This coming Saturday

down ol' MRC way...

Just weeks on the heels of his Glasgow Nortonthon down the road in Mono, McChuill’s was the setting for Mr D’uffs fourth annual LUX LIVES extravaganza last night.

It was a non-stop revue once things got going and this is going to be pretty tough to beat both in terms of the east coast match on March 1st and next year hitting 5. But he rises to a challenge does Colin...

At this point in time I have no recollection of what everybody did. Not because of over indulgence but just because I’m losing brain cells at a rate of knots. Los Tentakills were up first and set the bar pretty high right there with a version of "Surfin’ Bird" that rang in my ear (I was right next to the PA) for the rest of the night. Next up, the one man rockin’ machine that is The Charles Randolph Rivers Slim Rhythm Revue ixnayed a one man trawl through “Sunglasses After Dark” for a heavy skiffle crack at “Mystery Plane”.

Mondo-A-Go-Go tackled “Surfin’ Dead" and won. I can testify to that. This almost never seen combo came out of the woodwork specially for the occasion. Nice segue of “For The Love Of Ivy” into The Creeping Ivies whose short, sharp tear through 4 songs wasn’t nearly enough. They could have snuck in one of their own but they didn’t. They’re back in Glasgow on February 22nd and soon they’ll have vinyl copies of their debut album “Stay Wild” available.

Z28 bludgeoned “Potentate” in a manner not unlike Nine Pound Hammer and veered near to Van Halen here and there. Both amusing and disturbing in equal measure. The Primevals came on to some technical hiccups during a rendition of “Two Headed Dog” but were blowing a full head of steam by the time they signed of with a locomotive-injected roll that was their “Drug Train”. Hysteria wasn’t too far away by the end of that.

Up next was The Fnords but I had to go catch a train and got the one before the last one. Not quite a zoo but a pack of foul-mouthed women made it an interesting journey. You should have heard it. As limited vocabulary goes it was a humdinger especially with the added ingredient of slurred speech due to too much bevvy. Now anybody that knows me is aware that I like and partake of the vernacular often but this was off the scale unlady-like. Forget the Drug Train, this was a whole 'nother world.

So yes, mark those diaries for March 1st. I’ll link to the info as soon as it’s available. Yes I said I’d update every day and I didn’t yesterday but maybe I’ll do another later today. Then again I may get sidetracked and I’ll be gone until what passes for summer. Is there any point to this? I’m not sure.

Nearly 34 years after The Cramps performed their first show on UK soil in Glasgow, it felt bizarre to be in a packed room where everyone seemed to be getting what they were about. This felt like progress until I hit the mass night-life where the real zombies hang out. The ones that always leave their minds at home.

I took January off. At least that's how it turned out. It wasn't exactly planned but there's a lot going on. There's also a lot not going on but that's another story so maybe I'm back. Let's not get ahead of ourselves but I'm kind of determined to post at least once a day from here on in.

So enough blah, it's that time of year again and it's difficult to consider that Lux has been gone for 4 years but he has.

And there will be celebrations of his grandiosity all across the planet over the nexy few days. If you're heading for the Glasgow shindig tomorrow then I'll see you there. Event convener Mr Duff has surpassed himself so if you can get there then I'd suggest you do because as big fun on the bayou goes, this is will be a belter!

So here goes... the long threatened return to blogging (perhaps) but there’s some big news to convey of a genuinely earth-shattering event that will take place this coming Monday – 7th January.

That’s the day that The Barracudas “God Bless The 45” will “hit the stands”. Well actually it won’t - because this 3 track return to the ring isn’t available from any shops or outlets other than direct from the portals of PurePop Recordings. All the clickable bells and whistles can be accessed here and you can secure your desired number of copies from the comfort of your lair.

No having to go outside. No interaction with surly store assistants. This baby will make its way to you. As you probably understand, this is a power pop paen to the definitive format for the form. The flipside comprises “Festival Pop” and “East European Girls”.

The band also has a show at The Lexington in London on March 17th but I wouldn’t wait until then to snaffle a copy of the single. They’ll probably all be gone by then.

“Cut the crap, get to the chorus” – I second that emulsion!

