Iggy & the Stooges to play Glasgow's Download Festival in June (the rest of the line-up is truly horrendous).

Three LAURA CANTRELLshows for our Swedish and Italian readers to put in their diaries. Hit the sidebar link for further information.

March 31, 2004 Foajebaren @ Mondo Stockholm, Sweden
April 1, 2004 City Sound Festival Gothenburg, Sweden
April 3, 2004 Auditorium Renzo Piano Il Parco della Musica Rome, Italy

US visitors to this Thing should note that The Star Spangles are pleased to announce their Spring Tour Oh Four throughout which they will be showcasing material earmarked for their soon to be recorded second album.

Mon, March 29th Boston, TT Bears
Tues, March 30th Rochester, Steel Music Hall
Wed, March 31st Buffalo, Xtreme Wheelz
Thur, April 1st Detroit, Lager House
Fri, April 2nd Chicago, Lyon's Den
Sat, April 3rd Milwaukee, Cactus Club
Sun, April 4th Cleveland, Grog Shop
Mon, April 5th, Pittsburg, Club Café
Tue, April 6th, Baltimore, Fletcher's
Wed, April 7th, tba..check website
Thur, April 8th, Washington DC, Velvet Lounge
Fri, April 9th, Philadelphia, Pontiac Grill
Sat, April 10th, NYC, CBGB's

John Fogerty recording new album.
"John Fogerty has been in the studio over the past few months recording his new album for Dreamworks Records. The recording has been going well and is coming down the homestretch. Look for a late spring/early summer release with a US and European tour to follow".

J's post there was a shock although recent sightings of the man kinda suggested that he wasn't in good fettle. BBC News Report here!

Mud rocked and the girly lookin' guitar player (Rob Davies?) went on to co-write "I Can't Get You Out Of My Head" with Cathy Dennis for Kylie. They were a lot more punk rock than much of the bandwagonning shysters that climbed on board that bus circa '77.

RIP: Les Gray. Former singer of post-glam band Mud, who brightened up the mid 70s with fine foot stompin' tunes like 'Dynamite', Tigerfeet' and 'The Cat Crept In'.

For whatever reason I sometimes forget to mention the Lazy Cowgirls when it comes to answerin' questions RE: my favorite bands. Maybe it's because they've been around for such a long time and I've started takin' 'm for granted, who knows. But while spinnin' their latest 45 on Gearhead tonight I was once again reminded what an amazin' band this is. The ultimate band for agein'' punk rockers. Think your favorite country/honky tonk/blues lyrics set to a brain poundin' cross twixt early Saints and Exile era Stones. They are that good...

The Rodney Bingenheimer bio-pic Mayor of Sunset Strip is doin' the rounds at various festivals at the moment, but you can also watch the first 8 minutes on the IFILM site.

Las Vegas Rockaround 2004: Tom Ingram & No Hit Records Present a weekend of desperate rock 'n roll, sixties beats and other cool sounds! Stomp, shout and work it out with an international cavalcade of the wildest bands and DJs around. With the Downliners Sect; Monks, Sky Saxon, Hasil Adkins; Chesterfield Kings, Swinging Neckbreakers; Greenhornes; Deadbolt; Bobbyteens; Barrence Whitfield; and Muck and the Mires. Dates: September 24, 25 & 26, 2004.

The one and only Ira Robbins TROUSER PRESS has a nifty new set-up going. Why not hit it up and see if your fave act is on there?

So yeah, I finally escaped and have a week off. This always happens, I keep my vacation to do something and usually end up having to use them (I ain't going to chuffing lose them!) before February is up. Anyway, time to catch up on stuff that oughtta have been done eons ago. I'm not sure that my e-troubles are over for a start so I need to make inroads into that. I have no patience it's true. I expect things to work and that might make me naive but is it really too much to expect a service? We're tied to this for a bloody year and as far as I'm concerned it ain't really up to scratch. Anyway, let's see how it pans out...

Last night, I spotted not one but two clips of Jennifer Aniston in her (levis) MC5 t-shirt during the intro credits to the new (and allegedly final) series of Friends. Moxie in Auf Wedersehen Pet was sporting one in the most recent, Havana-based, episodes of that show. Wonder if either of them is eagerly awaiting the release on DVD of A True Testimonial like I am? Hopefully we'll be able to bestow the news about that (and all the fab extras) comin' out soon!

Meanwhile, THE BLASTERS - GOING HOME live DVD is now available from Amazon, It's NTSC but you need it and I'd say the price is right at $13.99 especially for us when the exchange rate is so good. The live regular cd ($14.99) of the show features several different cuts too so you really need both. Anybody who saw 'em last summer shouldn't need any prompting.
Here in the UK, that's a little under 20 quid for the set. The tasteless masses can't get into a disco and scarf a couple of drinks for that. Going Home promises to be a full tilt testament to one of the greatest combos that ever took to a stage with plenty of guest stars to boot. Read about it on the BLASTERSITE and expect a full review when the package arrives.

RIP: Doris Troy.

ILLEGAL MOVER Flyin Brian says "Dont wanna be a pain in the arse but if possible can you plug wir german shows or mention 'em in full? The whole things gone really messed up but we've said we're prepared to lose our flight cash 'n' soldier on..for r'nr! so any help in gettin' folks in would be great!dates are February 24th the pitts belgium:w/ the riots, 25th subway to peter chemnitz:with sons of cyrus, 26th groove station dresden:with sons of cyrus(who've saved our arse by lettin' us use their backline 'n' been all around good eggs), 27th the underground koln:with the riots, 28th wild at heart berlin, 29th epplehause tubingen:early show 6pm for a peoples kitchen!!!!" MORE INFO!

Any mention of the eighties might fill you with dread as a period that begat some awful, awful music but don't confuse those syn-drummed times with this THE 80's.
Originally self-released on CD in 1990, THE 80'S collects ten tracks recorded from 1984 to 1989 by accordion-pop anti-diva Angel Corpus Christi. This Gulcher reissue comes in a brand new package with hot Angel pix of 80's vintage. Four of the selections from THE 80'S originally appeared on I LOVE NEW YORK, a 12-inch released in 1985: Bernard Herrmann's theme for Martin Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER, complete with Travis Bickel's inner thoughts spoken by Angel; Richard Hell's "Blank Generation," featuring a rippin' solo from MX-80 guitarist Bruce Anderson; a groovy cover of Suicide's "Dream Baby Dream," with Alan Vega sharing the vocals; and Lou Reed's "The Day John Kennedy Died." Songwriter Don Ciccone's "Never Too Late For Linda" was originally released on Angel's 1986 WAKE UP AND CRY 12-inch. From the same period is another of his compositions, "King Of Los Alamos." Ciccone plays guitar on both as well as "Way Out West," a moody pop/rock ballad written by Angel and hubby/MX-80 singer Rich Stim. "John Cassavetes" is Angel's loving tribute to a deceased hero, a real gem that should've been a big indie-rock hit 14 years ago. Rich Stim's "Hell" sounds like it could've been an MX-80 song, with all the deadpan humor of their best "funny" stuff. And Angel adds her accordion-rock vision to a cover of the Alice Cooper anthem "18." MX-80 drummer Dave Mahoney plays on three of the tracks, and Rich Stim appears throughout playing guitar, bass, horn, etc. Besides accordion, Angel plays bass and keyboards. Plus contributions from Dean Leto and Dave Wellhausen. (Eddie Flowers/Slippy Town)

