So who remembers Clayson and the Argonauts?

Probably not many - although a deluge of messages to the contrary would be further proof toward the age of miracles not being a complete and utter lost cause. Anyway, Alan Clayson has a new album out entitled “One Dover Soul”. Not having sold his to the devil, he still has artistic licence on all aspects of his. Recorded over a period of time "in Norfolk and South West France" by the indefatigable Eric Goulden with the aid of various Wreckless alumni including Ms Amy Rigby, it’s a peculiar beastie.

On the info sheet, the reference to being “heroic and blundering” pretty much hits the nail on the head. “Cressida” crashes in like John Leyton channelling Syd Barrett. Another person it reminds me of is Julian Cope and the more eccentric end of his dabbling with the garage disease. “Refugees” and it’s “3, 2, 1... zero hour” refrain particularly but all the way out the end of a relatively long fade. ODS is a genuine anomaly. Eric assures me that his live outings are revelation but how do we translate that into a viable commodity. Clayson is almost as obscure as Rodriguez or this Bill Fay guy that has emerged again after forever although he has been hiding plain sight as an author all the while.

Perhaps a documentary film is the way to address it?

“Ug The Caveman” is a novelty that Joe Meek himself might have been proud of. Indeed it factors in an element of him in name-checking a number of death record titles across its duration.

The kitchen sink melodrama suggests an element of theatre. The feeling that this is a disjointed recording of a some distance from the beaten track “production” is never too far away. Somehow it all hangs together, I’m not entirely sure how or why. There’s no agenda other than to present what’s rattling around the canyons of this particular mind. Vivian Stanshall is another guy that springs to mind, particularly during “Teenage Runaway”.

Track 12 is entitled “I Hear Voices” and this comes as no real surprise. I can genuinely report that you won’t have heard anything like this. It’s not an instant “get” but it seems like a shame for the cast to have come this far and for you not to at least make an effort to hear where they ended up.

Flummoxed is a word that sprang to mind after the first time I heard this. After several more, I’d like to add confounded. “One Dover Soul” is a fish out of water and for that reason alone we should celebrate the fact that it can exist at all in these disposable times.

RIP - Max Bygraves

RIP - Hal David

“Cimetière Pour Les Vivants” (Törncrantz Rock’n’Roll) is being cited as the last recorded works of Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks. While I sincerely hope that’s not the case, it’s always a possibility in these taste-tested times. RJ has been concocting savvy cinematic show-stopping instrumentals for what seems like forever. It’s like Esquivel came forward in time and figured it would be a hoot to cross krautrock with Link Wray in order to score some crazy Dennis Spooner series. “Hauptstrasse 155” kicks the door open like a cyborg update of the Get Smart theme. I think “99” would dig it very much.

This isn’t some kind of surf schtick or modular revivalism in any way shape or form. These are four dimensional scores. This six (tune) pack is available as a limited vinyl pressing and I bet its cut to take your head clean off. The take of John Carpenter’s “Assault On Precinct 13” is almost orchestral with the trademark throb intact.

So yes, the consideration that there could be no more RJaP is vexing. If you score this and some of their other waxings then they might have a rethink. How about it?

Stewart Cruickshank remembers George Gallacher

For many, the dapper and enduring singer with The Poets. For many more, a man of principle, a family man, a natural-born teacher, friend and philosopher. For me, at 13, the man who, in 1964, sang the eerily beautiful "Now We're Thru'", the beginning of a life-long adventure in reverberation.

Beyond beat music and into another realm: George Gallacher.

I loved George, I worked in music with George. He and Fraser sang at my 50th birthday 'do'.

The application of eloquence and economy in language: George Gallacher.

Not for nothing did Andrew Loog Oldham sign The Poets.

Not for nothing did Partick Thistle win 3-0 on Saturday 25/08/2012.

x

It is with great sadness that I report the sudden and tragic death on Saturday August 25th of George Gallacher, lead vocalist of The Poets. The Glasgow mid-60s beat group are best remembered for their October 1964 Decca debut single 'Now We're Thru' and the February '65 proto-freakbeat mover 'That's The Way It's Got To Be' after being signed up by Andrew Loog Oldham, the Rolling Stones' manager.

George, who would have been 69 years old on 21st Sept, died from cardiac failure whilst driving home from Firhill Park after watching his beloved Partick Thistle FC beat Dumbarton 3 - 0. He would've been a very happy man that day. Gallacher, alongside guitarist (and brother-in-law) Fraser Watson - part of The Poets '65 - '67 era, and also a member of '69 Apple label artists (White) Trash - had recently begun using The Poets name for a series of concerts and a BBC Radio Scotland "Vic Galloway show" live session in late 2011.

The resurrected Poets were George and Fraser, backed by the long-time friends and fans of the group - Edinburgh's beat-garage merchants, The Thanes. As anyone who's heard George in action will testify, he had a totally unique vocal presence and despite having only one serviceable lung was thoroughly compelling and unique.

Since undergoing major heart surgery some years ago, George was on daily medication and often voiced his fears over his mortality. He is survived by his dear wife Anne, and sons Craig and Fraser.

Personally I feel very privileged to have been good friends with him these past 25 years and more recently to have played alongside him and Fraser, helping to keep the name of The Poets alive. I'm eternally thankful that we got to play truly memorable gigs in Glasgow, London and most recently at Festival Beat in Italy.

I Am So Blue

Lenny Helsing (The Thanes /The Poets)

Service is this Saturday, September 1st at 10am, Lynn Crematorium, Castlemilk for anyone wishing to pay their respects

Thanks for doing this Lenny...

I actually typed this last night and thought I’d posted it. Or dreamt I posted it.

Spent much of Sunday in a fog brought upon by the news of George Gallacher’s passing, the one saving grace that he seems to have left the theatre without suffering after what would have been a happy result for his team. George, in my experience was a fit-looking, dapper man who hadn’t visibly changed in years. A real gent that was always generous with his time. The fact that he and Fraser got to do some shows as The Poets in recent times is heartening too thanks to the relentless efforts of Lenny Helsing to make it happen. Introducing the music to new generations and making those that were already familiar with it relive a portion of their youth.

An abiding memory was a version of The Poets playing at my friend Simon’s birthday party at Sloans in Glasgow when Laura Cantrell and her crew were here. I guess it was during Celtic Connections? I remember the joy on Mr Tepper’s face witnessing one of the few things that wouldn’t happen in NY.

Never saw any of the recent shows. Thinking there would be plenty of time I suppose. Last time I saw him was a few months ago when he wrote up a jukebox tab for KP. Another wheeze I hoped to see through was for those two to meet the next time Matt & Kim were in town. Ain’t gonna happen.

