Why are you looking at me weird? What, so you think Cassette Gods is
for the underdog, for the burgeoning musician or band who can only afford a
limited tape run for their output? Well get bent, you stooge! Because if
someone has the audacity to do a PHISH post on
this page, I’m going to go super mainstream on you. That’s right, this is Porno
for Pyros’ Good God’s Urge, released
in 1996 on super-ultra-mega-uber label Warner Bros. They own pretty much
everything, and they manufacture
weapons (well, if the back cover of Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s Yanqui U.X.O. is to be believed, and
who’s to say it’s not?). So strap in, and enjoy, because I paid money for this
in high school, and I may have contributed to some Tony Stark–like weapons
research in the process.
Perry Farrell’s excellent post–Jane’s Addiction act (yes, I said
“excellent,” mofos!) wowed us (yes, I said “wowed us,” jagweeds!) with their
nifty self-titled debut in the throes of 1993, not all that long after Jane’s
called it quits for good(ish). Sure, Porno
for Pyros was a fun one (“Pets”!), but Good
God’s Urge was the weird hedonistic tropical head trip that we really
wanted. Wasn’t it? Normally, when bands decamp to places like Tahiti for
inspiration, you can pretty much write off the results. But not PFP – from the
bubbly first strains of “Porpoise Head” you know they’ve done much more with
their time on island than drink mai tais and tan themselves. Listen to the
singles, for god’s urge … I mean, god’s sake! “100 Ways”? Song ends
brilliantly, rhythms break down and vocals soar. “Tahitian Moon” is like the
best thing they’ve ever done. And “dogs rule the night” is an amazing high
point.
The whole thing is nuanced and highly enjoyable, even almost twenty
years on. And here’s a fun fact – Mike Watt played bass on some of the record!
So did David J of Bauhaus/Love and Rockets. So did … Flea. (Guh.) I guess
original bassist Martin LeNoble was too busy working with Scott Weiland to do
the whole record. Or being married to Christina Applegate. (Another fun fact –
I attended a festival where Scott Weiland did his solo thing, and LeNoble
played bass in the band. It was the closest I’ve ever gotten to seeing Porno
for Pyros. And it figures: worst member, worst musical configuration possible.)
Man, this was fun reliving Good
God’s Urge – I seriously haven’t listened to it in ages, and I’m really
glad I did. If you have a similar proclivity, fire up that tape deck, or
whatever you have. (It was released in formats other than cassette, of course.
Warner Bros. needs all the money it can get!) I also have to mention – look at
that image up there! There’s a Wall sticker on the tape! A Wall sticker!
--Ryan Masteller
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