DMZ

There were some strange mismatches between punk bands and producers in the late 70's. Sometimes record companies assigned a "name" artist to a young band, maybe to drum up record sales or to do some creative accounting. Some of these "big names" knew how to produce records, and some didn't. 

Nick Mason was allegedly chosen to produce The Damned's ill-fated Music For Pleasure after the band couldn't get Syd Barrett. Sandy Pearlman was probably supposed to make The Clash sound radio-friendly. Same with the Dead Boys and Felix Pappalardi. 

The members of Generation X were Ian Hunter fans, but there wasn't much Ian could do about the overwrought songwriting on Valley Of The Dolls. Mick Ronson's production of the Rich Kids album disappointed fans and critics, which is why my Rich Kids comp is heavy on demos, Peel Sessions, and live tracks. 

One of the biggest "WTF?" pairings of the early punk years was Flo & Eddie producing DMZ's 1978 debut album. It's not like there was a potential audience for DMZ among Turtles and Zappa fans (or vice versa). I don't think F&E did a terrible job, but Mono Man hates the album, and it sounds like late 70's hard rock recorded by dudes in leisure suits with coke spoon necklaces. 

Stinky assembled a set of live tracks and demos that capture DMZ's primal energy and the 60's garage rock vibe that they loved. If you dig this one, don't miss the stellar Peter Greenberg career overview that Stinky put together last year!

The Best Of Peter Greenberg

Holy smokes, folks! This is a scorching selection from Stinky, a career-spanning compendium of classics by undersung guitar genius Peter Greenberg. This blog has trafficked in hyperbole now and again, but The Best Of Peter Greenberg is truly a ferocious florilegium of frenzied fretwork.

Boston garage punks DMZ debuted in 1976, with Peter Greenberg and JJ Rasler on guitars, and Jeff Conolly on vocals and keyboards. Bomp released a DMZ EP in 1977.  Months after DMZ’s self-titled 1978 LP, Greenberg quit, moved back to Cincinnati and formed The Customs (who were once labeled “the loudest, drunkest, most obnoxious rock & roll band in the city.")

Greenberg returned to Boston in 1980, and soon joined Jeff Connoly’s new band, The Lyres. With Mike Lewis (DMZ bassist) and Howie Ferguson from the Real Kids on drums, The Lyres recorded an EP (AHS 1005) and the immortal  “Help You Ann” single (both on Ace Of Hearts Records).  Greenberg, Lewis and Ferguson quit The Lyres at the end of 1981. 

In 1982, Greenberg and bassist Phil Lenker formed The Savages (with Ferguson on drums and sax player Steve LaGrega). Boston local Barry White was recommended as a singer, and was rechristened Barrence Whitfield.

Greenberg left the music business in 1986 (after two albums with Barrence Whitfield And The Savages).  He earned a graduate degree, got married, and raised two sons.

Two decades later, Peter Greenberg was enticed into playing reunion shows with The Customs and The Lyres. Greenberg, Lenker and Barrence Whitfield reunited The Savages in 2010.  They recruited drummer Andrew Jody (from Cincinnati band The Long Gones) and Tom Quartulli on sax. The reunited Barrence Whitfield And The Savages have released four albums since then.  

The Best Of Peter Greenberg includes songs recorded with DMZ, The Customs, The Lyres, and The Savages. It begins with “Long Gone” (The Customs’ ode to leaving Cincinnati), and ends with Greenberg back in CinCity, sitting in with The Long Gones. Thirty tunes were lovingly selected by Stinky.

For further listening, Mythkoz has you covered with more Customs, Surfadelic has plenty of DMZ and Lyres, and there's a whole lotta Barrence on Bandcamp.