Lou Reed - Kill Your Sons (from The Bottom Line 1983)

(link courtesy of Sonic Producer/Please Kill Me)

Managed to drag myself out of the bunker yesterday for some culture. Starting with the Coen Brother’s “No Country For Old Men”. It’s not bad but is it a return to “form”?, I’m not sure. It has its moments and one particularly great line. Can’t tell you what the correlation is with the book because I haven’t read it. Javier Barden’s remorseless killing machine could be being set up to take on the winner between the Alien and The Predator. I’d like to see the Coen’s take that on. So yeah, it does have ripples of “Blood Simple” and it’s not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon but I wasn’t convinced that it was the tour de force the meeja is painting it as.

So after that, I had a rake about a couple of bookshops and some dvd racks. The sheer amount of stuff out there is alarming and the way it’s presented is generally soulless, as is the packaging. Saw the Ace book but it was shrink wrapped but the same publisher has another one on Rough Trade which is a very good-looking tome.

So on then to The Pearlfishers at the Classic Grand, first time that I’ve been in this relatively new venue. Good size. Better sightlines than Tuts. This old porno cinema has scrubbed up very well into a very cool room. Openers Finniston were on already and their homogenous folk pop was going down OK but it wasn’t for me. Mr Blake noticed that one of their songs bore a resemblance to Cliff’s “Wired For Sound”. I think we’ll leave it at that.

The Pearlfishers aren’t like anything else. Particularly when they can employ the full strings and horns bhuna as they did last night. In this day and age of the bottom line, quality is often sacrificed but not here. I believe that if this could be presented around the country and beyond like this then it the penny would finally drop. The version of “New Stars” convinces me even more that Teenage Fanclub should record it.

Playing tunes from all stages of their existence, it was a classy affair. There’s only one person on earth that I’d forgive for slipping a Paul McCartney song into a set and that’s Davie Scott. A lot of heart and a similar helping of soul arranged to perfection the way you (almost) never hear it anymore.

So let’s tackle a couple of cd’s that mine something of the same field…

The 17th Pygmy – Ballade of Tristram’s Last Harping (Trackwerx)

So here’s the paisley overground. A lush, soaring psychedelic psmogasbord that seems to connect Fleetwood Mac with Wooden Shjips. Beautifully packaged, which seems to be a trademark of Trakwerx quality and very tastefully recorded. If there were such a thing as airwaves in the traditional sense then this would or should be all over it. These lysergic folk pop hark back and pull forward at the same time. The result positively shimmers. If they can pull this off live then there are a wealth of REM and Dream Syndicate fans out there that are starved of something substantial. “Beautiful Lie” sounds like something Debbie Harry could use. In fact Meg Maryatt bears quite a striking vocal resemblance throughout.

She also plays accordion which is a big plus point. Heard a feature on the wireless this morning about that instrument being back but it was never away if you knew where to look. (Hi Angel!)

If you want something substantial that has elements of the Radionapper/Brian Jonestown formula then those vibes don’t come much closer than “Just Like Brian Jones”. Being that there’s no consensus anymore, I’m not sure how you get something like this to the people who would go gaga for it. In terms of what I perceive to be broad commercial appeal then this has everything. It doesn’t require hype, it just needs to be heard. It’s one of those things that if you heard it in a record store (remember those?), you’d be up at the counter asking what it was. I don’t believe there’s a higher accolade than that.

“No tambourines were harmed in the making of this album”. Damnit, they’re funny too.

Cult.With.No.Name – Paper.Wraps.Rock (Trackwerx)

This is a strange concept that initially sounds like a lounge pianists outing with a piece entitled “the morning after the night before last”. This is as far away from “rock” as I’ve been in some time. Drifting way out to sea and I think that the calming effect is something I could use more of.

There’s something quite Roxy Music about it without them sounding anything alike. Kinda abstract Ben Folds territory even. Or Todd Rundgren? It kind of reminds me of The Pearlfishers with a darker streak too.

PWR is a grower. I was sceptical at first but their songs have somehow wheedled themselves under my skin with repeated plays. Look at the influences listed on their myspace as you listen. Go easy on the head scratching though.

If you fancy something atmospheric, fairly relaxing with shades of Julee Cruise then check out Laki Mera for the princely sum of exactly nowt.

And finally for today, I’ve just found out that Redd Kross and Wooden Shjips are paying the upcoming ATP vs Pitchfork. Fingers crossed that both will tack a few more shows on to their respective visits.

