Atkinson and Martin, the bassist and guitarist behind experimental rock group Kinski, muse on what inspires them.
My friends and I sit around and listen to music a lot. Really, A LOT. We’re not really doing much else, except listening and talking about music. Some of us have a side project called Liverburst. A couple of our best rehearsals have consisted of just drinking and listening. We wish we had more interests, exercised more, varied our activities, but, besides playing music, this is really all we want to do. Most of the time we listen to older music, although most of it is new to us … because it’s just better and that’s all there is to it. Once in a while, a friend who works in a record store will bring over loads of new indie music. But usually we resist.
Chris always acts as DJ and plays the music. So here’s what went on one recent night.
Los Dug Dug’s: Psychedelic guitar rock from Mexico in the ’70s: double kick drum, flute, long hair. Everyone should hear it.
Groundhogs: ’70s boogie rock from Britain that really grows on you.
Buffalo: Sabbath from Down Under. Stupid heavy stoner rock that really does rock.
The Osmonds: “Crazy Horses,” the title track, was the perfect accompaniment to the Fourth of July city fireworks display. No one can believe they’re any good, but just listen to this album.
The Archies: Studio guys playing impeccably with great songs and amazing vocals. It is truly great pop music that everyone overlooks.
Kebnekajse: A ’70s psych band from Sweden with super-heavy guitar riffs, except that sometimes they sing like chipmunks.
Trad Gras och Stenar: What I wanted the Grateful Dead to sound like. Great laid-back ’70s Swedish freedom vibe. It’s been a thrill to become pals with them.
Neil Young: Shows all of us we can grow old and rock. You don’t have to quit music at 30 like all the scenester/hipster people do.
Teenage Fanclub: Putting on Teenage Fanclub (the greatest pop band of all time, says Chris) always seems to make people realize what time it is and want to go home. Bringing out the Maker’s Mark seems to make people want to stay longer.
Flower Traveling Band: “Satori” – the rock record you always knew existed but could never find. Cruising at night, flipping the car and driving on. This album has amazing recording and production, amazing playing. Everyone should listen to this.
Lightning Bolt: Awesome display of powerful drumming and distorted rhythmic guitar.
Ash Ra Tempel: Thirty-minute jams that are never redundant and always move forward.
Mission of Burma: Legends that reunited and didn’t miss a beat. They rock as hard now as they ever did.
The Ramones: Everyone knows and loves them, but when you sit down and listen to the records in order, their brilliance shines through.
Terry Riley: Meditative, relaxing, spiritual and life-affirming. He is still ahead of his time.
Nels Cline Trio: Greatest living guitar player.
The Zombies: “Odyssey and Oracle” is the ’60s pop masterpiece. It should always be mentioned in conjunction with “Sgt. Pepper” and “Pet Sounds.”
