I came home tonight with every intention of trying to get caught up on stuff I think you oughtta know about. However, this has proved to be another bum steer for a number of reasons which I'll spare you. The continued lack of activity will be rectified eventually. Possibly later rather than sooner but willing as the spirit is, that nasty ol' flesh is verging on comatose. Meanwhile, thanks for dropping by. There's a ton of stuff in the ol' sidebar for you to peruse while we here get to grips with the day to day. There's so much I want to tell you about the new Hello Saferide EP, there really is, but it'll have to wait just a wee bit longer.

Primal Scream were on Top of the Pops playing their latest identikit, cut and shut “single” last night. This one reminds me of, I think it’s “The Shape I’m In” by The Band, and also The Faces playing “Cadillac Ranch”. I always saw them as nothing more than the result of a curated record collection. There’s never been any passion involved in their fare (for me). Like that tosser from The Brian Jonestown Shenanigan.
The Scream have also appropriated Shirley Ellis’ “Nitty Gritty” and grafted on a call to “shake some action”. Unlike The Cramps who provided source material to be mined which educated many generations, The “Scream” just galumph through a perceived “cool” footbath. Utter bollocks. As is the fact that it’s Monday morning, NOT a holiday here so it’s time I was hauling my carcass outta here. Both the flesh and the spirit are at a very low peep. When is (inter)national call in sick day?

Stockholm this coming Friday (June 3rd)... Check out the Gearclub site for further info on this and upcoming shows...

RIP - Desmond Dekker

CBGB's Hilly Kristal for the NYC Hall of Fame

Go here and nominate Hilly for the NYC Hall of Fame

After the ordeal he went through trying to keep his club open last year, it would be a nice tribute...

**Hollywoods Premiere 6t's Psych Club!**
$5 B4 11pm, $8 after, Under 21 $10. The Ramada Inn @ 1160 N. Vermont
Dee Jays: Tony the Tygerr, Jason Ringgold, Leenda Karina, Lord Albert Cozzette III
oh yeah, wear your dancing shoes cuz this is a dance party!

I dunno, maybe the world is finally catchin' up with me. But besides the Jesse Hector CD mentioned below, there's also a new CD-single out by the mighty Count Bishops with two previously unreleased tunes. No word yet on the promised Euro tour, but rest assured you'll be the first to know as soon as any news reaches HQ.

Update: Oh well: "The COUNT BISHOPS tour in Europe for May and June 2006 is cancelled"...

Gorilla Garage is the title of a new Jesse Hector CD anthology on the RPM label. Haven't seen a copy yet, but the tracklistin' and RPM's general high standards in packagin' makes this one a must have anyways... If you're unfamiliar with this stuff, be prepared to be blown away into some previously unimagined distance...

"Auld age doesnae come itsel'" is an expression that's used around these parts. Just recently my powers of recall and indeed organisation have taken a real dive. Even dealing with e-mail and simple tasks. Earlier today, I forgot Steve Earle's name. No big deal I hear you say but in the context that I was trying to remember, it bloody is. It gave itself up eventually but not without much racking of the canyons. There are a number of governing factors in all this and this lapse really gave me a jolt (I ain't talking cola here). Whether this is temporary or a descent further into the recollection vacuum remains to be seen.

Some shows this week, happening around the UK and further afield that I'd attend if I could but I cannae. Other than the MLC Glasgow and Edinburgh gigs.

Mary Lee's Corvette around the UK, dates here.

Suzy Y Los Quattro at The International Pop Overthrow in Liverpool this Sunday (28th). Two shows in one day. Anybody who can is encouraged to cut along there.

The Bambi Molesters have a bill topping headline appearance at a festival in Llubljana next Friday, June 2nd. I'll try to get some more info on that for those of you who live near Stansted and fancy a wee break.

Things are slow, verging on static. Circumstances prevail that I'm not venturing too far from the ol' "midden heid" and have no real desire to either. That’s what’s passing for showbusiness hereabouts.

Now here's the kinda radio show we could use more of Gorilla Got Me by Sara J. on WMBR 88.1 FM Radio (also available on-line).

Cool new webzine: trakMARX.

Ever felt like you were going no place fast? Jeroen might have given in to the magnetic pull of myspace but not me. Anyway, I can't get into it anyway. Tried to access the Hello Saferide page five times over the past couple of days and it no workee. I also tried J's which I presume has no music on it(?) but the browser freezes and I have to shut it all down and reboot. Message to self. Stop trying to access myspace...

So Lordi won the ESC eh? It's only right, I mean anybody that can walk on those platforms should be rewarded? The radio reports and newspapers are crawling with stories about their "day of rockoning" and "arockalypse". The actual performance was nothing compared to the video and it's "Faculty"-like setting. Still the cod-Def Leppard riffage and Gwar suits were entertaining for a few minutes at least. In the grand unravelling, I guess that has to count for something.

The Tom Morton Two –
A Complete and Utter History of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Lo-fidelity folk tales of High Fidelitesque obsessive type antics all the way from The Shetlands. A couple of them would make fine high octane fare for any self-respecting rock’n’roll band to work up into a full-bloodied onslaught. As it is, the simplicity gives the songs an endearing charm that a proper production might have choked the life out of. Funny and poignant, a song called “Learning To Hate The Beatles” was a racing certain to strike a chord with me. Like “I wish Sergeant Pepper never taught the band to play” did. “The Ballad of Johnnie Notions” is like an Alan Vega song being played by Robin Hall and Jimmy McGregor. Oor Wullie fans will get quite a charge from “That’s Braw”, about Mrs McGlumphie and her haggis quiche. You can check out some of these wares here (scroll down to the April 23rd entry) prior to any prospective purchase.

