Acceptance (doesn’t equal) Acquiescence

Here is an excellent article by Douglas Rushkoff from the most recent issue of Arthur magazine. It's a rational discussion on the idea that we (Americans) do not live in a democracy any longer.

This is something of a summation of a lot of stuff I've been thinking about for a while now. It's amazing to me that we even speak about elections being fixed and the current administration breaking the laws, and there isn't any investigations or talk of anything being done about it. It just goes on & on & on. What the fuck? No bands or artists seem to be saying anything...there doesn't seem to be any feeling of "let's do something about this" at all. And yet, almost every single person I talk to hates this president and the current state of things.

American Hardcore review

Out of Step, Out of Time: Black Flag, white guilt, blood-red noses collide in self-congratulatory American Hardcore by Rob Harvilla.

Here's a review of the American Hardcore documentary from the Village Voice. Sight unseen, this makes it sound pretty much as expected.

Wire

Fresh Air from WHYY, September 27, 2006 - Art-Rock Band Wire's First Incarnation:

Listen to this story... by Ed Ward

The British band Wire is something of an oddity -- a highly influential band hardly known in its home country, and one that has broken up twice, only to come back each time as something totally different.

Three albums by this '70s art-rock band have been reissued and are now available: Pink Flag, Chairs Missing and 154.

Visit Wire's website.

Thanks Maritza.

Rough Trade At 30

Here's a great article from Time Out London about the Rough Trade Record shop as it celebrates 30 years of existence:

Rough Trade at 30 - In 1976, a record shop opened on Kensington Park Road that was to become a London legend. Time Out browses three decades of history at Rough Trade.

Read the article here.



(Thanks Gary)

Olberman editorial

Keith Olberman socks it to the man...watch it and pass
it on to your friends.

Watch it here.

Comments

After several suggestions, I've set the comments so anyone can leave one. You do not have to be a Blogger.com member. I'm still moderating them though so play nice.

Go Betweens

Here's a nice story on the Go Betweens, on CNN.com of all places.

Thanks Maritza!

Tequila No More

Danny Flores, who shouted "tequila!" on hit record, dies at 77

Read about here

While the gettin' is good...

I've had enough - I absolutely have to go to shows when I can. A couple of weekends ago I skipped 5 shows. 5 shows I probably could've gotten into for free! To wit:

- Radio Birdman at Irving Plaza
- the Avengers at CBGB, Maxwells, and some joint in Brooklyn (after Maxwells)
- Angry Samoans at CBGB

I can't, in good conscience, let this happen again. I got my Bad Brains ticket today. They're playing at CBGB on Oct. 9 & 10. Ticketweb has sold out.

Oct. 14 - the Bongos reunion show at Joe's Pub.

Dec. 15 - Lou Reed at St. Ann's Warehouse.

While I can walk & while I live in New York City, I have to take advantage of this stuff.

New York's Alright If You Like Saxophones

Does anyone remember this? Fear on Saturday Night Live in 1981.



The basic story is that Fear were on the show as personal guests of John Belushi's - they were buddies. The kids slam dancing around the stage were (I think) mostly a crew of kids from DC - the Dischord kids (Minor Threat et al) and some others.

I remember seeing this as a kid and being pretty blown away, and it's still a cool performance. This sort of mayhem would never happen these days - this type of underground band or the slam dancing for that matter - too many lawsuits waiting to happen, too much insurance to think about, not enough records sold to warrant an appearance.

American Hardcore

There's a documentary being released this week by Sony Classics called American Hardcore. It's about...no, not porn, but American punk which eventually became hardcore.

I'll let you know what I think once I've seen the film but the website is pretty good as far as information goes, i.e. who contributed to the film. The quotes they use as to defining hardcore make me a little leery, but let's reserve judgement until the movie has been seen. The movie grew out of the book (below), written by Steven Blush. I wasn't a huge fan of the book and remember thinking that there were some definite factual errors that were confirmed by a good friend who would know these things. This is another reason I'm somewhat skeptical...but like I said, we'll see.

This is a good portion of the music that I grew up on so it means a lot...

Happy Talk!

I'm pleased to announce the return of one my favorite bands of the 80's, the Three Johns. They consist of 3 guys named John (or Jon) and a drum machine called Hugo. One of the John's, Jon Langford, is probably a little bit better known as one of the Mekons. They originally hail from Leeds...Listen to the tunes on their Myspace page or this great fansite. They're currently playing in the UK. Here's hoping they decide to do something Stateside.

Also, Hoboken's own Bongos, lead by Richard Barone, are doing a reunion show at Joe's Pub here in New York City on October 14. 2 shows - 7:30 and 9:30. Get your tickets now.

Tom Waits - Download From Upcoming Boxset

Download "Bottom of the World" by Tom Waits from his upcoming boxset, Orphans.

God Save Paris Hilton

As much as I like the idea of Paris Hilton (don't look so surprised), I have to admire this bit of Jamie Reid & Winston Smith inspired Situationist vandalism. Good on ya, Banksy!

