First up is the Beyond Rational Thought 7" EP by the Scientific Americans, released on their Tekno Tunes label in 1979.
This is the band's first release, recorded as a five-piece. The record sleeve credits members as Ricky Ritardando, Luthor, Mr. Big, Crank, and Al Capella and features a giant "Sci Ams Man" boldly in black on the front - a logo that would grace all of their releases and merchandise in some form.
Beyond Rational Thought differs in sound from their later more stripped-down, drum machine/synth-driven material the band became better known for. Generally, it's quirky punk-wave with synth flourishes and a few odd touches. Also, on this record is the first appearance of their cover of Epp Opp Ork from the Jetson's television show - a song that was later remixed for the Ding Dong comp. and even remixed into a dub version for an OP Magazine flexi.
Beyond that, I can't claim to know very much else. In fact, the small amount of information I have about the Sci Ams comes from a web page done by former member (and now avid sailor) Craig O'Donnell. Rather than just reiterate more of its content, I'll just post the link below.
http://www.friend.ly.net/users/dadadata/n_the/sci/sciams.html
Tekno Tunes also released a 7" by the Higher Primates which was recently shared on the 7" From The Underground blog. You can get a copy of it here.
If anyone has any additional information about the Scientific Americans, the former members, related projects and/or general information about bands in the smaller towns/scene outside of Boston, please share.
Zip includes 256kbs rip from original vinyl and scans of the liner notes, sleeve and labels.
Enjoy
5 comments:
rad blog, I'll keep my eyes on it.
Andy
The friend.ly.net link seems to be down for a reason I can't figure out.
I'll get in touch with them, and if the server is not coming back up, I've got everything backed up and archived and it will get a new home.
-- Signed, the Avid Sailor.
Thanks for allowing me to relive some of the awesomeness of my adolescence. found this one in a used vinyl shop 25 or so years ago. Glad to have it again.
Well,
Someone here asked for more info or former members. I am the latter. I was an original. Ricky Ritardando to be precise. I played drums on all 5 recorded tracks on the first EP Beyond Rational Thought. Though it was a while ago, mid to late 70's, I have a recollection or recording those tracks in a studio in Watertown Ma with a very nice (patient) Armenian gentlemen. There were 5 tracks on it. The Hanna-Barbera favorite from the Jetsons cartoon Eep-Opp-Ork-Ah Ahh, G-Stalt, Justice, Empty Hole, and Get it for Les. I know what some of the originals are about, but COD could give you the full story. In the interest of protecting privacy (though Craig and Jim are already known) There were 3 others. Tom G, Peter P. and myself Paul W. I met Craig while running sound for another local band he played in. Tupelo. During my time with the Sci Ams we played a fair amount. I left under adverse circumstances in 1977 or 1978 and joined a local R&B band. A few of the venues that come to mind are Rahars, in Northampton, The Rusty Nail in Sunderland, The RAT in Boston once (Oh do I remember that one) The manager of the place was a dick. Among other things he had us and the other two bands do 2 sets each. ALTERNATING. Setup and teardown 2x each. Then we had to pay each bartender, waitress and bouncers/door people a "stipend". I think we left there PAYING instead of making money. It sucked. We played at UMass Amherst and either Amherst or Hampshire college or both. A couple of places in Ludlow, Monson and CT. I can't remember them all. It was fun.
The Logo: The logo came from those "press on letters" that (back in those days) came on a mylar sheet. That is how Jim or Craig would make our posters. If you look at the logo and rotate it 90 degrees to the left, you will see that it is the part that is left on the inside of the uppercase "C" after the "C" has been peeled off/removed. The two small squares were the colon. The right side curve of it is the left side from another "C" that was peeled off.
I would be interested in hearing from the other members if they read this. I can be reached at my posting name.
Regards...
The engineer was Leon Janikian, and the studio was "Sound Techniques." Leon can be heard doing the slate at the beginning of "Eep Opp."
Post a Comment