Sunday 18 June 2023

Big Stick – "Crack 'N' Drag" (Blast First – BFFP 25) 1988



I thought I'd have a go on one of these Artificial Intelligence programs,to see how they cope when faced with the Artificial Stupidity of The excellent Big Stick. I entered some info and cut'n'pasted some blurb from the internet,and this is what it came up with after i had to remove any sexual,political and racial references.Political correctness and offensive red lines will be hardwired in that fun fun FUN future we seem so inpatient to crush the last reasons to be alive with.The age of the self-replicating machine are dawning.
Anyway, this bland cliché ridden 21st century future of Music journalism nothingness,is what the computer came up with:

"In the world of dance music, there are only a few tracks that stand the test of time and remain cherished by generation after generation. One of those rare gems is "Drag Racing" by The Big Stick. Released in the mid-80s, this track was part of their EP called "Crack Attack," which is still regarded as one of the best dance music releases of all time. The Big Stick was an underground band hailing from the New York City art scene, and their music was a unique blend of art-rock and dance music. At the time, the punk scene was dominating the underground music scene, but The Big Stick was a breath of fresh air with their distinct sound and unconventional style. "Drag Racing" is a track that truly embodies the spirit of dance music. It's infectious, funky, and will make even the most reluctant dancer hit the floor and groove to the beats. The track features a hypnotic bassline that hooks you in right from the start, and the percussion and synth elements in the track add layers of complexity that make it stand out from other dance tracks of its time. The genius of "Drag Racing" lies in its ability to seamlessly blend different genres of music. The track draws inspiration from disco, funk, and punk rock, and fuses them together to create a sound that is entirely its own. It's a track that has something for everyone, and its popularity is a testament to its universal appeal. What makes "Drag Racing" even more impressive is its longevity. Over three decades have passed since its release, but the track still manages to captivate audiences. Its influence can be seen in modern dance music, and it continues to inspire new generations of artists. It's not just the music that makes The Big Stick and "Drag Racing" special; it's the band's unconventional approach to art and music that sets them apart. The band's name and album covers were inspired by phallic symbols, and their live performances were more akin to performance art than traditional concerts. They were pushing boundaries and challenging the norms of the music industry, and their music reflected that. In conclusion, "Drag Racing" by The Big Stick is a true masterpiece of dance music. It's a track that defies genres, captivates audiences, and remains relevant even after all these years. The Big Stick's unique approach to art and music has left an indelible mark on the music industry, and their music continues to inspire new generations of artists."

That would sit nicely in the review section of Mojo Magazine....just lacking an unseen Beatles photo section.
It really does make stuff up, that would kinda fit in any article.I wrote hardly any of the above!

Anyway, I've done a human version for you to contrast and compare.To see if it's worth having robots with critical minds, plotting in the corner of the fruit picking farm they are programmed to work in since Brexit removed all the Romanians from the UK,then found the Gammon faced gobshites who voted for it aren't willing to do the shitty jobs the foreigners did for them, so they can continue receiving their allowances for their bad backs.

On the Subject of Crack'n'Drag by The Big Stick group:

"This is how dance music should sound in my humble opinion.Spartan,not quite danceable,stoopid but clever,and a tad disturbing.
Drag Racing easily squeezes itself into my top ten bestest tunes of all time ever box.Big Stick slithered up like a slug from the NYC art rock underground(ugh!a bit of sick just came into my mouth momentarily!), in the mid-80’s, worlds apart both stylistically and sonically from noise-damaged bum-chums of the junkie-chic New York noise scene like Sonic Youth, Swans,Lydia Crotch with Aussie pets,Rowland H Hard-on,often interchangeable with the interminably awful Jim Foetus. You know where I'm going here don't 'cha? 'cus I don't?
I bought this compilation LP of their rather brilliant "Drag Racing" and "Crack Attack" ep's from back in the day,then they then seemed to sink without trace.Not even an oil slick floating on the surface of the sea of bad taste remained. To my surprise they made other recordings, and have even made some new ones in recent years. They may dress like that Cunt who was up stage front in the january 6th insurrection at the Capitol building with furry hat and horns,and ironically have a song called "I'm Gonna Shoot The President"; but  musically they are as weird as a whole capitol building full of drugged up Q-anon Trump Zombies prostrate in worship to their new God,with or without horns. 
Jacob 'I'm Guilty and i'm very very sorry' Chansley,the self-titled 'QAnon Shaman' of the jan 6th attack on democracy, who is NOT in Big Stick, will help make sure you're Free, even if he has to kill you to achieve it......cunt.

