Having a little bother with the motivation at the minute. I’ve been watching Season Two of Entourage and The Sopranos when I should probably be blogging. E2 I got from Mr H as a loaner, what a great show. Still having problems with e-mail and non-delivery or whatever. I don’t have the means of investigating the condition any further. I’m burned out on it. Truth be told I’m burned out on a lot of things but let's make inroads into what’s been happening sonically inside the bunker of late.

Missing The Scientists recent shows around Europe was a bit of a pisser. Still, you cannae always get what you want and all that. I found some solace in the mini-album by Boris Sujdovic entitled "Fuzz Machine" just released by the Basque Country based Bang imprint. If Philip Spector produced the aforementioned Rev and Vega with sundry Scientist and Cramp flavourings then this could have been the result. It out Stooges "The Weirdness" by a muckle mile and beats The Mary Chain at their own game. Absolutely relentless. Doktor Avalanche evidently has a cousin down under yonder and ol’ Boris is David Essex from the darkest side imaginable. Bang has also issued Salmon, a mega-slab of guitar orchestration which should be played loud enough to strip paint.

Hanging in with Australia, Capital City’s “Bad Money” kicks off with a glammish stomp that recalls The Reigning Sound in “Let’s Throw Our Love Away”. This latest In-Fidelity crew tweak all the right nipples and I bet these songs really fly when performed onstage. They’re almost too big for just a tiny cd. “Come On and Work For The Lord” conjures up a Gun Club vibe in a way that you’ll have to hear to believe. Want to hear the ides of “Heroin” turned into a folk-rocker? Then check out “Beggar Please”. The Capital City moniker really hides these folks light under a bushel and they swing with that considerable charm that made Stoneage Romeos so special to us.

My Buddy Moose are from Croatia and their album on dancing Bear was produced by the great Dalibor Pavičić of The Bambi Molesters. It’s like Lloyd Cole fronting Loaded era Velvets channelling some Greg Cartwright sound-craft. There are several folk elements and also accordion also and it all combines to create a somewhat unique yet familiar stew. Any group that has the balls to call an original song “Heartbreak Hotel” and better yet pull it off, has to be doing something right. Check ‘em out on myspace if you feel you’re having your chain yanked. (Thanks to Bigor for hooking me up with this)

The Micragirls “Feeling Dizzy Honey” will feed any ongoing jones for gal garage kicks. It drives long like a three-wheeled jalopy with a primal thrust you just don’t hear too often. Organ charged, fuzzed up and frugging ready for anything – these three Finnish ladies look like butter wouldn’t melt. But, looks can be deceiving and whatever they’re taking to work up this frenzied ruckus probably isn’t available on any prescription. “My My Micraboy” would have made Joey Ramone smile, can you think of a higher accolade? Low on fi but big on spirit and heart, check ‘em out on Bone Voyage Recordings.

Similarly no frills is Thee Fine Lines “Set You Straight” which sounds like it was made to be blasted out of a transistor radio. Not one of those digital things that are becoming all the rage. Once again, I don’t recognise the comparisons with Billy Childish. There’s not a whiff of the impressionism that pervades much of that guys work. I feel kind like BC is the opposite side of the Paul Weller coin, this 3-piece on the other hand deliver short sharp jolts of primo garage-punk not unlike our own Thanes. Based in Skele-country - Springfield, Mo – they have that extra edge that evidently comes from whatever is put in the water there. Lou Whitney once told me it was “the buckle on the bible belt”. If that’s the case they sure have a way with the devils music. Available now on cd and vinyl from Licorice Tree.

By this time next week it'll be all over. I'm talking about Robbie Fulks visit to Glasgow. Folks in Newcastle can catch him at The Cluny the night after but that's it. The man is flying in specifically to exact "Revenge" on Northern Britain, thanks to Kevin Morris, the man that's flying the "Billy Kelly Services To Americana" flag in these difficult times. The visit will coincide with the release of the man's double live set on Yep Roc. You'll be able to buy a copy from him in person at either show. Provided stocks last of course. Check out Robbie's notes on the material from the record. Hear Cher's "Believe" like you never heard it before! Lumps in the throat don't come any more choking than the version of "The Buck Starts Here" captured here and then there's "Let's Kill Saturday Night", a song that should be raking in airplay royalties in Eagles/Tom Petty-sized vanloads. " I like Being Left Alone" is one of a handful of new tunes that get an airing and looks set to become a crowd pleaser as only RF can stack 'em up.

I don't urge people to do much but don't miss this rare opportunity to catch one of the real greats in full flight. Friday (25th) in Glasgow and Saturday (26th) in Newcastle. Some music really can transcend and this guy has all your bases covered. If you reckon different then you really shouldn't be reading this.

So it's Joey's birthday. Can it really be 6 years + since he passed? Jings.

I'm sure all of the folks that attend the shindig at Irving Plaza tonight will have a high ol' time. An event even more poignant because of his mother joining him earlier this year.

Was going to try and catch the 12.40 screening of Zodiac but can't really find the energy. Maybe tomorrow or then again... might be an opportunity to catch up on what I've been meaning to blog. I'm kind of sick of the sound of my own keypad but we'll see how it goes.

Meanwhile, here are a few links to keep you amused...

Shock and Awe vs Paul Research = Chinese Rocks

Wonder how the NYL show went last night... meanwhile check out the Ferriday Fireball's ("the world's best forgotten boys") shakedown of "Loose".

Ex-Shadowy Man Don Pyle's photo exhibit

Los Coyotemen do The Ramones

Tulsarama (link courtesy of Art Fein)

Every home should have this (link courtesy of Tony Thewlis)

That'll keep you going for now. Some review action coming up sooner or later.

THE STAR SPANGLES will be at Fontana’s, NYC

(105 Eldridge St. between Broome and Grand)

on Thursday, May 24th, 10pm

Tickets: a mere $6

Their second album, “Dirty Bomb” out now on Tic Records

CD available at CDBaby

Downloads available at Amie St. and Myspace

and don't forget the good ol' NY rock of The New York Loose at the Dirty Water Club tomorrow night (Friday 18th) and tell Brijitte + Co we sent you!

Gary Lucas @ Tivoli De Helling, Utrecht 16/052007

Just got back from catching Lucas & Co. playin’ only two blocks away from HQ.
Truth be told it was the “& Co.” part that made me venture outside once again, as Mr Lucas backing band consisted of Jerry Harrison (Modern Lovers/Talking Heads), Billy Ficca (Television) and Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers).
As for Gary, I’m only familiar with the stuff he did with Captain Beefheart, but just one Google search makes it obvious that the guy has been very prolific over the years.

