All the info you need!...

You'll have to excuse the fact that there's no real post today. This is because work on my screenplay for "Haggis In A Black Leather Jacket" has taken precedence. This is a gaelic homage to the first John Waters film and will play out like a cross between "Whisky Galore" and "Pink Flamingos". Also, even although there's a postal strike - when I happened by the collection office this very am - my copy of SWEAT was there. It had snuck in just before the old industrial action swung into play. No deliveries until next Thursday at the earliest but the upside of that is that there'll be no bills either. Ok so let’s see there’s a bunch of things here to distract you from what you ought to be doing, starting with…

Vera Peppermint version of the ACC chestnut “John Cassavetes”.

A Roky/Elevators tome (info courtesy of Dr Hesske)

Groovy new find (by Amy Allison)… Nicole Atkins

And there was more but I've just lost the document that it was all cut and pasted on... this is obviously a sign, so see ya...

Sometimes it seems as though the world has gone all Christopher Guest. Like we're, or I rather, might be living out some big spoof. Where somehow a band circumnavigating a record label and an utter balloon making a speech without notes is news? Here in this particular bubble, importance lies with the fact that Säkert! is doing shows in Sweden and it's unlikely that I'll be able to attend. There's just too much going on plus there's the flat out broke scenario to contend with. Life being the proverbial b-ii-atch and all that. This postal strike looks like it'll disrupt things majorly too, I was kind of hoping for a stay of execution on that. For my own selfish ends you understand, not for the greater good. Anyway, it's Friday, the grind is over momentarily and this blighter about to be switched off for the evening. Happy trails.

(Thanks to Mr Hägred for the Säkert! info)

I just got this incase any of you are interested...

"We can exclusively announce UK punk legends, THE SEX PISTOLS, have just confirmed their first Scottish show in 12 years at Glasgow’s, SECC on Sunday 18th November.

As a GigsInScotland registered user (That's me!) - this is YOUR EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY to buy tickets for this incredible show. Don’t miss this unique pre-sale chance to ensure you get your ticket to see The Sex Pistols live!

LIMITED PRE-SALE TICKETS available HERE as of FRIDAY 5th OCTOBER 9AM

GENERAL RELEASE TICKETS available HERE as of SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER 9AM"

Ticket price appears to be 35 quid, probably plus a 4 quid booking fee, but if you're so inclined...

At least they're coming north to fleece us direct...

Rezillos shows start tonight in Inverness (click image to enlarge)

My copy of It's Alive has arrived, but I have yet to find the four hours or so to watch it all... In the mean time here's a couple of Youtube shorts: 1, 2, 3, 4....

Hello Saferide in a Brazilian elevator... (takes a wee while to load but it's worth it)

Fret not, we won't be breaking out the ol' five-stringed banjo -- just all the more reason to come join Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. this week for our first ever appearance at Banjo Jim's! Two big shows are in store, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00, and there's not only no cover charge, but no banjo, either. Sweet, yes?
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4th / BANJO JIM'S / 700 East 9th Street (on the corner of 9th Street and Avenue C) in Manhattan's "East Village", NYC / Two sets, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / Followed at 10:00 by the expectedly well-cooked Swamp Cabbage /
No cover charge!
Remaining banjo-free, as always,
Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

As October seems destined hurtle by in much the same way as September did, I've somewhat come to the conclusion that I have no control over the order and priority of the day to day. Seems like I used to have all that nailed but no more, also I'd like to spend less time in front of a computer screen. Way less time, both here and at work. Adding to everyone's info overload is something that seems somewhat surplus to requirements. The constant bombardment gets to be very tiring and can turn something that's supposed to be fun into a chore. Sound familiar?

Time to take some kind of stock then, in terms of what's up with what’s going down. My liner notes for the upcoming Munster Nomads and Supersuckers dvds are completed and filed with the relevant authorities in Madrid. Couple or three other bits and pieces to take care of but after that it's a straight run into The Boonaraaas London debut on November 2nd at Dirty Water. Reserve your tickets by clicking on the logo to your immediate left. Of course, some of you will be digging The Sonics that self same night at Cavestomp in Brooklyn.


As of tomorrow, another mail strike is set to swing into action and it'll last until next Thursday, give or take. I guess that'll hold up delivery of my copy of Sweat for another while? It’s all set to escalate and I imagine that it's gonna get ugly in the run up to the big money spinner and the fact that boths sides won't want to capitulate. Meanwhile what about the stuff we've ordered!?

As the news of the Pistols re-recording “Anarchy” for some computer game (dearie me - not terribly indicative antichrist behaviour is it?) broke, PUNK 365 arrived to remind us of times long past. This is a veritable doorstop of a volume that has plenty to distract you from what you ought to be doing. Get yourself a Home Blitz cd to accompany this malingering and odds are you could put off what you meant to do for, och, days at least. P365 is a total bargain from Amazon so treat your good or bad self.
The Ramones It’s Alive double dvd is out too. Order both to score super saver delivery!

As I attempt to get my head around the "bucky gift pack" concept, further rumours of a deluxe version with a burberry scarf type ribbon and a cap are as yet unsubstantiated.

OK, gonna put some music on and I'm going to veg out. Order and priority have been AWOL for long and weary, another day or so in the wilderness won't hurt. Have a fine evening, whatever you end up getting up to.

I've always believed that tha Scandanavian quality of life is better and this is further borne out by the information below.

What better way to forget this blah days to Christmas malarky than to be looking forward to a real Rok around the Christmas tree. (Thanks to Mr Hagred for the info)

ROKY ERICKSON and the EXPLOSIVES office party tour!

Thursday - 13th December 2007 - Malmo, Sweden, KB
Saturday - 15th December 2007 - Stockholm, Sweden, Nalen
Sunday - 16th December 2007 - Stockholm, Sweden, Nalen
Tuesday - 18th December 2007 - Helsinki, Finland, Tavastia
Thursday - 2oth December 2007 - Oslo, Norway, Rockerfeller
Friday - 21st December 2007 - Gothenburg, Sweden, Tragarn - SOLD OUT

London's finest, the mighty Blacktime are playing two shows over here in Holland this week. Tomorrow (03.okt) at the first night of the Rotterdam Rumble and on Thursday (04.okt) at DBs here in Utrecht.

