MONORAIL FILM CLUB PRESENTS –
THE HOLY MODAL ROUNDERS:
BOUND TO LOSE
and SILVER JEW
This month Monorail Film Club turns it's attention to two generations of American underground music. The Holy Modal Rounders: Bound To Lose chronicles the wild forty-year history of 'The Rounders', who originated as a 1960's Greenwich Village psychedelic folk duo of Peter Stampfel and Steve Weber. Featured in the film are Dennis Hopper, former band member Sam Shepard, Peter Tork of The Monkees, Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo, The Fugs, Loudon Wainwright III, among many others.

Silver Jew is an intimate portrait of sometimes reclusive poet/ musician David Berman and his band the Silver Jews on their historic first visit to Israel in 2006. For Berman this trip was always going to be significant and emotional and the film offers a unique insight into the charismatic word-genius as he performs his music in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with a country-tinged incarnation of his group which includes his wife Cassie.

Sunday 23rd September, 6.45. We very much recommend booking tickets in advance.

GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow. 0141 332 8128

Mr Rafferty wishes it to be known that The Beat Poets are playing the Bell St Stage at the Merchant City Festival in Glasgow on Saturday 22nd September. Stage time is 1:20 to 2:30pm.

I HATE 4 band bills. Particularly when the perceived order is futzed with. So thinking that by arriving late, we would actually miss one of the others - it was a bastard to turn up at Tuts to find that The Vivians had been on first. So this meant having to endure two others that might, to quote that Calvin Harris guy, have been "acceptable in the Eighties" but tonight it's two dollups of grating bollocks. Two bands that pushed the running time back to mean that leaving the SohoDolls set during "Weekender" to catch the last train was the less than satisfactory result.

I don't like going to Tuts anymore. Haven't since they got rid of the big mirror at the bar area. However, the 'Dolls deserve better. They should have been on second to last because then people wouldn't have had to leave. They also wouldn't have to endure way inferior musical faffing. If the "Ribbed Music" album is a little too polished then catching the band live is the way to put flesh on those production bones. The band also look greats and Tony Sailor reminded me of the one and only Keith Streng, you know that's a big plus around here. The loudness provides the songs a visceral quality and in places it's like Jo Callis period Human League sculpted by Al Jourgensen. Maya Doll's vocals were crystal clear and the overall sound in general was amazing. There are obviously samples involved but who the fuck cares when it's as well delivered as this. I've seen some rather unkind dismissals of the album, obviously penned by people who wouldn't know a real, living, breathing, groovy ensemble if they fell across it. SohoDolls are a rare commodity in these piss-poor pop saturated times. So, no chance to hear "Stripper" as we make our way into the rain but I'm sure it would have brought the house down. No other group in the UK has come close to capturing the heady days of The Sweet or Mud to my mind in recent living memory.

If you're in Aberdeen tonight then head for The Tunnels, they're in Greenock(!) tomorrow (Thursday) so give the QE2 a bodyswerve and get down to Reds. There are shows all over the country, check their myspace. They have potential to burn in the old-fashioned biblical sense but is that enough in these ADD festooned times? Only time will tell...

Dammit. I just discovered some stuff I should have posted over the last week or so. It was on a folder on my desktop that should have been visible but evidently never registered on my peepers when I logged on. Apologies if that has hurt anyone's draw in terms of shows, etc. I bit off more than these teeth can deal with, OK? However equilibrium should be restored over the next few days. I said "should" there as a possible disclaimer.

No drive to the stalag this morning. That has to be a good thing... don't think I have any petrol anyhoo.

For the fifth year in a row, Impolite Records proudly present their annual, free rock 'n' roll frenzy: Impolite Garage Fest! IGF is the only way to get your rock 'n' roll in The Hague. A town once known for great sixties beatbands as: The Golden Earrings, The Motions, Shocking Blue & Q65.

We try to live up to that spirit! This year we got: Lo-Lite (Slovenly recording artists from Arnhem play dirty "a bridge too far" garageblues), The Quotes (Rotterdamned punkrock'n'rollers voted best Dutch live act by Grunnen's Vera crowd), Los Tiki Boys (For that special surf sensation! With (ex-)members of The Kliek, Firebirds, Ouke Baas, Treble Spankers and Hallo Venray), The Peptones (garageR’n’R from The Hague with special guest Eric Geevers, of the legendary Ace-Tones, on his vox continental).

