When the Arizona Republic ran their feature on the Kirkwood reunion last summer, they asked a handful of Phoenix luminaries for a list of their favorite local “influences,” to be printed alongside the feature. I was included in the cattle-call, which included business entrepreneurs and broadcast celebrities as well as my fellow musicians. Naturally, I submitted a little more than just a list — it was a perfect opportunity to add a little historic context, giving a little extra credit where it’s due at the same time. Though the article itself made it online, as did the rest of the sidebar, I never saw anything by me, except in the the print edition. Whatever; I still have my copy:
Too often, a list of “influences” is just a bunch of artists somebody likes. This time, I’ve chosen to avoid the usual suspects (Hazelwood, Cooper, Tubes, et. al.) and attempt to rescue from the dustbin a handful of obscure Phoenicians who had an actual influence on me. If you’ve never heard of ‘em, that just underscores how badly they need some ink.
1. Mike Condello Mike “Commodore” Condello was my first personal hero. His two “Mini Albums” released under the aegis of the Wallace And Ladmo show were my prized possessions as a kid. It took me months to save up enough allowance and visit the old Ladmo Drive-In for my copies (which I still have). Suffice to say, I knew Condello’s take-offs on Sergeant Pepper and Jimi Hendrix long before I discovered the originals.
2. Dolan Ellis Back when we were teens, “Arizona’s Official Balladeer” was a rich source of derision for my friends and I. To my by-then thoroughly Beatle/Hendrix saturated ears, Ellis’ super-straight country crooning was profoundly kitschy. But Dolan’s outlasted ‘em all. He’s still hanging in there.
3. Jack Knetzger Back before there was a Meat Puppets, my first musical mentor and I had a band called the Atomic Bomb Club. Perhaps if Jack hadn’t been so determined to complete his college education and find a “real” job, Nirvana might have covered three of his songs instead. But he’s also still going strong — his web site at http://www.knetzcomics.com/ features several albums worth of free downloadable tracks, as well as a generous selection of old Bomb Club recordings (many of which feature guest performances by both Kirkwood brothers).
4. John Vivier The original renaissance man of the Phoenix punk scene. I first heard about him when his group the Heavy Metal Frogs played a stealth lunchtime gig at my high school. This was before the days of punk, but the group’s psychotic performance earned them an escort off campus just the same. By the time I got to know him a couple years later, John was a member of most every cool band in town (Feederz, Liars, Cicadas, Killer Pussy, International Language). Hard living caught up with him in 1983. To this day, I’d like to smack him.
5. Don Bolles When one of your local heroes joins your favorite band (the Germs), there’s only one word for it. Out here in Goldwater Country, we call it “pride.”
6. David Wiley Even after he moved to Los Angeles, first with the Consumerz and later singing for the Human Hands, David and I maintained a correspondence. Once the Meat Puppets got on its feet, David got us our first gigs on the west coast, and made for us the crucial introductions. If anyone is said to have “discovered” the Meat Puppets, David is the man.
7 & 8. George Dillon & Bill Bored No mere bedroom noodlers, these boys helped break the Phoenix club scene open to local punk bands. Not only did they get their hands dirty, dealing with the local club owners, but they carried water for the rest of us. You can bet if Bill’s popular new wave outfit The Nervous or George’s uptown art/noise crew International Lanugage managed to con a bar into giving them a night, one of their scruffier fellow bands would also be on the bill.
9. Gary Russell When the Puppets first burst out of their little suburban practice space onto the greater Phoenix scene, the Killer Pussy’s guitarist was the first to take us under his wing. His wacky sense of humor and free-form approach to performance made him an instant kindred spirit. Our early jam sessions with Gary helped us develop the improvisational spirit that left a lasting mark on our live shows.
10. Damon Bostrom With all the artistic foment occupying the local scene in the early 80s, it was only a matter of time before my brother jumped in. A classically trained composition major, his groups the Noknownames, Happy Sirens and Funston Arts Ensemble eschewed rock music for a more whimsical, cerebral approach. Combining serious musical aspirations with a loose undisciplined performing style, my brother’s shows were fascinating not-to-be-missed events.
