recommended gigs

Friday May 1 - the return of the Holy Smokes at the Double Down with the Astaires, Ditch Diggers, Psyatics
Friday May 1 - Motobunny, Alan Six - Dive Bar

Saturday May 2 - 3d6, Water Landing, Forget Me Nows, Another Castle - Adrenaline

Sunday May 3 - The All Togethers at Bar and Bistro Hangover Brunch

Thursday May 7 - The All Togethers at the Beauty Bar

Friday May 8 - Midnight Clover - Triple B

Saturday May 9 - HiFlyers at the Double Down

Wednesday May 13 - Shanda and the Howlers with the Royal Hounds at the Griffin

Thursday May 14 - Hopeless Jack with Prophet Greene at the Dive Bar

Friday May 15 - Wayne Hancock, Clydesdale, All Togethers - Beauty Bar
Friday May 15 - The Super Zeroes at the Double Down

Saturday May 16 - Chicken Shack at the Bunkhouse with No Tides
Saturday May 16 - Water Landing and Cosmic Beasts at the Double Down

Thursday May 21 - the Delta Bombers at Triple B with Big Sandy and Doug C and the Blacklisted

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Friday May 29 - Super Zeros, O's of Presidential, Radio Silence - Double Down

Saturday May 30 - Eddy Bear and the Cubs and Cashed Out at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

Friday June 5 - the Legendary Boilermakers - the Dive Bar

Friday June 12 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Double Down with the Swamp Gospel and the Gentlemen of Four Outs

Sunday June 14 - The Gentlemen of Four Outs at the Velveteen Rabbit with the Peculiar Pretzelmen

Friday June 19 - Slaughter and the Dogs at the Dive Bar

Saturday June 27 - The Swamp Gospel at the Double Down

Wednesday July 17 - Adolescents and Weirdos at the Dive Bar

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

Another sad RIP

‘Louie Louie’ singer Jack Ely of The Kingsmen dies
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The Psyatics - self-titled CD

OK, so anyone who has ever read this blog knows that the Psyatics are one of my favorite Las Vegas bands and knows that I thought that their debut CD, Oderint dum Metuant, was a skull-crushin' garage monster. Here, on their confusingly self-titled second CD, they take things even further with more great tunes, great playing and great sounds.

The sound really does stand out on this one and they are rightfully proud of the production here. The guitars (Jack Ball) are massive yes multi-textured, Rob Bell's bass runs circles around the melodies and alternates from cool'n'clean to distorted'n'nasty while Jimmy K's drumming is intricate'n'powerful and never resonated better! While this all is easily identifiable as the Psyatics, they do vary their vibrations throughout to keep things from getting complacent.

They open things with a very short, atmospheric intro before poundin' out the stomper, "You Got Me Hummin'", a Sam and Dave number (though you'd never know it) via the Reigning Sound, that brings in Rob's wife Dani to alternate vocals with him. There's no let up before we get "Bad Luck Charm", another frantic riffin' rocker with some noisy/no-wave tendencies, as well, and this continues into "Sin City Dames". Another driver is the melodic tale of an additional drunken dame in "Train Wreck", with more of Rob's catchy lyrical couplets. Jack's guitar creates washes of soundwaves in "You're Gonna Burn" before they pull out a cool 60's fuzz-rocker (originally by the Banana Splits!), "Gonna Find a Cave", and make it into a frenzied'n'furious bit of garage lewdness, helped out here by local harp-master Jeffrey Koenig.

