Harvey Dog says thanks for the comments, Randy sends a stash and I'm freaking out on Cosmic Jokers

First of all...thanks for all the comments while I've been gone a few days. Thanks to Chris Moonbeams for his kind words and also for providing a link to Arctic Monkeys CDs. Definitely rocking! From England! Check them out. There are 4 songs there for your listening pleasure and I'm impressed. Arctic Monkeys Home Page. Do I hear some Bowie "Scary Monsters" influence in "Fake Tales of San Francisco"? The last classic Bowie album.

Mole!? What can I say? You dogged me out. Yes, I have the Simply Saucer lp, which the Mole correctly points out in his comments...had, shall we say, other purposes.

OK...Mole, I'll confess!!!!!!!!!

It was used to roll joints on. There. It's done...I feel pure once again.

And Mole...believe you fucking me...I ain't rolling joints on it anymore! I have a pipe now.
***

The picture was taken this past week by the Guru and if you look closely you can spot Poobah.

Hey, it's my blog and every so often I need a picture of the Poo on it. What can I say?
***

Yesterday, I received an incredible package in the mail. My friend Randy in rainy Vancouver sent me tons of music, tons of music dvds and I am in complete rapture and hardly know where to begin and I want to dance and I want to sing and I want to make music
and I want to listen
to every fucking thing
all at once

Thanks Randy!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's why I hardly know where to begin. Amon Duul II, more Ash Ra Tempel (favs) !!!, Band box set (1st cd was fantastic), Boredoms, Ornette Coleman (the 6 cd Beauty Is a Rare Thing!!!), Cosmic Jokers!!! (which I'm listening to right now as I'm typing this and it's blowing my fucking mind...as I'm sure you can tell), Betty Davis, Bill Fay, Jackson C. Frank, Garcia, Godz, Grateful Dead's Golden Road!!!, Gris Gris (when he sends me a surprise...it's gonna be awesome), Henske & Yester, Gary Higgins (I had it on my amazon "to be ordered later" list!!), Mission of Burma, Mountain Goats (you got me curious Vaspers), Psychic Ills, Red Krayola (yes!!), Silver Apples (again...yes!!), Six Organs of Admittance, early Tangerine Dream (my first...I'm so ashamed), some awesome Soul Jazz comps and finally...some Warlocks.

And I'm haven't yet mentioned the dvds! Woodstock, Monterey, Grateful Dead's new (old) movie, John Lennon in the T dot 1969, The 6th disc (dvd) of The Band's box set, The Miles Davis Story, Miles Electric, Jimi and Otis at Monterey and the always lovely and relaxing Gimmie Shelter.

Signing off, but will return tomorrow with some off-kiltered thoughts on some of this new stockpile.
***

The Cosmic Jokers are still fucking freaking me out. Cosmic Jokers web presence on an Ash Ra site!
***

Simply Saucer...The Hated Uncles...The Mole...Hamilton's to blame!

Simply Saucer: Cyborgs Revisited 1974-1977 (2003) ****1/2 My friend Mole released the original Cyborgs Revisited in 1989 on lp on his Mole Records. He is still to this day their #1 fan and group-eye. He can be found dee-jaying a show like only the Mole can dee-jay a show on Creative Radio Central. And check out Mole at Wikipedia!!! This is great! The Mole's on Wikipedia! Call your parents and warn them
of
the
coming apocalypse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nazi Apocalypse!!!!!!

In spite of all this....I have learned to love this lp the more I listen to it.

The influences are apparent (Syd Barrett, Velvets, Can)...however, they amalgamate it all into a stew uniquely their own. To draw comparisons like the critics love to do, I would say they could be considered a garage rock version of Can.

[Self-involved aside: The Hated Uncles actually played some shows with a later day edition of Simply Saucer with Edgar Breau and Kevin Christoff in the band. I remember them being really good, and also nice guys...through the haze of smoky bars, alcohol fueled gigs, concussions and broken bones. * cough * well, maybe NOT broken bones.]

The bonus cuts actually lower the quality somewhat. I have the original lp (thanks Mole baby...your Can and Ash Ra Tempel cds are on the way!), the original cd and now the cd with bonus cuts! And Edgar's solo cd. Which is pretty great too. Guru T-Lu is also a fan.

You should be a fan too. Support Hamilton bands!!!

...motherfucker.
***

It's been a hectic (well, if not hectic, a little stressful) time for Harvey Dog, but hopefully things are back to normal now. Extremely busy for the Guru at work as well. If only she could be a full-time photographer and I could do fun music web stuff for myself full time or work in an independent music store. * sigh *

Did I mention job interviews suck...* blech *

OK. I feel better now.
***

Mole also gave me The Electric Eels cd "God Says Fuck You" as a gift. Really cool, if somewhat difficult listening. In fact, I gotta give this a listen to...it's been ages!
***

Job interviews get in the way of life, Uncut's Essential music of 2005 gets dissected and Iggy Pop gets Stooged

Harvey Dog had a job interview today...

OK.

