This coming Friday (April 21st), The Pearlfishers with BMX Bandits and guests have a show at The Panopticon, 115 Trongate, Glasgow. Audience is limited to something like 60 and entry is by donation.
From www.pearlfishers.com
"This Friday we're doing a little benefit in that most romantic and famous of Glasgow hidden treasures - The Panopticon Theatre, abandoned for 80 years or so and still more or less intact, above Mitchell's Amusement Arcade on Argyle Street in the Trongate. It's where Stan Laurel famously made his stage debut and the boards welcomed Cary Grant, Dan Leno and others. If you watched BBC's Restoration show you will have seen the Panopticon narrowly miss the lottery millions. Well, that's not going to stop us, is it? Pearlfishers, BMX Bandits, Rainbow Family, Ally Kerr and Carol Laula will be there at about 7pm on 21st April to raise some cash for this amazing place. Shivers down the spine stuff. Anyway, the capacity is 60 people maximum and it's free at the door. Come early. The benefit part is that you make a donation on the night and it goes to the campaign to keep the Panopticon alive."
Monday, April 17, 2006
I heard about the Easter bunny...
It feels like ages since the last time I posted some kinda general update on the goin'-ons here at N.B.T.'s Dutch H.Q. So where to begin?
One thing that has been keepin' me occupied is Jeff Chang's Can't Stop Won't Stop. Subtitled A History Of The Hip-Hop Generation, this is one of the best rock reads I've come across in ages. Not just a musical history, but also a very clear look at the social/political backgrounds of the genre. And as much as I dig 80s rap, it certainly didn't warm me to "gangsta" morons, or that hideous "urban" crap that is everywhere these days. But as a solid read this is up there with England's Dreaming or Days In The Life. While reading this, the recent Big Apple Rappin' comp on Soul Jazz served as fine background music. Compiled and annotated by Ugly Things contributor Johan Kugelberg (who does a great job on the liners), this is a fab selection of (very) early rap that was mostly new to me. From the same label comes a fine collection of mixes by Tom Moulton, the guy who invented the 12" disco mix. Not sure if this would go down well with your average N.B.T. reader, but what the hey... Dutch readers might wanna check a new book on record collectors by Robert Haagsma entitled Vinylfanaten. The guy's a metalhead, so I gotta deduct some points for includin' not one, but four collectors of the genre. (For the life of me I can't understand the attraction of Iron Maidon pictures discs, or the constant one-upmanship of "I've-been-a-fan-since-their-first-demo"-like tales). No fans of punk, reggae, soul or Americana (blues, country etc.) either. But at least some of the good guys (Michel Terstegen, Johan Visser, Marthy Coumans, Jules Deelder and Johan Derksen) are featured as well. And it's always fun reading how others deal with these, er, "problems"...And yeah, there's more, plenty more, but it's way past midnight and I need some sleep before tomorrow anounces itself by way of our one-tone-only alarm clock (Loud!)...
It feels like ages since the last time I posted some kinda general update on the goin'-ons here at N.B.T.'s Dutch H.Q. So where to begin?
One thing that has been keepin' me occupied is Jeff Chang's Can't Stop Won't Stop. Subtitled A History Of The Hip-Hop Generation, this is one of the best rock reads I've come across in ages. Not just a musical history, but also a very clear look at the social/political backgrounds of the genre. And as much as I dig 80s rap, it certainly didn't warm me to "gangsta" morons, or that hideous "urban" crap that is everywhere these days. But as a solid read this is up there with England's Dreaming or Days In The Life. While reading this, the recent Big Apple Rappin' comp on Soul Jazz served as fine background music. Compiled and annotated by Ugly Things contributor Johan Kugelberg (who does a great job on the liners), this is a fab selection of (very) early rap that was mostly new to me. From the same label comes a fine collection of mixes by Tom Moulton, the guy who invented the 12" disco mix. Not sure if this would go down well with your average N.B.T. reader, but what the hey... Dutch readers might wanna check a new book on record collectors by Robert Haagsma entitled Vinylfanaten. The guy's a metalhead, so I gotta deduct some points for includin' not one, but four collectors of the genre. (For the life of me I can't understand the attraction of Iron Maidon pictures discs, or the constant one-upmanship of "I've-been-a-fan-since-their-first-demo"-like tales). No fans of punk, reggae, soul or Americana (blues, country etc.) either. But at least some of the good guys (Michel Terstegen, Johan Visser, Marthy Coumans, Jules Deelder and Johan Derksen) are featured as well. And it's always fun reading how others deal with these, er, "problems"...And yeah, there's more, plenty more, but it's way past midnight and I need some sleep before tomorrow anounces itself by way of our one-tone-only alarm clock (Loud!)...
