The Tell-Tale Hearts - High Tide - Big Noses And Pizza Faces: Anthology 1983-1986 (1994)

A VOXX classic release back in stock!!!21 cuts complilation,including 9 previously unreleased,highlight this killer compilation from San Diego's eighties version of the Shadows Of Knight. Back in the days of the mid-80s "garage revival" scene that revolved around the Cavern Club,there was no doubt that the Tell-Tale Hearts led the pack of "paisley underground" bands that were popping up everywhere. They combined primitive and snotty mid 60s garage punk with R&B and blues influences,and had in Ray Brandes a great vocalist. Bill Calhoun played the keys,Eric Bacher was the guitarist,Dave Klowden the powerhouse drummer,and Mike Stax (publisher of the great Ugly Things fanzine) the "bass that ate San Diego." These guys had it all: the "look," the sound,and the carefree attitude."Taking Brit blues invaders like Them,the Animals,and the Yardbirds as a template,not to mention plenty of '60s garage inspiration,San Diego's Tell-Tale Hearts forged a fairly original beat homage between 1983-1986. A bit too gritty and blues-based to really fit in with L.A.'s contemporary Byrds and pop-psychedelia revival (the Rain Parade,the Three O'Clock,Plasticland),the Hearts only cut one album,an EP,and a smattering of singles and live tracks. This anthology brings together a handful of songs from their eponymous debut LP (including an outtake and some remixes),all of their Now Sound EP,five early demos,a few live cuts,and an Australian single. Compiled by bassist Mike Stax and featuring the snider-than-Van Morrison vocals of Ray Brandes,the 21-track collection includes studio highlights like "(You're A) Dirty Liar" and "Me Needing You," as well as some super lo-fi demo covers and a live rendition of the Seeds' "Satisfy You." - AMG