2008 Highlights...Show # 229

This week my show was comprised of releases from 2008. While I did play some music that technically isn't a new release (Buzzcocks - A Different Kind of Tension Special Edition, Undertones Anthology, and The Kinks Picture Book Box Set), they were released in 2008, but did not qualify for my top eight of 2008 list. The Following are my favourite releases from 2008:

1. Sloan - Parallel Play



This was Sloan's ninth album. Despite having so many releases, every new Sloan album never seems to disappoint. After last years 30 song Never Hear the End of it, Parallel Play cuts down the track list to just 13 songs. As usual each band member contributes their own material. Each band member (Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott) have three songs on the album, with the exception of drummer Andrew Scott who has four songs to contribute. The album is strong and shows off Sloan's different style of pop. It is an excellent release from one Canada's finest exports, Sloan.


Favourite Tracks:

Down in the Basement
Believe in Me
Witches Wand
I'm Not A Kid Anymore

2. The Clash - Live At Shea Stadium

Live At Shea Stadium was actually recorded in 1982, but not released in full until 2008. These live recordings were originally discovered towards the end of the year 2000 by Joe Strummer, but instead of releasing the full concert at that time the band released a live compilation album titled From Here to Eternity. This show would also feature original Clash drummer Terry Chimes on drums. The album shows The Clash playing an interesting mix of material.




Favourite Tracks:

Police On My Back
Tommy Gun
I Fought the Law
London Calling

3. Luger Boa - Mutate or Die!



Released in November of 2008, Luger Boa was formed by Jimmy Christmas previously of the New Zealand garage rock band, The D4. This album contains great rock songs, and was heavily influenced by T-Rex and David Bowie. Mutate or Die! has songs such as "1000 Hooks", "Only A Moment Away", and "What is Real?" brings energy and excitement back to the world of rock music. Expect to hear more from them not only on upcoming radio shows, but also on this blog.





Favourite Tracks:

1000 Hooks
Only A Moment Away
What is Real?
Humans Rule
Mutate or Die!

4. Young Rival EP



Formerly known as Ride Theory, Young Rival released their first EP containing music under their new band name. The Hamilton Ontario based band, shows off their influenced of 60s rock and hooks you with their catchy basslines and lyrics. While the EP only contains six songs, it leaves you wanting to hear more. An excellent release by and excellent Canadian band.




Favourite Tracks:

Another Nobody
Too Hip
The Haunt
Your Island

5. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Momofuku



Originally released only on vinyl and for digital download, Momofuku was so in demand it had to be released on CD format. The album shows Elvis Costello & The Imposters rocking out and in different styles. The album, which was recorded in eight days sounds like an album from the days of Elvis Costello & The Attractions. After so many releases by Costello with other artists/collaborators, Momofuku is back to basics, simple, and enjoyable to listen to.




Favourite Tracks:

Go Away
American Gangster Time
Stella Hurt
No Hiding Place


6. Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely



Consolers of The Lonely was the follow up to Raconteurs first album Broken Boy Soldiers. This album takes the band in a different direction, having more of a hard rock influence and less of a 60s pop influence. Consolers of the Lonely shows Brandon Benson stepping up as a song writer within the group and Jack White stepping into Bob Dylan territory on the song "Carolina Drama". On this album The Raconteurs move forward as a more cohesive unit.




Favourite Tracks:

Consoler of the Lonely
Attention
Carolina Dram
Many Shades of Black


7. Dirty Pretty Things - Romance At Short Notice



The second and unfortunately final album by The Dirty Pretty Things was titled Romance At Short Notice. while Waterloo To Anywhere, the bands first album was a punk fuelled album, Romance At Short Notice adds more depth to the bands sound. Carl Barat and crew bring in influences of pop, expanding the bands sound and capacity as a unique British group.





Favourite Tracks:

Plastic Hearts
Hippy's Son
Tired of England
Best Face

8. Supergrass - Diamond Hoo Ha

Recorded in Berlin, where David Bowie recorded some of his work, Diamond Hoo Ha is the sixth album by British rock group Supergrass. The album was also produced by Nick Launay, who has previously worked with groups such as Public Image Limited, Gang of Four, and Nick Cave. The album is seen as a return to a more traditional Supergrass style. The bands previous album Road To Rouen, was more experimental. The band has also finished their contract with EMI records and plan to record and release music independently.