You on holiday today? Revved up to make that visit to the DIY superstore or some such retail facility?? I'm not. On holiday that is. Don't want to burn a day's annual leave. That's not to say that I want to attend the daily drudge but one of the only pleasures left is to be off when the other drones are in attendance.
The urge not to go in this am is strong but I'm not folding. I'd only regret it and be twice as despondent later. That's the quandry right there. Recent conditioning suggests that I'm lucky to have a job. That so many people don't. Life is just a big bowl of something... gruel mostly.
But anyway, the racket that is Easter will soon be over and Mayday will loom into view. That's one "holiday" I will partake of because it describes my downward spiral perfectly. So, if you are off today. Make a pact with yourself. Stay home and play some records and generally goof off. Don't go spending anything that'll make the pundits seem like they know your every habit. Even though they alarmingly do. Time I wasn't here...
The urge not to go in this am is strong but I'm not folding. I'd only regret it and be twice as despondent later. That's the quandry right there. Recent conditioning suggests that I'm lucky to have a job. That so many people don't. Life is just a big bowl of something... gruel mostly.
But anyway, the racket that is Easter will soon be over and Mayday will loom into view. That's one "holiday" I will partake of because it describes my downward spiral perfectly. So, if you are off today. Make a pact with yourself. Stay home and play some records and generally goof off. Don't go spending anything that'll make the pundits seem like they know your every habit. Even though they alarmingly do. Time I wasn't here...
"Tho we've been spinning A good bit of SKA ourselves. This Saturday, 22nd April, we're Bringing in the experts. None other than BAZ & TAM from DR NO's SKA CLUB - Expect the best Jamaica and the London 60's Mod Reggae scene had to offer.
Tall Paul Robinson & Angus will also be there to spin 60s, Garage, Psych, Beat and Soul. All happenin' at THE LOFT, @ The Venue, Calton Road, Edinburgh. 11pm-3am. £6/5."
Sunday, April 16, 2006
"Hey Hey hey!
Memphis's BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES play the only Scottish show of their UK tour this Friday at Stereo, Glasgow. Support comes from local swamp blues punkers, UNCLE JOHN AND WHITELOCK
Here's the lowdown...
FRIDAY 21ST APRIL at STEREO, Kelvinhaugh St., Glasgow;
doors: 9pm; £5 entrance...
THE BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES and UNCLE JOHN AND WHITELOCK
....see y'all there!
- Jim (CEO of TCB promotions)"
Patti Smith and Francis Macdonald at the Glasgow International Festival.
The PS thing was limited to 100 tickets and is already sold out. There goes my chance to ask her what the "bagpipes, bagpipes" record was from Ben Vaughn's work in progress about The Geator.
The PS thing was limited to 100 tickets and is already sold out. There goes my chance to ask her what the "bagpipes, bagpipes" record was from Ben Vaughn's work in progress about The Geator.
Friday, April 14, 2006
It's Easter (everywhere) and don't forget that the Roky Erickson documentary, "You're Gonna Miss me" is on in Glasgow (GFT) and Edinburgh (Filmhouse) at the end of the month as part of Triptych.
The talk of the steamie around these parts is the alleged "Al(va) Quaeda". The wags are working overtime. A quiet hillfoots town, all of a sudden whisked into a media scrum that would perhaps be better employed looking into the hell that is the Sterling warehoose, just along the road. But that's the beauty of the "global village". There could be skullduggery happening through the wall from you right now. Or in the flat below. Or out in an allotment shed someplace via laptop. To think, last week we were all in for the bird flu. No' being able to park the car an' that, ken...
Big news around here however is that Laura Cantrell has recorded (I think) a half dozen new Radio Thrift Shops for BBC Radio Scotland. These will go out on Monday nights (don't know the slot by will convey that when I do) during July into August. these will include interviews with Charlie Louvin, Cowboy Jack Clement, Bobby Bare, Pig Robbins and Merle Haggard. (Thanks to Richard for the info.)
What else, yeah... Dollsquad are in London at the DWC tonight (Friday). Shock and Awe are at The Subway in Edinburgh tomorrow night (Saturday), a matinee of sorts because it all has to be over by 10pm.
