There go the cobwebs - thankyou Mr Munster...

Brother Don caught Teenage Fanclub in SF last night...

"Show was unbelievably GREAT!! TFC rained down a torrent of majestic pop -- one gem after another in a relentless onslaught of melodic gorgeousness!!! they were even better than last time if that's possible. not one but two encores. place was packed and crowd was euphoric throughout as was the band (especially mr blake).

To backtrack a bit... radar bros opened. quite good. kinda remind me a little of that band Spain. a little Spain, a little Luna, a little Floyd - post Syd/pre-dark side and a touch of The Band if that's possible.

TFC opened like gangbusters with "Start Again". Norman had a Gibson 335 which he kept trading for a cherry red Epi 335 with capo. small fender amp -- vibra-something. Bass was a fender precision thru big ampeg tube head and 8 X 10 rig. lead guitar was a fender jag thru slightly bigger fender amp than Norman's but similar (w/reverb). Frank had Gretsch drums. keyboard guy had I a Roland (i think) with a little casio mt-40 (!) on top. they quickly moved to stuff from the new album which went down very well: "The Past", "Shock and Awe" and then the masterpiece: "Baby Lee" -- as good a song as the band has ever done (and that's saying something and a half when you think of how many killers they've delivered over the yrs).

they also did another new fave of mine: "When I Still Have Thee". Plenty of classics to keep all happy: “Sparky's Dream”, “Ain't That Enough”, “I Don't Want To Lose Control”, “The Concept” (talk about killer songs!), “Don't Look Back”. the encores... “Can't Feel My Soul”, “I Need Direction”, “Everything Flows” (keyboard guy played a Tele on that so there were 3 guitars and it was just massive). 2nd encore included an explosive version of "What You Do To Me". just unbelievable.

my only criticism is that it was almost too much of a good thing. .."

Guess I didn't post yesterday at all. I did start but sidetracked.



Whistle stop weekend and posting Phast’s favourite Solomon Burke song ties in nicely with an episode during said Saturday into Sunday, phew...

Met up with Sister Qina down “the London” and packed as much into the allotted time as was humanly possible. This included eating at The Pillars of Hercules, meeting Tony and Vanessa and going to The Phoenix Artists Club, heading for Camden and another reacquaintance – Sister Donna Reeves of Dallas , TX. Grand to catch up and even put in a call to Brother Randall who is minding the store at home. I hadn’t seen Donna since they dropped me in Springfield, Mo. in the summer of ’92. Cue Percy Faith via The Skeletons.

This was the first of two visits to The Spreadeagle, the second after we met young Nick West at The Blues Kitchen. This was just a couple of weeks after visiting the Rock Kitchen in Madrid. Anyway, we went there to see Swedish combo, Stupidity and someone who was with them told me they’d be on at 10.30pm.

This turned out to be tosh because when we got back, I think we only caught the last 5 songs. They were great though and the Rev. Sid Griffin said it was the best he’d seen them. They brought a little bit of the ol’ Hope and Anchor to that corner of London on Saturday night. Prior to that, it was very cool to run into Nick Garrard and Rob Hughes. I had never met Rob and it must be at least a quarter century since I last saw Nick and he hasn’t really changed. In general, recent re-connections are going a long way to keeping me afloat – I hope there are a few others in the pipeline and I feel that the most important one was the catalyst for all this. Never figured myself as the spiritual type but I have my moments. Nice to see Mia there too, it was her birthday!

Nick travelled back to the area we were staying with us and we had a nightcap at Broderna Ollson in Frith Street. I always dug those joints but there was a wee hiccup in that I was told they didn’t accept Scottish money. Being that I make a point of carrying nothing but that, this was the first time I’d encountered such behaviour in a considerably long time. Just as well that Nick had some “real” money then. Cheers man. From there, Qina and I set off in search of some food to end what had been a very entertaining evening. Typical of the UK in general and London in particular that all we could find was Subway. It was fine though because we were famished. So then breakfast and the 9am train back north.

Qina is in Hong Kong now, starting a big adventure that I just know will be a gas.

Dahn "the London" this very week! (click on image to enlarge)

I'm on TV featuring Annika Norlin... courtesy of Groover Recordings.

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. returns to the Rodeo Bar this week for the cold beer and free peanuts -- not to mention our monthly residency -- and takes to the road next week with a first ever visit to Boston!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan /Two rootin' tootin' sets, from 10pm sharp until 12:30am / No cover!

And, should you find yourself up New England way... FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22nd / MIDWAY CAFE / Boston, MA / With Memphis Rockabilly and your host, WFMO's DJ Easy Ed!

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

The Kaptain just checked in with a rabid report about Willie Nile's shows in the West of Scotland... there are UK gigs throughout October and by all accounts, you oughtta go! Check how close he's comin' at you here!

RIP - Solomon Burke

(Thanks To Ulf for the link)

Thanks Amy... straight outta Springfield!

In some kind of half-assed bid to get with the 21st century, I just got one of these Blackberry things. By all accounts it’s a good deal and it’s all hopped up and ready to go but I’m reticent to use it. Some of you will understand that and others will be yelling as to why the hell not. Maybe I’m a little feart that I’ll become a crackberry addict although I doubt that’s the actual reason.

It’s more likely a deep seated aversion to being connected to what is essentially a tracking device. My trusty wee Samsung does everything that I actually need but for some reason, I felt the urge to be able to check e-mail on the hoof but reckon I’ll be using my existing method for a while yet. Being a little out of step with these times or any times really isn’t a bad thing to my mind and I ain’t about to buckle just yet.

