This is Lone Justice's second appearance on ERV, as the equally strong "Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling)" showed up on our little corner of the universe back in November 2011.
As we mentioned then, Lone Justice was one of the leading acts in the cowpunk movement, a roots revival scene that merged country and rockabilly with the rough edges of punk. Sadly, while several acts garnered critical acclaim, there was little to speak of in terms of commercial success. Country rock just didn't sell in the 1980s, and we're all a little worse off because of that.
The band's roots go back to 1982 when the group was founded by Maria McKee (vocals) and Ryan Hedgecock (guitar). Lone Justice eventually built a following, and signed to Geffen in 1985. In the 'it's nice to have friends in high places' category, Tom Petty and Mike Campbell wrote "Ways to be Wicked."
In spite of the positive press, the single only reached #71 on the charts, while the LP stalled at #56. The band effectively broke up after that, although singer Maria McKee kept the name and released a second album (Shelter) in 1986 that did not do appreciably better.
McKee officially went solo in the late 1980s, and has remained active in the industry to the present day.
Showing posts with label Cowpunk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cowpunk. Show all posts
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Friday, June 6, 2014
Drivin' n' Cryin' - Honeysuckle Blue
Drivin' n' Cryin' is an eclectic alt southern rock band who became local heroes in Atlanta and environs, but never quite found their national audience. The group was formed in Atlanta in the mid-1980s by Kevn Kinney (guitar, vocals) and Tim Nielsen (bass), who remain as the group's constant members. And no, Kevn does not spell his name with an 'i'.
After becoming a big club act, Drivin' n' Cryin' signed with 688 Records in 1986; their first LP soon followed. Island Records then picked them up which led to some rock and college radio airtime. However, although they developed a loyal following, they never quite crossed over to mainstream rock audiences. Not only was southern rock out of favor in the late 1980s, but the shifting scene (from hair metal to grunge) made the late 1980s and early 1990s particularly treacherous for rock acts.
"Honeysuckle Blue" is off the 1989 LP Mystery Road. We don't recall ever seeing the video on MTV, although the song did pick up some radio play. However, neither the song nor the album charted.
Drivin' n' Cryin' would continue to have modest success through the early 1990s, and remain together as of this writing as a working band.
After becoming a big club act, Drivin' n' Cryin' signed with 688 Records in 1986; their first LP soon followed. Island Records then picked them up which led to some rock and college radio airtime. However, although they developed a loyal following, they never quite crossed over to mainstream rock audiences. Not only was southern rock out of favor in the late 1980s, but the shifting scene (from hair metal to grunge) made the late 1980s and early 1990s particularly treacherous for rock acts.
"Honeysuckle Blue" is off the 1989 LP Mystery Road. We don't recall ever seeing the video on MTV, although the song did pick up some radio play. However, neither the song nor the album charted.
Drivin' n' Cryin' would continue to have modest success through the early 1990s, and remain together as of this writing as a working band.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Georgia Satellites - Battleship Chains
This is the Satellites second appearance on ERV, as the band's one big hit "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" was featured in July 2012. "Battleship Chains" was the second single off the group's debut LP and it became a minor hit, reaching #86 on the charts. The song was written by Terry Anderson, who was not a member of the group. Interestingly, Anderson also wrote "I Love You Period" which hit #26 in 1992, becoming Dan Baird's only solo top 40 hit (Baird was the lead singer and guitarist for the Satellites). Unlike most of the Satellites' songs, "Battleship" featured guitarist Rick Richards on lead vocals instead of Baird.
In contrast to "Keep Your Hands to Yourself," "Battleship Chains" is further up the rock spectrum, more Stones than Skynyrd. In fact, that is one of the impressive aspects of the band -- they produced self-consciously retro music that was also fresh, and encompassed musical influences as diverse as the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin. While their music was viewed as something of a curiosity in the 1980s, it has aged better than many of their contemporaries.
The black and white video starts with a scratchy record into and then intersperses shots of pawn shops and pools halls with the band. It is damn near pitch perfect, in our humble opinion. This is a band that should be listened to at a BBQ joint with some ribs and cold beer. Sadly, this cutting against the grain approach made it hard for the band to maintain a high level of commercial success, and they broke up in 1990, after two follow up LPs failed to gain traction (See the "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" post for more info on the band's history.)
