Welcome back to “On That Note,” MeanDean/cyclones500 weekly music series. This time, for “It’s My Vault,” is 3rd of 4 explorations of The Paisley Underground.
GREEN ON RED
Of the groups I’ve profiled so far in P-Underground series, Green on Red, in some variation, had the longest continuous run. What’s most fascinating — and occasionally exasperating or “challenging” — is how the band’s approach evolved. It made a transition from neo-psychedelia to Americana to an early precursor to alt-country, then settled into — well, something. GOR has elements I admire and a few I find derivative, but for a while in the mid-80s, it was among my favorites.
Background: Formed as The Serfers in 1979, Tucson, Ariz., changed name to Green on Red and relocated to L.A. around ’81. Basic unit from mid- to late-80s: Dan Stuart (vocals, guitar), Chuck Prophet (lead guitar, vocals), Chris Cacavas (keyboards, vocals), Jack Waterson (bass), Alex MacNicol (drums). As with most groups in this sub-genre, a true breakthrough didn’t come, although they climbed the record-label ladder for the rest of the decade. Apex for exposure may have been performing at Farm Aid ’86.
As you listen to the samples, presented in chronological order, you may spot influences or think of similar underexposed music from the period. And, it’s likely to change as we go. If so, chime in and post samples. Remember, OTN is a 2-way street.
OK, let’s go!
PART A: “First Wave”
“Gravity Talks” (1983, Slash)
Band's first LP. Worth a listen as a full work, if you can get your hands on it.
Favorite lyric: “My mind is disconnected/would you put it back, please?”
Here's a “VU example" in GOR's catalog, for lack of better description:
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“Gas Food Lodging” (1985, Enigma)
Probably the band’s most essential long-player. A game-changer came here, not only in musical approach, but instrumental dynamic: Chuck Prophet joined as lead guitarist and additional backing vocalist. With that addition, GOR moved from “punkadelica” to Americana.
Juxtaposed with the closing track on Gravity Talks, “Narcolepsy,” the opener of “GFL," "That's What Dreams," seems to come out of left field.
Notable line: “It takes money to make money they say/Ain’t it funny how love doesn’t work that way?”
- Part 2 here
- Last week’s OTN: “Different Covers”
GREEN ON RED
Of the groups I’ve profiled so far in P-Underground series, Green on Red, in some variation, had the longest continuous run. What’s most fascinating — and occasionally exasperating or “challenging” — is how the band’s approach evolved. It made a transition from neo-psychedelia to Americana to an early precursor to alt-country, then settled into — well, something. GOR has elements I admire and a few I find derivative, but for a while in the mid-80s, it was among my favorites.
Background: Formed as The Serfers in 1979, Tucson, Ariz., changed name to Green on Red and relocated to L.A. around ’81. Basic unit from mid- to late-80s: Dan Stuart (vocals, guitar), Chuck Prophet (lead guitar, vocals), Chris Cacavas (keyboards, vocals), Jack Waterson (bass), Alex MacNicol (drums). As with most groups in this sub-genre, a true breakthrough didn’t come, although they climbed the record-label ladder for the rest of the decade. Apex for exposure may have been performing at Farm Aid ’86.
As you listen to the samples, presented in chronological order, you may spot influences or think of similar underexposed music from the period. And, it’s likely to change as we go. If so, chime in and post samples. Remember, OTN is a 2-way street.
OK, let’s go!
PART A: “First Wave”
“Gravity Talks” (1983, Slash)
Band's first LP. Worth a listen as a full work, if you can get your hands on it.
Favorite lyric: “My mind is disconnected/would you put it back, please?”
Here's a “VU example" in GOR's catalog, for lack of better description:
-----------
“Gas Food Lodging” (1985, Enigma)
Probably the band’s most essential long-player. A game-changer came here, not only in musical approach, but instrumental dynamic: Chuck Prophet joined as lead guitarist and additional backing vocalist. With that addition, GOR moved from “punkadelica” to Americana.
Juxtaposed with the closing track on Gravity Talks, “Narcolepsy,” the opener of “GFL," "That's What Dreams," seems to come out of left field.
Notable line: “It takes money to make money they say/Ain’t it funny how love doesn’t work that way?”
