Was sad to hear that the Au-GoGo store in Melbourne has closed but the good news is that they're still in business. Read all about it!.

Art Fein's November slice of wisdom is at the end of this link. He da man! Go!

The Skeletons on the November 1st edition of Whad'ya Know? Go Listen!

My old mucker, Brother Randall sent me this info which I know all you cultured vultures will dig... over to you sir, "First off is this cool book on Carnival Strippers, which I first saw at Mike Buck's house back in the 80s and have searched for a copy ever since, now it's been reprinted (got mine for a measly $30 from Amazon). Check out the slide show thingy here! (tho' you need to register). Also, for the benefit of Art Lovers everywhere, I put up a web page of Donna's and my 1960s adult movie poster collection here!.

"The Scythian: An excerpt from 'Vinyl Junkies: Adventures in Record Collecting' by Brett Milano". (hilarious story involving Jeff 'Monoman' Connelly).

Pure teenpunkpop thunder vs. lumpy angular "fusion" (Impure Plop). Discuss...
Last night (no wednesday) I saw The Star Spangles open for Jane's Addiction to little more than a ripple of indifferent applause. Indifference was never a trait associated with Glasgow but that's how lame "rawk" audiences have gotten. People go to gigs now to have conversations but that's a bugbear for another time. The show, at the city's prestigious new Carling Academy should have blown minds but the flotsam that makes up the JA demographic couldn't care less. As a venue it's looking good but functionally there isn't a whiff of atmos. The restoration of original features and the sightlines are good so why doesn't this augment the experience?
The Spangles came out and charged into their set with a gusto that you seldom see in this day and age. They played songs from Bazooka! and another four new ones that are just fuggin' top notch. One of these, Gangland, is beyond anthemdom and the others don't slouch either. There's a great harmonic breadth to the guitar sound on all Spangle tuneage. I'm sure I heard a little Jingle Bells frisson during Tell Lies and Tear it To Pieces Girl shreds. I am vexed that "the kids" don't recognise these pop gold in these here thrills. They need a campaign that'll introduce them to a younger, untarnished crowd. Does such a circuit exist? Answers on a postcard or whatever.
Actually we're having problems changing the contact info on the ol' blog here. Hopefully that'll all be worked out soon but let's not stray from the original subject. The Star Spangles are on a mission and their detractors only make them stronger. Like I said, they're not your average crew despite what lazy, ill infomed sections of the press might whine. Sign up now!

The Worst Album Covers Ever.

Still haven't got a ticket for the MTV awards. That'll teach me... but tonight - in Glasgow, for just the one night y'unnerstaun'... The Star Spangles open for Perry Farrell's way overrated Janes Addiction, then we scoot from there (hopefully not missing Paul Burch's set altogether) to see Laura Cantrell open for bluegrass legend, Dr Ralph Stanley. Let's hear it for Blu(egrass) Cantrell...

Just wanted to let you know that the Master Plan's 'Colossus Of Destiny' is due for vinyl release on November 10th on the Demolition Derby label. The Master Plan are: Andy Shernoff (Dictators), Keith Streng & Bill Milhizer (Fleshtones) and Paul Johnson (Waxing Poetics). If you would like to order a copy, you should be able to find the details at: www.demderby.com

Johnny Barker leaves the Buff Medways...
"Not to worry though, the show goes on with Graham Day, formerly of The Prisoners, Thee Mighty Caesars and currently the singer/guitartist of The Solar Flares temporarily joining the band! The Buff Medways first gig with the new look line up will be on November 14th at the Dirty water Club. Also playing that night are the legendary Armitage Shanks, who are back and better than ever with a new album "Urinal Heap" on Damaged Goods". For more info: Thee Billy Childish.com

(from joeyramone.com) "It is now finally official!
The City Of New York is dedicating the corner of Bowery and Second Street as Joey Ramone Place on November 30th, 2003 at 1:00pm. Contrary to other reports elsewhere that this was a done deal long ago, New York is finally giving it up for Joey Ramone! Come out and witness this historic event if you can!"

While typin' this I'm surround by what could be best described as a Christo-type work of art, everything around me is covered in plastic. As of tomorrow we will, albeit temporarily, no longer have a roof over our heads, not to mention the fact that it looks like I won't be able to take a shower here for at least three weeks !. Yep the re/de-construction of HQ is in full effect.
But as promised I'll still try to give you some updates on what I'm diggin' culture wise.
So here goes; Bacchus Archives have just reissued the stellar first 45 by LA powerpop legends The Quick. Main tune on this 45 is 'Pretty Please', a song most of you will know as by either the Dickies or Redd Kross, but to quote Dobie Gray; "the original is still the greatest". The latest batch from Ace Records includes a solid soul comp with all tunes related to the war in Vietnam. ''A Soldier's Sad Story' is easily one of the best soul comps since those Dave Godin compiled 'Deep Soul Treasures' series. From Soul Jazz comes 600 % Dynamite, a real "grower" featuring a bunch of fantastic (and even to me) obscuro Jamaican hits, that are sure to highlight your next shindig. Hey, I gotta agree with Lindsay's POV on the Nomads tribute disc. The fact that there are a number o' tunes on this that the guys did in tribute themselves, should be evidence enough that they are masters at creating their own body of work no matter the source.
'N yeah, this might seem like shorthand, I know... Too bad, but I'm headin' for my last shower in what might be weeks right now, so please forgive me for bein' so brief here....
Damn, almost forgot mentioning the Dirtbombs latest. Easily one of the top 5 p-rock/garage discs this year...

Stop the world the MTV awards are coming to Edinburgh this week. It's gonna be a massive boost to the local economy don'tcha know? The price we're paying is that it's getting saturation coverage. Forget the fact that Edinburgh has no tangible music scene as such but it does have a castle. And at Christmas time, it has a dirty great ferris wheel planked in front, or to the side rather, of Scott's Monument in Princes Street, just along from Bargain Books. All Edinburgh is these days is a soulless money drain. Damned scenic looking in a fur coat, nae knickers kinda fash but is there no end to the constant "gies yer money" vibe. Meanwhile good folks like the Mouats are trying to put on quality entertainment there on a regular basis and get piddly wee audiences. It's an ill-divided world right enough...

In a proper world, The Nomads would enjoy the megastardom they deserve and The Demolition Doll Rods would have been the combo to put Detroit back on the map but we cannae have everything... stand by for the Nomads tribute 20 Years Too Soon comin' atcha this very week courtesy of Big Bongo/Wild Kingdom. It kicks off the party with The Dictators 16 Forever and hammers home the message that those Solna boys introduced us to some damn fine tuneage over the years. Voladoras do more than justice to The Way (You Touch My Hand) and I'd say that all told, this is a damned goodnatured project. More than just a bunch of covers, there's some heart and soul here. The Hellacopters Pack of Lies makes one wonder what it'll take to hep the kids to the fact that they should be selling the tickets and records that T*rb*ne*ro are. Can we get to turning the tables here?

Still getting to grips with this broadband and severing the ol' ties with AOL. Never had this kinda guff with pen, paper and stamps. This is like moving house without actually moving. A proper posting soon, nae kidding. Swedish readers may be interested in picking up todays DAGENS NYHETER to read a report on Glasgow by Niklas Wahllof who suffered for his art I can tell ya. It's not on line but early reports are most favourable.

Time certainly flies when you're, well uh, busy... It's almost a week now since returning from our holiday trip and I've hardly posted anything here. As some of you already know I'm headin' for parenthood somewhere early in the next year if all goes well, and the logistics that come along with that take up a lot of time at the moment. We're gonna have an extra floor build on top of HQ in the next couple o' weeks, not to house our upcomin' baby tho', but to make room for my ever expanding record collection ! (earlier today I was tryin' to clear up the mess that is my "music room" and I noted that over the past six days I had bought 18 LPs, that's three a day!... that's insane!...) But, as you can well figure, that building business will be needin' most of my attention in the near future, so please excuse me if I'm temporarily not as frequent with my posts as what you're used to.
Enough of that tho', let's talk "culture". First off, I finally got to read Robert Gordon's amazing Muddy Waters biography 'Can't Be Satisfied' during our stay in Greece. A fantastic read that doesn't go all scholarly like most books on blues, but tells Muddy's story in plain detail. Fascinating, captivating and inspiring, how's that for superlatives?. Another great read was the new issue of Ugly Things magazine. Mike Stax has really outdone himself with the Misunderstood story, and with all the other info available in it's 200 or so pages, this one will take a while to fully digest. For no apparent reason I also dropped Charles White's Little Richard biography in my traveling bag after it had been gathering dust on HQ's bookshelf for a decade or so. I had forgotten what fantastic book this is, easily as wild as the reverend Penniman's wildest discs. The story of his encounter with Buddy Holly is worth the price of admission by itself !. That's it as far as reading is concerned, as for my current listening habits; I'm stuck to a steady diet of old blues 'n soul discs, everything from pre-war country blues to Bobby Womack's early 70s LPs. It never stops to amaze me how much great music is still out there to be discovered, we're talkin' over a century of record music here !, yet people are actually gone over such horsedung like the Darkness and King Of Leon these days, bands that no one will give a shit about in 12 months time. Truth is; fifty years down the line you can put on a Muddy Waters or Little Richard disc from their heyday and sparks 'll still be flying, while these current "contenders", baskin' in their 15 minutes, can't even hold a candle to either of 'em. Excuse me while I do the Boogaloo and refuse to be duped into yet another marketing ploy....

