Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
1554 Hrs. Times Square.
Hairball. Did anyone else notice Curt Schilling pulling A-Rod's hair during that scuffle on Saturday? Why the hell would he do that? I am so glad that Schilling's going to watch his successful first season in Boston go down in flames with this crappy BoSox team. Cowlick Up!
Hairball. Did anyone else notice Curt Schilling pulling A-Rod's hair during that scuffle on Saturday? Why the hell would he do that? I am so glad that Schilling's going to watch his successful first season in Boston go down in flames with this crappy BoSox team. Cowlick Up!
1107 Hrs. Times Square.
Insert dated reference to ongoing Milk advertising campaign here. SK found this while trolling NYC's Craigslist for nursery stuff. Lactating? Breast Milk Wanted
Insert dated reference to ongoing Milk advertising campaign here. SK found this while trolling NYC's Craigslist for nursery stuff. Lactating? Breast Milk Wanted
Thursday, July 22, 2004
1649 Hrs. Times Square.
Thunderstruck. I just got off the phone with Joe Mazzari (Daughters, Two Saints, Pussy Crush, Joe Mazzari Band). Good guy. He told me a story or two about Johnny Thunders, and I could feel myself turning into idiotfanboy on the phone. He said that reading my mention of the Two Saints single on this blog sent him back to listening to that music again. I like knowing that people like Joe are out there -- people who are around when music happens. Joe and band are at CB's on Saturday night if any of you townies are sweating in the city this weekend.
Here's a cool article about Joe's band in Face.
Thunderstruck. I just got off the phone with Joe Mazzari (Daughters, Two Saints, Pussy Crush, Joe Mazzari Band). Good guy. He told me a story or two about Johnny Thunders, and I could feel myself turning into idiotfanboy on the phone. He said that reading my mention of the Two Saints single on this blog sent him back to listening to that music again. I like knowing that people like Joe are out there -- people who are around when music happens. Joe and band are at CB's on Saturday night if any of you townies are sweating in the city this weekend.
Here's a cool article about Joe's band in Face.
1531 Hrs. Times Square.
When do we have sexy intercourse? There's (finally) a Borat soundboard available. The Unofficial Borat Homepage | Borat Soundboard
When do we have sexy intercourse? There's (finally) a Borat soundboard available. The Unofficial Borat Homepage | Borat Soundboard
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
1614 Hrs. Times Square.
Sometimes Y. I don't know what Pancake Mountain is, but here's a clip of The Evens (Ian MacKaye + girlfriend) performing "Vowel Movement."
Sometimes Y. I don't know what Pancake Mountain is, but here's a clip of The Evens (Ian MacKaye + girlfriend) performing "Vowel Movement."
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
1642 Hrs. Times Square.
Prints and the Revolution. This morning, we had to go to the local INS satellite office in downtown Brooklyn for to get fingerprinted yet again. The adoption papers are in the hands of the United States INS (now called C.I.S.), and the last bit of documentation they need are these prints, before approval. Upon approval, the reams of documentation can be sent to the Korean government for THEIR approval. And we wait...wait...wait.
Prints and the Revolution. This morning, we had to go to the local INS satellite office in downtown Brooklyn for to get fingerprinted yet again. The adoption papers are in the hands of the United States INS (now called C.I.S.), and the last bit of documentation they need are these prints, before approval. Upon approval, the reams of documentation can be sent to the Korean government for THEIR approval. And we wait...wait...wait.
1416 Hrs. Times Square.
One night on Hasselhoff Mountain. What the hell is this?!
Link sent from Solo Man.
One night on Hasselhoff Mountain. What the hell is this?!
Link sent from Solo Man.
1217 Hrs. Times Square.
This is the track list of the other CD-R I burned this weekend. This one I called "Vinyl Blue." Lester Bangs said "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture," so...look at this portico and shimmy...
01. Fire and Dogs – Swamp Zombies.
02. Like Wow, Wipeout – Hoodoo Gurus. Roughly once a year, Elvis Costello would host a radio show on WLIR radio. He'd bring a couple hours' worth of music that radio wasn't playing and most of us had never heard. In the spring of 1982, he played a bunch of Hoodoo Gurus singles; "I Want You Back," "Let's All Turn On," and "Tojo," I think. I went apeshit, and went out to find an Australian import copy of their album ASAP. (No luck.) I played the cassette tape of the radio show over and over until Stoneage Romeos finally came out in the U.S. I was a big fan of this band, saw them a few times, and even had a chance to chat with Dave Faulkner at a punk rock show at the Ritz. (He was there to see Red Cross.) This song is from a mid-career single. I sort of lost interest in them after this.
03. She Is Beyond Good and Evil – The Pop Group.
04. Splish Splash – Bobby Darin. My dad turned me on to this one. We must have been driving around somewhere when it came on the radio and he sang along. I was probably about five years old, and bouncing around in the front seat (no belt) of our ancient '64 Chevy Nova. I remember thinking it was a hilarious song, all these people partying while this one guy was taking a bath. Another great song my father introduced me to was "You Talk Too Much" by Joe Jones. I still have his old 45 of that one.
05. Queen of the Hop – Bobby Darin.
06. I Don’t Like It Like That – The Sorrows. I have this on a CBS Records double LP sampler. (Also included on the collection: Garland Jeffreys, Loverboy, Ian Gomm, Judas Priest.)
07. Party’s Over – Toxic Reasons. Second-rate anthem-punk from Indianapolis. The song's OK, but has some really laughable lyrics:
09. Make Like Rock 'n' Roll - Matchbox. I always thought these guys were a legit '50s band, because they're included on my copy of BBC Sessions that features Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, and others. I only just found out that they were a 70s rockabilly revival band (from England!), and this is a cover of a Don Woody song. Well...anyway...I like it.
10 & 12 Say Mama and Be-Bop-A-Lula – These Gene Vincent tracks are from that same BBC record. The credit is listed as "Johnny Walker Show BBC1 October 1971," which would be less than two weeks before Vincent died. The vocals are great - this is NOT the young, vibrant rockabilly star from Bluejean Bop; fifteen years on, there's a little gravel shaking around in the bottom of the tank here.
11. Matchbox – Carl Perkins.
13-15 The Cramps' Can Your Pussy Do The Dog? 10-inch promo single, with Blue Moon Baby and Georgia Lee Brown on the b-side. One of the greatest live bands I've ever seen. There's a fairly recent interview with the band, here.
16. Comin’ Up For The Downstroke – Brilliant. On a trip to London in 1985, I bought a lot of records. One of them was a compilation of Batcave-scene bands, called Young Limbs and Numbs Hymns (for £3.99). Tracks 16-18 here are all from that record.
17. Sex Beat – Sex Beat.
18. The Nuns New Clothes – Patti Palladin was in the band Snatch, and then did a cool album of covers with Johnny Thunders called Copy Cats in 1987, and now you can find Patti Palladin RINGTONES on the internet.
19. Beat On The Brat – Sonic Youth, the b-side of the Master-Dik 12".
20. Let’s Go Get Cokes – The Faction. In the '80s, Powell skater Steve Caballero was in this band, Lance Mountain did the artwork on the record, and -- hearing this song -- they were obviously influenced by Youth Brigade and X. (The guitar on this remonds me of "The Phone's Off The Hook, But You're Not.") I don't think this Dark Room mini LP is in print anymore, but all their songs are available on Collection, released in the 90s.
21. & 22. Far Side of Crazy and This Business of Love from Wall of Voodoo's Seven Days in Sammystown. I LOVED this album. I might be alone in this, but I always preferred THIS incarnation of WOV, with Andy Prieboy as their singer. These days, Prieboy is still recording, and he's just released a book, co-written with David Letterman's one-time luh-vuh.
23. Stupefaction – Graham Parker and the Rumour. I knew very little about Parker at the time (1982), and even LESS about Brinsley Schwarz, but I loved this song. The album (Up Escalator) has a pretty muddy sound, and people faulted Jimmy Iovine for screwing it up. I have a bunch of GP records and CDs now, and I listen to them a few times a year. Check out Squeezing Out Sparks (obviously), Another Grey Area, and Struck By Lightning.
24.-26. Speaking of muddy sound, the Ian McLagen Little Troublemaker record (1979) is one of the most poorly produced albums I've ever heard. It sounds like someone's holding a pillow in front of the speakers. Pure shit. And it's such a crime, because those songs are some of the best ever performed. McLagen was in the Small Faces and Faces, and later a hired gun keyboard player for the Stones. Here, he's got a lot of talent to help him out on his debut solo. I burned the title track, La De La, and If It's Alright. Of all the old songs I heard this weekend, these three felt the freshest. I've got to move these over to the iPod next.
27. Ca Plane Pour Moi – Plastic Bertrand. You remember Elton Motello's "Jet Boy, Jet Girl," right? Same song, different words and different language. But there's a good explanation of why it's exactly the same backing track here on the punk 77 site.
Listening: The Streets' A Grand Don't Come For Free cd. And not liking it.
This is the track list of the other CD-R I burned this weekend. This one I called "Vinyl Blue." Lester Bangs said "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture," so...look at this portico and shimmy...
01. Fire and Dogs – Swamp Zombies.
02. Like Wow, Wipeout – Hoodoo Gurus. Roughly once a year, Elvis Costello would host a radio show on WLIR radio. He'd bring a couple hours' worth of music that radio wasn't playing and most of us had never heard. In the spring of 1982, he played a bunch of Hoodoo Gurus singles; "I Want You Back," "Let's All Turn On," and "Tojo," I think. I went apeshit, and went out to find an Australian import copy of their album ASAP. (No luck.) I played the cassette tape of the radio show over and over until Stoneage Romeos finally came out in the U.S. I was a big fan of this band, saw them a few times, and even had a chance to chat with Dave Faulkner at a punk rock show at the Ritz. (He was there to see Red Cross.) This song is from a mid-career single. I sort of lost interest in them after this.
