Joe Strummer Day 2017: The Latino Rockabilly War & Chris Crossraods (Shows # 699, 700)

Following his time with The Clash, Joe Strummer worked on a variety of soundtracks, most notably for the Alex Cox films, Sid & Nancy and Walker. The Latino Rockabilly War was the backing band Strummer put together for music on the film Permanent Record, which starred Keanu Reeves. The band consisted of Zander Schloss (guitar), Lonnie Marshall (bass), Jack Irons (drums) as well as Willie McNeil on drums for select tracks. Five songs recorded during this time were featured on the Permanent Record soundtrack, “Trash City”, “Baby the Trans”, “Nothin’ Bout Nothin‘”, “Nefertiti Rock”, and the instrumental track “Theme From Permanent Record”. Three of these tracks were also released as Trash City, a three-track single that featured the title track, “Nefertiti Rock” and “Theme From Permanent Record”. The song “Trash City” is a hidden song within Joe Strummer’s post-Clash years. Often referred to as his Wilderness Years, this song is a rock song with world music rhythms, lyrically the song taps into a party type vibe, drawing on elements of American junk culture and the status quo.

This line-up was also featured on the Earthquake Weather, Joe Strummer’s first official solo album. Released in 1989, the album was initially not received well critically, but that has come to change with time, garnering more of a cult following. Earthquake Weather experiments with the influences of rockabilly, folk, funk, reggae, world music, and pop music. The album opens with Joe Strummer shouting, “Let’s rock again” before launching into the track called “Gangsterville”. The opening seconds of this song set the tone for this album, the first official solo album released by Joe Strummer. Musically the song brought into focus a reggae/rock style with added Caribbean music influences, while lyrically the song seems to reflect the frustrations Strummer was experiencing after his time with The Clash, and fans expectations of him. Lyrics such as “The revolution came and the revolution went/The chemical rain left a message on the tent” and other lines such as, “Wanted: one man to lead a crusade/Payment: a bullet on a parade” exemplify some of this, as a picture is painted of a time that was and a future that is beginning.

“King of the Bayou” is another strong rock song found early on this album, along with “Slant Six”, a song that recalls a Rolling Stones influence. “Shouting Street”, another rock song found on this release seems to pull in a rockabilly influence at times, but has its origins in the last days of The Clash. Apparently the song was late 1985/early 1986 and was intended to be worked up with Clash bassist Paul Simonon, but never was. “Island Hopping” is a more exotic tropical folk song of sorts, drawing in a mellow Caribbean/world music sound as lyrically it shows a changing world that is controlled by the people in power. “Dizzy’s Goatee” drifts into dub territory, while “Boogie With Your Children” brings funk music influences to Earthquake Weather. The song’s sound has drawn comparisons to Red Hot Chili Peppers musically. “Leopard Skin & Limousines” is a sparse arrangement, with flamenco styled guitar on top of piano and acoustic guitar. Lyrics such as “People only wanna Xerox you baby/They got a quota to fill” and “Suppose I should drag my stuff on out/But I don't like the memories/Found a pint of brandy on top of the fridge/And it's working like an antifreeze”, this song is one that is heartfelt, yet one that also seems to be dealing with a juxtaposition of past glories to a new, changed world.

“Jewellers & Bums”, a song cut in two takes, features drummer Jack Irons. He joined in the midst of the recording sessions for Earthquake Weather, but this track is the first one he recorded for this album. “Jewellers & Bums” portrays a searching lyrically, as musically it is an upbeat, yet melancholic track. “Ride Your Donkey” is a cover of 1966 reggae track of the same name originally by The Tennors. “Passport Detroit” drives along as the album’s 13th track before we end up at the song “Sleepwalk”. The last track on Earthquake Weather, “Sleepwalk” ends the album in a slower pace. It brings forth a theme of moving, in different directions, sometimes that occurs lyrically and musically through elements of transportation. This is a theme that runs throughout this album. Apparently written for Frank Sinatra, with its haunting melodies, tells the story of a lost love and the distance that is left between it.

