A lot of bands say they’re influenced by the Velvet Underground and early Pink Floyd. However, few bands that make this claim actually send you on a timewarp to a slightly more awesome version of the late ‘60s. That’s precisely what Virginia duo Last Remaining Pinnacle does with its latest recording, a split seven-inch with Pan Galactic Straw Boss. We already can’t wait for the next one, this time with Cult Of Dom Keller. The band is the brainchild of Dave Allison, started in 1995 and undergoing numerous transformations and collaborations in the years since, producing more than two dozen releases. The latest incarnation of Last Remaining Pinnacle consists of Allison and guitarist Dave Dembitsky, and they both contributed to the cool mix tape below.
“Students Of The V.U.” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/StudentsOfTheVU.mp3
The New York Dolls “Personality Crisis”
Allison: This track kicks off the Dolls’ self-titled debut album, which hit stores the day I was born. The swagger and attitude of this song will never be duplicated. The opening riff and Johansen’s scream get me every time. One of many revolutionary records to come out in the year 1973. Video
Cat Power “Maybe Not”
Dembitsky: This artist is just one of those people who is the real deal. When you see her live, it’s like the sounds just have to come out, like nothing else makes any sense. This song and pretty much all of the tracks on this album are haunting, however this one reaches deep down with that mix of hope and reality and just crushes you. No one sounds like her; many people try, but that feeling is just otherworldly. Video
Turkish Delight “Blue Wing”
Allison: One of Boston’s best bands of the ’90s. This song is based on a poem by Langston Hughes. Turkish Delight were a huge influence on what I thought a band could be, as they really showed me how you could experiment with noise and odd sounds to the fullest extent while still keeping things in the context of a rock ‘n’ roll band. Their album Tommy Bell, which this song appeared on, is essential. Video
Iggy Pop “Sixteen”
Dembitsky: This song is just plain demented!!! All the raunchy keys and his lyrics—it’s all there. Here is a guy who feels cut off from all the people he sees. Iggy sounds so torn up about whatever it is. Just plain deranged I guess. The emotion feels so raw and human but also has a “salty” quality to it. Video
Merzbow “Track 2 Untitled (Oersted) (Part 1)”
Allison: This was the first Merzbow track I ever heard. Right away, I found it to be the most thought-provoking recording I’d ever heard. I visualize amazing things in my head every time I listen to this, and to the surprise of most, I actually feel relaxed and at peace while doing so. There’s something incredibly soothing to me about Merzbow’s pulsating noise mayhem. Video
Low “Majesty”
Dembitsky: I am so excited by this new album. All the songs as usual are great and have that quality that only Low can bring to the table. This particular song has a lot of disturbing sound to it. The vocals sound so eerie yet ethereal, and then the guitar kicks in and sounds so heavy to me. The song just builds and builds, and it’s one of the cleanest heavy sounds I have ever heard. Live, this band sounds so amazing; they pull off the stripped-down sound with utter perfection. Video
Brian Eno “Dead Finks Don’t Talk”
Allison: Another one from 1973. Such an amazing combination of traditional sounds and unconventional sounds. I was incredibly drawn to this song when I was a kid, as a friend’s older brother had snatched his mothers copy of Here Come The Warm Jets and come over to borrow my turntable to make a tape of it before his mom found out it was missing. I managed to make a copy of the record for myself as well on a crappy Scotch brand cassette, which I think only added to the experimental dynamic of this track. The sounds at the end of this song are simply priceless. Video
Neil Young “Cortez The Killer”
Dembitsky: I love the soundscape that Neil creates with this song. No one can touch the tone of this guy ever!!! This song is best heard cranked up, coming back from the beach at three or four in the morning with a serious buzz happening, and the wind just flowing all around and you’re with the one you need the most. Pure. Video
Ride “Like A Day Dream”
Allison: I would tape 120 Minutes every Sunday night when I was in high school. Every Monday after school, I’d go over a friend’s house, and we’d watch the tape anticipating what new music we would encounter. I’ll never forget the first time I saw the video for Ride’s “Like A Daydream.” Everything about the song and look of the video impacted me that day. I ran out to the local indie store and found a copy of Smile on cassette and immediately proclaimed them my new favorite band. Video
Broadcast “Papercuts”
Dembitsky: I was so shook up when I heard Trish Keenan had died. I always wanted to see them live but never got the chance. The sounds on the record are amazing dark and mechanical; they conjure some of the best parts of the ’60s sound. That whole sci-fi aspect is mixed with what I think is one of the best drummers around—that guy is just sick!!! One of the best bands for setting a mood with lush textures and electronic goodness. Video
