I Get Along ...The Libertines Story... Show # 172

The Libertines formed in 2001 and came from England. They were seen as another garage rock band, being lumped into the garage rock revival bands at the time (The Strokes, Vines, Hives), but were a little different. The two main writers of the band were Carl Barat (guitar/vocals) and Pete Doherty (guitar/vocals). Other members joined too, John Hassell (bass) and Gary Powell (drums); Initially the band had a much older drummer, Paul Dufor who was replaced by Powell. The band initally was called The Strands, then considered being called The Albions before settling on The LIbertines; The name came from Marquis de Sade's Lust of the Libertine. The band received critical acclaim from the UK from NME when their first single "What A Waster" entered the UK top 40 Charts, they were labelled the next big thing.

In 2002, Up The Bracket was released. This album was produced by The Clash's Mick Jones. The album also did well chartwise, in the UK. The band would go through numerous fights and arguments, due to Doherty's on going drug problem, which would get more publicity than the bands music. Up The Bracket displayed the Libertines musical style, which was a mix of Brit Pop, Punk, and Mod music. The band came out with an original sound, before they got way over hyped. Barat and Doherty shared song writing credits Ala Lennon and McCartney or Strummer and Jones. Barat's style was more punk and garage influenced while Doherty's was more pop influenced.

As the band toured Doherty's drug problems increased, creating more problems within the band. While in New York in 2003, the band recorded what was known as the Babyshambles Sessions. During this time Barat would leave during the sessions, which were intended to be for the bands second album. The sessions were made available for free via the Internet on a fansite, which was a request made by Doherty himself. The band would then release the single "Don't Look Back" into the Sun", which would reach number 11 on the UK charts. Tensions rised and Doherty broke into Barat's apartment, resulting in his arrest. After serving some time in jail, the band got back together and played a few shows, they would also begin working on material for their second album.

In 2004, The Libertines was released. Again produced by Mick Jones this album would be the last from the band. Doherty proved to be unreliable due to drug related issues and his other band Babyshambles. The band had scheduled gigs, but would have a replacement guitar player for Doherty to make up for his absence, Anthony Rossamando. The band still did well in the UK with the single "Can't Stand Me Now" reaching number 2 on the UK charts, but the band was essentially over. After fulfilling tour commitments, the band called it quits in 2004. Doherty had his other band Babyshambles and Barat would eventually form his new band Dirty Pretty Things in 2005.

The Libertines were a band that could have broken in America, but when the time came they were no more. Dirty Pretty Things released Waterloo to Anywhere in 2006 and Romance At Short Notice in 2008. Babyshambles Doherty's band, has two full length albums Down in Albion, and most recently Shotter's Nation. Barat and Doherty have spoken since the break up and even played a one off gig in April of 2007, but have not reunited. In October of 2007 a best of Libertines compilation was released titled Time For Heroes. For more information on these bands you can visit the Libertines website, Babyshambles website, or the Dirty Pretty Things website.

The Play List:

1. MC5 – Baby won’t Ya
2. Normals – Almost Ready (78 Demo)
3. Undertones – So Close
4. Shades – New Clientele
5. Young Canadians – Well, Well, Well
6. Spys – Underground
7. Sturgeons – Punk Rock Virgins
8. Gun Club – Run Through the Jungle
9. Richard Hell & The Voidoids – You Gotta Lose
10. Television – Elevation
11. Ramones – Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World
12. The Wipers – Let’s Go
13. Ride Theory – the Piper
14. Gruesomes – Hey!
15. Evaporators – Tellin’ Youth the Truth
16. Hentchmen – Psycho Daisies (Alternate Version)
17. Raconteurs – Teenage Kicks (Live)
18. Kasabian – Too Much Too Young
19. Hater – Fever Saint
20. Buzzcocks – Raison D’Etre
21. Libertines - Up the Bracket
22. Libertines - What A Waster
23. Libertines – I Get Along
24. Babyshambles – Delivery
25. Babyshambles - You Talk
26. Dirty Pretty Things – Radio Song
27. The D4 – Little Baby

Libertines Vids:

Up the Bracket (Music Video)
Time For Heroes (Music Video)
I Get Along (Music Video)
Can't Stand Me Now (Live)
What A Waster (Live in Japan)
Don't Look Back into the Sun (Music Video)
In the Studio - Making of Libertines

Carbon/Silicon...Show # 171

In 2002, former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, and former Generation X bassist Tony James formed a new group called Carbon/Silicon. Jones and James previously played together in the London SS in 1975, which spawned three different punk bands (The Clash, Generation X, The Damned). Carbon/Silicon was started due to Internet file sharing, one of the first songs Jones/James wrote was "MPfree" which was available for free online. The band began using samples similar to Mick Jones post Clash band Big Audio Dynamite and had two albums worth of material by 2003. Instead of getting clearance for samples for official release Carbon/Silicon made the songs available for free via a fan website. The releases only available through the Internet were titled, Sample This - Peace, and Dope Factory Boogie.