The Stripchords take to the Thames!

Hey ho kidlets!

The Stripchords are set to take their patent-pending mix of instrumental sleaze and vintage 8mm nudie cutie flicks onto the river Thames on Wednesday October 10th, when they take to the stage on the Battersea Barge, in support of former Stairs fella Edgar 'Summertyme' Jones' combo, um, Edgar Jones & The Joneses. This shindig comes to you courtesy of the redoubtable Rock'n'Roll Soul crew and tickets are limited, so get yerself a ticket quick, like!

See you at the ba-arrrrr, me hearties!

Selah!

The Stripchords

Edgar Jones & The Joneses, The Stripchords, Black Elvis@ Rock'n'Roll Soul Goes Large On The Barge, The Battersea Barge, Nine Elms Lane, London SW8

Wednesday October 10th at 7.30pm - £7

www.rocknrollsoul.co.uk

www.myspace.com/thestripchords

The Works are a new band from Amsterdam and they are playing their second show this Friday at the Baarmoeder (Zeeburgerdijk 265) They feature a former member of Frites Modern and tell me they sound "Dictators-like", they even do a Dutch language version of 'New York, New York' ('Mokum, Mokum') Reasons enough to warrent investigation I'd say...

RIP - Ned Sherrin

Upp Till Kamp translates as "How Soon Is Now?!", actually there may be more exclamations and question marks involved but that'll do for now. UTK, the soundtrack, is music composed for the 4 part TV series of the same name. Composed by Mattias Bärjed, it runs the gamut from authentic 60's garage rock through soul balladry to fuzz instrumentals not unlike Jack Nitzsche. It's absolutely stellar and I doubt that you'll hear a better OST this (or maybe any other) year. It's a 2cd set which features an array of musicians including fellow TSOOLer Ebbot Lundberg and the Martin "Konie" Ehrencrona. Release by Razzia, is something you really need to treat yourself to. It'll keep you warm for many years to come. And the films themselves, well that's available on dvd with full English subtitles. Set in Gothenburg between 1966 and 1976, it follows the (mis)fortunes of four close friends. UTK is about aspiration, principle, compromise and ultimately being worn down, in other words, real fucking life. Kind of like a Mike Leigh piece with a rock'n'roll heart. And I don't think I've ever seen that much smoking on screen. Ever. All of the main players are exceptional. In particular, Fanny Risberg that plays Lena. Somebody should be thinking about making a record with this girl. The version of "Stay With Me Forever" on disc 2 is heartbreaking. I guess it's an old song judging by the credits but you just never know, anyway if the original is better then it really must be something. Those Gary Brookeresque keyboards, blimey. The whole thing is operating in a zone way beyond mere authenticity and I really hope that you take whatever chance presents itself to see and hear this.

More Info here

Listen again to "The Story of Flowers in the Rain" on BBC Radio 4. Tony Blackburn recalls the 1967 hit Flowers in the Rain by The Move, the first record played on Radio 1. A controversial publicity stunt to promote the single led to the band being sued by Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Contributors include former band members, photographers, producers and fans.

Dr Hesske sent me this, even if it's not real, it certainly rocked me like a hurricane.

Couldn't resist that... trying to hang onto the moment. (Makes hail satan sign on way to kitchen)

Ok, so while I get my bearings - check these things out...

Tickets for the David Lynch/Donovan "Catching The Big Fish" event on Friday October 26th at The Queens Hall in Edinburgh are now available to book online.

TM is just the ticket for the impending long dark nichts... and while we're on the subject, check out what's out on October 23rd.




Postcard Records
tribute night

Sunday, October 7
Mono, 103 King Street, (0141 553-2400)
8pm-12am
£4 suggested donation, proceeds to benefit Oxfam as part of the Oxjam Music Festival

Taking his cue from the melancholic side of the Velvet Underground, the ideals of punk, and his own maverick Caledonian stubbornness, Glaswegian Alan Horne managed in two short years (1979-81) to release a handful of masterpieces that continue to inspire pop people everywhere. Without Postcard Records, there might well have been no Pastels, no C86, no Sarah, no Flying Nun, no Smiths, no indiepop revival at all.
(Steve Thorton - Tweenet)

On Sunday (October 7th), Glasgow will pay tribute with local bands old and new performing live sets of covers from the label that brought us Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera.
Expect to see some famous faces in the line-up – and among the packed crowd – including Malcolm Ross (Orange Juice, Josef K, Aztec Camera), Justin Currie (Del Amitri), The Bluebells, BMX Bandits, The Poems, Wake The President, The Low Miffs, Lou Hickey, DJ Andrew Divine and other special guests.

RIP - Joe Riley (artist)

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. returns to Otto's Shrunken Head this week for its last-Thursday-of-every-month dose of tiki tonic -- and with returning special guest singer Miss Rosalie Morris joining us for good measure! "The Southern Spitfire", as we like to call her, will offer the tropical cure for whatever ails you, alright. Unless it's something really serious, in which case you should just drink. Heavily.
-----------------------------------------------------
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD TIKI BAR & LOUNGE / With special guest singer ROSALIE MORRIS! /
538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan / Two B-I-G shows, from 8:00 sharp 'til 10:00 / With DJ Scratchy ("He's square...He's yellow...He's solid state!"), salty snacks and your barkeep Pam / No cover! /

And, coming up in Thursday-happy October...
-----------------------------------------------------
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4th -- Banjo Jim's (NYC)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11th -- teneleven bar (NYC)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th -- Otto's Shrunken Head (NYC)
-----------------------------------------------------
Details galore at...
http://www.SITandDieCo.com/
http://www.myspace.com/sitanddieco/
-----------------------------------------------------
Yours in health,
Michael, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

The Primevals will be back in the ring this October with these Edinburgh and Glasgow shows to herald the release of "there is no other life and this is it" on their own 'triple wide' label on October 12th. They're also on the upcoming Dirty Water Imprint Fleshtones tribute and set for a show at that self same club on December 7th. Full details on how to get all this stuff coming soon!

