You know, there is some stuff going on but I can't report on it right now. It's not the time.
There is also some music that I need to get to writing about but the flesh and the spirit are conspiring agin me. Truth be told, I'm trying to limit the time I spend on this thing. My eyes are fried by the time I get home and a peeper test is a tad overdue. Comes with the territory I suppose. Nothing, even getting to the post office is the simple undertaking that it used to be.
Colour me weary...
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
I'm hoping that the upcoming Beijing-fest will be such an utter non-event that the Olympics will be banished to some pay per view corner of corporate tosspot-ville for all eternity. Or just some abandoned air shelter or somewhere off my radar altogether. The east end of Glasgow is soon to suffer a similar fate to London for the alleged Commonwealth games in 2014. There could well be a car park planned for where Barrowlands is at present.
For every "athlete" or well meaning sportsperson there are a dozen shyster glory seekers out to fleece any poor blighter they can turn over. Here's another "business model" that is outmoded. A farce that provides so-called politicians and whatever something to use as a smokescreen for seeming to do good for communities going forward. There is no solution to greed and corruption and don't you wish that these drones would think maybe three times about trying to snow people by claiming that winning a couple of poxy medals will help claw back some dignity for this sorry-ass country as it slides ever further into the pan?
I have no problem with people being interested in sports but it's such an insignificant part of the big shakedown. All part of the grinding down process but anyway, there's stuff to attend to so I must bid youse cheerio for the evening.
On matters pertaining to R&R, those Coyotemen hit the road tomorrow.
Don't say you weren't warned...
For every "athlete" or well meaning sportsperson there are a dozen shyster glory seekers out to fleece any poor blighter they can turn over. Here's another "business model" that is outmoded. A farce that provides so-called politicians and whatever something to use as a smokescreen for seeming to do good for communities going forward. There is no solution to greed and corruption and don't you wish that these drones would think maybe three times about trying to snow people by claiming that winning a couple of poxy medals will help claw back some dignity for this sorry-ass country as it slides ever further into the pan?
I have no problem with people being interested in sports but it's such an insignificant part of the big shakedown. All part of the grinding down process but anyway, there's stuff to attend to so I must bid youse cheerio for the evening.
On matters pertaining to R&R, those Coyotemen hit the road tomorrow.
Don't say you weren't warned...
Monday, August 04, 2008
Laura Cantrell has the following East Coast US shows coming up through August...August 8, Tin Angel 20 S. Second Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.928.0770 7:00 pm (with Carrie Rodriguez)
August 9, Jammin' Java 227 Maple Avenue E. Vienna, VA 22180
August 9, Jammin' Java 227 Maple Avenue E. Vienna, VA 22180
703.255.1566 7:00 pm
August 15, The Space 295 Treadwell St. Building H Hamden, CT 06514 203.288.6400
August 16, Narrows Center for the Arts 16 Anawan Street Fall River, MA 02721 508.324.1926
August 19, The Spiegeltent Pier 17, South Street Seaport, (South Street & Beekman Street)
August 15, The Space 295 Treadwell St. Building H Hamden, CT 06514 203.288.6400
August 16, Narrows Center for the Arts 16 Anawan Street Fall River, MA 02721 508.324.1926
August 19, The Spiegeltent Pier 17, South Street Seaport, (South Street & Beekman Street)
New York, NY 212.279.4200
"Let Us Now Praise Famous Women" with special guests Jenny Scheinman, Megan Hickey, Fiona McBain, Theresa Andersson and more surprises!!
August 20, Club Passim 47 Palmer Street Cambridge, MA 617-492-7679
August 21, Iron Horse 20 Center Street Northampton, MA 413-584-0610
August 20, Club Passim 47 Palmer Street Cambridge, MA 617-492-7679
August 21, Iron Horse 20 Center Street Northampton, MA 413-584-0610
Sunday, August 03, 2008
So I made it out the door. How about that? Never gave myself the chance to hum and haw, maybe that's the secret... Cnyway, caught 3 movies in 2 cinemas in 6 hours. A mini film festival all to myself. The Cameo double of "Old Joy" and "Junebug" had a notable tie up because Will Oldham is in both and Yo La Tengo score the two. YLT's soundtrack work is really something. Particularly in "OJ". The film itself is about two guys who go out to try and reclaim their closeness in the Oregon woods. Nothing much happens. they go to Bagby Hot Springs and return home. The scenery looks like the drive up to Loch Ness.
I'd forgotten much of "Junebug" despite having seen it at a previous EIFF. It's a nice little film and the fact that it doesn't have a happy ending in conventional terms makes it all the more special. So all that finished in nice time to cut along the road to catch "Berlin". There were 4 people in the theatre watching this including me.
The album material itself is amazing. "Caroline Says II" and "Sad Song" being particularly moving. I don't know if it was just my mood but I was thinking along the lines that these two songs in particular might be among the best concert film I've ever seen. And Steve Hunter's guitar - what a treat. Took me back to The Apollo and the "Rock'nRoll Animal" tour.
There is a flaw though, from the highs of the main event - the encore starts with Antony Hegarty caterwauling through "Candy Says". I was reminded watching this of a description offered up my one Doctor H of Montana some time ago on the subject. I'll leave it at that. Almost is bad is something called "Rock Minuet" that follows it. Redeption is at hand though with a great version of "Sweet Jane" that unwraps during the end titles. Lou himself was looking uncharacteristically chuffed throughout to the point of an actual smile cracking his face on a couple of occasions.
