Friday, August 08, 2003
Fucking Hell. Richard Hell that is. Sir Blank Generation has penned a review of the new Lester Bangs book in the latest Village Voice.
Actually, reading the review, Hell doesn't have a lot to say about Bangs that hasn't been said over and over. The piece is more misty-eyed rememberance than book review. And it adds fuel to the fire that Hell is about as good of a writer as he is a musician, which is to say he's a better junkie than he is a writer or musician. Hell's review consists only of his closing paragraph:
If you like Lester, you'll like this new book. It's a lot like the other one but it has more Miles Davis and Rolling Stones than Lou Reed and Iggy and some big chunks of autobiographical writings.
Hell's article aside, I can't fucking wait for this book, titled Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: A Lester Bangs Reader, to come out. August 12th is the release date. Before reading Psychotic Reaction... I completely avoided collections of music writing.k I think the problem was someone suggested I pick up a Greil Marcus book. Reading a few pages left me numb. How could anyone write so blandly about something fundamentally based on fun? I was a young flower discovering the world. That book caused me to shrivel up, turn up my petals and steer clear of anything resembling rock journalism.
Mimi put a copy of Psychotic Reaction... in my hands. Continuing my lame flower analogy, it was the rain and sunshine both, causing me to open up and devour all I could by Bangs (yeah, yeah, I know Marcus edited Psychotic Reaction). You've heard the reasons people like Bangs, hell you probably like Bangs yourself. So when I say his writing is as much fun as listening to the music itself, you know what I'm talking about. I mean, he was a guy whose passion for music came through in his writing, even if it was helped along by swilling cough syrup. While other writers spend time dissecting an album, a song or a band, Bangs just plugs you and takes you along for the ride he's on while listening to the record. Good or bad. None compare.
Friday night, listening to the Exploding Hearts. I have to be up early tomorrow to head out to Alcatraz. It's the annual guard/inmate reunion. I am going to shoot it for my prison project, though it doesn't really relate completely. Still, it should be a good time. Maybe afterwards I'll hit up a few of the remaining small record stores in SF. Amoeba is great, but it really forced out a lot of great smaller stores that made for a full day of record trolling. In the few that are left, there are still some good finds to be had. Everybody has heard about Martin of Limp Wrist finding not one, but TWO copies of the Freestone 7" for a few bucks each. I myself have turned up a Lewd 7" and, most profitable, a stack of the White Stripes' first two 7"s. Maybe I'll get lucky tomorrow. I'll let you know.
Remember...August 12. Lester Bangs. Oh, and Revolver has a bunch of new In the Red stuff listed in the new update (see my post from a few days ago), inlcuding the Fuse! and Msytery Girls 7"s. Can't wait!
Actually, reading the review, Hell doesn't have a lot to say about Bangs that hasn't been said over and over. The piece is more misty-eyed rememberance than book review. And it adds fuel to the fire that Hell is about as good of a writer as he is a musician, which is to say he's a better junkie than he is a writer or musician. Hell's review consists only of his closing paragraph:
If you like Lester, you'll like this new book. It's a lot like the other one but it has more Miles Davis and Rolling Stones than Lou Reed and Iggy and some big chunks of autobiographical writings.
Hell's article aside, I can't fucking wait for this book, titled Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: A Lester Bangs Reader, to come out. August 12th is the release date. Before reading Psychotic Reaction... I completely avoided collections of music writing.k I think the problem was someone suggested I pick up a Greil Marcus book. Reading a few pages left me numb. How could anyone write so blandly about something fundamentally based on fun? I was a young flower discovering the world. That book caused me to shrivel up, turn up my petals and steer clear of anything resembling rock journalism.
Mimi put a copy of Psychotic Reaction... in my hands. Continuing my lame flower analogy, it was the rain and sunshine both, causing me to open up and devour all I could by Bangs (yeah, yeah, I know Marcus edited Psychotic Reaction). You've heard the reasons people like Bangs, hell you probably like Bangs yourself. So when I say his writing is as much fun as listening to the music itself, you know what I'm talking about. I mean, he was a guy whose passion for music came through in his writing, even if it was helped along by swilling cough syrup. While other writers spend time dissecting an album, a song or a band, Bangs just plugs you and takes you along for the ride he's on while listening to the record. Good or bad. None compare.