Get a load of this. I have to do a 5 minute presentation before the "committee", and as I start (more nervous than I usually am), I notice one of the women staring intently at me. I continue on, and look over and sure enough she's still staring. What the fuck! And I mean intensely. That made it worse so it was a struggle. It got better, but I hope they went with the last impression and not the first impression. [aside: didn't get the job...oh well]

Stupid job interviews. 40 fucking 3 and ya still gotta answer bullshit questions that just beg for bullshit answers. I hate the formal unnatural process...seems so fake...

Then again what do I know? I know nothing. (or something like that from The Monkees "Head" when Peter Tork talks to some non-lu guru)
***

Uncut: The Year's Essential Music: 2005 (2005) Harvey Dog doesn't just listen to music over 30 years old. I am quite aware of new music and am constantly exploring. There is some awesome motherfucking music being made today...ya just gotta find it.

Devendra Banhart: "I Feel Just Like a Child": Who the fuck is this guy? He's great! Actually, I've heard some of his stuff, but this blows me away. I LOVE IT!! I need some Banhart..NOW! Great start to this cd.
Josh Rouse: "Winter in the Hamptons": Pleasant enough. I'm not rushing to the store for this, but I'm not turning the station either.
The National: "Lit Up": This is 2005? Not 1980?
John Cale: "In a Flood": I loved the last Cale, and based on this, I'll love the new one too. A definite pickup.
Bright Eyes: "Another Travelin' Song": One of Guru T-Lu's favs. Rather Dylanesque, which is prob why she likes it so much. I like it too.
Big Star: "Hung up with Summer": Big Star's comeback. Cool song, and if the rest of the album is of this quality it's a worthwhile comeback.
Robert Plant & the Strange Sensation: "Tin Pan Valley": ***SURPRISE PICK*** One reason I love Uncut and MOJO cds, is that you always find something surprising or a new discovery. Well, R. Plant sure isn't a new discovery, but this is a surprise. I FUCKING LOVE THIS SONG! It's ominous, it rawks, it takes you for a ride...it sounds like typical (but good) Plant briefly on the break, but the verses are what makes it. Gotta check out the rest of this album to see if it maintains this quality or the song is some fluky aberration.
Hal: "I Sat Down": Catchy fey pop...actually, quite catchy pop.
Ry Cooder: "Chinito Chinto": Well, it's Ry Cooder so the quality is supreme. I like the concept of this album too. Check it out.
Antony & the Johnsons: "My Lady Story": What an awesome voice. This guy is good, even though Lou Reed endorses him. [Aside: Lou Reed is in the "Top 10 rock stars that are fun to make fun of" category.] Beautiful song.
My Morning Jacket: "Anytime": The Guru is a fan of these guys. I like them, but not totally sold. It's a little more rockin' than usual, so I like this a bit better. OK. Here's the nitty-gritty. I think they're looking for a direction and if they find it they could become pretty awesome, but then again they could just flounder and be forgotten about quickly.
Sufjan Stevens: "The Man of Metropolis Steals our Hearts": Wow. Very interesting.
Black Mountain: "Don't Run Our Hearts Around": I have this and it's already been talked about on Harvey Dog's blog, but not yet rated. It's good enough for an easy ***1/2, and possibly ****. Cool rocking stuff.
Franz Ferdinand: "Eleanor Put Your Boots On": Hype or not? Still unsure. They're somewhat catchy...but do they have staying power?
The Arcade Fire: "Neighbourhood #2 [Laika]: These guys get great reviews. I've heard a couple of Arcade Fire songs and they just don't stick to me. Over-rated?

fuck Maxim, fuck Rolling Stone, fuck AP...the best mags (NOT counting fanzines) for music come from Britain. MOJO, Record Collector and Uncut to a lesser degree. The cds that come with the MOJO and Uncut are usually great...I'm not sure about the one of Beatles interviews (that was weird), and the Paul McCartney personally picks cd was pretentious and boring.

Temporary fucking Secretary indeed...

Support the mags that love music.

Remember: Maxim would sell your sister's virginity if they could make a nickel off of it.
***

This blog is not connected in any way with MOJO, Uncut or Record Collector.
***

When Iggy Was a Stooge
(song inspired by Neil Young's "When He Was the King" aka "I'm sucking Elvis' cock")

iggy was the best
iggy was a stooge
i loved the way
he smeared
peanut butter
all over his body
in cincinnati
and the
rest as they say
was history

iggy was the best
iggy was a stooge
the crowd all
cheered
when he cut
himself up
and bled
and shot up
in alleyways
with johnny
thunders

iggy was the best
iggy was a stooge
all the women
wanted to
suck his cock
and all the
boys wished
they could
be like him
and the last time
i saw iggy

iggy was the best

iggy was a stooge
***

Iggy Pop's official web site.
***

Amon Duul jam supremely and record store of choice closes...ahhhhh

Amon Duul I: Para Dieswarts Duul (1970) ****1/2 Guru T-Lu has started a brand new hobby. Collages! At least it's only paper and not paint. The Guru is somewhat, shall we say...not neat when it comes to her hobbies.

On to Amon Duul....and a brand new head space. Float along with the music and it can take you into some beautiful places.

love is peace
freedom is harmony

A nice refrain to wrap your head around. "Snow Your Thirst" is a lengthy meandering guitar solo. I love it. It's like jazz man. A lot of this krautrock strikes me as being close to freeform jazz.

