Mr Dark's Pandemonium - Friday 2-20-26, Double Down Saloon

 

Mr. Dark's Pandemonium is the brainchild of Jack Bell (Psyatics/Unwieldies) who has gathered together a musical troupe from various Las Vegas bands and combined this with numerous burlesque/vaudeville acts for a night of entertainment unparalleled in this city!

Jack goes all out for the evening, bringing in his own stage, PA, lights and backdrops to create a unique environment in the Double Down Saloon. I am now a member of the musical portion of the project so I won't say much about that, other than the selection of Tom Waits, 60's songs, weird 80's numbers and more were well received by the packed crowd this evening, and the band - guitars, keys, bass, drums, tuba, trombone, vocals - was wild throughout.

The other acts including DD employee David Thompson crooning a couple numbers impressively (who knew?!), a super talented and personable tap dancer, a lovely young woman who drove nails (and other devices) into her head and elsewhere, dancers who combined burlesque with hula-hoops, knives, a bed of nails and more as well as reappearances of previous Las Vegans Svandora and Kalani showing off their skills'n'skin.

The Pandemonium only happens every couple of months or so, so be sure to look out for it and do not miss it! While the band is reasonably stable, the other acts revolve for each show, so don't skip a single one!

Tura (documentary)

 

We stumbled upon this documentary simply by browsing, although I think that we both had heard about it at some point or another and, of course, we are fans of Tura's from way back when we first discovered her, via Russ Meyers' amazing Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill! Of course, Tura has also starred in numerous other fun, wild, and wacky films, but FPKK seems to be the one that everyone knows and references.

This doc gives a bit of her background, from horrific abuse as a 10 year old child (at least partially due to the anti-Asian sentiment at the time, and the film alludes to her later getting revenge, but it's hard to know how truthful that is, as much as we would like to believe it), to her running away as a teenager to become a burlesque dancer, to being discovered and starring in low budget films to her re-emergence in the 80's and 90's as a cult icon. 

Amazingly, she doesn't let the early assault define her or control her life and she learns to love sex and has many famous suitors, including Elvis Presley! She has other well-known lovers as well although she ends up in relationships with jealous, controlling men. She eventually comes into her own and relishes her return to the spotlight.

There are some interviews and footage with Tura herself along with her two daughters, many friends and co-workers (Ted Mikel, Kitten Natividad, etc.) as well as more current fans and followers like Dita Von Teese, Pamela Des Barres, and John Waters.

This is well done and balances the horrible with the fun - Tura led quite a life and is now rightfully thought of as an icon!

The Bobby Lees - Skin Suit

 

My lovely other half discovered this combo and after seeing some raucous, anarchic live footage and decided to pick up this 2023 Jon Spencer-produced release. 

Angular, no-wave-influenced punk rock'n'roll with plenty of wacky time signatures, starts'n'stops, shrieks'n'shouts, power chords, spikey guitar riffs and more - and, of course, a ridiculous amounts of raw energy. The songs sound like they should be an utter chaotic mess, but the band manages to hold everything together tighter than most more "normal" groups. Kinda reminds me of a more musical Germs, or maybe Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, while maintaining an amazing amount of originality. 

There's an odd spoken piece (not by the singer) in the middle of the record, but the rest is pretty damn frantic, punk-paced No-Wave wildness until we get to "Last Song", which is basically an early-60's, tremelo'd ballad, other than the impassioned vocals, although it does build in intensity'n'noize as it progresses. For the last couple of numbers on the CD, there is a deconstructed take on Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man" that has nothing musically to do with the original - if you did not hear the vocals, there is no way whatsoever that you would know what the song was, which is a cool way to cover something, actually. While they take some liberties on "Blank Generation", you can tell what the song is, even with their strange changes, as the arrangement isn't all that different - still more original than most of the other takes on this classic.

