AFRTS (Various Artists) - 'The Simple Gifts' (1972)

This is a really, really weird and unsettling recording. It's some kind of PTSD coping exercise, and I'm pretty sure it's the only record ever released by the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services. 

Not sure if it's actual veterans on the album, but it's mostly extremely harrowing spoken word pieces set to sometimes restrained, sometimes atonal orchestral music. 

Tracklist:

1. The Sea

2. I Am a Number

3. His Childish Face Grown Old Too Soon

4. Look to This Day

5. I Pity the Drunk

6. Who Has Woe?

7. Good Old Days

8. The Committee

9. The Door

10. Words... Words... Words

11. Show Me My Door

12. Beggars on Church Steps

13. Hearts Unlovely and Unloved

14. Don't Be Angry

15. Who is Man?

16. Simple Gift 

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Reader submission: Avant-garde strangeness from the deep web

Got another reader submission the other day, this time from someone who found me on the RateYourMusic website. He sent me a few albums, and a link to his weekly podcast.

He goes by the name of Tunnel Rat, and his music is somewhere in between bizarro Jandek outsider improv and the early chaotic releases of Beck. I'm actually not sure where he's based, but he's had records put out by labels from Florida and Canada. The one on Panama City's Fork and Spoon Records, called Rothko, features free form improvisation on bass, and some very strange spoken word sections. There are also some field recordings and odd samples, giving it a definite vibe of 'bedroom music.'

It's a very short affair, with the longest track being just over three minutes. Despite the amateurish recording quality, Tunnel Rat sounds pretty proficient on the bass, and some of this stuff reminds me of 60's avant-garde jazz. The poetry set to it gives the whole thing a completely different feel, though.

The other release I was sent, which is titled Hide The Syrup Spacemen, is even more avant-garde and strange. This was the one that reminded me of Beck's early sound experiments. Odd in-jokes are combined with distant-sounding field recordings and some spastic mandolin playing. I don't know what to make of it all, but if you were a fan of the Obscuro! radio program, you'll definitely be into this.

His internet podcast is sort of a discussion on experimental and spoken-word music, but it also touches on conspiracy theories, current news events and the benefits of the RateYourMusic website. It's every bit as strange as you'd think it is from hearing the music.

Thanks for the submission, Tunnel Rat, and to everyone else, keep 'em coming!

Little Stevie McCabe - 'Sweat it Out'

Been a bit. So, here's some more music from the darkest depths of my collection...

I really don't know too much about this one, other than it's fairly bizarre. The download I snagged was from the long-gone (but awesome) Decrepit Tapes blog, and that link is no longer functioning. It apparently comes from 1986. This guy (Little Stevie) has some connection to the lo-fi scene in New Zealand (groups like The Dead C and The 3Ds) and played/plays(??) in a group called Axemen, which is described as 'Half Japanese attempting to play Chrome.'

I haven't heard them, so I can't comment on that, but this album kinda reminds me of Renaldo and the Loaf maybe mixed with a little Half Japanese. Or Ween? I don't know. It's very weird, but not in a 'let's be weird' way...this guy just seems genuinely strange. Some of the songs are pretty catchy, and have an 'old-timey' vibe to them...like maybe he listened to a lot of old swing, jazz and blues while writing this stuff? It also comes off as maybe the home recordings of a teenager, which might be why he adopted the name 'Little Stevie McCabe' for the release (he just goes by Steve McCabe in Axemen.)

Whatever the case, it's some very strange stuff, and it's clearly ALL him...there are no drums for the most part, just out of tune guitars and shaky vocals. I can see similarities between this and some of the weirder New Zealand stuff, like the Tall Dwarfs, but this goes way way way into outsider music territory.

There are a whole shit-ton of songs, too, and most of them are too short to get sick of. Give it a listen if you want to hear something playfully demented.

Little Stevie McCabe - 'Sweat it Out'

Tracklist:

1. Love Feel
2. A Seeker Peeped Into Space
3. Sweat it Out
4. The Place
5. Sea Spray Gets in Your Eyes
6. More
7. Ulterior Locomotive
8. Sparing Partner
9. Take the E-Train
10. Sounds Like...A Drunken Party
11. Your Little Chevrolet
12. Chip On My Shoulder
13. Spring Song
14. Aunty-Anti
15. Clues to a Dream
16. Dirt in the Blood
17. Crazy
18. Life Doesn't Go On
19. We Love Louis
20. Terminal of Love
21. The Call of the Forbidden Sea
22. Noise Must Go On
23. That's Why You're a Human Being
24. Welcome to the Province of Nausea
25. The Way I Walk

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Pine Hill - 'Isolation Album'

Here's another album from the lost days of the Obscuro! radio program.

It seems to only be up a couple places now, so I'm posting it here. Not one of my favorites, but someone will enjoy it I'm sure.

