The Forty Fives @ The Borderline, London on 30th August

Playing frantic RnB with a nod to UK influences - the set included covers of "Midnight to Six", "Daddy Rolling Stone" and "Shake" via the Pretty Things, Who and Small Faces - the Forty-Fives had a modest crowd jumping at the Borderline on Monday night. It's always a good sign when members of a band give so much that fifteen minutes into a set their shirts are drenched in sweat and which made this show yet another example of why Americans make so many UK bands seem so lifeless. Warning: These guys play loud and fast, obviously enjoy what they are doing, and are not afraid to give any girls in the audience the come-on. Which all sounds like a healthy way of approaching RnR to me and one that harks back to the original template as developed by Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis et al. Playing a selection of tunes from their three discs, other characteristics of the Forty-Fives approach included Keith Moon / Kenny Jones style drumming, a Rickenbacker guitar played like an electric guitar and not a "Mod banjo", and keyboards that went from Remains-like electric piano tinkling to cheesy Farfisa. Together with killer hooks and a positive attitude to getting up on a stage it all added up to one hell of an evening. The Borderline appears to be booking Yep Roc acts of late, SCOTS played last month, with said acts making shorting tours of the UK and Holland. Far be it for me to suggest that this arrangement might be of interest to the Fleshtones should they wish to stop moaning that everyone still hates them in England.

I can upload from here but not from home... bloody typical...

It was "old home week" yesterday as END OF THE CENTURY hit the Edinburgh Film Festival for the second screening in two days. The first was at the UGC Megaplex on Friday night but this one was at The Cameo, a much more suitable venue by far. It was good to see so many familiar faces there and it'd have been even better if they'd sprung to bring the guys that made the film but that's another can of worms entirely.

Both screenings were sold out and the reaction to the digi-beta version of the doc was very favourable. The sound was a little gubbed in places and some of the images were a tad pixelated but those things didn't detract from the overall experience. Overhauled to include more Joe, I think that they could add at least another hour. The early stuff is exhaustive but the later years are covered in less detail. There are some people who I'd have liked to have seen in the film - Andy Shernoff, Handsome Dick, Kevin Patrick, Sam Elwitt etc. that didn't seem to be involved at all but Monte Melnick is on hand as is Arturo Vega and the absolute best bit for me is when an old neighbourhood friend of Joe's, Mark Rafin (Ralin?) does an impromptu impersonation of our departed friend. Utter magic.

All of the stuff that's being made about John looking like a real bastard is somewhat overblown. In contrast, I think he's being very candid and real, just being himself. I don't think anybody can prosecute him for that. The conflict between he and Joey made the band dynamic. Add Dee Dee to that stew and who was pounding the tubs becomes totally irrelevant. Tommy's contribution illustrates that he has and had a lot of sense, he didn't get caught up in the maelstrom. Not really. This and RAMONES RAW should provide enough for anybody who went nuts over the brudders and then some. There can never be their like again and maybe that's not an altogether bad thing.

EOTC is mandatory viewing then, Mike Gramaglia and Jim Fields did a great job in the face of untold adversity. They've made a heckuva deposit in the karma bank and if they gave out medals for service in the punk rock wars then these guys would be in the running for more than 3 purple hearts.

News just in from Cap'n Eugene himsel' - REZILLOS playing at London Astoria, December 4th.

In a Lindsay-like turn of events I lost all mail send to me on Friday 27th. Whatever you said, say it again...

Whatever people find attractive about picture-discs is beyond me, but this one really should win prizes for being ugly to the point that it actually hurts to look at. Yes dear readers, the new Nitwitz 10" EP is out and ready to scare away prospective buyers. Too bad, 'cause the sounds included are up to the band's usual high standards. If, like me, you've long lost track of the several dozen line-up changes within' the Nitwitz, rest assured that the Slugman's signature is easily recognisable in all four tunes, 'cause no matter who else is involved it remains his band. Riff heavy as always, all songs are winners, but for me 'Nuke Rock City' (co-written with Turbonegro's Happy Tom) tops the lot, pounding to the point of bein' almost glamrock-ish, this should help 'm sell at least another dozen copies. 'Cause if this thing gets the same kinda distribution as previous Nitwitz wax, all I can say is "happy hunting".
(BTW: Anybody out there able to land me a copy of the N's split 10" w/ Holy Sheep?).