In contrast to "Keep Your Hands to Yourself," "Battleship Chains" is further up the rock spectrum, more Stones than Skynyrd. In fact, that is one of the impressive aspects of the band -- they produced self-consciously retro music that was also fresh, and encompassed musical influences as diverse as the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin. While their music was viewed as something of a curiosity in the 1980s, it has aged better than many of their contemporaries.
The black and white video starts with a scratchy record into and then intersperses shots of pawn shops and pools halls with the band. It is damn near pitch perfect, in our humble opinion. This is a band that should be listened to at a BBQ joint with some ribs and cold beer. Sadly, this cutting against the grain approach made it hard for the band to maintain a high level of commercial success, and they broke up in 1990, after two follow up LPs failed to gain traction (See the "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" post for more info on the band's history.)
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper - Elvis Is Everywhere
Every now and then, MTV would highlight something bizarre -- as in straight out of Dr. Demento bizarre. (Weird Al immediately comes to mind). One of these unlikely success stories was the psychobilly craziness of Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper.
Mojo Nixon (born as Neill McMillan) and Skid Roper (born as Richard Banke) began working together in San Diego in the early 1980s. Nixon was the hyperactive hillbilly, while Roper provided the accompaniment (mostly the washboard). Although the duo had "novelty band" written all over them, Nixon's manic monologues and the band's rockabilly/cowpunk/psychobilly sound generated some airplay on college radio.
For some strange reason, MTV got behind "Elvis Is Everywhere" from the band's third album Bo-Day-Shus!!! Even better, the video music channel used Nixon as a part time VJ and ran a few short clips between videos ... well, just because. The results led to some short-lived success, as the album charted (#189) and the song received some airplay. [We're particularly partial to the claim that Commodore Elvis needs boats.]
Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper continued releasing albums through the 1980s before breaking up in 1989. Nixon continued working, but was hampered when his label went bankrupt. However, he remained in the industry as a musician and personality (though there have been several retirements) to the present day.
Mojo Nixon (born as Neill McMillan) and Skid Roper (born as Richard Banke) began working together in San Diego in the early 1980s. Nixon was the hyperactive hillbilly, while Roper provided the accompaniment (mostly the washboard). Although the duo had "novelty band" written all over them, Nixon's manic monologues and the band's rockabilly/cowpunk/psychobilly sound generated some airplay on college radio.
For some strange reason, MTV got behind "Elvis Is Everywhere" from the band's third album Bo-Day-Shus!!! Even better, the video music channel used Nixon as a part time VJ and ran a few short clips between videos ... well, just because. The results led to some short-lived success, as the album charted (#189) and the song received some airplay. [We're particularly partial to the claim that Commodore Elvis needs boats.]
Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper continued releasing albums through the 1980s before breaking up in 1989. Nixon continued working, but was hampered when his label went bankrupt. However, he remained in the industry as a musician and personality (though there have been several retirements) to the present day.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Jason and the Scorchers - Absolutely Sweet Marie
This is the second appearance on the blog for Jason and the Scorchers (JATS), as "White Lies" showed up on ERV in April 2012. As we pointed out then, Jason and the Scorchers is one of the great unknown country rock bands of the 1980s. The band produced a catalog of stellar cow punk (country rock), but never found their audience. In my view, they were just a bit ahead of their time, and as has been mentioned several times on ERV, country rock bands had a particularly difficult time breaking through in the eighties.
For the second JATS video, we went with "Absolutely Sweet Marie" from the band's 1983 EP Fervor. This was the record that really placed them on the map, and it was a critical darling to boot. The New York Times rated it the EP of the year, the Village Voice placed it third on the critics poll, and Rolling Stone gave it a four star review. How's that for impressive?
The lead single was a re-worked cover of Bob Dylan's "Absolutely Sweet Marie" this is truly marvelous. As an aside, Dylan remains a wonderful artist to cover, as he wrote a truckload of great songs, many of which were not huge commercial successes. The video did show up on MTV for a time, but the single did not chart, and the EP only reached #116 on the charts.
Jason and the Scorchers would go on to release three LPs during the 1980s before breaking up in 1990. The band periodically re-formed several times since then, most recently in 2010-11 when they recorded a new album (Halcyon Times) and toured to support it. It is not clear what the current status of the band is, as drummer/songwriter Perry Baggs died of complications from diabetes in 2012.
Here is the JATS version of "Absolutely Sweet Marie:"
For the second JATS video, we went with "Absolutely Sweet Marie" from the band's 1983 EP Fervor. This was the record that really placed them on the map, and it was a critical darling to boot. The New York Times rated it the EP of the year, the Village Voice placed it third on the critics poll, and Rolling Stone gave it a four star review. How's that for impressive?
