Since I can't think of anything too interested to post about I'm just gonna go with a Garage Rock 101 message I sent to a friend via myspace. Maybe some of you will be interested by this.

Garage Rock 101: Roots Of Punk?

Briefing:
"Garage Rock was a simple, raw form of rock & roll created by a number of American bands in the mid-'60s. Inspired by British Invasion bands like the Beatles, Kinks, and Rolling Stones, these midwestern American groups played a variation on British Invasion rock. Since they were usually young and amateurish, the results were much cruder than their inspirations but that is what made the sound exciting. Most of the band emphasized their amateurishness, playing the same three chords, bashing their guitars and growling their vocals. In many ways, the garage bands were the first wave of do-it-yourself punk rockers. Hundreds of garage bands popped up around America and a handful of them -- the Shadows of Knight, the Count 5, the Seeds, the Standells -- had hits, but most were destined for obscurity. In fact, nearly all of the bands were forgotten in the early '70s, but the Nuggets compilation brought them back to the spotlight. In the '80s, there was a garage rock revival that saw a number of bands earnestly trying to replicate the sound, style, and look of the '60s garage bands" -All Music Guide

10 Vintage Bands of note:
#1 The Sonics
#2 The Seeds
#3 Q'65
#4 The Troggs
#5 The Count 5
#6 The Standells
#7 The Music Machine
#8 The Eyes
#9 13th Floor Elevators
#10 The Monks

10 Songs You Gotta Hear:
#1 The Sonics - The Witch
#2 The Count 5 - Psychotic Reaction
#3 The Seeds - Pushin' Too Hard
#4 Q'65 - The Life I Live
#5 The Monks - I Hate You
#6 The Alarm Clocks - I Got No Reason To Complain
#7 The Troggs - From Home
#8 Standells - Medication
#9 The Eyes - I'm Rowed Out
#10 The Litter - Action Woman
(#11 Pleasure Seekers - What A Way To Die)

These Comps Are GOD:
#1 Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era
#2 Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire & Beyond
#2 Pebbles Vol. 1: Original 60s Punk & Psych Classics
#3 Back From The Grave Vol. 1: Rockin' 1966 Punkers

There are little stories behind each of those; the original Nuggets was compiled by Lenny Kaye of The Patti Smith Group, Pebbles was compiled by the late great Greg Shaw (Bomp Records), and Back From The Grave was compiled by Tim Warren (Crypt Records).

10 Contemporary Acts Doing The Genre Proud:
#1 The Satelliters
#2 The Cynics
#3 Davila 666
#4 The Reigning Sound
#5 The Mummies
#6 The Oblivions
#7 Brimstone Howl
#8 The Husbands
#9 Black Lips
#10 The Gories

Alright, it's probably time for a new post here. Firstly, happy New Year to all of you. I haven't done much reflecting on 2008. Frankly, I don't believe there's much to celebrate, or try to forget for that matter. I hope that doesn't sound too cynical...

Out with the old and in with the new!
(how was that? could you feel the enthusiasm?)

I might not sound like it but I am looking forward to 2009. Shit, we only have a couple years left. Better make 'em count.

Two weeks off work really hit the spot, despite the fact I walked straight into the tail end of a shit storm...that's another story for another time.

I spent the first week visiting friends and family back home in NY. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of good times to be had in the Big Apple and I try to take out at least a small bite whenever I'm back there, but there's just something about Home that, for me at least, isn't really Vacation. I had a really good time in any case. Lots of good food and drink and no matter how much I pretend I don't I miss my folks and my sister.

New Years was a blast. I was visiting a friend in Chicago. A city that impressed me by it's size and the undeniably high number of watering holes. Seriously, every block had a bar on it, and I'm surprised some of them manage to stay in business considering how cheap the booze was. On a separate but very similar note...

B.Y.O.B. is the shit. Whoever thought of making a house party rule into a state law should have a fucking national holiday named after them.

While in The Windy City I did some record shopping, attempted to see a theater performance twice (with no luck), saw some sights, ate some pizza, had some hot dogs, said goodbye to one year while welcoming in another, and most importantly got to spend some time with a dear friend. I didn't get to document all these occurrences, but I'll present some of them to you now...

(did I mention I got a digital camera for x-mas?)



































Thanks for readin'.

See ya next time.

I finished a "Best Albums of 2008" list today. A little early maybe, but most people I know who are making one have finished theirs already too. I made two actually, one is specifically for reissues and compilations. Anyway, they are...

