The Fleshtones + Sala El Sol in Madrid tonight = Big Big Fun! What a combo!! That's where my head is tonight...

It was touch and go with whether it would be necessary to build a bloody ark today such is the non-stop rain. Almost all the wee, quick routes to and from the salt mine were closed tonight which meant that everybody was going the same way to get to the feckin’ motorway. Thankfully it was my co-pilot that was driving because it’s a pastime I despise. Particularly in the dark when it’s pissing down. A wee bit of a long road for a short-cut but we made it unscathed.

In addition, the visibility never got lighter than grue, grum grey all day. All part of the grinding down process at this time of year and the run-up to the seasonal stupidity. Things are pretty busy but it would be ideal just to slope off someplace. I mean really, in the grand scheme of things, who would even bloody notice.

Been toying with the activity of putting bite size reviews up here, sort of the length of a Twitter post with a link. The challenge being to capture the essence and provide a link to see if you agree. Of course, do or don’t… it won’t make any difference either way. The prospect of five recco’s every Friday went by the wayside, it required a modicum of focus. Maybe I just hear too much stuff, it muddies the perspective. Blunts the senses.

Don’t consider that a complaint at all, I’m just typing out loud. Or am I?

Very stoked about the prospect of Matt & Kim dropping by ith their management. Those two won the “Best Video” award at the MTV Awards last night for "Lessons Learned". No doubt on the back of the landslide of votes from readers of this very blog? Here’s a photo from the show last night. A dress rehearsal for Glasgow on Sunday I believe...

The 38th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Party
with the Modern Skiffle Quartet...

Wed. Nov. 25th @ THE CINEMA BAR - 3967 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City 90230 (between Venice Blvd. & Washington Place).

Also: DAFNI (9:15pm)

MSQ features: Ben Vaughn, Dan Janisch, Lucas Cheadle & Kevin Jarvis.

JOIN THEIR GROUP!

I only just found out about this. Dean and Britta with Sonic Boom and Cheval Sombre in London tomorrow night (Wednesday).

Not just at some poxy rock venue... take a pew at St Giles On The Field Church. File under Religious Music....

I’m putting together a little commemorative ‘zine thing or pamphlet (not sure of the exact format yet) for the upcoming screening of "Eating Raoul" at GFT in Glasgow on November 29th.

The response from the folks I’ve asked to contribute has been nothing short of amazing. The generosity of time and spirit is an inspiration and the energy that the information is imbibed with indicates that all is not lost in these peculiar times. I know that most of you folks won’t be able to attend because let’s face it. The transport from mainland Europe or the USA isn’t really up to scratch on a Sunday evening but you should search out a copy of the film somehow and take a look at it.

Eating Raoul is a fine slice of entertainment. If you haven’t seen it then you’re in for a treat. It would seem to have been tailored exactly to the NBT demographic – should there be such a beastie. Here’s the trailer…



This rare big screen outing is something we ought not to take for granted and I only wish there were more cinemas with the chutzpah to show this type of perhaps gone (in more ways than six) but never forgotten masterpiece. So I need to spend some time on this project tonight to keep the momentum going.

Pilgrims and Indians agree -- Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. appears at Otto's Shrunken Head this week for pre-holiday hillbilly high jinks. More stuffing, please!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD TIKI BAR & LOUNGE / Our monthly residency arrives a week early -- for Thanksgiving! /538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan / Two fully dressed shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / No cover! /
Plus, a chance for more gluttony...

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd / SUNDAY BRUNCH at SUPERFINE! / 126 Front Street (at the corner of Pearl Street) in DUMBO, Brooklyn / Three hearty sets, from noon 'til 3pm / Delicious food -- free music! / Reservations recommended: 718-243-9005 /

Thankfully yours,

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

Any incident of agreement with sentiments expressed by the Boomtown Rats is entirely coincidental Although I did see them a couple of times and it wasn't horrible but I digress. Monday is getting to be a bugger of a day. It always is but when you’re travelling to and from work in what seems to be darker than pitch black then somehow it seems worse. In keeping with my trying to spend less time in front of this thing – and trying to keep some other balls in the air – we’ll keep the fnar fnar factor going by calling this a quick in and out.