03. She Is Beyond Good and Evil – The Pop Group.
04. Splish Splash – Bobby Darin. My dad turned me on to this one. We must have been driving around somewhere when it came on the radio and he sang along. I was probably about five years old, and bouncing around in the front seat (no belt) of our ancient '64 Chevy Nova. I remember thinking it was a hilarious song, all these people partying while this one guy was taking a bath. Another great song my father introduced me to was "You Talk Too Much" by Joe Jones. I still have his old 45 of that one.
05. Queen of the Hop – Bobby Darin.
06. I Don’t Like It Like That – The Sorrows. I have this on a CBS Records double LP sampler. (Also included on the collection: Garland Jeffreys, Loverboy, Ian Gomm, Judas Priest.)
07. Party’s Over – Toxic Reasons. Second-rate anthem-punk from Indianapolis. The song's OK, but has some really laughable lyrics:
"Party party party / That's all we ever do / And when we come to your town / I'll probably party with you / I hope you don't mind if I don't party anymore / Because all this fuckin' partying / Is becoming a real bore."08. -- blank track --
09. Make Like Rock 'n' Roll - Matchbox. I always thought these guys were a legit '50s band, because they're included on my copy of BBC Sessions that features Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, and others. I only just found out that they were a 70s rockabilly revival band (from England!), and this is a cover of a Don Woody song. Well...anyway...I like it.
10 & 12 Say Mama and Be-Bop-A-Lula – These Gene Vincent tracks are from that same BBC record. The credit is listed as "Johnny Walker Show BBC1 October 1971," which would be less than two weeks before Vincent died. The vocals are great - this is NOT the young, vibrant rockabilly star from Bluejean Bop; fifteen years on, there's a little gravel shaking around in the bottom of the tank here.
11. Matchbox – Carl Perkins.
13-15 The Cramps' Can Your Pussy Do The Dog? 10-inch promo single, with Blue Moon Baby and Georgia Lee Brown on the b-side. One of the greatest live bands I've ever seen. There's a fairly recent interview with the band, here.
16. Comin’ Up For The Downstroke – Brilliant. On a trip to London in 1985, I bought a lot of records. One of them was a compilation of Batcave-scene bands, called Young Limbs and Numbs Hymns (for £3.99). Tracks 16-18 here are all from that record.
17. Sex Beat – Sex Beat.
18. The Nuns New Clothes – Patti Palladin was in the band Snatch, and then did a cool album of covers with Johnny Thunders called Copy Cats in 1987, and now you can find Patti Palladin RINGTONES on the internet.
19. Beat On The Brat – Sonic Youth, the b-side of the Master-Dik 12".
20. Let’s Go Get Cokes – The Faction. In the '80s, Powell skater Steve Caballero was in this band, Lance Mountain did the artwork on the record, and -- hearing this song -- they were obviously influenced by Youth Brigade and X. (The guitar on this remonds me of "The Phone's Off The Hook, But You're Not.") I don't think this Dark Room mini LP is in print anymore, but all their songs are available on Collection, released in the 90s.
21. & 22. Far Side of Crazy and This Business of Love from Wall of Voodoo's Seven Days in Sammystown. I LOVED this album. I might be alone in this, but I always preferred THIS incarnation of WOV, with Andy Prieboy as their singer. These days, Prieboy is still recording, and he's just released a book, co-written with David Letterman's one-time luh-vuh.
23. Stupefaction – Graham Parker and the Rumour. I knew very little about Parker at the time (1982), and even LESS about Brinsley Schwarz, but I loved this song. The album (Up Escalator) has a pretty muddy sound, and people faulted Jimmy Iovine for screwing it up. I have a bunch of GP records and CDs now, and I listen to them a few times a year. Check out Squeezing Out Sparks (obviously), Another Grey Area, and Struck By Lightning.
24.-26. Speaking of muddy sound, the Ian McLagen Little Troublemaker record (1979) is one of the most poorly produced albums I've ever heard. It sounds like someone's holding a pillow in front of the speakers. Pure shit. And it's such a crime, because those songs are some of the best ever performed. McLagen was in the Small Faces and Faces, and later a hired gun keyboard player for the Stones. Here, he's got a lot of talent to help him out on his debut solo. I burned the title track, La De La, and If It's Alright. Of all the old songs I heard this weekend, these three felt the freshest. I've got to move these over to the iPod next.
27. Ca Plane Pour Moi – Plastic Bertrand. You remember Elton Motello's "Jet Boy, Jet Girl," right? Same song, different words and different language. But there's a good explanation of why it's exactly the same backing track here on the punk 77 site.
Listening: The Streets' A Grand Don't Come For Free cd. And not liking it.
Monday, July 19, 2004
1400 Hrs. Times Square.
Yesterday, I hauled out a bunch more vinyl and burned them onto two CD-Rs. Here's a track list for one of them, which I named "Vinyl Green."
01-03 Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart single (FAC 23). Two different versions of the song, plus "These Days," which is every bit as good as the A side. Love the guitar, swapping between plucks and riffs. Martin Hannett produced this, and dozens of my favorite records ("Spiral Scratch," "Mr. Jones," "Fit For Nothing"), was an amazing producer. Google his name, if you don't believe me.
04 "Suspicious Minds" - Elvis Presley. Everytime I hear it, my sense memory recalls Richard F***ing Gere's caterwauling attempt at it in the Breathless remake. He even manages to over-act a song. (Ditto the Jerry Lee title tune.) Thanks, Gere, you jackass.
05-06 Killing Joke - "Eighties" and b-side, "Eighties (Coming Mix)." I am a sucker for that swirling guitar. So much is going on in there, with all the slight variations. Plus that great lead vocal.
07 "Love Like Blood." Another great Killing Joke song, from several years later, I think.
08 "Little Bit O' Soul" by Music Explosion. I think I came a little late to this party, because I'm pretty sure the first time I ever heard this was the Ramones version on Subterranean Jungle. That song ripped so hard that I went looking for the original, because I'd read that Music Explosion was this killer garage rock band from Detroit. (That's what I'd heard. Turns out they were from Ohio, and they weren't very killer. Their songs were sort of tame.) When I heard this original for the first time, I probably wasn't impressed. It's a good vocal, but overall it's one of those "coulda been a contender" songs. Good for the Ramones, for making this song what it might have been from the start. And Music Explosion?! Is that not one of the worst band names in the history of recorded music? Music Explosion?! Isn't that the band of seventh graders that plays your sixth grade dance? Music Explosion?! It's even worse than Sugarcult.
09 "Are You A Boy or Are You A Girl" - The Barbarians.
10-13 Elvis Costello and the Attractions live at Hollywood High. "Watching The Detectives," "Accidents Will Happen," and "Alison." I think this 7-inch, from 1979, is pretty rare. It came free inside my copy of Armed Forces. Some groove dust has taken its toll on the sound quality, but the performances on these songs are stellar. How the hell did Elvis and the Attractions end up playing at Hollywood High?! I guess PTA 90210 had some serious juice. One other thing: In the early eighties, I was watching a pilot episode of a very-soon-to-be-cancelled TV show about a family going through some marital problems. The dad was a DJ or radio programmer or something, and in a key moment on the show, he plays THIS version of "Accidents Will Happen" on the radio for his daughter. I think that is the best music cue in the history of television -- to use THIS rare live recording of THIS song. It was awesome; so smart. I don't think the television show made it to episode two, but it should have.
14 The Adult Net's version of "Incense and Peppermints." Love Brix's voice on this. (Brix Smith as in Mark E. Smith's wife and one-time Fall band member.)
15-16 Sam Cooke - "You Send Me" and "Twisting The Night Away." Sam Cooke fun facts: He was wearing only a sport jacket when he died, and his last words were, "Lady, you shot me."
17 "Cactus Rose" by Lone Justice. No apologies. I LIKE this band. This is the b-side of the "Ways To Be Wicked" single.
18 "Home At Dawn" by Superchunk. A decent non-LP track. My copy is on a one-sided fan club style single. (I am not in the fan club. Who left this at my place?)
19 "Child Bride" - Long Ryders. This is the b-side of the great "Looking For Lewis and Clark" single, and it didn't make it onto the anthology CD I bought a couple years ago.
20 "Dad I'm In Jail" by Was Not Was. It's the B-side of some silly dancy thing they released. This b-side got some airplay, and MicKen and I were certain that it was Jello Biafra doing an uncredited cameo vocal. I once asked Don Was if this was true, and he didn't seem to know who Jello is.
21 The Cult's "Love Removal Machine" is a guilty pleasure, alright? I don't want to talk about it. (It was pretty funny to watch the singer reinvent himself for that album. Previously he'd appeared onstage and on video as a fey, hippy-dippy, slender-armed boy-witch. Sort of a weird DNA cross between Brian James and Stevie Nicks. But when the LRM material came out, he was all motorcycley and faux tough. Last I'd heard, he was the new Jim Morrison in old Ray Manzarek's pathetic New Doors. Ha.)
22-23 "King of NYC" and b-side, "Are You Living?" by Two Saints. Good stuff, SLIGHTLY reminiscent of my beloved Heartbreakers. I know next to nothing about this band. I don't even remember buying this 45, but I'm sure the reason I got it, in 1985, was because the b-side was written by Johnny Thunders. Actually, the credit on the sleeve says, "Courtesy of Johnny Thunders." As far as I know Thunders never recorded this song himself, so that "courtesy" line always made it seem like he traded the song for dope or something. My ever-improving internet search skills have finally got me closer to some info about Two Saints. I found this website belonging to Joe Mazzari, who played with Thunders during the early eighties. I'm going to email him and ask about that Thunders song.