Favourite Tracks:

Bad Blood
Diamond Hoo Ha Man
Rebel in You
345

Other good releases from 2008 included David Bowie - Live in Santa Monica '72. This live album which features The Spiders From Mars as Bowie's backing band, existed as a bootleg for years, finally it got a proper release in 2008. Mudhoney released The Lucky Ones, which was a return to the old fashioned dirty Mudhoney style, The Subways also released their second album All or Nothing. Last and not least, The Kinks released the Picture Book box set. This set is a six disc set compiling well known Kinks songs, with outtakes, demos, and previously out of print hard to find material.

Play List:

1. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Today's Lesson
2. David Bowie - Queen Bitch (Live at Santa Monica 72)
3. The Pack AD - Build
4. Stolen Minks - Peppy Twist
5. Mudhoney - New Meaning
6. The Subways - Obsession
7. The Bicycles - Oh no, it's love
8. Caesars - In My Mind
9. Bloc Party - Halo
10. XX Teens - B-54
11. Wire - Are You Ready?
12. Albert Hammond Jr. - G Up
13. Golden Hands Before God - The Ladder
14. Teenage Head with Marky Ramone - You're the One I'm Crazy For
15. The Kinks - Don't Ever Change
16. Buzzcocks - Everybody's Happy Nowadays
17. Undertones - Nine Times Out of Ten (Demo)
18. Supergrass - Bad Blood
19. Dirty Pretty Things - Kicks or Consumption
20. Raconteurs - Five On the Five
21. Elvis Costello & The Imposters - American Gangster Time
22. Young Rival - Your Island
23. Luger Boa - 1000 Hooks
24. The Clash - Career Opportunities (Live at Shea Stadium)
25. Sloan - Too Many


To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on December 30th, 2008.

Revolution Rock Christmas Special Show # 228

Since my show was so close to Christmas, I did a show comprised entirely of Christmas themed songs. Some information about these songs can be found below:

The Mysteriods - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (1982)

 
In 1982 The Revillos (who formed after the band The Rezillos broke up), went into the studio and recorded two Christmas songs for a 7 inch single. When the band were recording these tracks, they used the name The Mysteriods. The reason for this is because they thought some people might think that they were uncool for doing these songs. Both the songs are great and can be found on the compilations Attack of the Giant Revillos and From The Freezer.

The Yobs - Silver Bells (1980)

The Yobs, were actually a British punk band known as The Boys. They recorded and released several Christmas songs as The Yobs (Boys backwards), The cover of the Christmas classic "Silver Bells" can be found on their 1980 album The Yobs Christmas Album. What's interesting is that this album was written and recorded in a total of two days at a studio of Pete Townshend's (The Who), Eel Pie Studios.

Keith Richards - Run Rudolph Run (1978)


In 1978 Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards released his first single as a solo Artist. Both songs that would be featured on the single were cover songs. The A-Side was a cover of a Chuck Berry song titled "Run Rudolph Run", the B-Side was a cover of Jimmy Cliff song "They Harder They Come". Keith redoes Chuck Berry's song with greasy rock n' roll style. "Run Rudolph Run" has been reissued on itunes, with a cover of a Toots and Maytals song "Pressure Drop" from 2003. While Keith's first single may have been covers they are both excellent and well worth hearing.

The Kinks - Father Christmas (1977)


In 1977, The Kinks released the single "Father Christmas". The song, which is not like your average Christmas song, is about a gang of poor kids who beat up a department store Santa Claus, asking him for money instead of toys. The song was originally released prior to their 1978 album Misfits, and after their 1977 release Sleepwalker. The song can be found on the remastered edition of The Kinks album Misfits.

Several of the other songs played on my show come from Christmas compilation albums. Songs by the bands Atomic 7, Ramblin' Assassins, The Smugglers, and The Evaporators can all be found on It's A Team Mint X-mas Volume 2, which was released through the Canadian based label Mint Records. The punk songs played by The Damned, The Ravers, and Stiff Little Fingers can be found on the compilation Punk Rock X-mas, which was released in 1995. Next week I will have a show consisting of releases from 2008.

Information about my 2009 Christmas special can be found here.