It begins a run in Glasgow next week and I'd recommend the main concert sequence. As a production goes, it's pretty amazing. Bob Ezrin and Hal Willner did a great job as did Julian Schnabel getting this to the screen.
Where do you stand on artists playing their albums like "pieces" these days? It certainly aids some who otherwise couldn't pace a set supposing their lives depended on it but I'm not convinced it's the way ahead.
So anyway, this thing is about to be switched off for the evening. Goodnicht.
I'd forgotten much of "Junebug" despite having seen it at a previous EIFF. It's a nice little film and the fact that it doesn't have a happy ending in conventional terms makes it all the more special. So all that finished in nice time to cut along the road to catch "Berlin". There were 4 people in the theatre watching this including me.
The album material itself is amazing. "Caroline Says II" and "Sad Song" being particularly moving. I don't know if it was just my mood but I was thinking along the lines that these two songs in particular might be among the best concert film I've ever seen. And Steve Hunter's guitar - what a treat. Took me back to The Apollo and the "Rock'nRoll Animal" tour.
There is a flaw though, from the highs of the main event - the encore starts with Antony Hegarty caterwauling through "Candy Says". I was reminded watching this of a description offered up my one Doctor H of Montana some time ago on the subject. I'll leave it at that. Almost is bad is something called "Rock Minuet" that follows it. Redeption is at hand though with a great version of "Sweet Jane" that unwraps during the end titles. Lou himself was looking uncharacteristically chuffed throughout to the point of an actual smile cracking his face on a couple of occasions.
It begins a run in Glasgow next week and I'd recommend the main concert sequence. As a production goes, it's pretty amazing. Bob Ezrin and Hal Willner did a great job as did Julian Schnabel getting this to the screen.
Where do you stand on artists playing their albums like "pieces" these days? It certainly aids some who otherwise couldn't pace a set supposing their lives depended on it but I'm not convinced it's the way ahead.
So anyway, this thing is about to be switched off for the evening. Goodnicht.
Still pondering the schlep into Edinburgh to ultimately catch Uncle Lou's "Berlin". If I get there for noon, I could catch that Will Oldham movie "Old Joy" with the fab "Junebug" on a double bill. I'm not a BPB fan but I am curious about his acting ability. So we'll see. I just discovered that "Fringe Sunday" is next weekend so Auld Reekie will just be unbearable as opposed to completely chuffing stowed.
What I really want is one of these smog machines that can turn my front room into a microcosm of the impending Olympics. If ever there was an irrelevant, bullshit event in these days of cheating, coniving and generally having no concept of fair play then this must be it. I hope the Chinese stop all means of getting information to us so I won't have to put up with it.
What I really want is one of these smog machines that can turn my front room into a microcosm of the impending Olympics. If ever there was an irrelevant, bullshit event in these days of cheating, coniving and generally having no concept of fair play then this must be it. I hope the Chinese stop all means of getting information to us so I won't have to put up with it.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
"Have You Heard About The World?"– The Lost Crusaders (Everlasting Records)
Michael Chandler is born again. For a guy that’s been to the furthest reaches of the burny fire, he’s sounding damn chipper. Having opened a case of cans containing industrial grade whuppass on said demons, I don’t think he’s ever been in better voice recordedwise. And that’s saying something.
Taking a perennial r&b gospel blueprint, he’s rallied a crack squad of volunteers to assemble a rock’n’rollin’, soul salivating, countryfried octophonic spree. In the liners, Mike Edison states that this crew exist to “lead the stranded mojo-hungry hordes out of the barren desert of contemporary “rock” music”. That seems accurate to the nation of understatement.
The music is anything but understated. This 12 chunk, redemptive, righteous barn-storming hymnal is yours live by. If you’re ready to testify then step into the confessional. It’s an all-star cast including wir ain Laura Cantrell taking lead vocals on a couple of tracts. These aren’t tracks, brothers and sisters, these are oozing the kind of energy that ain’t trapped too often these days. These days, the Chandler rasp is prime Doll period Johansen whilst retaining that trademark shout factor. Keith Streng and the Heavy Trash fellas (playing Stereo in Glasgow on September 28th) are also part of the party. The rhythm interplay with the keyboards is mesmerising and could well have you gabbing in tongues out of the traps. Rolling this holy comes from deep within. Chemistry this explosive is destiny, not premeditated. Spiritual to the point of ablaze.
“Whose Name Will I Call?” is like a cool, lost Wizzard stomper and “It Don’t Worry Me” is like a sick twist on something from the Godspell musical. Chandler has put together a revue that will lay its collective sonic hand upon you to cast out any rogue spirits that made you settle for third best. He’s been to the wilderness, did his penance and has come out the other side with some serious fire in that belly.
As visionary things go, this is rabble rousing stuff. Live it’s liable to cure whatever ails anybody anywhere. Preaching it like he feels it, Mike is a bona fide soul survivor. Find The Lost Crusaders and let them in. I’ll leave you with Rev. Edison’s sign off… “Their message is simple – live, breathe, dance, sing, shake. Get with it.”
The LC program is an equal opportunities program. Operators are standing the f-word by.
