I had forgotten completely about this. Β It turns out that even before LeBrain was LeBrain, my old record store customers were calling me to pick my (le)brain about everything rock. Β I found this in my journal:
Date: 2004/08/03 15:34
A dude just called me specifically to hear a “60 second review” of Alice Cooper’s Muscle Of Love record. Β This is so awesome… I did a damn good 60 second review, too!
I wish I had recorded what I said for my 60 second review, but it probably would have went something like this: Β “Great album, not as great as the previous four with the original band, but still pretty awesome. Β Lots of lesser known classics on there, like ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ and ‘Teenage Lament’. Β A little more basic rock, a little less elaborate than Billion Dollar Babies or School’s Out, because this is the one that Ezrin didn’t produce.” Β
Working at the record store was a near-intolerable daily grind, but something like this would have made it all worthwhile. Β I’m glad I recorded it!
RECORD STORE TALESΒ Part 173: Β Gene Simmons’ Asylum Demos
Back in 1994-95, when I was working at our original store, I would always proudly fly the Kiss flag. Β This was before the mega reunion, and on the heels of the Revenge album, which I was really into.
I had a small online presence back then, I had created our very first online ads in 1994. Β I was talking about music on every single BBS (Bulletin Board System) in the area, and on one board, called Wanderer’s Rest, I had a forum for my reviews. Β I was going by the online name “Geddy” (hah!) back then, and I was extremely prolific. Β Very little has changed since!
One guy, name long forgotten, messaged me. Β “Hey, I’m a customer at your store. Β I have some rare Kiss demos. Β Do you want to do a tape swap?” Β Of course I did. Β For him, I made a copy of the March 25 1974 show in Washington at the Bayou club. Β It was a cool show because they played an unreleased song called “You’re Much Too Young”.
For me, he made a tape of Gene’s Asylum demos, on one of our Maxell UR60’s that we sold in our store. Β Gene is a very prolific songwriter. Β Not everything he comes up with is gold (clearly!) but he usually submitted a dozen tunes or more for consideration on each album. Β Judging by this cassette, Asylum was no exception, even though he was very distracted by Hollywood at that time.
The tape, which unfortunately did not survive the years very well at all, contains 13 of Gene’s demos, 3 being instrumental ideas, and a bonus track. Β A couple songs made the final album. Β I tried to listen to the tape, to see if I recognized any ideas. Β Unfortunately, this tape now sounds terrible and is unlistenable. Β I ripped only one song, which was “Russian Roulette”, to see if it resembled the version that later ended up on 2009’s Sonic Boom album. Β From what I can tell, only the title survived to Sonic Boom.
Musically however, the song was recycled on the Monster album, as “Eat Your Heart Out”! Β It’s the same riff. Β Although you can’t make out the lyrics on the demo version at all, you can tell they are completely different.
See the pictures below for the tape made for me by the Mystery Kiss Fan back in ’94-95. Β If you know any of these Gene songs, please comment below! Β We can hope that good quality versions will come out on Gene’s “Monster” box set, if it ever comes out!
Back in 1995, when the Goo Goo Dolls finally made the big time with “Name”, I sold an assload of those albums in my store. Β People couldn’t get enough of them back then. Β I personally had never even listened to it. Β I mean, there were so many alt-rock bands in 1995 and ’96! Β Better Than Ezra, Presidents of the United States of America, Matchbox 20…and I wasn’t interested in any of them. Β I was a metal head.
As it turns out, (this is complicated, so bear with me) my uncle worked with the mother of the fiance of bassist Robby Takac. Β So my aunt started asking me all these questions about this band, Goo Goo Dolls. Β Do you know them? Β Do you sell them in your store? Β Etc.
I told my aunt, yes I know Goo Goo Dolls, and yes, I sell a ton of them in our store. Β They were definitely one of our top sellers, for pretty much a year straight. Β I mean they were huge at the time.
My aunt and uncle ended up being invited to the wedding, and Goo Goo Dolls played at the reception. Β They had a great time, very much enjoyed herself, and met the band. Β Not knowing that I had never listened to a Goo Goo Dolls song in my life, my aunt told Robby and the band that I was a big supporter and sold a whole bunch of their discs in my store for them.
To their credit, they were very thankful (if a tad misled), and FedEx’d my aunt a signed glossy in gratitude!
“Hi Michael,” it says, “Thanks a lot for your help!” Β It was signed by Robby, lead singer Johnny Rzeznik, and new drummer Mike Malinin.
A tad bemused, I thought it might be a good idea to actually do them the service of listening to their music. Β So I began to do that, in store, and found that I actually enjoyed the band quite a bit. Β I like A Boy Named Goo, the album that I supposedly helped them out with, but I think Superstar Car Wash (the album previous) and Dizzy Up The Girl (the album that followed) are both superior. Β I still like them today, leaning towards the early punk material, with a preference to their excellent deep cuts compilation, What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce. Β
So there you go. Β If it wasn’t for a slight misunderstanding, I might never have discovered the band!
