Great news about The Nomads/Sonics show in Stockholm. Not so great that I won't be able to make that particular scene but there you has it. It will be a historic night for sure, being that our Solna friends kept the fire burning these past few decades.

The news about Amy Farris was a little jarring. Just yesterday, I got a poster for the latest Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women shows across the USA from Amy Allison and was wondering how we could pull off getting them over here to play. Bleery eyed, I noticed Gregory Boaz’s facebook post and had to read the link a couple of times. It’s getting to be that every day we hear of someone passing that still has a heck of a lot of living to do.

Having some difficulty firing on even one cylinder at the minute. There’s not enough time to assimilate all the info that comes in to get it on here. And there’s a lot of pish to wade through that I guess comes with the territory of being added to mailing lists without asking to be on them. It’s quite a time consuming practice trying to unsubscribe and, when you do, I’m sure it makes some people more determined that you will remain on there for all eternity. It’s not quite at the level of calls to upgrade my kitchen but it’s getting there. How much would you like to garrotte these buggers that try to keep you on the phone?

I know, the individuals themselves are only trying to eke out a crust. It’s not actually them that should be hurt. It’s the people who run the companies. I imagine this happens everywhere and that it’s not just a symptom of UK desperation. As if anybody would ever do business with a “cold caller”. Must have needed to get that out of my system following a run over this past wee while. My means of call screening are pretty antiquated at this point in time and well, some of you know that I haven’t exactly embraced mobile technology with open arms.

Anyway it's apparently October and, as London goes under the thunder of Mott - here's a few things that are coming up around these here parts...

Black Time at Dows in Glasgow on Saturday October 3rd.

In the other coast, The Go Go.

Sunday October 4th, east coast has a double bill of The Wanderers and The Warriors ar The Cameo. In the west, King Khan and the Shrines make their Scottish debut at Stereo in Glasgow.

Thursday October 8th - The Obits are at Mono in Glasgow. Tickets from Monorail (maybe?)

Friday October 9th - Mudhoney, The Vaselines and St Deluxe at The Picture House, Edinburgh. And finally, for this missive Eddie and The Hot Rods at The Citrus Club also in Auld Reekie. That would seem to be enough to be going on with...

The Nomads and The Sonics in Stockholm (Debaser Medis) - November 27th!

RIP - Amy Farris

If you live in France then maybe The Boonaraaas are playing near you. Please make sure you look after them.

Ron Sanchez posted this link to facebook about NY Record Emporiums with a difference. It includes my old friend J.D. Martignon of Midnight Records. That neatly introsuces another French connection. Gotta split to clear the decks so I can check out the first two episodes of the new season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Are you going to the MOBO's in Glasgow? My invite seemed to get lost in amongst all the postal strikes and work to rule. Ne'er mind...

For some reason, it's still possible to get tickets for the Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby show at The Buffalo Bar down "The London" tomorrow night (30th).

I know, you make the effort to go out sometimes and when you get there you wish you hadn't bothered. Me too. All the time. This won't be one of those, plus it's the show in the UK for this season so give 'em a rousing send-off and buy all their merch. There are "Joey Ramone" 45's to be had....

And to close, here's some political commentary wrapped up in a pretty decent roots rock song...

Born in the Garage
- Bomp! Part II

Book Signing and Release Party.

Sunday, October 11, 2009, 2 - 4PM

Freakbeat Records - 13616 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 995-7603.

freakbeat@freakbeatrecords.com

BORN IN THE GARAGE - BOMP PART II is a heavyweight celebration of the roots of rock fandom. With eye-popping cover art by the immortal William Stout, this is the ultimate anthology of rock 'n' roll fandom from its inception to its mid/late 1970s heyday. The book includes 300 pages of reproductions from Greg Shaw's pioneering 70s era zines Who Put The Bomp and BOMP! plus essays by Jon Savage, Alec Palao, Ken Barnes, Suzy Shaw and Mike Stax covering 60s garage and beat, surf, British Invasion, girl groups, rockabilly, acid punk and psychedelia, along with obsessively detailed discographies and label listings, plus reams of readers' letters and never before published material.

The sheer volume of historical information is almost mind-boggling. Also included are reprints from Shaw's obscure personal zines, Metanoia and Liquid Love, circulated in 1970-72 to just a handful of friends and fellow writers.

