Actually, sticking with the "memory-man" theme, I drove past Grangemouth Stadium and the fence there has been replaced by one of those fantoosh jaggy type impaler deals. You can see straight into the grounds and on to the area where I worked in the Record Tent at the Grangemouth Pop Festival. I seem to recall this being in August 1972 or thereabouts and that Uriah Heep didn't turn up amongst other things. Anyway, I can remember selling alot of copies of the first Roxy Music album too for some reason. And Lindisfarne's "Dingley Dell" getting some kind of advanced availabilty specially for the event. Anyway, it was possibly the most ill-conceived bill ever put together in terms of appeal. I remember Billy Connolly, Sunshine, Lindisfarne, Status Quo, The Everly Brothers and Beck, Bogert and Appice. The Average White band may have been involved as might The Sleaze Band. Anyway, there's not much on this worldwide web beastie to help me jog those fried braincells but I did find the very entertaining FALKIRK MUSIC SCENE portal which will whisk anybody who wishes to be back to certain points and persons in the history of this area's "scene". It comes right up to date and offers current happenings too so it's not just a place for daft auld duffers like me to "fouter aboot" in.

As my memory gets more fragmented by the minute, I'm prone to bursts of recall. While these don't happen as frequently as I'd like - one of these flashbacks came to me this afternoon. I don't think that I intimated that the long running rock and roll bible published in Toulouse, France put out DIG IT 34 some months ago.

Though they publish in French, the spirit is very much international and Gildas and his crew have been flying the flag for fine music for longer than any of us possibly care to remember. They are tireless and passionate and if you "reada da lingo" that can only serve to make you enjoy this print more. Like J was saying a wee while ago, there aren't many printzines left. We need to support folks like this crew that are prepared to go that extra mile.

Ben (Gart via the Staysick Board) flagged up the problem of having been connected to a blackjack/poker site when he tried to visit us yesterday. Far as I can tell things are all operating fine now but it's hard to keep up with all the "rapidly spreading threats". If you were in the same boat then apologies but I "divnae ken" what happened but will keep an eye on it. This kind of bollocks makes me hark back to better times when communications were less prone to the interference of fuckwits who basically exist to put a spanner into whatever works that they can. Several recent occurrences have made me consider just retiring from the whole shooting match. If it weren't for Jeroen and Steve then I probably wouldn't be in this virtual fracas anyway but it is fun. Sometimes. Particularly when you make contact with a long, never heard from amigo, or when you discover something really great that you just have to share. But with all that, there's the spam and similarly irritating pish to contend with. All sent to try us I know, but when you consider how far down the pan the human race is in general, isn't it feasible that enough people would realise that and at least attempt to pull us out of the whole big tailspin. Wouldn't it be great if you heard on the news that there were no suicide bombings today anywhere? Anyway, it's not likely and that kind of optimism has been sparring with my mostly dark mood of late.

I'd like to take this opporchancity to wish the great Long Ryding Sidney Griffin all the best for his impending half-century. More geezers with that sorta chutzpah if you please. If you're in London, go help him celebrate...

Been a quiet few days hereabouts, taken advantage of that to keep the mitts off the old keyboard, and the peepers "aff" the screen. Maybe if I stay away long enough I'll get my eyesight back? Then again...




Euro-based Dictators afficianados should be able to score VIVA DICTATORS via the Escapi Distribution network. It can also be procured via the band website for $15 along with back catalogue cd action for just $10 a pop. So if you've been holding off on giving that vinyl of yours some respite, this is the time. And if you're feeling flush you could direct some of those savings to a worthy cause.

For a limited period, order a copy of AMY RIGBY's LITTLE FUGITIVE album direct from SIGNATURE SOUNDS and you'll get a limited edition 45 of "Dancing With Joey Ramone" thrown in with the deal.

If you already have the album and need to score the 45 (flip is a cover of Wire's "Mannequin" performed live with Hazel) then contact Amy via her website and she might be able to hook you up.

If ever a song deserved to be in that good ol' 45 format then it's this one.

"Hello Friend, The lads of SUSQUEHANNA INDUSTRIAL TOOL & DIE CO. cordially invite you to join them on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH for the company's lone date this month at OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD, located at 538 East 14th Street in Manhattan's Eastern Village.

Why, it promises to be a fine night of entertainment, what with our special guests ROSALIE MORRIS and DJ REX DOANE of WFMU -- plus, as is the custom, a free raffle! Two shows are on tap, beginning at 8:00 and 10:00. And you betcha it's all FREE.

Sincerely, Michael, SIT & Die Co., "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

THE SAINTS are back for a short UK tour in-between re-conquering their home soil of Australia this autumn.

SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 25TH, THE UNDERWORLD, LONDON

TUESDAY - SEPTEMBER 27TH, JOSEPH’S WELL, LEEDS

WEDNESDAY - SEPTEMBER 28TH, ROCK CITY, NOTTINGHAM

FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 30TH, THE CROFT, BRISTOL

Now slimmed down to a fiery three piece (Marti is taking a holiday) THE SAINTS hit the road to re-establish their reputation the one of the premier punk bands still at their peak. Re-promoting their album “Nothing Is Straight In My House” (Cadiz) and new single BANG ON available on Itunes/HMV Digital and Virgin Digital. They'll be ably supported by Billy No Mates (featuring Dominic Redmonds from Snuff) on all dates. Beyond Reasonable Doubt on all dates except for Bristol and Mr Shiraz in Leeds.

"The Shooting Gallery & Tiki News magazine present "Tiki Art Two: The Second Coming of a New Art God," a group show of new work inspired by Tiki including Bosko, Kirsten Easthope, Niagara, Isabel Samaras, Shag, and more.

Tiki Art Two

Opening: Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 - 7pm - 11pm, 839 Larkin St., San Francisco, CA 94109

This unique array of neo-primitive images is also captured in a 112 page full color catalog available opening night!

Images: “Gone Native (Joseph Vialetes de Mortarieu)" and “Gone Native (Princess Albert de Broglie)”. Oil on wood -20 x 16 inches (each) by Isabel Samaras.

GONERFEST

RIP - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (link provided by MT)

From Barney Hoskyns...

"Hi there, Forgive the shameless advance (self-) promotion, but I wanted to let you know that my new book, HOTEL CALIFORNIA: SINGER-SONGWRITERS & COCAINE COWBOYS IN THE LA CANYONS 1967-1976, is being published in the UK in November by Fourth Estate. US publication by Wiley & Sons follows in the spring.

The book is about the Los Angeles music scene after the Monterey Pop festival and before punk, focusing on the relationships between the artists represented by managers/label-owners David Geffen and Elliot Roberts: Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther, the Eagles, Warren Zevon, Judee Sill and others. Simon Reynolds was kind enough to write the following:

"One of our finest pop historians reappraises a neglected and often maligned milieu, the soft-rock and singer-songwriter superstars of Southern California, that FM radio aristocracy who dominated almost the entirety of the 1970s. Barney Hoskyns deftly evokes not just the decadence but the sense of discovery, rooted in Sixties idealism and fostered by a gaggle of record industry mavericks who for a brief period managed to make art and business co-exist."

BMX BANDITS are at MONO in Glasgow tonight at 9pm and it costs exactly no money to enter those hallowed portals. And whilst we're on the subject of Bellshill... Davie Scott's excellent programme on TEENAGE FANCLUB's BANDWAGONESQUE is on Radio Scotland's LISTEN AGAIN feature for the whole of the coming week from today. Just click on the Classic Scottish Album feature and follow the wee audio (star) sign beside the title...

Join Pat Todd & The Rankoutsiders as we Rock San Diego & Long Beach

Where: The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101. The Woggles, Pat Todd & the Rankoutsiders (ex-Lazy Cowgirls), The Loons, DJ Tony the Tiger!!! When: wednesday, Sept. 14th 9:00pm. How Much: $8
AND we'll be in Long Beach the following Friday, Sept 16th: Where: Que Sera/Club Strychnine 1923 East 7th Street (at Cherry Avenue), Long Beach, CA 90804. Pat Todd & The Rankoutsiders will Rock Out Long Beach Yet Again!! w/ The Loons & Harbortown Saints (ex-Humpers/Lords of Altamont)

Mr Vahlberg kindly sent me the heads-up on whats happening ala ROBERT JOHNSON and PUNCHDRUNKS. The soon-to-be released "Taste The Whup At Old Dog" is quite a departure from the futuristic surf. This is more a polysymphonic spree kinda like John Carpenter getting it on with Yellow Magic Orchestra while they figure out some Joe Meek chops. The electronica-fied programmed drum throb might be alarming on first entry but stick with it. The pulsating backbeat isn't as much of a jump as the initial jolt would suggest. There are only two members in RJaP now and they've got 14 different producers on the 14 cuts that make up the album.

