I'm running on fumes here. Been a fraught day, I'm tired, cranky and somewhat fried, not necessarily in that order. I'll be more on form as the week progresses toward Boonaraaa time at the good ol' Boston Arms. If I was in Barcelona this Friday night though, I'd be heading out to catch The Moviemakers.

RIP - Reg Varney

So I watched the first two episodes of Mad Men. People have been raving to me about it and it’s shaping up pretty good. Very stylised and I’m not sure if it suffers a bit from that plus there’s all the smoking, evidently that’s done on purpose. Funny I was telling a young ‘un the other day that it was not uncommon for people to smoke at their desk and the reaction was not unlike claiming to have seen the Loch Ness monster in the car park. I then began to get all nostalgic for the time when it was common to work on Christmas day. Anyway, I’ll stick with it. Anybody who's keen on “The Apartment” will definitely get a kick out of this and I’m interested to see how it develops. So another two episodes later it is then.

Meanwhile, let’s take a break for some music…

I mentioned Eagleowl yesterday and just gave their EP a birl. “For The Thoughts You Never Had” successfully captures the folk-tinged film score atmosphere of the show. No harmonium, but maybe that wasn’t on the radar in March when it was recorded. The double bass bottom end is very Badalamenti. “If I call you motherfucker, would you be offended?” asks “MF” the closing track on this short 5 song introduction. I imagine its not the “radio plug” number then? This comes in a nice DIY package of 500. If you’re from around here go see them and score one. I think you can buy it at Elvis Shakespeare (Edinburgh) and very probably Monorail (Glasgow) as well as from their myspace.

On the subject of themes from an imaginary movie score, JD King and The Coachmen have an as yet unreleased grab bag of groovy tunes ready to go. "Mercy (Can Make You Happy)" is gloriously out of time and space and everything else kilterwise. Is exoticity a word? If not then it ought to be because it’s needed to describe the otherworldly nature of the twisted fidelity that this music is expressed in. Controlling the horizontal and the vertical is not an option when confronted with the free-form axe freakery that is “The Ultra GTO”. Its cousin “Little” was left in the dirt at the starting line.

These are the sounds of worlds colliding to the tune of The Modern Lovers most fried jazz moves. Not entirely soothing but possessed of an electricity far off the beaten path of anything remotely resembling a mainstream. Did someone put Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross” in a blender? Hopefully this will become available in the fullness of time but meanwhile visit JD’s myspace and check out this indiscriminate sensation for yourself.

Maybe the "Mercy" that everybody is bugging Duffy to deliver isn't her hit single but this opus? “yeah, yeah”…yeah - that would make sense. Possibly only to me but you get my drift here.

The David Sandstrom Overdrive has delivered a popular sucker punch called “Pigs Lose” that reminds me of The Replacements and The Db’s. I’ve said this before and I’m going to have to drag it out again. Where do Razzia find these acts? Is there a more consistent A&R force on earth right now? I doubt it.

Of course those two acts I just mentioned are merely reference points to facilitate an entry trajectory. It’s a fragrant concoction of rock shapes, none of which are instantly recognisable. It’s more an aspect of mood and dynamics. There are a lot of words to digest too, not your verse chorus, make it as simple as possible songcraft. Sandstrom’s voice reminds me a little of Eric Bloom. There’s an element of BOC in the sound too. DSO hail from Umeå, I think there's something odd used in the water purification system up yonder.

This isn’t easy stuff to pin down. The blueprint is evidently tattooed on the perpetrators mind and the cards are being played close to his chest. Where did he come from? Where is he going? I have no idea but my hunch is that “Pigs Lose” will sound very good blasting from your choice of music dispenser. “Songs That Maybe Won’t Be Forgotten” is like Randy Newman fronting “The Lovin’ Spoonful”, you have to concur that can only be a good thing.

I have been hopelessly remiss in reporting that The Scoundrelles “Atomic Batteries To Power” (Bang) has been available for a wee while now. While I know that some of you folks are aware of its existence, it seems that it hasn’t gone gold yet. Of course, such justice is not something one can take for granted. In terms of timeless pop marinated in a rumour of glam goes then this is your combo. Captain Thewlis’ one man take on “Rocket USA” is something else entirely. When most people are taking in a Coronation Street/Eastenders medley, this is the kind of artistic statement that he’s getting down to. Worthy of a commendation surely?

Anyway, this is a fine collection. The vinyl is probably all gone now but check in with Lutz at Soundflat, if anyone can help you then that guy can. Recorded in London and Memphis and comin’ at you via the Basque Country, exquisite gear.

