Monday, May 31, 2004
The Fleshtones will make a special appearance at Little Steven’s Battle of Bands at the Double Door in Chicago on Thursday 10th June. The show will then be followed by weekend dates in Madison and Green Bay, WI. While on Saturday 19th June the band return to Troy, NY to participate in the Riverfest.
"Hey! If you're digging that CRAZY-ASSED screaming 60s punk song used in the H&M commercial, HERE IT IS! Both sides of the amazing 1967 garage classic by DR. SPECS OPRICAL ILLUSION on a 7" reissue on Crypt Records. Available SOON!". and…. COMING in late-MAY 2004!!!!!!!! 180-gram LP: REVEREND CHARLIE JACKSON God's Got It (Crypt-094 LP) Wooooweee! On VINYL, baby!! 13 cuts of his 1970s BOOKER & JACKSON label primeness licensed from Aum/Case Quarter from their awesome CD label shots, liners, rip-roarin' ANALOG 180-gram action! "God's Got It/ Something to Think About/ Wrapped Up and Tangled Up in Jesus/ Testimony of Rev. Charlie Jackson/ The Goodness of God Part 2/ This Old Building/ I Gave Up All I Had/ Fix It Jesus/ What a Time/ Trouble in My Way/ I Shall Not Be Moved/ Morning Train/ My Eternal Home" AVAILABLE MAY 24 2004!!!!!
Sunday, May 30, 2004
So here goes. I'm heading down the wormhole back toward reality and as you know, that bites. Back to Death Row having been granted a last request with no sign of being able to initiate an appeal. Shit happens. All the apples fell on me. Etc. There is no chemical solution to a spiritual problem though and thusly when I'm spat out into tomorrow then I gotta work on a clean slate principle. There are worthy things comin' up to stick around for and that's as upbeat as it gets for now.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
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ANT MUZAK is the funniest thing I've clocked in ages. Be sure to play the full 9 minute 50 sec version. Thanks to Sir Hoto for the link.
ANT MUZAK is the funniest thing I've clocked in ages. Be sure to play the full 9 minute 50 sec version. Thanks to Sir Hoto for the link.
From the tickets-scotland.com site....
At last, the news many of us have been waiting for... MC5 at the Garage! The Detroit legends now called DKT/MC5 for legal reasons bring their original full-throttle, white noise, politically charged psych out Rock 'N' Roll to Glasgow's Garage on Tuesday 31st August. God fathers of every band in your Rock & Roll record collection, if you like it raw this is the one YOU'VE been waiting for!
At last, the news many of us have been waiting for... MC5 at the Garage! The Detroit legends now called DKT/MC5 for legal reasons bring their original full-throttle, white noise, politically charged psych out Rock 'N' Roll to Glasgow's Garage on Tuesday 31st August. God fathers of every band in your Rock & Roll record collection, if you like it raw this is the one YOU'VE been waiting for!
Seems to be a few "happenings" with regard to celebrating the birth of this thing called "rock'n'roll". Apparently (according to the radio yesterday) it's been narrowed down to July 5th 1954 when Elvis cut "That's Alright Mama". Voila the 50th Anniversary of the beastie. As you all know, fine as that event may have been in terms of booting any mainstream jacksy, this stuff was bubbling away way before that but I digress. So auld yin and young yin alike, take a walk on yon wild side...
Belfast Rockabilly Roots Round-Up - Barrow Square, Belfast July 2-4th 2004 Celebrating 50 years of rock n roll
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of rockabilly music in Laganside’s Barrow Square. Artists from the United States, Europe, the UK and Ireland are coming together in Belfast with their individual brands of modern rockabilly music as a living art form. Rockabilly - that mixture of blues, country, hillbilly and gospel music that came together and started the musical revolution we now know as rock n’ roll.
Historians may never agree about when and where rock n roll was born. But all historians do agree that the Sun Studios, 706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee began a revolution that spawned a legacy which still resonates today.
Sun Studios was responsible for some of the legends of modern music: Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Howlin’ Wolf, Roy Orbison, B.B. King but on July 5th, 1954, Elvis Presley recorded That’s Alright Mama in Sun Studios and created a world of rock n roll music.
Nic Roulette & the Blue Moon Boys- From Fort Wayne, Indiana. If you didn’t experience Elvis in the fifties, experience Nic Roulette now. This is high octane rockabilly, rooted in the fifties sound and equally loved by the punk and psychobilly audience.
The Rimshots- Proving once again that you don’t have to come from Memphis to make good rock n roll. These Welsh hillbillies will root and toot their way through their classic repertoire and Belfast will resonate with the cheer of lechyd Da!
The Sabrejets -hard boiled, no holds barred, no punched pulled, low-down white-knuckled, revved up hot rodded rockabilly from Belfast's greaser kings. The biggest and baddest band to come out of Belfast. Screaming guitars and lots of attitude are what to expect from this outfit.