World Famous Supreme Team Where Are You?

Released in 1983 as part of a Malcolm McLaren project, the World Famous Supreme Team were DJ's from New York's WHBI. Everytime I hear this track, it takes me back to the new musical frontiers and rampant eclectism (is that a word?) that were taking place and happening at the time. This was just around the start of Run DMC...Hip hop was still fairly new at that point and was being absorbed and mixed into the musical culture in a way that would never be possible again. Sorry for the bad pun, but this still sounds as fresh & fun as the first time I heard it.

Reminisce

Here's a nice piece from my friend Maritza about CBGB. Have a read...

Downer at the rock & roll club

Sometimes in life you find out things are going to change. You find out the sometime touchstones and signposts of your life might not be there forever. You process it, or try to, and it sits there for a while. Then the time finally comes and it's even more disappointing than the first time you heard about it. I hate long goodbyes...

Here's a fantastic piece by Lenny Kaye about the closing of CBGB. He knows a thing or two about CBGB.

As well, here's a piece by Richard Bienstock on the closing of the less influential, but important for the last 20 or so years, Continental.

And the beat goes on...

Oh, the irony!

Coming soon...

I'm closing in on finishing an interview with the ultra cool John Lurie of Lounge Lizards fame (amongst other things). When it's finished it will eventually show up in both the Big Takeover and Perfect Sound Forever. Maybe I'll run it here as well.

Bad Brains DVD Preview

Here's a short preview from the upcoming Bad Brains Live @ CBGB DVD:



Rumour has it there may be a couple of reunion shows at CB's before it closes. NOT to be missed.

And here's the band as featured on the PM Magazine TV show in 1980:



Dig the punk-new wave rock & roll!

The Woman's Got Soul

I don't have much to say, but here's Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions...

Lou Reed To Perform Berlin In Brooklyn

I need to start reading my daily music news more carefully: I had no idea...got home tonight and got a brochure from St Ann's Warehouse in the mail. Luckily I opened it to have a look and I'm glad I did.

December 14-17, Lou Reed will be there to perform perhaps my favorite album of his - Berlin. Also one of the most depressing albums I've ever heard in my life!

The band will include Lou, Antony, Rupert Christie, Steve Hunter, Fernando Saunders, Rob Wasserman, Tony Smith & others. Other credits read Musical Direction by Bob Ezrin & Hal Willner. And Directed by Julian Schnabel.

Should be interesting. Go to ticketweb.com for tickets. Hope to see you there...

Cynthia of Bush Tetras Interviewed

Right here in the Montreal Mirror.

Dumbsfeld

The man who sees absolutes, where all other men see nuances and shades of meaning, is either a prophet, or a quack.

Donald H. Rumsfeld is not a prophet.

Thanks to Mick Farren at Doc 40, I read an excellent editorial by Keith Olbermann today on the current state of the current administration...Ain't it the truth. Mick gives me what I need & can stand politically.

Hot damn...a Bad Brains DVD!

Oh yes...if you've never had the chance to actually see the Bad Brains, if this is put together even half well, this will be the only chance you ever get. One of the best, if not the best live band I've ever seen, this showed up in my inbox today from CMJ:

On December 24, 1982, at the peak of their underground fame, Bad Brains began a three-night occupancy of the legendary New York City club CBGB. Each evening the band bashed out a full set of their signature brand of authentic hardcore punk. Now, nearly 25 years later, MVD Visual has sorted through the four hours of footage from these shows and packaged the highlights into Bad Brains - Live at CBGB 1982, the first-ever Bad Brains DVD.

The new disc will be officially released September 19, but is currently available for pre-order through MVD's website. Fans who are especially anxious to set their eyes on Bad Brains at their prime can preview the film, discuss it with other diehard fans and be the first to take it home at one of the upcoming promotional screenings. New Yorkers need only head to Southpaw on September 19 where CMJ is co-sponsoring a screening with Tower Records and the New York Press.

Screenings:

09/19 - Brooklyn, NY - South Paw
09/19 - San Francisco, CA - 12 Galaxies
09/19 - San Diego, CA - Lou's Records
09/19 - Portland, OR - Bagdad Theater & Pub
09/19 - Long Beach, CA - Murphy's Pub at the Belmont
09/21 - Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory
09/21 - Washington, DC - Black Cat


Track List For Bad Brains - Live at CBGB 1982:

01. Big Take Over
02. Attitude
03. I
04. I and I Rasta
05. Supertouch/Shitfit
06. King of Glory w/ Dave Hahn
07. Right Brigade
08. F.V.K.
09. Supertouch
10. Banned in D.C.
11. How Low Can a Punk Get?
12. The Meek Shall Inherit
13. Riot Squad
14. F.V.K.
15. We Will Not
16. Big Take Over
17. Coptic Times
18. I
19. At The Movies
20. Right Brigade
21. Rally Round Jah Throne
22. Redbone in the City
23. Riot Squad
24. Pay to Cum

www.mvdb2b.com