"Maybe the most brilliant female pop/rock artist in America, just because she has the guts and brains to break free so simply and completely." (Sounds/UK)

"THE 80'S is easy-on-the-ear, low-tech art rock that's a cross
between Nico and Jonathan Richman. This gal manages to melt your heart." (New Musical Express/UK)

"One of the most finely realized records heard all year." (Melody Maker/UK)

"One of the most powerfully alienated tracks." (Spin Magazine on "Theme From Taxi Driver")

Get your copy from CD BABY!

'You don't know him, but you will..."
Here's HBV - King of Men Version 2.0 proudly showin' off his spankin' brand new shirt that came in the mail today c/o the ever wonderful Karen Winter...

While the UK based Sonic Dirt site still lists the Reigning Sound's split as it's latest news, the truth is that the band is due to release their third LP 'Too Much Guitar' on In The Red on April 26th, plus there seems to be a full scale American and European tour in the pipeline.
And on a related note: There will ba a IN THE RED showcase at SXSW Saturday March 20th at Beerland in Austin, TX. Featuring: Reigning Sound, Lost Sounds, The Hunches, The Ponys, The FUSE!, The Mystery Girls. The later also have a new LP out soon on the label.

This looks like it'd be worth a swatch also... I'd never heard of BRUCE HAACK until I discovered the SF Indie Film Festival screening.

The Bettie Page biopic, BETTIE PAGE - DARK ANGEL just premiered at the San Francisco Indie Film Festival.

Irving Klaw is played by Dukey Flyswatter, wasn't he in Haunted Garage?

Please excuse another bout of self-indulgence here, but I'm damn proud of the congratulations note on the Dictators site. Screenshots have been made and will be treasured in years to come (muchos gracias Karen).

'Drunkard in the Think Tank' is the title of a new Roy Loney CD out next month on Career Records, who also have a Deniz Tek/Scott Morgan disc in the pipeline.

So yeah, where are we? Valentine's Day. That would explain the queue for bloody flowers in Tesco this morning. Personally, I think that the flowers should be left in the ground to be viewed alive but today they enjoy the fate of turkeys on Thanksgiving or Christmas depending on where yr at.

Last weekend Mary Lee's Corvette took a spin up to these parts and did a great show at The Tron in Glasgow. It'll probably be the last show of it's type at that venue because the greedy bastards charge upwards of £200 for the privilege of hiring it. But I digress, ML delivered a choice selection of her fine line in AOP. Adult Oriented Pop. Finely crafted and sung and an altogether commercial proposition indeed. Check out her website via the sidebar here. Prior to that we saw School Of Rock. It's good but possibly not the tour de force the hype claims. However, hearing The Ramones "Bonzo" at super volume in a cinema full of impressionable kids and (some) parents is something in itself. I just wish the guy who deserved to see this kinda thing was still around.

Other than that it's been a bastard of a week but last night I went to see The Waifs. They're an Australian folky pop thing that caused quite a stir at the Cambridge Folk Festival last year. The one song that I knew "London Still" reminds me of Iris DeMent's "Our Town". They're good at what they do but it comes over as too well oiled. Apparently they don't relish the fact that they're supported so strongly by their countrymen at UK shows but what the chuff is that about? An audience is a bloody audience and at least a third of last nights, judging by the accents in the bar, was from Oz. I think that in this day and age of lazy bastards that won't go out and furthermore won't buy tickets. They're doing pretty well. I left though wishing that Amy's Allison and Rigby could command such support. They each deserve it more because they have tons of songs that the great unwashed would like if only we could program them to. Walking around town I see Marc (ky Ramone) Bell is booked to play a multi-media show with two guys from the UK Subs in April. Another hapless cash-in. Yes he was there but only just. You'd think for Joe's memory they'd just exercise some caution.

I'm pretty excited about the prospect of hearing Suzy Y Los Quattro based on the extracts on the SCREAMING APPLE site. Go to the catalogue section and scroll down to the Suzy section. More about this outfit when I do.



Photo from www.underground-cologne.de. Spotted by Illegal Mover Flyin' Brian who will be bringing his combo's buzzpunkpowerpoprockactiondeluxe to that very establishment on February 27th of this annum.

Some quick news updates for you all: The Lazy Cowgirls celebrate their first 20 years in showbiz with the release of a new 45 on Gearhead: 'You'/'When It Comes To You I've Got No Dreams To Lose'. ***** Munster Records in Spain is set to release a double 10" version of the Prisoners' 'Wisermiserdemelza' LP that rounds up the original album plus all the stray tunes the band recorded for Big Beat at the time. ***** Tony Slug informs us that both the Nitwitz and Hydromatics appear on the new 'Death Rattle & Roll' compilation on Wondertaker. And while on the subject; there's an entire new Nitwitz disc in the can, and from the few tunes I've heard so far it's obvious that it's another monster. Too bad the Slugster is apparently unable to find a label willing to release the darn thing !. What's up with that?. ***** The mighty Leg Hounds finally see their third album 'Ready To Go' (taken from the same sessions that gave us their first two footlongs!) released on vinyl c/o the fine folks at Alien Snatch.

This is SUZY Y LOS QUATTRO. The best band name I've heard in a long time.

OK, some stuff you might care to be aware of up and coming...

First, two ALEX CHILTON solo shows in Paris - Friday and Saturday 20 and 21st February at Le Sous Sol.

Chris of The Surfing Lungs would like to pass on this message... "We're playing a couple of gigs in Spain next month, at the Magic in Barcelona on March 19th and the GranujaRock Festival in Castellseras,Teruel on the 20th. Both gigs are also with TV Smith and Suzi y Los Quattro. We're doing a warm-up UK gig at The Prince Albert in Brighton on March 6th but that's some sort of "party" as the place hasn't got an official license or something." Suzi y Los Quattro has to be the best name I've heard in a while.

