Today, meet a band heavily influenced by XTC, an Austrian named Peter the Human Boy, and a couple entries in the '70s glut of jazz fusion that once included the pre-Perry Journey!😱
Thanks so much for inviting me onto Tune Tag, @BradKyle - a lotta fun drawing these connections and, most importantly, discovering some new (to me) music along the way. It's the beauty of the format!
Hear here, Rich! I had a ball, too, and you were a great Tune Tag teammate! As you know, there can always be a Part 2, so put us on your calendar for a future appearance!
I love the Massive Attack and Cobham connection. I have several of Cobham's albums, but none take me as high as Cobham and Bolin do on 'Stratus.' One is literally in the clouds as the musicians are in total sync with one another.
I lived in London when Trip-Hop was at its peak, and it was very exciting as the bands sounded nothing like what was happening in the rest of the country. There was a dark, mysteriousness to it, and something quite haunting and eerie. Tricky, in particular, seemed like the godfather of it all, and the bands were looking to him as their mentor and leader (he was also in MA at one point).
And it was nice to see a shout-out on pre-Perry era Journey. Their first S/T LP, 'Look Into The Future,' and 'Next' are jams that sound nothing like the band that struck gold with Steve Perry.
Lots of new stuff here for me, too, Michael! It's been awhile since I've heard any Cobham, and M.A. is new to me. I enjoyed a couple of those '70s Columbia albums by Bolin; that's newsworthy, as I've never been a guitar-god kinda guy. But, I liked a lot of how he was integrating his virtuosity into some pretty cool songs and vocals!
There's a picture, somewhere, from about '75, of me and the pre-Perry Journey. If I still had it, it'd be in that article I linked! I'm hoping KUHF/Houston still has it hanging up in their studios/offices! Journey belongs on a list of those bands who have similarly and radically altered their lineup, and either had continued success, or more frequently, it seems, more success....like, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Doobie Bros., and more.
Thanks for the shout out/signal boost! YGSF were a blast to interview; both were incredibly kind and funny. The more people that hear their music, the better!
Happy to do it, Kevin! It's so great to hear 21st-century artists who are bold and daring (and creative) enough to musically travel into the 20th century for their output! It took me months to remember that odd 4-name band; I now actually get why they're called that!
Great tag this was. I've got a lot of history tied up here I'll save for over a 🍺 sometime. But the revelation is Peter The Human Boy video. Great harmonies and suitable music but the message is right on! Music is good.
Thanks, Steve! You're more than welcome to share your musical stories here, anytime....virtual suds or no! We do that, FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE, as you know! My find, too, was Peter The Human Boy! I so detect a Brian Wilson vibe filtered through a 21st-century sensibility! I'll have to dig more!
I’m a big Massive Attack fan, so am glad to see them represented here. I haven’t done much exploration of the samples included in their music so hadn’t heard much from the Mahavishnu Orchestra, an outfit of which I was only vaguely aware. Looks like I need to do a bit of digging as I like what I heard.
The Specials’ Ghost Town has long been a favorite. It was one of the first ever singles I purchased with my own money in the summer of 1981 on a trip to the UK to visit family. It made a real impression on the then 10-year old me. The double B side of Why? and Friday Night, Saturday Morning were also favorites, appearing on my mixtapes well into my twenties.
Never heard of Ghost but, given what was going on in the music scene when they were active, I’m not surprised they didn’t attain the success they perhaps should have. They clearly wear their influences on their sleeves and I’m here for that!
I’ve never heard of Shawn Lee or his Ping Pong Orchestra but if Kiss The Sky is representative of the other music from his large catalog (a dozen albums on Spotify) then I’m in for a treat! And WOW! for the Young Gun Silver Fox!! That is also very much in my wheelhouse. Shawn Lee clearly merits further investigation!
Thanks for another excellent installment of TT gentlemen!!
Sounds like we share a lot of common ground on Massive Attack and The Specials, Mark! Glad you enjoyed the back n' forth here.
Shawn Lee... I can't profess to be across all of his output - there's a lot of it! - but I love musicians who are as endlessly creative across different projects as he is. One collab album I only discovered this summer, which is superb, is 'Lord Newborn and the Magic Skulls' from 2009. It's Shawn Lee, Money Mark and Tommy Guerrero knocking out some crazy groovy jams. Listen to it twice and you'll be hooked...
Thanks, Mark....for the compliments, but also for the cool personal stories about the music! Beyond Mahavishnu, John McLaughlin has recorded several solo albums (like Mahavishnu, on Columbia Records in the 70s). Jeff Beck and Pat Metheny, both, have called McLaughlin the best guitarist alive (he's 82)!
Sounds like you were as inspired by The Specials (and their "Ghost Town") as Rich!
The good news about Jellyfish is that they've had several spin-offs and solo work from band members, like Jason Falkner and Roger Joseph Manning, and the band, The Lickerish Quartet, among many others! So, that helps salve the wound from such a short-lived Jellyfish career!
