Take off with Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.! It's a delicious taste of old Vienna at the Cafe Steinhof on Wednesday -- followed by a south-of-the-border stop at the Rodeo Bar on Friday with Baskery, a trio of hillbilly sisters from Stockholm!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20th / CAFE STEINHOF
422 Seventh Avenue (at 14th Street) in Park Slope, Brooklyn / Two teutonic shows, from 10:30 sharp until 12:30 / No cover! And...
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd / RODEO BAR & GRILL
375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / Two jet-setting shows, at 10:30 sharp and 12:30, with Baskery at 11:30 / No cover!

Internationally yours,

Michael Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Another day, another signal of the apocalypse.

This time in the form of the news that The Banana Splits are "coming back" presumably sans "Danger Island" and "Shazan"? There is no imagination anymore. Beyond that of picking something that's gone before and kicking seven shades of shit out of your positive memories out. I mean, I will go to see Get Smart but how can it come close without Barbara Feldon?

Just find a franchise and ride that sucker until it turns into a husk. That new Star Wars cartoon must be the most outright exploitation yet. It doesn't look like a cartoon it looks like a computer game and that is what it's designed to emulate. I don't care how much fun George Lucas says he's having with it. And, I'm fairly sure that "the kids" won't be arsed with it either. On one hand they're too sophisticated and on the other, business has robbed them of the formative years that once bred character. And developed a chin.

Ben sent me a couple of links for Stooges clips this morning. So they're doing S&D and I Got A Right. It's too late as far as I’m concerned but you knew that. And besides who needs that when you’ve got six discs of Suicide to consume.

It's all about balance though and now that Fleagle and co are heading back then Reverend and the Makers are calling it a day. The reasons are somewhat laudible but the group, in my opinion, was terrible. It's guys like Jon McClure that ought to be finding ways to circumnavigate the dying embers of the business rather than letting it defeat the purpose of doing it. The trail doesn’t have to be blazed through “the man”.

I often feel like chucking it. Like there's nothing left to campaign for but then something comes along and the mood ebbs. When I read this today, my first consideration was that it really is no great loss. I'm on to about my eighth now and reckon my mind is pretty muckle not budging from that initial impression. Ultimately who cares though. Purity only exists to be co-opted.

Oh yeah, and the nights are fair drawing in…

More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide

ORDER HERE!

RIP - Ronnie Drew

No direct clickable link to order Dictators tickets online but if you click here then you can make your arrangements via Record Runner... (thanks Andy)

THE PUB TURNS ONE YEAR OLD.

Yesss.... it's already gone one year. BIG BIRTHDAY BASH!!! Bands, DJ's and first ever show by The Pub's very own house band STUBB COCK. Features members from Stalkers, Star Spangles, The Jadewalkers and Prowler SS. They'll be playing all your favorite pub rock tunes. This shit is free. Starts at 9pm.

Special guest DJ's from Human Being Lawnmower Magazine. myspace.com/thepubnyc

Just checking in quickly before I deal with e-mail and sundry other stuff. Been in the studio at East Kilbride Arts Centre today where Amy Allison and David Scott are putting together a wee project. It's all coming together rather swimmingly. Other than that, there's not much to report this Saturday night - day - 0r Sunday morning depending on where you're tuned in from.

RIP - Jerry Wexler

FRIDAY AUGUST 15th

Super mega festival at Knitting Factory, NYC. Catch this show at this legendary location before they move over "seas". The Jadewalkers play with a ton of bands.

This weekend also marks 30 years of "Kymberism".... Kymber Lee NYC turns 30 so post Knit show the party will go on, stretching over the weekend. You'll find us at our local East Village hang out: International Bar on 7th & 1st Ave.

(best jukebox in Manhattan!). .

Lot's going on, posting might be a little intermittent. Such is the nature of the beast at the moment. I'm bloody annoyed that I neglected to plug the Nomads annual "doon the watter" shindig that happened last night. The Rev. Peter Tjølsen tells me it was "bloody marvellous" and he knows a thing or three. There are no excuses for such tardiness other than outright daftness tempered with a smidge of auld age on my part.

Tracklist details of "More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide" can be found at the Razzia site, just scroll down the RH side to the upcoming releases. At the album entry, click on more. The surrealist cover art reminds me of the first Ian Hunter solo album with a hint of Escher.

Trying to get details on where to score Dictators tickets online and will make this available as and of course when. And that's just about your lot...

except that, news has reached me that a well known Swedish home furnishings are to launch a line of bedding in honour of Stockholm's finest... it could happen? (photo courtesy of Peter Tjølsen)

Norton News UPDATE!

NORTON TV SPECIAL • CABLE AND WEB STARTS AUGUST 13!

Cool off in a winter wonderland with the 2007 Norton Holiday Spectacular Show Of Stars on TV starting Wednesday! Here is the press release from Some Real Music…

The monumental musical event more commonly known as THE NORTON RECORDS' HOLIDAY SHOW will be featured in 2 parts for the next 4 weeks(!) (Aug. 13, 20, 27 & Sept. 3) on SOME REAL MUSIC, Wednesday nights at midnight in Manhattan on Time Warner cable channel 57, RCN cable channel 84 and worldwide on the web at MNN.org (on lower left of home page select channel 57 under "Watch MNN Live").

On Aug. 13 & 20 will be part 1, featuring sizzling southern soul diva duo THE NOUVELLAS, the rebel-rousing, outrageous, rational behavior-defying rockabilly riot of LUIS & THE WILDFIRES and, steaking their claim to rock & roll expubidence, THE A-BONES!

Part 2 (Aug. 27 & Sept. 3) will feature more A-BONES, a rare (and triumphant) appearance by THE FIGURES OF LIGHT, high energy soul wailing by THE GREAT GAYLORD and more magnificent gospel and roadhouse inflected soul stirring by THE MIGHTY HANNIBAL (that's an understatement) and finally HANDSOME DICK MANITOBA and ex-Flamin' Groovie ROY LONEY join the A-Bones for a true rock & roll madhouse frenzy that exquisitely and superabundantly defines what it's all about -- and cranks it up another couple notches.

(Amazingly, it was all done without makeup (on the guys, anyway), pyrotechnics, garish light show or invoking the presence of Satan! Incredible!) It's as great as rock & roll gets and you won't want to miss it! It's like Christmas in August! Hanukah in the summer!

KING KHAN INKS WITH NORTON!

Fresh out of big, big shows with both BBQ and with his big band the Shrines, King Khan stopped in to Norton HQ this week to ink with the label for a fabulous new solo single-- Khan plays all instruments! Whatta talent!Eminent release!

Welcome, KK!45-148 King Khan - It's A Lie/Congratulations I'm Sorry

SATURDAY AUG. 23 YOUNG JESSIE, THE FIVE SPOT SOUL FOOD SUPPER CLUB,
459 MYRTLE AVE., BROOKLYN 10PM-4AM

Hosted by Mr. Robinson and DJ Honky, he's back and you've GT to be there! From the press release: "Obie "Young" Jessie backed by the Solid Set and with backing vocals from Jamie and Leah of the Nouvellas - whether you know him from his solo records or his time with the Coasters, nothing will prepare you for him live on stage, he's only played once before in NY over the last 50 years but we were there to witness, on stage he's an absolute Ball Of Fire, we swore solemnly to bring him to you and we've kept our promise, beg steal or borrow the night free because he's flat-out unmissable, it's as big a treat for us as it is for you." And we agree- he's great!We recommend trying the Five Spot's great soul food, especially the catfish!

http://www.myspace.com/digdeepernyc

It's kind of busy here at the moment so this will be short and sweet.

