Sunday, May 16, 2004
Barracudas (with Chris Wilson) this Friday in London.
Just to let you know that The Barracudas are playing on Friday 21st of May at The Dirty Water Club in London. Chris will be playing more than just an encore this time...
Just to let you know that The Barracudas are playing on Friday 21st of May at The Dirty Water Club in London. Chris will be playing more than just an encore this time...
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Friday, May 14, 2004
Hey, the brand new, tres sharp lookin' STAR SPANGLES site is all systems go. Pledge yer allegience and if you're in the hood, scoot to the Mercury Lounge in NY on May 20th.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Uh oh, have any of you been experiencing e-grief on the mail front this past couple of days. Both here and at work servers have been up and dying or worse. Then I schlepp into the old blog thing here and they've been mucking about with the way you post etc. but I think I'm down with it now. I'm going to be somewhat outta the loop from tomorrow until approx. May 27th or thereabouts. Meanwhile Brother Joss weighs in with this public service info...
"Stronger Than Dirt - Or, How To Clean Yer Dirty Rekkids With Good Old Soap & Water!"
Frustrated by that awesome 45 you ordered from the US of A, which turned out to be filthier than your bestest drinkin' buddy's sexual fantasies? Nabbed an outrageously kool disc at a charity/thrift store, but it's got cat sick all over it? Lovingly deposited fingerprints and snot on yer fave blast from the past? Don't wanna buy or can't afford one o'them spiffy rekkid cleaning machines? Have no fear, Dr Rekkid is 'ere!
I've used the same simple rekkid cleaning method for years, often to rescue discs which are virtually unplayable (from accumulated storage dirt/grease, fingerprints, fluff in the grooves or just plain gobs of muck), and have had absolutely NO problems whatsoever, from a storage stability, cleaning medium residue or deteriorating sound quality POV. Obviously, 45s are easier to clean with this method than LPs (which can be unwieldy!), but having compared the results between using this and a £1,000 record cleaning machine, I'd go for the sink everytime! The only things I've had probs with are UK red label Atlantic 45s, which stain your fingers a nasty shade of crimson! Obviously, this method won't work if you've got long fingernails or hands textured like a bricklayer's!
You will need:
A new/non-gritty bar of good quality, perfume/conditioner-free pure vegetable soap A small/forceful flow of cold water (i.e. a faucet or tap!) A freshly laundered linen dishcloth/tea towel/glasscloth (must be pure linen, because of the lack of 'nap' on the surface of the towel) A flat surface Two hands
1) Clean your hands thoroughly, using the soap, paying close
attention to the tips of the fingers.
2) Lay the linen towel out on a handy flat & stable surface.
3) Grab 45/LP with yer left paw, by the label/edge, and wet the first side under a reasonable flow from the cold faucet.
4) Making sure that the surface of the vinyl is still wet/holding water, rub the fingers of your right hand across the soap, collecting enuff to make a small amount of 'slip' on yer digits, i.e. a visible amount of soap without lumps or smears.
5) Lay your fingers flat across the width of the vinyl, and move them towards yourself (clockwise, following the grooves!), as you slowly rotate the vinyl anti-clockwise, making sure you clean the whole width of the record.
6) Don't let the record dry out with soap on it! Add a smidge more water / soap as required!
7) After you've gone right around the record half a dozen times or so, paying particular attention to really mucky spots, turn the faucet on full and, holding the record at approx 45 degrees, angle it into the water stream, moving the vinyl up and down across the grooves, while turning it slowly anti-clockwise. Repeat for the second side, and then give both a another swoosh under the water, just to remove any dirt contamination from side one to two.
8) Shake the record to revove any large droplets of water, and check for soap residue (there shouldn't be any).
9) Lay the record on the linen towel and, using the ends of your fingers spread on the label, turn gently clockwise. Repeat for the other side, then move the record to a dry part of the towel and repeat on both sides.
10) When dry, wipe with your desired de-fluffing device/set your record brush up, then play!
