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Baboon is an experimental, undisciplined, aggravating noisy rock band from Denton, Texas. Their songs range from chest-pounding anthems and finger-pointing rants to teary-eyed lullabies and white-noise monstrosities. They’re sick of the state that modern music is in, but frankly, have few other skills beyond making music, and they don’t like their day jobs anyway. So they forge ahead with the intent of doing something new, hopefully without falling into the trappings of typical indie/alternative rock.

Formed in 1991 from the remnants of various Texas groups, Baboon is a band that’s violently pulling in several different directions at once artistically, and their music is the sound of good ideas being ripped to shreds. Their live show reflects this too. As a spectator, you aren’t sure whether to dance, mosh, hug your girl or punch someone in the face. Pig masks, trombones, cigars, beer, goggles and blood are common to the live Baboon experience. Baboon plays feel-good music for those of us who probably shouldn’t be allowed to walk the streets.

Baboon released their first full-length in 1994, Face Down in Turpentine, and a six-song EP in 1996 entitled Numb, both on Grass Records. The Numb EP coincided with a brief appearance on the popular TV show Walker, Texas Ranger starring Chuck Norris. (Chuck’s assessment: "They’re terrible!") Baboon’s second full-length is the new tour-de-force Secret Robot Control on Wind-up Records, which encapsulates Baboon’s schizophrenic, ridiculous, emotional and ultimately reckless take on what music should sound like.

Secret Robot Control was recorded at Stank Booty Studios in Denton between June 1995 and early 1996 due to the band’s frantic touring schedule and increasingly volatile personality conflicts, which, by the way, have been completely and blissfully rectified.

However, the impotent rage that permeated the air during these sessions can be detected in the songs themselves. "I’m OK If You’re OK," for instance, is basically the musical equivalent of a temper tantrum, right down to the sounds of kitchen utensils and broken hardware being hurled against the studio floor. They weren’t always mad, though; they had a lot of fun too. Having said that, Andy actually sprained his knee while recording the vocals for "Bring Me The Head Of Jack Skinner". Elsewhere on the album, Steve played an electric blender, and there are also thumb pianos, chains, sleigh bells, whistles, clarinets, chimes, analog synthesizers and ghosts -- yes, ghosts! Upon close inspection of the intro to "Time Wounds All Heals," one can distinctly hear the bellowing, groaning sounds of some strange, unearthly despair. The origin of these creepy noises is still a mystery, however, it’s believed that they’re the ghosts of Andy’s long-dead relationships.

Baboon performs regularly in the Denton/Dallas/Fort Worth area and have gained an impressive, loyal following -- even more so now that Mark, the original bassist, has rejoined after recovering from a hand injury (don’t ask). They’ve toured throughout the country several times and played almost every major city you can think of. Their van has polluted the air in towns from Houston to Boston, and beyond, while touring with bands like the Toadies, Brutal Juice and rubberbullet. They’ve also played with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Fugazi and fIREHOSE.

Baboon is trying very hard, the poor saps. Get hip to them, while their young bodies are still capable of taking the abuse.

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