The Deep End (1981/2001)
It Must Have Been The Heat
It’s hard to believe this “deluxe” reissue of The Swimming Pool Q’s first album is over a decade old (and the original over 30). I still religiously pull this out 3 or 4 times a year for a listen, though… it’s hard to imagine what a newcomer might think these days. In SPQ’s early years, the late 70s/early 80s, they were a southern cult institution. Not big by any stretch, but their fan base was loyal to the Pool Rules and their live shows in dive clubs throughout Florida and Georgia were a hoot. There’s a seasoned blend in the music, made up of smirking blues punk, new wave jitters and a world view to make you laugh out loud. As I’ve mentioned before (Firing Squad For God), their energy and imagery can be pure theater, while vocalist/leader Jeff Calder has knack for leaving mundane thoughts behind in your psyche (“I’ve got a Stingray, made out of fiberglass”). Give a listen to the LP version of their first 45, “Rat Bait” (I still have the Chlorinated Records 45), and the uber-weird blues of “Stick In My Hand,” to get a sense of what a small gathering of drunken southerners have embraced for decades. This reissue is twice the original LP. I’d recommend getting it at Amazon, but it’s going for big bucks these days.
Little Misfit (4:24)
Big Fat Tractor (3:16)
Stick In My Hand (5:54)
The A-Bomb Woke Me Up (3:03)
Rat Bait (2:36)
Restless Youth (2:53)
Stock Car Sin (3:16)
Walk Like A Chicken (2:05)
Black Bug (2:55)
Overheated (3:11)
I Like To Take Orders From You (2:45)
BONUS TRACKS
Model Trains (Are Better Than Rock & Roll) (3:41)
Tussle (I Wear Glasses) (3:59)
Stingray (4:01)
White Collar Drifter (2:42)
Home-In (3:59)
Working In The Nut Plant (4:51)
Walk Like A Chicken (2:20)
Going Through The Motions (3:32)
Short Stuff (4:13)
1789 (2:22)
Building With A Clock On Top (4:00)
I’m A Q (2:53)
19 Comments
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Great album by a terrific band that I was lucky to see live several times over the years. They also appear in the bar scene in Frank Henenlotter’s Brain Damage.
Cool… didn’t know that, thanks.
Rat Bait says I need to acquire. Thanks.
Might’ve been good if they had a drummer who could actually keep a tight steady beat!
Jeez that’s some lousy amateurish drumming–judging by the two sample tracks.
The first indie recordings of a bunch of unknowns. Hal Blaine must have been busy.
Our local heroes, Jim Bob and the Leisure Suits, had it all over ‘em for technique, but with the city of Atlanta and the mighty Album 88.5 backing them, it was only a matter of time before the Qs would conquer the South…
Thanx for the post!
Anonymous probably didn’t like the drummer in NRBQ either.
Never heard of this band before in my life until today. What a hoot!
Thanks for sharing this – I’m anxious for my next long car ride so I can crank this up!
Regards, Dave.
Cool. Check out that vinyl EP link, too… The Firing Squad For God.
It’s all coming back, I had either the one with the big Q or the horses on the front. The cassette dub is probably still in basement purgatory.
The A&M Years. Yeah… their stuff was kind of spotty at that time, and you can tell they were wrestling with commerciality, being on a major label. There are a few cool tracks on those two, but by and large not their most focused work.
Very cool. I’ve met the guitarist Bob though I’ve never seen them play. Can’t wait to hear this.
To Courtney,
Jim Bob and The Leisure Suits, eh? Five or so years ago a music loving friend tipped me to those pre-Primitons. God, I love the Primitons!
Do any of you have any Sugar La-Las? This friend shared a couple of tracks and I thought they were really good.
Any update on Mots?
Thanks,
Ace K.
Thank you so much,never heard of this band and now I can’t stop listening.Hard to believe they never made it outside of the south.
Thanks. These guys rule hard.
Willard
I’m searching for is Blue Tomorrow I noticed this and The Firing Squad For God , but not Blue Tomorrow. The only copy I can find, the quality sucks royally. Any assistance in this matter would greatly appreciated. SUPERB blog, Adain tanx a lot.
Later
FlashG
Don’t have Blue Tomorrow, sorry.
Tanx anyway.
FlashG