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| Photo by Pat Graham |
If there's a recurring theme to this blog, it's "I took way to long to get into this band/movie". As someone who was a Baltimore resident during most of their heyday, there's no excuse, other than the dipshittery of youth, for me not having gotten into Lungfish sooner.
Which is a shame, because what I didn't get in my twenties has become an obsession as I've aged. In one sense, I get it: I had no context under which I could appreciate their post-, post-hardcore experiments. I genuinely tried to rectify that mistake by diving into their entire catalog. My preference is for later-period Lungfish; I love taking a long drive to "A.C.R. 1999" and companion release "Necrophones". There's a tactile nature to the music; the lyrics, delivered like a revival preacher. I feel something very primal when I listen to Lungfish. It stirs me as much as any Coltrane record, any Morricone film score.
I originally downloaded this 2003 set from the team at [shiny grey monotone], which should be on your blogroll if it isn't already. Since the link has expired, I think it's pretty fair (with appropriate credit) to repost it here. This dates from their tour immediately following the release of "Love Is Love", and I think is a pretty decent representation of their work, and gives just enough sense of their live show to make you wish they were still playing out. In a less wordy statement, let's let a quote from [sgm] sum it up:
It is fucking scary. Like an angel telling you shit you know is true, but can't understand.
Fair play, Ipecac. Fair play.
Click here to download.
3 comments:
Have you heard the records that the band Skull Defekts made with Daniel Higgs?
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Skull Defekts was pretty solid. A buddy of mine booked them a couple of times in Baltimore; they played in this old commercial building on the west side of town, above a camping store.
I had a job offer in my 20s from a radio station and I wanted to see what the city was like. I also had a beautiful girlfriend going to Shepherd College, less than an hour away. So in late 1989 I drove to Baltimore with her and a couple friends who were power pop and punk rock fans like me. I wanted to see someone representative of the local scene, but really I could only guess. Lungfish had the best band name in the City Paper ads for that weekend, and they were playing at a little dive cc that has gone through many name changes. It was near the block on a tiny street a couple blocks north. You walked in and the bands played immediately to your left. You could also walk up the steps, wander around the tiny hallways, play pool on the 2nd floor, and go down the back stairs to find the bathroom.
Lungfish came on minutes after we arrived. Nice distorted guitar playing simple crunchy licks over a 4/4 beat, and some guy in front who looked like he'd be comfy in a biker bar, singing with his eyes closed and his hands clasped in front of him. We were all transfixed. It was hypnotic. Amazing. It filled me with that RAWK spirit you feel when something really hits your spot. They didn't have anything out, but an EP was coming soon as I remember. Nothing Is Easy was the song that sucked me in. It was transformative. Danny seemed like he meant every word of whatever he was saying. I wanted to live in whatever town spawned this band. I kinda regret that, but I love the band still. Love u babe. johngirardriggs@gmail.com
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