The Bags

This was a Boston rock / punk band. Trio. Loved the lp.
Boston, in the 1980's, had some great music happening -
and wild shows, of all genres, all over the place.
The Bags played in the same practice rehersal building as my band.
About 15-20 bands practiced in this one rundown building - ah, memories.
They won best new Boston band. College punk rockers knew it.
" I'm gunna - pass it on to strangers - and give it to my friends "
Like the flu

They had about 15 songs on the LP -
This one is under the 2 minute mark - 2 minute songs - lol -
Loved that about the Ramones too - burst of energy -
That was a pretty cool punk-rock credo back then -
say it - say it fast - no long explanations -
no showing off one's musicianship or lyric abilities -
till you end up wondering what the hell
the word " Try " really means to them.

I always felt this was a love song - of sorts - she had a crush on him ?
She may have been classier perhaps....petite / out of his league.
The groove, a foot tapping, guitar pointing - crunch groove -
is one of my favorite on their LP. Another under 2:30 song.
His late night bar voice is at it's gravel best. Beer soaked !
" I'm just an alley cat. You used to scratch my back "

All we need are wires - TWO electric wires - and we ride !!!
Has a White Bulger ( Black Mass movie) night hoodlum vibe -
ahhhhhh yes - the days when cars didn't have alarms
and dash cameras and GPS monitoring devices.
As a side note, Jack Kerouac's " On The Road " book
Neil Cassady played a major role - and it's said -
he stole over 400 cars in the Denver area alone.

This song starts off in a creative strange way -
it's impression - the boss man wakes up with a tremendous hangover -
then falls out of bed - changes into suit and tie - hops in fancy car -
song kicks in -
" Take me to the man, take me to the big wig. Let me shake his hand, shaking with the big wig. Climb into the limozene, my friend the big wig. Going to see the King and Queen. His firends are big wigs. "
At the 2:05 mark - it sounds like the Pope's visit when in Harlem N.Y City !

This song is one of those songs that I learned all the lyrics to - rapidly -
after a few listens...I just knew the song lyrics - and where they were going -
that's how clear and percise they are - like Bon Scott lyrics -
I loved singing the part to " COME ON COME ON AND LET ME HEAR...etc "
Sounds like they lived in a small Boston basement apartment
and both drank and smoked

Dark and groovy - gloomy - maybe a super-hangover -
song starts almost as a funeral - laying in one's coffin -
no one around - strumming a ancient guitar
fighting those inner dark-side impulses -
conjuring up - his powers - of personal resurrection !

I think this song - explains itself pretty good -
banged some chick - named Susie -
she was very shy - quite pretty - obedient.
Interesting guitar sound - haunting - sunset -
even the vocal melodies - Puritan gone west !

They sound "nuts" to me

The guitar chords are easy...but the vocal melody is wonderful.
It sounds like a 1950's vocal melody.
And of course the guitar solo is like Autumn leaves falling in the wind !
" Wish I could get through to you "

I presume these guys were the reason that the L.A. punk band "The Bags" changed their name to "Alice Bag Band" (as seen in "The Decline of Western Civilization")?

I always liked 'em. I was told they were a really big influence on Pearl Jam, which is how I found out about them during my PJ-nut years.

Interesting you bring this up, the frontman/bassist for The Bags did a one-off side project in 2014 with Meliah Rage guitarist Anthony Nichols under the name...get this...Mexican Ape Lord. Goofy name aside, it's some wild thrashy shit and the album is actually way more enjoyable than anything Meliah Rage has been up to since Munro left.



Honestly, this band needs mention in the metal section; I might put them up in there. It's a great album.

I finally found The Bags cd. Paid 25 bucks ! Yes!
People on EBay wanted 40 - 50 dollars.
Kept looking. A tough CD to track down.

Revisited this thread. Meliah Rage guitarist ?
Just bought Mexican Ape Lord CD for 10 bucks !
I do enjoy a good punk band. That raw sound.
And The Bags singer... is right up my alley.