Greetings this Saturday morning from Discombobulated Central. Things be still awry but I guess that's how such a fluid situation can inhibit a creature of extreme routine. Maybe I'm suffering from a mild form of depression because I never got any tickets for the Live 8 shows. And why? Because I never entered the lottery to win any. And why (the sequel)?? Because I have no interest at all in being "part of history". So thereby hangs a tale... I am so devoid of any kind of ambition that I've been wondering lately why? As others jockey and crawl for some crumb of "status", for some tangible link to what they conceive as normal or acceptance - I'm rowing frantically in the opposite direction, out to sea, lunch, wherever. As far away from what i consider to be a sickness as is humanly possible, hoping that a wave will knock me out of my wee boat and either drown me or wash me up on some distant shore, out of the all-enveloping bollocks once and for all.

The slide toward Scotland's lockdown is gathering pace as the world leaders of the apocalypse ride toward Gleneagles. The toothless call for a humungous number of people to descend upon this daft wee country gets more shrouded in stupidity with every passing moment. There isn't an infrastructure to deal with the possibility and we ain't talking Woodstock here. Fuck's sake, there aren't even litter bins in most rail stations because don't ya know there are terrorists waiting to blow our sorry arses off the main line between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Tomorrow (Sunday 19th) is No Computer day. I ain't even switching it on, no matter how it begs and pleads. It's time to revisit the days before these things took control of my existence, I might even get to a casual schlepp through that pile of cds that are gathering dust over there just out of vision. My e-mailholism is out of control and isn't helping cod-fisted attempts to stabilse the day to day chaos. The turbulence continues and it's at times like this you need all the Fuck Y'All records you can get. But more about that down yonder road...

Tickets for the Count Bishops reunion show at the 100 Club on September 23rd are available now from Bang Bang. Latest word is that Boss Goodman will be spinnin' the discs that night!.

...Wanna do something useful and rock at the same time? Join The Star Spangles at The Mills @ East Falls, 3502 Scotts Lane, Philadelphia, 8pm, June 25th for part of Scooter Week, a series of events benefiting The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. It's an all ages show on a Saturday evening, the Walkmen are headlining and your $20 goes to a very good cause, so now you have no excuse... Click here for further info

The new AMY RIGBY album LITTLE FUGITIVE is out on Signature Sounds this August 23rd. Mixed by Don Dixon, it contains the "if there's any justice" smash "Dancing With Joey Ramone" and 11 other top compositions delivered in customary splendor (note - US spelling). Amy also has a songbook, with lyrics and illustrations available now.

The one and the only Karen McB sent me this link to a D-GENERATION clip today. In 1994 even, everything seemed possible and the performance is great. They were the missing link between Aerosmith and The Dead Boys that got away. The albums aren't wall to wall great but they have their moments and you can probably score them for a buck off Ebay. Anyway, they knew how to use a stage and this wee snapshot proves that conclusively.

Received quite a few messages today about the "too much stuff" malaise. Seems like it's a pretty common ailment. It also reminded me of the 100 records concept. Essentially you can have 100 records, that's total. In order to get a new one you have to let an old one go. I've heard stories about people who could live with such a discipline but I never met anyone who actually practices this dark art. Could such control really be possible?

There's a piece in the latest issue of WORD magazine that really hit home with me. David Hepworth is writing about there being too much stuff out there and very candidly states some names that he hasn't ever heard. Some of these names are very obvious but he's managed to distance himself from the feeding frenzy where on top of hearing stuff there's room to appreciate it more because there's room to breathe.
Just lately I've become a binge listener, because somehow I've been robbed of all the time I seemed to have had. I gorge myself on album after album. Sometimes something comes along like Angel CC and that occupies heavy rotation but then I get back on the treadmill. Hepworth has pointed out the error of my ways but it remains to be seen if I can discipline myself out of this habit. I like his message about not having to hear EVERYTHING. It's simple and it's obvious but is it workable?

Mr Vahlberg tells me that SATOR will be playing at the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden this coming weekend. Chips K will also be conducting an ensemble of rolling vocalists throughout a set to mark 20 years of the event and Nick Nomad is one of these. I hope they get the weather.

It's official. Absolutely NOTHING is sacred or indeed safe from reinterpretation... an "urban" version of perhaps the greatest sitcom of all time. Couldn't they at least have called it The Homeynooners? The trailer does not inspire confidence but maybe some of our US readers could expand upon the subject. What the hell is next?

Angel's Louie Louie is up and at ya available now. It's a fabulous thing in a svelt card sleeve and it deserves to deliver a marked increase in status for our SF based lassie. Ad executives, soundtrack compilers and even people with ears should be able to recognise the shimmer that this stuff gives off. What's not to license...? Moby is so back in whatever day.

She has also entered the blogosphere and you can track down her music there, direct from the source. But beware, this is a sonic elixir of substance - not some casual mis-use of style so approach this material with that in mind. It will sooth the savage beast and then kick your ass. It's time Angel got her share of the limelight, she's not going on tour and she's not gonna be in all the magazines. This medicine is to be administered as a slow drip and you're being offered the privilege of getting in on the basement. It's an album like this that makes me remember why I bang my fucking head against the brick wall that claims to be the mainstream. Hoping that my napper will open up a fissure that'll let a little of the good stuff trickle in...

I know, this shindig was last night but Nuria's artwork - as always - is a wonderful thing to behold. So behold already...

So it's Fathers day next Sunday and the TV advertising is in full swing. A three CD Deep Purple box is the ideal gift apparently and to be honest I'm not knocking that as a concept. I always think of FD being a kinda Matt Monro or Max Bygraves vinyl album or slippers kinda day. Sometimes I forget that this is the 21st Century. We've made progress and the fact that you can pick up the new Cauldplay album with your muffins and Bran Flakes is supposed to underline this. Perhaps not. Another fact that's been widely reported this week is that practically every high street in the country has exactly the same shops. That'll be a revelation to anybody with eyes that's ever walked down one then, right? We are being bombarded with shite. Bloody big lumps of it. In every way imaginable. Even something as important as wiping out poverty has all these abysmal acts involved with it. Tis almost G8 time and the country is getting ready to party like it's 1999 to the most talent starved has-beens imaginable. Its not like any of them need the money that they'll undoubtedly make on the back of it. There are trains and boats and planes full of people headed for Edinburgh on July 6th apparently. The capital doesn't have enough toilet facilities on a regular day so it could get a tad stinky over there. It'll be Hogmanay Celebrations plus and probably pissing rain. And to get a ticket for the thing, you have to text. There is a provision for snail mail but the main mode of getting to see this terrible bill is to use your moby. I don't know how to do that so I can't go. Big shame I know, but I feel the sacrifice is worth it.

News on the upcoming new Fleshtones album 'Beachhead' can be found here.

The Rhythm Hive presents...
Saturday 11th June - downstairs at the Marquis of Lansdowne (aka Barden's boudoir Room 2), 48 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 7XJ (Dalston Kingsland top train or 67, 76 ,149, 243 buses)

THE MAKEOUTS
teengenerate-style garage-punk snottiness from Stockholm City!!!! 45 out soon on P.Trash Records!

BLACK TIME
sunglasses after dark punk rockers mainlining the Cramps and Huggy Bear!
VENOM SEEDS

geisha girls wrestling YYYs and Sonic Youth!!

DIRTHOLE
double drummer bursts of bruised and anguished garage-punk!!

8 til midnight. £4 on the door.

This coming Friday, June 10th ... 8:30pm - 3:00am

GOLDBLADE
There’s a lot of indie kids out there who thought it was something new and exciting when the Detroit garage scene exploded - no bandwagon jumpers, Goldblade anticipated that sound years earlier. Their soul-flecked rhythm’n’blues überdelic rock’n’roll may near enough be matched by their US counterparts but you won’t see a more inspiring and enlivening show from any of those. No one else delivers the testifying rock’n’roll gospel like John Robb – his restless spirit courses through the urgency of their glam-drenched strut, giving you a sense that every moment of your life should be an all-or-nothing, doing it to the utmost, that rock’n’roll can be your salvation, your reason for living. He’s a rock’n’roll Billy Graham, bug-eyed and wild on adrenalin – you will have no choice but to howl out your devotion to his band. A shamelessly fundamental collision of The Ramones, James Brown, The Stooges, backed by the tribal thump of two drummers, the song with which they open their set !
says it all: "Do You Believe in the Power of Rock’n’Roll?"

