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In The Summer

by The Scenics

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Italian pressing from the Rave Up label. Sharp, clear, warm remaster of original 1977-78 studio recordings by Victoria, BC, producer Joby Baker. Joby had two projects he produced up for Grammys this year. Original recordings done on 4 and 8 track reel to reel.

    ‘I don’t know much about this Canadian New Wave band that made these brilliant recordings in ’77 & ’78. Why they aren’t legends is hard to say.’ Roctober (Chicago)

    “Largely unappreciated when they originally existed between 1976-81, these underground icons merged Television’s guitar work, Big Star’s pop prowess, Pere Ubu’s dementia, & the Ramones’ urgency.” Jonathon Cummins, Montreal Mirror

    "Brainy crackpot art-pop with an ear for off-kilter melody, a headful of magic & twitchy grooves to burn. It's a sin the Scenics have left such a faint mark on punk-rock history... but the reborn cult starts here.” Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

    FREE - "How Does It Feel To Be Loved: The Scenics Play the Velvet Underground" CD with each order. (Top 10 CDs of 2008 Jeffrey Morgan, Village Voice. "The best VU tribute album ever... the Scenics don't ape the Velvets, they enhance them...” Detroit Metro Times. ”Stunning in the same way that the Byrds playing Bob Dylan was so stellar. This is a must...8/10” Johnson Cummins, The Montreal Mirror. Top 30, national Canadian campus charts.

    Includes unlimited streaming of In The Summer via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 3 days

      $20 USD or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Extensive liner notes by Colin Brunton, director of the Last Pogo and The Last Pogo Jumps Again, (Line producer on the Hedwig and the Angry Inch movie!) tell the story of the summer of 1977 day when he first met and first heard the Scenics. Sound is powerful, clear and nuanced- it's a new remaster by celebrated producer Joby Baker and it sounds like the original four track reel to reels, but better! Designed by award-winning designer David Montle, who has worked with The Scenics since 1979. Features photos by Brian Molyneaux and Rodney Bowes, including the photo used on the new Scenics T-shirt.
    Gatefold Eco pac with clear plastic tray.

    FREE - "How Does It Feel To Be Loved: The Scenics Play the Velvet Underground" CD with each order. (Top 10 CDs of 2008 Jeffrey Morgan, Village Voice. "The best VU tribute album ever... the Scenics don't ape the Velvets, they enhance them...” Detroit Metro Times. ”Stunning in the same way that the Byrds playing Bob Dylan was so stellar. This is a must...8/10” Johnson Cummins, The Montreal Mirror. Top 30, national Canadian campus charts.

    Includes unlimited streaming of In The Summer via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 2 days

      $8 USD or more 

     

  • T-Shirt/Apparel

    Designed by David Montle, who has designed all the Scenics' album artwork. Features the tray card image from the In The Summer CD. Monochromatic Psychedelia will help you feel the groove.

    6.0 ounce 100% cotton jersey
    Set-in rib collar with shoulder-to-shoulder taping
    Double needle sleeve and bottom hems
    Preshrunk to minimize shrinkage

    They're made in Mexico and are NAFTA certified.
    ships out within 2 days

      $16 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 3 Dream Tower Records releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of In The Summer, Talking Songs, and Dead Man Walks Down Bayview. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $10.20 USD or more (40% OFF)

     

