Roller Maidens From Outer Space
Encyclopedia
Roller Maidens From Outer Space is a 1974 comedy album by Phil Austin
, one of the members of the comedy group Firesign Theatre. Although the record is considered to be Austin's "Solo" album, the other three Firesigns make vocal contributions throughout, and are thanked by Austin in the liner notes. A complex lampoon on television and society, Austin's record is much in the same vein as the Firesign Theatre's Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers
and fellow Firesign members Phil Proctor and Peter Bergman
's TV or not TV
. The television theme is carried over into the record sleeve, which features liner information displayed as if it were a television listing, complete with stylized channel numbers and little blurbs of content.
, the hero and narrator of this album is a hard-boiled detective. Normally he is the hero of a television detective show, but he finds he has crossed channels, and is now on a show that is a parody of I Love Lucy
-- named The Ethel & Regular Show.
He aids Regular Boinkland, his neighbor Tricky Retardo and Tricky's ne'er-do-well brother Jesus, who all want to know what Lucy and Ethel are doing at the weekly meetings of their club, the Roller Maidens From Outer Space.
In fact, the Roller Maidens have been subverted by a plot that involves both malevolent aliens and a character who might actually be the Devil.
The album features contemporary drug references, references to pop culture and songs in a variety of genres that advance the plot. It ends with an apocalyptic battle
.
Phil Austin
Phil Austin is a comedian and writer. He was born in Denver, Colorado and later grew up in Fresno, California, attending Fresno High School...
, one of the members of the comedy group Firesign Theatre. Although the record is considered to be Austin's "Solo" album, the other three Firesigns make vocal contributions throughout, and are thanked by Austin in the liner notes. A complex lampoon on television and society, Austin's record is much in the same vein as the Firesign Theatre's Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers
Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers
Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers is The Firesign Theatre's third comedy recording for Columbia Records, released in 1970. In 1983, The New Rolling Stone Record Guide called it "the greatest comedy album ever made"....
and fellow Firesign members Phil Proctor and Peter Bergman
Peter Bergman (comedian)
Peter Paul Bergman is an American writer and comedian, best known as a member of The Firesign Theatre. He plays Lt. Bradshaw in the Nick Danger series....
's TV or not TV
TV or not TV
TV or Not TV is the first album by the comedy duo Proctor and Bergman. It was originally released in 1973 by Columbia Records.-Side one — act one:#"Insert Here"#"Channel 85 Sign-On"#"Escaping From The Declining Fall Of The Roaming Umpire, Chapter XIII"...
. The television theme is carried over into the record sleeve, which features liner information displayed as if it were a television listing, complete with stylized channel numbers and little blurbs of content.
Side one
- "Lord Jim Crappington - 1:49"
- "C'Mon Jesus - 3:40"
- "Carhook - 3:34"
- "The Regular and Ethyl Show - 1:28"
- "Switchblade Pitchforks - 2:21"
- "The John Fresno Story - 10:15"
Side two
- "The Bad News - 4:12"
- "T.V. - 1:03"
- "Celebrity Roller Rassling - 2:56"
- "A Square Dance - 2:19"
- "Dick Private's Personal Peril - 3:38"
- "The Thrilling End - 8:35"
Story
Like Firesign's Nick DangerNick Danger (fictional character)
Nick Danger is a fictional character featured in several of the albums produced by the comedy group The Firesign Theatre: How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All , Nick Danger: The Case of the Missing Shoe , The Three Faces of Al and The Bride of Firesign .Voiced by...
, the hero and narrator of this album is a hard-boiled detective. Normally he is the hero of a television detective show, but he finds he has crossed channels, and is now on a show that is a parody of I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
-- named The Ethel & Regular Show.
He aids Regular Boinkland, his neighbor Tricky Retardo and Tricky's ne'er-do-well brother Jesus, who all want to know what Lucy and Ethel are doing at the weekly meetings of their club, the Roller Maidens From Outer Space.
In fact, the Roller Maidens have been subverted by a plot that involves both malevolent aliens and a character who might actually be the Devil.
The album features contemporary drug references, references to pop culture and songs in a variety of genres that advance the plot. It ends with an apocalyptic battle
Apocalypse
An Apocalypse is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament...
.