The Unstoppable Peter Stampfel: Holy Modal Rounders Co-Founder, 86, Unveils ‘Song Shards’
At 86, Peter Stampfel, a true pioneer of freak-folk, anti-folk, and psych-folk who co-founded the Holy Modal Rounders and used to be in The Fugs, has a new album called ‘Song Shards’ dropping on September 19th via Jalopy Records. And let me tell you, it’s fascinating, unique, strange, and totally entrancing.
Stampfel was doing his thing way before these music styles even had names. He rolled into New York City from Wisconsin in 1959 and quickly became a key, albeit unconventional, figure in the exploding Greenwich Village folk scene. With Steve Weber, he started the Holy Modal Rounders, famous for taking old American tunes and messing with them in a fun, often psychedelic, way. Their 1964 debut album, for example, is actually credited with being the first record to use the word “psychedelic” in popular music. His influence is huge; some critics even put him on the same level as Bob Dylan. Stampfel’s worked with everyone from They Might Be Giants to Yo La Tengo, always cooking up something new. Stampfel was always full of forgotten melodies and far-out thoughts, and even now, he’s still putting out righteous stuff.
‘Song Shards’ offers a cool, fresh look into Stampfel’s amazing world. We’re super stoked to give you a sampler with ‘Muses Nine,’ ‘Castro Convertible,’ ‘You Are the Product,’ ‘Swell Hells Bells,’ and ‘Wisconsin Super Service Stations,’ plus exclusive commentary from Peter himself.
‘Muses Nine’
For this song, the concept came first. I wanted to write a long overdue “Thank You” to the Muses, in which, for the record, I believe in. The song was not forthcoming, but I was in no hurry. I knew the song would show up. It’s kinda funny how it did. I had a delightful solo gig at Never Ending Books in New Haven, Connecticut, for which I was nicely smashed on weed. With today’s weed, it doesn’t take much. Mid set, I blurted out, “The Muses Nine are mighty fine,” and promptly forgot I had done so. I only remembered because Eleanor Polak mentioned it in her most kind review of the show. So, I dedicate this song to her. Upon remembering that line, the song just about wrote itself.
I also want to acknowledge that I wrote this song, and all the others herein, except the vintage jingles, high on weed. A few decades ago, I was talking to Robin Remaily, a friend for over sixty years, and he referred to weed as an ally. I thought, “Me, too.” It sure makes playing music way more fun, and has inspired many songs, although for the record, a number of my best songs were written during my drug and alcohol free period, from 1988 to 2000, and my daughter, Lily, says although I have more fun, weed does not enhance my performances. Anyway, I feel that not openly expressing thanks and gratitude to ganja, which is my personal favorite name for weed, is hypocritical, dishonest, and unkind, even churlish.
The Muses Nine are mighty fine
I wish they were my Valentines
So fine, so fine, Muses Nine
I’m sending each a Valentine
‘Castro Convertible’
This came out of New York City in the 1960s, running unchanged on the radio for years. Oddly, it was just a guy playing guitar, singing:
Who was the first to conquer space?
It’s incontrovertible
The first to conquer living spaces
It’s Castro Convertible
Who conquered space with fine design
And saves you money every time?
Who’s tops in the convertible line?
Castro Convertible
‘You Are the Product’
Three from the aphorism list, strung together:
You are the product of your habits
Try to see the good in people
Don’t compare yourself to others
And repeat. The melody has four lines, so every line has a chance to have more than one melody. I still find myself comparing myself to others on a daily basis. That’s heavy shit to carry around. I say, “Cut it out, dummy” to make myself feel better. It makes that burden lighter.
‘Swell Hells Bells’
This is a re write of a round I learned in, I think, the ‘50s. I wanted to include the phrase, pokalakachinga, which Harry Belafonte intones in his ground breaking 1956 album, ‘Calypso,’ the best selling LP up to that time. I thought back then, as an 18 year old, that Belafonte was one of the coolest people who ever lived, which he, in fact, still is. I bought a belt like the one he wears on the album cover, and have been looking for an excuse to go Pokalakachinga! like him since 1956. What a relief to finally do so!
Cultural note: In 1956 my mom was talking to some woman friends, and they were discussing the fact that although Belafonte was a “Negro” (Black wasn’t polite until the mid 60s), they would do him, although no one said do him (or her) back then. I forget the phrase they did use. But up to that point this was a sentiment one did not hear in my lower middle class midwestern world. Pokalakachinga!
I love the bells, the bells are swell, I love the bells so well. I love the ringing and the ding dong dinging of the ding dong ding dong bells.
Ding (shaka laka laka)
Dong (shaka laka laka)
Ding dong (pokalakachinga)
Repeat last line, no pokalakachinga this time.
I hate the bells, the bells of hell, I hate the bells of hell. I hate the ringing and the god damn dinging of the god damn bells of hell.
God. Damn. Bells of hell (repeat)
‘Wisconsin Super Service Stations’
Cheapest gas around. And an actual round.
Save, save, time and money, too
At the Wisconsin Super Service Station
There’s one near to you
Headline photo: Brian Geltner
Peter Stampfel Website
Jalopy Records Website / Facebook / Instagram / X / YouTube / Bandcamp