Welcome back J. This guy is the glue that keeps all this together y'know. Been hunting for more victims for my Ebay clearout. Repatriating stuff that's been in boxes in the loft for a while now. I'm letting 'em out on good behaviour for whatever they raise. I think quite a lot these days about how, if I go out some morning or whatev. and get hit by a bus, that it'll all end up in a skip anyway. The idea then is to raise some dosh so I can spend time with my extended family across this planet. They know who they are. Anyway, music stuff soon. There's been a certain amount of turmoil about the abode this weekend. We've gone broadband so I haveta shut down the AOL thing and make sure that I have all the info I need outta that account before it's deep sixed for good. Will this new faster, doesn't kick you out every 15 minutes connection make for an increase in postings? You never bleedin' know mate...

OK, back from Greece and downing the final parts of a bottle o' "imported" Greek wine.....
I'll spare you the details (at least for the moment) and just urge you all to get a hold of the new Zodiac Killers full length 'Society's Offenders'. As fine a p-rock blast as you're gonna get in this day 'n age.....

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest but I've got a stinkin' cold and today's papers are full of crap about The Strokes. This is in sharp contrast to yesterday when my cold was just creepin' up on me and hearing Steve Earle talk about The Dictators on BBC Radio Scotland pre-11am.
Also how hard does the new Mojo suck? Not the cd or Sylvie Simmons thing on Johnny Cash but their latest Hall of Fame "list" might finally be the thing that pulls the plug on me buying it ever again and nothing to do with the fact that I'm actually forbidden by religion to buy issues with Oasis, The Beatles, Paul Weller or The aforementioned Str*kes on the cover. I hope those thunderstorms ain't raining on Jeroen's parade too hard now...

I've been called a lot of things in my time but capable isn't one of them. Ok kids, wanna see Godlis? some kinda iconic punk rock photographic action as only NY could serve it up. Go!

While all o' you are checkin' this blog on monday morning at work, Alice 'n me are off to Greece for some well deserved, uh, rain and thunderstorms apperantly.... So I'll have to leave you in the capable hands of Steve 'n Lindsay for the next 10 days or so. Please be kind to 'em....

Time to shunt this WHO WILL SAVE ROCK'N'ROLL project into action. This was prompted by meeting a friend of my brother's in the supermarket this morning. He reminded me how lame the kids of today are. Did you read Metal Mike Saunders thing on sissy-rock recently? It was brilliant but anyway, the "parents" are taking the kids to Linkin Park and in my book that sucks. My old man would never have taken me to see Alice Cooper or Led Zep and the world could do with a generation gap more than ever. I guess it'll all be washed down with a pre-match swally in McDonalds? So anyway, please feel free to pitch in anything on the subject. I'd like to get it all in by the end of November to be published early in 2004. Kids ain't allowed to be kids anymore. I blame computers and the continual peer pressure hard sell but that's what we auld fellers do. Parents goin' to concerts with the kids, never woulda happened in my day. Then there are those that take them to the frauditorium and wait outside in the SUV while the little sorry-asses groove to the nu-metal boybandness. It's all handed out on a frickin' plate.

Cap'n Per Hagred crossed my cd player with a copy of an album by a combo called The Blackstone Valley Sinners and what a wee cracker it is too. Reminds me of a country-fried (not -fied) Guadalcanal Diary. Swingin'. Go!

I was just (politely) chastised for not being up to date with my buddy of old, Art Fein's Another Fein Mess. The A fella is a one of a kind writer that, when I read his stuff, I wonder how the hell he isn't some kinda high-falluting "writer" that gets paid a hefty wad and on the best-seller lists. his writing, no matter what it's about, rocks. He also has a public access TV show that has a guest list that reads like a proverbial who's who. The standard dipped when I was on in 1992 but it has since regained its wall to wall status. I met Art when he managed The Blasters and was representing The Cramps in 1982. In the 20 years since he has stuck to his guns and continues to champion exactly what the heck he likes. Read what he writes and attempt to live by it. Because you could y'know... GO!.

An alternative guide to Glasgow culture and beyond anyone? GO!

"The Rocket From The Tombs non-reunion continues to roll on in its inimitable non way. A second tour begins November 17 in San Diego and runs up the west coast, across the top, down the east coast and across the south ending December 14 (maybe). Like topsy it keeps growing. Go here for the latest state of affairs.
The lineup continues, miraculously, as David Thomas, Cheetah Chrome, Richard Lloyd, Craig Bell and Steve Mehlman.
An album of studio recordings of the live set will be released on Smog Veil Records. It's called Rocket Redux and features the following songs: Frustration, So Cold, What Love Is, Ain't It Fun, Muckraker, 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, Sonic Reducer RFTT, Never Gonna Kill Myself Again, Amphetamine, Down In Flames, Final Solution RFTT, and Life Stinks. Copies will be on sale at the upcoming concert dates but the commercial release and general availability will not be until Feb 1 2004".
Persistant rumors from Cheetah Chrome insist that a Euro tour is in order for early next year !.

And another one down; apperantly Andy Starr passed away on the same day as Johnny Cash. On 21st October, he would have celebrated his 71st birthday. (News forwarded by Jan Kooi).

As previously mentioned, the Dictators will be playing CBGBs on December 5th (w/ the Star Spangles) & 6th (w/ the Fleshtones) as part of the CBs anniversary fest. Word just came in that both shows will be filmed for a DVD release. That's the good news. Sadly there are also strong rumors that this may be one of the final events at CBGBs as their lease is up at the end of the year and doesn't look likely to be renewed.

After a long hike thru' the woods earlier today I found myself diggin' out some primo p-rock blasts tonight, mayhaps in response to all that peace 'n quiet and the abundance of tweetin' birds, who knows. It was not your "old skool classics" however, nope, I had a severe case of "back to the 90s" (a phrase I'd love to trademark!). And before you knew it I was already thinkin' in "best Of" terms (a sure sign to spot the nerd). So here it is; my "top 10 (chronological) best of the 90s p-rock discs":

1990 Gories - I Know You're Fine
Never really cared for their debut disc, but this one (their 2nd) is on a par w/, say, the first Cramps, Ramones or Suicide discs, bein'' stylistically completely unconnected to their surroundings....
1991 Nomads - Sonically Speaking
Way overlooked, this might just be their finest moment. Like CCR or Jerry Lee Lewis, the Nomads are able to take whatever song or musical element and turn it into something that can't be anything but a Nomads song...
1992 New Bomb Turks - Destroy Oh Boy
A real head-turner for me at the time. It might have well been the first time since 'Damaged' that the entire notion of p-rock as a valuable proposition held any credence.
1993 Devil Dogs - Saturday Night Fever
If all their records were produced as solid as this one they'd probably be worshipped on a global level these days. Sadly it wasn't to be. Watch your speakers melt while these guys tear thru' the Garry Glitter and Gene Pitney songbook.
1994 Rip Offs - The Rip Offs Got A Record
Remember the Fingers, Supercharger or Pure Filth magazine?, well this this record actually rounds up all the best parts of 'em. Looked like they were desperately tryin' to be the Lurkers, but in fact they were so much better than their heros ever were.
1996 Loli & the Chones - P.S. We Hate You
From the same scene as above, the entire thing lasts about 15 minutes but is impossible to fault.
1996 Oblivians - Popular favorites
For about two years these guys were the best band on the planet, no two ways about it. This is their finest moment, but anything w/ their name on it justifies whatever is the askin' price...
1997 Hellacopters - Payin' The Dues
This is where the controversy set in for a lot o' folks, but a disc that combines the best parts of the Nomads, Alice Cooper 'n the Dead Boys is A-OK with me.
1998 Turbonegro - Apocalypse Dudes
I know ol' Lindsay hates 'em, but to me this is pretty hard to beat as far as punk/glam/gay-metal crossover goes
1999 Nitwitz - Dark Side Of The Spoon
Tony Slug is one o' the finest 6-string strummers the low-lands have delivered in the past quarter century or so, the sad fact however remains that nobody's noticed so far. Worshipped in Spain, the Slugster remains a complete unkown in his native country....

