Notes from the underground.

ANDREW WILLIAMS IS THE KIND OF GUY who shouldn't need an introduction, but since this is a far from perfect world, let me say a few words about the man. He started his singing career in the early-'50s in Detroit, taking first prize at a local talent show, and went on to record some of the sleaziest soul ever: "Bacon Fat," "Jail Bait," "Pussy Stank," "Sweet Little Pussycat," "Humpin', Bumpin' and Thumpin'," "Divorce Court" (You get the idea). But it's not just that the "Prime Minister of Jive" put out risque records geared to the prudent interest of his listeners, he was just downright weird--fucking legendary among those in the know. Anyway, there's a four-record set just released that spans his career, and it's got some of the great old stuff on there. They're pricey, and there's no label information, but keep your eyes open: they're top quality gems that you'll probably never see again but are definitely worth having, if only for the graphic autobiographical insert... Starting his foray in music a couple de cades later than Andre Williams, Billy Childish began with the Pop Rivits in the mid/late '70s and has cranked out his dyslexic garage punk ever since, with bands such as the Milkshakes, Thee Might Caesars, Thee Headcoats, etc. A new triple gatefold LP entitled 25 Years of Being Childish on Damaged Goods is his latest, and it spans his entire career with some previously unreleased stuff as well as stuff that may have already seen the light of day. No-frills garage rock, Billy is a master at what he does, and his status as a cult phenomenon is firmly in place... And a couple years later, across the world in Texas the Big Boys formed, and it was good. Wreck Collection, a double gatefold LP on Gem Blandsten, spans their 4-5 year span with some alternative versions of stuff you (hopefully) might have heard. Notorious for poking fun at anyone who took anything too seriously (their singer was a 200+ pound guy named Biscuit who performed in a tutu, in drag, etc), they implored their audiences to pick up their own in struments and do what they were doing: have fun, make music. Thankfully, some people listened. One of the best things about these guys is they all skated, which rules, and influenced their outlook. Tim Kerr has gone on to do amazing work to this day. Another necessity... And finally, although this stuff is only a decade old, it too is essential listening. Supercharger burst onto the garage scene and breathed life into what had become a stagnant genre. Super lo-fi and simple but catchy, the band played some shows, released a record or two and some singles, and called it quits, just like that. The Singles Party (on Rip Oft) is a compilation of their hard-to-find 7"s, and It rocks.

'Nuf said...