Today is a big day in Kisstory. In 1978, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, and Paul Stanley each released their solo albums as a means to satisfy egos. Within four years Ace and Peter were gone. In 1987, Crazy Nights was released which is possibly the slickest of all KISS albums. It’s a polarizing albums as some people love it or hate it. I am a lover of it. In 1983, KISS released Lick It Up, the first album that actually acknowledged Ace’s departure and the first album the band released without makeup. To commemorate this, they appeared on MTV on Sunday, September 18, 1983. The same day of the album release, which is weird to me because i don’t see albums released on Sundays. But, instead of posting a cover or whatever, I’m going to show the reveal. I hope you enjoy it.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I didn’t want you, did not need you, sure wouldn’t mean to kick you down. You know I love you, I’m thinkin’ of you, sure do wish you’d come around. ‘Cause you’re the kind of sugar papa likes.” – That’s the Kind of Sugar Papa Likes (Penridge/Criss)
The BCPF and I stopped by Underdog Records first thing before we met with Paul Jones for lunch at West End Cafe. That was all we did until I had to be in Kernersville to come out of retirement and play with my pals in Threadbare Trio. Here’s the haul:
Lord Huron – Strange Trails — I had never heard of this band, but The BCPF listens to Pandora all day long and this shows up on the channels she listens to. This is their album from 2015. It sounds kind of indie country-like to me. New.
Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814 — Ranked #277 on the RS list that matters, #338 on the one that doesn’t. For this album, Janet drew inspiration from various tragedies reported through news media, exploring racism, poverty, and substance abuse, in addition to themes of romance. Can you imagine if she released this album today? A lot to draw on on all of those things. New.
The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground — I hate this band. I know I’ve said that 99,999 times of more. But, for good measure, I hate this band. It is #316 on the RS list that matters which I think is ridiculous. That’s way too high. If it is supposed to be in the Top 500, at all, it should sit at #500. Inexplicably, it’s ranked the absolutely ludicrous rank of #143 on the list that doesn’t matter. Another reason that version of the list is just stupid. But, the wife wanted it and it is on the list so I have to have it. EX.
Kiss – Crazy Nights — Yes, I already had this but I had it in VG+ condition. This is an original pressing with original inner sleeve and is in EX condition.
Aerosmith – Permanent Vacation — I hate Aerosmith. I have mentioned that ad naseum. However, I do really enjoy, almost to the point of “love” both this album and its follow-up, Pump. “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” “Rag Doll,” and “Angel.” Great tunes. VG+.
Wang Chung – Points On The Curve — In a rare snafu on Discogs part, I typed in Wang Chung to see if I had this album and other albums showed up. So, I bought this. It turns out we did have it already. But, this is a club pressing and the other is a different pressing. It’s in EX condition, so I’m keeping both copies.
Underdog Records will be closed this week because Jonathan is going on vacation. FINALLY!! You can still order things from the website. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection (and most of the time it works perfectly). You should use it, too.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I’m alone. Yeah, I don’t know if I can face the night. I’m in tears, and the cryin’ that I do is for you. I want your love – let’s break the walls between us. Don’t make it tough – I’ll put away my pride. Enough’s enough, I’ve suffered and I’ve seen the light, baby.” – “Angel” (Tyler/Child)
Tonight on Asylum – Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast, we continued our love and admiration for Gene on his birthday by picking our top three favorite Gene roles, either film or television. For me, it was easy because I’ve only really seen three movies he had a role in, that I remember. But, I can’t tell you which three. Kousin Gary went all in and Kousin Marvin (whose assignment this was) was pretty in depth, too. Next week we will be off, but the week after, we’ll be talking about the debut Black and Blue album from 1984. Here yesterday’s episode here.