M.I.A.: Nine Pound Hammer, Supersuckers, Lazy Cowgirls, Didjits, Ramones, Riverdales

The German Ramones Club site has been pretty quiet for the past 6 months or so, but it looks like Heiko is shifting gears once again to get the thing back in action. Hey, we're talkin' the most up-to-date Ramones re-source on the web. Latest news contains info on the band's long suffering tour manager Monte Melnick's upcomin' book on his years on the road with 'em, plus plenty other worthwhile stuff. GO!.

"Oh boy!  Listen up, music lovers and noise heads, improvisers and olde-skool punks:  This 'un's gonna knock yer sox off!  The new CD LIVE FROM THE BASEMENT 1975-1997, from Gulcher Records, collects the 7-inch vinyl output of the Screamin' Mee-Mees, legendary pre-punk crazies from St. Louis, Missouri.  With this disc, Jon Ashline and Bruce Cole finally get the respect they probably still don't think they deserve.  Such is the self-deprecating racket-roll these two yahoos have been spewing about in Bruce's basement since 1972.
The Gulcher CD picks up the story with the release of their debut EP, LIVE FROM THE BASEMENT, recorded in '75/'76, but unleashed during the punk-rock frenzy of 1977.  The Mee-Mees were punk more by timing than by design.  It's true they had grown up on a diet of Stooges, Velvet Underground, and 60s garage--like many early punk-rockers--but they were equally influenced by more outside sounds like Amon Düül I, the Godz, Silver Apples, Captain Beefheart, etc.
Although a few of their songs are composed in the old-fashioned way, most are spontaneous eruptions of rhythm, sound, and absurd word play.  I should also mention that the Mee-Mees possess a very strong all-Amerikan sense of stoopid.
They recorded a second EP, HOME MOVIES, in 1978, but it remained unreleased until their comeback in the '90s. The '80s were a pretty dry period for the duo, but their 90's singles are all here:  "Pull My Finger"/"Family Tree" ('93), "Life Never Stops"/"Oscillations" ('94; B-side is the Silver Apples song), and "Answer Me!"/"Arthritis Today" ('96).  Also included are the Mee-Mees' cover of the Twinkeyz' "Cartoon Land" from a split single with Mike Rep & The Quotas, and "Squawk Squawk Squawk" from a comp EP for WHUMP! fanzine.  The most recent tracks are from Bruce Cole's 1997 VENUSIAN PLATEAUS solo EP, which you probably missed completely.  Bruce took a very natural turn into more overt forms of improv, noise, and drone.
Half of the Gulcher CD tracks are re-mastered from the original tapes, most done properly for the first time after various botched vinyl jobs. There are also numerous extended versions, with music, noise, and conversation not included on the original 7-inch releases.
Lots of great sounds here, boys and girls!  And it all comes packaged with a 20-page booklet full of rare photos, reproductions of the sleeves, an interview with Bruce Cole by Jeff Kopp from HEAD IN A MILK BOTTLE fanzine, liner notes by yours truly, and a complete discography for the Mee-Mees and related projects".  (Eddie Flowers/Slippy Town)

There's a burst of BMX Bandits activity going on to celebrate the new Down At The Hop album on Shoeshine. Check their stall out.

Yeah. The blonde bomber is gone. Brother Randall sent this link to the Dallas News obit. Bye Ronnie...

More sad news; Ronnie Dawson passed away yesterday at 16:30 local time. (news c/o Tjarko Jeen).

This month's releases from Ace.

Finally found a decent obit for Paul Burlison here.

Sundazed has announced a 10" EP by 60s garage legends The Unrelated Segments. The EP includes The Story Of My Life, of course, as well as five other songs. Liner notes are by Jeff Jarema. Official release date is October 21st. (news c/o 60sgaragebands.com).

Those of you lucky enough to be heading for the Budget Rock festival in San Francisco on Sunday night (Oct 5th) will be chuffed to learn that Cyril Jordan's new band, Magic Christian, are taking the stage directly before the Fleshtones. More info about the Groovies and Magic Christian at: http://www25.brinkster.com/chancede/News.html

Kids, Chip Zepp, who is one of our brethren in Dictators/MWK fandom, has undertaken the noble project of trying to compile a complete list of all the dates and venues the guys have ever played over the yrs, with set lists. This is an open plea for help - search your memory banks, where did you see them back in the day? Who opened, or who did they open for? Any set lists in the bottom of drawers anywhere? Old ads or listings? Please give him a shout if you can help in any way. He's at cwzepp@yahoo.com, his results thus far are posted here.

RIP: Paul Burlison.

Just my luck; for whatever reason my e-mail program wiped itself clean, which means I've lost all my previous correspondence and the contents of my address books !. So if you're waiting for a reply from me, please let me know. In any case I'd appreciate it if everybody I'm contact with would drop me a line so at least I'll get your address again.
What a way to start the week........ (contact me here).

The Dirty Water Club, London - Friday 26th September

The Voladoras can be described as a gutsy femme garage band from Sweden with matching dresses and big hair. They offered little in the way of "stagecraft" but were a treat to listen to and watch, especially, when the blonde guitarist lilted back and forth during solos. Their set definitely moved-up a gear when Mans from the Maggots leaped onstage to add maraca shaking and grunts during “Monkey Man”. If you dig female garage bands such as the Pandoras then these girls are worth seeking out. On the other hand The Raven is apparently a US booking agent by day and itinerant rocker by night. On this occasion, he was backed by a bunch of Limey geeks, featuring Parsley The Lion on Keyboards, and performed tunes that ranged from 70s punk to bluesy garage blasts while referencing “hits” by Sir Cliff Richard and the Pleasure Seekers along the way. A thirty minute set from the man in black was enjoyable and just about right. OK, the time is 11.30pm and Alan Crockford from The Solar Flares has been pacing around for thirty minutes wondering when his band can take to the stage. The tube system closes down as 12.30, right! Parsley remained behind his bank of vintage keyboards and my ears told me that he is now fitting in well alongside Day, Crockford and Howard. Not only is Parsley’s playing more assured but he’s also contributing backing and lead vocals. For example, he sang a great version of “Hold On” at the end of the set. Several new songs were performed by the Flares and although Crockford was being ironic when he explained “They’re just as bad as the old ones,” an alternative observation would be that they also share exactly the same structure and chord changes. Still, if you dig The Solar Flares then you’re not gonna have a problem with that are you? Another thing that struck me about them on Friday was how abrasive these guys are on stage. Actually, Crockford and Day were just the same when the Prisoners played at the Hope & Anchor back in ’83. In other words, lots of aggressive back handed comments thrown at the audience. While there is probably a kinder side to their natures they sure as hell do not want to show it on stage. Why so much verbal confrontation? To be fair, they attacked the stage with such venom that they made The Raven and the Voladoras look like they were playing at a tea party in an old folks home. In nothing else, these old codgers know how to “make show,” as Tony Sheridan would put it, and besides, if they were “nice boys” they would probably wouldn’t be half as exciting to watch. File under: grouchy life-affirming vibe.

Weird or what?, seems that Tony Slug's former band Loveslug have inspired the creation of the "Loveslug cocktail". GO!.

After that "Support the next generation, dagnabbit!", or whatever it was Lindsay stated a couple o' days ago, I figured it was about time I clued you in on a trio of young 'n upcomin' contenders;
First up are the Little Killers from NYC who have just released their debut full-length on Crypt. If you can imagine a head-on collision twixt prime Velvets, NY Dolls 'n Saints you're about halfway there. Easily the best new band on the scene since, uh....., the Leg Hounds (no kiddin' !).
Speakin' of the next generation; the Diskords are about as young as bands get these days without bein' directed at the kiddy-porn market. Their EP on Vinyl Warning is solid p-rock action that ol' foggies like me will compare to Eater or the Lurkers but may in fact be much better then either of those ever was...
Closer to home we find the No Goods who's latest 45 on High School Refuse offers some ace Dutch beat/garage sounds.
Hey, I could go overboard 'n analyze these discs to death, but if in anyway you are inclined to the NBT sphere o' thinkin' I suggest you pick these up like pronto so you'll be able to congratulate yourselves w/ bein' well ahead of the pack somewhere in the near future, but best of all are up for some truly wild sounds that piss all over just about everything offered as an "alternative" these days.

The big news this morning is that Kylie has received 700 death threats. These were presumably wrongly addressed. Shouldn't these idiots be after Robbie bloody Williams? But nothing like encouraging numbskulls eh media? However all is not lost with the world. This very am, I caught Tiny Tim's rendition of Great Balls of Fire and an alternate take of All Tomorrows Parties. All pre 10 in the morning. The only real outlet for great music this side of wir ain Radio Scotland. A prime example of why visitors to the R&R-B&B go mental when they hear Brian Matthews show. You hipsters with broadband can listen to this hootch online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/sounds60s/
The closest the UK will ever come to the wonders of WFMU.

