Tunes
Onya TBB, watched 'Monkey Grip' again recently with a soundtrack comprised of all the Divinyls early singles and Chrissy of the big brown eyes playing herself up on screen.
Apologies in advance but who didn't rock out just a little to the Gunners?
Batfink reminded me of this track over in the covid thread.
Coincidences, connections, and obscure off-the-top-of-my-head factoids abound!
I saw an old Spicks n Specks the other night. The game: three musos. Guess the connecting factor. The musos being: Ray Davies of The Kinks; Sid Vicious; Jim Kerr of Simple Minds.
The connecting factor? Chrissie Hynde.
A child and almost marriage with Ray (they got turned away from the registry and told to go home and have a think about it!)
An almost marriage with Sid (so Chrissie could get UK citizenship. Registry office was closed).
And full marriage and youngster with Jimbo.
Regarding Siouxie, heard about her torrid pursuit and capture of Hank Rollins during the first Lollapalooza tour?
Anyway, getting away from the blokey stuff, and with a tenuous Butch Vig connection, of course these two are besties. They've toured together and all.
And definitely catch Monkey Grip if you can. A lost(!) time and place. Good read too.
Some fun stuff to lift your spirits TBB. Riffing on some input back a bit, with some light back story reading.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/08/iconic-festival-sets-sonic...
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/drugs-myths-and-the-birth-of-punk-l...
Before the excess?
Kinda sounds familar though don't it?
A little like that band from Liverpool getting around at the same time.
Prefer the excess...
Anywho, something very different:
Entwhistle and Moon made sure that The Who never sounded like The Beatles. The best rhythm section of the sixties.......well outside Motown anyway.
awesome Blackers - I'd seen the Sonic Youth gig footage before but hadnt read that article, or heard of the Desolation Center doco. Will have to check that out.
There was a bit of negative talk about early Sonic Youth on here a bit back in the thread. Yeah, I sort of get that some of their noise is not appreciated, but those early albums where they start to transition to more organised, fluent sound are kick ass I reckon.
Here's a favourite tune that captures a bit of that, actually a bit of everything there is about Sonic Youth. It's in that desert live set too. Crank it, it rocks!
Cheers GreenJam, the doco is fantastic. Provides another couple for the "gigs I wish I'd been at" list. Along with the "Live at GooseLake" gig by the Stooges (album out next week apparently).
Death Valley 69 is a killer track, scuze the pun.
Thats some pretty hardcore Sonic youth territory although Death Valley 69 is one of the their better early songs,
This dropped last week, pretty good mix of classic oldish an newish SY.
First song is a great example of where they started getting that mix right between experimental and more organised assessable sound .
Second song is good example of more accessible straightforward latter stuff
Two bassist?...hmmm
As Tufnel said, "what's wrong with being excess-y?"
Nothing, but you cant be excessist.
Now, Thurston Moore, Mike Watt, Richard Hell, and squid, with references to the Desolation Center.
Outtake from 'We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen' - who played the very first Desolation Center gig.
And no Mr Guradian Rock Writer, they weren't post-punk.
86'
Great link Keano, Closing the circle. A much under appreciated band. Ragin full on is an all time fave album. From the ashes of the Minutemen, amazing bass playing.
Connections.
I will raise your connections facto.
Sorry folks, lockdown is doing my head in.
Anyone know what happened to Natas?
About that period he was the main man in street skating, Rodney was still doing his freestyle thing and most guys still on ramp.
I kind of went from skating to full on surfing about then, just before decks went narrow and street skating took off, so never really followed it and then with the internet got an insight again Tony and Mullen still influential but Natas gone and forgotten, that's the first flash back I've seen of his since then.
Im sure there is some story, will have too google it latter.
BTW. I remember the Christians being upset as his name backwards spells Satan
PS. Just watched the whole vid, fuck crazy to think thats over 30 years ago on a deck thats wide and heavy, he was so far ahead at that stage imagine him on a narrow lighter board...dude doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves.
