Sunday, March 17, 2013

Jeff Dahl - "All Trashed Up" (CD, Triple X - 1999)

A true Underground hero for how long, three decades now? I'm only having good words about Jeff Dahl, in everything got involved through years passing! He managed to have a pure rock & roll career without selling out his punk rock ethos not a single time, he had putting out fanzines (Sonic Iguana especially, belongs to the better ones ever printed, up there with Ugly Things, Sniffin' Glue or Kicks), released records to amazing artists through his own label Ultra Under (Freddy Lynxx, Gunfire Dance, Jacobites) and who knows what else am I forgetting now?
I remember asking him for an interview some years back, sending him the questions and after a month of no reply and without getting back at him, I received an email asking me if he ever answered my questions... I was amazed! And you know,  they were lots of 'heroes' that said me they 're gonna give me an interview but never replied, not caring for the love and time I have put into these questions... NOT Jeff though! Saying all this, there's no way for such a cool person to not having a CV of ass-kicking and purely honest (at least) records .
A three chord wonder in the very close meaning of the title! Check out if there's still around somewhere (my friend Mr. Rambler from SOTD had posted them both quite back) the sadly never re-printed and an only  for the fan club release of  Glamfag volumes/tributes for instance (only 500 pressed). A very basic, almost childish approach on 70s glam numbers by Suzi Quatro, Alice Cooper, New York Dolls, David Bowie and Sweet among others well known and not, that somehow and due to Jeff passion's re-birthed with a Dead Boys/Heartbreakers prism and a know for the first time freshness!
This one's for sure in my top-5 Jeff Dahl list and perhaps, the last one I ever enjoyed from start to finish. In "All Trashed Up" Jeff for the first time gives us more of the glam element of his sound, without of course dumping the well known Thunder-esque guitar styling.The album features as well Mr. Michael Brooks, guitar slinger supremo of the Beat Angels (great band!) on some tunes and you know what this means... A full twin attack blazing and bastardizing Mott and Dolls, New York powerpop in the vein of the early Boyfriends and Ramones with the usual Heartbreakers/Dead Boys feel. If Jeff had in mind to make a variation of the glam Bowie produced period of Lou Reed, he failed entirely...Thank God, he-he!!!


4 comments:

  1. http://netkups.com/?d=5be0b81d4544c

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  2. Hey guys! Cool of this to show up here. I'm a reader/fan of your blog and have enjoyed many of your very cool offerings so thanks very much.

    Jeff is a super cool dude - a huge supporter of my band and a friend. When he asked me to play on this record I was very flattered and a little intimidated. I wasn't put at ease when I showed up at his house and he thrust a guitar in my hand and was like "Okay, here's the song, play something." That was about the extent of the direction I received. I'm pretty sure they were all one takers too.

    A fun and cool addition to my rock and roll career. One that I'm very proud of. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

    -Michael

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    1. Hey! I must say now we're very honored having Michael Brooks saying all these to our space, so just a "thanks" I'm afraid is the least we can say from our side, he-he!
      These Jeff Dahl produced demos of Beat Angels are great too! Don't know if it has something to do with Jeff's studio or Jeff's hand, but this "sugar buzzsaw" sound fits perfectly with the Angels powerpop! I could go on forever 'bout your band man! The Alice Coop connections, your unique guitar style, Brian's writing (on songs and liners, btw these tour memoirs printed with Sonic Iguana are as good as Ian Hunter's, no shit!), sadly a very underrated band...

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  3. It's a few weeks late to help with my Jeff Dahl obsession, but I'm not complaining. Great blog!!

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