LOOK WHAT I COULD FIND vol 86
"Questions I can't answer" - 16 frantic failures to solve global boredom

 

In The Trashcan Records       GEM086
"If you're looking for answers, you've come to the right place: take these plattes to your shrink to answer his questions with a question..."

1. who do you think you're kidding, mr. hitler? - billy childish & the blackhands

Can you answer that question? There are dozens of persons I could think to replace the name of Mr. Hitler… A political statement by the Earl of Suave himself? Billy Childish recorded this with his Blackhands in 1993 for Twist Records.

9. whatever happened to? - buzzcocks

B-side of all-time classic "Orgasm addict" from 1977. Howard Devoto had left the band to form Magazine, leaving Pete Shelley as the band's main song writer. Whatever happened to Shelley? Believe me: Shelley was the best song writer in 1977-1978.

2. what use? - tuxedomoon

"No tears" is their landmark song, although they didn't like it when the audience only wanted to hear that song. Here's another fine Tuxedemoon song, from a year later in 1980. Released on Ralph, a label I always link to The Residents.

10. are you being surfed? - catacombo

In the late 90s they were the one and only garage band in Belgium. Heavily influenced by The Cramps, Billy Childish and the most hilarious B-movies they recorded one 45 in 1999 and one album, called "Fake youth culture". "Are you being surfed?" is a trashy surf instrumental, released on their own Caltiki label. Only 200 numbered copies exist.

3. what's my name - thee stash

A Clash song in the hands of Billy Childish and you get this version, perhaps the best Clash cover song ever! People seem to forget Billy Childish started in 1978 with his own punk band, the Pop Rivets, and has remained a punk all those years. What's my name? My name is William Hamper.

11. are you a boy or are you a girl? - the countbackwurds

Like The Count Backwards this band features Mummies' drummer Russ Quan. In 1996 they recorded this savage version of The Barbarians' garage classic. After a second 45 they turned into The Flakes. This is the first release of Sumppi Wertheimer Records.

4.  what do you know? - buzzcocks

In 1980 the band's energy faded away and Pete Shelley couldn't deliver punk rock gems as he did time after time in 1978. This is the better side of their I.R.S. "Running free" 45. They shouldn't have left United Artists, I guess.

12. him or me (what it's gonna be?) - the flamin' groovies

A 1980 Bomp Records release produced by Greg Shaw. In 1967 Paul Revere & The Raiders recorded this song for Columbia. Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan founded the band in the mid-60s and later they were considered the main influence on the 1979 powerpop movement. Their "Slow death" will always be one of their finer moments.

5. do eyes ever meet? - robert & the remoulds

It's the only release I know from this power pop punk wave quartet who recorded this in 1979. It was the first release on Black And White Records. The only other release on that record label I know, is "Happy families" by The Attendants.

13. why - the lust-o-rama

On vol 26 you'll find another cover song from this EP. Here's an own song (so don't get confused!). Snotty fuzz farfisa sound as if it was 1984 again. Simply great. Why? Just listen and enjoy…

6. why dontcha like it - the cybermen

The second song from this mod-garage EP (see vol 50) by Patro, Mika, Pietu and Vesku from Helsinki; this is not the Ohio band from the 80s nor the Welsh trio from the 90s. A Destination Uranus Records release from 1992.

14. why - the pandoras

Simply the best all-girl garage punk band from the 80s featuring the wild & fierce Paula Pierce. This is from their first release, an EP on Moxie Records from 1984.

7. why don't you smile now - the crawdaddys

Two songs written by Lou Reed on this terrific double-sider from 1980 on Voxx. Thee Mighty Caesars' version of "Why don't you smile now" is even better, but not available on a 45. Legendary garage r&b band from southern California.

15. can't you feel the beat - lambrettas

Brighton mod revival band who scored a minor hit with their version of "Poison Ivy". This flipside is one of their best, a non-album B-side of "D-a-a-ance" from 1980 on Rocket Record Company.

8. do you like what you see? - the lust-o-rama

I discovered the 60s garage punk band The Invasion thanks to Back From The Grave and so did The Lust-O-Rama. Fantastic rendition of this BFTG classic, recorded in 1993 for Twist Records.

16.how does it feel - crass

"…to be the mother of 1000 dead?" is a song against the British war in the Falklands and especially against Maggie Thatcher, the UK prime minister, responsible for those dead, according to anarcho-punk band Crass in 1982.