Mr Duff went out last night...

Ted Chippington and The Nightingales. Two names that anyone who began listening to John Peel at the same time as I did will remember with some affection –even if, like me, you can’t be sure that they were actually as good as you remember them being. Last night, I had the opportunity to test my memory and my teenage judgement and am pleased to report that I’ve nothing to be ashamed of.

I turned up at Sneaky Petes with high hopes. Comments from colleagues who’d attended the previous night in Glasgow concluded “if only Frankie Boyle and that Sonic Youth were a tenth as good”. That assessment pretty much nails it – in respect of The Nightingales for sure.

They began as they continued with a serious twin guitar row backed by a rock hard glam rock bass drum stomp. In fact, if I can think of anything to compare them with it’s those jaw-dropping ‘junk shop glam’ records that Robin Wills regularly posts on his PUREPOP blog. And when - by song three, Robert roared “I didn’t know I loved you til I saw you rock’n’roll”, I knew I was on the right track with such thoughts. It’s not all ramalama rabble rousing though, there’s a fair bit of Beefheart and something that I can’t name but that is pretty damned rowdy, mixed in. The last time I saw a band kick up and maintain this kind of mania was The Oh Sees. Now, Robert Lloyd’s vocal delivery is a good deal more droll and a bit less unhinged than John Dwyer but sonically speaking, the action is comparable. On last night’s evidence at least, The Nightingales are that rare beast in these days of everybody knowing everything, a band that has been truly overlooked. We should consider ourselves lucky that Robert Lloyd still feels the need to come out and make his noise.

Ted Chippington, sadly sans his showbiz drape suit, opened and gave us a rough 20 minutes of what we’ll have to call material, although it’s still unlike any other comedy material you ever heard. The closest he got to a recognisable joke was “I was walking down this road and this bloke came up to me and he said ‘hey I’m addicted’. I said, ‘You probably are mate.” The highlight (his version of Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep - recast as Chirpy Chirpy Cockney - aside) was a tape he played of an unidentified British punkrocker embarrassing himself with his inarticulacy on US radio. If anybody who knows who that was, I’d be delighted to know.

Oh and if you’re in Edinburgh or Glasgow scratching your head and wondering how you never heard about this then the reason is because - as far as I can see no one knew – I saw NO publicity around Edinburgh or on the net at all. The Nightingales told me that they got a call from the promoter at noon yesterday (the day of the show) to say they were pulling it so the band took the reins themselves. There was about 20 people in the room but those 20 people saw a great show. The Nightingales achieved victory in the face of incompetence and indifference, I think that may well be a decent summing up of their whole story. Go see them tonight if you're in Hull, they deserve better than they got in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Thanks to Paul Johnston...

I don't think I ever saw this before... thanks to Al Milman via FB.

Like the darling buds of May, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. returns this week to its last-Thursday-of-every-month residency at the always colorful Otto's Shrunken Head. Ah, so sweet the smell...

THURSDAY, MAY 26th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD /
538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in Manhattan / Two freshly cut shows, starting at 8pm sharp and ending at 10pm / With DJ "Son of Scratchy", salty snacks, and no cover!

Horticulturally yours,
Michael

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

Pffffff... guess that I thought maybe it'd be all over so I'm not prepared.

I saw "Source Code" yesterday afternoon and kind of liked it. It was like a TV show pilot and much better than expected. Today I saw "How I Ended This Summer" and it was arduous. Beautifully composed but not entertaining plus, anybody who knows me will be familiar with my non-capacity for fish or indeed seafood in general. There are several aspects of the film that horrified me more than anything that might be construed as graphic in any realm.

I'm listening to the first episode of The Mike and Judy Show, it's great. Like having the old SCREW paper on the cyber-wireless and nowhere near as offensive as the trout action in this afternoon's movie.

Handsome Dick Manitoba is on the episode that will "air" later today.

Dealing with cable service providers makes my heid nip. The latest saga is that my phone service was gubbed AGAIN. Plus the continued red rag that is dealing with call centres on another continent – that’s what really has me considering changing who has my business. This however throws up multifarious things that can go pear shaped and most often just ends up in my doing nothing. The concept being sticking with (the) status quo.

Service in general, through all corridors of existence, would appear to be on a downward trajectory. Expectation that is already scraping the ground has pretty much come to a grinding halt. There is the odd glimmer here and there though and the case in point is my gas and electricity supplier. Their centre is based around 40 minutes from the bunker and this morning, I had an exchange with a lady there who sorted out my account matters in literally minutes. Even if it ended up that I had to pay a little more then I would to get this level of service.

Going to try and sort out some pre-rupture music stuff. Probably after I come back from seeing “Source Code” at the Hippodrome if there’s time. And if there’s not, WTF?

I’m thinking that maybe I should write a couple of paragraphs about Lady GeeGaw too. After all. she needs all the publicity she can get. Actually, I have no problem at all with her “music”, or her really but everywhere I fucking turn this past few days there she blood was. One aspect is that her machine can fairly put in the column inches. It all sort of niggles me but being that this skin seems to be thinner than ever, it doesn’t take much. See you on the flipside of the pictures – I wasn’t that enamoured with Zowie’s “Moon” but this one looks like a big budget episode of “Chuck”.

RIP - Kathy Kirby

“Peace brother (or sister), take a hand”... or not as the case may be. Not sure what time zone the malarkey is supposed to kick off in but wish you all good things with your judgement nonetheless. Here's hoping it hasn’t happened in Australia and out that airt already...

Thanks to Eugene for this symphonic take on The Stooges and especially dig the way "Dirt" morphs into "Smoke On The Water".

Ms Laura Cantrell on WNYC (yesterday)... thanks to F for the heads up.

More Ramones, thanks Martin.

Joey would have been 60 tomorrow!

Contemplating the possibility of this “rapture” business that’s being purported to take place this weekend – I’m thinking that my time would be better spent nowhere near a computer. That might seem a tad outlandish but there you go. Being that I’m a shoe-in for spending the remainder of eternity in the burny fire, perhaps it’s time to prioritise? Not that such a miracle is likely. Or any miracle really. In the likelihood though that we come out the other end then business as usual will ensue. I was going to use it as an excuse for not booking any tickets for the Edinburgh International Film Festival but receipt of the programme has me a little underwhelmed. I need to get a little forensic with it but I do believe that this be some slim pickin’s and no mistake. Take a look for yourself.

