As they say, good things come in "threes". Um...death, too. But Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. offers up something for most everyone with three scintillating shows -- Otto's, Southpaw and WKCR!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD TIKI BAR & LOUNGE / Our monthly residency! /
538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in Manhattan / Two B-I-G shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / No cover! /
From behind the velveteen curtain...

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th / SOUTHPAW / With THE WRECKLESS ERIC & AMY RIGBY SHOW! / 125 Fifth Avenue (at St. Johns Place) in Park Slope, Brooklyn / One SIT & Die Co. set at 9pm / Tickets a mere $10 And, for the crystal set...

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th / WKCR 89.9 FM NY / "THE MOONSHINE SHOW" / With your host Matt Winters / 10am until noon / Live on air performance by SIT & Die Co.!

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

Had a couple or three messages about where the Hello Saferide album review is. Anticipating some more being that it's out tomorrow, just click here and you'll be taken right to it. Whisked back in time to September 4th.

But don't read about it, hear it. This download malarky is pretty cheap if you're in that market. And by the way, the signed copies are all gone but stand by for word on the vinyl. When I find out what's happening with the 7".

The new Fatboy record is also out tomorrow. More about that in due course. I'm still in full transfusion mode.

The situation with e-mail just keeps getting worse. There's been a problem with blueyonder all day today. I've no idea if, where, how or sodding why and am pretty much up to here (makes gesture way above napper) with it all. It's all pretty exasperating. particularly when I'm trying to sort stuff out.

Ah, but these things are sent to try us goes the reasoned angle on such insignificant piffle. I'm trying to dig that as I tear what little hair I've got left the fuck out.

It's not rational to get mad and it's not possible to get even. So I'm left in a limbo of sorts which is kind of making me wonder "why even bother". 'ceptin' that I inevitably will...

So now I have to go back stuff up and time consuming twaddle like that. Try to take a little of the load off this steam-powered, as far as one can possibly be from state of the art pc that I tap away at. This may take a while...

Tired of the Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin twaddle? Vote Goulden/Rigby when they resume their US campaign tomorrow with an east coast leg.

Tonight is the launch party for "More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide". I'm there in spirit so forgive any apparent lapse on this end. It's album of the week on Tom Morton's show and I just heard a double header of The Lovin' Spoonful's "Do You Believe In Magic" into "Anna".

I've been involved in an exercise that has left my eyes fried and my head tired so my appearance here will be brief tonight. If I can motivate myself prior to heading out the door in the morning I'll convey anything important that comes up between now and yonder. I know it's old age so don't bother chiming in with that particular chestnut.

A wee blast of Suzy & Los Quattro and a mug of strong coffee is in order here methinks.

Lost & found dept.: Ago old footage of the Ramones on Dutch TV (1 & 2) The same guy uploaded many more obscure vid's originating in the Netherlands: Trevor White, Joan Jett, Wreckless Eric, Young Marble Giants, Dr. Feelgood, Cylinders, Undertones, The Knack, Specials (I was there!) The Cure (I was there!), Nick Lowe, Blondie, and god knows what else. This guy has put up over 2000 vid's all taped from Dutch tv, more when I can find the time to check it all out...
UPDATE: The guy's account has been suspended...

Generally the prospect of the silly season in September is somewhat gut-churning but being that this little blighter is available from October 14th, then I'll bend the rules a little. I hope that Ben Vaughn will make the tune that was on his myspace last year. And that Hello Saferide will issue "Ipod Xmas" as a 7"... Anyway, eagle scout Ben Gart discovered that you can sample the Super Rock Crimbo here.

I've discovered that there's an Attic Lights sampler with today's Scotland on Sunday. Usual deal, if you want one, let me know by 2pm-ish UK time and I'll sort it out. Cover price plus postage. Tomorrow's hits today...

RIP - Earl Palmer

Dig It! 44 - Coming Soon!

Just watched The Roxy Music Story that aired last night on BBC 4. Excellent doc that brought many memories of the early years flooding back. Not sure what countries have access with regard to viewing over the net but it's well worth catching. The Whistle Test sequence of "In Every Dream Home, A Heartache" is to this day like something being beamed in from outer space.

Hello Saferide is headed for the USA. Please make her very welcome!

This'll move those Saturday morning cobwebs (link courtesy of North Fork Sound blogspot)

Watch out for Scots tribute combo, Motörheid...

You know what drives me up around the proverbial bend and beyond? People who can't do their supposed job. Then, in addition, there are institutions that purport to provide a service then don't. The customer or client is always right, right? Isn't that the cliche? Well not always and if someone tells me they'll do something or they'll call then I expect them to bloody follow through.