The Latino Rockabilly War toured with Strummer as his backing band for his Rock Against the Rich tour in 1988/1989. After this the band played no more. When Earthquake Weather was released it apparently sold about 7,000 copies and was highly criticized (as mentioned earlier). It would be approximately ten years before Strummer would emerge with The Mescaleros, but this album is deep with hidden meanings, lyrical and musical discoveries, that might not be apparent upon a first listen. Only ever issued on vinyl and cassette, Earthquake Weather has still yet to be released on CD or reissued officially. But, like much of the content found here, it’s not easily explained. It is at times complex, at times not. Sometimes you don’t know what’s there until you take a look and find that bottle of brandy on top of the fridge.

Joe Strummer & The Latino Rockabilly War (Show # 699):

1. Theme From Permanent Record (Permanent Record Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 1988)
2. Nefertiti Rock (Permanent Record Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 1988)
3. King of the Bayou (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
4. Jewellers & Bums (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
5. Slant Six (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
6. Louisiana Turnpike (Permanent Record Outtakes - 1988)
7. Search Party (Permanent Record Outtakes - 1988)
8. Plymouth Roadrunner (Permanent Record Outtakes - 1988)
9. Punk Rock Blues (Gangsterville - 1989)
10. Viva La 15th Brigade (Island Hopping Single - 1989)
11. Don’t Tango With Django (Gangsterville Extended Mix - 1989)
12. Island Hopping (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
13. Sightsee MC (Live At Coasters Edinburgh, Scotland - 08.11.1988)
14. V.Thirteen (Live Green Wedge Benefit, The Tabernacle - Notting Hill, London 1988)
15. Straight To Hell (Live Green Wedge Benefit, The Tabernacle - Notting Hill, London 1988)
16. Dizzy’s Goatee (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
17. Boogie With Your Children (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
18. Ride Your Donkey (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
19. Cholo Vest (Permanent Record Outtakes - 1988)
20. Nameless (Permanent Record Outtakes - 1988)
21. Japanese Cars (Permanent Record Outtakes - 1988)
22. Trash City (Permanent Record Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 1988)
23. Baby The Trans (Permanent Record Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 1988)
24. Nothin’ Bout Nothin’ (Permanent Record Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 1988)
25. Passport To Detroit (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
26. Shouting Street (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
27. Highway One Zero Street (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
28. Sleepwalk (Earthquake Weather - 1989)
29. Gangsterville (Earthquake Weather - 1989)

Download this episode here!

An Interview With Chris Crossroads:

Chris Crossroads busks and performs as a solo artist. He has released music under that name, some of which are on his Bandcamp page. These recordings take on a DIY, lo-fi aesthetic. The music is usually folk and country based, but with elements of punk and other genres. Described as gothabilly, glitch rock, punkgrass, Crossroads originates from Winnipeg. For several years he also lived in Windsor, Ontario. Currently, Chris is back in Winnipeg where he is part of a new group called The Dirty Dead. Crossroads has created several art/videos on YouTube that has earned him wide acclaim.

This 30-minute program features an interview with musician Chris Crossroads, who has performed music all over Canada and has busked everywhere from Windsor to Winnipeg. We discuss the issues of poverty and poverty prevention from the point of view of a busker. The songs featured on this program were all songs performed live on CJAM FM at different points over the last several years on Revolution Rock. One of which, is a cover of Johnny Cash's version of "One Piece At A Time".

Chris Crossroads:  Joe Strummer Day 2017 Playlist (Show 700):

1. Chris Crossroads - Lost In The 13th Dimension (CJAM Session)
2. Chris Crossroads - Monsters In The Cradle (CJAM Session)

CHRIS CROSSROADS INTERVIEW

3. Chris Crossroads - All In The Family (CJAM Session)
4. Chris Crossroads - One Piece At A Time (CJAM Session)

Download this episode here!

