RIP - Rhino Records?

Jings, this takes me back...

Dammit! now why did I think this was in October??

John "Hoppy" Hopkins in Glasgow... tomorrow (26th September)

To quote a favourite songwriter of mine, “Today’s word is dejected”. However it’s Friday and that brings tacit relief for a wee while at least. A conversation I had about stuff and the hoarding thereof the other night has made me think that the recycle bucket will be receiving a hearty feed over this period. It’s more likely that I’ll find a bunch of stuff that will drain up the precious time but you never know. I will do the Mojo thing though so stand by for the word on that. Is the general malaise something to do with the ongoing Mercury retrograde or just par for the course?

I'd become a communist and drop the hell off the map if I could pick the commune.

Anyhoo, I just saw Brother Patrick report to Staysick that The Sonics will play Paris on December 7th.

I keep meaning to post a link to Chuck Miller's great Cramps blog.

Something else that I've been meaning to do is make you aware that Play Loud! could really do with some folks ordering The Monks dvd and other stuff direct from them so that they can keep making quality gear in the future. Lucia and Dietmar have fallen victim to the occupational minefield of a distributor going down the pan. DO NOT download their wares from any of these bit torrent sites or wherever, make an effort to prop up these stalwarts of cool popular culture out yonder in Germany. If you don't then you won't get to see their Martin Rev dvd...

And getting out of here but remaining in that fine country, the lady in question that penned that opening line back there is in Munich tonight and Hamburg tomorrow. Hello Saferide is one heck of a night out and could well reaffirm your faith that it's worth plodding on.

I'm going to attempt some reviews over the next few hours. Some of them will be very short in line with the average attention span these days. Mine included.

This is going to come over as one of these “it’s not you , it’s me” scenarios. Following last night’s JJR show in Glasgow, I need to file this report. Some will agree, others won’t.

Firstly, to my mind – the show was woefully promoted. I’m pretty sure hardly anybody knew about it. Hell, Monorail didn’t even have advance tickets and I’m pretty sure that some of their clientele would have been at least interested. Maybe if they’d played with The Primevals or another local rock’n’roll ensemble? Maybe that would have made some kind of difference?? But anyway, there go those scrambled eggs again. It was an opporchancity wasted. There was no support, which in another way was a good thing. When we wandered up, they were still soundchecking and it sounded pretty good. A good eal better than the soup of Madame JoJo’s. You could even hear the “piano”.

They went on about 9.45pm and there were maybe 40 people there by that time. Not bad considering it was such a well kept secret but way short of how many it should have been. It further gave further grist to the mill of the notion – why bring a decent band to Glasgow, or Scotland even? But that’s a debate for another day, or the comments if you feel like it. If you ever tried to “promote” a show here then I imagine you know what I mean. The JJR were very loud and sounded better than my previous encounter by a long shot. They work hard. They pummel. They have all the moves and the shapes and they look like a band. Did I mention that you could hear the “piano” for chrissakes. The efficiency from where I was standing though seemed that for all the high energy, even with the illusion of volume that was sometimes disorienting, the net result wasn’t particularly deadly. It was mentioned that they’re better than the Blues Explosion. Maybe so, but they’re nothing like them. The ingredients are all in place and my own tuppence worth is that they should be playing to youngsters up to the age of 35. They should have played Sleazy’s where the room would have better suited their oeuvre at this point. It’s all a bit Alanis that they’re belting out “Meat Man” in a vegan restaurant.

Irrespective of what I think, the JJR deserved a better reception on their first visit up here than they got. It won’t put them off but this wasn’t a great advert for a country that often lays claim to have the best audiences in the world. This is assuming that there is an audience.

The JJR do have the firepower to sock it to you but in essence, they leave me cold. It’s not them necessarily, it’s most likely me and I’m not sure this relationship will ever work. So I respectfully wish them every success and head in the opposite direction feeling pretty old and tired. It would be great if the youngsters could get on board their rocket but I’m not holding my breath.

Moon Duo is where I’m at right now, what can I tell you?

RIP - Sam Carr

(Thanks to Mr Duff for the info, Goner Board for the link)

The MO at the moment seems to be that I’ve come in for a bout of turbulence as caused by the minutiae of bullshit. I don’t take kindly to this but it’s an occupational hazard – it would seem - that is keeping me from more important matters.

Off to catch The Jim Jones Revue in Glasgow now, I think it’s their first foray this far Nort’. Hopefully it’ll be better than the Madame JoJo’s show earlier this year. For a start, Bobby Gillespie is unlikely to be there so that has to be an improvement. All will be revealed in the fullness of time he typed hoping that it won’t be a last train (not tram – hey TJ!) home situation. 10.48/11.18pm I could just about live with on a school night.

As my peeps know, I'm not somebody who is at the cutting edge of gadgetry.

I thought I'd lost my bog standard mobile phone this morning. I remembered charging it up and was pretty sure it never left the house. When I called it, it went straight on to voicemail. People who try to call me by that method know that it’s almost only ever switched on when I’m making or expecting a call. A trait, I'm reliably informed, that I share with Mose Allison. It’s not something that could be realistically perceived to be a tracking device. I never walk down the street or sit in a train staring at it. That said, I miss it because I HATE the thought of having to get another one and this little blighter had so much left to give. But thankfully, the device showed up on the floor of the car. God only knows how but I'm relieved to have been reunited with it. Even although it's seldom used.

I have some artwork and stuff to do so I'm off to see what kind of progress can be made on that. Don't forget that The Nomads are headed for Norway this weekend - if you can make that it'll be high in entertainment protein. The Wildebeests and Les Bof will also be out in those climes. Sadly I'll be UK bound with a reprieve on Sunday for the matinee show in Newcastle by Eric and Amy.

RIP - Arthur Ferrante

(info from Donna Lethal via facebook)

Before I begin, Mr Duff reminded me that The Lost Crusaders are at The Corn Rocket Club in London tonight. I've no idea who is joining Mike for these euroshows but you should cut along if you can. It should get pretty nuts in Ryans Bar a little later...

But I digress, some progress was made with regard to getting rid of stuff this past weekend then. A sizeable pile of The List, Uncut and Premiere were launched into the recycle bin. The next chore in that line is to list the issues of Mojo, send them to the smattering of folks that expressed interest and despatch those accordingly. This includes unwanted issues into the hungry jaws of the aforementioned receptacle. Slight inroads were made into a cd cull also but I need to apply the same level of ruthlessness as I have done with the printed matter. Records could well be next but that will be a more difficult matter. I can’t even begin to consider cassettes and VHS tapes at this point and never really caught the dvd bug. Still preferring to make the effort to go to the cinema, at least that habit hasn’t died although the logistics can be fraught sometimes.