In 2004, the band made their own official website to distribute their recordings. The band also began playing live shows and encouraged fans to record and share the material. The band also released The Grand Delusion and The Homecoming in 2004; Along with the first two releases these were seen as demo recordings. The band then started functioning more as a rock band and less of a band that used samples. In 2006 came A.T.O.M. (A Twist of Modern) and Western Front. Both releases were the first official releases from the band and they featured new recordings as well as re-recordings of older Carbon/Silicon songs. The band then released The Crackup Suite, which was a mini-album featuring new recordings in March of 2007. A series of EP's came next, The News EP, was the band's first physical released which meant you could actually buy it instead of just downloading it, the same for The Magic Suitcase EP.

Finally recently in 2007, the band released it's first official full length album The Last Post. This was twelve tracks, eleven previously available in different forms on their website, and one new track; The tracks were all remixed by Engineer Bill Price (who worked on London Calling, and Nevermind the Bollocks). Carbon/Silicon is still touring, and the band sounds like a mix of Big Audio Dynamite and The Clash, a different kind of rock not exactly the same as Jones and James previous punk bands, but still good. Also around this time the band got former B.A.D. bassist Leo "E-Zee-Kill" Williams, and Dominic Greensmith of the band Reef on drums. From 2004-2005 William Blake played bass for the band, and Danny The Red played drums. For more info on the band as well as free mp3 downloads visit Carbon/Silicon Inc.

What was played:

1. XTC – Science Friction
2. Rezillos – Top of the Pops
3. The Skids – Into the Valley
4. The Perks – Escape
5. The Sinners – In With the New
6. Spiral Scratch – Jimmy Was a Virus
7. The Saints – Lipstick on Your Collar (One Two Three Four EP)
8. The Saints – One Way Street (One Two Three Four EP)
9. The Saints – Demolition Girl (One Two Three Four EP)

10. The Saints – River Deep Mountain High (One Two Three Four EP)
11. Replacements – I Will Dare
12. 63 Monroe – Media Junkie
13. Lowlife – Thinking Naturally
14. Animal Kingdom – Tension
15. Public Image Limited – Swan Lake
16. Klark Kent – Office Girls
17. Subway Sect – Ambition
18. Elvis Costello – Welcome to the Working Week
19. Wreckless Eric – Whole Wide World
20. Redwalls – Hangman
21. The Charms – Don't Let Me Down
22. Neil Young – Dirty Old Man
23. The Hives – Won’t Be Long
24. Dead 60s – Prime Time
25. Carbon/Silicon – The News
26. The Clash - What's My Name

Download Part One of Show 171
Download Part Two of Show 171

Carbon/Silicon Videos:

The News
What The Fuck?
Tell It Like It Is
Mpfree
Gangs of England
Soylent Green
Why Do Men Fight? (Live Isle of Wight Festival 2007)

Disgusteens - The Teenage Head Story ... Show # 170

Teenage Head was a band that formed in 1976, in Hamilton, Ontario. The band took their name from Flamin' Groovies song. The band consisted of Frankie Venom (real name Frank Kerr) (vocals), Gord Lewis (guitar), Steve Mahon (bass), and Nick Stipanitz on drums. The band is often called the Canadian Ramones or Canada's answer to the Ramones, but in fact they had more of a rockabilly and 50's/60's rock influence than Ramones. Their influences ranged from punk bands and CBGB's bands, to Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, Elvis Presley, and Rolling Stones. The bands first single was released in 1978, it was titled "Picture My Face". The song itself was a jittery punk influenced track. The band's first self titled album was released in 1979.

Teenage Head showed off the band's different style with influences ranging from Ramones-type punk to 50's/60's rock and roll. The album was recorded and produced by Teenage Head and Alan Cady, it was seen as a rough sounding recording. Despite what many people saw as a poorly recorded album, it contained excellently crafted songs and did get some airplay on radio.  It is seen as a Canadian punk/new wave classic. It was the band's live shows that drew in more of a fan base. In 1980, the band released their second album Frantic City, they also signed to a new label Attic Records. The album generated more airplay for the band with songs such as "Let's Shake" and "Something On My Mind". In June of 1980, the band played a concert at Ontario Place in Toronto, that turned into a riot due to fans being denied access to the concert. This little incident in turn gave the band publicity, which resulted in better sales of Frantic City, driving the album to go gold. During this time with all this publicity surrounding the band, Attic Records set up some shows in New York City in hopes of getting an American record deal.

