In the Subdominion of Narthex
photo credit: Dave Reckner
M.Ace and Dean Sabatino have thoughtfully concentrated all their erstwhile Narthexualism into a single, blazing white-hot subdomain of post-punk goodness. Now you can easily browse through their fascinating collection of photographs, memoirs, and most importantly, free downloads of their tunage: big fat slabs of slashing power chords and chunky arpeggios, backed by Dean's intricate drumming, and topped off with M.Ace's hoarse, but not unpleasant vocalizations. Check out My Girlfriend Hates Me and Crazy Rhythms, for a representative sample.
This is the good stuff that came out of punk; the thousands of little bands that climbed out of their basements, threw out the stale trappings of arena rock, bypassed the shady business practices of recording companies, and instead, decided to do it themselves.
[Link: Narthex and MP3 downloads]
Comments
Gawrsh, thanks for the glowing linkage! "M.Ace's hoarse, but not unpleasant vocalizations" -- there's a pleasant description. I hated my vocals of that era for a long time, but now I accept that they are what they were, or something like that.
To be honest, if an evil record company had come calling, we probably would have happily signed over our souls. Though we would have preferred a 'cool' company like Stiff or IRS. Neither of whom nipped at our demo tape...
Thanks.
Posted by: M.Ace | August 5, 2006 2:58 PM
...if an evil record company had come calling, we probably would have happily signed over our souls.
Ssh! I was tryin' not to blow your cover.
As for your vocals, at the risk of sounding like I'm damning you with faint praise, they were perfect for the type of music you were doing. I could hear a little Lou Reed, along with some Ian Hunter in there.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | August 5, 2006 3:04 PM
Ian Hunter?! Oh, mercy. I am being flattered for the kill here. But yes, the vocals were right for the material. It was a time for unstudied naturalism. "I yam what I yam and that's what I yam," as the great sage said.
Speaking of Dean's excellent drumming, wait'll you hear the 'lost' studio album next month. Put him through a good set of mics and it's totally killer (please pardon the pimp hat, just honest enthusiasm). I hear details I never caught back then -- what a right foot on that kid!
Posted by: M.Ace | August 5, 2006 5:22 PM
am being flattered for the kill here.
Can you loan me 50 bucks?
Dean's drumming is excellent; it's prog without being precious.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | August 5, 2006 6:38 PM