The Ronnie Spector show in Edinburgh at The Picturehouse next Saturday (11th) is cancelled.

The London shows at The Jazz Cafe are still on though.

Fatboy are back with another instalment of premier twang that would immediately be right at home on the True Blood soundtrack. They’re capable of doing bad things to you but with the best of intentions. Entitled “Overdrive”, there is no Bachman or Turner but plenty rockabilly thrills.

It’s not easy to evoke a tangible mix of The Mavericks and The Cramps with shades of Isaak and Orbison. The songs are great and their sense of dynamic sets them apart from most every team of roots rock weirdoes. On the surface it all seems very traditional but there’s a three dimensionalness that breathes fresh life into their swingin’ rattle and roll.

The title cut builds on the notion of Deep Purple’s "Highway Star" as cut at Sun. The opener “Bad News From Pretty Red Lips” is something that Lux could have sung and would be easy to compare to Jace Everett’s TV theme. What I like about Fatboy is that they don’t operate in a claustrophobic pigeonhole. They’re kind of combo that should be on (inter)national TV, cutting a swathe outside of the Jools Holland clique. “What Would Elvis Do?” they ask, well it occurs to me that he might want to jump on stage and join in. A concise 10 songs , in – out and a fair amount of shakin’ it all about with a side of panache.


That brings me to a guy who might just be Scotland’s best kept secret, Mr John Miller. There are a number of individuals from up this way that seem to have a higher profile but in my opinion aren’t fit to be mentioned in the same sentence. So I won’t. “Still Carrying A Flame” is the latest by this onetime Radio Sweetheart, abetted by his Country Casuals and the first release by Charles Staines’ Folk’n’Western Recording Co. imprint.

It seems like a lifetime ago that Sid Griffin and I were standing watching The Sweethearts in Glasgow’s King Tuts. They were playing “Living Without You” and this was a song so potent that it had to have been a cover. But it wasn’t. Incidentally, this set features a revisited version of “Take Me Back To San Francisco” another song by John’s old combo. He is also accompanied here by his old amigo, the ubiquitous Sir Francis of Macdonald.

Contagious country that takes the odd foray into the outskirts of western swing then, in addition to tidy songs, John’s voice is a vital component. He’s a veritable Don Gibson and I think that “Take It From Someone Who Knows” could sit nicely on roots radio alongside “Sea Of Heartbreak”. These tunes tug on the old ticker pretty darn good. One thing’s for sure, this guy deserves to a be a lot more famous than he is. When those galoots that think they can write come to their senses then they might yet beat a path to John’s door. I sure hope so. And I really wish he’d cut a definitive version of “Living Without You” because the Swing Set version is good but this is still an anthem in waiting in the opinion of these ears.

The Stooges are playing the Evolution Weekender in Newcastle Upon Tyne, May 28th 2011. (Thanks to Rob for the heads up, I imagine some of you will be keen to attend?)

The increased hit rate might be down to the launch of the heinous talent contest that continues to take our name in vain. Whatever. I’m more perturbed about the snow business debacle and hope this taste of true winter might abate until mid-January or something. I’ve spent 8 hours over the past few days digging the car out and by this time tomorrow I might even be able to get it out of the drive. If not then I’m likely to be going no place fast. Or wait, I’m already on that road and don’t exactly relish the reminder.

Anyway, I’m trying to keep moving for fear of seizing up. Not being used to manual labour – I’m feeling the strain from shovelling snow. Makes a change from what I usually use that kind of implement for but not my pastime of choice however, needs must. During daylight hours tomorrow, I hope to be writing about music while listening to it, something of a novelty in recent times.

On an art kick, a friend directed me to the work of Ken Bastard. I’d seen his stuff before in Juxtapoz because I recognised the Pete Townshend piece but I hadn’t seen the Johnny Ramone painting. In addition to musicians, he does a nice line in twisted – many with a smoking bent.

More tomorrow – if I don’t get up from here then I’m likely to require surgical removal from the chair.

Hmmmm, strange that November should be the highest hit rate ever and possibly the least activity-wise for me. The reasons for this are varied and not about to be dragged through this particular neighbourhood. Inclination is another aspect, the nights have fair dawn in to the point that it’s pitch fucking black when I leave the bunker and pfb’er when I return. Generally spark out in front of the idiot box by 8pm til about 11pm and then I can’t sleep so a rather irritating cycle is taking place.

I don’t remember snow this bad since about December 1979. It was rough last year around Christmas but this takes the cake. Compared to other countries it’s nothing but this one just isn’t prepared and never will be. This morning I got out of my drive and immediately got stuck. If it wasn’t for a neighbour and a taxi driver then I’d possibly still be there. This is the earliest period of disruption in my living memory and it’s causing a considerable amount of heartache. Wonder if there’s a way to claim against the council for not providing adequate services?

The economic situation is bad enough but what if a person has had to drop wages because the country is so poorly equipped that it can’t keep things moving?

For instance, Sweden gets many more times the pummelling and things keep rolling. As of this point tonight, Central Scotland is pretty much goosed. Expectations fully delivered.

RIP - Leslie Nielsen

Just the job for a cold winters morning...

My processor can't handle this but maybe you have the technology...

Hey All,

Before we all split for drinking and food comas I wanted to make sure you heard about our rock and roll documentary New Garage Explosion!!: In Love With These Times. It's now online at VBS.