Got myself a double dose of culture yesterday to add to my general procrastination. I imagine that if I'd stayed at home I'd be no further forward anyways. Not that I'm trying to convince you either way. So anyways, it was Doors Open Day here and as part of that, the old Hippodrome renovation in Bo'ness was one of the buildings involved. You may have caught me gabbing about the place before. T'was an interesting wander indeed and it's hoped that the place will be open as a cinema and heritage centre sometime in 2008. It's an amazing space, sort of like the Roundhouse in London only minatureised. I'm not sure it would be possible to be used for live music but I can't see how it couldn't be utilised in an acoustic sense. Time and some investigation will no doubt tell. There were a lot of interested parties. Let's hope that keeps up when it actually opens. Then it was off to Glasgow to see a movie that might actually have played there back in the 60's, Sam Fuller's "Pickup on South Street". It was shown to launch the publication of The Dark Page by Kingly Reprieve which I just saw on Amazon for the bargain price of £7.67! It's possibly a mistake so score your copy now at this canny rate. Couldn't hang around for the Monorail Film Club shindig but I did get my tickets for the David Lynch/Donovan event in October. Tried to buy a couple extra incase any of you folks were up for it but they were all gone. Many thanks to Marc Baines for hipping me to this particular trip...

RIP - Alice Ghostley

Events of the past few days have been a wee bit overwhelming. It's going to take some time to try and process all that's gotta be dealt with. This is both good and bad but most certainly not evil. Anything but. I was all set to go and have a look at the Hippodrome in Bo'ness today, part of the Doors Open Day. It's only open tomorrow though so that's postponed. It's going to re-open as a cinema and heritage centre during 2008. Wonder what happened to the plans to put on music? Anyway, I hope to find out about all that tomorrow...

Meanwhile, it's probably time to "get in aboot" what has to be "gotten inaboot". 'til later perhaps. I see that the formatting has gone back to normal, everything indeed comes to he who waits. And waits a little more.

Still feeling a wee bit woolly after having way too much fun at the wedding of Captain David Scott and Margaret yesterday. Congratulations to those fine folks.

Amy Allison is on a plane headed for Newark as I tap away and you can hear her on Ricky's American Tunes on Radio Scotland tonight between 8.05 and 10pm. Listening to the tunes she recorded during the trip, there's another excellent album headed your way in the wilds of 2008.

MONORAIL FILM CLUB PRESENTS –
THE HOLY MODAL ROUNDERS:
BOUND TO LOSE
and SILVER JEW
This month Monorail Film Club turns it's attention to two generations of American underground music. The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound To Lose chronicles the wild forty-year history of 'The Rounders', who originated as a 1960's Greenwich Village psychedelic folk duo of Peter Stampfel and Steve Weber. Featured in the film are Dennis Hopper, former band member Sam Shepard, Peter Tork of The Monkees, Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo, The Fugs, Loudon Wainwright III, among many others.

Silver Jew is an intimate portrait of sometimes reclusive poet/ musician David Berman and his band the Silver Jews on their historic first visit to Israel in 2006. For Berman this trip was always going to be significant and emotional and the film offers a unique insight into the charismatic word-genius as he performs his music in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with a country-tinged incarnation of his group which includes his wife Cassie.

Sunday 23rd September, 6.45. We very much recommend booking tickets in advance.

GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow. 0141 332 8128

Mr Rafferty wishes it to be known that The Beat Poets are playing the Bell St Stage at the Merchant City Festival in Glasgow on Saturday 22nd September. Stage time is 1:20 to 2:30pm.

I HATE 4 band bills. Particularly when the perceived order is futzed with. So thinking that by arriving late, we would actually miss one of the others - it was a bastard to turn up at Tuts to find that The Vivians had been on first. So this meant having to endure two others that might, to quote that Calvin Harris guy, have been "acceptable in the Eighties" but tonight it's two dollups of grating bollocks. Two bands that pushed the running time back to mean that leaving the SohoDolls set during "Weekender" to catch the last train was the less than satisfactory result.

I don't like going to Tuts anymore. Haven't since they got rid of the big mirror at the bar area. However, the 'Dolls deserve better. They should have been on second to last because then people wouldn't have had to leave. They also wouldn't have to endure way inferior musical faffing. If the "Ribbed Music" album is a little too polished then catching the band live is the way to put flesh on those production bones. The band also look greats and Tony Sailor reminded me of the one and only Keith Streng, you know that's a big plus around here. The loudness provides the songs a visceral quality and in places it's like Jo Callis period Human League sculpted by Al Jourgensen. Maya Doll's vocals were crystal clear and the overall sound in general was amazing. There are obviously samples involved but who the fuck cares when it's as well delivered as this. I've seen some rather unkind dismissals of the album, obviously penned by people who wouldn't know a real, living, breathing, groovy ensemble if they fell across it. SohoDolls are a rare commodity in these piss-poor pop saturated times. So, no chance to hear "Stripper" as we make our way into the rain but I'm sure it would have brought the house down. No other group in the UK has come close to capturing the heady days of The Sweet or Mud to my mind in recent living memory.

If you're in Aberdeen tonight then head for The Tunnels, they're in Greenock(!) tomorrow (Thursday) so give the QE2 a bodyswerve and get down to Reds. There are shows all over the country, check their myspace. They have potential to burn in the old-fashioned biblical sense but is that enough in these ADD festooned times? Only time will tell...

Dammit. I just discovered some stuff I should have posted over the last week or so. It was on a folder on my desktop that should have been visible but evidently never registered on my peepers when I logged on. Apologies if that has hurt anyone's draw in terms of shows, etc. I bit off more than these teeth can deal with, OK? However equilibrium should be restored over the next few days. I said "should" there as a possible disclaimer.

No drive to the stalag this morning. That has to be a good thing... don't think I have any petrol anyhoo.

For the fifth year in a row, Impolite Records proudly present their annual, free rock 'n' roll frenzy: Impolite Garage Fest! IGF is the only way to get your rock 'n' roll in The Hague. A town once known for great sixties beatbands as: The Golden Earrings, The Motions, Shocking Blue & Q65.

