NYC Tonight & Tomorrow: The Pop Group

Friday Ephemera: Postcard Records in Rough Trade Catalog (1981)

Postcard Records centre spread in a 1981 Rough Trade Distribution Catalogue. The idea was to pull it out and pin it up on your wall. The illustration and lettering is by Krysia Klasicki who also did the artwork on Josef K’s ‘The Only Fun in Town’ album.

Source : C86 & All That - The official page for the forthcoming publication of Neil Taylor’s book: of 'C86 & All That: Indie 1983-86'. The page features news, extracts, audio, visuals and extra material.

Text & image source: Sound of Young Scotland

Falling and Laughing

Orange Juice poster in the Rough Trade shop, London. Via here & here.

Rough Trade NYC and other NYC record store news of note

Word is finally officially out about the opening date of the new Rough Trade Records store in Williamsburg, and it'll be Nov. 25. In other NYC record store news, Brooklyn Vegan reports that Captured Tracks' new retail space is now open at 195 Calyer in Greenpoint. Academy Records will close its N. 6th space by the end of the month and be moving to Greenpoint too.

Daisy's Letter From London: May 2013

It's warm, it's cold...Not sure what the weather's doing. I've just put a shepherd's pie in the oven to heat the house. Gary's bouncing about because the Stone Roses MADE OF STONE movie premiere, live from Manchester, is being beamed into the legendary Screen on the Green later. He's had his ticket booked for weeks. He went to that reunion gig in Manchester last year. He bought me a hat:

Arrived into Heathrow last week and went to Chancery Lane where I looked after Bo The Cat. I got a four-paw foot massage every morning (lovely) and walked up Charterhouse Street to the City to meet some friends at Host Cafe on Watling Street (in a church!) - actually the oldest church to St Mary - St Mary Alderymary - opposite Mansion House Tube Station. We had a lovely cup of free-trade coffee (£1) and there were pastries for not very expensive, too. There were sofas (and restrooms). At 8:15am they had meditation (til 8:50) and drop-in yoga. It was a quiet, soothing place to have a catch-up chat, high ceilings and stained glass and gentle whispering barristers before heading over to St Paul's Cathedral. (Continued after the jump.)

Trainspotting with the Smiths

Source

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

The Fall: Perverted by Language Bis (1984)

 

Wings

Totally Wired

Kicker Conspiracy

Hex-Strife ad.

Eat Y'Self Fitter

The Confidnce of Glaspance

Tempo House

Man Whose Head Expanded

Smile

Drago//Hip Priest

The Fall online

Hat tip to Pukekos

Tracey Thorn: Bedsit Disco Queen

A long time fave of mine, Tracey Thorn, of Everything But The Girl & The Marine Girls, will be publishing a memoir entitled Bedsit Disco Queen. The book is available for pre-order here in the States at Amazon now. If you're lucky enough to be in London on February 7, she'll be appearing at Rough Trade East courtesy of our pals, Caught By The River. Wish I could be there fellas...

Sean at Rough Trade West reviews latest LP's including Ting Tings, Springsteen, and the death of punk

Sean at Rough Trade West reviews latest LP's, goes to doctor after going viral

Sean at Rough Trade West reviews latest LP's including Lana Del Rey

Kyle's Cassettes: The Smiths - Louder Than Bombs

 

The Smiths
Louder Than Bombs
1987 Sire

Hands down this is probably the weirdest tape that I own. I came across someone’s entire collection of Smiths tapes a while back and bought them all because, even though I own them all on LP, it was like what the fuck? It’s a no brainer right, I mean it’s like a no duh situation because it’s THE SMITHS, you just got to have it.

Whatever though. I originally intended to use these as visual artifacts more than actual audio documents. However, when my girlfriend and I moved in together there were like two weeks when my records, still packed up, were un-playable. All we had was an old AM/FM stereo with a tape player. And presto: I was all, ”Wait a minute dear, let me just dig out my entire collection of Smiths tapes to get us through these challenging first few of weeks co-habitation.”

In retrospect The Smiths may have saved what has turned out to be the greatest relationship of my life. I should write Morrissey a letter, but I probably won’t because I’m not one of those fans that brings flowers to his shows and then cry all over the place when he starts playing “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.” I’m just not going out like that. But whatever, I’m not even to the point about how weird this tape is.

