Jerusalem "Jerusalem" [1972]

Jerusalem // "Jerusalem" // Deram // 1972

Jerusalem were another one of those bands to suddenly appear, record a single amazing LP, and then promptly fall off the face of the Earth. Forged in the very early 1970s by 5 British teens, Jerusalem produced some of the best heavy rock of the era. Typically caste as a "proto-metal" band, their music is a mix between the darker side of British rock, and the charged up fury of the burgeoning Detroit scene. As a result, their sonic influence can be equally felt within the progressive and punk rock camps as well.

As a whole, the album is part straight, raw and raunchy, rock and roll -- backed by moments of heavy Sabbath-esque gloom and doom blues. Youthful and uninitiated. Heavier than most and wonderfully dissonant.

If there's still any doubt of this band's metal-potential, let it not be forgotten that prior to becoming Jerusalem the original band name was to be Iron Maiden. You heard me. Somewhere, in some alternate What If? universe, your beloved Eddie is out there representing a band possibly named after another famously gruesome device of torture.

Yeah, something like that.

Not to mention, it was bass player Paul Dean whom introduced manager/producer Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) to the glory of Black Sabbath...

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Hello Shitty People "Hello Shitty People" [199?]

Hello Shitty People "Hello Shitty People" // This Here Records // 199?

This record is a bit perplexing, but only because I can't date it. I should first say that I never saw this band, and know next to nothing about them -- I picked this 7" up at a bizarro show in Asheville, NC. I believe the bands featured were Operation: Cliff Clavin, This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb, David Dondero, and ADD/C. There may have been more -- who knows with punk shows and a decade of confusion. At this point I can't even remember what year it happened. I only know that I had a good time and had an almost equally interesting time arriving at my destination.

Regardless, the first three were Plan It X bands, which all sold Plan It X related material. The last band was a Chattanooga based punk band, and that's where I originally acquired this gem. All that I know is that Hello Shitty People were from Chattanooga, this 7" was put out by Chattanooga-based This Here Records, and that it slays. If anyone else has more information that would be awesome, and I'd urge you to comment.

As far as the "hits" go, my favorite song on side A has always been "Marketable Melancholy" -- and my favorite song on side B has always been the Funyons cover "I Kill Butterflies." Regardless of that fact, if you're a fan of raw punk, Busch beer, and bats carrying said beer -- you should definitely check this EP out.

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Although this EP is no longer available, 1-2-3-4 Go!! has recently released the forever hidden LP.

Death "For The Whole World To See" [2009]

Death "For The Whole World To See" // Drag City // 1974~2009

As most others in the hesher world, I was a bit surprised when I heard this band for the first time. Immediately infectious and quintessentially punk, but the name -- well, obviously an all-black power trio from Detroit that plays absolutely amazing punk rock, well that's not the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the band name "Death."

...but it should be. The recordings included here were originally collected around (roughly) 1974 by the three-piece Hackney brothers. The story of Death is nearly as entrancing as the music. Lost in obscurity for over 30 years, it was only until 2009 that their LP ever saw the light of day. So the story goes, the surviving Hackney members had no idea of the actual impact they had upon the later punk movement. All they had ever told their combined 10 children was that they "were in a rock band during the 1970's." One day while at a party (which should be noted: was on the other side of the country), bass player Bobby's son heard a 7" that changed his life -- one that contained his father's vocals. Through further research (and an undoubtedly interesting family conversation), Bobby Jr. discovered that his father was indeed the bass player and vocalist for the ever-cult Death from Detroit.

This situation eventually led to the discovery of an old collection of reel-to-reel tapes that contained the masterpiece featured here, prompted primarily by the motivation of Bobby Jr. and a somewhat obscure discovery by some of Drag City's finer seekers.

This is a record that features the ever-present ever-impressive sound of superchaged Detroit rock-n-roll during the late 1960's and early 1970's, yet combines the absolute fury to follow with the punk rock movement of the later 70's and early 80's. A true missing link, and this isn't nearly the whole story...

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Buy.

Zipper "Zipper" [1975]

Zipper "Zipper" // Whizeagle Records // 1975

Formed in 1973 by ex-Weeds frontman Fred Cole, Zipper was the frustrated response to years of disappointment felt within the recording industry. Unable to secure a new contract, a disenchanted Cole relocated to Portland, OR. It was here that he began to take charge of his career. He opened a music store, and soon found himself with a new band. Tired of his previous trials, Zipper's eponymous debut was self-released on Cole and wife Toody's new label, Whizeagle. Sadly, this was their only album.

Somewhat less raw than Dead Moon, with a bit more of a funky nature. Not to be missed. Seriously. "Bullets" kills.

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Re-issued in 2003 by Music Maniac (Germany). CD version still available.