Thursday, April 30, 2009
Here's the situation. Any posts made here over the next few days are unlikely
to be accompanied by images. Photoshop no workee y'see. No idea what's up
but it'll be in the air until this time next week (at the earliest). Other than the
jpegs I'll sort out tomorrow in lieu of the long weekend.
If you have something you need circulated in the near future then make
sure it's with me by noon GMT tomorrow and there's an outside chance.
End of public service holler.
Swine flu? Bring it on. I'm a little more concerned about getting my bloody
printer/scanner reinstalled after this carry on last weekend. It's a
huge inconvenience. Maybe not as big as croaking but then again, if that
happened then it wouldn't matter if I got the install done or not.
It's an ill wind... right? I'm not buying this bug thing anyway.
I wonder what it's been concocted to snow over? Dropping that into conversation
has caused much rolling of eyes and downright disbelief. Me and my daft
conspiracy theories... the naysayers think I'm half kidding but I've
managed to convince them eventually, that I am actually nuts. Actually now
I come to think about it, isn’t Swine Flu a punk band from Livingston?
Talk about unexpected. NBT gets the B2C treatment. Blimey. (Thanks Chris)
I'm wondering how Imants managed to copy those early issues? The quality of
the xerox was pretty iffy at best. I'm sort of out to graze now but I stll
gots sharp teeths if the need arises. Extra kudos for including the
word "toidy", an expression taught to me by the Lady ACC,
currently residing in SF. As for The Erasers, if I ever
get to "digitising" tapes, and I mean to then consider it
done. Think that one's a double header with Steel Tips.
As for swipes, yeah - I used to be quite the wind-up merchant. Some of it
stupid and childish to the point of puerile and some of it, well, not.
I'm a little less likely to judge and prefer to act upon my radar sense.
Such as it is. Anyway, I appreciate the retrospective.
It's Friday tomorrow and with one thing and another, I'm a tad behind with a
few things. At least it's a long weekend so who knows, I might even be able to
catch up. However, my photoshop seems to be on the blink too and that could
be what's futzing the scanner.
No bets are being placed, that would be tempting fate just a little too much.
And this fucked up formatting is driving me mental!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Dependency on this box in the corner of the room here came into sharp focus this
past couple of days. Would it really be so bad if an enforced bout of seemingly dropping
off the face of the earth occurred. Well actually, from my worldview - yes.
Something that needs to be addressed but meanwhile it was pretty traumatic
not to be able to communicate and connect within a heartbeat.
So far so good with the fix. Couple of little hiccups such as the printer/scanner not
operating but I can live with that. Probably. It strikes me that I need to wean
myself off spending so much time on here. Sitting in front of a computer is
something I do day in day out for purposes of eating and what passes for a lifestyle.
Often by this stage in the day my napper is pretty mooshed (steady! - I know what you
blighters up the back of the bus are thinking). Sometimes it's pretty hard to muster
the energy to do anything far less attempt to string several sentences together.
However, there's a duty to fulfil. This is one of those blogs that requires to be
updated at least daily. So while I try to figure what's going on, Mr Duff sent in this
report from Ponderosa Stomp... quite the "Bonanza" of good gear!
Got into town on Saturday Evening and spent the evening and the next day with friends.
Chose to miss out on Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the House of Blues 'cos I knew
there was going to be plenty music over the coming days...
So Monday was the start of the whole shebang. There are in-stores every hour, all
day at the Louisiana Music Factory. Dropped in to see Henry Gray, Howlin' Wolf's
old pianist. I saw him a few times but this was maybe the best ever, only one slow blues in
a 50 minute set of rockers. He gave the first ever airing to his new song,
the Rock Obama Boogie - the first Obama song I've actually heard and
probably not the last. 15 minutes later, Rockin' Dopsie Jr took to the
stage although the band was so large - 12 members - not all of them would
actually fit on there.
Not everyone likes the generic zydeco sound, and I admit that sometimes it gets
a little samey to me too but Rd Jr is a charismatic and good looking performer
and there was more than enough variation in the sound to keep us interested -
and not one song in the bunch that wasn't a dancer. Hard on the heels of THAT
was Leo Nocentelli, one of my favourite guitarists although a lot of people
I know don't rate him. In a 50 minute set, he managed to play 4 songs.
The first one was new, from his first solo album only just released that day.
Then an extended workout on Cissy Strut, following which Dr John shuffled
through the crowd to join him to sing and play Piano on Hey Pocky Way.
Not bad for a free show in a record store!
