Ernest Tubb - Saturday Satan, Sunday Saint

 

My lovely wife found this one in great condition in our local thrift store and couldn't resist the combination of classic country with the fab title/cover!

This 1969 release opens with a fairly politically incorrect but still kinda funny take on beer goggles with "She's Looking Better by the Minute", which sounds like classic Tubb to me - I suppose that while kids like me were into wild rock'n'roll in '69, country music still retained much of its original flavor and hadn't succumb to pop drivel. "If I Ever Stop Hurtin'" is trad country, right down to the broken hearted story, which is followed by a slightly surprising take on Joe South's "Games People Play", but upon listening, Tubb's rendition does work, even if it's a bit poppy for him. "Making Believe" is more fitting as an old-style tear-jerker, as is "The Carol County Accident", a story-telling song that requires you to really listen to all of the lyrics to get the whole tale. Another sad-sack tune is the pedal-steel flavored "Just a Drink Away", where the narrator is divorced and bitter and can't afford to leave town so he watches as his ex is "just a drink away from anyone but me". 

The title track is, naturally, a tale of religious hypocrites sung to the tune of Ernest's old song "Thanks a Lot" (for the most part), and is a fine performance all around. Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again" is another country classic, and Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues' is given a bit of a kick with the pedal steel jump-starting Luther's quintessential guitar lines. "Tommy's Doll" is a macabre tale of a young boy who was enamored with a doll instead of "boy's toys" and when his father threw the doll away he went into his shell until he saw (hallucinated?) his doll in a trash can and ran into the street, with predictable results. After that, we get the more upbeat finale, the bouncy "One More Memory" which, nonetheless, is still a broken-hearted tale that you can easily dance to!

It took me a long time to appreciate old school country music, and Tubb's voice may not be appreciated by all (in the vein of singers like Johnny Cash), but this record is a fab example of true country, with great songs and playin'. 

Katabasis - RF Kuang

 

Named for the Greek term for a descent into the Underworld, Kuang creates a world in which magic not only works, but is an academic study. Alice, a student about to graduate, loses her thesis director via a spell gone wrong (possibly her fault due to the impossible expectations fostered upon the students) and follows him into Hell in order to try to bring him back. Just as she's about to leave, she is joined by a fellow student, who has also been researching the descent for reasons of his own. They use writings such as Dante's Inferno as a guide and each has their own set of specialties that they bring with them.

I found this book by searching for intelligent, realistic fiction, but I suppose that "realistic" is a subjective term, as this tale is anything but. I do need to suspend my personal beliefs, not only in the afterlife, but in the theories of time, space, reincarnation, the transmutation of energy and more. Of course, "magick" itself is described as possible only by (essentially) believing in the unbelievable. But, the writing is good and the story moves along.

Here, Hell is familiar but with obstacles preventing the "shades" (newly dead) from moving on - for instance, the first circle is a seemingly infinite library, which is initially comforting, until our characters realize that there is a test that must be studied for in order to pass through and no one knows the rules or the expectations. Of course, the shades have literally all the time in the world, but our characters need to move fast in order to catch up with the professor.

As with other visits to Hades, this includes numerous commentary on various groups, from writers to philosophers to political activists to professors and many more - some hilarious, some petty. There is some pseudo-science, some real higher mathematics, and other logic mixed with magical theologies either to make things sound somewhat plausible or just for Kuang to show off! 

Our earthly characters encounter various friends, enemies, and nebulous shades, as well as the obstacles of Hell in their quest and sometimes win and sometimes lose but eventually, meet with Lord Yama to decide their fate and the fate of their quest.

I don't know if I am just being extraordinarily picky these days, but, once again, I found this good but not great. As I said, the story moves along and I'm not even sure what I didn't care for, but I'd say it was alright...

recommended gigs

             

Friday 7-17-26 - the Soap Girls at Grey Witch

Friday 7-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Friday 7-17-26 - Damned by the Night, Guilty by Association, Dirty Sanchez, Bad Days Only at the Double Down

Saturday 7-18-26 - Glen Meadmore and more at the Double Down

Saturday 7-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-18-26 - Bear Supply at Double Down's Matinee Show

Saturday 7-18-26 - Sparkle Plenty, Punk'n'Country, Wyatt and the Ashes at Red Dwarf

Sunday 7-19-26 - The Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-24-26 - Shanda and the Howlers, Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys, Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Friday 7-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-25-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-25-26 - the New Waves, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones and the Viva Las Vegas Go-Go showcase at Grey Witch