Aside from including a huge selection of Shaw's insightful writing, BOMP! PART II also includes rare early work by celebrated rock scribes like Ken Barnes, Lester Bangs, Lenny Kaye, Richard Meltzer, Dave Marsh, Mike Saunders, Phast Phreddie Patterson and others.

The book also features artwork by underground art legends Jay Kinney, William Stout and Tom Kirk. Appearing at the event will be Ugly Things Magazine editor, musician and writer Mike Stax along with the legendary William Stout (yes the fabulous artist who did all those amazing early TMQ bootleg graphics in the '70s) Ken Barnes and Suzy Shaw who will be bringing her world-famous Bomp Cookies for all to enjoy!

T-shirts will be available too.

"Born In The Garage - Bomp! Part II" - 300 pages, soft-cover,
USBN: 978-09778166205-1595, published by Bomp! and Ugly Things

Thanks to Lee Joseph for the info.

NORTH FORK SOUND IS 3 YEARS OLD!

The “punk rock” awayday could catch on. It might take some work but to my mind it would do the body and soul good if it did. I use the p.r. term as an example here and it should not be construed as the definitive description of what was witnessed. It’s true that a measure was displayed but in essence this is a broad canvas. When it became evident that Amy and Eric’s show would take place in the afternoon, it was that most over-used of descriptions – “a no-brainer”. The train ticket doon Tyneside was duly booked and it was a pleasant choogle down.

Left Polmont at 9.30 am and was in the “toon” just nudging noon. The trundle of overnight cases was a solid rumble toward the station as I was emerging into the bright blue day. Some of the luggage draggers were looking decidedly worse for wear so I assumed it had been a good night. After I found the venue, I took a stroll down to the river where there was a market and the good weather had definitely brought the people out. There was a Greggs the bakers open down there too. I’m not sure that happens further north. Certainly my local one doesn’t. Anyway, it was doing a roaring trade. Came across a record stall that was pretty good and I managed to ward off an urge to buy a copy of “Tooth, Fang and Claw” and made my way back in the general direction of The Bridge Hotel. A very nice old hostelry indeed and one time home to the Jumpin’ Hot Club. Those shows were in the basement. In this case, the venue was upstairs in a cracking old function room with loads of photos of old r&b artists and 78s adorning the walls. It’s a great spot and if there was any justice there would be a place like this in every major town and city and it would form a circuit for us all to catch some good music of a weekend afternoon. It would phase out the ritual of night gigs and leave those to youngsters with the stamina to put up with the bullshit that often comes with that territory. Such as the 3 and 4 act bill. That’s a debate for another time though.

Cutting straight to the chase, no support – the dynamite, dynamic duo took to the stage around 4 and finished just shy of 6. The show was pretty much and exercise in presenting what can only be considered as total entertainment. Which begs the question as to why the fuck the place wasn’t crammed? To be taken for granted is one thing but I’m constantly amazed by just how retarded the public are. You simply don’t see an act of this width and depth every day of the week. Any opportunity to do so should be grasped and appreciated because I’ll tell you something, you’ll miss it when they decide to call it a day. You’ll hear stories about this great little combo about how funny, how moving and just how outright fun these two are but you won’t move your arse and go out to see them. Conversely some will go to an enormadome and gush over The rhymes with white Stripes and their recycled Zep via valve amps, one dimensional racket. What the fuck is wrong with people?

It was all getting a wee bit twilight outside and Eric was looking a bit like Dennis Hopper as they went into a version of “The Ballad of Easy Rider”. “Bobble-Headed Doll” is to be the flip of “Teflon Wok”, a single that will come out in time for them touring some of Europe with Yo La Tengo in a few weeks. Not the UK or Scandanavia though. Amy said that it needed a bit of work but it sounded pretty damn good from where I was standing. The sound in the room was great and at one point I truly wished that this was my local and that this could be a regular experience.

Eric and Amy are often augmented in the north by an “installation” that involves two diehard fans –“Wreckless George” and “Wreckless John”. Yesterday they were augmented by a third member of the troupe. Their ability to make it look like they’re very pished is countered with some subtle, impromptu moves that could only be attempted by seasoned veterans. Could they be “The Blue Man Group” sans emulsion? The whereabouts of “Wreckless Paul” and “Wreckless Ringo” are unknown at this juncture.

