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...)