Bruce Anderson died last week. Who? Bruce was the guitarist for MX-80 Sound (later just MX-80).
I had started to write a memorial blog post to him, but it went on and on and on, and was ultimately more about my pompous opinions than anything else. Better to keep it shorter.
How do I describe Bruce's playing? Virtuosic sloppiness? That would suggest he didn't know what he was doing. I'd put him in a category with Andy Gill, guitarist for the original Gang of Four, and Marshall Allen, alto saxophone for the Sun Ra Arkestra. An action player. A very physical relationship with the instrument.
But damn, he could burn a solo and be funky as hell.
Personally, it takes me back forty years. I was a freshman conservatory music student at Carnegie Mellon. Okay on the musical academic side, not terrible but woefully unprepared as a saxophone performance major.
The Ralph Records bug bit me as a senior in high school. I had most of the singles and a few records at the time. Snakefinger, The Residents' "Duck Stab." But the record I listened to over and over that freshman college year was MX-80's "Out of the Tunnel." It was unusual, noisy, energetic, and in many ways exactly the opposite of what I was studying. Was that what appealed to me? I don't know, but after repeated listenings I found it strangely comforting. I'd put it on after a hard day at school and fall into an afternoon nap.
I don't get personally grievous over the deaths of people I admire. I didn't shed tears when Ornette Coleman died. He had a good run, lived a long life, made an immense impact.
Bruce? I was more saddened by his passing than usual. I had no idea it might happen. I haven't followed MX-80 in many years. His death reminds me of a long gone time, when his blistering solos set my hair on end, but also comforted me.
I wish I could have told Bruce in person. So I advise anyone reading to express your appreciation to you favorite unheralded artists. They deserve it.
This was the B side of their first Ralph Record single. I assume it was recorded at the same time as "Out of the Tunnel," but I didn't understand why it was left off. I understand it's named for Dan White. Look it up.
Peace out.
