The killer 1984 debut ep from New York's Dancing Hoods as well as their follow-up LP 12 Jealous Roses released in 1985. Graveyard Shift is one of those cool, simple songs , that still stands up today. The following is the review from Allmusic, which mistakenly lists the bass player as Mike Garacino (he didn't join until their third and final recording, Hallelujah Anyway. Eric Williams handled bass duties on both of these recordings.
From Trouser Press:
Formed on Long Island, birthplace of the Stray Cats and Billy Joel, Dancing Hoods (following a self-released eponymous EP) debuted with familiar-sounding heartland rock on 12 Jealous Roses, a confident and likable collection of tuneful originals. Singer-guitarist (and future A&R executive) Bob Bortnick, guitarist-singer (and future Sparklehorse leader) (Freddy) Mark Linkous and bassist-singer Eric Williams (who actually has the most writing credits here) pen simple rockers about the usual topics and deliver them in a melodic cut-to-the-chase style that isn't all that dissimilar to, say, the Del-Lords. A flatfooted cover of the Left Banke's pure-pop harmony classic "She May Call You Up Tonight" only serves to demarcate the quartet's vocal limitations.
Leaving Williams behind (replaced by one Mike Garacino), the Hoods relocated to Los Angeles and took a shot at heavy rotation with Hallelujah Anyway, an unambitious mainstream rock record produced by a John Mellencamp associate, Greg Edward. Although the songs aren't nearly as fresh or memorable as those on the first LP (well, there is a Leonard Cohen cover), the arrangements (colored by guest keyboards and pedal steel) make better use of them. Enjoy the Hoods' rudimentary debut and leave this one to radio programmers in satin jackets.[Ira Robbins]
Leaving Williams behind (replaced by one Mike Garacino), the Hoods relocated to Los Angeles and took a shot at heavy rotation with Hallelujah Anyway, an unambitious mainstream rock record produced by a John Mellencamp associate, Greg Edward. Although the songs aren't nearly as fresh or memorable as those on the first LP (well, there is a Leonard Cohen cover), the arrangements (colored by guest keyboards and pedal steel) make better use of them. Enjoy the Hoods' rudimentary debut and leave this one to radio programmers in satin jackets.[Ira Robbins]
From Allmusic.com:
The Dancing Hoods featured one member, Mark Linkous, who found wider acclaim with Sparklehorse. Because of Sparklehorse, the Dancing Hoods were spared from vanishing into the abyss of forgotten alternative artists. Formed in New York by Linkous (guitars, vocals), Bob Bortnick (vocals, guitar), Don Short (drums), and Mike Garacino (bass), the Dancing Hoods recorded their first LP, 12 Jealous Roses, for Relativity Records in 1985. 12 Jealous Roses amassed a number of flattering reviews, and the band's no-frills rock & roll sound attracted fans of the Replacements and the Del Fuegos. In 1988, the Dancing Hoods released their second album, Hallelujah Anyway. "Baby's Got Rockets" was somewhat successful on college radio, and the video for the track was even added to MTV's 120 Minutes. The group then moved to Los Angeles to look for a major-label deal. However, they were unable to find one and the band split up afterward. Linkous returned to Virginia and joined the Johnson Family (eventually called Salt Chunk Mary). In 1995, Linkous started recording as Sparklehorse. Far more quirky and edgy than the Dancing Hoods, Sparklehorse released Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot in 1995. "Someday I Will Treat You Good" was spun frequently on alternative radio stations, and Sparklehorse developed a cult following that renewed interest in the Dancing Hoods. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
