Terror Has Some Strange Kinsfolk

Is the title of one of his numerous recordings, it has that mixture of weird biblical voodoo southern gumbo mystic that may be the only way to describe Eugene Chadbourne’s music. The good Dr. Chadbourne first came to attention as a member of Shockabilly, a New York trio that included avant- noise producer Kramer. They played a bizarre mutant mixture of folk, space rock, jazz and pre grunge thrash. Listen to their cover of Cash’s Tennessee Flat Top Box and see what a Martian’s view of country music might sound like.

Chadbourne went on to release a series of solo albums and collaborations with the likes of The Violent Femmes and Camper Van Beethoven. With a sly wit, political jabs and an obvious knowledge and love of old time American music his is an acquired taste but well worth persevering with. The official albums vary wildly, side long covers of Tim Buckley songs, nasty blues with Evan John and reworkings of old timey stuff such as of Spike Jones pisstake on the Nazis. In addition Chadbourne has produced numerous live recordings of improvisation, often accompanied by the late Jimmy Carl Black from Zappa’s Mothers.

Apart from being able to apparently whip up a fresh and topical version of Country Joe’s Fixin’ To Die to suit whichever war America is currently waging Chadbourne invented the electric rake, an amplified garden tool which he uses to terrorise lazy daytime TV chat hosts. His version of the Billy Ray Cyrus stomp that was Achy Breaky Heart” (accompanied by Evan Johns) is transformed by his unique use of the electric rake. A unique individual and a bit of a treasure.