I signed up for this facebook thing but have entirely no concept of what it's meant to do or be. Let alone how to operate within it. Maybe I should I enlist in this Second Life carry on also? However, I figure it might be appropriate to try and sort out my so-called existing life on this plane first. That's just a notion mind, it's not necessarily do-able. So if you've contacted me and I've become your "friend" on Faceache then bear with me. I may well never get around to doing anything about figuring out how it works. It's bad enough with myspace which I kind of have a handle on but never seem to be able to establish a permanent link. My ISP sez it's not their fault and to be honest, I don't really care. In the grand scheme, it's really not important and not even in the same postcode as my list of priorities. I just got the The Leftovers "On The Move" today and it's reverberating at a volume that I'm sure is making the neighbours teeth rattle. It's like the anti-Fratellis, god bless 'em so more about that later.

Bunch of info on upcoming shows and stuff to compile for an anticipated bumper post so look out fot that but no holding of breath, OK?

And finally, Sharon Osbourne's auld fella passed away... RIP - Don Arden

Martin Rev... three shows on the West Coast starting tonight in Silverlake... back on the Eastern seaboard on Friday for the South Street Seaport appearance of Suicide.

Still somewhat out of sorts, I saw a movie yesterday called The Chumscrubber. Once again duped by a comparison to Lynch on the poster, it was OK. More post-Donnie Darko or maybe an episode of the OC that Mark Frost could have had a hand in. It was sharing a bill with DD but I didn't stick around for that. A mix of couldnae be arsed tempered with just wasn't up to it, and besides I've seen both "cuts". I'm not altogether sure how much in charge of my own destiny that I am at the moment. Circumstances and situations could be better but on the other hand, worse is always a possibility. Driving to the stalag this morning, it was sunny then foggy then a few spots of rain and then sunny again. All in just under 20 miles. Listening to the radio it was all about the flooding down south. That's where the "could be worse" swings into view. And now it's thunder and lightning. I don't think it's climate change, maybe we're just fucked?

It's as good an explanation as any, right? Certainly this carbon offset scam, "pssst gimme 20 quid and I'll plant some trees to compensate for your flights to all over the shop", needs to be kicked into touch. I mean do you trust anybody to do that on your behalf? Aye thought so.

Was a tad distracted by the new Magic Dirt video on their myspace. Adalita is wearing a Cramps "Bad Music..." T-shirt in it and it's a Motorheadophonic stonker! I may have told you before that this combo should rule the earth. Or at least large chunks of it.

I also have a lot of time for the Soho Dolls. Some synth haters might be skeptical but give 'em a chance, they list Suicide and The Nomads as influences on their myspace domain. Irrespective of that, they're headed your, mine and everybody else's way. The Tuts show in Glasgow is with The Vivians.

RIP - Tammy Faye Bakker

Excellent documentary on BBC Radio Ulster about 70's Northern Irish Punk. Broadcast this morning, it's on the Listen Again feature for a week. (Thanks to Liam for the info)

Mr Rafferty sent me this link from The Guardian site which led me here and here...

Time is of the essence so check out this stuff if you're at a loose end in front of your computer at home, work or wherever. Nothing here likely to cause alarm. It's all good clean fun fun fun.

Chris Wilson website with all kinds of Groovie stuff (thanks to Bjorn and Patrick for the link info)

The Handsome Dicks (Knocking 'em dead in Knewcastle...)

Hello Saferide's daytrip to the UK (Reported in the unique Annika Norlin stylee)

Ruff Trade on Brick Lane innit guv... (sorry, I couldnae resist that)

Roky in Dallas (link courtesy of Brother Randall)

Obstacles and the circumnavigation thereof. That seems to be the order of every day in recent living memory. Tractors and roadworks add to the general hindrance. Whatever happened to being able to get from A to fecking B? But anyway, some vinyl, the format of choice in this neighbourhood, to report upon… as the cd hurtles toward oblivion, black (or whatever colour) plastic will always be with us.

Libyan Hit Squad –

Death Metal In Jerusalem EP (Bony Orbit)

A cheeky wee four track 7” from this Fla, outright punk troupe. Think Black Flag via The Samoans with a little touch of, I’m sure unconscious, BOC rifforama. Lead cut is a thuggish Jello-like version of “The Witch” but their own stuff (“sXe punk”, “Mirrorball”, “Sickness”) is all blessed/cursed with a hefty dose of what is presumably themselves. Not an easy task to breath fresh fetid air into this form buy they do. The EP plays at 33 but you can’t have everything.


Phantom – Rockabilly Vampires (Demon)

There’s nothing even vaguely ‘billy about this reggaefied soundscape that evokes Morricone via Strummer. A theme for a twisted imaginary western that’s yet to be made. Flip is a dub version that doesn’t add to the original concept whilst remaining true to the form. This 7” is to be given away with a line of clothing called D.I.E and the label is not to be confused with the Brentford label of the same name.


