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.
***

Love Your Family/ Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar/ Don't piss off Frank Sinatra!

The Streetwalkers: Downtown Flyers (1975) **** OK. Let's get to the bottom of this. I am a huge fan of Family, Streetwalkers, Roger Chapman.

Listening to this on lp. I love that I have a turntable once again. After years of listening to cds, it can be quite startling to find that the music has finished!

They rock, they use progressive elements (but not too much), lots of dynamics, Roger Chapman's singing is intense and wild, the musicianship is top notch, the writing is solid. They deserve to be way more highly regarded. They aren't even listed in a massive AMG book I have from 2003! Check out these web sites! Roger Chapman: official appreciation society. Great site and "Chappo" even answers questions from fans. Similar to Ian Hunter. I like that these guys take time out to show appreciation for their fans. It's reciprocal! Strange Band: The Family Home Page, for lots of goodies. I found 3 old videos of Family playing live on tv, and they were awesome live! That's the only thing I'm missing...Live Family. Gotta place the order, even though they're pretty pricey.

Stop it! I'm rambling! Give these guys a listen to and see what you think. This Streetwalkers album is really great, so if you already know of Family and like them...now it's time to get into The Streetwalkers. Now I need to get some solo Roger Chapman stuff.
***

I love that song "Don't Become the Thing You Hated" by Destroyer. Especially from the "Frogs Eye Sessions" ep. * words of wisdom Llyod words of wisdom *.
***

Guru T-Lu suggested Jesus and Mary Chain's "Head On" as a candidate for "Top 10 songs to wake up to".
***

I woke up next to the corpse of Lester Bangs.
He liked cough syrup, I like cherry Scope.
I never met Lux Interior from The Cramps
I'm sure Lester and Lux shared some dope.

And then I went running through the house screaming: "Funk funk baby we need more funk" repeated endlessly....
***

After hearing amazing Meters and Art Neville songs on Uncut's "Funk Soul Brothers", I knew it was time to put on the Soul Jazz comp "New Orleans Funk" 1960-1975 (2000) which I haven't listened to yet. Band to investigate: The Meters. This is a great cd! Sounds like an easy **** to me.
***

Philip Glass & Ravi Shankar: Passages (1990) ****1/2 Deep and beautiful music. Philip Glass official web site. Ravi Shankar official web site.
***

Time to experiment. Put on Frank Sinatra's "Greatest Love Songs". Released in 2002 Recorded 1953-1966. Wasn't Frank Sinatra a bullying, murdering, gambling, alcoholic? I'm certainly not saying he was, but I thought I may have heard that rumour. Now, onto the tuneage.

I know the lyrics are written by geniuses and all that crap, but aren't the lyrics just somewhat corny? I know I have no taste and blah blah blah...but to prove I do, I do like "Candy Man" by Sammy Davis Jr. and "Detroit City" by Dean Martin. And "Fly Me to the Moon" is pretty cool. I like Sid Vicious' version of "My Way" best of all.

We've reached song 11 and I guess there is a certain flow to it. It certainly doesn't deviate much. Is this ambient music?

Wow! "My Heart Stood Still" was pretty fucking majestic! "Night and Day" is creepy. In fact, a number of the lyrics are pretty creepy....

Frank Sinatra as the Devil Outside the Front Door

outside the door...a scratch
a knock??
is it Frank?
back from the dead
knock knock
the hand of a ghost
let him in!
don't let him in!!!!!

I don't understand???

diablo! diablo! frank!???
***

Royal Trux & Can get reviewed, Dogs in the bathtub and Paul McCartney is an ass!

There's a constant banging in the back of my head...taking me to
another zone,
another space,
so it's time to listen to some music
as medication.
***

Royal Trux: Cats and Dogs (1993) **** I've just started listening to Royal Trux, and I've been quite impressed...bringing me back to heroin soaked days in the bathroom / looking for a fix / puke / face down / lots of fun.

I wish. * sigh * maybe one day...Royal Trux web site.
***

I picked up my music magazines for the month today. MOJO, Uncut, Record Collector. The Uncut cd is the type I love. 2005's most essential music. There's usually something new that grabs my ears and drags me along kicking and screaming into new territory. I listened to it before Royal Trux, and I would say that Devendra Banhart certainly caught my ear. The new John Cale is awesome, the Ry Cooder was great, My Morning Jacket rocked a little harder than usual (that's good for me), I already have the great Black Mountain, and this Antony guy always catches my ear. And so did, amazingly, Robert Plant's new one. It's the best I've heard out of him for like 30 years! No wonder I love these cds...always lots new and old to explore. And considering how much Uncut blows McCartney, they knew enough NOT to put any of his new songs on it! No matter how "highly"rated it is.
***

I'm planning a new cd order. I'm thinking Willard Grant Conspiracy (didja ever hear their version of Dylan's Ballad of a Thin Man on a MOJO cd??? Awesome! As is the whole cd except for some whiny guy who calls himself Songdog), maybe go for a 4 cd Live in Japan by Coltrane, Marc Carroll (for Guru T-Lu, and I like him too), maybe now the new Cale...Richmond Fontaine.
***

Who are The Arcade Fire???? Who are the Brain Police?
***

Isn't that painting by Captain Beefheart at the top of the blog great? Support the unknown geniuses in your town...if you know them...support them....artists, musicians, bloggers, photographers...
***

Happy Birthday Mr. Peter Peterson.
***

I almost popped my eyeball once again. Thank God I stopped it in time.