Sunday 7-26-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Tiki

Wednesday 7-29-26 - Authority Zero, Suburban Resistance, Venomous Pinks, Jr Ska Boss at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Friday 7-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Friday 7-31-26 - Ike Fonseca and the Triple Splits at the Double Down

Friday 7-31-26 - Thee Hypnotiques at the Las Vegas Distillery

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 8-1-26 - John Armstrong's Birthday at the Double Down with the Minges, the Way Outs and Va Voom

Wednesday 8-5-26 - the Woggles, the Crotches, the Implosions, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Usual Place

Sunday 8-9-26 - Hedwig at the House of Blues

Sunday 8-16-26 - Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf’s Sunday Brunch 

Wednesday 8-26-26 - IV and the Strange Band at the Bizarre Bar

Sunday 8-30-26 - Fea at the Griffin

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

Saturday 10-10-26 - the Streetwalkin' Cheetahs with the Strains at Red Dwarf

Friday 11-13-26 - Plague Vendor at the Usual Place 

Sunday 11-15-26 - the Buzzcocks and Modern English at Brooklyn Bowl

Starcrawler at the Sand Dollar Spring Mountain, Wednesday July 15, 2026

Although Melanie had seen Starcrawler previously, all I knew about them was that the singer, Arrow, is the daughter (and spitting image, although even taller and thinner!) of the Miracle Workers' Aaron Sperske (who also sat in with the Tommyknockers a time or two, amongst other combos), so I had no idea what I was in for. 

I was very pleasantly surprised to hear their high energy version of 70's rock'n'roll, with influences from the likes of Led Zep through the Damned and more! 2 guitars (Henri - who also currently plays in Plague Vendor, per my wife - and Bill), a rock solid drummer (Wiki says his name is Seth) and fluid bassist (Tim) give a hard rockin' backin' to Arrow's wild frontperson antics. She really knows how to make use of her rather gangly body to give a fine performance, and while the vocals were not overly pronounced this eve, she seems to have a fine voice, as well.

Although the Sand Dollar's stage is relatively small and SC packed it with equipment, they still put on a visual show, interacting with each other, leaping about, bouncing around and genuinely seeming to have a good time. Both guitarists kept things interesting with their interweavings, dual leads, and even both playing Bill's guitar simultaneously at one point! 

Their cover of the Heartbreakers' "I Need to Know" seemed a bit out of place, although they did a fine job with it and said that they had performed it with Mike Campbell at some point, as did their take on "Pet Semetary" - again, not bad, but I felt it didn't really fit in with the rest of their set, but that was probably just me.

The evening started early (although confusingly, the flier and the club's website gave wildly different times) and the band was given an hour and a half or so for their set but we still got home at a very reasonable time for a Wednesday night. So, thank you and happy anniversary to the Sand Dollar!

 

recommended gigs

            

Friday 7-10-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-11-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-11-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 7-11-26 - Stagnetti's Cock, Goldie Vegas and the PLayboys, Scooter Hyland, Pretty Hell, Maiden Vegas at the Double Down

Sunday 7-12-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-13-26 - Fuzz Solow, Jeff Murphy, Cat Mountain at Red Dwarf

Monday 7-13-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 7-15-26 - Starcrawler, Heroine Honey, Drowning Spree at the Sand Dollar

Friday 7-17-26 - the Soap Girls at Grey Witch

Friday 7-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Friday 7-17-26 - Damned by the Night, Guilty by Association, Dirty Sanchez, Bad Days Only at the Double Down

Saturday 7-18-26 - Glen Meadmore at the Double Down

Saturday 7-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-18-26 - Bear Supply at Double Down's Matinee Show

Saturday 7-18-26 - Sparkle Plenty, Punk'n'Country, Wyatt and the Ashes at Red Dwarf

Sunday 7-19-26 - The Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-24-26 - Shanda and the Howlers, Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys, Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Friday 7-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-25-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-25-26 - the New Waves, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones and the Viva Las Vegas Go-Go showcase at Grey Witch

Sunday 7-26-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Tiki

Wednesday 7-29-26 - Authority Zero, Suburban Resistance, Venomous Pinks, Jr Ska Boss at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Friday 7-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Friday 7-31-26 - Ike Fonseca and the Triple Splits at the Double Down

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 8-1-26 - John Armstrong's Birthday at the Double Down with the Minges, the Way Outs and Va Voom

Wednesday 8-5-26 - the Woggles, the Crotches, the Implosions, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Usual Place

