The Barman's Rant

Straight James on The Chosen Few

2011-02-15T22:43:00.000+11:00

So it's been a while between drinks. Let's resume with this post on Retro Kimmer's blog, in which james Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges talks about his brief membership as a membe rof The Chosen Few, the early band for Ron Asheton.

Retro: Kimmer: GUITARIST JAMES WILLIAMSON ON "THE CHOSEN FEW"

Clapton is Imperialist Dog

2010-12-14T13:03:00.002+11:00

It's true I tells ya. There had to be a reason the onetime Bluesbreakers and Yardbirds guitarist crossed over to the side of mainstream, middle-of-the-road boredom and became a snore. It couldn't just be the paychecks from tripe like "Tears In Heaven".

Slowhand is a shrill for Team America and the CIA. WikiLeaks has the lowdown here.

New Two York Dolls album

2010-12-14T06:30:00.000+11:00

Are you excited about the prospect of a fifth album by the band going by the name of the New York Dolls? Lot's of people aren't after the underwhelming "Cause I Sez So". It had its moments but they were buried under dross.

Live, the Two York Dolls are a formidable unit - due in no small part to the magnetic presence of David Johansen - so let's hope "Dancing Backward In High Heels" isn't another letdown. It must be said that the cliched title isn't doing it any pre-release favours.

No hairy Bundy moment for Harry

2010-12-13T14:57:00.000+11:00

So current Australian tourist Debbie Harry of Blondie was nearly abducted by serial killer Ted Bundy back in '70s - or so the current round of social media chatter would have it. The story has been around a while. By the looks of this we can safely say that ol' Ted wasn't there - "In The Flesh". Debbie wasn't in the best of health back then so maybe she mixed him up with Son of Sam.

You too (U2) can be an annoying bunch of vacuous stadium twats

2010-12-02T09:03:00.000+11:00

Down the years, my indifference to U2 has steadily grown into contempt. Once upon a time I didn't care. Now I loathe.

It’s not that they’re musically regressive (lots of great music is), boring or safe (although they’re both usually hanging crimes). It’s the pomposity and dour self-importance that grates the most.

You can always accuse stadium bands of duplicity on sustainability issues - this blow from Australian online news and opinion blog The Punch lands a right-cross square on the jaw – but in the end the biggest crime U2 commits can be expressed best in colourful vernacular: They’re up themselves. So far up themselves that a nurse adminstering a suppority might struggle to work out into which end to insert it.

So Bono's fought for social justice. So did Mahatma Gandhi but I bet he didn't spend most of his time telling people about it. And I agree that Bono wrote two shitty fund-raising songs, one of which will be dredged up ad infinitum this festive season. He shouldn't keep reminding us in every interview by claiming to hate them.

What sort of a misnomer is The Edge for a guitarist who doesn't have one? The Blunt is more like it.

Vale Australian veteran of the road Pat Pickett

2010-11-30T17:00:00.000+11:00

A message from audio engineer Greg Clarke. Feel free to pass on:

Our beloved mate Pat Pickett has passed on after a brief illness than none of us, including Pat expected.
Pat is an icon of the Australian music industry, and had history with ACDC, Midnight Oil, The Models, Spy vs Spy, and The Screaming Jets, among many many other bands, and in many roles such as FOH and monitor sound engineer, system engineer, production manager, stage manager, truck driver. Originally Pat was from Melbourne, and in more recent years he was based in Sydney. You name it Pat did it, and in inimitable style. He took young bands and crew under his wing, and he showed them the ropes so they would never forget him.
Let’s remember Pat at his memorial service, which will be held at the South Chapel Rookwood on Tuesday the 7^th of December at 10:30 am
Rookwood Memorial Gardens and Crematorium
Memorial Avenue
Rookwood Necropolis
Phone 02 9746 8945
Despite the fact that Pat had a terminal illness, he was completely independent and working right up to the week before he died. His rent was paid up in advance, but unfortunatley Support Act have been unable to help out as they don’t cover funerals.

A bank account has been set up for those able to contribute to the funeral expenses. We are aiming to raise at least ten thousand dollars. Any amount remaining after all the expenses are met will be given to Pat’s family.

