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Notes From The Underground

Straight Records' Alice Cooper are currently making the scene at the Scene in New York, and will he in Philadelphia for two days at the Electric Factory this weekend.

The group hails from Phoenix, and really digs it in the Big Apple. They started out in Phoenix, and have been together for five years, through high school and two years of college. Harmonica player Alice Cooper claims to be a reincarnation of a witch. Further, she was a little girl witch who drowned herself in 1603. According to the boys, Jethro Tull was Alice Cooper's aunt. So much for their namesake.

Alice Cooper told Record World that they are a social criticism "just by existing." They characterize themselves as a bunch of suburban freaks who are "a direct product of television."

"We were never influenced by blues or Chuck Berry. Our biggest influences have been 77 Sunset Strip, and Edge of Night. You know, all the violence and everything. We're just upper suburban brats who had everything we wanted," a member offered. They say that they were attracted to show business by the "glamour and glitter," and summed it all up by saying "we just don't care."

Between bites of his tuna on white with lettuce and mayo, Alice told us that their first LP, "Pretties For You," is really a play. He said the songs are like pictures, and "very psychedelic." Anyway, they're honest, and it looks like Frank Zappa has come up with another worthwhile addition to his roster of artists, even if they're not so straight. More like a hot breeze from the West, and a welcome one.