At the end of the last episode, you'll remember that your reporter was not in the frame of mind to go to the big rock show. I've seen The Supersuckers a bunch of times, as it happens on occasions I didn't remember until my memory was jogged. They're a great band. Not as Eddie kept telling us, "the greatest rock'n'roll band in the world" but capable of opening a can of whupass when called upon. They've been hauling this particular circus around for two decades now and I'm wondering if Mr Spaghetti is sponsored by Gilleys? How many of those t-shirts does he have exactly? Anyway, you get what they give and the sound last night was horrendous. Worst I ever heard in a place where it's generally good. I have it on legit authority that it was the same in Malmo but that's another story.
Had never seen Nashville Pussy but was always underwhelmed with the records. Nine Pound Hammer on the other hand is something I'll never tire of, because they have songs. "This one is about going down" said Blaine C. "Not again" was what crossed my mind. It's all so 1974, but not in a good way. True, you wouldn't fancy the bass player in Black Oak Arkansas but they had hot and nasty down pat. (Of course, I'm talking about myself here, maybe YOU would and that's your beeswax.) I really wanted to be convinced otherwise but it fell a bit flat. A cover of Slade's "Why Why Why" raised the game slightly but by that time, it was too late. NP could be great with a little calibration but I doubt that's ever gonna happen
The addition of another opener was a mistake too because that was beyond awful. It's time the "rock show" as an art form - cut to the chase. Stop fannying about and give us your best 35 minutes. Leave us wanting more for fucks sake, not wishing it was over. Make us believe. It's like people will whoop and holler for anything at this point if it makes them feel like they've had their moneys worth. I saw a guy wearing a leather jacket with Forbidden Dimension on the back. That was pretty cool and there was a girl with some very impressive tattoo work standing just to the left of me at one point. Those shouldn't have been the highlights but they were.
If only Mr McLean's fb message had come in just a few minutes earlier yesterday evening...
THIS JUST IN...
Mr Duff informed me that Roky is playing in London at the HMV Forum (formerly T&C and most recently, Kentish Town Forum) on August 20th and also that the Shjips are at The Borderline the night before. Anybody know who RKE’s band will be?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Forget the special RSD releases of retread Stooges/MC5 and whatever, the big item of the day has to be Wooden Shjips "Dos" complete with mix cd compiled by the band. The roots of the Shjips are definitely showing on this limited edition. Vinyl is two weeks away but from what I could see, this was doing brisk business meantime. Not sure if the comp cd will be accompanying that. Probably not.Anyway, I think that the leaking of this particular release didn't result in sinking sales. Anybody who heard it was babbling uncontrollably about how damn great it is. Track 5, "Fallin'" is quite simply the most hypnotic groove that I've come across in many moons.
Not much info on the packaging. Once again it's the music itself that's doing the talking. If you're in the market for some space rock with a bite then this is your "man" - man. And I use that term as a greeting to all and every gender. Peace? That's a different story, this is anything but peaceful but the perfect Neu/Suicide melding with a "dusting" (yo Tarq!) of Iron Butterfly, has kind of blown my napper innards. (S)h(j)ips don't lie...
I don't completely agree with this review but infowise it has a neat tempo.
"Muchas garcias" to for Dr H who made it possible to hear this several weeks ago.
Another day, another ISP hassle. No blueyonder this morning but waht's the point of getting agitated. Plenty time for that later as the realisation of burning a weeks holiday kicks in.
Record Store Day was a hit in terms of the social aspect. I'll reserve my more cynical take on it all because even although every day is RSD for some people, it did stir up some very good vibes. I particularly applaud the "home baking" aspect and Katrina Pastel in particular for the scrumdiddleyumptious cheese sticks! I saw a couple of guys from a new signing - The Virgins - at Avalanche. Do the kids really want a new Doobie Brothers? Probably not.
