Thursday, April 29, 2021

Curt Florczak - Scraping By on the Hope of Redemption


 OK, Curt and I have been pals ever since I first discovered his LA punk'n'roll band, the B-Movie Rats, back in the 90's and I have always dug his incredible guitar playing and rock'n'roll sensibilities. He is now based in the Boston area and has been part of that scene for years in several different line ups and with the COVID-enforced downtime, he has recorded'n'released his own personal little blast of rock'n'roll.

This 5-song CD/EP opens up with a burst of Real Kids/Dirty Angels-styled power pop (with an emphasis on power) with ringing/roaring guitars, hooks galore and harmonies a-plenty in "Dead Letter Box". From there we move dramatically to dark'n'gloomy riffs'n'heaviness in "Blood Gumbo" that retains some metallic melody while providing a raucous bottom end and a sweet slide solo. "Take Me to Lost Cities" almost sounds like the Stooges if they cleaned up their act and concentrated on the melodies - I guess kinda like the album Kill City, if I think about it! But, Curt keeps his uniqueness intact and adds a neat break, some more terrific harmonies and a rockin' ending. There's a bit of Wilko Johnson in the R'n'B-ish "Worry Stone" that, of course, can't remain too traditional so he throws in a sorta Tom Verlaine-like solo in it along with a few extra catchy bits before the moody, powerful ballad, "Watch the Worlds Collide", that's maybe kinda Black Crows-ish, for the closer, showing Curt versatility and songwriting talents.

While Curt is one of the best guitarists around, here he doesn't really show off, he just gives the songs just what they need - Chuck Berry riffs, Keith Richards chunky rhythms, punk rock licks, R'n'B-isms, great dynamics and plenty or pure-ass rock'n'roll! The sound is pretty damn terrific throughout, as well - great production, exceptional songwriting (nice way with words as well as rockin' music), terrific singing and, of course, superb git-slinging. Special kudos go to drummers Jared Seakbrook and Darron Burke (who also recorded and mixed the tracks) for backing the man, who did everything else on the record, and to Mike Mariconda for mastering the project.

Anyone who knows this rocker expects nothing less than true coolness from his ventures and this certainly does not disappoint! The only complaint is that it's way too short!

recommended gigs

 Thursday 4-29-21 Monk and the Po Boys at Saddle'n'Spurs

Friday 4-30-21 - Lean 13, Soldiers of Destruction, Suburban Resistance and Blvd Bullies at the Dive Bar

Saturday 5-8-21 Thee Hypnotiques at the Usual Place

Friday 5-14-21 - the Rhyolite Sound at Soul Belly BBQ

Sunday 5-16-21 - The Delta Bombers, Dead at Midnite, Twilight Atomics at the Gravy Train Saloon

Saturday 5-22-21 - Shanda and the Howlers and the Holy Smokes at the Double Down

Friday 6-4-21 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 6-5-21 - The New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 6-6-21 - Shanda and the Howlers at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The Grande Ballroom - Leo Early


 The Grande Ballroom is, of course, the Detroit showroom made famous by the MC5 recording their live debut, Kick Out the Jams, on its stage, as well as hosting innumerable touring acts throughout the 60's and 70's. But this book does not simply concentrate on the Ballroom's rock'n'roll heyday, it explores the building's inception through its many incarnations - theater, ballroom, skating rink, dance hall, doo-wop haven, etc. - until it became the concert venue that it is now known for.

The beginning of the book details the men behind the evolving businesses - at times with a bit more detail than I felt was necessary, but I suppose that is the author's prerogative, although it sometimes feels like he is trying to pad out the book a bit. But the story gets going with the introduction of John and Leni Sinclair and the MC5, who became the Grande Ballroom's first house band in the room's mid-60's incarnation.

As the book continues, Early introduces the people behind the scenes - employees of the Grande along with promoters and other assorted characters - as well as the local acts that played there, and lists some of the major acts that performed. As with just about everything, the ballroom's heyday faded, concerts moved elsewhere, promoters concentrated on larger concerts and the Grande stopped its regular gigs. It was rented out now'n'again for a while then went through a number of owners, oddly, most of them being church-related. As of the end of the book - and I believe it still is - the building is in disrepair and the current owners do not seem to care much for its heritage or historical status (something that the author has tried to initiate).

The Grande is a fabled hall and innumerable famous acts rocked its stage (a full list of performers is included) and its tale needed to be told. The book is relatively brief - barely over 200 pages - but it is fun and informative. I'm glad that people still care for this piece of history!

Thursday, April 22, 2021

RIP Les McKnown



Former Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown dies aged 65 
---
Hey, their hits were pretty darn cool coming out of 70's AM radio! 

recommended gigs

 Saturday 4-24-21 - Rockin' Bettie/Glam Factory party/car show - 3:00pm 1302 S. 3rd St with Delta Bombers, Tiki Bandits and lots more!