And if you find yourself in or around Shetland next weekend… The TM2 have a big gig next Friday (26th May) in the Eshaness Community Hall - a benefit for a local CT scanner appeal. The evening will incorporate "The Vinyl Choice: remember those 45s and 33s if your loft? The ones you haven't played for decades? Bring them along and have them spun at high volume on the wheels of steel by DJ Tom Morton....50p contribution to CT appeal per side! No Sydney Devine!"

A Steak and Kidney free zone? The European Court of (in)human Rights might have something to say about that. And it’s unlikely to be “jings, crivvens or help ma boab”.

Done 'n did it; In an attempt to keep up-to-date I'v joined Myspace...

Welfare Records has just released a CD/DVD thingy by legendary US p-rockers Pure Hell. Haven't heard it yet, but it's limited to 1000 copies so you might wanna jump before it evaporates...

RIP - Freddie Garrity

"Hi Kids,

First off, a big thanks to those who you who turned up on saturday at The Birds Nest to see what must go down as one of most enjoyable gigs for eons. As promised, we came up with the goods (and the T-Shirts) and for those of you who have been asking, sorry all the T-shirts are all gone but we'll be getting more............

The next gig is in a few weeks time SUNDAY 11th JUNE at the DUBLIN CASTLE, 94 PARKWAY, CAMDEN TOWN. It's for "LOVE IS HOPE" a charity nite for Cancer the bill is THE MASTERMINDZ, SCANNERS, THE PHOBICS and LUNATIC CRASH. Doors open at 8pm and THE PHOBICS are on at 9:15

It's 6 quid in but you can get in for a fiver if you have a flyer so watch out for em around town and I'll attach some next week. Come along, support a great cause and see some eclectic rock n roll.

On the following SATURDAY 17th JUNE at THE PLOUGH INN, 173 Wood Street, Walthamstow, London E17 3NU, Tel: 020 8503 7419.

We've been invited back to play with ED TUDOR-POLE by special request! We musta done something right at the first gig, or we owe someone money - come on down and find out! The Plough Inn is located directly opposite Wood Street British Rail station, one stop from Walthamstow Central or about 15 minutes from Liverpool Street mainline.Bus 230 (from Wood Green) and W16 (from Leytonstone underground) stop outside the venue. Bus 56, 257, 357, W12, W15,W19 also stop nearby at Whipps Cross Hospital, a short walk away. I'm not sure but I think the gig may be FREE but i'll confirm that! Phew info overload!

Finally, hot off the press......................to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary, founding Damned members Rat Scabies and Brian James will be performing the band's classic first album, Damned Damned Damned in its entirety at the 100 Club in London, England.

The album, often described as the first British punk rock album, and predating the Sex Pistols Never Mind the Bollocks by six months. Scabies and James will perform with Casey Chaos of Amen covering vocals. The current active Damned lineup, including founding members David Vanian and Captain Sensible, will not be part of this performance.

Drummer Rat Scabies had this to say about their choice of frontman:

"Brian and I were quite adamant to have Casey do this gig- there were no other names above his. Amen is the only band I've seen in the last 10 years who are truly punk rock. We dont know what will happen when Casey gets onstage with us- and thats the way we like it."

While Casey added:

"To share the stage with Rat And Brian on this night will be engraved into my epitaph as The Most Important Show Of My Life! -- "Damned Damned Damned" changed my life as well as musical history. I'm gonna treat this with the utmost respect for them and their fans. I want to do everything I can to do it justice and make Rat, Brian, Captain, Vanian, Algy and everyone else proud of what they have achieved and celebrate their contribution to punk rock and the legacy that they left . To say that I am humbled and honored is inappropriate. I am ready to slash my throat at the altar of The Damned in dedication to all the lives they changed. I am ready to destroy"

This show will be at London's 100 Club on July 6th, 2006

Tickets for the event which, due to the size of the venue, will be obscenely limited are available strictly by post only (ltd to 4 tickets per application). The address for postal applications is:

Wintergarden Productions
35, Godfrey Ave, Twickenham , TW2 7PE UK

Cheques made payable to:Wintergarden Productions

Tickets will go on sale 19th May on a strictly first come first served basis - £19.76 +£1.24p processing.

Well Kids, get cracking (ask a grown up to help with difficult spellings) There will be more soon so watch this space!

tomx"

Double Stripchords live action, Friday 26th & Saturday 27th May!

"All hail, kits'n'kittens!

The Stripchords are pleased to announce a brace of London live shows, on Friday May 26th & Saturday 27th - now with the added attraction of live go-go dancers Ms Lager-Shandy and Mizz Stephanie!

Friday night will see The Stripchords take their patented tits'n'twang combination, plus live go-go action, to the stage of London's historic 100 Club, where they'll be playing with Stoke-On-Trent's soul sensations, This Is Seb Clark, at a Club Bang! Bang! bash, which will also feature top DJ Dave Edwards.

