SW SUBURBS – WE SALUTE YOU

 

Stereo Strikes Back

So, this is the part of the show where we thank everyone for coming out last night to Willow Springs.  We answered an ad for needing an opening band, and we had nothing booked between a Peoria show and International Pop Overthrow, so we took it, thinking it would at least be a good rehearsal.  Through the kindnessitudeitees of certain people, we had ourselves a lovely bunch of lads and ladies suddenly show up.  A vocal bunch, that lot.  Knocked my ear friends clear off.  Think they was louder than me guitar (a hard feat to achieve).  But seriously, it turned out a good time.  What I love about this area is that is seems to spawn music scenes.  Though I don’t agree with nearly any of the music that was created in these scenes, (though I suppose I may have when I was younger…) there is one thing that stands out that I do very much respect – the fans.  There’s a common sense of real community with the people that dig music in this area, and they’re not afraid to express it.  Thank You people of the SW Suburbs, spread the word, and we’ll be back.  Thanks to Bob and Linda O for feeding our huge entourage, Thanks to Voice box for setting up the show.

The Axis

 

The other thing, we happen to like the SW suburbs, because unlike many other directions in IL, we actually found two bands that we are startin to really dig.  We met a fellow named Sam Shepard at the show, his new group, The Axis has a fantastic blues-psych sound to it.  A bit Small Faces, a bit Zeppelin, a bit Fudge, but modern and more relaxed.  We’re excited to see what these cats come up with.  The other group, Stereo Strikes Back, are worthy of being on a Nuggets comp.  They’ve got that pure garage thing going, and what I love about SSB, is what I love about Reigning Sound or Detroit Cobras – no flash, just really good fucking rock n roll…and ORGAN, (arguably the most important ingredient!)  I’d listen to this group if they were a defunct offshoot of The Flamin Groovies and I could never see them again – fortunately that’s not the case.

Another few bands to check out from the area – 

Memphis Graham,(super-psych-garage-12 string mmm) 

Catch a Tiger,(electro-pop, but good, like a more light hearted Duke Spirit…with synth)  

The Dorians (garage/powerpop – like a young star spangles)

– lux

POP LEVI – SOMETHING IN THE AIR

 

Space Cadet/22nd Century Genius Pop Levi

Has anybody heard of Pop Levi?  Probably not.  Why not?  I have absolutely no clue.

Though it could be because this London born musician/filmmaker/space cadet/lunatic genius chooses to completely let his art speak for itself, refuses to compromise, (even if that means people would actually be able to understand what the hell he’s doing) and from what I’ve heard, has turned down multiple deals with bigger labels.  

For those of you who’s ears have graced Pop Levi’s music and film, you’ll be familiar with his music – spanning anywhere from French synth pop (“Dita Dimone'”) to mock-modern R&B dance grooves worthy of anything in The Neptunes library (“Never Never Love”), to the most raunchy garage beauty/filth (“Police $ign”).  You’ll be familiar with his films – outrageous and ingenious fornication of colors dancing, stop motion animation, fast paced shots, go go dancers, meaningless diazepam induced liverpudlian blather (priceless!) and Levi’s, Poppy-a-go-go enigma that makes you wonder if this stuff was made in the next century, and if this is what the world will look like (God I hope so).  You’ll be familiar with his personality – whether it be his cheeky titles, (“Terrifying (For Kenneth Anger),” “Sugar Assault Me Now”) his incessant use of the words “baby,” and “lucky beaches,” the fact that his production company is called “World Empire Inc.,” or his manic switch between Liverpudlian, Irish, and American Car Salesman dialects at any moment.

But you’re probably not familiar.  

Here I have a podcast that was recorded earlier this year, if you want some good radio to listen to.  It has Pop talking about what he’s been up to, (“We look at Palm Trees”) and spinning records he loves (when asked what he thinks Bo Diddley meant when he wrote “Googlia Moo” he shyly responds, “I think it’s about Bo being in love with Downs Syndrome”). 

“POPCAST #1”

Also, here we have three of his videos.  He has about a hundred.  Some are musical, some aren’t.  Some are 15 seconds, some are 6 minutes.  Every single one is different, and every single one is fascinating, frightening, or hilarious in someway.  Someday the masses will finally discover this man, only to find out he already knew that, and ran back to Lusaka, Zambia.  Pop Levi – There’s Something In The Air.

“Dita Dimone'”

This is a perfect example of Pop’s look into the future I spoke of.

“Capitool Recunts”

Pop Levi’s non-music videos, simply insane.

“Pick Me Up Uppercut”

This is a good example of a “straight” video of his.  Well, about as straight as he gets.

 

You can get Pop’s YOUTUBE channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/poplevi

-lux