Sunday, September 12, 2004


It's not like HQ's turntable is doin' overtime these days, way too much at hand and when it's finally time for some relaxation I oft prefer to do some reading and enjoy some ever scarcer silence. So whenever I get these requests to post another "playlist" these days I generally pass the opportunity 'cause there's also little to no new stuff demanding my attention at the moment. Last year at least saw the release of a trio of fantastic rockin' discs by the Ghetto Ways, Dirtbombs and Reigning Sound, but 2004 has still to throw up something of similar quality.
Not that I'm without stuff to listen tho, heck, there's over a century of recorded music out there, and right now there's probably more of it available than ever, so I'm pickin' up my listening pleasures from all kindsa eras. Too bad most people 'll never know all the great sounds from the past beyond the flogged to death Mojo icons. I don't even wanna suggest that my taste in music is better than theirs, just that there's a world out there to discover if they'll only look...
So what does do the rounds on HQ's hi-fi these days?.
For starters, may I suggest The Droogs. Is there anybody out there who still remembers these guys?. Their 'Kingdom Day' LP from '87 is an underrated classic if ever there was one, even with the slightly dated production it holds up really well. Potential arena rock for sure, but one spin will confirm why this still generates excitement and Poison doesn't. Secundo plato has got to be something from the West Texas axis; Buddy Holly, Bobby Fuller or the Crickets, it's kinda frightening how much this kinda pop stuff has gone outta fashion, whatever happened to the Sprague Brothers anyways?. Why has the world forsaken the beauty of good tunes and cool harmonies in favor of the outta tune whine of trust fund collegists?.
Main course this go round are Otis Rush's Cobra recordings. Get these in whatever format available 'cause these are about as blue as the blues can get. The meaning of life encapsulated in just over two dozen songs, it just don't get better than this...
As for desert, let's go for the happy ending. BGP's Super Funk vol.4 is just about the wildest party disc in recent memory. Just don a loincloth and let the music guide ya. I'm sure your gal will understand...
More dates: The Fleshtones are out 'n about on September 18 (18.00 hrs, 36th St, Hampden, Baltimore, MD. More info at: hampdenfest.com) and October 29 (20.00 hrs, Irving Plaza, NYC. with the Smithereens, Dick Dale + guests).
The Nomads have a couple of Norwegian dates lined up for November: 11-11 Tromsö - Blå Rock, 11-12 Oslo - Mono, 11-13 Bergen - Garage. Then it's off to Demark: 11-20 Copenhagen - The Rock. And don't forget the previously mentioned October 23 show in Paris. Plus there's more good news from Nomads HQ: "Björne Fröberg and Chips K. are writing and making demos of new songs as we speak…no idea when enough material for an album can be ready, hopefully next year! In the mean time Bonnier Amigo will re-release the ’85 album “Outburst” on CD sometime this autumn/winter".
Only days after the first rough outline of a proposed Real Kids Euro tour (scheduled for early 2005) came to light, it now looks like the entire thing is canceled after the hospitalization of guitarist Billy Cole due to complications with his liver/hepatitis. No official statement on this yet, but word on the street is that his situation looks rather grim. So fingers crossed that he'll make it out OK. (Thanks to SJ Bink for the info).