Guru T-Lu doesn't seem to be taking my eyeball popping very seriously. In fact, one could say she's mocking me. And dismissive. Ian Hunter would understand. That's why he has to wear dark glasses all the time. Eyeball Popping. Ian Hunter's great official web site.
***

Doggies in the Bathtub. Doggies in the Bathtub. This eerie song sung by Guru T-Lu with our dog Poobah on her in the bathtub. Anyway, how should the tune be sung? Apparently I was singing it too shoegazer-like. It's supposed to be darker Guru T-Lu stated. Maybe more Diamanda Galas? I have to admit the Guru's version was sending shivers down my spine.

7 poobahs in a bathtub
dancing in plastic love
Time for some Can...
***

Can: Delay 1968-1969 (1981) **** mind is bouncing out butterfly rhythms as Can flaps its wings rapidly...very early Can...butterfly beautiful Mooney spits it out butter-fly butter-fly.

The more of this early krautrock (Can, Amon Duul, Faust, Brainticket, Ash Ra Tempel, Neu!, Kraftwerk and so on) I listen to, the less "out of the blue" punk seems. This stuff is punk way before The Sex Pistols. And so were The Ramones. And Stooges. And New York Dolls...It's a continuous flow baby!

inner space inner space
I can feel it throbbing
inner space
take me by the hand
lead me to the 19th century
understand the thief
he understands
what the true crime is

lead him to the noose
and past the
cheering crowd

ratings on the rise
and the hanging man

dangles

pleasantly
in the wind
and the pissing sea

it's far too late
and I've done what I must
and not lost the trust
not lost the trust

still I scream
I'm the thief I'm the thief
just a crime
it's just a crime.

Everybody must check out Can...amazing amazing stuff. Can's Holger Czukay official web site.
***

"I didn't mean to step on this red thing,
I'm sorry that I made you cry....

Oh Poobah

I didn't mean to hurt you
I'm sorry that I made you cry

Oh Poobah

I didn't want to step on this red thing
I'm just a jealous dog."
sung to the tune of Jealous Guy as I was standing on Poobah's red thing making her cry.
***

So Sgt. Poobah took you by surprise...

Listen to "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" and just tell me that Yoko Ono isn't plastered...singing loud and over-the-top background vocals...Merry Xmas Yoko...
***

Eyeballs are popping, Ash Ra Tempel incites poetry and I run out of things to say.

"Ow. I just popped my eyeball." "I don't know how I put up with you babe."

So begins another night of surreality and madcap laughs. After listening to a MOJO cd (The Roots of Led Zeppelin: excellent) and an Uncut cd (Tracks inspired by The Boss: better than I thought, since, no matter how hard I've tried, I still can't get into the Boss. I love when Manfred Mann's Earth Band covers him), I thought it was time for mind melt. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...
***

Ash Ra Tempel: Ash Ra Tempel (1971) ***** I love this album. I first read about Ash Ra Tempel in one of my mags...an article about them recording an album with Timothy Leary. It sounded just insane. I had to have it. Praise the "Mother Librarian", Randy came out to Prince George for the summer...and voila I have 3 Ash Ra Tempel records. I will definitely order some more Ash Ra Tempel.

psychedelic
freakout
seventh eye means little
in realms
of prisms
glass shards shine

time passes.....20 minutes into 1

a gentle pulse
false sense of
security???

madness
immaculate
embrace the cornerstone
the future

dim eyes pollute
the atmosphere
and lies destroy the

earth.

This is beautiful music obviously driving me crazy. It's great to just free float write and see what the hell comes out. Get some Ash Ra Tempel. It'll be good for you. It's like the freedom of the music allows you to open and be free yourself.

Motherfucker! Ash Ra Tempel official web site.

***

Another one for the "Top 10 rock stars to make fun of". Ted Nugent. Or would he be on "Top 10 scariest rock stars of all time" list? And Gene Simmons could be on either list as well.
***

Just reminding you about Captain Beefheart...and Kevin Coyne.
***

Popping your eyeball is no laughing matter. I'm sure Alice Cooper has popped his eyeballs. Alice Cooper's official web site.
***

Guru T-Lu and I are fighting over the computer. I just told her: "I feel like I have more to write, but I'm feeling pressured." Guru T-Lu: "If you're feeling pressure, now's not the time to write."
***

Data Sets are more exciting than Ron Sexsmith, and top 10 lists are forthcoming

As I struggle with these 2 words floating in my empty sky brain..."data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets" "data sets"...
and work becomes a struggle and little progress seems to be made. What does one do? I guess bitch about in a blog. It seems like it should be simple but simple is as never simple as simple seems to be.

So what will Harvey Dog's Carnival of Music Thoughts discuss today? Don't ask me, I don't know.
***

Let's start with a preliminary. Out of respect to High Fidelity, I will compile lists. Now lists are fun, lists are stupid, lists are opinions, lists are meaningless. "Data Lists" "Data Lists" "Data Lists" "Data Lists"....STOP IT!!!

