BLAST OFF!!!!

Nottingham UK July 9th – 11th - A report by Lenny Helsing

This was the first British garage punk-style weekend blast, that I can think of anyway, to happen outside London and I can assure you that it really was a great deal of fun. To be repeated in future years if at all possible.

A few groups scheduled to appear couldn’t make it for a variety of reasons: The Cavestompers from Russia had already played at Rotterdam’s Primitive festival but were refused entry to the UK. The Others from Italy were absent due to their drummer seriously injuring a finger. Same kinda thing for Liverpool’s Doktor Combover. Their Carl –who was there to dee-jay had broken his wrist/arm during a prank that had gone awry whilst over in France enjoying The Mummies. All-girl Danish combo Cherry Overdrive also pulled out.

The opening night party was at the Brittania Boat Club, a crazy little venue right next to Nottingham Forest’s football ground that was decked out like a trashy cave. Back in the late ‘60s this tiny club hosted gigs by The Who, Black Sabbath and Led Zep.

Vinnie and the Curse warmed up the first 30 or 40 or people that had started to congregate before Le Chat Noir got things rockin’ just a little more… all preparation for when things got a bit wilder. Cue the arrival of The Brutes (from Glasgow), complete with furred-up ‘Eegah!’ styled costume spectacle and – aside from a surprising bout of ‘nerd breakdown’ communiqué – they had a good line in uunga buunga backchat.

They played some of their own bashing trogg-progg ditties too like ‘Bottom Line’ and ‘Real Gone Gasser’, plus a grinding rendition of ‘Strange Movies’, a late-in-the-day groover by, who else, The Troggs!

THE BRUTES IN THE CAVE….UUUUNNGGGGHHHH!

Resplendent in matching stripy stripes were Los Imbasils from Bristol. They were a fine opening party attraction too, playing kind of sloppy guitar and organ based happy, fratty covers that we all know and love.

Friday and Saturday’s events moved to the ever so slightly larger Marcus Garvey Ballroom further across town. I jest, this place was completely massive, and of course this created problems as most of the sounds were just being hurled round and round the room, getting lost in the process. So for the most part I’m gonna try to be positive about it, and place the importance of sound a little behind the excitement of pure live action thrills. But in the main the sound was, er…shite!

Because The Others were outta the game, a sound little two-piece (they used to be four only a few weeks ago?) from York called The Federals opened the Friday show. Blasting forth with drums and fierce guitar noise and vocals, these young guys made quite an impression. With a full group aboard The Federals could be a force to reckon with such was their intriguing presentation. Next up Armitage Shanks, an old school punk rock combo from the London/Medway environs. To begin with the sound was quite abominable, but thankfully over the course of their set it did get a little better and we were treated to a fine set, including a stripping down of Subway Sect’s wonderful ‘Ambition’ to its absolute basics. Their own formidable ‘Shirts Off’, a cracking bit of rucking punk rock genius, was the highlight for me, and many.

A highlight of the whole weekend were Spain’s Los Chicos. I had heard of them for many years, even played on one or two bills with them, but this was the first time I had actually caught their act. Wow, whatta amazing blast of crazy soulful rock’n’roll garage pop shenanigans they are. Long-haired singer Rafa is flanked by two guitar-toting brothers, Antonio and Gerardo. Then you get the crazy ball of blast off energy that is Pina on drums. Manu the flamboyant bassist makes up their ultra-swingin’ rhythm section.

Individually and collectively they are all over the place and their presentation is all the better for it. You really do need to witness these guys live I feel in order to gauge just what it is they are all about. ‘My Head Got Stolen’, ‘New Shoes’ and especially ‘Tomorrow’s Another Day’ all employ some lightning-fast tempos, crazy rhythm/time changes, alongside real sing-a-long choruses etc. During ‘Tomorrow’s…’ they must’ve had about 50 of their fans and friends up on stage helping them create that truly special Los Chicos rock’n’roll garage party gathering moment.

Next up were The Gories, the long-lost US garage-blues-punk three-piece with Mick Collins on lead guitar/vocals, before he went onto make a bigger name for himself fronting The Dirtbombs. Well initially I wasn’t as bowled over as I thought I might be by these cats, probably due to the sound that was masking the real great talents behind. The growling Freddy King blues-wail of the guitars – no bass of course - soon made itself felt tho, duff sound or no… and Dan’s chugging rhythmic moves and Peg’s Mo Tuckeresque pounding slotted in and out of the grooves just fine. The rock-a-billy and Suicide influences detected on the early records didn’t seem so prevalent. I hadn’t pulled my Gories LPs out for yonks so probably some things did pass me by unnoticed but they did do great versions of the likes of ‘Thunderbird ESQ’ and of course the unrelenting crash ‘n bang of ‘I Know You Fine…’ LP killer ‘Nitroglycerine’ which they ended their set with.

Another US bunch, The Oblivians, finished off the evening’s live spectacle. Well, it’s not really my cuppa tea to be frank with ye, being for me way too heavy on the rock side of late ‘90s garage-style punk, but that said I admit that one or two of their tunes were actually pretty damn good, and thankfully were also more garage inspired than the almost hardcore-infused punk rock which informs the major part of their sound.

At the Marcus Garvey Ballroom on Saturday morning/afternoon there was a record fair and retro clothes stalls, not to mention a fabulouso badge stall run by Jin ‘n Ananda that dealt in all manner of obscure ‘60s beat garage punk and psychedelic names, and a few more famous monickers too. As a little aside to the main Blast Off attractions, the Old Angel across town also hosted an afternoon of raucous pub rock, and some garage beat punk’n’roll with The Murdocks, The Hipshakes, Beast With A Gun and, best of all, Thee Vicars, the Dirty Water records recording group who peddle a great line in adrenaline-soaked star-club-a-rama garage beat as played by teenage Milkshakes with a serious case of St. Vitus Dance.

Superb sound too with clashing feedback guitars, motoring drum action and yelping vox.
Back at the MGB, Torpedo Monkeys were the first of Saturday’s groups, a fairly rockin’ garage’n’roll band too, from around the Schalke area of Germany I think. They all had hairy ape masks on and their songs stomped along with neat guitar breaks and lots of cool ‘ugh’ and ‘hee heee haaargghhhh’ type noises goin on.

Impeccably attired Les Bof! are the kings of franco-phonic garage beat twang. Despite the crap sound again – I tried in vain to make the sound man take lots of the rumbling bottom end off the drums vocals and bass, and make the guitar and vocals louder - vocalist Laurent is fast becoming one of the scene’s contenders, and with Angus, Ross and Colin on lead guitar, drums and bass respectively, their sound is assured; their debut long-player will be hotly anticipated. I think it may’ve been The Eviltones on next. If so they should’ve sounded cool with mean fuzztone assaults here n there but honestly I can’t remember, and I didn’t catch much of whoever’s set it was, going out for some much needed air. Tho by this time, the rain was hammering it down outside.

What I did hear was rendered a big jumble of fuzz n distant rumble, due to the cavernous room, not enough bodies and that dreaded ‘drm’n’bs’ mixdown. Ouch! It was The Cosmic Vampires up next judging by the make-up, top hats and other apparel the group were got up in. They were kind of garage, and fairly rock sleaze ‘n roll now and again…they had sax too.