That's the trouble, the concept of following through seems to have gone by the wayside.

The David Simon thing at GFT was pretty great. They screened the second episode of the fifth season prior to the Q&A. It was Alan Taylor of the Sunday Herald that was guiding the conversation and he had a good beat on the tempo of the show. You can get an idea of how it all went with this Wirecast from The Word magazine website.

A woman next to me was a huge fan of the programme and decreed the event to be "massive". She had come to the theatre purely on chance and scored a ticket in the foyer. Jonathan Watson of the BBC's "Only An Excuse", that records his "Watson's Wind-up" show at this venue was at the other side of me. Strangely I didn't recognise anyone else there.

The only bummer about the whole thing is that they were selling pre-signed books after the session. He didn't hang about to meet the audience and that meant that the copies I had to get signed for gifts never got the necessary scribble. You win a few and indeed some things do not come to pass. Qué whassname.

Incidentally, on Sunday the GFT has a doors open day on Sunday 21st September (this weekend)... Special events: Meet the staff and find out how one of the UK’s most successful independent, specialist cinemas works. Its legendary predecessor, The Cosmo, opened in 1939 in this modernist European building (with clear Dutch influences) which still boasts much of its Art Deco interior

I did sort out the tickets for next week's Ronnie Spector visit after Mr Duff telling me she was a revelation at Ponderosa Stomp. It's at The Arches so I hope there isn't a groundswell of fuckers with mobile phones in the audience. I still have a bad, bad taste from the disrespectful tosspots that attended the Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham show there.

And talking about these devices of doom, they're nothing to do with the devil, I'm sure he or she hates them too. Have you seen the furore about Metallica's James Hetfield allegedly acting like a baby at the O2 arena show? All he was doing was reasonably asking these fucking idiots to switch the bastard things off for a while. Unfortunately these life support systems must now be on at all times. Entire generations are utterly controlled by these portals and their constant need to photograph, record and upload to Dufustube.

This weekend I will mostly be selecting tunes to play at my "Andy Dunkley" (if you click the link, scroll down to March 16th entry) stint in Spain that's coming up in a wee while.

And as a footnote, The Spice Dragons reunion trounced the comeback of Led Zep. Page must have had wind of that when he "did" the Olympic ceremony. Hold on to that integrity folks. It's the only one you've got. Use it or down the slippery slope to bathe with the other dunderheids.

Am I relieved that it’s Friday? "nor’alf "(apply Alan Freeman impression here).

RIP - Norman Whitfield

The technological tribulations continue.

Today at work, there were countless interruptions due to this and that too. I'm a little sick of it. Maybe the worldwide web is wobbling like the financial markets? Or is it just a big stunt?? Anyway, let's get things in perspective and remember that yesterday was the release date for the Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby album on Stiff. You need to snag one as soon as possible but holding out until they swing around your locale is acceptable too. They're doing America as I rattle away here. Here's visual proof from Brother Randall in Dallas.

I'm not really up to yattering at the minute and am decidely not down with the big shakedown.

RIP - Richard Wright (Pink Floyd)

The Weejvegas thing continues to be a source of debate both via the comments and e-mail. To draw a line under it all, let's see how it stands the test of time. I'm not sure what it is about them that I "get" but I'm a sucker for that sound. It's like how I always get suckered into going to see movies that compared to "David Lynch". With no where near as positive results. So until their Transylvanian Christmas record shows up, let's leave it at that.

Let's see, what else... although I haven't had it confirmed, Wooden Shjips are supposed to play at Sloans in Glasgow on November 2nd. It's a great venue. More about that when it is indeed definite. Tickets will be available at Monorail when it is.

So far many of the reviews that have appeared with regard to this have tended to err on the "not for the squeamish" side. In my opinion, there's another aspect to this snapshot of a period in the evolution of one of the most important acts that has ever existed. The contents of this box, culled from front-line field recordings provide a documentary-like timeline from the period where Suicide entered the mainline of music for the rest of eternity. The reverberations have been felt worldwide ever since.

As Alan Lomax did with the dawn of folk, Howard Thompson and co developed a pathological need to capture the sonic fermentation. Irrespective of the recording gear, the primitive nature of the equipment complimented the primordial ruckus that was unfolding in these unsuspecting venues.

By the time they got to Europe and were opening up for the biggest acts of the time. They'd captured the ghost of Elvis in a jamjar and processed it through electronica that was at total odds with any of their hosts. The hostility of the idiots that never got it fed the energy. That Suicide suffered for their art is not in question. I guess that the reward has been that they've permeated every strata of music ever since.