Further word play from Rob in "Sick Sick Six" and then one where Rob's vocals are a little buried, making me wish for a lyric sheet, "Gentleman of Four Outs", that has a really cool groove - not as maniacal as many of the others, but with fine guitar licks and starts'n'stops and memorable melody. Keeping the slower tempo and more early 80's no-wave guitar tones they serve up "Shame on the Family" (almost reminiscent of some of Rob's work in the Yeller Bellies) before uping the pace again with their cover of the Dirtbombs' "The Sharpest Claws", where they really Psyaticize it (more frantic fuzz from Jack and wild shrieks from Rob)! While not completely going goth, I hear some Bauhaus influences in "Properly Medicated" followed by more garage-punk agitation in "Tension!" (again with swingin' harp from Koenig). Rob seems aggressively pained in "The Great Caucasian Migration", while Jack's guitar tones change throughout and Jimmy takes the tempos on crazily disjointed rides. Dani returns for harmony vocals and the bouncin' "Bag of Bones" and it all finishes with another fairly short "Outro - Shame, Shame", reminiscent of the "Intro", fittingly.

Far from a traditional garage trio, these cats mix up all of their influences to create a high energy sound concentrating on garage and punk but adding bits'n'pieces of blare'n'boom, cackle'n'buzz, old'n'new, making something pretty goddam unique. Add some solid songwriting, exceptional lyrics and superior playing and you got something that you need, whether you know it or not!

The Psyatics CD Release show at the Double Down Saloon, Las Vegas Saturday April 25, 2015

OK, I played two sets this evening before the Psyatics hit the stage, so I was not at my reporting best by the time these cats hit the stage, but they did a terrific set of tunes from both their debut CD as well as the brand new one that this night was celebrating. Joining the band was dancer Ivana Blaze, giving the group an extra visual boost, as she shimmied along with the high energy garage tunes. Pretty damned packed house for the gang and great response all around. Truly fun and I promise to be more descriptive the next time I see them!

Jimmy Reed - 5 Classic Albums Plus Singles

Of course, I have always dug Jimmy Reed's swampy blues-rock, ever since I first heard bands like the Rolling Stones cover his work. I have a couple of releases by the man - his Best of the Vee-Jay Years is pretty awesome for a collection of his hits - but this 4-CD set is pretty damn comprehensive. You get the hits here - "Big Boss Man", "Goin' to New York", "Hush Hush", "Bright Lights, Big City", "Honest I Do", "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby", "Baby What You Want Me To Do", etc. - but so much more!

Everything here is solid and everything is classic Reed - swampy, bluesy, groovin', harp-driven and just frickin' cool!

This is another discount-priced package, so well worth the money, even if the packaging is sparse. The music is where it's at and man, it's a winner!

Gospel Juke Box Hits

I've been diggin' early gospel for a number of years now, but still don't know about a lot of the people

involved, so I dig these cool, reasonably-priced box sets. This 4-CD compilation isn't all stellar - I'm still mostly a sucker for the racous, jumpin'n'praisin' - but it does have some fantastic stuff and was well worth the money!

I do love early Staples Singers (actually, all of their career is pretty terrific) and they, rightfully, open this set with "This May Be the Last Time" - obviously where the Stones got their title for their less-than-religious hit song. This is followed by the soulful preachin' of the Highway QC's, some almost country corniess by the Prophets, the righteous harmonizing of the Five Blind Boys and the Harmonizing Four, the energetic sermonizin' from the Mighty Clouds of Joy and their band, the solemn Wilhelmena Fernandez, the soul-pop of the Platters (who also get pretty darn funky later), the rockin' "Can I Get a Witness"-soundin' "Thank the Lord" from the Blind Boys of Mississippi, and some fine return cuts from most of the above. All this on the first CD!

The other 3 CDs mostly contain the same artists - with a few extra guests - and are all pretty exceptional, overall. This is a superior compilation, showing many of the different facets of real gospel music. Well worth it!

Howlin' Wolf Memphis Days, the Definitive Edition, Vol. 1

There are numerous giants of the blues, but the Wolf has to be the biggest - literally and figuratively. If there is anyone who epitomizes everything about the blues - from the overall-wearin' country shouter to the slick-suited city bluesman - it is this man and his wonderfully raw and exciting sounds. This CD compiles cuts Chester did for Sam Phillips in Sun Studios in Memphis before moving to Chicago.

