This has to stop...

RIP - Ellie Greenwich

Couple of things you might like to partake of while I wrestle with some level of domesticity...

Episode 1 of Ericland, the perfect companion to the latest radio show that you can access from the same portal...

Brother Don flagged this thing up and you should pay particular attention to items #35 and #36.

Sure, we could increase profits by using overseas manufacturing plants and discounted labor. But that's just not the way we do things at Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co., don'tcha know...

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27th / And the last Thursday of every month! / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan / Two exacting shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / With DJ "Son of Scratchy", salty snacks -- and no cover!

Industrially yours,
Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

My complaint today is much like other days. Not enough time coupled with a distinct fug. There's a ton of stuff to try and do, organise or otherwise and let me assure you, the art of procrastination is not "deid". Distractions are being volleyed and it doesn't take much to divert my attention from what ought to be a priority.

But anyways corrections must be made and I thank Tommy Perman of FOUND for alerting me to the fact that I got his combo mixed up with Meursault. So go back and read Sundays report again with that in mind. My apologies for the mix up or the shake up depending on how you call it. Also The Thanes will not be appearing at henry's on Thursday as previously reported and as it states on the poster outside the club. The bands you will have to run the smoke gauntlet to see are Les Bof!, The Bottleneckers and Lord Rochester. At least I got one right...

But now I must take my leave because I have to get this joint prepared for the arrival of Ms Amy Allison in the morning. Running after the last minute has elapsed as always but still, hoots will be had and fantastic new recordings will be made.

That's a stick-on certainty.

Weary would best describe my worldview today. Been doing some sums and despite from some grand plans to go and catch some of my fave acts and people across Europe, the cold hard facts present a case of a localised credit crunch. Or is it the triumvirate of snap, crackle and nae pop thrills for the time being. Still, as much as my gallivanting gas has been put on a peep there's still a lot going on around here so I shouldn't bitch and whine too loudly.

There's always someone worse off than yourself after all. Right? And the Scots might be at the arse end of the popularity stakes right now but I found it in poor taste yesterday that the leading item on the news was England winning something called "The Ashes". Then it went on to report on these terrible fires in Greece where they're not light on that particular commodity right now. Draw your own conclusion as to the inappropriateness of all that.

Ah, that's what you come here for. A little levity mixed with international comment... Oh, it's not? I must have got that wrong. Won't be the first time.

Musicwise, The Thanes and Lord Rochester appear to tearing it up at Henry's Cellar Bar in Auld Reekie on Thursday (27th). That's what it said on the poster outside.

RIP - John Carter (The Dells)

(Thanks to Ben via Staysick)

It’s all go. Being that it was kinda truncated by my lateness in dragging myself out of my scratcher. No idea when the last time that happened was and no excuses. So much to be doing and so little available in the first instance but prior to all that, here’s a report on yesterday...

Having managed to extricate myself from the bunker, I figured that I’d go and try and pick something up to send to Ben and his wife for his newly arrived twins. This didn’t prove to be as simple as was anticipated and I really don’t want to send Scots stuff that was made in China. Nothing agin the Chinese but that’s plain wrong. So I’m no further forward on that score for now, plans B and C are under consideration.

So I made my way down to the National Portrait Gallery where they’ve been having shows on a Saturday afternoon through the Festival curated to some extent by Avalanche Records of Cockburn Street. It was the launch of the new St Judes Infirmary album and Zoey Van Goey opened. Nice idea, good space and an excellent time of day to watch some music. This was borne out by the fact that there was a good crowd and even although it was free, it’s not always easy to get people along. Plus, you have to down there, I wouldn’t say that it benefits from footfall. The building is being refurbished but this was a cool idea on somebody’s part. Excellent call. See you at Withered Hand next week?

ZVG were great. Really. And charm personified with a Modern Lovers/Velvets leaning and even a version of “I’m Sticking With You”. One of the guys had a bit of the ”Rich Stim’s” about him and you can never get enough of that. Sweet, off kilter pop then and the girl, Kim has a strong folk/pop style that should get to anybody that comes into contact with them. A short sharp set that certainly left me like I could have a couple more but I guess there wasn’t time.

