Thanks to Pierre Yves via Staysick.

If you find yourself in the Pacific Northweast or thereabouts this weekend then you'll no doubt be attending a YFF shindig. If you didn't know and you can get there then you'll have a fine time helping them celebrate the release of their return to the ring on YepRoc. Eurotypes will get a chance to worship at the alter of this institution when the band tours Spain later this annum. The Tour De Muerte will take place between October 15th and 25th. I'm not sure but I might have been the first person to write about the band, for Sounds, way back in 19oatcake. (Thanks to Francisco for the heads up)

And next weekend, The Nomads are heading for this get-together in (near?) Berlin. So don't miss that. Which reminds me, Stefan - please send me your e-mail, I lost it in the meltdown. What's happening with SBB and everything else!? Me, I'm heading for the Edinburgh International Film Festival and will see 4 films on Saturday. Let me know if any of you folks are around and we can compare notes maybe. It's a fairly hectic schedule but all between Filmhouse and The Cameo so all within a smooth schlepping distance. Bit if a dissy to hear that Maggie Gyllenhaal wasn't at the Sam Mendes thing last night after being touted as attending. I was nearly going to turn up with a Wreckless Eric CD for her because she's a bit of a stoatir.

It's the last DIRTY WATER CLUB
this coming Friday!!

"And do we have a treat for you on our last night! Headlining is the legendary (a word we do night use lightly) sixties garage band GONN. It's the original 1966/67 line up of the band that did BLACKOUT OF GRETELY and DOIN' ME IN, not to mention the newly issued single of DON'T NEED YOUR LOVIN' on Dirty Water Records.

This is a one-time only chance to see one of thee most legendary bands in the history of 1960s garage-punk! In the supporting slot is a band comprising members of The Milkshakes, The Kaisers, Thee Headcoats, and many others of note.

THE MASONICS comprise Mickey Hampshire, Bruce Brand and John Gibbs and is the only band we think worthy of being on a bill with a group such as Gonn. Opening up the evening is a younger band but one that is keeping the spirit of the sixties garage band sound alive.

SPEAK & THE SPELLS are the real deal, the kind of kids who picked up instruments because they dig cool rock and roll (not to mention that it helps them to meet young ladies).

Various DJs will be spinning tunes during the evening, including Allesandro from The Embrooks, Diego from Dirty Water Records, as well as PJ (if he is still sober enough to do so)."

Friday 19 June, doors open at 8.30pm.

200 yards from the house it comes on heavy rain, 5 or so minutes later it goes off and then in another 5 it's bright sunshine. All in the space of a little over a mile. Of course, the weather is inclement because the "shows" are here. That means the fair, incase you wondered.

Don't have much time for this tonight but it's imperative that I update this sucker at least once a day so I figured you'd be keen on this Pere Ubu opus.

Dr. H imparted the poop on where this elusive Wooden Shjips 12" sailed out of.

If I get the stuff done that needs to be sorted then I may well return. Motivation ain't my strong suit right about now...

RIP - Bob Bogle (The Ventures)

(Thanks to Ben for the link)

I'd like my buds on the eastern seaboard of the US to read this. The guy is 150% correctamundo. Try to attend one of the shows... (Thanks to Lovisa for the info)

"Hello Friends

Here is a story. If you don't want to read the story and just want the quick info, skip to the bold section at the bottom. But it is a pretty good story. If you are in the music biz, as many on this email are, please take the time to check this out, as it is about a band that I think will be big in America. OK, the long version:

At the beginning of May I went to Umea Sweden for a festival. It was really boring for the first few days, and Swedish people are pretty cold and hate Americans. Which made me love America. Or New York at least. But that is a different story.

In this story, my trip picks up on that Thursday night, the first night of the Festival, when my hosts over there take me to see their friends' band... TWO WHITE HORSES. The stage is set up with a keyboard, a snare drum, and assorted little bells and such. When the band, which consists of only a brother and sister dressed all in white and carrying wooden horse heads on sticks, does a tour of the room to synthesized Renaissance music I mumble to myself "uh oh" as I assume the worst...that I am now stuck watching a Swedish Indie Hipster band.

What actually happens is this: I am treated to 30 minutes of the most beautiful, honest, and heartfelt music I have ever seen played on stage. I know that sounds like a gross exaggeration, but remember...I grew up in the 80s. And live in the 00s. Which means the pickins have been slim indeed for me.