Two days before the band was to head to New York for their series of shows, guitarist Gord Lewis was injured in a car accident, resulting in cancellation of the shows. He would be replaced during his recovery by guitarist David Bendeth. In 1982, Lewis returned and the band recorded and released their third album, Some Kinda Fun. The album featured the catchy "Let's Go To Hawaii", and songs that reflected their early days lyrics-wise such as "Teenage Beer Drinkin' Party". In 1983, The Tornado EP was released on the American record label MCA. The EP showed off the band's rockabilly roots more than any of their previous releases. MCA forced the band to change its name to Teenage Heads, in hopes of bringing in more of an American audience; it did not work. The band would release Trouble in the Jungle in 1985, after this release the band would gain a new singer Dave Rave (Dave DeRoches) who joined the band as a fifth member around 1985. Can't Stop Shakin' EP came in 1987, and the full length Electric Guitar in 1988, which spelled the end for the band. Dave Rave would form his own group after this the Dave Rave Conspiracy. Three of the original members of Teenage Head, Venom, Lewis, and Mahon returned in 1995 for a tour and a new album in 1998 (Head Disorder); Their new drummer was Jack Pedler. The band has continued to tour, and in 2004 re-recorded some material with Marky Ramone on drums. On October 15th, 2008 Frankie Venom (real name Frank Kerr) passed away after a battle with throat cancer. For more info on the band visit Teenage Head's Official website.

You can also check out the show I did entirely on the band Teenage Head here.

Canadian Play List:

1. Ugly Duckings – nothin’
2. Vindicators – hate
3. Demics – the least you can do
4. 49th Parallel – citizen freak
5. Modernettes – suicide club
6. Danko Jones - bounce
7. The Action – TV’s on the blink
8. Bureaucrats – she’s an American
9. Zr04 – gimme attention
10. Slander – petticoat junction
11. Gruesomes – I’m searchin’
12. Pointed Sticks – nothing else to do (1980 demo)
13. Pointed Sticks – part of the noise (1980 demo)
14. Scramblers – solitary man
15. The Government – fire escape
16. Diodes – burn down your daddy’s house
17. The Vapids - capguns and comic books
18. Teenage Head – top down (new alternate version)
19. Teenage Head – infected
20. Teenage Head – fist to face
21. Marble Index – anytime
22. Ride Theory – Genghis con artist
23. Ride Theory – dead radio love
24. Young Rival – dead end scene
25. Neil Young – song x
26. The Pack AD - goldrush
27. Sloan - On the Road Again/Transona Five (Canned Heat/Stereo Lab Cover)

Teenage Vids:

Some Kinda Fun
Luv for Sale
Infected & Teenage Beer Drinkin' Party
Interview from the 80's

Your New Favourite Band, The Hives...Show # 169

Coming from Fagersta, Sweden, The Hives formed in 1993. Getting their name from a random page in the dictionary, The Hives consist of Howlin' Pelle Almqvist (vocals), Nicholaus Arson (also the brother of Pelle) (guitar), Vigilante Carlstroem (guitar), Dr. Matt Destruction (bass) and Chris Dangerous on drums. They are also believed to be under the guidance of Randy Fitzsimmons (who is rumoured to be Nicholaus Arson). Fitzsimmons is said to be the one who got The Hives to form a band. The band who is known for their high energy punk/garage sound, started off more in the hardcore direction of punk. In 1994, a demo tape was made called Sounds Like Sushi. The band then got signed to Burning Heart Records, and in 1996 released their first official release, the Oh Lord! When? How? EP. The EP still sounded hardcore influenced, but the band was still finding their sound. The songs had peculiar titles such as "Some People Know All Too Well How Bad Liquorice, Or Any Candy For That Matter, Can Taste When Having Laid Out In The Sun Too Long - And I Think I Just Ate Too Much", and "Bearded Lady", but it had it's moments.

