Go Little Hammer!

All the info you need to score a copy of this little beauty can be found here. So don't dilly dally or they'll all be gone.

Stereo Total is something I never tire of. Acts come and go but these folks just plough a unique furrow that just confounds and delights time after time. They embody a rock’n’roll aesthetic that those who concoct a sound out of a modular record collection concept will never ever achieve. A bottomless pit of heart and soul.

Some folks don’t get it, but that usually means that they never saw 'em live. Not that the show is anything like the records but that’s another aspect that sets them apart. For complete satisfaction, I think you need to experience both. Seeing them unlocks a portal and I expect they’ll be on the road to promote their new Disko B release “Baby Ouh” so take opportunity when it presents itself and thank me for the tip later.

“An attempt to record exactly the music that Stereo Total would like to hear on the radio themselves”. And the world would certainly be a much better place if “I Wanna Be A Mama” was on heavy rotation. Much of the lyrics are in French, German and even Spanish. This means that philistines like myself can’t experience what are obviously great lyrics but the joy of the Total is that it’s not necessary. Had I been taught languages at school with this as a carrot then I would be a cunning linguist for sure. Stereo Total’s radioactive electronic discoglam is a refreshing cram of disparate elements. Everything but the kitchen sink but there might be one of those in here too. How else could they have got that sound.

I like to take time out from this fucked world to visit this much preferable orbit. This is no acquired taste and I pity the fools that try to write this combo off. As infectious, top of the line pop music goes there are few greater exponents. Some drongo said to me that they just keep making the same album over and over. And the problem with that is what exactly? Of course, the accusation itself is entirely unfounded.

Yes, there are just two of them. No, they sound NOTHING like The White Stripes. End of sermon.

The very latest instalment of de-clutter is that of some signed Wild Horses photos. This was a band formed by Brian Robertson and Jimmy Bain after they’d just left Thin Lizzy and Rainbow respectively. They played Grangemouth Town Hall sometime in 1978 and Brian Guthrie and I co-promoted that. It was the show that put me off putting on gigs because the turnout – despite the profile of the individuals – was dismal if I recall. I imagine that Brian would be able to tell you who the other bands were and maybe even the set.

Anyway, I discovered a facebook page dedicated to them yesterday and put the wheels in motion for the items in question to canter off to be with folks that might like ‘em. They’ve been stored in a box for 30+ years and will be released into the “wild” very soon.

I think that, in the hubbub of the past wee while I have neglected to mention the vinyl reissue of "Mondo Deco" by The Quick on Radio Heartbeat. T. Tex Edwards posted this timely reminder and yes, it is as good as the guy says it is.

RIP - Fess Parker

(I saw this on Angel's Non-tour yesterday and couldn't find a link)

Francis Macdonald on Alex Chilton from today's Herald

A certain cool couple of my acquaintance are getting married this June in Barcelona. These guys are playing that very shindig and the kids concerned have kindly asked me to attend... big thanks to BB Quattro for the link.

Murdo sent me this link to Chuck Prophet's Lx recollections. Great piece.

I wouldn’t even have listened to Billie Joe Armstrong’s induction of The Stooges had it not been on the DFFD blog. To hear him quote Scott (Top Ten) Kempner from “Please Kill Me” was pretty amazing and of course, The Dictators were one of the combos that are responsible for carrying the torch of this group across several generations. Essentially when nobody else gave a shit. It was also odd to hear them and The Cramps mentioned together.

A growing number of folks recognise that The Dics deserve wider recognition too. There are even more who don’t even know that such a force of nature exists. I purposely will not use past tense even although a question mark lingers over whether or not they’ll ever roll in the thunder again.

Even a dyed-in-the-wool pessimist like myself is capable of hope. Particularly on a Friday afternoon with the refrain of "Every day is Saturday" rattling around the old noggin.

Mr Spence would like to invite you to...

ERUPTION at PIVO PIVO, 15 Waterloo Street, Glasgow; SATURDAY 20TH MARCH; 8.30, £5

THE DESPONDENTS
THE JACKHAMMERS
THE SULTONES
POP FOSTERS

Another great ERUPTION night ahead with Glasgow's 'orrible KBD punkers, THE JACKHAMMERS, in the company of THREE! great punk/rock'n'roll/garage bands from Leeds. Come on out and act stoopid ....or be even more stoopid for staying in!!!

I would like to add that - in my experience - staying in is not "stoopid" but a lifestyle choice/art form. Ha ha.

Note to the reaper, piss off and collect a few that deserve "collecting". Mr D'uff just related the following...

RIP - Bruce Roehrs

There’s a certain album that’s been in my collection for 35 years now. Released March 1975 to make sure that my destiny was manifested in an entirely different direction. Rumour has it that a Church of Scotland minister once told my granny that he thought I’d be involved in religion and I think that went down very well. Disappointingly for her and whoever else, he evidently meant rock’n’roll not some annexe of god-bothering.

Anyway, it is an extreme honour to be associated with the DFFD credo and my thanks to Karen and Sal for asking me to recall the time when The Dictators Go Girl Crazy came into my life. Gracias kids!

