Do The Trouser Press, Baby!

It was (roughly) 31 years ago today ... that the Imperial Dogs' posthumous 45 was reviewed in the December 1978 (No. 34) issue of the now-legendary Trouser Press magazine. Jim Green, whose "America Underground" column was devoted to the then-burgeoning phenomenon of independent releases, wrote:

"The Imperial Dogs: "This Ain't the Summer of Love" b/w "I'm Waiting for the Man" -- Back Door Man BDM-5503. Yessir, this is the tune the Cult slicked up for Agents of Fortune in its original version, cut live in a garage in '75 -- and this kicks ass; my interest didn't flag over the six minutes-plus 'cuz these guys is playin' their puhtooties off! The lead singer and co-author is Don Waller of Back Door Man mag fame, sounding like they recorded him over the telephone; he ain't no Eric Bloom but he's got one of the best rock screams I ever heard! The Velvets tune is good, too."

Note: While anyone who has the original BDM release (since bootlegged by a certain, ethically challenged, now-deceased record dealer) is the proud owner of a bona fide collector's item, both these songs appear -- in superior sounding versions with the added benefit of you-are-there visuals -- on the Imperial Dogs' Live! In Long Beach (October 30,1974) DVD.