Here we have one of many compilations coming out in 2020 from Australian rock’n’roll journeyman Johnny Casino. The material here stemming from his earlier days in Asteroid B-612 to some additional tracks from the turn of the Millenium in Johnny Casino’s Easy Action. This is the 90—00 addition of his retrospective deep dives lovingly titled Hits & Misses.
Always incredibly underrated in international terms, the contribution of the land from down under to the metamorphosis of punk rock and it’s reactionary genres. Whether you are looking at their garage rock bands of the seventies, Melbourne’s post punk scene and even New Zealand’s Dunedin alternative rock sound. All highly influential on European and American acts alike but never getting a lot of the name checking it deserves.
I first came across Asteroid B-612 on a garage rock/psyche compilation years ago, I’d originally thought that they must of been a part of the original 70s wave of bands because their sound is so authentic without sounding dated. Not at all unlike contemporaries such as The Hellacopters and New Bomb Turks but at times with a harder edge like Mudhoney or Tad, particularly on 9 minute opus ‘chainsaw’ and album opener ‘moody’.
Original material on the record is backed up with an excellent array of covers spanning from Alice Cooper to Per Ubu. A particular stand out here is their ‘down on the street’ Stooges cover which has the ferocity of Dead Moon, it’s sonic fury making up for any production shortcomings.
Overall this is a great beginning to a career retrospective that has left me wanting to here part two and three that are also available. As well as that we have a new solo album to look forward to, you can check out country-tinged single ‘trouble weighs a ton’ which is out now. We’re just over the halfway point of 2020 and Johnny Casino is more productive than most artists are in the space of five years, pandemic or not, nothing is going to slow him down. Head over to his Bandcamp page and check him out, you won’t be disappointed.
Well here it is kiddie winkies the ‘Best Of’ album of the year and probably any other year if it were a competition, which it isn’t. But if it were Mötochrist has won. From the artwork to the content and the cliche crammed melodies its an absolute steal at any price. If you haven’t already ordered your own copy why not?
Originally released as one of those Kickstarter campaigns many many moons ago (at least 18 months if I’m honest) and for it being a Greatest Hits compilation fuck knows why it’s taken so long but it doesn’t even matter because it’s Mötochrist and they Rock and that can do what they want simple as that!
I know there’s a certain irony of it being a Greatest Hits seeing as they’ve only ever released one single on vinyl proper oh ok So ‘I Don’t Ride Bitch’ was a single-sided No Balls creation and they did release a three-track CD Ep. and that was on No Balls and not many will have ordered it anyway but truth being known everything Mötochrist has released is the Greatest anyway even when they’re not on top form its still the Greatest and way better than 99.9% of other bands records. Oh, and the artwork is a stroke of genius front and centre – absolute stone-cold classic. I’m lucky being a fanboy I got mine signed even during COVID because if it wasn’t already obvious there’s no way any Virus is taking Mötochrist down not now not ever- they are indestructible
So Whats on this Greatest Hits then I hear you say through salivating chops. Well, the only downside is its just the one record and not a double album or better still boxed set with everything they’ve recorded on vinyl – Fingers crossed eh?
It starts as it does at the start of the ‘Greetings’ album with the glorious ‘Hang Em High’ and the total heaviness of those Guitars man it’s fucking awesome and the tone of Diamond and Vodka is immense. Catchy tune after catchy tune with cheeky lyrics and big riffs this compilation is a must-have don’t take yourself too seriously and let your hair down ‘The Fist’ is a beauty and from the bands decade-old ‘Corvette Summer’ album (man it seems like yesterday)
Then it’s back to those ‘Salt Flats’ for ‘Super Sonic Speed Machine’ but its not all full throttle as the laid back ‘Holiday’ steps up with its ‘Strip club’ staple groove and killer chorus. Of course, the tribute to ‘Evel’ is present as is Marc Diamond penned ‘Pretty Girls’. Then to close off the first half, side one is drinking anthem ‘We Came We Saw We Drank’ and its TV Eye tip of the hat to Iggy and boozing and a fine way to take us to half time.
Side two opens with a pair from ‘Corvette Summer’ before their last album ‘Chrome’ rears its devil horned head. I’m going through side two and by the time I hit ‘Hellbound’ and its wonderful lyrics of Shakespearian quality. I guess having self-awareness is a good thing and guys I think Hellbound is the only option so well done for embracing your final destination but as the final thirteenth track ‘I Don’t Ride Bitch’ plays out I realise there’s no room for the epic ‘Marc Diamond’ or ‘El Diablo’ uh what? oh, I see Pfew Volume One. It just wouldn’t be fair to overload this one so you’re forgiven.