I’ve seen St Judes Infirmary two or three times. They did a Christmas song many moons ago that I go back to every year. It came in a handmade sleeve and hinted at some promise. This far down the line they’ve gone the route of a Nick Cave/Badalamenti/Mazzy Star. It’s very earnest and for me there’s nothing that sets it apart from so many other things. It’s not hungry and as opposed to ZVG, I was pretty glad when it was over. Nothing intrinsically wrong with it at all but familiarity with the ingredients and the fact that some of them give me gutache means that there’s nothing for me at this table.

The estimable Mr Coyle who I ran into there assures me they’ve got something and I respect his opinion. Tam is one of the good guys who has gone above and beyond for music in Scotland and further afield for eons now. We agree to disagree as he heads for Arbroath and I saunter in the direction of the book festival. A quick shifty around, I noticed that there were no copies of Tom Morton’s book there. Maybe they were sold out?

And so to Filmhouse for “Playing With The Past” which was totally sold out. I can’t get enough of these live score with images events right now and was pleased when a second chance to catch this became available. Eagleowl kicked it off and their distinctly analog take on the form sets them aside from the more electronic nature of the other two outfits. I think it was Meursault that did the accompaniment to “Camera makes Whoopee” that lost me when the “singer” sang the “credits” to that particular piece. It was a bit too Pat Kane via James Allan and I was ready to go home to be honest. It had been a long day. FOUND were pretty good in a proto-Underworld sort of way. The event on a whole was really worth a look though. Perhaps if there was a way to tighten up the changeovers then it might retain the momentum a bit better.

Hopefully, the popularity of this will make Filmhouse consider more events in a similar vein.
Being that time of the year when the transport infrastructure is shown up to be utterly hopeless, I was briefly jazzed by having caught the 11.05p train. However, it sat in the station while the Polis and station staff futzed around. It was a bit of a zoo so the great one himself knows (Ralph Kramden) knows what the next two would have been like, might find that out next weekend because at least then I’ll have someone else along for the shindig. Another full day of activities planned so stay tuned.

I need to get this place in order for the imminent arrival of an illustrious visitor from yon US of A that’s saying such nasty things about the daftest wee country in the world. “Boycott Scotland”? Did you ever hear of such a thing?? The fuds that came up with that can away and “bile their heids”. That’s “boil their heads”, incase you were wondering...

RIP - Larry Knechtel

(Thanks to Brother Don for the info)

From Lenny Helsing...

RIP – Ian Thomas

Ian Thomas, bass guitarist of mid-‘60s Australian R&B fixated beat-punks THE MISSING LINKS has died after a short illness on Monday August 17th 2009, in Phnom Penh. The ‘LINKS from Sydney were infamous for their unkempt image, unleashed on the public such truly shocking electrified punk-outs as ‘You’re Drivin’ Me Insane’, ‘Speak No Evil’ and the incredible ‘Wild About You’. The last-named gained extra punk credentials 10 years further down the road when The Saints included a version on their debut 1977 LP ‘(I’m) Stranded’.

On The Missing Links’ only LP released on Philips in early 1966 Ian would also take the lead vocal spot for a version of ‘Nervous Breakdown’ and his own great ‘Not To Bother Me’.
Originally a member of THE SHOWMEN along with wildman drummer Baden ‘Hutch’ Hutchins, the pair then hooked up with The Missing Links whose original line-up had just broken up. Ian returned to The Showmen after the new ‘Links split again a year or so later, then had a brief recording career using the name Thomas Hood.

Links’ vocalist & frontman Andy James (real name Anderson) has said that Ian Thomas was “a true original”. He certainly gave The Missing Links an extra dose of menace with his gargantuan, tough as nails bass sound.

Thanks to Beccy Connell of Australia’s Born Loser fanzine for letting me know of Ian’s demise.

Lenny Helsing

Time to take a minute to draw breath and let you know about this stuff...

Mr Percival flagged up this Telstar event taking place at the end of the month.

