The Mainliners (Sweden)

This one just for the girls. Sweden seems to run an unofficial "Mick Jagger impersonators" contest. With the Hives, the (International) Noise Conspiracy and the Mainliners on the final shortlist. Pelle (Hives) has a comical dimension, Dennis (Conspiracy) has a political dimension, the Mainliners are just studious, diligent and applied. First-degree. For the girls only, those who crackle for tall and thin performers, of enviable height, quite handsome in a certain angle and a certain light (optionally with a blowing hipshake gimmick). If "Bring on the sweetlife" was their "Let it bleed", Mainliners' 2007 self-titled album is their "Goats head soup". With a lot of "Angie" in it". Take your reservation ticket for the romantic duo dance hour.

Archive contents :
The Mainliners : Bring on the sweetlife (CD-2005)
Bring on the sweetlife / Shinkin feeling / She's an overdose / Daughter of dimes / Dead mans hall / Robber of your soul / Queen Sativa / The lonely one / Ordinary night / Loosin my mind / Crocodile roll / Try to bring us down
The Mainliners : self-titled (CD-2007)
Olivia / Good storm / Bourbon & ice / Is this satisfying / Saint's march in the sunrise / Running the streets / Northern soul / Round five / A secondary truth / Everyday son
bonus : Lucy's fur (one-sided 7") / Bloody hammer (scandinavian tribute to Roky Erickson)

Download it here.

Candie Prune / Andice Rupen

In the late 90's, power pop trio wasn't exactly a near extinction breed. One needs to have a strong hook to be noticed. Unfortunately mass media only focused on Candie Prune's singer Saholy Diavolana physics attributes, a young métis (not unpleasant looking at, for sure, deserving the band anyhow). Candie Prune wasn't your common teenager bubblegum pop band. They had cohesion and passion. After gaining a little mediatic success, they broke the rules and recorded a full "live in the studio" record under an anagram "nom de scène" : Andice Rupen. With some covers (Bow Wow Wow, Buggles, Count Robert Von Wayne) and a connotation title : "Garage Sessions". After a planned session with Calexico, the trio disbanded.

Archive contents :
Candie Prune : Absurde (CD-1999)
L'effet eiffel / Anomalie / Valentine / Alibi / Intox / I'm the son / Seconde 49 / Inertie / Sometimes / Si loin si stone / Alice cède / J'adore / She is sorry / Alcool et limodade
Andice Rupen : Garage session (CD-2000)
You want candy / Monday / XL / Just a fall / Numb & sad / New home / L'évidence / I want candy / Homicide / Out of here / Little girl walking / Video killed the radio star / Exxxtra pin ball remix

Download it here. (fixed)

OSLØ telescopic : third degree burnt

From France with mystery, secret, non revealed identities (Residents alike) and rumours rumours rumours. Back in 1999, Lithium records launched a record from a band that noone ever heard about. Bolder yet : 2 more records were announced to form a trilogy. Third, Degree, Burnt. Sleeves stuck side by side form a wide screen panorama. OSLØ telescopic was seeing things in big, though (I can only imagine) kept in their dark dusty basement, wearing mummy strips on scarce appearances. The music was a melting pot of rock, folk, electro. Some pointed indie lo-fi bands (Sebadoh, Ween, Butthole Surfers), others pointed rootsy westerners (Calexico, 16 Horsepower), others pointed ramshackled music-hall artists (Nick Cave, Tom Waits). All were right and wrong. Rumours kept going and going, and never stopped.
This trilogy's records have become hard to find items (they were already hard to get back then). So...

Archive contents :
OSLØ telescopic : third (CD-1999)
K.Hs.W / heighty black / came / mailorca / nueva triloden / lone / speculoos / wire / raw / jerky / daytona / just another sigh(t) / monkey in a suitcase / radar / N.Y. at least
OSLØ telescopic : degree (CD-1999)
unsafe B / silverBees / laast / drunk / fincato / dubfingers / anorak / shreveport / two / zero / formica / nerver / el capitan / moonspoon / fresno
OSLØ telescopic : burnt (CD-2000)
NO trask / midway ONE / P.M. plaster / madras / MERTZ / swiftly / cosak's shoe / bioskaa / silo / waterfather / ruby on ice / jacknife / fur BERLIN / 6 ft under / ...some kind of new step for St John Hutchinson
bonus : ghostrack#25 (unreleased, 1999) / From Phoenix... (Abus Dangereux, 2000)

Download it here.

Bama Lamas / New Duncan Imperials

What is the missing link between the New Duncan Imperials and the Bama Lamas ? The Chicago's famous Goldstars (search the archives). Two NDI's members are in the GS and young breed bassist/vocalist Sal is sharing his spare-time between the Goldstars and the Bama Lamas.
"We're in a band" is a funny conceptual EP by The New Duncan Imperials, spinal-tap'ing and demystifying mimics of an entire profession.
Bama Lamas' "20 minute dance party!" is the debut record of a band that does keep his promises : it's 20 minute, it's dance, it's party.

Archives contents :
The Bama Lamas : 20 minute dance party! (MCD-2009)
Bama Lama Rock / Wigglin' Fool / Monkey Bump / Sugar Snap / (Do) The Hurt / Shake A Tail Feather / Night Time Is The Right Time
The New Duncan Imperials : We're in a band (MCD-1993)
We're An American Band / Rock And Roll Band / Travellin' Band / Band On The Run / I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)

Download it here.