I’d pay 9 quid to see The Terminator at The Hippodrome maybe but not in Edinburgh at an event that seems to be a victim of some stringent cuts. No doubt I’ll drag myself to a couple of things but like I said before – nothing is screaming to be seen. There are several double space typos in the programme also. I am perfectly aware that it’s pretty sad that I noticed them too, before you feel like pointing that out.

With my form/luck, the aforementioned happenstance is likely to be more akin to “rupture”.

Anyway, I’m due a hard kick up the jacksy after having a blast down “the Lahndon” this past weekend. Muchas gracias to all concerned.

I've been away... and time is running out (maybe)...

WTF? I posted this on blogger last night and today it had disappeared. Then I remembered it had appeared on the facedog so I actually did publish it. Anyway, if these things ain’t ging to work then please can we go back to the good old days when there was no sodding internet.
Interested to see what the EIFF has in store when the programme is launched this coming Tuesday (May 17th). The first since the organisation came together with the centre for the moving image at Filmhouse. My attendance is likely to focus on the weekends during the run. Can’t see me burning vacation days unless something really special turns up.

Of course, we’re approaching an important calendar date, Joey would have been 60 next week and Ms Line Dahlmann informs us that an unreleased song, presumably from the upcoming project augmented by various NYC luminaries, will air on the Underground Garage this weekend. The annual Birthday Bash also takes place at The Fillmore in Manhattan one week from tonight (Thursday 19th May).

I don’t know where you stand on (the) Pink Floyd and it’s none of my business really. However, looking at the “news” today that the individuals in question played together just after sorting out their contractual spat of several decades, it threw up the question of people who reportedly can’t stand one another coming together for the music. And well, maybe the money but I have no problem with that so long as they don’t milk it.

And even if they do then so what? The info machine on that particular brand is in motion. Expanded re-issues and even “lost” tracks will add to their revenue stream. I ought to get to the point… well, I like idea of people who have differences playing for the sake of the music. If they can just set aside the problem for an hour or whatever or maybe some rehearsal time then I guess that the point I’m making is that life is too short and sometimes too shite not to make an effort for something that is worth doing. This can be extended to friends too but sometimes that’s a bit more difficult/complicated so let’s stick with the bands here. You shouldn’t try to please all of the people all the time and after all why should you but think on this?

Maybe someone will twig that the band should have been setting the heather alight all along or maybe it’ll be a simple case of making the fans you do have very happy for a wee while at least. That benevolence right there is surely worthy of consideration. So yeah, that Floyd thing made me think. As does the consideration that time may well be running out. Do it for the kids of all ages because we’re a long time died (not a misprint, rhymes with heid).

Interested to see what the EIFF has in store when the programme is launched this coming Tuesday (May 17th). The first since the organisation came together with the centre for the moving image at Filmhouse. My attendance is likely to focus on the weekends during the run. Can’t see me burning vacation days unless something really special turns up.

Of course, we’re approaching an important calendar date, Joey would have been 60 next week and Ms Line Dahlmann informs us that an unreleased song, presumably from the upcoming project augmented by various NYC luminaries, will air on the Underground Garage this weekend. The annual Birthday Bash also takes place at The Fillmore in Manhattan one week from tonight.

How can there still be tickets left for the Moon Duo show in Glasgow this coming Saturday? It’s true that almost nothing sells out any more but this is ridiculous. And what’s even worse is that I am unable to attend so it’s certain to be great just to spite me.

And on Sunday, on the other side of the country –

4 great bands playing probably in this order (it may change on the night) on Sunday May 15th at Henrys Cellar Bar in Morrison Street – doors open at 7:30 first band onstage at 8

First up – VENDETTA MACHINE – 3 boys on Bass/Guitar/Drums and a girl that sings – one of the best new bands in Edinburgh, come along and see them so you can boast about it in a couple of years

Then - SHOCK AND AWE – what can be said about these good looking young pop stars ? their first proper gig for a few months see’s them playing some brand new songs for the first time in public

And then - The MURDERBURGERS – west coast punk pop so dripping in sunny melodys that you’d think it was California they were really from rather than glasweegieland

And finally - BLACK VOLVO – all the way from the Netherlands to the never neverland that is Edinburgh on a Sunday night, come and see if dutch pop punk travels well

4 quality bands for 4 quid on a Sunday night, all over at the back of 11 so you can get your bus hame – don’t sit in the house waiting for Monday morning - come and save your soul with some rock and roll !

sez Murray Ramone...

RIP - Dolores Fuller

(Thanks to Ben for the info via fb)

My (not exactly teenage) heid is in this one...

Calcium deficient? Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. has got you covered -- with a healthy dose of farm fresh "Ballads, Boogies & Blues" at the ol' Rodeo Bar. Now with earlier start times for all shows! And that includes this one, starting at **8:30 sharp** and ending at 11pm. MOOO...

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th / RODEO BAR /
375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / Two calcium-enriched sets, from 8:30pm sharp until 11:00am / No cover! /

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

RIP - John Walker

Never saw this before... courtesy of Murray Ramone & Sandy McLean's facebook activities.

OK, less than 24 hours of the ATT Kickstarter action to go. Thanks to all of you kids that pitched in. Do I believe in miracles?
Not really but I'd love to be proven that such a beastie does exist.

Click on the image for how to attend what is quite possibly the greatest "Festival" line up ever curated.

Laura's show in Edinburgh last night went great. And the Pleasance Theatre - what a great room. The sound was crisp and clear and I was thinking that someone needs to book Dave Alvin in there. Anyway, it was LC, Mark Spencer, Jimmy Ryan and (for one night only) Francis Macdonald doing it for the most attentive audience I've been amongst in a long time.

