18 September 2009

This One Goes to 11

Posted by Connor under: Music; Video .

New Feature: Friday Music.

John Scalizi reminded me today that I used to like the Psychedelic Furs quite a bit. Which reminded me of the fact that I saw them live around 1987 or so. They were a bit past their sell-by date but musically they were one of the tightest bands I have ever heard and it made for a great show.

But then I remembered why I still to this day think of that show whenever I think of, “going to a rock show.” it wasn’t the Furs. They were really good but it was because I was basking in the afterglow of the opening act, The Screaming Blue Messiahs. They quite simply blew the roof off of Hancher Auditorium. I saw the Messiahs on at least two other occasions and they never failed to absolutely rock the fuck out of whatever venue they were in.

I had nearly forgotten about them. Until this afternoon I didn’t realize that I had a nameless SBM-shaped hole in my musical soul.

They only lasted about 5 years and only produced two really good and a couple of so-so records. The closest they came to the greatness they deserved was the gimmick song I Wanna’ Be a Flinstone, which is silly but gives a good impression of the raw power and sizzling guitar work they were famous for. The band disapeared without a trace about 1990 and their records were out of print for a long time.

Ladies and gentlemen the greatest rock band you’ve never heard of (or had almost forgotten): The Screaming Blue Messiahs:

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