Monday 4-26-21 - Goldtop Bob at the Founders Club 

Wednesday 4-28-21 - the Smoke Stacks at the Sand Dollar

Thursday 4-29-21 Monk and the Po Boys at Saddle'n'Spurs

Saturday 5-8-21 Thee Hypnotiques at the Usual Place

Friday 6-4-21 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 6-5-21 - The New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 6-6-21 - Shanda and the Howlers at the Golden Tiki

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

RIP Tempest Storm



Tempest Storm, legendary burlesque star, dies at 93 
---

RIP Frank Jacobs of Mad Magazine



Frank Jacobs, Mad Magazine Writer With a Lyrical Touch, Dies at 91 
---

RIP Paul Oscher



Paul Oscher, Austin blues musician who played in Muddy Waters' band, dies at 71 
---
He started playing with Muddy Waters in 1967 - a young, white cat playing with the master. Sad to hear of his passing all-too-young.

Sunday, April 18, 2021

RIP Mike Mitchell - he influenced several generations



Mike Mitchell, a founding member of the band that recorded 'Louie Louie,' has died 
---

Thursday, April 15, 2021

recommended gigs

Monday 4-19-21 - Goldtop Bob at the Founders Club 

Saturday 4-24-21 - Rockin' Bettie/Glam Factory party/car show - 3:00pm 1302 S. 3rd St with Delta Bombers, Tiki Bandits and lots more!

Monday 4-26-21 - Goldtop Bob at the Founders Club 

Friday 6-4-21 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 6-5-21 - The New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 6-6-21 - Shanda and the Howlers at the Golden Tiki

Monday, April 12, 2021

Ugly Things #56

 



C'mon, it's Ugly Things - you know that Mike and Anja are not gonna steer you wrong and you know that I'm gonna tell you to get this, right? Among the innumerable reviews - get your wish list ready, there will be plenty to add to it - the cover stories include an interview with the author of a new book about the hip 60's Brit TV show, Ready Steady Go!, Jonathan Richman talking about the Velvet Underground and their gear, and Mike Stax on Gabor Szabo. Besides all that, there's part two of the fab interview with Bun E Carlos, lots more underground garage groups, the Pretty Things, Cyril Jordan and on'n'on'n'on! 

Always a good time, always informative, always essential! Get it!

The Electric Ferrets - The Electric Ferrets Psychedelic Punk Rock Band




 The Electric Ferrets started out in the 90's LA underground scene as a wild'n'wacky punk rock'n'roll band that had a penchant for pop culture, 60's garage, 70's rock and whatever else caught their eyes'n'ears. Led by vocalist Greg Wallace and guitarist Flying Ike (along with current Las Vegas resident Kevin Ball on second guitar), they gigged'n'recorded for a number of years until real life interfered and the group dissolved. They reformed a little while back and cut this 2-LP epic that the always hip Get Hip Records has now released in all its glory.

While the guys continue to mine pop culture (particularly 50's and 60's) and garage rock'n'roll, on this release they also delve heavily into psychedelia and loosely parody Sgt. Peppers (in their music and album cover), among innumerable other concepts. The opening title cut is obviously based on Sgt. Peppers, but with enough originality to make it weirdly different, especially the autobiographical lyrics and the truly psychedelic extended ending. "Psychedelic Biplane" is pretty damn trippy, as well, in a far-out, late-60's rockin' kinda way, then "Turn On" is frantically punk-oriented as is "Vice Grip", but both have extra elements as well to keep them from being cliches. "In the Forest of the Green" they get downright spaghetti-western-y in a dramatic, mellower way with a sweet, fuzzed-out guitar solo and for "Martin Grimm" the sound is very late-60's in a kinda/sorta post-mod manner, with a wacky haunted-house middle break. 

And, all that is just from side one of this double album set! From there we get a sci-fi soundtrack in need of a film in "Attack of the Giant Lobsters From the Deep" (dig the guitar solo on this one!), a mid-tempo garage rocker with "I Want to Be Like Jill", they're downright funky in "The Struggle is Real" (although it turns into punk rock'n'back again), then almost hard core for "Open Your Mind", wildly veering into early 70's mellow/keyboard/semi-schmaltz that becomes a bit psychotic for "Is There Another Day", more pop culture garage in "The Incredible Shrinking Man", and a bit of piano-pop-psych for "Breakfast in Bed". 

Frantically ripping off the Blues Brothers intro ("I Can't Turn You Loose"), side three starts with "L.A. Song" which ends up parodying other soul hits, as well, while "Together For Eternity" is kinda mellow 60's-pop, there's a quick bit of punk rock in "Chuckleland", while "Nadia" sounds like 70's AM radio fare and then they blast thru the garage classic "Voices Green and Purple" although, bizarrely, mixing in Kiss' "Detroit Rock City"! Somehow, it works, although damned if I know how! It delves into a lengthy, tripped out instro section before the big 70's rock finish!

