Straight James on The Chosen Few

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.