Christmas Song Play List:

1. The Ravers - (It's Gonna Be A) Punk Rock Christmas
2. The Mysteriods - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
3. The Yobs - Silver Bells
4. Hot Hot Heat - Christmas Day in the Sun
5. Pointed Sticks - Powerpop Santa
6. Pointed Sticks - Xmas Time Again
7. Atomic 7 - Senor Santa El Es El Monstruo
8. Ramblin' Assassins - Don't Fear The Reindeer
9. Beach Boys - Christmas Day
10. Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas
11. Leadbelly - Christmas is-a Coming
12. Johnny Cash - I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
13. The Smugglers - Lonely Christmas
14. The Evaporators - Who Are You
15. The Gruesomes - Santa Claus
16. The Sonics - Santa Claus
17. The D4 - Don't Believe in Christmas
18. Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)
19. The Damned - There Ain't No Sanity Claus
20. The Kinks - Father Christmas
21. Keith Richards - Run Rudolph Run
22. The Hives & Cyndi Lauper - A Christmas Duel
23. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - All I Want For Christmas
24. White Stripes - Candy Cane Children
25. Stiff Little Fingers - White Christmas
26. Pearl Jam - Someday At Christmas

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on December 23rd, 2008. (Note: My show starts thirty minutes into the first download)

Nothing From Today...The Vipers Story and Show # 227

Drawing on influences from the 60's such as The Lyrics, and Chesterfield Kings, The Vipers formed a garage rock based group in 1984. Based out of New York the group consisted of Jon Wiess (Saxophonist from The Fleshtones), guitarist David Mann, second guitarist Paul Martin, bassist Graham May, and drummer Patrick Brown. The bands first album was released in 1984 and was titled Outta The Nest. The albums songs were influenced by the likes of The Standells, and The Electrics Prunes, to name a few. The song "Nothing From Today" was a fuzzy guitar track sounding influenced by the 50's era Byrds, "Telling Those Lies" contained aggressive vocals and surf rock style organ. The album aslo contained songs such as "Borrowed Time", "Cheated and Lied", and "Ain't Nothing Like Her". There was also two cover songs by 60s garage groups, one of them being The Standells ("Medication"). The album, which is viewed as their best, never really gained any popularity at the time of its release. That did not stop the group, the continued until 1993 releasing four more albums of garage rock influenced albums. The albums were How About Somemore? (1988), Not So Pretty...Not So New (1988), Nest in Peace (1989) and Venom in 1993. While they did not gain mainstream popularity, they are still known as a great garage rock group from the 80s.

This Weeks Play List:

1. MC5 - Ramblin' Rose (Live)
2. Compulsive Gamblers - Way I Feel About You
3. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Don't Die
4. 101ers - 5 Star Rock N' Roll Petrol
5. The Small Faces - Patterns
6. The Faces - Poor Hall Richard
7. Ride Theory - Can't Get it Right
8. The Worst - I Don't Want You
9. The Vindicators - Thinking of Birds
10. 14th Wray - Your Face in My Mind
11. The Upper Crust - (We're The) Upper Crust
12. The Stooges - 1969 (Alternate Vocal Take)
13. Awesome Color - Already Down
14. John Lennon - Well Well Well
15. Them - I'm Gonna Dress in Black (Version 2)
16. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Long Shadow
17. Great Scots - Lost in Conversation
18. Big Town Boys - August 32nd
19. 409 - They Say
20. The Vipers - Ain't Nothing Like Her
21. The Early Birds - Why Oh Why
22. The Strokes - Take It or Leave
23. The Checks - Take Me There
24. Supergrass - Diamond Ho Ha Man

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on December 16th, 2008. (Note: My show starts thirty minutes into the first download)

You Know You Can't Help It...A Different Kind of Tension Special Edition and Show # 226

In October of 2008, Buzzcocks re-issued their first three albums (Another Music in A Different Kitchen, Love Bites, and A Different Kind of Tension) in special edition format. All of the Special Editions feature two discs containing the original album. non album singles/B-sides, demos, live recordings and outtakes. In celebration of these releases Buzzcocks will play Another Music and Love Bites back to back on a small UK tour. This week on my show I played a block of songs featured on the A Different Kind of Tension Special Edition.

Released in 1979, A Different Kind of Tension was different than Buzzcocks previous two albums. It was recorded at a time when the band were battling a vicious cocktail of difficulties with record companies, drugs, and financial issues. The cover of the album features different shapes and the colour scheme of orange yellow and purple. Inside the centre triangle is a silhouetted picture of the band, surrounded by a purplish light, they look like they are from a different planet. This album was once again produced by Martin Rushent, and musically it sounds both spacious and cramped, staying true to the title. The band are sharp and precise which was most likely due to the tour that they had just come off of. Lyrically Shelley questions just about everything, the lyrics are also darker in nature. Guitarist Steve Diggle also supplies the album with high quality songs to help make this album great. The first single in 1979 for the band was "Everybody's Happy Nowadays", the song went to # 29 on the UK singles charts. "Harmony in My Head" was another non album single released by the band, it reached # 32 in the UK. The song was sung and written by Steve Diggle, apparently prior to recording the vocals to this track Diggle smoked 20 cigarettes to get a harsh sound from his voice. The other singles released for this album were the songs "You Say You Don't Love Me", and "I Believe", they were also featured on the album A Different Kind of Tension. On the album charts A Different Kind of Tension went to # 26 in the UK and # 163 in the US.

