I Ain't No Mountain by Andy Fairweather Low (1974)

Andy Fairweather Low has had an interesting career in the music business. He started in the 60's with a pop group, Amen Corner, that was popular in the UK. In the 70's, he released a bunch of solo albums that weren't too popular. He then went on to become a renowned session and touring guitarist for acts such as Roger Waters, The Who, Gerry Rafferty, and Richard and Linda Thompson.

Here finds Andy in 1974 with one of his best known(albeit little known today) solo songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ZmpddMWoM

Miss Lucy by Pacific Gas & Electric (1969)

Despite their 1960's fashionably long name, Pacific Gas & Electric were nothing more than a straight ahead blues rock band. In fact, by 1971 the band was forced to shorten their name to PG&E by the west coast electric company of the same name.

After the band called it quits in 1973, bad fate would befall a couple of key members of the band. Charlie Allen, lead singer, would die at the age of 48 in 1990. Guitarist Tom Marshall would fight addiction and has been homeless since the 1990's. In fact there was a documentary on homelessness featuring Tom that was released in 2005.

Here is a tune from happier times in 1969.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N52rYSLrRVE

TV Casualty by The Misfits (1978)

Long before Glenn Danzig was singing about his "Mother", he was in a little punk band called the Misfits. Now this band had some energy. They managed to hang together for about six years before dissolving. Other members of the band reunited in the 90's and started to tour again as The Misfits, but to me, how can that band really be considered the same without founder Danzig.

In any case, here is a tune that captures the essence of their early years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IkWXXKHPMg

Violence of the Red Sea by Earthless (2013)

Earthless is a mostly instrumental three-piece psychedelic jam band out of San Diego. They have been together since 2001. In that time, they have only managed to release three studio and one live album. However, they are all nearly masterpieces. I first heard their live album, 2008's Live at Roadburn, about four or five years ago. I would have posted music from this album, but the songs comprising the album were 35 and 47 minutes respectively. Today's selection, from 2013's From the Ages is no slouch at a hair under 15 minutes.

As you will be able to hear, the band's music has not tamed in recent years. This is good stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aVqVcZAiAc

Trailer Ras by Long Beach Dub Allstars (1999)

I was a big fan of Sublime during their existence. I discovered their music when Date Rape started getting some airplay in the early Nineties. I then was blown away by their self-titled 1996 release which came right after lead singer/guitarist Bradley's Nowell's deadly overdose.

I, like many, were not ready to give up on Sublime's unique sound. Therefore, I was excited, if not optimistic when the surviving members of Sublime formed Long Beach Dub Allstars shortly after Bradley died. While this band only lasted a few years, they have some good tunes. Here is a song that sound like it is right out of the Sublime soundbook(More than any Foo Fighters song sounded like Nirvana).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hLGhn3LHkQ

Toxic Shadows by Lucifer's Friend (1970)

Lucifer's Friend was about as eclectic of a band as you can get. This German band managed to change directions in their sound more sharply than the Beatles did. Their first album was hard rock/doom metal. They followed that with a prog album. After that, they continued with an arena rock album. Their fourth effort was jazzy.

I still need to do a deeper dive on the rest of their catalog. For now, enjoy this track off of the first album which sounds like a cross between Deep Purple and Black Sabbath.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkdL4SgbrOI

Hard to Handle by Tony Joe White (1970)

I must really like Otis Redding's Hard to Handle. In addition to Otis' sweat soaked original, I love versions by the Grateful Dead and even the Black Crowes. The most recent version that I discovered was by Tony Joe White. He, of course, is mainly remembered these days as a "one hit wonder" for his 1969 hit Polk Salad Annie. That is a great song, but there was/is more to Tony Joe.

With that unique voice and vocal style, I'm surprised that he wasn't more successful. Well, at least we have the records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb63SBLdYpU

Cherokee Nation by Ill Repute (1984)

"Cherokee Nation" was  a John Loudermilk penned song originally titled "Indian Reservation" that was originally popularized by Paul Revere & the Raiders. As for the original song, the story goes that Loudermilk's car got snowed in during a blizzard and he was saved by Cherokees. They asked him to write a song about their plight.

