Snatch

Never seen this clip before. I love Snatch - Patti Palladin and Judy Nylon's punk minimalist duo - they just are sooo underrated - this clip is from 1979 - it's worth checking out the rest of their stuff but it's a really difficult name to search on the internet - Snatch - but they weren't to know. Watch Eno in 1974 backed by Judy Nylon on guitar. (Geoff might like this)

Richard Hell and the Voidoids 'Don't Die' (1979)

This is a really good clip of a song I like a lot. Nice to see. It seems as though Hell has a new book out that was originally written in 1973 - the Voidoid - more here.

Ink Spot Java Jive

My Dad gave me a pretty good musical education from the old days. This is one I have fond memories of him playing me on 78. It's great and I can't understand why some ad campaign hasn't gotten hold of it.

Man or Astroman?

I have declared today 'Man or Astroman? day' and all through the next few hours we have to just watch some of the great videos up. Why aren't there any bands this good nowadays?

Man or Astroman

Beatles 'September in the Rain'

I've been doing this blog for years and I think this is a first - a Beatles track - a Decca demo. This cover is for anyone who got wet in the days rainstorm.

Pandoras 'You Don't Satisfy Me'

I don't know nothing about this band - just ran into the clip on Youtube but its good - it's very good...see what you think? It is kind of like the real life version of the Hollywood craziness of the clip below but that's purely coincidental - they weren't linked videos or anything like that...I was actually watching Count V clips.

The Carrie Nations 'Find it'

All pop music should be mimed by people who don't actually play on the recordings - that way you get the best of both worlds. Maybe it's like that already? Who knows? Anyway this is a great clip from the Russ Meyer classic.

Animals and Men - gig en France

Here's the poster for our show in Lyons on the 19th September. See ya there?

Venue reviews Animals and Men gig

"Not often you see a guitarist who's a ringer for Mark Lawson. If you do, it's most certainly not in anything as thrillingly vital as this. To gauge an idea of the Animals and Men purity level, check out the drums, a full kit save for cymbals, those peskily autonomous creations wont to generate unsupervised sound for a good millisecond or two. This is all about economy, each track two minutes and out, everything absolutely bone lean, from bubbling bass to chopped guitar to utterly unfussy deadpan vocals, together concocting a post-punk brew that makes its key benefactor - the Bo Diddley beat - sound frivolous by comparison. That the band are relatively newly reformed, gigging Bristol for the first time in 18 years (More like 29 or something around that - Ralph), seems barely conceivable, with every track a prospective national anthem for the utopian nation of Utilitarianism. Venue leaves silently uttering a single mantra: bring back discipline. (Julian Owen)."

also

http://www.crackerjack.co.uk/bristol/events/animals-and-men/fleece-music

Davie Allan & The Arrows - The Six Best Songs from the DEVIL'S ANGELS Soundtrack

Cleverly carrying on the biker theme and being bang up to date too I am as track 2 'Devils Rumble' is on the new Tarantino 'Inglorious Basterds' soundtrack. What a blogger hey?

Animals and Men at the Fleece

Photo by Caryne Pearce - more on the Myspace page. Thanks to all who came along - hope it was good for you.

Gig in Bristol -

See ya there music lovers! Also there's a great review of our new ep on Rate Your Music... it starts off
It makes no sense, but after about twenty-five years apart, Britpunk also-rans Animals & Men reassemble and make an EP that may be even better than their old stuff. This thing rocks.
Phew!

Another Animals and Men review

Great review for our ep in the Fader.

Pocilga DeLuxe

Browsing the Serge Gainsbourg videos (like you do) I came across this really top notch cover of his 69 Annee Erotique by a Brazilian band, Pocilga DeLuxe - thought I'd share it with you as they do the bass riff justice playing just how you wanna hear it - I'd love to see them do it live. Great film too

The Leather Boy 'On the Go'

So you're making a motorcycle compilation cassette - what do you start with? This'll do for a kick-off. Read about Milan aka The Leather Boy here. After that you could have Davie Allan and the Arrows 'Blues theme' - add a dash of a few trailers from the Wild World of Mondo Movies and a Gene Vincent track - dunno - got any other ideas? Don't say Leader of the Pack it'll kill the mood... I am thinking 'On the Road Again' Canned Heat - they were very popular among Hell's Angels and I can imagine that would be the one to choose.