Chris Crossroads, Holly Ruth & Show # 565

Armed with a banjo Chris Crossroads entered CJAM FM on Saturday June 20th. He last visited in November of 2014, which was during the station’s pledge drive. Formerly a resident of Windsor, Ontario, Crossroads originates from Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently resides in Winnipeg. Fresh from an impromptu show with Holly Ruth and The Bindle Band (also from Winnipeg) in Windsor the previous night and an appearance in London, Ontario prior to that, Crossroads appeared in good spirits with Holly Ruth, who also brought her acoustic guitar. Holly played two tracks on acoustic, with Crossroads on banjo accompaniment. She played a rootsy original titled “Little One" and an acoustic rendition of the Jazz standard “Autumn Leaves”. In between a mixed selection of country, garage and surf songs, Crossroads also provided two originals and a greased up version of Johnny Cash’s “One Piece At A Time”. Chris Crossroads will appear at Phog Lounge on Friday June 26th, in a live performance said to have a toxic waste theme. Holly Ruth will appear at Phog Lounge on Tuesday June 30th. To hear the live tracks they performed on the show you can download the program below (link is underneath the playlist).






Saturday Night Playlist:

1. The Missing Links - Wild About You
2. Wild Racoon - Next Summer
3. Light Bulb Alley - Wanna Be Loved
4. Pony - Don’t Go
5. Crystal Eyes - The Future
6. Will Currie & The County French - Beuchemin
7. Holly Ruth - Little One (CJAM Session)
8. Holly Ruth - Autumn Leaves (CJAM Session)
9. Warren Zevon - Porcelain Monkey
10. The Carter Family - John Hardy Was A Desperate Little Man
11. Chris Crossroads - Lost In The 13th Dimension (CJAM Session)
12. Chris Crossroads - All In The Family (CJAM Session)
13. Daniel Romano - Hard On You
14. Carl Barat & The Jackals - Summer In The Trenches
15. The Avengers VI - Heartbeat
16. Kathy Lynn & The Playboys - Rock City
17. Chris Crossroads - One Piece At A Time (CJAM Session)
18. Gun Club - Carry Home
19. Talking Heads - Love Goes To A Building On Fire (1975 CBS Studio Demo)
20. Thee Rum Coves - She Waits For Me
21. UJ3RKS - The Locator
22. No Fun - Snog
23. Mick Futures - A Few Pieces
24. The Radiators - Not Too Late
25. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Long Shadow
26. Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard - Missing Ol' Johnny Cash
27. Subway Sect - Double Negative
28. The Only Ones - The Beast
29. The Stems - Running Around
30. The Black Lips - The Lie

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 20. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Uroccan Cowboy & Show # 475

The first half of today’s three hour program featured two tracks from Chris Crossroads. Chris has roots in Winnipeg, but currently resides in Windsor, Ontario. The two songs we heard “Spare A Dime Blues” and “Rattlesnakes & Venom” both come from a release entitled Uroccan Cowboy and reflect a Folk, Country and Blues nature. The album was a limited DIY release and was recorded in Winnipeg with what was to become the Home Street Recording Company. The album was re-released in 2010. Recently Chris Crossroads took part in a 30 day song writing challenge in which he would write, record and post a video on youtube of a new song each day. During this 30 day span he wrote 30 songs, several in different genres. Currently Chris Crossroads is working on material for a new as of yet untitled album.

More info on Chris Crossroads and his music can be found at: http://chriscrossroads.com




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This was the last week that i filled in for the time slot prior to mine from 9 AM – 10:30 AM on CJAM 99.1 FM. Each of these shows focused on Roots Rock oriented genres. This week the first hour and a half of music was devoted to the Country and Blues, and Folk music genres. The program featured selections from Lonesome Lefty, Little Walter, Drive-By Truckers, and Merle Haggard. The second half of the show was my usual mix of music you would find on Revolution Rock, playing several artists including music by The Sadies, Deer Tick and The Bell Peppers. 