Friday night, listening to the Exploding Hearts. I have to be up early tomorrow to head out to Alcatraz. It's the annual guard/inmate reunion. I am going to shoot it for my prison project, though it doesn't really relate completely. Still, it should be a good time. Maybe afterwards I'll hit up a few of the remaining small record stores in SF. Amoeba is great, but it really forced out a lot of great smaller stores that made for a full day of record trolling. In the few that are left, there are still some good finds to be had. Everybody has heard about Martin of Limp Wrist finding not one, but TWO copies of the Freestone 7" for a few bucks each. I myself have turned up a Lewd 7" and, most profitable, a stack of the White Stripes' first two 7"s. Maybe I'll get lucky tomorrow. I'll let you know.
Remember...August 12. Lester Bangs. Oh, and Revolver has a bunch of new In the Red stuff listed in the new update (see my post from a few days ago), inlcuding the Fuse! and Msytery Girls 7"s. Can't wait!
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Have you worn your old Radio X Records thin? Know all the words to Party at Steve's House a little too well? Lookin' for a new lo-fi fix. Something unhinged, a bit sloppy but still competent, and most of all, fun? Part Supercharger, and a whole lotta Mummies, the Flying Dutchmen's debut album, Caveman Sessions (Boom Boom Records) is gonna smoke your ass.
These Seattlites (who come from bands such as the Amazing Spider-Men, the Zombie IV and the Sultanas) have got a serious jonesin' for the righteous South City Sound, the music that made the Bay Area numero uno for crazed kids who cut their teeth on Back From the Grave and other noxious noise. I mean, stepping right past the music, which, no shit, sounds like a lost Mummies rehearsal tape or something, they have the look and whole schtick down PAT. Thick Estrus Records/Art Chantry coming head-to-head with the no-nonesense black and white photocopy Radio X/early Rip Off aesthetic. Liner notes written with a typerwrite by "J.P. 'Butter-Lips' Guttrock," the tantalizing splash of words like "Raw!" "Primitive!" and "Ook! Ook! Ook" on the photocopied cover, not to mention the liberal use of images you might expect to find on a Sin Alley comp. The look, they gotta it down.
But in the end, what matters is what's on the platter, right? Right. Any jerk with a photocopy machine and a keen record collection to study can pull off putting together a nice look record. But not just any jerk can pull off the instrumentation of the sound AND the style. From the get-go, the Dutchmen get things cookin' right with "On Fire," a tune that lives up to its name if a song ever has. I mean geezus! They don't fuck around...well, okay, they do fuck around. A lot. The banter that fills the space between the songs gives proof that these goofs don't take themselves too serious, which is really what makes it all work. They're having fun, you can tell, and its an infectious, really loose kinda fun. Not only have they nailed the look and the sound, the Flying Dutchmen pinned the most elusive element of this wily genre of music -- a true grit, don't give a shit, uncontrolled sense of fun. F-U-N. A lotta bands have faked it, or almost got it, but I can smell a turd a mile away, and this ain't no turd.
I'm sure some old burnt-out, jaded piece of shit out there will dismiss this 12 years too late, chalk it up to one of the many imitators that's come along, or brush it off with snide "been there, done that." They're missing out. While there have been a lot of imitators, and there are parts of this that really sound an awful lot like the Mummies (not a bad thing), I say the Flying Dutchmen are worth your time and a stack of dimes for the LP (which is better than the single, though it ain't shabby). I can't wait to catch 'em live. I'm sure they put on a helluva show.
Write and tell 'em icki sent you.