The only thing I’m interested in seeing is the new “Curb” episodes that started to air in the US last night. This season apparently centres around the prospect of a “Seinfeld” reunion and by all accounts the first show was great. I did watch some eps of "True Blood" and found it kind of irritating in its post Twin Peaks style. Buffy via American Gothic with added raunch but not as good as either. The theme tune is good in a Chris Isaak/Fatboy vein (you see what I did there.. haw haw) and I think I heard Eleni Mandell in the background of one?

Apparently Season 2 is better and to be honest, I’m not sure that I’ll get that far. We’ll see. An hours de-clutter per night should see me done with it all by about 2015 or thereabouts.

Some other stuff I just discovered that I hadn’t passed on that’ll be coming out over the next wee while. I had scribbled and copied links on to a list but I’ve lost that. This is fairly typical of the situation that is ongoing hereabouts. The other aspect is that what you don’t know or never knew is unlikely to trouble you. That’s a positive note, right? The e-mail and file thing is in many ways worse than physical clutter, I’ve never really been able to fathom a systematic way of storing files. The backup discs to the left of me here are just a further example of what will eventually become landfill. Or maybe I’ll just make arrangements for them to go to one of the places that claims to recycle cd material. I guess I don’t have to make my mind up about that right athis instant.

The Rev. Mike Mastrangelo tells me that tehre's another round of Gun Club re-issues ("Miami", Death Party and The Las Vegas Story) coming in October via Cooking Vinyl. Nothing on the site yet but I'll keep you posted.

Need something to read as the nights are drawing in? Joe Bonomo's tome on The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis - entitled "Lost and Found", this could well be what you're after… I wonder what happened to those tracks The Radio Sweethearts worked on sone time ago??

John Cavanagh's Pirate Radio is on at The Arches this Tuesday and Wednesday. Be there prior to 8.20pm on either night.

The Jim Jones Revue are at Mono on Wednesday. £8 on the door, no advance tickets.

For the forseeable, one hour in the morning (provided I can get up as these dark mornings creep in) and another one in the evening will be my interweb activity for the foreseeable future. These heavy manners are necessary to pursue other avenues of what passes for an existence. I shouldn’t grumble but I do. All part of the charm. Kerfuffle’s and conflicts with regard to time off. Plus it’s not physically or fiscally possible to attend every shindig that I’d like to. Still, I shall be missing in action with regard to blogging between 22nd and 26th October .

Maybe J could be cajoled into interrupting his real life for a couple of day? However, I think you'll live if this thing isn't updated daily. Or even weekly come to that...

Let’s head out to Sweden this Sunday afternoon (GMT) and hit up some spots that might be of interest.

Theodor Jensen’s previous release went under the moniker of The Plan but this one sees him revert to his namesake. As “Walk For Gold” experimented with sophisticated pop shapes, “Tough Love” follows on from that and pushes the envelope marked grandiose even further. It reminds me of “Forever Changes” in some ways without actually sounding anything like it. Orchestral would best describe the fixtures and fittings and the sound is very ornate and off kilter. A little Calexico battling with the Spiders from Mars. That piano on “Bapada” is decidedly Garson-esque. I hear a wee Steve Harley type inflection in his voice too I think but that’s as far as the comparisons go.

It’s an unusual blend of styles with an ebb and flow of real drama. The print on the cd sleeve is too small for me to read even with my gregory’s so I can’t tell you who is actually playing on it but it’s printed on very nice paper. I understand that some of it was recorded at Konie’s Studio Cobra. There’s some skewed blue-eyed soul alongside equally twisted world music. A little like Scritti Polliti but way less po’ faced. “Side by side” is the best example of this particular aspect. I sense a folk aesthetic subplot going on with the instrumentation. That’s what hints at genuine oddness and ends up sounding all the more captivating. It’s not rock’n’roll but it’s good to head off the beaten track into relatively uncharted territory every once in a while.

And those Hemifrån hits just keep on comin’...

“The Power Of The Lord Will Set Us Free and we will be.... Trailerpark Idlers” isn’t the name of the band like “And You Will Know Us By Trail Of Dead” or however that goes. Bible bashing Sunday morning brimstone coming down or just interpretations? It’s hard to tell but by the time you get to “We Need a Lot More of Jesus and A Lot less Rock’n’Roll” the outcome is more obvious.

The gospelness can be taken with a pinch of salt, a rattle of the beads or however you get your faith jollies. Or not. What I’m trying to say is that, even if you’re not a god botherer these folks definitely have their moments of are they/aren’t they. And blow up quite a head of steam in the process. A fun combo then whose next project is a Jim Reeves covers album. I’d love to hear them do an Amy Allison song.

Citizen K is Klas Qvist and his “Meet Citizen K” album comes in packaging that looks not unlike Jackson Browne’s “Saturate Before Using”. This is something of a clue to what the contents sound like but there’s more than a hint of Richard Thompson present too which gives it a folkie edge. That Pinball Wizard guitar on “That Same Old Sun” displays that there’s more to this than just pastiche. Very nicely recorded and while it won’t necessarily grab you, there’s that undeniable Swede-pop element that’ll just creep up on you. I could tell this would be good because of the quality of the sleeve material. This is a guy that gives a hoot about presentation and I for one appreciate that sort of effort.

Jump4Joy ’s “Tasty” is some of that nostalgic rock’n’roll that sits someplace between The Refreshments and The Skeletons more cabaret type moments. It’s a little clean and clichéd even but quite charming nonetheless. Some toe-curling lyrics, the text speak nature of the name and the fact that one of ‘em would appear to have a ponytail can’t contain the fact that they can probably shake up a hostelry some.

Not that I would know anything about that culture whatsoever...

Post #4400 - Things don't get much more ridiculous than this... thanks to Sigrid Jakob via staysick for the link.

The Barman talks to James Williamson. He seems to have his head screwed on. Nice one Craig.

I was talking to Kaptain Krunch last night and he told me that I had to watch “Later”. The sequence in question was a performance by a group who recently professed an interest in penning a Bond theme, an act that had Mr Thewlis apoplectic earlier in the week. The whys and wherefores of that particular angle won’t impinge on my world at all. After all what could possibly follow that Jack White/Alicia Keys atrocity better?

I watched aghast for as long as I could take as these utter numpties trawled through something that sounded a little close to call like a certain well known theme tune by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. I’d be interested to see the publishing credit on that if I could stomach looking at a cd jacket. But the piece de resistance was the final number that surely trod on the “Queen” brand template with a little Yorke thrown in to snag all the lovers of what has killed music stone dead this past few years. There are other similarly heinous perp's doing the rounds - you probably have your own particular "favourite" for the high jump come the revolution. Or at least something. All the talk about dinosaurs during the punk wars? Selective memory or what??

Caterwauling Florence (or Horace as the Kaptain calls “her”) and her machine were on too. But don’t worry folks, I fast forwarded through. No real lasting damage was done as far as I can tell. But like damp cold, this stuff is insidious. It gets to your bones. Those bloody gears of what used to be a rockin' machine. There's plenty of WD40 out there, it just takes a little effort to find.