And you wanna know what's up with Cyril Jordan? (Thanks Bjorn)

Steve, if those Fleshtones aren't shown the requisite respect in them history books then the books will have got it way wrong. They have nothing to fear but cloth-eared hacks!

The Fleshtones in Stockholm - Friday 6th February

The Debaser Club in Stockholm, a concrete bunker underneath the main road that runs north-south through the city, was bursting with the original spirit of rock’n’roll last Friday night.

The Maggots were the first to testify and illustrated why they are the perfect support band for a Super Rock tour of the “Frozen North”. Think, a no-nonsense attitude to the job in hand, well chosen covers such as “Circle Sky, and clanging originals. Tough guys with a tough sound. Hopefully the ‘tones will loan their Farfisa to them for the remainder of the tour so that their keyboard player can ditch the tinkling ivories though. A large crowd then assembled for a rare home-town show by the Nomads. Their performance was tight, confident and Nix Nomads voice, for my money at least, sounded even better than it does on disc. With the Nomads set list emphasising recent material such as “Don’t Pull My String” and “Ain't Yet Dead”, it was a pity that both audience and band remained rooted to the spot throughout the set. For a moment I thought I was back in London surrounded by a bunch of “Impress me!” geeks? But what the hey, for the gig was sufficiently primed for the return of Super Rock to the Swedish capital.

Arriving on stage as if they were about to play their first encore of the evening, the Fleshtones tore through “House of Rock” and one could not have wished for a more appropriate mission statement. Suddenly, we were in the cool and solid marble mausoleum that the ‘tones have built alone. Mixing old material alongside the new while running, jumping and blowing whistles, more than one observer must have wondered how long these “old geezers” where gonna last. Suffice to say that they did and the show flew by in a rapid ninety minutes. Random memories include that look of absolute concentration on Bill’s face. Peter, Ken and Keith building a human pyramid mid-song near the end of the show. The sight of a man wearing a shirt emblazoned with pink elephants, and well into his 5th decade, surfing the crowd on more than one occasion. Ken and Keith playing each other’s guitars during the introduction to “Roman Gods”. Keith standing on a chair and leaning over the microphone during “Way Down South” and “Communication Breakdown”. Peter, Ken and Keith hooking arms and forming a defiant “Powerstance” minutes into the set. And Bill Milhizer, standing tall behind the drum kit and knocking out that colossal beat for what seemed like most of the night.

For not only are these guys fun to watch they are damn professional too. It’s debatable how kind the musical history books will be to the Fleshtones, but those who attended the show at Debaser will hopefully smile at the memory and remember that the Fleshtones gave it their best.

John Holmstrom interviewed in Detroit's Metro Times.

OK, some misinformation on that BLACK TO COMM post from January 25th or thereabouts. Chris Stigliano's e-mail address is black2com@aol.com. Only one m.
I presume my faux pas is why he hasn't been deluged with orders...

BBC RADIO 2 SEE THE LIGHT DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT KERFUFFLE!

The Punk Rock USA documentary made by the one and only Brother Crunch with the likewise Craig Leon will be repeated on Saturdays March 8th and 15th at 9pm. Part Two was never broadcast because the Queen Maw decided to leave the theatre that day. It's a real treat complete with Stooges, Suicide, Dictators, MC5 and plenty more. The doc will be a tad reduxed too, important material long believed lost to the world has been discovered and shall be cleverly inserted where you can't hear the joins. I'll post the link details nearer the date, just make sure you check it out.

Excellent UK pop-combo the Mighty Stars recently hooked up w/ Kim Fowley. Read the entire saga here.

Damn, I completely forgot to mention this big Ronnie Dawson tribute that took place in Dallas over the weekend (sorry Tjarko). Like previous nights in NYC and even here in Holland, the event was organized to raise money for Ronnie's wife who not only lost her husband, but was also left with a small mountain of medical bills to pay. So as to kinda make up for my absentmindedness, here's a link that enables you to send some money here way. You know it makes sense...

A couple o' quick news updates: Swedish band the Sewergooves have just released a fine acoustic EP on Richie Records, featurin' solid versions of the Nomads' 'Where The Wolfbane Blooms' and Roky's 'I've Never Known This 'til Now'. ***** The Lazy Cowgirls have "just finished recording an all acoustic cd, with a couple electric guitars here and there, a little drums, a mandolin, an accordian and piano. We're looking for it to be released in late summer on Sympathy for the Record Industry".

From the man himself...

Eric Ambel to release catalog and a new CD on Lakeside Lounge Records.

With the release of Knucklehead on his own Lakeside Lounge Records Eric "Roscoe" Ambel clears the slate on 14 years of tracks that have been clogging his iPod. The record features 15 songs with various bands including various Roscoe's Gang configurations, the all Roscoe "Gringoman", the Bottle Rockets, Martins Folly, some pre-Yayhoos and the Yayhoos recording of the Del-Lords "Judas Kiss" with Steve Earle providing harmony. The record features some new Ambel compostions (Stepside, Garbagehead), some covers by Chip Robinson, Tom Waits, Neil Young and a new Steve Earle tune (the Usual Time).

Lakeside Lounge Records will also re-issue Ambel's 2 previous solo records. Rolling Stone Magazine called Ambel's 1988 debut Roscoe's Gang "the record Keith Richard should have made". The core band is Springfield MO's Morells with Syd Straw and Peter Holsapple as guests. Loud & Lonesome is Ambel's '94 release featuring songs written with Kevin Salem, Dan Zanes, Dan Baird and Terry Anderson with a very raw 3 pc muscle car band ripping through the tunes. Roscoe's Gang gets a re-mastering job and all 3 titles are in the digi-pack format with extensive notes and photos.

Look for all 3 titles to be available mid March '04.

From Dan Penniman at NEGATIVE RECORDS HQ

Hey everybody, A great night in store this Saturday as VENUS RAY join Vic Godard and Subway Sect under the wings of PennyBlack Music. With the irreplaceable Barney Oliver on an extended walkabout in the Australian outback, the show will mark the Venus Ray debuts of newcomers Jake Tassell on toy organ, sartorials and electronics and Gavin Mulcahy on the bass guitar. Venus Ray will be unveiling songs from their forthcoming 3rd album, due out in August.

The Spitz is a great venue with restaurant and art gallery, 5 mins from Liverpool St and Brick Lane’s finest eateries. Should be fine just turning up on the door, but it seems you can reserve tickets by calling Spitz Box Office (020 7392 9032) and pay for them when you pick em up on the night. More details below.

On Monday 16th February THE SCOUNDRELLES debut album ‘Organic Molecules In Action!’ is released. It’s already attracting raves in the press – look out for the 4 star review in the next Mojo. Available in all good record shops and on-line direct from Negative or Amazon.

