The Clash's "Clampdown" was running through my head yesterday...by Familyman
Deepest condolences to you and your family, Michael.by Familyman
Awful news. He was a wonderful performer onstage--and lovely human being to interact with by the merch stand. Thanks for everything, Gaps.by Familyman
I just ended up buying Pulp tix in the balcony on Stubhub (they were marked up about $45 each from the venue price--though the Stubhub fees that were tacked on are criminal and I'm ashamed to admit I paid them...).by Familyman
I tried for the artist presale for the Brooklyn show, but when I clicked the "Buy Tickets" button right at 10 a.m., there were over 3,600 people in virtual line ahead of me (the venue's capacity is 3,000). After waiting 45 minutes or so, it was finally my turn to purchase, but my code wasn't valid (oops) and the only tickets available were $395 (not including fees). Sigh.by Familyman
I just bought tix for the NYC show! (The Ticketmaster artist presale code for today, Jan. 17, is: CESTLAVIE.)by Familyman
Great piece! Congrats, Ira!by Familyman
I picked up tickets for the NYC show since it looks like fun and it’s at a great venue (a rooftop on a pier on the East River; I've caught Devo, The Furs, X, The Damned, and more there)! I saw Thomas Dolby about 12-15 (?) years ago at Symphony Space, and he was great. Very much looking forward to seeing The Plimsouls.by Familyman
"Freak in the Street" - The Untouchablesby Familyman
This is likely the best appreciation of Hall's life and career out there: Terry Hall was the self-assured eye of the Specials storm.by Familyman
Potato 5 featuring Laurel Aitken: "Dial M (for Murder)"by Familyman
My friend and I lucked out, we were given free tickets through a mutual friend who had a connection in the industry. We were to the side of the stage, but only six rows back.by Familyman
I caught Roxy Music at Madison Square Garden a few nights ago and Heff's review is spot-on! Roxy was fantastic and St. Vincent was surprisingly good. Make an effort to see this show. (MSG, by the way, was only about two-thirds full. But those present were rabidly enthusiastic.)by Familyman
I have tix to see them in NYC (and it's a rooftop venue on a pier over the East River)! And I also have tickets for Devo (Pier 17 in May), Kraftwerk (Radio City Music Hall in June), Blondie and The Damned (Pier 17 in August), and Heaven 17 (Le Poisson Rouge in September)! Fingers crossed that they all happen!by Familyman
Also, in Clash-related news, Don Letts has selected a bunch of tracks for the latest Late Night Tales compilation. It features dub covers of songs by Aaron Neville, Jefferson Airplane, The Clash, Joy Division, Stevie Wonder, The Beach Boys, Lou Rawls, Marvin Gaye, Kool & The Gang, Bill Withers, Althea and Donna, Randy Newman, Merle Travis, The Bee Gees, War, The Beatles, and others. I reviby Familyman
"We Are The Clash" is a great read and helps fill in the blanks for this weird period in The Clash's history! A few years ago, Crooked Beat Records released two compilations of covers from "Cut the Crap" and their associated demos--and they make a strong case that there could have been a good record in there, had Strummer not stepped back (due to personal reasons: theby Familyman
Yes, terrible news. I put together a short remembrance for him: The Beat's Everett Morton Passes Away at 71.by Familyman
Delvin, I just looked and do have an extra copy that I'll send y0u (think of it as a promo copy from the Moon promotions department!). I'll email you for your postal address. Best, Steveby Familyman
Delvin, Great set! I noticed that a number of the tracks came off the "Skarmageddon" and "Spawn of Skarmageddon" comps I put together for Moon in 1994 and 1995! And there are a number of other Moon acts featured here, too--The Toasters, LGB, Arsenals (a tremendous band, but the singer tragically died soon after that album's release), and SHJ; and the No Doubt track isby Familyman
SIDE ONE: Back In The U.S.S.R. Dear Prudence Glass Onion While My Guitar Gently Weeps Savoy Truffle Cry Baby Cry Happiness Is A Warm Gun SIDE TWO: Revolution 1 Birthday Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey Sexy Sadie Helter Skelter I'm So Tired Blackbirdby Familyman
Living the dream!by Familyman
PPM, I'm with you! The UK "Annihilation" mix of FGTH's "Two Tribes" is by far the best of all of them, and it's one of several 12" singles (along with some from New Order and Heaven 17) that I still break out to this day to play. The air raid siren and civil defense narration, recreated from the British Home Office's nuclear war booklet and film serby Familyman
So glad that the Michael Boltons were mentioned!by Familyman
Recently, there was a Covid lockdown Miracle-Gro TV ad that features a new-ish and more reserved Madness recording of "Our House" from 2013.by Familyman
Delvin, You might like this ska/Van Halen mash up that a friend of mine recorded a few years ago: https://vimeo.com/227498706. He also released a terrific ska album a little over a decade ago that had songs that referenced King/Kubrick's The Shining ("Dull Boy"), Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, Saturday Night Fever ("Dance with You"), An Americby Familyman
Aitch gets some love!by Familyman
Our loss, Aitch!by Familyman
It's a small world, Aitch! I was at Moon Records at that time, and, with Pete Porker's help, put together a modified US version of that release (which didn't end up selling very well in America, but was a great comp, though The Leftovers didn't make an appearance on ours--sorry!).by Familyman
Aitch, thanks! What was the name of your ska band, and did you record anything?by Familyman
Thanks so much, Bip! I think you'll really enjoy this book. Within the last decade or so, all of the pillars of 2 Tone have released a number of stellar records and books--and the following are great starting points for catching up with each band: see Madness' concept album The Liberty of Norton Folgate (plus its wild accompanying performance/art film by Julien Temple), Can't Tby Familyman
