One of the greatest punk albums in my collection – in anyone’s collection - if they have it. Also one of the worst-sounding. In fact, it sounds like shit. But the songs are so good it doesn’t matter. When this record was recorded in 1977-78 it was produced by someone who knew absolutely nothing at all about producing a record like this. Although it didn’t matter in the end - the band’s frantic live energy was still captured in the grooves - I kind of wish they’d had someone else on the board, even if the passage of time may have vindicated its rough edges. All these years later it somehow seems fitting that it sounds the way it does. Rough and ragged – a real smack in the face that maybe wouldn’t have stung enough if it sounded more polished. Especially back then.
The real magic with Teenage Head was the live show, and I saw them in clubs a bunch of times in the 1970s and early 80s. One night, at some underground bar in Burlington, Ontario, I got really drunk and started screaming the name of a song I wanted to hear – Kissing The Carpet – one of the all time great homages to drinking too much that closes side two of this album. I was leaning on the stage and acting like a fool. I was, basically, the guy in the song. Frankie suddenly reached down and pulled me up on stage by the scruff of the neck.
“What fuckin’ song do you wanna hear?” he asked me.
“Kissing The Carpet,” I said, probably slurring the words.
He tossed me the microphone. “You sing it,” he said, “I’m taking a break.” And with that he walked off the stage and Gordie started playing the guitar intro. I stumbled through the song. I didn’t know all the words and I’m sure there were a lot of pissed off people watching.
Standout - and truly classic Canadian punk - songs on this album include the aforementioned Kissing The Carpet, Picture My Face (it was released as the band's first single) and You’re Tearing Me Apart.
I got my copy of this LP signed by the band back when it first came out. I think I was one of the only people who bothered to show up to the signing.
Frankie is 14 years gone now, but the remnants of this iconic Canadian band have adapted and still make the occasional appearance to appreciative old rockers like me. Most recently I saw them when they stopped in Stratford, Ontario, in 2019. Dave "Rave" Desroches was on vocals and he did an outstanding job. That night I told Gordie about the time Frankie made me sing in that song in Burlington.
He smiled. "That's a great story," he said. I had a beer that night with him and his wife (partner). A couple of years earlier they re-released this record with much better production (see the Bonus Track). I bought a copy and Gord signed it for me.
UPDATE: Gord Lewis was murdered a few days ago at the apartment he shared with his 41-year-old son. His son killed him. Both men had mental health issues and their relationship seems to have been a complicated one. It's a very tragic end to a gentle, gentle man. RIP Gordie! Thanks for all the music.
Just because of what this record represents and also because it was such a groundbreaking work - and despite the crappy production - this LP is …
One of the greatest punk albums in my collection – in anyone’s collection - if they have it. Also one of the worst-sounding. In fact, it sounds like shit. But the songs are so good it doesn’t matter. When this record was recorded in 1977-78 it was produced by someone who knew absolutely nothing at all about producing a record like this. Although it didn’t matter in the end - the band’s frantic live energy was still captured in the grooves - I kind of wish they’d had someone else on the board, even if the passage of time may have vindicated its rough edges. All these years later it somehow seems fitting that it sounds the way it does. Rough and ragged – a real smack in the face that maybe wouldn’t have stung enough if it sounded more polished. Especially back then.
The real magic with Teenage Head was the live show, and I saw them in clubs a bunch of times in the 1970s and early 80s. One night, at some underground bar in Burlington, Ontario, I got really drunk and started screaming the name of a song I wanted to hear – Kissing The Carpet – one of the all time great homages to drinking too much that closes side two of this album. I was leaning on the stage and acting like a fool. I was, basically, the guy in the song. Frankie suddenly reached down and pulled me up on stage by the scruff of the neck.
“What fuckin’ song do you wanna hear?” he asked me.
“Kissing The Carpet,” I said, probably slurring the words.
He tossed me the microphone. “You sing it,” he said, “I’m taking a break.” And with that he walked off the stage and Gordie started playing the guitar intro. I stumbled through the song. I didn’t know all the words and I’m sure there were a lot of pissed off people watching.
Standout - and truly classic Canadian punk - songs on this album include the aforementioned Kissing The Carpet, Picture My Face (it was released as the band's first single) and You’re Tearing Me Apart.
I got my copy of this LP signed by the band back when it first came out. I think I was one of the only people who bothered to show up to the signing.
Frankie is 14 years gone now, but the remnants of this iconic Canadian band have adapted and still make the occasional appearance to appreciative old rockers like me. Most recently I saw them when they stopped in Stratford, Ontario, in 2019. Dave "Rave" Desroches was on vocals and he did an outstanding job. That night I told Gordie about the time Frankie made me sing in that song in Burlington.
He smiled. "That's a great story," he said. I had a beer that night with him and his wife (partner). A couple of years earlier they re-released this record with much better production (see the Bonus Track). I bought a copy and Gord signed it for me.
UPDATE: Gord Lewis was murdered a few days ago at the apartment he shared with his 41-year-old son. His son killed him. Both men had mental health issues and their relationship seems to have been a complicated one. It's a very tragic end to a gentle, gentle man. RIP Gordie! Thanks for all the music.
Just because of what this record represents and also because it was such a groundbreaking work - and despite the crappy production - this LP is …
BONUS TRACK
This LP got the remix treatment and now sounds terrific. But it's almost too good. This is a band that was rough around the edges, and I'm glad to own both versions of the album. Gordie signed my remixed cover, which I think is pretty cool.
The story behind the LP's cover photo is an interesting one. According to bassist Steve Mahon, "The plan was to have us dressed the way we looked on stage, all dolled up for the front of the album, then grease our hair back, and go for a more 60s vibe on the back. When the hair stylist attempted to try and style my hair, I said 'what for,' and instead borrowed someone’s hat and tucked it all up inside, which I still do every now and then.
"We got them to put on some Gene Vincent and that helped loosen us up, that’s why those shots are so animated. The TV set sunglasses came from a cool little shop called Ontario Specialty Co. at 133 Church St., in Toronto. It was run by a hip, elderly couple, and they had this place stuffed to the rafters with nothing but novelty items like sunglasses, key tags, rabbit’s feet …you name it, they had it. When the album came out, we took them a poster of the cover, which they put up in the store. I still have those sunglasses today."
Which version of this LP will I pull off the shelf to play? I dunno. I guess it depends what mood I'm in.
This LP got the remix treatment and now sounds terrific. But it's almost too good. This is a band that was rough around the edges, and I'm glad to own both versions of the album. Gordie signed my remixed cover, which I think is pretty cool.
The story behind the LP's cover photo is an interesting one. According to bassist Steve Mahon, "The plan was to have us dressed the way we looked on stage, all dolled up for the front of the album, then grease our hair back, and go for a more 60s vibe on the back. When the hair stylist attempted to try and style my hair, I said 'what for,' and instead borrowed someone’s hat and tucked it all up inside, which I still do every now and then.
"We got them to put on some Gene Vincent and that helped loosen us up, that’s why those shots are so animated. The TV set sunglasses came from a cool little shop called Ontario Specialty Co. at 133 Church St., in Toronto. It was run by a hip, elderly couple, and they had this place stuffed to the rafters with nothing but novelty items like sunglasses, key tags, rabbit’s feet …you name it, they had it. When the album came out, we took them a poster of the cover, which they put up in the store. I still have those sunglasses today."
Which version of this LP will I pull off the shelf to play? I dunno. I guess it depends what mood I'm in.
