The Days of Lore

TDoL exclusive: New (old) music from Death

Monday, December 13th, 2010 | musiX | 2 Comments

To this day, there’s something about Detroit that still captures the imagination. Once a shining beacon of American industrialization, the Motor City also gave the world Motown in addition to countless blues and jazz artists. Of course, throughout the ’60s and ’70s Detroit became an epicenter for all things rock ‘n’ roll—Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Creem Magazine, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper—and it could be said Detroit’s gritty skyline also spawned punk rock in the form of The Stooges and MC5.

Then there’s a little band called Death, made up of three brothers from Detroit who caught a whiff of rock ‘n’ roll and never turned back. They never really got their due, either—not until some 35 years later. Last year Drag City released …For the Whole World to See, a collection of songs recorded in 1974, not long after Dannis, Bobby and David Hackney decided to stop playing R&B and change their name from the Rock Fire Funk Express to the simple, effective, ominous Death (not to be confused with the Florida metal band). Detroit’s Death played jittery punk rock with a sinewy rhythm section—as the New York Times would later put it: “Punk before punk was punk.” It didn’t last long, though. The members balked when it was suggested they change their name to something more agreeable. After self-releasing 500 copies of the single “Politicians In My Eyes,” the LP was shelved, and that was that.

Needless to say music publications got all hot and bothered last year upon the release of …For the Whole World to See, and rightfully so. But Death’s story doesn’t end there. It was recently announced that Drag City would be releasing more lost material under the title Spiritual, Mental, Physical (out January 25), which includes songs that preceded the 1974 sessions. The collection feels immensely intimate—almost as if you’re sitting in on one of the band’s rehearsals. “The Masks” and “Can You Give Me a Thrill???” are full on—vocals are barked, guitars throttle, and Dannis Hackney’s drums alone could rattle the skin off your skull.

Spiritual, Mental, Physical isn’t what I’d call consistent; the record loses some of its clang and bang toward the back half. But who cares? I sleep better at night knowing that three black kids from Detroit—who called themselves Death—were making this kind of racket around the same time John Denver was singing “Sunshine on My Shoulders.” And with the auto industry crumbling and Detroit’s population having plummeted by almost half since the 1960s, Death’s music might be even more revelatory in 2010.

“Can You Give Me a Thrill???” - Death

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Tags: ...For the Whole World to See, Death, Drag City, Spiritual | Mental | Physical

RIP, Ronnie James Dio

Sunday, May 16th, 2010 | musiX | 1 Comment

Yes, he had a set of badass metal pipes, but Ronnie James Dio always came across as such a sincere and decent human being. Dio, who had been battling stomach cancer for the past six months, died today at the age of 67. What else can I say, but: \m/.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to slay a dragon in Dio’s honor.

Dio performing “Rainbow in the Dark” in 1985

Tags: "Rainbow in the Dark", Death, Dio, Ronnie James Dio

Big Star’s Alex Chilton, 1950-2010

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 | musiX | No Comments

The Commercial Appeal just reported that Big Star’s Alex Chilton died of an apparent heart attack today. He was 59.

Chilton got his start in the ’60s as a member of the Box Tops before going on to join Big Star in 1971. The band released a trio of gorgeous power pop records in 1972’s #1 Record, 1974’s Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers in 1978. Commercial flops, the records went on to influence everyone from R.E.M. to The Replacements. Keep an Eye on the Sky was released last year, a box set loaded with unreleased goodies. Read a great interview with Big Star drummer and founding member Jody Stephens here. Big Star was also to perform at SXSW this year.

Another great one gone. I leave you now with one of my favorites of many … I’m gonna go have a Guinness.

“My Life is Right” - Big Star (#1 Record)

Tags: #1 Record, Alex Chilton, Big Star, Box Tops, Death, Radio City, Third/Sister Lovers

Doug Fieger, 1952-2010

Sunday, February 14th, 2010 | musiX | 1 Comment

When I think of power pop, I immediately think of The Knack—”My Sharona” is arguably the example of what a power pop song should be, and it’s still one of my favorites.

Knack guitarist/vocalist Doug Fieger died today at the age of 57 after years of battling cancer. It was reported today in The Detroit News. Fieger told the paper in January: “I’ve had 10 great lives. And I expect to have some more. I don’t feel cheated in any way, shape or form.”

And well he shouldn’t.

The Knack performing “My Sharona” live n 1979

Tags: Death, Doug Fieger, Get the Knack, The Knack

Les Paul: 1915 - 2009

Thursday, August 13th, 2009 | musiX | 1 Comment

Les Paul re-defined music, inventing the solid-body electric guitar and pioneering multi-track recording back in the ’40s. Oh yeah, he was also a pretty decent guitarist.

Tags: Death, Les Paul