The Dentists and The Claim at Dingwalls London - or what I did on my vacation

Rock never takes a holiday, or is it that even holidays in my mind must rock? So how convenient was it that while in London last week one of my very favorite bands of all time, The Dentists elected to reform for a pair of shows? Flying in from the US I felt I'd made quite the effort (only other Yank in attendance appeared to be fellow Dental fanatic the delightful Mr. Bob Wall), but probably not as much as Dentist vocalist Mick Murphy who'd come all the way from Kenya to reunite with his ex-bandmates for just a few frantic days of rehearsal before the big show.

Here's a compliment I never get to pay - Dingwalls is AN EXCELLENT CLUB. First off the sound system is great so you can actually hear the bands, rather than a lot of garble, second the floor of the venue is comprised of a bunch of terraces, so it's 15 feet - a step up - 15 feet - a step up - etc. so even a short gal like me can see from nearly everywhere. As for drink prices, if someone else is buying they are excellent as well. Dingwalls, will you please open a venue at the end of my block?

The Claim were on first, a band who I had never heard before but who I'd been assured by fellow aging indie-poppers was decidedly worth checking out. And since it had been about 20 yrs since they split up, well, what better time than now? The set felt a bit same-y, but to the (almost entirely male and 40 yrs +) fans in the venue (including Harvey from The Field Mice who is apparently the neighbor of the friend I attended the show with) the geezer pop enthusiasm was obscenely high and at regular intervals that excitement was entirely warranted, as below, with the sparkling version of "Do You Still Feel"



As for The Dentists, it would be hard to maintain much journalistic integrity due to my longtime devotion to the band. Safe to say the set covered all the bases. A good hour of songs covering many years of Dentistry, easily displaying why the band were leaders rather than followers when it came to heartfelt turn of the 90's neo-psychedelic jangle pop. A few things about the set did make me sad though: one was drummer Ian Smith missing the drum fill in "She Dazzled Me With Basil" (picky, picky, picky, aren't I?), the other was upon hearing tunes like "Weirdo", and "Space Man" realizing how much they totally rocked live, but hadn't been captured quite as strongly on CD. At least the video below can serve to stand witness to some of that.

















An excellent night out with these two reunited bands. Shame one has to buy a pricey airplane ticket to make the scene. How sad am I that I missed seeing The Undertones in London just a week later? It seems I'm going to have to take a lot more holidays....

Birds are the new Sonic Youth

Check out this clip of a film by French artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, birds going about their daily business, and inadvertently rocking out.



This clip reminds me of my other favorite bird-band, Hatebeak - a death metal band which just happens to have a parrot lead singer. I think this pretty much cements the bond between birds and the rock. Other animals are really going to have to start working working harder to compete. Bears, squirrels, fish, I have my eye on you.

Beardyman - Edinburgh Festival

I don't understand how this man makes these noises with his mouth, I just want more

Best thing about the Who at the Super Bowl

The mod target cymbals on the drum kit played by Zak Starkey, Ringo's son. Also, that Zak Starkey looks like a lost drummer for Spinal Tap.



Some friends complained that Roger Daltrey looked old, hardly able to stomp around the stage, but hey, the guy is nearly 65, he's lucky he made it through the show at all. It was absurd to hear them going on about Teenage Wastelands, that is for sure. Thankfully they had the good sense not to indicate they hope they die before they get old.

Grandma Loves to Rock: Young At Heart

Last night on my local PBS station ran an indie documentary I'd meant to see a few years back "Young At Heart". The subject is a chorus of Northampton MA senior citizens who perform contemporary songs.

OK, sounds kind of boring, doesn't it?

But what if the songs these octogenarians are performing included hits by The Ramones, David Bowie, and Sonic Youth?

Oh yes, now you see my point.

The film paints an intriguing portrait of a throng of indomitable seniors and their driven chorus director Bob Cilman as they rehearse, sing for prison inmates, and contemplate their next European tour. And the songs? Well when was the last time you heard a pair of little old ladies coo "My future is static, it's already had it, I could tuck you in, and we could talk about it" from Sonic Youth's 'Schizophrenia'; or hear a group of people who deal daily with the threat of Alzheimer's deliver the lines "Well we know where we're going, but we don't know where we've been. And we know what we're knowin', but we can't say, what we've seen. And we're not little children. And we know what we want. And the future is certain. Give us time to work it out" from the Talking Heads' 'Road to Nowhere'? Climan's music direction and song selection is amazing as is the passionate, quirky performances from the chorus. Check out the clip below to experience the angry old man take on Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" and you'll see what I'm talking about.



And this one, to see the aforementioned clip of 'Schizophrenia'.



And be sure to click here to see the chorus' video for "I Wanna Be Sedated"

Being a Bad Songwriter = Proof of Insanity. Except in China That Is.

Yesterday I got the news bright and early that China had executed Englishman Akmal Shaikh for smuggling heroin into the country. Well that sounds pretty clear cut doesn't it? The English government promptly sounded protests insisting the man was mentally ill and not to be blamed for his actions. What proof do the English have of Shaikh's insanity?

