Reuniting in 2003 for the Coachella Music Festival, the Stooges became an active touring unit again. But it would take a few more years before they ventured back into the studio to complete a full-length effort, manifesting itself in The Weirdness, which came out March 6th, 2007.
Three-quarters of the original band was on board, with frontman Iggy Pop joined by guitarist Ron Asheton, his brother Scott Asheton on drums and ex Minuteman bass player Mike Watt replacing Dave Alexander, who died in 1975. It was their first LP together in 34 years, though they had contributed four songs to Pop’s guest-heavy 2003 solo opus Skull Ring. Recorded at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago, The Weirdness was technically the follow-up to 1973’s proto-punk masterpiece of “Raw Power” .
“I think the big change in the dynamic would be I’ve learned to delegate more,” Pop said shortly after the release of The Weirdness. “I’m not micromanaging as much as I did. The drummer has learned he has the ultimate authority in this group. He sails the ship. Neither Ron or myself will sound like much without that guy backing it up and the same would be true in a street brawl. He has that authority, and he is one of these soft-spoken people who people do listen to when he opens his mouth. He’s kept the group sensible, and he’s been a little more active in the group.”
It may be for that reason alone that The Weirdness isn’t more uneven. Scott Asheton takes the lead and holds it down from the outset, evident on the lead single, “My Idea of Fun.” He’s undeniably driving the Stooges tank, and everyone else follows his cues. Check the rowdy “ATM” or “The End of Christianity,” where even his older brother lets him show the way. That’s not to say Ron isn’t ripping solos left and right; he does a call-and-response with Pop during “Mexican Guy” that’s on fire, and his leads on “Free & Freaking” and album closer “I’m Fried” are dirty and raw. The Weirdness would end up being the finale for Ron, who died less than two years after its release.
Tracklist
1. Trollin’- 0:00
2. You Can’t Have Friends- 3:06
3. ATM- 5:28
4. My Idea Of Fun- 8:43
5. The Weirdness- 12:00
6. Free & Freaky- 15:45
7. Greedy Awful People- 18:29
8. She Took My Money- 20:36
9. End Of Christianity- 24:25
10. Mexican Guy- 28:45
11. Passing Cloud- 32:14
12. I’m Fried- 36:18
The Fat Angel Sings 