The Pastels

Ahhhhh, I woke up today and this was at my door! Fuck I'd been waiting for this fo a whole 3 dayyys. Ha. Anyway, I've listened to this three times so far, and I don't think I'll be removing it anytime soon. Sittin' Pretty by The Pastels. 1989. God bless it this is perfect post C86 magic. Whoa, I just coined another annoying term. 'Post C86'. Stephen Pastel is a god. It goes, Allah, Barack Obama then Stephen Pastel in the order of all who rule the world. Whether it be his constantly changing Pastels, or his short lived, but influential label, 53rd & 3rd, Stephen Pastel was always innovative and always a bad ass. Siick. So this puts me in such a good mood because yesterday I was bidding on their first lp and some pecker snipered me with 3 seconds to go. I was very hurt by that.

I hate to post a video that's not really a video, but you HAVE to hear this song, my favorite off this lp. 'Nothing To Be Done'

New Dum Dum Girls Video For 'Catholicked'

Pylon Guitarist, Randy Bewley, R.I.P.

Randy Bewley, guitarist of Pylon died today of a heart attack. He was driving through his hometown of Athens, Georgia when he suffered the attack and died later at a hospital. Their CD, Gyrate Plus (DFA), has been playing non stop at my house lately. Such a great guitarist, band. He'll be missed. Listen and remember why!

Updates And Whatnot: Dum Dum Girls, Crocodiles, Art Fag

Busy and exciting times over here. Here's a round up of some notable dates/news for you and yr loved ones.

Well, first isn't a date. It's just a 'news' item. You can buy the new Dum Dum Girls ep on Captured Tracks by going here or here. The sleeve looks like this:





Although it's not for another 2 months we're pretty excited about the new Crocodiles lp release on April 28 (Fat Possum). In celebration we're planning a weekend long list o' crap. On Friday 4/24 there'll be a 21+ record release party at The Whistle Stop in San Diego. We're welcoming our dear new pals The Splinters from Oakland to join and show will be followed by a big ol' dance party. Siick. The next night, 4/25 we're doing a big ol' all ages show with Crocodiles, The Splinters and a whole gaggle of close friends to be announced soon. The Crocodiles' 'Summer Of Hate' LP sleeve looks like this:





We're getting oh so close at Art Fag to being able to set up preorders for Ye Olde Maids' 'God Blesses Us, Mother Dresses Us' LP. So close!! Just a few more tweaks and we'll be in business, I promise. This will be worth the wait! You can hear some songs on our respective Myspace deals and look forward to new leaks and samples soon. The YOM LP sleeve looks like this:

Pylon

So I just got this cd 'Gyrate Plus' by Pylon that DFA put out last year. It's Pylon's first record, 'Gyrate' (1980), plus some extra goodies and it's all remastered. Oh, and it rules. This band should be so revered, but it doesn't seem like many give a care. Well I give a care, and so will you. This is some of the best post punk / dance(ish) stuff you can find. Fits in with any NYC/UK/78-81 stuff of the same ilk. But they're from ATHENS. Athens, GEORGIA. Played shows with R.E.M. This lp came out in 1980 and I suggest you find it and listen. I also suggest you scroll down and play the video. It's like a mini roc doc that dislays not only their super cool sound, but their humble charm.

Touch & Go R.I.P.?

Fuck what a sad day. I've been reading, this morning, all these articles about the folding of Touch & Go. What's confirmed is that the distribution and manufacturing parts are for sure over. 20 of 25 employees will lose their jobs in 6 weeks. All the labels that T&G distributed and manufactured are without a home. This means PPM. This means Kill Rock Stars. This means Drag City. Evidently the only label that will stay is Merge. Not confirmed is that new music will cease to come out on Touch & Go's record label. Crystal Antler's April 7" release seems to be the only new music T&G will release in the near future possibly forever.