Upon entry it was sad to learn that Harrison wasn’t there, since he apparently lost his passport and was still stuck in NYC... Still, two out of three wasn’t too bad. Ficca bein’ one of the best skin beaters I’ve ever witnessed, and Brooks fully able to anchor whatever rhythms with his fluid bass playin’. So it was too bad that Gary Lucas turned up his guitar histrionics at least twice as loud as the rest of the band (bad enough for the rhythm section, but there was absolutely no audio on the saxophone guy that seemed to pump a lot of air around durin’ their set) Highlights were few ‘n far between, and generally appeared when Lucas took a break from playin’ as many notes as possible, most notably in their take of Abdullah Ibrahim’s Bra Joe From Kilimanjaro. But I also dug the moment where some Jack Johnson-era Miles Davis tune gave way to Suicide’s Rocket USA via a short twist and that same duo’s Cheree... Anyways, I guess they’d be more organized with Harrison in tow, so Dutch readers might wanna check 'em out in Amsterdam tomorrow night...

Hey nana!
The Stripchords return to the stage this Friday, May 18th, at Paul Ronney-Angel's massively popular Gypsy Hotel club, situated at Barden's Boudoir, on the Dalston/Stoke Newington borders... The Flaming Stars will be headlining on Friday, dishing up a heavy fug of noir beat exhalations, with The Stripchords party - including hula go-go queens Mizz Lager Shandy & Mizz Stephanie, plus Mr Bishop's saucy flicks - following close behind (as it were)... Fresh from a swing across Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Arkansas, our own BigKegShandy will also be dishing up some flighty blues, soul and R&B discs, including Ruby & The Party Gang's immortal "Hey Ruby (Shut Your Mouth)", and Johnny & The House Wreckers' "Johnny's House Party Part II"...
See you at the bar-re-bar?!?!?!?!
Selah
The Stripchords
------------------
The Gypsy Hotel
18 May
Barden's Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, Londinium, London N16 Cost : £6.66
Time: 8pm
More info from www.myspace.com/gypsyhotel

Hello Saferide marked the release or the Regal single with two shows in London on Monday and Tuesday. Douglas Firs has filed the following report about Monday night. There are also great photos from the show here.

“Four band bills. Does anyone have the attention span for such a thing? Thinking that Maia Hirasawa was on first I got down there early but found out she wouldn’t be onstage until 9pm. The first lot were ok and harboured some agreeable enough Americana leanings. No idea what they were called though. Second up was Raymond and Maria, not a duo but a group. Also from Sweden even although they look (and sound) like they might come from Glasgow. Very well and good but the kids (me) are getting a jones for the two acts that I’m here to see.

Maia’s set was augmented by her being joined onstage by Jeanette Lindstrom on keyboards and exquisite harmonies. Ms Hirasawa commands a respect that means that people don’t talk when she’s playing. She should find a way of bottling that because it’s a real art. The new single “Gothenburg” was especially hymnal. By the time it got to “And I Found This Boy”, she owned the audience.

Annika Norlin had spent the day playing the role of a trappist monk. She didn’t talk for 10 hours in a bid to save her voice for the show. HS offer a much needed and heartfelt rush of adrenalin to the pop bloodstream. Now I understand what the guy who usually writes on this thing is on about. Even with the lurghi, this girl gives 150% in between swigs of straight olive oil. I mean Peter, Bjorn and the other fella make perfectly good music but this is on an entirely more elevated plateau. Two youngish guys were just to the side of me and they clapped and hollered their way along with the HS express. One was wearing a Blue Oyster Cult T-shirt and the other one a replica of the Pistols cowboys apparel. That made a statement of potential to me as it might to regular readers of this thing. When all is said and done and all the pigeonholes in the world have been nailed up there is only good and bad music. HS deal in the finest quality in times when reality isn’t even real anymore. From rambunctious to stately quiet, this band is capable of it all and they’ve barely started. To become obsessive about them will become compulsory.”

Some guys, like Robert Palmer once said, have all the luck. All of this took place on the day that marked the 31st anniversary of my scoring the first Ramones album at Harlequin in Dean Street. "Introducing Hello Saferide" is capable of inducing similar symptoms albeit in a different format. Annika Norlin's lyrics propelled by this band or just played gently in acoustic mode are equally potent. Hopefully they'll come back to Scotland soon.

Cyberforces are conspiring to cause further problems and I've exhausted all possible avenues of being able to fix it for now. I'm getting e-mail via the blog here from people who are wondering why they never heard from me via the regular channel. The answer is that I have no idea. It's not ending up as junk, the filter is set to medium to try and block as many viagra/stock market messages as possible and it doesn't seem to be bouncing.

If anybody out there knows what the cause and indeed cure might be then please, clue me in.

Check out The Bantams (tip courtesy of JD King)

Dave Davis' Vox Ac30 on Ebay! (Collection only in London)

Imagine the surprise of going into the paper shop this morning and finding out that there's a free Punk cd with The Sunday Times? Anyway it's a taster thing for the Babylon's Burning box (more of which another time) and contains Pistols, Damned, Blondie, an acoustic version of Wreckless Eric's "Whole Wide World" and Jonathan Richman's "Roadrunner". It also has The Stranglers and X Ray Spex but you can't win 'em all. If any overseas readers want a copy of this thing then e-mail me before 2pm GMT and I'll see if I can scare up a copy. The cost of the paper is £1.90 so it'd be that plus whatever the postage works out as. there's a Part 2 next week! Society is crumbling but it might as well do so to a decent soundtrack I suppose.

The same publication also sez that the Hello Saferide 45 out tomorrow is "Sublime scando motown". That it is. Order your copy here...

Still having intermittent connection problems and it appears that this is something we'll all have to live with for now.

JAY REATARD on TOUR!

wed - May 16 Amsterdam -- VPRO
23:20 -- 23:45 CETLIVE on internet radio and tv!
http://3voor12.vpro.nl/speler/tv/11998947

thu - May 17 afternoon: Hellendoorn -- Dauwpop
thu - May 17 evening: Hoorn -- Manifesto
fri - May 18 Kortrijk -- the Pit's
sat - May 19 Rotterdam -- Waterfront
sun - May 20 Haarlem -- Patronaat (w/ Heartattacks + Makeouts + Quotes)
mon - May 21 Munster -- Gleis 22 (w / Clorox Girls + Feelers)
tue - May 22 Esslingen -- Komma
wed - May 23 Munchen -- Monofaktur (w/ Heartattacks + Makeouts)
thu - May 24 Graz -- Veilchen
fri - May 25 Beograd -- SKC sat
sat - May 26 Crvenka -- Izletiste Potok sun
sun - May 27 Zagreb -- Teatar &TD
tue - May 29 Fidenza -- Taun
wed - May 30 St Etienne -- tbc
thu - May 31 Perpignan -- El Mediator
fri - June 1 Barcelona -- Primavera
sat - June 2 Madrid -- La Pequeña Bety
sun - June 3 Gijon -- Savoy Club
mon - June 4 Bordeaux -- Heretic
tue - June 5 Tours -- Donald's Pub
wed - June 6 Orleans -- Le Marais
thu - June 7 Koln -- Sonic Ballroom
fri - June 8 Eindhoven -- Altstadt
sat - June 9 Speyer -- Flaming Star
mon - June 11 Konstanz -- Contrast
tue - June 12 Darmstadt -- Oetinger Villa
wed - June 13 Utrecht -- Ekko
thu - June 14 Groningen -- Vera
fri - June 15 Kontich -- Lintfabriek
sat - June 16 Paris -- Point Ephemere
sun - June 17 Venlo -- Perron 55
mon - June 18 Klazienaveen -- Sparrow
tue - June 19 Aarhus -- German Jazzchamber
wed - June 20 Oslo -- Kosher Music @ Last Train
thu - June 21 Gothenburg -- Henriksberg
fri - June 22 Stockholm -- Vieille Montagne
sat - June 23 Helsingor -- Elvaerket
sun - June 24 Hamburg -- Beat Club
wed - June 27 Cagliari -- Corto maltese
thu - June 28 Guspini -- Sleepwalkers
fri - June 29 Alghero -- tba
sun - July 1 Rotterdam -- Metropolis

Look out honeys', ' cause he's making a corrie-fisted attempt at dodging the slings and arrows of alleged technology. Expectation is low but cautiously optimistic, so much blogging could conceivably be on the cards for this weekend.