You can hear the impending Hello Saferide single, "Anna" at It's A Trap.

It all kicks off all upbeat and jaunty. Stellar pop, “she would have been a sweetheart but with punk rock manners” but then, “lake” is rhymed with “heart breaks” and the ensuing guitar squall is akin to Mick Ronson weighing in from the spirit world. Out the other end of that there’s a fleeting nuance of a “what’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding” type harmonic. Just a sliver. The first “short story” from the album and a certified smash that should be hanging in any and every hit parade on earth. Do they still have those?

That ought to keep you in kicks for now...

RIP - Isaac Hayes

Big news for a Monday morning...

The rain last night was biblical in its torrentialness. I'm not even sure that's a word but it was bloody pissing down. Hard. Thankfully, it passed and I came out relatively unscathed. Compared to the poor blighters that fell foul of the pathetic to no drainage and rivers bursting their banks.

Jumping in the car this morning though, I landed in about a half inch of water on the floor of the driver's side. Despite a complete checkover to try and find out what happened I can only assume that it was some kind of capillary action where the water came down the back of the fucking dashboard. Short of turning a hose on the blighter to reinact said deluge, I'm not sure of what to do about it. Other than check with the dealership.

So I've bailed it out like you would a dinghy and it's drying in between showers. Pain in the arse but all tolled, it could be worse. As if the chores that I had alloted myself for this sabbath weren't enough, dealing with this kind of nonsense really aggravates me. It took three plays of "Anna" to come back to just left of centre...

Anyway, the rain is on againso let's steer off the outright rock’n’roll highway into what could loosely be considered dance straße. I can’t figure out whether the vocals on “Lies” by Antennas are male or female, there are no girls in the “band” but it could be a guest. Anyway, they’re Alison Moyet circa Yazoo-like and there’s a Chic aspect to the groove. Maybe it’s neither but I see a 12” Atlantic disco single spinning while it plays out. There are four “mixes” and all of them are great. The third is more metal while #4 is a Kraftwerkian/Moroderesque workout. This is on the great Novoton imprint so you know you’re dealing with quality gear.

Keeping those BPM pumping, REVL9N really burn down the house. The “Waiting For Desire (9 Nuances of Skacid)” EP on Törncrantz Rock’n’Roll is an electro-escapade of no uncertain measures. Part of the Playboy Marse estate, this is a highly sophisticated bump and grindathon with 11 shades of the track treated by various dignitaries including Sci-Fi SKANE. There’s no point in dribbling on about it when you can hear this shindig for yourself. I know some of you are of a myopic disposition but in my opinion, this rocks harder than much of what I’ve come across in a “trad” vein of late. It’s been out for a while but there’s no shelf life involved with stuff of this magnitude. Plus, some of the members are now Punchdrunks. More about that when there's something to tell.

So let's get back to more regular territory now before I park up for the day. Seeing Rob's album lying here, it has occurred to me that I need to get to grips with The Scoundrelles "Atomic Batteries to Power" on Bang. My memory has been failing me of late. A further reminder of the onset of senility, basted in stupidity. However, enough of my shortcomings...

I have to put my hand up. I’d never heard of The Shivvers before hearing the Hello Saferide version of “Teenline”. The A-side of the group’s only single. That sparked an investigation that unearthed the Hyped by Death compilation that collects the band’s entire recorded works along with some video clips here. For a combo with this many hooks to have only ever released one 45 is a mystery. Maybe they were operating away from the pulsebeat of the major metropolitan hotspots but shouldn’t that have been a plus? But what’s done is well, you know…

By rights they’d have had many hits which would have meant that they’d be touring again now ala Blondie or whoever. This was power pop par excellence, like The Rubinoos with cool girl vocals that skewed the outcome a little. Some of the cuts here remind me lot of Blue Angel, prior to Cyndi Lauper going solo. The songs that have a male lead vocal are very like The Raspberries. All of it has a fantastic Who-style dynamic that separates it from the often punkoid/”new wave” stylings of the time.

How I missed the Bomp and New York Rocker reviews at the time is beyond me and I’ll have to chalk this up to be one that got away until now. Based in Milwaukee, famed for beer and being the fictional home of Laverne and Shirley, The Shivvers according to the liner notes didn’t really travel beyond a small radius of Wisconsin. How the A&R fraternity of the time never tried to lasso them at the time is a mystery. Or maybe they did? Anyway, it’s unthinkable to consider that a band of this quality didn’t have an album out. The band had support in high places, Iggy and Eric Carmen both professed their allegiance but still nada. Annika Norlin told me that she discovered “Teenline” on a compilation that her then boyfriend had. Her version is on the fine Groover Recordings comp, “Jeans and Cover”. Had that connection never been made then I may still have never heard this incredible band. “It Hurts Too Much” is something that Ellen Foley could have done with at the time rather than pissing about with that Clash bollocks. Their version of Shaun Cassidy’s “Hey Deanie” has that Dictators “Stay with Me” harmonic glow about it. I’ve no idea if these peeps were down with NY’s finest or not but the musical bond is here for all to behold.

I unreservedly recommend that you get your mitts on this. The Shivvers – Lost Hits from Milwaukee’s first family of Powerpop; 1979 – 82. HTD have e-mail operators standing by to deal with your requests. If you’re lucky enough to have a copy of the single then I’m very jealous. I just ordered Jill Kossoris’ solo album “Invisible” from Cd baby so expect the lowdown on that in due course.

And in a final bitchslap, a quick check of myspace just banjaxed my pc so I'm not sure what was lost as the last blogger "draftsave" seems not to have retained any of the links. I'm gonna re-establish those and get the hell outta dodge for today.

Keep reading about these “artists” that are discovered on the 'net and thrust into the dying embers of the music biz? "Overnight sensations" that burn faux bright and get left like husks at the side of the road. Well, this ain’t one of those. Robert Coyne’s dad was Kevin Coyne. Together with brother Eugene and their bud, Joe Presedo - they formed Silver Chapter when they were but teenagers. SC were way ahead of the loop and one day they’ll be lauded like they ought to have been at the time. I think that Daft Punk name checked them but thus far, the blue touch paper is as yet unlit. The Rev. Jeremy Gluck and Pete (Sonic Boom) Kember are just two of the individuals who can testify as to these youngsters greatness.