Besides his incredibly imposing vocals, Burnett also adds harmonica and guitar, while Willie Johnson provides some terrific earthy, fantastically distorted lead guitar and Willie Steele smacks the drums. At times there are some horns (used to great effect) and piano (Ike Turner plays on some cuts) and it all is pretty damn spectacular!

If you've ever heard the Wolf (and lord help you if you haven't!), you know how great he is. This stuff is not some of his more famous tracks, but it is all right up there with his best. Essential!

recommended gigs

Friday April 24 - Spotted Dick and the Wlyde Knights, TWAT, Gashers, Sounds of Threat - Double Down - Get there early for a Mapes video shoot!

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 1 - the return of the Holy Smokes at the Double Down with the Astaires, Ditch Diggers, Psyatics
Friday May 1 - Motobunny, Alan Six - Dive Bar

Saturday May 2 - 3d6, Water Landing, Forget Me Nows, Another Castle - Adrenaline

Sunday May 3 - The All Togethers at Bar and Bistro Hangover Brunch

Thursday May 7 - The All Togethers at the Beauty Bar

Saturday May 9 - HiFlyers at the Double Down

Wednesday May 13 - Shanda and the Howlers with the Royal Hounds at the Griffin

Friday May 15 - Wayne Hancock, Clydesdale, All Togethers - Beauty Bar
Friday May 15 - The Super Zeroes at the Double Down

Thursday May 21 - the Delta Bombers at Triple B

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Friday May 29 - Super Zeros, O's of Presidential, Radio Silence - Double Down

Saturday May 30 - Eddy Bear and the Cubs and Cashed Out at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

Friday June 12 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Double Down

Sunday June 14 - The Gentlemen of Four Outs at the Velveteen Rabbit with the Peculiar Pretzelmen

Friday June 19 - Slaughter and the Dogs at the Dive Bar

Wednesday July 17 - Adolescents and Weirdos at the Dive Bar

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

The Sonics - This is the Sonics

I have been rantin'n'ravin' about the live return of the Sonics and have finally picked up their first new

album in 50 years or so! This one is a true scorcher, showing the younger groups how garage rock'n'roll should be done! Yes, there are a number of covers, but they always threw some into the mix and made them their own, and these are no exception.

I have a hard time finding fault with anyone's take on the fantastic "I Don't Need No Doctor" and these cats individualize the arrangement and make it smokin' hot! Guitarist Larry Parypa starts off the raucous "Be a Woman" with power chords and cool licks and everyone provides a hard'n'heavy rave-up section at the end. Jerry & bassist Freddie trade off lead vocals throughout the record and both are in fine voice here. Freddie has a cool, raw yet melodic voice, not dissimilar to Jerry's. But it is a pleasure to hear Jerry still shriekin'n'shoutin' as he does in "Bad Betty", where he also trades organ'n'sax riffs with horn master Rob Lind. Their take on "You Can't Judge a Book" has a captivating, climbing chord progression and poundin' drums and may be tellin' the story of these gents themselves - they may look like grandpas, but they still rock with the best of them!

Drummer Dusty Watson propels "The Hard Way" with machine-gun drum fills, aided by Jerry's piano work and cool sax fills and the prerequisite "hey hey heys!". Freddie does a fine job on "Sugaree", which could easily have appeared on one of their 60's albums (more amazing sax'n'guitar playing here, as well). "Leaving Here" is another tune that is difficult to do a bad job on, and they Sonic-fy it with some cool sax'n'harp blowin'. I thought that they actually did "Little Sister" on one of the earlier albums, but maybe it was another NW group, cuz this is a natural for them. There's a bit of "Shot Down" in "I Got Your Number (and it's 666)", not that there's anything wrong with that!