Last but not least we got Mark Sultan (aka BBQ). Straight from Canada comes half of The King Khan & BBQ Show, Former member of Les Sexereenos and The Spaceshits. His latest and greatest record is called “The Sultanic Verses” and is released by In The Red Records. On top of that marvellous line-up we got some of the coolest dj's who'll spin their grooviest 45's all night long!!! What about: Stefan Stardumb? Well, he'll be there! And as always: The Upper Shelves, Ziggy The Zigster, Robbie The Robster, Alvin and The Boogieman! And introducing: Funkstrut! So, come shake your hips, have a drink and meet your friends at our free Rock 'n' Roll Extravaganza! Hope to see you there,

Bram Haasdijk (Impolite Records, The Peptones)

WWW.IGF5.TK

WWW.PEPTONES.NL

Pick Up On South Street (PG)
Glasgow Film Theatre, Rose Street.
Sunday 23rd September @ 4.30pm.

To mark their publication of THE DARK PAGE, the long-lost 1944 crime novel by Hollywood iconoclast Sam Fuller, GFT and Glasgow's Kingly Reprieve Books presents a special screening of Fuller's frantic slam-bang noir masterpiece, Pickup On South Street. Lowlife pickpocket Richard Widmark and B-girl Jean Peters reluctantly save the world from a communist spy ring. From the startling opening close-ups, chronicling a pursesnatch in a crowded, greasy New York subway, it develops into a torrid love story and spy thriller where the world hangs in the balance. The film is introduced by David Will, who got to know Fuller during the Edinburgh Film Festival's 1969 retrospective, the book will be launched in the GFT bar at 3.30 and available at reduced price for one day only.

and from the press release for the book -

"If you don’t like Sam Fuller, you just don’t like cinema.”~ MARTIN SCORSESE

As director and writer, Sam Fuller is revered for raw films noir like Pickup on South Street and searing war movies such as The Big Red One, earning a devoted cult of fans that has included filmmakers from Jean-Luc Godard to Quentin Tarantino, and writers from James Ellroy to George Pelecanos. Before movies, however, Fuller was a newspaperman, and a prolific novelist, blasting out books for the disreputable pulp market. Drawing on his own experience, Fuller sets this story against the vividly rendered world of Manhattan’s ravenous tabloid newspaper industry. The Dark Page is the tale of Carl Chapman, a powerful city editor turned murderer, who finds himself hunted through the pages of his own paper by the young star crime reporter he personally groomed.

First published in 1944, this fantastically readable murder story has been unavailable for decades, and never published in the UK before. A bestseller in its day – when it was awarded “Best Psychological Novel of 1944” - the novel’s page turning pace, hardboiled stance, cynical wit and grit remain surprising, as do the cinematic eye and powerhouse story-telling of its author. A gripping noir snapshot of its era, with still-pertinent observations on the workings of the tabloid press, it is one of the great rediscoveries of the year.

I wonder what happened to the formatting on this? Not aware that anything was futzed with at this end to cause this but you never know. And, some messages with regard to not being able to access the posting area when I DO get a chance to attempt some of my patented gibberish. It seems to be letting me prepare this at least but who knows? I'll press publish and it'll vanish. The Wooden Shjips album arrival put me in a good mood but that's not likely to last. Things are backed up to Jackson Heights here in a manner of speaking so how that all pans out is open to conjecture, particularly up until the end of the month. After that it's expected that things will settle down but such expectation has a tendancy to be extended. I still feel a little EIFF-lagged and I've been busy lollygadding with exotic visitors. Reality is threatening to land me an almighty set of bumps and bruises but bobbing and weaving has kept me outta the range of any direct punch up the throat up to this point. I think a very lazy Sunday is in order. Normal service? How the heck would I know...

RIP - Doug Meech

"Sad news courtesy of James Booth: Original Chesterield Kings' drummer, Doug Meech has apparently passed away recently.

I don't have much information to go on other than a message from current Chesterfield Kings' guitarist Paul Morabito that Doug was found dead in his apartment after having been missing from work for almost a week.

