It's the middle of June and I'd rather be at "Where the Action Is" in Stockholm. As it is, I'm where the action ain't but that is pretty much how it's been all this week. Can't get outta the bit, not making much progress on any front, the usual malaise.

Next Friday sees the last ever Dirty Water Club night. I’m not sure if the purported ongoing shows that will happen at less frequent intervals will take place in Tufnell Park. PJ? I’d certainly miss not making a pit stop there on my trips “dahn the London”.

Yours truly is headed for Glasgow this afternoon but has postponed the planned departure time because Annika is on The Tom Morton Show! It’s true, I could use the “listen again” but that’s not an option.

The new Dig It! Is available now so grab yours here! (Thanks Gildas and Patrick)

This morning, I woke thinking it was Friday. This is happening with alarming frequency and I'm wondering if my hard drive or motherboard might be on the blink also. Still, Friday is looming now but on the wrong end of Thursday that can be traumatic. Anyways, let's get to it...

The Accidents “Stigmata Rock ‘n’Rolli” 6 song 10” on Bootleg Booze fuses Slade with Motorhead and sprinkles a little Ramonic garnish to unleash some kind of superfastpoppunkrockabilly rave up that pushes all them right buttons. “Lonely Streets” has an anthemic Undertones go Dictators quality. They sound like they’re having a ball too as opposed to deconstructing a finite record collection like so many soulless tosspots do these days. The Accidents have redefined the term “blazing” to the point of rambunctious but they never ever lose the reigns of melody.

On the same imprint. The Dee Rangers “Upside Down” was mislaid in a pile of 45’s here for awhile. It’s nearly a whole year since I saw them in Stockholm and this reminds me that we’ve got to get them over here. The Wildebeests are the lairds of the boss racket hereabouts and the DR’s are the Swedish equivalent. With a cover of 4PK’s “Down and Out” on the flip, the savage beat is in safe hands.

The funeral service for our pal Lennart will take place in Malmö tomorrow (12th). It's my understanding that the family have requested that donations be made to Cancerfonden instead of flowers, etc. You can enquire as to how to go about that at the facebook shrine that Per has set up. Cheers LP, you can never be replaced! The new RJaP is dedicated to his memory and it's reverberating around my noggin as I tap away here.

Inspired by episode #1 of WW, Don also served up this amazing clip of The HiRisers!

I always set out with the best of intentions but somehow these never get off the drawing board of late. It's official, my old pc is past the point of rescue but it seems that the hard drive is accessible at least so maybe I'll be able to retrieve some of the gubbins from that. This one is perfectly good but I miss some of the bells and whistles.

I should qualify that with saying that I consider myself lucky to have access at all at the minute but fear that I may never catch up with myself? Still, being able to hear Eric's podcasts is a plus and those are singlehandedly keeping me afloat. I'm having some problems with some of my other internut radio haunts and coming to terms with the fact that you really don't need to have a collection anymore.

The length and breadth of what is available on NoFoSo, WFMU and Wreckless Wradio is utterly exponential!!

So, still getting my bearings with this kit, Brother Don filed this report on his Camera Obscura experience at The Fillmore in SF last night.

"i was too wasted to write a report last nite. and i'm still not really up to a doing a proper one. but as ye say back there, they were, in a word, "crrrackin". it's quite clear they have arrived. and they haven't forgotten how they got here either. i mean, it was halfway thru the set before they got to their new single. which by the way, sounded sooo much better without those stupid disco strings. still the same musicians. but all new gear.

tracyanne's got a couple of gibsons (hollowbody electric and jumbo acoustic), the bass guy's got a shiny new fireglo rickenbacker. guitarist has a killer white jag. keyboard gal has some fancy new roland. and there was a blue tele and strat being traded back and forth. they had little fender amps. fillmore was nearly full. i missed the opening act but one of them -- a girl with a violin joined camera obscura for one song. me and my buddy james were about 3/5's of the way back, dead center. one thing i'll say is that even tho they've picked up a LOT more fans, the crowd was not at all obnoxious as happens when a band starts to make it.

sound wasn't great but it improved a little over the course. mainly you couldn't hear tracyanne's vocals enough. but i could tell she was singing a lot better than ever. so much more confident. and making jokes and talking to the crowd. i rememember the first time they came (this is the 3rd time i've seen them here) she was nervous and off key at times. then last time she was better but now she's totally got it under control. the band was always good but now they're really sharp -- super tight. the drummer's great. he uses mallets a lot.

