Captain Joss has provided the following info for your edification. Or edju-macation even....

Noo Yoik Dolls live & on fillum at Meltdown!

"OK, so I've always maintained that Stephen Patrick Morrissey should've been shot in the back of the head after completing woik on his New York Dolls tome (as should've Crapton, after exiting The Yardbirds, but I digress ...). Nonetheless, he remains an innerestin' cove, even if his records have always sucked a weenie (figuratively, and probably literally) - see that quite charming TV doc on him aired a coupla months ago, and recent hilarious innerviews in Grauniad/NME etc for proof of puddin' type stuff ... And anyone who's that obsessed with Diana Dors gets my vote (including PJ Proby) ...

Anyhoo, the time has finally arrived for SPM to fulfill his original destiny, and pay due respects to the band who Creem's readers once voted best AND worst of the year. Yes, peoples, I'm talkin' about those New York Dolls! With Johnny & Jerry pushing up daisies, it's left to the infatigable Sylvian, chief drongo Johansen, and a surprising still respiratin' Arthur Kane (who's now apparently living in Beverly Hills - how??? Dunno!) to do the honours, along wid onetime Axel 'dick' Rose stooge Izzy Stradlin (no' funny then, or now) and Libertines sticksman Gary Powell. Well, whaddya expect, Killer Kane's Beverly Hills neighbour Steve Jones and his old mucker Paul Cook? Well, yes, actually ... No, don't cry ...

There's also gonna be a fillum nite showing of BOB GRUEN's celluloid guff, including a "never before seen" 'Dolls documentary, and the Lipstick Killers flick used to innntroduce the band at their Valentine's Day Massacre show of 1974, plus Live At Max's '76 ... Weeeeeee! So it runs down like this (straight off'a the press release):

Wednesday 16 June at 7.45pm, Queen Elizabeth Hall. Tickets £8 THE FILMS OF BOB GRUEN

Friday 18 June at 8.00pm, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets £22.50 - £25 THE NEW YORK DOLLS

Tickets onsale April 29th: 08703 808 300 www.rfh.org.uk/meltdown

BTW, it's a salute utilisin' big saggy tits to Iggy & The Stooges, as they couldn't be arsed to do a stand-alone show in the UK! And their tight schedule don't allow public pressure to dictate that they play one, neither ... Fuck them ClearChannel folks! Anyway, they're doing Berlin and France, so get yer asses over the water ...

If you wanna meet before the Gruen or 'Dolls shingdiggeries, I'll be in the bar (prayin' to Sam Phillips) ..."

Selah

Joss Hutton

Woke up this morning, more bloody e-mail problems. However, The Rev Dan Penniman would like a word...

Hey Mortals,
A surprise Venus Ray show for you, and a special hot tip – advance notice of Meltdown booking, so you can snap up some Dolls tickets before all those other saps...
Happy dialling, Dan xx

Tuesday 11th May
Venus Ray and Bikini Atoll play The Comedy in Piccadilly
7 Oxendon Street, Piccadilly, London SW1Y 4EE
Enquiries: 020 7839 7261 Box Office: 020 7839 7261
A Pennyblack Music presentation. www.indiemusic.co.uk Tickets £t.b.c.

And on Friday tickets go on sale at the Royal Festival Hall for an intriguing but probably misguided reincarnation of the New York Dolls, and (perhaps a safer bet) an evening of film, including the legendary “Lipstick Killers” and an unseen Dolls documentary. Call 08703 808 300 or book at http://www.rfh.org.uk

Wednesday 16th June
Queen Elizabeth Hall 7.45pm
“New York Rock n Roll”
The Films of Bob Gruen. New York Dolls film premiere and more

Friday 18th June
Royal Festival Hall 8pm
New York Dolls + James Maker with Noko 440

Sunday 20th June
Royal Festival Hall 7.45pm
Nancy Sinatra + guests

Saturday June 5th
The Borderline
Vic Goddard and Subway Sect + Venus Ray
Orange Yard, off Manette St, W1
Admission £7.00 Advance Tickets from the Borderline: 020 7534 6970
www.borderline.co.uk , Ticketmaster, or at The Astoria box office

Amen to that brother. It seems like the Franzies are perfectly level-headed people but keep their putrid weedy angular guitar tripe the heck away from me. That's not too much to ask, right? Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday to us...

