RIP - Arthur Lee

After Iggy caused some damage to a Dutch TV studio miming to Lust For Life (#3 over here in november 1977), the Dutch press turned up en masse when he returned to mime to I Got A Right. Too bad for them, Iggy refused (even after mucho pleading) to damage anything at all (he's good at posin' tho'..)

TEENAGE FANCLUB perform Bandwagonesque Certainly one of the best bands to come out of Glasgow, always seem to be around when you need them! And this time it’s to remind us of their 1991 album Bandwagonesque which, you may have forgotten, was voted the Best Album of 1991 by America’s Spin magazine beating Nirvana’s Nevermind and REM’s, Out Of Time. A travesty? Tickets on sale Saturday 5th August @ 9am.Glasgow, Barrowland - Friday 29th September. (Info from Gigs In Scotland.)

The Knights of Fuzz (21st century multi-media edition).

Thanks to Ben for the tip-off.

The Stripchords @ South London Pacific,
August 11th!

The Stripchords are set to bring their patented mix of tits'n'twang to an Ooh, I Like A Bit Of ... club night at Londinium's esteemed tiki bar, South London Pacific, on Friday August 11th. In addition, Ooh, I Like A Bit Of ... features top notch turntablism from Nick Brown (Stag-O-Lee/Intoxica!) and KatManDude to keep you in a South Seas-type mood until the wee, wee hours (don't overdo the cocktails, folks!). The venue's a 5-minute walk from Oval tube on the Northern Line (even if you've got a wooden leg). See you at the bar!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ooh, I Like A Bit Of ... @ South London Pacific 340 Kennington Road London
SE11 4LD - £5, £3 b4 10pm, free before 9pm

AND!!!!

Tim Rogers @ Sonic Reducer, August 12th!

Hey kits'n'kittens
Muchos gracias for the wild reception afforded to the set by tits'n'twang aggregation The Stripchords at the last sweltering Sonic Reducer sesh. We've got summat even hotter than July (hmmm, heard that before ...) scheduled for the SR on August 12th, namely special guest DJ Tim 'Jolly' Rogers of You Am I, The Temperance Union, and now T'n'T, alongside the mighty Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea, The Beasts Of Bourbon)! Tim'n'Tex (or Tex'n'Tim) are playing at Islington Academy on August 12th, showcasing their mightily witty collaborative album, My Better Half. After the gig, the estimable Mr Rogers of Kalgoorlie, WA will decamp to Sonic Reducer, joining BigKegShandy on the decks, for his second guest DJ turn at the club. Old Jolly's again expected to spin classics and nuggets by the likes of The Easybeats, AC/DC, yer 'Stones, da 'Ooo, The Raspberries, Big Star, and owt else that takes his fancy ... As per, we'll be raging until 1am, and entry, of course is FREE! Selah, BigKegShandy
-------------------------------------------
Sonic Reducer @ The Spitz (gallery space) July15th Spitalfields Market,

Londinium E1 8.30pm-1am, FREE ENTRY Tube: Liverpool Street

A couple of items you may care to take a wee swatch at...

Nick Kent realises the error of his ways (Thanks to Martin P for the link).

also, Ben Weasel tells it like it is on the subject of myspace.

I was minding my own beeswax when a message from Kevan Aman came in which was titled "What Rock'n'Roll should be". This resulted in my sliding down the rabbit hole which is YouTube to a portal of Oblivians and Gories clips plus a ton more.

I've also been digging the Stereototal-tastic CSS from San Paulo, Brazil. They've got a new album out on SubPop.

Mr Spence has confirmed that The Grease Monkeys and The Dexateens will be opening for The Fleshtones at the DWC. It's gonna be quite the shindig.

Let's head for Sweden now... (if only) ... couple of reviews that are way overdue...

The cross-fertilisation of Kraftwerk and Bo Diddley has to be a good thing so Sci-Fi Skane are considerably ahead of their time. SFS is the fevered by-product of Bob Hund singer Thomas Oberg with help from some of his bandmates and the mysterious Solnafingret. Veering in and out of a cinematic groove, their take on Canned Heat's "Going Up The Country" is kinda like the spawn of The Silicon Teens older, sicker brethren. They're using technology (look out honey, etc.) as if the BBC Radiophonic Workshop had something slipped into their tea by some malevolent canteen lady. I imagine that they'll confound a good many people but that has to be a positive thing. They've been doing a club in London recently. Stick with this program.