There was no furtive phone fumbling or yattering at all that I could tell. An abject lesson in concert ettiqutte. There was even a sing along to "The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter" for chris'sakes. The run through "14th Street" was just perfect and today, I need to look out the Emily Spray version. It's too long since I heard it.

If you can get to Gateshead (tonight) or London (tomorrow) then do so.

Photo by Julie Hayward. L-R: Mark Spencer, Laura Cantrell, Francis Macdonald, Jimmy Ryan

Lenny's obit is timely. if you're on the west coast tonight, don't miss the Thanes/Poets extrav at The 13th Note in King Street. This is a taster for the upcoming appearance at The Big Stramash in Edinburgh this July.

On the east coast, I'll soon be making my way to that very city to see Ms Laura Cantrell in a venue not too far away from the spot she made her UK debut in some time ago. The old Bongo club has since been flattened.

Would appreciate a report on the Glasgow rammy if anyone is up for it?

RIP - Hume Paton (The Poets)

On Saturday April 30th in Grenada, Hume Paton, original lead guitarist of The Poets, died from a heart attack. Born October 6th 1945, Paton, alongside vocalist George Gallacher and rhythm guitarist Tony Myles, formed part of the Glasgow group’s songwriting team. As their sound began to coalesce through the early dawning of the beat boom, their originality soon became apparent. Shimmering acoustic twelve-string and short inventive runs became the guitarist’s speciality, heavily informing a brace of exceptional discs made between 1964-66. The best of these, including the breathtaking "That’s The Way It’s Got To Be", from February ’65, involved producer / manager Andrew ‘Loog’ Oldham. Signing them first to Decca in 1964, Oldham then asked them to be part of his Immediate label the following year.

That distinctive twelve-string approach lent The Poets records a disquieting edge, sufficiently different from many other groups operating on the beat scene. Some of Paton’s most effective fingerwork was displayed on "I’ll Cry With The Moon", "I Love Her Still" and "Some Things I Can’t Forget", imaginative B sides that themselves should’ve been realised as potential hits. Yet apart from a late ‘64 Top Thirty placing with the baroque-beat, atmospheric debut Now We’re Thru’, chart success eluded them. However, with the passing of time they have become revered.
Hume Paton, the last original Poet to leave, during 1967, swapped gigs for the retail business his father owned, then launched the successful Bespoke Kitchen design and supply company.

“Whilst I was sad when John died (Dawson – bass player) and more so when I lost Alan (Weir – original drummer who died last year) who was a close personal friend, it’s a deeper loss I feel due to Hume dying,” reveals Tony Myles.

“Hume was a true one off indeed”, adds George Gallacher, “a highly intelligent and creative individual, always full of energy and always with a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed.”

Lenny Helsing

I saw a great note somewhere yesterday (maybe facebook?) that reckoned with Osama being buried at sea and the radiation from the Japanese nuclear plant that the next big reality show could be a doozy. Of course the credibility of the aftermath is called into question with every passing day and it’s likely that there’ll be sightings ala Elvis and MJ any day now. With the advent of computer software beyond photoshop, I guess that Wikileaks will likely provide photographic “evidence” but being that the world is entirely bogus – who believes anything they see? Particularly with their own eyes. Real life and reality are no longer compatible. In a world where a Roky Erickson doll looks more like a BeeGee then indeed anything is passed off as being possible. Did someone swop the Roky throbblehead mould for a Barry Gibb one? See what you reckon. (Thanks Chris)

Even although the rain came on, I ventured out to vote. If that poster of wee Alex lit like Bela Lugosi wasn’t enough. The Scottish District Cooncil will be in full swing soon enough and our collective bannocks well and truly burned. That translates loosely to “goose” and “cooked” or anatomically to “arse”. I tried to find one to link to online but can’t for whatever reason. The one in Fallin has been irritating me every morning on the way through since I first clocked it. Like a cross between Brezhnev with a rumour of Ronnie Corbett imitating Tor Johnson, it's not attractive. It makes me long for Stockholm, as does this.




Säkert! - Fredrik (live at Debaser) by val3rie-live

I’ve really taken to the ruling of not switching on the computer before I leave in the morning. Don’t fret though - it’s not that the time is being used wisely or anything. There are more positive glitches on the horizon interspersed with the more common, extended bouts of gloom. Motivation is still a problem in the main.

The "alternative vote" seems likely to go the route of the similarly-monikered comedy type. Like independent and "indie", the bigger problem is getting people to vote at all and encoraging inclusion rather than disillusion. “The daftest wee country in the world” goes to the polls tomorrow as a stop off before hitting canine central altogether.

Still, perhaps you’re out enjoying the last vestiges of sun for now. They’re predicting rain for tomorrow so make that hay... if you’re in Edinburgh then both Peter Case (& The Sunshine Delay) and Greg Trooper are in town tonight. I’m conserving my energies and meagre finances for Friday though and contemplating a very quiet weekend here at the bunker. Let’s see how that pans out.

RIP - Andy Dunkley

I was just scrolling down facebook when I noticed Joly's post. What a shock.

As anyone my age who attended gigs in their formative years will be aware, this man helped shape our tastes. He would play requests in addition to educating the ears of his audience. Over the years I was lucky enough to get to know him a bit and during his time at Rockpool, he helped me get the word out on the mag and also The Skeletons. I'm genuinely stunned at hearing about this and send my condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.

Seeing as you started the day with The Dictators, go to Scott Kempner's blog and read about The Del Lords encounter with Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Real rock writing lives.

I know that you get hit up for money right, left and centre. And that you possibly don't have bags of it anyway? Still - I would ask you to consider chipping into the ATT coffers so that the film can finally be released. Even to the extent of it appearing in theatres. No sensurround required to get the maximum effect.

Anyway, there are 10 days to go before the Kickstarter campaign stops so if you could nip over there (link is right next to this) then that would be tops. If you downloaded it or had a copy burned for you by a friend then please consider giving at least 10 bucks so that future generations don't have to.

This project has come up against too many hurdles in it's short life and as labours of love go, they don't get any more true believing than this.

The Dictators at Winterland in July 1977.

No video for the intro but then - BLAM!

