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May 03, 2006
Retrohump Day - Spaz Rock
Alot of the rock mystique is based on a notion of cool. Mystery, sex appeal, power, control, these are the things that come to mind when one conjures up a mental picture of the prototypical "rock star". But what happens when repeated exposure breeds boredom and contempt? Where do we go when "cool" loses its cool? How about a herky-jerky nerd-alanche?
the Monks - "Monk Chant/ Oh, How to Do Now"
(Beat Club, 1966)
This is classic. In an elaborately misguided attempt to stem boredom and make time with German girls, a bunch of newly decommissioned American GI's stayed in Europa and formed the Monks . Tenth level method acting shit saw them don friars' robes and give themselves the classic haircuts. They created a primal racket of repitition and attack, that would later be called the very first punk (a claim that is made about four thousand bands, to be fair). Guitar freakouts, organ freakouts, tamborine freakouts, take your pick friends, there's plenty for all.
Devo - "the Day My Baby Gave Me a Suprize"
(German TV, 1979)
German TV comes through once more, although I swear that the host throws out a really inappropriate ABBA reference towards the end of his introduction. Mark M and the boys make the most of what seems to be a lip-synched version of one of their lesser known gems. As far as my made up spaz rock label goes, you are looking at its unlikely to be matched epitome.
XTC - "Statue of Liberty"
(Old Grey Whistle Test, 1978)
Here, geeking out channeled in a super pop direction. I love how the "Whoo-whoo" part erupts uncontrollably like catchy Tourette's. Funny thing though, I'm not a huge XTC fan. Nor am I really enamored by the records by fellow nerd Elvis Costello. Yet, I effin' love this song where XTC sounds almost exactly like a lost Costello recording. The mysteries of music.
the Cramps - "the Way I Walk"
(Live @ Nappa State Mental Hospital, 1984)
Taking the theme to a whole 'nother level, the Cramps perform their spastic hillbilly punk for an actual room full of spastics. I can't believe anyone in charge of the facility ever signed off on this. I'm no mental health expert, but is it a good idea to play extremely annoying and abrasive screech rock to a bunch of psychotics? To their credit, the patients moves are actually fairly comparable to the Beat Club crew. Nuts.
Tags: the Monks, Devo, XTC, the Cramps
Posted by Jeff Klingman at May 3, 2006 09:35 AM
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