Before Luis became a filmmaker, he was a musician and songwriter. After rummaging through old milk crates, I was able to find two cassettes Luis gave me, (early nineties,) with him performing his own songs, singing and playing guitar, (mostly acoustic.) One tape was a copy of a professionally produced demo Luis did with only three songs on it that his agent was using to get him a record deal. The other tape is a copy of a tape Luis recorded in his bathroom (see above) and sent to Michael Stipe of REM, who he had met while acting in the music video Near Wild Heaven. Luis was frustrated with the music industry and had hoped that Michael could make something happen for him. The bathroom tape is interesting because you can hear Luis say "I wanted to send something that was ... the most representitive of me...Well, this is me."

I apologize for the sound quality and horrible tape hiss in some of the songs. If anybody has better copies, please let me know. Also any recordings of his non-acoustic work, especially of his band Orgy of One, would be really appreciated. (Dinner for two at John's Restaurant on East 12th St. to anybody who comes up with a copy of Pipe Bomb or 50,000 Watts of Power.)

I don't remember all of the song titles, so I just named some of them arbitrarily. And I may have gotten some of the lyrics wrong.

All songs are in mp3 format. To save to your computer, right-click (Windows) or option-click (Mac) on the song title.

Bathroom Demo

picking you up from Pat O'Brian's in my '68 Valiant
thinking of you and your kisses and the kids we never had
forging your script of Percodan while you were sick in bed
driving around in David's van, buzzing on Parepectolin
I felt bad for some things I did and the love that I stole
but every tear that you cried I cried more

I drank and paraded like a fool until my heart was dry
never thought anyone cared until I said goodbye
now I'm the one that's hurting and I've forgotten how this feels
and this pain and suffering could make anybody kneel
I felt bad for some things I did and the money that I stole
for every tear that you cried I cried more

I keep saying and I keep thinking time can't keep a good man down
and I'm still yearning after years of serving the pricks that stare at the ground
This is stillville, never moving illville, they stay the same while the world spins 'round
I'm your favorite bartender and I'll listen to your problems just don't forget the 15 percent

this is stillville, never moving illville, they stay the same while the world spins 'round
be kind to your waiter he may be a self... that'll leave a little love on your food
but then again I never knew a busboy suffering from abuse not to spit on a plate or two
I keep saying and I keep thinking time can't keep a good man down

This one goes to my dad in Mobile, he's alone with his TV, pizza, and beer
the last time he hit me I was 16 years old
I took a swing at him, he said "Now you're on your own...
you can clean a dish, you can wash a cup, you can wash a dish, you can tend a bar
these are things you can do besides play your guitar"
then he laughed and said "call me when you're a star"

Death is in the industry that will not take a chance on me
and I will not change my name to Brown
the difference between me and those you drop down on your knees to blow
is that I still don't give a damn

Old men and their opiates they have no use for me I'm been going down all my life.

I just want to be nine years old again
I just want to be nine years old again
I just want to be nine years old again

The angel last night in my dreams said she's had enough of me
I'm always walking the line between the light and dark

I move out of the East Village, the sun is coming up, it is my last real hope
I'm on top of the Williamsburg Bridge and I'm screaming

I just want to be nine years old again
I just want to be nine years old again

the only way I can handle the world is when I'm looking down
and the people are about the size of ants

as high as high as can be
I'm on the cable looking down upon the East River
how long can this go on?
I thought I would be saved with my sacred heart tattoo on my arm

We've seen each others eyes in this town of screaming sirens
it has inspired a new dream in my heart in treasure
before I even knew your name I held you close like heaven
I kept a secret to myself telling you spells disaster

who do I see who do I turn to now that love has gone away
where are the dreams that we once knew before the suicide of our youth

today it's enough to see you walk inches above the floor
because of you my sleepless nights are numbered by the score

I dream and try ...?... for a taste of love's design

Heaven is sorrow at 3 AM when I am trying to sleep
when I am trying to sleep

so many fools they tell you that this jaded ...?...the same
you ask me to share your treadmill though I'd rather leave my brains on the wall

who do I see who do I turn to now that love has gone away
where are the dreams that we once knew before the suicide of our youth

when I'm strong, I don't buy porn
I stay off the gin, I'll have a cappuccino

When I'm weak, I'll blow a weeks wage on some corner girl
because I refuse, I refuse to call you

When I'm weak, and I'm broke you may find me drunk as hell

I know superstition but knew self respect
I lost it back there, where's my cash, wheres my sock, where's my shoe?

She threw me out, thought I was a cop,
I'm not some businessman looking to get his cock sucked
don't want to see your face, because it makes me sad
I'll take you from behind, you can pretend that I'm your dad,
that I'm your dad

When I'm strong and I don't need love,
see that always happens, well it never has

when I'm weak that which we're both most familiar
you may find me pumping gas

She threw me out, thought I was a cop,
I'm not some businessman looking to get his cock sucked
don't want to see your face, because it makes me sad
I'll take you from behind, you can pretend that I'm your man,
that I'm your man

(really bad audio)

I wrote this song to you
It may seem out of the blue
I may not have a grip of reality
but this is something I think I need

please kiss me now and help me ease this pain
tonight pretend you want me and I won't be the same
please kiss me now and be my family
I want to run with you and see if this can be

it's not a whim of the moment
this is the only time that I've had
we're sitting together now in silence
you were surprised at what I said

please kiss me now and help me ease this pain
tonight pretend you want me and I won't be the same
please kiss me now and be my family
I want to run with you and see if this can be

maybe tomorrow night
I'd love to see you most anytime
but I don't think you'll happen in this life

Millasandra

darling when I'm near you, all I can see is blue sky blue
it's a shame you don't see it too, Millasandra
all I want is you

maybe I'm dreamin' but that's my style
inside I'm screamin' be mine tonight

maybe we can take a ride
been working on my bike all day outside
she is right by she does 135 up FDR Drive

Millasandra, you're all I want to do
Millasandra, girl I'm after you
Millasandra...
Millasandra don't listen to what those other girls say about you

...?

Millasandra

maybe I'm dreamin' but that's my style
inside I'm screamin' be mine tonight

(Luis speaking)

Bathroom Demo B Side

Christine

(you should be able to hear the lyrics clearly from this tape)