CYNICAL GIRLS ON TOUR

Whats goin on with Crypt??

Let's hear it for a severely disturbed sleep pattern... however, I did discover that there's a new entry in the Wreckless Eric diary which includes an op to score copies of the Hitsville House Band elpee. I'll probably feel like falling over by the time it's time to go to work. I'm sure there was something else that should be communicated at this point but it doesn't seem to want to spring to mind. Bollocks to it then.

Gary Pig Gold Recommends Ten That You May Have Missed in 2005...more

"Question: You’re in an up and coming band… Having spent the previous three years gigging around the clubs and theatres of the UK and mainla nd Europe, you’re offered the chance to open for one of the world’s biggest bands at the start of their European Tour. After three sell out shows and a warm reception at each, what’s your next move?

Well, if you’re TV21, you split up. Backstage at Edinburgh Playhouse and three nights into the Rolling Stones European Tour, TV21 chose to break up… 24 years ago, in May 1982.

Formed in 1979 and having released a string singles and one album, “A Thin Red Line,” the band had grown frustrated at their inability to break through to the next level and decided to quit while they were ahead. And that was the end of that, until last October, when out of the blue, they agreed to perform as part of the John Peel Day gigs organised around the country to mark the anniversary of the DJ’s death.

Peel had been a huge influence on the band and it seemed entirely appropriate to get together for the event. The gig, at Edinburgh’s Citrus Club, was an unqualified success, if a little rough at the edges, though that was hardly surprising after twenty three years, the introduction of a new drummer and only two rehearsals! Most surprising for the three original band members was simply how much they enjoyed playing again. So, now they’re back – for fun and as long as it stays that way.

Catch them while you can!"

TV21 are: -
Neil Baldwin – bass guitar
Simon McGlynn – drums
Ally Palmer – guitar
Norman Rodger – vocals, guitar

"Sonic Reducer vs Must Destroy - The Final Countdown? Saturday February 18th!

Hey Folks

Alan and Ian from Must Destroy obviously know a whole heap about wreck'n'roll, from The Darkness to Guitar Wolf this DJ duo has grappled with the best of 'em, so it'll be a bout to remember at Sonic Reducer on February 18th, when they face-off against yer ever-lovin' tag team of BigKegShandy and TeenSlain. Under the watchful eyes of the 'Reducer massive, and special guest referee Tony 'Birthday Boy' Thewlis (The Scientists/Interstellar Villains/The Scoundrelles/Chris Wilson & His Famous Groovin' Flames), this eight-handed double-dream team will do vinyl battle (to the deaf!) with the finest 45rpm chokehold ammo!

As per, our righteous aural onslaught of rock'n'drool, soul, funk, psych, garage, electronica, mutant country, beat, ska, soundtracks, etc, will be accompanied by the finest visual treats from the Sonic Reducer archive - big beat on the big screen!

We'll also be spinning a vinyl requiem for Boston, Mass. rock'n'roll idol Alan 'Alpo' Paulino of The Real Kids, who passed away recently ...

So gird yer loins, check that jockstrap, polish them spurs, tease yer barnet, and make for the bar ...

See ya there!

Selah

Joss & Joe"

Sonic Reducer @ Filthy MacNasty's
68 Amwell Street
London EC1V
Nearest Tube is Angel / King's Cross
Saturday February 18th, 7pm-11.30pm, FREE ENTRY"

Playlist and general update: It's kinda weird, but my fave disc of the past week or so is Chris Stamey's The Summer Sun (Ork, 1977). Not that it's a weird disc or whatev, it's just that it's still icy cold over here and I've been sufferin' from a ongoin' cold/flue for well over a week now. Coughin', weezin', sneezin' and the compulsory tsunami of snot. Hardly the right mindset for diggin' this Chilton produced Spectorish gem. "Oh summer sun where art thou?" Speakin' of uncle Phil, I've recently dug up this 1976 45 by Stars In The Sky, a duo consisting of Dan and David Kessel, sons of Spector sidekick Barney Kessel. Both Baby Hold On and Love (What A Feeling) have that patented wall of sound, while the former also sports a stingy Edmunds-type solo. As good as anything on Shake Some Action, no kiddin'. Speakin' of which, The New Legion Rock Spectacular's take on Second Cousin (Spectatcular, 1975), must be one of the first (and best!) Groovies covers ever, almost beatin' Loney & Co. at their own game. Anybody familiar with their full-length from around the same time? The Fast's Kids Just Wanna Dance (Ram, 1977) is a solid Chin/Chap-like pop tune (produced by Richard Gottehrer, no less). These guys got a recent comp on Munster that's OK-ish at best, but this and their track on the first Max's disc are their best songs. Standard powerpop fare by now I guess, but the Rubinoos' I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (Beserkley, 1979) is still on heavy rotation here at HQ. Fans of this kind o' stuff might wanna check out Nada Surf's latest album The Weight Is A Gift, slightly more moody in Big Star-ish way next to the exuberant Rubinoos, but a contender anyway. One day I'm gonna write a re-appraisal for the mucho malignered Akron Ohio scene, 'cause I've been spinnin' these age ol' Clone 45s like hell recently. Bizarros, Human Switchboard, Rubber City Rebels, Waitresses and even Tin Huey. The Stiff comp that started the hype is still available cheap and serves as a fine introduction. Damn, it's gettin' late and I still wanna tell you about the Twinkeys' Aliens In Our Midst and the Quick's Pretty Please. Better save 'm for next time. Over and out. Aaaaaa-choo!