Saturday night will see The Stripchords' roadshow, plus the Sonic Reducer Tag Team DJs, play a double-header with former Flamin' Groovies linchpin Chris Wilson & His Famous Groovin' Flames, an all-star combo featuring Scientists, Barracudas, Silver Chapter and Mean Vincent members, at the hippest night in East London, namely Stephen and Ali's What's Cookin' in Leytonstone - and it's FREE to get in! Expect a riotous soiree, with Mr Wilson and chums dispensing rip-roaring versions of such 'Groovies classics as Shake Some Action, Slow Death, You Tore Me Down, and Let Me Rock ...

For downloadable Stripchords action, and all other upcoming news, check out ...

See ya at the bar!

The Stripchords"

----------------------------------------

Friday May 26th
This Is Seb Clark & The Stripchords plus DJ Dave Edwards Club Bang! Bang! @ The 100 Club 100 Oxford St, London 7.30pm £12.50, adv £10.50







Saturday May 27th
Chris Wilson & His Famous Groovin' Flames & The Stripchords plus Sonic Reducer Tag Team DJs What's Cookin' @ The Sheepwalk, 692 High Road Leytonstone, London, E11 3AA (opp Leytonstone Tube, Central Line) 7.30pm FREE

Back to earth with a sharp dunt after last weekend's escapade then with a brief reprieve in the shape of Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham at The Arches in Glasgow last night. I say reprieve but it wasn’t a patch on the last time I saw them. That wasn’t down to the act but rather the mix of the venue and the audience. Why the fuck do people pay money for a ticket and gibber all through the show? The Arches are directly below Glasgow Central Station so everytime a train goes overhead it rumbles through a song. Now that might be fine if it’s a full band but something like this that requires intimacy and attention doesn’t fare well in such circumstances. I’ll take the sound of the trains over the ignorant gabbing bastards anyday though. Thing is that you’re farting against thunder if you try them all to clam up. You’d be there all night and it can get ugly. I’d have thought that the audience being mainly more “mature” they’d value a visit by legends like these. That they’d be a little more reverential. Hell that they should shut the fuck up for an hour or so? Too much to ask or expect? I guess so.

Things have taken a dive ala the stock market but it doesn't feel much like a "correction". More a swift kick in the bollocks. Anyway, the wires are all agog with the news that The Cramps (with Bill Bateman) are headed for Europe in August. You can catch up with the dates here and no, I won't be in attendance at any of them but thanks for asking. It's good to hear that they're active at least. Who knows, maybe there's a dvd release or something to promote but then again perhaps not. Anyway, their public is moist with anticipation. I'm going to try and get to grips with the backlog here today before I settle down to cheer on Finland's LORDI in the Eurovision tomorrow and their "Hard Rock Hallelujah" entry. Way off the daftometer and worthy of a phone or web vote even. If I could text I'd even consider that. Life in the fast lane at the cutting edge of entertainment.

However while you're at Youtube, check out the scopitonetastic BMX Bandits clip on Youtube for “I’m Still Hungry”. More through the course of today, gig news, recent releases and who knows what else. First though, I have to catch up with The Sopranos. Only two episodes to go after these until the final eight that begin during January 2007. Cannae help trouble...

I know, this is taking place even as I type. I know also that the boundaries of good taste are being stretched by some of the acts on the bill but it's for a worthy cause. I hope they'll play "Dancing With Joey Ramone" during the proceedings at some point. Plus the old guard that fought in the punk rock wars with the great man, all together in one place for one night per year only. Messrs (Andy) Shernoff and (Cheetah) Chrome in particular, we salute youse!

Thanks to HT for the jpeg.

In the world of bloggin' things come and go. Generally it comes down to people startin' off full of enthusiasm before they realize it takes a serious amount of time to keep those blogs up 'n runnin'.
Here's some new ones that will hopefully stay with us for a while: Low Down Kids is run by former Fierce label head honcho Steve Gregory. Focused on obscure 70s UK punk 'n powerpop 45s he throws up all kindsa obscure knowledge. Along similar lines comes Worthless Trash. "Nostalgia... And Other Rock 'n' Roll Habits" as they say, but it goes deeper than just that. Robin Wills should need no introduction to alla you NBT readers out there. His Pure Pop blog is a cool personal look at all things "Power Pop, Pop/psych, Glam, Garage, Surf, 60's Girl Group and Protest/Folk Rock". Just for the fact that he had me diggin' out Stanley Frank's S'?Cool Days and Trevor White's Crazy Kids (just play 'em back-to-back and you'll understand!) I'm awardin' him NBT's blog-of-the-week status!

'77 The Year of Punk & New Wave by Henrik Bech Poulsen (Helter Skelter).
And yet another book on punk rock!, this one bein' of the reference guide variety. The basic "theme" is that it details every UK band that released a record in '77. The scope is surprisingly broad, everything from the Acme Sewage Co. to the Tyla Gang is included. Short biographies, detailed discographies, handsomely illustrated, in short; the works. I can well imagine pullin' this from the shelves frequently in the years to come to look up some arcane detail. Minor points? Well, it obvious that English ain't Poulsen's first language, and referin' to a punk-rock band as "cats" and their output as "platters" certainly feels kinda awkward (bein' in the same position, I'm well aware of the difficulties involved here!). And because they didn't have any records out in '77 the book misses out on seminal acts like Siouxsie, Slits and Subway Sect. That said, this does come recommended, just dig around a bit for a decent price and you're well set...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY!

