Reverend Charlie Jackson - God's Got It (LP)
Dr. Spec's Optical Illusion - Tryin' To Mess With Me (7"). Both Crypt.
After Tim Warren's umpteenth move and having put a Dutch schoolteacher in charge of rebuilding his new abode, it's easy to see why the Crypt operation has been on the backburner for so long. But after the great Little Killers disc, these two (relatively) new releases hopefully mark the beginning of a new era for the label, 'cause both discs burn with that specific kind o' intensity only Crypt seems to be able to distill into slabs of black vinyl.
You want testimonials?, the Reverend Jackson's disc delivers nothing but... Wild, wild gospel scree of the Rev. poundin' it out on the six strings, ocasionally accompanied by the handclaps or cheers of agreement from his congregation. Makes every gruntin' death metal singer sound like the bad joke he is. Dr. Spec's discus is a fine-as-wine re-issue of a six-o punk mega obscurity outta New Orleans that absolutely wails!. Coupled with the great attention to detail in both sound, liners and visuals makes this another "must have" as well.
Again; hopefully these discs mark the return of Crypt as a "goin' concern", the world sure could use it right now...

Trying to gather my wits here listening to THE BOONARAAAS. These German girls kicked some almighty bahookie at the Lolita Bar in Kassel on Thursday there. The combo that preceded them, CZD were equally electric but I'll get back to that later. Listening to the B's album just brought back how altogether how goddamn sensational they were. They even knocked out a version of The Romantics "What I Like About You" that reduced anybody with sense to rubble. Their album Go Get Goo Goo is on Thunderbaby Records, that fine Dusseldorf gal product label that put out the Voladoras EP and many other top recorded works. They're only youngsters but they've got the chops to go the whole damn road. Even deaf (not the hearing condition, I'm referring to sorry saps that wouldn't know a great band if it whapped 'em in the knackers) people will be able to get this. The Hives might endeavour to be your favourite band but I'm voting BOONARAAAS because they'll drive you just that. Now if only they could get together to tour with Suzy y Los Quattro. The world, in pure punked-out teenpunk rock'n'roll action terms, wouldn't stand a chance.

Ok troops. Been hanging out in Kassel, Germany for the past few days and got back to a wheen of messages and stuff so please bear with me until I figure out the best way to deal with it. At this point launching the computer outta the window would seem like the obvious route but y'ken... Some groovy stuff to report coming along after this... It was quite a shindig and a hellva deposit in the organisers' collective karma bank. Like I said more when I organise my thoughts and the laundry.

While tryin' to research some things about the early day of punk-rock in Holland I came across some amazing stuff. Most of it in Dutch, but even if you don't speak the lingo, worth it for the pictures and free MP3s...
These are all bands from the 77/78 era: Inside Nipples, Filth, and the Helmettes...

The Dirtbombs @ The Dirty Water Club on Friday 24 September

Though sniffing and scratching away like mad, the Mutts struggled to connect with a near-capacity crowd at the DWC last Friday. Somebody should tell these guys that the lack of a catchy riff will never compensate for any amount of Pop/Tyner schtick. Thank God the Little Killers brought along hooks-a-plenty lots and wrapped them in a punk rock'n'rolling style not disimilar to the Real Kids. A reliable if not exactly virtuoso rhythm section provided the right foundation for the guitarist/vocalist to let it rip. How refreshing to see a band that can take Nuggets like "Come On Up" (Rascals) or "No Reason To Complain" (Alarm Clocks) and then put their own on stamp on 'em. The second appearance by the Dirtbombs at the DWC was somewhat affected by Mick Collins' worn voice and at times slightly out of tune guitar. Perhaps this was why he was buried so deeply in the mix? Nevertheless, "Kung Fu" and "If You See Stevie Wonder" were well executed and went down fine with the punters. The great thing about the Dirtbombs, apart from Mick's 100% committment, is just how tight the two drummers and two bass players mesh together. Anything less and the sound would descend into aural mush. The Dirtbombs - like hearing the Glitter Band play the blues.

The Girls - The Girls (Dirtnap LP).
While any r'n'r credibility the UK once had has obviously long gone out the window, the place now seems to be headed for new, as yet uncharted, depts. Christ, there's bands like the Killers and Interpole who's sole intent seems to be wanting to become the new Bunnyman or Comsat Angels and gettin' praise for it while they should be tarred 'n feathered and ran outta town asap.
But if you really do insist on a new wave of new wave, let me please recommend The Girls; this Seattle band bein' able to distill all the right ingredients outta the whole post-punk ensalada and come up soundin' fresh and inspired. Think 70s Ohio or Void-oids if you need some points of reference. These guys (yes) deliver the goods with a solid, USA patented, rockin' style that easily lays waste to every Shriekback tribute band the UK currently has on offer...
(with thanks to Rockstar Barry for the tip-off).

