There will always be those that are hopelessly stuck the past. They say things like “They just don’t write songs like they used to,” or “The scene was so much better back in the day.” After a while, it becomes as cliché as the new music they’re criticizing in the first place. No matter how much I might think it sometimes, I don’t say it, because everyone has their own special time with discovering music that reminds them of a certain period in their lives, and I am in no position to pass judgment. On top of that, I just don’t want to be that annoying old guy. But one thing I will say without reservation is that the way we used to shop for music (and still do to some limited extent) blows away the current practice. I’m referring specifically to the practice of shopping at real record stores to discover and obtain one’s music. And buying is just a part of it. Record stores provide exposure. You have to pick through columns and stacks to find what you want, thus discovering new stuff along the way.
It was through this process as young record store hound that I discovered the little-known UK band Crazyhead. Its original release hit during a very cool time for rock ‘n’ roll. Various sectors of punk, hard rock and other subgenres had begun to come together to forge a temporary underground scene that would see the likes of Jane’s Addiction, The Cult, Guns N’ Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers soon become mainstream. There were many copyists who’d also rise the ranks, as well as other bands that would never truly get their due. Crazyhead was one of those latter bands. I discovered the band by scouring the bargain bins for stuff to fill out my collection. I remember seeing copies of the band’s Desert Orchid album, which is generally an indication that no one really bought actual copies, just the opened promos that littered the stores. I decided to take a chance, mainly because the mangy looking band had an image that was similar to some other bands I liked. The sounds, however, were different from anything I’d ever heard.
The band was part of the short-lived “Grebo” scene that included other Anglo oddities such as Zodiac Mindwarp, The Wonderstuff, Pop Will Eat Itself and Gaye Bykers on Acid. Largely thought to be a creation of the UK music media, the scene consisted of bands too smart for their own good, some of which mixed genres such as rock and punk with hip hop and/or industrial production effects. From the outside, the only commonality this clutch of impertinent young bands had was a penchant for scraggly hair, bad hygiene and mismatched clothes. In spite of the fact that it hailed from the same confines, Crazyhead had its own thing going altogether. Mixing a toxic combination of classic punk, ’60s garage rock and street glam with a heaping dose of black humour, courtesy of vocalist Anderson, the sound was dirty and lean, but surprising hooky and melodic (Think The Cramps meet Cheap Trick).
Desert Orchid was the band’s debut. I would really wish that the CD album opened with the ’60s-flavored “Time Has Taken Its Toll On You,” merging Anderson’s gritty vocals with the spidery guitars of the cleverly named Fast Transatlantic Dick and his accomplice Reverb. Toss in a big, hook-laden chorus and the song kicks off the album in high style, but it doesn’t. “Rags” furthers the cause with punchy drums, horns and sleazy guitars, while the band’s cover of “Have Love Will Travel” gives the original standard a cow-punk makeover, adding an equal shot of groove to the mix. “Jack the Scissor Man,” offers a unique take on punk, with driving riffs and an oddly addictive nursery-rhyme chorus. “I Don’t Want That Kind of Love,” is an anti-ballad of sorts, with an infectious chorus—the song would later be covered by fellow scenesters Jesus Jones on their debut a while later. The highpoint of Desert Orchid is the single “What Gives You The Idea That You’re So Amazing Baby?” With its freight-train rhythms, punk bravado, insidious slide guitar and massive chorus that incorporates every syllable of the title within its tight confines, the song builds to an unholy climax with each refrain. And, it’s seriously like nothing else you’ve ever heard, except…well that’s another discussion.
Ripped to MP3 @ 320kbps
On a Zodiac kick and as for music, someone is always hearing it for the first time.
ReplyDeleteRed Lorry Yellow Lorry is underrated and the Chameleons.
Plenty of both RLYL and T'Chams posted here
DeleteI too was one of those record store hounds. Every Saturday afternoon, 40 minute bus ride into the city center where all the record shops were. Then the search would begin. Bin after bin, every album in the bin checked over, sometimes recognizing a name here and there. Here in the center of Canada I could tune into one radio station that would play a couple of hours of Radio Caroline or one of the other "pirate" radio stations from off shore England in the early hours of the night. I'd make note of bands I liked and next Saturday I'd scour the shops for them. We had 2 shops that carried 'Import' albums that either had what I wanted of would order them in for me. Good times, good times!! Thanks for conjuring the memories!!
ReplyDeleteBrian
Cheers Brian, I still love a good old rummage through boxes and crates of records
DeleteSaw this band at Liverpool Uni, great night, great music, they rocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletethey did and t'was glorious
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