That night was Ponderosa Stomp pre-party at One-Eyed Jacks, one of the
coolest venues in one of the greatest towns on the planet. I saw the Cramps
there on my first night ever went in New Orleans and I met a girlfriend there
another time so I have more than a few fond memories. Four bands on the
bill, first up, a German crew called Redondo Beat, I only caught their last
two numbers. Reasonable 6Ts inspired rock but there's a half dozen bands
sound just like them play in my local so I wasn't hugely impressed.
After that the Condo Fucks played. I didn't know them either and when an
acquaintance advised me they were they guys from "that band Yellow Tango"
I was still none the wiser. Turns out they are basically YO LA TENGO doing covers,
mainly NY punk and classic sixties punk covers and very good at it.
Ira had a seriously dirty guitar tuning and when the girl drummer (Georgia)
sang 'With a Girl Like You? Fantastic. I could have lived without two
Richard Hell numbers in a row but that's a minor point.
I went outside for a bit of fresh air and bumped into Miriam Linna
whose band was up next. I've never been a huge fan of the A-Bones
but as an infectious, funny, party band they are hard to match.
(I hope you’ve seen the light Colin) Ira Kaplan sat in with them on piano but
the REAL highlight was when a small figure clambered up on stage causing
Stomp organiser, Dr Ike, to ask, Hey, who's that guy? That guy was only Roy Loney.
Sporting a new and very suave moustache since the last time I saw him.
The band ripped into "Have You Seen My Baby" (appropriately enough for a NOLA show -
it was written by Randy Newman) and he danced like a man possessed.
It looked like that was all we were getting until Ira strapped on a second guitar
and Bruce Bennett kicked off THAT riff. The crowd went wild and Roy the Boy
screeched 'I'M A MONSTER, GOT A REVVED UP TEENAGE HEAD.'
like he had just written it.
I knew it wasn't likely to get any better but I stuck around despite the jet lag
kicking in to see a rare Royal Pendletons show. They didn't disappoint and
being on their home turf, probably made it make more sense than it had been
on their recent European tour. They are one of the few bands that manage to
remain authentic without being curatorial. And who clearly know and
understand the history of rock and roll as the Toussaint McCall and
Cookie and the Cupcakes covers attest. We thought it was al over when a
clearly inebriated King Louie kicked over the drums but someone set them
up again fairly quickly and they came back to give us their classic "Losing Hand".
Yes, the same one that the Oblivians (soon to hit blighty for the blast off festival)
made, um, famous.
So that was it. I'm off out right now for night 1 of the Ponderosa
Stomp proper. Further updates as I find the time...
Colin
past couple of days. Would it really be so bad if an enforced bout of seemingly dropping
off the face of the earth occurred. Well actually, from my worldview - yes.
Something that needs to be addressed but meanwhile it was pretty traumatic
not to be able to communicate and connect within a heartbeat.
So far so good with the fix. Couple of little hiccups such as the printer/scanner not
operating but I can live with that. Probably. It strikes me that I need to wean
myself off spending so much time on here. Sitting in front of a computer is
something I do day in day out for purposes of eating and what passes for a lifestyle.
Often by this stage in the day my napper is pretty mooshed (steady! - I know what you
blighters up the back of the bus are thinking). Sometimes it's pretty hard to muster
the energy to do anything far less attempt to string several sentences together.
However, there's a duty to fulfil. This is one of those blogs that requires to be
updated at least daily. So while I try to figure what's going on, Mr Duff sent in this
report from Ponderosa Stomp... quite the "Bonanza" of good gear!
Got into town on Saturday Evening and spent the evening and the next day with friends.
Chose to miss out on Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the House of Blues 'cos I knew
there was going to be plenty music over the coming days...
So Monday was the start of the whole shebang. There are in-stores every hour, all
day at the Louisiana Music Factory. Dropped in to see Henry Gray, Howlin' Wolf's
old pianist. I saw him a few times but this was maybe the best ever, only one slow blues in
a 50 minute set of rockers. He gave the first ever airing to his new song,
the Rock Obama Boogie - the first Obama song I've actually heard and
probably not the last. 15 minutes later, Rockin' Dopsie Jr took to the
stage although the band was so large - 12 members - not all of them would
actually fit on there.
Not everyone likes the generic zydeco sound, and I admit that sometimes it gets
a little samey to me too but Rd Jr is a charismatic and good looking performer
and there was more than enough variation in the sound to keep us interested -
and not one song in the bunch that wasn't a dancer. Hard on the heels of THAT
was Leo Nocentelli, one of my favourite guitarists although a lot of people
I know don't rate him. In a 50 minute set, he managed to play 4 songs.
The first one was new, from his first solo album only just released that day.
Then an extended workout on Cissy Strut, following which Dr John shuffled
through the crowd to join him to sing and play Piano on Hey Pocky Way.
