WURLIPALOOZA Numero IX

Gift Tips for Christmas 2015!

Well, the seasonal candy (Christmas not Hallowe'en) is in the supermarkets so... maybe someone you're acquainted with would appreciate this. You can order it via your book purveyor of choice now. It's out on October 12th. Click the image for details.

ALL ABOARD THE D-TRAIN!

This is post number 6400 (apparently). I know there hasn't been much activity lately but there is an intention to provide a daily dose again. 

Maybe by the time the clocks change...

Is it The Manges or just Manges? 

I'm not sure but you get the drift.

You won't want to miss these!

Coming in December via Light in the Attic... the entire output of the Chilton, Vaughn, Vega triumvirate.

Cubist Blues

Live at Trans-musicales

Pre-order now... Black and Yellow - 125 of each!

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Temporary Glitsch (Maybe)

I have a wee problem with Blogger since I upgraded this effin laptop. Expert (not me) advice is being sought and hopefully this will just be temporary. But who knows with these things. I can't upload images and I don't even know if this will post. When the browser message didn't show I figured we were sorted but er, NAW!

So bear with we. And thanks for dropping by.

Rich Stim's Weather Bulletin

Next Thursday in Brooklyn!

Andy Shernoff Vs Lydia Lunch

Do You Believe? - Lola Dutronic is Back!

Recollections from a Thursday Night Punk Mass - Parts One and Two

I decided to tackle this in two parts. I’ll address the occasion first and then deal with the aspect that reflects a particular personal prejudice. The latter borne out of a dread that came over me when I first read what format the evening of July 9^th would take. Often I find that if I worry about something long and hard enough, it doesn’t come to pass but this time my hunch was entirely wrong.  My emotional investment was off the scale and the reason for this happening – or Punk Mass – as it was billed - took place to mark the significance of an entity that is known to the world as Suicide.

Part One

As you’re undoubtedly aware but in case you came in late, the first Suicide record was the sonic equivalent of “Eraserhead”. Nobody who ever encountered it to this day has gone unaffected. Particularly back before their influence became the DNA of EDM and several other genres. They have since infiltrated the mainstream to a degree that might have seemed ludicrous when Clash and Costello audiences were throwing everything that wasn’t nailed down at them.

I just watched a YouTube clip where Marty talks about them being “interpreters”. The fact that the debut came out here via Bronze made it possible that they were able to come here and terrorise Europe earlier than they might have done otherwise. Once seen or heard, Suicide was never forgotten. No matter what camp you were in.

London was a nightmare last Thursday but at least the weather was nice. Gridlock brought upon by the tube strike meant that the only way to get anywhere was on the hoof. Prior to wandering off to the Barbican, I was reacquainted with my old mucker Derek Harris who runs Lewis Leathers. WE calculated that we hadn’t seen one another for 30 years but just picked up where we left off and agreed to continue the reunion at the show.

I made it to the venue in plenty of time. It’s a sprawling place but relatively easy to navigate and I had a great seat. Second row, front centre (C33).

Suicide – A Punk Mass was performed in two parts. An ensemble that calls itself The Feral Choir kicked off both. I think I’ll leave it at that. This ensemble included the Japanese combo Bo Ningen. One of them looked like Joey Ramone if he’d raided Ian Astbury’s wardrobe. As a form of expression, I guess it has its place but not anywhere in my proximity.

Then Henry Rollins bounds on and provides an introduction from his perspective. I’m not a fan of much of his music but let’s not forget that he sings on the version of “Ghost Rider” that made the soundtrack of “The Crow”. I believe he is sincere and that his enthusiasm is infectious.

So then Rev swaggers on and limbers up for "Stigmata". Three girl singers flank the stage and he crashes into a meditation upon the Del Vikings “Whispering Bells” that sounded like it had just jumped off an extended soundtrack for “Mulholland Drive” that Shadow Morton might have dreamt up. The bar was raised pretty high at that point. The remainder of the set didn’t quite deliver the same level of heart punch but that first one left me reeling. There’s a consensus to the effect that we wish he would play more rather than assault his keyboard but one can’t unscramble eggs and I’m going to be delving into his solo catalogue when I’m done with this. I particularly favour Rev’s allegiance to doo-wop and the romantic notion of that music that peppers his work.

Next up was the Vega family ensemble of Alan, Liz and Dante performing material from the forthcoming release “It”. This was way more visceral. Alan’s stage entrance was both invigorating and alarming. His face was so expressive but as he told us, “I can’t walk anymore”, so I chose to focus on his facial communication being that I was so close when he was able to propel himself forward. The yelp is intact too. Liz and Dante cooked up the squall that would bolster Alan’s recitation. I look forward to hearing the album. 

