Harvey Dog's fav bands and musicians: The A's - Acid Mothers Temple, Ash Ra Tempel, Amon Duul

There's a "pick your fav 15 albums in 15 minutes" kind of thing going round on facebook - and it's fun and all that...but, I just never seem to get around doing these things. I think it has to do with albums you'll never forget...or something.

I'd rather blog it or nothing, dammit!!

Now, if I did do it, what would I pick? What albums (man, that term sounds quaint now, doesn't it?) would Harvey Dog choose? What albums had that kind of profound effect on me? Like the rebellious creature I am, let's do this by listing some bands / artists that I was lady gaga all over at one time or another, include some links and maybe you'll find something that will pique your interest. That's the whole point of these things, isn't it?
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Acid Mothers Temple: around 2000 while still living in Hamilton, I heard of these Japanese legends and became very curious...i remember walking into the record store on King St. that I used to go to all the time (man - the name's not coming to me - dr. disc? hmv?), to pick up Beefheart's "Grow Fins" (the store had this in stock, so it was a fairly cool store) and I went up to the record store guru and asked if they had any Acid Mothers Temple, and was met with a blank, but polite, stare...eventually, I went online and ordered "New Geocentric World of Acid Mothers Temple" [aside: this must be 2001 when this slab of molten metal was released]... and was NOT disappointed. In fact, I became obsessed! Psychedelic Space Age Futuristic Guitar Noise Synth Squiggles (courtesy of the amazing Cotton Casino) powered by the rhythm section...I am still hooked and still travel the psychedelic escalator to the temple regularly. They have released seemingly hundreds of albums and have another 54 shows (right now!) on Live Music Archive for free and legal download. A wonderful way to try em out! Now, I'm exploring offshoots including Floating Flower & Kawabata Makoto's solo excursions. God help me...

Now, you see why I have trouble doing these lists? I get sidetracked! I've consumed a LOT of alcohol & drugs in my life...

Ash Ra Tempel: while living in Prince George, my friend Randy introduced me to tons of krautrock & japrock that included these geniuses. The first album of theirs that I got into was the collaboration with Timothy Leary (yep - Timothy fucking smiling Leary), "Seven Up" (1972) and it intoxicated me. I soon listened to all their albums, and looked around for the more obscure stuff - in fact, "The Private Tapes" (1970-1979) & "The Making Of" (1978) very well could be my favs. Check out Manuel Gottsching's "Inventions for Electric Guitar" (1974 - sometimes listed under AshRa, but it's only Manuel) & "E-2 E-4" (1984).

Honurable mentions of other influential A's:
Amon Duul & Amon Duul II: Last night I was checking out Psychedelia: The Anthology dvd, and Amon Duul II did a mind melting version of "Eye Shaking King" which was probably the best thing on the dvd...the reviewer linked to was pretty spot on - except for Family, whom I think are fantastic! The original Amon Duul is sloppy psychedelic stoned guitar playing that I happen to love.

Albert Ayler: another golden find from my friend Randy! Randy had the box set - what an amazing package!! Unfortunately, we're like - in debt, you know, so I just can't afford it, but if I could afford it, this is one to get! Like a lot of free jazz, Ayler is someone you'll enjoy more each and every time you listen to him. Another fucking jazz genius!!

Louis Armstrong: my Dad is a big Louis fan, so I got into him as a kid, and respect the shit out of one of the 20th century icons. Check out his 20s-30s stuff instead of the later show tune stuff - but, that's not to dismiss his later stuff at all. It is Louis after all, so genius pours out of every single note. His 1954 "Louis Armstrong plays W.C. Handy is especially great.

Agitation Free: classic krautrock.
The Animals: always been an Eric Burdon fan!
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Well, that's it for the A's! No idea if I'll continue this, but at least it gives me a subject to go back to.
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