Saturday, April 30, 2011


Seeing as you started the day with The Dictators, go to Scott Kempner's blog and read about The Del Lords encounter with Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Real rock writing lives.

I know that you get hit up for money right, left and centre. And that you possibly don't have bags of it anyway? Still - I would ask you to consider chipping into the ATT coffers so that the film can finally be released. Even to the extent of it appearing in theatres. No sensurround required to get the maximum effect.

Anyway, there are 10 days to go before the Kickstarter campaign stops so if you could nip over there (link is right next to this) then that would be tops. If you downloaded it or had a copy burned for you by a friend then please consider giving at least 10 bucks so that future generations don't have to.

This project has come up against too many hurdles in it's short life and as labours of love go, they don't get any more true believing than this.

The Dictators at Winterland in July 1977.

No video for the intro but then - BLAM!

(Thanks to Bill Gibson for the fb tip off)

Friday, April 29, 2011




Laura Cantrell’s celebration of Kitty Wells is out and about as of now. Just ahead of her upcoming visit to the UK that commences this coming week. It’s a fine distillation of tribute and education that will hopefully elicit some interest in the more extensive back catalogue of its subject.

Like all good country music records, it’s short and sharp and it makes a strong impression. Wish there was a dynaflex vinyl version because I’d snap up several safety copies. The set opens with the title track “Kitty Well’s Dresses” that Laura wrote with “wir ain” Amy Allison and for some reason, the tune reminds me of “Chariots of Fire”. Maybe I just finally completely lost it.

There’s a wee promo video on this page if you scroll down a bit. Here’s an interview that appeared in The Scotsman last weekend and the tour dates are here. This time next week she’ll be in Edinburgh and thusly so will I. So you’re all tooled up with everything you need to partake of some damn sweet music that harks back to a time that maybe wasn’t so complicated.

This time last week I was looking forward to “The London”. Time sure flies and as we get to pulling out of April then my thanks to “the palace” for sorting out my not having to make the journey to the salt mine today. They’ll forgive me for not joining in with the bunfight in any way, shape or form. Posting Sex Pistols songs on fezbook is no more “punk rock” than Hot Topic is and posting such just encourages them. The Bottom Rung shindig in Auld Reekie looks like a good alternative too but I won’t be over there tonight. I did get some weeding activity completed this morning though. That’s not a typo by the way.

I’ll have several attempts at that over the weekend if this weather keeps up. And will nip out to see a couple of films and hang out with T + V for a bit. They’ve come north to escape the rampant stupidity and road closures in their ‘hood. So now I’m heading around to the shop for some chocolate and when I come back will have a listening session of sorts. I hope you’re making the best of your freedom if you have it. My commiserations if you didn’t get the day off for whatever reason, including living overseas. Don’t worry – we’ll pay for this one way or another.

Likely both.

Part(y) 1 tonight...


RIP - David Wilkerson

(link via Miriam Linna's fb)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wednesday, April 27, 2011






The Fleshtones will be bringing the Brooklyn Sound Solution to Europe over the next month or so. Keep checking here for details,the first lot are up now.

There's a good chance of an instore this Friday before the show the poster is for (thanks jm).

Exactly why the antics of what’s happening at the other end of the country could interest anyone is a huge mystery to me. That goes for this week and the 2012 gubbins, up there with the pyramids and maybe even the Loch Ness monster. However, as long as you keep well away from the TV and every other form of media then it's provided an extended weekend break. Make like you’re on a plane or in the quiet coach of the train and turn off your gadgets. We'll still be here after it all dies down. perhaps even during to offer an alternative.

I guess that the weekend there recharged my ailing batteries to some degree. Hooking up with old/new friends and associates taking up the burn of the day to day hokum. I just saw something about “major studios streaming to YouTube” which brought me down a bit. It’s all so desperate. Still if someone would rather watch something on the (very) wee screen as opposed to anything like a decent sized one then why the hell should I try to stop ‘em. I guess the only real winner here will be specsavers or some other such outlet that deals in seeing gear.

On the subject of the pictures, if you’re in Glasgow next Tuesday (May 3rd) then there’s a screening of the Creation Records documentary that will be followed by a Bandits set and other stuff of that persuasion.