MAY 19th

LA 1976, Photo by David Arnoff.

Keep your eyes peeled for DA site info... coming soon!

MONDO A GO-GO (Edinburgh) is this Saturday 20th May. Guest DJ's Slim Jim Spectre (Leeds) and Professor Plastic (Edinburgh) will be joining Tall Paul Robinson to revel in some mainly UK and European 60's Sounds. Tho daresay The Sonics and Captain Beefheart will be thrown in somewhere. Garage, Beat, Soul, Ska, Soundtracks Etc. All happeing in The Loft at The Venue. 11pm - 3am. £6/5.

Now some people go to the ends of the earth or travel to watch football. Not me, I don't know one end of a football park from the other but I do like to catch my favourite bands. There was one chance to dance with regard to seeing The Flesheaters on this side of the pond and the gamble paid off. Handsomely. The concept of going to a "festival", even for one day filled me with some dread. I’d been primed that All Tomorrows Parties wasn't like your average slog to a middle of a field but didn’t really compute as to how it could be. It’s held in a bloody "holiday camp" for chrissakes, It might even be worse but it was worth the risk which turned out to be no risk at all. It was actually something of a pleasure and I think I'd actually consider eating a whole one at some juncture, if the bill was right a la Las Vegas Grind or whatever. Pontin's at Camber Sands is like stepping back in time. Where 2500 actual music fans converge to see artists that I've largely never heard let alone heard of. Not smelly folk or drunks or junkies but actually ordinary individuals that all seemed to get along. I'll tell you, it's a pretty good feeling to stand at the front of a packed hall where the people all around you are singing The Scientists songs. Most of them seem like they should be too young but they know the stuff and they're digging it. Just along from me, Mark Arm from Mudhoney - who "curated" the Friday is standing in the middle at the front for at least half the set. This is a destination for people who feel disenfranchised by the live music experience. Where people can interact with the artists, far far away from all the VIP bollocks that generally drags this kind of thing down. Even the security was generally low key. So what I’m essentially telling you here is that maybe you should try one of these ATP things. You could well be pleasantly surprised also. It was good to be amongst friends, some expected and some not. You can have as much or as little to do with the music as you see fit.

It takes a few hours to adjust to the environment, wandering about. Not exactly aimlessly but something approaching that. I ran into my Slovenian buds, Bigor and Ziga just walking back from the beach. Now that’s something I could use some more of. Bigor’s Pankrti documentary had it’s triumphant world premiere the previous night back at home in Llubjlana but here he was in East Sussex. Ziga gave me a copy of his combo, Crazed Farmers latest (more about that soon) which was produced by Tim Kerr, who was playing the fest with his Total Sound Group Direct Action Committee. They raised quite the ruckus with their rabble rousing gospel-kissed, scrunched soul noise and gave the room a right sonic pasting.

So anyways, The Scientists third and final set of their all too swift visit was loud and clear. The twists and the turns of their visceral Creedence vs Suicide soup took the vintage recipe to a whole different level. There seems to be a very cohesive rock element which could thrill audiences way outside their considered demographic. There are people out there waiting for a band with a sound that could change their lives and these folks have it down. The distortion, the beats, the very pulse of fucking life.

So after that it was time to gather the senses for a bit just prior to The Flesheaters and who should I spot across the room but the Wreckless fella himself. Turned out he had played with some ex-Screaming Tree, Mark Pickerel in the afternoon when we were probably checking out the sands part of the Camber thing. Bollocks.

And finally The Flesheaters. You’d never be able to tell that this line up had only done a handful of shows since 1981. 98% of the audience definitely weren’t even born when they recorded “A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die” and this was (allegedly) the 25th anniversary of their disbanding. Imagine a dive where Santana meet the Sonics and bludgeon some avant jazz music hall into the failing air supply. And it sounded like they were having fun sticking it to the pre-Mudhoney throng. An encore of “She’s Like Heroin To Me” conjured up the spirit of another great lost LA renegade. Good ol’ Jeffrey was grinning wherever he is for sure.

It’s funny how things work out. If Nick Jones could have made it then it would perhaps have been a perfect day out but as you know we can’t have everything. It was above and beyond the call that Penny drove us down there. I’m hoping for another crack at the ATP experience down the road apiece and can unreservedly say that a whole bunch of people who would not normally touch such a shindig with a bargepole are somewhat in agreement. Who (indeed) woulda thunk it!

Scientists 2006/Photo by Vanessa Exton (Courtesy of Bro. T. Thewlis)

Well actually you need to CLICK HERE!