Was sad to hear that Goldrush Records in Perth (here, not the 'stralian one) has closed. It was a great shop and almost singlehandedly carried the torch for Americana and country, etc. in recent years. I hope that whatever John and Barclay end up doing suits 'em down to the ground. I certainly appreciate the services they did to this NBT palaver when the printed version was doing the rounds.

Back after the Tesco run...

To all and anybody within travelling distance of Dusseldorf, tonight's hot ticket!

More info.

So I'm not sure how long this is all gonna stagger along for. Intermittent bouts of terminal sluggishness and just plain frustration can be an explosive combination. What can I tell you?

There's info to convey but the hardware hasn't been playing ball. What worries me more is that when it wasn't here the other evening, it was like somebody had cut off my life support. That's not healthy. Even somebody as blinkered as me can figure that out. Back later. Perhaps.

"we often went to the movies. the screen lit up and we trembled. but more often than not, madeleine and i were disappointed... this wasn’t the film we dreamed of. this wasn’t the total film that each of us had carried within... the film that we wanted to make, or more secretly no doubt... that we wanted to live."

monorail film club presents
jean-luc godard’s masculin féminin
and tout les garcons s’appellent patrick
gft, rose street, glasgow
sunday 20th may 2007, 7pm

introduced by stephen pastel with after film discussion and music in cafe cosmo

I'm off the air blog-wise and can only periodically check e-mail. Not sure how long for.

End of what passes for a public service announcement.

NEW ISSUE OF UGLY THINGS COMING YOUR WAY SOON

225 PAGES THICK THIS TIME, ALMOST A BOOK!

UGLY THINGS - ISSUE #25
224 pages! Perfect bound & full-color glossy cover. The big cover story this time is on THE MUSIC MACHINE, a lengthy feature including interviews with once-silent members Keith Olsen and Mark Landon, plus tons of amazing photos, many previously unpublished. Also a major feature on California garage-psych group THE LIGHT, plus stories on Swedish R&B hooligans THE NAMELOSERS, South African acid rock pioneers FREEDOMS CHILDREN, British freakbeat icons THE ATTACK, Chicago garage rockers THE DIRTY WURDS, Ohio rock & roll punks THE RUBBER CITY REBELS, and mysterious acid folksters PAT KILROY & THE NEW AGE. We also investigate the Latino garage and R&B scene in Colton, California, featuring THE PEASANTS and THE PREMIERS, and the greatest 60s productions of BRIAN ROSS. Also featured are the concluding installments of stories on SWEETWATER and MIKE & THE RAVENS, and exclusive, insight-laden interviews with ROB YOUNGER of RADIO BIRDMAN, DON GALLUCI of THE KINGSMEN, JACKIE DeSHANNON, and writer JON SAVAGE. Plus LOTS MORE, including hundreds of music reissue reviews, plus music-related books and DVDs. Last issue was the biggest yet-this one is EVEN BIGGER!

After many weeks of unseasonably good weather it seems as though we're spiralling back towards winter. I guess that's where "ne'er cast a cloot until May is oot" comes in. At least the waterbeds on legs will go back undercover so it's not all bad. Then there's the mutating viruses. Anyway, I'm still dealing with a dodgy shoulder and have been hunting for stuff in this indisposed state. Did I find what I was digging for? Well no, but I did unearth mucho other stuff and I'm sure what I was looking for will turn up. I believe there was a programme on TV about hoarders last week and wonder why I wasn't asked to appear. Might have a flutter on ebay if it means that some of it could be paired up with folks that might appreciate it enough to free it from a box every now and again.

Then there's the case of the puff candy frankensteins. It's not some group, although maybe it oughtta be. No, this was a chocolate-coated confection made by MacNab Confectionery in Larkhall, Scotchland. They were great and the little newsagent up the top of Foundry Loan in Larbert sold these delicacies. I used to buy them by the box and I found the address of the company with a phone number. So naturally I tried to contact them but they're John (long gone) it seems. "You must have the wrong number" was like a dagger to the heart. I wanted to score some of these sweeties and dust up some memories of a positive variety. To share them with folks across the planet that never had the pleasure. You know whaur good intentions end up now don't you? Must have been a crime to love such frankensteins which leads me to the news that The Dolls are playing Joey's Birthday Bash on May 19th. There still seems to be ticket availability so if you can go along and play tribute to the great man.

I seem to have difficulty getting mail through to aol addresses, they keep bouncing back. Hopefully this is just temporary but its a pain in the hindquarters alright.

The new Spinal Tap "short" is here for your viewing pleasure...

And... THE NEW YORK LOOSE are at the

Dirty Water Club on Friday May 18th

and the day after that...

It’s been a week of peaks and troughs. It’s ended on the former because I now have confirmation of my Roky ticket but I’ll be fidgety until it’s actually in my paw. That’s how it is. And the Scottish election has been the prime example of not being able to organise the proverbial piss-up. For now though we don’t need passports to go over the border. The SNP won by one “seat”. There are some places where that means arse. I heard one guy on the radio refer to the shambles as a “Florida”. That may create a perspective for our overseas readers. Meanwhile we have to live here.

Wish I could get to the bottom of availability on the Hello Saferide 45 that’s due out next week. You can stream it here but it seems to be the best kept secret in pre-sales ever. If you’re in London or Brighton you can see them play then also. Maia Hirasawa will be there too.

And a duet between Annika Norlin and Roky Erickson might seem far-fetched but Säkert is playing Hultsfred so if there really is a god… Can you imagine those voices together? Crikey. So let’s leave it on that upbeat note for a Friday night. It’s all downhill from here.

Doesn't pulling a muscle require some tangible evidence of exertion? I'd certainly have thought it would but that's the opinion of the medical expert I consulted at work. The discomfort is one thing but i'm a little more concerned about not being able to turn my head anymore than 20 degrees to the left. Not good for trying to observe what's going out at junctions and caution doesn't always pay dividends. But anyway, we'll see how it falls. At the minute it's all pain with no iota of gain on the horizon.