Sid Griffin is LIVE on the Mark Radcliffe Show this coming Monday night on BBC Radio Two at 8pm UK time talking about Neil Young's recent box set.

And more JD King!

RJaP's "100% Pot Success" is available for download now from all the places where they go in for that sort of thing... they're also heading for Oslo, Paris and somewhere in Belgium during September.

Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives honours The Ramones legacy and features many unreleased stories and photos.

Finnish journalist and Ramones webmaster Jari-Pekka Laitio Ramone’s latest Ramones book entitled Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives is the result of nearly 5 years worth of work. It is full of poignant stories that reflect what Joey Ramone (RIP 2001), Dee Dee Ramone (RIP 2002), Johnny Ramone (RIP 2004), as well as the rest of the Ramones family have impacted their fans worldwide.

Ramones: Soundtrack Of Our Lives has interviews and text written by 90 contributors and has 224 pages, and 295 photos/drawings. This book brings together the Ramones family as never before, there are interviews by every surviving Ramones member: Ramones drummers (Tommy Ramone, Marky Ramone, and Richie Ramone), bassist CJ Ramone, and Johnny Ramone's wife Linda Cummings. The introduction is written by Tommy Ramone.

Reluctant to offer fans stories which have been relayed thousands of times before, Jari-Pekka provides new information about the band. His focus is on the Ramones impact on the history of Rock N'Roll. This work is best described as a tribute book. Other Ramones publications have dwelled too much on the fights, problems and other negative aspects of the band's legacy. Lacking are the positive stories that are integral to the history. Jari-Pekka offers candid and positive opinions/stories from people who were influenced musically and inspired by the Ramones.

Contributors to include Seymour Stein (founder of Sire Records), Hilly Kristal (founder of the CBGB's club), Rodney Bingenheimer (radioDJ/ KROQ-FM) and Maria Montoya-Kaye, Walter Lure (Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, Waldos), Wayne Kramer (MC5/DKT), Andy Shernoff (The Dictators), Glen Kolotkin (producer), Noah "Noki" Citrin (an important friend to Joey in the 60's), and Bam Margera (Jackass).

It also features stories and recollections from all kinds of musicians, including Punk Legends and pioneers such as Dez Cadena (Misfits, Black Flag, DC3), Henry Rollins (Black Flag, Rollins Band), Charlie Harper (UK Subs), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Philistines), and Vinny Stigma, and Roger Miret (Agnostic Front).

Other Punk and Rock'n'Roll bands contributing are: Rob Wright (NoMeansNo and The Hanson Brothers), Andy Cairns (Therapy?), Kenny Håkansson, Nick Royale and Robban Eriksson (The Hellacopters), Bela B. (solo artist, Die Ärzte), Bumblefoot (Guns N'Roses), Happy-Tom and Euroboy (Turbonegro), Johan Blomqvist (Backyard Babies) and Tom Wisniewski (MxPx).

Also included are several Heavy Metalists recalling their reverence and love for the Ramones. Among them are Frank Watkins (Obituary and Gorgoroth), Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath), Phil Campbell (Motörhead), Jon Larsen (Volbeat), Miland "Mille" Petrozza (Kreator), and Ricky Warwick (solo artist, Almighty).

Jari-Pekka has been dedicated to running the biggest and most updated Ramones homepage since 1995 (http://ramones.kauhajoki.fi ), and has authored the books, Heaven Needed A Lead Singer: Fans Remember Joey Ramone (2002), and Rock In Peace: Dee Dee And Joey Ramone (2004).

”I am happy to get the chance to show Ramones fans lots of unreleased photos and drawings prepared exclusively for this book” Jari-Pekka Laitio Ramone states. This book has never-before-released photos and drawings by people like Jenny Lens, George DuBose, and Bobby London.

More information: http://kauhajokinyt.fi/~jplaitio/kolmoskirja.html

Interviews/ orders: jplaitio@kauhajoki.fi / http://ramones.kauhajoki.fi

I want a job coming up with this kind of tosh...

