Yeah, yesterday turned out to be a bit thin on the blogging front. I headed into Glasgow to drop off an Eating Raoul poster at GFT. The good burghers of the Monorail Film Club have seen fit to screen this fine movie at their next event, scheduled for November 29th. I don't care what size the telly you watched the dvd is, you haven't really seen it until you do so at the cinema. And this isn't one of those where the audience will irritate you, this a safe haven from the scumhordes. To my experience.

I didn't report on Friday night's jaunt to Edinburgh either. "Telstar" kind of sidelined me and while I enjoyed it I guess, it wasn't quite what I expected. The "performance" sequences in particular were a tad "Phoenix Nights", however authentic they might feel.My advice, should you wish to take it, is to lower expectations and when you see it - you might be surprised.

The Edinburgh thing was fun although The Lurkers did their damndest to fork that up. Did they really play for an hour? It certainly felt like it. "Shadow" wasn't funny then and it's possibly less so now. I was prepared to give it a chance but it soon descended into purgatory. And not in a good way. Penetration I'm pleased to report gave a much more satisfactory exhibition. Nice to meet Pauline after many, many moons. I have to state here that I was never really an afficianado of the band but they certainly deserve some kudos in terms of history. It was all perhaps a bit too "roots of goth" for me back at the time although they did, and still do, retain a bit of old Detroit.

It was busy too and many there were saying how they'd waited 30 years for this very evening. By my estimation they weren't shortchanged. Plan is to record some new material and get some perspective on what's happening. They don't seem to be in any hurry to tour the arse out of their legacy. A good move I would say.

Down the road apiece, Saxon and Anvil had been rocking The Picturehouse. I saw a pretty smashed Lipps from the latter trying to hold on to a pizza box as fans had their pictures taken with him and I presume another guy from the band. Not Rob Reiner though. I didn't recognise this one from the film. Concensus on the train seemed to be that these guys trounced Saxon. If you were there then maybe you'd like to disagree. Dunsy was there, I know that. I salute his appetite for this particular brand of deconstruction. Of course, during all of this my heart and soul was with those who were grooving to The Fleshtones in Spain. As I write, I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing Matt and Kim in Glasgow, two weeks from today and maybe even KP!

Right now I'm wondering if I can be bothered going to see the Terry Gilliam "Dr Whassname" film. Maybe's aye but then again...

RIP - Jacno (Denis Quillard)

Dirty Water Records is having a Seasonal Sale! You like a bargain - they got 'em!!

The Wonderful World of Olaf LaDousse... get thee in about the "doorags" section!

Erk, forgot to hep you to this. If you're out Belfast way - then tomorrow night's entertainment is but a click away. Thanks Liam.

The bastards. That being the Forth Ports Authority here in Grungemooth. They've been and gone and blocked off my cheeky wee quiet route to the supermarket. Used to be that you could walk all over the dock area here. It used to be a means of exercise for scores of people but that has long been off limits. Because of the terrorists and safety and all that hogwash. The last vestage was this little short cut and now it's gone. So it takes me approximately five more minutes to get to and from now. File under "disappointed but not exactly unexpected".

November driechness versus the Friday vibe. I don’t really care what the weather brings on. Tonight, and I realise that I have to be careful in the way I phrase this - I’m going to see Penetration, and The Lurkers are opening for them. Last time I saw them (the L's) was in 1977 at The Maniqui in Falkirk and the memories are not fond. Still, I know that Christina Boonaraaa arranged some shows in Germany for them so maybe I’ll get a pleasant surprise. I’d settle for just a surprise at this point though. Brian Coyoteman is part of Pauline and Robert’s crew and I think they have a new single available, might be able to tell you more later.

Last time I saw Brian was at the Eric/Amy Newcastle shindig. Yo La Tengo are in Glasgow at the 02 ABC tonight but sadly they’re not in tow like they will be soon elsewhere in Europe. I can bring glad tidings regarding their self-released single – “Teflon Wok” c/w “Bobbing Head Doll”. They’ve taken delivery and this fine offering will be available to buy either via their websites and even from here. If you want to score one then let me know and I’ll fix you up.

Another step closer to the ol’ senior (as opposed to senór) citizen’s travel card then and here we are on Guy Fawkes Day. Not something I care for but it would be good if those who wanted to gawp at fireworks could go to one of these “organised” displays. Away the fuck from my locale. Maybe if the rain stays on the idiots around here that literally burn money with have to postpone their whizzbang fest. Unlikely though. They’ll light that blue touch paper in all weathers. Is there something we can do to them that’ll scare these tosspots the way that they put the shits up animals and old people who really just want to watch Coronation Street or whatever.

This should not be construed as having anything to do with the onetime, er, “musical” combo of the same name from Dallas. Them I like.

OK, it's time for another instalment of The Go Go...

Saturday, 7th November with Tall Paul & Big Gus (The Thanes, Les Bof) on the decks.Upstairs @ Studio 24 Edinburgh.

The night before, tomorrow (6th) Penetration are at The Citrus Club with The Lurkers. What year is it again?

Also coming right up, but down "the London" some Maher action as Tori and Reiko Kudo appear at Cafe OTO.

The rain is off so I expect that the bloody noise is about to start so I'll be kicking up some of my own. Tomorrows postal strike appears to be off so that's something. Significant movement in the negotiations eh? Who'da thunk it.

Don't have any time tonight but here's one of the greatest songs of all or any time that celebrates a truly great man. Back to normal tha'morra... (Thanks Rory)

So I got my glasses back and I can see again. Just about. Or as good as I have in recent times. Auld age and all that. Next time I have to get a pair then I’m going for something a little more robust in order to try and head this kind of thing off at the pass in future. Accidents happen. Particularly when you’re having too much fun. It comes with the territory. In addition to this, I think I went a wee bit overboard with the haircut. As my amigo types know, there's a big hole been worn in the back of what used to pass for a mane.

