Though I’m not a great believer in “daylight savings”, it’s un-naturally dark in the mornings at the moment. The hour back ain’t so bad for however many days it makes a difference for but I sure grudge being cheated when the clocks go forward again. Maybe it’s an age thing but I find myself operating at peculiar hours of the day. I used to like the darkness but have to say that, these days, I prefer the light, Lucifer not withstanding.

And I never did get to meet Brendan Mullen. The man behind the Masque and mucho else LA punk rock and beyond. I did fairly recently reacquaint him with Mr Arnoff though. Bit of a shocker to hear of his exit this morning as I was browsing the interweb when I should have been thinking about getting out of the door. My condolences to his friends and family at this time.

As part of my cyber-slimming exercise, I’m unsubscribing from a ton of mailing lists. This will hopefully mean less flab or spam or whatever they’re calling it now. Less useless information is the spin that I’m putting on this latest initiative. Another possibility is to be posting here less often but we’ll see how that goes. I fear that might be along the lines of my “100 items” pipedream.

But there’s still important info to impart. I’d forgotten about this Ghoulardi doc that Ben flagged up on Staysick and it’s being reported that Buddy Bradley and Co are headed for TV?!

I’m wondering why it’s taken so long...

RIP - Brendan Mullen

(info via T Tex Edwards)

RIP - Richard "Dickie" Peterson (Blue Cheer)

Info from Mark Pyskoty via facebook.

It was an eventful few days then. That being that events were attended, not that anything life-changing actually took place other than the fact that stuff that might have been attended to wasn't. The Hot Rods show was pretty great last night and well attended. There was a sociological aspect to it all but hey, Falkirk on a Sunday night with Monday morning on its tail. What can I tell you? Murray sent me a link to a recording of “Do Anything You Wanna Do” from The Citrus Club, Edinburgh on Saturday. Go grab it.

Having OD’d on all that culture, the heid has been a bit woozy today. I’m saying that’s the cause, it probably isn’t at all but I can’t blame it on overindulgence in either alcohol or some exotic narcotic. Just auld age and my coping mechanism of passing out in front of the TV around 8pm of yer average evening kicking my arse.

Looking at last week’s stats, it suggests it was the second highest ever. Just 50 behind the week that Lux passed away. In mentioning that, if anyone is planning any kind of celebration on October 21st then let me know and I’ll pass the word on. With regard to the “viewing figures”. If they are indeed kosher then maybe there was a plug someplace that escalated the visitor traffic. Anyway, thanks and happy trails however the heck you ended up here.

Kjell hepped me to these. I don't think any other explanation is necessary.





Thankyou - goodnight - interwebland!

If you’re in Glasgow, or visiting, then you have to check out the new Trongate 103 facility. They did a great job of creating a base for every facet of the arts. With the exception of a “music” space maybe but the city has plenty of those already. Street Level Photoworks, Project Ability and the Transmission Gallery are just three of the spaces that exist within this newly opened complex.

With the demise of “The Lighthouse”, it was interesting to even feel how much more welcoming T103 is compared with there. I always felt like an invader the few times I went in there.

The event itself was very well attended and brought home to me how much I’m interested in dialogue where culture is concerned these days. Joe Boyd has been affiliated with many happening artists, no more so than The Incredible String Band, who I never got and don’t to this day. That said, it’s great to hear discussion about how such an act affected those who did find an in to appreciate them. And how the influence bleeds into what is happening now. Bruce Findlay’s recollection of the old shop and his first two customers was priceless. All the more so because the gentlemen concerned were there, maybe you can take a guess at their identities?

Another discussion with Jim Haynes, Barry Miles and Jenny Fabian is scheduled for next Saturday between 2pm and 5pm.

And in the wee hours of this morning, insomnia provided a window to watch this great David Simon interview that JD King flagged up a week or two ago. If you haven’t had the chance to catch him in person anyplace, then this is the next best thing.

