"One night in march 1997 two men were sleeping in a rehearsal room in Helsinki. The other woke up and started playing the keyboards and came up with a folkish melody. Soon the other one woke up too. Liking the melody he asked the other guy to play the riff in traditional finnish "humppa" style (humppa is a variety of polka...). This sounded very mean and guitars and brutal vocals were added immediatly. Thus Finntroll was born.." (This picture just about sez it all...)
(Link c/o Tony Slug).

UK re-issue label RPM is set to release an interesting compilation called "'GLITTERBEST: 20 PRE-PUNK'N'GLAM TERRACE STOMPERS'. "Featuring HOLLYWOOD BRATS, ANGEL, DUCKS DELUXE, STREAK, HAMMERSMITH GORILLAS, FLINTLOCK, MILK & COOKIES, CHRIS SPEDDING & THE VIBRATORS, TREVOR WHITE, JOOK, LIPSTICK, HELTER SKELTER, TIGER LILY, DOG ROSE, FARM, AMERICAN JAM BAND, ENGLAND'S GLORY, CRUSHED BUTLER, SPUNKY SPIDER and ONE HIT WONDERS"". No idea if any of these bands' names ring a bell with you, but this documents something that is generally way overlooked in the "roots of punk" histories, and given the label's track record this look's to be well worth your while...

The all-new AMY RIGBY site is now available for your surfing pleasure. This photo of she and the one and only Wreckless Eric performing "Whole Wide World" in Hull oughtta give you an itchy trigger finger.

More important information to impart. Folks have been asking me where they can score the most recent ACC material on yonder Gulcher imprint. You can get it from there or from CD BABY , just so long as you load up. Stores can get their stash from Revolver by contacting this gennelman, arthur@midheaven.com

Accordion Pop is finally available on cd and should be the soundtrack to your life but you really ought to have the set. Any Eurotypes who are looking for copies can give me a holler here and we'll sort you out.

Take a handful of my favourite ingredients - Swedes, Country and Rockabilly. Mix 'em together and you'll get Eva Eastwood & The Major Keys!

Dude, it's a Dude! well J can give us all the stories about hospitals that he likes but the wee man obviously came to earth in a space capsule. At least that's what it looks like in the photo. Great to hear things are swingin' out there in dem Netherlands because these are good, good people who deserve nothing but the best.

Mille Grazia for all the kind words 'n best wishes from alla you guys 'n gals, both Alice 'n me really, really appreciate it...
To answer a whole bag o' questions at once: Yes, both mother 'n child are doin well. The whole thing took about 42 hours, and the hospital people tell us, somewhat bemused, that we made use of "all available options" when it comes to childbirth. I'll spare you the details, but suffice to say; I've acquired a fresh batch o' gray hairs...

That said tho', I'd like to switch back to music talk with the NBT readers, 'cause I noticed that within 24 hours I was discussin' parental pleasures/worries w/ some of you. No problem with that obviously, but mayhaps we'd better save such talk for the New Born Thing or Next Big Toddler log...

He's Here !.

Name: Bastiaan Vedder
Date Of Birth: Jan 29 2004
Weight: 8 lb
Parents: Tired but happy

That's oor (as opposed to our) Bush!

Cowabunga an' that. Visit the website of those long pipelinin' Surfin' Lungs...

Well it arrived. America’s ONLY High Energy (not of the disco world) Magazine BLACK TO COMM #25 is the first completely mandatory purchase of ’04 to readers of this cyber-rag. Take a look at the BDMesque cover and glean the very tip of the iceberg in terms of content. A cd of tunes by Simply Saucer, The Coachmen and Ruby and The Rednecks is also included. 164 packed pages sees Mr Stigliano in full flight as only he can soar with some noteworthy guest star action. This is what he does when he’s not chasing up copies of Bam Balam on Ebay. A high highlight of this exceptional daud of print is a couple of letters from Lester Bangs to Ms Miriam Linna back in the day. Warm the cockles of yer heart they will and this is the only place you can read’em. To snag your copy direct from the source,
e-mail Chris at black2com@aol.com and he’ll hep you to what the damage is. $20 from Europe should cover it and it’d be cheap at twice the price because they seldom build ‘em (if ever) like this anymore. Mail the good ol' fashioned way to Chris Stigliano, 714 Shady Avenue, Sharon. PA 16146-3149.