Ponchartrain - A four-piece outfit fronted by Paul Godden, specialising in vintage (almost acoustic) country music with Cajun, Tex-Mex and a whole mess of influences thrown in for good measure. Joining Paul in the line-up are fellow "Rimshots" John Lewis and Mandy Davidson on guitar and vocals and double bass respectively (not forgetting Paul’s wife Jean on fiddle and accordion).
The Ranch House Favourites- From Holland, formed in 1992 and influenced by the great western swing bands of the 1940's and 1950's, this 5-piece outfit achieve a sound that is at once authentic and timeless. Over the years, the band has grown to become one of the hottest European retro outfits to burn up a dance floor.
The SureShots - Countless are the legends related to this quartet from the North East of England - this band is one of the hottest rockabilly outfits on the rockin' circuit, and, beside Newcastle Brown Ale, one of the most important exports from Newcastle!
Oona Fortune and the Millionaires- From Dublin, Oona has sung with some of the most entertaining bands in Ireland. She’s put together an all-star cast of Dublin rockabillies for her Belfast appearance. Mixing up hillbilly and rockabilly, Oona kick starts Sunday afternoon’s show.
Tickets £12 per day ticket. £20 for a two day pass. And can be bought in advance from the Belfast Visitor Centre: Tel: 02890 246609 or info@belfastvisitor.com
Belfast Rockabilly Roots Round-Up - Barrow Square, Belfast July 2-4th 2004 Celebrating 50 years of rock n roll
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of rockabilly music in Laganside’s Barrow Square. Artists from the United States, Europe, the UK and Ireland are coming together in Belfast with their individual brands of modern rockabilly music as a living art form. Rockabilly - that mixture of blues, country, hillbilly and gospel music that came together and started the musical revolution we now know as rock n’ roll.
Historians may never agree about when and where rock n roll was born. But all historians do agree that the Sun Studios, 706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee began a revolution that spawned a legacy which still resonates today.
Sun Studios was responsible for some of the legends of modern music: Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Howlin’ Wolf, Roy Orbison, B.B. King but on July 5th, 1954, Elvis Presley recorded That’s Alright Mama in Sun Studios and created a world of rock n roll music.
Nic Roulette & the Blue Moon Boys- From Fort Wayne, Indiana. If you didn’t experience Elvis in the fifties, experience Nic Roulette now. This is high octane rockabilly, rooted in the fifties sound and equally loved by the punk and psychobilly audience.
The Rimshots- Proving once again that you don’t have to come from Memphis to make good rock n roll. These Welsh hillbillies will root and toot their way through their classic repertoire and Belfast will resonate with the cheer of lechyd Da!
The Sabrejets -hard boiled, no holds barred, no punched pulled, low-down white-knuckled, revved up hot rodded rockabilly from Belfast's greaser kings. The biggest and baddest band to come out of Belfast. Screaming guitars and lots of attitude are what to expect from this outfit.
Ponchartrain - A four-piece outfit fronted by Paul Godden, specialising in vintage (almost acoustic) country music with Cajun, Tex-Mex and a whole mess of influences thrown in for good measure. Joining Paul in the line-up are fellow "Rimshots" John Lewis and Mandy Davidson on guitar and vocals and double bass respectively (not forgetting Paul’s wife Jean on fiddle and accordion).
The Ranch House Favourites- From Holland, formed in 1992 and influenced by the great western swing bands of the 1940's and 1950's, this 5-piece outfit achieve a sound that is at once authentic and timeless. Over the years, the band has grown to become one of the hottest European retro outfits to burn up a dance floor.
The SureShots - Countless are the legends related to this quartet from the North East of England - this band is one of the hottest rockabilly outfits on the rockin' circuit, and, beside Newcastle Brown Ale, one of the most important exports from Newcastle!
Oona Fortune and the Millionaires- From Dublin, Oona has sung with some of the most entertaining bands in Ireland. She’s put together an all-star cast of Dublin rockabillies for her Belfast appearance. Mixing up hillbilly and rockabilly, Oona kick starts Sunday afternoon’s show.
Tickets £12 per day ticket. £20 for a two day pass. And can be bought in advance from the Belfast Visitor Centre: Tel: 02890 246609 or info@belfastvisitor.com
Mr Percival laid the following info on we and it sounds like something you should be makin' an effort to get to... I just saw The Chesterfield Kings just over a week ago and they brought back some eminent memories. Particularly the show in Berlin 1988 where they went "glam" and broke the hearts of the purists. Now they do The Rolling Stones better than Jagger and Co could ever expect to do and most importantly they deliver the rock (and roll) that is seemingly extinct these days in spades.
Three days of wild twisted city rock & teenage kicks!