Good on ya for checking further into Shawn Lee (be sure to read Kevin's interview from the link I provided) and his various projects!
Another brilliant Tune Tag! And as for Massive Attack's Blue Lines - one of my all-time favourite albums. That now has to be added back to my driving playlist!
You're very kind, Jon, and I appreciate your visits and comments! As for me, that's always been the goal, not only for Tune Tag, but for FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE, as well...the finding of new artists and songs, and being reminded of the past songs we loved!
And, evoking memories and sharing their love of music and listening history of favorite artists is the incredible gift that every Tune Tag participant so generously brings! And, there's more on the way! I'm glad you're aboard!
Still the same "action"😉on Santa Monica Blvd as there was in the '70s and '80s?! Back in the day, the ladies held court on Sunset Blvd. When I first moved there from Houston (in early '80), I was driving west on Sunset one evening, likely going to The Whisky or Madame Wong's, in search of some punk and/or power pop!
Anyway, I'm stopped at a light, and as I mentioned in some other article, recently, we all drove with our windows down.....All of a sudden, a scantily-clad gal (short shorts, short-cropped shirt of some kind), bellowed out, in my direction: "COME HERE!" Although, it sounded more like, "C'MERE!" "Well," I sez to myself ('cause I'm sure I was alone, having just moved there), "they certainly are insistent here!" True to form, not a soul on Santa Monica ever yelled something like that in my direction!😥
Speaking of the Troub, I'm sure you're aware of the rock history that exists there. In fact, FR&B's "own" Stephen Michael Schwartz, was "just another 18-year-old with a guitar" in the early-'70s, trundling up and down Santa Monica with his guitar, and showing up late at night for the Troub's storied "Hoot Nights," and jostling for a spot.
Sure enough, one night it worked, and he got offered a contract by an RCA Records exec in attendance. That led to his lone album for the label in '74 when he was 20! I'm sure you have, already, Dan, but for those who haven't, Stephen's exclusive, first-hand accounts of the L.A. record biz, circa the '70s begins here, and, all in his own words, with exclusive photos, plus several rare, never-before-heard song demos he's given us!: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-autopsy-1974-stephen-michael
Thanks so much for inviting me onto Tune Tag, @BradKyle - a lotta fun drawing these connections and, most importantly, discovering some new (to me) music along the way. It's the beauty of the format!
Hear here, Rich! I had a ball, too, and you were a great Tune Tag teammate! As you know, there can always be a Part 2, so put us on your calendar for a future appearance!
I love the Massive Attack and Cobham connection. I have several of Cobham's albums, but none take me as high as Cobham and Bolin do on 'Stratus.' One is literally in the clouds as the musicians are in total sync with one another.
I lived in London when Trip-Hop was at its peak, and it was very exciting as the bands sounded nothing like what was happening in the rest of the country. There was a dark, mysteriousness to it, and something quite haunting and eerie. Tricky, in particular, seemed like the godfather of it all, and the bands were looking to him as their mentor and leader (he was also in MA at one point).
And it was nice to see a shout-out on pre-Perry era Journey. Their first S/T LP, 'Look Into The Future,' and 'Next' are jams that sound nothing like the band that struck gold with Steve Perry.
Lots of new stuff here for me, too, Michael! It's been awhile since I've heard any Cobham, and M.A. is new to me. I enjoyed a couple of those '70s Columbia albums by Bolin; that's newsworthy, as I've never been a guitar-god kinda guy. But, I liked a lot of how he was integrating his virtuosity into some pretty cool songs and vocals!
There's a picture, somewhere, from about '75, of me and the pre-Perry Journey. If I still had it, it'd be in that article I linked! I'm hoping KUHF/Houston still has it hanging up in their studios/offices! Journey belongs on a list of those bands who have similarly and radically altered their lineup, and either had continued success, or more frequently, it seems, more success....like, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Doobie Bros., and more.
Thanks for the shout out/signal boost! YGSF were a blast to interview; both were incredibly kind and funny. The more people that hear their music, the better!
Happy to do it, Kevin! It's so great to hear 21st-century artists who are bold and daring (and creative) enough to musically travel into the 20th century for their output! It took me months to remember that odd 4-name band; I now actually get why they're called that!
Great tag this was. I've got a lot of history tied up here I'll save for over a 🍺 sometime. But the revelation is Peter The Human Boy video. Great harmonies and suitable music but the message is right on! Music is good.
Thanks, Steve! You're more than welcome to share your musical stories here, anytime....virtual suds or no! We do that, FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE, as you know! My find, too, was Peter The Human Boy! I so detect a Brian Wilson vibe filtered through a 21st-century sensibility! I'll have to dig more!
I’m a big Massive Attack fan, so am glad to see them represented here. I haven’t done much exploration of the samples included in their music so hadn’t heard much from the Mahavishnu Orchestra, an outfit of which I was only vaguely aware. Looks like I need to do a bit of digging as I like what I heard.