FYI - The Wreckless Eric/Amy Rigby show in Newcastle next Sunday (27th) is a matinee.

You should be at The Bridge Inn for 3pm or thereabouts to catch all the action.

RIP - Henry Gibson

(Thanks to Ben for the info)

I am effing flabbergasted. Now here's a dilemma I didn't see coming...

It’s been another braw, bricht autumnal day hereabouts. A week now without rain which must be some kind of record. Not a cd. Or a cassette. I’m looking at a wee pile of the former that I need to tackle out of the side of my eye as I type this. Lately I’ve been thinking that just about everything that needs to be said has been written about music. Certainly by me. Of course that doesn’t cover the act of actually convincing someone that they would want to hear something. That filter is still relevant. Sometimes I think about just adding a link with a sentence. That might assist both of us with the passage of that most precious commodity. Time.

Yesterday evening, I did a dummy run on my “no TV” thing. I survived. No jones. Not so far anyway so I may go for two in a row. Nothing good on the sucker anyway. I did get a new "remote" control today though so I have to at least see if it works. This weekend will have started by this time tomorrow and I’m brimful of good intentions right now but let’s just see how this will manifest itself. There shall be updates one way or the other because there are no plans to venture far. However there are cool things happening in other airts… so Mr Spence supplied these with the following proviso - "The Brutes have another rockin' South of the Border raid this weekend. We'll be rampaging in Liverpool on Friday (18th Sept) and ransacking Leicester on Saturday (19th Sept). Details in attached pretty pictures!

























While we're on the subject of "pictures", lets get a bit twisted fine art on your tucus and NYC welcomes the great Isabel Samaras and you can get all the info here.

On the culture wagon, JD King has another wee story ready for your perusal.

Ever wanted to know what might have happened if Lindisfarne covered The Ramones? Well have a look at this that Iain just sent me the link to...



This Just in from The Cameo... "Sunday 25 October sees a very special event. From 6pm we will be screening DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) followed by an in-person Q&A with Ken Foree and then DAY OF THE DEAD followed by an in-person Q&A with Joe Pilato. Every audience member will get a merchandise goody bag and a signing will follow the event.

Tickets priced at a bargain £10 Full/£8 Concession will go on sale at 11am on Saturday 26 September via the booking line on 0871 704 2052 or in person at the box office. There will be no online sale of the tickets. Demand is likely to be very high so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

This event is in association with
Arrow Video www.arrowfilms.co.uk
Cult Fiction www.cultfictionmovies.com "

So have fun with that, I'm off to catch what's left of the daylight and when I get back there are big decisions to be taken which will undoubtedly be put off but we'll see. It sounds cryptic right? Well it is. You need to believe that.

RIP - Mary Travers

RIP - Bobby Graham

(Thanks to John Trembly a BLR for the link info)

Any plans for gallivanting look to have been right royally creamed for now. An unfortunate realisation but not entirely unexpected and it comes amongst a real urge to take a backseat from everything for a while. No small part of this is that I need to get another computer and just can’t muster the effort to do so. The TV is on the blink too and I’m seriously thinking about trying to wean myself off that particular electronic hearth. Like trying to go for a month without switching it on. There’s plenty more around here I could do with getting on with after all. All these little niggles are manifesting themselves like a big itchy bite. It’s called life.

Anyway, while I sort out some actual info to post here - Brother Liam has seen the light and he's looking to find a new home for some Rockin'Bones/NBT back issues. A lot of you folks ask me if I have this kind of material so maybe you can help him out?

Monte Melnick is heading for Madrid (FNAC Chain Store - 29th September) and Barcelona (FNAC Triangle - 30th September). You kids out there need to go meet this great man and buy the Jaime Gonzalo translated special edition of "On The Road With The Ramones". It couldn't have happened without this guy. Just out on the Munster Books imprint!

(click on the image to enlarge in new window)

Time is fleeting and Amy will be pretty much back in that New York groove by the time I post this. At this point we’ll back up to Saturday night and the BMX show in Glasgow. The Classic Grand is the sharpest venue in town and apart from the seemingly Draconian curfew, it’s a great place to watch music. We missed Randolph’s Leap but got there in time to see Primary 5, a big favourite of Mr Tjolsen of the Oslo parish who was also out this way last week. They make a decent racket and have all the dynamics but the constant tuning didn’t half hamper the momentum. Still, this is the problem with entertainment. The Bandits have regrouped since I last saw them and I imagine that demand elsewhere for St Deluxe makes this a good move. In contrast to the P5 maybe playing a tad too long, the BMX crew could have done with playing a wee bit longer. The newly shorn Duglas is no Samson. He was in top form as was the band.

Sunday was pretty quiet, caught “Genevieve” at the Hippodrome and became depressed at the consideration of having burned a week’s leave in what seemed like an instant. Amy and Davie completed the recordings and now things need to be assembled. Expect a bloody fine album over the course of 2010. Details will emerge over the coming weeks and months and you’ll be able to follow it all here provided I’m around for that long.

Talking of people not being around, it was a bummer to hear about Jim Carroll yesterday. I met him once at the Great American music hall in SF where he did a show with Lenny Kaye. Angel CC and me. I’m thinking maybe 1994 but neither of us can remember when exactly it was so it must have been a good night… We went to a metal club called Terminator with Lenny and I’m pretty sure that the band was Testament. I recall it being like the club scene from The Crow and that we laughed a lot but that’s all the neurons will permit at this time. With regard to JC, my jukebox ate my “People Who Died” 45 and was immediately put out of commission as it has been to this day because I can’t find anyone who might be able to fix it. That’s something I need to attend to. Figure out if it can indeed be restored to working order or get it out of the bunker. I’m really hoping it’ll be the former.

Then I find out today that Patrick Swayze and Keith Floyd have died and I’m not sure either warrants the standard RIP here because neither made much of a mark. I will admit that I don’t mind “Roadhouse” at all as a film but can’t recall seeing either “Dirty Dancing” or “Ghost”. “DD” however took Mickey and Sylvia’s “Love is Strange” to the mainstream so that’s pretty cool. Keith Floyd is being blamed for the advent of the “celebrity chef” in the media today but he seemed fairly amiable compared to an utter tosspot like Gordon Ramsey. I don’t think his memory deserves to be sullied like that.

And that kind of brings us up to the present, there’s all kinds of catching up to be done. I did consider nipping along to see this new “Taking Of Pelham 123” tonight but I think my time would be better spent restoring a semblance of order to the bunker. But not before I turn that godawful "request" show that's taken root on Radio Scotland between 6 and 8pm.

Congrats to Matt and Kim winning a VMA award for "Lessons Learned". If it was down to me they'd have won all of them. And given Kanye a good pummelling into the bargain.