1.
O Boy 02:12 video
O Boy (Ken Badger) He's a product of a college community he takes drugs and so does his mother he's quite unstable yet he seems so serene the way he talks from one side to the other to paint to cook to play the fiddle He's a product of a college community he's around for a while then he fades in thin air wish he had a pal to make things real wish he had a pal instead of these nuts At the watering hole they all knew him cause he could spit from underneath his tongue drink and drink and drink and go home and get sick football game tomorrow O boy Look out people when you see him walking around he's quite capable now ain't that funny look the other way don't wanna attract his attention if you see him at a party go home.
2.
Do the Wait Andy Meyers Feb 16/77 Hey there's a new dance down at the club bub Maurice and the Duke do it with Alice and Greer Hey you had better show tonight cause it's wild child child you had better show tonight cause it's here It's just the Sweetest thing that you have ever saw like walking doing nothing at all Do the Wait Some say Jenny Janey found it looking for work Some say Maurice himself found it in line for the clerk some say society taught it to us from birth all I know is sweet heaven I am waiting for all that I'm worth It's just the Sweetest thing that you have ever seen like walking standing still in a dream Do the Wait You put your right foot down you put your left one beside about shoulder width apart not too tight not too wide you let your arms hang loose down there by your side then you just stand there Hey little boy quit your pushing around you're going to be here for a while you had better slow down hey little girl take your time don't you try and rush me cause I'm doing mine Do the Wait Slow down you're moving too fast hey baby don't you want it to last of course you know it makes no difference if you do the wait It's just the Sweetest thing that you have ever seen like walking standing still in a dream...
3.
Wild Trout 04:17
Wild Trout Ken Badger I am seven miles from your door and I am wading downstream. I had a sandwich and a beer and I sat on a rock for an hour. I am alone and I enjoy being alone today. The little fishes nibbling on my feet. I seek a wild trout, not some trout pond dullard. I seek a wild trout, he must be a sleek creek dweller. mmm it’ll taste so good. mmm it’ll taste so fine. just as good as no other kind. The woodland creatures jump and run as I approach I mean no harm. Just passing through just falling down hey I’m just looking for a fish. If I make it home tonight tie me down and hide my boots and If I pack it in tonight It should be your duty to seek a wild trout, not some trout pond dullard. I seek a wild trout, he must be a sleek creek dweller. mmm it’ll taste so good. mmm it’ll taste so fine. just as good as no other kind.
4.
GREAT PILES OF LEAVES Andy Meyers Feb 28/77 His father always told him that perfection wasn’t necessary as long as he always got things right. His father always gave him everything he ever wanted so he always asked his father every night. I Want to play like Pablo Casals When I pick up my cello I can practice just as hard and as well think I’ll start with the preludes poor little boy didn’t know that talent still counted Lucky little boy always managed too get what he wanted- In the spring it never rained. In the summer not too hot. In the winter just enough snow. In the fall he played in Great Piles of Leaves raked up for him by his gardener in piles up to ten feet high so he could tumble giggle laugh and play no leaves were allowed to blow to the next yard or the next or the next as he was here and fit to play. His father always told him that winning was not the main thing for him as long as he never lost or tied. His father always gave him everything he ever wanted so he always asked his father till he died. Chorus X2 Lucky little boy never had to learn that talent still counted Strange little boy always managed more than he needed- As a baby sleep and eat all day as a child go out and play as a young man learn the trade as a mature man go get married In a marraige of convenience arranged for him by his father when he saw his young boy become a man His father died and left the Rolls to him and soon he found that it was him that was no longer disobeyed. Come here little boy see the world from your daddy’s knee I’ll teach you everything you need to know In the fall you’ll play in great piles of leaves Great Piles of Leaves
5.
I'm Hurt 04:55
I’M HURT Andy Meyers March 30/77 I’m Hurt I’m Burning I’m Hurt I’m Burning I’m Hurt I’m Burning I’m Hurt I understand When you threw me in the garbage Well it gave me pause for thought and when I threw you into the garbage all it gave you was a painful experience Why do we have to try and understand why can’t we just talk in signs? I should know when you light matches you should know when I talk in rhymes that I’M HURT.... instrumental ooohhh give the poor doggy a bone ooohhh give the poor doggy a bone all he wanted was a little affection all they gave him was a bone. When you told me I was on fire When you told me I just smiled thought it over as you ran to get the water I’ll be gone tomorrow you’ll remember my smile I’M HURT
