Ahh chilluns... here's a special treat for you. We're kicking off a new feature of the SBP90s blog today -- Friends of The Bend! Periodically we'll be taking a break from the SB 90s local scene to highlight some of the fine out-of-town acts that came through our little burg to show us a good time.
And talk about a good time -- who could forget the handsome lads of Streganona! Hailing from the Hyde Park area of Chicago, they ascended on The Bend (maybe twice?) thanks to a connection with our good pal Dave M., if I'm not mistaken. They rocked our bodies and stole our hearts, sparking much debate as to which band member was the sauciest (the drummer, of course!). Smooth and sexy basslines, driving and frenetic guitarwork, dual singing and screaming vocals, and oh those beautiful beats... what's not to love!
The four songs on this cassette were recorded on the bass player's 4-track in February of 1995, which is probably shortly before the time they came to play for us. I've got two copies, and they both have different covers. Maybe yours is different, too... I'm not sure how many variations exist. A note on the sleeve says "For optimum sound quality, Streganona suggests a decreased midrange and a maximized volume." I recommend you comply!
listen/download:
Got a suggestion for a future "Friends of The Bend" feature? Who was it you remember that came to town and rocked the house (or basement, for that matter)? Leave a comment and let us know! Thanks!
I know they played once at The Box (with Spoonfed and probably some other people) and once at The Vampire Clubhouse (with The Van Pelt, I think, though I was out of town that night).
ReplyDeleteStreganona was great fun. One of the guitarists, Matt, now plays in the band From Monument to Masses.
Didn't Streganona do a split 7" with Sweep? I think I remember liking that one a whole bunch.
ReplyDeleteDid Bubblegum Thunder ever play in The Bend?
Yes. Bubblegum Thunder played at our Hill Street house -- the one across from the car wash. One of the guitarists (Joseph, I think) made some really awesome lo mein for everyone before the show.
ReplyDeleteA Sweep/Streganona split sounds familiar, though if it does exist, I don't have it.
yeah, i remember spinning the sweep/streg split at WVFI. i don't have a copy either, but maybe it's still there!
ReplyDeleteactually i have a copy of that split 7", and since i'm getting ready to unload the majority of my vinyl, anyone want it?
ReplyDeletei still listen to that streganona tape from time to time (having a car with a tape player helps) and i swear it never gets old. and i have pictures from one of their shows, i'm pretty sure the one at the box but i wouldn't swear to it... (for some reason in my head it was at my old house once dave moved in, but again, memories are funny things...)
kate... the blog would happily accept your offer! if you send it this way, i can rip it and share it with the masses. hit me up on FB if you need an address for mailing.
ReplyDeletei'd love to see some streganona pics, too. can you hook us up with a scan?
i will see if scans are something i have access to, and if so, they are yours
ReplyDeleteSweep the Leg Johnny and Streganona had fun together in Chicago for a year or two. Then both bands had turnover.
ReplyDeleteRemember Lynx at the hive? They were freakin' awesome! The Grifters played at the Hill St. house too. A band that played homemade guitars and a drum set made from saw blades called Neptune played in my house in the late ninties. I still live there.
ReplyDeleteLynx was incredible. They will show up as a later "Friends of the Bend" post.
ReplyDeleteI met Neptune several years after their show at your house. Suran Song In Stage played several shows with Neptune up and down the East coast.
Wow, this made my day. I wore my Streg tape out, though it still sits in a beat up cassette carrying case in my spare room. Crazy to hear it again. I too have that Sweep split, somewhere.
ReplyDeletePaul Joyce from lynx is on facebook. He moved out of Chicago a few years ago and ended up in Boston. Dave K. plays bass in Battles.
ReplyDeleteIf you guys get really desperate for material, feel free to check out the distances (www.myspace.com/thedistances), whcih was me, Angie Tyre(Sostak) and our friend Nathan Besse.
this is my dad!!!!! :D dang he used to be cool but now he’s just a college professor who wears a lot of plaid
ReplyDelete