ELECTRA
Though being sharp and well-defined, this band is not about concept – it’s about good songs, the kind that remain hard to find. The songs in question are a fabulous blend of sixties soul and seventies punk – a unique blend of sweet melodies wrapped in loud, edgy guitars, songs that are direct and warm as any real pop anthem should be and yet also complicated and angry as the soul of a true teen rebel. In the couple of years since this power trio formed they have gained a devoted local crowd around the Tel Aviv area, with Time Out Tel Aviv calling them "the most kicking band in rock’n’roll". Following their debut single in the spring of 2004 the band signed a publishing deal with the Israeli branch of EMI and put out their second release. Now it’s time for Israel’s most happening band to head for the UK!

DANGERLUST
"Fancy some female-fronted dirty rock and roll with perfect pop choruses? That's the MO of this Sheffield band. Think the Pixies fronted by an uber-cool rock chick rather than a bald lardo..." says NME. Lurching, rhino-fart basslines, spiralling, bitten off guitars reminiscent of the Pixies/Breeders with effectively sneery vocals, Dangerlust are menacing, knowing and snide in equal measures, awesome riffage and fun solos , they show a honed sensibility for what it takes to get a club full of kids leaping around! As a Leeds Music Scene said about them: "Sleazy, filthy rock and roll. Just slap it in your CD player, sit back and nod your head in admiration 7/10" Meanwhile, the Sheffield Star says, "Personality, an appetite for riffs and a welcome dollop of scuzz." And we say you can't go wrong with a bit of scuzz!

GENERAL KHAKI
It was but a year ago that The General left the forces in disgust and assembled an elite fighting unit: on lead vocals and Fender Telecaster, Wing Commander Tommy Mack; on vocals and bass, Lance Bombardier Kat Stevens; on vocals and drums, Grenadier Dan McKennan. Their Mission: Clad in razor-sharp matching uniforms, to rendezvous at the barracks in London's fashionable East End and prime their primitive yet deadly weaponry for a sonic assault of their elusive leader's design – jagged Beefheart meets Buzzcocks bubblegum hooks, detonated with the breakneck speed and free-wheeling energy of the music the kids call 'hardcore', a manic swingpunk two-step and the raw guitars of that which they call 'garage-rock’. With a debut single out this summer on 1234 Records, and the majors sniffing around their sweaty hides like so many rabid hounds, General Khaki are on a mission to bring the brains and the beauty, the fun and the fury back to the fore, to put a dip in your hip and a glide!
in your stride - everything all together, everything all at once! www.generalkhaki.com

15.00 - 03.00 at Debaser, Stockholm... Tickets are 160 SvKr + service (a bargain really) at http//www.ticnet.se or at the door (18y)

15.00 The Midsummer pole is raised, Dj's are playing music and food can be bought in the big outdoor area. The party indoors starts at approx. 19.00hrs.

The Line-up: The Fleshtones (us), Los Plantronics (no)
Hipbone Slim & The Kneetremblers (uk), Dee Rangers, Tiny Teasers

Dj's Brock Sternberg (dk), Måns Månsson, Baby Diamondback, Mike Barbwire and more.....

The latest from Ace Records.

Although I try to update this thing at least once daily, the recent upturning of my routine suggests that this might not be the best way to go from here on in. Likewise, responding to and dealing with messages. I'm spending too much time in front of computers and in many ways achieving less. So I plan to try and regulate this. My napper feels like it's about to explode and that i'm headed for the rubber room if I don't reign things in. Maybe I'm down for a berth anyway but in any case... All's I'm saying is that there could be a lull coming up.

Priorities Pt. 2 4.11pm ... The healing sounds of the Hacienda Brothers have beaten off the demons for now. As has the threat of Mrs Stim's wrath. This ipod kicking is pretty funny and I'm not sure I subscribe to it 100% but it does raise a valid point. Of course there are many males who aren't interested in music either. Not "proper" music anyway and no amount of landfill gadgetry will halt the onslaught of these bastards so let's just try to steer around this veneer-deep temporary obstacle. Shall we?

The Plimsouls Reunion Show

(first shows since 1997!!)

with special guests Magic Christian feat. Cyril Jordan

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Cafe Du Nord
2170 Market St.
San Francisco,CA.
(415) 861-5016

Doors: 7:00pm - Show: 8:00pm promptly $15

Y'know - it's not really necessary to own a music collection anymore. However much we try, we can't have EVERYTHING and when you think about it, there still gazillions of things out there that we haven't heard. This is either depressing or empowering, depending on my mood. With the advent of stations like WFMU and shows like BBC London's Shake Some Action, we can just log in, hit the archive and to quote "The Great One" - "Awaaaaaay we go"...

Those of you with the means should hit up the SOA link there, it'll only be available until Monday but it's a belter, the second hour in particular because it features the one and the only Kevin Patrick spinning records and telling tales as only this one can. Follow the links to the show title, tucked away under "classic rock and pop" and simply play it again... and again...

Can anybody out there provide tips as to how to "capture" such broadcasts or what software is required to do so? Also, if you know of a show or a station we should maybe compile into a resource in the side bar there then let we know.

And on the subject of BBC output there, the Soul Deep episode last night was frustrating. Its surely should have been split into four. You can't pack all those bite size chunks in to tick the boxes marked James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Bootsy/George Clinton. What the P-funk? The last part is next Saturday and threatens Mary J. Bilge (I spell it the way I hears it). That crap might be hip but it don't hop around here amigo. And don't get me started about what some deranged twallies call r&b in this sorry day and age.

Who woulda thunk? A Zakary Thaks Website...

Latest news from Slugrock central:
"ACHTUNG YOUSE PUNK ROCKS !!!!
We are pleased to announce that Mikey "Offender" Donaldson will be rocking with
Amsterdam's unstoppable stalwarts the Nitwitz soon. Mikey played with legendary Austin, TX hardcore heavy hitters such as the Offenders, D.R.I., M.D.C., and Sister Double Happiness. Adding these credentials to the illustrious pasts of the other members (B.G.K., Loveslug, No Pigs, to name but a few) the Nitwitz are now packed to the hilt with bona fide trailblazing old school hardcore legend goodness AS WELL AS unbound talent! Better recognize, crackas. Cause it's about time all you biscuit-headed bozos stopped greeting the Nitwitz with screaming indifference, and got wise to the bowel-bursting Hurricane Power of Slugrock Riff-o-rama instead of jerking off over your Offenders/B.G.K.bootlegs and paying 200 bucks for old releases on Ebay. That's right : get your gelatinous, nostalgic, pringle eating retro-hardcore posterior off that sofa, and pick up the new Nitwitz CD "Sex Lies and Duct Tape" on Rocketdog Records from Clear Spot distribution.
Check the webpage to see what's up with live shows and freeload some mp3's while you're at it"

Check THIS Out!...

THE BEATSTALKERS - "Scotland's No. 1 Beat Group" is a collection of their 7 singles featuring the A + B sides plus two other cuts "Ramble On" and "St Louis Blues". The cd has been exquisitely curated to bring together this long lost material with a booklet containing plenty of great clippings and liner notes by Beatmeister, Lenny Helsing of The Thanes.

STRAMASH! blared the Evening Times, reporting the 'stalkermania that ensued at an innocent "boutique" opening. 2 of these 14 songs were written by one D. Bowie and to my knowledge have fallen off the face of the earth until now so maybe the more rabid of his fans are about to encounter some real music for the first time in a dogs age when they discover this.