It's very low-key folk-rock with some psychedelic influences, and a very homemade quality to the whole thing. But, it's more like a Guided By Voices record, where the whole thing is cohesive even though it's clearly home demos. The band does come up with some unique studio tricks along the way, like pitch shifted guitars and weirdo percussion.

Some of the tracks are catchy, but most fit the album title, 'Isolation.' It's a very downer album on the whole. I also have no idea what country it comes from, as it does have a lot of British rock influences, but it also feels like it could've been made in the 60's when the release date is '77. A couple of the songs even veer into definite weirdo territory, like 'Insane,' and 'Old Soldiers Never Die.'

Basically, it's perfect for a pleasant drive in the country, somewhere that you can truly experience isolation. I'd be willing to bet these guys holed up in some weird country house to write and record this album. No idea if they did anything afterwards under a different name, either.

Pine Hill - 'Isolation Album'

Tracklist:

1. Apertif
2. Clockwork Apology
3. Priscilla
4. ...Sometimes
5. Roundabout Rosie
6. A Sense of Union
7. Work
8. Hero
9. Personnel
10. Old Soldiers Never Die
11. Beecher Street
12. Insane
13. The Cook's Story
14. Letter From Fiddler's Green

DL

Bobby Brown - Discography

No, not THAT Bobby Brown...

This is a bizarro one-man-band from Hawaii who recorded during the mid-seventies. I don't know why this guy's stuff is slowly disappearing from the internet, because it is quite exceptional. It kind of bridges the (albeit large) gap between spaced-out new age drone and psych-folk, with a lot of laid-back Hawaiian influence as well.

The story goes that this loner surfer-type guy built this giant....instrument?? I guess?? out of whatever he had laying around. So he literally plays all the sounds you're hearing at once, at least on most of the tracks. You can kind of see his gadget on the cover of his first LP, 'The Enlightening Beam of Axonda,' and it looks basically fucked. He and his dog would travel around in an old van wherever the surfing was good, giving impromptu performances of these strange, mellow songs. I've read his voice described as similar to Tim Buckley, which I guess is kind of true.

The first album is very odd, sounding kind of like a gamelan orchestra playing 70's folk rock. The second album, 'Bobby Brown Live,' is not quite so strange, but the story behind it is definitely weird. Supposedly, he was picked to open for Fleetwood Mac (which, to me, sounds like a big deal) and recorded the performance for this album. Brown, however, was unsatisfied with the crowd sounds(!), feeling they distracted from the music, and re-recorded the entire thing in his van AFTER the show. Whatever the case, it doesn't really sound like a 'live' record or anything.

A few years later, he did a much more pop-oriented album called 'Prayers of a One Man Band.' Well...it's HIS interpretation of pop music, which is still pretty odd. It's got a lot of vintage synths and drum machines, and a lot of people seem to feel it's his best release. I dunno about that, but it is very good. The songs are also MUCH shorter, which might appeal to some listeners.

Anyhow, here are all three albums for ya to check out:

Bobby Brown - 'The Enlightening Beam of Axonda'

Tracklist:

1. I Must Be Born
2. My Hawaiian Home
3. Oneness with the Forest
4. Tiny Wind of Shandl

DOWNLOAD

Bobby Brown - 'Bobby Brown Live'

Tracklist:

1. Hawaii
2. In Search of a Dream
3. Let Me on Board
4. My Dog is Every Bit as Good as Me
5. The Waterfall of Love
6. Lonely Boy No More
7. Mother Nature We're Guilty/I Don't Wanna Be No Macho Joe
8. Motherless Child

DOWNLOAD

Bobby Brown - 'Prayers of a One Man Band'

Tracklist:

1. The Boy a Sailor
2. Steamboat Mama
3. Sail On
4. Lady Tennessee
5. Jungle Cowboy
6. Hawaii Nei I'll Miss You
7. The Peaceful Ko 'Olaus
8. My Dog the Outlaw
9. If the Angels Cry
10. Sweet Clean Air
11. I'm Bolieve
12. The Cry of the Wild

DOWNLOAD

Konrad - 'Evil'

For some reason, this damn album seems to follow me wherever I go! When I was still doing the Obscuro! radio program, a few people would CONSTANTLY request the track 'My Girl,' and now I've got a request for the full album to be posted, so I must oblige. It is a great record, I won't deny it. Somewhere between the DIY minimal synth stuff of the 80's and sci-fi acid casualty, Konrad is a one-man-band who cranks out some of the catchiest tunes you'll ever hear about binary code, matrices, and music scientists (whatever those are.) There is also a spot-on parody of The Police that's about...police.

Also, the guy behind this project is QUITE a character. He claims to have both created the idea behind 'The Matrix' films, and to have sold speakers to Celine Dion. I'm not sure if either is true, but here's hoping.

