Sophisticated Portuguese pop for a Sunday afternoon courtesy of Ms Rita Redshoes...

The past couple of days have been something of a bust. With seemingly simple logistics taking on the shape of a well known item of fruit in addition to other things just going phut and not in a good way. Still the film festival is on the horizon and what about that news of Mose Allison heading for Glasgow?

I need to try and gather together various strands that have been left to drift today. I should be outside continuing with the garden tidy up but that horrible smurry rain has come on. Maybe things are looking up. This will give me time to search back the e-mails for info that I’ve neglected to pass on.

Like the news about The Primevals album for instance.

RIP - Crispian St Peters

Talk about short notice...

Mose Allison in Glasgow - Old Fruitmarket on June 25th.

Glasgow gave a rousing send off to an honorary citizen of its musical community last night. In the true tradition of the man that it celebrated there was a looseness in the house and aside from featuring Alex’s own compositions, equal billing was given to the human jukebox element of his work and how he liked to introduce covers, that could – in the end – have been his own. He was a deep miner of forgotten gems. Like The Cramps, I imagine that could have been part of the attraction in them coming together way back whenever.

To my mind, Chilton never “mailed it in”. the closest I ever came to seeing him do that was the Big Star reunion at QMU. Every other time, and there were many, you went away having really felt privileged to having been given a lesson in popular (and not so) music history. He had a long and chequered career on either side of what he gets most kudos for. I think that what may people miss is the character and he was alive yesterday evening through stories related from the stage. I know for a fact that a few of these guys could do a season of spoken word shows on the tales.

There was no Panther Burns or indeed “Bangkok”. Perhaps in retrospect, The Primevals would have been able to do something with that but then the show would have had to be even longer, and I feel like a burst ball as it is. It did cross my mind too that ideally The Nomads would have been on hand. Short of it is that the assembled artists pulled off what they set to do, with no small amount of gusto.

First up was Milk. I’ve no idea who they are but they tackled “Human Fly” and in this setting it was fine. Their version of “The Letter” vexed me a bit by making me remember the name Blue Rondo A La Turk, before it disappeared down The Gaslight Anthem’s idea of E- Street. Before long, a nervous Francis Macdonald kicked off with “Margie” and did a great version of a Frederick Knight song that I’d never heard called “Claim To Fame”, based on Lx’s version from “Live At Chalen”.

The reconstituted V-Twin were really smokin’ with a little Ernie K Doe action, a version of “Hey Little Child” that had a Gun Club-like intensity and the anthem known as “In The Street”. In my head I was screaming “We’re All Allright” as it came to a close.

There was an intermission where some video clips were shown. Hot Chip sent up some songs specially for the bash and an amazing clip of “Never Found A Girl” of Alex and Teenage Fanclub from some TV show called “Up On The Roof”. STV or BBC? I don’t recall that at all. Probably 1995-ish? Anyway, Duglas told me it’ll be on Youtube soon and you’ll see it for yourself. The way it nestles into “A Summer Place” is spine-tingling.

It was a pleasure to meet Laura Chilton. She told me that she came to Glasgow to see what Alex loved about it and I think she knows now. Laura recited a version of “Past, Present and Future” with accompaniment from David Scott plus Duglas, Jason and Mike. A lo-fi industrial symphony with a Lynch frisson.

The Pearlfishers/BMX Bandits portion was when Davie got to tell his Rockin’ Sidney story and to perform "Thirteen". Duglas delivered an amazingly poignant “Thank You Friends”. Forensic verbiage at this point seems meaningless, you had to be there. A straight off the plane Stevie Jackson performed Hoagy Carmichael’s “Memphis in June” and a rousing “Alligator Man” abetted by Francis. The TFC portion was charged with no small amount of electricity. Being that they were entirely responsible for any of this route of history being taken. They are the blue touch paper that allowed so many of us to become so familiar with the subject. It’s a strange world and in this case, for all the right reasons.

Jason did The Olympics “Mine Exclusively” with the Fanclub and declared it to be “like Booker T and the MGs”. There is no bigger keeper of the flame in these parts than this guy. He put this revue together, most likely with some input from his spiritual brother from the other side.
One last hurrah was a run though “September Gurls” that was positively incandescent. Several leagues better than the version that the reconstituted BS ran through at that Glasgow show I mentioned earlier. It took me back to that version of "Telstar" in Glassford Street and the soul-saving nature of loud guitars.

It was a triumph on the part of all concerned and something that could only have happened in Glasgow. Take a look at some great photos here and here. And the setlist and some videoclips can be found on the TFC board. It was abuzzbuzzbuzz with activity before I left for the salt mine this morning. God bless 'em.

I found this via Palmyra's fb post yesterday, the amazing Pink Slip Daddy...

This time last week, I’d just checked in the airport… sheesh. In a little over an hour we’ll be heading for Glasgow to catch the celebration of Alex Chilton at Mono. Teenage Fanclub, BMX Bandits, The Pearlfishers, Francis Macdonald and V Twin plus others will play songs from the extensive catalogue of the man. His widow, Laura will also be in attendance.

As I think I might have mentioned before, Alex had an incredible bond with Glasgow and this is one of those nights that you might think could only happen in NY, or New Orleans, or someplace – anyplace but the West of Scotland. Not so and I’ll give you the skinny on what happens later. There might even be some clips to share. Who knows. Curated by Jason McPhail, for one night only. This will never. Happen. Again. (Thanks David).

To anyone that's attending, this will make perfect sense once the show gets underway.

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.