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Still Thinking was initially a zine that published three issues and then became a label that put out two releases. And although that doesn't sound like much there was a lot of unique things about this zine and label. The zine was the combined efforts of some regular and one off contributors which evolved around these kids who went to the same high school in Port Credit. I interviewed Shawn Chirrey (Tomorrow is Too Late) and Vik Adhopia (CBC radio reporter) who were two of the main contributors about the issues and the interviews that appeared in them. Vik worked at the school's yearbook and brought his early journalism and layout skills to the zine. And Shawn had a familial hook up to a printer and the zine was a four page saddlle stiched booklet that made the zine looked pretty professional. The zine stood out not only for their looks but for their coverage which was a mix of hardcore, industrial, metal, and other sounds that made up the alternative scene at the time. Then we talk about the label departure which started out with a local compilation that doubled as a benefit for Nicaragua. And finally the North American licensing of the Heresy "Face Up To It" LP that was not exclusive and basically sunk the label. A music playlist gets developed around our conversations that was not what I expected. Here is their story.
DESCENDENTS - Suburban Home (SST)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
THE CURSE - Shoeshine Boy (Hi Fi)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
7 SECONDS - Walk Together, Rock Together (BYO / Positive Force)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
HYPE - It's All Hype (Reuben Kincaide)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
THE CRUCIFUCKS - Hinkley Had a Vision (Alternative Tentacles)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Technocracy (Death / Combat Core / Fringe / Metal Blade)
DIRTY ROTTEN IMBECILES - I Don't Need Society (Death / Enigma)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
DAYGLO ABORTIONS - Religious Bumfucks (Fringe / Toxic Shock / God / Beer City / Unrest)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
SONS OF ISHMAEL - Slow Children Playing (Still Thinking)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
MINUTEMEN - The Only Minority (SST)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
DAG NASTY - One to two (Dischord)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
DEZERTER - Ku Przyszlosci (MRR)
Still Thinking interview (CIUT)
HERESY - Network of Friends (Still Thinking)
NUNFUCKERS - Be yourself (Still Thinking)
Shawn has been involved in a lot of important things in Toronto which are too numerous to mention here, but involve vegetarian stores, public health and the Tomorrow is Too Late book. And Vik does some important reporting on CBC radio and tries to work in band lyrics into his headlines so if you catch his stories play name that tune with him.
I have heard of books like this, but I have never read one. And by books like this I mean a book that analyzes a band by their songs. And the CLASH have the right person for this. Martin Popoff has written more reviews than anybody in the history of music writing. Martin knows how to tell a story through a review. But this book, unlike review writing, allows Martin the opportunity to dive deep into each song. This seems like a dream for review writers at least once in their life. To expand their expertise in a granular way. And if there is ever a band to do this for it would be the CLASH. The CLASH had a lot to say and they had a lot of important things to say. So the format is suited for the subject matter.
One other thing I will say about the author. Martin used to listen to songs for music that might be copyright infringements. So he has a trained ear for listening to songs and song structures. This also make him suited for a song by song analysis of a band. And the CLASH had a ton of influences. Each record up until their last would show off their ever broadening listening tastes.
Martin approaches this book in a chronological order. Starting with the first release and moving backwards. Starting with the first song and moving to the last. That makes sense when approaching a band with a big back catalogue. You start at the beginning. But Martin also goes through different country pressings because the first album had different songs that weren't released in England on the first release. And it came out a year or two later in North America. So this book captures every song officially released by the CLASH. It is through. Thorough in that every song is looked at. Thorough in that photos and gig flyers are matched with a song being looked at. Thorough in what gets covered in the review.
The reviews include possible meanings for the lyrics. With the CLASH there were texts and subtexts that need to be taken into consideration. Double entendres. There is consideration for influences. Historical looks at what the band was going through is probably the most interesting part of these reviews for me. They help tell the story of the song, but in so doing you get the story of then band. And then there is the musical analysis. As has already been mentioned the CLASH had a broad and ever expanding range of musical influences. Martin also compares the song with the rest of the CLASH's back catalogue. Sometimes there is insight into the songs by way of studio stories. You get a look at how the songs developed as a band. Even "Cut the Crap" gets reviewed and is used to illustrate the dissolution of the band.
Overall Martin creates a biopic for the only band that mattered. And what better way to judge a band then through their art. I learned so much about a band that I thought I knew everything about.
(Yoageur Press - www.quartoknows.com / Martin Popoff - http://www.martinpopoff.com/html/the-clash-all-the-albums-all-the-songs.html)
