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Workdogs In Hell - The Cassette Mixes

by Workdogs

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The Comedie Of Robert Kennedy is an epic trilogy.
A masterpiece.
A journey into enlightenment.
From Hell, through Purgatory and finally the relief of Heaven.
Part 1 is Workdogs In Hell.
Part 2 is Purgatory, The Home Companion.
Part 3 is Paradise Garage.
All three adventures may be bought separately as individual albums. Or there is an option to buy a three album collection at a reduced price (this can be found in the 'buying options' of the third album Paradise Garage). Favorite track: The Death Of The Workdogs.
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1.
Friends, this is old Rock Hasbein with the True Story of The Death of The Workdogs. The Workdogs were the very first rhythm section for hire and #1 Rambo Type Head Band - not to mention Yves Bisquet who was their (my) great manager. One night I was at my pad listening to The Hound - I mean, Leila - on the radio station WFMU and I heard a brand new sound which was Roberta and the new Infotainment Blues Thing. Well on the backstrength of that I got to know Rob and then Scott, who were the Workdogs and it wasn't long after they were coming 'round to my place for meals. Which they come into the habit of doing. And they would ask me to play my guitar for them and maybe some day be their sideman. See the way it worked it was a different sideman for every show, never repeating the same thing twice. Many a time I was to ask them when my time would come. They said "Rock," they said "soon." They always said "soon." So I continued to practice my guitar and to feed them and to prop them up when they couldn't stand - doing whatever I could. One day, with the help of 3 J's and The Workdogs were doing fine - that's Jerry, Jimmy and Jim Beam - they was jamming on a Sonny Boy Williamson thing and I was just about to sit in when the telephone rang. I picks up the receiver and it's Easy Money - the front man for my regular gig - which was The Big Nothing - and we had a show that night, a Tuesday at 4am. I jumps into my car, a Plymouth Valiant, and I rushes to the club - The Masterpiece Theater. And the doorman - which was Carlo - informed me of the death of The Workdogs. He said, "Rock," he said, "they have died no more than 10 minutes ago." Which was 3:33 am on a Tuesday - pardon me - Wednesday morning. Awful sad I mounted the stage and told the audience of the Great Tragedy. Nobody said a thing. The band, Easy, Tony and Tony took up the beat (which was Tony Sharp and Tony Action) and that night we wrote the new song - The Death Of The Workdogs about Roberta, Haunted House of Love, Punk Rock Truck Driving Son Of A Gun and all the rest of 'em. And all the big names they played with (which was for peanuts) before they was big names. And the way Rob would play the Good Cop and Scott the Bad Cop and they would go out and cop - I mean go out and mess up all their business which was known to everybody in the New York better than which it was known to themselves. Not to mention Badu Badu their World Beat thing or The AllStars Of Love or A Band Called Horse or all the nights they hosted down at the old House of Games. Now they're playing in that big rhythm section On High. No more $2 choir jobs (which was The Church Of The Little Green Man). Flying above all this mess. And now, up above it all: the false lies about their death (of which the sordid details are so well known) and beyond the suffering which is Business As Usual . . . One band, one beat one never ending gig. I climbs from the stage too sad to go on and the manager tells me - which was Bill Wallace , he says, "Rock, they're gone and no amount of riffing is going to bring them back. Call it a night." He hands me our pay, which was 10 dollars and sends me out into the cold, cold world. With no where to go I drive back and forth in front of The 'Dogs' house thinking - which was on 12th Street - thinking about my lost chances to sit in.About how "soon" never comes and being that close and now its too late which was by 10 minutes. You know, a man's chances come and then they go and when they're gone what's he got? The Big Nothing, which was my band, and maybe a chance to forget just how close I come to the one shining moment of glory jamming with The Workdogs. And maybe I would have died. Maybe I'd be up there with them now: Rob counting off the beat; Scotty taking off on something completely different and me in the middle holding on for dear life. Which was their style. Easy comes up to where I'm parked and shakes my shoulders - I didn't even smile. "Rock," he said," it's time to go and put the old men to bed. But I can't get' em out of my head. And each day is a little bit darker since they left. Each day is just a little more gone. The Workdogs. Great rhythm section. My good, good friends. That's all.
2.
when we first hit this dump there was no sun, moon or stars only the sound of little boys with big guitars it's been the same ever since that day (let's beat it, Man, this place is packed with goddam stars) listen to them they won't even listen to each other let alone the rhythm section they got these new amps that turn up to 20 I don't believe it I wish they would shut up shut up shut up I'm talking about boys those boys with their big guitars
3.
When I buy you that champagne lunch more than an apology roses by the dozen more than an apology when I take you away from all this more than an apology I hate myself for hating you more than an apology wallow in self pity more than an apology my phone bill's through the ceiling more than an apology I starve myself, get a haircut more than an apology when we do it the way you like more than an apology every second seems like an hour more than an apology I need to be forgiven more than an apology don't want to be forgotten more than an apology don't want to be forgotten don't want to be forgotten
