THE JODIE MIKULA ORCHESTRA

 

You know I love this shit. The completely random artifacts rescued from the Forgotten Bins in second hand and charity shops across the country (and other countries). Sometimes I pick up a tape and examine it and think that if I don't listen to it at least once then perhaps no one will ever hear the sounds it contains. No one. Ever. And sometimes the sounds are....well, they're forgettable even if the are important, but sometimes the sounds bring my joy. If I can be honest for a moment here: I desperately need joy. So in that spirit, I present the pride of Ennis, Texas: THE JODIE MIKULA ORCHESTRA. Jodie founded the group in the late '60s to bring traditional Czech polkas to the masses (I say "masses" and obviously I jest because I am realistic) and the band carried his mission after his passing in 1989. This 1991 tribute was their first physical release without their band leader, and it captures the casual, comfortable, confident spirit that Jodie embodied - I know I do raw crust and harsh noise here, but "Dark Knight (Waltz)" kinda made me a little misty. And that's why we keep digging, young punks; you never know what you'll find. You might find a place to "forget your troubles for a while" - that's a good thing.  

A TRIBUTE TO JODIE

LEO GRECO

 

Imagine you're a radio personality and regional country/polka star in 1960s Iowa. You crank out a few records and folks...well, they know who you are. Fast forward to the 1990s and you're old(er) and your legacy has been all but cast aside. No one under the age of 75 gives a shit about polka, and the classic swing you know as "country" has been replaced by Alan Jackson and Billy Ray Cyrus. So, what do you do? How do you stake your claim on your own history...how do you leave your mark? Obviously, you self release your debut LP on cassette so some other irrelevant fellow past his prime can pick it up in a thrift store in Utah for 49¢ a few decades later. 

LITTLE RED WAGON: REQUEST TIME WITH LEO GRECO

Was it worth it? Absolutely. The guitar (most notably on "Wheels") has a Billy Mure caliber pep, the occasional horns add an indescribably Midwest drunken lumber, and Greco's second tier croon is smooth and endearing. Half dollar well spent - legacy secured. 

ERWIN SUESS AND THE HOOLERIE DUTCHMEN

I'm telling you, punks, the 25¢ cassette box outside the Central Ave. Salvation Army in Albuquerque is a fukkn goldmine. At the end of 2014 I snagged the FREDDY K. AND THE BREEZE tape, and then a few weeks ago came this score. If you have any question at all as to whether or not this Mankato, Minnesota outfit is legit, then I suggest you check out this footage from '83 when you monkeys were looking at mobiles in your cribs and daydreaming about stagediving to some band playing covers of MINOR THREAT songs that were written before you were born. Am I right?! Personally I like when they pick up the pace on "Hard To Get Polka," but the whole fukkn thing is a winner. 

VOLUME 1