The big story of the day though had nothing to do with RSD really. It involved the Boyle phenomenon that is seemingly sweeping the earth. True story, you couldn't make it up. A whole lot of you guys are familiar with the Rt Hon. Stewart Cruickshank, and you know his standing in the community not only locally but globally. So 10 years ago, the intrepid and selfless Captain Krunch finds himself in Whitburn Town Hall (look it up) judging a talent show. That was the self-same competition that resulted in this "Cry Me A River" track that's turned up. So there you go - the one and only Stewart Cruickshank gazumped Cowell by several light years.
The situation this woman finds herself in will hopefully provide her with the wherewithall to want for nothing anymore. the way her business has been dragged through te neighbourhood, she deserves it. Don't give me that crap about her sounding like Peggy Lee - she sounds like Lena Martell and I guess that she's taking one day at a time right about now. And it's true, she doesn't look anything like Julie London but as Jaki McDougall rightly pointed out, that's what wee wifie's from that part of the world look like.
Irrespective of the freakshow aspect, there's a John Waters factor here. Ultimately it doesn't matter what her background. Whitburn has been twinned with Baltimore by the sickness of this trumped up version of The Gong Show.
The Sexual Objects played as a duo at Mono and the Tyrannosaurus Rex vs Alex Harvey boded well for a full on electric assault. Would love to have stayed for Peter Parker, soundcheck was great but it had been a long, very cool shift. It's not often that you bump into a guy who's a mate of the great Roger Armstrong that you can reminisce about "Rock On" with.
At this point, I'm pondering whether to go to The Supersuckers/Nashville Pussy show. Not sure.
Elsewhere in Glasgow - Camera Obscura have an album launch in Mono tonight. They're not playing but the considerable djing skills of Traceyanne Campbell and Carey lander will be on display.
Record Store Day was a hit in terms of the social aspect. I'll reserve my more cynical take on it all because even although every day is RSD for some people, it did stir up some very good vibes. I particularly applaud the "home baking" aspect and Katrina Pastel in particular for the scrumdiddleyumptious cheese sticks! I saw a couple of guys from a new signing - The Virgins - at Avalanche. Do the kids really want a new Doobie Brothers? Probably not.
The big story of the day though had nothing to do with RSD really. It involved the Boyle phenomenon that is seemingly sweeping the earth. True story, you couldn't make it up. A whole lot of you guys are familiar with the Rt Hon. Stewart Cruickshank, and you know his standing in the community not only locally but globally. So 10 years ago, the intrepid and selfless Captain Krunch finds himself in Whitburn Town Hall (look it up) judging a talent show. That was the self-same competition that resulted in this "Cry Me A River" track that's turned up. So there you go - the one and only Stewart Cruickshank gazumped Cowell by several light years.
The situation this woman finds herself in will hopefully provide her with the wherewithall to want for nothing anymore. the way her business has been dragged through te neighbourhood, she deserves it. Don't give me that crap about her sounding like Peggy Lee - she sounds like Lena Martell and I guess that she's taking one day at a time right about now. And it's true, she doesn't look anything like Julie London but as Jaki McDougall rightly pointed out, that's what wee wifie's from that part of the world look like.
Irrespective of the freakshow aspect, there's a John Waters factor here. Ultimately it doesn't matter what her background. Whitburn has been twinned with Baltimore by the sickness of this trumped up version of The Gong Show.
The Sexual Objects played as a duo at Mono and the Tyrannosaurus Rex vs Alex Harvey boded well for a full on electric assault. Would love to have stayed for Peter Parker, soundcheck was great but it had been a long, very cool shift. It's not often that you bump into a guy who's a mate of the great Roger Armstrong that you can reminisce about "Rock On" with.
At this point, I'm pondering whether to go to The Supersuckers/Nashville Pussy show. Not sure.
Elsewhere in Glasgow - Camera Obscura have an album launch in Mono tonight. They're not playing but the considerable djing skills of Traceyanne Campbell and Carey lander will be on display.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
It's Record Store Day then... I had a thought, maybe there are some of you folks that don't have access to a real shop. It's pretty sick but I know that's a possibility. I'm not sure what the "limited" aspect of these special releases are but if there's anything you need then let me know before 10am (GMT) and I'll do what I can to hook you up. "Dos" by Wooden Shjips is to be made available today so I'm hoping to come back with that. OK, back at you much later...