The Dancing Hoods featured one member, Mark Linkous, who found wider acclaim with Sparklehorse. Because of Sparklehorse, the Dancing Hoods were spared from vanishing into the abyss of forgotten alternative artists. Formed in New York by Linkous (guitars, vocals), Bob Bortnick (vocals, guitar), Don Short (drums), and Mike Garacino (bass), the Dancing Hoods recorded their first LP, 12 Jealous Roses, for Relativity Records in 1985. 12 Jealous Roses amassed a number of flattering reviews, and the band's no-frills rock & roll sound attracted fans of the Replacements and the Del Fuegos. In 1988, the Dancing Hoods released their second album, Hallelujah Anyway. "Baby's Got Rockets" was somewhat successful on college radio, and the video for the track was even added to MTV's 120 Minutes. The group then moved to Los Angeles to look for a major-label deal. However, they were unable to find one and the band split up afterward. Linkous returned to Virginia and joined the Johnson Family (eventually called Salt Chunk Mary). In 1995, Linkous started recording as Sparklehorse. Far more quirky and edgy than the Dancing Hoods, Sparklehorse released Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot in 1995. "Someday I Will Treat You Good" was spun frequently on alternative radio stations, and Sparklehorse developed a cult following that renewed interest in the Dancing Hoods. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
Dancing Hoods:
Bob Bortnick - Vocals, Guitar
Freddy Mark Linkous - Guitar, Vocals
Don Short - Drums, Percussion
Eric Williams - Vocals, Bass
Eric Williams - Vocals, Bass
on the ep:
Glen Morrow - Background Vocals, Producer
Ed Tomney - Piano, Guitar Treatments
on 12 Jealous Roses:
Frankie Marino - Keyboards
Produced by Dancing Hoods
Downloads all available on main page : http://azlocal.blogspot.com/
22 comments:
Thanks for the posting. I loved the dancing hoods.
Holy Crap, I've been looking for this album forever. I have an old crappy tape of it, but I still remember my older brother listening to this in our room 20-25 years ago.
Much, much thanks. I've been trying to track 12 Jealous Roses down for a long time.
- EmptyMaybe
Saw this band live in Hollywood, Raji's perhaps - one of my favorite shows of that era.
Awesome post! I bought the "12 Jealous Roses" LP back when it came out, and I still love it. I was just listening to it when I thought I'd check and see if I could find the EP that I don't have. You have it up but, unfortunately, it looks like either zshare isn't working or the link is dead. Could you PLEASE re-up it? I'm sending this all in a blue email to you....
I have refreshed the links!
Enjoy
Awesome band -- I caught them live at the Regency Showcase in Springfield Missouri shortly after the release of 12 Jealous Roses, bought the album on tape ... and have long since lost it. I was disappointed not to be able to find it on iTunes, etc., and am glad to have it again.
RIP Fred Mark Linkous
Is there any chance of a reup? I would really love to hear what Mark Linkous did before starting Sparklehorse. RIP.
All files are available for download on
the main page now! Enjoy!
Thank you very much! I am enjoying working my way through this blog.
I swear to god, the dancing hoods are without question the best band... EVER. And I know about... hmmm... 10,000 songs? If I'm ever a famous musician and have a lot of money, I swear I'm gonna buy all the remaining dancing hoods mercedeses.
(To all members of band- what was it like knowing mark linkious? I always had a dream of someday being famous and playing "Torn Away" with him and the rest of the dancing hoods, but then he made that creepy tourist video with Sctt Minor and then... RIP. 10000x as sad as when John Lennon died.)
Too crazy!! Just happened to google Dancing Hoods for my musician son to see if anything would come up.
Eric is my brother. Thanks for the writeup! It brought back some good memories.
As a teenager I followed the Dancing Hoods around for a week, weaseled onto their couch off Sunset Blvd for a few nights, dubbed all their demos while they slept. Don got me free meals at Tommy Lasorda's restaurant where he waited tables. The 2 House of Freaks guys were with them the whole time, watching gameshows, record shopping, Denny's. I have an unreleased album with Eric called Hood Simple, a KCRW set with better versions of Hallelujah Anyway tracks, some single demos, several videos...
Johnny
C, could you or someone please refresh the links again? Thank you so much. Sincerely, B
All downloads available on the main page www.azlocal.blogspot.com
Thanks. :)
Hey Anonymous Johnny, are you willing to share those DH rarities via email or mail or some other means?
C in California
the downloads, they don't work
my hoods craving, grows stronger
Does anyone still have this upload? I had forgotten about how much I enjoyed these Dancing Hoods albums. I would love to have a lossless version of these tunes. Thanks!
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