Assembled by Alan Mair, the sound is great - particularly when cranked up. I would imagine that this is gonna create quite the stushy when the global beat fraternity get their paws on it. A vinyl edition would be something else entirely. I think the band would probably be up for some Cavestomp, Wild Weekend, Las Vegas Grind, Rotterdam Rumble type action when the blue touch paper is lit, meanwhile you can snag a copy this very instant by clicking HERE!

Ben Vaughn's DESIGNS IN MUSIC will be his first domestic (US) release in 8 years. I'll let you ponder the criminal nature of that fact while you test drive the wee mp3 samples and duly place your order thanks to the wonders of Paypal. More about the album when I get my hands on the whole entchilada...

Practically at the last act of my first week doing the (almost) 9 'til 5. I am nothing if not a creature of routine and said activity has been somewhat shaken up this past few days. Service will be resumed slowly as I morph some kinda groove around these latest developments.

Oh yeah, if you're in NY this weekend...

You need this record and even better it's not on cd. It's a real, honest to gawdness slab of 7" vinyl from Canada. Snarling, lo on fi - big on seismic r'n'r energy, girl punk from the folks that brought us that fine GOLDIROCKS movie. Contact 'em via the Goldirocks website, that's where that link'll take ya... E-mail Paula and Tina direct at sluttyrecords@hotmail.com

It's $10 (Canadian) to Europe so hightail it to your Bureau De Change and invest now.

Thanks to Bruce for the tip off and to Paula for the cover shot.

LAURA CANTRELL will kick off the campaign for her new album, Humming By The Flowered Vine on Matador, tonight at The Jazz Cafe in London.



Photographer: Ted Barron © 2005

The Rotterdam PRIMITIVE Festival is on again this year at The Waterfront venue in that there town. It's a great place to catch fine music. Seems like forever since we caught The Nomads there... but I think they're headed back that way this September also (?).

Tho' not much a fan of "vintage clothing" myself, some of you might wanna check the new stock at Atomic Affair, as these girls deserve your support and patronage...

For those of you in northern Europe able to recieve the German ZDF; They'll be broadcasting "House Of The Rising Punk" with (a.o.) Patti Smith, Richard Hell, Alan Vega, Iggy Pop, Blondie and Dee Dee Ramone, tonight at 0:45-1:45. (news c/o Michel Fenderwoods)

Yep, the new Norton's have arrived! and suffice to say it's yet another batch of top notch material. Best of the bunch must be 'Shake It Up And Move', the vinyl edition of Ace's 'Gene Vincent Cut Our Songs' focusing on the writing talents of Jack Rhodes. This includes fantastic early versions of 'Five Days, Five Days', 'Action Packed' and 'Red Blue Jeans And A Pony Tail'. All are previously unreleased bar Elroy Dietzel's Rock-N-Bones. Easily the biggest rockabilly archive "find" in years. And speakin' of "finds"; the third volume in the 'Kicksville!' series once again rounds up a solid set of rockabilly acetates, this time including previously unrealesed material by Benny Joy and Danny Dell, and just feast your ears on the first ever demo recordings by future surf legend Gary Usher and hit maker Ral Donner! The vinyl edition of Ron Haydock's '99 Chicks' is a bit of a let-down, leaving off 12 tracks from the CD and, almost as important, the massive liner-notes, which are and essential part of Norton's releases (and especially in this case!). Faith is restored with 'Wildcat Jamboree!', a fine, fine CD of rockabilly/country radio broadcasts as originally heard in Mississippi during the late fifties. This is truly amazing stuff, and possibly the closest we will ever come to real time-travel (Dig the furniture ads!). Liners by Jim Cole, Eddie Bond, Hayden Thompson and Billy Miller, this is an absolute must-have, no two ways... On the 45 front there's an excellent two-sider by the late "Jimmy Lee" Fautheree (backed by Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-Fonics), the cool "Jungle Stomp' by Northwest rock n’ rollers Johnny Clark & the Four Playboys and finally 'Party Date!', a four-track EP of ultra-cool Texas' rock & roll, featuring (ao) Vince Murphy & the Catalinas, who's story was first told way-back-when in Kicks #6.

The Dictators website is updated with new dates for the DKT/MC5 (again with HDM) and photos of Andy and others from the Joey Ramone Birthday Bash.

If you dig both on-line archives and (early) reggae Dance Crasher is a nice place to while away an hour or so. Scrapbook, charts, releaselists, labelshots and soundsamples, it's all there...

Now Wave magazine has a new, short but interesting piece on DMZ.

On the same day as France goes to the polls to consign the European Constitutional Treaty to the dumper (by all accounts), the Crazy Frog that's been terrorising the ad breaks is poised to become this nation's number one single. Outselling Coldplay by four to one (allegedly), the CGI amphibian has been all over the news since “his” cdingle hit the shops last Monday. The first time I saw the little twerp was when I was in Kassel last September. It had saturation coverage on German MTV and was brainwashing the kids even then. A full blown phenomenon awaited milking… stick that in your ECT and smoke it. It’ll all be over soon and even if it isn’t, this latest Blur vs O*sis type conned-sumer battle will be history soon enough. The wee blighter has more charisma than both of them Gallacher twallies combined. In my opinion...

The well intentioned spectre of Live Aid II is on the horizon and the world will reverberate to the “Make Poverty History” brand around the time that the G8 summit meets just up the road from here. Scotland will be shut over those few days, it looks like the “authorities” have something of a lockdown planned. If you even think about heading in the direction of Gleneagles then they’ll tune in to those thoughtwaves and come cattle prod your ass. Meanwhile, anybody who actually attempts to protest in the proper spirit will be outnumbered by government potted plants, pre-programmed to make sure it goes skew wiff in the name of some bozo idea of order. Hopefully some vestage of reason will out and deliver some degree of salvation amidst the general ballyhoo but I ain’t holding my breath. Most of us don’t care for having Wee Georro in our airspace, likewise his peehee-ridden talking shop which is poised to deliver exactly not very muckle tangible in the way of aid to those who need action rather than a bunch of over-oiled tossers giving it fleeting consideration between soirees.

But what can we do, except wait and see how the pieces fall. Maybe Humpty can be put together again? Let's bob and weave accordingly until our id cards are ready...

I’m not really sure why I use this to vent my day to day pish. It’s a form of denial I suppose. Such havering is not designed to garner sympathy in any “all the apples fell on me” scenario that’s for sure. There’s always someone worse off than one’s self and my inability to be able to deal with changing my circumstances is a problem only one drongo can ultimately solve. I’m not sure where all the taking stock actually kicks in to facilitate actual change. I set out for the ol' life laundry but have never, so far, made it to my destination. Life is too short to suffer fools though, gladly or otherwise. Maybe I use this conduit because it seems like I’m observing all of this happening to a character in some half-assed, wanna-be drama? With the season finale nowhere in sight, maybe it’s time to consider cancellation as an option?

Taking that broadcast analogy, good to hear that the planned 48 hour strike by the BBC this coming Tuesday has been postponed. Tom Morton’s blog has a far better angle on what’s going down around there than I’m qualified to muster. I stand by my comments about my dealings with the organisation in Scotland. The Beeb doesn’t have the monopoly on “dead wood”, every workplace has its share of that particular malignancy. A leaner operation will only thrive if it’s the chaff that gets the chop and thereby hangs a tale. Particularly if it's the chaff that's doing the scoring.

Anyways enough of that, if you're in the locales of Madrid or Valencia...



the reanimated coyotemen are all set to beat up the kids from spain next week. hawkin' their new - reduced to clear - rekkid "from parts unknown" at these spit 'n' sawdust salas...

sala sirocco:madrid:3rd june(w/ king kahn) NOT THE 2ND!as it says on the poster!

sala mogambo:valencia:4th june

'n' the masked masters of moronophonic muck have just snagged the headline slot at the 1st night of the rotterdam rumble on the 1st of september.