Rikki Fulton has left the theatre. The great Scottish comedian died last night. Go Rikki.

Well. I've been looking forward to it all week and it hasn't been delivered. A massive snowfall to keep me in the hoose but instead, it's slurpie world out there and not enough to claim snowbound status. Even the minus 14 temperatures haven't materialised dagnabbit!

The wonderful world of Art Frahm... (Thanks Greyman)

What’s the world coming to right enough…

You’ve got John Lydon out in the jungle as part of the latest “Reality” TV sickness. Not sure what that’s all about, could be something to do with raising money for charity. I guess that’s the most noble reason one could muster. What drives people to watch this pish and why can’t I get a commission for my programme idea “Paint Drying”? I just don’t understand it, think of the merchandising possibilities in line with those out of town DIY atrocities.

All that and my upbeat normal service message of the other day has taken a tanking. I’m still experiencing phone and internet problems and am somewhat at a loss with what to try next. Probably my “mad as hell and ain’t gonna take it anymore” mode.

Who Will Shave Rock’n’Roll (as Sean Connery might say) is another concept we may consider. Thanks Mrs Stim.

(From cpop.com) "FUN HOUSE artshow-Curated by NIAGARA

Featuring THE STOOGES: IGGY POP, RON ASHETON, SCOTT ASHETON.

February 7th-March 2nd, 2004.

'Like a street-walkin' cheetah with a heart full of napalm' Iggy and The Stooges are back but now are exploding on Detroit's ART Scene.

Ground Zero is CPOP Gallery, Sat Feb 7th. Iggy, the Godfather of Punk and his partners in crime, the Asheton brothers, have a new weapon in their arsenal: paintbrushes. Curated by Detroit's own High Priestess of Punk, Niagara.

Observes Mary Harrison, 'It would appear to be the natural progression; now bringing the Asheton brothers into the art scene since they had played together for years in Dark Carnival, exposing her to the music scene'

The Stooges FUNHOUSE Art show is expected to attract an international audience in it's 30 day run in Detroit. The show should hold more than a few surprises, everything from crude re-worked T.V. Guides to large colourful canvases depicting life from the perspective of the seminal Punk Rock Trio. The show is coinciding with the Stooges Reunion and world tour that has taken the rock world by storm.

Ron Asheton, lead guitar from The Stooges and Destroy All Monsters, wryly notes, 'Some of this stuff isn't so hot and some of it's brilliant, I just don't know which is which.'

Niagara had noticed, 'For some time they had been painting whenever they could. I thought the time was right for a show...of a different type; paintings by musicians.'

Also included in the show are pieces by Lou Reed, Joey & Dee Dee Ramone, Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), King Buzzo (The Melvins), Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO), Kembra Pfahler (The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black), John Holmstrom (PUNK Magazine), rock photos by Bob Gruen and Leni Sinclair, various other artists and live performances.

"I wanted the show in Detroit, being the Stooges home town. They are beloved here." added Niagara.

"It will also give our band an opportunity to get some recording done for our new album." says Asheton.

SHOW OPENS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2004, 8pm-Midnite"

On his website, photographer George Dubose tells the stories behind some of his work, including 9 Ramones album covers and the sleeve for the Fleshtones' 'Hexbreaker LP. GO!.

Some cool song-based comics can be found at the WFMU site. (link c/o Dubbel Mono).

"Fans of the Muffs rejoice! Kim Shattuck, Ronnie Barnett, and Roy McDonald are almost done recording a brand new collection of songs." The new disc is due next month on Five Foot Two Records.

While doin' my occasional check on the Helmettes site, I just noticed that they seem to be open for bookings (!) once again. Tho' I'm not sure if there's any demand out there for these guys to re-appear, I'd say a on/off re-union show would be an obvious must-see for all agein' punk-rockers over here. So hey, Mr 1/2 2, how's about it?.
And yep, it's great to see my pal Fenderwoods quoted on the band's site; "Half 2" must be one of the most moving pieces of punkrock music ever to come out of Holland. It brings tears of joy in my eyes every time I hear it! Thank you Helmettes."