Borrowing a bit from their old pals, the Wailers' song "Hang Up", "Living in Chaos" is a screamer for Freddie. Not exactly hippie fare, "Save the Planet" actually extols the virtues of drinkin'n'partyin' ('reality's for people who don't know how to drink"), backed by a swingin', almost funky, guitar riff and cool organ'n'sax. Dusty continues to give it all he's got on the closer, "Spend the Night", and Larry fires off a fierce solo and some truly heavy power chords, while Jerry shows that he can still be lewd and crude even at his age!

Absolutely inspirational that these fine gents can still put out a monstrous slab of rock'n'roll. Get it!

Earl Hooker - The Genius of Earl Hooker

I was quite impressed when I discovered that Earl's instrumental "Blue Guitar" was the original backing track for Muddy Waters' classic "I Can't Quit You" and went on to discover his Two Bugs and a Roach LP. This record I have simply stumbled upon on You Tube and it looks like I will have to grab this, as well!

Opening with a swingin', soulful, slide instrumental, "Two Bugs in a Rug" (obviously referencing his earlier work), you get a terrific groove with excellent playing and fine writing. This continues in his terrific instrumental take of "Hold On, I'm Comin'", where he utilizes some cool tricks like volume control to great effect. "Off the Hook" comes off like a fine Booker T. and the MGs number (lots of fine Hammond organ work throughout this record), and "Dust My Broom" takes on a new life with Earl's combined slide and finger work - you know what the song is, but he adds plenty of his own personality here! The sax and organ work add a new dimension, as well. The band gets funky with "Hot and Heavy", with great playing all around (dig the sax!) and some interesting chord progressions and they again remind me a lot of Booker T. in "The Screwdriver", where Hooker even gets in some chicken pickin'!

Sounding like a slide guitar version of doo-wop, we get the sweet singin' tones of "Bertha", a fine dance number with "The Foxtrot", and a traditional blues in "End of the Blues". Hooker goes country with a cover of Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You", which is a bit unique with its yakety sax and Hammond organ but the "Hooker Special" is a cool piece of drivin' funk. It all closes with the funnily-named "Something You Ate", another fun bit of slide-driven blues-soul.

I know Earl is known for his guitar work more than his singing, but I was a bit surprised that he doesn't open his mouth at all on this one. But, regardless, lots of super playing and songs throughout. Well worth it!

The Motorcycle Black Madonnas, Thee Fourgiven and The Unclaimed at the Redwood Bar, Los Angeles, April 18, 2015

This is one that I've been looking forward to for several months - the first reunion show for my 80's band Thee Fourgiven, along with good friends in the MBM's and the group that started it all, the legendary Unclaimed!

Although it was their record release show (new vinyl/CD release, These Days - more on that soon), the Motorcycle Black Madonnas were gracious enough to open up the show. Led by husband and wife team Marea and Jonathan Hall (Backbiter/Freeks), the band smoked through a set of tunes from their two CDs, mixing Marea's Patti Smith/Bob Dylan influenced lyrics with Jonathan's incredible guitar playing and compelling arrangements. I've always been a fan of Hall's playing - he is one of the best around and I love what he's doing as he alternates from his Strat - excellent whammy-bar work - to his hollow-body Guild. The rhythm section of Richard Jones (bass) and John Collinson (drums) moves from powerhouse bashing to fine subtlety behind M&J and the whole package seemed to win over the crowd right from the start.

This was the first reunion show for the Fourgiven so we had to return to our old LA stompin' grounds and were happy to see so many old friends make it out to lend their support. Everyone was terrific and we had a blast playing, even as I snapped the neck off of my SG in the throes of a noise solo in "Anything"! We will be playing more, so "like" our Facebook page and come out when you can!

The Unclaimed were the band (or, at least one of the first) that started the 60's revival on the west coast and were always one of the best! Led by singer/guitarist/lead guru/visionary Shelley Ganz, the group went through several personnel changes before splitting up in the late 80's. The new line-up includes former Unclaimed/Yard Trauma/Outsideinside and too-many-more-to-name bassist Lee Joseph (who also owns Dionysus Records - home of Thee Fourgiven), former Droogs/Dream Syndicate/also-too-many-to-name Dave Provost on lead guitar and Dave Drewry - also veteran of numerous groups - on drums.