Best Albums of 2008

1. Eddie Current Supression Ring - Primary Colours (Goner)
2. Black Mountain - in The Future (Jagjaguwar)
3. Clinic - Do It (Domino)
4. Dr. Dog - Fate - (Park The Van)
5. Black Keys - Attack & Release (Nonesuch)
6. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (Jagjaguwar)
7. Black Hollies - Casting Shadows (Ernest Jenning)
8. Git Some - Cosmic Rock (1-2-3-4-GO)
9. She & Him - Volume 1 (Merge)
10. Davila 666 - S/T (In The Red)
11. Slim Cessna's Auto Club - Cipher (Alternative Tentacles)
12. Porlolo - Meadows (Pomade The Sun)
13. The Dirtbombs - We Have You Surrounded (in The Red)
14. Deerhunter - Microcastles (Kranky)
15. Spectrum Meets Captain Memphis - Indian Giver (Birdman)
16. Brimstone Howl - We Came In Peace (Alive)
17. Harlem - Free Drugs
18. Spiritualized - Songs in A&E (Fontana International)
19. No Age - Nouns (Sub Pop)
20. Calexico - Carried To Dust (Quarterstick)


Best Compilations & Reissues of 2008

1. Figures of Light - Smash Hits (Norton)
2. Charlie Feathers - Honky Tonk Kind/Long Time Ago/Wild Side Of Life (Norton)
3. The Nerves - One Way Ticket (Alive)
4. David Bowie - Live in Santa Monica '72
5. The Scientists - Swampland (PID)
6. V/A - Don't Press Your Luck (Sundazed)
7. Roky Erickson & The Explosives - Halloween: Recorded Live 1079-1981 (Norton)
8. V/A - Local Anesthetic (Smooch)
9. V/A - Shadow Music of Thailand (Sublime Frequencies)
10. V/A - Fight On Your Time Ain't Long (Mississippi)
11. V/A - Wayfaring Strangers: Guitar Stoli (Numero Group)
12. Davie Allen & The Arrows - Cycle Breed - 16 Vintage Widescreen Rarities & Unissued Cuts (Sundazed)
13. King Khan & The Shrines - The Supreme Genious Of� (Vice)
14. V/A - Rock-A-Round (Norton)
15. Mission Of Burma - Signals, Calls and Marches/VS./The Horrible Truth About Burma [2LP/DVD] (Matador)
16. Neil Young - Live at Canterbury House 1968 (Reprise)
17. Hank Williams - The Unreleased Recordings (Time/Life)
18. Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison [Legacy Edition 2CD/DVD] (Columbia/Legacy)
19. Big Dipper - Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology (Merge)
20. The Replacements - Tim/Pleased To Meet Me [LP] (Rhino)

I never got to see Joey Ramone...or...ever had a really cute little punk rock girlfriend...

Thanks to Hunter's "Now Hear This" is was put onto a group that slipped under my radar. Oddly enough, No Age was being played on the radio station I dj at (Radio 1190 AM KVCU Boulder) back in May. Obviously, I don't pay enough attention to what's going on over there, but I do listen a lot.

I got 2 weeks off work for the Holidays I'm gonna be visiting some family back home in New York then visiting a friend in Chicago. I hear the weather there is wonderful in January... It should be a good time. I've heard a lot of good things about Chicago and I've never been.

On Friday 1190 threw a 10th Year Anniversary concert and I had a blast. The turnout was great, nearly sold the club out, and everyone there seemed to be having a really good time. I don't think I made too big an ass of myself...









Gotta try to hunt down some more pictures...

Calexico will be playing tomorrow night. I haven't seen them perform before so I'm pretty excited. Carried To Dust has been playing pretty pften and I've been trying to check out more of their previous releases.

Calexico - Alone Again Or


That is all...

On Monday night I saw The King Khan & BBQ Show. These guys absolutely floored me once again! I think there's something about good live shows that I'll never get tired of (I say that only because I have a couple older friend that swear they've grown out of seeing bands play live). There's nothing better than watching a band play that has the ability to grab you...like by the shirt...and smack you around a little... kinda wake you up.

Anyway, I had the opportunity to interview them for my radio show , which is that much cooler because last time they came around I could only get King Bamalama Khan on the horn a couple days before the show. Also borrowed my buddy's DAT and got a soundboard recording. I haven't had the chance to listened to it yet, but 4 days later I'm still buzzing. The sound was good, the crowd was good, the band rocked. I think even a lot of people that aren't usually into bands that draw a lot from "vintage rock" were impressed.

Photos from the show taken for a local music blog:



Just look at those buns...

Hopefully once I get the interview and soundboard through the computer I can post some of that.

In the mean time their "Fish Fight" Video...

A little Super Glue (the knock off brand I might add) went a long way and I managed to put my glasses back together! Turns out they weren't as severely damaged as I had previously thought. I went without them for a couple days then realized they probably wouldn't be too difficult to glue back together. So there you have it.

I don't know why I caught wind of this soo late, but yesterday I heard Roky Erickson was playing a couple dates with the Black Angels on the West Coast 10/28-11/2. Man, would I have loved to see that. It hasn't happened yet I realize, but I'm scheduled to work on Halloween night and the odds of me making it out to one of those shows (which should all sell out!) are slim to none. I was planning on seeing the Black Angels tonight, but I'm gonna be filling in for a friend DJing since he's got a show.

Outside of Halloween fun, I'm really just waiting for October to end. I can't wait to see the King Khan and BBQ Show the first week of November. It's gonna be freakin awesome and if I can get Mr. Trash to come, there will be plenty of pictures to share

I broke my fucking glasses last night. Hopefully I can get the same frames. I really liked those.
NOTE TO SELF: remember to take glasses off if you're gonna get drunk and dance around like an asshole.
At least the show was good...
glasses = small sacrifice to the rock n roll gods...