Angel Corpus Christi

LOUIE LOUIE (Gulcher 601)

12 songs by for and about Lou Reed

1. Louie Louie
2. Caroline Says II
3. Tell It To Your Heart
4. She's My Best Friend
5. Disco Mystic
6. Banging On My Drum
7. I Want To Boogie With You/Je T'aime
8. Lou Reed's Hair
9. Femme Fatale
10. Rock And Roll Heart
11. The Day John Kennedy Died
12. I'm Set Free

Performed by angel corpus christi and Rich Stim, with Dean Wareham, Britta Phillips, Sonic Boom, George Earth, Matt Price, Don Ciccone and Luther Blue.

Produced by Dave Nelson, A&R and Sonic Boom.

Play a track!! Purchase the CD!!

Available now, direct from Gulcher or from Volcanic Tongue in Europe.

The latest from acc is the culmination of many moons spent fashioning just the right angle on Mr Reeds work. Some of these are radical reworks and others are simple, perfect renditions of his hymnal. The material is both a tribute and a good boot up the jacksy to rock'n'roll's seemingly grumpiest exponent. The work is bathed in good vibes and that patented accordian swing is in full 'phonic force. Discophonic mysticism delivered as only this San Francisco based lass can bring it on down.

Patrick B would like to introduce you to SUPERHELICOPTER

Who are Superhelicopter? They’re the best German group (from Oldenburg, near Bremen) since Trio (Da Da Da) and one of the best garage/power punk groups (I mean the kind of music that The Oblivians, The Reatards (Memphis)and Fatals (France) play.

Their new LP “Sweet, Nice & Happy…In Hell” is just out on P-Trash Records as a vinyl only, limited edition of 500. The first 100 come with a free one-sided single (with 2 songs that were supposed to feature on crap label PK-Musik).

The album begins with one hit. By the way, the song is called "One Hit", and very catchy it is too. "I Wanna Feel Alright", sings Nils, probably his 1st positive song (I mean like the Ramones singing “Now, I Wanna Sniff Some Glue”, after a load of “I Don’t Wanna…” songs). I mentioned The Ramones because I think their fans would like this (listen to "Gay Generation").

The tunes have been written by a proclaimed non musician - Nils writes and plays with his heart, straight from his gut, this guy has too much soul. The 2 other ‘copters, Mr Brettsneider on bass and Guido Müller on drums perfectly complete the package, heck, they even read music!

Nils finally managed to complete the final mix.

Patrick : Was that a good experience for a non musician like you or was it boring?
Nils : It's always a pleasure to be in the studio and in particular to work with the "tonemeister". So it was a special experience and this time not so much effort as before. The result makes me awfully satisfied.

Compared to the previous LP (a split LP with Eradicate), "Sweet, Nice & Happy.. In Hell" features various tempos.

This album also features 2 extra members : Helena, Nils 10 year old daughter and Ruth, both on organ.

P : As a father, are you proud to have your little daughter Helena playing organ on your LP ?
N : Yes, i am very happy about! it's going so easy with Helena. she had a few years keyboard lessons and it's time to open up her new doors for good music and of course nice people. She didn't play so much on this record, Ruth did most of the organ stuff did Ruth. Anyway, for her it was a nice experience and she wants more...and she'll get it. Thinking about to let her do something play or shout or whatever on the new "Damnation Kids" album. so we'll see what's gonna happen.. .. (Damnation Kids is Nils one man band, whose 1st single "The Fucker" was voted best single from 2002 on punk rock web sites).

P : There's a big gap between the previous LP and this new one. How can you explain that, for such a prolific guy? Do you have the songs in mind since a long time of were they mostly made in the studio? Why isn't "Jenesaispasquefair" correctly spelled, don't you have any french friends?

N : Am I profilic? There’s never enough money to release our stuff so we gotta wait for offers. It needed a bit time to release the new album on p-trash-records. Many thanks to peter trash!!! The songs, or at least the basic ideas, are spinning long before in my head. I worked for something like 10 months on this record.. ..”jenesaispasquefair”? such a fucker as i am, don't have friends in general! and i am to dump on the French language and was too lazy to look it up in a older mail from you, so I went with this.

P : What groups would you recommend ? Don't you think that the Fatals are the French SH? Do you know the Sonic Chicken 4 (from Perpignan)?

N :The Fatals were my faves of the last year. When I received the first 7' of them and went crazy! what a sound, what energy! it was the first time that I was thinking/wishing it could/should be superhelicopter. A special feeling I never had before, so the best band from the last year. and i don't know the "sonic chicken 4 " (author : in fact the Beach Bitches disbanded and became Sonic Chicken 4 and Kung Fu Escalator, later to be Fatals) and to recommand i have: "american death ray" (my favourites for the moment), "Cooterfinger" (James Richard Oliver new band) I like very much (music for biker-punks or so), the Shakin’ Nasties (finest snotty punksters), old soul, soul, soul and of course a lottsa old(er) stuff like the Oblivians, Reatards, 70's punk, old school hardcore and ac/dc.. ..

P : Do you prefer Superhelicopter or the Damnation Kids ?
N : can't decide that. in a way its both the same, punk. isn't it?

P : What if I tell you that you're the best German group since Trio?
N : yeah, I like this statement, but I guess there're not so many things to compare to Trio? Dunno, but with this new album we are the finest rock band of the year. hahaha, thanks for askin' me so many funny things, great pleasure.

Apart from. Superhelicopter and the Damnation Kids, one of others Nils groups are the Spamchords (1 single on Yakisakana French label) Superhelicopter complete discography
.

A Boonaraaas Summer will be had by all in the locales of these shows...

Jun. 11 Berlin - Wuhlheide - Festival Berlin05 / Germany + Stereo Total
Jun. 18 Aachen - Karamba Festival / Germany
Jul. 9 Bautzen - Rodnost Open Air / Germany
Jul. 16 Bingen - Binger Open Air / Germany + Superpunk
Jul. 23 Bensheim - Open Air / Germany
Jul. 30 Oberhausen - Druckluft - Garage Craze / Germany
Sep. 2 Torgau - Brückenkopf Open Air / Germany
Sep. 3 Rosswein - Jugendhaus Rosswein / Germany

I know a wee bit about art and I also know what I like. Why JD King isn't hailed as one of the greatest illustrators of my or anybody else's time is an utter mystery to me. Where is his Juxtapoz spread? Where is his La Luz exhibition?? Anyway, shame on the players who should be heaping such recognition upon a true master and a damn nice geezer to boot. The world would be a far better place if there was more JD King around. And he doesn't just have the visual string to his art bow. He writes a mean short story too and plans for Marc Baines and myself to make his LIKE A 45 at 33 collection available are still glowing emberwise. How to do this in an oversubscribed world of publishing is something of a dilemma but hopefully we'll work it out one of these days. So c'mon... some of you people need a snazzy album jacket right?, an illustration to brighten up your corner of the planet? Contact the man via this portal and he may well be in a position to help you out with that.

Warp films will release the West Memphis Three films, PARADISE LOST and REVELATIONS in the UK on June 20th. A short theatre release will coincide with the release.

Hey kids, this was the last Friday that I'll savour that feeling of driving away from the "day centre" into the light. From Monday, I join the ranks of those cursed with "normal hours". 8.30am til 4.30pm and all the extra traffic and headaches that "normal" brings. I'll be on the loose when regular folks are going about their business. On that same treadmill. Not sitting at home with a mars bar and a cup of coffee, blogging or listening to music. I'll also not be sharing transport to and from Hades. This is an environmental bitch that'll hitch up my running costs, not to mention increase emissions (in more ways than six). These are "the needs of the business". All good things as they say, get booted into touch by people who oughtta leave something that ain't broke, the fuck alone. These things are sent to try us, to accelerate the wearing down process. I'm lucky to have a job after all. I should be grateful. But anyway, I am where I am, you readin' where I'm comin' from loud and clear? At this point I'm not sure what there is to impart anymore. The urge to knock it all on the napper is becoming difficult to control but I'm keeping the old noggin down hoping it'll pass. Hoping that it's just a phase. Trying to figure out what the heck I'm playing at.

