Smog-Toast 16

Photo: Chia Yin Hsu

Tony Coulter here, re-back to share some discoveries and uncoveries. The sounds, per always, were recently obtained; the images have been hanging around a little longer. Several of said images are genteelly smutty in a vintage men's-magazine kind of way; NSIYLIAC, perhaps (Not Safe If You Live In A Convent). The photo above, by the way, is of a seafood restaurant's window display, and was snapped during a recent trip to Astoria, OR. Let me not forget to say thanks to both Archie Patterson and Thom Jones for some of the sounds.

Onward, my friends, onward....

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Uli Trepte: Phenotype (United Dairies, 1985) cassette

Let's start out with a cassette-only release from the great German bassist Uli Trepte, who, sadly, passed away last May. Trepte, who was a member of Guru Guru, Spacebox, and Faust, was an absolutely central fixture of the Krautrock scene, and kept making creative and personal music well past krautrock's sell-by date. This particular release, which comes without any track titles, is one of Trepte's more obscure albums -- but the unique aspects of his sound are as fully developed here as anywhere else, from his massive, fuzzed-out bass to his distinctive modal approach. From the very first notes, it could only be Uli Trepte.

Sounds from the depths:

 

Uli Trepte: A1

Uli Trepte: A2

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David Myers: Gravitation and Its Discontents (Presence, 1984) cassette

Next up is another cassette-only release, this one from New York musician David Myers, better known as David Lee Myers and as Arcane Device. From 1987 onward, Myers has heavily concentrated on music based around feedback, using so-called "feedback machines" of his own devising. The cassette I've given you a track from is an early release of his, from 1984 -- "pre-feedback," in other words. Its sound is much more clearly based in '70s electronic and progressive styles, such as Berlin School electronics and the music of Fripp & Eno or Richard Pinhas (of the band Heldon). While clearly more derivative than his later recordings, this early release -- which features Myers on both guitar and electronics -- is still quite good, methinks.

Discontented with gravity:

David Myers: The Restless Pulse of Care

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Galen Herod: Bite the Wax Tadpole (no label, 1988) cassette

Yet another cassette is next, from one Galen Herod, then of Arizona, and apparently something of a changeling: Herod began by making austere, experimental electronics in the vein of Conrad Schnitzler (heard on the cassettes Gulag, Limacon, and Xom, all from 1979), then recorded minimal synth/synth pop as a member of the duo Tone Set, and next hit upon a quirky, slightly R. Stevie Moore--ish "bedroom pop" sound complete with gee-tars and all. It's the last of these three styles that's in evidence on his 1988 cassette Bite the Wax Tadpole -- a fine release that has nothing whatsoever to do with a certain '80s group who were busy biting wax tadpoles at the very same time.

Waxing tadpole-ish:

Galen Herod: Bite the Wax Tadpole

Galen Herod: Larry Nance

Galen Herod: Everything Is Happy & Nice

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Arbuckle: s/t (Musicor, 1972) LP  

Let's shift now from cassette to vinyl, and to more long-haired sounds. The first of two LPs I've selected was recorded in New York City in 1972, but has that laid-back country rock/folk pop/AOR sound that gets labeled "rural" these days. In all honesty, I'm not too impressed by the album overall, but do quite like the track I've given you below, which was written and sung by guitarist Steve Addabbo -- who, incidentally, later went on to produce Suzanne Vega's first album.

Arbuckle Arboretum:

Arbuckle: A New Day

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Lew Jones: Rain on the Marshlands (Terwilliger Records, 1981) LP

The last sound slab of the day is local to my new digs, having been recorded in Portland, OR in 1981. Despite its date, the sound is pure '70s, as the atmospheric track I've given you below should make clear. 

By the way, can someone put me out of my misery and remind me what Led Zeppelin track the song's recurring chord progression most resembles?

A man of the marshlands:

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Lew Jones: Caught in a Dream

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And now it's time for the pictures. If I remembered where the unidentified ones came from, I'd tell you -- but I don't. Enjoy!

 

Art: A. Carlson

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Dr. Guenter Klow: Women Who Dominate Girls (Taurus Publications, 1969)

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That's it for this time -- see you in two weeks....   

Comments

[tim]

Lew Jones: sounds like it could be almost any track off Led Zep 3, or possibly "Ramble On" from Led Zep 2.

I dig your posts Tony, although I have to admit that most of the thrift store LP oddities are only good for one listen.

[LJP]

I think a former musical collaborator of mine had that Bite the Wax Tadpole album. He didn't especially like it as I remember. Anyways funny that the fist track reminded me alot of John Cale...

[Dddjjj666]

Sounds like an Amalgam of Zeppelin III (Oh yes III did!) songs like the beginning parts of Gallows Pole or Friends. Mainly, though, I just wanted to use the word "amalgam."

[g]

I actually do not get a Led Zep III vibe; sounds to me like "Rain Song" or something. Or maybe Gallows Pole, I don't know . . .

[corey]

I enjoy your posts Tony, especially the Uli Trepte tape here. I also live in Portland. If you ever DJ anywhere around town, radio or otherwise, I would love to know about it.

[K.]

I get that first figure as A,A#,B,E played in the E barr form with the barring finger absent. It's a friendly jam. I like it. Thanks for sharing.

[K.]

Much to my surprise, Lew Jones is still around, and has accumulated quite a body of work. http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/lewjonesact.html . More info here http://www.lewjonesact.com/ He gigs all over town; see him tomorrow at the Portland farmers market...

[Middleman]

that's the bit from "Dancing Days" OR "Sick Again"

[BranchDoreen28]

People in every country take the personal loans from various banks, just because it is comfortable and fast.