Jake Vest on Alex Chilton
“We’re too good. People go too crazy when we play.”
My name is Jake Vest. I live two blocks from Ardent Studios, and Alex Chilton is one of my two biggest influences. Jim Dickinson is the other. And last night, when I put my copy of Big Star’s “Third” on the turntable, that statement really hit me hard. That album is by far one of the scariest, weirdest, and most gut-wrenching albums of all time. Of course, It’s also joyous, sarcastic, tender, and (in the case of “Nature Boy” from the Rhino reissue) very funny. I feel so much pride that this brilliant record (along with a giant truckload of others) was recorded two blocks down Madison by people who lived only a short drive away.
Since the day Dirk Kitterlin handed me the CD version of “Third” with its awful artwork (ugliest artwork I’d ever seen, aside from the #1 Record/Radio City 2fer), I’ve been obsessed with it. So obsessed that I dug even further (with the help of my personal bible: “It Came From Memphis” by Robert Gordon) into territory that freaked me out even more.
“Like Flies On Sherbert” shook me to my core. I had trouble finding it, just like I did the Moloch record. But eventually I got it (with ugly 2fer artwork again…), and it took a long time before I listened to anything else. The fuck-it-who-cares guitar tones, the pounding drums on “Hey, Little Child,” Chilton’s madman yelp on the title track, Lee Baker tearing it up on “My Rival” and pretty much everything else (and I mean TEARING IT UP), Dickinson’s effortless piano parts and his vocals (and guitar?) on “I’ve Had It,” the weird synthesizers, the bad timing, the popping of microphones, the laughing, the Carter Family… And to add to the overall greatness is the fact that no one could tell me who really played what on the album. Jim Dickinson himself once said to me, “Shit, come to think of it that might’ve been Baker on the drums…” I was in love. The absolute everything-that-came-before-
this-doesnt-matter-anymore kind of love.
I dedicated tons of time to finding everything he recorded during the mid to late 70′s. Lucky for me the internet was ripe. Thanks to Japanese mail order sites and illegal downloading (sorry, Ardent), I was able to hear what I favor as his best work. Singles like “Bangkok” the “Singer Not The song” EP along with bootlegs like “Dusted In Memphis” and “One Day In New York” offered a glimpse into an otherwise unreleased, invisible world. A definite highlight is a live show at CBGB’s in 1977 by Alex Chilton & The Cossacks. This may be my favorite recording of his. The versions of “Take Me Home And Make Me Like It” and “Little Fishy” are unparalleled by him or anyone else. It’s pure rock n roll madness. And it is exactly the kind of music I want to make, through and through. If you havent heard it, e-mail me and I’ll get you a copy.
I tried to put a band together to cover “Sherbert” (enlisting the Hi-Tone’s Dan Holloway in the process!), and eventually that idea turned into The Bulletproof Vests (sorry, Dan). For anyone who’s seen us play, you know the highlight of our set is always Chilton’s “Take Me Home And Make Me Like It.” Always. I mean it NEVER FAILS. And I’m in no way surprised.
Wednesday night was shocking. I’m uncomfortable discussing my personal emotions as a result of his passing, because I am not an Alex Chilton friend or an Alex Chilton family member. I am simply an Alex Chilton fan. And I will continue to keep his music (along with other Memphis music) alive by performing and recording it for anyone who will listen.
“Play it for me, guitarist.”
5 Responses to “Jake Vest on Alex Chilton”
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christian Says:
March 19th, 2010 at 10:40 amThanks for the article. This is terrible news. I’ve been a fan of his music since about 1988, dig the later solo stuff too. It was the singer and not (always) the song.
I’d be deeply grateful to get a chance to listen to the Cossacks recording (and possibly the One Day In New York boot, which I never was able to find). Have a good weekend! -
Tim Says:
April 4th, 2010 at 9:12 amIt’s a shame that I came across your site while searching for Chilton stuff after he died, but there you go. Saw him once in 94 or 95 in Chapel Hill – really entertaining show, despite the fact that he played exactly zero songs that I knew (at the time). He didn’t seem bitter about the Big Star requests from the crowd, just kind of amused. Anyway, I’d really appreciate that CBGB’s recording, and as the previous commenter requested, One Day in New York. I haven’t been able to find that anywhere! All the best
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edd hurt Says:
June 1st, 2010 at 11:34 amI used to live two blocks from Ardent myself. Been a Chilton fan since 1978 and the reissue of the 3 Big Star studio albums. Bought one of the 500 copies of the “Sherbert” LP in 1979 when it came out and haven’t quit playing it since. The live “One Day in New York” thing is nice too–I got that in the early ’80s on LP. Things come full circle, I know the guy who produced the “Bach’s Bottom” sessions, Jon Tiven, a sort of producer these days in Nashville. I regard “Sherbert” as a test you have to pass in order to be called a real fan of rock ‘n’ roll, actually–most people don’t pass.
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zach Says:
August 13th, 2010 at 6:37 pmhey jake. have just stumbled on Chilton bootleg from ’77 at the Ocean Club which is fantastic revelation…. So keen to hear the CBGB’s set if the offer still stands….
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Jody Stephens Says:
August 31st, 2010 at 3:08 pmVery, very nice Jake.
Jody