Girl on a Motorcycle trailer (1968)

Bit of European motorcycle exploitation featuring Marianne Faithful - this makes a great 'sound down' movie if you have a suitable soundtrack to go with it.

Gene Vincent 'Rocky Road Blues'

Clip from 1963 in Brussels. Capturing that phase when GV was big in Europe - this is a truly great clip and is kind of following a general theme of motorcycles and the link with rock and roll.

Animals and Men in Venue

Hey! Our gig on the 13th August at the Fleece got a half page write-up in Venue Magazine.

Chantays 'Pipeline'

Have you heard the current pop single 'Diamond Ring' by Chipmunk? It's got the same tune as this surf classic...do you think they're coughing up for nicking it? Anyway I hope we can bust some moves like this when we play the Fleece on 13th August.

Wild Angels (1966) opening scene

I've put this one up for my son who likes his biker movies...this one I suppose is the daddy of them all. Watch this clip at least until the music rocks in ... Davie Allen and the Arrows 'Blues theme' ... you'll recognise it I expect. The credit list is pretty much a list to end all lists - I wonder why it's not more famous? Maybe the logo? Watch another clip here that shows the sequence that was heavily sampled for the song 'Loaded'. Another clip is here which shows a groovy biker party. Peter Fonda has been over in the UK recently reprising his 'Captain America' character for the Goodwood Festival of Speed and celebrating the anniversary of Easy Rider.
Wiki entry

Ralphus' History Blogs

I have a new blog - Flintlock and Tomahawk which is gradually filling up - it's a kind of a look at the art and impressions of American frontier warfare. I'm still doing my Wars of Louis XIV blog too which is about a year old now and is going great guns. Check them out if you like old wars and stuff.

Donovan 'Hey Gyp (dig the slowness)'

This is another song we tried to cover recently - think it might be something we can record as it isn't going to be possible to play harp and guitar at the same time. It's a great great song though - if you haven't heard it - give it a spin - as I like to say.

Everly Brothers 'Temptation'

When we were the Terraplanes we used to cover this song. About 1983 it was, which was when this was shot, but the version we knew was from the 60s (though they've done a good rendition of it here). The actual song is much older originally by Bing Crosby in 1933. I don't know why we did it - the 'yey yey yey yah' bit with the pounding drums I think was the attraction and at the time we had two drummers. Screaming Jay Hawkins also covered it. Unfortunately we never recorded it so you'll just have to imagine it.

Harry Patch

Sad to see Wells Somerset's most famous resident has died. He was 111 and a Great War veteran and from what we saw of him in the media a top bloke. Originally from Combe Down Bath he had a lovely accent. News article here

Another favourable review

Great to see a good review for our Animals and Men ep on Bristol Rocks - hopefully when we play the Fleece on the 13th August with Rita Lynch and Bimbo Spam we will impress people by our live set.

Weekend - Summerdays/Drumbeat for Baby

Wiki here. Who remembers this - from about 1982? Maybe you haven't heard this jazz-tinged bit of post punk loveliness before. An offshoot of Young Marble Giants this band did well but maybe not as well as it should have done. Funny now hearing it it conjures up images and feelings from around the time - the nostalgia of young and carefree times. I think at the time I used to play the lp when I was in a bright and breezy frame of mind...which was more frequent than now when I am mostly in curmudgeon mode.

'Easy Riding' Animals and Men

Here's us rehearsing for our gigs in Bristol (13th August the Fleece) and Lyons France (19th Septembre) - also check out our new ep on Convulsive records.

Bad Detectives on the radio

If you missed the BDs on the radio when they were on a week or so ago you can still listen to them online and you can catch up with all the music and gossip from Frome's hit factory.

Bo Diddley 'You can't judge a book'

What more than this do you need? I'd like to think the future of music would be made of things like this but it's not gonna happen is it?

Calling all Frome music fans

Hi,
I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:
"Save Live Music at The Griffin, Frome"
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/griffinlivemusic?e
I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes less than a minute of your time.
Thanks!

70 Gwen Party 'Power Elite'

Susan and I are big 70 Gwen Party fans. We used to love them when Peely used to play them on his show in the 90s and have always tried to get our hands on any vinyl that comes up on ebay etc. Love to see them reform one day. Until that day you'l have to be content with clips like this one. If you have never heard them give them a try - they are the greatest band of the 90s I reckon.

