Tune Tag #109 with Matt Thompson of Critical Hit Parader, Pt. 2: Dust, Jethro Tull, Gunhill Road, Rush, The Kinks, Johnny Thunders, Quacky Duck

Today's Tune Tag is wearing corduroy bell bottoms with platform shoes! You got it: We're inhabiting the '70s! Oops, we do have one song from 1968! Hop in...we got ourselves a convoy!🚚

Welcome back, Matt! You’ll find lunch over on the craft service table in the corner…help yourself. Today’s special? Hot dog on a roll.

Welcome back to

Matt Thompson

of Critical Hit Parader!

We last tagged tuneage with Matt two years ago:

Tune Tag #10 with Matt Thompson of "Critical Hit Parader": Rush, ABBA, Zappa, Bowie, Genesis, NIN, Pain of Salvation

Matt Thompson

is the publisher of the Critical Hit Parader newsletter, which covers the intersection of rock music and tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). He is also a regular panelist on The Contrarians YouTube music channel, and was a contributor to the following books by Martin Popoff:

• Dominance and Submission: The Blue Öyster Cult Canon

• Run with the Wolves: Rainbow on Record

• Judas Priest: Album by Album

Matt records music under the name The MT Promise, and you can get early access to his latest TTRPG project from his Battle of the Bands Patreon page.

Last week, we enjoyed the company of

Kadrian Alvarenga

of

First Pressing

:

Tune Tag #108 with Kadrian Alvarenga of First Pressing, Pt. 2: Fania All-Stars, Mahavishnu, Leonard Nimoy, Jan Hammer, Don Johnson, Paul Weller, Olé!

Next week, we’ll be happy to open the door for

Steve Goldberg

of

Earworms and Song Loops

!

Matt’s song #1 sent to Brad: Dust, “Suicide,” 1972

From such humble beginnings….from dust to Dust, eventual major rock players (l-r) bassist Kenny Aaronson, Marc Bell aka Marky Ramone, and Richie Wise, who with Kenny Kerner, gave KISS their early defining sound on vinyl.

With the song title, YouTube has the video restricted, which makes it unable to be shown here. Click here to view “Suicide” by Dust on YouTube.

Matt’s rationale: To start this Tune Tag, I chose the song “Suicide” by Dust from the album Hard Attack. Released in 1972, it’s an excellent example of early American hard rock. But, the primary reason I chose this track is I wanted to showcase the album cover art.

Frank Frazetta (1928-2010, shown above) is an important figure for many Critical Hit Parader readers because we love masterful fantasy artwork whether it’s on an album cover, paperback novel, tabletop roleplaying game, or the side of a van. The painting on Hard Attack is called Snow Giants, and it was first used as the cover of the paperback Conan of Cimmeria in 1969:

I also thought that this tune would give Brad many possible jumping-off points. Dust included future Ramones drummer, Marc Bell (Marky Ramone), future Kiss producer, Richie Wise on guitar, and future bassist-for-everyone, Kenny Aaronson. I can’t wait to see what direction Brad will go in to drop his extensive music knowledge on us!

Brad’s song #1 sent to Matt: Gunhill Road, “Back When My Hair Was Short,” 1973

Matt’s response: I didn’t recognize the band name and title, but when I clicked the YouTube link, I immediately saw that the song was produced by Kenny Kerner & Richie Wise. Richie was the guitarist for Dust, and Kenny was their producer. I also know that the duo went on to produce the first two Kiss albums.

So, the obvious choice would be to go with a Kiss song from either the debut or Hotter Than Hell. But the song title made me think of “I Think I’m Going Bald” by Rush from their 1975 Caress of Steel album. We can make this a double connection as Rush was opening up for Kiss frequently during this time, and the song was partially inspired by the Kiss song, “Goin’ Blind” from Hotter Than Hell.

Brad’s rationale: One Marc Bell was the drummer for Dust; in fact, this same Marc Bell was in a near-handful of major-label recorded bands even before he changed his name to Marky, and replaced Tommy as The Ramones’ drummer in 1978: Dust in 1972 on Kama Sutra/Buddah Records, Estus in 1973 on Columbia Records, Richard Hell & The Voidoids in 1977 on Sire Records. The following year, he recorded his first album with The Ramones, Road to Ruin, also on Sire.