You can see the influence on "Second Edition" by Public Image Ltd. And fucking right it's a paramechanical world!

Amazing stuff. Amon Duul II official home page. There wasn't a home page on Amon Duul I, but this site has info also about the original Amon Duul.

Get the cd, cause the bonus tracks are awesome. Fuck that! Get the cd AND the lp. If I see the lp I'll be purchasing. Motherfucker!
***

My fav record store "Rock Your World" is closed now, but I'll still be buying from Steve's home, so the nice steady flow of lp purchases will continue. I picked up 9 records yesterday (2 doubles). 3 James Gang records (2 w/ Domenic Troiano & 1 w/ Tommy Bolin...already have all the Joe Walsh ones), Argent "Encore" 2 lps, Lonestar "Firing on all Six" (NOT the modern day country band, but rather a late 70's prog band...Never heard of them), Nektar "Recycled", Status Quo "Status Quo", Thin Lizzy "Live and Dangerous" 2 lps and Wishbone Ash "New England". "Rock Your World", as you can tell, specializes in 70s rock stuff. A good way to feed the basic rock need still in me.

I thought the Tommy Bolin James Gang was quite good and the Troiano James Gang was fine. The Joe Walsh is still the best.
***

Deviants say Ptooff!!

The Deviants: Ptooff!! (1967) ****1/2 I read Mick Farren's "Give the Anarchist a Cigarette" and loved it. So, having heard of, but never actually heard The Deviants I was anxious to hear them.

OK. After that bit of grammatical awkwardness, let's continue. I also read a review of this album that compared it to Zappa's "Freak Out" which, of course, is a positive.

I wrote a resume yesterday, and have gotten into, the habit, of using too many, commas,,,,,

Forgive, me,

This album starts off awesome with some humorous repartee then into some ridiculous psychedelic guitar playing. Mick Farren isn't much of a singer, but so what? He has a nice stony slur going for him. I tell you, the jam sessions must have been a blast. Imagine the drugs...
* sigh *

Shit, I'm a sucker for this dated psychedelic stuff. Even the "sensitive" ballads. "Charlie" is funky for white boys on speed.

Nothing Man is profound disturbing
fucked up goodness
more and more

And please..............buy some garbage before

we die.

Where are the Deviation Streets of today? Is it in the cutups? The mixing of today? If so, that certainly shows a possible influence of The Deviants on the music of today. Could it be?

This is a penultimate freak classic. Support Mick Farren and The Deviants. Now, I need to get some Pink Fairies. Really cool Mick Farren site. Last thing: What is Pete Townshend talking about at the end of the album?
***

Bow down to the Captain! Dog farts smell!

Captain Beefheart: Railroadism 1966-1981 (2003) ***** It's about time to get the new year started properly and review a Captain Beefheart cd.

Old Black Snake: 1972 OK. This starts off the cd pretty fucking awesome. The Captain's voice is deep and powerful and resonant and we are all little peons in comparison.
King Bee: 1973 Focus on the bass and you'll think you're having a heart attack. Don't worry though. It'll only be a stroke. Why wasn't this a hit single? And it's fucking live recording!
The Blimp: 1975 I feel weak and insignificant. This is strong and vital. It's the FUCKING BLIMP and I am now flying over the Captain's desert. I swear to God I just heard Ornette Coleman join in...really...
Booglarize: 1975 The Guru just called me from the tub and said: "I know you're blogging like a madman but I love this song." Why wouldn't you?
Carrot: 1977 Is that really the Captain at the beginning of the song? He DOES have an 8 octave range! Beautiful.
China Pig: 1977 The Captain is also quite the storyteller. And a political historian. How can I not give this collection 5 stars?
Dummy: 1977 Short and deep
Grow Fins: 1977 OK. 5 fucking stars!
Floppy Boot: 1977 The Captain once replied to a band member enquiring what this song meant that it was about sex...like all his songs. Well, maybe it wasn't this song.
Harry Irene: 1978 The Captain is a very deep man. I hope the future children of this planet listen to what Mr. Beefer has to say.
Dust: 1978 so true so true so true
Ashtray: 1981 Dirty Blue Billie Jean: 1981 Smithsonian: 1981 Red Rose: 1981 Poppy: 1981 Beans from Venus: 1981 Avalon: 1966 Fuck it. Nothing more needs to be said. I love this...oh my God!!!!!! As I'm typing this the dog actually farted a 3rd time!!! 5 stars 5 stars I hope the Captain is receiving royalty on this. Bye.
***

So, I'm sitting in the computer room with Guru T-Lu on the computer, Poobah and myself. The cat is sleeping in the other room. Suddenly the Guru asks: "Did you let one go?" I replied: "It wasn't me."

The potency increased alarmingly as the dog innocently licked her bone while Guru T-Lu and Harvey Dog clutched each other hoping to survive the onslaught.

You hear about it, but until you actually experience it you cannot appreciate the power of a dog's fart.

