The absolute apex of the weekend, for me, has to be driving away from work on Friday. The furthest point from having to my carcass back there. I'm weary of the treadmill but needs must but what better way to get geared up for "the weekend" (in the spirit of Friday night as befits the DFFD credo) than a swatch at three NEW YORK LOOSE videos on YouTube. Thanks to Pilly for the heads up. This should set you up nicely to snaffle the new NYL comp that's just about to be issued by Sleazegrinder and will be available via Cargo here.

If ever there there was a combo that deserved to go the whole road, it was this one. Exactly how Brijitte never ended up as a rock'n'roll icon is one of the great mysteries. Maybe they were just too good. That is so often the case... anyway, let's kick off your Friday night with the Loose... SPIT, RIP ME UP, BROKEN

Full details on the comp when I get a hold of it. I'll be back at some juncture but maybe not tonight. My eyes are like pissholes in the snow as it is (how topical!) and well, maybe I is sickening for something or even just plain sick. But not in a good way. The hatch is batoned down. Stay tuned for further bulletins.

The John Miller posse is headed for The Netherlands...

Heard the one about Johnny Ramone and The Mozzer? Mr Percival sent me this link.

I'm actually more concerned that the person who wrote the piece can't spell Bela.

Glasgow's Rhythm & Blues all stars The 5 Aces (formerly The Boogaloo Investigators) play 60's Beat dancefloor fillers and are ably supported by Twisting Surf Beat Instrumentalists and house band Preston Pfanz & the Seaton Sands at Beatsville - Henry's Cellar Bar, Morrison St. Edinburgh, Saturday 17th February. 11pm - 3am, £5/4

It’s an "adults only" weekend for Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. – as we go from the bawdy to the profane in the borough of Brooklyn! We’ll keep you warm, alright, with back-to-back nights of patent-pending "ballads, boogies & blues" and highbrow humor decidedly not suitable for children.
Well, maybe just the special, very gifted ones...

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9th / WASABASSCO BURLESQUE at the Living Room Lounge / Hosted by GiGi La Femme & Nasty Canasta! / http://wasabassco.com/ /245 23rd Street (at the corner of Fifth Avenue) in Brooklyn, NYC / We start the show with a fully-clothed set at 9:00 / $5 cover /

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th / HANK’S SALOON /
46 Third Avenue (at the corner of Atlantic Avenue) in Brooklyn, NYC / 10:00 – Greg Phoenix /10:45 – SIT & Die Co. /12:00 – Johnny Carlevale & His Band Of All-Stars! /
$5 "suggested donation" /

Ribaldly yours, Michael, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues" http://SITandDieCo.com

Fancy seeing something with a little Mike Judge does Disney via a Kricfalusi twist?

Then clock this Säkert video...

Also Stacey has found out that Firefox AK are playing in Glasgow on February 16th as part of a tour with Junior Boys (?). No, me neither but if you fancy some choice electro pop then cut along. I'm expanding my musical horizons all the time me... innit.

RIP - Billy Kelly

from John Miller:

I received the sad news today that top Glasgow promoter and friend of mine Billy Kelly has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

I know many of my friends have had dealings with Billy when their tours hit Glasgow as he was the main man behind Soundsfine Promotions who ran the Big Big Country and Big Big World festivals as well as numerous top gigs in between. They also promoted gigs in other parts of Scotland.

Billy was also a frequent visitor to festivals like SXSW where he came into contact with many more acts and other like minded promoters.I had hoped to see Billy at the recent Dale Watson concert in Glasgow but it was not to be as he was in hospital but I did have some correspondence with him afterwards.

Billy gave me lots of work and the chance to open for some great acts including, Dale, Big Sandy, Slaid Cleaves and many many more. I also got to see many more class acts, most times for free as Billy wouldn't ever let me pay. I for one will miss the enthusiasm, nay passion, that he had for music.

My thoughts at this time are with his wife, Anne, and their children Billy and Vicky.

It is one hell of a sad day for roots music in Scotland.

John Miller

This was a shock and John is right. It’s a sad day for music of all persuasions.

In my opinion, this guy presented a level of service to music promotion and gentlemanly conduct that is rare in the trade he was in. His attention to detail and old school way of operating was an inspiration. He always had time for you, there was none of the self-important nonsense (I’m being diplomatic here) that so often comes with such territory. He built up the Big Big Country and Big Big World events that took place in May and October respectively. The difference was that he curated as well as promoted. That was the ace he had up his sleeve.

