RIP - Leslie Nielsen

Just the job for a cold winters morning...

My processor can't handle this but maybe you have the technology...

Hey All,

Before we all split for drinking and food comas I wanted to make sure you heard about our rock and roll documentary New Garage Explosion!!: In Love With These Times. It's now online at VBS.

Watch New Garage Explosion: In Love With These Times

Here's a brief description:

After a brief nod to garage's humble beginnings amongst American youth in Detroit during the 1960s and its contribution and influence on '80s punk, the documentary focuses on the scintillating present. As it pans trans-nationally, the camera profiles artists like the late Jay Reatard, Black Lips, The Dirtbombs, Thee Oh Sees, Smith Westerns, Vivian Girls and many more in an attempt to understand not only the exponential ascent of garage rock's popularity but the reason these people feel so passionately about it. A wide-eyed glimpse into a musical movement, New Garage Explosion: In Love With These Times is as much about the music as it is about the people contributing to the distinct scenes of the San Francisco, Oakland, Detroit, New York, Memphis, Atlanta, and Portland garage communities.

New Garage Explosion!!: In Love With These Times is a gritty cross section of one of rock's most exciting subgenres, garage. It will run as three parts over the next three days and then will stream in it's entirety on Thursday the 25th.

VBS directors Joseph Patel and Aaron Brown worked with producer/journalist Mike McGonigal to offer a particularly in depth examination of a multi-dimensional and often misunderstood slice of popular culture unfolding in front of us. New Garage Explosion: In Love With These Times is a candid snapshot of this magically vibrant moment in rock history, inspirational and brimming with DIY purity and is sponsored by Scion AV.

Thanks!
Rory , Vice Media

RIP - Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson

(Thanks to Dr H for the link)

Friday again and the festering season is almost upon us. Bit of tumult going on around these parts but it goes with the territory. It’s (Black Friday) Record Store Day in the USA and there’s a Roky Erickson and the Black Angels DVD/Vinyl release to mark the occasion. Bunch of other stuff too, no doubt the scumsuckers are up and about early hovering up these items to hop them up via a certain interweb auction conglom. That aspect stinks as I have touched upon before.

Listen, I haven’t dumped the Mojo's yet but will definitely be doing so this weekend if no one wants them. If you have a wants list then let me know. They’re yours for the postage. I’m thinking the Zigzag's might be next up for getting rid and I really don’t want those to end up in a bale someplace. It makes me a little sad to do this but “there are nae pockets in a shroud” as they say. I might go the ebay route with some stuff but I kind of hate that now after run-ins with the kind of trolls that inhabit that particular universe.

Pretty certain you’re all familiar with them.

Hello,

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Monorail Film Club this Sunday features Tim Hunter's cult thriller, River's Edge. River's Edge is a story of blank youth and confused morality set in a drab looking Sacramento suburb. It features an incredible barnstorming performance from Crispin Glover (playing lead over Keanu Reeves!), Dennis Hopper, and music from Slayer and The Wipers. It will be introduced by Mark 'Horror' Hiller.

As ever we recommend booking tickets in advance from the box office on 0141 332 6535.

River's Edge
Tim Hunter, US, 1986

GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow G3 6RB @ 7.30pm

RIP - Ingrid Pitt

As a died in the wool info junkie, the experiment of trying to process less of that particular drug isn’t having the life-affirming effect that one might have expected. And as for spending that time wisely then that’s simply never come to pass. I have started on the bunker improvements though so I imagine the heid nip of that is a substitute of sorts. It takes SO DAMN long to get stuff done. A staunch believer in sensory gratification should have options, right?

Did take some time out yesterday though, to catch the first two-thirds of The Millennium Trilogy at GFT. The six hour shift of a Sunday afternoon was a good investment (I think) and primes me to catch the final third this coming weekend. Probably.

I’m a little sick of the interweb. Nothing updates quick enough and even the BBC seems to be sluggish. My inability to function in terms of being able to write reviews or just compile a simple post isn’t terribly up to snuff either. I do lapse in and out of a feeling of guilt if that’s any consolation? Better out than in, right?

Peter B. Kaufman was kind enough to send me the link to this and from there I found the Amy/Eric clip. I'm very privileged to be able to call three of these performer's friends. These videos really brought that home to me.



The guitar in this is heartbreaking... nice one Young Eck!

Another facebook tip, I forgot all about this...

