What about that Gogs Broon? Displaying those famous people skills of his to deliver yet another blow to his party campaign. Not that it makes any real difference because as of midnight a week from today, we’re up the proverbial creek with no sign of paddles being delivered anytime soon. It would be high comedy if it wasn’t so serious in the run up to austerity plus.

Tonight’s final televised debate will be a sad state of affairs (always good to get an Amy Allison song title in) but I guess I’ll tune in for a while just to see how low they can go. It conflicts with "The Daily Show" and possibly the three episodes of "Treme" I have to watch. So much procrastination, so little time.

Saturday is the last day of trading for the institution that is Stand Out and Minus Zero Records on Blenheim Crescent in London. The end of another era. Mr Allerton and Mr Forsyth, the proprietors or this retail equivalent of a split single are presumably no longer able to sustain a business in this climate. Since trading went on to the interweb, things just haven’t been rosy for anyone who runs a proper record store. I imagine that they’ll trade individually in that sense themselves from here on in but I’ve been unable to establish exactly what the plans are.

Both Bills were huge supporters of this NBT malarkey back when it was in print form. I’d like to thank them for that indulgence and to wish them well in whatever they turn their hands to after the keys turn in the door this coming weekend. It’s a strange feeling to consider that the place was a huge player in the garage rock arena which included The Stooges when mostly nobody gave a shit. It’s a funny old world richt enough and not a fair one by any stretch.

In this airt, The Primevals will perform their short but snappy “Cramps” set at the SPOOKS show listed below.

The majesty of proper rock is something that has been diluted and putzed with to severe detriment in recent times. I cite Kings of Leon as being a particularly heinous version of this. It’s pretty incredible then a couple of bands, from Spain and Sweden respectively have turned up recently with something that doesn’t rely on authenticity like repro antique furniture does. They don’t sound like tribute acts but rather bring the excitement and air punching abandon back in addition to laying down some mighty riffola. It’s the sound that brings the ladies round as a sage exponent of the craft once commented.

The Midnight Travellers are from Barcelona and their lyrics are in English so this stuff could literally travel. Somehow they’ve managed to rassle some new-fangled way of recycling Stooges riffs with a little vintage Kiss seasoning and a smidge of Foghat that really works. “Time Has Come” really has it all and let’s face it, Spain is the last true outright rock territory. It’s in the blood and the genes. The very fabric of that country rocks. It’s enough to make the most hardy cynic (me) believe in the power of loud guitars, bass and drums pummelled at some inordinate volume. And it never sounds lumpy, even when it reminds me of bloody Pearl Jam.

Joe Traveller and his fellows are set to haul this monolithic caravan far and wide. If they could get a foothold in the European festival circuit then they could literally clean up. This is an honest reading of a riot act that was originally struck in the 70’s. It’s not authentic per se, it’s more dangerous than that because it comes from these kids hearts and souls. They believe and have the power to make you do likewise. “Ant Made” is out now on CD and vinyl courtesy of Wild Punk. As yet they don’t have a sister imprint known as Wild Rock but they might want to think about that.

So to Sweden now and the second volume of Dundertåget’s uncompromising celebration of the form, “Dour Feta Åreu Är Förbi” on that rad imprint known as Razzia. All the songs are in their native lingo. (Did I dream that they were going to issue this in English too?) and that’s the only thing that’s standing between these guys and world domination. Having picked up the baton that The Hellacopters failed (through no fault of their own) to beat any sort of sense into the public with, they’re going all out. Their own substantial abilities, when abetted by Martin "Konie" Ehrencrona at the sonic catedral that is Studio Cobra makes for a heady concoction.

In addition to delivering some mighty guitar slinging, there are other avenues explored. “Vingars Brus” is a duet with Nina Ramsby of Grand Tone Music and features viola, cello and something called a tonegenerator. They’ve been honing an already sharp ear for a dynamic and this one collects every shard of hard rock grandeur and pulverises it into a diamond of a sound that seems to resonate more these days than much of the chicken in a basket punk nostalgia that’s doing the rounds.

It’s not all hell bent riffing, there are a couple of more reserved songs there to bolster a sense of depth, light and shade. This might have its roots in the past but this stuff sounds as fresh as the proverbial daisy. Again, the strength lies in the songs not being just modules or approximations that plunder a theoretically stellar record collection.

