Before MTV put their video for "Scrape" into heavy rotation, NY's kings of noise Unsane were just a dark, heavy, noise rock band with bloody album covers. While I'm not a fan of their current output, I hold this album and the "Singles 89-92" compilation in very high regards. This album is a wall of noisy, distorted as hell, yet jangly guitar work, pounding, almost tribal drums, and distorted bass, with shouted vocals over top of it. A great album.
Totally agreed. I like some (but not nearly all) of the post-Charlie Ondras Unsane, but there was something very special about this early lineup and this 1990-1992 material. By the mid-'90s they were already going toward the heavy rhythmic metallic outfit they are today, and most critics overlook the chaotic early band. I am a huge fan of Ondra-era Unsane, so thanks for posting this excellent album and for recognizing the difference.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Phil Long. I am one of the Long Brothers (nyc,LES, circa Late 80`s- Early 90`s) If you`ve never heard of us, it`s a good thing for you,mostly. Anyway,I can`t thank Chris Spencer and The Unsane Trio enough for accompanying the church "house" band (2nd St. Ave. B)on many of our Friday night socials. It seems like yesterday I was dancing a `two step` or a waltz with my Belle (Later found to be a `Tranny`-A.K.A.`Bill`).Around and around we danced careless of Police and Cultural boundries. Moments to be remembered long after we all are gone. Thanks again to Chris and The Unsane Trio; Smooth Jazz has never been so well used, or abused.
ReplyDeleteI don`t know who posted that last comment,but if it was phil long, it sounds like his sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteI was in N.Y.C. in 1990 and knew both the long bros. and unsane. The times were unique and unbelievable.
I witnessed an incident where a guy the size of a house was throwing people around and causing mayhem.
Phil long walked up to the guy and (i`ll never forget this) said "my good sir,I believe your shoe`s untied".
The guy looked straight at Phil and said "I`m not fallin` for that".
Phil took a deep breath and honked up a scraper, spit it directly on to the man`s foot and said "Good sir, I believe there`s a Leugy on your shoe.Perhaps you`d like to wipe it off."
The giant looked at his shoe and then up at Phil , awestruck.
It was then Phil said,"Or you can just take a swing at my head while I slice your throat."
The outcome of this incident remains out of the newspapers,and,but for we few who witnessed it - unreal.