Do you call this a Velvet Underground reunion?

Probably not but the NY Public Library's description is as vague as all get-out in regards to what they're doing. David Fricke from Rolling Stone is on the bill so it's probably a Q & A session. Reed, Yule and Tucker doesn't have the same ring to it as the Velvet Underground.

Sterling Morrison has an excuse but where's John Cale? Something tells me he may not have been invited - or wouldn't have turned up, given the presence of one other party.

Props to Stupefation for the heads-up.

Wanda is Jack's Fujiyama Grandmama

Rockabilly queen and ex-Elvis squeeze Wanda Jackson teaming with producer Jack White? There have been stranger combos. Initially, it's for a digital single, so both are probably giving things a try before they buy. More about this here.

There are still people kicking around "what if" regarding White's failure to get the Stooges production job for what was "The Weirdness". Speculation of course, but who's going to help the reformed-again band cut an album this time out? James and Ig seem keen to do something.

(There! I knew I could turn a rockabilly post into a Stooges one.)

Syl Sylvain, David Jo back on solo trail

They haven't abandoned the NY Dolls who are about to tour the UK, but both principal members will be doing their own thing as well. For Johanasen that means a one-off show in the US and for Sylvain it's work in his home studio. There's an expansive interview with Syl here.

Mike Watt correction

I mis-labelled Watt's bass in a recent post about him honouring fallen Stooge Ron Asheton by applying the guitarist's photo to his instrument (aka the Thud Stick.) Herewith a message from the Man:

barman,

you are very kind, thank you.

I have to tell you though that bass in the picture is a gibson! sorry.
I use a 1965 gibson eb-0 w/the stooges. I removed the original pickup
and added two rio grande pit bull pickups to replace it.

big respect to ron asheton.

thank you again.

on bass, watt

Rarities from the vault: Sonic's Rendezvous Band and Scott Morgan Band

The audio is from a Sonic's Rendezvous Band show from 1978, recently unearthed by Michigan multimedia producer Ed Primeau and left with him for safekeeping. The montage was done by one of Ed's employees.

And here's a Scott Morgan Band/Scots Pirates promotional clip Ed dug up:



That second one would be rarer than a piss-up around a TV set in an Amish elder's lounge room, I'd reckon.

Mike Watt remembers

The Stooges bassist honours fallen brother Ron Asheton every time he takes his Gibson bass on stage. You can hear him interview bandmate James Williamson here.

Something Wild - Scott Morgan Band (1983)

That's Scott Morgan singing, his fellow former Sonic's Rendezvous Band member Gary Rasmussen on bass and then ex-Stooge Scott Asheton behind the kit. Video posted yesterday by producer/engineer Ed Primeau. Blues guy Mike Katon is the talented guitarist.

Free King Khan (and BBQ)!!!

Canadian trash garage-soul genius King Khan is due in Australia next month to play the Falls Festival and a handful of dates but the news that he and partner-in-grime BBQ have been arrested on tour in the US and charged with drug possession is one bit of info right out the box. Thanks to Kopper from Garagepunk.com for the heads-up and guess you won't be seeing the pair Waddlin' Around in St Louis this weekend.

I guess that King Khan will be out of stir and a semi free man by the time the Aussie shows roll around but since he is dark-complexioned, is fond of women's wigs and was in a lock-up in a place called Christian County, Kentucky, we can't be 100 percent sure. A frequently updated blog on the subject is here.

The Original Rock Chick? I think so

It's amazing to think that Ronnie Spector's formidable album "Last of The Rock Stars" is finally getting a US release after 12 years. Laughing Outlaw released it in Australia earlier this decade and it's also been available in Europe. It made the Barman's Top Ten in 2006 and you can read the review here.

Joey Ramone, Keith Richards and members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Ravonettes guested and although there's been some obvious radio sheen applied, it's one great record.

Ronnie has been dubbed "the original rock chick" by more than one writer and here.

Happy Birthday Neil

He's 64-years-Young today.

Neil's latest in the series of archival albums is called "Dreamin' Man Live '92" and is out on December 8. It's a live take on the "Harvest Moon" album in intimate mode, just before the album's release.

This shapes as Pleasant But Not Compelling, in my view. Where's the Ditch Trilogy outtakes, the stuff that was too edgy for "Tonight's The Night", for example? The "Time Fades Away" that was too Tequila-fucked to consider unleashing? C'mon Neil. Get THAT stuff out there and stop teasing.

Patti, Lou and Andy make NYC list but where are the Ramones?

The Museum of the City of New York has named Patti Smith, Lou Reed and Andy Warhol on a list of the Big Apple's Top 400 Most Important People but not one Ramone made the cut.

Great musical figures like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane made it, as well as Sean "Diddy" Coombs. Hang on a second...

It just goes to show that lists really do suck.

Road To Russia on two wheels

The Ramones become a bike. The branding link is dubious to say the least.