So the other night I had the honor of playing a solo show as The Slow Wire with a few bands I really dug Secret Photos, Bodega Satellite as well this other local swamp rock band called Traveling in Stereo. In all a awesome night. Originally the Eastern Anchors we’re supposed to play but either way I’m sure we’ll hook up soon enough as the album is the EA complete. There will always be more shows. What’s actually exciting to me is this new 10th Street live venue is actually book some exciting shit. The rumour that night also is that my pal Andy Diamond may be booking some music The Crossroads in Garwood in the near future (not confirmed yet) but we shall see. I’ve never had two rock clubs so close to since I move out of New Brunswick a decade ago.
Super energetic punk trio with some chops and riffage. Hope you dig them. If a band can sound good live on video it’s not a sound mans trick. No mixing in the world can help. Dig them.
Here’s another song by Secret Photos called jack and the pollock MP3 from their record Luv2Giv
I like the way they switch electronic embryo or power trio. Cool shit.
Some of this sounds like: Slow Motion MP3 by Ultravox Eels MP3 by Built to Spill from The Electronic Anthology Project You Got It (Keep It Outta My Face) MP3 by Mudhoney from Super Fuzz Big Muff Think About Carbs MP3 by Hot Snakes from Audit In Progress Champs MP3 by Wire from Pink Flag (1977)
ALBUM REVIEW: Meditate On It is the debut by Sleepless Saints is a record done with lots of gentleman like swagger. A tip of the hat to the guitar production and orchestration that drive this baby home. With great Rock-n-roll voice all wrapped up like Mr. Tom Petty or Mr Nick Lowe respectively. Yeah, we know it’s saying a lot if you like Oasis type reverb rock Singer/Songwriters then Sir, Mr. Christian Edwards delivers the well spun hooks. Lots of tasty vocal layers packaged in this album so say you. All the songs really show a sense of song without muddying up the heart of the matter. In particular on tracks like “Begining to Believe” there is some tasty slide guitar hands here that will buzz your ears as if you were saying “ohm” to yourself. Trust us if we thought this sucked we would tell you but we’re here to tell you this is a good sounding album all the way through with a pop sense that is delivered frankly and honestly. And if we told you Edwards actually has a meditation room in his house would you believe us?
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone (Cinema Guild) tells the tale of how Norwood Fisher (Bass/Vocal – 1979 present) and Angelo Moore (Vocals/Sax 1979 -present) kept Fishbone together since the beginning to present day. Being a white suburban punk I was lucky enough to have caught them from the onset of their journey. Can’t say I stayed dedicated their whole career but with respect I went on to do my thing and thanks to them discovered a lots music with a open mind. This documentary features a slattering of rock star power and fandom from Iced-T, to Flea, Mike Watt, to Vernon Ried talking about how for them Fishbone set the bar. Watching this I quickly reminded how Norwood exploited the bass with his own funkiness as if it owed him which affected me in many ways when I started learning the instrument. Their energy was so influential to my sense of what a good time at show is; it still to this day is a feeling that’s never been topped by any other live band except for maybe Jane’s Addiction and a couple others. They set the bar so high that even they can’t seem to reach the altitude again and this documentary does a great job of portraying this wall of talent. There is hope as well from the underside of the “rock” dream where the notion conflicts with a bunch talented guys who slowly dispersed with having a hard time of finding acceptance even amongst their own culture. Laurence Fishburne says it best “They brought the funk to the punk”. If you ever wondered how a Artist works through their broken dreams this film gives you a hard glimpse into this world of break-downs and the insanity of it all. Unfortunately depending on your greatness it’s a intense journey that some artist don’t survive. In the end you’re rooting for them hoping the original line-up can get back together to make another record or play one mother fucking amazing show.