Apparently this could be the last ever time that anyone will see The Coyote Men, envious pride and pain of Tyne And Wear’s Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. These be-masked titans tore up the stage and put on such a great show of outrageous rock’n’roll hoopla that anyone following them would have a hard time no matter who they beez. The ‘Men were helped out by a bunch of other masked marauders, be-fuddlers and in-crowd jokers including various members of Los Chicos, dragged up, and/or down to the ground at various points. At one point the stage hands/sound men came onstage, ostensibly to tell the group to stop abusing their microphones, but were dumbfounded by the carnage that was in front of their eyes, they just stood open-mouthed saying nothing. Hey, it was all good, fairly clean rock’n’roll umbarumbamba anyway, nothing to really get too uptight about…or was it!

ONE OF THE COYOTE MEN ABOUT TO BE RASSLED BY ONE OF LOS CHICOS IN DISGUISE…

Last on from USA were The Ghastly Ones. I wouldn’t thought they were anything like true headliners but they gave it their best shot I guess. They included in their set Screaming Lord Sutch’s ‘Jack The Ripper’ and they namechecked and played The Masonics’ brilliant ‘I’ve Only Got Myself To Blame’.

Aside from all this there was a fantastic array of swishing go-go dancers, both inside and outside of the Blast Off Go Go Cage situated by the side of the stage. There were also international dee-jays who spun a welter of groovy sounds, including such pearls as ‘Misfit’ by the Outsiders, and ‘Neat Neat Neat’ by The Damned…well, that was that, huge kudos to Liz DH and AJ, plus all the rest of their team(s) who really helped to make this debut Blast Off weekend in Nottingham a real gone gas! Heap big thanks to Jim ‘n the Brutes for taking me down and back up with them, twas a riot, n a great road trip to boot!!!

Thanks to Lenny for taking the time to compile this... and for the pictures.

I've had a number of messages asking "Why?" so I'll try to answer...

Go to see Springsteen that is. Well, there are a number of reasons and without getting messy, I consider the E-Street Band to be something of a force of nature. Nils Lofgren might not be an original E-streeter but he can make this guitar talk alright. (Little) Steven Van Zandt, in my opinion is of good standing on a number of levels, not least his championing of (mainly) great rock'n'roll. Anybody that makes Palmyra Delran and The Nomads "coolest songs" is doing fine by me. And when Clarence Clemons blows that saxophone, I genuinely feel like I was hit by a truck and the only real highpoints on Tuesday were when the big man played. He’s the closest thing to Lee Allen we have left.

There's also the question that the only person who could really fill Danny Federici's involvement would have been Joe Terry and they don't got him. The show itself was OK. A little heavy on the more recent stuff but I might have felt different if they played "Jungleland". Who knows. But the location did them no favours at all. Hampden is not designed for concerts, pure and simple.

But let's start a little earlier on the approach to Central Station to make the (usually) 20 minute journey out to the closest stop. You'd think that heading out at 5pm to get there for 5.30pm would be fine. After all the scheduled start time was allegedly 7.30pm. But no, Scotrail wisdom means that a mega-queue is formed that must snaked all the way down and back along Argyle Street. For anybody not familiar with the terrain, it was bloody long. It was 6.45pm when we got to the destination and had another 1o minute walk to the (feels hackles rise) "venue".

Picking up the tickets and passes was a skoosh. Great. That worked and it seemed like things were getting back on track. There was some dubiety with the security as to what was where but that was dealt with professionally. By the time we got there, it was way past any chance of getting to see SVZ so perhaps I should just have left then and headed back into town.

The Herald and The Scotsman were peculiarly positive given what I witnessed. Elements of both were true but didn't mention the fact that the sound was quite often abysmal. The drum sound in particular was dampened to the extent that it sounded like a whoosh instead of the crack Weinberg trademark american beat. I also miss the days in which The Boss seemed to care rather than deliver the same old sermon. Lofgren playing "Flower of Scotland" as an opener was inspired rabble rousing and let me tell you there was some sprawl of rabble present. A good number more interested in the drinks dispensers on legs that were selling piss lager for £3.75 a tumblerful. It would have meant so much more if he’d gotten together “Shout” or a BCR medley. This is the main problem, the man seems to be on a hopped up autopilot with the band backing him. He needs to take stock of the fact that these guys are the secret formula.

"We want to build a house of love..." said Bruce in that by now well-worn banter. "Aye but ye'll no get planning permission..." countered Captain Kruickshank. Evidently The Boss has never had a tussle with the local government in these parts. The sheer scale just overwhelmed me and I wonder if most of the folk present aren't just conditioned into this mass consumption trip. Of course, the argument is - what else can you do with an act this big - but really there must be more imaginative, more tasteful ways to make it more of an event. My mind drifted back to the infinite bliss of last week’s incident at Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline.

I've witnessed Bruce turn (the old) Wembley into the Stone Pony before but that didn't happen on Tuesday. Several staunch Springsteen fans will validate my reporting as not just another grumpy tirade too just incase you reckon that's what this is. Just as well I didn't manage to get my "Dream Baby Dream” banner done after all. I wouldn't have gotten close enough to hand it over anyway. As I understand it, this particular Jersey landmark will be going the way of the boardwalk to be boarded up for all eternity sometime around November time. At least in terms of trucking around the world.

Anyway, when more than 50,000 punters spill out of a stadium you can bet that it's not a cool experience. The evening came to a climax with having to walk 3.6 miles, missing the last train and having to take a taxi back to the car in order to make it home. So, in summary - your reporter will not be attending any events of this scale in the UK ever again. If Hello Saferide or Matt and Kim become as big as is deserving then I'll make a special clause for them but anything else, no way, no how.

Here's the setlist and a report from Backstreets, obviously written by a fan. Even if it had been the greatest show ever, the bookends of the hassle to and from would put the proverbial tits on a boiled egg. Still it was nothing if not an adventure and whatever doesn't kill you for damn sure teaches you a lesson. An expensive one but a lesson nonetheless.

You in Boston? Check this out, heads up courtesy of Sal (DFFD) Cincotta...

Five veteran Boston rockers are teaming up as Faster & Louder to play The Dictators Bloodbrothers LP during an album tribute night on Friday, August 7th, at Church.

A virtual who's who of old school Boston punk, the band features Richie "Swinging Dick" Parsons of Unnatural Axe on vocals, "Fritz the Boss" Erickson of Gang Green on lead guitar, Johnny "Top 20" Black of The Johnny Black Trio on rhythm guitar and Lee "The Lawman" Harrington and "Johnny Rock" Lynch of The Neighborhoods on bass and drums.

Big Knife stick it to
the Big Apple

A report by The Very Rev. Juke Joint Johnny... pic by First Lady Karen McBurnie...
Thanks folks!

Well, they done it. Our young heroes from the Windy City descended upon Otto's Shrunken Head like a cool breeze, and left the locals begging for more after a tight 25 minutes of the punk rock, doled out in two minute hunks, Big Knife stylee! These kids can really pump out a terrifying sound. This reporter seemed to detect great slabs of Sabbath with notes of Flipper, but I hasten to add only the good parts of those, since I'd much rather listen to Big Knife than either of those dinosaurs.

Big Knife had a lot to say, and keeping the tunes to under two minutes, they wasted no time screaming it. The first selection of the evening was their own smasheroo “(I Don't Wanna Got To) Tutweiler”, a proven crowd sender, and it just got better from there. Hazel on bass, and Libby beating the skins became an unstoppable juggernaut of a rhythm section, as they screwed down a very heavy early 'Eighties postpunk groove over which Grant laid out his cold, metallic riff-age. That olde timey sound proved to be a shrewd strategy, given the unusual number of seniors in the audience.

