Following the info about Craig Lorentson the other day, Brian Guthrie sent me a message...

"Craigs funeral is on Friday (11th) in the Falkirk crematorium at 12.30 p.m. and all are welcome - a reception and celebration of his life will follow at the Auld Toll function room (Grangemouth). Craig did not want flowers and such like - rather he wished people to make a collection for C.H.A.S."

He's putting together an obit and when he does I'll post a link.

We hear every day about how the Spanish economy is heading in the same trajectory as that of Greece. It’s a kind of smokescreen I think. To mask the fact that the UK is punching way above its weight in the poorhouse stakes. However, if greed wasn’t the sickness it is and indeed value was measured in spirit or passion, maybe just the ability to embrace life then Spain is surely the richest country in the world trading to the tune of trillions.

If I didn’t have witnesses or indeed photographic evidence then it’s possible I wouldn’t believe the high jinks of last Friday. Suzy and Jon got married out Sant Cugat way and verily it was the stuff of legend. For instance, when was the last time you attended such a do where the couple burst into the reception to the strains of “Who Will Save Rock’n’Roll”?

However, we’re getting ahead of ourselves here – I was in Barcelona for a little under 48 hours. Arriving after midnight at Girona and taking the bus into town. I’d managed to sleep on the plane and was woozy but refreshed so it was straight from the bus terminal to Barbara Ann in a cab. I never took luggage to a party before but they didn’t seem to mind. As luck would have it, the president and the first lady were still there so I managed to have a wee beer with them before they left. As is the order of the day when I’m out in that neck of the woods we closed the bar.

My old comrades Chris and Clive of Surfin’ Lungs were there and also some new compadres, including Osamu (Onepercentre) Iimura who had come from Tokyo to be a witness. Checked into the digs sometime around 3.30am and was up and out again a little after 9. I don’t like holing myself up in a room when I’m away. Breakfast at the handily located Cafe Dibar just across the street and then off to the beach. Chris and I ambled down to meet Clive, past the amazing looking fruit and veg stalls, chortling at the melons.

It felt right to be headed for the seaside with two members of the UK’s primo surf combo and there was chilli and chips to be had down the boardwalk. You can take the Brits out of the UK... From there it was back to base camp to get titivated up for the big event.

An earlier arrangement to head over to the location of the wedding using public transport was bumped in favour of the international delegation taking taxis to Sant Cugat. What we perhaps should have factored in was that no city cab driver knows how to get there but it was nice to drive around that area of the city, high in the hills and interesting to see that there are more roundabouts up there than there are in the UK.

Our guy kept asking people until we found someone who actually knew the place. Coincidentally I met a couple that were heading to Edinburgh and the lady actually worked in that part of town. She was familiar with the aspect of taxis from town having no idea where anything is up there.

La Masia is a very nice spot to the point of posh but not snooty. The ceremony itself took place in a large conservatory type structure to a sold out crowd. When the bride arrived, The Rubinoos burst into the first of three acapella numbers – a version of “My Girl” that was perfect on so many different levels. A poignant reminder of some sadly absent friends was marked by a performance of a song called “All You Dead Boys” by Harry Coltello. It could have been sombre but it was spiked by an optimism that the politics of everyday life is seldom if ever blessed with these days. This day was not about artifice but kinship and the fundamental importance of that. I was sure that the “Rubes” had performed “Chapel of Love” too but Jonathan informs me that they didn’t. Maybe I dreamt it because it was a dreamlike evening for sure. The other two songs were “With This Ring” and “I Love You”. Doowoptastic!

From there it was time for S + J to run a gauntlet of rice and some fairly fantoosh confetti to the area where an extended alfresco soiree took place that involved a myriad of appetisers and the odd aperitif. It was a great looking gathering (perhaps with the exception of the Brits, ha ha) and coming from a climate where it’s not too common an occurrence to gather outside, even at the height of summer, you’ve gotta dig the balmy heat and the seriously high grade company. The reception was a spread of a magnitude that I have NEVER seen. I’ve been to a few corkers in my time but never one where the couple burst into the hall to zigzag around and through the guests on their way to the top table. Andy Shernoff would have been very proud.

