2016 – Page 2 – Green and Black Music

WE’RE A HAPPY FAMILY: THE CRETINS OF THE RAMONES

August 30, 2016August 31, 2016 Green and Black Musiccretin hop, Gabba Gabba Hey, Heidi is a Headcase, Judy is a Punk, Pinhead, Riff Randell, Rock and Roll High School, Spider Man, Suzy is a Headbanger, The Ramones0 comment

Right out of the gate The Ramones had the best lyrics. Their first album contained songs of sniffing glue, chainsaw wielding maniacs, and tales of beating brats with baseball bats. It also ushered in the first of many colorful characters. This list celebrates the most beloved cretins in the vast Ramones universe. JUDY IS A PUNK Jackie and Judy are a lovable pair of punks with a thirst for adventure. For reasons unknown, they ran away to Berlin and joined the Ice Capades. The lyrics offer little in the way…

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LEGACY OF BRUTALITY: THE MISFITS AND THE CRIMSON GHOST

August 20, 2016July 17, 2019 Green and Black MusicCrimson Ghost, Fiend Skull0 comment

The Crimson Ghost or the Fiend Skull. Call him what you will, the fiendish ghoul has been the face of The Misfits for decades. With the “original” Misfits reunion upon us, the time is right to revisit the legacy of this iconic mascot. The Crimson Ghost first found life in the 1940’s. Starring in a serialized film, the masked villain went to murderous lengths in his attempts to steal an invention dubbed Cyclotrode X. Capable of deflecting atomic rays, the machine would be invaluable in preventing an atomic attack during…

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NOT OF THIS WORLD: THE DANZIG SKULL AND THE SAGA OF CRYSTAR

August 17, 2016July 18, 2019 Green and Black MusicCrystar, Danzig Skull, Michael Golden, Samhain Skull6 Comments

The artwork of the first Danzig record was perfect. A white skull occupied both panels of black gatefold. All was secondary to the skull. No track list was present. Even the actual logo was pushed to the bottom corner. Visually stimulating, the skull boldly ushered in the next chapter of Glenn Danzig’s storied career. Of course Glenn was using the skull long before his eponymous debut. It was unveiled with the birthing of Samhain. Unlike the Crimson Ghost, this new creation was not taken from Hollywood. It had no immediately…

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UNITED FORCES: METAL COVERS PUNK

August 8, 2016May 20, 2019 Green and Black Music0 comment

It didn’t take long for metal and punk to influence each other. Crossover bands like D.R.I. and Suicidal Tendencies embraced both genres. Even strictly METAL bands had punk influences. What follows are just a few examples of what happens when METAL COVERS PUNK! SAINT VITUS – THIRSTY AND MISERABLE No band was better prepared to cover Black Flag than Saint Vitus. Spot produced their early records and Dez Candena sang backup on their namesake song. A proud SST band, Black Flag is in the Vitus DNA. Saint Vitus transform “Thirsty…

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PUNKS COVERING PUNKS

July 30, 2016May 27, 2020 Green and Black Musicmisfits rise above0 comment

In the past, this blog has written about punk bands covering pop hits. Many interpretations were ironic, but others were genuine. No matter the intent, these covers were always fun! http://greenandblackmusic.com/2016/05/08/10-punk-rock-cover-songs/ Punk bands don’t ALWAYS look outside the genre for inspiration. It’s equally fulfilling to cover other punk bands. What follows are just a few examples of PUNKS COVERING PUNKS. CIRCLE JERKS – WASTED Keith Morris didn’t last very long in Black Flag. The tireless work ethic of Greg Ginn is the stuff of legend. Morris soon left the band…

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SARGENT D AND THE S.O.D. – STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH

July 21, 2016August 19, 2016 Green and Black MusicBigger Than the Devil, Billy Milano, Charlie Benante, Dan Lilker, Live at Budokan, s.o.d., Sargent D, Scott Ian, Speak English or Die, Stormtroopers of Death0 comment

The year was 1985. Anthrax was in the midst of recording Spreading the Disease and Scott Ian sat bored in the studio. With guitar tracking complete, Ian began drawing cartoons. From these doodles, the world’s most wretched pile of hate-mongering filth was born. Dubbed Sargent D, this fascist villain began his ascent to world domination. A living skull in an army helmet, Sargent D puffed on a cigar as he spewed words of hatred. Phrases like, “I’m not prejudice, I hate everyone equally” and “Don’t smoke, I’ll rip your lungs…

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Lou Reed’s 1974 Australian Press Conference

July 8, 2016October 20, 2017 Green and Black Music0 comment

By 1974, Lou Reed had firmly established himself as a solo artist. Sure, he had not disconnected completely from the past. The live record, Rock and Roll Animal, featured mostly Velvet Underground songs. Yet, the subsequent studio effort, Sally Can’t Dance, held the distinction of being the first Reed album not to feature a Velvet Underground track. The success of Transformer and brilliance of Berlin proved Reed could escape the shadow of his past. Still, wherever he traveled, his reputation preceded him. Lou Reed’s Australian press conference is nothing short of…

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Loser: Beck Interviewed by Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore – MTV 120 Minutes – 1994

July 6, 2016October 20, 2017 Green and Black Music0 comment

In 1994, Beck was thrust into the limelight on the strength of his first hit, “Loser.” The eye-catching video was tailor made for MTV and the network responded by keeping the song in heavy rotation. It was only natural to feature this visually minded musician on the alternative rock showcase, 120 Minutes. A two-hour block dedicated to the cooler side of rock and roll, the show was a perfect forum to introduce Beck to serious rock fans. Even better, Beck was to be interviewed by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth.…

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Ace Frehley and Kiss: The Tom Snyder Interview – Halloween 1979

June 26, 2016October 20, 2017 Green and Black Musicace frehley drunk3 Comments

On Halloween night in 1979, Kiss appeared on the nationally syndicated The Tomorrow Show. Almost immediately, a clearly inebriated Ace Frehley stole the show. Reacting to Tom Snyder’s assertion that Gene Simmons played the “bass” guitar, Ace jokes that he is the “trout player” before schooling his amused host on the proper pronunciation of Gene’s instrument. One can’t help but be taken by Frehley’s laugh. Ace is at once revealed as a jokester who saw the humor in a grown man dressing like a space alien. He couldn’t help but…

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The Mascots of Metal

May 26, 2016September 18, 2017 Green and Black Musicchaly, eddie, not man, rush starman, snaggletooth0 comment

When bands adopt an official mascot, the concept takes on a life of it’s own. The consistent presence of metal’s assorted creatures keeps the genre fun. The following list celebrates ten of the most beloved mascots in metal. VIC RATTLEHEAD Vic Rattlehead was the skeletal representative of Megadeth right from the start. Not only does Vic appear on the cover of Megadeth’s debut, but he was also immortalized with song. “Skull Beneath the Skin” recounts the creation of this metal icon. Prepare the patient’s scalp to peel away Metal…