"First-ever look at the intertwining, outrageous lives of three rock legends. When Lou Reed and Iggy Pop first met David Bowie in the fall of 1971, Bowie was just another English musician passing through New York City. Lou was still recovering from the collapse of the Velvet Underground, and Iggy had already been branded a loser... Yet within two years they completely changed the face of popular music with a decadent glamour and street-level vibe. With Bowie producing, Reed's Transformer album was a worldwide hit, spinning off the sleazy street anthem "Walk on the Wild Side." Iggy's Raw Power, mixed by Bowie, provided the mean-spirited, high-octane blueprint for Punk. Bowie boosted elements from both Iggy and Reed to create his gender-bending rock idol Ziggy Stardust. Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell is the story of this friendship and the incredible productivity and debauchery that emerged from it. Presented here for the very first time are their stories interwoven in a triple helix of sexuality, glam rock, and drugs - as seen through the eyes of the people who made it happen."
One of our buddies in blog, NYC Dreamin, over at This Ain't the Summer of Love, just posted a fascinating interview with one of the directors of the fabulous, and must-be-seen rockumentary, Punking Out. As I've mentioned here before, if you haven't seen this film yet, get to it! Read the interview, and then buy the DVD directly from Ric. It's worth it, believe me.
Thanks to John over at the Anti Records blog for bringing this to my attention. Today's NY Times has an excellent piece on what became of Jim Carroll over the last several years, and what life was like for him. I thank them for it because, too often, someone like Carroll dies...Someone who had long ago had a period of fame & visibility, and I'm left wondering where they had been, and what had they been up to recently, how did they subsist? I love to find out what happened after the party. What happens after the music is over, so to speak? I mean, it's hard to imagine someone like Jim Carroll working a day job. It's a really interesting story, and really shines a light on someone getting by after what must have been a pretty wild ride.
Here's another very cool event taking place next weekend in Long Island City - an opening for a photography exhibit by Leee Black Childers called "Gotta Cigarette?"
This simple request opened a new world for Leee Black Childers. In 1968, standing alone in the summer night on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, a shy, newly arrived boy from Kentucky, Leee was approached by an impressive figure. Towering over him, wearing a giant blonde wig, extremely thick black false eyelashes, and 6 inch platform boots was the woman of his young nightmares. His first New York Drag Queen..."Gotta cigarette?"
Leee didn't smoke and he didn't have a cigarette, but he soon learned that that was not the answer to the question. There are boys in Rome, Paris, and Hong Kong who know very little English beyond "Gotta cigarette?" In darkened streets and alleys all over the world, this is the accepted introduction of one outcast to another. In this night world of prostitutes, drag queens, pickpockets, con artists, and rent boys, Leee found his inspiration.
Starting as his high school yearbook photographer, he carried this experience into a career in photography, specializing in rock and roll. From Andy Warhol's Factory to David Bowie's Ziggy to London's Punk Anarchy, Leee was there. During his travels with various bands, he continued to photograph drag queens and rent boys he met along the way. He has put many of these photographs together now into a show featuring some of his most memorable discoveries.
Sadly, the natural habitat of these night people is now being erased. Times Square in New York, London's Soho, and other traditional "seedy" neighborhoods are being turned into family friendly tourist spots threatening the survival of their previous citizens. But, ever resilient, Leee found that his favorite people have adapted to the future and carried their activities successfully into the future and into the internet.
In this exhibition, Leee is showing a selection of drag queens and rent boys who have played a memorable part in his life alongside a number of recent photographs of the new boys of the internet -- boys who are just as beautiful and charming as the boys of the grand old days of 53rd and 3rd, but now available, from all over the world, in the comfort of your own home screens.
Opening Reception: Sat., Sept. 26, 6-9PM Subdivision Art Tel: 718-482-1899 48-18 Vernon Blvd - take the #7 Train to Vernon Blvd (one stop from Grand Central) Long Island City, NY 11101
I finally received some solid info on some great film showings tomorrow night in New York. The first listing especially is worth the effort to see. Three films (Blank Generation, Soul City, and Punking Out) will be shown as part of the ongoing Howl Festival. And Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade & BYO Records will be shown tomorrow afternoon at Anthology Film Archives. And the timing works out so you can go see the Youth Brigade movie, grab some dinner, and then go see the other three. Nice! All info with trailers is below. HOWL ! ARTS PROJECT 2009: FILM SERIES presents Punk Rock, Forever !