"The gress disnae grow (rhymes with wow) on a busy street" was a favourite war cry of an old work colleague, no longer with us. True, but it's also unlikely to appear on fallow ground. Anyway, the weather is a wee bit inclement and I'm feeling it so time to disturb my wooly hat methinks. At least until I get acclimatised. I'm about to try and get a wee list of stuff together that you ought to know about. Trouble is that my ability to compile and cut and paste is a wwe bit gubbed but let's see what happens.

I am indebted to Mr Duff who tells me that there's a James Ellroy event at GFT in Glasgow on Thursday. And furthermore that Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds are at The Captains Rest on November 26th. Time be marching the heck forward alright.

Another week, another clutch of niggles. Not least of which is the ongoing glasses predicament. My peepers feel like burnholes in a blanket. Or pissholes in the snow. Whichever you prefer. Maybe a little of both. Add to that, a little ongoing brush with technology and that’s enough to raise the hackles more than a tad. Still it could be much worse and I’m at the crossroads of not being able to rule that out. Guess I’m still a little mellow after Spain. Maybe.

Talking of which, the Fleshtones are starting their Spanish Stroll in Valencia on Wednesday. Incidentally, it's 26 years tomorrow since they played in the home of haggis. Or at least Glasgow. And having trashed Espana, The Yum Yums are landing in Italy right about now. Readers there are urged to check out the show dates and get along to indulge in some pre-Festive season festivities. Believe me, these two ensembles are far more worthy of celebration than the Baby Jesus or whatever. Pretty flippant huh?

And that's your lot for tonight, I've got to go out and see to something that I could see far enough. Still, it could be worse. When I come back, I ain't switching this thing on again until Tuesday AM. He typed confidently.

Managed to haul my arse out to see "Cat People". 12 people in the cinema not including staff. More than I expected given the weather. Puh-retty serious flooding 'tween here and there so I'm happy to have made it back to the bunker. From whence I ain't moving tonight.

I imagine that the roads between here and the stalag might be troublesome in the AM. Still, that is some way off at this point. The Coal Porters are at Brel in Glasgow this evening if anyone is that locale. Seeing as my throat is better, I'd like to rewind to my location last Sunday night and maybe I'd order something different from the menu even. Sigh.

So there goes October... the slide into the festering season is well and truly on. The weather out there is "frightful". Hell it'll be 2010 afore we know it.

last month was by far the busiest month ever in terms of visitor numbers. Pretty incredible really. Lots of people looking for those dodgy talent night perhaps? Who knows. Anyway the stats don't lie. Or do they. Marketeers can make such info reflect what they want it to. You know me, I'm sceptical about everything.

In addition to that, maybe the lurghi is finally upon me. And these temporary specs are driving me uo the fecking wall so I'm not entirely sure how long I want to spend in front of this blighter today. Time will surely tell but my time management skills areespecially woolly at the minute.

There several "event nights" going on around the world that take our name in vain. However, I'm more than happy to share our moniker with my old pal Gary Pig's ensemble. Just got this note...

"Attention !! THE NEXT BIG THING (that's Shane Faubert, Jeremy Lee and Gary Pig Gold) along with Many Many other good musical friends (that's Jana Peri, Cracked Latin, Sonic Blue Sound Revue featuring Michael Mazzarella, Dreaming In Stereo, The Grip Weeds, and Dave Rave) shall be appearing as part of The 2009 New York INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW Festival Friday NOVEMBER 6 at KENNY'S CASTAWAYS (that's at 157 Bleecker in NYC) starting at 8 PM. We'll be celebrating the release of our grand new NBT-4-CNP CD... and It's DOREEN'S BIRTHDAY too, so act accordingly."

Ladies and gentlemen of NYC... A treat... Every Monday in November - at the fabled Lakeside Lounge... Mr Adny Shernoff!!

(thanks Adam)

Here's The Hall Monitors clip that I forgot to post earlier. Divot.

So I've been catching up on reading bulletins and whathaveyou. Time I'll never get back I know but I seem to be hell bent on consuming this stuff y'know... my funeral and all that. There's all this stuff about Boner and his crew and how they (allegedly) have musicians under the stage to fatten out their sound. Far as it goes, anybody who buys into that shit deserves to be taken. At this point, let me state that I know people with perfectly reasonable taste (usually) that like this guff. I don't understand it and I won't judge. Stop sniggering.

What I'm getting to though is the illusion of perception. It's about making an audience believe and if a band can mime and dupe an audience into having a damn fine time then wtf. There's a little Milli Vanilli in all of us when it comes to the business of show. If you go to one of these stadium fiascos then chances are that what you're getting has to be doctored to fit such terrain. The good lord knows that sound doesn't have to be perfect but please, leave the enormodomes to those that deserve them. Support and cherish venues like Stereo and Sleazy's in Glasgow, Debaser (both) in Stockholm, El Sol and The Wurlitzer Ballroom (Madrid), Sidecar (Barcelona) and scores more. You know where they are and what you mean.

The corporations don't need any more money (well actually they do but fuck 'em - they just squander it) so support the smaller, more-deserving, unique aspects of great music. Whenever and wherever you can. Because if we don't then we're really gonna miss it when it's gone.

I had never heard this before but thanks to the turbo-charged Yum Yums version on "Sweetest Candy", I have now... and I figured that, if you didn't hear it then you'd certainly want to. Or wait, maybe you prefer it like this...



You can't deny the potency of the song...

The Nomads and Dundertåget in Uddevalla tonight! Ungawa!!