Someone who definitely was made for these times has a couple of shows coming up in LA. If you’re out that away then drop any plans you have to attend. Between 4 – 6pm on Friday (8th) and 8pm on Saturday (9th) Hello Saferide in da 'hood...

And I have a pretty hectic couple of days coming up too so don't expect much from here until at least Sunday.

I think it’s pretty much rained since I got back from Spain. Pretty hellish really, the murk and grey doesn’t help the general demeanour much. Donated my 69th pint of blood earlier tonight and achieved not much else. Had to take the car because getting drookit wasn’t in my game plan.

So, in light of this - lets close with a favourite, recently a victim of the youtube police. Lola Dutronic's "Whisper" can now be found at Vimeo.

Not safe for work probably due to the nudity but damn fine nonetheless.

Might be more to share tomorrow...

Wow, nice find J... I never heard this before...

To whom it may concern. This blog has nothing to do with any competition that has taken our name in vain. I’m getting e-mails asking for crap to do with that and here’s where it gets shouty… THIS NEXT BIG THING WAS AROUND A LONG TIME PRIOR TO THE VARIATION ON A BATTLE OF THE BANDS EVER EXISTED.

As Lux said “DO YOU UNDERSTAND?...” This time out I’m not even doing the courtesy of answering such misguided souls. There’s been a disclaimer in the sidebar there since the first time it all happened, evidently these people can’t read or are in such a desperate state that they don’t look for clues.

I mean, does this place look like we might care about something like that? I sincerely hope not but still, it’s bad enough trying to keep on top of everything without having to deal with this nonsense. If you want advice, Start a real band. Be a real artist. Don't plan your trajectory via a spreadsheet. Work Hard. Play often and build an audience. Stay away from competitions that thake our name in vain. Thanks.

RIP - Norman Wisdom

Hoodoo Gurus, The Master Plan and Daddy Long Legs at The Bell House in Brooklyn tomorrow night! (Tuesday). You should go...

That Madrid report took it out of me. Needed to do it justice but shards keep coming back. I’m discombobulated. Can’t believe it’s been a week since I was out there because the memories are still burning pretty bright as opposed to some other sensibilities.

My thanks to Helena at the fantabulous Wurlitzer for getting back to me to say that the band that opened for them Twisteroos goes by the name of Suann. They were damn good, with a singer that really smoulders. A little different from yer average blues-rock combo.

There’ll be some music reviews or at least tips at some point. Like I said before, it’s not always going to be possible for me to update this every day right now. Not because I don’t want to but I just feel sort of worn down with it all. In addition, I’m trying to get through on the phone to two major companies. All I get is this automated button pressing bullshit and I’m not a happy camper.

I want to be where my homies are at!? Stamps feet several times, no clicking of heels.

The only guff thing about going away is that you have to come back. And that means dealing with the stuff that you procrastinated with prior to heading into the sunset. A Groundhog life and we ain’t talking Tony McPhee here. Nor is that rhyming slang although I imagine it could be. So yeah, high jinks wis had in “The Madrid” – let’s take it from the top.

The air traffic control tosspots out yonder in Patrickland did their utmost to harsh the mellow but it just amounted to delay. Some poor buggers suffered full on cancellation though. It looked a little bleak earlier last week when I got the e-mail warning of the disruption. At this point, with the world going to hell in the proverbial woven accoutrement, I’m not sure what strikes prove other than that they manage to fuck people up going about their business. There has to be a better way of sticking it to the bastards that got us into this shit and I’m fairly sure that it’s nothing to do with stopping us getting from a to b or even c. I can think of a word that begins with that last one which applies to individuals like those air traffic controllers.

In the end I was maybe 4 hours late and wasted no time in heading round to Munsterville to check in with the troops. Just the day before, I’d learned that Redd Kross and those Hoodoo Gurus were playing that night. Note to London, NY (and elsewhere), the Gurus are headed your way. Master of Ceremonies, Francisco had everything under control as always, leaving Iňigo and I to have the first aperitif of this trip. Jorge held the fort with some of his compadres and I had every intention of meeting the lovely Ulla for breakfast around 8am on Friday morning but we’ll get to that.

The show was way across town in a place called Rock Kitchen. It was possibly once a cinema that turned into a disco. Someone mentioned a salsa club if I recall. Good sight lines and to my mind good sound. Halfway back on the floor, I distinctly heard the frisson of guitar in “I Want You Back” and “Leilani” was simply amazing. The audience is always what makes a show in Spain special. To hear them sing “Stoned” or “Pretty Please Me” or “Annie’s Gone” is to wonder what a world would be like where stadium crowds across the world did likewise instead of worshipping O-arse-is. We got “Blow You A Kiss In The Wind” but not “Zira”. Possibly just as well. Band of Gold got together what seemed like the ultimate fantasy bill. And made it happen.






Grand to see the YFF team and Mark Arm and to make the acquaintance of my friend Maria for the first time. Her capacity for this rock’n’roll stuff is really something. After the show, she took me to Funhouse with some of her crew for a real cool time that involved drinking and dancing though not necessarily in that order. This would be the first 5am stint of my visit and the joint was still jumping (what’s Spanish for a stay behind?) when I left. Your reporter had been on the go for 24 hours at that point and I had a breakfast date coming up in just a few hours.