There was never anything premeditated. Anything could have and often did happen. To this day, the appropriation of Suicide's ouevre continues unabated. The most successful aspects of this generally happen by accident. In much the same way as it did when these recordings were made.

In many ways, this is a companion piece to the Red Star original as co-produced by Marty Thau and Craig Leon. This gathering of these soundscapes was made possible as a direct result of Marty hooking up with Bronze here in the UK. One of the coolest things about this package is the inclusion of Miriam Linna's original manifesto press releases. I hope that when a film documentary comes to be made about Suicide, that all the players can be assembled. I believe, that if Kevin Patrick hadn't sent HT the first album and that he hadn't had the gumption to go to NY and do the deal with The Chairman then the entire map of musical history would be way, way different. We're talking Elvis, Chuck Berry and Little Richard proportions here. And there would be no Billy Idol either. Suicide and its individual components have made many recordings over the years but the legend is founded on what happened during the 1977/78 slipstream.

There's nothing out there now that could have the same traction. There are approximations but nothing so pure. Alan Vega and Marty Rev's unique chemistry begat something where seismology met an (un) popular music form. It sounds as unique now as it ever did. A lot of folks never got that when it first crawled out of the NY sewers. As it continues to morph, and when somebody like Springsteen can forge a version of "Dream Baby Dream" like he did, then maybe the slow burn of their sonic pop-art domination is just something that will twist and turn through the bloodstream of music for the rest of time. 1 cd of most artists is more than adequate but in this case, a half dozen doesn't feel like enough.

As the Glasvegas thing gathers momentum, it seems like it’s not a hoax then. Somehow these folk who have largely portrayed as the next O*sis have made a record that those donkeys could never come close to. The subway posters say it’s their “Definitely Maybe”, I say your arse. True, we’ve heard it all before, most recently courtesy of The Raveonettes, but it’s a pretty glorious racket all the same. Those who don’t reckon that there’s a touch of the Bay City Rollers/Slik thing to it are deluded. That’s not a slur, merely a statement of fact.

So I headed into Glasgow last night after work. Got the train at Larbert and when I sat down, I looked across the carriage and a girl who was the absolute double of Annika Norlin was sitting reading. Now if I didn’t know better I’d have sworn it was. I nearly spoke to her to make sure but didn’t want to appear as even more of a weirdo than usual. Anyway, as I was going into town to work the HS campaign a wee bit, it was a tad disconcerting.

Picked up the ticket for this coming Thursday’s David Simon event at GFT, another major coup for the venue that ties in with the republishing of “Homicide” by Canongate. REALLY looking forward to this…

So ultimately, I hooked up with my old bud Barney Hoskyns who was in town with fellow Rock Backpages colleague Mark Pringle to spread the RB gospel at a Glasgow University event. The concept of going to University and learning about rock music or it’s place in academia at all is surely going against the grain but that’s the way of the world. Good luck to ‘em. My being installed with the belief that music was the devils work surely steered me to where I am now. Spotting Annika looky-likeys in the train and having to admit that I think the Glasvegas record is top fucking banana. If it comes with the territory...

My grandmother is somewhere, shaking her head and saying that she told me so. If I’d stuck in at school, things could have been so different. If it weren’t for being so obsessed with music then I might have made something of my existence. Maybe the next stage of my development lies in this academic twilight. Nothing is clear cut and I have just as many delusions and low-folluting opinions as the next guy. Maybe more. Bill Drummond was on the wireless expounding his latest fallacy this morning, evidently he hasn’t heard “It’s My Own Cheating Heart...”.

Anyway, I hope this posts after all this. Maybe it’ll just fly off into the ether and maybe that’s for the best. Either way, I’m on this rocket. Nothing to do now but see where it lands.

I'm still having intermittent problems with this technology lark. All attempts to rectify this general pain are being made but I'm not one for over confidence. Colour me Mr Half-Empty.

Meanwhile, check out this small but groovy Sounds Film Festival that's coming up in Glasgow soon.

Listening to the Glasvegas album, it's a damn sight better than I expected it to be for sure. They've got quite a wall of sound thing going on and for my tuppence worth, that percussive drum throb is perfect. In this world, Del Shannon is a denizen of the Bar-L and he's discovered the missing link between the Mary Chain and Suicide. Visions of The Ronettes, The Shangri-Las and Julee Cruise are rattling around the pot too. This almost has me convinced that I need to see them. In a bid to figure out whether it's a hoax or not. Where did this come from? Why the hell does it hit the spot?? Even when the vocals sound like Slik era, Midge Ure??? And will there be a subtitled version for consumption outwith this country of ours???

