Be Wild, Not Evil - The Link Wray Story by Jimmy McDonough on Perfect Sound Forever
Thanks to Ben Gart for the heads-up.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Friday, March 31, 2006
Catch the CAPTAIN DYNAMITE CAVALCADE OF CRUD at...
NL - UTRECHT : DB'S 12th April
NL - ROTTERDAM :WATERFRONT 13th April
F - PARIS tba :14th April
F - BORDEAUX tba :15tha April
Thanks to Tom Crossley for doing this at such short notice...
The Jacobites/ Mark Mulholland/Knox - 12 Bar London 29 March 2006
"Due to Nikki ‘s recent passing, a gig I was looking forward to, became one that I approached with a fair amount of dread. Lindsay had asked me if I would write a few lines about the gig and I anticipated a few paragraphs. Once I started, the memories came flooding back and as you can’t put your arms around them I thought I’d share them with anyone that cares.
First, a bit of background - I ’m lucky to have been a friend of Nikki’s since the early 80’s when I first met him at a gig at the Africa Centre in Covent Garden after being persuaded to check out a guy who had been described to me as a cross twix Johnny Thunders and Neil Young by an equally old friend of mine Mr Pedro Mercedes.
Being an obsessive Thunders fan I needed little persuasion, but we somehow managed to miss almost all the gig. Pedro and I sheepishly approached Nikki who called us over for a chat. Such was his easy going nature after a few minutes it was like we were long lost friends, not just fans.
We soon did become friends and had many weird and wonderful adventure,s meeting up at almost every Thunders gig in town and at the especially memorable Heartbreakers reunion gigs at the Hacienda and elsewhere. Pedro was also involved in the legendary Pipeline Club in Soho, one of our happiest nights was the time Johnny agreed to play there - more on that night can be found in Nikki’s book which I am sure will come out one day…
I got roped in to play drums (very badly) in a few ad-hoc line ups with Nikki in the mid 80’s, and in return he would often join my band (Bad Karma Beckons) on stage for the odd Dolls/Thunders/T. Rex cover, whenever we shared bills or if he was in town.
Ironically, I last spoke to Nikki after his recent 12 Bar gig and he asked me to email my recollections of us playing together way back then for his autobiography - emails and photos came back and forth and I was really looking forward to fine tuning my addled recollections in person. Unfortunately, I received a call from Nina (Antonia) about the tragic news from New York.
It was fitting that I met up with Nina and Pedro prior to last night’s gig and appropriate that we waited in a pub called “The Angel”, while Dave Kusworth, Darrell Bath and Paul Caton, tonight’s Jacobites were sound-checking.
Off now to the 12 Bar which was filling with many familiar faces of friends and ex band members throughout the years. As reported earlier , Dave decided to go ahead with the gig in memory of Nikki, who of course would have wanted the show to go on!
The atmosphere in the 12 bar was very strange, almost as though Nikki’s aura remained from the last show. All around people were talking about him, exchanging stories and tales in abundance. Without trying to sound like an old hippy, you could feel the love and affection in those four walls.
It was good to see old friends again, some I hadn’t seen for 15 odd years even though the circumstances were sad. I won’t bore you with names because I’m bound to forget to mention someone.
Sadly there were at least a couple of people that had seen Nikki play a only few days ago in the States and who were here to see him again unaware of what happened.
After being warmed up by a solo set by Knox (of the Vibrators) and Mark Mulholland, who someone informed me, has played with Nikki in the past, a good sized crowd squeezed it’s way in front of the tiny stage.
On the wall behind Dave, Darrell and Paul was a large black and white poster of Nikki playing on stage and by the side of it, a single (yellow I think) flower. The 3 Jacobites were seated side by side with acoustic guitars and Paul’s selection of mouth harps.
After brief intros the band took off and stormed through old faves like Big Store, Pin your heart, Kings and Queens, and Fortune and Fame it all seemed to be a bit of a blur but wasn’t at all a sombre affair. Everywhere people were smiling singing and shouting encouragement, banter and requests. I almost expected Nikki’s voice to somehow join in.
The band took it down a little for a touching version of Johnny Thunders’ You can’t put your arms around a memory, dedicated to Nikki, Desperate Dave and JT, which then segued into Lonely Planet Boy - now I had tears in my eyes.
