Some FEATURED ARTISTS on this week’s Stronger Than Dirt (Saturday, September 11, 8-10pm) include Jacques Dutronc, Cordells, Damned (pic sleeve of the week), Chosen Few, Lurkers, Lush, Decibels (see promo), Melenas, new music by the Golf Dolls (Madison WI), Exercise (Austin), Leopardo (Switzerland), Spit Kink (Buffalo), Famous Mammals (Oakland), and Cherry Cheeks (Portland OR), as well as the weekly Dusty Diamond.
PICTURE SLEEVE OF THE WEEK: Besides containing some of the greatest music of the early UK punk scene, the Damned’s first album, “Damned Damned Damned,” has one of the most recognizable (iconic?) covers of the era. It featured the four band members photographed by Peter Kodick after they had been pelted with cream pies. According to guitarist Brian James, even though the band did not know they would be hit with the pies, they rather enjoyed the whole experience. No shocker there, really. The album was released in February of 1977 on Stiff Records.
LAST WEEK’S DUSTY DIAMOND (a forgotten gem from the STD vaults): The Make-Up (also Make Up) hailed from D.C., and included three members of the Nation of Ullyses, most notably vocalist Ian Svenonius. They had an alt rock sound fused with soul, and was defined mainly by the Prince inpired vocals of Svenonius as well as his social-political lyrics. They were active from from 1995 until 2001. “Blue Is Beautiful,” a mid-tempo burner with wailing post-punk guitar and anguished vocals, offers a cautionary tale of using pills. It appeared in 1995 on a single on the Black Gemini label. Listen to it here:
Promo art from a 1997 Decibels EP on G.I. Productions. Cover illustration by Stephan Britt.