Give It Up MP3 by Fishbone from In Your Face (1987)
A few of the bands in the documentary: Organic Anti-Beat Box Band MP3 by Red Hot Chili Peppers from The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987) Group Sex MP3 by Circle Jerks (1980) Up The Beach MP3 by Jane’s Addiction from Nothing Shocking (1988)
EDITORIAL: Grammys, 2012. Seriously, there was once a time when the Music Industry would spend millions of dollars developing bands and performers. At some point in time ( they blame the internet piracy thing) they sort of hammered away at people’s tastes to the point where they don’t have any. So what are the Grammys for? Interesting fact there was once 109 categories and now there are 78! Is the music industry shrinking although it still thinks in big business terms and not how they used to develop song writers, building their audience and developing the performers — you the know — the art where good people like producers and engineers bring out the best. Now it’s about how fast they can exploit something and cheaply to make the business needs.
The only reason I watched the Grammys this years was to see what twitters reaction to Grammys was going to be – actually can’t imagine taking in other events like this or politics any other way. Brings whole new meaning to the silent majority. On the one hand it’s a award show but it sure as hell didn’t feel like they gave out more than 8 awards the whole 3 1/2 hour long broadcast. The Foo Fighters (5 Grammys), Adele (6 Grammys) and [insert skinny white chics name here ] sort of took them all home with them. They still allow lip syncing for “Artist” performances but then suddenly when you get a performance out of The Foo’s or Beach Boys backed by Maroon 5 I think a sudden appreciation of live talent may be taking a turn for the better. Well at least we hope. Big business knows what works so they work desperately to make sure none of the pop divas are perceived as having big asses, sing flat or having drug problems (RIP Whitney I think god meant the show not you) but anyway. The point is perception is everything.
There are always going to be manufactured artists and those who think a meat dress is unique. It’s easy but does it take talent? Remember when the abomination known as the Black Eyed Peas made a mockery of Half time shows? We all appreciated the dress malfunction. Autotune is starting to not be impressive and people really resent it never mind the horrible lip syncing. Who the hell wants to see Chris Brown dance? I know one demographic who does not mind -mostly. These are one trick ponies that like Grunge/Nirvana sound alike bands the Industry has seemingly bled the “genre” and spit it out so many times but agree they could use some new categories as suggested by Dave Grohl and Butch Vig that are little more nostalgic shall we say like “Best Garage Record” or “Best old-school album”. Now there is an idea!
About your new band:
With best new artist award going to Bon Iver – I still could not hum you a song although I could for last years winner. The deciders may start to develop bands we already love thanks to the internet and MP3 blogs like this one acting as their scouts. So many amazing bands in the past like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin never played the Grammys even though they were dominating ticket sales in their hey-day. It’s a strange phenomemom. Bruce opening this years show was a good start to keeping to basics and what works. A magical moment where we all seriously appreciated because that is real talent to sing and write you own songs. What a concept! Don’t get me wrong getting a Grammy is no small feat but it’s cool when you feel somebody has earned it.
I’ve got to say I blame Thurston Moore and his Sonic Youth for making me think about instruments as a paint brush versus notes. Can’t say I ever dared to invent or play weird guitar tunings, except for the occasional drop “D” but I often enjoy working with a simple palette. Even a single not solo works for me. Anyway here’s a few tunes by the 99th best guitarists ever as noted by Rolling Stone and a zillion other guitar heads. I put him up and Lee Renaldo in the top 10 innovators of the instrument.
Circulation MP3 by Thurston Moore from Demolished Thoughts (Matador/2011) Pretty Bad MP3 by Thurston Moore from Psychic Heart (1995) Lonesome MP3 by Thurston More from Sensitive/ Lethal (2008) This one is really irritating noise so beware. Frozen Gtr MP3 from Trees Outside the Academy (2007) Shadow Of A Doubt MP3 by Sonic Youth from E.V.O.L. (1986) Madonna, Sean And Me MP3 from E.V.O.L. I Love Her All The Time MP3 by Sonic Youth from Bad Moon Rising (1985)
So much pop indie rock this month we don’t know what to do with ourselves. We love our inbox so keep the music coming. Here’s a few bands from Washington DC, Brooklyn, Florida, to Hampshire, UK.
