The State Was Bad
I’m not trying to start trouble here. I’m pretty sure it is a debate that most people will not give two hoots in a hog’s ass about(???). The comments about Shorty and U.S. Maple the other day got me to thinking. I know I’m in the minority for liking U.S. Maple more. It’s not because they sold more records or got more “famous” (and I’m sure that’s the wrong word). Shorty rocked harder live and on record. No doubt. Uh, both bands rocked harder than no doubt. Honestly, there are two reasons why I like U.S. Maple more:
1. The lyrics are better
2. US Maple offered the world of rock a bigger FUCK YOU!
Number 2 may be the real bullshitty side of me coming out. I’m one of those idiots that thinks there ought to always be bands out there making the grown-ups go, “What is this shit? This is a bunch of garbage that doesn’t mean anything!” That’s what people said when they first heard little Richard and Jerry Lee. Maybe I should get a big time machine, travel back to the 50’s and pretend I’m the Creed guy. At least the blogosphere would be rid of me.
The non-bullshit, slightly more sincere side of me really does love the lyrics. Consider:
LETTER TO ZZ TOP (excerpt)
And well I’m just saying Yeah
get washed up and go downtown to
where they’re playin
and say_______________you asshole
And talk Chinese on your hands and
Knees to
All the women
MAGIC JOB (excerpt)
When I’m alone there
and I sit and I sip on a soda
and I go home
and I sleep
and I dream
about that magic job
THE STATE WAS BAD (excerpt)
Girls there well they all got a groom
so I just sat and in a state that’s
bad and all the men man well they
are just like dad so I just said yeah
The lyrics above are all from the first record.
So in response to the comments in the last post and one via e-mail – Shorty probably rocked harder and the arrangements were tighter, maybe even more interesting with less tweedling and teasing and more in-your-face rock. But the US Maple lyrics still fascinate me. They grab me as much as anything by David Yow, Nick Drake, Ray Davies, or Bob Dylan. I mentioned in the previous post my love for the Squirrel and PDawg as songwriters and believe me – I’m interested in everything they do. Either one of those guys write something and I’m gonna pay attention (I’ve mentioned I’m a bad fan of music and sometimes I listen to things in a half-assed way – never w/ Alex and MM). As much as I love the songs from the Squirrel and the PDawg, I envy AJ as a writer. Again, not for the success or acclaim. Really. I wish I thought of this shit first.
You know what will get you you know where
_______________________and so it goes dee dee dee
1. The lyrics are better
2. US Maple offered the world of rock a bigger FUCK YOU!
Number 2 may be the real bullshitty side of me coming out. I’m one of those idiots that thinks there ought to always be bands out there making the grown-ups go, “What is this shit? This is a bunch of garbage that doesn’t mean anything!” That’s what people said when they first heard little Richard and Jerry Lee. Maybe I should get a big time machine, travel back to the 50’s and pretend I’m the Creed guy. At least the blogosphere would be rid of me.
The non-bullshit, slightly more sincere side of me really does love the lyrics. Consider:
LETTER TO ZZ TOP (excerpt)
And well I’m just saying Yeah
get washed up and go downtown to
where they’re playin
and say_______________you asshole
And talk Chinese on your hands and
Knees to
All the women
MAGIC JOB (excerpt)
When I’m alone there
and I sit and I sip on a soda
and I go home
and I sleep
and I dream
about that magic job
THE STATE WAS BAD (excerpt)
Girls there well they all got a groom
so I just sat and in a state that’s
bad and all the men man well they
are just like dad so I just said yeah
The lyrics above are all from the first record.
So in response to the comments in the last post and one via e-mail – Shorty probably rocked harder and the arrangements were tighter, maybe even more interesting with less tweedling and teasing and more in-your-face rock. But the US Maple lyrics still fascinate me. They grab me as much as anything by David Yow, Nick Drake, Ray Davies, or Bob Dylan. I mentioned in the previous post my love for the Squirrel and PDawg as songwriters and believe me – I’m interested in everything they do. Either one of those guys write something and I’m gonna pay attention (I’ve mentioned I’m a bad fan of music and sometimes I listen to things in a half-assed way – never w/ Alex and MM). As much as I love the songs from the Squirrel and the PDawg, I envy AJ as a writer. Again, not for the success or acclaim. Really. I wish I thought of this shit first.
