Seems I'm not the only one who's memory banks came up with all kindsa stuff after the passin' of Ernst "Ernesto" Kamphuis... My pal Robbert B. posted some age old footage of Ivy Green on Youtube playin' (what I think was) their final gig right here in Utrecht. And yep, that's me talkin' to Tim and Dr. Bibber... Dig it right here and here.

For more old footage check here and here.

And dig this story by all round good guy Niels...

All hail Ivy Green!

Ben Gart was lucky enough to catch Ben Weasel and his crew in full flight out the Windy City way last night. Let him tell you about it...

The crowd was antsy waiting for Ben Weasel to come on last night, screaming and yelling for him and the band to get started. This was the first of two nights and it turns out that it was going to be something special -- Dan Vapid was on stage getting his guitar tuned up and was part of the band tonight. (Dan is one of the nearly-original Screeching Weasel members who stuck it out thru about 1996)

The point of this show was to play the first Lookout Records (and first formal/Ramones-inspired Screeching Weasel lp), MY BRAIN HURTS, from beginning to end. As such, Vapid played second guitar and did back-ups, it was pretty magical to have one of the key ingredients of those early tunes available and willing to play. Made a huge difference, I think. The band was tight, played the first “side”, one tune after another with barely a chance to breathe between tunes. Ben was in a good mood, appeared to be having a good time with the crowd, band, and songs.

He took a few minutes to talk about the next set of Chicago shows in November and to taunt the assholes in audience – some things never change (and in this case, that's a good thing). The band then kicked back in and played thru "side 2" of MY BRAIN HURTS solidly and faithfully. The audience sang along the whole way and clearly had a blast -- me included.

Ben told us that he wasn't going to play the encore game of leaving the stage only to come back. The band tuned up, huddled and agreed on the tunes they'd finish up with. The rest of the set was comprised of a couple of tunes from the BOOGADA, a few from ANTHEM FOR A NEW TOMORROW, some latter SW and Riverdales and one or two songs from THESE ONES ARE BITTER. Naturally, there were other songs I would've loved to hear but having the opportunity to hear my favourite Weasel album in its entirety was a golden experience. Like a number of fans, I have a lot of memories tied in with that record and the times I spent listening to it over and over.

Thanks to Ben for this chance to step back a little in time and relive some more youthful times.

I was going to go see "Killer of Sheep" today but I guess that's been bumped. The reason? Well, the arrival of a certain Swedish album that I've been on tenterhooks about. First impression is that it's just as overwhelming as expected. Amy went back to the USA yesterday and there are a half dozen songs toward an album with David Scott that'll be coming together over the next wee while. There's a lot of great music coming out over the next month. Stuff that's worth holding on through for the humdrum for.

It's not raining today either so I'm going to grab some fresh air to the beat of those Modern Short Stories. I'm going to check out some travel agents for flights to Barcelona because this on-line booking shit is akin to buying insurance. Mind-numbing. And I'm not sure that the bargains that are made out to be there actually are.

Jeremy Gluck, Frontman of cult legends The Barracudas plays a series of live dates to accompany the release of his new solo album "Victim of Dreams". With his new band THE YOHAWKS featuring members of Superczar & The Death of Chapman Baxter:

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 8:00pm - 11:00pm

What's Cookin', Leytonstone, London.

"Victim of Dreams" is a remarkably diverse, unique and striking solo album on Diesel Motor Records. It sees a regenerated Jeremy working with an array of artists, including a collaboration with Nikki Sudden recorded shortly before his untimely death in 2006. It features inspired new material and worthwhile covers.

Working with an all-new band playing songs spanning all his 30 years in music, Jeremy never sounded so young.

Recent releases:
Victim of Dreams" solo album released by Diesel Motor Records.
"I Am Time" vinyl single released by NZ collectors' label Perpetrator.
"This Is…Jeremy Gluck"
(limited edition album released by Canadian collectors label TBM)
Online-only rarities compilation "The Rich Man's Burden" released by Cadiz Digital.

