Thee Apostles - "One More Time"/"Hurry Up And Die" b/w Big Bobby And The Nightcaps - "Alcoholic Suicide"/"Have You Seen My Baby?" (Black Lung, 1998)

Another loud 'n' primal piece of blood-red vinyl brought to you by those rock 'n' roll gypsies (note the address change -- AGAIN!) Silas and Bumper. Thee Apostles' first cut has the guitar-and-piano punch of The Humpers' last record sans the Plege-polish production. "Hurry Up And Die" ("Well I could write a book upon the pain that you have caused/That ain't worth the headache or the time that it would cost/Or I could send you hate mail every single day/I won't sleep until your last day") is some evil-toned garage rock (The M-80's meet The Stitches?) with killer backing vocals. On the flip, Big Bobby And The Nightcaps lead off with "Alcoholic Suicide" that's done up in their early rockin' style. Great refrain: "Alcoholic suicide/You can run, but you just can't hide/When you're soaking in formaldehyde/All your friends will be back in time." Even better is the second track, which was originally recorded by Randy Newman. Though I've never heard the "Short People" author's version, I'm willing to bet that The Nightcaps' take stomps all over it like a Doc Marten on Gary Coleman's head. Excellent singing/playing -- if these guys are "this town's last hope for rock 'n' roll," things are definitely looking up at the moment.