Shocker in Gloomtown
It seems improbable now, but I first heard "Shocker in Gloomtown" on a Breeders EP. That disc, Head to Toe, featured a new Breeders track and two covers whose inclusion guaranteed my purchase -- Sebadoh's "Freed Pig" and Guided by Voices' "Shocker in Gloomtown." I was marginally interested in the Breeders at that point, but very interested in their takes on songs from two favorite bands. It was early 1994, and GBV wasn't the ubiquitous presence it would soon become. A new GBV song -- be it by the band itself or a cover -- was worth seeking out.
The Breeders version was good, but of course GBV's was better. Scat reissued its source, The Grand Hour, on CD later in 1994, giving those of us who missed out on this pre- Vampire on Titus single a chance to catch up.
"Shocker in Gloomtown" is the EP's standout, a poppy blast built on a manic riff (from the school of "Postal Blowfish") and Pollard's great lyric. I haven't really paid attention to the lyric in its entirety before, instead picking out a line here or there. It's a funny tale, the kind that Pollard seems to have in limitless supply, of someone baring his ass in a grocery store. Shocker in Gloomtown indeed.
The Breeders version was good, but of course GBV's was better. Scat reissued its source, The Grand Hour, on CD later in 1994, giving those of us who missed out on this pre- Vampire on Titus single a chance to catch up.
"Shocker in Gloomtown" is the EP's standout, a poppy blast built on a manic riff (from the school of "Postal Blowfish") and Pollard's great lyric. I haven't really paid attention to the lyric in its entirety before, instead picking out a line here or there. It's a funny tale, the kind that Pollard seems to have in limitless supply, of someone baring his ass in a grocery store. Shocker in Gloomtown indeed.
Labels: The Grand Hour
posted by John Kenyon at 7:07 AM
1 Comments:
I have that same Breeders' 7". I first saw GBV play the second stage at Lollapalooza. They botched "Shocker..." so the Breeders had Bob join them on stage to give it another go.
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