Konrad - 'Evil'

Tracklist:

1. It's Only a Matrix
2. Music Scientist
3. Don't Want No Police
4. Alien
5. Working Man
6. Keep On Playing That Jazz
7. My Girl Likes to Buy
8. The Man of Mystery
9. Blue Sunrise
10. One Way Motorcycle Ride
11. Seems Like One of Those Days
12. DMZ Bolero
13. People

***LINK REMOVED BY REQUEST***
Preorder the re-release here.

Rockin' Rollin' Blues Band - 'Wild and Untamed'

Here's another one of those random private press LP's that seems to have disappeared from the web. From what I can tell, I got it off the Cosmic Hearse blog a while back, which unfortunately looks like it's dead. Shame, cuz that guy posted some insane stuff.

This record isn't 'insane' per se, but it's pretty strange. Probably, it's a snapshot of a local band recorded in some friend's studio, but it still puts the listener into an interesting moment in time. For one thing, this band seems very 'out of touch' with what was going on (it was apparently released in '73.) In an era dominated by hard rock, these guys/gals were cranking out 50's rockabilly-influenced bar jams. But, a few of the members (specifically the guitarist) are clearly influenced by the hard rock/heavy metal of, say, Deep Purple. So, it's an unusual mix. I might go so far as to call a couple of these cuts 'proto-punk.'

Then there are the vocals. To say that they 'aren't very good' doesn't really do them justice. Sure, they aren't 'technically' good, but they are interesting at the very least. There is a guy and girl, who sometimes sing together, but often take different sections of songs. The girl's voice almost has an operatic quality sometimes, and the guy is a little gruff but mostly smooth. Neither sounds like they give too much of a shit. Judging by the cut-up pictures that serve as the album cover, I'd say these are probably some drugged-out bikers.

I'm also factoring the lyrics into this judgement, because they have this kinda backwoods vibe to them...not like they intentionally wanted to conjure this up but that they couldn't help but pull it into their music.

So, maybe that makes this album a little more 'authentic' blues than a lot of other 70's stuff? I dunno. But, if you like sloppy, trashy blues rock like Janis when she was with Big Brother, then you will probably dig this. The guitarist is really good at least, and a couple of their songs are pretty catchy.

No track names, sorry, apparently they were lost in time.

Rockin' Rollin' Blues Band - 'Wild and Untamed'

DL

Lewis - 'L'Amour'

This is one of those private press LP's that mostly got re-discovered because of its silly cover. But, that cover, coupled with the strange music within, makes this guy seem almost like a David Lynch character.

The music is fairly subdued...mostly acoustic guitars and odd synthesizers, with Lewis' deep voice overlaid. Someone on RateYourMusic has described it as 'Jandek covering the 'Twin Peaks' theme,' which isn't far off the mark. It's very mellow, but also kind of creepy...slightly amateurish, but also fully realized, which is unique for a vanity release.

I don't really know much else to say about it...it's not entirely 'my thing,' but it's also very unique and interesting to my ears. Maybe you will like it.

Lewis - 'L'Amour'

Tracklist:

1. I Thought the World of You
2. Cool Night in Paris
3. My Whole Life
4. Even Rainbows Turn Blue
5. Like to See You Again
6. Things Just Happen That Way
7. Summer's Moon
8. Let's Fall in Love Tonight
9. Love Showered Me
10. Romance for You

DL

MC Trachiotomy - '...w/Love from Tahiti'

This might be the most insane rap album you ever hear. I'm using the term 'rap' very loosely as well, by the way...there isn't much here that resembles traditional rapping, sampling, or even music.

So, let me at least TRY to describe it in terms that Trach would likely appreciate. Imagine one of those old, cassette-dubbed rap albums that sounds like garbage, and was put together by people who didn't know what they were doing. Samples are chopped up incorrectly, don't line up on time, and the beats are mixed all wack. Then, imagine that the guy doing all this mixed a little too much LSD in with his regular cough syrup and weed, causing him to spit 'verses' that are almost anti-rap. Sometimes he's just grunting, sometimes he's 'crooning' on beat, and every once in a while he spits some fire, but it's almost always buried in distortion and his heavy New Orleans accent.

That should give you some semblance of the tuneage here. It's literally like nothing else. And, considering the dude is a surrealist prankster who has some connection to the Butthole Surfers, it's pretty obvious that this is all intentional.

Some of it is genuinely creepy, while other stuff will just boggle your mind (i.e. a deranged race car sketch set to a lurching sample.) And, of course, some of it is just dope, head-nodding Nawlins rap. DEFINITELY check this stuff out if you thought rap only started getting weird in the last few years.