Don't bother with the Susan Boyle 7" though. They're all sold out already...
Friday, April 17, 2009
"Malcolm Tucker" onstage in Glasgow, February 2nd 1979.
No idea who took the shot...
... anyway, the subject's new film is out in cinemas today!
It’s been quite the week for anniversaries of people shuffling off this mortal coil.
Wednesday it was 8 years without Joey (Ramone), Thursday it was Johnny Thunders (18 years!) and today, it’s exactly a year since the great Chris Gaffney went to the great roadhouse. 49 today since Eddie Cochran. It occurs to me that this is worth mentioning...
Some shows this weekend...Firstly, Shock and Awe in Edinburgh tonight.
"the world famous shock and awe are playing at henrys tonight - at the moment its a bit uncertain whether we're playing with our stand in drummer Barry Ands or our stand in drum machine Debbie Suicide, or you if you fancy it ! either way its going to be different from the gig we played the other week Either way we are on at 9pm sharp, so plenty time for a pint and a chat after - henrys cellar bar, morrison street at the lothian road end, I'll probably be playing my silver sparkly guitar because I broke my other one while kicking it round the stage the other week also performing tonight in a ear pleasing punk rock new wave frenzy are THE AXIDENTS + PLASTIC ADULTS + CHATEAU GREYSKULL + UGLY BABY so 5 bands for 5 quid and a free cd from me if you want onesee ye there ? Cheers, Murray"
Girls on Top in London and a reminder that The Phobics are in action dahn there also...Tom, you want to take it from here?
"Call yourself my mates? - Further to my earlier begging missive, I STILL have tickets for our gig at the Dirty South in Lee High Road this coming Saturday 18th April and they are slower moving than the veg in a kebab. Come on guys and gals, 4 bands plus us for six quid - a recap - You will be entertained by: CATFIGHT / WONK UNIT / THE PHOBICS and THE BERMONDSEY JOYRIDERS featuring Garry Lammin from Cock Sparrer and Keith Boyce from The Heavy Metal Kids and - playing a rare London gig - PETER AND THE TEST TUBE BABIES. (Haud me back! - ha ha) Doors open at 7:30pm is and the bar is open til 2am so come early, stay late and spend Sunday saying hello to God on the big white telephone - you know it makes sense - It'll cost more on the door so act now save money and help the desperate old punk rockers - it's the gift that keeps on giving!! Thank you for your kind indulgence. TIGHTWADS!"
If you need to get in touch with Tom to take up his kind offer then do so via The Phobics myspace.
Record Store Day Happenings here and there…
Reverse the trend of driving the record stores into extinction. Stay the fuck away from your iPod or whatever on Saturday April 18th. Embrace the concept of leaving your billet and visit a record store. Here’s an example of what’s happening but if you go to the RSD website then you can zoom in on what’s happening near you.
I’ve already heard griping about it being an opportunity for record companies to cash in by releasing special items. Wake up you diddies! – there’s a full blown crisis going on. In these times, when the populace is more likely to vote for a crap singer or some drongo that puts their pants on their head during a so called reality TV show (because it's in the script) – instead of who runs the country then y’know, that concerns me a little.
Listen to what Joni said. “You never know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”. I think that was a prediction of what might happen if the record stores vamoose.
So in Glasgow for starters…
Monorail Music just had a big Norton Records trove arrive…
Sir Sandy McLean in The Herald today on the subject with details of wha’appen in Dundas Street.
Avalanche Glasgow schedule for the day (could be subject to chopping and changing over the course)...
FRAN SCHOPPLER : 1PM
ROSS CLARK: 1:30
DANANANAKROYD DJ SET: 2 PM
THE VIRGINS: 3 PM
WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS: 3;45
VERTICAL BUTLER SCHEME: 4:30
THE BRAKES: 5 PM
ALISTAIR ROBERTS 5:30
In Stockholm – A Rawk slant at Sound Pollution!
In Rochester, NY – New Math Now are doing an instore at Record Archive!
