by Spiller

What a weird fall. Before I begin with this episode, I need to express some concern about the irony that lies beneath the temper of the times. So the messenger world is finally making some steps toward getting organized. And it is high time, because the industry is rotten to the core. Here is my biggest item of contention: why is it that so many messengers get fired for stupid-assed reasons? And what will being organized do to change that? We have heard the scenarios many times. Jill got into too many accidents. Chuck made too much money because his payrate got so high. Sarah was never motivated to work and spent all of her time blowing clouds at the wall. Spiller talked too much shit on the radio. That's right, I myself was one of these fired messengers, and it just reminds me of the lack of familiarity that most messengers have with the concept of job security. Keep in mind that I was fired by a person that claims that they are changing the industry standards. I feel obligated to challenge my former bosses claims, because I think he is perpetuating the very same bad habits that he insists he is fighting. It is unfortunate that everyone in the world that has a job is subject to the whims of their employers' perceptions of them, however inaccurate those perceptions may be.

Okay, my little tirade is over, but it is relevant. This time around, I want to tell you about some tunes that you can listen to that will keep you from strapping bombs and guns to yourself, busting into your (former) workplace, and wasting valuable ammunition on people that you barely know. Don't get me wrong. I know that there are some managerial types who deserve to have rocks and sand crammed down their throats. But hey, we're adults, and jail is kind of a drag. However, there may be some of you that are willing to risk jail time so that the rest of us can sleep easier, relying on the fact that there is one less evil person in the world. So the Spiller, up to his armpits with empathy, has come up with a few songs that would make the perfect soundtrack to your killing spree. Good luck, and I hope you don't get caught.

The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds
Don't laugh, Brian Wilson rocks. I mean, c'mon, he put out records, did lots of drugs, and went crazy, all before he turned thirty. I have to admit that I hated the Beach Boys because they were the fucking Beach Boys. Then my friend Robert played pet sounds for me and I realized that this is the sound that inspired a lot of bands that I like. This album is a precursor to all of the emo-pop that would rear its ugly head in the nineties. With this album, Brian Wilson combines lush, entrancing melodies with mushy lyrics about love, anger and alienation, most of it self-imposed. This album did not get much acclaim when it came out in 1966. But hey, think about the competition they were up against. This is a really good album.

Fuckface
These guys actually broke up a while ago, but there is still some stuff coming out. They reformed as Artemis Pyle, minus the singer. Listening to this record is not making the transition any easier. I have always considered Fuckface the ultimate answer to the forces of nature. The reckless, breakneck pace that this Mission punk band maintained is tempered by the vocals, which were more or less impassioned bleating, pleading for the salvation of humanity. Matt Shapiro stripped naked and put cigarettes out on himself so the rest of the world did not have to. If there is anyone who feels that they can play the role of messiah, come talk to me, let's start a band. I miss Fuckface.

The Get-Go, Jittery
This is a local SF band. Actually, they just moved here and are looking to make it big. They are doing pretty well so far. I am expecting to hear a full length release from them any time now. they kind of remind me of one of one of those K bands from up north, only more interesting to talk to. The sound that they have developed ranges from cutesy pop to sonic breakout. When I saw them at the Tempest, the woman guitarist was just standing there, swaying back and forth, wailing away at her guitar. I am totally crushed out.

Today the Planet, Tomorrow the World
Oh, those quirky artists. This is a seven-inch compilation that I don't know that much about. The first three songs are by a group called Men's Recovery Project, and they make me laugh, the same way that Negativland makes me laugh. These songs are basically tape loops and percussion, topped off with a nice dose of verbal disestablishmentarianism. I'm glad that I did not buy this album, because one of the songs is called "Experimental Music Is Consumer Fraud." Thanks for the update, guys. Next on the disc is Towel. I said it before and I will say it again, this two piece band does more with they have than what a lot of major label bands do with full orchestras. There was another band on this record, but the only thing worth mentioning about them is that they were breathtakingly horrible.