A short intermission preceded the critical section of the Mass – Suicide themselves, a force of nature like no other. This event was a celebration of how far they’ve come having stuck to their blueprint if indeed there ever was such a thing. Suicide has changed the landscape of music like hardly anyone else in history. When that patented chopper blade riff started to pummel then the full force came to bear on the auditorium. In the same way that perhaps Dylan performs loose approximations of his catalogue, not much of the set tonight resembles the recorded versions with the exception of “I Surrender”. What was it Vega once said, “Once you write it, forget it” or something to that effect. That was the one that was almost too much. Plain - off the scale - beautiful. The interaction between Rev and Vega reached an apex there and a tear streamed down the left side of my face at that point. This is what we were here for, a deep connection to the mainframe.

A mighty “Woolly Bully” loop ripped through the place next and a mini-riot erupted at the RH side of the hall (facing the stage). It was instigated by one particular girl that was on a mission to get the place moving. Maybe if the venue hadn’t been seated it would have spread further. It was a valiant attempt for sure. I sort of wished I’d been closer to the action.

And then it was done. Just like that. We made it. My worst fear unfounded at that juncture. After much stomping and shouting Alan and Marty returned with Hank in tow for "Ghost Rider". By that point Alan looked like he’d had enough. Rollins tried to cajole him but he didn’t want to. I can’t be certain but it sounded like he said “I’m a fuckin’ parrot”. There wasn’t much truth being screamed at that point but there had been a whole mess of that earlier.

What happened next completely and utterly killed the whole experience stone dead for me and I’ll deal with that in part two. I posted on the facedog when I got in that there were a few very high highs. And that their ability to confound is utterly intact. I stand by that. Post-show, I drowned some pretty deep sorrows with my friends Derek, Saaya and Karen. Had I just gone back to the hotel there’s no telling how things might have turned out. So I thank those kids for their sterling company and the moral support. Likewise to the rest of the crew who continued with the post-mortem on Friday over drinks and Indian cuisine.

My big concern is Alan’s health and I’m sad that I never got to say hello. I consider the man to be a god as well as a friend. However, I hope folks will appreciate my need to be honest. So here goes...

Part Two

A very wise man not present at the event posed the question – “Why the fuck would anyone think they can sit in with Suicide?” This is moot but Rollins did OK. He tried to charge Alan with positive energy. The fact that the wee fella was having none of it is another thing entirely. Henry’s generosity of spirit was evident and he earned his wings.

After “Ghost Rider”, I looked down for a second just as “Dream Baby Dream” was taking off. Lifting my head I’m all of a sudden confronted by a character so bereft of humility that I don’t understand why anyone gives him the time of day. Someone that has in my opinion, founded a career on appropriating premeditated 'cool' as a device to flog his modular rock pantomime.

The singer from the group Savages had also appeared to join in on the tone-deaf dismantling of what I consider to be a hymn. My fears had become a reality to the point that I think a wee panic attack ensued. I rallied but they just went on howling like two constipated banshees for the duration.

I wasn’t in the minority judging by the reaction of people around me. Not friends but fellow fans that obviously recognise a chancer when confronted by one. Everything seemed to come to a grinding halt at that point. I wandered out into the foyer in a daze, spitting feathers.

If you don't know who I'm talking about then head over here. You can compare and contrast. You may even disagree with me. That is entirely your prerogative even though you'd be wrong to.

Wandering back to the hotel under sedation, I wondered what Marty Thau would have made of all this. I also saw a Don Letts looky-likey unloading a Boots van on the Tottenham Court Road. It had been a rough night.

RIP - Billy Borgioli

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No' long noo...

The Groovies go NRBQ in Madrid!

In Edinburgh, this weekend, the return of....

The return of Tav Falco with a new troupe of Panther Burns I believe...? And prior to the (command) performance there will be a screening of 'Urania Descending'. He'll be in Glasgow at The Poetry Club with The Creeping Ivies on Friday.

Good Things Come In Bundles Of Three!

Three things happened last week that would suggest to me that rock’n’roll is not entirely deid (Scot lingo – not a typo). It may, more often than not, smell funny but rumours of its demise are still premature.

These happenstances were, the majesty of those Dictators songs being performed in a shithole that was not worthy of the performance. Due to virtually zero promotion or the actuality that Glasgow never stepped up to the plate, neither of those altered the experience of those that leave their midden heids (see ‘deid’ above) that Wednesday night.

On Thursday, Mudhoney returned and again rubberstamped their position as something way more than the pigeonhole they were saddled with. These guys swing. The other grunge – including Cobain’s crew – never did - in my opinion.

The third aspect of what restored my faith – and by no means least – was the release of Screeching Weasel’s “Baby Fat Act One”. It’s not often that I have high expectations about anything. It’s even less common that such lofty consideration could be exceeded but I’m hornswaggled to report that it has.