After their set I sat down with the band (Lovisa and Jakob) for drinks, but being a true lightweight and having had three glasses of Swedish wine (which comes either on tap or in a box!), I came across as an American. Which they fear and mistrust. But I was charming and enthusiastic enough to at least pique there interest when I offered to bring them to America. I was given one of their CDs and thanked for my enthusiasm, and then told "please tell us this when you are not drunk on Swedish wine." Fair enough.

Friday and Saturday of that weekend were very busy with SOR shows and rehearsals, so I did not listen to the CD until Sunday which was a day off in Sweden. On Sunday I listened to the CD 2 times all the way through, which is AMAZING for me, considering I skip songs on LZ4. Halfway through time number 3 I am now 100%convinceded that I have discovered a band that will be huge in America. I know that sounds like a gross exaggeration, but I go to Lolla, ACL, NAMM, etc every year and see tons of US bands trying to play music like this and not coming close to the majesty of this band. I am now officially excited.

I get on the phone, and after a bunch of calls discover that TWO WHITE HORSES are playing a tour finale show in their home village of Gbubenjungherteven. Or something like that. So I grab 3 SOR kids, get in a way overpriced Swedish cab, and go to that town. They are playing in a town hall in a tiny village and their mom is serving apple juice at the door. Awesome. They arsurpriseded and excited to see me. They play another 30 minutes of magic music, I laugh, I cry, and the three kids are blown away. Or at least they pretend to be because they want to impress me.

We go out to dinner that night, and now completely sober I repeat my offer. They start to get excited as well, I can tell, but in their own cautiously Swedish way. I get back to America and play the CD for my wife, who I trust most of all. She LOVES it and insists that I personally manage this band, even though I have no real experience with that, because I won't try to change them because I love them. I play it for my dear friend Jake Szufnarowski, the legendary NYC concert promoter. He sees it right away, becomes co manager, and we decide not to wait til the fall because we are too excited. So we buy them tickets and book them shows and they are coming over next week and I think its awesome."

June 19 @ 9:00pm - Southpaw, Brooklyn
June 20 @ 8:00pm - The Black Lodge, Philadelphia
June 21 @ 3:00pm - Rocks Off Concert Cruise, aboard the Half Moon NY
June 22 @ 9:00pm - Pianos, NY
June 24 @ 7:30pm - Union Hall Brooklyn
June 26 @ 8:00pm - Mercury Lounge, NY

I kept hearing the expression "lessons learned" this morning on the wireless.

Sadly though there was no follow through with the Matt & Kim anthem of the same name. No, it was more governmental guff, taking it ever beyond something that would be far-fetched if it was penned by that Armando Ianucci (sp? I can't be arsed checking it) bloke. We're being bled dry by a vast army of parasites. Get over it, right? Er, no... best way to deal with it, of course, is not to vote. Or to display any signs of teaching these leeches any sort of lesson that they'll never learn anyway because they're pathologically and morally bankrupt. I would have gone out the door in a much better mood if they'd just played the bloody M&K tune. That was then, this is now and I have some info to compile whilst listening to NoFoSo that will be appearing overhead later on today. Unless I get sidetracked.

SO MANY RECORDS... has moved. Update them bookmarks!!

I know, when I mentioned twitter the other day - some of you thought - surely he's got a letter wrong in there. I can't altogether disagree but give me a break. Just trying to behave like I can embrace the latest fads to some extent. It's not easy trying to entertain within the confines of a dreaded text message, er sorry, microblog. I plan to keep this particular ball in the air for as long as possible but pleased be advised that these epistles will hardly be coming at you thick and fast.

The two Adiam clips are amazing... here’s “Memory Loss”. My thanks again to Bgrrrlie for the cattleprod.



JD King has a whole flotilla of new stories backed up for you to check out. I live in hope that one day these will all be available in a tip top compendium published by an imprint that recognises the greatness of this stuff.

On the subject of books, Sir Tom Morton's "Serpentine" has just come out. Perhaps you need to procure something of the printed variety for the holidays? Then jump the heck on in.

Seems like monsoon season has hit these here parts, it’s a lot fresher out there now and I made it to town and back on foot without getting drenched so I’ll settle for that as a result.

there go the cobwebs... thanks Stargirl!

Would have liked to have seen The Drones tonight in Glasgow but neither the flesh nor wallet contents permit this. It’s shaping up to be a busy couple of months with one thing and another and “ye cannae dae it all”.

However, here are some things you might care to attend. The emphasis is on local to central Scotland but feel free to visit. The Edinburgh International Film Festival starts this week and a cool feature of their website is that, if you sign up, you can find out who is attending what screening in terms of film maker, cast, etc.