Mission Accomplished, Music From San Francisco's Mission District
Just the other day I was sitting in my room cleaning all of my guns for my killing spree, wondering just how many bands there are in the Mission. I was also thinking that it would be cool if all of them got together to put something out on a record. The next thing I know, I hear a drop in the mail slot. Inside the soiled paper bag I found a copy. This is the CD that I have not been able to put down. It is a gigantic 2-CD that was masterminded by Lynette, who used to play bass for the Rudiments, and now works at Dill Records, which is a Lickety account if my memory serves me correctly. This set that contains all the bands that are in the Mission scene, and it is pretty extensive. Some of these bands I have never heard before, and some of them are long gone, but the list is pretty insane. There are a shitload of bands in the Mission, which is pretty funny because there are not that many places to play. They got every band on here, so this is like an introductory course to the bands in the Mission District. Not only does this album have bands that I already love, like Mensclub, Family Scott, Lost Goat, and Fuckface, but it also has some really cool songs from bands like Captured by Robots and 440 Anvil. There are some songs that definitely stand out, like the ones from Morning Champ, Carlos, Static Faction, and it does not end there. If you really want see how it feels to be damaged in the Mission, check this out.

The Solvents
I saw these guys at the Tempest and got their tape because I thought they were cool. I guess I just have a weakness for a two person band. Just a guitar and drums live, but their recording had bass tracks on it too. I hear a strong influence from SST bands, like Meat Puppets and Firehose. These guys make strong, driving music and I hope to see them again soon.

Suicide Kings
The nicest bunch of guys from New York that I have ever met. The singer's name is Four Way-he's ten feet tall and looks good in a dress. The only thing I'm not sure about is his name. One of the guitarists is from Japan and he cannot speak a lick of English. But he can play the fuck out of a guitar. After Four Way was done insulting the crowd (I think he was bummed that his Grease jokes did not go over well), he gave me a really cool record with a 3-D cover and all. Included on this record was the smash hit "She's Dead" and I like it. And no, that song never does end. Hard-hitting East Coast Punk rock. After I'm done with my killing spree I think I'm going to New York to become their roadie/groupie. Don't tell anybody, though.

John Spencer Blues Explosion, Acme
Blues Explosion! Blues Explosion! Blues Explosion! That is all I remember from going to my last Blues Explosion show. I like John Spencer. He's a hottie. All the girls swoon for him and all the guys wish that they were him. Hell, if I played with them, I'd be catching action left and right too. But I don't, so there ya go. Acme contains all new songs, all chock full of the Blues Explosion sound that I have grown to expect and love, as well as a few changes. "Magical Colors," for example, is a Rolling Stones rip-off that sounds way better than any Rolling Stones song that I have ever heard. Also evident is the presence of a DJ. It works. They just rolled through town, but I'm pretty sure that they will be back pretty soon.

Dr. Dre Del's Mike Of Defiance
It appears that Aesop from Hickey has developed an alter ego. He has Transformed himself into Dr. Dre Del, the rapper who cares. And what does he care about? He cares about his penis, and what he can do with his penis. So with his trusty partner D.J. Queenie (secretly disguised as Matty Luv, a swill-mannered guitarist for a great metropolitan punk band), he fights a never-ending battle to lay some pipe and kick some ass. In his quest to become a hip-hop superstar, Dr. Dre Del borrows liberally from many sources, including samples from Last Poets, Metallica, and even the Mensclub. He must be the shit because he has apparently "been in more women's panties than Kotex." Wow. That is a lot of panties. It is good to know that Dr. Dre Del is representing for those of us who are not as lucky as a box of sanitary napkins. Yes, if anybody out there needs to know how to be a man, Dr. Dre Del's Mike of Defiance is the shit you should be listening to.

Sunless Day, Demo
I don't know how it happened, but the very latest Sunless Day demo tape landed in my lap. For those of you that are not familiar with Sunless Day, it is the latest project from Ron and Jon, our pals from Mensclub. They teamed up with a new drummer and Ritchie, the guitarist from Carlos-a band that was fortunate enough to escape Santa Cruz in one piece.