripped them off.They soon left for a major label,Atlantic.Rizzo said since Zeppelin were on Atlantic it seemed cool.Beet came out in 89 with Testify as the first single.It recieved some MTV airplay.This was around the time they toured with the Meat Puppets.Rick said they hung around their motorhome and had a great time playing shows with them.Baird`s wife came along the tour but did`nt like the band or wanted to help them sell merchandise.They all knew Baird`s departure was going to happen sooner or later.
After a good but not great live album they recorded Lived To Tell in 91.Their greatest album.They cut it in a barn on a Kentucky farm to get away from the studio.Containing some of their best tunes,the guitars rip like never before in a bluesy crash and burn way and Janet took her first lead vocal on 1 tune.These records sold well in terms of indie sales but not good enough for a major label.When Nirvana hit big,the pressure was on for EDD to deliver a hit too.Figi announced his departure and Wink O`Bannon,a roadie stepped in.Wink was too good on guitar,they used to get him drunk to slow him down!Ira Kaplan from Yo La Tengo often guested from time to time as well.Rick and Janet married around this time.
In 1993 they released El Moodio,another incredible effort with at least 5 potential singles.They did a video for Makin Like A Rug with the beautiful Janet out front in a white dress.It did`nt make much a dent and Atlantic soon told them they were dropped.
After the endless touring the frustration hit the fan and they now considered the band to be a hobby.They`d focus on a day job and do records and gigs when they wanted to.McCombs was doing well with his post rock band Tortoise and Janet had a long running country band Freakwater on the side.In 1994 they signed with Atavistic and did 1 record for them called Ursa Major.The post rock thing was creeping into their sound but still it contained some rockers.
In 1997 they signed with Thrilljockey and Eighth came out.A good but not great effort.Still they were progressing as band.In 2000 they released Stalled Parade,a so so effort with some good tunes but a focus on atmosphere did`nt suit them.In 2001 Rick and Janet divorced,the marriage was over a long time before that but they stayed together for their son Matthew.
Things got quiet until 2006`s Zeroes And Ones.A jump back to their old sound but not giving up on some modern touches.It was their best since Ursa Major.Over 25 years later EDD are still a going concern,gigs are rare but not even divorce or the changing music scene could keep this band down.Rick tecahes grade 8 and Janet used to work for a law firm.She also does web pages for the UN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0WuiSyFopM o0WuiSyFopM

[essgee09]

The Spinanes-Manos(1993) and Strand(1996)

Portland,Oregon duo The Spinanes were an unusual group for the time.Rebecca Gates on guitar/vocals and Scott Plouf on drums were one of the few guitar/drums bands of the era.After 3 singles for the Imp label(which Merge reissued as a 6 song cd called The Imp Years)Rebecca and Scott signed to Sub Pop.Their debut Manos in 1993 remains a fine record all these years later and one of my all time faves.Rebecca`s understated vocals a contrast from the riot grrl bands and grunge that was going on.She also was an interesting songwriter,whether about sex and relationships or more cryptic lyrics.
In 1996 Strand came out,Elliot Smith sang backup on a couple of tunes.A more slower and languid effort at times but not without some upbeat moments.Rebecca`s voice was more sultry and almost jazz singer like.It remains one of the more underated records in the Sub Pop catalog.
In 1998 Arches And Aisles came out.Plouf was gone to Built To Spill and Rebecca moved to Chicago and had help from Chicago musicians like Sam Prekop of the Sea And Cake.While not up to snuff with the previous two albums it`s still a good record.Again her vocals are pretty damn alluring.
In 2001 Rebecca released her first solo album,The Ruby Series.A more electronica directed effort but still she did`nt put down the guitar.Since then she`s played drums for Califone and did opening gigs for Steve Malkmus but no new recordings have surfaced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOKvQ_UiraQ zOKvQ_UiraQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfci_GLyRqw sfci_GLyRqw

[essgee09]

The Walkabouts-New West Motel(1993),Setting The Woods On Fire(1994),Devil`s Road(1995),and Nighttown(1997)

Seattle`s Walkabouts seem to have the same fate of alot of my favorite bands.They`re incredibly underated.Starting in 1984,core members Chris Eckman and Carla Torgerson got better more so over time.Their sound rooted in Neil Young and Velvet Underground with country tinges like murder ballads influenced songs,often of tales of creepy smalltown America.In 1987 they released their debut See Beautiful Rattlesnake Gardens.They soon signed with Sub Pop,1990`s Rage And Bone ep and Cataract showed greater growth.1991`s Scavenger had Natalie Merchant and Brian Eno guesting.
The real breakthough was 1993`s New West Motel where a perfect balance of their storytelling and rocking out.Satisfied Mind also came out in `93 as well,an all covers album with the songs of Nick Cave to Gene Clark to Patti Smith with guests like Peter Buck and Mark Lanegan.
`94`s Setting The Woods On Fire continued in the solidness and consistency.`95`s Devil`s Road was over the top.They added in strings and orchestration.`97`s Nighttown was like Devil`s Road part 2,they never sounded more like a film that was`nt made,just over the top beauty.Carla`s voice was like a post punk Emmylou Harris by this point.
They`ve made more records since then.Their last was 4 years ago.Hopefully something new will surface.They often tour in europe and rarely play in America anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWxd-UxSJyY ZWxd-UxSJyY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cxv3rBA604 -cxv3rBA604