This first one is a good song to open up our singles with by Access Royale. Cool little guitars, keyboard and bass interplay that tweeters and draws you in like a puzzle made out of musical notes. Think Dismemberment Plan and Bloc Party. Yup Access Royale are from DC so the proverbial chord changes do not fall far from the tree. Definitively one to watch!
Download: Hide MP3 by Access Royale from City Of Paradigm
We dig this psych noise from The Owsley Brothers. They are regular joes making a fuckin’ ruckus. Here’s a reverb drenched tune called “Rotten on the Vine” from their forthcoming record called Cobalt due out March 6th. You know that neo-bluegrass music you hear in True Blood. This is that type of swamp psychedelic blues. You’re not quite sure but there is this Cramps like jungle beat bumping you for ride on their pick-up truck with song scary sounding guitars. This scene might not end because the vampires have skills but it does because you certainly want to hear the flip side which is equally garage and dirty south like R.L. Burnside.
Here’s a Cities of Glass from Hampshire, UK who single starts out a little proggy and notey called “Expect Less” from their EP From Where We Are. The vocal doubling is the strong part here as the music marches on and guitar notes twist you up like a vine. This tune swings and we can see the kids bopping their head along. Maybe even uncrossing their arms! Very agree-able like early We Were Promised Jet Packs so enjoy it!
Download: Expect Less MP3 by Cities of Glass off of From Where We Are.
I really like the way the drums start pounding on this track one way then the bass goes another way on the third pass. Fort Lean are from Brooklyn. Lots of drums then towards the middle of the song after the guitar bridge they suddenly remind me of The Strokes. Except with delay on the guitars and little spattering of keywords or something like echo and the bunnymen. Catch them at Santos House Party Feb 28th w/ Team Spirit & Stepdad.
Everybody loves this little purple man. He can sling a riff smoother than silk.
Call him whatever you like Artist, Maven or a pompous Perfectionist he kows how to write a song so if you make it sound like shit it’s because you suck.
Little Red Corvette MP3 by Montagna & The Mouth to Mouth from their CD L’avenir. First time I heard this it took me totally by surprise. I mean what’s not to like about a really well done Prince cover right? Raspberry Berret MP3 by Aviso’ Hara. This originally came out on 7″ EP called Mature & Satisfied. Features Claude Coleman Jr (Ween/Skunk/Amandla) on backing vocals. Best pop punk version of this song ever in my humblest of opinions. L. M. L. Y. P. (Ween Is In Trouble Dudes) MP3 by Ween from God Ween Satan The Oneness (1990) – This song is called “Let Me Lick Your Pussy”. Saw them do this once at the Court Tavern in 1991. Was awesome. When Doves Cry (Prince Cover) MP3 by Damien Rice from Like A Version Vol. 1
So when I started this documentary project on the Sound Station last summer in 2011 it was really to celebrate something that was pretty unique to my dear old town of Westfield, New Jersey. The hope is that this story turns into a comeback for a little cultural mecca that was just starting to gets it’s legs back. Embraced by the local NJ music scene like The Court Tavern was this was just another unexpected blow. The record store was going through a resurgence finding their audience on facebook and throwing free shows they were able to stick their heads-out from the recession but nothing could prepare them for this. This is a place where there was always a steady diet of discovery of all sorts of genres funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop or whatever your discerning rock taste was into. Chances are Bob would always have a recommendation for you and if he didn’t I was usually was just happy to be able to walk into the place and talk about music — music therapy. Just knowing the place was there gave musicians and music fans like myself comfort.
Ava shopping for records at the Sound Station
Anyway, most of you reading this already know this but for the one’s that have not stepped into a record in years. Maybe it’s time to consider stepping into one because it’s a sort of experience that can’t be replicated. My hope is that this short inspires you in some way and we can do an update as the tale unfolds. Stay tuned!