Last night's Bill Wells Combo show is still resonating in my noggin and I'll bet that Nika is still dancing. Check out some photos and commentary here at the TFC message board.
Time to go and stretch the old legs methinks. And to think about making a start on tidying up the area that passes for a garden. Doing is some way off I think.
The talk of the steamie around these parts is the alleged "Al(va) Quaeda". The wags are working overtime. A quiet hillfoots town, all of a sudden whisked into a media scrum that would perhaps be better employed looking into the hell that is the Sterling warehoose, just along the road. But that's the beauty of the "global village". There could be skullduggery happening through the wall from you right now. Or in the flat below. Or out in an allotment shed someplace via laptop. To think, last week we were all in for the bird flu. No' being able to park the car an' that, ken...
Big news around here however is that Laura Cantrell has recorded (I think) a half dozen new Radio Thrift Shops for BBC Radio Scotland. These will go out on Monday nights (don't know the slot by will convey that when I do) during July into August. these will include interviews with Charlie Louvin, Cowboy Jack Clement, Bobby Bare, Pig Robbins and Merle Haggard. (Thanks to Richard for the info.)
What else, yeah... Dollsquad are in London at the DWC tonight (Friday). Shock and Awe are at The Subway in Edinburgh tomorrow night (Saturday), a matinee of sorts because it all has to be over by 10pm.
Last night's Bill Wells Combo show is still resonating in my noggin and I'll bet that Nika is still dancing. Check out some photos and commentary here at the TFC message board.
Time to go and stretch the old legs methinks. And to think about making a start on tidying up the area that passes for a garden. Doing is some way off I think.
This looks great, named after the Wreckless Eric album and featuring a performance by the man himself.
Wish someone would organise something like this around here. And what's more that there was an audience for such a beast.
Eric is also doing shows in the Pacific Northwest with Scott McCaughey en route to a rendezvous in San Francisco with Amy Rigby and Marti Jones.
The Bill Wells Alternative Japanese Wall-Of-Sound package tour held court at The Tolbooth in Stirling tonight. If you’re in the vicinity of Tobermory, Aberdeen, Stornoway, Wick and Evie in Orkney between here and the 22nd then I strongly suggest that you take in the show when it hits your neck of the woods.
It’s a privilege for music this challenging, entertaining and downright cinematic to be able to be experienced live. Some of it defies designation. Like Morricone hotwired to the BBC Radiophonic workshop. Then The Velvet Underground with Tijuana brass overtones. And the there’s Kazumi Nikaidoh who simply can’t keep still. Her ability to play duelling trumpet as a mimic is both captivating and disturbing in equal measure. Her Audrey Horne-esque dances add a bizarre David Lynch type shape to soundscapes that belong alongside his movies.
I honestly have NEVER seen anything like it. This show is not 50 minutes of the same old routine toured for 18 months to promote “an album”. It’s a showcase of real, odd but utterly compelling music that has a childlike heart and soul. A bravado untainted by the trappings of what passes for the mainstream. Major props to Mr Wells for his vision and furthermore for sharing it.
It’s a privilege for music this challenging, entertaining and downright cinematic to be able to be experienced live. Some of it defies designation. Like Morricone hotwired to the BBC Radiophonic workshop. Then The Velvet Underground with Tijuana brass overtones. And the there’s Kazumi Nikaidoh who simply can’t keep still. Her ability to play duelling trumpet as a mimic is both captivating and disturbing in equal measure. Her Audrey Horne-esque dances add a bizarre David Lynch type shape to soundscapes that belong alongside his movies.
I honestly have NEVER seen anything like it. This show is not 50 minutes of the same old routine toured for 18 months to promote “an album”. It’s a showcase of real, odd but utterly compelling music that has a childlike heart and soul. A bravado untainted by the trappings of what passes for the mainstream. Major props to Mr Wells for his vision and furthermore for sharing it.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
A short film about Jeff Connolly's visit earlier today to Wally Tax's gravesite can be found here. (the page is in Dutch, but just hit the 
sign and you'll be directed to the film).
sign and you'll be directed to the film).
Thanks to Jocke for this eyewitness report from Friday night in Stockholm...