27 Devils Joking : Smells like fun

If by the greatest randomly bad luck you are suffering from clownophobia, don't look at picture. If by the greatest chance you are a moralist poetry amateur, titles like "Don't interrupt me, I'm stepping on reptiles" or "Luxury should not be confused with need" won't let one's indifferent. If, after all, you're just a sludge garage rock fan, this record is all yours.

27 Devils Joking : Smells like fun (LP-1989)
Sometimes these words don't mean anything / Ghost train / pulse / Why is asparagus purple like a dog / Once again / Good as gold / Chicken head / Don't interrupt me, I'm stepping on reptiles / All up hill / Down on this ground / Luxury should not be confused with need

Download it here.

Firewater

Lately I was listening to a lot of Foetus/Jim G.Thirlwell, wondering if I was going to post some of his works. Though I've been frequenting his music for years, I'm still unsure liking him. One can do nothing else but respect the man's integrity and longevity. Nevertheless, matter of tastes, a big part of what he's done is pure crap to me. One sure thing : I like Tod A.. Cop Shoot Cop's entire discography could be a Thirlwell's "best of" since Tod A. has the advantage of being a true New-Yorker, not an australian immigrant with a New-York complex. Most important : Tod A. is a better songwriter, a better singer and a better entertainer. They played with the same persons (Jim Kimball or Jennifer Charles, as far as I remember) but I can say with assurance that the disciple has outperformed the master. All Cop Shoot Cop's music is still available at Psychotic Leisure Music's blog. I urge everyone to get an ear on it.
Firewater is the orchestra (backband changing at will). Tod A. is the maestro. A counter of 6 full-lentgh records (the latter on Bloodshot records) and not a weak one. Influences as diverse as klezmer music, mariachi music, surf, disco, soul, blues, country, pop rock. A net breakage with the "industrial" etiquette that sticked to CSC. Be my guest : taste a drop of firewater.

Archive contents :
Firewater : Get off the cross... we need the wood for fire (CD-1996)
Some Strange Reaction / Bourbon And Division / Refinery / When I Burn This Place Down / The Circus / I Am The Rain / Balalaika / The Drunken Jew / Mr.Cardiac / Snake-Eyes And Boxcars / One Of Those / Hold On, Slow John
Firewater : The ponzi scheme (CD-1998)
Ponzi's Theme / Green Light (In Stereo) / Dropping Like Flies / Caroline / Whistling In The Dark / Isle Of Dogs / El Borracho (Ponzi's Relapse) / Another Perfect Catastrophe / So Long, Superman / I Still Love You, Judas / Knock 'em Down / Drunkard's Lament

Download it here.

The Woolly Bandits : Say hello to my little friend

Before the "Woman of Mass Destruction" grabbed the mic, Californian Woolly Bandits did the world the priceless favor of quitting their local stage (where their reputation were getting grower and grower) to record an album for Dionysus in 2005. Twelve songs for bopping and dancing.
Now waiting for the new release.

The Woolly Bandits : Say hello to my little friend (CD-2005)
Bomp Shu Bop / Don't Want you Around / Let Me Know / What Are you all About? / Hard to Forget you / Last Night / In the Morning / Without Her / Octopus / Molly's Shell / Pushin' Too Hard / Booze Cruisin'

Download it here (re-uploaded)

Shop Fronts

C'mon eeny meeny miny moe's, grandpa archivist is gonna tell you the story of Rip Off records, as precisely as his threadbare brain cells allow him to. Once upon a time in US of A's Westcoast, few tiny orchestras (no more than four members) started to be really pissed off and hostile to the Compact-Disc. It was the early 90's and there were the Mummies, Supercharger, the Rip-Offs (all from California) and some Northwest bands too. Record labels were manufacturing vinyl but not only, and that pisses these bands more and more (the Mummies entitled their first record "Fuck CD's!... it's the Mummies"). Integrity became integrism (they were really angry at many infidels) and the band formed like a fraternity of CD haters. Rip Off records' plan was to released the 7" and 12" discs of the Rip-Offs, the Statics (Washington state) and every band that pass the fraternity hazing (lo-fi garage punk'n'roll, vintage instruments and, of course, the painful ordeal of the hot wax). That did not last long. Started in 1993, Rip Off records issued CD's since 1996. Nonetheless, a style was created and further signatures match the criteria so closely that the only debate when a new Rip-Off record comes out is to know if the new band is a "Rip Off styled band". Shop Fronts are... not. Who cares. Two boys, two girls, punk'n'roll. That's it. If it's enough for them, it's enough for me.

Archive contents :
Shop Fronts (EP-2005)
Don't quit / Frustration (Outcasts) / You just don't know
Shop Fronts (EP-2005)
So sick / Shop fronts / Polish hammer
Shop Fronts (LP-2006)
Runaround / Now you're gonna get it / So sick / Out tonight / Put you out / Cross the line / Liar liar / Watchin' you / Burn / Terminal City / I wanna be free / Anxiety / untitled track

Download it here.

Hellbound Glory : Scumbag country

With a WISIWYG sleeve as above, it spares me the time of a long messy detailed description. You know where you put your boots in (assuming that you've put your boots on).

Hellbound Glory : Scumbag country (CD-2008, Gearhead Rds)
Hellbound Glory / Livin' this Way / Hello Five O / Chico's Train / Ballad of Scumbag Country / Drivin in Harm's Lane / I'll Be your Rock (at Rock Bottom) / Get your Shit and Go / Mickey Meth (Downtown) / Can't Say I'll Change / Waylon Never Done it That Way

Download it here.