Watch New Garage Explosion: In Love With These Times

Here's a brief description:

After a brief nod to garage's humble beginnings amongst American youth in Detroit during the 1960s and its contribution and influence on '80s punk, the documentary focuses on the scintillating present. As it pans trans-nationally, the camera profiles artists like the late Jay Reatard, Black Lips, The Dirtbombs, Thee Oh Sees, Smith Westerns, Vivian Girls and many more in an attempt to understand not only the exponential ascent of garage rock's popularity but the reason these people feel so passionately about it. A wide-eyed glimpse into a musical movement, New Garage Explosion: In Love With These Times is as much about the music as it is about the people contributing to the distinct scenes of the San Francisco, Oakland, Detroit, New York, Memphis, Atlanta, and Portland garage communities.

New Garage Explosion!!: In Love With These Times is a gritty cross section of one of rock's most exciting subgenres, garage. It will run as three parts over the next three days and then will stream in it's entirety on Thursday the 25th.

VBS directors Joseph Patel and Aaron Brown worked with producer/journalist Mike McGonigal to offer a particularly in depth examination of a multi-dimensional and often misunderstood slice of popular culture unfolding in front of us. New Garage Explosion: In Love With These Times is a candid snapshot of this magically vibrant moment in rock history, inspirational and brimming with DIY purity and is sponsored by Scion AV.

Thanks!
Rory , Vice Media

RIP - Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson

(Thanks to Dr H for the link)

Friday again and the festering season is almost upon us. Bit of tumult going on around these parts but it goes with the territory. It’s (Black Friday) Record Store Day in the USA and there’s a Roky Erickson and the Black Angels DVD/Vinyl release to mark the occasion. Bunch of other stuff too, no doubt the scumsuckers are up and about early hovering up these items to hop them up via a certain interweb auction conglom. That aspect stinks as I have touched upon before.

Listen, I haven’t dumped the Mojo's yet but will definitely be doing so this weekend if no one wants them. If you have a wants list then let me know. They’re yours for the postage. I’m thinking the Zigzag's might be next up for getting rid and I really don’t want those to end up in a bale someplace. It makes me a little sad to do this but “there are nae pockets in a shroud” as they say. I might go the ebay route with some stuff but I kind of hate that now after run-ins with the kind of trolls that inhabit that particular universe.

Pretty certain you’re all familiar with them.

Hello,

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Monorail Film Club this Sunday features Tim Hunter's cult thriller, River's Edge. River's Edge is a story of blank youth and confused morality set in a drab looking Sacramento suburb. It features an incredible barnstorming performance from Crispin Glover (playing lead over Keanu Reeves!), Dennis Hopper, and music from Slayer and The Wipers. It will be introduced by Mark 'Horror' Hiller.

As ever we recommend booking tickets in advance from the box office on 0141 332 6535.

River's Edge
Tim Hunter, US, 1986

GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow G3 6RB @ 7.30pm

RIP - Ingrid Pitt

As a died in the wool info junkie, the experiment of trying to process less of that particular drug isn’t having the life-affirming effect that one might have expected. And as for spending that time wisely then that’s simply never come to pass. I have started on the bunker improvements though so I imagine the heid nip of that is a substitute of sorts. It takes SO DAMN long to get stuff done. A staunch believer in sensory gratification should have options, right?

Did take some time out yesterday though, to catch the first two-thirds of The Millennium Trilogy at GFT. The six hour shift of a Sunday afternoon was a good investment (I think) and primes me to catch the final third this coming weekend. Probably.

I’m a little sick of the interweb. Nothing updates quick enough and even the BBC seems to be sluggish. My inability to function in terms of being able to write reviews or just compile a simple post isn’t terribly up to snuff either. I do lapse in and out of a feeling of guilt if that’s any consolation? Better out than in, right?

Peter B. Kaufman was kind enough to send me the link to this and from there I found the Amy/Eric clip. I'm very privileged to be able to call three of these performer's friends. These videos really brought that home to me.



The guitar in this is heartbreaking... nice one Young Eck!

Another facebook tip, I forgot all about this...

Via Christer Warholm on facebook... quite the rabbithole of clips on the sidebar too...



and Mr Percival flagged this one up...

I didn't make it out the other night but Murray did so here's his report...

First up in Henry's, The Murderburgers - if you like your pop punk like Screeching Weasel then go no further, you dont need to hear these songs twice to like 'em, tighter than my bosses wallet on a night out and all the usual lyrical ingredients.

Second on is a last minute addition to the bill of the world famous Shock And Awe with Paul Research - Robert King was meant to have been the secret special guest, a little live practice for them both before the xmas bash at the picture house, but he's been sick all week. So it becomes jazz night with one song featuring one chord and one lyric "why dont you kiss me" and sounding like something stolen from the stooges when ron and james were both in the band then up steps the legendary Paul Research for a hugely extended version of "yesterdays kids" complete with sax and an improvised jam through the velvet undergrounds "what goes on" with the lyrics stuck up on the wall - they treat playing music like kids playing in the playground, its all about having fun for themselves and its infectious

Next up its The Plimptons who'd originally booked the gig as an album launch night and its difficult to know where to look, a non stop skattish soundtrack where everybody moves and every available mic in the house is used. I couldnt make out the words and wondered if the songs would be more fun or just more annoying if I heard them on cd. They'd forgot to bring them anyway ....

Coming in at the very last minute were SPECTORBULLETS, they'd played a showcase gig in Edinburgh at the voodoo rooms already on tuesday and for Swedish singer Gustaf Heden this was a late night alcohol laced party. Theres something about them that remind me of Mike Watts old band fIREHOSE and I loved them. off kilter song structures, full scale drumming, guitar and bass following their own paths in unusual ways. And the singings got that same sort of tone. This maybe makes them sound like a difficult band to get into, but their not. Gustaf was in full on rock and roll front man mode which I personally found entertaining and thats the reason I go to gigs and seldom listen to music in the house these days.