Mystery Bands III: POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD- Language of a dying Breed LP (Sacrifical Records, USA, 1984)
Repost from August 11 2006 of one of the most spectacular yet forgotten Hardcore LPs of the early 80s. New information & band photos added. Full album download in a fresh 320 kb/s rip.
You know, there are bands that are easy to like, just like there are people with whom you will easily get along. Then there are bands that need time. To like them requires a bit of work and patience. Liking such bands increases your skills to like more of their kind, weirder ones. So it appears like this: Taste is not something that accepts or declines at once, it’s not so much of a spontaneous reaction, a habitual way of adressing yourself to an object; taste is an elaborated aesthetic. POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD is not one of these bands everybody likes just like that. Finding access to them requires a fair amount of labour. One could use a simple and rather pittoresque metaphor which would compare the band’s music to a secret spot where there’s many a pleasure to find and enjoying them would require finding a way through the forest of your own ignorane first. But I’m not using such laughable speech here. Not me!
Before there was “Pagan Metal”, there was “Pagan Hardcore”. Here’s an excerpt from “The Language of a dying Breed”, the band’s theme song: “In this age they say it is wrong, to drink the wine of the knowledge of the ancients, and are we forbidden to speak the language, so if you’re like me and you happen to be, an ungodly pagan – and if you believe, in spiritual rebellion then you must speak, the language of the dying breed.”
The overall atmosphere of POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD’s only vinyl release (the band came from Nebraska, surprise surprise) pretty much fits into that magical-mystery-ancient-rites-smoke-and-fire – style. Some of the most bizarre and original vocal tracks here; a band like no other and quite possibly (maybe together with SPIKE IN VAIN who had another bizarre LP not so much unlike the aesthetical concept of this one) the inventors of what you might want to call Pagan Hardcore. Even when the band plays fast Hardcore, it’s totally off the wall. “Decide or die” clearly belongs to the fastest songs of the 1984 era, although the music is not about speed, inf fact the fast parts are few. All songs are kept short and effective.
Who knows more about them? They also had a couple of songs on BCT’s “Brain Of Stone” comp tape which I might add if there’s a need for it. Maybe nobody else will like this. It would make me happy if somebody would share the pleasure with me.
Download POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD’s “Language of a dying Breed” LP here. (.zip file: Choose”save target as”)
So here’s the additional info I received upon the initial posting. Thanks Marty & Andre!
Andre
Peter - KBDRecords wrote:
This is wonderfully weird. Used to have this one but don’t know where it went. But you have to be in a special mood for this. And I happen to be that now. So lucky you Erich I didn’t slag this post of yours off right away
.
[Reply]
Posted on 11-Aug-06 at 8:14 am | Permalink
E. wrote:
You wouldn’t believe how relieved I am now! Maybe it’s time now to turn onto your band ……..
[Reply]
Posted on 11-Aug-06 at 8:20 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
This band was exactly from Lincoln, Nebraska, and probably were the most famous hardcore out of this state. Some members were previously in Hymn To Joy and Rapid Vapid.
[Reply]
Posted on 11-Aug-06 at 1:06 pm | Permalink
E. wrote:
what were the other bands like? what was the role this band played in lincoln? where are they now?
[Reply]
Posted on 12-Aug-06 at 12:08 am | Permalink
Stevie wrote:
This is great! Weird and original like you won’t hear nothing nowadays. Thanks and keep it comming!!!
[Reply]
Posted on 12-Aug-06 at 6:17 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
I don’t think people from Nebraska would appreciate their state compared to a desert known mostly for its casinos, but that’s another point…
If i had knew more about POSW needless to say i would have put it here, i wasn’t from this area/era, i don’t know any member of the band, so the best is to look in old MRR scene reports, or search for local midwest zines.
The previous bands were punks bands too, i don’t think PSOW played a special role apart from opening for most touring bands of the time, and as for what they became, well, i guess if they didn’t died of any “typical punk death” or sent in prison, they surely live a normal life with wife and children…
[Reply]
Posted on 14-Aug-06 at 5:11 am | Permalink
E. wrote:
thanks for the info. Depressing though, that everybody should be either in prison, dead or entangled in family life …..
[Reply]
Posted on 15-Aug-06 at 1:32 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
I remember this band, they were from Lincoln, NE. The lead singer Jake died some time ago in Los Angeles. I knew him since he was a kid. Though they sounded scary, they were nice artistic guys. The mp3 links don’t work anymore, I would love to have them. Can you fix the links please?