Guru T-Lu added after a second fart incident in the bathroom: "It's like the fart is attacking you and you can't run away."
***

David "Poindexter New York Doll" Johansen, Johnny "it's good to be here! where? it doesn't matter" Thunders and some poetry

David Johansen: Live It Up (1982) *** David Johansen is quite the guy. I mean, who else can become well-known for 2 totally distinct personalities. Compare: lead singer of The New York Dolls and then the over-the-top (is he serious? of course not) Buster Poindexter.

This live album came out after a couple of solo albums as a more trad rocker. Well, in comparison to the Dolls how could it not be more trad??? I remember at the time, it was quite difficult to get his 1st (and best) self-titled solo album. I ended up finding it on 8 track! Remember 8 tracks kids? All my 8 tracks are long gone...God, weren't 8 tracks crap! I had some awesome releases on 8 track though. Off the top of my head, I can remember having the classic "Modern Lovers" album on 8 track, I had Mott the Hoople's "Rock 'n' Roll Queen" compilation, Neil Young ("On the Beach" & "Time Fades Away" which still isn't released on cd!) and of course, the 1st "Boston" record...you can still find 8 tracks in your finer pawn shops and value villages. My advice: cassettes are better, and cassettes are still shit.

Oh yeh...we were talking about this record which I just picked up at our fav record store "Rock Your World"...which is closing Jan. 15th, but good news! He's still going to sell records out of his home and hopefully, open up a store in a different place this summer. Good luck, Steve! You know, I'll be supporting you.

Just to show you how great this place is. I picked up this record, Mott the Hoople "The Hoople", Julian Cope "My Nation Underground", Thin Lizzy "Johnny the Fox" and a Graham Parker live bootleg all for $25. What can you say? 5 bucks each for some hard to get stuff.

Um...I seem to be all over the place. Let's talk about this record shall we? It sure doesn't "rock" like The Dolls did, but it's really not fair to compare. This is definitely more mainstream, but you can feel the enjoyment and excitement of David and the band. They sound like they're having fun, which is vital for "good" live albums. There's an awesome "Animals" medley, which completely suits his voice. I sorta wish it wasn't a medley, but rather full versions of the songs; however, it's done very well. Frenchette, Reach out I'll Be There (made famous by The Four Tops), Funky But Chic, Bohemian Love Pad (which has a bit of a Dolls feel to it), Stranded in the Jungle and Personality Crisis are all good.

Thinking about it---the best thing about this live album is how it builds up to a rocking second side.

Oh, I forgot. David Johansen also released an album of blues songs as "David Johansen & the Harry Smiths". I've heard a few songs from it, and it sounds great! I can't believe there doesn't seem to be any New York Dolls or David Johansen official web sites out there. Weird. 2000 interview with David Johansen.
***

I saw Johnny Thunders live (sort of) in Toronto. He was backed by Hamilton's own Teenage Head, doing the old Chuck Berry routine of not touring with a band, instead grabbing a local band that knows New York Dolls and Johnny Thunders songs. God knows, every major city will have a band like that. Hey, if they didn't would Johnny have noticed anyway?

The Viletones opened the show and they were hardcore punk. Steve Leckie, the singer, was flashing a knife a little too often, and was in fine punk form. Personally, I was a mess. During The Viletones set Leckie threw a guitar onto the empty dance floor and after the next song started berating the crowd for not smashing it to bits! So, being in fine "alcoholic punk" form myself, I got up and started stomping on it and proceeded to fall on my ass. Literally. That was pretty funny.

Johnny Thunders came on and the place all of a sudden seemed to magically get packed. I was staggering around and got into some kind of "non-violent" confrontation, sweated an incredible amount and loved the show. Johnny was barely there, and looking at him, it's a surprise he lasted almost another 10 years! He certainly had lots of charisma and rocked pretty good for a heroin addict.

An old but good site of Johnny Thunders info.
***
An old poem.
It's A Wonderful Life
sitting around a cafe table
spilt wine the only tablecloth,
words slurred from cheap red wine,
sighing at the skirts that pass us by,
we lie to each other about
our sexual proficiency,
stumbling out of chairs
to take a piss
and brush the waitress' ass.

Oh yes, we are a brave lot.

brave faces putting up a brave front,
"The future's ours!" someone slurs
and we bang the table
with our half filled glasses,
"More wine! More wine!"

the waitress rushes over
and places the bottle
in front of our salivating mouths,
flies buzz around oblivious
to the chatter of loud drunks.

Oh yes, we talk a good game.

eyes become droopy and the conversation
stalls frequently like
Jimmy Stewart's famed oratory prowess,
some stagger and leave
mumbling about goddamned work,
others stay and focus blurry eyes
wondering where all the wine went.

the lights dim and we weave
towards the exit
wondering where all the girls went.

in the morning,
hungover and sweaty and shaking
we avoid our bosses and look forward
to another night of drinks
and bullshit and half-assed aspirations
which are flying out of our grasp
as we become older
and become the drunks we once
made fun of.

Oh yes, it's a wonderful life.

By: John Harvey
***

Blog It Baby, and Tim Buckley and Harmonia float into view.

