Οι Chokebore από τη Χαβάη ήταν το αγαπημένο μου γκρουπ ‘εναλλακτικού ροκ’ της περιόδου, για τον ήχο, την συνθετική-στιχουργική στόφα του Troy Von Balthazar [πρώτος από αριστερά] και τους δραματικούς τόνους της ερμηνείας του. Mετά τη διάλυση του γκρουπ ο TvB συνέχισε σόλο. Είχα την τύχη να τους δω ζωντανά, στα late ‘90s, στην Αθήνα.
Τους Chokebore είχε επιλέξει ο Kurt Cobain ως support στην τελευταία, ημιτελή περιοδεία των Nirvana.
Ακούμε ένα τραγουδι από το μνημειώδες – για κάποιους τουλάχιστον – δισκογραφικό τους ντεμπούτο, Anything Near Water.

Chokebore from Hawaii was my favorite ‘alternative rock’ band of the era, for their sound, Troy Von Balthazar‘s [first from left] songwriting skills, and the dramatic tones of his performance. After the band’s split, TvB went on solo. I was lucky enough to watch Chokebore live in Athens, the late ’90s.
Kurt Cobain had chosen them as Nirvana’s support band for the last unfinished tour …
We hear a song from the monumental – for some, anyway – debut album, Anything Near Water.

Since I stood you on your head and told you you don’t
Know the way I feel and you don’t see the things I see.
Well, you’ve been walking home alone and shaking
Weightless like a sparrow bone.
You know my mind is like water and I’m silver like eels
And I am better left all alone.
But water’s a lie and I am a liar can you see this yet?
I was born and bred hard as stone smooth like kerosene
Aching and soaking wet.
Gasoline night time, silver eyes promise you thousands of
Sour lies, grey like eels.
Since I stood you on your head and told you, you don’t
Know the way I feel and you don’t see the things I see.
Well I’ve been watching your eyes for some sign of
Betrayal, a certain courage I thought you might find, a
Little curl of your lips, a little shudder of a wing a
Little screaming to keep me in line.