Via Christer Warholm on facebook... quite the rabbithole of clips on the sidebar too...



and Mr Percival flagged this one up...

I didn't make it out the other night but Murray did so here's his report...

First up in Henry's, The Murderburgers - if you like your pop punk like Screeching Weasel then go no further, you dont need to hear these songs twice to like 'em, tighter than my bosses wallet on a night out and all the usual lyrical ingredients.

Second on is a last minute addition to the bill of the world famous Shock And Awe with Paul Research - Robert King was meant to have been the secret special guest, a little live practice for them both before the xmas bash at the picture house, but he's been sick all week. So it becomes jazz night with one song featuring one chord and one lyric "why dont you kiss me" and sounding like something stolen from the stooges when ron and james were both in the band then up steps the legendary Paul Research for a hugely extended version of "yesterdays kids" complete with sax and an improvised jam through the velvet undergrounds "what goes on" with the lyrics stuck up on the wall - they treat playing music like kids playing in the playground, its all about having fun for themselves and its infectious

Next up its The Plimptons who'd originally booked the gig as an album launch night and its difficult to know where to look, a non stop skattish soundtrack where everybody moves and every available mic in the house is used. I couldnt make out the words and wondered if the songs would be more fun or just more annoying if I heard them on cd. They'd forgot to bring them anyway ....

Coming in at the very last minute were SPECTORBULLETS, they'd played a showcase gig in Edinburgh at the voodoo rooms already on tuesday and for Swedish singer Gustaf Heden this was a late night alcohol laced party. Theres something about them that remind me of Mike Watts old band fIREHOSE and I loved them. off kilter song structures, full scale drumming, guitar and bass following their own paths in unusual ways. And the singings got that same sort of tone. This maybe makes them sound like a difficult band to get into, but their not. Gustaf was in full on rock and roll front man mode which I personally found entertaining and thats the reason I go to gigs and seldom listen to music in the house these days.

Pffffff… you might well have noticed that activity here has been limited over the last wee while. There are reasons rather than excuses and pretty dreary ones at that, not all associated with trying to spend less time in front of a computer.
And then there’s all the crap about the catalogue that’s suddenly available on i-Tunes. WTF are these people thinking about? Haven’t they ripped their CDs by now if they do need to hear that rubbish? I really despair and doubly so when I see the marketing exercise cleverly tied in with the other big blight on the music business front that has legitimised karaoke in recent times. Are these just signs of the apocalypse? Did Nostradamus predict the Echh Factor?

I don’t think that I’ve ever felt so out of step with what is alleged to be popular culture on any level. No style. Even less substance. That’s the order of the day if you want to make it in the UK. However, there is evidence of a god at work in other territories. Matt and Kim continue to make headway in the USA and Annika Norlin shifts albums in good old Sweden.

This weekend I plan to be busy. To can the procrastination and achieve something. That means in terms of the bunker and some impending “improvements”. That means catching up with music. Things are a bit wobbly and could be subject to change though. I did manage to get a haircut though such as it is. So that could be construed as a start.

RIP - Dino De Laurentiis

(Just saw this on Ms Marlowe's facebook)

If you're anywhere Albany, NY then stop what you're doing and make sure you go and see Eric and Amy tonight. Their latest US sweep will be underway, taking in Asbury Park and NY over the course of this week.

The latest hit and run on “the London” entailed the usual whirlwind of activity. When will I learn about not trying to pack to much in on such a trip? Sometime never mayhap but in the interests of survival, this could be an avenue that warrants exploration. Maybe in time for the next sojourn on December 11th…

Got to town around 2pm and made for the bustling Lie-chester Square. A teeming hedgerow to be sure and the peaceful bolthole known as the Phoenix Artists Club wasn ‘t opening until 5 but a suitable alternative was found that allowed the afternoon’s social to proceed. Mr Thewlis is deeply pissed off with the PAC though and we may have to enlist a potential alternative for future soirees. I’ll tell you something though, their pizza and chips is pretty damn good.

From there to meet the Rev. Nick West at Kings Cross in order to head for the uncharted territory known as Stoke Newington. It’s a nice area of town but a bit of a bastard to get to although the buses are a skoosh when you get a beat on the inside track. Things were running a wee bit late at The Drop and it was around 9.30 when The Boonaraaas!!! Took the stage. It’s always a pleasure and they were top notch as always. I expected Tine to be back and the “No Blokes in The Boonaraaas!!” lobby grumbled a bit but on the whole were very pleased to have Trich, Christina and Laura “in the house” as they say in the dance music subculture. Of course the Boonaaas are practised in real dance music and not the disco annexe. Photographic evidence is presented here and Christina has been charged at looking into how we can make a visit to Scotland happen.