Another passing... RIP - Huey P. Meaux

Tuesday, April 26, 2011


RIP - Phoebe Snow


The rabbits are a hoppin' this week -- with Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. at its last-Thursday-of-every-month residency at warm and fuzzy Otto's Shrunken Head!

THURSDAY, APRIL 28th / OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in Manhattan /
Two brightly colored shows, from 8pm sharp until 10pm / No cover! /

Happy Easter!
Sincerely,
Michael

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

I’m not sure how such events are curated anymore but whatever brought the Flamin Groovies in the form of The A-Bones + Ira Kaplan + Roy and Cyril to Le Beat Bespoke 7 is all that’s important. Quibbles about the sound notwithstanding, it was an occasion. Of course, audio quality isn’t everything but perhaps if the guy at the desk had spent less time checking his phone then maybe the necessary tweaks could have been addressed. There’s nothing this type of attention deficit could do to snuff out the humungous good vibe though. As the racket boomed around the gym hall style room there were plenty of satisfied grins across coruscating coupons (that’s faces to folks that don’t hark from around here). Young Nick West who sustained an ankle injury couldn’t be there and I think he bribed the gods into a little mischief.

From the opening rip through “Second Cousin”, this was a celebration of a great catalogue and some of the finest rock’n’roll songs ever written. Occupying a position that pre-dated tribal pigeonholes, the various forms the Groovies took over the years has percolated into the firmament. I can’t say how this stacked up against the Ponderosa Stomp reunions because I wasn’t there but there was one distinct difference that we’ll get to later for better or the flipside.

I’d never met Cyril before but what a top geezer and of course, gentleman Roy Loney has to be one of the most convivial blokes in the business. Perhaps that’s what has conspired to keep him from overground notoriety. More likely that it’s just a case of the public at large having no taste. And what can you say about the band that is to these guys what the Wondermints are to Brian Wilson although for my money, them A-Bones have dollups more juice in the spirit department in addition to the proficiency.

Apparently Cyril had said something on WFMU prior to this trip that he’d welcome Chris Wilson on stage in London. What's that one about careful what you wish for? As the day went on, it seemed like a rumour but sure enough – CW was outside the venue when we daundered in from across the road. So the prospect of him joining in for “Shake Some Action” seemed great, if nothing else for historic significance and the burying of hatchets. Reports that his performance was staggering aren’t totally unfounded but not in the jaw-dropping sense, more in the case that there’s a rogue “was” at the start of this sentence. Like the thing that wouldn’t leave, it could have been great if he hadn’t been completely pished.

In a grand display of patience and good humour, everyone else on stage worked around the intervention to make the best of the situation. So no time for “Jumpin’ In The Night” due to the curfew but I was able to jump on to the #27 bus (thanks Penny) that took me all the way to Chiswick. Like the song sez, “All’s well that ends well”. Just a tad too early was all. Maybe we can do it all again in Spain or something?

Please excuse the lack of photographic evidence. Some pillock (me) left his camera in the dressing room – known here as the board room – it’s safe though. Miriam has it so we’ll sort out the logistics of getting it back in due course and maybe adding some to this.

A final consideration then... No opening act other than one that is sanctioned by the headliner but preferably no support at all. As attention spans deteriorate and buffoons fanny about with phones this has to be a consideration surely. It’s also a facet of getting older. Having to bear – in the main – crap acts and stand about waiting while they “warm” up the crowd (not) is time consuming. And we’re all getting painfully aware of how precious that commodity is. How would lesser known quantities become known? That - my friend - is the dilemma of the person or unit, leave me the eff out (of it). What’s with a situation where a disco can blare out until the wee hours but a band can’t knock a few more tunes out?

The campaign for eradicating openers that offer bugger all to the party starts here. And it starts now. Of course, if there was some hike in the quality control then this edict could be re-evaluated.

RIP - Poly Styrene

Monday, April 25, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011



All in French for those of you who can parlez da lingo. I wonder when there'll be a show in Paris? Meanwhile, I imagine there'll be a number of folks travelling to London this weekend to see the band. Viva le pilgrimage!!


Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011


End and tether are two words that spring to mind right about now. Discouraged and disgruntled are two more. I’m struggling to update this as often as I should but still feel obliged to at least post something every day.