If these were the days of yore then this would propel the band into the stratosphere. Construed as a 'libretto', everything about it is extremely high-calibre. The sound is like those (Bob) Ezrin-produced Alice Cooper records, where pin sharp operatic guitars howl and this is the best example since “Welcome To My Nightmare”. But it’s also way more. The elements encompass shades of John Carpenter, Ennio Morricone, Jim Steinman and of course that Ramonic wallop. “Living Hell” reminds me of Compulsion, who other than Lisa Fancher remembers those guys? “All Winter Long” is just 45 seconds long and it could be the anthem for every summer to come. However, I just remembered – there is no justice. This section features Suzy Chain and BB Quattro on backing vocals. Line Dahlmann plays the part of Miserella and it’s an utter joy to hear her on here. My extended family done great. 

So there’s Ben, Blag Dahlia, Kat Spazzy and Paul Collins too. All pitching in to make this something that would have taken a gazillion dollars to make not so long ago. And even at that – the realisation of such a project would have been down to chemistry. Not the amount of drugs the participants took dufus – the way the music and vocals interact. You could bring in any amount of alleged professional firepower and I doubt they’d arrive at anything half so incredible as this has turned out.

If only there was a way to perform it in some kind of live situation – "Baby Fat" would truly sweep the world. As it is, I’m not sure what songs could find their way into an actual SW live set. The current line up does (I think) feature on 5 of the ‘songs’ but the potential lack of context might render that improbable.

An often controversial figure, Ben sure went the extra mile to bamboozle the fuckwits that like to take internet swings at him from time to time. Believe me. You haven’t heard anything quite like this in a long time. Perhaps you never heard anything like it ever so all the more reason why you need to hear it now. Cut along over to Recess Records now and scratch that itch. CD and cassette (!) available now, vinyl out in July – thanks to the gimp(s) that head up RSD for the delay on that.
 

This looks like it was quite a night...

Los Limboos down the LF Speakeasy!

Sunday Salon Culture!

Sunday Salon Matinees
2 until 5.30pm Sundays. Free Entry

A series of cabaret style events presided over by Marc Baines and Rob Churm: a splurge of film, performance, projections, musical interludes and good times.

Sunday May 10th: Robert Downey Sr. / Kuchar Bros.
Putney Swope director Robert Downey Senior’s baffling but thoroughly entertaining TWO TONS OF TURQUOISE TO TAOS TONIGHT(USA 1975) features a score by Jack Nitzsche (Ronettes, Neil Young and early Rolling Stones arranger) and an exhuberant central performance by Downey Junior’s Ma, Elsie. A supporting programme celebrates the fabulous Kuchars. Mike’s THE CRAVEN SLUCK(USA 1967) stars brother George (in a Beatle wig) communing with lascivious suburban starlets, a lost dog and a sky swarming with UFOs. It’s glaringly obvious the influence this film had on a young John Waters. George Kuchar’s loquacious humour is in full flow in his videos SCARLET DROPPINGS, ROUTE 666, THE INMATE and BURNOUT (USA 1991 - 2003), mash ups of storm diaries,demented puppetry, melodramatic overtures and thoughtful reflections on death and flatulence.

Sunday May 17th: La Jetée + Raydale Dower
Chris Marker’s apocalyptic time travel rumination LA JETEE (France 1962) occupies a special place of its own in film history and was the inspiration for Terry Gilliam’s Twelve Monkeys not to mention a zillion art school films. For this screening Marker’s startling images are accompanied by a newly written synth and clarinet score by Tut Vu Vu’s Raydale Dower. In a schlockier vein Curtis Harrington (Kenneth Anger’s cameraman and author of Nice Guys Don’t Work In Hollywood) brings us QUEEN OF BLOOD (USA 1966), a tale of migrant rescue and intergalactic vampires. The film utilises gorgeous footage of Russian space hardware and special effects and the acting flair of John Saxon and Dennis Hopper. Intermission music of a space age variety from Delia Derbyshire, Sun Ra Arkestra, Gil Melle, Devo, Esquivel, Raymond Scott, Stereolab and like that...

Sunday May 24th: Robert Altman / Jane Elliot
Robert Altman’s strange, unsettling and dream-like THREE WOMEN (USA 1977) ranges between desert expanses and confined apartment spaces and boasts extraordinary performances from Sissy Spacek (Carrie) and Shelley Duvall (The Shining). In the wake of a life changing incident health spa workers Pinky Rose (Spacek) and Millie (Duvall) find their relationship with each other shifts and alters in unexpected ways. Also showing: William Peter’s A CLASS DIVIDED (USA 1985) documenting a social experiment teacher Jane Elliot developed in the 1960s for a 3rd Grade  class in Iowa. Segregated by eye colour, on day one blue eyed children are privileged over green eyed children. The next day the roles are reversed and the sometime surprising consequences are observed and disected. A fascinating study of how power and authority exploit discrimination.

