51% Motherfucker, 49% Son Of A Bitch

Another grindhouse throwback? This looks like a lot of fun.

Brilliant Marketing, And A Safe Bet

From the Wired Blog Network:

If Guns N' Roses manages this year to release Chinese Democracy, the album Axl Rose and company have been working on for the past 15 years or so, Dr Pepper says it will buy every single American (aside from former band members Slash and Buckethead) a delicious soft drink.

The rest? Here.

I wonder which will come first, Chinese Democracy or actual Chinese democracy?

Jesus, Dave

I know I haven't seen you in a couple of years, but you look like shit.

I'm A Winner

Congratulations! you have won tickets to see RANCID at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, Tuesday June 24. Your tickets are at the encore office at 210 Old Diary Road which is off of Market Street near Ogden. If you need better directions just call us at 791-0688. Please email me back if you cannot use these tickets and I will draw another name.

Thanks for entering and enjoy the show!

Susan Cothran
Art Director
encore magazine
http://www.encorepub.com/

Dennis Wilson's Lost Solo Album

From The Onion's A.V. Club:

Even though he was in one of the most successful bands of its time, Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson never really got a break. Just as he began to find his own voice as a songwriter in the early '70s, his troubled genius brother Brian Wilson returned to retake the spotlight. On the road, The Beach Boys became largely a nostalgia attraction, playing to the good-times, great-oldies crowd while ignoring their newer material. Dennis' solo album, 1977's Pacific Ocean Blue, sold respectably, but didn't let him escape that shadow. Even after his 1983 drowning death, he was unlucky. Pacific Ocean Blue began to earn a reputation as a lost classic, but—apart from a quickly retired 1991 CD issue—legal issues kept it out of print.

Read the rest here.

Just as an aside, Dennis was 39 when he drowned. My age now! I remember being in high school and learning of his death, thinking, "Well, he was pretty old anyway."

Don't Forget The Pop!

Josh Freese Is The Man

Here's a couple of NIN videos featuring rehearsals of "1,000,000" and "Letting You," two songs off The Slip. These are live performances, mind you. Tight band.

Not sure what "1,000,000" is about, but based on some other things I've read about Reznor's political leanings, I'd guess "Letting You" is about the Bush Regime.

"We're letting you get away with it!"

Check 'em out here.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

100 Days, 100 Nights. Bonus disc also. Funk That Provides.

Shit

Thanks guys

Much appreciated. (And thanks for the paternity leave from posting!)

Forthcoming ...

Have a good weekend, ladies.

A Controversy

Jay and I were discussing the lyrics of "I Will Dare" from 'Let It Be.' Jay Felt That Paul was singing "I ain't lost yet/so I gotta be a winner/bacon and cigarettes a lousy dinner," where I always thought it was 'fingernails and cigarettes.' These people suggest it is 'bacon,' but a guy here claims Paul himself told him it was 'fingernails':

I said, "Could you write, 'bacon and cigarettes, a lousy dinner'?"

He looked up at me through those thick blue Lennon glasses that have become
his solo career trademark, and asked, "What song is that from?"

"It's from 'I Will Dare,'" I reminded him.

At first I thought he was bullshitting, but he just stared at me with a confused look on his face. His eyes like vacant little commas behind blue cough drops. The silence became uncomfortable so I sang the line to him. "I ain't lost yet, so I gotta be a winner, bacon and cigarettes, a lousy dinner."

As he looked at me his puzzled look was washed away with a relieved expression. "No, no, that's not what I say," he said, like he figured out the answer to a riddle we had been working on together, "I say, 'fingernails, cigarettes, a lousy dinner.' You know? Like you're nervous and you're chewing your fingernails and smoking?"

He opened his eyes wide and made a motion like a nervous cartoon character with his teeth chattering on his fingers.

Listen for yourself. But I'm right as usual. Also, in the special place you will find the following:

Al Green - Lay It Down (new - produced by ?uestlove from the Roots)

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - Pershing (if the first song doesn't hook you, you can't be hooked)

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (Jury's still out)

Now do you like me...?

