Fresh Digs: Powersolo - “Seven Inches From Heaven” (Crunchy Frog Records)
Whether you’re new to Powersolo and the antics of local madman, Kim Kix & co. or a long-time stalker - this latest singles round-up is probably the closest you’ll get to a solid introduction to their very fucked up but rewarding world.
I like to picture Kim right now, undoubtedly somewhere on the road on the way to and from a show in a warm EU country with a van full of dudes and a gift shop captain hat on with his elbow hanging out of a window and a perpetual cig dangling out from his mouth. I don’t ever want to imagine him doing the boring stuff that most of us have to do - filing taxes, considering changing cable providers, waiting in the freezing rain for a tram... No, we all need a hero i s’pose, a Neil Cassidy type, a dirty uncle that sneaks you porn at Easter, your dad’s war buddy who taught you how to make a spud gun and roll a doobie.
If you get into Powersolo - you’ll never be bored. Their entire presence in the media, in concert and beyond seems to be a frantic quick-cut VHS fever dream. “Seven Inches From Heaven” kind of personifies that. Representing a round-up of rare singles and b-sides from across their entire two decades or so of activity - this LP is a jumble of just about every style that Powersolo purvey. The surf garage, the latin gumbo, Exotica, proto-punk, psychobilly, country, and whatever the flip lies in between - all wrapped in a greasy analogue warbling smoking jacket of grime, vibrato and trashy guitars.
I’d go as far as to say that some of my favourite Powersolo cuts are on here where they are otherwise only found in person or in low-res YouTube clips; opener “Step Back” sets the pace as a nearly Modern Lovers proto-punk rouser. “Jungle Mungle” from last year’s “Peek-a-bo” E.P. takes you to the Tiki Bar on ludes, and perpetual live favourite (of mine) “Posessed By Bo Diddly” conjures the jungle beat if you dug up Link Wray in Copenhagen and made him dance with your spicy granny.
You don’t have to try before you buy - if you’re a fan of anything nasty, retro, kitschy, or groovy this disc has probably got you covered. This music is best played on a spinning black disc and irresponsibly. your friends will hate it - which is why you just gotta crack the seal on this ultimate party in a can of an LP.
Available now everywhere you’d expect.
stream:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4TOtvHTkO6y5A0axKW4DWC?si=P417IBEsTrWrueyOdq28Zg
Follow:
https://www.facebook.com/POWERSOLOINFO/
words//Bobby McBride