Former Fetus - A Rock Opera

Former Fetus - A Rock Opera

CD released in 1997

recorded on January 5, 1997

band members (no mention of which instruments are played by which individual):

Ben Hofmann
John Ganz
Mark Junglen
Randy Turnquist

I acquired a copy of this CD at the latest library sale along with a truckload of solo piano LPs and nature sounds cassettes. As one can tell from the title of this album, it is a "rock opera" about a fetus that receives a warning from a dream that its mother is about to abort it. Somehow the fetus escapes its mother's womb and goes on to live in the world. The fetus lives through struggles to fend for itself as most born human beings do by trying to procure food and shelter. Later, the fetus somehow becomes prosperous and draws people to follow him. The fetus ascends to be president, but its position at the top does not last long as the world comes crashing down.

There is very little info about this band in cyberspace. However, I learned that Mark Junglen is the fellow who is the leader of this band and owner of the label Big Ball Records that released this rock opera. Big Ball Records is based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, the hub of fundamental conservative Christianity. An excerpt from some magazine is included in the liner notes that describes the band's sound as "Neil Young meets Minor Threat." I'll let you, the visitors, be the judge of that. The liner notes also offer a little bit more info: This disc is made for demonstration purposes on a limited budget and time to show the raw power of Former Fetus. If you can hear potential in a full production of this rock opera, realize ... this is our 4th album length set . . . we have THREE more sets of melodies as rampaging and powerful as this one.

The back cover has brief notes for each song and are included in the tracklisting below.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

1. Overture {1:03}
A Fetus, in the womb

2. Former Fetus {2:45}
Fetus becomes aware. A dream tells it's about to be aborted from its mother.

3. I'm Free {2:45}
The fetus escapes from the womb, wondering, into the world, he flees his death.

4. Live & Nesting {2:52}
Quietly into the world he blends, while fending for himself a creature's comfort. He grows strong and intelligent.

5. Under the Bridge {3:04}
Coming of age and completely alone.

6. Twilight Zone {2:21}
Former Fetus is propserous, has fame, and in the end, is a great leader.

7. I'm a Mom {3:40}
As you may have wondered why our hero was going to be done in.

8. Love {3:54}
Has our little guy finally found some peace and comfort?

9. After the Rapture {3:05}
His wistful taste of Love has been taken along with what good there was in the world.

10. Acoustic Nerve {2:00}
Not having been born, the Former Fetus is the only conscious being, scorned and left to witness the terror.

11. Former Fetus {5:05}
(reprise to noise)

Rank Sinatra - Chairman of the Bored

Rank Sinatra - Chairman of the Bored

From somewhere in the depths of the interweb tubes, this was found. Is this a long lost relative of the famous singer? An illegitmate son? Whoever this is who shares the same surname also has a love of crooning and entertaining an audience. He loves to sing ballads and standards especially the contemporary ones from the likes of The Bangles, INXS, Bonnie Tyler, A-ha, etc. I'm going to mention without hesitation that every single one of these performances by Mr. Sinatra is better than the originals. This talented chrismatic performer and entertainer is a shining star in the sad world of karaoke/American Idol culture. He most likely won't gain the same amount of acclaim as his more famous namesake just because he is by default having to do the impossible task of following in the footsteps of a legend. No doubt Mr. Sinatra's recording will appeal to people of all ages and from all walks of life as anyone who listens will be wowed.

Tracklisting:  (link will be back soon)

1. Eternal Flame {3:44}

2. You Beaut {3:03}

3. Donna You Wanna Me Baby ? {4:02}

4. I Just Want an Eel {1:58}

5. Waiting For You (Stalking Boots mix) {2:05}

6. Nevaeh {4:27}

7. Never Tear Us (with null object) {2:57}

8. Totaled {3:01}

9. Lovesong {1:46}

10. The Last Christmas {3:33}

11. Take On Me {3:41}

12. What I Wanna Do {4:18}

13. Eternal Flame (full) {20:05}

Raymond and Peter - Shut Up Little Man

Raymond and Peter - Shut Up Little Man

This was found somewhere on the interwebs. Since I think the world needs to get better acquainted with the antics of Raymond and Peter for some reason, I decided to pass it along here on my humble little blog. All of the material on this release took place in San Francisco, California, at an apartment building in the Lower Haight area. Raymond and Peter were basically two obnoxious loud drunks who were oblivious to the fact that their neighbors lived close enough to hear them. Actually the walls in the apartment building were really thin. Raymond and Peter mostly shouted at each other and even fought each other. A couple of Raymond and Peter's neighbors were becoming increasingly frustrated by the noise, but intimidated by the occasional violent threats by Raymond and Peter towards each other. So they just decided to record Raymond and Peter doing their thing. The guys who recorded Raymond and Peter got some laughs out of the shouting and the rants then they started to imitate Raymond and Peter and reciting their arguments. They have recorded hours and hours of Raymond and Peter. These recordings have been sold on several cassettes along with merchandise such as t-shirts, bumper stickers and even death certificates of Raymond and Peter. Curious to know how private conversations could become available for public consumption. Then again the neighbors' friend mentions that "you have to wonder how much right to privacy a person who's screaming at the top of their lungs expects."
There is a third person named Tony who sometimes dropped in at Raymond and Peter's place. Tony is a "white trash" drifter who seemed to have only contributed to the tension between Raymond and Peter. Tony at times would get in the arguments or start arguments himself where he shouted and threatened violence.



Shut Up Little Man is a best-of compilation of the recorded material. Most of the material is profane. The track titles let you know what you're in for when listening. If you're easily offended, this is definitely not for you. Otherwise, Shut Up Little Man offers a fascinating glimpse into a world that hopefully most would be fortunate enough not to experience. I think it's also funny as hell.

Tracklisting:

1. Introducing Peter: The Crucifixion of Dinner {0:32}

2. Introducing Ray: I am Ready Now {1:53}

3. You Wanna Stick Me With That Fork? {1:10}

4. Go to Bed: Fist Fight I {4:08}

5. Someday I Will Kill You {0:45}

6. Sorry Darling {1:25}

7. I Despise All Queers {5:38}

8. What Did You Do During the War? {1:19}

9. Don't Call Me Goodnight! {1:09}

10. Introducing Tony: I Seen Them Potheads {0:49}

11. On the Floor Again: Fist Fight II {0:46}

12. You Always Giggle Falsely {2:09}

13. Ray, You are Just Fucking Up! {2:00}

14. I Was a Mean Motherfucker In My Time {2:55}

15. Ray's Soliloquy: I am the Human Race! {4:15}

16. Toenails {1:17}

17. I Know How to Use Any Weapon {1:33}

18. Vodka {0:43}

19. This Time I Attack {5:03}

20. I Don't Wanna Watch Queer Shit {3:51}

21. Tony Stripped Her Down! {0:37}

22. Nova Express Times Survey On Alcoholism {2:06}

23. Queers Giggle {1:16}

24. Where are the Police? {0:32}

25. A Night In the Stony Lonesome {1:49}

26. I am a Killin' Motherfucker (re: Eddie Lee) {1:16}

27. You Don't Have Any Friends {0:24}

28. Go Live South of Market {0:50}

29. The Killing of 14 People {0:47}

30. Ray Mewls At the Cops {6:22}

31. We'll Set Your Hair On Fire {1:04}

32. Cheap Little Bitch {1:12}

33. A Liar, a Thief and a Cheat {3:11}

34. I am a Man {1:45}

35. I Tried to Make This a Home {1:18}

36. If You Wanna Talk to Me Then Shut Your Fuckin Mouth {4:17}