As alluded to in the previous post, Harvey Dog's mental health isn't quite where it should be, but once a situation is cleared up and we say goodbye to xmas - the worse time of year for me [and a lot of people who suffer from depression], then I hope to get the energy to add some more dimension to the blog. Band profiles, lists, book reviews, more articles...Maybe a web site as well. So much to do...and look forward to. Until then, I will keep posting per usual.
***

Vaspers the Grate says "Writing your own blog is hard enough" but "...you have to interact with the blogosphere...by posting comments at other blogs." He does, and I've started stepping into this process, and I will add more recommended blogs as I come across them.

It's all about communication and sharing of ideas and thoughts...right?
***

Tim Buckley: Lorca (1970) ****1/2 I ordered this online, since you won't be finding too many Tim Buckley cds at your local HMV. Maybe "Greetings From L.A" if you're lucky.

What an incredible beginning. Ominous...foreboding...and yes, I would say somewhat dangerous. It's definitely a dark album, but let your mind meld into the music, the voice, the mood. Let it float...let Tim take you on a journey.

This album usually isn't rated too highly and I know that Guru T-Lu finds Tim Buckley dull and whiny, but I disagree. I think he's exciting and experimental and what a fucking voice! This album is challenging and flows like jazz...like I said...let it float. The Tim Buckley Archives.
***

Harmonia: Deluxe (1975) **** I know I know...another 4 star rating. I could pull out crappy albums from my collection and give them low ratings, but I want to expose the good music, and try to expose less popular acts to the masses. If one person reads something here and explores it and loves it...well, that would make me happy.

Obviously, I am into "floating" music today.
***

I have been completely negligent regarding Captain Beefheart. I apologize profusely. Here's another link for a site on the good Captain. United Mutations.
***

CATHARTIC WARNING Harvey Dog rambles on and on until Dr. Hawkwind appears and applies some medicine.

Sorry about the delay to all my fans out there! Hahahaha....For some reason, this amuses me.

CATHARTIC WARNING
Harvey Dog is rather stressed out lately due to a situation in his and the Guru's home. Let's just say living with a 21 year old kid with an attitude and all that goes with it certainly makes for stressful times. I hold in my emotions and hope...hold in my emotions and hope...then BLOW UP!!! hold in my emotions and hope...then BLOW UP!!! This is where we are now. One thing that has come out of this for the blog is that it has renewed my interest in music with ATTITUDE!!!!! Classic Punk Rock!!

I believe attitude is a great thing. A necessary thing. You need attitude to change things. BUT BUT BUT there is no reason to hurt people who are just trying to get on with their lives and have no intention of hurting anyone. Let's face it...life sorta sucks, a lot of people suck, and most people just want to get on with their lives with as few problems as possible...but just like hatred can increase exponentially, can peace and love?
***

GUILTY VERDICT! I am VERY guilty of staying in too much and hiding away from the world. I should be out supporting worthy causes either through monies or volunteering. I'm trying my best to bounce back from a pretty bad breakdown, so hopefully soon I'll be out there doing my bit to put some positive vibes back into society. If I don't, then shame on me. Currently, I'm just trying to cope and deal with what's going on in my life now.
***

When I was younger, I spouted out poetry and wrote about what I thought society's ills are (maybe I didn't have the solutions, but you need to identify the problem before you can solve it, and these are mighty complex problems for anyone) and I supported music and artists that meant or said something. At least if they were sincere and meant it maaaaaaannnn. I definitely got into punk rock (about 79-80) and went to tons of punk rock shows.

During my drunken stint in Toronto, I regularly went to a serious hardcore punk club called DMZ run by serious bikers. I saw some incredibly energetic shows. I remember seeing No Means No, and it was hi-nrg man. It was so hi-nrg I remember smashing my hand into some broken bottles and bleeding a bit.

(Aside: This was common when I was younger. I had so much anger and unhappiness inside of me, I would actually cut myself to try to feel...it's difficult to explain unless you've experienced this yourself. Or felt the need to go this far. It was mainly during my early 20s, but it did occassionally happen all the way to my early 30s. I may or may not explore the psychology of this later. It's not easy man. It's also not easy to understand why my friends thought this was so funny and actually encouraged me in my actions. They didn't realize I would also do it by myself very late at night and not tell anyone. I don't think that's funny. Especially when you have to wear long sleeve shirts in the summer at work to cover up the scars. This happened a couple of times.)

The blood didn't bother me (it wasn't deep enough for medical concern), I just went on drinking and carrying on all idiotic and crazed...it was a huge release of anger and frustration. The way to do it, I guess, is go to the shows, let out all your anger and frustrations and hostilities...let them out...let the sweat pour over them...then actually pinpoint why you are angry and hostile and do something about it. I'm always struggling with my anger. I guess when it comes down to it...I like, and LOVE (especially my sweeties...the Poobahs and the cat) a lot of things about life, but there is this deep rooted unhappiness inside me. It appears hereditary. My Mom strikes me as supremely unhappy. Unfortunately, she's in denial about it while I shout about it!!! As you're reading. If she's not as unhappy as I think, then I'm completely missing the mark and good for her.