So I finished Season 4 of The Wire. Exemplary TV in every sense of the word and now I have to wait until the end of September to see the final run because of the fact it won't be available for rental until then. I took a long time to get around to seeing it to but after making the time I was hooked. So many strands, so complex but quite traditional in some sort of way. Great characters too, I can't wait to see how it all ends.
It’s a fucking sin that most people who would eat this stuff up will perhaps never see it. When the big global jukebox of culture that downloads straight to your abode so you never have to leave the house becomes available it could well be too late.
There’s so much stuff. It’s difficult not to be swamped and just roll with what you’re fed. How to prioritise? You have to or you drown, simple as that.
It helps to be inspired and gear like The Wire and Mike Edison’s “I Have Fun…” certainly give me a shot of much needed cultural adrenalin. I finally finished the book this morning and really, it’s like if there was an NBT syllabus then this tome would be on there with a bullet. It’s a testament to everybody involved in getting it out there, shit – it could even be a series itself one day. I’d sure love those characters to come to life on some kind of screen.
And then there's the Eric and Amy album, life-affirming gear all the way but I can't give anything else away just yet. "The Downside Of Being a Fuck-Up" is the soundtrack of our lives.
It’s a fucking sin that most people who would eat this stuff up will perhaps never see it. When the big global jukebox of culture that downloads straight to your abode so you never have to leave the house becomes available it could well be too late.
There’s so much stuff. It’s difficult not to be swamped and just roll with what you’re fed. How to prioritise? You have to or you drown, simple as that.
It helps to be inspired and gear like The Wire and Mike Edison’s “I Have Fun…” certainly give me a shot of much needed cultural adrenalin. I finally finished the book this morning and really, it’s like if there was an NBT syllabus then this tome would be on there with a bullet. It’s a testament to everybody involved in getting it out there, shit – it could even be a series itself one day. I’d sure love those characters to come to life on some kind of screen.
And then there's the Eric and Amy album, life-affirming gear all the way but I can't give anything else away just yet. "The Downside Of Being a Fuck-Up" is the soundtrack of our lives.
NORTON NEWS • AUGUST ACTION! (and beyond!)
SATURDAY AUGUST 2 – KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (MERCURY LOUNGE NYC)
The King brings his big revue back to town one mo’ time! Dig LiveFastDie warming up – last chance to see Aaron in action before he goes back to alphabetizing doo wop LPs at Norton!
SUNDAY AUGUST 3 - BLACK LIPS, KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (MCCARREN PARK POOL, BROOKLYN) No explanation necessary – see you there!
MONDAY AUGUST 4 – CRYPT RECORDS 25th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
(SANTO’S PARTY HOUSE, 100 LAFAYETTE ST. NYC)
This week marks a quarter century since Tim Warren first unleashed BACK FROM THE GRAVE VOL. ONE. Come celebrate with sets by King Khan & BBQ and the K-Holes (ex-Black Lips)! Great records spinning all night! Huge dance floor! Start your weekend four days early or keep the last one going! MC’d by Mort Todd (GRAVE cover artist)!
THE SONICS ARE TAKING OVER THE PLANET!
Never thought we'd say this, but the Sonics are sell-outs! For real- getcha tickets fast cause their shows sell out instantly! They are THE WILDEST!!!
August 8 - WOW Festival, Gotenberg
August 9 - OYA Festival, Oslo
October 31 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle
SATURDAY AUGUST 9 - MARY WEISS (MONDO HOLLYWOOD, KNITTING FACTORY, 7021 HOLLYWOOD BLVD., LOS ANGELES) Mary will headline this two day event (MC’d by Kim Fowley!) featuring 25 bands including the atomic Luis and the Wildfires! (Note venue change.)
JUST IN!!! ADJUST THE HORIZONTAL!!!
Mary Weiss will appear on the Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day weekend!
WFMU RADIO GREATS WEEKEND!
Friday, August 8 - Sunday, August 10
Legendary WFMU DJs from years past drop by to help celebrate 50 years on the air, August 8-10! Special guests include Danny Fields, Wildgirl, Meredith,David Newgarden, Nicholas Hill, William Berger, Neal Adams, Mark Allen, Douglas Wolk, Stork, Vin Scelsa, Steinski, Hova & Belinda, R. Stevie Moore, Mark Allen,John Schnall, Bart Plantenga plus surprise guests and rare airchecks.We should note that the Hound (or as the late great Hank Ballard called him, “the cold blooded Hound” will make a rare on air appearance on Fool’s Paradise with Rex on Saturday August 9. Listen in to our in-house best-pal ultra-fave legendary superfantastic real-deal boss jock as he demonstrates his powers once mo’ time again! Now, what this town needs is another incredible Hangover Hop with the Hound! May we recommend stompers out there DEMAND a Hangover Hop before the snow flies! There is no other!
DOMENIC PRIORE ATTACKS NYC (IFC, NYC July 25-Sept. 27) Left coast pal comes to town to host a mess of sixties midnight movies as a visual sidecar to his RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP book! Kicks off with Wild In The Streets, closes with The Trip with Psych-Out, Maryjane and other dopus opuses, all on big screen, kool-vent comfort! Also check out the boss doc THE WRECKING CREW which starts there today!
AUGUST 22 – 23 LUIS AND THE WILDFIRES MIDWEST SHOWS
Catch these west coast maniacs as they blaze through the heartland!
