Author: Jenna Clark

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Listen to the full album on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYHhXKb-Uf8

Album: Of The People/By The People/For The People/From The Common People

Artist: The Common People

Label: Capitol

Year: 1969

What’s so great about it: This album is bizarre. Everything from the band members to the record cover to the music is steeped in mystery and myth. The only thing that’s for sure is that The Common People only released one album. Legend has it that they were from Southern California, some say Baldwin Park, others say Fontana. Supposedly they comprised something of a 5-man biker gang cult and wore white robes exclusively. The album was considered a failure at the time it was released, with Capitol cutting funding after only three songs had been recorded and some of the session musicians dropping out of the project. And yet, somehow the album came together and is regarded, now, as a ‘60s psychedelic masterpiece. The craziest part of it all is that despite the best efforts of journalists and fans, no one has been able to contact any of the band members since the album’s release.

What’s it sound like: The vibe is sorta Moody Blues, instrumentals are kinda Midnight Sun, vocals sometimes sound like Fever Tree – basically a conglomerate of all the psychedelic bands that swayed more toward hypnotizing the listener rather than rocking very hard or weirding them out. The quality of the recording also doesn’t sound too great on a few songs, which I thought was due to the record being old and dirty, but after some research it seems that this is just their sound, which only adds further to the mystery of these guys.

Stand-out tracks: “Soon There’ll be Thunder” – This is the first song of the first side of the album, and it hooked me like crazy. This song is the definition of the word “foreboding.”

“Go Every Way” – Kicking up the tempo a bit here.

“Take From You” – Instrumentals on this song are impressive.

“They Didn’t Even Go To The Funeral” – This song stands out because it is AWFUL. I don’t really even know what to say about it. It’s the first song on the second side of the album, and it completely snaps you out of the trance the previous songs put you in. But I think that’s the point? Maybe? It’s definitely got a Sgt. Pepper sound to it (a yellow submarine is even referenced in the lyrics), so my best guess is that it’s actually a parody of the more silly sort of psychedelic music.

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(image via audiophileusa.com)

Listen to the full album on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICoizcz-mHo

Album: Smack My Crack

Artist: Various

Label: Giorno Poetry Systems Records

Year: 1987

What’s so great about it: This is a crazy compilation of varying degrees of outsider musicians and poets. It’s a polarizing collection of names – you’re either into Swans or you’re not. You either get the Diamanda Galas or you don’t. You’re either a Tom Waits fan or you aren’t. It’s a wonder that this album even exists. It was put out by Giorno Poetry Systems Records, which was a label created in 1972 by the poet John Giorno to put works by people like Allen Ginsberg, John Cage, and Diane Di Prima on vinyl to make them more accessible to a new generation of readers (well, listeners). The combination of poetry and music works well. Past KCR staff wrote on the cover of the album, “What a fabulous offering,” “Not a bad cut on it,” and “THIS IS GREAT.”

What’s it sound like: It sounds like what it is – what you would get if you put some beatniks, performance artists, and moody tough guys in a room together. In the ‘80s.

Stand-out tracks: “Boiled Dove” (Butthole Surfers) – Sounds way more Velvet Underground than traditional Butthole Surfers. Very trippy and freaky.

“Words of Advice” (William S. Burroughs) – Offering such invaluable words of wisdom as “avoid (truck)ups” and witticisms like “you need it like you need pernicious anemia,” this is a must-listen.

“Anything for You” (Swans) – If you like Swans, you’ll like it. If you don’t like Swans, you won’t like it. If you don’t know Swans, brace yourself.

“Cheap Energy” (Chad & Sudan) – The most accessible track on the record, so if Einsturzende Neubauten is too much for you and you don’t think imitations of the mating calls of sea monsters constitute music, try this song.

“The Atra Virago” (Nick Cave) – Gettin’ all Egdar Allen Poe on us.

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Listen to the full album on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nJaRKLOjLw

Album: A Sweet Kiss From Mommy

Artist: The Penetrators

Label: E&M Records

Year: 1982

What’s so great about it: The Penetrators are another great local ’80s punk band. In the words of an ’80s punk writing on KCR’s copy of the record, they’re “one of the only decent bands to crawl out of San Diego.” In the late ’70s and early ’80s they were frequently on the line-up at venues like The Skeleton Club and Ché. Their biggest break came in 1978 when they opened for The Ramones at Montezuma Hall at San Diego State (Can we take a moment to freak out over the fact that THE RAMONES PLAYED AT SDSU AND THE TICKETS WERE $3 OH MY GOD WHY WAS I NOT BORN YET. Also, in case you’re confused because the brand new Aztec Student Union has a Montezuma Hall, the new Montezuma Hall is named after the old Montezuma Hall.). They released a few singles and EPs, but only one full album after failing to get picked up by a major label (IRS Records was deciding between the Penetrators and The Police. The Police won.) And yes, those are butts on the cover. A band member had taken them of people at a party, and on a whim they decided they would make a good album cover. Unfortunately, their choice of cover art kept the record from being sold in many stores. Then like many a punk band, they broke up in the mid ’80s due to line-up changes and personal problems.