I DON'T WANT TO BE UNHAPPY!!!! This is why music is so important to me. It's the one thing that's always struck me as pure. True and sincere. I'm NOT talking about the insincere corporate crap solely out for profits...and I'm not naive. Musicians need to make a living, so I don't put down musicians for "selling out". I blame the marketeers of our culture who seem intent on making the youth more and more stupid and pliable and accepting of their crap. If you don't think there's political motivaton behind this...well, I'd have to say you are unaware. PMRC anybody? I think the reverberations of that are still being felt today. Big record companies aren't going to sign true controversy (they manufacture their own), because they want the government on their side in the fight against file-sharing. This is why we need to support the smaller, more sincere companies out there. Revenant is a great example. The Bear Family release box sets, that you know aren't going to be big hits, but they have found a market of collectors and people obssessed with music. They don't need to be #1 with a bullet...just sell enough to make some bucks, make a lot of collectors happy, and more obscure musicians can benefit from some bucks and more exposure.
***

I'm nearing the end of "Fury's Hour" by Warren Kinsella, a well written manifesto about punk rock. He really lambasts the racist punks...and rightfully so! Replacing one system of hatred with another system of hatred, well....what's the fucking point!!?? It's still a system of hatred, and if that's all we're going to end up being, let's get it over with now...let's finish off the job we've started so well and finish off the planet choking with pollution and shit coming out of its rivers and forests cut down and resources raped by greedy capitalists out for themselves. Warren Kinsella's web site.

Things suck, things need to change or our planet will spew us out just like she has with various other species in the past. And that's all we are to her...another fucking species...however, we are the MOST dangerous of species.
END OF CATHARTIC WARNING

What this is all leading to...um...yeh, I'll soon rent out Don Letts' "Punk: Attitude" and give the people what they want!! My opinion!!
***

Hawkwind: Hall of the Mountain Grill (1974) **** This may not be the best Hawkwind album, but it's still fantastic. Remember from a previous blog, I mentioned about my luck in getting "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock". Well, Hawkwind was a vital part of my emergence into rock debauchery. There was a nice colour photo of "Space Ritual" with Stacia's breasts full and...out there...all for an innocent 12 year old boy to see.

SIDE ONE (hey, i have it on lp!)
Psychedelic Warlords: absolutely awesome...classic
Winds of Change: beautiful. that's the great thing about hawkwind they can be all nutsy and acidy and they can also make beautiful music.
D-Rider: i guess this is dated and all that...certainly of its time...and it washes into Web Weaver, and....it's beautiful

SIDE TWO
You'd Better Believe It: another psychedelic classic....the beginning of this sounds incredibly familiar...was it before hawkwind or after???? it's great...or did i hear this from hawkwind originally years ago...and as Hawkwind says: "it's so easy to say"....and it's live?!
Hall of the Mountain Grill: hawkwind goes classical and again...beautiful beautiful...
Lost Johnny: classic...i've read lemmy's autobiography and loved it and love Lemmy! i also read mick farren's give the anarchist a cigarette and it's also recommended highly by harvey dog...deviants were awesome too...well, awesome, may not be the right word, but maybe we'll say highly interesting...very interesting...
goat willow / paradox: great ending to a great album.

And remember...Hawkwind loves you. Hawkwind's official web site.
***

Ode to my Guru

I am so tired...

ready to quit
give it up

another day
another fight
I'm sick of the fight

sometimes the point of it all
...seems hollow
life seems empty

yet I know
yes!
I know

I do have a reason
to keep on going
even when everything
seems....empty....shallow

I see the Guru
sleeping there
I feel the warmth

I know
I know

that's enough reason
to keep on living.
***

Hunter Rocks! Hunter Rocks! Hunter Rocks! Hated Uncles what?

Ian Hunter: Welcome to the Club (1980) **** This is a classic live album. Mick Ronson on guitar. Ian's in great voice. Enthusiastic crowd.

(Aside: Now, I don't really mind Phish, but I find that their stupid arrogant crowd ruins the live cds. I'm a big fan of Widespread Panic, and they suffer from the same problem. These crowds are there for themselves, not the motherfucking band! Rant over.)

Thanks Rant guy. Hey, Rant is the name of an Ian Hunter album! Nice segue.

I actually stood a few feet away from both Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson once. I saw them in Hamilton, Ontario around 1990 (YUI Orta tour) at an old strip club called Bannister's.

They came on and sounded amazing!!!! I was plastered and hammered and was the first one up on the dance floor. I couldn't believe it! Fucking Ian Hunter from Mott the Fucking Hoople and Mick Ronson ex- Spider from Mars...I mean, what the fuck??? It was like a crowd of maybe 75 people. And they're sitting there on their asses?! It's a rock'n'roll show Jim! Sad sad sad.

I had an amazing time! Sweaty, wasted and plastered and more people did eventually join me on the dance floor. About time assholes!

I get excited talking about Ian Hunter and Mott the Hoople so I use a lot of !!!!!

Great time was had by one and all. The band were so tight and it was a puzzle why they were playing there???? Bannister's? A fucking cheap strip club. I mean we are talking about Hamilton. It ain't no St. Catherines. hahahaha. Or Burlington.