Laura Cantrell's Edinburgh show t'other night was a big success and featured a wad of new material that will grace the third album (to appear sometime in 2005). The audience was attentive and the sound, first class. It was a rare treat not to have to listen to chattering gimps who seem to attend shows these days to have a chin wag. Among the fresh produce showcased was L's breeze through Emily Spray's "14th Street", destined to become a classic. A number entitled "Khaki and Corduroy" didn't slouch none either. The event was recorded for broadcast by the BBC so I'll keep you posted on when to expect that. The night ended on a highpoint with Amy Allison joining them onstage for "The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter" during the encores. Not a dry seat left in the house mateys...

Paris festival (at a club called La Maroquinerie) that looks very promising:
Thursday Oct. 21: THE DOWNLINERS SECT (U.K.), THE BLUESKINS (U.K.) tbc, THE DEFECTORS (DK) tbc, THE JESSICA FLETCHERS (N) (tbc).
Friday Oct. 22: THE BARRACUDAS + special guest Chris Wilson (U.K.), NIC ARMSTRONG (U.K.), HUSH PUPPIES (F).
Saturday Oct. 23: THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS (USA), THE NOMADS (S), DENISE JAMES (USA).
(with thanks to Nick Vahlberg for the info)

Limited edition 10" of the Blasters Trouble Bound? Only 1000 copies, available from RAUCOUS.

I know there's people out there into Elvis Sightings, but we here at NBT keep an eye out for H.D. Manitoba, who is alive and well livin' in N.Y.C. and last seen at the opening of 'End Of The Century'.
On a related note: the film's directors, Michael Gramaglia and Jim Fields were interviewed by Dave The Spazz on WMFU alongside original Ramones manager Danny Fields. And there's yet another review of the film in the New York Press.

Announcer who coined the expression, "Elvis has left the building" leaves the building.

Last night’s schlep into Edinburgh for the Film Fest was actually worth the effort. While the event itself seems like something of a damp squib, the documentary “I LIKE KILLING FLIES” was an absolute gem. It’s about a restaurant in NY called SHOPSIN’S which was in the process of losing it’s lease and relocating at the time of filming. This is no ordinary joint though, with 900 items + on the menu and a full set of rules, Shopsin’s is the kind of neighbourhood place that could only really exist in New York. The owner, Kenny Shopsin looks like Michael Moore going to a Halloween Party as Jack Osborne. He rules the roost and cusses everything in his path like a culinary Lou Reed dishing out barrack room philosophies as he goes. The term “character” doesn’t exactly sum this guy up but somewhere deep inside he’s a top humanist. “…FLIES” is a fine piece of cine, it’ll hit the spot guaranteed and I defy anybody who sees it not to want to find a table there straight away. At one point in the movie, Kenny’s daughter Minda is wearing a Rezillos T-shirt. This place certainly rocks and do what you can to see this. Kudos then to the person who brought this one to the table. This is the person who should be running the festival. Check out this New Yorker article and finally the piece de nae resistance, the MENU!

The soundtrack for Victory Tischler-Blue's 'Edgeplay/A Film About The Runaways' is available now from Hip-O Records. According to the press blurb the movie itself has been on the festival circuit since June 29, but after diggin' around a bit I didn't notice more then a couple of screenings in California. What is obviously needed is more a full scale distribution or DVD release. Anybody out there in the know?. (A short review of sorts can be found here). with thanks to SJ Bink for the initial waypoint.

From The Dirty Water Club in London...

"A leading fashion magazine is putting together a music issue and have asked for some photos to illustrate an article on Dirty Water. What we need are photos of you people looking cool and groovy. All the pictures I have are taken digitally for the website and so the resolution isn't high enough. If you have anything scanned please send it to us at this address, 10cm wide at 300dpi, either colour or b&w. Let us know which, if any, name should be used as a credit. Thanks."

If you got 'em, contact info@dirtywaterclub.com

If you're not sick to the teeth of Randall's Island reviews by now, check out this one.