6.
SUNSHINE WORLD Andy Meyers 1978 Hold your eyes don’t jump in front of me girl when the sun goes down we’ll play Monday 72 hours to fit all my life into it’s a nice task, I gotta hurry. If I’m angry if I feel frustrated It’s ‘cause times rushing by pull the window out from under me If I’m moving faster than you can girl It’s cause I’m Trying to catch up to the Sunshine World. Eyes wide all night awake all day gonna find adventure and romance all bridges burned no stone unturned never ain’t gonna not take no chance no ifs ands or buts no waddaya means if you block me while I’m stretching I’ll just bust you at the seams If you call my bluff I’ll just let it ring ‘cause I’m trying to catch up to the Sunshine World When the last bus is leaving I don’t wanna miss the station ‘cause I walked you past a window where the new music’s playing out my option for the hoping that I did while I worked and I’m Trying to catch up to the Sunshine World.
7.
In The Summer Ken Badger These girls looks so good In the Summer These girls smell so sweet In the Summer Just like a dirty sheet oh my these girls yes yes these girls My girl I treat her right I’m a kind man not the cheating type but These girls they tend to drive me wild oh my these girls yes yes these girls It’s not a political act it’s just just a hard on fact that I’m a sucker for these girls in the summer I’m keenly aware of their effect on me can’t run for cover in the street why bother i’m at her mercy i’m at her mercy i’m at her mercy in the summer heat These girls looks so good In the Summer These girls smell so sweet In the Summer Just like a dirty sheet oh my these girls yes yes these girls On the street in the summer I’m a regular guy...
8.
I KILLED MARX Andy Meyers 1978 Left You at 6 came back at 8 I was the boat you were the fiords I see the stalinist die I see the stalinist die I see the stalinist die Left you at 6 went out for a skate came back at 8 you were the fiords I see the stalinist die I see the stalinist die I see the stalinist die well I let you right in why then did you wait I said now squeeze me Larry I said now soothe me Kate I see the stalinist die I see the stalinist die I see the stalinist die
9.
Gotta Come Back Here Ken Badger Gotta Come Back Here sometime Gotta Come Back Here you all were so very verily verily very nice It slept in a field it fell off a horse It ate with the vicar it could have been worse Gotta Come Back Here sometime I am an out of placer I am a social gracer I am the chair you’re sitting in It is the way I fit in here. Gotta Come Back Here sometime Gotta Come Back Here you all were so verily verily verily nice It fell through the roof It ate off the floor It called out for more drugs as it Crawled out the door singing Come Back Here sometime I am an out of placer I is the social gracer I am the chair you’re sitting in It is the way I fit in here. Gotta Come Back Here sometime Gotta Come Back Here
10.
So Fine 04:28
So Fine Andy Meyers You ignored me for Far too long but Now you see I’m strong I hold your hand And you know I’m yours All you ever wanted and the moon and stars are ours alone the planets are just yours and mine our love is so fine the moon shines for you alone the sun sets in the sky in shame when you walk by I’m sad when we must sleep apart I know how you feel I see it In your eyes I love you because you’re someone I can talk to who knows why you love me I’m such a lucky guy we climbed a mountain of love, where we were sent a sign to show us our love’s fine and if you wanted the stars above they’d have to be cleansed by me to match your purity We’re joined together you and I my arm is your arm now I see what you see I feel what you feel my thoughts fit your thoughts my legs fit your legs I’ll hug you I’ll hold you, never let you go Never let you go
11.
Not Dead Yet 03:40
Not Dead Yet Ken Badger On the porches they were watching In the street a cat and a car TV noises float around in the air They approached the intersection then they stopped and then they ran across and nothing happened after that for a while This day suspended in time Late afternoon and the sun is shining. On the porches they were vacant watching dust settle all around all around and each one of them thought of what she would wear And it darker and it grew more light and it’s gonna blot out a vacant light and each one of them decided what she would wear This night might be something unkind But on my porch I don’t seem to mind Bug on a window something to eat Can’t get excited about anything I missed my dinner never open my mail If they buried me know I couldn’t complain I’m Not Dead Yet I’m Not Dead Yet I’m Not Dead Yet I’m Not Dead Yet
12.
One Comes Closer Ken Badger I want to be a cured person. I would be someone you’d like to meet. I can wait. I want to be a person I would be someone you would think to include I can wait. One comes closer I want to be an explosion in your back yard and a whole lot more nicer for you to see me on my visit. I can wait.