Fans of Jon Spencer will probably dig these cats'n'kittens, even if they don't have the more obvious blues influences of the Blues Explosion, as they do have the noisey extremes of his project. Totally makes sense that he produced the record and even "stole" the rhythm section for a tour!

recommended gigs

     

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-25 - Thee Swank Bastards (with Szandora) and the Way Outs at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-22-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-27-26 - the New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - High Rollers Weekend with the A-100’s and Cromm Fallon NV at the P-200 at Bsckstage Bar and Billiards 

Saturday 2-28-26 - Broke in Vegas, Punk’n’Country, Santa Muerte and Stagnettis Cock at the Double Down 

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 3-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 3-2-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 3-7-26 - Matinee show at the Double Down with the Minges and VaVoom

Saturday 3-7-26 - Suburban Resistance at Beer Zombies Rot and Roll fest

Saturday 3-7-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 3-9-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 3-13-26 - The Implosions, Thee Swank Bastards at the Double Down

Saturday 3-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 3-15-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 3-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 3-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 3-22-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 3-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Monday 3-23-26 - Femaliens, Motion Detected, Linnea's Garden at Red Dwarf

Saturday 3-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Boulder City Beer Fest

Saturday 3-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 3-30-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 4-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 4-6-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 4-8-26 - the Holy Smokes, Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys and Paige Overton at the Sand Dollar Lounge

Saturday 4-11-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 4-13-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 4-17-26 - Tom Fest at the Double Down featuring Suburban Resistance and many more!

Saturday 4-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 4-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Monday 4-20-26 - Suburban Resistance and Kepi Ghoulie at Red Dwarf

Saturday 4-25-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 4-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 5-24-26 - the Circle Jerks, Gorilla Biscuits and 7 Seconds at Brooklyn Bowl

Wednesday 5-27-26 - The Darts, the Implosions, Service at the Usual Place

Friday 5-29-26 - Suburban Resistance with Sloppy Seconds and Channel 3 at the Dive Bar

Friday 6-5-26 - Suburban Resistance with Celebrity Stalker at Red Dwarf

Sunday 9-6-26 - Screeching Weasel, Dickies, Queers, Jack Trippers at House of Blues LV

Sunday 9-13-26 - Exploited, Soldiers of Destruction, Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

The Vooduo - Have Voodoo Will Travel, Rock and Roll Creatures, Voodoo U Luv

 

We picked up these three CD's from the Vooduo when we saw them a few days back in Tucson and they are mighty fine finds!

It appears that Have Voodoo Will Travel! is the oldest of these three, recorded in 1998 (although with two more later copyright dates) and it highlights their stripped down sound of guitar'n'drums, although there is a "special guest appearance by Kim Thing on bass", and there is an occasional guitar overdub. But their own take on Cramps-ian garage/trash with plenty of spooky'n'B-movie themes are abundantly clear right from the start. With titles like "World's Greatest Sinner", "Maddest Story Ever Told", "Her Flesh Was Cold", "Burn Witch Burn", etc., and covers like the Sonics' "The Witch", they certainly wear their influences on their sleeves! While fairly trashy in nature, the sound is actually pretty darn good, with strong drum tones and simple, hip, reverbed guitar. Kinda reminds me a little of the Beguiled (who I loved, of course) at times, along with their other, more obvious influences.

They got away with ripping off Ray Dennis Steckler's Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed Up Zombies in both title and graphics for their 2011 release (in Zombi-Phonic Sound!) but by this time their sound has improved and for a good portion of the CD they have extra added keyboards/theremin, courtesy of Dave Klein, who is also responsible for the sound - great job! Max's vocals are better than ever, as well, as they steal from the likes of the Sonics, the Cramps and more - no outright covers here, but you will be reminded of a few other bands now'n'again, but with clever arrangements and their own twists'n'turns!

They moved quickly from there and Voodoo U Luv (dig the title) came out the following year - 2012. Again, Dave Klein adds some spooky sounds while Rad Ryan Fitzgerald contributes some extra vocals. The Vooduo continues with their B-Movie-themed lyrics with titles like "Zombie Love" ("I eat your skin, I drink your blood"), "Evil Eye", "The House on Haunted Hill", "Screaming Skull" and more. Their varied influences are apparent with their cover of rockabilly/trash/garage Ron Haydock's "You Is a Ray Pfink" and a barren take on the Hoodoo Gurus' "Dig It Up" (that Vegas' the Psyatics also tore up). Once again, great sound, cool performances all around and the musical/vocals additions all contribute without overwhelming. Another great job! (Hah - they have a secret bonus track that is a version of Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive"! Coolness!)