Just prior to The Rubinoos playing, Jon told the story of how the first trip he and Suzy took was to see the band in Italy. I guess the seeds of what went down there led directly to June 4th 2010. And no ash cloud or any other “act of god” could have altered that trajectory. Watching the band, I couldn’t help but feel that it was an enormous privilege. They played what Jon shouted out and I got to thinking that so many acts stick to tried and tested set list complete with repeat banter because they don’t want to look like charlatans. If there was any real justice then this band would have enormodome status. They have the tunes after all and the chutzpah, it was like standing in the set of “That Thing You Do”, belting out that anglophilia as only those Americanos can can. Utterly immense.



And it wasn’t over at that, Suzy & Los Quattro played a couple, just for good measure. The great times were rollin’ like the proverbial juggernaut. When it got to be 4am and it was all over, I thought about what Joey Ramone would say when you were about to leave Paul’s Lounge. “Wha’? Yr leavin’ already!?” in that amazing drawl of his. Truth is that a shindig like this is something that you’d never want to leave given half a chance. Like a “feelgood” Outer Limits episode.

It was a truly great experience and rather than just run off at the keyboard, I have permission to share some of the photos because you know what they say about the image to word ratio.

I ran into many amigos and made a few more – I hope they know who they are and look forward to seeing each and every one of them someplace/anyplace down the road. My sincere thanks to Suzy and Jonathan for counting me in. To be out there havin’ fun in that warm Barcelona sun is a wonderful thing, gimme three cha’s already.

Images from the top -

Invitation Art

Running the gauntlet

Sword photoshopped out as BB gets a whupping from his wife
(not really, they were about to cut the cake) - (photo by Osamu Iimura)

The Rubinoos belt it out doowop style (photo by Sissi Wolf)

Suzy and Jonathan tear it up with Marky and Donn (out of shot) - (photo by Sissi Wolf)

Pat and Sisuca of top Barca combo The Moviemakers with some old bloke.

The occupants of Table Five (Photo by Anna Fedosseeva/Chris Moscardi)

More photos

I was just reminded 'bout this by T. Tex Edwards. I imagine that two members of this fine combo will be attending the upcoming E&A event in Dallas?

Obviously there’s some kinda psychological thing going on where it’s no trouble at all to walk for miles, stay up until stupid o' clock, drink way more than I ever could at home and not feel the worse for wear until one is home. I was away for a little less than 48 hours and had a total blast and be trying to formulate all that into a report. Coming in due course.

Ian Calvert tragically died on the 1st of April this year. In recent years he'd been suffering from Parkinsons disease and was unable to dance about like a maniac at the front of the stage at gigs. He turned his lack of mobility around and reinvented himself as the camera man, standing still at the side of the stage filming the bands.

On Friday the 11th of June we're having a wee festival for him in Henrys to celebrate his life. We'll be showing some of the footage that he shot in recent years including video of the Skids final gig in Dunfermline in May and a whole load of stuff nobodys seen before including the Vic Godard and Subway Sect at the Citrus Club last year and footage of the Sex Pistols, 999, Penetration, Lurkers and many more Its 5 quid to get in, all profits go to his daughter Samanthas charity www.justgiving.com/iancalvert

The bands playing are all friends of Ian's - Izzy And The Stoooges, Shock And Awe - with special guest Paul Research on guitar for some of the set and another very special guest ... The Axidents, Isaac Brutal and the Hired Hands, Chinese Jocks, The Media Whores and Sad Society.

See you there if you can make it ? 5 pounds - Friday 11th June 7:30pm til 3:00am,
Henrys Cellar Bar, 8 Morrison Street, Edinburgh.

Dear Ladies & Gentlemen,

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co., purveyor of fine "Ballads, Boogies & Blues", performs this week at the world famous Rodeo Bar in New York City. Thank you in advance for your patronage. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan /Two near-patented shows, from 10pm sharp until 12:30am / No cover!