We try to live up to that spirit! This year we got: Lo-Lite (Slovenly recording artists from Arnhem play dirty "a bridge too far" garageblues), The Quotes (Rotterdamned punkrock'n'rollers voted best Dutch live act by Grunnen's Vera crowd), Los Tiki Boys (For that special surf sensation! With (ex-)members of The Kliek, Firebirds, Ouke Baas, Treble Spankers and Hallo Venray), The Peptones (garageR’n’R from The Hague with special guest Eric Geevers, of the legendary Ace-Tones, on his vox continental).

Last but not least we got Mark Sultan (aka BBQ). Straight from Canada comes half of The King Khan & BBQ Show, Former member of Les Sexereenos and The Spaceshits. His latest and greatest record is called “The Sultanic Verses” and is released by In The Red Records. On top of that marvellous line-up we got some of the coolest dj's who'll spin their grooviest 45's all night long!!! What about: Stefan Stardumb? Well, he'll be there! And as always: The Upper Shelves, Ziggy The Zigster, Robbie The Robster, Alvin and The Boogieman! And introducing: Funkstrut! So, come shake your hips, have a drink and meet your friends at our free Rock 'n' Roll Extravaganza! Hope to see you there,

Bram Haasdijk (Impolite Records, The Peptones)

WWW.IGF5.TK

WWW.PEPTONES.NL

Pick Up On South Street (PG)
Glasgow Film Theatre, Rose Street.
Sunday 23rd September @ 4.30pm.

To mark their publication of THE DARK PAGE, the long-lost 1944 crime novel by Hollywood iconoclast Sam Fuller, GFT and Glasgow's Kingly Reprieve Books presents a special screening of Fuller's frantic slam-bang noir masterpiece, Pickup On South Street. Lowlife pickpocket Richard Widmark and B-girl Jean Peters reluctantly save the world from a communist spy ring. From the startling opening close-ups, chronicling a pursesnatch in a crowded, greasy New York subway, it develops into a torrid love story and spy thriller where the world hangs in the balance. The film is introduced by David Will, who got to know Fuller during the Edinburgh Film Festival's 1969 retrospective, the book will be launched in the GFT bar at 3.30 and available at reduced price for one day only.

and from the press release for the book -

"If you don’t like Sam Fuller, you just don’t like cinema.”~ MARTIN SCORSESE

As director and writer, Sam Fuller is revered for raw films noir like Pickup on South Street and searing war movies such as The Big Red One, earning a devoted cult of fans that has included filmmakers from Jean-Luc Godard to Quentin Tarantino, and writers from James Ellroy to George Pelecanos. Before movies, however, Fuller was a newspaperman, and a prolific novelist, blasting out books for the disreputable pulp market. Drawing on his own experience, Fuller sets this story against the vividly rendered world of Manhattan’s ravenous tabloid newspaper industry. The Dark Page is the tale of Carl Chapman, a powerful city editor turned murderer, who finds himself hunted through the pages of his own paper by the young star crime reporter he personally groomed.

First published in 1944, this fantastically readable murder story has been unavailable for decades, and never published in the UK before. A bestseller in its day – when it was awarded “Best Psychological Novel of 1944” - the novel’s page turning pace, hardboiled stance, cynical wit and grit remain surprising, as do the cinematic eye and powerhouse story-telling of its author. A gripping noir snapshot of its era, with still-pertinent observations on the workings of the tabloid press, it is one of the great rediscoveries of the year.

I wonder what happened to the formatting on this? Not aware that anything was futzed with at this end to cause this but you never know. And, some messages with regard to not being able to access the posting area when I DO get a chance to attempt some of my patented gibberish. It seems to be letting me prepare this at least but who knows? I'll press publish and it'll vanish. The Wooden Shjips album arrival put me in a good mood but that's not likely to last. Things are backed up to Jackson Heights here in a manner of speaking so how that all pans out is open to conjecture, particularly up until the end of the month. After that it's expected that things will settle down but such expectation has a tendancy to be extended. I still feel a little EIFF-lagged and I've been busy lollygadding with exotic visitors. Reality is threatening to land me an almighty set of bumps and bruises but bobbing and weaving has kept me outta the range of any direct punch up the throat up to this point. I think a very lazy Sunday is in order. Normal service? How the heck would I know...

RIP - Doug Meech

"Sad news courtesy of James Booth: Original Chesterield Kings' drummer, Doug Meech has apparently passed away recently.

I don't have much information to go on other than a message from current Chesterfield Kings' guitarist Paul Morabito that Doug was found dead in his apartment after having been missing from work for almost a week.

Doug Meech was the original drummer in the Chesterfield Kings, forming the band with Greg Prevost and Rick Cona even before Andy Babiuk was involved. As the 'heart and soul' of the band, Doug (together with Greg, Rick, Andy and Ori Guran and later Walt O'Brien and Mike Pappert), played with the band from 1979-1988 performing on the bands early single and first few records as well as touring the States and Europe with the band. Since his departure from the music scene in 1988, Doug has lived a quiet life. On Sundays he would frequent the record store i work at (the Bop Shop) after church and buy loads of early 60's soul and r&b vinyl. In fact i just saw him last week and asked him if he still had his original Kings' drums (which he did)."

from a Garagepunkrecords.com mailout

FRIDAY SEPT 14 - 8PM - THE DIRTY WATER CLUB - MUSIC ROOM AT THE BOSTON ARMS, JUNCTION ROAD -
ACROSS FROM TUFNELL PK UNDERGROUND STATION
The Wildebeests
http://www.myspace.com/wildebeests
Members of the Kaisers, Milkshakes and Thanes combine their talents to become the Lairds of the Boss Racket. At the Primitive Festival in Rotterdam in June, despite being on a bill with so many great bands, the general opinion was that they were the best thing of the entire weekend!
The Stabilisers
http://www.myspace.com/thestabilisers
Featuring ex-Prisoners / Solarflares /Headcoats / James Taylor Quartet man Allan Crockford, The Stabilsisers are an unholy crossbreed of early Clash, XTC, the Buzzcocks, Generation X and The Boys, with the added genetic fingerprints of The Who in ‘65, the Ramones, The Modern Lovers, The Damned and some of the more angular garage bands of the late 60s
Black Time http://www.myspace.com/blacktimemutant77
Featuring former members of the Action Time and the Hotwires, Black Time indulge their love for underground LA punk legends Crime and obscure, mostly forgotten DIY punk 45s, mixed in with the Cramps and early Fall.
>>some images of Black Time playing the 10 year anniversary gig supporting the Monks
**************************************************************************************
SATURDAY SEPT 15 - PARIS, FRANCE - LA MECANIQUE ONDULATOIRE -
Passage Thiéré
THE WILDEBEESTS + 'garage / punk / surf combo TU SERAS TERRIBLEMENT GENTILLE
www.myspace.com/tuserasterriblementgentille
**********************************************************************************************************
SUNDAY 16 Sep 2007, 18:00 CORN ROCKET CLUB:
the Birdcage, 58 Stamford Hill, London N16, FREE!!!
T H E W I L D E B E E S T S + T H E B U C K E T S