OK, stuff do do. Lot of music to process and information to figure, not to mention e-mails with links to stuff that I'll never hear to delete. Am I sure I want to send it to the recycle bin? You bet.

RIP - Jim Carroll

(Thanks to Ms Karen McBurnie for the link - I'll lay off the "People Who Died" thing)

Greetings "Will Preston"!

Sort of lost the plot and am deeply disoriented but not in a bad way. When I got back from Edinburgh last night to Joachim’s message about my OX column the penny dropped. Priorities have gotten skewed and it’s time to try and get this sucker back on the rails.

“District 9” turned out to be pretty good, took me a wee while to acclimatise to the Harryhausenness of the “creatures” but after that it’s a pretty good yarn. And the main guy is like a Sellers, Rossiter with a side of Astin (Gomez Addams). You have to see it on a big screen. It was cracking red sky night following the first outright warm day in ages. Chips on the walk down to the station was the only way to go, just as the scumhordes spilled onto the streets.
Discovered a group, The Wee Baby Jesuses on the poster outside Henry’s. Wonder if the music can measure up to the moniker?

I'm headed for Glasgow now. Ultimately ending up at the Classic Grand. Maybe see you there?

I'm not long in and figured I'd jump on here quickly and remind you folks about this show tomorrow night. Cue Atomic Rooster.

For those who expressed an interest in being in Glasgow last night. I wasn't but the intrepid Duglas T Stewart came up with the link to the first clip on fb. I wasn't there either but will be at BMX Bandits Classic Grand shindig tomorrow (all going to plan)...

Been reading about the Kurt Cobain Guitar Hero hoo-hah and also got a message from my pal Bon Von Wheelie out there in Tacoma. It made me do try and find some Girl Trouble on YouTube and there are only two versions of the "My Hometown" video on there. This is particularly pertinent because it features a certain Neko Case who, if all goes according to plan, I will see in Edinburgh tomorrow.

So here's the GT clip, it can't be embedded unfortunately. The embed one has a banner ad thing at the top. The best band that Sub Pop ever had and one of the greatest rock'n'roll combo's of all time. And following yesterday's discovery, here's a Fastbacks clip I never say before. Again not embedabble but great to see another Pacific Northwest staple that wiped the floor with the originbal subject of this post. I never rated Nirvana. Not really. Neither Kurt's or the old Island Records Folkies. Just incase there was any confusion.

Need to move before I seize up, pushing that lawnmower is more exercise than I'm used to.

Teenage Fanclub and Edwyn Collins in Glasgow tomorrow night anyone?

Info courtesy of Jock'n'Roll...

I wonder how the post-punk conference is going? Good I hope and furthermore – maybe it’s been exposed as the utter bollocks that much of what touts itself as that is. I heard the GO4 on the wireless last weekend and was not impressed. Neither do I give a fuck about PIL reforming, this is something your humble scribe reckons to be akin to a YES tour. Or am I getting mixed up with post-prog or something else. The only thing I can be sure of at all anymore is the getting mixed up part. Out on a limb as ever, this box set/computer game/download fleecing that’s going on as of today does nothing except irritate me. Football tonight? I’m looking forward to the roads being deserted when I go to pick up Ms Allison. It’s an ill wind...

Let’s see, I was looking at Everett True’s blog and he wrote about a combo called Visqueen that I never heard of but will be double darned if they don’t sound like the late-lamented Fastbacks. This, to my mind, is a very good thing and exactly what today and yesterday's pop kids need.

Mr Edwards also hepped me to some sad but inevitable news about two great London institutions. I wish both parties nothing but top vibes.

Mr Macdonald sent me the link to this and it ties in with the fact that Paul Morley who fronted a wee film about this band on C4 recently is at the aforementioned PP extrav being pummelled by Messrs Coleman and Kiszely.



And finally, I posted the first 4 episodes of "Svengali" the other day and #5 has just been unleashed so here it is.



And that should all keep you sweet for a wee while at least. More later? You never know.

I hadn't seen the dates for the ATP - Raw Power shows but just saw the info on James Williamson's site after reading this article that Tex flagged up. Maybe you already have your tickets?

Feeling a little woozy this morning and looking out the window doesn't make the immediate prospect any brighter. Craig Barman suggested a "hair of the dog" via fb but then I found this.... Blast it as loud as you can.

Good to hang out with Peter in Edinburgh yesterday afternoon. Here are details of a big event that's happening out in his locale in a couple of weeks...


Haven't been to Europa Records of Stirling for a wee while so after I drop Amy off at the station, Mr Percival and I will be heading across there for a wee rake about.

I've been considering posting these links for a few weeks now. I see there's another episode coming soon so figured what the heck. It is pretty funny despite my allergy to some of the individuals and acts that it involves. Also, it gives you something to look at while I attempt to get my house in some kind of order. Mostly metaphorically...

One of the greatest publications of all and any time is bound for the internut...

Ladies and gentlemen... I give you... THE A&R REPORT!!

It's a holiday weekend of sorts here. In the olden days, all roads led to the Blackpool Illuminations but not so much anymore. It's been a productive day so far but the old blogging has suffered a bit. Earlier, the foundations of a long plotted project were put in place and as the winter nights draw in some flesh will be hung on these aural bones if all goes well. No statute of limitations but the longest journey and all that bobbins.

I nipped along the road and saw "Moon". Not bad but no great shakes to my mind. Reminiscent of a bunch of things but nowhere near any of them. Style over substance maybe and a tad Gerry Anderson in places. Time to switch this off and go attend to some culinary action for later. Me ironing won't do itself either but ain't convinced that I won't get sidetracked from that and besides, I'm on staycation after all... it'll keep.

Thanks to Kjell for flagging this up via facebook.

Click poster for all the details of this shindig!

Brother Don's been out on the town in old SF....

"just back from Magic Christian at the Great American Music Hall. they opened for Tainted....excuse me... Tinted Windows. quite a night! after a pit stop up the street at the edinburgh castle (where they no longer serve belhaven... what kind of scot bar doesn't at least have belhaven? i mean, i said, "so you have no beer from scotland at all any more? and the guy says, "we have newcastle". i said, "just give me a bass and some fish n' chips please" anyways...

from there down to the music hall where MC pretty much blew the roof off the joint. drummer clem burke was particularly jazzed. for some reason he was off to the side rather than the back middle and this seemed to quite literally supercharge him... he was tossing his sticks nearly to the ceiling all night (and catching them each time). they did all heir stuff..."tomorrow never comes", "all the stars" among the originals, "anytime at all", "out in the street", among the covers. totally won over the audience which included none other than roy loney. cyril gave roy a shoutout and paul dedicated "teenage head" to him. that was a surprise! they were pretty much in control by the time they got to the DC5's "anyway you want it".

cyril had his trademark dan armstrong plexi while eddie sported a brand new dan electro longhorn bass that looks just like one you would've picked up in '58. cyril used a piggyback fender supersonic amp. paul banged a tambourine and played some great harmonica here and there. they got an encore and did "shake some action" on which they were joined by this guy Mike who came all the way from Pennsylvania. this is the cat from the Parallax Project who cut the Who's "It's Not True" with the band (i think it's on the next album but i'm not sure).

me and tom had a blast hanging with cyril and the guys backstage after. i checked out eddie's bass. it's just like my dano aside from the color and it has different knobs. and it was great talking with roy too. outside afterwards there were tons of chicks waiting for the Hanson guy (who sings for the Windows). and waiting in vain... you should've seen their faces when Cyril told them their hearthrob had long ago left the building via the back door! but Cyril-- ever the crowd pleaser -- hung around and signed everything in sight.

very successful show i thought. good turnout for MC despite the high cover charge."