What do you reckon to this 3 band bill carry on then? Hardly anybody has just an opener and headliner anymore. Any more than 2 acts should constitute a "festival". The headliner should do the middle spot because attention spans are way on the slide before the last act comes on these days. Hanging about is pish. At my late stage in these life proceedings I don't want to be standing like i'm waiting for a bus. This is especially annoying when the band or act in question has entirely nothing in common with the main attraction. Whilst I applaud the fact that The Strokes took Stereototal on tour a while back, what could they think that their boneheided following would make of something so outright great. Their reception had to be hostile because they're like oil and water. I like the idea of 10 - 20 minute sets too. How many time have you seen something recently that just doesn't cut it over that? Too fucking often in my case mateys. So let's hear what you think, let's use this comments facility? Life is short and filled with stuff as the great bard Lux of Interior said. So let's cut to the chase. Always.

Caught the 5678's in Barfly, Glasgow last night. Between Tarantino and the Carling ad, the Tokoyo trio has attracted a jam packed to the point of stowed crowd. These shows were booked before the hysteria started and could quite easily have been moved but the deal was honoured. Had to catch a train back so we only caught half the set but their organic to the point of shambling take on this stuff we call rock and roll is pretty intoxicating when they get going. The momentum kind of slips with lengthy between song breaks but if they ever get it together to blast a Ramones type segued set then we're in trouble. I hope this audience will learn from their brush with this and that at least some of them will catch the sickness that the band's records are steeped in. As it is, leaving early on a "school night", did no chuffing good whatsoever as I didn't hear the alarm this morning. This music is evidently a bad influence and it made me skip work today, that - as much as anything, must mean that they're doing something right.

Show openers OBE were woeful. Imagine Franz Ferdinand fronted by one of the Farm to create some kind of baggy, angular take on The Music or that ilk of awful faux cacophonous twaddle. Next up were The Needles from Aberdeen who whilst I don't mind them, they weren't exactly appropriate for the occasion either. What was appropriate though was Neil MacInnes between song disc spinning. I need to find out when his club night is on and post some info on that. If you're in Glasgow to coincide then that'd deffo be worth catching.

A quick update for alla you Dutch readers:
Local heroes the Stilettos have a new LP out soon on Sounds Of Subterrania (CD version later from Stardumb).

Some dates:
Thu 26: Forty-Fives (Utrecht).
Sat 28: The Yum Yums and Ghetto Ways (Rotterdam).
Sat 28: Saints and Green Hornet (Amsterdam).
Mon 30: Ghetto Ways (Amsterdam).

DTK/MC5 at the Paradiso, Amsterdam.
It was close call but I nearly missed this one. But as it is, I made it to the Paradiso in record time by bus, train and taxi. And was it ever worth the bother!.
I missed the first part and came in durin' 'Call Me Animal', havin' seen the 'A True Testimonial' film I didn't need to adjust to Five's current looks and only had to wonder if the hippy guy on stage was or wasn't Evan Dando (he wasn't). The sound was great from where I was standing, and there's obviously no complainin' as far as the songs go; 'Lookin' At You', 'Shakin' Street', you name it. The addition of Nicky Royale was a cool move, he really took songs like 'American Ruse' and 'Gotta Keep Movin'' to another level. Excuse the incoherence here, but the adrenaline is still flowin' as I'm writin' this. 'I Believe To My Soul', 'I'm The Man For You Baby', 'Highschool' and even 'Starship' were beyond believe. Kramer, Thompson and Davis deserve all the credits due to 'm and more.
At one point I realized I was standing next to Lisa Kekaula, who is to join the band for the next leg of the tour, she was groovin', almost casually, to the band, applauding', singin' along, and suddenly I got a hunch that you Brits might be in luck gettin' to see her on stage in the next few days (and this comin' from someone who can't stand the Bell-Rays!).
OK, I really gotta go get some sleep. Final note: got to see the Forty-Fives in the upstairs bar afterwards and they rocked!. They're tourin' Euroland right now, and you owe it to yourself to go 'n check 'm out.

Ok. Just spent a lengthy period trying to sort out my inability to upload pictures and wasn't successful. The attempts will continue...

Coming up this week... 5678's in Glasgow tonight, another movie tomorrow, Laura Cantrell and the crew in the 'hood on Tuesday/Wednesday and a couple of other things all in the run up to The Ramones movie and culminating in the DKT/MC5. Woah... and who knows? Maybe some rest.

It’s a good thing that there’s a lot of other stuff going on because The Edinburgh Film Festival schedule was pretty thin pickings this year. Thursday was the first movie of our schlepp and to be honest I wish we hadn’t have bothered. Calvaire (The Ordeal) was as shite a film as I think I’ve ever seen. Here’s how the blurb went… "Deliverance meets The League of Gentlemen in this chiller from the Low Countries" that's France - Belgium - Luxembourg, "a deranged narrative that manages to be simultaneously horrific, disgusting, genuinely frightening and weirdly funny all at the same time". Bollocks.