So I THOUGHT I’d scored a ticket for Roky. The sale of tickets for Meltdown caused just that at 9am this morning. This online thing is a racket but this is by far the worst experience of it that I've had. You can't follow anything up by phone or get through to a human to check if it all did go through and certainly not while you’re sitting in a sodding open plan office. So I had to wait until I got home tonight to find out that no, it hadn't gone through whereupon I got some scabby, slim-pickings. I’m trying to convince myself that it has to be better than attending a festival. Nothing is simple and straightforward anymore. Queuing wasn't an option being 450 fucking miles or however far from the epicentre. I hope you fared a little better if you were involved in the cyberfracas.

I broke my glasses today into the bargain so let’s just say that everything is turning to shit and leave it like that. Had a couple of days respite last week, what else should I have expected...

More details...

It's approximately 24 hours (at time of typing) until wir fabled Scotchland goes "indie". That's the same as independant, isn't it? Somewhere along the line it rallies as second grade and in many ways we're that already and en route to dropping further "doon the charts" with every passing minute. The concensus is the most people don't care and that could have dire consequences for the Scottish District Council, I mean, er, parliament. I'm determined to go and vote as early as possible on Thursday, before the crooks and comic singers or whoever else gets their canvassing heads on. It's all looking pretty ugly from where i'm sitting with regard to policies. Basically in that there are none. I think the blighters have even just decided to try and not even talk a good game anymore. After all what's the use when practically no-one is listening.
Anyway, I’m in some considerable discomfort here and on top of that, I have to go to work. Many drats. Now I just have to figure out what I’ve done to my back before somebody has to start wheeling me around in a bathchair. Those things will be quite the rage when we can’t afford petrol anymore. Which may well be soon at the rate it's going.

Thursday May 3rd will go down in history. Not for the election but as the day the Roky Erickson tickets went on sale.

Alan Vega at ATP (Photos courtesy of Tony Thewlis)

Otto's twice in one month? Is that legal? Well, dear friend, legalities be damned, for SUSQUEHANNA INDUSTRIAL TOOL & DIE CO. will be taking to the cozy confines of Otto's Shrunken Head Tiki Bar & Lounge twice in the merry month of May for a double dose of our patent pending "ballads, boogies & blues"... THURSDAY, MAY 3rd / Special bonus show! / Otto's Shrunken Head / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in 'ol Manhattan, NYC / Two mucho grande shows, from 8:00 sharp 'til 10:00 / No cover! / And, in our regular last-Thursday-of-the-month appearance...
THURSDAY, MAY 31st / With free prizes & Raffle Girl! / Otto's Shrunken Head / Two shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / No cover! Vaya con dios- Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"
http://www.SITandDieCo.com

Taking a breather from his exhaustive gig schedule, Mr Duff has filed the following report. Cheers Colin.

"Lindsay mentioned his displeasure at not making the Scientists gig at the Spitz so here’s a brief report…

To be honest, I took the trip mainly to see T-Model Ford, but as he was on Saturday, Robert Belfour was on Friday and The Scientists were on Thursday, I decided to make it a long weekend. Of course, the fact that T-Model was sold out and I didn’t have a ticket added an element of risk but I’d never seen The Scientists so it wasn’t going to be a wasted journey.

I’d never saw anyone play at the Spitz before either and there’s a pretty good record fair in the Spitalfields market. I’ve had a drink downstairs but this was my visit to the actual venue. It’s a nice place, with sign urging people to be considerate in their conversations so you can hear the music. All the greater shame that it’s under threat.

Caught the last 10 minutes of Blood Safari. They’ve been trumpeted as making sounds like The Gun Club and The Gories, but sounded to me more like Eddie and The Hot Rods at 45rpm. All a little too macho to really be in that company. I popped back downstairs to quickly empty my bladder passing Kim Salmon on the stairs. Making my way back up, I heard the opening screech of Swampland and rushed in. The sound was fantastic, I always thought that the sound of the records would be difficult to recreate live but the noise of the twin guitar attack still cut through without sounding just like noise. I suppose these guys have been doing it long enough to get it right. The new drummer girl fits right in and has the touch to keep that unique bass/drum throb rolling. It’s difficult to pick highlights from a show where everything seemed so effortless, but Atom Bomb Baby and Blood Red River got the biggest cheers. I’m glad I saw them here with about 150 people in the room than at the mega-scale ATP over the weekend. Funniest moment? Kim trying to persuade the crowd to buy a live CD, then realising he was talking to a snooty vinyl crowd and turning it back on them by saying “I know you only buy vinyl but you don’t know what you’re missing until your hear Tony breaking all six strings at once” Seeing The Scientists, highlighted what had been missing from the Drones show in Glasgow a few days earlier. I thought the Drones had perhaps been a little tired when I saw them, but in comparison, it wasn’t energy that was lacking - it was the self-assurance with which The Scientists make the same kind of intense noise which made them the fiercer beast at close quarters.

It was a tough weekend in all. I had seen Einsturzende Neubauten in Glasgow the night before at the Tramway. A terrible venue for rock and roll where you could hear idiots talking about their plans for the weekend, even over the volume that Neubauten operate at. Robert Belfour was great, seemed in good health and played a neat focused set of distinctive country blues. I smiled sweetly at the girls on the door and eventually got a ticket for T-Model. I never saw him before, he played Edinburgh a couple of years ago but I was out of the country at the time. This was easily the highlight of the weekend. He played an absolutely perfect set of hard punk one-chord/no-chord stomping blues. The songs were mostly indistinguishable from one other and bore only a slight relation to the recorded versions. How he achieves this when the sound is so simple I don’t know but he played for almost two hours. Not a moment too long.

Back to Edinburgh on the Sunday and saw Ute Lemper at the Usher Hall, for a (slightly) different vibe. Perfectly played, very civilised Weimar Republic cabaret. A good way to wind down from a rock and roll weekend. I even caught the bus back to Glasgow without a hitch…"

Scientists photos from ATP by Vanessa Exton

It's always good to hang out with old friends. It numbs the daily erosion and general wearing down process. I'm not a team player but maybe could be if it were me picking the squad. Good vibes manifested themselves in a score of Bambi Molesters cds at a Jumble/Garage sale in Glasgow. Still shrink-wrapped, I’m curious as to how they got there and may well investigate further. However, that Roky news has distracted me somewhat… June 18th isn’t far away.

However, there are happenings closer to hand and tomorrow, May the bleedin’ 1st, is the actual release date of the Star Spangles “Dirty Bomb”. I know some of you early birds have done got this particular beastie already but with the £/$ exchange rate you can’t afford not to go and make a deal at CD Baby right now.

More Coyotemen eat The Stooges hijinks. Wee Jimmy and his crew are also part of the Jarvis thing.

Other sizeable news (courtesy of The Barman) is that the actual Saints and not an approximation have a show down under. Details at the I-94.

Alan Vega's "Station" is out today. Mr Thewlis tells me his ATP show was a triumph and may even have a couple of pictures to prove it.