The set comprised of songs from the Primordial Ooze Flavored 12" EP, like the classic "No Apology" and "Lost Trails", unreleased (I think) tunes like "My Kind" and numbers from the Attila and the Huns record ("Betty Cooper", "Under the Bodhi Tree"). Of course, they pulled out some of the raw garage songs that they helped to introduce to the world like "Bad Girl" and the Syndicate of Sound hit, "Hey Little Girl" (which they have done throughout the entirety of their career).

Naturally, this is a bit different from the other line-ups, but it is all still prototypical Unclaimed. Shelley looks and sounds terrific, Dave is a fine and expressive lead guitarist, Dave D. is a pounder and, of course, Lee is up their with the best bassists around. See them when you can!

recommended gigs

Friday April 17 - the All Togethers at Artifice
Friday April 17 - 3d6, Lambs to Lions, SFT, Unit F, Horroripilation - Adrenaline

Saturday April 18 - the Unwieldies at Dillinger

Friday April 24 - Spotted Dick and the Wlyde Knights, TWAT, Gashers, Sounds of Threat - Double Down

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 1 - the return of the Holy Smokes at the Double Down with the Astaires, Ditch Diggers, Psyatics
Friday May 1 - Motobunny, Alan Six - Dive Bar

Saturday May 2 - 3d6, Water Landing, Forget Me Nows, Another Castle - Adrenaline

Wednesday May 13 - Shanda and the Howlers with the Royal Hounds at the Griffin

Friday May 15 - Wayne Hancock, Clydesdale, All Togerhers - Beauty Bar

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Saturday May 30 - Eddy Bear and the Cubs and Cashed Out at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

Friday June 12 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Double Down

Sunday June 14 - The Gentlemen of Four Outs at the Velveteen Rabbit with the Peculiar Pretzelmen

Friday June 19 - Slaughter and the Dogs at the Dive Bar

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

Woody Guthrie - Bound For Glory

Woody tells a descriptive tale of his youth, of his father gaining and losing money and properties (the

family was actually fairly well off at the beginning), of the oil boom and the coming the oil workers and all of the hangers-on to prosperity – gamblers, hookers, drug dealers and more. He spins his tale so that you can truly picture the characters and the sights of his town.

The nice house that Woody was born into was burned to the ground, with no cause ever truly discovered, and this started his mother’s slow descent. They moved into a house that everyone hated, which was destroyed by a cyclone, then into a better place where things seemed to remain calm for a while until Woody’s sister died after catching fire (fire haunting them again and again) when she stayed home from school to iron clothes (which at the time meant heating from a pot belly stove). Their mother spiraled down further after that, to the point of being diagnosed as insane – with raving spells – and epileptic. Of course, their deteriorating financial situation (the father’s health kept him from securing any decent jobs after he fell out of the housing business) exacerbated the situation further. After she mysteriously burned his father, she was sent away to an asylum and Woodie & his brother did what they could to get by.

Lots happens over the years as Woody grows up, learns to get by, and eventually hobo’s across the country, which he details pretty specifically. After his early biography and this first trip, he then tells sporadic tales of individual incidents, rather than trying to detail his entire life and career. He describes the characters that he meets along the way – mostly laborers, servicemen, gamblers, musicians, migrant workers and more hobos. His career is only touched upon and there are no details of any of his recordings or concerts, other than occasionally playing in dive bars for tips and eating money. He prefers to talk about the other people that he meets rather than himself, so this is only marginally an autobiography.