4.
Solo #8 01:35
5.
This is the house that drugs built This is the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is Jack who's flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is the black Cadillac that delivered the sack that knocked Jack flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is the maniac in the half-track who whacked the black Cadillac that delivered the sack that knocked Jack flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is the quack who proscribed the Prozac that set off the maniac in the half-track who whacked the black Cadillac that delivered the sack that knocked Jack flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is the angry pack from Singac that attacked the quack who proscribed the Prozac that set off the maniac in the half-track who whacked the black Cadillac that delivered the sack that knocked Jack flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is the rack of bric a brac that slacked back the angry pack from Singac in their attack on the quack who proscribed the Prozac that set off the maniac in the half-track who whacked the black Cadillac that delivered the sack that knocked Jack flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is Mack, the advertising flack who stacked the rack of bric a brac that slacked back the angry pack from Singac in their attack on the quack who proscribed the Prozac that set off the maniac in the half-track who whacked the black Cadillac that delivered the sack that knocked Jack flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built This is Karnac, the mystic hack who used the zodiac to track why Mack, the advertising flack would stack the rack of bric a brac that slacked back the angry pack from Singac in their attack on the quack who proscribed the Prozac that set off the maniac in the half-track who whacked the black Cadillac that delivered the sack that knocked Jack flat on his back from shooting up the fine, fine smack they sell at the house that drugs built. oh fuck I can't believe that motherfucker ran away with all my money that was my last 10 dollars fuck this shit! we were like strangers in the night, strangers wandering thru the night what were the chances we'd be sharing love before the night was through? doobee doobee do I want to tell you about Soul and the loss of it: well friends gather around you better get used to it you can clown till the shit goes down then its Soul and the loss of it you can laugh, you can play 'til tomorrow's NOT another day Soul and the loss of it Soul and the loss of it
6.
7.
970-DOGS 03:59
Music- Workdogs with contributions from Bond Bergland, Kinky & Friends, Leila Haddad, Jerry Williams
8.
The censors are buried head first in the stinking mud they pose on hands and knees - a ripe field of bare buttocks - obscene parody of prayer nothing touches them, still they flinch tremble with anticipated terror of harsh anal penetration never realized They can never know real pain or real pleasure only fear - conjured agony, forbidden ecstasy - each image more cruel and carnal than anything witnessed above Within their muddy helmets they rot smelling rot they scream but their mouths fill with decay and defecation no sound is heard there below above them a flatulent symphony they've learned to speak with their assholes hearing nothing, they babble on spitting and drooling brown matter in their haste to voice their complaints The Seven Deadly Virtues: righteous indignation zealous organization absolute morality dignity of the fetus application with extreme prejudice pompous justice and infallible opinion Preacher heal thyself your wealth is derived from closed minds, open wallets, tight behind the times signs of apocalypse - you missed the ship you ain't hip to what's going on you're wrong and you won't admit it get with it Teacher give up we're lost and want to be don't need no geography to tell me where I'm at - economics has more to do with that - this world's flat and that's that Lawman surrender we've rendered you useless your guidelines are obsolete and always were you're like fur: just a dead animal displayed for the status quo hey Joe where you going with that gun in your hand?
9.
The censors are buried head first in the stinking mud they pose on hands and knees - a ripe field of bare buttocks - obscene parody of prayer nothing touches them, still they flinch tremble with anticipated terror of harsh anal penetration never realized They can never know real pain or real pleasure only fear - conjured agony, forbidden ecstasy - each image more cruel and carnal than anything witnessed above Within their muddy helmets they rot smelling rot they scream but their mouths fill with decay and defecation no sound is heard there below above them a flatulent symphony they've learned to speak with their assholes hearing nothing, they babble on spitting and drooling brown matter in their haste to voice their complaints The Seven Deadly Virtues: righteous indignation zealous organization absolute morality dignity of the fetus application with extreme prejudice pompous justice and infallible opinion Preacher heal thyself your wealth is derived from closed minds, open wallets, tight behind the times signs of apocalypse - you missed the ship you ain't hip to what's going on you're wrong and you won't admit it get with it Teacher give up we're lost and want to be don't need no geography to tell me where I'm at - economics has more to do with that - this world's flat and that's that Lawman surrender we've rendered you useless your guidelines are obsolete and always were you're like fur: just a dead animal displayed for the status quo hey Joe where you going with that gun in your hand?
10.
11.

