Post by Kevin on Mar 24, 2003 10:45:52 GMT -5
Band: Gallery of Mites
Album: Bugs on the Bluefish
Format: CD
Label: MeteorCity
Time: 41 Minutes
Year: 2003
Track List:
Exploded View
Headless Body, Topless Bar
New York to Peru
Chocolate Rabbit
X’s for Eyes
Suicide Punchline
100 Days (Heron)
Inside Out
A Man Called Shit
Bugs on the Bluefish
Cover Photo: www.stonerrock.com/store/info.asp?item_num=ATH-1468&custid=844825.623&tempcustid=True&cartstatus=
Gallery of Mites’ ‘Bugs on the Bluefish’ is a mean, raunchy take on some of the best music of the late 60s, brought muttering and squalling into the 21st century. You’ve probably heard by now that this is “Monster Magnet” without Dave, and that this is a “supergroup.” Wrong and wrong. If you’re looking for more Monster Magnet, look elsewhere. And The ‘Mites pretty much redefine what a supergroup is; they’re more of an un-supergroup than anything else. This is not a collection of big egos vying for the spotlight; rather, it’s an amalgamation of some of the most talented musicians that the New Jersey scene has to offer, working seamlessly together to promote the rockin’ vision of group maestros Tim Cronin and Jon Kleiman.
Gallery of Mites boasts ten players from such groups as Monster Magnet, Solace, Halfway to Gone, Black NASA, and Lord Sterling, all of whom are considered full Mites band members. There are five – count ‘em five – guitar players in addition to the usual instrumental lineup. With such a large group, its amazing that the music stays so focused. But it does, that’s for sure. What we’ve got here is an updated take on the first two Stooges albums combined with ‘The Last Time’ –era Rolling Stones, all played in your neighbor’s garage at 11 through a haze of cheap whiskey and schwag. The Mites boys mention Union Carbide Productions as a major influence as well. ‘X’s for Eyes’ features a killer lead guitar merged with an R & B vibe and the afore-mentioned early Stooges sound, not forgetting the crucial handclaps. ‘100 Days (Heron)’ features one John Garcia on guest vocals, and although they’re distorted as hell, you’ll recognize him alright. The title refers to the fact that this song was actually written for a subset of Monster Magnet members who intended to call themselves Heron, during MM’s ‘Powertrip’ sessions. ‘A Man Called Shit’ is the only track where all five guitarists appear at once, and it’s the jammiest tune on the disc. The record closes with ‘Bugs on the Bluefish’ perhaps the most straight-ahead rockin’ tune on the album.
MeteorCity has hit paydirt again. The funny thing is, the last time they put out a disc by a group of New Jersey musicians, (‘Scenekiller’) the concept and feeling were very, very different. ‘Scenekiller’ was a collection of loose jams and tighter songs as opposed to Gallery of Mites, which seems much more straightforward. Both are essential to your collection, but be sure to leave your preconceptions at the door, ‘cause you’re not getting Magnet, Solace, or Black NASA on this one. As the ‘Mites say: “Its knuckle-draggin’ time again!”<br>
Kevin McHugh
Album: Bugs on the Bluefish
Format: CD
Label: MeteorCity
Time: 41 Minutes
Year: 2003
Track List:
Exploded View
Headless Body, Topless Bar
New York to Peru
Chocolate Rabbit
X’s for Eyes
Suicide Punchline
100 Days (Heron)
Inside Out
A Man Called Shit
Bugs on the Bluefish
Cover Photo: www.stonerrock.com/store/info.asp?item_num=ATH-1468&custid=844825.623&tempcustid=True&cartstatus=
Gallery of Mites’ ‘Bugs on the Bluefish’ is a mean, raunchy take on some of the best music of the late 60s, brought muttering and squalling into the 21st century. You’ve probably heard by now that this is “Monster Magnet” without Dave, and that this is a “supergroup.” Wrong and wrong. If you’re looking for more Monster Magnet, look elsewhere. And The ‘Mites pretty much redefine what a supergroup is; they’re more of an un-supergroup than anything else. This is not a collection of big egos vying for the spotlight; rather, it’s an amalgamation of some of the most talented musicians that the New Jersey scene has to offer, working seamlessly together to promote the rockin’ vision of group maestros Tim Cronin and Jon Kleiman.
Gallery of Mites boasts ten players from such groups as Monster Magnet, Solace, Halfway to Gone, Black NASA, and Lord Sterling, all of whom are considered full Mites band members. There are five – count ‘em five – guitar players in addition to the usual instrumental lineup. With such a large group, its amazing that the music stays so focused. But it does, that’s for sure. What we’ve got here is an updated take on the first two Stooges albums combined with ‘The Last Time’ –era Rolling Stones, all played in your neighbor’s garage at 11 through a haze of cheap whiskey and schwag. The Mites boys mention Union Carbide Productions as a major influence as well. ‘X’s for Eyes’ features a killer lead guitar merged with an R & B vibe and the afore-mentioned early Stooges sound, not forgetting the crucial handclaps. ‘100 Days (Heron)’ features one John Garcia on guest vocals, and although they’re distorted as hell, you’ll recognize him alright. The title refers to the fact that this song was actually written for a subset of Monster Magnet members who intended to call themselves Heron, during MM’s ‘Powertrip’ sessions. ‘A Man Called Shit’ is the only track where all five guitarists appear at once, and it’s the jammiest tune on the disc. The record closes with ‘Bugs on the Bluefish’ perhaps the most straight-ahead rockin’ tune on the album.
MeteorCity has hit paydirt again. The funny thing is, the last time they put out a disc by a group of New Jersey musicians, (‘Scenekiller’) the concept and feeling were very, very different. ‘Scenekiller’ was a collection of loose jams and tighter songs as opposed to Gallery of Mites, which seems much more straightforward. Both are essential to your collection, but be sure to leave your preconceptions at the door, ‘cause you’re not getting Magnet, Solace, or Black NASA on this one. As the ‘Mites say: “Its knuckle-draggin’ time again!”<br>
Kevin McHugh
