SECRET SAUCES RADIO - SHOW NOTES #003

Here are some notes on the third Secret Sauces Radio show, which can be listened to on Mixcloud here...

SECRET SAUCES RADIO INTRO IDENT

The Driller Killer Sample

A heartwarming scene from Abel Ferrara's 1979 former video nasty 'The Driller Killer'. A comforting watch, it is a shame that Joe Delia's soundtrack for the film has never seen an official release. Hopefully one day. The Driller Killer is now in the public domain, so you can watch it online for free if you wish, although Arrow Video have released a nice Blu-ray set of the film.

1) COWBOYS INTERNATIONAL® - Pointy Shoes

The opening track from Cowboys International's only album, 1979's 'The Original Sin'. Ken Lockie's group included original Clash drummer Terry Chimes on drums, bassist Jimmy Hughes, guitarist Rick Jacks and Evan Charles on piano. A guest guitar appearance on the track 'Wish' from the album from PiL and ex-Clash guitarist Keith Levene brings him back with Terry Chimes for their only studio recording together. I recommend tracking down the original UK LP for The Original Sin - it's a good album and has cool packaging in a red PVC sleeve.

Cowboys International released this LP and four singles before splitting in 1980, after which Chimes and Hughes joined a number of notable bands and Ken Lockie went on to a solo career. Lockie revived Cowboys International without the original line-up and reissued their original material on CD as a compilation entitled 'Revisited', as well as releasing a new album in 2004 called 'The Backwards Life of Romeo'. There has not been much activity in the past twenty years but they do have a website here.

2) DIE KREUZEN - Open Lines

The penultimate track from Rockford, Illinois band Die Kreuzen's second album, October File (1986), released on Touch and Go. I do not have this album on vinyl, only CD (also includes their debut LP) so I cannot say whether the sound of tape speed varying is heard on the vinyl (let me know if you do, I need to get a copy on vinyl to check this) but I like the sound of it.

The band broke up in 1992 after four great LPs, and re-united in 2012 with sporadic activity. There is currently a book being written about them, 'Don't Say Please: The Oral History of Die Kreuzen', published in summer 2025 on Feral House. Check out updates on instagram at @diekreuzenbook.

Some of their records are still in print at Touch and Go's US store here and are all available digitally on Bandcamp here.

3) THE AMPS - I Am Decided

Kim Deal combines two then-unreleased songs of fellow Dayton, Ohio indie legend Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices) for her one-album project The Amps. 'I Am Decided' is one of Pollard's hundreds of classic tracks he shat out daily in the 90s, appearing in early running orders for what would eventually become 'Under The Bushes, Under The Stars'. Two versions from this period have been released since on the outtakes box sets Suitcase Volume 2 and Volume 4. This forms the chorus. The verses and melody are taken from an early version of 'Are You Faster?' from Suitcase 2, a very different version to the one found on the 1997 GBV album Mag Earwhig!

he Amps released the album Pacer in 1995 on 4AD, after the initial disintegration of The Breeders. There was also a single (and video) for Tipp City which had a couple of b-sides. Initially Kelley Deal was part of (Tammy And) The Amps, but departed before Pacer's recording. It does, however, include Breeders drummer Jim MacPherson, as well as guitarist Nate Farley. Both men would soon join Guided By Voices, and you can watch an incredibly drunk Nate Farley on Austin City Limits in 2004 stealing an audience member's baby here and falling over with guitar after getting a Pollard-microphone-swing to the head here.

Kim Deal and Robert Pollard were initially very good friends and frequent collaborators for a couple of years in the mid '90s - you may be familiar with The Breeder's cover of GBV's 'Shocker In Gloomtown' - the video* features GBV. You may be familiar with Deal and Pollard's cover of 'Love Hurts' recorded for the soundtrack of 'Love & A .45'. You may be familiar with GBV's album 'Under The Bushes, Under The Stars' which Kim produced some of, or June Salutes You! where Pollard shouts out Tammy and The Amps (the Amps' original name)... But things went sour when the notoriously drunk GBV used up all the soundcheck time before the March 2nd gig at Southgate House The Amps were supporting GBV at, and Kim punched manager Pete Jamison in the stomach. In the GBV lineup at the time was Kim's then-boyfriend Jim Greer, who would write and sing Trendspotter Acrobat and later write the first biography of GBV. He said in Closer You Are by Matthew Cutter that Kim was convinced that Pollard only wanted him in the band to break the couple up. Who knows? They certainly had some chemistry for a period.