Part One:
Revolution Rock (Country, Folk & Blues Edition):

1. JD Estes & The Blue Ridge Playboys – Wabash Cannonball
2. Wade Hemsworth - The Black Fly Song (Canada Folk Songs 1951-1957 - 2008)
3. Lonesome Lefty  - The One Rose That's Left In My Heart (Songs of Love, Death & Murder)
4. The Delmore Brothers - Boogie Woogie Blues (The History of Country & Western Music Vol. 10 -2001)
5. Bill Strength - Black Coffee Blues (The History of Country & Western Music Vol. 19 - 2001)
6. Little Walter - Doctor Ross Boogie (Blues Harmonica Blowin' and Suckin' - 2008)
7. Tommy Tucker – Hi Heel Sneakers (MOJO Chess Classics - 2005)
8. Middle Sister – Corduroy Roads(Walkerville Mix Tape Volume 2 - 2013)
9. Cass McCombs - The Executioner's Song (Catacombs - 2009)
10. The Drive-by Truckers - Daddy Needs a Drink (Brighter Than Creation's Dark - 2008)
11. Merle Haggard – Drink Up And Be Somebody (I'm a Lonesome Fugitive - 1967)
12. Chris Crossraods – Spare A Dime Blues (Uroccan Cowboy - 2010)
13. Chris Crossroads – Rattlesnakes & Venom (Uroccan Cowboy - 2010)
14. Olenka & The Autumn Lovers – Hard Times (Hard Times - 2013)
15. Elmore James - Look On Yonder Wall (The Sky Is Crying) (Shake Your Money Maker - 1961)
16. Big Boy Ellis - She's Gone (Some Blues Classics)
17. Leroy Dallas - Your Sweet Man Blues (Some Blues Classics)
18. The Rolling Stones – You Gotta Move (Sticky Fingers - 1971)
19. George Jones – I’m Ragged But I’m Right (Long Live King George - 1958)
20. Elliott Brood - Without Again (Mountain Meadows - 2008)
21. Jaron Freeman-Fox - Burnin Sun (Jaron Freeman-Fox & The Opposite of Everything - 2013)
22. The Replacements - Waitress in The Sky (Tim - 1985)
23. The Byrds – Nothing Was Delivered (Sweetheart Of The Rodeo - 1968)

Download part one Revolution Rock (The Country, Folk and Blues Edition) here.

Part Two:
Revolution Rock:

1. Coachwhips – We Can’t Go Back To My Place
2. Billy Dre & The Poor Boys – Lip Balm Cray
3. King Khan & The Shrines – (How Can I Keep You) Outta Harms Way
4. Destruction Unit – Bumpy Road
5. The Kingsmen – The Cat Walk
6. The Bell Peppers – Drapes N’ Squares
7. The Soft Pack – Pull Out
8. Neo Boys – Under Control
9. Swimming Pool Q’s - Little Misfit
10. Miesha & The Spanks – Look At You
11. Hellaluya – Iggy Pop
12. Cellos – The New Religion
13. The Sadies – The First 5 Minutes
14. Deer Tick – Thyme
15. Lloyd Price – Stagger Lee
16. She Wolf – I’m So Glad You Don’t Know What’s On My Mind
17. Bob Dylan – The Man In Me
18. Jay Sad – Moving Day
19. Cold Warps – Dip Tripper
20. Obits – This Must Be Done
21. Ty Segall & White Fence – Time
22. Black Lips – Dirty Hands
23. Black Lips - Workin'

Download part two (Revolution Rock) here.

Subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

The Oblivians Desperation & Show # 462

It has been 16 years since Memphis trio The Oblivians have released an album. Since the band’s last album in 1997, Play Nine Songs With Mr. Quintron a lot has changed in this band’s lineage. They have gone on to influence countless Garage/Punk bands since then such as The Hives and The White Stripes and each member has gone onto achieve different accomplishments of their own. Jack Yarber has gone onto play with Jack O & The Tennessee Tearjerkers, Greg Cartwright has gone onto play with Reigning Sound and Eric Friedl has played in a bunch of one off bands and formed Goner Records. The Oblivians have reformed several times since 1997 for live performances, but they announced last year that they would be putting out a new full length album.