As Nigel Tufnel sez “What’s wrong with being sexy”… Maybe you saw this video that in addition to being easy on the eye sports a damn good Stereo Total-tastic electro-tune. IT MUST BE STATED THOUGH THAT IT PROBABLY ISN’T SAFE FOR WORK AND COULD LIKELY CAUSE OFFENCE TO THE NARROWER OF MIND. This includes the more purist music fans who deplore the music style. On my telly – “it’s a hit”.



For the more staunch, there’s some great commentary on The Stooges Brazilian Caper over at The Houndblog. OK, there's work to do.

RIP - Edward Woodward

The ongoing uncovering of a vast treasure of music from the sixties continues with Los Yetis - NADAÍSMO A GO-GO (Munster) Colombian combo that mixes covers of “Rave On” and “Twist and Shout” with their own material. It indicates that South America was also indulging in taking the blueprint of the alleged British invasion and modifying it into something that would have the same seismic effect on the teens in their country as the much hyped English version. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the UK strain had in turn stolen it from rhythm and blues material that made its way in through ports and military bases.

The nuggets effect has been far reaching in recent times and material is being constantly uncovered. These guys even did the Country Joe/Barry Melton song “Love” and you can hear that here. Time capsules such as these are very important. They introduce sounds to new generations hungry for gear out with the continual repackaging of guff that was never out of print and that isn’t even an eighth this cool. Who knows, this is exactly the kind of sparks that could set the heather alight. And coming soon, from Peru ... Los Saicos...

There’s A Razzia Going On Volume 2 has been out for a few weeks now and it features unreleased Hello Saferide and Säkert! songs. The HS track is “I Fold” that would have been the flipside of “Anna” if a 7” had ever materialised. The S! Cut is the ensembles amazing Swedish language version of The Wannadies “My Hometown” (“Min Hemstad”). In addition to these fine tunes, other artists from the wealth of talent on this imprint include “Violent Playground”, The Nitzer Ebb song by Jonna Lee and the unreleased “With Lowered Arms” by mighty atmospheric rock geezers – I Are Droid.

The latest addition to the Razzia roster is Joel Alme who is represented here with the string-tastic “You Remember The Good Times But The Good Times Don’t Remember You”. Not a snappy title but a bloody good song that sounds like Pete (Wah) Wylie going a wee bit Ian Hunter. His first single, “You Will Also Get It Once” is also recommended. It’s not everyday that something reminds you of The Herd.

Annika Norlin completists should also search out “Retur Waxholm”. A celebration of 50 years of MNW that includes a cover of “Jag Vill Inte Suddas Ut”. (“I Don’t Want To Be Erased”). The album contains versions of catalogue staples performed by contemporary artists.

Vic Chesnutt's "Skitter On Take Off" (Vapor) was produced by Jonathon Richman and Tommy Larkin. Nothing to do with the Scots definition of “skitter”, at least not the most common one. To call it gentle is an understatement. The fragility of the sound is its strength and “Rips In The Fabric” is a quiet meditation on life. Even when the pace steps up, as it does on “Society Sue” the mood is still refreshingly spacious. There’s an evident lack of clutter that makes it the perfect accompaniment of the increasingly difficult pastime of thought.

“Skitter...” has a tempered backwoods acoustic soul and no intrusive embellishments. What you hear is what you get. Tortured folk tales given room to breathe.

It was a surprise and a pleasure to meet Paul Collins in Madrid. His renditions of “Rock’n’Roll Girls” and “Walking Out On Love” with The Yum Yums somehow brought me back full circle to why I do this. This was another indication of how success can be measured in other aspects beyond generating huge amounts of money. Creating music that lasts like so much of what’s happening today won’t.

Paul Collin’s Beat "Ribbon Of Gold" (Rock Indiana) comprises 10 songs cut in 2007, I guess came out in 2008 and as soon as “Hey DJ” starts up it sounds like an old friend. And this was produced by an old friend, Capt Chips Kiesbye too so there goes that small world thing again. I always appreciate that. Anyway, here are 10 fine reasons to be grateful for the fact that this guy continues to supply the twang. Many of us live by the credo of “Big Pop Song”. For that’s what gets you through after all.

My thanks to Juanco Lopez, a member of this Beat “combo” and all round rock’n’roll guy for acquainting me with this amazing album that I never even knew was out there. I’m on a real pop jag at the minute and there’s more coming up soon. Not sure about today but soon. This will include The Down-Fi, The Tripwires, Vibeke Saugestad and Donovans Brain.