I’ve worked with a lot of accountants over the years. Β I like accountants. Β I seem to get along with accountants, don’t know why. Β The coolest accountant I ever worked with was Jonathan. Β I like to describe Jonathan’s appearance as being a dead ringer for the actor Romany Malco:
Jonathan always made me laugh. Β Check out this journal entry:
Date: 2004/06/17 14:09
It was really amusing walking into the office today, and seeing Jonathan singing “Lick It Up” by Kiss.
Very un-accountant like behaviour!
Jonathan was good people. Β He took a pay cut to work with us, because he wanted to do something he was passionate about. Β He taught all us knuckle-draggers on the store floors about cash flow vs. profit. Β He helped us out a lot on the financial side, and he was smart. Β Plus he loved music.
One time when my mom came into the store to visit, I introduced her to Jon. Β He said to my mom, “You brought up a good son, Mrs. Ladano.”
I used to drive Jonathan home from work once or twice a week, and it was always good to talk to him. Β He used to give me advice every time. Β He encouraged me to better myself. Β He used to call me “Lifer”. Β He said, “You’re never going to get out of here. Β You’re going to work here forever.” Β But he did it to rile me up, to get me looking for work elsewhere, because he knew the CD store was a dead end for me. Β He had respect for me, when he called me “Lifer” he meant it to motivate me.
I’d talk to him about girls I liked. Β There was this girl that worked at the Money Mart next door, but I was too shy to walk in and talk to her. Β So Jonathan did it for me! Β Witness these journal entries:
Date: 2004/05/21, Β 10:08
The one girl at the Money Mart next door is really cute, and I see her out there all the time having a smoke. When Jonathan goes out to have a smoke, he talks to her, give her a light, whatever. Β I mentioned to Jonathan that I thought the one girl was real cute yesterday. Β Then today, I TOTALLY got busted staring at her through the window! Β THEN Jonathan went out to chat it up with her, right after I got busted, to tell her all about me, ask her if she wants to go out on a date with me…Jesus Christ!
Date: 2004/05/22, Β 09:52
Cheap Trick – Authorized Greatest Hits
Alice In Chains – Jar of Flies
KISS tribute – Kiss My Ass
The Goo Goo Dolls – Gutterflower
Rush – Vapor Trails
Nice thing about working the day alone with no bosses around is that you can listen to whatever the hell you want!
I don’t think Money Mart Girl, who I learned from Jonathan is named Jessica, is working today. So I couldn’t say hi to her even if I worked up the guts!
In the end, Jonathan had to split. Β He had three kids and being an accountant for a CD store wasn’t going to cut it anymore. Β He took an offer he could not refuse, and bid us farewell.
I’ll always remember good times working with Jonathan, a true character, and the guy who got me thinking about my future.
I used to work with this guy, Joe. Β People who know where I worked, they know Joe. Β And they know Joe is a very, shall we say, unique person. Β Funny as hell, but there is nobody like Joe. Β Straight from my journal, here’s the proof. Β I call this one the Open Door Piss.
Date: 2005/11/26 23:52
So I’m with Joe at work, talking about work or something. The conversation is as follows:
Me – (babbles on about work or something) Joe – Hey, keep talking, follow me though. Me – Where are we going? Joe – Just follow me. Me – OK, ummm, into the bathroom? Joe – No, just stand outside, keep talking though. (I hear him upzip his pants) Me – Are you peeing? Joe – Yeah man! It’s the open door piss! So what was I saying before? Oh yeah…(continues conversation).
Joe’s a pretty interesting guy.
A couple years later, I was having a Rock Band party at my house, during which Uncle Meat also did the Open Door Piss. Β Must be a Record Store Guy thing?
RECORD STORE TALES Part 168: The Constipated Ritchie Blackmore
The date: Β Before Christmas 2005 (my final Christmas at the store)
The place: Β My store
The characters: Β Myself, and “Box Set Man”
I had this one great customer, and dammit, I cannot remember his name. Β We called him “Box Set Man” because he bought and sold a lot of box sets. Β In fact, I have a Japanese Deep Purple Purple ChronicleΒ 25th anniversary box set from his collection, complete with obi strip.
Box Set Man also collected rock photographs, original photographs from private collections, unpublished anywhere. Β He bought them at record shows, by networking (he was once a concert promoter) and from eBay. Β He would trade photos in his collection for more desirable ones as well.
Just before Christmas 2005, Box Set Man came in with a gift for me. Β He handed me a plain yellow envelope. Β Inscribed on the envelope was this:
Merry Xmas Mike
This photo is from a private collection from Germany “Blackmore”.
Inside the envelope was an original Ritchie Blackmore photo.
Ritchie is obviously digging deep into a guitar solo in this photo. Β Stratocaster raised, eyes closed, Ritchie is givin’ it all he’s got. Β But the overall effect is one of Ritchie looking like he has to go to the bathroom.
Christmas 2005 was my final Christmas at the store, but Box Set Man didn’t know that. Β I don’t remember why, but head office had asked me to keep my departure under wraps. Β The announcement wasn’t made until my final day at the store (Jan 4, 2006) and as it turns out, that was the day I told Box Set Man as well.