It sounds like Badalamenti scoring a West Coast of Scotland Irvine Welsh type fable and these are anthemic supercharged folk ballads. The doo-wop element of The Ramones is right here too, shit, "Daddy's Gone" sounds like he's channelling Joe at one point. You gotta be powerless against that. Maybe that's the kryptonite that got me, I really can't explain it and as the fugue of "Ice Cream Van" fades you may well get a chill like you're standing too close to the freezer.

I still don't like the band name and the McGee association still niggles but in spite of myself, this sound is the stuff of champions. Past, present and future.

Razzia are on a roll...

The Droid play on the lawn of the Black Lodge...



and check out the David Sandström Overdrive!

I need to rustle up my column for OX Fanzine so this will be short and sweet.

Evidently my powers of recall are not happening. Stop sniggering at the back...

So where did the weekend go exactly? I knuckled down and got the garden in some sort of shape. Hoping that's it for zero eight but who knows. Bit of hedge trimming next weekend if the weather holds but what's the bloody chance of that?

If you didn't shift your 'arris and order one of the signed HS cds from Bengans then "your tea is oot". They've vamoosed. Probably down to that world exclusive review of More Modern Short Stories from last week. Or perhaps not. The appearance of the Sandra Löv directed "Anna" video obviously pushed interest into hyperdrive. The "digi-single" went into the Swedish charts at 43 this past week. I'm rooting for a big climb this coming week. I guess these things matter in some terms with regard to perceived popularity. I don't think justice plays any part in it. However much it should. If it did then it would have been #1 with the proverbial bullet.

So, for those of you who had trouble locating it on msn.se, it's now on youtube, which means that you can view it here.

Pub rock is where it's at! Dig Ducks Deluxe in their prime!

Just caught up with a documentary that I'd been meaning to see for ages. "Searching For The Wrong-Eyed Jesus" is a traipse around the farthest reaches of the American South. Jim White stakes out the terrain which is punctuated by performances by artists who are steeped in the folk culture. The Handsome Family and Johnny Dowd to name but two of the acts.

Didn't realise it was a BBC production for Arena and that it had actually been broadcast here in 2006 but anyway, it's recommended. The film also features a pre-Dolls reunion David Johansen looking more like Peter Wolf from the J Geils Band than a glam slammer.

Compelling stuff in light of what's going on in America now as they hurtle toward November in the proverbial handbasket.

Taste the whup in Malmo, October 17th!!

Problem

Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks

Brother Don has just "phoned-in" this review of E & A from last night's SF show...

"i'm just back from that roach ridden dump way across town... it's 3 am and i'm bleary eyed... went all the way to oakland first to see opening nite of brian wilson's latest tour. theater was half-empty and everyone had balcony seats so they "upgraded" us to orchestra so as not to have an empty floor. brian was great great great but you don't want to hear about that so i'll go on...

got to theeee plopside at 11PM just a few seconds into the first song of the wreckless wrigbys which was the beer song. right off you could see they were gonna be way better than last time. much tighter but just as spirited. amy had her gibson j45 and eric had a nice guild hollow body just like the one on the cover of kinks kontroversy. they took turns with her songs and his but this time it really seemed like "someone nailed (them) together" as one of their songs goes. from amy's catalogue there was "till the wheels fall off", "raising the bar", "rasputin", "joey ramone" among others. eric did the great "reconnez cherie" and lots more faves including of course "whole wide world" and "take the k.a.s.h". they harmonized well. he played great bass (an old fender mustang with maple neck). amy played some keyboard.

oh-- they did "you tore me down"!! after which yours truly yelled out "groovies!" cause i know nobody knew the song but me. and eric said, "we're not the flamin groovies...you don't care for them do you? how do you feel about jefferson airlplane?"

they did some stuff off the new album -- the notorious "men in sandals" which eric introduced by complaining (rightly so) how stupid men dress in this country ("why do they dress like they're eleven years old?"). another good one was "here comes my ship" (which apparently would be the 45 if there was one). and they did my fave, "please be nice to her", accompanied by a rhythm ace via laptop. amy played some great leads on her little ol harmony solid body electric. eric peeled off quite a few decent solos. they played for nearly 2 hours and had a line of people waiting to buy the new album.

which i can't wait to hear but my eyes are closing as i write this... chatted with amy a while... great to see her again... she says she's headed your way in november. i wish someone would back them up with bass and drums... they'd be monstrous."