Following that, Rob has kept playing and is quite the multi-instrumentalist. He’s made a record at home that it would have taken many thousands of pounds to put together in some fantoosh studio someplace at one time. It’s they type of thing that should be nominated for some of that Mercury Music prize tat if indeed said plaudit was in any way valid. After the Chapter, there was a project called Mean Vincent that was also very cool and this reminds me of that a lot but a lot more broadbased. At the intersection of “Obscured By Clouds” Floyd and Suicide with shards of soul and glam littering the place, “Death…” is a genuinely understated classic. There are moments, like on “Fan Letter” where you get a glimpse of what BÖC might have sounded like if Alex Chilton had been part of the group. And then there’s the instrumental, “Golden Ages” – where Percy Faith goes krautrock. “Shoot-Out at the Zoo” comes on like Hall and Oates if they’d been produced by Bob Ezrin.

Rob Coyne has been true to his school for a long time now. One of life’s true gentlemen that makes music for himself that ought to be heard by everybody. Check his stuff out on his myspace where you can see the other acts that the man has played with over the years. You can enquire about this Turpentine Records release there too. If you’re elsewhere in Europe then click here for the lowdown on how to score a copy.

Friday again. Galvanised by the arrival of the HS single and the prospect of the album, this weekend will see some action with regard to getting this place spruced up or even just tidied to receive a visitation from NY next Wednesday. At least that's the idea right about now.

Time to fire up the smog machine and make like I'm in Beijing maybe. Some would say that Grangemouth has its own problems vis a vis pollution. That it stinks even. That's oil refineries for you. When you're listening to the BMX Bandits version of "That Summer Feeling" then it's impossible not to feel at one with this fucked up world.

RIP - Leo Teicher (info from Bomp list Refugees)

I am absolutely psyched beyond all reasonable confines of such a condition to be able to report that Hello Saferide will release the long awaited Razzia follow up to "Introducing..." on September 24th. Titled "More Modern Short Stories from...", a single "Anna" will be available toward the end of August as a download. Although not on cd, a 7" with a non-album flipside cut "I Fold" is coming via HotStuff. Best order your copies now.

A typically twisted, viral pop nugget of humungous proportions, I will divulge no more than that other than no, it's not a cover of the Arthur Alexander classic.

All and any further information on activities surrounding this joyous event will be communicated in due course.

You know, there is some stuff going on but I can't report on it right now. It's not the time.

There is also some music that I need to get to writing about but the flesh and the spirit are conspiring agin me. Truth be told, I'm trying to limit the time I spend on this thing. My eyes are fried by the time I get home and a peeper test is a tad overdue. Comes with the territory I suppose. Nothing, even getting to the post office is the simple undertaking that it used to be.

Colour me weary...

I'm hoping that the upcoming Beijing-fest will be such an utter non-event that the Olympics will be banished to some pay per view corner of corporate tosspot-ville for all eternity. Or just some abandoned air shelter or somewhere off my radar altogether. The east end of Glasgow is soon to suffer a similar fate to London for the alleged Commonwealth games in 2014. There could well be a car park planned for where Barrowlands is at present.

For every "athlete" or well meaning sportsperson there are a dozen shyster glory seekers out to fleece any poor blighter they can turn over. Here's another "business model" that is outmoded. A farce that provides so-called politicians and whatever something to use as a smokescreen for seeming to do good for communities going forward. There is no solution to greed and corruption and don't you wish that these drones would think maybe three times about trying to snow people by claiming that winning a couple of poxy medals will help claw back some dignity for this sorry-ass country as it slides ever further into the pan?

I have no problem with people being interested in sports but it's such an insignificant part of the big shakedown. All part of the grinding down process but anyway, there's stuff to attend to so I must bid youse cheerio for the evening.

On matters pertaining to R&R, those Coyotemen hit the road tomorrow.

Don't say you weren't warned...

Laura Cantrell has the following East Coast US shows coming up through August...

August 8, Tin Angel 20 S. Second Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

215.928.0770 7:00 pm (with Carrie Rodriguez)

August 9, Jammin' Java 227 Maple Avenue E. Vienna, VA 22180

703.255.1566 7:00 pm

August 15, The Space 295 Treadwell St. Building H Hamden, CT 06514 203.288.6400

August 16, Narrows Center for the Arts 16 Anawan Street Fall River, MA 02721 508.324.1926

August 19, The Spiegeltent Pier 17, South Street Seaport, (South Street & Beekman Street)

New York, NY 212.279.4200

"Let Us Now Praise Famous Women" with special guests Jenny Scheinman, Megan Hickey, Fiona McBain, Theresa Andersson and more surprises!!

August 20, Club Passim 47 Palmer Street Cambridge, MA 617-492-7679

August 21, Iron Horse 20 Center Street Northampton, MA 413-584-0610

Don't feel much like gabbing tonight plus I have a nosebleed but you need to know about this...

So I made it out the door. How about that? Never gave myself the chance to hum and haw, maybe that's the secret... Cnyway, caught 3 movies in 2 cinemas in 6 hours. A mini film festival all to myself. The Cameo double of "Old Joy" and "Junebug" had a notable tie up because Will Oldham is in both and Yo La Tengo score the two. YLT's soundtrack work is really something. Particularly in "OJ". The film itself is about two guys who go out to try and reclaim their closeness in the Oregon woods. Nothing much happens. they go to Bagby Hot Springs and return home. The scenery looks like the drive up to Loch Ness.

I'd forgotten much of "Junebug" despite having seen it at a previous EIFF. It's a nice little film and the fact that it doesn't have a happy ending in conventional terms makes it all the more special. So all that finished in nice time to cut along the road to catch "Berlin". There were 4 people in the theatre watching this including me.

The album material itself is amazing. "Caroline Says II" and "Sad Song" being particularly moving. I don't know if it was just my mood but I was thinking along the lines that these two songs in particular might be among the best concert film I've ever seen. And Steve Hunter's guitar - what a treat. Took me back to The Apollo and the "Rock'nRoll Animal" tour.

There is a flaw though, from the highs of the main event - the encore starts with Antony Hegarty caterwauling through "Candy Says". I was reminded watching this of a description offered up my one Doctor H of Montana some time ago on the subject. I'll leave it at that. Almost is bad is something called "Rock Minuet" that follows it. Redeption is at hand though with a great version of "Sweet Jane" that unwraps during the end titles. Lou himself was looking uncharacteristically chuffed throughout to the point of an actual smile cracking his face on a couple of occasions.

It begins a run in Glasgow next week and I'd recommend the main concert sequence. As a production goes, it's pretty amazing. Bob Ezrin and Hal Willner did a great job as did Julian Schnabel getting this to the screen.

Where do you stand on artists playing their albums like "pieces" these days? It certainly aids some who otherwise couldn't pace a set supposing their lives depended on it but I'm not convinced it's the way ahead.

So anyway, this thing is about to be switched off for the evening. Goodnicht.

Still pondering the schlep into Edinburgh to ultimately catch Uncle Lou's "Berlin". If I get there for noon, I could catch that Will Oldham movie "Old Joy" with the fab "Junebug" on a double bill. I'm not a BPB fan but I am curious about his acting ability. So we'll see. I just discovered that "Fringe Sunday" is next weekend so Auld Reekie will just be unbearable as opposed to completely chuffing stowed.

What I really want is one of these smog machines that can turn my front room into a microcosm of the impending Olympics. If ever there was an irrelevant, bullshit event in these days of cheating, coniving and generally having no concept of fair play then this must be it. I hope the Chinese stop all means of getting information to us so I won't have to put up with it.

