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920 Blues: Wisconsin Rock 'n Roll (compilation)
This new garage punk/rock compilation has a black and white cover depicting a guitar leaning up against a tree with the backdrop of hills and green pasture. It says tons about why people are inspired to make music. In this case, when this warped 12-inch record came into my possession with a title like Wisconsin Rock and Roll, I asked myself what part of Sweden Wisconsin was in. I love garage rock, but Wisconsin must be one of those lesser-known cities in Sweden that was rapidly becoming the capital of the scene. I wondered if they would be represented at Gearfest and Grind, two garage rock showcases where bands from all over the world can show their love for raunchy drums and screeching guitars. Then it hit me, Wisconsin is a state in our beloved United States of America where we get tons of dairy products, piss beer, Laverne and Shirley and the most pronounced of Midwestern accents. With so many bands coming out of San Francisco (The Pattern, The Dukes of Hamburg) and NYC (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mooney Suzuki) bearing that over-hyped generic sound you can imagine how refreshing it is to hear bands play music for the reasons these bands do. Pure boredom along with a real love for rock and roll makes a great excuse to pick up some instruments and play what is REALLY on your mind. This badass masterpiece starts with the Teenage Rejects playing Shes My Girl with a straight-ahead attitude a la Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers. Really, man, really. I would not just throw that name around. The Reds Gitlow puts in some hard-pumping thrusts of rock that makes The (International) Noise Conspiracy hang their heads in shame. You cannot tell Trick Knee Productions that they did not include a diverse song selection here. Get ready to lather your hair with Aqua Net and put on your creepers because the Leghounds Hot Twat makes all of your twisted Rockabilly sexual fantasies come true faster than Nashville Pussy bends Reverend Horton Heat. Heat and Pussy went on tour in 2002 with Tiger Army and by the end of the tour, they were probably exhausted from redoing their shtick 300 nights in a row while Tiger Army played their hearts out day after day. That is the same kind of feeling you get while listening to this compilation and thinking at the same time about how sad it is that so many bands out there are playing these small clubs, doing their shtick night after night, with hopes of getting on MTV. I would be shocked if any of these bands on this compilation get to the point where MTV approaches them; if they were approached, I am betting they would probably spit at the offer. The biggest name on this compilation is the Mistreaters (on Estrus Records) who close the records second side with I Think Ive Had It. That is a great way to end a compilation that urges you to get into bands like the ones featured here instead of subjecting yourself to the crap on Clear Channel radio stations. If you really want to keep that stupid cookie-cutter indie-rock haircut, to listen to the White Stripes, Vines, and Strokes, that is just fine. Just do not go to any real rock and roll clubs expecting not to get your ass kicked. A cool belt-buckle does not make you rock and roll, and when you can accept that and buy 920 Blues-Wisconsin Rock and Roll, you WILL reach salvation.
This album can be purchased at Trick Knee Productions Official Website About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