Wooden Shjips have set sail and you can preview the album now. There was a lot to live up to and I think they've got the virus contained. Good old fashioned neu-sy, oscillation. The like of which I haven't encountered since the halcyon Spacemen 3 days. Just the thing for what ails yer... due in a week on cd and vinyl. Just the thing to book your ticket out of this world on the impending winter nights.

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. goes country this week – at the 4th Annual Brooklyn Country Music Festival! It’s a colossal three-day happening of over 20 local pea-pickin’ acts and homemade pie, with our contribution coming on Saturday, September 8th at 6pm on the curtained stage of spacious Southpaw in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Why, we even had our picture in the paper. Complete festival lineup here. Also this week, should you just happen to be in the Philadelphia area, we’re appearing at the 8th Annual Hotroad Hoedown on Friday, September 7th, with all the gassed up details here.
Yours truly, Michael "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Oversubscribed and/or flailing. That's the order of the day around here. Many distractions and a total and utter lack of organisation on my part. Seems like the power to schedule has been lost and hence the rather tardy attempts at making an appearance here. I've sort of lost the will to blog actually. That's the truth of the matter, especially when the ISP seems to be playing up into the bargain. Using a bloody computer all day, every day means that I'm not altogether in the best tid for starting again when I drag my arse home, tonight - like last night - I had every intention of schlepping to Glasgow but the flesh, the spirit and the wallet are all vying for which is the sodding weakest. But anyway, Murray sent me this link to some Hilly the K tributes from outside what was CBGB's. From there you can navigate to more cool images by Debbie CB's. Go do it.

I thought I'd mentioned the Lucky Soul shows and in particular the one in Glasgow tonight at Barfly. Mr Duff sez no so I better rectify that. It's unlikely I'll make it over there but there's a loooooong days hard rain between now and then. Jeez... look at the time, ought to be gone...

RIP - Janis Martin (The Female Elvis)

I had about 5 minutes to post this information earlier from a bulletin recieved from Leee Black Childers. Been checking back and forth throughout the day but the only thing I've come across other than her myspace is this from the Noise Board. It was only last week Rosie Flores alerted the world to the fact that she was terminally ill. Maybe it's a blessing that it happened this fast but obviously not for her family, friends and fans. May she be boppin' with her boy Elvis right this very minute!

Andy Shernoff and Alan Vega and Handsome Dick on the passing of Hilly Kristal.

Wooden Shjips are on the cover-mount cd with the new Mojo. Pt 1 of the new "SOL '07" 45 providing a taster for the album coming on Holy Mountain (September 10th?). You can listen to "SOL Pt. 2" on their myspace continuum. It got that throb.

Bit hectic around here at the minute but that news about The Sonics has really set the heather on fire. Of course, I'll have to sit it out but I'm hoping that Mr Lenny Helsing will report back on what goes down as both his combos, The Thanes and The Wildebeests are in on the action. As are the mighty Fleshtones!

Can't believe that we're grazing September already and there's a lot to consider. Trying to update this thing everyday unravels sometimes. However, between this, that and trying to maintain an existence then this is the hand I've been dealt. It could be way worse or it could be be a tad or two smoother. Anyway, there's some haggis to fry and supplies to be got in. Or is it the other way aboot? Either way, I'm outta here...

THE WAIT IS OVER... AND HERE'S THE WORD!

THE LINEUP (and ticket info) FOR CAVESTOMP! 2007 --

"The GARAGE Rock Festacular!" They said it couldn't be done (hell, WE said it couldn't be done)but... BASEBALL BAT BOMBASTIC-LIKE DRUM ROLL, PUH-LEEZ!

.... STRAIGHT FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST IT'S THE ONE AND ONLY... SONICS!!!!!

First time in 35 years! And these TWO nights are their ONLY shows!Featuring original members: Gerry Roslie!!! on throat/keyboards,Larry Parypa!!! on guitar, and Rob Lind!!! on tenor sax! With DaveRowland (of The Wailers) on drums!! And Don Wilhelm (of The Daily Flash) on bass!!

THE NEW COLONY SIX!!! Doing all their hits! "I Confess!!!" "At theRiver's Edge!!!" "Dawn Is Breaking!!!

"THE STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK!!! Performing their first LP "Incense and Peppermints!" in its entirety! (Complete with surface noise!) Withoriginal members George Bunnell, Lee Freeman, Randy Seoul, Mark Weitz, Gene Gunnels, andSteve Bartek! And now -- the complete lineups!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2
THE SONICS!!!!!!
THE THANES!!!
THE SATELLITERS!!!
THE OUTTA PLACE!!!
THE STAGGERS!!!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3
THE STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK!!!
THE NEW COLONY SIX!!!
THE ALARM CLOCKS!!!
THE URGES!!!THE HIGHER STATE!!!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4
THE SONICS!!!!!!
THE FLESHTONES!!!
(support band to be confirmed)
THE WILDEBEESTS!!!
THE HALL MONITORS!!!

The venue: WARSAW! 261 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn NY! We can't prove it,but this is probably the first time you can get THE SONICS and kielbasa inthe same place since 1964!!! And don't forget Polish beer by the barrel! (Smaller quantities available as well!)

Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day of show, and THANK YOU JE-ZUS!!$90 for a three day pass!!!! Tickets are available NOW!! NOW!! NOW!! thru TICKETWEB at this direct link:

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=20324

If you're in the neighborhood, pick your tix up at Ear Wax Records (218Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn) or Warsaw
(261 Driggs Ave.Greenpoint, Brooklyn -- call (718) 387-0505) starting Wednesday, Sept. 5.

