Vinyl Theatre

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant

 

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant ahhhh what a band. Japanese rock/protopunk gods. In their native country they were treated like royalty and with just cause. The quartet formed in college out of friendship and their love of unique and interesting rock music like the Roosters. Their first self issued album was met with massive success and they were later signed to Alive Records by Patrick Boissel. With Alive Records they released their first genuine label LP entitled Wonder Style which solidified them for ever as the rock and roll gods of Asia. They even managed to garner (albeit small) attention in the USA.

Their fan base was extremely loyal and their live shows were electric and brought the sheer ferocity and intrigue of rock and roll to a country otherwise content with weird seizure inducing cartoon jingles. Dressed frequently like members of the Japanese Yakuza Thee Michelle Gun Elephant would don all black suits,thin white ties, and sun glasses.

I remember seeing Hi Standard years ago when they finally broke on the infamous "FAT" label with some friends. I also remember myself and friend Mike Mudry yelling constantly at the top of our lungs "Are you Shonen Knife?" (Shonen Knife being an all female Japanese pop band and consequently Hi Standard's album was named "We're not Shonen Knife"). That was my first true introduction to Japanese rockers. The beauty of music is that it breaks down barriers and transcends countries and their laws. Its my simple belief that art, music, the written word and the like are worth more than any currency. If fact they are the true currency of the human heart and condition whether we admit it or not. Thee Michelle Gun Elephant is a great example of how far the hand of creativity can reach.

 

The TMGE (as they are sometimes known) got their name during an early demo recording session when a friend could not pronounce the Damned song Machine Gun Etiquette. Their later LP Gear Blues (pictured above) is a sterling example of their look and sound. With the vocals of their songs in Japanese 98% of the time it's hard to believe they can reach an English audience but their lead singer Chiba Yusuke entices you with ease and then blows you away with his one of a kind voice.

TMGE records are sadly very hard to come by now and long since deleted. You however will have the fortunate pleasure of hearing them in an upcoming show. So in the words of the great and mighty CHIBA "Rock hard and siyonara baby!"

Feature Albums

Artist - Band of Horses

Albums - Cease to Begin / Everything All the time

Released - October 9th 2007 / March 21 2006

Label - Sub Pop (both Releases)

Band of Horses released their debut album (Everything All the Time) after changing their moniker from "Carissa's Weird" in 2003. After dropping the first name and picking up with "Band of Horses" they were quickly snatched up by the Iconic Seattle indie powerhouse label SUB POP. SUB POP formed in the 80's and were made famous having given fledgling band "Nirvana" their debut. If this isn't enough to give "Band Of Horses" a careful listen, then their follow up sophomore LP "Cease To Begin" should be. SUB POP as a label has put out some of the finest indie music over the 25 some years in existance and has given hope to the discerning listener that good music is still being made.

Ben Bridgewell the lead singer and guitarist has a beautiful and haunting voice which is often compared to the likes of Jim James of "My Morning Jacket". Both the feature albums are equally strong and display powerful songwriting and lyrics. The band has also recently been featured in the wonderfully endearing movie "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist" (Which by the way was a great film and took me right back to my similar high school days of seeing shows with friends. Even right down to my 4 speed Toyota with "The Brain" and portable ghetto CD hook up on the dash, may she rest in peace.)

Both Albums have been critically received with strong reviews which we here at the VT strongly agree with. If you've been looking for something worthwhile and substantial to listen to here's you chance. Expect to hear a track from "Band Of Horses" in a upcoming show.

Feature Album

Artist: Nash the Slash

Album: 7" Single "Dead Man's Curve" B/w Swing Shift (Soixante-Neuf)