Stopped in at the smallish but perfectly formed wee Scottish Cinema exhibit at NLS on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh. Well worth a schlep, even if it’s just to see the original poster for “The Battle of the Sexes” that’s part of it. I’d really like one of those and might even clear wall space for it. Finally saw “Searching for Sugar Man” too and it is pretty good but like Anvil, and in the wake of the giant spoof that life has become, some of the set up didn’t seem entirely plausible. The producer of the second Rodriguez album really got on my tits with a "total sincerity” schtick that really was hard to swallow to the point that I thought Chris Guest would appear any minute.

It’s only when Sixto Rodriguez and his family enter the scene that things begin to take on a more positive spin. His is a story that could never happen now. That type of mythical status is impossible and he’s sort of Jandek-like, not musically but in the way he was isolated from his audience.

Anyway, it is fairly uplifting in the end and he seems like a good soul. Nowadays as soon as someone coughs there’s camera footage so the romantic possibilities that there could be artists like this now are zero. This was a guy that slipped through the net. There are loads more both obscure and not so much that should be celebrated and perhaps introduced to a prospective new audience that might be able to provide that elusive tickle.

From there I attended a book festival event that was strangely not sold out. I’m not at liberty to say what it was because the reason for going was to score something that will be a gift for someone that may read this. If you really want to know what it was, and I’m sure most of you don’t care, then leave a comment on the post and I’ll get back to you.

RIP - George Gallacher

Pretty difficult to process this at the minute but here's what Lenny Helsing sent me when I messaged him after seeing Holly Calder's facebook post and hoping it would be unfounded...

"Fraser called me this morn. He died in the car on way back from seeing his beloved Partick thistle playing: they won so he would've been happy!"

Thoughts are very much with his friends and family at this time and I'm sure tributes will be rolling in. George was a real gent.

It never rains but it pours and both the actual and metaphorical deluge persists. These things are sent to try us and you better believe I’m being tried, too much going on, too little time. So many records too but little or no energy to consume them and report the consequences, it won’t always be like this but there’s no sign of when that might change. Actually it's not raining outside today though. Not yet anyway.

There’s some screw up with the Drive By Truckers website today. It’s bouncing what can only be described as responses from subscribers to everyone on the list. It’s strange and irritating to see how people react to this. Mostly the latter but until they fix whatever happened then the tap will keep dripping. I’ll be unsubscribing when it’s all done. Much as I like the band, this is a textbook example of why we should be pulling up the drawbridge. Much of an info junkie as I am, I’ve become very picky about what I want in my inbox. Missus.

For now I’m still putting up with Bob Lefsetz pontifications but that might change soon too. Life is too short and instead of maintaining the status quo – stuff is increasing exponentially. Robbie Fulks’ “I like Being Left Alone” is something – nirvana - to aspire to. Not by everybody, I’d have a coterie for sure but there’s no room left in the hell of my noggin for most of the bullshit people think I might be interested in.

Lazy, good for less than bugger all, cut and paste yada will be deleted immediately. The written word has been devalued and worse than that it’s resulted in people grazing text at best. There is still great stuff out there though. Take Mike Edison’s celebration of his catpal Manly, I’m not sure if you have to be a “friend” to read it but it’s genuinely fantastic, written by a genuine human being (lawnmower).

So like I mentioned, that drawbridge will be going up. I’m not sure when or how but I’ve really just about had it up to here (makes gesture above head). And now I got to go turn the radio off because a programme about golf is coming on. Can you believe it? A radio show about a game that is so fundamentally dull in the first place that it’s prescribed to people who have trouble sleeping? Some say good old BBC Radio Scotland. Others, well they try to tell the truth.

These are “different times” and I don’t like ‘em.

The Monorail Film Club resumes today (26th). Sadly I can't make it but maybe you can?

Full details on "Practical Electronica" here...

RIP - Neil Armstrong

RIP - Phyllis Diller

In fabulous, downtown Moss Rock City this coming Saturday night!

The Master Plan are hitting up Scandinavia this coming week...

Friday August 24th - Gutter Island, Vordingborg, Denmark

Saturday August 25th - Tivoli'kjellern, Moss (Rock City), Norway

Sunday August 26th - Siste Reis, Halden, Norway

Tuesday August 28th - The Liffey, Stockholm, Sweden

Go say howdy if you can!

Blimey... missed another blinder...

Of course the PR girls should be freed. There's no argument about that. Do I want to hear their "music"? Personally no. The conspiracy theory that Vlad took further hump when McCartney stuck his neb in are as yet unconfirmed. The Pooty Riot saga seems destined to run for a bit yet but it got me wondering, despite all the "publicity" - could they sell tickets? Or records, even downloads? Likely not.

They should be freed with the understanding that most people would run a mile from their "sound". That doesn't mean that it's aheard of it's time or groundbreaking. It's not. At best it's an extension of that DIY, lofi racket that never did anything for me irrespective of who it was by or how spirited others found it.

It's all high profile for Amnesty. The girls and what they did has really set the heather alight. maybe it'll result in a new movement where kids form bands or become interested in kicking agin the bullshit that we're all mired in. That's the best result that could come from all this. Inspiration. But I am sceptical. It has been cool hearing the word "pussy" on the BBC. I felt that for sure they'd get to censor that but so far not.

In America, some outlets have however decided that it might bend the minds of their citizens. All of this is further proof of why we all need to move to Madrid and just leave the rest of the world to get on with it.

So come on Vlad, be reasonable. Let the girls out. Don't be a twat.

Update - Actually, I'm not averse to this new song and it reminded me of being at Punk Kongress in Kassel where I met several Eastern Europeans who had suffered for their art. One of them even had a copy of "I Want Tae be a Punk Rocker" by Andy Cameron, possession of which could have got him gawd knows how many years in the (Colonel) Klink.

Of course, out here in the fields we bitch and whine about little or nothing. This is the nature of the beast. However, we should be prepared for this type of action closer to home. Don't take the fact that we perceive we can do what we want in the West. There are individuals working to curtail all that under the auspices that you ought to be thankful for your lot. I'm not sure that we have the collective bottle to start doing something about that but we should. I'm not and have never been of the mindset that takes stuff for granted, however much I complain or whine. So I guess what I'm saying is that Vlad is just a puppet of some higher order that's out to rain on our collective parade bigstyle. Just keep that in mind as you go about your daily business.

RIP - Scott McKenzie

You hear all the time about Spain and its fiscal troubles, like the “big boy did it and ran away” ethos that is sweeping the world. We’re all fucked due to greedy, corrupt, way over the borderline scumbags so we might as well make the best of it before we’re all catapulted back into the stone age. Madrid is like heaven and hell combined, at least for me. And I mean both in the best sense of the word. Forget about basking in the sun in Florida – it was 42 degrees there on Thursday. I have never experienced heat like it. Like wandering around the coolest giant oven on earth but let’s try and figure out what happened there...