Just spent a few days “on the road”, dodging reality or whatever you want to call it - “dah sarf” or “souf” depending on how my teeth are acting up. Last Thursday. I saw The Scientists open for Mudhoney at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Their headlining appearance at The Spitz on Tuesday which was by all accounts a skull-splitter. Anyway the SBE set was pretty impressive too and it was really something to see them on a proper stage. Rattling through a set that felt like they’d never been away. Still unique by any standards with a sinewy swing that’s powered by rhythms that are not of this earth. Kim was giving up his finest Alan Vega style yelps as Tony pummelled and tortured his guitars with a strongbow can that he’d nonchalantly swig from when he wasn’t “playing” it. Boris laid down massive bass action and Leanne kept the whole ballast sweet with some nifty beats and tempo tantrums. The pure pleasure of hearing that noise again was practically too much, the fact that it was even more primal than it seemed 20 years ago was stunning. “Swampland” to “We Had Love”, The Scientists can still throb like nobody else and forget the fucking Stooges dragging the same sorry set through the neighbourhood for the umpteenth time. If only fate could deal these Aussies the mortal blow they deserve then the kids would be going mental for this altogether more cohesive form of scuzz rock. Props to Mudhoney for setting the scene to make this evidence admissable in the court of rock'n'roll. I hope that festivals in Spain or wherever will consider asking The Scientists back to Europe sooner rather than later. I have to gather my thoughts about the Camber Sands experience before I spill it onto this thing but it’s been a heady few days. The bush telegraph, I’m sure, will be buzzing for weeks to come. I’m still not altogether sure that it really happened but it was the polar opposite of a nightmare. I just checked youtube to see if anybody had uploaded any footage yet but there’s nowt as of yet. That bloody We Are Scientist or whatever they’re called better get ready to change their handle. Either that or we’ll send the hundred headhunters around to sort ‘em out. These are The Scientists and they’ve not gone too far, not yet. Not by a long ferking chalk.

The excellent Searchin' For Shakes database has an amazing new feature where you can search the contents of old fanzines. Not just handy dandy for checkin' out in which issue of NBT ol' Lindsay sang the praises of Cindy Lauper, bust just browsing digs up all kindsa curios. Like I said; amazin'...

Help George Tabb.

As always, I get stuck at youtube once again. Some much out there...
Dig Jonathan Richman's cool video for I Was Dancing In A Lesbian Bar and than check this bizarro take on Egyptian Reggae....

Forever Young...
Well, young of mind and body as I might be, I never expected to be stuck with chicken-pox well past my 40th birthday. I'll spare ya the gruesome details here, but yeah: It sucks. Bigtime...

Anyways, in an attempt to lighten up my mood I was searchin' for some info on the Pretty Things' two shows in Blokker right here in the Netherlands way back in '65. Lo and behold, thanks to the mighty web I not only came up with a truckload of original newspaper cuttings, but youtube had plenty of footage as well... (More on the Pretties later)

Neat little blog dedicated to the life and work of Wendy Wild for those of you who remember her work with the Mad Violets, Love Delegation, Das Furlines, Pulsallama ... and Bronski Beat.

New Come Ons album- Stars

The new album is finally done and is officially available now through the band's label MoPop. Anyone who placed an advance order in the last few weeks can expect shipment any day now. The CD will be available in stores domestically on June first and in the UK and Europe in July. The album will be available for digital download soon on Itunes, Napster, and a few other sites. And of course a couple samples can be heard on the band's MySpace page
PRESS RELEASE

New full length recording by The Come Ons.

The Come Ons - Stars - MoPop Records MP-05

This spring, The Come Ons will release their Fourth full length recording, entitled Stars, on their own MoPop Music label. The record includes 11 originals recorded at the Tempermill Studio in Ferndale, Michigan by Jim Kissling. The Come Ons, long known as the smooth, soulful group in the Detroit garage band milieu, tap deeper into their own style of dance pop with songs informed equally by 60's French pop icons Francoise Hardy and Serge Gainsbourg as 70's Dance minimalists ESG and A Certain Ratio. A remix of "Lullaby", the first single from Stars, will be released as a 7" on Red Lounge Records of Germany b/w The Velvet Underground's "Who Loves The Sun". After releasing two 7" singles, a 12" DJ single, and appearing on a Gun Club tribute record, this will be the first full length since their Ghetto Years collection on Infidelity Records, and the forth release on their newly formed MoPop record label. The Band, as always includes the bass guitar, piano, and vocals of Deanne Iovan, who has also contributed backing vocals to records by The Datsuns, The Dirtbombs, The Clone Defects and The Mistreaters; drummer Patrick Pantano, who also appears on record and in performance with The Dirtbombs; and guitarist Bryan Foreman. Engineer Kissling has worked with many Detroit techno artists, most notably Kevin Saunderson. The stark cover photograph was taken by Pantano who is also known for the images on The White Stripes White Blood Cells and Elephant sleeves. Stars will be available concurrently for digital download on Itunes, Napster and other downloading sites. The album will initially be available on CD only.

And while we're in the Motor City Limits... check out the Ron Asheton website!

Activity on this here NBT location might be a little sparse for a day or three. Circumstances prevail and all that. But who knows, might be the odd wee burst here and there. Most probably there.

Anybody looking for a ticket to the All Tomorrows Parties shindig this coming weekend? If so there's one going for face value via Monorail Music in Glasgow so contact this number if you want it... 0141 552 9458.

Dear Friend,
Home...hearth...hillbilly. It's all about good ol' family fun with us, here, at Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co., so may we offer you two opportunities this week to join us in the family way?

TUESDAY, MAY 9TH / Our residency's FINAL MONTH! / Rodeo Bar / 375 Third Avenue (corner of 27th Street)in Manhattan / 10:00 sharp until 12:30 / No cover!

And, for the family that bumps & grinds together...

FRIDAY, MAY 12TH / Wasabassco Burlesque's monthly series! / The Living Room Lounge / Hosted by Miss Anita Cookie! / 245 23rd Street (corner of Fifth Avenue) in Park Slope, Brooklyn / One set at 9pm, followed by burly-q beauties / A mere $5 /

Yes, family fun for all!
Sincerely, Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

The Scientists vs The Stripchords, London, tomorrow!