24 "H.B." - Swamp Zombies. What? I don't know. The b-side of a single. I remember this group did a cajun-folk-abilly version of "Purple Haze," but this is not that.
Yesterday, I hauled out a bunch more vinyl and burned them onto two CD-Rs. Here's a track list for one of them, which I named "Vinyl Green."
01-03 Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart single (FAC 23). Two different versions of the song, plus "These Days," which is every bit as good as the A side. Love the guitar, swapping between plucks and riffs. Martin Hannett produced this, and dozens of my favorite records ("Spiral Scratch," "Mr. Jones," "Fit For Nothing"), was an amazing producer. Google his name, if you don't believe me.
04 "Suspicious Minds" - Elvis Presley. Everytime I hear it, my sense memory recalls Richard F***ing Gere's caterwauling attempt at it in the Breathless remake. He even manages to over-act a song. (Ditto the Jerry Lee title tune.) Thanks, Gere, you jackass.
05-06 Killing Joke - "Eighties" and b-side, "Eighties (Coming Mix)." I am a sucker for that swirling guitar. So much is going on in there, with all the slight variations. Plus that great lead vocal.
07 "Love Like Blood." Another great Killing Joke song, from several years later, I think.
08 "Little Bit O' Soul" by Music Explosion. I think I came a little late to this party, because I'm pretty sure the first time I ever heard this was the Ramones version on Subterranean Jungle. That song ripped so hard that I went looking for the original, because I'd read that Music Explosion was this killer garage rock band from Detroit. (That's what I'd heard. Turns out they were from Ohio, and they weren't very killer. Their songs were sort of tame.) When I heard this original for the first time, I probably wasn't impressed. It's a good vocal, but overall it's one of those "coulda been a contender" songs. Good for the Ramones, for making this song what it might have been from the start. And Music Explosion?! Is that not one of the worst band names in the history of recorded music? Music Explosion?! Isn't that the band of seventh graders that plays your sixth grade dance? Music Explosion?! It's even worse than Sugarcult.
09 "Are You A Boy or Are You A Girl" - The Barbarians.
10-13 Elvis Costello and the Attractions live at Hollywood High. "Watching The Detectives," "Accidents Will Happen," and "Alison." I think this 7-inch, from 1979, is pretty rare. It came free inside my copy of Armed Forces. Some groove dust has taken its toll on the sound quality, but the performances on these songs are stellar. How the hell did Elvis and the Attractions end up playing at Hollywood High?! I guess PTA 90210 had some serious juice. One other thing: In the early eighties, I was watching a pilot episode of a very-soon-to-be-cancelled TV show about a family going through some marital problems. The dad was a DJ or radio programmer or something, and in a key moment on the show, he plays THIS version of "Accidents Will Happen" on the radio for his daughter. I think that is the best music cue in the history of television -- to use THIS rare live recording of THIS song. It was awesome; so smart. I don't think the television show made it to episode two, but it should have.
14 The Adult Net's version of "Incense and Peppermints." Love Brix's voice on this. (Brix Smith as in Mark E. Smith's wife and one-time Fall band member.)
15-16 Sam Cooke - "You Send Me" and "Twisting The Night Away." Sam Cooke fun facts: He was wearing only a sport jacket when he died, and his last words were, "Lady, you shot me."
17 "Cactus Rose" by Lone Justice. No apologies. I LIKE this band. This is the b-side of the "Ways To Be Wicked" single.
18 "Home At Dawn" by Superchunk. A decent non-LP track. My copy is on a one-sided fan club style single. (I am not in the fan club. Who left this at my place?)
19 "Child Bride" - Long Ryders. This is the b-side of the great "Looking For Lewis and Clark" single, and it didn't make it onto the anthology CD I bought a couple years ago.
20 "Dad I'm In Jail" by Was Not Was. It's the B-side of some silly dancy thing they released. This b-side got some airplay, and MicKen and I were certain that it was Jello Biafra doing an uncredited cameo vocal. I once asked Don Was if this was true, and he didn't seem to know who Jello is.
21 The Cult's "Love Removal Machine" is a guilty pleasure, alright? I don't want to talk about it. (It was pretty funny to watch the singer reinvent himself for that album. Previously he'd appeared onstage and on video as a fey, hippy-dippy, slender-armed boy-witch. Sort of a weird DNA cross between Brian James and Stevie Nicks. But when the LRM material came out, he was all motorcycley and faux tough. Last I'd heard, he was the new Jim Morrison in old Ray Manzarek's pathetic New Doors. Ha.)
22-23 "King of NYC" and b-side, "Are You Living?" by Two Saints. Good stuff, SLIGHTLY reminiscent of my beloved Heartbreakers. I know next to nothing about this band. I don't even remember buying this 45, but I'm sure the reason I got it, in 1985, was because the b-side was written by Johnny Thunders. Actually, the credit on the sleeve says, "Courtesy of Johnny Thunders." As far as I know Thunders never recorded this song himself, so that "courtesy" line always made it seem like he traded the song for dope or something. My ever-improving internet search skills have finally got me closer to some info about Two Saints. I found this website belonging to Joe Mazzari, who played with Thunders during the early eighties. I'm going to email him and ask about that Thunders song.
24 "H.B." - Swamp Zombies. What? I don't know. The b-side of a single. I remember this group did a cajun-folk-abilly version of "Purple Haze," but this is not that.
1111 Hrs. Times Square.
Listening: "Point Man" by The Mark of Cain
Arnold called them "girly men." Who cares?
We rented two DVDs this weekend. Pieces of April was pretty good. Katie Holmes doesn't disappoint if you don't give her too many words to say in a scene. Writer/Director Peter Hedges is a bit ham-handed, though. And his treatment of the "Bobby" character was slightly offensive. The character is a good guy, a kind and thoughtful young man. But it seemed as though Hedges kept pointing a finger at the character and telling us: "Look he's a black guy - but he's nice! Gotcha!" And what was the point of Bobby's sojourn on the scooter? Hedges handled that one a bit vaguely, almost implying that the guy was going on a drug deal or something. When we learn that the character went to buy some nice clothes for the special occasion, there's Hedges again: "Gotcha! He's not a criminal, just because he's black!" I only thought he was a criminal because you, the director, led me to believe he was.
That April character earned my sympathy right away. She reminded me of a girl I dated in 1994 and 1995. That apartment, the mannerisms, the wardrobe, and April's general look were uncannily similar. But the whole plot-line was dead-on, too. This girl, KK, was a ne'er-do-well forever seeking the approval and love of her parents. And they made her thirst for it, believe me. KK's mom lived in a southeastern state with her boyfriend and would run head games on KK like I'd never seen before. And her father was a real champ. He was an upstate politician, dad of a brand new family, who'd long ago divested of his love and care for KK. When we'd visit, he never seemed to treat her like a daughter. He didn't even treat her like a guest. He treated her like dirt. She'd get up there on Friday with an armload of toys and treats for her half-sibs...and a bag of groceries for herself. KK had learned her lesson after too many nights where dad would walk away from the dinner table, leaving his new wife to do the accounting: "Don't worry about the lamb, you didn't eat that. But the beets were $1.29, the bag of peas was $1.09. Just give me about $7 for the cheese and salad and breads...." It was sickening.
When April hustles down that stairwell to greet her family at the door -- I'd seen that excitement before.
This girl, KK, had some problems, some I think I helped, and some to which I probably contributed. But she was a good person, with a great big heart, who tried her best to be liked. A few years ago, my wife found KK's wedding announcement thing in the Sunday Times. (So out of character for her, such a public announcement -- her father must have made her do that.) I was so relieved that she was still alive, thrilled that she was married, and so thoroughly wished for her to be happy.
And we rented Along Came Polly. If you haven't seen this, you are either a highly selective and astute judge of movie quality, or you wrongly thought it would stay in theaters for two weeks. Anyway, this is the Ben Stiller movie where he plays a straight-laced and tightly wound schlub who falls head over heels for a beautiful girl, but a series of mishaps delays romantic connection. Yeah, that one. The one where a silent or retarded or alzheimers-ridden character finally speaks up at the end, with a pithy statement that solves the hero's problems. (Unknowingly, of course.) The one where he's got a wacky friend/sidekick.
And it was bad.
Listening: Dangerhouse Vol. 1 cd.
Listening: "Point Man" by The Mark of Cain
Arnold called them "girly men." Who cares?
We rented two DVDs this weekend. Pieces of April was pretty good. Katie Holmes doesn't disappoint if you don't give her too many words to say in a scene. Writer/Director Peter Hedges is a bit ham-handed, though. And his treatment of the "Bobby" character was slightly offensive. The character is a good guy, a kind and thoughtful young man. But it seemed as though Hedges kept pointing a finger at the character and telling us: "Look he's a black guy - but he's nice! Gotcha!" And what was the point of Bobby's sojourn on the scooter? Hedges handled that one a bit vaguely, almost implying that the guy was going on a drug deal or something. When we learn that the character went to buy some nice clothes for the special occasion, there's Hedges again: "Gotcha! He's not a criminal, just because he's black!" I only thought he was a criminal because you, the director, led me to believe he was.
That April character earned my sympathy right away. She reminded me of a girl I dated in 1994 and 1995. That apartment, the mannerisms, the wardrobe, and April's general look were uncannily similar. But the whole plot-line was dead-on, too. This girl, KK, was a ne'er-do-well forever seeking the approval and love of her parents. And they made her thirst for it, believe me. KK's mom lived in a southeastern state with her boyfriend and would run head games on KK like I'd never seen before. And her father was a real champ. He was an upstate politician, dad of a brand new family, who'd long ago divested of his love and care for KK. When we'd visit, he never seemed to treat her like a daughter. He didn't even treat her like a guest. He treated her like dirt. She'd get up there on Friday with an armload of toys and treats for her half-sibs...and a bag of groceries for herself. KK had learned her lesson after too many nights where dad would walk away from the dinner table, leaving his new wife to do the accounting: "Don't worry about the lamb, you didn't eat that. But the beets were $1.29, the bag of peas was $1.09. Just give me about $7 for the cheese and salad and breads...." It was sickening.