I have no answers right now so I'm gonna check out THUNDERBABIES, a power trio from Smarje-Sap, Slovenia. I'll be back to you on that subject shortly...

The FLESHTONES will play GEARFEST in STOCKHOLM on SATURDAY JUNE 25th!!

More info will be posted as it becomes available....

Brother (Patrick) Bainée caught this shindig and figured you folks oughtta hear about what you missed...



RIP OFFS / ZODIAC KILLERS / FOUR SLICKS, MAY 25 : A PUNK NIGHT IN PARIS

For me, Supercharger was probably (with the Gories) one of the most interesting punk groups from the early 90's. After they disbanded in 1993, Greg Lowery formed the Rip Offs with pals including Jon Von. Those guys were on stage yesterday in Paris, for 3 sets, with probably all of the songs lasting less than two minutes. The show was organized by Born Bad (the best record shop in Paris).

The Fours Slicks, Jon Von new group, opened the show with a powerful garage/rockabilly set. The set included their should be a hit "Betty Lou" and covers of Gene Lamarr’s "That Crazy Little House On The Hill" and Junior Gravley’s "You Lied To Me Honey". They have one single out and a second one is coming soon on Savage records.

Then the Zodiac Killers, hit the stage for a shaky/fun/sexy show. They played a set of 45 minutes including 23 songs - some from their new LP, only available at the moment on vinyl as a special colour edition sold during the tour. The last song was Supercharger classic "Sooprize Package for Mr Mineo" (no, it's not a Mummies' song).

After that, everybody was ready to see the Rip offs, for a 1 and only reunion show, well in fact, half of the former Rip offs : Greg and Jon, linked by Marc - Four Slicks drummer and of Born Bad fame) and Jeremy - male guitarist of the Zodiac Killers. So they have to rehearse (Jon Von lives in Paris now, too) to provide this show of 15 songs (+ 2 same songs for the encore), including instant classics like "My Baby Yeah", "Wild Jane" (a tribute to Jayne Mansfield), "Baby Let Go", "Zodiac" (another Supercharger song)... for a moment I though that the boat will break in two and sink, with all these punks (well, only 75 paying entrances, a shame) jumping around.

It was a very hot day, with a beautiful weather :"j'adore Paris au mois de mai". May is a very good month for Rock'n'Roll, a long time since I saw so much cool records issued at the same time : the Zodiac Killers, Reatards (on Shattered records), Superhelicopter (on P-Trash records), the Hodads (hi Sean). Now I wait for the Cramps new DVD.

That's all.

Woah Nelly!...

Ach, bollocks to all of it... I'd rather be here, away from the pulsebeat that is the wearing down process of yer daily existence. This is just a hobby for me, etc.
Photo by Mrs Stim.

The one-day strike by BBC staff this past Monday in support of the proposed hacking of their numbers bit deeper than the official line would have us believe. THIS piece from today's Herald tells it like it is.

This may not be rock 'n' roll but never lose sight of the fact that todays "management strategies" are loaded toward taking away your livelihood. It's heartening to see that some people are still prepared to make a sacrifice for the common good. At least the people who work for this UK Institution are up for retaining standards.

"Yes, dear friend, the time has come. SUSQUEHANNA INDUSTRIAL TOOL & DIE CO. will say goodbye to its year-long Thursday night residency at Otto's Shrunken Head. (Gasp!) Thursday, May 26th will mark the end of the weekly cowboy parade -- though not with a wimper, but with a bang. So weep not, dear friend, and join us, won't you?

Final show of our year-long Thursday residency! / THURSDAY, MAY 26TH / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD 538 East 14th Street (between Aves. A & B), Manhattan / Two shows, 8:00 'TIL 10:00 SHARP / No cover / Featuring special guest Baby Maria...
and followed by "Lilly & The Baby" at 10:00! /

And next week...

SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH / RODEO BAR /
375 Third Avenue (corner of 27th Street), Manhattan / Three shows, 10:30 'til 1:30 / No cover!"

"Even as a child, I felt like an alien" interesting interview with Patti Smith in the Observer.

Not sure if it's been widely reported but today sees the first industrial action by BBC staff to try and counter the juggernaut of redundancy that's heading for them. This will be followed by a further two days next week. Good on 'em for standing up for themselves and not taking it in the neck or anyplace else.

Last week, I tried to rally "the troops" at my place of work to stand up to the most recent slings and arrows and was pretty much ignored. Hence the success of the "divide and conquer" philosophy that is pole-axing us at every turn. There is indeed, no end to the humiliation.

Only halfway in Tosches' latest tome, but I just can't wait to tell you that this is yet another amazing book. Can this man ever do wrong? Not since my late-teens when I devoured the works of Celine have I been this infatuated by a writer. The language, the obvious insane amount of research involved, the hair-raising tales, plots beyond belief but steeped in reality. Heck, I've reached the point where I actually wanna read his (in-need-of-funds) Hall & Oates bio. Anybody got a copy for sale or trade?

Readers in the UK might want to note that the fantastic AMERICAN MOVIE is on BBC2 tonight at midnight. If you haven't seen it then set your VCR, your new-fangled DVD recorder or just stay up because it's a must-see.

Now ain't this something? Info got from here. I feel a pilgrimage coming on... Looks like a probable venue for the NBT Annual General Meeting, right Jeroen?

The half full/half empty debate rolls on. It seems that I can't go out and tidy up the garden any this morning because it's pissing down with rain. Too bad... Anyway, it wouldn't have been much of an exercise anyway because Edinburgh beckons. I think I'll have a look for for a 7" by a band called El Presidente that I heard on Tom Morton's show the other day. Apparently they come from Glasgow but they have a Rick Derringer Glam retro thing going on. They sound like they mean it.

Do you watch Eurovision? I liked Norway's "song", Wig Wam (not to be confused with Wig Wam Bamz) crossed Def Leppard with TRBNGR and a little sprinkling of Darkness, contrived? Maybe but not irritating, they were also old enough to know better so that made it even more entertaining. I mean it wasn't "good" but y'ken... I also, er "appreciated" Moldova's mix of The Offspring meets The Chili Peppers, ZDOB [shi] ZDUB - snappy eh? Their latest album is called "450 Sheep" and they've opened shows for both Rage Against The Machine and Boney M amongst others. I thought Moldova was a fictional European town from Dynasty or whatever show (That was Moldavia as it turns out). This years compy was educational because it made us look up a map as to where all these competing countries are. I was very disappointed to find that neither CZD or Crazed Farmers were representing Slovenia though. Or that The Bambi's "Bikini Machines" wasn't doin' it for Croatia. A guy can dream can't he?

Joachim Gaertner - They Could Have Been Bigger Than EMI (PPFNP).
Oh yeah, just gimme big fat books with nothing but records listed by label. Over 2000 independent record labels from 1976 onwards. New Wave, Punk, Garage, Avantgarde... Highly recommended, but I sure hope that Mister Gaertner will include the information below in the second edition.

THE NEXT BIG THING (Grangemouth, Scotland)

NBT 3301 The Skeletons - Rockin' Bones
NBT 3302 The Skeletons - In The Flesh
NBT 3303 Girl Trouble - Hit It Or Quit It

NBT 4501 Thee Roman Gods - Panic/San Fransisco Girls
NBT 4502 The Screaming Dizbusters - The Next Big Thing/He's Waitin'
NBT 4525 Angel Corpus Christi - (Lil') Surfer Girl/Pull Girl
NBT 4526 Mono Men - Waste O' Time
NBT 4527 The Dictators - The Next Big Thing/ The Nomads - 16 Forever/ Magic Dirt - Kick Out The Jams/ Angel Corpus Christi - Sleeping With The TV On (2 x 7”)


ORGIE (Zeist, Netherlands)

15 God – Nr. 2 flexi 7” (1981)
70001 Avengers – Escape In Time EP 7” (1986)
70002 Avengers – Box Of Tricks EP 7” (1987)
70003 Avengers – All I Ever Wanted 7” (1987)
70004 Various – untitled EP 7” (1988)

Don't let the The Willowz inverted indie exterior fool you. Within this unit beats the heart of a rock monolith straining to break out as far and as wide as it can. Their melding of aprés Pixies noise with a Redd Kross pop sensibility could be just the right chemical imbalance to take 'em over the top. It seems they've managed to infiltrate a good deal of the places that would give them pole position. Putting out this "Talkincircles" set on Sympathy indicates a suss of their situation. Taking time to take stock of their next move in terms of world domination. Their sound harbours a determination which suggests that their idea of success is a broader canvas than just having a couple of flash in the pan hits.