Don't know if I'm further raising your connections Blackers or dumbing them down, but call it another history lesson.
Natas worked for Quik for years doing graphics. There was a TSJ from a few years ago on his art which also showed him surfing.
EDIT: Now working for Birdswell.
Indo Natas gets kudos from those in the know...same with Gonz...Check this guy mate...Big ups to Natas...
Now for a classic tune and a bit of a quiz...who can name all of these icons in one vid...great tune too..
Yoko of course, Warhol near the end, same with Miles Davis shooting hoops, could be Fred Astaire with the sharp chin being led into the room, and it could be Marshall McLuhan just afterwards.
I got Warhol.
George Harrison towards the beginning?
Way better than me Stu.
What about the producer cum murderer at the start?
And then there's Dick!
My most interesting Cavett moment...and his most discussed and analysed.
Well worth a watch and reaction.
Phil Spectre?
"A spectre is haunting Lennon...and the spectre is Spector!" - Karl Marx
That was brilliant. Two diametrically opposed men of a fierce intellect. The language was beautiful.
I kinda got a feeling they actually liked each other.
And the old bird and the rug tied the room together nicely.
Phil Spector- gotcha.
Sumimasen.
Here's a flat-day, bored-at-work experiment. Knowledge, experience, reality and perception.
The Vidal/Mailer interview stoush above. Watch (warning: it isn't Kochie/Karl and Pauline).
Then read the post-stoush analysis (and more!) written by Mailer:
https://classic.esquire.com/article/1977/11/1/of-a-small-and-modest-mali...
Then some early Vidal on Mailer:
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-norman-mailer-syndrome-by-gore-v...
"I kinda got a feeling they actually liked each other."
Perceptive, Zen.
A later interview between the two (then much older) literary lions:
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/interviews/a15145/gore-vidal...
US mainstream culture-shock!
Gosh, I wish I had some more time but the reading is equally as intriguing as the tv interview.
I like some of your stuff Facto- you make me learn good.
Those interviews are hilarious Facto. The Statler andWaldorf of American literature..
Blackers, the Esquire article is awesome and provides a lot of background to bring the whole Cavett segment into context. It's a bit of a slog but worth reading and then watching again.
I wouldn't go as far as saying it's a piece of tv history (whatever that may be), but it was certainly special imo.
Cheers Zen, I was actually basing my comment on the later Esquire interview. Funny stuff, they just can't help themselves. But as you say the read is worth the effort. Haven't had a chance to watch the clips but do recall seeing bits and pieces here and there. Will find some time this weekend to watch them.
Just watched this Natas docco it's from 2003 but still pretty good, fuck he has been a busy man also seems like a nice guy plus very clued on and shit he even surf's pretty good and a decent artist.
Well worth a watch.
Cool to see the Gonz too.
PS. Couldn't access that Linken link Stu as dont have an account.
OF A SMALL AND MODEST MALIGNANCY, WICKED AND BRISTLING WITH DOTS above is a long essay cum short volume about the interview incident, TV in general, and communication in total. A good and interesting intro to Mailer if you've never partaken.
The king, knave, and jester of American life and letters. A holy fool.
As Mailer once wrote about himself: “To be the center of any situation was, he sometimes thought, the real marrow of his bone—better to expire as a devil in the fire than an angel in the wings!”
No denying his talents. Superb wordsmith, super ego.
But in these COVID lockdown times I keep looking for puerile (musical) connections from happier days.
Grebo anyone?
i came back into the conversation on Tuesday in the mike watt/firehose part of this thread after a massive weekend with old mates and disappeared down a L.A. 80/90's rabbit hole that if anyone can be bothered......
The best pub band ever!
Spencer RIP.
Pre white hat but has the white strat.
matlock I couldn't find a video for that song so I just strung together some frame grabs from their videos and a few images from a Google search which means it isn't exactly anywhere on their timeline.
Morning
Too much Jello is never enough!
Cool bananas!
Who doesn't like some swirling organ?
Fnar fnar.