Hey kits'n'kittens

The Stripchords and Sonic Reducer Tag team DJs are unbelievably proud to announce that they're opening/spinning discs at The Scientists' ONLY UK headline date, which will take place at The Spitz in London tomorrow (Tuesday) ... The line-up of the Scientists for this ATP-promoted gig will be Kim, Tony, Boris, and Leanne ... How fucking cool is that gonna be?

Oh, yeah, there's also some other band playing, The Drones, but dunno owt about 'em, sorry ... (note - They're a pretty groovy apres-Scientists noise also from Australia! - LH)

Be there!

BigKegShandy

--------------

The Scientists, The Drones, The Stripchords

Plus Sonic Reducer Tag Team DJs

The Spitz, Spitalfields, London - www.spitz.co.uk

Tuesday May 9th, 7pm, £12, adv. £10

Just found this on the Staysick mailings...

The Cramps
Venue: Carling Astoria
Date: 15/08/2006
Address: Charing Cross Road, London, London WC2H 0EN
Time: 19.00
Price: Face value: £27.50, booking fee: £3.50.
Phone: 0870 060 3777

A shocker for a Sunday am, from Frank Macdonald...

"Just heard that Grant from the Go-Betweens died today. Tragic and shocking. The 4 shows TFC did with them in Spain were a (the?) Highlight of last year. F."

RIP - Grant McLennan

Punk Rock - An Oral History by John Robb (Ebury Press/Random House).

How many books on punk rock does the world really need? Thirty years down the line it seems like there's new ones appearing just about every week. And while most of 'em are blatant cash-ins, John Robb's tome is a very worthwhile addition to the p-rock bookshelf. The oral-history is of course a perfect format; not only is it able to give voice to the key-figures and hanger-ons alike, it also serves as a platform for conflicting views uninterfered by journalistic obejectivity. Focusin' on the UK scene from roughly '76 to 1984, this book throws up plenty of new stories, viewpoints and whatnot. Robb's own POV that (to quote his old band) "everything's brilliant" can be a bit tiresome (esp when he's singin' the praise of some twerp who has been "livin' the life for three decades"), and there's some serious fuck-ups in the chronology (and, hey, what's up with this guy Eddie Cochrane that gets mentioned all the time?), but if you were in anyway part of this back in the day, or want to get a good "feel" of what it was all about back then (at least from a UK point of view), this is a great, great read. Skip the latest Mojo or Uncut "special edition" and get this...

v/a - Strummin' Mental vols. 1-5 (Crypt LPs).
Crypt's long lost instro comp series finally gets a mucho overdue reissue.

What we've got here is five, count 'em, five footlongs of the wildest 'n most insane rock 'n roll instros ever. Be it of the Link Wray-ish menacin' variety or Dick Dale inspired reverb madness, this set is just it! Tim Warren has gone great lengths updatin' this series; linernotes, revised tracklistin' and best of all a seriously upgraded sound quality. While just about any Pulp Fiction inspired revival band is rightfully forgotten by now, these original wild man just don't have a sell-by date. Way too many cool tunes to pick a shortlist of favorites, but if you're in any way inclined to this stuff, just take my word that these discs are mandatory...

A wee show roundup of stuff coming up through the rest of May...

On Thursday (11th) The Scientists (Kim, Tony Boris and Leanne) are at the Shepherds Bush Empire with Mudhoney and Comets On Fire. Friday (12th) they're at All Tomorrows Parties on that day which is curated by the Pacific Northwest's finest. As are The Flesheaters... Kim sent me a few snippets of his SALMON project and it's like a turbocharged metallic onslaught of symphonic proportions. Watch this space for further info.

On Friday (12th) in Edinburgh, as part of Tigerfest, The Primevals make a rare east coast appearance in support of their Last Call retrospective "On The Red Eye".

TV21 are at the Backpackers Hostel in Edinburgh’s West End on May 20th with Isa & the Filthy Tongues (ex Goodbye Mr. McKenzie).

Amy Rigby is bound for Belgium, France and The Netherlands with Tracy Bonham (No relation to John as far as I know). Please go along if you find yourself in the vicinity of any of them.

Wed. May 17 Cultuur Centrum, Mechelen, Belgium
Thu. May 18 La Pomme d'Eve** w/Ellis Paul Paris, FR
Sun. May 21 Doornroosje, Nijmegen, NL
Mon. May 22 Paradiso - upstairs Amsterdam, NL
Tues. May 23 In the Woods Lage Vuursche, NL
Wed. May 24 Rotown Rotterdam, NL
Thu. May 25 013 - Kleine Zaal Tilburg, NL
Fri. May 26 Gigant Apeldoorn, NL
Sat. May 27 Oosterpoort Groningen, NL

I'm sure there were a couple more but my napper is shredded. A symptom of wear and tear/auld age - not imbibing of any kind of stimulant or whatever.

"PelPel Recordings presents "1001 Real Apes"
by David Greenberger & Birdsongs of the Mesozoic

1001 Real Apes, mixes David Greenberger's monologues with music by Birdsongs of the Mesozoic. It's loaded with quirky stories, reflections, and opinions that Greenberger has culled from The Duplex Planet, his publication of conversations with old people - particularly drawn from the residents of the defunct Duplex Nursing home in Boston.

