Andy Comer has worn his share of caps in his music-industry days. The Louisville, Ky., native founded and played with Tel Aviv in the ’90s, moved on to Prosaics in the millennial era, and now he finds himself a damn Bloody Amateur. Comer’s first album under this ironic moniker is a self-titled release through Teen Beat Records. The now Brooklyn-based Comer has supplied MAGNET and its readers with a 10-track mix tape to get us all through this week. Check it out below.
“Companions” (download):
The Pin Group “Coat”
Some of my favorite music comes from New Zealand: the Clean, Jean-Paul Sartre Experience, the whole Flying Nun scene and pretty much anything by Roy Montgomery. This is a song by his first band, reissued last year by Siltbreeze. It has an amazing guitar tone. Video
Michael Rother “Sonnenrad”
This is another guitar hero. He is soaring, melancholic, but forward-looking. It is a record to drive long distances with. Video
Jonathan Halper “Leaving My Old Life Behind/I Am A Hermit”
I still don’t know anything about this guy. Did he actually exist? Or a Kenneth Anger hallucination? I’m into these songs. Just learned that Liars covered one on a split single. Video
The Kinks “This Strange Effect”
Dave Berry’s OK, but he’s no Ray Davies. As this (never officially released, I don’t think) version demonstrates. Video
Invisible Conga People “Cable Dazed”
I dig everything my pal Justin Simon made with ICP, and wish there was more of it. Also check out his Mesh-Key distribution project, which is bringing some very cool Japanese rock ‘n’ roll to the States. Video
The Feelies “The Good Earth”
I’m kind of a Feelies fanatic. Seeing them at Maxwell’s a couple of July 4ths ago (and many times since) got me back into writing. This might be the only song I haven’t heard them play live. Video
The Lines “Transit”
This is excellent post-punk. Dan Selzer, a classmate of mine at Oberlin, put this back in print on his Acute label (as he did with the Trypes and several other essential bands). Video
Unrest “Cath Carroll’
I can’t make a mix tape without Unrest. This song’s a reminder that they weren’t just brilliant pop songwriters—they could rock. This song has amazing drum fills by Phil Krauth. Video
The Monks “Shut Up”
A lot has been written about these guys. I first learned of them (and Gang Of Four, and lots of other stuff) via Infinite Zero, Henry Rollins’s label in the ’90s. I love the unhinged, contemptuous, perverted vibe of this track. Video
Crain “Car Crash Decisions”
I just learned while making this mix tape that Jon Cook, founder of Crain, has died. His record Speed helped get me through all-boys Catholic high school in Louisville, Ky. I still play it a lot. This is the opening track, with Jon—probably 16 at the time—on vocals. It is a very sad day for Louisville music. Video