The other night at The Primevals shindig at Stereo, a guy came up to me and asked me if I was familiar with them as they started their set, “What’s their best song?” I figured this was patently absurd and said to him that they don’t have a best song, they have a whole heap of them. There were a few bampots there actually but overall it was great to see such a grand turnout. They were magnificent and it wasn’t ideal that we had to leave to make sure we caught the train. Based aupon shenanigans earlier. Grand that Mr Tjolsen was able to make the scene too.

The Liberty Takers played their debut show of which I caught two songs because of the aforementioned travel blip. The Reverse Cowgirls flipped the switch up a notch and this is only the second time I’ve seen them but the cross-collateralising of a Nuggets foundation strained through a Reigning Sound rumble is a force of nature.

My intention to stop by here in recent days have come to nowt. I have one more “engagement” this evening then I’m done so maybe, just maybe things will move forward tomorrow. I have compiled a favourites of 2012 thing but I need to flesh it out.

All that remains is to say that I hope you bob into the waters of 2013 unscathed. As always, my expectations are low but that doesn’t rule out disappointment. I have a strong urge to disappear off the face of the earth – not completely, there are a handful of people I’d confide in and that might join me but that’s unlikely – but just away from the bullshit, from the prospective independence, from those that actively loathe breathing the same air. Yeah, happy new...

RIP - Fontella Bass

RIP - Gerry Anderson

RIP - Ray Collins

A lot has happened these past weeks and months and a state of flux continues to whap them curveballs in this particular direction. It’s good that it’s the holidays though. Don’t have much of a Christmas predilection but the break is very welcome at this point.

I totally missed a few RIP’s, Ed Cassidy, Mickey Baker and Ravi Shankar to name just three. I’m just pondering the significance of the fact that this time last year – well Christmas – I was dad-sitting. And my mother was whirling around like a dervish. And now neither of them is here.

In recent weeks, I’ve been to Norway twice, London and Brighton in pursuit of rock’n’roll thrills and have been unable to report on those trips but it was a real blast. This is indeed no rehearsal – so it’s time to pursue the gear that makes everything worthwhile. People and music, in that order.

It is my intention to resume normal service as we kick into 2013. Actual reality may conspire agin that but that’s the game plan. There may be other shenanigans of the positive variety too but I’m wary of building up anything too much at this point. That’s kind of the state of the nation. Maybe I’m just demob delirious at not having to go to the salt mine for a bit. Time will tell.

Right now I believe that marzipan pigs might fly and I kind of like that condition.

Whatever your persuasion, I hope you can have fun beyond the bullshit trappings. It’s the little things...

The Nortonthon in Mono, Glasgow yon Wednesday past was a hoot and a half. Even with a gouping back and the makings of the lurghi, the evening warmed the cockles of an old grinch’s heart. There have been several instances of this lately... hmmm. I wonder if there’s something to this Mayan calendar redux malarkey?

Anyway grand turnout and many weel kent faces were there to support them Millers and their empire so cruelly disfigured by that bastard hurricane or whatever it was. Who could have ever considered that a year after they threw the greatest party ever that a year later such a terrible predicament would be brought upon them. Further evidence that there is no god and - if there is, said individual (he, she, it) needs a good hard foot up the arse.

This latest of such events popping up across the planet was organised by Sir Colin Duff of this parish along with Bryan McGarvey. Excellent work kids!

As you know the Norton cause is very close to us here. I was there when it all kicked off in Berlin and in many ways it seems like yesterday. My lifelong friends have suffered a stinging setback that may have deterred lesser beings but Norton is still rolling and will continue to do so. I managed to watch the video that Miriam made once and I don’t think I’ve ever been more unsettled in my puff.

A peculiar thing happened with Fay Fife winning The Cramps CD that I donated to the raffle. Rewind back to The Rezillos returning triumphantly from NY having recorded “Can’t Stand”. They were responsible for my getting my mitts on one of the first copies of “The Way I Walk”. So I guess this squares the circle as it’s included on “File Under Sacred Music”. There’s something pretty cool about that and if there’s an entity (Mayan or otherwise) that conjures up this kinda circumstance then more please, you’ll get my vote but don’t fuck with me or mine.