My last contact with Mr K was to try and get him to book The Bambi Molesters for BBW, some Croatian surf for the broad canvas. He told me he’d try and work it out. It didn’t but I’m sure it would have happened eventually.

Billy Kelly made a difference and I consider it an honour to have known him. I hope he’s riding those high plains and my thoughts are with his family at this sad time. Cheers Billy, thanks for everything...

This coming Friday at Debaser in Stockholm (Rock City!)

The Scientists and Alan Vega are part of The Dirty Three curated ATP festival in Butlins, Minehead this coming April...

Well, we've reported on a group called The Monks, a TV show called Monk so let me introduce you to Tommy Erdelyi's (nee Ramone) bluegrass combo, Uncle Monk.

(Thanks to Mr Percival for the link)

Using up the last remaining vacation days means trying to tie up loose ends... but there are so many which have unravelled to the point of no return. But anyway, some stuff that'll keep you amused for a wee while...

Mr H flagged up this Wooden Shjips article at Dusted. You can also listen to their shjotguntastic "Shrinking Moon For You" as a musical backdrop.

Mr Rafferty dropped me this link for the new Joan Jett video. And you figured they didn't make them like this anymore? So did I... did I ever tell you that I stood next to JJ at a Flamin' Groovies show once?

Ben ran these clips past the Staysickers... this version of "The Explosives" seem a little clunky to me in their attempt to bolster Roky but i'll let you make out your own mind. Mr Gart also reminded me about this New Bomb Turks dvd from their show at the Cas Rock in Edinburgh some moons ago. There's every chance i'm in it...

Bjorn provided this link to the Barracudas film available as bitesize chunks on YouTube some time ago but I only just found it (er, remembered) when i was looking for something else.

I was never what could be construed as a Clash fan but some of you might be, so check out Strummerville.

Songs The Nomads Taught Youse, J found this on ebay... and at the other end of the financial spectrum, Mr Percival hepped me to this.

So that'll keep you going meantime. Just heard that today is the day that people are most likely to call in a "sickie". Why don't they have pre-publicity for that type of event? I wasn't born to work or follow. Such is what passes for life.

Have you seen these Motown Complete Single collection things? Six volumes so far and quite possibly the best dressed bespoke items that i've clocked in some considerable time. Sort of pricey, supposedly limited (but it doesn't say to how many). Dropped by Capt. Crunch's this avo and got to have a good old rake through them all. If I had 3 hundred-knicker to spare then i'd invest in a set. One of them even has the Mynah Birds 45 that Neil Young played on amongst the contents. Also got my ticket for the Glasgow Film Festival.

Mr Arnoff just reminded me that there's an Alex Harvey doc, The Last of the Teenage Idols on BBC Radio 2 tonight at 8pm (GMT). Presumably it'll be on the listen again feature also for at least a week. Also, on the R2 front, Brian Matthews returns to Sounds of the Sixties at 8am (GMT) NEXT Saturday (10th) after a lengthy illness.

I received this forwarded message from my friend KP yesterday and while I wouldn't normally post something like this here, it's something I feel fairly strongly about so don't mump, got it?...

"I was just wondering if anyone watches what is posted on myspace videos? Shouldn't people be prosecuted for abusing animals if they're making videos of killing and torturing them and posting them on there? This petition requires Myspace to turn over abusive videos and their perpetrators to the proper authorities!"

Click to sign the petition to stop cruelty on myspace.

Personally, i'd cheerfully watch clips of the abusers being tortured but that's just the kind of person I am. Could be a treatment for a new TV phenomenon? You never know...

Time for a state of the (indoctri)nation address, such as it is. In a bid to keep this interesting for all of us. To turn up stuff that you want to hear, see and well - hear and see. The emphasis is on directing you to the source. This may sound like repetition but as time grinds on - it bears to be said now and again. Been looking at the stats and we get a little over 7000 hits per month. Not too shabby for something that divnae actively canvas for business or ads or any of that other shite this interweb floods we with. Periodic considerations of doing another print issue have pretty much been crushed completely. I'm constantly reminded to never say never but never is the most likely timeframe. Apart from when I’m totally delusional. Did a wee experiment on myspace to find out if I'd get bombarded with info to pass on and never got more than maybe a half-dozen responses. Maybe this "tool" isn't as sharp as it’s alleged on the packaging.

Away from the pulsebeat of music etc, (hey Art!) the town centre here is up for redevelopment. Or what passes for a town centre. In reality, any soul the place had is long since gone in any sense of retailing or anything else. People go to the stripmalls now. It saves putting the heating on. They trudge around those hanger-size, will to live draining places for hours ala dawn of the dead. Actually Romero’s crew were far more savvy. Last Saturday morning, I took my completed “regeneration” comment form to the local library and deposited it in the box that lies in front of the crap display board with the supposed layout. I bet that somewhere there's one of those terrible "Money For Nothing" type fly-through presentations too. Anyway, let's leave that consideration in the meantime. Came out, looked across the road and noticed that the bingo hall had an agent sign outside. I duly contacted said agent and as of today, no info has been forthcoming.

Turns out that, because of the smoking ban, the place has closed. Long before it became a place to yell "house!", it was the local cinema. The place we went on a Saturday morning and/or afternoon. Ultimately it was the place we managed to sneak underage into our first X rated picture. I think the first one I saw was called “Helga”, an, er, “documentary”. However, I remember “The Good Guys and The Bad Guys” better. Around 1970-ish when I was really wee. According to the Scottish Cinemas site, it ceased to be a moviehouse in 1971. So, a little digging turned up a local report that offered the useful tripe – “if it was knocked down it would allow greater access to the new Asda”. It looks like it’s attributed to a local councillor, but I have it on authority from that individual that it was not. The mentality that would even think about making such a bottom burp out loud far less in print is essentially what we’re up against. Not that opening it as an arts venue would be in any way sustainable but you’d think they’d want to retain some sense of history? You’d think. I’ve got a bee in my proverbial bunnet about this. It’s just another one of these symptoms. Maybe they should flatten the whole town, tarmac it. Make an even bigger car park for the supermarket wars to be fought out in. Maximum succour for the scumhordes. Some effort will be made to make sure that this building doesn’t come down without some noising up of Historic Scotland and whatever other organisation that is supposed to muzzle those idiots that are inclined to bow down before the almighty buck. If the Bo'ness Hippodrome can be redeveloped then surely at least some stops can be extracted to keep the old Empire Electric going for a few years yet.

So, more music stuff coming up soon. Meanwhile, check out Herbie...

If you're anywhere near the banks of the River Charles this weekend, then this is the hot ticket. A hopelessly oversubscribed moment in history. Wish I was there...

TONIGHT! SAT FEB 3 • QUESTION MARK BENEFIT

MAGNETIC FIELD, 97 ATLANTIC AVE, BROOKLYN -
7 PM DOORS • $10 DONATION

Join the A-Bones with Muck & the Mires teh Miscreants and the Great Gaylord (direct from Radio City!) and a slew of action packers and special guests at a no holds barred benefit for Q at Brooklyn’s fabulous Magnetic Field. Emcee con fabuloso for the event is LENNY "Nuggets"/"Doc Rock"/"The K" KAYE! Bands will blast, raffles will be held, peanut butter delicacies will be savored, and mayhem will reign supreme while MISS K (no relation to Lenny!, except in good
taste!) spins wild wax with none other than THE EMPRESS a bevy of boss jocks all night long. All proceeds from the door and raffles go direct 100% to Question Mark. As all Q’s mementoes burned, please bring copies of pix and clippings and we’ll send all to Q! Alice Cooper has donated his PANTS and an autographed picture for the raffle! How's about THAT! See you there! Doors at 7 PM!
www.magneticbrooklyn.com

"Veteran rocker Question Mark was devastated after his Michigan home of nearly 40 years was burned to the ground last week, killing five of his pets. Question Mark, who had a number one US hit with "96 Tears" with his band The Mysterians, also lost memorabilia dating back four decades, including a gold record and an organ thought to have once been owned by Pink Floyd."

The night -- emceed by the legendary
LENNY KAYE
will feature boss live music from
THE A-BONES
MUCK & THE MIRES
LINK CROMWELL
THE GREAT GAYLORD
THE MISCREANTS

DJ sets from Lynne K (Carnival Of Lost Soul) and Connie T. Empress (Empire State Soul Club), as well as rock'n'roll raffles throughout the evening (prizes will include original rock posters, photos, t-shirts, vintage memorabilia, and more). Full list of raffle sponsors to come, but so far they include Norton Records, Nights With Alice Cooper, Steve Ritsua, Abkco Records, Little Steven's Underground Garage, Mary Weiss (The Shangri La's), Dead Flowers, Guitar World, Empire State Soul Club, Magnetic Field, Coyote Recording Studios, Bumble & Bumble, Collectibles, and Theresa Kereakes. If you cannot make the shindig and still want to help, you can donate via the Magnetic Field page! All money will be added to what we raise the day of the event via the door, and various items that will be on sale.

News via e-mole... Roky headed for Europe this summer!!

THU MAR 1 / GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL / SAN FRANCISCO / NOISE FEST
THU MAR 15 / THREADGILL'S SOUTH / AUSTIN / ROKY'S ICE CREAM SOCIAL
SAT APR 28 / POLO GROUNDS / INDIO, CA / COACHELLA FESTIVAL
WED MAY 2 / HOUSE OF BLUES / NEW ORLEANS / PONDEROSA STOMP
SAT JUN 16 / HULTSFRED FESTIVAL / SWEDEN
JUL 5-8 / ROSKILDE FESTIVAL / DENMARK
JUL 6-8 / RUISROCK / FINLAND
AUG 8-11 / OYA FESTIVAL / NORWAY

Long Gone John wishes it to be known that "my house is slowly being taken apart at the seams or so it seems...i'll be moving to olympia soon...a lot of my stuff has been shifted to the grand central art center in santa ana for a show called "pictures of the gone world" it opens this saturday (feb 3rd) and runs through march 18th...i went to see it today and all things considered it looks pretty cool...the film, "the treasures of long gone john" will screen twice saturday night at 6:00 and 8:30 (free to the public) also showing will be gregg gibbs new film, "the gone world" which i think is about anorexic penguins in the belgian congo or something like that...pass this along to concerned parties if you are able... thank you...thats it...like that...over and way the fuck out!!"

Mr H in Montana sez "Your future is before you unless you are turned around" and he's not wrong. And while you ponder that, consider this recommendation from the man...

"Acid Archives a book offshoot from LYSERGIA by site operator Patrick Lundborg with help from unindicted co-conspirators Aaron Milenski and Ron Moore is already in its second printing. The book covers the American and Canadian rock underground from 1965 - 1982 and if you are a regular reader of NBT, then you're going to want to check it out. The book, ostensibly a collector's buying guide, focuses on giving rarity and value ratings to over 4,000 (many hopelessly obscure) vinyl LPs from the aforementioned time and place, but functions as so much more. Plus, many of the vinyl rarities are easily obtainable in CD format. New light is shed on some familiar names--Music Machine, Chocolate Watchband, David Crosby (!)--by the authors who write from an enthusiast's rather than a collector's perspective, but the bulk of the book is given to things like this about Boyd McCoy of Rochester, NY and his band's live '72 rouser: ". . .a live example of prime drink-spilling lounge music made up of mostly hard rock and soulful funk cover songs. Instead of the usual homogenized, family friendly lounge act, Boyd and the boys are a trashy, grungy and out-of-control intoxicated whirlwind.!" I don't know about you, but my interest is piqued. AA can be divided roughly into five broad categories psych, prog, garage, folk and outer limits. Many of the records covered began as self-produced basement jobs (Stone Harbour, 1971 Ohio "Extraordinary . . . basement psych with songs fading in and out of the speakers, cavemen drums, primitive electronics and murky fuzz lurking in the background") or intriguingly unclassifiable--and often tortured--swipes at "art"(Robbie the Werewolf 1964 L.A. "Remarkable early private press that manages to be a folk LP and a parody of a folk LP at the same time. Half of it is monster-fan-piss-takes on standards such as . . ."Tip Toe Through the Tulips" the other half is Robbie originals hitting an unforgettable apex with the echo-laden Count Dracula track, "...watch out for those vampires some of them are QUEER.") Foreword by Mr. Mike Stax who gives the word, " ...englightened music listeners can separate the hip from the hyped, and begin to navigate their way more readily through the strange and fascinating world of Underground sounds." Oh, and lots of cool pix too. Check with SUBLIMINAL SOUNDS if you want to score a copy."