Touch & Go has such a great history. Over 26 years of it. Big Black, Jesus Lizard, The Buttholes, Slint, The Monorchid, and many other bad ass bands from the 80s on. Most notable though, to me was the nurturing of all the indie labels it housed and supported. It was just, like, 6 months ago that I excitedly 'announced' on here that PPM was taken on. And since then, it seemed many more were "proudly announced" to be picked up. Oh well. I've already personally seen the death of record stores locally. Are strong independent labels/distros next? Is everything destined for mail order?


Time Out Chicago's Story

Crocodiles 'Summer Of Hate' LP Due April 28

Fat Possum will be releasing on vinyl, cd and digital download. Start saving your shekels. And stay tuned for release oriented party time.

Mutating Meltdown

Mutating Meltdown was the shit. I wish I could have seen them but, lo and behold, they are defunct. 'Ded' as it says on their Myspace deal. Too bad. One of the best things I've heard to come out of Austin or the galaxy in the last few years. Experimental and catchy at the same time, their sound reminds me of Lizzy Mercier Descloux and some parts of early Sonic Youth. With the organ/keyboard and vocals, though it's a sound all their own. They've just released a 7" single on M'lady's Records which already sold out. There should be some stores that may have the last few, and there will be a couple hundred repressed real soon. Don't sleep on this special record.

Oh and M'lady's Records is doing all kids of bad ass shit so check their other upcoming and past releases.


Mutating Meltdown Myspace

The Mayfair Set

What's up with 2009? Sure, I was optimistic all thru Oct-Nov-Dec 2008, but I had no idea it would be this good. So as we cruise along this glorious year, let's welcome The Mayfair Set. Blank Dogs + Dum Dum Girls = The Mayfair Set. New York / Los Angeles magic. You can find their two new songs on their just as new Myspace thing. It's weird..both bands, which I adore, have such a distinctly different sound yet go so well together. Dark haunting vocals tempered with bright melodic bursts of vocal joy. Very very good. Look for their 7 inch to be released on Captured Tracks (another one of these glowing new offerings of 2009, wtf.) very soon.

So if I was a pro bloggerguy, I'd have a nice player so that you could listen here. But I'm not, so I have to whisk you off to Myspace. Ugh. Bye, link yrself away.


Listen To The Mayfair Set

Crystal Stilts - 'Prismatic Room' Video

This isn't new or nothin'...it came out in December..but I just recently got into it. This is not only good because the song is all good and all that shit, but the video is so good too. I'm not one of these big film dudes, but I like it when thngs look shot on video, which is the effect this has. Who knows, ha, this was probably done all digital and fancy. Anyway, back to the song. Fuck this song is good. I love Crystal Stilts.





On another stylistic note, I just bought the lp and it's silk screened. Nice touch.

Do I Like Sham 69? Doi! Of Course I Do.

So if there's a band that get my friends drunkenly hugging, singing, kissing and carrying on (basically being foolish), it's Sham 69. Look at these bad ass fools with their bad ass songs. Makes me want to drink from a tall mug and bash my friends face with it when I'm done. Then hug 'em and sing the rest of the song with him.

Check out this footage from Reading '78. Perfect. Funny when he say's "All you people have done time, SING!". There can not be any better good time than to have been there.









And in this footage from tv? Perfect. How fun would it be to be the kid in this clip? The guy must have grown up a bad ass. The golden child.









So I think this weekend I'm going to listen to Sham 69, Cock Sparrer, Toy Dolls and Cockney Rejects. Go find these records fool. Or at least spend a few hours youtoobin'. You'll be a better person.

The Strange Boys Release New Video For 'Woe Is Me' Single

Don't ya just love The Strange Boys? They just relleased their new video from their latest single "Woe Is Me". Their new LP will be coming out shortly from In The Red. We can't wait for their next tour!!

1-2-3-4-5-6-7 (Count The Days) by Inez And Charlie Foxx, 1967

I heard this song for the first time today. I'd heard a few different songs by Inez & Charlie Foxx before, everyone's heard Mockingbird, but never this one. I had to hear it a few times in a row, because it's so perfect. I love ol' Charlie in the background, singing, "1-2-3-4-5-6-7". Also, isn't cool when the song's about a gal in the 60s kicking a fool to the curb because she's got a new boo? Well, anyway, just listen, I'm sure you'll like. You have to, it's perfect.