she's lucky to have such a great band and they're lucky to have a great writer. it was one perfect song after another... i'm not familiar with the titles as i still haven't gotten round to buying the albums (something i'm going to do immediately). i know they did "let's get out of this country". which was great. and in the encore they did "lloyd, i'm ready to be heartbroken". and that old one about "you're not a teenager..." always liked that one. when it was over my friend said exactly what was on my mind: "it's great to see a band develop like this. every time we see them they get better". but i can't imagine them getting much better than they were last night.
- dc

There's a NY Dolls film event on at The Barbican this week. I can't figure out if it's a screening of New York Doll with Nina Antonia for a Q&A or something else but it'll probably be a hoot anyway. You can check out the info here. (Thanks Martin)

Got letters to "write" and other guff to attend to so I'll bid you a goodnight.

I don't feel much like gabbing tonight but Brother Kjell sent me the link to this and it made me think of Lennart. I know he would have loved this. So let's dedicate it to his immortal memory!

RIP - Hugh Hopper

Was thinking that we could go for three 6.47am posts in a row but was on the road before that this morning so I flunked it. Good to hear that some of you have checked out Wreckless Radio and recognise the greatness of such a venture. It offsets the pish that's happening elsewhere under the auspices of entertainment and politics. Dunno about you but that galoot Griffin looks like a character that Ricky Gervais dreamed up. He'll be having a ball at our expense for the forseeable future, not a thought that gives me a warm glow.

All part of the exercise that is the gradual closure of UK plc. Soon to be towed out to sea and sunk. The looming general election will have to be conducted like The X Factor. Prospective candidates will have to audition and the "winners" will be planted within the finalists. That will ensure the maximum reality fix for the legions of numbskulls that have got us into this predicament. All very depressing.




Not depressing is the prospect of the lucky blighters that will see Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. return to the world famous Rodeo Bar this week for more exciting "ballads, boogies & blues", as per their motto! And, yes, when compared to a lot of other things it is sort of exciting.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan / Two near-thrilling sets, from 10pm sharp until 12:30am / No cover! /

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





Duglas T Bandit will be involved with this thing at the weekend and I may well be seeing The Drones in the same place on Snday but haven't done anything about tickets. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer at the minute, me...

Ixnay what I was saying before about putting something together with regard to reviews. Something much more exciting has turned up since I switched this thing off earlier to do the ironing. Wreckless (W)radio is on the (cyb)air!

Stop what you're doing, what you're listening to and tune in. You'll be very glad you did because as entertainment goes this is a cut (and thrust) above!

I don't think "immense" is too strong a word under the circumstances.

The answer is 5. Paying customers into “Gun Crazy” that is. And what a great looking piece it is on the big screen too. However, that was yesterday.

Today I woke up in a sort of tizz and it seems to be hanging on. I thought that I’d have breakfast whilst reading the latest Mojo, the cover of which rankled me. It says on there that Kings Of Leon are the biggest rock band in the world. I find that depressing in so many ways. A “rock” equivalent of Take That in my opinion.

Actually, I almost prefer TT because they’re not trying to kid anyone that they’re worthy as they hoover up the cash. Anyway, what’s the point in complaining? In that universe, demographic is paramount and if having these muppets on the cover sells a few copies then that’s the crumble from that particular cookie. Their fans might discover something else and figure out just how tepid KOL are. Where did that burst of optimism come from?

It could have been equally bad, The Killers might have been on there. That name should be reported to the trade descriptions people. These are acts that can play festivals that sell out before the bill is announced. thus providing bogus points in perceived popularity. Jonna Lee made one of their songs listenable, a bit like Astrid Williamson did with “Run” by another mega-popular group that just keeps sucking - Snow Patrol. Time for some actual music then methinks.

I’ll be back with that soon - meanwhile pretend there’s an ad break or something.

I know we're getting a little ahead of ourselves here but the RJaP latest is out on August 18th and with Rob being a modern kind of chap, it's a download deal. OK, so it's one of those "seize the day" situations. It's early but things need to get done. Of course there's plenty of time for my dominant lollygadding gene to kick in but we'll see. I heard that La Roux bint in the wireless and recalled that Danny La Rue died last week also, another RIP then. The much hyped singer of the similar name is like Maddy Prior goes Gazza Numan. Sort of irritating but infectious at the same time.

