#motorik

Julian Cope: Copendium: An Expedition into the Rock 'n' Roll Underworld (2012)

I have no idea how Julian Cope could amass so much knowledge about music history in a single lifetime, so I can only imagine that the so-called 'Arch Drude' has discovered the alchemical secret to multiple lives or simply adding more hours to the day.

How else to explain the impossibly vast knowledge of Krautrock and Japanese rock that Cope assembled into two, hugely informative and collectible 'Samplers,' before compiling another treasure trove of assorted music genres into 2012's aptly named Copendium.

Hard rock, psychedelia, acid rock, doom, garage rock, post-punk, stoner rock, motorik, proto-metal, even jazz crops up in this 700+ page colossal collection of essays, reviews, rants, and ruminations -- some of them originally published on his website, Head Heritage.

And no matter what genre he's raving about, backed by detailed research and expert analysis, Cope's style is rife with idiosyncratic hyperbole, non-linear digressions, esoteric and historical references, florid vocabulary, no small amount of humor, and, most important of all, the boundless enthusiasm of a true fan.

That's why spending some time with one of Julian's books feels like a typically rambling and excitable discussion between fellow music fanatics, turning each other on to their latest discoveries.

So when the time came to choose the featured records for this blog, I inevitably gravitated to some of the long-lost proto-metal classics covered here (Sir Lord Baltimore, Pentagram, Highway Robbery, Randy Holden, Hairy Chapter!) that I can occasionally thank Cope for introducing me to.

Simply put: there's no better guide for an Expedition into the Rock 'n' Roll Underworld (as this collection's sub-title promises) than Julian Cope.

Featured Records:

Sir Lord Baltimore: Kingdom Come (1970)

Highway Robbery: For Love or Money (1972)

Randy Holden: Population II (1970)

Pentagram: First Daze Here (The Vintage Collection) (2001)

Hairy Chapter: Can't Get Through (1971)

Head over to our Soundcloud to check out the latest Blue Tapes radio show, featuring aural excitement and adventure from Kamra, Lara Jones, Blue Tapes legends Ashtray Navigations and new Blue Tapes noise from Pedro Oliveira and Morgan Sully.

#1751

L.A. Witch - 777

The new Motorelektrik EP is now live on Bandcamp! Listen to three new songs and two remixes, all in a motorik flavor with a limited palette of instruments.

The new songs were written and produced during a 12-ish week project using a methodology that was supposed to help keep creative work on track but, lol, methodologies, am I right?

I love using dogma as an excuse for building good habits (my vegan years were great for this) but the truth is that a lot of my creative work (not to mention the rest of it) happens in bursts of energy at the beginning and ending of projects.

Speaking of endings, I'm particularly proud of the endings of these songs, so even if you fast-forward through some parts, try to listen to the endings. They're fun.

Here's the rather specific list of inspirations and influences I made at the beginning of the project:

Stereolab (the song “Emperor Tomato Ketchup” for drum buildup, fills leading to the chorus, rhythm guitar)

Moon Duo “Eye 2 Eye” vocals, drones, lead guitar tone, vocal harmonies

Jeff Rosenstock (whole Hellmode album production, especially vocals and overall mix, so clean)

Minami Deutsch “Tunnel” (pace and bass)

Follakzoid (whole album II, but especially baselines and cymbals/hats)

White Hills “Run-A-Round” fuzz guitar

Can “Vitamin C” snare drums

Neu “Hallogallo” of course, pace, rhythm guitars, drone line on top

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