Another great Animals and Men review

Excellent review for our new ep - when's the backlash gonna start?
' .... “John Of The Sword” has all of the catchiness of an Arctic Monkey’s single, only it’s not tragically gay....'

Kleenex 'Nice'

Despite being old and snaggle toothed this is the first time I have ever clapped eyes on Kleenex, the Swiss band from the 77 era, who were quite an inspiration to a lot of bands - Animals and Men being one of them.

Comic shop for Frome

Good news indeed for locals interested in comics, graphic novels and so on. Heroes Assemble is the online shop and it's apparently going to be in Palmer Street.

Leadbelly 'Take this Hammer'

Having a bit of a Leadbelly phase at the moment - this one always reminds me of schooldays when we used to spend the bus money and walk home instead (about 8 miles) singing this song to pass the time...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Heads will Roll'

How did they know? Excellent video this - won't tell you about it as it'll spoil it but have a watch - alright?

The Seeds 'Mr Farmer'

A great performance from one of the true greats, Sky Saxon.

The Seeds 'The Wind Blows Your Hair'

We're up the sidewalk runnin down the street

Showin our love to the world we meet

Your days comin sunshine’s begun

Big machines are starting to hum

And the wind blows your hair

Two little children come walking by

looking just like you and I

Colored by some beautiful people

Flowers growin round the church house steeple

And the wind blows your hair

I've a feelin we've been here before

Angels singing as we pass through the door

Hand in hand we walk down the aisle

See their faces their starting to smile

their starting to smile

in my eyes I’m starting to cry

this is not a dream of you and I

I’ve never been this happy before

Hand in hand we walk out the door

And the wind blows your hair

Rice is falling on us everywhere

The scent of flowers uh fill the air

Children laughing out in the street

Everyone’s happy that we meet

And the wind blows your hair

And the wind blows your hair

And the wind blows your hair… hair …hair ….hair… hair.

Sky Saxon passes on

THE SEEDS' SKY SUNLIGHT SAXON DIED TODAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS 06/25/09 OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE-- --- Austin, Texas -SKY SUNLIGHT SAXON of the psychedelic garage rock legends THE SEEDS passed away this morning at 9:10am, June 25th, 2009 at St. David's South Austin Hospital in Austin, Texas. Sky died of heart & kidney failure, due to an undiagnosed infection of his internal organs. He passed peacefully with his wife Sabrina Smith Saxon & spiritual brother in YaHoWha Joshua Aquarian by his side. He died, in Sky's words, at the age of "eternal".SKY SUNLIGHT SAXON fell ill as early as last Thursday in his new home of Austin, Texas. Despite feeling under the weather Saturday, he performed a short set of SEEDS classics at the local legendary night club Antone's with his local collective WORLD SPIRITS, his favorite Austin band SHAPES HAVE FANGS. Sky & his wife Sabrina recently moved to Austin, following his exciting headlining performance at the Austin Psych Fest #2 in March. Several tours were scheduled, including the East Coast/Mid-West tour in August with the California '66 Revue, with members of LOVE & THE ELECTRIC PRUNES. The tour will still continue despite his absence.Arrangements are being made for a local tribute & a memorial gathering. Sabrina Saxon will be making a pilgrimage to the Hawaiian Islands in the coming months to spread her husband's ashes. Please look for further announcements on how fans worldwide may honor Sky's memory in lieu of flowers. Fans & friends are encouraged to leave memories & visual tokens of love & memoriam at these following websites:
http://www.skysaxon.com
http://www.myspace.com/theseeds
http://www.facebook.com/SabrinaSaxon
Sky had many projects in the works that will undoubtedly still be completed & released in the coming months. One of which is a documentary about his legendary band THE SEEDS to be released next year in 2010. The documentary chronicles the band's activities with exclusive interviews with all original members, & rare never-before-seen footage of the band live & in session.

