I’m a big fan of the original Planet of the Apes and other works of art that ponder humankind’s ape-like nature. Who among us will be last man standing as we cite rock ‘n roll songs that specifically compare humans to apes or other simian ancestors? As always, keep your entries to one song per comment.
I’ll start with The Kinks’ “Apeman.”
Love me out of it, man. The All-Star Jam is the freeform spot in the Hall to do your own thing.
Have any of you seen something called Heavy Metal Parking Lot? I don’t recall it coming out; heavy metal was and still is off my radar. Looks like it might be worth tracking down and watching. Can anyone recommend this?
I’m also thinking about taking the plunge and watching the Beulah tour doc that came out a couple of years ago, A Good Band Is Easy to Kill. I like those guys and have been interested in tracking down Miles Kurosky for an RTH interview.
Time permitting, I’m thinking about ending the summer by hosting a party in my backyard and projecting a rock movie on my garage wall. Should I be able to organize this, what rock movie (fictional or documentary) should we look to screen?
I feel bad about my record collection. As a follow up to the recent post about favorite b-sides, where the only 45 a and b sides that I could think of involved The Beatles, I decided to hunt down my vinyl. This meager stack of albums, extended plays and 45s were all left over from my college djing days at WRIU in Kinston, Rhode Island. Amid The Field Mice, The Coctails, and various British compilations I found one treasure I had forgotten I own:
I’m trying to recall where and when I purchased this 1973 masterpiece. I’m guessing I bought it due to the kitschy album cover and that it was an actual K-Tel record. Faux spray paint spells out “20 Original Hits – 20 Original Stars” and in the background you can make out dripping letters that say “Funky,” “Say Brother,” “What’s Goin’ On,” “Soul Train,” and “What Happenin’?” For a white girl who grew up in Arizona, moved to Northern California, relocated to Rhode Island, and then spent a few more years in Fairfield County, Connecticut, I pretty much fit the definition of honky. But in the early ’90s, when I was at WRIU, I significantly expanded my musical horizons. First of all, when I started on the Friday night 3:00-6:00 am shift, I was followed on Saturday morning by a gal who grew up in Greenwich Village and whose show featured rap music. Second, at WRIU, I could peruse the considerable stacks of old vinyl and listen to anything that looked interesting in one of the listening rooms (and avoid embarrassment if I was checking out something potentially uncool). And lastly, I would go on Salvation Army record buying sprees with my dj friends and between the lot of us, we could usually spot some great things. (Hence the acquisition of my Muppet Show album. Trust me, “Lidia the Tattooed Lady” is worth every penny of the 50 cents I spent for that record.)
Anyways, I digress. The point is, I’m guessing I picked up Super Bad in the early ’90s, when I was starting to further expand my musical horizons. I’d always loved Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold” and Isaac Hayes’ “Theme From Shaft,” but also recognized some of the other artists or original tracks (I had written in pen next to Timmy Thomas’ “Why Can’t We Live Together” – ‘Sade covered this’). Now, about 20 years later, I can skim the track list and feel a bit more cultured. But reacquainting myself with this collection, it’s brought to mind some other questions:
Do you have the answer to any of these questions? Or would you like to wax nostalgically about some petunia in your musical onion patch? I would love to hear from you.
Who’s your rock ‘n roll doppelganger? What rocker have you been compared to, or what rocker do you see when you look in the mirror?
As well, real or imagined, what rock ‘n roller’s face do you put to the words of a fellow Townsperson? For instance, in the above clip by The Shadows, I see Hrrundivbakshi in lead guitarist Hank Marvin. Not HVB’s face, but plop a pair of oversized British Prime Minister specs and a tuxedo on the real HVB and my man would have himself a good start on a hip rock ‘n roll-themed Halloween party. It’s his overall RTH Aura that I see in Marvin. Look at Marvin’s calm, collected confidence as he plays the twangy melody from “Apache” and tell me if you don’t see the threads and comments forming from the hands of our resident Master of Fun and Games.
Hrrundivbakshi's next Halloween outfit.
I saw this little blurb in my newspaper back home about a New Yorker article on Bruce Sprinsteen (aka “The Boss”). Dave Marsh, who is quoted here, has long been rock’s reddest, rawest smacked ass, but The Boss does his part, as always, to build his legend. I don’t care if he ever writes 30 songs I love, I’ll always be annoyed by this guy’s routine and the fawning that refuses to die. Too bad. He does and stands for some things I love.
I’ve been in Monterey, California the last 24 hours. It’s my second or third time in this delightful town. One thing, however, really bugs me: the only reason I ever knew and cared about Monterey growing up was the Monterey Pop Festival of 1967. The film of that festival was part of young hippie education. I’ve not yet found a Monterey Pop Festival t-shirt in this town. No offense to fans of Steinbeck, sea life, and the old canning industry, but is that too much to ask?
What’s your favorite B-side? Not “the best.” Not “the coolest” or most obscure or collectible. Your favorite, perhaps from your very own collection.
Take your time on this one. I’ve got a possible selection among my own B-sides to suggest, but I’ve got to check whether any other B-side in my collection tops it.
If you really have trouble selecting a sole favorite, the RTH Cop-Out Car is in the shop for repairs. You can probably get away with listing your Top 3 Favorite B-Sides.
I look forward to hearing about your favorites.
