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Danger Will Robinson Fish Heads


02/23/07
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(conqueroo ) In one corner, we have Barnes & Barnes, a duo thrilled to hold the distinction of having recorded the most requested song in the history Doctor Demento�s syndicated radio program. In the opposite corner, we have Larry �Wild Man� Fischer, arguably the most bizarre recording artist to emerge from arguably the most bizarre city, Los Angeles. What�s the connection? Well, Barnes & Barnes produced two Wild Man Fischer albums as charter releases for the soon-to-be-multimillion-dollar Rhino label. And now Barnes & Barnes� classic Voobaha album, along with two Fischer albums � Pronounced Normal and Nothing Scary � will be reissued on Collectors� Choice Music on April 3, 2007.

Barnes & Barnes was composed of Art & Artie Barnes, noms du disques for childhood friends Bill Mumy (yes, Will Robinson on �Lost in Space�) and Robert Haimer, respectively. Their goal was never to make it big � just to get played on their fave syndicated radio show hosted by Doctor Demento.

Drawing on their mutual love of comics, including �50s EC (which specialized in horror, crime and sci-fi), �60s pre-superhero Marvel comics, and R. Crumb, the songs were demented from the get-go. In 1974, they submitted �The Vomit Song� to Demento, though the good Doctor felt it would have an �emetic� effect on his audience. But he loved �Fish Heads� and �Boogie Woogie Amputee,� and the former made Barnes & Barnes darlings of Dementia overnight. The tune�s accompanying short film went on to air on MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central, and was named #57 video of all time by Rolling Stone. They even recruited a heavy manager (Bill Siddons, who managed the Doors).

The Voohaba album was issued in 1976, then digitally remastered and reissued as a CD on Rhino. Robert Haimer went back to the original source tapes to prepare for the Collectors� Choice reissue in 2007, and Barnes & Barnes have added some previously unreleased tracks: �I Gotta Get a Fake I.D.,� plus alternate takes of �Political Statement,� �Boogie Woogie Amputee� and �Fish Heads.�

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