When April hustles down that stairwell to greet her family at the door -- I'd seen that excitement before.
This girl, KK, had some problems, some I think I helped, and some to which I probably contributed. But she was a good person, with a great big heart, who tried her best to be liked. A few years ago, my wife found KK's wedding announcement thing in the Sunday Times. (So out of character for her, such a public announcement -- her father must have made her do that.) I was so relieved that she was still alive, thrilled that she was married, and so thoroughly wished for her to be happy.
And we rented Along Came Polly. If you haven't seen this, you are either a highly selective and astute judge of movie quality, or you wrongly thought it would stay in theaters for two weeks. Anyway, this is the Ben Stiller movie where he plays a straight-laced and tightly wound schlub who falls head over heels for a beautiful girl, but a series of mishaps delays romantic connection. Yeah, that one. The one where a silent or retarded or alzheimers-ridden character finally speaks up at the end, with a pithy statement that solves the hero's problems. (Unknowingly, of course.) The one where he's got a wacky friend/sidekick.
And it was bad.
Listening: Dangerhouse Vol. 1 cd.
Saturday, July 17, 2004
1709 Hrs. Brooklyn.
Listening: "Never Here" by Elastica.
Butler did a great thing last night. I was at Pete's Candy Store for a benefit to help fund his Walt Mink documentary. Good drinking, good grilling, good talking...and an amazing reunion performance from two-thirds of Walt Mink. John and Candice played a hot set in front of a reverent (and stunned silent) crowd. It felt like just one hollered request might upset the fragile dynamic of what we were witness to. I never thought I'd hear those songs played live again, and was thankful to be there. Butler's doing a great thing. I'm just getting my brain around the fact that I attended a fundraising event for a film, and the fundraiser ITSELF was documented and will certainly be a major part of the film it was raising funds for. How meta.
If there was ever a band that you loved, a band that you felt more people should have known about before they went away, then you'd understand how some of us feel about the Minks. Check out Butler's site, and do what you can do to help.
Listening: "Never Here" by Elastica.
Butler did a great thing last night. I was at Pete's Candy Store for a benefit to help fund his Walt Mink documentary. Good drinking, good grilling, good talking...and an amazing reunion performance from two-thirds of Walt Mink. John and Candice played a hot set in front of a reverent (and stunned silent) crowd. It felt like just one hollered request might upset the fragile dynamic of what we were witness to. I never thought I'd hear those songs played live again, and was thankful to be there. Butler's doing a great thing. I'm just getting my brain around the fact that I attended a fundraising event for a film, and the fundraiser ITSELF was documented and will certainly be a major part of the film it was raising funds for. How meta.
If there was ever a band that you loved, a band that you felt more people should have known about before they went away, then you'd understand how some of us feel about the Minks. Check out Butler's site, and do what you can do to help.
Friday, July 16, 2004
1447 Hrs. Times Square.
Separated at birth? I was just walking past Supersonic's office, and she was playing that Franz Ferdinand single. (I guess she's studying up on that music for the VMA pre-show.) What's the name of that song, "Get Me Out"? "Take Me Out"? Whatever. I like it just fine, but every time I hear it, it reminds me of (the far superior) "The Hardest Part" by Blondie. When that Eat To The Beat album came out, I bought it right away. I was twelve and a half. "The Hardest Part" immediately became my favorite song. Debbie Harry's vocal is bulletproof (of course), and the rhythm section sounds angry, like they want to set up camp in your chest cavity. I could never say for sure what that song's about; some sort of "heist," I figured, but when Debbie sings that line: "Nitro and acetylene open la machine," it gets me every time.
Listening: "...And The Bill Collectors Won't Stop Buggin" by Midget Handjob.
Separated at birth? I was just walking past Supersonic's office, and she was playing that Franz Ferdinand single. (I guess she's studying up on that music for the VMA pre-show.) What's the name of that song, "Get Me Out"? "Take Me Out"? Whatever. I like it just fine, but every time I hear it, it reminds me of (the far superior) "The Hardest Part" by Blondie. When that Eat To The Beat album came out, I bought it right away. I was twelve and a half. "The Hardest Part" immediately became my favorite song. Debbie Harry's vocal is bulletproof (of course), and the rhythm section sounds angry, like they want to set up camp in your chest cavity. I could never say for sure what that song's about; some sort of "heist," I figured, but when Debbie sings that line: "Nitro and acetylene open la machine," it gets me every time.
Listening: "...And The Bill Collectors Won't Stop Buggin" by Midget Handjob.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
1320 Hrs. Times Square.
As I was buying my morning coffee on the way into the building today, I was standing near the first three people on line to see today's TRL guest, Hilary Duff. Indeed, they were the ONLY three people on line. All three girls were cute-stupid. (Not "stupid cute," which is different.) I mean that brand of so-dumb-but-you're-only-twelve-years-old kind of cute that will, by age 17, devolve into "just fuckin' stupid." OK? So...Duff fan #1 is ranting to the other two about how MTV better not make her check her guitar-shaped handbag, because, "I mean, it so goes with my outfit! I mean, look at me! Look at this outfit!"
I did. Neon green top. Hot pink skirts. Black and white checker-pattern hat. In a word, ordure.
Got my coffee, and walked past the troika just slowly enough to hear this exchange:
Playing: Jimmy Rushing- "She's A Wino."
The E-buy auction ended this afternoon, and I've finally nailed down a copy of Scruffy The Cat's Moons of Jupiter. In the mid-eighties, me and Brother Neil and the fantastic Johnny C and MicKen would go see those guys play at a club in Portchester called Willow Street. They were a really cool bar band, kinda like Sloan before Sloan happened. Like a more accessible Del Fuegos. Charlie Chesterman was the singer, and the band knew how to get from A to Rock. They didn't try to reinvent shit. And that was good. They didn't hit homers. They were the baseball player who "goes with the pitch," who "puts the ball in play."
Anyway, in the summer of 1988, someone broke into my car* on Taras Shevchenko Place, between E. 6th and E. 7th, and stole about 120 cassettes. Most were mixes I'd compiled, on shitty TDK SA-90s, but there were a few commercial tapes in there, and one of them was Moons of Jupiter.
A few weeks later, I was able to BUY BACK a few of my very own tapes from some shady character selling stuff from a blanket on a Lafayette Street sidewalk. (He didn't break into my car. I asked him if he had; he said no.)
Never got the Scruffy back, and it went out of print. (Relativity should work on getting this stuff out there - or at least selling it to an indie that will - it's worth it. No, it's not going to move a ton of units, but it's good music, and I thought that's what record labels are supposed to supply.) I hunted second hand shops for years. Then, Alibris.com and Ebuy, where I'd find "poor condition" CDs or vinyl for 40, 50, 60 bucks.
Today, I locked up a pristine, never-opened copy of the vinyl, with the original gatefold sleeve for 1.33 GBP ($2.46).
Listening: Gene Vincent- "Woman Love."
Was in Philly last weekend and bought a copy of an awesome 'zine I'd never seen before. It's called Chin Music, and here's the site.
* That car was a 1974 Chevy Malibu Classic. It looked just like this.
As I was buying my morning coffee on the way into the building today, I was standing near the first three people on line to see today's TRL guest, Hilary Duff. Indeed, they were the ONLY three people on line. All three girls were cute-stupid. (Not "stupid cute," which is different.) I mean that brand of so-dumb-but-you're-only-twelve-years-old kind of cute that will, by age 17, devolve into "just fuckin' stupid." OK? So...Duff fan #1 is ranting to the other two about how MTV better not make her check her guitar-shaped handbag, because, "I mean, it so goes with my outfit! I mean, look at me! Look at this outfit!"
I did. Neon green top. Hot pink skirts. Black and white checker-pattern hat. In a word, ordure.
Got my coffee, and walked past the troika just slowly enough to hear this exchange:
Hilary Duff fan 1: Do you think she'll go to Planet Hollywood after?
Hilary Duff fan 2: I would think so. It's, like, the only fancy restaurant around here.
Playing: Jimmy Rushing- "She's A Wino."
The E-buy auction ended this afternoon, and I've finally nailed down a copy of Scruffy The Cat's Moons of Jupiter. In the mid-eighties, me and Brother Neil and the fantastic Johnny C and MicKen would go see those guys play at a club in Portchester called Willow Street. They were a really cool bar band, kinda like Sloan before Sloan happened. Like a more accessible Del Fuegos. Charlie Chesterman was the singer, and the band knew how to get from A to Rock. They didn't try to reinvent shit. And that was good. They didn't hit homers. They were the baseball player who "goes with the pitch," who "puts the ball in play."
Anyway, in the summer of 1988, someone broke into my car* on Taras Shevchenko Place, between E. 6th and E. 7th, and stole about 120 cassettes. Most were mixes I'd compiled, on shitty TDK SA-90s, but there were a few commercial tapes in there, and one of them was Moons of Jupiter.
A few weeks later, I was able to BUY BACK a few of my very own tapes from some shady character selling stuff from a blanket on a Lafayette Street sidewalk. (He didn't break into my car. I asked him if he had; he said no.)