Nice list! I wish I was from those times, so I could experience the joys of music in the pre-internet and pre-modern “rock” times. Haha…I just found the ” The Irish Rovers” hit album “The Unicorn.” The joys of drugs, horned horses, and Ireland!
Left by Gavin Matthews on November 4th, 2007
My brother bought that album when it came out. He was five!
Left by Derrick Bostrom on November 4th, 2007
It’s an awesome album! Go figure. This adds greatly to my growing collection including the Woodstock recording, Saturday Night Fever, some nice Led Zeppelins, and a cheesy sound effects album.
Left by Gavin Matthews on November 4th, 2007
The Woodstock album is amazing… it’s all good, and unedited (basically).
Left by Gavin Matthews on November 4th, 2007
Nice list! Are there any recordings of your bro’s music that might make its way onto Bostworld? That’d be cool to hear. You probably could’ve given some publicity to “Love Workshop” as well; it’s easy to see the influence they had on the humor of the band!
Left by Ian Goodell on November 5th, 2007
I don’t actually recall the Kirkwoods being “Love Workshop” fans.
I should put some of my brother’s recordings up online, though they may be on this site. He did a couple of pretty amusing collaborations with us back in the day. He used to have a site at mp3.com and some other sites, but he lives off the grid now and no longer maintains a Web presence.
Left by Derrick Bostrom on November 5th, 2007
nice version of Astronomy Domine on the Meat Puppets show from Merlins, Phoenix, 2 February 1982 found on Wohler’s website…..he just put it up and I never thought that you guys played Pink Floyd?!?!
very cool,
keep it real derrick
Left by Keith on November 12th, 2007
That’s a hell of a notion to be burdened with.
Who ever told you that sold you a bill of good.
Left by Derrick Bostrom on November 12th, 2007
Hey Derrick-
Who wrote the song “good buddies”.
I heard a version of it from that Phoenix show 2/2/1982.
good stuff….
Left by John on November 14th, 2007
I don’t know who wrote it, but it was performed by the Crawford Brothers. Johnny Crawford went on to have a successful solo career, both as a lower-rung teen idol, and as one of the stars of teevee’s “The Rifleman.”
Left by Derrick Bostrom on November 14th, 2007
11/20/07: Nirvana Unplugged DVD out in stores.
It’s good to see DVD’s that feature the meat puppets in stores again!
J town
Left by John on November 15th, 2007
Hey, i’m kinda confused. I didn’t think you were ever signed to Universal, or was london record just a sub-division of them?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tVp2pdv0HeE
Left by Shawn on November 16th, 2007
anyways perriwinkle rum is a tribute to our late drummer he overdosed on pills on the 11th of july 2006, and he is missed and the meat puppets getting back together would have made his fuckin day just as it has made mine. any ways derrick bostrom if you read this and have time you should get a hold of me we have a lot to talk about and if you are still talking to curt and cris ask them if they would like to a hear a wonderful cover of up on the sun we plan to have this on the perriwinkle seeing that our late drummer matt idolized you guys just as we all did any ways try and find me i will some how send you a copy when we are finished…
PAUL
Left by Paul McFarland on November 19th, 2007
Shit … yes, Damon. I bought a copy of the Burger Mortuary cassette at that little record shop that used to be on the other side of the canal from Central High School. You would not believe how many teenager art-damage projects were inspired by the fandom that cassette inspired! I still have it too. Somewhere.
Did you ever get a copy of the CD compilation that was done right about the time of Mike Condello’s suicide? If not, I’d happily make a copy for you.
Also, I’ve got a very nice, clean copy I recorded myself back of the acoustic set you did on Jonathan L.’s KUKQ show back in the day.
Oh! And I remember Dolan Ellis as well! I used to have a 7″ that Western Savings put out as a promotional item. Christ, completely forgot about him.
Left by Ducky on November 19th, 2007
I do indeed have the Condello CD. And the various Johnathan L shows. Good job, by the way, getting that Burger Mortuary cassette!
Left by Derrick Bostrom on November 19th, 2007
No Joke…Beautiful. Picked up a copy at a chain CD store, yet I couldn’t be happier. How come “Vaseline” didn’t make the cut?