Stepping out of the plane into the heat was discombobulating. Got to the city after midnight on Thursday, dropped the bags and the crew met us at the bottom of Echegaray from which we sauntered up to El Fabuloso in Malasaña. Very nice quasi-50’s joint for the first of several mahou’s. From there we daundered up to Groovie bar. Another amazing hostelry in the grand tradition of just how this place is the last great rock’n’roll town on earth. Iain plotzed when he heard The Nomads segue into Radio Birdman in a bar sometime after 2AM. He was beginning to feel the force. I need to get back there to get a "Malasaña RocknRoll Resistance" T-shirt. From there we went to a place called Weirdo that was sadly shut but next time – it looks like my kind of establishment.

Then it was time to head back to barracks. Stopped in at Wurlitzer but it was 4AM and shaping up to be a long day at the outset. Don’t worry though, that was as about as sensible as it got.

Up early and time for a saunter which was about as fast as one could muster. It was even boiling in the shade. Much of Thursday was spent wandering up until it was time to meet Marcela and The Arnesens – a Dahlmanns offshoot trio (but only 2 were in town). A reunion that recalled that fateful night in October 2009 where our paths converged and I can certainly say that was a pivotal date in my existence. Marcela runs the other best venue in the world, El Sol - a perfect space in any definition of time. So there was time to eat, yatter and even go for ice cream in the run up to the show. Oh, and more drinks.

It was a deep relief to set foot in the Wurlitzer again. Even more so because the air conditioning was so bloody marvellously cool. Any worries about heat exhaustion were quickly put at a peep. Grand to see the gang again so we left then to rev it up at soundcheck and get ready for the rumpus.

Brother Clive had come from BCN with the cast members and was good and ready for that first beer I think. We weren’t feeling a lot of pain when we rolled back up to the door of the W. Always a blast to see Helena, Benito and Alvaro and t’was a pure pleasure that La Hembra Alfa could make the scene too. A lot of familiar and some new faces. It’s hard to keep track when you’re a doddery old git but Wurli is a strange fountain of youth that certainly does me the power of good.

Hadn’t seen the Quattros since “Hank” came out. They were always magic but they’ve really gotten good in addition to just being a great combo in general. I could still be objective if need be but resistance is futile. The bang - bang - bang of the pace – no fannying about – should be used as a yardstick for all sets. Lean and mighty pop. Especially impressive was the disco-fication and Suzy has really gained ground in the owning the stage antics of performance. I was impressed and proud of my Barca crew.



As far as locations to see bands go, The pairing of Wurlitzer and The Yum Yums is an explosive combination. Other than The Dictators at El Sol, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a start to finish rush as I did on Friday night. All the hits sung back by the packed crowd translated to a truly deserved love in. And this was no regular show because BB Quattro not only went through the paces with his own combo, he also provided the bajo for the Yums in addition to driving the 7+ hour journey. These wacky kids – who says today’s youngsters aren’t capable of hard graft? Actually, this is the guy who has kept The Yum Yums flame alive and if it weren’t for him then I wouldn’t be in this extended family situation.



So - in terms of “IOU”, I reckon I’m the one that should be tipping the hat. And I did have to wear one in the daytime during this trip. I’m thinking of getting a proper one. Whaddaya think? Of course I’ll never be as cool as Jimmy Sangster but I can try.

So much hanging out was done and the world was put to right several times before we called it a halt. Some of the entourage made it to the fabled 7am ceiling even although they were to be back on the road around noon. Others fashioned an outfit out of the hotel curtains and went to buy records before they jumped in the van. Wish we could have made the journey to Felipop too but that might have been too much fun. You gotta be careful at my age.

Next day was kind of fuglike and spent in lower gear. A return visit to Casa Murky + Eva was a hoot just like last time and from there to a wee gathering at Estela’s. We swigged Mahou high above the La Latina metro station and it was a perfect closer to a cracking couple of days away from what passes for reality (I hear ya Ms G). I was especially stoked to meet Mr Lagarto, the other half of mi amigette, Ms Ulla Munster. Hopefully they shall join us in future adventures.

A final farewell to the Wurli and our groovy hosts there and it was pretty much done. Met up with Iňigo for breakfast next day and it was time to scoot. Did I tell you this before? “I HEART Madrid” - so much so that a return bout is already on the horizon.

Muchas Muchas gracias to all of you folks that made us so welcome – you know who you are.

RIP - Charles Ball

(via Roy Trakin's fb post, go to item 3 when you click the link)

Order the new Pop Detective C-dingle (do they still call them that?) HERE!

Hear it here!

Never, ever saw this before!

Help Marco out here, order some stuff so he can bunk off on Thursday night...

Hello... Help us to get more free space in our warehouse for the next vinyl releases...

GHOST HIGHWAY SUMMER SALE PACKS


This offer is available from 1st August to 1st September 2012.

To order send an NEW e-mail to: ghosthighwayrecordings@gmail.com

BLOODLIGHTS

• 7" + CD "Simple Pleasures" = 12 Eur
• CD-only "Simple Pleasures" = 9 Eur


4 x 3 PACK SINGLES - Buy 4 x 7inch and get One for Free!!!
Choose the 7"s from this list:
• Skip Jensen
• The Dt's
• Bummer
• Margaret Doll Rod / Plutonium Baby
• Digital Leather
• Jeff Pope
• Borracho
• Twistaroos
• Mary's Kids EP(II)
• The Sewergrooves
• Stevie Klasson's Black Weeds
• Jake Starr & The Delicious Fullness
• Bloodlights

BUNDLE: Tribute To The OBLIVIANS Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5
3 x 7" - 20 Eur shipping included (Spain)
3 x 7" - 22 Eur shipping included (Europe)
3 x 7" - 25 Eur shipping included (Rest of world)

10" SUMMER PACK
RED STRIKE
WALTER DANIELS & The GIBLETS
The SCREAMIN' TARGETS
JETBONE


10 Eur/each + shipping, Buy all 4 and get 2 x 7inch for free (from 4 x 3 list)

LP's
MUNLET + free 7" Tribute To The Oblivians Vol. 5, 10 Eur + shipping
FABULOSO COMBO ESPECTRO + free 7" Tribute To The Oblivians Vol. 3 , 10 Eur + shipping


OUT NOW. NEW 7"
GHR-39 - Bloodshot Bill (co-released with Squodge Records)

COMING AFTER SUMMER:
GHR-40 - T.B.A.
GHR-41 - The Diesel Dogs (12") - Out in September
GHR-42 - Scott "Deluxe" Drake & The World's Strongest Men / The Gee Strings (7") - Out in September
GHR-43 - Electric Frankenstein 7" (Tribute to The Ramones and The Dead Boys) - Out in October
GHR-44 - T.B.A. (7" - 100 copies / sticky limited editions series) - Out in October
GHR-45 - Die Zorros (7" - 100 copies / sticky limited editions series) - Out in October
GHR-46 - Cardboard Villains - (7" - 100 copies / sticky limited editions series) - Out in October
GHR-47 - Deadheads - (7" - 100 copies / sticky limited editions series) - Out in October
GHR-48 - T.B.A.
GHR-49 - T.B.A.
GHR-50 - T.B.A. special edition to celebrate our 5 Anniversary and the release number 50!!!
(January 2013)

If I had the time, and could be bothered with ebay, then I’d be shedding a load of excess weight in the form of stuff. I do have the inclination but not the patience to put up with the guff that comes with that particular territory. There has to be a good holiday’s worth lying around here gathering dust. A bit like myself. And I keep adding to it, seemingly not having learned the requisite lessons.