Knockin' Da Boots In San Diego On Saturday Night

This blogging is for the San Diegans in the house. Sooooo. Valentine's Day. Super dumb right? Sure, sure, tired topic. This Saturday my friends and I have used it as an excuse to make a super silly flier and have a real nice time.

So this is how the fun is going to play out. Yours truly will play the most syrupy, horrible and horny slow jamz of love. We're talkin' Keith Sweat, Boyz II Men, K-Ci & Jojo, etc. etc. Get it? Ok. Then Crocodiles go on. Cool. Then me again with Toni Braxton, Babyface and maybe a lil' bit o' Luther Vandross. Fuck!! The sound of a quiet storm. Music to knock boots to. Knockin' boots is rad. Then Kill Me Tomorrow go on. Pretty cool, right? Then my dear dear master Dimitri (of Booty Bassment) is playing nasty and xxx rap for the last 1.5/2 hours. Super cool.

p.s. Crocs will most likely have their extremely limited split single with Cold Cave and Blessure Grave with them. It's released by Down In The Ground and all 540 are sold out 'cep fer what you buy from the bands.

Reading Rainbow

Yo what up. I'm super down with Reading Rainbow. Really down. You know about them? Well, they're from Philadephia. Their songs are so good I can't stand it. They're a two member two piece duo comprised of Sarah (drums + singing) and Rob (guitar + singing) and tons o' haunting lo-fi magic tambourine buzzzz. Oh and melodies. So many melodies. Melodies O' Plenty. So go listen on their Myspace thing! They have a cd u can get and an upcoming spit tape release with Fungi Girls on Not Not Fun. Siiick.

Lux Interior R.I.P.

Oh no I just read this!! Official statement from The Cramps media representitives:

For Immediate Release:
February 4, 2009

Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, passed away this morning due to an existing heart condition at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California at 4:30 AM PST today. Lux has been an inspiration and influence to millions of artists and fans around the world. He and wife Poison Ivy’s contributions with The Cramps have had an immeasurable impact on modern music.

The Cramps emerged from the original New York punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, with a singular sound and iconography. Their distinct take on rockabilly and surf along with their midnight movie imagery reminded us all just how exciting, dangerous, vital and sexy rock and roll should be and has spawned entire subcultures. Lux was a fearless frontman who transformed every stage he stepped on into a place of passion, abandon, and true freedom. He is a rare icon who will be missed dearly.

The family requests that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.

So sad. I always expected more shows. It wasn't that long ago, I saw them, and they were so vibrant and full of life. And still spitting and cutting.

My favorite song...

PPM 4 EVA (Or At Least February)

Sooooo, our pals at PPM (Post Present Medium have a stunner of a month planned for February. The releases are 3 deep and cool as fuck.

Abe Vigoda return with a five song 12"/CD called Reviver. Based on the song, 'Don't Lie', which you can hear on their Myspace thing, this record goes in a total different yet bad ass direction. Listen and trip.

Gun Outfit release their debut LP/CD of SST 80s indie punk magic. Both familiar sounding and fresh as F. So punk they don't even know what Myspace IS. The 2008 7" songs are on the CD for extra added bonus prizes. Oh and these people are from Olympia.

Silk Flowers are a big apple band releasing their first PPM record. A seven incher. These are former members of Soiled Matress And The Springs. Weirdness weirdness and mo' weirdness. Also, good good and a lot more good.

PPM is sizzling (as usual).

The Splinters From California Are Good/Super Cool

I love The Splinters. They are from Berkeley/Oakland, California. 4 ladies playing K Records sounding lo-fi pop and seeming to have a ton of fun doing it. Check out their songs on ye olde Myspace! They're playing at South By Southwest March 18-20, find them and see! As you can see, I'm super enthusiastic about these here Splinters. ChChChCha.


The Splinters Myspace