Sunday 8-9-26 - Hedwig at the House of Blues

Sunday 8-16-26 - Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf’s Sunday Brunch 

Wednesday 8-26-26 - IV and the Strange Band at the Bizarre Bar

Sunday 8-30-26 - Fea at the Griffin

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

Saturday 10-10-26 - the Streetwalkin' Cheetahs with the Strains at Red Dwarf

Friday 11-13-26 - Plague Vendor at the Usual Place 

Sunday 11-15-26 - the Buzzcocks and Modern English at Brooklyn Bowl

recommended gigs

           

Friday 7-3-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Punk'n'Country, Stagnetti's Cock, Sector 7G, Skatepark Anthem at the Double Down

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 7-6-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-10-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-11-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-11-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 7-12-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-13-26 - Fuzz Solow, Jeff Murphy, Cat Mountain at Red Dwarf

Monday 7-13-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 7-15-26 - Starcrawler, Heroine Honey, Drowning Spree at the Sand Dollar

Friday 7-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-18-26 - Bear Supply at Double Down's Matinee Show

Sunday 7-19-26 - The Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-24-26 - Shanda and the Howlers, Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys, Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Friday 7-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-25-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Sunday 7-26-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Tiki

Saturday 7-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Wednesday 7-29-26 - Authority Zero, Suburban Resistance, Venomous Pinks, Jr Ska Boss at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Friday 7-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 8-5-26 - the Woggles, the Crotches, the Implosions, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Usual Place

Sunday 8-9-26 - Hedwig at the House of Blues

Sunday 8-16-26 - Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf’s Sunday Brunch 

Wednesday 8-26-26 - IV and the Strange Band at the Bizarre Bar

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

Friday 11-13-26 - Plague Vendor at the Usual Place 

recommended gigs

          

Thursday 6-25-26 - Fuzz Solow, Matt Pless, the Rifleman String Band, Mr This and That at Red Dwarf

Friday 6-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Friday 6-26-26 - Le Jonen and Razor Sharp with Knife's Edge and the Minges at Red Dwarf

Friday 6-26-26 - Broke in Vegas, Femaliens, Bandits at the Double Down

Saturday 6-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 6-27-26 - Cherry and the Sours, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones, Top Cat Trio at Grey Witch

Sunday 6-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 6-29-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-3-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Punk'n'Country, Stagnetti's Cock, Sector 7G, Skatepark Anthem at the Double Down

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 7-6-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-10-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-11-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-11-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 7-12-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-13-26 - Fuzz Solow, Jeff Murphy, Cat Mountain at Red Dwarf

Monday 7-13-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-17-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-18-26 - Bear Supply at Double Down's Matinee Show

Sunday 7-19-26 - The Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-24-26 - Shanda and the Howlers, Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys, Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Friday 7-24-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-25-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Sunday 7-26-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 7-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Tiki

Saturday 7-18-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Wednesday 7-29-26 - Authority Zero, Suburban Resistance, Venomous Pinks, Jr Ska Boss at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Friday 7-31-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 8-1-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Wednesday 8-5-26 - the Woggles, the Crotches, the Implosions, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Usual Place

Sunday 8-9-26 - Hedwig at the House of Blues

Sunday 8-16-26 - Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf’s Sunday Brunch 

Wednesday 8-26-26 - IV and the Strange Band at the Bizarre Bar

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

Friday 11-13-26 - Plague Vendor at the Usual Place 

The Bone Garden - Tess Gerritsen

 

Another random pick, but this one at least starts out promisingly. A recently divorced woman buys a century-plus old house and while working on a garden she discovers an even older corpse of a woman. That and the fact that the previous owner died in the back yard (at 92 years old, so not too suspiciously) has her on edge - along with the fact that the house is a bit more than a fixer-upper.

The story goes back'n'forth in time, presumably to give us more information on the history of the corpse that was discovered. The olden days are not very romantic, with women dying in childbirth, medicine still in its early stages and filth and disease around pretty much every corner. And that is the start of the tale - a woman dying in childbirth who with her dying breath reveals a secret that begins a circle of murder and intrigue.

Most of the narrative takes place in the past, with the present day characters learning some of the story via letters that were kept by a hoarding relative. Of course, the letters don't reveal the entire tale, but seemingly enough for them to understand what happened and, eventually, to learn the identity of the skeleton found in the garden.