I don't know if Kim and Bob are friends these days, but in a 2004 interview his answer was:

"I haven’t been in touch with her for a long time. When she was in The Amps we were pretty good friends. Then The Amps opened up for us at a show at Southgate House in Cincinnati and she accused us of sabotaging her sound check. Anyone who knows Guided By Voices knows that we don’t give a fuck about our sound checks, sometimes we don’t even do one. She got upset and some of our fans were on our ass that night, it was kind of an odd night. Later she read an interview with me somewhere where when I was asked about what happened with me and Kim Deal I said that she‘d got lost in the lo-fi world of Guided By Voices. She got pissed off about it and never really talked to me since."

Curiously, in 2024 The Breeders released a new video for their cover of Shocker In Gloomtown in animated style and all the members of GBV were replaced by skeletons. Maybe they are still beefing! Either way, both Kim and Bob are great - GBV continue to be as prolific and excellent as ever, and Kim recently released her incredible solo debut album Nobody Loves You More. Check it out!

4) NOVA MOB - Wernher Von Braun (2010 Mix)

This is the 2010 remix version of the song Wernher Von Braun from Grant Hart's post-Hüsker Dü and post-first solo album band Nova Mob. It's from the album 'The Last Days Of Pompeii' and it is a great LP, even more so in its remixed reissue. It is a batshit genius concept album "about rocket scientist Wernher von Braun escaping the end of World War II by time-travelling back to Pompeii and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79." Sadly, the band got shafted by their label Rough Trade's bankruptcy in 1991 soon after the album's release, and did not get their second record out until 1994. In the meantime, ex-Hüsker bandmate Bob Mould had seen great success with his post-Hüsker Dü and post-first two solo albums band Sugar. Grant tragically passed away in 2017 and leaves behind an excellent catalogue of underappreciated solo albums and two albums with Nova Mob, who split soon after their 2nd LP. The original mix of The Last Days Of Pompeii is long out of print but you should be able to get the 2010 remixed reissue on MVD on vinyl and CD easily enough. Check 'em out!

5) THE BEACH BOYS - I'd Love Just Once To See You In The Nude (2017 Stereo Mix)

This track is from The Beach Boys' second album of 1967, 'Wild Honey'. After abandoning Brian Wilson's studio production masterpiece of 'Smile', they went for a more low-key, lo-fi and live feel for a little while, with the band playing their instruments instead of the Wrecking Crew session musicians. 'Wild Honey' has an emphasis on soul music - even including a cover of Stevie Wonder's 'I Was Made To Love Her'. The album is just shy of 24 minutes long, and did not see much success at the time, as was the case with all Beach Boys releases from 1967-1970 (they released five of their best albums in that period though). It was originally only released in mono and is a good mix, but the 2017 stereo remix available on the '1967: Sunshine Tomorrow' compilation (and separately on vinyl) is a good one. Retrospective Beach Boys stereo remixing is extremely hit and miss, Mark Linett has been in charge of these efforts since the 90s. The remixes on recent releases have been very divisive. Either way, this mix is good and the song is fun.

SECRET SAUCES RADIO IDENT

Longmont Potion Castle - Frank

A section of a track from phone surrealist Longmont Potion Castle's 1988 debut cassette release. On this album, LPC is not heard, only the people being called which makes things even more surreal. It's like this guy is arguing with himself. You also hear the beeps of the calls being recorded before LPC bought a call recording machine that did not alarm the people that he was recording them. Check out more LPC here.

