Down Payment Blues by AC/DC (1978)

I remember first hearing AC/DC in grammar school. A few of my classmates(Bill, Ricky, and Dan) would listen to Highway to Hell and Back in Black constantly. For me, I didn't get it. I guess I wasn't old enough yet to appreciate the guttural riffs of the band. By high school, though, I had come around to enjoying their music to a degree and then that exploded in college. I remember hearing the rest of the band's catalog in my those years. I took a particular shine to the band's 1978 album, Powerage. I like the big riffs of What's Next to the Moon, the breakneck speed of Riff Raff and the full rock n roll lyrical package of Gimme a Bullet. But, I always held a special place for their epic blues lament, Down Payment Blues. So here it is. RIP Malcolm Young.

[Original video taken down. Live version replaced here]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jtBG0kvjJ4

Aeroplane Head Woman by Pete Brown & Piblokto! (1970)

Jack Bruce's/Cream's oft lyricist didn't always want to sit behind the scenes. So, on a couple of occasions, he tried to form a band. While the results were not always stellar, there were some shining moments. Here he is with a proggy track from his 1970 release, Thousands on a Raft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbq3gD1KYDs

Fanatical Fascists by Gary Moore (1978)

Hmm, a solo B side from Gary Moore that was written by Phil Lynott. I think I've found a somewhat clever way to include another almost-Thin Lizzy song into this blog space, despite the band being featured in the inaugural post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRU4jZmrXFk

Chicken C by Ahkmed (2003)

This Melbourne area band sound like what it would be like if Tool recorded instrumental doom metal music. At least that's what I hear? Do you agree?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nyuq6LsW3Q

A Cue Stick by Fable (1975)

A power trio with a whole lotta wah wah guitar? No, this isn't 1969. These Canadian rockers probably were born too late. That said, they had some good rockin' tunes that they've left us to enjoy years later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MBoii9UO04

Fire & Water by Secret Oyster (1973)

Alright, what better music for Boxing Day than some Danish fusion...Here is Secret Oyster off of their self-titled debut album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Geqnyj8qg7s

Brainstorm by Hawkwind (1972)

So, for the Christmas blog post this year, I looked for an Xmas tune that fit the bill, but nothing grabbed me. My second instinct was to play a track from Metallica as there are many fans of the band and I love the first half of their career. However, Metallica is not too fond of Youtube videos featuring their music. So the third option was to play one of my favorite bands, space rock legends Hawkwind. Here they are from their third album with one of their underrated classics. Plus it features one Lemmy Kilmister on bass guitar, so how can you go wrong...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0att2_Zc1A

Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except For Me and My Monkey by Fats Domino (1969)

Good ole Fats Domino. Another one of the greats that left us this year. Here he his doing a funky cover this deep cut from the Beatles' white album.

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

Human Pony Girl by Samhain (1986)

Inbetween the Misfits and Danzig, Samhain was the horror goth rock musical vehicle of one Glenn Danzig. Here they are off of the moody final track off of their second and most celebrated LP, November-Coming-Fire. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ESsVut-0CE&feature=youtu.be

Gimme Some Lovin' by Euclid (1970)

Hailing from Haverhill, Massachusetts(a town I've spent some time in), these heavy psych rockers released one album  on the Amsterdam label, which didn't really release many rock albums. Perhaps that contributed to the fact that there wasn't a second album. In any case, enjoy this heavy cover of Steve Winwood's classic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FqjMZDdMNI

My Son's Alive by Crushed Butler (1970)

Crushed Butler was one of proto-punk legend Jesse Hector's many bands. Two of those other bands have already been featured in this space. You can check out The Hammersmith Gorillas and Jesse Hector and the Sound to get a sense of his history. Crushed Butler existed in 1969 and 1970. They recorded some tracks, but nothing got released. Until 1998, in any case. Here they are with one of those resurfaced tracks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUdvSkUT7Oo

Gangland by The Violators (1982)

The Violators, not to be confused with New Jersey's Violators from a couple of years prior, were from England and recorded a couple of very interesting punk/post-punk singles in the early 80's. Unfortunately, they split up on the verge of, perhaps, some bigger success. I think they've got a little Joy Division sound in them. See if you agree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUsTuFQJquY&feature=youtu.be

Sometimes by The Gordons (1981)

The Gordons were a post punk band out of New Zealand that would eventually morph into the long running noise rock band, Bailter Space. I haven't dug in too deeply into their later incarnation, but I do enjoy their early work as the Gordons. Here is my favorite track off of their self-titled debut album. Thanks Jeff for another great suggestion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2i5K3mzU94&feature=youtu.be

Ejection by Robert Calvert (1973)

Lead singer and lyricist for legendary space rockers, Hawkwind, in the 1970s, Robert Calvert also found time to release a couple of solo albums in that decade. And they are quite the efforts. His first solo LP, Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters, is particularly awesome. Today's track was a single on that record that was released before the album. It sounds like a combination of space rock and glam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD1MguybwEg

Wild Cult by Omega Plus (1969)

Alright, how about some heavy French psych for your Sunday? Here is Wild Cult with a track off of their only LP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlKa0K4PCgw

Witches Wand by Luv Machine (1970)

The story of Luv Machine is a bit unique. This rockin' band formed in Barbados in the late sixties and moved to England in order to kick start their career. They would manage to record one album, but actually broke up before it was released. In any case, some good music remains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC_pseY5KlE