November is already shaping up to be a busy ol' month starting with The Star Spangles opening for (I never dug 'em but what the heck) Janes Addiction. Not sure how our boys rock'n'roll will go down with that ensembles fans but they're doing it so hopefully said unfortunates will see the light. Then we've got Laura Cantrell and the mighty Paul Burch opening for the grand auld man of Bluegrass, Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys. Then, at the end of the month, a triple shot of Spit & Polish moonshine hits the road, Amy's Allison and Rigby along with Neil Cleary. All of 'em deserve to be famous and being that they're family and all, we divnae play favourites. Full date action when it becomes available but they'll be all over the UK and Ireland so make sure you catch 'em.
Hey, another one gone... poor ol' Robert Palmer. I never cared for a lot of his music but his version of Moon Martin's Bad Case Of Lovin' You was pretty decent. My friend, Kathy Kenyon, used to work for him too and by all accounts he was a nice geezer. It's seldom the one's that deserve it, innit?!

Shapin' up to be a wild weekend in "the London" with Voladoras at The Dirty Water Club and Stereo Total at Water Rats, Brighton, then somewhere else in town on Monday. Being stuck some hundreds o' miles away from such action though, you folks have to go and report back.
The Cramps are there also for their long-awaited two night stint so I know a lot of you will be daundering aboot the capital anyway. Support the next generation, dagnabbit!

Eric Goulden - A Dysfunctional Success (Do Not Press).
Picked this up in London last weekend, began reading it on the flight home and finished it within 24 hours. Yep, Wreckless Eric's auto-bio is a fine read; fast, funny and (at times) frightening. Just the fact that there is little to no self-pitying here makes a nice change from most other rock-bios. From his childhood days on Eric is able to create a picture of himself as someone who almost accidentally stumbled into success and found out he was completely unable to deal with it. Luckily for us he was still able to come up with a batch of amazin' tunes over the years that (at least) still get their just RPM's here at HQ on a regular basis. My only beef is that the book ends somewhere in the mid 80s, robbing us of almost two decades of the complete story. At that point Eric managed to battle his alcoholism and became a father, which is all fine 'n dandy, but certainly didn't finish his musical genius. Anybody familiar with the stellar 'Joe Meek' 45 he did for Sympathy will attest to this. But hey, maybe he saved some for a second book, which, on the strength of this one, I'd pay for in advance!.

The latest issue of the I-94 Bar e-zine is a Detroit music special.
"*We speak to Prime Movers singer Michael Erlewine who offers some insights into the early Iggy Pop. The Prime Movers were a seminal Michigan blues band who had a young Jim Osterberg on the drummer's stool. See outrageously rare photos of Iggy before he was a Stooge.
*Speaking of photos, Sue Rynski was there in the late '70s and early '80s when the likes of Destroy All Monsters, Sonic's Rendezvous Band, the Mutants, Motor City Bad Boys, the Ramrods and Johnny Thunders (among others) were leading lights on the Detroit underground scene. Sue's exhibiting photos in Paris which seemed as good an excuse as any to chat to her and have a peak through her album.
*The Stooges have been on the road and we have reports - and pictures - from shows in Spain and France.
*Radio Birdman's Euro tour has wound up but the missives from I-94 Bar reporters haven't with gig reviews from Italy and Germany (2) uploaded a few minutes ago.
*Also, we carry reviews of the Casanovas, Intercooler and the Specimens.
*Keep checking for more Birdman reports and in the next few days, as well as a backlog of disc reviews.
*Don't forget our ridiculously easy Sheek the Shayk contest".

The I-94 Bar: Sydney Rock Action via The Bowery and Motor City
www.i94bar.com.

If Steve won't post 'm, I will: More Fleshtones dates;

Fri Oct 17th Hoboken, NJ at Maxwell's w. Swinging Neckbreakers
Sat Oct 18th Baltimore, MD at Fell's Point Oyster Festival
Fri Oct 24th Baltimore, MD at Mojo/Tattoo Bar
Sat Oct 25th Chapel Hill, NC at Local 506
Sat Dec 6th New York, NY at CBGB's w/ Dictators- CBGB's 30th Anniversary Event.

Sites recently added to The Garage dedicated to 60s garage bands include the following: A resource dedicated to Kenny & The Kasuals that includes a biography, news of forthcoming dates, and even autographed merchandise. Why not email Kenny and ask him when that comprehensive “Best Of” is going to appear? Most readers of the NBT blog will probably have committed to memory the tracks on the first dozen volumes of Pebbles. In which case check out the Heard photo archive, sadly devoted to a recently deceased former member, and then move it on over to a site put together by the guitarist in the Satyrs. Said bloke conducted a Google search and found that, much to his amazement, “Yesterday’s Heroes” had been comped several times. Crikey! And while we're in the land of one-45rpm-wonders, don’t forget to read the story of the Rising Tydes rise to semi-obscurity. Finally, if your more of a Liam Watson than a Dr Watson, conduct a virtual rummage around the Fine Recording Studio archive. Get the low-down on the Rochester, NY studio that started in the 50s and captured a slew of 60s punkers, including “I Try” by the Young Tyrants, along the way.

"Some of you may be interested in reading my interview here with DK Smythe - the Rezillos first bass player. It's accompanied with some great photos from the second ever Rezillos gig in November 1976!". GO!
(c/o Martin Percival)

"Smog Veil has 2 very special gigs next week and if you are in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area, please attend: the first ever North American appearances of Rob Younger the vocalist for The New Christs and Radio Birdman:
Wednesday, September 24, Knitting Factory, Los Angeles:
Rob Younger and the Leaving Trains, Duane Peters and the Hunns, Hangmen.
Thursday, September 25, Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco:
Rob Younger and the Leaving Trains, Harold Ray Live In Concert, Hard Place.
Can't make it? Rob will doing a radio interview tonight between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. on Stella Stray Pop's amazing radio show on KXLU, 88.9 on the FM dial in Los Angeles and simulcast at: www.kxlu.com".

Went to see the Cramps last night in Amsterdam and I'm sorry to report that it was absolutely dismal. Of course, the Paradiso is hardly the place to be on a hot (late-)summer night, esp when filled to the rafters the temperatures there quickly reach boiling level, couple that with a chain smokin' crowd and no ventilation to speak of, and we're off to a seriously bad start....
First up were the Riots, a band from my hometown so I would have given 'em the benefit of doubt in most other situations, but their brand of Motorhead/Zeke-styled "rawk", failed to impress. Maybe it was the crappy sound (all drums 'n vocals), but I couldn't find any tunes or riffs to latch onto. Oh well, maybe another time...
When the Cramps came on I was ready to get all excited, but alas, it was not to be. And even tho' the sound had improved somewhat, they sounded lumpy and seemed to be plodding along. Ivy still looks cool, but havin' seen 'em so many times over the years it was obvious Lux was just goin' thru' the motions, the other two guys could have been you, me or your mother, nobody would've noticed the difference. So I did what I hardly ever do, I just left after 20 minutes or so, no time to waste 'n all that. Or maybe it was just that after seeing Radio Birdman earlier in the week actually enjoying their time on stage (jeez, Deniz Tek was smiling at one point !), I couldn't be bothered to watch a pale copy of what once was the wildest show around, who knows.
(Social observation: the crowd of aging psychobillies and "rockers" gave a good indication of what to expect when the current hordes of pierced 'n tattooed idiots will get older and their flesh starts saggin' and their "tats" fadin'. Believe me, there are frightening times ahead of us....).

History Of Rock Written By The Losers "The social misfits who chronicle rock seek not only to log facts, but also to influence public opinion about obscure rock issues, something most people care little about". GO!.

So lets get the gripes outta the way first shall we? This Mean Fiddler practice of putting a band on in the matinee slot on a Saturday night is a fallacy. The howff that Radio Birdman played is a far cry from that great space in Harlesden that the MF use to reside in. So we arrive at the venue and the band are at least 3 songs into their set by 8.15pm. Obviously that set the ol' teeth on age from the get go but we made our way through the labyrinth to the body of the crowd. Next problem was the sound at that point, a tad lumpy and only inkling at what I know in my mind's eye that yon twin guitar attack will sound like. The sonic fog cleared though and it all started coming in loud and clear. I'm reliably informed that the sound in the DJ booth was bang on all the way through, causing Brother Joe to reassess his take on the band. He heard the light, what can I tell ya? So my understanding that the band would come on at 8.45pm musta been a dream or something. The place has gotta turn into a disco at 11pm. Thats disco, not club, don't try and make it sound like anything other than the sorry hole in the Tottenham Court Road that it is. Having travelled 400+ miles to miss such a large chunk of the show was a pisser. Not though drunkenness, not through a disagreement with a cheese sandwich on hte train, no - nowt like that. Through sheer goddamn rudeness. The UK doesn't know how to treat theat all too rare beastie, the R&R legend. Spain, France, anywhere else (even Scotland) can conjure up some decorum but not London. I have a feeling that when The Dictators make it here then that's where they'll play. I'll be there at bloody teatime the night before when that happens. So anyways, when the sound was sorted, the band really gained altitude. Most of the crowd seemed to get what they came for but their second encore didn't include Transmaniacon MC like the web reports suggested. No we got bloody Cold Turkey didn't we. That encore also included a swaggering Waitin' For My Man (a really cracking version) and a blood curdling You're Gonna Miss Me so like that big, stout feller Meatloaf might say, Two outta three and all that.... So yeah, it was all over very fast. Didn't get to say hi to the band or to John Needham. As it was, we only got to hang with Jeroen for maybe an hour and virtually a handshake with Steve. Guess that AGM will have to wait?
Stayed in Chiswick though, what a contrast to the centre of town dump. Our hosts, David and Penny did us proud and made it seem like we weren't in London at all. Even saw the guy who used to let The Small Faces rehearse in his basement ferchrissakes.
T'woulda been nice if Birdman had made a stop in Scotland as was originally intended. A rousing Aye Hup woulda cleared the tubes alright. The kids who were supposed to start this new race thing are a tardy bunch. Took 'em a full quarter century to get their tails in gear but let's salute the rock'n'roll soldiers anyway. Don't make me drag up those stories about the punk rock Wars again...

