Monday, May 25, 2009

The Rattlers

THE RATTLERS
1979
"Brothers Mickey Leigh and Joey Ramone teamed up to record one album as Sibling Rivalry which featured the classic punk rock surf song “On the Beach” - a tale of radioactive monsters, beach parties, and lost love. "I loved the early 1960's science fiction movies like Dr. Strangelove, and grew up watching movies that combined science fiction with teenagers on beaches and, of course, rock & roll; so to write a song combining all those elements came easily - it was a natural," Leigh said. Leigh first wrote “On the Beach” in 1979, performing it with his band, The Rattlers. Inspired by the 1960's B-movie “Horror at Party Beach” and the PUNK Magazine spread “Mutant Monster Beach Party”, “On the Beach” combines Coney Island, CBGB, and Three Mile Island." [staythirstymedia.com]
Try as you might to escape the catchiness of this pop number from the younger brother of Joey Ramone, but I would venture to gain that after a few listens you'll find it difficult not to sing along with this one.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Jimi LaLumia & The Psychotic Frogs

JIMI LALUMIA & THE PSYCHOTIC FROGS
1979
"Jimi Lalumia's ever mutating backing band included, at one time or another, such punk luminaries as Johnny Thunders, Cherry Vanilla, and Jayne County. The group only managed two singles and an EP during its chaotic existence.
Growing up in Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island, LaLumia became more and more interested in the New York City music scene of the late '60s, finally moving to the city in the early '70s and becoming a freelance music writer and a scene staple at the legendary Max's Kansas City, befriending Thunders and County in the process. In 1977, LaLumia formed Jimi LaLumia and the Psychotic Frogs, self-releasing the manic "Death to Disco (Disco Sucks)" later that year. The aptly titled EP Typically Tasteless appeared the following year, featuring the originals "Mangle Me" and "You'll Never Walk Again" on the A-side and hilariously vulgar renditions of "Eleanor Rigby" and County's "I Got Fucked By the Devil Last Night" on the flip." [Answers.com]

Friday, May 15, 2009

Testors

TESTORS
1980
"The Testors were formed by Sonny Vincent in New York City 1975 at the heart of what became punk rock as we know it today. They were loud, raw as fuck, and didn’t give a shit about anyone but themselves. While contemporaries The Ramones, Blondie and The Heartbreakers were making history, the Testors were lighting clubs on fire, going to jail, and Sonny was eventually admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
Along the way they were regulars at CBGB’s, Max’s Kansas City and shared stages with the likes of Suicide, The Cramps and The Dead Boys. With only one legitimate release spanning their career (a highly sought after 7"), the band continued to turn their noses at major label offers."
Had this one all lined up to post, but per my usual modus operandi, I took too long. My mother always says I'll be late to my own funeral. Oh well. So this time around, a click on the record title will take you to the almighty Killed By Death site for their coverage of the same record.
The above quoted text comes from Swami Records who put out a killer collection of Testors material available here.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Corpsicles

CORPSICLES
1982
"The band was started by Phil "Freeze" Falcone and his cousin Luke "Warm" Palladino sometime around 1977 maybe even as far back as 1976. They lived around the corner from each other in Brooklyn and they were inseparable. Phil wrote and sang all the songs and played guitar, Luke played bass and sang a few verses (he is the guy singing on the second verse of "Big Doings"). He is also the creator of the pissed tombstone popsicle logo we used. I answered an ad in the Voice (maybe it was the Aquarian) looking for a drummer influenced by the Ramones and the New York Dolls... We talked for a few hours that first phone conversation and that seemed to be an omen that we would make a good fit. Phil most definitely had the gift for gab, always had. He could make friends and talk for hours with anyone! Even a dead guy!" Corpsicles history as related to MXV of The Punk Vault by Corpsicles drummer, Mike Leary.