I liked this one - well-written with plenty of unexpected bits, although there were not many hints for the reader to learn the identities of the perpetrators in advance - at least I didn't catch them. But still, lots of intrigue, a bit of romance, a touch of medical history and a dash of old fashioned horror. 

recommended gigs

         

Friday 6-19-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 6-21-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 6-22-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Thursday 6-25-26 - Fuzz Solow, Matt Pless, the Rifleman String Band, Mr This and That at Red Dwarf

Friday 6-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Friday 6-26-26 - Le Jonen and Razor Sharp with Knife's Edge and the Minges at Red Dwarf

Friday 6-26-26 - Broke in Vegas, Femaliens, Bandits at the Double Down

Saturday 6-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 6-27-26 - Cherry and the Sours, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones, Top Cat Trio at Grey Witch

Sunday 6-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 6-29-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-3-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Punk'n'Country, Stagnetti's Cock, Sector 7G, Skatepark Anthem at the Double Down

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 7-6-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 7-12-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Saturday 7-18-26 - Bear Supply at Double Down's Matinee Show

Friday 7-24-26 - Shanda and the Howlers, Eddie Clendening and the Blue Ribbon Boys, Frankie Lee and the Infernos at the Sand Dollar

Sunday 7-26-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Wednesday 7-29-26 - Authority Zero, Suburban Resistance, Venomous Pinks, Jr Ska Boss at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Wednesday 8-5-26 - the Woggles, the Crotches, the Implosions, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Usual Place

Sunday 8-9-26 - Hedwig at the House of Blues

Sunday 8-16-26 - Surfers of Mercy at Red Dwarf’s Sunday Brunch 

Wednesday 8-26-26 - IV and the Strange Band at the Bizarre Bar

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

Friday 11-13-26 - Plague Vendor at the Usual Place 

Jesika Von Rabbit

 

If not for my old friend Lee being involved in this project, I probably would not have ever discovered JVR, but despite being a genre that I normally would not be interested in, this project does have its moments and would probably appeal to a wide variety of music freaks.

Jesika, formerly of Gram Rabbit, has a fine singing voice and has a talent for the keys as well as songwriting, with a healthy dose of psychedelia mixed in with her dance/trace influences. A bit of rock'n'roll, a dash of glam, and a dose of grunge noise, all adds up to a catchy, desert-themed gumbo of sounds.

There's enough dance/ EDC themes here to hypnotize the average whatever-generation-is-into-that-stuff, but there's also some real songwriting and fine musical performances to pull in other groups, as well. Although his contributions get mixed down a bit in the recordings, Lee adds enough grit'n'fuzz to keep the tunes from getting too safe. As with most groups, the live shows are definitely wilder than the record, with the addition of a live drummer and Lee's overdriven bass, along with the wacky visuals ("Wacko" in particular is pretty insane live), so see them if you can, but the album is a good memento and highlights the songs a bit more. 

Spider-Noir

 

While I have not been paying too much attention to Marvel's various spider-verses (the only competition Peter Parker had back when I was last consistently reading comics was Venom), Nicholas Cage starring in this other-universe version of Spider-Man piqued our interest and drew us in.

Nick Cage's Ben Reilly rescued a group of POW's from Nazi experimentation, but in doing so, he himself was infected and given some spider-like powers (I won't give the spoiler-details). After failing to save the love of his life, the Spider retires and Ben becomes a lowly, noir-themed private detective (what else?). The emergence of more super-powered beings brings him out of his retirement, although he has second-thoughts about this more than once.

In this universe he faces Silvermane - a variation on a crime lord from Spider-Man's past - along with alternative versions of Electro, Sandman, the Lizard and, I guess, sorta-kinda, the Human Torch, among others. Naturally, there is a femme fatale, as well, who plays a double agent while only really working for herself, while an unethical doctor unleashes other superhuman for personal reasons of her own.

There is plenty of intrigue, a healthy dose of noir-influenced PI/detective work, mucho double-and-triple crossing and tons of dukes-up brawling. 

While Nick Cage can kinda steal the thunder just by being Nick Cage, I dug this variation on the Spider-theme with its hints back to the original comics mixed with its noir-influenced cinematography and Chandler-esque writing. I actually think this worked better than some of the more "official" Spier-movies, where I nit-picked things apart if they weren't true to the comics. Open minded fans should definitely give it a chance, as long as they realize that this is a different universe, with just some nods to the comic-verse that we are used to.

recommended gigs

        

Thursday 6-11-26 -Punk’n’Country with Bear Supply and Unoriginal Unfits at Red Dwarf 

Friday 6-12-26 - Femaliens, Broke in Vegas, Skatepark Anthem at Red Dwarf

Monday 6-15-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 6-19-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-20-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Sunday 6-21-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 6-22-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Thursday 6-25-26 - Fuzz Solow, Matt Pless, the Rifleman String Band, Mr This and That at Red Dwarf

Friday 6-26-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 6-27-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 6-27-26 - Cherry and the Sours, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones, Top Cat Trio at Grey Witch

Sunday 6-28-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Monday 6-29-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Friday 7-3-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at The Golden Monkey at Resorts World

Saturday 7-4-26 - Punk'n'Country, Stagnetti's Cock, Sector 7G, Skatepark Anthem at the Double Down

Saturday 7-4-26 - Thee Swank Bastards late night at the Golden Tiki

Monday 7-6-26 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Golden Tiki

Saturday 7-18-26 - Bear Supply at Double Down's Matinee Show

Wednesday 7-29-26 - Authority Zero, Suburban Resistance, Venomous Pinks, Jr Ska Boss at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Wednesday 8-5-26 - the Woggles, the Crotches, the Implosions, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Usual Place

Sunday 8-9-26 - Hedwig at the House of Blues

Wednesday 8-26-26 - IV and the Strange Band at the Bizarre Bar

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

Friday 11-13-26 - Plague Vendor at the Usual Place 

This Can't Be Today - comp on Cherry Red

 

I never really warmed to Michael Quercio's scene description, "Paisley Underground", probably because I was already evolving a bit past the true retro-60's look'n'sound (although, of course, it was still a huge influence on me) by the time he started using that, and partly because it was used for a clique of friends that I wasn't really part of (although I liked and supported the bands). 

In any case, this comp encompasses the LA groups from that were associated with the PU label - Three O'Clock, the Bangs, Dream Syndicate, Green on Red, Long Ryders, Rain Parade, Wednesday Week, etc. - but also includes some of the earlier purveyors of 60's sounds - the Unclaimed, the Last, the Droogs, the Pandoras, the Tell Tale Hearts, Yard Trauma, Thee Fourgiven and more. Along with that, the "American Psychedelia" label is used quite loosely to include bands like REM, Meat Puppets, Husker Du, the Flaming Lips, Camper Van Beethoven and others that I suppose were described at the time as Psychedelic, but were hardly utilizing any 60's sounds.

Regardless, along with these combos, this 67 track, 3-CD set has tons more groups, some I am completely unfamiliar with, but other cool cats like the Cynics, the Steppes, Dead Moon, Mod Fun, Redd Kross and lots of other hipsters (before that term became an insult!). This is a super varied comp and so hopefully fans of some of the larger groups will get turned on to the fab, more underground bands (I would never have expected to be on a comp with Husker Du!). Thanks to Cherry Red for including us one this one!

The Midnight Shift - Cheon Seon-Ran

 

Another random find of mine, I didn't realize when I took it out from the library that it was a vampire book - I was looking for something more realistic, although I certainly have nothing against vampires. Translated from Korean, the tale takes place it that country (logically) with characters from various points of the globe. Chapters are based on a particular character and we shift back'n'forth in time as we learn more about the various people involved.

The police are a bit complacent about "suicides" at an old folks home, but one detective has someone that they love staying there so they cannot let it go. A vampire hunter inserts herself into the investigation and insists that these are the work of the undead, one of whom she has known intimately in the past. Slowly, she convinces the detective and we learn how the various lives are linked together and how some the vampires and humans sometimes create symbiotic bonds, although they never last too long.

I don't know if it's just me, but I have been quite critical of the books that I have been reading lately and not many have really resonated with me - including this one. Once again, not bad, but the story telling just didn't click with me.

Jesika Von Rabbit and Goldie Vegas and the Playboys at Dustland Friday 6-5-26

 

I always try to catch up with my old pal Lee whenever he hits town and since I missed JVR's set here at Dustland last time they were out (due to this being an outdoor venue and it was a freezing cold winter night), we made it a point to get out this time.

Opening the night was Goldie and the Playboys with guitarist Scott, who we met ages ago playing with the great garage combo, Thee Faded Pictures. For this set they concentrated on cover songs, from Joan Jett and the Runaways to Nirvana to Zeppelin and lots more. Hopefully, they will grow into more originals, but it was a good warm up for the night.

