ROCK A RAMA

DEPARTMENTS

This month’s Rock-A-Ramas were written by David Sprague, Jon Young, Bill Holdship, Richard Riegel,

Michael Davis, and Thomas Anderson

DEATH OF SAMANTHA Strungout On Jargon (Homestead)

An American rock band that shuns the comfy drag of Nouvelle Pop and the eyeliner-watered gloom of Colonial wanna-bes? This foursome is merely the most substantial contraction of the trumpeted CLE-vival scene that birthed Pere Ubu and the mighty Pagans. Like that pair, DOS leap outta some aural vacuum with nary a root exposed, but with plenty of bare wires to trip up the unsuspecting. Need a single touchstone? The truly surreal “Coca Cola and Licorice” could successfully play hide ’n’ seek on Trout Mask Replica, but the Cap’n isn’t the object of any idle worship. Singer John Petkovic testifies in an addled shout that combines the better halves of Tom Waits and Ian Curtis, without the caricatured styling of either. Plus, he backs up titular creativity with nongrad school ammo; “Is that Natalie Wood makin’ love on the Planet of the Apes?” indeed! The Midwest is still best—and this is Sonic Proof. D.S.

ROKY ERICKSON Don’t Slander Me.

(Pink Dust)