This is a thread to talk about the Swamp Zombies

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Because not many people know about 'em. Local characters around Orange County who were something of an acquired taste for some and pretty much only recorded for small area labels (most notably the underrated Dr. Dream), but in their own way they were the John the Baptists to the whole lounge/exotica/etc. revival of the mid-nineties. (No heads were cut off.) Recorded a few albums that were a bit dorky in corners but just as often had winners in an off-center way -- call them maybe a more populist Coctails if you like, with vocals and a 'try everything once' approach that makes me think of the Kingston Trio in their prime (I give you "I Bawled" as an example of fake calypso perfection). Fave album would be 1992's A Frenzy of Music and Action! thanks to "Unemployed," a fuzz guitar shimmy ode to the joys of reading up on serial killers when in such a jobless state. Also, their guitarist Josh Agle was and is the king of neo-lounge revival art, Shag. So anyone else ever pay attention to them?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't know them, but the Sewer Zombies (Florida, mid '80s, sounded kinda like Chrome) were great! (Better than White Zombie! Maybe even better than the Zombies, or "Zombi" by Fela Kuti! Okay maybe not, but still.)

― xhuxk, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Heheh. Well Chuck, you're a Kingston Trio fan, you might (I will emphasize MIGHT) like these dudes, not sure though. Are you going to be able to come to the FAP on Friday or Saturday? Could burn ya a copy and bring it.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Fixtures in downtown Laguna Beach during the summer art festival season. Gawd, I've probably seen them a couple dozen times. On rare occasion they would get serious and stray off into Beat Happening/Ween territories but their tongues were too far in cheek to really do anything more than be moderately clever, snotty, and smug.

Cool cover of "Purple Haze" though.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I would go with Chicken Vulture Crow as the album to start with.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Er...maybe! I am going through a brutal anti-Siberia phase these days, but who knows? Maybe I will motivate myself to swing by. (But be forewarned, I have always despised both Ween and Beat Happening!)

― xhuxk, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 17:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Hehehe. Noted; I think whatever happens on Saturday won't be at Siberia once dinner is over. (And Elvis's judgment is a good counterbalance. I don't actively love these dudes but I like this one album well enough.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 18:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Did they cover a Monkees tune?

― zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a Dr. Dream Records sticker on my water bottle at work. And I played the Swamp Zombies doing the "Heatmiser" song on my Christmas radio show this year.

― Joe Blower (Mr Deeds), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 04:51 (twenty-one years ago)

"Creeps" was a minor radio hit in australia. i have the 45 on green vinyl sitting around somewhere. funny video, too

― shine headlights on me (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 05:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I dug up their "Scratch and Sniff Car Crash" CD today, inspired by this thread. Some good moments ('Creeps') but many not good (whiny vocals, whiny slide guitar, purposely annoying production.) They did think to cover 'Gin and Juice' before The Gourds did, though.

― Daniel Peterson (polkaholic), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Erm, well, I guess I should listen/read credits before posting. SZ's covered 'Fight The Power.'

― Daniel Peterson (polkaholic), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 20:52 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

My uncle is actually
Travis Agle, so I saw them a bunch at the sawdust fesitvial

― Chris Mcgnar, Tuesday, 25 April 2006 23:34 (twenty years ago)

Heheh. So what did you think of 'em?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 25 April 2006 23:54 (twenty years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.