Intro by Amos Poe and IVAN KRAL!
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 PM All screenings are at the Millennium Film Workshop, 66 East 4th Street , NY NY 10003. Programs are subject to change. Advance Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/79930 Admission: $10 to benefit the HOWL! HELP FUND
Cash Only Tickets available at the door starting at 9PM THE BLANK GENERATION, 1976, directed by Amos Poe and Ivan Kral. Cast: Patti Smith Group, Television, Ramones, The Heartbreakers, Talking Heads, Blondie, Harry Toledo, Marbles, Tuff Darts, Wayne County , Miamis , New York Dolls, The Shirts. B/W, sound. 55 min. 16mm print courtesy of Amos Poe.
“In 1976 Ivan Kral joined the Patti Smith Group and became friendly with underground filmmaker Amos Poe. Poe and Kral were both interested in the punk rock scenes that was just beginning to emerge in New York City at venues like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City , and they began bringing cameras to shows, shooting silent footage of bands who were beginning to develop potent reputations in the rock underground. Poe and Kral married their silent footage with live tapes or demo recordings of the bands (most of whom had yet to release a record) to create a deliberately rough audio-visual record of the burgeoning punk scene.” (Wikipedia)
SOUL CITY, 1979, directed by M. Henry Jones. Cast: The Fleshtones. Color, sound.202 min. 16mm print courtesy of the New York Film-Makers’ Cooperative.
“In Henry Jones' words, this film is intended to, ‘Visually counterpoint the music of a subculture.’ Punk rock group FLESHTONES perform the song "Soul City," as tiny black & white cut-out figures, (with hand-tinted flesh tones), against a flickering background of brilliant color. In SOUL CITY , Jones 'recycled' the same basic movements of his subjects by reconstructing totally new motions from the same severely limited amount of footage. This was done through alteration of perspective, and reversal of selected movements at varying intervals. The number of movements a subject can make, artificially created from a few basics, becomes almost limitless.” (Bikini Girl Magazine)
PUNKING OUT, 1979, directed by Maggie Carson, Juliusz Kossakowski, and Fredric A. Shore. Cast: Stiv Bators, Cheetah Chrome, Richard Hell, Hilly Kristal, Lydia Lunch, Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Helen Wheels. B/W, sound, 25 min. 16mm print courtesy of the Reserve Film and Video Collection of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, with the permission of Ric Shore, Managing Producer. Punking Out has been preserved with funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
“Documents the beginning of the punk rock movement in New York City at CBGB’s, a punk night club, and the lifestyle that revolves around this scene. Presents a sometimes shocking look at the at titudes and motivations behind the movement through interviews with outspoken club-goers and band members of the Ramones, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and the Dead Boys.” (New York Public Library Catalogue)
ONE AND ONLY EXCLUSIVE SCREENING IN NYC! TOMORROW 9/19 @ 4PM @ ANTHOLOGY FILM ARCHIVES
This documentary directed by Jeff Alulis looks at the last 25 years of Youth Brigade and BYO Records, with exclusive interviews (Ian MacKaye, Fat Mike, Bouncing Souls, 7 Seconds, and much more) and rare concert footage of the LA punk scene dating back to the 80s. The bands, the music, the scene, the riots, the harassment from the police - it's all here in this documentary!
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This past weekend, I had the good fortune to see the Feelies in Woodstock at the Bearsville Theater. They played Friday at All Tomorrow's Parties in Monticello, and stopped in Woodstock for Saturday. Their first two albums were recently reissued on Bar None Records (vinyl versions still to come), but the way the band performed, you'd think they were touring brand new material. Guitarist/Vocalist Glenn Mercer especially...my man was on fire!
They played a 35-40 minute "acoustic" set which really meant rhythm guitarist Bill Million was playing a 12-string acoustic, and then after a break came back and played another hour or more of full on electric. The vocal crowd brought them back for a reported six encores! I stayed for three myself, and was told about the other three the following day.
As of this moment, no further shows seem to be confirmed, but if any are announced don't miss them!
Last night's party at Bowery Electric was a huge success judging by the turnout. The joint was jumping. There was lots of hanging out & drinking going to a soundtrack of Destiny Street Repaired, followed by a good dose of James Brown, Johnny Burnette, and more. Richard said a few words and proceeded to sign copies of the new/old album. I'm grateful to him for signing my copy of "Artifact."