And to celebrate the release The Scoundrelles headline London’s greatest garage rock night, the Dirty Water Club on Friday 20th February, with support from Norwegian all-girl beat combo THE LAUNDERETTES.

DIRTY WATER CLUB at the Boston Arms, 178 Junction Road, London N19 5QQ opposite Tufnell Park tube. Bands til midnight, DJs til 3am. http://www.dirtywaterclub.com More details nearer the time.

I got that Timothy Carey pic from a site called WHAT A CHARACTER.
A veritable mine of great stuff.

NORTON NEWS! February, 2004



WHAT: THE WORLDS GREATEST SINNER (1962)

WHERE: LINCOLN CENTER NYC (WALTER READE THEATRE, 165 W 65 STREET,
PLAZA LEVEL)

WHAT : FEBRUARY 14, 5 PM

Valentines Day is one week away, friends, so don't forget to blast some T.
VALENTINE (Norton LP/CD 280 and 45-094)! ... and if you're local to our sector
here in NYC, do not delay in getting tix for you and ya lovebug to the NYC
public premier of THE WORLD'S GREATEST SINNER, Timothy Carey's magnum opus circa 1962, the greatest rock n roll flick ever made... it makes CITIZEN KANE look
like THE SINISTER URGE, people! This mammoth and majestic film needs no
introduction to the tried and true who've either managed to get a glimpse of a ratty
vid somewhere along the way or who've yearned for the day that now approaches,
but for the uninitiated, may we direct you to Kicks #7 and PSYCHOTRONIC #6
(psychotronic.com -- editor Michael Weldon can be reached at pvzine@intercom.net) , plus there's great stuff including a feature in FILM COMMENT at filmliinc.com, Lincoln Center's website-- plus you can buy tix right there online for $10 (plus $1.25 for credit card processing). Handy dandy indeed!

Timothy Carey was a genius and one of the coolest cats ever to roam the planet.
When's the last time we directed you all to fine film fare-- just do it!
You'll see our revered Ray Dennis Steckler in the film credits and get your breath
baited for this unheralded brand of film fabulosity that now gets the royal
treatment on the big screen in the big town! Frank Zappa stole his beatnik
beardo "look" when he was writing the fantastic music for Sinner- without a doubt
his best song ever -- covered by the A-Bones on their Giant Claw 45 with none
other than Tim Carey spouting his own brand of boney sinner spew in the
intro-- the Aussie 45 is outta print but look for it on the A-Bones non-LP tracks
compilation due out in September! See youse at Sinner!


MORE NORTON NEWS...
Check in at nortonrecords.com for our boss current releases
including DON'T KNOCK THE ROK!, never ished Roky Erickson and The Alien's hot sock outtakes that rival only King Uszniewicz in the wildass late night oldies on
the rampage department. Roky's instore appearance in support of the album at
Waterloo Records in Austin last month brought out hundreds of adoring fans who
dug the meet-n-greet and slurped on Roky Rocky Road ice cream courtesy of Amy's
of Austin! The groundhog went back into hiding until the new crew of Nortons
arrive, some of our biggest releases to date.... stay tuned and don't forget to
CRANK IT UP!... big giant thanks to all the stars and friends and stompers
who made our December 27 Soul Spectacular a memorable night indeed! Hats off to
Andre Williams, Rudy Ray Moore, the Mighty Hannibal, Lonnie Youngblood, King
Coleman, Nathaniel Mayer, the Shanks, Barrence Whitfield, Betty Lavette, the
Soul Shakers, deejay Mr. Fine Wine and the whole gang who made it all a wild
birthday blast for Billy Norton (as Hannibal has dubbed our Mr. Miller) and a
crazed holiday/new years shindig for the whole pack! Birthdays greets go out to
Nathaniel Mayer, who celebrates his big 6-0 in style with the Shanks back in
Detroit this Saturday, Feb. 7 and the Attic (11667 Joseph Campau, doors at 8,
show at 10. Cover charge $10). Locals check out Lonnie Youngblood at Frank's
Lounge in Brooklyn Thursdays through February (frankslounge.com). Anybody heading down to the Sunshine State next weekend? Check out King Coleman at his own Florida stomping, or shall we say swamping grounds, on Valentines Day in Fort Lauderdale, tag teaming with X-rated legend Blowfly! WFMU's Dave The Spazz (wfmu.org) has the scoop and will be covering said event in person.
Andre Williams headlines Scotland and Norway in April, Hannibal is auditioning for
a TV show (true!)... and rumor has it that Arch Hall, Jr. may be performing
this year, live with his Wild Guitar! Stay tuned for more late breaking news
and check us out via the link opposite.

LFT's is the expression I use for those of us who couldn't make those shows for one reason and another. However, I didn't realise that Steve was goin' out there so at least he'll be able to clue us in. Ain't you eager to hear what you missed?

Also, you want the skinny on Zurich? visit Crawford Smith's GREEN RIVER

"we less fortunate types"?. Please rest assured that our very own Steve Coleman is out there havin' fun under the cold Stockholm moon...

Well those Scandanavians have the trump card this weekend Not more so than the Fleshtones/Nomads/Maggots triple bill that's hitting up Debaser in Stockholm tonight. Anybody out there up for filing a report? Helsinkians and Oslovians also, clue we less fortunate types into your brush with the thing they call Super Rock!

The German Alien Snatch label is steadily becomin' one of the prime sources for current none-lame p-rock. Take the Von Zippers, a Canadian band who's name spells third-rate-Estrus at best, but who deliver the goods in fine style on their latest 'The Crime Is Now' disc. I could call 'm a slightly more accessible New Bomb Turks, but that would be sellin' 'm short 'cause there's a singular mind at work here, but it gives you the general direction anyhoo. Poppier (mainly thanks to the addition of some great cheesy organ sounds), but no less hard edged are The Minds. Housed in a suitably tacky 1979 "new wave" sleeve, their 'Plastic Girls' LP borders on powerpop, and that ain't no bad thing per se, but the guitars are loud enough to keep you hard-liners satisfied. Best of the bunch tho' is the eagerly anticipated (by me anyway) debut full-length by Ghetto Ways, who put out an excellent, but impossible to find, 45 last year, that gets a solid follow-up with this; the first great LP of 2004. "Detroit" is the first thing that springs to mind listenin' to this, but forget about the Stooges for a while, think soul/punk ala the MC5 or Dirtbombs, but only as some kinda reference, 'cause these guys have a similar scope, one that's way beyond that of you're average garage combo, touchin' on several decades 'n styles for inspiration w/ out ever soundin' derative. A sound investment if ever there was one.

Dutch readers are advised to check out the Demons - Carrera show at dB's on thursday the 12th of februari right here in Utrecht.

