“Would You Let Me Play This EP 10 Times A Day?” is the new Hello Saferide EP which comes out on June 14th. You can order one now HERE. It follows seamlessly on from the “Introducing…” album that’s been on heavy rotation here since its arrival that seems like only yesterday. There’s a raucous quiet majesty to this material which makes it seem almost understated. The neuroses are intact and Annika’s apparent losses are very much our gain because these songs, lyrically and structurally are sublime. By the time the torch-soul classic “Leaving You Behind” fades out you’ll feel like you’ve been through the wringer. The Colliery band style brass will give you chills or at least it does me. These 5 songs are world class snapshots of what real music is capable of. When all the hype and bullshit that we’re bombarded with daily/hourly is washed away then there’s something like this to pick you up no matter how far you reckon you’ve fallen. Recorded and mixed in less than a week, HS oozes grace. The like of which many lesser acts could never capture in four times that. Here’s to the next big Swedish export, remember where you heard about it – perhaps not first – but at least early.

Lost the plot somewhere between last night and today. Meant to list a bunch of shows like the last live music night at STEREO in Glasgow, presumably before it moves to its new location. There's also the Shock and Awe/Electra thing at Opium in Edinburgh and Robin Guthrie at The Cameo cinema. These are happening tonight and if you're looking for last minute kicks then go for it.

A little further afield there's HEAVY TRASH in Newcastle this coming Tuesday (June 6th) at The Cluny. This is the furthest North they're coming so...

I had to make a move in tidying up the HQ garden area and now I'm paying for it allergy-wise so nae gallavanting for me. Incessant sneezing during a set is not an attractive quality to my mind, particularly if it includes spray. So best stay in the bunker, Bigor and Ziga will be on Radio Student tonight doing a show about the recent All Tomorrows Parties weekend that included the Mudhoney-curated day.

The brief spells of what passes for summer seem to be upon us. I saw sights earlier today that endorse this belief and there's only so much bright white blubber a guy can stand. Surely "let it all hang out" shouldn't be taken so literally, particularly around eating times. But heck, it takes all sorts and the rain will be back soon enough. On that upbeat notion...

Update at 8.22pm... the Radio Student ATP review is in full swing and where else could you possibly catch The Scientists back to back with Teenage Fanclub? Not in this chuffing country that's for sure.

Been listening to the Bob Dylan Theme Night XM shows and he's been playing some great stuff. Imagine the surprise of hearing him open the "baseball" show with The Skeletons version of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" from the 1988 NBT release, "In The Flesh". That and 7 new Boonaraaas songs in the mail. I'm sure it's all heading down the swannee from here...

RIP - Stinky Sono Buoni (Mad Daddys)

This is the closest you'll come on this site to anything to do with the impending football bollocks that is set take over most (allegedly normal) people's lives in a weeks time. For Wreckless Eric, I'll make an exception. The video is HERE.

Being asked to compile this beastie was a trip. How do you whittle a catalogue like that of The Nomads down to just one disc? Of course, the band is familiar to NBT regulars but there are many thousands out there who have yet to have the pleasure. First exposure to these guys is up there with the first time you saw “It’s a Wonderful Life” or some other life-changing cultural event. Like watching The Sopranos. Check out the Mike Judge style cover art which shows the Kings of this particular hill getting ready to play a 25th anniversary show at Debaser, Stockholm this Midsummer. The set includes one brand new cut, “Ain’t No King of R’n’R Tonight”, the rare Dom Galna Hundarna belter “Skolsången” and killer liner notes by Jan Gradvall. So here’s to the best of the first 25 years and also to the next. Here’s a combo that’s at the very top of it’s game and showing no signs of fading. Raise a glass and toast their ability to raise a real boss racket whilst blasting their music as loud as your asbo (that's anti-social behaviour order for non-British citizens) will allow. Here’s the tracklist…

1. (I’m) Out of It
2. Wasn’t Born To Work
3. Primordial Ooze
4. Ain’t No King of R’n’R tonight
5. The Way (You Touch My Hand)
6. Where The Wolfbane Blooms
7. The Fast Can’t Lose
8. Call Off Your Dogs
9. Crystal Ball
10. The King of Night Train (single version)
11. She Pays the Rent
12. Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls
13. Fire and Brimstone
14. Don’t Pull My Strings
15. The Goodbye Look
16. Twilight Fades
17. Bad Vibes
18. Salvation by Damnation
19. I Can’t Wait Forever
20. Skolsången

Pre-order your copy at CD ON now. Release date is June 25th.