The Specials’ Ghost Town has long been a favorite. It was one of the first ever singles I purchased with my own money in the summer of 1981 on a trip to the UK to visit family. It made a real impression on the then 10-year old me. The double B side of Why? and Friday Night, Saturday Morning were also favorites, appearing on my mixtapes well into my twenties.
Never heard of Ghost but, given what was going on in the music scene when they were active, I’m not surprised they didn’t attain the success they perhaps should have. They clearly wear their influences on their sleeves and I’m here for that!
I’ve never heard of Shawn Lee or his Ping Pong Orchestra but if Kiss The Sky is representative of the other music from his large catalog (a dozen albums on Spotify) then I’m in for a treat! And WOW! for the Young Gun Silver Fox!! That is also very much in my wheelhouse. Shawn Lee clearly merits further investigation!
Thanks for another excellent installment of TT gentlemen!!
Sounds like we share a lot of common ground on Massive Attack and The Specials, Mark! Glad you enjoyed the back n' forth here.
Shawn Lee... I can't profess to be across all of his output - there's a lot of it! - but I love musicians who are as endlessly creative across different projects as he is. One collab album I only discovered this summer, which is superb, is 'Lord Newborn and the Magic Skulls' from 2009. It's Shawn Lee, Money Mark and Tommy Guerrero knocking out some crazy groovy jams. Listen to it twice and you'll be hooked...
Thanks, Mark....for the compliments, but also for the cool personal stories about the music! Beyond Mahavishnu, John McLaughlin has recorded several solo albums (like Mahavishnu, on Columbia Records in the 70s). Jeff Beck and Pat Metheny, both, have called McLaughlin the best guitarist alive (he's 82)!
Sounds like you were as inspired by The Specials (and their "Ghost Town") as Rich!
The good news about Jellyfish is that they've had several spin-offs and solo work from band members, like Jason Falkner and Roger Joseph Manning, and the band, The Lickerish Quartet, among many others! So, that helps salve the wound from such a short-lived Jellyfish career!
Good on ya for checking further into Shawn Lee (be sure to read Kevin's interview from the link I provided) and his various projects!
Thanks again, Mark!
Another brilliant Tune Tag! And as for Massive Attack's Blue Lines - one of my all-time favourite albums. That now has to be added back to my driving playlist!
Thanks........Glad we were able to reunite you, Bryan, with a longtime fave! That's all Rich....M.A. is a brand new artist to me!
100% with you on that, Bryan! Glad you enjoyed it!
You always manage to evoke memories and a list of tracks I need to relisten to. Brilliant.
You're very kind, Jon, and I appreciate your visits and comments! As for me, that's always been the goal, not only for Tune Tag, but for FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE, as well...the finding of new artists and songs, and being reminded of the past songs we loved!
And, evoking memories and sharing their love of music and listening history of favorite artists is the incredible gift that every Tune Tag participant so generously brings! And, there's more on the way! I'm glad you're aboard!
I'm a big Shawn Lee/Young Gun Silver Fox fan as will be evident in many of the Top Tens coming up in my memoir!
We look forward, Dan! I've become a big fan of theirs, too, thanks to that interview with Kevin I saw coupla years ago!
I actually saw them live at the Troubador while visiting L.A. this past January. GREAT show!
Still the same "action"😉on Santa Monica Blvd as there was in the '70s and '80s?! Back in the day, the ladies held court on Sunset Blvd. When I first moved there from Houston (in early '80), I was driving west on Sunset one evening, likely going to The Whisky or Madame Wong's, in search of some punk and/or power pop!
Anyway, I'm stopped at a light, and as I mentioned in some other article, recently, we all drove with our windows down.....All of a sudden, a scantily-clad gal (short shorts, short-cropped shirt of some kind), bellowed out, in my direction: "COME HERE!" Although, it sounded more like, "C'MERE!" "Well," I sez to myself ('cause I'm sure I was alone, having just moved there), "they certainly are insistent here!" True to form, not a soul on Santa Monica ever yelled something like that in my direction!😥
Speaking of the Troub, I'm sure you're aware of the rock history that exists there. In fact, FR&B's "own" Stephen Michael Schwartz, was "just another 18-year-old with a guitar" in the early-'70s, trundling up and down Santa Monica with his guitar, and showing up late at night for the Troub's storied "Hoot Nights," and jostling for a spot.
Sure enough, one night it worked, and he got offered a contract by an RCA Records exec in attendance. That led to his lone album for the label in '74 when he was 20! I'm sure you have, already, Dan, but for those who haven't, Stephen's exclusive, first-hand accounts of the L.A. record biz, circa the '70s begins here, and, all in his own words, with exclusive photos, plus several rare, never-before-heard song demos he's given us!: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-autopsy-1974-stephen-michael