MC Trachiotomy - '...w/Love from Tahiti'

Tracklist:

1. EKG
2. Form of Gardenias
3. Now Thatcha Droolin'
4. Along Th' Coast
5. South Pacific Weenie Roast
6. Midway Dining
7. Drop Th' Kids Off at the Pool
8. Long to Hold You
9. Bareboat Blessing
10. Stay Awake
11. Fix You Martini
12. Valentine (Instrumental)
13. Palpitations (ft. Bisquittino)
14. S.S. Ssumpn' Sseet
15. Can You Feel It
16. Angle Dust
17. Discover It
18. You're on the Phone
19. Where You Gonna Go
20. Last Thing I Ever Heard (I Never Saw It)

DL

Dennis Weise - 'Valhalla'

Here's another album that seems to have disappeared from the face of the internet. I think I probably got it off the Mutant Sounds blog back in the day (credit where credit's due) but obviously that link is long-gone. So, here ya go.

This is really fucking strange stuff. The first time I heard it, I assumed it was some obscure library release, because it's pretty heavy on the analog synths and soundtrack vibes. But, it's apparently not that...it's a private press release that is intended to be an 'album.' More or less, it's almost like an outsider music version of Faust or something. This guy clearly digs krautrock but the musicianship is amateurish. Songs go nowhere, and often do about-faces for no particular reason.

When it's good, though (as on 'Alien Rock') it is VERY good. A must hear for all fans of 70's private press weirdness, the Residents, or library music. Also, the track subtitled '93rd Current' would seem to indicate that Weise is either a fan of Aleister Crowley, or he has some connection to the group Current 93 (who weren't formed til '82...about 4 years after this record came out)

Dennis Weise - 'Valhalla'

Tracklist:

1. Machine Time Ship
2. Y M Alim-Kader
3. Breathe the Form
4. Alien Rock
5. Hedonic Rapture
6. The Big Apple Mystery
7. The Return of the Akpallus Mutants (Part A)
8. The Return of the Akpallus Mutants (Part B) - 93rd Current
9. Valhalla

DL

Starship Commander Wooooo Wooooo - 'Mastership'

Wow, so many posts today! Here's some insane synth-funk. You might've heard this guy on the awesome 'Personal Space' compilation put out a couple years back by Chocolate Industries. Basically, it's a collection of private press outsider-funk made on old school synths. Most of the artists only put out a single or two, but Mr. Commander had a whole album of this stuff. Don't even remember where I found this one, otherwise I'd pay respect, but suffice to say I can't seem to locate a link to it anywhere. Reminds me of Prince a bit, but if you took all of Prince's most wacked-out tracks and put them on one disc. Or something.

Starship Commander Wooooo Wooooo - 'Mastership'

Tracklist:

1. Get Funky
2. Laugh and Dance
3. Master Ship
4. Hello Hollywood
5. Angie
6. Visions of You
7. Jam on Today

DL

More Jim Shepard by request...

After getting a couple more requests, here are a few more things from Jim Shepard and his V-3 project.

First up, Shepard's so-called 'suicide note' and final album before his death, 'Motorcycle Movie.' This one's kinda hard to listen to in parts knowing that he went and hung himself probably right after recording something, but it's also got some really rockin' stuff and a few totally hilarious moments. If you dig the V-3 'Next Album' bootleg but haven't heard this one yet, check it out, because it's very similar although a little more abstract. Listen to Shepard's message on 'Burn Forward' and play the whole damn thing.

Jim Shepard - 'Motorcycle Movie'

Tracklist:

1. Birthplace of Aviation
2. Pleasure
3. Burn Forward
4. Bigger Than Sony
5. Interstate/End
6. Some Drink to Remember
7. P.K.D. Entombed
8. Imagine This...
9. For Sharon Tate...(Wherever You Are)
10. Telegraph Hill
11. What a Piece of Work...
12. Heavy Action
13. Cruel Universe

DL

Next, one of the best V-3 releases, although not QUITE as amazing as 'Photograph Burns.' I don't really know if it's a collection of EPs and random shit, but it kinda has that feel to it. Although, it definitely feels like an album in the 'Sebadoh' kinda sense. Whatever the case, it's got some of my favorite tracks on it, including 'Son of Sam Donaldson' and the awesome punk jam 'Your Girlfriend.' Probably the best version of 'Hall of Molds,' too. The sound quality is pretty lo-fi, but not as bad as the 'Pimping in the 90's' stuff. I'd check this one out next if you've only heard 'Photograph Burns.'

