La Fin de La Semaine Essay Question: Special "Les Animaux Blancs" Edition (Première Partie)

So okay -- today we're going to celebrate brand new music by one of the greatest roots rock/punk/powerpop bands you might never have heard of. (Well, if you were a sentient college kid down South in the 80s, you heard of them. And also if you're a longtime reader. But let's move on.)

In any event, I refer to the aforementioned up top (aux francais) White Animals (seen here today).

And who were/are those guys, you ask?

Here's a short version, adapted from a post I did about them here back in 2000.

The White Animals are the great lost American rock band of the 80s -- a ferocious live act (any band that shared a stage with them did so at their peril) and true musical visionaries whose ahead of its time mix of 60s garage-punk energy, British Invasion song structures, and dub reggae soundscapes by way of Lee Perry still sounds utterly fresh and contemporary.

I first met these guys -- who basically ruled the alt-rock/frat party scene down South in their heyday -- in the late 70s while interviewing the redoubtable Marshall Chapman (scroll down to page 86 after clicking on the link HERE). Years later, The Floor Models had the great pleasure of opening for them on one of the Animals infrequent trips to NYC. I should add -- as I suggested in the blurb -- that they blew us off the stage. In the nicest and most supportive way possible.

Oh, and here's a video -- from Nashville TV in 1982 -- that just slays me and should give you an idea of their total coolness.

But let us return to the present. When I am delighted to report that these guys -- who among other things, were the first indie band to get a video on MTV, which was an amazing accomplishment -- have reunited and just released a new album...

...that's an instant classic in what we refer to as the rock-and-roll field.

I'm gonna leave you with that teaser, and trust me -- you'll thank me.

But in other words, we will continue our tribute to the WA's on Monday, when I will be singing their praises in more detail and sharing some of their brilliant new songs with you guys.

But in the meantime, on to the weekend's thematically pertinent business.

To wit:

...and your favorite post-Elvis pop/rock/soul/folk song or band whose lyrics or name reference some sort of animal -- mammal, reptile, insect, whatever -- is...???

No arbitrary rules whatsoever.

And...discuss.

Oh, and in case you were wondering -- and most long-time readers will have already guessed -- here's my favorite.

Heh.

Okay, like I said, Part Deux of my WA's encomium will appear on Monday.

Meanwhile -- have a great holiday weekend, everybody!!!