Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, April 16, 8-10pm) include Love, Brats, Racey, Jim Carroll Band, Minutemen, Big Black, Muffs, Fresh & Onlys, Wet Leg, lots of new music as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
COVER ART OF THE WEEK: In 1985 industrial punk rockers Big Black released “Racer-X,” a 12″ EP (mini album?) on Homestead Records. It featured cover art by Nathan Kaatrud (AKA Nash Kato) of Urge Overkill. A one-sided black and white insert with liner notes and credits was included. In 1992 Touch & Go reissued it, however, Kaatrud’s original artwork could not be found, and a different cover was produced. This is the original pressing on Homestead. Click on image to enlarge.
LAST WEEK’S DUSTY DIAMOND (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): The Prima Donnas, a synth wave band from Sussex UK, relocated to Austin in the late 90s and quickly became darlings of the underground music scene. Despite initial cultural and climate challenges of living in Texas, the trio of Otto, Nikki, and Julius were able to maintain a busy concert and recording schedule. They released several singles between 1997- 2000, before disbanding and going their separate ways. “Headfull of Pills,” a catchy tune awash in soothing synth tones, is a wistful tale of drugs, sex, and jet skis. It appeared in 1997 on a single on Kill Rock Stars. Listen to it here:
Promo art from a 1992 Muffs single on Sub Pop. Photo by Vicki Berndt.