(Thanks to Bill Gibson for the fb tip off)

Laura Cantrell’s celebration of Kitty Wells is out and about as of now. Just ahead of her upcoming visit to the UK that commences this coming week. It’s a fine distillation of tribute and education that will hopefully elicit some interest in the more extensive back catalogue of its subject.

Like all good country music records, it’s short and sharp and it makes a strong impression. Wish there was a dynaflex vinyl version because I’d snap up several safety copies. The set opens with the title track “Kitty Well’s Dresses” that Laura wrote with “wir ain” Amy Allison and for some reason, the tune reminds me of “Chariots of Fire”. Maybe I just finally completely lost it.

There’s a wee promo video on this page if you scroll down a bit. Here’s an interview that appeared in The Scotsman last weekend and the tour dates are here. This time next week she’ll be in Edinburgh and thusly so will I. So you’re all tooled up with everything you need to partake of some damn sweet music that harks back to a time that maybe wasn’t so complicated.

This time last week I was looking forward to “The London”. Time sure flies and as we get to pulling out of April then my thanks to “the palace” for sorting out my not having to make the journey to the salt mine today. They’ll forgive me for not joining in with the bunfight in any way, shape or form. Posting Sex Pistols songs on fezbook is no more “punk rock” than Hot Topic is and posting such just encourages them. The Bottom Rung shindig in Auld Reekie looks like a good alternative too but I won’t be over there tonight. I did get some weeding activity completed this morning though. That’s not a typo by the way.

I’ll have several attempts at that over the weekend if this weather keeps up. And will nip out to see a couple of films and hang out with T + V for a bit. They’ve come north to escape the rampant stupidity and road closures in their ‘hood. So now I’m heading around to the shop for some chocolate and when I come back will have a listening session of sorts. I hope you’re making the best of your freedom if you have it. My commiserations if you didn’t get the day off for whatever reason, including living overseas. Don’t worry – we’ll pay for this one way or another.

Likely both.

Part(y) 1 tonight...

RIP - David Wilkerson

(link via Miriam Linna's fb)

The Fleshtones will be bringing the Brooklyn Sound Solution to Europe over the next month or so. Keep checking here for details,the first lot are up now.

There's a good chance of an instore this Friday before the show the poster is for (thanks jm).

Exactly why the antics of what’s happening at the other end of the country could interest anyone is a huge mystery to me. That goes for this week and the 2012 gubbins, up there with the pyramids and maybe even the Loch Ness monster. However, as long as you keep well away from the TV and every other form of media then it's provided an extended weekend break. Make like you’re on a plane or in the quiet coach of the train and turn off your gadgets. We'll still be here after it all dies down. perhaps even during to offer an alternative.

I guess that the weekend there recharged my ailing batteries to some degree. Hooking up with old/new friends and associates taking up the burn of the day to day hokum. I just saw something about “major studios streaming to YouTube” which brought me down a bit. It’s all so desperate. Still if someone would rather watch something on the (very) wee screen as opposed to anything like a decent sized one then why the hell should I try to stop ‘em. I guess the only real winner here will be specsavers or some other such outlet that deals in seeing gear.

On the subject of the pictures, if you’re in Glasgow next Tuesday (May 3rd) then there’s a screening of the Creation Records documentary that will be followed by a Bandits set and other stuff of that persuasion.

Another passing... RIP - Huey P. Meaux

RIP - Phoebe Snow

The rabbits are a hoppin' this week -- with Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. at its last-Thursday-of-every-month residency at warm and fuzzy Otto's Shrunken Head!

THURSDAY, APRIL 28th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in Manhattan /
Two brightly colored shows, from 8pm sharp until 10pm / No cover! /

Happy Easter!
Sincerely,
Michael

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

I’m not sure how such events are curated anymore but whatever brought the Flamin Groovies in the form of The A-Bones + Ira Kaplan + Roy and Cyril to Le Beat Bespoke 7 is all that’s important. Quibbles about the sound notwithstanding, it was an occasion. Of course, audio quality isn’t everything but perhaps if the guy at the desk had spent less time checking his phone then maybe the necessary tweaks could have been addressed. There’s nothing this type of attention deficit could do to snuff out the humungous good vibe though. As the racket boomed around the gym hall style room there were plenty of satisfied grins across coruscating coupons (that’s faces to folks that don’t hark from around here). Young Nick West who sustained an ankle injury couldn’t be there and I think he bribed the gods into a little mischief.

From the opening rip through “Second Cousin”, this was a celebration of a great catalogue and some of the finest rock’n’roll songs ever written. Occupying a position that pre-dated tribal pigeonholes, the various forms the Groovies took over the years has percolated into the firmament. I can’t say how this stacked up against the Ponderosa Stomp reunions because I wasn’t there but there was one distinct difference that we’ll get to later for better or the flipside.

I’d never met Cyril before but what a top geezer and of course, gentleman Roy Loney has to be one of the most convivial blokes in the business. Perhaps that’s what has conspired to keep him from overground notoriety. More likely that it’s just a case of the public at large having no taste. And what can you say about the band that is to these guys what the Wondermints are to Brian Wilson although for my money, them A-Bones have dollups more juice in the spirit department in addition to the proficiency.

Apparently Cyril had said something on WFMU prior to this trip that he’d welcome Chris Wilson on stage in London. What's that one about careful what you wish for? As the day went on, it seemed like a rumour but sure enough – CW was outside the venue when we daundered in from across the road. So the prospect of him joining in for “Shake Some Action” seemed great, if nothing else for historic significance and the burying of hatchets. Reports that his performance was staggering aren’t totally unfounded but not in the jaw-dropping sense, more in the case that there’s a rogue “was” at the start of this sentence. Like the thing that wouldn’t leave, it could have been great if he hadn’t been completely pished.

In a grand display of patience and good humour, everyone else on stage worked around the intervention to make the best of the situation. So no time for “Jumpin’ In The Night” due to the curfew but I was able to jump on to the #27 bus (thanks Penny) that took me all the way to Chiswick. Like the song sez, “All’s well that ends well”. Just a tad too early was all. Maybe we can do it all again in Spain or something?