The band requested and received refreshment in the shape of a glass of JD and ice each. And then surprised everyone by playing Peter Sarstedts’ 1969 hit "Where do you go to my lovely?" Slipping in a lovely touch by changing a line the 2nd verse as follows
"You live in a fancy apartment
Off the Boulevard Saint-Michel
Where you keep your Jacobites* records
And a friend of Sacha Distel, yes you do"
(originally *Rolling Stones )
The night finished off with "Silver Street" and "First cut is the deepest", "Bring it on Home" The Faces’ "Debris", "Shame for the Angels".
I said my goodbyes, liberated a poster from the door and bought the latest issue of Bucketful of Brains, which, to cap it has Nikki on the cover and an interview inside.
While writing this, I received an email from the New York Dolls Forum as follows:
Speaking of "old days", the fantastic NEW YORK DOLLS performed a hot 'n' nasty set of classic tunes as well as at least a half dozen new songs at the legendary CBGB's on Tuesday night...Overall, this was a perfect evening of "punk music", and it was nice to hear them dedicate songs to the likes of Nikki Sudden, Arthur "Killer" Kane, and of course, the late, great, Mister Johnny Thunders...
I think Nikki would have felt so proud to get a dedication from a band that meant so much to him.
He lived, breathed, ate and drank rock n roll 24/7. He’ll be sadly missed but thankfully leaves a fine legacy of written and recorded work that deserves your attention.
It’s a shame for the mortals now Nikki’s an Angel."
Tom
The Jacobites/ Mark Mulholland/Knox - 12 Bar London 29 March 2006
"Due to Nikki ‘s recent passing, a gig I was looking forward to, became one that I approached with a fair amount of dread. Lindsay had asked me if I would write a few lines about the gig and I anticipated a few paragraphs. Once I started, the memories came flooding back and as you can’t put your arms around them I thought I’d share them with anyone that cares.
First, a bit of background - I ’m lucky to have been a friend of Nikki’s since the early 80’s when I first met him at a gig at the Africa Centre in Covent Garden after being persuaded to check out a guy who had been described to me as a cross twix Johnny Thunders and Neil Young by an equally old friend of mine Mr Pedro Mercedes.
Being an obsessive Thunders fan I needed little persuasion, but we somehow managed to miss almost all the gig. Pedro and I sheepishly approached Nikki who called us over for a chat. Such was his easy going nature after a few minutes it was like we were long lost friends, not just fans.
We soon did become friends and had many weird and wonderful adventure,s meeting up at almost every Thunders gig in town and at the especially memorable Heartbreakers reunion gigs at the Hacienda and elsewhere. Pedro was also involved in the legendary Pipeline Club in Soho, one of our happiest nights was the time Johnny agreed to play there - more on that night can be found in Nikki’s book which I am sure will come out one day…
I got roped in to play drums (very badly) in a few ad-hoc line ups with Nikki in the mid 80’s, and in return he would often join my band (Bad Karma Beckons) on stage for the odd Dolls/Thunders/T. Rex cover, whenever we shared bills or if he was in town.
Ironically, I last spoke to Nikki after his recent 12 Bar gig and he asked me to email my recollections of us playing together way back then for his autobiography - emails and photos came back and forth and I was really looking forward to fine tuning my addled recollections in person. Unfortunately, I received a call from Nina (Antonia) about the tragic news from New York.
It was fitting that I met up with Nina and Pedro prior to last night’s gig and appropriate that we waited in a pub called “The Angel”, while Dave Kusworth, Darrell Bath and Paul Caton, tonight’s Jacobites were sound-checking.
Off now to the 12 Bar which was filling with many familiar faces of friends and ex band members throughout the years. As reported earlier , Dave decided to go ahead with the gig in memory of Nikki, who of course would have wanted the show to go on!
The atmosphere in the 12 bar was very strange, almost as though Nikki’s aura remained from the last show. All around people were talking about him, exchanging stories and tales in abundance. Without trying to sound like an old hippy, you could feel the love and affection in those four walls.
It was good to see old friends again, some I hadn’t seen for 15 odd years even though the circumstances were sad. I won’t bore you with names because I’m bound to forget to mention someone.
Sadly there were at least a couple of people that had seen Nikki play a only few days ago in the States and who were here to see him again unaware of what happened.
After being warmed up by a solo set by Knox (of the Vibrators) and Mark Mulholland, who someone informed me, has played with Nikki in the past, a good sized crowd squeezed it’s way in front of the tiny stage.
On the wall behind Dave, Darrell and Paul was a large black and white poster of Nikki playing on stage and by the side of it, a single (yellow I think) flower. The 3 Jacobites were seated side by side with acoustic guitars and Paul’s selection of mouth harps.