Thee Vicars seem to be introducing a younger element into the pleasures of garage beat and this is a good thing. The fact that I find it all a bit underwhelming is neither here or there. I salute their crusade and what they’re doing in league with Dirty Water. Good to see PJ and thanks to him for assembling the evening. It got pretty damn busy in that room. Los Explosivos are a primo live act that mixes a savage punk rock flavour with a couple of dashes of The Hellacopters sieved through Grand Funk. This Mexican combo more than live up to their name and detonate on a number of occasions. They have a great entourage too and a night in Madrid at the Wurlitzer with this crowd would likely be quite the concoction.




From there, back into town and a wander over to The Betsey Trotwood. A very groovy Clerkenwell hostelry that played host to the first stay behind in the capital that I’ve attended in a very long time. A cool crowd (Hey Amy, Hey Gurbir) supped and danced into the wee small hours and it was somewhat reassuring to have an autographed poster for the BMX Bandits “Down At the Hop” hanging on the wall at the end of our table.

I’m keen to return there in the daytime to sample their pub nosh. From there, a further wander through the deserted streets of that area of London where urban foxes of the furry variety went about their business. Stopped off at the BOB HQ for literally 4 hours before it was time to once again head north. Pretty much died upon returning to the bunker. Hoping that the Boonaaa gals made it safely home to Germany.

And then, it was Monday again…

RIP - Sonia Pottinger

(Thanks to DS for the link)

What does the future hold? Why, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. at the Rodeo Bar this Wednesday for its monthly residency! Read on, palmists, if you please...

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10th / RODEO BAR /375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan /Two telling sets, from 10pm sharp until 12:30am / No cover!

Plus, peering further ahead...

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20th / DANCES OF VICE'S "JUNGLE ROCK" /Room Fifty5 Lounge / 210 West 55th Street in Manhattan / Voodoo rhythms, burlesque, swing dancing -- and SIT & Die Co.!

Handily yours, Michael

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co."Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Not long back from London and don't have the wherewithall to file a report tonight.

Jerker found an Amy Allison clip I hadn't seen and in turn from there, that song led me to this one. "Why must it be" indeed.

I'm having a night off, could be a bumper crop of guff here tomorrow but then again... Until then, then.

Yowza, Yowza! It's a Saturday night swing extravaganza with Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. and the high-steppers at Swing Remix -- featuring dance lessons for all levels of hoofers, vintage dance scene movie clips, and all the live hillbilly boogie a body can handle!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6th / "SWING REMIX" / in the Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium at the JCC /334 Amsterdam Avenue (at 76th Street) in ol' Manhattan /Three solid SIT & Die Co. sets, at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 -- plus dance lessons all night!

The Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium is a state-of-the-art theater at the JCC, featuring a beautiful wooden interior and dance floor, multi-media projection and sound system and a fabulous balcony for those who prefer to view from above. The JCC is conveniently located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, accessible by the 1, 2 or 3 subway lines and the M7 or M11 bus lines.

Swingingly yours,
Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

This clocks back/forward nonsense is irritating. It all ends in being dark when you go to work and likewise when you return. An hour is neither here nor there. And then there’s the excuse about it being for kids going to and from school. Generally they’re ferried there by their mollycoddling parents.

Fat lot of good that extra hour did me… I was ready to get up a little after 3.30am. Of course, if I was in Madrid – I’d more than likely still be up at that time. Looking forward to heading south on Saturday for a rendezvous with those Boonaraaas!!! They’re at The Drop in Stoke Newington and PJ tells me that they’ll be on around 8.30pm so make sure you’re there in plenty time. Last time they were here, at Ryan’s Bar – there was a traffic mishap that meant I missed most of their set. That will NOT be happening this semester.

Today is the most depressing day of the year according to the news. I’m not sure what the unit of measure is. Used to be meechs (pronounced like loch – provided you know how to say that) but I imagine there’s some kind of euro alternative. Mondays are generally pretty sore, just in terms of having to throw one’s lot in with the chain gang. If you don’t do the lottery or if you’re not independently wealthy then you’re,um, er, what’s the word?

Oh aye… "fucked". That’s the one.