Whilst we’re on the subject, score the upcoming Dirty Water release by Magic Christian here!

It's apparently "Saltire Saturday" here in the daftest wee country in the world. It all has to do with the desperate act that surrounds kicking a ball up and down a park. Something that does not impact on my planet in any way, shape or form. Well hardly ever, it's a pain in the arse travelling anywhere on a day like this. But anyway, coming back from the post office - which was completely dead - I saw this utter bampot that had a saltire motif on his napper. Evidently heading back from the hairdresser. Dearie, dearie me. True pondlife in action. No disrespect to the actual wee beasties that inhabit actual ponds intended.

Things are busy around here and tomorrow, all going to plan, some progress will be made with regard to a project that I've had whispering through my unblazoned head for a long, long time. More on this mysterious happening as and when. Amy and Davie will be continuing with their recording over the course of the week too so hopefully there'll be a whole album in the can by this time next weekend(ish).

I'll be on here trying to play catch up and meeting some of the crew from further afield. Generally doing stuff that doesn't entail heading to the salt mine for 9 whole days. This is a good thing.

You may recall me kvetching some weeks ago now about trying to get Green Day tickets for my nephew. It seems that magically some more tickets have magically appeared. Maybe they fell behind a filing cabinet or something? Aye, right. This bullshit about shows being "sold out" in addition to the inability of their systems to deal with demand is something that needs to be addressed. I urge you to boycott the fuckers that operate in this fashion in whatever way you see fit. Not that we'll actually be able to drive these maggots out of existence anytime soon but it seems like my idea of fun to at least try.

RIP - Keith Waterhouse

gummy stumps

watts of goodwill EP launch

friday 4th september 2009

8pm onwards at the GFM studio

(above the modern institute)

73 Robertson Street -

Glasgow - G2 8QD

You know how it is, I'm sure. All the best intentions to get home at a reasonable hour go futz and it's a schlep to the last train in the drizzle. I'm not entirely sure where we stand on the 40 days and nights tally but still, it's been damp even by our standards. The Allison sisters seem to be faring better weatherwise in Skye and the surrounding area but that could be down to the Talisker. That stuff has been known to perform miracles on occasion. Right Don?

Got to Stereo last night, slightly disoriented but soon got acclimatised. The thing about a Pastels show is that the event is properly curated. All gigs should be like that. This entails the dj action, opening act, the lot and this one, their first with Tenniscoats to support the imminent album was no exception. A dress rehearsal even. Anyway, it was a good turnout – pretty close to packed.

Veronica Falls kicked things off in a truly swingin' Velvets marinated stramash with a great version of the Rok's "Starry Eyes". Aside from the fact that's a good way to get me on side, their set was an exercise in exactly how to wow a crowd. Short and sharp = wanting more. This kind of mild euphoria isn't something I'm accustomed to and I’d say that the one track that’s on their myspace doesn’t come close to replicating what I’m certain I saw (and heard).

Brogues, one of the guys who put this thing on gave me a crash course in a whole slew of acts that I've never heard of. This kind of enthusiasm is entirely what it's all about and it's contagious. I'll be trawling this interweb to check out some of his suggestions in due course.

The Pastels/Tenniscoats set up is a quasi-pop orchestra with a mind to score imagined movies. Stephen's introduction to "Boats" with Katrina's interjection indicated perfectly what makes them so important in tandem with the music. These folkscapes are utterly unique and so out of kilter with these i-tuned times. The wonky brass and woodwind floating in and out just adds to that patented wooziness. I look forward to getting acquainted with the material via the vinyl when "Two Sunsets" is released this coming Monday. Had to leave to catch the train as they were easing into “The Viaduct”.

T’was well worth dragging my ancient carcass into town on a school night for. If they're appearing within travelling distance of your billet then don't miss them because the weather they bring with 'em is way more agreeable than any mere musical elements that generally pass your way. If there are any links to clips and photos, I'll add them later.

Setlist and more at the TFC message board.

Been trying to figure out this new palaver between hotmail and outlook. Why can't they just leave things alone? As they were?? Of course, that would be too easy. But it's not the end of the world just a niggle. And maybe not just directed at me. Is that feasible?? Anyway, I'm headed out to make the Pastels/Tenniscoats scene at Stereo. Or should that be in Stereo?? I'm confused. But you knew that.

This'll be short and sweet because I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle with the lurghi. Been pretty lucky this season and while sniffles and worse have been on the go all around, I've been relatively bug-free. My plan is to to not do much of anything because I want to be able to get to Glasgow tomorrow night. Plus I don't fancy being off on a week's leave and to be gubbed with any sort of virus or worse. It's getting to the point where the schnozz-blowing is making me a little Rudolph-esque.

So there's some more JD King here and another Wreckless Radio Podcast here.

More than enough to keep you amused.

Just in from Geographic HQ...

Hello,

Late summer rain here in Glasgow...

But it was beautiful a few weeks ago when we shot the video for Vivid Youth. We had a little bit of promo budget for Two Sunsets and decided it could best be used on a video which we hoped would not only capture something of the image of the song, Vivid Youth, but also show The Pastels and Tenniscoats in the same place at the same time, which is how we recorded Two Sunsets. We'd wanted to do something with Blair Young for a long time and were really happy that he was available and up for it. We decided together to use film (Super-8 and 16mm) and the main shoot took place at Loch Lomondside, about 20 miles from Glasgow, on two summer days, 2009, with Pastels, Tenniscoats and some friends. Check it out here...




Vivid Youth / About You is currently available as a super limited 7" single which can be picked up in Monorail and other good record shops and online from www.dominorecordco.com/mart.

Meanwhile the complete completeness that is Two Sunsets will finally be available from Monday, 7th September, on heavyweight vinyl (with download coupon) and on cd.

Excitingly, we are also about to embark on a few shows with Tenniscoats and hope to see you there...

