The first reason I bought this album back in 1999 was for the band’s name, Dogpiss. The second reason was the LP title, Eine Kleine Pünkmusik. The third reason was the band’s brilliant, funny track ‘Erik Sandin’s Stand-in’ on the Short Music For Short People compilation*. The fourth reason was that it involved the usual tangle of musicians from NE England that comprised a gaggle of my fave punkers, Snuff, Leatherface and Guns ‘n Wankers. It seemed like one of those LPs that was pretty much pre-ordained for my shelves, between D’Molls and the Dogs D’Amour, and that I would worship every second of it. Not quite.
Dogpiss’ sound is, in the main, a more melodic take on the churning hardcore-derived punk pop, partly coined by the likes of Snuff which was conquering the world by then courtesy of Green Day and their fiendishly clever trick of adding a bit of sunshine to the sound**. Eine Kleine Pünkmusik is a good album but after about 20 minutes, or so I find myself switching off and looking for the differences between the tracks, it can get a touch formulaic – the saving grace being, as it often is, that it is a damn good formula and pretty easy on the ears. The nearest comparator I would pick out would probably be Samiam, who I love.
The best tracks here, for my money are ‘Mad Dog’ (Mad dog was a silly, silly man / O.D, B.O, Sex Pistols fan / Mad Dog is a super head / It’s Tenent’s ’til he wets the bed^) which has a great tune, heft and dynamics to it and the, unsurprisingly, metallic-but-damned-clever and sad ‘Metalone’. The lyrics are intelligent and amusing throughout and how can anyone resist an LP with a song on it called ‘Nice Tits But Is It Art?’, I couldn’t.
So, Eine Kleine Pünkmusik is a good album but maybe just lacking the tunes or the bite that would boost it into being a must-have. Great name and title though.
633 Down.
PS – Dogpiss released an EP with the truly great title Smells Like Canine Urine, which I’ve just robbed.
*one of the GREAT modern punk LPs, 101 songs all of 30 seconds or less. This track remains one of the all-time best songs about NOFX’s drummer EVER recorded and those of you who know me well, know that I would never bestow that title without good reason.
(the lyrics quoted are wrong, they should read ‘I wanna be Erik Sandin’s stand-in / Because he doesn’t half get his fucking gland in’ – these things are important for future historians)
**and not using the word ‘piss’ in their band name. Pah, careerists!
^reference to the national drink of Scotland, Tenent’s Super.
Dogpiss. What’ll the kids think of next? Cats**t?
You design the logo and I’m in!
I’m on it.
Remember it needs to print up well on all our merchandise as well as looking ace on the side of our private jet.
But of course!
Interesting, but ultimately they’re not my cup of, eh, super lager. Bonus points for the Tennents mention, though.
I am right, it is the national drink of Caledonia isn’t it? that and porridge.
It is, aye. I had a tin o’ Super to wash down my porridge this morning …
Love that LP label.
With the dog, is it the blurriness or is that canine struggling to work out which leg to lift? Or maybe it’s a punching rather than pissing puppy? These things bother me.
I think that’s the whole mystery of it. It’s way more existential than a piece of Lego balanced on a sweary LP has any right to be!
Fair enough. BTW, assume you have order the new Wendy James LP?
Is that the one with her draped half-naked over a sofa on the cover?
No, no, nothing like that (turns away to hide blushing)
OMG OMG OMG I LOVE the Short Music disc! Yes yes yes! Oh so tasty!
True Stroy: I once wrote to Fat and asked them when the hell they were gonna make a Vol. 2. Can’t remember if they replied, or if they did what it was. Time to write ’em again! Hey, if you do it too, maybe we can start a fire!
If I saw this LP in the shops I would buy it without hesitation.
Short Music is an all time fave for me, definitely.
Can’t beat a bit of Dogpiss …
One more band member named Duncan and I would have gave them a shot. Too bad.
Damn, such fine margins.
It’s amazing where you find this stuff….you got a knack for it to,say the least! Hahaha
I’m just a swear magnet Deke!