First heard on the Peel show, back in early 1981, this slice of utterly ridiculous quasi-industrial funk became one of my favourite records of the entire year. I'd got the previous single "Spite Your Face", which was a dour slice of bedroom DIY noise, but this tune was a real revelation. It marked the start of Jim Thirlwell's obsession with Funk; which he would continue on the first album "Deaf" and on his meisterwerk, the 12" of "Custom Built For Capitalism". I loved all the stupid sped-up vocals, the endless grunts of "HEEEURRRGH!" which ran through the song...the cheeky reference to ABBA ....it's all wonderful. But the thing which really makes it, is the sense of fun which permeates the entire song. If anyone doubts me on this: compare this original version with the later version of "Wash", which is far darker. For me, the early period Foetus stuff is just amazing: hearing so many ideas jostling for position, sometimes tumbling out on top of each other, in their eagerness to be heard. It's this sense of ludicrous exuberance that made me love this record so much almost thirty years ago (eeep!) and that sense of exuberance is still there, locked into its grooves. Enjoy.You've Got Foetus On Your Breath "Wash It All Off" (mp3)
13 comments:
I actually recorded this from the John Peel show back in the day but I haven’t been able to find it in my recent tape rummaging so I’m really glad you posted this.
in another weird slice of synchronicity, I recorded this off the peel show as well, it's odd to think that in two different parts of the country, there we both were, fingers hovering over the "record" button.....
Listening to this one can simply see JP smiling with approval. 'Why kill time when you can kill yourself?' Absolutely.
Awesome! Any chance you could post the b-side of this, I'd love to hear it? I have a tape of Foetus's only & only Peel session gathering dust somewhere, recorded circa Deaf & ripe for uploading...!
Wow coool. I had no idea how different this sounded from the version on Sink. I think early Foetus is the best Foetus, this one is so dissonant compared to the other it will take some getting used to but it is awesome. Custom Built For Capitalism is great too.
Thanks.
-Dave
Please, do not take food out of my mouth by posting links to even just one song I have created.
Do I create such a thing as to take money out of your pocket? No, then please stop doing so to me. I understand you are just trying to get people interested in the music and much appreciate that. The only thing is you do not realize is all the music is up for download or order on www.foetus.org where money is to be made by the creator of the music. Legal action will not be sought if the link is removed from your blogspot. Otherwise, your years of hard work will be deleted (seeing how I know the owner of Blogspot) and a fine will be incurred. Possibly even jail time.
Thank you.
Well, "anonymous" - did you reallyread the blog, or was this just a reflex posting without looking at what I have done?
First up, the mp3 is no longer there. It hasn't been for at least a year. Secondly, I'm very much aware that SOME Foetus material may be downloaded from your site. However, not all of the early singles are available. Foetus Under Glass, Philip & His Foetus Vibrations, and the Wonderful 12" of "Custom Built For Capitalism" remain, frustratingly, out of reach. So, you'll forgive me if I share a dusty, scratchy old 7" single with a select band of enthusiasts. I also don't take kindly to the blackmail threats
Iain
I'm not convinced that actually IS ol' Jim dishing out dodgy threats tbh, but if it IS him then the miserable old sadsack ("I know the owner of Blogspot" indeed!) needs to stop protesting & give his long suffering fans what they've patiently been waiting for the last 20 YEARS: all the early 45s (A+Bs), the Bethel & Afflicted Man's Box tracks, & that excellent Peel session (the first thing I recorded off of Peel EVER for the record) with a fat booklet full of period pics. Did you get that, Jim?
P.S. The Peel sesh has recently popped up online btw & still sounds seriously good...
No, you shall not be forgiven for posting anything that has been created under any Foetus name. The reason being, I don't like you blogging buggers and you all need to sod off and stop being such gits.
I did start to read your "blog" but fell asleep on they keyboard seeing how it is a bunch of mindless prattle.
I did see the file was no longer available, but the link still exists and the blog still shows up when search engines spider their searches.
Whether you believe I am he or not and whether I be he or not makes no mevermind.
I would just like to say that I am really depressed that this link was removed, because I also recorded this John Peel Session, and I too have lost it, I have also been frustrated in my search to 'purchase' this piece of work. I am sad that 'Anonymous' has felt obliged to post such obnoxious comments, and believe he must be a sad 'git' to troll through blogs looking for people to threaten !
No worries Victoria, you can now find the Peel session (in it's entirety) over here: http://roomswithbrittleviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/foetus-peel-session-1983.html
...it's fantastic stuff (obviously).
okay 1st of all Anonymous, you seriously must be pretty deluded if you think that noise was ever going to make you any form of tangible money. you know as well as i the money is to be made in pop. if you're so angry about your music being stolen, how about going after Trent Reznor for royalties as i've heard about five songs so far he's stolen directly from you. don't abuse your fans because they refuse to pay five hundred dollars on amazon.com for a jacked up 7" vinyl from god-knows-what decade that's seen god-knows-what-abuse. to talk about making money off of art is just disgusting. if that really is you then count me as a detractor from now on.
Amen to Gaping-Anal-Rapist! As a creator or performer of a release that is out of print, request a link be removed as you will, that is certainly your right but 'Anonymous' threats and cavalier dismissal of bloggers in general just comes off as silly. That attitude sounds more like someone who would have likely protested against FM and any store offering blank cassette tapes for sale. It would be nothing short of a miracle if that same person survived the massive heart attack when CD-Rs were announced. A valid reason such as: 'This is planned for re-release' or simply, 'this is a reflection of the time and not the best release at present and I would prefer this not stay in circulation' would go a long way to retaining and creating enthusiasts for your work; you know, the fans that actually DO help put food in your mouth.
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