What’s On TV?
Total Punk Records
Rating: 13 out of 13
A year ago at this time, I reviewed in a Vinyl Word the Satanic Togas who I just had seen at Gonerfest 19.
Last year, the Satanic Togas were part of the Aussie takeover that also included Gee Tee and Research Reactor Corp.
I just got back from Gonerfest 20, and once again Australia had a heavy presence that turned in some of the best moments of the Fest.
Alien Nosejob, Vintage Crop, Dippers, Civic, C.O.F.F.I.N, 1-800-Mikey, and Tee Vee Repairman (who contain members of 1-800-Mikey, Research Reactor Corp, Gee Tee and the Satanic Togas) all turned in epic performances.
I was very lucky to see Tee Vee Repaimann during Gonerfest 20 in Memphis twice, their show on the Fest and also at an after show at the legendary Memphis venue the Hi Tone.
This after show also included C.O.F.F.I.N, 1-800-Mikey, and Nashville’s Snooper (who is playing Green Bay next Monday, October 9, at the Tarlton Theatre).
Ishka Edmeades, the leader of Tee Vee Repairmann, also plays drums (and quite well) for 1-800-Mikey and is a cat lover (he even asked to see a picture of my cat) and is one of the brightest stars in rock music today.
Ishka not only records for Total Punk Records, but is a Total Package as a performer, we are talking as a songwriter, singer, guitar, drums, and charisma to spare(as the front person or as a drummer), super nice guy (chatted with him again by the dumpsters at the Hi Tone) and a cat lover. I discovered our shared love of cats when I was bemoaning the fact that I did not see the world famous club cat of the Hi Tone Trash Cat like I did the previous year.
Tee Vee Repairmann makes music I would describe as a garage punk rock that is raw and sweetly refined at the same time. The songs are so well written and catchy that you listen to them with an urgency because they almost seem too good to be true,
Over the decades of associating with music nerds I run into older punks who get so cynical when it comes to accepting new music as an equal to something they have been listening to for 5 decades.
Well, I’ve got news for those who think there isn’t great music being made any longer, because Tee Vee Repairmann is making music just as great as the Buzzcocks or the Undertones and yes it has a garage punk flavor — but that gives it charm to spare.
This album can’t be listened to without jumping around and being in a great mood.
Songs that illustrate this quite clearly are I Can’t Figure you out, Out of Order, Bus Stop, Time 2 Kill, Checkout Queue, Backwards, and People(Everywhere I go),
Seeing the incredible response that Tee Vee Repairmann received at both performances I witnessed without a doubt reassures me that the future of Rock N Roll is in great hands and Australia is a big part of it.
I also vow to set Tee Vee Repaimann up in Green Bay someday. What’s On TV? Currently in stock at the Green Bay UFO Museum Gift Shop and Records.