The Vipers were an obscure '80s band that was transfixed with '60s garage/proto-punk, often drawing comparisons to such similarly styled outfits as the Chesterfield Kings, the Cynics, and the Lyres. Although the band received some favorable press and reviews during their tenure together, the Vipers failed to break through to a larger audience.... [+] Read More

The Vipers were an obscure '80s band that was transfixed with '60s garage/proto-punk, often drawing comparisons to such similarly styled outfits as the Chesterfield Kings, the Cynics, and the Lyres. Although the band received some favorable press and reviews during their tenure together, the Vipers failed to break through to a larger audience. Over a nine year period (between 1984 and 1993), the Vipers issued such albums as Outta the Nest, How About Somemore?, Not So Pretty...Not So New, Nest in Peace, and Venom. The Vipers' debut was reissued in 2000 via the Cavestomp label, which added several previously unreleased bonus tracks to the mix. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide [-] Hide

New York City-based psychedelic/garage rock combo who played a large role in the mostly underground '60s revival during the 1980s. Led by the enigmatic Rudi Protrudi, the Fuzztones were one of the major "successes" (particularly in Europe) of the revival that flourished in 1984 that also boasted the Chesterfield Kings, the Cynics, the Miracle... [+] Read More

New York City-based psychedelic/garage rock combo who played a large role in the mostly underground '60s revival during the 1980s. Led by the enigmatic Rudi Protrudi, the Fuzztones were one of the major "successes" (particularly in Europe) of the revival that flourished in 1984 that also boasted the Chesterfield Kings, the Cynics, the Miracle Workers, and Plasticland. Thanks to the praise from Ian Astbury of the Cult, the newly refitted Los Angeles-based Fuzztones were one of the few to get a major-label deal, as In Heat was released by Beggars Banquet in 1989. Due to the album's lackluster sales performance, the Fuzztones went back to the indies and disbanded a couple of years later. ~ Matt Carlson, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Thee Headcoats is one of the various band monikers assumed by garage rock primitive Billy Childish (aka Bill Hamper), a native of Kent, England. Over several decades -- and regardless of the fashion of the time -- Childish has churned out no-frills garage rock, the likes of which saw a resurgence in hipness in the new millennium with groups such... [+] Read More

Thee Headcoats is one of the various band monikers assumed by garage rock primitive Billy Childish (aka Bill Hamper), a native of Kent, England. Over several decades -- and regardless of the fashion of the time -- Childish has churned out no-frills garage rock, the likes of which saw a resurgence in hipness in the new millennium with groups such as the Hives and the White Stripes. The ultra-prolific bandleader/producer/poet/painter/publisher first emerged in 1979 with mod-punkers Pop Rivets. By 1982, the Pop Rivets had become the more musically catchy Milkshakes (akaThee Milkshakes or Mickey & the Milkshakes). The band was remarkably prolific, releasing no fewer than seven albums in 1984 (four of them on the same day). Shortly thereafter, Childish moved on to the similarly minded Thee Mighty Caesars. Nevertheless, since the late '80s, Thee Headcoats -- a trio that includes Pop Rivets/Milkshakes/Mighty Caesars drummer Bruce Brand -- has been Childish's primary outlet for his more accessible, straight-up rock & roll. 1995's Beached Earls CD combines the vinyl albums Beach Bums Must Die and The Earls of Suavedom. Bo in Thee Garage is a sloppy but interesting tribute album to Bo Diddley, while the live efforts Live! At the Wild Western Room and The Sound of the Baskervilles represent not only Thee Headcoats but the all-girl Thee Headcoatees (comprised of members of the Delmonas, for whom Childish writes and produces). To add to the confusion, Thee Headcoats have also released cover versions of Clash songs under the name Thee Stash. As of 2000, Thee Headcoats were Childish's most prolific outlet (no small accolade). The group played its final gig that year at London's Dirty Water club, though tracks continued to be released. ~ Erik Hage, All Music Guide [-] Hide

[-] Hide

Few bands in Boston rock & roll history have lasted as long, and made as much good music, as Lyres. Led by garage rock obsessive, record collector, Farfisa organ king, and world-class megalomaniac Jeff "Monoman" Conolly, Lyres rose from the ashes of Conolly's first band, DMZ. Sporting a similar high-energy trash-rock sound indebted to the Seeds,... [+] Read More

