Iconoclast: Sins of New York, 1989
I was just a dumb rock guy. Now that I’m a crusty old fuck, I can sagely point to the influence of Coltrane, Sun Ra, James Chance, John Lurie, and so forth.
The Pleasantries: “Innocence, Ignorance” b/w “In Between Or Beyond”, 1994
“Innocence, Ignorance” is stellar Byrds/Big Star-inspired, Latin-tinged power pop. You, yes you, will love it. “In Between Or Beyond” is equally impressive. Listen now.
Wade: S/T, 1995
Catchy pop songs with supercharged guitars and powerful drumming…a gritty-voiced vocalist singing introspective songs about depression, isolation, self-hate and suicide…no, it’s not Nirvana, but the next best thing: Wade. Okay, so it’s not the most original sound in the world, but they still kick ass. The regrettably muddy production of this tape can’t mask the strength of their songs nor the intensity of their performance. Look, if you kids can push Foo Fighters to the top of the charts, why…
Cystem: A Severed Head (single), 1998
A hardstep single from a known artist (in this Universe, anyway) who wishes to remain anonymous and so asked that I omit his name and address from this review. He has nothing to be ashamed of; the track rocks, although the minimal techno style is less interesting to me than the artist’s more involved illbient and soundtrack work. Whatever, ya gets four mixes to play with and they’re all good, so get it. — Demo Universe PERSONNEL: John Sosnowski: Loops,…
Dan Cray: How’s My Driving?, 1999
‘Jenn Cray’s chirpy recitation of Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go!” provides the conceptual road map for another Dan Cray trip into the heart of darkness. Love, and all the pain resulting, is the theme this time out, expressed in quietly shattering songs like “Happy Hour” (“You were the first lust that I trusted/You’ll be the last love I adore/You call it space/I call it war.”) and “Two TVs” (“I’ll take the couch/You’ll take the bed/It’s the ease of…
Book Of Kills: For The Good Of The Cause, 1991
“I don’t really understand Jim very well. I don’t understand why he won’t let other people hear his songs. I don’t understand why he always seemed so reluctant to pursue a life in music. I don’t understand how he could have let his gifts go to waste. But he did.” — Jordy Williams PERSONNEL: James Nipe a/k/a Jim Shelley: Everything TRACK LISTING: Side One* 1.(I’m Glad I’m Not a) Rock Star 2. No Time For Love 3. Dear Annie 4….
Johnny Skilsaw: 3 Songs, ca 1996
“Death Of A Cynic” and the Beatles cover here were supposed to be on Skilsaw’s debut LP, Stuffed and Motorized.
The Blue Hearts: “Be Nice” b/w “Linda Linda”, 1987
PERSONNEL: Hiroto Kohmoto: Vocals Masatoshi Mashima: Guitar Junnisuke Kawaguchi: Bass Tetsuya Kajiwara: Drums TRACK LISTING: Side A 1. Be Nice Side B 1. Linda, Linda This tape was in the swag bag from the 1987 New Music Seminar, and boy howdy, it rocks! Talk about big in Japan, these guys really were among the most acclaimed and influential punk-rock bands in the land of the rising sun. Wikipedia has all the deets. Here’s something I could never have seen in…
The Inkpot Monkey: Private Work Tape, ca 1998
PERSONNEL: Jack Boyd: Bass Peter Gottovi: Drums Kenyata Sullivan: Guitar, vocals, keyboards TRACK LISTING: Side One 1. 12th Grade, Wow 2. Hatsie 3. Sainted By The Sea And Sand (Version Bertha) 4. Little Fat Man 5. Maya 6. Song For My Father 7. In The War 8. Firecracker (no vocals) Side Two (“Crap, but at least it’s the songs”) 1. That’s Good Talkin’ Boy 2. My Name Is Ramona 3. Witching 4. 8 Week Button 5. Song For My Father…
nina57: Medication here I Come Again!, 1999
Solo rock from Nina, who accompanies herself with electric guitar (mostly) on this lo-fi 4-track recording. Double-tracked vocals, a common crutch for insecure vocalists, robs this tape of some intimacy, while failing to disguise Nina’s pitch problems. And yet, Medication Here I Come Again! is not without its good points. Nina’s guitar playing is not flashy but strong and sure, and her energy is infectious. Hope to hear more and better in the future! — Demo Universe, December 6, 1999…