Doug Meech was the original drummer in the Chesterfield Kings, forming the band with Greg Prevost and Rick Cona even before Andy Babiuk was involved. As the 'heart and soul' of the band, Doug (together with Greg, Rick, Andy and Ori Guran and later Walt O'Brien and Mike Pappert), played with the band from 1979-1988 performing on the bands early single and first few records as well as touring the States and Europe with the band. Since his departure from the music scene in 1988, Doug has lived a quiet life. On Sundays he would frequent the record store i work at (the Bop Shop) after church and buy loads of early 60's soul and r&b vinyl. In fact i just saw him last week and asked him if he still had his original Kings' drums (which he did)."

from a Garagepunkrecords.com mailout

FRIDAY SEPT 14 - 8PM - THE DIRTY WATER CLUB - MUSIC ROOM AT THE BOSTON ARMS, JUNCTION ROAD -
ACROSS FROM TUFNELL PK UNDERGROUND STATION
The Wildebeests
http://www.myspace.com/wildebeests
Members of the Kaisers, Milkshakes and Thanes combine their talents to become the Lairds of the Boss Racket. At the Primitive Festival in Rotterdam in June, despite being on a bill with so many great bands, the general opinion was that they were the best thing of the entire weekend!
The Stabilisers
http://www.myspace.com/thestabilisers
Featuring ex-Prisoners / Solarflares /Headcoats / James Taylor Quartet man Allan Crockford, The Stabilsisers are an unholy crossbreed of early Clash, XTC, the Buzzcocks, Generation X and The Boys, with the added genetic fingerprints of The Who in ‘65, the Ramones, The Modern Lovers, The Damned and some of the more angular garage bands of the late 60s
Black Time http://www.myspace.com/blacktimemutant77
Featuring former members of the Action Time and the Hotwires, Black Time indulge their love for underground LA punk legends Crime and obscure, mostly forgotten DIY punk 45s, mixed in with the Cramps and early Fall.
>>some images of Black Time playing the 10 year anniversary gig supporting the Monks
**************************************************************************************
SATURDAY SEPT 15 - PARIS, FRANCE - LA MECANIQUE ONDULATOIRE -
Passage Thiéré
THE WILDEBEESTS + 'garage / punk / surf combo TU SERAS TERRIBLEMENT GENTILLE
www.myspace.com/tuserasterriblementgentille
**********************************************************************************************************
SUNDAY 16 Sep 2007, 18:00 CORN ROCKET CLUB:
the Birdcage, 58 Stamford Hill, London N16, FREE!!!
T H E W I L D E B E E S T S + T H E B U C K E T S

Wooden Shjips have set sail and you can preview the album now. There was a lot to live up to and I think they've got the virus contained. Good old fashioned neu-sy, oscillation. The like of which I haven't encountered since the halcyon Spacemen 3 days. Just the thing for what ails yer... due in a week on cd and vinyl. Just the thing to book your ticket out of this world on the impending winter nights.

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. goes country this week – at the 4th Annual Brooklyn Country Music Festival! It’s a colossal three-day happening of over 20 local pea-pickin’ acts and homemade pie, with our contribution coming on Saturday, September 8th at 6pm on the curtained stage of spacious Southpaw in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Why, we even had our picture in the paper. Complete festival lineup here. Also this week, should you just happen to be in the Philadelphia area, we’re appearing at the 8th Annual Hotroad Hoedown on Friday, September 7th, with all the gassed up details here.
Yours truly, Michael "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Oversubscribed and/or flailing. That's the order of the day around here. Many distractions and a total and utter lack of organisation on my part. Seems like the power to schedule has been lost and hence the rather tardy attempts at making an appearance here. I've sort of lost the will to blog actually. That's the truth of the matter, especially when the ISP seems to be playing up into the bargain. Using a bloody computer all day, every day means that I'm not altogether in the best tid for starting again when I drag my arse home, tonight - like last night - I had every intention of schlepping to Glasgow but the flesh, the spirit and the wallet are all vying for which is the sodding weakest. But anyway, Murray sent me this link to some Hilly the K tributes from outside what was CBGB's. From there you can navigate to more cool images by Debbie CB's. Go do it.

I thought I'd mentioned the Lucky Soul shows and in particular the one in Glasgow tonight at Barfly. Mr Duff sez no so I better rectify that. It's unlikely I'll make it over there but there's a loooooong days hard rain between now and then. Jeez... look at the time, ought to be gone...

RIP - Janis Martin (The Female Elvis)

I had about 5 minutes to post this information earlier from a bulletin recieved from Leee Black Childers. Been checking back and forth throughout the day but the only thing I've come across other than her myspace is this from the Noise Board. It was only last week Rosie Flores alerted the world to the fact that she was terminally ill. Maybe it's a blessing that it happened this fast but obviously not for her family, friends and fans. May she be boppin' with her boy Elvis right this very minute!