Grangemooth, in the news... what can I tell you...?

"Have You Heard About The World?"
– The Lost Crusaders (Everlasting Records)

Michael Chandler is born again. For a guy that’s been to the furthest reaches of the burny fire, he’s sounding damn chipper. Having opened a case of cans containing industrial grade whuppass on said demons, I don’t think he’s ever been in better voice recordedwise. And that’s saying something.

Taking a perennial r&b gospel blueprint, he’s rallied a crack squad of volunteers to assemble a rock’n’rollin’, soul salivating, countryfried octophonic spree. In the liners, Mike Edison states that this crew exist to “lead the stranded mojo-hungry hordes out of the barren desert of contemporary “rock” music”. That seems accurate to the nation of understatement.

The music is anything but understated. This 12 chunk, redemptive, righteous barn-storming hymnal is yours live by. If you’re ready to testify then step into the confessional. It’s an all-star cast including wir ain Laura Cantrell taking lead vocals on a couple of tracts. These aren’t tracks, brothers and sisters, these are oozing the kind of energy that ain’t trapped too often these days. These days, the Chandler rasp is prime Doll period Johansen whilst retaining that trademark shout factor. Keith Streng and the Heavy Trash fellas (playing Stereo in Glasgow on September 28th) are also part of the party. The rhythm interplay with the keyboards is mesmerising and could well have you gabbing in tongues out of the traps. Rolling this holy comes from deep within. Chemistry this explosive is destiny, not premeditated. Spiritual to the point of ablaze.

“Whose Name Will I Call?” is like a cool, lost Wizzard stomper and “It Don’t Worry Me” is like a sick twist on something from the Godspell musical. Chandler has put together a revue that will lay its collective sonic hand upon you to cast out any rogue spirits that made you settle for third best. He’s been to the wilderness, did his penance and has come out the other side with some serious fire in that belly.

As visionary things go, this is rabble rousing stuff. Live it’s liable to cure whatever ails anybody anywhere. Preaching it like he feels it, Mike is a bona fide soul survivor. Find The Lost Crusaders and let them in. I’ll leave you with Rev. Edison’s sign off… “Their message is simple – live, breathe, dance, sing, shake. Get with it.”

The LC program is an equal opportunities program. Operators are standing the f-word by.

So I finished Season 4 of The Wire. Exemplary TV in every sense of the word and now I have to wait until the end of September to see the final run because of the fact it won't be available for rental until then. I took a long time to get around to seeing it to but after making the time I was hooked. So many strands, so complex but quite traditional in some sort of way. Great characters too, I can't wait to see how it all ends.

It’s a fucking sin that most people who would eat this stuff up will perhaps never see it. When the big global jukebox of culture that downloads straight to your abode so you never have to leave the house becomes available it could well be too late.

There’s so much stuff. It’s difficult not to be swamped and just roll with what you’re fed. How to prioritise? You have to or you drown, simple as that.

It helps to be inspired and gear like The Wire and Mike Edison’s “I Have Fun…” certainly give me a shot of much needed cultural adrenalin. I finally finished the book this morning and really, it’s like if there was an NBT syllabus then this tome would be on there with a bullet. It’s a testament to everybody involved in getting it out there, shit – it could even be a series itself one day. I’d sure love those characters to come to life on some kind of screen.

And then there's the Eric and Amy album, life-affirming gear all the way but I can't give anything else away just yet. "The Downside Of Being a Fuck-Up" is the soundtrack of our lives.

Thanks to Don for this link... New album out October 20th...

NORTON NEWS • AUGUST ACTION! (and beyond!)

SATURDAY AUGUST 2 – KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (MERCURY LOUNGE NYC)
The King brings his big revue back to town one mo’ time! Dig LiveFastDie warming up – last chance to see Aaron in action before he goes back to alphabetizing doo wop LPs at Norton!

SUNDAY AUGUST 3 - BLACK LIPS, KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (MCCARREN PARK POOL, BROOKLYN) No explanation necessary – see you there!

MONDAY AUGUST 4 – CRYPT RECORDS 25th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
(SANTO’S PARTY HOUSE, 100 LAFAYETTE ST. NYC)
This week marks a quarter century since Tim Warren first unleashed BACK FROM THE GRAVE VOL. ONE. Come celebrate with sets by King Khan & BBQ and the K-Holes (ex-Black Lips)! Great records spinning all night! Huge dance floor! Start your weekend four days early or keep the last one going! MC’d by Mort Todd (GRAVE cover artist)!

THE SONICS ARE TAKING OVER THE PLANET!
Never thought we'd say this, but the Sonics are sell-outs! For real- getcha tickets fast cause their shows sell out instantly! They are THE WILDEST!!!

August 8 - WOW Festival, Gotenberg
August 9 - OYA Festival, Oslo
October 31 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle

SATURDAY AUGUST 9 - MARY WEISS (MONDO HOLLYWOOD, KNITTING FACTORY, 7021 HOLLYWOOD BLVD., LOS ANGELES) Mary will headline this two day event (MC’d by Kim Fowley!) featuring 25 bands including the atomic Luis and the Wildfires! (Note venue change.)

JUST IN!!! ADJUST THE HORIZONTAL!!!

Mary Weiss will appear on the Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day weekend!

WFMU RADIO GREATS WEEKEND!
Friday, August 8 - Sunday, August 10
Legendary WFMU DJs from years past drop by to help celebrate 50 years on the air, August 8-10! Special guests include Danny Fields, Wildgirl, Meredith,David Newgarden, Nicholas Hill, William Berger, Neal Adams, Mark Allen, Douglas Wolk, Stork, Vin Scelsa, Steinski, Hova & Belinda, R. Stevie Moore, Mark Allen,John Schnall, Bart Plantenga plus surprise guests and rare airchecks.We should note that the Hound (or as the late great Hank Ballard called him, “the cold blooded Hound” will make a rare on air appearance on Fool’s Paradise with Rex on Saturday August 9. Listen in to our in-house best-pal ultra-fave legendary superfantastic real-deal boss jock as he demonstrates his powers once mo’ time again! Now, what this town needs is another incredible Hangover Hop with the Hound! May we recommend stompers out there DEMAND a Hangover Hop before the snow flies! There is no other!

DOMENIC PRIORE ATTACKS NYC (IFC, NYC July 25-Sept. 27) Left coast pal comes to town to host a mess of sixties midnight movies as a visual sidecar to his RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP book! Kicks off with Wild In The Streets, closes with The Trip with Psych-Out, Maryjane and other dopus opuses, all on big screen, kool-vent comfort! Also check out the boss doc THE WRECKING CREW which starts there today!

AUGUST 22 – 23 LUIS AND THE WILDFIRES MIDWEST SHOWS
Catch these west coast maniacs as they blaze through the heartland!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7 – THE A-BONES/MAGIC CHRISTIAN
AT MAXWELL’S, HOBOKEN, NJ
The A-Bones return to the Garden State to clear your ears for Magic Christian features the mighty Cyril Jordan (Flamin’ Groovies), Clem Burke (Blondie), Eddie Munoz (Plimsouls) and Paul Kopf. We've been waiting for Cyril to grace our coast for many, many moons-- now here he comes! What a bash!