The lead single was a re-worked cover of Bob Dylan's "Absolutely Sweet Marie" this is truly marvelous. As an aside, Dylan remains a wonderful artist to cover, as he wrote a truckload of great songs, many of which were not huge commercial successes. The video did show up on MTV for a time, but the single did not chart, and the EP only reached #116 on the charts.
Jason and the Scorchers would go on to release three LPs during the 1980s before breaking up in 1990. The band periodically re-formed several times since then, most recently in 2010-11 when they recorded a new album (Halcyon Times) and toured to support it. It is not clear what the current status of the band is, as drummer/songwriter Perry Baggs died of complications from diabetes in 2012.
Here is the JATS version of "Absolutely Sweet Marie:"
And the Bob Dylan original ...
Monday, July 2, 2012
Georgia Satellites - Keep Your Hands to Yourself
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" has one of the best opening lines of any eighties song: "I got a little change in my pocket going jing-a-ling-a-ling." And with that auspicious beginning, the Georgia Satellites burst onto the music scene. The Satellites played a wonderfully retro brand of rock and roll that owes as much to Chuck Berry as it does to Lynyrd Skynyrd. However, their hybrid rock & roll/country stylings were well off the beaten trail in the mid-1980s, a fact that would eventually hurt the band. [If this story reminds our readers of Lone Justice or Jason and the Scorchers, well, you may be on to something.]
The Georgia Satellites originally formed in the early 1980s, and actually broke up in 1984, as their career appeared to be going nowhere. Fortunately, their manager continued to shop the band's demo recordings, and eventually found a small British label that released them as the Keep the Faith EP. The positive response led to the band re-forming and they were subsequently signed by Elektra in 1986.
Their eponymous debut was a huge hit -- the album topped out at #5, while "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" peaked at #2, kept out of the top spot by Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer." Sadly, from there it was all downhill, as rock radio more or less ignored the band, although they did manage to have a minor hit in 1988 with their cover of The Swinging Blue Jeans' song "Hippy Hippy Shake." The band finally broke up in 1990.
Lead singer/songwriter Dan Baird would go on to have success with his 1991 CD, Love Songs for the Hearing Impaired, which goes on the list of greatest album titles ever. Baird continues to perform as of this writing. Other members of the Satellites re-formed the band and continue to perform as the Georgia Satellites. Additionally, lead guitarist Rick Richards is also a member of Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds (Izzy was a former member of Guns n' Roses, by the by).
Cool trivia fact: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" was supposedly based on an argument between the Satellite's drummer and his girlfriend, and was written on a tour bus.
Cool Trivia Fact #2: The demo version of this song helped land the Satellite's recording contract. However, the band did not like any of the 'professional' takes of the song, so they put the original demo version on the album, and it is the version that you hear to this day (including in the video above).
The Satellites' video for "Battleship Chains" was posted on ERV in March 2014.
The Georgia Satellites originally formed in the early 1980s, and actually broke up in 1984, as their career appeared to be going nowhere. Fortunately, their manager continued to shop the band's demo recordings, and eventually found a small British label that released them as the Keep the Faith EP. The positive response led to the band re-forming and they were subsequently signed by Elektra in 1986.
Their eponymous debut was a huge hit -- the album topped out at #5, while "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" peaked at #2, kept out of the top spot by Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer." Sadly, from there it was all downhill, as rock radio more or less ignored the band, although they did manage to have a minor hit in 1988 with their cover of The Swinging Blue Jeans' song "Hippy Hippy Shake." The band finally broke up in 1990.
Lead singer/songwriter Dan Baird would go on to have success with his 1991 CD, Love Songs for the Hearing Impaired, which goes on the list of greatest album titles ever. Baird continues to perform as of this writing. Other members of the Satellites re-formed the band and continue to perform as the Georgia Satellites. Additionally, lead guitarist Rick Richards is also a member of Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds (Izzy was a former member of Guns n' Roses, by the by).
Cool trivia fact: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" was supposedly based on an argument between the Satellite's drummer and his girlfriend, and was written on a tour bus.
Cool Trivia Fact #2: The demo version of this song helped land the Satellite's recording contract. However, the band did not like any of the 'professional' takes of the song, so they put the original demo version on the album, and it is the version that you hear to this day (including in the video above).