"Blind Story" is a strange quasi-folk tale and it sits well beside the thrashlike "We Live On Your Street" which features Keith Morris of The Circle Jerks. I don't think that anybody is gonna put the wind up these Willowz, they could be very big indeed - whatever that means these days. They have many more strings to their bow than something like The Str*kes. That's fer damn sure...

Mr Martin Percival just sent me a message about the Time Out list that reports The Clash at The Rainbow in 1977 as the best London gig ever. My arse.

Anytime I saw The Clash (I think 3 times) they weren't that good. Now, I've no doubt that Joe Strummer was a great guy, I never met him but know many who did and who hold him in high regard. I'm not so sure about the others but in my experience, this is a band overrated to the point of being The Beatles. I like some of the records but consider none of them to be anything approaching a masterpiece. Most especially "London Calling". I've seen concert footage that is well cut and that would convey (to moi) some kind of special intensity but consider that to be a trick of the editing.

Anyways, these lists are sent to send me into a tizzy I'm sure. It's time I got to working on my definitive list of the greatest stuff that ever was. Or is it?

Did I tell you that GULCHER releases are now available in Europe at damn reasonable prices courtesy of Volcanic Tongue? If not then shame on me. But anyways, this means that you can score a top item like CHINABOISE "The Greatest Story Ever Told" in double quick time. This service is run by folks that know you need your fix fast. They don't lollygad.

"TGSET" consists of compositions that were sired well before their time. To have heard these tunes back then would have blown too many minds. The genius of Rich Stim is something that the common five eighth may never fully comprehend. He operates in a universe beyond conventional cool. "Self-Concious Pisser" is like Eno-period Roxy Music deconstructing Nelson Riddle. Two of these songs ("Girl You Got It" and the itle track) would surface many years later as part of the Poetraphonics portfolio. Gulcher's attention to getting this stuff out there is way appreciated. Now they need to look at getting Playette and Jr Grenadier made available. Chinaboise are far out right here in 2005, these recordings sound like they came from outer space but were actually made by superior beings way back in 1975. Stick that in your post-punk tattie sack and smoke it.

Licorice Tree continues their reign of supplying prime rock'n'roll by releasing this full-length by "Texan Power Soul" combo, The Bloody Tears. Like Jake and Elwood Blues given a transfusion of Fleshtone blood, a live show must be a pretty life-affirming experience but "Downhanded" lays out their stall to pretty grand effect.

The BT's solid, frug-off repertoire has a tight, rough undercarriage and Jim Diamond has come up with a great live sound to make it sparkle. This brightness will have you relishing the familiarity of the material even although you never heard most of these songs before. They feel like old friends you want to get re-acquainted with. Nothing new but sometimes, like in this case, that pays dividends. "Glad You're Gone" reminds me of the first time I saw Eddie and The Hot Rods. A band that was more punk rock than many of the bandwagoneers that would follow the trail they blazed. But anyway, these guys will have you greetin' with pure ferkin' joy. Their "Snook's Thing" is Buck's Boogie for the 21st Centu-bleedin'-ry. Pure unabashed fun with no airs and graces, just the chops - cut the way I like 'em.

Was just reading the latest copy of ARTHUR. It's a great mag, probably one of the best around right now in terms of yer actual print. A lot of the music therein doesn't thrill me but it's a quality read alright. Their off music commentary is particularly likely to kick start the old grey matter. It feels like you can believe what you read there. A far cry from the outrage of Saddam in his Y's (You can photoshop anything these days - right?) or Kylie's brush with breast cancer. One would think that she could be given a bit of privacy under such circumstances but no, the media rolled out the full living obit carpet.

The BBC news this morning reported on George Galloway's schlep to Washington to "do battle" with his accusers. It said he gave them his best "Barrowland's stare" before launching into his Chewing The Fat goes to Penn Av. spiel. If he wasn't such an odious wee bauchle it might have been funny. Reality TV eating itself indeed.

The perspective of the day to day is getting ever more skewed and remember, a mobile phone that only makes calls and lets you text is still a mobile phone. Don't be snowed, these things are not toys and should only be used in an emergency such as to enquire why the person you were supposed to meet at a certain time hasn't bleedin' turned up. Having said that I still prefer to use a callbox when I can find one. Think of all the revenue these things are eating up with inane dribblings, surely such funds could be better diverted to other areas? You don't NEED to be instantly available all the time surely?? Cut yourself some slack, go underground, mobile phones are like cigarettes... they're bad for you and they're bad for me. Not because they might fry your, er, brain but I might have to hear some of your pish as I walk past you or sit next to you in a train. Me no likee that.

PANTHER BURNS are in Newcastle tonight folks. If you have the "clifford t" (wherewithall), go and see them!

Staying with that part of the world, that fine Australian combo, THE SPAZZYS are headed for these venues...



Saturday 21st May
Desmond's Tavern New York, USA

Monday 23rd May
Piano's (8:00pm) New York, USA w/ Lame Drivers + Stiff Kittens

Tuesday 24th May
CBGB (7:00pm) New York, USA
w/ Dylan Nirvana & Myrrh + Arthur Kill + Hey Tiger

Thursday 26th May
Bull & Gate (time tbc) London (Kentishtown), UK
w/ The Mau Maus + Eye + Angels Fight The City

Friday 27th May
Barfly (8:15pm) London (Camden), UK
w/ Vincent Vincent & The Villains + Rubicks

Saturday 28th May
Club Backstage Maastricht, Netherlands w/ Saturdaynight Beavers + Centerfolds

Sunday 29th May
TBA Venlo, Netherlands - Afternoon show (roughly 2pm)

Sunday 29th May
Waterfront Cafe Rotterdam, Netherlands - Evening show

Without a word of warning a new D4 album seems to have escaped into an unsuspecting world. I obviously need it, but could also do with further info on possible European and/or vinyl release of this. Anybody in the know?

I spend most of my existence wishing my life away these days. The countdown from Monday to Friday is palpable and this week, a further blow was struck. The relief that was driving home at lunchtime on a Friday will be no more at the end of this month. "The needs of the business" dictate that the old dark ages hours will swing back into play just to escalate the old "wearing-down" process. This backward step has made me take stock of the situation. I'm not ambitious in the biblical sense, I like to peedle along and maintain a modicum of comfort. We're pretty cheap to run out here but I gotta say that this is bugging me more than it oughtta. My contempt for the galoots that came up with this one is somewhat atomic but there's more than 18 ways to skin a galoot.

Anyways, there are good things out there and if you haven't been to Amy Rigby's site to check out her Joey song yet then I urge you to cut along. It'll give you the shivers in the best meaning of the word and is guaranteed to brighten your day. If it doesn't then there's something wrong with you.

So more over the course of this impending weekend...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY!

Click HERE to HEAR Amy Rigby's "Dancing With Joey Ramone" and play it loud!

It'll take a minute or so to load but your patience will be rewarded. It's a brammer!

Kaiser George is just one of the guests at this Chicago shindig!

Arkologists amongst you are hopefully aware of the excellent Smokeyroom's Rhythm Shower, a handy-dandy Lee Perry database/archive. These fine people have just put on-line some Guinness ads featuring Scratch The Upsetter. Good to see the man gettin' some long overdue mainstream attention...