JULY 1-2-3 SUMMER 2004. WaterFront, Rotterdam
The time has come that a long cherished juvenile dream will come true. The first Dutch International Garage Festival is in the works and is aptly named Primitive! Rotterdam’s infamous rock venue WaterFront, which has a very credible reputation concerning its involvement with elementary rock ‘n’roll, will present a festival bill featuring everything inbetween the pioneering original raw sixties sounds to the mayhem of nowadays decent garage bands. No lame retro crap, not a boring old farts’ band from the stone age, and no dull bandwagon jumpers of the so-called new garage groups. The garage music, as originated in the mid sixties, is celebrating its third major revival these days and Primitive! is all about the raw, pure exciting sound driven by teenage energy and a never ending search for the kicks in life.
Primitive! will be a wild garage punk blow out; three days of the best bands and deejays available. On the bill are amongst others: The Remains, a legendary group responsible for great godlike classics, they toured the States with The Beatles and are still worshipped by fans of sixties music all over the world. The Chesterfield Kings, the absolute rulers of the early eighties garage-revival, The Buff Medwayswith renaissance man Billy Childish, The Solarflares, who came from the ashes of The Prisoners. Also on the bill are new comers Thee Exciters from Southampton, local trash blues duo The Low Point Drains, Dutch surf & garage veterans The Firebirds, The Satelliters orthodox sixties punk from Germany, Spanish party band Dr. Explosion and Dutch garage-beat purveyors The Nederbietels. All this and The Von Bondies from Detroit and many, many more.
As if this is not enough to blow you out off your socks, the promotors of Primitive! have booked the hottest deejays to keep the dancefloor boiling: Tim Warren(U.S.A., Crypt Records), Ritchie Screaming Apple & Lutz Soundflat (Germany), Dirk Dutronic (Belgium), Jorge Explosion (Spain), Michel Da Capo, Roccalberti, Señor Alberto, Jan & Jan Prime Time and Dandy Dave (Holland) to name but only a few.
To keep people off the streets, WaterFront also has organised a movie program in cooperation with WORMbeeld. A once in a lifetime chance to see cult-movie classics from the last four decades on the big screen. And there is more to meet the eye: around the time of the festival, Showroom Mama runs an exhibition featuring custom art, record sleeves and concert poster design and the phenomenal world of fanzines from all over the globe.
For even more information CLICK HERE!
Three days of wild twisted city rock & teenage kicks!
JULY 1-2-3 SUMMER 2004. WaterFront, Rotterdam
The time has come that a long cherished juvenile dream will come true. The first Dutch International Garage Festival is in the works and is aptly named Primitive! Rotterdam’s infamous rock venue WaterFront, which has a very credible reputation concerning its involvement with elementary rock ‘n’roll, will present a festival bill featuring everything inbetween the pioneering original raw sixties sounds to the mayhem of nowadays decent garage bands. No lame retro crap, not a boring old farts’ band from the stone age, and no dull bandwagon jumpers of the so-called new garage groups. The garage music, as originated in the mid sixties, is celebrating its third major revival these days and Primitive! is all about the raw, pure exciting sound driven by teenage energy and a never ending search for the kicks in life.
Primitive! will be a wild garage punk blow out; three days of the best bands and deejays available. On the bill are amongst others: The Remains, a legendary group responsible for great godlike classics, they toured the States with The Beatles and are still worshipped by fans of sixties music all over the world. The Chesterfield Kings, the absolute rulers of the early eighties garage-revival, The Buff Medwayswith renaissance man Billy Childish, The Solarflares, who came from the ashes of The Prisoners. Also on the bill are new comers Thee Exciters from Southampton, local trash blues duo The Low Point Drains, Dutch surf & garage veterans The Firebirds, The Satelliters orthodox sixties punk from Germany, Spanish party band Dr. Explosion and Dutch garage-beat purveyors The Nederbietels. All this and The Von Bondies from Detroit and many, many more.
As if this is not enough to blow you out off your socks, the promotors of Primitive! have booked the hottest deejays to keep the dancefloor boiling: Tim Warren(U.S.A., Crypt Records), Ritchie Screaming Apple & Lutz Soundflat (Germany), Dirk Dutronic (Belgium), Jorge Explosion (Spain), Michel Da Capo, Roccalberti, Señor Alberto, Jan & Jan Prime Time and Dandy Dave (Holland) to name but only a few.
To keep people off the streets, WaterFront also has organised a movie program in cooperation with WORMbeeld. A once in a lifetime chance to see cult-movie classics from the last four decades on the big screen. And there is more to meet the eye: around the time of the festival, Showroom Mama runs an exhibition featuring custom art, record sleeves and concert poster design and the phenomenal world of fanzines from all over the globe.
For even more information CLICK HERE!
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Word is that the Excelsior label is planning to reissue the 1980 'A Treat Of New Beat' LP by legendary Dutch band The Rousers. A classic slice of punk/powerpop, this disc has remained in obscurity way too long, and it's good to learn it'll be finally gettin' the red carpet treatment it deserves; 'cause work is bein' done on a full-length documentary to be included as a bonus DVD in the package. Anyone with access to video and or filmed material of the band is encouraged to contact us, and we'll pass on the info.
OK. I'm back and I know why I'm a little jumpy about going anyplace these days. Fact is that there's never enough time and ergo a lot of unfinished "business" is the result. People have schedules and these have a tendancy to conflict. Reality is a nonstop kick in the stones alright. All in all though, we had a bloody chuffing ball and I salute those of our extended family that we did see. More of which later...
Meanwhile lets get back to the purpose of all this, to connect you folks with the stuff you need as a regular transfusion, perhaps antidote to the shit you get fed on a day to day basis...
"Ross McIntyre and Martin Percival, who run Rezillos.com on behalf of the band, will be interviewing the Rezillos next month for an exclusive interview to appear on the band's site. This is your chance to ask the Rezillos those questions you've been waiting half a lifetime to ask!!! Please keep it to the Rezillos (no Revillos, Shake, Human League etc at this stage). They're looking to strike a balance in the questions between looking back at the 76-78 era as well as 2001 and forwards. They'll give a name check, of course, for everyone who has questions asked in the interview. The best place to post the questions is on the Yahoo
Groups Rezillos site: RIGHT HERE.
Meanwhile lets get back to the purpose of all this, to connect you folks with the stuff you need as a regular transfusion, perhaps antidote to the shit you get fed on a day to day basis...
"Ross McIntyre and Martin Percival, who run Rezillos.com on behalf of the band, will be interviewing the Rezillos next month for an exclusive interview to appear on the band's site. This is your chance to ask the Rezillos those questions you've been waiting half a lifetime to ask!!! Please keep it to the Rezillos (no Revillos, Shake, Human League etc at this stage). They're looking to strike a balance in the questions between looking back at the 76-78 era as well as 2001 and forwards. They'll give a name check, of course, for everyone who has questions asked in the interview. The best place to post the questions is on the Yahoo
Groups Rezillos site: RIGHT HERE.
Sunday, May 23, 2004
After a good night's sleep I figure it's time to give you the lowdown on the Lille trip. Came home late last night realizing that in the previous 3 days I slept all but 9 hours, and that's tuff goin' at this advanced age... but hey, it was well worth the bother.
Arrived early on Friday morning and went straight to the excellent Musee d'Art Moderne in Villeneuve d'Ascq. I won't bore you with too many details but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of cubist stuff on display and a large number of works by the great Fernand Leger. Spend most of the afternoon strollin' thru' the city of Lille, the place had gone seriously upmarket since it collapsed as one of the last bastions of the industrial revolution several decades ago. The old city and it's numerous small shopping streets were busy to the point of being overcrowded, but the nice weather and relaxed atmosphere made sure I didn't feel the need to wipe out the busloads of tourists gettin' in my way.
When it was time to head for the hotel I took off in the completely opposite direction, thank god I ran into Steve and French Superrock fan extra ordinaire Jean Marc Rimette at that point who probably saved me from walkin' all the way to Antwerp. After shootin' the shit with these guys over a few beers and some microwaved "food" it was time to head for the main reason of our stay: The Fleshtones show at the Aeronef.
We walked in halfway opening band Toxic Waste's set and I amost started whishin' for another one of those nuked to death pizzas. Next up were French punk legends Metal Urbain, who are in the midst of some highly touted reunion tour, and I'm glad to report they did not disappoint. The two guitar/beatbox line-up was still intact and they played fiathfull versions of old classics like 'Paris Maquis' and 'Panik'. Good as it was tho', nothin' could have preparad me for the total onslaught that was the Fleshtones set, from the git go they seemed intend to tear the place up at max velocity. Hey, this Superrock stuff sure ain't for the weak of heart; jumpin', runnin', standin' still (Powerstance!) while constantly poundin' out song after great song ('Destination Greenpoint', 'Burnin' Hell', 'Hitburg USA', 'Ten Dollars More', you name it), these guys are still a force to be reckoned with. Even after close to three decades there's still no sign of 'm headin' for the rightlane, whatever fuels their engine is still in large supply.
The crowd loved it and seemed to have come from all over; including a bunch of German soccer holligans from Gelsenkirchen and a car full of Dutch kids, one of 'm apparently livin' just around the corner from HQ (!), well whadda you know?. If the Fleshtones never made it in the "real world", to a dedicated number of loonies these guys will forever be one of the finest rockin' units to grace this planet's stages. Please be sure to count me in among the latter.
(Check out Steve's tales on the Fleshtones' Hall Of Fame)
Arrived early on Friday morning and went straight to the excellent Musee d'Art Moderne in Villeneuve d'Ascq. I won't bore you with too many details but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of cubist stuff on display and a large number of works by the great Fernand Leger. Spend most of the afternoon strollin' thru' the city of Lille, the place had gone seriously upmarket since it collapsed as one of the last bastions of the industrial revolution several decades ago. The old city and it's numerous small shopping streets were busy to the point of being overcrowded, but the nice weather and relaxed atmosphere made sure I didn't feel the need to wipe out the busloads of tourists gettin' in my way.
