Fleshtones vs. Reality is an album released on Emergo Records in 1987 by The Fleshtones

The Fleshtones

The Fleshtones are an American garage rock band from Queens, New York formed in 1976.- 1976-1979 :The Fleshtones were formed in 1976 in Whitestone, New York by Keith Streng and Marek Pakulski The Fleshtones are an American garage rock band from Queens, New York formed in 1976.- 1976-1979 :The...

. The album was recorded at the Record Plant in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

 in the fall of 1986 with the exception of two songs, "Return of the Leather Kings" and "Too Late To Run", which were recorded in May of 1986 at Axis Sound Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. All songs were composed by band members with the exception of "Treat Her Like A Lady", a cover of the 1971 hit by the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose

Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose

Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose was a family soul singing group from Dania Beach, Florida, that attained brief popularity in the early 1970s. The original members were the siblings Carter Cornelius, Eddie Cornelius, and Rose Cornelius. Another sister, Billie Jo Cornelius, was added later...

.

The back cover artwork (created and designed by Zaremba ) displays a large image of a person's right hand with about 20 mystical symbols (a triangle, a rectangle, the symbol for infinity

Infinity

Infinity is a concept in many fields, most predominantly mathematics and physics, that refers to a quantity without bound or end. People have developed various ideas throughout history about the nature of infinity...

, the Astrological symbols

Astrological symbols

Astrological symbols are images used in various astrological systems to denote relevant objects. A number of such images are shown below.-History and origin:...

 for Taurus

Taurus (astrology)

Taurus is the second astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the zodiac between the 30th and 59th degree of celestial longitude. Generally, the Sun transits this area of the zodiac between April 21 to May 21 each year...

, Virgo

Virgo (astrology)

Virgo is the sixth astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the zodiac between the 150th and 179th degree of celestial longitude. Generally, the Sun transits this area of the zodiac between August 23 to September 22 each year...

, the Sun

Solar symbol

A solar symbol is a symbol which symbolises the Sun. Solar symbols can have significance in psychoanalysis, symbolism, semiotics, astrology, religion, mythology, mysticism, divination, heraldry, and vexillology, among other fields.Some solar symbols include:...

, Moon

Moon (astrology)

The Moon is the Earth's companion satellite. The Moon is large enough for its gravity to affect the Earth, stabilising its orbit and producing the regular ebb and flow of the tides. The Moon is also familiar to us for its different phases, waxing and waning in appearance in an unchanging cycle...

, Jupiter, and Venus, and more) drawn on the palm of the hand in ink. Also highlighted in ink are the "life line" and "heart line"(from palm reading). Photos of the five band members appear where the five fingers should be, surrounded by handwriting identifyng the band members and listing the instruments that they played on the album.
The remaining liner notes are also hand written on the album cover at various orientations. A long humorous message to the reader occupying most of the left side of the album reads as follows:

Somebody had to do it! . . . and after waiting four years and studying the prophetic content of 'I'm gonna build me a Cave!' by John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Hooker began his life as the son of a sharecropper, William Hooker, and rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally closest to Delta blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark...

, the FLESHTONES decided to do it themselves! The FLESHTONES are the FIVE ELEMENTS - combining to provide their 'special brand' of alchemy

Alchemy

Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...

. . . passing the Philosopher's Stone

Philosopher's stone

The philosopher's stone is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal...

 over the discarded - transforming the discredited - rescuing and revivifying the bones rummaged from the musical glue factory. They reverse the rotting affects of reality, creating a world where a playboy (Horst Bucholst

Horst Buchholz

Horst Werner Buchholz was a German actor, remembered for his part in The Magnificent Seven and Nine Hours to Rama. He appeared in over sixty films during his acting career from 1952–2002.-Life and work:...

)(sic) helps a FBI agent find a kidnapped scientist (That Man in Istanbul

That Man in Istanbul

That Man in Istanbul is a 1965 European international co-production adventure film directed by Antonio Isasi-Isasmendi and starring Horst Buchholz...