What’s it sound like: Punk with definite garage and ska influences, and a couple weird country moments. The band cites British invasion bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks as influences, as well as American psychedelic and garage bands like The 13^th Floor Elevators, Velvet Underground, Blues Maggos, and Love.

Stand-out tracks: “Standing in Line” – Anyone who’s ever been to the DMV can intimately relate to this song.

“Nothing Town” – a commenter on the cover of KCR’s copy of the record says it “kicks ass!!!” Also, the combo of ska and the title remind me of Operation Ivy’s “Bad Town,” which is a good thing.

“Take this Heart” – Let’s call it a ska punk ballad?

(image via cheunderground.com)

(image via cheunderground.com)

(image via cheunderground.com)

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Listen to the full album on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEKCwW95Bpg

Album: CXEMA

Artist: CXEMA

Label: D-Fi Records

Year: 1989

What’s so great about it: There’s practically no information available on this album or band. I know they were from Boston, their members included Danny Lee and Doug Vargas from the band The Young Snakes, and aside from the four songs on this EP, they have at least two other songs, “Daughter of Sodom” and “Old Days.”

What’s it sound like: A past KCR member described it on the album cover as “bizarre industrial stuff,” and I think they nailed it. Their theme seems to be political and aggressive, but I really have no clue what they’re angry about, precisely.

Stand-out tracks: “Necktie” – Yeah, it’s just a quote from the 1943 Western The Ox-Bow Incident repeated over and over, but it’s super catchy!

“New Front” – I think this is what being trapped in a medieval outer space dungeon in slow motion sounds like.

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Listen to the full album on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW-s6Ljr51w

Album: Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper

Artist: Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper

Label: RBI Records/Enigma

Year: 1985

What’s so great about it: Mojo Nixon is super crazy. And not for the easily-offended. He skewers religion, objectifies women, promotes psychedelic drug use, and sings almost exclusively in politically incorrect phrases. But it’s all in good fun! Nixon is on vocals and guitar, Roper is on “upright washboard and other stuff.” This is their first album together, and the duo and Nixon solo would go on to have a handful of semi-hit songs that made it to MTV and VH1. As absurd and nonsensical as he comes off, Nixon reveals in interviews that there’s a lot of thought and politics that go into his music. He has a degree in political science. He’s known for his outlandish stunts, and has feuds with everyone from Don Henley to Tim Tebow to the entire Republican party to Michael J. Fox to the Westboro Baptist Church. Both Nixon and Roper are from San Diego, and it’s full of shout-outs to certain neighborhoods, streets, and landmarks, which are fun to pick out in the songs.

What’s it sound like: Ever wondered what punk country would sound like? It’s called cowpunk, and this is it. Plus blues and psychobilly. It’s pretty rockin’. Though Nixon’s music spans multiple genres, the punk community is fond of his political messages and he collaborated with Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys. Nixon had previously played in a Clash-y punk band in Denver, called Zebra 123, which he described as, “three chords and a cloud of dust.” He also loves Bruce Springsteen, which comes through every once in a while, like on “Promised Land Tonight.”

Stand-out tracks: “Jesus at McDonalds” – If the Velvet Underground wasn’t so serious and was in San Diego in the ‘80s. Also, The Barbeque Pit is still on University. It’s catering only now, though.

“I’m in Love with Your Girlfriend” – “Why don’t you leave that scum-sucking, yellow teethed, dork of the universe, surfer guy you’re with and come home with me?”

“Rockin’ Religion” – In an interview, Nixon said, “Maybe religion fills some psychological or emotional need that people need filling. I like to fill that with rock and roll and drugs and sex. Psychedelic mushrooms!”

“Mama Possums” – A very pleasant instrumental.

“Art [Flag] Shuffle” – It’s satire, Mojo Nixon is pro-gay, so don’t feel bad liking this song. And here’s historical proof that Hillcrest has always been gay.

(image vialyricsdog.eu)

(image via oldpunkflyers.tumblr.com)

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(image via cdandlp.com

(image via cdandlp.com)

Listen to the full album on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_lmX5eV52Y

Album: Love Songs for the Hard of Hearing

Artist: The Purple Toads

Label: Star Records

Year: 1988

What’s so great about it: The Purple Toads were a short-lived band from Ontario, Canada, made up of members of Durango 95, an even shorter-lived band from Ontario, Canada. The Purple Toads released two albums, one self-titled in 1986, followed by Love Songs for the Hard of Hearing in 1988. The latter was produced by The Band, which one would think would be a good start toward success, but like many bands in their specific genre of late ‘80s garage punk, they were a hit on the college radio circuit but failed to make it big, due in part to self-admitted laziness. Of the album’s 12 songs, 4 are covers.

