Painted WIllie-Mind Bowling

DC-Jam
2009

This is a re-issue of an album that originally came out on SST records back in 1985. I know of and heard several artists on SST back in the 1980's but these were not among those. Never heard of them until this re-issue came out. After hearing it I can safely it's certainly not essential listening and it's rocky in place, but it's not without some definite merits. I think I was expecting mid-80's punk rock just based on the label this was originally released on, but that's not what this is. There is certainly basic punk beats and attitude, but the structure is very loose and various jams pop up here and there. That helps to keep matters interesting even it doesn't make the ending results turn out completely smooth. I would make the assumption that this trio liked some 1970's hard rock/metal almost as much as they liked early 1980's punk rock. What comes out of this approach is metal-laced punk rock with a rough played out the basement style. I don't think they completely flesh out all of the ideas that they start. However looking back with what we know today I think they were on to something that would come later as there is enough here that shows traces similar to the style of some stoner rock acts from say the last ten or so years. So Painted Wilie's fourteen year old offering is not without some flaws, but it's certainly an item of interest.