Pussy Galore – Dial “M” for Motherfucker (Caroline) 1989
If I was ever going to bother to do a top ten albums of all time this is definately one that would be on the list. Pussy Galore are one of the worst bands of all time. They couldn’t play, had a very vague concept of “song” and to be frank, any brilliant moment they had probably occurred by a drunken fluke.
The reason this record is so great is that it was the first American punk band I’d heard. I picked up an NME benefit video compilation called Carry on Disarming at my local second-hand record store when I was still in High School. That video blew me away. It had video clips by the Swans, Thug, Wolfgang Press, AC Marias, The Three Johns and the Throwing Muses. The best thing on it though, was the video of Pussy Galore’s Dick Johnson. I was fucking hooked. To me Pussy Galore was what punk should have sounded like and so often didn’t. It was a shambolic cacophony of fuck-you attitude combined with sweat, drugs, piss and vomit. Guitars scraped like they were being dragged on bitumen. The drummer sounded like he’d dispensed with his kit and used garbage cans instead. The singer approached his task like he was in the middle of a three day bender. Of course the guitarist is Neil Hagerty of Royal Trux and Howling Hex, the drummer was the former Sonic Youth member Bob Bert and the singer was a young John Spencer (later of the Blues Explosion). This to me is what punk was about. Amateurs playing with such violence and anger that it didn’t matter that it was a mess, it didn’t matter that the songs weren’t great. It’s embodies the attitude and bile that are missing from all of the modern pretenders. Clockcleaner, Part Chimp and Pissed Jeans get the idea but they don’t come close enough to smell the urine. Dial M for Motherfucker is aptly summed up by the title and album art. Is it subtle? Not really. It is the best fuck-off punk record I own? Undoubtedly!!
Ducks Battle Satan 
November 19, 2007 at 11:41 am
Humm this is a noise blog but the Feel Good/Groovy Hate Fuck material didn’t rock your world…..didn’t do much for me the 3rd time around or after either but loved that era’s attempt at Exiles On Main Street oddly enough (nah easy – I loved the original but a cover that isn’t a copy is a good thing by me).
Yeah this hits the spot but so does Right Now & Sugarsharp. I would have bought a whole lot more effort from those folk around that time/sound. Thought the last one was weak but that final release Live: In The Red woo hoo now that 18 different kinds of hot slippery thrusting slobbering oozing panting in your face, up your bum, in yer guts sex, drugs and rock n roll in a compact package !!
Oh sorry it’s not the best fuck off punk rock album you own that would be Flipper – Generic wouldn’t it.
December 7, 2007 at 8:45 am
Um, I have a 25 year old CD of Dial “M” for Motherfucker, and desperataely need the covor and inslip. Please help. I grew up in arlington, will pay, but must have. I’ve bought Quickness more than a couple of times, dammit!!! Can you help a brother out. I Have the orig. CD but no art work. Contact me!!! what’s it gonna take, will rebuy the MOTHERFUCKER if I Must!!!!! Just Say it ain’t so!!!
February 12, 2008 at 5:31 am
saw pussy galore on the “yu gung” tour…right before this record came out…they sucked….but i still love them….and this would go on my top ten as well……
February 12, 2008 at 6:32 am
Just re-read this post and i couldn’t say it any better. You obviously have excellent taste so what else would be in your top 10?
October 1, 2010 at 3:38 pm
A much underestimated sound collective, the residues of whom went on to entertain many in the 1990s.
http://partikal7.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/adventures-in-sound-87-pussy-galore/