The Satellites' video for "Battleship Chains" was posted on ERV in March 2014.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Jason and the Scorchers - White Lies
One of the nice things about writing a blog on eighties rare videos is that is provides an opportunity to revisit and perhaps even introduce a few folks to bands who produced great music, but never made it big.
Jason and the Scorchers (JATS) are a great case in point. Although front man Jason Ringenberg was originally from Illinois, the band formed in Nashville in the early 1980s. Stylistically, JATS broke new ground as a country/punk band and probably defined cowpunk as much as any other group.
Loved by critics, Jason and the Scorchers never really broke out in spite of really strong material. The short answer is that their sound was too country for rock stations and too rocking for country stations. Ironically, just a few years later, the emergence of modern country with strong rock influences would lead to a rise in popularity of country music.
"White Lies" was the main single of Jason and the Scorchers first full length album -- 1985's Lost and Found. The album barely broke the top 100, and the song did not chart on the hot 100. Jason and the Scorchers put out two other solid albums in the 1980s before breaking up in 1990. They have since reformed a few times and continue to perform.
In addition to being an innovative band that wrote great country/punk songs, Jason and the Scorchers were also known for their high energy live performances. For folks who are so inclined, here is a clip of them on Conan O'Brien performing "White Lies" around 1998.
JATS strong cover of Dylan's "Absolutely Sweet Marie" was posted on ERV in 2013.
Jason and the Scorchers (JATS) are a great case in point. Although front man Jason Ringenberg was originally from Illinois, the band formed in Nashville in the early 1980s. Stylistically, JATS broke new ground as a country/punk band and probably defined cowpunk as much as any other group.
Loved by critics, Jason and the Scorchers never really broke out in spite of really strong material. The short answer is that their sound was too country for rock stations and too rocking for country stations. Ironically, just a few years later, the emergence of modern country with strong rock influences would lead to a rise in popularity of country music.
"White Lies" was the main single of Jason and the Scorchers first full length album -- 1985's Lost and Found. The album barely broke the top 100, and the song did not chart on the hot 100. Jason and the Scorchers put out two other solid albums in the 1980s before breaking up in 1990. They have since reformed a few times and continue to perform.
In addition to being an innovative band that wrote great country/punk songs, Jason and the Scorchers were also known for their high energy live performances. For folks who are so inclined, here is a clip of them on Conan O'Brien performing "White Lies" around 1998.
JATS strong cover of Dylan's "Absolutely Sweet Marie" was posted on ERV in 2013.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Lone Justice - Sweet, Sweet Baby (I'm Falling)
LA-based Lone Justice showed up on the music scene in 1985 with their self-titled debut, and were another in a long line of bands briefly viewed as The Next Big Thing.
The band came out the the early 1980s cowpunk scene (yes, there really was a country/punk scene in LA in the early 1980s). With supporters such as Linda Ronstadt and Tom Petty (who wrote "Ways to be Wicked" for the debut album) they were able to land a recording contract with Geffen. The Lone Justice LP received rave reviews and ... basically didn't sell very well. For whatever reason, country rock seemed like a hard sell in the eighties, even though it did well in the 1970s and the 1990s (to this day, in fact). Go figure.
At any rate, most of the band left after the first album, but singer Maria McKee put out a more pop oriented second album the following year (Shelter), which did not do any better. Lone Justice officially broke up soon afterwards.
"Sweet, Sweet Baby" was the second single from the Lone Justice album, and really shows off the radio-friendly country rock sound that by all rights should have been more successful than it was.
The band came out the the early 1980s cowpunk scene (yes, there really was a country/punk scene in LA in the early 1980s). With supporters such as Linda Ronstadt and Tom Petty (who wrote "Ways to be Wicked" for the debut album) they were able to land a recording contract with Geffen. The Lone Justice LP received rave reviews and ... basically didn't sell very well. For whatever reason, country rock seemed like a hard sell in the eighties, even though it did well in the 1970s and the 1990s (to this day, in fact). Go figure.
At any rate, most of the band left after the first album, but singer Maria McKee put out a more pop oriented second album the following year (Shelter), which did not do any better. Lone Justice officially broke up soon afterwards.
"Sweet, Sweet Baby" was the second single from the Lone Justice album, and really shows off the radio-friendly country rock sound that by all rights should have been more successful than it was.
Note that "Ways to be Wicked" was posted on ERV in November 2015.
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