SOUNDTRACK: RHEOSTATICS-Mowat Collegiate Late (1982).
This Rheostatics show dates all the way back to 1982, when the band was very very different.
This is the second oldest show I have been provided with to date… (based on the fact that Chemical World is introduced as a new song and it isn’t played on the other Mowat show on the site). From Mowat Collegiate in Scarborough it is slightly later in the year and has much clearer sound.
These old shows confuse me because I can’t tell who is singing. To me it sounds like Tim singing lead on all the songs, but I didn’t think he was the main singer back then. Or is it that Dave Bidini’s voice is so much different because they were all just babies? I assume it’s Bidini doing the talking, and his voice is sure different (not Tom Waits different, but still). I’m also not sure who is playing what. I assume Tim is on bass, but he doesn’t usually play bass when he sings. Dave Clark is also very quiet (he is usually full of jokes and poetry and whatnot). I’m assuming that’s David Crosby (not that David Crosby) on lead guitar.
And somebody is playing with a high pitched oscillator type sound for the first few songs. I wonder who is doing that while apparently playing their actual instruments.
This set starts out with “National Pride.” A funky, bass-slapping, bass-sliding song that shows that the early Rheos were far more into funk than anything else.
The set (actually I guess it is two sets) is full of covers. But each one is done in their new wave-ish ska-ish, not sounding anything like the original, style
The Kinks’ “Well Respected Man About Town” is almost unrecognizable with the bouncy bass in the verses and the entirely un-Kinks-like quality to the rest of the song.
“Chemical World” is described as new song (it’s one of the few from this era that has survived a little). It starts out with Dave Clark on drums. It’s all new wave guitar and a lolloping bass.
“Girl in My Magazine” is a full-on ska song with bouncy guitars and a big fat bass.
Then they run through “Louie Louie” which sounds like the original in some ways–melodically–but it’s still got that big funky bass sound going on.
Dave (or Tim) keeps encouraging everyone to come up and dance.
Up next is the “single which we’ll be handing out after our next set (we’re playing twice) called “Satellite dancing.” It’s got the same basic sound but with a kind of blues riff underpinning the ska guitars.
As the song ends, someone says, stay tuned for Mark Malibu & the funky Wasagas. Interestingly Mark Malibu & the Wasagas broke up in 1982, but reformed with all the original members in 2014 and have released three albums.
Presumably after a break and they are back with a new set of different songs.
This set opens with a lengthy bass intro and echoing reggae guitars which turns into a lengthy drum solo. It’s called “Reggae Trenchtown Jam” and it’s basically just a nine minute jam. In the middle of the song while encouraging people to dance, someone says, In Missouri and Kentucky they’ve outlawed… [can’t hear the rest].
Up next is “My Generation,” which is “on that record.” This is , like The Kinks’ cover, a very unusual new wave version of the song–again almost unrecognizable. Despite the prominent bass in this set, there’s no wailing bass solos like ion the original. There is a wailing guitar solo though and the song jams out about five minutes.
Up next is the shortest song of the night. “Man of Action” is under three minutes with more of those reggae guitars.
Then comes a song by Sly and the Family Stone. “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” sounds like one of their own songs, they have so taken it over. Surprisingly, given their funk, this sounds nothing at all like the original. Even the super catchy chorus is done in a very different way. They are indeed being Mice Elf. There’s a jamming section at the end with some serious slap bass.
Up next is “an old ska song” called “The Suburb Shuffle.” I can’t find anything about this song. Although the introduction says “I’m sure everyone in Scarborough can relate to it. It’s about green houses and black driveways and well-cut lawns and flowers in the sidewalks. It has nothing to do with Martha and the Muffins.” It is indeed a suburban ska song.
They end the set with “Shake Your Body Thang” and “we want everyone up on stage, especially Mark Malibu.” I think this one musty be Tim singing. The jam this one out for nearly nine minutes. Mid way through, they invite people on stage. There’s a break down when it’s just drums and vocals. It’s got everything a 1982 collegiate rock band should have.
It’s impossible to believe that these are the same guys.
[READ: October 22, 2020] Lightfall Book 1
This is an enchanting first book in a new series. Tim Probert’s illustrations are wonderful–a fantastic soft palette and delightfully unusual characters.
Set in the land if Irpa, we first meet Bea and her cat Nimm. Bea is somewhat nervous by nature. Especially when it comes to a small jar with a flame in it which she is meant to be guarding.
Bea lives with her adoptive grandfather named Alfrid the Pig Wizard. Alfrid is, as the name suggests, a pig and a wizard and he makes potions for people. But he is also very forgetful. He leaves reminders for himself, but they don’t always help.
Bea ventures out to get some ingredients for a potion. She is in a tree, when the branch breaks. As she hangs on for dear life, a tall froglike creature walks past (on two legs), and as she falls out of the tree he catches her. The creature is Cadwaller, known as Cad. (more…)
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The only thing better than finishing an awesome book is discovering that there’s a sequel and the quality and integrity of the sequel is just as strong as the original story.