While diggin' around at Amazon.com, I noticed a upcomin' new book by the mighty Nick Tosches; 'King of the Jews: the Arnold Rothstein Story'. (An extensive bio on Rothstein can be found here).

Just got word that there's a new issue of Black To Comm magazine out 'n about; "170 jam packed pages of a special New York Rock issue feat. The Dolls, Dictators, Max's, Punk magazine, etc. Plus tons of reviews and bonus cd w/ Simply Saucer, Coachmen, Ruby And The Rednecks". If you've never caught BTC, better make sure you do this go round. For well over 20 years it's been documenting the 70s pre-punk punk scene in great detail, wavin' the flag for bands like the Electric Eels and Rocket From The Tombs long before anybody else cared... Bomp hasn't yet listed the mag on it's site, but I know they carry it, so go bug Suzy for a copy.

If you dug those What Wave tape compilations from years back then do yourself a favour and grab the "Whole Lotta Shakin'" CD comp-pile-ation on Garage-Pop Records. Put together by Mike Murray of the Whole Lotta Shakin' radio show, it boasts an identical mix of styles (surf, rockabilly, psych, garage) but with the emphasis, 'cept for the occasional international gatecrasher, on bands from Rochester, NY (Hi-Risers, Quitters, Isotopes et al). Interestingly, the Chesterfield Kings are not included although Greg Prevost and Walt O'Brien (remember him?) do receive a "thank you". Of the 26 tracks on offer there are too many winners to list although "Surfin' to forget about you" by the Surfin' Lungs and "I can't understand" by the Riviera Playboys are currently floating my boats. For a preview, of sorts, log onto Mike's show on a Sunday evening [8 - Midnight GMT] at the WITR website and dig the mix of new and "classic" sounds that he regularly spins. One listen to Whole Lotta Shakin', via the web or on compact disc, will reassure you that life is indeed still "rockin' in Rochester".

How's your French? "Not so good," then book a revision class 'cause you're gonna need it for latest edition of Larsen, a one-off doo-wop, rhythm'n'blues, soul, boogaloo, and funk extravaganza called: Guide B-Soul. It features the lowdown details (inc. discogs) on various sepia-toned "greats" including: Andre Williams; the Contours; Gino Washington; Nathaniel Mayer; Jerry-O; Alvin Cash; the Five Du-Tones; Harvery Scales 7 the Seven Sounds; and King Coleman. The latter, sadly, is not a relation of this contributor. A small, compact, publication but one that drips soulful hip-dom and which also comes complete with a cracking three track 45rpm from the Sweet Things (the Godzillas + Stompin' Harvey and his Fast-Wreckers). For more information, email Benny Gordini at: slushyruin@larsen.asso.fr

DANGER: Men on a mission. Here's a round-up of the forthcoming Euro moves for the Fleshtones, the hardest working men in rock'n'roll. Masters Vedder and Hutton, DO NOT even try to make a case for the Dictators 'cause those boys have had more sabbaticals than George Best (famous Irish soccer player). We're talkin' year-on-year real-time action and a sizeable quality-driven discography to back it all up. Anyhow, here are the details you need before heading for the Ryan Air website:

Scandinavian Tour (February)

Feb 5 Tavastia - Helsinki (Finland); Feb 6 Debaser - Stockholm (Sweden); Feb 7 The Wild Bunch Rock'n'Roll Club - Moss (Norway); Feb 8 Last Train - Oslo (Norway); Feb 9 Last Train - Oslo (Norway); Feb 11 Sticky Fingers - Gothenburg (Sweden); Feb 13 Rytmeposten - Odense (Denmark); Feb 14 Loppen - Copenhagen.

Spanish Tour (March)

Mar 5 Gruta 77 - Madrid; Mar 6 Pequeño Diablo - Valencia; Mar 7 La Guarida del Angel - Jerez; Mar 9 Tarari - Ponferrada; Mar 10 Rock Club - Orense; Mar 11 Albeniz - Gijón; Mar 12 Indian - Santander; Mar 13 Hell Dorado - Vitoria.

Dates in the UK (April) and France (June) are currently in the planning stage. Polite note to the ever-faithful Italian fans: The 'tones played several dates in Italy before Christmas so back-off with those email requests.