NORTON LABEL RELEASE NEWS!

The insanity officially steps into high gear this month. We don't want to frighten you, but your relaxing days are over!

FIGURES OF LIGHT - SMASH HITS (Norton 336) Gimme Gimme Gimme / Black Cadillac / Seething Psychosexual Conflict Blues / Nothing To Do / I’m So Sick Of Everything / Why Not Knock Yourself Off? / Angeline / I Got Spies Watching You / Gimme Gimme Gimme / Nothing To Do / It’s Lame / I’m So Sick Of Everything / It’s Lame / I Jes Wanna Go To Bed / Ritual TV Smashing Finale / Velvet Touch

They came and combusted as teenagers thirty years ago, now they’re back to retake the two-chord monte in SPADES! Wheeler Winston Dixon wails while Michael Downey cranks up the proto-punk x-factor on this snarling set including their alarmingly faboo first single, newly unearthed live recordings from their first show ever in July, 1970, unheard demos and new NYC live and studio recordings. Essential!

MORE LOUD SOUND POUNDERS ROUND THE CORNER!CHANTS R&B (Norton 335)
Sixteen raving 1966 blasts from New Zealand’s wildest combo! This vinyl only set features one side of mauling studio recordings (Neighbour Neighbour/I’m Your Witchdoctor) and one side with their legendary live Stage Door recordings (That’s The Way It’s Gotta Be/Don’t Bring Me Down). Thrill to extensive liner notes by the band and a knockout photo filled package, not to the most deranged version of Land Of 1000 Dances ever recorded! AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER!

MAD MIKE MONSTERS VOL. 1 AND VOL. 2 (Norton 327 and 328) The wildest 45’s discovered and popularized by enigmatic Pittsburgh hoo-doo DJ during his primo prime years 1964-67, compiled into two sets of instant party mashers! Massive gatefold LP’s tell the story of the Mad One in his own words, complete with tons of memories from his many local fans, while the CD packs deliver the same in a pocket-size format! Absolutely staggering array of sounds from this Norton icon! Keep in touch for release party in the works! Includes Scott Wood “Chicken Rock”, Count Ferrell “Wizard of Ah’s”, the Saxons “Camel Walk” and the Vels “Mysterious Teenage”! All sizzle, no gristle! Big thanks to the original Mad Mike Pittsburgh crew for blab-fests and tours around town in preparation for this superb blasteroo! AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER!

UPCOMING 7” TITLES!JOHNNY AND THE HI-TONES – ROCK ‘TIL THE END OF TIME (45-144) Blood curdling unissued 1957 R&B booze savagery! The Figures of Light It's Lame was the Monster If The year for 2006, CJ and the Casuals’ Study Hall was the Monster of the Year for 2007– all hail the new champ! This recently unearthed Ohio acetate is over the top WILD!!! Dig these lyrics, dad – “I wanna cash my check at the liquor store/Crawl into that barroom door/Goin’ to the bar get me a jug of wine…” Savage guitars, pounding drums, this is IT!!!! For fans of Screaming Joe Neal!!!

FLYIN’ SAUCER TWIST: THE NORTHWAY SOUND RECORDS STORY VOL. ONE (EP-145) Four rockin’ 1961-62 guitar instrumentals from rural Michigan's answer to Gaity Records! Tom Carter and the Ramrods Flyin’ Saucer Twist/Twistin’ Boogie, Jerry Lee Trio Banshee, Billy Lee and the Ramblers Trav’lin – cool stuff!

TOM AND THE TORNADOES: THE NORTHWAY SOUND RECORDS STORY VOL. TWO (45-146) Tommy James’ first record Long Pony Tail/Judy – 1962! Pre-Hanky Panky raw rock n’ roll! Includes killer cover pic of the Tornadoes plus the story in Tommy’s words! …mo’ BIG single action to blab about next time!

IN THE WORKS ...I HATE CDs VOLUME TWO Coming this fall, 45 more singles from the vaults of Norton Records. This release, like the first set, is download only and is available from all download outlets – no Goodwill or yard sale action this time, sorry. But it is cheap and easy to grab these babies. By the way, there were some comments that folks wished we provided cover art and notes. If you pick up volume one from itunes, it comes with a detailed booklet!

GARAGE ACETATES We are in the midst of whipping up four LPs worth of unissued sixties acetates including three chord killers from the Blue Embers, Henchmen, Khuns, Thorns and Greenpoint’s own Creation’s Disciple! Utter mayhem!WAX HOUNDS!Norton Records will be making with the big shellac attack at the following shows. Be sure to stop by and let us know how much you love King Uszniewicz…

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, ALLENTOWN, PA Allentown 45 show! Get gone with thousands of wild platters!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28, BROOKLYN RECORD RIOT! WARSAW, DRIGGS AVE., BROOKLYN
Back for round two hopefully without the disco DJ! Records and kielbasa – what are you waitin’ for?!

FRIDAY OCTOBER 24-SUNDAY OCTOBER 26 WFMU RECORD FAIR, NYC

The big one wraps up the year with the wildest wax weekender yet!

More to yap about but let's let you all digest the aforementional blabberoo!

All hail the Friday effect. I always figure that when I get to the car that it's all downhill from there but of course the actual depression doesn't really set in until after 5pm on a Sunday. Sometimes, but not often, later.

Anyway I meant to post word of this before I shot the craw this morning but time didn't permit. Annika Norlin appeared on the prestigious Swedish Radio station P1 today as part of their "Summer Talkers" strand. Of course it's in the native tongue so perhaps of limited interest to non-speakers but I figured you'd like to know and Annika's choice of music is pretty entertaining. It's the equivalent of being on one of those BBC Radio 4 mainstays on this sceptic isle. Anyway you can check it out here, should the spirit be willing. I tried to mp3 it but because it opens up in windows media player it seems to bypass the regular soundcard.

In other news, maybe I'll make it to a screening of the Berlin film this weekend or maybe not.

At this juncture, it's all to play for... I will finish the Edison book though.

Mr Spence wishes it to be known...

THIS SATURDAY - THE BRUTES ARE GOIN' SOUTH ....SOUTH OF THE CLYDE , THAT IS.

THE BRUTES are playing another of our rare hometown shows this Saturday (2nd August) at LA ROCHE RUMBA at Pollock Ex-Servicemen's Club, 111 Titwood Rd., Shawlands, Glasgow. Nearest train station - Crossmyloof. 8pm til 1am, band on around 11pm; £4 entry. I'm thinking of providing a "taxi service" out to the show w/ the BRUTEMOBILE (tm) from the city centre, so gimme a shout if you're interested. You can get a real taxi back into town (All Tore Up is on at Blackfriars 'til 3am), 'cos I'm planning on getting pished!
Anyways, hope to see y'all there...... Jim (aka Beauregarde Brute)

Dutchies are reminded that the New York Dolls are playing at Tivoli De Helling right here in Utrecht tonight (aug 1st) Be there or be square...