Boom Boom Records
20720 Southeast 192nd St.
Renton, WA 98058 USA
These Seattlites (who come from bands such as the Amazing Spider-Men, the Zombie IV and the Sultanas) have got a serious jonesin' for the righteous South City Sound, the music that made the Bay Area numero uno for crazed kids who cut their teeth on Back From the Grave and other noxious noise. I mean, stepping right past the music, which, no shit, sounds like a lost Mummies rehearsal tape or something, they have the look and whole schtick down PAT. Thick Estrus Records/Art Chantry coming head-to-head with the no-nonesense black and white photocopy Radio X/early Rip Off aesthetic. Liner notes written with a typerwrite by "J.P. 'Butter-Lips' Guttrock," the tantalizing splash of words like "Raw!" "Primitive!" and "Ook! Ook! Ook" on the photocopied cover, not to mention the liberal use of images you might expect to find on a Sin Alley comp. The look, they gotta it down.
But in the end, what matters is what's on the platter, right? Right. Any jerk with a photocopy machine and a keen record collection to study can pull off putting together a nice look record. But not just any jerk can pull off the instrumentation of the sound AND the style. From the get-go, the Dutchmen get things cookin' right with "On Fire," a tune that lives up to its name if a song ever has. I mean geezus! They don't fuck around...well, okay, they do fuck around. A lot. The banter that fills the space between the songs gives proof that these goofs don't take themselves too serious, which is really what makes it all work. They're having fun, you can tell, and its an infectious, really loose kinda fun. Not only have they nailed the look and the sound, the Flying Dutchmen pinned the most elusive element of this wily genre of music -- a true grit, don't give a shit, uncontrolled sense of fun. F-U-N. A lotta bands have faked it, or almost got it, but I can smell a turd a mile away, and this ain't no turd.
I'm sure some old burnt-out, jaded piece of shit out there will dismiss this 12 years too late, chalk it up to one of the many imitators that's come along, or brush it off with snide "been there, done that." They're missing out. While there have been a lot of imitators, and there are parts of this that really sound an awful lot like the Mummies (not a bad thing), I say the Flying Dutchmen are worth your time and a stack of dimes for the LP (which is better than the single, though it ain't shabby). I can't wait to catch 'em live. I'm sure they put on a helluva show.
Write and tell 'em icki sent you.
Boom Boom Records
20720 Southeast 192nd St.
Renton, WA 98058 USA
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
In the Red Records continues to reign supreme, rule as king of the record label hill. A brief look at the website leaves me hungry in anticipation for the records promised as Coming Soon:
THE DIRTBOMBS -- Dangerous Magical Noise LP/CD
BLACKTOP -- I've Got A Baaad Feelin' About This the complete recordings CD
THE FUSE! -- The Fisherman's Wife LP/CD
also coming soon...
THE MYSTERY GIRLS Circles In The Sand 7", THE FUSE! Breaker Breaker 7", THE DEADLY SNAKES Double 7", THE DIRTBOMBS Dangerous Magical Noise LP/CD, THE REIGNING SOUND Too Much Guitar LP/CD, THE PONYS 7"
and new albums from
THE PONYS, THE MYSTERY GIRLS & THE HUNCHES.
I mean really! Larry, you make a young boy's heart flutter. By the way, the Fuse! single (and album) is reported to be just absolutely stunning, one of the best new bands around from what I've heard.
With the new website updated, it's time to pry myself away from the computer and get back into the darkroom. I'm trying to get caught up on printing band photos. It's a slow, slow process.
THE DIRTBOMBS -- Dangerous Magical Noise LP/CD
BLACKTOP -- I've Got A Baaad Feelin' About This the complete recordings CD
THE FUSE! -- The Fisherman's Wife LP/CD
also coming soon...
THE MYSTERY GIRLS Circles In The Sand 7", THE FUSE! Breaker Breaker 7", THE DEADLY SNAKES Double 7", THE DIRTBOMBS Dangerous Magical Noise LP/CD, THE REIGNING SOUND Too Much Guitar LP/CD, THE PONYS 7"
and new albums from
THE PONYS, THE MYSTERY GIRLS & THE HUNCHES.
I mean really! Larry, you make a young boy's heart flutter. By the way, the Fuse! single (and album) is reported to be just absolutely stunning, one of the best new bands around from what I've heard.
With the new website updated, it's time to pry myself away from the computer and get back into the darkroom. I'm trying to get caught up on printing band photos. It's a slow, slow process.
