Mapping the history of The Pharmacy without telling you what the song is about….
T’was 30 years ago…
The original 1995 version was quite a magical moment for the band. We were a quartet then with a human drummer (i.e. Eugene) when we wrote, and recorded it in a lighting fast session. I know, it’s quite corny whenever you hear someone said that a particular song just came out of the ether and somehow the pieces just fell into place. Well, this one fits the cornball bill. I supposed, us being a tight unit then just connected at a subconscious level and came up with the song on the spot whilst jamming organically, which is a cliché in itself. What came out was a new wave/ post punk inspired ditty created amidst the full on mainstream explosion of post grunge (Cobain died a year before remember?). Not surprisingly, this version always brings back fond memories of simpler times, and our trusty 4 track cassette recorder.
Rewind to 20 years ago…
The 2005 version was created out of necessity of some sort, as we were invited (thank you Jasper) to do a live gig for the now defunct Fiestamundo music web portal here in Bacolod. Back then, it’s just me, and Jem (Chris was in Japan at that time) who crammed, and he did all the bass parts (both the rhythm, and distorted lead), and programmed/ sequenced all the tracks on a Boss DR5 drum machine/ sequencer. While me, for the first time in our band’s history, recorded said stuff to a PC. Yes, it was only in 2005 that we got to use a computer for music production! But even then, we have to pre-record all the digital instruments in the Boss machine, before transferring them in real time to the PC. Only the vocals, and additional live instruments, like Jem’s bass parts, vocals, sound FX, and live percussions were overdubbed to the PC. Sorry for being nerdy here. I just re-listened to it a few weeks ago, and I was surprised that it was actually way faster, and longer, than the original. Anyhow, what came out of it was still a post punk piece, with maybe a dash of mid-period Psychedelic Furs.
Fast forward to now….
I decided to make a gritty, grimey, and filthy-sounding version akin to our current social climate, and landscape. A more in-your-face, and quite chaotic arrangement perfect for the ADHD set. I supposed this is a more electro-punk/ garage rock leaning version which I’ve always wanted to get back to. An abrasive, and rough piece that don’t sound like it was made on a sleek computer is always a fun challenge for Gen X folks like me these days. The kinetic beat is a nod to early industrial pioneers Cabaret Voltaire, and late 80's, early 90's sampledelia mavericks Meat Beat Manifesto, while consciously trying to make it sound like a demo tape (with unedited mistakes!) recorded on a 4 track recorder as mentioned previously. Thus, I think this is a fitting piece to commemorate the song’s 30th anniversary. Now, if you think what the 40th anniversary version will sound like? I think it will be an unplugged piece with just an old acoustic guitar, and a kerosene lamp. Until then, crank this fucker to smithereens!
February 8, 2025
Words, music, arranged, and performed by FoodShelterAndClothing
Produced for StickySweetSounds by The Roadside Bums
P&C SSS RECORDS 1995, 2025
Note: a downloadable copy of this track will be made available as part of an upcoming compilation album to be released later this year.