The cinematic sweep of the sound makes me wonder if this'll ever be performed live. I can't see these guys hamming it up amidst a battery of stadium lighting like The Chemical Brothers or Orbital. Robert is too steeped in rock'n'roll for that, to my mind. When I visited their site, I saw there was a 2cd collection of previously released material available with plenty of rare and unreleased gear on there too. Having had the privilege of witnessing the raw power of RJ in action, I've got the bug. I could see where this new direction could flummox people. However, when the surprise - or even shock - has quelled, this bold jump is oddly satisfying.

There are obvious Kraftwerk and Suicide comparisons to be made and lazy bastards might be inclined to write off "Old Dog" as such. However, there are many subliminal riches in these seams and aided/abetted by serious volume - there's a lotta life in this strange twist in the road that our Swedish chums have taken.

Dirty Water and Club for Losers get together for DIRTY LOSERS - TONIGHT! It's at Clockwork, 96 Pentonville Road, Islington (five minutes walk from Angel, seven minutes from Kings Cross) with live sounds from:

TITS OF DEATH – Five women, two bass guitars, two synths, one guitar. And the dirty box! T*ts of Death was borne out of not much more than the simple desire to jump around and act out the deepest, darkest, most Spinal Tap-esque of rock fantasies. And yet the beast has grown to become the dirtiest, s*xiest girl rock’n’roll group in town. If you’ve been wanting a band with the Runaways/Suzy Quatro/Girlschool kind of spirit then this is the group you’ve been waiting for!

BONAR LAW claim that "...in these bitter climes of boring, two dimensional, cut and paste pretension the eclectic nature of Bonar Law and her offspring of intense modern pop songs threaten to bring all adversaries to their knees or sweep them off their feet. One more aphrodisiac for the road!"

Doors open at 8:30pm, just a fiver to get in. Three for a fiver on some lines of bottled beers, draught beers also available. DJs till 3am.

Anybody who can, oughtta make it a priority to get to the shindig in Brooklyn tomorrow. Details below. Great people getting together for a great cause who will get the funds raised directly to the people who need it.

It's been a quiet week in terms of anything happening around here. Our old mucker, Mr David Snyder has made the hop from from Philly to Glasgow for a few days so we'll be hanging out with that wildman. He'll have copies of his new BOB pamphlet with him so if any of you folks want one then just let me know and I'll mail you one. At no cost to your bad self.

Those Boonaraaas are heading for the studio this weekend somewhere in Germany to start work on the follow up to Go Get Goo Goo. That made me wonder what's happened to the Voladoras album. Isn't there a label out there that needs some primo gear to release instead of the slop that's served up on a daily basis?

Just heard a great song by someone called Linda Cumbo on Brian Matthews so I'm off now to track that down. It's on a President Records comp.

Nothing to do with Wee G I imagine, so we're all set...

From Mr Spence... fresh from his tussle with those DRIVE BY TRUCKERS...

"Greetings Brothers, Sisters, and relatives of varying/dubious degrees of separation!
It doesn't look like the promoters for these shows have done much promotion (the
Edinburgh one has a poster advertising the show for Tuesday!) ...so I'll do it for them! There's a coupla impending kick-ass shows in Glasgow & Edinburgh....

SUN 11th SEPT - NICE'N'SLEAZY, GLASGOW doors - 8.30; £7(?) admission

THE IMMORTAL LEE COUNTY KILLERS 3 - Auburn, Alabama's finest exponents of the essential fucked-up blues return w/ a new LP to punt called "These Bones Will Rise to Love You Again" on Funhouse Recs. Check 'em out at...
www.leecountykillers.com

BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES - tour support 3-piece from Nashville ...dunno much
about them - but if the 'ILCKs rate 'em, they should be good! More info at...
www.blackdiamondheavies.com

MON 12th SEPT - THE SUBWAY, EDINBURGH doors - 7.30; £6 admission

THE IMMORTAL LEE COUNTY KILLERS 3
BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES (...see above for web-pages)
THE GREASE MONKEYS - well, you know what we do!

....if you can't make it along, please still spread the word - 'cos no-one else is, and the ILCK3 are a damn fine band. Hope to see y'all there.

All the Best..................Jim & the Grease Monkeys"

Somebody shoot 'em; Scam 69: " Playing all the classic Pop, Punk & New Wave top twenty hits from 1977 - 1982". (Link c/o Michel Fenderwoods)

Hey Folks,


Big benefit for victims of Katrina this Sunday in Brooklyn!!! Know that the money raised at this event will go directly to people from the rock and roll community who are in need...

Sun 9/11

at Magnetic Field - 97 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

$10 cover (more if you can afford it!)

Doors 4PM

Bands start at 6PM, DJs all day and all night long!!!!

Bands to play:

A-BONES (Norton Records)

KID CONGO and the PINK MONKEY BIRDS (ex-Cramps, Gun

Club, Bad Seeds)

INSOMNIACS (NJ Mod-Garage Rockers)

SPITTOONS (Brooklyn 50s and 60s rock n rollers)

Plus DJs all day and and all night long:

TIM WARREN (Crypt Records)

TODDOPHONIC TODD (Telstar Records, WFMU)

KARI KROME (from the Runaways!)

DAVE THE SPAZZ (WFMU)

THE GREAT GAYLORD (WFMU)

JOSH STYLES (Smashed Blocked)

THE THING WITH TWO HEADS (Penetration Party),

PADDY BULLOCKS (Penetration/Shop Fronts)

TOMDASH (Dot Dash)


Raffles from: Crypt Records, Sympathy for the Record Industry, Get Hip Records, Telstar Records, Norton Records, as well as local merchants and community members!

Baked Goods for Sale, Special CD comps for Sale

All proceeds will go to The Rock n Roll Community Fund and New Orleans Musicians Clinic. For more info on these funds, please see below...

Since this was done on the fly, please spread the word!!!

The rock and roll community fund

This fund was put together to aid members of the garage and punk rock communities who have lost everything due to Hurricane Katrina. Most recipients identified are currently in Memphis and Austin, however we are taking names of those in need from wherever they have established temporary homes. Thanks to DJ Paddy Bullocks, whose father is a minister there, funds are being administered by Trinity Parish Church. Due the high concentration of those in need who have fled to Memphis and Austin, funds are being distributed by Goner Records in Memphis and Rocks Off Records in Austin.

Trinity Parish Church Episcopal Discretionary Fund, 200 N Elm St, Searcy, AR 72143-5271 put Katrina Fund in subject line of check, paypal to: trinityparish@yahoo.com

New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC)

This is a fantastic hands on organization who has the names and addresses of so many great musicians because they have them all coming to their FREE health clinic all these years and now, they are the ones who are tracking down the local musicians and finding them shelter. They are the New Orleans Musicians Clinic and know the whereabouts of the local musicians down there.

Send donations to:

NOMC Emergency Fund

funds will be distributed by:

SW LA Area Health Education Center Foundation, Inc.

103 Independence Blvd.

Lafayette, LA 70506

desk: 337-989-0001

fax: 337-989-1401

Contact: Kathy Richard directly at 337 989-0001

email: finance@swlahec.com http://www.swlahec.com/

musiciank@swlahec.com

The New Orleans Musicians Clinic is determined to keep Louisiana Music Alive! We want to relocate our New Orleans musicians into the Lafayette/ Acadiana community where they can remain a life force! But most of them have lost everything... we must help them rebuild their lives.

(Thanks also to Buzz Nutter and Eric for forwarding this info also...)

(From 60sGarageBands.com). "Coming soon - finally - is the long awaited release of an official and legitimate compilation by Question Mark & the Mysterians. ABKCO has announced a 27 song Best Of featuring all their best known songs ("96 Tears", "I Need Somebody", "Girl [You Captivate Me]", "Can' Get Enough Of Your Love") and at least one previously unreleased track, an alternate version of "Midnight Hour". ABKCO has announced multiple titles since the release of the Cameo-Parkway Story boxed set, but so far this is the only one that will interest regular readers to this website".

Gilligan is gone... RIP: Bob Denver.