It was disturbing alright and so were the audience that was in full “we’ll laugh at an egg boiling” mode. People would seem to be very easily pleased these days and I'll be damned if the guy in the movie didn't deserve what came to him. If he's made that ultimate sacrafice in those opening minutes then the ol' karma wouldn't have caught up with him. Plain as that. Implied bestiality and butthumping notwithstanding this is a dull, dull film. The locations and cinematography were good though. Pity about the stereotypical inbred "locals" that blotted the genuinely bleak landscape. I keep reading positive reviews of this clunker... what the hell is wrong with these people? I know. It must be me. This isn't entertainment. It's premeditated exploitation of the lowest order. And not in a good way.

"The human side of the Ramones" in N.Y. Newsday.

Check out the line-up for the Azkena Rock Festival 2004: New York Dolls, DKT/MC5, Radio Birdman, Flamin' Groovies, Lindsay's faves Turbonegro and plenty more...

On Friday, Aug. 20, Andy Shernoff will perform in the Losers Lounge and the HOWL! Festival presentation THE LEGENDS OF THE LOWER EAST SIDE!!! Featuring music by the Dictators, Blondie, The Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, etc. 2 shows, at 8 and 10pm -- at CBGB.

Computers. What a pain in the ass. I can't post photos because of a firewall glitsch and hope to have this rectified soon. The recurrent e-mail problems are also back so I'm not altogether down with who's receiving what, when or whenever. Normal service as they say, will resume at some juncture...

Elmer Bernstien has left the auditorium...

Over 300 pictures taken at Little Steven's Underground Garage Feastival can be found here.

Another review of the End Of The Century movie can be found in the Village Voice by Robert Christgau.

Apologies for the strange business of the vanishing link to the latest instalment of the Ramone circus. It's not for the faint hearted and it should be pointed out that the Vedder involved ain't Jeroen... TRY THIS!

From the makers of SONIC REDUCER...



Brothers, sistas, and hairdressers!

The DKT-MC5 juggernaut is nearly upon us, thankfully sans Dando, and instead adding The BellRays' Lisa K and the old grave-digger hisself, Dave Vanian! Unfortunately, the absolutely pants Mooney Suzuki have now been added to several UK dates, as has bed-wettingly awful LA scenester Roxy Saint! Weeeel, you gotta take the ruff with the smoove, rite? Anyhoo, us Sonic Reducer boys are gearing up for Wednesday 25th at London Astoria, with the lovely guys at Sub Pop in Seattle even sending us a gratis Radio Birdman vinyl set so we can add some "Yeah, hup!" to the proceedings, by spinning the Oz 45 versh of "New Race", alongside other suitably righteous sounds ... The '5 folks are real excited about taking an exclusive tour of The Small Faces' East End haunts (The J60 Music Bar, Itchycoo Park et al) that's set to be given by KatManDude (whose pop grew up with Stevie M) on the afternoon of Friday 27th, and then Michael D's spinning discs ("Bring lots of Beach Boys") as our special guest DJ at Sonic Reducer that very evening! Phew! What with The Soundtrack Of Our Lives at London 93 Feet East on September 7th, and The Detroit Cobras at London ULU the following night, plus a UK solo tour by You Am I mainman Tim Rogers coming up, it's shaping up to be a great Autumn! As our I-94 brethren would say, see you at the bar!

Selah

Joss & Joe

The Ramones in NY Daily News.

This from Blair Buscareno:

Who: The Miscreants (8:30 PM) and The Anything People (7:30 PM)
What: Rock'n'roll of course! LIVE rock'n'roll!
Where: Magnetic Field, 97 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY
When: Saturday August 21st at 7:30
Why: You've got an obligation to be cool.
How: $3 at the door gets you 2 mighty fine sets of rock'n'roll.
And: At 10 PM, Dave the Spazz starts spinning!
Be there or be afraid. Listen - Look

