© 1997 jon138@webtv.net
The Ruts-"Something
That I Said-The Best of the Ruts"-1995 Caroline
Records
This British band's first and only official Lp, THE CRACK was
released in 1979, ushering in punks second wave. The Ruts were
like a link between Pistols Style musical attack, and the early
80's british hardcore sound of the Riot City and No Future record
labels.
They had a thick guitar sound, with abraisive and
at the same time, melodic vocals and music, realistic political
lyrics that, instead of simply bitching about vague concepts of
"Anarchy" and the like, took on serious issues like drugs,
corruption, and the streets.
The Ruts also incorporated a
lot of reggae into their music, much like the clash, only with a
lot more feel for the the form than the clash ever had.
Not long after the release of THE CRACK, vocalist Malcom Owen was
found dead of an overdose, putting an end to a band that had
enormous potential. In 1980, an album, GRIN AND BEAR IT was
released containing early singles, B-sides and a few live tracks.
There were also a few live albums and compilations released in the
late '80's.
Their biggest impact was on the D.C, scene,
heavily influencing bands like Bad Brains, Dag Nasty and Minor
Threat. Fugazi still covers Ruts songs in their live
shows.
After Owen's death, The band continued on as The
Ruts D.C., forsaking punk, and moving into a more funk/reggae
sound.
This compilation introduces the band to a whole
new generation of punks who are totally clueless to the influences
of their favorite bands. The album contains the bands two biggest
hits, The classic punk anthem "In A Rut" and "Babylon's Burning"
(best known for it's inclusion on the cheesy "Times Square"
soundtrack) and H Eyes, a cautionary tale
about smack. Ironic, considering the death of Owen.
All
in all, I'd say that if you don't have The Ruts out of print first
album, then this album is fairly essential. 17 great songs from a
great forgotten band.
Listen to the ruts:
In A Rut
Staring At The Rude Boys
Dope For Guns
Human Punk
Buy The Ruts from
CDnow
The Lazy Cowgirls-"Radio Cowgirl 1990 Sympaty For The Record
Industry
Why is it the best bands always go unheard? The Lazy Cowgirls,
who've been around for over fourteen years have been banging out
some of the most grittiest,
"there's-a-tear-in-my-beer-but-fuck-it-i'm-drunk-lets-rock" punk
rock ever, and nobody knows about them.
Hailing from Indiana, the Cowgirls are like a blend of Ramones
power, The Dictators attitude, the NY Dolls twisted blues, and
Mike Ness' working man shtick (only, unlike Ness, these guys
probably know what it's like to be a working man).
This album, Radio Cowgirl, was recorded live in the studio at
KCSB FM, Santa Barbera in 1988. The album starts of with a bang
with "Lose'n Your Mind", and it never lets up. Singer Pat Todd,
who looks like your dad, belts out some of the best and honest
vocals this side of Handsome Dick Manitoba, while the band flails
away at some of the best rock and roll ever made. There's a Killer
version of my favorite Cowgirls song: "Goddamn Bottle" with the
immortal line "They ask me why I drink for, am I trying to forget?
Well I know there was a reason, but I can't remember it." That
pretty much sums up their attitude.
Their choice of
covers is pretty cool as well. They take on the Ramones classic
"Carbona Not Glue, and they do rockin' versions of the Green
Acres theme, Jim Reeves' Heartache, and Roky Erickson's 13th Floor
Elevators '60s punk classic "You're Gonna Miss Me" The real gem
here however, is a GREAT Cover of the New York Dolls' "Who Are The
Mystery Girls".
This is one of those albums that makes you
wanna run around the house and fuck shit up, drink a lot of beer,
and fight with the 'ol lady...Well, at least until she bitches at
you and makes you turn down the stereo. Women. They can never let
you enjoy yourself. Well actualy, it's usually the kids who bitch
about the stereo. They wouldn't bitch if I was was playing
fucking Korn
Their second album "Tapping the Source" is my
faveorite, and it's available from BOMP for six bucks on vinyl. So
quit being so tight and pick up a Cowgirls record!
Listen to The Lazy Cowgirls:
Left
I'll Tell You Why
Who You Callin' A Slut
Buy Lazy Cowgirls
from CDnow
Ten High-"Party
Store" ('96 Bomp/Alive/Total Energy records)
Singer and guitarist Wendy case has a powerful voice, and
~kind of~ sounds like a cross between Joan Jett and Chrissie
Hynde, and she's backed by an equaly powerful band, which pulls
off the rare task of being sutibly raunchy without sounding
ameturish.
The album starts off with "Get On" a great Sonics style
stomper. "Crazy ways is a cool 60s style pogo tune, with a cool
two note harmonica preformance by Wendy.
A few songs like "Mindreader" and "Sins Of The Family" while
not forsaking their "punk-ness", would sound right at home on
alt-rock radio, and it sure beats the shit out of crap like Jewl
or whatever else the alternative flavor of the is.
A Seeds cover "Satisfy You" brings the band back into solid
garage punk territory, and they even do a Beach Boys cover "Do It
Again" without sounding lame!
The best song here is "Slow Burn", a bitter "Fuck Off" kind
of song that's destined to become a garage classic.
I got this album after hearing the band on one of the "Motor
City Is Burning" comps, and it's one of the most solid albums I've
gotten in awhile.
There's also a 10" EP available from Bomp! called "4 Shots
From Detroit" thats just as good. It features a great Kim Fowley
cover, the epic "Born To Make You Cry" which conjours up images of
"Fun House", and also features a Wayne Kramer guitar solo on a
song!
Listen To Ten High:
Get On
Crazy Ways
Mindreader
Satisfy You
Buy Ten High from CDnow
HOME
Get your own Free Home Page