I never knew Alex but met him several times over the years. The first of those was in The Blue Lagoon chip shop at the top of Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. I think, toward the ends of the 80’s when BMX Bandits opened for him at Glasgow Tech, it’s pretty hazy. Over the years, he developed a very strong connection with Scotland where ostensibly his career was rebooted by a bunch of guys from Bellshill known as Teenage Fanclub. Sometimes, if asked what my favourite Big Star record is, I’ll answer “Bandwagonesque”. Just to potentially rile the person who poses the question. More often than not though, it just gets a laugh.

This is sad news indeed for fans of undiluted music everywhere. There goes another of those “real” artists that they just don’t make anymore. On the times that I met him he was very nice, charming even. He could also be a “wee shite” and I certainly witnessed that though I wasn’t on the receiving end. Davie Scott does a stunning Alex impression that beautifully captures the playful malevolence of the subject.

Alex did two of the most amazing shows I’ve ever seen in my life. One, with TFC at the old 13th Note in Glassford Street. It was 1996 and doubly memorable because it was right after our first visit to Stockholm for The Nomads 15th Anniversary when we actually met the gang for the first time. Fiona and Gary picked Avy and I up at the airport and we went directly to the show. Hurry, hurrying and in the throes of going loco. If I close my eyes, I can still hear the apocalyptic version of “Telstar” that the Fanclub and Alx did together. The other was in the relocated, reconstituted 13th Note Club on Clyde Street where the man was in full wind up mode and he, Davie and Francis Macdonald served up a double-fried set that included a systematic deconstruction of “Duke Of Earl” lasting some 8 minutes or so. I think it was prior to this visit that I got a call from Jason McPhail early one morning to say that Mr Chilton was being refused entry to the country at Glasgow airport and did I have any ideas as to how we could get him in. As I recall, Captain Cruickshank came to the rescue citing that he was there to do something for the BBC. In those days you could pull that.

Just a few days ago when in Stockholm, Mr Ulf asked me what year we saw Alex in Berlin. “1990”, I replied and he showed me a bootleg album that could well have been recorded at that very show.

My sincere condolences go out to his many friends, fans and of course family at this time. I’m sure that this has come as a huge, unexpected shock to everybody. If anyone would like to share their memories, I would welcome them here. This guy was another part of the foundations that this thing is built on.

You may also like to look at these photos that Randy posted on facebook and one-time Windbreaker Tim Lee's note from the same resource. I don't know if you have to be on there to view these but I think they're for public consumption. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

Actually, this is very late – the show is tonight but I was occupied with the Lx news this morning. Still, if you fancy it you’ll be able to get tickets at the door.

Times New Viking at Nice and Sleazy,
Sauchiehall Street in the Weej.

I sincerely hope this isn't true but just incase...

RIP - Alex Chilton

My thanks to Doctor H for the info...

Update at 5.16AM - It's true.

And so is this... RIP - Charlie Gillett

The responsibility of updating this thing daily is getting to me. Again. Heck, it’s difficult to come up with a snappy facebook status let alone compile an anecdote or review. I’m doing my best but am more than aware that this is not necessarily good enough. Kind of like the modern equivalent of when an issue of the fanzine came out. People would ask, probably with the best of intentions, when the next issue would be. On that score, Mr Percival brought this to my attention and no, I’m not reprinting them so please don’t ask but blimey… I have an inkling as to who the seller was but I’m not certain.

One aspect of my existence that shows no signs of abating is my ability to procrastinate. I fear also that I over-subscribe to the doctrines of Larry David and his angle on calling etiquette. I value space and respect that of others but in one particular instance, there’s something that I need to do. It’s something I should have done a long time ago but the opportunity never arose. At the same time, I’m a little reticent. Of course, it’s completely in my dna to expect the negative. I’ve been like that all my days, it’s a defence mechanism of sorts. Still, in the infinite possibility that everything happens for a reason – I feel like I need to give it a shot. Wouldn’t say I’m “feart” exactly but something bordering that like “apprehensive” mayhap.

I keep getting asked about what I think about The Stooges being indicted into that HOF business. You say inducted, I say indicted… you know how the next bit goes. Good luck to them, I hope it works out in the long green department. As for the live clip, I turned that off. At those prices, the attendees should get a piece of the stage to take home – not just be able to “invade” it. Embarrassing is a word that springs to mind although before I get accused of contrariness, please respect my right to have an opinion that may not chime with yours with regard to athis. I know you’re happy for them, I am too but wasn’t part of the (no) fun the fact that the establishment loathed them? “He’s Iggy – he’s supposed to be annoying” said one chap. It’s a fine line between that and irritating and Wee Jimmy crossed that some time ago in my estimation. Er, thanks for enquiring.

I’m feeling disenfranchised today. One of those “there has to be more to existing that this” kind of fugs that takes a while to pass. I’ve met people who claim not to get these but I believe such claims to be blethers. Not being bubbly or bright (in any sense of the second word there) can sometimes be an advantage but not when it segues into full-on depression. I don’t really have much to despair about and am very busy with this and that. I should be content that anybody gives a hoot let alone anything else. The rats and their frantic race are getting on my wick and my own personal fuse might just be getting shorter. If that’s possible.

It would be cool not to black out as soon as I sit in front of the TV but I think someone might be trying to tell me something with that.