The Cramps Fetish Night, Saturday 12th December, 8pm - 2am, The Cube Cinema, Dove Street South Bristol, £5 on the door.

A fetishistic worshipping of rock 'n' roll outfit The Cramps, the December show stars Miss Alternative World 2009 Fancy Chance, fuzzed out garage monsters El Toro, psychotic rock reaction The Eviltones and The Misfits tribute band featuring Emily Breeze. Horror go-go girls jostle across the themed rooms, including an Abandoned Noir Movie House, Poison Ivy Dungeon and Lux Interior Parlour. Music? Why, strictly depraved garage and '50s schlock, of course! DC: Leopard print. Think Anna Nicole Smith. Think Elvis frickin Presley.

Image credit: Jack Duplock

You might be pondering gifts around now? At the very top of my suggestion list, let me recommend The Yum Yum’s “Sweetest Candy”. A collection of more turbo-charged, good time, bubblegum punkrockin’ than it’s probably safe to consume in one sitting. A cornucopia of sonic E-numbers that while undoubtedly inducing chronic hyper-activity, ‘tis a small sacrifice given the undoubted rewards.

It brings together material from all across the shop into one handy dispenser on Kid Tested , home of The Parasites, Sloppy Seconds and The Manges and includes cuts from scattergun releases from labels like Sneakers, Alien Snatch and Screaming Apple plus more. All collected in one handy vessel for your listening pleasure. This is one instance where the CD format is double handy. Think what Ramonesmania was to the brudders, this collects The Yums likewise. 25 pulse-pounding chestnuts including the monumental "9,999,999 Tears", "Prince Of Dorkness" and their version of The Distractions "Valerie". It's enough to restore your faith in the power of popular music.

And in a synchronous burst, Screaming Apple is offering a repress of “Sweet As Candy” to be available in early December. Here’s the blurb...

“Finally here is the re-release of the most important power-pop album of the nineties. This album is a real masterpiece.These Norwegians deliver all you need, a perfect singer, excellent songwriting, catchy as-hell melodies and ace production make this album the perfect soundtrack for every season of the year!!! 12-songs that make you wiggle & go-go like you've fallen in love for the first time! These guys are the missing link between the RAMONES and the PLIMSOULS!!! Album includes their version of The Pointed Sticks "Out of Luck" and Jane Weidlin’s "Rush Hour". Comes in thick blue vinyl, limited to 300 copies only!!! "

E-mail Screaming Apple and reserve your copy now... screamapp@aol.com

I can personally vouch that these guys can elicit a far better looking stage invasion than that hairy-arsed display in San Paolo the other night.

I was ahead of myself earlier but I'm not sure that's still the case. There also seems to be an e-mail glitsch. Some is getting through, some ain't. What can I tell you? Steve, I got that one e-mail and replied using both addresses. Maybe you could try facebook? Anyway... let's kick off today with hepping you to yet another cool Spanish event that I can't attend. Don't let that deter you though...

I’m gonna get a couple of gripes out of the ol’ system and then it’s on to the music or whatever. It’s a nice afternoon, I’ve got my errands done and things are generally fine. I was going to keep it zipped about these YouTube Stooges clips but I’ve had at least two dozen e-mails from individuals raving about how great they are. I disagree so you’ll just have to bear with me on this. It’s not outright horrible but Iggy irritates me now to the point where I can’t watch him. I agree wholeheartedly about the choice of material and it just makes me wish that the regrouping hadn’t been compartmentalised into “acts”.

Imagine if Ron and James could have worked through any differences? And been together on stage to wrangle all the songs?? So that’s my opinion. Based on this, there’ll be a space in the standing area of the ‘Smif Odeon on May 2nd after Suicide is done. Of course, watching a clip is no substitute for being at a show so I’m perfectly prepared to be blown away given that expectations are low. I am looking forward to the occasion that will bring so many of us together, that’s the important part of all this for my tuppence worth.

If you haven’t seen what I’m on about then there’s an assortment here. Make up your own mind. My other bugbear is “the mobile phone”.