Bloody June 1st already? I must be getting old because time is verily racing by. Time is a precious commodity and it’s at a premium around here. It’s practically a week since Mary Lee’s Corvette was here and if you’re here in the UK, the shows are all over. You missed a rare old treat. Smash Palace did a great job of delivering a twang-tastic backdrop to let the material fly the way it does on record. Mayhap because Stephen Butler was heavily involved in harnessing what has become Love Loss and Lunacy. Anyway, hopefully it won’t be too long before the ‘vette can shoot back this way again. Check the MLC site for details of Stateside shows to celebrate the domestic release. This includes a schlep out west with Eric Ambel and the Roscoe Trio. If there’s somewhere I’d like to be tonight then that’d be Llubljana. Limbering up for an appearance by HQ favourites, The Bambi Molesters. I’m practicing my astral travelling in the vague hope that I can leave my earthly shackles and scoot over there but I’m fairly certain that I’ll have to make do with watching the dvd documentary at home. One of these days though, one of these days…

Congratulations to Jackson Heights residents, Laura Cantrell and Jeremy Tepper on the world debut of Miss Isabella May Cantrell Tepper. Born May 27th. I trust all is well and she'll have her own show at Sirius before we know it. All the best...

I came home tonight with every intention of trying to get caught up on stuff I think you oughtta know about. However, this has proved to be another bum steer for a number of reasons which I'll spare you. The continued lack of activity will be rectified eventually. Possibly later rather than sooner but willing as the spirit is, that nasty ol' flesh is verging on comatose. Meanwhile, thanks for dropping by. There's a ton of stuff in the ol' sidebar for you to peruse while we here get to grips with the day to day. There's so much I want to tell you about the new Hello Saferide EP, there really is, but it'll have to wait just a wee bit longer.

Primal Scream were on Top of the Pops playing their latest identikit, cut and shut “single” last night. This one reminds me of, I think it’s “The Shape I’m In” by The Band, and also The Faces playing “Cadillac Ranch”. I always saw them as nothing more than the result of a curated record collection. There’s never been any passion involved in their fare (for me). Like that tosser from The Brian Jonestown Shenanigan.
The Scream have also appropriated Shirley Ellis’ “Nitty Gritty” and grafted on a call to “shake some action”. Unlike The Cramps who provided source material to be mined which educated many generations, The “Scream” just galumph through a perceived “cool” footbath. Utter bollocks. As is the fact that it’s Monday morning, NOT a holiday here so it’s time I was hauling my carcass outta here. Both the flesh and the spirit are at a very low peep. When is (inter)national call in sick day?

Stockholm this coming Friday (June 3rd)... Check out the Gearclub site for further info on this and upcoming shows...

RIP - Desmond Dekker

CBGB's Hilly Kristal for the NYC Hall of Fame

Go here and nominate Hilly for the NYC Hall of Fame

After the ordeal he went through trying to keep his club open last year, it would be a nice tribute...

**Hollywoods Premiere 6t's Psych Club!**
$5 B4 11pm, $8 after, Under 21 $10. The Ramada Inn @ 1160 N. Vermont
Dee Jays: Tony the Tygerr, Jason Ringgold, Leenda Karina, Lord Albert Cozzette III
oh yeah, wear your dancing shoes cuz this is a dance party!

I dunno, maybe the world is finally catchin' up with me. But besides the Jesse Hector CD mentioned below, there's also a new CD-single out by the mighty Count Bishops with two previously unreleased tunes. No word yet on the promised Euro tour, but rest assured you'll be the first to know as soon as any news reaches HQ.

Update: Oh well: "The COUNT BISHOPS tour in Europe for May and June 2006 is cancelled"...