In short, just buy this album if you don’t have a record player, well, this is your excuse to get one. A stone-cold winner of Greatest Hits album of the year and its only August for fucks sake!
Oh and to make this bad boy even more desirable (if that’s possible) my record came with a CD that features a whole heap of bands covering Mötochrist which is as we all know futile but worth a go and most definitely worth a listen from some pretty straight takes on classics and some that are well and truly fucked with oh and they have ‘Marc Diamond’ and ‘El Diablo’ so all not lost. Danny Christ!? Jesus wept I can’t stop looking at it and laughing.
Your waking up to the sad news that Walter Lure, who was guitarist in iconic NYC punk band The Heartbreakers, has died after battle with lung cancer and liver cancer. He was 71. Walter was diagnosed with liver and lung cancer in July 2020, which spread rapidly and he died from complications related to cancer at the age of 71, peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by family. He was very much loved and respected for all he contributed to the world of music. He will be dearly missed. He last played Rebellion festival here in the UK last Summer and continued to perform songs from the classic L.A.M.F. as well as his solo material. We’d like to send our best wishes to his family and close friends for their loss. Rest easy Walter.
Lure was the last surviving member of The Heartbreakers Walter leaves behind a lean but incredible musical legacy and will be missed by many. The perfect foil to Thunders onstage, Walter leaves behind the L.A.M.F album that spawned and influenced several generations of Rock and Rollers as well as a couple of classic solo records with the Waldos. I was lucky enough to interview him many years ago and he was engaging, charming, humble and funny and it was great to meet one of your heroes who deserved to be on the pedestal you put them on. Rest In Peace Walter Lure – Rock and Roll Legend.
As my learned colleague, Craggy waxed lyrically when he reviewed ‘Honked’ the first of these Anniversary albums from Diamond Dogs, I went on a journey down the Rock and ROll highway and played every Diamond Dogs album released and the overriding thought I had was – Damn this band was smoking hot when they got in that groove.
They were honking on the whole Faces early ’70s Stones vibe and they were killing it every time and the most important thing was they had the tunes to go with the swagger and if those five albums were my gift to the world I’d be so proud of my band and the songs we’d created. Its quite some collection and as the band aged like a good wine they changed taste but remained true to their roots and sound.
On reflection, it seems like yesterday the band were rolling into my small village and pitching up their amps in a restaurant at the rear of my local boozer on a Sunday night after having a show in the City cancelled they then proceeded to Rock the socks off the locals with a wonderful and impressive set. These sets are pressed on vinyl as well as CD and contain a plethora of bonus tracks (singles B Sides) to wrap up the tunes from that period in a perfect set.
As Your Greens Turn Brown: After the keys introduce the listener with a bit of ‘Bloodshot’ before kicking up a shitstorm in the shape of the fantastic no holds barred ‘Goodbye, Miss Jill’ even now it makes me smile a five-mile smile when the band kicks in and the harmonica starts honkin’.
The record ebbs and flows superbly with the highs being particularly high and when the band gets going man they sounded authentic and passionate. The lulls when they’d kickback. Their blend of Hammond and Rock and Roll overdrive mixed with a few horns stabs here and there is timeless. Let the good times roll on the ballsy ‘Hardhitter’ and then they can drop a few gears as they venture off into Small Faces territory via ‘Singing With The Alleycats’ it’s easy to see how these guys got gigs with Punk rockers like the Damned or Rockers like The Cult and Nazareth when you hear the raw ‘Bite Off’ with its too fast to live riff and with that variety in mind you pick up the flavour of just how talented a songwriter Sulo is and he lives these songs and wears them on his sleeve you can’t bluff Rock and Roll this good which is why he attracted the likes of Darrel Bath and Steve Klasson into the fold.
The band were comfortable letting go and cutting loose as they were doing the jig is up country-tinged ‘Anywhere Tonight’ as they were doing the whole Thin Lizzy duel guitar kick-off that had songs like ‘Boogie For Tanja’ being so effortlessly good. Then when they needed to turn down the lights they could glide into ‘Yesterdays Nymph’ in one fell swoop. When Sulo took the mood down he has a wonderful tone on his voice and as far as taking on the Brits doing the whole R&B thing there’s no contest Diamond Dogs were more consistent than a lot of their contemporaries churning out albums of exceptionally high quality and this bad boy is right up there with the best of them and when your B Sides are as good as your A-Sides you know you’re onto something.