Definitely check 'em out live if you ever get the chance, but these are all fine releases for lovers of trashy/garage/whathaveyou culture!

The Voodoo at the Mini Time Machine Museum of Minatures, Tucson, AZ, Friday the 13th, 2026

 

We’ve known Max and Heidi from the Vooduo since our LA daze but we haven’t seen them in years after they moved to Arizona and we ended up in Vegas so it was a fun surprise when we found out that they would be playing in Tucson at a museum that we wanted to get to anyway for a special event!

Ray HarryHausen has, of course, been a part of our lives since our childhood due to his amazing stop-motion work in 60’s movies. When we found out that there was an exhibit honoring him we definitely wanted to see it and incredibly enough, the Vooduo had been asked to provide music for the event.

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures turned out to be quite the place - a high quality building dedicated to miniature artwork, mostly dollhouse-types, but presented quite elaboratively and in all manner of subjects, from cute to ghastly. The displays are incredibly well-done and imaginative including set into the floor, into "trees", "caves" and much more and for this evening's event, they had the lights off (for the most part) and gave everyone flashlights to explore on your own. Food and drinks were also provided, along with the music, so it was quite the event. We were very impressed with Tucson's museums in general and this one exceeded all of our expectations.

We haven't seen the Vooduo in years, but they are always a good time and this was a fun setting for them. As the name implies, they are a duo with Heidi (Neidi Nite) on drums (literally 2 drums and nothing more) and Max (Eerie Powers) on guitar and vocals, instead of his usual drums that he has played in countless bands over the years. We met back in our 80's garage days and the Vooduo continues in this vein, although with plenty of Cramps-ian overtones and spooky subject matter. While their two sets consisted mostly of originals, I did catch a Cramps tune ("Aloha From Hell") as well as the Nomads' "Where the Wolf Bane Blooms" mixed in with their own brand of stripped-down, trashy garage/surf/rockabilly/Link Wray-ish numbers. 

Since they literally played in the dark, my phone photos leave something to be desired, but they were super fun and a great surprise to see them again after living in different cities for years. They are planning on moving so see them in Arizona if you can or keep an eye out for their further adventures!

A super event from the MTMMOM! Go check it out even if you can't see the Vooduo, too! 

recommended gigs

    

Friday 2-13-26 - Bear Supply at the Double Down

Friday 2-13-26 - the Crotches with Hellvis and Gabi Halstead at Dustland

Friday 2-13-26 - the New Waves at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Queers and Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Minges, VaVoom, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-25 - Thee Swank Bastards (with Szandora) and the Way Outs at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-22-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-27-26 - the New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - High Rollers Weekend with the A-100’s and Cromm Fallon NV at the P-200 at Bsckstage Bar and Billiards 

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 3-7-26 - Matinee show at the Double Down with the Minges and VaVoom

Friday 3-13-26 - The Implosions, Thee Swank Bastards at the Double Down

Wednesday 4-8-26 - the Holy Smokes, Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys and Paige Overton at the Sand Dollar Lounge

Friday 4-10-26 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Friday 4-17-26 - Tom Fest at the Double Down with Suburban Resistance, the Minges, Punk'n'Country and more

Sunday 5-24-26 - the Circle Jerks, Gorilla Biscuits and 7 Seconds at Brooklyn Bowl

Wednesday 5-27-26 - The Darts, the Implosions, Service at the Usual Place

Sunday 9-6-26 - Screeching Weasel, Dickies, Queers, Jack Trippers at House of Blues LV

Sunday 9-13-26 - Exploited, Soldiers of Destruction, Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Percival Everett

 I read a few books back-to-back so here's quick reviews:

Trees - Seeing as Percival is African-American, he naturally has as his main protagonist/narrator a well spoken young Black man, usually with fishing and woodcutting hobbies, which I can only assume that Percival shares. In this novel a couple of MBI (Mississippi Bureau of Investigation) agents investigate unusual murders involving white men gruesomely slaughtered with their testicles removed and placed in the hands of a long dead, mutilated Black man on the scene who disappears several times after each murder. There are many twists'n'turns as they discover that the murdered folks are relatives of those who brutally tortured and killed Emmett Till years before, as well as the woman who accused Emmett initially. The southern white folks are incredible caricatures in the extreme, which seems to be a stylistic method that Everett uses for most groups at different times for different reasons. Things get even more surreal as similar events happen in other cities and we discover underground groups of avengers moving above ground. 