I'm hoping that this weekend's encounter with them Groovies will relight the pilot of this decidely rickety escapade. Hooking up with the crew definitely will but then there's the part where one turns back into a pumpkin. Or equivalent. No disrespect to the actual fruit in question.

It's easter everywhere. Well nearly everywhere, somebody up here in Northern Britain has made a right pig's ear of the holiday this year. Par for the course. Still, if you can hold on until October, Capt. Kevin Morris has announced that the first big thing for Glasgow Americana this year is Alejandro Escovedo on October 9th.

And there's a ton of great shows taking place all over. Info on these will be conveyed as it becomes available. And fine new recordings also by some of our staple artists. Taken in that context then things don't suck at all, it's just the life experience of the past 4-ish months that has been wearing me down. There's an expression that goes "Everything that's for me is against me". I tried googling it and got exactly nada by way of an explanation but it pretty much sums things up for yours truly. Recited in a Scottish brogue, it makes perfect sense.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Monday, April 18, 2011




B-Side the A-Side Easter Special with The Nuns & The Deltics!

Yer hosts DJ Louie (Louie) and BigKegShandy (Sonic Reducer, The Stripchords) proudly present a B-Side the A-Side Easter Special with live guests The Nuns, the world's only all-lady, six-piece tribute to 1960s legends The Monks, featuring members of The Headcoatees, Mambo Taxi and Echobelly. Plus local garage punk groovers The Deltics! All for FREE!

Saturday 23rd April8pm-late
The Royal Oak Free HouseLower Bristol Road, opposite Windsor Bridge Bath, Somerset

Check out The Nuns whompin' on "I Hate You"!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Friday, April 15, 2011


10 years since Joey died? Hardly seems possible but that’s exactly what it is. The news broke shortly after we got back from The Nomads 20th anniversary antics in Stockholm. Obviously there are a ton of great clips on this interweb thing so go watch some.

The Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds show was a blinder last night. You have to catch them while they’re in the UK if you can. A highly entertaining combo indeed that makes a funked-up, space rock groove laced rock’n’roll racket the like of which you’re unlikely to hear anyplace else. Really first class.

RSD tomorrow and I am unable to take any more requests as I’m just about to go and queue overnight for my Flaming Lumps box set. Not. Ebay is already creaking under the strain of opportunists that hope to make themselves a wee fortune out of resetting their swag. Not exactly the spirit that the event was born out of but an unfortunate cul-de-sac of human nature.

I hope you manage to snag something. Most likely something that isn’t part of the stramash that you’ll get many hours of pleasure with.

And finally... from facebook via Monte A. Melnick and Genya Ravan...

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tuesday, April 12, 2011



Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds begin their UK/Ireland stint tonight in Leeds.

Check out the closest show to you and get along there...

Early to bed, early to rise? All shows at the Rodeo Bar are now earlier -- including Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.'s second-Wednesday-of-every-month residency!

Same bawdy banter and near-patented "Ballads, Boogies & Blues" that you've come to expect, but now starting at **8:30 sharp**! Think of how much fresher the complimentary peanuts will be...

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13th / RODEO BAR / 375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in ol' Manhattan / Two prime time sets, from 8:30pm sharp 'til 11:00am / No cover!

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

Sunday, April 10, 2011


Though I should probably be out taking in "the rays", I've been getting exasperated trying to list something on ebay for the first time in ages. Just as an experiment. the reason for quitting that bunfight before was down to a couple of run-ins with they type of scum that gives the site a bad name. Most folks are perfectly nice if obsessive but a couple bad apples and you know the rest...

Anyway, I've had to resort to contacting their UK customer service because they're trying to flim-flam the shipping. All I ever did was charge the actual real cost of postage and that's how I call it. But does that fit into their "calculator" and location bs? Try and guess. So maybe I'm going to head down to the glass recycling place and take my chances with the sun. Or then again.

Meanwhile, on the countdown to RSD, here's a tale about a place that will get a few of you misty eyed. Be warned though, it contains the word "dildos".

Figured you'd best be told being that it's the sabbath and all.

Saturday, April 09, 2011


RIP - Sidney Lumet

Norton is 25.

