I had heard much about Rhys Chatham over the years but had never heard his music until I saw him a week and a half ago. I watched only the last 1/3 of his set maybe. It sounded like a heavier version of the Fucking Champs, until he played a piece written back in '77 which sounded like a heavier Sonic Youth. It was alright.

After the show I milling around his merch booth and noticed he was writing left handed, but played guitar right. I have a friend who does the same (coincidentally named Rhys) and asked him about it. Then we had a 45 minute conversation about trying to play guitar with the opposite hand you learned on. He was very, "sweet".

same wrote:I had heard much about Rhys Chatham over the years but had never heard his music until I saw him a week and a half ago.

Did he draw a purple line of light around the audience?

Use tarot cards?

Rhys has done some pretty off-kilter stuff in his live shows.

A band more people should know about:

The Crucifucks. "Our Will Be Done" has both of their original albums on one disc, which are called "The Crucifucks" and "Wisconsin." Essential - if you can stand the lead singer's voice, which is really difficult to take at first, because it's high-pitched and really pretty irritating - and I love the band! But they are really goddamn great. Incidentally, Steve Shelley, Sonic Youth's longstanding drummer, was the original drummer for the Crucifucks and left the band after the first album.

The first album, up to track 16 on "Our Will Be Done," is rather slow hardcore (about Pistols speed, actually), but it's really nasty, great stuff. The second album, track 17 onwards, isn't hardcore at all, but very melodic and disturbing rock. The lyrics become progressively scarier with each track, as the vocalist/bandleader/only constant member, Doc Corbin Dart, was apparently experiencing mental problems. It's a fantastic compilation.

Band I should know more about: The Buzzcocks. Only heard "Orgasm Addict" and the Devoto "Boredom" and loved both those tracks, but for some reason never got any of their stuff.

Band I should really know more about: The Fall. I have never listened to them, ever.

burun wrote:

same wrote:I had heard much about Rhys Chatham over the years but had never heard his music until I saw him a week and a half ago.

Did he draw a purple line of light around the audience?

Use tarot cards?

Rhys has done some pretty off-kilter stuff in his live shows.

Not that I remember. When I was talking to him though I got the feeling he was very "eccentric" (in the way that you're describing), yet very genuine. A rare combination.

Angus Jung wrote:I think I will go ahead and post the lyrics to "Gentle On My Mind." I hear this song and am resolved ever more strongly to pursue a future career as a drifter/hobo. I'm gonna do it someday!

I take it it was you at mcgoo's bar last night. But really, I hear ya, Angus Jung.

These lyrics, they speak to me! What with the sleeping bag and all, goddamnit!

burun wrote:

Eierdiebe wrote:i assume not too many of you know about the El Michels Affair. which is too bad, cuz they're a band worth listening to for sure.

I love that Sounding Out The City record beyond reason.

YES, YES, YES.

i am so glad to have found someone else on here who digs this album.

salut, Burun!

I don't know much about my band. I never really have gotten to know the other dudes very well, one has a fat girlfriend I know that much. The other just kinda shows up and leaves.

SecondEdition wrote:Band I should know more about: The Buzzcocks. Only heard "Orgasm Addict" and the Devoto "Boredom" and loved both those tracks, but for some reason never got any of their stuff.

yeah, the Buzzcocks (in their prime) are not to be overlooked. all you probably need is Operators Manual and Spiral Scratch. those are great, great recordings. they got the "apple lossless" treatment when i put 'em on my ipod, cuz as long as i have it, they're staying the fuck on there.

seriously, the Buzzcocks are the greatest catchy punk band ever. and they weren't just a studio band either. Entertaining Friends is proof of that.

sunlore wrote:There's a whole slew of American country-tinged crooners that I know nothing about. Glen Campbell and Kris Kristofferson come to mind.

Also Willie Nelson.

Try these:

Brett Eugene Ralph wrote:

I saw them together at some supper club in NYC, about 6 years ago.

Needless to say, when they sang "Wichita Lineman", I got a little misty-eyed.