Telstar

Susan is a big fan of the Heinz single 'Just Like Eddie' so I imagine she would enjoy this biopic (and we all love/hate biopics don't we?) of British record producer Joe Meek...I can also imagine the Bad Detectives will go en masse to see this as they were on a Meek tribute album a couple of years ago and are fans. Official site

Napoleon Strickland

This is brilliant of course. And not just cos he's called Napoleon either. This guy can make better music with a piece of wire and a glass than most people could make with a whole band. Strickland wiki

Animals and Men summer gigs

To celebrate the release of our new 12 inch ep we are doing a few special shows. First up on the 13th August we are playing the Fleece and Firkin, Bristol, (tickets from here) followed by a special French show at Grrrnd Zero, Lyon on the 19th September. Hope to see you all there. More details - supports and so forth to come.

Gossip 'Heavy Cross'

Been enjoying the new Gossip album over the weekend - this is the single off it - I'm sure you've heard it by now.

Bossa Nova Baby

So how do we feel after reading Mick Mercer's review of our ep? Maybe this clip of Elvis playing Lieber and Stoller's tune captures the feeling.

Animals and Men ep reviewed!

First review for our new vinyl 12 inch by Mick Mercer. Read it here.

Animals and Men ep out Friday

We're pretty excited. Our 12 inch ep is available for sale this Friday. Get it from Academy (Annex)Records Brooklyn or order it from

Convulsiverecords(atsign)gmail.com

Tracks are:

John of the Sword

Sugartown

Dreaming of Babylon

I

It's Hip

Driving Stupid

Hope you all rush out and buy it!

Charley Patton

What will you be playing on the 21st December 2012? Time to make up your end of the world playlist. Got to have some Charley Patton in there.

2012 - bring it on...

Are you ready for the end of the world? Pretty heavy tag-line for a movie but I believe it - but then we are gloomy people. When have the Mayans been wrong? We already wrote a song with 21st December 2012 as its chorus for Mike Ology and the Funguys. This movie by the Emmerich's - out in November will make people aware of this date - maybe we should enjoy what little time we have left. 2012 in fiction
More here at http://thisistheend.com/

Woolly Bully 'Sam the Sham'

dragonfly crop circle

This amazing image has appeared in Wiltshire over the last couple of days. Also a Jellyfish in Oxford. What's next? More here
The bizarre revival of crop circles

New look Animals and Men

No not us - the band - the magazine - journal of the Centre for Cryptozoology has a new look and new format. Worth subscribing to if you like strange animals.

Fanny 'Charity Ball'

Another thing I saw on tv last night was an old OGWT episode that featured all girl rock band Fanny. I must admit I wasn't aware of their work but I did enjoy it a lot - they seem like they were the inspiration behind Meyer's Carrie Nations but who knows?

The Truth 'Hey Gyp'

A song to celebrate the collapse of General Motors to. Actually I only heard this song for the first time yesterday - it is on the John Lennon Jukebox collection and Susan and I had one of those 'where have you been all my life' moments. Track down the Donovan version if you like funky harmonica.

Mamas and the Papas 'Monday Monday'

Having nothing better to do I watched a documentary on this band last night on the tragic lantern. It's hard to know how I feel about this folkrock entity that sits somewhere between Sonny and Cher and the Beach Boys - I kind of like them but also kind of don't. They sort of bring back memories of seaside holidays as a child - holidays I generally hated - listening to the car radio was one of the pleasures. For some reason nowadays they remind me of Yo La Tengo.

Città di Ferrara

I haven't posted anything about the Great War for a while but this is an interesting picture. It's an Italian dirigible - the only country other than Germany to use them for bombing purposes. Shot down by an Austrian Seaplane. Like something out of Porco Rosso.

Pierrot le Fou (1965)

OK I'm going to do a short season of movies you should have seen by now if we lived in a perfect world. I used to really like Godard and this is one of his sunny best and was pretty influential on films that came after it.

I am Frank The Fall

We've been trying to learn the fife - here's a flute that sounds like its in the wrong key - great song though.

The Fall 'Squid Lord' Peel Session

Cracking version of this song.

Beefheart Band 'Electricity', 'Sho Nuff and Yes I do'

Great clip from 68 on French tv. I'm not a huge Beefheart fan but this is top notch.

More blues fife and drum

I must admit I am getting a little obsessed with this genre of music. This is another great piece - this time from the Newport Folk Festival in the mid 60s.