A further explanation about this WWSR&R thing...

WWSR&R is, or rather will be a special edition NBT which drags we back to the days of DIY zinedom. It’ll be a limited edition of 300 copies in a red 2-ring binder which is approx. 210mm square with cover insert. It's limited because that’s the number of binders I’ve got and let's face it, print distro ain't what it used to be. Content will probably run to 40 pages. If I decide it’s worth it then I’ll mail a monthly newsletter thing to whoever buys a copy and that can be added to the binder. Like those magazines that get advertised on the telly every January then promptly disappear. What I’d like is for you folks to pitch in and provide an angle on what the title suggests. The broader based the better. Something else I’d like to do is give some of the proceeds (if there turn out to be any) to Joey (Ramone's) Lymphoma Charity. Being that we’ve never managed to organise that UK version of his Birthday party yet. So if you’d like to compile something to be included then please do so. It’s all pretty sketchy at this point but it’ll doubtless fall together (or not)…

All that and I'll be darned if the ol' phoneline ain't just done gone got fixed. Perhaps normal service can resume after all?

The wonderful world of Jack Pedlar is but a click away... thanks to Pat Taylor for the tip.

OK. So I need to get this Who Will Save Rock'n'Roll thing moving. An actual print THING as opposed to this blog type blethering. If you have something that oughtta appear in there then please hit the contact button and give we the skinny. A deadline of 15th February (2004) seems as good as any to drop outta thin air so let's see action. Spare everyone from an extended rant from yours truly and pitch in. subject matter could even be What Will Save Rock'n'Roll, the blighter needs all the help it can get in these decidedly un-rockin' times.

Saw Lost In Translation also and it's a kinda slow burn. The karaoke scene is great though and Tokyo just looks like another world. The use of the J&M Chain's Just Like Honey is very effective. I used to hate them based on the fact that they were a bunch of little oiks. Made some fantastic records though...

Ordinary Life is pretty complex stuff alright. American Splendor anyone?

"In 'Kill Bill,' Japanese garage-rockers The 5.6.7.8's dripped cool as the blood splashed. But that was just a scratch on the surface of a thriving girl-band scene." - Simon Bartz of The Japan Times gives you the chick picks of 2004.

The Killer (not to be confused with Krazee Eyes Killah) and a band that reportedly includes James Burton, rocks on in Perthshire at £299 a scud. There's an additional bizarre aspect to this story but more about that later... Oh yeah, and it's sold out. TAKE A LOOK! Thanks to Mr Rafferty for the link.

Steam nothing, I'm approaching full Four Mile Island Meltdown mode. That's one louder kids. Saw American Splendor the other day, maybe that rubbed off?

Sometimes I wish Lindsay would buy one of those web-cam thingies, so we could watch steam comin' out of his ears while he types in these short messages...

Now my bloody phoneline is knackered... what the hell next?

Attention Berliners... Agent Heiko has provided this screening info for End Of The Century - The Story Of The Ramones

08.02.04 CineStar 7 20:00
09.02.04 CineStar 7 22:30
10.02.04 CineStar 7 14:30
14.02.04 CinemaxX 7 22:30

The film will be presented in the PANORAMA DOKUMENTE within the Official Programme of the Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin 2004. The press is invited to the premiere and a press talk with the audience will be held directly after the screening in the cinema. European distribution info should be available soon.

Just a quickie this Monday am, while I'd love to have a "den" like the one in the photo. That one belongs to Cap'n Jeroen Vedder. My den is more of a "howff". The other thing is that it's J and Alice that are about to have a wee yin and not we here. I appreciate the goodwill messages and all but...

While listenin' to the Master Plan's 'Colossus Of Destiny' disc earlier tonight I was again amazed at what a fine disc it is, and at the same time at how just about nobody has noticed so far!. The take on "What's Up With That?' beats the 'Tators version by a mile. 'Kickin' It Old School' is one of Andy's finest tunes ever, no two ways about it. And damn if Keith Streng doesn't blasts even more life into 'Walking' than the Eastern Dark ever did...
The good news is that Bomp is gonna issue this one in the US some time soon....