Sunday June 7th: William Klein / Gilbert Hernandez
Acclaimed photographer and documentarist William Klein made a trio of fiction films; Qui Etes Vous, Polly Maggoo? (recently shown in the Hairdressers by Matchbox Cineclub); The Model Couple and today’s feature, MR. FREEDOM (France 1969), a pop art extravaganza that resonates with Mai ‘68 and Guy Peelaert’s contemporaneous Pravda and Jodelle comics. American superhero Mr Freedom is in Paris and, confused as to why the locals aren’t falling in line with his right wing agenda, sets about addressing the wayward Europeans with a benevolent dose of violence. The top notch supporting cast includes Serge Gainsbourg, Delphine Seyrig and Donald Pleasance. Also showing: cable TV show NAKED COSMOS (USA 2005) directed by cartoonist Gilbert Hernandez (Love & Rockets) and two SUPERMAN cartoons (USA1941) in scorching colour.

Sunday June 14th: Elkin + Gummy Stumps / Cattle & Richards / Clarke
A busy afternoon of live performances and presentations that ends with a collaboration between Belfast born video and performance artist KATHRYN ELKIN and Hairdressers perennials GUMMY STUMPS, a tribute of sorts to Antonioni’s Zabriskie Point. RACHEL CATTLE & STEVE RICHARDS introduce their latest piece, STATION TO STATION (UK 2015) and we’re showing ANNE- MARIE COPESTAKE’s’s new Sound of Yell video. The afternoon kicks of with Shirley Clarke’s THE CONNECTION (USA 1962), a faux documentary in which a director, already out of his depth, gets talked into sinking deeper and deeper into the heroin soaked world of the beatniks and jazz musicians he’s filming. The Jackie McLean Quintet rehearse and Warren Finnerty gives an intense Steve Buscemiesque performance.Clarke cannily remoulds the original stage play by combining cinema verite and experimental film techniques.

Sunday June 21st: Smog Monster / Tanaami / DAM artists
The 11th entry in the original series of Godzilla films is also one of the weirdest and most fun. Yoshimitsu Banno takes over directing from Ishiro Honda for GODZILLA vs THE SMOG MONSTER (AKA Godzilla vs Hedorah) (Japan 1971), an ecological disaster movie wrapped in gogo dancing, stylish animation that demonstrates questionable scientific theories and the inevitable men in rubber suits batting each other from pillar to post. Taking their name from a previous Godzilla film, the Detroit art and music collective Destroy All Monsters (formed 1973), was the early stomping ground of artists Mike Kelley; Jim Shaw; Carey Loren and Niagara. Their music soundtracks Loren’s SHAKE A LIZARD’S TAIL (USA 1995), a wild montage of cable ads, dance offs and b-movie clips. Plus: a handful of short animations by Japanese pop artist KEIICHI TANAAMI (Japan 200 - 2008).

A Blast from the Past...

The Redd Kross Code 1988

REDD KROSS Variety Arts Center L.A. 9-9-1988 {124} a PUNK CONCERT FILM by Video Louis from Louis Elovitz on Vimeo.

Not long now....

Announcing! BABY FAT ACT 1- via Recess Records, out May 26th. Summer Tour Dates: Tickets on-sale one week from today on Friday May 8th at 10am local time.July 24th- Washington DC- Howard Theatre*July 25th- New York, NY- Webster Hall**July 26th- Boston, MA- Royale**Aug 7th- San Francisco, CA- The Regency Ballroom**Aug 8th- Santa Ana, CA- The Observatory**Aug 9th- San Diego, CA- The Observatory North Park****w/ The Queers and The Mr T Experience.*w/ The Queers... hang tight, working on MTX.Also, already on-sale- June tour dates.June 12th- Portland, OR- Crystal Ballroom^June 13th- Vancouver, BC- Commodore Ballroom^^ w/ MxPx--------Preorder the record: https://recessrecords.bandcamp.com/album/baby-fat-act-1It's gonna be a great summer!

Posted by Screeching Weasel on Friday, 1 May 2015

More Courettes!

Fella-tastic!

Spain Capers

Angel Corpus Christi

 

Half Moon Fever

 

Get It HERE!

Good Bad most def not Evil!

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It was 14 years ago today that the bad, bad news came in...

Youthful Exhuberance!

It hardly ever gets better than this!

Sophisticated Boom Boom...

Alex Chilton's Jacket from grant mcphee on Vimeo.