The Nomads annual Blidosund bash is underway. Always an event that I intend to attend, one of these nights... may the bar takings break unprecedented records tonight. “Solna” is still very fresh and as we wait on the rest of the planet to catch up, we all gotta meet up at a Nomads show someplace soon. Which brings me back to the ditching stuff because then I could afford to take in a couple of upcoming gigs. Now memories, I believe you can pack them right up until the lights go out.

I’m banking on beyond but I’ll take ‘til if that’s how it pans out.

According to the “stats”, we crept over the 600,000 mark sometime on Sunday morning. That’s from October 2006 until now. My inactivity here doesn’t seem to have hampered the drop-in’s too much.

There is an urge to quit altogether but I there’s still work to be done here. Not like facebook. I’m planning a cull over there at the very least. It’s still useful as a basic communication tool but that’s it. Plan is to reduce the number to people I’ve actually met or know but let’s see how that goes. I’m not working from the luxury of asking people to “de-friend” me so I can wheedle more people in, I just need to lose some "weigh", actually I started this yesterday when a couple of “posts” got up my humph.

I’m not sure what it was, maybe an attempt to rekindle my youth, but this past weekend I took in both Avengers Assemble! and The Amazing Spider Man. It seemed like a good idea at the time but in practice not so much. Both rely heavily on effects so that seems to trumph any necessity for actual imagination. It’s like sitting in the middle of a particularly noisy video game and I can’t be arsed with that.

In addition and in my opinion, they’re too chuffing long.

I almost never pick up the phone these days as a deterrent to the constant barrage of calls trying to help me out with payment protection insurance or accident blame or double glazing/kitchens. Sometimes I win holidays too but I never claim them. I prefer to let others partake, how big hearted is that? It’s just invasion after intrusion upon personal space. Who really, in this day and age, is going to respond positively to cold calling? I guess that calls cost nothing now so they can practice their mosquito-like fare because they expect to be swatted. I appreciate that they want to help me. Like all those messages about supplying Viagra and other gear, if I want something then I’ll seek it out. The latest offer seems to be qualifications not worth the inkjet paper they’re no doubt printed on.

Virtually everything is worthless. There’s always a wheeze, always a cheat, for everything. While on the arse end, it gets harder and harder to make ends that were never destined to meet in the first instance. I need a change of scene, a bolthole where I can just piddle about and not be disturbed unless I choose to be. Is that too much to ask? Probably it is.

RIP - Chris Langeland (Thee Vicars)

I just got this message from DWR and can't claim to have been a fan but I saw them play a couple of times. Doing the arithmetic, Chris was 23 (!). I don't know what happened and have no link but when there is one, I'll provide it. Gotta wonder how his friends and familiy are dealing with it. 23. Pfffffff....

From PJ's facebook post -

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2182648504687&set=t.1083486148&type=3&theater

If you wish to donate some money in Chris's memory, send whatever amount, small or large, to:

L Fulchers 80 Whiting Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1NX.

It will go to a charity called Youth Music that helps young people with a variety of different problems through music and supporting young artists who might not be able to afford instruments, rehearsal rooms, etc. More information here: http://www.youthmusic.org.uk/

Wednesday awready... thanks to those that stepped up to the plate in order to further the exploits of Eric and Amy. They won’t let you down. Never have and never will. Very much looking forward to visiting “A Working Museum”.

Let’s see, what else is happening? Everything and nothing. It stopped raining for long enough tonight that I managed to mow the disaster area that passes for a lawn here. I’ve been snorting grass cuttings up the wazoo and will likely stop hyperventilating soon.

As this country and others are about to disappear up around the U-bend, the biggest waste of money ever perpetrated ever is about to kick in. Like burning bales of fresh fifty quid notes. In readiness for this, I shall be continuing to boycott anything with a logo that signifies any connection with the putrid brand. This includes listening to the BBC with the probable exception of SOTS of a Saturday morning. My heart goes out to friends that have to live down “the London” and in the surrounding burghs that are going to have to deal with it.

There are other events around the country where I understand that such is the level of indifference, they can’t even paper them. Perhaps it’s karma, or justice even but we’re the ones that’ll be hung out to dry. I can’t even begin to convey how much I detest the scumbags that have landed us with this outmoded, outdated, fiddling while the world burns bullshit. Don't try and tell me it has anything to do with "sport". Just. Don't.

If I was anywhere near NY tonight then I'd be headed HERE!

Have you heard? Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. returns to Otto's this week! Hear, here:

*THURSDAY, JULY 26th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD /
538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan

A pair of audiophonically attuned sets, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 /
No cover!

Sonically yours, Michael

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.

"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

This past weekend must have been the fastest ever. One minute it was Friday and the next it was Sunday.

The Wrecking Crew event in Glasgow was a blast. Who knew that (electronically reprocessed)  STEREO would make such a cool impromptu cinema? This was one leap of faith that paid dividends and the vibe was really great. Grand to see the film again and a slightly different cut to how I recall it from 3 (!) years ago at GFT. The Q+A with Denny Tedesco and Francis Macdonald was great too. Essentially they need $300,000 to clear the obstacles of publishing, etc. then the fun can start. That might seem like a hell of a chunk of change but in terms of what this movie is worth spiritually to future generations, it’s chicken feed. Even and especially in Austerity Central.

So, much kudos to Robert Green who engineered all this mischief. It sure was a trip to finally meet Denny and his wife Suzie. This guy is not about to quit. He knows the quality of his product here and I’m telling you – it’s just gonna keep gaining momentum. Often compared to “Standing In The Shadows of Motown”, The Wrecking Crew is better and the soundtrack is fucking unbelievable. It takes you into a world to meet characters the like of which the world will never ever see or hear the like of again and indicating their parts in creating the soundtrack of our lives.

We need all the faith we can get right night now and here’s 90 or so minutes that might jump start that old heart of yours. I’ve seen it three times now and the gilt is still very much on the gingerbread.

Go to the website, see what it’s all about and pitch in if you feel the urge.

And talking of pitching in – there’s something like twenny, twenny, twenny four hours to go on The Wrigbys Kickstarter Kampaign. They’ve got what they set out to get but they need more. And they deserve more. So if you haven’t already, please help them out.

Was very sad to hear of the passing of Lee Brilleaux's mum - the absolute star of Oil City Confidential.

