Some considerable time prior to punk rock being co-opted into the mainstream, it embodied an attitude and sense of worth. There was no software that could transform any old cak-handed twaddle into something worth listening to. My old mucker, Tom Phobic and I fought in the trenches of the punk rock wars and although we should rightly be looking at retirement with a nice pair of slippers each and a reasonable standard of upkeep, we’re really a bit like those individuals that were never informed that the war was over. Actually this one isn’t though so there’s a modicum of right on our side.

Anyway, that’s a long pre-amble into letting you know that The Phobics ”Deptford Calling” is now out and about. It contains 12 short, sharp kicks up the jacksy in the manner to that which you have come to expect from this fine Lahndunn combo. As honest as the day at your place of employment is long.

As always they combine the finer aspects of both US and UK varieties to arrive at something called “rock’n’roll”. Of the type that has no sell by date. Sadly you probably won’t read about how great this band is in the pages of Mojo but take it from me, they kick a sight more bottom than many of those who will be damned with some degree of praise.

This blighter is also available as a limited vinyl pressing so don’t muck about if you want one of those. No frills, even less nonsense noise of this type is to be nurtured, who knows, it could even kick something off.

You can thank Morten for these...

That should read "Cabaret Voltaire"... see you there.

“13 Songs For The Rodeo Grrls” by Decline of the Reptiles kicks off with a curveball of Doobie Bro-esque proportions. The mature white soul Americana kind of sounds good on them actually but fear not, the remainder returns to the more familiar terrain of BOC-tinged meets Glasgow’s Primevals eminent rockology.

“Respectfully dedicated to James Darroch and Allan Marr” – this latest I-94 Bar release indicates there’s plenty of life in these old dogs and for my moolah, this baby trumphs the last Birdman album at its own game. Nobody infuses those spiritual Detroit stylings like the Australians. Sweden does pretty good but there’s an edge present down under. Even something like “I Confess” that sounds like Don Henley channelling Kill City period Jimmy O.

“13 Songs...” is some grandiose rock action that isn’t too far away from potential stadium variety. I imagine that the term veterans could be applied here but this is anything but a tired attempt at putting a bunch of songs together for the hell of it. The length and breadth of the album is vast, I mean - nobody could have predicted the mutant Acker Bilk shapes of “Penelope”.

Could they?

Via Mr Tepper on facebook...

RIP - Jerry Ragovoy

(Thanks to Mr Ulf for the info)

The Primevals are opening for The Bellrays in Edinburgh on Thursday July 28th.

Onstage 7.20pm sharp at Cabaret Voltaire. Everything done and dusted by 10pm.

And in August...

The trials and tribulations of searching for car insurance continue. Yesterday evening, I succumbed to using a “comparison” website. I dislike these things a great deal but it was a moment of weakness. The consideration that maybe it could scratch the itch and come up with something was an attractive proposition I suppose. So anyway, I go through the soul-sucking job of “form-filling” and had only just had the results come up when the phone rang.

One thing that rattled through my noggin was good, I can divert my attention from this for a bit but it was the “top quote” insurer eager to make a sale. In terms of efficiency I should have folded there and then but I haven’t heard of hardly any of these people and this one in particular could be the best deal on earth but I’m very sceptical at best. I’m not entirely sure why I’m sharing this on here but I was quite shaken by the audacity.

So, pre-occupation with several non-essential escapades like this are hampering my good intentions to start writing about music again. Ideally, I'd have someone to deal with all this bollocks but I don't. One of these days, things will go according to some kind of plan but until then...

RIP - Sherwood Schwartz

Good intentions were the order of the day when I came home but a couple hours of scouring for car insurance has pretty much put paid to that. And Monk just came on so I’m out of here.

There are two really great pop records headed your way this late summer/autumn. “HANK” courtesy of Suzy & Los Quattro and the as yet untitled but imminent debut by The Dahlmanns. These will be available from discerning dealers and download outhouses in due course and as soon as I know exactly when then you will too. There’s also a Nomads album in the works for a wee bit later in the year so you need to budget for that also.

Go visit Nortonville...

The taste that always refreshes? Why, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. , of course! And the refreshment is all the more carbonated at the Rodeo Bar this week, with an 8:30 start time and no cover...

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13th / RODEO BAR /
375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / New show times! Two early bird sets, from 8:30 sharp 'til 11pm or so / No cover!