Did I mention that The Hated Uncles played at Bannisters...twice? And one time we got written up in the local paper? When I locate the article that will be another Hated Uncles story. The other show I actually have on cassette, and it was done one week after our drummer quit, so we wrote all new material, including all new lyrics by Harvey Dog in a crazy drunken, still working full-time, week of chaos. The show turned out to be very unique and I'm quite proud of it. Tim Gibbons from Trouble Boys fame liked it. So there. I also remember that they had a basement and at that time it was still a ripper bar. Of course, that was our pre-gig meeting place.

So, anyhow, after the show I was wandering around and passed the dressing room and there's Ian and Mick standing there smoking and talking and I was hammered man! too drunk too drunk and i could feel my mood...darkening...don't ruin it Harv don't ruin a great night, for once just fucking leave...

I stood there for a second and before they spotted me I moved on out of there. I say it was out of respect. Ian Hunter was never in Glass Tiger or Honeymoon Suite! Ian Hunter's official web site. Great site and Ian writes for it!! I love that.
***

The punks meet Manfred Mann wrapping xmas gifts with Guru T-Lu and poetry(?!) strikes again

I've recently become more interested in the classic punk period from the late 70s. Over xmas, I'll rent out Punk: Attitude from our local vid store.

Punk may be about attitude, but isn't the best punk railing against something...in other words
let's change things up

do things a bit...
different.

Harvey Dog has been, in the far ago past, been spotted with a Sex Pistols (as well as Bad Brains and Violent Femmes and Iggy) shirt on, and he had lots of attitude, but was it the best kind of punk? More beer sodden and depressed probably, but hey, not to put myself down too much, I did rail against something...I felt, and still think, change is needed.

I hope the new culture isn't so brain deadening, that people can still actually, you know...think. There are people doing good things though. Might as well keep hope, even though that's increasingly difficult these days.

I'm looking forward to renting this out. I've lately read a couple of books about the era. That Legs McNeil "Please Kill Me." Great trashy read. "Fury's Hour" by Warren Kinsella. Pretty enjoyable. I'm over halfway through. "On the Road with The Ramones". Another book that was loads of good times...and wondrous stories. Also a Patti Smith bio. Oh, should be a blast. Punk:Attitude official web site.
***

The Guru has been wrapping up our "late" xmas gifts to Ontario and has been acting rather bizarrely, shall we say.

I don't really understand xmas at all.
***

Manfred Mann's Earth Band: The Good Earth (1974) *** As this record was heading near the halfway point of the second side, I noticed that Guru T-Lu did not seem impressed with the progginess of this record. I had to tell her that she was never a teenage boy. As she left the room, she commented again, with a certain tone, about the "progginess" of this record.

The Guru has great taste in music, but she's no prog head.

I think it's sort of impressive and quite listenable. The Mick Rogers version of Manfred Mann is probably my fav period of theirs. The self-titled one is the best. Manfred Mann's Earth Band's official web site.

I don't think I'll play my Gentle Giant records for the Guru quite yet. Gentle Giant's official web site.
***

the eyes of the guru

3 inches of ice
immerse the car

...a frozen

sheet

of glass

I seek the sun

I crave the sun

...I seek the sun

puzzled
at the lack of directions

I ask the gurus
of the pavement
how to seek the sun

I look into

the reflection
of the ice

deep into its icy eyes

I look away

to see an eagle
chew its own wings

by the scruff of the neck
I grab the eagle
and won't let go
the eagle won't
let me go...

as we slide away

into the

frozen darkness.
***

Honeymoon Suite & Glass Tiger are coming to town, Randy California and Spirit

I heard the great news on the radio on the way to work this week. Honeymoon Suite and Glass Tiger are coming to PG man!!!!

Refer to this blog for my encounter with Allan Frew from Glass Tiger. Is is it Alan or Allan? Hahahaha...just kidding. I really don't care.

Well, there's also a Honeymoon Suite encounter that ended up with a group of us getting kicked out of the bar. It really was JK's fault this time. I wasn't involved so much this time. JK was drunkenly dancing with a group members' groupie of the night, and at first it was ok but then he got more and more drunk and more and more all over the fucking dance floor. The rest of us drunkenly defended JKs drunken antics a little too vigorously I guess.

But the whole point of the story is that we did see the complete first set, and that Honeymoon Suite sucked big time.

Of course, now I would have just left the bar and gone to another place. God, I'm getting old!!!
***

Spirit: The Mercury Years 1975-1976 (1997) **** I'm a big fan of Randy California and Spirit. I started off with the classic 4 albums up to and including Dr. Sardonicus (1970). Then I picked up this one a few years ago and it has stuck to me. It's always on the list...

What more is there to say? Check em out. Randy California and Spirit web site.
***

I got shot down on highway 16
rat a tat tat a rat a tat tat
***

Light on Lighthouse, BST live story and who are those hippies?

What is it with Lighthouse? I mean...I'm listening to "Peacing It All Together" and it's ridiculous. So
so
so
ridiculous

They actually sing a song all about the importance of "common people" then they refer to these people as the "little people"!??

I couldn't but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
***

Blood
Sweat
& Tears live: August 2003 Hamilton, Ontario w/ Luther Wright & the Wrongs
Shortly after my breakdown, Guru T-Lu took me to The Festival of Friends, the annual summer festival in Hamilton, to see Luther Wright & the Wrongs, Derek Miller and Blood, Sweat & Tears. I really wanted to see Luther Wright since I had just gotten into "Rebuild the Wall". Brilliant, by the way. They were good live. I liked em. But-----let's talk about Blood Sweat & Tears baby.

