James Poulos is a Rock Star
“GarageBand allowed me to make more and better music in a few weeks, while spending most of my time reading complex works of political theory, than I was able to do in years before GarageBand came out. Funnily enough, it also made me hugely more shy with my music. Wow, that sounds horrendously indie. I’m going to scurry away now.” — James Poulos, October 4, 2009
I took James first album Deadbeat Days, Downtown Nights, self-recorded, self-produced, self-distributed under the name The Handpicked Successors, with me when I sailed INTEMPERANCE to the Caribbean. An act of sheer will, and in true “anything worth doing is worth doing poorly”-fashion, Deadbeat Days was recored straight into the onboard mic of a powerbook using Garageband. Can a digital download be a collector’s item? I ask because I can’t find Deadbeat Days, Downtown Nights anywhere on the internet.
I got a copy of Black Hi-Lighter’s first album, Seductio Ad Absurdum when it came out. An actual CD. It was often played and well-liked in the Montauk Catamaran Company boat-shop. You can’t get the CD, but you can get the album on iTunes.
Chinese Gong is the first single off Black Hi-Lighter’s yet-to-be-named second album. It rocks, and one of the reasons it rocks is because James Poulos is a rock star.
Rock on, James! Rock on!
I must admit I was skeptical when I clicked over, but that’s not half-bad! I like me some Bowie!
Nice cover art too.
I went ahead and grabbed the first album (“Seductio”) from Amazon (sorry, I had credit there, and it was a buck cheaper, plus I have some beefs with iTunes). That one reminds me of Creeper Lagoon a bit on first blush, I’ll try to give it some time tomorrow.Report
I like me some Bowie!
This was the thought that I had as well.
It pleases me that there is still guitar rock in the world.Report
Being in a two guitar garage rockamaroll band, I can tell you that what it means is people saying for six or seven years that guitar rock is dead, so what are you doing? And then someone like the White Stripes or Black Keys comes along and they say guitar rock is back, and you’re jumping on the bandwagon!Report
I hear you’re buying a synthesizer and an arpeggiator and are throwing your computer out the window because you want to make something real. You want to make a Yaz record.
I hear that you and your band have sold your guitars and bought turntables.
I hear that you and your band have sold your turntables and bought guitars.
I hear everybody that you know is more relevant than everybody that I know.Report
I fishing love Creeper Lagoon. I’ll have to check that out.
Funny story. I first saw Creeper Lagoon opening for Archers of Loaf. My friend and I didn’t know much about them, but quickly learned that one of the guy’s went by the name, Sharky Laguana. So after there set, as they were tearing down, my friend had to ask him, ‘is your name really Sharky Laguana?’ Well, it is. And we know this because he ran to the back of the stage, grabbed his wallet and showed us his Driver’s License.Report
A. Archers of Loaf are the best, worst-named rock band ever. I freaking love those guys. But that name. But I love those guys. But what were they thinking when they chose that name. Repeat ad infinitum.
B. Sharky Laguana is second only to Feargal Sharkey, lead singer of the Undertones.
I only had the one CL CD (“I Become Small…”) and I liked it OK. Bit of a GbV thing going on, IIRC.Report
I’ve got some friends in a band called Musicband.Report
That may be worse. It’s basically googleproof in addition to being just plain goofy.Report
I found ‘I Become Small and Go’ a little hit and miss. There were a handful of really good songs, and few ones that were ok. It was seeing them live that I really loved (though I only saw them twice).Report
Hmmm…. maybe they’ll tour. I’d book em. If they wanted to stop in Hamilton between Toronto and Detroit…Report
Hi everyone. Thanks so much for the listen. Full length comes out 3/20/13. It’s a privilege to make some music for you and I’m grateful for your ears!Report
I predict a hit. This is one catchy fab tune! Just played it another ten times – love it!Report