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

Via Miriam Linna... this is TOO much!

Via Hasse Isaksson's facebook post...

If you're in LA or thereabouts... you'll be getting all hopped up about DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK. I hope that the Rhino film can be shown out there sometime...

RIP - Wurzel

As things take a turn for an attempt to get things moving here, another fine record that’s been languishing is this debut 4 track 10 inch by It’s A Bird!, It’s A Plane! on the never less than wonderous Razzia imprint.

“All These Things You Are” and “Elephant” are two melancholic, near-orchestral gems that remind me of “Something, Anything” period Todd Rundgren without actually sounding anything like him. The opener clocks in at 5 minutes plus but certainly doesn’t feel like it. My general attention deficit condition seems to abate in the immediate proximity of this act. The whistle-laden (Roger Whittaker variety, not the flute-y wind instrument), piano-powered “Looking Out For Mr Right” extend the stellar scandic pop envelope ever further by dealing in simple high calibre arrangements, the kind that you might have come across in bygone times but without resorting to blatant app-like nostalgia.

And here’s another cut that’s come out since this release and it has a slightly “Queen of the Coast” refrain. I’d imagine the album can’t be far off.

If festivals here would program artists like this then maybe I'd think about attending them...

For some reason I can't embed this but you need to see it. Your faith will be restored in something, At least for the duration of the clip.

Them weekend tickets for the Blast-Off festival are going like the proverbial off the shovel. Better get yours now...

Let’s see, there’s a bunch of great things happening everywhere but here. Death By Unga Bunga are playing in Moss, Norway tonight and over in Hamilton, Ontario -there’s a Memorial Show in honour of the late, great Imants Krumins.

Hereabouts, it’s pissing rain and the torture in the park over in Kinross is in full swing. The annual survivalist weekend with a bill that truly must be their most wretched yet but hey, it’s an institution. Maybe they could just build a big wall around it then. I’ll try to watch a wee bit on TV later but I fear it’ll bring on the Glastojeebies.

If they was a House of Rock stage with Morten and Caroline curating then maybe I’d have a rethink but being that it’s unlikely then I’m probably safe enough. It was touch and go this year though as Matt + Kim were alleged to play some tent or another. If The Dahlmanns end up headlining the main stage one night and Eric and Amy likewise then I’ll relax my embargo for that particular year but until then and hell, who knew that The Arctic Monkeys still existed?

Disregard all and any previous versions of this poster...

The Dahlmanns - a couple more short clips to whet your appetite...

Ah, Miss Chain and the Broken Heels, that twang reminds me of Moss Rock City... and stay tuned for the extras.

RIP - Michel Terstegen (De Capo Records, Utrecht)

I want to update this blogger template thing but to say that I'm reticent is an understatement. Do any of you folks know of a step by step guide to go about this? I've had a couple of cak-handed attempts that almost goosed the whole thing.

And life is too short to start with these forums... so please, any assistance would be appreciated. then I could get this show back on the road properly.

RIP - Jane Scott

Rita Redshoes – Lights and Darks (Anjo da Guarda)

These past months in the wilderness, I guess I hoped someone might take up the slack. Or even that Rita Redshoes music might percolate beyond her native Portugal. You may recall me raving about her last album and this one has been out a while. I just realised that I hadn’t written about it and that’s very remiss of me. Better late than never is not an excuse.

We all read acres of press about artists that really don’t come anywhere near this girl in terms of scope. Or for that matter sophistication of being able to juggle styles. The fact that she, and Annika Norlin aren’t on their way to becoming global household names says much more about the consumer than it does about either songbook.

Always literate and sidestepping any pigeonhole by some considerable distance, there’s something about this that reminds me of Cristina. You remember that Ze records artist that covered “Is That all there Is”? I think it’s the sonic glamour of the sound. This girl thinks big and across several palettes. “Which One Is The Witch” and “You Should Go” are just two examples of how far ahead of the curve Rita is. This spacious pop that doesn’t rely on some recognition with the past. As much as I appreciate being reminded of Dusty Springfield, I’m a little tired of the endless parade that seems to rely on that familiarity.

I guess that an appearance on “Later” might light a fire below her career here. A couple of well-placed shows outside of the conventional bunfight. All I know is that this is a cut above whatever hipster-sanctioned collection that’ll be in vogue anytime soon.