I never really liked the Paul Revere version. Ill Repute just hit the nail on the head by maximizing the power of the message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upzlG50Z-Lg

Straight Shooter by Reigning Sound (2002)

Man, do I love this song. To paraphrase Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, this song may be "just exactly perfect". At 1:32, there are no wasted notes. This tune is off of the second full length effort from the Memphis garage band that is still going strong after a decade and a half.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AglOppyOos

John Doe by Banchee (1971)

Today's entry into the Deep Rock Mining blog is yet another example of some blazing guitar work lost to the ravages of time. Banchee was a band from Long Island formed in the late 60's. Not much is known about this band that was able to produce two full length efforts. What is known, I found here.

It seems like the lead guitarist responsible for the soloing may have passed away in the 90's. I'm glad that the internet is, in some way, able to preserve this work that would surely be lost completely without it.

Here is the first track off of their second, and final album "Thinkin'".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIj2ihKlXWI

Oh Bondage Up Yours! by X-Ray Spex (1977)

Two words: Punk Saxophone. That's what I think of whenever I hear this punk classic. You don't hear saxophone in a punk context every day. I also think of Poly Styrene's power packed vocals. This band was only around for a few years in the late seventies, but they left a mark.

Being a big fan of Bikini Kill, I couldn't help but think that Kathleen Hanna's vocal style may have been influenced by Poly. A simple internet search confirmed my supposition. Here is a link to Kathleen's blog post shortly after Poly's untimely death in 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYMObdOqcRg

Vambo Marble Eye by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (1973)

Just another great forgotten band of the early 70's, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band put out a few really good rocking albums. Prior to forming the "Sensational" band, Alex Harvey led Alex Harvey's Big Soul Band for years. Unfortunately, Alex's life was cut short in 1982 after suffering a massive heart attack.

If you have a chance to pick up an album by these guys, I highly recommend it. Here is a track from their second album, 1973's "Next".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds-vYoowzhM

Possibly Peking by Sammy (1996)

By the mid-1990's, I first started exploring music that wasn't introduced to me by radio or a friend. I can't remember exactly how I stumbled across Sammy's Tales of Great Neck Glory, but I must have read about the band or just took a chance on the CD.

In researching this blog entry, I was quite surprised to find out that the guitarist for this band, Luke Wood, went on to be a renowned record industry executive who is now the president of Beats Electronics.

Here is my favorite track from Sammy's third and final album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t76S80hTiY

No Dice by Fu Manchu (2000)

With a name like Fu Manchu, you know they must be good. Indeed, they are. This California hard rock band has been around since the 80's, but probably needed until about 2000 to reach the height of their moderate fame.

The band continues to record albums and tour to this day. Check them out in a city near you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtAndxwUdIU

Metronomic Underground by Stereolab (1996)

In the mid-1990's, after the death of Kurt Cobain, I continued to follow "grunge" music for awhile as it emerged into the post-grunge scene. The quality of guitar-driven music was starting to deteriorate. though. While I loved(love) guitar driven rock, I knew that it was probably going to go through a rough patch. Instead of just putting up with it, I decided to seek out other alternative music. I did this through college radio, mostly. (While the internet was up and running by then, music streaming was still a few years away.) 

I stumbled on to some post punk bands, but that wasn't really doing it for me. Finally, I started listening to Spiritualized, Portishead, and Stereolab, among others. This "electronic lounge" music resonated with me at the time and still reminds me of my mid-twenties. Here is a track from Stereolab's epic Emperor Tomato Ketchup lp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyCjTj0aAQY

Rhythm of Cruelty by Magazine (1979)

Howard Devoto's growing distaste with the emerging punk scene caused him to leave the Buzzcocks a few months after forming the band with Pete Shelley. About a year later, Howard returned to music with a new post punk/new wave band called Magazine.