Thanks!
[Reply]
Posted on 20-Sep-06 at 12:16 am | Permalink
E. wrote:
Thanx for the info!
As a golden rule, I will only put up deleted songs again for a donation (you decide on how much you want to donate), so that everybody gets something. You may contact me directly.
[Reply]
Posted on 20-Sep-06 at 8:24 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
E,
I don’t see how to contact you, I’d be glad to donate to get the mp3’s.
[Reply]
Posted on 21-Sep-06 at 12:37 pm | Permalink
E. wrote:
Just go to my profile (top of the right column, the photo) – there you’ll find my email addy.
[Reply]
Posted on 21-Sep-06 at 12:41 pm | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
one of my favorite records of all time. bought this album in ‘85 on the cover alone. me and a friend took it to my house and just about shit when we played it. i still play it for people just to see the looks on their faces.
sucks that jake/ikky is no longer around.
[Reply]
Posted on 12-Oct-06 at 1:46 pm | Permalink
bernie wrote:
I saw almos every show this band played. they were WELL beyond their time, for sure.
Glad to know that people are still digging this music.
Jake (singer) died quite a while back. ~1991?
Steve (guitar) died a few years ago ~2003?
If you have a good rip of the rest, please let me know!
[Reply]
Posted on 01-Sep-07 at 8:42 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Bernie: One day, I will re-rip the entire album.
[Reply]
Posted on 01-Sep-07 at 11:27 pm | Permalink
JJ wrote:
It amazes me that one man can have so many great and unknown records. It amazes me even more that you take all the time and energy and share your collection. THAT’S PUNK.
[Reply]
Posted on 18-Jun-08 at 2:43 pm | Permalink
johnny wrote:
one of my favorite all time bands,thank you big time,you brought me great joy keep blogging.don’t know if you guys know”you breed like rats blogspot”has war between states:south tape comp.for download includes potsw
[Reply]
Posted on 18-Jun-08 at 9:07 pm | Permalink
chano wrote:
Admin : I LOVE U !!!! This is one hell of a masterpiece ! I really don’t understand why this band is so obscure and overlooked . The vocals are UNGODLY great , the music is highly original and ultramegacool and the lirycs are weird and disturbing . Thank you very very much for posting this monster , Admin . “Maybe no one will like this”…. Only the Britney Spear’s fans will not like this !!!!!
[Reply]
Posted on 19-Jun-08 at 3:11 pm | Permalink
malfeitor wrote:
Hey, that Bernie fella played in quite a fine Nebraska outfit as well by the name of Sideshow. They were a great live band and featured (I believe) Mott-ly’s brother on drums.
[Reply]
Posted on 19-Jun-08 at 6:10 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Chano: Glad you appreciate it. It’s really not everybody’s cup of tea.
[Reply]
Posted on 20-Jun-08 at 1:00 am | Permalink
Dave wrote:
After reading the intro I did not expect to like this one, but I have to say that I am more than pleasantly surprised…this is great. Thanks Erich, I am adding this one to my find the original vinyl list.
[Reply]
Posted on 20-Jun-08 at 5:30 am | Permalink
chano wrote:
It’s MY cup of tea for sure , Admin . I think i’ll start diggin’ on e-bay for this masterpiece . The closing number WORDS AS WEAPONS is one of the best songs i’ve EVER heard . Thanx again , Admin . YOU RULE THE UNIVERSE !!
[Reply]
Posted on 20-Jun-08 at 1:32 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
I am but the messenger, Sire.
[Reply]
Posted on 20-Jun-08 at 2:40 pm | Permalink
chano wrote:
…a COOL messenger !
[Reply]
Posted on 20-Jun-08 at 3:09 pm | Permalink
chano wrote:
Sorry , guys . The closing number is “Power of the spoken word” not “words as weapons” . I’m dumb !
[Reply]
Posted on 21-Jun-08 at 1:18 am | Permalink
Dave Scott (AOD) wrote:
Power Of the Spoken Word were one of our favorite bands to play with. They new how to party in a hot basement. Singer Jake was an original. I hadn’t heard the album in years but I remember loving the theme song. Best comparison maybe is Void meets Butthole Surfers. Thanks for the post.
[Reply]
Posted on 22-Jun-08 at 8:50 pm | Permalink
Pär wrote:
so I finally got the time to listen to this and I think that I like it, really weird stuff from time to time and the vocals are really insane and that I love. Thanks for this!