By the time I got around to putting Louder Than Bombs on I was pretty deep into the zone, as in like I didn’t want to listen to anything non-Smiths related at that point. So you could imagine my surprise when side two clicked on and I was all juiced to hear “Ask,” “Golden Lights,” etc. and Herb Alpert came on. Apparently whoever had owned this tape prior to me had jammed some little bits of paper into the little divots on top of the tape, thereby making it a recordable cassette. With this industriously won freedom they chose to record Herb Alpert’s 1979 jazz/instrumental pop/disco opus Rise. It was, given my circumstantial desolation, an unnerving moment for me, but I let it ride.

Rise is a pretty tight album on its own terms, a little soft here and there, but overall a pretty smooth affair. Biggy actually sampled the title cut for “Hypnotize.” So maybe you’re feeling me now. This is all kind of beside the point though. The point is that of all of the records in the world to put together why would you choose these two? I mean is this some sort of statement or is it just the mad rambling of some musical savant? The shit is post-modern. Whatever the case, this is the sort of thing that gives me hope. Of all the things in this world that there are to know you can never know them all and there is a certain beauty in that notion. This tape is somehow the realization of that very notion made physical. Many things in this world are more rare than you might realize.

Visit Kyle at Trustzine.

Kyle's Cassettes: Robert Wyatt - Nothing Can Stop Us

Robert Wyatt

Nothing Can Stop Us

1986 Gramavision

A lot of kids think that the whole 80’s British art school scene was all about the Cure and hairspray, but if you want to really get down to some brass tacks, no non-sense business then this is probably more where it’s at. 

Check it: moping around your seaside Bristol studio trying to work out some issues regarding feminine identity in your politico-abstract-expressionist paintings while smoking a little Bali Shagg mixed with some low-grade sensi and this is jamming on the box in the back ground. That beret with the trench coat ensemble was working for you. I mean come on, you wish your mom was this cool.

All what have you aside, this is a pretty special little tape. In 1973 Wyatt fell out of a window at a party and was left in a wheelchair. He spent the rest of the seventies laid up on the outskirts of London in a flat that Julie Christie gave him marinating on everything from disco and soul to bebop and Chilean folk songs. When he resurfaced in the 80’s this is what he came through with. These jams are hella frail in a soulful- spooked-out-vibes kind of way. These songs are about struggle and sincerity and the inherent pitfalls there with in. This tape always makes me feel like everything is going to be all right.

Visit Kyle at Trustzine.

Daisy's Letter From London, October 2011

Dear Mr. Boogaloo,

Hello from Sunny London. Or is it raining again? Nope, it's sunny.

Caught By The River, October 12, 6:30pm, at Rough Trade East.
RTE is a bigger version of the Notting Hill West London shop. You walk in to the smell of coffee. There's picnic tables to hang out at and an exciting cavern of records – VINYL - CD's, knowledgeable, helpful, approachable shop assistants, and books ahead. (Ham and cheese bap – four quid).

RTE stayed open late last Thursday because a young Jeff got a panel together to discuss the fine art of making zines. The lights went dark and a film was shown called MC85. It is a documentary in progress about zine-making during the 80's. There weren't any covers of the zines so I wasn't sure what they were referring to, but there were some knowing chortles in the audience. Then Emma Warren and a bunch of good looking geezers from the film took the stage.

The line up: Andrew Weatherall - a man with some great tattoo's - who put out a zine called Boy's Own. Bob Stanley - just arrived from "America" and jet-lagged. (Brits always say it like that. "I've just been to America". They never say exactly where in America.) He put out a zine called Pop Avalanche; and Andy Childs - who was questioned first because he was the oldest. He had been inspired by a broadsheet that came out of the American folk scene called Crawdaddy but was soon recruited by ZIGZAG mag and was just as awed as I was that he was allowed to interview such people as Neil Young and well - look at this list.

Having lived on the frontier in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, while the rave scene evolved in the UK, I wasn't quite sure who the Weatherall and the Stanley chaps were. It’s typical UK self-depreciating fashion that it wasn't mentioned, but from Bob Stanley’s humble zine beginnings I understand he went on to play in St. Etienne and wrote/writes for NME, Mojo, The Times and The Guardian. Andy Weatherall produced Primal Scream’s "Screamadelica". You could say he’s done his job on earth.