First, let me say, it’s the 52nd anniversary of the start of Woodstock today (you’d have known that if you listened to today’s episode of Beeswax Vinyl Daily). Second let me say that we listened to no records yesterday as we had a food and beverage event and a work event for The BCPF. We did buy a mini stack of records, though. Here’s the haul:
Sting – My Songs — This is the second studio album to feature new renditions of previously released material (after 2010’s Symphonicities). It involves both solo and Police stuff. I think I may have listened to this on streaming a while back. It is sealed for now, but we’ll crack that bad boy open in a little bit. New.
Depeche Mode – Angels And Black Swarms — This is on the back cover: “Black Swarm” was the alias which Reprise and Mute Records used for Depeche Mode, on the pre-released promo copies of “Playing The Angel” and “Precious” single, in order to avoid the album leaking out before its release date. Each copy has an individual number and the name of the person it was sent to, printed on it. I am not quite sure what any of that means. I see nothing on this cover, so it must be referring to the original copies. Grey marbled cover. It is an unofficial import and is “new.”
The XX – XX — One of the many, many upsides to doing the Beeswax Vinyl Daily and having Underdog Records as a sponsor, is finding things that I didn’t know that I liked. This celebrated an anniversary this past week and I liked what little I heard. New (and the name should be The xx and the album is xx, but Discogs doesn’t like when every first letter isn’t capitalized).
Depeche Mode – Some Great Reward — The fourth DMode album. This has Master and Servant, Blasphemous Rumors and People Are People on it. I love all of those songs and most everything that DMode does. VG+.
Fleetwood Mac – Never Break The Chain — The legendary broadcast, apparently from The Forum, Inglewood, California 21st october 1982. Limited edition on blue vinyl. VG/VG+. There is a scratch one a side but according to the sales label from Jonathan, he doesn’t hear it affecting the sound.
Billie Holiday – Lady Sings The Blues — This is a Brazilian import of this album. The track listing features no song that is on the American release of the same name. It doesn’t even have the title track on this version. The BCPF wanted it and well, you know how that goes, right? VG+.
Various – Jesus Christ Superstar — Yes, I already have this, but this is the 1980 reissue (the original happened just a month before I was born in 1970). Better yet, this is still sealed, so it will be NM/New. I love this rock opera/musical and can’t get enough of it. So, I’ll keep my older copy, too, but I want the vinyl as clean as possible. New.
I was glad we got to stop in and see Jonathan and buy some groovy vinyl before our day of booze, brews and chews. The store is back to people wearing a mask for the time being, so be aware of that. He had a lot of new stuff in the “Freshly Used” section, too. You can shop the brand new stuff (including reissues and such) by visiting the website. I use Discogs to track my collection and to do this blog. You should, too!
Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’… Scorp out!
— “What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a-happening? Why should you want to know? Don’t you mind about the future? Don’t you try to think ahead? Save tomorrow for tomorrow. Think about today instead. I could give you facts and figures, even give you plans and forecasts, even tell you where I’m going.” – “What’s the Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying” (Rice/Lloyd-Webber)
On Asylum – Tales from the Devereaux Diaries Podcast tonight, the Kousins made their own fantasy list of what a KISS MY A$$ II (Again, Once More, etc.) would look like. Actually, two of the Kousins got one entry (both artist and song) the same. They must be related. They actually got two matches but one was only an honorable mention so you choose to count that or not. For those of you not familiar with what I’m talking about, KISS My A$$ was a KISS tribute album that was actually put together by KISS, at least who got to do what on the album. So, if there was another one made this is how we’d want it to look. If you’re a KISS fan, who would you want to see or hear do KISS songs? Gimme about 10-15 entries. And… GO!
Listen to that episode here. And today’s BWVD here.
