A Product of Louisville, Kentucky

King G And The J Krew
Freakazoid/No Parking On The Dance Floor/Ken
v/a Slamdek A To Z Book/CD (buy)
K Composite Media/Initial 1996

Who the fuck are King G And The J Krew, you may ask? From Mr. K. Scott Richter's memoirs of his label, Slamdek A To Z, which included a comp CD of some of the best stuff he has released.

One of King G and the J Krew’s most recognizable assets was their propensity to take the joke-turned-obsession to inconceivable levels. M.C. Crawdad was Jason Mueller, P. Control was Heather Cantrell, A. Frisbee was Aaron Frisbee, M.C. Diogenes was Jason Noble. This six minute epic, while seemingly ridiculous in concept, totally defines the word brilliant and exceeds the boundaries of the Louisville-on-Louisville genre this release created. This song was recorded while the band was in the process of creating their masterful Indestructible Songs of the Humpback Whale CD; a process that took about two years to complete. And that’s virtually every single day for two years. After the release of the CD, they began playing shows as a rock band under the name King Kid International. That incarnation had Jon Cook on drums, Tara O’Neil on bass, and Jeff Mueller and Jason Noble singing and playing guitar. King Kid Int’l became Rodan in December 1992.

King G to King Kid International to Rodan to June of 44 & Rachels & Shipping News to...

This song was originally released in 1991, on the Merry Christmas cassette compilation, on Slamdek. "Louisville bands pay tribute to their favorite other Louisville bands" being the concept of the tape. King G and the J Crew were "Louisville's own skinny, white, middle-class rappers," brought up in the punk scene. Thus, a Midnight Star/Slint hybrid cover.

The book itself is fascinating, not just documenting the typical record label shit: releases/bands/shows/guestlists...these fuckers actually organized+sponsored The Rockers, a high school girls' Field Hockey Team! Scott Ritcher plays on many of the bands featured on the included CD and went on to do graphic design for labels like Initial. Also ran for mayor of Louisville a few years back. Still getting himself in trouble with his hillarious Saint Clinton images.

Slamdek is dead, (both) ex-King G & Kid International personal are all over the place, Slint have reformed, Mr. Ritcher is one busy bee, while Midnight Star (well, sorta) is available for $11,999.

Endnote
1. Thanx to Strange Reaction for the link!

Sukapara!

Quick post today.



Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Kanariya Naku Sora
Kanariya Naku Sora 7" (buy)
Justa Record/Cutting Edge 2001

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra with Chiba Yusuke (ex Thee Michelle Gun Elephant/Rosso) on guest vocals. Play it at yr next party.

Have a good weekend!

What's with the apostrophe?

Bl'ast!
Time To Think/Surf And Destroy
The Power Of Expression LP (buy)
Wishingwell/Roadrunner 1986

This has to be one of the most powerful hardcore LPs ever recorded, Bl'ast! out-Flag Greg Ginn and gang at times. Take the best of Black Flag/Corrosion Of Conformity/SSD and add the aggro of the mid 80s surf/skate scene...something like the The Power Of Expression will pop out.

This one opens side B:

Break It Down

This LP was later reissued on SST, of all labels and Bl'ast recorded a couple more for them before disbanding in the 90s. Seems that they played some reunion shows in 2001. More info here.

One huge walkman

Just picked up a new (well, used) cheapo-stereo system, one of those made for teenager-all-in-one pieces of shit. No speakers, a tuner that does not pick up any FM, a CD player which I am somewhat scared to use and a double cassette deck!

Time to whip out those old lo-fi demos and live tapes.



Sonic Youth
Brother James
Live at Shinjuku Loft 2/8/1989 cassette

First song from Sonic Youth's debut show in Japan. Feel the energy. Daydream Nation tour. Do they still interact with the audience like this?

I got this from a friend of mine, along with two other cassettes from SY's other shows during that 1989 tour of Japan. One of these show was released as the boot Live In Japan. Don't know if it came from these tapes, though.

The "first stagediver/king of the pit" is rumored to be Zero, of the late-great Copass Grinderz.

Endnotes
1. Just realized Sonic Youth are playing in Tokyo in a few days...
2. Finally updated the sidebar. Thanks all, for the links.

A song about having sex with John Lennon

Yoko Ono
Kiss Kiss Kiss
Double Fantasy LP (buy)
Geffen 1980

Though this is from a Lennon/Ono collaboration LP, this tune is pure art-damaged (in a good way!) Yoko. She must have been hanging 'round CBGB's and vicinity and caught the No Wave Scene...Plastics, anyone?

Endnote
1. Dinosaur w/Lou Barlow at Fuji Rock! Ah Sou?