— “I was struck by lighting, walkin’ down the street. I was hit by something last night in my sleep. It’s a dead man’s party who could ask for more? Everybody’s comin’, leave your body at the door. Leave your body and soul at the door. Don’t run away it’s only me.” – “Dead Man’s Party” (Elfman)
Dear Reader… (yes I know it’s been a while since I’ve addressed you directly) what in the wide world of sports is happening out there today? Not once, not twice, but about four times today I got behind someone who was driving at least 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. I get a few miles under, but 15 is a lot. Especially when the limit is 35. One person was going 19 in a 45. They weren’t looking for intersecting streets, they were just slow. I am not one to pass on a double line and I resisted the urge today but man… if you can’t operate it, don’t get in it.
Then, I witnessed two people running redlights. Thankfully, it wasn’t the “it’s been red and they didn’t stop” kind. But, I’m talking they were a good 20 yards away from the stop line when the light changed. Why does that mean they get to go and others must stop?
I know it’s the full moon. I know Mercury is in retrograde. I know it’s Halloween Eve. I know. I know. I know. What I don’t know is why people have to be so stupid. I love humanity but I hate many of the humans that occupy it.
Okay, rant over.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” – George Carlin
Today is the 36th anniversary of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s debut double album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome. I love this album. Front to back, it’s a great dance/new wave/synthpop album. I really dig it. If I owed a hockey team, this would be the song that the team would come out to at the beginning of the games. It’s a better song than “Relax” in my opinion. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “When two tribes go to war, a point is all that you can score. Score no more! Score no more! When two tribes go to war, a point is all that you can score. Working for the black gas.” – “Two Tribes” (Gill/Johnson/Nash/O’Toole)
Today is the 43rd anniversary of the Sex Pistols’ Never Mind the Bollocks… Here’s the Sex Pistols. I’m not a huge fan of this kind of Punk, or any Punk, really, but this album is important. I could play a cover of “Anarchy in the U.K.” but I don’t want to be obvious all the time. Here’s Skid Row doing a cover that they put as a bonus track on their Slave to the Grind album that just got released last weekend for RSD. Before I go on… when I was typing Slave to the Grind in on Wikipedia to make sure it was the song they did, I accidentally clicked on Grace Jones’ Slave to the Rhythm, which, incidentally, was released on this date in 1985. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I don’t want to holiday in the sun. I want to go to the new Belsen. I want to see some history cause now I got a reasonable economy.” – “Holiday in the Sun” (Ritchie/Lydon/Jones/Cook)
Today is the 37th anniversary of Prince’s first “big” album, 1999. It was no Purple Rain but it was pretty big. He had important albums prior to this, but this was the first I ever hear of him and the biggest charting impact he had ever had. The album reached #5, the title track #12 and this one #6.
The cool thing about this version is that it’s The Revolution doing it. It’s Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z, Brown Mark, and Matt Fink, the band that was Prince’s backing band from this album through Around the World in a Day. Wendy wasn’t actually on this album outside of backing vocals. Bobby Z, Brown Mark and Matt Fink were in the videos and on the touring band, but not on the album. In this video is Dez Dickerson who was the guitarist for Prince during this album (and made a showing in Purple Rain) and Andre Cymone who is a childhood friend of Prince and a former band member. Dez does the solo fantastically. AND, it’s done at First Ave 7th St. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “A body like yours oughta be in jail. ‘Cause it’s on the verge of bein’ obscene. Move over, baby, gimme the keys. I’m gonna try to tame your little red love machine.” – “Little Red Corvette” (Prince)
Full disclosure, this is late. A few days late. Okay, that’s out of the way. Today is the 35th anniversary of the Miami Vice Soundtrack. It was a pretty monumental soundtrack, especially for a television series. This was the first of several including a “deluxe set” from the series. There have been several “reaction” videos to what I think is the best song that has ever been on a Miami Vice soundtrack. This was the one that really put the song back on the map. It has been imitated and there’s a really good one of a young guy hearing the live version, but since this is the important one, I’ll play it.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “If you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand. I’ve seen your face before, my friend, but I don’t know if you know who I am. Well, I was there and I saw what you did, saw it with my own two eyes. So, you can wipe off that grin. I know where you’ve been. It’s all been a pack of lies.” – “In the Air Tonight” (Collins)
Yesterday was the third edition of RSD 2020 (the April version that got spread over three months). There will be an RSD Black Friday edition which I think is ridiculous and shows a money-grab. That doesn’t mean I won’t participate. I just think this year, dragging us through what will be four months straight is crazy. They should have reset next year. I’m not complaining about the cost or the organization, I’m just saying for 2020 they should have let the Black Friday version lie.