about

WARNING: RECORD MAY BE CURSED! LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

Is Workdogs In Hell Cursed?
Let's look at the facts:
>The first attempt to transcribe the rhythm tracks (which were recorded by Jerry Williams at Moogy Klingman's Hi 5 Studio) caused the tracks to melt down on the 16 track deck at Kramer's Noise NY. The deck needed complete refurbishment.
>While attempting to mix Workdogs In Hell Rob and Scott lost their jobs, their long time rehearsal space and descended into a haze of drug and alcohol abuse.
>The label, Sympathy For The Record Industry, had so many returns and complaints about Workdogs In Hell that it literally burned half the pressing in a bonfire.
>In Hell received few reviews, mostly negative, which poisoned the 'Dogs reputation with record companies.

FAST FORWARD TO 2021 AND NEEDING TO REVISIT WORKDOGS IN HELL BECAUSE IT IS PART 1 OF THE COMEDIE OF ROBERT KENNEDY

>On his first attempt to acquire the master tapes from Scott in NYC, Rob is thwarted by flood waters 27' above normal. Rob's house is nearly destroyed by flood. Over $50,000 damage to structure.
>The flood opens the septic line, again delaying attempts to get the master tapes. Waste line had been repaired with drain pipe. Open shit line in the basement. Another thousand dollar repair for Rob.
>When master tapes are finally acquired and shipped to Jim Waters for transcription they melt down on the Waterwork's 16 track deck, destroying it.
>The songs from In Hell that Rob wanted to remix turn out to not even be on the master tapes. The missing master tape is nowhere to be found.
>The reissue of Workdogs In Hell, which was slated for release in 2021 to coincide with the 700th anniversary of The Divine Comedy, must be delayed again and again.

Finally we had no choice but to go back to the original reference cassettes we had made from the 171A four track deck. What we discovered was the Workdogs at their loosest - with a head full of SOMETHING and chilling and jiving at Scott's 12th St. apartment.

Are THE CASSETTE MIXES the ultimate version of Workdogs In Hell? Not exactly. Workdogs In Hell - The Cassette Mixes is more like an alternative fourth dimensional In Hell featuring a lighter hearted and less Dante minded Workdogs. Much of the material has never been heard before. The cassettes have been remixed and remastered by Rob and Jim Waters and the sound quality is so improved its unbelievable.

The fantastic cover art is just a taste of what's to come from Andreas Rausch who is illustrating the entire Comedie Of Robert Kennedy.

credits

released February 1, 2022

Cover by Andreas Rausch
Lyrics - Robert Kennedy
Music - Scott Jarvis, Robert Kennedy
Copyright 1992
Published by The King Dog Biscuit Publishing Company
Originally produced by Robert Kennedy and Scott Jarvis with engineering and production assistance from Jim Fourniadis at Toxic Studio, NYC
and from Byron McKay at Jag Studio, Raleigh, NC
Cassette Mixes produced by Robert Kennedy and Jim Waters with
engineering and mixing by Brian Bilsky at Soul Rebel East Studio, NJ


Chronology of Workogs In Hell
1986-Original rhythm tracks recorded by Jerry Williams at Hi 5 Studio, NYC
1989-Tracks transcribed by Kramer at Noise, NY and sent to 100+ friends and former bandmates
1989-1990- Contributions received from Denny Callaghan, Mark Abramson, Lisa Mednick, Dave Findley, Malcolm Riviera, Ken Matsutani, Dennis Gronim, Mark Jickling, David Fair, Charles Brohawn, Jim Thirlwell, Leila Haddad, Jeffrey Evans, Adrienne Ostrander, Chap Ostrander, John Dreyfuss, Ruki Dreyfuss Family, Fran Powers, Bond Bergland, Jerry Williams, Mark Elliot, Bob Bert, Moe Tucker, Jad Fair, Chet Howland, Gary Cracksex, Debra Cracksex, Lydia Lunch, Rev. Mike Osterhout, Ray Reeves, Ready Freddy, Ms. Understanding, Skip Stones, Dave Elman, Kinky & Friends, Frankie S., Otto Kentrol, Jim Fourniadis, Fritz Fox, Richard Kern
1989-1991- Contributors' tracks mixed and manipulated by Workdogs on the 171A four track machine at the KDB 4 Track Sound Lab, NYC
1991-1992- Tracks transcribed to 16 track, new recording and mixing by Workdogs and Jim Fourniadis at Toxic Studio, NYC
1992- Mixed by Yves Bisquet and Byron McKay at Jag Studio, Raleigh, NC
1992- Limited cassette release by Workdogs
1993- CD release by Sympathy For The Record Industry
1998 - remainder of first CD pressing burned by Mordam, Sympathy's distributor
2021- Reference cassettes manipulated by Brian Bilsky and Robert Kennedy at Soul Rebel East Studio, Branchburg, NJ.
2022 - Tracks remastered by Jim Waters at Waterworks Studio, Tucson, AZ

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Workdogs New York, New York

The Workdogs - Rob Kennedy (bass, vocals) and Scott Jarvis (drums), who have provided the backbeat for Half Japanese, Velvet Monkeys, and a number of other bands over the years. The only Workdogs' constant is change as they've operated under a different lineup for most every release and/or live performance. A variety of New York indie rock and avant-jazz artists have joined in to back them. ... more

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