Wednesday 26 August 2020

Smash Fashion - Got Da Hee Bee Gee Bees (At CBGBs)


  (photo by photo by Jeff Forney)

  Smash Fashion (https://www.facebook.com/smashfashion) claim to be "Purveyors of decadent psychedelia and atomic power pop" and whilst that's quite possibly 100% correct I've got to admit I was put off by the word psychedelia. Who wants to listen to long drawn out psychedelic wankery? Isn't that the type of bollox that punk was supposed to eradicate? But I still gave their new single a listen and praise be...no overblown wankery to be heard. Instead we're presented with some top notch rock n roll swagger that mixes up elements of the best of 70's UK and US rock, punk, glam and power pop. It's impressive and assured, doesn't hold back on the guitar riffing and even makes Elton John's Bennie & The Jets sound reinvigorated.

  The band are from LA and have been putting out music that's been wowing many top publications and reviewers for the last 15 years whilst simultaneously avoiding my attention. Now that I've come across them I think I need to check out their older stuff (and hope that it's more atomic power pop than psychedelia!). They line up with Roger Deering (Lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Lloyd Stuart Casson (Lead guitar/backing vox), Repo (Drums/percussion) and Scarlet Rowe (Electric bass/backing vox) and so far have 4 albums under their belt.

  The new single is out now on coloured vinyl via Yeah Now Records   http://yeahright.limitedrun.com/products/673901-smash-fashion-got-da-hee-bee-gee-bees-at-cbgbs-7

  It's also available digitally here : https://yeahrightrecords.bandcamp.com/album/got-da-hee-bee-gee-bees-at-cbgbs

  This is the track that isn't the Reg Dwight cover. It's a confident rocker namechecking the famous New York club on the Bowery that was much frequented by the likes of The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Television etc and I'm assuming the title is inspired by Steven Lee Beeber's 2008 book Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB's: A Secret History of Jewish Punk.

  It's called Got Da Hee Bee Gee Bees (At CBGBs)...

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