Beneath the Planet of the Friday Vids
I’m a bit indisposed lately, so I have to do little drive-bys here and there for the time being.
These are some things that are good. There’s a vital but seldom-honored distinction between ‘things that one likes’ and ‘things that are objectively good.’ (People often confuse the two, but it’s a fact of human life that we all, as humans, like a lot of crap and fail to love a lot of things that we know we ought to.)
Exhibit A. I like this, sure enough (Vancouver, BC punk from back in the day), but what’s objectively good is the drumming. Chuck Biscuits was 15 when this was recorded, in 1979, and although the band is miming, he hits most of the rolls just as he did in the studio. He’s one of those rare, infuriating drummers whose dynamics are so snap-on that they could sound amazing banging on cardboard boxes. Trust me that the stuff he’s doing is really difficult — he takes no shortcuts. Bérubé might have something to say here, because honestly Michael, would you want to follow this guy on a bill? Me neither.
DOA – ‘World War 3’ promo video (4:23)
Laugh, clown, laugh. But in the final analysis, this is a damn good song. In fact, the entire album is good. Yes, there was an album. Yes, I have a copy on vinyl. I also have an autographed copy of the first Flock Of Seagulls album, for your information. No, I’m not kidding. Yes, I am a danger to myself and others.
Never mind, just click it. (3:40)
This one’s just in sort of solidarity with The Poor Man, who’s sort of a dick sometimes, and enough said on that. Nevertheless, word up.
ibid (1:31)
I hate it when Mommy and Daddy fight.
Now that brings back memories.
1985, DOA covering the Dil’s Class War live in Ohio. Subjectively euphoric, but not for me alone.
That WWIII video violates several international zoom-in ultra close-up treaties. Also, the entire band seems to be in need of ritalin. Maybe some nice herbal tea.
I’ve never been a big DOA fan, the vocals just don’t do it for me, but Chuck Biscuits is the best punk rock drummer there ever was, if you see any old Blak Flag/Circle Jerks stuff, the dude is just an animal.
Love Modern English. I have the cassette (hee hee) but not the vinyl. The thing that still bothers me about that video is the supremely talentless ballroom dancers. I think this band was, in fact, English. You can’t throw a rock in England without hitting a couple who are better ballroom dancers than these two.
Some Guy, all the punk bands I ever knew were in need of ritalin. They mostly would have taken some, too, and cut it with some coke or heroin or speed. Just to take the edge off, ya know?
That drummer kid was only 15? Wow. The only 15 year old I ever knew who could play like that back then was my brother, who was most emphatically not into punk; he was (and is) a total jazz snob. He’s a lot better than that now, but I imagine this guy is, too. And that lead singer in DOA is teh hot.
Ahhhh thx, xjerryx, it’s the Black Flag drummer! The only time I saw them I was so fried my boyfriend had to tell me the names of the bands we had seen the day after. No wonder I don’t remember him! 😉
How I wish I could relive my misspent youth! I would make even more mistakes this time!
D.O.A., not to be confused with DOA (Dead or Alive), the New Wave band, or Dead on Arrival, the metal band.
That Modern English song is objectively good.
Am I the only person on the planet who wasn’t fried at any of these concerts?
Ho ho! it is to laugh! Gavin the dilettante autodidact video critic presumes to give us his expert opinion on the superiority of Modern English when “sensible” modern rock fans understand the pinnacle of the New Romantic synth pop electro dance movement was achieved by Depeche Mode (with Vince Clarke, natch) and their unforgettable Just Can’t Get Enough.
I say it did give us a frightful larf! We nearly expelled port from out our probosces, we did. Jolly good show!
Man, there’s so much good shit on youtube. I can waste hours and hours finding old videos I forgot I liked when I used to stay up all night watching Night Tracks. It’s going to be horrible when various media corporations decide to finally sue them based on the Napster, et al. precedent. Then I’ll have to go back to what I do every time the man smacks the internets. Finding the videos myself on numerous under-the-radar services that have been around forever but don’t get themselves on the covers of mainstream news mags.
I’m not even gonna waste time speculating on who (or is it “whom?”) the fake Poorman is, ’cause the Sad Factâ„¢ is there’s 6-8 regulars and… others… that it could well be. I do have a favorite suspect, though. But, I’m not tellin’/
This is the major reason I rarely discuss music with anyone. I’m well aware that a goodly portion of what’s sitting on my iPod is utter, awful dross. But, I like it for whatever reason, and admittedly I have to be in certain moods to listen to certain songs (shuffle play is the enemy; the track-forward button is the solution). And I’d likely scoff at the selections in anybody’s playlist/CD/record/tape/MD collection. That doesn’t mean you’re wrong in liking that stuff, though it’s likely crap as well. It just means that we’re different people is all.
OTOH, if one moves in with someone, it doesn’t hurt if you’re at least a little bit musically compatible.
Talking from experience?
Me?
That’s good punk. At first was put off by the pretty boy haircuts. Music kicked. I gotta realize punk isn’t Sex Pistols, Ramones, Germ, Black Flag, 999, yada yada, anymore.
Sal–
Sometimes DOA looked like that, sometimes not. When I saw ’em at the Oakland Auditorium (now the Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium…sigh) with Bad Brains, everybody had their Lee Ving-approved haircuts. (I maintain that my tinnitus stems largely from that show…and DKs at the Mab…and Flipper in that goddamn warehouse…)
Memories….
Biscuits is just plain sick. If you like any metal drumming, check out the Wild Dogs. Dude is insane.
Gentlewoman,
See, I don’t think that a misspent youth is misspent at all. My plan is to build up memories to keep me smiling mysteriously to myself in my old age.
Seriously, many dubious adventures were launched by the question: “Do you want to be sitting in the nursing-home someday, wishing you’d tried that at least once?”
LOL, Miss Emily!
Seriously, many dubious adventures were launched by the question: “Do you want to be sitting in the nursing-home someday, wishing you’d tried that at least once?�
An old friend of mine and I have a standing joke. We’re gonna be little old ladies in the nursing home together. And her sons are gonna be visiting us, bringing us the good drugs! 😉
chuck biscuits rocked like a motherfucker, but he wasn’t the best punk drummer. he wasn’t the best rat-a-tat drumm roll fill guy. and he wasn’t even the best 15 year old.
all of those distinctions go, without question or possibility of dispute, to squirrelbait’s ben delay. that guy was from another planet. his drumming on “tape to california” and “choose your poison” is simply definitive.
cents my two.
I’m not sure which is funnier – the poofed up bleached hair or the dancing.
At any rate, thanks for the giggles!
all of those distinctions go, without question or possibility of dispute, to squirrelbait’s ben delay. that guy was from another planet. his drumming on “tape to california� and “choose your poison� is simply definitive.
Yeah, no lie.
But if we’re trying for bests, I’d hold out for Mike Dean of the original 3-piece Gang Green lineup (on the ‘Boston Not LA’ compilation). That shit was just wrong.
Ah, good old Chuckolas Biscuits. Living in SF during D.O.A’s heyday, they would play all the time, on the way down to LA *and* on the way back up. Apart from Flipper, the best of the many bands I used to go see at 14-15. And Mister Shithead’s diction is still great to hear. Classic.
I really should buy Something Better Change on CD.
Not one of you bastards has mentioned Danzig. Chuck quit, and now he’s a “where is he now.” Not a one! Waaahh….