Not bad for a free show in a record store!
That night was Ponderosa Stomp pre-party at One-Eyed Jacks, one of the
coolest venues in one of the greatest towns on the planet. I saw the Cramps
there on my first night ever went in New Orleans and I met a girlfriend there
another time so I have more than a few fond memories. Four bands on the
bill, first up, a German crew called Redondo Beat, I only caught their last
two numbers. Reasonable 6Ts inspired rock but there's a half dozen bands
sound just like them play in my local so I wasn't hugely impressed.
After that the Condo Fucks played. I didn't know them either and when an
acquaintance advised me they were they guys from "that band Yellow Tango"
I was still none the wiser. Turns out they are basically YO LA TENGO doing covers,
mainly NY punk and classic sixties punk covers and very good at it.
Ira had a seriously dirty guitar tuning and when the girl drummer (Georgia)
sang 'With a Girl Like You? Fantastic. I could have lived without two
Richard Hell numbers in a row but that's a minor point.
I went outside for a bit of fresh air and bumped into Miriam Linna
whose band was up next. I've never been a huge fan of the A-Bones
but as an infectious, funny, party band they are hard to match.
(I hope you’ve seen the light Colin) Ira Kaplan sat in with them on piano but
the REAL highlight was when a small figure clambered up on stage causing
Stomp organiser, Dr Ike, to ask, Hey, who's that guy? That guy was only Roy Loney.
Sporting a new and very suave moustache since the last time I saw him.
The band ripped into "Have You Seen My Baby" (appropriately enough for a NOLA show -
it was written by Randy Newman) and he danced like a man possessed.
It looked like that was all we were getting until Ira strapped on a second guitar
and Bruce Bennett kicked off THAT riff. The crowd went wild and Roy the Boy
screeched 'I'M A MONSTER, GOT A REVVED UP TEENAGE HEAD.'
like he had just written it.
I knew it wasn't likely to get any better but I stuck around despite the jet lag
kicking in to see a rare Royal Pendletons show. They didn't disappoint and
being on their home turf, probably made it make more sense than it had been
on their recent European tour. They are one of the few bands that manage to
remain authentic without being curatorial. And who clearly know and
understand the history of rock and roll as the Toussaint McCall and
Cookie and the Cupcakes covers attest. We thought it was al over when a
clearly inebriated King Louie kicked over the drums but someone set them
up again fairly quickly and they came back to give us their classic "Losing Hand".
Yes, the same one that the Oblivians (soon to hit blighty for the blast off festival)
made, um, famous.
So that was it. I'm off out right now for night 1 of the Ponderosa
Stomp proper. Further updates as I find the time...
Colin
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A tip from Duglas Bandit... Magic Kids.
I hope that those good folks at Goner will have "Hey Boy" on a 45 before too long.
It's been a fraught couple of days but this thing is operating
for now at least.
It was touch and go I guess and the situation flags up the
need to have alternate means of getting on this danged internet.
It also indicates the need to get a life and spend less time online.
Normal service may or may not resume in due course...
for now at least.
It was touch and go I guess and the situation flags up the
need to have alternate means of getting on this danged internet.
It also indicates the need to get a life and spend less time online.
Normal service may or may not resume in due course...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A Fistful of Records is a 7” label based in The Netherlands. They’re responsible for a steady trickle of fab 45 sized platters (some of which spin at 33) that will reaffirm your faith in this rock’n’roll thing. In this disposable age, it’s easy to just stick out a track as a file. It takes a certain disposition to go that extra few yards and create something that you can’t just “delete”. To forge something permanent, dressed in captivating hand-screened covers, all numbered for your collecting pleasure if that’s what floats your boat.
The Hussy are from Madison, WI (hey, that’s Ben W country!). Bobby and Heather Hussy have concocted 6 short, sharp bursts of primo punk rock action on this perfectly formed format. Not an ounce of flab and maximum use of floorspace available, gotta be impressed with that. I guarantee that “Drinking Song” will hit the spot, as will the other 5.
The Griefs are a proto-beat 3 piece from Ohio and “Little Dutch Maid” is a noisy little bisom. Just goes to show that you can’t judge the proverbial book. Nice little Kinks-ish (as opposed to kinky) twist in there.
Polar Strong hail from Bordeaux and their “Young Virgin” EP is pressed on white wax and the cover recalls “Soldier Blue”. It contains the first recorded cover version of a Bassholes song “Platform Blues” which might hint at their trajectory. One of the new breed of French combos that dredge the more psychedelic, blues-ridded tar pits, the title track vocal sounds a little like Tom Verlaine. Murkier aspects of what Television might have sounded like if technology was in short supply. I imagine that these guys would kick up quite the stink in a club.