Paul Collins is coming to the UK and "the Europe"...

April 2 IRL Galway, Róisín Dubh

 April 3 IRL Derry– Sandino’s

 April 5 IRL Dublin– Bello Bar

 April 6 IRL Limerick TBC

 April 7 UK Glasgow– Nice’n’Sleazy

 April 8 UK Manchester– Kraak

 April 9 UK Liverpool TBC

 April 10 UK Nottingham TBC

 April 11 UK London– Rhythm Factory

 April 14th NL Amsterdam– Paradiso

 April 15th NL Groningen– Vera

 April 16th Fr Paris– Petits Bains

 April 17th Fr Clermont Ferrand– Bombshell

 April 18th Fr Bordeaux– Bootleg

 April 19th Fr Montpellier– Secret Place

 April 20th Fr St Etienne– L'Assommoir

 April 22nd Fr Brest– Espace Leo Ferret

 April 23th Fr Rouen– 3 Pièces Musik Club

 April 25th Fr Montbéliard– L'Atelier des Môles

 April 26th Fr Nice– Le Volume

 April 27th It Imperia– Arci Camalli

 April 28th It La Spezia– Skaletta

 April 29th It Milano– Ligera

 April 30th It Piacenza– Soundbonico

 May 1st It Festa del Primo Maggio in Castiglione delle Stiviere

 May 2nd It Ravenna– Bocca Barranca

 May 3rd It Turin –Blah Blah

 May 4th FR Perpignan– BBC

 May 5 SP Renteria– Centro Cultural Niessen

 May 6 SP Bilbao–Kafe Antxoki

 May 7 SP Zaragoza – Casa del Loco

 May 8 SP Valencia– Loco Club -

May 9 SP Madrid– El Sol -

May 10 SP Caceres – Sala Barroco

It's a Hit!

RIP - A.J. Pero

Actually I'm not sure that AJ Pero played on this... possibly not. But it's (arguably) their finest moment. I'll try to look out the 45 tomorrow.

FRANKLIN-FEST July 2/3/4 2015

Morellmania!

Thanks to Jerker for flagging this one up on the facedog...

Werther Report

 

 

That’s another adventure in the bag. The never-ending quest to find exceptional musical kicks took me to the place known as Malmö in Sweden. The way logistics go, this involves a quick stop in Copenhagen. The concept of being in two countries in such a short space of time hornswaggles me, any semblance of discombobulation at my age can be problematic.

I do LOVE to be places but the travel – the getting from A to ultimately B – not so much. As a necessary evil goes it’s just about worth the palaver but this one almost never made it to the end of Act 1. See if you can guess which daftie managed to lock their keys in the car, prior to removing the bags and tickets? Admittedly a wee flurry of panic ensued until I tried to figure out what could be done. As it is, someone from the parking area was able to call a “recovery” service. It’s very easy to get into a vehicle if you have the tools. And it’s a pricey exercise too. At time of writing that could be construed under a different type of recovery but the alternative would have been worse.

Last time I was out that way, I had to take a bus and a ferry but the new train is great.  That was 23 years ago, to see Dave Alvin, Scott Kempner and The Skeletons, a lifetime ago when my esteemed friend, Lennart Persson was still with us. We ate at one of his favourite restaurants, a Chinese joint called Kin Long on Radmansgatan. I’m not really big on this cuisine but I do believe this was the best example of the type I’ve ever had anywhere.

Reasonable weather and a clear schedule meant that a leisurely walk into town and a visit to Music + Konst. The main purpose of my trip was to see Hello Saferide. A packed Palladium treated Annika Norlin and the band with the respect that she should be enjoying across the entire planet.

At one point, Annika passed a container of “Werther’s Originals” into the crowd and it made its way through the auditorium and eventually up to me in the balcony. Per Hagred and I had been pointing and laughing at Weather Report compilations in Folk Å Rock earlier (FAR is the ‘mo equivalent of Mono in Glasgow). Now what was the last show that you attended where everyone got a sweet? The set was drawn mainly from The Fox, The Hunter and Hello Saferide and sprinkled with “hits” from the rich back catalogue. Due to logistics, I never got to say hello but getting a shout out from the stage elicited an aged fanboy frisson. Lennart was also a big Annika fan and it felt like his considerable spirit accompanied me on this final night of February 2015.

As well as the fantastic Andrea Kellerman, this version of HS was Cecilia Linné (bass, cello), Calle Olsson (keys, etc.) and Christian Gabel (drums). There was also an impromptu choir for “This Body”. Some folks made overtures lately that Reigning Sound is the best band in the world. While I do understand that consideration, my own notion is that the mantle belongs to HS.