More trippiness in "I See Colors" (complete with sitar!), echo-drenched/tremelo'd guitars dominate "The Sun Is Coming Out Today" (slightly reminiscent of a more druggy "Sun Arise"), back to the punk rock for the retro fantasy "Rock and Roll Dreams From the Seventies", followed by a country-ish power ballad tribute to their guitarist, "A Day in the Ike", then a reprise of the title track, which does not end the album, but the finale is the hard rockin'/surfy epic "Ride the Wave".

As I said, the Ferrets always appreciated 60's pop culture and rock'n'roll, but here they truly do blend psychedelic trippiness and punk rock - among other things - in a wackily original way. Not for purists of either (or any!) form, but for the adventurous, this is a fun-filled odyssey. Good luck trying to guess how many pop references are made in the fold-out cover art, as well!

Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone - Mark Zwonitzer and Charles Hirshberg


 Of course, I've known the music that the Carter Family popularized essentially my entire life between singing these songs in school or hearing them covered by more modern musicians or experiencing them on TV and radio. But, I've never known anything about them other than what CD liner notes would reveal. I'm not sure how I happened upon this biography, but I found it at a good price and figured I'd learn a bit more about country music's first family.

I often tend to get lost in the family histories, especially in old-time families with innumerable children, cousins, aunts, uncles, husbands, wives and every permutation in between. But once the characters all meet, marry, and/or start making music together, the story does move fairly quickly. AP Carter was never one for "regular" work, so making a living with music was certainly enticing and once he married the talented vocalist and autoharpist Sara, who then began harmonizing with her sister-in-law Maybelle, who filled out the sound with her distinctive guitar playing, everything jelled and they began to make a name for themselves. Once they heard about a recording opportunity they hit the road, made a record and success struck quickly.

Of course, life happens (as it does) and their fortunes ebbed and flowed (especially during the Great Depression), their recording contracts varied, and even AP and Sara's marriage failed, but through it all, they continued, as it was their best source of income. Eventually, Sara left the fold to re-marry and AP quit, as well, but Maybelle continued on with her girls and, at one point, adding a young Chet Atkins to the act! Different gatherings of the family continue to perform to this day and many have made a name for themselves, but this tale mainly follows the original members progressions.

Informative and fun and lots to learn about this  batch of talented Southerners. Enjoyable!

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Johnny Jenkins - Ton-Ton Macoute!


 I first heard Jenkins on Duane Allman's fab Anthology album where Duane's varied session work is displayed in full force. In fact, this record began as a Duane solo album before he got involved in the Allman Brothers Band, and Duane and other members appear here making this, Jenkins first solo album, almost an ABB/Jenkins hybrid - which certainly is not a bad thing!

By 1070, when Ton-Ton Macoute was recorded, Jenkins had already had a storied vocation, including launching Otis Redding's own career and influencing Jimi Hendrix! More recently, Beck sampled bits of Jenkins' version of Dr. John's "I Walk on Gilded Splinters", so Johnny continues to make his mark even in the modern world!

While known primarily as a blues guitarist and harmonica player, here Jenkins lives the blues but he also rocks'n'rolls, swings a bit and is soulful as can be. He opens with "Gilded Splinters" where ABB members Butch Trucks (drums) and Jaimoe (timbales) create a funky, movin' groove - much more upbeat than Dr. John's wonderfully mesmerizing original - that still captures the sweaty Louisiana feel, but with a bit more crunch. From there, Sleepy John Estes' "Leaving Truck" is a cool, slide-riffin' funk groover and "Blind Bats and Swamp Rats" sounds kinda like if Cream was from New Orleans instead of England! The version of Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone" was one of the highlights of the Anthology LP, which features Jenkins on acoustic guitar and foot stompin' (ala John Lee Hooker), Allman on acoustic slide and ABB bassist Berry Oakley keeping the backbeat, cutting a take damn near as swampy as Muddy himself! 

"Sick and Tired" is another nice slice of funkiness, while Bob Dylan's "Down Along the Cove" was yet another highlight of Duane's comp - a hip rocker with Jenkins providing down-home harp and Duane bringing his distinctive'n'excellent slide, "Bad News" is a little less happening, but still swings, John Lee Hooker's "Dimples" is a more upbeat, fun rocker, and the original album's finale, "Voodoo In You" is another head-bobbin', swampy groover. The bonus tracks include the great blues, "I Don't Want No Woman" (I know this from Magic Sam's fine take), in which Jenkins gets to let loose and show off his superior guitar skills, which extend into their take on Otis Rush's minor-key masterpiece "My Love Will Never Die", making for an even better closer than "Voodoo...".

What this all ends up creating is an album full of blues-based, funky, rock'n'soul that is a real keeper! Dig it!


Thursday, April 01, 2021

recommended gigs

 Friday 4-2-21 - Soldiers of Destruction, Horripilation, Talking Bombs at the Dive Bar

Sat 4-3-21 - Fuck Face LV with the Fun Killers at the Double Down

Friday 4-9-21 - Thee Swank Bastards and Stagnetti's Cock at the Double Down

Saturday 4-24-21 - Rockin' Bettie/Glam Factory party/car show - 3:00pm 1302 S. 3rd St with Delta Bombers, Tiki Bandits and lots more!