- Artist: Gaye Bykers on Acid
- Title: Drill Your Own Hole
- Year: 1987
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1987 – When I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
- Keeper: Yes
Not surprisingly, Gaye Bykers on Acid’s music is not for everybody, but it is for me. I have fond memories of Drill Your Own Hole and the time it came out, half my life time ago. Despite that, after posting the last GBOA record I was not expecting to like this as much as I still do. Drill Your Own Hole is excellent, starting with the first track “Motorvate” all the way to the end.
Mary, my wife, not the singer, and I were only dating when we drove up to D.C. one weeknight to see them at the original 9:30 Club. When we got there we found out the opening band, Pop Will Eat Itself, were denied visas due to “lack of artistic merit.” Whatever. Mary was pretty bummed. Since there was no opening act some of the Gaye Bykers were killing time out on the floor. Nobody was paying them too much attention so I started talking to Mary Mary, the singer, not my wife. When I told him we traveled three hours to see them play he seemed genuinely flattered. Later, during the show, when he saw me up near the stage he stuck the mic in my face and got me to sing along during one chorus. Pretty funny, and pretty fun.
For some reason the band was billed as “Gaye Bykers on Parade.” You can see that on the ticket stub below. Maybe having a drug reference in your band name wasn’t conducive to getting visas, or bookings, or something. I forgot to ask Mary Mary about that.
- Artist: The Fall
- Title: Bend Sinister
- Year: 1986
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: ?
- Keeper: Yes
We’re almost done with our trip. And it’ll be good to get back to the mountains because it just got wicked hot and humid in the DC area. Now we’re staying with our friends the Hartzells. Last night we had a great party, with great food, great friends, and a chocolate fountain! For the kids, of course.
The Fall’s Bend Sinister is another arty record from a consistently arty band but there is a big difference from the last record posted. This one has hooks aplenty, it’s much more enjoyable because of it, and you’re likely to start humming along the first time you hear it. To be honest, I only got to play it once before we left and I can’t remember much more about it right now.
- Artist: 86
- Title: Minutes in a Day
- Year: 1986
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: Plan 9 Records?
- Keeper: No
Another night with friends in the DC area. This time Andy and Jamie are providing the food and lodging, and let me just say that we got a kick-ass dinner.
On to tonight’s record: Minutes in a Day by 86. This is one rather intense and arty record. It’s not exactly heavy, but it is intense. The problem for me is that there are really no hooks, or grooves, or anything that I can remember when the songs are done. This one is getting a new home.
- Artist: The Damned
- Title: Strawberries
- Year: 1982
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Tracy? Mary?
- Acquired: No one knows
- Keeper: Maybe
Live from Alexandria, VA. More specifically, from the home of our good friends and generous hosts the Brokamps. Robert is sitting next to me typing on his laptop about retirement, and I’m typing about old records.
I’ve said this before: Most records by The Damned are pretty inconsistent. I love the songs “Stranger on the Town” and “Dozen Girls”, but not much else on Strawberries. I probably didn’t give it a fair listen since I was trying to jam in some records before we hit the road. It just doesn’t grab my attention, unlike the cool cover.
- Artist: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
- Title: Deanna
- Year: 1988
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1988 – RIP Records in Norfolk, VA
- Keeper: Yes
I love the song “Deanna.” And it’s surprisingly sing-along for a song by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. Despite it’s and fast tempo and upbeat feel the song’s lyrics come across as typically dark, for Mr. Cave, that is. I don’t know what it’s about, but “I’m not down for your love, I’m not down here for your money… I’m down here for your soul” sounds like this character is up to no good. “Girl at the Bottom of My Glass” on the flipside is very minimalist, but also very good.
Oh, Deanna… Oh, D-E-Anna…
