Just Like Our Motto, "From The 60's To The 90's, It's All Here". From The Fugs to Fall Out Boy

Earlier today I posted a separate blurb with a link to a Rolling Stone article that announced the passing of Tuli Kupferberg, co-founder of, in my opinion, the original underground band called The Fugs. I won't repeat, or go into what is covered in the article, but I wanted to expand on it.

Before even discussing The Fugs, you have to have a setting... there is no other way to give you the full scope of this band. In the early 60's, The Electric Circus began as a popular New York nightclub with all kinds of lights and multi-media displays on the walls. A very hip place to "be seen". The downstairs section was a bar called "The Dom". There was no attraction to this bar except for nickel beer. In late 1964, when the Beatles first came to America, The Fugs were conceived in a dark corner of The Dom. Fugs co-founder Ed Sanders, bookstore owner & publisher of a literary magazine at the time called "Fuck You - A Magazine of the Arts") was originally attracted by the poetry readings that were held there. Sanders and Kupferberg were two like-minded individuals (now that's kinda scary) spawned the unofficial origins of "underground" rock, which helped lead to punk and alternative music.

The group worked out their material in other venues like Slug's and the MacDougall Street Theater in Greenwich Village. They even invented "dances" like the Turkey Gobble to go along with their songs. Unbelievably, they actually got signed to a record label - the jazz oriented ESP. The label rejected the groups first set of songs as being too offensive. By 1965, The Fugs had enough new material to release "Virgin Fugs". The album epitomized their sense of humor and satire. Depending on your point of view, the band was either making fun, had a healthy disrespect, or an unhealthy social attitude for just about EVERYTHING!

While finding their material can be rather difficult, it is absolutely a must listen. Yes, they can barely play... yes, they can't sing... yes, their material is not for everyone. But, their songs are a freakin' riot! R.I.P. Tuli... you will be missed...


In another odd note, but definitely alternative, Bob Geldof, of the Boomtown Rats, helped organize and pull off the Live Aid concerts in England as well as here in America back in 1985... 25 years ago today. God bless WBCN out of Boston for carrying the entire event live!


In current news, Linkin Park is working on a new album called "A Thousand Suns". They will be working with Rick Rubin, the same producer who worked with them on Minutes To Midnight. Check out the full story here http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/179373


And finally, in the "for those who care" department, Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, (the band is on "indefinite hiatus" - must be nice), is working on a Reggae inspired album along with his own back-up band for the project. Whether you love them or hate them, it should be an interesting listen.

That's it for now, keep the suggestions coming & keep listening.
Peace out,
Dave