In 1985 I recorded an episode of a show called "Some Bizarre", which was a semi-regular feature on the USA Network's "Night Flight" (an innovative music-oriented weekly that is much missed). There were some cool music videos on this particular edition, but by far the strangest, most disturbing was a song cycle by Ralph Records artists Renaldo & the Loaf called "Songs for Swinging Larvae".This unsettling masterwork was something completely alien to what music videos at that time were all about. For that matter, it shared little in common with any music at all, as far as I could tell.
It's filled with disturbing symbolism, and the sounds (which I've loosely referred to as "music") are disorienting, especially if you're expecting the usual bass-guitar-drums-singer set-up. Even if you're not, even if you're prepared for experimentalism or avante-garde, you may still be taken aback by the overall effect of the thing.
Several years ago I lost the videotape I had recorded in 1985 (which was a real shame, because it also contained a couple of episodes of "New Wave Theater"). I've tried to find stuff on th
e internet about Renaldo & the Loaf, but there's mighty slim pickings to be found. I had resigned myself to never hearing "Songs for Swinging Larvae"again, that I would have to live the rest of my life with only the haunting images, like memories from my own life, seared into my brain.
But then, earlier this morning, it hit me! YouTube!!! I've tracked down countless videos and performances that I never thought I'd see again on that wonderful website (which I lovingly refer to as "my time machine"). Maybe...just maybe I could find it there.
Sure enough, there it was in all it's weird glory. The video quality is remarkably excellent and the whole thing is exactly as I remember it. The stuff nightmares are made of.
Check it for yourself.
RENALDO & THE LOAF: "Songs for Swinging Larvae"
