Saturday, July 08, 2017
Friday, July 07, 2017
Thursday, July 06, 2017
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED!
It had been 35 years but last night something great
happened. Super rock was once again reverberating through Auld Reekie
(Edinburgh). The force of nature that is The Fleshtones landed in Bannermans to
kick off their latest foray across that is, for now at least, Europe.
Of course the other nations caught on first. This sceptic isle is always late to the party but better that than never. They picked up where they left off in Spain at the end of January. Rockin' and boppin' as only they can.
A lot of familiar faces came out as did some first timers, I think
everyone was agreed that this wasn’t just another show. Perhaps they’ll measure
gigs they attend by this one?
When all is said and done however few acts match the
unparalleled heights of these guys in full flight.
It was Kenny Fox’s first
time up this way. He’s only been in the band for 26 years. From “Bigger and Better” through “Gotta Getaway” (Dedicated
to Billy Miller) to the anthem that is “American Beat”. This wasn’t your
average Cowgate Wednesday night.
“Don’t you understand the world has changed?” asked the band
on Roman Gods. I think most realise that it has and not necessarily for the
better. In other ways the more it changes, the more it stays the same. One
thing is for sure, it’s a better place for the fact that they're still out there, plying their trade against the sometimes seemingly
all-enveloping gloom.
Tonight they’re in Gatesheid (Newcastle ‘pon the Tyne) with
those Coyotemen.
Verily The Toon will be jumping!!
Wednesday, July 05, 2017
Tuesday, July 04, 2017
Monday, July 03, 2017
Sunday, July 02, 2017
TEENAGE SUPERSTARS SCREENING - EIFF 71
Saw Teenage Superstars yesterday, the second instalment of Grant McPhee’s two part document of Scottish music’s formative years
and its connection with further afield. Indeed, I gave a lot of this local
produce the rubber ear in the early days. A mixture of being obsessed with
American “punk” before the term was turned into a half-assed brand. Much
of this film is based around the west coast strain of pop. “Big Gold Dream” was the east
coast take and I think McPhee did a good job. I went to bury it but couldn’t. Despite
still intensely disliking much of the produce, the story was told well. Many of
the perpetrators are good people. Just don’t ask me to listen to their music.
Some aren’t, but they played their part too as life goes.
In the same sense, I never got Creation – or Postcard
Records. Whilst I recognise the “scene” around these it took the interest shown
from friends overseas to create my perspective. It took me a long time to admit
that the Mary Chain made some good records. They were just such horrible oiks.
As was another of their “kin” who I won’t even mention but he haunts the film
like a bad smell. He has to be in there I guess because he’s turned out to be a
pivotal figure. And for the mentions of The Cramps in the film, there’s no
suggestion that they were briefly on the label that McGee ran. Joe Foster is
good in this and it’s to the shame of some others that they didn’t make
themselves available to support this venture. I have friends in Scandinavia and
Spain that will LOVE this. I thought about them all the way through the film.
It defines the two cities that are just 52 minutes
apart but spiritually what, I feel, like a world. The humour of
Glasgow is intact and the appearance of several lesser known players is welcome. There’s definitely a career as Jack and Victor Version 2.0 for
Duglas T Stewart and Sean Dickson beckoning. Grand to see the elusive David Keegan and mi
amigo Martin Hayward here.
Ian Hoey hosted a wee Q+A after the screening with Wendy
Griffin (Producer) and Angela Slaven (Editor/co-producer). All concerned worked
to the wire to prepare the film for these EIFF screenings and there are
plans to tour a double bill in October or thereabouts. I presume that means
throughout the UK? Plans are underway to screen it further afield and I can
feel the anticipation across the waters big and wee. There’s
even a wee glimpse of the cover I did for the 53rd and 3rd
release of “My First Band” by The Ben Vaughn Combo in here and reference to the
connection between TFC and Alex Chilton.
You get one chance to do something like this and on this
occasion the years of selfless pursuit have pretty much nailed a decent
snapshot of what it was to live through the fermentation. The inclusion of
Thurston Moore here and Kim Deal’s voice over connects the scene back to the US. The subject matter of this episode in
particular really chimed with America’s burgeoning underground at the time. Who
could have thunk it? Bellshill spawned several monsters whose influence has
carried way beyond any feasible expectation. It’s doubtful such magic could
ever happen again because it would be contrived and hijacked straight out of
the box.
Saturday, July 01, 2017
Friday, June 30, 2017
A WEE CLARIFICATION
NBT 28 is not a magazine with a “free” single.
If anything, it’s the other way around but the two parts
make a whole. Like some people do.
It’s also available as two individual parts.
The “friends and family” concept via PP still seems to
confound some people. And it seems like it’s an option that may not be
available in some territories? If that’s the case then add £1 to the total and
that seems to just about balance out. Apologies for sounding like a broken
record but I feel like a putz when I have to chase people up for the extra. To
reiterate, I wanted to make this affordable so there is no smoke and there are
no mirrors. Therefore it’s imperative that the correct amount drops in. It has
to be better than the days of the International Money Order.
Does anyone know if you can get such a thing as
International reply coupons anymore?
One other thing, I’m sorry but there are no back issues.
Those shot the craw at least a lifetime ago. They do turn up for sale on the
interwebs now and again though. The ones that had 45s with them turn up on
discogs. There may even be some on there now.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Monday, June 26, 2017
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Friday, June 23, 2017
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
DAHLMANNS 45 with and without NBT AVAILABLE NOW!
THE DAHLMANNS, THE SCHIZOPHONICS,
GIRL TO NEW YORK by AMY RIGBY, GRADE A FANCY on the town with LAURA (CANTRELL)
and AMY (RIGBY), REINE LAKEN, FUNTASTIC DRACULA CARNIVAL, THE HULLABALOO CLUB
by J.D. KING, EX-CRAMPS MANAGER CONFESSIONS and whatever the heck else might
fit. 32 pages. 190mm x 190mm format in stapled, numbered lucky bag with 45 by
THE DAHLMANNS with ANDY SHERNOFF. Price is for a single copy and includes post
and packing.
UK EUROPE USA/CANADA AUSTRALIA JAPAN
£10
£12 £15 £16 £16
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DAHLMANNS with ANDY SHERNOFF
– FOREVER MY BABY/THE LAST TIME 7” (NBT 4528) in “classic black” vinyl. Price
is for a single copy and includes post and packing.
UK
EUROPE
USA/CANADA AUSTRALIA
JAPAN
£5 £8 £8 £10 £10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PayPal please to this address -
via the friends and family checkout option. Cheque would be OK here in Blighty
but it’s easier for me to keep tabs on everything if it comes via PP. And it'll
take longer. Prices are for single copies, if you want multiples then the
postage will come down up to a point. Then it starts getting stupid
again. Any questions? Just ask!
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
NORMAL SERVICE...
... WILL BE RESUMED AFTER I GET A BEAT ON DEALING WITH THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF THIS THING.
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