After brief intros the band took off and stormed through old faves like Big Store, Pin your heart, Kings and Queens, and Fortune and Fame it all seemed to be a bit of a blur but wasn’t at all a sombre affair. Everywhere people were smiling singing and shouting encouragement, banter and requests. I almost expected Nikki’s voice to somehow join in.
The band took it down a little for a touching version of Johnny Thunders’ You can’t put your arms around a memory, dedicated to Nikki, Desperate Dave and JT, which then segued into Lonely Planet Boy - now I had tears in my eyes.
The band requested and received refreshment in the shape of a glass of JD and ice each. And then surprised everyone by playing Peter Sarstedts’ 1969 hit "Where do you go to my lovely?" Slipping in a lovely touch by changing a line the 2nd verse as follows
"You live in a fancy apartment
Off the Boulevard Saint-Michel
Where you keep your Jacobites* records
And a friend of Sacha Distel, yes you do"
(originally *Rolling Stones )
The night finished off with "Silver Street" and "First cut is the deepest", "Bring it on Home" The Faces’ "Debris", "Shame for the Angels".
I said my goodbyes, liberated a poster from the door and bought the latest issue of Bucketful of Brains, which, to cap it has Nikki on the cover and an interview inside.
While writing this, I received an email from the New York Dolls Forum as follows:
Speaking of "old days", the fantastic NEW YORK DOLLS performed a hot 'n' nasty set of classic tunes as well as at least a half dozen new songs at the legendary CBGB's on Tuesday night...Overall, this was a perfect evening of "punk music", and it was nice to hear them dedicate songs to the likes of Nikki Sudden, Arthur "Killer" Kane, and of course, the late, great, Mister Johnny Thunders...
I think Nikki would have felt so proud to get a dedication from a band that meant so much to him.
He lived, breathed, ate and drank rock n roll 24/7. He’ll be sadly missed but thankfully leaves a fine legacy of written and recorded work that deserves your attention.
It’s a shame for the mortals now Nikki’s an Angel."
Tom
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
From the Dirty Water newsletter/mailout...
ROMEO PRADO, R.I.P.
Romeo Prado, leader of the horn section for Los Angeles band THEE MIDNIGHTERS sadly passed away last weekend. Thee Midnighters, one of my favourite bands, scored a minor hit in the USA with the instrumental "Whittier Boulevard" and also with their version of "Land of 1,000 Dances". With their horn section, they achieved a fantastic mix of garage rock'n'roll and soul, equally adept at knocking out fuzzed-out stompers like "Love Special Delivery" or "Never Knew I Had It So Bad" as they were at lovelorn ballads. These guys were of Mexican heritage and were proud of their background, later recording the funky "Chicano Power". Do yourself a favour and track them down online to read more about them and hear some of their tunes.
ROMEO PRADO, R.I.P.
Romeo Prado, leader of the horn section for Los Angeles band THEE MIDNIGHTERS sadly passed away last weekend. Thee Midnighters, one of my favourite bands, scored a minor hit in the USA with the instrumental "Whittier Boulevard" and also with their version of "Land of 1,000 Dances". With their horn section, they achieved a fantastic mix of garage rock'n'roll and soul, equally adept at knocking out fuzzed-out stompers like "Love Special Delivery" or "Never Knew I Had It So Bad" as they were at lovelorn ballads. These guys were of Mexican heritage and were proud of their background, later recording the funky "Chicano Power". Do yourself a favour and track them down online to read more about them and hear some of their tunes.
"Hey DollSters!
If you are not busy come along to our farwell show and see us off in style with a sensational line up of supports. All ofr just $10 at the door.
We are off to do 30 shows in Europe and details can be viewed here
See you all at the gig!"
Joey Ramone performs "Eighteen" with Raging Slab and Rick Richards (Georgia Satellites).
And also two Suicide clips here and here
Brought to you by the wonder of YouTube and the good offices of 25million.
And also two Suicide clips here and here
Brought to you by the wonder of YouTube and the good offices of 25million.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
The very Reverend Patrick B has had another run in with those Doll Rods...
"DEMOLITION DOLL RODS = DETROIT SOUL
Sunday 26 March at the Dum Dum, Châlon Sur Saone (France) DDR are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a new album “There Is A Difference” and a European to be followed by a US trek. I caught them in Châlon Sur Saone. This time, Christine, who is gonna have a baby (in May) lent her drum kit (no cymbals but who needs them, same for a bass guitar) to another doll, by the name of Tia. "We didn't try out anybody else. Meeting her seemed to be divine providence" declared Danny.
