The Fleshtones — American Beat ’84’
Author: tracysigler | Posted: February 8th, 2007 | | Tags: 1984, Fleshtones, garage rock, music, rock and roll, super rock, vinyl | 1 Comment »
- Artist: The Fleshtones
- Title: American Beat ’84’
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1984 – No clue where
- Keeper: Yes
Yeah, I don’t get the extra apostrophe after the 84 either, but I’m going with it since it’s that way all over the record. Some might call a four song record an EP; IRS calls it a “Maxi Single.” The Fleshtones’ “American Beat ’84′” is a solid song, well-constructed and perfectly played like all their work, but it has a slight sheen of cheese. I think it was featured in the soundtrack to the Tom Hanks’ movie Bachelor Party. I never saw it. Someone check that for me, please, thanks. “Super Hexbreaker” is what it sounds like, a remix, but it’s slightly less super than the original. “Mean Old Lonesome Train” is interesting because it’s more bluesy than usual for The Fleshtones and guitarist Keith Streng sings. What Keith may lack in natural vocal ability he more than makes up for with intensity and enthusiasm, a trade I’ll take every time. The standout for me is “Hall of Fame.” There are more hooks in this one song than most full length records. It’s a Fleshtones version of a “club banger” circa 1984, not that anyone would’ve called it that back then.
You are Bachelor Party correct. Excerpt from http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=fleshtones “The 20-song Living Legends provides a quick brush- up run through the band’s first decade for those still taking off their coats and looking for the punchbowl. It starts with a stingy but righteous selection of tracks from Up-Front (“Theme From ‘The Vindicators’,” a fictional guitar-organ-sax theme), Roman Gods (“I’ve Gotta Change My Life,” “Ride Your Pony”) and Hexbreaker! (“Right Side of a Good Thing,” “Screaming Skull”), adding such rarities as the dynamic “American Beat ’84” (from the Bachelor Party soundtrack), some singles and a pair of previously unissued covers. Rockalicious — but hold on to your copy of Hexbreaker! all the same.”
P.S. I remember that haircut.