Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Arsenal - Factory Smog Is A Sign Of Progress (including Manipulator ep)


Label: Touch And Go
Year: 1990

Two thirds of Big Black (Santiago Durango and Mr. Roland) reunite to continue that band's legacy, whilst adding keyboards to the mix, thus making a more accessible, and somehow industrial feeling record. Bass on this 12" is handled by Naked Raygun's Pierre Kezdy, who had written some of these tracks while in previous bands Strike Under and Trial By Fire. 
The cd version also includes the bands other, and first ep, "Manipulator", which is a little less focused than "Factory Smog...". 
If they were giving trophies for Best Post-Big Black album by former members of Big Black, it would certainly go to Rapeman, but Arsenal ain't nothing to slouch about. 
Also, as soon as I go to find a cover image for this post I realize Sister Hell had already posted this months ago. Those motherfuckers beat me to everything! I guess that says something about the quality of their shit versus the quality of mine huh?

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6 comments:

  1. Russell Emerson HallDecember 23, 2009 at 9:41 AM

    If you're counting Roland as a member, then this would be half of the classic lineup, not 2/3. Nit picking, I know. That's what happens when you rile up the fan boys.

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  2. GrayDecember 23, 2009 at 10:58 PM

    I will give you points for catching my error, but then I will deduct those same points for being so uptight about my error.

    I appreciate you playing all the same.

    Hail Big Black. All four of those motherfuckers.

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  3. polkDecember 24, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    hurm, never thought of arsenal as 'accessible', but there you go. really kind of stopgap, in a droll sort of vein, except santiago went to lawyerin' and stuff, rather continue on with the punk rock. and of course roland was a member. they had to have somewhere to set the fireworks before lighting them and throwing them into the audience, eh?

    long live (*&$*#&@#% big black. when i saw them play at the touch & go 25th anniversary, durango comes sauntering out in a grey t-shirt and shorts, carrying a large duffel bag (very smart!) with 'lexis nexis' on it. hey, even aging punk rockers have to have something respectible to carry our equipment in!

    (this, after a very handsome, tall, clean-cut fellow moved right past us in the crowd, carrying his guitar and politely saying 'please excuse me, i'm in the next band'...it was &*^&$* jeff pezzati!)

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  4. WilliamFlipperDecember 25, 2009 at 5:48 AM

    when heads collide is a song that I always wanted to play with my band.... but they doesnt like my music taste... just because is beter then them

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  5. pintoDecember 26, 2009 at 1:08 AM

    Trust me I'm always checking SGM before posting anything at Sister Hell and I swear it seems 9 times out of 10 you guys beat me to it. It's uncanny how completely in tune this blog is to my music tastes. And Gray, your posts in particular have introduced me to so much great shit I may have probably never heard otherwise. Which is really why we do this, right? The Last Of The Juanitas comes to mind. Fucking love that band. But there have been tons of great bands you've exposed me to. Best blog on the net. Keep up the great work.

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  6. JGRAMMay 12, 2015 at 5:06 AM

    Any chance of a re-up? Can't find the record anywhere, think its out of print

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