Dem letzten Spiegel lag der “KulturSpiegel” bei – eine großartige Titelgeschichte über die Straße meiner Jugend: “Unterm Durchschnitt” – Heimat des Plattenladens “Konneckschen” voin Robert Nitz, aus dem später “Unterm Durchschnitt” – Uli Rehberg’s ganz spezielle Phonofachhandlung wurde.
Lesenswert – hier der relevante Teil mit Uli…. (c) 2012 Spiegel Verlag, Hamburg
This is a song that was fixed in my brain for large parts of the mid 90s in the hey-days of what was called “Pop-Punk” (and thus got a bad name forever). They hailed from Reno, NV, and as the mighty 7 Seconds they where DIY to the bone. This is their first LP, on Dr. Strange, and sure i have the limited eddition clear vinyl version as i bought it back then. “UMA 14 TIMES” is a definite hit and doing a song for the lovely Uma Thurman back then sure was based upon her performance in “Pulp Fiction”. But, if you ask me, a well deserved appriciation!
The internet (damn Internet, never forgets) sums it up:
To understand Thurman's career choices, recall her distinguishing role,in 1988's "Dangerous Liaisons". In the film, she blossoms from a stammering convent girl into a finger-sucking wench. It was partly her beauty and talent that struck moviegoers;but it was also, to be honest, her topless unveiling in bed with John Malkovich.
Bands wrote songs about her - the male singers in Majesty Crush's mildly creepy "Uma" and Zoinks!'s cinephilic "Uma Fourteen Times" ("I long to hold ya / I know I'm no Travolta") lust for her. And in Heavenly's "Ben Sherman," a female singer regrets that her deluded boyfriend pines for Uma.
Nevermind, the verdict:
1977 – pure, sweet and thrusting rhythm – a real gem!
published by a cool lable – Dr. Strange – was and is cool!
found in a cool shop – Martin Stehr’s Drugstore was THE place in the 90’s
catching sound – without any doubt, i think this is the best pop-punk song from the US of the 90’s, even better than some of the Green Day stuff.
The lyrics are precise and very clear – no question asked:
I'm always home, patheticaly alone waiting for you, Uma Uma Thurman, i'll say your name again (2x) Uma (3x) Uma Thurman, i'm yours Bonanza Jellybean couldn't make the scene now it's up to me, Uma Uma - Uma It's me, you're someone I'm nobody Uma Thurman, i'll say your name again (2x) Uma (3x) Uma Thurman, i'm yours You're the big man's wife but not in real life I'll be you Vincent Vega I'll long to hold ya I know I'm not John Travolta I can't even dance Uma Thurman, i'll say your name again (2x) Uma (3x) Uma Thurman, i'm yours I'm in this band, not in much demand and I'm a grain of sand and you're an hour glass and I'll kick Gary's ass if you want me to I'll do anything for you after all I wrote this song for you (repeat) Uma (c) 1995 Zoinks!
They ceased in 1998, no clue what happend to the guys. Also no clue if Uma ever knew this and reverted on it. She should. As an act of grace!
Now listen – the video is great DIY – see the wayback maschine to 1996 (and sorry, you need to jump places):
Some have it, some have it not. Kicker, old fart’s of the Oakland, CA punk scene, have a real cool cover designer. Repeat: Real cool covers! Football, Oldpunks and songs like “Lager & Chips” make you wonder if they are not on the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean…
A beer at the next St. Pauli game for the one who names correctly all (!) references in these – pls leave a reply!