Friday 11th November, Chris Wilson & his Groovin' Flames at the Dirty Water Club.
"Chris Wilson joined The Flamin’Groovies to replace the departing Roy Loney as lead singer and spearheaded their proudly Anglophile masterpieces, including Shake Some Action, Flamin’ Groovies Now! and Jumpin’ In The Night before going on to form The Sneetches. Bringing things up to date, Chris has now moved to London and joined the resurrected Barracudas. With appreciation for the Flamin’ Groovies as high as it’s ever been, Chris figures that there are enough people out there wanting to hear the songs he recorded and played on during his time with the Groovies. So with the most rabid of fans on board, including members of The Scientists, Barrracudas, Scoundrelles and Silver Chapter, be prepared to hear note (and attitude)perfect renditions of such favourites as the aforementioned, as well as Slow Death, You Tore Me Down, Between The Lines, When I Heard Your Name and many more classics besides".

I just had somebody reply to my wee rant about Bush that called me a “gloating euro-leftie”. I was speechless for a few seconds then replied. Never realised that I could pass myself off as such a beast, maybe a career in identity theft beckons? Or maybe not. Sometimes US friends apologise for their president but they don’t need to. He’s not their fault. Like Blair isn’t mine. The blame culture is in full swing and that’s what’s wrong with our countries'. The finger pointing, the need to apportion the albatross of “It wis him/her mister/missus” clouds everything. I think the people at the coal face should be helped irrespective of who fucked up at this point. Having said that, that little smirking goon just constantly acts out in "That's My Bush" style. Are Trey and Matt directing him. He can't look sincere as far as I can tell. What happened to that show anyway? Why hasn't it come out on DVD?? Let me bask in my "authority" willya? When faced with pish like that, I wonder to myself - what is the point?

The South of the place they call North America has taken a bit of a pasting this past week or so. First its cultural capital is practically wiped off the face of this sorry earth and then The Dukes of Hazzard movie came out. Daisy Duke was never a skank like that Jessica Simpson? – Discuss. Anyway, that section of the country has gotta rise again and with representatives like The Drive By Truckers then they’re in with a shout.

Monday nights’ packed to the rafters show at King Tut’s in Glasgow was evidence of a combo on the upward trajectory. Even when the sound took a turn for the hairy, the sheer power of their ouvre came in loud and clear. They made the very mature audience very happy and it’s unfortunate that the auld Glasgow Apollo can’t be rebuilt to host the next time they breeze though these parts. Though it harks back to a specific niche, the delivery never comes across as being dated. It’s a testament to their sickness that it transcends parody to become a moonshine-embattled enclave in this world of shite we have to tholl. Like the Mike Rep and George Brigman sounds, the honesty of their toil shines like a stream of bat’s piss. No crappy support bands, just two hours plus of what people paid to see, it stretched my attention span a wee bit but I wonder if that concept could catch on? Mr Spence commented on the way out that it was “a bit Jon Cougar Mellencamp” . Ah, these spirited young punk rockers…

The winner of the Mercury Music Prize was the indescribably awful Antony and the Johnsons, sheep will now score said album and wonder WHY? Dinosaur Mahaffey will be sharpening his literary pitchfork when he finds outs about this methinks…

If you wanna keep posted on what's new on the music front, just check the monthly updates at the Dangerhouse Record Store in France who obviously know their stuff...

To quote the below "During this Saturday's shindig, a voluntary collection will be made for the Trinity Parish Church Episcopal Discretionary Fund, a non-governmental organisation which is already helping the younger members of New Orleans' rock'n'roll community who have lost their homes, pets, jobs, musical equipment, computers, and maybe more than one loved one. In conjunction with the good folks at Goner Records in Memphis, and members of the Goner Message Board, the fund is helping folks like your good self at street level, with food, clothing, and shelter. No admin costs are being deducted from the amount collected, save a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

You can also send money directly to: Trinity Parish Church Episcopal Discretionary Fund. 200 N Elm St. Searcy, AR 72143-5271. put 'Katrina Fund' in subject line of check. paypal to: trinityparish@yahoo.com. checks are preferred... paypal takes around 3%, but whatever you can give is appreciated and needed. This money will be dispersed through Goner for those in need of funds.

This month's releases from Ace Records.

Just in from Amy Rigby... Alex Chilton has been airlifted to Houston!



Sonic Reducer @ Filthy MacNasty's - New Orleans hurricane relief benefit!  
"Like millions around the globe, Sonic Reducer club honchos Bigkegshandy and Teen Slain have been left "shocked, and stunned" by the devastation wreaked by hurricane Katrina upon the beautiful city of New Orleans.

Saturday September 10th will see Sonic Reducer hold its first night at new home Filthy MacNasty's, and will feature a hefty dose of the finest New Orleans/Louisiana-spawned funk and soul 45s, in tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Crescent City. Fats Domino, Allan Toussaint, the Nevilles, Dave Bartholomew, and other New Orleans music greats have (thankfully) survived this disaster, but other Big Easy notables (including Bobby Charles, Chuck Carbo, Cosimo Matassa, Frankie Ford, and local resident Alex
Chilton) remain missing at the time of writing.

During this Saturday's shindig, a voluntary collection will be made for the Trinity Parish Church Episcopal Discretionary Fund, a non-governmental organisation which is already helping the younger members of New Orleans'
rock'n'roll community who have lost their homes, pets, jobs, musical equipment, computers, and maybe more than one loved one. In conjunction with the good folks at Goner Records in Memphis, and members of the Goner Message Board, the fund is helping folks like your good self at street level, with food, clothing, and shelter. No admin costs are being deducted from the amount collected, save a 3% PayPal transaction fee.

So come on down to Filthy's, have a drink, a dance, check out the vintage footage on the big screen, and drop some change in the bucket. After all, it don't cost owt to get in ...

See you at the bar ...

Selah

Joss & Joe"

Two books that might be of interest to NBT readers are Grit, Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock 'n' Roll by David A. Carson (University of Michigan Press) and Sin-A-Rama (Feral House). The first offers a very detailed history of rock 'n roll in Detroit, startin' off with the likes of John Lee Hooker and Hank Ballard via Fortune records, Del Shannon, Jack Scott, Motown, Gino Washington and Hideout records to the main focus on the MC 5, Stooges, Detroit Wheels, Alice Cooper etc. It rounds up an incredible amount of information, so much so that at times it clashes somewhat with the actual "flow" of the story. But hey, the subject bein' what it is, I can't think of any reason you folks out there would not want to dig into this. The story ends in the early 70s so there's plenty of room for a second volume on stuff like the New Order, Sonic's Rendevouz band, Gories and, yes, Detroit's Acid House scene. The second is an equally (maybe even more so) well-researched history of sleaze sex paperbacks of the sixties. Co-edited by Miriam Linna, this set rounds up all kindsa arcane knowledge on writers, publishers and cover artists. Not to mention the incredible selection of reprints of original cover artwork that'll keep your peepers busy for hours on end. Both books get the thumbs up, no two ways about it. And yep, seein' the picture of the Pleasure Seekers in the former, I figure it could have once inspired a story easily suited for the latter...

Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction

Trash comes in many forms these days. In my experience it always alluded to a certain quality, a romantic notion not shared by conventional society. It's become synonomous with a putdown in terms of social class but when applied to music these boundaries are still unbreached. Of course there's calculated trash but that will never measure up to the beating organ of the stuff that comes from within. So there's CANDYE KAYNE's "White Trash Girl", the latest album from that Big lassie of the blues. Her voice is as big as her person and a warm breeze of bar-room r&b. Lovingly laid down in the climes of Austin, TX - the record reeks of character, the like of which the Universal Musics of this world could never understand. This is something that could really be cultivated. Both in terms of building up a justified celebrity and also in terms of the music. She wouldn't be a "novelty" after the first coupla verses because this is an artist that genuinely has talent.

A big, dirty rasping ability that doesn't require airbrushing or smoothing out. This collection of originals and standards is the kinda thing that should be travelling around these alleged shindigs like the Edinburgh Festival. I'd be right there in Princes Street Gardens if there was the prospect of hearing her holler Bull Moose's "Big Fat Mamas Are Back In Style". Candye isnae fat though, she's just big-boned and she can swing like a highwire gymnast. Contact Ruf Records in Germany for availability details.


And (honestly, I didn't do this purposely) that brings us to HEAVY TRASH. Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray's rockabillious side project that's currently blowing through Europe. Like the CK album it comes in a fabulously art-directed digi-pak. Though these things will never match a record jacket, these two items are very well dressed. And they're less likely to get totalled in the mail.

Anyway, HT is likely to have your average Cramps fan salivating and owes a lot to that hiccuping vanguard while being altogether cleaner and more countrified. Their self-titled Stones-kissed twangfest is available on several imprints worldwide. Check their website for your closest harbinger. This Trash augments their irresistable rattle with a certain degree of style in presentation that offers a formidable prowess in terms of concept. The only fault I can see with all this is that they spelled Jon Graboff's name wrong on the jacket. A daft oversight really being that it's the same as Spencer's. But anyway, I bet this is a whole lotta yuks in a club so hopefully the circus will head this way eventually. I think we could use some of their tomfoolery right about now. I'm a sucker for songs that celebrate the great Jim Dandy. HT recall the America that we love, not the one that's dragging everybody to hell in a handbasket. A wise man recently likened the state of the nation out there to be "the shuffling of chairs on the deck of the Titanic". Iraq presumably playing the role of the iceberg.

