Just one of garage punk poet Billy Childish's many bands, Thee Mighty Caesars differ little from Childish's standard output -- energetic, inspired, raw, amateurish garage punk rock & roll with a reluctance to sacrifice spontaneous expression for self-editing. After stints in The Pop Rivits and Thee Milkshakes, Childish briefly worked with the Delmonas in 1984, but then formed Thee Mighty Caesars with Milkshakes' John Agnew (bass) and Bruce Brand (drums). Between 1985 and 1990, Thee Mighty Caesars released nine albums (many of which are now out of print), one EP, and two compilations. After their self-titled debut, drummer Brand left and was replaced by ex-Prisoners Graham Day; in 1986, the Caesars added Sarah (Delmonas) and Fay (Makin' Time; organ, vocals) for Acropolis Now. This lineup held until 1990, when Agnew chose to spend his time as a soundman for the James Taylor Quartet. Graham Day resumed work with the Prime Movers, while Childish concentrated on side projects and a new band, Thee Headcoats.
YESTERDAY'S SCENE TODAY!
If this is your first sampling of Billy Childish and Thee Mighty Caesars, you are late - but better late than never.Here now, one of the first efforts made to present, showcase and spotlight the driving force that should have made "pop" music a thing of the past.Thee Mighty Caesars are perhaps one of the most underrated artists of yesterday's scene today. This multi-talented group featured the sinewy, comely John Agnew on bass guitar, well hung Graham Day on drums. Billy Childish, a tall, attractive lad, like a prophet carries the vocal message. People like to dig people who have "something to say" Billy Childish and Thee Mighty Caesars do just that.The big bands of the 40's are in most cases a thing of the past. Primarily because of the economics involved in keeping three to four hundred men working. The cost of the old Saturday night dance priced itself out of popularity. People then started buying records and drinking at home, inevitably drinks got spilled and families split up. But of this disfunctional background Thee Mighty Caesars sound was born. In their Roman orgy of sound Thee Mighty Caesars create one of the swingingest noises that these ears have heard in quite a long time. Listening to this silver digital beer-mat gives the impression (although false) that the entire Billy Childish and Thee Mighty Caesars aggression is performing just for you in your own living room (although of course it isn't). WE THOUGHT BRIT-POP WAS FUCKING DEAD! Look, baby, when it comes to raw '60's punk-edged slop, it just don't get any better den de awesome gut-pound o' de Caesars.Put simply the shit on this here CD (and CD's do blow!) ain't no limp-dicked "retro" shit - it is Punk Rock and more decidedly so if yer thickwitted notions o' "Punk Rock" conjure up visions o' Bad Religion/Toy Dolls/Flipside Mag "Rebels" or sweating, glistening, muscle-bound, shirtless jocks in a hardcore moshpit discovering the joys of male bonding.Yeah, I've slid offa the topic at hand once again, but it's you, the braindead "fan" of "Alternative Rock," that is to blame. Taken from the inlay's of both the "Surely they were the sons of god" albums. This is a fan page for all the fans of Billy Childish and Thee Mighty Caesars.
