Song Of the Day: June 17, 2005
This Smart Remarks 45, more than any other, is responsible for my insatiable need to search out and own obscure pop singles. When I was in high school (around '83-84) I ordered a handful of 45s from the huge catalog of some failed distributor/mail order place back east. They consisted mostly of no-longer cool punk/wave titles. (A KBD collector could have cleaned up. Among the things I passed on were the Vains' "School Jerks," the Electric Eels, and, I seem to recall, Cracked Actor's "Nazi School".) Most of the ones I recognized were pretty expensive, say $2.50, which seemed like an awful lot back then, so I stuck to the unknown cheap stuff. I really had no idea what I was getting into, so I made my selections based on whether or not the band names and song titles sounded like they might appeal to my sensibilities (i.e. girls names in song titles, band names that hearkened back to the pre-Sgt. Pepper 60s). I scored big three times; among my selections were the Paper Tigers 45 featured a few days ago and the Riff Doctors' lovely "I Don't Want To Go Back." As great as those were, this one was special.
You know how so many punk and power pop records of the era have "ironic" lyrics about taking you out to the drive-in or meeting your parents, or whatever? This one evokes an innocence that seems completely real, an un-selfconsciousness that not even the fake British accents can negate. Perhaps that's why I like it so much; I don't mean to get all David Marsh on you, but it reminds me of that rare (and I do mean rare) hopeful feeling I occasionally had in high school that my interest in some girl might possibly be mutual. This is absolutely one of my very favorite records that ever lived.
Oh, produced by Tom Marolda, of the Toms. They had a 12" EP in 1985 which is rumored to be rather more slick.
6 Comments:
Excellent stuff! There's a two year gap & a lot of musical differences between them, but it still reminds me of the wistful vibe I get from the Blue Shoes "Someone Like You" single which I'm sure you know (you can pass on the 12" if you see it floating around though -- I think that crappy EP helps explain the lack of enthusiasm I've encountered when I try to talk to AZ old timers about that band). Anyway both of them sound like songs used in some imaginary 3rd tier teen film from the early 80's that only resides in my head -- probably the one I fancied myself Just About To Be Living at the time.
Thanks for posting this - I've been looking for it for years to no avail! Smart Remarks also had a 12" with at least one good song, "Reverse Velocity."
Oh hey, just found the entire 12" online in case anyone's interested in comparison:
http://music.download.com/SmartRemarks/3600-8717_32-100485798.html
(quote 1) When I was in high school (around '83-84) I ordered a handful of 45s from the huge catalog of some failed distributor/mail order place back east. They consisted mostly of no-longer cool punk/wave titles. ...
Oh my God! You are me.
(quote 2) I really had no idea what I was getting into, so I made my selections based on whether or not the band names and song titles sounded like they might appeal to my sensibilities...
(/me runs away screaming in throes of identity crisis).
But this is great; thanks.
It is great to read your comments. This is one of my top all time favorite songs. I used to follow the band around in high school. They were a lot of fun. Some of their music is posted at the previously mentioned site. It is not the complete 12", but is a combination of songs from the single and the EP. There is also a MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/smartremarksnofrills). Stop in when you have a chance. Ran into Todd at a local supermarket where he is now a butcher.
HI ! UPDATE // 09-13-06 // TODD ELLIS (SMART REMARKS) is performing for the first time in 22 years.
On Wednessday September 27th, he'll be on my radio show on WTSR / 91.3 FM (not on the web, but this will be recorded for a podcast at www.randynow.com) from 8 to 9 PM. This will be an acoustic solo set of SMART REMARKS tunes as well as new material.
Then, on Saturday October 7th, TODD will peform live solo electric at CONDUIT CLUB in TRENTON NJ. 8 PM DOORS / $5 cover. HEADLINING will be THE ANDERSON COUNCIL from New Brunswick, NJ.
These two performances, TODD will not play any one song twice. Todd plans on taping both events to hopefully include into a cd of this material and all 7 SMART REMARKS songs from the two record releases from the 1980's.
Right at this moment (9-13-06) there are two SMART REMARKS records for sale on E BAY. About a month ago, the 45 sold for $112 and the 12 inch sold for $30.
TODD HAS NO COPIES OF EITHER RECORD !!!
Future info on a cd release can be found soon at www.randynow.com along with the podcast of the radio show, after it happens.
THANKS !
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