Here is a song from 1979 that is bridging the gap between punk and new wave.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aujETHEi4c

Hard Miseree by Iron Butterfly (1975)

It's hard for me to call Iron Butterfly a "one-hit wonder", as I think that they put out a lot of great music in their day. However, to the average music listener, this is largely the case. That song, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida of course, was quite a feat though. Imagine today that a relatively unknown band could score a hit with a 17+ minute organ filled opus. And what a song it is. Being a child of the 80's, my primary association with song is from Michael Mann's Manhunter movie..

As for Iron Butterfly, they broke up in 1970 only to reunite in 1974. They did so without lead singer and organist Doug Ingle. I can imagine that the sound of the band would be considerably different as they were known for their distinct organ and vocals. Sure enough, the band did sound different. But, I still like it. Here is a track from their 1975 album, Scorching Beauty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-nrrHbYndc

Boss Lady by The Detroit Cobras (2001)

In the early 2000's, before the iPod, I was still burning CDs for my Sony CD walkman. I would make theme based CDs; a lot of them were to be used while I jogged. I remember one such themed CD based on the Detroit blues/soul/garage revival music of that era. That CD was packed with the White Stripes, the Soledad Brothers, and the Detroit Cobras. I just loved Rachel Nagy's gravelly, soulful voice set on top of some good ole rock n' roll party music.

The band is still out there, promoting the music they love with impassioned covers. Check out their website for more info.

Here is a track off of their 2001 album, Life, Love, and Leaving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u0oKrMJbGQ

Feel Like Flying by The Attack (1968)

The Attack was an English garage/psych band that survived for about two years during the peak of the psychedelic scene. After the band dissolved in 1968, members of the band would go on to some mid-level success in the following years. Guitarist David O'List went on to be in The Nice, Drummer Alan Whitehead would go on to Marmalade, and guitarist John Du Cann would be in Andromeda and Atomic Rooster in later years.

Still, this early material is pretty interesting. This song was one of the last recorded by the band and didn't end up getting released as a single. The song was finally released in a 1990 compilation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y50FEeqwtM

Post Toastee by Tommy Bolin (1976)

In Tommy Bolin's short life(he died at age 25), he managed to be a member of Zephyr, The James Gang, and Deep Purple. Additionally, he managed to put out two solo albums before his death showcasing his virtuoso guitar skills. And, he also recorded with legendary jazz drummer Billy Cobham. Bolin had some serious chops.

It makes it all that much more disappointing that he died of a drug overdose in 1976. I have to think that he would have flourished in the 80's(a la David Coverdale).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7FOTBdbPN8

Show Stopper by Peaches (2009)

In 1990, a 21-year old Merrill Nisker was part of a folk trio, Mermaid Cafe. Things must seemed to have been going according to plan for the young Toronto native. Flash forward a decade later, and Merrill Nisker has changed her performing name to Peaches, moved to Berlin, and had started to become one of the hardest rocking electronic musician/performance artist/DJs in the world. It can be hard to reconcile the transformation on the surface.

I first heard Peaches while watching the movie, Lost in Translation. Her song, Fuck the Pain Away, from the Bill Murray' Japanese strip joint scene is memorable. Peaches would go on to continue to write and record powerful tunes throughout the 2000's, often with explicitly sexual themes smashing through gender norms.

Here is a track from Peaches' 2009 album, I Feel Cream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWqIOAbxq2g

Let's Go Get Cokes by The Faction (1985)

I'm not sure why I like this song so much. It is (probably) a tongue-in-cheek salute to Coca-Cola. Still, this song from the San Jose hardcore band reminds me of summertime. As it turns out, this song would be on one of the last releases by the Faction in their initial run. They would get back together a few more times in the next thirty years, but the early 80's were the height of their success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tVt73OmaZg

End of the Line by Frijid Pink (1970)

Frijid Pink was a promising psych rock band to come out of the Detroit area in the late 60's. They managed to release two quality albums in 1970. The self-titled debut album actually hit #11 on the U.S. album charts. Unfortunately, they didn't last much past 1971.