Up next from Norton Records: Don Covay - Pretty Boy EP. "Four incredible 1958 Little Richard style screamers from future soul legend! Two cuts previously unissued! Ooh my soul!!! Tracklisting: 1. Switchen In The Kitchen 2. Rockin' The Mule 3.Mary 4. Ooh My Soul". Mogen David & The Grapes of Wrath - Little Girl/Don't Need Ya No More. "First time reissue of ultra rare 1966 Midwest twin blast garage masterpiece! Watch for more Grapes savagery on Strange Ways, a full collection of sixties snotball action from Chicagos legenday Cha Cha label including the End, Hatfields, Sonics and mo!". Herbie Duncan - Hot Lips Baby/Little Angel. "Atomic 1958 rockabilly madness from Hot Lips Herbie in a deluxe sleeve with the full lowdown from HD Fan Club prez Deke Dickerson!". Reigning Sound - If Christmas Won't Bring You Home/That's All I Want. "Norton's latest round of holiday cheer comes from those Southern sensations, the Reigning Sound, placing two brand new Greg Cartwright originals under your tree!". Sky Saxon & The Seeds/Lairds - Split 7" "13th of 15 split Rolling Stones cover singles recorded by today's coolest hit makers and packaged in their own company sleeve. The legendary Sky Saxon lures a Jagger-Richards classic into their unapproachable web of sound (The Singer Not The Song) while the mysterious Lairds cover the most uncoverable Stones song (Something Happened To Me Yesterday) ever!". v/a - Northwest Grease EP. "Early greasy R&B gems (two unissued!) from the Pacific Northwest - for fans of the crazed Wolf Call album! Featuring Mighty El Dukes (Frankenstein's Den/Walking Besides You), Lord Dent & His Invaders (The Greaser), Joe Boot& The Four Wings (Rock & Roll Radio)". Gene Vincent - Hound Dog/Be-Bop-A-Lula. "Gene Vincent rocks and the Blue Caps roll on this frantic 1956 whallop recorded live on the Alan Freed Show! A loud and lively companion set to the Johnny Burnette Trio's live Norton 45-106!". A-Bones - Daddy Wants A Cold Beer & Other Million Sellers 2CD. "The A-Bones celebrate their 20th Anniversary with a massive specially priced double CD set that culls 46 tracks from singles and other odd places including the A-Bones backing up legends like Johnny Powers, Rudy Tutti Grayzell, the Great Gaylord, Roy Loney and more, plus ten unissued tracks and a brand new bonus recording featuring the 5.6.7.8's! Giant photo booklet takes you back down memory lane and ... dumps you there! Monkey Man, Teenage Head, It's A Hard Life, Bamboo Rock And Roll, Shanty Tramp, The Worlds Greatest Sinner, Stop It Baby, Monkey Man, Take Up The Slack Daddy-O, Hep Cat and dozens more!".Hasil Adkins - The Wildman. "Finally on CD! Here's the full 1986 studio vinyl album completely remastered plus five bonus cuts in lavish booklet! Chicken Flop, Big Red Satellite, Wild Wild Friday Night, Midnight Moan, plus fifteen more Hasil howlers!". Arch Hall Jr & The Archers - Wild Guitar. "Gargantuan set heralds the mega-cool output of our hero Arch Hall, Jr. and his band, covering his recording career from 1959-1963. Includes massive illustrated bio-booklet packed with info, interviews and flat out eye openers! Combines his singles with unknown studio recordings, movie music from the master tapes plus never released 1962 live Pensacola drive-in theatre show! Wild Guitar, Konga Joe, Monkey In My Hat Band, Twist Fever, Stake Theme, Growing Taller Every Day, Sneakin' Around, If A Man Answers, Archers Theme, Susie Q more!".

Disturbingly similar songs.

Capt'n Jan Kooi just send in the sad news that Russ Meyer has died at the age of 82 last Saturday at his home in Hollywood Hills. No links yet, but I'll post 'm when I get 'em.
Update: link to the IMDb news.

REZILLOS website update alert includes the first part of Ross and Martin's interview plus lyrics and a gigography. Check it oot!

I stopped by the old homestead in Larbert today. Did some overdue postal biz at my old post office haunt but stopped short of grabbing a chipsteak supper from Enrico's.
All the demolition guff is up around the walls and the place across the road has been levelled. When the chumps get to flattening the old factory, I hope those ol' ghosties won't make it easy for 'em. Auf Wiedersehen then ol' Foundry Loan...

From the Rev. David Scott, pop'n'roll missionary worker...

"by the way - and just to prove that sometimes in the end the good guys win - here's a tiny snapshot of life in darkest ayrshire.i'm talking to a bunch of primary 5 school kids about music and I say "everybody loves music don't they"? and they're going "yeeees"! and I'm going "what bands do you kids like"?

"BUSTED"!"BLUE"!"EMINEM"!

...and there's one kid with her arm up through all this and she eventually catches my attention: "Mr Scott, my Daddy loves The Ramones"!"

Should I Rip This?, a handy guide to the yes or nos regarding making MP3s.

Johnny's Last Stand by Charles M. Young.

I think that after this one we have to move on. John's departure is sad and all but life goes on and you could maybe use some light relief right about now. It is, after all, International Talk Like A Pirate Day, me hearties!

THE BARRACUDAS will be doing a show at The Borderline in London on Friday October 15th. One week prior to the big R&R weekender in Paris.

The Staysick fraternity report that there is finally activity on THE CRAMPS official website.

This posting proves that the old uploading of pictures glitsch has been overcome. Lucky youse, right?

Some more links to obits etc on the CBGBs site. (as always, the BBC site provides the most interesting quotes).

Martin Percival provided a link to what must have been Johnny's final interview in the Boston Phoenix.

According to the New York Times, Johnny had been working on his memoirs for much of the last year with Steve Miller, a reporter for The Washington Times. And according to Miller the interviews were completed shortly before his death.

From Mr Martin Percival... "I suggest THIS gets a mention on the blog. Johnny would be pleased that his favourite drink remembered him at his passing!