Meme Of The Day: "It's Always The Middle One!"

New Syl Sylvain Podcast!

EPISODE:  "There's No Bones In Ice Cream"

Syl has definitely been keeping this podcast up.  Here's who we've got this episode:  The Dolls (duh - of course!), Heartbreakers, Sylvain, Arthur Alexander, Chocolate Watch Band, Batusis, Dionne Warwick, Mott The Hoople, and more...

I'm Getting Back Into Vinyl...

I've always loved vinyl and have had turntables as part of my stereo setup for as long as I can remember.  I've always listened to my parents' old college records (hey there Neil Young, CSN, and Woodstock - I still have 'em all) and then my dad's late 70s/early 80s bachelor pad collection (hello the Cars, the Knack, and other New Wave acts).  When my brother and I would go over to my dad's place on the weekend circa 1980 I would always look for his copy of Lou Reed Live and show the back cover to my brother, who would run away scared and crying!

Hey, Jared...BOO!

My brother and I had plenty of those cheap 7" flexi-discs and novelty stories on record, too.  One of them was a Superman story 45 that we intentionally nicked with a pin to get it to skip, "Up in the sky, who is it?  It's Suuu....it's Suuu...it's Suuu..."  I also remember one day we set up a couple records in the living room and we threw eggs at them!  Here's a pic of my lil' bro and I in front of that very record player:

South Euclid, OH in '78!

I still own the first record I ever purchased (written about here) and the very last "new" LP I purchased, which was the '87 Beastie Boys' License To Ill for about $7 at Bernie Schulman's.  I was in Middle School and still remember the reaction a black girl had when she overheard me playing my dubbed copy of License To Ill on my headphones, "Damn, a white boy listenin' to some JAMS!"

Well, to make a very long story somewhat blog-sized, after my second child was born - and the resulting loss of my computer/stereo room - I had to stow away my turntable in the attic and the vinyl in the basement.  Every once in a while I'd get the urge to listen to a record, but then I'd download the album if I didn't have it on CD already and I'd soon forget about the needle dropping.  I was good with that state of affairs until I discovered the Vinyl Community (VC) on PooTube.  And man...that got me jonesin' something fierce for holding that 1' square cardboard sleeve in my hands.

Here's an example of what I'm talkin' about (that's Dereck - the King of the VC):

My listening space is very small, but it is enough for me to be happy with.  Maybe one day I'll own a big house with a spare room I can have to myself and construct an elaborate shelving system, but until then my 3 foot high stereo rack (which doubles as my night stand) will be enough.

I do have some self-imposed rules I abide by when making purchases.  Not only will it save me money, but it will also prevent me from hoarding records I don't have the room for: 

• I will not "Collect" records:  This means I will not buy an album simply to have it.  If I don't like the music then I won't buy it, regardless of whether it would "complete" a particular artist's discography.  It also means most of the Rolling Stones' and Lou Reed's post 1982 catalog will not sit on my record shelves.
• I will not buy 12" singles or 45 rpms:  Unless it's by an artist who ONLY issues releases on 7" I will not buy 'em.  That's a lot of money (relatively speaking) for a couple songs.  However, I WILL buy EPs. 
• I will only buy LPs in "playable" condition:  I might see an ultra-rare record marked WAY down because it is scratched and scuffed, but if it is too damaged to play on my turntable without skipping, I won't get it.
• I will almost never purchase a vinyl LP I already own on CD:  With very few exceptions, I will not spend money on a vinyl copy of something I already own.

So, now I travel to the record shop every Sunday, even if only to grab something out of the $1 bin.  What's the difference between that and an illegal download?  Not much.  Well, yes - a record store purchase IS legal - but the musicians aren't getting paid.  The label ain't getting a dime.  The store and the gas station are who get paid from my Sunday journeys to the Record & Tape Xchange.  The wife and little one stay at home and I get to spend an hour at the record shop before I pick up my oldest son from religious school.  It's the most relaxing hour of my week!

New Joey Ramone Album Out 22 May!