More Othar Turner

I really fancy having my own fife and drum band - could it be as good as this though? Probably not. Archival fife and drum music here
Blues fife and drum wiki

Othar Turner

We all know Othar Turner from the Gangs of New York soundtrack - the fife and drum track Shimmy She Wobble accompanies one of the scenes at the beginning of the movie - but this film will tell you a little more about the man who produced one of the best album titles ever 'Everybody Hollerin' Goat' - wiki entry.

Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick 'Byker Hill'

Most folk music I do not like apart from some exceptions and these are two musicians who my brother Neil turned me onto back in the good old days and I can't help but love this stuff. Lyrics here. A traditional north-east song of Colliers played with amazing sympathy and dexterity - give it a go and see if you like it. I find myself getting all misty eyed as I do about anything to do with mining but that's my problem OK? Carthy is probably the most important figure in British folk music. Martin Carthy wiki
Watch them play the classic 'Begging Song'

Chuck Berry 'Go Johnny Go'

We're having a bit of a revival of Chuck Berry in our house - not sure why I haven't played any for years but now I am kind of enjoying them again. I thought this credit sequence interesting. Why did they chop his head off on the opening shot? Maybe they didn't want a black face to scare the squares, I don't know, but it is a credit sequence worth watching and playing spot the stars who will utimately have tragic ends and who won't.

Old picture of Whitelands

Interesting old postcard view of chez nous. Sad to see that there was once a very large and developed wood (on the right of the picture) that's no longer there. Just a field.

Charge of the Light Brigade 1968 trailer

Lovely trailer for a brilliant film. Probably the best British historical epic ever this classic from Tony Richardson manages to capture the period and also make a great 60s film too. Everything is right about this film. I saw it at the pictures when I was about 9 and I remember falling in love with Vanessa Redgrave. When I was a teenager I was in the youth section of the WRP and my folks used to say it was because I wanted to meet her. Not true of course but funny nonetheless. For some reason I don't own a copy of this movie yet...maybe it's time to invest.

Doo Rag

Clip from 96 by the great blues and noise duo. Susan's getting her drum kit back from loan to a neighbour today so if you can imagine us in the kitchen trying in our own small way to try and 'do a doo rag' you won't be far wrong.

'Forever Young' Bob Dylan 1976

Followed by a spirited rendition of 'Baby Let Me Follow You Down'. It's Red's birthday today so I thought I'd post something he might like - this clip from the Last Waltz seems a good choice. They had a great time at Devo by the way...I think the band were on great form but I will find out more when they get back.

The Collins Kids 'Hoy Hoy Hoy'

Henry of the Bad Detectives first showed me this...it's great... Collins Kids Wikipedia entry

Devo

Bea and Red are getting excited about going to see Devo on wednesday - up in London - a place apparently that has hot water and lots of people...anyway this video is pretty cool - rocking through the song Mongoloid on French tv in their classic phase.

F&I in Wiltshire

It's a national holiday in the UK and though I don't reenact much these days I do like to watch the odd display and this weekend managed to persuade my family to go with me to a local attraction, the Bison Farm to watch a small event. (If you're in the south-west the farm near Warminster is well worth a visit - they have Red deer, Elk ...and you can eat the exhibits). But it wasn't the Bison burgers that dragged me out but the chance to see the UK's newest 18thc reenactors the 60th Royal Americans of New France and Old England - the UK F&I society. They were pretty impressive as these photos show and I hope they do well. The 60th have been a popular choice in the US but this is a first for Britain. Led by Colin Spicer they are currently getting quite a lot of attention so if F&I is your bag, and you're inspired by the new Galloping Major figures or similar - get in touch with them. Photos Celia and Bea.

Timewave theorists got it right?

We were waiting for April 2009 to come round in our house to see whether Novelty theorists were right about it being a significant date - it seems to be - what do you think? Novelty theory wiki

Animals and Men 'John of the Sword'

This is Susan's film of one of the tracks off our forthcoming ep on Convulsive.
John of the Sword