Straight off the plane from London, and even tho' I'm gonna leave the honours of a full review of the Birdman show to our chief Lindsay, let me just state that I've witnessed one of the finest guitar tag-teams ever!, and hearin' songs like 'I-94' and 'Dark Suprises' in a live settin' caused a serious amount o' goosebumps. If you can't wait, there's pretty acurate reiview here.

Sad news about The Man in Black. Johnny Cash left the theatre aged 71 today. Will provide links to good obits as we find 'em...

Sleep, work, sleep and then it's off to London for the Radio Birdman show, so excuse me if I don't sign in again before monday.

You'd think that Steve 'd forward any Fleshtones tour dates here, but noooo. Hey, I just noticed that the guys will be on a short west-coast trip early next month; 02 October :20.00 hrs Casbah, San Diego, CA (with Holly Golightly). 03 October :20.00 hrs Spaceland, Los Angeles, CA (with Holly Golightly). 04 October :20.00 hrs Parside lounge, San Francisco, CA (Budget Rock Garage Festival). And 05 October :20.00 hrs Parside lounge, San Francisco, CA (Budget Rock Garage Festival). Be there or be Steve.

LINK: Details on the launch party for 'It Makes You Want To Spit', a book that celebrates the 25th anniversary of punk in Northern Ireland. GO!.

LINK: Updated; The I-94 BaR.
"Sydney fuzzmeisters Sheek the Shayk are the featured act in this issue of the I-94 Bar e-zine. We speak to the Sheek himself and throw open a dead easy contest top win one of two Sheek the Shayk music packs.
The Radio Birdman machine continues to roll through Europe, laying waste to anything in its way, and our Eurostrike Zone now carries nine reviews of shows so far. There's also a pen picture of Birdman drummer Ron Keeley.
We have a live review of Sydney bent blues duo The Mess Hall, along with City Lights and The Tremors. Also up are our recent reviews of the Persian Rugs and Lou Reed's first 2003 Australian tour show (with a reminder that the final gigs for Lou in Sydney and Newcastle are on sale still.)
Disc reviews - we run the rule over releases form the Exploding Fuck Dolls, Rebecca's Empire, the Mess Hall, Simon Chainsaw & the Forgotten Boys, the Meek and the Persian Rugs.
In columns, Jeff Jarema points an ear in the diverse direction of the Count Five, Slade and the Grateful Dead while the Barman raises a glass to the Stooges and their reunion".
The I-94 Bar: Sydney Rock Action via The Bowery and Motor City. GO!.

LINK: "Welcome the the Happy Family website: We’re not really a family and we’re not totally happy but this is still the (kind of) official website of the Parisian Blood Brotherhood of the Rock & Roll Cosa Nostra". (a new site by the ever elusive Laurant Bigot).

LINK: Cool and very comprehensive site on The Gun Club and Jeffrey Lee Pierce. GO!.

Just caught my first blast of The Fondas' Coming Now on Sympathy and it's a wee belter. And what taste with covers of Mose Allison and Don Covay songs in the stew. I'm not sure how new this is but it's right up the ol' NBT street.

Woah, Gene Sculatti's bible The Catalog Of Cool is now on-line so here's another place to spend your leisure time when you really oughtta be attending to the domestic repairs.

Just up and running is a site dedicated to the Glasgow Apollo. Originally known as Green's Playhouse, The Apollo became one of the best places to play on earth and although Barrowlands was a heck of a place in its day, it hardly ever saw the heady heights of its Renfield Street cousin. Following it's closure, it was torn down and has since been replaced with a building that looks like a computer graphic on the city skyline. As this archive builds, it'll become an important portal for those of us who were there and anybody who wasn't. Steeped in rock history, there are many, many stories to be shared so you'd do well to pay a regular visit. I spent a lot of my formative years there and recall having to run a bouncer gauntlet at a WHO show in 1973(?). They were up for giving me a kicking for standing on my seat (I wis only wee) but I escaped. Still got chucked out though. I broke a seat at a Thin Lizzy/BTO double header but that went by un-noticed. Here's a photo from backstage on November 14th 1974, cut off at the extreme RH side you'll catch a pre-Cocteaus Robin Guthrie plotting to hijack Freebird.

RIP: Warren Zevon.

Not sure if I've ever mentioned Wang Dang Dula before, but even if I did, I'll just repeat myself here and state that it is well worth checkin' out, as it is filled to the rafters with ace info on bygone hepcats, cool label discographies and whatnot. Just dig in and dig....

Okey doke. So thanks to my erstwhile support team, it looks like I'm back on this horse. I don't think it's too much to expect that this computer carry-on works. Woah, just listening to the radio and there are gonna be daily flights between NY and Edinburgh. That's gaunnae be handy....

I'm not down with this technology. One little wobble and it throws me right off. I think that it thinks I'm Jeroen so I hope that doesn't get the laddie into any trouble. I guess we should have it all figured out by the time it gets to attens the NBT-AGM next weekend close by the moshpit at the Radio Birdman show if not right in the middle of it.

Since no one cares here in Holland, the latest news on the Nitwitz and Hydromatics can be found here and here (in Spanish of course...).

NORTON RECORDS NEWS SEPTEMBER 5, 2003

"Thanks to all that swung on down to Maxwell's and Union Pool for two big nights of A-Bones reunion mayhem! It was a blast getting together again with all of you (don't forget - NEW YORK PRESS once named the A-Bones "NY Band With The Best Audience.") and we hope we did justice to the three chords that we know and love. Thanks to the Great Gaylord, Tom Jorgensen of the Swingin' Neckbreakers and the mighty Dexter Romweber for their onstage guest shots at Maxwell's and to our Union Pool host Dave The Spazz. Dave, along with Andy of the Little Killers came up against the party crashin' Rumblers Car Club, though after heated verbal sparring, it was handshakes all around in what Spazz later termed "an hour long HAPPY DAYS episode." Thanks also to Scott Schinder for risking his job in making the A-Bones "pick of the week" in TIME OUT NEW YORK. That's it for the reunion shows but watch for a brand new seven inch squawker in our Rolling Stones cover singles soiree. Speaking of which:

SEPTEMBER 23 RELEASES
TWO MORE GREAT ROLLING STONES TRIBUTE SINGLES:
LITTLE KILLERS -THINK/DARTFORD RENEGADES OFF THE HOOK
Hot on the heels of their rippin' debut album on Crypt, NYC's Little Killers hammer out a fourth gear mash of an AFTERMATH favorite! On the B-deck, dig the debut of R&B pounders the Dartford Renegades, direct from the Stones' own hometown!

QUESTION MARK AND THE MYSTERIANS - EMPTY HEART/DEXTER ROMWEBER DUO - HEART OF STONE
Feel it once again, baby! The original 96 Tears hombres tip the shades to the Stones with a captivating romp of Empty Heart delivered with the patented Mysterians action! On the flip, Norton's prodigal son Dexter Romweber (Flat Duo Jets) comes home to roost with Heart Of Stone, a true double whammy!

watch for more cool platters in this series comin' soon!

OCTOBER RELEASE! FINALLY!!!
ROKY ERICKSON AND THE ALIENS - DON'T KNOCK THE ROK! (NORTON 301) **** CD and double LP!!!
Oh man! 23 (count 'em) unissued 1978 studio performances showcase Roky and the Aliens romping through late fifties/early sixties teen chartbusters and some cool originals! Don't miss this one! The Elevators meet King Uszniewicz at a Martian pajama party! (A Teenager In Love/Angel Baby/You Drive Me Crazy/Stand By Me/Heartstrings/Untitled/What To Do/You're The One/Bashful Bob/One Last Kiss/Take Good Care Of My Baby/Things That Go Bump In The Night/ Wake Up To Rock And Roll/Just Can't Be Brought Down/Money Honey/You're The One/Love Is Strange/True Love Ways/You're The One/Our First Kiss/Heartbreak Hotel/Bumble Bee Zombie/Hushabye).