Has it really been a year already?. Heck, it still feels like we've just started!.
Anyways, I still consider it an honour to be contributing to this here version of the ol' NBT. Bein' a long time, and avid, reader of Lindsay's printed wares over the years, and generally thinkin' nothin' but good about the man's taste, it still feels kinda weird sharin' the same stage, but what the hey...
The past 12 months saw a great deal of change in my life, not just turning 40, but becomin' a dad as well. But one thing sure hasn't changed; and that's the search for what Lindsay calls "the real stuff". Whatever it bein' food, wine, books, "art" or, yes, rock & roll, there's an ongoing quest for the undiluted, the kinda stuff that ain't watered down for mass consumption. I'd like to think of the NBT as the r'n'r version of the slowfood movement, that opposes the decline of our taste buds c/o Burger King and McDonalds and pointing out the, hopefully, obvious fact that there is more to life than the choice between a Whopper and a Big Mac. Just like there's an alternative to listenin' to Robbie Williams, Kings Of Leon or Franz Ferdinand....

So, I guess this internut THING is a year old tomorrow but I doubt that I'd get around to doing this then so forgive me for being a few hours premature. I like to be early for things, it's a vice of mine. Time is marching by for sure... A big round of whatever they're having then for Jeroen and Steve for keeping it all on the rails. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't be doing this if it hadn't been for their kick-start and invaluable technicianship. I raise my glass also to our friends and regular visitors who stop by to check it all out. My ramblings of late probably instigate some head scratching. Of course, compared to the day to day shit that some people are dragged through - my situation is somewhat self ordained - but I'll be working on that, through that, whatever it takes to get on to the next season. If you have a mind to, then help us make this into THE one stop place for the real stuff. A place to get in, find the info and scoot. Just the facts, as Joe Friday preferred 'em.
The beat goes on and may you never, not ever, lose it...

Enter the world of THE GEATOR...

Great RAY CONDO obit by CARL WILSON.

Photo from Maximum Ink

Norton Records releases for May:

Nervous Norvus - Stone Age Woo CD.
Massive first time collection of the stone age gristle of musical genius Jimmy Drake a/k/a Nervous Norvus! Includes privately pressed platters, demos and unissued melloroonie masters, all kibble kobblin' their way into the unsuspecting ears of the universe and beyond! Giant bio booklet filled with clips, snips, facts and photos make this an essential addition to every wild dog's collection. Be Zorch, Daddy-O... GO APE!

Fort Worth Teen Scene LP/CD vol. 1-3.
Gigundo wrap up of 1964-1967 Texas garage whomp from Fort Worth, based on Larry Harrison and David Campbell’s landmark article in KICKS #4. Includes famed five star killers by the Elite, Jades, Larry and the Blue Notes, rare uncomped singles by the Gnats, Mistakes, Jack and the Rippers plus unished rawness from the Barons, Rising Suns, Mods and much, much, mo’! Brutal sound, full color label shots, gatefold LP’s and detailed bios and photos of the groups that made up one of America’s most intense garage scenes ever! All this plus two photos of the Slobs!

Johnny Burnette Crazy Date & Wampus Cat LPs.
is pair of Norton LP-only releases delivers 36 unreleased 1957-60 rock n’ roll demos-- 27 on vinyl for the very first time! Includes the original demos of Believe What You Say and It’s Late, both smash hits for Ricky Nelson! Johnny was striving for commercial success but was still aflame with his native Memphis rhythm. Essential longplay enjoyment!

Gene Vincent Sounds Like Gene Vincent & Crazy Times LPs.

Triumphs - Surfside Date (EP-104) Surfside Date/Susie In My Hist’ry Class/Surfside Slave/Memphis Baby Dig the razzamatazz of Wisconsin’s answer to Gregory Dee and the Avanties! Crazed ‘64 single plus unished pair!

Randy Alvey & the Green Fuz - Green Fuz/There Is A Land (45-115) Legendary mega-rare crude Texas garage lament on fuzzy green wax with first time re-ish of tormentuously essential flip! Interview with Randy on bio-sleeve!

Jukebox 45s: Botumles Pit - 13 Stories High/Rising Suns – I’m Blue. Raw Texas garage double scorcher! Ultra rare GRAVE blast topside paves the loud way for the unissued flip from our FORT WORTH TEEN SCENE set!. KAI RAY - I Want Some Of That/Trashman’s Blues. Immortal lunatic ode by Minneapolis bird dance kult king and inker of Trashmen’s New Generation! By the way, the T-Men copped their moniker from the flipside!.