The banking details are as follows:
Pat Funeral Fund
Commonwealth Bank
BSB 064121
Account 10245472
Any queries regarding this can be directed to myself at admin@audioboffin.com or Geoff McGowan at geoffmcg@optusnet.com.au

Now He Wants To Save Your Dog

2010-11-26T07:41:00.000+11:00

Iggy Pop is involved in a campaign to limit human medical experimentation on animals. Who would have pegged the Pop to be an animal activist? More here.

The night NY punks got a New Rose

2010-11-09T06:42:00.003+11:00

Can't say I've ever been a glued-on Damned fan but this piece about their American debut at CBGB's in the Huffington Post is pretty good reading. Author Binky Phillips nailed the excitement of that night alright, and wrote another piece about coming face to face with Johnny Rotten here that you need to check out.

Fleshtones roll out another one

2010-11-08T06:41:00.000+11:00

The Fleshtones are alive and well and about to unleash another album, this time produced by Lenny Kaye. There's also a compilation and a double-album re-issue ("Hexbreaker" and "Speed Connection") out on Aussie label Raven. Read all about it in this Keith Streng interview.

Ramones hit new heights

2010-10-21T14:44:00.001+11:00

New York authorities are considering putting the Joey Ramone Place street sign out of harm's reach. It seems the signage has been popular with thieves. Speculation in this coverage is that tall basketballers won't be deterred.

It's a Jihad So We Can All Hate Justin Beiber

2010-10-11T16:14:00.000+11:00

Beware, it's a thinly-veiled promotional tool and the link under the YouTube points to a site launching some crap online game. Anyway, the clip should waste a few minutes of your time - and isn't that what the Internerd is all about?

Cheetah Chrome tells all

2010-10-06T23:13:00.000+11:00

Well, that's an assumption. I'm fairly sure it's spot on but if you, like me, can't wait to read the Dead Boys guitarist's autobiography you can read interviews like this.

Rock and Roll Walks in Sydney

2010-09-30T13:42:00.000+10:00

Sometimes city councils spend money on good things. Here's a rundown on something you might want to put your hand up for if you're in Sydney in October. The "Frank" is my mate Frank Cotterell of Mojo Music in York Street, formerly of Waterfront Records.

This year's City Of Sydney guided tours - as part of the annual Art & About Festival - takes us to the streets of the CBD, Kings Cross and Surry Hillls.

Your host - Mojo's own Frank Cotterell - has enlisted a very special guest for the walks this year- Ian Hartley. Ian has been involved in the Sydney music scene since the mid 60's - as a musician playing harmonica with such bands as The Throb; as a writer and publisher of legendary zine Spurt; as a promoter of countless cutting edge clubs and venues; and as the owner of the original Skin Deep store in the Crystal Palace Arcade.

Hear tales of the first Beat club in Sydney, visit where the Beat Generation hung out and where The Beatles stayed. Revisit venues where you could do The Twist, The Stomp and The Pop. See venues where AC/DC and Radio Birdman played their first Sydney shows, and The Easybeats their last Sydney show.

From the beginnings of rock'n'roll in the mid 50's, through the next 30 years, hear tales from the underground and the rock 'n' roll underbelly.

Both walks are free.

CBD Tour:
Sunday 10th October
Time: 6pm
(Meet outside The Basement 7 Macquarie Place, Sydney) Bookings: 02 9265 9141

Kings Cross / Surry Hills Tour:
Sunday 17th October
Time: 6pm
( Meet under the Coca-Cola sign, Kings Cross )
Bookings: 02 9265 9141

Things were better in the old days

2010-09-17T05:39:00.001+10:00

The scary thing is that thousands will read this and not have the faintest idea that it's all about them.

Thanks to Tim Napalm Stegall for the heads-up.

The Stooges and Satanic messages

2010-09-16T23:13:00.002+10:00

I'm sure there must be some of that stuff in this version of Dog, played backwards. Enjoy:

That review of their All Tomorrows Parties show is coming. TJ Honeysuckle came through with the goods. His review is a cracker and I don't think he even had to sneak it through Australian Customs by secreting it in a condom and swallowing it. Some photos are being sourced.

Subterrannean Homesick Google

2010-09-09T09:54:00.000+10:00

I like watching popular culture and technology collide even if appropriation of an icon gets a bit close to the bone. I'd rather see Google using Bob Zimm than Bono.

Meanwhile, back at ATP

2010-09-06T16:39:00.000+10:00

It's been quiet around here but we've been busy, not sleeping, and when fellow fan Rohan Sullivan sent this link to a New York Times review of Iggy & The Stooges, Mudhoney and the Scientists (there's a triple whammy) at ATP in upstate New York last weekend, well what's a poor boy going to do?

My only regret is that the Times has done away with its stylistic kink of referring to everyone mentioned in its pages as "Mr" (even scumbag rock and rollers.) Reading a review of the performance of a certain "Mr Pop" would have been extra cool.

The I-94 Bar is anticipating the arrival of a review of the ATP shebang in the near future. (You on the line, TJ?)

The Village Stooges

2010-08-13T11:32:00.001+10:00

You'd have to be a village idiot not to laugh out loud at this one. James Williamson of Iggy & The Stooges posted this on Facebook:

Ok, this is the last straw....Mike Watt our bass player writes a blog/diary of all his random thoughts and experiences as filtered through his unusual consciousness....well he's gone too far now...he made the comment that I had tried to force him to wear a "wife beater" t-shirt....and additionally had forced him to shave off his moustace....I just want to set the record straight that I never told him anything of the sort...He was wearing a flannel shirt in 100+ degree heat in St. Petersburg and I simply suggested that he'd be more comfortable in something like a t-shirt and one of the other guys suggested a wife beater.....anyway, not they are running with the "James is trying to turn the Stooges into the Village People theme....this photo is the latest....revenge will be sweet.

Whose side are you on?

2010-08-13T11:09:00.000+10:00

I-94 Bar columnist Earl O'Neill has upset a few people with his column on the upcoming Australian Federal election in which he expounds about why most rock and roll people lean to the left. Or maybe they're the most vocal? Read it here and flame him via the link in his byline. You might end up in his next column.

Kill City re-issue on the way

2010-08-13T07:06:00.000+10:00

It's out in its re-mixed and re-mastered glory on September 19. It'll be on Alive Natural Energy through Bomp. You will need it. Here's the obligatory YouTube plug.

Truly an under-rated classic, "Kill City" was the album Iggy and James made while the singer was on weekend leave from the psych ward. It contains songs that would have been on a post-"Raw Power" album if Iggy & the Stooges (let's get the branding right) had made one and has always suffered from sonic limitations.

What does this knob do?

2010-08-09T07:31:00.000+10:00

The powerful thing about the Internet is that it transmits concepts and iconic images around the world in an amazingly short time.

Standards of taste vary from country to country and we were never contribute to one of these virtual chain letters that pushes around a photo of dubious taste.

Especially if it involved a pitch-corrected, musically tedious artist like Kylie Minogue.

Hey, Thanks, I Still Hate

2010-08-07T08:41:00.001+10:00

You may not give a shit about John Lydon's reformed Public Image Limited as they trek around the UK, copping good reviews for their shows, or the news that they're considering recording a new studio album.

The revelation that PiL is in trouble for considering playing shows in Israel might not rate highly on your radar, or the nugget that Lydon tried to take the Sex Pistols to Iran.

But you have to love the comments streaming into this online story on the Mojo magazine site - because you just can't keep a good hating punk down. There's some pure gold.

Famous Places and Faces Episode 167

2010-08-07T04:30:00.001+10:00

You may have heard of Abbey Road in London. Some band recorded there in the '60s and '70s. A lot.

But did you know the studio has a webcam of the famous pedestrian crossing where said band shot a cover photo? There are minutes of amusement in this one. Find it here.

Chris Klondike Masuak Instore

2010-08-05T15:27:00.000+10:00

Facebook | Chris Masuak Instore
Mojo Music is downstairs at 32 York Street in Sydney. Bring drinks. And it's free.

Celebrity Stoner John Sinclair

2010-08-03T04:06:00.000+10:00

Where else would ex-MC5 manager and spiritual adviser John Sinclair be blogging than for something called Celebrity Stoner?

It looks like an online version of the old High Times mag. You'd be showing your age if you remembered that. Interestingly, the big fella's having his collected works published sometime this year.

Most people who've met John Sinclair tell stories about toking up with him. I was planning to catch him live while in Ann Arbor a few years back. He was in town for the annual Hemp Fest and was playing the Blind Pig.

I arrived in the Eight Ball Saloon (downstairs from the Pig) quite early and got caught up drinking with some people, who will remain nameless. Someone messed up the times and we missed the Sinclair show completely. By the time I got to meet him I doubt he could understand a word. It was down to my Australian accent and nothing to do with the 15 Pabst Blue Ribbons I'd thrown down.