Love-Hounds-request@EDDIE.MIT.EDU.UUCP (02/21/87)
Really-From: hofmann@nrl-css.arpa (Jim Hofmann) Let's see - saw the Moving Targets/Volcano Suns and Dag Nasty last night. Hell, I'm getting like Wicinski and was put on the guest list (for spreading about 300 flyers around the city). The Moving Targets could be described as Husker Du playing Metallica but not as metally (thanks to Pee Wee Herman for opening up a whole new line of adverbs) with the screeching and/or revved up time changes (depending on whether you're coming or going) and lotsa key changes but hey, this was one night in which I was bothered not hearing the lyrics since I wanted to know for what reason everyone seemed so lackluster in this three piece band - did their lyrics promote this or what? This band probably wouldn't do bad on a bill with Gone or any of the other burgeoning post-hardcore-metal-rock-jazzists searching for a niche in an increasingly upwardly mobile listening audience since they did have alot of propsensity to jam - a bit too much at times... Well, it should be mentioned that my skinhead pals didn't really like this stuff that didn't fit into their definition of "rock and roll" and decided to let the Volcano Suns know it with taunts lifted from the WWF and the Suns just took it all on the cheek and churned and blasted through a fine, yet at times disappointing set. Again, the sound in this place (a mid-largish Polish (read: Weddings) Meeting Hall) has a lot to be desired, guess when they built it they only expected it for ethnic folk and swarmy wedding bands not forseeing these average looking Joes owning the stage. Just like they said in a Baltimore Sun interview, the set material was evenly distributed over their three albums with the more recent stuff really showing off the Suns ability to create a solid wall of moving sound - can't get "Village Idiot" (or the lyrics out of my head).... .... Finally, the skins were pacified as the razor pop Dag Nasty took over the expansive stage. As everyone in fanzine land knows, Brian Baker (ex-Minor Threat, ex-Doggy Rock, ex-lotsa-other-stuff- including-the-Meatmen) is back and looks to be battening down for the long haul he would like to take this band on. Talking to him revealed he stills feels "gypped" that Minor Threat had to disentegrate rather than cash in on their post-humous (and post-breakup shortened reunion) fame and would like to get this band at least working. Fat chance if they stay on Dischord but, who knows - if the rec co. A&R chumps are sniffing around the Volcano Sun's butts, it's not hard to believe that Dag Nasty could be pulled in, too. The only problem (as has been their main problem throughout their history) is the vocalist needs a little (scratch that, alot) of experience but hey, at least he isn't imitating MacKaye like his predecessors (Smalley excluded, of course). The bassist (ex-Descendents) is a new strong point of the group and is able to maintain the speed required to power up their energy levels............................ James Hofmann P.S. The rumor after the show had it that the Suns were cancelling the rest of their area dates and returning home to Boston to weather out some band tensions (primarily between Prescott, drummer/songwriter/singer and the other chumps).... stay tuned with tinny ear glued to the speakers. (Also, someone from Texas sent me a request for Nihilius Fililius and I lost his address - can he send me some e-mail or a note with his addresss to my new p.o. box - 1067, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 - other correspondents please note change of address...) to be alot of propensity to jam - a bit too much at times in fact...