Rolling Stones tribute series: A-Bones - Miss Amanda Jones/Rotting Stumps - My Obsession. Talk about a Boogers Banquet! Topside’s the first new A-Bones recording in ten years! The magnificent Rotting Stumps (man)handle the B-deck in rip roarin’ style! Two over the top BETWEEN THE BUTTONS hammerings!. Andre Williams and The A-Bones - The Spider And The Fly/Greasy Chickens - Andre’s Blues. Dig the Rolling Stones greasy grind favorite Spider And The Fly once Andre grabs hold of it! Keith Richards recently picked Jail bait as one of his all time favorites and Andre tips the pimp hat back at him here! Speakin’ of paying homage, the Greasy Chickens honor Mr. Rhythm with Andrew’s Blues, a reworking of the Stones X-rated classic!. 5.6.7.8’S - 19th Nervous Breakdown/Church Keys - Who’s Driving Your Plane?. Tokyo’s frantic femmes make a quick return to Norton wax with a manic reading of one of the Stones’ finest hours! On the flip, an old boozy Stones b-side reaches new blood alcohol levels in the hands of Brooklyn beat butchers, the Church Keys!. Greenhornes - Sad Day/Shams - Under My Thumb. It’s a Cincinnati slugfest! Internationally established hooligans the Green-hornes give a sorely overlooked early Stones nugget a stompin’ three chord rebirth! Thee Shams deliver a prime pounder outta their five star repertoire!.

Attention Canadian Readers! (Thanks to Tina Cooper for the heads up)



GOLDIROCKS is premiering in Toronto Thursday May 27 at the Varsity (by special invite) followed by a big rock and roll party at Lee's Palace.

THE PARTY IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Bands: Tijuana Bibles, The Chickens and Wayne Omaha (featuring one of the stoner guys from the film) will all play sets at the party AND... TEENAGE HEAD with guest singers FROM THE MOVIE - Sasha Ormond (GOLDI) will sing Let's Shake, Greg LeGros (MILES), Paula Tiberius (director of Goldirocks and guitarist of Sticky Rice), Robin Black, Dave Robinson (Chickens), John Borra - and hopefully Moe Berg and Ian Blurton schedules permitting.

The party will also serve as a CD release party for the official Goldirocks soundtrack which will be in stores across Canada (distrib: Maple Nationwide) May 25. It's 22 tracks of pure gold, baby! (distribution for the cd in the US is by Cobracide) Theatrical run of Goldirocks begins in Toronto Friday May 28th at The Carlton Cinema. It is especially important for people to go out that weekend as ticket sales that first weekend determine the run of Goldirocks in Toronto, and influence theatres in other cities as well. Goldirocks will be opening in other cities across Canada soon.

It's a great wee film. Support it already!

Looking forward to hearing the brand new AMY RIGBY composition, "DANCING WITH JOEY RAMONE". Word on the bush telegraph is that it's a cracker! They should have her perform it at Joe's Birthday Bash!!

OK folks let's get this show on the road. Onward and wherever the hell it takes us. When Frank Macdonald sent me some info on a band called THE THINGS from Dublin, I followed it up (Thanks Ruairi). After all, I've never been able to resist a combo that had a logo with a Famous Monsters-esque font. Apparently they've been doing demos for Sony UK but don't hold that agin them. They have energy to spare and are only wee. Their high octane garage-ing is spirited to be sure but I'm not sure if it's ready to be spread via a major corporation. They might wanna bone it up so it really splits some skullage some way down the line. On a more poptastic line, BRONCO BULLFROG have made an album which recalls Teenage Fanclub and The Autumn Leaves in equal measure. "WHAT PEOPLE DID BEFORE TV" is out now on REV-OLA and it's a slab of solid ent if I ever came across one. "The Savage Beat of THE SCREAMING TRIBESMEN" on SHOCK is a collection of all the bands recorded work and some live action on one of those cd things. As some of you will know "Igloo" is one of the finest 45's ever cut so if you don't got that then it's worth the price of admission alone. These Aussies are in a class of their own, always were and will be. Another country that knows what it's about when it comes to shakin' it is Sweden and CAPTAIN MURPHY are winging it aboot like the proverbial polaroid piccy. Their debut album has been produced by the great Chips K and therefore you just know its gotta swing because that guy has got the chops. The garage disease continues to sweep the globe. When THE CHESTERFIELD KINGS appear in the greatest programme on TV (The Sopranos, you twonk!) then maybe, just maybe mind, there's hope. But then again...
One other thing that flagged up some optimism was Fran Lisco's post (Reply #70) on the Muscletone website with regard to MC5/ATT. Much sense was spoken with regard to the film and beyond. This lassie knows what she's talkin' 'bout.