And on that sustained chord with a smidge of echo...

Mr Wills tells me that the new BARRACUDAS album should be available in the more discerning Euro outlets. It is also gettable from Not lame and direct from NDN. One way or another you should all be able to procure a copy in order to learn the words for the arcane singalonga'cudas that will take place at the hallowed Dirty Water Club this coming October 7th. There are also 2 Spanish shows confirmed...

Friday 30th September - Tomelloso (Beat)

Saturday 1st October - Madrid (El Sol)

If you haven't had the pleasure of a blast from this recently issued marvel then prepare to have those cobwebs sonically removed. For a wee while at least, you'll feel strangely optimistic about the world without the aid of medication.

If you’re as frustrated as I am with all The Stooges repackaging that’s going on then maybe you’ll find some solace in Mike Rep and The Quotas. As important as those Elektra artefacts are to me, I almost never have to hear them again. Would I go to see The Stooges? Yes, if they played Barrowlands – but I wouldn’t really travel to see ‘em. Truth is I can’t even really look at Iggy any more. He’s become a caricature and before you wade into me for this sacrilicious slur, I’m entitled to my opinion. If I could go see the guys without him, playing instrumental versions of the songs then I’d buy into that. Wee Jimmy I can live without, I guess it’s actually been that way since "The Idiot" and "Lust For Life" when he went eurodisco. The only time I saw him that he was any good - in my opinion - was the time when Andy McCoy of Hanoi Rocks was in his band.



Anyway, Mr Rep deals in that kinda blistering dirty rock that the Stooges spirit begat. One day he may benefit from his back catalogue being milked but for now he’s blasting out some primo riffage from his Ohio silo. "Black Hole Rock" is the title and may well serve as a billet to hang a name on his particular brand of rockist hootch. “Rocket Music On” kicks off the set to reach quite an altitude. Spartanly recorded, the imbibing of this should involve maximum volume wherever possible. You’d never be able to tell that it was recorded in 2004, I believe - according to the good offices of Dr Hesske - that it's "lovingly fucked with" to achieve this compressed, potentially dangerous energy. It’s like some great lost artefact from the wastelands of 1974 delivered like the Rocket From The Tombs gear that Smog Veil/Glitterhouse laid on us. Mike looks like Kris Kristofferson’s evil twin on the cover and his combo’s smokin’ scuzz rock is an example of what can be achieved when something is quite obviously delivered from the heart. The lyrics to “HM My Mind” are bleedin’ sublime and you get the feeling that he means it “Maaaan”. There are also elements of MX-80iness which makes it even cooler. I know Goner in Memphis has copies and Volcanic Tongue also (probably). Write to MIKE if you have any problems in tracking it down.


Likewise retro but making scary sense here in the wilds of 2005 are George Brigman and Split’s “I Can Hear The Ants Dancin’” and his “Jungle Rot” on the specially reactivated for the occasion Bona Fide imprint. Expanded and improved to counteract some nasty bootleg version of Brigman’s guitar slingin’ exploits. Chris Stigliano has covered both volumes at length but it remains to be said that these cd’s could eat up the faux-70’s output of boy-band prog like those Kings Of Leon for the first meal of the day. “Ants” was mostly recorded in 1977 and was somewhat at odds with the punk explosion that was happening around it. It sounds more like it was made in maybe 1972. Like Zappa or Hendrix footprints being found in Tom Verlaine country, some of this comes dangerously close to being noodly but there’s a psychosis evident that makes it seem somewhat dangerous. “Animal Dope” is like Nirvana dipping into some Stalk Forrest Group chops. The spliffmungous sounds of this Groundhogs fixated Baltimorian could make for some uneasy listening if you aren’t in the right mood.

“Jungle Rot” is billed as “the original fuzz-fried acid blues punk classic!”, if anything it sounds even more contempt-orary than “Ants”, it has a peculiar compression that stunts the overt ugliness of the blues-rock that perhaps offered up some sacrificial influence to the altar/mixing board that captured it. Sit right down and make yourself purposely uncomfortable. It’ll be worth it.

I'm somewhat relieved to have heard from Amy Allison that her sister and family made it out of New Orleans. Less relieved to hear that no positive indication of Alex Chilton's managing to bodyswerve the catastrophe seems to be in evidence. Of course, the reportage is that the evacuation of the area is stepping up but the horror stories just keep on coming. This is an area that's as big as the whole UK that's been totalled! I just heard a report on the radio to the effect that what's left of the city will have to be flattened. The water damage on its own will result in toxic mould being present which would render structures unusable. Such an important cultural location has simply ceased to exist. All that history, all those people's lifetimes work snuffed out in a fingerclick. Fucking heartbreaking. Meanwhile Condie and Donut Rumsfield are going down there today and Wee Smirko tomorrow. That's not gonna do much for the old lady who's body was dumped at a door to that astrodome place though is it.

"The president is facing real problems over his handling of the situation". Well, well...

Printed 'zines are few 'n far between these days, so it's good to see that there's still people out there willin' to dive head first into the wonderful and exciting world of DIY publishing. Rock & Roll Poison is the latest contender from over here in Holland, and features stuff on the Bassholes, Lost Sounds, Dirtbombs, the No-Goods and Springsteen. Good ol' cut 'n paste graphics, and besides the comics it's all in English. Done by an actual "kid", this deserves your support. Contact Teun for ordering info...

The Whiskey Daredevils are “a natural extension of The Cowslingers” and being a modest bunch they’ve called their full length debut “Greatest Hits”. As country-smoked Garage punk goes it’s not half bad and it should entertain you folks who sport a penchant for such a strain. These Daredevils know their limitations and they aren’t afraid to exploit that. They run the gamut from Southern Culture all the way to Nine Pound Hammer and blaze that trash trail with a cheeky knowing smirk. They’ve got it down and there’s nothing wrong with that. Feeling Merle Haggard and short of Johnny Cash indeed, That’ll be the Lakewood, Ohio rhyming slang.



Rock ’n’ Roll Monkey and The Robots “Detroit Trauma” reminds me of a fuzzed-up Black Vinyl Shoes. Quite overtly poppy but twisted with a claustrophobic Mary Chain-ness. Built around the trio of Craig Campbell, Jackie Herman and Ken Seech, this combo isn’t just another Motor City garage band. Their fare is a little more open ended and even veers into DIY indie territory. I’m not sure how the media grades something like this nowadays, as far as I can tell this could be the next überhipster thing. It has those trappings but kids who discover their musical intake via computer games probably wouldn’t get it at all. “Toss It Back Like Kerouac” and “James Dean Was A Jerk” served up on a 7” 45 would have almost definitely floated John Peel’s boat to my mind. There’s a lot going on over these 12 songs, each repeated play will draw you deeper into the R’n’R Monkey domain. These people deal in a peculiar concoction that could well catch on but what the heck do I know? Now, there's an invitation if ever there was one...

and finally... the ENCYCLOPAEDIA FAKEBANDICUS!

Happening this very weekend, as I type and post better late than not at all... August just evaporated, what can I tell you?

THE BAMBI MOLESTERS site has been snazzily updated and plays their fine, fine music on a loop as you take in the sights. Some shows upcoming too...

29th September: Frankfurt - DKK - Germany

1st October: Dresden – Groovestation - Germany

2nd October: Poznan – Academy - Poland

Just in from Brother Don in SF...

"saw brian and his big band at the greek theater in berkeley tonite. most excellent. weather was very nice (outdoor show). to hear beach boys songs played outside at night in california -- this new yorker couldn't ask for a better setting (except maybe the hollywood bowl). he opened with "do it again" followed by "breakaway", and from there went on to more and more beach boys classics just like last time. "dance dance dance" was great. "in my room" got a big hand. but the crowd fave was "help me rhonda". he also did the spector thing, "then i kissed her". a few obscurities like "drive in" and "marcella". he said he just cut a christmas album and did "little saint nick". only brian wilson would perform a xmas song at the beginning of september.

then a 20 minute break and they came back and did the smile album. and then "johnny b. goode" started the encores which was one great beach boys song after another. "surfer girl", "i get around", "fun fun fun", "surfin' usa". little kids dancing onstage. finally he made a plea for red cross donations for new orleans and did a nice rendition of "love and mercy". last time he did that for the tidal wave victims. seems there's always some disaster for brian to dedicate that song to!

a good night in berkeley."

