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.