Please excuse the lack of photographic evidence. Some pillock (me) left his camera in the dressing room – known here as the board room – it’s safe though. Miriam has it so we’ll sort out the logistics of getting it back in due course and maybe adding some to this.

A final consideration then... No opening act other than one that is sanctioned by the headliner but preferably no support at all. As attention spans deteriorate and buffoons fanny about with phones this has to be a consideration surely. It’s also a facet of getting older. Having to bear – in the main – crap acts and stand about waiting while they “warm” up the crowd (not) is time consuming. And we’re all getting painfully aware of how precious that commodity is. How would lesser known quantities become known? That - my friend - is the dilemma of the person or unit, leave me the eff out (of it). What’s with a situation where a disco can blare out until the wee hours but a band can’t knock a few more tunes out?

The campaign for eradicating openers that offer bugger all to the party starts here. And it starts now. Of course, if there was some hike in the quality control then this edict could be re-evaluated.

RIP - Poly Styrene

All in French for those of you who can parlez da lingo. I wonder when there'll be a show in Paris? Meanwhile, I imagine there'll be a number of folks travelling to London this weekend to see the band. Viva le pilgrimage!!

RIP - Jon Cedar

End and tether are two words that spring to mind right about now. Discouraged and disgruntled are two more. I’m struggling to update this as often as I should but still feel obliged to at least post something every day.

I'm hoping that this weekend's encounter with them Groovies will relight the pilot of this decidely rickety escapade. Hooking up with the crew definitely will but then there's the part where one turns back into a pumpkin. Or equivalent. No disrespect to the actual fruit in question.

It's easter everywhere. Well nearly everywhere, somebody up here in Northern Britain has made a right pig's ear of the holiday this year. Par for the course. Still, if you can hold on until October, Capt. Kevin Morris has announced that the first big thing for Glasgow Americana this year is Alejandro Escovedo on October 9th.

And there's a ton of great shows taking place all over. Info on these will be conveyed as it becomes available. And fine new recordings also by some of our staple artists. Taken in that context then things don't suck at all, it's just the life experience of the past 4-ish months that has been wearing me down. There's an expression that goes "Everything that's for me is against me". I tried googling it and got exactly nada by way of an explanation but it pretty much sums things up for yours truly. Recited in a Scottish brogue, it makes perfect sense.

B-Side the A-Side Easter Special with The Nuns & The Deltics!

Yer hosts DJ Louie (Louie) and BigKegShandy (Sonic Reducer, The Stripchords) proudly present a B-Side the A-Side Easter Special with live guests The Nuns, the world's only all-lady, six-piece tribute to 1960s legends The Monks, featuring members of The Headcoatees, Mambo Taxi and Echobelly. Plus local garage punk groovers The Deltics! All for FREE!

Saturday 23rd April8pm-late
The Royal Oak Free HouseLower Bristol Road, opposite Windsor Bridge Bath, Somerset

Check out The Nuns whompin' on "I Hate You"!

RIP - Kent Morrill

10 years since Joey died? Hardly seems possible but that’s exactly what it is. The news broke shortly after we got back from The Nomads 20th anniversary antics in Stockholm. Obviously there are a ton of great clips on this interweb thing so go watch some.

The Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds show was a blinder last night. You have to catch them while they’re in the UK if you can. A highly entertaining combo indeed that makes a funked-up, space rock groove laced rock’n’roll racket the like of which you’re unlikely to hear anyplace else. Really first class.

RSD tomorrow and I am unable to take any more requests as I’m just about to go and queue overnight for my Flaming Lumps box set. Not. Ebay is already creaking under the strain of opportunists that hope to make themselves a wee fortune out of resetting their swag. Not exactly the spirit that the event was born out of but an unfortunate cul-de-sac of human nature.

I hope you manage to snag something. Most likely something that isn’t part of the stramash that you’ll get many hours of pleasure with.

And finally... from facebook via Monte A. Melnick and Genya Ravan...

David Lynch Signature Cup Coffee from David Lynch on Vimeo.

Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds begin their UK/Ireland stint tonight in Leeds.

Check out the closest show to you and get along there...

Early to bed, early to rise? All shows at the Rodeo Bar are now earlier -- including Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.'s second-Wednesday-of-every-month residency!

Same bawdy banter and near-patented "Ballads, Boogies & Blues" that you've come to expect, but now starting at **8:30 sharp**! Think of how much fresher the complimentary peanuts will be...

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / Two prime time sets, from 8:30pm sharp 'til 11:00am / No cover!

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

Though I should probably be out taking in "the rays", I've been getting exasperated trying to list something on ebay for the first time in ages. Just as an experiment. the reason for quitting that bunfight before was down to a couple of run-ins with they type of scum that gives the site a bad name. Most folks are perfectly nice if obsessive but a couple bad apples and you know the rest...

Anyway, I've had to resort to contacting their UK customer service because they're trying to flim-flam the shipping. All I ever did was charge the actual real cost of postage and that's how I call it. But does that fit into their "calculator" and location bs? Try and guess. So maybe I'm going to head down to the glass recycling place and take my chances with the sun. Or then again.

Meanwhile, on the countdown to RSD, here's a tale about a place that will get a few of you misty eyed. Be warned though, it contains the word "dildos".

Figured you'd best be told being that it's the sabbath and all.

RIP - Sidney Lumet

Norton is 25.

That's the label, not Ed (Art Carney) Norton.

A special album from Scotland for Japan will be released via bandcamp on April 11th.

'Love Letter To Japan' has been specially compiled by Duglas T Stewart to raise funds for the Japanese relief effort and to send support to the people of Japan. The album will be exclusively available for one month only. The tracks come from a wide range of acclaimed Scottish musicians.

"Many of us Scottish musicians have received so much love and support over the years from friends and fans in Japan. Now we want to send some love and support back to the people of Japan" Duglas.

The album features exclusive, previously unreleased tracks from BAFTA and Golden Globe winning composer Craig Armstrong, Stevie Jackson of Belle & Sebastian, BMX Bandits, Bill Wells, The Pearlfishers, The Pastels, Snowgoose, Alasdair Roberts, Paul Quinn, The Starlets and Eugenius. The Eugenius track will be their first new recording to be released in 15 years. BMX Bandits tracks was recorded in Tokyo with Japanese group Tenniscoats. Momus currently lives in Japan and was there when the earthquake and tsunami hit the country.