RIP - Joan Collinson

Next Saturday at the Old Hairdresser's in Renfield Lane, A Strange Vice presentation...

And tonight in London, see The Phobics and bale before that tosspot Gene October hits the stage. You know it makes sense...

I forgot someone’s name the other day and it took an awful long time to register. The grey matter ain’t firing up to the pint of being scrambled and instances like this only serve to vex me. Can’t really figure much of anything other than a stream of unconsciousness. Several basic functions seem to have gone out the window altogether, it must be an age thing.

I’m working with a premise – not exactly based on scientific fact – that I might have 20 years. Give or take, and that’s erring on the kind side. Going through a classic David Byrne “how did I get here?” period and fairly certain that I’m not gonna haul it out to Kitty Wells territory that’s for damn sure. It’s not grim per se, just facing facts.

Time to catch up on stuff that’s going on and I’ll also take the opporchancity to flag up a couple of things that are imminent.

Hope you can get along to the Glasgow screening of The Wrecking Crew at Stereo on Friday (20th). Denny Tedesco will be in attendance and he’ll be doing a Q+A with wir ain Sir Francis Macdonald. Gerry Love will be spinning records across the evening also. Should be a hoot, it’s a fundraising exercise to get the film out properly. Future generations will be in your debt. This is one of the greatest music documentaries of all time. No "talking heads", just the folks who were there that brought the shimmer to all those classic pop songs that have become standards during our lifetime.

It’s the last week of Eric and Amy’s Kickstarter campaign and although they hit their “target”, they need all the green you can muster to keep their wagon rolling. Please help them out because they make having to put up with the day to day bullshit of existence totally worthwhile. This means that they can plan the campaign and administer it properly. Keep throwing money at them right up to the last minute and get ready because they’ll be playing somewhere near you in the coming weeks and months, bringing the “Working Museum” directly to you.

You may recall my recent posting of a video for a belting little Stiff-era ditty entitled “Right Hot Dog, Wrong Bun”? As you’d imagine, the person responsible – one Travis Ramin – terrorises the twin cities and further afield on this here interweb with his cohort Danny using a vehicle with the moniker of Jazzed Up and Bonkers. No, those aren’t the pair’s urban names. The latest edition has cool rambling chat with Kim Shattuck of The Muffs and a generous helping of crazy records to boot.

Dave Alvin and The Guilty Ones are hitting Ireland right about now. Would have loved to hop over but ‘tis not to be but Madrid for a double header with The Yum Yums and Suzy & Los Quattro is scheduled for August 9th at the mighty Wurlitzer Ballroom.

Some folks have been asking how to contact us since I removed the link. If you make a comment below any post then I'll respond. The reason for removing it was because I was inundated with guff mp3s and idiots that looking to parade on the circus that takes our moniker in vain. It’s actually quite alarming to consider that so many no-talents would consider that they might compete with anything but that’s human nature for you. Then there’s the bot traffic...

I ruthlessly delete anything that makes it through the defences but even that can take time. Something I really don't feel like I have on my side.

Have to say that I'm a little tired of posting RIP's but I just found out about these... the reaper oughtta be scoring a few bankers and politicians, not these guys.

RIP - Perry Baggs (Jason and the Scorchers)

RIP - Bob Babbitt

RIP - Kitty Wells

RIP - Jon Lord

It’s all going over the score. This upcoming shit fest down “The London” with scraps thrown around the country is an abomination. Nobody (that I determine to be of sound mind) cares. Why not just light a money bonfire? We’ve had some fitba tournament and Wimbledumb as warm acts, now it’s time for the headliner. The biggest shakedown to the taxpayer in this country ever!

The malaise that is sport doesn’t trouble my world in any way shape or form but this has nothing to do with “sport”. That was another of these notions that started out with honourable intent and got snaffled up. My tuppence worth – this should have been given to a developing nation or someplace that would have benefited. Not this pathetic little enclave. Now the designated security company has admitted they’re not up to the task and the army is being drafted in, just another episode in the knockabout, topsy-turvy spoof that is living in the UK 2012.

While the greedy stockpile their dough and hope that people will turn on one another like dogs across the planet, these are weird, disturbing times. The puppet masters are orchestrating the unrest, probably guffawing as the police wade into protesters on the streets of Madrid. Wondering where they should put together a flare-up next.

I keep hearing about “growth”. A word I equate with cancer. Whatever happened with just trying to maintain a reasonable level of business? Why does everything have to be about more? I was going to say sustain but that’s been co-opted like sustainable to be used as a buzzword by cloying twats who pretend to give a hoot about the environment.

As times go, I don’t much care for these.

RIP - Tim Cross

Got the word from BB Quattro a little while ago. My condolences to Tim's family and friends especially BB and Suzy without whom I'd never have met him. None of us will ever forget that drive from Barcelona to Madrid, sorta seems like it was yesterday. Anyway, sad news...

Louder than War obit

RIP - Lol Coxhill

RIP - Ernest Borgnine

New (to me) from Dundee... (Thanks to Murray Ramone for flagging it up).

At long, long, long last and proving the adage that all good things come to those who wait, and wait. And wait a little bit more. Voladoras debut album (on their own Marisa imprint) is finally out though typically only available on vinyl. It may well be up for grabs as one of those download shenanigans too someplace but to get the full seismic effect you need to play it the way recorded music was invented to enjoy, going round and round at a rate of 33rpm or thereabouts.

Stockholm’s premier beat girls + guy present their “True Love Stories”. These tales (14 of ‘em) undulate with an innate Cramps type swagger tempered with the swing of The Pandoras to arrive at a mighty racket that no rock’n’roll enthusiast will be able to resist.

These short sharp jags of tempo tantrum are the sound of a combo having big fun and giving not a fig for what the world thinks. If said planet feels the urge to join in then fine, if not - then perhaps even better. If you ever saw them then you’ll know what to expect and if you haven’t well – you’re in for a treat and a half when you do.

I have one complaint and it is this, the use of foul language on one cut. Shouldn’t a disc with a song (takes deep breath and apologises in advance for any offence the following title might cause) entitled “Paul Weller” have a parental advisory sticker on the front?

Bootleg Booze and Soundflat have copies of this bespoke chunk of vinyl so enquire at either of those. Or go direct to Vola Central...

The Wrecking Crew - Upcoming UK Screenings

UK Screenings of The Wrecking Crew -
Coming right up...