Had a powernap as opposed to sleep and I was just about 15 minutes late to Munster. I think this was the day that I met Murky, King of Shellac and much more just at the corner outside in what you could call an example of very perfect timing.



Ms U and I caught up in a cool place just around the corner and all too soon she returned to work as I hauled it back to the hostal in a bid to get some actual kip. Must have been moderately successful but I was soon back at Munster ready to go again. Several wee beers were quaffed ahead of the arrival of team Dahlmann and it was quite a pleasure to see them play their first actual show ever in the first city of rock’n’roll. You’ve heard me banging on about The Wurlitzer Ballroom and you’re probably sceptical. All I can say is you have to go there. The atmosphere is utterly unique. My friend Sara puts it like this...

“Wurlitzer is like the bar appearing in the film From Dusk Til Dawn, where Salma Hayek dances sexy and then everyone is a vampire!!”

Pretty succinct. (Sara and Riff pictured in mid-transformation)

Cracking Chinese food courtesy of Capt. Alvaro ahead of the shindig meant that some ballast was provided for what would be a booze marathon for a general lightweight such as myself. The band did great and I hope that they’ll get crack-a-lackin' (thanks F) on their debut album so that the rest of the world can see and hear their pop thrust. Seb Dahlmann is but a nipper, albeit a tall one, and he had just been drafted in but you’d never have known. I think Andre’s religious icons would be proud.

So there was much revelry after the set. For me it lasted to the requisite 5AM and I began to buckle. In order not to miss the bulk of the next day I made an executive decision to stagger back to my billet in the glow of the Tio Pepe sign. Maybe I stopped to get some pizza, don’t remember. The Jager can do that to you.

Saturday would be a relatively quiet day but one that required some stamina because it was to last deep into Sunday. Great to hang out with the Pastors and from there it was time to go hook up with the Dahlmann posse to make plans for later in the evening. Met up with Field Marshall (Simon) Birrell and he took us to the area where we’d hook up with Eva, Murky and Jorge for a taste of real Madrid (nada to do with football).

This was one of the great experiences. Top company, food, drink, environment, everything. I could quite happily ride that particular roundabout for eternity. Couple shots of Mama Juana (rhymes with whammer jammer) for the road to the Murkster’s lair where there dwells music that the world will hear one of these days. Talk about a laboratory of sound. What great kids!

If you find yourself in this amazing city then you gots to go to these places...

Bar Same

Casa Dani

Casa Gerardo

Simpatia Latina II

So where did we end up you’re probably asking yourselves... see if you can guess? I slept until after noon on the Sunday having been smashed in the most pleasant of circumstances.

Went for a long walk to clear the heid, ahead of the arrival of my next compadre to make the scene. Mr Claessens hit town for the YFF show on the following Tuesday that I would sadly miss but I think I was doing, am doing pretty good. We had a couple of snifters, called by Inigo’s to be treated to a percussion set by his son Gari and headed off to wait for The Twisteroos who as it turned out had been stopped by the fuzz en route from Barcelona. This ended up causing a delay and more of those aperatifs. Met Marco, head honcho of Ghost Highway Recordings. Proud purveyors of serious rock action in 7” slices. What a great guy, more about their wares after the logbook entry.

So they eventually got to town after Jonathan managed to persuade the law to let them continue rolling down the highway. Ice t has an expression that we might employ at this point. Didn’t he use it in a Body Count song? It was great to see them roll out of the van because that meant game on!

Don’t recall who the band was that opened but they were good. I’ll update this when I find out. The T’s had no soundcheck, they just came out and blasted forth. This is rock’n’roll that covers all the bases that reaches the parts that most simply don’t. You know what they say about pictures vs words. And afterwards, Vibeke and I did a little tag team DJ stint that was so much fun that we’re planning to do it all again although sadly not in December like we figured. It was the perfect end to a rip-roaring few days and this time I definitely did have pizza as did the others.


I retired and hit the digs at 5.49am, to be up again and out by 8am. Rolled around to say my goodbyes to the earlybird Munsters, had an orange juice for the road with Iňigo and checked in with Jonathan who looked way less shell shocked than he had the night before.

From there it was time to head for the aeropuerto toward reality. I was pretty much hornswaggled but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. And I will. I’m sure there’s a lot more than this but there’s an aspect of if you remember you weren’t there to all this. Sorta like the sixties condensed into 4 days. Madrid is good for what ails you. Me certainly.

Thanks to the crew (they know who they are) and all the folks I met for the first time. Hope it won’t be the last. There are too many to list here but special commendations to Benito, Helena and Alvaro for providing the activity room.

Gracias - mi amigos and amigettes!



Photos by me except the Tio Pepe and Twisteroos - courtesy of Mr Christophe Claessons of the Antwerp parish. CC runs Universal Trendsetter .

Perfectly composed vino pic by Eva.

Mary and Maria at Funhouse courtesy of Ms Maria Bonet

RIP - Stephen J. Cannell

RIP - Tony Curtis

News just in via Mr Percival...

The Boonaraaas!!! in London on Saturday November 6th!! We gotta go...

There goes my concentration...

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. promotes artistic nudity this week with a "clothing optional" performance at Otto's Shrunken Head. The option is yours.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD TIKI BAR & LOUNGE / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan /Two near-pantless shows, from 8pm sharp until 10pm /With DJ "Son of Scratchy", salty snacks -- and no cover!