Upcoming Releases (sorry pards, slight manufacturing delay)
GENE VINCENT FOOTLONGS!
Norton presents Gene Vincent's first four Capitol albums on vinyl with original worship-worthy cover art!
- - BLUE JEAN BOP (1956)
- - GENE VINCENT AND THE BLUE CAPS (1957)
- - GENE VINCENT ROCKS AND THE BLUE CAPS ROLL (1958)
- - A GENE VINCENT RECORD DATE (1958)

FORT WORTH TEEN SCENE
We are putting the wraps on our massive series of sixties Fort Worth Texas scene snarlers. You will dig unseen photos, rare and unissued recordings plus legendary sides presented for the first time from master tapes!

ARCH HALL JR!
Arch Hall Jr, one of our all time favorite celluloid celebrities (The Choppers, Wild Guitar, Eegah and The Sadist are essential viewing for all Nortonites!), has inked with Norton for a superb career retrospective which delivers all of his singles on Signature, Spectra and Fairway International plus great-sound 1962 live at a Pensacola Drive Inn Theatre recordings and club sets that will make even Konga Joe's fuzzy ducktail stand on end, plus nifty tunes and banter from his flicks! Posh package features posteresque scrapbook presentation, interviews, the ultimate! Arch is back on the scene so stay tuned for personal appearance info on this true star! If you haven't been fortunate enough to find original 45's on Arch, now available on DVD from Something Weird and Alpha respectively

********************** Mark yer calendars!!!! **********************

FRI SEPT. 5 - THE DICTATORS SOUTHPAW
The Bronx bombs Brooklyn as the Dictators assault the beauteous velvet ensconced Southpaw stage! Check in at dictators.com for all the scoops on this and all their happening affairs and get thee ready for the upcming Dictators live album early in the new year! And for action packed types, check in with Deke Dickerson earlier in the evening at Lilly's (46 Beard St.) right down the street (kinda)!

SUN SEPT 7 ANNUAL NYC PAPERBACK SHOW
This is the big one- the only one held in NYC-- the 15th NYC ANNUAL COLLECTABLE PAPERBACK & PULP FICTION EXPO! It's at the Holiday Inn, 440 West 57h Street, New York City, between 9th and 10th Avenues - Admission: $5.00; Show hours: 9am to 5pm! Check us Nortonians out at the big BAD SEED booth, we've got cram of the crop JD, crime, Black, and sleaze paperbacks plus loads of superb condition early Popular Library, Gold Medal, Lion, Graphic titles.. plus digests and sleaze mags!!! And dig this boss roster of paperback authors and artists who'll be guesting at the fair, so bring ya autographables, ya fans ya, or pick up a few origtinal paperbacks for these honchos to sign- remember the Mitchell Hooks story in BAD SEED mag several years ago? Yeah man! Anyway, the guests include three big deal dames of lesbo fiction a/k/a lesbiana (check out one beloved Norton customer guy's insane tribute website strangesisters.com for a
taste of this lavender love rumble fodder):
ANN BANNON: Creator of classic lesbian pulp fiction for Gold Medal Books!
JULIE ELLIS (aka Joan Ellis and Linda Michaels) Author of over 100 sleazy novels for Midwood Books in the 1960s!
MARIJANE MEAKER (aka Vin Packer, Ann Aldrich, M.E. Kerr) Creator of fine suspense, JD, crime & lesbian novels for Gold Medal Books & more!

Other SPECIAL Guests Include:
JULIUS FAST: mystery author and legendry First Edgar winner!.
RON GOULART: mystery, science fiction author and popular culture scholar!
MITCHELL HOOKS: classic vintage era and current paperback cover artist!
MORRIS HERSHMAN: (aka Arnold English) vintage Manhunt author!
MICHAEL KURLAND: incredible fantasy, mystery and Sherlockian author!
RICHARD A. LUPOFF: SF/F/H legend and author of The Great American Paperback!
ROBERT MAGUIRE: classic sexy good-girl art paperback cover artist!
BARRY MALZBERG: famous science fiction author and critic!
JOHN NORMAN: creator of the classic Gor science fiction adventure series!
HOWARD SCHOENFELD: author of 50s crime cult classic Let Them Eat Bullets

OCT 5 MAD DADDY RADIO HALL OF FAME DINNER!!
Get aboard for Akron, Ohio friends and pfisterises! Pete "Mad Daddy" Myers gets into the Radio/Broadcasters Hall of Fame-- induction dinner is at the Akron Hilton, 3180 West Market Street in Akron, Ohio. (tel 330 867 5000) Cost is $40 per person and includes 4-6 PM cocktail party, 6-7 Dinner (lots of wavy gravy and jello!) and 7-9:30 ceremonies, with video, audio clips and presentation! Y'all got our Mad Dad CD? Get with it!! (CED-300)

NOV. 18 THE HENTCHMEN OPENING FOR THE WHITE STRIPES ROSELAND
Workin' the big room with ex-Hentch bass player Jack White! The Hentchmen were simply amazing on their summer swing through town, let's see 'em do it again in long sleeve weather!

DEC 27 NORTON HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR! THIS IS THE BIG ONE, BABY!
Super Rhythm and Blues and Soul Spectacular! Andre Williams, King Coleman, Nathaniel Mayer, Gino Washington, The Mighty Hannibal and The Great Gaylord!!!! Saturday Dec. 27 at Southpaw in Brooklyn (5th Ave. and Sterling Place) more info as this
exciting night approaches, daddy!".

nortonrecords.com

The Slug Man has put up a new Hydromatics site to keep you up-to-date on what's happenin' in Hydro-land. GO!.

Just got word that the Lazy Cowgirls will have a new disc out on Oct. 11 entitled 'I'm Goin' Out and Get Hurt Tonight'. Not only that, but it seems that they're already demoing tunes for the next album as well !.

If Lindsay had a "relatively" quiet week, it's been a "relative" madhouse over here. I've been way too busy fighting off worms, bugs 'n (trojan) horses. Close call, but so far it seems I've won without any major damage and kept the darn critters at bay, phew!.
"So what else is up?" you axe. Well, time permitting I've been groovin' to a batch of new 45s from Ace Records, top notch Rockabilly classics by the likes of Charlie Feathers, Pat Cupp and Junior Thompson. Familiar stuff, but they all swing mighty fine in this format. Equally grand are the first two 45s in Norton's new Rolling Stones tribute series, with the
Reigning Sound and the Wildebeests bein' my faves so far. Angel Corpus Christi's latest CD 'Divine Healer' took some time to sink in, but as of late it has began to take up more 'n more spins on HQ's hi-fi. Not all tunes are top shelve material, but the good ones (including a great take on Motley Crue's 'Home Sweet Home') are A-OK. In a similar vein comes Holly Go-Lightly's latest disc 'Truly She Is None Other' that'll hopefuly see her goin', well deserved, places. All round winner of the last couple o' weeks tho' has been the Funk Soul Sisters comp on BGP. Title really sez it all, amazing stuff from start to finish.
That's about it listenin' wise. As usual these days I missed out on various live shows (For whatever reason, I can hardly be bothered anymore), and several people tell me I should've gone and see the Marked Men, but alas, it was not to be. But hey, I've got tickets for the London Radio Birdman show and I am lookin' forward to that !.
So there you have it, more soon (if the bugs leave me alone that is!).

It's been a relatively quiet week with our stint as R&R B&B and avant Scottish Tourist Board on something of a hiatus.
Some time to draw breath amidst dealing with the harsh realities of the dayjob and my rabble rousing. During this time I sorted wir tickets for the London Radio Birdman show so an excursion is in the offing for that. Kinda quiet on the music front except for discovering Chantal Goya. Neil Cleary is in the UK next week to launch his "Numbers Add Up" album on Spit & Polish, (Diesel Only in the USA). It contains the fantastic "When All Of Us Get Famous".
Other than that... just got a new Dallas Wayne with those Skeleblokes backing him so more about that when I get a chance to hear the whole thing. Ditto for the Shebang album.

"Be sure to check out the latest updates to 60sgaragebands.com, including:
Interviews with Chuck Kirkpatrick of The Gas Company and Proctor Amusement
Co; Bob Agnew of The Satyrs ("Yesterdays Heroes"); and Mike Frederick of The
Rising Tydes. And - if you haven't heard yet - be sure to check out NEWS &
NUGGETS for Sundazed's October release schedule. WOW".

It's Comin'!