Watch this space for more info!

Hey de ho, kidlets!

The Stripchords return to Londinium next Saturday, to
Mr Eric Ulcer's venerable Corn Rocket Club, to supply some summertime knockers and guitar raunch action, powered by an amazing 65 watts of sound and our new, digital projection system! Support comes from Immortal Lee County Killers fella Sweet Velvet C, and there's also hep weax action from yer very own BigKegShandy and Gluey Louie, plus mein hosts, Eric 'le chemise de bateau' Ulcer and Victor 'silk' Torpedo. AND IT'S FREE! Shenanigans start at 6pm, don't be late... See you at the bar... Selah! The Stripchords

The Stripchords & Sweet Velvet C
The Corn Rocket Club @ The Birdcage
Saturday September 8th
58 Stamford Hill, London N16
BR: Stoke Newington 6pm, FREE

Blue Lagoon Cocktail Lounge

Thee Parkside

Kitty and the Kowalskis are headed for Santa Cruz and SF in September!

RIP: Hilly Kristal.

RIP - Hilly Kristal

Jeez, where would we all be without what this guy did?

Just got the news from Phast Phreddie and Mr Percival.

THE GO-GO. Saturday 1st September,

upstairs at Studio 24, Calton Road, Edinburgh.
60's garage,pop, mod, beat, soul, ska, sleazy-listening, groovy soundtracks, psychedelia, girl groups, French pop, and punk. With DJ's Tall Paul Robinson and Angus.
11pm til 3am (possibly 4 or 5am).

Admission £5 - which also includes entry to Retribution.

£4 for students and artists.
£3 before midnight (with a flyer).

Oh, it's finally decided to let me in... ? Too bad I don't have time to futz around however, it's Sit and Die time again...

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. gets back on schedule at Otto's Shrunken Head this week, friend! A rigorous touring schedule (well, rigorous for us, at least) had us missing our last-Thursday-of-every-month show there in July, but we're back on track with a whale of a show this Thursday, August 30th -- featuring a double bill of surf and turf with our pals, Mr. Action & The Boss Guitars! They'll play the surf and we'll play 'em dirty. The scoop...
-----------------------------------------------------
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD TIKI BAR & LOUNGE /
538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan / Two B-I-G shows, from 8:00 sharp 'til 10:00 -- followed by Mr. Action & The Boss Guitars / With DJ Scratchy ("He's square...He's yellow...He's solid state!"), salty snacks and your barkeep Pam / No cover! / http://www.ottosshrunkenhead.com /
-----------------------------------------------------
And, coming up in September...
-----------------------------------------------------
FRIDAY, SEPT. 7th -- 8th Annual Hotrod Hoedown (Philadelphia, PA)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8th -- Brooklyn Country Music Festival (NYC)

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15th -- Rodeo Bar & Grill (NYC)

THURSDAY, SEPT. 27th -- Otto's Shrunken Head (NYC) /
-----------------------------------------------------
Details galore at... http://www.SITandDieCo.com/
http://www.myspace.com/sitanddieco/
-----------------------------------------------------
Yours truly, Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"
-----------------------------------------------------

So that’s it. The game’s a bogey. It’s all over and I even made it back to the bunker while it was still light today. But let’s back up a little, to yesterday (Saturday). "Trader’s Dreams" is a documentary about people who trade on Ebay and it’s fairly depressing. The footage of those Ebay Live events is downright scary with their belief bordering nay bleeding into religious fervour. I imagine there are chapters of Ebayers Anonymous sprouting up here and there. And if there isn’t there will be. It’s a strange world, as anybody who takes part in it will know. I’m not sure what I expected this to be. A portal into something a little more positive maybe but what I actually got was visual proof that it’s a morass. The aspect of China and the setting up of a company there to choke the growth of Ebay there was decidedly the stuff of war strategy. The wee guy who looked like Feargal Sharkey at alibaba.com means business and they’ve got a big market right there at home to snare as well as harbouring ambitions to roll over the US business model. Also, elsewhere some Mexican people are putting together their own direct selling tool via Ebay to cut out the guy who currently does a roaring trade in their wares. It all comes down to the mighty buck in the end.

Time to kill and en route to the chippy, Abi Titmuss (I think it was her) walked past and never even said hello. Bisom.

"2 Days In Paris" is the actual title of the movie despite what it sez on the ticket. Julie Delpy introduced the screening and boy can she light up a room. She directed and starred in it with here real parents, who were also at the event. The only review I’d read prior was on Little Fugitive. It’s a great little film with plenty of heart that you should see, preferably on the big screen to get the benefit of Paris, but it’d play out fine on dvd too I guess. Not one of those pirated suckers though mind. The song that plays out over the end credits by Ms Delpy and Nouvelle Vague is really something. In any right thinking dimension it’d be a smash hit of CSS proportions.

The downside of being in Edinburgh yesterday was having to travel home in a train full of pissed up rugby fans. But you have to suffer for your art sometimes…

"What Would Jesus Buy?" is a Louis Theroux type piece about a guy called Reverend Billy and The Church of Stop Shopping. He’s something of a cross between Peter Zaremba and Jay Leno with a little Robert Tilton thrown into the mix. It’s pretty funny and should be played on heavy rotation from October. Maybe it’d kick some sense into the conned-sumer fraternity. The attention to detail and the obvious drive beneath the message has my unequivocal support. Right down to the Disney font they use. I read a couple of reviews to the tune that this falls short but I disagree and wish I’d made it to the screening where Reverend Billy and his crew were in attendance. That must have been a hoot.

Only one to go then… swung by the book festival area and made my way back up Lothian Road. Just sitting on a bollard watching the big screen thing, I looked across toward The Sheraton Grand Hotel and there, coming directly toward me was Julie Delpy, her mother and father. Being a bit flummoxed, I felt however that I should acknowledge the fact that I’d seen her film and she smiled and thanked me. Her mother nodded in agreement and they walked on. Presumably headed for the In Person session at bloody Cineworld while I was going to my final movie of the semester “In Search of A Midnight Kiss” just up the road.