London
Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
Friday, July 13, 8:00pm - 2am Entry: £12 advance /£13.50 at the door
Tickets here and here
Exclusive London fundraising screening featuring:
Live Q&A with Director Denny Tedesco
Hosted by BBC London 94.9's Russell Clarke,
Fundraising Auction & After Party With DJ, BBC Radio's Sean Rowley,
and The Fabulous Penetrators - live

Glasgow
Stereo
Friday, July 20, 2012 6:30pm - 10:30 pm
Entry: £10 advance
Tickets
Exclusive Glasgow fundraising screening featuring:
Live Q&A with Director Denny Tedesco
Hosted by Francis Macdonald (Teenage Fanclub/Shoeshine Records/Spit & Polish)
Fundraising auction & DJ Set by Gerry Love (TFC/Lightships)

RIP - Eric Sykes

There’s been so much going on that I almost forgot that it’s 36 years today since we hit “the London” for one of those life-changing experiences. Then I saw Al Milman’s posting of Phyllis Stein’s photo of the Roundhouse poster and I was catapulted back in time. Maybe I would have had a career in banking if I hadn’t attended that show? Maybe I’d be refusing my bonus because I’d shaken down the world?? Well, we’ll never know but one thing I do know is that on that Independence Day 1976, my hayfever was playing up bigstyle but when those Ramones came on, they provided a mighty rush of sonic antihistamine. It was a hell of an evening.


The Ramones made everything possible. Perhaps even The Dictators getting over here to open for the reprehensible bottom of the billers a little over a year later. The Cramps were gestating at that point. Poised to become the force that had at least an equal seismic effect on, well, everything. Ditto Suicide.

And that brings us to the modern day and the ginger from Harry Potter playing Cheetah Chrome in a movie about some broken down old drinking haunt on the Bowery. Life taking the piss out of art to some degree, just as well we didn’t see any of it coming.

And Andy Dunkley, what a geezer!

The fate of popular music is in your hands...

RIP - Andy Griffith

(Just discovered via Scott Cornish's facebook post)

I was very excited about seeing “God Bless America”. Part of me hoped it was a documentary of sorts but it’s OK folks – I only partly suspended disbelief. Joel Murray’s portrayal of Frank is spot on. The facial expressions say more than the often laboured script and I didn’t realise this was Bill Murray’s brother but they do look alike.
For its shortcomings, there is a chunk of heart here. All the things that are slowly wearing us all down are identified and there for the grace of who or whatever, we’re all Frank(ie)s. At one point, I just felt so sorry for the guy and quickly realised that life post- Spinal Tap has just all gotten so spoof like. Who knows what’s real and what’s not anymore? Not me.

Director Bobcat Goldthwaite was at the screening with Joel Murray. They’re an entertaining double act and very funny. I don’t want to give too much away because you should see it. Maybe calibrate your expectations a little lower than mine but this, for the most part, ought to hit some kind of spot. The use of Alice Cooper’s “Hello Hooray” is truly great amidst a very cool soundtrack, one piece I’d swear was by ACC if I didn’t know it wasn’t the lady in question.

With elements of Waters and Bartel here and there it’s an entertaining ride. The “Glenn Beck” character wasn’t made to suffer as much as he deserved to but you can’t win ‘em all. A film festival screening might tend to be preaching to the converted. A better use of the film would be to screen it to the folks it goes after, those that accept the lowest common denominator shit that entertainment would appear to have become.

And try to see it in a theatre if you can. This is something to be experienced with other – preferably not like-minded - cattle.

Further to my update the other day, I’m spending a lot of time ruminating over the fact that I have maybe 20 years left. Give or take. I see the sands of time disappearing and although I don’t want to waste time at all, it feels like that is exactly what I’m doing right now. Still, motivation is not a commodity that’s in plentiful supply right now.

As I may have mentioned back yonder, the EIFF is on. Pulling itself up by the bootstraps after a couple of years in the wilderness. I’m scheduled to see “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun”. I even lifted my Cineworld embargo to take in “God Bless America” last night. Might go to the Filmhouse “Best of the Fest” screening tomorrow too. I hope the festival can recuperate to retain former glories.

Whilst in Auld Reekie last Saturday, I watched Kevin McDermott play a solo acoustic set to a scatttering of people in the square outside the Sheraton Hotel. I was never really a fan but as a progenitor of the Derek Amitri school of Scots Pop, he has his moments. I was thinking to myself, why isn’t this better attended but I’m not sure if anyone knew it was on. Couldn’t help thinking that if it had been in George Square in Glasgow it would have been an entirely different affair. How do you connect a prospective audience with something they might like if they just don’t care. Sure, the interweb can create a flash mob. It can lead the proverbial horse to the trough but it can’t make the blighter neck it.

A woman in the sparse crowd played and danced with her kids during the set clearly familiar with all the songs. Maybe she was related but I don’t think so. I prefer to think it was someone who this ultimately intimate setting meant something to. That’s the closest I’ve come to a romantic notion about the thankless world of the singer songwriter in a week. Last time was watching Eric and Amy do their world-class thing to a similarly less than rammed scenario. The week before out in Moss, it was different. The locals came in out in force to experience the phenomenon that exists on their doorstep. The entry price was just pennies more than the cost of a pint for chrissakes.

Over the past weeks, there’s been a bunch of stuff I never got around to posting. Not so sure I would have posted the earliest known photo of Lux and Ivy. After all it’s been doing the rounds for a while and as historically hysterical as some might find it, it’s sort of intrusive and I’m a little hyper-aware of that. I did make a note about Bert Weedon but it got buried in amongst a ton of other scribbles. So obviously, everyone in the UK knows he died but maybe readers overseas don’t. Or even don’t know his significance.

No idea if I'll ever catch up at this point or will ever find the time to try. Ideally I would disappear of the face of the earth to see out the rest of my tenure on earth doing something worthwhile with people that I like to hang with. Sometimes, I think it could happen and then I wake up.

Ostensibly a kid’s record, there’s more punk rock spirit swilling about the KinderAngst rumpus room than you’ll find on most albums of that actual persuasion right now. Or perhaps pigeonhole would be more apt.

The idea is that this will provide some top beat for your brat(s). Something that will ideally extricate young minds from the cesspit of talent(less) shows and the general malaise that haunts the mainstream. There could be no better role models for a mutiny agin the mundane than Ms Palmyra Delran and her compadre Rachelle Garniez.

Kicking off with “Alphabet City”, this is old school NY punk pop action the way it was before the lower east side got all Disney-fied. The absolute highpoint is “Rat” with Palmyra’s enunciation of “huh?” during “Let’s Play” running that a close second. It's so her I can't even begin to explain. One of these days the purported meet between Ms P and Amy Allison will take place and then we'll be in real trouble.

Debbie Harry guests on one song ("Do It Yourself") so that should help the profile but someone should be working this up into a series. This is a savvy set of songs for children of all ages and a franchise begging to happen. This market is very sophisticated these days and there’s actually hope that in a couple of generations time, O*e Dire*tion will end up in a war crimes court for their filching of the Ramones T-shirt design. As sacrilege goes – I applaud the idea but never has an institution been so badly misrepresented.

But these gals – their altogether fizzier brew might just jump start future generations to embrace popular music as true art and not another spreadsheet exercise. At this time on a Friday afternoon, anything is possible.