Equipment sale... so how come that worked then?

Wonder if this'll work... hope so.

http://www.wrecklesseric.com/equipment%20sale/equipment%20sale.htm

If this works then it's the links and some other bullshit that's preventing "publishing". If it provides any consolation, I HATE when this happens.

Soon as I hit "publish" then all will become clear. As mud.

Since the funeral on Monday, I’ve been mulling things over. One of these is the possibility that I have to rip up the kitchen floor. The whys and wherefores are irrelevant. It has to be addressed. As has the issue of what to do with the clutter. I mean, what if I were to shuffle off this mortal coil and all the – let’s call it stuff – was just left for someone else to deal with. I realise that I don’t want that. Let me ask myself again... No. I don’t. So I need to find a way to deal with this. And a bunch of that that’s wearing me down.

The urge to drop off the face of the earth is all-enveloping. Watch this space but don't hold your breath.

I'm too pissed off to engage with you folks tonight so I'll leave you in the capable hands of Brother Don. He saw The Fleshtones in SF last night...

Just got back from the Fleshtones at Bottom of the Hill. I ask you, who else but the Fleshtones can make you twist, jerk, swim, monkey and then get down on all fours to do a set of push ups?! Yes, at one point, while the beat kept on going, the front line got off the stage and started doing push ups in the middle of the floor! And then it was our turn, as ordered by Sergeants Streng and Zaremba. I didn't know I was in a competition until I got up and referee Streng raised my arm high above my head in victory.

This kind of showmanship hasn't been seen since the days of Paul Revere and the Raiders. The fact that these guys are still going strong.... it's just astounding... running all around the place, hopping up on chairs--- even up and down off the bar. And never missing a beat of course. The 50 or so people who showed up (Tuesday night's about the worse you can play in this town) never stopped moving throughout the hour plus set and on into the half hour encore. Streng used a wireless sparkly Gretsch thru silver face Fender Deluxe Reverb.

Peter's weaponry included a Vox Continental organ, harmonica, and whistle. Drummer and bass player (old Fender Jazz) were just phenomenal. How do they do it? After all they're not only old enough to "remember the Ramones", but also Chris Montez and the Beatles (with an instrumental "Day Tripper).

I remember the first time I saw them. They won a battle of the bands at NYU. It was the Zantees, Nervous Rex and the 'tones. 1976 or 77. I think Lenny Kaye and maybe Clem Burke were among the panel of judges. The crowd went berserk with the Fleshtones. Absolute mayhem. 35 yrs later and they're truly just as maniacal as ever. Unbelievable. God bless em and I hope some band sings "I remember the Fleshtones" many years from now.

Have ill-fitting orthopedic undergarments got you down?

Doctors agree -- Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.

is at Otto's Shrunken Head this week, and on the last Thursday of *every* month!

THURSDAY, JUNE 30th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD /
538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan /
Two comfortable shows, from 8pm sharp until 10pm / No cover!

Plus, coming up -- a JULY FOURTH HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA...

Dances of Vice, The Salon, Wit's End and Champagne Riot present "The Liberty Belle Spectacular", a second annual vintage Fourth of July party on top of West 63rd Street's Empire Hotel! With live music, burlesque, dancing, patriotic cocktails, a fireworks view --

and adequate support from SIT & Die!

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

The Norton Records 25th Anniversary Jamboree -
all the details here!

On the blurb for "Sound It Out”, a documentary about the last Teesside record store standing, it claims “High fidelity with a northern accent”. I don’t agree. Certainly, anyone who has spent time on either or both sides of a counter in such a place will chime with a lot of this. It’s equal parts comfortable and sad, sometimes both at once. The shop customers that appear run the gamut from a guy and his wife that might give Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer a run for their money to the most real and sincere being a Quo fan called Shane. To my mind, it's lazy to compare anything to do with record stores to "HF".

Director Jeanie Finlay and shop proprietor Tom Butchart attended the screening. It was explained that there were drawbacks such as having music playing in the store because it would ultimately have to be cleared if it appeared in the film. "SIO" feels more like "Anvil" to my mind, without the happy ending. It’s anybody’s guess as to how long the shop will remain there. Shots of Stockton’s high street indicate the decline that’s going on across the country. What can’t be denied is the community spirit and camaraderie that surrounds the place. Or the therapy that it provides many of the outsiders that frequent it.