Never got the Scruffy back, and it went out of print. (Relativity should work on getting this stuff out there - or at least selling it to an indie that will - it's worth it. No, it's not going to move a ton of units, but it's good music, and I thought that's what record labels are supposed to supply.) I hunted second hand shops for years. Then, Alibris.com and Ebuy, where I'd find "poor condition" CDs or vinyl for 40, 50, 60 bucks.
Today, I locked up a pristine, never-opened copy of the vinyl, with the original gatefold sleeve for 1.33 GBP ($2.46).
Listening: Gene Vincent- "Woman Love."
Was in Philly last weekend and bought a copy of an awesome 'zine I'd never seen before. It's called Chin Music, and here's the site.
* That car was a 1974 Chevy Malibu Classic. It looked just like this.
1244 Hrs. Times Square.
Until All Music Guide gets it shit together (or maybe it never will)...I'll be dipping into Ira's good old Trouser Press.
Until All Music Guide gets it shit together (or maybe it never will)...I'll be dipping into Ira's good old Trouser Press.
1119 Hrs. Times Square.
Brian Last Stop was the bearer of bad news. Sent me a Yahoo link this morning, and now I know that Arthur "Killer" Kane is dead. He died Tuesday night due to complications from leukemia.
Brian Last Stop was the bearer of bad news. Sent me a Yahoo link this morning, and now I know that Arthur "Killer" Kane is dead. He died Tuesday night due to complications from leukemia.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
1434 Hrs. Times Square.
If I have learned one thing from VH1's I Love The 90s series this week, it's this:
Whoever or whatever a "Simon Doonan" is - it's still alive.
One thing that bugs me about this edition of that show is how all the fundits think they've got to say "Fuck" all the time. What's the story behind that?! It is so un-clever and lazy. It's pretty sad.
.
If I have learned one thing from VH1's I Love The 90s series this week, it's this:
Whoever or whatever a "Simon Doonan" is - it's still alive.
One thing that bugs me about this edition of that show is how all the fundits think they've got to say "Fuck" all the time. What's the story behind that?! It is so un-clever and lazy. It's pretty sad.
.
1249 Hrs. Times Square.
Listening: "Change" by Killing Joke.
UPDATE!
I changed the list (below). I deleted Crime, and put X in their place. Now I think X belongs in the top 25. I'll re-write it up shortly.
So many people emailed me their opinions on that list, some of you should post comments on this page. Click the "Comments" link.
Listening: "Change" by Killing Joke.
UPDATE!
I changed the list (below). I deleted Crime, and put X in their place. Now I think X belongs in the top 25. I'll re-write it up shortly.
So many people emailed me their opinions on that list, some of you should post comments on this page. Click the "Comments" link.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
1701 Hrs. Times Square.
LISTS ARE FUN!
They’re easy to read, good for inciting riots, and tend to give their writers a warm feeling inside. That said, here are the 25 best punk rock artists ever, in more or less chronological order. This list is unimpeachable, bulletproof; don’t argue!
MC5
Seminal LP: KICK OUT THE JAMS (Elektra, 1969).
First band to reach the sonic blast volume and might that punk would later traffic in (repeatedly). Political stance and social distaste in later records also opened eyes of later 70s punks. Guitarist Wayne Kramer now a credible, prolific solo artist and continuing social critic on Epitaph Records. Reunion stance: Once thought impossible; two members dead. Nevertheless Kramer, Michael Davis, Dennis Thompson skirt sentimentality to deliver rock bliss on 2004 tour.
Iggy and the Stooges
Seminal LP: RAW POWER (Columbia/Legacy, 1973).
True blueprint for punk explosion, especially after James Williamson joined; his guitar firestorm and edge on “Search and Destroy” and “Raw Power” still startles, plus Iggy Pop’s wild abandon is cathartic. Split: 1974. Pop began a respected solo career, made a pile when David Bowie recorded songs they co-wrote. Reunions repeatedly threatened, undertaken recently. Several retrospective, live LPs, and even rehearsal tapes have been released.
The New York Dolls
Seminal LP: NEW YORK DOLLS (Polygram, 1973).
Remembered for thrashy style, swagger, and attitude as much as Johnny Thunders and Syl Sylvain’s incendiary guitar style and Jerry Nolan’s rock-steady drumming. Split: 1975. Singer David Johansen had success as a solo artist, and as alter-ego Buster Poindexter, while Thunders and Nolan put together the terrific Heartbreakers, but could never keep it together. Sylvain and Johansen occasionally joined Heartbreakers unannounced on New York’s Max’s stage in late 70s to do Dolls songs for the lucky 200 in attendance. Three members dead: Thunders, Nolan, and original drummer Billy Murcia. Still, Sylvain, Johansen, “Killer” Kane reform for a 2004 one-off at a Morrissey-curated festival. Like it, plan tour.
The Saints
Seminal LP: ETERNALLY YOURS (Triple X/Amsterdamned, 1977).
Australia’s Pistols/Ramones, formed in 1973 and ignited scene there with Radio Birdman, combining hot riffs with terrific singing by Chris Bailey. Superb Stax horns experiment on “Know Your Product.” Split: 1978. Bailey carried on well, 1979-1990 with totally new members; then solo (see 54 DAYS AT SEA).
Heartbreakers
Seminal LP: L.A.M.F. (Track U.K., 1977, reissued Jungle U.K. 1994).
Led by Ex-New York Dolls (see above) Thunders and Nolan (and briefly punk legend Richard Hell, fresh from Television), this quartet lacked the glammy swank of their former band, but brilliantly anticipated the building punk explosion by adding more straightforward Chuck Berry-like attack. Incredible club document LIVE AT MAX'S (Max’s 1978, reissued ROIR 1995) might even be better than L.A.M.F. Split: 1978, but did about 100 reunion shows in NY, whenever they were broke, right up ‘til 1989 and Thunders and Nolan’s untimely (but expected) deaths. Guitarist Walter Lure (day job: stockbroker) occasionally plays all their songs live in NY with his Waldos.
The Ramones
Seminal LP: RAMONES (Warner Bros, 1976).
Blistering Johnny Ramone guitar and three-chord songs left other (inspired) New York art rockers and new wavers behind and defined U.S. ‘76 “punk.” First, self-titled, album is classic, but 1978’s intense ROAD TO RUIN did it best. Split: 1996. Two founding members dead, another reported to be very ill.
The Sex Pistols
Seminal LP: NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE'S THE SEX PISTOLS (Warner Bros, 1977)
Johnny Rotten’s subversive rage (and a powerful band) made the Pistols an unbelievably important group, a Presley/Beatles/Stones-like cultural phenomenon with millions sold. Split: 1978. Lydon was solo with Public Image Ltd. - split. Pistols reunion tour in 1996 was ridiculous.
The Clash
Seminal LP: THE CLASH (CBS/Sony import version, 1977).
Rawer and as fierce and fiery as Pistols, but more political. Matured into awesome power (see GIVE 'EM ENOUGH ROPE), before leaving genre for greener, still passionate pastures. Joe Strummer consummate frontman. The Pistols lit the match, but the Clash carried the torch. Split: 1985. Guitarist Mick Jones to Big Audio Dynamite. Strummer went solo, recorded and toured with Mescaleros. Frequent reunion rumors until death of Strummer in 2002.
Buzzcocks
Seminal LP: SINGLES GOING STEADY (IRS, 1979).
Innovation: married sensational wall-of-guitar crunch to pop and lovers’ angst. U.K. top 40 hits revered by non-punks. Split: 1981. Reformed old lineup in 1989; Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle remain now in lineup that has released several mediocre LPs, including TRADE TEST TRANSMISSIONS and ALL SET.
The Damned
Seminal LP: DAMNED DAMNED DAMNED (Frontier, 1977).
London clowns made manic, cool, cheaply-made records built on Captain Sensible’s personality, Rat Scabies’ Keith Moon trip and Brian James’ James Williamson-ish attack. Split: 1978. Reformed 1979-1987, reunion tours since, including original lineup gigs in 1989 and 1991, though later lineups without Sensible or James have been abysmal. Sensible has released six very good solo pop LPs.
The Jam
Seminal LP: ALL MOD CONS (Polydor, 1978).
Godfathers of Brit mod revival, distrusted for ‘60s worship, yet sheer vitality, grit, and Paul Weller’s working-class anger/guitar pummeling won out. Split: 1982. Weller now solo artist after years in Style Council. Reunion unlikely: other two members bassist Bruce Foxton (now in Stiff Little Fingers) and drummer Rick Buckler sued Weller claiming unpaid royalties, and criticized him heavily in their book The Jam: Our Story.
Wire
Seminal LP: PINK FLAG (Restless, 1977).
Intellect, short and clipped songs, economy and jagged edges; along with Alternative TV and Adverts, thinking man’s London punk. The Velvets of their era. Split: 1980 after brilliant third LP, 154. Reformed original lineup in 1986, added four more LPs, last one as Wir, then quit again in 1995.
The Weirdos
Seminal LP: WEIRD WORLD, VOL 1 (Frontier, 1991).
Along with Dils and Screamers (later X and Germs), top dogs of burgeoning ‘77 L.A., documented by Slash Magazine. Couldn’t get signed, but singles like “Neutron Bomb” burned. Split: 1981. Reformed 1990, issued passable LP CONDOR, then disbanded again.
Stiff Little Fingers
Seminal LP: INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL (Restless, 1979).
From Belfast, Ireland (with Outcasts, Rudi, Moondogs, etc.). Spurred U.K. second wave with juggernaut onslaught and Jake Burns’s harsh singing, before going hard pop on 1982’s NOW THEN.... Split: 1983, reformed 1987, one disappointing and two so-so LPs since; Jam’s Bruce Foxton now on bass.
The Ruts
Seminal LP: GRIN AND BEAR IT (Caroline, 1995).
