Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, April 2, 8-10pm) include Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, Pretty Things, Generation X, Yachts, Bill Nelson’s Red Noise, Kraftwerk, Three O’Clock, Woodentops, Sailor Poon, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: In 1968 the Pretty Things recorded their fourth studio album, the ambitious “S.F. Sorrow,” one of the earliest rock operas. In fact its release predated the Who’s “Tommy” by several months. Due to budgetary constraints, the band took care of the design for the gatefold sleeve. Vocalist Phil May provided the artwork for the cover and inner sleeve, while guitarist Dick Taylor provided the photo for the back cover. It has been reissued several times, and as recently as 2018. This is a 1987 reissue on Edsel Records. Click on images to enlarge.
LAST WEEK’S DUSTY DIAMOND (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): The Oblivians (Jack Yarber, Greg Cartwright, Eric Friedl) were a garage blues punk trio based in Memphis. They were mainly active from 1993-1998, though they have performed and recorded a few times since. They had a stripped down sound with no bass (two guitars and drums), and rotated instruments among them, both live and in the studio, depending on who wrote the song. Definitely one of my favorite bands of the era. “I’m Not a Sicko There’s a Plate in My Head” is classic Oblivians, a blistering pedal to the metal scorcher that captures the intensity of their live shows. It appeared in 1994 on a self-titled 10″ mini LP on Sympathy for the Record Industry. Listen to it here:
Promo art from Kraftwerk’s 1981 “Computerwelt” album (“Computer World” in the States) on Kling Klang and EMI. Original artwork by Carol Martin.