Photos by www.tfrancis.co.uk

RIP: Ernst "Ernesto" Kamphuis (Ivy Green)

Take off with Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.! It's a delicious taste of old Vienna at the Cafe Steinhof on Wednesday -- followed by a south-of-the-border stop at the Rodeo Bar on Friday with Baskery, a trio of hillbilly sisters from Stockholm!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20th / CAFE STEINHOF
422 Seventh Avenue (at 14th Street) in Park Slope, Brooklyn / Two teutonic shows, from 10:30 sharp until 12:30 / No cover! And...
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22nd / RODEO BAR & GRILL
375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / Two jet-setting shows, at 10:30 sharp and 12:30, with Baskery at 11:30 / No cover!

Internationally yours,

Michael Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. "Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

Another day, another signal of the apocalypse.

This time in the form of the news that The Banana Splits are "coming back" presumably sans "Danger Island" and "Shazan"? There is no imagination anymore. Beyond that of picking something that's gone before and kicking seven shades of shit out of your positive memories out. I mean, I will go to see Get Smart but how can it come close without Barbara Feldon?

Just find a franchise and ride that sucker until it turns into a husk. That new Star Wars cartoon must be the most outright exploitation yet. It doesn't look like a cartoon it looks like a computer game and that is what it's designed to emulate. I don't care how much fun George Lucas says he's having with it. And, I'm fairly sure that "the kids" won't be arsed with it either. On one hand they're too sophisticated and on the other, business has robbed them of the formative years that once bred character. And developed a chin.

Ben sent me a couple of links for Stooges clips this morning. So they're doing S&D and I Got A Right. It's too late as far as I’m concerned but you knew that. And besides who needs that when you’ve got six discs of Suicide to consume.

It's all about balance though and now that Fleagle and co are heading back then Reverend and the Makers are calling it a day. The reasons are somewhat laudible but the group, in my opinion, was terrible. It's guys like Jon McClure that ought to be finding ways to circumnavigate the dying embers of the business rather than letting it defeat the purpose of doing it. The trail doesn’t have to be blazed through “the man”.

I often feel like chucking it. Like there's nothing left to campaign for but then something comes along and the mood ebbs. When I read this today, my first consideration was that it really is no great loss. I'm on to about my eighth now and reckon my mind is pretty muckle not budging from that initial impression. Ultimately who cares though. Purity only exists to be co-opted.

Oh yeah, and the nights are fair drawing in…

More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide

ORDER HERE!

RIP - Ronnie Drew

No direct clickable link to order Dictators tickets online but if you click here then you can make your arrangements via Record Runner... (thanks Andy)

THE PUB TURNS ONE YEAR OLD.

Yesss.... it's already gone one year. BIG BIRTHDAY BASH!!! Bands, DJ's and first ever show by The Pub's very own house band STUBB COCK. Features members from Stalkers, Star Spangles, The Jadewalkers and Prowler SS. They'll be playing all your favorite pub rock tunes. This shit is free. Starts at 9pm.

Special guest DJ's from Human Being Lawnmower Magazine. myspace.com/thepubnyc

Just checking in quickly before I deal with e-mail and sundry other stuff. Been in the studio at East Kilbride Arts Centre today where Amy Allison and David Scott are putting together a wee project. It's all coming together rather swimmingly. Other than that, there's not much to report this Saturday night - day - 0r Sunday morning depending on where you're tuned in from.

RIP - Jerry Wexler

FRIDAY AUGUST 15th

Super mega festival at Knitting Factory, NYC. Catch this show at this legendary location before they move over "seas". The Jadewalkers play with a ton of bands.

This weekend also marks 30 years of "Kymberism".... Kymber Lee NYC turns 30 so post Knit show the party will go on, stretching over the weekend. You'll find us at our local East Village hang out: International Bar on 7th & 1st Ave.

(best jukebox in Manhattan!). .

Lot's going on, posting might be a little intermittent. Such is the nature of the beast at the moment. I'm bloody annoyed that I neglected to plug the Nomads annual "doon the watter" shindig that happened last night. The Rev. Peter Tjølsen tells me it was "bloody marvellous" and he knows a thing or three. There are no excuses for such tardiness other than outright daftness tempered with a smidge of auld age on my part.

