ROKY ERICKSON-THE EVILLER ONE: AN ALTERNATE CLASSIC!

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EVILLER ONE REDUX

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The material recorded by ROKY ERICKSON and the ALIENS with ex CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL bassist Stu Cook in the producer spot still commands respect more than 30 years later. Initially spread out over two lps but now compiled into the 15 song EVIL ONE cd, the otherworldly spell of this music still holds demonic sway-- in its way, as important as his legendary previous work with Psychedelic/Garage titans the 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS. The focus of the terror themed compositions married to the unique and powerful arrangements of the ALIENS resulted in a no-longer-debatable classic. With each passing year its 'cult' status appeal expands into a wider and wider audience of appreciative fanatics.

So why mess with a good thing? Well, truth is, most of THE EVIL ONE's tracks have made impressive, sometimes superior, appearances elsewhere in the dense catalogue of ERICKSON's erratic recording career. Sometimes different versions tried with the ALIENS, sometimes with other backing bands such as the EXPLOSIVES, sometimes live, sometimes solo attempts. With so much of this amazing material available online, it seemed natural to offer up an 'alternate' EVIL ONE. Many of these other options are likely to thrill both the novice ROKY dabbler as well as the longtime devotee-- there are some truly wild performances here, and not all of them are well known.


The set is programmed to match the running order of the EVIL ONE cd, so kick back, open up your mind, and click your fingers applauding as you press PLAY.





1. TWO HEADED DOG
     Arguably the most perfect version of this classic was concocted for the slightly earlier Sponge EP, also recorded with the ALIENS.

TWO HEADED DOG





2. I THINK OF DEMONS
     There actually aren't a lot of other versions of this sturdy scarifier, so we'll make do with a strong live take with THE EXPLOSIVES, recorded on Halloween and leaning more towards the 'UP' instead of the 'OF' of the title.

I THINK UP DEMONS





3. CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN
      An unforgettable segment of the 1980 documentary MEETING WITH AN ALIEN featured ROKY performing this favorite in a windy graveyard. Begins with an amusing interview snippet and ends with the ol' devil horns.

CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN





4. THE WIND AND MORE
     This energetic performance with the EXPLOSIVES features some maniacal adlibbing from ERICKSON.

THE WIND AND MORE





5. DON'T SHAKE ME LUCIFER
     Another tidbit from the Halloween show features a tough, lean arrangement and is notably adorned by a rarely heard extra verse-- which surprisingly references his earlier band.

DON'T SHAKE ME LUCIFER





 6. BLOODY HAMMER
      This slightly varispeeded rough mix of the EVIL ONE version features not only more dominant guitars, but also continues well past the expected fadeout point to the absolute conclusion.

BLOODY HAMMER





7. STAND FOR THE FIRE DEMON
     This highlight from the EXPLOSIVES backed CASTING THE RUNES is a performance which inspired ROKY to impressive passages of demented power.

STAND FOR THE FIRE DEMON





8. CLICK YOUR FINGERS APPLAUDING THE PLAY
      Though effective in its own right, the EVIL ONE attempt of this gem just can't match the relentlessly bashing throb of the earlier SPONGE ep take.

CLICK YOUR FINGERS APPLAUDING THE PLAY






9. IF YOU HAVE GHOSTS
     An EVIL ONE rarity for certain: not only untopped, but virtually unattempted elsewhere in any recorded form by ERICKSON. Suppose the only way to achieve 'EVILLER' in this instance is to throw in imagery from the 1962 cult horror film CARNIVAL OF SOULS. (This vid begins with a brief snippet of WHITE FACES. Don't worry. That's coming.)

IF YOU HAVE GHOSTS





10. I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE
     Another strong EXPLOSIVES live cut.

I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE





11. NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRE
     This startlingly devilish highlight from GREMLINS HAVE PICTURES captures what may be ERICKSON's finest moment with the EXPLOSIVES.

NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRE





12. IT'S A COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS
      This thrilling alternate EVIL ONE take is powered by demonstrably more frenetic drumwork, and other impressive performance touches from the ALIENS.

IT'S A COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS





13. MINE MINE MIND
     Another superior SPONGE ep meditation.

MINE MINE MIND





14. SPUTNIK
      Leading off with a chorus instead of a verse, this dazzling EVIL ONE alternate take more than holds its own against the finally utilized version.

SPUTNIK: ALIEN I CREATOR





15. WHITE FACES
     The EVILLER ONE proper closes with one of this exercise's most amazing finds: an undeniably superior EVIL ONE take with an incredibly open throttle, full on freakout vocal explosion from ROKY. MUST be heard to be believed.

WHITE FACES










We'll wrap things up here with a few extra tastes of other versions which just fell short of the cut. There were only a few of my first choices not available online-- the Sympathy for the Record Industry live RESURRECTIONISTS cd BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has a great DON'T SHAKE ME LUCIFER, and that release's TWO HEADED DOG and COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS surely would have been considered. The LIVE IN DALLAS release with the NERVEBREAKERS features a particularly strong THE WIND AND MORE. Also, the odd import compilation LOVE TO SEE YOU BLEED has a potent acoustic demo of BLOODY HAMMER. Otherwise, the remaining ideal options were all findable. So were these appealing also rans.


16. TWO HEADED DOG
     Surely the toughest decision of this program was between the SPONGE ep take of TWO HEADED DOG and this DOUG SAHM produced original, which appeared on a 45 on the MARS label. Many prefer the nearly unhinged clamour of this version, but the devastating guitar work on the SPONGE ep tipped the scales in that direction.

TWO HEADED DOG





17. CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN
     The two cd collection THE EVIL ONE (PLUS ONE) reveals this tantalizing outtake with the ALIENS. Incomplete, but with far more dialogue from the film quoted.

CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN





18.NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRE
      Another brief EVIL ONE alternate from the same release.

NIGHT OF THE VAMPIRE





19. IT'S A COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS
     Another great EXPLOSIVES live track from GREMLINS HAVE PICTURES. Not as good as the RESURRECTIONISTS, but available.

IT'S A COLD NIGHT FOR ALLIGATORS





20. MINE MINE MIND
      A dark, moody solo performance.

MINE MINE MIND





21. TWO HEADED DOG
     In conclusion, one more highly obscure demo of TWO HEADED DOG.

TWO HEADED DOG









Thanx to the YOUTUBE posters of these precious materials.



For more great ROKY artifacts, please visit this fanpage:

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https://www.facebook.com/devilsinfintychildren

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Hail the party.

THE RAMONES' OTHER DEBUT ALBUM

 

 

 

The Brothers are absolutely my favorite band, and I often refer to the first album as THE 14 COMMANDMENTS. The nature of its odd (practically ANTI-) production has become a central part of the mystique- thin, dry, trebly, practically no outside instrument embellishment or solos, brutal stereo separation of the bass & guitar, little 'protection' for Joey's (and others') vokes. Its primitivism is often cited as an ideal match to the band's aesthetic approach.

In fact even the meager cost of recording (six grand or so) is often touted as evidence of their simple precision. (I know, doesn't seem too meager to me either. They mean meager compared to the cost of  Fleetwood Mac producing TUSK.)

These notions, however, are obliterated upon hearing the cheap demos recorded by manager Marty Thau & the band in 1975. Crunchy and charged, these recordings make the six grand spent on THE RAMONES seem like a dubious extravagance, and in retrospect later several members noted the earlier tries' superior sound and feel to the subsequent 'real' recordings. A majority of the debut record's tracks were tried out, as well as a few that made it to LEAVE HOME (and even LATER!) and a couple of awesome tunes which went unreleased for years.

With most of these tracks so readily available via youtubin' I thought it might be fun to assemble them here, duplicating the original track order as closely as possible. A few iconic tracks don't appear (Beat on the Brat), but much of the flow has been maintained. Threw on some other extras at the end too. ENJOY!



