ROCK 'N RUMBLIN'

Howdy and welcome to the psychotronic garage sounds column where I’ll cover concerts I manage to drag myself to and CDs I’ve been listening to. To add me to your mailing list and have your CD or show reviewed is easy -- just mail me the disc, vinyl or show info to: Michael Flores, P.O. Box 14683, Chicago, IL 60614-0683. Or e-mail me here. Mistress of Mayhem Kat Southerland accompanied me to see :

THEE HEADCOATS and THEE HEADCOATEES

You could build an entire music collection based around the work of Headcoat Billy Childish. When I heard he was due to play at the Empty Bottle on Saturday June 5, Kat and I made reservations over the Internet and began the task of imbibing enough beer to get in the mood. When we arrived at the bar, the show was sold out and a large number of people were waiting, hoping to get in. Several years ago I probably would have known every single person in the hall, but despite their infrequent U.S. appearances, the word is out -- THEE HEADCOATS put on one party of a show. The bar was packed and hot, and I was quick to scope out the fastest beer line and a spot on the floor directly underneath a fan.

We then began the awesome task of not drinking to get drunk, but instead drinking to stay cool. A losing task, made more painful by the opening act, THEE BOUNCING BALLS, so Kat and I surrendered our spot under the fan and headed into a side room with video games, a photo booth and my friend Tara who just spent the last 9 months travelling around the world, having adventures and way too much fun. She was also the first white woman allowed to stay at a Buddhist monastery in Cambodia! We talked for awhile, and headed back to the cool spot -- it was still open. The opening act had driven people out, not in.

Whenever I stepped out of the fan direction it felt like I was stepping into an oven, so I stood my ground with Another Guy named Mike and THEE HEADCOATS hit the stage and the hot and sweaty floor in front of the stage became a dancing hot and sweaty dance floor. In Billy’s aural universe of over 70 albums, and who knows how many bands and musicians, THEE HEADCOATS are the three chord wonders. They are the band you wish had played your college instead of the now forgotten myriad of Soundgarden sound-alikes or angry art kids you were subjected to. Pop open a brew and dance for heaven’s sake. Mistress Of Mayhem Kat and Titaness of Terror Tara went over to the rail, but I wasn’t going to leave my spot. After tearing through enough 60’s riffs to bring down the house, the band did a couple of accapella numbers and then THEE HEADCOATEES, three women who I guess are girlfriends of the band [sexist assumption! -- M.O.M.] popped up and retore the house up all over again. How good was the women’s portion of the show, backed by the HEADCOATS?

Well, Tara and the Other Guy named Mike made it to the stage and joined the dancing mob. I moved away from the fan and headed to the rail. As they played familiar Nuggets-era tunes into the night I would say this was one of the most fun kick butt shows I’d seen in a while. We didn’t stay for the encores, but only because at that point I was too drenched in sweat and out of beer money.

Tara told me that no one wanted to leave and the band ended up doing two encores.

TWIST WITH THE KAISERS
LIVE AT THE SECOND STORY, BLOOMINGTON

What in the hell is going on in Scotland? Is it the water? The way too rich and high in alcohol beer? Why do Scottish bands really seem to dig the pre-hippie rock riff sound?

THE KAISERS play with pop the way THEE HEADCOATS play with garage. This live album was recorded in Bloomington, Indiana and the twenty (!) songs here play with actual melodies and tunes. Of course the key word here is "play". There are several songs that actually make you listen here, WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT? is THE BEATLES if Iggy Pop had been a member in the Mersey days. Is there a studio recorded version of this out there? LIQUORICE TWIST is clearly a dance we all need to learn. Check out the Spinout Records website at spinout@nashville.net for info on how to get this twisted take on the pop bands of the early sixties. This one is a must for your next party!