About a month ago, through some nefarious internet trading, I got my hands on a fifth generation, well worn copy of a VHS tape that contained an unknown treasure called Way USA! It appeared to be a travel show of sorts, touring the seedier parts of Baltimore, Maryland. Bars, greasy spoons, strip clubs, and other dens of sin are all taken in, plus interviews with some of Baltimore's most infamous including John Waters, Jean Hill (Polyester, Desperate Living), and a host of other freaks, weirdos and deviants. Guiding you through this trip into the underbelly of Baltimore is none other than punk icon and lead singer of the legendary Meatmen, Tesco Vee.
There's literally no information about this baby on the internet and at the time I wasn't even sure it have ever been broadcast on the air. Since it stars Tesco Vee, John Waters and a 400 pound black woman, I wouldn't be surprised if MTV decided not to air it at all. [Needle off the record] Holy shit, did he just say MTV? Yes ladies and gentlemen, this pile of festering aberrance was brought to you by the fine folks at MTV! Seriously, MTV. You see, once upon a time in the far past, MTV was actually kind of cool. Sort of.
As I said, there is literally no information about this thing anywhere on the internet. If you Google it, you'll find some mentions of it but nothing you can sink your teeth into. IMDB has no record of it and MTV has completely disavowed it. So this left me with no choice but to go to the man himself; I emailed Tesco Vee. It turns out Tesco's a pretty cool and approachable guy and actually emailed me back within the hour. Here's what he had to say about it:
The Baltimore episode was shot in 1988 and aired once on MTV at 2AM Eastern Time. The Niagara Falls Episode was shot in 1989. Part of the reason it looks shitty is it was all shot on Super 8 to get that grainy 50's home move/travelogue look. The producer was Peter Lauer who went on to do a lot of TV shows like Strangers With Candy, Chappelles Show, Malcom in the Middle etc. I think the show was just ahead of its time and thats why MTV rejected our paltry million dollar budget for 26 episodes in 1989. Hope this helps.
Yes sir, that did help. Now I know that not only did the first episode actually air but that there's a second episode as well. Plus he offered to send me a copy of The Devil's In The Details, a three hour collection of Meatmen awesomeness. The DVD contains, amongst other things, a copy of the first episode of Way USA taken from the original masters including all the original footage cut out for broadcast by MTV. You rule, Tesco.
When I got my original bootlegged copy of the show, I had planned on posting it for viewing here because I thought that it was something no one cared about and that it would probably never see the light of day again. Well, since Tesco is selling it on his DVD that plan was pretty much shot to hell. However, when I informed Tesco of my copy-right infringing plan he said it was totally cool with him as long as I used the Way USA footage from the DVD. Once more: you rule, Tesco.
So here for your viewing enjoyment, in all it's original uncut glory, is Way USA! This is an absolute must see for all you Tesco Vee, John Waters, punk history, or trash cinema completists. If you want a real copy of this be sure to go to Tesco's site [click click] and order a copy. Or buy something else, I'd suggest a copy of 'We're The Meatmen And You Suck', one of the greatest albums ever. seriously.
jamie