Dogmatics – “She’s The One”
In the early days of Boston punk, there were so many great bands, so much great music, that I must admit, I was not a fan of this band.
I remember thinking they were too retro, too rock’n’roll, too tied to the old style of bands like The Stones and The Faces.
Back then my ears were poised to seek out more abrasive and experimental sounds, which they did in fact do.
(But now, I feel my thinking was very wrong).
Now, hearing this band again- I’m not gonna put each song under a microscope and find out what year each song stems from. For all I know, these are all re-recordings of old songs from this band, as I’m sure, I do at least recognize one.
Instead, I’m gonna treat this like it’s a new batch of songs- ’cause chances are, even if they’re all old songs, they are new for you and even for me!
And either way, these songs should whack you upside the back of your head like someone carrying a two by four carelessly.
With it’s powerfully, great goodness it should knock you ahead into next week.
And it should knock your legs out from under you, whatever week it is, with its satisfyingly, succulent splendor.
It should and shall and will- cause you to lose consciousness and awareness and control of your bodily functions. Rending you incapacitated with only the jaws of life extricating you and with the defibrillators placed upon your over excited heart before bringing you back to life.
Where you have a born again punk’n’roll epiphany.
Jesus Christ! Let’s just get ourselves to the songs:
With a four chord intro that would’ve fit nicely leading off an old Everly Brothers song, “She’s The One”, moves more like a classic fifties than a classic punk tune, with its melodic, harmonic melody and an affectionate display of love. “When I saw her walk on by, she didn’t even blink an eye.” But he still knows that “she’s the one.”
This is the kind of great song that Nick Lowe or Dave Edmunds made back in the day- check them out if you’re unfamiliar with them. In the meantime check out this song as it is the song that’s the one for me.
I hoped and prayed that “I Love Rock’N’Roll,” was a cover of the Joan Jett song, which is, actually, her cover of a song by The Arrows. This song has lyrics like, “I like the sixties when Brian Jones was The Stones… we can bring it back.” All backed up by a Farfisa organ, you know, the kind of high-pitched organ that fueled sixties songs like “96 Tears” and many early Blondie songs.
“I love the seventies,” where the song mentions The Ramones, The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers and The Undertones.
I feel we can’t “bring it back” no matter how good the old days were. But I think we can move on, knowledgeable and inspired by those times and create a new musical life that is equal to those times. As I’ve witnessed right before, my very eyes with the current, local punk scene now.
“Summertime” starts out with a rock solid beat as you’re drawn to imagine the oppressive heat beating down upon you as you stroll down the beach boardwalk. “When the sun is peeking over the city. I take over and the city is mine. When the sun beats hot on the vacant lot. I can’t wait for the summer time.” This song just oozes and stinks of slinky, summer lusts and careless, searching times.
This tune moves along in a purposeful groove that recalls The Stones or AC/DC- meaning- rock’n’roll at its’ finest.
“When the college kids get out of the city. I’ll take over and the city is mine… I can’t wait for the summertime.”
This song ends with the intro of “Summertime Blues” by Eddy Cochran, who should be as well known as Elvis, Chuck B. or Little Richard. And this song should be as famous as one of those songs by the early rock’n’roll pioneers.
With a wham bam, ram-a-llama drum intro that leads into an overload of fuzz guitar, much like a nasal passage trying to breathe and expurgating its contents to float free and unaccosted in the breeze. “Black Plastic Shoes” is a glam/punk fuzz drenched punk’n’roll pulverizer with pugnacious, potent sounds emanating from the audio speakers much like your sweat glands oozing desire from the pores of your skin.
This song is great! It’s like a whirl on an amusement park Roller Coaster ride, where the summer hit songs are wailing, cotton candy and hot dogs smell is in the air while it’s summer- so no school!
So you’re free and open to new and wild experiences!
But now, you get not to experience new footwear, but a new song to latch upon your ears that’s a perfect fit for rockin’ fun and enjoyment.
So the Dogmatics live on as do Stop Calling Me Frank! and The FU’s. Plus, The Pajamas Slave Dancers and probably several others that I’m too drunk and too old to recall now.
And even though I now enjoy the punk’n’roll that these cats are now laying out. I realize, also, that the realness and honest expression they represent, along with the passion, wildness and fun. Lives on with as strong as with the new bands I encounter every month.
And I feel as excited and fulfilled now being at The Midway (hopefully, again soon!)
As I did in days past at The Rat or The Underground, The Channel or The Abbey Lounge.
So I still can’t wait for the summertime.
(Slimedog)
