Bonnier Amigo has embarked on a series of collections from the vault of MNW. An important portal over the past three decades to a vast mine of every type of music you can think of. Of course, practically all of it is Swedish language so perhaps of limited interest to those who don’t speak the language. However, to those of us who never let a language barrier get in the way of enjoying some primo rock action – there’s a wealth of gear to discover here.

There are prog and postpunk comps that look like they might be worth investigating amongst the 18 2 x cd sets that have already come out. But let’s start here with two that would possibly be of immediate interest to NBT-ites.

Stry Terrarie (real name - Anders Sjöholm) was a mainstay of many units across the years. Best known of these outside Sweden was arguably Babylon Blues. He also produced the album, “Enjoy The Creeps”. I never heard the Garbochock tracks before and those sound a little like Roxy Music produced by Joe Meek. I’m looking at the name Mats Gustafsson on the Besökarna cuts and wondering if it’s the same guy that’ll be tearing up a small Edinburgh hostelry later tonight with The Thing?

A general postpunk keyboard driven thread runs throughout from the earlier more frantic material through to the broader based Scandanavian rock model. Rymdimperiet’s quasi-funk leaves me a little cold but that doesn’t hang around for long, that was perhaps a glitsch in transit. Even The Clash approximations of the earlier BB stuff offers promise of what was to come afterwards. It’s cool to hear them grow up. Covering the period from 1978 to 1991, this doesn’t include any Ebba Grön or subsequent collabs with Thåström – there’s much to get your old hearing gear around here.

Wilmer X were one of the first Swedish lingo bands I ever heard. They were and remain a far more traditional unit in the style of mid-seventies pub rock groups like The Brinsleys. They combined that with a Groovies type rock’n’roll sensibility that would ultimately flirt on the outer limits of power pop. Like Eddie and the Hot Rods channelling Manfred Mann, Wilmer X has cut a swathe and remained popular over the years by laying down a timeless, bar-rock blueprint that can only really be pulled off by guys who know the script inside out.

At some points they might sound like (the) Status Quo, then maybe Foghat but the Scandanavian ability to crisply deliver the goods never lets it descend into mere parody. On the other hand, “Gå Hella Vägen” is as good as most of The Undertones catalogue. This kicks off in 1980 so I guess it was several years out of kilter. Had it started in 1978 then it could almost have been charted in tandem with what was happening around the world.

Red hot rhythm and blues, blastin’ beer bust beauties that must be some kind of fun to catch in a bar although at the prices they have over there it’s the powerhouse music that’ll have to be doing the intoxicating. And watch out for a very special comp coming soon from this direction, more on that when available...

RIP - Billy Lee Riley



Thanks to PJ for the link... the crazy beat finally caught up with ol' BLR!

and gracias to Gavin Martin for this...

Coincidence with the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing notwithstanding, some important notes from space have been captured and etched into 12” vinyl by Sick Thirst. These infectious “repeat-o-rock” tones may or may not be perpetrated by a duo. The only clear information about Moon Duo is that Ripley of Wooden Shjips is involved and this is a primitive, ever more Velvets-y descent into the maelstrom. The Shjips are positively orchestra material compared to this. Designed to be played at 45rpm, the trick is to set the controls for 33rpm and let it marinade your grey matter.

So what you get is 4 songs for the price of two, at album speed it sounds like satan fronting Blue Cheer attempting to create Suicide type modulations. JD King’s concept of the 45 at 33 is once again proven to be several light years ahead of its time. I suspect this drone-tastic squall to be the martian black angel’s death song being channelled by an earthly San Franciscan host prone to what some could figure as experiments in sonic terror. Wonder what goes on if you plays it backwards?

Anyway, this is available now in places where fine records are sold but move fast, it won’t be around for anything like forever in this magic vinyl format.

Let's ease you in this Sunday am (of course it's evening is Australia and Japan, etc but we welcome our viewers from there a'naw)...

TOTP outtake courtesy of Grottu Orloff via facebook



and the fantastic Jackie De Shannon... courtesy of Gavin Martin via facebook

The Bambi Molesters in Ljubljana, Slovenia on September 19th
(with Heavy Trash) !

Did you hear the new Willie Nile album yet? Entitled “House of a Thousand Guitars”, it’s a real rush of blood to the memory of the great roots rock scare of the mid-80’s. Anybody who misses The Beat Farmers or The Del-Lords will find much solace here. It’s the kind of album that you hope and dream Springsteen could still make.

