Pet Clams (the) - s/t

Name: Pet Clams
Album: Pet Clams
Year: 1981
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, Kurt Vile, Tom Robinson Band, A's, Laughing Dogs, Daddy Licks, Cars
"One-Word" Review: Americana Pub Rock
Based Out Of: Asbury Park, NJ
Label: Handshake Records and Tapes

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Pet Clams (1981)

1. Riding in My Car 3:09 (single)
2. Revisions of Johanna 3:36
3. Don't Get So Upset 3:03 (single)
4. Something Happened Late Last Night 2:58
5. Jerusalem 3:58
6. Suicide Note 3:28 /
7. Count your Saturday Nights 3:40
8. Things Keep on Changing 4:12
9. Ain't No Worryin 5:16
10. Generations 4:50
11. Gonna get Fooled Again 3:42 (single b-side)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Hilly Kristal - Producer, Direction, Personal Mgmt
• Glenn Kolotikin - Producer, Engineer
• Scott Powers - Asst. Engineer
• Rich Gelbstien - Writer, Vox, Keys (The Deacons, The Pets)
• Garry Applegate - Writer, Bass (Notorious Grit Bros., Alright Brothers Band, Sons of Alexander, Wildfire, Rockaday Johnny and the Blue Suede Shows, Magpie, The Pets)
• Dave Anderson - Writer, Guitar (Alright Brothers Band, Sons of Alexander, Blues Arc, Crabtree, Magpie, The Pets)
• Al Spero - Drums (Alright Brothers Band, The Pets)
• Peter Corriston - Art Direction & Design
• Hubert Kretzchmar - Illustration

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Pet Clams, but i bet it's gonna be wacky, juvenile humor intensive. The sexual innuendo and metaphor presented by their name and imagery is heavy handed, and they double down by censoring the lady licking a clam on the back cover with a black box..whether they were forced to do that or emphasized the nature of her action by choice is another matter completely. 

Album Review: So although the cover says THE Pet Clams, and the record just as them listed as Pet Clams, it turns out their full name is "The Big Fat Pet Clams From Outer Space." Still a wacky name, even if the sexual nature is not as apparent. But the music is not obviously wacky or juvenile. It is basic pub rock in a genuine and straightforward style. "Gonna Get Fooled Again" has a catchy hook with a little Cars vibe. "Suicide Note" has an Elvis Costello "Radio Radio" or "No Action" feel. "Don't Get So Upset" & "Jerusalem" have a reggae / twin tone style putting them between the Police and Specials.Their clunky website tells the story of the Clams in true light, and they follow in the tragic steps of A&R men, wrong place at the wrong time, record label unkept promises, internal turmoil leading to stardom fame collapse. They did have some popularity in NYC's CBGBs, more than their home town club Stone Pony. Variations of the band have been kicking around for years since this album's release (up to 2017), and their website has scattered unreleased demos and live takes all over the site. 

Stand Out Track: Suicide Note

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