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

Thanks to Sylvia for the tip...

I have to scoot into Glasgow but I'll leave you meantime with this... for Jon and Suzy. Thanks for the "Sugar Rush".

RIP - Craig Lorentson (Lowlife/Dead Neighbours)

Craig was a local guy who was the singer in Dead Neigbours, the closest this area ever came to having band that existed in the wake of The Cramps. That morphed into Lowlife (I think?) and they made a few records that never did anything for me but the band enjoyed some popularity across Europe and the US. Particularly Italy as I recall. To my ears they were moody, bordering on Bauhaus-esque goth and not as Wikipedia sez alternative rock/dream pop but lets not dwell on any of that. 44 is way too early to up sticks and leave the earth irrespective of of what I consider his band to have sounded like.

If an online obit becomes available - I'll link to it in due course.

It's very frustrating to come back to ISP bollocks. I'm assured that "engineers" are working to correct this but we'll see. Meanwhile, it is possible to access the interweb a bit although facebook has also fallen in its arse several times tonight. If I was still where I was yesterday then I wouldn't have a scooby that all of this was going on. I dig the concept of that.

I imagine that it could have been something like that which tipped Frankie over the edge.

Made by "the Ed Wood of Pop Vid making", a stonkingly great song. I'm back and nee to gather my thoughts about the last couple of days meanwhile the sound of this is pretty mucch what it's all about...

One week from today...

MONO - THURSDAY 10th JUNE...

...AN ALL STAR CAST!

Eric and Amy were in Rochester, NY last night and might well be headed in your direction... you better check.

They'll have copies of "Two-Way Family Favourites" in tow for you to score.

Roky in NY the other night over at North Fork Sound...

A strange thing happened yesterday. Nothing to do with the event that hijacked our namesake but the stats recorded the largest hit rate in (our) history. The reason for this is that Mr Paul Lukas gave we a shout out at UNIWATCH. A site that - on the face of it relates to sports - but underneath is so much more. I’m not sure that those visiting were or are looking for the stovies recipe but they’re welcome nonetheless. Maybe some of ‘em will even come back now and again. One thing is for sure that Paul’s site has some hardcore clickers going on and I thank him for his indulgence. I think I might start a band called The Vintage Stirrups...

Tried to collate a PDF of the film festival programme but it’s all skew wiff. In addition to "Cigarette Girl", I notice that "The Runaways" movie is on. Word on this ranges between stinker and pretty good but of course I have to see it. This could of course be problematic because it has that “Twilight” bint in it. Another minus is that it’s playing at Cineworld. Chances are it’ll be at “Best of the Fest” so maybe I’ll wait and see. I was at the band’s first show in the UK (Glasgow Apollo) and also The Roundhouse back in the olden days when they actually existed and also stood behind Joan Jett at a Sire Records party where the Flamin Groovies played.

It would be fun to ask the director why Lisa Fancher and Phast Phreddie are not portrayed. Most likely because no actor or actress could do them justice but I won’t accept that as an excuse.

Chugging a little of that Fridayness in these latter stages of Wednesday and a host of stuff to complete. Whatever I’ve done to my back isn’t getting a whole lot better but I’ll live. And meanwhile, some excellent news so it’s worth hanging in until September kids!

A letter from Säkert!:

Hey. Just wanted to let you know that we made a new record with Säkert! It's called “Facit” * and it's due September 15. The first single, “Fredrik”, will be released in August. This is new: we worked slower with this album. We even had some sort of plan before we started recording it. That plan obviously didn't work out, but still! Producer Henrik Oja also wrote some of the songs with me. This is old: we're the same people. Henrik, Mats Hammarström, Daniel Berglund. Lovisa Nyström and Jakob Nyström. (They are all involved in a lot of different bands incl. Isolation Years, Two White Horses and The Spacious Mind.) The songs are bigger than last time around. The production is bigger and the topics are huge: funerals, weddings, elections. Oh, and also we'll be recording the songs in English, especially for those of you who liked last Säkert! but got sour you didn't understad the lyrics.