Various Artists – “I Wanna Punk Rock” –

The Singles Collection (Castle Music)

A 10 single vinyl edition of Step Forward singles with an edition of “Sniffin’ Glue” thrown in to validate the contents. This box contains the formative years of The Fall and the pre-Ant activities of Marco Pirroni with The Models, Mark Perry had a hand in collating this slice of history that also includes The Cortinas, Sham 69 and The Lemon Kittens as well as Chelsea, the latter doesn’t age well at all. I remember being introduced to Gene October once and he was a right obnoxious tube. I can think of another word but let’s keep this office friendly shall we. Anyway, this is also available on cd but if you want this stuff then this is the way to hear it, the way it was.


Salmon – Rock Formations (Bang Records)

A double, none more black, sumptuous vinyl edition in gatefold, embossed sleeveage, limited to 500 copies. Kim Salmon’s Five Guitar/Two Drummer special forces unit coming out louder and heavier than you care to imagine. Rawk orchestration hewn to be enjoyed at volumes hitherto never explored, man I wish I could get along to the show they’re doing in Melbourne on August 2nd. It’s at the East Brunswick Club there. In terms of carbon footprint, this is obviously a monster. The soundtrack to the last night of the poms even. It must take a heckuva lot of energy to run something this monolithic but I can’t think of a better use for fossil fuels. We might as well go down punching the air with bloody big fixed grins, right? Salmon is the sonic equivalent of Godzilla. Go, go with the flow or get stomped - it's your call.


Boris Sujdovic – Fuzz Machine (Bang Records)

Reviewed the cd of this a few weeks ago and as much as that flies outta the trap, this 45rpm footlong provides an additional dimension of thud. It’s a loud, deep cut that emits a paint stripping sound when turned up to tilt. Like with Salmon, this is a limited, numbered pressing of 500. Available from Soundflat, that’s where mine came from and it got here faster than one of them speeding bullets.

FUNTASTIC DRACULA CARNIVAL

¡feliz cumpleaños! Suzy Chain

T h e R e z i l l o s

19th July 2007, 7:30pm (band onstage at 9:00pm)

@ The Corinna Hotel, 44, Atholl St, Perth, Perthshire, PH1 5NN.

Tel: 01738 622201 Entry : £8

A special show in the intimate atmosphere of the "Corinna",

prior to their Scooter Tent headline at the Wickerman Festival the day after.

Honky tonkin', anyone? In our lone NYC appearance for the month, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. returns to the Rodeo Bar this week for a whole mess o' "ballads, boogies & blues" (as is our motto) and all the in-the-shell peanuts we can shuck!
--------------------------------------
THURSDAY, JULY 19th / RODEO BAR / http://www.rodeobar.com/ /
375 Third Avenue (corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan, NYC

/ 10:00 sharp until 1:00 / No cover! /
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And, coming up in the far off, distant future -- August...
--------------------------------------
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1st / Cafe Steinhof (Park Slope, Brooklyn)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4th / Red Hot & Blue Rockabilly Festival (Montreal, Quebec)SATURDAY, AUGUST 18th / 2007 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30th / Otto's Shrunken Head (East Village, Manhattan)
--------------------------------------
Yours truly, Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"
http://www.sitanddieco.com/
http://www.MySpace.com/SITandDieCo
--------------------------------------

RIP - Kelly Johnson (Girlschool)

Next weekend in Germany - undisputed NBT favourites,

The Boonaraaas!!! and Suzy Y Los Quattro. Blimey!

OK, after an extensive schlep through the EIFF programme, I've come up with a half-dozen items that may appeal to NBT readers. There's plenty more good gear in there if you want to go to the site and have a root about. Some of you who may not have received your printed copy in the post can get on with today's Sunday Herald. I'd like to have the downtime (and the loot) to do the Berlin Alexanderplatz thing but it's not an option...

John Waters: This Filthy World (16th August screening has Q&A)

Comrades In Dreams

Control (The Ian Curtis biopic by Anton Corbijn)

Death Proof (for some reason it's not being shown with Grindhouse but maybe Rose MacGowan will turn up anyway...)

LYNCH

Anita Loos - Retrospective


Saw the Edith Piaf movie yesterday, good film but bloody miserable. She had a hard paper round that woman... time to go into training for spending extended periods in a darkened room. Also on a culture tip, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival...

Hamell on Trial - The Terrorism (of Everyday Life) ----- Book here

Well, I thought it was next week but this much hyped/furore "Free" Prince cd is available with the Mail on Sunday here in the UK today. Any overseas readers who care should give me a holler before noon (gmt) today, the usual bollocks apply in that I doubt you'd want the "newspaper" anyway. I personally wouldn't thank you for the "musical content" either but each to their own and all that. At least for this time on a sabbath am.

Far more down with my jurisdiction is this. (Thanks to Frankieteardrop)

Suicide appear on July 27th 07 @ South Street Seaport, NYC. Entry is free!(Thanks to HT for the tipoff)

Back later if I can put a lid on this sneezing...

Well, I finally got my mitts on the Edinburgh Film Festival programme. No thanks to the post office being on strike and whatever else. I'm going to have a right thorough rake through it so will get back to you. Hannah McGill appears to have been able to breath new life into what was becoming a tad stagnant. There's a broad church of stuff in there. Back tomorrow...