Erasure - This one revolves around a esoteric Black author who has written unusual, intellectual novels with minimal success (his agent says he is not "Black enough") and becomes enraged and fairly obsessed as another Black author writes a best selling novel about living in the ghetto, although she never did, using incredible stereotypes. He decides on an angry whim to do the same (using the hilarious pseudonym Stagg R Leigh) and it becomes a runaway success, despite being a wildly over-the-top parody, giving him more money than he ever dreamed of. It also causes him to rethink pretty much everything as he deals with familial tragedies and other relationship issues. Obviously, the book challenges the media's reliance and acceptance of stereotypes and the expectations put on people of color, in particular.

Assumption - In this novel a small town New Mexico deputy investigates various crimes including missing persons, murders, a mysterious plot of land, a man with one hand, stolen vehicles and more that apparently are somehow linked together. The eventual link is a somewhat unexpected one although you're never quite sure until the sudden finale.

Everett is a fine writer who really draws you in and keeps you entertained the entire time. Unlike the author in Erasure, Everett's books are easy reading and interesting and fun - not necessarily light reading but certainly not esoteric! He is also quite prolific so I will look out for more of his work.

Ross the Boss update

"It crushes me not to be able to play guitar": Manowar founder Ross 'The Boss' Friedman diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease 

---

This is incredibly sad. What a talent. I can't even imagine his frustration.

And, of course, the Dictators was his main band despite the headline mentioned the goofy Manowar.

RIP Fred Smith

Fred Smith, Bassist for Television, Dies at 77 

---

Sorry to hear this - he was an important part of the NYC scene from the Stilettos to Blondie to Television and more. 

recommended gigs

   

Friday 2-6-26 - Iron Vermin at the Double Down 

Saturday 2-7-26 - Jesse and the Hogg Brothers, Devil’s Rodeo and Stagnettis Cock at the Double Down 

Saturday 2-7-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-8-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dearf’s Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-9-26 - Thee Swank Bastard at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-13-26 - Bear Supply at the Double Down

Friday 2-13-26 - the Crotches with Hellvis and Gabi Halstead at Dustland

Friday 2-13-26 - the New Waves at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Queers and Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Minges, VaVoom, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-27-26 - the New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - High Rollers Weekend with the A-100’s and Cromm Fallon NV at the P-200 at Bsckstage Bar and Billiards 

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 5-27-26 - The Darts, the Implosions, Service at the Usual Place

recommended gigs

  

Saturday 1-24-26 Jessika Von Rabbit with the Blank Tapes at Dustland

Saturday 1-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-25-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf

Sunday 1-25-26 - Whiskey Angels at McMullens

Monday 1-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 1-30-26 - Thee Swank Bastards, the Dirty Licks, the Hideaway at Red Dwarf

Saturday 1-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-2-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-6-26 - Iron Vermin at the Double Down 

Saturday 2-7-26 - Jesse and the Hogg Brothers, Devil’s Rodeo and Stagnettis Cock at the Double Down 

Saturday 2-7-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-8-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dearf’s Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-9-26 - Thee Swank Bastard at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-13-26 - Bear Supply at the Double Down

Friday 2-13-26 - the Crotches with Hellvis and Gabi Halstead at Dustland

Friday 2-13-26 - the New Waves at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Queers and Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Minges, VaVoom, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-27-26 - the New Waves at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

James - Percival Everett

 

A couple people I know had read and recommended this one, so I checked it out from the library and gave it a go.

This is the story of the slave, Jim, from Huckleberry Finn, but told from Jim's point of view. Obviously, this is a bit of a different tale than the original, starting with Jim running off because his owner wanted to sell him and split up his family (apparently, he didn't have family in the original - not true, they just aren't mentioned until mid-book or so). Also, Jim is quite intelligent and can read'n'write and is highly philosophical. He and Finn stumble upon each other and Jim takes Huck under his wing and they go through numerous adventures and travels before they get word that Jim's wife and child were sold and so they go after them. Plenty of trials'n'tribulations occur and there's plenty of twists'n'turns and lots of variations from the original - some of which can be explained because it is Jim's viewpoint and some are just extra exploits.

