Sylvain Sylvain's Musical Influences

Taken from the 27 February 2011 edition of the Observer.  (Thanks Gavin!)

When Morrissey Ruled The World

No, he isn't a whining crooner.  Saint Morrissey is one of the greatest singers of our time and at one point - here, in 1995 - he was among the greatest performers to ever walk onto a stage.  This clip, taken from his "Introducing Morrissey" DVD, shows him at the pinnacle of his glory, touring his solo masterpiece, Vauxhall And I.  

I can't think of another singer over the last 25 years with as powerful a presence.  Women and men - gay AND straight men - try to break through an army of security in order to touch him.  I've seen him a couple times since his Wilderness Years, and really regret not seeing him during this era.

Morrissey Covers the New York Dolls

Taken from the Live In Dallas show, recorded on June 21, 1991...just a couple months after Johnny Thunders passed away.

Incredible New Metal Band: "Crap Factory"

Crap Factory is more than just a band - It is the sound people want to move to.

New York Dolls Announce "Underground" London Concerts

For immediate release, London, England –

The legendary New York Dolls have announced two exclusive “underground” London concerts at the Old Vic Tunnels on Wednesday 30th March and Thursday March 31st.  The concerts will take place underneath London’s historic Waterloo train station in what is described as a network of Victorian red brick tunnels.

The intimate concerts are limited to just 500 tickets per night.  Tickets are available by calling the following box office number: 0844 871 7628.  Alternatively, tickets for the March 30th concert can be booked online from http://nyd30.qrickets.com.  Tickets for the March 31st concert can be booked online from http://nyd31.qrickets.com.  The Old Vic Tunnels club dates are set to follow the tradition of previous Dolls intimate London concerts (their last small venue show in London at the 100 Club sold out in just 4 minutes).

General Admission: £35 / VIP: £50

Tickets strictly limited to 500 per night.

VIP tickets include guest list entry and after show meet and greet with the band.  We donate £1 for every ticket sold to the Railway Children Charity: www.railwaychildren.org.uk

The London concerts dovetail the Dolls’ forthcoming album release ‘Dancing Backwards in High Heels’, released by Blast Records on Monday 14th March.  Iconic guitarist Earl Slick, best known for his guitar playing on David Bowie's albums David Live (1974), Young Americans (1975) and Station To Station (1976), will join as the new guitarist on these exclusive London shows.  

Introducing the New York Dolls’ new guitarist, the legendary Earl Slick

Support at the Tunnels concerts comes from London-based band The Shoestrung; who command an infectious blend of dirty blues and foot stomping British rock’n’roll.

Go HERE For the Complete Noble PR Press Release

The Smiths - "Ask" Promo Video for Rank LP

Official Rough Trade promo video to coincide with the release of the posthumous live album "Rank."  Directed by Peter Fowler.  And for those of you who didn't know, the dude on rhythm guitar is Craig Gannon - the "5th Smith."  From Wikipedia:

Gannon had already achieved some fame for his work with Aztec Camera
and with The Bluebells before his work with The Smiths. When bass player 
Andy Rourke was fired from The Smiths in early 1986, Gannon was hired 
to replace him. Within a fortnight, however, Rourke was reinstated and 
Gannon moved to rhythm guitar, playing on the "Panic" and "Ask" singles
and touring the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States with the
band. Gannon also played on the scrapped single "You Just Haven't Earned 
It Yet, Baby", which was included on the World Won't Listen compilation
album. After the tour ended in October 1986, Gannon was no longer part
of the line-up.

Johnny Marr Falls In Love

Arguably the greatest and most innovative guitarist of the 1980s tells us how he fell in love with the guitar.

Johnny Thunders Interview - Straight Time Magazine (1987?)

I forgot exactly where I d/l'ed this article from, so forgive the lack of uploading credits.

Johnny and Patti Palladin in '87

The original uploader didn't post the date of this interview (done by Stephen Saban), but my guess would be 1987.  Not only are a couple photos labeled "1987," but the commentary refers to JT as being "in his thirties now and looks pretty good..."  That describes his '87 appearance pretty well.

