More from the Athens record shop. Today it is the debut albums of two local bands who I subsequently discovered were connected.
The albums in question are "Underworld Shakedown" by The Last Drive (1986) and "Earthbound" by The Earthbound (2000). The common link is one Alex Kalofolias (Alex K to his friends) who was a founder member of both bands, setting up The Earthbound after The Last Drive broke up in 1995. The Earthbound broke up in turn in 2009, by which point Alex had already got the old gang back together.
Of the two I prefer The Last Drive. They have a good old garage band sound with a bit of psychobilly and surf twang thrown in for luck. The standout track is a splendid reworking of an old standard which I will save for a future Single Song Sunday, but the whole album is good. Not for nothing were they considered one of the best Greek bands of the 1980s.
The Earthbound were less lively, at least on this album. They described their style as desert rock, the desert in question presumably being the one where the likes of Calexico live rather than all the fuzzed up Tuareg guitar bands. The album drags at times but has its moments, including this track and a moody extended tribute to Jeffrey Lee Pierce.
"Valley Of Death" - The Last Drive
"House Full Of Fear" - The Earthbound
Speaking of Mr Pierce...
The Earthbound are Volume 214 bound. Not sure of they will be joined by The Last Drive
ReplyDeleteCame to know of Gun Club through their track Breaking Hands which made Peel's Festive 50 in 1987 and I loved it. A mate told me though that it was unlike anything else they did - he was right!
ReplyDelete