Greatest punk musicians ever, mixing reggae, jazz, and thrash behind Malcolm Owen’s big-mouthed charisma, culminating in epic “West One.” Owen OD’ed in 1980 after debut THE CRACK. Remaining trio split in 1983 after two ignored LPs (one was all-dub) as Ruts D.C. Frequent wishes for reunion gigs wisely ignored by members, since it’s not the Ruts D.C. that is demanded (and Owen is still dead).
The Undertones
Seminal LP: THE UNDERTONES (Rykodisc, [1994]1979).
Zippy, heavy Derry, Ireland lads. “Teenage Kicks” is DJ John Peel’s all-time favorite. Split 1983. O’Neill brothers later formed That Petrol Emotion (don’t miss MANIC POP THRILL), while singer Feargal Sharkey released several awful solo LPs. Reunited in 1989 to play Peel’s 50th birthday, but canceled after rehearsal due to the death of O’Neills’ father. The band replaced tour-phobic Sharkey with Paul McLoone for some hometown shows in 1999, then released GET WHAT YOU NEED on Sanctuary last year.
D.O.A.
Seminal LP: HARDCORE '81 (Restless, 89)
Linebacker-sized grunts out of late 70’s Vancouver (Subhumans, Young Canadians, Dishrags, Modernettes etc.), with yelping Joey Shithead, and hot drummer Chuck Biscuits (later with Black Flag and Danzig). Sweaty, visceral live act. Split: 1989; reformed 1991. A few commendable LPs since.
The Wipers
Seminal LP: IS THIS REAL (Sub Pop, 1993)
Led by guitarist Greg Sage, Portland’s Wipers matched rocking pulse with a Hendrix moodiness that has deepened through nine LPs. Credited by Nirvana, who released two Wipers covers , as the real forefathers of Northwest grunge. Split 1989, reformed 1993; SILVER SAIL, THE HERD, and POWER IN ONE, released since the reformation, are phenomenal.
Dead Kennedys
Seminal LP: FRESH FRUIT FOR ROTTING VEGETABLES (Alternative Tentacles, 1980).
With East Bay Ray’s spy-movie guitar and nifty songs, Jello Biafra spun political intrigues, hilarious, black-humor social spoofs, and rebellious satire. Biggest U.S. punk band ever; four albums, singles and tours opened hardcore floodgates. Split: 1986. Biafra has released string of spoken word LPs and musical side projects (including Lard, with Ministry’s Alan Jourgensen). Reunion? Forget it: Band members have been trying to sue each other for years.
Bad Brains
Seminal LP: BAD BRAINS (ROIR, 1981)
Second-greatest punk musicians, with furious, frenzied leader H.R. Founders of the D.C. scene, these four (later) rastas unleashed blitzkrieg attack, mixing Motorhead with Sex Pistols and Dickies. Some credible, accomplished reggae, too. Lineup changes galore since first split in 1983, and several times since. Reunited original lineup again in 1994/1995 for GOD OF LOVE on Madonna’s Maverick label. Poor sales led to another split. Band reunited again in 1999 to tour as the Soul Brains.
Black Flag
Seminal LP: DAMAGED (SST, 1983)
Mixed Ramones basics with Greg Ginn’s thicker, distorted, choleric guitar hiss, and L.A. social hostility. Second biggest U.S. touring punk band behind DKs. Devolved into metallic hard-rock soon after fourth singer Henry Rollins joined. Split 1986. Rollins now huge cult figure, with film appearances, LPs of both music and spoken word, and books. Ginn makes solo LPs after long stint in band Gone. Reunion? Together, but separate: Ginn’s attempt in 2003 had up to three actual former band members onstage, but lacked passion and integrity; Rollins’s WM3 benefit tour had the bark, the bite, and the setlist, but wasn’t a proper Flag reunion.
Minor Threat
Seminal LP: COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY (Dischord, 1990).
After Bad Brains, these D.C. teen-thrashers lit up lightning tempos with dynamic success, a rush of adrenaline and Ian MacKaye’s yowling. A model for disaffected, pent-up high schoolers. Split: 1983, reunited only once, without instruments, at drummer’s wedding in 1993. MacKaye now leads Fugazi, the U.S.’s biggest indie band. Bassist Brian Baker now in Bad Religion, after long stint in Dag Nasty. Drummer Jeff Nelson still runs Dischord Records with MacKaye, 16 years later.
The Effigies
Seminal LP: FOREVER GROUNDED (Touch & Go, 1984)
Modeled after tough sounds of Ruts, Killing Joke, and Stranglers, ‘80-’83 blue-collar Chicago (Naked Raygun, Strike Under, etc.) produced hardened, rugged, no-bullshit group, led by growling, erudite John Kezdy. Split: 1986, reformed 1988-1991; original-lineup Chicago gigs in 1992, 1995, and 1996 with release of retrospective REMAINS NONVIEWABLE on Touch & Go. (Kezdy is now a prosecutor.)
Hüsker Dü
Seminal LP: ZEN ARCADE (SST, 1984).
Songwriting duo Bob Mould and Grant Hart made Minneapolis trio into brutal, ashen force with pop hooks. Later efforts tempered assault with even better (if less punk) results (see CANDY APPLE GREY). Split 1987, no reunions necessary despite demand; Mould led sensational Sugar, now solo, as is Hart post-Nova Mob.
Bad Religion
Seminal LP: AGAINST THE GRAIN (Epitaph, 1991).
Remnant of L.A. second wave ‘80-’83, caught fire upon regrouping formally in 1988, with nine fervid albums marked by Greg Graffin’s soaring, imploring, anguished voice, piledriving harmonies, and learned lyrics. Briefly on Atlantic, almost had a gold LP with 1994 STRANGER THAN FICTION, made Billboard charts. Now back on Epitaph, released 13th LP, smart and power-driven EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST, on June 8.
The Next 25
Adverts, Agent Orange, The Avengers, Circle Jerks, Controllers, Dickies, Dils, Generation X, Germs, The Lurkers, Minutemen, Misfits, Mission of Burma, Naked Raygun, Rezillos, Skids, (early) Social Distortion, Squirrel Bait, (early) Stranglers, (Vancouver) Subhumans, (early) T.S.O.L., (early) U.K. Subs, Vandals, X, X-Ray Spex.
LISTS ARE FUN!
They’re easy to read, good for inciting riots, and tend to give their writers a warm feeling inside. That said, here are the 25 best punk rock artists ever, in more or less chronological order. This list is unimpeachable, bulletproof; don’t argue!
MC5
Seminal LP: KICK OUT THE JAMS (Elektra, 1969).
First band to reach the sonic blast volume and might that punk would later traffic in (repeatedly). Political stance and social distaste in later records also opened eyes of later 70s punks. Guitarist Wayne Kramer now a credible, prolific solo artist and continuing social critic on Epitaph Records. Reunion stance: Once thought impossible; two members dead. Nevertheless Kramer, Michael Davis, Dennis Thompson skirt sentimentality to deliver rock bliss on 2004 tour.
Iggy and the Stooges
Seminal LP: RAW POWER (Columbia/Legacy, 1973).
True blueprint for punk explosion, especially after James Williamson joined; his guitar firestorm and edge on “Search and Destroy” and “Raw Power” still startles, plus Iggy Pop’s wild abandon is cathartic. Split: 1974. Pop began a respected solo career, made a pile when David Bowie recorded songs they co-wrote. Reunions repeatedly threatened, undertaken recently. Several retrospective, live LPs, and even rehearsal tapes have been released.
The New York Dolls
Seminal LP: NEW YORK DOLLS (Polygram, 1973).
Remembered for thrashy style, swagger, and attitude as much as Johnny Thunders and Syl Sylvain’s incendiary guitar style and Jerry Nolan’s rock-steady drumming. Split: 1975. Singer David Johansen had success as a solo artist, and as alter-ego Buster Poindexter, while Thunders and Nolan put together the terrific Heartbreakers, but could never keep it together. Sylvain and Johansen occasionally joined Heartbreakers unannounced on New York’s Max’s stage in late 70s to do Dolls songs for the lucky 200 in attendance. Three members dead: Thunders, Nolan, and original drummer Billy Murcia. Still, Sylvain, Johansen, “Killer” Kane reform for a 2004 one-off at a Morrissey-curated festival. Like it, plan tour.
The Saints
Seminal LP: ETERNALLY YOURS (Triple X/Amsterdamned, 1977).
Australia’s Pistols/Ramones, formed in 1973 and ignited scene there with Radio Birdman, combining hot riffs with terrific singing by Chris Bailey. Superb Stax horns experiment on “Know Your Product.” Split: 1978. Bailey carried on well, 1979-1990 with totally new members; then solo (see 54 DAYS AT SEA).
Heartbreakers
Seminal LP: L.A.M.F. (Track U.K., 1977, reissued Jungle U.K. 1994).
Led by Ex-New York Dolls (see above) Thunders and Nolan (and briefly punk legend Richard Hell, fresh from Television), this quartet lacked the glammy swank of their former band, but brilliantly anticipated the building punk explosion by adding more straightforward Chuck Berry-like attack. Incredible club document LIVE AT MAX'S (Max’s 1978, reissued ROIR 1995) might even be better than L.A.M.F. Split: 1978, but did about 100 reunion shows in NY, whenever they were broke, right up ‘til 1989 and Thunders and Nolan’s untimely (but expected) deaths. Guitarist Walter Lure (day job: stockbroker) occasionally plays all their songs live in NY with his Waldos.
The Ramones
Seminal LP: RAMONES (Warner Bros, 1976).
Blistering Johnny Ramone guitar and three-chord songs left other (inspired) New York art rockers and new wavers behind and defined U.S. ‘76 “punk.” First, self-titled, album is classic, but 1978’s intense ROAD TO RUIN did it best. Split: 1996. Two founding members dead, another reported to be very ill.
