#flamin’ groovies
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Listed: R.E. Seraphin
Whether kicking out raucous, throaty garage jams with Impediments a decade ago, or exploring power-poppier terrain with Talkies and more recently under his own initials, Ray Seraphin tells his stories in the radiance just above the fuzz. Sung low and hoarse, his lyrics blink in and out of reality, propelled by the instruments’ lively buzz and echo. Ruptured by an explosive guitar lead here or punctuated by a tidy, melodic bass riff there, this music doesn’t sit still. It’s familiar but captivating, a potent rock and roll fusion of lo-fi attitude and sweeping hit-record moves. Alex Johnson called his latest release, Fool’s Mate, “dynamic and buoyant… a bright, powerful album with lurid desperation creeping in from the edges.”
Here are 10 of Seraphin’s formative records, books, and movies:
Outrageous Cherry — Out There in the Dark
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When I was 17, my bandmate’s partner loaned this CD to me and I held onto it for a number of years before she was able to pry it back. I loved the pairing of Matthew Smith’s arch wordplay and Larry Ray’s mercurial guitar work. They are one of the classic vocalist-guitarist duos to me — up there with Bowie-Ronson, Ferry-Manzanera, Rollins-Ginn. All of their albums are great. Not to sound trite but they really should be better known!
Ralph Bakshi — Wizards
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When I was fired from my first job at Arinell’s Pizza, the manager gave me a 1/2 pint of Ancient Age, a CD copy of Butthole Surfers’ Independent Worm Saloon, and a VHS copy of Wizards as my severance package. He proceeded to drink the whiskey with me (at 9am) but, mercifully, stopped short of insisting we watch Wizards together. The film is lifted into classic status by Bakshi’s signature crude and wild animation style despite a fairly ho-hum future-fantasy plot. Still visually arresting.
John Barth — The End of the Road
I was an English literature major in college and, because I fancied myself a Serious Person, I read a lot of books I didn’t understand in my extracurricular time. I’ve read a few of John Barth’s more celebrated, metaphysical works but this early, "realistic" story is the one that stuck with me. There’s a bleakness and ugliness to the book that feels really transgressive — albeit not in an edgy, cornball way. Plus, as someone who probably suffers from some form of executive dysfunction, I somewhat relate to the protagonist Jake’s crisis of self.
The Real Kids — Outta Place
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Over the years, my music has largely been referred to as power pop. I chafe against the term a little bit but can't say I’m entirely allergic to it. The Real Kids likely represent my first real interest in the genre. Their self-titled album is their best, most complete work; however, I more frequently listen to their New Rose-era.
Flamin’ Groovies — “Whiskey Woman”
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Growing up, the Flamin’ Groovies were the consummate rock group. They represented band-ness to me in a way few others did. In my mind, it’s The Replacements, NRBQ, The Faces, maybe Cheap Trick, and the Flamin’ Groovies. Their early records have this cartoonish, shambolic post-Stones vibe I love — the Roy Loney effect. That said, I was drawn to this somewhat atypical ballad sung by their guitarist, Cyril Jordan. I think this is the song that made me realize you could end a song with something other than a double chorus.
Tommy James — “Ball and Chain”
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My record collection did and does consist almost entirely of dollar bin records. I bought this record on a whim at a garage sale and became enamored of James’ weird, Christian bubblegum world. The fuzz guitar (maybe played by Tommy himself?) on this song is absolutely psychotic. Big fan.
Kirsty MacColl — “They Don't Know”
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I discovered Stiff Records through a CD box set my mom owned. Initially, I was lured by the rockin’ entries in their catalog: Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric, Larry Wallis, The Damned, et al. I also adored Rachel Sweet and Kirsty MacColl, though. A perfect song that contains the most affecting use of the word "baby" in the history of pop music.
Thee Headcoatees — Girlsville
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I vaguely remember being stoned at a friend’s house when I was 16 and getting introduced to this Headcoatees album. I nicked a riff for one of my first songs, "Pig Out," which I licensed to a vegan pork rind company 10 years later. To this day, I don’t know what song I ripped off and it may not have even been by Thee Headcoatees. But Thee Headcoatees are cool, so here you go!
Flannery O’Connor — Wise Blood
I attribute my interest in American fiction writing to Flannery O’Connor. The atmosphere in her stories is so suffocating and anxiety-inducing — in a good way. I think reading this was the first time I understood the emotional impact great writing can have. I have a slight preference for her short stories now but, keeping in the spirit of this list, Wise Blood was my first, most enduring exposure to her work.
Zero Boys — Vicious Circle
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I grew up in Berkeley, home of the Gilman St. Project, and I think a lot of my peers in high school expected me to be into hardcore. The Zero Boys are probably the one the clicked with me the most. They were melodic and seemed still tethered to rock n’ roll. Could be because they cited The Dictators as an influence. I was wearing a Vicious Circle t-shirt the first time I was dumped but I don't hold that against them.
#dusted magazine#listed#r.e. seraphin#outrageous cherry#ralph bakshi#john barth#the real kids#flamin’ groovies#tommy james#kirsty maccoll#thee headcoatees#flannery o’connor#zero boys
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The Clubhouse Candle Company posted a Spotify playlist, curated by Ashton, to their ig story.
August 20, 2022
Link to playlist
Here’s the playlist screenshots.
This definitely looks like how an Ashton playlist would look. Checks out 😎👍🏻
#clubhouse candle company ig#clubhouse candle company#clubhouse candle co#ashton irwin#ashton 5sos#spotify playlist#fleetwood mac#big love#lindsay buckingham#william devaughn#smokey robinson#david bowie#ginger baker’s air force#stevie wright#q lazzarus#flamin’ groovies#jim croce#the doobie brothers#mulatu astatke#jim james#big star#nick drake#fred neil#dennis wilson#bob dylan#patti smith#link wray#august 20#2022#led zeppelin
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Flamin Groovies - Cyril Jordan & George Alexander on stage, San Francisco 1970.
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Iggy & the Stooges, Flamin Groovies, Alice Cooper, Fillmore, San Francisco, 1970.
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Roy Loney *April 13, 1946
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Valentine’s Day 1980
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Gig flyer for the MC5 & The Flamin’ Groovies show at the Grande Ballroom, Detroit 1970
#mc5#Wayne Kramer#Fred smith#rob tyner#the flamin groovies#cyril Jordan#Roy loney#chris Wilson#1970s#rock n roll#punk#1970s fashion#70s style#Detroit
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1:56 AM EDT May 12, 2024:
Flamin' Groovies - "Doctor Boogie"
From the album Teenage Head
(March 1971)
Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm
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Flamin' Groovies Sire Records ad. (1977)
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1976 - All photos by Danny Fields
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The Flamin' Groovies - Slow Death
#the flamin' groovies#slow death#cyril jordan#chris wilson#tim lynch#george alexander#danny mihm#roy loney#garage rock#rock'n'roll#power pop#protopunk#7'' single#1972#Youtube
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1971
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SHAKE SOME COVERS! (Original Songs Covered by The Flamin' Groovies)
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This is a collection of songs mostly from 50’s & 60’s that inspired my favorite SF band The Flamin’ Groovies. Early Rhythm & Blues, Rock’n’Roll as well as 60’s beat and folkrock, from Chuck Berry ,Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly to Byrds, Beatles, Dilan and The Stones, covered on several of Lps were the main influences for Groovies good time R’n’R. I didn’t put all the songs they covered, I…
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Flamin Groovies - Shake Some Action
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