That's the label, not Ed (Art Carney) Norton.

Friday, April 08, 2011


A special album from Scotland for Japan will be released via bandcamp on April 11th.

'Love Letter To Japan' has been specially compiled by Duglas T Stewart to raise funds for the Japanese relief effort and to send support to the people of Japan. The album will be exclusively available for one month only. The tracks come from a wide range of acclaimed Scottish musicians.

"Many of us Scottish musicians have received so much love and support over the years from friends and fans in Japan. Now we want to send some love and support back to the people of Japan" Duglas.

The album features exclusive, previously unreleased tracks from BAFTA and Golden Globe winning composer Craig Armstrong, Stevie Jackson of Belle & Sebastian, BMX Bandits, Bill Wells, The Pearlfishers, The Pastels, Snowgoose, Alasdair Roberts, Paul Quinn, The Starlets and Eugenius. The Eugenius track will be their first new recording to be released in 15 years. BMX Bandits tracks was recorded in Tokyo with Japanese group Tenniscoats. Momus currently lives in Japan and was there when the earthquake and tsunami hit the country.

All funds from the release go directly to The Japanese Relief Effort.

1. Snowgoose: Harmony Springs
2. The Pastels: The Pastels: Guest of Honour
3. Hidden Masters: Golden Hair
4. Stevie Jackson: Price of an Education
5. Paul Quinn: Away
6. BMX Bandits (with Yeongene & Tenniscoats): Standing Still
7. Eugenius: Friend or Foe
8. The Pearlfishers: Swan Dreams (live)
9. Bill Wells & Tape: Troublesome Malady
10. Ally Kerr: Could Have Been a Contender
11. Lenzie Moss: Where Eagles Dare
12. St. Deluxe: After the Fire
13. Jo Mango: The Moth and the Moon
14. Alasdair Roberts & Mairi Morrison: Bràdhagair an Taobh Siar
15. Randolph's Leap: Going Home
16. Craig Armstrong: Cherry Blossom
17. The Starlets (with The Andersens): To Make You Feel Brand New
18. Momus: I Can See Japan

Available from: http://lovelettertojapan.bandcamp.com/

For more info please email lovelyduglas@googlemail.com

Thank you.

RIP - Bill Pitcock IV (Dwight Twilley Band)

(via Paul Collins facebook)

It seems as though that scare yesterday was just rumour.

Let’s hope that it stays that way. While I’ve no tangible reason to think there’s

a god lately, this is definitely a welcome development. Meanwhile taking a 180° turn to a worthy combo, The Primevals jaunt to punt “Disinhibitor” rolls South this weekend (London The 229 Club and The Hydrant in Brighton) and on to retrace their steps of several moons ago in France. If they’re headed anywhere near you then please make the effort to see them. There’s no way you’ll be disappointed. No expectations or promises for the coming week. That way, no-one (except me) will be disappointed when I fail to use the time off wisely. It would be good if the cycle of futility could be broken but I’m not holding my breath. Or perhaps that’s the solution? A couple of things that I have tried to organise have failed to materialise so business as usual would appear to be the trajectory. There’s always tidying what passes for a garden/drive but only as a final resort.

Thursday, April 07, 2011


And as if things didn’t suck enough, one of the outright worst acts ever to exist is reported to be finally getting back together. Presumably to hoover up a huge mound of cash. I guess that it could just be chalked up to a large swathe of the populace deserving to be taken but pretty depressing nonetheless. However, there are positive things out there if you scrunch up your eyes and peer hard enough.

For instance, the very fabulous Lakeside Lounge on Ave B, NYC is 15 years old tomorrow!

And Dead by Dawn 2011.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011


Amazingly its 35 years since the first Ramones album came out, 25 years since they last played in Edinburgh, 15 years since they split up and 10 years since Joey died... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1nymlKj5tk

This Saturday 10 bands reinterpret and rediscover those Bowery Beatles, the Fast 4 - The Ramones

Henrys Cellar Bar Saturday April the 9th - Doors open 8:30, first band on 9PM Sharp, DJ's playing suitably ramoniac stuff until 3am - 5 quid to get in

its just 4 Ramones covers from each band and maybe one or two of their own depending on how the schedule runs so it'll be a fairly snappy night, it should be fun. Check the Henrys website for the final lineup

The world famous SHOCK AND AWE will be playing either first or second so get there sharp ! We'll have a special guest guitarist who's never played with us before - come along and find out who it is !