The Sex Pistols
Seminal LP: NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE'S THE SEX PISTOLS (Warner Bros, 1977)
Johnny Rotten’s subversive rage (and a powerful band) made the Pistols an unbelievably important group, a Presley/Beatles/Stones-like cultural phenomenon with millions sold. Split: 1978. Lydon was solo with Public Image Ltd. - split. Pistols reunion tour in 1996 was ridiculous.
The Clash
Seminal LP: THE CLASH (CBS/Sony import version, 1977).
Rawer and as fierce and fiery as Pistols, but more political. Matured into awesome power (see GIVE 'EM ENOUGH ROPE), before leaving genre for greener, still passionate pastures. Joe Strummer consummate frontman. The Pistols lit the match, but the Clash carried the torch. Split: 1985. Guitarist Mick Jones to Big Audio Dynamite. Strummer went solo, recorded and toured with Mescaleros. Frequent reunion rumors until death of Strummer in 2002.
Buzzcocks
Seminal LP: SINGLES GOING STEADY (IRS, 1979).
Innovation: married sensational wall-of-guitar crunch to pop and lovers’ angst. U.K. top 40 hits revered by non-punks. Split: 1981. Reformed old lineup in 1989; Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle remain now in lineup that has released several mediocre LPs, including TRADE TEST TRANSMISSIONS and ALL SET.
The Damned
Seminal LP: DAMNED DAMNED DAMNED (Frontier, 1977).
London clowns made manic, cool, cheaply-made records built on Captain Sensible’s personality, Rat Scabies’ Keith Moon trip and Brian James’ James Williamson-ish attack. Split: 1978. Reformed 1979-1987, reunion tours since, including original lineup gigs in 1989 and 1991, though later lineups without Sensible or James have been abysmal. Sensible has released six very good solo pop LPs.
The Jam
Seminal LP: ALL MOD CONS (Polydor, 1978).
Godfathers of Brit mod revival, distrusted for ‘60s worship, yet sheer vitality, grit, and Paul Weller’s working-class anger/guitar pummeling won out. Split: 1982. Weller now solo artist after years in Style Council. Reunion unlikely: other two members bassist Bruce Foxton (now in Stiff Little Fingers) and drummer Rick Buckler sued Weller claiming unpaid royalties, and criticized him heavily in their book The Jam: Our Story.
Wire
Seminal LP: PINK FLAG (Restless, 1977).
Intellect, short and clipped songs, economy and jagged edges; along with Alternative TV and Adverts, thinking man’s London punk. The Velvets of their era. Split: 1980 after brilliant third LP, 154. Reformed original lineup in 1986, added four more LPs, last one as Wir, then quit again in 1995.
The Weirdos
Seminal LP: WEIRD WORLD, VOL 1 (Frontier, 1991).
Along with Dils and Screamers (later X and Germs), top dogs of burgeoning ‘77 L.A., documented by Slash Magazine. Couldn’t get signed, but singles like “Neutron Bomb” burned. Split: 1981. Reformed 1990, issued passable LP CONDOR, then disbanded again.
Stiff Little Fingers
Seminal LP: INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL (Restless, 1979).
From Belfast, Ireland (with Outcasts, Rudi, Moondogs, etc.). Spurred U.K. second wave with juggernaut onslaught and Jake Burns’s harsh singing, before going hard pop on 1982’s NOW THEN.... Split: 1983, reformed 1987, one disappointing and two so-so LPs since; Jam’s Bruce Foxton now on bass.
The Ruts
Seminal LP: GRIN AND BEAR IT (Caroline, 1995).
Greatest punk musicians ever, mixing reggae, jazz, and thrash behind Malcolm Owen’s big-mouthed charisma, culminating in epic “West One.” Owen OD’ed in 1980 after debut THE CRACK. Remaining trio split in 1983 after two ignored LPs (one was all-dub) as Ruts D.C. Frequent wishes for reunion gigs wisely ignored by members, since it’s not the Ruts D.C. that is demanded (and Owen is still dead).
The Undertones
Seminal LP: THE UNDERTONES (Rykodisc, [1994]1979).
Zippy, heavy Derry, Ireland lads. “Teenage Kicks” is DJ John Peel’s all-time favorite. Split 1983. O’Neill brothers later formed That Petrol Emotion (don’t miss MANIC POP THRILL), while singer Feargal Sharkey released several awful solo LPs. Reunited in 1989 to play Peel’s 50th birthday, but canceled after rehearsal due to the death of O’Neills’ father. The band replaced tour-phobic Sharkey with Paul McLoone for some hometown shows in 1999, then released GET WHAT YOU NEED on Sanctuary last year.
D.O.A.
Seminal LP: HARDCORE '81 (Restless, 89)
Linebacker-sized grunts out of late 70’s Vancouver (Subhumans, Young Canadians, Dishrags, Modernettes etc.), with yelping Joey Shithead, and hot drummer Chuck Biscuits (later with Black Flag and Danzig). Sweaty, visceral live act. Split: 1989; reformed 1991. A few commendable LPs since.
The Wipers
Seminal LP: IS THIS REAL (Sub Pop, 1993)
Led by guitarist Greg Sage, Portland’s Wipers matched rocking pulse with a Hendrix moodiness that has deepened through nine LPs. Credited by Nirvana, who released two Wipers covers , as the real forefathers of Northwest grunge. Split 1989, reformed 1993; SILVER SAIL, THE HERD, and POWER IN ONE, released since the reformation, are phenomenal.
Dead Kennedys
Seminal LP: FRESH FRUIT FOR ROTTING VEGETABLES (Alternative Tentacles, 1980).
With East Bay Ray’s spy-movie guitar and nifty songs, Jello Biafra spun political intrigues, hilarious, black-humor social spoofs, and rebellious satire. Biggest U.S. punk band ever; four albums, singles and tours opened hardcore floodgates. Split: 1986. Biafra has released string of spoken word LPs and musical side projects (including Lard, with Ministry’s Alan Jourgensen). Reunion? Forget it: Band members have been trying to sue each other for years.
Bad Brains
Seminal LP: BAD BRAINS (ROIR, 1981)
Second-greatest punk musicians, with furious, frenzied leader H.R. Founders of the D.C. scene, these four (later) rastas unleashed blitzkrieg attack, mixing Motorhead with Sex Pistols and Dickies. Some credible, accomplished reggae, too. Lineup changes galore since first split in 1983, and several times since. Reunited original lineup again in 1994/1995 for GOD OF LOVE on Madonna’s Maverick label. Poor sales led to another split. Band reunited again in 1999 to tour as the Soul Brains.
Black Flag
Seminal LP: DAMAGED (SST, 1983)
Mixed Ramones basics with Greg Ginn’s thicker, distorted, choleric guitar hiss, and L.A. social hostility. Second biggest U.S. touring punk band behind DKs. Devolved into metallic hard-rock soon after fourth singer Henry Rollins joined. Split 1986. Rollins now huge cult figure, with film appearances, LPs of both music and spoken word, and books. Ginn makes solo LPs after long stint in band Gone. Reunion? Together, but separate: Ginn’s attempt in 2003 had up to three actual former band members onstage, but lacked passion and integrity; Rollins’s WM3 benefit tour had the bark, the bite, and the setlist, but wasn’t a proper Flag reunion.
Minor Threat
Seminal LP: COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY (Dischord, 1990).
After Bad Brains, these D.C. teen-thrashers lit up lightning tempos with dynamic success, a rush of adrenaline and Ian MacKaye’s yowling. A model for disaffected, pent-up high schoolers. Split: 1983, reunited only once, without instruments, at drummer’s wedding in 1993. MacKaye now leads Fugazi, the U.S.’s biggest indie band. Bassist Brian Baker now in Bad Religion, after long stint in Dag Nasty. Drummer Jeff Nelson still runs Dischord Records with MacKaye, 16 years later.
The Effigies
Seminal LP: FOREVER GROUNDED (Touch & Go, 1984)
Modeled after tough sounds of Ruts, Killing Joke, and Stranglers, ‘80-’83 blue-collar Chicago (Naked Raygun, Strike Under, etc.) produced hardened, rugged, no-bullshit group, led by growling, erudite John Kezdy. Split: 1986, reformed 1988-1991; original-lineup Chicago gigs in 1992, 1995, and 1996 with release of retrospective REMAINS NONVIEWABLE on Touch & Go. (Kezdy is now a prosecutor.)
Hüsker Dü
Seminal LP: ZEN ARCADE (SST, 1984).
Songwriting duo Bob Mould and Grant Hart made Minneapolis trio into brutal, ashen force with pop hooks. Later efforts tempered assault with even better (if less punk) results (see CANDY APPLE GREY). Split 1987, no reunions necessary despite demand; Mould led sensational Sugar, now solo, as is Hart post-Nova Mob.
Bad Religion
Seminal LP: AGAINST THE GRAIN (Epitaph, 1991).
Remnant of L.A. second wave ‘80-’83, caught fire upon regrouping formally in 1988, with nine fervid albums marked by Greg Graffin’s soaring, imploring, anguished voice, piledriving harmonies, and learned lyrics. Briefly on Atlantic, almost had a gold LP with 1994 STRANGER THAN FICTION, made Billboard charts. Now back on Epitaph, released 13th LP, smart and power-driven EMPIRE STRIKES FIRST, on June 8.
The Next 25
Adverts, Agent Orange, The Avengers, Circle Jerks, Controllers, Dickies, Dils, Generation X, Germs, The Lurkers, Minutemen, Misfits, Mission of Burma, Naked Raygun, Rezillos, Skids, (early) Social Distortion, Squirrel Bait, (early) Stranglers, (Vancouver) Subhumans, (early) T.S.O.L., (early) U.K. Subs, Vandals, X, X-Ray Spex.