Monday, August 04, 2003
A weekend that left my throat thick with mucus. Monday morning, coughing, trying to clear my throat. The large cup of hot, black coffee that I'm sucking down helps, but not enough.
The Diskords came to town this weekend. This group of 13 and 14 year old shook the jadedness out of the Bay Area, at least for a few days. Sure, they're a bit of a novelty, but the Diskords hammer any naysayers with a loud, great live show. And the teaser of their new album played on the latest MRR Radio show leaves me waiting with baited breath. What's more, the Diskords picked out some great music to play on the show and Paul Curran interviews the lads. Seriously, they're better than a lot of bands made of much older, more experienced people that have been around the block a few times.
At the Gilman show on Friday night a weird guy in a baseball hat and shorts, carrying Lizzy McGuire posters was selling Angry Samoans shirts. Turns out it was Metal Mike, a firm Diskords fan. He even sung "My Old Man's a Fatso" with the boys.
Saturday they played Sacramento with the FM Knives and Afflicttions (from Chicago). Being the old man that I am, we took off after the Afflictions, before the FM Knives. The Afflictions were rumored to be a hot R&B/Soul influenced band, like many sprouting up around the country these days. They were decent, but the complete lack of any low-end (no bass and only a small, punk-sized drum kit) left me doing the Stand Still all night. Rhythm, a really strong rhythm section, is the foundation of R&B and Soul music, it's what puts the itch in your underwear. Unfortunately, the Afflictions didn't have it.
When I wasn't driving around the Bay Area with Mimi to hang out with 14 year olds, I was hunched over my computer, trying to make my self-imposed deadline (of Sunday night) to finish the redesign of my website. I made it, with time to spare. The rest of the night I was left lurching around, wheels still spinning in high gear. Even this morning I woke at 7:30 and got immediately to work on a editing photos from the last Discount tour. I don't know what I'm going to do with them (a zine? website?) but figure I should do something with them.
SIDENOTE:
-->The I-94 Bar is selling reprooductions of the amazing Radio Birdman Blitzkrieg posters. They're limited to 100 copies and signed by Deniz & Rob. Get one while you can.
LISTENING:
Have Nots - s/t LP (Repent)
The Diskords came to town this weekend. This group of 13 and 14 year old shook the jadedness out of the Bay Area, at least for a few days. Sure, they're a bit of a novelty, but the Diskords hammer any naysayers with a loud, great live show. And the teaser of their new album played on the latest MRR Radio show leaves me waiting with baited breath. What's more, the Diskords picked out some great music to play on the show and Paul Curran interviews the lads. Seriously, they're better than a lot of bands made of much older, more experienced people that have been around the block a few times.
At the Gilman show on Friday night a weird guy in a baseball hat and shorts, carrying Lizzy McGuire posters was selling Angry Samoans shirts. Turns out it was Metal Mike, a firm Diskords fan. He even sung "My Old Man's a Fatso" with the boys.
Saturday they played Sacramento with the FM Knives and Afflicttions (from Chicago). Being the old man that I am, we took off after the Afflictions, before the FM Knives. The Afflictions were rumored to be a hot R&B/Soul influenced band, like many sprouting up around the country these days. They were decent, but the complete lack of any low-end (no bass and only a small, punk-sized drum kit) left me doing the Stand Still all night. Rhythm, a really strong rhythm section, is the foundation of R&B and Soul music, it's what puts the itch in your underwear. Unfortunately, the Afflictions didn't have it.
When I wasn't driving around the Bay Area with Mimi to hang out with 14 year olds, I was hunched over my computer, trying to make my self-imposed deadline (of Sunday night) to finish the redesign of my website. I made it, with time to spare. The rest of the night I was left lurching around, wheels still spinning in high gear. Even this morning I woke at 7:30 and got immediately to work on a editing photos from the last Discount tour. I don't know what I'm going to do with them (a zine? website?) but figure I should do something with them.
SIDENOTE:
-->The I-94 Bar is selling reprooductions of the amazing Radio Birdman Blitzkrieg posters. They're limited to 100 copies and signed by Deniz & Rob. Get one while you can.
LISTENING:
Have Nots - s/t LP (Repent)