Sorry. Just a little programming madness going on. Nothing to be alarmed about. * cough *

Yes. Lists. One I'm working on is "Top 10 favorite rock stars to make fun of". Now, of course, this is totally subjective. Which are the best kinds of lists. Here's some suggestions for consideration.

Lou Reed: There's something about Lou. He takes himself so seriously and is such an asshole, yet, he's brilliant....so, you make fun of him.

Paul Simon: I mean, do I have to say more. Even though his Saturday Night skit where he sings "Still Crazy After All These Years" in a turkey (hahaha...you should make fun of me! I wrote chicken outfit first) outfit was hilarious.

Paul McCartney: He is such an ass.

Ron Sexsmith: Guru T-Lu actually knows Ron Sexsmith! Apparently, at parties he'd whip out hi...zzzzzzz....zzz.z.z..z.zzzzzzzzz....what? Oh. Um. That's what happens when someone mentions Ron Sexsmith I start to fa...zzzzzz.z.zzzzzz

Laurie Anderson: She and Lou make a great "fun" couple.

Glass Tiger: My friend JK and I drunkenly accosted Allan Frew of Glass Tiger at the Downstairs John at McMaster University: Hamilton, ON. We had talked to him before he went on, and he mentioned how much he liked Iggy Pop and all the hi-energy punk guys. We thought...alright. this could be good. Well, after their 2 sets of pablum finished, we drunkenly followed him out of the bar, all the while berating him with being a fake..."How could you play such shit and like punk...you're a fake!! A fake! A sell out!!". Well, we were drunken assholes and yes, he was a sell out, but then again, who made a living playing music? And why didn't we just leave and go to the Rathskellar? Doesn't mean I can't make fun of him, right?

Our Lady Peace guy and his chick Chantel Whatever: I hate making fun of all these Canadian acts.

Oh yeh, here's some other possible candidates. Aerosmith. I mean, like, what's up with these guys anyway? Joan Baez: Well, after watching how sensible she was in No Direction Home I think she's off the list now. But, there used to be a day...David Bowie, of course. Graham Nash. David Crosby. Phil Collins (if he wasn't so boring...at least in public. I'm sure he's a riot out of the spotlight). Oh my God...Guns'n' fucking Roses obviously. Basically, Axl. Elton, God bless him. John Lydon.

The list keeps growing. Any other ideas? Here's a great rock list web site. RockList.net
***

Little Feat: "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" (1974) *** These guys are really good. Really tight, soulful, funky. I think "Sailin' Shoes" is better. Do you smell the heroin? I thought so. Little Feat's official web site.
***

Modest Mouse, Richard Thompson, Motley Crue's coming to town! and John Cale fucks me up

Modest Mouse: Good News for People who like Bad News (2004) ***1/2 After communicationg with Vaspers the Grate, I thought it was time to listen to this morsel once again. I find it really catchy and the variety of musical atmospheres is impressive. Guru T-Lu really liked "Float On" and didn't even know we had the cd. She approves. Looking forward to the new one.
***

Richard Thompson: Amnesia (1988) **** I saw Richard Thompson live in 2003 in Toronto at an outdoors festival and he was fantastic. Amazing band, amazing guitar playing. Great time was had by one and all. This was the festival I also saw George Clinton at! That was also an amazing show passing around joints and getting as funky as an out of tune white jackass can get.

Sigh. That is the one thing I miss, now that I'm in Prince George. The big band coming to town is...get this....Motley fucking Crue. I hope Axl Rose is opening. My one regret is not seeing Motorhead last winter when they came to town.

Oh yeh, as usual this is an excellent Richard Thompson album. Richard Thompson's excellent offical web site.
***

Time to get fucked up and listen to some really fucked up shit. I need to relax. What shall we put on?
***

John Cale: Sun Blindness Music 1965-1968 (2001) ***** Umm...I noticed I started zoning into some weird territory and looked at the time. We were 2:00 into the 1st song. 4:00 in. I found myself holding my penis, not in a sexual way; but in a frightened way. 5:00 in. I'm hearing faint screaming in my head. Is it on the cd? Oh, please God, let it be on the cd. 12:00 in. Guru T-Lu has now joined me for some relief. Even though I could feel my eardrums expanding, then contracting, then expanding, then contracting...20 minutes I'm still here. I've noticed that Guru T-Lu has left the room. 27 minutes in my mind is on a trampoline out of control. 31 minutes in: Guru T-Lu has entered the room. I looked at her and said: "This is brilliant." Guru T-Lu said: "This is poopoo. Giant poopoo." Then she got angry as I went to type this up on blogger. She just said: "Fuck off John. Get this shit off I can't listen to another minute." I oblige...Then she went into crazy noises, I believe, in imitation or mockery of this album.

I have returned and have finished listening to the album, while Guru T-Lu is cleansing herself. I couldn't capture that zoned out spaciness I was feeling earlier, but I also have 2 other John Cale albums like this! Dream Interpretation and Stainless Steel Gamelan. Thanks Randy! So, I shall be exploring the canyons of my mind at a later time. A site with info on these 3 releases.
***

Guru T-Lu slags Steve Earle, Lou Reed debauchery stories upcoming: here's a preview, Sly's amazing crackpipe

Guru T-Lu on Steve Earle who's "The Revolution Starts Now" is playing. "Who's singing here?" "Steve Earle" "I don't like him. He's so fey. He sounds like Blur or something." "I thought you liked Blur." "I do. It's ok for Blur to be Blur. But not Steve fucking Earle."