Jesika Von Rabbit (Jesika ex-of Joshua Tree's Gram Rabbit) has a pretty unique sound - a mix of dance, psychedelia, garage and rock'n'roll with a good amount of noise mixed in. This time out they had a live drummer - looking back, I see that this ever-evolving combo did have a live drummer one other time that they were out here - who triggered the backing tracks and did an excellent job of playing along with the tracks while adding terrific dynamics. Lee plays bass live (and adds guitar and whatever else is needed to the backing tracks) and had a super sound this evening, really driving the tunes with a variety of tones, from clean to super dirty'n'gritty, which complimented the songs and gave them some rockin' noise. Jesika herself has a fine voice and adds keyboards to the existing tracks when not dancing, jumpin', doing high kicks and lots more, while also interacting with their dancer/backing singer/costumed adventurer! 

We thought that this was the best set that we've seen, with great songs'n'performance - the band was tight and the action was always fun'n'entertaining. The First Friday crowd seemed to really dig them a lot as well! Fun times!

recommended gigs

       

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

Friday 6-5-26 - Jessika Von Rabbit at Dustland 

Sunday 6-7-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Thursday 6-11-26 -Punk’n’Country with Bear Supply and Unoriginal Unfits at Red Dwarf 

Friday 6-12-26 - Femaliens, Broke in Vegas, Skatepark Anthem at Red Dwarf

Sunday 6-21-26 - Generic Surf Band at Red Dwarf's Sunday Brunch

Saturday 6-27-26 - Cherry and the Sours, Rhythm Ace and the Nu-Tones, Top Cat Trio at Grey Witch

Saturday 7-18-26 - Bear Supply at Double Down's Matinee Show

Wednesday 7-29-26 - Authority Zero, Suburban Resistance, Venomous Pinks, Jr Ska Boss at Backstage Bar and Billiards

Wednesday 8-5-26 - the Woggles, the Crotches, the Implosions, Cromm Fallon and the P200 at the Usual Place

Sunday 8-9-26 - Hedwig at the House of Blues

Wednesday 8-26-26 - IV and the Strange Band at the Bizarre Bar

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

Friday 11-13-26 - Plague Vendor at the Usual Place 

Messer Chups, the Shakewells, the Violet Mindfield at the Swan Dive Sunday 5-31-26

 

Apparently, a number of bands have been taking advantage of the pleasant springtime weather and are making their appearances in the Vegas area. Nice to see the town happening again!

I've been looking forward to this one, as it certainly appealed to my 60's-inspired soul. Opening the evening was the Violet Mindfield, who I was not familiar with but Danny from the Shakewells was very complimentary of them and so we made sure to get in early to check them out!

These cats (and kitten) took me back to my 80's garage days with their excellent visual style along with their Remains-ish (or, for a more 80's reference, the Vipers) garage-pop. The guitarist/singer had great tone (with plenty of old-school effects), the keyboardist/harmonica player added fine embellishments and the rhythm section locked in and drove the tunes, despite the drum kit self-imploding after every couple of songs! Great set of originals and a finale of the old stand-by, "Gloria", although, despite it being ubiquitous back in the day, who has covered this recently? Truly one of the best new bands I've seen in a long time!

We've been fans of our friends the Shakewells since we first saw them blasting out their own brand of garage rock'n'roll and they never fail to please. We were sad to hear of the departure of keyboardist Kate, but the band is still powerful as ever - and actually, if anything, more punky now without the keys to smooth things out a bit. Great originals from their record along with rockin' new numbers and a wild cover of "Night of the Sadist". I understand that they are considering adding keys again, so if you're interested, let them know, but that's not going to stop them from plying their garage-rockin' trade in the meantime!

Everyone is a monster here - Turbo and Ruckus have been stalwarts of the scene for as long as anyone can remember and are an incredible rhythm section, while Danny sings'n'shouts with a fine voice and the guitar wails with various tones, from clean and spooky to nasty noize, as appropriate to the tunes. 

Definitely the best straight-ahead garage rock'n'roll band in town!

The Russian-born Messer Chups have been taking their own brand of instrumental (and sometimes vocal) surf-rock on the road for a number of years now and just seems to be getting more'n'more popular - they packed the house for this show with screamin' fans!

Of course, the lovely Zombierella is the stunning visual focus of the show, even though no one is particularly wild on stage, relying instead on showing off their instrumental prowess. The songs and performances are super strong, although a bit more action on stage wouldn't hurt - although they don't seem to need my advice! 

Absolutely worth seeing, just don't expect craziness, just talent on display!

Big thanks to Ralph and Beau Monde Productions, along with the new Swan Dive Bar for a fun, rockin' night!