It’s just gotten light and 'tis therefore time to go get some supplies. The plans I’ve been hatching for today since 5am are already becoming psychologically unravelled but let’s see what happens... Eddie and the Hot Rods tonight is set in stone though. The former ISB labelmates are at Behind The Wall in Falkirk, not a venue synonymous with yer rock'n'roll but just 3 earth miles from The Bunker.

Time to deal with some random stuff here...

I know some of you are sick to death of hearing about The Stooges but this is a great piece. Thanks to Tom and Randy for bringing it to my attention.

They may be bringing the beat to Europe but those kids at Norton checked in with this...

Greetings, Nortonians!

New Fall releases are almost upon us!

Covers for all the new loot n' booty at http://www.nortonville.blogspot.com

Do not miss this news.. our biggest motherlode to date! We are super glad to announce some of the coolest sounds ever set to wax, all from KIM FOWLEY's cranium! Dig a double dose of his rarest and earliest tracks with ONE MAN'S GARBAGE and its bookend ANOTHER MAN'S GOLD, a killer pair (LP AND CD) that will whack you upside the noggin in case you've been dozing and have forgotten to write Kim a letter lately. Do it!

We've got three volumes on LP and CD of SUN RA's early Chicago-era vocal group recordings, including a mess of unished mayhem and an entire set of Muck Muck YOCHANAN and other delights. Copious notes from Arkesta trapsman Michael D. Anderson and the Norton crew, fastidious transfers and mastering, and beauteous packages make these an essential trio for all.

Dig also a superb seven inch spoken word 45 RPM single of Sun Ra!

Kids, the TANDOORI KNIGHTS, the hot n' spicy new stars from Canada have joined the roster, too. Pick up their 45, and also the hitbound JACKIE AND THE CEDRICS 45 Tall Dark Stranger and the A-BONES historically correct Shallow Grave!

Big Big news is that Norton is home to two of our favorite albums ever by our beloved FLAMIN' GROOVIES! Yes, the bigwigs at Sony/BMG have licensed FLAMINGO and TEENAGE HEAD to Norton for footlong release! Hell has frozen over (what, again)! Check the fans attack circa 1978 kicks at kicksville66.blogspot.com! So if you're still wedged into your chair, please take a moment to take a sip of that Diet Coke on the coffee table because we have more news!

KICKS BOOKS has announced a paperback line with the first one due with our wax stacks! See it at at http://www.kicksbooks.com and check back for the whole ballyhoo, up by Monday Oct 5... it's called SWEETS by Andre Williams and it will blow a hole in your gourd, to put it sedately. So, now have we left anything out? Halloween shoppers at the WFMU fair, and ye in the hinterlands, ought to pick up goodie bag essentials like the new adhesive back iron-on patches (yes, we will have an ironing board at the WFMU fair to iron a patch where you need it. We can also iron your hair and unwarp your wax wares.)

And if you need an official Norton Records bag for ya goodies ("Buy 'Em By The Sack!"), pick up the boss new Norton Records canvas LP totes - two styles so people know who they're dealing with when you ring their doorbell and demand Snickers and Mentos. Dig order info and more ballyhoos and know that ship date is Nov. 3 for all the bash-ola that previews at the WFMU fair! Ready now? A-one, a-two... GO TAKE A SNEAK PEEK NOW

soon on the website, too.

Chuck Berry, with support from The Jim Jones Revue, at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on November 23rd. And just £45 + booking fee per ticket. He's having a fucking laugh but not at my expense. Unless of course, The Skeletons are his backing combo. Then I'll pay.

Actually there's more and I can't find it. My desktop is like the bottom of the proverbial budgie's cage. Thanks for your continued support of this disarray.

I’d never been at a show in the revamped Caley cinema, now rechristened The Picturehouse. Had a wee peek in when Mr Graboff was here last December but wasn’t at a show in there since probably The Scientists/Sisters of Mercy – whenever the heck that was?

Word on the pavie has been that the sound in there was a bit guff but not last night. Nope. Got down there a little after 7 and made a pitstop at Filmhouse because the doors weren’t open. My understanding was that St. Deluxe would be on at 7.25pm. Nope. Turns out it was more like 10 minutes early so we only caught three of their agreeable squalls. If they can get the kids to connect then they could do pretty good.

