If you lived in Boston in late 70's or early 80's there was band here that was pushing the envelope. I don't know if they were technically punk, avant-garde, garage rock or what, but they were loud and kind of scary. They were the kind of band that elicited graffiti. Having lived in Kenmore Square for many years behind the local rock club called The Rat (I suppose The Rat could be construed as the CBGB's of Boston for the uninitiated) I could see it for myself. Mission of Burma once played The Fensgate Ballroom at Emerson College on February 5, 1981 according to their tour archives. I saw several bands there back in the day attending school, but for the life of me I can't say I saw this particular show. I had no idea that Burma was the largest country by geography in Southeast Asia at the time and I certainly didn't know what the Mission was. I wasn't sure I wanted to find out either. I only knew the skateboard, punk, skinhead, alternative crowd that seemed to congregate outside the club that Mission of Burma played most often during their initial four year reign (1979-1983) worried this naive young man from rural New Jersey. What a wuss huh? Today you'd chuckle, but back then...
I was just looking over the list of bands they played with and the list is pretty cool. U2, Johnny Thunders, The Young Snakes (Amiee Mann's first band if memory serves), The New Models, The Jim Carroll Band, Pylon, The Psychedelic Furs, The Dead Kennedys, Human Sexual Response, The Cure, Gang of Four, The Neighborhoods, Pere Ubu, The Feelies, The Lyres, David Johansen, The Buzzcocks, The Fall and Sonic Youth all shared the stage with Mission of Burma. Pretty heady stuff huh? They were essentially a three man band with Roger Miller (I know he's heard it a zillion times, but all I can think of is King of The Road when I see his name) on guitar, Clint Conley on bass and Peter Prescott on drums. I know they had a sound engineer named Martin Swope who was also a big part of their sound, but I don't know for sure if he was technically in the band. Regardless, Mission of Burma was a huge Boston name in their heyday and they unfortunately are remembered for mainly two songs. One is called Academy Fight Song and the other is a masterpiece from where I sit. Any list of Boston's all time greatest home grown rock songs that totals more than 30 and doesn't include That's When I Reach For My Revolver is sorely lacking. I know Moby, whom I love dearly, kind of butchered it a couple of years back, but don't let that deter you. This song is legendary. End of story. Oh, and by the way, Mission of Burma has reformed as of 2002 and has released two excellent CDs; OnOffOn and The Obliterati since then. These guys are much better today than there ever were back in the day in my opinion. You should support them. They are playing January 24th, two weeks from tomorrow, at that great little Somerville Theatre venue I was telling you about recently. I'll be in the audience one way or another. Bring your concert plugs; you wouldn't want to contract tinnitus like some people you may know. The concert is a benefit for the Center For The Arts at The Armory so represent for a good cause! I'll be taking attendance people...
Mission of Burma - That's When I Reach For My Revolver.mp3
Mission of Burma -That's When I Reach For My Revolver.mp3 YSI
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