They were always a strange proposition. Gnomic is a good word for them, from the daft crab walks the singer, Vreselijk Ongeluk (Dreadful Accident), used to perform onstage, to their eye popping artwork
They were always a strange proposition. Gnomic is a good word for them, from the daft crab walks the singer, Vreselijk Ongeluk (Dreadful Accident), used to perform onstage, to their eye popping artwork
Ah Boutros Bubba, what are we to do without you? The band are – at time of writing about to split up, so I suppose I can write the nicest obituary possible, as we are told that music lives on, does it not?
They were always a strange proposition. Gnomic is a good word for them, from the daft crab walks the singer, Vreselijk Ongeluk (Dreadful Accident), used to perform onstage, to their eye popping artwork – I’ve given up trying to read what the titles are on the record (even the free 3d glasses thoughtfully provided with the release don’t really help), all the way through to their crazy professor guitar sound.
If you like music that leaps around like a particularly clever horse at the Gymkhana, (one that forces you over the same set of obstacles, too), then this is for you. It’s quizzical, laconic, often funny: the opening thrash detailing the death of a man dressed in a rabbit costume is a great track. They specialise in abrasive, metallic guitar work outs that owe something to Zappa and the Soft Boys – especially the Soft Boys – if you like Can of Bees you will lap this up, so listen in on gawky work outs like Correct Spelling From Hell, or Green Green Bread of Home, I promise you will see the link. The LP boasts some tremendously (and surprisingly) “poppy” moments as well: Fun With Powertools is a sludgy trawl through someone’s psyche, someone who is very, very lonely indeed whereas Imperial Stormtrooper is a pop song of sorts before it slides inexorably off the rails. It all ends quite sadly too, with Mid Air. I suppose the feeling of sadness is appropriate… oh well.
A friend said when hearing this record that, “this sounds the kind of music that should soundtrack Laurel and Hardy films”. I agree, wholeheartedly. R.I.P.