(unconfirmed) Update:
* Fats Domino has been rescued from his flooded house. He is safe but exhausted.
* Dave Bartholomew and his family escaped with the ‘clothes on their backs.’
* Allen Toussaint was reportedly seeking a bus to Houston….
* The Nevilles are in Memphis but their homes are a mess.
* Just had an unconfirmed report that Irma Thomas is safe.
* Connie LaRocca is with her family in Las Vegas but her house, which is near the broken 17th Street levee, is under water.
* No news of Chuck Carbo except that his house is submerged.
* Still awaiting to hear news on Clarence Henry, Frankie Ford, Harold Battiste, Cosimo Matassa etc.
* Writers Jeff Hannusch and Tad Jones both evacuated safely, but acknowledge it will be ‘months’ before they can return – and they have no idea what they will be returning to.

Statement by the Box Tops' Bill Cunningham.

The overwhelming events in Crescent City get more Romero/Carpenter-like by the minute. Obviously the reports of missing luminaries from the world of music are disturbing but it’s like a huge disaster movie set and everyone there is pretty much starting from the same level, irrespective of their trade. Why weren’t they ready for it? Because the reality of such a thing happening is utterly beyond comprehension. All those years of CGI computer graphics have taken their toll and scenes like those that are being beamed from the Gulf Coast look like they have to be photoshopped only they ain’t. Why can’t the richest country deal with it? Because of the chasm between the haves and have nots. Wee George’s smarmy, smirking kisser and platitudes just aren’t enough. Apparently he’s down there today, way down yonder ala Freddy Cannon. The little bugger should have dropped EVERYTHING and gone there straight away rather than spend four days pratting about but anyway… what’s done is unfolding as an (inter)national disgrace.

Our thoughts are with those who have folks and connections with that area of the world. The utter scale of the devastation is impossible to fathom. Mother nature is now back in the frame as the world’s #1 terror threat with two humungous body counts scored agin the earth (so far) in the past 10 months. That Al Qaeda bloke won’t be notching up the credit for this one. Worse than 9/11 Georro reckons, sharp as a tack or what?

Tom Morton sent this link to THE GUMBO PAGES which has up to date info. Thankyer sir.

John Peel Day - October 13th: "The very first John Peel Day will take place on Thursday October 13th. The day will be a celebration of John's life and massive contribution to music and broadcasting with as many venues as possible staging gigs across the UK under the banner of Peel Day. Prior to this there will be a very special London gig organised by Radio 1 with details to be confirmed nearer the time."

MIA: Fats Domino.
(And check the Goner Board for more on-the-spot news from New Orleans [Chilton missing as well?]).

RIP: R.L. Burnside.

For the record geeks among you: www.45toursderockfrancais.net, a great online archive of French punk/rock vinyl from the 70s and 80s, including such greats as Little Bob Story, Metal Urbain and the Dogs. Picture sleeves, label overviews and MP3 samples, it's all there.

Just got the word from Mr Vahlberg that THE NOMADS show in Antwerp, Belgium on Saturday is off. Any Belgian/Dutch NBT readers thinking of making the trek to catch Stockholm's finest in action are advised to look for kicks elsewhere. Sorry to be the bringer of bad tidings and all that.

The Stooges gig at the Hammersmith Apollo was everything you would want it to be. Between bands they pumped 60s garage rock over the PA (inc. a track by the Iguanas, Iggy's first band) which was damn cool to hear. The support band were bogged down with that big 80s drum sound and the music rather lifeless in my estimation. I cannot remember their name, it was something silly like Dead Goth Kids on the Block, anyhow, they are from Poland and my conclusion is that Count Peter Zaremba needs to get over there pronto and teach the kids a thing or two about RnR. In contrast, the Stooges exploded onto the stage and within the first couple of minutes Iggy had climbed on-top of the bass players amp. Amazing stuff and he did not stop there. The band delivered a pretty damn tight version of the "Funhouse" album (inc. "LA Blues") and even threw in a few tracks from their debut album. Suffice to say that during "I Wanna Be Your Dog" Iggy invited half the audience onto the stage for some good natured dancing. Hell, Iggy could have stood for Prime Minster last night and been elected by a landslide. In short, the Stooges did their reputation no harm at all. Easily the best gig of the year so far. Sadly I did not spot any MoJo readers on the tube home but did bump into a colleague from work who had been at the show with her husband. A great show that confirmed my belief that what is wrong with 90% of bands is that they are unable, or unwilling, to plug into the primal rush that ignited Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard way-back-when.

Can't find any news items about this in English, but several Dutch newspapers reported today about a newly opened Ramones Museum in Berlin. Among the goodies on display are a pair of torn jeans as worn by Johnny. (Thanks to Selma and Jos for the tip-off)

link

So, things are still unravelling here. Reports may be sketchy for the next couple of days. No, I won't be at The Stooges "doing" Funhouse tonight in London. I find the whole concept somewhat reprehensible. I wonder if The Ramones would have performed "Ramones" or "Leave Home" and like to think not. Anyway, they must be getting quite a pot of green together for that old age so that's good I guess...

Yeah, today didn't pan out quite the way I planned it. Started out badly when I went for petrol (that's gas to you folks in the USA) and I found out it was up to 97.9p per litre. Anyways, the fucking refinery that it comes from is literally 100 yards from the station, you'd think we'd be ripe for a discount. But I digress, for one reason and another I didn't "get in aboot" the backlog like I had it figured...
The latest releases from the Licorice Tree imprint are two 7” items. Thee Fine Lines “Looking Everywhere” EP goes round at 33? and finds the Springfield, Mo. trio in typically rough house shape. All four songs are well up to scratch in that righteously primitive vein that you folks tend to lap up.

Thee Shams “Gotta Be Something” on the other hand is, as far as these ears can make out, not much of anything at all. Never to be confused with The Shams, this is yer distinctly average garage grade no-fi. Neither side did anything for me at all except wonder why Chad would put it out? There's a copy sitting here waiting to go to a good home at no cost to the foster parent.

There goes another weekend...

Billy Childish interviewed in the Independent. (link c/o Jan Kooi)

Ghetto Ways - Solid Brown. (Alien Snatch LP).
Been gettin' conflictin' reports on the shows this trio is doin' 'round these parts as we speak, but there's no denyin' the power within the grooves of their somophore offerin'. Less of a straight forward p-rock effort than their debut, this reaches out for a more Detroit kinda feel (think MC5, not Stooges), and hits the right spot straight away. Heck, I keep thinkin' about the 5 and the Users everytime I spin this, which should be recommendation enough...

I didn't realise that John Herald was 66 when he left us the other week there. The guy had an energy that many relative youngsters couldn't muster...

"There will be a service for John Herald at the Bearsville Theater just outside of Woodstock, NY on route 212 this Sunday, August 28 at 6pm. This will be the official funeral service. Everyone involved in putting this together would like it to be an uplifting celebration of John's life and music. Many musician friends will play music in his honor. It will be a beautiful place to join together and give John the send off he deserves.

Before John's death, he was working on a CD. Brain Hollander had been working closely with John on this project and is going to finish the recording as John wished. We will keep you updated on when it will be available. He hopes to have it completed very soon. Brian will have a three song sampler done to give out at the service. Thanks so much Brian. Please see the link on John's website to the beautiful article Brian wrote for John in the Woodstock Times, where he is the editor.

Please visit johnherald.com for more news and info. There is a guest book to sign and also a place to read wonderful stories about John from those that knew him and his music."

Some random stuff that you might care to investigate...

LYDON Vs PURSEY (Thanks Martin)

POWER POP BOOK.

Some nice SOUNDTRACK gear.

SAVE CBGB's film (Cheers Karen)

That oughtta keep you clickin' for a bit.

So that's it, the Film Festival shuttle engine is cooling. Much as I'd like to catch Gunner Palace tomorrow, I think it's unlikely. But anyway, Thursday I saw JUNEBUG. It's a nice little piece which travels at a slow pace but doesn't ever wander from the point. The score by Yo La Tengo is somewhat understated and maybe it's a tad "wumminey" (woman-y) but it's well structured. I settled into it just fine. Don't be put off by any references to Gus Van Sant in the promo blurb.





Last night seemed like it was gonna be a disaster. Stuck on a train because of a track power failure, the seconds ticked by and it looked like THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON would be screening without us. However, an effort was made to scoot up there and I guess I missed about 10 minutes of it. All I can say is that I'm glad that I did hightail it up there. It's a really insightful and entertaining film and you won't have to be too conversant with DJ's output to enjoy it. He's a troubled boy alright but I guess it's that which drives him further out than almost anybody. You'll be searching out those early tapes after you see it.

