Human Sexual Response were huge in the late 70's and early 80's. They reminded me of Pastiche in that they didn't really fit into any category (none that I ever knew about)- they were really their own category. While most local bands struggled to get a single song on college radio and died to get one on the Big FM Stations HSR had three songs playing on WBCN at the same time. "Jackie Onassis" and "What Does Sex Mean to Me" were standards that made BCN's regular rotation, and "Land of the Glass Pine Cones" wasn't far behind. The eponymous album pictured above had a pro sound most releases by local bands lacked. I also loved it because it listed the tambourine as an instrument in the credits. The band itself was tight as a drum live, with an impressive front line of vocalists whose approaches ranged from theatrical to elegantly subdued.
Vocalist Larry Bangor and guitarist Rich Gilbert (then a fresh-faced red-headed KID, fer goshsake) went on to found the powerful- and loud -local favorites the Zulus. Rich has also made appearances on numerous recordings and live shows whenever a hotshit polish is needed in the six string or department. Rich has also become a proficient pedal steel player and frequently appears in that capacity as well. His recent Concussion Ensemble performances combined multi-rhythmic percussion with his own brand of guitar alchemy and were extremely well received.