I recently picked up this LP from a record show and it great to hear on vinyl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jApge5aA5PY

Earthquake Country by The Electric Flag (1974)

After debuting The Electric Flag to much fanfare at the Monterey Pop Festival, Mike Bloomfield's Electric Flag seemed poised for instant success. It doesn't always work out that way. Their debut album, released the following year in 1968 was a critical success, but did not achieve much in the way of sales. Shortly after the release of that album, A Long Time Comin', Bloomfield quit the band.

Drummer Buddy Miles would go on to join Jimi Hendrix' Band of Gypsies. Nick Gravenites would join up with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Bloomfield would become one of the best studio musicians playing for many of the major rock stars of the day. By 1974, the Flag got together again and recorded one more album after which they quickly disbanded again. Still, I'm glad they did pull it together one more time as that album, The Band Kept Playin', left us with a few gems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vEej-lEH5s

Ju-Ju Blues by Causa Sui (2013)

It's refreshing to hear inspired original music in this day and age. It can be hard to find. Sometimes you have to look to Denmark to find what you are seeking. Causa Sui is a trio of formerly heavy metal musicians that formed this prog rock group in 2005. Since then, they have honed their craft releasing a number of albums. For any of you who may be turned off by prog, this "prog rock" is without strange vocal interludes or science fictiony themes...

The band's most recent album, Euporie Tide, is terrific from end to end. It is truly an album for album listening. I recommend it as a whole. I have isolated clip here that gives a sense about this band's sound. Check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qIuwG0W8yw

Run, Run, Run by Jo Jo Gunne (1972)

Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes truly epitomized the transition from the 60's to the 70's. In the 60's, they were key members of Spirit, who had the true hippy, psychedelic vibe. After the dissolution of Spirit, Jay and Mark formed Jo Jo Gunne, which was a rockin' party band mirroring the times(not that there's anything wrong with that...)

Jo Jo Gunne's greatest success came with their debut 1972 self titled debut album. They even charted(somewhat) with this release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buMg7cDtlls

Savage by The Fun Things (1980)

The Fun Things were a high school age band from Brisbane, Australia that caught the Punk wave in the late 70's. They dissolved by 1980, at the time of their EP release. Check out more details here.

In their short existence, they managed to catch lightning in a bottle. Check out this 1980 track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9SjKq2KriY

You're Gonna Miss Me by B.B. King (1964)

The Beale Street Blues Boy was never seriously respected among "blues enthusiasts". Most critics may prefer Freddie King or Albert King, and I love those guys too. Perhaps critics didn't like the fact that B.B. seemed happier than most blues musicians. Maybe they didn't like the fact that he "crossed over" by performing with popular acts(See this performance with U2). Or perhaps, just seeing a venerable blues master on MTV turned off some critics.

But for a child of the 80's, B.B. King was most influential in getting me to discover the blues on a deeper level. I don't know if I would have delved into the blues music of Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, and the aforemention Freddie and Albert King without having heard this style of music played by B.B. King. The fact is, B.B.'s music did open the door to the blues for me. To that, I thank the man.

Here is B.B's 1964 single "You're Gonna Miss Me". Indeed, B.B., we will...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubvBuvAJnCs

Free by Majic Ship (1970)

I don't know much about this psych/hard rock band from Brooklyn, but I know they made at least one album's worth of interesting music in 1970. They didn't achieve much fanfare at the time. Apparently, a fire destroyed their equipment in 1971 and they called it quits. Here is some more info on the band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL3JqVjvu6A

No Suprize by Aerosmith (1979)

When I was about 14 years old, my group of friends had one kid that was 16. He also got the use of a his parent's stationwagon on a regular basis. This meant that we all now had mobility. Mobility meant freedom. We would drive around in the afternoon and evening having fun and causing trouble. It was a blast! And the soundtrack for these times was Aerosmith's Greatest Hits on cassette, proudly cranked loud. It didn't take long before we all knew every song back and forth; from Walk This Way to Back in the Saddle. These days, I'm not much a fan of Greatest Hits collections in general, but this one has nostalgic value for me.

I would eventually move past the Greatest Hits and dive into Aerosmith's entire collection(through the early 80's, that is). Here is a track from their 1979 Night in the Ruts album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlLSHWlilA4