Speaking of punk covers (as I was just the other day in regard to Me First and the Gimme Gimmes), I just got in The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show, which is just that: a multiple-artist punky version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I never really warmed to the whole Rocky Horror phenomenon: although I am predisposed toward the humorous cartoony horror milieu, I am perhaps even more strongly predisposed against camp and drag, and the whole midnight movie scene of rigid audience participation struck me more as regimentation than freedom. Ick.
So other than the "Time Warp," which I was forced to play hundreds of times at parties over the years as a DJ, I haven't thought much about the actual music from the show in close to 30 years. My mistake - a lot of it is really good.
In this raw, stripped-down, rocking setting, many of the songs come alive: the afrementioned Me First and the Gimme Gimmes do a rousing version of "Science Fiction/Double Feature, an homage to cinematic escape that begins and ends the disc (the Ataris turn in an affecting acoustic version for the finale).
"Dammit Janet" becomes a ripsnorting statement of punky love from Love Equals Death. The Groovie Ghoulies (who else?) are the perfect choice for the centerpiece "Time Warp," which retreats back to being a song as opposed to a production number.
I love the Cramps-meets-farfisa garage-retro of both the Independents' "The Sword of Damocles" and the Phenomenauts' "Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul." Coming from another direction entirely is the trippy ska-and-dub "Once In a While" by Big D and the Kids Table, with fat horns and bass, reverb unto eternity, and a sweet, melodic vocal - an instant classic.
The Swingin Utters turn in a Gaelic-punk version of "Eddie's Teddy" so Pogues-like, I'd swear they borrowed Shane MacGowan's teeth. Also noteworthy are Stunt Monkey, Gametime and the Migraines - the tunes are there, who knew? I may even watch the movie again in this lifetime, and not just for a young Susan Sarandon in her underwear.
Article comments
1 - Jim Carruthers
I watched RHPS on New Years Eve and was reminded how good the music is, I'll have to go to Soundscapes and get this disc. However, from the theatre point of view, it was the audience participation which made this cult classic, and since copied with The Sound of Music, and others.
An equivalent where the music is better than the musical is "Hedwig and the Angry Inch", though on the DVD, the 90 minute documentary on the making of the show and movie is actually better than the movie.
2 - Eric Olsen
I am certain that - like with many things - at a 25-year remove it would be a lot more fun now. I felt kind of overwhelmed by it at the time, being told I HAD to think it was the grooviest thing going.
3 - Ms. Candy Cane
I new all the songs to the Rocky horror long before I ever saw the movie.....Im a fan. This punk album, was like listening to songs I had never heard before...yet I new all the words.......I love it!
4 - Eric Olsen
I'm very glad you like it Ms. Candy - that's the best kind of response we or they could hope for. Thanks!
5 - Mark Saleski
eric, i got heavily in to the rhps grind for a year or so at the end of high school.
every friday night a bunch of us used to pile into the back of a pickup and drive the twenty or so miles to the theatre.
one time there we these two women in attendence who were, i'd say, in their forties or so....and i think they had no idea of what they were in for.
a horrified look swept across their faces when the cries of "Where's your fuckin' neck!" began.
during the rainstorm scene some enterprising kids started lobbing friggin' water balloons...one of the balloons popped one of the 2x3 foot ceiling tiles out...which the poor ladies used to shield themselves from the rest of the debris.
i felt kinda sorry for them.
6 - Eric Olsen
Great story Mark - talk about popular culture jumping up and biting you on the periwinkle!
7 - zoey
check out www.rickweirdoes.com if your a fan
8 - ralph
Show 8º Festival Punk contra a fome e a falta de união
Rua ceará - São Cristóvão - Rio de janeiro domingo apartir das 17:00h
Valeu. Lacrau - Punk rock / Hard core
http://www.netmusic.com.br/artista.asp?id=lacrau
9 - deftkilla
it sucked
10 - Eric Olsen
what, specifically?
11 - lacrau
ZINE MUNDO
Apresenta
Festival Hard Core Punk / MG - RJ
Com as Bandas:
Lacrau (Marica – RJ)
Repressão Social (RJ – RJ)
D.M.D. – Dose Máxima Diaria (Juiz de Fora – MG)
Fratura Exposta (Juiz de Fora – MG)
Caos Harmônico (Leopoldina – MG)
Protesto Suburbano (Macaé – RJ)
Insocial (Itaboraí - RJ)
Indigentes (São Gonçalo – RJ)
Sterkus (São Gonçalo – RJ)
Decadentes de Rua (São Gonçalo – RJ)
Pós-Sismo (RJ – RJ)
Dia: 30 de Abril de 2005 – Sábado
Local: Beverly Hills
Rua do Catão, 190 – Pavuna
(próximo ao metrô, Rua do Farol da Pavuna)
Informações: lacrau@click21.com.br
Entrada: R$ 3,00 + 1 Kg de alimento (exceto sal e fubá)
Confira o som na íntegra e comentem...
http://www.netmusic.com.br/artista.asp?id=lacrau
12 - Eric Olsen
which country is this exactly?
13 - DrPat
Sounds/looks like Brazil...
14 - Anthony Allen
At first i thought the movie was fuckin insane when i heard Sweet Tranvestite but after that i grew to enjoy it and when i heard Planet Smanet, Janet by Tsunami Bomb, one my favorite bands, I grew to love the movie and the music even more.
15 - Eric Olsen
often covers and/or tributes introduce whole new crowds to an artist or work