BEASTS OF BOURBON - Sour Mash
A band where words fail me to describe their influence on my blackened soul. Hell, I wouldn't be a fraction of the unrepentant scumbag and nuisance to assorted government apparatus without their guidance. Formed in Sydney, Oz as a hobby band by Kim Salmon (guitars) and Boris Sudjovic (bass) of the Scientists, James Baker of the Hoodoo Gurus (drums), Spencer Jones (guitars) of the Johnnys and future throat of the Cruel Sea, Tex Perkins, they cut their debut, "The Axeman's Jazz" in a single afternoon in 1983. Despite earning raves in the underground, the Beasts wouldn't become a serious endeavor until the dismantling of the Scientists in 1988-- allowing the members to focus their collective creative energies on this LP, their sophomore slab.
I have no idea whether it's intuitive or contrived, but the Beasts flawlessly navigate through the most tricky-- and also most important-- of R&R paradoxes: moronic refinement. Two-note bass-lines combined with polyrhythmic guitar riffs and clever lyrics unmasking the horrors hidden behind the curtains of suburban "normalcy" ain't easy to pull off ("Playground," where "buggery abounds"). Nor is it a cinch to be every bit as convincing dispensing raunchy, American Swampland Blues ("Drivin' Man" echoes field hollers of the early 20th century) as stripped-to-the-bone minimalist punk-- but the Beasts' poise and encyclopedic knowledge of Thee Rock pulls 'em through every time-- even a cover of Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again" sounds 100% authentic.
Tex Perkins is the straw that stirs this volatile mix-- a tall, lanky, scary-looking motherfucker with shark's eyes and the kinda bellow that sounds like he gargles battery acid for breakfast (among other caustic liquids). He's also a brilliant wordsmith equally adept at weaving tales of a murderous father sick of his lot in life ("The Hate Inside") as he is at taking the piss outta one-dimensional virility cases ("Pig" which uses every dippy macho cliché existent). Truly a Frontman for Thee Ages.
Look in the comments, Junior.
http://lix.in/e78faaf4
ReplyDeletepass = sln2008
excuse, Little Animals...
ReplyDeletehi, i already had this, but anyway wanna say its one of the great .mine and various other bandas ripped this one as its possible. fine choice! heard the new one, Beautiful Animals?
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't-- but posting this reminded me to order it. I've heard a lotta good things about it, and as I said: Tex can do no wrong!
ReplyDeleteLong time fave, this one - yeah, "Tex can do no wrong" - I like what I've heard of "Little Animals", but can live without his recent (last year?) T 'n' T collaboration with the You Am I dude, which comes across as a "clean living" version of the Tex, Don and Charlie strum-scuzz.
ReplyDeleteAlso - no dis on the Beasts, but I'd highly recommend tracking down the Max Roach LP, "We Insist!", for Abby Lincoln's definitive take on "Driva Man".
I didn't mind the Tex/You Am I version of "Dirty Deeds," but if they're continuing to milk that... yeech (Though I think the Beasts' take on "Ride On" is better'n the original). I've got that Max Roach LP packed away somewhere-- I'll hafta give it a listen.
ReplyDelete[...] much as I love the fact that the Beasts of Bourbon are still unleashing killer slabs of scuzzy R&R, I can’t help but miss the loopy [...]
ReplyDeleteTex Perkins will always be my idea of what a rockstar should be.
ReplyDelete[...] to save myself some pissing around, here’s what I said about these uncouth bastards way back here (it’s for “Sour Mash” for those who give a shit): A band where words fail me to [...]
ReplyDeleteI must say this review is a fine summary of the Beasts. Living in Sydney I get to see them more than most and because they are notoriously fractious I never miss a gig cause it could be the last one.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone that hasn't seen them live, download this album. As far as documenting a Beasts gig, this is pretty accurate.
Few bands are as ferocious, yet as gimmick and fashion-free, as the Beasts. Even the hardest of men walk out those gigs humbled and chastened.
http://www.spookyrecords.com/Beasts.html
Sweet blog. I never know what I am going to come across next. I think you should do more posting as you have some pretty intelligent stuff to say.
ReplyDeleteI'll be watching you . :)