Who's Up For A Trip To Spain?

From Wired:

Legendary garage punk band The Mummies have been convinced to reform for their first show in 15 human years. Unfortunately for most of us mere mortals, the show will take place in Valencia, Spain, on October 10.

Read the rest here, including an interview with Trent Ruane, singer and organist.

Also check out Mummies Peel sessions from '94, courtesy of Chunklet. You gotta scroll, baby.

Shit

Memphis, TN, Ca. 1993

This Still Makes Me Laugh

I stumbled onto this in an old folder and had a good chuckle today. This is the cover of a book that Joe worked on several years ago.



And here is my version of the same cover, re-imagined as a book that I think Joe would more likely have been involved in creating.

New addition to the blog

Alastair. Born yesterday at 11:41 pm. A considerate 6 lbs 11 oz, and 20 inches tall. Mum and son are doing well. Dad a nervous wreck.

Subteens poster gains place of honor in Dave's bar

Here's the important part of the bar:



And finally, my old reliable Telecaster, with the still visible 'Nail' sticker!

My Pants Feel Funny

Rapid Eye Movement

Saw R.E.M. last night in Raleigh at a big outdoor shed venue. Great show- Stipe's voice has just gotten amazing in the live setting over the years. The National and Modest Mouse opened. Every album was represented, and some highlights included Johnny Marr joining the band for a two Rickenbacher take on 'Fall On Me' and original producers Mitch Easter and Don Dixon playing on 'Standing Still'. They had a really cool and innovative backdrop composed of various screens and images, similar to what Radiohead is doing these days. Excellent show. Can't go wrong when the opener is 'Harborcoat'!

Setlist:

1. Harborcoat
2. Living Well Is the Best Revenge
3. Bad Day
4. What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
5. 1,000,000
6. Man-Sized Wreath
7. Welcome To The Occupation
8. Accelerate
9. 7 Chinese Bros.
10. Hollow Man
11. Imitation Of Life
12. Houston
13. Electrolite
14. Walk Unafraid
15. The One I Love
16. Final Straw
17. Find The River
18. Let Me In (everyone including the drummer playing acoustic guitars)
19. Horse to Water
20. Auctioneer
21. Orange Crush
22. I'm Gonna DJ

23. Supernatural Superserious
24. Losing My Religion
25. Pretty Persuation
26. Fall On Me (with Johnny Marr)
27. Sitting Still (with Mitch Easter and Don Dixon)
28. Man On The Moon

This One Takes Me Back ... 22 Years?!

Of course, when I bought it in 1986 it was called album, and technically, my new copy should be called download, but that's splitting hairs, really.

Arguably PiL's most accessible collection of songs, album is something of an anomaly, not only because Lydon considered it a solo album (founding member Keith Levene was out), but also because of the fucking bizarre group of guest musicians he employed, including Bill Laswell (who also produced), Ginger Baker (Hunh?), Steve Vai (Seriously, hunh?), and Ryuichi Sakamoto (Who?). For whatever reason, it works. And the louder you listen, the better it works.

From the sometimes realiable Wikipedia:

Neil Perry gave Album a positive review in the NME: "This is a wonderful, stunning and equally confusing record, and working on the theory that you'd never expect to hear the Lydon sneer backed by prime metal riffing, that's exactly what you get. Not everywhere, of course, as proved by the haunting "Rise." And "Ease," by the way, with its shock-horror two minutes plus guitar solo, is quite beautiful ... In short, Lydon and PiL are still breaking barriers. The man has extracted the false phallus from rock's trouser front and is smashing it over our heads."

You guys are old now, so don't Forget (to) Take (your) PiL(s).

Old But Good

A man riding his Harley was riding along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The biker pulled over and said, "Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."

The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking: the supports required reaching the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."

The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, "Lord, I wish that I and all men could understand women. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she really means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy."

