"The Ventures meet Led Zeppelin in Don Knotts' living room." --LA Weekly
At the time that Sasquatch Rock was released, the very idea of SST records releasing an album of instrumental surf music was bizarre. Nevertheless, if SST was going to release such an album, this was the right one. Lawndale rocks hard throughout this delightful and unpredictable album, uniting styles with effortless glee. Listen to the incredible version of the jazz standard "Take Five," which somehow contains the bridge to Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" -- what kind of twisted individual could imagine that combination? Or having imagined it, made it work in such a seamless and delightful manner? The mix of German oompah band rhythm and Tex-Mex on "Next to the Last Frontier" isn't nearly as odd, since Germans in Texas had a lot to do with the sound of that music, but never have the two influences sounded so distinct and yet so artfully melded before -- at least, when played by a rock band. "March of the Melted Army Men" is more straightforward, a kicking rock song with what is probably the only appearance on a surf album in Greg Ginn's career. The punk rock stalwart turns in a creditable and manic solo that fits in just fine with the orchestrated chaos of the song. Every cut on Sasquatch Rock is a keeper, but there is one standout, the soaring, complex "Instrumental." (Since there are no vocals on the album except for a couple of screams and groans, there is a certain delicate irony here.) "Instrumental" strings together six musical themes ranging from country and soul to jazz and, inevitably, surf music, and tosses in transitions, recaps, and mutations galore to create an amazing medley. Lawndale output was meager, a mere two albums, but every track they released was splendid and their influence was widely felt. Sasquatch Rock is a must-have for anyone who loves instrumental electric guitar with a surf rock tinge. The second and final album by Lawndale doesn't make any astonishing advances from their first -- but how could you improve on one of the best surf-fusion albums ever made? The band's trademark interlocking guitar melodies are as energetic and precise as ever, and the compositions are as brilliant and quirky as ever. Once again, there is one highly unlikely fusion of two artists' work -- the version of Duke Ellington's "Caravan" with Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive" -- and once again it works like a charm. Lawndale sounds perfect here, and there is no clue that this would be their swan song. After the recording of Beyond Barbecue, the band drifted apart, and though they sporadically reunited for concerts and even wrote some new material, none of it was ever released. ~ Richard Foss, All Music Guide
Jamming at a backyard party!
Lawndale, circa 1984, looking mighty pissed off!
"Joy at Sea" gig with Minutemen and Meat Puppets on boat in Pedro harbor, 1984
thank you so much...Beyond Barbeque will always be in my top ten albums of all time and carries a strong emotional charge in my memories (my dad gave me a copy when I was 11!)...nobody writes such delicious melodies. If you EVER want to collaborate w/ POWER SKELETON we would be honored!
Yeah I'm looking forward to checking out your new tunes, hopefully sometime in the week or two, I'm not doing much at the moment, just reading a book about the propaganda used by America to drum up support at home for their illegal war in Iraq and listening to music,
Doing great! Quite some time - the gang is all doing well here on the E-coast... ! Hope all is well with you guys!!!! More stuff to come on the site soon - cheers!
Hey D.C.
Thanx for adding us,I don't know whats up this summer, since we have the trip to cancun,but would love to hear you geezers giggin.Our new niece will be here soon & we are excited!!!Guess you are too...!!!TTFN:L.C.
Tied Up in Knotts!
By: Karen Knotts
Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Company
2/17/2007 thru 3/31/2007
Karen shares life, love, a nervous breakdown and growing up with her famous father, Don Knotts, all in the name of comedy. The world will always remember her legendary father, actor and comedian Don Knotts, who played the role of Barney Fife on the long-running hit sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show. He recently died at age 81. Karen, in her one-woman show, talks about herself so candidly that you can't tell if she is the most vulnerable woman in the world or the most psychotically well defended. Karen's style of comedy in Tied up in Knotts involves storytelling with characters that bring her emotional swings to life. Her amazing ability to interrelate with audiences and her dynamic stage presence have put her in great demand.
Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre
10900 Burbank Blvd., N. Hollywood
My weekly perusal of additions to my tightly controled (ha!) Friends list indicates that I have been shockingly neglectant in posting the courteous and proper “Thanks for adding me” comments…or, to obey MySpace etiquette for “pimping/whoring” behavior, leaving this “Thanx for the add!!!” If, indeed, you have complied with my request for cyber-friendship (an oxymoron, true, but a fact of our popular culture that must not be ignored if one is to stay “au currant/hep/hip/with-it/down wid it”), I apologize for said delay, and offer, in repentance, this chuckle-inducing, if shamlessly pilfered, .jpg file:
(P.S. If, in fact, YOU SOLICITED ME for said cyber-friendship and have not yet placed a proper comment in MY comment column, ged wid it suckass o u toast!)
(P.P.S. LOVE your sound. As a 1/2 century old native SoCalifornian, I can attest to the fact that you've not only got the sounds right but have reinvented them for generations that don't have MY advantage. LOL)
Thanks so much for your friendship, John and Robert