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7 – THE A-BONES/MAGIC CHRISTIAN
AT MAXWELL’S, HOBOKEN, NJ
The A-Bones return to the Garden State to clear your ears for Magic Christian features the mighty Cyril Jordan (Flamin’ Groovies), Clem Burke (Blondie), Eddie Munoz (Plimsouls) and Paul Kopf. We've been waiting for Cyril to grace our coast for many, many moons-- now here he comes! What a bash!
NORTON LABEL RELEASE NEWS!
The insanity officially steps into high gear this month. We don't want to frighten you, but your relaxing days are over!
FIGURES OF LIGHT - SMASH HITS (Norton 336) Gimme Gimme Gimme / Black Cadillac / Seething Psychosexual Conflict Blues / Nothing To Do / I’m So Sick Of Everything / Why Not Knock Yourself Off? / Angeline / I Got Spies Watching You / Gimme Gimme Gimme / Nothing To Do / It’s Lame / I’m So Sick Of Everything / It’s Lame / I Jes Wanna Go To Bed / Ritual TV Smashing Finale / Velvet Touch
They came and combusted as teenagers thirty years ago, now they’re back to retake the two-chord monte in SPADES! Wheeler Winston Dixon wails while Michael Downey cranks up the proto-punk x-factor on this snarling set including their alarmingly faboo first single, newly unearthed live recordings from their first show ever in July, 1970, unheard demos and new NYC live and studio recordings. Essential!
MORE LOUD SOUND POUNDERS ROUND THE CORNER!CHANTS R&B (Norton 335)
Sixteen raving 1966 blasts from New Zealand’s wildest combo! This vinyl only set features one side of mauling studio recordings (Neighbour Neighbour/I’m Your Witchdoctor) and one side with their legendary live Stage Door recordings (That’s The Way It’s Gotta Be/Don’t Bring Me Down). Thrill to extensive liner notes by the band and a knockout photo filled package, not to the most deranged version of Land Of 1000 Dances ever recorded! AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER!
MAD MIKE MONSTERS VOL. 1 AND VOL. 2 (Norton 327 and 328) The wildest 45’s discovered and popularized by enigmatic Pittsburgh hoo-doo DJ during his primo prime years 1964-67, compiled into two sets of instant party mashers! Massive gatefold LP’s tell the story of the Mad One in his own words, complete with tons of memories from his many local fans, while the CD packs deliver the same in a pocket-size format! Absolutely staggering array of sounds from this Norton icon! Keep in touch for release party in the works! Includes Scott Wood “Chicken Rock”, Count Ferrell “Wizard of Ah’s”, the Saxons “Camel Walk” and the Vels “Mysterious Teenage”! All sizzle, no gristle! Big thanks to the original Mad Mike Pittsburgh crew for blab-fests and tours around town in preparation for this superb blasteroo! AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER!
UPCOMING 7” TITLES!JOHNNY AND THE HI-TONES – ROCK ‘TIL THE END OF TIME (45-144) Blood curdling unissued 1957 R&B booze savagery! The Figures of Light It's Lame was the Monster If The year for 2006, CJ and the Casuals’ Study Hall was the Monster of the Year for 2007– all hail the new champ! This recently unearthed Ohio acetate is over the top WILD!!! Dig these lyrics, dad – “I wanna cash my check at the liquor store/Crawl into that barroom door/Goin’ to the bar get me a jug of wine…” Savage guitars, pounding drums, this is IT!!!! For fans of Screaming Joe Neal!!!
FLYIN’ SAUCER TWIST: THE NORTHWAY SOUND RECORDS STORY VOL. ONE (EP-145) Four rockin’ 1961-62 guitar instrumentals from rural Michigan's answer to Gaity Records! Tom Carter and the Ramrods Flyin’ Saucer Twist/Twistin’ Boogie, Jerry Lee Trio Banshee, Billy Lee and the Ramblers Trav’lin – cool stuff!
TOM AND THE TORNADOES: THE NORTHWAY SOUND RECORDS STORY VOL. TWO (45-146) Tommy James’ first record Long Pony Tail/Judy – 1962! Pre-Hanky Panky raw rock n’ roll! Includes killer cover pic of the Tornadoes plus the story in Tommy’s words! …mo’ BIG single action to blab about next time!
IN THE WORKS ...I HATE CDs VOLUME TWO Coming this fall, 45 more singles from the vaults of Norton Records. This release, like the first set, is download only and is available from all download outlets – no Goodwill or yard sale action this time, sorry. But it is cheap and easy to grab these babies. By the way, there were some comments that folks wished we provided cover art and notes. If you pick up volume one from itunes, it comes with a detailed booklet!
GARAGE ACETATES We are in the midst of whipping up four LPs worth of unissued sixties acetates including three chord killers from the Blue Embers, Henchmen, Khuns, Thorns and Greenpoint’s own Creation’s Disciple! Utter mayhem!WAX HOUNDS!Norton Records will be making with the big shellac attack at the following shows. Be sure to stop by and let us know how much you love King Uszniewicz…
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, ALLENTOWN, PA Allentown 45 show! Get gone with thousands of wild platters!
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28, BROOKLYN RECORD RIOT! WARSAW, DRIGGS AVE., BROOKLYN
Back for round two hopefully without the disco DJ! Records and kielbasa – what are you waitin’ for?!
FRIDAY OCTOBER 24-SUNDAY OCTOBER 26 WFMU RECORD FAIR, NYC
The big one wraps up the year with the wildest wax weekender yet!