Left by Gavin Matthews on November 22nd, 2007
Bostrom-
Any chance in posting demos or studio extras from the “Mirage”, “Monsters” or “Too High To Die” days???? I can’t get enough rare puppets.
Ps- Nice drumming on the Rimini Italy show, awesome pace and precision!
-John
Left by John on November 29th, 2007
Actually, there’s a really good chance of those things happening.
And thanks for the kudos!
Left by Derrick Bostrom on November 29th, 2007
Derrick,
Did you write any of the lyrics to MPI?
Thanks.
Left by Matt on December 1st, 2007
The only lyrics I didn’t write on the original first album were Cris’ “Melons Rising” and Curt’s “Playing Dead.” Curt wrote the words to most of the first EP though, except for my “In A Car” and Cris’ “Foreign Lawns.”
Left by Derrick Bostrom on December 1st, 2007
while the iron is hot…any info any a song from ’84 with lyrics that go “i love you more than the heavens above you, i need you like a forest needs rain”
i had it on a tape many years ago, never could figure out if it was a cover!
Left by adsel on December 1st, 2007
I really hate asking this question here, since it’s totally a hijack (ever given any thought to a Pups/Bostrom forum?), but I have a version of Oh, Me that’s driving me crazy since I can’t figure out where it’s from. It starts with a synth intro and features harmony in the chorus and an extended solo at the end. It sounds like it was recorded around the “golden years” (for me) of 91-95. Any thoughts?
Left by Adam on December 6th, 2007
happy holidays derrick! i can’t wait for more of your download postings!! thanks alot!!! take care,milo……………………………………
Left by MILO on December 18th, 2007
More puppets, please!
We miss you, derrick!
Sincerely,
John
Left by John on February 18th, 2008
I agree.
Left by Gavin Matthews on February 28th, 2008
There ‘s nothing better than being part of a GENRE’.
Being part of your own,it can really make you into a
genre that remembers itself…or something like that.
Left by Sandi Ponce de Leon on March 5th, 2008
Archaeologists 100 years from now will sift through the time capsule of Valley music and find “Under My Wheels,” “Up on the Sun,” “Mrs. Rita,” and “Bandidos” archived and wonder WTF was going on down there. Different sounds and styles but an underlying warp that permeated the scene for several musical generations. Was it the heat? Something in the water? Readily available peyote? Then at the bottom of the pile they’ll find the Commdore Condello records. Ah.
Left by Jim Geary on March 21st, 2008
are you giving these guys a hard time deliberately? it seems to me that theyve had to put up with sh*t as long as the bands been going.
Personally, I really like them and I love their music
Left by Sim on May 25th, 2008
correction:
/you/ & /your music/
*in all of above*
Left by Sim on May 25th, 2008
derrick,
everything is in place for deification, or at least sainthood.
just let me know….
jeff
Left by jeff on June 1st, 2008
Derrick, are you still around! We miss your postings!
Left by Gavin on June 21st, 2008
Great list. Sure does take me way back. Still think about John from time to time. Hosted many sessions for the various incarnations of the bands he was in, great fun. I feel the same way about how he left, sad and mad.
50 Ways to Kill Your Mother still cracks me up…
Left by Steve Caldwell on June 24th, 2008
Hey, I was one of the punk kids at the Mad Gardens in Phoenix, I was there when you guys were doing simple country music, I was there when they closed down the Mad Gardens with tear gas!
and now I have a chance to see you at the Belly Up in Solona Beach Ca. But sadly the Belly Up is also featuring Buju Banton, who song Boom Boom By By calls for hunting, shooting of gay men, attacking and raping and burning lesbians on tire fires?
I have asked the Belly Up to cancel such a hate filled show as Buju Banton, and until that show is cancelled I can not attend your show …
Please send a message to the Belly Up that songs of violence on any minority group is not to be tollerated!
p.s. I have your original 4 song Ep with the hand drawn cartoon on notebook paper, it was handed out at a show at the Mad gardens so long ago! A fan of the Meat Puppets since 1982!
Please help me
Left by Peter Ambrose on September 3rd, 2009
Wow, that sucks. Bad on the Belly Up.
If it’s any consolation, I will not be attending either
Left by Derrick Bostrom on September 4th, 2009