Anywhat! Here’s the haul, and as the last few have been, when applicable, I will include why these are special from Discogs and they’re all “new.”
Judas Priest – Sad Wings Of Destiny — Record Store Day 2020 first release, part of the October 24th drops. Limited to 2,700 copies. Comes in a gatefold jacket. 2×LP, 45 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Color In Color, Embossed, 180 Gram vinyl. I have this in its original form, single LP, but only in VG condition. We didn’t get this from Underdog Records, the gentleman in front of me picked up the last one. We had to go somewhere else and we felt dirty doing that.
Alice Cooper – Live At The Apollo Theatre, Glasgow // 19.02.82 — 2×LP, Limited Edition. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release. Limited to 7,000 copies. Sticker: Classic live show from Alice Cooper’s “Special Forces Tour”. First time on vinyl. The Very Last Show on the Legendary Special Forces Tour! Recorded live at Apollo Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland – February 19, 1982. FM / Soundboard recording – Original broadcast by Radio Clyde. This was a great show!
Frumpies – Frumpie One Piece — LP+7″, Limited Edition, Limited to 1500 Copies. LP on White Vinyl. 7″ is on black vinyl. Featuring: Tobi, Kathi, Billy (BIKINI KILL), Molly (BRATMOBILE), and Michelle (THE MAKE UP). Hype sticker reads: Collecting their six seven inches recorded in the 90s across and LP and 7″. Includes a lyric zine.
The Rolling Stones – Metamorphosis — Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Green, 180 gram. Special Edition Hunter Green Vinyl. Full Color Exclusive Iron On Cover Art. The iron-on transfer is cool, but of course, I wouldn’t actually use it.
Skid Row – Slave To The Grind — 2×LP, Limited Edition, Red. Gatefold Version, comes with Lyric Sheet. Limited to 4000 Copies Worldwide. So good to hear this album on vinyl. Sebastian Bach’s vocals were on fire then. Sonically rich and fantastic.
The Church – Gold Afternoon Fix — Limited Edition, Reissue, Gold. First-ever LP reissue of the 1990 classic from the legendary Australian indie band. Gold Vinyl Pressing. Limited to 1750 copies! This was a great listen.
Cheap Trick – Out To Get You! (Live 1977) — 2×LP, Limited Edition. Record Store Day 2020 exclusive release. Limited to 4,700 copies. Comes in a gatefold jacket. Recorded from four shows over two days, an early and late show, each, on June 3 & 4, 1977 at Whiskey A Go-Go.
Toto – Live In Tokyo — Limited Edition, Red Vinyl. First stand-alone release on red vinyl for Record Store Day. Limited to 2750 copies. It’s five songs recorded in 1980.
Warren Zevon – Warren Zevon’s Greatest Hits (According To Judd Apatow) — Limited to 4,500 copies. A portion of proceeds from this album will og to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an independent nonprofit organization, for which Jordan Zevon has served as the National Spokesperson for 15 years.
Modern English – I Melt With You — 12″, Single, Reissue. I don’t usually do 12″ singles, but The BCPF wanted it. We didn’t get that at Underdog Records. They were sold out so we had to go somewhere else.
Beck – Uneventful Days (St. Vincent Remix) — “No Distraction (Khruangbin Remix)” is marked “A” on the label. St. Vincent not credited as the other main artist on the release. We also don’t usually do the 7″ either but, again… The BCPF wanted it.
We also got three selections that were NOT part of the RSD haul. We just decided we wanted them. They are:
The Mountain Goats – Getting Into Knives — This is NOT a RSD release. 2×LP, Limited Edition, Gold Metallic. One thing cool about this was the Matrix etching on each side: MRG 716 SIDE A TALES FROM THE BEFORE-TIME J POWELL; MRG 716 SIDE B WHALES VISIBLE FROM THE SHORE-TIME J POWELL; MRG 716 SIDE C ALL HANDS TO THE FACTORY FLOOR-TIME J POWELL; MRG 716 SIDE D REFORGING THE HAMMER OF THOR-TIME J POWELL.
INXS – Kick — Limited Edition, Reissue, Green. I had this on CD and never on vinyl. I love this album and it was so fun to listen to it on vinyl. It’s a not-quite mint green.