). Our kind of world!!! But ask the mealy-mouthed, doesn't the FLESHTONES collective pitching arm ever tire of lobbing 'curve-balls' at boredom and pomposity? Can't anybody stop them? WHO WOULD WANT TO!!! Although internationally known as 'Nice Guys', the FLESHTONES henceforth operate on a SUPER-REVENGE MOTIF, ensuring 'Great Music' - and lots of laughs as their plans invariably explode in their faces. Do not attempt to recreate these stunts at home, merely purchase this LP and let these trained professionals get your kicks for you. GO AHEAD. IT'S ALRIGHT. This is NOT just a brittle snag to break the head-long plunge into the chasm of obscurity. NO - this is a 'rare opportunity' as well a 'standing invitation' from the FLESHTONES to step outside of time and claim the birthright they hold in trust for YOU! The FLESHTONES vs. Reality. . . YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!

"The First Side"

1. "Another Direction" (Zaremba)
2. "Way Up Here"
3. "Way Down South" (Zaremba)
4. "Treat Her Like a Lady" (E. Cornelius)
5. "Too Late To Run"
6. "The Return of the Leather Kings"

"The Other Side"

1. "Our Own Time" (Streng, Wild, Zaremba)
2. "What Ever Makes You Happy" (Zaremba)
3. "Mirror Mirror"
4. "The End of the Track" (Spaeth, Streng, Zaremba)
5. "Nothing's Gonna Bring Me Down"

Personnel

• Peter Zaremba — vocals, harmonica, piano, organ, marimba, and FLEX(tm) unbreakable pocket comb
• Keith Streng — guitar, backing vocals, percussion, and bells
• Bill Milhizer — drums, percussion, backing vocals, marimba
• Jan Marek Pakulski — bass, backing vocals, marimba
• Gordon Russell Spaeth — harmonica, alto sax, baritone saxophone, organ, soprano and tenor recorders, brain-storms
• Robert Warren— bass on "What Ever Makes You Happy" and "Way Down South"

Additional Personnel

Horns

In New York (The "Urban Blight"}

• Danny Lipman— trumpet
• Nelson Keene Carse— trombone
• Tony Orbach— tenor sax
• Paul Vercesi— alto sax
  

In Atlanta

• Philip Rains— tenor sax
• Kenny Gregory— trumpet
  

Squad Car - Ed, Dan, and Joe, 'Mid-Town North' (Hell's Kitchen)

Super-Gang vocals

The King Family of the Lower East Side, Kenny Endicott, Sarah Fader, Keith Filbert, 'Baby' Gregor Jose Hayot, Sharon Hyland, Jody Kurilla, Andrew Lavar, Tom Pakulski, Pomme Nicole, Sabrina, Bob Singerman, Peggy Stephaich, Phillip Stahl, Michael Ullmann, Anita Verdun, Wendy Wild, and Peggy H. Wolf.

Backing vocals on "What Ever Makes You Happy"

The L.D.'s - Barrence Whitfield, Wendy Wild, Michael Ullmann, and Keith Streng

Special "Phone-a-Rama" guest - "Mustang" Mike Cerezo

• James A. Ball - producer
• Teddy Treuhella - additional engineering
• George Pappas - additional engineering (in New York), co-producer of "Return of the Leather Kings" and "Too Late To Run" (in Atlanta)
• Paul Special - assistant engineer (in New York)
• Joe Hennehan - assistant engineer (in New York)
• Dan Vajanek - assistant engineer (in Atlanta)
• Mixed at the Record Plant by J.A.B. with various combinations of the Fleshtones and George Pappas
• Mastered by Greg Calbi
• Special assistance in Studio "D" (Smith's Bar and Grill) - Joe and Mike

• Cover photo - Lawrence Ivy
• Art and design, etc. - P.Z.
• Carrie Hamilton - graphics consultant