See ye in there if you make it ?

Cheers,

Murray

Tuesday, April 05, 2011



Scunnered pretty much covers it for the way things are. Possibly in the grand scheme of things, I need to go on some kind of course where one could be taught the “half full” philosophy and how to put it into practice. They’d have their bloody work cut out with me if there were such a thing.

I think that this will numb the pain for as long as the show lasts. Wish the audio on this contraption was better.

CyberSweden here I come... happy new tax year by the way.

RIP - Keith Fordyce

Monday, April 04, 2011


Travelled to what used to be deepest, darkest Leith yesterday evening. No evidence of sunshine by that time but certainly, in terms of gentrification, the area is unrecognisable. The bus service is good too and could virtually be perceived as joined up until you get to Waverley and what passes for a rail timetable. But still, it’s not often that a resident of Springfield, Mo. Comes to town so a certain amount of effort needs to be exercised. I won’t be travelling down there to visit the mall anytime soon that's for damn sure. The Scottish Government offices look like Marineville and I guess that Stingray was out in the forth someplace?

The hastily arranged Auld Reekie debut of Cindy Woolf went pretty well under the circumstances. Hopefully the next one will be subject to a little more notice.

Just about to switch this thing off. I'm doing reasonably well with not firing it up in the AM so a similar experiment for the evenings would seem like a plan. Not that I have anything better to do but it's a test of sorts. Pretty sure I'll fold and jump on again in a couple hours but you never know.

Maybe I have more willpower than I think I do.

Sunday, April 03, 2011


Just looking at the landfill that's set for April 16th. Not much that I really give a hoot about but if you do and you want anything then let me know sooner rather than later. Nothing much going on here today because I'm heading for Edinburgh shortly.

Nothing on at the pictures that I want to see. Particularly the computer-generated Yogi Bear. What the heck is that about? And also I'm a little pre-occupied with trying to get bunker stuff done during a week's holiday that's coming up. If it all goes like eveything else lately then it'll be an unmitigated disaster. Still...

Remember, Cindy Woolf in Leith tonight. Get along there if you can.

Saturday, April 02, 2011


In an eerie coincidence, having just posted that Wunderle/Terry clip - I just heard from Cindy Woolf of the Springfield, Mo. parish to the effect that she's playing in Leith tomorrow night (Sunday 3rd).

Someplace called Bond #9...


A wee while ago I was hanging stuff on the walls when all of a sudden I just about ripped the top of the middle finger of my left hand off. Ketchup all over the place except thankfully not on the wall itself. Anyway, I don't trust these hooks I got now so I ended up on here. The copy of First World Manifesto turned up today too so I'll get a few spins of that sorted out while I'm waiting on the flow to stop.

Anyway, I was perusing fezbook and I saw this from Kogar. Pretty exciting. I've never seen the film he's talking about but presumably it's the source of the stills that became those early promo screen prints? Hope to see the actual thing one day.

And this morning, I "shared" this on fb but seeing as it's almost a decade since Joey left us, then it seems fitting to post it here too. It's amazing that stuff like this can still turn up in these pre-packaged, product placed times.

From J. Wunderle via Joe Terry on fezbook...

Friday, April 01, 2011


RIP - Don Hill

Thirty four years ago today, NBT #1 made its debut. In many ways it seems forever ago. Who could ever have thought it would still be going albeit not in physical form? Not me. “Still going” is a subjective statement. I’m beginning to doubt the double bluff that existing online is the way to the future. I used to have an attention span and while I seriously do try to keep up activity, I consider that I just keep going over the same old ground.

To that end, I feel like a phony that should just chuck it and walk out Reggie Perrin style into the sea. A scientifically proven to be past it’s sell by date to the point of whiffy fossil. Or should I be working on an NBT app and navigating into the choppy waters of iPadmania?

There’s no fool like an April one but somehow I manage to fly that flag for the other eleven months too. I wonder what it would have been like to grow up like everybody else...?