BASSHOLES (s/t) CD
For fans of 60's garage rock and 50's/60's low-fi blues, the BASSHOLES aren't no newcomers. With a lot of different releases, ranging from full-lengths albums to 7"'s and compilation tracks, where they fusing blues and rock 'n' roll in drivingly rhythmic style they have placed their name in this scene. This band began as a two-piece in 1992 in Columbus, Ohio and singer/guitarist Don Howland has also been part of the Gibson Brothers, another interesting garage band. In drummer Lamont Thomas he had found an passionate and talented man, who shared his love for old blues, 50's rock 'n' roll and garage rock. So, when I received this promo and put it into the player, it was my first meeting with the music from this two men.
Since this days, I've played this album over and over again, because I like it a lot. First, I'm glad, that this album belongs to the BASSHOLES album with a polished production, because I'm not the biggest fan of low-fi garage blues rock. And they've played with a lot of guest musicians here, what makes the included fourteen cuts more diverse, due to the additional instruments like dobro, harmonica, guitar, bass and clawhammer banjo. Listening to the album is like a trip through the American music history from the 50's and 60's. The BASSHOLES have integrated infuences like Delta Blues, Country as well as a small dose of psychedelia, but have also their shit together when they play high-energy punk rock as the here included "Purple Noon" f.e..
But when I take a look at the list of the covers the band has undertaken over the years might say as much about where the BASSHOLES are coming from; it includes both widely influential and remotely obscure tracks from bands like The Stooges, Joy Divison, The Fugs to name a few, or the here presented "Broke Down Engine" from the old blues legend Blind Willie Mc Tell. I like the diversity of this album, and it's very different from this typical average garage rock stuff. Highly recommandable!!!
(KK)