Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Random Stuff
This is gonna be on my shortlist for birthday/Xmas presents:
Children Of Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the Second Psychedelic Era - 1976-1995
Another amazing Rhino box, featuring The Fleshtones, Dukes of Stratosphear, The Lyres, The Soft Boys, Hoodoo Gurus, The Smithereens, The Posies, The La's, The Revillos, The Cramps and dozens more. Yowza!
Say goodbye to Q And Not U tomorrow and Friday at the Black Cat. Looks like I'll be going both nights. My NY friends bailed for the weekend. Can't say I blame 'em. With the big protest going on this weekend, it's probably not the best idea to bring the kids down for a leisurely stroll around The Mall. I predict I'll make it to the Monument at some point during the day. Most likely in time to catch The Evens and Ted Leo.
I took a long lunch yesterday (shhh....) and went record shopping at Joe's. As in vinyl. Picked up a copy of Slant 6's Inzombia (c'mon Dischord - re-release this on cd already), along with a couple of Thomas Dolby records. (record geek alert) Apparently, I stumbled across an early pressing of The Golden Age Of Wireless.
It doesn't even contain "She Blinded Me With Science" or "One Of Our Submarines". It has a completely different cover, a few different tracks and a different running order. I was pretty happy to find this, but bummed that it didn't have two of my favorite tracks. No problem. They also had the Blinded By Science EP. Score!
Bob has a song in The OC next Thursday. Expect record sales to skyrocket. Get your tix to his 9:30 gig before everyone catches on.
Random song chosen because the CD is sitting here on my desk: Morel - Queen Of The Highway
The Wireless pic was taken from this most excellent Thomas Dolby discography site.
It's been a very quiet week. Thank God. I've been wiped out lately.
The Peelander-Z show was tons of fun, but went on way too late for a school night. I'm too old to hang around on a Thursday night until 12:30am waiting for the headliner to come on. We were just about to bail when they finally hit the stage. I guess I can't blame anyone for the late start though. I got there very early. At the posted start time (9 or 9:30, depending on your source) there were maybe 10 people in the club, including members of the other bands. I think Kung-Fu Dykes came on a little after 10:00. I can understand not wanting to play to an empty room. Still, it makes me more hesitant to head out to DC9 on a school night.
The Peelander set was exactly like the last one I saw. Same schtick. Same songs. Same bowling. It's impossible not to have fun watching them though. They're just so damn silly. Everyone should see them once. Once may be enough though. I may post some pics later. They need a little Photoshopping before they're ready to go.
Kung-Fu Dykes weren't too impressive. I'll cut them some slack though. They were having lots of technical problems. They kept tripping a power strip or a breaker that was shutting down their lights (critical for displaying their blacklight/day-glo costumes and make-up) and (I think) their drum track. At one point they stopped for a full 5 minutes to work on things. Even after it was "fixed", it would cut-out at least once or twice per song. There's not enough Silly String or smoke around to make up for that.
Bang! Bang!, on the other hand, totally rocked my world. No gimmicks. No schtick. Just kick-ass dance-rock. I totally dig these guys. Fun to watch, but even better to hear. I can't say that about the other two bands that played. I highly recommend the "Electric Sex" EP.
The Peelander-Z show was tons of fun, but went on way too late for a school night. I'm too old to hang around on a Thursday night until 12:30am waiting for the headliner to come on. We were just about to bail when they finally hit the stage. I guess I can't blame anyone for the late start though. I got there very early. At the posted start time (9 or 9:30, depending on your source) there were maybe 10 people in the club, including members of the other bands. I think Kung-Fu Dykes came on a little after 10:00. I can understand not wanting to play to an empty room. Still, it makes me more hesitant to head out to DC9 on a school night.
The Peelander set was exactly like the last one I saw. Same schtick. Same songs. Same bowling. It's impossible not to have fun watching them though. They're just so damn silly. Everyone should see them once. Once may be enough though. I may post some pics later. They need a little Photoshopping before they're ready to go.
Kung-Fu Dykes weren't too impressive. I'll cut them some slack though. They were having lots of technical problems. They kept tripping a power strip or a breaker that was shutting down their lights (critical for displaying their blacklight/day-glo costumes and make-up) and (I think) their drum track. At one point they stopped for a full 5 minutes to work on things. Even after it was "fixed", it would cut-out at least once or twice per song. There's not enough Silly String or smoke around to make up for that.
