Familiarity Breeds Contempt

A very limited run of these, with full liner notes and gatefold sleeve in printed cdr form, were done in 2018 to raise money for James Patterson, noted area photographer battling cancer at the time. From the liner notes: From the liner notes: In 1984, several Jackson, Miss., bands pooled their resources and put together a modest compilation album of local music entitled “Familiarity Breeds Contempt,” the name a snark-laden jab at the era’s competitive nature, which had a tendency to strain even the closest friendships. Thirty-three years later, all it took was the news of a mutual friend’s medical woes to bring many of those same musicians together for the first time in years to rally around a common cause, resulting in “With Friends Like These … An Evening for James Patterson” to express their appreciation for the noted Mississippi photographer who is battling cancer. From there, it was a logical step to put together a limited edition run of “Familiarity …” CDs to be sold at the show to aid in the fund-raising. So here it is, original warts and all. The credits are as correct as anyone can remember. Regrettably, the Oral Sox version of the rockabilly classic “Tear it Up” had to be left off due to licensing issues. It’s a shame, as that energetic recording is a prime example of a great band in its prime. Beyond that, the album is presented as it was, no remastering or touch ups, just a collection of some of the artists and musicians who inhabited the Bold New City in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, playing living room parties and clubs like the Pyramid, Skid Marks, and W.C. Don’s. Young bands rehearsed in garages, the back room at a Gulf plant, or a ramshackle downtown loft dubbed Noise Central (where several of these recordings originated). Players hung out (and, in many cases, worked) at BeBop Records and spent evenings in beer joints like C.S.’s, where numerous combos were formed and reformed - whether in reality or just in concept - over Budweiser, red beans and rice, and games of pool. It was a different time. But then, it’s always a different time, isn’t it?