We dedicate this to John Michell

John Michell

This month's Fortean Times has a special feature on this English writer who has since the 60s covered many topics in his books such as numerology, UFOs, megaliths, Glastonbury...and much more. Basically before Michell Glastonbury was another Somerset town - actually that's a bit of an exaggeration but you get my drift. I learnt quite a few things about this great writer I didn't know - he was once a friend of the Rolling Stones for example - and named the UFO club for Pink Floyd. So if you have a liking for this original thinker maybe you should try and get hold of Fortean Times before it sells out.
In a way reading John Michell makes you into a bit of a dreamer - a 'normal person' would scoff at some of his ideas but even a rationalist reductionist would find it hard to argue with some of the strength of his notions and how convincing they are. My favourite book is 'Twelve Tribe Nations' which argues a literal 'enchantment' when perpetual choirs chanted and the world was divided along astrological lines. I can't really explain it in a few lines - you have to read the book and consider the evidence before judging it a fancy. Michell is no fake or fakir - he's a true English visionary and eccentric with a great writing style. I recommend you give him a read. Whether he's writing about Crop Circles, Glastonbury, strange phenomena or whatever it's hard to put him down - his ideas intoxicate the mind. Wiki

Loads more stuff at the Butts Bugle

Lots of interesting local news stories from the Frome area are up to read at the Butts Bugle.

Robert Wilkins 'Rollin' Stone'

This mournful but very catchy tune has been on our stereo this last week. Give it a go - you might succumb to its hypnotic melancholic charms - it might be from 1928 but it still manages to captivate. Robert Wilkins wiki. And if you are wondering what a biscuit roller is you can find out at this language of the blues site that tells you the meaning of all the obscure references in the lexicon of blues suggestion. It's an excellent site that will have you smiling and learning the language at the same time. Wilkins illustrated discography

Bath's Day of Heritage

The City Bath is getting excited ready to have a visit from the Ermine Street Guard - Britain's longest established Imperial Roman military display group. Here's a list of Bath World Heritage Day events this saturday the 18th.
Image search Ermine Street Guard

The Tu-Tones 'Natural Born Lover'

I was searching Jimmy Reed on youtube and found this Texas duo - a pretty damn good sound that manages to be authentic sounding but they're own thing. Excellent stuff.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Zero'

I missed this on telly the other night - not that I watch much but this is a great performance and a great song and I think you might enjoy watching it too.

Count Five 'Double Decker Bus'

Susan and I were thinking this might be a good one to cover - not sure of the rave up bit - it does break the song up a bit rythmically...great lyrics and riff. I suspect loads of people have done versions of it though but what the heck, it's the thought that counts. I've always had a strong liking for the Count V - maybe it's the crappy punk harp... the thumping punky bass - what's not to like?

Paranoid Time

Paranoid Time is a fanzine/blog and a radio show every tuesday night from Lyon France. Listen to it Tuesdays at 11pm (10 pm if you're in the UK with our time) at http://www.radiocanut.org/. They play punk music from all over the world and even music from Radstock! Last week they played a track off our forthcoming vinyl 12 inch ep on Convulsive Records 'Songs from the Somerset Coalfield' so they must be good guys don't you think? This is a track they have been playing - a 1984 song by the Big Boys 'We're not in it to lose' There is a couple of hours worth of streaming stuff if you want to give it a listen. It's a mix to please all punk fans I would say.

The Clovers 'Lovey Dovey'

Inspirational doo-wop from one of the greats at the top of their game. Am I not good to you?

Banshees 'Make up to Break up'

Great clip from 77 when the Banshees were a punk band. This song isn't one of their best from that era but it serves as an illustration as to what they were like on stage in those days.

Daughter Bea in the local paper!

Bea works for a local independent toy retailer Snooks. You might have seen her Gorilla in a toy shop video. Anyway they're gearing up for the comedy festival. Also here on the online version of the Bath Chronicle.

Best friends for the day!

This is a mad and great idea. Paul Good and his mates will be your best friends for the day. Here's the ebay page so start bidding.
Here's what they say

How would you like lots of new best friends?
Well now you can for a whole day thanks to this great offer.
We will spend the day being your best friend, doing what
best friends do. Shopping, dancing, ice skating. You decide!
Because as your new best friends we want you to be happy!

Brilliant.

Frome record shop on the telly!

Frome record shop Raves from the Grave was featured in an article on the disappearing independent music emporium on Breakfast tv this morning. Well done. Use it or lose it folks.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Zero'

We're enjoying the new YYYs album 'It's Blitz' - they seem to be keeping up the quality on their releases...lasting the course.