A festival with House of Rock style credentials in Italy this weekend. Nice bill.

Whether on the air or on the stage, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. keeps cool this week with back to back shows! Relatively cool...
*WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27th / WFMU'S "SEVEN SECOND DELAY" SHOW / Broadcast live before an Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre audience! /

On the air at 91.1FM and wfmu.org / 6pm to 7pm

*THURSDAY, JUNE 28th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan

Two artificially cooled sets, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / No cover!
Tropically yours, Michael

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.

"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

I know naff all about sports but I know who I like...

Thanks Philippe!... Vive le French TV!

I was kvetching to a friend about the guff mountain I have to climb and she implied that the “climb” might have to start sooner rather than later. Sage words. My procrastibility is sky rocketing with a seemingly endless appetite for distraction. And no shortage of that particular commodity.

And that brings me to something that seems forever ago now but was actually just two months. And to tie in the fact with that Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones are coming back this way to “do” Ireland en route to Italy in three weeks time.

The show in Glasgow was at The Arches and depending on where you found yourself in that particular venue, the sound sometimes left a little to be desired. Also, it was a decent audience but it should have been rammed so the concert going public of that parish should hang its collective head in shame. The main thing was that they blew in, delivered and headed for Newcastle, as did I.

Just the second show by Dahlmanns 2.0 and even at this early stage, it’s clear that we’re dealing with another level. Whilst the previous incarnation was damn good, it was an approximation. The train is well and truly hurtling down them tracks now.

In addition to everything else that’s come down about me lately, I’m having to put up with some old glasses before my new greg’s are ready. This makes looking at a computer screen (or phone) problematic. I’ve been in full Magoo mode for longer than I care to think about. Totally blind folks have better coordination than I do right now. Or than I ever have - no doubt according to some... this won’t solve all my inadequacies but it’ll be a start. So when I get the vision sorted, then I’ll maybe go into these recent adventures a bit more. I also have the Voladoras, KinderAngst and Bruce Anderson/Rich Stim album action info to pass along.

I’ve made a few pilgrimages in my time – NY, Solna, Snoqualmie, Moss, Springfield, Mo. (to name some) and the latest - last weekend – was to the fine city of Hull to catch their #1 son (and daughter in law) provide top flight Saturday evening entertainment to the very nice people at the New Adelphi. Next morning, I took some pictures of historic landmarks on my way back down to the railway station.
Events over the first half of this year have really made me reconsider what I should be doing. The realisation of living forward and learning backward are conspiring to suggest that there’s surely more to life than slogging one’s guts out.

This has been brought harshly into view by what happened to my folks. This brush with mortality has forced me to face mine in some regard and anyway, who the hell knows what might happen or indeed when. So who knows if this’ll actually “publish”? I forgot all about the “cookies” furore that’s going on so maybe that explains this disconnect between my pedal-powered pc and the blogger interface. I’m sticking pretty close to the bunker today after making a foray into Edinburgh for the Film Festival yesterday. Long gone are the days when I’d do 3 or 4 films a day for the duration. The programme is pretty good this year but I don’t have the time or wherewithal to see more. Next weekend is “God Bless America” on Friday and a couple more on the Saturday (I think). Better check the tix.

So there’s a wee catch up. I haven’t disappeared off the face of the earth but that is one appealing notion alright.

This is great. Thanks to Casa D for the tip!

Really hope that you folks around these parts can make this screening. Not in a conventional cinema but let's thank Denny Tedesco personally for making such a great film.

There are other showings around the country and I'll get to those but Glasgow, being the UK's premier rock'n'roll town, needs to step up to the plate here.

Stereo, Glasgow. Friday July 20th.

There's something wrong with Blogger - the formatting just keeps kicking me out.

In addition to everything else, like wearing glasses two prescriptions old, a bit of gallivanting and a whole mess of other guff - This thing is taking a back seat. I'm not dead but I'm most certainly not resting.

My thanks to those that are keeping yours truly afloat every which way. So let's see if this works...

A late Monday for a school night reiterates the fact that I’m too old for this. Although signs in some of the sounds would indicate that I could be travelling through a timeslip. One look at the back of Mojo and the fact that much of the “music” on show tonight is firmly rooted circa when I came in to the fray during the early 70’s.

Ultimate Thrush yada yada have a long, long name. This isn’t necessary and first impressions suggest that they’re Los Murky without the charisma. They go on and on in some kind of studied melee and they have an album out on Chemikal Underground that I really don’t need to hear.

Next up - Holy Mountain. A hairy three piece that apparently includes a guy from Idlewild. I sort of warmed to them when, at the end – they teetered on the brink of BOC and whipped out a little Skynyrd frisson. I’m hoping that they recognise the fact that this is daft. Mighty riffs are capable of great magic sometimes and this amalgam of Sabbath, Black Widow, Led Zep, Taste and the Nuge actually works to a degree. If they looked like Guitar Wolf then they could rule the world.

Which brings we to that very beast. As a concept, the Wolf is brilliant. Theoretically crossing The Cramps with The Ramones and then whapping them into a blender with some serious stoner tendancies is something you’d like to hear. But it all comes back to songs and these guys don’t really have any. Even as an experience, with the volume – the “lock and loll” begins to grate. Mickey asked me if I heard the bit of “Kick out the Jams” and had to admit that I didn’t. Oh there were little elements of all sorts but we couldn’t help pondering that if Guitar Wolf morphed with Holy Mountain’s riff ammo then truly we might have something.

As it is, sadly we don’t.

Having closed May, one expected (by me) occurrence hasn’t happened. The ongoing situation is making it difficult to find the time and energy to actively post here. This has all intensified the consideration that I’m sick of jumping through hoops and somewhat sickened at other crap that’s going on in and around my vicinity. This general malaise has resulted in a lot of “sleeping with the TV on” only there’s no recollection of William Powell dying amidst any of it but anyway it’s a while since I just wittered on so let’s see where some of this goes.

I’ve read acres of yatter about Adele’s record and how great it is but there’s not one song on it that comes anywhere near Amy Allison’s “No Frills Friend”. Nothing to do with being contrary just calling it like I hear it. Now if the aforementioned multi-million seller were to recognise this and record “Hell To Pay” then we’ll say no more about it. Anyway, it’s my plan this weekend to not travel far from the bunker. To try and knock it into some kind of shape or at least just plank stuff up in the loft, to paraphrase another Amysong “out of sight, out of mind”.

Eric is back and blogging as only he can.

Much is being made of the alcohol pricing being mooted to “save lives”. Now I’ve heard some pish being spouted but this ranks right up there. Really, do they think our heid’s button up the back? Now, if one really thought such a levy would benefit the health service then it wouldn’t be a problem but the revenue stream will be diverted into some other lamebrain scheme. I don’t trust government to do anything but to keep pruning our civil and sundry other liberties. That particular pastime is the sum total to which they excel.