Bang! Bang!, on the other hand, totally rocked my world. No gimmicks. No schtick. Just kick-ass dance-rock. I totally dig these guys. Fun to watch, but even better to hear. I can't say that about the other two bands that played. I highly recommend the "Electric Sex" EP.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
In a meeting today one of my co-workers said "I'll do that in a minute. I have to urinate first." The whole room (including our boss) fell silent and just sort of uncomfortably stared at each other for a minute, until someone finally busted out laughing. I guess it's really no different from saying "I have to go use the restroom", but it just seemed a bit odd to say that aloud in a roomful of people.
Speaking of pee...
Peeeeellaaaannnder! Japanese Comic Action Punk. Costumes, human bowling and lots of audience participation. Last time I saw them I ended up on stage banging on a tin cup with a drumstick. Fun will be had by all. Guaranteed. Download their song "Dragon" here.
Even if Peelander wasn't there, I'd go anyway, just to see Bang! Bang! I defy you to not dance while they're playing. If they can make me shake my ass, you probably don't stand a chance. "Electric Sex" here.
I don't know anything about Kung-Fu Dykes, but their website makes me think they're not to be missed. Think nuclear day-glo samurai. And with a name like theirs, you know they've gotta be worth checking out.
Thursday 9/15 at DC9. Presented by BigYawn.
Speaking of pee...
Peeeeellaaaannnder! Japanese Comic Action Punk. Costumes, human bowling and lots of audience participation. Last time I saw them I ended up on stage banging on a tin cup with a drumstick. Fun will be had by all. Guaranteed. Download their song "Dragon" here.
Even if Peelander wasn't there, I'd go anyway, just to see Bang! Bang! I defy you to not dance while they're playing. If they can make me shake my ass, you probably don't stand a chance. "Electric Sex" here.
I don't know anything about Kung-Fu Dykes, but their website makes me think they're not to be missed. Think nuclear day-glo samurai. And with a name like theirs, you know they've gotta be worth checking out.
Thursday 9/15 at DC9. Presented by BigYawn.
Friday, September 09, 2005
The Doctor
Since Dr. John was unceremoniously cut short during tonight's hurricane relief concert, I thought I'd put up a few songs.
Iko Iko
Me Minus You Equals Loneliness
Let's Make A Better World
Buy something.
Better yet, give something.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Punk Video Recap
So I went to The Cat last night to check out their Vintage DC Punk Video Night. Mark Andersen was there (co-author of Dance of Days) showing some amazing old footage. Apparently, most of what he showed was the same compilation he showed when he was doing a promo tour for the book. I missed that, so it was all new to me.
The footage was very impressive, although the quality of the video wasn't always that great. The night started off a bit shaky, with a 1978 film of The Slickee Boys (with Martha on vocals) doing "Put a Bullet Through The Jukebox". While the audio sounded decent enough, the video was completely washed out. You couldn't see anything but the pure white screen with some occasional movement. Mark assured us the video was better than that - it just wasn't showing up.
It got better after that though. There were clips from Minor Threat, Rites of Spring, Faith, Void, Teen Idles, a song from Government Issue's very first show, SOA, Deadline, The Slickee Boys (w/ Mark singing this time), Fugazi, Embrace, Chalk Circle (dc's first all-girl punk band), Bad Brains (on PM Magazine!), Half Japanese, Bikini Kill and I think a few others. There was even a White Boy video! Lots of stuff from The Wilson Center, the old 9:30 and even a glimpse of d.c. space.
Mark started to take a few requests, but it proved to be a bit difficult since everything was on VHS. He played a few more of his favorites, which seemed to be fine with everyone in the crowd. Those included more Chalk Circle, Fugazi in front of the White House, Velvet Monkeys, Black Flag and some Riot Grrrl band whose name I didn't catch. I was a little surprised that there was no Gray Matter, considering this was the Black Cat and Dante was there watching with the rest of us. Later in the evening, Mark did assure us that there were several Gray Matter videos in circulation.
At first I was amazed that any of this footage existed at all. But then Mark mentioned that he had hundreds of hours of this stuff at home. Much of it is dismal in quality, but it does exist. I may have drooled a little when he said that. But, as with editing the book, you just can't include everyone.
With the big crowd and obvious interest in seeing more, Mark mentioned that he'd be willing to try to do this again. He passed around a notebook where we could make requests for bands we'd like to see next time around. My requests included Black Market Baby, 9353, Fire Party and 3. I forgot to mention Crippled Pilgrims. Maybe I'll drop Mark a note about that.
My question, of course, is when does the DVD come out?
