Notes from the underground.

ON THE LIVE FRONT, checked out a rare show by Zeke. Still drawing dirtbags and lowlifes like flies to shit, there's no denying that Zeke pours it on at top speed and fully aggro, barreling through their set with no brakes. Sure, the lineup gets switched around every once in a while, but the songs are undeniable ... Also saw the Bug Nasties (no, they don't cover "Wig Out at Denko's") live gig at the Funhouse, and they rocked solid. It's James Burdyshaw, forever living down the Cat Butt legend, Vie, who's been in Seattle area bands for more than 20 years (False Liberty, etc), Scott LaRose as the bass guy, and Tom Price (Gas Huffer, Monkeywrench, Kings of Rock) on farfisa, tambourine, and backing vocs. A lot of energy spat at the crowd, and they've got a new CD to foist as well ... In the microcosmic world of vinyl--yeah shitheads, records still sound better--there are a few reissues that had better make you stand up and pay attention. Check the Wipers' Is This Real on Jackpot. It was their debut LP back in 1980, and this PDX band helped to put the Northwest on the map and influenced a couple generations of successors. It's full-blown frantic power pop through a punk filter, and the world is a better off place for it. It's very limited so get it while you can ... Also very limited are the Pebbles comps reissues. I don't know how many volumes they've made (and the new ones aren't on vinyl anymore), but some of the older ones have been reissued on limited colored vinyl, and then that's it for records on these babies. The comps are amazing collections of trashy '60 proto punk with mostly obscure bands you've never heard of (and won't hear of in the future), songs that should have been classics (some later to be covered), and attitude to spare. The first two turn my crank, but I think you'll find they're all pretty kickass ... Also check the Nashville 1969--The Nashville Skyline Outtakes LP that pairs Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan (on Clarke Sisters Records). They trade leading vocals and do each other's songs, as well as some traditional tunes and covers. Great stuff if you haven't heard it and thought you'd never hear any new Cash (well, alright, it ain't new, but it's new to you) ... Lo-fi and old timey is the new LP by Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs, her new combo (You Can't Buy a Gun When You're Crying on Damaged Goods). The ex-Headcoatee has been putting out fantastically down home and bluesy records for over a decade with various backing groups, and this is up there with the best, pedal steel and all. Ever hear that first Mazzy Star record? Some of it's got the same kind of druggy-dreamy, sultry style, and it's good with whiskey ... I know, I know, it seems like the Reatards or some other band with Jay or Alicja in it puts out a record every two weeks, and it's hard to keep up (much less get 'em all). The new solo record (Blood Visions on In the Red) he's put out is worth tracking down, however. A glorious din, a stupendous mess ... Been listening to the new Clorox Girls self-titled 12 inch EP (on SmartGuy Records). The label's calling it an LP, but anything that plays at 45 rpm ain't an LP. There's still 12 songs, quick and to the point as they're supposed to be, frenetic but with a catchy edge. This is an excellent follow up to the PDX band's This Dimension ... Whoa, a live 7-inch EP (that's a 33 1/3 rpm 7 inch, jerky) from the Alicja Trout-fronted River City Tanlines? Yep, the sound quality is great and the music will kick your scrawny neck. It's called Black n' Blue n' Tan on Last Day Records. 'Nuf said ... Speakin' of estrogen-fueled rock and roll, one of the most rockin' 7 inches to cross my path is the Babyshakes' "Stuck on Blue" on Shit Sandwich Records. It's three chicks and one dick (Dave from the Carbonas) from Chicago playing straight ahead wailin' rock and roll. These girls can play tough, and they ain't too bad to look at either, judging from the cover ... Also on Shit Sandwich Records comes what might be the most inane question ever asked, but the Is it Good? (Or is it bad?) 7 inch by Operation S is good. Maybe the best new wavy-punk dope to come outta France since Plastic Bertrand. It's got keyboards, it's got guitars, and it's got Iwan and Cecelia from the No Talents. Check out their Je Vois Des Gens 7 inch as well, on Broken Rekids ... Got a great split 7 inch from Black Time and Husbands on Show and Tell Recordings. Husbands put out a great LP last summer with a Headcoatees/Del Monas feel, and this one keeps that good start going. Black Time's first song is lo-fi and sounds like the Three Swimmers, and the other tunes are more solidly garage blasters in the vein of Thee Headcoats and Mummies ...