I hit up this one on a tip from Mr Kirk Elder Esq., he’d caught it and had been suitably charmed. It’s a real find and somewhat seasonal too. WWJB? dealt with the run-up to Christmas and this covered the dilemma of he onset of New Years. All that was missing was Amy Allison’s “New Years Eve” in the soundtrack. Shot is exquisite monochrome, the stock makes the LA location look very East Coast. It is a real find that’ll hopefully find it’s way into theatres across the world soon. So there you have it, all done and dusted. I’ll do a quick resume with links, etc., maybe tomorrow or something. There’s two weeks of other stuff and a backlog of music to get stuck into. Eventually.

From Mr Spence, I know it's last minute but hey...

"Hey Folks!

THE GREASE MONKEYS are back thru Embra this Saturday playing with the capital's finest... so come on out. Here's the lowdown -

SATURDAY 25TH AUGUST at THE ARK, Wellington Place, Edinburgh; 9 -til- 3; £4

first band on at 10.30pm... THE GIN GOBLINS, THE GREASE MONKEYS,
THE ROHYPSTERS and DICK DANGEROUS & THE LOVE BASTARDS

...it's been billed as a "Turbonegro Aftershow Party", but actually theirs is the warm-up show for this! Word is that it's gonna be packed, so best be there by 10 to avoid disappointment. Anyways, hope to see y'all there.Rock On! ..............Jim"

We're on the home straight now, 4 movies to go... note to self - check what sodding cinema the screening is at. Actually, I just did that for today and I would have been wrong again. Eejit! Anyway, the documentary "LYNCH" is something fans will dig muchly. It contains the stream of conciousness wit and wisdom and the customary handwaving. Filmed during the making of "Inland Empire", it underlines the special qualities of the man. Non-devotees would perhaps wonder what the heck it was all about but you never know. It's a nice little piece. Strange that this screening wasn't sold out which makes me wonder why the Sunday am screening is in such a large room? I imagine that it's all under control. Seeing it's the Sabbath though, I'm headed for "What Would Jesus Buy".

So, I head up the road for my yearly "Lynch" compared fix. I fall for it every time. Hoping that something will actually live up to that tag. Well, this was 87 minutes long and it felt like 187. Not that it didn't look good, it would make a cool backdrop for a band or something but as entertainment, I'd have to say cut it to 45 minutes and it might have a chance. Watching it is perhaps meant to portray the unfulfilment of the main character but by the end of it you'll be looking at your timepiece. I did make it to the bitter end unlike quite a few that shot the crow as it creaked on. And on some more. For much of the film though, I was preoccupied with wondering when it would all be over. If you ever see it then it's the cinema-going equivalent of the seemingly endless hump that's filling the screen. There are a couple of Lynch-like moments and the black and white finish adds an eerie mood but it doesn't get nasty or interesting or anything. It's like an art installation loop. Perhaps a homage to Douglas Gordon? Not really recommended unless you fancy a wee snooze in the dark.

Of course, you could follow this person's premise...

BOMP; THE BOOK!
Now here's something to look forward to...

It was a long day yesterday, conned-puter course all day then up to the Filmhouse to try and get a ticket for "Castells". Was too late though and ended up seeing "The Simpsons Movie" instead. It was OK, three times the length of a TV episode with about the same amount of really good stuff as you'd get in one. There were maybe 10 people in the audience. Anyways, following that I saw The Nukes at Henry's Cellar Bar. It's a pretty good venue but being below a Chinese Restaurant it honks a wee bit. And I'm not big on Chinese food. Anyway with surf-tinged blasters like "Last Tango In Pilrig", I think you folks would like them. They're doing an Instore at Elvis Shakespeare on Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh (2pm) to promote "Picnic In Peking". Anyway it was all capped off by a visit to "Born To Be Wide" where the great Captain Cruickshank was doing his DJ bit. And then it was off for the last train, jst prior to turning intae the proverbial pumpkin.

And on the subject of Cowabunga type antics, on the west coast - The Beat Poets will be shooting the curl at Blackfriars in Glasgow this coming Sunday, 26th August. They'll also be at the Merchant City Fest but I'll remind you 'bout that closer to the time.

More film festival today, back later tonight or first thing tomorrow. Unless I get a better offer, which is somewhat unlikely...

I think I'm losing it. Having spent the past few days in darkened theatres, any sense of time and space is mushed. I'm sure the Filmhouse members screening of was supposed to be Sunday but the girl on the counter in the conference centre sez no. A bit like the computer in the Little Britain sketch. Anyway, no matter, it gave me longer to catch up with my old mucker, Mr K. Elder. Another indication of mind meltdown came a little later with the screening of “... A Bude Hůř (It’s Gonna Get Worse)". For some reason, I thought that it was an old film reactivated but no, it was shot last year. Apparently blown up from 16mm black and white to 35mm same, the background is here and you can find a trailer of sorts here. Beware though, it is NOT WORKPLACE FRIENDLY! There's an element of bizarro world Bill Forsyth-ness to the otherwise bleak canvas of being set in 70's Czechoslovakia. The centre figure is almost Jesus-like and his mate Pig Pen (no Grateful Dead relation) looks like Roky channeling David Thomas. Soundtrack is groovy too and includes The Plastic People of The Universe.

A strangely optimistic optimistic piece in spite of the overall mood, every citizen is seemingly disenfranchised from the relentless oppression. Social deprivation? We don’t know the meaning of the word. The singing of “It’s A Long Way to Tipperary” during a funeral scene is definitely odd. Like somebody mistook it for “Auld Lang Syne”.

Had a night off on Monday but Tuesday’s burst of culture came in the shape of “Comrades In Dreams”. A look at cinemas in India, the US, Ouagadougou and North Korea and the people who run them. I think I would have liked it more if it had been edited into four specific sections, the jumping back and forth seemed to make it seem longer than it actually is. It would have made it easier to get a beat on the individuals for sure and would have made the North Korean section even more surreal. “Titanic” is dissected and is also the subject of the strangest homage I’ve seen in a long time. This would be good playing first on a double bill with "Cinemania".

No more movies until Friday, kicking off with the "LYNCH" documentary… lot of stuff to process through the old napper in the meantime though.

