Capsule reviews by a jury of one: Iowa journalist/author DC Larson.
Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Blues, Alternative, Western Swing, R and B, Punk, Swing, Hillbilly, Glam, Americana.
DC Larson's retro science fiction writing blog, from which the Eddie Atomic Space Adventures are available, is RETRO RIFF BOOKS. And his political writings one is AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE. Both are also on Blogspot. All original content on these three blogs is under author copyright.
The Meteors Fuck the Bootleggers Vol. 1 + 2 (Mutant Rock Records)
The legend of P. Paul Fenech and his revolving company of coffin-copping accomplices has, over decades of hopped up and tricked out debauchery, stormed at hyper speed through plateaus unspeakable. Here stalks the merrily ghastly prototype, the winkingly dreadful lodestone revered by wreckers of diseased essences. Recommended: "Maniac Rockers From Hell," "Shout So Loud (I'm Gonna Wake Up the Dead)," "I Don't Worry About It," "Graveyard Stomp," "Mutant Rock," "Ex-men Boogie," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Rockabilly Psychosis," "Chainsaw Boogie," "Wreckin' Crew," "Rhythm of the Bell" Videos: "Shout So Loud (I'm Gonna Wake Up the Dead)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cissZEiYW1g "Ex-Men Boogie" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNuu1ixpmHw
Gene Crazed and the Greasy Stranglers It! (Nervous Records)
A spare and rough-edged disc that shines equally strongly in its atmospheric instrumental moments. Bounding truculence that kicks its black boots at reserve. Recommended: "I Stretch, You Lick," "Rockabilly Rebel (Maniac On the Loose)," "It," "Wild Guitar," "The Witch," "Necro Baby," "Munsters Theme" Video: "I Stretch and You Lick" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMaDs9pMrwY&list=PLG62Dbb8aSzBanYiPErPHQ3f4XeQRviXk&index=4
These sort of bouncy skins, sax honks, and rippling ivories can be located on thick black 1950s King vinyl from legends like Roy Brown, Wynonie Harris, and Bullmoose Jackson. So can the jump blues guitar dash and swaggering declamations. But the song constructions boast hooks of distinction, and direct the jive down rich roads. Recommended: "You're the One," "One More Time (Take 1)," "Call Me Up," "Another Day, Another Lie," "Spend Some Time With Me," "I Ain't Mad At You," "Everlasting Love Blues," "Flottakarlek," "Aldrig Ska Jag Gamma" Video: "You're the One" (live, feat, Karin Johansson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D9L7zX_gdM&list=PLCD440795FD922B41&index=12&t=0s
The Limit Club's sparkplug players turn up tilted fun from psycho's stormy singalong side. Knockabout abandon in which all can serve with off-kilter devotion. Recommended: "The Ballad of Kid Bitchin'," "One Minute," "Only a Lad," "It's Not Me," "Wheel of Self Destruction," "Step Into the Fear" Video: "The Ballad of Kid Bitchin;" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmrGh1PMSHs&index=2&list=PLkEIr1tZXRelEPkCQj6YRGWvrSDRFf7rY&t=0s
FORMER staff writer for Rockabilly and Pin Up America magazines.
FREELANCE credits include Daily Caller, American Thinker, Free Republic, Huffington Post, Counterpunch, Dissident Voice, Independent Political Report, USA Today, Des Moines Register, Iowa City Press-Citizen, Waterloo Courier, Cedar Falls Times, Marshalltown Times Republican, Cincinnati.com, IndyStar, Arizona Republic, No Depression, Goldmine, Blue Suede News, Rock and Rap Confidential, Crackerjack, Blues News, Wrecking Pit, Punk Globe, Prairie Sun, Music and Sound Output, BAM, New Music, and 1980s NYC fanzines Shake, Rattle, and Roll, Rebel Rouser, and Off the Wall.
AUTHOR: Shake, Rattle and Rocket!, Ghost Saucers in the Sky!, Stratosphere Boogieman!, Flesh Made Music, That a Man Can Again Stand Up: American spirit vs, sedition during the incipient Trump Revolution, and Ideas Afoot: Political observations, social commentary, and media analyses.
WORKED as 2004 Iowa coordinator for Ralph Nader independent presidential campaign; co-founded Iowa Green Party, also served as statewide media coordinator; press coordinator, 2002 Jay Robinson (Green) IA gubernatorial effort. Wrote extensively re Trump campaign..