Part of Jarvis Cocker's Meltdown...

Monday 18th June - Roky Erickson plus Clinic Royal Festival Hall, London.

Tickets go on sale this coming Thursday, 3rd May!

Headed for Glasgow in a wee while to hook up with the Goofenhaus kids. One last huzzah before they go back to NYC. Can't believe that yom month of May is on the horizon. After the election on Thursday (3rd), it's widely expected that Scotchland will be independant. On Friday we'll need passports to go over the border... er. If such a thing was ever to happen then they'd probably whap up a big wall and put a big padlock on the one way in and out. Can you imagine the sheer size of arse we'd make of going it alone? Oy and indeed nor'alf. But maybe I'd be pleasantly surprised? Or proved wrong?? I did think that we could maybe go to see The Pastels but that's in Edinburgh today so I've got my bearings scrambled in addition to the ongoing attrition of circumstances. However, if there is indeed a god, then my mitts will finally connect with the Mary Weiss album via Monorail. A visit to 78 (formerly Stereo) is also on the cards. A couple of things you may like to check out meantime if you find yourself in the hoose. I should add that is not a hip hop reference. It merely means your abode in this case. Apologies to any hipsters who were hoping for the latter...

The Coyotemen celebrating Jimmy's 60th with a surftastic take on "No Fun".

Les Wadbillys.

"Get your advance tickets. The show will sell out!

CINCO DE MAYO SHOWCASE

Saturday, May 5- Jensen Rec Centers
Curated by Ian Brennan
MusicPass accessible; tickets also available at the door.

Saturday, May 5 the Silver Lake Film festival celebrates the rich-history of Chicano rock music in East Los Angeles from Lalo Guerrerro to War to Los Lobos. The evening will feature performances by Dios Malos, Lysa Flores (1997 Independent SPIRIT debut-performance nominee for the film "Star Maps"), Ollin, The Revolts (featuring Jonathan Velasquez, star Larry Clark's "Wassup Rockers"), and culminating with the grand finale of 1970's punk-legend Alice Bag being presented with the MUSIC PIONEER AWARD and her performing a song by The Bags for the first time in decades.

Saturday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo showcase, Jensen Rec Center in Silver Lake, featuring Alice Bag, Dios Malos, Lysa Flores, Ollin, The Revolts. MUSIC PIONEER AWARD: ALICE BAG

http://www.ticketweb.com (put alice bag in the search) (yes, come after the fight!)"

The Black Lips first foray into these parts last night was a short sharp jag. Opening for some guy by the name of Bobby Conn who was a serious mis-match of the kind you hardly ever see anymore. So this meant that The Lips were onstage by 8 and off at 8.30. Their agitated Electric Eels meet The Fleshtones mercybeat is delivered with train-like percussion. Sometimes it swings, sometimes it heads off into outer space. Despite what seemed like the soundguy's best intentions to have it jump the tracks, they made it to the next station. Jed, the drummers big beat, no frills tub-thump really allows the sound to surf over the top. Like a particularly malevolent wave breaking on the shore into fuzzed, psyche shards. It’s all fairly chaotic, much like Cole Alexander's barnet. A Mary Chain by way of the Thompson Twins hedgerow, bordering on being a hair-don’t. They’re at The Classic Grand in Glasgow tonight so cut along and give them some moral support. They’re all over Europe like a rash and back in Glasgow on June 4th. An appearance at the very fine Debaser in Stockholm is coming up on Friday May 11th and also at the Malmo branch the next night. A full list of shows running into June is here. The Munster dvd should also be available any minute now.

Bobby Conn started his set with a movement that approximated a Gibb Brother (you decide which) being accompanied by Hawkwind but the resultant noise wasn't as interesting a canvas as that might suggest. We made it out into the night to grab a couple of haggis samosas, a little fusion cuisine fast food.

Due to continuing stuff and nonsense here, I haven't been in a position to file a report on the Danny and Dusty thing from last week. One of just three shows in the UK on their way to Europe. They do that bar-music pretty good and Dan Stuart has a kind of Hunter S. Thompson doing John Belushi thing going on. Wee bit of Phil Alvin too. Some “hobbit-rock” combo called Porcupine Tree was giving it big licks upstairs in the bigger venue. Every now and again the noise would emerge and try to engulf D&D. “Song for the Dreamers” is one of the great anthems and no amount of prog thunder can halt it. I haven’t heard their new Blue Rose release but the material they did from that sounded pretty good. The whole band was right on the money and sometimes it really soared. If they roll into a venue anywhere near where you are, then head along. This damn thing is still playing up but stay tuned as much keyboard rassling is on the cards.

And how's this for a segue... from Black Lips to Wooden Shjips...

RIP - Bobby "Boris" Pickett (he did the mash...)

There's an ongoing problem here. Some e-mail makes it out and some doesn't. And vice versa. If you've been sending messages and they bounce back or whatever then I've no idea why that's happening. By the time I've sat in front of one of these things day in and day out then the spirit isn't exactly willing to get all square-eyed at home. I don't want people to think that they're being ignored though so please bear with this glitsch. Seems there's no immediate known solution to what might be happening but the contact info via this thing seems to work. I've tried it myself from other terminals. Myspace has been kicking me out again too so it's difficult to get anything done with that flippin' carry on too.

Plus, tonight, I'd much rather be at The Scientists than futzing around here but them's the breaks. Hopefully we'll get a wee report on that. It's bound to be a blinder.

Sign the petition here!

"Psychotic Reaction Films presents
"Ghost on the Highway"
A portrait of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and the Gun Club@The Bernard Shaw, Portobello, Dublin 8
live performances by The Things and Friends
w/ Love Action Dj'sSunday 6th of May 8pm

"GHOST ON THE HIGHWAY"A Portrait of Jeffrey Lee Pierce and The Gun Club"Ghost on the Highway" is the provocative new feature documentary which examines and celebrates the late Jeffrey Lee Pierce in all his puckish, shit-stirring glory. The film is a two-fingered salute in honor of Pierce's legendary band The Gun Club, one of the most notorious and incendiary in the history of American popular music.

"Ghost on the Highway" boasts comprehensive interviews with ex-Gun Club members Kid Congo Powers, Ward Dotson, Terry Graham, Jim Duckworth and Dee Pop, as well as observations and revelations from Pierce intimates such as Dave Alvin ("Blasters"), John Doe ("X"), Henry Rollins ("Black Flag;" "Rollins Band"), Mike Martt ("Tex and The Horseheads") and Peter Case ("Plimsouls"). Lemmy Kilmister ("Motorhead") makes a special appearance with an aim to excoriate the record industry."Ghost" is directed by Kurt Voss and edited by Andrew R. Powell. Voss and Powell also act as producers on the highly anticipated film, which delivers new insights into the volatile psyche of bandleader Jeffrey Lee Pierce, who died at age 37 after a life of self-abuse which was, by turns, both riotous and tragic.Still criminally undervalued, the Gun Club were the first group to fuse punk and blues, thus paving the way for more high profile contemporary acts like The White Stripes.The release of "Ghost on the Highway" marks the ten year anniversary of Jeffrey Lee Pierce's death.This film showing also features live performances by The Things and Friends!!!!! Dont miss it!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Scientists (en route to The Spitz and ATP) will reduce Resonance FM to swampland between 7 and 8pm this very evening. You can listen to the stramash here. Not sure if it would be available as a stream later but y'never know...