Another great show in the bag by a treasured act that deserves to be shown considerably more love by the gig-attending public than they are, what are they doing wrong? Why aren’t the gigs packed out. Why aren’t people being turned away?? Because they’re basically stupid is the most obvious reason. Whatever it is, it’s time there was a cure for this particular condition.

Great to see local rockin’ cognoscenti Brian Coyoteman and Dave “Ratty” Campbell there and also to meet original Addis and The Flip Tops drummist, Steve Marshall. It was also a gas to hook up with Rob, who pointed out that I had made it into the Tom Morton Diary in The Sunday Herald along with Katie Price (no ta) and Gina McKee (yes, thanks). Blimey. Thanks also to Mark of noredindian who put the show on in the first place

I was back in the bunker by 11pm, a little shell-shocked and wondering if it had all actually happened. A sure sign of a grand craic.

So far, this limiting of computer usage is working. Heck, this morning, I didn’t even switch it on before I headed for work. My use of “Twitter” is erratic. Check that spelling. Facebook I find useful for some things but the gilt has kinda worn off the gingerbread, although I do have it “synched” with this so I’m not sure if it’s responsible for the hike in visitor numbers. MySpace I hardly use at all anymore, except to listen to stuff that people put up there. I don’t really try to load it much anymore and as a result, the computer seems to work better. Or that could just be a perception. Either way, if any messages are coming via that route, then there is almost certainly going to be a delay in me getting them. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day and what’s more I’m coming to appreciate what remains of my eyesight.

So now I have to figure a fair and reasonable way to foster out these magazines I was on about to new homes following some positive responses. I’d like everybody who got back to me to get something and I have to investigate the carriage ramifications.

Nothing much to report at this hour. I'm headed south but still very much north to the fair city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne to see The Gouldens. Not a bad name for a musical combo that, right?

Anyway, if you're in those parts - get yourself along to The Bridge Hotel for some mid-afternoon tunes. If I'm back at a reasonable hour then maybe I'll let you know how it went later. However it might be tomorrow. On that note, I bid you good day...

Oh, one last thing - on the Mojo front - I've had a few responses and will do my damndest to make sure that everybody gets something.

RIP - Benny Mahan

(My condolences to his friends and family out there in Springfield. I never knew or met him but I believe that he inspired some people that mean a lot to me.)

"Souvenirs – Little Gems of Pop" is the latest release on "Wall of Noise", a division of the Sound Asleep imprint and I haven’t heard such an effin’ effervescent collection of prime power pop in a long time. Pound for pound this pounds any overpriced retread into the dirt. I’m not saying this couldn’t have happened without those exponents, i’m just telling you that – in my opinion – this is better.

In addition to their being 21 great tunes on this bay, it’s also dedicated to the memory of our pal – Lennart Persson and also Duane Jarvis. I haven’t heard Flying Color or Manual Scan in forever and this reminds me how good they were. I’d never heard Choo Choo Train or The Explosives before at all and that’s been my loss. “A Girl like You” by the latter might be my sprightliest discovery since The Shivvers “Teenline”. The original version of “Not The Trembling Kind” by The Decoys is also here, the little number that would eventually be tackled by Ms Laura Cantrell. Todd Newman & The Leatherwoods “To Win You Back” is very “Too Busy Thinking ‘bout My Baby”-like and none the worse for it.

If you need something that’ll hit the spot like Dwight Twilley, Phil Seymour , The Shoes or top-flight Teenage Fanclub then this baby is a must have. Good to hear Philly greats, The Wishniaks again too (Shout out to Mr Snyder!). Whoever curated this deserves a commendation... Jerker – This means you! Bruce Bodeen’s liners are excellent too. The whole thing has put me in the mood to dig out my Guadalcanal Diary albums. That’s what cool music should do, make you feel like you don’t want it to stop. These little gems are right bobby dazzlers! This is a limited edition so don’t hang about.

On the subject of LP, in the Swedish town of Umeå – there’s a monthly happening by the name of Klubb Lennart. It pays tribute to the fine, fine music that the man wrote about and dug, a very worthy undertaking to be sure. The next instalment will include a very cool dj who I’m not at liberty to divulge, incase it’s meant to be a secret.

It’ll be an excellent night though, you can be sure of that!

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park, SF - next weekend!

Quite a line-up!!

(Thanks to Art Fein for the heads up)

The A&R Report is online, there goes the rest of the day...