Joss "Freezing fingers / clean vinyl" Hutton "
"Stronger Than Dirt - Or, How To Clean Yer Dirty Rekkids With Good Old Soap & Water!"
Frustrated by that awesome 45 you ordered from the US of A, which turned out to be filthier than your bestest drinkin' buddy's sexual fantasies? Nabbed an outrageously kool disc at a charity/thrift store, but it's got cat sick all over it? Lovingly deposited fingerprints and snot on yer fave blast from the past? Don't wanna buy or can't afford one o'them spiffy rekkid cleaning machines? Have no fear, Dr Rekkid is 'ere!
I've used the same simple rekkid cleaning method for years, often to rescue discs which are virtually unplayable (from accumulated storage dirt/grease, fingerprints, fluff in the grooves or just plain gobs of muck), and have had absolutely NO problems whatsoever, from a storage stability, cleaning medium residue or deteriorating sound quality POV. Obviously, 45s are easier to clean with this method than LPs (which can be unwieldy!), but having compared the results between using this and a £1,000 record cleaning machine, I'd go for the sink everytime! The only things I've had probs with are UK red label Atlantic 45s, which stain your fingers a nasty shade of crimson! Obviously, this method won't work if you've got long fingernails or hands textured like a bricklayer's!
You will need:
A new/non-gritty bar of good quality, perfume/conditioner-free pure vegetable soap A small/forceful flow of cold water (i.e. a faucet or tap!) A freshly laundered linen dishcloth/tea towel/glasscloth (must be pure linen, because of the lack of 'nap' on the surface of the towel) A flat surface Two hands
1) Clean your hands thoroughly, using the soap, paying close
attention to the tips of the fingers.
2) Lay the linen towel out on a handy flat & stable surface.
3) Grab 45/LP with yer left paw, by the label/edge, and wet the first side under a reasonable flow from the cold faucet.
4) Making sure that the surface of the vinyl is still wet/holding water, rub the fingers of your right hand across the soap, collecting enuff to make a small amount of 'slip' on yer digits, i.e. a visible amount of soap without lumps or smears.
5) Lay your fingers flat across the width of the vinyl, and move them towards yourself (clockwise, following the grooves!), as you slowly rotate the vinyl anti-clockwise, making sure you clean the whole width of the record.
6) Don't let the record dry out with soap on it! Add a smidge more water / soap as required!
7) After you've gone right around the record half a dozen times or so, paying particular attention to really mucky spots, turn the faucet on full and, holding the record at approx 45 degrees, angle it into the water stream, moving the vinyl up and down across the grooves, while turning it slowly anti-clockwise. Repeat for the second side, and then give both a another swoosh under the water, just to remove any dirt contamination from side one to two.
8) Shake the record to revove any large droplets of water, and check for soap residue (there shouldn't be any).
9) Lay the record on the linen towel and, using the ends of your fingers spread on the label, turn gently clockwise. Repeat for the other side, then move the record to a dry part of the towel and repeat on both sides.
10) When dry, wipe with your desired de-fluffing device/set your record brush up, then play!
Joss "Freezing fingers / clean vinyl" Hutton "
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Monday, May 10, 2004
Here's a short record update for those of you who care about such things (I know you're out there!). First off: Sony has put out a series of what they call "millenium editions" among which is the disc that includes our theme song; 'The Dictators Go Girl Crazy', nothing too special tho' except that it's housed in a digi-pack and retails for about $8.00. Same series also includes the Groovies' 'Supersnazz'. The Ramones 'Live at NYC Palladium 1978' disc has been around on CD for a while, but you might wanna check out Earmark's excellent vinyl edition. Handsomely packaged, this show was recorded only a week after the landmark 'It's Alive' set, but gives a more honest view of the original gung-ho Ramones in a live setting as that one was doctored to the point that it could almost be viewed as a studio album. Liners by Monte Melnick add to it's desirability. Thundertrain's recent Gulcher CD also get's the vinyl treatment from yet another Italian label. This fine slab of prime mid 70s pre-punk rock is not only the perfect soundtrack while reading back isues of Back Door Man, it also serves as a reminder of the wide range of sounds that made up the mid 70s US underground. More traditional than, say, Patti Smith or Rocket From The Thombs, these guys were as much a part of the undercurrent as either of 'm. I've long lost track of the KBD-styled comps that flooded the market in recent years thanks to the ever louder sound of barrel scraping on most of the wax on offer, but 'Bored Teenagers vol.3' is a nice (and legal!) exception to the rule. Well researched, this album delivers some great UK p-rock obscurities for fans of the early Jam and TV Personalities.