When it was time to head for the hotel I took off in the completely opposite direction, thank god I ran into Steve and French Superrock fan extra ordinaire Jean Marc Rimette at that point who probably saved me from walkin' all the way to Antwerp. After shootin' the shit with these guys over a few beers and some microwaved "food" it was time to head for the main reason of our stay: The Fleshtones show at the Aeronef.
We walked in halfway opening band Toxic Waste's set and I amost started whishin' for another one of those nuked to death pizzas. Next up were French punk legends Metal Urbain, who are in the midst of some highly touted reunion tour, and I'm glad to report they did not disappoint. The two guitar/beatbox line-up was still intact and they played fiathfull versions of old classics like 'Paris Maquis' and 'Panik'. Good as it was tho', nothin' could have preparad me for the total onslaught that was the Fleshtones set, from the git go they seemed intend to tear the place up at max velocity. Hey, this Superrock stuff sure ain't for the weak of heart; jumpin', runnin', standin' still (Powerstance!) while constantly poundin' out song after great song ('Destination Greenpoint', 'Burnin' Hell', 'Hitburg USA', 'Ten Dollars More', you name it), these guys are still a force to be reckoned with. Even after close to three decades there's still no sign of 'm headin' for the rightlane, whatever fuels their engine is still in large supply.
The crowd loved it and seemed to have come from all over; including a bunch of German soccer holligans from Gelsenkirchen and a car full of Dutch kids, one of 'm apparently livin' just around the corner from HQ (!), well whadda you know?. If the Fleshtones never made it in the "real world", to a dedicated number of loonies these guys will forever be one of the finest rockin' units to grace this planet's stages. Please be sure to count me in among the latter.
(Check out Steve's tales on the Fleshtones' Hall Of Fame)
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
I'm a bit short on time to give you the full lowdown on this disc, but please believe me when I say that BGP's Super Funk vol.4 is as wild a funk comp as you're gonna get these days. The abuse of the Hammond B-3 on the National Soul Review's 'Engine #9' has got to be heard to be believed and is worth the price of admission alone, why the thing didn't blew it's fuses is beyond me. Scorchin', screamin', wailin', this disc is the ultimate in "good god y'all" party sounds...
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Barracudas (with Chris Wilson) this Friday in London.
Just to let you know that The Barracudas are playing on Friday 21st of May at The Dirty Water Club in London. Chris will be playing more than just an encore this time...
Just to let you know that The Barracudas are playing on Friday 21st of May at The Dirty Water Club in London. Chris will be playing more than just an encore this time...
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Friday, May 14, 2004
Hey, the brand new, tres sharp lookin' STAR SPANGLES site is all systems go. Pledge yer allegience and if you're in the hood, scoot to the Mercury Lounge in NY on May 20th.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Uh oh, have any of you been experiencing e-grief on the mail front this past couple of days. Both here and at work servers have been up and dying or worse. Then I schlepp into the old blog thing here and they've been mucking about with the way you post etc. but I think I'm down with it now. I'm going to be somewhat outta the loop from tomorrow until approx. May 27th or thereabouts. Meanwhile Brother Joss weighs in with this public service info...
"Stronger Than Dirt - Or, How To Clean Yer Dirty Rekkids With Good Old Soap & Water!"
Frustrated by that awesome 45 you ordered from the US of A, which turned out to be filthier than your bestest drinkin' buddy's sexual fantasies? Nabbed an outrageously kool disc at a charity/thrift store, but it's got cat sick all over it? Lovingly deposited fingerprints and snot on yer fave blast from the past? Don't wanna buy or can't afford one o'them spiffy rekkid cleaning machines? Have no fear, Dr Rekkid is 'ere!
I've used the same simple rekkid cleaning method for years, often to rescue discs which are virtually unplayable (from accumulated storage dirt/grease, fingerprints, fluff in the grooves or just plain gobs of muck), and have had absolutely NO problems whatsoever, from a storage stability, cleaning medium residue or deteriorating sound quality POV. Obviously, 45s are easier to clean with this method than LPs (which can be unwieldy!), but having compared the results between using this and a £1,000 record cleaning machine, I'd go for the sink everytime! The only things I've had probs with are UK red label Atlantic 45s, which stain your fingers a nasty shade of crimson! Obviously, this method won't work if you've got long fingernails or hands textured like a bricklayer's!
You will need:
A new/non-gritty bar of good quality, perfume/conditioner-free pure vegetable soap A small/forceful flow of cold water (i.e. a faucet or tap!) A freshly laundered linen dishcloth/tea towel/glasscloth (must be pure linen, because of the lack of 'nap' on the surface of the towel) A flat surface Two hands
1) Clean your hands thoroughly, using the soap, paying close
attention to the tips of the fingers.
2) Lay the linen towel out on a handy flat & stable surface.