V-3 - 'Negotiate Nothing'

Tracklist:

1. Scrap Metal Radio
2. Adam Twelve
3. Girl in a Room
4. Negotiate Nothing
5. Forever Low Man
6. Harry
7. Party at 15th and Summit
8. Super Hero Meltdown
9. Your Uncle
10. Philadelphia E.X.P.
11. Caution!
12. Arrival/Departure
13. My Neighborhood
14. Trouble
15. Your Girlfriend
16. Zapped Like a Bolt
17. Piranhas in the Bathtub
18. In the Hall of Molds
19. Whip That Thing
20. Certain Foods
21. Son of Sam Donaldson

DL

Jim Shepard - 'Picking Through the Wreckage with a Stick'

Just in time for Halloween, here's the creepiest release by Columbus, OH's legendary Jim Shepard. I'm doing this one by request because a reader was unable to find it anywhere else, but it's also really cool and one of my favorites from this dude. Normally, I like his more 'song'-based music better, but this is by far the best of his weird experimental stuff. I know he took a hiatus from making music when he fucked his hand up working at a factory, but I think some of this stuff might be recordings from that time period...I guess I'm basing this on songs with titles like 'Guitar Solo with Right Hand Attached.' Anyhow. Njoi. Oh yeah, as a bonus, you get two clean edits I made for playing on radio because I was too lazy to take them out of the zip file.

Jim Shepard - 'Picking Through the Wreckage with a Stick'

Tracklist:

1. Exile on Brown Street
2. Treena's Strobe Light Party
3. Dali's Lair (Excerpt)
4. Quotients and Numbers
5. Bingle Bangle
6. Dusted
7. A Streetcar Named Depression
8. I Owe You Nothing
9. Space is Deep
10. U.F.O.logy
11. Guitar Solo with Right Hand Attached
12. Too Personal
13. Table for 2, Big Ashtray
14. Pull the Switch, Henry
15. I Thought I'd Seen Everything
16. Peter Tork
17. El Fukko
18. Fat John
19. Your Uncle is Dead
20. Wreckage

DOWNLOAD

Outsider music mega-post

Hey yallllll,

So, I stumbled upon a treasure-trove of outsider music and private press albums I've been trying to find for quite some time. The only problem is, it's on Youtube. So, instead of gradually converting the videos into mp3's and posting albums here, I'm going to let YOU sort through this collection and find what you like. I have no idea who this guy is, but these all claim to be ripped directly from original vinyl, which means homeboy has A LOT of expendable cash. Some of these things go for like 2 grand or something. You've probably heard stuff like Lucia Pamela and Jerry Rayson, but the fact that this guy HAS these records is pretty ridiculous. But, there's also stuff you can't find anywhere else (as far as I know) like Justen O'Brien and Jake, Steve Drake Band, Mistress Mary, and a whole slew of oddball religious albums. Anyhow, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/9711886/videos

Obscuro! podcasts for all you podcats

A few more of these for your listening pleasure...

Episode 75 - 7-16-10

Obscuro 7-16-10 by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

People Band - '1968' Part II
Sun City Girls - Dreamland
Tom Wilson - Lesbian Seagull
Silver Apples - Water
The Fuckin' Flyin' A-Heads - Swiss Cheese Back
Hot Poop - My Baby's Dead
Grant Moros - Death be the Penalty
Michael Yonkers - Goodby Sunball
Rockin' Rollin' Blues Band - Untitled Track 2
Withuser and Westrupp - Nimm Doch Einen Joint, Mein Freund
Kim Fowley, Jr. - Bad News from the Underworld
Vertical Slit - Fair Exchange
Blacklight Braille - Side 1 (Excerpt)
Mike Rep and the Quotas - H.M. My Mind
Scissor Shock - Bring Back the Guillotine
Former Fetus - I'm a Mom
Tool Shed - Variations on Cannabis
Sensational - Hi-Tech Issue
Eddie Callahan - Judge Me
Peter Grudzien - Holding Court
Secret Metal - The Cop
Jim Shepard - A Streetcar Named Depression

Episode 76 - 7-23-10 1980's KID METAL

Obscuro 7-23-10 1980's Kid Metal by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

Bob Thompson and Doug Snyder - Teenage Emergency
Pink Babycats - The Hunting
Mix Music - Let's Go
Boyhunters - Boys
Galaxy - se pa mig
Tom Nehls - Clean Air, the Underwater Symphony
South Side Senior High School Choir - Happy Mother's Day
Vertical Slit - New Thrill
Dane Sturgeon - Ghost of Bardley Road
These Trails - Garden Botanum
C.A. Quintet - Trip thru Hell (Part I)
Jimi LaLumia and the Psychotic Frogs - You'll Never Walk Again
Megatrip - Megatrip Outro
Bobby Brown - Jungle Cowboy
Chandra - Kate
Gene Marshall - Richard Nixon in '76
Jim Shepard - Untitled Track 4
Wicked Witch - Electric War (Vocal Version)
Joe Peace - Reflections I See
MC Trachiotomy - Ma Baby
Palmer Rockey - Smile Pretty Baby
John Ashcroft - Let the Eagle Soar
Mark Tucker - Everywhere with Sally (Ride)
Master Wilburn Burchette - Godhead
Noah - Brain Suck/Goodbye Earth

