Hello,

We'd like to invite everyone to the Monorail Film Club this Sunday when we'll be screening a restored print of Billy Liar.

Billy Liar is the most transcendent of all the British New Wave films, Tom Courtenay's brilliant Billy not so much fighting against, but able to imagine himself out of the limitations of his humdrum life. Trapped by his family, his job, his surroundings and two doomed engagements, his main hope is his own intelligence and Liz (Julie Christie) is idealized sometime girlfriend. Schlesingers direction is fantastic and fun, colliding the optimistic newness of the 1960s with a grim up north realism.

Selected and introduced by Blair Young, video director and co-founder of The Forest Of Black.

The Monorail Film Club is generally on once a month in the GFT.

It is informal and open to everyone. We recommend booking tickets in advance from the box office on 0141 332 6535.

Billy Liar (Schlesinger, UK, 1963)

Sunday 29 January, 7.30pm @ GFT , 12 Rose Street , Glasgow . G3 6RB

Two heads really *are* better than one -- with a pair of Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. shows this week! Wednesday it's the creepy McKittrick Hotel, following the night's spooky "Sleep No More" performance, and then it's on to Otto's Shrunken Head on Thursday for our altogether ooky monthly residency. Two heads, indeed!

*WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25th / MANDERLEY BAR at THE McKITTRICK HOTEL /532 West 27th Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues) in ye olde Manhattan /10:30 'til 11:30 / Mention "SIT & Die" at the door after 10pm for *free* admission!

*THURSDAY, JANUARY 26th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD /
538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan /
Two kooky shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / No cover!

Doubly yours,

Michael

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.

"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Feel Presents

Dig It Up! The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational
Celebrating 30 Years of Recorded History in 2012
Tickets on Sale Monday 30th January 2012

Come along as the Hoodoo Gurus invite some of their favourite acts and key influences for a one-of-a-kind tour that celebrates 30 years since the release of Leilani (le Hoodoo Gurus iconic debut 7”) and a career that has delivered more than 30 timeless hit singles (I Want You Back, Bittersweet, What’s My Scene?, 1000 Miles Away, The Right Time et al). Their nine studio albums have also enjoyed critical and commercial acclaim in equal measures and they have the reputation of being one of Australia’s most consistent and powerful live acts.

Invitees include the legendary garage-rock pioneers The Sonics, brothers-in-spirit, Redd Kross and The Fleshtones the moody & compelling Died Pretty, Japanese all-girl legends The 5.6.7.8’s plus a hand-picked selection of local celebrities: Royal Headache, The Lovetones and Hard-Ons among them.

But that’s not all! In a personal celebration of this milestone, the Hoodoo Gurus have announced they will perform Stoneage Romeos (their landmark debut album) in its entirety plus a selection of their other hits. How excitement! Stoneage Romeos is a permanent fixture on various lists of Australia’s top albums including the 2010 book “The 100 Best Australian Albums” and Triple J’s Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time in 2011. Stoneage Romeos was also the subject of its own tribute album ‘Stoneage Cameos’ featuring covers by The Living End, You Am I, The Drones and a host of high profile contemporary acts of the day.

But that’s still not all…

As part of the celebration of this momentous milestone in the band’s career, Sony Music will release GOLD WATCH: 20 GOLDEN GREATS, a new Greatest Hits collection covering the bands entire 30 year career including the new single “Use-By Date”.

“Gold Watch” will be released on Friday 16th March.

Tickets for all shows are on-sale Monday 30th January. Sign up to the Dig it Up! mail list @ http://www.feelpresents.com/ for your chance to purchase pre-sale tickets.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind celebration: Dig it Up! The Hoodoo Gurus Invitational.

(Thanks to the Rev. Martin Percival for the info)

At last! The details of the 2012 Lux Lives celebration can be revealed.

Ladies and gentlemen,

live at Henry's Cellar Bar on February 3rd 2012,

- The Acid Fascists
- Fnords
- The Z28
- The Bucky Rage
- Dick Dangerous & The Love Bastards
- Fanny Pelmet & The Bastard Suits
- The Charles Randolph Rivers
Slim Rivers Revue
- Lord Rochester
- Sterling Roswell
- And very possibly one or two more!

So that's 9, count 'em, at least 9 super rock'n'roll machines offering you, the discerning rock'n'roll connoisseur, the finest goddamn rock'n'roll treats the Cramps taught 'em.

Yes! And how much would you pay for a wondrous thing like this? Wait! Don't answer, til I tell what else you git!

Not only do you have a full evening's entertainment, but you, the lucky punter, may also take home a souvenir CD, compiled by none other than Kogar The Swinging Ape - compiler of the essential Lux & Ivy's favourites compilations. CD cover by JR Williams!

But that's not all! Get an exclusive, Lux Lives 2012 badge! Designed by the infamous Rick Buzzin'.

All of this, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing your bit to keeping the flamejob alive. All for Five (5) of your earth pound notes!

You better duck, if you don't show up!

The Goo Goo Muck!

RIP - Etta James

Clip via Dave Alvin's facebook...

As my family and I pilot uncharted waters – and my own baked and (deep) fried heid - it’s not a conducive time to be pounding a keyboard. Circumstances are out of control and keeping this thing up to date or even regular isn’t really an option. I don’t do the “device” thing because I don’t have the hardware but eventually I’ll drag myself past the pedal powered PC. Just don’t hold your breath.

Meanwhile, here’s more J.O...