And the video for "Anna" is here... (Thanks Martina)

Working last weekend knocked my whole routine out of whack. Even although I generally rise at what most people consider to be the middle of the night, the graft aspect perhaps should have been factored in. Anyway, what matters most is that it's Friday now. Can't say I'll be venturing too far from the midden heid but you never know.

One thing I will be doing is tuning in to find out what happens when the E & A show hits the SF area today, September 5th, 2:00 PM Pacific, 5:00 pm Eastern, and 10 pm UK-time. Amy & Eric and will be stopping by KALX for an interview with DJ Mack.

If you're in the San Francisco Beige Area, listen on 90.7 fm. Otherwise online here.

Thanks to Lady Karen McB of the Goofenhaus Estate for the heads up.

FRIDAY 5th SEPTEMBER at

THE TWISTED WHEEL

72 QUEEN STREET

GLASGOW

It’ll be practically 3 years to the day since “Introducing…” was released. Time is flying by but it doesn’t seem like it could have been so long. That album helped me over a particularly fraught period and I’ll state right now that I’m biased, because I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the music that this artist makes. Without wishing to be a drama queen, it has a lot to do with why I’m still hanging in here.

"More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide" (Razzia) contains 12 “chapters”. Top yarns set to exquisite tunes. An object lesson in boardwalk folk complete with soul and countripolitan pop flourishes. Andreas Mattson’s production presents each vignette in a shimmering, understated cinematic snapshot.

In the olden days, it took at least four albums to reach this level of connection. The authoritative nature of the material bestows a providence that in terms of light and shade and space is pretty much unbeatable. The ability to exact such fine detail in such a simple, direct format is rare these days. Annika Norlin's songs are like short films, the narrative is often so compelling that they probably should be. They’re very real on the landscape of a time when (almost) nothing is.

“I Wonder Who Is Like This One” might sound like a Roky Erickson title but it’ll all fall into place when you hear it. The premise is that people are like songs. Which are you? This segues into “2008” which is positive compared to “2006” but still harbouring reservations. It sounds a little festive too. The dynamic of the segue between the first two tracks hit me like a truck. It's not always apparent that pop music can still do that. Not sure that "Can't Get You Out of My Head" is a good fit for the author or not but it certainly describes the feeling you get when you listen to her work.

I’m not going to describe each cut. You need to discover the joy of HS for yourself. “Overall” is perhaps the closest we come to Säkert! in English and incase you were wondering, it has nothing to do with protective clothing. Sparks and Pulp are just two acts that it reminds me despite the fact that it actually sounds like neither. The piano/hammond that forms the bed of “Lund” is perfect and that’s before you get to the warmth of the vocal. Consider Buffy Saint Marie with Roy Bittan and Danny Federici maybe, then you’re getting close (ish).

Remember “Leaving You Behind” (from the now out of print Would You Let Me… EP)? Well, some of “25 days” may surpass even that. I don’t think that I’ve heard the expression “You stupid fuck” expressed with such conviction. And anybody who knows me understands exactly my predilection for cursing.

By now you should be acquainted with Annika’s imaginary daughter, “Anna”. A chip off the old block complete with those “punk rock manners”. “Travelling With HS” may well remind you of Kirsty MacColl and that’s perfectly reasonable. An odd remnant of familiarity adds greater emphasis to underscore that this is as sonically pleasing a set of songs as you're likely to hear. Maybe ever.

As the strings drift wistfully out of “Arjeplog”, there’s pretty much no other option other than just to “press play again”.

And again.

(Don't forget, you can order a signed copy here - they won't last forever. Once the word really gets out then you'll be snookered.)

RIP - Jerry Reed

RIP - Don LaFontaine

If you're in LA then please go along to the Cinema Bar tonight. The entertainers known as Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby will be there to put a big smile on your coupon.

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. again takes to the Rodeo Bar, the honky tonkin’est joint in town -- joined this week by a very special guest in Japanese country music star Tomi Fujiyama! As a mere youngster in 1964 Tomi toured the US and had the honor of singing on the venerable "Grand Ole Opry" in Nashville, TN. And now we are honored that she will be making her first return to New York since that tour, performing with us!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th / RODEO BAR / With special guest Tomi Fujiyama! /
375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan / Three rollickin' sets, from 10:00pm sharp until 1:00am / No cover -- and free peanuts!

And, for those with a Long Island bent...
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th / SWING DANCE LONG ISLAND'S "FALL DANCE" / At the Smithtown Historical Society's "Brush Bar" in Smithtown, NY / Three swingin' sets, from 8:00pm until 11:00pm (lesson at 7:30) /
SDLI Society members and non-members welcome!