This month's releases from Ace Records.

If it happened or is happening in the Tri-State Area then you'll most likely find it on NEATNESS

Jim Fields' END OF THE CENTURY documentary about THE RAMONES will be distributed in Europe by Metro-Tartan. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.

The culture just keeps coming... check out and support
THE SECRET CINEMA

Prepare to enter a whole 'nother world... Planet LUCHA VAVOOM

Good news for our American readers: The fantastic Master Plan album is out now on Total Energy.

That makes young Vedder, HBV - King of Men Version 2.0! Keeping up the Dictators theme, Agent Heiko found this piece that I'd never seen before. Comes from a webzine called LITTLE CRACKED EGG that I think you'll like to dig around in.

While scannin' the below news on the Dictators site I noticed that MY SON SHARES HIS BIRTHDAY WITH THE HANDSOME ONE !. Hows about that for bein' "born under a good sign"?...

From Dictators.com...

THE HANDSOME ONE'S FULL PLATE

He's celebratin' half a century on earth this week and is father of an active 1-year-old, but Handsome Dick Manitoba clearly scoffs at the idea of taking it ease. The Dictators' Not-So-Secret Weapon and keeper of your favorite bar (Manitoba's, 99 Ave. B, NYC) fills us in on his goings-on: "I am working on a book with former editor of High Times, and Heeb ... It will be anecdotal, with stories about growing up Jewish, Bronx stories, food stories, recipes, restaurant reviews, plenty of photos, and drawings ... the first chapter will be done soon ... tentative working title? ... MANITOBA EATS NEW YORK! ... also the official MANITOBA'S website will be up soon ... www.manitobas.com."

Oh yeah... Steve has rightly pointed out the daftness of posting huge files agin the fact that not everyone has a broadband connection. I know how much of a pisser it was to wait for pages to load on a dial-up modem and apologise for any pissed-offedness caused. Please visit again and often. It willnae happen again...

It's been a heckuva week out here. Ever get the feeling that the country you live in is screwed? Heading it all up is what happened to the BBC. The organisation is in the throes of having all of its teeth removed to be replaced by a set of falsers called TBTV. One head that actually made a difference rolled and the staff there actually rallied to shout it out but ultimately it won't stop the rot. This government can and is damaging our collective health. They "let" Scotland have its own council to help it along or maybe even speed up the process. And Osama's mob are taking the piss again. More flights from the UK to the US cancelled due to "threats". One way or another, it's all very depressing because if it gets any worse we're gonna be back to where we were before the wheel was invented. It's very difficult to be enthusiastic about anything in such a climate. Life is sucking the will to live outta me but wadjagonnado? I don't think that even Finntroll will be able to save us!

"One night in march 1997 two men were sleeping in a rehearsal room in Helsinki. The other woke up and started playing the keyboards and came up with a folkish melody. Soon the other one woke up too. Liking the melody he asked the other guy to play the riff in traditional finnish "humppa" style (humppa is a variety of polka...). This sounded very mean and guitars and brutal vocals were added immediatly. Thus Finntroll was born.." (This picture just about sez it all...)
(Link c/o Tony Slug).

UK re-issue label RPM is set to release an interesting compilation called "'GLITTERBEST: 20 PRE-PUNK'N'GLAM TERRACE STOMPERS'. "Featuring HOLLYWOOD BRATS, ANGEL, DUCKS DELUXE, STREAK, HAMMERSMITH GORILLAS, FLINTLOCK, MILK & COOKIES, CHRIS SPEDDING & THE VIBRATORS, TREVOR WHITE, JOOK, LIPSTICK, HELTER SKELTER, TIGER LILY, DOG ROSE, FARM, AMERICAN JAM BAND, ENGLAND'S GLORY, CRUSHED BUTLER, SPUNKY SPIDER and ONE HIT WONDERS"". No idea if any of these bands' names ring a bell with you, but this documents something that is generally way overlooked in the "roots of punk" histories, and given the label's track record this look's to be well worth your while...

The all-new AMY RIGBY site is now available for your surfing pleasure. This photo of she and the one and only Wreckless Eric performing "Whole Wide World" in Hull oughtta give you an itchy trigger finger.

More important information to impart. Folks have been asking me where they can score the most recent ACC material on yonder Gulcher imprint. You can get it from there or from CD BABY , just so long as you load up. Stores can get their stash from Revolver by contacting this gennelman, arthur@midheaven.com

Accordion Pop is finally available on cd and should be the soundtrack to your life but you really ought to have the set. Any Eurotypes who are looking for copies can give me a holler here and we'll sort you out.

Take a handful of my favourite ingredients - Swedes, Country and Rockabilly. Mix 'em together and you'll get Eva Eastwood & The Major Keys!

Dude, it's a Dude! well J can give us all the stories about hospitals that he likes but the wee man obviously came to earth in a space capsule. At least that's what it looks like in the photo. Great to hear things are swingin' out there in dem Netherlands because these are good, good people who deserve nothing but the best.

Mille Grazia for all the kind words 'n best wishes from alla you guys 'n gals, both Alice 'n me really, really appreciate it...
To answer a whole bag o' questions at once: Yes, both mother 'n child are doin well. The whole thing took about 42 hours, and the hospital people tell us, somewhat bemused, that we made use of "all available options" when it comes to childbirth. I'll spare you the details, but suffice to say; I've acquired a fresh batch o' gray hairs...

That said tho', I'd like to switch back to music talk with the NBT readers, 'cause I noticed that within 24 hours I was discussin' parental pleasures/worries w/ some of you. No problem with that obviously, but mayhaps we'd better save such talk for the New Born Thing or Next Big Toddler log...

He's Here !.

Name: Bastiaan Vedder
Date Of Birth: Jan 29 2004
Weight: 8 lb
Parents: Tired but happy

That's oor (as opposed to our) Bush!

Cowabunga an' that. Visit the website of those long pipelinin' Surfin' Lungs...

Well it arrived. America’s ONLY High Energy (not of the disco world) Magazine BLACK TO COMM #25 is the first completely mandatory purchase of ’04 to readers of this cyber-rag. Take a look at the BDMesque cover and glean the very tip of the iceberg in terms of content. A cd of tunes by Simply Saucer, The Coachmen and Ruby and The Rednecks is also included. 164 packed pages sees Mr Stigliano in full flight as only he can soar with some noteworthy guest star action. This is what he does when he’s not chasing up copies of Bam Balam on Ebay. A high highlight of this exceptional daud of print is a couple of letters from Lester Bangs to Ms Miriam Linna back in the day. Warm the cockles of yer heart they will and this is the only place you can read’em. To snag your copy direct from the source,
e-mail Chris at black2com@aol.com and he’ll hep you to what the damage is. $20 from Europe should cover it and it’d be cheap at twice the price because they seldom build ‘em (if ever) like this anymore. Mail the good ol' fashioned way to Chris Stigliano, 714 Shady Avenue, Sharon. PA 16146-3149.