After that exchange I am unable to rate this album.
***

Upcoming: Lou Reed has a definite effect on my behaviour. I've seen him 4 times, and except for one time (his most bland album & tour: "Mistrial") I have behaved, shall we say, questionably. It's why I've always had trouble with the brilliant "New York" album. And the "Ecstasy" tour I saw with Guru T-Lu contributed to my eventually quitting drinking. Thanks Lou!
***

Sly and the Family Stone: "The Essential Sly and the Family Stone" 1967-1975 (2002) ***** There's so much amazing music on this collection, how could it not merit a 5. I guess you should still get "There's A Riot Going On" & "Stand" since they're supposed to be more album, than single, oriented. I have neither, so i'll give this a 5 and maybe re-adjust when I acquire those 2 albums. Then again. Who fucking cares? Sly & the Family Stone's official web site.

I can remember almost buying "There's a Riot Goin' On." It had the cover with the american flag, and I had it in my hand for quite awhile. I took something else instead, and I now regret that fatal decision. It was at Sam the Record Man in Hamilton, Ontario. Oh God...15 years ago? I'm pretty sure I also held Moby Grape's 2 cd "Great Grape" in my hand at the same time and put that one back as well. What an amazingly difficult day that was! I must have been hungover. And why do I remember so much fucking detail?! How pathetic am I??????

That's it...this section is now done! I'm too upset!!!!!
***

Black Mountain: Black Mountain (2005) Vancouver's own. The province I live in. 2nd song in, and they've won me over This great!

Catchy as hell...and all that. I would say I'm a fan. I'll listen to it a couple of more times before the lameass rating. Here's their site, which also includes info about Pink Mountaintops. Black Mountain web site.
***

Scissor Sisters 1st listen, Harvey Dog goes surfing and Captain Beefheart appears

I got out this Scissor Sisters cd from the library, and it started off good, then the 2nd song was really catchy and I thought...ummmmmm...is there something here? Then their cover of "Comfortably Numb" came on and I think it's the shits! You can make any song into a Bee Gees "Saturday Night Fever" song, but that doesn't show anything. So fucking what? It could have been a cover of any song, with any words. Now if you want great Pink Floyd covers, get Luther Wright and the Wrongs "Rebuild the Wall" ***1/2. If I change my mind about this song, I will ask for forgivenesss.

The next song sounds alright, so who knows about these guys? I'll probably move on and explore others.

OK. I'm finished listening to this for the first time. Verdict? Strikes me as one of those albums, where I love some songs, but can't stand others (especially the disco sucks songs). Initial (early) rating? **1/2
***

Speaking of exploring new music, I found this blog Vaspers the Grate during some surfing, and he lists some great music (that he got from amazon.com as free downloads), and sites to look into. He seems to be really into free, legal downloads. And for free, legal downloads, look into Steve Coleman. He has his music available for free download, with a very articulate, rational reason for doing so. Steve Coleman's M-Base web site. Check him out, and also Vaspers' recommendations. Please forgive him though...he is a computer guy. ;)
***

I hate smiley faces, but I still use them. What's wrong with me....
***

I've always been fascinated by Captian Beefheart. He reminds me of me if I were more like Don Van Vliet.

I don't think it's a healthy fascination.
***

Harmonia: Musik von Harmonia (1974) **** It's a little too early to rate this cd, since I've only listened to it twice, but it certainly sounds like what a **** cd should sound like. Beautiful stuff. I couldn't really tell you the difference between songs...yet. However, I just love the way it flows as a continuous river rippling over rocks. A beautiful picture, if you will.

Another one from Randy. Hope all's going well with Anita! And you're heading towards the finish line at school with a fluorish.
***

Lou Reed cries and Shawn Phillips uncorks a classic

Lou Reed: Legendary Hearts (1983) **** Guru T-Lu while listening to "Home of the Brave": "Lou, you don't have to cry about it." Harvey Dog replies: "Lou was an emotional gay man, and he was married at the time. Of course he had to cry." Lou Reed's official website.
***

Shawn Phillips: Second Contribution (1971) ***** I really like Shawn Phillips a lot. I'm still trying to figure out why I like him so much. There's some kind of connection, I think, as to the same reason why I like Ted Neeley in Jesus Christ Superstar. (Even though Shawn Phillips seems more serious as a working musician). His website is pretty cool to. (Shawn Phillips', not Ted Neeley's...I wonder if Ted Neeley has a website? ummm.) Shawn Phillips official website. I have two other lps by S.P, and I think they are both great.

Guru T-Lu walking in at the beginning of "The Ballad of Casey Deiss". "Johnny Cash?" I reply: "No. Shawn Phillips 1971." "I think somebody ripped off Shawn Phillips." Referring to "Hurt"

Oh, fuck it. I had this rated 4 1/2, but now I think it's a fucking classic. 5 stars.