The local predilection for Melodiefestivalen was a wee bit alarming but some semblance of an excuse is that Hasse Andersson, a local “cult” figure is involved. Apparently he had brought Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers to Sweden many moons ago but I doubt that fact would rub off on most of the people that are involved with this bun fight. It allowed me to discuss the merits of Finland’s representatives for this year. That alone will be worth keeping that evening clear to witness.

Hell, I might even vote. Like I did (one time only) for Lordi...

Photo from Kulturbolaget fb page.

Saturday next in Glesga...

Next Friday in Edinburgh...

So much to be hearin', people disappearin'

Thanks to Scott Cornish for the link to this...

Springfield from victor on Vimeo.

Hit Parade Frequencies...

Bar Stool Walker

Madrid - Three Weeks Time Ago!

The general nature of travel these days tends to gall me. Circumstances dictate that because of an abhorrent minority providing reason for the alleged authorities – every damn time I need to go through Edinburgh Airport, it seems that the means of getting there gets less close to the terminal every time. This time I took a tram in order to scratch an itch, it was very pleasant but unless the service is extended to run 24 hours then I’m unlikely to be a regular user. Plus I’ve you’re toting much in the way of luggage then that can be problematic also. As much as the logistics nark me, I’m up for anything that means I don’t have to drive.

So there I was, sitting in the Costa watching buses wait for the barriers to be lifted and lowered. A little ahead of the checkpoint, some tables and chairs are arranged to serve the outlet close to International Arrivals. They’re there to service those who are gasping for a cigarette I guess. Once they get to grabbing a coffee on the road to being able to “breathe” again. There must just have been a flight in because the cafe culture furniture is filling up with puffers. One of them, sporting a bright red toorie, excitedly attempting to light his coffin nail.

As airports go, Edinburgh is OK. The extending never stops though and the ways to fleece the traveller is increasing exponentially. The two hours free wi-fi evaporates and doesn’t assist when the flight is delayed. The tail wind fairies were off duty so I arrived around an hour later than scheduled.

Yep. I was definitely in Madrid. The evidence is there even although the recall is foggy. I was there for a little under 48 hours and hit the ground running. Getting to Sala Caracol just as The Wicked Whispers were midway though their set. All a bit to “britpop” for these ears but people seemed to like them. I’d never even heard of them to be honest and they sound exactly like something that would name themselves thus. I recall sharing a joke with someone about Supertramp but I can’t remember who, something to do with the hairdon’t action onstage. It's sort of like that Temples group, I don't get that either.

There was time for saying hello to a steady stream of compadres from all over. Then The Cynics came on and made like they do. The band is popular in Spain. That’s why they’re topping the bill at Go Sinner Go Episode 9. From there, a wee squad of us headed for Weirdo. My companions had tried to find it the night before but couldn’t. I remember the first time I tried to locate it by myself. T’was no easy. So I think the kids reckoned it was worthy of the reputation this fine establishment has. The drinks and the music were hitting any number of spots. From there to the mighty Wurlitzer and a 6am finish. I’ll spare you the finer detail of all that but as ever, more converts to the cause of both hostelries were made.

Most of Saturday was spent in a half-shut knife type state, not exactly hungover, more just outright knackered. It was a gas to go and view La Fiambrera, Ruth and Maite’s flagship store on Calle Pez. They’d just taken custody of the premises when I was there last and the transformation is nothing short of visionary. From there it was off to Bodega Rosell with Sara and Ramôn, the Vermut/croquetta combo jump started the engine a wee bit before a necessary siesta to get the blighter back on the rails. By the time I needed to rendezvous with the kids I felt almost human again. Almost being the watchword here. Ran into a whole bunch of familiar faces prior and après Dead Moon and it would have been nice to spend some more time with them.

Dead Moon were incredible. The final piece in the puzzle for me after seeing the documentary. Sure, I liked the records but I’d never seen the intense, undulating beast itself. Some sound gremlins ran amuck here and there but in all, rock and roll is seldom as glorious as this anymore. Fred has made incredible progress since his surgery last year. The fact that they’re playing at all is something but with this passion, it reinforces that sometimes this stuff comes from someplace else. His voice was the perfect howl from the intersection of Alex Harvey and Bon Scott. There was no “Parchman Farm” but maybe next time?

However, I had to be at Weirdo to experience La Hembra Alfa DJ, so the kids dropped me off on the way home. I swear the place was more packed than I’ve ever seen it but I laid off the “gintonics” and after an hour, the batteries were running low again. This was a dangerous segment of the night. Had I run into anyone at all, then I would have been doomed but after wandering into Wurli and not seeing anyone, I had the presence of mind to call it a night. Call me a lightweight – it was 3.30am – but I had people to see later in the day and I didn’t want to be ill. A rare case of common sense overcame me, that almost never happens.