Despite this, it is a fine and colorful read of a time and situations that most of us living today can barely imagine. 

haven't had a chance to read yet, but this looks interesting

A Family in Peril: Lou Reed’s Sister Sets the Record Straight About His Childhood 
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RIP Percy Sledge

If "When A Man Loves a Woman" doesn't tug at your soul then you've never been in love. Rest in Peace.
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Soul singer Percy Sledge dead at 73
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recommended gigs

Thursday April 9 - Bob Wayne, Fuzz Solow, All Togethers and the Bourbon Brothers at the Dive Bar
Thursday April 9 - the Psyatics, Heavy Glow, Cosmic Beasts, Core - the Beauty Bar

Friday April 10 - the Mapes, the Maxies and Alan Six - Atomic Liquors
Friday April 10 - Bob Wayne, Duane Mark, Whiskey Breath, All Togethers - Dive Bar

Saturday April 11 - Haunted Garage, the Time Crashers, Tartar Control, Radioactive Chicken Heads, Alexander the Terrible, Child Endangerment, Caliban and the Witch, Plague Doctor, the Rifleman and Firewater Folklore at OMD

Friday April 17 - the All Togethers at Artifice
Friday April 17 - 3d6, Lambs to Lions, SFT, Unit F, Horroripilation - Adrenaline

Saturday April 18 - the Unwieldies at Dillinger

Friday April 24 - Spotted Dick and the Wlyde Knights, TWAT, Gashers, Sounds of Threat - Double Down

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 1 - the return of the Holy Smokes at the Double Down with the Astaires, Ditch Diggers, Psyatics

Saturday May 2 - 3d6, Water Landing, Forget Me Nows, Another Castle - Adrenaline

Wednesday May 13 - Shanda and the Howlers with the Royal Hounds at the Griffin

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

Dion and the Sonics at the Viva Las Vegas Car Show Saturday April 4, 2015

I'm not one for the big festivals these days, but when I heard that the Sonics would be headlining the Viva Las Vegas Car Show and we could buy tickets for just that day, we had to go check 'em out again, since we were blown away the last time they were in town.

As much as I dig early shows, life does sometimes get in the way and we were only able to catch the last two songs from the legendary Dion. "Run Around Sue" and closer "The Wanderer" sounded pretty damn great though - Dion can still sing and he had a hot band behind him. He was able to get the cats'n'kittens swingin'n'swayin' in the hot sun in the parkin' lot! Good stuff!

Then, after wanderin' the car show, checkin' out the hot rods and the booths, sayin' hi to friends and buyin' drinks, the main attraction of the day came out for the sundown set - the mighty Sonics! Not a lot of people were fightin' for spots in front before they started so I was afraid of what the rockabilly crowd would think, but the band won them over with their original power-chord-garage and the place was packed with everyone shoutin' along and lovin' every riff'n'scream emanating from the stage!

Right from the start the men let you know that they were not here for some laid-back nostalgia act, but here to blast your ears with some of the most ferocious garage rock that ever existed. Opening with the incredible "Cinderella" (with bassist Freddie Dennis taking lead vocals), the sound was massive and fierce, just as it should be! If anything, these gents were even better sounding than at the Hard Rock! Jerry Rosalie took over for "Shot Down" and "He's Waiting", and once again, it was incredible to see guitar man Larry Parypa rip out these licks'n'leads from his Les Paul.

Freddy returned for "Dirty Robber", with Jerry smokin' the keys and Rob Lind blowin' some frantic sax. "Have Love, Will Travel" with Jerry and then a new song, "Sugaree". With most old bands, the announcement of a new song means a trip to the restroom or bar, but these cats are doin' it right and the new tunes would have fit right in on their old albums. Freddie sings this one, but Jerry gets a cool key solo and Rob rocks the sax. Love that they put in "You Got Your Head on Backwards, Baby" and Rob takes lead vocals here and blows some mean harp, as well. Couple more new ones that are also terrific - "Be A Woman" (with a hot guitar riff) and Jerry's "I Got Your Number and It's 666"!