At the end, the family if reunited and there is a bit of a surprise reveal and while there's a few loose ends that aren't spelt out, that's the way life is sometimes.

Everett is an excellent writer - one of the better storytellers I have come across in recent times, which makes me want to search out more of his works. Highly recommended.

recommended gigs

 

Friday 1-16-26 - Halibut head, Nothing Special, Skatepark Anthem and Triple Splits at the Double Down

Saturday 1-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 1-19-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-24-26 Jessika Von Rabbit with the Blank Tapes at Dustland

Saturday 1-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 1-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 1-30-26 - Thee Swank Bastards, the Dirty Licks, the Hideaway at Red Dwarf

Saturday 1-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-2-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-7-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-9-26 - Thee Swank Bastard at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-13-26 - Bear Supply at the Double Down

Friday 2-13-26 - the Crotches at Dustland

Friday 2-13-26 - the New Waves at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Queers and Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Minges, VaVoom, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Two-Headed Doctor - Listening For Ghosts in Dr. John's Gris-Gris - David Toop

 

Since we were taking a trip to New Orleans, I picked up this book to take with me, although I didn't have much chance to read it while I was there. Regardless, I have been a fan of Dr. John ever since his hit "Right Place, Wrong Time" and I thoroughly enjoyed his autobiography so I took a chance to see what this tome was about.

Turns out that Toop is a British writer who became enthralled by the good doctor's debut album when it first came out (bought as an expensive import) and it never left him so he finally decided to write about it, its origins and its mythos. So while he does give some history of Mac Rebennack, he also delves into the history of music'n'culture in New Orleans, along with the hoodoo/voodoo influences of the album's lyrics and even a bit on the original - possibly mythological but most likely based on a real person - Dr. John from the 1800's, who Mac claimed to have some ancestral relationship to.

At times, Toop goes a little too far down a certain rabbit hole, as in a lengthy dissertation on the Tamborine, but most of the time he keeps it interesting and ties everything into the record. Some bits get a little dry, and, as I said, he gets a bit off-subject by detailing a bit more than needed on particular subjects, but there's a lot of cool information, as well.

More analytical than rock'n'roll, but interesting, nonetheless. Not for the casual fan, though!

recommended gigs

                             

Saturday 1-10-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-11-25 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 1-12-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 1-16-26 - Halibut head, Nothing Special, Skatepark Anthem and Triple Splits at the Double Down

Saturday 1-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 1-19-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 1-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 1-30-26 - Thee Swank Bastards, the Dirty Licks, the Hideaway at Red Dwarf

Saturday 1-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-2-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-7-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-9-26 - Thee Swank Bastard at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-13-26 - Bear Supply at the Double Down

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Queers and Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Minges, VaVoom, Crimson Riot at Red Dwarf

Saturday 2-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

recommended gigs

                            

Wednesday 12-31-25 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-3-26 - Desert Island Boys, No Que No, the Hideaway, the Sands at Red Dwarf

Saturday 1-3-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 1-5-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-10-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-11-25 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 1-12-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 1-19-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-25-26 - Generic Surf Band at Reed Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 1-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 1-30-26 - The Implosions, the Dirty Licks, the Hideaway at Red Dwarf

Saturday 1-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-2-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-7-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-9-26 - Thee Swank Bastard at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-13-26 - Bear Supply at the Double Down

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Queers and Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 2-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Patti Smith - Horses - 50th Anniversary Edition

 

Of course, I've owned the original album since it came out and always dug the band's mix of 60's rock'n'roll and poetic wildness. I also bought the CD edition since it had a couple bonus tracks but this 50th anniversary edition actually has a full CD of previously unreleased alternative versions of the album tracks along with a few songs that I had never heard from the band at all.

Of course, the first CD is the original album - almost an unnecessary addition at this point - I mean, who doesn't have that? - but the bonus CD starts with a take on what is practically her theme song, her version of "Gloria". The backing track is only slightly different - basically not as worked out as the album take, particularly the ending - but Patti goes off on various lyrical'n'phrasing tangents, which are intriguing'n'entertaining. Oddly, though it is a alternative take, "Redondo Beach" was apparently released somewhere, somehow (it doesn't say where), but it is pretty similar to the album version. But since "birdland" is very much a improvised piece (with some basic touchstones, of course), there are plenty of variations every time they play it so this really stands out in its individuality.

But as far as divergences go, "Snowball" is one of the most unique songs I've ever heard the Patti Smith Group do, as it is practically a new wave number in feel with a clean, pop sound. I mean, you can tell it's still them, but kinda just barely - not like anything I've ever heard them do before. "Kimberly" is almost the same as the album - sorta sounds like just the mix is a little dissimilar - until she gets to her monologue in the middle and she goes off on another tangent there for a bit. This goes for "Break It Up" and "Distant Fingers", as well - essentially the same arrangement, but with the kind of variations you would expect from a live version, for instance. "The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game" is a bluesy tune that I've heard of the band doing, but I don't know that I've heard it before now. Really nicely done here - groovy piano, Patti's singing is particularly good and it's a hip tune, overall. "We Three" continues in this vein - pretty piano work and great vocals - for a fine, distinctive finale.

Of course fans will want this release and the price is quite reasonable, so no excuses!

recommended gigs

                           

Saturday 12-27-25 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 12-28-25 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 12-29-25 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 12-31-25 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-3-26 - Desert Island Boys, No Que No, the Hideaway, the Sands at Red Dwarf

Saturday 1-3-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 1-5-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-10-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 1-12-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 1-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 1-19-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 1-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 1-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 1-30-26 - The Implosions, the Dirty Licks, the Hideaway at Red Dwarf

Saturday 1-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-2-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-7-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-9-26 - Thee Swank Bastard at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-14-25 - The Queers and Suburban Resistance at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Saturday 2-14-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 2-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 2-16-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 2-20-25 - Mr Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down

Saturday 2-21-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 2-23-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 2-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Mr. Dark's Pandemonium at the Double Down - Friday December 19, 2025

 

After medical issues sidelined the previously scheduled Mr. Dark's debut, tonight's show was highly anticipated and it did not fail to impress the packed Double Down on a Friday before Xmas - traditionally a slow time for the club.

Part vaudeville, part circus side show, part travelin' snake-oil tent revival, Mr. Dark's Pandemonium is a combination of music (natch), burlesque, DJ's and various other (revolvin', I assume) acts to ensure a full night of entertainment.

A devilish MC opens the eve, but the MC chores are then given over to a lovely young lady who introduces the band, consisting of member of the Psyatics, Water Landing, the Mapes and more, as they provide a Tom Waits-ian (for lack of a better adjective) backing for the night. Band leader/conceptualist Jack (Psyatics/Unwieldies) plays guitar and violin (sometimes in the same song), with Water Landing's Eric on guitar, Ron on drums and Jules on vocals, along with the Mapes Joe on bass/tuba/trombone, Scott on keys and guitar and Allie on vocals. Everyone looked stylish - from suits to marching band outfits to mad scientists to gypsies to 19th century laborers (not sure how else to describe it) - to ensure that the show was visual as well as musical. Speaking of visual, there were also backdrops, a custom built stage, special lighting and more! They really went all out for the show.

Throughout the night the band would play short-ish sets featuring numbers like "House of the Rising Sun", "Bang Bang" , "Down in the Hole", "Teenage Werewolf", "Never Gonna Die", Water Landing's popular (and fitting) "Devils" (with violin and trombone giving it extra texture) and plenty more. Eric took most of the lead vocals but Jules and Allie got their time in the spotlight, as well, and both have lovely voices that totally fit the style. The keys would at times provide appropriate accordion sounds and the addition of tuba and trombone highlighted several songs. 

The band intermissions included DJ sets, a number of burlesque dancers with their own unique acts (the final femme fatale dancing on bottles was particularly impressive), a mime with a piercing demonstration and even a duo who created music and sand art simultaneously!

Everything came to a conclusion with the band returning to the stage for an extended take on Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is?" with none other than Jack vocalizing through a megaphone. 

This event is scheduled to take place every couple of months (next one on Friday February 20th!) so it will be interesting to see how it evolves as time goes on. A devilishly delightful debut, though!