During question time, someone in the audience asked Andrew Primal Scream "have you got any original copies of your zine?" and he was like, "No. I was just too high on ecstasy and giving them all away with lots and lots of love in my heart to keep any." He tried to convince us he lived rough in Windsor (near Eton Boys School doe chew no) but he didn't have too. It was gently alluded to that now, in the shop, a Boy's Own Annual-type book was available, and that all of the editions of the Boys Own Zine had been hunted down and printed - in hardback. Impressive.

Geoff Travis, the shop owner for over 30 years, was on stage to confirm that, in 1976, he did indeed buy a roneo machine. What's that? Answer: an early xerox machine, or as the yoof call things all things pre-5 years ago - "Vintage" Xerox machine. Mr. T allowed fanzine makers to use it for free and leave their cut up pasted down roneoed results upon his counter tops for sale. And, yes. Mark P from Sniffin' Glue was enabled. And Geoff Travis started distributing the zines countrywide. He liked them. He liked the anti-establishment saucy naughtyness. You could tell. And he voiced that he liked seeing the kids talking to each other and excited about music. And now encouraged that of the audience around him.

Emma did a fine job of leading the panel discussion. The crowd was young and respectful. When she asked if there was anyone in the audience making zines today - a few hands went up. Male. "Any girls?" Well, yes. I raised my hand. When you raise your hand at this sort of thing, you always make a new friend and I met Fliss. She was great. Enthusiastic, full of information to swap, and it was a joy to hear her talking about her life, rehearsing songs with her friend Yoko, and going out seeing bands. Fliss writes reviews at My Musical Adventures (in the "fanzine community”). Fliss told me she doesn't care for Facebook too much. "I like being in the real world." I had a sense of looking into myself in the past/future only in a great outfit. With great hair. She mentioned the Zine Library at The Stuart Hall Library. You have to make an appointment. Note: They are closed for lunch from 1-2pm. I think that may be library budget cuts. I’ll find out.  

Saturday 10/ 22/11, Portobello Market. 
The sun was shining bright and cool. Parked outside this record shop (picture a)

 

'round the corner from Bob Marley’s old flat above the studios at Basing Street (picture b).

 

I got stuck to the pavement when a street DJ played Ken Boothe's "You sheltered me from harm."

We bought some mushrooms (a pound for a pound), said hello to Nick who cooks street Pie-ella (DELICIOUS), and we stopped in at Rough Trade (West), like you do. This shop is owned/run by Jeannette Lee. A blank white ceiling surprised us. The Totally Helpful Young Sales Lady Behind The Counter said that they had some work done and pointed to a P.I.L poster behind on the wall. "We found that behind a TAD poster."

here's another one:

Manny and Phillis run Rough Trade Vintage in the basement. What a treasure cave! A poster rack, lots of vinyl, and some very interesting books. Meanwhile, a few songs from LOW played on the shop RECORD player (David Bowie). It was unearthly how good that album sounds. I wasn't sure if I was standing on the ground or floating. When you come out of a record shop, don't you feel like you've been in a tardis or something? Like I said, it was sunny - but when you are in Notting Hill, you have a lotta flashbacks.

Have you seen this CLASH film (Stupefaction's movie of the week back in June - Tim]: It was in that black and white, late seventies London that I would have gone to see Viv Albertine (of The Slits) and The Clash at the drafty concrete coal bunker that was the Acklam Hall. Who could have predicted we would be going online to get tickets to see VIV ALBERTINE on the same bill as Vic Goddard and The Subway Sect TONIGHT. They are playing for eight pounds at Nambucca London. Note early start. I can't wait.

Here is my find of the week: Gareth Sager's Captain Beefheart Disco song "Hot Hits Vol 27" -

Scratch you later, xxxx daisy xxxxx

An intimate history of Rough Trade Records indeed

This morning's blogroll contained the extreme treat of this week's issue of the New Vulgate - the blog zine headed up by writer and former SST Records (amongst others) guy, Joe Carducci. In order to promote the publication of a new book about Rough Trade Records, Document And Eyewitness: An Intimate History of Rough Trade: The Rough Trade Story by Neil Taylor (so far only available from the UK), Joe has collated an incredible little group of stories remembering those heady days of the post punk era in the Bay area where Rough Trade first bloomed Stateside.