Hazel managed most of the vocals in an unearthly shriek which resembled a Banshee with a bad head cold, a unique accomplishment for one of her tender years. The set flew by, which only proves Big Knife know the value of leaving 'em wanting more. The fracas screeched to such a sudden halt that the inimitable Ari Up was left pleading with the band to play a couple more, as she had missed most of the set. Apparently Ari had arrived a bit late, and then had some trouble getting into the club without i.d. (imagine Ari Up needing i.d.!) It happens.

But even with punk royalty begging them to extend their set, Hazel had to say no because she didn't want to cut into anybody else's time. That's integrity, friends. Or maybe they were out of songs. Either way, a memorable evening, and a rare one because it looks like Big Knife is on a farewell tour. From here it’s Cleveland or Hamtramck or Milwaukee or Chicago, but after those dates, that's all for Big Knife.

Voodoo Ball tickets!

The A-Bones and The Riverdales new albums are released today and it's Bastille Day where Brother Patrick resides... unlikely I'll be back posting here prior to the show later. look forward to hearing both of those though! Got some e-mail and other stuff to partake of. Catch you on that flipside. End of message.

Miriam Linna on Sky Saxon

Heading for the Springsteen show in Glasgow tomorrow and I think that rain is forecast. Big surprise but anyway much as yours truly isn't disposed to that environment, it'll be an interesting sociological experiment. Can't say I've been terribly enamoured with any recent output apart from "Dream Baby Dream" but it'll be good to see Little Steven and Clarence Clemons up there.

The E-Street band hasn't been this far north since May 1981. The night after The Cramps stormed the Nite Club in Edinburgh. There's nobody else that I'd go to this size of show to see. Not that you can see anyway and with regard to "hear" then best not to overcook expectations. I expect that technology has improved but let’s not expect miracles.

Then there's all the health & safety and security hoopla in addition to the chasm between the act and the audience too. All stacked against an all-round positive experience but heck, let’s give it a go. I can't think of anything worse than attending something like T in the Park. Aside from the of being way too old, there's the music which in my opinion was just one god-awful current phenom after another. And then there's aspect of so many of today's artists looking like brickies.

No disrespect to that particular trade but you expect some element of glamour, however misguided to be involved, right? I'm trying to get my head around the quite legitimate aspect of "it doesn't matter what he/she/they look like it's the music that counts". I'm inclined to along with it in terms of just listening but I don't want to go to a show and see the sonic equivalent of paint drying. And then there are some of the names these things have.

Elbow being a case in point.

It doesn't matter what they're called I hear you scream at whatever you're reading this on. To which I counter, oh yes it bloody well does. Used to be you could buy a record and pretty much tell what it sounded like by the way the act looked. Not anymore because in order to fleece every last sheckle out of you, unscrupulous individuals will style their wares to rope you in. Not that the combo named after that particular bodypart have done this. I have no idea what their albums look like but I know that I don’t care. Chin-stroking was never my forte and believe me I have plenty of them if I ever want to take that particular pastime up.

If you find yourself in Manhattan tonight, check into Otto’s and see the Big A debut of Big Knife. Now there’s an example of a GOOD name.

And blimey, there's another episode of the world according to Wreckless Eric just been uploaded!

Bloody blogger and whatnot have been playing up all day. So much so that the ebay action I was partaking of was only partially successful. I scored The Boonaraaas album but not the 45's so the quest continues... anyway, enough of my problems here's some good music to contend with. If there are no cd images then that means that the upload facility is still gubbed. That's a technical term incidentally.

S K R I E T – The Scream - is a Swedish duo that includes Isak Sundström of the amazing Pascal. Taking a bit of a neu wavelength, the debut release is of three mixes of “Fåglarna” ahead of an album in August. An ambient treasure, the third mix is by Novoton stablemate Hyper Plastic and adds another jewel to that label’s already encrusted crown. A lush example of superior cinematic chilloutronica. Check them out.

And while we’re on the subject of stuff that might not fly out of the speakers and grabbing your jugular, there are other means of attracting attention in sonic terms. Some of you know who Bruce Anderson is and some won’t. His band MX80 Sound pioneered new frontiers of sound in the 70’s and their influence can be traced to the here and now. The form that’s become known as “post-punk” is an anomaly because really, these guys were doing that before “punk” as the brand became happened. Anyway, that matters little here. Anderson is a guitar master, he has a style quite unlike anyone and you can hear that on “The Inherent Beauty of Hopelessness”. A plaintive, eerie piece that lasts for 40 minutes and 28 seconds. This meditative acoustic lullaby is like an orientalised Pìobaireachd for this stringed instrument. A apocalyptic wind chime for these turbulent times with quite the unexpected conclusion. “Hopelessness” works as a calming device on one frequency and as an unsettling theme of limbo in another. Disturbingly tranquil on both. My thanks to HT for the heads up and to Mrs Stim for the hook up.

Fur Dixon and Steve Werner have their second album “Travellers” out on their own Grass and Gravel imprint. It features the further adventures of this primo Californian duo. Kicking off with “Journey To Another Side” it seems oddly poignant in that the sound reminds me of the late, great Chris Gaffney. A gentle, jaunty tex mex conjunto. “Road Outside my Door” is a campfire kinda modern day “Trail Of The Lonesome Pine”. “We’re all just here for a minute or two and likely some of it will be wet” is a gloriously old-timey lyric. These guys deliver a crisp, clean take of the folk/country kind. Pretty much out of kilter with just about everything else but that doesn’t seem to concern them. They’re evidently having a damn good time pickin’ and singin’ and I imagine the grins on the attendees of their shows go a long way toward making it all worthwhile. If Cheap Trick can reactivate the 8 track then howsabout making this available as a boxset of 78’s with real clicks and hiss. None of your doctored to sound old bullshit, this is the real thing delivered for all the good and pure reasons.

From Arkansas via Springfield, Mo. - Cindy Woolf indulges us in some pristine, post-O Brother “hillbilly love-pop”. With a folk twist. Her musicians on here include one Joe Terry and the whole thing really sparkles like the proverbial gold nuggets in the creek. “Sidewalk Stars” and “Portland East to Portland West” are utterly infectious in a Fleetwood Mac from the Ozarks sense. This is vibrant Americana that is blessed with an honesty that is several leagues beyond authenticity. Cindy’s honey-toned warble imbibes the material with a warm, welcoming glow. You can almost hear the crickets and imagine the porch in the twilight.

I am indebted to the Rev. J Wunderle for having Cindy send me this. It’s the kind of album that folks like Bob Harris could really get behind. It is my hope that it won’t be too long before this lady is headed our way to deliver these impeccable songs first hand. Watch this portal.

Gary "Pig" Gold talks to Vera "Ramone" Colvin

This clip has at least 20 times more energy and better sound than any of the lame-o guff that I witnessed on TV last night. Way to go from here is to fast forward through the i-Player stuff methinks, to avoid any mishaps with electrical equipment.

A message from Sir Tom Phobic...

Hi Kids,

Please drag yourselves away from the box, the wii, guitar hero, the www, the local pub, or wherever most of you are when you should be supporting live rock n roll.

Come see us, the Bucha Effect and more in the flesh at the Malborough in Camberwell tomorrow (July 11th). It's right near the block that had the tragic fire so we may well be passing a hat round for a collection.

In the meantime you are free to your own (de)vices but tomorrow we'll be looking forward to the pleasure of your company.

The gig is FREE by the way.

tpx

Been a busy week and disarray reigns.

I don't feel much like sitting in front of this for any longer today but instead will try to restore some form of order to all the scraps of scribbled notes, etc. that are piling up. There's nothing earth-shattering to report to my knowledge so if I attend to what needs done now then that'll free me up for tomorrow. A whole swathe of you are in Nottingham anyway, right? Thought so. Hope that all goes swimmingly... OK troops, there's work to be done but not staring at this blighter.

