Fun House

The Stooges, 1970

I have just finished reading Iggy Pop’s gritty but compelling biography by ex MOJO writer Paul Trynka. Needless to say my Stooges and Iggy LPs are currently getting heavy rotation in my house at the moment, much to the amusement of my 2 year old son. (‘Rocking out’ is now a big part of his day). It’s difficult to write about The Stooges and stick entirely to their music for the fact that they and Iggy in particular were in such a mess 99% of the time; the stories are that of legend. Their recording output however, from 1969-1972 produced 3 of the most important records ever made, and in the process became the catalyst for punk rock. They were so ahead of their time that they would hardly sell any copies and heroin, breakdowns and death would soon follow. Louie, Louie organist Don Gallucci was drafted in as producer by Elektra records head honcho Jac Holzman after Velvet Underground co-founder John Cale had produced their self titled debut. Holzman was eager for the new record to be more ‘conventional’ and to sell. That was never going to happen. Gallucci had seen the Stooges live and new that was exactly where their strength was. His idea was to record them live in the studio producing one track per day. The results are simply staggering. Iggy would work the studio floor with mike in hand just as he had on stage with animalistic edge. Nothing I write can really describe what Gallucci and the Stooges crafted in those 1970 LA sessions as any of you who own this record will testify. What I would say is that listening to Fun House makes you realise once again just how dull and uninspiring the majority of today’s indie/rock/whatever bands sound.

I have questioned many times the fact that although I am not old (but getting older) - is it me and am I suffering from ‘Dad Syndrome’ - (‘What’s that rubbish you’re listening to?”) - but the truth is obviously absolutely not! It’s hard to imagine writing with the same excitement about The View or The Klaxons in 30 years time. Fellow Detroit neighbour Jack White described Funhouse as ‘The greatest Rock ‘n Roll LP ever recorded’. Biased he may be, but it’s difficult to disagree. I will try and find something new before next month to compare; in truth though it probably won’t happen. So for now play Funhouse, turn it up very loud and rejoice in the fact that 37 years after it was recorded there is still nothing that sounds more relevant or that will touch this record. Grrr…

The Stooges Play the Meltdown festival and Glastonbury 20/23 June respectively. www.myspace.com/iggyandthestooges

Gary Mitchell