Few bands in Boston rock & roll history have lasted as long, and made as much good music, as Lyres. Led by garage rock obsessive, record collector, Farfisa organ king, and world-class megalomaniac Jeff "Monoman" Conolly, Lyres rose from the ashes of Conolly's first band, DMZ. Sporting a similar high-energy trash-rock sound indebted to the Seeds, ? & the Mysterians, the Stooges, and the early British Invasion (especially early Kinks), Lyres, for a brief, shining moment, were the kingpins of Boston's punk rock scene. Resembling venerable British blues-rockers Savoy Brown because of a constantly changing lineup (something like 40 musicians have passed through the ranks), Lyres (or more specifically, Monoman) gleefully party on, oblivious of trends or the assorted vagaries of the alternative rock marketplace. A dinosaur in his own right? Perhaps, but as long as Jeff Conolly has his organ, a few guys behind him, and a place to play, the simple joy that can only be had through rock & roll will exist in this world -- hipness be damned! ~ John Dougan, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Although Billy Childish and Thee Headcoats have recorded their fair share of garage punk gems, their albums often get bogged down with songs that sound too much alike. The Messerschmitt Pilot's Severed Hand is a welcome exception. With this 1998 release, Thee Headcoats produced an entire album's worth of material that lives up to the promise of... [+] Read More

Although Billy Childish and Thee Headcoats have recorded their fair share of garage punk gems, their albums often get bogged down with songs that sound too much alike. The Messerschmitt Pilot's Severed Hand is a welcome exception. With this 1998 release, Thee Headcoats produced an entire album's worth of material that lives up to the promise of their singles. As with other Headcoats records, technical proficiency gives way to jokey garage punk attitude on The Messerschmitt Pilot's Severed Hand. And this album is a smorgasbord of lo-fi punk cynicism. Framed by a chord progression that screams of the Kinks' "All Day and All of the Night," "We Hate the Fucking N.M.E." is an overt jab at the corporate leanings of the New Music Express. Childish makes "N.M.E." sound like "enemy" and seals the band's fate for not getting any press in this music publication -- but this seems to be the whole point. The song title "I Suppose I'm a Poseur" appears to be an answer to the X-Ray Spex, but the music is a humorous mix of the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" and the Who's "My Generation." And nothing says "punk" like songs with titles such as "I've Been Fucking Your Daughters and Pissing on Your Lawn" and "Blood Piss and Sperm." Despite the over the top punk attitude, this album isn't meant to be taken too seriously. Instead, it is a simultaneous celebration and mockery of punk rock. According to the band's label (Damaged Goods), Childish considered The Messerschmitt Pilot's Severed Hand to be the best Headcoats record ever made. It's difficult to refute his assessment. This record is quintessential Headcoats. ~ Andrew Helminger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

[-] Hide

The jangle of the Byrds early records lived on through New York City's the Optic Nerve in the mid-'80s. Get Hip Recordings has compiled their existing 45s with several unreleased tracks to make up Lotta Nerve, A blistering 13 songs that evoke a number of trippy psychedelic folk-rock bands that emerged from London and California during the late... [+] Read More

The jangle of the Byrds early records lived on through New York City's the Optic Nerve in the mid-'80s. Get Hip Recordings has compiled their existing 45s with several unreleased tracks to make up Lotta Nerve, A blistering 13 songs that evoke a number of trippy psychedelic folk-rock bands that emerged from London and California during the late '60s. Listening to the crisp Rickenbacker 12-string guitars and frail harmonies it is difficult to believe this music isn't actually from 20 years earlier, but the Optic Nerve's sense of authenticity belies the fact that their chronological contemporaries were mid-'80s icons like Madonna and Culture Club. Lotta Nerve is a refreshing follow-up to the debut of the Rolling Stones' brash swagger and a logical precursor to the Stone Roses' swirling guitar rock. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide [-] Hide

[-] Hide

The premier band of the early-1980s neo-fuzz revival is fondly recalled on Flashbacks, a lovingly-assembled 22-track compilation of the Fuzztones' greatest moments. Among the highlights: "Action Speaks Louder Than Words," "Strychnine," "She's My Witch" and "Look for the Question Mark." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

The premier band of the early-1980s neo-fuzz revival is fondly recalled on Flashbacks, a lovingly-assembled 22-track compilation of the Fuzztones' greatest moments. Among the highlights: "Action Speaks Louder Than Words," "Strychnine," "She's My Witch" and "Look for the Question Mark." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide [-] Hide