[Reply]
Posted on 22-Jun-08 at 9:28 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Great to see this LP is appreciated! Blogging can be such a nice thing!
@ Scott AOD: Great to see you here. Could you say hi to Bruce from Erich Megawimp? We used to trade tapes loooong time ago and I had an AOD interview in the first issue of my fanzine.
[Reply]
Posted on 23-Jun-08 at 1:05 am | Permalink
chano wrote:
A.O.D. is one of my fave hc bands EVER !!! Great to see one ofthe members sharing some info about a totally obscure band like P.O.T.S.W. . And i agree with the VOID/BUTTHOLES comparison… lots of LSD drenched music on this immense lp .
[Reply]
Posted on 24-Jun-08 at 12:16 am | Permalink
behjan wrote:
really, the POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD L.P. from the cornfields of those Central States like Nebraska (isolated place + assumed substance abuse = leading to such a diverse sounding music – one would start to think…)
the album has been quite rightly described as “Pagan HardCore” in Burkhard´s German FLEX! discography-book!
At least I can not think of another band that is sounding like POSW ,as heard on their LP.
In one MRR scene-report of the mid-1980´s, there is an ad for a demo named “The perils of being…” , that I am looking for a long time. Once again Erich proves his good taste in HardCore and Punk <:+)~
[Reply]
Posted on 13-Jul-08 at 11:31 am | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Did Burkhard really describe it as “Pagan Hardcore”, Behjan? You’re shitting me, aren’t you?! Or were great minds thinking alike?
[Reply]
Posted on 13-Jul-08 at 11:47 am | Permalink
Andre wrote:
Thanks for reposting this. I missed it the first time.
[Reply]
Posted on 03-Sep-08 at 7:58 pm | Permalink
Jason wrote:
Excellent post! They were a fantastic live band & the LP is no slouch either. I loved it at the time & I’m damn glad to be able to give it a spin almost a quarter of a century later.
Thanks again, and hey, here’s a flyer I still have laying around from one of their great KC shows.
[Reply]
Posted on 04-Sep-08 at 8:18 am | Permalink
Tim wrote:
Cool, for some reason tonight this band popped back into my head. I still have the album and played it at least once in the last year or so. The theme song will just randomly play in my head some times. Anyway, does anyone remember a skate zine from there called Tiki Air? Anyone here at the Melee in 1984? I drove up from STL for that and the 7 Seconds Samhain show the night before in KC.
[Reply]
Posted on 23-Oct-08 at 9:49 pm | Permalink
Gary M. wrote:
I am fucking amazed!!! I saw them in Lawrence, KS at the Outhouse in ‘84 or ??? I can’t remeber the details. Have been wondering if anything was still out there about them. Like others have said, “Before there time”
[Reply]
Posted on 09-Dec-08 at 10:54 pm | Permalink
Rugged Eye wrote:
I remember this band like it was yesterday. I was there from the very beginning, first just watching and commenting on the songs and the development of some of the songs, and eventually I became the sound man and ran the board at their shows and Jakes Vocal Effects. The original members were Steve Schleich -Lead Guitar, John Luchtel aka Tree – Bass, Jake Ryan aka Ikky Thudd – Vocals, Steve Peterson – Drums 1983 – 84, Matt Briggs – Drums 1984, Bryan Hobbs – Guitar 1984 – 85, Phil Judt – Drums 1984 – 85.
The band was definately way ahead of their time and this proved itself in the end. Steve Schleich parted ways with the band in 1985 after their limited tour promoting the album. P.S.W.’s last show was at Sokhol Hall in Omaha, NE. 1985 opening for the Dead Kennedys.
The members went their own ways, some joining other bands and some just moving on.
Jake moved to Los Angeles where he had another band going, and going good from what I remember, until he overdosed and died late in 1994.
Steve messed around in a few bands for a while and eventually got away from music all together and became a lawyer in real estate. Steve died of an accidental overdose in 2003.
Tree eventually became a Chef and left Lincoln for Louisiana, Chicago and Now lives in Missouri as a Executive Chef.
Brian still lives in Lincoln and prefers to have nothing to do with music or his past in music.
Phil went on to join several local “nerf metal – hair bands” and eventually pursue his career in drumming and now I believe he teaches drumming, not sure though. Lost touch with the guy years ago. Mutual disagreements.
