Hey Marchers!
In Olympia it is early March and last week’s icey stuff is thawed. And it’s still The Capitol.
So what’s new? Actually, it’s what’s old?
March is time for the second installment of the hoary beast we call Von Cube. Today we release to the unsuspecting universe One For The Money, recorded in 2018, pressed and hidden in the back corner of the closet ever since. This is a beautiful and sophisticated bunch of smashing around by Grady and Nick, or, as you might say, more of the same. What’s not to like? In case you forgot, we released their first GMR single a couple months agos ago and it is most ripping fine as well.
We also continue our series of posthumous Jon Strongbow releases with 1987’sA Normal Sort of Guy, Jon’s first album after 1979’s Alien City, it was originally released on GMR cassette (GM023) and is long out of print. The album was remastered from the baked original reel-to-reel tapes by the always excellent Steve Turnidge, UltraViolet Studios, arsdivina.com. At the family’s request, this is strictly a digital release at this time, avialble on our bandcamp site and streamable in the usual places.
On Normal Sort of Guy, Jon’s longtime bass player & friend Marty Sutlovich recorded with Jon for the first time.
Marty:
I first met Jon in the fall of ’84 at a place called the University Bistro near the campus of the University of Washington. There was a vibrant open mike scene at that time in the ‘U District’ at many cafes and coffee places. I was playing my bass backing up many of the musicians and songwriters that came into the Bistro to play their latest songs or do their best Van Morrison imitation.
When Jon started playing at the Bistro he immediately stood out. He dressed very differently from the others there and his body language and performing style were completely unique. His songs were very dark and brooding and quite a departure from songs about ferry boats and climbing mountains that other people did. I was immediately intrigued by this guy whose music was so raw and felt like he was exposing an open wound every time he got up to play.
We gradually got to know each other and he confided that he wanted to record an album of his original songs. He didn’t know anything about the studios in town or where might be a good place to record so I recommended a studio called Reciprocal Recording in the Fremont neighborhood. I had already been working there for some time playing bass on many different projects for local bands and songwriters and worked closely with engineer Chris Hanzsek. (Note: The last track for the album was recorded in my Queen Anne basement studio – td)
(Jon on guitar, Marty on bass)
Jon agreed and so this is where we went. I brought in my Art On Fire bandmate Leo LeBlanc to cover the drums and Mark Taylor and Linda Severt who added some great percussion tracks. We also had Linda Lee and Michelle Dorcas singing back-up vocals and we all actually sang together on quite a few songs. We recorded everything ‘live’ and usually on the first or second take to keep the songs fresh and with a spontaneous feel. It was a very enjoyable experience for everyone involved and this project began my lifelong friendship and musical journey with Jon. –
Other work from Jon available this month is the fabulous Visionary Surrealism at the Pike Place Market. From Jon’s site: “The Full Color Process Limited Edition begins in the 1970’s and runs through 2019, representing more than two dozen artistic geniuses. It is the Pike Place Market experience you have been missing and secretly craving! Less than one thousand copies were made, this is already a collector’s item!” TD: This is a beautiful and historic tome and obviously a work of love by Jon who spent so much of his life down at the Market. Also, all of Jon’s books are now available at Fantagraphic Books in Georgetown (fantagraphics.com), who will be publishing a new book by Jon in the next few months.
In the upcoming attractions department, ye olde True Olympians hope to have our Olson Brothers cover single out next month. Keep your ears peeled!
Our longtime pal Peter Barnes, whose now-titled album “Studio Bitch” will be with us in a month or two just called me to tell me that he has recorded Richard Peterson’s “Covid 19 Suite” which will be heading our way for release shortly. In the small miracles department, the UW library has located the master tapes for Richard Peterson’s Topaz Records debut in their Kearny Barton tape collection and will be sending a copy our way. They have about a 6 month delivery back up. When we get them, we will update Richard’s page on Bandcamp.
Plus we are most excited to be releasing the GMR debut of the superpop sounds of Band of Jays – Macroblast on April 1. Band of Jays is the solo project from multi-instrumentalist Julian Volpe. Julian has been a side-man on dozens of studio and live projects nationwide over his 30 year musical career so far. He hails from Charleston, South Carolina. More on this soon.
My olde chum Bill Lucas has offically joined the GMR team as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Promotions. Additionally, he is learning the ways of audio engineering here at Tom Dyer Sound.
Finally, mark your calendar for an all-day GMR Summer Spectacular at Slim’s Last Chance in Georgetown on Saturday, July 15. The line up so far: The True Olympians, aaiiee, The Of, The Queen Annes, Band of Certainty, Swedish Finnish, a possible Fuzz reunion, Mark Brunke’s Rendition, and probably 1 or 2 more (no Green Pajamas in case you were wondering).
Whew.
See you next month,
td
March 2023