Sunday, May 09, 2004
"That's right poopsnacks, Amsterdam's Nitwitz, the band that rocks a little harder and never bothers to play their own country is heading for the land of TITTIES AND TAPAS for the fourth time : 4 Juni RENNES (F) , Mondo Bizarro; 5 Juni PARIS (F), tbc; 6 Juni TOULOUSE (F), L'autan; 7 Juni BERGARA (ES), Sala Jam; 8 Juni SAN SEBASTIAN (ES) Azkena; 9 Juni CACERES (ES), Sala Aldana; 10 Juni MADRID (ES), Gruta77; 11 Juni LEON (ES), Caan; 12 Juni ZARAGOZA (ES) venue tbc; 13 Juni SANT FELIU (ES) Atzavara Club; 14 Juni MONTPELLIER (F), Taf; 20 Juni BERLIN (D) Wild At Heart. Additional Swiss, German, and Scandi dates are in the works !".
So let's see, let's have a little resume of the past week... The GEOGRAPHIC day at Triptych was the polar opposite of rock'n'roll action. The Glasgow based label has really established itself as a solid one stop shop for what might be considered "outsider music" but is in effect cinematic in scope. I can't say that I dig much of what was on show but the vibe and the djing was top notch. The action started at the very reasonable time of 5pm which meant Gran'paw here could be back home before it got too late. I'm thinking about starting a campaign for all shows to start at this time, whaddaya reckon?
Fast forward to Wednesday and the Dave Alvin/Guilty Men show on The Ferry. No prizes for guessing that it was a stone gas but in terms of utter entertainment there just ain't many of these to the pound or whatever yer favourite unit of weight might be. With Chris Gaffney now a full time offender also, the troops dragged them blues kicking and screaming into a whole new arena. Dave is a fearsome guitar player and he's out to take the crown off anybody you figure might be better. The stellar set featured a nice cross section of his catalogue and two songs from his upcoming ASHGROVE set due June 15th on YEPROC.
Fellow YepRockers Big Sandy and his Flyrite Boys took the stage at Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry the night after and seemed very at home on that stage. The locals, headed up by one John Miller esq rolled up to the stage with tequilas for the man and he got increasingly pished over the course of the set. Like a true pro though, it never encroached on his sweet, civilised western swingin'. Openers Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers have rattled up a fair old rep on the bush telegraph but I found it all a tad laboured. It's like The Polecats meet Nine Pound Hammer via The Cramps. The schtick is very pantomime inbred and the "singers" antics began to grate very quickly. Imagine Dave Gahan gurning on Stars In Their Eyes as a young Jerry Lee. Sure, it's loud and somewhat in your face but it's all been done better and way sicker. Comparisons to J. Rotten Esq. and The Stooges are wide of the mark I'd say but valid for populist inclusion. I haven't heard their record but i'm thinking that its probably a tempo tantrum too far. They went down well though and that perplexes me as much as anything. Maybe my inability to be bowled over was because of the sheer power that was on display at The Ferry the evening before but on this occaision mine boat was nada floated.
Friday and Saturday have been spent chasing around the countryside trying to cover as many bases as possible. All of which I expect to come crashing down around my heid any minute. It's unlikely that I'll make tonights LOS STRAITJACKETS extravaganza because I'm too plumb pooped to pop and the thought of getting in at midnight and rising at 6am doesn't eleicit much in the way of joy. It's becoming increasingly obvious that I cannae dae it all but I still insist on having a go at it. Maybe that counts for something?