Upcoming showings of the ROKY film in Europe, YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME (Thanks to HT for the heads up)

» 24 Mar - 9 Apr 2006: NatFilm International Film Festival (Copenhagen, Denmark)

» 26 & 27 Apr 2006: Triptych Festival (Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland)

Barrence Whitfield and the Hemsby House Band were on fine form last night at the Water Rats in London. Barrence dusted-off several tunes from his early platters - Big Mamou; Juicy Fruit; Stop Twisting My Arm - while the Hemsby House band kicked-up a storm every bit as potent as the Savages (#1 or #2). Tickets for the show were a bit on the steep side, fifteen quid to see a band in the back room of a pub, but towards the end mind and body started to go their separate ways as the mesmerising force of the music took hold. Money well spent as plainly the there is at least one black man who can still sing the rhythm and blues. Mr Whitfield returns to Europe in May so make plans to reinforce your windows now.

Oh dear, the Top 10 Most Ridiculous Black Metal Pics of All Time.

Of course, everybody is entitled to their opinion but sometimes that angle is just plain wrong. That intrinsic right, in such an instance should be vetoed. Take for instance the somnabulist journalism involved with a swathe of the bozos who have reviewed Amy Allison's new album. One gimp had the audacity to suggest that Catatonica's singer's chalk-board screech was bearable and Amy's unique style wasn't. Leaving the voice aspect to the side for a cotton-pickin' minute, there is NOTHING vaguely listenable about said singer or combo AT ALL. When I come into contact with them, I switch the appliance that is foisting 'em upon me OFF. Leave it for 3 minutes and turn it back on again (sometimes). Anyway, I've sent a note to the cyberpublication that printed said pish, suggesting that the idiot who wrote it be acquainted with the utensil known as the cotton bud.

My faith in just about everything has taken a severe tanking lately. The death rattle of what was once known as the music business is just the tip of a very, what looks like from this position (known as the arse-end), unscaleable iceberg. Still, forward motion must be attempted and that's the direction I intend attempting. It might involve some doubling back. Or a short-cut here and there but I've fucking had it up to here with this holding position. Moving and shaking. Movers and shakers. All trying to pile in to a lifeboat that is going down, down and thrice down.

Somewhere on the flipside, common sense will reign and said idiots will be washed ashore somewhere very far from my line of sight or sense of smell and that's about as upbeat as I can muster at the minute.

Myspace crashed my pc again a wee while ago as I was investigating the Girl Trouble domain. Such occurrances don't buoy the mood.

Readers in Japan should be aware of this, just snaffled from the BMX Bandits site

"Three of us BMX Bandits will be coming to Japan in February 2006 to do some intimate semi-acoustic shows. The three are David Scott, Stuart Kidd and me (Duglas T Stewart). We'll be doing special stripped down arrangements of BMX Bandits songs, including golden oldies and songs off the soon to be released MY CHAIN album (February/ March 2006). You'll also get the chance to see and hear versions of some excellent songs from The Pearlfishers' book of perfect pop. Here are the details of the dates and venues:

14/02/2006 Osaka BMX Bandits, David Scott (The Pearlfishers) with The Cannanes, Tenniscoats

16/02/2006 Kyoto BMX Bandits, David Scott (The Pearlfishers) with The Cannanes, Tenniscoats at cafe-independant

17/02/2006 Nagoya BMX Bandits, David Scott (The Pearlfishers) with The Cannanes, Tenniscoats at Nagoya kd japon

18/02/2006 Tokyo - David Scott solo performance - venue to be confirmed

19/02/2006 Tokyo BMX Bandits, David Scott (The Pearlfishers) with Plectrum, Miniskirt at Shibuya O'nest

We'll have a few special surprises for you so hope you can come along."

Dutch readers are advised to tune in to Nederland 3 this tuesday (20:25) for an edited version of the excellent End Of The Century Ramones documentary.