All the best,
Annika Norlin

PS. My other project, Hello Saferide, is still around as well.

"FACIT" is the Swedish word for "result" or "answer". The correct pronunciation using phonetic symbols is [fa:sit]. The "A" pronounced like in "father".

Educational and informative. Meanwhile, I have a Film Festival programme to trawl through.

It all started off badly today and fell away, this is so often the way when the routine is affected. In addition to “sleeping in” (by my reckoning) there was a message that kind of brought on a mild strop. And several others that I didn’t have time to respond to because of my sleepy-heidedness. Mindful of the probability that the EIFF programme will take up much of my time when I got it, I’ve pretty much written the day off. The portals of destiny seemed to be running OK and I don’t take kindly to any turbulence. Still, it could be way worse, I might not be headed for big fun with my Catalonian (Catalan?) homies this coming weekend.

It did get a little better despite my not being able to download the EIFF brochure. Their website collapsed due to "demand". Have had to make do with one of these browser viewer things so maybe you've had experience of those things yourself. If you haven't then good for you. Anyway, now it can be told... I did post the trailer incognito a couple of weeks ago...

Cigarette Girl - a film by J. Michael McCarthy - Filmhouse 1 on Tuesday 22nd June at 9.15pm with the director in attendance. It is entirely your bag, have a look...

Much of Englandshire and I think the USA are on holiday today I think?

They’ll all be down the pub or wherever. Many of them well blotto by now. However here in the domain of the heathen, it was business as usual. Gazing out from the day prison at the rather cracking looking blue skies but that, as “they” say is how it goes. Sometimes. Most times to my experience although I am pencilled in for a dose of respite this coming weekend.

In a further skewing of time, there was Tony Blackburn on the wireless playing Be*tles records that he’d have spun on his first time out. I’d just gone down the factory and thought been caught in a timeslip. It’s pretty simple to confuse me right about now anyway but I admit to having done a triple take. A Bank Holiday special treat or the sinister shape of things to come at Radio 2? There’s a lot worse out there that TB though but if there was never another Be*tles record aired, would anybody really care? I mean, the hardcore have multiple copies and boxsets, etc., It’s time to maybe give the rest of us a break.

The Edinburgh Film Festival programme launches at noon tomorrow (June 1st) and then I’ll be able to divulge news of a very happening event that will be taking place at that very event.

Nothing much else to report right now and a fair bit of listening to be undertaken plus my back is giving me gyp. Enough to be going on with,

Robert Coyne’s “Woodland Conspiracy” is an altogether different beastie from “Death Is Not My Destiny” in all but one way. They both include versions of “What A Pleasure It’s Been”. It’s a stripped down, acoustic album. I’m tempted to use an overplayed cliché from the 90’s here but won’t because Rob deserves better than that and he’s just about as far away from MTV fodder as you can get. Not because his stuff isn’t commercial because it is. I mean more because it simply reeks of quality. I can never get away from mentioning Silver Chapter when I consider one of Mr Coyne’s ventures. As mere youngsters they always pushed the envelope.

Real teenagers making grandiose pop music but never in a pompous way, Pete Kember knows what I’m talking about. I’m pretty sure that Rob is sick of me asking him why there’s no one stepping up to the plate to compile that great old gear but I do it anyway. And there was Mean Vincent too. They should have been able to cash-in on that with the name alone. It’s a bit better than Elbow, you have to admit.

So yes, this is another treasure. Available on CD and also vinyl from the Meyer Records imprint. The closer is a version of “Sugar Candy Taxi”, recorded live. It’s a song that Robert wrote with his dad. There’s no big ad campaign or media push to go with this. It would be cool to think that something of such obvious worth would percolate on to the radar of those who need it most. This is what mags like Mojo ought to be raving about but Rob isn’t about to be booking ad space in the hope of making that happen. Always a pleasure to hear, see or hang out with this gent. That remains the whole truth and nothing but.





When I was looking for Silver Chapter, I found this. Britney goes Alan Vega via SSS. For Bill Henderson – The Big Kahuna – out there in Tacoma, WA.