I remember being at A + R’s at Ocean beach, SF listening to his (Sunday morning?) radio show. We talked about going up to where it was broadcast from but never did. But what a guy!

RIP - Johnny Otis



(Thanks to Dave Stuckey via facebook)

And on a happier note - Ms Rigby has migrated her diary to Wordpress and asks that you have patience while she gets to grips with it. You know that she's worth it.

Fulfillment is at hand, dear friend, as Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. returns to the Rodeo Bar this week -- with a new showtime of 9pm! Same salty banter, same unsalted peanuts...

*WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11th / RODEO BAR /375 Third Avenue (on the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan /Two largely fulfilling sets, now from 9:00 sharp 'til midnight / No cover!

And, in the far flung future of late January:

*WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25th / MANDERLEY BAR at THE McKITTRICK HOTEL /532 West 27th Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues) in ye olde Manhattan /10:30 'til 11:30 / Free admission after 10pm. Simply mentioning "SIT & Die" at the door!

*THURSDAY, JANUARY 26th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD /538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan /Two warm and cozy shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / No cover!

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

RIP - Tom Ardolino



One of the very greatest songs ever.

(Thanks to Mr Ulf for this sad news)

RIP - Ronald Searle

There have been enquiries about the (by now) customary round-up so here goes. Alphabetically, naturally. Google the names and labels to scratch any buying itch in terms of links. This is all quality gear and deserving of your support. It would also be an idea perhaps to go into your local record store or enquire at an enterprising mail order joint. Please sideline the downloading for f-all method where at all possible.

Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven (YepRoc) A guy who can stand shoulder to shoulder with whoever you reckon is such hot shit. This refers to your Bob Dylans and Neil Youngs (I don’t care who you bring on as HDM once remarked). He’s playing the UK in April and I imagine Europe also. Soon as I know all the dates then you will too.

The Dahlmanns – All Dahled Up (CD - Pop Detective / Vinyl - Screaming Apple) You may well have taken the plunge by now but if you haven’t then this is your “green light”. The Moss-based unabashed pop sensations are gearing up for the next stage of your indoctrination as we mull over the past 12 months here. Something to believe in and a wee bit more.

Death by Unga Bunga – Juvenile Jungle (Spoon Train) Norway continues to inflict great bands upon us and these youngsters actually deliver what The H*rr*rs were supposed to be capable of serving up according to the press. The actual horror of hearing those wasters was underwhelming but happily DBUB are not the emperor’s new clothes, more like a natty set of threads sewn together to make a rather agreeable racket.

Dum Dum Girls – Only In Dreams (Sub Pop) Leaps and bounds better than their debut, “OID” contains some dangerous pop twang of which “Bedroom Eyes” is arguably the most potent but really the whole thing will pep you up like one of those hot towels you used to get at the end of a long flight. And that’s without even seeing them.

Lola Dutronic – New York Stories (Red Star Digital) A genuinely life-affirming take on a handful of standards that includes The Fast’s “Kids Just Wanna Dance” and “Keep Your Dreams” by Suicide. The BPM will massage your vital signs and no mistake. An ideal companion for your copy of ACC’s “I ♥ New York”.

Matt & Kim – Sidewalks (Fader Label) Criminally ignored on this side of the big puddle, these kids are headed for the stratosphere in their homeland. Hit after hit would ensue if there was any sort of decent delivery system in place. The Brit ability to embrace talent is akin to our public transport system.

Säkert! – På Engelska (Razzia) Annika and co deliver a selection of songs in their non-native tongue and moreover, the translations are literal. The fact she isn’t a household name is an ongoing war crime in my estimation however I realise that it’s most likely because whoever racks up yer media hoo-hah outside of Sweden is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

Screeching Weasel – Carnival of Schadenfreude (Recess) Ben was pelted with lemons and all manner of vegetables following the SxSW malarkey. He went away, regrouped and came back with this. Hopefully those who threw him “Under The Bus” are to use a phrase my granny used to use “laughing on the other side of their face”. I was never sure how that worked but I hope the actuality is as harsh as it sounded.

Shonen Knife – Osaka Ramones (Damnably) Is there anything better than three Japanese girls bashing out Ramones covers? If there is then bring it on. Their version of “KKK” is sublime and the others don’t slouch none either. Thirty years on, the Knife is still sharp.

Suzy & Los Quattro – Hank (Bcore) A testament to their murdered friend, “Hank” raises the Quattros ante to the level of “Tommy”. I’d venture that it’s better because it’s based on a true story and is delivered directly from the heart with a whole lot of soul.

Wooden Shjips – West (Thrill Jockey) The latest instalment just keeps the groove coming as almost only they can serve it up. Saw a couple of whining reviews when it came out about it not being the “same” but sometimes that’s a good thing. Here’s a case in point. Looking at what I just typed, what does that expression mean anyway?

So there are 11 selections as 2011 disappears, it took me around 6 months to get into any sort of forward notion and the memory of House of Rock still burns bright. I’m looking forward to hearing what’s happening with Version 2.0. Similarly cleansing was my return to NYC for the roll in the thunder that was the Norton 25th Anniversary bash. Two days into “the ‘12” and so far so good – some turbulence is expected but not of the variety that caused the undercarriage to fall off my wagon last time the counter was reset.

That’s as optimistic as I’m prepared to be. Plus blogger hasn't been playing nice during the compliation of this particular post. Temper is flaring, nerves are frayed - you know the drill.

Pretty much what it's all about...