photo by Georgia Schofield, supplied
Dictaphone Blues celebrate the release of their awesome new stop-motion animated music video for Spicy Fruit Loaf with a show tonight at Auckland’s Kings Arms. So it seemed a good a time as any to ask Rob from the band what five songs are most rocking his socks, so to speak, right now…
Spiritualized “Little Girl” Sweet Heart Sweet Light 2012
From the latest Jason Pierce masterwork. Classic big band Motown rhythm section, strings and choirs with the usual J Spaceman Carpe Diem affirmations backing girls singing Get it on, Get it on, and tasty George Harrison guitar solo. It’s a great song to come along just as the days are getting warmer.
Some really nice production on this record as ever. Maybe too nice. Still their show at the Powerstation was one of the most powerful sonic and visual things I’ve ever experienced. The video for Little Girl is quite a piece in itself too.
King Loser ” 76 Comeback Special” You Cannot Kill What Does Not Live 1995
It’s hard to pick a favourite on this record but it would probably be this theme tune written for the coolest show that was never made. Spaced out tremolo Surf guitar near drowning in feedback echo, overdriven organ dirge drone and some of the coolest 60′s drum fills on record. The record is intoxicating on so many levels.
Back in days of yore a band I was in purchased a Hammond “Sounder” clad in leopard print fabric allegedly owned by THE Celia Mancini. Years later I realise that description probably applies to a good dozen transistor organs rotting away in rehearsal rooms across Auckland & Chch. NOS anyone?
The Faces “I Know I’m Losing You” Every Picture Tells a Story 1971
The Faces unique brand of jubilant boogie rock, soul and folk really grabs me. This cover of The Temptations Motown single features some of the most gut bucket funky bass guitar, drums and keys ever seared onto tape. The lads cop the Temptations soulful vocal arrangements, the steaming do do doo breakdown in the middle and wedge in an epic Kenny Jones drum solo. The ’71 live clip at the BBC features a particularly blistering Ronnie Wood intro and some fantastic period video effects.
Sly & the Family Stone “If You Want Me To Stay” Fresh 1973
This record has always turned my head. Begins with a minimal funk groove that builds up into a sexy chat in bed with Sly laying his Hendrix hustle on some lucky lady. The Rusty Allen bassline is fantastic and carries the song right through with no chorus or other unnecessary distractions. Great clip on Letterman circa 1983. Sly totally carries off the hoodie.
The Barracudas ” We’re Living In Violent Times” Drop Out with The Barracudas 1981
From the 1981 album “Drop Out with The Barracudas” UK powerpop 60′s surf rock revivalists rhyme, chime and harmonise thru this paranoid reading on modern life. Seems like a sunny day in the Barracudas world until you realise the poppy 12 string bop-along belies bleak lyrics about the state of the world inside and out of ones own head. Like a bloodshot eyeball staring back at you from a cracked 5am mirror. Children of Nuggets!
Dictaphone Blues play Kings Arms tonight (7 Sept) with Paquin, Poor You Poor Me and Grass Cannons.
The Kings Arms have concocted a special alcoholic “Sweet Buzz” cocktail (in red or green) for sale tonight based on the drink in the music video