Dexter Romweber : piano & folk songs

At first, dealing with "Piano", I feared the "God gifted artist" syndrome, the kind that lead one individual, so self-conscious of his dexterity and abitilies, grabbing on every fields to show the world how gifted and qualified he is. It can result discs such as "Metal music machine" or the all piano albums series of Giant Sand's Howe Gelb, the sort of record that the fans will purchase ragingly and keep jealously but never listen to. Dexter Romweber's "Piano" may fit in that category but I personnally forced myself to get into this piece of chamber music and I don't regret it, though it is far from Dex's usual works in solo or with the Flat Duo Jets.
"Folk songs", his first solo record (issued on Permanent records in 1996), is far more accessible, generous (27 tracks) and immediately familiar.
The recent release of "Ruins of Berlin" (as Dex Romweber Duo) is putting the man on the map again (some songs recorded with Jack White are planned).

Archive contents :
Dexter Romweber : Piano (CD-2006)
Turbulent / Nocturne in a Minor / Midnight Falling Through the Sky / Prelude in a Minor / Skull Seen Through Armor / While you Sleep / Chapel Hill Concerto Without Orchestra / Carrboro March / Trap Door / Evolutionary Etude / Russian Winter / To Think We Made it this Far / Reprise
Dexter Romweber : Folk songs (CD-1996)
Organ intro / You Made Me Cry / Please Please / Piano / Midnight / Goin' Down / Comin' Home / Lonesome Town / 13 Women / Am I Ablue / Rock Star / Rumble / Bang Bang / Ballad is Blue / Crazy Little Mama / Penny / Organ #2 / Lonely / Witch / Rockabye Boogie / Doubtful / Live Life's Loves / Room For Rent / Kickass / Rock all Night / Marching Diamonds / Answer Me

Download it here.

The Haints

It is no big newst I'm a Kepi Ghoulie worshipper. The Haints was his folk side project, with Roach and Scampi of the Groovie Ghoulies and some more friends (Dan Janisch to name one). At 99% the band was playing acoustic versions of GG's songs.
"Hurt and Alone" contains almost the same tracks as on Kepi's mini-album "Yes Depression", while "Battle of the wounded hearts" includes 2 unpublished songs (well, songs the GG never played as far as I know).

Archive contents :
The Haints : Hurt and alone (MCD-2004)
Devil Town / Right About Now / I'd Rather Be Alone / I Don't Wanna Be Like That / Hurt & Alone / Lonely Heart Blues / When I'm Gone / Message to Pretty
The Haints : Battle of wounded hearts (MCD-2007)
Carly Simon / Algebra Song / Battle of Wounded Heart / Zombie Crush / It Only Goes to Show / Hair of Gold (and Skin of Blue) / Ivy Says / If you Need Me / Highwayman / Say It's Not you

Download it here.

The Black Widows : arocknaphobia

Especially for you my eight-legged friends stuck on the cobweb : an album I'm sure you'll love at first sting. If not, check even though their special dating site to see if you have any affinities and set a meeting. Black Widows = hearts to take. Were, actually.

The Black Widows : Arocknaphobia (CD-2002)
Road Hawg / My Least Favorite Martian / Fellini Raygun / Rasputin's Holiday / Agent Double-O Swing / Cosmic Ape / Parazone / Que Mala / Vlad the Impaler / Zero's Hour / Bop-A-Roo / Space Ghost / El Toro / Black Sea / Bitter End / War Dance / Creepsville / Burnout

Download it here.

It was a not well kept secret that Tony Fate played in the Black Widows. But he played in the Grey Spikes face unmasked in broad daylight.
I really like Tony Fate. I bemoan he is not part of the BellRays anymore. The last time I saw the BellRays live, I was so out of touch with the music world that I was anaware Tony Fate was missing until they upped the stage. That night was a very bad night for me (for many reasons). Enough personal ramblings : enjoy Tony Fate and the Grey Spikes!

The Grey Spikes : Year zero (CD-1995)
Stupid Fuckin' People / Tie Me Down / Fair Share / Bouncing Betty / If I Burn / Love Slam / Chemical Never Or Never / Romeo Shot Juliette / Flat Earth Society / Black Holy / Chance Pome / Somewhere In ... / Sleep Of Reason / (instrumental) / We Die / Scorpion Head

Download it here.

Jeffrey Lewis : 12 Crass songs

Figurehead of the antifolk thing, Jeffrey Lewis may have surprised his followers doing an entire cover album of a hieratic monk-alike english punk band of the early 80's. It makes sense since Crass was the most distrustful towards the system (whatever "the system" means) known punks. They made a priesthood having a total control on what they were doing (except using the toilets, the only place where "the system" is not discussed, whether water sanitary companies are guilty of fudiciary malfeasances or not). Please, stop me everytime I digress.
Anyway, the modus operandi of Jeff Lewis and his folks isn't far away from "do-it-yourself" as we (and Crass) know it. Manufacturing secrets set aside, this record's artistic view is cohesive and ought to be noticed.

Jeffrey Lewis : 12 Crass songs (CD-2007)
End Result / I Ain't Thick / System System / Gas Man / Roxy / Columbus / Do They Owe Us / Secureacore / Demoncratz / Big A / Punk is Dead / Walls

Download it here.