Those of us who no longer enjoy spring chicken status will recall that Willie was being hailed as “a new Dylan” around the time that Elliot Murphy and the aforementioned Boss were. This is his sixth album in all these years and it really does crackle. When I first heard it I was sure that Scott Kempner was playing guitar on it but seemingly not.

“Doomsday Dance” would have been something The Cramps could have customised. “Love Is a Train” is a little Forbert-y and enjoys an almost Alvin-esque soundscape. Again, the band sounds so grandiose. You can almost taste the desert and see the heat haze. American music rather than Americana. “House” is blessed with a lot of soul and sounds like it lived. I’m not up for asking for much more than that at this point. It’s chock full of the kind of guitars that turn me to mush and I just found out that there’s a vinyl edition, me - me!.

And while we’re on the subject of that American beat, I was a little disappointed to find out that Amy Speace had been to Glasgow a couple of months ago. There was some word to the effect that she might tour with Mary McBride but that never happened and she snuck in on her lonesome (with her band). Her most recent long player is “The Killer In Me” on Judy Collins’ label, Wildflower Records. As with the Willie Nile album it draws on a vast bank of roots history and blends folk, country and blues through a pop strainer. If you like Maria McKee, Syd Straw and Mary Lee’s Corvette then it’s a shoe in that you’ll find much to enthral you here. In addition to the fact they had their own gig, Captain K tells me that she opened for Colin MacIntyre at Oran Mor too. So maybe third time lucky with regard to catching a show...?

The Loose Acoustic Trio ’s zydeco-flavoured good time that is “Sorrow Be Gone” has wormed it’s way under my skin in recent weeks. Even the porch version of “Pinball Wizard”. From Portland, Oregon – they’ve kicked up a pretty swingin’ affair. “Love Me, love You” reminds me of ACC’s take on “Jet Boy, Jet Girl” and the whole accordion fuelled shebang is very tasty indeed in a twistedly straight way. Who couldn’t love a group that’s down with “Soup On A Bun”? It comes in a very nice quality quasi-digipack too on the Big Book imprint. A tasteful operation all round.

So far, no rainstorm of biblical proportions as was forecast but this could all change within an instant. No big plans this weekend but a fair supply of little ones. Let's see if I can counter those with the slightly lost/detached vibe that is currently clouding my judgement.

I was looking at the end of the month stats as one and this is shaping up to be the second biggest ever. February when Lux up and left was the highest. And talking of which, “Karl” sent in this image from the town of Söderhamn (in Sweden), “about 13 miles from the Brainbombs hometown Hudiksvall”. Apparently there is said to be a Sky Saxon wall there also.


In a related note, this weekend Scandanavian Garage jazz monsters, The Thing are in Edinburgh. They kick up quite the racket to the point that experiencing their ouvre first hand is not unlike standing or sitting in front of a jet engine. If I was in any sense of the imagination financially flush then I’d be heading for Perth this weekend. Pretty solid bill for the town’s Southern Fried festival including Los Lobos first-ever Scottish appearance taking place tonight on a bill with Booker T. Lucinda tomorrow.

So before I take off to start taking care of them "little things", I'll leave you with a new JD King story and this link to a pretty good sounding combo brought to my attention by David Brogan – Stolen Hearts. Wonder if they’re Barracudas fans?

And finally... Adiam Dymott in Berlin but as we're in Germany, why not check out the Beat Club archives too. That oughtta keep you amused...

Thanks to those who got in touch re - the Sam Phillips thing. Guess I didn't recall he was dead or maybe I thought he was still alive. Definitely the latter (probably).

No idea what I was on last night but I also typed Mike instead of Mick Medew. (Thanks to Craig for pinting out this errant clumsiness). Must try harder...

I'll be back way on the other side of 6am with what's coming up other than the forecast of torrential rain and of course it becoming August. It's just two bloody months until the clocks go back. So apologies for the misfires, plain and simple divotism, what can I tell ya...?

Mick Medew and the Rumours released the 9 song “All Your Love” on the fine I-94 Bar imprint a month or so ago now. The solo on the opener “Spinning Wheel” doesn’t so much blister as totally remove any coating you care to administer. Australian rock is a hardy thing, they can really make it sting and taking a bloody hammer harmonic to the title track was a masterstroke. Remember when bands used to project? Did you ever watch The Hellacopters and wonder just why they weren’t gazzillioplatinum? Then this is for you. Incase you're not of sufficient vintage, Mick was in The Screaming Tribesmen...