Greenberger offers up everything listeners have come to expect from Duplex Planet projects, plus some. The 27 stream-of-consciousness stories are alternately funny, moving, wise, silly, and inspirational, providing a unique view into the minds of the characters. They meander, as minds tend to do, through a terrain of guitars, travel, silverware, dating, beer, dinosaurs, and a perennial Duplex Planet favorite, ìSnakes.î The moods range from the jazzy riffs of the insistent "I Ain't Coe" to the prayerful mourning of "No Firebugs." Working with producer Bill Scheniman (Deborah Harry, NRBQ, Bon Jovi) has also yielded a friendly, spoken-word pop song, "How Records Are Made." Roll down your car windows, turn up the volume, and go for a ride; this song sounds like summer.

Twenty-seven years ago, David Greenberger started a magazine using stories he collected from residents of the Duplex Nursing Home. The Duplex Planet continues today as a periodical, but has gained wider renown in some of its other forms: book collections, a comic book adaptation, two documentaries, CDs and performances. Last year NPR's All Things Considered featured selections from Greenberger's previous two releases, Mayor of the Tennessee River and Legibly Speaking. Greenberger has just completed a public radio program, Growing Old in East L.A., with music by David Hidalgo and Louie Perez of Los Lobos.

Available now at The Duplex Planet for just $12 (plus $4 shipping), or by check to: The Duplex Planet, POBOX 1230, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

David Greenberger: monologues

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic:
Michael Bierylo - guitar, computer sequencing, sound design Ken Field - saxophones, flutes, percussion Erik Lindgren - piano Rick Scott - synthesizer, samples, percussion

Produced by Bill Scheniman"

The Gun Club performing Brother and Sister, Sex Beat and Bad Indian on Youtube. Also The Flesheaters Miss Muerte and some Fleshtones.

These are for Mrs Stim. Taken this morning, since when the sky has turned glum and the heavens are about to open. Better say indoors then but the garden is tidy now. That must count for something...

RIP - Anthony James Ryan (Link c/o Ben via Staysick)

Hey, how about that. It's working again... anyway, the very great Suzy Y Los Quattro are headed for the International Pop Overthrow in Liverpool on May 28th. They'll play 2 shows that day one at The cavern and another, later, at Lennons.

A CD/DVD package which includes some choice cover versions (recorded in Tokyo last November) will be out in July via Wizzard In Vinyl. I had a preview of the songs and they're cracking. These include "I Need Your Love" by The Boyfriends via The Ramones and further indicate why this is a premier party combo! Check out the band's myspace portal if your conned-puter can handle it. Mine can't.

"The Singles", the compilation featuring all of our pre-Ready To Go stuff, is now available to the rest of the world (it had only been released in Japan) on CD through No Tomorrow and on LP through Screaming Apple. Vinyl is limited to 700 copies and I heard it's going fast so anyone interested contact those labels or the brand new WILD PUNK online store I'm running.

Coky Quattro has retired from the live activity of Suzy & Los Quattro due to work overload at his Rockaway Studios in Castellon. He still will play some shows with us and remain our producer and record the albums with us, but for the live shows we now have Claudio Glaesmer from great Barcelona punk band LAS SOMBRAS.

We are about to start a tour with the japanese band that toured with us in Japan, ONEPERCENTRES. Their new album, "Platinum Bundle" is available now on Wild Punk Records, they are an AMAZING mix of WEEZER and FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE and seriously kick ass live.

BANZAI! TOUR MAY 2006

Thursday 18, Tarragona (Zero),
Friday 19, Barcelona (Apolo 2),
Saturday 20, Durango (Plateruena Kafe Antzokia),
Wednesday 24, Madrid (Gruta 77),
Thursday 25, Granada (Planta Baja), + DJ JUAN DE PABLOS
Friday 26, Alicante (Pedreguer, Rockodrom),
Saturday 27, Castellon (Ricoamor),
Sunday 28, Liverpool (2 shows, The Cavern, Lennon's, IPO Festival)

Finally, we'd really love it to do a couple shows in the UK this summer or September, so if any serious promoter could contact us, we'll definitely give it a go!"

You heard the man, give it a go!

S&LQ on Youtube

Another day out and about, and it seems like we've just skipped spring this year. Maybe this global heating thing ain't such a bad idea after all...

From thedictators.com: HDM: BASKING IN THE SUN DOWN IN FLORIDA

"For the Memorial Day Weekend, Little Steven's Underground A-Go-Go "splashes down" in Florida once again.

Two "really big sh-o-o-o-ws" featuring the reconstituted MC5 (with the Underground Garage's Handsome Dick Manitoba on lead vocals!!), and Marshall Crenshaw (on guitar & vocals), the Supersuckers (from Tucson, AZ), the Gants (Mississippi "Mersey Beat" from the 60's), the Hate Bombs (a reunion for this band from Orlando, FL) and the Holograms (grrrl rockers from L.A.).

Sunday, May 28th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL. 2 PM showtime. Tickets: 20 bucks (girls in bikinis!!! -- half price!!!)

Monday, May 29th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa, FL. 2 PM showtime. FREE SHOW!!

Both shows held POOLSIDE!!!

Both shows hosted by LITTLE STEVEN, himself!!!"

