Bash & Pop (Friday the 13th post)

So I didn't quite get this post out on the 13th but i figured, I'd still reference it in the title.

Bash & Pop were one of several post-Replacements outfits to record after the Minneapolis legends called it quits in the early 90's. replacements singer Paul Westerberg started releasing solo records, as did drummer Chris Mars. But bassist Tommy Stinson had perhaps the best release of the three in Bash & Pop, mostly because his record sounded the most like a Replacement record. Guitar driven pop rock the way the Replacements were doing on some of their last records.

At the end of the Replacements run as one of the best bands ever, they put out a CD single of a song from their last LP "All Shook Down" i cant remember the single but one of the bonus songs on it was called "Satellite". Tommy Stinson sang the song and not front man, Paul Westerberg. I heard it one time, and one time only, driving in downtown Kent on WMMS which I never listen to. I knew that my father had a friend that worked for the station and asked if he could locate the disc for me, that never came through and i never heard the song again. So after a while passed and i learned that Tommy Stinson was fronting a band of his own I was excited to get it thinking it would all sound like "Satellite".

Well it does and it doesn't really - it's better. I believe Bash & Pop's CD is still available, and probably for cheap all over the Internet, so here are two of their rare songs.

Harboring a Fugitive is a release on the obscure Soil Samples series of singles.

Situation is on the flip side of the Fast And Hard single.

For posterity i have included "Satellite" for you to compare as well.

Satellite

Eighth Wonder of the Blog.

"...and here's the new one from.. Rocket From The Crypt!!"

This was the announcement at the beginning of the first Rocket From The Crypt LP - Paint As A Fragrance. Unfortunately we will never hear anyone speak those words in truth again as RFTC disbanded in 2005.

Punk Rock with an emphasis on the Rock. RFTC were the one band I could handle with horns in their music, mostly because they never had a ska sound to their horn section, they always just beefed up the rhythm or bass lines of the music. RFTC brought attitude, fun and strong staccato guitar chords in a fun upbeat delivery that usually was not overly serious.

I once drove all the way from Cleveland to Philadelphia and back again in one day to see them, and would have gladly done it again.

One of the best parts of being a RFTC fan is the incredible amount of vinyl they put out. In between each album they usually released several singles and/or an EP or two. They kept you on your toes looking for limited releases and odd packaging...most notably the Cut Carefully And Play Loud EP which came as a 12" EP in a blank white jacket with a label sized hole (12" single style) on the outside of the jacket and over the the hole was placed a giant sticker which needed to be cut around the perimeter of the hole to free the record from the sleeve and provide the vinyl with a label. Yeah, I bought two just to leave one pristine. I am a collector.

I don't own every single one of their releases but I am pretty close. Unfortunately the ones I don't have may cost me.

On to the music...

It is very hard to pick a RFTC song, as they never had a hit single and don't have stand out tracks on their albums (they have stand out albums!)

So I'll try the method of posting a song that I feel represents them best and a song you might not be able to find of theirs.

here is the former: "Straight American Slave" from their "Group Sounds" LP



and here is the latter: "Tiger Feet Tonight" from their "When In Rome" picture disc.