Shades of the Hoodoos harder moments with Dictators riffage are given that special antipodean rock action wallop. Unashamedly backdated, everything on here trounces each and every cut on the latest AC/DC record. The one cover, a version of “Another Girl, Another Planet” is very faithful albeit a tad more rip-roaring and come to think of it, didn’t you ever envision Peter Perrett singing “Igloo”? A little of that monolithic Kiss-ish axe-tion never goes awry with me and I’ll take that over Turbowhassname any old day. Ah, the old days when fanzine types would turn very peelly wally at the mention of Simmons and co. I don’t care much for their ethics now but damn those first 4 records are good.

Like The Riverdales, MM and co. are dealing in a commodity that combos with an excel spreadsheet or access to a record collection to plunder will never ever orbit. They have the heart and the soul that will never let ‘em settle for an approximation. It runs even deeper than dna. You can hear it in every lick. Your two favourite kinds of music, kids – rock AND roll – with an extra scoop of the former and packing the spiritual volume to make it count.

Murray checked in with this before he took off on holiday...

Messthetics in Edinburgh - Saturday August 8th

THE AXIDENTS / SHOCK AND AWE / 35mm DREAMS / MY T-HI - VIC GODARD !

Vic Godard live album playing from 7.30, first band onstage at 8pm sharp, all over by 10'ish

Henrys Cellar Bar, 8 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BJ.

PHONE: (0131) 228 9393 Tickets: £5

My T-Hi are flying over from Japan for a one off festival gig with their pop guitar take on life in Osaka. Short sharp guitar songs with big choruses from the world famous Shock And Awe and The Axidents celebrate 30 years since they initially formed in the first wave of post punk by bleaching their hair and growing beards

Unbelievably, the members of much-feted original Edinburgh indie band 35mm Dreams find themselves in the same place at the same time and will be performing a short set together for the first time in 30 years, they recently had a couple of songs released on the critically acclaimed compilation album "Messthetics 105 - D.I.Y. Scotland, 77-81" . As a special bonus the world premiere of the new Vic Godard Live Album "Live in Stereo" recorded in Glasgow last year will be playing in between bands

Saturday AUGUST 1st...

THE CRAMPS FETISH NIGHT:

A Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Party
with Trixie Malicious as Tura Satana + Fancy Chance Miss Alternative World 2009 + live music from...

KING SALAMI & THE CUMBERLAND 3 +
EMPRESS OF FUR
+ female wrestling with Kali vs. Honey
+ Djs Innes (Death Pop Records)
+ Jimmy Alucard (Rocket Recordings)
8pm - 1am at The Victoria,
110 Grove Road,London, E3 5TH.

Nearest Tube: Mile End.

Photo credit: Fancy Chance by Sam Francisco.

RIP - George Russell

Last couple of days, I've woken up and largely crashed feeling like my napper is stuck in a vice. Things like trying to sort out car insurance and other life-sucking activities aren't helping but I'm not really complaining. Just offering reasons why I can't seem to kick myself into any real blogging effort. Tonight I purposely didn't switch this on within minutes of getting home and attended to something that I've been procastinating with for weeks. Plus it wasn't raining so I had no excuse.

Me 'ave become somewhat obsessed with not wishing to burn valuable time whilst at the same time torching great bales of the stuff. It always helps to be able to spend some time with cool people that you don't get to see too often. I'm fortunate to have a few bouts of just that coming up over the next few weeks too.

With regard to getting e-mails with links and mp3's, etc. I know that addresses just end up on lists and that in the main, these things are just sent out in the hope that someone will care. More often than not, I don't. Unless I recognise something to do with a message or the fact that it comes from someone I know then it'll be deleted straight away. In conjunction with the time thing stated before, life is too short. Maybe I'll miss something huge but that's my lookout because really it's gotten to the point where I'm inundated. A lot of it is simply material that doesn't fit the bill here. We do convene over a broad canvas but really, no names - no pack drill, some of the songs suck so bad that they'll probably go on to be very popular indeed. Not with the blessing of this parish however. Whilst on the subject of time, I'm thinking about dumping the Twitter thing. Facebook is useful and as long as you don't put anything on there that might come back on you like a cucumber sandwich. Myspace I check but seldom use other than to quickly hear stuff. When I add all that to the dozen or so blogs I check regularly then that tends to take some kind of toll on the ol' peepers.