Brother Patrick caught the Oblivians/Gories double header in Paris the other night...

"La Maroquinerie has a capacity of 500 which made it the perfect place for The Gories and The Oblivians in Paris. It was completely sold out with a very mixed audience. It included old people like me who already saw both groups in the 90’s (Gories:1992/Oblivians:1995 & 1997) and younger people with excellent taste like Vox, Marie and my son Jonathan.

Most people seemed to have come out for The Gories and others, like me were here to see both combos. The Oblivians were first up to the plate.

In a recent Dig It! interview, Jack told me that they were so excited to play that every show will have a different set list. And it was true! It was completely different from Detroit and it included the seldom heard “Bum A Ride”. During the first 2/3rd, Jack played drums and then swapped places with Greg for more Oblivesque blues songs. Eric sang too, mainly his hardcore-ramone-esque love songs (!) like “She’s A Hole” or Jim Cole” (who got too much soul, I can’t stand it, ha ha). They were almost as great as they were in the old days. It would have been great if they’d played “Never Change” or “Vietnam War Blues” but we can’t have it all ways.

The Gories set was different from Detroit too. They opened with (my fave) “Baby Say Unh” and ploughed through a trove of classics like “You Little Nothing”, The Motions “Everything (That’s Mine)” and Leaving here" by Jimmy Hannah. Mick Collins did his Hendrix shtick during “Ghostrider and the feedback bled into the remainder of the show. He was great, but in my opinion - Peg and Danny really made things fly. Two encores ended with a singalong - “Hey Hey We’re The Gories”.

Time then for a beer (the place was hot) and meeting great people like Isabelle Chelley and her husband Thierry. She kindly gave me a copy of her new book and dedicated it with a very appropriate “Cramps” message. Then it was time to go say hi to the bands.

I asked Danny when the new Gories album will be released? “in your dreams” he answered. He also told me that a single by his new band, the Readies will come out soon on the Cass imprint.

A fun night? You betcha!!"

Thanks to Tam Coyle for this link via facebook.

Hello Saferide at a very rainy Hultsfred just a wee while ago.

Photo by our man in the trenches, The Rt. Hon Per Hägred.

Last night, I was reminded that going to a show doesn't have to be an ordeal. The Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline is a great spot. A bijou proper theatre where the sound doesn't suck. Stop rubbing your eyes, it's true. In addition there's a nice airy bar and the whole-set up was a real eye-opener.

Of course there's the territorial, getting people to travel thing but education is never easy. Scotland is an odd place when it comes to getting people to come out or venture away from their comfort zone. First of all, pulling off this D&B thing was a coup of epic proportions. The big cities are used to having their own way but this was a genuine, on-off event. Not part of any treadmill or buck-sucking exercise. This was about bringing an evening of sophisticated and just plain ethereal music (and pictures) to an audience that would appreciate it. And here's another thing, the people who attended didn't spend the entire show yabbering on the phone or watching it via the screen on some device or other. I know. I wouldn't believe it either but you couldn't make it up. Not based on recent experience anyway.

So we've established that the setting couldn't have been more perfect. What about the show? It's such a rich mix that sensory overload is always a possibility. Some drama ensued when a circuit breaker tripped the power. Dean assured me that it wasn't part of the show. I think I mentioned before that Britta's version of "I'll Keep It With Mine" was spine -tingling but the live version raised the bar to a whole 'nother level. The sonic shimmer of the tambourine against the acoustics of the room were simply off the scale. Percussive bliss.

In terms of mellifluous guitar, there simply isn't anyone that hits the intersecting vein between Tom Verlaine and the racket we must attribute to Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison like Dean Wareham. The program is curated brilliantly and it requires the same of the location it plays at. This isn't something that'll be trucking around exhibition centres anytime soon. I'll keep you up to speed to when it might be coming somewhere near you. "13 Most" needs to be seen and heard. Evan Henderson's leap of faith was entirely vindicated and in the process, nobody who was there will ever forget it. Check here to see if they're heading in your direction.

In years to come, people will claim to have witnessed this. Anybody who dares to criticise any aspect of how cool it was is either jealous that they didn't do it or just a plain old trumpet. No disrespect to the instrument intended.

Were you there? It would be great if you could maybe leave a comment here to thank everybody in the band and the venue for creating something entirely out of kilter with the nature of what the common or garden concert experience has become. I appreciate the fact that a couple of you folks have already applied those to the previous post

I don't know about "arts" but to paraphrase The Killer, that's Jerry Lee incase you figured I meant that Brandon Flowers or one of his cohorts, but I KNOW what I like.

Some photos, link courtesy of Murray.

Should be a report coming from A Head Full of Wishes very soon.

Not sure if it's the weather and a general question of temperature but I felt like I'd been hit by a truck this morning. Factor in the extreme tiredness and blogging wasn't an option. And it isn't now because all roads lead to Dunfermline.

I know there's a cool Ivor Cutler tribute night at Oran Mor in Glasgow but there's a genuine first happening across "the watter". If we don't support this kinda venture then there's a good chance that we won't get similar opporchancities down the pike. Y'dig?

Still, conjecture about leading horses to water notwithstanding, I may be back later because it won't be a late night I'm sure. See you at the show? Or maybe here afterwards...

To all those that are able to make the effort. Good on yez!

So much to do, such little time and thusly I'm at sixes and seven's with blogging tonight.

I did remember what else I wanted to share with you folks the other day though.

Delayed reaction brought upon by the coffee nae doobt... anyway here it is.

Plus JD has posted another wee story for your browsing pleasure.

Yessir, pardner, it's time for another RODEO BAR roundup with SUSQUEHANNA INDUSTRIAL TOOL & DIE CO., meaning cold beer, hot Tex-Mex cuisine and a couple of numbers from our special guest -- Li'l Lenore! WEDNESDAY, JULY 8th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / Two rootin' tootin' shows, from 10pm sharp until 12:30am / No cover!
Yours on the trail, Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co."Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Not exactly sure where all the time goes anymore. It flies by in a blip though. No matter how strong my intentions to prioritise are there's always something that shoves a stick in the spokes. Whilst I'm enjoying relative success at keeping away from facebook quizzes at the moment, there are sundry other things that suck up the hours. Still, it could be worse.

I'm really backed up with listening too to the point where it sometimes becomes a chore. I'll say it again, (please) don't send unsolicited mp3 files. They choke up the inbox and sometimes halt the delivery of other messages. If you're thinking about doing that and I don't know you, then exercise some consideration and ask first. This will assist both parties. What's more don't send links to stuff that would patently be of no interest. Look at the contents and tell me where you think some of the lame indie guff that floods in might fit here? Quality control is still something we believe in here. Some individuals may not be familiar with that concept as they cut and paste their little hearts out.

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A wee bit of info for anybody who is travelling to Dunfermline on Wednesday. If you aren't travelling by car then you can go from Haymarket Edinburgh to the main station and it's a five minute uphill walk to the Carnegie Hall from there.

Buswise from Glasgow, they seem to leave Buchanan St Bus Station at half past the hour and journey time is an hour and 10. You'd have to get back by train via Haymarket though so you'd be as well doing the whole shebang by train.

Public transport in the UK blows, but you knew that. The show should be over by 9.30pm-ish so I figure it's do-able by choo-choo. If you're coming from elsewhere or further afield then drop me an e-mail and I'll attempt to help you out if you're stuck.

You don't just want to hear about it the next day, right?