Fifteen songs of exceptional quality its like they once said Too much is never enough! Bring on the next one and I’ll get me filled up on more trips down memory lane and promise myself to play these records more often they deserve it and so do you – Buy it!
If it were a six a side knock about I’d be quite pleased these bad boys were on my team some old some young some borrowed and, well, nothing Blue Check out the last six singles for August and an amazing month for releases…
Divine Horsemen – ‘Mystery Writer’ (Self Release) The first new music in thirty-three years and it’s pretty bloody decent to be fair. With the duet vocals, it’s a slow-burning Rock and Roller reminding me of when the sisters of mercy rocked it up and some old school Keith inspired Rock n Roll. As the guitars weave their merry web the melody rolls on. On the virtual B side is the chunky riff of ‘Mothers Worry’. A live cut with a bit of guts and plenty of attitude. A decent offering and great pallet taster for the new music they must be releasing soon.
Jesse Malin – ‘Todd Youth’ (Wicked Cool Records) We jumped the gun a few weeks ago when we covered this Jesse Malin release but it’s here now. With an A-side paying tribute to former bandmate and guitar legend Todd Youth Jesse has penned a pretty upbeat number and not the tear-jerking ballad you might expect and he also gets Bad Brains legend HR to join him on the song. There’s a Motown feel here and a great way to pay tribute to one hell of a player and popular musician from coast to coast and continent to continent Youth touched many and its great he’s remembered here in such a fine way. The flip side sees a funky ‘Sally Can’t Dance’ that I’m sure even Lou Reid would give a standing ovation to from the horns to the Bv’s and beyond. Malin nails it again.
Pre Cog In The Bunker – ‘Precogs Dream’ (sister Raygun Records) Italian pair churn out a hellish noise of Garage rock goodness in the shape of Precogs dreams and on a wonderfully vivid pink vinyl. It’s just Rock and Roll in the time-honoured Cramps, 60’s VU style. They hit things & chop out some phat riffs and throw in plenty of howls! Its pretty much the MO for all three tracks its been done before but it will no doubt be done another million times with varying degrees of quality. This is a decent listen and whilst the songs are all mid-tempo its pretty good. So the final track is hanging on by a thread before the breakdown which is very VU if I’m honest and there’s nothing wrong with that at all and ‘On The Run’ is my pick of the three tracks on offer here. I certainly wouldn’t object to hearing more of this when I get round to hearing the album they also released earlier this year until then this will do. Buy Here
Joe Desglose – ‘Too Much TV’ (Self Release) Joe thought he’d sneak these demo tunes out and people wouldn’t notice or more likely Facebook and their algorithm wouldn’t let it reach too many people but we’ve always liked Joe from his Breakdowns days and through his tenure with DeRellas Joe has a great pedigree and these raw song ideas show he’s lost none of that trashy fury even with just an acoustic guitar and a voice you can see and hear the songs taking shape. From the uptempo ‘Tattered Star’ through the tribute to Ms. Jett in the shape of the excellent ‘St Joan’. You have the more laid back ‘Conversations With The Girl’ which has a slightly continental feel and with the Johnny Thunders guitar break we like a lot and when this virus eases to the point where Joe can get into a studio with an electric band this might just get a lot more exciting if this is the quality of songs we can expect. Not a bad one amongst them and ‘Wedding Song’ sounds like a long lost Frankie Miller number Joe is on form and long may it continue. Check them out here
The Candy Snatchers – ‘Picture My Face’ (Fandango Records) Heres the story for these two tracks and how they’re now getting their digital birth some time after the crime so to speak. The Candy Snatchers shouldneed no introductions to be fair I’ve said on numerous occasions how immense Larry Mays vocals are and how intense he makes every record sound and its always better than the last one and this is no exception absolute stone cold classics and this band should have been Fuckin huge no make that HUGE!
“Sometime in late 1997, Matthew Odietus handed Jake Starr a DAT with two new Candy Snatchers songs on it for a split 7” with Adam West on Fandango Records. Jake chose “Picture My Face,” a raucous cover of the Teenage Head classic, and released it as FR-012 limited to 510 copies. The 7″ single sold out nearly overnight and has never been repressed or released digitally… until now. This version of “Treda Douche” is the first take on the song and was originally released on a rare LP compilation on Intensive Scare Records. Both songs have now been remastered and are available for the first time digitally. These two songs also feature Black Market Baby drummer Tommy Carr, who was briefly in the band in between permanent drummers. Fandango is so proud to re-release these songs for your listening pleasure. Enjoy, kids!” I couldn’t have said it better myself
Chaser – ‘Look Alive’ (Self Release) Its hard not to admire any band who donates 100% of the band’s proceeds from record sales will be donated to Equal Justice Initiative, Educational First Steps, Crisis Aid International, and Surfrider Foundation so here you go fill yer boots with the video of the track taken from the album of the same title. Right out of the Bad Religion pocket.