In 1997, The Hives released their first full length album on Burning Heart Records, Barely Legal. Named after an early stage name for guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem, It was a high energy fuelled cocky, punk inspired album. Songs such as "A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T" showed off the Hives new emerging style, but influences such as The Misfits, Circle Jerks and other bands of that nature seemed to have influenced the band greatly. The album is as good as any Hives album, it is raw, fast, energetic, it lasts just a little over 27 minutes long and there are 14 songs on it. Other interesting tracks include "Well, Well, Well", "Hail Hail Spit n' Drool", and "Here We Go Again". The band then went on their first US tour and in 1998 released another EP, the A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T EP. This EP contained five songs including "A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T". Some US pressings of the album contained a version of the song "Numbers" (originally done by The Adicts). It also contained an early version of the song "Outsmarted", a song that would appear on the bands next full length album.

In 2000, Veni Vidi Vicious was released; The title is a play on the words "Veni Vidi Vici", from Julius Caesar, which meant, I came, I saw, I conquered. The album was different from its predecessor, it featured a more garage rock sound, but at the same time maintains a punk energy. The band gave a quote to describe it as "A velvet glove with brass knuckles, both brutal and sophisticated at the same time". The album generated interest and after seeing the "Hate to Say I Told You So" music video, the band was offered a deal with Poptones in 2001. A best of compilation was released in the UK titled Your New Favourite Band in 2001. The compilation featured songs from the bands first two albums, B-sides, and songs from the A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T EP. It went to #7 on the UK charts. The band then re-released their singles "Hate To Say I Told You So" and "Main Offender"; the album Veni Vidi Vicious was also re-released in the US in 2002. It is also important to mention the Hives uniforms. The band wear a combination of black and white suits, which they started to take more serious around Veni Vidi Vicious, it helped created more of a stage presence for the band.

As for the actual music, the album was 28 minutes long featuring 12 songs. I got the album for $2 used at a record store in 2002 and have been hooked on the band ever since. The album contained songs such as "Main Offender", "Die, Alright!", "Supply and Demand", and many other great tracks. It also features a cover song "Find Another Girl" a slower song, originally by Curtis Mayfield. Following a tour and success due to "Hate To Say I Told You So" (#23 in the UK, and # 6 in the US), the band would re-enter the studio in 2003. They also signed a deal with Universal (said to be around $12 Million), which got them involved in a legal battle with their previous label Burning Heart, who still said they were on contract for one more album.

In 2004, dressed in old fashioned black and white southern suits, The Hives returned with their third album Tyrannosaurus Hives. This time The Hives took on more of a Devo inspired edge to their song writing, creating an excellent album lasting 29 minutes and 59 seconds, containing 12 songs. When making the album the band said they wanted it to sound like Kraftwerk meets the Sex Pistols. The sound of the album is more refined, and in a more new wave atmosphere, but that doesn't mean it doesn't rock. The album contains songs such as "Abra Cadaver", "No Pun Intended","Dead Quote Olympics" and "Missing Link", which are easily some of the best songs the band has ever recorded. The first single for the album was "Walk Idiot Walk" a short and snappy song that can be compared to The Who's "Can't Explain"; The song itself debuted at # 13 on the UK charts and # 19 on the US modern rock charts. The second single from the album "Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones", is more fast paced track than "Walk Idiot Walk", it cracked the top fifty, putting the band in the charts yet again. The song itself featured the double guitar attack of Vigilante Carlstroem and Nicholaus Arson along with the hard hitting repetitive drumbeat supplied by Chris Dangerous. Other great songs include the slower, but equally as good songs "Diabolic Scheme", and "A Little More for You"; The songs can be described as being new wave and soul inspired.

Tyrannosaurus Hives also spawned many B-sides some just as good as the songs on the actual album such as "Hives Meet the Norm", "Gene Pool Convulsions", "Keel Hauling Class of 89", and two cover songs "Little Lil'", and "Born to Cry". It is also important to mention that on the back of the album cover of Tyrannosaurus Hives there are six pairs of legs, indicating that Randy Fitzsimmions is there. In 2004, Your New Favourite Band was released America, it had the same track listing as the 2001 UK release, but it also came with a DVD. On this DVD there are various full live performances such as MTV $2 Bill, and some Music Videos. In 2005, the band released a DVD Tussles in Brussels which was a live performance of the band, featuring music videos and UK TV appearances. The band also released a new mixed version of "A Little More for You" featuring an organ. After extensive touring the band would begin to work on material for their next album.

Despite making some appearances at various festivals The Hives focused on recording for much of 2006/2007. Deciding not to record the whole album in Sweden the band worked with different producers, mostly American. The band worked with Dennis Herring (Elvis Costello, Modest Mouse), Jacknife Lee (U2, Green Day, Bloc Party), and Pharell Williams. The band was said to have 20-30 songs recorded, and hoping to release the extras as B-sides. The band also worked with rap artist Timbaland and released the collaboration "Throw It On Me". Their newest album titled The Black and White Album, was released in the UK on October 15th, 2007, and on November 13th in the US/Canada.

