Movie of the Week: Speciman & The Batcave at Danceteria (1983)

This one goes out the goth's, and the goth's at heart. In 1983, hot London club night of the time, The Batcave, hosted a night at Danceteria in NYC. Here is some suitably grainy footage from the night, featuring Jon & Ollie from Speciman, and the band, Sexbeat, along with all four(!) pages of the original invite. Scroll to the bottom for extra gothy Speciman footage.

Rock 'n Roll high school ephemera: What if punks were REALLY animals?

I've had finding this on my mind for years! And last night, while searching for something completely unrelated, there it was! Drawn by a classmate of mine back in probably 1983, we all found it so funny he had to xerox the original for us. Or at least he did for me. I still love it. Especially the fact that Bean McKay (sic) is not an animal at all. Thank you Robert G.

Time & Truth (Tom Waits in Rumble Fish, 1983)

East Village art & nightlife, 1983 & 1985

Above, a map of art galleries in the East Village, October 1983, from the East Village Eye. Below, a listing of bars & nightclubs in the East Village in 1985, same neighborhood.

Images courtesy of Ephemeral New York.

Wild Style 30th Anniversary - Reunion & Screening in NYC on Monday

Make plans now for a Special 30th Anniversary Reunion & Screening of the classic hip-hop film WILD STYLE with Live Performances and Appearances by:

The Chief Rocker Busy Bee, Grand Wizard Theodore, The Cold Crush Brothers, The Fantastic Rodney C, and a reunion of all the stars of WILD STYLE including Fab 5 Freddy, Lee Quinones, Lady Pink, Patty Astor & Charlie Ahearn!

6-8pm Live Show
8pm Screening of WILD STYLE
FREE!

More info here.

At the original Amphitheater at East River Park at the FDR Drive entrance at Cherry Street, F M J Z trains to Delancey Street Essex Street.

Movie of the Week: Phils Ochs - Chords of Fame (1983)

A 1983 doc on the often overlooked political folksinger, Phil Ochs, who died in 1976.

May & June 1983 at the Electric Ballroom

Early Smiths rehearsal tape surfaces courtesy of Mike Joyce

Source

With the recent release of the Johnny Marr album, and all of Morrissey's health issues & touring travails, there's been a lot of Smiths in the news including drummer, Mike Joyce. Joyce has made this May 1983 recording of the band in rehearsal available just recently. It's fascinating to listen to these budding icons find their way preparing for the recording of their debut album...the first attempt at it, anyway, with producer Troy Tate.

01. You've Got Everything Now
02. Accept Yourself
03. What Difference Does It Make
04. Reel Around The Fountain
05. These Things Take Time

06. I Don't Owe You Anything
07. Hand In Glove
08. Handsome Devil

09. Miserable Lie 

Follow Joyce on Twitter here

Friday Ephemera: Black Flag setlist (1983)

Black Flag, Koln, Germany 2.16.83 (source)

Speed Trials at White Columns (1983)

Speed Trials
White Columns
May 4-8, 1983

These concerts resulted in this live compilation released on Homestead Records in 1984.

Movie of the Week: Islington Squatter Punks (1983)

I can smell them from here...Thanks to Teenage for finding this.

Movie of the Week - Corrupt (1983)

Starring John Lydon, and Harvey Keitel, and titled at various times Cop Killer, The Order of Death, or most commonly Corrupt. Hat tip to Dangerous Minds.

What the NY Times said in its review on January 19, 1984: "Mr. Lydon, who has just the right insinuating, runty quality for Leo, makes a strong impression, and in a better film would make an even stronger one. Mr. Faenza has given ''Corrupt'' some momentum and tension, but there's absolutely nothing to hold it together. It's set in New York, but its angst and intensity feel Italian. The whole thing might just as well be taking place on the moon." Read the whole thing here.

Movie of the Week - 23 Skidoo Home Movies

23 Skidoo Home Movies, on tour in Europe, 1982-82, directed by Richard Heslop

  

Movie of the Week Double Feature - Beastie Boys NYC-cable access 1983 and Another State of Mind

Amy Carter: President's daughter, Ramones fan

USA Today 4.11.83, courtesy Mickey Leigh

Amy Carter's note to the Ramones 4.14.83, courtesy Monte Melnick

Movie of the Week - New York Dance Stand at Danceteria (1983)

Here's a treat to start off the new year - a complete episode of the old NYC cable access show Dance Stand from 1983. This episode was shot mostly at Danceteria and features the bodacious Dianne Brill. There's also some cool footage shot in front of, and inside of, Trash & Vaudeville. Happy new year everyone!

But first a word from our sponsor:



And now, our feature:

Rare 1983 video from Konk for a Saturday night

Here's a look at a super rare video from Konk doing their anthem, "Konk Party." A nice one for some late Saturday night dancing...Filmed on location in the LES, 1983. Thanks to Phil Gammage for the tip!

Beat Jazz Movie of the Week - Hell W10 (featuring the Clash)

A cool, if mediocre film made by the Clash, directed by Joe Strummer, circa 1983.

The Smiths at the Hacienda, Feb 4, 1983

Hacienda schedule, early 1983

More than a couple of sites pointed out that yesterday, 28 years ago, the Smiths played their third ever gig (second with the classic line up), opening up for 52nd Street at the Hacienda. The set was eight songs long, and most of these songs would, in short order, become very well known to Smith's fans around the world:


- These Things Take Time
- What Difference Does It Make?
- The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
- Handsome Devil
- Jeane
- What Do You See In Him?
- Hand In Glove - Miserable Lie  

For a band playing only their second or third gig, they sound surprisingly well formed & tight. The arrangements aren't much different than what listeners would hear on singles & the group's debut album in less than one year's time. Below is "You've Got Everything Now". View a video playlist of the entire show here.





For more Smiths' info than you can shake a stick at, visit Passions Just Like Mine.

Friday Ephemera - Danceteria New Year's Eve 83-84