Just one of many amazing Blues, Soul and Funk records I found at Sound Station
Music to discover or rediscover: Problems MP3 by Lee Fields & The Expressions Greasy Spoon MP3 by Mel Brown from Chicken Fat Radio MP3 by Raphael Saadiq from Stone Rollin’ One More Night MP3 by CAN from Ege Bamyasi Black Snake MP3 by Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears from Scandalous
ALBUM REVIEW: Little did these two bands know that their last performance would leave behind rubble and a set of burnt out souls. I’m of course talking about the fire that destroyed the Sound Station in Westfield where above video was shot a week before that tragic Sunday on Jan 22nd, 2012. This was not their intent only metaphorically of course. Bob Larsen the owner loves to celebrate all sorts of music and these guys were part of that musical entertainment. So, if your a fan of noise, as he is, and copious guitar notes then you’re gonna love A FUCKING ELEPHANT and EL DRUGSTORE on Nefarious Industries. Besides the fact we love capitalization. We sincerely dig these two bands and are rooting for the Sound Station to come back stronger in a badly needed music scene where culture is slowly disapearing. Fortunately for us bands like these two have put out split LP that is as much gut spilling as it is ear bending. Taking the art of noise to places that need exploring. Disfigured in the anti matter of rock something great will rise again. Your spine will bend a little when El Drugstore goes off the rails in what’s best described as a cacophony of uprooted trees being torn down by a bulldozer where Live at Pompei once stood. These jams bend the sequence of time. Those Arm Rests are Fire MP3 by El Drugstore
The opening track are by AFE make you feel right off the bat that bands like Neurosis and Melvin have had impact. Two of my favorites combined with the anti-Rush. Now for the avid listener it obvious why these two bands put out a split release together. Their line in “Football with Ukrainians” describes the music best. “They scream heart attack”. I mean shit this is a beating. When I was chatting with Matty Keys the guitarist he was we have to be totally sober to place this music. A listen and you’ll realize this music is about precision. Well at least as much as you can have accuracy if your scalpel is buzzsaw carving through sheets of metal and earth. Lots of guitar taping on few numbers and juggling of said notes in furious numbing beating like a boxer on punching bag. Football With Ukrainians MP3 by A Fucking Elephant
This noise reminds us of: Self-Doubt MP3 by Neurosis(1989) Get more from Relapse Bocabola MP3 by Boredoms from Pop Tatari (1992) Superpussy MP3 by Rapeman from Budd (1988) Over From Underground MP3 by Melvins live 10 Songs (1986). Organ Donor MP3 by Unsane s/t (1991/matador)
Bobby Albert - Serving Hub City Rock from 1981-2012
Nobody knows the answer Why Bobby Albert Jr would one day wake-up on a cold January and decide The Court Tavern(124 Church St) would close it’s doors forever. Maybe he got an offer he could not refuse — but I doubt it. Maybe the burden of a looming $60 thousand dollar bar license was just too huge an amount of hard swet and pride he was not willing to cough up one more time. The hole was just to big so he folded his hand.
Once, after a infamous patron argument Bobby once put up a sign behind the stage and painted over a mural by E-Gun(RIP) that said “Cruel but Fair” that would yet stamp the attitude of his bar. Years later the mural was uncovered again to reveal all the past “floating chromosomes” on the wall. Even though the sign was ugly it was a statement that had been a part of the folklore and lure of the Court Tavern crowd – always in chaos but always intriqueing. This was one of many incidents you’d hear about from the dixie cup chain of hooligans and curmudgeons who congregated here to celebrate rock-n-roll and get the occasional cocktail. For the most part the bands were understood and respected as Artists, well at least most of the time. The point is that this was punk rock bar that embraced most of us –no matter how weird or misunderstood.
