Sunday, January 29, 2012

Beat on the Brat with a Banjo

My friend David sent me a message about the Carolina Chocolate Drops show at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton last night.  "We really loved both bands -- your prompt to get there in time for Joy Kills Sorrow was good advice. I've still got banjos twangin' around in my head. Need an afternoon of the Ramones or something to put a stop to it."  I told him that if he was pressed for time, and as short as Ramones songs are, there are equivalencies to take advantage of. For mental banjo cleansing, one serving of Motorhead's "Ace of Spades" packs the pluck purging power of the Ramones' "Beat on the Brat" and  "I Wanna Be Sedated" combined. Neither of us have anything against banjos for the record. Why do I tell you this? Because after the exchange, I was walking through town and one of the street musicians was banging out "Beat on the Brat" ON A BANJO. Can I get a witness? Did anyone else see this guy outside of Faces? True story.
This obviously isn't the same guy I saw on the streets of Northampton playing The Ramones song "Beat on the Brat" on the banjo but it clearly captures the essence of the moment and Johnny Ramone's signature assault stance.
The original.

3 comments:

diane porcella said...

a (live) banjo is something i have not heard in a loooooong time, particularly street banjo! on recent walks about antwerp and brussel i have been delighted with guitar and voice (of course) but also trumpet, clarinet, a capella, piano (on wheels) and spoons...but alas no banjo. i like hearing noho thru your blog. thanks.

diane porcella said...

a (live) banjo is something i have not heard in a loooooong time, particularly street banjo! on recent walks about antwerp and brussel i have been delighted with guitar and voice (of course) but also trumpet, clarinet, a capella, piano (on wheels) and spoons...but alas no banjo. i like hearing noho thru your blog. thanks.

diane porcella said...

i like hearing noho thru you blog. thanks.
and while i have not found street banjo in belgium there is a lovely guy with a piano on wheels i see thru out the city and on a summer trip to brussel heard the most achingly beautiful clarinet curling around the cobbled alleys.