The Forbidden Tigers roam the plains of Nebraska looking for victims to pummel with their primal power pop yelping. And I’ll be darned if there isn’t a cut titled “Nebraska Plains” that sounds like The Black Lips might if they ever discover Johnny Horton. “Crab Nebula” sounds like a cut’n’shut Franz/Rezillos hybrid. Bracing stuff.
The Glow release has just 3 tracks and the first of these “Anthem No. 1” sounds like it was recorded in a submarine. Makes the first Panther Burns EP sound like a stereo sampler. From NY, there’s something a little Primal Scream-y about this and y’all know that such a thing is likely to rub yours truly the wrong way entirely. The closer “That Kind Of Feeling” is almost endearing in a kak-handed busking Velvets fashion but I think that I’ll stick with The Hussy. Maybe The Glow will be a grower?
The Hussy are from Madison, WI (hey, that’s Ben W country!). Bobby and Heather Hussy have concocted 6 short, sharp bursts of primo punk rock action on this perfectly formed format. Not an ounce of flab and maximum use of floorspace available, gotta be impressed with that. I guarantee that “Drinking Song” will hit the spot, as will the other 5.The Griefs are a proto-beat 3 piece from Ohio and “Little Dutch Maid” is a noisy little bisom. Just goes to show that you can’t judge the proverbial book. Nice little Kinks-ish (as opposed to kinky) twist in there.Polar Strong hail from Bordeaux and their “Young Virgin” EP is pressed on white wax and the cover recalls “Soldier Blue”. It contains the first recorded cover version of a Bassholes song “Platform Blues” which might hint at their trajectory. One of the new breed of French combos that dredge the more psychedelic, blues-ridded tar pits, the title track vocal sounds a little like Tom Verlaine. Murkier aspects of what Television might have sounded like if technology was in short supply. I imagine that these guys would kick up quite the stink in a club.The Forbidden Tigers roam the plains of Nebraska looking for victims to pummel with their primal power pop yelping. And I’ll be darned if there isn’t a cut titled “Nebraska Plains” that sounds like The Black Lips might if they ever discover Johnny Horton. “Crab Nebula” sounds like a cut’n’shut Franz/Rezillos hybrid. Bracing stuff.The Glow release has just 3 tracks and the first of these “Anthem No. 1” sounds like it was recorded in a submarine. Makes the first Panther Burns EP sound like a stereo sampler. From NY, there’s something a little Primal Scream-y about this and y’all know that such a thing is likely to rub yours truly the wrong way entirely. The closer “That Kind Of Feeling” is almost endearing in a kak-handed busking Velvets fashion but I think that I’ll stick with The Hussy. Maybe The Glow will be a grower?
When I woke up, I thought it was Monday.
Not for long but for long enough to discombobulate me.
It was a relief to find out it wisnae.
I'm writing sentences like this because something is awry with the formatting.
Probably because of yon big YouTube windaes...
Or maybe I just fancy pretending its a poem.
More through the course of today, meanwhile:
RIP - Bea(trice) Arthur
Not for long but for long enough to discombobulate me.
It was a relief to find out it wisnae.
I'm writing sentences like this because something is awry with the formatting.
Probably because of yon big YouTube windaes...
Or maybe I just fancy pretending its a poem.
More through the course of today, meanwhile:
RIP - Bea(trice) Arthur
Saturday, April 25, 2009
I'm a little perplexed that I more or less find myself in
agreement with Paul Morley about Camera Obscura
but it's for the greater good...
Camera Obscura: A band beginning with C from Iain & Jane on Vimeo.
(missed this the other night after I mislaid Mr Percival's message but found it via their website)
Wow, Fleshtones and Twisteroos is Stockholm next Friday. maybe I should go out and buy a lottery ticket?
Just futzing about here, listening to new stuff - getting distracted by magazines and other bumf. Not sure if I'm into blabbing much today, we'll see as the day rumbles on.
Hope to have some info on next weekend's DEAD BY DAWN event in Edinburgh soon. Trying to clear the decks to do the all-nighter but dunno if I have the stamina.
Of course, ideally I'd be in Madrid. Having an aperatif or three and digging the CulturaPop extravaganza that includes The Wrigbys and The Quattros. But of course, this is real life and whilst it doesn't outright suck, the ability to gallivant is curtailed at the minute.
Might check in with you later, then again..
Friday, April 24, 2009
Murray just hepped me to this from this week's Popbitch, apparently following an appearance on "Family Guy"...