Indómitos at The Hot Club - Glasgow, tomorrow

Attention Ramones fans of Espana... A message fro the Rt. Hon. Monte Melnick via his myspace...

"I'm very happy to say my book “On The Road With The Ramones” will be out in a SPANISH EDITION. My Spanish publisher is MUNSTER RECORDS & BOOKS. The end of September I will be going to Spain to do special press events and in store book signing appearances. More information will be posted later.

AHORA EN ESPAÑOL - De Gira Con Los Ramones Esoy muy feliz de que mi libro tiene ahora una edición en español. Mi publicador en español es MUNSTER RECORDS & BOOKS.Finales de septiembre voy a ir a España hacer eventos especiales de prensa y hacer apariciones para firmar el libro en tiendas de libros finales en Septiembre. Más información sobre esto vendrá.

Rock On! Monte

Ah, best time of the week, getting home as a Friday segues into the pm. Getting to the car prior to the journey might the farthest point from Monday but I've gotten used to this arrangement of being able to take care of niggly business during this weekend add-on. Plus it's not chucking it down, probably waiting until I get 50 yards down the road but, ach - bring it the eff on!

What a difference a day makes eh? On Wednesday, Scotchland was a top place, the veritable Brigadoon. As of about 1.25pm yesterday, in a monologue resembling the faux-suspense of an X Factor final crossed with a sermon by an I.M. Jolly impersonator, Kiltland’s rep plummeted. I imagine that immigration departments across the US are ordering up boxes of rubber gloves as this is being blogged. However, sales of "kilt towels" to Libya are set to explode (I couldn't resist that). Boom Boom (Ouch...).

The only avenue left is to poke scorn at this decision as there is quite obviously some very scummy stage management going on here. I'm not sure how the Christmas shopping will be in our new best friends' country. Anybody clue us in to the price of Levi's out yonder? So Bertie Bassett Tanyergranny or whatever his name is/was (not to be confused with the liquorice allsorts guy) has left “the building”. Compassion is all very well as an idealistic theory but in the stark glare of the boom lights it doesn't play out. I really can't wait to see "The Daily Show" tonight (we get it a day late).

Still there was good news yesterday too. Ms Hazel Rigby was reunited with her stolen guitars, swiped from her place in New Orleans. Let’s hope that’s the one and only time that her space is invaded and that she goes on to have a positive association with the place from here on in. And further non-despondency, I learned today that Annika (Norlin) has a weekly column in the Stockholm "City", the twice weekly equivalent of Metro.

A cooler commentator in any language you won’t find...

Click here for clips of the CJ show from London the other night that Martin shot...

Since I got back to the bunker tonight, it's stopped raining and the daftest wee country in the world is in the full glare of the world's spotlight. Other than that, my thoughts are with those who'll be making the scene at the Roky sermon down south tonight. Look forward to hearing all about it and indeed to tomorrow because that'll mean it's the weekend. Has your (working) week been on slo-mo, or is it just me?

There never were enough hours in the day but just lately it seems like there are even less. My intention to spend less time in front of a computer has come to nowt too. Something may well be about to give and that could well be what's left of my mind. The administration of everyday life is the biggest factor of the wearing down process.

Or maybe getting bogged down in shite is a better description? Either way, I'm sure you're more than familiar with the process. Things could suck a lot more and such efficiencies are relative pipedreams along with the ongoing de-clutter.

Anyway, I have things that have to be done so I’ll leave you with a couple of things to check out. If I get things sorted then maybe there’ll be a short burst of energy later but it’s not likely. So...

The Tremolo Beer Gut is (are?) headed for Scotland in October and they’ll be tearing up Nice’n’Sleazy with Big Ned who I’d never heard of but am bloody impressed with. Not too many people can pull off such a blatant Badalamenti number on a cut called "Bad Angel". And they have a single out on Optimo too?

And this is Brother Don's hitpick, from his v. own stomping ground of San Fran. Such a cool city that Hello Saferide wrote a song about it... anyways The Invisible Cities do the Flamin' Groovies "You Tore Me Down". See what you reckon...