3) Grab 45/LP with yer left paw, by the label/edge, and wet the first side under a reasonable flow from the cold faucet.
4) Making sure that the surface of the vinyl is still wet/holding water, rub the fingers of your right hand across the soap, collecting enuff to make a small amount of 'slip' on yer digits, i.e. a visible amount of soap without lumps or smears.
5) Lay your fingers flat across the width of the vinyl, and move them towards yourself (clockwise, following the grooves!), as you slowly rotate the vinyl anti-clockwise, making sure you clean the whole width of the record.
6) Don't let the record dry out with soap on it! Add a smidge more water / soap as required!
7) After you've gone right around the record half a dozen times or so, paying particular attention to really mucky spots, turn the faucet on full and, holding the record at approx 45 degrees, angle it into the water stream, moving the vinyl up and down across the grooves, while turning it slowly anti-clockwise. Repeat for the second side, and then give both a another swoosh under the water, just to remove any dirt contamination from side one to two.
8) Shake the record to revove any large droplets of water, and check for soap residue (there shouldn't be any).
9) Lay the record on the linen towel and, using the ends of your fingers spread on the label, turn gently clockwise. Repeat for the other side, then move the record to a dry part of the towel and repeat on both sides.
10) When dry, wipe with your desired de-fluffing device/set your record brush up, then play!
Joss "Freezing fingers / clean vinyl" Hutton "
"Stronger Than Dirt - Or, How To Clean Yer Dirty Rekkids With Good Old Soap & Water!"
Frustrated by that awesome 45 you ordered from the US of A, which turned out to be filthier than your bestest drinkin' buddy's sexual fantasies? Nabbed an outrageously kool disc at a charity/thrift store, but it's got cat sick all over it? Lovingly deposited fingerprints and snot on yer fave blast from the past? Don't wanna buy or can't afford one o'them spiffy rekkid cleaning machines? Have no fear, Dr Rekkid is 'ere!
I've used the same simple rekkid cleaning method for years, often to rescue discs which are virtually unplayable (from accumulated storage dirt/grease, fingerprints, fluff in the grooves or just plain gobs of muck), and have had absolutely NO problems whatsoever, from a storage stability, cleaning medium residue or deteriorating sound quality POV. Obviously, 45s are easier to clean with this method than LPs (which can be unwieldy!), but having compared the results between using this and a £1,000 record cleaning machine, I'd go for the sink everytime! The only things I've had probs with are UK red label Atlantic 45s, which stain your fingers a nasty shade of crimson! Obviously, this method won't work if you've got long fingernails or hands textured like a bricklayer's!
You will need:
A new/non-gritty bar of good quality, perfume/conditioner-free pure vegetable soap A small/forceful flow of cold water (i.e. a faucet or tap!) A freshly laundered linen dishcloth/tea towel/glasscloth (must be pure linen, because of the lack of 'nap' on the surface of the towel) A flat surface Two hands
1) Clean your hands thoroughly, using the soap, paying close
attention to the tips of the fingers.
2) Lay the linen towel out on a handy flat & stable surface.
3) Grab 45/LP with yer left paw, by the label/edge, and wet the first side under a reasonable flow from the cold faucet.
4) Making sure that the surface of the vinyl is still wet/holding water, rub the fingers of your right hand across the soap, collecting enuff to make a small amount of 'slip' on yer digits, i.e. a visible amount of soap without lumps or smears.
5) Lay your fingers flat across the width of the vinyl, and move them towards yourself (clockwise, following the grooves!), as you slowly rotate the vinyl anti-clockwise, making sure you clean the whole width of the record.
6) Don't let the record dry out with soap on it! Add a smidge more water / soap as required!
7) After you've gone right around the record half a dozen times or so, paying particular attention to really mucky spots, turn the faucet on full and, holding the record at approx 45 degrees, angle it into the water stream, moving the vinyl up and down across the grooves, while turning it slowly anti-clockwise. Repeat for the second side, and then give both a another swoosh under the water, just to remove any dirt contamination from side one to two.
8) Shake the record to revove any large droplets of water, and check for soap residue (there shouldn't be any).
9) Lay the record on the linen towel and, using the ends of your fingers spread on the label, turn gently clockwise. Repeat for the other side, then move the record to a dry part of the towel and repeat on both sides.
10) When dry, wipe with your desired de-fluffing device/set your record brush up, then play!
