Destroy All Monsters 1974-1976

Destroy All Monsters began as Detroit’s noisy anti-rock reaction to the corporate rock of the ‘70s, but they ended up inspiring artists like Patti Smith, Pussy Galore, early Pavement recordings and Sonic Youth (whose Thurston Moore released posthumous recordings of the band). The band comprised Ron Asheton of the Stooges and Michael Davis from MC5 as well as proto-punk luminary Larry Miller, avant-garde noisemaker Ben Miller and front-woman Niagara (a former model). Spanning two years following the band’s inception, this amazing 76-song-deep compilation begins with “Siren,” an experiment in feedback, distortion, reverb and minimalist rhythms, before songs like “Conga” and “Blow Hole” reveal a love for Sun Ra and science-fiction B-movie futurism. It’s not until the horror-rock tune “Vampire” that we get some semblance of a proper song with singing and changes, while their lo-fi deconstructionist cover of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” provided the template for Pussy Galore’s take on the Stones’ Exile On Main St. The proto-punk influence of Ron Asheton can be heard on “Detroit” and “21st Century.”