More to yap about but let's let you all digest the aforementional blabberoo!
SATURDAY AUGUST 2 – KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (MERCURY LOUNGE NYC)
The King brings his big revue back to town one mo’ time! Dig LiveFastDie warming up – last chance to see Aaron in action before he goes back to alphabetizing doo wop LPs at Norton!
SUNDAY AUGUST 3 - BLACK LIPS, KING KHAN AND THE SHRINES (MCCARREN PARK POOL, BROOKLYN) No explanation necessary – see you there!
MONDAY AUGUST 4 – CRYPT RECORDS 25th ANNIVERSARY PARTY
(SANTO’S PARTY HOUSE, 100 LAFAYETTE ST. NYC)
This week marks a quarter century since Tim Warren first unleashed BACK FROM THE GRAVE VOL. ONE. Come celebrate with sets by King Khan & BBQ and the K-Holes (ex-Black Lips)! Great records spinning all night! Huge dance floor! Start your weekend four days early or keep the last one going! MC’d by Mort Todd (GRAVE cover artist)!
THE SONICS ARE TAKING OVER THE PLANET!
Never thought we'd say this, but the Sonics are sell-outs! For real- getcha tickets fast cause their shows sell out instantly! They are THE WILDEST!!!
August 8 - WOW Festival, Gotenberg
August 9 - OYA Festival, Oslo
October 31 - Paramount Theatre, Seattle
SATURDAY AUGUST 9 - MARY WEISS (MONDO HOLLYWOOD, KNITTING FACTORY, 7021 HOLLYWOOD BLVD., LOS ANGELES) Mary will headline this two day event (MC’d by Kim Fowley!) featuring 25 bands including the atomic Luis and the Wildfires! (Note venue change.)
JUST IN!!! ADJUST THE HORIZONTAL!!!
Mary Weiss will appear on the Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day weekend!
WFMU RADIO GREATS WEEKEND!
Friday, August 8 - Sunday, August 10
Legendary WFMU DJs from years past drop by to help celebrate 50 years on the air, August 8-10! Special guests include Danny Fields, Wildgirl, Meredith,David Newgarden, Nicholas Hill, William Berger, Neal Adams, Mark Allen, Douglas Wolk, Stork, Vin Scelsa, Steinski, Hova & Belinda, R. Stevie Moore, Mark Allen,John Schnall, Bart Plantenga plus surprise guests and rare airchecks.We should note that the Hound (or as the late great Hank Ballard called him, “the cold blooded Hound” will make a rare on air appearance on Fool’s Paradise with Rex on Saturday August 9. Listen in to our in-house best-pal ultra-fave legendary superfantastic real-deal boss jock as he demonstrates his powers once mo’ time again! Now, what this town needs is another incredible Hangover Hop with the Hound! May we recommend stompers out there DEMAND a Hangover Hop before the snow flies! There is no other!
DOMENIC PRIORE ATTACKS NYC (IFC, NYC July 25-Sept. 27) Left coast pal comes to town to host a mess of sixties midnight movies as a visual sidecar to his RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP book! Kicks off with Wild In The Streets, closes with The Trip with Psych-Out, Maryjane and other dopus opuses, all on big screen, kool-vent comfort! Also check out the boss doc THE WRECKING CREW which starts there today!
AUGUST 22 – 23 LUIS AND THE WILDFIRES MIDWEST SHOWS
Catch these west coast maniacs as they blaze through the heartland!
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7 – THE A-BONES/MAGIC CHRISTIAN
AT MAXWELL’S, HOBOKEN, NJ
The A-Bones return to the Garden State to clear your ears for Magic Christian features the mighty Cyril Jordan (Flamin’ Groovies), Clem Burke (Blondie), Eddie Munoz (Plimsouls) and Paul Kopf. We've been waiting for Cyril to grace our coast for many, many moons-- now here he comes! What a bash!
NORTON LABEL RELEASE NEWS!
The insanity officially steps into high gear this month. We don't want to frighten you, but your relaxing days are over!
FIGURES OF LIGHT - SMASH HITS (Norton 336) Gimme Gimme Gimme / Black Cadillac / Seething Psychosexual Conflict Blues / Nothing To Do / I’m So Sick Of Everything / Why Not Knock Yourself Off? / Angeline / I Got Spies Watching You / Gimme Gimme Gimme / Nothing To Do / It’s Lame / I’m So Sick Of Everything / It’s Lame / I Jes Wanna Go To Bed / Ritual TV Smashing Finale / Velvet Touch
They came and combusted as teenagers thirty years ago, now they’re back to retake the two-chord monte in SPADES! Wheeler Winston Dixon wails while Michael Downey cranks up the proto-punk x-factor on this snarling set including their alarmingly faboo first single, newly unearthed live recordings from their first show ever in July, 1970, unheard demos and new NYC live and studio recordings. Essential!
MORE LOUD SOUND POUNDERS ROUND THE CORNER!CHANTS R&B (Norton 335)
Sixteen raving 1966 blasts from New Zealand’s wildest combo! This vinyl only set features one side of mauling studio recordings (Neighbour Neighbour/I’m Your Witchdoctor) and one side with their legendary live Stage Door recordings (That’s The Way It’s Gotta Be/Don’t Bring Me Down). Thrill to extensive liner notes by the band and a knockout photo filled package, not to the most deranged version of Land Of 1000 Dances ever recorded! AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER!
