Friday, July 15, 2011

Destroy All Monsters - Bored (1999)

Destroy All Monsters is a band I should've had up here a long time ago. Many will be familiar with the band due to Thurston Moore issuing a large compilation of their songs in the 1994, and since there has been several more new live and studio albums released. What makes Destroy All Monsters a big deal is that it was a cutting edge sound when the band played shows in the mid-70s and how it was embraced by members of Southeast Michigan's rock and roll notables, such as members of MC5 and the Stooges joining their ranks. American post-punk of the late 70s and 80s has some considerable roots in acts like this, using unconventional insturmentation like vacuum cleaners and what have you along with the unrefined style of composition. While Bored isn't that wild if compared to other shit I've heard, the connection of Destroy All Monsters and Sonic Youth or fellow Ann Arbor band Half Japanese are undeniable. The singer, Niagara, and Jad Fair have an eerily similar cadence to their vocals. For a band that never released a proper album in their original stint nor got too much popularity outside of North American and Japanese experimental rock fans, it did have a disproportionate impact. Bored is a good starting off point as it is rather easily digestible and much stranger music of the band can be sought afterward.

To be had here:
Destroy All Monsters - Bored [192 kbps]

5 comments:

  1. I just got the Thurston Moore box set...phenomenally weird stuff! one of the original architects of this band currently runs a bookstore in Oak Park Michigan called the BookBeat. His name is Cary Loren...hes a very nice and knowledgeable guy.
    Keep up the good blogging!

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  2. cool store. also the main place to get destroy all monsters merchandise?

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  3. The early art band was the noise, non-professional band. Kookie-great for a couple years in Ann Arbor. DESTROY ALL MONSTERS with Ron Asheton (Stooges) & Mike Davis (MC5), put out the singles, toured, played until mid-80's. They got lots of press at that time. Niagara was a PUNK centerfold. Creem mag dug 'em. They put out singles..toured England. Different albums have been issued from various Euro countries. A fancy Japanese clothier has been selling DAM & Niagara fashions and art.

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