Always yours,

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

As you may surmise from the time of my first post today, the insomnia is back. The first sign of the seasonal change was also evident with the temperature being quite a few notches below recent highs. The consideration of buying shares in a company that makes woolly jumpers might be a way of counteracting the daily gloom of the media economy coverage. Sales in these are bound to rise, after all nobody is going to be able to turn their sodding heating on, far less up.

I really need to get my eyes tested again too. Talk about being blind as a bat, at least they have some kind of radar. I'm pretty sure it's down to spending too much time in front of a computer. Driving in the dark the other night, some twat was giving it full beam in the opposite direction and I simply couldn't see a thing. Nada. Nowt.

And finally, to compound the ongoing e-mail problems, it seems as though this blog thing is unobtainable at times. I imagine it's a blogger problem but who knows. At the minute I just crack off e-mails and hope that they reach their destination. I never actually know because some of you folks e-mails don't reach me. All very frustrating but I don't have the energy or wherewithal to investigate right now. I'm harbouring a distinct yearning to fall off the face of the earth.

But I can't do that just yet because there’s a couple of three important things that I need to get together. While I’m doing that, here are some recent groovy myspace things that you may care to check out.

From Sweden, Säkert! alumni... 2 White Horses

Also from Sweden, NBT old timers surely remember... The Hidden Charms

Brother Patrick hepped me to Lover! from Memphis.

And HT, the curator of that North Fork Sound introduced me to The Lone Sharks

Something there for darn near everybody...

I saw a bus with the side emblazoned "Rocknrolla" and recalled something that Tony Thewlis told me some time ago. Checked out the website where the soundtrack details are and there it was, The Scientists "We Had Love". The score also features The Hives, The Sonics, Kim Fowley and Wanda Jackson.

I'm not a fan of Guy Ritchie's movies - "Lock, Stock...", supposedly the best of them is awful but kudos to him or whoever was responsible for getting "WHL" through the vetting procedure. Perhaps a whole new generation will discover this stuff?

There's a thought for this time of writing on a Tuesday morning...

Ben Vaughn is headed for Spain. Francisco Munster reckons it may even be with his LA band. Blimey.

12 de septiembre - Lemon Pop Festival - Murcia

13 de septiembre - Four Seasons Sixties Club - Castellon

17 de septiembre -

+ Dj Alexandre Crespo - Sidecar - Barcelona

18 de septiembre - + Dj Eneida Fever! - Sala Sol - Madrid

19 de septiembre - Popxiriapop Festival - Carballo

20 de septiembre - Azkena - Bilbao

(If you live anywhere near any of these then miss this guy at yer peril)

Thanks to Ulla and Francisco for the info.

I've had two 5am rises and two 6am starts this weekend so I feel a little puggled.

Not exactly down with blogging at this point so this'll be brief. If I don't pass out in front of the TV then I might be back later. What I did do since returning home from the stalag is watch Paradise Lost 2 because I believe there's some WM3 activity coming up very soon.

Hopefully justice will be seen to be done this time...

Want to see what "an alien of extraordinary ability" looks like?

Go to one of these...

Both of these clips are great so click play and dig 'em.

You've nothing better to do right?

I have a very early rise (even by my standards) tomorrow so I updated the North Fork Sound logo on your left there and that's it for tonight. Short and sweet.

The auspicious sounds of JD King and the Coachmen are waiting for you at the newly-launched Myspace site. Crack off a friend request, like now!

Ramones post at So Many Records...

Great to hear from my old pal, Michael Weldon. Let him clue you in to what he's up to...

"My Friday Night Psychotronic Radio Show is now available live - throughout the Universe! Go here and click on the radio.

I'm on Friday nights from 8 to midnight. (I imagine that's EST)

The site also has a Youtube clip of me reporting from the old 42nd St."

I just got the new new Fatboy album, "In My Bones" which is out on September 24th. More when I've been able to digest it's charms. And while we're on the subject of charm, the more eagle-eyed will notice that is the same day as the Hello Saferide album. And have you sprung for a signed copy of that via Bengans yet? Procrastinate no longer and do it.

Been a funny sort of a day and there's humdrum guff I need to attend to so this missive will be short. Today there was supposed to be a blitz on people using hand held mobile phones. Too bad I wasn't an undercover polis because I clocked a couple on the way home. Wonder how many points they get for each idiot they snag?

Theres a new Matt and Kim track available for download here, "Good Old Fashion Nightmare" has a GRANDiose chinatown undercarriage on it. Groovetastic.

I think you'll dig the heck out of Hyper Plastic. "Ron Asheton's Loafers" anyone?

And to sign off, here's a version of the song that kicks off "More Modern Short Stories From...". It's a cracker. Not a rock monolith but mighty in many other respects.

