The Scenics – ‘New Part In Town’ (2024)
Following on the heels of our extensive interview with Andy Meyers and Ken Badger, we’re pleased to present our thoughts on The Scenics’ latest release.
It features ten tracks recorded in November 1976 in their rehearsal space in the basement of a student residence at Ryerson (now Toronto Metropolitan) University, back when the trio (including drummer Mike Cusheon) was still called The Scenic Caves. These are the band’s earliest recordings, revealing an energetic attempt at forging their own unique sound, tempered with influences as varied as the New York Dolls, The Band (with ‘Garthuson’ serving as an intriguingly weird tribute), Patti Smith, Duke Ellington, and early progenitors of punk like Pere Ubu, Television, and Modern Lovers. The latter inspired the leadoff track, ‘Jonathan Richman,’ with lyrics reminiscent of ‘Pablo Picasso.’ Badger’s screaming solo is the equal of anything Tom Verlaine was creating at the time, and Meyers’ throbbing bass is astonishing for a nineteen-year-old who had only started playing a year earlier!
‘Tokyo’ is a shambolic crash course in no-holds-barred punk, with a snotty attitude, maniacal drumming from Cusheon, and vicious guitar shredding from Badger. ‘Farm Reports and Test Patterns’ is born of late-night TV binging, jamming like the Velvets during a Chinese fire drill, while the title track oozes Stooges’ snarl. These guys learned well from their mentors and influences without resorting to silly fanboy reproduction.
‘This Day’ allows Badger some room to move outside the strict verse-chorus-verse parameter for some tasty soloing, and his Verlaine-ish hiccupping, clipped delivery on ‘O Charlotte’ perfectly captures the decadent tale of privileged white kids in Detroit (where he wrote the song in 1972 while playing in a Velvets/Who/Mott covers band!). ‘I’m Sad’ is a coming-of-age tale of youthful angst in the throes of that mysterious thing called love. The set ends with their signature song—the track that encouraged them to give this rock and roll thing a try—a wild, improvisational ride through Television’s ‘Little Johnny Jewel’ that indeed fulfills a desire to “step out into space not knowing what would happen next.”
I like how they left some of the banter in the final product; it puts us right in that basement room with them, as if we’re being treated to a personal performance by a band still finding their way but ready for prime time. (Their first gig—supporting a poet—was only a month later in the residence hall, performed in front of 30 inner-city kids who loved the show!)
The tapes are a little rough around the edges, with no spit and polish to add sheen or clarity, but that’s exactly what you want from a nascent band’s earliest recordings from nearly 50 years ago. Meyers’ tape transfer and remastering are a big help in appreciating the recordings, which will appeal to fans of the band and anyone interested in hearing a group of young kids getting together to make a joyful noise—and having one hell of a great time doing it.
Jeff Penczak
The Scenics – ‘New Part In Town’ (Supreme Echo/Dream Tower, 2024)
The Scenics | Interview | “New Part In Town”