2/9 Glasgow, Stereo (with Veronica Falls). 8PM. 0141 222 2254.
3/9 Leeds, Brudenell Social Club. 7.30PM. 0113 275 2411.
4/9 Birmingham, Moseley Folk Festival (with Saint Etienne and others). 0778 944 0026.
5/9 Bristol, Thekla (with The Fauns). 7PM. 0117 929 3301.
6/9 London, Bush Hall (with Veronica Falls). 7.30PM. 020 8222 6955.
7/9 Paris, Point Ephemere. 0033 1403 40248.

SP / KM

No further forward on the Reigning Sound front then and languishing in a general state of spreading oneself too thinly. These are two factors of several that are causing some reflection at the minute. I'm back at that regular pit stop of feeling like knocking it all on the head. Looking forward to being off next week and trying to recharge but fear that them batteries are at the stage where they actually need to be replaced as opposed to any simple rejuicing. If I actually arrive at any tangible way of achieving that then there will be some reason for rejoicing. It should be stated that I'm less than optimistic.

Been checking out the soundtrack to "Inglorious" as they advertise it on TV. The credits rolled too fast to catch them on screen. As with all Tarantino movies, the score is top notch and cut into the images like Aldo Ray's hillbilly Brando party piece. Full details here.

That's some fairly decent entertainment, particularly the dialogue for Christoph Waltz. He was like a completely relentlessly evil cyborg version of Norman Wisdom with shades of 'Allo Allo. Worth the price of admission for him alone.

Ongoing random mail strikes, hikes in fuel duty and a general disregard for any sort of reliable, consistent service. Sounds like a mission statement for the UK plc as a (w)hole. The wearing down process continues unabated as does the trajectory of up around the U-bend. Tried to go anyplace lately? It's a case of delay after delay and having to suffer ultra-overpopulation of railway carriages and what passes for a road system. As for Edinburgh, forget that. It's more or less closed and the rat run along one side of Princes Street surely doesn't conform to the Health and Safety legislation that's causing ever-deepening hassle on top of everything else.

So this month is our highest yet in terms of visitors and even although it's not always convenient to update daily, the spirit is at least willing even although the flesh would lollygag all the sodding time if it got way with it. However, cool things are afoot and those will become apparent in due course...

RIP - Simon Dee

Inglorious Basterds = very entertaining, David Simon at the Book Fest = great, Withered Hand at the NPG = 24 hours too late. Got the date wrong, some kind of neuron misfire no doubt. I'm beat. Hoping to get the Reigning Sound album in Glasgow tomorrow. Wish me luck....

Today in Barcelona... Festes Alt De Sants with SUZY & Los QUATTRO!

Thanks to Mia (via facebook) ...

It's time for Sounds of the Sixties... after that, some supplies to get and then off to Edinburgh for some Tarantino, Withered Hand and David Simon - in that order. Who knows what else in between? If you have any clout with any higher powers then I'd appreciate if you'd have a word that he or she might cool it with the rain.

Post office is on strike (again) so there's no point in heading down yonder...

Another day, another perspective... the news about Dean Turner threw me for a loop. 37 bloody years old? What the fuck is that all about?? I'd been thinking about Magic Dirt quite a bit lately. Even went to the extent of blogging a tirade against the denizens of Rock Radio because the band never got to be bigger than Metallica or whoever. Which, to my mind they always deserved. But anyway, the whys and wherefores and plain old should have beens are little solace when you hear about something like this. All you can really do is break out the music and play it at the considerable volume at which it was meant to be enjoyed.

Today I got an e-mail from Arlanda Express, just a newsletter thing but I took it as an omen that in any ideal situation, Dean would still be with us and I'd be on board said transport heading for the Voladoras show tonight. Reality precludes either though I'm afraid.

So let's see, couple other things here to keep you from wearying whilst I attend to other matters...

Jo Callis has now officially left the Rezillos, read his statement here.

Matt and Kimmel... or is that Got in Himmel? Wee Commando comics flashback there... but in real life, some good things do happen and Matt and Kim were on Jimmy Kimmel the other night as they continue to sweep the USA. Evidently there are kids out there that have good taste. It's time their counterparts on this sceptic isle got hip. Anyway, you evidently are hip so if you don't have satellite or super cable (like me - do we even get Kimmel here?) then you can see what we all missed. And do something about getting your tickets for the upcoming shows in November.



And to close this one, Alec Downie on "The Barra'lands" Pt. 1.

Got a full dance card tomorrow but I guess I’ll be on here in the am at some point...

RIP - Dean Turner (Magic Dirt)

Thanks to Shock magnate David Laing for the information - It's a shock alright! My condolences to his family, Adalita and the band... more later, when I get my head around this.

Pfffffff... it's getting to be that I dread logging on. Such has been the spate of people who made a difference shuffling off this mortal coil of late. In the tradition of there not being a formula for unscrambling the proverbial eggs, this practice will undoubtedly gather pace but it still blows.

My visits here will be on the DL over the next few days. I hope that the reaper will take something of a breather or at least go gather up a couple of hearsefuls of bastards that deserve to die. You know who they are and perhaps you even have your own "favourites" list? That's perfectly OK. I know that I do.

So you lucky kids in Japan, The A-Bones are in your airspace.... that has to be a great thing!

A-BONES NEWS... JAPANESE TOUR

Friday, August 28 Shimokitazawa (Shelter), TokyoWith Firestarter (ex-Teengenerate), Jackie and the Cedrics and Supersnazz

Saturday, August 29 Shinjuku (Loft), Tokyo with the 5.6.7.8’s

Sunday, August 30 Hatagaya (Heavy Sick), Tokyo Norton Records DJ Dance Party with Billy and Miriam plus DJ Daddy-O

Monday, August 31 OYS, Nagoya With Jackie and the Cedrics

Tuesday, September 1 Rock Rider, Osaka With Jackie and the Cedrics JEFF CUYUBAMBA PHOTOGRAPHY OPENING IN TOKYO – SHAKE SOME ACTION Super suave A-Bones pal Jeff Cuyubamba will have a photo exhibit of his fab rockin’ snaps on the same block as the Tokyo shows. “Little Jeff” has been documenting New York garage bands since=2 0the early days of the Dive—this gallery show will be amazing! Presented by Shinjuku Erostika. The show is called SHAKE SOME ACTION (what else?)—check this out!!!

More Norton Action here!

This has to stop...

RIP - Ellie Greenwich

Couple of things you might like to partake of while I wrestle with some level of domesticity...

Episode 1 of Ericland, the perfect companion to the latest radio show that you can access from the same portal...

Brother Don flagged this thing up and you should pay particular attention to items #35 and #36.

Sure, we could increase profits by using overseas manufacturing plants and discounted labor. But that's just not the way we do things at Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co., don'tcha know...

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27th / And the last Thursday of every month! / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan / Two exacting shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / With DJ "Son of Scratchy", salty snacks -- and no cover!

