X-Ray Spex – ‘I am a Poseur’ (mp3)
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There’s nothing rare or obscure about today’s track. It’s just a goodun. Snap, crackle and pop!
The Hook ‘n’ Pull Gang – ‘Gasoline’ (mp3)
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The Hook ‘n’ Pull Gang were part of the late 80s indie scene in Edinburgh, Scotland. Described as “a cross between the Sex Pistols and the Ronettes,” punters remember the band as a strong live act. They were known for singing about the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and influenced other bands in the Edinburgh scene such as Goodbye Mr Mackenzie. The band also made an appearance on the Scottish BBC indie music series FSD.
I’m only aware of one release by the band, a 7inch single which is the feature of todays post. After some searching I finally picked up a copy on eBay. My interest in The Hook ‘n’ Pull Gang (not to be confused with the more recent ‘Hook and Pull Gang’) stems from two of the band members, Rita Blazyca and Sam Ireland, who went on to form Die Cheerleader.
The recording for this 7inch is apparently from a radio session recorded in London in 1987, prior to Sam Ireland joining the band. The line up on the record is Eileen McMullan (drums/vocals), Rita Blazyca (guitar/vocals), Alan McDade (bass). By 1988 Rita had assembled an entirely new line-up, with Stuart on drums, John on bass, and Sam Ireland on vocals. When Sam joined the band a song called Smothered emerged in the set, one assumes this is the same Smothered that was also performed by Die Cheerleader?
After ripping the track Gasoline from my vinyl (not great quality, sorry) I found this gem of a download linked at KittyRadio.com. It’s a zip file containing the two songs from the 7″, another track Janice Long, and a live track recorded on May 19, 1987. Download it here.
The Hook ‘n’ Pull Gang 7″
A – Gasoline
B – Pour It Down Yer Throat
Label: Bitch Hog Records
Cat #: Bitch1
Download Gasoline by The Hook ‘n’ Pull Gang
Download the complete 7″ plus two bonus songs from MediaFire
Räuberhöhle – ‘Casio Destroy Toy’ (mp3)
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Räuberhöhle sent in her 2000 CD-R release ‘Knallerbsen und Sprengkörper’ for consideration for a compilation I put out years ago. The demo featured four tracks of what would probably best be described as ‘riot beats’, in a style not dissimilar to Julie Ruin and Le Tigre. Armed with various Casios, kids toys that go beep and a riot grrl spirit, I found Räuberhöhle hard to resist. ‘Riots Not Diets’ was selected for the comp, which also appeared on one of the LadyBomb cassette compilations.
I hadn’t checked out Räuberhöhle’s website since 2001, and it seems a lot of great stuff has gone on for Räuberhöhle since then. Her tunes seem to be put together with more sophisticated equipment now, so the sound is more electronic and clean than the kitsch Casio sound of the demo. I have to say I’m not much of an electronica fan and I find the idea of ‘happy hardcore’ a bit strange! But I thought this might be neat trip into the past, one of the tracks on this release ‘Casio Destroy Toy’ has had a massive reworking for a forthcoming release (and can be heard on Räuberhöhle’s myspace page) so it’s interesting to hear how much her sound has changed.
If you dig Räuberhöhle please check out the website where you can buy mp3s from her past three releases (This demo no longer appears available) and the myspace page for tour dates.
1. Casio Destroy Toy / 2. Little ppl Pray / 3. Ghost Busters / 4. Riots Not Diets
Download Casio Destroy Toy by Räuberhöhle
Betty Davis – ‘Dedicated to the Press’ (mp3)
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Betty Davis is not just a 1970s funk diva, she’s the diva of every god damn thing as far as I’m concerned, and if you’re not yet acquainted, consider this your introduction. Davis’ music career spanned a few short years (73-79) with three studio albums. She was dubbed the ‘wild-woman’ of funk, an out spoken, sassy woman with attitude and wit. She attracted great controversy with her suggestive lyrics. ‘If I’m in Luck, I Might Get Picked Up‘ from her debut record was banned in Detroit, and a radio station in Kansas city was even picketed by protesters for playing the song.
Prior to the release of her records, Davis was married to jazz legend Miles Davis. Miles divorced her after one year (1968) saying she was “too young and wild” for him, however Betty is credited with having greatly influencing Miles, by introducing him to figures such as Jimi Hendrix which fostered a new era in experimentation in his music (and his wardrobe!).
The track I’ve chosen today is pretty self explanatory, and shows Davis as unapologetic for her bold style, musically and otherwise. It’s taken from her final studio album from 1975, Nasty Gal.
The Jains – ‘This Is It’ (mp3)
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The Jains are a two piece, in the tradition of the White Stripes, from Milan, Italy. This demo was originally sent to me back in 2002 for a compilation CD that never eventuated. The catchy opening track ‘This is it’ which was selected to appear on the comp, has since been re-recorded along with ‘Fixation’ for The Jains debut album ‘Kill the Ghost’, released on Tube records in 2005. The record has received many reviews on Italian websites (which I can’t read!) but doesn’t appear to have received attention outside of Italy, despite the songs being in English. DEMOlition was one of the more impressive demos I received during my radio days. Amongst all the nu-metal clones, the simple stripped back feel of The Jains demo was a welcome relief. The Jains certainly have something that captured my attention and it’s cool to see that they’re still together, nearly five years on.
1. This is it / 2. Fixation / 3. Seems So
Download This Is It by The Jains
Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto- ‘In The Basement’ (mp3)
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There is only one possible song that could kick things off here at Revenge Radio – the irresistible ‘In the Basement’ by Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto. This was the ‘signature track’ for the last year of my radio show, and is the stock standard opener for most mix CDs that I’ve thrust upon many a poor (un)fortunate soul. Etta and Sugar performed a few numbers together, but this would have to take the cake. Originally released as a single (Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto, Cadet 5539 – In The Basement (Part 1) / In The Basement (Part 2) ) the track can also be found on Etta James 1971 record ‘Peaches’ and numerous compilations including ‘Etta James: Her Best’ and the best of Sugar Pie DeSanto’s years with Chess Records ‘Down in the Basement’. If you don’t feel the urge to move your ass to this one, then you’re creepy and have no soul!