Joss "Freezing fingers / clean vinyl" Hutton "
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Monday, May 10, 2004
Here's a short record update for those of you who care about such things (I know you're out there!). First off: Sony has put out a series of what they call "millenium editions" among which is the disc that includes our theme song; 'The Dictators Go Girl Crazy', nothing too special tho' except that it's housed in a digi-pack and retails for about $8.00. Same series also includes the Groovies' 'Supersnazz'. The Ramones 'Live at NYC Palladium 1978' disc has been around on CD for a while, but you might wanna check out Earmark's excellent vinyl edition. Handsomely packaged, this show was recorded only a week after the landmark 'It's Alive' set, but gives a more honest view of the original gung-ho Ramones in a live setting as that one was doctored to the point that it could almost be viewed as a studio album. Liners by Monte Melnick add to it's desirability. Thundertrain's recent Gulcher CD also get's the vinyl treatment from yet another Italian label. This fine slab of prime mid 70s pre-punk rock is not only the perfect soundtrack while reading back isues of Back Door Man, it also serves as a reminder of the wide range of sounds that made up the mid 70s US underground. More traditional than, say, Patti Smith or Rocket From The Thombs, these guys were as much a part of the undercurrent as either of 'm. I've long lost track of the KBD-styled comps that flooded the market in recent years thanks to the ever louder sound of barrel scraping on most of the wax on offer, but 'Bored Teenagers vol.3' is a nice (and legal!) exception to the rule. Well researched, this album delivers some great UK p-rock obscurities for fans of the early Jam and TV Personalities.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
"That's right poopsnacks, Amsterdam's Nitwitz, the band that rocks a little harder and never bothers to play their own country is heading for the land of TITTIES AND TAPAS for the fourth time : 4 Juni RENNES (F) , Mondo Bizarro; 5 Juni PARIS (F), tbc; 6 Juni TOULOUSE (F), L'autan; 7 Juni BERGARA (ES), Sala Jam; 8 Juni SAN SEBASTIAN (ES) Azkena; 9 Juni CACERES (ES), Sala Aldana; 10 Juni MADRID (ES), Gruta77; 11 Juni LEON (ES), Caan; 12 Juni ZARAGOZA (ES) venue tbc; 13 Juni SANT FELIU (ES) Atzavara Club; 14 Juni MONTPELLIER (F), Taf; 20 Juni BERLIN (D) Wild At Heart. Additional Swiss, German, and Scandi dates are in the works !".
So let's see, let's have a little resume of the past week... The GEOGRAPHIC day at Triptych was the polar opposite of rock'n'roll action. The Glasgow based label has really established itself as a solid one stop shop for what might be considered "outsider music" but is in effect cinematic in scope. I can't say that I dig much of what was on show but the vibe and the djing was top notch. The action started at the very reasonable time of 5pm which meant Gran'paw here could be back home before it got too late. I'm thinking about starting a campaign for all shows to start at this time, whaddaya reckon?
Fast forward to Wednesday and the Dave Alvin/Guilty Men show on The Ferry. No prizes for guessing that it was a stone gas but in terms of utter entertainment there just ain't many of these to the pound or whatever yer favourite unit of weight might be. With Chris Gaffney now a full time offender also, the troops dragged them blues kicking and screaming into a whole new arena. Dave is a fearsome guitar player and he's out to take the crown off anybody you figure might be better. The stellar set featured a nice cross section of his catalogue and two songs from his upcoming ASHGROVE set due June 15th on YEPROC.
Fellow YepRockers Big Sandy and his Flyrite Boys took the stage at Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry the night after and seemed very at home on that stage. The locals, headed up by one John Miller esq rolled up to the stage with tequilas for the man and he got increasingly pished over the course of the set. Like a true pro though, it never encroached on his sweet, civilised western swingin'. Openers Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers have rattled up a fair old rep on the bush telegraph but I found it all a tad laboured. It's like The Polecats meet Nine Pound Hammer via The Cramps. The schtick is very pantomime inbred and the "singers" antics began to grate very quickly. Imagine Dave Gahan gurning on Stars In Their Eyes as a young Jerry Lee. Sure, it's loud and somewhat in your face but it's all been done better and way sicker. Comparisons to J. Rotten Esq. and The Stooges are wide of the mark I'd say but valid for populist inclusion. I haven't heard their record but i'm thinking that its probably a tempo tantrum too far. They went down well though and that perplexes me as much as anything. Maybe my inability to be bowled over was because of the sheer power that was on display at The Ferry the evening before but on this occaision mine boat was nada floated.
Friday and Saturday have been spent chasing around the countryside trying to cover as many bases as possible. All of which I expect to come crashing down around my heid any minute. It's unlikely that I'll make tonights LOS STRAITJACKETS extravaganza because I'm too plumb pooped to pop and the thought of getting in at midnight and rising at 6am doesn't eleicit much in the way of joy. It's becoming increasingly obvious that I cannae dae it all but I still insist on having a go at it. Maybe that counts for something?
Fast forward to Wednesday and the Dave Alvin/Guilty Men show on The Ferry. No prizes for guessing that it was a stone gas but in terms of utter entertainment there just ain't many of these to the pound or whatever yer favourite unit of weight might be. With Chris Gaffney now a full time offender also, the troops dragged them blues kicking and screaming into a whole new arena. Dave is a fearsome guitar player and he's out to take the crown off anybody you figure might be better. The stellar set featured a nice cross section of his catalogue and two songs from his upcoming ASHGROVE set due June 15th on YEPROC.