And he looks like Jesus Christ.
***

R.L. Burnside: Come On In (1998) ***1/2 What a great sound on this record. I bought this at a really cool used cd and record (I didn't have a record player then...ahh) in Toronto. Shit, I wish I could remember the name. (Guru T-Lu remembered 1 hour after I wrote this...Paramusic). It was on Dundas E, about 3 blocks up from Yonge. Great store. They had all these Russian imports with 2 records on it and bonus cuts. I got The Beatles (early), T. Rex (early), even Grand Funk, The Animals. I would have eventually got more, but we moved to BC.

This album rocks real good. I listen to this one regularly....in comparison (and that I have about 2,500 lps and cds). R.L. Burnside web site.

Well well well....gotta get his cd with Jon Spencer Blues Explosions (I like em).
***

Nothing much of interest today...(finally) got a big VS project onto a FrontPage web site with the help of Paul Stokes. Thanks Paul. Also bought a cool skull t-shirt from Rock Your World. I'm fucking 43. Guru T-Lu and I are chilling tonight. It's down to -18 celsius tonight here in Prince George, BC.
***

I thought about Captain Beefheart today. We should all think of Captain Beefheart at least once a day. Here's an awesome Captain Beefheart site. The Captain Beefheart Radar Station
***

The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002) *** Really creative catchy experimental pop. I actually prefer listening to the early Lips stuff. The first Flaming Lips I got was the "Finally the Punk Rockers are Taking Acid" 3 cd set. The 1st 3 albums and bonus cuts. I love that raw youthful energy of it all. Especially "Jesus Shooting Heroin". Obviously a Catholic thing.

Yeh.
***

Here's a new poem about my dog...Poobah. I'll call it "Yorkie Poms are Really Small"

yorkie poms are really small
not big at all
she's not that bright
her farts stink
and poo gets tangled
in her hair

but still...she turns me on.

No, no, no. I'm sorry. Isn't that an Emerson, Lake & Palmer song?
***

Guru T-Lu cooks it up in the kitchen, Kevin Ayers, spontaneous poetry and Bryan Ferry meets Charlie

I go down to the kitchen and Guru T-Lu is cooking up a pot of goodness. Tastes amazing, so here's a new feature. "Guru T-Lu's Food for Stoners"!!

Here's the recipe: Throw a bunch of frozen vegetables and a can of tuna into a large pan, add half a jar of Cheese Whiz and voila! A delight of the senses!
***

Hey, check out the picture. It was taken by Guru T-Lu and you should check out her Flickr site. Follow the link to the right or click here.
***

Kevin Ayers: Whatevershebringswesing (1971) The first time I've heard this and it's pretty good. I only recently got a couple of his cds. I bought "Dr. Dream" (1974) *** and like it fine enough. This one sounds stronger, which seems to be the prevelant critical opinion.

I also remember buying "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock Music" about 1975 or 1976 (amazingly my parents didn't question the purchase: there was nudity in it!), and there was a large picture of the cover of "Dr. Dream" which I thought was amazingly cool for being 13 or so...and raised Catholic! Sort of freaked me. Kevin Ayers official home page.
***

I love that article in Uncut (the last page...usually critics drunken, stoned escapades with rock stars) where the writer, Marti Jones, writes about meeting Bryan Ferry in 1978 and ranting and raving wired on "charlie". It seems like Bryan Ferry is a gentlemen, since he was always careful to share his "charlie".
***

spontaneous poetry

rushing the wave
of sound
neanderthals delight
in their own
shadow....

wasted scoundrels
dream of Moroccan opium

asleep in their dreams
a wave
...........passes them by
***

Computer Interlude

I can't believe that in VS.Net 2003 that when you query using the DISTINCT keyword, that your memo field is truncated to 255 characters!? This causes quite the problem for me at work, since I have a large complex query (joining 6 tables, searching many fields with criteria), and one of the fields I want to display from this query on the web is, of course, a memo field. I thought it would be a simple workaround, instead it's a problem that Microsoft itself recognizes. I hope this is fixed in VS.Net 2005.

Had to vent. Now back to our advertised content.
***

Bryan Ferry: Let's Stick Together (1976) **** In Your Mind (1977) *** I'm certainly a fan, and I would recommend Let's Stick Together to any early Roxy fan, since half the album is old Roxy covers. I'm not sure he betters any, but they are all interesting and still great songs. Very enjoyable. In Your Mind is actually the album he was promoting in that Uncut article. It's good. Solid professional shit, but then again...he was on the charlie. Bryan Ferry's official web site.
***

Just ran across a good site about music censorship in America. Considering a marching band in the United States was banned from doing an instrumental (?? what the fuck ??) version of "Louie Louie", you know censorship is alive and well. I think the New York Mets sort of forcing (persuading) Carlos Delgado to stand for "God Bless America" is a form of censorship itself. Wither gone the days of protest? Check out Parental Advisory: Music Censorship in America. I'll even try to find a copy of the book.
***

Guru T-Lu hates Tim Buckley and the Hated Uncles drop by

Tim Buckley: Blue Afternoon (1969) **** Tim Buckley: Starsailor (1970) ***** By the time "Chase the Blues Away" barely had a chance to breathe, Guru T-Lu said: "This guy is bringing me down." I replied: "He always brings you down." Later on, I remarked: "I find his music beautiful and majestic." Guru T-Lu said something like, "beautiful and majestic...good for you." Maybe his music just hits me right during my "stones". I love his voice and the control he has over it. You can feel him exploring every note. I've read of comparisons of his voice with Coltrane, and that's not too far off. Even though Buckley wasn't as brilliant as Coltrane. Not too many were.

