"The Ventures meet Led Zeppelin in Don Knotts' living room." --LA WeeklyAt the time that Sasquatch Rock was released, the very idea of SST records releasing an album of instrumental surf music was bizarre. Nevertheless, if SST was going to release such an album, this was the right one. Lawndale rocks hard throughout this delightful and unpredictable album, uniting styles with effortless glee. Listen to the incredible version of the jazz standard "Take Five," which somehow contains the bridge to Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" -- what kind of twisted individual could imagine that combination? Or having imagined it, made it work in such a seamless and delightful manner? The mix of German oompah band rhythm and Tex-Mex on "Next to the Last Frontier" isn't nearly as odd, since Germans in Texas had a lot to do with the sound of that music, but never have the two influences sounded so distinct and yet so artfully melded before -- at least, when played by a rock band. "March of the Melted Army Men" is more straightforward, a kicking rock song with what is probably the only appearance on a surf album in Greg Ginn's career. The punk rock stalwart turns in a creditable and manic solo that fits in just fine with the orchestrated chaos of the song. Every cut on Sasquatch Rock is a keeper, but there is one standout, the soaring, complex "Instrumental." (Since there are no vocals on the album except for a couple of screams and groans, there is a certain delicate irony here.) "Instrumental" strings together six musical themes ranging from country and soul to jazz and, inevitably, surf music, and tosses in transitions, recaps, and mutations galore to create an amazing medley. Lawndale output was meager, a mere two albums, but every track they released was splendid and their influence was widely felt. Sasquatch Rock is a must-have for anyone who loves instrumental electric guitar with a surf rock tinge. The second and final album by Lawndale doesn't make any astonishing advances from their first -- but how could you improve on one of the best surf-fusion albums ever made? The band's trademark interlocking guitar melodies are as energetic and precise as ever, and the compositions are as brilliant and quirky as ever. Once again, there is one highly unlikely fusion of two artists' work -- the version of Duke Ellington's "Caravan" with Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive" -- and once again it works like a charm. Lawndale sounds perfect here, and there is no clue that this would be their swan song. After the recording of Beyond Barbecue, the band drifted apart, and though they sporadically reunited for concerts and even wrote some new material, none of it was ever released. ~ Richard Foss, All Music Guide
Jamming at a backyard party!
Lawndale, circa 1984, looking mighty pissed off!
"Joy at Sea" gig with Minutemen and Meat Puppets on boat in Pedro harbor, 1984
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