Planxty 'The Good Ship Kangaroo'

I picked up a copy of the book 'The humours of Planxty' by Leagues O'Toole today and it being St Patrick's Day thought I'd post this classic song from the 'After the Break' lp. I don't really like Folk music but I like Planxty...give it a whirl...you might like it.

Animals and Men t-shirt

Hey there music lovers...want to look cool? Why not get yourself one of these fine Animals and Men t-shirts? If you want one email carynep@yahoo.co.uk - do it quickly while stocks last.

New Goth book 'Music to Die For'

Mick Mercer is someone who was in at the start of the movement known nowadays as Goth - he was one of the only people who gave our band Animals and Men serious attention back in the early 80s so I know he was in at the beginning and knows his Goth onions.

The blurb reads

'My fifth book concerning Goth has now arrived. It is 624 pages long, containing individual entries on 3,581 different bands, from 70 countries, with 183 photos. It covers bands from the beginning of these scenes to the present day and wherever possible contains full line-up details and discographies as well as unusual facts revealed by many of the bands. This is the biggest guide ever printed about the underground scenes in which Goth, Post-Punk and all things noir co-exist with equal splendour. http://www.myspace.com/musictodieforbymickmercer

You can find this on Amazon, Barnes & Noble (etc) but if possible please use the link below to buy direct from the publisher http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/musictodiefor.php. This time around I am delighted to have discovered details on many countries I had never been able to infiltrate before.

Musically we have representatives from these distinct and Goth-related genres:‘Alt’ (covering a multitude of sins) – 336, Ambient – 71, Classical/Ethereal – 33, Comedy – 1, Deathrock – 12, Electro – 99, Electronic(a) – 79, Folk/Country – 67, Glam – 11, Gothic – 1042, Gothic/Metal – 449, Historical – 4, Horror – 25, Indie – 99, Industrial – 117, Other/Exp/Minimalist – 135, Post-Punk – 356, Psychobilly – 93, Punk/New Wave – 234, Rock – 238, Shoegaze/Psychedelic – 36 and Surf/Garage – 44.'

Animals and Men live in London tonight

Just a quick reminder to anyone who is in the capital tonight to get down to the Less Club at the Hub in Shoreditch to see some great bands... and us! We will have some of our snazzy t-shirts on sale and copies of our vinyl lp 'Never Bought Never Sold'. See ya there music lovers!

Saturday Morning Watchmen

If the hype around this film is getting you down - or is that just me - then check out this genius interpretation of the concept. I am well appreciating Bea showing it to me - well worth my 2,000th posting.

The 'real' Frome news

If you are interested in the real news stories that concern Frome - the ones the Somerset Standard won't print, then surf on over to the Butts Bugle to see what's really going on. It just might make you laugh.

Sue's Dad in Motorcycle News!

Something to be proud of - if you're a Frome resident the name Difazio is well known ...nice to see Malc flying the flag for local engineering! Article was written by Andy Westlake - a name familiar to any of you who might have worked at Butlers and Tanners - what a talented town!

Dr Ross - harmonica boss

I've been trying to get to grips with the art of playing harp in a rack while playing the guitar ready for our gig in London next tuesday - not as easy as it looks - it requires practice - so I thought I'd view one of the great one man bands of all time Dr Ross. Ross made some great boogies for Sun Records and elsewhere and I heartily recommend him to y'all. One man bands are having a resurgence these days - it's not just a question of having no mates - playing solo can give you a brilliant locked in boogie sound that would probably bore backing musicians causing them to overload the primitive toe tapping synchronisation. Hear more here

Booker White 'Special Streamline'

This year marks the centenary of the birth of this great bluesman - and this is a great video to go with one of his classic recordings from 1940. 'Make it lonesome cos I'm a hobo myself sometime'.

Peter John and Bjorn 'Nothing to Worry About'

Can't embed this but I do recommend you watch it - it features Japanese rockers at Harajuko park dancing and posing - they're really cool and I salute their dedication. Songs not bad - might become an anthem of our time...

The Fall 'Free Range'

'What is your favourite Fall single?' I was asked once...it's a difficult one to answer - there's been a lot of 45s but I suppose this one resonates with me a lot as it was with what I consider the best line-up and it was also around this time that I used to go and see them live at every opportunity. The album that this is from 'Code Selfish' is a classic and I have fond memories hearing it and playing it to death. 'Insect posse will be crushed!'