Another day, another movie but no time for reportage. Knackered due to over-extension and just plain running on empty. Need to conserve my energies and all going well will be able to bring you up to some kind of peep by this time tomorrow. Need to figure out what I'm going to see on Sunday so I can score the tickets on Wednesday. It's complicated. As, it seems, is everything...

Awrabest to the great Eric "Roscoe" Ambel who hits the big five-zero today. They'll be hoppin' and boppin' at that old Lakeside tonight alright. Have a good one chief!

My favourite part of the EIFF is the documentary section. It's the most likely place to find something that won't end up in the local multiplex within weeks. So Saturday meant I could feasibly squeeze in three screenings. Might even have pitched for $ if I'd known the weather was going to be so crap. Anyway The Monastery is a real find. About an 82 year old man who wants to turn his castle into such a refuge. Seven years in the making, it has all the hallmarks of something that's done for love and not money. The reward is in seeing it. It's out on dvd later on in the year but see it on a big screen if you can.

Billy The Kid has been getting great kudos at similar gatherings across the world. I was kind of hoping for an "American Movie" but it's kind of stranger than that. Finding out that it was shot in 8 days perhaps explains the seemingly contrived situations. There was a lot to get in. It's like a twisted, potted version of The Wonder Years. The subject, Billy Price, is a peculiar little guy who loves AC/DC and Kiss. His urges and demons are in constant turmoil beyond your average teenager angst. There's a bit of an "awwwww" factor that kicks off as pity and works the audience round to rooting for him. It's not staged but the story is actually better structured than most regular features.

Surgically removed from the "Grindhouse" package, Death Proof is good, old-fashioned recycled exploitation coupled with the feel of 70's US TV shows. There was no Mike Post music in evidence however. On the down side, it's too long but there's more than enough in there to keep readers of this thing occupied. On the upside, it has Rose McGowan. Kurt Russell is great as Stuntman Mike and the soundtrack is a shredder. The "second half" is particularly good, like an episode of The Dukes Of Hazzard directed by Russ Meyer and it's all capped off with April March's "Chick Habit" (both french and english versions) blasting over the end credits. Worth seeing a couple of three times probably. Maybe some enterprising local cinema will get together showing it as originally planned when the Rodriguez section comes out. Although getting the "trailers" might be a problem. Anyway, despite some reservations on my part, pastiche has never been so much fun. Forget "The Bourne Bollocks", taste some real high octane daftness.

I was never a Joy Division fan. The early stuff in particular was quite weedy to my mind and all wrapped in that gritty darkness the frankly seemed a bit overdone. In later years, Martin Hannett developed an inherent heartbeat to create an additional dimension and "Atmosphere" and "She's Lost Control" have never sounded better. But anyway, the fact that Ian Curtis was in a group is almost secondary here. It's a cracking looking film and Anton Corbijn says he has no trouble with composition. No shit Sherlock, that's some kind of understatement. This is like a classic English "kitchen sink" drama directed by Jim Jarmusch. Shot in black and white, the stock is so rich, I swear that I could see vivid colour in the monochrome. Beautiful and stark. I noticed ex-EIFF Artistic Director Lizzie Franke in the cinema and it seems she was involved in the production but anyhow. This actually lives up to the plaudits and pretty much captures the Curtis descent into the maelstrom. When it comes out, see it in the cinema. This is one film that doesn't look like it was created to play forever on TV. It was made to be watched in somewhere like the old Scala, The Cameo, Filmhouse or whatever your favourite "indie" is. Presuming you have one. This made me want to investigate the subject and surely there can be no better testament than that. Q&A was pretty good too, compared to the JW fiasco. Why didn't Hannah McGill "chair" that?

Fancy a frank from Nathan’s and a twirl on the Wonder Wheel, friend? Well, then perhaps you’d best join SUSQUEHANNA INDUSTRIAL TOOL & DIE CO. this SATURDAY, AUGUST 18th, for the 2007 CONEY ISLAND ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL! As part of an ambitious four-day event combining bands, burlesque, roller derby and sideshow acts, Saturday’s show is set to run from noon until 8pm
–- with our 45-minute set scheduled for 4pm –- and featuring a lineup that includes The Tombstone Brawlers, The Fury 3, Jason James & The Bay State House Rockers, The Fisherman Orchestra, Sean Kershaw & The New Jack Ramblers, The 56 Kid, The Holy Roller Sideshow, sideshow acts and more.
It’s all happening outside on Brooklyn’s famous Coney Island boardwalk, rain or shine, right in front of Astroland Amusement Park, and it’s free! Sponsored by Deno's Wonder Wheel, Sam Ash Music, The Onion, Coney Island Lager and Cockabilly Records.
See you on the Cyclone!
Yours truly, Michael

Can you say "wasted opportunity"? Dammit, I just got back from my inaugural EIFF visit of 2007 and I'm not altogether happy. You see, I've been going on about this for weeks. Some folks might even have noticed. The great JW comes to Edinburgh to support this Jeff Garlin directed film of his "stand-up" or whatever you want to call it. I've read some iffy reviews of it but it's pretty great and captures the guy as I believe he is. Sharp as a very sharp tack and vicious. Not so much near the knuckle as indeed up to the elbow. Then comes the much-vaunted Q&A which for want of a better expression did not go well. I've never heard a more disenfranchised, lame affair and who was to blame for this?, the bloody audience. John valiantly tried to steer the ship from running aground several times before thinking to himself, "sod this for a game of soldiers". This should have taken place at The Cameo or at Filmhouse. Not in the soulless portals of sodding Cineworld. Having canvassed hard to put bums on seats for this, I felt a little embarrased. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity with a true genius that was fluffed. And I don't mean that in some double entendre type fashion that the man himself might use. Whoever the guy was that tried to conduct the "interview" was out of his league. Wasn't Mark Kermode available? So, if you're a Waters fan, there's much to dig in the film. Jeff didn't come so that meant no Lar and no Suzie either. What should have been the crowning event of the festival went splat. Let's see how tomorrow pans out...

RIP - Max Roach

It was 30 years ago, etc... but 15 of those past I was in Memphis with Brother Randall and Sister Donna. It was great and then we headed on up to Springfield, more about which later. Seeing that there's a timely new Skele-release on the streets!