The Mummies: Death by Unga Bunga (Estrus)
Never been much of a fan of revivals - so called - ‘cause it’s always struck me that pretty-much anyone “reviving” something is sadly lacking anything of their own to contribute...
On the other hand, some of the very best music around has been - incorrectly - labelled as revivalist...and the Mummies fit that bill - perfectly.
To be sure, they covered frat rock/60s punk classics...and, yeah - they modelled their recording/production-style on the extremes of the small label sound of the early 60s. But...much like the Cramps & Pussy Galore, they took their influences & ran w/them...to the extent that the result was, quite frankly, something of their own...
Their - complete - recordings can be found on two cds...and this one’s the singles collection. However, both happen to be essential purchases...‘cause the Mummies were one of thee finest rock’n’roll outfits of recent times - and you’ll (certainly) not regret anything you spend tracking down all of their work.
Allright...time for some descriptions: Absolutely every damn cut on this set sounds different - and, to be quite blunt, I never (really) understood just how varied fucked-up small label early/mid sixties production was...until I heard this set. ‘Cause the Mummies were the MASTERS of archaic dirtbag production...and, if you (foolishly) think that’s basically just one thing...then - let me tell you - it’s a whole myriad of sounds...and - to be frank - much more varied than anything that’s passed for mainstream since...
Best tracks: (I Could Better Be Lookin’ For) Dangerman/Die!/Test Drive/Stronger than Dirt/Your Love/Down Home Girl/Babba Diddy Baby/That’s Mighty Childish/(You Must Fight to Live) On the Planet of the Apes...on the other hand, I could easily pick the entire set - ‘cause the only reason I’d be picking winners is that the running order isn’t exactly perfect.
Still...I really don’t care that much...
Look...the Mummies were goddamn outstanding. As far as I’m concerned, they had no real peers - despite the plethora of sixties-style garage bands of the period (late 80s-early 90s). Sure, they had a gimmick (the bandages)...but, hell...so does everyone. Gimmicks never last...but, they also never (really) subtract from genuine worth...
And genuinely worthwhile is precisely what the Mummies were...and are.
(on the Planet of the Apes)
John Henry Calvinist