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So drinking coffee staves off Alzheimer's? I better load the heck up then because I'd forget me head if it wasn't screwed on. At this point in time, I feel like my batteries simply cannot be recharged. If I was a writer then I'd cry "writers block" but as it is, it's just block. As in concrete. I'm have no earthly idea what the answer is. Lefsetz was claiming that the Jackson fiasco is the final nail in the coffin of entertainment as we know it. I think this phenom is entirely a media fiction and that not nearly as many people give a hoot as the various forms or reporting are making out. Life long since imitates the National Enquirer but I'd prefer it was the Weekly World News. In the form it took when Lux sent me a whole wad of xeroxed headlines back in the LOTC days.

Here’s a few things that might pique your interest in lieu of my ongoing shortcomings

Danny Fields Interview (Link courtesy of Craig “The Barman” Regan)

A Thank You To Willy DeVille (Link courtesy of Peter Holsapple)

The other MJ (Link courtesy of Deborah Frost)

There was something else but this is where a cup of joe might come in handy...

Pittsburgh ought to take better care of their own, Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby are at Club Cafe this Tuesday, July 7 at 7 PM. 7/7 @ 7 Got that?

Now spread the word if you're around and about there and if you see the alleged promoter, give that person a good hard foot up the arse.

If you're on east coast USA then check if they're heading to a joint near you!

Peter Holmstedt runs Hemifrån, a bolthole for quality pop bordering on country, an amazing portal where he flys the flag for plain old quality music irrespective of pigeonhole. A kindred spirit for sure so let's make a start on some of those.

Releases with what I consider to be terrible packaging sometimes prevent me from caring what might be inside. This is a bad habit because you can’t judge a commodity by how it’s dressed right? Take All Day Sucker (apparently a Stevie Wonder song title?) for instance. Not a good name to my mind plus the lyric font is miniscule. I simply can’t read it. However this album, “The Big Pretend” is like Cheap Trick via The Raspberries taking in a wee Rundgren era-Hall And Oates marinade. Very impressive outright AM popping rock. Like 10CC maybe if they’d come from West Coast USA instead of Blighty. “Nobody Somewhere” and “Land Of Canyons” are really good songs. At first I thought the band name was The Big Pretend and have to admit that when I saw "Maroon 5" mentioned on their page I was ready for the worst.

Stephen Hedley is a Canadian that reminds me of Roddy Frame and the title track of his album “Scenes” is very Aztec Camera. If that’s your bag then you’ll most likely enjoy this but beware of the vocoder-y effect on “Downtown”. Not to be confused with The Skele-song of the same name.

Pick of this litter is “Still Glistening” by Ugly Stick. The packaging on this one is unassuming to the point of unattractive. This Columbus, Ohio quartet delivers the goods in sound terms though, good and dirty rock sitting somewhere between Lucero and Dan Baird, maybe a little Replacements and Hoodoo Gurus here and there too. “Little Lynn” kicks things off with a frantic hoedown and the Stick are wielding an almighty racket that is undoubtedly several degrees more deadly in the heat of a club. “Soul Satisfaction” is possibly my favourite cut, “What’s your favourite kind of monkey?”, now that’s what I consider a lyric. Fred Willard and Sondra “Kima” Sohn are pictured with members of the band at their myspace.

Joe Cassady and the West End Sound are toting a lavish digipack entitled “The 47th Problem”. From NY, these guys are actually headed for some festival action in the North of Scotland in August including Belladrum. This is superior roots rock or if you prefer, Americana. It certainly and undeniably is american music that’s for sure but covers a multitude of bases within that rather limited pigeonhole. Judging by the little research that I’ve done on the back of listening to this would suggest that this will be one combo worth catching. Wish they were stopping by the lowlands, “G3 Blues” is surely an ode to the Glasgow postcode? And how about those atmospherics on “Big Wave”? I feel like I heard this song before, not because it sounds like something else, but because it feels comfortable. It’s a little like Elliot Murphy maybe and it got me thinking that this guy could cut a great version of “Last of The Rock Stars”.

More Hemifrån coming soon...

RIP - Drake Levin (Paul Revere and the Raiders)

Info via HDM's facebook.

RIP - Allen Klein

If this is half as cool as the trailer then there are many hoots in store... thanks to HT for the heads up! Probably not safe for work and all that other baloney so proceed accordingly.

Here's where I was was 20 years ago today, 33 since The Ramones at the Round'ouse... Yeah kids, it's the 4th of July. And you know. all those Del Lords re-ish's are available now so let's see some justice done in the american music stakes.

Not a bad start to a Saturday, Eric's "A Pop Song" is on NoFoSo and I'm pondering the Tesco run. "Hell's bells, buckets of blood" right enough.

A good day to all my US cronies. I hope the mexican kids keep the firework action on the DL wherever you be.

It doesn't get much better than this for a Friday night, correctamundo?

From Peru, courtesy of Angel Aparicio Trujillo via facebook.



It's been a long, hot thankless week but this put a smile on my face and that's not an easy thing to do. I need to regroup and get together some music to post about tomorrow. Saturday 4th July - Dave Alvin Day...

RIP - Bobby Ubangi

(Link courtesy of Dr. H)

Aye, the nights are fair drawing in... I can’t recall it ever being this warm. Not here.

I’ve been elsewhere when it’s been bloody hot but it’s generally bearable. A huge thunderstorm can’t be far away surely? Wow, Dean & Britta and Buddy Greco in one week. Dunfermline is a happening place. I always think of Girl Trouble's "Cold Shoulder" video when I see BG's name these days. Digress? Who me??



I know it takes a bit of effort to go off the beaten track but I really must insist that you make said attempt at getting along to "13 Most Beautiful...." There are all too few genuine special events anymore and I'm not saying that this fine production won't return to the UK, or Scotland for that matter sometime down the pike but it's unlikely to be anywhere near as groovy as this.

Summon the energy and support something that isn't a travelling medicine show designed to fleece you. This is a shindig that you won't ever forget so make the pilgrimage from wherever you are in Scotland. Or further afield, you’ll have a ball.

And as a cool breeze goes, you can always count on Maia...

RIP - Karl Malden

RIP - Mollie Sugden

Not sure if it's the heat-induced sleep deprivation but I just read the latest Jackson snippet as "fairytale carnage" I think I'll start a band called that. I did have another good name that I got from this site (thanks Lisa) but the post seems to have been removed.

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Some stuff coming up in Edinburgh...

This Saturday's THE GO-GO (4th July)

is at Henry's Cellar Bar Morrison Street (and not Studio 24 as previously advertised).

60s DJ's Tall Paul Robinson & Angus A-GO-GO (Mod, Soul, Garage Etc)

Playing live ... THE HIDDEN MASTERS (psyche-y prog-punk trio)

band on at midnight. 11pm til 3am. £5/4

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The Joyriders will be opening for The New York Dolls in Glasgow on July 20th. They also have a show at Cabaret Voltaire on the day after (21st). These take place to limber ‘em up ahead of their jaunt to Japan. The Cab show is with The Bum Clocks and Tango Rhums .

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Not sure how the rest of this evening has in store but it would be cool if the temperature would go down a bit. Ha ha. Did you get what I did there? Every one a flippin' maserati...

Ideally I'd be on a boat out Stockholm way watching The Nomads but t'was not to be.

As the Dark Wave Swells

Brother Ben Gart made the pilgrimage to the Motor City at the weekend to witness the ignition of the two-headed monster that is the return of The Gories and The Oblivians to the boards. The blast off en route to "Blast Off" and other shows around Europe. Here's what he had to say...

