COLOSSUS
OF DESTINY – The Master Plan (Demolition
Derby)
Rootsy
rock and roll seems to be popping up in everybody's garage these days and
it seems to be a game most adroitly played by the old guys, more often than
not. Indeed, rock and 
roll
itself looks to be heading the same way (but that's a point of discussion
for another place and time). Given that the foregoing is even partly true,
why not call on members of two of New York City's finest bands to start your
party?
Andy Shernoff (the bassman who writes the songs for the Dictators) and Keith
Streng (guitarist with theJohn Cale comb-over and longtime member of the Fleshtones)
are probably the best-known half of The Master Plan, but that's not where
the story ends. Their co-members, Fleshtones drummer Bill Millhizer and guitarist-vocalist
Paul Johnson (Waxing Poetics), bring plenty to the table on a baker's dozen
of spirited songs.
A varied trip it is, with more than vigorous nods to the ‘50s and a couple
of more recent decades. Dashes of doo wop, a trace of surf and overwhelming
lashings of goodtime rockin' infiltrate the music of The Master Plan (more
a Master Party).
This is a musical co-op with Streng, Johnson and Shernoff singing four tunes
apiece and one, "Picketts Charge", a supercharged surf instro. "What's
Up With That" will be familiar to owners of the last ‘Tators album
but for mine this version, with its sassy sax and lighter touch, shades it.
While purists might decry the Plan's cover of The Eastern Dark's "Walking"
for quickening the tempo and tampering with the lyrics, it's the thought that
counts. (What about the concept of an The Eastern Dark tribute disc, anyone?)
Shernoff's "Find Something Beautiful" (first heard in these parts
as a demo) is a blue ribbon winner while "Annie Had a Baby" and
"Better Get Better" have the trademark Fleshtones "let's party"
swagger written all over them. "Kickin' It Old School", with its
surf bass runs, exhortation ot "Let's Get It On" and rock-solid
chugging guitars, might be a call to arms . There's no mistaking the Spectorish
influence in the girl back-up vocals on "Broken Arrow"., pre-dating
the Wall of Sound and assorted firearm offences.
It's more goodtime garage than hard-edged rock but with real guitar sparks
flying between Streng and Johnson to sate six-string fans. There might be
other bands mining the same field, but not many are growing their own as great
as this.
You might find a copy on CD but Demolition Derby has the worldwide rights
to releasing "Colossus" on vinyl. Worth making the effort to track
down the flat black plastic down because it's an appropriate format for
the tunes. – The Barman
