The Ramones dvd is due out Tuesday in the US, April 25 in Europe. Here's the press
release - the extras sound intriguing:

Magnolia Pictures & Rhino Home Video present The definitive documentary about THE RAMONES "END OF THE CENTURY" DVD RELEASE DATE: March 15, 2005

Los Angeles, CA--On March 15th, Magnolia Pictures and Rhino Home Video will release END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES on DVD, a portrait of the seminal New York punk rock band. Considered by many the gods of rock 'n' roll's fundamentalist fringe, the Ramones are a band whose influence reaches over several generations of musicians and fans alike. END OF THE CENTURY is both a celebration of their music and a mesmerizing document of the group's road to near success, pitted with emotional power struggles and substance abuse. The film debuted in New York on Friday August 20th, 2004 followed by a national rollout in theaters around the country.

New York City was caught off guard in 1974 by the angry scream of punk. Raw and unrestrained, it was a sharp contrast to the banality of soft rock and disco. At the forefront of the scene were the Ramones, headed by Joey; who was often accused of geekiness but later on went on to redeem countless others from that agony, troubled bassist Dee Dee; burdened by the weight of his own genius, guitarist and master drill sergeant Johnny; and drummer Tommy (who was followed by a parade of other drummers, including Marky and Richie Ramone). Looking like extras from THE WILD ONES with their black leather jackets, bowl haircuts and Converse sneakers, they ripped through three-chord songs about sniffing glue, the neighborhood, teenage sex and angst. They were a gang of misfits from Forest Hills, Queens, united in the belief in salvation and deliverance through the power of rock 'n' roll.

It was a rocky road for the pseudo-brothers: the success that always seemed around the corner continually faded in the distance, as British bands they inspired were crowned the "originators of punk" by the mainstream music press. The film's title refers to their 1980 album of the same name, produced by the infamous, gun-toting, hit song guru Phil Spector, an endeavor that strained the already tenuous relation between band members. Poor record sales turned dreams of rock glory into gigging as a means of employment. All the frustration they felt against an industry that gave
up on them and abandoned their cause divided them further as they seemingly turned their anger against each other.

New York-based filmmakers Michael Gramaglia and Jim Fields share a life-long love of punk music and their passion is evident in this candid portrait of a band torn by internal struggles and consequences of the lifestyle. END OF THE CENTURY moves from the band's CBGB and London heydays, the decade-long silence between Joey and Johnny caused by a dispute over a girl, through to the deaths of Joey and Dee Dee Ramone
and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 2002. Together with unseen live and studio footage, extensive interviews with ex-band mates, family, friends and figures from New York City's punk scene, END OF THE CENTURY not only documents an important chapter in music history, but also chronicles the bonds of childhood friendship and their gradual breakdown.

Imagine if Texas really had a grasp on funk. Consider that Sharleen Spiteri could effect a soul transfusion and you wouldn't even get close to the refreshingly sophisticated stylings of this fine Motor City combo. Hot on the heels of their Ghetto Years collection on the In-fidelity imprint comes this 12" vinyl only monster that pumps and pulsates with a stomping authority that must blow minds played on tilt in a club. Said slab includes a gloriously psychedelicized, super-rock type slant on Donna Summer's "I Feel Love". All hopped up with everyplace to go.

"The Come Ons just released a 4 song 12" deejay single on MoPop Music. Recorded at The Tempermill with Jim Kissling at the helm, you can get your very own copy at your favorite record shop in and around Detroit (Young Soul Rebels, Pure Detroit, Stormy Records, Record Time, Car City Records). This record is also available through Revolver Distributors in the USA and Cargo Distributors in the UK."

Get with The Come Ons. They know you want it and they have got what you need. Sounds like a sweet deal to me...

The great HANK RAY will be toting his unique brand of dustbowl country interpretation at the following venues over the next wee while...



10.03.D-Hamburg, Molotow

12.03.D-Hannover, Chez Heinz

15.04.D-Leipzig, Conne Island (+Teenage Fanclub) 16.04.D-Dresden, tbc

13.05.D-Beverungen-Orange Blossom Special (Glitterhouse Festival)

More bad news... former Revillos guitarist Kid Krupa passed away on Friday at age 41. Jeez... no details but hell, the guy was a youngster by my standards.

THE REZILLOS will undertake the following upon their blitz of SXSW. Info from their latest newsletter.

Later in April the band will be doing a series of dates in the UK running through May/June to promote the "Rezillos Radio Times" session cd to be released on the Damaged Goods label. (http://damagedgoods.co.uk/)

The following dates are now confirmed:

Friday May 6 Dundee-Reading Room

Saturday May 7 Durham University with The Damned

Sunday May 8 Leicester- Princess Charlotte

Saturday May 21 Brighton-Concorde 2

Sunday May 22 Morecambe Wasted festival (http://www.holidaysinthesun.net/)

Wednesday June 1 Manchester Academy 3

Thursday June 2 Portsmouth-Wedgwood Rooms

Friday June 3 Bristol -Bier Keller

Saturday June 4 Stourbridge-Rock Cafe 2000

Sunday June 5 Leeds-Cockpit