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. says farewell to summer, dear friend!

First in the faux tropical setting of Otto's Shrunken Head for our last-Thursday-of-every-month residency -- and then on the famed Coney Island boardwalk at the 2008 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD TIKI BAR & LOUNGE 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in Manhattan / Two season ending shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / With salty snacks -- and no cover!

Followed by sand, surf, beer and burlesque...

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30th / 2008 CONEY ISLAND ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL!

Outside on the boardwalk (at Stillwell Avenue) in Coney Island, Brooklyn / Six bands, from 2-8pm, with SIT & Die at 5pm / A mere $5 cover!

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

The ongoing PC problems at this end don't seem to be going away. To that end, I think the contact link here on the blog still works but I can't be certain. Forget myspace, I have no confidence in that because I can only get in there for a few minutes before it collapses. So that leaves facebook and hotmail. If you've sent a message and I haven't replied then chances are I never got it. As far as I know I can mail out but there's some problem with stuff coming in. Possibly to do with the security. It allows in the shite but stops real messages like those bozo doormen in terrible bars you wouldn't want to go in anyway. Way to fucking go.

I'll investigate the situation but don't hold out any hope of it being rectified.

And gordon bennet. Did you see any of that Olympic closing bollocks? What an embarrassment. If somebody had commissioned a presentation to be so toe-curlingly retarded they'd have been hard pressed to come up with anything resembling old Boris waving the flag as a centrepiece. George Dawes with a thatch.

And also the masterstroke double header. Lets get a cherry picker and have Jimmy Page mug along with Leona Lewis on a version of Whole Lotta Love! Brilliant! Then we could haul that donkey Beckham in to kick some footballs into the parade. I think that the Tate Modern image of Myra Hindley is the least of their worries. It was all positively Graham Linehan. Didn't it resemble the Craggy Island fair? I'm making an unfair comparison here... of course it wasn't. The CI scene was much preferable.

A grand start then to something that's destined to be the biggest non-event of all eternity. Just 4 years away. Make your arrangements to leave the country now.

It can only be a matter of time before Great as the word before Britain is replaced by something more apt. Like Poor, or maybe just slot in Ex before the lot. Not that I'm convinced that it ever was but anyway. I'm not sure that a small bag of medals from some dodgy competition is going to make that much of a difference. My flabber has never been more gasted than it was witnessing a few minutes of that debacle yesterday. Makes the Eurovision song contest look like a village fete. We taxpayers should be glad that our hard earned money is going to such a good cause. I guess those KLF guys weren't available to just torch it then.

If the Hello Saferide album hadn't been here to calm me down then I could have jolly well exploded and take out a nearby High Street. It's a fine, fine line...

LOOK OUT AMY, HE'S BEHIND YOU!

(photo by Karen Hibberd)

Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby are about to undertake a mission. Commencing this coming Thursday in Portland, Oregon - their wagon will be rolling all across the USA and briefly into Canada. Their show is the best antidote to all the election piffle that’s poised to go down between now and November. Readers out there are invited to take a look at this datesheet and make a beeline for the venue that best fits their location .

These two legendary performers are about to release their debut album as a duo. Their worlds were always destined to collide and you better be glad that it did. Out on Stiff this coming September 14th, it was seemingly made in a vacuum by them for themselves so it’s little wonder that it turned out as downright great as it has. Not a lot like either of their individual work this self-titled set brings together the grooviest aspects of both to work some very special magic. “Another Drive In Saturday” evokes Mott being psychedelicised by Joe Meek.

If you lived through that period then you might just get all misty-eyed without being able to figure out why. Whoever nailed these two together did a master craftspersons job. Notice how I didn’t fall into the sexist trap there? Eric’s electronic wizardry sits alongside Amy’s sharp take on the pop aesthetic to create a sound that’s definitely not like anything else you’ve heard in recent times if bloody ever. A proverbial mainline to a great time, minstrels of this calibre are in very short supply. Eric claims that their version of “I Still Miss Someone” is like “the Seekers on substances”.

Check out their commentary on some of the songs, if that doesn’t make you want to hear it then sod off back to whatever fly by night you’re down with at the minute.

Folks in the UK/Europe should head over to The Turkey Zone for the best deal on a copy of the album. Those in the US should attend a show and score one direct. This enterprising couple have gone to great lengths to organise the upcoming jaunt so please show the requisite appreciation by turning out. No matter what night they happen to arrive in your locale.

Further to yesterday, I'm not much farther forward.