Caught a couple of stripped-back three piece combos at the Dirty Water Club last Friday and while neither was terrible they got me thinking about the near lack of showmanship on offer these days. Gin Palace include members of Penthouse and deliver reverbed Rockabilly-Blues slop that is competent enough but which failed to hold my attention after a couple of numbers. Not only were there few memorable songs but there was also a lack of charisma to compensate for said problem. Suffice to say that the punters did not ask them to play an encore. The headline act, Jimmy & The Teasers from North Carolina, similarly struggled. Despite the visual eye candy in the drum'n'bass department, all of that raging from the fellow playing guitar became wearisome after ten minutes. Yup, you guessed it, these guys were not asked back for an encore either. Now after witnessing the Woggles shred both audience and stage at the same venue before Christmas I refuse to believe this is a "hip-Londoner-cool-as-cucumber" issue. Maybe it's down to reading about the late Graham Bond this last week and also the anticipation of catching-up with the Fleshtones in a couple of weeks time. Whatever, it's still a shame that 98% of bands do not know how to entertain a crowd with more than their music. Now of course The Graham Bond Organization is a classic example of a band capable of breaking down the barrier between audience / musician and it would be foolish to expect every band to "groove" but by my estimation, not to mention extensive research, I reckon that the ratio of bands who could "make show" was a damn sight higher in the pioneering days of RnR. Then again I guess that we, namely the Brits, really got the ball rolling in the angst-rock stakes what with certain British Invasion bands such as the Zombies and KinKs. I dunno, maybe Sgt Pepper should have given the Beatles dancing lessons instead of teaching them how to play? One thing is for certain though, he would never have got away with his music theory lessons with the bands working the Reeperbahn in the early 60s 'cause the punters would have beaten the shit out of him at the slightest hint of boredom. How times change?

"Heya horndogs! We posted the January Reviews at www.x2rr.com. Read about the NewTown Animals, Street Walkin Cheetahs, Morticia's Lovers, Dennis Most, the Winks, Chopsakis, Kamikazes, Transfusions, Radio Reelers, Black Jetts, Detonations, Union 13 and more. And if that aint enough look for more new photos comin soon." - Mark Giddens

"Following a show in Phoenix on April 26, 2003, acclaimed singer-songwriter and playwright Alejandro Escovedo (The Nuns, Rank and File and The True Believers) collapsed and was hospitalized due to complications from Hepatitis C. He is currently at home in Canyon Lake, Texas, resting and undergoing treatment to alleviate the effects of his condition. Alejandro's rigorous touring schedule and recording sessions for a new album that had begun the week before are both on hold as he recuperates. There is no health insurance to cover the mounting medical bills and loss of income as Alejandro continues to pursue treatment. In response to an outpouring of concern from friends, fans, and associates from across the nation, a trust has been established to handle donations on his behalf. You can make donations here.

Dick Porter - Ramones, The Complete Twisted History (Plexus).
I Guess this is where the cash-in starts, the first real hack Ramones bio. From the git go it's clear Porter never talked to anybody involved with the band, and serves us nothing but a mix/match cut 'n paste job. Which in itself wouldn't be such a bad thing, if it weren't for the numerous factual errors in here. For instance: did you know 'California Sun' was originally by the Trashman? or that the 1976 CBGBs album featured Blondie, Talking Heads and Pere Ubu?, well, neither did I. photo captions provide similar un-intentional entertainment: two pics from the same photoshoot are credited to be taken in both Liverpool and NYC!, A shot of Dee Dee is dated may '77 while he clearly wears a 'End Of The Century' badge. Minor details you might think, but to me it goes to show that Porter really doesn't have much of a clue. I even flung the book into the corner when, at one point, he claims that the Ramones opened every show over the years with 'Blitzkrieg Bop', even if he never did see 'm in action himself, a quick glance at the four official live albums would have given proof to the contrary. Heck, the guy has previously written books on Nu-Metal and the Darkness, which just about sez it all...
Please take Lindsay's advice from somewhere below and pick up those cheapo, but infinitely better, books on the subject, save yourself the money, and get some real edu-ma-cation...

The bold Martin Percival has delivered the following info for y'all to do with whatcha will...

