Album #: 23
Recording Dates: 1987-1997
Release Date: 2000
Catalog: SMR15
ScratchNotes:
My pal Joe G. was the first musician I ever wrote music with. This is a compilation I put together featuring all four configurations in which he and I played as well as most of the solo material Joe recorded over a ten year period.
Two Track Sampler
Track 10 - Blah (Joe G and MX Skroch) - Joe lets the ladies know that he’s serious in his devotion…ridiculously so… [Scratch on Guitar]
Track 13 - Headwound (Joe G and MX Skroch) - Music performed and lyrics by Joe, questionable singing by MX Skroch. [Scratch on Vocals]
Before we leave this era behind, here are some images I captured from the few video recordings that exist of the Raging Bellybuttons.
Joe
Scratch
Ken
Scratch and Joe
Matt, Scratch, and Joe
Album #: 03
Recording Dates: 1989
Release Date: 1999
Catalog: SMR03
ScratchNotes:
In-between intermittent spurts of the Raging Bellybuttons, Brian P. and I hooked up for a project featuring electronic drums and guitar. Plans were made to segue James Taylor’s “Sunny Skies” into Slayer’s “Raining Blood”, but it never happened. We considered calling ourselves Hugs and Kisses.
Meanwhile, the Bellybuttons took a major commercial step in tapping Matt J. (the No-Name Band’s breakdancer) as frontman. Sadly, this grouping lasted less than 10 rehearsals, and the Bellybuttons disbanded in mid-1990.
Five Track Sampler
Track 01 - Song #1 Extended (MX Skroch & Brian P.) - It just wouldn’t be right to exit the 80’s without hearing from an electronic drum set. Brian supplies the slamming beats down in my basement. [Scratch on Guitar]
Track 03 - Preaching Peace Princess (The Raging Bellybuttons) - Despite the mis-crediting on the artwork, short-time crooner Matt J. relays this tale of idealism and sorrow. [Scratch on Guitar]
Track 06 - Luv Monkey Tactics (The Raging Bellybuttons) - Habba-da-bo-dad. [Scratch on Guitar]
Track 10 - Biker Gang (The Raging Bellybuttons) - The only thing we have to fear…is Biker Gangs themselves! [Scratch on Vocals and Guitar]
Track 11 - Jam with Brian #1 (MX Skroch & Brian P.) - Leaving you with a mellow groove. [Scratch on Guitar]
Album #: 02
Recording Dates: 1988 - 1989
Release Date: 1999
Catalog: SMR02
ScratchNotes:
The Raging Bellybuttons find their voice (well, Scratch and Joe do while Kenny wears a T-shirt on his head). Bad fashion and lousy but enthusiastic renditions of songs by the Doors, Blondie, and Slayer. “Soundgarden Song” wasn’t a cover, just an eleven minute two chord tribute. “Raging Rap” and “Everything is Kinda Bizarre” also wallowed in improvisational vocal extravagance.
I shaved half my head, graduated from high school with honors and moved up to community college. On the final night of the dreadful decade known as the 80’s, the Raging Bellybuttons played their only live performance, reading from lyric sheets while performing at Kenfest.
Five Track Sampler
Track 04 - Rubber Lover (The Raging Bellybuttons) - Just teenagers, the Bellybuttons show impressive insight into the nature of true love. [Scratch on Vocals and Guitar]
Track 09 - “Save my Life!” (The Raging Bellybuttons) - The king of pop. [Scratch on Startled Reaction]
Track 13 - Cancer (MX Skroch & Joe G.) - Another outtake by Joe and I that thrives on riffing prowess. [Scratch on Guitar]
Track 15 - Funky Dunky (The Raging Bellybuttons) - Dancing shoes are mandatory. [Scratch on Guitar]
Track 20 - Everything is Kinda Bizarre (The Raging Bellybuttons) - Taking notice of the 1980’s culture that surrounded us all. And somehow the 80’s seem even more bizarre in retrospect… [Scratch on Vocals and Guitar]