Pre-Order "…ya know?" now on iTunes here http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/...ya-know/id519564569 .  The album has been specially Mastered for iTunes for the 5/22 release and includes a digital booklet with lyrics, liner notes and foreword by the legendary Little Steven Van Zandt.  You can also purchase "Rock 'N Roll Is The Answer" digitally on iTunes here http://bit.ly/InLlWK

For now, sign up for the mailing list and get a free track!

 

Rest In Peace Johnny Thunders

You will never be forgotten.

Richard Hell on Tonght Live (1993)

We don't get the opportunity to see Richard on TV very often.   Here's a great one!

Record Messages: George R. Williams Gave Up on Diana Ross

Damn, George!  You held onto this LP for a long time, probably waiting for Diana to drop by and autograph it for you.  Don't feel bad - she's a real bitch from what I hear.

Meme Of The Day: Humorless Hitler

Complete Solo Morrissey Discography ('88-'10)

The Complete Solo Morrissey Discography

1988
   "Suedehead"
   "VIVA HATE" [original edition]
   "Everyday Is Like Sunday"  

1989
   "The Last Of The Famous International Playboys"
   "I Know Very Well How I Got My Note Wrong"
   "Interesting Drug"
   "Ouija Board, Ouija Board"

1990
   "November Spawned A Monster"
   "Piccadilly Palare"
   "BONA DRAG" [original edition]

1991
   "Our Frank"
   "KILL UNCLE"
   "Sing Your Life"
   "Pregnant For The Last Time"
   "My Love Life"
   "At KROQ"

1992
   "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful"
   "You're The One For Me, Fatty"
   "YOUR ARSENAL"
   "The Loop"
   "Tomorrow"
   "Certain People I Know"

1993
   "BEETHOVEN WAS DEAF"

1994
   "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get"
   "VAUXHALL & I"
   "The Family Line"
   "Hold On To Your Friends"
   "Interlude"
   "Now My Heart Is Full"

1995
   "Boxers"
   "THE WORLD OF MORRISSEY"
   "Dagenham Dave"
   "SOUTHPAW GRAMMAR" [original edition]
   "The Boy Racer"
   "Sunny"

1997
   "VIVA HATE" [EMI100 edition]
   "Alma Matters"
   "MALADJUSTED" [original edition]
   "SUEDEHEAD - THE BEST OF MORRISSEY"
   "Roy's Keen"
   "Satan Rejected My Soul"

1998
   "Rare Tracks"
   "MY EARLY BURGLARY YEARS"

2000
   "The CD-Singles 88-91"
   "The CD-Singles 91-95"

2001
   "¡THE BEST OF!"

2003
   "UNDER THE INFLUENCE"

2004
   "Irish Blood, English Heart"
   "YOU ARE THE QUARRY" [original edition]
   "SONGS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE"
   "First Of The Gang To Die"
   "Sessions@AOL" EP
   "Let Me Kiss You"
   "YOU ARE THE QUARRY" [deluxe edition]
   "I Have Forgiven Jesus"

2005
   "Redondo Beach"/"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
   "LIVE AT EARLS COURT"

2006
   "You Have Killed Me"
   "RINGLEADER OF THE TORMENTORS"
   "The Youngest Was The Most Loved"
   "In The Future When All's Well"
   "I Just Want To See The Boy Happy"


2008
   "That's How People Grow Up"
   "GREATEST HITS"
   "All You Need Is Me"


2009
   "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris"
   "YEARS OF REFUSAL"
   "Something Is Squeezing My Skull"
   "When Last I Spoke To Carol" (Toy Selectah mix - official download)
   "SOUTHPAW GRAMMAR" [expanded & redesigned edition]
   "MALADJUSTED" [expanded & redesigned edition]
   "SWORDS"
   "THE HMV/PARLOPHONE SINGLES '88-'95"
   "THE 7" SINGLES '88-'91"
   "THE 7" SINGLES '91-'95"


2010
   "BONA DRAG" [20th anniversary ed with bonus tracks]
   "Everyday Is Like Sunday - 2010"

Robin Gibb Is Gravely Ill

(AP) LONDON - British media reports say former Bee Gee Robin Gibb is gravely ill with pneumonia in a London hospital.

The Sun newspaper reported Saturday that 62-year-old Gibb is in a coma, citing a family friend.