6) LUSH - Thoughtforms (Version 2)

The first version of this song was released on the band's debut release, 1989's mini-LP 'Scar' (which was originally recorded as a demo). They re-recorded this superior version for the 'Mad Love' EP in 1990, which was produced by 4AD labelmate and Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie. Both versions are available on Lush's compilation Gala, released in late 1990 which collects up all the early EPs for an American audience. Gala was included in the now out of print 2016 box set Chorus, which coincided with the band's brief reunion. Curiously, it was not reissued in 2023 on CD or vinyl alongside the main three Lush albums. The Lush reunion did not last long (check out Miki Berenyi's 2022 memoir 'Fingers Crossed' available on the sadly-defunct Nine Eight Books for that gossip) but Lush activity has increased in recent years with the debut LPs released by Emma Anderson and Miki Berenyi Trio on Sonic Cathederal and Bella Union respectively, as well as Phil King's movie 'Lush: A Far From Home Movie'.

7) DIGABLE PLANETS - The Art Of Easing

Taken from the final Digable Planets album, 1994's Blowout Comb. Both Digable Planets albums are classics, and the band sadly ended things soon after Blowout Comb didn't sell as well as hoped. They are back together these days and perform incredible gigs - I recently saw them at Koko in Camden and it was great. No new material though. Ishmael 'Butterfly' Butler, however, does release new mind-blowing music as Shabazz Palaces on Sub Pop. Check it out!

8) INSPIRAL CARPETS - Seeds Of Doubt

From the band's debut EP from 1988, Planecrash. Recorded with original singer Stephen Holt, who re-joined the band in 2011, there is an earlier demo version of this song on the legendary Dung 4 demo (recorded in 1987, released on cassette in 1989, released on CD/vinyl in 2014). The Carpets later re-recorded this tune in 1990 with 'glory years' singer Tom Hingley as a b-side to their hit single This Is How It Feels. This Planecrash version is the definitive version... according to me. The band have been active for the past couple of years after a few years in hiatus after the tragic death of drummer Craig Gill, and have recently welcomed back bassist Martyn Walsh. They tour regularly in the UK and are speaking of new material... keep an eye on it.

9) THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN - Down On Me

Taken from the legendary Scottish band's second album Darklands, released in 1987. Darklands, along with the other JAMC albums from 1985-1998 was reissued as a 2CD+DVD by Edsel in 2011, in their 'bent spine' series of reissues, a series which also includes Suede, Sugar, Bob Mould and Pretenders. The Reid brothers are still active as the JAMC and are touring and releasing new material - check them out here. They also did album tours of Psychocandy and Darklands a few years back, and I saw both at the Roundhouse... very nice!

10) PROTOMARTYR - Ain't So Simple

Taken from the Detroit, Michigan band's second album, Under Color Of Official Right, released on Sub Pop sister label Hardly Art in 2014. They signed to Domino records in 2017 and have released three LPs and one EP since, some featuring occasional Protomartyr member Kelley Deal, who joined with the 2018 Consolation EP. Each Protomartyr album seems to be better than the last one, so check them out if you aren't already familiar. Perhaps due to their signing to Domino, they are one of the few great US indie bands who regularly tour the UK and Europe, so keep an eye for dates when they next come over here.

SECRET SAUCES RADIO INTRO IDENT

Brandon DiCamillo - Teleprompt Message

Taken from the first CD pressing of CKY Volume 2, the soundtrack to the CKY skate videos featuring Bam Margera, Brandon DiCamillo and Ryan Dunn. CKY Volume 1 is the debut album by the band CKY, featuring Bam's brother Jess on drums. CKY Volume 2 was reissued a few different times, all with varying tracklists - you would need 3 versions to get all the tracks. All rare! Worth tracking down for the (badly dated) humour of Brandon DiCamillo whose prank call skills are rarely matched. He has released four volumes of his calls as 'Gnarkall', but many are edited to censor names and companies (the Gnarkall volumes do not seem to be available online for official purchase anymore sadly).

Dico was initially a main cast member for MTV's Jackass, when the CKY and Big Brother crews joined together, but became disillusioned with the corporate culture of MTV and its censorship. By the time of the first Jackass movie in 2002, he was a 'supporting member' and appeared only briefly, as well as in the 2006 second movie. He has not worked with the Jackass guys since and lives a private life outside of the spotlight. He is sorely missed.