The Sex Pistols in Maasbree

Amazing footage of the Pistols playing the Netherlands in late '77. I actually saw this at the time, 12 months after first seeing 'em on TV in January of the same year, in between there were only a handfull of 45's and some newspaper cuttings. Alice 'n me drove thru' Maasbree a couple o' years ago, but couldn't find the "Mafcentrum". Lookin' around it was hard to imagine how the Pistols ended up there. Remote, quiet, you name it. Check it out here: 1, 2 and 3. (by the way, no band came out of Maasbree ever...)

Seeing as July is making an exit, let's see what's lurking about here in terms of music.

Earlier today I got a Lefsetz letter providing a link to a site that some wag had posted an "utterly hysterical" ad on Columbia Records website. After my pants had dried, I sent a short note to Mr L. His repetitive to the point of psychosis opinions on the music biz are getting tiresome. He needs a new angle. People I turned on to his newsletter are, I believe, unsubscribing.

This is a shame because there is a kernel of "right" in some of the tirading but you have to look awful hard these days. Then there's his taste in music which generally turns a lot of people off. This is purely subjective - I know - and some of them are real humdingers with a capital HUM but that's his pigeon.

Anyway, let's cut to the cheese - not the chase - but the dairy product according to some twat I heard use the term the other day. Bearing in mind that the average "review" is somewhat obsolete, I think that my musings on stuff going forward will entail some thoughts and a link to where you can check stuff out wherever possible. There may well be exceptions to the rule but to keep this interesting for all of us, it seems like a way forward.

Midlife Crisis – "Cranked Up Really High" EP (Bootleg Booze)

This 4 song 7” features punk cover tunes that run the gamut from the well known Slaughter and the Dogs song to the completely unknown (to me) “Raggare” by PF Commando. Urkke T has teamed up with three of Stockholm’s finest to raid the tomb of ’77. I don’t really recall The Outsiders, a pre-The Sound band that Adrian Borland was in. He wrote this and until raking about on t’ernet I had no idea that he was dead. Anyway, I think he’ll be pleased with this interpretation wherever he is. I don’t recall Menace’s “I Need Nothing” being this fuel injected, they struck me as clunky at the time. The sleeve states “ Midlife Crisis” have no e-mail or website and can not be contacted at all. Tough shit.” However, fret not. The good burghers of Bootleg Booze will hook you up with a copy of this proof of existence.

Big Bird – Three Song EP (Dolores Recordings)

Some of these guys are in The Caesars and the opener, “Tell Me” reminds me a little of The Hellacopters. That is, if they decided to be Teenage Fanclub all of a sudden. Why does the chorus remind me of “Eve of Destruction”? “Rabbit Punch” is blessed of a similar vein but the real gold is on the flip. “Vapour RIP” is like Spiritualized vs The Righteous Brothers via The Pastels tackling “Crimson and Clover”. Lo(w) on fidelity, big in sonic protein. Hopefully, this is the direction that future BB studio droppings will take.

See you folks in August then...

I know that isn't Fred MacMurray but as you most likely know, he's the soon to be re-released classic "The Apartment" with Mr Lemmon here. David Lynch watches it every New Years Day, he told us so at this very venue. If you haven't seen it before then I envy yo'ass.

Click on the image for further details on the season.

Did I sort out that insurance? No.
Have I done much of anything except drag my bahookie into work today. Er, no.
I've been catching up with The Wire (Season 4) and have one episode to go. So excuse the inability to function won't you.
Everybody is on holidays still anyway and doesn't most of Europe close for August anyway?
I'll be right back. Eventually.

The pursuit of securing car insurance is akin to having the soul sucked out of your shell to the power of 10. I hate it. It's even worse than going into those huge DIY stores. A few years ago, I went in to an insurance agent in town and she sorted it all out for me. The stage I'm at now is that I feel that there's a better "deal" to be had, if only I could handle the process.

The only thing that's really driving my non-capitulation is that I'm skint and don't want to spend any more on this racket than I absolutely have to. It would be so easy to just roll-over and renew. Then I wouldn't have to bother. However, I feel like I owe it to myself to at least try. I've struck out with these comparison sites they advertise on the telly. You'd have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to figure all that shit out. My attention span is perilously short at the best of times but these things are designed to trick people like me into a rash decision. The implied simplicity of using 'em is lost on me.

I'd rather pay more and deal with a human if that's possible so I'm about to go on the phone and attempt it that way. If it turns out like the time a guy in Bangalore was trying to tell me how to get from Edinburgh to Stonehaven then there could well be a gasket blown. I've been to Apoplexy a bunch of times, it's cool to feel like a local someplace...

COMING SOON # 27 OF UGLY THINGS:

Here is UGLY THINGS #27. 216 pages / perfect bound / full-color glossy cover. Co-headlining our big cover story this time are The Who and The Small Faces as Andy Neill reports on their controversial 68 tour of Australia and New Zealand, complete with an array of WOW-inducing unpublished photos. Also, for the first time anywhere, the story of Garden Grove garage rock teens The Spats ("She Done Moved," "Gator Tails & Monkey Ribs"), Brooklyn, NY psych rockers The Koala, and 70s NYC punks The Victims. Also on tap, Jon Savages revealing interview with Beatles publicist Derek Taylor about Brian Epstein, a conversation with Animals guitarist Hilton Valentine, drop-dead delicious Sixties beat girl/style icon Gillian Hills, R&B songwriting genius Alonzo B Willis, Mike Hudson of the Pagans, and Johan Kugelbergs countdown of the best junkshop Glam Rock discs. And theres more. Sixties garage rock a-go-go with The Heard ("Stop It Baby"), The Persuaders, The Lost Souls, plus more Garage Rock history from Californias Inland Empire. Also: Exotic beat music from Chile and Venezuela, Jack Downing & the Other Side, and Ade Blackburn of Clinic picks his all-time Psychedelic Top 10. All this and more-including, of course, our extensive review section, covering all the latest reissues and music-related books and DVDs.

The Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby myspace experience is ready for boarding!

Couple or three weeks or so ago I was listening to NoFoSo and heard a track by Mike Edison and the Rocket Train Delta Science Arkestra. “Pornography, Part 1” isn’t the kind of thing you’d hear within a conventional radio format. If Terry Wogan gave it a spin on Radio 2, I’d consider that there might be hope for humankind but that’s unlikely.

Anyway, that sparked a chain reaction that has resulted in a hook up with the book of the album the cut came from. “I Have Fun Everywhere I Go” (Faber and Faber) is the memoir of that documents Mr Edison's adventures in smut, wrestling, rock’n’roll and just about everything inbetween.


To call it inspirational would be to damn it with faint praise 'cause I haven’t been this glued to a tome in recent living memory.

If you take Hunter S., Meltzer and Tosches and froth ‘em up in a blender (or Turmix ha ha) then you’re beginning to get a beat on the tempo of this prose. As the printed word as entertainment goes, this is the shizz. Good old, ragging on everything, writing the way it’s seemingly never done anymore. There are a ton of great lines in here. Old school NBT-readers will find much solace in these pages. It’s forged of the stuff that brought us all together in the first place. Jeez, there's even a section where the man ends up as a prize in an A-Bones dance-off!

