Masshysteri - Dom kan inte höra musiken [buy]
The Deadly Snakes -Shake by the riverside
Is there a fifth instrument of rock music? Guitar, bass, and drums are the indivisible common denominator--the prime number, after which everything is a luxury. The human voice and keyboards are the usual suspects for a fourth. But the fifth? That's where it gets tricky. Arguments have been made: Sneaky Pete made a case for the pedal steel; PJ Harvey has advocated for the autoharp; Blue Öyster Cult might suggest the cow bell.
In punk rock an emphasis on aesthetic simplicity often means that instrumentation is even more pared down. But recently the punks have been waking up to a missing element. An added layer of skronk - the saxophone!
Consider its dulcet high-pitched yelp. Can any single instrument more efficiently express the alienation of modern life that is punk's key theme? The soulful wailing of this ridiculous woodwind outdoes even the most earnest hardcore yowler. Our forebears knew. Proto- and first wave punkers The Stooges and the X-Ray Spex each had fulltime sax people for at least one record. (Holy cow Lora Logic was fifteen when she recorded "Oh Bondage Up Yours!") The Deadly Snakes carried the torch in the early 00s. And today's punks are tapping the part-time honkers at the fringes of the scene, high school band dropouts, patiently waiting for their time to shine. Swedish melodic punks Masshysteri and St. Louis's scummiest Lumpy and the Dumpers have brought in journeymen saxers to liven up some of their best numbers. Providence's Downtown Boys have gone all the way, incorporating two fulltime sax players!!
Listen, if you will, to these punk sax songs and feel all the feelings--the wild freedom of air rushing through a horn. Punk rock + saxophone = true love. May the two be henceforth indivisible.
After some iTunes searching, it looks like "Shake by the riverside" is titled "Diamonds & Furs" off of Love Undone. Now for some listening on repeat. Thank you!!
Posted by Matt at February 4, 2015 10:17 AMGlad you like the song Matt! The Deadly Snakes were a rare gem. They put out four amazing LPs (try 'Ode to Joy' next) and always had a wild live show. I think it might be time for me to immerse myself in their catalogue all over again.
Posted by Jeff
at February 4, 2015 10:47 AM...and don't forget about sackville, NB's KAPPA CHOW!!!
Posted by ilse at February 7, 2015 4:07 PM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