Anyways, this covers most of the same ground as every other basic interview (how he met Arthur, formed the Dolls, left the Dolls...), and of course dives pretty deep into Heroin-talk.  What makes this interview different from many others is that JT was relatively clean.  He was dating Susan (the future mother of their daughter Jamie) who had forced him to clean up or get out.  It actually worked for a short time.

Download the article HERE.

Johnny Thunders Live at Max's Kansas City (1979)

Johnny and Walter trading riffs during a perfect performance.

Wishing CBS Correspondent Lara Logan Well

Normally, this isn't my typical post, but after reading about the attack, I wanted to remind everyone what journalists and reporters risk to bring us our news.

CBS Official Statement:

On Friday February 11, the day Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepped down, CBS correspondent Lara Logan was covering the jubilation in Tahrir Square for a 60 MINUTES story when she and her team and their security were surrounded by a dangerous element amidst the celebration. It was a mob of more than 200 people whipped into frenzy.

In the crush of the mob, she was separated from her crew. She was surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating before being saved by a group of women and an estimated 20 Egyptian soldiers. She reconnected with the CBS team, returned to her hotel and returned to the United States on the first flight the next morning. She is currently in the hospital recovering.

There will be no further comment from CBS News and Correspondent Logan and her family respectfully request privacy at this time.

Some More Funky But Chic

Thank you NYCDreamin' for this post's inspiration!

Conan O'Brien (Season 1, Episode 92 in 1993)

The Cluny, Newcastle UK (with Frankie Infante on lead guitar)

Solo, acoustic (with Brian Koonin)

New York Dolls UK Tour (with new guitarist Earl Slick)

For immediate release, London, England:

Legendary guitarist Earl Slick, best known for his spectacular guitar work on David Bowie’s albums David Live (1974), Young Americans (1975) and Station To Station (1976), has officially joined the New York Dolls as their new guitarist on their forthcoming UK tour dates.

Next week details of two further London concerts on the Dolls’ March UK tour will be revealed.

The March UK tour dates coincide with the Dolls’ new studio album “Dancing Backwards In High Heels” which is produced by the Killers engineer Jason Hill.  The album will be released in the UK on Blast Records on Monday, March 14th.

MARCH 2011 UK TOUR DATES

SUNDAY 27th MARCH, O2 ACADEMY NEWCASTLE 

Box Office: 0844 477 2000
Book Online: www.ticketweb.co.uk
Venue website: www.o2academynewcastle.co.uk
Ticket price: £25.00 adv
Meet and Greet tickets via Ticketweb: £50
(25 tickets only – subject to booking fee)
Tickets on Sale Now
Doors: 7pm

Address: Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SW

TUESDAY 29th MARCH, MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY 

Box Office: 0845 413 4444
Book Online: www.alt-tickets.co.uk
Ticket price: £23.50 adv
Tickets on Sale Now
Doors: 7.30pm
Address: Manchester Students Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR

David Johansen Solo Acoustic Tour Dates?!

Shit, I only found out he was doing shows because I was searching for some live bootlegs!  It looks like he is playing with Brian Koonin on guitar/percussion again.  If anyone finds out about any new dates, please let us know!

13 January - Narrows Center For The Arts, Fall River MA
3 February - Sellersville Theater 1894, Sellersville PA
6 Februaey - The Brighton Bar, Long Branch NJ

19 February - The Record Collector, Bordentown NJ

 July 9, 2010 - Jammin' Java, Vienna, Virginia

Random Lou Reed Ticket (1978)

State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN - April 16, 1978

Random Nico Ticket (1985)

8 April 1985, Ronnie Scott's Club, London (Soho) UK

Random Lou Reed Ad (1973)

The Ramones - Live In The UK 1977

I am in the middle of reading "I Slept With Joey Ramone," written by Joey's brother Mickey Leigh.  It is a loving tribute without whitewashing the issues Mickey had with his more famous brother.  You can pick it up cheap on Amazon (50 cents!).  

Here is the COMPLETE New Years Eve 1977 show from the London Rainbow.