Plus, streaking into next month...
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9th / THE BOWERY POETRY CLUB /308 Bowery (between Houston and Bleeker Streets) in Manhattan /It's a crazy night of ska, punk, dixieland and, um...SIT & Die Co.!

Yours in wool trousers,

Michael - Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.

"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Celebramos la Tercera temporada del programa radiofónico MELODÍAS PIZARRAS ¡!
Con la actuación de los conjuntos musicales THE SHELLAC FAMILY (Hillbilly madrileño)
Y THE BEN GUNN MENTO BAND (mento y calypso murciano).

Salud y pizarra !!!

It could take some time for the dust to settle on the Madrid sessions. Don’t want to just spew something on here and talking of which – your normally lightweight scribe had a bit of a go with keeping up with the professionals.

And because it was so much fucking fun, only a modicum of discomfort was suffered in relation to the quality of the antics. When the proceedings kick off with attending a show by Redd Kross and Hoodoo Gurus then that’s a pretty high bar but it got a lot more stratospheric than that over the course.

So there are things to be sorted, here are a couple of pictures from the proceedings in the meantime as the actual documentary evidence begins to be pieced together.

RIP - Sally Menke

OK kids, play nice. Doubtful I'll be posting until at least Tuesday but you never know.

Meanwhile, here's a nice little article on Eric and Amy by Keith Bruce from last Saturday's Herald Arts Section.

and Don's Tommy James int. Pt 2.

You want to snag a copy of the new Primevals CD? follow Mr Rooney's instructions...

"sorry for the delay- we got our new studio release 'disinhibitor' delivered today and it sounds fine indeed! for the first 100 copies we will include a live cd from king tuts in 2005. It's £5 and if you want me to post it, add £1.50. or paypal/cheque even meet me on the street for a transaction!

i know some of you have pledged copies, some more than one, if you still want the same amounts then that is fine, just gimme a shout and spread the word! the cd will be released on tsb in oct/nov and a vinyl version soon after. This first press is on our own Triple Wide label. This will be the last sales pitch.

thanks, mickey" mtprooney@yahoo.com

Andreas Söderlund has quite a pedigree for a guy so young. Not only pivotal in Hello Saferide, his other combo Dreamboy doesn’t slouch any either. I saw someplace that Annika referred to him as a scamp and thought that was pretty cool. His first solo outing “Daustralien” is ram-jammed with the most sensory-gratifying tuneage. The lyrics are all in Swedish but I’m sure they kick the ass of anything The Killers (has there ever been a group that begged investigation by the trades description authorities) ever recorded. The music sure does, while retaining that grandiose swoop that would appear to be that combo’s only redeeming feature.

Or should that be whoop, being in mind the war paint and the head dress that he’s wearing on the cover. The opener “Def Leppard Bil” is pretty amazing with a vibe that sound like it was recorded in a church. That cut isn’t on his myspace but as always, in this day and age, you don’t have to take my word for what anything sounds like – you just plug into the interweb. Coming at you by those fine Razzia folks. A trademark of quality in any lingo.

From Rijeka, Croatia - My Buddy Moose are a seasoned rock’n’roll band that have all the bases covered. It’s a very accomplished melding, taking elements from all aspects of stuff from down the ages. “Wonderful Feeling Of Emptiness” will leave you with anything but that. It’s a mature but not in the sense of the limitations of that M word.

Imagine Radio Birdman or The Nomads with a side order of Americana. The mandolin that is used liberally throughout sets things a bit of kilter. This isn’t folk or country or anything specific. This operates in the zone outside of any given pigeonhole where familiarity needn’t necessarily breed contempt. I’d expect that anyone with an open mind that might enjoy say Dire Straits could dig this as much as someone who digs The Skeletons. Or a bit of NRBQ

The duet “Tonight” is a total delight that reminds me of Robbie Fulks and Kelly Willis and “Dance” is a full on, organ-fuelled rock out. These sit snugly beside the conjuntifried “Las Nubas Peligrosas” with barely a hair out of place. Abetted by Chris Eckman and Howe Gelb – the Moose are loose enough to be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere who is craving a bloody good fix of why we care. While other people bang on about how the internet is killing music, MBM are plugging away with everything to play for. This stuff could really travel because it’s for real, not concocted in a modular fashion from a fantasy record collection.

Britta Persson’s third album “Current Affair Medium Rare” just came out Selective Notes, part of the illustrious Razzia family. Seems like the two she made for Amigo were building up to this and what she does is a perfect fit for her new roster. Specialising in sophisticated pop with a completely contemporary sound, this should make her a lot of new friends. I didn’t realise that she had a connection and appeared on recent recordings with Glasgow’s excellent Camera Obscura. It seems to me that their audience would probably really love this. Being that their crowd seems to have an open mind that would react positively.

The first “single” – “Meet A Bear” sets out the stall just fine and if you like that then this’ll be a good investment for those impending winter nights. “Some Boys Some Girls” seems like a contender too as a track that would really stand out on radio. But is there such a thing in conventional terms these days? This is the kind of stuff that builds a staunch audience person by person and that those people get an urge to tell all their friends. It doesn’t sound quite like anything else but it has all the hallmarks of appeal. Let’s hope that we get a chance to hear it live before too long.

I’m preoccupied. Bit of this, bit of that but mostly that. Very much looking forward to a return bout with the fabulous Madrid later but there are things to be attended to before that. To be honest, I don’t know if it will be or not but there is a notion of at least making an attempt that flashes across my napper every now and again. I’m watching October come up like a proverbial brick wall and have stuff pencilled in until the middle of that month. It’s a pretty good position to be in and I’m not whining or complaining just jonesing.