Desperation was released in June 2013 on In The Red Records. The best way to perhaps describe the band's sound of the past would be something like dried up alcohol that was spilled on the floor in some grimy bar, baked in the Memphis heat. The band's blend of Garage, Punk and Soul has not been lost here. The album starts off with the slow Soulful Garage burner “I’ll Be Gone” sung by Greg Cartwright, with lyrics such “Is it for real this time/I’ve seen the signs/your dreams ain’t got nothing to do with mine” addressing their return and getting older with lines such as “There ain’t no way to know/How life will treat you so/Let’s Rock and Roll as we get old”. The song is a thoughtful and reflective start to not only this album, but the band's return. “Loving Cup” follows next. It is a raucous cover of a song originally by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, done in a fashion to songs they’ve done in the past on previous albums such as “Vietnam War Blues” from Soul Food.
  

“Run For Cover” is a fast paced Punk track sung by Eric Friedl sounding something like Motorhead, while “Woke Up In A Police Car” is another slow scuzzy Soulful Garage burner. Jack Yarber’s “Little War Child” sounds similar to “Stop and Think It Over” by The Compulsive Gamblers another band in the lineage of The Oblivans that is often overlooked. Other standout tracks include the Lo-Fi Punk “Fire Detector”, the greasy Soul of “Back Street Hangout”, the Cramps-like “Em” and the albums ending track “Mama Guitar”, which sounds like it was recorded with one microphone in the corner of the room. This song ends the album by connecting its sound with earlier Oblivian sounding songs and recordings.  While at times Desperation does draw from sounds that each of the respective band members have had with their other music projects, this song lets us know at the end of the album that The Oblivians feel remains. 

In a recent interview, Greg Oblivian (AKA Greg Cartwright) stated:

“Between our last record as a band in ’97 and now, a lot of water has passed below that bridge. We three went our own ways after that and pursued our own musical goals. Personally, I often missed the dynamic that Jack and Eric offered to my songwriting. Almost as much as I missed being given carte blanche to add a thing or two to theirs. I’ve played with lots of great musicians in the interim but needless to say, it’s a hard itch to scratch. The dynamic between us was a singular thing. So, over the years as we would occasionally reunite for a festival or special occasion, the idea began to grow in the back of my mind—the idea of making a new record. I mean, if you’re going to keep playing as a band eventually you’ll want new songs to play. Because as much as we enjoyed playing together the thing I missed the most was creating together. So that’s what we did.”

Despite the positive aspects of this re-union, Eric Oblivian (AKA Eric Friedl) has stated in an interview with Memphis Flyer that "Some people just aren't going to like it," but overall, Desperation is a thoughtful return. Recorded at Dan Auerbach's studio in Nasheville, the music on this album is just as greasy and dimly lit as the album's cover. The difference between this album and their previous efforts is that time has passed. That dried up alcohol spot may have aged and gotten sticky, but it’s still there and it's still all over this album.

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This week's program also featured two live acoustic tracks from musician Chris Crossroads. You can learn more about him on his website http://chriscrossroads.com and also hear some music at his bandcamp page.

This Week's Play List:

1. Toy Love – Rebel (Live At The Gluepot 1980)
2. The Nils – In Betweens
3. By Divine Right – Past The Stars
4. Ramblin' Jack Elliot - Muleskinner Blues
5. Andrew Neville - Gal Back Home
6. Indian Wars – Pastor Phillips
7. Chris Crossroads - All In The Family (Live On Air at CJAM FM)
8. Chris Crossroads - Southern Fried Turnips (Live On Air at CJAM FM)
9. New Kind of Mambo – My Girlfriend’s In The FBI
10. Prehistoric Cave Strokers - Let's Id!
11. Paul Jacobs – Sara’s Party
12. Jello Biafra & Mojo Nixen - Let's Go Burn Ole Nashville Down
13. Oblivians – Call The Police
14. Oblivians – Little War Child
15. The Cramps - People Ain't No Good
16. The Ugly Ducklings - The Hangman
17. The Magnificent 7's - Today's Empire, Tomorrows Ashes
18. The Replacements – Take Me Down To The Hospital
19. The Evaporators - Brainwashed
20. Ty Segall – I Can’t Feel It
21. Ty Segall - My Head Explodes

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 26. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.