NBT regulars will be pleased to hear that there's an appearance by one Peter Zaremba and also music by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips. It also includes a clip of an appearance in Hoboken's great, no longer with us, Pier Platters Record Store (with a Trigger and the Thrill Kings promo shot on the wall right behind him. There's actually another screening tonight (Saturday) so if you're in the 'hood then you should attend. I would if I could but I cannae but plan to see the entire film just as soon as is (humanly) possible. I think it's at the ICA in London this coming week (Tuesday 30th) also, so folks down there should check that out.

As I attempt to compose my napper and catch up on things, this latest LEFSETZ was somewhat timely. Having just come out of the end of the 59th EIFF it pretty much lays the whole shebang out from that line in the sand we need to work from. (Reprinted with permission, sign up for the newsletter.)

"They're fighting in the movie business. Bob Iger, impending head of Disney, committed a faux pas. He stated the truth. That people want to see the movie at home. On the same day it debuts in theatres.

The theatre owners FREAKED OUT!

But who should the movie companies be loyal to? The exhibitors or the public?

We already know what side the music industry is on. They side with the retailers. They don't want to do ANYTHING that might hurt the retailers. As if they were the end customer, as if every sale to them was final, as if they couldn't ship unsold product back.

Prognosticators have been talking about home theatre for over a decade. It's now here. Watching the flick on a plasma set with surround sound is BETTER than going to the multiplex. You don't have to drive, you don't have to endure ads, you don't have to mingle with the PUBLIC, with their pesky cell phone conversations DURING the movie, you can pop your own corn at a fraction of the price, why WOULD you want to go out?

We have the equivalent of the plasma set in the music business. It's called the iPod. The labels hate it. They want everybody to buy CDs. They're INCENTIVIZING them to buy CDs, you get more cluck for your buck at the brick and mortar retail outlet than you do at the iTunes Music Store, no copy protection, better sound and artwork. Why WOULD YOU want the file when you can have a DISC?

iPods hold collections much larger than almost every consumer ever acquired at a retail outlet. You'd think the labels would see a new business model was needed to satiate owners of the device. But no, in their minds an iPod should only hold a few albums, that were each paid for with a twenty dollar bill. Got to keep the old business model intact.

But that's what Bob Iger is questioning. The old business model. He LITERALLY said he didn't want to make the mistakes of the music industry, not giving consumers what they want.

The consumer does not want tethered subscriptions. They don't even want any device OTHER than the iPod. Not only because the iPod is cool, but it WORKS! Because of the ingenious software involved. But rather than see this as an advantage, the labels just carp there's no interoperability amongst stores. It's like arguing that Honda parts won't fit Yugos, NOBODY WANTS A YUGO!

And the reason they're freaking in the movie business, why Iger is proffering new ideas, is because business is off.

Oh, they've been through the parade of horribles. People are STEALING the product. There are entertainment alternatives. There are too many ads in theatres. But now, as the close of the summer season looms, there seems to be a consensus. The movies suck.

Funny how the movie men can admit the truth, but the music moguls can't.

But, true thinkers can't understand why this fact, this lack of quality, is causing a ten percent decline in theatre attendance THIS YEAR, after all, THE MOVIES WERE JUST AS BAD LAST YEAR! Actually, they've been bad for TEN YEARS! Such a long time that people have fallen out of the moviegoing habit. They've been overhyped and ripped off one too many times. They've ABANDONED the industry. FATIGUE has set in.

Fascinating concept if you think about it.

This was bandied about in the music business half a decade ago, when sales first started to tank. Napster traders said CDs were too expensive, they only contained one good track. Now, five years later, CDs have not come down significantly in price. But, it's worse. They still suck. They suck MORE!

Maybe it's got nothing to do with downloading. None of the ills the RIAA bandies about. Maybe it's the raw fact that the music has sucked for a very long time and people just don't care anymore.

And now here's where indie store owners from across America click return and rave at me, telling me all the GREAT product they're selling.

Now, let's be clear. The movie business is only off TEN PERCENT! That means MANY people are still going to the theatre. But, what's gonna happen in the future? MANY people are still buying CDs. But significantly fewer every year. The trend is going in the wrong direction DRAMATICALLY! What about the people who've stopped buying, shouldn't we worry about where THEY'RE AT?

Music's no longer cool.

Oh, don't bark back. I used to live to comb the record store bins. Now I don't go, I comb the Net. Why go to a store, which has such tiny inventory, none of the rarities I desire, most of which you can't buy at ANY price.

Still, I don't spend hours hunting down the new stuff. Most of what I'm looking for is OLD!

And, now we've got the naysayers saying it's my age. You get old and you want to stay home, you're not interested in new music. But talk to teens. They REVERE the classic rock acts. THEY think today's music is bullshit. OH, it's not black and white. OF COURSE people are buying 50 Cent and Destiny's Child and Hilary Duff. But question five teenagers, you'll be stunned when you hear them foam at the mouth about Zeppelin, Hendrix and the Who. They know what's good.

There hasn't been a good album, one that changed your life, since "Jagged Little Pill".

Oh, I've heard good music since. But I'm now more interested in technology than music. Tech is cutting edge and cool. Hell, have you USED Google Earth? It's better than anything the Strokes or Keane or the Killers or...ANYBODY has put out this year. Google Earth is what music USED to be. How did they COME UP with this? It's so cool!

So, first we need better music. Then we've got to convince people it's out there.

You'd think instead of paying for play on terrestrial radio labels would be supporting satellite radio and net radio, with their wide variety of options, with their unlimited playlists. God, sign up for satellite and get five CDs free. Isn't this how "Rolling Stone" built its business?

There are more records than ever. More shows. There's infrastructure, but a great faction of the public has tuned out. It's not that different from Atari. Suddenly, everybody decided that gaming console sucked. They used it up. It died. Almost overnight.

But video games didn't die. You just needed someone to reinvent them. Which NIntendo did. Bringing a dead industry back to the point where it now eclipses both movies AND music.

At the height of Napster sales were at their peak. Because there was an EXCITEMENT! EVERYBODY wanted music on their computers. But the industry killed Napster. Music wasn't being acquired the way they thought it should. And sales have declined ever since.

It's not about selling CDs at Starbucks. The labels killed vinyl, they could kill the CD overnight, bring everybody into the MP3 era. The iPod era. That's what Bob Iger is talking about. Forgetting tradition and entering the PRESENT!

This business is completely full of shit. Everybody knows music sucks. That's the PERCEPTION! And perception is reality. Until perception changes, this business is fucked."

Picked up a brochure for the INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF NEW CINEMA that will take place in Berlin between February 9th and 19th 2006. It includes the following statement which the organisers of the EIFF might do well to heed for future programming. The could add a line with regard to not submitting films that will be in cinemas before the cinema seats go cold after the Fest too. Anyway it reads…

“Films submitted for screening at the Forum must have been completed within the last 12 months before the staert of the festival; must be at least 60 minutes long; must not have been screened at any other German or European festivals; and with the exception of country of origin, must not have been shown in European cinemas or broadcast on television.”

I’d provide a link to their site but it doesn’t seem to be operating yet.

Meanwhile on the well-worn trail ‘tween here and Auld Reekie, there are two films to go and we’re done. The logistics have been something of a chore this annum, it feels like just a bunch of screenings. There have been no “events” involved with anything we’ve seen so far. There was a Q&A after the Brian Jones fiasco but that might have gotten ugly.

At this point in time and space, dropping off the face of the earth is an attractive proposition. Something to be working on…

So these two guys, Penn Jillette and his mucker, go into an film agents office. They tell him that they have this film which contains the filthiest, most convoluted versions of an "insider" joke imaginable. The pitch goes on for an indeterminite lengthe and the agent says, What's it called... (no, not Cumbernauld, daftie) - altogether now - "The Aristocrats". Boom boom.

So does it live up to the buzz? Well, when you see it in a packed cinema of people who would laugh at an egg boiling then hackles are definitley raised. The loud hee-hawing means that you miss some of the follow-up. That said, it definitley has it's moments and Larry Storch and Joe Franklin are in it fer chrissakes!

I want to see it again when it comes out on dvd, so I can properly listen to the craft. My favourite sequences out of the box was Sarah Silverman's take on it and also the special South Park animation. There was no Larry David but Jason Alexander, Susie Essman and Richard Lewis kinda represented that corner. Some of these guys were new to me, like Kevin Pollack's delivery in the style of Christopher Walken and although I'd seen Gilbert Gottfried before, I never knew who he was.

