Worm – “Life Is A Game”
Life is a game- and a cruel game, as such.
It’s dog-eat-dog, eat or be eaten. In the animal world they don’t need these words for them to be aware of that.
We live in a world built on cruelty. A world where the number one cause of death is starvation (that’s true, even with humans)- or die with another creature eating us alive.
But still, let us pause, to let the religious folks chime in with how great and good God is.
Rereading some great, short stories recently by Tennessee Williams and one of the characters mentions, “Life is like it was created by the Marquis De Sade.”
But this recording causes me no pain, shame or humiliation.
That’s what my Goddess provides and I’m thankful to her for that. And I’m thankful what Worm has provided for my ears.
But are we really happy in this lonely game we play? ‘Cause we’re lost in this masquerade. (Thanks Leon Russell).
But if you join me in the game that Worm is playing, I think you’ll have a good time:
“Skater’s Edge” starts with some crashing, guitar chords and some abrasive, dissonant guitar notes- that soon breaks out of the stables like a race horse pulling out past the rest of the pack. This song has a great lead vocal, a rhythm section that rocks, powerful shout along backup vocals and a hard edged, DIY punk vibe that cuts sharp to the bone. This song contains the excitement and peril of a skateboarder taking a turn and not knowing, if they’ll
clear it or wipe out. Here, they not only escape, unharmed, but succeed, uncontested.
“Rexhame Nights” totally captures the melodic pounce, the energy infused rhythms, the honest excitement of an early Clash tune. A driving rhythm, a great melodic guitar lick playing against slightly, off-key, boisterous, heartfelt lead and backup vocals. This song sounds like a night of drunken reverie that is perfect in its’ unique, off course way. My favorite song on this release and my pick to make it to The Top Of The Pops.
Starting with the same rock beat as Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself” (that’s Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols on that BTW), this song has a vocal with a slight bend or drawl at the end of each line that makes me think of Ian Hunter from Mott The Hoople. “This is a game now, I know the rules. I play them my way. I never lose.” Lotsa great lyrics within this song and a simple, but effective guitar solo, too. “There ain’t nothin’ in this world for free, now. It’s no bed of roses. You will rise and fall.” The sounds and words of this song are now making me think of Johnny Rotten. Maybe because this is a tune that has something to say with music that’s raw and true and meant to be heard.
“Our Roots” pops out with an early hardcore/punk thrust with gang vocals shouting along the way. With words like “We’re the South Shore punk rock kids, we don’t care where we play.” This song reflects perfectly- the camaraderie, the passion and yes, the love of the punk scene. This song reminds me of the great, but now defunct hardcore band Refuse Resist. But then this tune should remind you of any great band you’ve known, that is full of punk passion.
When I was a teenager there was a fellow who hung with the crowd, and I don’t remember his real name but his nickname was “Worm.”
He was a bit weirder than all of us and, and I feel certain, that all of us, from back then felt the same way about him.
I think he was a bit of an acid casualty as he always took twice the amount of acid or mescaline than I, or my friends took.
I’m talking 1974, so don’t think I’m advocating drugs. I feel drugs are like magic- they make your friends disappear.
But what was most odd about him, was that he told us he had a blow-up doll from a sex shop that he used. You know, one of those plastic things with a cutie doll face, kind of like an obscene floating device from a pool.
This has nothing to do with this article. This has nothing to do with this band Worm.
Though, that story is true and it’s kinda punk rock. I can never listen to this band without thinking about him. I have no idea how he turned out.
But I do know that the band Worm has turned into a damn, good punk band that combines punk, hardcore, crust, Oi and DIY into their music. A lot of honest feelings and individualism, too.
Life is a game that even the best of us, sometimes lose.
But this great recording wins for me, every time I play it.
But if you want to play Life again, please insert another quarter into the slot.
(Slimedog)
