February 26, 2010

All the Way Downtown

Via the treasure-filled Killed By Death Records blog, an amazing unknown punk tune with the perfect running time, a beautifully gritty guitar solo and those above-it-all, casually snotty vocals that really sell it. The A.D.s were from Albany, NY and this first 7” was released in 1980 on the Blue Lunch label. This song has been extensively posted on music blogs, but I love it, so fuck you. But I’m not quite as fond of the b-side so, again, please refer to the end of the preceding sentence.

And here’s a completely unrelated link (y’all should be used to the “unrelated” part by now) to a street artist and photo archivist named Mark Michaelson, who collects vintage mugshots. Mark has published a big ass book of ‘em which you should purchase here if you’d like to support the scene. Otherwise, there’s a wondrous array of photos on his Flickr page. It’s sad and compelling.

There’s historical value in looking right at these people’s faces; hardcore criminals and scumbags are mixed in right alongside poor folks arrested for sedition, victimless crimes or simply for being nobodies. The curator usually gives some basic factual background, then lets their expressions tell the real story. Real nice work.

The A.D.s – “Living Downtown”

Rick at 1:07 am

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February 22, 2010

A Current Affair

There’s this band from Melbourne, Australia called the Eddy Current Suppression Ring that rocks the fuck out live, people say. Don’t believe those people? Go on YouTube and do a search; you’ll see a lot of audiences going all goo-goo and having fun. I won’t tell you which video to watch. There’s a million of ‘em.

Oh, all right. Watch this; it’s a cute seaside video of the song “Which Way to Go,” which I like a great deal.

ECSR all met while working at a record pressing plant, and their first (self-titled) LP came out in 2008. Since then, these polite, clean-cut lads have released a second album called Primary Colours. Order it direct from Goner Records in Memphis, USA. The band appears to be always touring worldwide, so check out their band page for dates. There’s more music there as well. They’ll have a new record titled Rush to Relax out in March sometime.

Ladies seem to like the singer, Brendan, not only because he’s a nice-looking kid, but because he’s notoriously shy (supposedly Brendan took to wearing his signature biker gloves to overcome stage fright) – thereby wrapping up the daughters and the moms in one easily-swooned demographic. One thing that’s remarkable about this band is their humility and levelheadedness. They didn’t start off with the rockstar attitude, so now it’s harder to dismiss their growing success as mere hype-fueled puffery. And they’re Australian, which is always a good sign.

The music… I picked the first song from their exciting debut full-length. It’s refreshingly rock ‘n’ roll. It’s simple and it grows on ya. Give them a listen, won’t you?

Eddy Current Suppression Ring – “Get Up Morning”

Rick at 12:01 am

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February 13, 2010

Wings

The Fall – “Wings”

Rick at 5:11 pm

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February 6, 2010

Africa – NSFW

This risque little gag was found in a 1970s pocket laff book from a Zurich thrift store, circa 1990. According to our translation software, the white explorer is saying: “From these splendid gusts of wind, I discover all the charms of Africa…”

True, it’s a weak punchline for a pubic hair joke. And yes, it is kinda weird that she has no nose. But bear in mind this is a German cartoon.






Desmond Dekker – “Pretty Africa”

Rick at 12:21 am

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February 4, 2010

Neko Funjatta

The name of this delightful toy is taken from an old kids’ tune, and the Japanese title means, roughly, “I stepped on the cat.” There are all kinds of versions of the song on YouTube, some exceedingly cute, including cartoons! If you just wanna learn how to sing the song and don’t care about aesthetics, try this one. That melody is maddening! No wonder Japanese kids grow up to be insane adults who make a livelihood from manufacturing disturbing novelties.

Anyway, I’m glad my kitty stays indoors. Children can be very cruel.

Photo c/o Bali Hai’s Eye of the Goof.

Rick at 3:44 am

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February 2, 2010

Junky Stuff

I’ve never patronized Apex Electronics and I wouldn’t know what to do if I did. My electronics expertise consists of properly connecting the Roku box, VCR and DVD player so that I don’t freak out everytime I need to switch inputs on the damn television. (Also, I can thread a projector.) However, I’m a big fan of control panels and archaic tubes, wires, machine guts and carcasses of obsolete advancements.

Somehow the promise of some sort of mechanical redemption, untapped technological magic, is hidden in the bowels of a junkheap. I really liked these little 360-degree views of Apex’s store and yard treasures. Drag your pointer over the window in any direction for some fun.

It’s always been a mental struggle to part with ex-devices. If I was to allow the psychosis to roam wild, my apartment would look just like that.

Devo – “Timing X”

Rick at 12:12 am

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February 1, 2010

Parasite

Copyright © 2009 Rick S. Hall.

Peter Peter & Kyed – “Acoustics of Crime”

Rick at 2:47 pm

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