The companion “album” with “songs” culled from the material in the book is neck deep in the filth and the fury of the printed page. The oratory is propelled by a soundtrack of equal squalor conjured up by Edison, Jon Spencer, Mike Chandler, Mykol Fornasero and Joey Valentine. It’s not for the faint of heart but it’ll put a big, fucking grin on your kisser. Check it out for yourself here, nothing I could write about it could come close to the experience. It’s not work friendly, nor is it likely to endear you to anyone of a nervous disposition. What further fucking reco do you require?

I’m not finished it yet but with the pound/euro currency agin the dollar situation, you should treat yourself. Quit bellyachin’ that they never make them like this or that anymore because they do. It’s true, such kicks are rarer than hen’s teeth so when a supply presents itself then it’s wise to stock up.

UK Amazon

US Amazon

Today has been something of a bust. It started out productive enough when I dragged myself outside to do a bit of garden choring. It was pretty grey-looking, overcast. Like it was gonna thunder. Buoyed by this, I figured I’d maybe head into Edinburgh and catch the “Berlin” film. Not having made it to the real thing in June. But since then I haven’t been able to move my carcass outside at all. And now the weather is great and it’s pretty dumbass not to take advantage of that but you should just colour me stupid now.

Tried to put stuff on ebay too and it won’t let me because of some fuck up with a “zip code”. Of course we don’t have those and it was never a problem in the past. So hopefully they’ll sort it out because I want to get on with this life laundry idea. Time to lose a few kilos in the stuff department.

As exercises in procrastination go, I think that I’ve surpassed myself today. Soon it’ll be time to go back to the coal face and that’ll piss the hell out of me even further. The weekend started off so full of promise and yesterday’s schlep around Glasgow with Anette and Margaretta will be another fleeting memory punctuating this perfunctory existence. So back to "I Have Fun Everywhere I Go", damn it’s good!

This is gonna be pretty short and sweet for today. Lot of folks on holiday, no access to computers stuff like that plus I'm gonna take time out to get in about the Mike Edison book that just arrived.

Whilst in Glasgow the other day, I was told - in the biggest Zavvi (formerly Virgin) store that they no longer stocked 7" singles. last time I was in Edinburgh there were plenty so maybe it's just a store by store thing but I urge you not to encourage ANY record shop that doesn't stock 45's.

They're getting relegated to the furthest corners of a lot of the places that do stock them too. Can anybody tell me if the Sharleen Spiteri single is available on vinyl? I guess not but if that is indeed the case then why not? It's got Kaiser George Miller on it and the "A-side" bears more than a passing resemblance to the Shangri-las so what the chuff is Universal thinking about? I wouldn't buy the album but I'd certainly have picked up a few copies of a 45 to share with fellow enthusiasts for that sort of thing.

Anyway, I've been in Glasgow again today and am just about to fix up some food so I might go into those exploits later. Probably not though, the gallavanting has fair puggled me.

SAT JULY 26th

The Bullys are throwing a big summer party at Rehab and they asked us to play!!!

A bunch of groovy bands and special guest appearance by Jeff Magnum of Dead Boys fame. Should be a gas. Don't miss it! Show starts at 9pm. Come early!
(Club Rehab. 25 Ave B, btwn 2 & 3rd)

MONORAIL FILM CLUB THIS SUNDAY
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My Best Fiend (15)

Sunday, 27th July at 7.30 at GFT

In the 1950s, when Werner Herzog was 13, he was sharing an apartment with Klaus Kinski. In an unabated, 48 hour fit of rage Kinski destroyed every piece of furniture in sight. From this chaos, a beautiful albeit volatile partnership was born. In this personal documentary, Herzog traces the often violent up and downs of their relationship, revisiting the Munich apartment where they first met and the various locations of their films.

This screening is introduced by Davy Henderson of the Sexual Objects, who previously played in influential post-punk groups, The Fire Engines and The Nectarine No.9.

Was a bit pissed off to find out that the Daniel Johnston gig that I thought was this coming Saturday was actually last night. It was a beezer by all accounts and not sold out. What's going on that a festival taking place next year can hoover up money but something like this doesn't?

No don't answer that, I know...

Mr Spence wishes it to be known that his new combo, The Brutes are in Auld Reekie tomorrow night. Info on the other two bands can be found on the B's myspace.

The Blasters live in Seattle with Mr Bateman back in the drum seat.

(Thanks to Ben for the link)

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ATTENTION ROCK & ROLL LOVERS

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Using the finest chord changes and the freshest melodies, garage rock super group: The Master Plan (Andy Shernoff, Keith Streng, Paul "Peppermint" Johnson (Waxing Poetics) and Bill Milhizer) have completed a new album that is sure to entertain you for years to come.For the first time ever, these high quality recordings are available for purchase directly from the band, via MySpace.

Special thanks to musical guests - Dave Faulkner, Kevin Kinney, Linda Pitmon, JP "Thunderbolt" Patterson and Marek Pakulski.

Photo by Anne Streng

RIP Bo Diddley -------------- Respect the Rock!

The discipline of regular blogging is going through fits and starts here. There are more pressing matters to attend to and those, in conjunction with an alarming ability to procrastinate, generally dictates that it's hard to see anything through to completion. Add to that the almost daily problems with my ISP and losing my internet connection, there's a strong urge to just bodyswerve this damn thing altogether. Call it time out for reasonably faithful behaviour.

How much more information do you need anyway? You're probably stappit to the gunnels, I know I am. Attempts continue to be made to post daily but what I'm essentially trying to say is that there are perhaps situations where that won't happen. Damned bollocks, logistics and plain old lethargy are a lethal mix.

Plus I just got episodes 7, 8 and 9 of the 4th season of The Wire. Tomorrow I'll probably have the first two slices of Generation Kill also. So I have to find an extra five hours somewhere to break even. And that garden ain't gonna tidy itself irrespective of how much I wish...

RIP - David Kahn

Following the other day's post regarding the Rev J. Gluck, it transpires that there is indeed an album. It's available on i-tunes now with the physical version coming your way very soon. Details will be served up as and when.

Related/co-incidentally, here's a link that literally just arrived courtesy of Brother Patrick. It's a cut from the forthcoming Chris Wilson album.

And, while we're on the subject of revisitation, I found this clip from The Nagz first ever show at Debaser in November '07.

37 years ago, I was in the Edinburgh Tattoo. Somewhere around here there's photographic evidence of that. We were paid three quid for the trouble, and I bought Electric Warrior by T.Rex with my divvy. So it's a little odd to be back there on the esplanade watching Wreckless Eric rip it up with The Proclaimers all these years later. 8500 people on a Saturday night, and the rain stayed off so that was a result. It was also just a stone's throw from the place I first encountered the Reid brothers with The Cateran. In fact we walked past the Onion Cellar when we (Amy, Eric and I) were looking for a quiet place to have a coffee and a natter.

We found said sanctuary in The Elephant House. A nice, civilised place away from the stowed pubs that were full of folks limbering up to scream several alternative national anthems til hoarse. I know that's the way we pronounce another animal name up here but I'm referring to the vocal condition. Despite the huge flock and the train coming back being sardine-like, it was all good-natured and there were no real signs of noisy, drunken bastardism at all. There were a couple or three rubber individuals but they stayed schtuum. All I really wanted to do was get back and listen to Eric and Amy's album. Didn't even go for a haggis samosa. It was a full shift but it was great to see those two and they're headed for Inverness to do it all again today. Massive props to The Proclaimers for making it possible.

