a few words about these recordings:
David Copeland is one of Rapid City's most gifted songwriters. When I brutishly offered my drumming services to the Pisces' Sister record he gladly accepted. It was a time of rebuilding for him, remnants of the Hottest Makeout Session were dissolving. Early on, David recruited Imaginary Girlfriends' star Luke Mickelson for second guitar, having passed a chemistry and screen test. Shawn 'Puffy' Werner, known from his work in The Shakes and Gentleman Jack was cast as the original bassist. Our rehearsals were sporadic and unorganized, the balance wasn't right for whatever reason. A brief break ensued. A few weeks passed before Copeland and I found ourselves in the basement of the Reddmen World Headquarters, hashing out the new songs. I was very insistent that we rehearse relentlessly. With such little prep time we still needed a key member of the rhythm section, I proposed the idea of Trevor Leo coming into the fold. I think Copeland was a tiny bit hesitant, perhaps foreseeing being typecast as another side project of The Reddmen. Having one Reddmember on board was already overkill, two could possibly overshadow the band's organic growth and beauty. Regardless, Leo was invited to a table read and passed with flying colors. In all fairness, Leo had the same concerns as Copeland, but I maintained it was for one recording and/or until he filled out the permanent lineup. Besides, Dave doesn't like playing live anyway. Excited and enamored we pursued the Pisces' Sister material in the winter of '08.
I've always championed Vietnam Glasses in a similar fashion as my mentors did with their more obscure discoveries: Paul McCartney to Larry Williams, Scared of Chaka to Supercharger, Guided By Voices to Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments etc. Recently archiving some old eight track reels, I was glad to have revisited the works of one my favorite songwriters. Musically it's clear, there are some nice moments of Superdrag, GBV, early R.E.M. and maybe even a little Big Star. Lyrically, the way Dave draws inspiration is nothing short of genius. From the brilliantly crafted homage to super heroines of the Marvel Girl e.p., to the fictitious theme song of his all girl Monkees prototype sweethearts The Stoned Medusas. The largest achievement a song craftsman can reach is perhaps creating a universe of characters and ideas, Copeland based his on our circle of friends using true blue American power pop as the vehicle. From the girl in 'Jail Tattoo' who really did have a heart tattooed sleeve, to biopic tale of Miyo One Arrow and friends in 'Monarchs of the Marble Club,' or an unsuccessful dance craze entitled 'The Pox.' It's a universe I was happy to have visited.
Over the years, I have covered three standards from Copeland's repertoire, in the same vein that Waylon would cover Willie and vice versa. Our on going friendly song writing competition has yielded some worthy results, he once traded me his song title 'This Year's Mono' for my song title 'Beatles Die Everyday' and as of today, we're not a penny richer, but these songs don't write themselves. Needless to say, he writes the way I'd like to write.
-J. Waylon
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