So the bulk of Sunday was spent seeing friends including GHR impresario, Marco Padin back at La Fiambrera. From there, it was back for my bags and to head for the airport. Clocking in a little under 48 hours, this just wasn’t enough time. Here’s hoping that the next visit serves up more of that precious commodity.

 

Early Solna Primordial Ooze discovered!

A Pop Song

For some reason, I can't seem to post videos right now. Pain in the arse but most things to do with bloody computers are. It's time the sidebar links were sorted too but so far I've managed to procrastinate bigstyle on that score. Anyway, tomorrow is another month. I'm sitting here wondering how it can be three years since my dad left the theatre. The sands o' time be accelerating alright. Maybe this won't "publish" either?

Yes They Are...

Dead Moon Saturday Night

A NYC landmark requires your assistance...

RIP - Kim Fowley

RIP - Lisa Baumgardner Falour

(info via Tom Gould)

Is it really 2015?

So the purported increase in posts over the festering season never happened. The more positive news is that a little order has been restored to the bunker in that two recycling buckets of "debris" have been filled and disposed of. There are still some flyers up for grabs on facebag. Maybe we have to be "friends" for you to see it, I have no idea with that particular method of time-wasting any more. I can't face dealing with ebag or discogs or anywhere there are greedy bastards lurking.

Another notion is to start shedding records and CDs although progress with such a venture is likely to be slow.

Today is the last day of freedom and I'm mourning that a little bit but that feeling shall pass. A steady flow of information will resume. Just not today.

Two weeks from tomorrow night...

Out in old Madrid...

Rebel Girl in the 100 Club

Bozeman, Montana - Home of the Hits!

Taking baby steps with this blog malarkey but starting as I mean to go on...

If the individuals who tend to run things were half as reliable as The Nomads then things would be a lot better. You recall how The Sweet let their “heavy” side fly on the flipsides of their earlier hits? Imagine if BOC had gone a wee bit "Ballroom Blitz"? Well now you can catch a glimpse of what such a notion might have wraught as ”No Cops, Haul Ass” sees a release of a cut that was captured when Solna’s primo crew ventured to the Pacific Northwest in 1999. This 3 track 7” EP on Career is billed as The Nomads Vs Donovan’s Brain but it sure sound like they’re in cahoots to me. Ron Sanchez and co have been knocking out their patented brand of psychedelic nuggetry as long as I can remember. And we're not talking about short term memory here.

Career Records is an outpost of solid rock’n’roll and look out (honey) because they’re using Tek-nology. A Deniz Tek 45 with the self-penned “Crossroads” and a MotorCityfied version of Peter Green’s “Oh Well” on the flip is also just out and in dangerously short supply.

This take on the Mac also conjures up Eric Bloom and co. Career Records are good for you, never bad let alone evil.

There goes 2014....

I’m not really one for year-end round ups. Generally I’m glad to see the back of any old year but there have been some fine times had over the course of this one. Those responsible know who they are (I hope) and I banish all evil considerations agin those who I expected to act with a little more decorum. They presumably know who they are too. Whether they give a hoot or not is not this guy's concern at this point. Disappointment is second nature around these parts particularly during the festering season.

So let’s turn to the subject of music and the outright, never failing to shimmer debut by the first lady of Norton, MIRIAM (Linna). "Nobody’s Baby". Less than a year after hearing the single in the confines of their HQ, a whole album and even shows came to pass. An utter revelation from start to finish. The song selection, the performance and Sam Elwitt’s genius piecing together of the whole puzzle made for a truly uplifting release. Even although the subject matter largely dwells on the negative, I put it to you that if you don’t get very excited when listening to this then you clearly need assistance. I hope that these kids catch a break soon and that the performance aspect will be brought to this side of the “big watter” over the course of this coming year.

Someone that I will be seeing soon came back with "The Fox, The Hunter and Hello Saferide" in September. Annika Norlin never fails to deliver the very tops in pop. She takes all of this at her own pace and whether the world catches up with this exquisite music doesn’t seem to mither her. I hope that she might venture beyond Sweden again at some point but until then the mountain is all to happy to go to Mohammed (are you still allowed to say that?) I shall see her in Malmo at the end of February and very much look forward to that.

Best "new to me" combo was the Brazilian sensation known as Autoramas, they turned out to be far from the standard garage rock racket I might have expected.  You can listen to "Música Crocante" here and even watch their Funtastic antics also. After seeing them I was almost feart to listen to a recording but they’ve caught that off centre buzz buzz buzz on this latest recording just fine.