Lolitas (Berlin)

Lolitas (as was, without grammatical article, so we will write the Lolitas, les Lolitas, le Lolitas or die Lolitas for convenience) were a band of 3 immigrants and a native german girl that began in Berlin and had been active in the music scene in the late 80's. They released a self-titled record in 1986 on a german label (What so funny about) that catch the attention of New Rose which re-released it in 1987 (it is available here - courtesy of Eternally Yours blog). Further discs will be published on the french label. Patrick Mathé's company was more a sponsorship than a devoted fan act when it came to french singing bands (the man confessed the Lolitas was his personal favorite New Rose french band, which constitutes a slight insult towards Gilles Tandy to my humble opinion). He gave them all means to succeed internationally : a recording session was settled in Memphis with Alex Chilton in 1989 and another one in New-York with Chris Spedding in 1990. The Lolitas disbanded in the early 90's as Françoise Cactus (drummer, trilingual lead singer) turned out to electro and built the bases of Stereo Total.
Warning notes about the archive : "Fusée d'amour" is full of scratches (vinyl rip, vinyl rip). I added "Tell me" (from "New York - Memphis", a collection of tracks from the Chilton/Spedding sessions, still available on Last Call Records) which can possibly be a CD-only track on "Fusée d'amour". I also added a recent song by Françoise Cactus, a Johnny Thunders cover ("You can't put your arms around a memory") to to indicate that, even if she's electro oriented, the woman has not turned her back on her roots.

Archive contents :
Lolitas : Série américaines (LP-1988)
Toute La Nuit / Sexy sex / Avec ma valise / J'ai tué tout ce que j'aimais / La chatte de gouttière / Le malheur c'est moi / Séries américaines / Fantômes / Coup de fil / Cannelle / Jolly Jumper
Lolitas : Fusée d'amour (LP-1989)
Mummy / La fille qui se promène sur les rails / Tout a changé / Joli Johnny / Lit / Aline / Funérailles / Le chat noir / Le mec d'hier soir / Les cactus / Je suis une fille / Animal sauvage / Tu me plais / Fusée d'amour / Tes oublis
Lolitas : Hara Kiri (MLP-1989)
Hara Kiri / Julie / Dans le train / Johnny Guitar / D'yer mak'er
Lolitas : Bouche-Baiser (LP-1990)
Bouche-Baiser / Le cadeau / Pas de chance / Ne me regarde pas comme ça / Mon robot / Il s'en fout / Sylvester Stallone / Ce que je veux / Dans le jardin / Hot number / I've been loving you too long / Zeitbombe / Ton cheval
bonus : Françoise Cactus : You can't put your arms around a memory / Lolitas : Tell me

Download it here.

Electric Six : Sexy trash

If you don't like the disco-metal of Electric Six, it's your choice. But if you like the disco-metal of Electric Six, your choice of purchasing this record is reduced as it is only distributed at their shows and therefore restricted to a handful of lucky or insider people (depending on where you live and where they play). Respect due to close fans can also be perceived as frustrating elitism (and I hate elitism, why do think I'm having a blog for?) to other fans.
Case being closed, this motley collection of 30 tracks is a second-best for the issue of "Flashy" (their real 2008 record). The recordings have been put upside-down (with no documentary politic clearly expressed) and include songs of The Wildbunch era (most replayed on Electric Six further productions) and an unchanged excerpt of "The Dirty Shame" album. Personal changing aside, The Wildbunch, The Dirty Shame and Electric Six, all are summarized in a single man : Dick Valentine. I chose to like him.

Electric Six : Sexy Trash, rarities, demos and misfires of electric six (1996-2007) 30 unreleased tracks of varying quality
Immolate me / I know karate / Baby vs. Baby / My baby is a nuclear winter / One more time / Antisocial sex boy hit machine / Future girls / I thought you were dead / Strike while the iron is hot! / Turn it up! / Telephone conversation / Serious help / Future police / Living on the sexy planet / Be my dark angel (demo) / Devil nights (demo) / Another song about the devil (demo) / Self destruct / Bite me (acoustic) / Stepsister / Filthy blankets / I'm on a diet / People like you (don't like people like me) / Into the roppongi / The world's smallest human being / I wish this song was louder (demo) / I buy the drugs (demo) / Down at McDonnellx (demo) / I don't like you (demo) / Cold future

Download it here.

Lost Patrol

There are (or were) about 3798 bands named Lost Patrol around the world, 10231 movies of the same name, a hundred video games and several army corps (although the latter are unofficial or secret defence classified), so don't get upset when doing a google search.
Those 4-piece Lost Patrol came from Ontario, Canada (Windsor town, at a river width distance from Detroit, Michigan). They released an album in the late 80's on Stop It Baby Records, a label created by David Dufresne who discovered them and offered the band a small window of esteem in France. Rough sound, self-produced, mono recording. The garish high-toned vocals of Karen may be disturbing at first but it has strength and personality. You'll get used to it.
Another nostalgia moment for vet-soldiers we've become, here are two scanned issues of Combo fanzine (#3 & #8), Dufresne's sequel to "Tant qu'il y aura du rock" (his teenage years home-made zine).

Lost Patrol (Can) : Lost Patrol (LP-1988)
I'm Not the One / See Me Now / In your Eyes / And I Walked Out / Blow Me Away / He's Too Far / Blues Theme / That's your Style / No More / Mister You're a Better Man Than I / Dead Or Alive / Your Gone / Outta my Mind / Dark Times

Download it here.