You know what will get you you know where
_______________________and so it goes dee dee dee
posted by edP | 7:40 AM
24 Comments:
I wanted to respond with at least one bit of Shorty lyrics (to me they were more imagistic & thus concrete, which I like), but my memory is useless & I couldn't find anything on the web. I did find this interview w/USM, though, which you might find interesting.
http://www.sponiczine.com/article_detail.asp?id=759
US Maple sucks huge donkey nuts. I have had to sit through at least 3 shows of theirs and I remember thinking that they seemed like bad art that tried to hard to be edgy. It's like a bad poet asking, "Do you feel threatened by my ideas yet?". I'd rather sit outside a barn and listen to the sound of steer being castrated than listen to their awful shit. Also, the last time I saw them, Steener puked all over the back seet of a cab. Nothing but bad memories associated with those dudes.
ahhh, good times.
I enjoyed US Maple. They opened for Pavement (who thought of that pairing?) and their pissing off the crowd was pretty funny. Oh, and Pavement sucked. And I like Pavement.
I'm with you. I don't know that much Shorty; they had a great sound. But I like the temperment of US Maple more. I can't say they grab me anywhere near as much as a Ray Davies or Nick Drake, but then I am not the guy from floating basement, either! they're still a compelling band. Craig is a really big fan.
Yeah, let me know when you see that guy from the floating Basement! He owes me money!
...uh, waitaminute
If I see you, should I tell you that you're coming after you for that money?
No, don't tip me off. I can be a tricky bastard.
Sons of bitches! I'm on to me!
Shorty was better. I'll get the money from Ed, Ed.
I read an interview from David Yow once which was really great. To paraphrase, he said that the Jesus Lizard came up with some really fucked up stuff - they could probably do anything and go way off the deep end of "art-rock" or whatever. But, at the end of the day, they were in it to entertain people and rock out, so all that "art-rock" stuff does is alienate people. It's funny, because they were pretty unique as it stands, but they were definitly concrete.
All that said, I could still watch Todd and Mark guitar-spar in any circumstances. Rittman is an unsung genius on the guitar. No shit.
I always get freaked out when there are 2 ChrisB comments back to back. With the pictures it's like the ChrisB twins posting on my blog.
I don't know any Shorty stuff; but, I'm sure it's better than US Maple (sorry honey). Michael- you have my sympathy for having to sit through those shows. Ed- can you link to the old blog and fledgling times? I have to go there from other places in the blogosphere. Love, love.
the previous comment was from me-
oops
I like US MAPLE but I always thought their singer sounded like Snagglepuss. C.M.
We should've started a band with Snagglepuss
Steener fires back with a vengance. That shot was e-pissy worthy. By the way, Alex would never believe that you puked in a cab. You can't believe everything you read on the internet - especially on this blog.
And I'm coming over to listen to the rock singles.
I hope that people aren't getting the idea that I don't like Shorty. I do! Jeanz actually made me a mix tape way back in the day with the Cows, Shorty etc...
OK it's late, I'm tired.
Thanks for the linkage Ed! Since so many of YOU guys linked me, I guess you don't think I'm a scary feminazi--perhaps it would be okay to add the Dekalb Clubage link, then (for all my ranting, I would never want you guys to not like me...sob!)
As the the USM/Shorty debate, I never saw Shorty so I can't take sides. I did feel alienated by USM tho ... yet, did like some songs.
Sorry, Steener. I doubt the whole world reads my dumbass comments on Ed's blog. Are you really glad some of it landed on me? That's mean. You're a tough cookie, Steener.
Kaka I don't think you're a scarry feminazi. You are passionate. You understand to some degree the difference between justice and injustice. You also ask questions on your blog. That is something the garden variety ideologue does not do. Therefore, beside the fact that you are my friend - you are worth reading and talking to.
Keep rocking and I can't wait to get the VS disc!
That was a rough night, Steener. I still remember Joey calling me later that evening to ask for my advice on the ethics of whether or not to clean up another incident that occurred in the lobby of your building. I believe I convinced him to take care of it. That man really loves you!
You guys are still talkin' the puke?
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