Here’s a clue as to who I reckon the special guest at the All Tomorrows Parties film might be. You know how Joe Dante is coming? Well think of a creature from one of his films, a group by the same name resides in Glasgow. Can you think who they are yet?

David Simon is at the Book Festival on August 29th, you can find out about that and all the other stuff that’s on there at the website.

When I picked up the Fringe programme I was thinking that there are never any good US comics like Emo Phillips, Denis Leary or Bill Hicks anymore but was pleased to see that Janeane Garofalo is doing a stand up stint from August 6th through 15th.

CJ Ramone will be at Ivory Black’s with a combo that will include Daniel Rey on August 17th, you can find all the tour dates here. (Thanks Martin)

And don’t forget that Dean and Britta are in Dunfermline on July 8th, that isn’t too far away so get moving and make sure you book those tickets. If you don’t then you’ll only have yourself to blame when you keep hearing how great it was.

The Plastic Pals – Good Karma Café (Polythene Records)

This is as a consistently good melting pot of influences as I’ve heard in recent times. I’ll leave you to determine who or what these are but will add my consideration that Häkan’s vocal reminds me of Ian McNabb of The Icicle Works. “She’s Going Back” was the one that sealed that comparison being that I always thought it would be cool if The Del Lords covered “Understanding Jane”.

There really is a neo-Liverpool sound to this Stockholm combo that sets this set aside from much of the psychedelic pop that is mane under laboratory conditions to a business plan. The Pals manage to circumnavigate all that with what is obviously a passion to simply create bloody good songs and see where those lead ‘em.

If you heard one of these cuts on the radio then whichever one it was, you’d want to know who it was. Those guitars are utterly infectious as they jangle and pummel, sometimes simultaneously. If what goes around does indeed come around then their music will take them far.

Dan Janisch – Medicine Man (Green Door Record Co.)

I found this in a pile of cds and realised that I hadn’t mentioned it. It’s been here for some time and Dan may well have put out a follow-up by now but hey, there’s no sell-by date on this produce. His mention of “grasshopper” in the title track is timely given the recent demise of David Carradine.

There’s a Peter Sarstedt quality to his voice and relaxed strumming. Great songs too. Could be a touch of Neil Diamond via Steve Earle lurking in there too (“Big Trip”). “Sayonara Chinatown” has an understated Modern Loversesque toyshop Velvets rockin’ factor that could bring a house down.

Love Boat – Imaginary Beatings Of Love (Alien Snatch)

The post Black Lips world is reverberating to this quasimercybeat sound these days. Love Boat is from Italy and they pack a skiffle factor into the soup that I actually prefer to the aforementioned beat combo. There are hooks buried in the foundations of these songs that give’em a rowdy campfire type vibe that channels aspects of The Undertones. Pretty damn snappy. I think that if this was on vinyl then some snaps, crackles and pops would only add to the sense of occasion. “Funny Guy” employs a kazoo to maximum effect that will thrill or irritate depending on your feelings about that particular instrument in popular music.

I’m very pro-kazoo.

Wau Y Los Arrrghs!!! - !!!Viven!!! (Munster)

Rip roaring timeless garage punk from Spain. Their name pretty much lays it out chapter and verse and I imagine that their shows will be pretty sweaty affairs. I have quite a low threshold these days for bands that claim to play this kind of music. It often completely misses the pan. These guys don’t dribble a drop though and indicate that this stuff can still wet the whistle.

Of course, you heard it all before but not with quite so much gusto. Powered on farfisa propulsion and blazing guitars, fans of The Fleshtones could get particularly excitable around these arrrgh blokes.

Turpentine Brothers - S/T (Alien Snatch)

I don’t know anything about these folks and I have no time to google (or bing/whatever) them right now. I can however tell you that although their “music” is as rough as the proverbial bear’s arse, it is very compulsive, like getting a wheen of tiny electric shocks at one time with relentless regularity.

Again the keyboard activity takes centre stage in keeping things up in the air. It makes sure that things don’t lag. If the Samoans had taken a garage pill and adopted a Hammond then perhaps some of their work might have sounded like this.

Doesn’t sound like they’re running out of “Ritalin” anytime soon to these ears. “Tired Luxury” is simply an exercise in changing the pace for their own ends.

The Thurston Lava Tube –
The Thoughtful Sounds of Bat Smuggling (Cordelia Records)

Buoyed by the discovery of this new Bambi’s cut earlier, I remembered about this. Not similar at all except in the spirit to which they approach the cinematic nature of instrumental rock’n’roll. Displaying it as a danceable solution and also as a canvas to accompany a vivid visual projection in your napper, I believe that this is their 4th album with another just about ready to pop.