Here are some details of where to pick up a physical copy –
The track, now streaming on all digital platforms, appears on the band’s upcoming ‘Look Alive’ 7″/EP out on September 4. Vinyl copies of the 7″ have sold out, but digital copies and merch are available at www.chaserpunkrock.com.
The sold-out ‘Look Alive’ 7″ was limited to 333 copies, and available worldwide in 4 different color variants via Thousand Islands Records (Canada), Sound Speed Records (USA), SBAM Records (Europe) and Pee Records (Australia).
August the 8th 1970. The last time the original powerhouse machine that is The Stooges took to a stage. August 2020 sees it hit the shelves on record and a nice slab of heavyweight vinyl it is too without all the finer niceties of modern recordings this is straight from the desk loud as fuck! With Iggy being the last man standing I bet that wasn’t something many people would have uttered 50 years ago.
With a $15 to $20 price tag on tickets for this festival that would have had Savoy Brown, Jethro Tull, Joe Cocker, Chicago and Alice Cooper on the bill way above The mighty Stooges. it must have been a bummer to have had to go on after this aural assault had long left the stage. Whilst it might not be the finest soundboard mix ever you get the emotion of the band playing as both Brothers Asheton are kicking up a shitstorm of rage and intense musicianship especially on songs like ‘TV Eye’ and an inspirational performance on ‘Dirt’ but you keep being sidetracked by Alexanders bass as it takes a wobble especially through the amazing solo it might be hindsight knowing what happened but his falling apart does happen, It must have been a jaw-dropping spectacle yet little did the punters know this would be the last time this five would take the stage with Dave Alexander being fired.
In a day when bands play albums in their entirety and sell out venues, the Stooges were doing it in 1970. By the time you get to the title track that huge throbbing hypnotic bassline but the reality is its a mess, and you can see why Iggy might have been pissed, seeing as there were a reported 200K in attendance and it must have been mindblowing hearing this as Mackay’s saxophone is causing hypertension on what I would say is one of the finest song ever penned, by anyone, anywhere at any time it’s a royale maelstrom of noise here, a beautiful noise by the way and with Mr. Pop barking out the words over the top the PA sounds like it’s about to ignite at any minute. as the sax and guitar duke it out even if the tape goes a bit wobbly which is such a shame it sounded magnificent.
Its believed that this performance was almost the cause of a full-on riot and hundreds charged the stage and began dismantling it after the Stooges left the stage it’s not hard to see how that could be on this performance and having the plug pulled on your set only enhances The Stooges legend anyway. Thanks to Jack White and his label for making this release possible as it’s believed that MR Pop isn’t enamored but hey its been worth the wait and even MR Pop would have to agree that for a document in musical history this needed to be preserved and something he could and should be immensely proud to be a part of.
If the Funhouse complete is way out of your price range and you love that record and the band then this is a no brainer and well worth the price of admission in anyone’s book. Awesome.
Debut album from Clevelands Knowso sees the punks dish up a record that’s spiky in your face full of challenging punk where they’ve been influenced by the likes of Fugazi, No means No, Devo Black Flag and other such luminaries of the US scene.
Take second track in ‘Chosen Sun’ and its complex time changes it’s not a sloppy three-chord smash it out that’s for sure. Lyrics that mean something and bass lines that poke and jar at the listener juping out from the verses and poking rather than swinging punches.
Cuts like ‘Calamine’ is a great hight end bass-thumping, jarring and slicing that slashes like Devo if they were full of fury.
They use tapes and try to fuck with the listeners head with ‘Wrong Calculator’ being a fitting example. They then get a bit funky with the jazzy ‘Peaceful & Extinct’ as they throw in some serious time changes and keep a tight ship on those changes whilst throwing in everything including the kitchen sink into the chaos. This record is like a Heston Bloomenthal creation what you see on the outside isn’t necessarily what flavour is on the inside once you take a bite. ‘Digital God’ is a good example.
