Released in conjunction with
The Skinny Elvis,
Fat Elvis compiles the later
Big Boys releases -- Fun, Fun, Fun, Lullabies, and No Matter -- in one handy disc. As with its counterpart, the sound is perfect, the release notes thorough, and the reproductions of the original sleeves welcome. Also in common with Skinny, the best extra fun comes from the liner notes and archival photos. Offering up praise and recollections this time around are, among others, L.A. punk scenester
Pleasant Gehman,
Steve Albini (combative as always, but unreserved in his
Boys worship), Jay Robbins, Sooyoung Park, and
Skatemaster Tate. The latter offers a particular funny, brief story about seeing the young
Red Hot Chili Peppers open for
the Big Boys, dismissing them as "some kind of joke band" -- not too far off an assessment, frankly.
Butthole Surfers drummer
King Coffey tells the lead tale, enthusiastically explaining
the Boys' importance to the early Austin, TX punk scene and how the Surfers benefitted from
the Boys' help in adding them to bills and providing practice space. The photos cover everything from promo shots, in-studio snaps, live craziness (one pair shows
the Boys on stage with
Flipper covering
Rick James' "Superfreak"), and a slew of flyers. A last mention at the end of the booklet describes the band as "the highest common denominators," well-deserved and accurate praise for a wonderful group. ~ Ned Raggett