Back in the early 80s I lived in San Jose,CA & edited a little music 'zine called EAT POOP!. We used to get crazy DIY music from all over the world thanks to continued mention in Factsheet Five. One of the freebies we got was 1981s Shinjuku Birdwalk by Karen Copper Complex
I believe it is the only album by this avant rock band. KCC evolved from Richmond, Virginia bands Big Naptar, Titfield Thunderbolt, & I Saw a Bulldozer. The music is a minimalistic mix of beatniks atmosphere, free jazz techniques, & The Art of Walking era Pere Ubu songs with Karen Cooper replacing David Thomas. Her vocals aren't wordless, but the lyrics are loose & freaky. The music consists mainly of scratching guitars, free & primitive with touches of vintage NY No Wave, child-like drum rhythm sounds & rudimentary electronic effects.
On Shinjuku Birdwalk, The Complex is: Karen Cooper / voices (I Saw a Bulldozer); Frank Daniel / guitar (Big Naptar); Bill Altice / guitar (Big Naptar & I Saw a Bulldozer); Burt Blackburn / bass (replaced Steve Bernard after the first sessions); Les Smith / guitar; Bo Jacob / drums, percussion (Titfield Thunderbolt); Steve Bernard / bass (Big Naptarr & I Saw a Bulldozer); & Wm. Burke / electronics (Titfield Thunderbolt & I Saw a Bulldozer)
The group broke up without ever performing live because of Karen's pregnancy (she'd married the guitarist Les Smith).
Just found the original the other day while going through a box of EP! relics.
You Can't Have It
Shinjuku Birdwalk
We Saw Waves
The Boy with the Red Guitar
Heads (in the Other Room)
Lollipops
Simmer Down
Jerkin' Pretty
Beeswax
Flip-Kilter
Ruckus Upstairs
Petit Deja Vu
Enjoy,
NØ
Shinjuku Birdwalk
ReplyDeletefo2TyR200bCN5AvORjmsbrk0k_mBUY6nW96i8M2hIzQ
I feel you missed an opportunity to combine everthing and go with "Eat Karen Pooper Complex" as the article header. If they had played live, I think some sort of puppet show would have gone well with this. I almost liked Flip-kilter.
ReplyDeleteLike, Wow! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteTwo comments, two opposing views. To each their own. I happen to really like this insanity. I find it extremely creative. Thank Hawksmort & lyndusmax.
ReplyDeleteHoly crap! I lived in Santa Cruz in the '80s & '90s and almost attended Poopoopalooza! (Was busy getting married.)
ReplyDelete(btw you have a fan on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/305006057861)
Poopoopalooza was a great show. The issue of EAT POOP! that came out after the show was a cassette tape compilation of all the bands that played (14). Because of the South Bay Skins debacle that ended the show the tape was called Punchupalooser.
DeleteMan, 29 bucks for a zine we gave away free. Thanks PW. I woulda missed the show for my wedding, too.
It's a superb album. I'll have to check whether my copy is 320 or not. If not, whoopee, upgrade time!
ReplyDeleteThanks, brother.
DeleteI'm just saying that I think her vocal style would go well with puppets. It is in no way a criticism. Unless Ms. Cooper hates puppets.
ReplyDeleteI just assumed since you said you "almost liked Flip-kilter".
DeleteI suppose the word "liked" can have a varied meaning. Sometimes I'm not always sure what the difference is between things I like to listen to and things that are interesting to listen to. This is interesting to listen to.
DeleteDo you have the new/old Lux and gang record?
https://drive.proton.me/urls/RNFDH46SC4#rT8RmZOpfh0n
Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks, DIJIT.
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