Berlin Film Festival Site. Not yet got End of the Century listed but the site's still under development.

WPIX listeners get together - Manitoba's NYC Jan 22

WPIX was a great New York/New Jersey area based radio station that's fondly remembered by it's listeners, especially for its classic fall 1978 thru spring 1980
period. Most visiting bands playing the NYC area around that time seemed to drop in for interviews & chat including the Buzzcocks, Undertones, The Fall,
Plasmatics and many others with djs like Jane Hamburger. The Cramps, Buzzcocks, XTC & Wire also all featured on their Saturday night concert broadcast series.
There will be a get together of old PIX listeners at Manitoba's, 99 Ave. B (between 6th & 7th St.) in NYC on January 22nd. If you were a listener or are in touch with anybody who used to listen, please tell them about this! For more info contact Will Keller - wkeller64@aol.com

Fopp - Music, film and book store - Ramones related reading bargains

FOPP is selling Monte Melnick's essential book On The Road with the Ramones for the outrageous price of £5 (usual price £14.99!!) and Legs McNeil's story of NYC punk era excess Please Kill Me for only £3. Both essential reads in my view and at this price, an absolute giveaway!

Any readers out there who'd like a copy of either or both and can't be arsed ordering over the website can contact us here. I can act as a personal shopper and mail 'em etc.

They're guaranteed good weather for this one...



Details...

Hey, I know this is kinda self-indulgent, but what the heck. What you see here is my new "den", a long time in the making but finally done. So yep, I'm pleased as punch right now. From here I'm reportin' to the outside world (ie: you...)

Just ran into this great collection of downloadable Damned videos. GO!.

Jim Fields Ramones Movie, END OF THE CENTURY will be screened at The Berlin Film Festival between February 6th and 12th. I can't find the link to the site but anybody in that 'hood should check the press out there for details. Meanwhile Agent Heiko is on the case and you should check his site for further details by clicking HERE!

I know, I know... It's been well over a week since I last posted something here, it's not that I've been that busy, it's just that there's lives that need to be lived. That, and the fact that we've been takin' it easy as off late (as much as possible anyways), what with the baby due to arrive any day now, capish?. Life is A-OK 'round here at the moment, and I really appreciate that a number of you have been askin'. It's just that my thoughts are elsewhere right now, so please forgive me if I'm late in responding to all o' your e-mails (if at all).
To answer several questions about my current listening habits: "just about everything!". OK, almost everything...
Doin' the rounds on the ol' hi-fi at the moment are Kitty Wells' 'God's Honky Tonk Angel' (Edsel CD), this beats just bout every alt-country gal singer by a mile, save yourself the bother, and head straight for the source. Earl Bostic - 'Blows A Fuse' (Charly LP), I first heard 'Flamingo' somewhere in the early 70s and I still haven't recovered. Bostic's alto sax playin' reigns supreme in my book. This certainly ain't no sophisticated Jazz or whatever. Just loud, un-civilized R&B wailin'. The disc I have is long out of print, but if I'm correctly informed there's a budget 2CD set out on Proper right now that should fulfill you're every need. Tony Slug pointed directions to a pretty cool MP3 by glam rock band Silver. Riff heavy, this beats legions of contenders by the proverbial whatsis.....
That's it, no offence but I gotta go 'n catch some sleep.

Talk to you later....

Have a futz around my old buddy Bruce Milne's 2004 stomping ground.

Couple of things right off the bat.

It looks like The Fleshtones are bound for this sceptic isle in April and I'd like UK NBT readers to get the ol' finger out so we can get them a clutch of decent shows. Please forward any info about venues, etc to me and I'll pass it on. It's time the kids got a first hand blast of what so many have copied over the eons.

So what's going on? These e-mail problems are persisting just a tad too long now. Today I'm trying to send stuff to folks I mail fairly frequently and they keep bouncing back. I've tried this at work too and its happening there too. I can't say that I'm harking back to the ol' AOL days but even that wasn't the pain the rectum that this is.

One of the best archives of video/dvd I've ever come across is open to you folks. Send an e-mail to scoutthedoggie@yahoo.co.uk for an extensive list that may well make yer eyes water.