Episode 77 - 7-30-10

Obscuro 7-30-10 by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

Drunks with Guns - I Got the Gun
Georgie Leonard - The Clown
Sun City Girls - Burial in the Sky
Konrad - My Girl
Cincinnati Joe and Mad Lydia - Jesus is Our Color Man
Cincinnati Joe and Mad Lydia - Love Spider
Vyto B - Tanya
The Godz - Permanent Green Light
Happy Dragon Band - Disco American
Red Krayola - Pink Stainless Tail
Old Lady Drivers - Bathrooms Rule
Vertical Slit - The Starlight Investor
Michael Hurley - Werewolf Song
Arcesia - White Panther
Essra Mohawk - I Have Been Here Before
Pat Morris - We're Diabetic
Chico Magnetic Band - Explosion
Comus - The Prisoner
Kenneth Higney - Rock Star
The Kids of Widney High - New Car
Michael James - You Don't Walk on My Street
Silver Apples - You and Me
Mij - Planet of a Flower
Residents - The Shoe Salesman
Christian Yoga Church - Untitled Track 5

Films 12 - another helping of summer mindmelt cinema

Well, it's pretty much the hottest part of the summer, so here are some more movie reviews to watch in an air-conditioned room. Or you know, a cabin in the woods that's 'off the grid,' whatever the hell your setup is. Enjoy.

'Roller Blade' - 1986

Here's another example of a film failing on so many levels that it becomes a surreal kind of masterpiece. It's also one of many, many films that aped 'Mad Max' in the mid-80's. Apparently EVERYONE thought the future would be a desolate, nuclear-damaged desert with roving bands of freaks. Huh. Well, this time around, everybody's on roller skates. Not blades, mind you, because that would make sense. There ARE a lot of switchblades, but whatever. Basically, some nuns get their power crystal stolen by the bad guys, and they skate around trying to get it back. But, there's so much more than that. This is prime 1980's trash-culture surrealism at its finest. NOTHING in the film makes sense, and it almost reaches 'Samurai Cop' levels of greatness. The best part is actually not really related to the film. The director, Donald Jackson, along with martial arts master/writer/director/actor Scott Shaw, made about 60 movies using their 'zen' technique of filmmaking, which means they don't use a script. Yes, that's right. So, you've got b-list action celebrities like Frank Stallone improvising ridiculous action and sci fi movies with a handheld camera. I CANNOT recommend their stuff enough. Unfortunately, you have to pay for it, but it's worth it. (Scroll down till you start seeing titles like 'Max Hell, Frog Warrior') They've also done about seven post-apocalyptic rollerskating films, NONE of which was a real 'sequel' to this one.

'Evil in the Woods' - 1986

Apparently 1986 was a GREAT year for cinema. This one honestly has more subplots than a Paul Thomas Anderson flick. I dunno what the deal is, but shit seems pretty homemade. It's also 'knowingly' bad. I say 'knowingly' because there are a lot of 'jokes' about what's going on in the film, but the 'jokes' aren't 'funny,' meaning it's supposed to be knowingly bad but it's actually even stupider than it thinks it is. Or something like that. It was entertaining, though, and any film where the narration is a little kid reading stories in a book is usually good for a laugh. Especially when the directors forget to use that narration more than like, 2 times, making it irrelevant. A real 'what the fuck' experience.

'Max Hell Frog Warrior' - 2002

Again, it ain't free, but 2 bucks isn't a bad price to stream some of the greatest improv-sci-fi flicks ever made. I forgot to mention that Donald Jackson of 'Roller Blade' fame ALSO did the cult classic 'Hell Comes to Frogtown' before goin' off the deep end and doing the 'zen filmmaking' thing with Scott Shaw. Needless to say, he and Shaw did about 50 frog-mutant-related movies too. This one 'follows' a flick called 'Toad Warrior' (interesting acknowledgement of the 'Mad Max vibes these dudes put off) but I don't think it's really necessary that you watch them in order. It's just barely an hour long too, so there's that. It was pretty silly, but I'd probably watch it again. Unfortunately, Amazon isn't carrying what looks to be the best Scott Shaw film, 'Rock 'N Roll Cops.' They also don't have the Sun City Girls-scored 'Guns of El Chupacabra,' How he came to work with them is beyond me, but it's awesome nonetheless.

'The Executioner 2' - 1984

Ah, the 80's. Nowadays people pretty much watch whatever the advertisers cram down their throats, but back then, you had to TRICK somebody into watching your crappy film. Whereas a company like Troma made ridiculously unrelated posters which made their sub-basement productions look like goddamn 'Animal House,' some shadier producers would just lie outright. See, there IS no 'Executioner.' There is, however, a 'Terminator' and an 'Exterminator,' and one can only guess that these folks wanted to draw in the mostly-illiterate crowd. I mean, I GUESS that's legit. If you're too stupid to read a movie box, you probably deserve to see films like this. It's actually quite entertaining, too. Kind of like 'Rambo' on PCP or something. It's a crazy Vietnam veteran taking the law into his own hands in over-the-top violent ways, so yeah, a lot like 'Rambo.' But better, and definitely crazier. Worth your time, I'd say.

