The Compilation
How obscure is the compilation Don’t Shoot? One indication is that this document hasn’t been reviewed at Trouser Press, typically considered the Bible of Various Rock. Whereas this document leans extra towards various nation than various rock, Trouser Press has lined various nation, which incorporates artists discovered on this compilation. Featured artists embrace, so as of look on Don’t Shoot: Danny & Dusty, High Jimmy & the Rhythm Pigs, Stephen McCarthy, John Doe, Julie Christensen, Divine Horsemen, Tony Gilkyson, Jack Waterson, the Band of Blacky Ranchette, Clay Allison, and the Romans.
Your response to those names—“Oh, wow!” or “Who?”—will probably decide your curiosity on this album. For followers of indie and various artists, their interpretations of people, nation, and rockabilly vary from respectable to distinctive. Invoice Bentley, a music producer, publicist, and journalist, describes this album in his liner notes as “a wild fling by some outsiders who weren’t wanting to slot in… as a substitute, they took a leap of religion with songs that resonated deeply.”
Listening to the album reveals its vital charms. Each efficiency feels honest, with nobody phoning it in. The clear manufacturing high quality defies the digital elaborations you would possibly count on from a 1986 launch.
Los Angeles serves as a backdrop for almost all of the artists featured on Don’t Shoot. Town, which birthed one of many earliest punk scenes, advanced right into a hub for indie rock. By 1984–1985, the punk rock scene had merged with indie rock, embracing Americana and crafting rootsy music that mirrored their experiences.
Don’t Shoot was launched on LP by Zippo Data, a small English label recognized for its low-key pop-rock influenced by American sounds. Zippo started as a London document store that bought hard-to-find albums by numerous Los Angeles indie rockers. By 1984, the store established itself as a document label, discovering albums from those self same artists. Nevertheless, the album, launched solely on vinyl, has by no means been reissued, leaving it as a historic doc of what some seen as groundbreaking music on the time.
Whereas the recordings on Don’t Shoot could not remodel your life, they probably influenced listeners again within the mid-Eighties, guiding them towards new musical explorations. Quick ahead to 2024, and these tracks won’t spark a journey into these artists’ broader discographies. Nevertheless, for a lot of, beginning with their well-known tracks will present context for this assortment.
So why revisit this music? Its significance lies in its position throughout the historic narrative of indie rock and various nation. This album will resonate with those that related with these artists or related ones. Whether or not you are a long-time fan or simply curious, put together for a journey by means of the LA music scene’s choices throughout this period—as captured on this distinctive compilation.
The Artists
Let’s speak about John Doe. For those who’re not conversant in him, he’s finest recognized for co-fronting the long-lasting Los Angeles punk band X. Throughout 1984–1985, X started incorporating roots music into their work, making a aspect venture referred to as the Knitters, that includes guitarist Dave Alvin from the legendary roots-rock band the Blasters.
Doe’s contribution to Don’t Shoot is “Wreckin’ Ball,” a solo rendition of “The Name of the Wreckin’ Ball.” This rockabilly authentic first appeared on the Knitters’ 1985 album, Poor Little Critter on the Street, a must-listen for followers of this style. (Don’t miss the primary 4 X albums, that are sensible, alongside their 1995 reside acoustic launch, Unclogged.)
His model of “Wreckin’ Ball” looks like a concise demo for the complete Knitters’ take. Notably, Doe makes use of the phrase “fuck” in a approach that was virtually bleeped out on the unique album model out of concern for radio play. Traditionally, this displays the persistent tendencies of document labels to sanitize lyrics, even for rock music, as proven by Chrysalis Data’ censoring of Jethro Tull’s Dwell—Bursting Out again in 1978.
Throughout this era, Tony Gilkyson was carefully related to John Doe. In 1985, he performed guitar for the Americana trailblazers Lone Justice, later becoming a member of X in 1986. Gilkyson lends his vocals to Don’t Shoot with the track “Tear It Down,” accompanied by Lone Justice’s lead singer, Maria McKee. Her wealthy voice enhances Gilkyson’s easy model fantastically.
In distinction, Danny & Dusty carry a unusual edge to the compilation. This aspect venture merges leaders from two outstanding indie-rock bands: Dan Stuart of Inexperienced on Crimson and Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate, supported by numerous musicians from their bands and others, together with members of the Lengthy Ryders.