But, I decided to go in the direction of another iconic New York City-born band, KISS. Also in Dust (and on Matt’s chosen song, “Suicide”) are producers and arrangers for the album, Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise, the latter being Dust’s guitarist and lead singer.

Kerner and Wise comprised the team that produced the first two KISS albums (self-titled debut and Hotter Than Hell) for Casablanca Records, the label newly-formed by Neil Bogart, who had just left the top spot at Buddah Records, whose Kama Sutra affiliate had just released the Dust album!

And, Richie Wise is our star here, as, in 1973, he became a member of yet another NYC band, Gunhill Road. That year, they had a hit with “Back When My Hair Was Short” (written by singer/guitarist, Glenn Leopold) a re-working of the same song (with different lyrics) they originally recorded in 1972 for their album. If Matt can grab the Kerner & Wise connection, he very likely will send an early KISS song for his next Tune Tag entry!

Get to Know Gunhill Road

Their self-titled 1973 album received positive reviews, and was often featured on many FM and college radio stations. According to Billboard, “Back When My Hair Was Short” had the distinction in 1973 of being Top 10 in more different markets at more different times than any other record of that year. It peaked at #40 in June 1973.

Following is the “less-radio-friendly” LP version with drug references, a Screw Magazine reference, etc. A more “air-friendly” single version was recorded for radio.

Live at The Escape Hatch club, “sometime in the early ‘70s.” Words are forgotten, they move on, and Glenn Leopold, the song’s writer and guitarist says (at song’s end), “That’s what happens when you change the words, and have to learn two versions at the same time!”👇

Gunhill Road…Where Are They Now?

Matt’s song #2: Rush, “I Think I’m Going Bald,” 1975

Brad’s response: In the ‘70s prog rock race of ELP, Yes, Rush, and Genesis (and Gentle Giant, Van Der Graaf Generator, et al), I almost literally ignored ‘em all….except Genesis. My bucket o’ love’n’adoration was fully and happily invested in every note they played and every album they dropped!

If there was a “funniest Tag” award for these proceedings, Matt might just get it for this Rush tag to “Back When My Hair Was Short”! Pretty hilarious, and of course, being completely unaware, really, of anything Rush-ian (beyond their album titles), I had no idea a song title like this even existed!

Brad’s song #2: Mother Tuckers Yellow Duck, “Did You Ever,” 1970

Matt’s response: I have never heard of this band, but this psychedelic folk song is excellent! This is why I love Tune Tag; Brad often turns me onto cool music that is new to me!

A quick read of their brief Wikipedia page tells me they are from Canada, so perhaps that is the connection to Rush. The page also tells me that they were “originally a group of stage performers in Vancouver who adopted different characters, including Kathy Kay (‘Mother Tucker’), Patrick Caldwell (‘Yellow Duck’), Bob O’Connor (‘Dogan Pinkfoot’), and Michael Goldman (‘Garnet Crystalman’).”

This tickles me to no end. Like many RPG lovers, I’m a big fan of conceptual bands that create personas and mythos beyond just their songs. Those character names make me think there could be a whole fantasy story behind the band!

It reminds me of the names manager Sandy Pearlman gave the members of Blue Öyster Cult in the pre-BÖC band, the Stalk–Forrest Group: Eric Bloom (“Jesse Python”), Donald Roeser (“Buck Dharma”), Andrew Winters (“Andy Panda”), Allen Lanier (“La Verne”), and Albert Bouchard (“Prince Omega”).

Brad’s rationale: Longtime Rush producer, Terry Brown, with this, one of his earliest studio gigs, producing this Vancouver troupe, known as a folk-rock/psych band, if Wiki knows what it’s talking about. At any rate, what a nifty song (written by guitarist, Roger Law and Patrick Caldwell, the “Yellow Duck,” for some reason, in their name), with wonderful harmonies! Canadian sunshine pop?

The album from whence this comes (Starting a New Day) was only released (in 1970) in Canada (on Capitol Records), and in South Korea and Japan (not U.S. or UK).