Spotted copies of Up for A Bit with The Pastels, A Date with Elvis and The Residents Duck Stab on the store walls. I wonder if they ever sold the copy of “Love Missile F1-11” ?

See it and make up your own mind.

TRAILER: SOUND IT OUT - A documentary by Jeanie Finlay from Jeanie Finlay on Vimeo.

Thanks to Shona for getting me in after I failed to book a ticket in time.

RIP - Peter Falk

RIP - Gene Colan

An important message from Tony Bailey
about The Big Stramash

Dear friends,

It is with great disappointment that we have to announce that due to circumstances beyond our control THE BIG STRAMASH has had to be postponed until later this year.

We apologise unreservedly to those who have bought tickets and will be very happy to refund all ticket holders. Alternatively all tickets will still be valid when the event is rescheduled.

We are very positive at this moment that the bill will remain unaltered at it's new date but please check the website for regular updates. Again, our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

A gig will be happening Thursday night at Henry's Cellar Bar with 'Lord Rochester' + guests (tbc) and Friday night at Studio 24 will feature a gig with 'The Higher State' + guests (tbc). Saturday night at Studio 24 will bring you the 'Lucky 7 Ska Club'.

It’s just gone midsummer. The adage, “the nights are fair drawin’ in”, is resonating through the halls and technically that statement is true. The first half of 2011 sucked pretty hard but with the advent of the HOR and the Moss-pitality out there, I think that jump-started me. In recent days, there’s been a bereavement in the family and that was a bit of a shocker.

My uncle, Jim Hutton passed away on Monday after a period in hospital. I’m concerned about the effect this has had on his family and indeed my father and his other siblings. One thing I will say is, he had a number of great expressions and one of them was “he’s aboot as guid as twa men aff their work”. I can translate that if necessary for anyone out there.

So yeah, this type of thing has a way of creating a perspective. It’s time to try and move things forward. And some of the other recent theatre exits have spawned some fine music writing in recent days and this one is up there with Scott’s thing on Clarence. I never knew who Steve Popovich was but it sounds like he was one of us. Gabba gabba.

Gracias to JD King for flagging this one up...

Scott Kempner on Clarence Clemons.

For some reason, I can't embed the Nomads video I'm trying to post so just head over here and dig ALL the clips.

You would have ended up there anyway...

We could use a little levity, right?

Still can't find the photos but then I got to thinking, everything's on YouTube - right?

RIP - Clarence Clemons

Like I maybe said before, my experience of meeting musical heroes has seen a pretty decent success rate. None more so than running into Clarence during that all important first jaunt to NY in the autumn of 1983. The LOTC had just gotten canned and HT was working at Columbia. CC was putting together his first solo outing with the Red Bank Rockers and we got invited to the video shoot for "A Woman's Got The Power". Anyway, in this - he was depicted as the President of the USA and he carried that pretty damn good. I've been looking for the pictures and the only one I can find right now is this one. He was a lovely guy that loved the bagpipes and the last contact I had with him was when we sent some bagpipe reeds that my dad gave me over to him in New Jersey. So long Big Man.

I can’t believe that I hadn’t been to Norway before either. Having had a long association with the country since the mag was in nappies, it was only after a monumental connection with The Yum Yums in Madrid that this wrong would have to be righted. So when Morten and Caroline built the inaugural House of Rock (Festival) then it was a cinch that people would show up from all over. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. I’m not sure how this report will bob and weave or even show up. There’s a lot of information to process and it’s making me a little sad/mad that I ain’t still there. A mix of great folks, top notch combos and sociological experiments eating gas station forecourt pizza was just the tip of the iceberg.

Message to Ryanair – Torp is nowhere near Oslo. Why don’t you change the Edinburgh flight to arrive and depart from Rygge? I’d really appreciate any consideration that could be given. Thanks. Anyway, I digress. It was straight to Oslo after dropping my bags at Casa Dahlmann. It was there that I met up with Peter Tjolsen, the man that could be blamed for igniting my association with this particular area of Scandanavia too many moons to remember ago.