Gibb's publicist, Doug Wright, declined to comment, but Gibb's son has acknowledged that the 62-year-old musician is seriously ill.

Gibb was hospitalized last year for stomach and colon problems and had intestinal surgery last month.

He was forced to miss the London premiere of his classical "Titanic Requiem" this week because of illness. His son Robin-John Gibb said the family was "praying for him and hoping he has a speedy recovery."

I am unable to listen to most of their disco-era work, but there's no question that at one time they were an incredible trio with more than a few classics I listen to on a regular basis.  Barry may have been the handsome one, and his falsetto is what most people remember, but it was Robin's tenor that was the bedrock of the Bee Gees harmonies.

Johnny Thunders - "Daddy Rollin' Stone" 7" Single

Sucksex Records - SEX10

Thanks to the original uploader for this!!  Some So Alone outtakes for ya, featuring Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Phil Lynott, and JT!  Three pressings were released, this is from the third pressing, limited to to 85 copies.  Produced by Steve Lillywhite.

>>>DOWNLOAD HERE!<<<

Cool...and Cooler: "Love Me Do"

This is cool...

But this is much, much cooler:

Johnny Thunders/Jerry Nolan - "Countdown Love" 7" Single

Sucksex Records - SEX13

Here is a sort of rare little dandy.  I grabbed this from White Trash Soul a couple years ago and here it is to further spread the wealth.  WTS posts MANY more shows than I could ever hope to, so be sure and visit his blog regularly!

As for this, there were two editions of this 7" single pressed, both of 200 copies apiece.  

Side A features Johnny Thunders and the Que Sera Sera 'Black Cats' band. It was recorded in 1985 at London's Tin Pan Alley Studios, with background vocals provided by Stiv Bators and Michael Monroe.

Side B features Jerry Nolan with the Teneriffa Cowboys again performing 'Countdown Love.'  It was recorded in 1983 at Stockholm's Decibel studios.

>>>DOWNLOAD HERE!<<<

Syl Sylvain Podcast - 119 Chrystie Street

It looks like Sylvain Sylvain's podacst a couple weeks ago wasn't just a one-off.  Check out his latest show and subscribe!

Movie Intros: GG Allin - "Hated"

Thank you, dear younger brother for introducing me to the world of GG Allin.  Ya know, GG was right when he said you die when you die.

Meme Of The Day: Creepy Stare Guy

Album Review: Morrissey - "Viva Hate" (UNCUT Mag)

Thank you much to Uncleskinny for the original pic/post.

I am not going to argue with the reviewer here over his rating (not that there is much to argue about), but the final paragraph of the review says it all.  Morrissey feels the need to tinker with perfection and keep pushing shit out to the public.  Does he really need to think very hard about why his reissues sell so poorly?  Maybe because it's because they aren't true re-issues, but re-imagined.  I think what he has done to his remasters (Southpaw Grammar, Maladjusted, Viva Hate) is akin to what George Lucas did to the original Star Wars movies: tinker with perfection and end up with sub-par dreck.

Moz, you're more than 50 years old.  Be proud of your legacy and quit fucking with it.  You're only kicking sand in your own face.

He has become what he used to piss on.  Re-issue, Re-package, Re-package! 

Bootleg Time: Flying Burrito Brothers - "Sin City"

DOWNLOAD IT LOSSLESS HERE!

This bootleg features a 1969 Flying Burrito Brothers' show at the Winterland Ballroom, in San Francisco, The recording quality is very good. Even though the mix is a bit murky, every instrument is distinguishable. This disc is highlighted by Burritos' favorites like "Sin City," as well as songs not available on any officially released recordings. - allmusic.com

Game Of Thrones: Season 2 Begins!!

Obituary: John Demjanjuk

I spent most of my life in Cleveland and remember the the John Demjanjuk/Ivan The Terrible saga vividly.  Being the most famous retired auto-worker in Cleveland history, his investigation and trial made the front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer quite frequently.  With his death last month the entire drama comes to a close.  This obit, published in the Economist last week, sums it all up.  His final years were spent in miserable emotional and physical pain, which is a much more comfortable decline than the victims he escorted to their deaths at Sobibor death camp.