0100 Hrs. Brooklyn.
Do all your friends have stupid nicknames?
No. They have mostly regular names, like Mike, and John, and Mike. And there's one Cornelius, but we hardly hang out anymore. But when I mention them on my weblog, I'd rather not use their real or full names. Who knows what kind of privacy trip they're on?
Is it weird that you work with your wife?
It's no weirder than sleeping with her. Wait, that doesn't sound right. What I mean is, who else would I want to work with? Someone who's NOT my best friend? Someone who doesn't get it? Someone I can't trust?
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but, uh…MTV has writers?
Oh, you're sweet. Ha ha. And surprisingly naïve for a friend/acquaintance of mine. Yes, MTV has writers. That's how the people on the screen know what to say. And, now, I can tell by the look on your face that you're thinking: You mean they couldn't come up with "That’s awesome!" on their own?
I'd rather not say. You'll have to check their F.A.Q.
So, wait…you moved again? You’re not in the big place anymore?
Oh, no no. We moved out of the big place in Cobble Hill. Our socialist landlord realized he was an oxymoron. Actually, his accountant told him he wasn’t charging us enough. So, while he continued to publish his socialist journal New Politics, he informed us he’d be raising our rent by about $400. On December 1, 2002, we moved into a very small apartment on the same block of Dean Street in Boerum Hill in which Fortress of Solitude is set. But that place sucked. And so did the worms in the basement. And the at-gunpoint muggings. Plus, the landlord was selling the house. So we moved after just 10 1⁄2 months. Now, we’re in Brooklyn Heights. This is not the "big, old place" nor the "small, Dean Street place." It's medium-sized. And it's my favorite place of all.
What kind of music do you like?
Good music. That's it. I don't mess with genres or any of that shit. If it's good give it to me. Give me lots of it.
Why don't you have kids?
Why don't you have tact?
Why do you need an F.A.Q.?
Good question. Maybe because I think it will be clever, when people ask me one of these questions, to say, "Geez, check out the FAQ!" You know, like RTFM!
Why do you hate U2?
Hey, Jesus the Christ didn't sing shitty pop songs, so why should some bloated singer of shitty pop songs elbow in on the Christ racket? Who does he think he is, anyhow? (Oh, wait; Christ. That’s right.) And Edge? The Edge? Whatever he’s called.... Please! See also: "Fripp guitar solos, endlessly recycled." And those other two guys are the weakest rhythm section ever allowed in a studio. Their music is an insult to sound itself. If it didn't rain at Red Rocks, U2 would have spent the next 15 years opening for the Alarm. Instead, a bunch of pathetic college students share the experience of watching a candy-assed clown prance around the rock formations -- with his Levi’s taped to his waist, NOT singing a rebel song under the blood red sky –- and feel like they’ve been transformed. You want transformation?! You want experience?! Go get the four albums that X had released by that point (1983). You’ll be transformed. You’ll have experienced the incredible sound of the Doe/Cervenka chorus and you’ll know what a rhythm section is. After you’ve listened to every song, slip the albums into your collection and watch them melt your U2 disks.
I have a “Kill Bono” t-shirt that I bought from SST, but I don’t wear it outside because I didn’t know there was also an image of a gun on the shirt. It just seemed a bit too much, you know?
But you’re joking when you say you hate the Beatles, right?
No joke. But what I MEAN to say is I dislike them. And don’t insult me by saying they were "inventive." They were second-rate Tin Pan Alley, with British accents and a backing track lifted from the Crickets. Rubber Soul? Dylan and the Byrds did that first. Sgt. Pepper? Nice, but it's a poor man’s Pet Sounds.
Is that a barcode tattooed on the back of your neck?
Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!...No.
What can I get you?
Admittedly, I'm asked this question less frequently than I'd like to be, so it's really nice of you to ask. A pound of good coffee makes a great gift, as does anything from my 13-page Amazon wishlist.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do all your friends have stupid nicknames?
No. They have mostly regular names, like Mike, and John, and Mike. And there's one Cornelius, but we hardly hang out anymore. But when I mention them on my weblog, I'd rather not use their real or full names. Who knows what kind of privacy trip they're on?
Is it weird that you work with your wife?
It's no weirder than sleeping with her. Wait, that doesn't sound right. What I mean is, who else would I want to work with? Someone who's NOT my best friend? Someone who doesn't get it? Someone I can't trust?
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but, uh…MTV has writers?
Oh, you're sweet. Ha ha. And surprisingly naïve for a friend/acquaintance of mine. Yes, MTV has writers. That's how the people on the screen know what to say. And, now, I can tell by the look on your face that you're thinking: You mean they couldn't come up with "That’s awesome!" on their own?
I'd rather not say. You'll have to check their F.A.Q.
So, wait…you moved again? You’re not in the big place anymore?
Oh, no no. We moved out of the big place in Cobble Hill. Our socialist landlord realized he was an oxymoron. Actually, his accountant told him he wasn’t charging us enough. So, while he continued to publish his socialist journal New Politics, he informed us he’d be raising our rent by about $400. On December 1, 2002, we moved into a very small apartment on the same block of Dean Street in Boerum Hill in which Fortress of Solitude is set. But that place sucked. And so did the worms in the basement. And the at-gunpoint muggings. Plus, the landlord was selling the house. So we moved after just 10 1⁄2 months. Now, we’re in Brooklyn Heights. This is not the "big, old place" nor the "small, Dean Street place." It's medium-sized. And it's my favorite place of all.
What kind of music do you like?
Good music. That's it. I don't mess with genres or any of that shit. If it's good give it to me. Give me lots of it.
Why don't you have kids?
Why don't you have tact?
Why do you need an F.A.Q.?
Good question. Maybe because I think it will be clever, when people ask me one of these questions, to say, "Geez, check out the FAQ!" You know, like RTFM!
Why do you hate U2?
Hey, Jesus the Christ didn't sing shitty pop songs, so why should some bloated singer of shitty pop songs elbow in on the Christ racket? Who does he think he is, anyhow? (Oh, wait; Christ. That’s right.) And Edge? The Edge? Whatever he’s called.... Please! See also: "Fripp guitar solos, endlessly recycled." And those other two guys are the weakest rhythm section ever allowed in a studio. Their music is an insult to sound itself. If it didn't rain at Red Rocks, U2 would have spent the next 15 years opening for the Alarm. Instead, a bunch of pathetic college students share the experience of watching a candy-assed clown prance around the rock formations -- with his Levi’s taped to his waist, NOT singing a rebel song under the blood red sky –- and feel like they’ve been transformed. You want transformation?! You want experience?! Go get the four albums that X had released by that point (1983). You’ll be transformed. You’ll have experienced the incredible sound of the Doe/Cervenka chorus and you’ll know what a rhythm section is. After you’ve listened to every song, slip the albums into your collection and watch them melt your U2 disks.
I have a “Kill Bono” t-shirt that I bought from SST, but I don’t wear it outside because I didn’t know there was also an image of a gun on the shirt. It just seemed a bit too much, you know?
But you’re joking when you say you hate the Beatles, right?
No joke. But what I MEAN to say is I dislike them. And don’t insult me by saying they were "inventive." They were second-rate Tin Pan Alley, with British accents and a backing track lifted from the Crickets. Rubber Soul? Dylan and the Byrds did that first. Sgt. Pepper? Nice, but it's a poor man’s Pet Sounds.
Is that a barcode tattooed on the back of your neck?
Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!...No.
What can I get you?
Admittedly, I'm asked this question less frequently than I'd like to be, so it's really nice of you to ask. A pound of good coffee makes a great gift, as does anything from my 13-page Amazon wishlist.
Monday, July 12, 2004
1049 Hrs. Times Square.
Voyeuristic thrill. After you've Googled yourself and assorted jackasses from back in college, go to FundRace. Type in the names of your neighbor, your grocer, your favorite TV star, and find out how much he or she has donated to a political candidate. Yes, it feels wrong, but it's legal.
If you're wondering, there is one George Bush who's contributed to the DNC.
Voyeuristic thrill. After you've Googled yourself and assorted jackasses from back in college, go to FundRace. Type in the names of your neighbor, your grocer, your favorite TV star, and find out how much he or she has donated to a political candidate. Yes, it feels wrong, but it's legal.
If you're wondering, there is one George Bush who's contributed to the DNC.
Friday, July 09, 2004
1530 Hrs. Times Square.
So, just, like...never mind, yo. By now, you've heard about California Education Secretary (and former L.A. Mayor) Richard Riordan telling a six-year-old girl that her name, Isis, means "stupid dirty girl."
When a local Assemblyman and the California chapter of the NAACP heard the story, they IMMEDIATELY scheduled a protest and asked that Riordan be removed from office. "Would he have said that if the child was white?" asked the Assemblyman.
Well, Isis is white.
And the protest has been canceled.
See it for yourself, here.
So, just, like...never mind, yo. By now, you've heard about California Education Secretary (and former L.A. Mayor) Richard Riordan telling a six-year-old girl that her name, Isis, means "stupid dirty girl."
When a local Assemblyman and the California chapter of the NAACP heard the story, they IMMEDIATELY scheduled a protest and asked that Riordan be removed from office. "Would he have said that if the child was white?" asked the Assemblyman.
Well, Isis is white.
And the protest has been canceled.
See it for yourself, here.
1024 Hrs. Times Square.
Iggy and the Stooges, live from a festival ("skelleftea festivalen") in Sweden. "Real Good Time" and "No Fun." Thanks to Jack L. for the link.
Iggy and the Stooges, live from a festival ("skelleftea festivalen") in Sweden. "Real Good Time" and "No Fun." Thanks to Jack L. for the link.
