The Wildebeests – Go Wilde In The Countrye

With 1997's Go Wilde in the Countrye, the Wildebeests arguably released one of the best garage rock albums of the ‘90s. The Edinburgh, Scotland trio are one of those groups, like the Cynics, who took the best from ’66 & ’77 and beyond to forge their own distinctive sound. While the unsung group had the courage to set out on their own path during the ‘90s garage revival, by and large their recordings have somewhat unjustly slipped through the cracks over the decades. The band features Lenny Helsing of the Thanes, bass player John Gibbs (the Kaisers, Holly Golightly Band, the Masonics) and vocals/guitars provided by Russell Wilkins. Wilkins is also a key figure in the Medway/Billy Childish scene and has extensive experience with the Pop Rivets, Thee Milkshakes and the Delmonas.

They were a last minute fill-in for the Kaisers at the first Las Vegas Grind weekender in October 1999.  I remember attendees being pretty crestfallen as they were anticipating seeing both the Neatbeats and the Kaisers on the same night at the same festival. They whipped the crowd into an instant frenzy and canceled their disappointment as soon as the first chord was struck. Their stage command and incendiary, yet melodic sound carried them through to impress the international audience and set up things perfectly for the Neatbeats (who played at the peak of their powers).  Russell Wilkins exhibited a certain savoir-faire with his resolute vocals and stage presence.  Further, he was able to achieve a pretty bold tone on the guitar that both growled and snarled.

The Wildebeests-at the Las Vegas Grind-October 29, 1999

This record encapsulates their sound that is simultaneously raw and ready, yet refined due to the accomplished and astute musicians involved. Their distinguishing characteristic is their ability to achieve a pretty fierce, thick, murky, melodic and full-blown sound within their self-imposed limitations. Additionally, their well-versed knowledge of music is second to none as exemplified by their deep-end covers that truly stretch across the decades of recorded music, while also displaying their propensity towards variety. The rumbling opener “I Need You” is not the Kinks song, but the next one “World Keeps Going Round” was definitely inked by Ray Davies. Next, they explore the unvarnished Pacific Northwest ‘60s sound with the R&B instrumental “5A Gibbs Entry.” The trio also excel at pointed manifestos (“This is My Year”) and determined declarations (“Standing Alone” CD-only).  There is an overall dynamic flow to the sequencing as their standout cover of the Ramones’ “Suzi is a Headbanger'' is perfectly placed between the aforementioned “This is My Year” and “Bad Storm Coming.” By the way, “Bad Storm Coming” sounds like quintessential American moody '60s garage punk. However, it was originally done by London’s Downliners Sect on their 1965 Country Sect album.

Beat & pop sensibilities frequently shine through their jagged sound that sometimes veers off into freakbeat. They also prove they can pull off the ‘40s and ‘50s blues on the old Bukka White/Mose Allison standard “Parchman Farm” and the Willie Dixon/Muddy Waters' vehicle “I Live the Life I Love.” The Wildebeests certainly go much further back into the roots, weeds and bogs than most bands. For instance, “Temptation” is the old 1933 evergreen first made famous by Bing Crosby and they deliver in formidable fashion making it sound like the natural precursor to the rockabilly/garage standard “Jezebel.”

It may be heresy in some quarters, but the Wildebeests go beyond the Medway sound and frankly, no other group sounds like them. Go Wilde in the Countrye captures their forward momentum of the time. It’s also one of those perfect albums to play on the drive home from work. In a way, they presaged the Kent 3, the Embrooks and Reigning Sound with their ability to combine surging immediacy and concision with expansive knowledge and skillful musicianship. Once again, the SFTRI label had the foresight to release another stellar record that has more than stood up and endured here in the '20s. This album should remain on the forefront when it comes to ‘90s garage rock.

L to R: John Gibbs (bass), Lenny Helsing (drums), Russell Wilkins (guitar)