Jon Spencer

I think most people would agree that Spencer's music has gone a little down hill in recent years.  The last couple of Blues Explosion records have been so-so and Heavy Trash doesn't really do much for me.  There was a time before every song started with a "Ladies and Gentleman..."  There was once a time when he performed songs with such classic titles as "Die Bitch" and "Cunt Tease."  Here are a couple of his older releases back when having a "Fuck You" attitude was more important than having perfectly sculpted hair.

Pussy Galore - Historia De La Musica Rock (1990)

This was Pussy Galore's last album and probably the most overlooked.  It's a stripped down line-up of just Spencer, Haggerty and Bert.  It's the one PG record that wasn't reissued by Matador Records and has been long out of print.  I wouldn't say this is their best album but I think it represents kind of a transition from the old Spencer to the new.  This one has got more of a laid-back rock & roll groove to it compared to their harsher early albums.  You can really see Blues Explosion and Royal Trux right around the corner after this one.

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Boss Hog - Action Box (1991)

Action Box was a double 7" that at one time was fetching $100+ for record collectors.  Although I think I saw it at Amoeba Music in Hollywood for more like $20 now if anyone wants to dig for it.  Action Box is Boss Hog in their prime in my opinion.  It's a little more focused with a much cleaner production than the previous album Cold Hands but still a little edgier and raunchy than later albums.  With Black Throat as an ode to Tracy Lords as a prime example, which also features guest vocals by J.G. Thrilwell (Foetus).  There is some good news for Boss Hog fans with the news that they are reuniting for the upcoming All Tomorrows Parties.  Not sure if this is a one time deal or not. 

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Honeymoon Killers - Hung Far Low (1991)

So Spencer was more of a day-player on this record.  It's always been Jerry Teel's band.  What's significant about Spencers stint with Honeymoon Killers is that the birth of Blues Explosion kind of developed out of it.  With Russell Simins on drums and Judah Bauer also being a contributor of the band.

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The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Jukebox Explosion Rockin' Mid-90s Punkers! (2007)

In The Red Records would periodically put out jukebox singles for JSBX back in the 90's.  They even had the little paper labels with the song titles that would be used in old fashioned jukeboxes included with the 7"s.  This is a compilation of them all.  I actually think it's better than most of their proper LP's.  These songs are a lot more raw and not so over produced.

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