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u51XgzU5UAk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u51XgzU5 … re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkN5zqRqDw0 PkN5zqRqDw0

[girl]

Great suggestion! And speaking of Mark Lanegan, if you are a fan you should pick up the Gutter Twins album, Saturnalia. Its a collaboration between him and Greg Dulli of Twilight Singers.

[essgee09]

"girl" wrote:

Great suggestion! And speaking of Mark Lanegan, if you are a fan you should pick up the Gutter Twins album, Saturnalia. Its a collaboration between him and Greg Dulli of Twilight Singers.

Dulli was in the Afghan Whigs too

[essgee09]

Silkworm-Firewater(1996)

The Silkworm story begins in Missoula,Montana out of a band called Ein Heit in the mid `80s.Andy Cohen on guitar/vocals,Tim Midgett on bass/guitar/vocals,and Joel Phelps on guitar/vocals.Montana is`nt exactly a hip music location so the guys left for Seattle in 1990.Drummer Micheal Dahlquist joined there and after some early cassettes they cut L`Aire in 1992.Their sound influenced by Wire,Mission Of Burma,and Gang Of Four with a good deal of Dinosaur Jr especially early on(Andy`s guitars solo will evoke Neil Young and J comparisons)and some classic rock influences too like the Stones and The Faces.
In 1994 they released two albums.In The West for C/Z and Libertine for El Recordo.Phelps left to pursue a solo career.They signed with Matador and their stongest effort Firewater came out.Most of their records were produced by their Montana homeboy Steve Albini.Also,Steve Malkmus became a huge supporter and offered them to tour with Pavement(which they did).in `97 Developer came out plus a Ein Heit reunion album.Around this time they left Seattle for Chicago.They signed with Touch And Go and released Blueblood in 1998.Lifestyle,Italian Platinum,and It`ll Be Cool came out in 2000-2004 but despite all this prolificness the band still had`nt caught on in a big way.
In 2005 the band came to an end when Micheal Dahlquist died in a car accident.Andy and Tim continued on in the band The Bottomless Pit.

Trailer from the upcoming film about Silkworm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA3pHNMg_Ag GA3pHNMg_Ag

Their only music vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEW3hsNVF9M kEW3hsNVF9M

[essgee09]

Bettie Serveert-Palomine(1992) and Lamprey(1995)

Dutch band Bettie Serveert started from the ashes of a band called De Artsen.Carol Van Dijk on guitar/vocals,Peter Visser on guitar,Herman Bunskoeke on bass,and Berend Dubbe on drums.In 1992 they signed with the fledging Matador label and released Palomine.Their sound a mix of Neil Young guitar solos from Peter,Carol`s jangly guitar sound(that Roger McGuinn could envy),and the Velvet Underground.Carol had a sweet and tough vocal style that some compared to Chrissy Hynde.Palomine also hinted at a Dinosaur Jr influence given they covered a Lou Barlow song on it.
In 1995 they released Lamprey to mixed reviews.In my book it`s strong and one of my all time faves but the band and most fans felt it was a hit and miss affair.Around this time they toured with Dinosaur Jr and Come.Javro saw this triple bill and said all bands were really loud and that Bettie Serveert held their own.
In 1997 Dust Bunnies came out.It had a demo feel other than a real album but certainly was`nt bad.
In 2000 they released Private Suit which showed some maturity in the songwriting and approach.
In 2003 Log 22 came out.Another strong effort despite Carol does`nt sing the same way as she did on older records.But I did`nt let that bother me too much.
In 2005 they released Attagirl.I did`nt care much for it.Some good tunes but largely a shot in the adult alt rock direction.
In 2006 Stripped Bare Naked came out.Again I did`nt care much for it except a few tunes.If Carol was on the cover stripped bare naked it could`nt save it.
I`m awaiting something new.I hope they go in the right direction and away from the crap of the last two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaAXkwQBzYU PaAXkwQBzYU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EmdvkJy-3A 6EmdvkJy-3A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I41Msjjc_0 3I41Msjjc_0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pjfr175–g 1Pjfr175–g

[Author]

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