Los Tentakills kicked off the night with their Leone-flavoured garage squall. Nice to finally meet Squaw Celina who along with her partner Al are largely responsible for the racket. Mr Duff has raved about them for some time and I do believe that these kids could make quite a splash if such a thing is possible in these times. See them – don’t judge them by youtube clips

Next up were those New Piccadillys. Sharp suited and tearing through a beatific serving of skiffletastic skewed merseybeat. They’ve a version of “Complete Control” that indicates the quality of the song and totally kicks Clash ass. They’re playing Tuts on January 18th so you should toddle along and see them then.

The Gus and Finn Trio continued the Lonnie Donegan flavoured proceedings with their uke arrangements of popular classics. “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” in particular is just grand. Google Gus and Finn. Discover their oeuvre for yourself. They were joined by Fay for a genuine one-off moments that only a cause like Norton could inspire. A rattle through “Destination Venus” quite unlike you’ve ever seen it before. Here’s a link to a clip that will give you an idea of how it went. It was much, much better than the quality of this might indicate.

And then we had to shoot the craw and get the last train. It was another of those George Bailey type experiences. You can never have enough of those.

The Norton campaigning continues unabated, Brother Don sent me this blurb about the SF shindig...

Hey LH -- Did I neglect to report on our local Norton thingy? Forgive me either way. It went... well I hate to say it... swimmingly. My gang, Rue '66 opened at 2:30 in the afternoon. Figuring it would be easier on everyone since it was gonna be a long day - we did a mercifully short set. Threw a new one in there... Gillian Hills's "Tut Tut Tut" and brought Cyril up for the last couple of songs: “Roller Girl” (Anna Karina) and “Huit Jours Par Semaine” (Les Beatles). Cyril took the solo on “Roller Girl” which is a Louie Louie type thing.

Next came The Dirty Robbers which is mostly The Hampton Wicks plus Steve Mackay (!) on sax. They also brought Cyril up and Steve said he remembered playing with the Groovies at the Fillmore in 1971 or whenever. These guys were great and were followed by a silly but fun burlesque act called The Devilettes, then a great surf band called The Tomorrow Men. After they were done, I went out to grab a bite and when I came back it was Overwhelming Colorfast (with CJ) and they did Freddie King's “Going Down” (Not The Dahlmanns song then?) followed by “She Said She Said” by those guys you're so fond of.

A word about Cyril's gear: Fender Twin Reverb all thru but he used 3 guitars: A Salocaster (cross between strat and tele), brand new Harmony Meteor reissue (absolutely killer!) and Gretsch Tennessee Rose. He used the latter with Colorfast and also with Roy and the Movers... “Teenage Head” and “Slow Death”. Unbelievably I had to leave before Roy's set and I also missed The Chuckleberries but I've seen them before. They nicely provided the amps and drums for all. Very good size crowd... hopefully we raised a few bucks fer Billy n' Miriam.

Photo by David Greenfield

I never saw this yet but had to post it straight away... don't forget the Glasgow Norton Benefit tonight. If you can make it then please be there!

Don’t have time to write about last Friday night right now but in the spirit of a picture painting a big bag of words then here are several millions worth.

The Fleshtones will have landed by now and will be heading for Bristol tonight.

2012 UK AND FRANCE (AND NETHERLANDS!) TOUR:

December 5: The Frathouse, Stag and Hounds, Bristol, England

December 6: The Albert, Brighton, England

December 7: The Well, Leeds, England

December 8: The Dirty Water Club @ The Shacklewell Arms, Hackney, London, England

December 9: Méphisto Pub, Saint-Quentin, France

December 10: Poppodium SuperMarkt, Den Haag, Netherlands

December 11: Le G...ibus, Paris, France

December 12: L'Autre Canal, Nancy, France

December 13: Le 106, Rouen, France

December 14: Mjc Douarnenez, Douarnenez, France

December 15: Le Stakhanov, Nantes, France

Godard on Godard! It's really happening. This Sunday, 2nd December, 8pm at the GFT. Godard's dazzling mid 60s super-coloured masterpiece, Pierrot Le Fou as selected by Vic Godard.

After the screening Stephen Pastel will host a Q&A with Vic giving consideration to the influence of Jean-Luc Godard and European Cinema on the early Subway Sect.