Frandol

OuLiPo ("workshop of potential literature") was an artistic movement founded by writer Raymond Queneau in the 60's. Theoretically, given constraints lead to playful exercices and atypical results. The Roadrunners (from Le Havre), fronted by singer/guitarist Frandol, were a classic kinky (see entry to "Kinks" in your dictionary) band, really talented but clamped to the formula. After the band's demise, Frandol elaborated a personal ambitious solo project. Deep inventive and multi-levels lyrics, catchy pop-rock. Oulipop (pop as in "popular music") was the first masterpiece. Then came "Double Fond", a brilliant concept-album with magic, magicians, Houdini, Mandrake, rabbits, hats, cards standing in the background hidden in the underwears. Pure genius. Now Frandol is in the Kitchenmen. No official disc so far, maybe never. Even with such a talented songwriter on board, the band's future is unwritten yet.

Archive contents :
Frandol : Démodémodesmots (MCD-2000)
Jardin Secret / Décomposition En Ré Mineur / Les Papillons Noirs / Rose / Rumeur
Frandol : Oulipop (CD-2002)
Tro / L'un Contre L'autre / Le Festin Nul / Jardin Secret / Rumeur / Stella Plage / Fake Real / Partis D'une Case / Décomposition En Ré Mineur / Sans Sens / Sens Sans / Le Van / 2 X 18 / Zeros / Sur La Touche / Mûrs + hidden track
Frandol : Double Fond (CD-2004)
La Boîte à Double-Fond / Etat Second / Sept Ans / Contorsions / Lévitation / Cléo Et L'homme Tronc / Détours / Ventriloque / Léon Mandrake / Le Sultan Du Close-Up / A La Masse / Leninska / L'escamoteur / Fortune Teller / La Parade De L'illusion

Download it here.

Freaksville Record

First I was about to compare Benjamin Schoos (founder of Freaksville Record) to Rick Rubin. That was not relevant as the differences outnumber the similarities. If it happened that Freaksville Record proceed in renewal of old products (meaning "past glories", "has been", "eternal losers") like Rubin did with Johnny Cash, the belgian label is innovative in its operation and policy. Benjamin Schoos (alternately named Miam Monster Miam) gathered around him a collective of people (musicians, sound engineers, graphists...) working on almost every product. Civil names are hidden under the generic term "Phantom". There's already been one "Phantom feat. Jacques Duvall" (Jacques Duvall is the most famous unfamous underground lyricist, standing at will in the shadow of interpreters such as Lio, Alain Chamfort, Charline Rose...), one "Phantom feat. Marie-France" and soon one "Phantom feat. Lio". Every release has a cohesion (the record's sleeve in a B-movie/50's comics imagery, sound production with Schoos behind the sticks, live shows where the protagonists appear in no particular order or disorder under the banner "Freaksville Revue"). Remember it comes from Brussels but it knows no (musical or spiritual) boundaries.
I've been hesitating when the moment came to pick up a representative record. Then I chose "Hantises" (the first Jacques Duvall record as a singer in fifteen years or so) and "Pourquoi pas nous?" by Jacques Duvall & Elisa Point (collection of duets or songs sung alternatively by the man or the woman). The highlight of this album is the Leonard Cohen cover of "I'm your man", respectfully adapted in "Je suis ton homme" where Elisa's breathless soft voice inhabits Duvall's astute lyrics so geniously it blows me away everytime I listen to it.

Archive contents :
Elisa Point & Jacques Duvall : Pourquoi pas nous ? (CD-2007)
Beau comme un adieu / Pourquoi pas nous ? / Ce qui nous attend / Sainte Salope / Cache-Cache / J'ai tout en double / Fin d'identité amoureuse / A quoi bon être sincère ? / Automne-Hiver / Je suis ton homme / Petite / Moon River
Phantom feat. Jacques Duvall : Hantises (CD-2006)
Il doit y avoir un truc / L'amour aigre-doux / J'ai fait sauter le monde / Bloody Mary / C'est toi / John-Cloude / Histoire belge / Ta main / Il doit y avoir un truc, c'est pas possible!

Download it here.

The Intercontinental Playboys : Sonic seducers

Contrary to what their chosen name suggests, the irresistible charm of the boys has yet met a lame interest beyond Australian borders. It is a simple matter of logistics. Sound travels more easily than bodies and equipments. If we had the combination of the two (their live reputation is laudatory) , I'm sure the seduction would operate at its full potential.
The second album of The Intercontinental Playboys, issued on "Off The Hip rds" is now a hard-to-find item. The sequel, entitled "Hymns of the flesh", will be released this year on another aussie label (I-94 Bar rds). Say a prayer for a landing on your coast.

The Intercontinental Playboys : Sonic seducers (CD-2005)
Voodoo Delight / Baby, Hang Up / Exit Sign / Hear Ye, Al Ye Sumptuous / Rock 'n' Roll Johnny / Downright Right Down / Don't Tell Me / Dead Trow Tango / Journey Through the Centre of my Dirty Mind / Wam Bam Voodoo Wand / Connoisseur / Transcendental Confrontation Blues / The Erotic Circus Torment / La Reina Del Amour / Just Turn on

Download it here.

