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On Tracking Angle: Love's My Only Crime - Laughing Hyenas

8 minutes ago
2 min read

Check it out: I wrote about Laughing Hyenas for Tracking Angle.

"I owe a lot to 'Detroit rock,' however you define that. The motor city has consistently bred a noxious, foaming something that I can’t find in any other rock-and-roll. I will write about it every chance I get. I’m not the only one who can’t get their fix. The Stooges seem to be reissued ad nauseam these days: Rhino just put out another 'hi-fi' Funhouse. They’ll be reissuing Kick Out The Jams and only Kick Out The Jams on every combo of red-white-and-blue wax ’til I’m dead, as if Kick Out The Jams was the only album the MC5 ever made! So what happens to bands who aren’t the Stooges or the 5? Who else is a heroic Detroit rock dose?"

An excerpt of Steve Miller's book about Laughing Hyenas was printed in last summer's issue of Creem. I read it. Soon after, I saw the Detroit Punks episode about John Brannon. I was instantly hooked – on him and the bands he's been in.

I'm honestly kind of shocked Tracking Angle let me write about Laughing Hyenas. That Girl: Live Recordings 1986-1994 is the Hyenas' first-ever live anthology, curated by John from his personal archive of cassette tapes. It shows the Hyenas at their truest and most volatile form: at rehearsal spaces, gigs, radio performances, and a phenomenal 1990 set at CBGB’s. The 19 tracks come out to a double-album package. You'll find this career-spanning set more than warrants such.

Spoiler alert: it might be my favorite live album of the year.