Initially, Inexperienced on Crimson fused storage rock and psychedelia however shifted towards a rustic really feel with their 1985 EP, No Free Lunch. The Dream Syndicate’s debut, The Days of Wine and Roses, launched in 1982, was celebrated for its recent tackle the Velvet Underground’s sound. Nevertheless, their second album, Drugs Present, which got here out in 1985, confronted criticism for its sudden shift in the direction of Americana, drawing inspiration from artists akin to Bob Dylan and Patti Smith. The Lengthy Ryders gained consideration for his or her indie mix of the Byrds, Dylan, and nation influences, dealing with backlash for showing in a 1986 Miller beer business—indicative of the period’s backlash in opposition to “promoting out.”
In the meantime, in 1985, the duo of Danny & Dusty launched their trailblazing album The Misplaced Weekend, which showcased a cutting-edge model that launched phrases like country-punk and cowpunk, which ultimately transitioned into the broader indie classification of different nation. This album opens with Danny & Dusty’s “Bend within the Street,” providing a playful trade between the 2 characters whereas evoking the influences of Tom Verlaine and Dylan, infused with parts of Western mythology.
Bob Dylan’s pervasive affect on this style is plain. He served as an idol for these artists, whereas Hank Williams took on the position of a type of prophetic determine. Elvis Costello emerges as a patron saint, with The Byrds hovering within the background as musical angels.
Stephen McCarthy, guitarist and singer who was a part of the Lengthy Ryders, additionally joined Danny & Dusty. His track “I’ll Get Out Someway” resonates with a mellow Lengthy Ryders really feel, enhanced by beautiful guitar work from Dave Pearlman, the founding father of the charmingly named Rotund Rascal recording studio.
Jack Waterson, recognized primarily because the bassist for Inexperienced on Crimson, tackles the profound Hank Williams traditional “By no means Get Out of This World Alive” with a genuinely honky-tonk aptitude. This observe options three members of the Rain Parade, a major participant in Los Angeles’ psychedelic-pop-rock motion, together with fiddler Will Glenn, guitarist Matthew Piucci, and bassist Steve Roback. Famend pianist Chris Cacavas additionally contributes, having performed with many artists on this assortment.
The Band of Blacky Ranchette, whereas not from Los Angeles, provides a novel taste to the compilation. Originating from Tucson, Arizona, Howe Gelb, of the indie-rock band Large Sand, explores nation alongside guitarist and singer-songwriter Rainer Ptacek. Their contribution “Blind Justice” presents a sluggish, surreal twist on honky-tonk in comparison with Waterson’s model.
High Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs have been vital figures on the LA music scene. Their excessive profile earned them a nod from the Knitters within the type of a shout-out, whereas High Jimmy is widely known in Van Halen’s track “High Jimmy” from their album 1984. Masking Willie Nelson’s “Hey Partitions,” they show soulful nation vocals, although the slower tempo right here doesn’t really mirror the power of their reside performances or their album from 1987, Pigus * Drunkus * Maximus.
Mitchell seems once more on Don’t Shoot, first contributing “rice in can” percussion for Clay Allison’s observe. This group featured Kendra Smith, guitarist and singer, alongside Dave Roback and Juan Gomez. Clay Allison is thought for ultra-indie psychedelic recordings, together with their standout “Fell from the Solar.” Right here, they carry out the easy folks legend “Freight Prepare” with a minimalist strategy, showcasing Smith’s stunning vocals.
In 1989, Kendra Smith would transition from Clay Allison to affix supplied extra vocal skills for Mazzy Star, together with Mitchell and Roback. On Don’t Shoot, Mitchell and Gomez additionally play with the Romans, an indie band led by bassist and vocalist Michael Uhlenkott. They’ve enjoyable with Uhlenkott’s “Tear It All to Items,” delivering a countrified take that feels paying homage to early Feelies.
Julie Christensen, married to Chris D., the chief of Divine Horsemen, affords a phenomenal rendition of “Virtually Persuaded,” a traditional first popularized by David Houston in 1966. Complemented by stellar preparations from Pete Wasner (on piano) and Greg Leisz (on pedal metal), together with acoustic guitar from Bob Hawkins, her model stands out as one of many highlights of Don’t Shoot.
In her efficiency, Christensen avoids the melodramatic contact of Houston’s model, placing a stability between Maria McKee’s ardour and the nuanced model of singer-songwriter Syd Straw. In the meantime, on the Divine Horsemen’s observe, she compensates for her husband’s vocal limitations. The track “Tears Fall Away,” penned by Chris D. and the Divine Horsemen, begins off tough however builds towards an emotionally charged climax. Chris D.’s vocal model, particularly tough across the edges, resonates with the spirit of country-punk, embodying all the pieces Don’t Shoot represents.
