Indiana, while still sporting sections of industrialized and burnt out cities and towns, is probably the most boring state to drive through - apart from Wyoming if you take I-90. So it's pretty surprising that there was a decent punk scene brewing in the Hoosier state during at least half of the '70s. With that being said, probably most of the bands on compilations like Gulcher Records' Red Snerts were from some of the more cosmopolitan areas or college towns like Bloomington.
With the ever growing cottage industry based upon scarcely available records and assorted collectible ephemera Mr. California has figured that if he cranks out a few slabs of vinyl with some tripped out designs gracing the cover and the record itself, he'd be able to make a few bucks while acting the part of an artist. I suppose he's not incorrect, but I suspect that a good deal of his recordings won't translate into a live setting - unless he's nuts, which is a possibility.
Frankly, when I saw what was in the package from one of the most respectable independent labels in the country, I was disappointed. Between the cheese-tinged name of the band to the picture on the cover of the cd, I wanted to toss this one aside and move on. But, I didn't. I gave it a shot.
I have never been a fan of chick bands/female artists, except for Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. I don't understand why. Are there not enough girls out there picking up instruments or singing? I can readily recall numerous girls throughout my time walkin' this land that play and sing but aren't in bands. What's the haps?
In high-school band there was the flute and clarinet section. Where the hell did all those girls go? Are they busy fiddling with something else? Maybe my almost robotic readiness to dismiss this group is a reason for other ladies to get a guitar.
The style that the Subhumans embraced incorporated some inside out rhythmic devices contrived from the two tone movement that was beginning to gain notoriety during its early days as a group. I've, in the past, decried the fact that not more folks ended up recycling these styles considering that everything else has gotten a re-working. Perhaps punkers just aren't up to the task musically. Who knows.
By this point, Iggy Pop was coked up and strung out, being followed around or following David Bowie through Europe and churning out some boring tunes that really could be considered the dregs of '70s rock. Iggy may have been confident in his new direction, but that doesn't mean that it was the right one. Hindsight, though, is perfect. But this all probably goes to explain why the Stooges released a new album last year and are currently touring.
Beginning as early as any other band that might be considered a part of the first wave of punk, DMZ jumped out from a few of the other original acts from the period due to their intricate knowledge of aggressive rock music. Whereas the Ramones and the Cramps mined confectionary pop and rockabilly to inform their sound, DMZ had an in depth knowledge of northwestern rock bands. Utilizing the Sonics and the Wailers seemed to inject these Boston area dudes with some other sort of musical aptitude. That's not to say the Ramones were slouches, but DMZ bounced differently than anyone else. They were a rock band in a pretty strict sense.
Kinda obscure, but a bit of Stiff Records history...