MAD MIKE MONSTERS VOL. 1 AND VOL. 2 (Norton 327 and 328) The wildest 45’s discovered and popularized by enigmatic Pittsburgh hoo-doo DJ during his primo prime years 1964-67, compiled into two sets of instant party mashers! Massive gatefold LP’s tell the story of the Mad One in his own words, complete with tons of memories from his many local fans, while the CD packs deliver the same in a pocket-size format! Absolutely staggering array of sounds from this Norton icon! Keep in touch for release party in the works! Includes Scott Wood “Chicken Rock”, Count Ferrell “Wizard of Ah’s”, the Saxons “Camel Walk” and the Vels “Mysterious Teenage”! All sizzle, no gristle! Big thanks to the original Mad Mike Pittsburgh crew for blab-fests and tours around town in preparation for this superb blasteroo! AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER!
UPCOMING 7” TITLES!JOHNNY AND THE HI-TONES – ROCK ‘TIL THE END OF TIME (45-144) Blood curdling unissued 1957 R&B booze savagery! The Figures of Light It's Lame was the Monster If The year for 2006, CJ and the Casuals’ Study Hall was the Monster of the Year for 2007– all hail the new champ! This recently unearthed Ohio acetate is over the top WILD!!! Dig these lyrics, dad – “I wanna cash my check at the liquor store/Crawl into that barroom door/Goin’ to the bar get me a jug of wine…” Savage guitars, pounding drums, this is IT!!!! For fans of Screaming Joe Neal!!!
FLYIN’ SAUCER TWIST: THE NORTHWAY SOUND RECORDS STORY VOL. ONE (EP-145) Four rockin’ 1961-62 guitar instrumentals from rural Michigan's answer to Gaity Records! Tom Carter and the Ramrods Flyin’ Saucer Twist/Twistin’ Boogie, Jerry Lee Trio Banshee, Billy Lee and the Ramblers Trav’lin – cool stuff!
TOM AND THE TORNADOES: THE NORTHWAY SOUND RECORDS STORY VOL. TWO (45-146) Tommy James’ first record Long Pony Tail/Judy – 1962! Pre-Hanky Panky raw rock n’ roll! Includes killer cover pic of the Tornadoes plus the story in Tommy’s words! …mo’ BIG single action to blab about next time!
IN THE WORKS ...I HATE CDs VOLUME TWO Coming this fall, 45 more singles from the vaults of Norton Records. This release, like the first set, is download only and is available from all download outlets – no Goodwill or yard sale action this time, sorry. But it is cheap and easy to grab these babies. By the way, there were some comments that folks wished we provided cover art and notes. If you pick up volume one from itunes, it comes with a detailed booklet!
GARAGE ACETATES We are in the midst of whipping up four LPs worth of unissued sixties acetates including three chord killers from the Blue Embers, Henchmen, Khuns, Thorns and Greenpoint’s own Creation’s Disciple! Utter mayhem!WAX HOUNDS!Norton Records will be making with the big shellac attack at the following shows. Be sure to stop by and let us know how much you love King Uszniewicz…
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20, ALLENTOWN, PA Allentown 45 show! Get gone with thousands of wild platters!
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28, BROOKLYN RECORD RIOT! WARSAW, DRIGGS AVE., BROOKLYN
Back for round two hopefully without the disco DJ! Records and kielbasa – what are you waitin’ for?!
FRIDAY OCTOBER 24-SUNDAY OCTOBER 26 WFMU RECORD FAIR, NYC
The big one wraps up the year with the wildest wax weekender yet!
More to yap about but let's let you all digest the aforementional blabberoo!
Friday, August 01, 2008
All hail the Friday effect. I always figure that when I get to the car that it's all downhill from there but of course the actual depression doesn't really set in until after 5pm on a Sunday. Sometimes, but not often, later.
Anyway I meant to post word of this before I shot the craw this morning but time didn't permit. Annika Norlin appeared on the prestigious Swedish Radio station P1 today as part of their "Summer Talkers" strand. Of course it's in the native tongue so perhaps of limited interest to non-speakers but I figured you'd like to know and Annika's choice of music is pretty entertaining. It's the equivalent of being on one of those BBC Radio 4 mainstays on this sceptic isle. Anyway you can check it out here, should the spirit be willing. I tried to mp3 it but because it opens up in windows media player it seems to bypass the regular soundcard.
In other news, maybe I'll make it to a screening of the Berlin film this weekend or maybe not.
At this juncture, it's all to play for... I will finish the Edison book though.
Anyway I meant to post word of this before I shot the craw this morning but time didn't permit. Annika Norlin appeared on the prestigious Swedish Radio station P1 today as part of their "Summer Talkers" strand. Of course it's in the native tongue so perhaps of limited interest to non-speakers but I figured you'd like to know and Annika's choice of music is pretty entertaining. It's the equivalent of being on one of those BBC Radio 4 mainstays on this sceptic isle. Anyway you can check it out here, should the spirit be willing. I tried to mp3 it but because it opens up in windows media player it seems to bypass the regular soundcard.
In other news, maybe I'll make it to a screening of the Berlin film this weekend or maybe not.
At this juncture, it's all to play for... I will finish the Edison book though.
Mr Spence wishes it to be known...
THIS SATURDAY - THE BRUTES ARE GOIN' SOUTH ....SOUTH OF THE CLYDE , THAT IS.
