Seven cover versions of Ghostbusters from Dream Syndicate's 1984 tour

October 15, 2014 7:32 PM

The earliest version is fairly straightforward, aside from the homage to “Werewolves of London.” By the time they reach D.C., though, they can do anything with it. At the 9:30 Club, guitarists Wynn and Precoda quote “Rock And Roll Part 2” before shredding in the style of Television—it’s a shame the tape runs out. In Stockholm, Wynn sees an opportunity to stir up the audience, and in Bochum, Germany, it becomes the basis for a long jam that turns into “Suzie Q.,” “Sister Ray,” and “L.A. Woman.” Frankfurt gets a slow take on the song that is actually kind of spooky. Seven cover versions of Ghostbusters from the Dream Syndicate's 1984 tour.
posted by Room 641-A (11 comments total)

Dream Syndicate bootlegs are something like my generation's version of Bob Dylan recording session outtakes.

This is going to require some listening. Thanks!
posted by ardgedee at 7:46 PM on October 15, 2014 [2 favorites]

Dammit, I have to go to bed. Tell me when it's over.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 9:11 PM on October 15, 2014 [1 favorite]

The earliest version is fairly straightforward, aside from the homage to “Werewolves of London.”

Somebody missed the keyboardist in the intro (of the first bootleg, at least) playing the sax solo from "I Want a New Drug", the song Huey Lewis accused Ray Parker Jr of stealing. Well played there.
posted by Spatch at 9:28 PM on October 15, 2014 [4 favorites]

"Hold on… hold on… hold on…"

These are outstanding. Thanks.
posted by ob1quixote at 11:48 PM on October 15, 2014 [1 favorite]

Steve Wynn improves everything.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:10 AM on October 16, 2014

Yow, I saw them open for REM that year at the Aragon in Chicago. Don't recall any "Ghostbusters", though REM did a pretty cool version of "Femme Fatale"
posted by hwestiii at 4:10 AM on October 16, 2014

Dream Syndicate bootlegs are something like my generation's version of....

I'm a little jealous. I know maybe 3 people who would really give a shit about this, and I am of the appropriate generation.

I tossed most of my records years ago, but hung onto the Dream Syndicate, True West, Green on Red and 3 o'Clock records even when I had no record player because they weren't obtainable on CD. Got out the True West a while back, and man, that was just as good as I remembered it...
posted by lodurr at 5:58 AM on October 16, 2014 [1 favorite]

REM did a pretty cool version of "Femme Fatale"

they did a cool "ghostriders in the sky" and "moon river" on that tour also as I recall. /derail
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 7:07 AM on October 16, 2014

I'll seize this opportunity to link to this show of Karl/Kendra lineup of the Dream Syndicate at my local Tower Records in 1982. I'm in the audience, but fortunately not filmed.
posted by quartzcity at 12:51 PM on October 16, 2014

I meant to add this in the extended section (from the linked article):

Just about every Dream Syndicate live show on tape is available for free as part of the massive Steve Wynn collection at archive.org.

posted by Room 641-A at 2:50 PM on October 16, 2014

shredding in the style of Television

Oliver Hall probably never saw Television live. That was absolute guitar nirvana.

Not quite, but for once, I am OK with someone saying that.

Dream Syndicate didn't really fit in with any of the underpop going on then. I liked it. Bought it. Just please don't compare them to Television. Verlaine could turn Wynn to dust and Lloyd could shred a salad out of Precoda.

Anyway, I'd put the dust on my salad and eat it.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 7:53 AM on October 17, 2014 [1 favorite]