If there's a chance to see BOC live somewhere in your locality, go see 'em by any means necessary. They still put on a great show despite the fact that they're playing in small venues. I caught 'em about a year and a half ago playing at small venue real close to home and it was a most excellent show! They've got three original members remaining: Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma, and Allen Lanier. Filling out the band are newcomers Richie Castellano and Jules Radino. The relentless touring has turned them into a razor-sharp ensemble that knows how to have a good time while putting on a show that draws from all eras of BOC history.
If you're a guitar player of any seriousness, I'd recommend seeing BOC just to see/hear Buck Dharma play. The man can flat-out play and is easily one of the best guitarists I've ever seen - and with 25 plus years of concert-going, I've seen plenty of guitarists. For a taste of Buck's guitar prowess, here's Buck doing his signature theme, Buck's Boogie on his equally signature guitar; The Cheeseburger. Here's Anwar's Theme (set to a motorcycle video) from Buck's solo LP.
Somewhere in my soul, there's always Rock -n- Roll... Joe Strummer
I misclicked on the poll. Can I try again?
- derumi (del-me)
"Bobby Fischer? Man, that guy is crazy!" - Mike Tyson
I've been thinking about writing up a story about BOC ever since TnT has been around, but the spirit never moved me. Like Iron Maiden and a few other bands from the era, I respect them because there's never been a reunion tour . . because the band never stopped playing! Blue Oyster Cult may not be the best metal band that walked the planet, but they certainly deserve to be mentioned as one of the smartest. Good lyrics, solid playing, and a little bit of swagger to make it all rock. (Although it was still the 70s, which, as the video for Astronomy illustrates too well, was not one of the best for rock fashion. Check out Eric Bloom, especially around the 2 minute mark.)
Found a website that argues that "Don't Fear The Reaper" was actually about marriage, and was penned by the band for a pal who was nervous about popping the question. Knowing their penchant for oblique lyrics, this seems possible. Certainly it would be in character for them to pen a gloomy song about such a happy moment.
"Burning For You" has one of my favorite nuggets of smart ass song writing, with the couplet, "time everlasting/ time to play B-sides." Quite a soulful lament, coming from a group that may have felt like their music never got the attention it deserved. Otherwise, I could take or leave the song; once you hear something for over twenty years, it takes a sterling piece of work for it to move you in close to the same way.
"Godzilla" is a fun song, though, and deserves to stick around as long as the movie character does. Funny thing, thinking about the context/subtext of the song, though-- back when it was written, before cable or even VCRs, monster movies like Godzilla must have been hard to find, and a knowledge of the flick probably meant that you were watching TV in the middle of the night far too often :) Back in the day, it was just another indication of how cool the band was. Now, it's just a dopey paean to a cult flick. (Odd to think about the rate of technological change, too; I was ten when the song was released. Ah, evil nostalgia, here you are again.)
Last but not least, BOC should always be credited for getting in at the ground level in the umlaut craze that started in the 70s. Doubt any of the band members will put that on their tombstones, though . . .
Ex ignorantia ad sapientiam; e luce ad tenebras
