The Souls of the Slain

Cut The Lousiana Garage Punk Classics "Can't Go On" and "7 and 7 Is"

When one talks of New Orleans garage bands, there is none with a more ominous name than the Souls Of The Slain. Guaranteed to conjure up all sorts of nefarious images of vampires and graveyards at the witching hour on a dark night, they are very much a mystery to even the most dedicated of garage rock collectors.

Formed in 1966, the original line-up comprised Billy Thomason on drums, Jim Hutchison on bass and Cornell LeBlanc and Jerry Heinberg on guitars. Gigging frequently at the Beaconette on the corner of Napoleon and Claiborne, they often squared off against future Radiator Frank Bua`s band and U-Doe recording artists the Palace Guards. Their shining moment
was opening for the Blues Magoos at Ched's on Canal and Claiborne.

Playing a steady diet of Love and Animals songs, the Souls' single vinyl testament is a mind-scorching version of Love`s "Seven And Seven Is" backed by a rewrite of "Signed D.C." entitled "I Can't Go On" on the Rickshaw label. Jerry would eventually leave the band to be replaced by future Radiator Camille Baudoin, while later members included Richard Rhodes on guitar/sitar and Emile Guest of Roger and the Gypsies fame on guitar.

Although the band broke up in 1969, their record lived on in infamy with one of the precious few hundred that were pressed going for a nice stack of $100 bills. Not to worry, the two songs can be heard on Eva's Louisiana Punk compilation, alongside other Louisiana killers.

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