BS contains the freshest, most scintillating take on “Miserlou” I’ve heard in many a moon.

Nightinghales – No Looking Back (Folked Tongue)

I don’t know what’s with the spelling and I’m not entirely sure about the title either because the music here definitely harks back to the sixties. Still, they’ve infused their sound not unlike The Dandy Warhols to create a punchy concoction. The vocalist Ben Sommers Bachman has a distinctive style, maybe a couple of octaves lower than Russell Mael but that’s who he reminds me of.

“GM Polka” has a rock/beat undertow bolstered by handclaps that suggests that if these kids were to get the breaks then they could quite feasibly find themselves in demand. “Damaged” does a pretty reasonable job of combining The Dolls with The Faces. Serendipitous as Johansen and Co made their UK debut with those guys way back before these folks were even born.

“Buddy Wooly” reminds me of Redd Kross without ever sounding like them. Ditto for Pavlov’s Dog. Actually, when I spun this the other day – I made a mental note about getting their records down from the loft. From Ninian Hawick country, Minneapolis – Nightinghales have a pretty good grasp on what it takes to be poptastic! Let’s not tempt fate by using expressions like soaring but I reckon there are a lot of folks out there that would be pretty pleased to hear what they’ve got to offer.

There’s some stuff to be going on with then. I’m gonna make some coffee and grab some P Dog and Bruce Anderson while I compile the “coming up” list that was meant to be done yez'day.

Being the confused individual I am, I got a notion to try this twitter lark. Not from a phone. I’m staunchly attached to my “pay as you go”, non-photo taking, hardly used bog standard basic model. However, I’m strangely coming round to the fact that my bahookie will be dragged into this century at some juncture. The conversion to cyberdroid is just so unbearably tedious plus, the older I get – the thicker I get, comes with the territory.

My ability to prioritise, focus and to just plain get stuff done seems to have hit something of a speedbump. Still, no point in mithering, like Track 12 of on this fine Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women album sez, “Que Sera Sera”.

I didn’t make it back here yesterday evening after all but I have remembered the band that Angel and I saw at Terminator in SF circa 1992 with Lenny Kaye when I was on the “In Search Of Elvis” tour. Walking past a bill poster hoarding in town yesterday I saw the Testament logo and had a “Chuck” type recall. It was like the club scene from the movie “The Crow”, indeterminably metal but a real hoot.

Wonder what today will bring? I’m not planning to go anywhere so maybe there’ll be some action here. The time that I couldn’t get online seems to have brought upon a streak that suggests to me that I shouldn’t become outright addicted again.

David Hayman is on the wireless talking about guardian angels. A wee bit of spirituality for a Sunday AM, maybe one of mine will help me get my arse in gear to set about tackling the various tasks that need to be seen to.

This remains to be seen but there must be some merit to all this because I already discovered that Bambi’s track today.

Thanks to Nick West for the heads up on this via Twitter...

Preview the EPIC new Bambi Molesters single!!

and here's some new footage. Fingers and everything else crossed for a new album before the end of the year...

the bambi molesters - latinia

You have to watch this... Gary Lucas and Alan Vega from yesterday... courtesy of NoFoSo!

I’m sitting here contemplating things to blog about and having a first spin of the Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women album. Regular readers will be aware that I consider Dave to be the master wordsmith. Bobby Dylan and Neil Young have their moments but ye cannae whack the real thing. Anyway, more of that later.

I didn’t get back here yesterday but it all turned out pretty good. The buzz created by the surprse special guest on Tom Morton set the tone of the day. Didn’t get along to donate blood like I intended but I can reschedule that, maybe for next weekend prior to the film festival action on Saturday. On the way home, I stopped in at what is probably my favourite chip shop in this area, Enrico’s in Larbert. I used to dine on their "produce" just a little too often when I worked along the road but it had been a good year or so since I had anything. Even although the wafting smell when waiting for a train was VERY tempting. It’s a pleasure to report that the high standard is being maintained and damn, those fritters looked good.

So among the stuff that’s coming up is some news on shows and things, particularly in this area with the various festivals and stuff coming up. Picked up a fringe programme yesterday and see there are a couple of things worth your attention, I need to scan the Book Fest info too. Didn’t get around to the end of the week reco’s either so I plan to do something about that also. Just need to recover from my latest tussle with what’s left of the hedge and I’ll be back with more info and gear to check out than you can shake a big stick at.

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.