First full day Thursday (9th) ended with an appearance by The Yum Yums at Cafe Mono in Oslo. No relation to its Glasgow cousin but a nice joint nonetheless. I have to admit that I didn’t know who Jo Nesbø was. I don’t (can’t?) read as much as I’d like to so there you go. Seems like he’s the most famous person in Norway though and is having a meteoric rise across the rest of the world too with his first book now on the NY best-seller list. What matters in this neighbourhood is that he had the good taste to pick this band to play at the launch for his latest (tenth?) novel “Gjenferd” (Phantom). I need to discuss his character “Harry Hole” with Andre. He’ll find it, er, funny.

I was sitting at the soundcheck considering what an enormous privilege it was to be watching these kids prepare. Sure, winning the lottery would be OK if I ever bought a ticket, but this was pretty satisfying. I was kind of in a daze through the whole evening and it wasn’t the booze. It was like the revelation of El Sol all over again. Hit after hit after hit. Nesbø did a version of a big hit he had in a previous life, “Jenter som kommer” (“Girls Who Come”) with them. I imagine this one was a little more turbo-charged. He should record it with them and help them crossover into the major leagues where they deserve to be. I just found out he’s coming to Edinburgh for the Book Festival so I’m looking for a posse to doorstep him. JN’s twin brother was on backing vocals with Ms Vib there might even be a photo of that here if any of ‘em came out. I’m SHITE at taking pictures.

And so it was time for day one of the House of Rock extrav. I guess we were ready but not quite ready for the scale of the big fun. The location had changed from the HOR compound to Café Brandstrup. At the behest of the local constabulary. Great venue that had been part of a local brewery, lovely old place with some cracking wood features (huh, huh – he said wood). The Quattro crew were already there and as we gathered, it was sure a sight for sore eyes to see them Fleshtones enter the bar following a raid on Bergen the previous night.

Soon it was time for the music to start and Caroline and the Treats were a fine place to start. Jonathan had told me how great they were and to drop everything and get to Spain earlier this year when I was moping. That advice should have been taken. Rather than bang on, I’m gonna try to provide clips of the bands so you can hear and see the joy. Commentary will be provided where necessary.



I didn’t see Crimson Highlights but I think this was their second show ever. Word is that they were great and that’s coming from someone that knows her onions. Or should that be kebabs?

Shouldn't need to tell anybody here that Suzy & Los Quattro are one of the finest bands on earth. If you disagree then there’s really no hope for you. They have a great new drummer – not that Yuri wasn’t – some banging new tunes and they’re coming to get you in September.

Death By Unga Bunga are an amazing, young Moss collective that make an almighty racket which acts that have been around for yonks can’t muster. Sebastian is a ubiquitous feature on the scene and I think these kids will be breaking out across the planet in due course. They have charisma though so I hope that doesn’t set them back. It won’t where it matters.

The Yum Yums twice in two days could be considered a musical OD but I survived the palpitations. This performance was even better than the previous night and the clip I posted during the week nails it. There was a huge festival happening in Norway close by this same weekend and I’ll be fucked by the ragman’s coronet if any of them even came close to this.

And then it was time for some more old scores to be settled. The Nomads with Robert Erikson on the drum stool. I may have been trying to convince someone that the upcoming show in Solna would have both Joakim and Robert ala The Glitterband. It wasn’t me – it was the liquor talking. Possibly. Introduced by Colonel Zaremba, the band tore us all down right up to the final whistle.

And the night wasn’t over. Gry literally got on her bike and led a squad of us down to TivoliKjeller'n where I was ”disc-en-spinnering” (c) P Zaremba - that some folks went several degrees of nuts to. I really appreciate that indulgence, it makes an old git feel all warm and I don’t mean that I’d pe’ed myself.

My homie, Sus Kiwi and I then hit up the kebab shop and took the piss out of some locals. It was a perfect end to a perfect day and something that is likely to stick with me until that final taxi.

By the time we all surfaced the next day, things were a little more subdued but like the troopers we are, the challenge was risen to. My first beer of the day was in the early evening, fate wasn’t being tempted. Musicwise, it was The Twisteroos job to get this particular section of the party started. These people start off with this level of octane. What’s wrong with them you say? Nothing at all – they just have very high standards.

Next up was The Dahlmanns. If you consider the privilege that was sitting watching The YYs soundcheck then it an equal mind fugue to have these kids in my extended family. And not content with being great, great people – they have the potential to make the airwaves safe again. Having heard what will be their debut album for the most part then you better be prepared to be blown clean off your feet. They could be Abba-mungous. Really. I’m beginning to take a Beavis-type fit just thinking about it and can’t find any clips to ease that jones.