Bizarro Jerry's Trash Radio, Vol. 18

More vocal effects weirdness, and more fucked-up music of all kinds. Possibly one of the top-5 episodes of the program so far.

Bizarro Jerry's Trash Radio, Vol. 18 by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

More classic Obscuro! podcasts...

Okay, I'm gonna try to power through these so I don't have to think about it anymore, because I am extremely OCD. The good news is, I'm in the final stretch of Obscuro! podcasts. Although that might be bad news for you. The bad news for ME is that, then I have to download and archive all the Forte episodes I did. Maybe. Probably not. We'll see. Anyhow...

Episode 71 - 6-11-10 LONG JAMS

Obscuro 6-11-10 Long Jams by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

James Ferraro - My Parents Think I'm Turning into a Cockroach
The New Creation - Wind
Megatrip - Song for Syd
Robbie the Werewolf - Drums and Guns
Lula Cortes - Calming Ballad
Vertical Slit - Canyon Girl
Jerry Rayson - Yo Soy de Mi Patria
Edgar Broughton Band - The Moth
Slava Ranko - No Brain
Bill Bissett and the Mandan Massacre - Files in th Tempul
Joseph - I Ain't Fattenin' No More Frogs for Snakes
Rustic Hinge - Mastodon
The Oracle - The Awakening
Sexton Ming - You Can't Polish a Turd
Otto Muehl - Klavierkonzert K
Siloah - Krishna's Golden Dope Shop
Mind Pollution - Litterboxmind
Sound Ceremony - Virgins Do
Robert Martin - Long Goodbye
Pine Hill - Insane

Episode 72 - 6-18-10 WACKOS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Obscuro 6-18-10 Wackos Speak Louder Than Words by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

Harvester - Kristallen den Fina
Jandek - Lavender
Fred Frith - What a Dilemma
Emil Richards and the Microtonal Blues Band - Maharimba
Ya Ho Wa 13 - Ho
Dennis Weise - The Return of the Akpallus Mutants (Pt. B) - 93rd Current
Joe Meek and the Blue Men - Orbit Around the Moon
Zu - Axion
Slava Ranko - Twin God Babies
Unknown Thai Orchestra - Unknown #8
Partli Cloudi - Tantum
Sun City Girls - Sangkala Suite
Alan Watts - Metamatic Ritual
Aphex Twin - Windowlicker
Bob Bell - Necropolis (Part 4)
Stu Phillips - Biker Ballet
Vermonster - Stoned Guitar (Section)
Henry Flynt - Leather High in E
Lucifer - Incubus

NOTE: As the title indicates, this podcast features all instrumental weirdness.

Episode 73 - 7-2-10 THIS IS MY PRIVATE LIFE PT. II

Obscuro 7-9-10 This is My Private Life Pt. II by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

Stephen David Heitkotter - I Don't Mind
Gary Wilson - Cindy
Eddy Detroit - Beelzebub
Robert Gilligan - In a Dark Room
Touchstone - Feel You in My Bones
Circuit Rider - Forever Angel's Proud
Countryside Unitarian Fellowship - Goin' to Bethlehem
Nicodemus and Matchez - I Am Not Happy
The Patron Saints - Do You Think About Me?
Dave Bixby - Drug Song
Ray Harlowe and Gyp Fox - Be Away
Little Howlin' Wolf - Stranger Mon
Mark Tucker - Sideways Love Forever
Vermonster - Rainbow Sound for Humans
Virgin Insanity - In the Eyes
Bobb Trimble - Paralyzed
Cosmic Michael - Cosmic Michael Theme
Bobby Brown - Let Me on Board
Bob Harrison - What's Wrong with You
Vyto B - Rocket Park
Twilight Nuages - Find My Dream Come True
Jerry Solomon - Yob Elttil a Mi
Simon Finn - Jerusalem
Abner Jay - The Backbone of America is a Mule and Cotton

NOTE: A sequel to the first collection of private press gems.

