On Golden Smog is the debut EP from American band Golden Smog, released in 1992.
Background Golden Smog was a loosely connected group of musicians comprising, at various times, members of Soul Asylum, The Replacements, Wilco, The Jayhawks, Run Westy Run, The Honeydogs and Big Star. Golden Smog's lineup has often changed, but relative constants who appear on all the recordings are guitarists Kraig Johnson (Run Westy Run), Dan Murphy (Soul Asylum) and Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), along with bassist Marc Perlman (The Jayhawks).Pitchfork media review of Stay Golden, Smog
The album consists entirely of cover songs. The album sleeve art was by the band's then-drummer, Chris Mars. The track "Shooting Star" was featured in the 1994 film Clerks.
On Golden Smog was reissued in 1996 by Rykodisc.
Reception
Writing for Allmusic, music critic Jason Ankeny wrote of the album "After a few years of haphazard shows in and about their native Minneapolis, the members of Golden Smog were approached by a small local label to put out a record; many, many beers later, On Golden Smog appeared."
Track listing "Son (We've Kept the Room Just the Way You Left It)" – 4:26 - A Michaelangelo cover. "Easy to Be Hard" – 3:20 - A Hair Cover. (Sung by The Jayhawks' Gary Louris) "Shooting Star" – 4:44 - A Bad Company Cover. (Sung by Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner). "Back Street Girl" – 3:55 - A Rolling Stones Cover. "Cowboy Song" – 5:29 - A Thin Lizzy Cover. (Sung by Soul Asylum roadie, Bill Sullivan).
Personnel The band members of Golden Smog used pseudonyms in the credits.
Anthony James (Dave Pirner) – vocals Johnny Vincent (Bill Sullivan) – voices David Spear-Way (Dan Murphy) – vocals, voices in your head, guitar, ocarina Jarret Decatur-Laine (Kraig Johnson) – vocals, guitar, choreography, light show Raymond Virginia-Circle (Marc Perlman) – bass, staplegun, fish, synthesizer Eddie Garfield-Avenue (Chris Mars) – drums, kazoo Michael Macklyn-Drive (Gary Louris) – vocals, bass pedals, kettle drums, string arrangements The Straight Shooter Chorus – background vocals
Production notes Paul Pacific – producer Sir James Bunchberry – engineer Chris Mars – artwork Dave Pinsky – editing Bonnie Lynn Butler – photography Dave Biljan – design
References