about

bigtakeover.com/news/video-premiere-do-the-wait-by-the-scenics

“It wasn't so much that The Scenics were ahead of their time in 1977, it's more that almost everybody else didn't even know what time it was. New York had Talking Heads, & England was blessed with XTC, but here was their equal in Toronto & they never got the necessary push and support. It's fabulous we finally have the evidence, but it's a drag we haven't been able to enjoy it the past 30 years.” Bob Mersereau, CBC, author of "the Top 100 Canadian Albums"

‘I don’t know much about this Canadian New Wave band that made these brilliant recordings in ’77 & ’78. Why they aren’t legends is hard to say.’ Roctober (Chicago)

“Largely unappreciated when they originally existed between 1976-81, these underground icons merged Television’s guitar work, Big Star’s pop prowess, Pere Ubu’s dementia, & the Ramones’ urgency.” Jonathon Cummins, Montreal Mirror

“If a band makes an album & nobody hears it, does it still rock? This long- lost batch of wiry Television guitars & black Velvets art-rock sure does” Daryl Sterdan, Winnipeg Sun

"Brainy crackpot art-pop with an ear for off-kilter melody, a headful of magic & twitchy grooves to burn. It's a sin the Scenics have left such a faint mark on punk-rock history... but the reborn cult starts here.” Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

Recorded on 4 track & 8 track Reel to Reel in Toronto, 1977/78.

Release date: November 10, 2015

1976. New music was filtering out of NYC. Patti Smith's "Horses”. Television's "Little Johnny Jewel". Pere Ubu's 45s. The Ramones’ first. Talking Heads in "New York Rocker" magazine.

In the summer of 1976  Andy Meyers, fresh out of High School, & Ken Badger, working at the local music store, met and started The Scenics.

Inspired by these new sounds, (and Iggy, the VU, garage rock, Roxy, Syd Barrett, etc,), Ken & Andy began writing songs that defined THEIR sound- chancy, noisy... big pop choruses and gear-stripping guitar. Quirky lyrics that took in the world from the other side of "normal".

The Scenics made the studio recordings on In The Summer. They played shows with Talking Heads, Simply Saucer, Viletones, and dozens of others. They played at the infamous "Last Pogo", (1978) & were featured in the movie & live LP of the same name. In 1979 they recorded their LP Underneath the Door, & in 1981 they released a 45, Karen/See Me Smile.

For 6 years, The Scenics engaged and enraged local audiences by not playing by the punk rules of the day. The band’s wild creativity made any Scenics performance an adventure.

credits

released October 16, 2015

Ken Badger -guitar, vocals, bass, songwriter
Andy Meyers -guitar, vocals, bass, songwriter
Brad Cooper and Mark French -drums

Recorded 1977/78 in Toronto
Engineered by Barry Steinberg and Paul Bonish
Produced by Andy Meyers
Executive Producers Mark Perkell and Ken Badger

Mastered by Joby Baker
Design by David Montle
Photographs by Brian Molyneaux

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Some rights reserved. Please refer to individual track pages for license info.

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Dream Tower Records Toronto, Ontario

Vintage/current music by Toronto protopunk legends The Scenics & related projects.

“It wasn't so much that The Scenics were ahead of their time in 1977, it's more that almost everybody else didn't even know what time it was.
New York had Talking Heads, and England was blessed with XTC, but here was their equal in Toronto...”
Bob Mersereau, author "the Top 100 Canadian Albums"
... more

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