A customer who stops by the store on a weekly basis turned me onto this record. He saw it up on our wall and asked if I’d heard it yet. He described it as “one of the most unsettling things I’ve ever heard.” He might as well have told it would blow me if I took it home with me. I was sold. This guy who loves the Residents, Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV was telling me that everything paled in comparison to the German Shepherds.
As the story goes, the band was formed in the early ’80s by two guys in San Francisco. They released a minimal synth single that brought them little attention. They they tried to start some urban legends out themselves, confusing folks into believing one of the founding members was arrested on child molestation charges (this after the band already released an homage to a child molester as a b-side), and later that the same band member had committed suicide. It was all an attempt to promote Music For Sick Queers, the band’s first and full-length record, released by Del Amo in 1985.
As for the music — it’s way more confusing than the misinformation campaign fogged by the duo. In fact, I’m not even 100% certain you can call this music. It’s just a sonic melee. Noise dominates the mix, with only scant melodies and rhythms ever becoming distinguishable from the muck. It’s unnerving, far-out, and completely amazing. By the time you get to “Complacent American,” and it’s slow-building wall of wailing — oh my God, it’s just insane — you’re completely baffled by what you’re hearing. And then you realize that this whole album is a totally natural, visceral experience. It’s not complicated for the sake of being weird or artsy, it’s just primal and unrefined and brilliant. If you’re into the prog-rock and private-press stuff I normally post, you’ve probably not heard anything like this before. Wholly unique, alienating and engaging at the same time, it’s a remarkable record.
German Shepherds
Music For Sick Queers
Del Amo, 1985
MediaFire DL Link
01. Communist Control
02. Armageddon Man
03. Love Me
04. Preacher
05. Hitler’s Child
06. I Adore You
07. Mr. Tupper
08. THC
09. Quit It
10. Complacent American
February 16th, 2011
A band using hype and false-information to sell their music?? Why!- that’s the very nature of the industry today! How ever, in this case, the music lives up to the legend. I always thought the whole Sparklehorse story was the only reason people liked that band.. Why did he get to work with Lynch? Bastard…. Thanks for passing this on Evan. Another winner!
February 16th, 2011
You can’t really judge an album from almost 30 years ago based on what today’s bands do. I mean, if we did that we’d be chiding the Residents for their “shtick.” Bands like these were OG. Bands that do it now and think it’s unique…
February 16th, 2011
1985 is “almost 30 years ago” and fuckin hell does that make me feel old. I remember when “30 years ago” was the 50s for chrissakes! My Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl after the 85 season and my friends and I talk about that team as if it was playing together last week. Ugh. However I was privy to some good music back then, saw loads of concerts in the 80s and have fond memories. Funnily enough, taking the broad overview, the 80s were a weak decade musically. The 70s were “all that” in my book.
Now for German Shepards… never heard of them but you’re onto something here. Some of it slightly reminds me of Franco Battiato but overall its beyond that and into space. I dig it. What do originals of this go for nowadays? I assume vinyl only? Cassette? Cd? Please advise.
Nice discovery bro!
February 16th, 2011
Color me excited! I’ve cross-referenced this act in the past but I am looking forward to spreading it on my tootbrush! Thanks elevi!
February 16th, 2011
Reverse history?? -definately not the point I was driving.
This album is a touchstone for a band’s “story” matching it’s worth. Rare!
… today, I’m not interested in the story or the music.
Baffled..
I don’t understand your response at all.
February 19th, 2011
Classic. File this between Residents and Smegma.
November 9th, 2011
Re release on vinyl early spring on Superior Viaduct. We have a huge amount of unreleased as well. More madness to come. Feel free to write me. M. Hutchinson
November 16th, 2011
I ordered this record in the 80′s from an independent music catalogue based on its price and description. I definitely got my money’s worth! I haven’t heard a similar album before or since. It also got regular airplay on my college radio show in the 90′s. I can definitely appreciate that it was recommended by a Residents & Throbbing Gristle fan though it is true that comparisons pale. This music makes an impression and sticks with you. Thanks for sharing this!
January 20th, 2012
Having been through those heady SF 80′s and privy to the clique that surrounded the Sheps, Mr. E and the Necromantics, Arkansaw Man and Layers Of Scum, as well as the Club Foot crowd, I can say without a doubt that the real story of the Legendary German Shepherds was much stranger than any of their attempts at hype.
January 20th, 2012
It’s an ugly world, and The German Shepherds made it more beautiful by making it more ugly.