Exhibit one: "Come Little Rabbit" (click to download), a song Shaikh recording believing it would bring world peace (rather than establish him as the next Daniel Johnston).

Exhibit two: Shaikh was traveling to China in search of a recording contract. Presumably because there are no record companies in England.

OK Gordon Brown, you're right. Crackers!

I'm only sad that there will probably be precious few covers of this song which likely could have happily taken their place on the CD rack next to songs by Ernest Noyes Brookings and Wesley Willis.

Al Jourgensen says "Go Fuck Yourself For Christmas"

Oh I hate Christmas Songs, and now I have a friend in hating them, Ministry's Al Jourgensen. But while my dislike of them has prompted me to remember to wear an IPod during all holiday shopping rather than run the risk of leaving a store singing Patti LaBelle all day, Jourgensen's dislike has somehow resulted in him releasing a Christmas song (which sounds remarkably like "Space Age Love Song" by A Flock of Seagulls).



Sadly this video cements that Jourgensen is no very foxy anymore (gee, what, not as hot as when I saw you on the Twitch tour? What's wrong with you?) but I do admire him creating the one holiday song I predict won't hear blasting in Macy's (but possibly in Target). Whither Patti LaBelle?

How do you spell AC/DC?

Does listening to Heavy Metal really hurt your IQ?

Weezer Snuggie - You now know what to get me for XMAS

Joan Baez is Fucking Amazing!!

Here is a link to an amazing story my sister sent me about Joan Baez confronting some protesters outside her show in Idaho

"Last night, four Vietnam veterans protested Joan's concert in Idaho Falls with signs reading: "JOAN BAEZ - SOLDIERS DON'T KILL BABIES, LIBERALS DO" and "JOAN BAEZ GAVE COMFORT & AID TO OUR ENEMY IN VIETNAM & ENCOURAGED THEM TO KILL AMERICANS!" Joan was informed that the men were protesting her concert about an hour before it was due to begin and she immediately walked out onto the street to talk to them...."

OK Joan Baez, you are now officially my hero! Way to kick butt!

X (the band) at the Paradise May 26, 2009

So what is this? The 8th time I've seen X? I just remember the first time was in the 80's on the tour with Tony Gilkyson, I was so sad then that I'd missed the Billy Zoom heyday. I think there were 2 shows with Gilkyson, 2 with Dave Alvin, and the last 4 with Zoom. Oh Billy Zoom there is no comparison to you. Your bizarre frozen smile, your stock still stance while you kick total ass on guitar. And Zoom, you're just ONE of the members of X! I mean most bands have one or maybe 2 standout members but X has four! Dissonant singing wild child Exene, foxy earthy bassist John Doe, and skin beater extraordinaire DJ Bonebrake. But having seen this band without Zoom, let me assure you the complete package needs to be in place to get the full effect. How delightful they're still playing today.

Tonight's show was all by voter request at X's website so it seemed there were a lot more obscure album tracks to be heard tonight instead of just the hits. Of course, knowing every song they ever did front to end doesn't hurt either.

This just terrifies me

Indian Version of Thriller, somehow even scarier than Michael Jackson in real life.

The Woggles - Sweet Potato!

Its been far too long since I posted a video of a show I went to, and The Woggles, are worth every letter I type.

Possibly the greatest garage band in this nation, The Woggles sell it like nobody sells it, with matching outfits, stage choreography and a proclivity for getting off the stage and booty shaking along with the fans in the audience. A few weeks ago they played another sparkling set as part of the Muck and The Mires CD release party. In reference to that matter all I can say is the new record is not only produced by legendary freakazoid Kim Fowley, but the cover is real 3D, and comes with 3D glasses. Get yourself a cut gratis here. The Konks, at their first show in forever were also delightful, man, that Yukki Gipe sure can hit.

The Indelicates: Thank Fuck For The Fucking Recession!

I had been dismayed that so few young people bother to write songs anymore about annoying topics, but then The Indelicates came to my rescue with The Recession Song. With the very Art Brut sound of this single and members of Art Brut playing on it to boot, how can I not love this fine tune?



And while we're speaking about Art Brut, their new record drops this week. Lead parable "Alcoholics Unanimous" finds Eddie Argos contemplating his drunken behavior and considering rehab all with a fine sing along cheer. Ah the glorification of the drunk life. How I love that!



So there is it my new favorite songs about poverty and drunkenness. Let us welcome the new age upon us.

Can I call em or can I call em?

Check my blog dated January 5 2009. I guessed Taya would win Rock of Love Tour Bus Edition back at week one. I am da bomb!

Billy Bob Thornton is an Asshole

I am sure many have already seen this, but if you haven't it's certainly worth viewing all the way through. Billy Bob Thornton being interviewed on a Canadian show about his band, and becoming increasingly el-strange-o as the interview continues. It should come as no surprise that after this the band canceled their Canadian tour, I would guess because, well, who can get along with those cantankerous Canadians (internationally known for their bad temper and hostility aren't they)? Oh, what I mean to say is one might reasonably deduce that after this interview these gents were presented with a bag lunch and put on the next moose heading towards the southern border. Bless you Canada. I'd stand on guard for you too.

