Question:
I just saw the new comedy show The State on MTV and marveled at the theme song. It consists of at least 3 samples of the Nation of Ulysses (all from Plays Pretty for Baby, I think) over some groovy beats and a few other samples. There’s also a sort-of Last Train to Clarksville part. All of this done by Craig Wedren of Shudder to Think.
Response:
How about… 1.Rites of Spring (one of the greatest bands ever) 2.Fugazi 3.Shudder to Think (at least the first two records) 4.Lungfish 5.Faith 6.Autoclave 7.Fire Party 8.Nation of Ulysses 9.Jawbox (four piece) 10.Jawbox (three piece)
Response:
How about… 1.Rites of Spring (one of the greatest bands ever) 2.Fugazi 3.Shudder to Think (at least the first two records) 4.Lungfish 5.Faith 6.Autoclave 7.Fire Party 8.Nation of Ulysses 9.Jawbox (four piece) 10.Jawbox (three piece)
No, no, no…… 1. Circus Lupus (the most fuck’n punk band ever!) 1. Shudder to Think (all the albums except the first one "Voodoo, Curses..") 1. Beefeater (way to fuck’n punk) 1. Lungfish 1. Soul Side (more influence then you’ll ever know) 1. Fidelity Jones (almost beefeater) 1. Jawbox (however many members) 1. Rites of Spring (lyrics, man it’s the words…) 1. Fugazi 1. Severin 1. Holy Rollers 2. Nation of Ulysses Hugs and Kisses Dag "Man we better fight back or else we’re gonna get killed!" Bobsie Wiseman "The heart has reasons that reason knows nothing of." Pascal "Some people want to live with rats. Me, I don’t want to live with rats." Ian McKaye "I just want to see my girlfriend because her hugs are the best I know." Craig Wedren —
Response:
Just a couple of questions that I’m hoping someone can help me out with…. 1. Does anyone know what has happenend to the various members of Nation of Ulysses since they split? IMHO they are the best band on the Dischord label (yes….better than Fugazi, as too are Shudder To Think) 2. Can anyone tell me what Les Negress Vertes are like? The reason I ask is that Perry Farrel was at one point constantly namechecking them as a major influence on Porno For Pyros and since I seem to be one of the I heard that they’ve disbanded since one of the members died, and I’ve seen a fairly recent remixes album, but other than that I don’t know a thing about them. Thanks… Martin. | DO YOU OFTEN SING OR WHISTLE | Disclaimer : | | JUST FOR FUN ?" Faith No More | all my opinions are my own! |
Response:
Don’t know about Nation of Ulysses, but I can tell you a few things about LNV. : They were a large band with a traditional French sound mixed in with some African influences and sung with drunken vocals (almost a French version of the Pogues.) They’re a treat to listen to even though the lyrics are in French with heavy doses of slang.
Hey, "a French version of the Pogues" – that’s not a bad description. Folk Punk? Punk Folk? Imagine French Cafe music – accordian and all – with a good, fast beat and some rough vocals. Makes great driving music! If you’re looking for something a bit different, this may be it. Ed
Response:
Don’t know about Nation of Ulysses, but I can tell you a few things about LNV. They have that new "Mixes" CD out now, as you said, and I’m surprised to see the guys from Beat Box International doing something on there. I didn’t get this CD because I figured mixes of their songs would probably ruin them. However, they do have 2 other CDs. Their first one, "Mlah", should be widely available and is a classic. The similar sounding "Les Familles Nombreuses" is their other CD. They were a large band with a traditional French sound mixed in with some African influences and sung with drunken vocals (almost a French version of the Pogues.) They’re a treat to listen to even though the lyrics are in French with heavy doses of slang. I’m not quite sure how these guys would have influenced Porno for Pyros but then again Mr. Farrell does shoot up a lot. Too bad their vocalist died — from a drug overdose (ah, there’s the influence!) — they created some pretty good tunes. DL
Response:
Just a couple of questions that I’m hoping someone can help me out with…. 1. Does anyone know what has happenend to the various members of Nation of Ulysses since they split? IMHO they are the best band on the Dischord label (yes….better than Fugazi, as too are Shudder To Think)
I once heard that Tim Green took off with the band’s van after some gig, but I don’t know if that was when or before they broke up. Ian Sevonius has another band called Cupid Car Club, which I have not heard. I’m guessing the premise is similar to N.O.U. since an old 7" lists Cupid Car Club as an alias for the Nation. (IMHO, not better than Fugazi–Dischord ranking is as follows: 1. Fugazi 2. Nation of Ulysses 3. Shudder To Think 4. Soulside 5. Jawbox) tim
Response:
Just a couple of questions that I’m hoping someone can help me out with…. 1. Does anyone know what has happenend to the various members of Nation of Ulysses since they split? IMHO they are the best band on the Dischord label (yes….better than Fugazi, as too are Shudder To Think) I once heard that Tim Green took off with the band’s van after some gig, but I don’t know if that was when or before they broke up. Ian Sevonius has another band called Cupid Car Club, which I have not heard. I’m guessing the premise is similar to N.O.U. since an old 7" lists Cupid Car Club as an alias for the Nation.
Tim Green is now living in Olympia, WA from what I’ve heard. I believe he has a new band. Cupid Car Club is Ian S. (ranting and dancing), Steve Gamboa (ex-NOU on guitar), James Canty (ex-NOU on drums) and Kim Thompson (bass). They have a 7" out. They have gone from a 60s mod look to a 70s sorta look — the hair is longer (Ian looks funny with an afro sorta starting) and the clothing a little cheesier. They maintain the youth-power motif. (IMHO, not better than Fugazi–Dischord ranking is as follows: 1. Fugazi 2. Nation of Ulysses 3. Shudder To Think 4. Soulside 5. Jawbox)
I disagree 1. Fugazi 2. Soulside 3. Hoover 5. Jawbox, Shudder To Think (the corporate rock sell outs 
Slant 6 is pretty good too. Haven’t seen them live yet… RIDNOU shawn —
Response:
Thanks. I am well aware how powerful and important the Sullivan brothers axis (Mark-Kingface and Bobby-Soulside) was to the D.C. scene circa say 86-88. Their reggae/punk fusion lit a lamp that Fugazi followed quite closely in their early days. (In fact I think Ian once said, in a *very* early interview that one could look at Fugazi as "the Stooges on reggae." they have since evolved, but the the loping reggae dynamic still shines through in live shows). Tragically, Soulside was the last good thing B.Sullivan did. Seven League Boots was terrible, and a good pal of mine once very aptly described the sound of B.’s current band, Rain Like The Sound Of Trains as "freedom rock." Lousy end to a once mighty voice. Yer right about C.Lupus tooo. Thier first record was one of the finest things Dischord has ever released (second LP suffered from weak sound, IMO. Eli Janny is a kick ass produced, Don Zientara is not). I stand corrected. Joe
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