Big stick clearly do NOT come from the red Neck bloc,or even like Drag Racing. This is genuine Red Neck satire,helping extend Trump's imaginary wall further north of the Mexican Border,and eventually looping round, 
lasso-like, fencing those brother lynchin' bible licking Crack 'n' Meth fueled 2nd amendment toting Morons in one massive trailer park. Maybe we could do a deal with Putin to replace the 3 million Russian kids who left the country in fear of being drafted, with these unwanted Trump lovin' Fentanyl hooked Hillbillies? A threat that could end the war in Ukraine."

Tracklist:

1.Crack Attack 3:07
2.Crack Attack (Remix) 3:56
3.Billy Jack Paddy Wack 2:45
4.I'm Amazed 3:26
5.Friends & Cars (Recorded Live At The Folk City) 2:17
6.Shoot The President 2:21
7.Drag Racing 1:40
8.I Look Like Shit 2:01
9.Hell On Earth 2:19
10.Jesus Was Born (On An Indian Reservation) 2:32

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do yourself a favor, read this -
http://mileswmathis.com/jan6.pdf

Jonny Zchivago said...

You mean ,do you a favor, don't you?
it comes up as "a 404 Not Found error"
The Man is blocking your link...I'm assuming it irrefutable evidence that it was all Fake,and the election was stolen etc? In which case don't bother correcting it...please.

Henk Madrotter said...

Ah! I still have the original Crack Attack ep, bought it when it came out way, way back. Posted it on my blog many years ago and the link was taken down in no time, "copyrights" blah blah blah, hope they'll leave this link alone!
Downloading this one because it has more tracks than the original ep.... Great stuff, from a time when hip hop acts only could perform on street corners and at punk venues. We all remember the exploits of Tina Weymouth, Malcolm McLaren and Debbie Harrie right? I wasn't really impressed with all that at the time, but I always liked The Message from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five.... Heard some early freestyle battles, kinda liked it but it didn't really hit the spot... This one, Big Stick, I heard it first at Bram van Splunteren's excellent Moondogs radio show, blew me away, and I went out the next day and Lo and Behold, I found it! Wasn't till Public Enemy's It Takes A Million album that I was hit in the face like that again, although I did like some of Jimmy Foetus's attempts at the genre though....

Bilge Dasto said...

not to beg or anything, but can you review my band Beme Seed? We were also on on Blast First and and did a split single with Big Stick in the Devils Jukebox 45 box set comp. you can find all our albums for free here: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Beme_Seed/

thanks

said...

Thanks for these, Jonny. Anyone want Hoochie Koo Time
https://nathannothinsez.blogspot.com/2014/06/walk-softly-carry-big-stick.html

Jonny Zchivago said...

Not begging can achieve wonders, so I may do Bilge......as long as it ain't too grungey. I quite liked associated groop Liviing's singles if you were in that too?

Anonymous said...

Why is it when I poop sometimes its a one wiper, but other times it takes half the roll to clean up?

Jonny Zchivago said...

Indeed Henk, my exposure to Hip Hop was very similar, but after Nation of millions, the monotony got to me...not in a good way. I dunno whether Big Stick comes under 'Hip Hop',i always saw it as a bit of a piss-take.As if a bunch of red necks had got hold of it and claimed they invented it.
I The Fall was a Rap groop....discuss.

Henk Madrotter said...

Right from the start there was plenty hip hop that I didn't like at all... Walk This Way from Run DMC with Aerosmith comes to mind. But it was a great time, while most of my old fellow (ex)punks went with the whole grunge thing, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers I went completely the other way. Those very early hip hop concerts in Holland were insane, very much like the punk concerts around '78, '79, they could be very violent, crazy energy and very, very small numbers of white kids in attendance. Usually it was them that started the violence btw, a lot of them always acted like they had something to prove... Musically, guys like Afrika Bambaataa were totally into the German Neue Welle, not just Kraftwerk but the "post-punk" stuff. For me, at the time, it felt like the logical next step after punk... This is such an interesting subject :) I gotta go on another tape hunting trip. will continue later....

Anonymous said...

Well, that's a blast from the past!
I haven't thought about this in years.
My art school era came rushing back like a load of crap.
We liked this back then!
I'd make some allusion to Proust's madeleine, but it seems...
not right somehow.
Thank you!

Jonny Zchivago said...

talking poop again anon one.
you should invest in a bidet that gets all the tag nuts / dingleberries:but essentially one wipe is never enough.....discuss....er...in fact don't bother.