All funds from the release go directly to The Japanese Relief Effort.

1. Snowgoose: Harmony Springs
2. The Pastels: The Pastels: Guest of Honour
3. Hidden Masters: Golden Hair
4. Stevie Jackson: Price of an Education
5. Paul Quinn: Away
6. BMX Bandits (with Yeongene & Tenniscoats): Standing Still
7. Eugenius: Friend or Foe
8. The Pearlfishers: Swan Dreams (live)
9. Bill Wells & Tape: Troublesome Malady
10. Ally Kerr: Could Have Been a Contender
11. Lenzie Moss: Where Eagles Dare
12. St. Deluxe: After the Fire
13. Jo Mango: The Moth and the Moon
14. Alasdair Roberts & Mairi Morrison: Bràdhagair an Taobh Siar
15. Randolph's Leap: Going Home
16. Craig Armstrong: Cherry Blossom
17. The Starlets (with The Andersens): To Make You Feel Brand New
18. Momus: I Can See Japan

Available from: http://lovelettertojapan.bandcamp.com/

For more info please email lovelyduglas@googlemail.com

Thank you.

RIP - Bill Pitcock IV (Dwight Twilley Band)

(via Paul Collins facebook)

It seems as though that scare yesterday was just rumour.

Let’s hope that it stays that way. While I’ve no tangible reason to think there’s

a god lately, this is definitely a welcome development. Meanwhile taking a 180° turn to a worthy combo, The Primevals jaunt to punt “Disinhibitor” rolls South this weekend (London The 229 Club and The Hydrant in Brighton) and on to retrace their steps of several moons ago in France. If they’re headed anywhere near you then please make the effort to see them. There’s no way you’ll be disappointed. No expectations or promises for the coming week. That way, no-one (except me) will be disappointed when I fail to use the time off wisely. It would be good if the cycle of futility could be broken but I’m not holding my breath. Or perhaps that’s the solution? A couple of things that I have tried to organise have failed to materialise so business as usual would appear to be the trajectory. There’s always tidying what passes for a garden/drive but only as a final resort.

And as if things didn’t suck enough, one of the outright worst acts ever to exist is reported to be finally getting back together. Presumably to hoover up a huge mound of cash. I guess that it could just be chalked up to a large swathe of the populace deserving to be taken but pretty depressing nonetheless. However, there are positive things out there if you scrunch up your eyes and peer hard enough.

For instance, the very fabulous Lakeside Lounge on Ave B, NYC is 15 years old tomorrow!

And Dead by Dawn 2011.

Amazingly its 35 years since the first Ramones album came out, 25 years since they last played in Edinburgh, 15 years since they split up and 10 years since Joey died... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1nymlKj5tk

This Saturday 10 bands reinterpret and rediscover those Bowery Beatles, the Fast 4 - The Ramones

Henrys Cellar Bar Saturday April the 9th - Doors open 8:30, first band on 9PM Sharp, DJ's playing suitably ramoniac stuff until 3am - 5 quid to get in

its just 4 Ramones covers from each band and maybe one or two of their own depending on how the schedule runs so it'll be a fairly snappy night, it should be fun. Check the Henrys website for the final lineup

The world famous SHOCK AND AWE will be playing either first or second so get there sharp ! We'll have a special guest guitarist who's never played with us before - come along and find out who it is !

See ye in there if you make it ?

Cheers,

Murray

Scunnered pretty much covers it for the way things are. Possibly in the grand scheme of things, I need to go on some kind of course where one could be taught the “half full” philosophy and how to put it into practice. They’d have their bloody work cut out with me if there were such a thing.

I think that this will numb the pain for as long as the show lasts. Wish the audio on this contraption was better.

CyberSweden here I come... happy new tax year by the way.

RIP - Keith Fordyce

Travelled to what used to be deepest, darkest Leith yesterday evening. No evidence of sunshine by that time but certainly, in terms of gentrification, the area is unrecognisable. The bus service is good too and could virtually be perceived as joined up until you get to Waverley and what passes for a rail timetable. But still, it’s not often that a resident of Springfield, Mo. Comes to town so a certain amount of effort needs to be exercised. I won’t be travelling down there to visit the mall anytime soon that's for damn sure. The Scottish Government offices look like Marineville and I guess that Stingray was out in the forth someplace?

The hastily arranged Auld Reekie debut of Cindy Woolf went pretty well under the circumstances. Hopefully the next one will be subject to a little more notice.

Just about to switch this thing off. I'm doing reasonably well with not firing it up in the AM so a similar experiment for the evenings would seem like a plan. Not that I have anything better to do but it's a test of sorts. Pretty sure I'll fold and jump on again in a couple hours but you never know.

Maybe I have more willpower than I think I do.

Just looking at the landfill that's set for April 16th. Not much that I really give a hoot about but if you do and you want anything then let me know sooner rather than later. Nothing much going on here today because I'm heading for Edinburgh shortly.

Nothing on at the pictures that I want to see. Particularly the computer-generated Yogi Bear. What the heck is that about? And also I'm a little pre-occupied with trying to get bunker stuff done during a week's holiday that's coming up. If it all goes like eveything else lately then it'll be an unmitigated disaster. Still...

Remember, Cindy Woolf in Leith tonight. Get along there if you can.

In an eerie coincidence, having just posted that Wunderle/Terry clip - I just heard from Cindy Woolf of the Springfield, Mo. parish to the effect that she's playing in Leith tomorrow night (Sunday 3rd).

Someplace called Bond #9...

A wee while ago I was hanging stuff on the walls when all of a sudden I just about ripped the top of the middle finger of my left hand off. Ketchup all over the place except thankfully not on the wall itself. Anyway, I don't trust these hooks I got now so I ended up on here. The copy of First World Manifesto turned up today too so I'll get a few spins of that sorted out while I'm waiting on the flow to stop.