Bollocks. This won't let me upload pictures and I've got a backlog of stuff to impart. Pretty much the order of the day with everything I've encountered thus far but I'm used to it. Hopefully it's a temporary glitsch. If it wasn't for the Hello Saferide album playing in the background here, I think this bloody computer would've been outta the window by now. But why am I sitting in front of this when I should be out "enjoying" the good weather. Wish I had a smart answer but essentially i'm an anti-social bastard. I also discovered that my stereo's stylus is kaput. I'm being punished for something. Anyway, it's Friday so that's something. Don't have to deal with anything resembling reality because there's a Sopranos episode (Season 6, Ep #8) to watch. More later...

RIP: Karel Appel

OK - you unsigned artists everywhere, check this out for a setting...




"APPLICATION TERMS for A&M FESTIVAL 2006

Solo performers and bands from all around the world, regardless of the type of music they perform can apply under the condition they don't have an official record release. Each performer/band must send at least three (3) recorded songs on CD exclusively and press material which must contain:

a) contact – name, address, country, phone/cell phone no, e-mail address
b) band members' names
c) short biography
d) performer/band photo
e) web site (if they have one)

The material sent with your application will not be returned!
Applications should be sent on the following address:

ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL, P.P. 201, HR-52100 PULA, CROATIA

It is possible to apply from the moment of application's release until the 4th of June 2006. After that, a jury of seven people will elect eight (8) semi-finalists to perform in the fort Kaštel (The Historic Museum of Istria) in Pula on the 10th and 11th of August 2006. The jury of the festival will select two (2) finalists of A&M Festival while the audience votes for a third. The winners will perform once again on the Saturday, August 12th and the winner of the 10th A&M Festival will be announced later that evening.

The winner of the A&M Festival will have the possibility to sign the contract for the first album release with MENART/DOP RECORDS and to record it with the help of the eminent producer Edi Cukeri?. The promotional activities after the album is released will be organised by DOP PRODUCTION.

Any other information about A&M Festival 2006. can be found on the official web site http://www.artandmusicfest.org/ , phone numbers 00385 95 903 9755 or 00385 98 480 884 and e-mail address direkcija@artandmusicfest.org

ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL 10. PUT!!!

ART&MUSIC FESTIVAL – FOR THE 10TH TIME!
When the first A&M Festival took place back in 1993. Almost every media covered the beginning of this cultural and artistic event now taking place for the 10th time despite inevitable ups&downs during the last 13 years. A&M Festival introduced a number of domestic and foreign rock performers, artists, comic-strip artists, theatre directors, journalists, graffitists, photographers...
The thing that characterized each of the nine past editions of A&M Festival beside the quality of music and good time that visitors had was its intention to promote young bands and performers and also to give them the possibility to stand out. This of course wouldn't be possible without the help of competent people from the music business and record companies, without the media support and the involvement of satisfied audience. That's how it's going to be this year too, and it should be pointed out that the winner of this year's A&M Festival gets the prize really worth competing for.

The events accompanying the musical part of the A&M Festival will be announced later through media and official website (http://www.artandmusicfest.org/) when more information about promotions, exhibitions, round-table talks and foreign bands will be also given.

All journalists interested in covering the 10th A&M Festival can find the application form for accreditation on our web site. We expect journalists is to have active engagement in the promotion of the festival.

For any questions, information or interviews you can contact us at:

FESTIVAL MANAGEMENT:
Branimir Slijep?evi? Brada
00385 95 903 9755

FESTIVAL PR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE JURY:
Dubravko Jagati?
00385 98 480 884

Looking forward to hearing from you!"

photo from Destinacije

Friday, Live in New York City

"Friday, early evening, The Last Town Chorus at Pianos in the Lower East Side. Doors at 7:00pm. This will be a very special night - if you are in New York, please join us. The show will be recorded to capture a live version of 'Oregon' for an upcoming European EP release. It's the only live show planned in New York in the coming months and is a double bill with friends, Pete Galub and The Annuals. Pete is a regular guitarist with The Last Town Chorus... but he was an inspiration before he was a friend and collaborator.

On Friday The Last Town Chorus will include Pete on guitar, Greta Gertler (keys and voice), Alan Bezozi (drums) and the great Amy Allison (harmony vocals). All these musicians played on the upcoming album Wire Waltz (preview the whole album on the website - release details are coming very very soon)."

Out and about earlier today;
Finally some signs that summer will take place this year as scheduled.

Tiki Oasis 6 in San Diego, CA May 4th-7th, 2006

Indeed, friend, count on Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. -- the name you can trust, even if you can't quite remember it.

TUESDAY, MAY 2nd / And EVERY TUESDAY in May! / Rodeo Bar / 375 Third Avenue (corner of 27th Street), Manhattan / 10:00 sharp until 12:30 / No cover!

More Youtube! Jayne County, Dead Boys, Dickies, Hawkwind, Lyres, Lyres (w/ Ronnie Splinter), MC5, Radio Birdman, Rezillos, Suicide, Television. And to top it off here's Iggy & the Stooges

How could I forget: the Nitwitz?

On this bank Holiday, you can catch the great Robbie Fulks in Kilkenny, Ireland. He's at The Borderline in London on Wednesday (3rd) and in Bergen, Norway on Thursday (4th). Phew...

Also, I just discovered that Steve Wynn is hitting Europe with his full combo in support to the Willard Grant Conspiracy over the next week or so.