These are just some of the Highlights of P.S.W.’s existence. If you have any specific questions I could try to answer them to the best of my memory. I was a wild and crazy one back then.
Rugged
[Reply]
Posted on 24-Jan-09 at 1:36 pm | Permalink
Rugged Eye wrote:
I made a mistake Steve died in Nov. 2000 not 2003. R.I.P. STEVE!
[Reply]
Posted on 24-Jan-09 at 1:46 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Great info, RE – thanks much! Have you got any unreleased POW recordings?
[Reply]
Posted on 24-Jan-09 at 1:46 pm | Permalink
Rugged Eye wrote:
I used to have some great recordings of unreleased songs but have lost them over the years. I am trying to hunt down a copy of the “Perils of Being Insane In Sane Places” Tape. That tape had the original drummer Steve Peterson on it. The recording was pretty bad but it could be cleaned up with modern software. I do know where there is a box of 50 of their LP that I am trying to acquire. I am also trying to find the original master recordings. I would like to re-mix them to bring Steve’s guitar up more and a few other things.
Some of P.S.W.’s best shows were opening many times for Toxic Reasons, another great band of the early 80’s. If you have a chance to get your hands on a copy of “Kill By Remote Control” definitely grab it, that is an awesome album. I think they are going to re-release it in the near future.
Rugged
[Reply]
Posted on 25-Jan-09 at 1:43 am | Permalink
Admin wrote:
So maybe there’s a re-issue of PSW coming in the future? Sounds good. Use the search function, RD, and type in Toxic Reasons – you’ll find the 2nd LP among other material by TR.
[Reply]
Posted on 25-Jan-09 at 1:50 am | Permalink
Federico wrote:
I downloaded this record when you first uploaded it, but it is only recently that I “got it” and I’ve been listening to it all the time. Thanks a lot Erich for introducing me to Power Of The Spoken Word!
To Rugged Eye: if you ever get that box with LPs and are willing to sell them for a reasonable price, please get in touch or tell me how to get in touch with you. I would also love to hear their demo…
[Reply]
Posted on 25-Jan-09 at 11:55 pm | Permalink
accidental therapy wrote:
POWER VIOLENCE BEFORE POWER VIOLENCE!!!
i have that bct tape!! which sounds absolutely different from the album…..manic fast hardcore!
[Reply]
Posted on 09-Feb-09 at 5:51 pm | Permalink
Rugged Eye wrote:
I have recently got my hands on a copy of the “Perils of Being Sane in Insane Places…” tape. Thanks a ton AL, a great friend and THE “Baby Hot Line” singer, another awesome band from Lincoln, Ne. in the 80’s.
I am currently working on cleaning up the tape. I will be making CD’s when I am finished. Mr. Admin, if you would like, I would be happy to upload the project when I am finished with it.
R.P.
[Reply]
Posted on 04-Mar-09 at 2:07 am | Permalink
elliott wrote:
when i first put this on i thaught i was on acid. noone can sound that good. thanks soooo much erich.
[Reply]
Posted on 22-Oct-09 at 5:17 pm | Permalink
Reese Pursell wrote:
Look this band was light years ahead of their time….simply put if they had come along 6 years l8r they would have been a very big deal….Jake was a good friend and a true original…I remember going over to Tree’s house to feed the piranhas…too good
[Reply]
Posted on 18-Nov-09 at 8:08 pm | Permalink
Phil Judt wrote:
I have a ripped copy of all the PSW Language Of A Dying Breed album, and the original pressing and acetate. My website still works, it just only works in Internet Explorer. I included 4 live tracks from a practice toward the end of PSW. Im glad to hear people are still talking about it!
-Phil
[Reply]
Posted on 09-Dec-09 at 3:03 pm | Permalink
Balerephon wrote:
Wow. I have been searching for this album for a long time. My brother bought this album when it came out. We had never heard anything like it before. And since! POTSW defied description and conventions. We listened to the album over and over again. Eventually the album was sold, but I never forgot it. It sticks with you, in the subconscious. Every so often I would remember the name of the band and do a search on the internet, but I couldn’t remember the name of the album, which made sifting through the crap to find what I was looking for a frustrating task. I am glad I found this place. I cannot thank you enough.
[Reply]
Posted on 23-Dec-09 at 7:43 pm | Permalink
Enver wrote:
My brother(Mele) turned me on to this band. I remember thinking they were so good back then. Now 20 years later they have passed the test of time. So incredibly bad ass and inspirational. Its hard to put words to how good this band was and album still is. Thanks to who ever made the album available for download.