September is looming like a bloody great brick wall and this good weather phenomenon is back. While it'd be nice to be in NY (or Hoboken rather) for the A-Bones blowout, 'tis not to be so we head out to STEREO in Glasgow where V-TWIN were celebrating the finish of their next (and Loog-Oldham produced) album. Unfortunately this wasn't to be because there was no sign of 'em and had to hightail it for a train out to the boonies. It's funny. Kelvinhaugh Street in Glasgow was like CB's, with lotsa people hanging out front. This city almost never has the weather pattern to allow such an event. Openers, RUDE PRAVO give some sort of indication of what Alex Harvey might sound like jamming with Martin Rev and however good that might look on paper, it was bloody irritating in practice. There's probably a Ze-inspired label here waiting in the wings to take them to the rafters but I'm sorry, laptops onstage are up there with those guitars with no heads as a large no-no. I'm gonna try to design one with a neck and machine heads and everything, maybe that's where my fortune will come from? Although I ain't holding my breath here...

Just when you thought it couldn't happen...the fabulous Untamed Youth are back!!! The Youth will be rocking the Blue Note www.thebluenote.com in Columbia, MO on Saturday, September 13. The show marks the band's first appearance in Columbia in 5 years!!!. Opening will be Youth frontman, Deke Dickerson (www.dekedickerson.com) , and his Los Angeles based Ecco-fonics. If you can't make the Youth's big Rockaround www.rockaround.net festival appearance in Las Vegas September 26, then here's your chance to catch its only other show this year! You won't want to miss this rare appearance featuring Deke Dickerson (guitar/voc), Steve "King of Men" Mace (bass/voc), Steve "Sammy" Rager (keys/voc) and Chris Sprague (drums/voc). Mark your calendar and spread the word!!! - Info courtesy of Steve Rager.

Amsterdam p-rockers the Felchers have a pretty cool cartoon video up and running here (in Flash).
(w/ thanks to Tony Slug)

Hydromatics news update: As off Friday they're off 'n rollin' thru' Europe (see below). Bass player Theo Brouwer has gone AWOL and as a last minute replacement they've hired the talents of Laurent Ciron, formaly of seminal French punk outfit the Dogs, makin' the band even more of an all-star unit. Please be sure to check 'em out if they're headin' your way.
DATES: Fri. 8/22 - Lintfabriek - Kontich Belgium, Mon. 8/25 - Paris, France (venue tbc), Tue. 8/26 - Bistroy - Lyon, France, Wed. 8/27 - Festival - Cipieres (near Nice), France, Thu. 8/28 - Subsonic - Montpellier France, Fri. 8/29 - (helldrive), Sat. 8/30 - Z-series festival - Jerez, Spain w/ Radio Birdman + Hellacopters, Sun. 8/31 - BEACH, Mon 9/1 - BEACH, Tue 9/2 - Belle Epoque. - C?ceres, Spain, Wed 9/3 - La Boite - A Coru?a, Spain, Thu 9/4 - Nashville - Vigo, Spain, Fri 9/5 - Gruta 77 - Madrid, Spain w/ Stiff Little fingers, Sat 9/6 - Mondo Bizarro - Rennes, France, Sun 9/7 - Paris (venue tbc), Wed 9/10 - Forum - Bielefeld Germany w/ Radio Birdman, Thu 9/11 - Stairway to Peter - Chemnitz, Germany, Fri 9/12 - Mano Cornudo - Dresden, Germany, Tue 9/16 - TBC - Gothenburg, Sweden, Thu 9/18 - 013 - Tilburg, Holland w/ Electric Frankenstein / Spades, Fri 9/19 - De Diepte - Amsterdam, Holland, Sat 9/20 - Schüxenhüsli - Ins, Switzerland.

Top Of The Pops 2 aired two songs by The Blasters last night (Tuesday). Blistering versions of Marie Marie and One Bad Stud , recorded during their recent eurojaunt filled those living rooms that tuned in and indicated, for a couple of brief instants, that real rock and roll still exists. Even although most of the common five-eighth wouldn't know the symptoms if they parked out on their kissers. Chase it down via the BBC website. http:www.bbc.co.uk

Ever Get the Feeling You've Been Cheated? - Is the name of a four CD boxset to be released by Rhino on October 28. The aim being to follow-on from the Nuggets boxsets but with the focus turned to 1973 - 1980. Check out the full track listing at the Rolling Stones website and read a nifty online overview at Chartattack. Ironically, the boxset does not contain a single track by the Sex Pistols but there is an absolute truckload of great stuff including good ole Two Tub Man by the Dictators. No doubt this is gonna keep those pesky Punk Rock revisionists clucking for a while.

So there is hope for the younger generation. Check out the Diskords, p-rockin' teens from Portland, Oregon. GO!.
(w/ thanks to Jan Kooi)

The I-94 BAR's guide to Radio Birdman's Eurostrike tour. GO!.

Out next month is Wreckless Eric's autobio 'A Dysfunctional Success' written under his real name Eric Goulden. The author writes: "I didn't want to write a rock 'n' roll biography, the sort that documents the early struggle for fame, works through a successful middle period, and chronicles the downfall via a collection of lurid drug-related episodes and boring contractual details, before finally fizzling out in a collection of lame anecdotes designed to demonstrate what a great guy I am now that life's being good to me and I'm on the straight and narrow. WH Smith's is already full of crap like that". GO!.

After pickin' up a 2nd hand re-issue copy of Bo Diddley's 'In The Spotlight' LP earlier today and diggin' the heck outta the thing tonight, I checked the web for some info on Bo and came across the boss Bo Diddley - The Originator site that holds truckloads of Bo-related info and even has separate pages on Lady Bo and Jerome Green (No Duchess tho'), and is well worth checkin' out if you dig the Diddley beat as much as I do.

Them there A-Bones will ALWAYS cut it. We need 'em now more than we ever did. Right troops?

A new movie that could turn out to be pretty cool; 'Afro Punk, The Rock n Roll Nigger Experience'. But where's Pure Hell?, or Ivan Julian?. GO!.
(w/ thanx to Bink)

Handy dandy stonerrock band name generator; GO!.
(w/ thanx to Tony Slug)

LOCK UP THE WOMEN, CHILDREN AND SILVERWARE!

"Yes, the A-Bones are back for one wild night at one of the band's favorite local hangouts, the famed Maxwell's of Hoboken! Chalk in Saturday, August 23rd for a tussle through the tunnel to romp and stomp with the perennial purveyors of loud sound abundance! Maxwell's is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary as a hotbed of musical mayhem and the A-Bones have decided to give the club's floorboards another trot in tribute!

The A-Bones broke up in 1994, ten years to the week after forming in NYC. Three reunion shows were induced in 1998 but since then, the bash and bang of the A-Bones has been but a recurring ring in the left ear and regular rotations on the record player.

The band-- Bruce Bennett (guitar), Lars Espensen (sax), Marcus the Carcass (bass), Miriam Linna (drums) and Billy Miller (vocals)-- made several longplayers-- TEMPO TANTRUM, FREE BEER FOR LIFE, THE LIFE OF RILEY, I WAS A TEENAGE MUMMY (the soundtrack to filmmaker legend Chris Frieri's magnum opus award winning thriller-chiller motion picture), MUSIC MINUS FIVE and CRASH THE PARTY. Seventeen 45 RPM singles were issued on various labels worldwide as well. (Look for a compilation of non-LP A-Bones singles on an upcoming Norton CD!)

The A-Bones toured the US and took on Europe a few times as well. They served as the backing band live and/or on recording sessions for Hasil Adkins, Johnny Powers, Ronnie Dawson, Jack Starr, Roy Loney, Andre Williams, Cordell Jackson, Rudy Grayzell, Johnny Legend and the Great Gaylord. One of these great stars is expected to make an appearance on Saturday night!

The A-Bones were named in the New York Press as "The Band With The Best Audience". Let's do it again-- durable foot gear and washable wearables recommended. Earplugs and a vast variety of beverages are ready available for concoction by Maxwell's able staff of libation experts. As always Heimlich Maneuver instructional posters will also be conveniently posted and clean restrooms will be operational.

The A-Bones will also be performing live on radio station WFMU in Jersey City on the world reknown Dave The Spazz Show featuring Dave The Spazz on Thursday, August 21, from 8 to 11PM EST. This live feed broadcast will be made available for your worldwide toe-tapping pleasure at www.wfmu.org".


LIVE IN ACTION:

WHO: A-BONES, DEXTER ROMWEBER DUO, RIBEYE BROTHERS, GHOST WRITER
WHEN: SATURDAY AUGUST 23. SHOW AT 9 PM SHARP. ADMISSION $7
WHERE: MAXWELLS, 1039 WASHINGTON, HOBOKEN NJ 07030

LIVE ON DA RADIO:

WHO: A-BONES
WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 8-11 PM
WHERE: www.wfmu.org Dave The Spazz Show (live on the internet) or 91.1 fm for analog buffs!