Taking the ten tracks in one sitting is at time punishing and I found myself drifting mentally maybe you have to physically prepare like an athlete and this isn’t a record you can enjoy cold without warming up. Maybe small bursts to begin with before building up to a full-on takedown of Knowso. I guess it was always there to fuck with you and they do that and the bass is an audio assault for sure constantly jabbing a punching your ears. Ajit punks need only apply, is there a genre for Math punk yet? Its alternative I know that much.
Gates of the West & Dark Horse Records present ‘A Song For Joe: Celebrating the Birthday of Joe Strummer’ on Friday, August 21 at 8pm BST / 3pm EDT / 12pm PDT.
Taking place on Joe’s birthday, the event will honor Joe’s legacy and feature performances and testimonials by many of the former Clash front man’s friends and notable names in the music & arts community, as well as never-before-seen Joe Strummer live footage.
“To see so many musicians and artists come forward to honor Joe is really touching,” says Joe’s wife Lucinda Tait. “Community was always important to him. Whether it was playing music with friends, organizing all night campfires, or hijacking festivals, Joe was always focused on bringing people together. Even though we can’t all be in the same room together, I cannot think of a better way for us all to feel united. Joe would have loved this.”
Joe Strummer (never before seen live footage), Albert Hammond Jr. (The Strokes), Beto O’Rourke, Bob Gruen,Bob Weir, Brian Fallon, Bruce Springsteen, Butch Walker, Cait O’Riordan (The Pogues), C.C. Adcock, Cherry Glazerr, Craig Finn & Tad Kubler (The Hold Steady), Dave Hause, Dhani Harrison, DJ Scratchy, Dropkick Murphys,
Eugene Hütz (Gogol Bordello), Frank Turner, HR (Bad Brains), Hinds, The Interrupters, Jesse Dayton, Jesse Malin,
Jim Jarmusch, Joe Ely, Josh Cheuse, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Lucinda Williams, Lyza Jane, Matt Dillon, Nikolai Fraiture (The Strokes), Ray Gange (Rude Boy), Richard Dudanski (101ers), Sara Driver, Shepard Fairey, Spider Stacy (The Pogues), Steve Buscemi, Tom Morello , + very special guests
This free event will benefit Save Our Stages, which is being spearheaded by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to preserve and protect the USA’s independent live music venues and promoters.
Save Our Stages
The mission of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live music venues and promoters throughout the United States. NIVA is making a final push to Congress to pass the Save Our Stages Act and the Restart Act in order to keep independent venues nationwide from closing permanently. Take action here.
Gates of the West
Jesse Malin & Jeff Raspe created Love It To Life and the Gates Of The West shows to bring together some of the best musicians and celebrate the music of Joe Strummer and The Clash. Every show is a benefit for The Joe Strummer Foundation, Music & Memory and other charities. The six sold-out shows to date, have featured many special guests performing songs written and performed by Strummer and The Clash.
Alright kids lets turn it up and grab your favourite tennis racket lets go. make sure you’ve got the full length mirror at the ready and you’ve greased back your hair and set the time machine for the late ’70s when NYC was churning out sleazy rock and roll by the dozen and the Heartbreakers ruled the roost. Well I guess The Idolizers remember that time and remember how the high energy Rock and Roll made them feel which is why straight from the off the go for the throat with ‘Stranded’
“New York City’s The Idolizers are drenched in that period of punk rock and Roll and this four-song debut EP pulls from garage and glam to that early punk and rock. Man if the opener didn’t grab you then ‘Golden Days’ will blow you away. Frantic riffs you can imagine a packed club where the beer is flowing and the kids are jumping then this sparks up it could be dangerous. Great solo that lives out every cliche and why the hell not?
sure ‘Exile On Pain Street’ is a pun on the Stones classic but that’s where the similarity ends because this is all hopped up looking for a party to crash there’s nothing laid back and chilled about this bad boy. Love the sloppy woo hoos! and that barroom boogie joanna is always quality.
Saving the best till last in the shape of the smouldering ‘She’s A Killer’ with its cowbell and floor tom thump adds some muscle to proceedings in a bruising affair. It never quite spills over but manages to keep things respectable and wraps up a really impressive EP. C’mon, guys, let’s have the album because if this is an indication of what’s to come then bring it on, Baby! Pick It Up Here
Here we have one of many compilations coming out in 2020 from Australian rock’n’roll journeyman Johnny Casino. The material here stemming from his earlier days in Asteroid B-612 to some additional tracks from the turn of the Millenium in Johnny Casino’s Easy Action. This is the 90—00 addition of his retrospective deep dives lovingly titled Hits & Misses.
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