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Review: Peter Holsapple – Big Black Truck/96 Second Blowout/Death Garage

“Big Black Truck” maxi-single with picture sleeve.

Car Records was founded in 1977 by Chris Stamey of the dBs. Stamey was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolona and moved to New York City in the 1970s. He founded Car Records, more or less to release his own material. He released a handful of singles on this label. Stamey released Chris Bell’s first (and only) single, “I Am the Cosmos” b/w “You and Your Sister”, noteable because Alex Chilton sang backup vocals on “You and Your Sister”. In addition, Car Records issued a mini-EP (or a maxi-single?), “Big Black Truck” / “96 Sec. Blowout” / “Death Garage” with future dBs guitarist Peter Holsapple.

“Big Black Truck” starts off with drums for the first five seconds, then a guitar joins for the rest of the intro. Then we get Peter Holsapple – doing his best Elvis impression – singing about interstates and the titular big black truck and its specifications. After two verses, there is an instrumental break (including drums); then we get one last verse, a chorus, then – two minutes and forty-four seconds later – the songs ends. It’s part power pop, part rockabilly, and one hundred percent infectious.
One the B-side, we get “96 Second Blowout”, which starts with a fast guitar riff, and is a lot more punk than “Big Black Truck”. It ends with the rhythm (and vocals) becoming much faster before ending abruptly. Then we get “Death Garage”, which sounds much more ethereal, even psychedelic. There’s even a sitar in the instrumental break. The lyrics are morbid: “Never mind the bruises and blood/The cause of death was carbon monoxide/In the death garage”. Unlike “Big Black Truck” and “96 Second Blowout”, the song ends with a fade out.
This record came with a picture sleeve which is both artistic and informative; it depicts the big black truck and tells us that it was produced by Chris Stamey and had Mitch Easter on drums and echoplexes. It’s an excellent single for those who liked the early years of the dBs. “Big Black Truck” is available on the Ork Records compilation released in 2015. The B-side apparently has not been released on CD, but is available on YouTube:

August 19, 2026 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 9-17-2024

Here’s the playlist for 9-17-2024, a show which I started on time:

Hour 1

  1. Graham Parker, “Local Girls” [Squeezing Out Sparks (1979)]
  2. The Toms, “Let’s Be Friends Again” [The Toms (1979)]
  3. The Rolling Stones, “Short and Curlies” [It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (1974)]
  4. Ron Wood, “Infekshun” [Gimme Some Neck (1979)]
  5. Josie and the Pussycats, “Every Beat of My Heart” [Josie and the Pussycats (1970)]

New Music Express

  1. Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, “Crying Inside” [Indoor Safari (2024)]
  2. Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, “Different Kind of Blue” [Indoor Safari (2024)]
  3. Floating Points, “Birth4000” [Cascade (2024)]
  4. Snow Patrol, “Everything’s Here and Nothing’s Lost” [The Forest Is the Path (2024)]
  5. Nilufer Yanya, “Keep On Dancing” [My Method Actor (2024)]
  6. The Half-Cubes featuring featuring Darian Sahanaja, Matt Jardine & Jim Laspesa, “My Girl” [Pop Treasures (2024)]
  7. The Half-Cubes featuring Van Duren, “Jane” [Pop Treasures (2024)]

Hour 2: Theme Time

  1. Madness, “The Sun and the Rain” [Full House -The Very Best of Madness (1983/2017)]
  2. Bob Dylan, “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” [Blonde on Blonde (1966)]
  3. Frank Zappa, “Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow/Nanook Rubs It” [Apostrophe (1974)]
  4. The Monkees, “Snowfall” [Christmas Party (2018)]
  5. Arcade, “Calm Before the Storm” [Arcade (1993)]
  6. John Fogerty, “Walking in a Hurricane” [Blue Moon Swamp (1997)]

This Day in Music

  1. The Tubes, “White Punks on Dope” [The Tubes (1975)]
  2. Budgie, “Lies of Jim (The E-Type Lover)” [If Swallowed Do Not Induce Vomiting EP (1980)]
  3. Dread Zeppelin, “Light My Fire” [The Fun Sessions – Tortelvis Sings the Classics (1996)]
  4. Be Your Own Pet, “Bicycle Race” [Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen (2005)]
  5. Bjork, “Army of Me” [Post (1995)]

Hour 3: Mandatory Mayall

  1. John Mayall, “Fantasyland” [A Banquet in Blues (1976)]
  2. John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, “Have You Heard” [Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (1966)]
  3. John Mayall, “Lost and Gone” [Road Show Blues (1981)]
  4. Warren Zevon, “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” [Mr. Bad Example (1991)]