I thought it was Sunday on Friday night and was pretty stoked to find that there was a weekend to go but that scooted in too so way past the stage that I was at when I started out. You’re confused? That makes two of us. Overthinking is a disease and as far as I know there’s no ointment that can fix it.

Saw “Skeletons” this afternoon, after all, I couldn’t miss a biopic of one of my favourite bands, right? And who by any stretch of the imagination could play Lou Whitney? That one is a one off. Anyway, this film has been getting good reviews and I’m surprised that it only runs for 95 minutes. It felt much longer, and I fell asleep into the bargain. That’s not to say that it’s bad but it takes a long time to get where it’s going and the surreal feel of Terry Gilliam directing an episode of “Last of the Summer Wine in The Twilight Zone” sort of disgruntled me.

Found the faux French soundtrack intrusive too. It all seems a bit deliberate but maybe being awake during the bit I missed would have made all the difference. Doubt that I’ll ever know.

The Monorail Film Club is back at GFT next week for its new semester! One Way Pendulum will screen on Sunday 26 September at 7.30pm.

Arthur Groomkirby (Sykes) needs a hobby and his latest fancy is to rebuild the Old Bailey’s court no.7 in the family living room. His wife Mabel complains of the increase in housework and, in any case, already has her hands full with endless food deliveries cluttering up the house. Thankfully Myra Gantry (Peggy Mount) is on hand to help consume the backlog. The Groomkirby’s huffy teenage daughter Sylvia is ashamed to leave the house because she imagines her arms are too short, and their son Kirby (Jonathan Miller) is fixated on rehearsing a massed choir of speak-your-weight machines, part of a nefarious plan to supply himself with a perpetual pretext to dress in black.

Adapted from N F Simpson’s acclaimed play and featuring a cast of well-loved character actors, "One Way Pendulum" is an odd and engaging absurdist comedy, a lost gem from the production company that released "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning" and "Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner".

Selected by Marc Baines, lecturer in illustration at Glasgow School of Art.

I was pleasantly surprised when today turned out to be Saturday. When I was in Glasgow last night, standing outside the chip shop waiting on my fellow STEREO-goers, it felt like a Sunday night. Another great show and something approaching a decent-sized audience. So I'm a little frazzled and will be keeping this short.

Meanwhile, check out this cool interview with Erwin Flores of Los Saicos.

Phew. Rock’n’roll. Sometimes you need a reminder why you bother and I’m very happy to report that I had a close encounter with the very finest that money can buy last night.

Eric and Amy showed an appreciative audience what entertainment is. Like a two person variety show that should be doing a season at the London Palladium or Kings Theatre or somewhere grand. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (as I almost did when Amy dedicated “Don’t Ever Change” to me!) and well, it could well restore your faith to a pilot light type peep. Tonight, they’ll be doing it all again at Stereo in Glasgow. I’m not entirely sure when you’ll get another opporchancity to see them up here so I suggest you take this one. Mr Goulden gave those guitars what for last night alright.

It’s true, I’m biased. These kids are family and you always want your family – actual, spiritual or whatever – to have it large. These two deserve several tonnes more love than they get and many far lesser mortals eke out a living on way, way less. Theirs is a bijou blockbuster of a performance on any given night and I have a feeling that the pilgrims who head along to Stereo tonight are in for a real treat. There’s even have a new song that name checks the city. It’s called “Do You Remember That?” and I can guarantee that you will.

“…. There’s an awful lot that’s good in this life” like Amy sings in “DEC” and sometimes I’m apt to lose sight of that. It’s very cool to be reminded of what’s important.

One week from tomorrow, I’m headed for Spain and all the pleasures that place can bestow. Well maybe not all, but as much as I can cram in to my short sojourn and it looks like a full dance card is in order. Not much by the way of down-time in the run up to that either thankfully. My napper is all over the place at the minute and sometimes the last thing that I want to be doing is attempting to run something up this cyber-flagpole. Anyways...

Not content with the Turborock event out Espana way that same weekend, The wonderful Wurlitzer Ballroom has a series of shows to celebrate their fourth year of being. Here’s the skinny on what’s happening courtesy of Wurli proprietor, Alvaro...



- Friday 24th September, we have The Dahlmanns (from Norway), Invasionen (from Sweden - formerly known as The Lost Patrol band) and probably a Spanish band called Trono de Sangre... it's an eclectic, hectic program but...it's a party!!!

- Saturday 25th September, The Riffbackers (Spain) and the mythic mod band Squire (UK)

- Sunday 26th September, the (funtastic) Twistaroos (from Norway)

And on Tuesday 28th, a really big shindig with some of the Wurli staff playing in different bands. Expect covers, fooling around, jams and probably all three at the same time.

I’m hoping that this “disruption” tomorrow won’t be as bad as I anticipate. One of my patented expecting the worst, doesn’t work out quite so heinous deals but the “details” provide serious cause for concern. On top of that, The Citrus Club is right next to an area that’s been designated for “protesters who make themselves known to the plod”. That’s not the wording but it’s close. Still, maybe, hopefully – it’ll all be over on the east coast before the dynamic duo get near Grindlay Street.