RIP - Jo Stafford

The Nagz “Wrong Direction” (Radio Obligato)
Thanks to Ms Mona, I finally got my paws on this and you need to do likewise. It’s a fine slab of Swedish powerpop that combines elements of The Shivvers with some sleek Slade overtones. The concept itself is fairly attractive but when you hear ‘em pull it off, then that’s a major result. I believe their next release will include a cover of “Frantic Romantic”. Great kids with exquisite taste, plus the bonus of Jens "Ubi" Lagergren on guitar. Start queuing now but not before you hit up the people at RO for a copy of this.


Glasvegas “Geraldine” (Columbia)
This starts like the opening of a Simpsons episode and soon hits a timeless pop stride. The drum sound is exquisite and it’s a great song. As mentioned before, being sung in James Allens’s brogue adds a whole ‘nother dimension. As the Spector torch goes, this is pretty much spine-chilling the way that “Cheree” is. How in the name of Rev/Vega did that happen? And that fucking drum sound, The Cramps should bounce Drumdini and get this girl in.

Jeremy Gluck “I Am Time” (Perpatrator)
Very remiss of me not to have blogged about this 7” on the Auckland, NZ label before. I’ve been reading Jeremy’s book “Victim of Dreams” and although beautifully written it sort of scared me. He’s been to some dark places and manages to unlock scenarios that maybe some or all of us have faced at some time. “I Am Time” is utterly unlike The Barracudas, it’s more darkly ambient. A downbeat, intoxicating sonic fugue. Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg and there’ll be a full length JSG in the works.

Attlc Lights "Bring You Down" out on 7", cd and download this coming Monday...

Scott Kempner’s “Saving Grace” is finally out. Maybe I could just leave it at that. Top Ten’s command of the heart and soul that beats within this rock’n’roll shenanigan is pretty much unprecedented. These stories and sounds are beyond the pigeonhole of Americana. He’s soaked up several generations of the gospel and assembled it into a sincere attempt to exorcise the demons that haunt we all.

Fogerty through Dion to Springsteen is a pretty decent route map. If you’re familiar with The Del-Lords, and the good lord knows you oughtta be, then I’d say this is closer to maybe “Lovers Who Wander” than his previous set. This album is better than the recent studio works of any of the three guys I just mentioned. Scott can evoke The Drifters one minute and Creedence the next. Not as an exercise like these people who compose from a hip music collection to garner points. This stuff is in this guy’s blood, he lives and breathes it. When the chips are down, this shit is impossible to fake. “Heartbeat of Time” is a masterpiece of twang, pure and simple.

Released on the Brooklyn-based imprint, 00:02:59 – “Saving Grace” clocks in at just a minute under an hour. It’ll seem like half that. The inherent swing of the rockabilly-laced “Here Come My Love”, the post-Groovies swagger of “Between A Memory And A Dream” and the outright classic pop/soul nous that is “Shadows Of Love” are just 3 reasons to join this party. There are another 10 that shimmer just as bright.

For my tuppence worth, this guy should have been riding the high plains of success several hundred moons ago. For some fucked up reason best known to fate or whatever, it hasn’t happen. Scott Kempner makes the kind of music that most of us thrive on, the stuff that keeps us ticking over.

The Del-Lords back catalogue is about to be reactivated too. More about that in due course.

You need The Minstrels in your life!


(Beware though, the song is probably not work-friendly)


Many thanks to J. Wunderle for the tip off.

Just heard the version of the Foo Fighters "Everlong" on NoFoSo from this. Very cool. So I googled it and the whole shebang looks (and sounds) like a belter. It has a Pete Shelley song on it but I'll let that slide. Of course, it's Swedish, who would expect anything less. Sofia's myspace.

Album on Wild Kingdom via CD Baby. Out this Monday.

A new direction for super-rock? "The Fabulous Fleshtones" from YouTube. Quite the makeover, I think you'll agree?

Weary. I think that's pretty much where I'm at right now. That and a tad directionless plus I have to look for car insurance. Quite the threesome but hey, it could be a lot worse. It could be Monday again... or you could get home and the power goes off.

However, it's back on now and here's some stuff for the immediate to long term future that you may care to consider...

Rollocking punk rock label A Fistful of Records has a website...

The Lost Crusaders and Mary Weiss are at the South Street seaport in NY tonight for FREE.

Säkert! are appearing here tonight at a very cool FREE festival with a bill that kicks all and any Live Nation attempts outta the park. Go Skelleftea!

The Mirrors are playing in Cleveland tomorrow night (Saturday) but not for FREE.

Boonaraaaas!!!! alert - November 21st @ DWC, November 22nd @ The Corn Rocket Club. Dates in your diaries like now. And check out the posture of this other guitar player...

That's about it for me tonight. Looking forward to hooking up with my homies, Amy and Eric tomorrow on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. In the meantime, let there be chores!

RIP - Les Crane

Still juggling internut problems here... however this may be coming soon.

(Thanks Steve)



Also MOBY will be undertaking a DJ set at Avalanche Records in Glasgow this coming Tuesday (24th July). It kicks off at 4pm. Later on, at 6pm, he'll do an acoustic set at Mono. If you haven't had enough by then, it's possible to "vote" for the venue that will host a club show later at his website. Storm the site and make sure it takes place off the beaten track. Marks and Spencer maybe?

...LOS COYOTEMEN HIT THE ROAD WITH THOSE SPANISH SOAKS LOS CHICOS...
AUG 5TH - THE HOBGOBBLIN BRIGHTON
AUG 6TH - WHAT'S COOKIN'? LONDON
AUG 7TH - CORN ROCKET CLUB STOKE NEWINGTON
AUG 8TH - BANFORD STORES, NORWICH
AUG 9TH - LAVA LOUNGE LEICESTER

The early Dutch punk scene gave us some minor classics, but few discs hold up in this day and age. Ivy Green 's (2) debut LP and The Suzannes 45 come to mind as discs that still sound good. Those, and of course the Helmettes' amazin' I Don't Care What The People Say. Turn up the volume and dig the 2nd part of the guitarsolo that sounds like a friggin' airraid warnin'!

Been listening to some piffle about combating knife crime by taking the perps to hospitals or even morgues and showing them the damage they do. Do the blighters that dream these things up think wir heids button up the back? Perhaps the only solution is to establish "stabbatoirs"? Where what they did unto others could be manifested upon said scum. Actually, I'm only about a quarter kidding here. And no, I don't care what their background reports come up with.

Don't have any time to tap out anything more substantial tonight. Got other stuff to deal with and I appear to be having intermittent e-mail/connection problems. So if you're trying to get a hold of me, for whatever reason, that could be the bugbear.

The thing they call normal service will resume at some juncture. Presumably.

Mr Morton tells me this was blasting off the stage every 5 minutes between bands at "Pee In The Dark"... let me state clearly that I have no interest in you buying a volvo - just listen...

RIP - Nick Sanderson