Cooler weather’s comin’, so be prepared with the official new Tune Tag Unisex Heavy Blend crewneck sweatshirt! Available in all sizes, and four colors, including white, black, indigo blue, and sapphire (shown). Get yours today at the official FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE and Tune Tag Gift Shoppe!

Matt’s song #3: Jethro Tull, “One White Duck / 0^10 = Nothing at All,” 1975

Brad’s response: I’m reminded of a joke good ole Dad once told me sometime in the ‘60s: Did you hear about the duck who went to the drug store to buy some Chap Stick? “Will that be all?” asked the cashier. “Yes. Can you put it on my bill?”

Matt’s rationale: For my Tune Tag connection, however, I’m going to focus on the “yellow duck” from Brad’s song, and choose my favorite song with a waterfowl reference in the title: “One White Duck / 0¹⁰ = Nothing at All” by Jethro Tull. For those who only know the radio hits of Jethro Tull, this dark acoustic song (from the 1975 Minstrel in the Gallery album) that deals with the end of Ian Anderson’s marriage might serve notice of how deep and varied the band’s catalog is.

Brad’s song #3: Quacky Duck & His Barnyard Friends, “Barnyard Song,” 1974

Matt’s response: What the duck? This is another new-to-me tune. Brad is schooling me at his rock ‘n’ roll college of musical knowledge. Based on the band name and title I thought it might be a theme song from a children’s TV show. Instead this was a catchy, well-played country rock song. After a little internet digging, I learned that the band featured two of Tony Bennett’s sons along with future Bob Dylan musician, David Mansfield. Very cool!

Before this Tune Tag completely becomes one for the birds, I resist the temptation to come back with “Disco Duck” or The Fools’ “Psycho Chicken.” Instead, for my next selection, I will go with another super catchy ode to rural life: “Animal Farm” by The Kinks.

Brad’s rationale: Matt made me do it! Lest there be rolling of eyes, may the record show that this is not a Google creation…I actually had this album upon its ‘74 release! As soon as I saw the Tull “Duck” reference (whose Minstrel in the Gallery I also had at the time), I immediately thought of this album!

But, all I could think of was the band with this album cover was maybe named “Quackers.” Nope. That turned up nothing. Then I remembered the band whose name I couldn’t quite recall had the two sons of a famous crooner….yep, Tony Bennett’s lads are in this band: Dae and Danny Bennett!

The Bennetts, in-studio (l-r): Dae, the late Tony (1926-2023), and Danny.

A couple decades later, ‘twas Danny who was savvy enough to find a way to get Daddy back on the radio again, and to top the sales charts! Enter “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and a hit video on MTV in 1993! Danny then became Tony’s manager for years!

Matt’s song #4: The Kinks, “Animal Farm,” 1968

Matt’s rationale: Phew! I’m glad to be back on familiar territory. “Animal Farm” was on the masterpiece The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society album, which also included the fantastic track “Johnny Thunder.” The late, great Johnny Thunders (of the New York Dolls and his own band, The Heartbreakers) allegedly took his stage name from the Kinks song. This tune is often cited as Johnny’s signature song, and we can connect it to the very first song in our Tune Tag, because Marc Bell of Dust auditioned for the New York Dolls!

Brad’s response👇

Brad’s song #4: Johnny Thunders, “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory,” 1978

Johnny Thunders, photographed in front of Hollywood High in September 1973, the same month I spent two weekends with Johnny & The Dolls in Dallas and Houston.📸Bob Gruen

Brad’s rationale: That Kinks album has a song on it called “Johnny Thunder,” so this song from former New York Dolls guitarist, Johnny Thunders, on this, his 1978 solo album, So Alone, unavailable in the U.S. until a re-release in the early-’90s.

Ronnie Spector performs Johnny Thunders’ “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory,” live in 2018:

Thank you, Brad, for inviting me for a return appearance on Tune Tag. Although I can’t put my arms around it, you have left me with another great memory!

I mean, “Matt”! You’re welcome anytime!

Matt Thompson

appears in living color video on

Andres

and his

The Vinyl Room

’s “Vital Records”! Discover what Matt’s 3 all-time vinyl “Constant Companions” are, here:

Vital Records #4: Constant Companions