Little Porkchop : Welcome to little porkchop

Every city noisemaker is frequently secretly fond of the country. Under every noise hardcore punk rock'n'roller leather jacket or torn t-shirt beats the heart of a country music lover. Take Jerry Teel (hairy guitarist/lead-vocalist for the Honeymoon Killers, bassist for the Chrome Cranks, session man, producer). Little Porkchop, a country cover band, was his first main pick on the western traditional chord (he plays guitar and keyboards on "Welcome to..."). Later on, Teel deepened his practice with the Knoxville Girls supergroup and, in 2008, with the debut album of Jerry Teel & The Big City Stompers.

Little Porkchop : Welcome to little porkchop (CD-1998)
Honky Tonk Angels / Be Mine, all Mine / Tangled Mind / Scratch my Back / Liquor Store Baby / Fool About You / Big Mouth Blues / Bodega Flower / Cryin' Blues / Mean, Mean Man / Little Darlin' Pal O' Mine / Take Time to Know Her

Download it here.

Gumball : Super tasty / Revolution on ice

This could be an illustration of the Hawthorne effect (the subject, knowing to be observed, acts consequently, unconsciously desiring to please the watcher). I see the two "major company" Gumball records from this small view. Hype producers : Butch Vig for the first, John Agnello for the next, resulting a polished and sanitized sound. Despite the quality of the songs, there was something missing (I still don't what).
Gumball was the most accessible project of Don Fleming (Velvet Monkeys, B.A.L.L., second-hand guitarist for Half Japanese, Dim Stars, Dinosaur Jr., reknowned producer for Hole, Sonic Youth, the Posies and an endless list of others). With such a CV, at that particular time (early 90's) Gumball was built for massive commercial success. Fleming had credibility, for sure. And a good attitude too : knowing what one feels to be confined in a supporting role, he used to give his musicians (Eric Vermillion, Jay Spiegel) a healthy latitude to write songs (two or three per album). "Special Kiss", the first album (issued on Paperhouse records in Europe) was very charming and promising. All the promises were broken as soon as the band signed for Epic/Columbia. And I don't mean "sell-out" slogans or so. I mean the music. I don't get it. The songs on these two records are good. But there was no magic. The charm was broken. I listened to it recently and I can't think anything else than "another wasted major-label cursed band". Too bad. Listen and make your own decision (I am really wondering if my mind is all rightly set 'coz, I repeat once more, the songs are good!).

Archive contents :
Gumball : Super tasty (CD-1993) including the 5 cover songs of "Wisconsin hayride" EP as a bonus
Accelerator / Hell Of Message / Here It Comes Again / Tumbling / Marilyn / The Damage Done / Real Gone Deal / Thunder / Black Payback / No More / Got The Cure / Upsetters Theme Song // New Rose / Tell Me Have You Ever Seen Me / Butterfly Potion / Depression / Awakening
Gumball : Revolution on ice (CD-1994)
Revolution on The Rocks / Free Grazin' / With a Little Rain / Nights on Fire / Whatcha Gonna Do / Breath Away / Gone to The Moon / It Ain't Nothin' / Read The News / The Boat Race / Trudge / She's as Beautiful as a Foot

Download it here.

Dirtbombs : Live at Amoeba 2008

On May the 16th of 2008 the Dirtbombs play at Amoeba record store to promote their last album "They have us surrounded". The live performance is surprisingly no surprise (no covers, no jams, no medley, no babblings), it is "what you see is what you get", let's drop the fearful word : professional.
The interview reveals some secrets (for instance, that Mick Collins has no lyrics sheet and changed the words and/or titles of songs whenever he pleases) or controversies (that the departure of Jim Diamond and Tim Potter is still a fishbone in the throat of some conservative fans). The band (all five members) discusses every subject openly. Ben Blackwell is a chatterbox and Mick Collins is a paragon of serenity.
Both video are streaming at Amoeba official site. Since I've never succeeded to watch them properly, I've downloaded the FLV files locally. Could be helpful for those among you facing the same situation.

Dirtbombs @ Amoeba Records store, 16 May 2008
Downloads : Interview - Live session
Ever Lovin’ Man (2:28) / Indivisible (2:45) / Sherlock Holmes (3:23) / Wreck My Flow (3:05) / Leopardman At C & A (4:36) / Fire In The Western World (3:21) / Pretty Princess Day (2:34) / I Hear The Sirens (2:27) / They Have Us Surrounded (4:45)

The Strange - Dead Man Ray

Strangely enough, I'm targeted by marketers as an amateur of Soundtrack music genre. It made me think really deeply how they could figure that out. I am not highly qualified to discuss marketing strategies and methods (when they require my attention on euphoric pills, tiny piece of flesh enlargement, young asian girls body movements, money invesment tricks, I don't feel that concerned but they must have their reasons). But Soundtrack music genre? What is this anyway? What does it sound like? I don't get the picture.
I'm so emotionnally dependent on someone else's gaze (be it a publicist with a computer gun) that I don't want to disappoint anyone. That's why I've uploaded two records more or less related to the soundtrack category.
The Strange is a side-project the Bambi Molesters (from Croati), featuring Chris Eckman of The Walkabouts on vocals.
Dead Man Ray was one of the numerous project of Rudy Trouvé (belgian musician). "Berchem Trap" is a compilation of tracks of their albums. All tracks are inspired by full-length movies, animation films or video montage. These are two separate visions of what a soundtrack is. In the 3D world we are living, I can imagine there are more.