Brother Patrick caught The Fleshtones in Évreux, France on 10th February 2006

"Last night, The Fleshtones played in Évreux as part of their European 30th anniversary tour. Opening act was The Neurotic Swingers, a French combo who seem to have success elsewhere, like in Japan and Spain. Maybe for us Frenchies, they sound too much like The Dogs – that's The (French) Dogs, who released “19”, the best 1977 punk song ever (no, it’s not the Users “Sick Of You” and if you don’t agree, well, you're wrong). By the way, The Swingers covered “19” at the end of their set. Another connection with The Dogs is that the Fleshtones latest record is a 10” titled “Allo Brooklyn, Ici montmartre”, sung in French by Tony Truant & the Fleshtones. Tony was a member of the Dogs Mk. 2, the line up that recorded “Too Much Class For The Neighbourhood”, an album for all Flamin’ Groovies fans circa “Shake Some Action”, “Now” and “Jumpin’ In The Night”.

The Fleshtones are older but are still like teenagers. Happy to be on stage and their enthusiasm is infectious. They are true entertainers and no one in the audience can stay static, Peter Zaremba and Keith Streng left the stage often to bait the crowd. During “Push Up Man”, 3 guys were enrolled to play and sing while the band were doing their exercises. I declined the invitation because I was recording the show which ended with a long encore that featured many old favourites including “Girl From Baltimore"

If anybody out there reading this is in Paris then cut along to see THE BOONARAAAS at Gloria Club tonight. I know I would if I could.

That lone Warholian chili on the cover of Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3’s “… tick… tick… tick” looks unassuming enough but signifies the afterburn of the material it’s composed of. Pleasing to hear a proper set of songs clocking in at a cool duration and sequenced like a good old-fashioned slab of vinyl. Some nice dustbowl Velvets type panorama nestling up along with primo garage pop. “Wild Mercury” and “Cindy, It Was Always You” are particularly arresting. This is more scotch bonnet than habanero if you know your peppers but like a good bowl this won’t burn you. Savour the flavours that are in here and you’ll be making an acquaintance that’ll be taking up quite a slice of your time.

"...tick" is almost Scandanavian in places and talking of which, "Five Spanish Minutes" is the most recent Dee-Rangers release on Screaming Apple. I think Steve may have mentioned it already but here’s my tuppence worth on the swingathon it manifests. The authentic sixties-sounding swirl is tempered with that mod(ern) sounding gusto that the Swedes have down pat. “Easy to See” could be The Fleshtones so you know that’s (the right side of) a good thing. The proper way to catch this would be to watch ‘em bangin’ it out from a club stage but 5SM is a groovy estimation to re-create that live scene in your own living room.



The Magik Markers are set to play the Yeah Yeah Yeahs curated day at the upcoming All Tomorrows Parties weekender. “A Panegyric To The Things I Do Not Understand” is the latest Gulcher release to fall through the letterbox here and their unothodox clatter is a hit and miss affair but when it does sashay into some kind of disjoined groove it recalls the free-form freakootery of stoner noise sometimes frequented by Magic Dirt. One of these two “compositions” would appear to have been recorded in Paris.



Phantom weigh in with “Rock‘a’billy Vampires” but there’s no actual ‘billy on it. More like Fatboy Slim on a b-movie bender to snag a snake oil soundtrack to some schlock flick he found sealed in a capsule. Wee bit of Badalamenti here, shot of radium and blues there and a stab at Jody Reynolds “Fire Of Love”. Saucerman’s latest escapade is at odds with what passes for owt that might be standing in a line expecting 15 seconds of fame to slap it in the kisser. A peculiar concoction that conjures up a Rev/Vega vignette as it twists and turns to ultimately end in a John Carpenteresque shimmy. Still, not a glimmer of anything approximating that gear you associate with big hair and the prerequisite gel.

The SECOND MARIBOR GARAGE EXPLOSION (link courtesy of Bigor)

RIP: Alpo (Real Kids).

Now everybody can see what the world has been missing! She might not be ON TOUR any time soon (Ever) but ANGEL has some video action available through that never-to-be- missed non-tour diary of hers. JET BOY, JET GIRL and BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. The clips were shot by Cynthia Lloyd in 1994 and the great Mr Stim might not have been caught on camera during the stramash but he was all over it in spirit. You can also access MX-80's "We're An American Band" via this portal...

And while you're in the video mood, catch Ms Amy Allison on Irish TV just last week performing her dad's song "WAS" from the new album, "Everything and Nothing Too" on Spit and Polish. US readers can order it via her website now.

Brother Joss has some info for yers...

"Hey folks

Just got off the blower with co-founder of DIY punk legends The Homosexuals, Bruno Wizard, who gave me the spiel on their first reunion gig since 1981, which is happening on February 16, during a Glitz club night at London venue Madam JoJos on Brewer Street. Bruno and Homosexuals co-founder Anton Haymon will be playing, the doors open at 8pm, and it's £6 to get in."