V/A - "Life Is A Problem..."

Like Smithsonian Folkways, Document, Vanguard, and countless less prominent labels Mississippi Records has released a collection of rare, obscure, and wholly American music. The offerings here cover everything from straightforward gospel to swaggering slide guitar, soulful R&B, and gritty electric and country blues. Unlike many various artist compilations that have a narrower focus, the variety of styles is one of the strongest elements of this release.

The Willanette Singers' soulful "Pray on", stands in stark contrast to "Rock & Roll Sermon, pt 1 & pt 2" by Elder Charles Beck's, who while preaching the ills of the devil's music unconsciously delivers one hell of a rockin' blues number. "Amazing Grace" by Oaklands Famous One Man Band is an emotive instrumental featuring only slide. The title track from Sister Ola Mae Terrel follows in a more traditional country blues style. The Crumb Brothers' "Seat in the Kingdom" has all the makings of a vintage soul/gospel classic a-la Ray Charles. "I Pound A Solid Rock" sounds like an Alan Lomax field recording, thrusted into the modern age by its distorted guitar and primitive percussion. The religious theme runs throughout, but each track comes with its own mood, atmosphere, and stylistic elements.

This vinyl-only LP was originally released in late 2007 and featured a bonus 7". The batch of 500 pressings flew off the shelves of the small, independently owned Portland record store, which doubles as a reissue label, and the records have started to bring at least twice their sticker price on the web. Currently in its third and final pressing "Life Is A Problem…" isn't easy to come by if you're browsing the local shop and just as difficult to keep in stock if you run one. It's a worthwhile addition to any gospel, soul, R&B, or blues collection. Though some titles and artist may be familiar to the seasoned collector or fan, the record can provide worthwhile stylistic insight into the roots of rock and R&B for the layman. Highly recommended. Happy hunting.



It's all over the internet, check it out

Figures Of Light - Smash Hits (Norton 2008)

It's hard to imagine a band releasing one single in 1972 that barely saw the light of day, let a lone a record store shelf, and managing to come back some 35 years later with something interesting to offer. But, you don't need to listen to the Figures Of Light for very long to realize they're not your average early 70's rock combo. In 2005 Norton records continued in a tradition shared by the likes of Tim Warren (Crypt records and "Back From the Grave " ) and the late Greg Shaw (Bomp! records and "Pebbles"), by releasing another lost gem of seminal embryonic punk rock . Wheeler Winston Dixon (vocals/slide guitar), Michael Downey (rhythm guitar/backing vocals), Phil Cohen (lead guitar), and Dennis Druzbik (bass) were ahead of their time to say the least, and if the New York based label's reissue of their extremely limited 1972 two-sider "It's Lame" b/w "I Jes Wanna Go To Bed" wasn't evidence enough, "Smash Hits" is the nail in the coffin.
As I stood in the record shop holding the LP I had so greatly anticipated, I can't say I was thrilled to find out that more that half the material featured on "Smash Hits" was recorded in 2007. In fact, I left the store with an unshakable feeling that I had been duped, was a victim of "hype", a sucker. After all, it wouldn't have been the first time. But, That feeling was knocked right out of me as soon as the needle hit the groove on what has to be one of the best rock 'n' roll releases of the year. When "Gimme Gimme Gimme" and it's snotty delivery came through the speakers I felt like I was socked hard in the gut, left gasping for breath and stunned. You might think I'm exaggerating, but let me point out first and foremost that I'm a total and complete wuss. And, secondly, whether it's me, you, or some hives/strokes hipster wannabes getting the beating, this record kicks fucking ass, literally and metaphorically speaking. Punk, half a decade before "Punk", covered in sharp two-chord fuzz, seething with angst and frustration, and rooted in garage trash. Dixon and Downey, joined Miriam Linna, Matt Verta-Ray, Marcus The Carcass, Heath Cole (line-ups for more than one recording session) sound like they could hold their own face to face with any of the garage punk outfits around today. If the forty-five second pop nugget "Why Not Knock Yourself Off?" isn't punk rock, than I don't know what is. "Velvet Touch", as the title implies, is an audibly Velvet Underground inspired instrumental and the least aggressive offering of the bunch. The Stooges influence is spread across the board, but the Figures of Light, in reality, precede half the references I'd like to make here. "Ritual TV Smashing Finale" which was pulled from a recording of the original line-ups debut performance in 1970, is a product of show-stopping manic energy. The perfect end note to a night that supposedly started with a motorcycle crashing into a turntable playing Gershwin's An "American In Paris", and ended with around six minutes of pure mayhem set to the tune of 15 television sets being smashed on the stage and the cries of a crowd that may very well, have feared for their lives! (The entire show must be released!) Billy Miller who produced the band's July '07 sessions and Tony Hillhouse who recorded their June '07 studio material, do a fantastic job capturing the raw energy of the original '72 sessions in their respective production efforts. A stripped down and full-throttle, production that has become a standard for rock n roll bands of recent years. Truth be told, outside of the live recordings, if the '07 sessions were just a little grittier they could easily be mistaken for recordings made over three decades ago.