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

My complaint today is much like other days. Not enough time coupled with a distinct fug. There's a ton of stuff to try and do, organise or otherwise and let me assure you, the art of procrastination is not "deid". Distractions are being volleyed and it doesn't take much to divert my attention from what ought to be a priority.

But anyways corrections must be made and I thank Tommy Perman of FOUND for alerting me to the fact that I got his combo mixed up with Meursault. So go back and read Sundays report again with that in mind. My apologies for the mix up or the shake up depending on how you call it. Also The Thanes will not be appearing at henry's on Thursday as previously reported and as it states on the poster outside the club. The bands you will have to run the smoke gauntlet to see are Les Bof!, The Bottleneckers and Lord Rochester. At least I got one right...

But now I must take my leave because I have to get this joint prepared for the arrival of Ms Amy Allison in the morning. Running after the last minute has elapsed as always but still, hoots will be had and fantastic new recordings will be made.

That's a stick-on certainty.

Weary would best describe my worldview today. Been doing some sums and despite from some grand plans to go and catch some of my fave acts and people across Europe, the cold hard facts present a case of a localised credit crunch. Or is it the triumvirate of snap, crackle and nae pop thrills for the time being. Still, as much as my gallivanting gas has been put on a peep there's still a lot going on around here so I shouldn't bitch and whine too loudly.

There's always someone worse off than yourself after all. Right? And the Scots might be at the arse end of the popularity stakes right now but I found it in poor taste yesterday that the leading item on the news was England winning something called "The Ashes". Then it went on to report on these terrible fires in Greece where they're not light on that particular commodity right now. Draw your own conclusion as to the inappropriateness of all that.

Ah, that's what you come here for. A little levity mixed with international comment... Oh, it's not? I must have got that wrong. Won't be the first time.

Musicwise, The Thanes and Lord Rochester appear to tearing it up at Henry's Cellar Bar in Auld Reekie on Thursday (27th). That's what it said on the poster outside.

RIP - John Carter (The Dells)

(Thanks to Ben via Staysick)

It’s all go. Being that it was kinda truncated by my lateness in dragging myself out of my scratcher. No idea when the last time that happened was and no excuses. So much to be doing and so little available in the first instance but prior to all that, here’s a report on yesterday...

Having managed to extricate myself from the bunker, I figured that I’d go and try and pick something up to send to Ben and his wife for his newly arrived twins. This didn’t prove to be as simple as was anticipated and I really don’t want to send Scots stuff that was made in China. Nothing agin the Chinese but that’s plain wrong. So I’m no further forward on that score for now, plans B and C are under consideration.

So I made my way down to the National Portrait Gallery where they’ve been having shows on a Saturday afternoon through the Festival curated to some extent by Avalanche Records of Cockburn Street. It was the launch of the new St Judes Infirmary album and Zoey Van Goey opened. Nice idea, good space and an excellent time of day to watch some music. This was borne out by the fact that there was a good crowd and even although it was free, it’s not always easy to get people along. Plus, you have to down there, I wouldn’t say that it benefits from footfall. The building is being refurbished but this was a cool idea on somebody’s part. Excellent call. See you at Withered Hand next week?

ZVG were great. Really. And charm personified with a Modern Lovers/Velvets leaning and even a version of “I’m Sticking With You”. One of the guys had a bit of the ”Rich Stim’s” about him and you can never get enough of that. Sweet, off kilter pop then and the girl, Kim has a strong folk/pop style that should get to anybody that comes into contact with them. A short sharp set that certainly left me like I could have a couple more but I guess there wasn’t time.

I’ve seen St Judes Infirmary two or three times. They did a Christmas song many moons ago that I go back to every year. It came in a handmade sleeve and hinted at some promise. This far down the line they’ve gone the route of a Nick Cave/Badalamenti/Mazzy Star. It’s very earnest and for me there’s nothing that sets it apart from so many other things. It’s not hungry and as opposed to ZVG, I was pretty glad when it was over. Nothing intrinsically wrong with it at all but familiarity with the ingredients and the fact that some of them give me gutache means that there’s nothing for me at this table.

The estimable Mr Coyle who I ran into there assures me they’ve got something and I respect his opinion. Tam is one of the good guys who has gone above and beyond for music in Scotland and further afield for eons now. We agree to disagree as he heads for Arbroath and I saunter in the direction of the book festival. A quick shifty around, I noticed that there were no copies of Tom Morton’s book there. Maybe they were sold out?

And so to Filmhouse for “Playing With The Past” which was totally sold out. I can’t get enough of these live score with images events right now and was pleased when a second chance to catch this became available. Eagleowl kicked it off and their distinctly analog take on the form sets them aside from the more electronic nature of the other two outfits. I think it was Meursault that did the accompaniment to “Camera makes Whoopee” that lost me when the “singer” sang the “credits” to that particular piece. It was a bit too Pat Kane via James Allan and I was ready to go home to be honest. It had been a long day. FOUND were pretty good in a proto-Underworld sort of way. The event on a whole was really worth a look though. Perhaps if there was a way to tighten up the changeovers then it might retain the momentum a bit better.

Hopefully, the popularity of this will make Filmhouse consider more events in a similar vein.
Being that time of the year when the transport infrastructure is shown up to be utterly hopeless, I was briefly jazzed by having caught the 11.05p train. However, it sat in the station while the Polis and station staff futzed around. It was a bit of a zoo so the great one himself knows (Ralph Kramden) knows what the next two would have been like, might find that out next weekend because at least then I’ll have someone else along for the shindig. Another full day of activities planned so stay tuned.

I need to get this place in order for the imminent arrival of an illustrious visitor from yon US of A that’s saying such nasty things about the daftest wee country in the world. “Boycott Scotland”? Did you ever hear of such a thing?? The fuds that came up with that can away and “bile their heids”. That’s “boil their heads”, incase you were wondering...

RIP - Larry Knechtel

(Thanks to Brother Don for the info)

From Lenny Helsing...

RIP – Ian Thomas

Ian Thomas, bass guitarist of mid-‘60s Australian R&B fixated beat-punks THE MISSING LINKS has died after a short illness on Monday August 17th 2009, in Phnom Penh. The ‘LINKS from Sydney were infamous for their unkempt image, unleashed on the public such truly shocking electrified punk-outs as ‘You’re Drivin’ Me Insane’, ‘Speak No Evil’ and the incredible ‘Wild About You’. The last-named gained extra punk credentials 10 years further down the road when The Saints included a version on their debut 1977 LP ‘(I’m) Stranded’.

On The Missing Links’ only LP released on Philips in early 1966 Ian would also take the lead vocal spot for a version of ‘Nervous Breakdown’ and his own great ‘Not To Bother Me’.
Originally a member of THE SHOWMEN along with wildman drummer Baden ‘Hutch’ Hutchins, the pair then hooked up with The Missing Links whose original line-up had just broken up. Ian returned to The Showmen after the new ‘Links split again a year or so later, then had a brief recording career using the name Thomas Hood.

