Atlanta, Georgia 1992 - A lot was happening in the new capitol of the Southeast at the start of the last decade. Some big things were right on the surface. Ted Turner was taking his empire international with CNN. The Atlanta Braves went from worst to first, giving the once-burnt-to-the -ground city it's first "real" winner (take that Sherman!). Down the road a piece, Athens, Georgia was (still) giving the world The B52's and R.E.M.. Elton John moved to town (no doubt looking for tips from the infinitely cooler Ru Paul). The summer Olympics, and all the craziness that was to come with it, was four years away. The new capitol of the Southeast was about to become an International City. Like I said, things were clear right on the surface. But this is the land of red dirt roads and the waters are muddy, son! And sometimes the most peculiar and amazing things can be found on the murky bottom.
Into the Punk and Hardcore void of the 70's and 80's came a Southern version of what had already been happening around the country for 5 or 6 years. The 80's Garage Rock Revival hit town via The Fleshtones, spawning a whole new generation of like - minded bands. The mighty Woggles took the mantle for the home team and have held it ever since (more on our rock and soul geniuses in a future chapter). As Atlanta was becoming the South's new promise land, the city also became a cool music mecca. Out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, came the sci-fi sounds of Man Or Astroman?. Chapel Hill, North Carolina gave us Southern Culture On The Skids and The Flat Duo Jets. Florida's contribution was The Hate Bombs. Atlanta itself had a strong Rockabilly subculture, containing rocking bands and rabid fans. Many other groups in this loose knit scene came and went, burning out bright and fast. Few have had the longevity of our aforementioned heroes. But something is missing you say? Who are we leaving out? Probably the best "bridge" between the punk, rockabilly and garage camps, ladies and gentleman, I give you The Subsonics!
How The Subsonics met is a bit fuzzy, but one thing is loud and clear. They are a captivating live band and their many releases over the years are chock full of gutter - y story/songs. The Subsonics are a strange mix - First, you take equal parts Buddy Holly, Lou Reed, and Johnny Thunders. Blend as fast as all hell breaking loose and garnish with knives, chains, J.D. novels, and lotsa black leather. Do not dilute with Jonathan Richman or rough it up too much with stomp boxes. The dish you'll be serving to your guests will be a look at life on the wrong end of town. And usually a look at it long after midnight.
Their sound centers around Rockin' Clay Reeds' buzzsaw guitar rhythms. The chords fly at you fast, and the "solos" have evolved into a squawking barrage of non-notes. Don't think for a minute that what Mr. Reed plays is because of a lack of know how. Ya gotta know the rules to break 'em sonny, and break 'em he does. But it all fits. And when he wants to be melodic, he can do that too, albeit with a bit of twisted - ness. Just listen to "Red Roses" from their 1992 self - titled release. This instrumental is the best non - surf surf song that you're ever likely to hear! And it sounds like soundtrack music for some deserted beach scene , deep down into Mexico, so far down that nothing matters ... It's dusty, windy, and 99 degrees in the shade .... but the waves are breaking, and breaking beautifully ..... Fast forward to 2006 - "Parasites" is the other side of the Subsonics sound, I call it Buddy Holly or Bobby Fuller on speed. It's all warbling, spittin' vocals over a classic 3 chords / 3 minute punk template. It's no wonder that their world wide fan base is made up of fans of Rockabilly, Punk, Garage, and Surf musics. Their songs cover the style spectrum, and it's never forced or a parody. It's just ... real ...
Standing up behind the sparse drum set, chewing gum and ducking cat calls, is Buffi Aguero. The minimalist thumping is the heartbeat of the Subsonics monster, always driving the song on, as if to escape the angry villagers. When Clay and Buffi started the Subsonics the sound came together and projected the unique and cutting edge tastes of both. They just know all the right stuff, and incorporate that into the songs - whether it be B movies, pulp fiction paperbacks, or outsider art. They cite everyone from The Velvet Underground to The Voidoids as musical influences. Ike Turner and Phil Spector too. Does it get any better than that? Don't think so! Ms. Aguero also fronts her own band, Tiger! Tiger!, but more on them later ....
The left side of the stage has seen a few different bass players for our tremulous three piece. First came troublemaker Scott Weatherwax. Then the multi-talented Ron Skutt. Third in line was crowd (and Bad Trip) favorite, Christy Montero. This classic Subsonics line - up was like a twisted Tony Orlando and Dawn, except "Dawn" was hot-under-the-collar sexy and Tony looked like some androgynous hooker that hadn't eaten in a month! European tours followed , but sadly the Revlon endorsement never saw the light of day .... After a brief , but brillinat, fill - in by bassist Buzz Hagstrom (Woggles, Graham Day), The Subsonics lured Rob Delbueno (Man or Astroman?) into the fold. Rob brings a steady and wide array of talent, and thumps out the 4 string glue that holds the whole shebang together.
So after many singles, e.p.'s and albums (see links below), the Subsonics chug on, steamrolling everything in their path, and getting stronger with each new lightning bolt they get hit by. They criss cross the U.S. all the time, and Europe is an annual event. Can Japan be far behind? You owe it to yourself to catch this crazy trio when they Godzilla your town, or buy some of their music from one of the links below. Better yet, do both. Tell 'em we said "hey". bruce bad trip
Next installment: Part 2 - "Tiger! Tiger!"
www.slovenly.com/subsonics.shtml
www.myspace.com/subsonicsatlanta
www.subsonics.net/
3 comments:
Hey, Moondoggie, great blog! I like the Subsonics, too--Buffy, your my fav, of course. I can't reminisce about the Atlanta scene too much because I was too busy with my kids, but I was VERY into the Athens scene in the 80's. Anyone who saw REM or the B-52's perform at the 40 Watt Club knows exactly what I mean.
Love me some Subsonics! Whenever Clay walked on stage, I was always amazed that they made jeans that skinny.
And fiangael, I remember REM at 40 Watt. Magical. I also had a chance to see them reunite (with Bill Barry on drums) a couple of years ago for a wedding reception at a bowling alley in Athens. It was their guitar tech's wedding. Crazy fun!
I saw the Subsonics in London supporting the Groovie Ghoulies a few years back. They were one of the coolest bands I've seen, I bought all their records that night from Buffi who is the hippest bubble blowing, stand up drummer on the planet. Sings and plays a mean guitar in The Vendettas and now Tiger Tiger too.
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