Search - Spliff :: Spliff Radio Show

Another product of the post-war baby boom!

Terence J. Miles | Sutherland, IA, USA | 04/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was first exposed to Spliff in 1980 while I was stationed in Germany; I noticed posters for the Spliff Radio Show Live, and eventually my curiosity led me to purchase the original CBS album. Had I known it was such an explosively fun tribute to radio, I would have caught that concert while I had a chance; to this day it remains one of my most profound regrets.



Spliff was an offshoot of musicians who backed up the great Nina Hagen during her early German rock recordings; of those, "Unbehagen" is highly recommended. But this was their debut, and they chose to display their enormous talent and stylistic diversity by parodying American (and perhaps European as well) rock radio, along with DJ Rik DeLisle, at the time working for American Armed Forces Radio in Berlin (thanks Paul!). Not only do they feature dead-on versions of power pop, punk, disco, reggae, and heavy metal (among other styles), but they do it with respect, virtuoso musicianship, and ample humor. Songs extolling the 'holy trinity' of sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll are interspersed with 'commercials' touting such virtues as higher learning (Wysocki College for the Totally Dumb) and air travel (Stoned Airlines to Jamaica: "Arrive with a head full of steam when you get there") as well as clever little jingles ("keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the charts" - are you listening, Casey Kasem?). In a way, it's an 80's update of "The Who Sell Out".





This is a great, fun, strong record; I regret that Spliff has not done more English material. But this is a loving tribute, very well-done, to a genre that we have all made an integral part of our lives for many years. Do yourself a huge favor and buy this great CD while it's still available!"

You had to see the concert, but CD is still great

Terence J. Miles | 12/16/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The German group Spliff performed the Radio Show concert back in 1980(?) at various venues in Germany. I was fortunate enough to catch the show, and to this day it is the most fun and memorable concert experience I've had. Spliff is a talented band that subsequently released a number of heavy rock albums with German lyrics and a wacky German sound. Radio Show was done in English, and it chronicled the rise, fall, and rebirth of a mythical rock star. Each song tells the story of a step on the way. The music is purposely derivitive of various 70s styles, yet is clearly unique to Spliff. I personally give it five stars, but that's because I have the memory of the concert (and the general fun I was having at the time). By today's standards the production values are a little weak, and the sound is a tad dated. None-the-less, it is a worthwhile and enjoyable experience, "and if you listed, really listen, at least I can say I told you so...""