Andy Shernoff and Alan Vega and Handsome Dick on the passing of Hilly Kristal.

Wooden Shjips are on the cover-mount cd with the new Mojo. Pt 1 of the new "SOL '07" 45 providing a taster for the album coming on Holy Mountain (September 10th?). You can listen to "SOL Pt. 2" on their myspace continuum. It got that throb.

Bit hectic around here at the minute but that news about The Sonics has really set the heather on fire. Of course, I'll have to sit it out but I'm hoping that Mr Lenny Helsing will report back on what goes down as both his combos, The Thanes and The Wildebeests are in on the action. As are the mighty Fleshtones!

Can't believe that we're grazing September already and there's a lot to consider. Trying to update this thing everyday unravels sometimes. However, between this, that and trying to maintain an existence then this is the hand I've been dealt. It could be way worse or it could be be a tad or two smoother. Anyway, there's some haggis to fry and supplies to be got in. Or is it the other way aboot? Either way, I'm outta here...

THE WAIT IS OVER... AND HERE'S THE WORD!

THE LINEUP (and ticket info) FOR CAVESTOMP! 2007 --

"The GARAGE Rock Festacular!" They said it couldn't be done (hell, WE said it couldn't be done)but... BASEBALL BAT BOMBASTIC-LIKE DRUM ROLL, PUH-LEEZ!

.... STRAIGHT FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST IT'S THE ONE AND ONLY... SONICS!!!!!

First time in 35 years! And these TWO nights are their ONLY shows!Featuring original members: Gerry Roslie!!! on throat/keyboards,Larry Parypa!!! on guitar, and Rob Lind!!! on tenor sax! With DaveRowland (of The Wailers) on drums!! And Don Wilhelm (of The Daily Flash) on bass!!

THE NEW COLONY SIX!!! Doing all their hits! "I Confess!!!" "At theRiver's Edge!!!" "Dawn Is Breaking!!!

"THE STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK!!! Performing their first LP "Incense and Peppermints!" in its entirety! (Complete with surface noise!) Withoriginal members George Bunnell, Lee Freeman, Randy Seoul, Mark Weitz, Gene Gunnels, andSteve Bartek! And now -- the complete lineups!

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2
THE SONICS!!!!!!
THE THANES!!!
THE SATELLITERS!!!
THE OUTTA PLACE!!!
THE STAGGERS!!!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3
THE STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK!!!
THE NEW COLONY SIX!!!
THE ALARM CLOCKS!!!
THE URGES!!!THE HIGHER STATE!!!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4
THE SONICS!!!!!!
THE FLESHTONES!!!
(support band to be confirmed)
THE WILDEBEESTS!!!
THE HALL MONITORS!!!

The venue: WARSAW! 261 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn NY! We can't prove it,but this is probably the first time you can get THE SONICS and kielbasa inthe same place since 1964!!! And don't forget Polish beer by the barrel! (Smaller quantities available as well!)

Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day of show, and THANK YOU JE-ZUS!!$90 for a three day pass!!!! Tickets are available NOW!! NOW!! NOW!! thru TICKETWEB at this direct link:

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=20324

If you're in the neighborhood, pick your tix up at Ear Wax Records (218Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn) or Warsaw
(261 Driggs Ave.Greenpoint, Brooklyn -- call (718) 387-0505) starting Wednesday, Sept. 5.

Watch this space for more info!

Hey de ho, kidlets!

The Stripchords return to Londinium next Saturday, to
Mr Eric Ulcer's venerable Corn Rocket Club, to supply some summertime knockers and guitar raunch action, powered by an amazing 65 watts of sound and our new, digital projection system! Support comes from Immortal Lee County Killers fella Sweet Velvet C, and there's also hep weax action from yer very own BigKegShandy and Gluey Louie, plus mein hosts, Eric 'le chemise de bateau' Ulcer and Victor 'silk' Torpedo. AND IT'S FREE! Shenanigans start at 6pm, don't be late... See you at the bar... Selah! The Stripchords

The Stripchords & Sweet Velvet C
The Corn Rocket Club @ The Birdcage
Saturday September 8th
58 Stamford Hill, London N16
BR: Stoke Newington 6pm, FREE