It was the original lineup : Danny, Margaret and sis Christine - who recorded the new album, soulful garage punk blues gospel ... and best album so far. It begins with Margaret's sexiest as ever anthem "Take You Home" and features all time classics like the Gories "Baby Say Uhn !" (90's), Richard and the Young Lions "Open Up Your Door" (60's, other Detroiters – personally, I can’t name one group/artist from Detroit that I don’t like at all, same goes for Memphis) and John Newton "Amazing Grace" (1779). “Difference” is mostly composed of original songs like "Booty Call", with Danny on vocals or "Lil Piece Of Leather" (that already featured on "Broad Daylight" soundtrack, with weaker production. The best way to savour DDR is to see them on stage. That’s the place where they really drive you out of your mind and etch themselves into your soul. The Dum Dum (tribute name to the French group Dum Dum Boys) is a cool place, and so is Michel, the boss. The Vibromaniacs opened with a set composed of 60’s classics (He’s Waiting, Your’re Gonna Miss Me, I wanna Be Your Dog ...), punk covers (Commando, California Über Alles) and a few originals – well, not original but entertaining.
As usual, DDR organise their own equipment. After a quick soundcheck (I didn’t know that had soundchecks, eheh), just time to dress (!) and they’re back on stage. Well in fact the most important in the way they dress is rather what they have not than what they wear. All 3 wear boots and tiny shorts, plus leather bra for Tia, a lace shirt for Danny and a 100 % see thru scarf for Margaret (no pix, sorry).
Tia is very young, adorable, shy and too cute to be a minute over 20 (maybe). Her drumming is simple but effective and her empathy with the others is obvious, especially when Margaret and her make fun of Danny durin his Jimi hendrixesque solo. She also sings during “Baby Say Uhn !”. Margaret is always generous to show her ability as a go-go-goddess. She often drops her guitar, to dance or play the maraccas or to crack the whip. Danny is singing a lot more than on previous tours and it suits him. Being asked "Which musician have you ever wanted to be?" in a recent interview in Mojo, Asia Argento answered, "Danny Doll Rod especially when he used to be in The Gories. You just have to see him playing guitar on-stage in his leather underwear to want to be him." It was a great show and the DDR credo to spread the gospel of rock'n'roll continues unabated. Catch them if they play near (or even far) from your place. At the upcoming show in Ljubljana, Margaret will open the evening with a solo set, her second solo album will be issues soon, the recording is done but a few photos are required to complete the cover. I can’t wait to hear her cover of Roy Orbison’s "Dream Baby". She told That her personal faves were Jonathan Richman and Hasil Adkins and sang one of the crazy songs that Hasil wrote for her."
"DEMOLITION DOLL RODS = DETROIT SOUL
Sunday 26 March at the Dum Dum, Châlon Sur Saone (France) DDR are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a new album “There Is A Difference” and a European to be followed by a US trek. I caught them in Châlon Sur Saone. This time, Christine, who is gonna have a baby (in May) lent her drum kit (no cymbals but who needs them, same for a bass guitar) to another doll, by the name of Tia. "We didn't try out anybody else. Meeting her seemed to be divine providence" declared Danny.
It was the original lineup : Danny, Margaret and sis Christine - who recorded the new album, soulful garage punk blues gospel ... and best album so far. It begins with Margaret's sexiest as ever anthem "Take You Home" and features all time classics like the Gories "Baby Say Uhn !" (90's), Richard and the Young Lions "Open Up Your Door" (60's, other Detroiters – personally, I can’t name one group/artist from Detroit that I don’t like at all, same goes for Memphis) and John Newton "Amazing Grace" (1779). “Difference” is mostly composed of original songs like "Booty Call", with Danny on vocals or "Lil Piece Of Leather" (that already featured on "Broad Daylight" soundtrack, with weaker production. The best way to savour DDR is to see them on stage. That’s the place where they really drive you out of your mind and etch themselves into your soul. The Dum Dum (tribute name to the French group Dum Dum Boys) is a cool place, and so is Michel, the boss. The Vibromaniacs opened with a set composed of 60’s classics (He’s Waiting, Your’re Gonna Miss Me, I wanna Be Your Dog ...), punk covers (Commando, California Über Alles) and a few originals – well, not original but entertaining.
