Soulsuckers On Parade

Los Angeles independent label Minky Records is issuing two crucial, hitherto unheard slices of music recorded in the '80s by the late L.A. punk rock legend Jeffrey Lee Pierce and his band The Gun Club. On June 12, the company will release an exclusive single version of the Pierce original "Bad Indian" and a cover of Jody Reynolds' "Fire of Love." This Minky 45 will be accompanied by an even more impressive vault discovery: Soulsuckers On Parade, a full-length 1984 Pierce solo recording drawn from an abortive session for the cowpunk compilation album Don't Shoot, first released by Zippo Records in the U.K. The vocalist is supported by an all-star unit comprising guitarist Dave Alvin, drummer Bill Bateman, and the late pianist Gene Taylor, then of the hot L.A. roots combo The Blasters, and bassist Jack Waterson of Green On Red; Chris D. (Chris Desjardins, who also produced the date) and The Gun Club's Kid Congo Powers guest on background vocals.Featuring covers of songs originated by Willie Nelson, Big Joe Turner, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, a wacky, profane blues Pierce improvisation called "New Way of Walkin', and a rampaging, demented seventeen-minute original, "Walkin' Down the Street (Doin' My Thing)", the album will be issued as a limited edition Kelly-green vinyl LP on Record Store Day (June 12), and an unlimited expanded CD package (with studio chatter and improvised vocals and jams) on the same day.