Roky Erickson - "Gremlins Have Pictures"
A couple days ago I posted a few tracks from the Roky Erickson tribute album called "Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye" and someone commented that they didn't know who he was... Well these songs are for you sizzle-chest. The best place to start if you're a "Roky-virgin" is with his band 13th Floor Elevators, get your greasy hands on their first two records ("The Psychedelic Sounds of Thirteenth Floor Elevators" & "Easter Everywhere"). I like his solo record, "Gremlins Have Pictures" because it's got the jams "Night Of the Vampire" (listen to this one and tell me he doesn't know what he's talking about... homeboy means it when he sings like that) & "I Have Always Been Here Before" (which is one of my favorite lines he ever wrote... so mixed up, yet you know exactly what he means). You also get his cover of The Velvet Undergrounds "Heroin" which is... dare I say it? ..."better" than the original. Ok, maybe not better, but he makes it his own for sure. Also check out the Roky interview I posted last year here to get an idea of just how bonkers this dude is.
P.S. Fuck, can it get any hotter? I'm melting over here... NO GOOD!
Double P.S. The new Tom Petty came out yesterday and it's killer. Go buy it.
Nice shot of heroin that.
Posted by: Mr. Beer N. Hockey | Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 08:10 PM
Love Roky -- one of the finest exports from Austin, TX, to the rest of the music world, and though I know hardcore fans cite the 13th Floor Elevators "Psychedelic Sounds of..." as the best, I've got a huge weak spot for his post-electro-shock treatment LP "The Evil One" (Roky Erickson and the Aliens) and esp. songs like "Night of the Vampire" and "Sputnik." As I'm sure oyu and reader know he's appeared on the Return of the Living Dead soundtracks as well as the Rhino New Wave Halloween comps., too -- all good stuff, from different eras. Great post -- Roky's a living legend.
Posted by: Oliver | Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 08:33 PM
yeah awesome post, as always.
fuckin love that shit, parents made me grow up on that, didnt appreciate it at the time. But as time goes by its like "shit that is bloody awesome".
yeah but problem is why does it take 4x (four times) longer to download that, then that porcelain veneer gear.
Posted by: mh | Thursday, July 27, 2006 at 04:14 AM
This sounds like my urine kind of yellow
Posted by: Anni Navenj | Friday, July 28, 2006 at 08:53 AM
should've put up Dust or Baby Blue
Posted by: Titty Fresh | Friday, July 28, 2006 at 10:49 AM
Cool video links. How come netflix doesn't have this documentary? I have a feeling it's gonna be a while before I see this thing!
Posted by: Liz DIzzy | Saturday, July 29, 2006 at 04:10 AM
Dude Roky just played that Union park fest in Chicago. Slayed! Ol; boy looked scared shitless. Still Slayed
Posted by: Bonzo | Tuesday, August 01, 2006 at 01:28 PM
I remember Roky doing a song in The Return of the Living Dead... I think... anyhow I loved the MP3's and that version of night of the vampire is really bad ass... is there a reason it cuts out 3:17 kinda akwardly... is that just how it ends?
Posted by: Cole | Tuesday, August 01, 2006 at 02:52 PM
hey i'm from austin and my roky erickson story goes as follows, i was getting a haircut at Pink salon and see this spaced out old guy with long hair wearing a hawaiian shirt that looks important. i ask who he is and someone tells me that its roky erickson. he was getting interviewed for the chronicle as he was getting his haircut and he didn't look like he had a clue what the fuck was happening.
also heard that one time he tripped acid and sat on a stove.
i had no clue that people not from austin know about the 13th floor elevators cuz he's mildly a celebrity here.
Posted by: alex | Wednesday, August 02, 2006 at 04:41 PM
you still havent posted anything with kid congo.
Posted by: the duff | Monday, August 07, 2006 at 03:07 PM
Do you know why Roky has all radios and tvs on and all the way up? He's looking for signs. He need not worry. He is safe and sound.I pray for the rest of us- True love cast out all evil.
Posted by: lost single | Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 12:37 PM
The duff did not post that last message.I did. I am not the Duff. My mind is racing. Maybe my brain is trying pick up the slack for my heart and soul. It don't work that way though. My soul will be healed. My heart will beat stronger than ever. My Brown-eyed girl will be in God's arms and mine.My grave will not be a dance floor.
Posted by: lostNsingle | Tuesday, April 03, 2007 at 07:35 PM