What’s it sound like: Punky rock n’ roll. Part of the ‘80s garage revival that produced bands like The Cynics and The Morlocks. Sounds like the Dictators at times, and definitely some Stooges. A lot of alcohol-centric lyrics.

Stand-out tracks: “Wildtime” – Rockin’ song to start an album with.

“What a Way to Die” – “You’ve got the kind of body that makes me come alive, but I’d rather have my hand wrapped ‘round a bottle of Colt 45.”

“Love on your Back” – Good angry break-up song (“Goodbye baby ‘cause you can’t [fudge] a memory”).

“Everybody” – Rockin’ song to end an album with.

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Listen to the full album on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSW9f6_vnBA

Album: Art from Sin

Artist: Claude Coma and the I.V.s

Label: Goverment Records (sic)

Year: 1982

What’s so great about it: I’m starting Vinyl of the Week off with a bang by sharing this album with you guys. It’s one of the most unique and hard-to-find records I’ve come across in the collection so far. Claude Coma and the I.V.s was a local punk band. So local, in fact, that their now-defunct mailing address is on Adams Avenue, one mile from SDSU. They were regulars on the San Diego music scene, playing all the hip venues like the Ché and the Skeleton Club and with countless influential punk bands, ranging from locals to the Dead Kennedys. They released two LPs and one 7” from 1982-1984, both on Goverment Records, a San Diego label. KCR owns both LPs, including two copies of Art from Sin (their first album), both on super-cool clear orange vinyl, and one of which appears to be a test pressing. KCR’s copy of their second and last album, Manslaughter, is a test pressing and is signed by Claude himself and dedicated to KCR! It reads, “KCR – Thanks for giving us a fair shake. Always, Claude.”  The only other place their music appears is a Goverment Records compilation album titled Who’s Listening, which KCR owns two copies of.

What’s it sound like: Humorous and political. Complaints range from the price of gas ($2 per gallon), to the declining state of San Diego’s mass transit, to the increasing numbers of homeless people, to war in the Middle East and Vietnam, to the objectification of women. Punk that shifts from rock n’ roll to ska to pop-rock. Flippant and angry and full of insults aimed at authority, yet surprisingly listenable, up-tempo, and fun to sing and dance to.

Stand-out tracks: “Minimum Wage” – “I ain’t gonna work for no minimum wage, three buck an hour, urban slave!” Yes, I checked, and minimum wage was in fact just over $3 per hour when this song was written.

“Let’s Go To Hell” – I dare you to find another song that groups Nancy Reagan with Jack the Ripper and Charles Manson, while also threatening to “puke on the White House floor.”

“Berserk on the Bus” – I’d like a sequel called “Ticked on the Trolley.”

“Child Molester” and “Babies in Convent Walls” – Play these for your grandparents! They’ll love them!

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(image via sandiegoreader.com)

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Listen to the full album on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfhj-ewRB2w

Album: Beach Blvd.

Artist: Various

Label: Posh Boy

Year: 1979

What’s so great about it: This is a fantastic compilation album. It was one of the earliest compilations of punk music, which means it’s from that magic moment in every genre of emerging music’s life where people lucky enough to be listening in the right place at the right time get to hear something truly new. The artists featured are the Simpletones, Rik L Rik, and The Crowd, all of whom were from Orange County or Los Angeles (Rik L Rik went to school with my mom!). It’s been re-released a few times, but KCR has the first pressing. A note on the album from 1986 says that it was a staple at KCR “until some beneath-the-phrase-human-being-type-person thieved it,” but that a kind listener donated their copy to the station. Thanks, kind listener!

What’s it sound like: All good, solid early punk. The Simpletones sing, well, simple songs with classic teenage themes about dates and dances, poking fun at suburban culture. The Crowd have a Ramones sound, except now Suzy is a surf rocker instead of a headbanger. Rik L Rik (of F-Word and Negative Trend) has the most edge of the bunch and the beginnings of hardcore punk sound to complement more serious subject matter.

Stand-out tracks: “I Have a Date” (Simpletones) – Perfectly described on the back cover of the album as “Jonathan Richman on a San Gabriel Valley level.”

“Tiger Beat Twist” (Simpletones) – “I go to discotheques, I like the Beegees, let’s do the Tiger Beat, ‘till we go crazy!”

“Meathouse” (Rik L Rik) – Creepy, cryptic, and cool song.

“Modern Machine” (The Crowd) – Loud and fast and fun!

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(image via my mom’s 7th grade yearbook)

(image via last.fm)