Links’ vocalist & frontman Andy James (real name Anderson) has said that Ian Thomas was “a true original”. He certainly gave The Missing Links an extra dose of menace with his gargantuan, tough as nails bass sound.

Thanks to Beccy Connell of Australia’s Born Loser fanzine for letting me know of Ian’s demise.

Lenny Helsing

Time to take a minute to draw breath and let you know about this stuff...

Mr Percival flagged up this Telstar event taking place at the end of the month.

Sid Griffin is LIVE on the Mark Radcliffe Show this coming Monday night on BBC Radio Two at 8pm UK time talking about Neil Young's recent box set.

And more JD King!

RJaP's "100% Pot Success" is available for download now from all the places where they go in for that sort of thing... they're also heading for Oslo, Paris and somewhere in Belgium during September.

Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives honours The Ramones legacy and features many unreleased stories and photos.

Finnish journalist and Ramones webmaster Jari-Pekka Laitio Ramone’s latest Ramones book entitled Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives is the result of nearly 5 years worth of work. It is full of poignant stories that reflect what Joey Ramone (RIP 2001), Dee Dee Ramone (RIP 2002), Johnny Ramone (RIP 2004), as well as the rest of the Ramones family have impacted their fans worldwide.

Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives has interviews and text written by 90 contributors and has 224 pages, and 295 photos/drawings. This book brings together the Ramones family as never before, there are interviews by every surviving Ramones member: Ramones drummers (Tommy Ramone, Marky Ramone, and Richie Ramone), bassist CJ Ramone, and Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Cummings. The introduction is written by Tommy Ramone.

Reluctant to offer fans stories which have been relayed thousands of times before, Jari-Pekka provides new information about the band. His focus is on the Ramones impact on the history of Rock N'Roll. This work is best described as a tribute book. Other Ramones publications have dwelled too much on the fights, problems and other negative aspects of the band's legacy. Lacking are the positive stories that are integral to the history. Jari-Pekka offers candid and positive opinions/stories from people who were influenced musically and inspired by the Ramones.

Contributors to include Seymour Stein (founder of Sire Records), Hilly Kristal (founder of the CBGB's club), Rodney Bingenheimer (radioDJ/ KROQ-FM) and Maria Montoya-Kaye, Walter Lure (Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, Waldos), Wayne Kramer (MC5/DKT), Andy Shernoff (The Dictators), Glen Kolotkin (producer), Noah "Noki" Citrin (an important friend to Joey in the 60's), and Bam Margera (Jackass).

It also features stories and recollections from all kinds of musicians, including Punk Legends and pioneers such as Dez Cadena (Misfits, Black Flag, DC3), Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band), Charlie Harper (UK Subs), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Philistines), and Vinny Stigma, and Roger Miret (Agnostic Front).

Other Punk and Rock'n'Roll bands contributing are: Rob Wright (NoMeansNo and The Hanson Brothers), Andy Cairns (Therapy?), Kenny Håkansson, Nick Royale and Robban Eriksson (The Hellacopters), Bela B. (solo artist, Die Ärzte), Bumblefoot (Guns N'Roses), Happy-Tom and Euroboy (Turbonegro), Johan Blomqvist (Backyard Babies) and Tom Wisniewski (MxPx).

Also included are several Heavy Metalists recalling their reverence and love for the Ramones. Among them are Frank Watkins (Obituary and Gorgoroth), Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath), Phil Campbell (Motörhead), Jon Larsen (Volbeat), Miland "Mille" Petrozza (Kreator), and Ricky Warwick (solo artist, Almighty).

Jari-Pekka has been dedicated to running the biggest and most updated Ramones homepage since 1995 (http://ramones.kauhajoki.fi ), and has authored the books, Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone (2002), and Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone (2004).

”I am happy to get the chance to show Ramones fans lots of unreleased photos and drawings prepared exclusively for this book” Jari-Pekka Laitio Ramone states. This book has never-before-released photos and drawings by people like Jenny Lens, George DuBose, and Bobby London.

More information: http://kauhajokinyt.fi/~jplaitio/kolmoskirja.html

Interviews/ orders: jplaitio@kauhajoki.fi / http://ramones.kauhajoki.fi

I want a job coming up with this kind of tosh...

Indómitos at The Hot Club - Glasgow, tomorrow

Attention Ramones fans of Espana... A message fro the Rt. Hon. Monte Melnick via his myspace...

"I'm very happy to say my book “On The Road With The Ramones” will be out in a SPANISH EDITION. My Spanish publisher is MUNSTER RECORDS & BOOKS. The end of September I will be going to Spain to do special press events and in store book signing appearances. More information will be posted later.

AHORA EN ESPAÑOL - De Gira Con Los Ramones Esoy muy feliz de que mi libro tiene ahora una edición en español. Mi publicador en español es MUNSTER RECORDS & BOOKS.Finales de septiembre voy a ir a España hacer eventos especiales de prensa y hacer apariciones para firmar el libro en tiendas de libros finales en Septiembre. Más información sobre esto vendrá.

Rock On! Monte

Ah, best time of the week, getting home as a Friday segues into the pm. Getting to the car prior to the journey might the farthest point from Monday but I've gotten used to this arrangement of being able to take care of niggly business during this weekend add-on. Plus it's not chucking it down, probably waiting until I get 50 yards down the road but, ach - bring it the eff on!

What a difference a day makes eh? On Wednesday, Scotchland was a top place, the veritable Brigadoon. As of about 1.25pm yesterday, in a monologue resembling the faux-suspense of an X Factor final crossed with a sermon by an I.M. Jolly impersonator, Kiltland’s rep plummeted. I imagine that immigration departments across the US are ordering up boxes of rubber gloves as this is being blogged. However, sales of "kilt towels" to Libya are set to explode (I couldn't resist that). Boom Boom (Ouch...).

The only avenue left is to poke scorn at this decision as there is quite obviously some very scummy stage management going on here. I'm not sure how the Christmas shopping will be in our new best friends' country. Anybody clue us in to the price of Levi's out yonder? So Bertie Bassett Tanyergranny or whatever his name is/was (not to be confused with the liquorice allsorts guy) has left “the building”. Compassion is all very well as an idealistic theory but in the stark glare of the boom lights it doesn't play out. I really can't wait to see "The Daily Show" tonight (we get it a day late).

Still there was good news yesterday too. Ms Hazel Rigby was reunited with her stolen guitars, swiped from her place in New Orleans. Let’s hope that’s the one and only time that her space is invaded and that she goes on to have a positive association with the place from here on in. And further non-despondency, I learned today that Annika (Norlin) has a weekly column in the Stockholm "City", the twice weekly equivalent of Metro.

A cooler commentator in any language you won’t find...