Episode 74 - 7-9-10 THE WOMEN OF OBSCURO

Obscuro 7-9-10 The Women of Obscuro by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

Pain Teens - Tar Pit
The Sun Also Rises - Taste of Jesamine and Suicide
Trangela Tricoli - Jet Lady
Edie and the Eggs - Big Girls Don't Cry
Coven - Coven in Charing Cross
Lucia Pamela - Blue Wind
Destroy All Monsters - You're Gonna Die
Joy Allan-Wisher - Nut Pumpkin
Thorr's Hammer - Norge
Sandy Hurvitz - Arch Godliness of Purplefull Magic
Jandek (ft. Unknown Female Vocalist) - Go to Bed
The Space Lady - Major Tom
Thrash Queen - God Save the Queen
Erica Pomerance - Koanisphere
The Shaggs - That Little Sports Car
Yma Sumac - Chuncho
Dandelions - The Children of Sunshine
Rita Lee - Sucesso, aqui vou eu
Jan Terri - Keep on Knockin'
Ruth White - The Litanies of Satan
Art Bears - Three Figures
Leona Anderson - Habanera from 'Carmen'
Silmaril - Song of the Apocalypse
The Android Sisters - Ray-Dee-Oh
Katie Lee - Shrinker Man
ESG - Come Away

NOTE: Proving that women can be just as weird as men, here's an all-female edition of the show. Or at least, all-female vocalists...although a good number of the bands are female-only.

Classic Obscuro podcasts, cont'd

Was bored at work, so here's 3 more from the Obscuro! podcast archives...

Episode 68 - 5-21-10 RANDY HOLDEN - 'POPULATION II'

Obscuro 5-21-10 featuring Randy Holden's 'Population II' by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

V-3 - My Neighborhood
The Frogs - Get Yourself a Man (If You're a Man)
Fred Frith - Come Across
Sensational - Tearin' it Up
Wild Man Fischer - The Rocket Rock
Hampton Grease Band - Evans
Gleneil - Cheepy Chappy and Ito
Beautiful Losers - Nobody Knows the Heaven
Doronco Gumo - Umi
Bitter Blood Street Theater - Snake and Cave
Robert Alberg - San Storms
Jandek - Crazy
Randy Holden - Guitar Song
Randy Holden - Fruit and Iceburgs
Randy Holden - Between Time
Randy Holden - Fruit and Iceburgs (Conclusion)
Randy Holden - Blue My Mind
Randy Holden - Keeper of My Flame
Axis of Awesome - Four Chords
Anal Magic and the Reverend Dwight Frizzell - Family, Birth of Helio and Selene
Rangda - Bull Lord
Bob Bell - Necropolis, Part 3
Doris Norton - A.D.A. Converter

Episode 69 - 5-28-10 HARRY PERRY - 'GREATEST HITS OF THE MILLENNIUM'

Obscuro 5-28-10 featuring Harry Perry's 'Greatest Hits of the Millennium' by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

Pekka Airaksinen - Ratnasikhin
Cold Sun - South Texas
Brian Wilson - Too Much Sugar
Carles Santos - Conversa
Soggy - I Feel on Top of the World
The Protomen - Unrest in the House of Light
Hasil Adkins - She Said
Kit Ream - Memories
Jem Targal - Bumble Bee Drive
Arcesia - Mechanical Doll
Buddy Max - The Birthmark Story
Caninus - Fear of Dog (Religious Myths)
Harry Perry - Heads of Skin
Harry Perry - Invaders
Harry Perry - Nam Myoho Revenger KYO
Harry Perry - World of Freaks
Harry Perry - Out of Control
Harry Perry - Message
Harry Perry - Man on Mars
Harry Perry - Zoo Man
Harry Perry - How Soon is Now
Harry Perry - Zoo Man (Reprise)
Y. Bhekhirst - Rain in Summer
Rick Mason and Rare Feelings - I Dream of Love
(Unknown Artist) - To Kill a Mockingbird Extra Credit Song

Episode 70 - 6-4-10 BACK TO REGULAR FORMAT

Obscuro 6-4-10 by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud

Tracklist:

MC Trachiotomy - Angel Dust
Paul Super Apple - The Chance
Nova Billy - Portrait
Sun City Girls - Esta Susan en Casa?
Sun City Girls - Dead Chick in the River
Kaplan Brothers - Eleanor Rigby
Mystic Minds - It's Real
Sunburned Hand of the Man - No Magic Man
Stradivarius - Walking in the Bach's World
Run DMT - Money
Chrome - My Time to Live
Congresswoman Malinda Jackson Parker - Cousin Mosquito #1
Cromagnon - First World of Bronze
Zero-D - Klingon Rock
Howard Finster - Boil Dem Cabbage Down
Jandek - European Jewel II
Crispin Hellion Glover - These Boots are Made for Walking
Art Bears - The Slave
Carnivorous Birds - Acid Squirtgun
Residents - N-er-gee (Crisis Blues)
Mu - Blue Form
Rockin' Rollin' Blues Band - (Untitled Track 10)

Bizarro Jerry's Trash Radio, Vol. 17

Alriiiiigggght, another week without Jake means another episode of the beloved Trash Radio. Brought my vocal effects again, with some interesting results. The mix is more schizophrenic...less heavy on hip hop and funk and more of the general weirdness y'all folks seem to like.

ENJOY, as the next podcast is back to the same ol' same ol'.

Bizarro Jerry's Trash Radio, Vol. 17 by Bizarrojerry on Mixcloud