Fast forward to Wednesday and the Dave Alvin/Guilty Men show on The Ferry. No prizes for guessing that it was a stone gas but in terms of utter entertainment there just ain't many of these to the pound or whatever yer favourite unit of weight might be. With Chris Gaffney now a full time offender also, the troops dragged them blues kicking and screaming into a whole new arena. Dave is a fearsome guitar player and he's out to take the crown off anybody you figure might be better. The stellar set featured a nice cross section of his catalogue and two songs from his upcoming ASHGROVE set due June 15th on YEPROC.
Fellow YepRockers Big Sandy and his Flyrite Boys took the stage at Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry the night after and seemed very at home on that stage. The locals, headed up by one John Miller esq rolled up to the stage with tequilas for the man and he got increasingly pished over the course of the set. Like a true pro though, it never encroached on his sweet, civilised western swingin'. Openers Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers have rattled up a fair old rep on the bush telegraph but I found it all a tad laboured. It's like The Polecats meet Nine Pound Hammer via The Cramps. The schtick is very pantomime inbred and the "singers" antics began to grate very quickly. Imagine Dave Gahan gurning on Stars In Their Eyes as a young Jerry Lee. Sure, it's loud and somewhat in your face but it's all been done better and way sicker. Comparisons to J. Rotten Esq. and The Stooges are wide of the mark I'd say but valid for populist inclusion. I haven't heard their record but i'm thinking that its probably a tempo tantrum too far. They went down well though and that perplexes me as much as anything. Maybe my inability to be bowled over was because of the sheer power that was on display at The Ferry the evening before but on this occaision mine boat was nada floated.
Friday and Saturday have been spent chasing around the countryside trying to cover as many bases as possible. All of which I expect to come crashing down around my heid any minute. It's unlikely that I'll make tonights LOS STRAITJACKETS extravaganza because I'm too plumb pooped to pop and the thought of getting in at midnight and rising at 6am doesn't eleicit much in the way of joy. It's becoming increasingly obvious that I cannae dae it all but I still insist on having a go at it. Maybe that counts for something?
Friday, May 07, 2004
Where the hell does all the time go? I used to have bings of it and now I'm running on empty. It's been a heckuva week, head down - straight on with the dayjob activities. No amount of kvetching is gonna change that at this point so we'll see how it all figures in the season finale. Been at a bunch of shows this week though and I'll try to give you some kinda perspective on that in due course. Bet you cannae wait?...
Important news from Star Spangle HQ for you East Coasters...
"New York City's best rock and roll show for quite a while comes to the Mercury Lounge, May 20th when The Romantics, The Chesterfield Kings, The Star Spangles and The Strines kick 'em out. If you're planning on coming, please do us a favor. Get there early, and support the whole show. You will not be disappointed. Mention The Star Spangles to the person at the door, so we can get paid."
The Spangles have just been added to these additional shows with The Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings.
May 18th: Poughkeepsie, the Chance
May 19th: Philadelphia, North Star
The new SS site will launch anyday now so we'll let you know.
"New York City's best rock and roll show for quite a while comes to the Mercury Lounge, May 20th when The Romantics, The Chesterfield Kings, The Star Spangles and The Strines kick 'em out. If you're planning on coming, please do us a favor. Get there early, and support the whole show. You will not be disappointed. Mention The Star Spangles to the person at the door, so we can get paid."
The Spangles have just been added to these additional shows with The Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings.
May 18th: Poughkeepsie, the Chance
May 19th: Philadelphia, North Star
The new SS site will launch anyday now so we'll let you know.
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
The Dutch National Archive has over 500.000 images available on line. Digging around a bit turns up some great stuff like pictures of the Sex Pistols in Amsterdam, Beatles and Stones in Holland, plenty of Shocking Blue snaps, Outsiders, Golden Earrings, you name it...
(The weirdos in the picture here are the Bumpers, a bizarre punk-rock spoof from '78)
Sunday, May 02, 2004
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