Cheer Up
Encyclopedia
Cheer Up is the debut album by Plexi
, released on Sub Pop Records on October 8, 1996. It was recorded by Jeff Powell at Oceanway Studios (Los Angeles, CA), Fox Force Five Studios (Los Angeles), and Ardent Studios (Memphis, TN).
(the uncensored title of the Stones' song is actually "Starfucker"), it is not a cover. "Peel" and "Magnet" are re-recorded versions of songs from prior Plexi EPs. "Peel" was given a radically different 2nd half with lyrics, instead of the instrumental noise coda called "He" with which it had previously ended. After a few minutes of reverb-heavy, hypnotic droning about how "she can't stand her hair, she can't stand her face," "Peel" now had a chorus of, "She was gonna swing/ She was gonna swing from her neckbone..." "Bunny" is a 2-minute ambient segue apparently based on a sampled loop of an orchestra, with sounds of explosions in the distance; it concludes with a muffled, echoing scream of "We're gonna die..." Barragan handled the vocals on "56," a song said to be inspired by his love of numerology
; the album's sleeve also had cryptic "23" artwork on it.
In the liner notes, Barragan thanks the NHRA
in the liner notes. The band as a whole thanks the L.A. Free Clinic, Dave Navarro, "and of course, the vagina."
Promotional copies came in a plain black sleeve with a photo of the band, and a removable mini foldout poster; the poster contained Plexi's discography to date, and a mostly false biography detailing their meeting at a Taoist retreat. (This in-joke is possibly continued via the band's publishing company, which was entitled Three Pious Egoists.)
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A video was shot for "Forest Ranger," featuring the band cavorting in a bathtub and in the studio; it aired a few times on MTV's 120 Minutes
in September '97. (This song was slightly remixed by Tom Lord-Alge for radio play on the reissue.) "Forest Ranger" was also used in the movie Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 in 2000, but did not appear on the soundtrack album.
"Roller Rock Cam" was released as a 1-track promotional CD single to radio stations. In 1997, the promotional Mountains EP was released. It featured the Cheer Up version of "Mountains," plus live recordings of "Forest Ranger," "Change" and "Simple Man." "Dimension" appeared on Spring Lineup: A Compilation Of Sub Pop's Heavy Hitters in early 1997. "Bunny" appeared on Brine: The Antisurf Soundtrack in 1997.
Plexi
Plexi was a gothic noise rock band consisting of Michael Angelos , Michael Barragan , and Norm Block . No other members were ever in the band, though they occasionally utilized a Moog player during live performances. Their original name was Godseed...
, released on Sub Pop Records on October 8, 1996. It was recorded by Jeff Powell at Oceanway Studios (Los Angeles, CA), Fox Force Five Studios (Los Angeles), and Ardent Studios (Memphis, TN).
Overview
The packaging is an elaborate fold-out design, encased by a slide-off black external slipcase. There are three large photos of band members preening in front of bathroom mirrors; there is also "BYE PLEXI & PALS (adios, amigos)" written on one of the mirrors with lipstick in guitarist Michael Barragan's handwriting. Though "Star Star" shares a title with a 1973 Rolling Stones songStar Star
"Star Star" is a song by The Rolling Stones that appeared on their 1973 album Goats Head Soup. One of the raunchiest songs in the band's catalogue, the song was originally titled "Starfucker" until Atlantic Records guru Ahmet Ertegün insisted on the change...
(the uncensored title of the Stones' song is actually "Starfucker"), it is not a cover. "Peel" and "Magnet" are re-recorded versions of songs from prior Plexi EPs. "Peel" was given a radically different 2nd half with lyrics, instead of the instrumental noise coda called "He" with which it had previously ended. After a few minutes of reverb-heavy, hypnotic droning about how "she can't stand her hair, she can't stand her face," "Peel" now had a chorus of, "She was gonna swing/ She was gonna swing from her neckbone..." "Bunny" is a 2-minute ambient segue apparently based on a sampled loop of an orchestra, with sounds of explosions in the distance; it concludes with a muffled, echoing scream of "We're gonna die..." Barragan handled the vocals on "56," a song said to be inspired by his love of numerology
Numerology
Numerology is any study of the purported mystical relationship between a count or measurement and life. It has many systems and traditions and beliefs...
; the album's sleeve also had cryptic "23" artwork on it.
In the liner notes, Barragan thanks the NHRA
National Hot Rod Association
The National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States and Canada...
in the liner notes. The band as a whole thanks the L.A. Free Clinic, Dave Navarro, "and of course, the vagina."
Promotional copies came in a plain black sleeve with a photo of the band, and a removable mini foldout poster; the poster contained Plexi's discography to date, and a mostly false biography detailing their meeting at a Taoist retreat. (This in-joke is possibly continued via the band's publishing company, which was entitled Three Pious Egoists.)
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Reissue, video, singles
Cheer Up was re-released on CD and cassette in July, 1997, as a joint release by Sub Pop/ Lava/ Atlantic. (The vinyl LP version remains in print solely on Sub Pop.) The "23" rune design on the CD itself was slightly changed in size and color, but overall, the packaging remained very faithful to the original design.A video was shot for "Forest Ranger," featuring the band cavorting in a bathtub and in the studio; it aired a few times on MTV's 120 Minutes
120 Minutes
120 Minutes is a television show in the United States dedicated to alternative music, originally airing on MTV from 1986 to 2000, and then on MTV's sister channel MTV2 from 2001 to 2003....
in September '97. (This song was slightly remixed by Tom Lord-Alge for radio play on the reissue.) "Forest Ranger" was also used in the movie Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 in 2000, but did not appear on the soundtrack album.
"Roller Rock Cam" was released as a 1-track promotional CD single to radio stations. In 1997, the promotional Mountains EP was released. It featured the Cheer Up version of "Mountains," plus live recordings of "Forest Ranger," "Change" and "Simple Man." "Dimension" appeared on Spring Lineup: A Compilation Of Sub Pop's Heavy Hitters in early 1997. "Bunny" appeared on Brine: The Antisurf Soundtrack in 1997.
Track listing
(All songs written by Plexi)- "Forest Ranger" (4:01)
- "Dimension" (2:25)
- "Roller Rock Cam" (3:08)
- "Peel" (5:02)
- "Dayglo" (3:09)
- "Ordinary Things" (4:01)
- "Bunny" (2:08)
- "Change" (2:58)
- "Fourget" (2:20)
- "Mountains" (3:01)
- "Magnet" (2:30)
- "56" (2:04)
- "Star Star" (3:58)
Personnel
- Michael Angelos - Vocals, Bass
- Michael Barragan - Guitar, Noises, Mini Moog, Rhodes 88; Vocals on 12
- Norm Block - Percussion, Drums
- Melora CreagerMelora CreagerMelora Creager, formerly Melora Mather, is an American cellist and singer-songwriter best known for her role as lead singer and chief composer of the cello rock trio Rasputina....
- Cello on 6, 13 - Paul Roessler - Keyboards on 5, "and various other sounds"
- Jonathan Poneman - Executive producer
- Jeff Kleinsmith - Art direction/ design
- Robert Sebree, Derrick Ion - Photography