Was never a fan of The Vaselines until the “Dum Dum” album came out and they split shortly afterwards. So I never saw them before but on last night’s showing, it’s been my loss. Augmented by a 1990, the great Stevie Jackson and a bass player I recognised but couldn’t place – they blitzed through a highly entertaining selection. Frances and Eugene trading banter with each other and the crowd. I’d almost go so far as to describe it as charming. And nowhere near as puerile as I figured it might be. My good mate Peter Tjolsen will be smiling and thinking “told you so” right about now. In short, these kids did great. Guess I was wrong. Again.

And Mudhoney – 21 years + since that Eurodebut in Berlin and I haven’t been in an Edinburgh audience that “up for it” in a very long time. There was a genuine crackle of electricity and anticipation, the kind of which is generally lacking in this commoditised world. And by this time the band has quite the catalogue to draw from and they do. The thing about these guys is that it all seems so effortless. To my mind, they are to The Stooges what the Hellacopters were to the MC5. They made it directly possible for Iggy to hotwire his old compadres and most importantly make new generations care. It’s when you see a display like this that you figure there might just be hope for this hoary old rock’n’roll after all.

It’s a pleasure to see a band that has kept doing their thing on THEIR terms. There were a lot of youngsters there who quite patently hadn’t seen the band before and were going ballistic. There’s something to there being some time between shows. This isn’t a cash hoover that comes around every 6 months after all. They were good at ATP a couple or 3 years ago but last night was a cut above.

As memory circuits crash and burn, I think that a lot of people will recall last night’s show as a highpoint of their time here on Planet Earth. It never flagged for a second.

My thanks to Mark and Kelly. Also to “Orange Slice (Leafy Green). Grand job fellas.

A hot tip for the wee small hours from Seth Gordon...

I am experiencing some general electronic turbulence this fine Friday afternoon. Pain in the proverbial arse but I don't have time to let it rain on the general parade. meanwhile, I need to hep you to this... happening in Glasgow tomorrow...

Joe Boyd and Bruce Findlay in discussion with John Cavanagh

I’m trying to balance between answering mail, etc and my curfew and making quite the hash of it. October is flashing past and maybe I’ll relent on Saturday and try to catch up some more.

Anyway, as mentioned yesterday – here’s Lenny’s account of his sojourn close to the Thames last week. Seems like those of us who weren’t there missed out on a very groovy thing.

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Mott The Hoople - Hammersmith Apollo October 1st 2009

This was the first time I’d ever seen Mott The Hoople and also my first time at the Hammersmith Apollo (that used to be the old Odeon). Would have loved to have seen them back in the day but was just that little bit too young and didn’t have hip enough parents who would’ve taken me to a Mott show. From ‘Honaloochie Boogie’ onwards I was a fan of their records, tv appearances and the pictures I saw in pop magazines.

Despite the thirty-five year gap since the original line-up played together, this was always gonna be something incredibly special to witness. Not only that but this was also the first of the five gigs. There were even folks at the t-shirt stall and in the bar who said they’d flown in from all over Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA. Wow!

The intro tape played ‘Jupiter’ from the Planets Suite - which apparently was their intro music since '72 or so (thanks to Kris Needs' online Shindig review for sorting that one out, as I thought it was something like the music added to William Blake's ‘Jerusalem’ poem ha ha) and a huge roar greeted Ian Hunter, Mick Ralphs, Overend Watts, Verden Allen, and Martin Chambers - the Pretenders’ drummer who is helping them out due to original drummer Buffin’s frail health. Opening with the Mott album’s Dylanesque slowy ‘Hymn For The Dudes’ set the scene perfectly before changing up a gear into ‘Rock’N’Roll Queen’. After their take of the Velvets’ ‘Sweet Jane’ and the yikes-here-comes-Bad Company-just-around-the-corner hard riff of the mighty ‘One Of The Boys’, it soon became clear that this was something altogether truly great, inevitably woolly and totally wild…all of that and more!

