Being inspired by PUNK and me finishing my first of many installments in NYC with the SCREWS, Drew began working on a fast little ditty that he'd strum and sing for us casually and we'd always end up rolling on the floor with laughter! Bobby Ronco had written some great POP gems by now and Freestone set out to record them all. There was a little studio time left....so we recorded "Bummer Bitch" as a last minute joke! Along with "Church". Everything was captured in the first take! We did overdub the lead guitar break, pleading with our lead guitarist (Malcom Zane) to not tear it up during it. (and he could tear it up!) To let it be as simple and dumb (fitting the song) as possible. He just couldn't bring himself to play like that, so Drew stepped in and played the now famous 2 string, 1 note solo.
Freestone had established itself as a powerhouse of good musicians, songwriters, and showmen by 1978 with lots of great shows at The Golden Gate Park and downtown at the Mabuhi Gardens, the Fillmore West, and the Troubador in L.A.
It was now time to release a 45 rpm, 7 inch, vinyl record. The "Powers That Be" (our financial backers), preffered "Bummer Bitch" and "Church", so we went down to Los Angeles and pressed up around 2,000 copies. We purchased a half page add in the Bay Area Magazine (B.A.M.), distributed them everywhere and waited........ it took off! Richard Meltzer decared it the "Pick To Click of 1978" in B.A.M. Cyril Jordan, of the Flamin' Groovies (who also helped mix it) said that it reminded him of the Fugs.
The thing is..... is that it was a joke! We were making fun of the PUNK movement and it was taken seriously!
What was most ironic was that by 1979 "Power Pop" became the preffered genre and we had recorded many great "Power Pop" tunes but did not get to release them as 45's. So, thanks to the "Powers That Were" we missed our calling. Right place at the right time, wrong product!
Lou Adler was considering using it in the next "Cheech and Chong" film, (Up In Smoke) but it didn't get used. Seymore Stein, founder of "Sire Records" dropped by and showed interest in it but....never follwed up. Oliver Stone wanted to use it in a documentary a couple of years ago, but didn't.
"Bummer Bitch" becoming a cult classic and a very sought after collectors item, gives me a redeeming feeling, and it feels great to have been a part of our Rock and Roll history.
Me, Willie Braun (composer of "Church") and Freestone, wrote and performed a follow-up to "Bummer Bitch" called "Canine Corruptor", the chorus went like... "She's a Canine Corruptor, animal abductor, Canine Corruptor, God's creatures have all f!*#ed her!"... I wonder how THAT would have been accepted? had we recorded and released it. One just never knows!
Out Of The Dark
Freestone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down to Egypt for you to understand
Delphi oracle, the Hermetic touch
From mount Moriah to the founding of the lodge
All the way through ancient history
Osiris and the Rosslyn treasury
The origin remains a mystery
Out of the dark .....
From developing the Craft to a Templar knight
From the lost Word of Solomon to gaining second sight
From the Place of the Skull, where the triumph begun
The world saw Him loosing, but in stead of that he won
All the way through ancient history
Osiris and the Rosslyn treasury
The origin remains a mystery
Revealed in symbol and allegory
The song "Out of the Dark" by Freestone is a reflective piece that touches on various elements of ancient history and esotericism. The first verse references significant landmarks and events in history, from the mythical city of Atlantis to the Delphi oracle, alluding to the Hermetic touch of the Mysteries. The reference to mount Moriah and the founding of the lodge suggests a connection to the Orders of Freemasonry, which trace their origins back to the building of King Solomon's Temple. The second verse expands on the theme of mystical knowledge, referencing the Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland where many believe secrets of the Knights Templar are hidden. The lyrics then shift to spiritual or mystical transformation, from "developing the Craft" (a reference to Freemasonry) to "gaining second sight" and ultimately to the triumph of Christ at the Place of the Skull.
The repeated phrase "out of the dark" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on how one views the themes of the song. One interpretation might be that throughout history, there have been those who have sought spiritual enlightenment, often in secret or esoteric ways. The knowledge they gained was often passed down through symbols and allegory, which could be difficult to decipher for those not initiated into the Mysteries. Yet, for those who were able to penetrate the darkness of ignorance, the light of wisdom awaited.
Overall, "Out of the Dark" is a contemplative piece that touches on a number of esoteric themes, from ancient history to Freemasonry to Christianity. It invites listeners to reflect on the nature of hidden knowledge and how it might be accessed.
Line by Line Meaning
From the first man to Atlantis
Starting from the very beginning of history and even exploring mythical places like Atlantis
Down to Egypt for you to understand
Traveling to Egypt to gain a deeper understanding of ancient knowledge and wisdom
Delphi oracle, the Hermetic touch
Referencing the oracle at Delphi and the influence of the Hermetic tradition on ancient teachings
From mount Moriah to the founding of the lodge
Tracing the history of religious and secret societies, from the biblical Mount Moriah to the establishment of modern-day lodges
All the way through ancient history
Continuing to explore the secrets of the past and tracing the lineage of these teachings throughout history
Osiris and the Rosslyn treasury
Referencing the Egyptian god Osiris and the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland, which is associated with the Knights Templar
The origin remains a mystery
Acknowledging that the true origins of these teachings may never be fully known or understood
Veiled in symbol and allegory
Recognizing that many ancient teachings were disguised in symbolism and allegory, requiring interpretation and decoding
From developing the Craft to a Templar knight
Tracing the lineage of secret societies from humble beginnings to the powerful Knights Templar
From the lost Word of Solomon to gaining second sight
Exploring the esoteric teachings of King Solomon and the ability to gain a deeper understanding of the world through visionary experiences
From the Place of the Skull, where the triumph begun
Referencing the biblical location of Jesus' crucifixion and the idea that his death ultimately led to his resurrection and triumph over death
The world saw Him loosing, but in stead of that he won
Highlighting the paradoxical nature of Jesus' death and resurrection, in which it appeared he had lost but ultimately emerged victorious
Revealed in symbol and allegory
Continuing to emphasize the idea that ancient teachings were often shrouded in symbolism and allegory, requiring careful interpretation
Contributed by Alex P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
RSO
on Walking Through This Sacred Place
Walking through this sacred place
Vengeance can't be found
If you may fall, you'll be embraced, with love that'll stand
And get around
Keep on going by your guiding hand,
Feeling free and accepted in a better land...
Walk within this sacred walls
Where you will come to know
All else will be in stone one can forgive his foe
Of these matters all can be explained
Feeling free and accepted, a link within a chain
---Did I get the lyrics right guys? My apologies if not...
RSO
on Walking Through This Sacred Place
Walking through this sacred place
Vengeance can't be found
If you may fall, you'll be embraced, with love that'll stand
And get around
Keep on going by your guiding hand,
Feeling free and accepted in a better land...