Can they cut it? YOU BE THE JUDGE!

more info is gleanable at:
nortonrec@aol.com
and/or
Norton Records tel (718) 789 4438 noon til 6 PM
www.nortonrecords.com.

Woah, some breathing space between bouts of activity. Since The Blasters were here on July 28th and since we closed the bar in the Central Hotel, it's been al bloody go, innit? But in a good way for a change...
Yeah, despite Dave (Alvin) wishing he'd never signed up for it, The B's took The Renfrew Ferry to seldom seen heights of gig-dom and it's almost certainly never gonna happen again. Not with the original line-up anyway. If you're from around these parts and you didn't haul your butt along then you most certainly deserve what's coming to you. Possibly The Kings of Leon...
Couple of days later then Amy Allison got here to limber up for her first proper UK jaunt to tie in with her No Frills Friend release on Spit & Polish.
In my capacity as executive tour manager there are lotsa things to take care of and at the time of writing all has gone spiffingly. This included a show at the best venue in Glasgow, The Grand Ole Opry with Laura Cantrell without whom none of this could ever have happened. It was Laura's inclusion of "The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter" that lit the blue touch paper to all of this. If you read about Amy's "nasal" vocal stylings anywhere lately then put any reservations aside. The songs'll suck you in and the voice will grow on you if you don't get it straight away... count on that. Readers in the US can catch up with her album via Diesel Only. http://www.dieselonly.com
Between bouts of Ms Allison, Avy and I had a visit from our Goofballs chums from NY, Karen McBurnie and Jon Hammer. These kids are genius writers who have been overlooked for way too long and it's time their ship came in. Part of the extended family which I enjoy for having set up this NBT charabang trip way back yonder...
So Amy is back tonight from her adventures and watch out for the sequel... I think we've all been vindicated.
Jeroen mentioned this already back there someplace but the new Girl Trouble album, The Illusion of Excitement has been released on the bands own WigOut imprint. No illusion about it, this is a shimmy too far and indicates that they wil never ever lose that beat. They could kick the arse of any of these "garage" ensembles that publicists get paid mucho dinero to hype. If you ever get a chance to see them you will grin your bloody heard off because they batter it out as only true, died in the wool maniacs can. They've shed a lot of their Crampsisms here too, broadening out into a much more rounded embodiment of the real stuff. Magic. http://www.luth.org/girltrouble
Not much of a one for Christmas but a great fan of Chrismas records, I got a copy of Seasonal Favourites VOl 1 on Double Crown Records. This features some groovy stuff but nothing groovier than GT's "Sigue Sigue Christmas". Kahuna and I share an appreciation (shall we say) of the Sputniks and this mashes primo rock thrills with It's a Wonderful Life samples. I can't do it justice in a bloody weblog... http://www.dblcrown.com
So that's about it, I'll try to get back on board this critter in a couple of days to update things further. We haven't even missed the Film Festival. Too much other monkey biz goin' on.... thankfully because this years programme in a tad whiffy. Maybe if "Please Kill Me" is ready for next year and they screen it, then things can start movin' again.

While I checked the Crypt site for the link in the post below, I noticed Tim Warren has put up a list of "the 100 essential recs that any human being MUST own AND we happen to carry". Some amazin' stuff in there and not a dud in sight. GO!.

After way to many years, there are finally two new volumes of the 'Born Bad' LP series (7 & 8).
Tracklisting runs as follows;
Vol.7: RIC CARTEY "Oo Wee Baby"/ JOHNNY FORTUNE "Dragster"("Wrong Way Ticket")/ THE BLUES ROCKERS "Calling All Cows"("Corn Fed Dames")/ ROY BROWN "Butcher Pete Part 1"/ LARRY PHILLIPSON "Bitter Feelings"("Upside Down & Inside Out")/ TERRY DUNAVAN "Earthquake Boogie" ("Haulass Hyena")/ THE SHELLS "Whiplash" ("Ultra Twist")/ THE FANATICS "I Will Not Be Lonely" ("New Kind Of Kick")/ THE WAILERS "Hang Up"/ JUNIOR THOMPSON "How Come You Do Me"/ THE RHYTHM ROCKERS "Madness" ("God Monster")/ KIT & THE OUTLAWS "Don't Tread On Me" ("Nest Of The Cuckoo Bird)/ CHARLIE FEATHERS "One Hand Loose" ("Creature From The Black Leather Lagoon")/ THE EMBERS "I Walked All Night"/ GENE SUMMERS "Taboo"/ LINK WRAY"Rumble"("Color Me Black").
Vol.8: SHERIFF & THE RAVELS "Shombolar"/ BO DIDDLEY "Dancing Girl" ("Call Of The Wighat")/ WALTER BROWN & HIS BAND "Jelly Roll Rock"/ KEITH COURVALE "Trapped Love"/ HAYDEN THOMPSON "Blues Blues Blues"/ LIGHTNIN SLIM "It's Mighty Crazy"/ ROY BROWN "Butcher Pete Part 2"/ DANNY DELL "Froggy ("She's Got Balls")/ THE FENDER FOUR "Margaya" ("Wilder Wilder Faster Faster")/ ELVIS PRESLEY "Do The Clam"/ SLIM HARPO "Strange Love"/ RANDYALVEY & THE GREEN FUZ "Green Fuz"/ CAPTAIN BEEFHEART"Hard Working Man"/ SONNY BURGESS "Red Headed Woman"/ DON & THE GALAXIES "Sundown" ("TV Set")/ THE REVELS "Intoxica!" ("Mojo Man From Mars").
Try Crypt if you have trouble findin' these in your local record shop...

'The right to be wrong'; Richard Hell on Lester Bangs. GO!.

The oft reliable Agony Shorthand blog has swerved from the path of rightiousnes today by declaring that "the Dictators are overrated", and not just that, but; "I’ll go that one further and recognize that any negative mojo thrown The Dictators’ way will really rub our compatriot, the estimable Jeroen at NEXT BIG THING, the wrong way – they’re pretty much his favorite band, which doesn’t reflect on the high quality of his (and Lindsay Hutton’s) excellent web site".
Nah, the only thing that rubs me is that Jay obviously never heard 'D.F.F.D.' or the Manitoba's Wild Kingdom LP (a 'tators disc in all but name) when he states "some very, very good gitah on those 3 Dictators albums. After that, what?".
'D.F.F.D.' has firmly established the Dics in the here and now and might even be their best yet. That, plus the ,to this day, always excellent live shows, is what...

Anyways, waving their flag has always been a rather solitary affair (just ask Lindsay), but I'd be nice if people actually listened to something before makin' claims.
Oh, and don't worry Jay, I'm way too old to hold any grudges over something as "trivial" as my favorite rock band. That is of course, until you start sayin' something similar about the Ramones ;-)

From 60sgaragebands.com:
According to an article of the American Statesmen by Michael Corcoran, it's a possibility that Jack Black could one day soon portray Roky Erickson on the silver screen. "Sumner Erickson asked his brother Roky what he wanted for his July 15 birthday and the answer was a simple 'movie deal.' The Rok must've blown out all 56 candles, because his wish has come true. As Roky's guardian, Sumner has optioned the rights to the life story of the one-time 13th Floor Elevators frontman to Los Angeles-based production company Flea Circus Films. And Mike King of Flea Circus says Black is very interested in not only portraying Mr. 'Two-Headed Dog,' but producing the film...'Jack called Roky on his birthday and said he wanted to play him,' King says. Roky approves. 'We were watching a rerun of Saturday Night Live with Jack Black as the host and I told Roky, `That's the guy who wants to play you,' says Sumner. 'And Roky just became glued to the set. Didn't say a word the whole show, but when it was over Roky said, `I want him, 100 percent.' Negotiations between Black, the Ericksons and Flea Circus have been under way for about a year." The same article also details information on a Roky documentary. "Los Angeles-based documentary filmmaker Keven McAlester, whose Rok-umentary, You're Gonna Miss Me, should be completed in time for the Oct. 3 Sundance submission deadline, says Hollywood's interest in the Erickson story can only help attract attention to his film. McAlester's camera followed Roky from July '99, when the psychedelic icon was in the depths of mental and financial despair, through June '02, when the singer made an astonishing rebound thanks to medication and the care of his brother. 'Any three years of Roky's life would make an interesting film,' says McAlester, 'but I feel that we were lucky to film him over the period that we did.' Indeed, McAlester got the ending that would be considered too corny, anywhere but Hollywood."

Wanda Jackson will have a new album out in September entitled 'Heart Trouble' which features contributions from Dave Alvin, the Cramps and Rosie Flores ao, on CMH while Sympathy is set to issue the vinyl version. GO!. ***** Out already is a new album by Girl Trouble (anybody remember their ace 'She No Rattle My Cage' 45 from way back when?); 'The Illusion Of Excitement' on their own Wig Out label.