Let a little Thunder Express into your life. Dundertåget is good for what ails yer.

Update at 7/5 - Yes, the "English" thing must have been a dream... Thanks Robert.

Now that I’ve been able to watch that MIA video through now something sprang to mind. While the brutality of the piece speaks for itself, I think that there’s a distinct attempt to introduce an element of satire in the rounding up of the “gingers”. The desert sequence is very “Punishment Park” too. Living here in Kiltland, I’ve come into contact will all kinds of prejudice against people with red hair. I don’t understand it myself but some entirely rational people have been known to have an irrational down on such a condition.

Obviously, in our society – everybody is fair game. Guilty until proven innocent but I’m sort of shocked to see “Born Free” being described as being so shocking. It wouldn't have appeared on my radarscope at all if it hadn’t been for the Suicide sample that propels it. The overall message of the piece may be as obvious as the nose on your face but I think framed in the current world situation, recognition of aspects of authority and government are becoming blurred and this looks like it could be all too real because actual reality is another concept that’s gone for a burton.

It’s a fairly powerful statement in a homogenised mainstream landscape. More shocking perhaps is that there's no mention at of Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers or Matt Monro – what’s up with that?

Mr Percival needs your assistance. He has an interview that he did with The Ramones in Birmingham during the Mondo Bizarro tour in Dec 1992. It's due to appear in the legendary US zine "The Big Takeover" soon and he needs some photos from that period to accompany the article.

"What I need ideally are good quality shots - live or off stage - that will repro well in either colour or black and white. Can you help or do you know anyone who might be able to? Ideally I need them in the next week to 10 days. Thanks. Martin"

If you can, let me know and I'll put you in touch. There's no money in it but there's a certain glow that comes with this kinda activity.

Great to see Jaws on the big Hippodrome screen yesterday. It wears pretty well and I can’t remember when the last time I saw it was. Maybe 20 years ago. Anyway, there were a couple of things I noticed that were Twin Peaks related by coincidence. First one was the name of the harbour master being Frank Silva and it also being the name of the guy that played “Bob”. Also the dialogue of the old guy that comes up to Scheider and says that “we know all about you” was very reminiscent of The Giant in his old concierge guise as Cooper lay shot. Probably just me adding 2 + 2 and coming up with 5 but cool though. Certainly better than being out in the thunder and rain.

Discovered that the link to Marc Campbell’s MIA post had been pulled and found another that has been ixnayed also. It’s a leak (allegedly) and all that I can add is well put it in the soup you idiot. A “Ghost Rider” sample is used pretty snazzily and I’m not entirely sure what XL are playing at. I though viral was where it’s at? Gird your loins for an encounter with the real thing “dahn ‘ammersmiff” way next Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

Update at 6.44pm - found the full length versh... not good time music and not safe for work.

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

The spirit is inevitably unwilling on a Monday morning but on this one it had hit a new low. In addition to the lack of general motivation, it seemed like there was some kind of sedative helping it along. Whatever it is, it’s fogged up an already indistinct day. My iPlayer isn’t working and I missed the engineer by about 10 minutes and have had to reschedule. The damn thing hasn’t worked since they sent me a new card for the operating box. In all honesty, I wish that I could just bring myself to exist without any TV at all but I think that the electronic hearth aspect of it helps me fall asleep.I’ve heard that there’s an address you can send away to in order to have them send you a life. Not sure what size of SAE to put in there though.

My buddy Dusan out in Ljubljana is looking for acts to cover CZD material for his tribute project, “Mirror of Dehumanization”. Anyone out there up to the challenge? Let me know and I’ll put you in touch

Did anybody go to The Sonics or for that matter Wau and los Arrrghs during Le Beat Bespoke? I have heard not a smidge about either.

RIP - Alan Sillitoe

Elvis Elvis... is imminent!

Yesterday's Loog discussion with John Cavanagh was a fine thing and played out to a packed gallery space. He's quite a character and I would make a suggestion that Bill Nighy play him in any perceived film of his books. He mentioned that the publisher of the first two isn't interested in picking up the third. Perhaps they're mental?