Oh yeh, I also love the subtle musicianship, which accentuates his voice beatifully. I read Lee Underwood's bio of Tim Buckley, and it's obvious Lee loved Tim, but Tim could also be a prick. Typical musical genius. It's a good read as well. If you're interested in Tim's music definitely check it out. I think I read my copy from the Oakville Public Library. Great library.

I'm really digging on "Jungle Fire" right now. I so disagree with Guru T-Lu....Good Lord, is "Starsailor" ever freaky. I started hallucianating that I was listening to Amon Duul or something! Tim Buckley's official site.
***

I'm so far behind in my magazine reading. I read MOJO, Uncut and Record Collector cover to cover, but lately, I'm getting so far behind I'm having to skip some reviews and stuff that's not really my cup of tea. Example: The value of The Smiths rarities. So, it may be awhile for me to finish the Julian Cope.
***

Hated Uncles story #1

OK. A new feature. Old Hated Uncle stories. We opened up for The Forgotten Rebels in Hamilton, Ontario at Willy Woggs, and played probably our best show up to that point. It was a tough, biker kind of crowd (obviously, with The Rebels being punk heroes) and our weird original music with a trumpet, guitar, bass and me yelling out my lyrics while rolling around on the stage and then walking out into the crowd confronting people got quite a mixed reaction. In other words, we were lucky we didn't get the shit kicked out of us. Micky DeSaidst (who even became somewhat of a friend), however really liked us. Maybe because people didn't like us. Whatever. We all became friends. He actually told the crowd they were doing their version of The Hated Uncles and then they did some song similar to our "big" song "Name on a Gravestone". Of course, with our egos fuelled by alcohol we were pretty hot shit that night. [Aside: That was also the night I first met my friend of many years, Vikram] Mickey told us we could open for The Forgotten Rebels in London, Ontario.

Wow! The Hated Uncles on the road. So, we do what all touring bands do. We rented a van for too much money, packed up the equipment and headed out to the show. The big time! This could lead to something! Maybe we could open up for The Forgotten Rebels when they went on tour! Oh God! The possibities!

I'm usually a pretty good driver, but I remember missing a stop sign and just driving right through a pretty busy intersection. I'm sure the other guys were distracting me or whatever, but we were lucky we got through it alive because it was close. Definitely a bad omen.

So...we get to the show way too early, like the eager losers we were, and wait around drinking beer and playing pool. Finally, Mickey shows up and the first thing he says is: "Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Um.....well, you remember that show in Hamilton...oh you forget...it's ok I'll get you on. Mickey's a good guy. He comes back and says, "You're on at 10." Great. No problem.

It's about 7:30 and I go out with Tanya (guitar player's girlfriend) for dinner and a drink. Being a single horny man who masterbated too much and never got laid, of course I had a thing for Tanya, but then again, I think we all did. The other guys stayed behind, but I liked to get away from the place for a break and come back closer to showtime. Our shows were pretty intense, and we definitely worked up to them with a lot of beer and attitude. So, I liked to come back about 1/2 hour before we went on. Made it seem fresher to me.

We have a pleasant dinner and we head back. It's about 8:45. Mickey comes running up: "Where the fuck have you been?! They've been waiting for you on stage for about 5 minutes. I rush up, we start off, but everything was off. The sound was shit, we were shit. So, we get the plug after 3 songs. Surprisingly, the only time that ever happened. I could think of a couple of shows we should have had the plug pulled, but that'll be for later stories.

Of course, we all got shitfaced, smoked shitloads of pot outside, bickered and were quite nasty with each other. We were all tired and wasted. Somehow we get back home, and amazingly keep the band going. I remember some kind of weird feeling that came over me on the ride back, but to this day, I'm still not quite sure what that feeling was.

What a great experience.
***

Velvets

The Velvet Underground: The Legendary Guitar Amp Tapes 1968-1969 (1996) ***** Riding a wave of electrical feedback...pulsating sensations....my head a mere fragment, a mere scrap of possibilities. Drown drown drowning in haphazard thoughts. thc rippling through my frontal vein throbbing out that pounding Maureen Tucker beat. Sterling and Lou fight a dance and circle each other searching for space. Is it Doug on organ? The sound coalescing into light...the finest of bootlegs.

It's the Velvet Underground man!!!!!

OK OK OK...I'm hearing bubbles in the ocean bubbles in the ocean...through my fucking computer system! As of right now this is a ***** listening to "Heroin / Sister Ray". Amazing stoner music.