Here's some further news of Hell related goings on this weekend. On Sunday, at the New Museum as part of the Howl Festival, Richard will be doing a "full scale" reading, including some with accompaniment by Ivan Julian. They may even do a song. This reading is to honor the newly elaborated edition of his 1973 novelina, "The Voidoid" (published this past June), and the Destiny Street Repaired release. Here's the facts:
Where: New Museum, 235 Bowery (at Prince), 212-219-1222 When: Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:30PM How much: $6.00 for admission to the reading only. Attend the event & receive a half priced ticket ($6.00) to see the rest of the museum.
This just in from the Eyeball Kid...Anti Records will finally be releasing the vinyl version of Tom Waits' Orphans set, originally released towards the end of '06 on disc & digitally. This will be a seven disc set, and will include 6 bonus vinyl-only tracks. Reportedly, it should be out in December and may retail for as much as $149.98. I better start saving...click the image above to enlarge & read.
Just wanted to mention that I came back from a little vacation time yesterday, and found my copy of the new Velvet Underground singles (1966-69) boxset from Sundazed waiting for me. You're a fool if you don't buy it. Seven beautifully reproduced 7" singles including one with a promotional radio spot from WNEW. Just what the doctor ordered.
And although I'm still waiting on my copy of the Stooges "You Don't Want My Name" (Easy Action) box, I have to give them credit. Although it's running maybe 6 weeks behind schedule, they've answered two emails promptly, and have been very upfront as to whats happening with it. This collection also promises to be a humdinger as it's made up of previously (or legally) unreleased live recordings of the short lived line-up of the band with both James Williamson and Ron Ashton on guitar. Order it here.
The Richard Hell contest is done. Thanks to all who bravely made their best educated (or not) guess as to the songwriter Richard Hell named as his favorite in a 2007 interview. The answer is Bob Dylan. Congrats to Daisy, Curt, and Bonnie. They will be attending the Destiny Street Repaired release party, along with a guest, on Thursday night.
I'm honored to be able to offer this exclusively to Stupefaction's NY-area readers.
The first 3 people to correctly answer the following question will win a pair of tickets for themselves & a guest to a private/invite-only record release listening party for the recently released Destiny Street Repaired. Richard Hell will be present & inscribing copies of the CD. In a 2007 interview, Richard names who as his all time favorite musician? ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9, AT 6:00PM. E-mail your best guesses to Stupefaction by clicking here.
Due to the invitation-only nature of the party, specific location details will only be revealed to the contest winners. Winners will need to be available to attend the party this Thursday, September 10. It starts at 7:00 and will take place somewhere in the East Village.
Wow...I wish more Sunday morning's were like this. Thanks to our buddies over at WFMU's Rock 'n Soul Ichiban for discovering this previously unseen gem...a rare promo film from 1966 of Bo Diddley playing live & recording in the Chess studios, circa 1966. Fantastic!
Everyday I read blogs & online posts about New York changing...for better or worse, yunnies, (so called) hipsters, it was better when...etc, etc, etc...Anyway, I'm sort of sick of thinking about it. There are no real answers for me except for me to know where I'm at personally and trying to be alright with that. That can be difficult enough at times.
Quite by accident, I came across the following quote from a recent Steve Lewis column, and taking it out of context, it seems to sum up a lot of my feelings about many things these days..."That’s the difference between now and then. Now everything seems to be expected, while back then you could walk into your familiar club and it would be transformed into a pimp’s playhouse or undersea garden. We were kept on our toes while seeking someone to get on their knees."
Also, see Steve's article on the five best clubs ever in the history of the world, anywhere...well, New York City anyway. He admittedly forgot a couple...
This is exciting news...One of THE original LA punk bands will be making a couple of very rare appearances here in the NY metro area. September 14th at Maxwell's in Hoboken, and September 15th at Southpaw in Brooklyn. This is the full original line-up of the band.
Originally formed in 1976, they regularly played with the likes of the Weirdos, Germs, and Dils. Bomp Records released their first single, "Wimp" b/w "Don't Push Me Around", in 1977. They've played several shows since reforming in 2007, and are currently on something that resembles an actual tour. Get all of the info on their Myspace page. They'll even be in Italy in January 2010!
Check out this neat video of a 1977 TV appearance by them...Reminds me of the Saints.
, but it popped up on Amazon. Looks interesting. Out in the States on Nov. 1.
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