The New York punk community was shocked by the news of a horrific gas accident in January 2016 that left the son, daughter-in-law and 10 year-old grandson of veteran New York City punk musician Sonny Vincent fighting for their lives.
Sonny dedicated himself to being the full-time carer for his family, while facing astronomical medical bills. Fellow musicians from New York, Texas and Scotland have rallied to his support, leading to Tarbeach Records boss Walter Stewart issuing this stunning compilation of cutting-edge punk, rock & roll and experimental artists to raise much-needed funds for Sonny’s family.
‘No Animals Were Harmed During Any Recordings on Tarbeach Records’ follows in the lineage of classic label sampler albums such as ‘The Rock Machine Turns You On’ (CBS, 1968) and ‘The Sire Machine Turns You Up’ (Sire, 1978). Stewart clearly has a good ear for not only classic, high-energy rock & roll, but also quirky pop and rather more outré sounds.
There are 19 tracks on offer here, and every one of them is worth hearing. There’s louche New York punk & roll from Joff Wilson & the Bowery Boys and The Carvels NYC, while New York Junk’s Joe Sztabnik provides one of many highlights with the wired blues-punk of ‘Freak On A Vine’.
The Scottish contingent on Tarbeach make several arresting contributions, from Fram’s ethereal melancholy to the exhilarating garage-rock of Reaction. Thirteen, Hateful, The Puzzlers and Edinburgh’s hotly-tipped Heavy Drapes all contribute storming rockers that should win each band new fans, while Glasgow punk legend JonZip McNeill delivers another standout with the anthemic ’19 Forreva’.
Yet another delight is a Chris Spedding remix of ‘B Side’ by The B-Girls, the all-girl Toronto group who brought their 60s pop-influenced sound to the New York punk scene. Texas Mod Crushers provide a further highlight with their high-octane Paul Westerberg homage, ‘Papa Whiskey’.
‘No Animals Were Harmed…’ is a solid-gold collection with treasures galore, in aid of a VERY worthy cause. Buy this album.
More information on Sonny Vincent’s family appeal can be found here.