Hey Lindsay,

You missed a good one. The long day started with Davie Allan and the Arrows, who were OK but marred a bit by poor early sound. The bands were on a huge revolving stage and for the first six or seven the stage turned as one band finished their couple of songs and the other band started. Of course the stage broke down as the Fondas were coming on and didn't work for the rest of the day causing small gaps between the songs whihc a selction of MCs tried to fill with tedious and embarassing banter - they would have been better leaving a silnce between bands. Celebrity MCs include Kim Fowley - mostly great, carried the show really - Edd Kookie Byrnes - painfully bad ,eemed a bit senile really and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - FUCKIN' BROOOCE! Oh yeah and some guys from the Sopranos - I don't know what that is about. Highlights were the Richard and The Young Lions with the recently deceasd Richard Tepp's 15 year old son filling in for him, Nancy with Clem Burke on drums, The Dictators who lifted the day out of inteminable three chord garage rock recreations, New York Dolls seemed to be having a genuinely good time and of course the show closers - Iggy & The Stooges. 100 time rowdier than when I saw them in glasgow a couple of months ago, the Stooges were truly awesome. Anyway, I said hi to Handsome Dick for ya, he say take care a yasself. Hope Amy Allison was good too.

Cheers, Colin

NY Daily News Report HERE!.

I'm pleased to report that RAMONES RAW isn't just a padding out of Ramones Around The World. I have a tape of the TV broadcast that aired in the US recently and it's very entertaining both in a knockabout sense and in terms of showing what a gruelling schedule the band undertook. Pluses for me is that there's a fair amount of good Joey stuff and a short sequence with Mark, Joe and Al (Leo Schnauser/Grandpa Munster) Lewis. Footage from a Rome show (Castle of Saint Angelo 1980) is just about the best concert film I've seen of them ever, the sound is incredible and even if it might have been tampered with (I hear strange harmonics on the guitar in particular), it's bloody good. RAW also includes the CBS segment on the opening of Joey Ramone Place and a whole lot more. It paints a very positive spin on the band as a bunch of amiable freaks that should have taken over the world. I guess the evil spirits that were winding up the tensions in the wings and preventing their overground success were on vacation when this was put together. The link above is to Amazon UK who are offering it for just £9.74. Amazon US is $17+. Will have to check out Play.com... just did and it's not listed yet.

Some interesting stuff from this great Sex Pistols site:
"Johnny Ramone and Arturo Vega are celebrating the Ramones 30th anniversary with a gig at the Avalon Theatre in Hollywood, California on 12th September. Steve Jones will be one of the guests. Note, Johnny Ramone will not be performing at the show. For a more extensive list of guests, click on the Cook 'n' Jones link on the menu above.
The movie End Of The Century - The Story Of The Ramones starts Friday 20th August at Angelika Film Centre, NYC.".
Besides that, the site holds some amazingly rare pictures, including several from the Pistols' two visits to Holland.

Apparently Str*kes fans are planning to hit Randalls' Island at 7pm tonight to get a good spot. Blair Buscareno makes a good point that anybody with any semblance of taste will be queuing for the lavvies or something else at that point with a view to being ready for The Stooges. If a further example that this world is going to hell in a handbasket is required, The Ramones "Rock'n'Roll Radio" was used as background music in a fishing show called Trout'n'About on Scottish Television this week. You couldn't make that up, right? All going well, I'll be taking a look at this RAMONES RAW thing tonight and will let you know the score. I have fears that Marky boy has just padded out that Ramones Around The World travesty but we'll see. Looks like I'll be able to make the Saturday screening of END OF THE CENTURY on the 28th in Edinburgh after all. What's that thing about Ramones movies and buses?

"Eric Ambel CD "Knucklehead" from Lakeside Lounge Records. "Roscoe's Gang" and "Loud & Lonesome" deluxe reissues too.

With the release of Knucklehead on his own Lakeside Lounge Records, Eric "Roscoe" Ambel - guitarist for Steve Earle & The Dukes and the Yayhoos clears the slate on 14 years of tracks that have been clogging his iPod. The record features 15 songs with various bands including various Roscoe's Gang configurations, the all Roscoe "Gringoman", the Bottle Rockets, Martins Folly, some pre-Yayhoos and the Yayhoos recording of the Del-Lords "Judas Kiss" with Steve Earle providing harmony. The record features some new Ambel compostions (Stepside, Garbagehead, Hole In My Head), some covers by the Backsliders Chip Robinson, Tom Waits, Neil Young and a previously unreleased Steve Earle tune (The Usual Time).

