OFF: Monster magnet 25..tab

[Doug Pearson]

On Fri, 16 Oct 1998 20:23:14 -0700, Bryan Young <blyoung at BIGFOOT.COM> wrote:

>But I think you're wrong on the 3 song thing.  I'd have to check, but
>I'm sure there's at least 5 songs.  One of the songs not listed is the
>"Tractor" song that just showed up on the new Powertrip album.
>("driving my tractor on the drug farm...")

Are you sure you're not thinking of the self-titled mini-album that came
out on the German label Glitterhouse?  That one DOES have 5 (all short,
unlike 'TAB...25') songs, including the song "Tractor" that you mention,
which was originally the B-side of their second single, "Murder", on
Caroline's Primo Scree subsidiary (same label that put out the first
version of 'Spine of God' - there are apparently two mixes of that album).
Also on the mini-album were remakes of the first single, "Lizard Johnny"
and "Freak Shop USA" as well as early versions of "Snake Dance" and "Nod
Scene" (that were re-done for 'Spine of God').

>Anybody have any information on this cd?  Was it before or after "Spine
>of God"?  What are the songs about?  Why is it so weird compared to
>other MM stuff?

I believe that it was done around the same time as the second single and
the other tracks on the self-title mini-album I mentioned above.  "TAB" is
actually a re-make of a song that was on the first MM demo tape (aka 'Fuck
Life, I'm High On Drugs') that features the same band lineup as the first
singe (McBain = lead guitar, Wyndorf = rhythm guitar, Cronin =
drums/vocals).  That's what the band originally sounded like (there was a
heavy Skullflower influence going on, thanks to Tim Cronin - they were the
number one band he recommended to me when he sent me that tape after I
wrote him to inquire about Monster Magnet 'cause I liked the first single
and heard that they'd recorded a version of "Brainstorm").  At the time,
many of my friends were of the opinion that the early stuff was the only MM
worth listening to, and that 'Spine of God' was a pathetic sell-out (the
review in the 'zine I wrote for at the time, which had raved about the
first two singles, was entitled "Let's Call A Duck A Duck Department"; no,
I didn't write it!).  I don't necessarily agree, but that first tape is
still MY favorite MM.

also, sprawl <sprawl at BLACKBOARD.COM> wrote:
>It was before SOG.  It is wierd because it is wierd.  Check the title!  The
>songs are about tripping out on acid, what else?

All correct information, AFAIK!

        -Doug
         ceres at sirius.com