Besides Joe's, included are stories from Steve Beeho, Ray Farrell, and Johnny Myers. These guys were there and lived it, and were involved with the label on some level. If you're at all interested in indie label histories, this is absolutely required reading! Special thanks to Joe for use of a couple of ephemeral images. Read the whole thing right here.



Steve Beeho: Looking back on it now, the punk/post-punk idealistic vision of the transformative power of “alternative” music can seem like a massive delusion, where being “oppositional” ended up as an end in itself. But even if that’s true, the belief that something crucial was at stake and it really mattered, was a necessary collective delusion to inspire all that feverish activity.

Ray Farrell: Rough Trade wanted to establish a label and distribution system stateside. I was interviewed by a group of the RT staff in an S.F. apartment the evening of Dec 8, 1980 -- the day John Lennon was shot. On arrival, I tried to open the conversation expressing disbelief anyone would assassinate Lennon. There were blank stares, and someone chimed in that Lennon was dead well before that day. He was now part of the “dead rock geezer club” and his passing was insignificant. I half-remembered the slogan, “No Beatles, Stones or Seals & Crofts in 1977” and realized that some of these folks took their mission seriously.

Joe Carducci: By the time I wandered into Renaissance in late 1977 the shop was run primarily by Peter Handel. Peter was what NW folks recognize as a Reedie – a graduate of the semi-experimental Reed College. He was a stoner and really into the Stones and reggae, and also Patti Smith. He’s the one who began ordering the import 45s that Jem Records was offering (Sex Pistols, Clash, Jam, X-Ray Spex, Buzzcocks, etc.). I liked Peter and began to run the shop for three hours in the afternoon and close it up for him; I’d get one album or three 45s for pay. I have pretty cools records from that time. Peter was interested in checking out this reggae shop in London his ex-partner had told him about so he went over in 1978. Everything was changing fast in London and he was inspired by what Geoff Travis, Richard Scott, and the others had going on; it was hip and righteous and though increasingly involved in the kind of punk rock Peter didn’t particularly care for, he could tell it was culture going somewhere.

In Brief - Items of Interest

Dangerous Minds reminds us of the great BBC doc about Rough Trade Records, "Do It Yourself: The Story of Rough Trade Records." Some of you may remember me posting about this last year.

Dangerous Minds also points the way to "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen" - a Canadian film from 1965.



Alan McGee discusses the new album from Dan Treacy and the Television Personalities, and his legacy in light of MGMT's "Tribute To Dan Treacy" on their new album.

Take a poll at the Guardian - Should Iggy start keeping his shirt on?

EV Grieve reports on whats become of the Avenue A storefront that used to house Etherea Records...and it's good news.


The Aquariam Drunkard reminds us about a longtime fave compilation series, Lux & Ivy's Favorites. And while you're over at the WFMU blog, don't forget "Seven Minutes In Deadwood."

Caught By the River remembers Roger Eagle, gone 11 years this week.



The blog over at Rocks Back Pages comes up with a list of 25 songs mentioning the Ramones.

PiL will be filming an upcoming Brooklyn show as part of a new documentary on the band.

And finally, Pampelmoose digs up a couple of very nice videos:

The Who perform "5:15" on ToTP 1973:


Fleet Foxes:

Do it Yourself: The Story of Rough Trade

For those of you who didn't manage to locate a download link, you can watch the recent BBC4 documentary on Rough Trade Records on Google Video.

Watch it here:


Or Watch it here.

Rough Trade on BBC4

Over at Click Opera, Momus gives us his take on the recently aired Rough Trade Records documentary. I'm really looking forward to seeing this, and barring any wireless internet glitches, I'll be watching tonight!

"A potted history of every UK independent label ever: there's a flamboyant hustler guy who spends all day making deals on the phone, and a quiet boring guy who stays in the back office, shuffling paper, balancing the books, tapping at a calculator. The hustler guy aspires to be as big a pop star as the artists he handles, but never quite gets there, though he outlives and outearns them. The boring guy keeps the business afloat, but starts to develop issues about being undervalued and overlooked." Continued here.