The ettiquette of not pissing people off is an important factor here. There are a lot of daily visitors here hence the need to update at least once every 24 hours. Sometimes it's possible to do more but not often these days. And anyway, with what frequency can each person process the information? It's not cool to just assault people and I hope that doesn't happen here. For the next wee while, I'm going to try and just blog short reviews and information. This will address the backlog of material. I'd also like to expand the Rock's Backpages aspect too but we'll see.

So in closing, Mr Spence has chimed in with the latest Brutes sighting at The Halt on Friday. A peculiar trailer for what appears to be a Roky Biopic was flagged up on The Blank Generation mailer today and I thought this BLR link about music magazines was worth looking at. Maybe you will too?

Always Been Here Before

I think we’re among friends here right? If there’s anybody who doesn’t miss the fact that The Ramones aren’t around to make life worth living then you possibly won’t care for The Riverdales.

"Invasion USA" is the long-awaited follow up to "Phase 3" and in terms of a phat-frat- proper punk rock experience then it doesn’t come any better. This is perhaps a more worthy successor to "Rocket To Russia" than "Road To Ruin" was. Ben even manages to sound like Joey sometimes. It’s quite a lot like “Subterranean Jungle” and I bet you could use a dose of that right about now. 14 songs flash by in what seems to be an instant, high octane hanna barbera-esque jingles every one. The way it segues from pounding pulsating anthem to anthem is an artform in itself with not a jot of slack.

“Agent for H.A.R.M.” does the pop and kicks the door down. From there it’s hell for leather (jackets). I read stuff about records and movies and stuff that goes along the lines of this. “If you don’t like this then you must be dead” which is almost always bullshit. However there is generally an exception to that rule so to resuscitate that cliché, “Heart Out Of Season” is the perfect Rubinooriffic bubblegum hymn. This isn’t pastiche, this is doused in love for the form and set alight with outright passion for the craft.

Whatever the laboratory conditions this was created were, I’m all for this type of cloning. If "I-USA" doesn’t get the adrenalin pumping then back to those Primal Scream or whatever records with you. No need for explanation or thesis, at this point The Riverdales are arguably better than the real thing.

Check it out here if that all seems a bit far-fetched, I almost don’t believe it either.

It's been an odd couple or three weeks around these here parts. Definitely not enough hours in the day and in the scrambling to at least try and cover many bases, it's be'd a tad scattergun. For instance, I still have to list the issues of Mojo so that you folks can score the one's that you want. Travolta - shut it!

I also asked somebody else who is looking to unload too so all of that info is coming soon. Something else that's been coming along is the PDFing of NBT back issues. Not an easy task and somewhat uncomfortable because I didn't half gibber some pish back then. You think it's bad now? Whoa Nelly and all of her tribe. Not entirely sure how I got away with it, some of it is off the scale ridiculous. To what's left of my mind, it doesn't travel well to my mind at least some of you might get a laugh out of it. In the interests of balance, there was a time when articles on bands I actively dislike were included too.

The events of recent times have also resulted in a backlog of stuff that'll be brought to your attention in due course. It's always a consideration just to list'n' link but I figure it's always an idea to give you at least an inkling as to what you might find prior to the click.

So there he goes, Mr Lindqvist is on his way back to Stockholm and the authorities are working hard to restore whisky supplies to Glasgow. Ha ha. It went very well and it was good to raise a glass (or was it two?) to absent friends.

Not only that but he brought with him the biggest surprise that I ever got. A "guldskiva" for "More Modern Short Stories" which was a gift from my esteemed homies at Razzia. As an honour goes, I am shocked and stunned and pretty bloody chuffed as you'd expect. I never saw that one coming.

Tha album is just about to to be released in Germany via Universal too so watch out for that. It will have the addtion of "The Quiz" and "Long Lost Penpal". So as the gravity of this accolade sinks in, the next question is - where to display it!? Got to catch up on this and that now. It's shaping up to be a busy August and this time next weekend we'll already have pulled into that eighth month. How exactly did that happen?

THIS WEEKEND - INDIETRACKS - (Delia?) DERBYSHIRE...

Roy, Cyril and them A-Bones at Maxwells, Hoboken last night.

Thanks to Doreen Davidson for facebooking this...