Released: February, 1995

mabcdpq audio

Sluggo - guitar, vocals
L.V. - Drums and Percussion
Stelios Valavanis - Bass
Ted E. Gray - samples, vocals
a.p. harris - saxophone, autoharp

plus special guest-
James Warden on bass

This CD compilation was Lee's critique of the hype buzzing around Wicker Park as a result of the convergence of an accelerating process of gentrification (which lead to things like the New York Times describing Wicker Park as "like Paris in the twenties", the forced relocation of large segments of the Puerto Rican community, etc.) and the success of Liz Phair's debut album on Matador. With this CD Lee was in effect saying: "forget Urge Overkill, this is the real sound of Wicker Park".

{Actually, those lofty goals are quite admirable, but i'm not that political or deep. "Experience" came out because i wanted to release a cd. And a cd of my work alone seemed less exciting to me than a cd of my work and the work of a whole bunch of my friends and peers and local bands. As well, a compilation allowed me to create a document of my approach to DJ'ing, tape making, listening and audio-proselytizing; while simultaneously promoting a lot of musicians whom i really admired. "Experience" had nothing to do with gentrification. It was one of a few documents that came out at a time when their was a vibrant music scene in a particular neighborhood, both of which were coming apart at the seams, for many reasons. "Experience" had nothing to do with Liz Phair or Urge. Personally, i think Liz is one of the best pop artists in the world. i love her records. Urge i found boring and contrite long before i'd ever heard of wicker park or even knew they were from chicago. "Experience" wasn't the real sound of wicker park. It was some sounds from wicker park. Nothing more than an odd comp, by a guy with a tatse for the obscure--lee}

DragKing's Raw Meal is a long epic of a song, starting with a jazzy acoustic feel and then going into sheer punk rock hell before exiting on a sonic youth like disonance. The version on this CD is a different mix of the song Separation's Fine that appears on the full length "Kill Yr Boss" CD. Other bands that are on the comp include Carnival De Carnitas, the Jaks, the Swollen Spleens, Stamen, Dylan Posa, Lilith, and the Flying Luttenbachers.

Reviews

"WHOA! this sound is crazy! from pure noise to classical guitar, "Wicker Park" had it all. What a fitting memorial for a creative community that's passed away. This disc is a testament to the diversity and power of music as an outlet -- as opposed to an income. Gypsy violin, jazz, pop, rock, noise, blue-grass, punk, speedcore, jazz-core, lo-fi, classical... In it's time, Wicker Park had seen it all."
Crib Lovecraft - The Lumpen Times

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