Miss Chain and The Broken Heels were next. I never quite got the records but in person they’re an infectious commodity. The way they shimmied their set into the consciousness was exactly what was needed at that point in the day. I need to go back to the records. Damn nice people too.



Had to grab some food at that point and hoped we could have gotten back for Kepi Ghoulie starting. As it was, we missed a few songs but what we did clock was really stunning, combustible fun. If only we could have held out until Use Me to settle the munchies but wodjagonnado?

Then it was time for the finale. A super-rock sensation that summoned all of the life force we had left. Like one of those churches in the deep south. Again, down the road there were a ton of bloated would, has and neverbeens that aren’t fit to polish these guys sneakers at “Norwegian Wood”, the perennial journeymen were giving “Whatever It Takes” to a perfectly formed crowd in the backyard of a cool Moss hostelry.

Another afterparty that went on to the wee hours, I was standing in a taxi queue and a guy walked in at the back and hooked (punched) a woman that was standing there. A small fracas ensued and I had to do a double take. Nope, I wasn’t in Glasgow. Eventually I got back to Jeløya and had a closing beer with Andre in the beautiful greenery outside their place. It never quite gets dark there at this time of year.

Was surprisingly sprightly both days and it was an early start on Sunday to head for Oslo again. The Cocktail Slippers are hosting a BBQ event every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer at Dattera Til Hagen. This one included Steve Van Zandt,Beat Tornados and them fabulous Dahlmanns. The Tita Nah Nah Nahs brought the hula too on a wonderfully sunny afternoon. The D’s were on first and once again wowed the audience with their perfect pop stylings. First time I’d heard them do The GoGos “Has The Whole World Lost Its Head”. They were immense – get used to it.

Little Steven mumbled his way like he does in the UG broadcasts. Apparently Silvio turned States witness and had been relocated to a mob annex in Norway. I need to investigate this TV show thing.

The Beat Tornados were OK but they played too long. Less is way more in such situations. Nice to see Rocket Queen with The Slippers but was a little taken aback to hear them start with a cover of “Material Girl”. They just got a new singer (Hope) and seem to have relinquished the more rock'n'roll aspect. My tuppence worth is that Stine deserves to be a huge star and that this direction might hamper that but maybe Wicked Cool has plans? I hope so because the band works hard and the don't strike me as being cut out to be a "tribute" or "oldies" band but maybe it's just for this setting because at this point there are a lot of sabath afternoons to go. And besides - like Sgt Schultz in Hogans Heroes, "I know nothing". Just attempting to be objective.

And that’s about it, topped off with a get together at the apartment of a young lady that was having a fish cake party. Gonna happen every Sunday night apparently so I think I oughtta be setting out about now.

I cannot thank my hosts enough and really hope to get another hang together soon. I’m still hopped up on that finite Moss energy. You know “Have Love, Will Travel”? Well it’s more than apt in this case.

Check out Flameboy’s photographic evidence here and if you’re on facebook I’m not sure if you can access non-friends photos or not, probably the latter. HOR – The Sequel is scheduled for July 6th and 7th 2012. I hope that more of you will kommen down and get with it. And here are some more from the local paper.

One week later, I just keeping looking at this stuff. For confirmation that it happened if nothing else. May the House of Rock reign forever. The bar has been set so high I’m getting vertigo. Thanks for helping me off the cobwebs brothers and sisters. It was a gas.

When I was trying to post this, blogger wasn't playing nice so I'm not sure how it'll turn out layout-wise. If anything needs fixing or whatev then consider it a work in progress.

RIP - Wild Man Fischer

Although I had contact with Imants (Krumins) I can’t claim to have known him. He’s one of those that I always figured I might run into though and I consider him to be the Brian Hogg of Canada. I bought my first copy of Teenage News at Compendium in London and never considered for a minute that I’d sell my fanzine in there too. Finding out about his passing on Friday was a shock. After Bruce told me, I’d been thinking about something to send him in the hospice and never really figured on anything because to me, he had everything already. In some ways – my being in Norway, attending the House of Rock extravaganza. That’s something he might have done. So when I saw Ken (Fox) at the venue I told him, knowing that he and the man had some form from the days in the trenches out there. Chris’s obits on both Imants and Shane Williams are heartfelt. I know that leery blighter doesn’t want us to think he has a heart but it’s cool he let that guard down. Bruce has also written a great tribute here and I should dedicate my advanced years crowd surfing exploits to Imants.