"Influential 70’s art-punks, The Skids will be playing a one off headline show at the Glen Pavilion in their hometown of Dunfermline on Thursday 5th July 2007. Celebrating their 30th anniversary, this gig comes just days before The Skids take to the Main Stage at T in the Park. Before splitting in 1982, they released 4 albums and had 10 chart singles including, Into The Valley, Working For The Yankee Dollar and The Saints Are Coming (recently rerecorded by U2 and Green Day). Founding member Stuart Adamson went on to form the hugely successful Big Country before his untimely death in 2001 and Richard Jobson had a successful career as a writer and presenter before moving into film where he’s enjoyed success with films such as 16 Years Of Alcohol which he wrote and directed.

Jobson will be joined on stage by original bass player Bill Simpson, drummer Mike Baillie and Big Country’s Bruce Watson will fill Adamson’s role on guitar. Tickets are on sale today!

The Skids, Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline, Thursday 5th July

BUY NOW! (Please note: Tickets will be limited to 4 tickets per person.) "

For some reason, until I was at the SYLQ show in London a couple of weeks ago, I never heard of The Mockers. Los Mockers, the Uruguay 60’s mob yes, but not the American variety. It’s been my loss. Anyway, “The Lonesome Death of Electric Campfire” is a fine example of the intersection between superior power punk and NRBQ. And of course, the kids in Spain love them. They’re even on the same label as Nice Man and the Bad Boys. But let’s make up for lost time, “Real Enough For Me” chimes in with that guitar thing that does it everytime. “Doin’ Time” really reminds me of Guadalcanal Diary. So much so that I’d swear that Murray Attaway was singing.

This is a prime example of how roots rock can just bubble away in niche markets which of course is a great thing. It makes a nonsense of the “machine” and indicates that profile should never be confused with an actual hard and fast audience, irrespective of location. If MTV had any power any more then “The Emperor Strikes Out” would be all over it like mud on a pig, you can see the video here. Ever wonder what “Ca Plane Pour Moi” would sound like with a Fastbacks type rocket strapped to it’s arse? While you’re at it, check out “Highway Star”, that’s what really tipped me over the edge. You can always tell the calibre of a band by their cover versions and this to me signals the complete and utter genius of this band.

If you’re a long-standing NBT reader and you know what makes this tick then you’ll really get off on this record. They make the kind of noise that saves souls. At least while it’s flying out of the speakers. Teenage Fanclub types will find much to sooth the cravings also. Put simply, this is perfect pop music. The kind that will always be around to help us out of grave situations.

On the flipside of that is a group called The New York Loose that should have been a legend in their lifetime. Thankfully, even although they gave up, they never gave in. “Born To Loose” is a collection of rare and live sides that indicates just how great they were. It’ll hopefully provide those who never came across them with the smarts to petition a reissue of their fantastic “Year of the Rat” album that came out on Hollywood Records many moons ago. Brijitte West should have been a star. She should have been on the cover of all the magazines. However, the various powers that were, blew it. Imagine if The Dolls were The Sweet fronted by Suzi Quatro channelling Chrissie Hynde. Man. This lassie could pout and by all accounts still can. That’s why she’s giving this rock thing another roll of the dice. “Bitch” starts the whole ball rolling with that patented NY skirl that makes our eyes water every time. The kind that very few bands this side of The Star Spangles are capable of wrangling. “We are the monolith kids” goes the chorus of track two and they were so right. “Pretty Suicide” is THE glitter rock anthem in waiting. I could describe them all to you but wouldn't you rather bathe in the glam-deur yourself? There are 19 tracks and an added bonus of video enhancements. “Lord Won’t You Send Me A Devil” sends me spinning back to the Lower East side watching The World Famous Blue Jays bring down that amphetamine country which was much in its infancy at the time. Brijitte also had a band called San Dusky after the Loose called it a day which carried that roots sound into a more contemporary setting. It too should have put the lady on the map but they were gone almost as soon as they started. Look out for NYL shows to tie in with the release, check out their myspace page for details. You can bone up on the history and make like you were into them all along.
It's out May 14th but you can pre-order it here.

Better late than never after all. Just like me and The Mockers.

Sort of wanted to see The Drones tonight but the thought of three bands at Barfly is too much for a school night. Maybe I could go see The Choke on Tuesday instead and leave before Theatre of Hate. That could be a plan? Still smarting at not being able to see The Scientists on Thursday but what's a skint, burned out guy to do. At this point, The Black Lips seem like a poor substitute but let's give 'em the benefit of the doubt. Thinking about it is making my head nip so out into the fresh air I go...

SOS 1st Birthday Bash

Featuring live sets from wacky Stockholm minstrels,
THE MEXICOS and special secret guests,
plus SOS DJs spinning the usual mix of super Swedish pop!

Friday, May 11, 9pm to 1am, 4GBP entry

RAFA Club, 27 Ashley Street, G3 6DR, 0141-332 4465

SOS: Sounds of Sweden is celebrating its first birthday on Friday, May 11 and we're doing it in style, with a live set from wacky Stockholm collective THE MEXICOS and special secret guests! We've had an exciting first year, packed with spectacular live performances and fantastic floor-filling sets from both resident and guest DJs. We've played host to a diverse mix of artists in a variety of venues, from Swedish-language crooners Vapnet, who wooed a seated crowd at an intimate Sleazy's gig, to elusive underground electro producer Mr Suitcase, who set the dance floor alight at a packed Admiral Bar. For many of the musicians, it was the first time they had played outside of Sweden, and after the warm reception they received, most are already planning return trips. Founder Stacey Shackford has a nose for sniffing out new up-and-coming talent, and several SOS acts have gone on to be nominated for the Manifest Awards, Sweden's version of the Emmys, including Maia Hirasawa, Hello Saferide, Blood Music, Vapnet and Suburban Kids With Biblical Names. SOS has appeared in several publications and music web sites, both in Sweden and the UK, including a special feature on Swedish pop in the Guardian. We have worked together with other Glasgow venues and promoters (including Out To Play, El Rancho Relaxo, Dolly Mixture, Edinburgh University Indie Society, Pop Theory, Drunk At The Pulpit and The Winchester Club) to facilitate opportunities for Swedish acts we couldn't fit on our bill, and have also helped to build a network of other Swedish club nights across the UK. And we recently teamed up with Stockholm club Starfly to expand - and possibly export! - our operations. We simply love Swedish pop and our mission is purely to help the artists and promote it in any way we can, and to that effect we operate as a non-profit. This year promises to be just as exciting, starting with our birthday celebrations on May 11. We'll be returning to the place where it all kicked off a year ago (Friday, May 12, 2006 to be exact) - The RAFA Club on Ashley Street in the Woodlands area of Glasgow. With their crazy repertoire of cheesy yet genius electro covers of artists like Toto, Bryan Adams and Aaliyah, THE MEXICOS will surely get the party hopping. The Stockholm collective features Mikael Hall, Douglas Holmquist and an ever-changing motley crew of friends, including members of Oh Sweet Music and Suburban Kids With Biblical Names (who will also be playing a gig at Nice n Sleazy two days earlier, on Wednesday, May 9). It will be their first UK appearance.There will also be surprise guests doing their own covers of Swedish songs, and other special treats!