The classic "Keep  a'Knockin'" gets the Sonics treatment with Jerry truly rockin' the keys (he saves his voice throughout the set, but he - like the rest of the guys - can still play like motherf'kers!) and then their new single, "Bad Betty" with Jerry on lead and organ and a really hip key/sax trade off instro section. "Boss Hoss", "Little Sister", "Money" and then their monster take on "Louie Louie" that still takes it from an amazing frat rock tune to a vicious pre-metal stomper!

The night ended with a trio of killers,"Psycho", "Strychnine" - with an amazing extended guitar solo that took everyone by surprise - and the half-step chord riff of "The Witch". Drummer Dusty propelled everything all through the set and emulated the key drum parts while still bashin' it out with his own fills.

Once again, absolutely phenomenal and inspiring from start to finish and what a treat for garage rock fans of all ages who never thought that they could see these legends in person. Be sure to see them if you ever have a chance - fantastic!

recommended gigs

Thursday April 2 - the Delta Bombers at Viva Las Vegas

Friday April 3 - Scoundrels at the Double Down
Friday April 3 - Eddy Bear and the Cubs, Yawpers, Yosemite Slam at Triple B

Saturday April 4 - the Sonics at the Viva Las Vegas Car Show - the Orleans
Saturday April 4 - the Coffin Cats with the New Waves, Scoundrels and Dead at Midnight - the Dive Bar

Sunday April 5 - the Sonics at Viva Las Vegas - Mardi Gras Ballroom at the Orleans

Tuesday April 7 - the All Togethers at the Bunkhouse

Wednesday April 8 - Eddy Bear and the Cubs with Derek Stroh at the Griffin

Thursday April 9 - Bob Wayne, Fuzz Solow, All Togethers and the Bourbon Brothers at the Dive Bar
Thursday April 9 - the Psyatics, Heavy Glow, Cosmic Beasts, Core - the Beauty Bar

Friday April 10 - the Mapes, the Maxies and Alan Six - Atomic Liquors
Friday April 10 - Bob Wayne, Duane Mark, Whiskey Breath, All Togethers - Dive Bar

Saturday April 11 - Haunted Garage, the Time Crashers, Tartar Control, Radioactive Chicken Heads, Alexander the Terrible, Child Endangerment, Caliban and the Witch, Plague Doctor, the Rifleman and Firewater Folklore at OMD

Friday April 17 - the All Togethers at Artifice
Friday April 17 - 3d6, Lambs to Lions, SFT, Unit F, Horroripilation - Adrenaline

Saturday April 18 - the Unwieldies at Dillinger

Friday April 24 - Spotted Dick and the Wlyde Knights, TWAT, Gashers, Sounds of Threat - Double Down

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 1 - the return of the Holy Smokes at the Double Down with the Astaires, Ditch Diggers, Psyatics

Wednesday May 13 - Shanda and the Howlers with the Royal Hounds at the Griffin

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

The Mapes at the Double Down Saloon - Wednesday April 1, 2015

The most appropriate guest band for the April Fool's edition of Frank and Dean's Weenie Roast at the Double Down Saloon could be no other than the legendary Mapes, in a rare, non-messy show. But, their chaos never changes, along with the bad jokes and sloppy, offensive fun times.

I came directly from working 13-1/2 hours straight, so I didn't take any real notes, but the simians went through a set of messy-punk tunes from their CD (apparently, they are never together long enough to write any new songs) like "Get Let", the lovely ballad, "I Hope You're Just Getting Fat", their spelling song (every band should have one) "Delicious" and their reportedly-soon-to-be-captured-on-video hit song "Tits". Their mysterious drummer got to "sing" one (maybe it was the famous Double Down PA system, but it was pretty much shouting/growling) and the rest of the combo did their regular full-contact, anarchistic show. Big crowd, especially for a Wednesday, and the audience went away well satiated, even while not covered in food products!

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more sad news

John Lennon's first wife Cynthia dies from cancer 
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Preston Ritter, Electric Prunes Drummer, Dies at 65 
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And still hopeful for a recovery:

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, famous for 'Big Yellow Taxi,' hospitalized 
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