I bet that Plato in Utrecht are doing something and don’t forget the big bash that’s going down at the Record Fair there on behalf of NederGlam!!
If anything particularly tasty rolls in then I’ll post that later. If you want to blab anything special that’s going down on your watch, then send an e-holler. Operators are standing by...
With all the reportage of the vinyl single reaching a ripe old age recently and the fact that sales of these things are up, let's just keep these "special editions" out of the hands of the tossers that are out to fleece you on ebay. Let's flush those blighters out of the system. Re-live the days when you used to spend that well-earned pocket money on a shiny black thing that would provide hours of repeated pleasure.
Something you had to interact with that wasn't a mobile phone. It may take some convalescence but you can do it!
This just in from Mr McLean... (click on image to enlarge).
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Ahoy there Frat-friends!
There's 60s Shenanigans all weekend (17th - 19th April) down on the Good Ship Corrine/Ferry Station Cafe (opposite Watershed) in Bristol. On Saturday - there's The Deltics, Magic Tractor and musical fun galore up on deck during the day. The evening moves indoors where you can enjoy 60s Garage band The BRUTES, all the way from Glasgow for one show.
Plus a fine selection of Bristol DJs spinning 60s Soul, Psych, R&B, Rock'n'Roll, Go-Go and more!........... 8pm till late.
Oh and it will all be broadcast live on Radio Corrine!!
Hope you can make it along for this cosy nautical shindig!
EMPRESS OF FUR and The LA STOOGES at the Lava Lounge on 18th April! A night of drinkin' yellin' and shakin' in tribute to Lux Interior and Ron Asheton...EMPRESS OF FUR - Playing a special one-off Cramps-heavy set!
THE L.A. STOOGES - The best Leicester area all Stooges band!
Pay your respects between 9pm-3am.
Only £1.99 entry! Firebug Bar, Millstone Lane, Leicester, United Kingdom
Wednesday night at The Cathouse in Glasgow, believe me - it’s not a lot like its LA namesake.
But needs must and MC Lars is in town and, despite having at least 10 years on the character he raps about in “Signing Emo”, that’s where the scene required to be made. When I got there the first band was on. Apparently called Track 9 they looked about my nephew Jamie’s age. They weren’t bad and if they muzzle their bass player and nail him down they might even go on to better things. The synth sound definitely set them apart from their ilk and I’m definitely not in their target demographic.
Next were Failsafe which is a terrible name on the face of it. However there’s a notion of prog to their sound that makes it almost acceptable. If the energy they expend could be harnessed then a small power station could easily be run from that. If Rage Agin Thon Machine had Bruce Dickinson on vocals, they might sound like this. This is the sound of the generation gap. The kids seemed to like it and I wanted to scream “Turn It Down”. In fact I was – in my head. Eventually they relented and they stopped…
…for a break, because they were Lars backing band… Which worked better for me it has to be said. Does this hip hop thing work live then? Yes it does. Even in the face of some technical problems. Lars came on dressed in an Aquabats costume and tore through a set of what should be big hit singles. If there were still such a thing. I have to deduct points for the non-appearance of “Hipster Girl” but by the time he got to “This Gigantic Robot Kills”, the show was in the bag.
I’m not sure if its just a little too savvy to go global but the audience here tonight were verging on ballistic. A small moshpit erupted next to the auld bloke during “Hot Topic (is Not Punk Rock)”. If we had that store here then maybe it would make more sense to the potential listener. We do have similar things here, the biggest being Camden market in “the London” of course.
And last but least longest, The Aquabats bounded on and for 25 minutes they could have been the best band on earth. Their Ed Wood meets Hanna Barbera schtick coupled with the Dickies via Devo with hints of ska was incredibly good natured and well, just plain fun. Why then did they need to burst that bubble with some toe curling “comedy”?
Talk about killing the buzz. We left and went for chips. The end.
Rather than cut and paste the extensive new NORTON NEWS parrot fashion, click this link, select that item from the menu and blast off into that whole 'nother world. It's all laid out pretty with sleeve art. etc.
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