Featured artist segment: American Music Club

  1. American Music Club, “Room Above the Club” [The Restless Stranger (1985)]
  2. American Music Club, “$1,000,000 Song” [The Restless Stranger (1985)]
  3. American Music Club, “Outside This Bar” [Engine (1987)]
  4. American Music Club, “Art of Love [Rock ‘n’ Roll version]” [Engine (1987)]
  5. American Music Club, “Bad Liquor” [California (1988)]

August 19, 2026 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 9-10-2024

Here’s the playlist for 9-10-2024, a show which was delayed about 30 minutes due to technical difficulties (a.k.a. operator error), and in which I played old time radio – probably for the last time:

Hour 1.5

  1. The Stan Laurels, “This Is Your Life” [There Is No Light Without the Dark (2021)]
  2. Dolph Chaney, “Cool in the Sunshine” [Mug (2023)]
  3. Spinal Tap, “The Majesty of Rock” [Break Like the Wind (1992)]
  4. The Equals, “Green Light” [Greatest Hits (1969/1974)]
  5. The Slide, “Superman’s Shoes” [New Guitars in Town: Power Pop 1978-82 (1980/2024)]

Hour 2

  1. Jerry of the Circus, “Fire Put Out” [OTR (1937)]
  2. Jerry of the Circus, “Trunk Search” [OTR (1937)]
  3. Five Minute Mysteries, “The Postman Didn’t Ring” [OTR (1947)]
  4. Ron Wood, “I Don’t Think So” [I Feel Like Playing (2010)]
  5. Slade, “Take Me Back ‘Ome” [Feel the Noize: The Very Best of Slade (1971/1997)]
  6. Jethro Tull, “Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll Too Young to Die” [Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll Too Young to Die (1976)]
  7. Rod Stewart, “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” [Discover British Blues on Decca & Deram Records (1964/2020)]
  8. New York Dolls, “Puss ‘N’ Boots” [Too Much Too Soon (1974)]
  9. Aerosmith, “Major Barbara” [1971: The Road Starts Hear (1971/2022)]

Hour 3: Mandatory Mayall

  1. John Mayall, “Mama, Talk to Your Daughter” [Thru the Years (1971)]
  2. John Mayall, “The Boy Most Likely to Succeed” [Notice to Appear (1975)]
  3. John Mayall, “Thoughts About Roxanne” [The Turning Point (1969)]
  4. J.B. Lenoir, “Mama Talk to Your Daughter” [Chess Blues (1955/1993)]

New Music Express

  1. David Gilmour, “Luck and Strange” [Luck and Strange (2024)]
  2. Toro Y Moi, “CD-R” [Hole Erth (2024)]
  3. Hinds, “Boom Boom Back (Feat. Beck)” [Viva Hinds (2024)]
  4. Bremer/McCoy, “Higher Road” [Kosmos (2024)]
  5. Duke Robillard, “Are You Going My Way” [Roll with Me (2024)]
  6. Tab Benoit, “I Hear Thunder” [I Hear Thunder (2024)]

Hour 4: The Golden Palominos

  1. The Golden Palominos, “Prison of the Rhythm” [This Is How It Feels (1993)]
  2. The Golden Palominos, “I’m Not Sorry” [This Is How It Feels (1993)]
  3. The Golden Palominos, “Little Suicides” [Pure (1994)]
  4. The Golden Palominos, “Victim” [Dead Inside (1996)]
  5. Kevin Kinney & The Golden Palominos, “Wild Dog Moon Pt. 2” [A Good Country Mile (2012)]

August 19, 2026 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 9-3-2024

Here is the playlist for 9-3-2024…the second ever show, in which I added a Peter St. Onge commentary to the second/third hour break:

Hour 1

  1. The Inmates, “You’re the One That Done It” [First Offence (1979)]
  2. Ian Dury, “Billericay Dickey” [New Boots and Panties (1977)]
  3. Johnny Cash, “Sold Out of Flagpoles” [One Piece at a Time (1976)]
  4. Electric Six, “Gay Bar” [Fire (2003)]
  5. Theoretical Girls, “U.S. Millie” [The Great New York Singles Scene (1978/1988)]
  6. The Rolling Stones, “Summer Romance” [Emotional Recue (1980)]
  7. Helmet, “Unsung” [Meantime (1992)]