So, the material is pretty gross, disgusting whatever you want to call it and it's all down to the delivery. The infectious stupidity of the lengths it can all be spun out to is the trick. George Carlin explains that shock and surprise are the same thing and thereby hangs the tail. Robin Williams joke about the Rabbi at the end is a flippin' belter. Can I recommend it? Well, I think you folks are twisted enough to get some yuks. I'm pretty sure that you won't come across owt here that you haven't heard in real life. But then again... maybe not in one sitting.

As a footnote, important as this screening was - there was no introduction by anyone representing the festival or the film. The curtains closed before the final credits had finished. I guess they wanted us outta there, huh?

You Dutch NBT readers are strongly advised to check out the action at dB's studios right here in Utrecht in the upcomin' week. This Friday (August 26th) will see the Stilettos battlin' it out with the Ghetto Ways, and on Thursday (September 1st) the Black Lips will probably tear the place apart. How it compares to watchin' footage of the World Whistling Championships I don't know, but I suggest you give this rock 'n roll stuff a try anyways...

It struck me in the Filmhouse on Monday night that many of the titles on our viewing schedule don’t seem to come with posters let alone a website but I’m sure if you “google ‘em” you’ll find more. Time is kinda of the essence and I don’t have the time to do much digging. I will come back and provide links where possible when the opporchancity arises.

The documentary is a strange prospect these days. You’re never entirely sure if Christopher Guest is masterminding the direction. In these times of fake reality, it seems odd to observe people on screen who can’t possibly be real but actually are.

Pucker Up (The Fine Art Of Whistling) would perhaps be better viewed in the comfort of your own armchair. It was preceded by a short on gurning, Not Just An Ugly Face which in many ways worked better on the large screen. However, PU is a decent enough hour plus which centres around the World Whistling Championships. It features some great characters and some real creeps. The ending is great and kind of unexpected. One of the girls is pure Catherine O’ Hara.

Werner Hertzog’s Grizzly Man plays even more like a spoof. It follows a guy Called Timmy Treadwell that lived among bears in Alaska and ended up being eaten by one. His video footage punctuates the piece. Treadwell is like Crispin Glover channelling Robin Williams. A troubled soul not entirely devoid of entertainment value. It’s a pretty wild story and you couldn’t make this stuff up.

Contrary to popular belief there are still characters out there and thankfully people are making films about them. Tonight it’s “The Aristocrats”, let’s hope it lives up to its rep.

RIP - Dr Robert Moog

Killed By Death web radio. (link c/o Sander Bink)

Rowing against the tide that is the indifference of people in the central belt to embrace LIVE MUSIC, Jennifer Hunter and her crew have put together this line-up for the upcoming Octoberfest... Teenage Fanclub tickets are available via Tickets-Scotland for those outwith the central belt. Falkirk Town Hall for those who can get theirs locally.

I know with first hand experience what a thankless task rousing the rabble around these parts can be but go ahead and prove me wrong. Support (y)our local music festival...

Way to Blue Music Festival 2005 FALKIRK

Info Line: FTH (Falkirk Town Hall, West Bridge Street 01324 503741

Lomax the Songhunter' Wed 5 Oct 7.30pm £3.50/£2.50 concs
The great David Scott and Aberfeldy will open for the (not great) Trashcan Sinatras on Thursday October 6th.
Teenage Fanclub Fri 7 Oct 7.30pm £14
Dig' Sun 9 Oct 1pm £3.50/£2.50 concs

Rialto 28 Vicar Street, 01324 622344

Soul Starr Thu 6 Oct
Viva Stereo + Odeon Beat Club Fri 7 Oct
Pip Dylan + Mr Fairweather Sat 8 Oct 2pm
The Fence Collective Sun 9 Oct 3pm - 1am

Rene (Antonine Hotel) 1 Manor Street, 01324 624066

Northern Soul Night Thu 6 Oct 8pm
DJ Chris Bourne Fri 7 Oct 8.30pm Free
DJ Chris Bourne Sat 8 Oct 8.30pm Free

Comma Bar 14 Lint Riggs, 01324 611669

Robert Graham (Acoustic) Thu 6 Oct
DJ Miller Robertson Fri 7 Oct 9.30pm
Soul Kitchen Sat 8 Oct 9.30pm
Way to Blue Music Quiz Sun 9 Oct 9pm
The Wellington Bar 6 Manor Street, 01324 622701
Shanghai Ornaments Fri 7 Oct

The Boathouse 1 Burnbank Road

Malcolm Middleton Fri 7 Oct Free
Jo Mango Sat 8 Oct Free

Grubowski's 54 Bellsdyke Road, Larbert, 01324 570201

5 Park Drive + support Wed 5 Oct 9pm Free
Jondi Mac & Friends Thu 6 Oct 9pm Free
Mid Life Crises Fri 7 Oct 9pm Free
Mr Nice + Barry Price Sat 8 Oct 9pm Free
Back to the Future Sun 9 Oct 9pm Free

The Dobbie Hall 291 Main Street, Stenhousemuir, 01324 570201

The Falcons Sat 8 Oct 8pm £5.00 Seated

More info to be added including instores by BMX Bandits and Aberfeldy. I'll post that when it becomes available.

Not sure I have the stamina for watching three films in one day anymore. However, with the sheer unadulterated piffle of STONED still tugging at my angry strings – yesterday’s selection fared way better. I’ve read a couple of reviews of said rubbish that were way too kind and wonder how anyone could have found it other than shite.

Two Swedish movies, Fourteen Sucks (Fjorton Suger) and Popular Music (Populär-musik Fran Vittula) were connected because they appeared in the “certified” section of the festival. This is aimed at a “teenage” audience and on this showing the Scandanavians are shown once again to be way more, not sure if sophisticated is the right word – but it’ll do for now. They don’t gloss that’s for sure and the films resonate more as a result. Fourteen was very much a coming of age piece in the style of Lukas Moodyson and although good, I’m well wide of its target audience.

Popular Music, on the other hand is overwhelmingly recommended to visitors to this journal. Based on Michael Neimi’s Swedish bestseller, it’s much more than just their High Fidelity/Trainspotting/whatever. It recalls the early 60’s in the far north of Sweden when rock’n’roll began to take over the world but isn’t just about music. I hope people get a chance to see this because the pace, look and feel of it is all exemplary. A reminder of what a good film actually is.

The final film of the day was Sugar. This year’s programme entry that was compared to Eraserhead and also to Richard Kern. When I read that sort of thing then I figure it’s a challenge. The guy who “programmed” it introduced the screening and he said it had him on the edge of his seat. Maybe we should have had a scoop of whatever he was on? Anyway, it’s not bad but it’s at least 25 minutes too long. Visually it looks like b&w Lynch. The Foetus er, “music” throbs ambiently in the background and isn’t as unsettling as I’d hoped. I think I drifted off a couple of times during the 82 minutes and was somewhat relieved when it was over. It’s not the kind of thing I could recommend but it had something. An unhinged notion of menace that never quite paid off. But that’s what you expect from “experimental film-making” innit? Aye, really.

To be honest, I’m not big on interpretation and subtext. Irrespective of the genre, I wanna be entertained and when digging through the programme becomes a chore then I think to myself, why? The Festival Director, in my opinion, is a donkey. No disrespect to the four-legged variety but his smug, status-chasing demeanor really chafes me. This undertow serves to fuel my enjoying the event less with every passing year and makes me wonder, is what seems like too much of an effort worth it? When you see something like Popular Music then it is.

No films today, just a slide into the doldrums to celebrate my returning to work after a week off living the relatively high life.

Tomorrow night, a documentary about whistling (Pucker Up) and Grizzly Man. Tuesday, The Aristocrats, Wednesday, Junebug and Friday, The Devil and Daniel Johnston. Will they make it to the finish line?

While I'm pondering the second day at the EIFF, thought I'd draw attention to this Jenny Lens Punk Pix link that someone left as a comment on the Punk Turns 30 post. Lotsa good gear to dig through there...

RIP - Randy "Biscuit" Turner (info from Mike McEchron)

So, STONED. What can I tell you? 102 minutes of utter tedium probably just about covers it. At the beginning there's a shot of "The Stones" standing across the street through a telephone box that "Brian" is making a call on behalf of his band. They look like The Star Spangles. It's all downhill from there as we're dragged through a miserable attempt to recreate the period. If this is the untold story then maybe there's a reason for that. There ain't much of one to tell. The wigs are terrible, the soundtrack blows, there's a cut in there by The Counterfeit Stones. When reading up on the film yesterday before heading off, expectations were lowered but I really didn't figure on it being SUCH a stinker. To be avoided at all costs, we suffered enough for everybody.