(The photo of Void is by Susan Dynner and was blatantly copied from Dischord's website. The Slickee pic came from Twin/Tone.)
The footage was very impressive, although the quality of the video wasn't always that great. The night started off a bit shaky, with a 1978 film of The Slickee Boys (with Martha on vocals) doing "Put a Bullet Through The Jukebox". While the audio sounded decent enough, the video was completely washed out. You couldn't see anything but the pure white screen with some occasional movement. Mark assured us the video was better than that - it just wasn't showing up.
It got better after that though. There were clips from Minor Threat, Rites of Spring, Faith, Void, Teen Idles, a song from Government Issue's very first show, SOA, Deadline, The Slickee Boys (w/ Mark singing this time), Fugazi, Embrace, Chalk Circle (dc's first all-girl punk band), Bad Brains (on PM Magazine!), Half Japanese, Bikini Kill and I think a few others. There was even a White Boy video! Lots of stuff from The Wilson Center, the old 9:30 and even a glimpse of d.c. space.
Mark started to take a few requests, but it proved to be a bit difficult since everything was on VHS. He played a few more of his favorites, which seemed to be fine with everyone in the crowd. Those included more Chalk Circle, Fugazi in front of the White House, Velvet Monkeys, Black Flag and some Riot Grrrl band whose name I didn't catch. I was a little surprised that there was no Gray Matter, considering this was the Black Cat and Dante was there watching with the rest of us. Later in the evening, Mark did assure us that there were several Gray Matter videos in circulation.
At first I was amazed that any of this footage existed at all. But then Mark mentioned that he had hundreds of hours of this stuff at home. Much of it is dismal in quality, but it does exist. I may have drooled a little when he said that. But, as with editing the book, you just can't include everyone.
With the big crowd and obvious interest in seeing more, Mark mentioned that he'd be willing to try to do this again. He passed around a notebook where we could make requests for bands we'd like to see next time around. My requests included Black Market Baby, 9353, Fire Party and 3. I forgot to mention Crippled Pilgrims. Maybe I'll drop Mark a note about that.
My question, of course, is when does the DVD come out?
(The photo of Void is by Susan Dynner and was blatantly copied from Dischord's website. The Slickee pic came from Twin/Tone.)
Monday, September 05, 2005
Vintage DC Punk Videos
Just a reminder about this at The Black Cat tonight:
MON SEPT 5- Positive Force presents: VINTAGE DC PUNK VIDEO NIGHT (to benefit Jobs with Justice) $5 backstage 9:00
I'm all over this.
The weekend was very quiet. BF hasn't been feeling well lately, so we kept things low-key. We did have a "date night" last night...dinner, a movie and a couple of drinks at the Eagle. Other than that, we just laid around the house (and by the pool) a bit.
MON SEPT 5- Positive Force presents: VINTAGE DC PUNK VIDEO NIGHT (to benefit Jobs with Justice) $5 backstage 9:00
I'm all over this.
The weekend was very quiet. BF hasn't been feeling well lately, so we kept things low-key. We did have a "date night" last night...dinner, a movie and a couple of drinks at the Eagle. Other than that, we just laid around the house (and by the pool) a bit.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Kanye West on Bush
"George Bush doesn't care about black people."
- Kanye West on NBC's Hurricane Relief Concert.
There's video at the link above, but it didn't work for me. Audio did though.
- Kanye West on NBC's Hurricane Relief Concert.
There's video at the link above, but it didn't work for me. Audio did though.
Random Sample
A random sampling of things I bought this week.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Heavy Metal
Buy it!
OK Go - Let It Rain
Buy it!
Of Montreal - requiem for o.m.m.2.
Buy it!
Architecture In Helsinki - The Owls Go
Buy it!
New Pornographers - Jackie, Dressed In Cobras
Buy it!
Don't be a leech and just download the songs. If you like what you hear, go buy something by the artist, even if it's not the track listed above. mp3s are only up for a week or so and are here to hopefully introduce people to music they may not otherwise hear. Enjoy.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Heavy Metal
Buy it!
OK Go - Let It Rain
Buy it!
Of Montreal - requiem for o.m.m.2.
Buy it!
Architecture In Helsinki - The Owls Go
Buy it!
New Pornographers - Jackie, Dressed In Cobras
Buy it!
Don't be a leech and just download the songs. If you like what you hear, go buy something by the artist, even if it's not the track listed above. mp3s are only up for a week or so and are here to hopefully introduce people to music they may not otherwise hear. Enjoy.