11) STETSASONIC - D.B.C. Let The Music Play

Taken from the hip hop band's second LP, 1988's 'In Full Gear', released on Tommy Boy. Upon release, the album was released as a single LP and an extended CD, but in 2001 and 2023 the entire album was reissued on vinyl as a 2LP set. This is the final album by Stetsasonic as a unified band, before their DJ Prince Paul broke big with his work with De La Soul and Frukwan left (later to join Prince Paul's Gravediggaz with RZA and Poetic). Stet released a further album in 1991, 'Blood, Sweat and No Tears' and it is a fine album but was not much of a collaborative effort, with different members handling their own tracks separately. While they did not officially break up, this was the last new Stet music released until 2020. The fantastic Chopped Herring records released a 12" EP of unreleased Stet tracks from 1991-1994 entitled 'People In The Neighbourhood' which is well worth checking out if you can track down a copy. Its title track made it to the fourth Stetsasonic album 'Here We Go Again' from 2024. There are no Prince Paul beats on any of the new Stet material but he is still a member and performs live with them most of the time. Stetsasonic were the subject of an episode of music documentary series 'Unsung' which looks like a great watch - unfortunately it has never been able to watch in the UK and I have got nowhere with my requests to see it so far... so if anyone can hook me up, I'd be very grateful! Check out all new Stet and Daddy-O music at SpitSlam Records here.

12) MERCURY REV - Sudden Ray Of Hope

From my personal favourite Mercury Rev album, 1995's 'See You On The Other Side', the band's first album with Jonathan Donahue as lead vocalist after David Baker left and went on to do Shady. This record sold little at the time and was very nearly the end of the band, with their intended 'final hurrah' record Deserter's Songs unexpectedly becoming a cult hit in 1998. The band have recently released an excellent new album 'Born Horses' on Bella Union and are touring regularly in the UK, with a third leg set for August 2025 - check out the dates here. Cherry Red Records have been reissuing their 2001-2008 catalogue in multi-CD sets which are great purchases - get 'em here - hopefully we will see sets of the 1991-1995 records in the future, too.

13) HOLE - Garbadge Man

Taken from the band's 1991 debut LP, 'Pretty On The Inside', co-produced by Don Fleming, and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. Kim and Courtney were initially friends and did press together around this LP (watch an MTV 120 Minutes interview here), but Kim clearly went off her soon after - read her memoir Girl In A Band for plenty of juicy 90s alt-rock beef.

14) MINUTEMEN - Song For El Salvador

A 32 second instrumental from influential San Pedro, CA band Minutemen's 1981 debut LP 'The Punch Line', showcasing their impressive musicianship. Minutemen's records are all in print at SST Superstore, and you can get 'The Punch Line' paired with second LP 'What Makes A Man Start Fires?' on the 1991 CD compilation 'Post-Mersh, Vol. 1'. If you want vinyl, I recommend tracking down original pressings as SST are known to re-use old plates over and over again for increasingly shit pressings. Check out bassist Mike Watt's hoot page here.

15) DESCENDENTS - M16

A 43 second track from influential Manhattan Beach, CA band Descendents' 1982 debut LP 'Milo Goes To College', showcasing their impressive musicianship. Originally released on Minutemen's label New Alliance, the label was bought by SST in 1987 and the Descendents catalogue was transferred over to the SST label. Descendents' 1980-1989 catalogue is all in print at SST Superstore, and you can get 'Milo Goes To College' paired with 1985's 'Bonus Fat' compilation EP (consisting of the 1981 'Fat EP' with the 1980 single 'Ride The Wild/It's A Hectic World' and the 1981 'Chunks' compilation track 'Global Probing') on the 1988 CD compilation 'Two Things At Once'. If you want vinyl, I recommend tracking down original pressings as SST are known to re-use old plates over and over again for increasingly shit pressings. Descendents are still active, releasing new material and touring the world, and you can check out their online shop here - they get royalties from these!