So let’s close this particular strand with the news that The Things have a new “single” single "Set Me Free" on Psycho Sound Records out as a taster to their impending album "Some Kind of Kick" on Nicotine Records. (Hey we're back on the smoking thing again - entirely unplanned).

These rambunctious Dubliners have really come a long way in carving their own sonic stamp in recent times. “SMF” is an infectious organ-toting rave up that should have you frothing and no mistake. A limited number of cd copies are available for 3 euros a pop.

Boonaraaaaction in Blighty over next weekend, DWC (Friday) and CRC (Saturday).

Miss 'em at your peril.

Record Envelope - the little library of factory sleeves!

(found via So Many Records...)

Sunday already? Somebody has made off with a good few hours of mine and I want 'em back. So if that person would just like to leave 'em outside my front door then we'll say no more about it. Got a lot to do before I head south for the Boonaraaas this coming week.

"Well get fucking on with it then" comes the voice from the gallery. Easier heckled than done my friend. I could go into a long whine at this point but what would that achieve? No, heid doon - hope to come out the other side is the only way to go. You could almost chalk that up to a kind of twisted optimism, couldn't you?

If you're in Camden this evening, Chris Wilson, Robert Coyne, Jeremy Gluck and his Yohawks wil all be kicking it at The World's End. A bit of a hole but the music will more athn make up for that. It would ahave been ideal if it could have been happening next weekend but ye cannae have it all ways. Or at least I can't. Uh oh, slipping back into character there. More from me later then. Probably.

Photographer Max Natkiel shot thousands of pictures @ A'dam's Paradiso in the late 70s/early 80s. Not the performers, but the crowd... As fine a documantation of those bygone days those pics are, movie director Marc Geerards recently took things a step further. He located people in the original photgraphs and filmed 'em for a couple o' minutes as they are today.

No comments, just the visuals. The results deliver on various levels (just check the promo vid here) and should be able to connect on global level... First screening is at the Paradiso on November 26th... Well worth your time I figure...

I caught the “Audrey sings Nico” show at The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh last night. This was just the second time out for this celebration and if you’re down with the material then you’ll be aware that it’s not an easy thing to pull off.

It takes a certain amount of style in addition to a great voice and Audrey Redpath has those qualifications on stage. I know she was nervous about it but at certain points in the performance, it became even stronger because she was letting her own voice punctuate the material. The end of “Secret Side” was particularly strident to the point of being jaw dropping. This is a work in progress that will be extended into a full production as time goes on. As it stands this is a capsulation of an important canon of work. While the audience will undoubtedly be familiar with “I’ll be Your Mirror” and “Femme Fatale”, this short set really whets the appetite for more.

Audrey’s band is Brian Banford (bass), Mike Nolan (keyboards) and Alistair Wilson (drums). Whenever more shows are planned, you’ll hear about them here.

Eagleowl opened the evening’s entertainment with a dark, dreamy minimal Espers type folk portfolio. Always good to hear a harmonium thrown into the mix too. I picked up their cd ep and will report on that in due course.

Didn't stay for St Judes Infirmary because I'd been up for about 19 hours by that time. It was time to head for the train but I ran into Olaf Furniss of Born to be Wide on the schlep out.

The proceedings took place in The Voodoo Rooms as I previously stated. I always liked that room but the refurbishment has made it one of the best venues in town. Situated atop the Café Royal, it’s in a great location for the station too.

My pal Jon Graboff was in Edinburgh yesterday too. It’s always a pleasure to see him. His dayjob as guitar slinger with The Cardinals saw him play The Picturehouse, Auld Reekies newest venue. Very swish it is too. The town needed a decent sized place to entice larger acts. Not that there’s been anybody there since it opened that I’ve been down with seeing but in it’s (previous) day, REM, The Scientists and The Sisters Of Mercy all played there. The Picturehouse is like a bijou version of The Academy in Glasgow and acts would do well to consider two nights here as opposed to schlepping out to the Corn Exchange.

I didn't manage to post yesterday for a number of reasons. I was out clelebrating the 34th anniversary of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Scottish debut. Or was I?? Anyway, I found this via Kjell, who will have the pleasure of seeing The Quattros in Japan next week. Lucky so and so. Finally the gods have delivered him some rock'n'roll... I'll be back later but meanwhile, feast on this...

It's nearly Friday and not a moment too soon. There's no time to get into a legthy blog post tonight. There's stuff to do and tomorrow I'll be meeting Cardinal Jon Graboff for a couple of snifters in The Oxford Bar. On Saturday I plan to knuckle down and get on with some reviews, the goalposts could well be moved but I have the best of intentions.