Maia Hirasawa is a member of the Hello Saferide group and purveyor of cracking home recorded lounge pop gems in her own right. "The My New Friend EP" contains six quiet, reflective songs which you can sample at her site. The vibe reminds me of Sara Hickman and that's no bad thing. So, should you be seeking a wee diversion from ear-shredding rock'n'roll then this should sooth yon savage beastie. T'was just the business to calm the nerves after all those frantic clips I just ingested.

And so to the final episode of Top of the Pops that's on tonight. I hope that the BBC are working on something authoritative to replace it? That's what we pay our sodding licence fee for. Kinda like Jools Holland but not irritating. I know there are people within that organisation that can put such a thing together so give 'em a bloody chance. Alright? Something not controlled by the self-appointed hipster mafia.

The Treasures of Long Gone John. Coming to a multiplex near you in the fullness of time... nae doobt!

Also, check out the new SFTRI booty. Including a new album by The Fondas.

FREE MUSIC in Gothenburg NEXT WEEKEND and BEYOND!

Musikprogrammet på Frihamnspiren, EM-festen 2006

Friday 4 August - Stora Scenen
Sture Alléns Dansorkester
I’m from Barcelona
Hello Saferide
The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Tältscenen
The Slaves

Saturday 5 August - Where The Action Is - Stora Scenen
C.Aarmé
The Hellacopters
Backyard Babies
Millencolin

Tältscenen
Molotov Jive
The Animal Five

Sunday 6 August - Stora Scenen
Tiger Lou
The Embassy
Eskobar

Tältscenen
Firefox AK
Slagsmålsklubben

Monday 7 August - Stora Scenen
Asta Kask
No Fun At All CKY (us)

Tältscenen
Blindside
Satanic Surfers

Tuesday 8 August - Stora Scenen
Bloodbound
Burst
Arch Enemy (s/uk)

Tältscenen
Avatar Nine

Wednesday 9 August - Stora Scenen
SLS
Snook
Petter
Tältscenen Technics Swedish DJ Championship (DJ-SM)

Thursday 10 August - Stora Scenen
Henrik Berggren
The Twilight Singers feat. Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan
Echo & the Bunnymen (uk)

Tältscenen
Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) (us)
Field Music (uk)

Friday 11 August - Stora Scenen
Sébastien Tellier (fr)
The Dears (can)
Lisa Miskovsky

Tältscenen
Scissors for Lefty (us)
The Rogers Sisters (uk)

Saturday 12 August - Stora Scenen
Whyte Seeds
Timo Räisänen
Looptroop

Tältscenen
Montys Loco
Hets

Those of you in NY might like to know that this coming Thursday, August 3rd at 8pm - PUNKAPELLA - Slovene vocal quartet with Mike Pride & Fritz Welch. (Cafe Grumpy, Meserole Ave., Greenpoint, Brooklyn)...I didn't know they'd named a club after me in deepest Fleshtone territory?!... thanks to Bigor for the heads-up and the photo (via Dusan). The 'pella are in town recording ...

Went out for a hike around Hilversum today to check out the works of W.M. Dudok, the towns former planner/architect. The amazing townhall (pictured) is the obvious icing on the proverbial whatsis, but there are large numbers of schools, bridges and even entire neighborhoods designed by Dudok to enjoy. More pictures of the townhall can be found here, while other buildings can be viewed in this PDF file.

Mr Duff was going about his business this morning when he came a cross the news that those FLESHTONES will be playing at Dirty Water on October 20th. Support is said to include Glasgow's own Grease Monkeys but I haven't had confirmation of that. Seems like a good shout should it happen. The Super Rock troupe will also be at the fine Paris Maroquinerie on October 22nd. Could be a Eurostar adventure in the offing? Work is also progressing on the aforementioned VINDICATED....