The Mexicos:

http://www.myspace.com/mexicos

additional MP3s: http://themexicos.blogspot.com/

Sounds of Sweden:

http://www.soundsofsweden.com

A full list of acts we have helped bring over in 2006/07:

Elias Akesson (of Elias and the Wizzkids)/Irene/Southside Stalkers/Moneyflight/My Darling YOU!/Blood Music/Fine Arts Showcase/Boy Omega/Suburban Kids With Biblical Names/Maia Hirasawa/
Hello Saferide/Vapnet/The Loveninjas/Bjorn Kleinhenz/Television Keeps Us Apart/Mr Suitcase/Sebastian Fors and the Ones That Got Away/A Smile And A Ribbon/Thomas Denver Jonsson

'BEATSVILLE' & 'Beatsville Records'
present a special launch night featuring

THE WILDEBEESTS
KEITH DOUGLAS & THE CORPS OF DISCOVERY
PRESTON PFANZ & THE SEATON SANDS
Les BOF!
THE ROHYPSTERS
THE FNORDS

SATURDAY 5TH MAY, HENRY'S CELLAR BAR,
MORRISON STREET EDINBURGH 8PM-3AM £7




Edinburgh's Beatsville announces the launch of its own label BEATSVILLE RECORDS.

Our first two releases are both compilations:




On 10" Vinyl 'BEATSVILLE SOUND No 1.' With The Wildebeests, The Thanes, Keith Douglas, The Rohypsters, Preston Pfanz & The Seaton Sands, The Fnords, Harmonica Matt, Les BOF!






And, on CD 'GARDYLOO - Edinburgh's Detritus 1983 - 2003' an historical 28 track collection of Edinburgh garage rock'n'roll featuring The Green Telescope, The Stayrcase, Rubber Dolfinarium, The Dragsters, The Vultures, The Offhooks, Greathead Briggs and many more.

As this thing was being put through its paces, someone is committing the ultimate EPK to the mail in between slayings. It all looks like computer graphics and very YouTube generation in the way it was rolled out. Like 9/11 looked like "Die Hard". You couldn't make it up. If you did the reaction would be "your arse, that could never happen". Life imitating art imitating life can often seem far-fetched. That this guy was disturbed is simply the tip of the iceberg. Much airtime is being spent on the nature of his operation but ultimately he failed. Little or nothing is ever "remembered" these days except by those that it directly affects. Nothing much really sticks to what is left to the minds of anybody. How can you stop this kind of incident? You can’t. I found this piece (April 19th post)which put a better perspective on what went down than the many acres of press coverage.

During my computerless days there, I learned that a colleague at work knew that there was an election coming up here in Scotland but didn’t know when. And that he probably wouldn't vote anyway. It’s true, people aren’t included but they have to make an effort. There's too much as stake. The run-up is a freak show and not in a good way like the SYLQ song. What was it that Iggy said? "I don't believe in anything, I don't stand for nothin'". It’s all come true. Just like 1969. In the weekend of Jimmy's birthday, he's been born out to be something of a scuzz rock Nostradamus. Pity he made "The Weirdness" and spoiled it. But nothing lasts forever. Far as I can tell. And anything good lasts even less long.

As always, following a period sans computer, I detest the dependancy that comes along with the device and wonder exactly now I can beat this addiction. After all, I have managed not to succumb to the mobile phone menace and also a couple of other blots on the modern landscape that labour under the misinterpretation of convenience. I do have a phone but only for use in an emergency or to make arrangements on the hoof. I ain't never done the "i'm on the train/bus". Nor have I ever wandered along the road staring at a phone screen. My wee, fat sausage-like fingers weren’t made for texting. Seguing into related territory. I'm from Barcelona (T Mobile) and Peter, Bjorn and the other fella (Sky TV) are the latest acts to fall victim of TV advertising. In past times, this might have scored both a hit but with everything fragmentised then all it does is get it into the ears of people who are quite patently over-stimulated.

So hopefully you folks on the eastern seaboard didn't take the predicted hammering? I haven't seen or heard anything on the news. Do you buy into all this climate change/global warming malarky. Granted it has been unseasonably warm here but a clobbering back to winter could come at anytime. Seems to me like this is the latest weapon to beat us with. The double edged sword of the planet going down the pan and "terrorism (TM)". I don't trust anything I see or hear anymore, even when I see and hear it for myself, especially when I see and hear it myself. Last night, I dreamt that I quit blogging. It felt pretty good to the point that I was a little disoriented until I switched on the computer and found out that we were still "broadcasting".

So that’s some kind of convoluted way of saying I’m back. At least for the time being. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing because I have a backlog of mail and info to dig through that would choke a cyber-horse. And remember, The Choke are at all over the UK opening for Theatre Of Hate. More as I figure you need to hear it, including a Danny and Dusty report from Wednesday’s Glasgow show. Meanwhile here are details of the upcoming Americana weekend in Glasgow. A "pass" ticket is also available for £36.

Kim Fowley, The Rising Storm, Wildebeests and Jacqueline Taïeb all scheduled for the next Primitive fest...

OK, i'm "off the air" now until at least Thursday... them is indeed the breaks.

Check this out in the meantime... (link via e-mole)

RIP - Don Ho

Mr Spence has the follwing information for you...



The Grease Monkeys are comin' visiting some of our English friends this weekend, here's the lowdown...





FRIDAY 20TH APRIL (Hitler's birthday) at JUNKTION 7, Canning Circus, Nottingham, NG7 3GE; £5; 9pm - 2am
SONIC DIRT proudly presents a Night of Tributes to the World's Forgotten Birthday Boy - Iggy Pop - featuring
THE HIP PRIESTS www.myspace.com/hippriests
THE GREASE MONKEYS www.myspace.com/thegreasemonkeysrock
FERRIDAY FIREBALLS www.myspace.com/ferridayfireballs
www.myspace.com/staticparty

SATURDAY 21ST APRIL (Iggy's birthday) at THE MAGNET, Hardman Street, Liverpool, L1 9AS; £5; 9pm - 2.30am
THE GO-GO CAGE presents
THE GREASE MONKEYS www.myspace.com/thegreasemonkeysrock
BLUE DEMON www.myspace.com/bluedemon13
LADY LUCK'S BURLESQUE BEAUTIES www.myspce.com/burlesquebeauties ...yup, s'right - burlesque dancers!!!
www.myspace.com/thegogocage

Bootleg Booze is a Swedish label that specializes in the rock that only Scandanavia seems capable of rolling out…

The Deadbeats will appeal to those who dig The Hellacopters but with a twist of Thin Lizzy thrown into the mix. “Long Hard Nights” will push all the right buttons because it’s made with a lot of panache. Bringing the finest ingredients of Australian and Detroit to Sweden where it seems to be the perfect environment for it to breed like topsy. A question of temperature indeed. The “Come Clean” EP has 4 tracks, one of them is Cheap Trick’s “He’s A Whore” and you can always tell how cool a band is by the calibre of their cover versions and that famous guitar lick is Dictatorised and as you can imagine that scores pretty much a bullseye around these parts.