Reminded me of another morning...
Welcome to 1984...
August the 8th is a beautiful day
well, it didnt start that way here, very welcome rain, but looks a cracker of an afternoon
blackers...me too...thought Ned's lyrics were easily equal to best of their day.
tbb @ 10 March 1993 @ Transformers Brisbane (godfodder LP)
Brilliant Grey Cell Green is locked in Ben' Jukebox so we'll spin this solid slab.
1991 "Throwing Things"...track shows how Neds can & do Punk out a live gig.
Sunday sessions at the Castle Hotel (RIP).
Hippys, surfers, bikies, bogans, average Joes & Dave Hole.......good vibes shared by all....
Something a bit left of centre, but timely nonetheless.
"Neuroscience Says Listening to This Song
Reduces Anxiety by Up to 65 Percent"
By Melanie Curtin
"Everyone knows they need to manage their stress. When things get difficult at work, school, or in your personal life, you can use as many tips, tricks, and techniques as you can get to calm your nerves. So here's a science-backed one: make a playlist of the 10 songs found to be the most relaxing on earth. Sound therapies have long been popular as a way of relaxing and restoring one's health. For centuries, indigenous cultures have used music to enhance well-being and improve health conditions.
Now, neuroscientists out of the UK have specified which tunes give you the most bang for your musical buck. The study was conducted on participants who attempted to solve difficult puzzles as quickly as possible while connected to sensors. The puzzles induced a certain level of stress, and participants listened to different songs while researchers measured brain activity as well as physiological states that included heart rate, blood pressure, and rate of breathing.
According to Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson of Mindlab International, which conducted the research, the top song produced a greater state of relaxation than any other music tested to date. In fact, listening to that one song- "Weightless"- resulted in a striking 65 percent reduction in participants' overall anxiety, and a 35 percent reduction in their usual physiological resting rates. That is remarkable.
Equally remarkable is the fact the song was actually constructed to do so. The group that created "Weightless", Marconi Union, did so in collaboration with sound therapists. Its carefully arranged harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines help slow a listener's heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
When it comes to lowering anxiety, the stakes couldn't be higher. Stress either exacerbates or increases the risk of health issues like heart disease, obesity, depression, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, and more. More troubling still, a recent paper out of Harvard and Stanford found health issues from job stress alone cause more deaths than diabetes, Alzheimer's, or influenza.
In this age of constant bombardment, the science is clear: if you want your mind and body to last, you've got to prioritize giving them a rest. Music is an easy way to take some of the pressure off of all the pings, dings, apps, tags, texts, emails, appointments, meetings, and deadlines that can easily spike your stress level and leave you feeling drained and anxious.
Of the top track, Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson said, "'Weightless' was so effective, many women became drowsy and I would advise against driving while listening to the song because it could be dangerous." So don't drive while listening to these, but do take advantage of them:
10. "We Can Fly," by Rue du Soleil (Café Del Mar)
9. "Canzonetta Sull'aria," by Mozart
8. "Someone Like You," by Adele
7. "Pure Shores," by All Saints
6. "Please Don't Go," by Barcelona
5. "Strawberry Swing," by Coldplay
4. "Watermark," by Enya
3. "Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)," by DJ Shah
2. "Electra," by Airstream
1. "Weightless," by Marconi Union
I made a public playlist of all of them on Spotify that runs about 50 minutes (it's also downloadable)."
- http://www.stumbleupon.com/
After the 8 minutes of 'relaxation music' check out the next up vid of the 'street pianist' aka When a professional musician sits down at a public piano.
Alright, time for some discussion on what yr all listening too. My iTunes inventory is getting a little stale so I'm up for some inspiration.
Currently loving The Drones' album "Havilah".. incredible songwriting and some of the best recorded guitars and drum I've heard in a long time. I'm a little late to the party with this album but it's on high rotation at the moment and will probably stay there a while. I've seen these guys live once (Fowlers, Adelaide) and fortunately they're incredible on stage too. Can't wait to see them again.