>> UK Top 40 <<
We predict this week's new entries/high climbers
++ Number One
LA ROUX In For The Kill
++ Top Ten
TINCHY STRYDER ft N DUBZ Number 1
++ Top Twenty
GREEN DAY Know Your Enemy
PINK Please Don't Leave Me
KERI HILSON ft TIMBERLAND Know Your Enemy
++ Top Forty
The Prodigy Warriors Dance
ASHER ROTH I Love College
TRASHMEN Surfin Bird
JACKSON 5 Who's Lovin' You
MARMADUKE DUKE Rubber Lover
Er.... WHAAAAAAT?! and PJ just sent the link to the cause of this siesmic activity...
>> UK Top 40 <<
We predict this week's new entries/high climbers
++ Number One
LA ROUX In For The Kill
++ Top Ten
TINCHY STRYDER ft N DUBZ Number 1
++ Top Twenty
GREEN DAY Know Your Enemy
PINK Please Don't Leave Me
KERI HILSON ft TIMBERLAND Know Your Enemy
++ Top Forty
The Prodigy Warriors Dance
ASHER ROTH I Love College
TRASHMEN Surfin Bird
JACKSON 5 Who's Lovin' You
MARMADUKE DUKE Rubber Lover
Er.... WHAAAAAAT?! and PJ just sent the link to the cause of this siesmic activity...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I'll feel a little better this time tomorrow because the working week will be over. Talk about feeling like not being able to get outta the bit? No major gallivanting, can't muster the energy. A movie on Sunday will be the extent of that me'reckon although perhaps I haven't altogether ruled out the Gurf Morlix thing. No that's not some rhyming slang for something to do with horlicks before you ask... and now this is going off for the evening.
Goodnight or whatever part of the day it is as you're reading this.
Oh and, Ponderosa Stomp hits up NYC. (Thanks Tim!)
Goodnight or whatever part of the day it is as you're reading this.
Oh and, Ponderosa Stomp hits up NYC. (Thanks Tim!)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hey, check out Brother Joss having a good ol’ mump over at the Rock Backpages blog. There’s a lot of other neat stuff over there too.
Site visits are on the rise and it doesn't appear to be with regard to Stewart's encounter with "Blackburn's finest" either. The reportage in recent days with regard to YouTube views and that particular phenom makes one think that it's all perhaps a wind up. C'mon, it must be? It makes me wonder about these "hit" statistics and how they correspond with the "hitee" responds to what they find.
Here the mechanics are simple. I want you to check out the material and maybe act upon it as in spreading the news or maybe even buying something or seeing a movie. Website traffic is another tool in the arsenal of the professional snowjob artist as far as I'm concerned. As any attempt to join up any publicity for anything gets more fragmented by the day, it's difficult to get anybody to sit still for any reasonable duration.
I’m just listening to Dave Alvin cover “Dynamite Woman”. I’ll take this guy’s work over all your Dylan’s and Young’s anyday. Hearing him tear through this Doug Sahm tune is a joy right to the jews harp outro.
Let’s see, what else should you be checking out… oh – there’s an exhibit of the sterling photographic work of Stephanie Chernikowski at Morrison Hotel Gallery Bowery, 313 Bowery New York, NY 10009. Recognise that address?
(thanks to Randy and Martin for that info)
And there's The Couple - Pt. 2 over at JD's... (18th April entry). Epic writing. If this guy was properly published then I'd read books!
Site visits are on the rise and it doesn't appear to be with regard to Stewart's encounter with "Blackburn's finest" either. The reportage in recent days with regard to YouTube views and that particular phenom makes one think that it's all perhaps a wind up. C'mon, it must be? It makes me wonder about these "hit" statistics and how they correspond with the "hitee" responds to what they find.
Here the mechanics are simple. I want you to check out the material and maybe act upon it as in spreading the news or maybe even buying something or seeing a movie. Website traffic is another tool in the arsenal of the professional snowjob artist as far as I'm concerned. As any attempt to join up any publicity for anything gets more fragmented by the day, it's difficult to get anybody to sit still for any reasonable duration.
I’m just listening to Dave Alvin cover “Dynamite Woman”. I’ll take this guy’s work over all your Dylan’s and Young’s anyday. Hearing him tear through this Doug Sahm tune is a joy right to the jews harp outro.
Let’s see, what else should you be checking out… oh – there’s an exhibit of the sterling photographic work of Stephanie Chernikowski at Morrison Hotel Gallery Bowery, 313 Bowery New York, NY 10009. Recognise that address?
(thanks to Randy and Martin for that info)
And there's The Couple - Pt. 2 over at JD's... (18th April entry). Epic writing. If this guy was properly published then I'd read books!
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