Pierrot le Fou: Ferdinand Griffon (Jean-Paul Belmondo) leaves behind his Parisian wife and child during a party and takes off on an adventure with Marianne Renoir (Anna Karina), the family baby-sitter with whom he had an affair five years earlier. The following morning a man is found in Marianne’s apartment with scissors sticking out of his throat…
Jean-Luc Godard, 1965 starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anna Karina and Graziella Galvani. Tickets: www.glasgowfilm.org

This is part of an amazing Vic Godard weekender, VIC.ism - http://racketracket.co.uk/music/vicism/

Saturday 1st December, 7.30pm, Stereo.

VIC.ism kicks off with a gig in which Vic and the Sexual Objects will perform Subway Sect songs.

Sunday 2nd December, 4pm, The Poetry Club.

Afternoon Tea with Vic Godard and friends – musical performances, recollections and recitations, jazz. Tea, scones and sandwiches will be served. Tickets £5 on door or £3 advance from Monorail Music / Tickets Scotland
A beautiful vintage 1960 Bedford Bus will be on hand to transport ticket holders from Monorail Music to the Poetry Club, and later, along to the GFT.
Bus timetable:
Monorail Music to The Poetry Club 3.15 and 3.45pm
The Poetry Club to the GFT 6.15 and 6.45pm
The live performances will also feature a Sound of Young Scotland mobile exhibition of photographs
taken by Harry Papadopolous. These projections will feature photos of Vic along with the Scottish
groups (Orange Juice, Josef K, Fire Engines, etc) that were inspired by seeing Subway Sect on the
White Riot tour thirty five years ago.

RIP - Larry Hagman

Mr Spence wishes to inform you about the return to Edinburgh of the 12-legged garage rock'n'roll party machine from Wigan/Liverpool that is the fantabulous SHOOK-UPS!!!! For one night only at the PARLOUR BAR, 142 Duke St., Leith. With support from Glaswegian trogglodytes, THE BRUTES.

https://www.facebook.com/shookups?sk=info

https://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-BRUTES/143472689012414?ref=ts&fref=ts

Entry is free. Drinking, dancing and jolly japes are encouraged. Music is 60s-style garage punk/R&B of a high standard. ....and you seem smart enough to know this is gonna be one damn fine night!!!

...and word-up to any rock'n'roll fanatics in the North-East! ...THE SHOOK-UPS and LES BOF! play upstairs at the Central Bar, Gateshead this Friday, 23rd Nov for free!!!! .....sounds like a bargain to Jim!

Grabbers never really grabbed me as a title and I deliberately never even watched the trailer until the screening at the Hippodrome’s Monster Day yesterday. The writer Kevin Lehane was there too and did a pre-show discussion/Q+A with Jon Melville. It suggested he has a healthy attitude to his craft and the film itself is one of the most genuinely entertaining and cool things I’ve seen in a while. He mentioned something about the main theme during the chinwag that was very funny and so true but contrary to it perhaps ruining the mood it only heightened it connecting this even more so to "Gremlins". It straddles that fine line of cool and stupid while remaining entirely engaging all the way through without ever appearing to be premeditated.

I don’t want to give anything away because this - to my mind - would appeal to the hardcore demographic of this portal entirely. Like Joe Dante directing "Rockets Galore" from a script by Graham Linehan, right down to the character Paddy who channelled Dick Miller pretty perfectly across the piece. Add a rumour of "Local Hero" and away you go. The film will have an absurdly stunted cinema release on Boxing Day here in the UK. I’m HOPING it’ll return to Bo’ness before it languishes in big telly hell on DVD so I can see it again on the big screen.

The disc will be available on December 31st. Grabbers is the antithesis of bollocks (not the Irish term of endearment) like Sk*fall and the fact that it was made at all suggests there are still surprises out there. And who in their right gourd wouldn’t want to get drunk with Garda Lisa Nolan?

All this and a Ronnie Self tune in the score. To find out which one you’ll have to see it. Or google it but fuck you if you resort to that. This is ultimately what a trip to the pictures is all about and last night we saw it in the ideal setting. Here's to the next Monster Day and all associated with it.