Dick and Jane by Human Sexual Response (1980)

Alright, time for some Boston new wave with Human Sexual Response from early in the era...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKC9ChhxW6Q&feature=youtu.be

Summer Madness Laced With Newbald Gold by Red Dirt (1970)

Red Dirt was a British heavy psych band that recorded just one album and it is quite a scorcher. If you ever see an original pressing in the wild, it will cost you about $1,000. Too rich for my blood, but I will enjoy the download!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAevxX2pSnk

It's Just Begun by The Jimmy Castor Bunch (1972)

Last month, I was spending my Saturday morning in the usual way. That is to say, I was driving all over eastern Massachusetts scouring yard sales, moving sales, and estate sales for old vinyl records. Towards the end of the morning, I happened upon a moving sale that had a lot of the usual records and a lot of pre-rock music. Right in the middle of those records, was an album by the Jimmy Castor Bunch. I hadn't heard of this group, but decided to take a chance on it due to its cool cover art. Sure enough, this funk music was great, and it reminded me of how much music there is still to discover!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WylCcdTrzS4

Dust My Broom by Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers (1976)

The other day, as is often the case, I was downloading some music onto my PC and my son wanted to use the computer. I agreed to let him surf the net a bit, provided that he kept the music on that I had started to play. This music was Hound Dog Taylor's 1976 live album, Beware of the Dog. My son agreed to my conditions, but told me that this music was "stupid". Despite his protestations, within two minutes he was subconsciously tapping his feet and rocking his head to the music. Mission accomplished.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT4L_hj-QwU

Plastic Shit by Jody Grind (1970)

I've read a description British rockers, Jody Grind, describing their music as psych/prog with a touch of heavy blues. I think it is more that just a touch of heavy blues, especially on their second and final LP, Far Canal, released in the musically magical year of 1970. When thinking about which track to feature in this space, I gravitated to Plastic Shit because I'm sure the world has a lot more plastic shit as it did back in 1970. Oh, and it helps that this song is an absolute scorcher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYnXCZlzLrA&feature=youtu.be

Den of Iniquity by The Norman Haines Band (1971)

For only recording one album, Norman Haines and his band were fortunate to record at Abbey Road Studios. However, unlike the most popular band to use that studio, the Norman Haines band never received much label support and their 1971 release, Den of Iniquity, never had much of a chance to succeed. Here they are with the title track of their psychedelic long player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx2erzlx-wY&feature=youtu.be

Help Me by Archie Russell (1972)

I don't know much about Archie Russell, aside from the fact that he recorded this scorcher of a soul/funk song back in 1972. Unfortunately, it was never released back in the day. Fortunately, it was released in 2011 as part of a UK compilation called Superfunk's Mission Impossible: Hard to Find and Unreleased Funk Masters.

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

The Squirreling Must Go On by Blodwyn Pig (1970)

Jethro Tull's first album, Time Was, was a lot heavier and bluesier than the albums that would follow for the legendary rock band. This was primarily due to the presence of lead guitarist Mick Abrahams. After that first album, Mick and Tull's singer, Ian Anderson, had a falling out. Mick left the band to create his own image of what he wanted Jethro Tull to be. This band ended up being Blodwyn Pig. The Pig released two albums, one in 1969 and another in 1970, before calling it quits(although they did reform in the 90's to record a couple of albums). For today's song, we are going back to their second album, Getting to This, for this bluesy instrumental.

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

Next Time See You At The Dalai Lhama by Guru Guru (1970)

Guru Guru are somewhat legends of the Krautrock scene. While the lineup has changed a number of times, the band has persevered for over 40 years and over 30 albums. Here they are with a psychedelic number off of their debut LP, UFO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsA2nZLpzn0

Necessities by Nervous Eaters (1979)

Maybe the best punk rock that came out of Boston, Nervous Eaters enjoyed a relatively long career with a number of different line-ups. Today's track was never actually released and the date is just an estimate. To me, it sounds like it could be earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dacW2P1Y4hM&feature=youtu.be

Angels and Demons by The Tourists (1980)

When I found out that Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were both in a band together before the Eurythmics, I imagined it to be a slightly peppier version of the big 80's pop band, and I was right! The Tourists had some well crafted songs. They managed to release three albums between 1979 and 1980. Here is a track off of their third and final album, Luminous Basement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUyxaXt-TZg&feature=youtu.be

Hot Rod Queen by Castle Farm (1972)

It's been awhile since I've featured some glam rock. Castle Farm was a short-lived London band in the early 70's that made some music, but only released one single. To find out more about this band, check out this blog. Here is Castle Farm's 1972 A Side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpAmtFIRvl8

I Was Down by Les Variations (1972)

And now for some Morrocan hard rock by way of France. Les Variations were together for nearly ten years releasing four albums and a number of singles. Here is one from 1972.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgRoFa85eZM

Juvenile Delinquent by Ronnie Allen (1959)

On rare occasion, I like to dial the wayback machine back to the 50's. Here is some rockabilly with a punk attitude from Ronnie Allen's first single.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIU6RHJDDW8

Lord of Lightning by Thristy Moon (1976)

Thirsty Moon was a prog/fusion band out of Germany that managed to release five albums over the course of their ~ decade long career. Here they are with a tasty little track off of their 1976 long player, Blitz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KXSS9OEaEY