The eye of the storm will be knockin’ ‘em dead in Bellahouston Park by that time. And all going well, being on a train going in the opposite direction will pay dividends for we attendees. Whichever idiot thought that this Paypal (sp?) visit was a good idea should get a hard boot up the rectum. That’s one of those things they have in churches, right? That they pile the books on?? Hopefully my reservations won’t come to fruition but there’s an awful big bowl of wrong here with quite the potential spill radius.

And we, the communal tax payer, will have to pay through the nose for it. The sound of spitting feathers should go here.

Out Today!

ACC!

Heaven sound bite

Couple of things… I guess it must be time for that “Next Big Thing” competition because visitor number are heading up. If that’s what you’re here for then you better skedaddle to that back button because there’s nothing for you here.

And on Thursday, some phenomenon by the name of “The Pope” is heading north. What is that? An X factor winner or something? Anyway, I give not one hoot for the religious ramifications but I am peeved at the disruption that this anachronistic aberration will cause. Our pathetic infrastructure can’t even cope with a concert at Hampden Park so who knows what might go down with all this. The event is not “sold out” though so maybe “(cross)here is hope”.

Even if something seems like it really was meant to be, you still maybe need to give it a shove. I need to condition myself not to let things marinate. Past experience coupled with many years first hand dufus status makes me eminently qualified to ponder this. To the point of pontiff. Did you see what I did there?

Anyhoo, must nash. the bunker is soon to receive guests and it's a bit of a howff at the minute.

RIP - King Coleman

(info via the Boogaloo Omnibus fb portal)

RIP - Kevin McCarthy

Things never went according to my - at best - sketchy plan at the weekend but I did manage to drag myself out the door on Saturday. The Eruption imprint took a trip out east and had a tasting session at Leith Walk’s fine Elvis Shakespeare emporium, anyone visiting Auld Reekie should make a point of going down there. Anyway, the bite size nature suits the primal blues clatter. Four broadly similar sounding acts on one bill in the evening? Maybe not so much. You know how it is with persecuted prophets but I wish the less is more thing could be extended to embrace the length of set in relation to material available. Play 15 to 20 minutes, blow everyone away and leave ‘em wanting more.

If you stray over the half hour mark and don’t have the necessary tuneage then all momentum is lost. In addition, if there’s too much choice at the merch table it confuses the person that might well be separated from their cash in the gig equivalent of the supermarket impulse buy. These are all just objective observations, the lord knows that it’s hard enough to get any traction in these times. Eruption is a Northern cousin of the London’s “Not The Same Old Blues Crap”, it has many tentacles and deserves your attention for the sterling work done on behalf of flying a flag for rock’n’roll. I sincerely hope that Mr D’uff wasn’t disheartened with the turnout and will attempt to educate the locals again. The apparent popularity of what the JJR is doing might mean it'll catch on. Might = maybe. I'm right at this minute listening to the Scientists set from ATP and thinking how it was when they first came over here. Now that was what you call a group, something that always left us wanting more. (Gracias Rev. Roswell)

In between all that, I saw “Cyrus” and liked it a lot in a quiet understated way. A twisted comedy with some great performances and not a bad way to while away a couple of hours. I heart Marisa Tomei. Yesterday I saw Jean Epstein’s “Fall of the House of Usher" and Hans Richter’s “Ghosts Before Breakfast” with live score by The Southwell Collective at The Bo’ness Hippodrome. Criminally under-attended but bloody amazing. I take great comfort from the fact that a film made in 1928 looks much better than much of the computer generated rubbish that generally tends to make the world a crappier place.

Really looking forward to the arrival of Eric and Amy later in the week. I hope that anybody who visits this portal that can will catch one of their shows. All the details are right here and for the minimum of effort you’ll be subjected to easily one of the best gigs you’ll ever have been to. Ever.

The other big event this week is the release of “Facit”. No info as yet with regard to the anglo version but you’ll know as soon as I do. Anyway, you need both.

RIP - Claude Chabrol

(info via Philip Kiszely's fb)

September is v. nice in Nortonville!

Saw this on Kenneth Weinert's facebook. Good call.

Left the bunker around 5.30am this morning because I have to make up time for an appointment next week. It was damp, dark and generally unpleasant. It seems like we jumped autumnal and dove straight into winter. While it ain’t freezing, the insidious wet has a tendency just to make things miserable. This is not to be confused with good old rain, which can be invigorating. If you get caught in it on the way to someplace you have a change of clothes. However, it’s Friday and although I should go to the town – I’ve decided to put that off until the crack o’ dawn tomorrow. The idea at this point is to make some kind of progress on some front. Not entirely sure where that will fall but there’s work to be done for sure.

And as a precursor to that, the big news is that Sir Andy Shernoff has a 45 coming out on the exquisite Norton imprint next week, part of the Rolling Stones series – a split with Brooklyn’s Daddy Longlegs.

In the interests of the grand clear out, I may list some items on here and if you want any of ‘em then the deal is that you make a reasonable donation (maybe I’ll make a suggestion of a minimum) to an animal charity or some other deserving organisation. It’s a trust thing and I reckon that you folks are upstanding citizens, right?

The way it works is this – I get rid of some clutter, you get something you want (or think you can flog on ebay) and a good cause gets some dosh. Keep checking back here, don’t rely on it appearing on facebook at the same time because that can be way out of whack. Posters, ‘zines, books, CDs, records, all kinds of guff.

Don’t forget that Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby will be in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK starting next Thursday (16th – Edinburgh). If anybody can’t get to a show and would like to score a (signed) copy of their “Two-Way Family Favourites” album then holler before next Wednesday and I’ll hook you up. E-mail me and we can sort out the finer details.