I’d lost touch with Shane in his recent years on the outside too. I remember sending him some Boonaraaas postcards after the Punk Rock Kongress but not hearing anything back. Sometimes I wondered if he was still on the outside so this news was pretty bamboozling.

A week ago from tonight was the start of my House of Rock extravaganza and I'm still buzzing. Maybe over the weekend I'll get to documenting or more likely be in a strop wishing I was still there. I'm off to see "Cedar Rapids" tonight. Just one chance to dance with this one.

Mr A has a brand new cyberpad...

David Arnoff Photography

It seldom, if indeed ever, gets better than this...

RIP - Carl Gardner (The Coasters)

I am nowhere near having my shit together... just so you know.

The expression "festival" will never be the same again... I need to gather my thoughts. So here's something from the Flame Boy library to act as a taster...

RIP - Imants Krumins

RIP - Shane Williams

(thanks to Prof H for the info)

Catch you on the flipside or maybe even during...

As a precursor to HOR, this is a happening that will take place tomorrow night in Oslo.

In Cafe Mono... is it aware of it's cousin in Glasgow? We'll find out.

Odin will bill a tad displeased if you're anywhere near this and you don't go... just saying...

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. supplies a double dose of protein -- with Rodeo Bar peanuts on Wednesday and a Superfine brunch on Sunday!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / New show times! Two early bird sets, from 8:30 sharp 'til 11pm / No cover!

Plus, for the brunch bunch...

SUNDAY, JUNE 12th / BRUNCH at SUPERFINE / 126 Front Street (at the corner of Pearl Street) in DUMBO, Brooklyn / Three savory shows, from noon sharp 'til 3pm / Delicious food -- free music! /
Reservations recommended: 718-243-9005 /

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

RIP - Martin Rushent

RIP - Andrew Gold

RIP - James Arness

Caroline Munro at GFT this Sunday...

The best powerpop and garagerock festival in Europe this summer! Check out the line-up! :)

Now, you know how some people are prone to make claims that simply don't stand up?

However this one is justified and I'll even let that "smiley" go because it's there to punctuate the truth. This time next week (Friday) one hell of a party will be kicking off in Moss, Norway. There's still time to make your arrangements. Those of you that already have will no doubt be aware that the venue has changed. All the up to date info is but a click away. Look forward to seeing you there.

In the run-up... The Fleshtones are in Stockholm tonight and heading toward Moss in a logistically complex trajectory (Portugal tomorrow) to superrock next Saturday night.

The Nomads are in Lyon tomorrow for a Moss pre-match warm up.

There's plenty more fun like this just a click here away...

Big thanks to Rich Lustre for making it all available

OK kids, another shot at making MC5: A True Testimonial roll in the thunder.

As much as I dislike the computer as a crutch, when something like the J*zz f*nk” auction comes along then there’s a brief spike of them seeming useful. But then, like a metaphor for all life really, the custodians wade in and rain on the parade. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to find out what happens and that the story has a happy or at least positive ending. This was no mere “listing”, it touched a nerve. Even if it was only to rejoice in the mockery of what is perhaps the sickest, ugliest (and neither in a good way) excuse for a genre that ever was. The feeling of community was further enhanced by the guy taking time to reply to all of the “questions” or rather messages that people sent him.

It was a genuinely uplifting few days, torn down by the burghers of tosspot town. No harm was being done but what seems like an honest ribbing at the expense of someone who behaved questionably in all areas including taste in music – has had the plug pulled.

I’m hoping that some enterprising media company will endeavour to report on this for all angles. They might even be able to turn up the individual that amassed this heinous haul? Now that’s something that I would definitely tune in to.

Just got back from seeing "Thor". It's not bad, with enough of a nod to the original comic books and in-references to detract from the "special effects". No, it wasn't in 3D. My eyes barely do 2D anymore.

Anyways, there's not much of Sunday left so I need to grab it. You can stream the new Dave Alvin record here while the sands of time run out. Apparently you can do it at i-Tunes too if you're set up for that gubbins.

