Monday, October 18, 2010

Monday Conspiracy Theory

From 1982, it's Greenwich Village's finest, The Floor Models, and the opening four songs -- three originals and their blistering cover of The Records' "Hearts in Her Eyes" -- from an evening's performance at JPs, a low dive on Manhattan's Upper East Side (now defunct). Some guy whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels is on bass and sings lead on the third song.



Is it a coincidence that this video suddenly appeared on YouTube in the exact same week that The Rolling Stones' 1973 Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones finally showed up on DVD?

I think not!!!

[h/t FD13NYC]

19 comments:

Faze said...

I too played the short-lived JPs coupla times. (As well as most of the other 80s clubs the Floor Models apparently appeared at.) Only my band sucked. What's that first number?

steve simels said...

It's called "Wheel Comes Around."

What was the name of your band? Is it possible our paths crossed back in the day?

steve simels said...

BTW, I should add that the former JPs, with very few changes, is these days a place called American Trash.

A biker bar on the Upper East Side. Conceptually interesting, I think.

In any case, their happy hour motto is -- "Come Trash Our Place, Not Yours!"

Faze said...

I'd hate to mention the band name, because I'm still friends with my old compadres, and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But I personally would have crapped in my pants if I'd walked into any of these places and heard the Floor Models. You are as aware as anyone how preciously rare the pop sensibility was among bands in those clubs. You'd find yourself on the bill with the most appalling noisemakers.

Michael said...

Steve,
This is really nice. Who's the singer? Sounds distinctively southern.

steve simels said...

Singer's name is Gerry Devine. From Delaware, actually.

In a slightly different incarnation, we made an album in the 90s that you can still get at Amazon, and which I'm rather proud of.
http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Lane-Gerry-Devine-Beams/dp/B00000200H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287403742&sr=1-1

NYMary said...

Hey! I have that Gerry Devine record!

Of course, I also have Gender Chameleons.

steve simels said...

Well -- thank god you don't have my unreleased solo album -- A Man and His Mucous.

Anonymous said...

That third track with the bass player on lead vocals is most excellent!

But seriously now: A Man and His Mucous?

AP

Anonymous said...

I also recommend parts 2 and 3 of this set, also on YouTube, and also compliment the great sound and transfer quality of these videos.

AP

Wendy said...

I prefer your version of "Hearts in her Eyes" to the original, and to the Searchers' version.

TMink said...

Really nice. You have a fine voice, and you get the nonchalant delivery perfectly. Thanks for sharing this! Nice birds quote by the guitar there too. Did you write this one?

Trey

steve simels said...

You noticed the Byrds quote! My work here is done!!!
:-)

The song I'm singing is by the 12-string player on the left, my good pal Andy "Folk Rock" Pasternack.

As is song number two. Opening tune is by the singer....

Jai Guru Dave said...

Great stuff!!! How did you get such killer sound? It couldn't have just been one mike, could it? The guitars, drums, and vocals sound perfectly balanced. I had trouble hearing the bass, but that may be this little computer speaker. You guys were tight!

steves said...

Nice job fellas! And AP is right; the sound quality is amazingly good.

Anonymous said...

The sound came off the soundboard by direct feed. Sorry for the shitty videography, I must of been stoned or Simels (sorry - Sleeve Nimels) got me drunk before the set began.

ROTP(lumber)

Sal Nunziato said...

This is great stuff. Very nice cover.

I think FD13NYC will concur that one of the single worst gigs we played as Pep In The Cat, was on that very stage. July 4th weekend. More people on stage than in the audience. (Even if we were a duo.)

Anonymous said...

ROTP (lumber):

The incredible sound more than compensates for (obliterates, even) any concerns about the videography. Besides, the air gets thin so far above 14th Street. I'm sure that was a factor!

AP

TMink said...

I was putting a couple of Rhino compilations on the iPod last night and was struck by how much vocal style can shift the genre of the tune. For me, a lot of the difference between what I consider power pop and what I consider new wave has to do with some quirkiness in the arrangement and the vocal delivery. New wave has an insouciant quality while power pop often has a straighter, more earnest delivery.

I really dig that tossed off quality in your vocal delivery. I know you cultivated it, but it is delivered so naturally.

Bravo to all concerned!

Trey