So that’s your lot for now. Verily his face was shut.

Almost at the end of another one… this weekend’s prospect is a full dance card but there’s still Friday to go. There’s so much going on that maybe I’ll get some respite from myself. A bit of cautious optimism there.

Never made it to Edinburgh last night because I began to rake for something that I know is here someplace but that obviously doesn't want to reveal itself. Found a whole bunch of other guff though and am gearing up for a big clear out or at least that’s the idea. Haven’t been in much of a sitting down and writing mood this last wee while. The modem incident knocked me out of whack as has several other things. I’m sick of me and somewhat preoccupied with what might rectify that in relation to a daily epistle being something of a chore.

Some good things coming up though if I can just get over the humf. Eric and Amy next week, Madrid the week after and a little less than 24 hours “dahn the London” in early October. It’s the humdrum in between I can’t be arsed with. Deep down, I know I’m lucky to be able to gallivant at all and that I’m my own worst enemy - give or take.

It’s blowing a gale through the canyons of my napper at the minute.

One Man Band Blowout!

Eruption - Scotland's premier punk rock'n'roll club - has put together a bill of the world's finest primitive one-man band rockin' combos and is taking them on a mini-tour of Scotland's premier punk rock'n'roll venues.

Kicking off in Glasgow on the 10th September, the show hits Edinburgh's Roxy Art House (Roxburgh Street, just behind the Brass Monkey pub) on Saturday the 11th, and Montrose on Sunday 12th.

Featuring the talents of The Fabulous Go-Go Boy from Alabama (who confusingly is actually from Uruguay), The Amazing One Man Band (Brazil), The Ghosts of Progress (Montrose) that describe themselves as a 'One-Man Band + One') and Glasgow's own Charles Randolph Rivers Slim Rhythm Revue (yes, Glasgow), all delivering sets of deconstructed rockabilly and blues in various punkish styles.

Five men. Four bands. Five pounds. If you can't make it to the Roxy, there's a wee taster of the show at Elvis Shakespeare on Leith Walk at 3pm. Why not go to both?!

This is Eruption's first foray into Edinburgh after two years of succesful action on the West coast, and the start of a regular series of gigs by their Auld Reekie branch.

I'm searching for something that doesn't seem to want to be found but I did happen upon this very cool sheet of jukebox tabs...

Saw “The Killer Inside Me” at the weekend and it completely bummed me out. The soundtrack is the only thing that it’s got going for it as far as I can tell. Not being familiar with the Jim Thompson novel, I can’t tell you if it’s an adequate depiction or not but it certainly ain’t entertainment. All a bit low rent Coen Bros with double misogyny.

Not sure that there's much I can offer you in terms of wisdom or anything else tonight (nothing new there then) but please remember that the illustrious Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby are on Marc Riley's BBC 6 show this coming Wednesday (8th).

Hoping to rustle up enough enthusiasm to go see Woodpigeon with Eagleowl at the Roxy Art House in Edinburgh tomorrow. Time will indeed tell.

Those groovy play loud! people are at it again. Having put The Monks on the map, their film-making exploits this time take in the Klangbad festival and also an extended Faust set.

Faust was one of the first German bands I ever encountered. Working in the local record store, everyone was fascinated by the clear vinyl in a clear sleeve with a hand x-ray visible through it. The music on it was way ahead of the curve to the point of being virtually scary. An odd kind of ambient that required an altered mindset to really get into. Or so it seemed. I can’t claim to be sophisticated now but way back then this was really exotic. Maybe it wasn’t even music, it sounded like notes from outer space. When Virgin launched their record label, they released The Faust Tapes, an album for the price of a single – 49p I think it was.

Orbit, the shop I worked in did it for 43p if I recall correctly. Anyway, we sold bings of them to people of all ages. Strangely no-one returned them thinking they were faulty because the sonic content might not be what they were used to. Not even the old ladies that normally bought Charley Pride records. Or Sydney Devine.



This latest play loud! release contains two films, “klangbad, avant garde in the meadows” and “faust – live at klangbad festival”. The first on chronicles the 2005 event and provides a first hand account of something far, far from what a “festival” has become. “No bouncers, no stupid marketing games, no bungee jumping” like the liner notes determine. The line up is similarly out there with the pastoral setting providing to a background to acts, most of which I had no idea existed. A little like an idyllicly set version of the “le weekend” in Stirling.

When I contacted Dietmar to tell him that Faust would be coming to Scotland this fall, he asked me “which Faust?”. He told me that “there is one with JP Hervon (Faust North) and the other one around HJ Irmler (Faust South). It just proves that Faust is more an idea than songs and/or a band.” This isn't one of those cases like The Drifters, I hasten to add. Not even opposite sides despite the geography of the same coin.

When I sent him the link, he confirmed that the band that will play Stirling on October 17th is Faust (North) not the one that can be seen in these films. It would seem that performances of their southern manifestation are much more rare, making it essential that you grab this document.

While not exactly a walk in the park despite the setting, the world of this concept is definitely an attractive one if you just let the sound wash around you. Dietmar Post and Lucia Palacios have put together another fine project, taking the blueprint of direct cinema and skewing it slightly to create a study of what would otherwise take place completely removed from the pulsebeat. They also issued the band’s first single but more about that when I manage to get around to reviewing some records.

Here are the trailers for both films...