Rikki Fulton has left the theatre. The great Scottish comedian died last night. Go Rikki.

Well. I've been looking forward to it all week and it hasn't been delivered. A massive snowfall to keep me in the hoose but instead, it's slurpie world out there and not enough to claim snowbound status. Even the minus 14 temperatures haven't materialised dagnabbit!

The wonderful world of Art Frahm... (Thanks Greyman)

What’s the world coming to right enough…

You’ve got John Lydon out in the jungle as part of the latest “Reality” TV sickness. Not sure what that’s all about, could be something to do with raising money for charity. I guess that’s the most noble reason one could muster. What drives people to watch this pish and why can’t I get a commission for my programme idea “Paint Drying”? I just don’t understand it, think of the merchandising possibilities in line with those out of town DIY atrocities.

All that and my upbeat normal service message of the other day has taken a tanking. I’m still experiencing phone and internet problems and am somewhat at a loss with what to try next. Probably my “mad as hell and ain’t gonna take it anymore” mode.

Who Will Shave Rock’n’Roll (as Sean Connery might say) is another concept we may consider. Thanks Mrs Stim.

(From cpop.com) "FUN HOUSE artshow-Curated by NIAGARA

Featuring THE STOOGES: IGGY POP, RON ASHETON, SCOTT ASHETON.

February 7th-March 2nd, 2004.

'Like a street-walkin' cheetah with a heart full of napalm' Iggy and The Stooges are back but now are exploding on Detroit's ART Scene.

Ground Zero is CPOP Gallery, Sat Feb 7th. Iggy, the Godfather of Punk and his partners in crime, the Asheton brothers, have a new weapon in their arsenal: paintbrushes. Curated by Detroit's own High Priestess of Punk, Niagara.

Observes Mary Harrison, 'It would appear to be the natural progression; now bringing the Asheton brothers into the art scene since they had played together for years in Dark Carnival, exposing her to the music scene'

The Stooges FUNHOUSE Art show is expected to attract an international audience in it's 30 day run in Detroit. The show should hold more than a few surprises, everything from crude re-worked T.V. Guides to large colourful canvases depicting life from the perspective of the seminal Punk Rock Trio. The show is coinciding with the Stooges Reunion and world tour that has taken the rock world by storm.

Ron Asheton, lead guitar from The Stooges and Destroy All Monsters, wryly notes, 'Some of this stuff isn't so hot and some of it's brilliant, I just don't know which is which.'

Niagara had noticed, 'For some time they had been painting whenever they could. I thought the time was right for a show...of a different type; paintings by musicians.'

Also included in the show are pieces by Lou Reed, Joey & Dee Dee Ramone, Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), King Buzzo (The Melvins), Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO), Kembra Pfahler (The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black), John Holmstrom (PUNK Magazine), rock photos by Bob Gruen and Leni Sinclair, various other artists and live performances.

"I wanted the show in Detroit, being the Stooges home town. They are beloved here." added Niagara.

"It will also give our band an opportunity to get some recording done for our new album." says Asheton.

SHOW OPENS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2004, 8pm-Midnite"

On his website, photographer George Dubose tells the stories behind some of his work, including 9 Ramones album covers and the sleeve for the Fleshtones' 'Hexbreaker LP. GO!.

Some cool song-based comics can be found at the WFMU site. (link c/o Dubbel Mono).

"Fans of the Muffs rejoice! Kim Shattuck, Ronnie Barnett, and Roy McDonald are almost done recording a brand new collection of songs." The new disc is due next month on Five Foot Two Records.

While doin' my occasional check on the Helmettes site, I just noticed that they seem to be open for bookings (!) once again. Tho' I'm not sure if there's any demand out there for these guys to re-appear, I'd say a on/off re-union show would be an obvious must-see for all agein' punk-rockers over here. So hey, Mr 1/2 2, how's about it?.
And yep, it's great to see my pal Fenderwoods quoted on the band's site; "Half 2" must be one of the most moving pieces of punkrock music ever to come out of Holland. It brings tears of joy in my eyes every time I hear it! Thank you Helmettes."

While diggin' around at Amazon.com, I noticed a upcomin' new book by the mighty Nick Tosches; 'King of the Jews: the Arnold Rothstein Story'. (An extensive bio on Rothstein can be found here).

Just got word that there's a new issue of Black To Comm magazine out 'n about; "170 jam packed pages of a special New York Rock issue feat. The Dolls, Dictators, Max's, Punk magazine, etc. Plus tons of reviews and bonus cd w/ Simply Saucer, Coachmen, Ruby And The Rednecks". If you've never caught BTC, better make sure you do this go round. For well over 20 years it's been documenting the 70s pre-punk punk scene in great detail, wavin' the flag for bands like the Electric Eels and Rocket From The Tombs long before anybody else cared... Bomp hasn't yet listed the mag on it's site, but I know they carry it, so go bug Suzy for a copy.

If you dug those What Wave tape compilations from years back then do yourself a favour and grab the "Whole Lotta Shakin'" CD comp-pile-ation on Garage-Pop Records. Put together by Mike Murray of the Whole Lotta Shakin' radio show, it boasts an identical mix of styles (surf, rockabilly, psych, garage) but with the emphasis, 'cept for the occasional international gatecrasher, on bands from Rochester, NY (Hi-Risers, Quitters, Isotopes et al). Interestingly, the Chesterfield Kings are not included although Greg Prevost and Walt O'Brien (remember him?) do receive a "thank you". Of the 26 tracks on offer there are too many winners to list although "Surfin' to forget about you" by the Surfin' Lungs and "I can't understand" by the Riviera Playboys are currently floating my boats. For a preview, of sorts, log onto Mike's show on a Sunday evening [8 - Midnight GMT] at the WITR website and dig the mix of new and "classic" sounds that he regularly spins. One listen to Whole Lotta Shakin', via the web or on compact disc, will reassure you that life is indeed still "rockin' in Rochester".