"I spent about 5 hours driving from Chicago to Detroit Saturday afternoon and it was a beautiful day, no construction or traffic problems either. Couldn't have asked for a better start to the weekend. Once I got past Ann Arbor, I found the hotel in lovely Romulus, across the street from the airport. They were nice and the room was as good as could be expected for an economy joint. After a bit of a lie down, I got up, got a quick bite to eat from the hot redhead next door and headed into the (Motor) City proper.

I was warned that Detroit was a place to be cautious about -- Michigan going on 14% unemployment, one in three homes condemned or boarded up and a high crime level. Quite honestly, while it did seem run down and old, it was very cool. A lot of character there! The neighbourhood that the Majestic Theatre is in isn't bad at all, situated next to a university and plenty of other theatres across from it. I was really excited to see the place since it has such a cool history, playing a big part in the Motown legacy. After parking in the lot out back, I wandered inside and saw Mick Collins deeply focused with texting on his phone (it seemed) and Danny driving his beat-up old station wagon & giving someone a jump. Decided to leave them alone and just get in line.

Once inside, I was thrilled to see that the Majestic did have a lot of character -- I looked around at walls and ceiling, imagining what it would've been like to see so many legends perform there. Old soul, R&B and blues blasted out of the speakers setting the atmosphere just right. The Oblivians took the stage at around 9.30pm and things heated up quick, kicking the energy up to high gear. Having never seen them and not being too familiar with their material, I quickly "got" what they're about. A lot of electricity, sweat and screaming like mad preachers high on sin. The crowd ate it up like a handful of speed. They blasted through 19 tunes in just about an hour giving The Gories something to live up to. There were no encores. Greg, Eric and Jack got off fast to make way for the reason most everyone came for.

After about 20 – 30 minutes setting up and tuning, The Gories took the stage and the audience went absolutely fucking nuts! Talk about something I've missed at a lot of shows over recent years -- deep appreciation by fans, loudly vocalized "thankyous" they (rarely) got to hear in the 80s and 90s. Mick made the bittersweet comment "Who are all you people?" The band started up on high gear with "Hey Hey, We're The Gories" and didn't let up. I was blown away at how they appeared not to have changed at all since they last played these songs with any regularity. Hopefully they really didn't practice at all since they decided to play these shows, to ensure that the three of them stayed true to the sound.

Danny took the opportunity to use some of the skills he's learned over the years to play "Detroit Breakdown", honking on his harmonica and playing guitar at the same time. On "Ghostrider", Mick played what was likely the coolest guitar-freakout solo I have ever seen or heard live! They cranked out 20 songs, running through classic after classic like they’ve never been away. Embodying generations of bluesmen and rock'n'rollers spirits, it was gratifying to see a broken-up band take to a stage again and unleash that rare lightning from a bottle most washed up has-beens could never match in the first place.

The only complaint I have is actually a compliment -- I wish they would have kept on playing all night."

Report and photo by Ben Gart, Chicago Chapter.

There's loads of stuff to keep you going indoors and outdoors in the near to yonder future depending on where you be located of course. I'm not planning to be on here for long tonight so without any further ado.

There's a new Wreckless Radio episode up.

A new JD King story.

The Nomads do their annual Blidösund shindig this coming Wednesday for those lucky enough to be in and around the fabulous city of Stockholm.

Do you have your tickets for Dean and Britta's "13 Most Beautiful" yet? That's a week on Wednesday - July 8th. If you're in Glasgow, the Rt. hon Thomas Coyle is considering running a bus so e-mail him if you're interested in getting aboard said charabang. The only UK show over in Dunfermline, situated in the kingdom of Fife. Flake out of this one at your peril. Flog your T in the Park tickets and see something genuinely fresh.

You need Anne Streng's postcards!

Oh, I've lost my scribbled note with a couple of other things on it so see how you go with that little lot.

This is the membership card for the Cramps fan club in France, The Last Great Martyrs. Run by Nathalie Denis. Where you be Nathalie?

Nothing like some organ music for a Sunday morning. Thanks to Sébastien Favre for the tip via fb.

26 years prior to Obama, President Clarence Clemons was busy in the White House. It was September (perhaps early October) 1983 and during the filming of the video for "A Woman's Got The Power". Hearing that solo during "Thunder Road" last night brought it all back.

Irrespective of what you might think about Springsteen circa 2009, you can't quibble that he upped the ante of the Glasto humdrum. Talk about a rocket up the arse. I think there were 6 songs broadcast? Or maybe I just woke up at that point.

Anyway, I'll have a look at what the bunfight has to offer today but I imagine nothing. Lisa Hannigan, who was on immediately after the E-Street express did pretty good. I like her and always wonder how tall she must be. Seeing as it's raining, and I seem to be developing a "sair throat", going through old photos seems like the order of the day. Amongst other things.

In town the other day, I was struck by the waterbeds on legs trading"don't even go there's" in their trademark local twang. I hate that. It's like people from here trying to use "dude" or "awesome". After all you don't get the denizens of the South Bronx going about calling people "bawbag". Chances are that would sound pretty daft too. It's like white guys dressing "hip hop". It's a no no. Or blasting it loudly out of their cars as they "cruise". Happy hardcore kind of suits the chinless little (and big) toerags because it provides a theme for their pointy faced noxious existence. The ob prefix kicks in after they've tanned the prescription Buckfast. I don't claim to have a total grasp on the english language but c'mon - we have enough slang. There's no need to appropriate stuff they've heard Tenecia(s?) yatter on Ricki Lake or Sally. The world may well be just one big onion but...

Another very sickening aspect of the Jacko thing is people like David Cameron or any politician paying “tribute”. Then there was the guy on the radio yesterday plugging HMV and FOPP as places to go to load up on your Michael merch. Not only are they one and the same thing, there was no qualification that these items could be purchased from similar outlets. Any which way, the “charts” will be dominated by the late Mr Jackson so if you’re a new band hoping that you might scrape in there then forget it.

I watch Glastonbury on TV in the hope that something will actually be good. That almost never happens and the Tap was OK but the drummer didn’t explode at the end. I thought The Ting Tings were pretty good, despite the fact that it’s all artificial. I actually hoped that by some trick of fate that Wreckless and Amy would somehow make it to the screen. However for reasons as yet unknown, their Glasto stint never came to pass. There’s a band called Esser or something on just now, playing the John peel stage. I’ve never heard of them and they’re awful so that very probably means they’ll be huge. The singer looks like one of Bros moonlighting as David Gahan.

I had to switch of Kasabian. They’re like Primal Scream vs Reef. CS&N were also less than entertaining but I think the guy who’s on bass is Bob Glaub that played on Amy Allison’s “Sheffield Streets”. There’s a big stooshy going on because the BBC isn’t broadcasting the whole Springsteen set. I don’t care one way or another, just so long as it doesn’t involve a double dose of Doves or some such bobbins. Now it’s the turn of some bunch called The Temper Trap that’s making me go and change the channel. But what awaits when I hit the remote... The Script murdering Bowie's "Heroes"...

Lisa Marie on MJ. (Link courtesy of Peter Holsapple via fb).

Whilst doing a wee bit of google snooping on “Baraboo” I found that it had been shown in Galway but I guess the EIFF were playing the Southern Ireland card with regard to claiming the premiere. One important item that came up is that there’s a new movie with Mark Borchardt doing the rounds called “Modus Operandi”. Let’s get back to the job in hand though.

