Sundays Slept On

Joe Strummer "Walker" & Havana 3 A.M.



Walker was a film by British director Alex Cox based on the life story of William Walker the American Explorer who invaded Mexico. The soundtrack was scored by Joe Strummer who also plays one of Walkers men in the film. Strummer had previously worked with Alex Cox when he composed songs for Sid And Nancy and Straight To Hell. During filming Strummer would hang out in his trailer recording on to a four track. The songs were influenced by the local music they were hearing at the bars which included a mix of reggae, calypso and Brazilian Music





Havana 3 A.M. was a short lived band that featured former Clash bassist Paul Simonon. The bands sound was a mix of rockabilly, reggae and various sounds that were coming from Latin America at the time. The band had somewhat of a radio hit with the song "Reach The Rock". When guitarist Nigel Dixon passed a way Simonon called it a day and pursued a career in art.

Sundays Slept On

The Jesus And Mary Chain - Stoned & Dethroned

The first track on the Jesus and Mary Chains fifth album Stones And Dethroned opens with the lines "It's off then it's on" which could very well allude to the tumultuous relationship between the brother Reid. A couple lines later they say "fuck with me and I'll fuck with you" this could be aimed to the bands fan base since the album was originally supposed to be a solely acoustic affair. Instead the album ended up being a much more somber affair mostly leaving behind the brutal distortion the band was know for. To me this album always seemed to be inspired by the American South West with its endless highways, almost deserted small towns and all empty space in between. The album also features two guest vocalists with Jim's then girlfriend Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval dueting on "Sometimes Always" giving the song a Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood feel and The Pogues Shane Macgowan taking the lead on "God Help Me". Stoned & Dethrones proved that the Reid boys were legitate song writers and musicians that did not simply hide behind a wall of distortion.

Sundays Slept On

Texas Is The Reason - Do You Know Who You Are?
Before Emo was a bad word associated with overly sensitive guys in skinny jeans with silly hair cuts there were bands like Texas Is The Reason. Wanting to get away from the frat boy macho attitude that permeated the Hardcore scene at the time guitarist Norm Arenas of Hare Krishna Hardcore band Shelter and drummer Chris Daly of 108 saw the band as a way to do something different. The name Texas Is The Reason comes from the Misfits song Bullet that says "Texas is the reason the presidents dead" alluding to JFK's assassination in Dallas. The band only released one EP and one LP before breaking up due to inter-band strife. Before breaking up they were being courted by Capital Records who saw them as the next phase in the ongoing Punk explosion. Do You Know Who You Are was produced by J. Robinns (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels) and was released by Hardcore label Revelation Records in 1996. In 2006 the band played two shows to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the albums release.

Sundays Slept On

Luscious Jackson - In Search Of Manny



The debut EP From Luscious Jackson was the first release by The Beastie Boys Grand Royal record label. This was not surprising seeing as how all of the ladies in the band were long time friends of the Beasties and Kate Schellenbach (drums) was the one time drummer during the punk days of the Beastie Boys. In Search of Manny was composed of three demo's that original members Jill Cunniff (vocals, bass)and Gabby Glaser (vocals, guitar) recorded using tip money from their restaurant jobs and four original songs. The songs on the EP are a combination of live instrumentation and old school samples much like Check Your Head era Beasties. The standout track here is Daughters of the Kaos whose mix of Spanish Guitar strumming, old school beats and siren calls make for a surprise dance floor number.

Sundays Slept On

Fugazi - In On The Kill Taker





I'm not sure where most Fugazi fans would place In On The Kill Taker on their list of the bands best albums but to me it might place on the top. Kill Taker was recorded in 1993 and was the bands third full length. The band originally recorded the album in Chicago with Steve Albini but unhappy with the results they decided to rerecord it back in their home-base of D.C. This album catches Fugazi at the height of their powers combining the raw energy of their first two albums with the artistry that would dominate their next releases. The album starts off with what might be the strongest one/two punch of any Fugazi album with Facet Squared and Public Witness Program. What's really great about this album though is it's range. You can go from Sweet And Low which sounds just like it sounds to the almost Minor Threat ready political punk of Great Cop.

Sundays Slept On

Sundays Slept On will be a weekly look at albums that for what ever reason never got their due.

This week we look at Rival Schools - United By Faith. They were a sort of super group featuring members from hardcore bands Gorilla Biscuits, CIV and Youth Of Today. The band was led by singer/guitarist Walter Schreifels who was also in Quicksand. The band released one album which like their band name was taken from the Capcon game. The band split up in 2002 but reunited last year to play some shows including Fun Fun Fun Fest here in Austin. The band is rumored to be working on new material for their second album. United by Fate is what some would call a post hardcore album owning to its more accessible sound.