Keeping up the Portuguese twist, circumstances prevail that I never got around to putting anything up here about the latest Rita Redshoes album "Life Is A Second Of Love". Rightly lauded in her homeland, Rita's fare is just about as far away from what passes as the mainstream as it could be. That’s not to say that it’s not commercial. If you exposed the audiences of however many nights Kate Bush did in Hammersmith to this gal's oeuvre then I’m sure many would be smitten. But in some ways, that may be like expecting Eagles fans to like The Skeletons or NRBQ. There can be no accounting for taste.

To tell the truth, once you got past the outfits, I never warmed to Kate’s music. And Rita could never be tarred as being remotely prog. Her ability to create atmosphere lends itself better to film scoring in the proper sense. Anyway, that’s by the by. Like Annika, this girl has a singular vision and she deserves your indulgence.

As does her other half – The Legendary Tigerman – who also released a new full length entitled “True”. It was supposed to get a UK release but I’m not sure that happened yet. I ought to check.

Pantones "¿Quién quiere Primavera?" and The Singles “Look How Fast A Heart Can Break” are the outright pop smash hits of the past 12 months. Cheetah Chrome’s EP on Plowboy took care of the Americana aspect of things. “East Side Story” is an example of a New York song that harks back to when that town still had a soul instead of the odd outpost here and there.

At this point, I semi-promise to be a bit more active starting tomorrow when I’ll maybe haver about a few records that may have gone un-noticed this past wee while. You’ll no doubt have bigger fish to fry but there’s no hurry. I'm not about to leave the bunker until the coast is clear, January 3rd at the earliest.

I don't blame you if you think that it'll all go by the wayside but at this point I have a little faith that it could happen.

This Year's Big Festive Smash!

Merry Christmas from the Weeping Willows (with the one and only Annika Norlin)

Happenings Over Seven Days Time Ago...

 

Hardly seems like a couple of days since "The London” schlep never mind over a week. I’ve made it to the holidaze though and the plan is to seldom venture from the midden heid. There are a couple of exceptions but the hatches are as good as battened down.

I should have reported all this by now but I had a wee problem with blogger. It logged me out and it took a couple spins of the block to get back in here. I’ve no idea what happened. It was like getting locked out of the house. Something else that presented itself when I managed to throw my keys into the recycling bin this past Friday, possibly as a result of having made it to the aforementioned finish line. So let’s go back in time a bit to Thursday 11^th December and Wreckless Eric’s pitstop in Glasgow.

The battle-weary players gave it their all to a sadly depleted audience and were rewarded with having to spend the night in a certain guest house in Renfrew Street. Easily the best ticket in town that night, I guess the festive revelry didn't extend to hearing some rather exceptional music. This made it doubly worse that there was no Elvis Booth session that night.

However, I managed to haul ass to the train and the “weather bomb” that had threatened to upset travel earlier in the week never came to pass. The journey down was damn smooth. A bit like the couple of pints partaken of in The Queens Head prior to heading for Dalston. I made it to the Shacklewell Arms in time for soundcheck.

The room seemed smaller than I remembered it, perhaps it’s these new varifocals but it was sure grand to see those Fleshtones. Due to some long-overdue socialising, I managed to miss both support acts but that happens sometimes although on this occasion it wasn’t a cobbled together bill. DWC don’t play that.

A rammed Shack’ got well and truly super-rocked and reinforced that the wrong of the band never having been to Scotland for 31 years + needs to be righted. A plan is in motion to rectify this over the course of 2015 and I’ll keep you posted on this front. Visiting US dignitary, Brother Scott Cornish took the Fleshtones pictures that accompany this missive.

He was also present at the 100 Club on Saturday night where the Wreckless sleigh made its penultimate stop of this semester, a grand triumph in front of a sizeable crowd even although it took place absurdly early., almost to the extent of being a matinee. I don't mind an early start but I believe such a thing is a problem for prospective attendees. Whatever the pros and cons of that, it’s a real treat to see him with a band and I've had the pleasure of seeing this three times over the course of 2014. There was a little glam Creedence seepage this time around that just bolstered the full-blooded renditions of material from his recently revitalised portfolio. "Kilburn Road" was particularly robust in these conditions. I think this was the best Christmas show I’ve seen since The Sensational Alex Harvey Band used to take over the Glasgow Apollo all those moons ago.

Santa Goulden made the scene for the encore to perform the recently-recorded festive paen, "Christmas on the M62". A cautionary tale if ever there was one.

 

100 club pictures by Me with my ropey phone.

Hey Ho Saferide

Fresh Festive Cuts 1

LOLA DUTRONIC'S CHRISTMAS DISCO is accepting bookings now...

Whole Lotta Surfin' Goin' On...

Thanks to Surf Music Madrid for the tip-off...

Nick Lowe w/ Los Straitjackets

We were hoping this wasn't true but...

RIP - Ian McLagan

Surfin' Saturday...

Celina done moved on...