Tony Coulter here, with another stack of cassettes. This time 'round, I've sampled my favorite thrift-store demos -- or more accurately, I suppose, my favorite demo cassettes found in thrift stores. I didn't know what any of them were when I bought them, over the years, but each has something special. As an added bonus, I've also given you a few favorite thrift-store LP jackets at the end of the post.
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The first cassette, about which I can tell you almost nothing except that it consists largely -- or perhaps entirely -- of covers, is perhaps not strictly a demo, so much as something that B. Bruno sold during bar/ lounge gigs or while busking. The first two tracks below are, of course, Pink Floyd covers, to which B. has added a kind of cosmic yodel-yelp that brings to mind Mij, as well as an intensity that makes me like his versions much better than the bloated and soporific originals.
B. Bruno: When the Eagle Flies (no label, no date)
B. Bruno: Catch a Falling Star
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The next cassette is probably by a group called Roman Wilderness, but it is also possible that "Roman Wilderness" is the title, and Blake Harrington the artist. In any case, the influence of the Doors is pretty obvious -- "Astral Blue" really sounds like the Doors, no? -- to the point that I've always imagined Roman Wilderness were a Doors cover band, branching out here by penning their own originals. In truth, though, I know nothing except that they/ he were from Ann Arbor, MI.
Roman Wilderness: untitled demo (no label, no date)
Roman Wilderness: Round the Whirls
Roman Wilderness: Leaves of Autumn
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Armageddon were a Los Angeles--based metal band, who -- intentionally or not -- had a very '70s hard rock sound, particularly on the excellent cut I've chosen from their three-track demo. The band consisted of Manish Tandon (vocals), Todd Ruiz (lead guitar), Brian Anderson (rhythm guitar), Chris Khatchaturian (bass), and Mike Luz. There are so many hard rock and heavy metal bands called Armageddon, I'm unable to determine if this particular outfit ever went on to release anything.
Armageddon: Armageddon (no label, 1992)
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Strong Heart -- the trio of Mike Kruse (guitars and vocals), Bob Brooks (lead guitar), and Sam Bimpson (bass) -- are clearly the most unique of the four groups presented here. Categorizing them as outsider/ real people types would be reasonable enough, but I prefer to just say that their songs have their own odd logic. I have no idea where they were from.
Strong Heart: Strong Heart (no label, 1992)
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Time now for the record jackets....
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Art: ??
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That's it for this go-round -- see you on the other side of 2012!
I love the songs by Strong Heart! Would love to know more about them. Hope someone comes across this post.
Posted by: Nolan | December 17, 2011 at 05:48 PM
Glad you like Strong Heart, Nolan. If anybody connected with any of these four tapes reads this post, please do get in touch.
Posted by: Tony Coulter | December 17, 2011 at 06:00 PM
The Armageddon track is terrific. B.Bruno's covers I find to be more satisfying than the Pink Floyd originals. I heard his Comfortably Numb on your show and wrote myself a note so that I might track his music down somehow. Thanks for posting this!
Posted by: corey | December 19, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Thank you for the B. Bruno - you're right, he is channeling some inner MIJ-ness, which is something more people should do! :-)
Posted by: Holly | December 22, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Roman Wilderness: Leaves of Autumn.
Great stuff. Kinda has a Moody Blues vibe. I like it lots. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Jeff Claiborn | December 23, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Comfortably Numb by B. Bruno has become a real hit for me. Thanks for digging out this amazing cover!
Posted by: Wilfried Jaillard | April 07, 2012 at 05:40 PM