Down With People - Same -1990- (LP, Circularphile Records/Nadirean Extensions), US

Down With People was an experimental art rock outfit from Rochester, New York that consisted of Jan Cermak (voice, clarinet percussion), Jack Schaefer (guitar), Zeppi (Bass), John Grieco (drums), Brad Watson (violin), Dan Schelley (bassoon), Steve Peck (trombone) and Carl German (organ).

DWP is a classic example of absurd art rock groups from the US reminding me of dozens of bands, from The Jaunties to Care of The Cow to Blacklight Braille etc! Its existence at the beginning of the 90's makes that the band is portraying a hybrid sound in-between the weird art damaged rock from the 70's and 80's and a more indie sound that would become dominant in the 90's. There are various songs with strange lyrics, deconstructed rock moments and lots of improvisation. I guess the band is a good example of the transition of musical decades, holding on to a DIY ethic with their crazy artwork and experimental approach as well as a healthy dose of absurdism and critique of society in a proto-indie or grunge manifestation.

The bass player Zeppi also did an experimental album in 1988 on the same label Nadirean Extensions. It was posted on the great, now inactive, music blog Continuo ages ago.

Get it HERE

Stan Red Fox - Same -1988- (LP, ITM Records), Germany

Stan Red Fox were a band from Berlin formed by Stephan Hachtmann (who came from the GDR), Lars Rudolph of anarcho-jazz combo Kixx and Franklin D. Newmeier (later in Caspar Brötzmann's Massaker). They had multiple releases by the end of the eighties and beginning of the nineties. Their first self-released EP cassette is to be found here.

The music resembles the cross-over sound of new wave by the end of the eighties, but is also clearly inspired by the 80's No Wave art-rock and jazz-pop styles from New York. Apart from more conventional songs they also play weird Butthole Surfers-like outburst, sing German lullabies and create experimental absurd jazz sounds in almost Zeuhl-like manners. German bands like Reifenstahl or AG Geige also come to mind, as well as more obvious UK groups like Rip Rig & Panic or even Pigbag.

I was quite surprised that this wasn't available yet. I guess it's also a reminder of that there is so much good stuff out there that won't cost you a fortune. Don't believe the hype of today's internet music market and listen to what you like.

Get it HERE