'THE MASONICS' plus 'PRESTON PFANZ & THE SEATON SANDS' play 'BEATSVILLE'

at Henry's Cellar Bar, Morrison Street, Edinburgh.

Friday 4th August, 11pm - 3am £5/4

The Masonics, 'Medway Garage Beat', are Mickey Hampshire, ex of The Milkshakes, Bruce Brand ex of Milkshakes and Headcoats and John 'Lard' Gibbs (ex Kaiser). They play they're thudding mix of 'Punk Sea Shanties' and 'R'n'B Two Chorders' once more after a sell out show last January at 'Beatsville' and in support Edinburgh's own Preston Pfanz & The Seaton Sands purveyors of fine Beat and Surf Instrumentals. It's time to 'Shadoogie!'

Cardboard Compulsion "Record collecting included a compulsion to keep the mailers they were sent in. Here they are, along with the stories behind them."

RIP - Jessie Mae Hemphill

(Link courtesy of Colin Duff)

From therunaways.com:

"Hello Friends,

Many of you have written letters to Sandy West and have inquired why there is no new music or merchandise. It has come the time for us to address this issue. It has been a very hard year for Sandy.

In August of last year, Sandy was diagnosed with lung cancer. She has battled bravely and endured an extensive course of chemotherapy which is still continuing. We did not release this information as Sandy wanted her illness to remain a private issue, and to reemerge with new projects, cancer free.

Earlier this week, Sandy received some news that has made her reevaluate the issue of privacy vs her need for your prayers and support.

In addition to the existing lung cancer, Sandy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She is currently undergoing radiation therapy in addition to the chemotherapy. It is a very hard time for her, and while we remain optimistic and hopeful, at this time we ask for your prayers and for you to please send out your positive and healing energy to Sandy.

We have set up a special e-mail for Get Well letters. Sandy won't be able to respond, but you can rest assured she will receive your letters. The greatest joy in Sandy's life is her fans. She considers all of you family and would sincerely benefit from your letters of encouragement at this time.

We have set up a Paypal account for Sandy as well. Even though she has some medical insurance, her bills are piling up alarmingly, and any amount you'd like to donate, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.

Please email your Get Well wishes to: lettersforsandy (at) yahoo.com

You can help Sandy here:
Donate here through PayPal.

For money orders:
Sandy West
c/o Rocket City Records/Times Square Productions
520 Washington Blvd # 199
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292-5421
Please add the insurance/registered mail option so if anything happens it can be tracked.
Money orders only. Please make them out to Sandy West
Please do not send cash!"

Motivation. Now there's a word. Ambition is another and your reporter here is sadly lacking with regard to either. I have no pressing urge to take over the world or indeed anything. The simple art of peedling on has taken on something of a downward precipitation. A tailspin that has me, frankly, wondering if it is in fact possible to avert an almighty splat. I listened to a couple of things today but nothing of any consequence and a couple just plain stank. There are cool things lying around here and stuff I oughtta be filling you folks in on but let's just say that i've come down with a bout of "writer's (breeze)block". Not that I ever considered myself a writer in the first place but you probably get my drift? One pressing matter around my noggin is to figure out about taking some time away from the stalag. Anyhoo, I hope that the lack of activity around these parts won't put you off dropping by again. I'm listening to someone on internet radio banging on about Mercury Music prize nominees. What meaningless pish that is in the grand scheme of things. However, let's take things out on a positive keel - check out this Radio Stars website and don't forget Jeroen's Chiswick sideproject. The "auld yins" are the best right enough...

No sign of Mitch and Mickey unfortunately but Derek Smalls appears in his alter ego of Harry Shearer with his wife Judith Owen at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh during much of August.

Also, tonight there's a BMX Bandits/Evie Sands session on Radio Clyde which you can stream live but I don't think there's a "Listen Again" function. It's on Billy Sloan's show which starts at 7pm and runs until 10pm.

Upcoming Bambi Molesters shows...

29th July - Zagreb (CRO) - Muzej za umjetnost i obrt

4th August - Dubrovnik (CRO) - "Lazareti/Mora" with DJ Dinko

16th September - Kranj (SLO) - "Wave 2" Festival