Space cats. And, so, yes, this looks like some kind of weird kitschy 1960s Communist thing, but the back of this postcard, which I got when I was working at a toy store in L.A., says ” Alfred Mainzer, Inc. 27-08 40th Ave., Long Island City, N.Y. 11101 “.
I was making coffee and it took me a full minute to figure out what this reminds me of, which is Mildred Pierce by Sonic Youth. Anyway, because I’m a sucker for ” whoa-whaos “, diecut album covers, and short little songs that leave you wanting more, here’s some Torche for that ass.
Torche : ” Healer ”
My other turn-ons include handclaps, wah-wah pedals, organic vegetables you grew yourself, tambourines, Fernet-Branca, and bike rides along the Mississippi drenched in magic dusk light. Just sayin’.
I swear, through the years I’ve seen 10 bands cover this song – which is not surprising because the great jerky-cool guitar riff here fairly screams ” play me! “.The Rings were an early UK punk band fronted by Twink ( drummer in the 1960s of The Pretty Things, Pink Fairies, and played briefly in Starz with Syd Barrett in 1972 ), who I imagine was probably pretty obviously an ex-hippy with a haircut. The band only lasted a few months, and this was their only release ( Chiswick, 1977 ).
The Rings : ” I Wanna Be Free “
The Rings : ” I Wanna Be Free ”
A kid I went to high school with played drums in this band, with older college guys. This track has a kind of dreamy NYC-sidewalk-bop that I really like. ( Ock-Bok-Boe, 1981 ).
The Throbbers : ” Dear One ”
Dee – fuckin’ – troit. That footage of Iggy in those gold pants. God !
Both sides of this fun calypso number, which I’ve glued together for you ( Aladdin Records, 1956 ).
Aggie Dukes : ” Swing Low Sweet Cadillac “
Aggie Dukes : ” Swing Low Sweet Cadillac ” Parts 1 & 2
This is a dumb song. I was not yet 17 when I got this record, and I understood even then that a song written from the perspective of a world-weary 17-year-old who just can’t take it anymore was silly ( and then there’s the drummer, who’s like ” Look ma, I can play Wipeout ! ), and yet, IT ROCKS. Makes me want to put spikes on my jacket and do British stuff ( No Future, 1981 ).
The Partisans : ” 17 Years Of Hell “
The Partisans : ” 17 Years Of Hell ”
A vintage gummed-back paper label I found, which I think is from some sort of toy.
A Detroit band of the late 70s – early 80s that featured Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton and MC5 bassist Michael Davis ( Cherry Red, 1978 ).
Destroy All Monsters : ” Bored “
Destroy All Monsters : ” Bored ”