This time next Thursday, I'll be getting ready to head south for The Boonaraaas!!! London raid. DWC (Friday 21st) and Corn Rocket Club (Saturday 22nd) - cut along to either or both should you have the requisite opportunity.

Of couse there's the maximum headnip of making it through to next week. I'm thinking about postponing a dentist appointment. Not because I'm a feartie you understand but it's fucking with my logistical feng shuey. (I spelled that incorrectly on purpose incase you're feeling comment happy). Ching ching until tomorrow (ish).

RIP - Mitch Mitchell

Sounds in the Suburbs present

VIC GODARD & THE SUBWAY SECT
The SEXUAL OBJECTS
The LEOPARDS (Glasgow only)

Friday 14th November @ the Citrus Club, Edinburgh
Saturday 15th November @ Stereo, Glasgow

Doors 7.30pm, first group on stage 8pm

N.B. Both shows finish at 10.30pm

Legendary punk – crooner Vic Godard brings the Subway Sect to Scotland for a couple of shows on Fri / Sat November 14th / 15th. The Sexual Objects are special guests on both dates, whilst The Leopards are also on the bill for the Glasgow show.

The Subway Sect will be playing a set covering all aspects of Vic’s career, from the early punk material through the northern soul and crooner periods. There will also be a few new songs, which will hopefully see the light of day on record next year.

The Sexual Objects is Davy Henderson’s new group, they release their 3rd 7” single on 17th Nov on Hamburg’s Aufgeladen und Bereit label. “Here Come The Rubber Cops” was produced by Boards of Canada, and will feature on the Objects debut album, which will be released next year.

The Leopards make a rare live outing with fellow Postcard Records alums Vic and Davy. The Leopards 2nd album is nearly finished and should be released next year, only 10 years after their debut album appeared.

The original (1983-1985) Nomads – Nick Vahlberg, Hans Östlund, Tony Carlsson, Frank Minarik and Ed Johnsson – together for the first time in many years at a friend's birthday party in Stockholm , November 8, 2008. In Osten we trust! Belated Happy Birthday big fella!

Reports on the demise of Forrest J. Ackerman appear to have been premature to say the least.

I hope the reportage that his health has actually improved is correct and that his lum will still reek for some considerable time.

Readers in the lowlands should note that the Wooden Shjips are appearing at the Pauze Fest this coming weekend.

Spread over two cities, they will appear in Gent (B) on Thursday and right over here in Utrecht (NL) on Friday... Be there or be square!

Found out about this too late to post this pre-going to work...

RIP - Miriam Makeba

Managed to watch the Joy Division documentary yesterday and it's actually very good. As I've mentioned before, I was never a fan but have come to appreciate that they did have a few good tunes. "Atmosphere" in particular is something I find particularly moving. Not exactly sure why because it never did when it came out. There's a sociological aspect to what was happening with all that too plus it was good to see folks like Liz Naylor and Richard Boon in there. The extra interview excepts are very entertaining with one of Tony Wilson relating a story about Emmylou Harris that's worth hiring this for alone.

For those of you that are tracking the Eric and Amy trek across the UK, they're stopping off with Marc Riley at his 6 music show between 7 and 9 tonight. So tune in if you can. This can be done anywhere in the whole wide world (did you see what I did there?) by clicking here.

A message from Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby!

"URGENT - we need gigs in England on the weekend of December 20th and 21st. Would anyone lke to throw a house concert??!?

If you do then contact them via here.

Just pondering the past week. Having blown out the consideration of going to the movies, there's some time to lollygad. Of course there's a ton of stuff I should attend to but the King of Procrastination needs some time to do what he does best. Since this time last week I saw the Wooden Shjips make their debut mooring in the port of Glesgae and attended two shows by the inimitable Wreckless Wrigby. It was an utter gas and a privilege to have them around.

This week will be a little quieter but another diamond geezer is set for these parts. Jon Graboff will be here in his role of Cardinal this Friday at The Picturehouse in Edinburgh. Weekend after that is The Boonaraaas in "the London" and then the one after that, Springfield-er Joe Terry will be in Glasgow. That takes me into bloody December!

When everything seems like they're gonna come crashing in, "it's the little things" that matter.

I'm thinking that this schedule isn't too shabby for somebody who is way old enough to know better. Let's hear it for the power of positive thinking.

Audrey sings Nico, this coming Friday in Edinburgh...

Still pondering the Icelandic double bill this afternoon. I need to make up my mind soon, not something that I'm terribly proficient at right now.

Meanwhile, swing by rezillos.com for word on the new (download only) single and shows in December. These include a return yo the Kinema in Dunfermline.