THE BRUTES are playing another of our rare hometown shows this Saturday (2nd August) at LA ROCHE RUMBA at Pollock Ex-Servicemen's Club, 111 Titwood Rd., Shawlands, Glasgow. Nearest train station - Crossmyloof. 8pm til 1am, band on around 11pm; £4 entry. I'm thinking of providing a "taxi service" out to the show w/ the BRUTEMOBILE (tm) from the city centre, so gimme a shout if you're interested. You can get a real taxi back into town (All Tore Up is on at Blackfriars 'til 3am), 'cos I'm planning on getting pished!
Anyways, hope to see y'all there...... Jim (aka Beauregarde Brute)
Dutchies are reminded that the New York Dolls are playing at Tivoli De Helling right here in Utrecht tonight (aug 1st) Be there or be square...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Sex Pistols in Maasbree
Amazing footage of the Pistols playing the Netherlands in late '77. I actually saw this at the time, 12 months after first seeing 'em on TV in January of the same year, in between there were only a handfull of 45's and some newspaper cuttings. Alice 'n me drove thru' Maasbree a couple o' years ago, but couldn't find the "Mafcentrum". Lookin' around it was hard to imagine how the Pistols ended up there. Remote, quiet, you name it. Check it out here: 1, 2 and 3. (by the way, no band came out of Maasbree ever...)
Amazing footage of the Pistols playing the Netherlands in late '77. I actually saw this at the time, 12 months after first seeing 'em on TV in January of the same year, in between there were only a handfull of 45's and some newspaper cuttings. Alice 'n me drove thru' Maasbree a couple o' years ago, but couldn't find the "Mafcentrum". Lookin' around it was hard to imagine how the Pistols ended up there. Remote, quiet, you name it. Check it out here: 1, 2 and 3. (by the way, no band came out of Maasbree ever...)
Seeing as July is making an exit, let's see what's lurking about here in terms of music.
Earlier today I got a Lefsetz letter providing a link to a site that some wag had posted an "utterly hysterical" ad on Columbia Records website. After my pants had dried, I sent a short note to Mr L. His repetitive to the point of psychosis opinions on the music biz are getting tiresome. He needs a new angle. People I turned on to his newsletter are, I believe, unsubscribing.
This is a shame because there is a kernel of "right" in some of the tirading but you have to look awful hard these days. Then there's his taste in music which generally turns a lot of people off. This is purely subjective - I know - and some of them are real humdingers with a capital HUM but that's his pigeon.
Anyway, let's cut to the cheese - not the chase - but the dairy product according to some twat I heard use the term the other day. Bearing in mind that the average "review" is somewhat obsolete, I think that my musings on stuff going forward will entail some thoughts and a link to where you can check stuff out wherever possible. There may well be exceptions to the rule but to keep this interesting for all of us, it seems like a way forward.
Midlife Crisis – "Cranked Up Really High" EP (Bootleg Booze)
This 4 song 7” features punk cover tunes that run the gamut from the well known Slaughter and the Dogs song to the completely unknown (to me) “Raggare” by PF Commando. Urkke T has teamed up with three of Stockholm’s finest to raid the tomb of ’77. I don’t really recall The Outsiders, a pre-The Sound band that Adrian Borland was in. He wrote this and until raking about on t’ernet I had no idea that he was dead. Anyway, I think he’ll be pleased with this interpretation wherever he is. I don’t recall Menace’s “I Need Nothing” being this fuel injected, they struck me as clunky at the time. The sleeve states “ Midlife Crisis” have no e-mail or website and can not be contacted at all. Tough shit.” However, fret not. The good burghers of Bootleg Booze will hook you up with a copy of this proof of existence.
Big Bird – Three Song EP (Dolores Recordings)
Some of these guys are in The Caesars and the opener, “Tell Me” reminds me a little of The Hellacopters. That is, if they decided to be Teenage Fanclub all of a sudden. Why does the chorus remind me of “Eve of Destruction”? “Rabbit Punch” is blessed of a similar vein but the real gold is on the flip. “Vapour RIP” is like Spiritualized vs The Righteous Brothers via The Pastels tackling “Crimson and Clover”. Lo(w) on fidelity, big in sonic protein. Hopefully, this is the direction that future BB studio droppings will take.
See you folks in August then...
Earlier today I got a Lefsetz letter providing a link to a site that some wag had posted an "utterly hysterical" ad on Columbia Records website. After my pants had dried, I sent a short note to Mr L. His repetitive to the point of psychosis opinions on the music biz are getting tiresome. He needs a new angle. People I turned on to his newsletter are, I believe, unsubscribing.
This is a shame because there is a kernel of "right" in some of the tirading but you have to look awful hard these days. Then there's his taste in music which generally turns a lot of people off. This is purely subjective - I know - and some of them are real humdingers with a capital HUM but that's his pigeon.
Anyway, let's cut to the cheese - not the chase - but the dairy product according to some twat I heard use the term the other day. Bearing in mind that the average "review" is somewhat obsolete, I think that my musings on stuff going forward will entail some thoughts and a link to where you can check stuff out wherever possible. There may well be exceptions to the rule but to keep this interesting for all of us, it seems like a way forward.