Some unexpected greats too like ‘Sucker’, ‘Ready For Love’, ‘Angeline’ and the heavy stomp of the Hoople album’s ‘Born Late ‘58’ where Watts and Hunter swapped instruments, Overend (in eye-catching white shoes and other loud apparel) took lead vocal. As great as all these songs are, they were always gonna pale a little in stark comparison – electrifyingly so – to the sheer ferocity of attitude and content unleashed in ‘The Moon Upstairs’, that killa dilla cut from their ‘71 Brain Capers platter. This was a pretty deadly rendering for sure with all the elements in place that made / make MTH one of the best rock groups Britain has ever produced. Watts’ thundering bass lines, Hunter’s pre-punk, pure punk vocal sentiment, Mick Ralphs’ incisive main riff and cool economic wailing (read non-noodling) lead and, forget us we not, Verden Allen’s most excellent screeching and skronking via his vintage Hammond complete with a couple o' weighty Leslie speakers. Loved the way Watts was prowling around in front of the monitors like he's really missing being up there on his stage.

This last few minutes of pure unmitigated rock mania led into a quieter, sit-down Mott The (folk) Hoople style interlude, where the Wildlife LP cut ‘The Original Mixed-Up Kid’ and Mott’s ‘I Wish I Was Your Mother’ sat side by side, played out relaxingly on mandolins and a funny wee toy-like keyboard. We were also treated to rousing versions of ‘The Golden Age Of Rock’N’Roll’, 'The Ballad Of Mott', ‘Walking With A Mountain’ and even a minute or so of Dylan’s ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ which was then roughly pushed aside to make way for one of their most endearing ballads, ‘The Journey’.

Fairly rushing along but nonetheless still magical, were interpretations of two of their biggest chart hits ‘Honaloochie Boogie’, and ‘All The Way From The Memphis’. The former’s ‘well I got this friend and he’s a screwdriver-jiver … spider west-sider…’ vocal interjections performed by Hoople’s original pre-Hunter lead vocalist (then given the task of being the group's road manager) Stan Tippins. Woulda been extra extra super zingy had Roxy Music’s Andy Mackay jumped out of nowhere for the sax solo but alas ‘twas not to be… The group’s backing vocalists were also kept in the family and included Ian’s son Jessie, and Mick’s son Jim.

Then it all got really moving with many eyes welling up and a quite a few gasps being emitted, at the site of a pretty frail looking Buffin being led onto the stage. “Terence Dale Griffin - ladies and gentlemen", Hunter informed us, "Buffin over there on the drums…we’ve got the five now” and in faultless unison with Martin Chambers, the mighty Buff bashed his way through ’73 smash hit ‘Roll Away The Stone’. Hunter’s youngest daughter Tracy provided the ‘I got my invite’…and ‘oh will do’ backing vocal responses. With Buffin still there, it was time for the one tune that allowed them in the first place to go from underground raw ‘n dirty rock’n’roll heroes to being a group who slipped into let's say, a more mainstream pop profile. After initially calling it quits back in ‘72‘, yes of course it’s the Bowie-penned and produced classic teenage riot affair, ‘All The Young Dudes’. Mick Ralphs hit a couple of squalling clunkers here but I wouldn’t’ve had it any other way. Very cool, natural and unstudied. Little Richard’s relentless rocker ‘Keep-A-Knockin’, always one of their stage faves back in the day followed and they were gone.

After a few minutes rest, and much baying from the crowd, the group, minus Buffin sadly – but at least he’d done his bit for the big Mott dream – came back on for a sensational ‘Saturday Gigs’, its ‘goo-ood byyye goo-ood byyye’ finale lending itself well to the ending of what was a thoroughly smoking, not to mention a truly mesmerising display. Age/schmage, this gang was pretty spry and seriously up for it. In the words shouted by a fan as soon as the group took the stage, Mott the fucking Hoople! Thanks for a great trip guys.