Anyway, I was perusing fezbook and I saw this from Kogar. Pretty exciting. I've never seen the film he's talking about but presumably it's the source of the stills that became those early promo screen prints? Hope to see the actual thing one day.

And this morning, I "shared" this on fb but seeing as it's almost a decade since Joey left us, then it seems fitting to post it here too. It's amazing that stuff like this can still turn up in these pre-packaged, product placed times.

From J. Wunderle via Joe Terry on fezbook...

RIP - Don Hill

Thirty four years ago today, NBT #1 made its debut. In many ways it seems forever ago. Who could ever have thought it would still be going albeit not in physical form? Not me. “Still going” is a subjective statement. I’m beginning to doubt the double bluff that existing online is the way to the future. I used to have an attention span and while I seriously do try to keep up activity, I consider that I just keep going over the same old ground.

To that end, I feel like a phony that should just chuck it and walk out Reggie Perrin style into the sea. A scientifically proven to be past it’s sell by date to the point of whiffy fossil. Or should I be working on an NBT app and navigating into the choppy waters of iPadmania?

There’s no fool like an April one but somehow I manage to fly that flag for the other eleven months too. I wonder what it would have been like to grow up like everybody else...?

Couple of things this coming weekend...

Hamell On Trial April 1st at The Bay – 142 West Regent Street, G2 2RQ Glasgow.

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THE GO-GO, 11th Birthday Bash Part 1, requests and old faves from the early days.. Saturday 2nd April, Upstairs @ Studio 24. 11pm til 3am. Free B4 11.30 £5/4 after that. DJ's Tall Paul & Big Gus play 60s mod, garage, soul, girl-groups and psychedelia.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RIP - Farley Granger

My thanks to Mr Duff for this report from Edinburgh last night. My thoughts on the JJR are known and to be honest, I never really got The Bellrays either but I never saw them and I won’t make it to Glasgow tonight. One thing I do know is that they shouldn’t be opening for these hokey sonic snake oil salesmen.

Without actually trying, I must have seen the Jim Jones Revue 9 or 10 times now - they've either been supporting someone I wanted to see or have been playing for free somewhere nearby - and I could never put my finger on exactly why there was such a fuss about them, or why I couldn't find it in me to care. Sure all the necessary ingredients are there, but despite repeated viewings and much benefit of the doubt all that volume and noise just doesn't communicate. Nearly every early review of the Revue namechecked Little Richard and the MC5. I have to say I never got the connection to the Five.

It took Mr Boyle's throwaway comment last night to expose what the real comparisons are. "It's like Spedding playing with Freddie 'Fingers' Lee" he said to me and in that instant it became clear - the JJR references are mid-70's rock'n'roll pastiche. They've a lot more in common with Crazy Cavan & The Rhythm Rockers or The Wild Angels or others of that breed than the 'oh-so-much-cooler' touchstones that usually get brought up. Add a wee dash of Slade Alive and you've got the JJR down. Exaggerated, overdone and soulless rehashes of historic high-points is what they deal in.

The Bellrays, who supported (!) the JJR last night despite being trumpeted as 'Aretha Franklin fronting the Stooges' are in truth a good deal more than a hodge-podge mix of the more obvious points of your record collection. They were the real stars last night. The real sweat and raw rock'n'roll that they brought to bear last night was a privilege to witness. Lisa started out a little shaky, the voice was all there but she seemed nervous. By the time they kicked into Sun Comes Down she's lost all self-consciousness and the whole band sound totally at ease. They close the show with Black Lightning, the album opener and despite calls for more, the DJ comes over the PA and it's over.

The Bellrays were triumphant. I believe that they're only doing Edinburgh and Glasgow before heading off to Europe. If you have the chance, I'd recommend you catch them at Tut's tonight. You can skip the headliners and still get home at a reasonable time too.

Coming up around Easter weekend… Vinilissimo will release 180g slabs of

“Songs The Lord Taught Us” (200 copies in purple wax) and

“Psychedelic Jungle” (200 copies in green wax).

A crowd-pleasing black vinyl edition of each will also be available.

Enquire with regard to availability here.

We’re nudging April here and several situations haven’t been resolved. The one saving grace this weekend was the screening of “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains”. Selected and intro’d by Ms Tara Quinn who also had these rather nifty commemorative badges made for attendees.

I guess I hadn’t seen it since the mid-80’s on video. Actually, I thought it was older than 1982 but the memory plays strange tricks when you get to be of my vintage. And not necessarily in a good way. But some night this week I will hunt out my copies of The Tubes records. For auld lang syne or whatever. What do you want from life anyway?

Ray Winstone looked positively Richard Jobson-esque and as for the band… jings.

Friends, Romans, countrymen! Lend us your ears as Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. returns to its last-Thursday-of-every-month residency at the always temperate Otto's Shrunken Head!

THURSDAY, MARCH 31st / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in Manhattan / Two colossal shows, from 8pm sharp until 10pm / No cover!

Classically yours,

Michael

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.

"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

I guess this Ray Davies Meltdown information is old news but maybe some of you haven’t seen it?

Mr Ulf just sent me the link to the Record Store Day stuff... as if the world didn’t have to contend with landfill enough but there is the odd morsel here and there. If you’re out yonder and feel the need to have any of it then let me know and I’ll see what can be done to hook you up.

Leaving the fracas aside and the Blink fan commentary to the effect that the band sucks, “First World Manifesto” came out a week or so ago. In terms of packing a punch (oops), this is a tight wad of songs that don’t take themselves too seriously.

The dynamics take in the Weasel canon you (should) know and love and mix it up with a notion that’s not far from vintage Who in terms of high octane pop thrills. A dash but not so ramone-ic as The Riverdales with a Dickies vs Big Country via Fastbacks guitar harmonic and Barracudas snarl here and there. “Follow Your Leaders” kicks things off with lyrics that are likely to goad the haters from the get go. There’s no real let up after that so you’re either with them or you’re not.

The pace and inherent frequencies are pretty much what the doctor ordered. I don’t know what people expect from music anymore or if they even care. They’d rather piss about with a mobile phone or gab to their buds, preferably it would appear, using the former.