SECRET SAUCES IDENT

The Armando Iannucci Shows - Newspaper Quiz

A sketch from the all time great comedy series, 2001's 'The Armando Iannucci Shows'. Initially airing during the 9/11 attacks, it did not find a big audience until its later DVD release in 2006 (music cuts plentiful). Enjoy the 'East End Thug' character (played by Alan Ford) awfully berating a lady (played by Melanie Hudson) about her reading the papers.

16) UNKLE - Berry Meditation

This is the original mix of the track, found on Side A or track 1 of the 1996 single 'Berry Meditation'. The fluid UNKLE lineup for this release includes Money Mark, KUDO and Tim Goldsworthy alongside James Lavelle, was engineered by Mario Caldato and features artwork from Futura 2000. It was released on Mo' Wax (MW 069) and has the 'Major Force West' logo on the labels and sleeve but was not given a MW MFW catalogue number. This track is supposedly from the scrapped 'Belmondo' sessions for the debut UNKLE album that never was, before DJ Shadow entered the fold and recorded Psyence Fiction. Read more about these sessions from UNKLE/Mo' Wax expert James Gaunt here and listen to his imagined version of the Belmondo album here.

17) 50 FOOT WAVE - Bone China

From the 2005 debut album 'Golden Ocean', released on 4AD after their eponymous EP in 2004. 50 Foot Wave is Kristin Hersh and Bernard Georges from Throwing Muses with drummer Rob Ahlers. They were known for their 'free music' approach, sharing their recordings free online. In 2022 they released their most recent record, 'Black Pearl' on Fire Records, who subsequently reissued the 2009 'Power + Light' and 2016 'Bath White' EPs on vinyl for Record Store Day 2022. All fantastic records as expected from KH. Check out 50 Foot Wave, Throwing Muses and solo Hersh releases at Fire Records here and support Kristin directly by becoming a Strange Angel here.

18) XTC - Funk Pop A Roll

The final track from the band's first album released after quitting touring and losing drummer Terry Chambers (their sixth LP overall), 1983's 'Mummer'. The band had been shafted by managers, promoters and labels in the years before and after this, and Funk Pop A Roll's lyrics are a rant against the music business. As the band could not promote the record by touring, they had to use other means and a Channel 4 'Play At Home' special was released which features music videos from Mummer (including one for this track), as well as a live acoustic version of later 'The Big Express' track 'Train Running Low On Soul Coal', and plenty of footage of Swindon - watch it here. Read an interesting interview with Andy Patridge about the song here. Support Andy and XTC by buying their records, merch and books at APE House here. XTC recently reissued Mummer on vinyl with its originally intended cover which can be found here, and a CD reissue with excellent b-sides as bonus tracks can be found here (avoid '80s CD reissues that place the bonus tracks in the middle of the album!). Sadly, Mummer has not seen a surround sound Blu-ray deluxe reissue yet, as have many other XTC releases, due to missing mulitrack tapes. Keep your eyes peeled and your fingers crossed!

19) THE REPLACEMENTS - Answering Machine

The final track from Twin Cities band The Replacements' fourth LP (I am counting Stink as an LP here), 1984's 'Let It Be'. I am a Beatles fan but this is definitely the better 'Let It Be' album. This LP would be the band's final release on Twin/Tone, before signing to Sire for their next four albums. Let It Be is in print on vinyl but not CD, try and track down the 2008 Rhino CD reissue with bonus tracks and liner notes, and keep your fingers crossed that Bob Mehr will compile a box set of this album (we have had excellent sets of Sorry Ma, Tim, Pleased To Meet Me and 'Dead Man's Pop' which is a new mix of 'Don't Tell A Soul' so far). Bob Mehr deserves a lot of praise for his handling of the band's catalogue, and also for writing one of the best ever music biographies, his book about the Replacements - Trouble Boys. Read it!

SECRET SAUCES RADIO OUTRO IDENT

Thanks for listening and reading. New 60 minute music mixes are uploaded to Mixcloud every Tuesday and I will post accompanying notes, with pointless trivia and endless links for you to enjoy.

See you next Tuesday!