Brother Don's Tommy James Interview (Part One) over at "Caught In The Carousel".

and more good reading... a Paul Lukas travelogue...

OK, I'm back. Couple of minor hiccups but nothing that can't be gotten around for the time being. The prospect of having to exist for the weekend without an internet connection has been averted. I may try to enact a "damage limitation" exercise so that any future trauma given such an event can be managed to some degree.

It really shouldn't be causing palpitations. Anyway, let's see how everything flies.

Scientists at ATP in upstate NY today (I think)...

Also,way closer to home, "Please Give" is at GFT Glasgow Monday 6th - Wednesday 8th September. Yes, next week.

It's a holiday weekend with Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. -- and then some! Something for nearly everyone with visits to Coney Island, DUMBO, and then ol' Manhattan:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th / The 4th Annual "CONEY ISLAND ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL" / On the rooftop of Cha Cha's on the boardwalk, with one SIT & Die Co. set at 6pm! /1229 Boardwalk West (at Stillwell Avenue) in Coney Island, USA .

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th / BRUNCH at SUPERFINE / 126 Front Street (at the corner of Pearl Street) in DUMBO, Brooklyn /Three hearty sets, from noon sharp 'til 3pm / Delicious food -- free music! /
Reservations recommended: 718-243-9005

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan /Two rollicking post-holiday sets,
from 10pm sharp until 12:30am / No cover!

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

It’s a little pathetic and maybe a test. Instead of embracing the fried modem scenario a shot of freedom, the disconnection from where I spend way too much time looms large and three dozen “what if’s” flooded my headspace. Instead of recognising that I’m actually privileged to have at least a little access never entered my head. I merely paced up and down, Illogically trying periodically to see if there was indeed a fault or if it was rectified. When I called the Virgin Media helpline I got another continent. Earlier in the day, I’d called to renew my facility for the web domain and I talked to a guy called Peter. He understood me and I understood him. Perfect.

But Virgin, that was a problem and this guy wasn’t deviating from his script. He was helpful but fundamentally he had no idea what I was saying to him. Friends overseas or wherever will probably laugh but I do tend to modulate in order to be understood. On the other hand, some English speakers can have problem with my accent. So we’re left having a kick aboot in no-man’s land. It might take 5 days to get a replacement, assuming that the modem is the only problem of course. You’ll be familiar with my ability to take the worst possible outcome and multiply that by 10. This is the point I’m at now.

Tonight I’ll have to tholl the evening without what’s become like heroin to me and I’m hoping that maybe the cold turkey will teach me something. It’s not like I’ve got nothing to do but this alternative electronic hearth won’t be glowing in the corner of the room. Taking for granted the premise that everything will work always is a pretty stupid avenue. My predicament is not unlike that of the way everyone else on earth is surgically attached to a mobile phone. I can rail long and hard on that and often do. At least I’m not likely to bump into you walking along a road, or annoy you on public transport though. That must count for something.

There goes lunchtime...

Great new Swedish combo... I'm on TV (Thanks Christian)

Modem busted. Limited internet access. What can I tell ya?

Click here to listen to the new Matt and Kim single, "Cameras".

Dick Porter's Cramps book is coming out in France (nice cover).

(Thanks to Brother Patrick via Staysick)

While I try to get my act together... The Phobics are at The Phoenix pub in Dartford today if you're about those parts. And if you're elsewhere, check out the one and the only Miriam Linna on Howie Pyro's Intoxica (25th August Episode).

Now I've pretty much seen it all...

From last night, a mixed bag for sure. A spirited disintegration here and there but on the whole, they pulled it off. Rehearsing in public might well catch on...

First up, Lord Rochester... and you'll recognise the other guys. Apparently they're staying in the UK to make a new album after this series of shows. Those Cluny shows in Newcastle next week should be a hoot.

Le Weekend 2010

14th – 17th October @ The Tolbooth, Stirling.

Thursday 14th

Room 1
LW Classic Playback Series – Horace Tapscott/ The Dark Tree
RM Hubbert
Critical Mass – Mats Gustaffson & Agusti Fernandez
Ben Frost
Sten Sandell Hammond Organ Trio with Johan Berthling & Paal Nilssen-Love
LW DJs

Friday 15th

Big Noise Improv Team
Room 2
LW Classic Playback Series 2 – Soft Machine/ Volume 2
Alphabet Dust
Piano Tapes – Bill Wells & Stefan Schneider
Ass – Andreas Soderstrom
Murcof & Francesco Tristano
LW DJs

Saturday 16th

Film Screening 1 – Animal Riot by Mandy McIntosh
The Room 3 versus Junk Music
Film Screening 2 – Patti Smith/ Dream of Life by Steven Sebring
The Music of Alvin Lucier 1
Oceans of Silver & Blood – Mark Wastell & Joachim Nordwall
New String Theory – Rhodri Davies, Lina Lapelyte & Angharad Davies
Claudia Molitor
LW Classic Playback Series 3 – John Zorn/ The Big Gundown
Peter Nicholson – Songs
Marilyn Crispell
Raymond MacDonald
Tetuzi Akiyama + Chris Forsyth
Tarwater
LW DJs

Sunday 17th

Notes From The Underground
The Room 4
The Music of Alvin Lucier 2
Film Screening 3
LW Classic Playback Series 4 – Roxy Music + The Darnely Dinner
John Butcher & Gerry Hemingway
The End of An Ear – All Things Must Pass
LW DJs

Thanks to Rab Buchanan for the info.