There are 14 songs on FWM, the killer for me being “Fortune Cookie” that includes the lyric “each day I’m just a little closer to forgetting then I’m reminded there will be no happy ending”. That one really hit a nerve. “Baby Talk” includes a section that I’m pretty sure is Ben lampooning a certain singer who I won’t/can’t mention because I don’t use language like that. “Come and See The Violence Inherent in The System” presumably seemed like a perfectly harmless song title at the time... (originally entitled "What? The Curtains??")

With the band handing in their collective resignation, the season finale on this is all a little early for my liking. The dust must settle of course but c’mon – this isn’t what the punk rock wars were fought for. For the towel to be thrown in at the first sign of soapy (bubble - trouble) surely? This fezbook piece by Joe King of The Queers is the only thing I can find that isn’t a pantywaist condemnation. Hopefully not so far down the road, something will happen to allow things to roll on forward again. Sometimes things escalate and spiral out of control. We’ve all been there I’m sure. If you haven’t then you’re a spotty oik that oughtta come back after some life experience.

Ben Weasel (Foster) is a stand up guy. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly or otherwise and I imagine that's why so many spineless divots are having a field day. Having admitted that he fucked up, the guy should be allowed to put this experience behind him. It’s unlikely that he’ll forget it so the sooner the whining ceases...

Meanwhile, it’s a wee bit early then to ponder whether 2012’s gathering will be renamed South by Screeching Weasel but you never know. Like MC Lars stated "Hot Topic is NOT punk rock".

I have never felt older (give or take) than I did during the sets by the two opening bands in London on Wednesday evening. Regurgitating several decades of what has already been reconstituted to death, this was the musical equivalent of turkey twizzlers or whatever. One of the members of Cymbals looked like Chesney from Coronation Street from where I was standing. The poster said something about the other act being called Prehistoric Penguins, if it’s the same group and they changed their name then change it back. I know I could google to validate that but I already burned way too much time experiencing their, er, music.

Openers, Echoes – all the good names are already taken. We know this but come on, “you’re ‘avin’ a giraffe” as the ex-Eastender says on the ad, that often plays in the breaks between Corrie, the one with “Sinbad” in it. A soundtrack for the impending Royal Wedding that was so horrendously generic that it’s quite possibly headed for the stratosphere.

Last time I was in this venue it was February 1991 or thereabouts, when Dave Alvin and The Allnighters played. The evening before the first Gulf War broke out my memory serves me like one of those wheels on fire. Or maybe that should read misfires.

Nothing sells out anymore but this show did and it’s a testament to Matt and Kim’s unique thrash pop sensibilities that the place was packed to the rafters. This is without conventional support ala magazine hype and airplay on what passes for radio these days. It was perhaps the most rapturous response I’ve ever seen an act get down there. They even kick off with “Yea Yeah” these days so you’ll get some idea about the energy levels by close of play. Such boisterosity is only fitting for the wall to wall anthems and “Northeast” might slow things down a little but the way it builds is nothing short of stadium-mungous. “Sidewalks” finally gets a UK release next week but I’ll be damned if this audience wasn’t entirely conversant with the new material already.



These positive vibrations are at odds with what is sanctioned by NME type quangos. This might mean that it takes a little longer to infiltrate an actual audience here in Blighty where people seem to depend on being spoon fed but the medicine will go down, I’m certain of that.

They were supposed to go see Screeching Weasel in Austin last Friday night and for one reason and another couldn’t go. Kim told me that she’d heard that Ben had hit someone and that the gig came to an end. And sure enough, when I got home there's all this stuff about what happened that has turned into a feeding frenzy. Not having been there, I’m not qualified to comment but I don’t recognise the Ben Weasel monster that’s being painted in cyberspace.

I did think about being flippant. That I might try to deflate it by chalking it up to equal opportunity but of course no-one can condone hitting women of either sex. Reading the “punk rock” commentary that follows the Jim DeRogatis report is pretty sickening but ultimately typical of how the cyber-bush telegraph works. Violence never got anybody anyplace and I’m sure that no-one regrets the situation more than Ben does at this point in time.

Don’t let any of this colour your enjoyment of “First World Manifesto” though, more about which later.

For those around the environs of Glasgow, don't forget this special Monorail Film Club screening on Sunday.

I'm just back from London, playing catch up and mourning the fact that this weekend will be an hour shorter in duration.

Them Fleshtones are headed for Europe... word on an Amsterdam show just in. More to follow!

Trying this from a phone. It'll never catch on.

Apparently I saw 35 films at the weekend. By the name it got to yesterday evening and the more prog sections of the Nosferatu soundtrack I was definitely struggling. I kept semi-lucid by trying to figure out whether the last time I saw it the tinting wasn’t something I could recall. And still can’t.

Anyway, the first Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema (to use its full title) was quite the blast. It took a certain amount of stamina and at one point yesterday afternoon I was yay close to bunking off but somehow didn’t. Of course, seeing these old films in a place they would have played first time out makes for a special atmosphere. The Hippodrome is unfettered from normal time and space and I hope that can continue. Everybody that visits it that can will return so I’m sure there’s an excel spreadsheet that can predict exactly when they might have a full house for every screening.

It’s odd because the film that I was going to bump turned out to remind me of Blood Feast. There was definitely a touch of Fuad to the limping convict but there’s no way HGL could have seen this amateur Scots film called “Hair” surely?

The score was composed and performed by kids from local schools. It indicates the chasm between what kids are taught and what is considered education nowadays. With the benefit of hindsight, I might have stuck in a bit better if I’d been confronted with film and music or it’s likely I would have found some other means of veering off the tracks and ending up in this deep rut that I occupy.

The way this country has been sold down the river quite probably presents a slew of new ways of falling through the cracks. Staring down the barrel of being surplus to requirements at any given time, these are just cold hard facts.

In other news, I’ll be in London for a few hours, Wednesday into Thursday for the Matt & Kim blitzkrieg. These two do all their own stunts just like those heroes of yesteryear. In the days before CGI when fakery was at least creative.

Not looking forward to the clocks going forward this weekend. No sir. No madam. I am not.