Lakeside Lounge has also re-issued Ambel's 2 previous solo records. Rolling Stone Magazine called Ambel's 1988 debut Roscoe's Gang "The record Keith Richard should have made". The core band is Springfield MO's Morells with Syd Straw and Peter Holsapple as guests. Loud & Lonesome is Ambel's '94 release featuring songs written with Kevin Salem, Dan Zanes, Dan Baird and Terry Anderson with a very raw 3 pc muscle car band featuring Andy York ripping through the tunes. Roscoe's Gang gets a blistering re-mastering from the original analog masters. All 3 titles are in the deluxe digi-pack format with extensive notes and photos."

You can order all of these fine recordings HERE! There's a special deal if you score all 3 at once.

I would imagine that a whole bunch of you folks would own at lease some of these already but it's worth springing for the set because the packaging and annotation by Roscoe and The Hound is boss. It should be noted that the great RG album includes the second part of the Power Lounger theme that was missing from any copies I ever came across of the original US and UK releases. KNUCKLEHEAD is a great trawl through the backwoods of 'scoe's career and includes The Yayhoos swampoid version of "Judas Kiss". The version of "Shake Some Action" from the final Del-Lords session is spine tingling. The version of "Always On My Mind" recorded with Martin's Folly is utterly haunting and performed with more than it's fair share of soul. K'heid underpins the importance of Roscoes contribution to the canon of rock'n'roll from 1990 - the present.

Springsteen, T and Paulie - now I get the "biblical" bit... if anybody can stop the rain these these guys can... the full running order and timing is HERE!
How though, does a band that hasn't got 10 minutes worth of material end up playing for 50 minutes. Maybe it's an exercise to rumble them... can't wait for the reports to start comin' in...

"Oh dear..." perfectly sums up these BLACK METAL acts. Actually this whole RUTHLESS site is pretty chuffing entertaining, I've just been padding about it for the last half-hour when I should've been on my way to Tescos... Thanks to HT for the tip-off.

Some news updates: The Dictators' Manifest Destiny LP is due for a US re-release by Wounded Bird on CD any day now. Same goes for the long promised Gun Club re-issues on Sympathy, which will also be available on vinyl plus it looks like Death Party will include a bunch of extra cuts recorded live in Switzerland. Ramones Raw is the title of a DVD set for release on Sept 28, for the full scoop head for ramones.com. Fans in the U.K. will have the chance to see Ramones Raw on the big screen at this year's Raindance Film Festival in London--the U.K's largest independent film festival--from September 30 through October 10. And here's the tacklisting for the upcomin' MC5 box-set.

On Wednesday 18 Aug the movie Surfers Are Back; The Barracudas 25th Anniversary will be shown at the Portobello Film Festival in London. The movie features a recent performance by The Barracudas with Chris Wilson and The Surfin Lungs.
"The movie is about 35 minutes long - with over 25 minutes being live footage from their gig at The Dirty Water Club in May. The other 7 or 8 minutes are interviews that sort of provide a chronology. Chris Wilson plays on about half the songs and sings on 'Slow Death.' The Surfin Lungs join in on a couple of tunes.
Its being shown as part of The Portobello Film Festival at Westbourne Studios next
Wednesday 18 August at 8.25pm. The evening is dedicated to music films and these run from 6.00pm onwards. Admission is free. Westbourne Studios is at 242 Acklam Road. London. W10 5YG".

The director of the Underground Garage Movie will be Chris Columbus. It's not clear when LITTLE STEVEN and THE GARAGE DISEASE will hit theatres but when we know then so will you. Look forward to receiving reports from the front line... (Thanks for the info Andy)

HT has just added that the event will apparently be shot in 3D also...

Interested in reading an hilarious if somewhat surreal interview with all four Fleshtones the other night? Chuckle at the sight of Ken Fox's stereo surrounded by plastic monsters and gasp at the tentative title for the band's next project.

The Early Bird catches the (Star) Spangles... a missive from our NY crew...

"hello folks - this is to let you know that The Star Spangles are the fourth band in the running order on Saturday. The show kicks off at 10.30am and we hit the stage at 11.10am SHARP!!! see you there."

Of course, people who live in Madrid are hep to the fabulous Louie Louie bar but just incase any of you globetrotters find yourselves in that fine city, this is the kinda scene in which they specialise...

