Jeff Dahl is a battle-scarred veteran of underground rock 'n' roll. You may know him for his work with Vox Pop or thee legendary Angry Samoans, but he has also been a prolific solo artist, mining the same turf as (in my pantheon at least) The Big Four: MC5, Velvet Underground, Stooges & New York Dolls. Since he's never been a part of a corporation that pays the various hacks 'n' whores of rock "journalism" to pimp his work, he's about 1/1,000,000,000th as popular as the Strokes-- which is a pity, but such opportunists aren't worthy of sitting on the same barstool as Jeff Dahl.
After relocating from the City of Angels to the Arizona desert in the early 90's, Dahl built a home studio and set about putting together "Wasted Remains". With his guitar-slinging compadre, the trusty Ratboy (then of L.A. glam misfits Motorcycle Boy, later of Pillbox [NYC] & Sour Jazz) this album was recorded "during the L.A. Riots without the benefit of rose-colored glasses". I've heard weak-kneed punks (y'know, the ones who write for no-ply toilet paper like MRR) liken this album to "cock rock" and other terms as equally uninformed-- I guess there's something wrong with actually having a sex drive if yer a punk? Is punk strictly for asexuals? Mind you, these are the same people who think it's impossible to be a punk if you happen to have long hair or a beard, so it's best to let them continue constructing their "rules" and perfecting their uniforms-- the rest of us will simply throw on platters like this and rock.
And rock you will to catchy little ditties like "Mercy Me" (an ode to sittin' around listenin' to the Chesterfield Kings) and "A Dash of Prayer" that features an impressive guitar-duel from Dahl & Ratboy. The cover of "1969" is frankly... embarassing, but is quickly redeemed by drummer/saxman Dave Naz's sub-Ornette Coleman skronkfeast, "L.A. Blows" (with a nudge 'n' wink to "Fun House", geddit?). This is 100% honest, often poignant music performed with a fuckload of heart and guts-- and with such commodities in dangerously short supply these daze, I can't give a much higher recommendation than that.
Look in the comments-- and make like a guitar leaned up against an amp & leave some feedback!
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I1FZWB7T
ReplyDeletepass = sln2007
Hello Mr Pope, been a while since I checked out your mighty blog, and I'm glad to see you're still bestowing your gifts upon the undeserving masses.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I've read about Jeff Dahl (which hasn't happened very often, one has to admit), I've always felt I would like his records. But I just never got around to actually checking them out. But you, sir, with your writing powers, have made me take the plunge! How can I resist after your description of this platter?
BTW, you're right on the money about punk/sex... these Stalinist punk types are uniformly unsexy... is there any form of music less sexy than HC punk?
Anyway, will now proceed to DL Mr. Dahl, which will hopefully result in much rocking and playing of the air guitar (as soon as my wife goes to bed).
Damn, it's hard to type against a black background. But kinda cool.
Take care,
Hank
Yep. It did. Much rocking ensued. Although the wife is still watching TV , so I'm just sitting here with the headphones on nodding my head like the middle-aged dork I am. A very happy dork, though.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jake for turning me onto this!
Hey-- thanks to you for the compliment. Not often I get raves for my "writing powers"-- very humbling. Glad you enjoyed it and get that damn air guitar out!
ReplyDelete"Although the wife is still watching TV , so I’m just sitting here with the headphones on nodding my head like the middle-aged dork I am."
ReplyDeleteYou, Me and everybody else! (except for the wife - there isn't a woman alive who wants to marry a guy who most closely resembles GRIMACE).
I agree, Jake - your writing powers are FORMIDABLE.
Well, shucks.
ReplyDeleteI knew there was a reason I upgraded your status on this here blog.
Cheers, did not have this before.
ReplyDeleteI bought this one on vinyl, when it came out. to this day, along with "Wicked" it's one of the best pieces he ever put out and remains one of my constant musical influences!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Damn Familiar