Mercyful Fate – Mercyful Fate — 12″, 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Clear With Black Smoke. Mercyful (yeah, spelled right) Fate, if you don’t know is the band helmed by Kim Bendix Petersen, which may be more recognizable as his stage name, King Diamond. Four songs.
It was a great day and a great haul. I look at what I got through three RSD drops and if this had been all on one day, I either wouldn’t have gotten all that I did or I would have lost my arse on spending. Another reason, I think I’m a bit miffed about the Black Friday, thing. Jonathan was in good spirits yesterday, during what I know was a stressful time. He did say that for RSD Black Friday, he was going to allow people to lineup and rake through like normal. Some people have complained about the lottery format and griping about stupid stuff. I think Jonathan did the best he could as, hello!!! We are still in a fricken pandemic!!!!!! Okay, I’m done with that. Jonathan put all remaining RSD inventory on the Underdog Records website, at 1pm on the dot yesterday. I haven’t looked so I don’t know what is left but check it out. He does touchless deliveries, curbside, in-store pickups Monday-Wednesday and the store is open Thursday-Saturday. I also use Discogs to track my collection.
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “We could live for a thousand years. But if I hurt you I’d make wine from your tears. I told you that we could fly, ’cause we all have wings but some of us don’t know why. I was standing. You were there. Two worlds collided and they could never ever tear us apart.” – “Never Tear Us Apart” (Farriss/Hutchence)
Today is the 34th anniversary of my favorite Stryper album, To Hell with the Devil. It came out right after I moved to WSNC and since I was new here, and although I had met some friends, I wasn’t driving and I had no place to go, so MTV helped me get a better knowledge of this album.
I had never actually heard of Stryper prior to this album. This was their third. While I can listen to the others before this one, I can’t really get into it. My “non-Prophet” religion, notwithstanding, this was more commercial and I loved the sound and probably a lot of it is the time frame and times I hold dear. Anywhat… Moriah Formica was a contestant on The Voice and this was recorded when she was only 15. She’s 20 now. Good job. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “When things are going wrong, you know who to blame. He will always live up to his name. He’s never been the answer. There’s a better way. We are here to rock out and to say… To hell with the devil.” – “To Hell with the Devil” (Sweet/Sweet)
Today is the 36th anniversary of Wham!’s Make It Big album and it’s hard to pass that one up, but because I talked about the death of Tony Lewis yesterday, I missed KISS’s sophomore effort, Hotter Than Hell celebrating it’s 46th anniversary. The overall mix of this album is like it’s done in a tank or a large bathroom. But, I think that adds to the charm and certainly makes it sound mean. This song is the first KISS song Heavens Sake did on stage. It’s a favorite of mine and I think it is a great opening track. You can hear me and Kousin Gary debate that on the fifth episode of Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast here. But, instead of finding some lame cover, I decided to go original, kind of. This is KISS in soundcheck and I think it’s cool to see the “behind the scenes” footage. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Lady, you know I heard the neighbors say, baby, you might be leavin’ me today. Oh yeah, someone’s come along and shared your time. Don’t care, no I don’t, no but you can’t be his and still be mine, so… Ooh, got to choose, who’s your baby?” – “Got to Choose” (Stanley)
On Monday, Tony Lewis died “suddenly and unexpectedly” near London, at age 62. Tony Lewis was the bassist and songwriter for The Outfield, whose Play Deep album meant and still means a lot to me. I won’t pretend that The Outfield was one of my “favorite bands.” But, I have actually stated (twice, I believe) that Play Deep is one of those albums that either changed my life, influenced me greatly, brings back memories of “x” and so on. It was on those Facebook “post your 10… blah blah blah” things. This was there. I love the album. I liked their later stuff but they never touched this. The whole album if fantastic.
This video is from this past March. Tony was part of the 80s Cruise things that 80s on 8 from SiriusXM puts on. Before the pandemic took hold of the the US. He’s rough, vocally, but I think he does an admirable job. Rest in Peace, Tony.
Also, Spencer Davis, of the Spencer Davis Group (“Gimme Some Lovin’,” et al) passed away on Monday at the age of 81. RIP, SD.
Until tomorrow… Scorp out.
— “Josie’s on a vacation far away. Come around and talk it over. So many things that I want to say. You know I like my girls a little bit older. I just want to use your love tonight. I don’t want to lose your love tonight.” – “Your Love” (Spinks)