The wonders of technology: a Ramones Name Generator.

The Master Plan were invited to play at a wedding reception in Mexico over the Easter Weekend. Follow the link to the Dictators website for a couple a shots of the band enjoying the sun.

If things`seem rather slow 'round here, I can at least offer an explanation on my part as some kinda virus took hold of my pc in an ungaurded moment and completely wrecked the thing. In the mean time I have to make due with the wife's laptop...

RIP: Phyllis Dillon. Details are sketchy but it seems the Jamaican singer lost her battle against cancer last week in a NYC hospital. Not that it matters much, but her take on 'Perfidia' has been a long time fave of both Alice 'n me...

Hip new web-zine: Terminal Boredom.

The No-Goods - Hits Uit Het Noorden (Kuriosa 10"LP).
It seems like a good year for Dutch bands putting out cool 10" discs; first the Sack-O'-Woes (mentioned somewhere below), and now these guys. The No-Goods hail from Meppel (don't ask) and, after a couple o' CDs that didn't make any waves, put out a great 45 out last year. With this tho' it seems they're intend on claimin' pole position in the Dutch garage band stakes. If you're in anyway as much into Nederbiet as you should be, these are your guys. Forget the dull-beyond-words Waistcoats, the No-Goods deliver a sound that's somewhere halway 'between the Medway delta and age-old Op-Art 45s, not mere copyin' tho', but real inspiration.
(Available via Soundflat)

So long RAY CONDO. ERic (Mr. Rock-n-Roll) supplied this obit from Velvet Rope.com,

"It is with great regret that his close friends must report the sudden death of Rock and Roll legend Ray Condo. Ray was found dead in his apartment in Vancouver, April 15 from an apparent heart attack.

Ray did not have any immediate family but did have a family of friends that cared for him dearly; this family stretched around the world.

Ray had recently returned to an active music career after a three year break during which he worked for the Canadian National Railways. Ray was Canada's representative at the many international festivals he played and was preparing to tour the US, Europe and Australia this coming summer. His recent shows (including a sold out show in Los Angeles at the Derby) had shown Ray to be in fine form.

Ray became a country and rockabilly singer through the back door of punk, playing in Vancouver's The Secret V's. Exposure to the Cramps led him to revisit his Elvis roots and in 1984 he formed Ray Condo & The Hardrock Goners in Montreal. The group quickly became Canada's premier rockabilly act. Ray moved back to Vancouver in 1994, forming Ray Condo & The Ricochets, whose mix of western swing, rockabilly and jazz delighted fans around the world.

At the time of his death, Ray Condo was in the process of building a new group and sound with longtime guitar player Stephen Nikleva and fellow music veteran Ian Tiles. Ray was optimistic, and looking forward to the future. He will be sorely missed.

Edited by Gigliamo (04/19/04 05:50 PM)

I'm having a little trouble with the "Travis Bickle" in me. I've often been ready to snap but can't recall it ever being as bad as this. Not in a long, long while anyway. The logistical day to day operations are further hampered by the post office alleging to get "effcient" on our ass by making one delivery per day and shutting the collection office in the afternoon. In addition, they're eroding the morale of their staff and consigning a once flagship system to the dumper along with their service. I know that elsewhere, particularly in the US - people will say so what's wrong with that? It's like the hamburger to steak analogy, I dunno what that'd translate into for veggies but work with me on this willya? Another "institution", the trains now have to contend with barriers at the Glasgow and Edinburgh stations and that means that the already overcrowded, under-carriaged trains take longer to unload their cargo into the station. These London-style ticket barriers can't clear the folk like their English cousins and it's snarl up city. Nothing is easy, nothing flows and I can't be arsed with it. Things used to be better (didn't they?). Back when the scum hadn't seemed to have inherited the earth and infected every fibre of our being. Everything is so undernourished. I don't want to be a person like other people. I reserve the right not to have my back pissed up under the auspices that it might be raining and I won't. This may mean that soon, I never leave the house again but that doesn't sound too bad to me let me tell ya. I'm fast approaching the advanced "shut-in" stage and the thought divnae fill me with dread.