MJ was last year’s reluctant golden boy. I wore the record out, and love this video. He’s from Asheville, so my kid and I went to his record release at a record store and I saw him two nights at the Orange Peel.
Pop/Punk Fix
Good punk/pop from Tucson. They drink the same Buzzcocks/Clash/et alia Kool-Aid as their more talented predecessors, The Exploding Hearts. I also detect some Johnny Thunders and Hives, and this seems to channel Love. Some weaknesses in lead vocals, but strong guitar work and decent hooks compensate. I’d put them on par with The Number Ones from a few years ago. Formulaic perhaps, but it’s still a great formula after almost fifty years. As for lyrics, does anyone care in this kind of music?
The above songs are not necessarily the best from a recent album worth listening through. There are a couple of semi-duds, but even those have some strong points. I think they have two earlier albums, but I haven’t gotten to them yet.
Suddenly I Don’t Feel So Old
There’s something vaguely embarrassing about still being in a band at almost 56, like I should be past it now. But maybe not.
Something for the Beatle / Watch Nerd Bastards
Came across this interesting article in the New Yorker about John Lennon’s stolen ridiculously expensive and rare watch. I know we have people on this blurg that are into the Beatles and watches.
Sludgefest
A few years ago, a Canadian musician slowed down a few Chipmunks songs to 16 RPM, and it’s kind of awesome. The singing is pretty good, and at that speed, it’s all gothy and moody. Like you have anything better to do today.
0:00 Call Me
6:12 Walk Like An Egyptian
13:00 Heaven Is A Place On Earth
20:58 Diamond Dolls
27:17 You Keep Me Hanging On
35:28 My Sharona
43:25 Always On My Mind
50:13 Refugee
40 Years Ago Today!
Dylan shows up to play Letterman with a punk band (the Plugz who later became Cruzados) and it absolutely rips. They never played with him again, but apparently had spent a month or so playing with him at his house.
A good interview with the bass player here talking about how it all went down (from a very good book about musicians who played with him).
On a side note, I saw Bob last night here in Beerville. I loved it.
Fuck It … Thursday?
From the last QOTSA album I enjoyed. Lyrics courtesy of Lyric Genius.
Dead bull with the life from the low
I’ll be massive conquistador
Give me soul and show me the door
Metal heavy, soft at the core
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Pressurize, neutralize
Deep-fried, gimme some moreOh
Space truckin’, four on the floor
Fortified with the liquor store
This one’s down, gimme some more
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Gimme Toro, gimme some moreShrunken head I love to adore
B-movie, gimme some gore
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
B-movie, gimme some goreUh
Yow
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Gimme Toro, gimme some more
Yeah
Shine A Light On Me
Did you bastards know there’s an official Midnight Special channel on YouTube releasing entire unedited episodes (as well as clips)? Holy shit, it’s a treasure trove!
Timestamped performances for this episode are here. I mostly just watched Sly and the Family Stone, obviously.
BONUS: Here’s another recently released episode with Mott the Hoople and The New York Dolls. Not sure who the guy is in the back playing the Thunderbird for the Dolls. Arthur Kane appears to be in a cast and is obviously miming …
Seeds Documentary!
Not sure how a doc about some of my favorite proto-punks got past me. This goes straight to the top of my list if it’s available anywhere.
Do We Need Another Guitar Hero?
Y’all know I’m all loopy over this Jason Isbell fella. I’ve been a fan since he was in the Drive-by Truckers, and have followed his career closely since. His latest, Weathervanes, is remarkable. A fantastic writer, but moreover a blistering guitar player (he bought Ed King’s Les Paul), who stretches out a lot with his band, but doesn’t get all boring jammy. He sat in with Dino Jr. during their anniversary run in NYC. It’s guitar-riffic!
Also, he went to University of Memphis and was recently given his degree because he was apparently only one phys ed class short of a degree.