Plugspark Sanjay
The Final Fuck You MP3 by Boss Jim Getty’s from Tigrebeat Hit It Now MP3 by Plug Spark Sanjay from the IMF Compilation (1999) Damned MP3 by Nudeswirl (1993) Mr. Sad MP3 by True Love from i was accident (2003) Kicked My Dad MP3 by Buzzkill
His father Bobby Albert Senior first ok’d live music in the bar then in came the local rock bands like The Smithereens, Crossfire Choir and Opium Vala. There was also bands like A.O.D., The Blisters, PEDs and Bad Karma. Ok so you maybe you never heard of any except for one of these bands but the point is local bands used to draw just as much as any indie touring band. Matter fact the local bands these days are all pretty well known so sort of perplexing with so many high profile punk shows that the situation got to be too much. This was a place where turning up the volume was par for the course and sometimes the band just played for flies and that was part of the risk of bringing in outside bands or having locals who just forgot to tell their friends. Sure the club/bar has had it’s fair share of early performance by the likes of Flaming Lips, Buthole Surfers and Superchunk. The list of who’s who goes on and on so here we’ll post some of these lesser known bands. (so second post is coming) The truth is this past week I’ve been bumming pretty hard as are a few of my other friends. Literally stayed away from facebook to take a step back after I heard the news. Just in December the Mayor of New Brunswick celebrated the clubs 30th Anniversary in the local press. In my humble opinion culture has pretty much been erased out of New Brunswick in the past 20 years since it began rebuilding the city so its always been a sideways battle. Homogenized from the day J&J decided to move-in and every bit of cheap real-estate bought up by UMDNJ under eminent domain in some cases we lost other amazing clubs there like The Roxy and The Melody Bar where Matt Pinfield used to spin (even when he was famous). Like roaches the music will survive somehow but it won’t have a place to hang it’s hat or hoodie like the Court. Well at least until somebody sees an opportunity as the court is now officially for sale.
My friend and rat bastard Cliff mentioned on one of the Facebook threads that we were done with this culture. Which is true maybe it’s time for the next generation to make their own fucking thing but for me it’s like loosing a bridge to my youth. Which was maybe ill spent at times but damn was it fun burning through those brain cells and hearing for that matter. This we can all agree on. Maybe even selfishly at times booking my bands with bands I wanted to see and hear; trying to help build up a scene and knowing full well the mystique was a commodity that paid-off in spades or could fail miserably. But at the end of night we’d always hear these words last works.
“You Don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here”
Well at least until the next time. Lets hope somebody else picks up the torch for next generation of Sonic Youths and pulpit pues.
Now on to the music.
Download: The Diamond Church Street Choir MP3 by The Gaslight Anthem from American Slang. This is super poetic tribute song that Brian Fallon wrote which is about my comrade Andy Diamond who I guess up until a few days ago booked bands there. He had some serious shoes to fill with the likes of Tom Crowe, Eric Gundry (the Artist behind the murals RIP), Adam and Sluggo who’s tastes were broad giving a lot of bands a place to practice and show-off their craft.
15 minutes Prior to this photo Corey Parks from Nashville Pussy lit Eric on fire. Photo by me
About those fuckin’ bands
There were so many to mention that I’ve either seen there, played with or wish I’d seen. Here’s my List of memorable shows: Nudeswirl(2x), Buzzkill(12x), Monster Magnet, BarkMarket, Transilvia, Boss Jim gettys'(10x), Mule, Don Caballero, Nashville Pussy, 9lb Hammer, Bionic Rhoada(6x), Mad Daddies(3x), The Raging Lamos, Whirling Dervishes, Tiny Lights, Chris Harford and the band of Changes, Deadguy, Duochrome, Ween(5x), MoistBoyz(2x), False Fron(3x).. jesus this list will never end but it was a lot of rock and I’ll never forget mostly thanks to the intertubes. I will say the songs I’m post barely make a dent so we’ll have to do a follow-up post.
Adios Amigo MP3 by MoistBoyz from II Longhair MP3 by Monster Magnet from 25 – Tab El Camino MP3 by Ween from God Ween Satan The Oneness (1990) Gimme What I Need MP3 by Mars Needs Women from Sparking Ray Gun (1995)
Wish I’d seen these shows:
Pussy Galore, Flamming Lips, Nirvana, Mudhoney, Supersuckers, Butthole Surfers, Urge Overkill… there’s more.
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