Once THE NIGHTS AND DAYS had broken up in the late 80s, word started filtering out of Seattle that Rob Vasquez had quickly put together a new, like-minded band called THE NIGHT KINGS, dedicated to raw, mono-fied, transistor-burst garage punk. When evidence finally surfaced in 1990 that confirmed said rumors, there was dancing in the hovels and houses of dozens record dorks countrywide, mine included. Salvo #1 was a sole track on a four-song compilation EP on Estrus Records called “TALES FROM ESTRUS”. The comp actually led off with THE NIGHT KINGS’ “Dirty Work”, and it was a glorious thing. Ninety seconds of crunch that brings forth Link Wray’s pencil-poked amps as played through by a ham-handed SONICS. And that voice – man, what a howler. Vasquez was back.Salvo #2, maybe half a year later, was a split single with a short-lived (mercifully) Seattle band called YUMMY. The Night Kings’ side was called “Bugweed”, and it practically blew the grooves off the vinyl. Loud, overloaded, garage scorch with no precedent and no antecedent – something pure & unique and totally wild. I’m posting both tracks for you today. Soon the Night Kings would release an In The Red 45, a Sub Pop 45, some comp stuff and a full-blown LP. Here’s what they started blowing minds.
Play or Download THE NIGHT KINGS – “Dirty Work” (from 1990 “Tales From Estrus” 7”EP compilation)
Play or Download THE NIGHT KINGS – “Bugweed” (from 1991 split 45 with YUMMY)
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2 comments:
For a time, "Bug Weed" was my favorite song, and I don't smoke herb. Rob's vocals steer from his usual acidic sneer to nearly slobbering dementia.
Verily it is written, in 20 years, when The Night Kings enjoy their rightful place among the Gories, Oblivians, and the Mummies of the era, Jay will already be riding shotgun on the Night Kings bandwagon.
Someday I'm going to have to get Rob to decipher the lyrics to "Bugweed"... I think I've got about 2/3 of them, but it's beyond speculation as to the rest.
And same with "Bugweed"s thematic cousin, "Black Fluid": another amazing song about a transformative substance, and one whose lyrics I would love to understand...every now and again I'll discern a new word, but in 15 years I'm still straining with the headphones...
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