Some of the other things I enjoy otherwise about this video are the fact that everyone in Thornton's band apparently got identical glasses at some kind of fire sale, and of course the fact that while I am sure Thornton thinks he is 'way cool' for being hostile, confusing, and vague he actually just is a total asshole. I feel so sorry for his bandmates. Being stuck on a tour bus with this jackass would appear to be the textbook definition of hell.

Ashes to Ashes to Kings of the Wild Frontier: Adventures in the forbidden zone

Two odd little new wave bits have come my way this week.

First off, via my friend Phil, who subscribes to the Antpeople Twitter, a link to a man writing about how listening to Adam and the Ants' "Kings of the Wild Frontier" brought him to a deeper understanding of himself and his Christian faith. No, I didn't make this up. Considering that Ant himself has grown up to be a deeply troubled individual (alas Prince Charming!) I'm sure he'd be glad to hear his music is making people into better individuals with each listen.

2nd, how happy I was to tune into the new BBC America show "Ashes to Ashes" this week? Though I could not quite sort out the story, the premise is excellent. A policewoman, at the very moment she is about to be shot to death, is surprisingly transported back in time to 1981. After having a hallucinogenic vision of David Bowie in his Ashes to Ashes video, she awakes to find herself in a tarty yet posh getup like a member of Vanity 6, partying on a boat with poofy haired men with big round glasses singing along loudly to Ultravox's "Vienna". I really don't care what happens in this show, so long as they keep setting chase scenes to Duran Duran's "Careless Memories" I am so in.

Lux Interior RIP

People! I can hardly express how sad I am to write about the death of Lux Interior, founding member of The Cramps. You can read Pitchfork's obit here.

It was just a few years ago that I was able to catch the Cramps at the Roxy here in Boston, I'd never gotten to see them in their heyday, but from the show that night it was evident they were in no way past their prime. Interior strode on stage in a plasticine snake print body suit with matching jacket, he hollered and writhed the show away, huffing the scent out of one of Ivy's boots as she played some serious thunderous guitar looking unbelievably hot even in what, her mid-50's?

If anything, shows like this were among the very things that encouraged me to put together a blog like this one, which (at least intermittently) aims to celebrate aging rockers who are still out there kicking ass. Bottom line Mr. Interior, your death cuts me to the core. Thank god I saw you before you went, and thanks for rocking into your early 60's. Rest in Peace.

Below: The Cramps in their immortal performance in Urgh A Music War singing Tear This Damn Place Up.

RIAA Gives Up (pretty much) On Illegal Downloading

A recent conversation with a friend about 'just how dangerous it is to post music to your blog' led me to a bit of surfing which turned up a raft of really interesting reporting done by CNet in December of 2008.

As some may recall, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has in the past gone after individuals for whopping sums for downloading or uploading to songs to share sites such as KaZaa, but thus far all of these cases have either been settled out of court for relatively nominal sums, or been unsuccessful. This despite the RIAA's threats on their website that they will throw individuals in jail for up to 5 years for downloading so much as 1 Madonna single, a punishment hardly on par with the crime.

With illegal downloading expanding rather than contracting in response to the RIAA's efforts, the group is now seeking a new method to stop file sharing, creating a blackist of people whose internet activity suggests they are doing a buncha up and downloading, and then asking their ISP's to disable their accounts.

On the upside, this approach is far more humane, reasonable, and far less costly attempting to sue individuals (what, were they going to bring suit against just about everyone in the entire United States?), on the other, as CNet points out through an interview with one ISP, why should they do the RIAA's work for free? So far, exactly zero ISPs are stepping up to the plate, and why would they? They'd be driving off their own customers - and that is capitalism at its best.

One final thought on the immediate future of the RIAA, with the world economy being through the floor, and record sales descending, how much more money can they rally to hire lawyers and prosecute anyone over this issue? At $200- $400 an hour, they better be picking and choosing who they bother to fight. A 40 hour work week for just one lawyer, could sure pay for a lotta songs.

Alicia Keys & Gene Simmons of Kiss on Banzai!

I recently find myself laying in bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about one of my favorite shows from the past - Banzai! Banzai! is sort of a parody of a "Japanese TV Show" which actually came from the UK in the early 2000's. The format is a betting show, where viewers are supposed to wager on the outcome of an array of peculiar events set up by Banzai staff. The show had a brief run here in the US on Fox before Asian-American activists shut them down - gee, I wonder why?

Nonetheless, one of my very favorite recurring sketches is Lady One Question - a girl reporter who asks celebrities one question and continues to stare at them as if they are still answering until confused, they eventually walk away. Below one can enjoy her interview of Gene Simmons from Kiss, how long will the batty blowhard talk? Well wager why don't you?



Not had enough of music celebs being hosed by fake Japanese for the bemusement of the BBC viewing public? Then try on for size Alicia Keys being interviewed by "Mr Shake Hands Man" a reporter whose entire goal is to see how long he can get a celeb to shake his hand (sorry to say, he's not really that interested in your latest project - cough cough - but really, who is?). Again, place your bets now!




Bonus! Bill Murray, just because I like him: