recommended gigs

 Friday 3-31-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-31-23 - Negative Nancys, Blvd Bullies, Desert Island Boys, Muertos Heist at the Double Down

Friday 3-31-23 - the Hideaway, the Reztones at Red Dwarf

Saturday 4-1-23 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Damn Brewery

Saturday 4-1-23 - The New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-2-23 - Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Pioneer Saloon

Sunday 4-2-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-3-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 4-5-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Thursday 4-6-23 - the Covids (amsterdam), Nestter Donuts (Barcelona) and Suburban Resistance at the Griffin

Friday 4-7-23 - the Rhyolite Sound, Thee Hypnotiques, the Dirty Hooks at the Huntridge Theater for the relighting ceremony 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday 4-7-23 - Suburban Resistance, Blvd Bullies, Stagnetti's Cock at the Founder's Club

Friday 4-7-23 - Shanda and the Howlers, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones at the Sand Dollar Lounge

Friday 4-7-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Count Vamp'd

Friday 4-7-23 - Alive - Pearl Jam Tribute at OYO Hotel and Casino

Saturday 4-8-23 - Beebe Gallini, Cromm Fallon and the P200's, Civilians at Red Dwarf

Saturday 4-8-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-9-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-10-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Thursday 4-13-23 - TV Party Tonight showing Breaking Glass with live music by the Negative Nancys

Thursday 4-13-23 - the New Waves at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Shakewells and the Thingz at Red Dwarf 

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Unwieldies at the Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival - Centennial Park

Saturday 4-15-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-16-23 - Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies with Barnyard Stompers and Daniel Mason at the Dive Bar

Sunday 4-16-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-17-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Tuesday 4-18-23 - City Mouse, Si Vende, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Saturday 4-22-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-23-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-24-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - Trish Toledo, No Que No, the Escapers at the Fremont Country Club

Saturday 4-29-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-30-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 5-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 5-13-23 - The Psyatics at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Friday 5-26-23 - Rhyolite Sound, Wild Rose Band at The Industrial Event Space

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

Wayne Kramer - The Hard Stuff

 

After reading about the band in the likes of Cream magazine for who knows how long, finding a copy of Kick Out The Jams was literally a life-changing event. I was never able to translate my love for this band properly into my own music (as much as I would have liked to, anyway), but their ethos has remained with me to this day. Kramer was, of course, one of the twin lead guitarists for the group (along with the phenomenal Fred Sonic Smith) and they were both huge influences on my playing style. I was thrilled that I was able to eventually meet both of them (separately) and shake their hands and thank them for the music that they made.

Unfortunately, in the 90's, Wayne had issues with the astonishing documentary A True Testimonial - after cooperating fully with it in every way up until it was about to be released and caused the producers to lose money in absurd lawsuits (with Wayne suddenly demanding much more than he previously agreed to, in my understanding) and blocked the release. This has tainted my enthusiasm for the man and certainly for his later work and meant that I did not/would not buy this book new but since I found it at the Founders Club Book Fair, I thought I'd see what he has to say.

At about 10 years older than me, Wayne was, of course, highly influenced by the rise of rock'n'roll, from the greats like Chuck Berry to the hip, American instrumental music and then the amazing British Invasion stars, particularly the Rolling Stones. Finding the right people for his band meant that he played with a lot of different folks along the way before hooking up with the gents that eventually became the MC5.

There is a lot of egotism here - possibly warranted, it's hard to know - as he claims to have taught both Fred and Michael how to play their instruments and he was their original de facto manager until they hooked up with John Sinclair. Of course, then things moved fairly quickly, with the recording and release - and subsequent controversy over - their debut live album, being dropped by Elektra, recording their second album and the chaos involved in all of this. Unfortunately, he does not go into much detail about the albums, which would be interesting, other than to say that the KOTJ recordings were disappointing to him, and that it was not one of their better shows. Of course, lots of bad luck, bad decisions and bad drugs eventually broke up the band, despite efforts to keep it alive with various replacement members until it became all too apparent that it could no longer go on.

After that, Wayne just became a fuck-up - wasted on hard drugs'n'alcohol, he became a common thief to keep up his habit while he pretended that he was trying to still make music. It's pretty sickening what he let himself become. His time in prison takes up a good portion of the book and while he had it pretty easy comparatively - no violence towards him and a cushy job and lots of spare time for reading and playing guitar - it is pretty depressing. 

He finally gets out of prison and returns to his drug'n'alcohol abuse, randomly travels the country and finally ends up in LA where he hooks up with Epitaph Records and finally starts his musical comeback. He's still a complete fuck-up at this point and he has no love from Epitaph's brand of punk rock, but he literally had nothing left to lose at that point so took a chance. Of course, this worked to his advantage enough that he was able to re-make a name for himself, tour consistently and start his own label.

From there on he goes off on numerous tangents about his addictions and bouts of sobriety, about collecting old money, about the reunions with Dennis Thompson and Michael Davis (after Fred and Robin had passed) and lots more.

As I said, there is a lot of ego here and while he can be honest with many of his fuckups, he does skip some, as well. It's a weird one for me - love the MC5 pretty above any other band and his playing at the time was legendary, but there's a lot of baggage since. He does seem to want to be better and those who don't know some of his history will probably get more out of this than I did, but it's a mixed bag.

Shanda and the Howlers - It Ain't Easy

 

It has taken me way too long to pick up the Howlers latest album, but I'm glad that I was finally able to get out to see them and to purchase this! It's another terrific slab of old-school R'n'B, Blues and Girl Group-styled tunes with the core band - Shanda on vox, natch, Luke on bass and backing vocals, Trevor on guitar and Joshua Miller (now replaced by Turbo Proctor) on drums - supplemented by various horn players, some nice keyboards, harmonica, vibraphone, glockenspiel, percussion and more! The group still rocks these tunes live, but the augmentation on the recordings add a fine touch.

They start off with a fine piece of soulful 60's girl group sounds in "Miles and Miles", augmented by the glockenspiel to good effect with perfect Ronettes-styled "oh-oh's" and even some Phil Spector-ish sound effects. "Please Come Home" is a sultry, soulful, swingin' blues in a James Brown kinda way, down to the call'n'response vocals, mournful sax and the big, showy ending. They demonstrate their garage-y roots in the powerful, hard-rockin', Sonics-like "I Want You Anyway", then there is more fine soul/blues mixture in "Used To Call Me Baby", the title cut is a gritty jump-blues number highlighted by Trevor's sharp guitar licks and some good harp interplay, back to a somewhat more mellow girl-group groove again for "Whatcha Gonna Do Now", highlighted by a fine horn section and more glock/vibraphone, then Shanda really gets to belt out the R'n'B-er "Won't Be Back No More" (with melodic hints of the Downliner Sects' great one, "Glendora"). A return to some Southside Johnny, horn-section fueled R'n'B in "That Boy", followed by more classic girl-group sounds with nice keyboard accents in "Walk Away", and then a reprise of the dirty, slide guitar/harmonica blues for "Getaway Driver", they get into almost Louis Jordan territory for the jumpin' jive of "Won't Take No" and they close out with an old school, bluesy tear-jerker with "Miles and Miles (slow version)".

While I haven't heard everything that they have done, I think this is probably the finest production work by John Fallon and Joe Lawless (aided by Luke) - the sound is great, the musical additions are fitting and not overpowering and everyone works together to make the end product the star. Great record!

The Years of Rice and Salt - Kim Stanley Robinson

 I really enjoyed Robinson's writing style and thought processes in The Ministry For the Future, and while that one was particularly enjoyable due to his solutions to the climate crisis we are facing (even if I didn't think that they were all realistic in our capitalist world), I wanted to see how he tackled other subjects. 

While this is kinda advertised as a book about the plague, and the synopsis I have seen online say that it is about the Black Death killing 99% of the population instead of a third, the plague really only takes up the first chapter of so of this 700+ page tome, and the (first) main character escapes its ravages and is thrust into the rest of the world - which is still pretty well populated, apparently - pretty quickly. While the plague is referenced throughout the tale, this alternative history really concentrates on various Buddhist, Islamic and Eastern philosophies about reincarnation, and that is really its main theme. 

Apparently, I missed a lot of subtext - possibly because I have been reading this while dealing with an ailing dog - and simply thought that the Eastern religious themes were due to the location, but it is actually because Christianity was basically wiped out with the plague, meaning that the calendars are not Gregorian, technology evolves differently and the world is a much changed from the one that we know.

The 10 or so storylines follow the paths of a group of souls who reincarnate more or less together over the centuries, from the 14th to the 21st, with some coming and going sooner or later, but always influencing each other and, often, the world (or, at least, their section of the world). Their gender changes and there is an instance (I think only one) of one returning as a beast, but the two primary souls always have the same first letter to their name - which, Robinson claims if a reincarnation theory, but he may have made it up. I do believe that he mixes, matches and changes up the philosophies as he goes along, which is certainly his right, especially as this is an alternative history! 

Sometimes the characters remember more than they are supposed to and sometimes there is only a hint, but we see them continuing to work to grow their consciousnesses. We meet them in their bardo - the transitionary place between their lives - as they try to understand their journey and as they rail against the gods.

Certainly interesting concepts throughout and I would love to believe in the idea of reincarnation, but, like the final character, it seems to be something that is more about what you leave behind rather than you actually returning.

Quite the imagination and quite the writer - I'm sure I will explore more of Robinson's work!

recommended gigs

 Friday 3-24-23 - The Hideaway, Dollheads, Nightfeen at Cemetery Pulp

Saturday 3-25-23 - The Psyatics, Bear Supply at the Founder's Club

Sunday 3-26-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Wednesday 3-29-23 - The New Waves at Red Dwarf

Friday 3-31-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-31-23 - Negative Nancys, Blvd Bullies, Desert Island Boys, Muertos Heist at the Double Down

Friday 3-31-23 - the Hideaway, the Reztones at Red Dwarf

Saturday 4-1-23 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Damn Brewery

Saturday 4-1-23 - The New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-2-23 - Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Pioneer Saloon

Sunday 4-2-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-3-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 4-5-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Thursday 4-6-23 - the Covids (amsterdam), Nestter Donuts (Barcelona) and Suburban Resistance at the Griffin

Friday 4-7-23 - the Rhyolite Sound, Thee Hypnotiques, the Dirty Hooks at the Huntridge Theater for the relighting ceremony 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday 4-7-23 - Suburban Resistance, Blvd Bullies, Stagnetti's Cock at the Founder's Club

Friday 4-7-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Count Vamp'd

Saturday 4-8-23 - Beebe Gallini, Cromm Fallon and the P200's, Civilians at Red Dwarf

Saturday 4-8-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-9-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-10-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Shakewells and the Thingz at Red Dwarf 

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Unwieldies at the Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival - Centennial Park

Saturday 4-15-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-16-23 - Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies with Barnyard Stompers and Daniel Mason at the Dive Bar

Sunday 4-16-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-17-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Devil's Duo, the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Saturday 4-22-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-23-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 4-24-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Saturday 4-29-23 - Trish Toledo, No Que No, the Escapers at the Fremont Country Club

Saturday 4-29-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 4-30-23 - The Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 5-1-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 5-20-23 - My Birthday Show with The Implosions and special guests TBA at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

Too Cool To Be Forgotten - Alex Robinson

 

This was a random purchase at the Founder's Club Book Fair last weekend and I checked it out over a sleepless night with my ailing pup, which might explain why I didn't notice that the "cool" cover was supposed to look like a pack of cigarettes until now. Fitting, as the protagonist is attempting to quit smoking via hypnosis, which brings us to the story.

Funnily, the main character is supposed to be a 40-something father but is drawn to look like he is at least in his mid-60's, if not later. So, that threw me a bit when his teenage years were in the mid-80's, but I adapted! 

In any case, the story revolves around this happily married man who is trying to quit smoking and his wife convinces him to try hypnosis. He didn't know what what to expect and certainly didn't think that he was going to be thrust into his high school years, until he remembered that he tried his first cigarette at a party due to peer pressure. He decides to change the past while dealing with the psychic imbalance of being a teen again. 

He learns more about himself and that it wasn't just the party that set him on his course, and Robinson does a good job of exposing the real reason after some vague hints earlier. The artwork and layouts are nicely done - I dig the Will Eisner-ish use of black backgrounds - and it's a nice story. 

Doubt that this would be for everyone, but I dug it.

Saga Volume 2 Graphic Novel - Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples

 

Still another random purchase from the Founders Club Book Fair (there's going to be a number of these to come), I knew nothing whatsoever about this title, other than my good wife reminding me that the author, Brian K Vaughan, also narrated Y, The Last Man, but decided to give it a whirl.

Since this is volume two, I came in during the middle of the story line, but there is a pretty good synopsis as you go along so you don't feel like you missed too terribly much. It is basically a tale of an extraterrestrial Romeo and Juliet, but even more extreme with different species falling in love and procreating. Unfortunately, they are also fugitives and so while they seek refuge with their families, they are also being hunted while experiencing some outlandish trials and tribulations all while searching out an author of an admittedly bland book who they feel is speaking to and for them, somehow.

Interesting concepts and lots more going on than I can distill into this little review, but worth checking out.

The New X-Men graphic novel compiling issues #114-117

 

This is another random pickup from the Founders Club Book Fair and while this story line is already over 20 years old (Yikes!), I have been out of the loop of the X-men saga for long enough that while I know who the main characters are, some of the plot lines and variations on the characters made me wonder what all I have missed over the years.

Of course, I'm just dropping in on the middle of a tale here, but here we are introduced to Cassandra Nova, an incredibly powerful mutant (or mutant variation [or possibly even a clone] - I'm not quite sure, especially as Marvel is introducing humans who are mutating artificially here) who wages a war on mutant-kind for some reason that I did not really grasp. She murders 16 million mutants - there are more than ever before in this reality, although many have either no real powers (they are simply disfigured to our homo sapien eyes) or nothing that helps in a fight, and the X-men do their best to rescue those that they can.

Of course, there's lots more going on and there are lots of X-men interaction and drama, as usual for this team. It is all a little overwhelming and slightly confusing if you haven't been following the series, but you can get the gist of it all regardless. Naturally, being Marvel, there is a cliff-hanger ending and lots more potential for mayhem, so who knows what did follow - maybe I will have to find out!

recommended gigs

Friday 3-17-23 - Shanda and the Howlers at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-17-23 - Franks'n'Deans at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 3-17-23 - the New Waves, Mondo Vermin, Apollo 14 at the Double Down

3-17-23 - Killian's Angels at Coop's Cabaret

Saturday 3-18-23 - Trevor and the Swingin' Johnsons at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 3-18-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 3-19-23 - the Surfers of Mercy and Apollo 14 at the Red Dwarf Sunday Brunch

Sunday 3-19-23 - Midnight Clover, Suburban Resistance, Trivial Menace at the Sand Dollar Downtown 

Saturday 3-20-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Tuesday 3-21-23 - Thee Hypnotiques video shoot at the Usual Plaec

Tuesday 3-21-23 - Marissa and the Hollenbacks at the Sand Dollar

Friday 3-24-23 - The Hideaway, Dollheads, Nightfeen at Cemetery Pulp

Saturday 3-25-23 - The Devil's Duo, The Psyatics, Bear Supply at the Founder's Club

Wednesday 3-29-23 - The New Waves at Red Dwarf

Friday 3-31-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-31-23 - Negative Nancys, Blvd Bullies, Desert Island Boys, Muertos Heist at the Double Down

Saturday 4-1-23 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Damn Brewery

Wednesday 4-5-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Thursday April 6 - the Covids (amsterdam), Nestter Donuts (Barcelona) at the Griffin

Friday 4-7-23 - Suburban Resistance, Blvd Bullies, Stagnetti's Cock at the Founder's Club

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Shakewells and the Thingz at Red Dwarf 

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Unwieldies at the Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival - Centennial Park

Sunday 4-16-23 - Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies with Barnyard Stompers and Daniel Mason at the Dive Bar

Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Devil's Duo, the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 5-20-23 - My Birthday Show with The Implosions and special guests TBA at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, Hillbilly Casino, Shanda and the Howlers, Turk and Opal at the Usual Place, Sunday March 12, 2023

 

It's been at least 10 years since I last saw the Legendary Shack Shakers - back when the Swamp Gospel played with them on a Sunday night at the old Bunkhouse - so I thought it was time to check them out again since they rarely come through to Vegas. Since it was a Sunday night show again, I was glad that the bands started early (right around 8:00) and while I was sad to see that the Rhyolite Sound didn't make the gig for some reason, that certainly helped keep things moving.

Paige Overton opened the evening with a new duo project that she is calling Turk and Opal - her on acoustic guitar with a terrific lead guitarist accompanying her. Nicely written country-esque tunes sung by Paige, who has a fine voice, and filled out by the flyin' fingers'n'country licks by the lead guitarist. While it was sparse, they really had a pretty full sound for just two people - quite well done and it was a treat to have Jeffrey Koenig join them on harp for the last number.

One of my fave local combos is certainly Shanda and the Howlers - Vegas' premier, old school R'n'B and jump-jive-blues group. Jeffrey is now playing harp regularly with the Howlers, and while I kinda miss the sax, Jeffrey is an exceptional player so he more than makes up for it. Trevor has a fantastic guitar tone no matter what guitar or amp he brings, Luke'n'Turbo are a steam-driven rhythm section and, of course, Shanda has an amazing Big Mama Thornton-like voice that can still croon sweetly when need be. The set covered numbers from pretty much all of their records, including the latest which I picked up so more on that one later. I'm surprised that I only got a couple of pix, but that's because I was just diggin' the set. See them any time you can!

I knew nothing about Nashville's Hillbilly Casino, but they were a super fun, semi-psychobilly-ish (sorta/kinda) band with a wildly animated front man, his teenage (apparently) son poundin' the skins more than ably behind him, a long-haired stand up bassist, and an older guitarist who could easily mix country, rockabilly and rock'n'roll riffs throughout the set and even pulled out an electric banjo for some rollickin' rolls! Non-stop action and some truly astounding harmonies really topped off the set - fun stuff!

Th' Legendary Shack Shakers are led by JD Wilkes and his incredible harp-playing - really one of the masters of the instrument playing around today (although Jeffrey certainly could give him a run for his money) - and a high energy backing band. They also blend rockabilly, blues, country and more into their own unique mix and kept the crowd highly entertained through to the midnight hour!

Super fun night and glad to see some excellent local talent mixing with these hep touring bands. Thanks to Nevermore and the Usual Place for a great Sunday show!

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed a film by Laura Poitras

 

I am not overly familiar with Nan Goldin but my wonderful wife is a fan of her photography and when she heard that this documentary on Nan would be playing at Vegas' new art theater, The Beverly, on a weekend that we had no pressing engagements, no less, we made it a point to check it out.

The Beverly is a brand new theater complex in Downtown Las Vegas, right next door to the Writer's Block, a fab book store where Kid Congo had his book signing a couple of months ago (and we got to spend a few minutes checking out the store and will have to get back there, as it is pretty terrific). The theater is a lovely building, with an upstairs, outdoor patio that had live music after the movie, and a gift shop, concession stand and a nice sized, comfortable showroom. Our understanding is that it is going to be an art theater for Vegas, so we hope to see more here soon.

Goldin helped finance this documentary (apparently) in order to further publicize the Sackler family's production and promotion of OxyContin and the harm that it has caused hundreds and thousands of people. She chose them in particular since their name appears on many major museums around the world and she wants them to be known for the horrors that they have caused, not for their philanthropy.

Intertwined with this tale, though, is Nan's personal journey from her suburban family life with a sister who was sent away and eventually committed suicide due to the fact that she was gay and that was unacceptable in the 1950's and 60's, to her life in Boston and New York in a wild'n'gritty lifestyle. She herself was/is bisexual and had friends in the gay scene (including John Waters, Divine, and Cookie Mueller, among others) and started documenting this culture and the sparse lives that they lived - marginalized, fearful for their lives and their freedom (drag was illegal at the time), partying, taking drugs, surviving by either semi-legal means (dancing/working in bars) or as a sex worker. These were exciting and fun times, but also scary and, at times, life-threatening.

Now, as an acclaimed artist whose work appears in the museums she is targeting, she is using her fame to help spread the word about the opioid crisis, its causes and risks and lies and the people behind it.

At about two hours, the movie is a bit long, but it is not ever boring and it includes some terrific footage from the early days as well as showing the more current protests. 

Highly recommended!

Jane Foster, the Saga of Valkyrie

 

One more that I picked up at Cemetery Pulp last weekend, again as a total whim, as I was not familiar with these changes - the man we knew as Thor no longer wield Mjolnir and is simply referred to as Odinson now, Jane Foster now control the hammer and is now Thor, the Goddess of Thunder, but her mortal frame is simultaneously dying of advanced cancer, even while Thor fights multiple battles simultaneously!

After almost dying, Jane gives up the mantle of Thor (which is eventually returned to the Thor that we know - Odinson) but, after winning her war on cancer, she then picks up the mantle of the last Valkyrie! Apparently, Marvel is doing its best to make up for the meek Jane Foster that whined'n'pined for Dr. Don Blake for years in the 1960's!

The Valkyrie tale gets a little esoteric, as well, bringing in some characters that I am not familiar with and also some huge concepts such as the "death of death" (which is stalled fairly easily, in the long run for something that big). But there is always an earthly aspect as well and guests stars abound and there's even a tiny bit of a flashback to when Jane was made an Asgardian back in the 60's but wasn't able to handle it, unlike now.

I really enjoyed this and thought that both the writing and artwork were more than well done. Good stuff!

recommended gigs

Thursday 3-9-23 - Wildrose at the Hard Hat

 Friday 3-10-23 - the Souvenairs at the Underground at the Mob Museum

Saturday 3-11-23 - Crashing Wayward, Dominic Muzio Chemical Tribe at Vamp'd

Saturday 3-11-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 3-12-23 - The Legendary Shack Shakers, Hillbilly Casino, Shanda and the Howlers and the Rhyolite Sound at the Usual Place

Monday 3-13-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-17-23 - Shanda and the Howlers at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-17-23 - Franks'n'Deans at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 3-17-23 - the New Waves, Mondo Vermin, Apollo 14 at the Double Down

Saturday 3-18-23 - Trevor and the Swingin' Johnsons at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 3-18-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 3-19-23 - the Surfers of Mercy and Apollo 14 at the Red Dwarf Sunday Brunch

Sunday 3-19-23 - Midnight Clover, Suburban Resistance, Trivial Menace at the Sand Dollar Downtown 

Saturday 3-20-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Tuesday 3-21-23 - Thee Hypnotiques video shoot at the Usual Plaec

Friday 3-24-23 - The Hideaway, Dollheads, Nightfeen at Cemetery Pulp

Saturday 3-25-23 - The Devil's Duo, The Psyatics, Bear Supply at the Founder's Club

Friday 3-31-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-31-23 - Negative Nancys, Blvd Bullies, Desert Island Boys, Muertos Heist at the Double Down

Saturday 4-1-23 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Damn Brewery

Wednesday 4-5-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Thursday April 6 - the Covids (amsterdam), Nestter Donuts (Barcelona) at the Griffin

Friday 4-7-23 - Suburban Resistance, Blvd Bullies, Stagnetti's Cock at the Founder's Club

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Shakewells and the Thingz at Red Dwarf 

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Unwieldies at the Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival - Centennial Park

Sunday 4-16-23 - Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies with Barnyard Stompers and Daniel Mason at the Dive Bar

Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Devil's Duo, the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Friday 4-28-23 - Green Fuzz at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-28-23 - Koffin kats, Blvd Bullies, Crimson Riot, Ghostwood Murders at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Wednesday 5-10-23 - The Bronx and more TBA at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 5-20-23 - My Birthday Show with The Implosions and special guests TBA at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 5-26-23 - Sunday 5-28-23 - Punk Rock Bowling

Sunday 5-28-23 - Hangover Helper Concert Series at the Sand Dollar Downtown at Noon with the Nobodys, the Sleights, Jerk! and Goners UK

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Friday 6-9-23 - The Psyatics and special guests at the Double Down Saloon

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

Wednesday 12-6-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down with special guests The Devil's Duo

Dark Knights Death Metal

 

This is another book that I picked up on a whim while at Cemetery Pulp over the weekend and decided to see what it was all about. Unfortunately, since I have not been following the DC Universe lately and certainly not their multi-verse (what was it - 52 different Earths?), and I wasn't even familiar with the main villains, this is a bit convoluted. Apparently, somehow, the entire multi-verse is now populated with evil versions of the different Batmen from the different worlds, as well as various Batman-themed villains and ex-heroes, all under the command of either "The Batman Who Laughs" or Perpetua, depending on who was around at that moment. Wonder Woman is one of the few remaining heroes who have not been mutated, and she is both prisoner and warden of Hell (or its equivalent), but she rebels and, in a roundabout way, leads a revolution in the hopes of saving the multiverse from complete destruction. 

I think that the writers tried to tackle too big of a subject in too small of a format, although, apparently, there are spin offs from this that I also have not read. But, besides the collapse of the multi-verse, worlds dying and being reborn and the ultimate battle of life over death (or chaos), there are also vague, supernatural beings ("The Hands") that created everything! It's all a bit much and it all overlaps and collides throughout the run in an odd way. It certainly is a long way off from the innocently simplistic DC stories of the 60's, although the good guys do still win in the end!

It ends up being overly tortuously tangled for me, although, again, that may simply be my unfamiliarity with this part of the DC multiverse. But for me, this was just ok and not as good as I thought it could have been.

Dr. John - Original Album Series

 Although I have several (great) compilations and some of the good doctor's later works, I did not have these early albums in my collection so I was super stoked to find this 5-CD comp of his first releases at a reasonable cost. Well worth it at any price!

Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. had done some previous recordings, both as a solo artist and a studio musician, but he created his Dr. John, the Night Tripper persona with his debut album Gris-Gris. Here he mixed all that is hip'n'cool'n'mysterious about New Orleans - the various musical styles, the swamplands, the voodoo history and more - into his own musical gumbo that had some swampy swagger and hoodoo highlights making it sound like there was a mystical ritual occurring rather than a recording session. The Doctor combined his terrific keyboard work with some amazing musicians, particularly multiple percussionists, female backing singers, brass, some bluesy guitar and steady, rollin' basslines, to conjure up some very groovy r'n'b and blues ("Mama Roux" and "Jump Steady" in particular) along with his dark, almost ambient sacramental offerings, including his character's introduction in "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya" and his fantastic take on "I Walk On Gilded Splinters". 

His sophomore effect, Babylon, offers up some more pop-oriented ballads in the title track and "Glowin'" before returning to his unique, hypnotic, percussion-driven gris gris in the upbeat "Black Widow Spider" and the mid-tempo "Barefoot Lady". There is a somewhat psychedelic piano ballad with sweet backing vocals and some trippy effects in "Twilight Zone", followed by the politically-themed "The Patriotic Flag Waver", a kinda groovy r'n'b number that includes military drum rolls and children singing, and the finale, "The Lonesome Guitar Strangler" is a very hip guitar-dominated (natch) number mixing blues and raga and whatever other musical gumbo Mac decided to throw in, including a hint of "Sunshine of Your Love" and some jazz riffin'!

On his third, shamanically titled The Sun Moon and Herbs, he continues to delve into the New Orleans mythos, lyrically and musically, with the mighty "Black John the Conqueror", then there's some fun NO-styled, loping R'n'B in "Where Ya At Mule", while "Craney Crow" returns to his gris-gris inspired, mesmerizing grooves. "Familiar Reality - Opening" is a swingin', catchy-as-hell piece of Dr. John R'n'B, the lengthily titled "Pots on Fiyo (File Gumbo)/Who I Got To Fall On (If the Pot Get Heavy)" is more distilled N'awleans essence in song form, things quiet down a bit for "Zu Zu Mamou" but it's still filled with NO funky grooves, subtle but alluring, and the closer is a neat variation for "Familiar Reality - Reprise" - nicely done!

Funnily, according to Wikipedia, Remedies is actually Dr. John's third release and for some reason it is not included in this collection, which is sad since it includes some fantastic numbers that I am familiar with along with several I have not heard. It seems to be hard to come by, as well. I will have to keep looking for it!

In any case, next in this set is Dr. John's Gumbo, in which the good doctor covers classic New Orleans tunes and kinda gets away from his stage character of the Night Tripper. He opens with a fantastic take on the Mardi Gras classic "Iko Iko" (Sugar Boy Crawford), this blends seamlessly into Huey Piano Smith's "Blow Wind Blow", Earl King's "Big Chief" is a funky, organ-led/whistlin' piece (with a fine sax solo), Mac's own "Somebody Changed the Locks" is a rollickin', barrelhouse piano, NO groover, his take on Ahmet Ertegun's "Mess Around" is THEE version for me - fast'n'fun'n'full of great playin'. Earl King returns with a slow, funky take of his fab N'Awleans theme song "Let The Good Times Roll", Bob Shad's "Junko Partner" is another bouncy, piano'n'horn rocker, the traditional "Stack-O-Lee" is based on Leon T. Gross' version, the legendary Professor Longhair is represented by "Tipitina", "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" is another Earl King number, a slow-dancin', bluesy groover, and, of course, he couldn't leave out Huey Piano Smith's "High Blood Pressure", "Don't You Just Know It" or "Well, I'll Be John Brown", so he combined them into a medley and then closed things out with Smith's fantastic "Little Liza Jane". 

In The Right Place, naturally opens with his smash hit, the infectiously funky "Right Place, Wrong Time" - still terrific after all these years and this was amazing to hear on the AM radio back in the day! For some reason, I never had this album despite loving the hit, and a lot of it is not on the comps that I have, so I am not overly familiar with a good portion. "Same Old, Same Old" is subdued, "Just the Same" is a slow, bluesy ballad, but "Qualified" is back in the saddle with an upbeat New Orleans R'n'B groover,  "Traveling Mood" is pure NO goodness, and "Peace Brother Peace" is a bit of funky gospel. Allan Toussaint's "Life" is another terrific piece of swingin' life in the streets of NO, and "Such a Night" is one of the Doctor's best - Louisiana R'n'B with sultry grooves and fine horn work - while "Shoo Fly Marches On" is good but not overly memorable but "I Been Hoodoo'd" is a look back at his Night Tripper days, with a steady groove and a terrific feel and he ends the proceedings in excellent fashion with a fine piece of horn-driven R'n'B in "Cold Cold Cold".

Dr. John is one of the few people who transport you to the city of New Orleans with his music and I love most of the work that he's done, but especially his early records and every one of these is highly recommended! Each sleeve is a reproduction of the original album artwork, although I'm sure that there is other information on the actual record covers, but if you're just looking for the music, this is an incredible bargain for some fantastic sounds!

Y, The Last Man - Brian K Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Jose Marzan, Jr

 

Melanie picked this one up at Cemetery Pulp as she had heard good things about it and, indeed, it has gotten insanely, over-the-top rave reviews and while we both enjoyed it, neither of us thought it was "the best graphic novel we've ever read" or anything like that! 

It's an unlikely tale of some undefined event causing the death of every single male on the planet, including sperm(!), except for one random, utterly ordinary guy, Yorik (yes) and his pet monkey, Ampersand. Once he discovers what has happened, he wants to get to his girlfriend who happens to currently be in Australia, so we follow his unlikely adventures. 

His mother is not ordinary, however, and is a Congressperson, and so when he checks in with her before going off on his travels, she assigns a (female, of course) Secret Service person so accompany him. They run into numerous characters and find his sister, Hero (another Shakespearean reference), who has attached herself to a terrorist group calling themselves the Amazons, which of course does not bode well for any of them.

As this is book one, we leave off as Yorik is about to continue his travels - after much mayhem - and we discover a couple of surprises.

This isn't bad and we will look into the further books, but is it the best graphic novel ever? Not at all. But, an interesting concept with some extremely depressing statistics involved. We shall see how it progresses. 

The Unwieldies and the Devil's Duo at Cemetery Pulp, Saturday March 4, 2023

 

I always dig having the chance to play at my fave store in town, Cemetery Pulp, since it's on the other side of town and I can't normally find an excuse to drive all that way, otherwise! Every time I have to pick up a few comics/graphic novels (more on those later) and always dig their fab selection of oddities. And, it's just nice to see Erin and Chris again!

The Devil's Duo opened the night at the early hour of 6:00 pm and immediately had some technical issues with Lou (Lucifer), our drum machine and its amp, but we persevered regardless and had some fun with our set of old-timey blues and murder ballads mixed with the likes of Tom Waits and Nick Cave. Our new cover of the 2 Man Gentlemen Band's "I Can Get Drunk (And I Can Sing Songs)" went over well and we got a few folks singing along with the catchy chorus and our closing number, the Pine Hill Haints' "Rattle Them Bones" was especially appropriate in the setting (if you know, you know) and also got some audience interaction, which was nice. 

We do have new stickers with artwork from our pal Jw, so make sure that you make it out to the Founder's Club on Saturday March 25 for our show with the Psyatics and Bear Supply to pick some up!

(Devil's Duo pix by Rob Bell - thanks man!)

Our good friends, the Unwieldies, joined us for this eve - in fact, they set up the night - and Rob'n'Dani (bass'n'guitar'n'vocals) were backed more than ably by long-timer Jack on violin and Richard on dobro - Eric (banjo) couldn't make it this time out, unfortunately. Their set of acoustic, alt-country/folk/ Unwieldy-music was a mix of older numbers - including one of the first songs that Dani wrote, so she said, which is one of my faves of theirs - and brand new tunes from their upcoming album, which also includes a new fave. The music is always top-notch and I love the mixture of Dani's sweet tones and Rob's growly-yet-tuneful vocals as they duet and harmonize in ever-more-creative ways. You know I love these guys - as musicians and peeps - but if you dig well-written acoustic sounds, you will certainly dig them! 

Once again, a big thank you to Cemetery Pulp for hosting a fun night and we hope to return soon! 

RIP Gary Rossington

Gary Rossington, Founding Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitarist, Dies at 71

 ---

Can't say I was the biggest Skynyrd fan, but I did enjoy them (and still do at times) and saw them at the height - sad to hear that the last original member has passed.

recommended gigs

 Thursday 3-2-23 - The Double Whammys at the Sand Dollar Downtown for the High Rollers pre-party

Thursday 3-2-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at Cornish Pasty

Friday 3-3-23 - High Rollers Scooter Rally at the Usual Place with 16 Again, The New Waves, The Inciters, Chelsea Curve, Green Fuzz and the Double Whammys

Saturday 3-4-23 - The Unwieldies and the Devil's Duo at Cemetery Pulp

Saturday 3-4-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 3-6-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-10-23 - the Souvenairs at the Underground at the Mob Museum

Saturday 3-11-23 - Crashing Wayward, Dominic Muzio Chemical Tribe at Vamp'd

Saturday 3-11-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 3-12-23 - The Legendary Shack Shakers, Hillbilly Casino, Shanda and the Howlers and the Rhyolite Sound at the Usual Place

Monday 3-13-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-17-23 - Shanda and the Howlers at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 3-18-23 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 3-20-23 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-24-23 - The Hideaway, Dollheads, Nightfeen at Cemetery Pulp

Saturday 3-25-23 - The Devil's Duo, The Psyatics, Bear Supply at the Founder's Club

Friday 3-31-23 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-1-23 - The Unwieldies at Boulder Damn Brewery

Wednesday 4-5-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Thursday April 6 - the Covids (amsterdam), Nestter Donuts (Barcelona) at the Griffin

Friday 4-7-23 - Suburban Resistance, Blvd Bullies, Stagnetti's Cock at the Founder's Club

Saturday 4-15-23 - the Shakewells and the Thingz at Red Dwarf 

Sunday 4-16-23 - Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies with Barnyard Stompers and Daniel Mason at the Dive Bar

Friday 4-21-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Double Down

Saturday 4-22-23 - The Devil's Duo, the Pine Box Dwellers and Uncle Dave at the Huntridge Tavern

Friday 4-28-23 - the Unwieldies and Big Like Texas at the Sand Dollar Downtown

Saturday 4-29-23 - The Supersuckers , Throw Rag and the Hangmen at the Dive Bar

Wednesday 5-3-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Saturday 5-20-23 - My Birthday Show with The Implosions and special guests TBA at the Huntridge Tavern

Wednesday 6-7-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down

Sunday 6-25-23 - The Psyatics with Bob Log III and the Fat Dukes of Fuck at the Dive Bar

Tuesday 7-11-23 - The Psyatics with the Pine Hill Haints and Invisible Teardrops at Red Dwarf

Saturday 8-5-23 - The Psyatics with special guests TBA at the. Double Down

Wednesday 12-6-23 - Franks'n'Deans Weenie Roast at the Double Down with special guests The Devil's Duo