Lenny Helsing

RIP - Shelby Singleton

A colleague sent me this link today and it quite accurately reflects my own current dilemma. My own particular situation is entirely of my own making. I realise that and take full(ish) responsibility. The vicelike headache that wiped out yesterday evening is gone for the meantime. I’m sure it’ll be back but for now things seem to be OK. I’ve been thinking a lot about the 100 item scenario lately. Every time that I try to retrieve an album, cd, book or whatever. Where the hell did all that stuff come from anyway?

It seems like a lot of us are reaching this so-called tipping point lately. I have been giving stuff away but nothing like what I need to. I mentioned the 100 items program before. It was suggested to me by Ulf Lindqvist many moons ago and I really wish I’d taken heed. It involves exactly that number of a certain commodity. If you want to have something new then one of the others has to go. Pretty simple yet so, so hard.

Actually not so hard for movies because I’d always rather go to a theatre these days. The few that I go to are virtual idylls. But music and books and posters and magazines and… well, I’m learning that maybe I can let these things go. With NFS, WFMU and Wreckless Wradio just for starters, I can hear old and new audio sustenance without physically owning a jot. That is pretty appealing. Maybe mp3’s aren’t so bad at all but accessing quality files from a giant global jukebox that accounted directly to the artists/labels would be even better.

There are also individual acts that I’d be happy to subscribe to so they can continue with their art. One thing that’s for sure is that the landfill aspect will have to be bounced. This may cause problems for manufacturers who rely on hungry consumerism but I’ve done my bit and I want off the bus. Prior to it careering over the cliff if possible.

I might be back later, then again maybe not. The A-Bones are in Paris and I'm not there which is a major bummer where my radar is concerned. I'm off into Edinburgh to meet a guy I first saw play in Berlin, October 1988 that the aforementioned Mr Lindqvist attended also. So on that symmetrical note, I'll leave you.

Mr Helsing has kindly supplied a Mott report - anybody got any photos I could run alongside it?

I saw this in a store the other day and noticed it had a chapter on The Dictators and The Runaways. Didn't have a spare 20 quid to score it though.

This post is going to be very short because my head is bursting.

You may care to head over to the Wreckless Wradio page because there's a new show up. Bound to be a beezer!

I was thinking that I might go and donate blood tonight. It’s something that I try to do on a regular basis but I don’t care for the venue that they use here . Also, in recent times I’ve gone to both Glasgow and Edinburgh to do the business, tying it in with other activities there. So I’m not sure if I’ll relent and attend locally or not. This is a common trait (with me) these days. Not being able to make a decision and to stick to it. On top of that, everywhere you go there are people sneezing and coughing or even both at the same time and worse. I don’t want to get any of these viruses that are doing the rounds. Swine oriented or otherwise but my fellow travellers on this bullshit exercise would appear to be eager to share.

At this point in time, I'm still waiting on fate to point me in the right direction. Methinks there's still a fair old wad of indecision to manoeuvered yet...

It's been a day of mixed fortunes. Great to see The Wanderers/Warriors double feature picture show draw a crowd. Events prior where I attempted to "shop" and also afterwards when yours truly got caught in a monsoonlike cloudburst on the way to getting the train weren't quite as entertaining.

In addition, it took an hour to make a 24 minute journey home so at this point, my intention to come in, make something to eat and get another couple of reviews in - ain't happening. Good old Scotrail or whatever they call themselves and their track maintenance makes travelling on a Sunday a total pain in the arse. Whimpering babies installed in carriages at no additional tarriff to the ticket price...

Here are a couple of Boonaraaa flyers for upcoming shows in France, so you lucky blighters out yonder take note.

























Time to pass out in front of the TV then methinks... thanks for tuning in.

