Cale - classically trained Welsh musician and composer - co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed in the mid-1960's, after moving to New York. His interest in avant-garde experimentation, drone and minimalism had a big influence on the Velvets sound until he departed in late 1968 after "creative differences" with Lou (that old chestnut).
His solo output has always been a mixture of classical, folk-pop & rock, however he made three of his most commercial albums under the Island Records label in the mid-70's - the best cuts from these ended up on this compilation, Guts, in 1977.
The lyrics are dark and aggressive, and his performances around this time were often confrontational: for instance he took to wearing an ice hockey mask onstage (before Jason from Friday The 13th had even come out) and also chopped the head off a dead chicken during a live performance, which prompted his band to leave the stage in disgust. Look out Ozzy!
He later stated his paranoid, erratic behaviour during this period was due to his heavy cocaine use - but hey, there's nothing new there, rock & roll has always thrived on this type of drama, regardless of how many bats or chickens need to die for the cause...
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