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.

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