Not knowing your mobile phone number is considered as retarded in most quarters these days. I know because when asked for mine, I have to look in the phonebook. I only use it if I absolutely have to. It isn’t switched on unless I’m expecting or have to make a call. Sometimes I turn it on to find a voice message or text from two weeks ago. Everywhere else, (nearly) everyone – young and old – are welded to these fucking things. Staring at the screens on their portals. Packs of ‘em walking down the street, all having individual conversations. Is that progress? Not on my telly. No. But other than that things are pretty loose.

And what about this furore about Taylor Swift and some German guy by the name of Otto Tune? I guess he’s one of those hotshot producers?? Oh wait – autotune, now I get it… C’mon people. Really, there’s a vast army of backroom people involved with stuff like that and they’re completely culpable. The amount of artists that “mime” (at best) is considerable. Everybody knows that. Christ, these shows that are all over TV stealing the food from real artists mouths are all about deceit, in addition to shaking gullible and just plain stupid people down.

Although I’d prefer my entertainment to be bona fide, I’m not averse to a bit of “pretend”. Something that can make the audience believe and more importantly forget real life is a plus these days. Only trouble is that the stuff that that’s raking it in from such cheating is the lowest common denominator. Still I blame the “handlers” not the artist

There are none so blind… or is it in the kingdom of the blind, the one–eyed person calleth the shots, opposite sides of the same coin. No disrespect to the sight impaired is intended because I know that these folks are a damn sight more sussed than I am on every level.

History will be made tonight in the fair city of Madrid as Wau Y Los Arrrghs!!! team up with Erwin Saico to elicit a full on Demolición at their show with The Black Lips tonight.

I was just catching up with facebook , listening to LCD Sound System’s take on “Bye Bye Bayou” when Marc Campbell tells me that the guy who played drums with them had been killed in a really terrible accident in Brooklyn. Bloody horrendous. So thanks to Marc for this link...

RIP – Jerry Fuchs

I’m looking forward to tomorrow being Friday and blasting the Vibeke CD that I got in the mail today at TILT volume en route to the final shift of the week. More about that in due course...

Please help to get The Wrecking Crew documentary out on DVD by clicking here. Chew over the details and consider what you can do to get this show on the road. When you think of the stuff that comes out all the time, then the companies that turned this chestnut down out to be heartily ashamed of themselves.

New Jet Black Berries EP out this Friday (13th)... all the details here.

and November in Nortonville seems like the ideal haunt for you kids on these dark, winter nichts... they have all the hooch to keep you double-arm!

I know. You think this is a skoosh right? Like the blogging fairy comes in every day and deposits some info for your surfing pleasure? If only that were so. In many ways we’re a victim of our own success in that I get inundated with information that folks want to have passed on. Like I’ve said before, many of these individuals have no idea what this page is about. Or what it stands for. And that’s why I’m so hot on the delete button. Blam blam blam. Offsky with your pesky blurbs. I’m not about to go all Lefsetz on you but really, what is that makes some folks reckon they have what it takes to make this grade. Ha ha.

The emphasis on whether something can really get the time to happen has shifted. While it used to take weeks, months and even years to track something down, virtually anything can be tracked down. The possibility of anything being transmitted via the ether is limited. Especially when there’s so much opportunity for approximation. That seems to be enough for today’s conned-sumers. Eat and run also describes the way they listen to music. That’s how consummate charlatans worm their way into people’s hearts and minds. Their delusions suggest that what they’re offering up is art but in reality it’s the equivalent of what the golden arches have done for food. And talking of that very thing, maybe I'll feel more like chinwagging after I've eaten. Maybe see you later then...

I’m out of commish and before any suggestion is made, much as I’d like a mac or indeed any piece of kit that works – I don’t have that option. Unless I unconsciously buy a lottery ticket and actually win then there’s little chance of such a scenario. I might be able to stretch to a pac-a-mac, but that’s about it. And what use is one of those without the Zodiac?

Being at the stage of being overwhelmed, I wonder if I’ll ever catch up with stuff. The time spent “off the air” earlier in the year has never been fully clawed back. It’s quite possible also that nobody other than me actually cares. I don’t like to repeat like a cucumber sandwich and could well be running out of things to say. Or at least that’s what it feels like but maybe it'll pass.

The Drones shows in Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh are cancelled. No idea why. I'll see them one of these days...