[Reply]
Posted on 30-Jan-10 at 5:57 am | Permalink
Jason Debus wrote:
Thanks for the download! I have the album but it’s great to have mp3s.
Lincoln Nebraska in the early-mid 80s was a great scene. There were boatloads of hardcore/punk bands that would come through there. Some of my best memories were the PSW shows when they opened for DRI or COC at the brickyard. Jake showed me his contact list once, there must have been over a hundred bands on there.
Regarding the Language of a Dying Breed album and PSW. I just wanted to point out a couple of things that may not be obvious:
- Phil Judt went to one of the best music schools in Lincoln (I forget the name) where he learned percussion. This album contains some of the best hardcore percussion you will hear anywhere. It may not be apparent because of how it was mixed, the drums aren’t as prominent as they should be in my opinion. I heard stories about the final mix on the album (Rugged maybe you were there? Phil, any comments?) that there were power struggles with the mix, and that’s why it sounds like it does.
- To get that psychotic vocal sound Jake used a vocoder. I’m not sure what kind. Performing ‘Complex Disorder’ live always seemed to be a problem because the vocoder would feedback really easy.
- Sections of ‘The Curse’ feature vocals and lead guitar simultaneously which you don’t hear a lot of in hardcore.
- ‘Hekura’ was inspired by one of Jake’s girlfriends (can’t remember if it was his longtime girlfriend Julie Lewis or not)
Had some great times partying with Jake, Julie, Phil, & ‘Rugged’ aka Russ Pearson! Jammed briefly with Jake & Phil along with Jeff Kohl in a post-PSW band that never got off the ground (Dies Irae). Eventually with Jeff we formed Heka (aka Hekakontalithos) but we were thrash and not nearly as good as PSW. I have mp3s of our Heka recordings with Phil (recorded in his basement, he doesn’t play on the tracks). The original Heka 4-track was lost.
If anyone knows of any downloads of other Lincoln bands please post. I’d love to have a decent recording of Hemorrhage (Jeff Kohl bass/vocals, Brian Hobbs guitar, & Phil Judt drums). Anyone remember when they played ‘Wheel of Law’ with Jake at the Malone Center? Good times!
[Reply]
Posted on 05-Feb-10 at 6:24 pm | Permalink
Admin wrote:
Thanks so much for the great input, Jason! I’d be very interested in hearing the recording of yours!
[Reply]
Posted on 06-Feb-10 at 5:23 pm | Permalink
Logan Schleich wrote:
I was reading through the information listed above and I do agree with a lot of what said about the band. I am Logan Schleich, my father is Steve Schleich, the Lead Guitarist for PSW and I was looking through all of the post other fans have left and I would love to tell you the facts and what is incorrect about my father on this page. Yes Steve Schleich from PSW and the Steve Schleich who was a lawyer and realator and does have a parked named after him in Lincoln NE right behind Northstar Highschool. My father died of a drug overdoce on November 4th 2000, I have vivid memories of my father and I sitting on our couch while he would play his red electric guitar and do his signature head bang! I love listening to the album and have a copy hung up on my wall. My fathers music meant a lot to him, and some of his best memories were from PSW. My father used to tell me stories of when he opened for The Smashing Pumpkins and The Dead Kennedys. Growing up in Lincoln NE and my grandparents not letting my father take guitar lessons as a kid, because they believed it would take him nowhere. My father decided to go buy his own, and he taught himself how to play every note. I am very proud of the bands music, and hopefully the music will keep circulating. Please email me if you want to talk about the band, or perhaps you have some stories of my father, I would love to hear them.
Thank you
Logan
[Reply]
Posted on 17-Feb-10 at 4:36 am | Permalink
Thomas wrote:
This is really the best blog around. I remember buying the LP back in 85/86 (not sure). It was a recommendation from Tom from Sasquatch Mailorder in Berlin. He was really into the most unusual stuff and promoting the hell out of music nobody else would have listened to otherwise. Whenever he had a new list out, I would call him up and order stuff that I thought sounded cool. And then he would add his five cents what I should get. Got burned a couple of times but most of the times he was right on the money (especially in hindsight). POTSW was one of those cases. I remember being totally creepep out by the strangeness of the music, especially since no information whatsoever was available who these guys were and what their intent was. Great to read all the info here. What a cool band.
[Reply]
Posted on 04-Mar-10 at 10:33 am | Permalink