Jonny Zchivago said...

Anon 2 ....if you came here for a nice bit of Proust's madeleine juxtaposed with Crack Attack you're in the wrong place.....but i would draw your attention to the French spongy cake/biscuit that is also called a Madeleine which triggers fond reminiscences in yer average French adult. They are particularly dry and saliva exhausting, which,in turn, involuntarily triggers a memory of a lot of gobbing episodes in my lost yoof.

parmalee said...

I read Henk's first post three times confusing Tina Weymouth for Tina _Aumont_, and I was like, "What the hell is he talking about?" Then it finally clicked.

rev.b said...

I thought surely AI would figure out a way to incorporate Jacob 'I'm guilty and i'm very very sorry' Chansley into the mix, but I s'poze thinking is a quaint obsolete process now that we have an app for that. Otherwise, good points mostly all around. As for the rest, I imagine Al will be replacing the anons of the world any minute.

FiveGunsWest said...

“Naivete in grownups is often charming; but when coupled with vanity it is indistinguishable from stupidity.” (Eric Hoffer)

Jeff said...

I love how every AI generated essay I've read so far reads like freshman composition BS reaching for a word count goal, facts be damned. Anyway, I'm also happy that you also consider Foetus to be an insufferable talentless hack. For some unknown reason middle aged no wavers worship the ground he and Lydia the tattooed lady walk on.

Jonny Zchivago said...

@jeff...I may return to the AI thing in future...it does amuse.
Yeah I can't believe i bought those Foetus records...what was I thinking. He was in Prag Vec though, so he ain't all bad.

Tim 'Space Debris' said...

Hey Jonny

It's been a while. Are you really saying "insurrection" in all seriousness? And that the shaman dude was a threat to democracy? Or have I got this wrong?

cheers mate

Jonny Zchivago said...

Hi Tim
If that ain't an attempted insurrection then its definition needs a changin'.
Shaman dude is representative of internet age madness that will lead to a loss of your democratic rights. 1 voice saying 'Boo' can multiply incrementally overnight into a cyber fueled shitstorm of lies and anti-facts in which we lose everything....I'm Bored...please don't reply to this...you're either part of it or one of us who use cooking foil for cooking.

Tim 'Space Debris' said...

Alright Jonny

I guess what I was getting at was: If an insurrection is fused with the co-operation of the authorities it's a different kind of beast altogether. Perhaps even a Faux insurrection or not one at all.

We can argue about about about semantics and incremental degrees of definitions al night long but I realise I don't actually know you personally in real life so this would be futile and lack any kind of good faith. Both you and I would have no reason to treat each other with respect if we are just abstract "strangers on the internet" etc.

So I have no desire for a debate on this topic with you. Rest easy that I'm not going to affect your boredom levels.

One does wonder how much democracy there is to protect in the corrupt two party duopoly of American politics. I mean if both sides are lying, breaking laws, propagating conspiracy theories and election tampering I think it's already reached a level of rot. It really is an illusion of democracy and they the public get to participate in the theatre of it all.

Anyway keep on bloggin man!


Jonny Zchivago said...

You replied!?
If there one conspiracy theory that's correct, its the Democratic system.Yet no-one bothers to say anything about it because there's no lizards and journalists falling off of balconies.The prison without walls that we all built for the jailer.
.....but democracy is only as simple of one man one vote....i am a man and part-time Nihilist, so have never voted......It says nothing about honesty or actually doing any good for anything other than a loudmouthed Egoist and that person's bank account. Its about who the 'free' throng prefer most with the illusions that they ever do anything to enhance our freedom. Freedom's a personal choice/definition,and has never had anything to do with democratically elected Plutocrats...either way in the USA's duopoly, kleptocracy ,an elected ,but rules based, dictatorship at best. Trump aside i can't see the difference between the two parties at all,objectively.
The land of the free they called it in the past, which came as a great surprise to the Slaves,and blacks banned from the front of the bus,and the ghettoized Indigenous peoples
...but what i don't want are idiots like Maga buffalo man breaking the rules and being part of a violent attempt to make our lives even worse. Gimme almost anyone but the Revolution leader to take power...or his/her pals.
Whatever they say, I want the opposite.
Thats why i'm, now Woke for effect, and pretend to back cancel culture....until i get cancelled of course.
They can have their country....got fuck all to do with me.
But Democracy??...its just a way of legitimatizing what we've already got...a sack'o'Shit. there are NO alternatives.

See what you made me do?