Great to see the Barracudas in action again last Friday night here in London. A near capacity crowd turned out for El 'Cudas at the Dirty Water Club and were treated to a tightly delivered set of surf/garage snarlers via a crisp'n'clean PA system. To cap it all Chris Wilson joined the band, sans Jeremy, for an encore of "Slow Death" and "You're Gonna Miss Me". Warning: This guy still possesses a strong pair of lungs. Hot news from PJ, the club's promoter, is that the Fleshtones are near-as-dammit confirmed for a slot in April. Dare one hope for a 'Cudas / 'Tones double-bill? Yes sir, an encore of "Hoss Boss" featuring Streng/Zaremba and Gluck/Wills slugging it out might be nirvana to some but could also pose a danger to those of a more nervous disposition. Are you (wo)man enough to go under the thunder of the Barratones?

"Steven Van Zandt has recently signed on with Sirius satellite radio as a consultant. He will be developing a 24/7 garage rock satellite radio outlet which should launch later this year. As good as his show is, and he has acknowledged that his "Underground Garage" was initially inspired by his love of WFMU's Teenage Wasteland, the satellite outlet promises to be the mecca for garage-aholics." - Bill 'The Guru of Garage' Kelly, WFMU

ROCKINGSCOTS is a website dedicated to West of Scotland beat groups and rock bands from the '60s and '70s.

From Brother Liam of Sabrejet County, Belfast, "Thought you might, uh, "appreciate" the attached flyer from mad Norse rockers, The Wild Bunch....... I'm thinking it may be kinda hard to live up to their expectations..."

I can get on to the internet but can't get my e-mail. Wha' happening?....

US TV show nuts, check out JUMP THE SHARK!

As some of you may know, I'm not a Billy Childish fan but I know a bunch of you are so maybe you'd like to cut along to this....



Further info from www.radio-lollypop.net

N o r t o n N e w s F l a s h !

Roky Erickson will be stopping in at Waterloo Records in Austin this Friday, January 9, at 5 PM for a special autograph session to celebrate the release of "Don't Knock the Rok!" on Norton. This new CD (and posh gatefold double vinyl LP) collects twenty three unissued blasts cut at the 1978 warm up sessions for Roky and the Aliens’ EVIL ONE LP featuring Roky howling through a slew of covers ranging from Dion and the Belmonts and Bobby Vee to Elvis and Buddy Holly, not to mention a Bye Bye Birdie show tune! Dig some unheard Roky originals, too! It’s like the Elevators meet King Uszneiwicz at a Martian pajama party! Dig the whole scoop on the Norton New Release by clicking the sidebar link.

Refreshments at the autograph party will be provided by the St. Arnold Brewing Co. and very importantly, Roky Rocky Road ice cream will be available at Amy's during the event! New Roky teeshirts will also be available in case you get excited and drip Roky Rocky Road all over your duds! Waterloo Records is located at 600A N. Lamar. (512) 474 2500
Reach the Rok's WATERLOO here!

All hail to THE KING and any of you folks who find themselves in and around Hollywood tonight should be attending the world's finest and long running Elvis birthday tribute event. The shindig is curated by the great Art Fein who also has his latest ANOTHER FEIN MESS sermon up and atcha. Get Clickin'...

"SNOW BIZNESS LIKE SHOW BIZNESS: They came from Min-ne-a-polis, Indianapolis, Phoenix and Atlanta to see the Dictators' two-night stand at CBGB, but some ticketholders who lived much closer couldn't even get out of their driveways because of the record-breaking two-day snowstorm that paralyzed much of the Northeast over the weekend. Others who set out for Mecca on the Bowery never made it: Three fans traveling from New England totaled their car in a four-car pileup (no one was seriously hurt, thankfully). Those who successfully slogged through the ice, slush and snow were treated to two nights of rock in honor of the 30th anniversary of the venerable CBGB (the New York Post quotes Andy in its article on the club's milestone) and were participants in the filming of the Dictators' first-ever DVD". (Reports, photos and fan photos from their two-night stand at CBs .....).

Uptight have made their latest waxing, the Collars & Cuffs EP, available for free in the MP3 format. Step on over to their website and groove to the mighty nothern band.