Fellow YepRockers Big Sandy and his Flyrite Boys took the stage at Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry the night after and seemed very at home on that stage. The locals, headed up by one John Miller esq rolled up to the stage with tequilas for the man and he got increasingly pished over the course of the set. Like a true pro though, it never encroached on his sweet, civilised western swingin'. Openers Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers have rattled up a fair old rep on the bush telegraph but I found it all a tad laboured. It's like The Polecats meet Nine Pound Hammer via The Cramps. The schtick is very pantomime inbred and the "singers" antics began to grate very quickly. Imagine Dave Gahan gurning on Stars In Their Eyes as a young Jerry Lee. Sure, it's loud and somewhat in your face but it's all been done better and way sicker. Comparisons to J. Rotten Esq. and The Stooges are wide of the mark I'd say but valid for populist inclusion. I haven't heard their record but i'm thinking that its probably a tempo tantrum too far. They went down well though and that perplexes me as much as anything. Maybe my inability to be bowled over was because of the sheer power that was on display at The Ferry the evening before but on this occaision mine boat was nada floated.
Friday and Saturday have been spent chasing around the countryside trying to cover as many bases as possible. All of which I expect to come crashing down around my heid any minute. It's unlikely that I'll make tonights LOS STRAITJACKETS extravaganza because I'm too plumb pooped to pop and the thought of getting in at midnight and rising at 6am doesn't eleicit much in the way of joy. It's becoming increasingly obvious that I cannae dae it all but I still insist on having a go at it. Maybe that counts for something?
Friday, May 07, 2004
Where the hell does all the time go? I used to have bings of it and now I'm running on empty. It's been a heckuva week, head down - straight on with the dayjob activities. No amount of kvetching is gonna change that at this point so we'll see how it all figures in the season finale. Been at a bunch of shows this week though and I'll try to give you some kinda perspective on that in due course. Bet you cannae wait?...
Important news from Star Spangle HQ for you East Coasters...
"New York City's best rock and roll show for quite a while comes to the Mercury Lounge, May 20th when The Romantics, The Chesterfield Kings, The Star Spangles and The Strines kick 'em out. If you're planning on coming, please do us a favor. Get there early, and support the whole show. You will not be disappointed. Mention The Star Spangles to the person at the door, so we can get paid."
The Spangles have just been added to these additional shows with The Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings.
May 18th: Poughkeepsie, the Chance
May 19th: Philadelphia, North Star
The new SS site will launch anyday now so we'll let you know.
"New York City's best rock and roll show for quite a while comes to the Mercury Lounge, May 20th when The Romantics, The Chesterfield Kings, The Star Spangles and The Strines kick 'em out. If you're planning on coming, please do us a favor. Get there early, and support the whole show. You will not be disappointed. Mention The Star Spangles to the person at the door, so we can get paid."
The Spangles have just been added to these additional shows with The Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings.
May 18th: Poughkeepsie, the Chance
May 19th: Philadelphia, North Star
The new SS site will launch anyday now so we'll let you know.
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
The Dutch National Archive has over 500.000 images available on line. Digging around a bit turns up some great stuff like pictures of the Sex Pistols in Amsterdam, Beatles and Stones in Holland, plenty of Shocking Blue snaps, Outsiders, Golden Earrings, you name it...
(The weirdos in the picture here are the Bumpers, a bizarre punk-rock spoof from '78)
Sunday, May 02, 2004
Reigning Sound - Too Much Guitar (In The Red LP).
Almost two years after the genius 'Time Bomb High School' LP we finally get the Reigning Sound's follow-up disc. "Was it worth the wait?" you axe, bet y'r fat behind baby!, 'cause this is one fine wailin' set that delivers the goods in no uncertain terms. These guys are connected to the same energy source that fueled those legendary Memphis 45s on Sun 'n Stax, and like all great bands they take in all the right influences to create a sound that is strictly their own. Fuck the "ex-Oblivians" tag, the Reigning Sound by now deserve equal rankin'.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
Laura's first foray into the world of CD releases is out now on SPIT & POLISH, it includes her rousing version of Homer Henderson's "Lee Harvey" so no excuses for a non-score.
LONG RYDERS shows, link provided by Mr Bjorn.
Don't forget the DAVE ALVIN visit to Glasgow this week if you're in the hood. There's only one place to be this coming Wednesday (5th) and that's the Renfrew Ferry. That "UTILITY" should read "GUILTY" of course.
The night after (6th), BIG SANDY will take the boards at the Grand Ole Opry in Glesgae as will LOS STRAITJACKETS on the 9th. That's a lot of entertainment I know, but you gotta take them kicks when you can.
Not sure how 100% this is yet but, the DKT/MC5 phenomenon will hit auld Glasgow toon at the end of August. The Garage in Sauchiehall St. apparently...
Lotta the runny stuff to flow under the brig' afore then though.
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