---

:: A Night At The Space Opera ::

:: They Call Me Energy ::

:: More Powerful Than A Steaming Locomotive ::

This is yet another of the gems I picked up in my monstrous Rockaway Records bargain store haul, and all things considered, probably my favorite. There's really no information that I can find, other than what's on the 45 itself. Even with the full names given, it's either a Google labyrinth or a complete dead end.

Here's what I know. That Hideous Strength were from NYC and liked to name their songs after sci-fi and fantasy titles or references. Their moniker, presumably, is taken from the title of the final part of a C.S. Lewis sci-fi trilogy. The song "A Night At The Space Opera" is probably named after a short story that appeared in the 70's Marvel mag Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction, alongside a comic book adaption of a sci-fi classic, Harlan Ellison's "Repent Harlequin!" Said The Ticktock Man." You probably recognize the phrase "more powerful than a steaming locomotive" from Superman.

Although I see this 7" listed on Henry Weld's fine NYC punk page, the only real thing that's punk about these guys is their approach, which is goofy and produces some interesting moments, mostly in the form of abrupt, odd changes. Imagine, if you will, if MAD Magazine had done a flexi insert in a punk style; it probably would have come out something like this. I've included the whole enchilada, because it's short and sweet and I bet you haven't heard anything like it.


Tony

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 6:17 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.