How's your French? "Not so good," then book a revision class 'cause you're gonna need it for latest edition of Larsen, a one-off doo-wop, rhythm'n'blues, soul, boogaloo, and funk extravaganza called: Guide B-Soul. It features the lowdown details (inc. discogs) on various sepia-toned "greats" including: Andre Williams; the Contours; Gino Washington; Nathaniel Mayer; Jerry-O; Alvin Cash; the Five Du-Tones; Harvery Scales 7 the Seven Sounds; and King Coleman. The latter, sadly, is not a relation of this contributor. A small, compact, publication but one that drips soulful hip-dom and which also comes complete with a cracking three track 45rpm from the Sweet Things (the Godzillas + Stompin' Harvey and his Fast-Wreckers). For more information, email Benny Gordini at: slushyruin@larsen.asso.fr

DANGER: Men on a mission. Here's a round-up of the forthcoming Euro moves for the Fleshtones, the hardest working men in rock'n'roll. Masters Vedder and Hutton, DO NOT even try to make a case for the Dictators 'cause those boys have had more sabbaticals than George Best (famous Irish soccer player). We're talkin' year-on-year real-time action and a sizeable quality-driven discography to back it all up. Anyhow, here are the details you need before heading for the Ryan Air website:

Scandinavian Tour (February)

Feb 5 Tavastia - Helsinki (Finland); Feb 6 Debaser - Stockholm (Sweden); Feb 7 The Wild Bunch Rock'n'Roll Club - Moss (Norway); Feb 8 Last Train - Oslo (Norway); Feb 9 Last Train - Oslo (Norway); Feb 11 Sticky Fingers - Gothenburg (Sweden); Feb 13 Rytmeposten - Odense (Denmark); Feb 14 Loppen - Copenhagen.

Spanish Tour (March)

Mar 5 Gruta 77 - Madrid; Mar 6 Pequeño Diablo - Valencia; Mar 7 La Guarida del Angel - Jerez; Mar 9 Tarari - Ponferrada; Mar 10 Rock Club - Orense; Mar 11 Albeniz - Gijón; Mar 12 Indian - Santander; Mar 13 Hell Dorado - Vitoria.

Dates in the UK (April) and France (June) are currently in the planning stage. Polite note to the ever-faithful Italian fans: The 'tones played several dates in Italy before Christmas so back-off with those email requests.

A further explanation about this WWSR&R thing...

WWSR&R is, or rather will be a special edition NBT which drags we back to the days of DIY zinedom. It’ll be a limited edition of 300 copies in a red 2-ring binder which is approx. 210mm square with cover insert. It's limited because that’s the number of binders I’ve got and let's face it, print distro ain't what it used to be. Content will probably run to 40 pages. If I decide it’s worth it then I’ll mail a monthly newsletter thing to whoever buys a copy and that can be added to the binder. Like those magazines that get advertised on the telly every January then promptly disappear. What I’d like is for you folks to pitch in and provide an angle on what the title suggests. The broader based the better. Something else I’d like to do is give some of the proceeds (if there turn out to be any) to Joey (Ramone's) Lymphoma Charity. Being that we’ve never managed to organise that UK version of his Birthday party yet. So if you’d like to compile something to be included then please do so. It’s all pretty sketchy at this point but it’ll doubtless fall together (or not)…

All that and I'll be darned if the ol' phoneline ain't just done gone got fixed. Perhaps normal service can resume after all?

The wonderful world of Jack Pedlar is but a click away... thanks to Pat Taylor for the tip.

OK. So I need to get this Who Will Save Rock'n'Roll thing moving. An actual print THING as opposed to this blog type blethering. If you have something that oughtta appear in there then please hit the contact button and give we the skinny. A deadline of 15th February (2004) seems as good as any to drop outta thin air so let's see action. Spare everyone from an extended rant from yours truly and pitch in. subject matter could even be What Will Save Rock'n'Roll, the blighter needs all the help it can get in these decidedly un-rockin' times.

Saw Lost In Translation also and it's a kinda slow burn. The karaoke scene is great though and Tokyo just looks like another world. The use of the J&M Chain's Just Like Honey is very effective. I used to hate them based on the fact that they were a bunch of little oiks. Made some fantastic records though...

Ordinary Life is pretty complex stuff alright. American Splendor anyone?

"In 'Kill Bill,' Japanese garage-rockers The 5.6.7.8's dripped cool as the blood splashed. But that was just a scratch on the surface of a thriving girl-band scene." - Simon Bartz of The Japan Times gives you the chick picks of 2004.

The Killer (not to be confused with Krazee Eyes Killah) and a band that reportedly includes James Burton, rocks on in Perthshire at £299 a scud. There's an additional bizarre aspect to this story but more about that later... Oh yeah, and it's sold out. TAKE A LOOK! Thanks to Mr Rafferty for the link.

Steam nothing, I'm approaching full Four Mile Island Meltdown mode. That's one louder kids. Saw American Splendor the other day, maybe that rubbed off?

Sometimes I wish Lindsay would buy one of those web-cam thingies, so we could watch steam comin' out of his ears while he types in these short messages...

Now my bloody phoneline is knackered... what the hell next?

Attention Berliners... Agent Heiko has provided this screening info for End Of The Century - The Story Of The Ramones

08.02.04 CineStar 7 20:00
09.02.04 CineStar 7 22:30
10.02.04 CineStar 7 14:30
14.02.04 CinemaxX 7 22:30

The film will be presented in the PANORAMA DOKUMENTE within the Official Programme of the Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin 2004. The press is invited to the premiere and a press talk with the audience will be held directly after the screening in the cinema. European distribution info should be available soon.

Just a quickie this Monday am, while I'd love to have a "den" like the one in the photo. That one belongs to Cap'n Jeroen Vedder. My den is more of a "howff". The other thing is that it's J and Alice that are about to have a wee yin and not we here. I appreciate the goodwill messages and all but...

While listenin' to the Master Plan's 'Colossus Of Destiny' disc earlier tonight I was again amazed at what a fine disc it is, and at the same time at how just about nobody has noticed so far!. The take on "What's Up With That?' beats the 'Tators version by a mile. 'Kickin' It Old School' is one of Andy's finest tunes ever, no two ways about it. And damn if Keith Streng doesn't blasts even more life into 'Walking' than the Eastern Dark ever did...
The good news is that Bomp is gonna issue this one in the US some time soon....

