Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, May 21, 8-10pm) include Dino, Desi & Billy, Easybeats, Zenda Jacks, Blondie, John Cooper Clarke, Tubeway Army, Simpletones, Polyrock, Supersnazz, lots of new music, as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
PIC SLEEVE OF THE WEEK: Zenda Jacks was the stage name for British singer Suzie McClosky. As Jacks, she pioneered the early disco sound, releasing three singles between 1974 and 1976. Her first single, the sublime, sensual “Rub My Tummy,” is a soulful dance-y number with some nice synth work. It featured an uncredited photo of Zacks on the cover along with graphics that scream 70’s. It appeared in 1974 on Magnet Records in the UK, and on various other labels throughout Europe. Click on image to enlarge, and check out the amazing video below.
LAST WEEK’S DUSTY DIAMOND (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): Blacktop were a short-lived garage punk band that featured Mick Collins from Detroit along with three musicians from Dallas, Darin Lin Wood, Janet Walker, and Alex Cuervo (who now lives in Taylor, TX). In the short time they were together during 1994 and 1995, they released two albums (with overlapping songs) and three singles/EPs. “Self-Destruct Sequence” is a high energy, noisy blast of guitar feedback with a some piercing screams by Collins. Excellent, quintessential 90s garage punk, really. It appeared in 1995 on the “We Desist!” EP on In the Red Records. Listen to it here:
Promo art from Blondie’s 1977 “Plastic Letters” album on Chrysalis Records. Original art direction and design by Ramey Communications. Photography by Phillip Dixon.