Archive contents :
The Strange : Nights of forgotten films (CD-2004)
Nights of Forgotten Films / Tonight I Will Say Anything / River of Twilight / See it in the Dark / Long Shadows / Comin' Undone / These Lies / Gone Missing / Run With the Hunted / Willers Terrace / The Girl on Death Row
Dead Man Ray : Berchem Trap (CD-2000)
Beegee / Inc. / Stain / Bread / Moid / Perfo / Chemical / Horse / Copy Of 78 / Woods / Toothpaste / Brenner / Jahwe / Ham / Nezt / Tunnels / Tham / Preset

Download it here.

The Priests : Tall tales

The NY Priests weren't in it for fun, girls, cars, booze or making anyone comfortable. Rectification : they were probably in it for (screaming) girls, (bewitched) cars, (high degreed) booze, which could possibly bring them fun and make them comfortable. All that decadent eschatologic pose (the future is so dark, i'm wearing shades anyway) was perhaps a little bit corny in the 21st century but noone would deny the fact that The Priests were playing impressive and captivating music in a much frequented genre (garage rock with guitars, organ and cryptic voice) where their peculiarity (taste for the occult and voodoo) made them unique. They released a self-titled album and a second effort "Streetwalker" on Garage Pop Records. The highly anticipated third album ("Tall tales") was produced by Tim Kerr and released on Get Hip! Records in 2004. The Priests stopped preaching since that marking date.

Archive contents :
The Priests : self-titled (CD-2000)
The Tingler / She'll Never Know / Now She's Gone / Jellybean / Xiola Blue / The Ripper / The Living Dead / Crackin' Up / Ghoul Girl / Gates of Hell / Circa '78 / My My My
The Priests : Streetwalker (CD-2001)
Theme / Messed Up / Little Girl / Out Of My Head / Streetwalker / That's All / Alligator Wine / Put Up With Me / Because Of You / House Of Wax / Black Hills
The Priests : Tall tales (CD-2004)
Not From Me / She Don't / Going Back Home / Wayward Waltz / More / Undone / While I Walk Away / Baby Doll / Take What You Bring

Download it here.

The Flaming Stars

The label Vinyl Japan (now deceased) has been the home of The Flaming Stars for many years. When the London based band reached a world reputation, Alternative Tentacles picked up songs from their first records to release "Ginmill Perfume : The Story So Far". And Big Beat did the same in 2006 with the double CD "London After Midnight".
Close to Gallon Drunk artistically, The Flaming Stars play classic vintage rock'n'roll with cinematographic references and a twisted cabaret spirit (à la Tindersticks, Tom Waits, the "you don't have to be well dressed and mentally ill to work here, but it helps" gimmick).
What you'll get here are four albums issued on Vinyl Japan in their full original form.

Archive contents : Part1
The Flaming Stars : Songs from the bar room floor (CD-1996)
The Face on the Bar Room Floor / Forget my Name / You Can't Lie / Who's Out There ? / Burnt Out Wreck of a Man / Bring Me the Rest of Alfredo Garcia / Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye / The Ballad of the Walking Wounded / Downhill Without Brakes / Theme From 'Dog Instruction' / Back of my Mind / Down To You / Oncoming Train / Tubs Twist / Like Trash / 3 A.M. on the Bar Room Floor
The Flaming Stars : Sell your soul to the flaming stars (CD-1997)
Sweet Smell of Success / Blood Money / London After Midnight / The Street That Never Closes / I Remembered to Forget to Remember / New Hope For the Dead / Find Yourself Another Drunk / Don't Need the Sunshine / What you Want / Just to Bad / Don't Mean a Thing If you Haven't Got the King / Better Than That / The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Archive contents : Part2
The Flaming Stars : Pathway (CD-1999)
Breaking Down / Only Tonight / Coffin Ed & Grave Digger Jones / Sixteen Coaches Long / Maybe One Day / Lit Up Like a Christmas Tree / Once Bitten, Twice Shy / Malice Doesn't Live Here Anymore / Running Out of Time / House of Dreams / Sing Sing / Eight Miles Down / Black Mask / Just How it Feels / The Ghost of Baghdad / The Last Picture Show
The Flaming Stars : A walk on the wired side (CD-2000)
Right Face Right Time / You Don't Always Want What you Get / Grabber George / Absent Without Leave / Action, Crime & Vision / Some Things you Don't Forget / She Says She Says / The Villain / Out of the Past / Over & Done / Meet the Guv'nor / Leaving Town / Sleepless Nights / The Dead Don't Care / More Than Enough / Tinnitus Blues / Another Shade of Blue / Swimming the Length of this Bar

Download Part1 & Part2.

David Yow & Shellac : Sex Pistols covers

Halloween is a christian/pagan celebration taking its origins in the old world (Ireland island, to be specific). One of its many wonts consist of dressing in something very scary to fool dead spirits (pretending a) being dead, b) being a spirit). On this special occasion, David Yow, Steve Albini, Bob Weston and Todd Trainer pretended to be the Sex Pistols (and back in 1998, dressing like the Pistols was something very very scary).
Not long ago, I heard that Jesus Lizard is reforming for live shows exclusively, so David Yow and his buddies are ready to pretend to be a band again, even if everyday is not a halloween day.

David Yow & Shellac : Live @ the Lounge Ax, 31 october 1998
Holidays in the Sun / Bodies / Pretty Vacant / Seventeen / Submission / New York / Anarchy in the UK / God Save the Queen

Download it here.