RIP - Suzanne Pleshette

RIP - Allan Melvin

I haven’t felt much like writing lately. The responsibility of updating this thing doesn’t seem to square with the amount of time that’s available. With that comes the pressure of needing to get the word out but not being able to. There’s no statute of limitations on this stuff though so that’s something. You read about something here then it’s a keeper. Sometimes there's so much coming out that it’s hard to keep up never mind being able to consume it all.

I was just about to go into Glasgow thinking that The Pearlfishers show was tonight but its tomorrow (20th). Paul Burch is on tonight but I don’t have the readies to do both. And I need to get a Pearlies cd for Amy Rigby too so that would scratch that itch. Hey, these are good options to have. Getting royally screwed in the day to day employment scenario sometimes pales into insignificance. There’s nothing one can do about it anyways so why spend so much time mothering? I could always buy a lottery ticket, right? I’m done with trying to make any sense of it, that’s for sure. He typed stoically.

Riches come in many forms and these are not always to be measured in hard currency. I should write that Bart Simpson-like until I get it into my skull. There’s certainly no recession dawning in terms of good music to be enjoyed. So some of that will be coming up in due course.

Talking of which, John Kongos is on CAKE (click on the link in the sidebar, directly below DWC). Great to hear that again… the proprieter of this fine portal was responsible for bringing this to the attention of Happy Mondays who baggified it in the early 90’s.

So yeah, plenty of distractions and no work until Tuesday. Good deal!

If you find yourself out Stockholm way on February 9th...

Chris Wilson in London on 7th February... (info from Brother Patrick)

DON'T LOOK BACK AUSTRALIA
With Sonic Youth's first night in Sydney performing Daydream Nation at The Enmore Theatre on Monday February 18th sold out, Feel Presents and ATP are proud to announce a 2nd and final Sydney show for Sonic Youth. The show takes place on the following night, Tuesday 19th February again at the Enmore Theatre.
In support are The Scientists, presenting the extended version of the grunge-template Blood Red River.
In addition to Sydney, Sonic Youth sold out their Perth Arts Festival show in just three days, and their appearance at Melbourne's Metro Nightclub followed closely after. There are no plans for a further Perth show but a second Melbourne Metro show on Thursday 21st February has been placed on sale. Again this is a double bill with The Scientists.
Tickets for the new shows are on sale now, and are available online from http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/

Downtown, you say? Then downtown it is, as Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. makes a trip this Saturday for the kickoff of the Knitting Factory's new monthly "retro" music series! (Retro? And here we thought we were on the cutting edge of songs about animals and self love.) Also on the bill is the US film premiere of "Rockabilly 514", a documentary look at the seedy underbelly of the rockabilly subculture of Montreal -- ooh la la!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19th / KNITTING FACTORY "TAP BAR" /74 Leonard Street (between Broadway & Church) in Manhattan / One set at 10:30, following "Rockabilly 514" at 9:00 / No cover! Also, on the near horizon...
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24th / LUCKY CAT / Colonial Williamsburg, Brooklyn / THURSDAY, JANUARY 31st / WFMU / On Fabio's "Strength Through Failure" / THURSDAY, JANUARY 31st / OTTO'S / Our East Village monthly residency / SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd / FREDDY'S BACKROOM / Prospect Heights, Brooklyn /
Truly yours, Michael,
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

I'm not sure what happened to fun. Sometimes it does visit but only fleetingly. I'm even less conscious about where time goes. Recently the routine has gotten ever more mundane. Spending too much time in the dark both metaphorically and figuratively. According to that Death Clock thing, I'm supposed to peg it this year.

I hope that it's not before the new Hello Saferide, Suzy & Los Quattro and WReckless WRigby releases see the light of day.

Celtic Connections is just about to kick off in Glasgow this week. There are a lot of shows, too many really but we'll see how it pans out. Looking forward to seeing my old mucker, Bobby Lloyd Hicks when he's here with Steve Forbert. It's not often that Springfield, Mo. dignitaries come around these parts. Of course, it's The Skeletons that SHOULD be playing at CC but as you know, justice is seldom forthcoming. Particularly in terms of what is perceived to be a draw and what isn't.

Nothing going on here today really. Got some upbeat news in the latter part of my sentence this afternoon but it's all a bit premature to put into print.

Meanwhile, carrying on the metal theme from yesterday, why not check out D4D? Thanks Steve...

I really must check out the availability of "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" on dvd. Have you ever seen that? Blimey, it is... let's check "Neil Diamond Parking Lot"...

Both of these are classics. Really. Anyway that's yer lot, throws hail satan sign - sticks tongue out a la Dio and switches on TV. It's time to veg.

Oh, here's Roky on PBS to be going on with then...

Still battling with this cold and a general inability to function. I did kind of consider a schlepp to the pictures but wouldn't want to cough and splutter my way through the feature. It's called consideration for other people. Some of the dolts around these parts should try it sometime.

Of course, if certain parties would just lock themselve s away when the lurghi comes over them then the fallout would be limited but no. Everywhere you turn there are individuals who want to share their germs. And not in any positive way. So hopefully this'll subside soon and some kind of normality which doesn't include the red raw Rudolph look will ensue.

So that's an explanation of sorts in between sneezes. Normal service is a struggle for now. If anything pressing comes up then I'll let you know. Until then, I'm out of here - it - and whatever else...

I'll just leave you with this thought, as pondered by "hair" band Candy. Thanks for the link Jonathan...

RIP - Rod Allen (The Fortunes)

From Larry Shell...

RIP - Maila Nurmi (Vampira)

"One of my favorite 50s icons, Maila Nurmi, who became synonymous with her character, Vampira, passed away in her sleep yesterday at the age of 86. She was born Maila Elizabeth Syrjäniemi on December 21, 1921, in Petsamo, Finland - now Pechenga, Russia.

Maila came to America and started her career as a model, actress and dancer in Hollywood, but her life was forever changed when she attended the Ball Caribe Masquerade Party in Hollywood in 1953. She attended dressed as a vampish character based on the Charles Addams drawing of Morticia from the New Yorker magazine cartoons. She beat out 2000 contestants in the costume contest and won first prize! She also won the attention of ABC channel 7 producer Hunt Stromberg Jr. who hired her to host the station's new late-night horror show, called what else? The Vampira Show!

The show premiered in 1954 and Vampira quickly got national attention. Fan clubs and magazine articles followed. Soon she was jet setting with Hollywood icons like James Dean and Marlon Brando. Unfortunately, she was fired from the studio after only just a year and a half. Why? Vampira claims she was blacklisted from Hollywood because she didn't cooperate with the Hollywood factory.

Despite Vampira’s short-lived television career, the character was to set the standard for an entire legion of horror hostesses, actresses, and even cartoon characters to follow. Maila Nurmi’s film oeuvre includes the Ed Wood-directed cult classic, Plan 9 From Outer Space, Sex Kittens Go To College and The Beat Generation.

A documentary, Vampira: The Movie, was released late last year and can be found here: http://www.oldies.com/product-view/1033D.html

Obit by Ellis Dee Plagiarized from several sources"

A missive from yer Uncle Tom...

"Hi kids,

Unlike the majority of the nation THE PHOBICS have lost poundage over the festive period and are now a four piece tag team. Come and see the new lightweight (in pounds, not power) line up play our debut 2008 show alongside our old muckers The Cherry Reds at The New Cross Inn on Saturday 12th January.

It's sure to be a fat free, sarf london punk rocking extravaganza and we'll confirm times, prices and full line up as soon as those lovely Modern Love people spill the beans.

For those who get confused crossing the river,The New Cross Inn is easypeasy to get to, and back from -

NEAREST BR & TUBE STATIONS: NEW CROSS or NEW CROSS GATE, DEPTFORD BRIDGE DLR AND DEPTFORD BR STATIONS ARE A FIVE MINUTE WALK AWAY TOO.

It's directly opposite "The Venue", so just look to the left of the queues of drunk students with no musical taste. The New Cross Inn is right on the corner, sticking out like a beacon of salvation.

BUS ROUTES:45, 453 (24 hrs), 436, 177, 171, 36, 21,136, 225, 321, 453, 53, N89, N36, N171.

Address is 323 NEW CROSS ROAD NEW CROSS ROCKLANDS LONDON SE14 6AS

Open Daily mid-day to 2am 020-8692-1866

Alternatively, enter "Best Punk Rock Gig of the Night" into your sat nav and it'll get you there.

tpx

RIP - Ken Nelson

RIP - Dave Day (The Monks)

The Misfits - Sunday 13th January at 5pm

This month, the Monorail Film Club is proud to have Tracyanne Campbell presenting The Misfits. Based on an original screenplay by Arthur Miller, this elegiac, beautifully shot modern Western gave his then wife Marilyn Monroe arguably her greatest dramatic role. She plays a divorcee in Reno, Nevada who gets hooked up with a trio of disillusioned cowboys (Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift and Eli Wallach) reduced to rounding up wild horses to sell for dog food.


Introduced by Tracyanne Campbell of Camera Obscura.

Come and join us in the bar afterwards to talk music, cinema and life in an informal and random way. Hope to see you there!

GFT, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow. 0141 332 8128.

We recommend booking tickets in advance.

Happy New Year from the Monorail Film Club

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