New Music Express

  1. Ty Segall, “First Look/First Conversation/Walk Home Pt.1” [Love Rudiments (2024)]
  2. Tycho, “Phantom” [Infinite Health (2024)]
  3. Shemekia Copeland, “Broken High Heels” [Blame It On Eve (2024)]
  4. Shemekia Copeland, “Tee Tot Payne” [Blame It On Eve (2024)]
  5. Duke Robillard, “Blue Coat Man” [Roll With Me (2024)]
  6. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, “Raw Feel” [Flight B741 (2024)]

Hour 2

  1. Jerry of the Circus, “Johnny Will Leave” [OTR (1937)]
  2. Jerry of the Circus, “Fire Breaks Out” [OTR (1937)]
  3. Five Minute Mysteries, “License for Murder” [OTR (1947)]
  4. Sex Pistols, “No One Is Innocent” [The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Swindle (1979)]
  5. Freddie King, “Hide Away” [Let’s Hide Away and Dance Away with Freddie (1961)]
  6. Thin Lizzy, “Look What the Wind Blew” [Thin Lizzy (1971)]
  7. Them, “Square Room (2nd Single Version)” [Time Out! Time In for Them (1967)]
  8. Sweet Sensation, “Sad Sweet Dreamer” [Sad Sweet Dreamer (1975)]
  9. Grand Funk Railroad, “Too Bad About Your Girl” [Spend the Night (2002)]

Hour 3: Mandatory Mayall

  1. John Mayall, “Mexico City” [Why Worry (1981)]
  2. John Mayall, “Wish You Were Here (Live)” [Blues from Laurel Canyon (1968)]
  3. John Mayall, “Ten Years Are Gone” [Ten Years Are Gone (1973)]

Featured artist: The Golden Palominos

  1. The Golden Palominos, “I’ve Been the One” [Blast of Silence (1986)]
  2. The Golden Palominos, “Something Becomes Nothing” [Blast of Silence (1986)]
  3. The Golden Palominos, “Darklands” [A Dead Horse (1989)]
  4. The Golden Palominos, “Alive and Living Now” [Drunk with Passion (1991)]
  5. Blake Jones & The Trike Shop, “Mock Stoner Voices” [and still…(2024)]

And here’s the show:

August 19, 2026 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 8-27-2024

Here is the playlist for 9-3-2024…the second ever show, in which I added a Peter St. Onge commentary to the second/third hour break:

Hour 1

  1. The Inmates, “You’re the One That Done It” [First Offence (1979)]
  2. Ian Dury, “Billericay Dickey” [New Boots and Panties (1977)]
  3. Johnny Cash, “Sold Out of Flagpoles” [One Piece at a Time (1976)]
  4. Electric Six, “Gay Bar” [Fire (2003)]
  5. Theoretical Girls, “U.S. Millie” [The Great New York Singles Scene (1978/1988)]
  6. The Rolling Stones, “Summer Romance” [Emotional Recue (1980)]
  7. Helmet, “Unsung” [Meantime (1992)]

New Music Express

  1. Ty Segall, “First Look/First Conversation/Walk Home Pt.1” [Love Rudiments (2024)]
  2. Tycho, “Phantom” [Infinite Health (2024)]
  3. Shemekia Copeland, “Broken High Heels” [Blame It On Eve (2024)]
  4. Shemekia Copeland, “Tee Tot Payne” [Blame It On Eve (2024)]
  5. Duke Robillard, “Blue Coat Man” [Roll With Me (2024)]
  6. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, “Raw Feel” [Flight B741 (2024)]

Hour 2

  1. Jerry of the Circus, “Johnny Will Leave” [OTR (1937)]
  2. Jerry of the Circus, “Fire Breaks Out” [OTR (1937)]
  3. Five Minute Mysteries, “License for Murder” [OTR (1947)]
  4. Sex Pistols, “No One Is Innocent” [The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Swindle (1979)]
  5. Freddie King, “Hide Away” [Let’s Hide Away and Dance Away with Freddie (1961)]
  6. Thin Lizzy, “Look What the Wind Blew” [Thin Lizzy (1971)]
  7. Them, “Square Room (2nd Single Version)” [Time Out! Time In for Them (1967)]
  8. Sweet Sensation, “Sad Sweet Dreamer” [Sad Sweet Dreamer (1975)]
  9. Grand Funk Railroad, “We’re An American Band” [We’re An American Band (1973)]
  10. The Donnas, “Too Bad About Your Girl” [Spend the Night (2002)]

