Wow, crazy history time line. Crismister, the band got it's break when a music reporter for the New Times Weekly, Eric Searleman, was taking out his trash and heard them practicing in the back yard "studio" of the original Drummer, Doug Fry. The band included Dough Hopkins, Bill Lean and Jim Swafford and was know as Moral Majority. Our first nightclub gig was a as the opening act for The Jetsons at Merlins, I ran the lights. A long long time ago.
I bought this 45 at one of their shows. The flipside is Christmas Island, FYI. Anyway, I have always been impressed with this song. Such a great production from some guys from the Valley in the early 80's. I saw them first when they would open for the Jetzons at Merlins, and later at the Devil House. My buddies and I were very impressed with these guys. Of course, the driving force and talent behind this group was Doug. Such a shame he is gone, but such good music he left us.
I could be wrong, but I remember the Psalms opening for Billy Clone & the Same at the Mason Jar. I think this was their debut because they had material for one set and repeated their first set after the break. Still, I was intrigued. They had a song with a phrase "radio moscow...", but I can't remember what the tune was called. They also did Living in the Hancock Building and did a killer version of I Will Follow. Hope you can dig up more stuff, especially videos.
Great stuff! Although he wasn't shown in this picture with the cassette, Stephen Brown played keys on this album, didn't he? I remember him saying the line at the end "Eternity is in love with the productions of time." Also, I do believe it was he who suggested using Blake's Head of a Damned Soul on the insert. Thanks! Hope to see more from this album.
This is the first song that Doug wrote about me way back when we going out (both very young!). Let me help you with a few lyrics: "I wrote it down it stared at me made too much sense to last"
"The twisted smile you wore so well is nowhere to be found" (As I have one)
'the 'distant smile' you wore so well". takes me back to my younger days in phoenix. thanks! i use to hear them live & hang-out w/them. Doug was a fan of poetry, is it Baudelaire? was this the recording with Rich Flower?
This recording has Rich Flower on vocals. I did find recordings of "A Story I Was Told" and "Christmas Island" on MySpace that features Jim Swafford on vocals.
That's really cool that you to hang out with Doug and the rest of the band. I have a tribute page for Doug on Facebook, if you're on there, do check it out.
Wow, crazy history time line. Crismister, the band got it's break when a music reporter for the New Times Weekly, Eric Searleman, was taking out his trash and heard them practicing in the back yard "studio" of the original Drummer, Doug Fry. The band included Dough Hopkins, Bill Lean and Jim Swafford and was know as Moral Majority. Our first nightclub gig was a as the opening act for The Jetsons at Merlins, I ran the lights. A long long time ago.
kyleriv 1 month ago
That's my uncle Richard singing!!!
TheJudyrocks101 1 month ago
I bought this 45 at one of their shows. The flipside is Christmas Island, FYI. Anyway, I have always been impressed with this song. Such a great production from some guys from the Valley in the early 80's. I saw them first when they would open for the Jetzons at Merlins, and later at the Devil House. My buddies and I were very impressed with these guys. Of course, the driving force and talent behind this group was Doug. Such a shame he is gone, but such good music he left us.
SuperStevemack 5 months ago
Gotta be Doug's best song. This is the song he was BORN to play! I would love a full LP of this.
jmorris724 9 months ago
I could be wrong, but I remember the Psalms opening for Billy Clone & the Same at the Mason Jar. I think this was their debut because they had material for one set and repeated their first set after the break. Still, I was intrigued. They had a song with a phrase "radio moscow...", but I can't remember what the tune was called. They also did Living in the Hancock Building and did a killer version of I Will Follow. Hope you can dig up more stuff, especially videos.
crismister1 1 year ago
Great stuff! Although he wasn't shown in this picture with the cassette, Stephen Brown played keys on this album, didn't he? I remember him saying the line at the end "Eternity is in love with the productions of time." Also, I do believe it was he who suggested using Blake's Head of a Damned Soul on the insert. Thanks! Hope to see more from this album.
cortical1 1 year ago
And: The poetry at the end is Rimbaud, as Doug was once obsssessed with him.
Hope this helps a little. Let me know if you are interested in any other tidbits.
Cathy Swafford-Rhodes
tippiejax 2 years ago
Hey Mike, (thanks for posting this)
This is the first song that Doug wrote about me way back when we going out (both very young!). Let me help you with a few lyrics: "I wrote it down it stared at me made too much sense to last"
"The twisted smile you wore so well is nowhere to be found" (As I have one)
"Waist deep in our own remorse..."
and it's "Ashamed to hang around."
tippiejax 2 years ago
Does anyone remember the Mason Jar?
democrategirl 2 years ago
ornery mouths = own remorse
mikesum32 2 years ago
'the 'distant smile' you wore so well". takes me back to my younger days in phoenix. thanks! i use to hear them live & hang-out w/them. Doug was a fan of poetry, is it Baudelaire? was this the recording with Rich Flower?
kristinlee 2 years ago
Hi Kristin,
This recording has Rich Flower on vocals. I did find recordings of "A Story I Was Told" and "Christmas Island" on MySpace that features Jim Swafford on vocals.
That's really cool that you to hang out with Doug and the rest of the band. I have a tribute page for Doug on Facebook, if you're on there, do check it out.
Cheers,
Mike
MikeLitton 2 years ago
Is this the only band Doug and Bill weren't in together? Good song
zaccds 2 years ago
There are a couple other really good songs of the Psalms around, I'm just having a hard time finding them.
Doug and Bill were both members of the Psalms. The only bands I know Bill wasn't a part of were Algebra Ranch, The Chimeras, and The Eventuals.
MikeLitton 2 years ago