The Eyes – T.A.Q.N.

In the past few years record collectors have benefited greatly from Artifix Records' quest to release every great lost recording from the early years of Southern California Punk rock. With access to the complete archives of Dangerhouse Records, Artifix has managed to make some amazing gems see the light of day. The six songs on this 10" include the "TAQN/Topological Lies" tunes, "Disneyland" off the "Yes L.A." comp, and three songs that were not released while the band were together (two otherwise unreleased songs and "Eniwetok" from the 1990's "Gimme A Little Pain" comp).

All of these songs were recorded in the same 1979 recording session and capture The Eyes playing the way that only The Eyes could play. They managed to fit into the art damage category along with The Screamers and Deadbeats while also maintaining Wavey/Power Pop hooks of the Dils and Dickies. In a way The Eyes come off as a cartoonish caricature of all things that were Punk rock in L.A. and Orange County in the late 1970's. "Disneyland" is of course the band's most memorable track and further reinforces that The Eyes were very much a product of their sunny Southern California environment. All of these songs are quirky, fun, and inexplicably addictive despite the "ear worm" nature of a band who have an organist who often plays parts that barely go along with the guitars and a singer who sounds about nine years old. The two unreleased songs are about bees ("Research Bee" and "Go Go Bee")- who knows what was going on with that. I don't do drugs but I think I might Take A Qualude Now.

Artifx Records Website: www.artifixrecords.com


 

-Ditch-
Big Wheel Online Magazine
 

 

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