Le volume était au maximum

"Independant and losing all our money for the love of pop music since 1999!" : the motto of Paf Records, the label of Le Volume Était Au Maximum, is nicely synchronized with a music jingle "allez-vous faire voir!" (which can be translated in many different ways but the most appropriate seems to be "*beep* off!").
Johnny Love, resident of Montreal, is the man behind, in front of, and aside the whole project (band, label, fanzine). With obvious and constant references to the Ramones, the band reminds me a male french adaptation of british-pop-punkers Helen Love. These are the 1st & 2nd albums and there's much more to discover on the official site.

Archive contents :
Le volume était au maximum : LVEAM (CD-2003)
Je m'en sortirai bien / Fuckers / Conasse / Connard / 25 / Henry VIII / Nian! / J'espère qu'elle n'en sait rien / Je n'irai plus espionner chez toi / Les pieds dans le sable / Mon vaisseau
Le volume était au maximim : Filles de l'espace (CD-2004)
Âme soeur / Fille de l'espace / J'aime toutes les filles / Geneviève Neron / Nous sommes les filles / Jamais je ne te reverrai / #21 / Jeunes filles / Retourner à (cet âge) / It's a long way back / Ne pas être comme les autres

Download it here.

Dino Lee & Luv Johnson : Messin' with my thang

Dino Lee, self-proclaimed "The King Of White Trash", was essentially a local live act. Nonetheless, back from one of his regular trips in Austin, Patrick Mathé (New Rose records) managed to bring in his luggages some studio recordings and released three vinyl discs ("King Of White Trash" LP, "Everybody Get Some" 12", "The New Las Vegan" LP, from 1985 to 1987 - all of them recently reissued on a 21 songs' CD entitled "Anthology Vol.1").
"Messin' with my thang" was recorded live at the Austin Opera House during a 1988 tour. Without an eye contact, it lacks to recreate the atmosphere of madness and falsy dangerous interactivity of a Dino Lee's show. I mean, rationnally speaking, Dino is not gonna jump out of the box, so. Maybe a quick search on Youtube or Dailymotion could catch a friendly companion to walk side by side with this record. It's the best we can get.

Dino Lee & The Luv Johnson : Messin' with my thang (CD-1989)
intro / Fat Chicks (let me tell ya about it!) / Bad Boys / Nozzle Talk / (Somebody's Been) Messin' with my Thang! / Night Train (revisited) / intro / White Trash Anthem II / Sex Change (out of the brown into the pink) / Everybody Get Some (but don't get any on ya) / Brick House / Live For The Flesh / finale

Download it here.

Kreuzberg Café

When resettled in Berlin, André Herman Düne (Stanley Brinks) continued to record songs (some of them burned on hand-made compact discs, sold at his shows or via his "do-it-yourself" label Radical Baboon).
This one was recorded in 2005 with Clémence Freschard. Two voices, two guitars. Nine minimalist cover songs of Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave & Will Oldham.
I listened to it every single morning for no less than four months and it didn't do me any harm. I am maybe gullible but I am inclined to think that it meant someting.

AHD & Clémence Freschard : Kreuzberg Café (CD-2005)
First we take Manhattan (L.Cohen) / As I sat sadly by her side (N.Cave) / Stablemate (W.Oldham) / The stranger song (L.Cohen) / The weeping song (N.Cave) / I see a darkness (W.Oldham) / Breathless (N.Cave) / You will miss me when I burn (W.Oldham) / Tonight will be fine (L.Cohen)

Download it here.

The Peelers - The Riverboat Gamblers

Two bands. Two states. One producer. One cause : high energy rock'n'roll.
The Peelers and the Riverboat Gamblers. The former came from Chicago Illinois, the latter from Denton, Texas. Both performe(d) (the Peelers are on a hiatus) as a quintet (10 person if I do the math) and they both had a debut album produced by Tim Kerr. Short views, short time (30 minutes long discs), long distance pleasure. This is their debut albums and a polite invitation to go further if you dig it.

Archive content :
The Peelers : thegetdownsyndrome (CD-2003)
Junkie / Peel it Down / The Motion / The Way I Feel / Want Some / Rockin on your Dime / Into the Sun / Take a Ride / Pill Box / That's Why I'm Leaving
The Riverboat Gamblers : s/t (CD-2001)
Jenna / High Roller / Drink Alone / Don't Look at Me / Part Time Full Time / Whatever Whatever / Slug / Not the Guy / I Get Down / Get Outta my Way / Kick in the Stereo

Download it here.

Lorette Velvette : Rude angel

If you're familiar with the Memphis' Hellcats and Tav Falco's Panther Burns, the name of Lorette Velvette might play a little "ding" in the fantastic pinball mechanism that your brain is. I've uploaded her third solo album "Rude Angel" but you can also check the "listen" page of the crazy multi-instrumentist Dave Soldier whose mission on Earth seems to push the limits of music (scroll down to "The Kropotkins" and there you can download two cool "country/blues" albums starring Lorette Velvette on vocals).

Lorette Velvette : Rude angel (CD-2000)
Boys Keep Swinging / Cherry Red / Oh How it Rained / Don't Crowd your Mind / Eager Boy / Come on Over / You Got to Move / Rude Angel / Dream Hotel / Going Down South / Godforsaken Town / 20th Century Boy / Sleepy Eyes / Pretty Perfect Lovers / Special Rider / Broke the Circle / Happy Xmas (War is Over) / Frog and Peach

Download it here.