If you spend enough time in the record business, you're bound to come across some eccentric pieces of music. That's proven true for Wax Trax Records co-owners Dave Stidman and Duane Davis over the past 40 years.
Stidman and Davis selected four of the strangest records (radio-friendly strange, at least) they've encountered.
Allen Ginsberg and the Gluons — "Birdbrain"
Yes, Allen Ginsberg, as in the poet. The "Howl" and "America" writer was teaching at Naropa University in Boulder when he connected with the Denver punk band, the Gluons. Even though Ginsberg wasn't much of a singer, they collaborated on this song in 1981. The track is significant to Wax Trax because the shop helped put the record out, even if it never sold gangbusters.
Roky Erickson and Blieb Alien — "Red Temple Prayer (Two Headed Dog)"
Roky Erickson was a psychedelic rock pioneer with the band, The 13th Floor Elevators. But after a court-ordered stay in a psychiatric hospital, Erickson turned to a weirder sound, well-represented in "Two Headed Dog." The song is inspired by Soviet organ transplant experiments. (Tip: Don't Google it.)
Klaus Nomi — "Lightning Strikes"
Klaus Nomi was maybe a better aesthete than a musician. The German-born artist sang back-up for David Bowie on SNL, and was clearly inspired by the singer's Ziggy Stardust era. Nomi made his name re-recording classics in an over-the-top opera-style, including "Lightning Strikes."
Legendary Stardust Cowboy — "Paralyzed"
Stidman is actually fond of "Paralyzed," but acknowledges that playing it may be the ultimate way to clear a room fast. And on that note, we leave you with the musical yelpings of Legendary Stardust Cowboy.
