The 5.6.7.8's
Nutrocker b/w Chopped Onion Boogie
scum stats: probably 200 pressed
As the swallows yearly return to Capistrano, I can think of no more a delightful way to chart the passage of time than a new (to me) 45 from the 5.6.7.8's. Seems like they've been teasing out these markedly limited slabs for the past couple trips round the sun, not easily found here in the States, but absolutely enticing when I can get my mitts on 'em.
Covering Tchaikovsky, via Kim Fowley through B. Bumble and the Stingers, and nothing could feel more exact and expected in the world than this. As an interpolation of the march from "Nut Cracker" the version here (with some swang on it) is arranged in just a way that I didn't not catch the reference point at first. But upon digging in and further listens...it comes off as whimsical and smart without pandering...a staple of the 5.6.7.8's act if there ever was one.
Flip side of "Chopped Onion Boogie" is a Ronnie Fujiyma original and just a salve for the soul. Could not be more pleasing.
Listening to new songs from the 5.6.7.8's this far into my life I can't help but steal John Peel's quote about the Fall, along the lines of "the worst part about dying will be that the Fall release an album two months later" and I'm just gonna keep my fingers crossed that I get to keep on enjoying these yearly 7" punctuations from the band for at least another decade.
Oh man! I bought the 5,6,7,8’s cover of Sho-Jo-Ji form Thirdman a while back on 7". It got lost in my move. Thanks for reminding me about them!
Onion chopping and Nut rocking are 2 of my favorite past times. A Japanese Christmas record, how cool! btw … what is going on in Tennessee? They have the highest covid rate in the country.
Very cool, wonder if I can track this thing down. I got their Mothra and Barracuda singles on their last couple west coast visits. They played some tiny beachside bar here in Pacifica with The Ogres and Durty Whyte Boots, maybe 200 people in there. It was something else.
One song I remember listening to at this time of year is “mandolin wind” from “every picture tells a story” Rod Stewart lp, I picked that and “never a dull moment” the new release at the time for my Christmas gifts. These are the gifts that keep on giving. Our school bus driver had a radio along side them I remember listening to “Maggie May” every morning on the way to school,along with Bill Withers "ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone " it was a toss up weather you would get to hear the whole song or leave the bus with “I know I know I know I know I know” echoing inside your skull . Another one was “American Pie” Don McClane if it started as I was getting on the bus you’d have a chance. I also remember the kids would sing along to the "bye bye miss American Pie "part. I would like to point too Mickey Waller’s drumming on the Rod Stewart lps his style I really like, it’s hold back charge forward stick it is great.
It’s way past time for me to dive fully into this band. Off to Discogs or wherever I can snag this puppy.
Keep up the good work Ben!