Oh boy, another day - another set of internet problems so who knows if this'll actually post or not but y' gotta try. Right? Poisoned Aeros are a Canadian combo that I think you folks would get a big kick outta. Timeless rock and roll antics with a little glam undertow that could well be transmitting direct from Max's Kansas City. Their album, Turbulence is available now on the Doublehell imprint and I urge you to check 'em out! This is my first big thing of 2004 and the initial pressing comes with a blank cd so you can burn a copy and pass it on to one of the untold millions that needs a band like this in their life.

As anybody who knows me will know I’m a bit edgy at this time of year. I like to see it out there in the rear view mirror. We wish all of our crew all the best, all the time. Un-deterred by calendars or the like. This morning I've been trying to catch up on messages and keep getting the blighters returned. Something to do with recipients servers or some such bollocks. The double-edged sword that is cyber-communications exasperates me. I am the king of no-patience and the master of the short fuse. With regard to making up some kinda retrospective list, my heart isn't in it. Have a trawl through the archives if you have the time and that might turn up some nugget that got away. The spectre of having to return to the daily grind is clouding my vision somewhat too, tis' a bummer but we gotta eat. I think that 2004 will be a bumpy ride but let's not lose sight of the big picture here. It's important not to piss up anybody's back and tell them that it's raining. Let's root for what's good and leave the sub-karaoke and worse that passes as mass entertainment in the dust with the scum who are perpetrating this "electronic chatter" that sanctions our space to be invaded in the name of safety. These people are willing to 86 themselves for their beliefs and I think they're taking the mick but our authorities can't take any chances. It's Mindset Wars and our side ain't programmed like the bogeymen and wummin are. Me? At this point, It's like Iggy once said "I don't believe in anything and I don't stand for nothing". Nothing 'cept to keep on keepin' on anyway I can and it's all forward from here. At least today. This morning, Brian Matthews played "From The Underworld" by The Herd and for the length of that at least, all was right with the world.

Scandinavian Tour Advisor and General WARNING



To fans, friends, loud-mouths, lay-a-bouts and anyone looking for a good time
in the Great frozen north:

It is with considerable surprise (even to me!) that the world’s one and only,
original SUPER-ROCK band is issuing this Scandinavian tour advisement and
general warning. After an absence of almost a generation, endless desperate
requests and engendering countless pale imitators, The FLESHTONES are indeed
returning to Scandinavia Feb 6th- 14th, 2004. To play, that is. Why? Certainly not
for money. Perhaps to give those who think they’ve seen it all a chance to
kick their diet of highly adulterated imitators and see how this thing is really
done. Or maybe we’re just looking for that special moment. All I know is that
the tour will indeed kick off at the DEBASER CLUB in STOCKHOLM with our good
friends The Nomads and The Maggots. If anyone remembers what it was like the
last time the Nomads and The FLESHTONES got together in that city, be prepared
for more of the same! Much more in fact, we’ve been practicing. In addition,
appearances at numerous fishing stations and fur-trading outposts will be
announced later. No, seeing all those other bands is NOT like witnessing the REAL,
one and only FLESHTONES, live and in person. Look I’ll tell you something
straight up, I don’t want to return home after a week and a half of freezing my
butt off gnawing on herring to read any e-mails asking why don’t we play
Scandinavia. We’re coming NOW. So, I’ve heard a lot of talk. I don’t know about you,
but The FLESHTONES are ready for ACTION. On stage, and if need be, off. If you
miss us this time, don’t count on catching us the next time we make it up
there. Which might be in another 20 years, or in time for the return of Haley's
Comet, if ever. Spread the word and see you there!

Dead Seriously,
Peter Zaremba

Watched The 100 Worst Records of all Time last night on C4 and it was somewhat wide of the mark. I don't think that The Cheeky Girls have been wreaking the worst pop damage at all and it's time they made a record with the one and only Duglas T. Stewart.

Can't wait for things to get back to some semblance of normal. Having said that normal is somewhat like rational these days, you gotta take it when y'can get it. Anyway, here's a link to something that's certainly gonna be keeping me on the straight and narrow. Go!

Rank your nerdiness.

So here we go. Headlong into another one... hope it works out grand for you and yer gang. Normal service may well resume tomorrow or thereaboots.