Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"It was like Beethoven finally got here. It was so solid and so modern and so non-blues." — Danny Fields
"I'm sorry. And they asked him like, oh, well, why are you scared? He's like, cuz I'm gay. And having men in their underwear around me is just making me really, really gay." — Carolina Hidalgo (recalling Iggy Pop's draft avoidance story)
"Yeah, you know, for every psychedelic Shaq, you had half a dozen other completely forgotten albums that now only exist in record collections and YouTube rips records like Chubby Checker Goes Psychedelic." — Marcus Parks
This episode chronicles the nascent stages of The Stooges, tracing their evolution from an avant-garde experimental band to a more confrontational and nihilistic unit. The hosts discuss Iggy Pop's shifting stage persona, moving away from hippie idealism towards aggression, a transition exacerbated by personal experiences like a difficult acid trip and the looming threat of the Vietnam War draft, which Iggy famously avoided through dramatic means. The narrative then focuses on the band's early struggles with songwriting, often rehearsing for short periods and lacking sufficient material for a full album. A pivotal moment arrives with the introduction of Danny Fields, a representative from Electra Records, who, despite initially focusing on the MC5, was profoundly impressed by The Stooges' raw energy and advocated for their signing. This led to the band securing a record deal, albeit with the condition of dropping the "psychedelic" from their name and a modest advance, which was significantly higher for the MC5. The episode touches upon the creative process behind their debut album, the challenges of recording with producer John Cale, and the band's own dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the final mix, highlighting their desire for a raw, live sound. It also explores Iggy Pop's complex personal life during this period, including his brief marriage and his interactions with figures like Nico, further illustrating the chaotic and experimental environment surrounding the band.
The discussion further details the challenges faced by The Stooges in gaining traction with their debut album, which sold poorly in contrast to the mainstream success of musicals like "Hair." The hosts emphasize The Stooges' role as a "counter to the counterculture," offering a stark reality that resonated with a segment of the audience but was largely overlooked by the broader public. The episode also addresses the controversial aspect of Iggy Pop's relationships with significantly younger women, acknowledging the societal norms of the time while unequivocally stating that such behavior was wrong. The episode concludes by setting the stage for the recording of the "Fun House" album, noting the band's growth in songwriting and their renewed determination, despite the escalating personal struggles with drug use that would begin to shape their future.
The recording process for their debut album is detailed, including the band's insistence on high volume in the studio and their initial frustration with producer John Cale. The episode contrasts their raw approach with the polished sounds of other contemporary artists, and also touches upon the band's early interest in the occult. The narrative also highlights the MC5's self-inflicted downfall due to a controversial advertisement, which inadvertently benefited The Stooges by allowing their manager to negotiate a better deal for them. The personal lives of the band members are explored, including Iggy's brief marriage to Wendy Weissberg and the eventual dissolution of the band's initial lineup due to drug use and creative differences. The episode underscores the significant impact of The Stooges' debut album despite its initial commercial failure, recognizing its profound influence on future generations of musicians.