Hour 3: Mandatory Mayall

  1. John Mayall, “Mexico City” [Why Worry (1981)]
  2. John Mayall, “Wish You Were Here (Live)” [Blues from Laurel Canyon (1968)]
  3. John Mayall, “Ten Years Are Gone” [Ten Years Are Gone (1973)]

Featured artist: The Golden Palominos

  1. The Golden Palominos, “I’ve Been the One” [Blast of Silence (1986)]
  2. The Golden Palominos, “Something Becomes Nothing” [Blast of Silence (1986)]
  3. The Golden Palominos, “Darklands” [A Dead Horse (1989)]
  4. The Golden Palominos, “Alive and Living Now” [Drunk with Passion (1991)]
  5. Blake Jones & The Trike Shop, “Mock Stoner Voices” [and still…(2024)]

August 19, 2026 by Playlists 0

Playlist: 8-18-2026

Here’s the playlist for 8-18-2026, in which I chronicled my problems with my website, read an article about the Columbia House Music Club shutting down, and counted down the ten CDs that I won’t play anymore:

Hour 1

  1. Dexy’s Midnight Runners, “Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache” [Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980)]
  2. Ian Hunter, “I Hate Hate” [Defiance Pt. 1 (2023)]
  3. ZZ Top, “La Grange” [Tres Hombres (1973)]
  4. Nick Lowe, “Heart Of The City” [Jesus Of Cool (1978)]
  5. Big Star, “Big Black Car” [Third/Sister Lovers (1978)]
  6. Jon Klages, “God Bless The Columbia House Music Club (2021)]

This Day In Music

  1. The Doors, “Break On Through” [The Doors (1966)]
  2. Bob Dylan, “The Mighty Quinn” [Self Portrait (1970)]
  3. Juliana Hatfield, “Can’t Stand Losing You” [Juliana Hatfield Sings The Police (2019)]
  4. Men At Work, “Who Can It Be Now?” [Business As Usual (1981)]
  5. Mudhoney, “Touch Me I’m Sick” [Superfuzz Bigmuff (1988/2008)]
  6. The Rolling Stones, “Memo From Turner (Alternate Version)” [Let It Bleed (1969/2002)]
  7. R.E.M., “Boxcars (Carnival Of Sorts)” [Chronic Town EP (1982)]

Hour 2: Songs About Damascus

  1. Axe, “Road To Damascus” [Final Offering (2019)]
  2. John Mellencamp, “Damascus Road” [Sad Clowns & Hillbillies (2017)]
  3. Aeternam, “Damascus Gate” [Ruins Of Empires (2017)]
  4. Anubis Spire, “Road To Damascus” [Old Lions (In The World Of Snarling Sheep) (1998)]
  5. Arena, “Running From Damascus” [The Visitor (1998)]

New Music Express

  1. Ween, “Mister Richard Smoker (Alternate Version)” [Golden Wastes EP (2026)]
  2. The Womack Sisters, “Chauffeur” [The Womack Sisters (2026)]
  3. Jon Batiste, “Facile-Batiste” [Black Mozart (2026)]
  4. Librarians With Hickeys, “1972 (Single Version)” [1972 single (2026)]

Hour 3

  1. Robert Plant, “Big Love” [Manic Nirvana (1990)]

Phun With Phish

  1. Phish, “A Wave Of Hope (Live)” [Moda Center, Portland, Or (04.20.2025) (2025)]
  2. Phish, “Tube” [Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids MI (08.08.2024) (2026)]

Featured artist: Miracle Legion (part two)

  1. Miracle Legion, “The Ladies From Town” [Me and Mr. Ray (1989)]
  2. Miracle Legion, “And Then?” [Me and Mr. Ray (1989)]
  3. Miracle Legion, “Pull The Wagon” [Me and Mr. Ray (1989)]
  4. Miracle Legion, “Sooner” [Drenched (1992)]

Hour 4

  1. The Stranglers, “Peaches” [Rattus Norvegicus (1977)]

Top Ten CDs I Will Not Listen To Again (part one)

  1. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Californication” [Californication (1999)] #10
  2. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Scar Tissue” [Californication (1999)] #10
  3. Alanis Morissette, “You Oughta Know” [Jagged Little Pill (1995)] #9
  4. Patti Smith, “Constantine’s Dream” [Ranga (2012)] #8
  5. Kula Shaker, “Gowinda” [K (1996)] #7
  6. Melissa Etheridge, “Like The Way I Do” [Melissa Etheridge (1988)] #6

And here’s the show:

August 19, 2026 by Playlists 0

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