Finally looked at these Mojos and the numbers up for grabs are as follows. I’ve added cover info where I think anybody might care and would like as many of these as possible to go to a good home or homes. If you want any, all it requires is the postage to be covered. So here goes;

9 (Clash cover), 10 (Neil Young cover), 11, 14, 18, 19, 25,26, 28, 29 (Iggy cover), 30, 31, 38, 39 (Nick Drake cover), 40, 45,47 (Glam – Bowie/Ronson cover), 48, 61, 62, 63 (Blondie cover), 69, 75 (Velvets cover), 78 (Iggy cover – there are 2 copies of this), 81 (2 copies), 82, 84, 88, 91 (2 copies), 92, 93 (2 copies), 94 (New Order cover), 95 (100 Punk Scorchers – 2 copies), 96, 97, 98, 100 (2 copies), 101 (2 copies), 104, 105 (2 copies), 106 (2 copies), 107, 108, 110, 114, 115, 116, 119, 120, 138 (Marc Bolan cover), 152, 154, 155, 157, 158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 166, 169, 170, 171, 174, 175, 177, 178, 179, 181, 182, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190.

There are no cds with them but maybe they could be found if it was really necessary. Some of these things have Beatles covers and all that other crap that allegedly makes them collectible. No? Me neither...

Also Mojo Collections magazine... issues 1,3, 4, 5

In addition, Record Collector magazines...
49,69, 72, 78, 88, 90, 95, 96, 97, 99, 111, 114, 116, 125, 149, 153, 166, 181, 184, 208, 225, 240, 243

So let’s see how we go with these. If there are no takers then they’re going in the big blue bin.

Thanks to Jari via facebook for finding this... and ahead of the Mott shows that will take place over the coming week...

monorail film club is back...

Interiors (15)
Sunday 27 September (7.30)

In Woody Allen’s first serious feature, three grown up sisters struggle to cope with the influence of their unstable mother, Eve. When their estranged father announces his decision to remarry, confusion and tragedy follow, along with an uncertain hope that the characters may find some kind of peace.

Selected and introduced by Caroline Gardiner, film club member/session cellist.
Click here for tickets

October Screening:

American Movie (15)
Sunday 25 October (7.00)

A tribute to a beer-guzzling Mid-western filmmaker and indie spirit this documentary is an ambitious, wildly funny chronicle by Chris Smith that celebrates the do-or-die lifestyle of redneck auteur Mark Borchardt.

The film is preceded by short film Heavy Metal Jr by Chris Waitt (24 minutes)

The screening will be introduced by Stuart Braithwaite from Mogwai.
Click here for tickets

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I'm not around for "American Movie" but if you've never seen it then it's a must. Definitely a top tenner for me. Who can forget the night Mark and Mike came to Edinburgh? Nobody who was there - that's for sure...

RIP - Rhino Records?

Jings, this takes me back...

Dammit! now why did I think this was in October??

John "Hoppy" Hopkins in Glasgow... tomorrow (26th September)

To quote a favourite songwriter of mine, “Today’s word is dejected”. However it’s Friday and that brings tacit relief for a wee while at least. A conversation I had about stuff and the hoarding thereof the other night has made me think that the recycle bucket will be receiving a hearty feed over this period. It’s more likely that I’ll find a bunch of stuff that will drain up the precious time but you never know. I will do the Mojo thing though so stand by for the word on that. Is the general malaise something to do with the ongoing Mercury retrograde or just par for the course?

I'd become a communist and drop the hell off the map if I could pick the commune.

Anyhoo, I just saw Brother Patrick report to Staysick that The Sonics will play Paris on December 7th.

I keep meaning to post a link to Chuck Miller's great Cramps blog.

Something else that I've been meaning to do is make you aware that Play Loud! could really do with some folks ordering The Monks dvd and other stuff direct from them so that they can keep making quality gear in the future. Lucia and Dietmar have fallen victim to the occupational minefield of a distributor going down the pan. DO NOT download their wares from any of these bit torrent sites or wherever, make an effort to prop up these stalwarts of cool popular culture out yonder in Germany. If you don't then you won't get to see their Martin Rev dvd...

And getting out of here but remaining in that fine country, the lady in question that penned that opening line back there is in Munich tonight and Hamburg tomorrow. Hello Saferide is one heck of a night out and could well reaffirm your faith that it's worth plodding on.

I'm going to attempt some reviews over the next few hours. Some of them will be very short in line with the average attention span these days. Mine included.