a guest series, courtesy of a very friendly lawyer
I read JC’s post the other day about Trump smashing up the White House, and it occurred to me: America’s fucked all the way up. Maybe I should start thinking about other options. Where to go? No idea, really, so instead I did what I usually do–make a list of songs. Let’s get out the Atlas and see what’s on offer around the globe!
Cuban Slide. Not sure why this banger was an unused out take from The Pretenders‘ debut. Thankfully, it showed up a couple of years later on the US-released Extended Play and in the UK as the b-side to the ‘Talk of the Town’ single.
Spanish Bombs. As the years go by, London Calling just gets better. Here our man is evoking images of the Spanish Civil War, brought to mind during the recording of the album when Joe Strummer heard a radio report about ETA terror bombings along the Costa Brava.
Mexican Radio. A college radio staple from back in 1982. If I’m honest, I can’t think of any other songs by Wall of Voodoo, and I wonder if this tune got any airplay outside the States. I just remember that when this song came on at parties everyone would shout “What does he say?” at the appropriate moment.
Chinese Rocks. Right up there with ‘Waiting for the Man‘ as the best song about scoring heroin in Manhattan. Written by Dee Dee Ramone and recorded by Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers for the classic L.A.M.F. I guess it doesn’t have too much to do with China. Unless I develop a habit.
Italian Horror. Kasabian never cracked the US, perhaps due to the questionable decision to name themselves after a Manson Family spree murderer. But they’ve been at it for a while and this track, from 2024’s Happenings, is a good snapshot of what they’re like.
Swedish Fish. From Luna‘s 2002 collection, Romantica. Crap, now I have to make a playlist with husband and wife band members.
Japanese Cowboy. Ween are like an alt-rock Frank Zappa: brilliant musicianship, complex songwriting, juvenile and often offensive lyrics. From 1996’s 12 Golden Country Greats (which had 10 songs on it).
French Navy. I don’t know too much about Glasgow’s Camera Obscura, but it looks like they’ve been a going concern for nearly 30 years. This is from their fourth LP, My Maudlin Career. Maybe our host can enlighten us as to whether diving into the band’s catalog is a good idea.
Aldo says: I’d suggest Camera Obscura are well worth exploring further, and to that end has given me fresh impetus to deliver a long promised ICA which will hopefully act as an enticing taster for the uninitiated. Spoiler alert, French Navy hasn’t made the shortlist!
English Roundabout. Kind of a tough one, this, having to bypass the Stranglers‘ ‘English Towns’, the Jam‘s ‘English Rose‘, Fleet Foxes‘ ‘English House‘ and others. But the boys from Swindon get the nod with this guitar workout because it’s from the stellar English Settlement.
Haitian Divorce. I can’t remember ever seeing Steely Dan mentioned here at the Villain’s place. That makes sense, they were a mainstream American radio act dating back to the early 70’s and so don’t really fit in here. But I chose this track for a simple reason: Dean Park‘s talkbox solo at the 2:43 mark is just FILTHY and I never get tired of listening to it.
Best Wishes from The Divided States!
Jonny
Bonus tracks:
Belgian Friends by The Durutti Column
Lebanese Blonde by Thievery Corporation
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
Mexican Radio was a bit of a hit in Sweden, and the 12 inch I ever have had by Wall Of Voodoo.
By the way, Swedish Fish are of course not called that over here. I’ve never understood why they got that name in the (Divided) States.
My condolences regarding the state of the nation, it’s a down right shame.
Hang in there Jonny.
It looks like your old stomping ground New York might be leading the way.
Big fan of Mexican Radio
Mexican Radio did the rounds in the U.K. and I also can’t think of another Wall of Voodoo song
Talk of the town is my favorite pretenders’ tune!
OK JTFL. Does MVV have an editor in chief that can keep you out of hot water? When you get into countries, ethnicities, etc. in a time like these it’s a slippery slope. Now I think we can go to artists names and maybe it’s worthwhile starting with Japanese Breakfast. But then you’ve got songs that may not be able to make this list anymore like Turning Japanese or China girl. Just cause I live on the edge I would put I Ran in here. Flock of Seagulls just doesn’t get their due for kicking off an intense hair battle in New Wave.
I also only know one song from Wall of Voodoo, but lead man Stan Ridgeway had some great moments in a long solo career, particularly around the 1986 album The Big Heat.
I can’t be too big of a fan. I pulled out the album just now and realize I didn’t even spell his last name correctly.
Well, I thought that their superb cover of “Ring of fire” was also well known – apparently not! 🙂
Dive into the albums where Stan is still in the band – great songs there!
Thrilled about the Camera Obscura mention! Their most recent album, Look To the East, Look To the West, is just about perfect.