It was kind of fun to watch people get aerated about the “it’s just music” quip that Missus Gawgaws manager sent to Bob Lefsetz. Admittedly I can get apoplectic about ultra-triviality too but the comparison in the same sentence of Justin’s B and T to The Be*tles (and other old guard stalwarts) knocked my ability to get irritated clear out of the park.

I vaguely recall a time when I used to write about music on here. Preoccupation with matters outwith that sphere have been dogging my ability to do this. It’s not that I don’t want to, more that I don’t seem to be able to. Add to that the fact that I’ve had it up to here (raises hand above head height) with computers and you have the perfect situation for a creek and lack of a paddle. Spending all day, every day in front of one of these damned things has removed any novelty value the blighters ever had. They’ve made everything – except people – superfluous. The way that some individuals seem to be attached to phone devices is something that really rankles. It’s taken rudeness to a whole higher level. Yes, these things can be useful but for christ’s sake turn them off for a spell will you?

Here we are in the last days of May again. Hopefully that pesky ash cloud won’t be stinking up the airways a little over a week from now. Of course, it seems forever away at this point but I’m REALLY looking forward to the International Rock’n’Roll AGM in Moss. There’s still time to make the scene.

OK, chores to be done, if you haven’t seen this, it’s guaranteed to raise a titter.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/290570522953

RIP - Jeff Conaway

RIP - Gil Scott-Heron

From Brother Bruce Bennett via fb - how can this have come around so quick!

To paraphrase Sleepy Labeef's onstage stumping, "If anyone's going to be in the Europe area next week..."

Behold: A-Bones European Sun Tour '011 --

Sat June 4th - France Bourges Cosmic Trip Festival

Tues June 7th - Italy Brescia Lio Bar

Wed June 8th - Italy Piacenza Spazio 4

Thurs June 9th - Italy Roma Traffic

Fri June 10th - Italy Ancona Osimo FunHouse shop

Sat June 11th - Italy Torino Spazio 211

Sir Tom Phobic wishes it to be known that...

Hi kids,

We got a great gig to tell you about in a coupla weeks time so stick the date in your diary now...in fact just go to the tattoo parlour and ink your skin so you don't fergit it. FRIDAY 3rd JUNE at The Castle, Finchley Road NW11 8DG Doors £5 from 8pm - 1am with WILD MUTATION, THE PHOBICS and SPECIAL BRANCH.

WILD MUTATION are: SPIZZ (Vocals - SPIZZENERGI),
SHANNE BRADLEY (Bass - NIPPLE ERECTORS/THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG),
TONY MORRISON/Sharron Slutt (Guitar - LONG TALL SHORTY/Angelic Upstarts/Kiria),
MARC PEARSON (The man with the Star Guitar THE GLITTER BAND and Y.T.D.S),
ALEX KARL GOLD (Drums - WUTARS)
JENNY DRAG (BV's & Guest Vocal - The Priscillas)

Running times SPECIAL BRANCH on stage at 8:15, THE PHOBICS on at 9:15 and WILD MUTATION ABOUT 10:30

IT'S PART OF A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATIONS FOR MICK RONSON'S CANCER CHARITY SO BRING SOME MONEY.

What a stellar line up - eh kids? The other bands will be kicking out a bunch of selected covers and favourites for your pleasure, while we will provide a run through of our soon to come out on vinyl album DEPTFORD CALLING and anything else we can get away with. Sounds blinking good to me.

I was looking for something to post on here and came across this curio that Deborah Frost flagged up on fb. One of the comments mentioned David Roter so that clinched it...

Severe winds and horizontal rain plus an ash cloud reprise. No tangible sign of the apocalypse although it would be hard to tell with the initial 5 months of 2011 providing a fair old dollup of what could be construed as hell. Maybe the Mayans can be trusted to get it right? However, I’d rather that none of us would have to suffer any more per se than we do already so a swift exit would be preferred.

I’ve been interested in the pictures that have been beaming from Puerto Del Sol in Madrid. That’s my sauntering area where I amble through to and from the Wurlitzer, El Sol or wherever. I hope the actions of the protesters can elicit some improvements in their situation but these are peculiar times where the greedy bastards in all sectors of society are hanging on like grim death to their spoils. They don’t seem to realise that the weight limit for the baggage to the destination we’re all headed is zero.

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"