So, without further delay, I present to you this original photograph that I have dubbed “The Constipated Ritchie Blackmore”!
NOTE: Β After posting this, my former co-worker Pat reminded me that Box Set Man’s name was Dan!
RECORD STORE TALES Part 166: Β Anthrax – “Cowboy Song”
Stuff like this didn’t happen often, but it did happen. Β Sometimes one of my customers would just give me a CD that they thought I would want. Β Unfortunately my journal didn’t record who gave these discs to me!
Date: 2005/11/26 13:14
WICKED! Β Someone today gave me a free copy of the “Cowboy Song” single by Anthrax, a rare Thin Lizzy cover. Β Also got Doin’ The Nasty by Slik Toxik for free. Β SCORE.
Statham did onΒ occasion give me free discs. Β I recall once he gave me a Black Crowes single. Β Another one of my customers (name long forgotten) gave me a Jimi Hendrix hardcover book. Β But this was not a frequentΒ occurrence. Β Unfortunately, most people treated the guy behind the counter at the record store like shit. Β I guess that’s part and parcel of working in a buy-and-sell environment. Β Stuff like this helped make the job tolerable.
This single was a Sam the Record Man exclusive. Β It came free with copies of Sound of White Noise purchased there, but for a limited time only. Β I don’t know how rare it is today, but it certainly is a collectible, being a store exclusive.
I wish I could remember who gave me this cool Anthrax single. Β It could have been somebody I knew that worked at Sam’s (that narrows it down to 3 or 4 people) or somebody I knew that worked for Warner (narrows it down to 2). Β Either way, I thank you.
Onto the review!
ANTHRAX – “Cowboy Song” (1993 Warner Music Canada promo)
This promo single comes with no case or cover, but does have some liner notes printed on the CD itself. Β It was produced by Dave Jerden and Anthrax, and all guitars were performed by Scott Ian. Β Presumably, that means Dan Spitz doesn’t appear on the song.
This was recorded as a bonus track for the Japanese edition of Sound of White Noise, and can be currently found on the remastered edition of the same album. Β This is an awesome cover, very authentic to the live version that Thin Lizzy used to do, made famous on the Live and Dangerous album. Β The lead vocals are, of course, by John Bush. Β John Bush doesn’t attempt to do a Phil Lynott impression (thankfully, that wouldn’t be wise) but does deliver the vocal with his trademark grit.
Scott Ian nails all the guitar parts perfectly. Β You’d swear there were two guys playing. Β It comes as no surprise that Charlie Benate’s drum parts are also perfect. Β I think Brian Downey was and is one of the most underrated drummers in rock, and Benate does him justice.
I love this cover. Β Anthrax are well known for choosing and performing great covers. Β Add this one to the list.
Remember tape cases? Β Some looked like briefcases. Β You could store anywhere from 24 to 60 tapes in one case, which snapped shut with a clasp. Β Others were double sided, made of nylon, zipped shut, and could hold 120 cassette tapes. Β At my peak, I owned about 10 cases altogether, different sizes, to hold my cassette collection.
We had phased out tapes completely by 1996. Β It was a dead format. Β CD had taken over completely, and our stores were some of the first in the area to go 100% CD. Β You could still buy tapes downtown at Encore Records, and IΒ occasionallyΒ still did. Β I remember buying Fireball, by Deep Purple, on tape there in 1996, because finding a CD in town was impossible.
One afternoon in ’97, when I was working alone, a big dude walked into the store. Β Outside of a Tarantino movie, I’d never heard so many “F-bombs” dropped in one conversation. Β Luckily I was journaling back then and recorded the conversation for posterity.
Big guy: Β “Hey, where are your cassette boxes?”
Me: Β “You mean like tape cases, for carrying your tapes around with you?”
Big guy: Β “Yeah, them fuckin’ things.”
Me: Β “Uhh…we don’t carry those anymore. Β We phased out tapes a while ago.”
Big guy: Β “Fuck. Β You fuckin’ sure you got nothin’?”
Me: Β “Yeah, pretty sure. Β We don’t carry tapes, so we don’t carry tape accessories either.”
Big guy: “Why the fuck don’t you carry tapes? Β What are people supposed to do who listen to fuckin’ tapes?”
Me: Β “Well, you could try the mall. Β I think some of those stores carry tapes. Β They probably have cases too.”
Big guy: “Think so?”
Me: Β “It’s worth a try?”
Big guy: “Fuck. Β I’ll just make one.”
Me: Β “OK.”
Big guy: “Yeah. Β Fuck. Β I’ll just buy some fuckin’ wood. Β Cut ‘er up nice and build a fuckin’ box for my tapes. Β Just get some fuckin’ wood, fuckin’ slap ‘er together, and make a fuckin’ tape box of my own. Β Yeah. Β That’s what I’ll do.”
Me: “…That sounds like a good idea.”
Big guy: “Fuck, it’ll be easy, I’ll just buy some fuckin’ wood.”
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