Finally got around to finishing “You Only Rock Once”, The Jerry Blavat book I was gifted last fall. It’s a star-studded affair that tells the story of the Philly legend that actually invented the televised rock’n’roll hop. I was particularly taken with his remarks regarding The B*atles. The Geator is still packing them in along the South Jersey Shore and beyond and there’s no sign of him letting up. If you haven’t had the pleasure of Ben Vaughn’s Birthday tribute to the Boss with the Hot Sauce then do so now. The book expands upon the theme set down over the course of that two hours but the sheer excitement generated during Ben’s celebration is pretty damn infectious.

Sometimes when the TV just goes over the score in terms of shite, an executive decision to watch more Car 54 (Season Two) has been taken. So let’s see what transpires tonight but expectations should be kept on the DL. Punk Britannia is on tonight and so is the TV Smith documentary. The big question around here is “will BB Quattro be in it”?

In relation to the recent deaths of Robin Gibb and Donna Summer I was thinking about the pigeonhole known as Disco. Of course it has since taken on the mantle of “club” which is probably supposed to sound better. Certainly more vague. My early encounters with the form were odd. While there were good records, the whole ‘lifestyle’ aspect just didn’t appeal when measured against that of the various strains of rock’n’roll. When I saw Saturday Night Fever, I hated it apart from the use of White Castle. After all, this was where The Dictators were pictured on the inner bag of Go Girl Crazy. SNF at that point was as close as I ever expected to get to it.

The “Death To Disco” movement was sort of fun too and it seemed like a good idea at the time. The notion of life being cut and dried is as far from reality as a galaxy way, way out there (points to the heavens). It seems even further away now. I have no idea what the deal is with physical postage overseas but the recent hike here is less than agreeable.

Pay more for a crappier service seems like the order of the day. So I guess the outcome of this is that I’ll be forced to use the service less – or find lighter things to mail overseas but records, confectionery and haggis tends to be weighty. Consolidation isn’t the answer either but I’ll figure something out.

And to top it all off, we’ve got to sustain all this jubilee guff. The country is close to being towed out into the ocean to be sunk and we’re being force fed an antiquated notion that went out with the ark. A historic occasion apparently. Well not to me. And as for this upcoming “sporting” event, that’s an even bigger obscenity just visible on the horizon. Most of the "events" will be papered due to a mass epedemic of cannae-be-arsed. Even the idiots aren't on board for this bun fight.

But hey, it’s the right side of Friday and the BBC is serving up Punk Britannia to celebrate our sceptic isle. Oh how the more things change, the more they stay the same. But it could be worse, right?

RIP - Doc Watson

I am so far behind with stuff that it is entirely possible that catch up will never be achieved but let’s try to at least address some of it.

Tav Falco will be doing a reading at Rough Trade East tomorrow afternoon at 3pm.

Eric and Amy kick off their return to these pallid shores tomorrow night (30th) at The Greystones in Sheffield, nice joint. Check here for the full itinerary and if you don’t have tickets for London then you better be quick. The dynamic duo is also headed for Germany. I’ll see you in Hull my friends...

Count on Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. to keep you in corn. This week at Otto's followed by a return to the home of "Sleep No More" and our last Rodeo Bar show until September!

*THURSDAY, MAY 31st / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan / A pair of big & bawdy sets, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / No cover!

*TUESDAY, JUNE 5th / MANDERLEY BAR at THE McKITTRICK HOTEL / 532 West 27th Street (between 10th & 11th Avenues) in Manhattan / 10:30 'til 11:30, following the evening's performance of "Sleep No More" / Mention "SIT & Die" at the door after 10pm for *free* admission! /

*WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (on the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan / Our last Rodeo residency show for the summer! / 9:00 sharp 'til midnight / No cover!

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

So, let’s take the Foo(d) Fighters as a point of reference for comparison to Imperial State Electric. How nice a guy or how much of a fan he is of music, Dave Grohl and co have no songs. They throw all the right shapes and never fail to come up short. Two albums in to their existence, ISE burst in and kick the FF’s arse at every turn. In terms of outright “rock”, I’m not sure that there’s a better recent example than “Pop War”.

It’s so soulfully and beautifully constructed from shards of the past yet it’s no museum piece. Proof that, when done with this much love for the form, that it can be timeless. While audiences are queuing to hear albums being played live in order, the bastards are quite happy to shuffle play their lives away. Or make do with approximations. It’s no secret that I believe (and still do) that The Hellacopters should have ruled the earth. Nicke Andersson is a master craftsman. Tinkering away caring not a jot if the world catches up with him or not. His fellow passengers in the ‘copters are all doing other things too but if Dregen has stayed put and not joined Backyard Babies then the landscape of this story might be different.

Consisting of just 10 songs, this is over before you know it. Never outstaying any welcome and even countering ADD, it just rattles through offering quality over quantity, leaving the listener wanting more. It’s quite a tonic to these times in addition to being such a joyous noise. I wonder if there’s a tear in the timeslip that could connect these guys with the size of audience that they deserve. I’m afraid it might actually be too pure for mass consumption. But that would be any potential consumer’s loss. We don’t have time to concern ourselves with that.

Anybody with the chops to sound like they thought it would be a good idea to resuscitate memories of Montrose one minute and have the cheek to emulate Roy Wood-era ELO the next is entirely the type of person who should be in high rock office. “Enough To Break Your Heart” does just that and well, it is. And as the strings soar into the stratosphere, I can’t help but think that we should move lock stock and barrel to ISEland. For it seems like a far, far better place.

Which brings us to the Stockholm 'burb of “Solna”, also the title of the new Nomads album. Now I’ve written many acres about that band over the years and they’ve never ever let me down. I believe them to be like family. So it was pretty great to see such deserving folks as they crash the Swedish album charts lately. So I mention them here because they’ve made a really fine record. Perhaps their best, all this way down the road. Never resting on their laurels or diluting something that was never a good idea in the first instance just bashing out their primo gear as only they can.

And, had it not been for them, there would be no Imperial State Electric, or Hellacopters. Someone asked me recently if I thought “Miles Away”, the album opener was trite. And while I recognised what this person was getting at – having gone back and studies it to some degree – I’m pleased to report a resounding “no fucking way”. Rather it sets out the stall perfectly for what follows.

The 45 version on Universal has a stoating Tommy Ferdi Andersson song entitled “Something Good, Something New” on the flip. The Devils Jukebox release has “American Beat” on its reverse. And “Make Up My Mind” is just one of the greatest wee pop tunes that I’ve ever heard. Yes, ever. Maybe one day it’ll be a 45 too because it sure deserves to be. The vinyl edition or “Solna” includes “Fine Fine Line” that sounds like Mud taking a crack at “Jukebox Babe”. Glam-mungous!!

It may have taken a wee whiley to get this together but it was sure worth it, excellent work gents and gracias for continuing to deliver the goods.

RIP - Robin Gibb