Wednesday, September 07, 2016

The Way We Were

From somewhere in Rockland County, approximately 30 years ago, please enjoy ace roots-rockers The Roues Brothers -- tolerating, out of the great goodness of their hearts, a special guest asshole whose name rhymes with Sleeve Nimels -- and a pretty damn funny version of Van Morrison's immortal "Gloria."



That Nimels guy was pretty skinny. And had so much hair he didn't need a beret. Wow.

But seriously, folks, the Roues Bros. are an amazing band, as you can see, and they're still at it -- you can read more about them HERE. But for those of you who remember those fabulous 80s, they used to do business as The Broadcasters. a group who made an album for Enigma, produced by no less a worthy than Wayne Kramer of the MC5, that is one of the great lost masterpieces of its decade. If you can find a copy, pounce.




I bring all that up because, if you listen carefully, guitarist Billy Roues breaks into the opening riff of "Down in the Trenches" toward the end of the live video. Too bad I didn't let them do the entire song, and all these years later I apologize profusely.

I should also add that I wouldn't have had the stones to front a band doing "Gloria" if it hadn't been for my old college pal Eric C. Boardman. Thanks Eric.



9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello all...no, please remain seated,

Hmmm...was it the Red Rail in Nanuet? Maybe Nyack. In any case, Gloria is one of the great bar songs of all time.

Rockland County just put up a plaque on Route 303 memorializing 914 Studios in Blauvelt. The building is now a car wash. 914 was where (as I understand it) Springsteen recorded much of Greetings, all of The Wild, and the song Born To Run. Then Jon Landau came on board. Puzzlingly, the plaque honoring a studio where Springsteen, Janis Ian and The Ramones cut tracks is illustrated with a Gibson SG. Maybe that's what Janis used to cut loose after the tape stopped rolling.

Regards,
RichD

Anonymous said...

The video was shot and the band performed at The Hotel Carlough located on the grounds of The Apple Ridge Country Club in Upper Saddle River, NJ.

The evening was a night of rock & roll madness and excellence. Simels goofing on The Doors is one of the funniest moments ever! If you haven't watched this do so, pure R&R fun.

Captain Al

Anonymous said...

Rich D., were you at the 914 ceremony? It was a nice tribute.

Captain Al

Anonymous said...

Hello all...no, please remain seated,

Hi Captain Al....no, I did not attend. I don't live too far from there but I didn't even know about it till I saw something on Facebook. I do know one of the folks who performed: Killer Joe.

Regards,
RichD

BG in Q said...

Simels goofing on The Doors is one of the funniest moments ever!

Yes --- the theatrics, story-telling and riffing are a riot. He is an entertaining lad. :-)

buzzbabyjesus said...

Cool! Fun! Thanks!

Mark said...

And I think I was the guy that purchased 13 GHOSTS upon a review in that magazine Stereo Review 20 or so years ago. On Enigma, a label that I recall releasing music from largely top-notch artists.

Anonymous said...

RichD: The ceremony was very cool. The music not so much due to the poor sound, the heat & overcrowding.

BG in Q: He is good for a laugh now and then. Film at 11.

Mark & anyone else: If your interested, I play music by one of the many combinations featuring The Roues Brothers (Broadcasters, Finn & The Sharks, Roues Brothers, Big Jim Wheeler & Wheels of Fire, Lisa Best Bluescasters) almost ever week on my show, so if you wish too hear more of them (including many rarities and live recordings) listen to the show.

Captain Al (Lost at Sea on Area24Radio.com) Simels should be co-hosting on Tues. 9/20.

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