Midlife Crisis – "Cranked Up Really High" EP (Bootleg Booze)This 4 song 7” features punk cover tunes that run the gamut from the well known Slaughter and the Dogs song to the completely unknown (to me) “Raggare” by PF Commando. Urkke T has teamed up with three of Stockholm’s finest to raid the tomb of ’77. I don’t really recall The Outsiders, a pre-The Sound band that Adrian Borland was in. He wrote this and until raking about on t’ernet I had no idea that he was dead. Anyway, I think he’ll be pleased with this interpretation wherever he is. I don’t recall Menace’s “I Need Nothing” being this fuel injected, they struck me as clunky at the time. The sleeve states “ Midlife Crisis” have no e-mail or website and can not be contacted at all. Tough shit.” However, fret not. The good burghers of Bootleg Booze will hook you up with a copy of this proof of existence.
Big Bird – Three Song EP (Dolores Recordings)Some of these guys are in The Caesars and the opener, “Tell Me” reminds me a little of The Hellacopters. That is, if they decided to be Teenage Fanclub all of a sudden. Why does the chorus remind me of “Eve of Destruction”? “Rabbit Punch” is blessed of a similar vein but the real gold is on the flip. “Vapour RIP” is like Spiritualized vs The Righteous Brothers via The Pastels tackling “Crimson and Clover”. Lo(w) on fidelity, big in sonic protein. Hopefully, this is the direction that future BB studio droppings will take.
See you folks in August then...
I know that isn't Fred MacMurray but as you most likely know, he's the soon to be re-released classic "The Apartment" with Mr Lemmon here. David Lynch watches it every New Years Day, he told us so at this very venue. If you haven't seen it before then I envy yo'ass.
Click on the image for further details on the season.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Did I sort out that insurance? No.
Have I done much of anything except drag my bahookie into work today. Er, no.
I've been catching up with The Wire (Season 4) and have one episode to go. So excuse the inability to function won't you.
Everybody is on holidays still anyway and doesn't most of Europe close for August anyway?
I'll be right back. Eventually.
Have I done much of anything except drag my bahookie into work today. Er, no.
I've been catching up with The Wire (Season 4) and have one episode to go. So excuse the inability to function won't you.
Everybody is on holidays still anyway and doesn't most of Europe close for August anyway?
I'll be right back. Eventually.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The pursuit of securing car insurance is akin to having the soul sucked out of your shell to the power of 10. I hate it. It's even worse than going into those huge DIY stores. A few years ago, I went in to an insurance agent in town and she sorted it all out for me. The stage I'm at now is that I feel that there's a better "deal" to be had, if only I could handle the process.
The only thing that's really driving my non-capitulation is that I'm skint and don't want to spend any more on this racket than I absolutely have to. It would be so easy to just roll-over and renew. Then I wouldn't have to bother. However, I feel like I owe it to myself to at least try. I've struck out with these comparison sites they advertise on the telly. You'd have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to figure all that shit out. My attention span is perilously short at the best of times but these things are designed to trick people like me into a rash decision. The implied simplicity of using 'em is lost on me.
I'd rather pay more and deal with a human if that's possible so I'm about to go on the phone and attempt it that way. If it turns out like the time a guy in Bangalore was trying to tell me how to get from Edinburgh to Stonehaven then there could well be a gasket blown. I've been to Apoplexy a bunch of times, it's cool to feel like a local someplace...
The only thing that's really driving my non-capitulation is that I'm skint and don't want to spend any more on this racket than I absolutely have to. It would be so easy to just roll-over and renew. Then I wouldn't have to bother. However, I feel like I owe it to myself to at least try. I've struck out with these comparison sites they advertise on the telly. You'd have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to figure all that shit out. My attention span is perilously short at the best of times but these things are designed to trick people like me into a rash decision. The implied simplicity of using 'em is lost on me.
I'd rather pay more and deal with a human if that's possible so I'm about to go on the phone and attempt it that way. If it turns out like the time a guy in Bangalore was trying to tell me how to get from Edinburgh to Stonehaven then there could well be a gasket blown. I've been to Apoplexy a bunch of times, it's cool to feel like a local someplace...
Monday, July 28, 2008
COMING SOON # 27 OF UGLY THINGS: Here is UGLY THINGS #27. 216 pages / perfect bound / full-color glossy cover. Co-headlining our big cover story this time are The Who and The Small Faces as Andy Neill reports on their controversial 68 tour of Australia and New Zealand, complete with an array of WOW-inducing unpublished photos. Also, for the first time anywhere, the story of Garden Grove garage rock teens The Spats ("She Done Moved," "Gator Tails & Monkey Ribs"), Brooklyn, NY psych rockers The Koala, and 70s NYC punks The Victims. Also on tap, Jon Savages revealing interview with Beatles publicist Derek Taylor about Brian Epstein, a conversation with Animals guitarist Hilton Valentine, drop-dead delicious Sixties beat girl/style icon Gillian Hills, R&B songwriting genius Alonzo B Willis, Mike Hudson of the Pagans, and Johan Kugelbergs countdown of the best junkshop Glam Rock discs. And theres more. Sixties garage rock a-go-go with The Heard ("Stop It Baby"), The Persuaders, The Lost Souls, plus more Garage Rock history from Californias Inland Empire. Also: Exotic beat music from Chile and Venezuela, Jack Downing & the Other Side, and Ade Blackburn of Clinic picks his all-time Psychedelic Top 10. All this and more-including, of course, our extensive review section, covering all the latest reissues and music-related books and DVDs.
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