The wonky road of musical appreciation has never been more twisty and turny than it is right now. With the appetite for back catalogue the way it is, there’s precious little that isn’t available. Strangely though, it’s taken to until now for Roy Loney’s post-Groovies gear with The Phantom Movers to become available, at least officially. Which seems odd because certainly the Solid Smoke EP and album are fine, fine examples of a guy and his band just letting fly. The way only Roy knows how. Raven Records of Australia have seen fit to brandish this material on a compact disc-shaped document entitled “A Hundred Miles An Hour 1978 – 1989”.

These 28 tracks includes all of “Out After Dark” except strangely the version of “Rockin’ in The Graveyard” and “Trophy”. There’s nothing from “Contents Under Pressure” either. Still, the upside is that it’s all primo Loney that runs up to Norton's “Scientific Bombs Away”. His recent reunion with Cyril Jordan have been joyous celebrations of the healing powers of yer real rock’n’roll. It’s a pleasure to see this guy in action and if you haven’t been able to do that then at least now you can hear a bit more without having to scour ebay or wherever. Icing on the cake is Dave Laing’s liner notes, he’s a guy that knows a thing or three about this kinda hooch.

And with the weather acting up the way it is, more music of the type that satisfies like a hearty casserole is in order and that’s where the Young Fresh Fellows “I Don’t Think This Is” comes in. I first wrote about these guys in something like 1985 or something like that. They’ve been in hibernation but have awoken and mean business like always. “Betty Let The Good Times Crawl” is that rare thing in these faux detail times. This Rock & Roll Inc. version of the album is different from the Yep Roc release, "I Think This Is". Consult the websites for details, that's what those links are for.

“New Day I Hate” could be The Fastbacks and should really get the kids from Spain working up a sweat during the upcoming shows out yonder. The Fellows are archetypal exponents of fine pop music, purveyors of the meatiest beats and swingin-est tunes available in this of pre-packaged 21st century. It’s impossible not to have a dirty big grin plastered across your face when you’re listening to them. I imagine that seeing them play might just be too much for anyone with a dicky ticker. I’m wondering if “The Final Tractor” is any relation to “The Final Taxi” right about now as I know these folks have played with Mr Eric Goulden during his forays into the Pacific Northwest.

Robyn Hitchcock has prepared a perfect power popping crunch and twang marinade. “Lay You In The Ground” sounds like something The Nomads might like to tackle. “If You Believe In Cleveland” is a hymn to an oft-maligned state that’s given us some seriously great art over the years. The Young Fresh Fellows may not be so youthful at this juncture but they’ll show just about any, no make that any, combo of lesser years a clean pair of heels. These fellows are sounding fresh alright. You can take that in the old fashioned sense or the hippity hop appropriation. It’s all good. Wonder if they’ll do “Teengenerate” live?

Back down under for a cracking little 3 track limited edition (of 500) taster EP by Penny Ikinger entitled “Fragile”. Ms I’s credentials put her in the antipodean rock first division. The sitar-centric, Traffic-like take on “All Tomorrows Parties” gives the song a crucial twist out with the generally faithful boundaries that a cover would usually take. Ron Peno’s duet on “Memories Remain” are a wee bit Nick Cave-like but once you hear it a couple of times, that’s not a problem. I’m not a Cave fan so it might just be me.

The title song is not unlike The Hummingbirds with some serious rock action squalling through and around the basic classic chassis. Kylie goes Magic Dirt even. Penny should have someone present it as something to consider for the next album by Ms Minogue. She must be in the market for a good tune that could reinvent her, right?

Just don’t let the manky street preachers anywhere near it and we're sorted.

The A-Bones are headed for Europe!

Ah Friday. The weather may have taken a decided turn for the stinky and technology may well be kicking my arse but such is the price for relative “freedom”. Heard the Mott show was a doozy last night and look forward to being able to post a firsthand report in due course. Provided this thing keeps working o' course.

Under the circumstances, this could also cause a demand for the tribute combo – Nott the Hoople to read the boards again? Not sure how the next couple of days are going to play out. And, Eddie and the Hot Rods are playing Behind The Wall in Falkirk on Sunday October 11th. That should be interesting. Thanks to Murray for the heads up.

At this point I'm going to fire up the gramophone and see where that takes me.