Flippin' off the wall like Marcellus Hall
Marcellus Hall led the bands Railroad Jerk and (more recently) White Hassle. Railroad Jerk released several albums of fine, fine music on the Matador label in the mid-90's, so if you see any of them you should snatch them up. Unless you already have them, because that would be greedy. The roots of Railroad Jerk are in that fertile intersection between "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and Grotesque-era Fall. Marcellus Hall is a compelling frontman, loquacious and funny, with the gift of gab and the gift of rhyme. Ponder with me why Railroad Jerk aren't at least as well-remembered as, f'rinstance, Soul Coughing.I recall an interview in Spin magazine in which Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse said that the White Hassle song "Life Is Still Sweet" inspired him to write his breakthrough hit (and KidzBop staple) "Float On". Maybe you will be inspired to write a hit song when you listen to "Life Is Still Sweet".
Some people say Jack White sounds like Robert Plant, but I think Jack White sings like Marcellus Hall. Some people say little girls should be seen and not heard. They say Mark E. Smith rips off Johnny Rotten, but they only strike for more pay. They say they got control of you, but that's a lie y'know. They say you will never be free-eee. Bump chick-a-bump chick-a-bump chick-a-bump.
Back to the subject of Marcellus Hall: you will be tickled to know that this modern day Renaissance man is also an accomplished illustrator whose work has graced the cover of the New Yorker magazine. You can view some of his artwork at marcellushall dot com. You can hear his new solo songs on his myspace page. You can also buy White Hassle records from Orange Recordings, Fargo Records, or eMusic.
"Rollerkoaster" is from the excellent Railroad Jerk album One Track Mind.
"Why Don't We Do It in the Road" is not from any Railroad Jerk album, and yet somehow Underneathica has obtained it and is sharing it with you, and you are feeling very special right now.
2 Comments:
according to Mr Hall he will be playing the same time as "you am I" and in the same city. New Jack City.
I love Marcellus' illustrations. He just had a gallery show here and I missed it! Alas.
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