Tracklist details of "More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide" can be found at the Razzia site, just scroll down the RH side to the upcoming releases. At the album entry, click on more. The surrealist cover art reminds me of the first Ian Hunter solo album with a hint of Escher.

Trying to get details on where to score Dictators tickets online and will make this available as and of course when. And that's just about your lot...

except that, news has reached me that a well known Swedish home furnishings are to launch a line of bedding in honour of Stockholm's finest... it could happen? (photo courtesy of Peter Tjølsen)

Norton News UPDATE!

NORTON TV SPECIAL • CABLE AND WEB STARTS AUGUST 13!

Cool off in a winter wonderland with the 2007 Norton Holiday Spectacular Show Of Stars on TV starting Wednesday! Here is the press release from Some Real Music…

The monumental musical event more commonly known as THE NORTON RECORDS' HOLIDAY SHOW will be featured in 2 parts for the next 4 weeks(!) (Aug. 13, 20, 27 & Sept. 3) on SOME REAL MUSIC, Wednesday nights at midnight in Manhattan on Time Warner cable channel 57, RCN cable channel 84 and worldwide on the web at MNN.org (on lower left of home page select channel 57 under "Watch MNN Live").

On Aug. 13 & 20 will be part 1, featuring sizzling southern soul diva duo THE NOUVELLAS, the rebel-rousing, outrageous, rational behavior-defying rockabilly riot of LUIS & THE WILDFIRES and, steaking their claim to rock & roll expubidence, THE A-BONES!

Part 2 (Aug. 27 & Sept. 3) will feature more A-BONES, a rare (and triumphant) appearance by THE FIGURES OF LIGHT, high energy soul wailing by THE GREAT GAYLORD and more magnificent gospel and roadhouse inflected soul stirring by THE MIGHTY HANNIBAL (that's an understatement) and finally HANDSOME DICK MANITOBA and ex-Flamin' Groovie ROY LONEY join the A-Bones for a true rock & roll madhouse frenzy that exquisitely and superabundantly defines what it's all about -- and cranks it up another couple notches.

(Amazingly, it was all done without makeup (on the guys, anyway), pyrotechnics, garish light show or invoking the presence of Satan! Incredible!) It's as great as rock & roll gets and you won't want to miss it! It's like Christmas in August! Hanukah in the summer!

KING KHAN INKS WITH NORTON!

Fresh out of big, big shows with both BBQ and with his big band the Shrines, King Khan stopped in to Norton HQ this week to ink with the label for a fabulous new solo single-- Khan plays all instruments! Whatta talent!Eminent release!

Welcome, KK!45-148 King Khan - It's A Lie/Congratulations I'm Sorry

SATURDAY AUG. 23 YOUNG JESSIE, THE FIVE SPOT SOUL FOOD SUPPER CLUB,
459 MYRTLE AVE., BROOKLYN 10PM-4AM

Hosted by Mr. Robinson and DJ Honky, he's back and you've GT to be there! From the press release: "Obie "Young" Jessie backed by the Solid Set and with backing vocals from Jamie and Leah of the Nouvellas - whether you know him from his solo records or his time with the Coasters, nothing will prepare you for him live on stage, he's only played once before in NY over the last 50 years but we were there to witness, on stage he's an absolute Ball Of Fire, we swore solemnly to bring him to you and we've kept our promise, beg steal or borrow the night free because he's flat-out unmissable, it's as big a treat for us as it is for you." And we agree- he's great!We recommend trying the Five Spot's great soul food, especially the catfish!

http://www.myspace.com/digdeepernyc

It's kind of busy here at the moment so this will be short and sweet.

You can hear the impending Hello Saferide single, "Anna" at It's A Trap.

It all kicks off all upbeat and jaunty. Stellar pop, “she would have been a sweetheart but with punk rock manners” but then, “lake” is rhymed with “heart breaks” and the ensuing guitar squall is akin to Mick Ronson weighing in from the spirit world. Out the other end of that there’s a fleeting nuance of a “what’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding” type harmonic. Just a sliver. The first “short story” from the album and a certified smash that should be hanging in any and every hit parade on earth. Do they still have those?

That ought to keep you in kicks for now...

RIP - Isaac Hayes