Not sure where today's journey will take me. The only (almost) certainty is to nip along the road to see "Gun Crazy" this afternoon. Partly because I've missed several other showings and also because I'm curious as to how many people will go to see that in Bo'ness on a Saturday afternoon. Quite the social experiment and better for you than languishing in the pub.

It felt like Friday would never come. Like I was staring down some kind of barrel but now it's here. Five new acts to herald the weekend to keep you amused until I get my act as close to together as possible. Normal service is a consideration but it feels like a long way off. It was raining this morning for the first time in over a week. Could be some kind of record or a tape even. Talking of which, I've a mind to start wading through the boxes of cassette clutter that reside here in the bunker.

The Boonaraaas!!! “Destroy that Boy”

Nothing can kick start a Friday evening like the Boonaaas! Plus they’ve revamped their myspace so check the new decor.

Theodor Jensen “Songbird”

The man from The Plan (and Broder Daniel). Grandiose pop don’t come much grandioser. Is that even a word? (Thanks Hugo)

New Math “Welcome To My World”

They’re back to save the world and there’ll be an album done before the years out.

Nightinghales “Don’t Pretend”

From Minnesota, the missing link between Pavlov’s Dog and The Dandy Warhols. Not a typo on the name by the way...

Pat Simon “Small Town”

Saw that Beat Madchen had this posted again and incase you missed it last time I posted a link, don’t miss it this time!

And that's about yer lot. Quite a bit of work to be done around these parts so without further ado. Have a fine Friday nicht. I'm planning on taking it pretty slow with a mind to moving up a gear tomorrow. Of course, that could be subject to review.

I'm not long back from casting my vote in the Euro-elections. Despite it being the time of the evening when folks are on their way home and you might think it would be busy then you'd be stone wrong. Yours truly was the only voter in the room. Asking if it had been busy earlier, the answer was "no' really". I can semi-understand the angle that these prospective representatives might only be in it for the expenses but that's no reason not to exercise your given right.

There's no greater exponent of the guilty until proven otherwise treaty but come on, we have to start someplace. And if you don't take part then you have absolutely no grounds for mumping when it all goes akimbo. Got it? The polling stations are open until 10pm, move your 'arris!

This has been a public service announcement on behalf of the "What Are You Buggers Playing At?" party.

On a more sombre note...

RIP - Sam Butera (Thanks to Tom for the link to this)

RIP - David Carradine

RIP - Koko Taylor (Thanks to Ben for the link)

I've been on the go since 5am this morning and the "Dream Weaver" thing has left me a little fried. It was pretty cool though and by the end of it, I hope to be able to put any skills that stick to creating an actual website. Even although I'm a thicko, I think a lot of it percolated into my napper. Spoke to KP and he told me that the M&K show down "The London" last night was an unmitigated riot. "Lessons Learned" came out as a single yesterday and "Grand" will be unleashed upon the UK on June 22nd. They'll be in Brazil later this week. Phew!

They appeared on the Nemone show on Radio 6 today. Interview starts at 2:06.56.

I think I'm just about caught up on e-mail now but my "address book" is in general disarray. This shit happens and it's not entirely the end of the world. It's taking a little longer to attain any kind of equilibrium (or similar drug) than I anticipated. The weekend seemed to disappear in a heartbeat and today's bugbear was a visit to the dentist. Generally I don't need any restoration work carried out on the laughing tackle but a "pizza" in Barcelona last October sealed my fate so that needed filling.

It was the day that Jeroen and I were orienteering. Doesn't seem possible that was eight months ago but anyway I'm home and my gob is frozen all the way up past my left ear. Stop laughing.

It's that kinda numbness where you try to drink something and it all runs down your chin. So until it eases off I better ease off the liquids. Think I'll work on my TV show ideas. One is "Britain Is Populated By Divots", do you think that could catch on? Or what about this? "Big Conniving, Cheating Bastard Brother" I thought it was pretty snappy but sometimes I have a different angle on reality to a lot of folks these days.

Of course, if the gods were smiling on me I'd be in London for the MattandKimathon tonight but sadly not. Tomorrow, the weather - at least in this part of the world - will hopefully cool down a bit because I'm in a "Dream Weaver" course all day. Nothing to do with the Gary Wright song, it's that fancy software that you create web antics with. Good chance I'm too thick to learn much but we lives in hope, innit? So enough banter, I have Amy Allison cds to package up!