After Luther Wright & the Wrongs, we met some guy I knew and didn't really care to see. Hammered as usual, and I had quit drinking the previous year. I'll just say I didn't even like him when I drank. So, my nerves were pretty fragile, cracking eggshells. The Guru meets up with a friend and all of a sudden I'm in the middle of a huge crowd...ALONE!!!!

The panic
ensues

rises...to the sky
out of sight baby, I was freaking. After standing and staring wild eyed at the crowd I scoot out of there and find the Guru. I'm shaking...but her friend has a nice fatty from her husband. We went behind some trees and partook. It was strong shit!!!

Nerves calmer I stay on the outside of the crowd, and then Blood, Sweat & Tears come on. Right at the ***point*** of peaking.

They start off with "I'll Love You More than You'll Ever Know". My head started rolling off my head and I became one with each note....

colliding with the stars it was a great show and it finally got me to buy some classic BS & T....

amen.Blood, Sweat & Tears web site.
***

Roky Erickson goes to the 13th Floor, Metallica gets dissed and Prince George rocks man!

Roky Erickson: I Think of Demons (1980) ***** What can I say? When I make up my listening list this one is always on it. And why is "Bloody Hammer" one of my fav songs? And "White Faces"? And "Shake Me Lucifer"? And "Creature with the Atom Brain"? And "Cold Night for Alligators"? It's like those cheesey old horror movies, amusing, yet somehow still scary underneath. It's about being disturbed, hallucinating
fading
in and out
dealing with the
horror
....the nightmares

the pain in the brain...
thinking
too much

and
I start to
think of demons

And I'm thinking of demons. Again. Roky Erickson's official web site. From all reports Roky is doing much better these days. Great to hear.

For great late 60s Texan psychedelic music, check out his original band, The 13th Floor Elevators. The 13th Floor Elevators web page.
***

Found a nice blog by a guy with amazing musical tastes (Ash Ra Tempel was on his list! As was Beefheart and Roky Erikson). In other words...similar to mine. Hahahaha. He talks about the mind and occassionally music. Hopefully, there will be more regulare activity on it. The Daily Formaheap.
***

I've heard that Metallica song with Marianne Faithfull at the end of it twice on the radio here in PG. Both times the dj had to comment on how spooky it was, but with this touch of snideness to it. Sorta mocking her. I think it's the best fucking thing Metallica ever did. They suck.

I refuse to list a link to a Metallica web site. No need to encourage that sort of behavior. Go to this Captain Beefheart web site instead.
***

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Motley Crue, and now Nickelback into our fair city.

Good God....
***

You may be thinking to yourself. "Listening list?" Yes, I have a listening list. Is that so bad? Back me up Randy...you better back me up motherfucker!
***

Talking Heads and Dream Syndicate accost the Buddah

Harvey Dog has sad news to report. Prince George's own Rock Your World may be closing. I include the "maybe" since Steve isn't giving up. Just ain't making enough cash man. That would be a very sad day indeed. Keep positive thoughts...
***

Talking Heads: More Songs about Buildings and Food (1978) ****1/2 I loved this album when I originally got it, probably round 1980. I just bought it again at our beloved Rock Your World.... * time out! *

sob sob whimper * cough *

OK OK, I'm fine now. Sorry bout that. Anyway. I still love it. It's one of those classics where every song is, at the very least, incredibly entertaining.

I saw them in Toronto at Kingswood on the "Speaking in Tongues" tour. It was that tour where David Byrne starts out alone on stage with an acoustic guitar, then he turns on a boom box and plays Psycho Killer. It caught people off guard. All of a sudden someone is standing there. No fanfare. Super shit hot opening. Then Tina, then Jerry, then Chris, then I believe Adrian and Darryl and ?? Bernie Worrell??? I think so. Gotta look this up. One of my fav concerts ever. I didn't fuck up or anything either!!

Question: Did every male Talking Heads fan have a crush on Tina Weymouth? The ladies as well? Best Talking Heads web site.
***

Dream Syndicate: Days of Wine and Roses (1982) **** Here's a group definitely worth getting hearing. I also have one Steve Wynn solo and heard a couple of songs from recent albums, and they're great too. This is their first. Medicine Show (1984) was even better. Check out "State Trooper" from an Uncut cd of the Boss' songs or influences, something like that. Who cares? It's only the fucking Boss. Other people, especially Manfred Mann's Earth Band, do his songs better.

Gotta get that Live at Raji's. I heard one song ("Medicine Show") and it rocked like a motherfucker. Steve Wynn's official web site.
***

Buddah Blessings

Some days
I feel
like an island

drowning
in self-awareness

crippled by weaknesses

drunk on adrenalin
confused
by passages of time

and the
peace

of the buddah
***

Guru T-Lu wasn't crazy about that "drunk on adrenalin" line. Ummm. It's the best I can think of for now.
***

Should I dare buy Jandek? I guess I have no choice with all the controversy on e-mole@yahoogroups.ca.
***