Only now there's no cold water because of a burst up the road. Of course, it could be worse. Like some of the poor sods that have been flooded out this past week but more than anything it's inconvenient. Much as I really want to go see "Killer of Sheep", I can't be bothered going all the way into town. I did consider going to Glasgow too. They're showing "A Blonde In Love" by Milos Forman. My guess is that I'll do neither at this point, particularly with the shower outta commish.

Anyway my kvetching aside, folks in an around Glasgow that are addicted to The Wire should check this out! Book now to avoid a big dissy. Oh yeah, and this coming Friday...

Seems I'm not the only one who's memory banks came up with all kindsa stuff after the passin' of Ernst "Ernesto" Kamphuis... My pal Robbert B. posted some age old footage of Ivy Green on Youtube playin' (what I think was) their final gig right here in Utrecht. And yep, that's me talkin' to Tim and Dr. Bibber... Dig it right here and here.

For more old footage check here and here.

And dig this story by all round good guy Niels...

All hail Ivy Green!

Ben Gart was lucky enough to catch Ben Weasel and his crew in full flight out the Windy City way last night. Let him tell you about it...

The crowd was antsy waiting for Ben Weasel to come on last night, screaming and yelling for him and the band to get started. This was the first of two nights and it turns out that it was going to be something special -- Dan Vapid was on stage getting his guitar tuned up and was part of the band tonight. (Dan is one of the nearly-original Screeching Weasel members who stuck it out thru about 1996)

The point of this show was to play the first Lookout Records (and first formal/Ramones-inspired Screeching Weasel lp), MY BRAIN HURTS, from beginning to end. As such, Vapid played second guitar and did back-ups, it was pretty magical to have one of the key ingredients of those early tunes available and willing to play. Made a huge difference, I think. The band was tight, played the first “side”, one tune after another with barely a chance to breathe between tunes. Ben was in a good mood, appeared to be having a good time with the crowd, band, and songs.

He took a few minutes to talk about the next set of Chicago shows in November and to taunt the assholes in audience – some things never change (and in this case, that's a good thing). The band then kicked back in and played thru "side 2" of MY BRAIN HURTS solidly and faithfully. The audience sang along the whole way and clearly had a blast -- me included.

Ben told us that he wasn't going to play the encore game of leaving the stage only to come back. The band tuned up, huddled and agreed on the tunes they'd finish up with. The rest of the set was comprised of a couple of tunes from the BOOGADA, a few from ANTHEM FOR A NEW TOMORROW, some latter SW and Riverdales and one or two songs from THESE ONES ARE BITTER. Naturally, there were other songs I would've loved to hear but having the opportunity to hear my favourite Weasel album in its entirety was a golden experience. Like a number of fans, I have a lot of memories tied in with that record and the times I spent listening to it over and over.

Thanks to Ben for this chance to step back a little in time and relive some more youthful times.

I was going to go see "Killer of Sheep" today but I guess that's been bumped. The reason? Well, the arrival of a certain Swedish album that I've been on tenterhooks about. First impression is that it's just as overwhelming as expected. Amy went back to the USA yesterday and there are a half dozen songs toward an album with David Scott that'll be coming together over the next wee while. There's a lot of great music coming out over the next month. Stuff that's worth holding on through for the humdrum for.

It's not raining today either so I'm going to grab some fresh air to the beat of those Modern Short Stories. I'm going to check out some travel agents for flights to Barcelona because this on-line booking shit is akin to buying insurance. Mind-numbing. And I'm not sure that the bargains that are made out to be there actually are.

Jeremy Gluck, Frontman of cult legends The Barracudas plays a series of live dates to accompany the release of his new solo album "Victim of Dreams". With his new band THE YOHAWKS featuring members of Superczar & The Death of Chapman Baxter:

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 8:00pm - 11:00pm

What's Cookin', Leytonstone, London.

"Victim of Dreams" is a remarkably diverse, unique and striking solo album on Diesel Motor Records. It sees a regenerated Jeremy working with an array of artists, including a collaboration with Nikki Sudden recorded shortly before his untimely death in 2006. It features inspired new material and worthwhile covers.

Working with an all-new band playing songs spanning all his 30 years in music, Jeremy never sounded so young.

Recent releases:
Victim of Dreams" solo album released by Diesel Motor Records.
"I Am Time" vinyl single released by NZ collectors' label Perpetrator.
"This Is…Jeremy Gluck"
(limited edition album released by Canadian collectors label TBM)
Online-only rarities compilation "The Rich Man's Burden" released by Cadiz Digital.

Photos by www.tfrancis.co.uk

RIP: Ernst "Ernesto" Kamphuis (Ivy Green)

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.