Good news to impart afore I head down the pit. Ramones.de has been successfully wrestled from the clutches of Warner. A victory for good ol' common sense. A commodity we don't see in action much these days...

It always feels kinda weird, pushin' stuff here that falls somewhat outside the general NBT-sphere of things, but what with the serious lack of any genuinely rockin' discs headin' my way, I've been lookin' elsewhere for kicks.
London's Soul Jazz label has been steadily building an impressive catalogue of as diverse a sounds as you'd care to mention. Their reggae releases have set new standards, but recently I've been diggin' into some of their more "out there" material as well. New Thing! explores the late 60s/early 70s post-John Coltrane side of jazz. And even tho' it can only be described as "difficult", it's one of the most fascinating discs I've heard in the past couple o' weeks. I'll save you the track-by-track lowdown here, but will single out Alice Coltrane's take on here husband's A Love Supreme that starts of with some guru-type statin' the benefits of love 'n peace, and then heads straight into near VU-like territory w/ an organ-sound that is pure Sister Ray and Cale-ish violin. Definitely worth the effort it takes to digest this!. The Sexual Life Of The Savages is a compilation of "underground post-punk from Sao Paulo, Brazil", and even tho' we are promised the South American equivalents of the Pop Group and Gang Of Four, most of this sounds more like below-par Shriekback or A Certain Ratio. That said, the two tracks by the all-girl As Mercenarias would have been stand-outs had they been released on Rough Trade in '79 amongst like-minded bands, while Chance's Samba De Morro is a wonderfully subdued tune that wouldn't be out of place on the next Angel Corpus Christi disc. But three good songs just ain't enough to recommend this set. Maybe the post-punk mood wasn't really suited for the tropical climate. Case in point: If one place was suited for it, Berlin was the capitol of post-punk, and Monitor Pop provide the evidence with the excellent Berlin Super 80 sampler. A 2 LP set that rounds up the cream of the city's underground bands from the early 80s. With all the kudos 70s kraut-rock has been given in recent years it's about time the Neue Deutsche Welle gets some, long overdue, credit as well. Returning to South America, Pressure Sounds has just put out Safe Travel, a fine set of rocksteady productions by Phil Pratt. What with rocksteady bein' the Jamaican equivalent of the Impressions/Temptations cool-school of vocals and with Lynn Taitt's trademark guitar works, this is about a good as it gets, reachin' Treasure Isle levels of perfection. So there you have it. Please leave recommendations of similar material in the comments section...

Mr. Hagen reports that one B. Springsteen is currently closing his live set by a tune by the name of "Dream, Baby, Dream" . I wonder what Messrs Rev and Vega make of that?

"Hello and welcome to Show and Tell, a site that serves as sort of an orphanage for thrift store music and album cover art."

"NBT-crew in the house", pictured earlier today in the industrialzone just outside of town. What can it mean?

Report from The Ramonas front line by Murray R...

"Well, Joey coulda said this shorter, but when the ladies come onstage I've got Waster Chris moaning in one ear with Jaegermeister flowing in his blood and on a downer cause he's feeling OLD with the Missions nu-metal youngster crew after listening to big Ian's tales of seeing EVERYFECKINGONE at Clouds etc. back in the day. Luckily big Teuchters tipped us to the Ramonas onstage time at 12:30 so we dont have to spend too long turning into our parents (its too loud/its just a noise/wheres the tunes/in my day chips were tuppence a poke blah blah blah) and they hit the stage and I move away from the oldsters and closer to the front - its gig number 3 for me and the line up has changed but Cloey Ramona is more animated than if Walt Disney had decided to remake the Jacksons cartoon with the happy family.

Rhonny Ramona (who's had a Doctor Who type re-incarnation since the last time but still looks like a hot chick in a skimpy dress) smacks the plectrum in pure Johnny down strokes (its important, its necesary, next time some guitar wank is talking about technique or musicianship or some such shite, ask em if they can strum guitar for a whole gig without strumming up). Pee Pee Ramona is yelling the one two three fours and her skirt is riding high - that girls got balls.

Pulsating to the backbeat is Margy Ramona and it's as if she's been schooled by Tommy himself, she's never played drums before the Ramonas and she could teach Marc Bel (only one l in his real real name trivia fans - I'll not tell you what the girls at Erasmus called him) a thing or two. I've moved myself into the mellee and its Blitzkrieg Bop and Waster Chris comes on down and says "they're fucking AMAZING" and he's seen the Ramones often enough to know what he's talking about and I never saw the real thing until 85 but big Ian saw them at the Playhouse when the Exploited supported whenever that was (funnily enough Watties cousin is down the front tonight with her video camera)and he's ripping up his pension book and jumping like a loon.

My old schoolchum and total Ramonehead Axle steps out of oblivion whilst the girls beat on the brat (in case anyone thinks Axle is named after the bald guy from guns n poses I'd like to point out he's named after the cartoon of the boy with the cleaver and had the name first) and he's blown away by the Ramonas prime time attack - tonight its a short set (30 minutes plus encore) so its classics from the first 3 albums plus KKK and Sedated. They've got the schtick down and then some and are possessed by the spirit of the Ramones - I've seen a few cover bands but none of them (even the Cretins, who were fucking incredible on a good night) have come anywhere near as close as this to encompassing the spirit of the real thing.

I've got a cd in my pocket of the Ramones at the Barras in 91 to give to Cloey when she comes off stage but for some reason I dont bump into her. Truth is she doesnt need it, I shoulda brought her the video for "It's Alive" instead (which is stuck in pre-production hell at the moment, email Rhino and get em to get their airse in gear) but at the same time she doesnt need that either cause she's already more Joey when she's up there than Joey was. I dunno what the nu-metal kids make of it (I wish I'd been there to witness the gig at the under age Mission Jr earlier on in the night, I'm sure they woulda blown my mind at 16) but if they cant take some edumacation then feck 'em - poor taste doesn't last forever but tattoos do, so do like the girls do and swap your baseball bats for rolling pins and check out The Ramonas."

Been hearing and seeing reports these past few days about a campaign which will declare Scotland to be "the best small country in the world". Have you ever heard the like? They will put up posters at airports and train stations and convey this empty headed bollocks to visitors to our land. The natural reaction to such a claim would rightly be "my arse". As one who does his bit for local tourism, I actually find such a claim offensive. Whether it is or isn't is irrelevant and such activity is another of these lame duck responsibilities that our Scottish District Cooncil (Parliament) thrives on. So, prospective visitors - if you visit Kiltland, forgive such arrogance. It's not a competition and if you have pride in your place of origin then so be it. I personally don't and that's not likely to change when "Wee Jack" pulls a stunt like this. Sure, we have our strengths and those generally lie in a quiet desire to just get on with attempting to make it through the day.

So the lesson this Sunday is "Forgive them for they know not what they do, lest someone gives these pillocks a real job".

A wee burst of activity reported by individual Dictators... live album in July!

The great MOSE ALLISON will appear on UK TV screens this coming Friday (20th May) on the BBC's "Later". Trust me, it's worth putting up with Jools Holland for this OK?

So yeah, Friday 13th, a day generally synonymous with bad things, well not for me…
Southern Culture On The Skids brought good vibes via their salacious, Creedence-kissed surfatronic sounds and to be honest, if I was flush, I’d be on the bloody train to see them in Newcastle tonight also.

They played in the basement club of Oran Mor, a new facility on the corner of Byres and Great Western Road. It’s a cracking venue, great sightlines, a dancefloor(!) and no overbearing security drongos. OK so everybody had to be out by 10.30pm to make way for the disco but even that was handled with some decorum. Let’s hope this catches on. And the crowd, where the hell are all these people when the other to gigs are on. It was a totally mixed audience, all completely up for whatever was going down. It reminded me of a show Ben Vaughn did at Maryhill Community Centre, an off kilter sock-hop kinda deal, a few, too many years ago. Anyways – I’d take going out lessons if I could be assured that people would behave in this disorderly orderly fashion. And Rick Miller reminded me of a cross between Lou Whitney and the aforementioned BV in spirit. He’s a cool rockin’ daddy. Dave Hartman hits those pots and pans bloody had for just being a wee fella and Ms Mary Huff kept the whole undertow shaken and not a little stirred. The sound was fantastic too. What the chuff is wrong with this picture? You reckon I mighta dreamt it? Mickey Primeval reckons it might be a “west end thing”, well whatever – it was sight to hear and behold. It’s not every night you can say you went out and got hit square, goodnaturedly, in the chest by a piece of chicken.