Mary Sweeney’s directorial debut is an understated, slow burning treasure. After all the rushing about over the past few days it took maybe 10 minutes to wind down into the pace. It’s unmistakably got the ambience of “The Straight Story”. Certain aspects suggest that she was perhaps the one behind creating the atmospheres that give Lynch his edge. I’m just saying. It’s a quiet, tranquil film with an underlying sense of menace. The cast are uniformly excellent and were drawn from local theatre talent. The town itself is close to Madison, Wisconsin. (Ben) Weasel country and it looks like a great place to visit.

It made me recall the time that Randy, Donna and I went to Black Oak in Arkansas to try and find Jim Dandy and travelling with The Skeletons. The score is partly Richard Thompson and some “metal” by the offspring of David Lynch and Ms Sweeney, Riley Sweeney Lynch.

“Baraboo” also reminded me a little of Phil Morrison’s “Junebug”. Maybe it was the outsider art element and the rural setting. Anyway, it made me want to visit the town and maybe grab a cold drink from the general store there where “Jane” works.

Not sure when this will be released to theatres but make a mental note to see it when it does.

Hoping to establish a little equilibrium here today. When I got home from Edinburgh last night, Neil Young was tearing through a god-awful version of the already no biggie in my book, "A Day In The Life". I shall dip in and out of the TV coverage over the course of this particular one in mine. And there's live music in the town square here so I'll swing by there just to make sure that my grasp of the local culture can be sated.

I'm not expecting much but at least the rain is off. Good that I managed to get the last of the hedge down prior to the cloudburst but getting rid of the cuttings with the less than adequate garden refuse colletion around here could well take some time. However, if that's all I've got to concern me then I'm doing no' bad. First up will be a short of "Baraboo"...

The news of Jeannie C. Riley's passing seems, thankfully, to be untrue.

Apologies for any undue alarm this may have caused.

Lenny Helsing on Sky Saxon, Lenny kindly posted this as a comment on RIP - SS, but just incase you don't look at those...

"Yeah I can only add that Sky was something else indeed, and The Seeds were one of the very greatest combos the rock world has ever produced. It was an honour indeed to meet and befriend the great man when he came to play in Aberdeen, and Glasgow, Scotland a few years ago. The group I play for The Thanes were fortunate enough to be the opening group when Sky and his brand new band of Seeds tore it up at Glasgow's King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. Although I only spent a few hours with him over a couple of days, Sky was a very amiable and friendly guy, full of fun and joy, still wanting the best out of life, and telling us he loved the music we were playing, and taking the time to hang out, ask Seedy questions and generally wanting to put the world to rights. And wasn't the Sky Saxon and The Seeds LP 'Red Planet' just the best thing he'd been involved in since the heady daze of the original SEEDS. Oh yeah I really do think so. I think Sky has now truly found the entranceway to play…may the flower lady and her assistant attend your every need…"

From Duglas T Stewart...

"Hi all,

I'm playing a FREE gig at The Goat this Sunday. The line up is- the ultraromantic sounds of Duglas T Stewart and friends, "organic electronica" from Engine'7 and my fave new songwriter Adam Ross (I think he's really brilliant). The fun starts at 8pm.

Mr. Duglas"

RIP - Michael Jackson

Read Johnny Black's RBP blog posting on this here. I think he puts it pretty succinctly.

Some sad news for sure tonight but let’s accentuate the positive a little...

In the last couple of days I’ve seen two still living, breathing exponents of the arts that have made everything we hold dear responsible. In terms of influence they’re right up there. Giants. Maybe not household names but individuals who pervade every aspect of what I consider to be true culture. I’ve considered the possibility that both can enjoy a level of popularity now because they’re part of the broad canvas that The Cramps taught us. It’s true to say that there was always an aspect of awareness but they piqued an insatiable appetite for cool and crazy stuff. I was just talking the other day to someone about how the landscape would be very different if it weren’t for their direction.

I blew out the chance to see the first two episodes of True Blood in a cinema setting in favour of Wanda Jackson’s first Scottish appearance in, she says, more that 25 years. I think it must be way more than that and would welcome information with regard to when it might have been. It was good to see a decent turnout for this auspicious occasion and two bucketloads of kudos should go to Ms Holly Calder for pulling it off and making it possible.

It’s important to create a proper environment for an event like this and the DJ action (Aaron from All Tore Up and another guy, can’t remember his name) provided the sounds to do that alright. The band that was providing their services to Ms Jackson opened. The Bottleneckers are a first class blues/r&b ensemble with an extensive repertoire. It’s all a wee bit tidy and concise but meticulous with not a grain of excess flab. They opened with “Georgia Slop” which made me think, where is Barrence Whitfield these days?

I’ve seen clips of Wanda with some pretty hokey bands but this wasn’t the case here. This combo swung like nature intended, like she might have had back in the golden days. And what a voice, that was perhaps the most remarkable thing of all. It’s a total hits show and she narrates the story of her career well without the aid or any powerpoint presentation. “Funnel Of Love” was absoflippinlutely amazing. It’s something she’s only recently started to perform again, being that it was considered too risqué for someone so devoutly Christian. I’m please she saw the light. Mr Duff said that this was the best of the 4 times he’s seen her and he knows those onions.

The one downer was the drowning out at some points by a section of gibbering bastards in the audience. These people have no respect for their elders or betters. None whatsofucking ever. It’s time that venues employed quiet police to muzzle these divots. That aside, Wanda appears to have a lot more energy than I do, several years her junior. Keith Bruce's review from The Herald is here.

It wasn’t possible to report in yesterday, I took advantage of the weather to try and keep the immediate area around the bunker in reasonable fettle. “Cutting the grass” isn’t a euphemism incase you wondered.

Yesterday’s movie going was much more successful than that of the weekend. Kicking off with a screening of "The Wild Angels" at 1pm, this was not only the last remaining print of the film – it was also introduced by Mr. Roger Corman himself. Quite a thrill. I imagine that everyone reading this is familiar with the film and to hear Davie Allan blasting out in the pictures is a pretty groovy thing. I’d made the executive decision not to attend the Corman in person thing to see the European prem of “The Missing Person” so this was a real bonus.

I think that this was another good move because “TMP” is simply a great piece of work on every level. I unreservedly recommend it to anybody with an interest is seeing a simply terrific film. It looks great, the story is good and I don’t think that I’ve seen anything this good in some considerable time. Don’t want to give away anything about it in the hope that you’ll catch it when it’s properly released. There are a couple of sequences where the script is just of such a supreme high order I can’t begin to tell you. Plus it includes the fantastic Amy Ryan in the cast and as executive producer. Indeed it was she who put the director, Noah Buschel on to Michael Shannon who looks not unlike Lux.

The director was on hand to talk about the film and he sounded a little like Billy Miller. An ardent New Yorker, his love for the disappeared aspects of his city just made him all the more likeable. I reckon that he’s going places. My original exec decision was based upon the consideration that Ms Ryan might attend. Yes kids, sad but true, deluded fanboy that I am. The soundtrack includes Freddy Fender and Bud Powell and the closing credits contain what may be a typo or maybe not for a “grahpic designer”.

Walking past Henry’s, I noticed that The Suicidal Birds and Pony Pack were playing later. I hesitated for a moment, thinking I might hang about but remembered that it was a school night. Heading for the train, I passed some hipsters on their way to the ATP event. Some maybe even had their swimming cosies on under those trenchcoats. We’ll never know.

Taking advantage of the excellent weather, I walked, or rather ambled, the 3.3 miles home. Past enough cut grass to make my peepers smart to the extent that sitting in front of the computer wasn’t an option. I have one more film to go on Friday. “Baraboo” by Mary Sweeney. This will provide my customary David Lynch related section of the programme.

