Sublime eclectic mayhem. That’s been my playlist project and musical life, one that begins with The Muppet Movie soundtrack and later involves performing hymns, death metal, surf, and bluegrass. I’ve played in theaters, tents, and basements, for multi-stage festivals and squirrel rodeos. I’ve written and recorded music for The Drunken Odyssey. Sublime eclectic mayhem. A warning and a welcome for joyous noise, for those navigating what Beckett called “this bitch of an earth.”

Live Improvised Verses Later Rejected By the Great Omaha Bluesman Dougie “Skinner” Swanson

I.

If I had you
All this and heaven, too
I’ll be waiting
I’ll cut a hole and pull you through

II.

The King of the World
He won’t go
The angels hung around
At the air show
A bunch of lonesome heroes
Digging for gold

III.

The street is a dull knife
Under the blacklight
Fools in love
Follow the signs
The butcher
By your side
One more time

The Street Is a Dull Knife

Listen on Tidal. Listen on Spotify.

1. “Leylican” – Rahman Mammadli
2. “Watch Your Step” – LEENALCHI
3. “Come Along” – Morphine
4. “Don’t Never Leave Me (Live at the Marquee)” – Hanoi Rocks
5. “Georgie” – Doc Watson
6. “Rock That Cradle Lucy” – Souled American
7. “Evil Does Not Exist” – Eiko Ishibashi
8. “O Stern Mathematics” – Erik Friedlander
9. “Homesickness” – Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru
10. “Shake Sugaree” – Elizabeth Cotton and Brenda Evans
11. “Skippy” – Ben Goldberg, Scott Amendola, Devin Hoff
12. “Pauke Tanz” – Elvin Jones
13. “Beat It (Demo)” – Michael Jackson
14. “Lovers and Browning” – Elizabeth Taylor

Stephen McClurg (Episode 473) composes and improvises in Serenity Dagger, The Abdomen, and other projects. Along with session work for mid-Alabama singer/songwriters, he frequently collaborates with musicians across the state adding bass, guitar, and synths to friends’ recordings. He currently writes reviews for Horror DNA and is the substitute low end wrangler for Mobile-based punk rock band Future Hate. You can find out more about his work here.