The albums first single is "Tick Tick Boom" a fast stop and start song similar to the classic Hives format. The second single from the album is "Try it Again" a rocker that has a breakdown in the middle similar to the "Hey Mickey Your So Fine" song (originally by Toni Basil), with cheerleaders. The album is much more produced than the bands previous efforts, and shows the band expanding their sound with synthesizers, organs, piano, and funk; It is also the longest Hives album to date clocking in at just over 45 minutes. "You Got It All...Wrong" is a catchy track that can be compared to a song from Tyrannosaurus Hives. "Well Alright!" (a song with a swing to it) and "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S" (disco and funk) were produced by Pharrell and shows a of change in attitude for the band. "It Won't Be Long" can be compared to the Ramones song "Pet Semetary", and is easily one of the best songs on The Black and White Album. Other great tracks include "Hey Little World" (a song premiered live in 2006), "Square One Here I Come" (a riffy masterpiece) and The Richard Hell-ish "You Dress Up For Armageddon". The album also contains strange material such as the glitchy, Devo-ish "Giddy Up!", the haunting "A Stroll Through Hives Manor Corridors", and "Puppet on a String" a piano track with creepy vocals. The album ends with the catchy "Bigger Hole to Fill" that leaves you wanting to hear more.

The Hives influences range from punk Sex Pistols, Misfits, Stooges, to James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Devo, Kraftwerk, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Sonics, and The Kinks. They are a great energetic interesting band from Sweden, and a band that still show that Rock no matter which way describe it, is still alive and kicking.

Hives Playlist:

1. Howlin’ Pelle Talks to the Kids (Veni Vidi Vicious B-Side 2000)
2. Cellblock (Oh Lord! When? How? EP 1996)
3. A.K.A I-D-I-O-T (Barely Legal 1997)
4. Barely Homosapien (Instant Assholes Compilation 1999)
5. Hey Little World (Black and White Album 2007)
6. Stop and Think It Over (Compulsive Gamblers Cover) (Live Rock Am Ring 2003)
7. Abra Cadaver (Tyrannosaurus Hives 2004)
8. You Got it All…Wrong (Black and White Album 2007)
9. Here We Go Again (Barely Legal 1997)
10. Black Jack (Barely Legal 1997)
11. Die, Alright! (Veni Vidi Vicious 2000)
12. Main Offender (Veni Vidi Vicious 2000)
13. No Pun Intended (Tyrannosaurus Hives 2004)
14. Missing Link (Tyrannosaurus Hives 2004)
15. You Dress Up for Armageddon (Black and White Album 2007)
16. Uptempo Venomous Poison (Barely Legal 1997)
17. The Stomp (Barely Legal 1997)
18. B is for Brutus (Tyrannosaurus Hives 2004)
19. Love in Plaster (Tyrannosaurus Hives 2004)
20. The Hives – Declare Guerre Nucleaire (Veni Vidi Vicious 2000)
21. Find Another Girl (Veni Vidi Vicious 2000)
22. Keel Hauling Class of 89 (Tyrannosaurus Hives B-Side 2004)
23. Lost and Found (Saints Cover) (Veni Vidi Vicious B-Side 2000)
24. Hives Meet the Norm (Tyrannosaurus Hives B-Side 2004)
25. Well Alright! (Black and White Album 2007)
26. T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S (Black and White Album 2007)
27. Supply and demand (Veni Vidi Vicious 2000)
28. Uptight (Tyrannosaurus Hives B-Side 2004)
29. A Little More for You (new mix) (Tyrannosaurus Hives - A Little More For You Single 2005)
30. The Hives are Law, You Are Crime (Your New Favourite Band 2001)
31. Bigger Hole to Fill (Black and White Album 2007)

Hives Videos:

Tick Tick Boom (Music Video)
Abra Cadaver (Music Video)
A Little More for You (Music Video)
Walk Idiot Walk (Music Video)
Die, Alright! (Music Video)
Hate To Say I Told You So (Music Video)
A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T (Music Video)
Stop and Think It Over (Live Rock AM Ring 2003)
Two Timing Touch and Broken Bones (Live in New York)
Try It Again (Live)
You Dress Up for Armageddon (Live August 2007)
Hey Little World (Live August 2007)
Genepool Convulsions (Live Hurricane 2006)
Main Offender (Live Jules Holland)
Supply and Demand (Live Paris 2004)