The Lord replied, "You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

Good Old Houston

This is the name of a restaurant I saw in downtown Houston. I think it must be owned by Fuzzy Zoeller.

Summer Cocktails

It is going to be around 100 this weekend in DC (you know its hot when people visiting from new Orleans are complaining about it), and accordingly my thoughts turn to refreshing summer cocktails, made by the pitcher, which invigorate the heat-dulled senses, chill the fevered brow, and invite optimistic remarks like “We should get a croquet set this year . . .”

Unlike the unusual, and not unpleasant as an aperitif, “caprese martini” pictured above (how could I resist), below is a recipe for what I contend to be the perfect summer cocktail – the “Cuke.” (The recipe is not original to me, but I can’t remember where I read it.) the challenge is on . . . .

6 limes, rinsed
1 cup packed mint leaves, no stems (optional garnish)
3 unwaxed cucumbers
1\2 cup sugar
2 cups Hendricks gin
Sparkling water

Thinly slice 3 limes and 2 cucumbers and place in pitcher. Add juice of other 3 limes and sugar. Muddle and add liquor. Steep in fridge for at least 30 mins. Fill glasses with ice, pour the mix about ¾ full, top with splash of sparkling water and (if you feel like it) a mint leaf.

Obituary Friday

My brother alerted me this morning to this obituary of Tony Kostrzewa, founder of Red Rhino Records. Originally a record store in York, my home town, it then became a fairly well-respected record label. Apparently he helped put both of these bands on the map, which is an achievement in itself. I spent many a happy hour perusing the racks in Red Rhino as a lad, and its nice to see this obituary in a national newspaper, particularly as it seems as much an obit of the store, as the owner.

Meshuggah

Not Feeling Terribly Progressive? Maybe you need more Swedish prog-inspired metal:

From Wikipedia:

Meshuggah is a Swedish five-piece experimental metal band from Umeå, known
for their use of extended polymetric passages, complex drum patterns, odd time
signatures, angular, dissonant guitar riffs, and harsh screaming vocals.

Two of thier more critically acclaimed albums, Destroy Erase Improve and Chaosphere are out there.

Whichever one of you Bastards is in charge of the birthday calendar, you *&^%$ it up again!

I'm 41! Officially in my 'late' forties! For 8 more years! I celebrated by purchasing the following CDs:

Weezer (Red Album)
Nick Cave (The Boatman's Call)
The Replacements (Stink reissue)

Carry on! I'm off to Asheville tomorrow to start recording my new album. First full-fledged, full-band thing since Anyface days. What songs am I recording, Jay? I'm so glad you asked:

Dry September
Blank
Disconnected
Off-White Wedding
Do You Doubt?
Her Heart's on a String
She's After Me
How Do You Get to Heaven from Natchez, MS?
Less Than Friends
I Can't See you Anymore
Everything Was Fine
Cindy Don't Slum

We'll have keyboard and lap steel whiz Adam from N.O. on board as well as an accordionist, trumpet player and female singers!

Fascinating

Shorpy.com is the 100-year-old photography blog that brings our ancestors back, at least to the desktop. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a boy who worked in an Alabama coal mine near the turn of the century.

Lots of fascinating photos, like this one taken at the Memphis bus terminal in 1943. Check the sign in the back. Yikes.

Lots more here.

First Drafts Of The Parables Of Jesus

By A.J. Packman

Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

One of the disciples asked, "What of the man who builds his house inside the house built on the rock? Surely his house will be even less damaged by water and wind. Is this what we should do?"

And Jesus said, "No, don't do that."

Read more here.

Shit

Bo Diddley is dead. Long live Bo Diddley.

Muse - Black Holes and Revelations

Muse has a sound that can really grow on you. Seewhatchathink.

Hard Hitting '80s PSA!

Weed in his closet, a guitar beside his bed, listening to rock music, toying with drumsticks, this young man is clearly going nowhere. And who's to blame? Mr. I-could-really-use-a-mustache-trimmer, that's who.