TIP OF THE TONGUE 22 NOVEMBER 2009
The Scrotum Poles
Auchmithie Forever
Dulc-i-Tone TT-012
LP
OUT OF STOCK!
Huge public service release as the vaults, or more appropriately the shoeboxes under the bed, are finally opened and a full LP’s worth of unreleased primitive punk genius from Scotland’s greatest DIY no-counts The Scrotum Poles is finally made available. The Scrotum Poles’ legend is built upon their Revelation EP that featured classic crudities like “Helicopter Honeymoon” and “Pick The Cats Eyes Out”. The group formed in 1978 in Dundee and were birthed in an attempt to survive one of the most miserable of Scottish cities by creating self-produced art that refused any of the niceties of consensual pop/rock. But despite their reputation as musical savants The Scrotum Poles have an emotional range and a variety of attack that goes well beyond a mere finger in your ear. This amazing collection compiles three unreleased cassette albums that include unheard versions of their ‘classic’ recordings as well as a ton of material that ranges from revelatory sub-“Louie Louie” style minimalism through gorgeous minor chord ballads that could almost pass for early Clean demos, scabrous single chord end-of-the-world fuck-off jams and even a cover of The Modern Lovers’ “Roadrunner”, which at least provides some context for their own brand of daffy non. It’s hard to imagine how a group like The Scrotum Poles could exist in an era of information overload that has made everyone self-conscious and painfully aware of any attempt to do/say anything. There’s a wild spirit, a naivety and a joyous belief in the process of creation for creation’s sake in these recordings that is supremely moving. The whole deal is packaged in a fold-out poster sleeve with great notes from Smeg Pole himself and some classic pictures - they look so Scottish! If you have heard them before you’re gonna swoon over the alternate takes, if you haven’t and you’re a connoisseur of crude, then you’re in for a treat. Alongside The Prats, The Pastels and Prick Decay (what is it with Ps?) they’re one of the all-time great Scottish groups. Edition of 500 copies. Highly recommended.
