Can't You Just Hear That Bacon Sizzling?

Robert Johnson & Punchdrunks

Fried On The Alter of Good Taste

2000

With twanging guitars, Hawaiian shirts, and song titles like “Chop Suey Rock” and “Thrilla in Manila,” Robert Johnson & Punchdrunks are a formidable orgy in kitsch. Their main influence is naturally surf music in the style of Dick Dale and Wray Link, but the fiery stage performance holds more in common with Rev Horton Heat and definitely Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Formed as a trio in 1992, they included drummer Ed Johnson, bassist Thorsell, and front figure and guitarist Robert Johnson, who had earlier played with the garage band the Bottle-Ups. Robert Johnson & Punchdrunks played live for the first time in Stockholm in 1993, and when the movie Pulp Fiction was released in 1994, the revival of surf rock that followed boosted the interest for the band considerably. In 1995 they released their debut album, Beavershot - Live at Studion, on their own label, Nilroy, and the next year saw the album Feels Like Buzz Aldrin getting great reviews by some of Sweden’s most influential critics. This probably meant more gigs the coming years, but building on kitsch and playing instrumental music effectively prevented Robert Johnson & Punchdrunks from getting a big audience. After the inclusion of bassist Ögren, the band released Aloha in Havana and went on tour with Bob Hund.

PHIL DIRT, REVERB CENTRAL, SANTA CRUZ, CA. USA ABOUT "FRIED".....

ROBERT JOHNSON AND PUNCHDRUNKS SRSCD4750 Fried On The Alter Of Good Taste ***** There's no shortage of coolness here. A great and inventive blend of genres, from Link Wray and surf to space age Star Trek tweakiness, this CD wanders the halls of danger with power and real freshness. The production is imaginative and very effective, and the ideas unique. If you're looking for trad, this isn't it. On the other hand, if you have your adventure hat on, and a bottle of courage in your backpack, this will surely make your day. Robert Johnson is the guitarist responsible for the excellent Swedish band the Bottle Ups. Picks: Sputnik Monroe, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Ali Pang, Surf As Houdini, Arabesque, Sam Spade's Wedding, Something For Sophia Loren, Galveston Giant, Rope-A-Dope, Rocket True Temper 20 oz., Rubber Room, Escape From New York, Sham, New Interns Watusi

Tracklist

1. Sputnik Monroe 2. On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3. Ali Pang 4. Surf As Houdini 5. Arabesque 6. Sam Spade's Wedding 7. Something For Sophia Loren 8. Galveston Giant 9. Rope-A-Dope 10. Rocket True Temper 20 oz. 11. Rubber Room 12. Escape From New York 13. Sham14. New Interns Watusi

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