Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks: Taste The Whup At Oki-Dog (Director’s Cut)

Description

At the peak of their fame, Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks defied expectations with “Taste The Whup At Oki-Dog” – a raw, unfiltered experiment. Now, the original tapes resurface in a Director’s Cut, revealing the album as it was always meant to be heard.

Buy the album at Bandcamp

The world had just breathed a sigh of relief as both the Y2K bug and the stock market crash were over. The future looked bright, and everything was improving. In the superficial era that characterised the beginning of the new millennium, authenticity — perhaps paradoxically — was highly prized. And what could be more genuine or full of passion than a group of troublemakers from Solna, Texas? Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks had broken new ground with their raw, rowdy, headstrong instrumental rock, and they were now at the peak of their careers. Concert promoters were clamouring for them, record labels were jubilant and the media were keen to get a slice of the action.

Their 2000 album “Fried on the Altar of Good Taste” is an undisputed masterpiece, and “Cinemascope-A-Dope” (2001) was set to take the world by storm. One day at Roskilde; the next, in a film studio. They had made it big. Or so those around them probably thought.

But none of this appealed to the rebellious rascals from Solna, Texas. Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks wanted to forge their own path, whatever the cost. The band became a duo consisting of Robert Johnson and Per Thorsell. They added electronica and disco to their repertoire of obscure, hand-picked cinematic music.

By releasing “Taste The Whup At Oki-Dog” on their own label, Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks had made things difficult for themselves by moving away from the formula that the audience loved. They went their own way to plough new musical fields. Not only that, but they also sent the recordings to other producers and artists who were free to finish each track as they saw fit.

Honestly, even this madcap escapade turned out to be a masterpiece, but the audience – well, let’s just say they weren’t impressed. Or perhaps they simply weren’t there. The phone stopped ringing. Or should we say that people deleted Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks from their address books?

Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks wouldn’t be world leaders in their genre if it weren’t for their stubbornness. They were right after all; it was just us who didn’t understand.

But what did the record that the band had recorded themselves actually sound like? I mean, what did it sound like before producers and mixers put their own stamp on the material? Thank goodness you asked, because Robert Johnson and his son Gordon Presley, who is a musician and sound engineer, have unearthed the original recordings. They have polished up what could be polished up and highlighted or removed the tiniest of flaws with kid gloves.

So now we can finally experience “Taste the Whup at Oki-Dog” in all its glory. Or differently. The Director’s Cut, quite simply.

One thing about the cover: The original record features a version of the much-talked-about Richard Nixon portrait by Kjartan Slettemark (1932–2008). He gave Robert Johnson and Punchdrunk complete freedom to use the work on the cover of “Taste the Whup at Oki-Dog”, so it feels like a fitting tribute to Slettemark to feature this image centre stage on the Director’s Cut.

This issue is only made available as download and streaming. Release date is 19 June, 2026 at Bandcamp and 25 June, 2026 on all streaming platforms.

Buy the album at Bandcamp

Tracklist

1. Oddball (Johnson-Thorsell) 2.49
2. International Bob (Bob Hund) 4.43
3. Accokeek (Johnson-Thorsell) 3.13
4. Gay Ole Opry (Johnson-Thorsell) 3.48
5. We Deal In Style (Johnson-Thorsell) 3.29
6. Taste The Whup At Oki Dog (Johnson-Thorsell) 3.44
7. (Not Exactly) Brill Building (Johnson-Thorsell) 2.43
8. Dwarfed By Spector (Johnson-Thorsell) 2.41
9. Genesis (Hank Levine) 2.02
10. Stripsearched & Destroyed (Johnson-Thorsell) 4.33