Listening to "Run Run Run" now. At first it sounds rough, then the feedback takes you away and you're back floating with velvet angel wings on that driving backbeat. That's it...It's *****!!
***

I went to the local library and they actually had a copy of Julian Cope's "Head On" and "Repossessed". 2 in 1!! Cool. I'll get through them and report back here. Love the cover of "Repossessed".
***

Started Warren Kinsella's "Fury's Hour". He calls it a punk manifesto. Looks interesting.
***

The debut of Guru T-Lu, introducing the Mole and Bob Dylan camps out

There's a huge argument going on about Jandek on my friend Mole's newsgroup. There's a link to his page on Creative Radio Central and if you send him an email you can join his outrageous newsgroup of music nuts of all sorts. I really need to listen to some Jandek. Sounds fucked-up, which can be a positive, so I'm hoping I enjoy it. We'll see.
***

OK. Time for some Guru T-Lu advice. A reader writes in and says: "I've been invited to a fabulous soiree. My fabulous crush, a record store owner [Harvey Dog aside: snicker snicker] needless to say will be present. Still wearing the brusises from my last relationship, with my pummelled ego laying splat on the floor, I'm afraid of making a fool of myself. How do I handle the pre-date jitters."

Guru T-Lu's answer (The answer is applicable to both men and women, gay, straight, transgender, bisexual) : Here's how you do it. You face the situation from as many angles as possible. You say will my crush be there? Yes he will be there. Accept that as a reality. You may feel nervous. Accept that you are nervous. Ask yourself if you are hopeful that your crush might turn out to be a good person. Of course you are. So be happy knowing that you just might have the opportunity to meet a good person that night. Ask yourself if you bear him any ill-will and of course you don't, so if you see him, approach him with kindness and good intentions and a manageable quantity of booze and i [Harvey Dog aside: I hate people who use small i's. She made me keep it in] assure you all will go well.
I hope this reaches you in time. Good Luck!

Thank you Guru T-Lu !
***

I'm listening to Mel Brown & the Homewreckers: Homewreckin' Done Live (2001) borrowed from the Public Library. Thanks. Sounds quite good. Solid, basic, but good blues playing. Nice version of "Hey Joe" playing now. First time listening to it, so too early for the lameass star system.
***

I was just telling Guru T-Lu, what a genius she is. I must want to get laid tonight.
***

From the description of "Seven Days" from Bob Dylan's "The Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3":"At the end of March 1976, Eric Clapton was recording his LP No Reason To Cry in Shangri La Studios, Malibu. Bob Dylan decided to drop by for a while. As Clapton recalled, 'He was just hanging out. He was actually living in a tent in the bottom of the garden. He would keep sneaking into the studio to find out what was going on, trying to catch me in there.' Ron Wood, who was later to record 'Seven Days' himself (on Gimme Some Neck), was also hanging out at Shangi La (the former bordello featured briefly in The Last Waltz). He remembers it well: "That's where I got 'Seven Days' from. He played it to me and Eric in the studio, and he said to Eric, 'You can have this song if you want it'. And I took him up on it and Eric didn't.'"
Now....here a few things I consider odd about this.

?!?! Dylan was living in a tent at the bottom of a garden??? A tent? Was he broke? Why would no one invite him to crash at their home??!?! Dylan had to sneak into the studio??? What? To get by the security guards? Was he banned from the studio? Was he just considered the bum living in a tent in the garden??!?! And do musicians just hang out at studios? It doesn't sound like Ron Wood was recording at the studio...just 'hanging out'.?!?! And who else but Dylan would give away such a masterpiece as "Seven Days" and only perform it 5 times himself?
***

I borrowed John Denver's "Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits" from the library. Don't laugh. Whatever. I like the cd title. Anyway, Guru T-Lu said, "You know John Denver committed suicide." I replied: "No no. He died in a plane crash." I looked up on all-music (I got 3 annoying pop-ups while surfing all-music...what the fuck is that all about?) to see who was right. All-music states: "Tragedy struck on October 12, 1997, when his experimental aircraft suddenly crashed, killing him instantly. " I couldn't help but think that Guru T-Lu was right. Another rock'n'roll suicide!
***

Julian Cope, Poobah and a new lame ass star system and Bowie

I wrote about depression for the blog yesterday, but I'm holding off on it. Somehow, it's one thing to write it down, and another to publish it. We'll see. Anyway, speaking of insanity, let's get back to our carnival of music thoughts.
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Julian Cope: Jehovahkill (1992) **** You hear about somebody for years, and when you finally hear them, it's nothing like you expected. I vaguely remember Teardrop Explodes and "World Shut Your Mouth" and liked what I heard, but maybe not enough to pursue at that time. This past summer I got "Peggy Suicide (1991)" and this one from Randy...once again thanks.

