Did you see “Sunshine State”, John Sayles’ movie about Florida? You should. It rocks. There’s a character in it who is the washed up former leader of the band Skeeter Meter. Have you heard The Allman Brothers Band? Have you heard Lynrd Skynrd? Then you’ve heard Skeeter Meter. I think that’s so funny that I call all crappy Classic Rock Skeeter Meter. Jethro Tull? Skeeter Meter. Led Zeppelin? Skeeter Meter. Between forming a committee to get Sting sent to the Moon and not being able to use my turntable so much anymore, I don’t listen to music as much or as carefully as I used to. With that said, listen up, because here’s what I do hear:
1. www.blackark.com- This is the all Lee “Scratch” Perry all the time audio stream, and it is rock solid. Sure, there are a lot of repeats, and sure, it’s hard to listen to old, hard-core reggae music for more than a couple hours straight, but this is the real deal. Anyone who read the feature article in Grand Royal #2 knows that Lee Perry is a maniacal reggae producer who had voodoo rites as part of the mix-down and chickens walking through the control room. Here’s the thing: it shows in the music. He may have slowed tape players with his hand to get the right sound, but he got the right sound.
2. Johhny Cash – “American IV: The Man Comes Around”- American III was good too. Really, give this a listen, because it rocks.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Tikihead // Mar 12, 2003 at 7:40 pm
Lee Scratch Perry keeps magical things in his hat, and he is not a stranger to arson. Pretty cool, indeed.
2 Anonymous // Mar 13, 2003 at 9:54 am
I think it is unfair to categorize crappy Southern Hick Rock bands (The Allman Brothers Band, Lynrd Skynrd, etc) with other crappy Classic Rock bands. They have their own twangy brand of crappiness that bands like Led Zeppelin lack.
3 Kenny // Mar 13, 2003 at 12:17 pm
Love ya Scotty, and your enlightenment with Scratch has opened up a well of goodness for me. But, as if you dissed momma or my Ford truck, I’ve gotta come to the Allman’s defense.
A third of their touring lineup are former Aquarium Rescue Unit members and they explore some of the most exciting, fresh, out directions. Old dogs and new pups stretching out on their stuff, blues standards and new fusion freakouts—Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Latin percussion, two naturally syncopated drummers, black funky bass, the best white blues singer that ever lived, and 27 tons of Florida redneck fury. The more I listen to White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age and all that crap, the more I enjoy the real deal and truly believe that the ABB are pushing music today more than the soulless recyclers that will be forgotten in exactly 12 minutes from the time of this post.
And as far as the old ABB stuff overplayed on classic rock—it’s a great stew of rock/blues/r&b/country/jazz, with one of the most influential slide guitarists that ever lived.
So please, let’s stick to truly horrible bands like BTO, Nazareth, Styx, Tull, and Emerson Lake & Palmer when we’re bashing classic rock.
ps – this is a great day to roll the windows down and play dashboard drums to Freebird.
4 nic // Mar 13, 2003 at 12:37 pm
Just noticed that I forgot to sign my comments on Southern Hick Rock.
Sorry.
nic
5 Scotty The Body // Mar 13, 2003 at 12:50 pm
Yo Yo Yo! Elliott was the poster, yo. Not I!
6 Elliott // Mar 13, 2003 at 1:03 pm
Actually, Kenny, the Allman Brothers/Lynyrd Skynrd reference is a line from the movie. I haven’t listened to any new ABB music, and I am predisposed to lump them in with crappy clasic rock, but I did own “Live at the Fillmore East” and often held it up in discussions with regard to the Grateful Dead about what a live arena rock show with two drummers could be.
Also, I was drawing a blank on the really crappy classic rock bands while I was writing my post yesterday. Thanks for the list.
7 Scotty The Body // Mar 13, 2003 at 2:11 pm
Kenny’s “Cheese Rock” or “Crap Rock” playlist on his home PC is something to cherish. I’ve been there; done that.
8 Kenny // Mar 13, 2003 at 2:20 pm
Man, I got into a gold mine of crap rock today. A designer working with us brought in that killer 2-CD “Easy Rock” compilation you see on late night TV. Al Stewart, Sergio Mendes, Dr. Hook, et and all! Must compile and share by the warm glow of a televised fireplace.
9 nic // Mar 13, 2003 at 2:31 pm
I used to sit next to a guy who played the same easy listening compilation CD over and over every day for months. I attribute some of my current anger and madness to that experience.
10 Elliott // Mar 13, 2003 at 2:52 pm
Bachman Turner Overdrive, indeed.
Skeeter Meter.
11 Kenny // Mar 13, 2003 at 3:09 pm
Grand Funk Railroad = Skeeter Meter
12 Scotty The Body // Mar 13, 2003 at 6:07 pm
I don’t know about the GFR designation. The second side of that red record they have is HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY psychedlia, man!
13 Scotty The Body // Mar 13, 2003 at 6:08 pm
Mitchell was described by his stepson, Derrick Thompson, as a “weird” man who had talked to God in the desert after taking 10 hits of LSD. “They said they weren’t on drugs,” Thompson told the Deseret News of his stepfather and his mother, adding:
“But we think that was a lie. We think that’s how they communicated with God, that and listen(ing) to the Steve Miller band.”
14 Scotty The Body // Mar 13, 2003 at 6:12 pm
And another thing re: the ABB. “Mountain Jam” is a fine way to spend your quarter on a jukebox. Back in the day, when I was living in Snowmass Village, Colorado, I used to play that 3 time in a row until the bartender would come unplug the machine. Then, he’d give me another quarter, and I’d play B-Boy Boulliabaise 3 times in a row until he’d unplug the machine…
15 Anonymous // Oct 8, 2003 at 2:28 am
Hey …don’t know what yawl are smokin’ but LYNRD SKYNRD ROCKS!!!!!
KID ROCK ROCKS!
JOHN MELLENCAMP ROCKS!!!!
WE need more artists like them!!!!!
16 Anonymous // Jan 23, 2004 at 7:22 pm
YOUR A DICK
17 Elliott // Jan 23, 2004 at 8:21 pm
Actually, I think the video for “American Badass” is one of the best I have ever seen. Of course, the only time I watch music videos is when I am sequesterd in a hotel in Stuttgart, after hours of tense and guarded computer and business stuff.
It’s nice to feel like an American sometimes: Kid Rock, Cormac McCarthy, and a couple of beers make you forget the ten thousand miles, the bizarre tube of body wash in the bathroom, and the foreign tounge for a few hours.
18 Anonymous // Apr 24, 2004 at 1:45 pm
fuck you all you dirty bastards
Leave a Comment