Tuesday 5 August 2014

The B-52's - Rock Lobster

I know some people are thinking, why has he posted this? It being such a famous single from such a famous band, and of course everyone will have this, won't they?

After all these years of owning this records, I read a posting on The Post Punk Progressive Party (follow the link to see posting) saying that both sides of this single were rerecorded for their album. I dug my copy out and sure enough they were, and even better I think these versions surpass the ones on the album (even though the tracks on the album are still excellent).

This version of 'Rock Lobster' sounds more raw and less polished than the album version, it sounds like someone is beating a tin, in this version and I love it. It's still got the brilliant ending with the Kate and Cindy making all the weird noises as Fred shouts out "there goes a Dog Fish, Chased by a Cat Fish". Brilliant stuff. The b-side 52 girls is again another more raw sounding song, so if you love the B-52's you will also love these versions.

It's interesting now looking at the back cover, where you can see the beehive haircuts weren't in place yet, but not long after this they created the looks to go with the B-52's sound.

Band: The B-52's
Label: BMI Boo-Fant Tunes
Year: 1978
Tracks:
1. Rock Lobster
2. 52 Girls

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


If you like this then I can't believe you haven't got this, but if you haven't go and get it now, it also has the excellent 'Planet Claire', only a £5 bargain:
B-52's
B-52's

and one other brilliant album, their second album, you have to get even if its just for 'Give Me Back My Man':
Wild Planet
Wild Planet

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can tire of listening to classics like this. Their new album is surprising great as well. Sounds just the the b52's and you can't get higher praise than that.

My had the re-issued version of this one with Planet Claire onn the B Side but never owned this one so cheers again,your a star man.


Longy

John Spithead said...

I've got the 7" (unusually for me, I can't remember where I got it, though) with the same yellow background picture as the LP. A bit of investigation is due, methinks. I've also got the Fred Schneider & the Shake Society CD which came out in the late 80's which I'm thinking of uploading soon - the track, Monster, is an absolute gem and sounds just like the B52's at their best.

pk said...

great blog: I have this single too, and am very grateful for the download link for Iggy Pop's Jacket, which I have too, as a single, but wanted to do a post on, without a lot of farting around. Keep it up: it's grand!

Anonymous said...

Agreed agreed
The single versions of these songs are much better than the LP versions!

Punkzer0 said...

Cheers Longy, I must admit I gave up on the B-52's after I bought whammy and wasn't to keen. But if you say the new one is good I will check it out.

Punkzer0 said...

John your teasing now, I'm waiting for the Fred Schneider stuff now. didn't know about that one

Punkzer0 said...

ha ha aha thanks Mrs Slocombe, what a great name, love it.

Punkzer0 said...

Hey Silent 3, its good to see so many people with good taste

John Spithead said...

Hi Gary, Fred Schneider is now available here:

http://ballisticwax.blogspot.com/2008/05/its-too-hot-to-think-of-snappy-title.html

Let me know what you think.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this!

Punkzer0 said...

Thanks for the comment Coq Lobster, glad you enjoyed it.

SirMorris said...

I lost my copy of this in a fire in 1989. Listening to it again has given me goose-bumps in places I never even knew I had.

T*H*A*N*K*S!!!

Punkzer0 said...

Glad to help Sir Morris, still can't work out why this superior version has never been rereleased

James Bunnelle said...

This is actually a re-release of the original that was pressed for DB Records, which was a local Georgia label run by Danny Beard. I have it somewhere. Doesn't have a picture sleeve and it was a really limited pressing. Probably worth something I assume.

Punkzer0 said...

Hi James thanks for the extra info, i didn't know about the earlier release. As we would say in the UK 'I guess it would be worth a few bob'

Anonymous said...

Hello Gary, I found this site quite by accident. A wonderful find. I remember "Rock Lobster" soundy more edgy before the B-52's released their debut album. I thought it was just my imagination. Now I know I was right!!

Mucho Gracias and greetings from Southern California!!!!

Punkzer0 said...

Hi Raul, thanks for your comment and glad you enjoyed the blog. How did you find the blog?

Anonymous said...

Hi Gary, I was probably looking for some obscure, hard to find music and some how was lead here. I spend way too much time on the computer but it really pays off!! I've been looking for "Memphis" by John Cale. Know where I might find that gem?

Punkzer0 said...

Hi Raul, well it looks like I can help, I have a copy of Memphis somewhere (its not my rip), Hopefully I'll post it over the weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Gary, awesome news about Memphis. I first heard it on a compilation album called "IRS Greatest Hits Vol 2&3" which was released in the early 80's. I located all the cuts from that album with the exception of Memphis. Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

thank you very much for all the information you share in your blog, it s impressive the amount of rare stuff you can see.
bruno

Punkzer0 said...

Hi Bruno glad to help and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment

Punkzer0 said...

Hi Raul, just saw your comment, no problem glad to help.