Not to be confused with the US soul legend of 'You Better Move On' fame, this Arthur Alexander emigrated to New York from Warsaw, forming the The Poppees, who became regulars ad Max's Kansas City and were the very first new band signed to Greg Shaw's iconic BOMP! label. Later signing to CBS for two albums with his new band Sorrows, Alexander enjoyed a mid-life career producing album for the likes of T-MODEL FORD and KING MUD for Alive Naturalsound.
His debut solo album One Bar Left makes good use of Arthur's various influences and experiences on both sides of the desk, running the gamut from power-pop to punk and rock'n'roll.
“I started writing 'Psycho-Automatic' in 1984, when I lived in New York City," he says. "And finished it in Los Angeles as it was percolating in my head til 2016 (what do you mean, I'm slow!?!?!), going through various changes, additions and rewrites. Though the lyrics are pretty ‘out there’ and ‘psycho-conceptual,’ they also reflect in parts the turmoil that was slowly building up in my own life back then. Opening with the 9th chord, undoubtedly, and however subconsciously, inspired by The Beatles’ 'It’s Getting Better', I’m rather proud to say that the similarity ends there. Aaron Minton from a great L.A. band - Prima Donna (they have a new record coming out on Wicked Cool Records soon) - on tenor sax, for a blistering and psycho(tic) solo break, and then, Aaron, actually all eight Aarons! ;), turns into a full horn section for the remainder of the song. Also, playing spectacular bass lines is my Polish friend Wojtek Pilichowski, a MONSTER of a bass player. Just google him… and make sure you’re sitting down! He’s featured on several other songs on the album as well."
One Bar Left is set for release on 4 May through Dead Beat Records. It's available to pre-order on red and black vinyl and CD here.
Arthur Alexander on Facebook
Pic by Jeremy White