Seeyouthamorra...

Amy Allison’s “Sheffield Streets” is her first release on the Urban Myth imprint. It comprises 12 songs that she recorded out on the West Coast (of the USA, not in Ayr daftie) with her old Parlor James bud and seasoned drummist Don Heffington. Putting together a crack squad of LA’s finest, Amy revisits some old material and sets those beside new songs to once again display that she’s one of the best songwriters on earth.

The title track is a hymn to the big town she resided in for some time in the 80’s and it features some authentic colliery band style backing. Country and pop styles abound and by my estimation, “Anywhere You Are” is as good as anything Diane Warren was ever involved with. A big hit in waiting for anybody with ears that can admit they could never come close themselves.

There’s a version of her Dad’s “Monsters Of The ID” that features Mose and Elvis Costello. And “Everybody Ought To Know” as a duet with Dave Alvin. I guess this makes Amy one of the Guilty Women by default. Ryan Hedgecock, Van Dyke Parks and DJ Bonebrake are just some of the individuals that pitched in to make this latest selection. I’d hope that readers of this would be familiar with Amy by now and can recognise her greatness.

She’s set to head back this way to continue work on the album with Sir David Scott they began around a year ago. Listening recently to her back catalogue, it’s only the ignorance of cloth-eared radio producers and pundits that has gotten in the way of her success. Not a predictable, malleable talent, Amy is in many ways like her old man. A complete and utter treasure that just can’t be pigeonholed but that ALWAYS delivers.

Listen to "Why Can't It Be?" at her myspace.

It was my intention to get more done on here today but there have been some obstacles plus my contacts info is in some disarray. My intended schlep to the cinema tomorrow may go by the wayside as a result. My arms bear the marks of a potential self harmer due to the ongoing tussle with the out of control hedge. It was cool to come in and relax to the strains of Bruce Anderson's "The Inherent Beauty Of Hopelessness". More about that later.

It's been unfeasibly warm here today. I don't function well in such conditions. I'd like to, but don't have much practice. In keeping with the regime of not spending hours upon end in front of this thing I'm about to sign off for the evening. Have a blast, whatever you're up to. If you find yerself in NYC, the inimitable Amy Allison is at Banjo Jim's. Onstage at 9pm.

It’s no secret that I consider glam to be the last great golden age of outright teenage pop that rocked. True, it was often created by brickies in make up but that gave it an extra edge. Robin Wills “Pure Pop” blog has spearheaded the pebblefication of bringing material back to life that had little or no profile in the first place. We need to thank him for that. In many ways it was punk rock before that kicked in as a catch-all brand. If you prefer Spandoo Bollocks to Mud then well, you simply shouldn’t be here. I don’t mean on earth – live and let live – but not here amongst us.

The content of “Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet”, the Nederglam comp lovingly curated by Prof. Wills and Dutch Special (Rockin’) Forces General, Jos de Groot brings that ruckus back into sharp focus. And, before we get to the contents - this is the sharpest dressed release I’ve seen in a long time. It comes in a bijou hardback book with extensive liner notes and pictures. This might make it a little pricier than your common or garden jewel box but you get what you pay for and this is high art on the proverbial multiple plateau my friend.

Every one of the two dozen selections sounds like it could have been recorded under perfect laboratory conditions yesterday. Big crunching licks and unstoppable choruses. Bonnie St Claire and Unit Gloria are a collision between Suzi Quatro and Abba in a way that could never be pastiche. They mean it chief. Actually they make me want to go and put on a Smashed Gladys record.

Maybe this stuff just hits home because this is the trajectory that I joined the music bug as a teenager. This was punk rock, as was The Groovies, The Dolls, The MC5 and The Stooges. I guess it was all about power then and this shakes some action a whole lot more vividly than much of what came out in ’77. The Heavy Dwarves “Moeder Natuur” actually has a contemporary rave commotion indicating that the sound which baggy approximated wasn’t entirely new either. At some point, I’ll try to explain why I think that Happy Mondays were better than the excrecable Stone Roses. And not just because they covered John Kongos although that was a masterstroke. Anyway, there are precious few comps that are this wall to wall great in excess of 70 minutes. Is Pantherman Holland’s Kim Fowley?

Available now wherever they sell GREAT records and also direct from Excelsior.