1. BLITZKRIEG BOP--Even at this early stage, they seemingly arrive fully, perfectly formed. Breathtaking.






2. I DON'T CARE--The only one of these demos held back for ROCKET TO RUSSIA, their 3rd. Many of these tracks feature far more more relaxed and expressive vocals from Joey, and this is a good example.






3. JUDY IS A PUNK--The heavier, but simultaneously somehow more bubblegummy sound they would later overtly attempt on their 2nd LEAVE HOME is evident all over these tracks.





4. I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND--They give it a go in C before trying it in D (see 16) and then ending up in E on the record. Shoulda left it where it was.





5.CHAINSAW--No buzzsaw intro, but KILLER!





6. NOW I WANNA SNIFF SOME GLUE--Extra fancy guitar pickin' from Johnny!





7. I DON'T WANNA GO DOWN TO THE BASEMENT--I'd be hard pressed to not call this superior to the album version.

8. LOUDMOUTH--A bit tentative perhaps, but great clarity on DeeDee's bass.





9.YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE OPENED THAT DOOR--Neither HAVANA AFFAIR nor LISTEN TO MY HEART were attempted, but here's a good stab at what ended up being one of LEAVE HOME's less well mixed tracks. They struggle briefly with the oddly timed intro.






10. I CAN'T BE--The other gem which, along with LEARNED/TAMED never made it on to any of the bros' records. The central riff to CHINESE ROCK makes an early appearance, and DIG the cool montage of vintage Bob Gruen and Danny Fields pix from period music mags!





11. 53RD AND 3RD--GREAT vokes from DeeDee throughout, and the fat mix shows Tommy's drumming to great advantage. Great tom sound and eccentric hihat pulloffs.




 

12. YOU'RE GONNA KILL THAT GIRL--LET'S DANCE was not attempted, but this similarly early 60s flavored original was, so it'll take it's place. Bass heavy, but a fun alternative to the LEAVE HOME version, which is voke heavy, amongst other problems. Still strong enough to coax SIRE to offer a single contract to the band for this song, an offer they rejected, holding out for an lp deal.

13. I DON'T WANNA WALK AROUND WITH YOU--One of this collection's strongest finds, an unbelievably awesome sonic barrage.



 

 

14. TODAY YOUR LOVE, TOMORROW THE WORLD--Our alternate '14 commandments' comes to a powerful end, uncensored lyrics and all.

15. JUDY IS A PUNK--Another poppier attempt.






16. I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND--This time trying it in D, somewhat more polished.






17. WHAT'S YOUR GAME--This was the only Marty Thau demo that didn't fit too well into the construct of what I was aiming for, so I've saved it for here near the end. 

 

 18. I DON'T WANNA BE LEARNED/ I DON'T WANNA BE TAMED--Finally,this embryonic classic- a song which distills their primitive power down to it's purest essence. Until DURANGO 95 came along, much later, that is.







 

 

I'd like to thank all of the youtube posters of this precious material. I know some of these links might not work on phones, but several of the clips were too cool to not get the nod.

Special thanx to Mullin for massive nerdbox support.



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HERE'S  LINKS TO MY RAMONES REVIEWS-- A TRACK BY TRACK RAMONES CAREER OVERVIEW!! 

 

NOW ON YOUTUBE: 

YOUTUBE HUMMING A SICKENING TUNE

FOLLOW ON FB:

FB HUMMING A SICKENING TUNE
 

ORIGINAL BLOG: 

RAMONES--HUMMING A SICKENING TUNE: An Overview

 
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Here's two RAMONES related sites I like:

BLITZKRIEG'S PSYCHOTHERAPY BOP

RAMONES WORLD WIDE GROUP HEY HO LET'S GO




Here's a link to MY tumblr--TRUCKSTOP'S TRUCKSTOP