Anybody got any extra info on the above festival?. Any clues on what line-up of the Saints will appear here?. Answers to the usual address. (thanks to Bink for the tip-off).

While I'm sure that everybody who reads this thing who can will be there, just incase. There's a sneaky wee, shite group in the mix by the name of The Str*kes at the end yonder but other than that it's the bargain of the century. Short, sharp sets will seperate the wheat from the chaff plus Scott is gonna back where he belongs with his bloodbrothers in The Dictators!

Looks like Sire Records is planning it's return as a "hip" label. As a start they're offering a compilation CD with past glories for $5.00.

You Have Bad Taste in Music: "Do not attend this concert, stop listening to bad music, turn off your radio and television!!".

Check out this rumour, culled from the most recent e-mole...

"They're negotiating with none other than Gene Simmons (yes, he of the big
tongue) to sub in on bass for the New York Dolls. I kid you not."

I hope they do something about their drummer wearing "sporty" attire also.

The great JON GRABOFF has activated his portal to y'all and that means you can pre-order his fine Christmas album in plenty time for the holidays.

This month's releases from Ace Records.

An Evening With Plan B: Talking About The White Stripes: Borders, Oxford St, London on Wednesday 18th August @ 6.30pm - Legendary music journalist Everett True (ex-NME, Melody Maker, VOX, author of Live Through This: American Underground Rock Music In The 90s) leads a panel of young enthusiasts and seasoned contributors from his new magazine Plan B through a discussion on the state of the music press. Featuring Dirtbombs drummer Ben Blackwell talking about all things White Stripes.

Sky Saxon at The Dirty Water Club, London, Friday 6th August - Apparently resident in London since the end of his recent UK tour in the spring, it was fantastic to see Sky stood at front of the stage and enjoying the Punkles set of Beatles covers. Though a great idea to tackle the Lennon/McCartney songbook in a 1-2-3-4 Ramones-style, the joke becomes stretched over 45 minutes. I still thought the Punkles were gabba-gabba-fab even if visually they reminded me of some unholy meeting between the Three Stooges and the Rutles. More "beer" than "gear" then. Fact fiends will be interested to learn that Sky's UK band comprise of the rhythm section from the re-actived Barracudas, a chap from the Scoundrelles/Scientists on guitar and two blokes from Spacemen 3 fiddling about on organ, theramin and assorted electronica. To begin with the garageniks kept the acid-niks (inc. Sky) pretty much on course as the band dug out such nuggets as "No Escape", "Evil Hoodoo", and "Can't Seem To Make You Mine". Sky looked and sounded great, although I had no idea what he was singing, as the boys in the band created a fair old noise worthy of the original Seeds. For thirty minutes we were cruising down the strip and digging the acid-punk vibe of Little Richie Marsh, that is until we invited us "Up In Her Room" and the songs became longer and unfocused. Not to worry though, the first thirty minutes were top-hole and one of the best live experiences of the year. Fact: Robin and Jeremy "Barracuda" are so lucky to have those young fellas on bass and drums. As for Sky, look out for a new album recorded over the last few days in London and should you get the opportunity, ask him about the real meaning of "Dirty Water" by the Standells. Clue: It’s about drugs.

RIP RICK JAMES

Before that horrible 80's thing called KING with yon hockey frilla'd freak with the doc martens, there was an altogether more punk-rockin' ensemble by the same name. Agent Heiko laid the details on we...

Christina Agui-bleedin'-lera vs The Velvets. Right here...

Some Barracudas action from Mr Robin Wills...

"It's time for some garagetastic psyched up tuned in and dropped out celluloid action. Yes folks London's own subway surfers The Barracudas premiere their documentary 'Surfers Are Back' as part of the Portobello Film festival later this month. Next year sees the 25th anniversary re release of The Barracudas perfect debut album Drop Out. Renewed interest in the band has prompted Geoff Mann - who released The Barracudas first single 'I Want My Woody back' and Award winning Film Director John Wheeler of Clean Break productions to make this film. 'Surfers Are Back'features a blistering live performance at the legendary Dirty Water Club, behind the scenes footage and interviews with the band. It provides a 100 mile an hour distilled trip around the cult that is The Barracudas. Throw in an appearance from Flamin'Groovie Chris Wilson and you've got an instant police presence. This is a one off screening and seats are limited ( 80 free seats)."