"Friday was superb. The Pipelines opened up with a rocketing sharp 7 minute set (Ace of Spades, Jack the Ripper) and were followed by Fatboy with 3 vocal tracks (Good Rockin' Tonite, Mustang, Born to Love One Woman). They revealed that their bassplayer had backed up Link in the 80's. Then it was The Bottle-ups (Jack the Ripper, Fatback, Rumble), reunited after 20 years. These guys did the instro-rock thing better then anyone in the 80's and it showed here too, impressive. Stefan Ahlqvist from Problem, a legendary band from South Sweden, joined them and did a great, great set. Then the oddest band in the line-up, Sci-fi Skane that comprises a DJ, a melodica/tambourine player and a commentator. The singer Thomas Öberg screamed out anecdotes about Link across the wild, weird Link DJ mix (Big Ben, My Alberta, Sunglasses After Dark, Shadow Knows, Deuces Wild). Ridiculously good. The Barbwires followed with a Bunker Hill set (Drag-Strip, Run Chicken Run, The Girl Can´t Dance) with Martin Savage on vocals and a piano player. The Nomads played Fire & Brimstone, Hidden Charms and I'm Branded, It was fun and Hans is always great with tunes like that. Robert Johnson & Punchdrunks were probably the rawest and hardest band this evening. Drums and two guitars roared (Genocide, Fuzz, Streets Of Chicago, Streetfighter) to the huge crowd. The show was completely sold out. Finally The Hives went on without Howlin' Pelle. Jyrki Juvonen from Wildfire Willie & The Ramblers took his place in the spotlight and showed us how to handle a danelectro (Hang On, Rawhide). As a grand finale, ten guitarists joined together for a rousing version of Rumble.
Two and half hours of Link music was over and everybody was satisfied."
Jocke Ericson
plus for video highlights, enter the visual laboratory of b_grrrlie
"Friday was superb. The Pipelines opened up with a rocketing sharp 7 minute set (Ace of Spades, Jack the Ripper) and were followed by Fatboy with 3 vocal tracks (Good Rockin' Tonite, Mustang, Born to Love One Woman). They revealed that their bassplayer had backed up Link in the 80's. Then it was The Bottle-ups (Jack the Ripper, Fatback, Rumble), reunited after 20 years. These guys did the instro-rock thing better then anyone in the 80's and it showed here too, impressive. Stefan Ahlqvist from Problem, a legendary band from South Sweden, joined them and did a great, great set. Then the oddest band in the line-up, Sci-fi Skane that comprises a DJ, a melodica/tambourine player and a commentator. The singer Thomas Öberg screamed out anecdotes about Link across the wild, weird Link DJ mix (Big Ben, My Alberta, Sunglasses After Dark, Shadow Knows, Deuces Wild). Ridiculously good. The Barbwires followed with a Bunker Hill set (Drag-Strip, Run Chicken Run, The Girl Can´t Dance) with Martin Savage on vocals and a piano player. The Nomads played Fire & Brimstone, Hidden Charms and I'm Branded, It was fun and Hans is always great with tunes like that. Robert Johnson & Punchdrunks were probably the rawest and hardest band this evening. Drums and two guitars roared (Genocide, Fuzz, Streets Of Chicago, Streetfighter) to the huge crowd. The show was completely sold out. Finally The Hives went on without Howlin' Pelle. Jyrki Juvonen from Wildfire Willie & The Ramblers took his place in the spotlight and showed us how to handle a danelectro (Hang On, Rawhide). As a grand finale, ten guitarists joined together for a rousing version of Rumble.
Two and half hours of Link music was over and everybody was satisfied."
Jocke Ericson
plus for video highlights, enter the visual laboratory of b_grrrlie
Sunday, April 09, 2006
More viewing material: Kino Digital Video has some cool videos on-line by beantown legends Pastiche, La Peste, Unnaturel Axe, Nervous Eaters and Lyres...
Yeah, this "new" thing with cutting unlikely music with clips and "remixing" movie trailers is an entertaining thread. Reminds me of what they used to do on The Old Grey Whistle Test many moons ago but way more twisted. Here's the revamped trailer for BLUE VELVET.
Link to ifilm via Dugpa.com
And while you're at watching stuff on your computer when you should be doing something else, why not make a brew and catch The Cryptkicker V play a jeans-emporium in Stockholm on April 1st. (Thanks to Jocke for this one)
clip one
clip two
Link to ifilm via Dugpa.com
And while you're at watching stuff on your computer when you should be doing something else, why not make a brew and catch The Cryptkicker V play a jeans-emporium in Stockholm on April 1st. (Thanks to Jocke for this one)
clip one
clip two
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