Caught a couple of stripped-back three piece combos at the Dirty Water Club last Friday and while neither was terrible they got me thinking about the near lack of showmanship on offer these days. Gin Palace include members of Penthouse and deliver reverbed Rockabilly-Blues slop that is competent enough but which failed to hold my attention after a couple of numbers. Not only were there few memorable songs but there was also a lack of charisma to compensate for said problem. Suffice to say that the punters did not ask them to play an encore. The headline act, Jimmy & The Teasers from North Carolina, similarly struggled. Despite the visual eye candy in the drum'n'bass department, all of that raging from the fellow playing guitar became wearisome after ten minutes. Yup, you guessed it, these guys were not asked back for an encore either. Now after witnessing the Woggles shred both audience and stage at the same venue before Christmas I refuse to believe this is a "hip-Londoner-cool-as-cucumber" issue. Maybe it's down to reading about the late Graham Bond this last week and also the anticipation of catching-up with the Fleshtones in a couple of weeks time. Whatever, it's still a shame that 98% of bands do not know how to entertain a crowd with more than their music. Now of course The Graham Bond Organization is a classic example of a band capable of breaking down the barrier between audience / musician and it would be foolish to expect every band to "groove" but by my estimation, not to mention extensive research, I reckon that the ratio of bands who could "make show" was a damn sight higher in the pioneering days of RnR. Then again I guess that we, namely the Brits, really got the ball rolling in the angst-rock stakes what with certain British Invasion bands such as the Zombies and KinKs. I dunno, maybe Sgt Pepper should have given the Beatles dancing lessons instead of teaching them how to play? One thing is for certain though, he would never have got away with his music theory lessons with the bands working the Reeperbahn in the early 60s 'cause the punters would have beaten the shit out of him at the slightest hint of boredom. How times change?

"Heya horndogs! We posted the January Reviews at www.x2rr.com. Read about the NewTown Animals, Street Walkin Cheetahs, Morticia's Lovers, Dennis Most, the Winks, Chopsakis, Kamikazes, Transfusions, Radio Reelers, Black Jetts, Detonations, Union 13 and more. And if that aint enough look for more new photos comin soon." - Mark Giddens

"Following a show in Phoenix on April 26, 2003, acclaimed singer-songwriter and playwright Alejandro Escovedo (The Nuns, Rank and File and The True Believers) collapsed and was hospitalized due to complications from Hepatitis C. He is currently at home in Canyon Lake, Texas, resting and undergoing treatment to alleviate the effects of his condition. Alejandro's rigorous touring schedule and recording sessions for a new album that had begun the week before are both on hold as he recuperates. There is no health insurance to cover the mounting medical bills and loss of income as Alejandro continues to pursue treatment. In response to an outpouring of concern from friends, fans, and associates from across the nation, a trust has been established to handle donations on his behalf. You can make donations here.

Dick Porter - Ramones, The Complete Twisted History (Plexus).
I Guess this is where the cash-in starts, the first real hack Ramones bio. From the git go it's clear Porter never talked to anybody involved with the band, and serves us nothing but a mix/match cut 'n paste job. Which in itself wouldn't be such a bad thing, if it weren't for the numerous factual errors in here. For instance: did you know 'California Sun' was originally by the Trashman? or that the 1976 CBGBs album featured Blondie, Talking Heads and Pere Ubu?, well, neither did I. photo captions provide similar un-intentional entertainment: two pics from the same photoshoot are credited to be taken in both Liverpool and NYC!, A shot of Dee Dee is dated may '77 while he clearly wears a 'End Of The Century' badge. Minor details you might think, but to me it goes to show that Porter really doesn't have much of a clue. I even flung the book into the corner when, at one point, he claims that the Ramones opened every show over the years with 'Blitzkrieg Bop', even if he never did see 'm in action himself, a quick glance at the four official live albums would have given proof to the contrary. Heck, the guy has previously written books on Nu-Metal and the Darkness, which just about sez it all...
Please take Lindsay's advice from somewhere below and pick up those cheapo, but infinitely better, books on the subject, save yourself the money, and get some real edu-ma-cation...

The bold Martin Percival has delivered the following info for y'all to do with whatcha will...

Berlin Film Festival Site. Not yet got End of the Century listed but the site's still under development.

WPIX listeners get together - Manitoba's NYC Jan 22

WPIX was a great New York/New Jersey area based radio station that's fondly remembered by it's listeners, especially for its classic fall 1978 thru spring 1980
period. Most visiting bands playing the NYC area around that time seemed to drop in for interviews & chat including the Buzzcocks, Undertones, The Fall,
Plasmatics and many others with djs like Jane Hamburger. The Cramps, Buzzcocks, XTC & Wire also all featured on their Saturday night concert broadcast series.
There will be a get together of old PIX listeners at Manitoba's, 99 Ave. B (between 6th & 7th St.) in NYC on January 22nd. If you were a listener or are in touch with anybody who used to listen, please tell them about this! For more info contact Will Keller - wkeller64@aol.com

Fopp - Music, film and book store - Ramones related reading bargains

FOPP is selling Monte Melnick's essential book On The Road with the Ramones for the outrageous price of £5 (usual price £14.99!!) and Legs McNeil's story of NYC punk era excess Please Kill Me for only £3. Both essential reads in my view and at this price, an absolute giveaway!

Any readers out there who'd like a copy of either or both and can't be arsed ordering over the website can contact us here. I can act as a personal shopper and mail 'em etc.

They're guaranteed good weather for this one...



Details...

Hey, I know this is kinda self-indulgent, but what the heck. What you see here is my new "den", a long time in the making but finally done. So yep, I'm pleased as punch right now. From here I'm reportin' to the outside world (ie: you...)

Just ran into this great collection of downloadable Damned videos. GO!.

Jim Fields Ramones Movie, END OF THE CENTURY will be screened at The Berlin Film Festival between February 6th and 12th. I can't find the link to the site but anybody in that 'hood should check the press out there for details. Meanwhile Agent Heiko is on the case and you should check his site for further details by clicking HERE!

I know, I know... It's been well over a week since I last posted something here, it's not that I've been that busy, it's just that there's lives that need to be lived. That, and the fact that we've been takin' it easy as off late (as much as possible anyways), what with the baby due to arrive any day now, capish?. Life is A-OK 'round here at the moment, and I really appreciate that a number of you have been askin'. It's just that my thoughts are elsewhere right now, so please forgive me if I'm late in responding to all o' your e-mails (if at all).
To answer several questions about my current listening habits: "just about everything!". OK, almost everything...
Doin' the rounds on the ol' hi-fi at the moment are Kitty Wells' 'God's Honky Tonk Angel' (Edsel CD), this beats just bout every alt-country gal singer by a mile, save yourself the bother, and head straight for the source. Earl Bostic - 'Blows A Fuse' (Charly LP), I first heard 'Flamingo' somewhere in the early 70s and I still haven't recovered. Bostic's alto sax playin' reigns supreme in my book. This certainly ain't no sophisticated Jazz or whatever. Just loud, un-civilized R&B wailin'. The disc I have is long out of print, but if I'm correctly informed there's a budget 2CD set out on Proper right now that should fulfill you're every need. Tony Slug pointed directions to a pretty cool MP3 by glam rock band Silver. Riff heavy, this beats legions of contenders by the proverbial whatsis.....
That's it, no offence but I gotta go 'n catch some sleep.

Talk to you later....

Have a futz around my old buddy Bruce Milne's 2004 stomping ground.