Label: Cut Throat

Released: 1980

Supporting musicians: Are you kidding, there's only one Nash the Slash

Facts: Nash the Slash put out his first EP entitled "Bedside Companion" in 1978. The EP featured Nash's unique sound which consisted of electric guitar and his now famous or should we say infamous electric violin. There were no vocals, only eerie melodic music compositions. In 1980 Nash put out his first 7" single featured above. The single had vocals by Nash along with our favourite bandaged musician performing everything else as well. Nash was also a musical guest on the now cult movie "Road Kill", The ultimate classic great Canadian Rock and Roll roadshow film, which also featured the late Joey Ramone, who made a guest appearance near the film's end for a mere $100 and a plain ticket. Nash is a one man show like no other. I have had the great fortune of seeing him perform live at a Halloween show, there is nothing quite like it. It is the only show that I have been to where the musician (in bandages, white suit, black goggles, and white gloves with top hat) walks through the crowd close enough that you could touch him but creepy enough that you don't want to. I am also one of the fortunate few to have seen Nash outside of his bandages and am sworn to secrecy about his true appearance. One of my favourite holidays is Halloween and The Vinyl Theatre is currently in the process of putting together the greatest Halloween show ever, set to air October 30th, just in time for download for the ghastly holiday. So get your fiends and ghouls together for a midnight party. Expect to hear Nash the Slash in the show; you couldn't do one without him...

Feature Album

Artist: Miles Davis
Album: Kind of Blue
Label: Columbia
Released: August 1959
Supporting musicians:
Julian "Cannonball" Adderly -Alto Sax
John Coltrane - Tenor Sax
Wynton Kelly - Piano (only on "Freddie Freeloader")
Bill Evans - Piano on every other track
Paul Chambers - Bass
Jimmy Cobb - Drums

Facts: The album is widely considered to be the crowning achievement for Jazz music and is also considered to be Davis's masterpiece by most. The album is frequently referred to as the one Jazz album listened to by people who don't listen to Jazz. Recorded in only two sessions the musicians were given very little information about the continuity and Davis supplied them with only what he thought they needed, the rest he left up to his belief in the talented musicians he had selected. Apart from being a master trumpet player, Miles was a genius is compiling the musicians for his albums, but this particular collaborative group was stellar and featured such heavy Jazz hitters as Bill Evans and John Coltrane (not to downplay the skill of the others). Jimmy Cobb who is currently the only surviving member of this recording session said he remembers walloping the symbols of his drums in the early opening section of "So What" the albums first track and at first thought he had hit with way to much force. In review later, the effect was perfect. The album features my favourite Miles Davis song "Blue in Green". The album is still as fresh sounding today as it was those forty-nine years ago. If I were to ever compile a list of the 1000 recordings people should listen to before they die "Kind of Blue" would easily make the list.

Feature Album

Band: Pink Floyd

Album: Wish You Were Here

Released: 1975

Labels: Harvest (UK original), Columbia (US original)

Recorded: Abbey Road Studios

Facts: This album is largely considered to be a dedication to Syd Barrett, the band's fallen member. During a recording session for "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" (a song written as a dedication to Syd) Barrett made an appearance at the Abbey Road Studios unannounced. The other members had not seen Syd in almost 5 years. He was completely bald; including no eyebrows, and had gained so much weight the other members almost didn't recognize him. Syd spent the visit jumping up and down, continuously brushing his teeth. Roger Waters later said the spectacle would bring him to tears. Barrett, whose music genius, is credited with the bands early success Piper at the Gates of Dawn (side note: the Beatles were recording Sgt. Pepper as well during Piper at Abbey Road) among others, passed away July 7th 2006. The album's imagery is Water's concern with the record labels and their lack of understanding of its artists. The back cover featured a faceless businessman peddling Pink Floyd records in the middle of the desert. The album carries one of my all time favourite songs Wish You Were Here (yet another dedication to Barrett). Compositionally this record is my favourite with Meddle bringing in a close 2nd.

Feature Album

Band: The Pixies

Album: Surfer Rosa

Facts: This is the album cover to the Pixies first full length release in March 1988. It was produced by Steve Albini who would later produce Nirvana’s "In Utero" album largely due to Kurt Cobain finding the album a major influence on the "Nevermind" LP. Albini was the Front man for the hardcore/progressive group Big Black (I own a copy of their "Songs about Fucking" LP which has cover art more than a little provocative, however not exactly how you'd expect). The photograph was taken by Simon Larbalestier who would continue to work with the Pixies on later projects. The Pixies lead, Black Francis, said the idea for the album cover came to him while writing the songs in his father's "topless Spanish bar" the model is said to be a "friend of a friend". The model is just a regular woman made up to look like a flamenco dancer with catholic icons in the background along with a torn poster. The rest is open to your interpretation.