RIP - Sky Saxon

I was all set to bring you up to speed with the last couple of days when I caught this news that took the wind out of my sails. Having never met him, there are no anecdotes from this end but few will ever forget discovering "Pushin' Too Hard" via Nuggets in 1972. For anyone who might not be familiar with the band in the UK, you've all seen the Lynx deodorant ad with "Can't Seem To Make You Mine" right? Anyway, another pioneer down.

RIP - Steven Wells

(link courtesy of Innes Reekie)

RIP - Farrah Fawcett

Let's hope that's it for now...

I just got in so a post of any magnitude at all just ain't happening tonight or today depending on where you're dropping in from. The Wanda report and an update on the EIFF will be forthcoming but right now it feels like there's sand in my eyes. Viva the hayfever...

Not sure about you but I am sick to the back teeth of the word "festival". It's been co-opted over under sideways down and in sundry other directions. The term has been rendered meaningless and the original intention of these being a celebration of something or other overtaken by the commercial opportunities that it implies.

I got an e-mail this afternoon offering a 2 for 1 ticket offer for the Joe Dante in person thing which I'd like to attend. Only thing is that it's at 6pm and I'm not burning any more vacation time. If it was at 7.30pm then I bet there'd be much bigger uptake. But anyway, those two stinkers I saw on Saturday kind of tainted my EIFF-going. I’ll be back there tomorrow. But not for the ATP thing although I believe Duglas T. Stewart makes an appearance in the film?



Post rock. Nothing to do with royal mail then? The Picturehouse in Edinburgh will be converted into a makeshift holiday camp for the ATP thing tomorrow. Oh post rock, that'll be a package from Blackpool containing sticks of peppermint and fruit sugar rush fixes? No? what is it then? Mogwai?? That's the wee furry beastie from Gremlins. WTF? Anyway, all of that will be going on but I’ll be up the road at Filmhouse.



It’s unfeasibly hot here today but I’m headed for Glasgow. Members of the opening band, The Bottleneckers are backing Wanda Jackson tonight so it should be pretty faithful to the heyday. I'll try to file a report pretty much upon my return. No doubt I'll have seen some of you there.

Wanda Jackson is at the ABC2 in Glasgow tomorrow (23rd) and not Wednesday as the poster suggests.

I have come to my senses and blown out a previous engagement in Edinburgh and will see you all there.

These Del Lords reissues are available now, replete with extra tracks. Thanks to Scott for the nod. Top gear every one....! Available from all good record stores and online emporiums.

Edinburgh Film Festival "Best of the Fest" announced... if indeed I head for a Picturehouse on Sunday it'll be a screening of "Telstar".

Eric and Amy are on Marc Riley's show tonight between 7 and 9pm en route to Glasto this coming weekend. Check their show dates and see them if you can possibly swing it. Oh, and there's a new Eck podcast available now so you know that's a must.

Good morning campers. I'm not at work today and figured that I might book a couple of tickets for the David Simon event at the upcoming book festival. So having set up an account prior to online booking opening, I figured that it was all set. You know me, I thrive on pessimism but the site has fallen on its arse. I'm on the phone, in a queue but am tempted to hang up because when all is said and done - I'm not sure that I care anymore.

WTF is it with this system of buying tickets for anything? It's not efficient. All it serves to do is aggravate. This condition intensifies when you find fuckers selling tickets on ebay later. Anyway, I'm doing this as I wait. My schedule is screwed now anyway, I should have been at the post office for it opening. Another black mark. Oh, "we're very sorry to keep you waiting" (again).

No you aren't you automated tart...

Update @ 9.46am - Got through, scored the tickets. Was on hold for just nudging an hour...

Brother J had better luck than me at the flicks it seems...

30 years of film festival attendance is a fair old investment of time. A commodity that I’m particularly aware of at the minute but still, it’s a hard habit to break.

Yesterday started pretty early because I decided to go and donate blood prior to my schedule. The centre there was pretty quiet so it was all pretty smooth. The women who work there seemed to be excited about the prospect of being able to score Take That tickets for tonight. At that point I’m thinking that I’m glad I’m not travelling to Glasgow although I do feel a twinge of guilt through not being at the Halt Bar. Anyway, I got the business done and a collapsed vein caused my next couple hours to smart like something that smarts a lot. Bit of a sairo but so far it’s not purple like I expected it to be.

"The Intruder" is the Star Trek episode where Jim gets... oops sorry. I’d never seen this despite it being considered one of Corman’s finest and an early performance by William Shatner. The print screened belongs to Joe Dante and it was in pretty great shape. It’s odd, the subject of racism being tackled like this is something like a vintage Outer Limits episode. The more things change, the more they stay the same and all that, as sung by a Missouri group in more recent times. The film was actually shot in the “show-me” state. This made me want to see the entire Roger Corman retrospective but unfortunately logistics forbid that.

"Elkland" was next, screening with a short film from Mexico entitled “Roma” because this, the only Swedish film in the programme this year clocks in at under an hour. This will probably prevent Elkland being seen by more people here. Not as “black” as the blurb painted, it’s a pretty gentle twisted rural portrait. The cool score by Matti Bye adds to the understatedness. The director, Per Hanefjord comes from the North of Sweden and reflects a terrain that he’s familiar with but he stressed at the Q&A that it’s not a family tale.

"Wide Open Spaces" was a world premiere. With its Father Ted alumnus and generally what would have suggested a good pedigree, I spent most of it wondering why Ardal O’ Hanlon’s character looked so much like Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub. One of the people involved, could have been the director, and said there were a couple of jokes in it but if we didn’t like it that it was pretty short. Didn’t really feel like it and I missed one of them I think. I’m sorry to say that this isn’t good. Things took an odd twist at the close though when “Planets” written by the aforementioned Mr Blake and our good friend Francis Macdonald played the film out. That was a bit spooky. I hope that the piece does well businesswise so that my friends might earn some royalties but I can’t imagine anybody thinking that this is worth their time.

WOS confused me as to how anybody might have thought it was worthy of a slot in the program and as I wandered down toward Filmhouse for my final appointment, I did consider blowing it out. “Don’t be a quitter” my inner masochist implored. Got there just as the doors to Cinema 1 and "Black Dynamite" went ahead on time, no intro, lights down and bang, well actually, whimper. I hope that the ghost of Rudy Ray Moore is putting the shite-ers up everybody involved in this utter guff. The audience laughed and hooted at this completely lame recon of all that we hold dear about what’s become known as blaxploitation in these post-Tarantino times. It makes “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” look like high art. Folks diss the Wayans brothers but they’ve never plumbed these depths. Avoid at all costs and get a copy of “Dolemite” or “The Human Tornado”, both of which are several light years ahead in every way. I should have went with my hunch earlier but I imagine that I’d have wanted to see this anyway so better getting it done now and be able to maybe save other people from wasting their money. Check it out for yourself but don’t be snowed by the “authenticity”.

“BD” is working for the man and squealing like a biiiiiii-atch. No disrespect to bi-atches intended.

OK kids, I have a full dancecard filmwise today and here's what I'll see - The Intruder, Elkland, Wide Open Spaces and Black Dynamite. Wish me luck...

Don't want to leave you twiddling your thumbs though so check this stuff out...

Amy Allison interview at Lucid Culture.

It was remiss of me not to hitch you to a link of this Roy Trakin piece earlier in the week. Meant to do it at the same time as I facebooked it. You know how it is when you're trying to keep all them media bases covered...

Just discovered the Rt. Hon Mike Chandler is blogging now too and let me introduce you to the Sgt. Major III .

Enough to be going on with? Good.