This week on Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast, we talked about Ace Frehley’s 1987 post-KISS debut, called Frehley’s Comet. What did the Kousins think of this album? You know you’ll have to listen for that. You can do that here. Have you heard the album? Did you like it? Let us know!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “When I think of how my life was spared from that near fatal wreck, if the Devil wants to play his card game now, he’s gonna have to play without an Ace in his deck!!” – “Rock Soldiers” (Frehley/Taylor)
I hope you all recovered from the holiday nicely. The BCPF and I went back to Underdog Records after a week off. We got good stuff. We enjoyed our day. ‘Nuff said! Here’s the haul:
Kiss – Off The Soundboard Tokyo 2001 — Supposedly, this is truly “off the soundboard” but there are parts that make me question that. It’s too good and slick. There’s no way a KISS show is going to be that good and slick. They’re sloppy. It was 20 years ago, so Paul’s voice was still hanging on pretty well. But, also, Paul is in his “old Jewish woman” mode here and that didn’t start happening until just about 8-10 years ago. So, I question whether it really is live. But, it’s a good listen nonetheless. 3×LP, Special Edition, Triple vinyl album with cardboard sleeve housing each vinyl in its own sleeve with tracklisting. New.
The Mountain Goats – Dark In Here — The BCPF loves The Mountain Goats and this was his newest album. I like him, okay, but he’s kind of a one-trick pony. He sings most of the songs the exact same way with the same cadences, rhythms, and notes, it seems. I dunno. 1 1/2 sides. Side 4 is etched, Blue. “High Noon Somewhere Blue” vinyl. Side 4 has an etching of the Kola Superdeep Borehole Tower. Gatefold jacket with full lyrics. Includes digital download card. New.
Fleet Foxes – Shore — Shore was recorded before and during quarantine in Hudson (NY), Paris, Los Angeles, Long Island City and New York City from September 2019 until September 2020. As with Mountain Goats, side 4 is etched, Stereo, Black Vinyl.
Lambchop – Showtunes — It seems to be a The BCPF-heavy haul. That’s okay. My KISS album was almost $60. Lambchop was one of the first bands that I remember her putting songs from on a Mix Tape (CD). Merge “Peak Vinyl” Edition New.
Jonathan had a fairly large crowd when we left Underdog Records. It was good to see that, especially with a big festival happening downtown. Watch the Instagram of Underdog to see what Jonathan has gotten in and putting out for purchase. You can shop new records, day or night, by visiting the Underdog Records website. RSD #2 is coming in two weeks! See the available list here. I use Discogs to keep track of my collection and The BCPF was just remarking this morning how it has saved us more than once from getting an unintentional duplicate. Or, it has allowed us to see that the copy of something we have is shite and this better version needs to be put in our collection. You should use it for that, too.
Tomorrow is the 44th anniversary of one of my favorite KISS albums and the first one I ever owned. That album is Love Gun. The sixth studio album from MY Glam Four, it has several concert staples, especially at that time. The title track and “Christine Sixteen” and when Ace was in the band, “Shock Me.” And, I sat and looked at that Ken Kelly cover for long periods of time. If you search back for June 30 on this blog, you’ll find what I’ve written in the past.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “I remember the day that we met. I needed someone, you needed someone too, yeah. Spend time takin’ all you could get. Givin’ yourself was one thing, you never could do. You played with my heart, played with my head. I got to laugh when I think of the things you said,” – “I Stole Your Love” (Stanley)
Today is the 41st anniversary of KISS’ Unmasked, which is one of my favorite albums by them and that’s really saying something. Go listen to that episode on the Asylum: Tales from the Devereaux Diaries podcast to hear how much. Here’s one of, if not my absolute favorite from the album. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Street vampires in the night. Young lovers and love at first sight. This is my flesh and my fantasy. Older women with younger men. I’ve got a feeling I’m in trouble again. But I’ve got to live my destiny.” – “Naked City” (Simmons/Castro/Poncia)
Today is the 28th anniversary of KISS ALIVE III. I got it the day it came out. I saw them two weeks or so before this was recorded, I think. I know it’s not full-on live but it still sounds great. This video was pieced together from the album. Enjoy!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel… Scorp out!
— “Searching in the darkness, running from the day. Hiding from tomorrow, nothing left to say. Victims of the moment, future deep in doubt. Living in a whisper until we start to shout.” – “Creatures of the Night” (Stanley/Mitchell)
