This Mother Love Bone record, Apple, is better than I remember. Too bad the singer Andrew Wood wasn’t able to manage his state. He died of a heroin overdose before this album was released. On the back cover there is a note: “In memory of Andrew Wood.” At the time I thought they were a little too perfect, too Seattle, too trippy. Some of the lyrics and titles still strike me as a bit uh… something, but the record has plenty of great riffs and hooks. My favorite song is a dirge, “Stardog Champion.” I’m a sucker for gang vocals from a bunch of kids. Check out the video, and stay tuned for the kinders at the end.
“1985 – C/Z is born (a year prior to the launching of the Sub Pop label) with the release of the DEEP SIX compilation featuring the first available recordings from Soundgarden, Melvins, and Green River (who later spawned Mother Love Bone & Pearl Jam). The record marked the earliest beginnings of grunge. In time these bands are signed and successful.”
The six bands are: Green River, Malfunkshun, The Melvins, Skin Yard, Soundgarden and U-Men. The most noteworthy descendant band not mentioned above is Mudhoney. Singer Mark Arm was first in Green River. Many would consider this the first significant record from the burgeoning 1980s Seattle scene. Some would call it “grunge”, but I’ve read that many of the bands didn’t like being lumped into a single category.
Wikipedia has a good article about Deep Six where you see the song list and the band rosters. Scan the list and you’ll see a lot familiar names sometimes under less familiar bands. These guys moved around a lot.
I was very excited about this music because it was essentially guitar-based rock that wasn’t, for the most part, stupid mainstream stuff from guys with teased up hair and makeup. I suppose it was punk in its own way, but with better riffs.
There were only 2000 copies of Deep Six made. It’s supposedly collectible, and tonight I saw a copy on eBay for $75.
Acquired: 1988? – At our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA
Keeper: Maybe
Tad, Tad, Tad. Do I like your clear vinyl single of “Ritual Device” and “Daisy”? I guess so. I liked it more than I expected, or remembered. It’s very uh… Sub-Pop circa 1988, which is not a bad thing. There was a time I just couldn’t get enough of this stuff. I don’t think I’ll play it ever again though. Maybe you need a new home. It’s not you, Tad, it’s me.
Acquired: 1989 – Bought it for myself at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
Keeper: Maybe
The eagle has landed! And he brought our stuff with him. The movers unloaded all our boxes yesterday and we spent our first night in our haunted house. The cable guys even hooked us up and I’m logging this on my own rig. That said, it’s still like a camping trip around here. We’re borrowing a mini fridge and using a cooler, no washer and dryer hook up, etc. On the bright side, this morning I received a killer poster from my good friend Keith that uses a zillion figural images to depict one of my heroes, Mies van Der Rohe. We can use that to cover up some of this crumbling plaster. This house is gonna need its own category.
Anyhow… I was pretty excited to get this Tad record, “God’s Balls”, when it first came out. I still really like a few songs, especially “Behemoth”, but overall I found myself getting a little bored. Maybe I just need to listen to it a few more times.
The Brain Surgery Experience
Want to know what it's like to have brain surgery? Well here's the long version of my experience. Complete with pictures and videos! Read all about the Brain Surgery Experience.