What happened to the promise of fine weather, it's chucking it down so thankfully there's a showing of "Jaws" along the road. Look forward to reliving the moment when Bert McMillan yelled "oh ya bastard!!" when the head falls down in the bottom of the boat at the top of his voice at the ABC in Falkirk. A bunch of us queued for the very first screening on Boxing Day 1975. Followed by steak pie and chips in the long-gone Tudor Restaurant afterwards. Good times.

Wow, I was bestowed the honour of being the sixth Dahlmann this morning. That's one louder than a knighthood in this neighbourhood.

Hungry for hillbilly? Get your fill with Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co., currently offering up two servings!

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

Tipped by Marty Thau, produced by Daniel Rey...

I'm not going to be on here for much of the day, certainly not until later in the evening...

So, just a couple of things. Alan has reminded me that it's the final OPTIMO tomorrow night. I imagine they'll be going out with a helluva bang, These guys don't do whimper.

Maybe see some of you at the ALO discussion in Glasgow?

The really exciting news is that Elvis, Elvis is on it's way!

This time next week, the destination will be "The London" for a big gathering of the clans. Some concert or other is on as an incidental.

Mark Hagen on Malcolm Mclaren

It was remiss of me earlier... meant to say that Penetration are in Perth tonight (Friday) at The Corinna and tomorrow at Stereo in Glasgow...

Further to my banging on about drinking water, I found some pills and was all doped up last night. As a result, I fell asleep just as the electoral debate kicked off. Mind bendingly dull is what I recall about what I did see although I did clock The Daily Show pisstake. Very funny indeed although reality in this case is way more twisted than any spoof. If one of them would just use “I’m Your Puppet” as their campaign song then I’ll vote for them. Or probably not, because that kind of integrity doesn’t exist in the wasteland that is politics here in the UK. If they spent as much time representing the public as they do on all this showbiz crap then maybe, just perhaps, everyone wouldn’t consider them a bunch of chancers.

Trust is a very important commodity. Once it’s broken then it can’t be gotten back. These sad sack parasites can’t be trusted because they’re surrounded by bobbers and weavers. Still, come May 6th something will have to give and I think that UK PLC will be in for a proper rogering on flipside of the dilapidated razzamataz.

It’ll get worse before it gets better but hey, it’s Friday. Let’s consider this on Monday.

In other news, The Batusis UK jaunt appears to have been postponed. In some respects this is good news because maybe I’ll be able to make the rescheduled show. But for those who were looking forward to it, maybe in light of not making it to either of the Suicide/Stooges gigs in London on May 2nd and 3rd, it’s likely to be a tad disappointing.

Iain had his advance tickets, numbers 1 (pictured) and 2 and he doesn't want to cash them in just yet...

RIP - Chuck Pulin

It’s not just Friday. It’s the NBT blog’s seventh birthday, as in the day that it went online. Still just a toddler with 4880 posts. Sir Jeroen Vedder set it up and despite him having seemingly gone away and gotten a life, he does tune in. Say hello to J via the comments facility. It was May 10th 2003 when I first put my fingers to the keys. I didn’t actually remember that but looked back in the archive and there it was.

This stuff lives forever, it’s pretty odd. A virtual version of yellowing newsprint that divnae discolour. Thanks for your continued indulgence and for linking/spreading the word, that sort of jazz.

I seem to have had an above average amount of colds this year and it’s getting to be a pain. My wee schnoz is bright red and me throat is giving me gyp. Without the sheer enjoyment of passive smoking in a some cool Spanish cabana. That’s worth doing a bit of suffering on the tail end of. I’m a believer in just drinking loads of water rather than any of these poxy alleged remedies. To my mind, these things just have to run their course but perhaps I’m feeling a wee bit hard done to because it’s awfy close to hayfever season. I’m not complaining, merely stating facts.

Before I forget, I should remind those of you around these parts about John Cavanagh’s discussion with Andrew Loog Oldham at the Street Level gallery on Saturday. It’s likely to be busy so it would probably be a good idea to get there before the 6pm start. It’s a piddling £2 entry and I’m hoping the sniffles will be history by then.

Oil City Confidential DVD out June 14th...

Matt and Kim trounce Coachella... the world can't be far behind!