The adventure continues today with FOURTEEN SUCKS, POPULAR MUSIC and SUGAR. Wish we luck...

Don't forget the second episode of the RADIO (SCOTLAND) THRIFT SHOP goes out tonight at 8.05 til 10 (GMT) and can be accessed for a week thereafter.

Laura has just had The Bein Inn, Perth added to her routing for September 17th. Anybody in Central Scotch-land that's never been there should consider the schlep.

If you're lucky enough to be in the Stockholm area next weekend, try WELCOME HOME

Mr Vahlberg sent me the link to PUNK TURNS 30 and I only just got around to checking it out. Good stuff. Great old photo of Mr David Alvin Esq. on there.

Incidentally, the new UNCUT cd is a "re-make" of Dylan's Highway 61 and it has Brother Dave serving up the title track. Anybody who wants me to buy a copy and send it need only drop a line...

RIP - Delli Colli

"Howdy Country Pop-Pickers!

We're back...El Rancho Relaxo that is, back with morecosmic americana, no depression, alt. country, Lo-Fi Indie, Alternative Folk, Classic country-tinged rock and more great music yet to be stupidly labeled. It's been a couple of months, but the boots are dusted down and ready for a good ole dance off. Here's what you need to know...

When... FRI 26TH AUGUST, 8.30pm-1am

Where... BASTILLE'S (PREVIOUSLY SLOANS) ARGYLL ARCADE, MORRISON COURT LANE, BEHIND ZARA ON BUCHANAN STREET.

With...
RAISING KAIN, playing an exclusive, stripped down, rootsy acoustic set for all the good folks at the ranch.

Including resident DJ's.... El Patron, Pacey & Dialogue DJ's

Expect to hear... Jim White, Half Cousin, The Byrds, Laura Veirs, Wilco, Beechwood Sparks, Jonny Cash, Adem, The Band, Ella Guru, Hayseed Dixie, The Flying burrito Brothers, James Yorkston, Hal, The Shins, Neko Case, Aberfeldy, Smog, Down The Tiny Steps, Neil Young, Field Music, Brendan Benson, The Izzys, Luck Luke, Elliott Smith, Canned Heat, The National,Fence Collective, Alfie, Bob Dylan, The Earlies, American Music Club, The Velvet Underground, Hamell On Trial, The Risingson,John Martyn, Gram Parsons, Drive-By Truckers, Endrick Brothers,The Sadies, Willie Nelson, The Tyde, The Concretes, REM,Songs:Ohia, The Magic Numbers, Hank Williams, Joanna Newsom, Ryan Adams and much, much more!

Expect not to see... Crazed neongirls on double Red Bull and Vodka or guys with controlled hair and matching shirts, this is the ranch after all come as you are (just not like that!).

Play... Dominoes! Bring... Your friends, unless they're jerks!

That's all folks. We hope you can make it along to our alternative night out, it's fun, that's why we do it!"

Spent some time in the company of Mr Tim Kerr and his wife Beth in Glasgow last night. He's in Glasgow to to sculpt The Grease Monkeys new album hopefully for release on a worthy imprint sometime sooner rather than later. Hopefully his unique perspective will "fluff" things up some.

Tonight is our first '05 Film Fest visit to catch the "British Gala World Premiere" of Stoned. It's the "untold story of Brian Jones". "Meticulously re-creating it's late 60's milleu, and shot through with a trippy, hallucinogenic vibe". We'll see... I was looking for something to link here but there's nothing coming up other than blurb so the verdict from this corner will be in later. Probably early tomorrow. Hopes are not exactly stratospheric, I should tell you that from the git go.

I'm sure there was something else on my mind when I logged on here but if there was it's gone now. Maybe a temporary lapse, maybe not. Wonder how The Morells show at Maxwells went last night? Anybody out there wanna file a report? I see we slid over the 150,000 hits the other day so that's good, we try to keep this entertaining for you folks and may well continue to. What is normal service? Hornswaggled if I know...

Update... I remember... The Dictators "16 Forever" 45 coming on Norton. Hopefully the first rumblings of a rarities comp, watch this space for further info as it becomes available.

I've been sitting here this afternoon watching Ebay and in particular trying to score a copy of "I Cannot Stop You" by The Cherry Slush. Everything was going great until I noticed that the price was escalating and then all of a sudden there was a retraction. Upon further investigation I found that there was "retraction" on other items by the same seller by the same bidder and this REALLY PISSED ME OFF. Subsequently, I ducked out and reported this activity. I am this far (virtually zip) from never going near Ebay again. Fuck that. I don't mind shelling out but I'm not gonna be played for the privilege so another one has got away. I'll connect with one of those suckers eventually. Maybe one of you folks has a copy that's lookin' for a good home?

Anyway on a Motor City theme, check out this DIRTBOMBS teaser trailer for "It Came From Detroit". Never really dug the records but this clip looks pretty magnificent to me.

It might be festival time in Edinburgh but none of that can compare with the choice that's available to denizens of "The London" tomorrow night. This bunch of miscreants have a shindig on the go in addition to the Phast experience... choose wisely my boogie chillun!

"The Stripchords are go!

Tits'n'twang has always been a great combination, and now there's a new beat combo to fill yer boots, in both capacities!

This unruly quartet are set to make their live debut at Naked Ruby's South Seas Ahoy!!! allnighter TOMORROW!

Featuring a host of superb DJs, spread over two rooms, blasting a mix of soul, garage, R&B, ska, soundtracks and owt else that takes their fancy, this mammoth undertaking also boasts live sets from Naked Ruby and Colt 45, plus go-go dancers, movies, and other exotic treats.

The Stripchords will be taking to the stage upon the stroke (pun intended) of midnite! The Sonic Reducer Tag Team will subsequently supply several hours of raucous, backbone-slipping 45-based tuneage, alongside their brethren KatManDude and Man Of Sideburns.

The Stripchords are all-star combo, comprising of Captain Standish (50 Watts Of Power club / The Speed Of Sound / Honey & The Hucksters / Baby Birkin), BigKegShandy (Sonic Reducer Tag Team / Problem Hair / Zero Willpower), Dillon Rocker (The Bad Breed), and Yan Quellien (The Barracudas / Hullabalooes / Sky Saxon's Seeds).
To accompany a titillating projection of choice 8mm cheesecake flicks from the '50s, The Stripchords will be twanging on covers like "Pass The Hatchet", "Theme From Billy Liar", "Buzzzzz", and the "Batfink Theme", plus such original compositions as "The Maharaja", "Susan's Smalls", "Beatnik Rodeo", and "Voodoo Clam".

Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, London SW9 6LH. Nearest Tubes: Oval or Brixton
Admission £5 9.30pm-11pm, and £8 after, with the party going until 6am."

GEORGE A. ROMERO LIVE at the Edinburgh Film Festival this coming Saturday!

NO BORDER JAM FESTIVAL


Maribor, Slovenija, Pekarna, KURD
26. , 27. 8. 2005

Mr McLean just flagged this blighter up. Happening maybe three miles away from here but never had a scoob about it... FURTHER INFO

Well it's been a roller-coastin' few days with our NY buds and Phast Phreddie was snapped here hoovering through the bins at Europa Records in Stirling looking for sounds to bring down on top of the Dirty Water during his upcoming stint there tomorrow night (Friday 19th). I hope all our troops in the capital will make their way down there to support the man in his ongoing campaign to heal the musical ills we have to face on a regular basis. I never thought in a million years that such a major influence on my starting this NBT carry on, would end up hanging in our locale. It's the stuff like this that makes it all worthwhile.

Wish we could join them down there but our Film Festival shenanigans start tomorrow in Edinburgh so t'was not to be. Mr Tim Kerr will be in attendance at The Grease Monkeys show in Glasgow's 13th Note tonight so I hope to shoehorn that into the schedule someplace. It was great also to meet Ms Sue Garner in Edinburgh on Monday night. All too brief though. Yo La Tengo played a blinder in a packed to the gunnels Liquid Room. It was so hot in there that it was like a sodding furnace. Have to say that I'm not familiar with their catalogue at all but they definitley have a special brew goin'. I now completely understand that they aren't just another college rock combo locked in indie limbo. They can really kick it up, AND out!

OK lotta stuff to catch up on so that's you up to speed kinda. More whenever...

Been tryin' to make some inroads into the latest issue of Ugly Things, but with nearly 200 pages it's a rather daunting task. Suffice to say the contents are up to UT's usual standards. A new issue is promised before the end of the year, and hopefully it'll include Johan's Rap top 100 (c'mon Mike!).

Mr Hesske just hepped me to this journal and it seems like a strange and wonderful resource.