This show was part of BIG BIG COUNTRY the annual celebration of roots music curated by Billy Kelly. He also puts together BIG BIG WORLD in October. Now I wonder if he’d be interested in a certain Croatian Surf (and so much beyond) combo?

In addition to all this, Mr Cruickshank had scored me a gem during his recent retreat to St. Andrews, a place not generally known for it’s services to record hunting. I was graced with a copy of The Jerry Blavatt TV Song Storybook. Saints bleedin’ preserve me. This brings us back to Ben again and I wonder if he’ll ever finish his Geatordoc? It's nearly a year since our shimmy down the Jersey Shore to catch The Geator in his regular habitat and this album brought it all back. The booklet is an unmitigated work of art.

So there you have it troops, it's all good! At least for the next 36 hours or so…

From Ms Teresa on the East Coast...

"Being an ageing tragic Punk rock tart is hard enough as it is, what with worrying about my blond roots, can't find fishnets to fit, spike heels done be hurt my feets, mens looks too old... I still look at 20 year old boys out of my eyes the same way I did 25 years ago... But they look back like "what? she ain't Grandma, but she interestin', but I ain't bitin'"... So, whatever, I had to go see The New York Dolls at The Trocadero in Philadelphia tonight. My favorite was to see and smell the beerstrown floor full of cigs and girrls in platforms a fishnets...

My friend Marty Thau, who was their first manager, could not be there with me, so I stood outside and sold his ticket and that was sad in its own way, I wanted him there with me to see the show...

I got there just in time to get a good position next to the soundstage... I knew better than to start drinking because the drinking and driving laws are just too intense anymore...The opening band "The Union Dead", had finished... Missed them, but heard them on line earlier at home... Good, Philly based Rock band... Called Marty, good timeing, just as Dolls came on... "Looking for a Kiss"... "Hohummm" I said... My thoughts were myriad, well I am here because this is historical, well, I am here because of Marty, well, I am here because you have waited 25 years to see this legendary band, maybe nothing phases you anymore, maybe you ARE old and maybe you ARE jaded...But as these thoughts went through my mind, I said "Please Good Lord of Rock and Roll, let me get down tonight, and let not my ticket price be wasted"... And The Dolls went though four good songs but I did not have the vision... So, I sauntered upstairs in me Punkrock Charles Jourdans to have me a smoke and get me a $6 plastic cup of red vino... I finished me smoke and sat on the riser as The Dolls started to hit the crescendo... They played "Trash", then "Jet Boy", then "Personality Crisis"... I WAS BLOWN AWAY... The audience went plum crazy... I had not seen such insanity since The Sex Pistols in Atlanta... Since The Clash/Suicide tour in England...

These boys have their chops down for days... Sylvain is a master on the guitar, as always... David a showman of showmen... Went to the bar after and talked to boys that had driven 3 hours from upstate Pennsylvania to see the Dolls for the first time. I say boys, not boys, 45 year old men, and they bought the tshirts... Legends are legends... Are legends... And... You know what?... A few years ago I made fun of bands that came back... HaHaHa the Dinosaurs... EAT MY WORDS... That is crap on a paper plate... If you can make music that resonates to your people... Make it... Did anyone tell BB King to shut up?... Muddy Waters???....Bonnie Raitt??... Aretha??... The Dolls proved that not only can they still prove their chops, they can do it with those dead and gone and preserve the memory... Signin'... Made it home for sure... In a Taxi...Feets don't hurt me now..."

Another week down and not a moment too soon. So far I'm managing to keep a lid on the crap so that's something. Now more than ever, I can't suffer egocentric tossers gladly or in any other fashion 'cept their napper on a stick. But I digress, Friday the 13th 2005 was a good day all tolled. A full report comin' up later...

Whist on the Tesco run this morning, I saw a poster which said "Community Fete - May 14th", er, today. Then it hit me, at this time, exactly 29 years ago myself and my cronies took ourselves to London to see Kiss. On the same day, Scotland beat England at football and we heckled the support act Stray with witty one liners like "2 - 1, 2 - 1". "Fack off" replied the frontguy in ironic master of wit and repartee mode. Oh how we laughed. Anyway prior to this, we had collectively scoured the capital looking for copies of a very special record. It was hard to find because Nick Kent had lit the blue touch paper on the Thursday before. Even although it was a pricey import, this platter was in demand. After covering many miles, we tracked just two copies down to Harlequin in Dean Street. That meant three of our patrol had to do without. Can't remember how we sorted out who was gonna have them but we did and I bagged one of them. The other was snaffled by my long, gone compatriot Jack Seath (who may well be hangin' out with Joe as I tap). Anyway - the disc in question sported a now iconic photo by one Roberta Bayley, can you guess what it was yet?

The Ace Records website has been completely renovated and expanded...

Word on the Groovies Message Board reports a response from Paul Kopf of Magic Christian about the purported FG appearance in Germany.

"Magic Christian was supposed to play that concert but with the express criteria that they NOT be billed as the Flamin' Groovies. The promoters reneged on their promise and have been plastering this all over as a Flamin' Groovies gig. The upshot is that due to this, Magic Christian WILL NOT be performing at the concert. Yet another screw over by the music biz. Paul wanted to specifically pass this word along to this group of fans: "We're sorry it won't be happening but tell everybody we will be out soon and touring in the summer. And please tell them Cyril says hi."

Don't forget... Friday the 13th... if you're in the Glasgow (Scotland) area then you need to scoot along and catch the first schlep north by
SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS

And you can see them in Newcastle on Saturday along with them Coyotemen...

A new Webb Wilder album "About Time" was released in March and I only just found out about it via the Groovies Message Board. Upon checking at Amazon, sure ‘nuff – there it is along with a “best of with extra tracks” entitled, "Scattered, Smothered and Covered".



If you’re not acquainted with “The last of the full grown men” then you’re missing a treat. This purveyor of the finest roots rock is back and not a moment too soon…

"Dear Friend,

It's a double dose of SUSQUEHANNA INDUSTRIAL TOOL & DIE CO. this SATURDAY, MAY 14TH, as we take to the radio airwaves of WFMU in the afternoon and then to the stage of SOUTHPAW at night:

Laura Cantrell's "Radio Thrift Shop" / WFMU 91.1fm / Noon 'til 3pm /

and then...

Opening for Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics / at Southpaw (www.spsounds.com) / 125 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn / 10:00 / With DJs Billy & Miriam of Norton Records! / $8 cover /

Too much Saturday for you? Then settle for our good ol' Thursday night residency at Otto's Shrunken Head -- now with only three weeks left!

Thursday, May 12th / Otto's Shrunken Head /538 East 14th Street in East Village, Manhattan / Two sets, from 8 'til 10:00 sharp / No cover / With special guest Baby Maria!

Hope to see you soon, Michael
SITandDieCo.com "Ballads, boogies & blues"

Whilst out there in Espana...

"THE GOOD PEOPLE OF MADRID SURE LOOK TO BE IN NEED OF SAVIN' FROM A ONSLAUGHT O' KILLER VEGTABLES(HEY IN SPAIN CHICKEN IS THEE ONLY VEGGIE OPTION) 'N' IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE IT'S DOWN TO THE BRUISER 'N' CO. TO DO THE JOB RIGHT..."

Loosely translated, that sounds like Madrid shoule be expecting a dose of the Coyotemen!

A good interview with Tommy Ramone can be found at Pitchfork Media.

Time for a wee root about the SYMPATHY site...