Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Who doesn't want to be a Flinstone?



The Screaming Blue Messiahs - Bikini Red

I was introduced to this album when it came out by a friend in school. The first song I heard was, "I Wanna Be A Flinstone", which immediately became my favourite song. I bought the tape and that was how I listened to the album. It wasn't until years later that I finally picked up the vinyl and it has since become a frequent spin at home. Not just the Flinstone track, but songs like the title track, "Jesus Chrysler Drives A Dodge", "Lie Detector", "All Shook Down" and my favourite, the opening song, "Sweet Water Pools". 

They sound like the Clash meets the Violent Femmes, British punk energy with smart, tongue in cheek songs. The best example being, "I Can Speak American", especially considering the band is British. Plus, Bill Carter is unlike any singer/guitar player you've ever seen. He's bald, he's a maniac and doesn't play his guitar so much, more like he flicks it around.

The band actually made an appearance on Top Of The Pops and opened for David Bowie on a couple of dates on the Glass Spider tour in 1987. But, they never really caught on and broke up in 1990. 

The album is a little hard to find now, but definitely worth picking up if you ever come across it in the bargain bin. Check out this TV performance from 1987 and dig the suit!