As usual, DDR organise their own equipment. After a quick soundcheck (I didn’t know that had soundchecks, eheh), just time to dress (!) and they’re back on stage. Well in fact the most important in the way they dress is rather what they have not than what they wear. All 3 wear boots and tiny shorts, plus leather bra for Tia, a lace shirt for Danny and a 100 % see thru scarf for Margaret (no pix, sorry).
Tia is very young, adorable, shy and too cute to be a minute over 20 (maybe). Her drumming is simple but effective and her empathy with the others is obvious, especially when Margaret and her make fun of Danny durin his Jimi hendrixesque solo. She also sings during “Baby Say Uhn !”. Margaret is always generous to show her ability as a go-go-goddess. She often drops her guitar, to dance or play the maraccas or to crack the whip. Danny is singing a lot more than on previous tours and it suits him. Being asked "Which musician have you ever wanted to be?" in a recent interview in Mojo, Asia Argento answered, "Danny Doll Rod especially when he used to be in The Gories. You just have to see him playing guitar on-stage in his leather underwear to want to be him." It was a great show and the DDR credo to spread the gospel of rock'n'roll continues unabated. Catch them if they play near (or even far) from your place. At the upcoming show in Ljubljana, Margaret will open the evening with a solo set, her second solo album will be issues soon, the recording is done but a few photos are required to complete the cover. I can’t wait to hear her cover of Roy Orbison’s "Dream Baby". She told That her personal faves were Jonathan Richman and Hasil Adkins and sang one of the crazy songs that Hasil wrote for her."
The news of Nikki Sudden's passing threw me for a loop this morning. He was a tireless and passionate practioner of the rock'n'roll arts and was always a staunch supporter of this NBT shennanigan that's been going for longer than any of us can imagine or perhaps care to remember. My thoughts go out to his friends and family, he was a great bloke and a believer.
And, as we approach the great 30th anniversary of (UK) punk, last night's Eastenders featured the Mitchell brothers heading on down the (2-4-6-8) motorway with a Jam/Clash soundtrack. Not a Bachman Turner Overdrive 8 track to be found. Curiouser still was the background music in a cafe they stopped at, Eddie and The Hot Rods "Get Out Of Denver". Strike a light, Guv.
Ever get the feeling that you're about to be cheated?
And, as we approach the great 30th anniversary of (UK) punk, last night's Eastenders featured the Mitchell brothers heading on down the (2-4-6-8) motorway with a Jam/Clash soundtrack. Not a Bachman Turner Overdrive 8 track to be found. Curiouser still was the background music in a cafe they stopped at, Eddie and The Hot Rods "Get Out Of Denver". Strike a light, Guv.
Ever get the feeling that you're about to be cheated?
Monday, March 27, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Update @ 6.50pm - Amy tells me that AIW will be the single from Ronnie's album.
Today is a tumultuous one in terms of Scots life with the smoking ban in pubs and clubs coming into play. The practice of coming in from a night in either honking of smoke is likely to be a thing of the past although it'll be weird being in The Horseshoe Bar in Glasgow and there not being a smoke haze. However, running the gauntlet of puffers outside of such establishments might result in the odd waft or seven adhering to your garments as you scuttle past wearing oxygen equipent. Or those masks that japanese people wear to keep out the petrol fumes and day to day guffs that go around. It’ll be interesting to see how it all pans out. Most probably in fisticuffs but if it can work in NY and Ireland then who knows.
Care to double your hillbilly pleasure? Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. offers two such opportunities in one week, with not only our weekly Rodeo Bar Tuesday, but also our monthly dose of Otto's Shrunken Head, the happiest place on earth!
TUESDAY, MARCH 28th / And EVERY TUESDAY this Spring / Rodeo Bar /
375 Third Avenue (corner of 27th Street), Manhattan / 10:00 sharp until 12:30 / No cover! And, returning to the home of the tiki gods...
THURSDAY, MARCH 30th / And the LAST THURSDAY of every month / Otto's Shrunken Head / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B), Manhattan / 8:00 until 10:00 sharp / No cover! / Featuring DJ Scratchy ("He's yellow...he's square...he's solid state") /
Double the pleasure, indeed! Sincerely yours, Michael"
Thursday, March 23, 2006
This year's TIGERFEST includes a rare east coast show by THE PRIMEVALS. That's the East Coast of Scotland, not the USA. Thanks to Murray for the link.
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