Ever consider what Nine Pound Hammer going on “Stars In Your Eyes” as a cross between Mud and The Ramones might sound like? Well, The Accidents are waiting to happen in exactly that holding pattern. To consider that their shows might be a tad boisterous is perhaps an understatement. To be this loud and fast yet retaining that melodic pop edge is some kinda high wire act but they make it across and back time after time with no safety net in sight. "Kings of the Night" is like The Aliens reinventing "This Ain't The Summer of Love". Or even The Clash on the odd occasion when they ripped it up.

The Hangmen Vs The Supersuckers 45 offers “Never Go Home” and “Trouble Man” in an old, loud and snotty demeanour. Rough as a bears arse and flying a rocktastic flag for the sound we veterans will never tire of punching the air to.

The Incubators are from Oslo but suffer the same condition as their label mates. They’ve been sentenced to make the sign of the devil like they just don’t care. These guys remind me of the great b-sides that The Sweet used to bolster their more bubblegum tunes with. Semblance of vintage Alice Cooper in there too. Onetime Gluecifer and Tip Topper alumnus, there’s definitely a bit more glam about this but it swings no less for it. Like Dave Champion sez in the liner notes “Parasite in Paradise sounds like Roky Erickson if he ever got to Scanadanavia”. That scenario is about to happen. Incidentally the Rok is at the Bowery Ballroom in New York tonight. It’s set to be a cold, wet night there. Hold the alligators willya? Final song on the EP is “Vision Express”, crying out to be the theme song of the chain of opticians stores here in the UK. It’s even more reminiscent of our favourite martian and could well be the greatest slice of Norwegian rock since The Tracemen’s “She’s Got A Hard-On”.

Urkke T and the Midlife Crisis are a Scando supergroup with a backyard baby, a maggot, a hellacopter and a maryslim belting out punk rock classics the way only such a crew could. High octane thrills and fun, fun, fun until your daddy wrestles that firearm outta your mitt. They seldom make them like this anymore. Covers of The Users, The Warheads and The Avengers rejuvenated and pogoing harder than the originals ever did.

Mary’s Kids “Destroy” is perhaps the best of the bunch. Like Suzi Quatro fronting Radio Birdman with a chorus worthy of Slade. A rendezvous of sonics and then some. Very sharp revved-up run through of Ike Turner’s “I’m Fed Up” on the flip will make sure you end up anything but. That mood should remain intact just so long as you keep flipping the record over. I can’t legislate for the bummer that might ensue when you stop.

You can check out the sounds and all the info at the BB site, just click on the link back there and get lost in the waves of unbridled rock action.

This is not a gig poster, it's a serious plea for information... click on the image to enlarge.

The gods or who/whatever continue to conspire agin me and this portal is acting up again into the bargain. This may result in no more posts for the next day or three but we'll see... there also seems to be an ongoing e-mail problem, so if you've sent a message and got no reply over the past week then use the contact link here because that "seems" to work.

Anyway, have a look at this Germs story if you're bored. (link courtesy of Bruce Bennett)

More US Punk Rock, The Choke (pictured) are headed your way opening for Theatre of Hate over the next week or so. Tuts in Glasgow on Tuesday (24th).

Danny and Dusty at Glasgow ABC2 on Wednesday.

Good luck to all the folks in the tri-state area and above and below these parts, who are expecting a big storm today. Hopefully it'll just be "wind and pish" on the behalf of the forecasters and you come out unscathed.

Checks and balances, swings and roundabouts, all part of the day to day tolerance testing. I was having a pretty good week all told until last night when it all sped downhill pretty rapidly. Nothing to do with The Sopranos (which was great, and was over by the time the phone rang). Nowt I can exactly drag through the neighbourhood. Just plain bad news that affects people that I have some concern for. Once again, a perspective not exactly considered, comes crashing into view, all a far cry from where I was at this time last Friday.

But hey, existence must go on and will go on regardless. Waiting (im)patiently for the WFMU archive of Amy Allison's sesh on "Give The Drummer Some" earlier today. Will post when available. Meanwhile, check out this review of "Everything And Nothing Too" to get you in the mood...

(Update at 7.40am - Saturday...)

It's up there, setlist is...

Don't You Know Anything/Don't Go to Sleep/Don't Go Downtown/Out of Sight, Out of Mind/Have You No Pride?/Listeless and Lonesome/Every Day Is Like Sunday/Was/Pretty Things to Buy/Baby You're the One/Moonlight on the Mountains/Rose Red

live on WFMU. Absolutely sodding priceless... Whole show is cool, Amy comes on about 2 hours in. Abetted by Pete Galub on guitar.

OK so i'm just about to sit down to watch The Sopranos so this'll be short and sweet.

Some stuff you might care to schedule should you be in the locale of such happenings...

Kill Your Timid Notion in Dundee this weekend.

The Spitz Festival of Blues (all through April) including The Scientists on the 26th. They should be landing in Spain right about now to tear the place up starting tomorrow.

Le Weekend in Stirling (last weekend in May)

Hello Saferide is headed for Japan. Shows next week.

To the dvd player it is then...

Lucky 13! - That's where Maia Hirasawa hit in the Swedish album charts today!

No need to call out the taste police in that territory then...

(Thanks to Martina for the info)

RIP - Terry Hall (Not the guy from The Specials)

"Mark Perry of Sniffin' Glue and Alternative TV fame is appearing at the Filthy Macnasty's Whiskey Cafe, Amwell St London (nr Angel tube) on April 12th - entrance is FREE!!! He'll be having a talk about punk (as the venue is linked to a punk posters exhibition) - playing a few songs with myself on guitar and Steve Carter on bass (the stage is too intimate for as drumkit!) and taking a few questions afterwards.

Be there!!! Or be somewhere else....."

Info from Lee McFadden

This is part of a weekend of events taking place in Glasgow at the end of May. I would urge people in Central scotland to support this. As I would urge people in all countries to support people who are trying to organise shows outside of the "circuit". I think Robbie may also be doing Newcastle and London so if you haven't seen him then treat yourself. He has a double live album coming on Yep Roc this May 1st. It could very well be the Americana "On Your Feet Or On Your Knees". Visit the Fallen Angels Website for further details. I'll post more as it becomes available. incidentally, FA are putting on Heidi Talbot at Brel in Ashton Lane tonight...