“Archie and the Bunkers”
Archie and the Bunkers s/t, 2015. Dirty Water Records. Cleveland-based, self-described “hi-fi organ punk.” I agree but add to that upbeat, messy garage-psych. This was another gift (along with the Cleveland Steamers) and another band I have no familiarity with. It’s great! Because of the organ and messy punk vibe it totally reminds me of early Murder City Devils, who I adore. Archie and the Bunkers are two-piece: brothers Emmett O’Conner on vocals and drums and Cullen O’Conner on vocals and organ. Archie and the Bunkers is the band’s second album, but could be counted as their debut as their first was self-released and has several of the same tracks as this LP on Dirty Water Records. Those do include a few of my top picks: “You’re the Victim,” “Different Track” and “I Wish I Could.” The song “I’m Not Really Sure What I’m Gonna Do” is also on both albums – it’s really good (not one of my faves) but happens to have an official video so that’s linked below. “Austria” is awesome – think head-banging, shredding organ. Also of note: Archie and the Bunkers was produced, engineered and mastered by Jim Diamond, who played bass for a bit with The Dirtbombs, Herman the German and Das Cowboy (which is of great interest to probably me and Joe only!) and also ran Ghetto Recorders, an analog recording studio in Detroit until 2015. He plays bass on the track “I Wish I Could.”
Daily (maybe) pulls from the vault: 33-1/3, 45, 78, old, older, classic, new, good, bad. Subjective. Autobiographical. Occasionally putting a record up for sale.