Five years ago today B Jay Womack aka Bobby Ubangi passed away. He was a major inspiration and friend to the Black Lips and many other bands in Atlanta and beyond as well as being a respectable punk slimer in his own right. His song “Greasers’ Lament” is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard EVER. Thanks for the good tunes Bobby. RIP.
Tag Archives: Bobby Ubangi
Flashback: Angry Angles Live Performance Circa 2006
Damn, Alix Brown is one lucky motherfucker; she played in bands with Jay Reatard (Angry Angles), Bradford Cox (Wet Dreams), and Bobby Ubangi (The Lids). I’m so envious!
“Sinking” – Bobby Ubangi
Bobby Ubangi looked death in the eye for months. He was supposed to die in a timetable of six…he lasted nine. Somewhere in there, he recorded his last full length. It’s a cunning work, especially considering the circumstances. Even though death was forming for Ubangi, he never let its imminent approach eat away what he wanted to get done. That’s admirable and inspirational. After eleven straight dirty lo-fi gems, including my favorite “Another Girl Like You,” there’s “Sinking,” an introspective of what’s nearing. Here are the words:
Sinking.
Everybody knows that I’ve been sinking.
Everybody knows that I’ve been sinking.
Nobody can turn me down.
Sinking.
Everybody knows what I’ve been thinking.
Everybody knows what I’ve been thinking.
Everything’s been bringing me down.
Standing out and S.O.S is my last sign of distress.
Maybe there’s somebody near who can save me from this mess.
Sinking.
Everybody knows that I’ve been sinking.
Everybody knows that I’ve been sinking.
Everybody’s watching me drown.
Everybody’s watching me drown.
Everybody’s watching me drown.
WE FUN – ATLANTA
ONE WEEK ONLY — King Khan, the Black Lips, and others are featured in this documentary on the Atlanta music scene, directed by Matthew Robison and scheduled for DVD release on Record Store Day
Click here to watch: http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/2116-we-fun/
Bobby Ubangi Montage
RIP
P.S. I dig the badass song, “Threw My Girl A Party” by BBQ aka Mark Sultan.
Chris
Song of the Day
Gaye Blades- Please Don’t Get Married (year?)
I admit not as fabulous as the classic, “Bobby Is A lover,” but I just heard this one so, I decided to share this great music with y’all whom couldn’t possibly discover such fine art on your own. Gaye Blades = Music to poppy for the Black Lips catalog. RIP Bobby Ubangi!
Chris
Favorite Discoveries of 2009
Cool bands (in alphabetical order?) that I discovered for the first time in 2009. Rule: they must not have been formed in 2009/must not have released their first record in 2009. Anything questionable, I didn’t include. And no doubts that I forgot some.
– Atlas Sound
– Black Moth Super Rainbow
– Bloodshot Bill
– Bobby Ubangi
– Box Elders
– Galaxie 500
– Mika Miko
– Portugal. The Man
– Thee Oh Sees
Singles Review: Another Girl Like You
Band: Bobby Ubangi
Release: 2009
Comments: I believe the late Ubangi was once called the king of the three chord garage song. I see why! Ubangi sounded like a slightly more accessible Jay Reatard. Perhaps too like super lo-fi Ramones or the Beach Boys on salvia. B Jay’s catchy tunes no-doubt made him a legend in Atlanta punk circles. Real sappy stuff as Jared Swilley would probably say.
Grades: “Another Girl Like You” (9.8); “Greasers Lament” (9.2); “Back To You” (9.7)
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If you are more interested in reading about Ubangi and the months and days leading up to his July 1, 2009 death check out this article.