Tag: Del Lords

Yayhoos – Monkey with a Gun

I wanted to kick off Saturday with a bang…you get no more bang than Monkey With A Gun. I love discovering songs like this. It’s catchy, full of energy, and sounds just as good today as it did when it was released. If you’re looking for polished pop, this probably isn’t your band. But if you enjoy guitar-driven rock played by musicians who clearly love what they’re doing, give The Yayhoos a listen. I have a feeling you’ll be happy before the song is over. It’s plainly a dirty little rock and roll song. Dirty as in sound…as in Monkey with a gun. It sounds like it escaped off of Exile on Main Street…and it escaped right to my playlist.

The Yayhoos were formed in the late 1990s as something of a roots-rock supergroup. The lineup featured Dan Baird, formerly of The Georgia Satellites, Warner E. Hodges from Jason & The Scorchers, bassist Keith Christopher (The Georgia Satellites), and drummer Terry Anderson (drummer and songwriter). The song’s vocals were by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel. Ambel wrote the song as well, and he’s the Del-Lords guitarist who also played with Steve Earle. All four had impressive musical backgrounds, and instead of tailoring songs for commercial success, they got together to play the kind of honest, guitar-driven rock they loved. The result was a band that blended rock, country, Southern influences, and plenty of attitude.

One thing I enjoy about digging into roots rock and Americana is finding bands that don’t sound like anyone else. That happened the first time I heard The Yayhoos. I wasn’t sitting there trying to figure out who they reminded me of because I really couldn’t. They simply sounded like a group of good musicians having a great time making rock and roll. Then I heard this…I was hooked on the song and title.

This one grabbed me right away. It’s one of those songs that doesn’t waste any time. The guitars come out swinging, the rhythm section keeps everything moving, and before long you’re tapping your foot without even realizing it. The chorus is catchy, the playing is first-rate, and the whole thing has an energy that reminds me why I still enjoy straightforward rock and roll. There are no gimmicks here. Just four experienced musicians doing what they do best. This song is about Hank Williams Jr.

What I also like is how natural the band sounds. Nobody is trying to steal the spotlight. Every member has enough experience to know when to step forward and when to support the song. That’s one advantage of putting together musicians who have already spent years on the road. They understand that great bands are built on chemistry… not ego.

The Yayhoos also did a cover of Dancing Queen (yes that one!) and I LOVE it.

Monkey With a Gun

Sorry…I could not find any. But hey…it’s a song called Monkey with a Gun…just hum along!

Del Lords – When The Drugs Kick In

This song won me over with the intro. Such a wonderful melody with the guitar weaving in and out. Of course, the title got me to listen. I’ve covered one of their songs before called How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?

They were formed in the early ’80s by Scott Kempner of  New York punk group the Dictators. They were in the ’70s new wave scene, which the band never quite fit into. Kempner gathered together  Eric Ambel of Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, drummer Frank Funero (now with Cracker), and bassist Manny Caiati and set out as The Del-Lords.

They made 4 studio albums from 1984 to 1990. In 2010, they reunited and played gigs for the first time in 20 years. They released an album called Elvis Club in 2013, and this song came off that album.

The Del Lords were always one of those bands who seemed to fall through the cracks, too rock for the roots crowd, too straight ahead for the punks, too Bronx for Nashville. But their records had heart. They didn’t try to change. Elvis Club picks right up where they left off. Scott Kempner wrote this song and most of the songs on the album. 

This song is pure Americana, halfway between an E Street shuffle sound and a Ramones bar fight. It doesn’t ask for your pity or your praise. This one feels like the walk home from a party that went a little too sideways. But you would be happy to do it again. 

When The Drugs Kick In

I was right in the middle of a big idea(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I forgot everything right then and there(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)for the last year or so that’s how it’s been(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’ve tried and I’ve tried but the drugs always win(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)

when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick inHere I go, here I go, here I go again(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)Goin’ down I know, but I’m goin’ down slow(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugsKick in

I had this dream, yeah, I used to dream(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’d leave no sound unheard, no sight unseen(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)But I heard lies and deception, saw heartbreak and rejection(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)Now I’m an uncast vote in a fixed election(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in

Here I go, here I go, here I go again(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’m goin’ down I know, but I’m goin’ down slow(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugsKick in

I’m a jet plane baby, movin’ coast to coastI’m a part time lover, I’m a full time ghostAnd the tunnel of love is the tunnel of lifeAnd I leave on the lights when I go to sleep at nightWhen the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in

Here I go, here I go, here I go again(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)I’m goin’ down I know, but I’m goin’ down slow(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)When the drugsKick inWhen the drugsKick in(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)(when the drugs kick in, when the drugs kick in)

…

Del Lords – How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?

The title was enough for me to take a listen to this band. They combined 60’s garage rock, country, blues, and folk influences to become one of the many 80’s roots rock bands. 

Thanks to Paul for bringing this band up.

The Del Lords were formed in the early ’80s by Scott Kempner of  New York punk group the Dictators. They emerged from the’70s new wave scene…which the band never quite fit. Kempner gathered together  Eric Ambel of Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, drummer Frank Funero (now with Cracker) and bassist Manny Caiati and set out as The Del-Lords.

How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live? is an American folk song originally recorded 1929 in New York City. It was written, composed, and performed by Blind Alfred Reed, accompanying himself on the violin.

The song tells of hard times during the Great Depression. It is considered an early example of a protest song. In 2020, the song was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

The song was on their Frontiers album released in 1984.

The Del-Lords lived together, played together, recorded and released records as a band through 1990.  At the urging of the Spanish Promoter Pepe Ugena they reformed the band in the last decade and recorded and released their most recent music in 2013 on the album Elvis Club.

How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?

How can a poor man stand such times and live
How can a poor man stand such times and live
How can a poor man stand
How can a poor man stand
How can a poor man stand such times and live

The doctor comes around with his face all bright
And he swears, in a little while, it’ll be alright
All he gives you is a humbug pill
A dose of dope and a great big bill
How can a poor man stand such times and live

There once was a time when everything was cheap
But the prices nowadays nearly put the man to sleep
When we get out grocery bill
Man I feel like makin’ out our will
How can a poor man stand such times and live

How can a poor man stand such times and live
How can a poor man stand such times and live
I give all I’ve got to give
I get my pay and say, is this it
How can a poor man stand such times and live

Tell you what
This poor boy’s got some big plans of his own
I’m gonna call up a coupla friends on the telephone
Tell ’em, Bring some records and bring some beer
Then we can just hang out over here
How can a poor man stand such times and live

How can a poor man stand such times and live
How can a poor man stand such times and live
How can a poor man stand
How can a poor man stand
How can a poor man stand such times
How can a poor man stand such times
How can a poor man stand such times and live
And live

….