I think this is the dog's breath. And I love dog breath thanks to Poobah our yorkie pom. What a creative and experimental album this is. I like, and may learn to love, his singing. His music is accomplished and driving. I don't know what he's talking about, but it sounds intelligent. Maybe, I'll focus on it super hard one day instead of writing into this blog while it's playing. In fact, there's a lot to love about this album and I highly recommend exploring Julian Cope. I know I'm going to further explore his work. Another note is that from what I remember (and only listening to it twice), that "Peggy Suicide" is even better! Julian Cope's web site.
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Who else needs to be explored further?? So many. Roy Harper. Cecil Taylor. The Fall.
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And remember Hawkwind loves you!
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This Julian Cope album is sorta messing with my mind. "The Tower" is playing now, and I love the spooky overtones. Are his books any good? I'll check out the PG library and see if they have any Julian Cope books. They may. They have an excellent music section. I'm reading Gary Valentine's "New York Rocker" right now. It's ok. Nothing too special. Then again, I was never a huge Blondie fan. I loved Lemmy's book. He strikes me as incredibly sensible. Seriously.
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Did Julian Cope just say: "Mother, Mother, bah." in a psychotic insane sort of way to end the album? Wow. Now that is a way to end an album! I listened to it 3 times to make sure I heard it right. Once again...Wow.
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David Bowie: Hunky Dory (1971) *** I've actually never been the biggest fan of "Changes". There. I admit it. However, the rest of this album does it for me. I especially love "Oh! You Pretty Things!", "Life on Mars", "Andy Warhol" and "Queen Bitch". Isn't Bowie sort of pompous in interviews? Like he's got some smug secret that he may let us in on one day. I liked his interviews when he was loaded on "charlie" though.

Note: The day after I wrote this blog up, I reduced Hunky Dory down to 3 stars from 4. I think there's some pretty naff shit going on, but there's some blah stuff there as well, and **** seems a little high.
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Isn't my new star system lame? I just can't help myself...I'm so ashamed.
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motherfucker
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The First Post Finally Appears

Well, the talk has finally stopped. I have been threatening for a number of months to start my own blog, and become one of the millions in cyberspace babbling about their interests. Finally, that day has arrived.

What are my interests? As indicated by the title of the blog, my obssessive interest is music. I also want the freedom to write about depression, as I have struggled with this ailment all my life. So, occassionally, I may write about how shitty I feel, or the feelings I'm struggling with, and the rest of the fun stuff that goes along with depression, stress and anxiety. My purpose in this? The hope that someone with depression reads one of my depression posts, and something in it clicks with the way they're feeling, and maybe, just maybe, it can aid them on their journey. You never know what will help a person with depression.

OK. The main focus of this blog is music, and when I write about depression, that will be indicated in the title, so those who aren't interested in depression can bypass those posts. I may even start a separate blog for depression; but, I finally started this one, so maybe I should slow down and actually write some posts!

I'm not sure how this blog will develop, or where it's headed....and that's the exciting part for me. I think I'll start this blog off with some random thoughts.

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My friend Randy supplied quite a number of classic krautrock albums to my collection (amongst tons of others. Thanks Randy!), that I was sorely lacking. Can, Amon Duul I & II, Faust, Neu!, Cluster, Harmonia, Kraftwerk, Brainticket, Guru Guru and so on. I'm currently listening to Neu! 1975 and I love it. The quality that strikes me about these groups, is how creative they are. No matter how primitive the equipment, the enthusiasm shines through. Question: How much charm (if any) has been lost with the improvement in equipment? Sounds like a future essay.

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John Cale-Terry Riley: Church of Anthrax (1971) For some reason I always thought this was an electronic, classical kind of album. Never heard it, just read the reviews. Then I got a copy from Randy (thanks again man) and I think it sounds fantastic. Rather jazzy. Probably a ***1/2 rather than the 2 or so it usually gets. I saw John Cale live in Toronto at Larry's Hideaway, around the 1983-1984 period, and I was so fucking drunk I was at the back flirting with a girl named Candy (no, really), unsuccessfully I might add (I think she had some "rounds" to make), then ended up closer to the stage and I believe I shouted out a heckle whereupon Mr. Cale most appropriately put me down, so I proceeded to sulk and get even more childish. Ah, the good old days.

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Amon Duul II: Wolf City (1972) I can't believe I went so long before getting this music. I'd heard of all the big krautrock bands (Can, Faust, Amon Duul etc.), but they were difficult to find, and I'd really only had listened to 30 second snippets on AllMusic, which is NOT the same thing. Green Bubble Raincoated Men is currently playing and this album is beautiful. I love Renate Knaup-Kroetenschwanz' voice......a few puffs and coughs later and I'm really getting into this album. Love It. Did I already say that?

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Neil Young: Journey Through the Past (1972) As you can see, I have gone to a "here's what I'm listening to...my inane comments follow" kind of style for my first post. I must remember not to fall into predictability.

When I was a lonely masterbating drunk, I used to play side 1 over and over. I loved the segues. For What It's Worth / Mr. Soul and Find the Cost of Freedom / Ohio....absolutely rocked. And they still do. And Side 2 is pretty great too. Southern Man and Alabama are fantastic. Words is pretty good. Side 4's pretty fucked up, but interesting once in awhile. So, why do the critics kill this album? It's still not available on cd. I grabbed my copy (My second. The first I sold for beer money 20 years ago) from Rock Your World. If you're ever in Prince George, check out Rock Your World. Great collection of lps. * Plug over *. Anyway, I think this is a **** album, and when you're a lonely masterbating drunk like I was, it's a ***** for the first 2 sides anyway.

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Tammy just walked into the room and asked for a cd by the "I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun" guy. This is how Cat Stevens is remembered if you've ever seen an 18 year old Cat Stevens jocularly sing "I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun". Try to check it out. It's on "The Singer and the Song" dvd I got at a very evil place.

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