The Barracudas in 'Surfers Are Back' the 25th Anniversary
Wednesday 18th August 2004 @8:25 @ The Portobello Film Festival
Westbourne Studios, 242 Acklam Road, London W10

"August 9 is the release date for Shock Records’all-killer 2CD set called THE ROCK’N’ROLL DISEASE!. With 47 tracks and over two and a half hours of rockin’ noise, the album places the best of the new generation of hip rock’n’rollers side by side with many of their biggest influences. The list of artists reads like a Rock’n’Roll Who’s Who, and includes JET, THE DATSUNS, THE MC5, VON BONDIES, RAMONES, IGGY & THE STOOGES, HIVES, DONNAS, BLACK KEYS, YOU AM I, EASYBEATS, RADIO BIRDMAN, SAINTS, BIG STAR, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB, VELVET UNDERGROUND, SPAZZYS, CRAMPS, MUDHONEY, SLADE, SUZI QUATRO, ALICE COOPER, HELLACOPTERS, NEW YORK DOLLS, BO DIDDLEY, POWDER
MONKEYS, TURBONEGRO, WARLOCKS, DIRTBOMBS, YOUNG HEART ATTACK, FLAMIN’ GROOVIES, ROCKET SCIENCE, PAYBACKS and many more. Lavishly packaged with a 24 page full-colour booklet, artist-by-artist liner notes and a whole bunch of rare photos and memorabilia, the album was put together by former Dog Meat Records boss Dave Laing, who a couple of years ago was behind Shock’s super successful collection of ‘70s and ‘80s garage and punk rock, ‘Do the Pop!’. A celebration of rock’n’roll’s return to prominence, a calculated cash-in on a recent popular trend, or an excuse for a crusty old rock fan to finally put all his old favorites together on a comp? You can be the judge of that. But whatever you call it, ‘The Rock’n’roll Disease’ is a high energy blast of fun from start to finish, and anyone who loves rock’n’roll will dig it."

The 5,6,7,8's on the cover of The Sunday Herald Festival review and also inside. Who'da thunk it?

Flushed with success at breaking into the thing called "THE CHARTS" with The 5,6,7,8's, SWEET NOTHING records continues to kick back the frontiers of rawk. As you know, Simon has had the good graces to bring down the wrath of many combo's upon an unsuspecting and often uncaring UK bound rabble. This missionary work has been carried out on behalf of THE HELLACOPTERS and a band that should similiarly rule the planet called MAGIC DIRT but as you know, the "kids" are too stupid to bite. Anyways, not content with having put out THE SOLUTION's COMMUNICATE in recent weeks, here's some more SN booty you should keep a shredded eardum out for.



THE STARLITE DESPERATION ep VIOLATE A SUNDAE could do much to rid the world of the sell by date way up Strokes. Their sinewy, undulating not unlike The Scientists spacerock is gloriously non-retro and as anthemic as this kind of fare is ever likely to get. Part of the Southern Ca Smog-Psych movement (according to Skyscraper Magazine), methinks these blighters and their Conga Line could catch on.



LION FEVER, who take their name from a non existant ailment are in comparison, a more tame proposition but only in the sense that it has a kinda grounded smokey basement element to it. LUSTRE is the most outright punk-related of these three products with the singer Jennifer pearl sounding like both Patti Smith and Grace Slick but neither. They get extra points for covering The Gun Club's "For The Love Of Ivy" and can muster a fair ol' ramshackle groove. There's a mention that they were influenced by The Stranglers on their site but I won't hold that agin 'em.



"If Exuma, Blue Cheer, Albert Ayler, Mitch Mitchell, Nanjo and the zombie of John Cippolina all met on the blue highway, wasted on golden whiskey and cocaine, there they would throw on Field Recordings From The Sun on a trashed boombox while shooting pistols at their tracers. This is West Coast Psychedelia, hang onto your eardrums". That's how the Alternative Tentacles blub goes for Santa Cruz, Ca's COMETS ON FIRE,'s FIELD RECORDINGS, add a cut and shut between Hawkwind and MX-80 via MONTROSE (the band not the Scottish seaside resort) and some vibes beamed up from the underbelly of Detroit to that pot and you'll be no closer to describing the ugly yet strangely satisfying web of sound they've fashioned. Free-form freak outs seldom come much more entertaining than this. Available in Europe via Sweet Nothing, AT in the US. Photo from AT website.