The Special Edition contains a plethora of bonus tracks. Not only does it contain the bands Parts 1,2,3 EP, but it also contains the bands last track with their classic line up, "I Look alone". If that isn't enough you also get all the associated singles ("Everybody's Happy Nowadays", "Why Can't I Touch It", and "Harmony in My Head"), Peel Sessions, and demos. What's interesting about the demos is that there are versions of songs such as "I Don't Know what To Do With My Life" with an extra verse, and slower early versions of "Mad Mad Judy", and "Harmony in My Head". You also get four unused songs that were made for A Different Kind of Tension. "I Don't Know" (an instrumental), and "Run Away From Home" both written by bassist Steve Garvey, and "Jesus Made Me Feel Guilty", and "The Drive System" (written by guitaris Steve Diggle). This special edition perfectly collects songs from the last moments of the this period of Buzzcocks (from 1977-1981). After this album they would split in 1981, but reform in 1989.

A full band history of the band can be found here. The A Different Kind of Tension Special Edition can be purchased on the Amazon UK website or the Amazon.com website.


In other news, this week I played a song by a new upcoming band known as The Stanley Blacks. Coming from Guildford in London, England the band is currently working on an EP and Gary of Always Searching For Music was kind enough to notify me of this, and supplied me with a track to play on my show. The band has made this track available for download as well, so you can download it here. They are also looking for feedback so if you'd like to comment on the song, you can head over to ASFM and leave a comment.

Stanley Blacks - In Sight
Stanley Blacks Myspace

Play List:

1. Buzzcocks - Paradise
2. Buzzcocks - Run Away From Home
3. Buzzcocks - Mad Mad Judy (Demo)
4. Buzzcocks - I Don't Know What to Do With My Life (Peel Session)
5. Sturgeons - Punk Rock Virgins
6. The Jury - Who Dat?
7. Don Norman & The Other 4 - Low Man
8. Young Rival - Your Island
9. The Magic - The Harder Way
10. The Stanley Blacks - In Sight
11. Gang of Four - Glass
12. Public Image Limited - FFF
13. Big Audio Dynamite - London Bridge
14. Wire - Sand in My Joints
15. Luger Boa - What is Real?
16. Clap Clap Riot - Don't Want Your Baby
17. The Jam - A Bomb in Wardour Street
18. Golden Hands Before God- Communist Party
19. Locust Have No King - Trench Song
20. The Kinks - Picture Book
21. Jakob Dylan - Evil is Alive and Well
22. Neil Young - Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
23. Lou Reed - Crazy Feeling
24. Dirty Pretty Things - Come Closer
25. Dirty Pretty Things - Faultlines

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on December 9th, 2008. (Note: My show starts thirty minutes into the first download)

Nostalgia...Love Bites Special Edition...Show # 225

In October of 2008, Buzzcocks re-issued their first three albums (Another Music in A Different Kitchen, Love Bites, and A Different Kind of Tension) in special edition format. All of the Special Editions feature two discs containing the original album. non album singles/B-sides, demos, live recordings and outtakes. In celebration of these releases Buzzcocks will play Another Music and Love Bites back to back on a small UK tour. This week on my show I played a block of songs featured on the Love Bites Special Edition. Next week I will feature a block from the A Different Kind of Tension Special Edition.

Released in September of 1978, Love Bites was a transition album for the band. It was an album where the Shelley fronted Buzzcocks began to evolve into a new sound of their own. While musically the album sounds very punk influenced, it also had more of a pop and power pop production style. Around the time of this release, the world in which was known as punk was changing. Lyrically Shelley addresses topics that can be seen as directly relating to that period of time. With song titles like "Real World", "Nostalgia", "Sixteen Again", and "Nothing Left", this theory is evident. The lyrics can also be identified as relating to other subjects such as love, and real life in general, but the lines are blurred. The album was produced by Martin Rushent, and was the bands second full length album. Not only was it their second album, but it was also released in the same year as the bands first album Another Music in A Different Kitchen. The album would feature the song "Love is Lies", which is the first song to feature lead vocals by guitarist Steve Diggle. Bassist Steve Garvey is credited for the instrumental track "Walking Distance", and the whole band gets credit for the song "Late For the Train". Pete Shelley is credited for the rest of the songs on the album as the bands main composer, with the exception of the song "Just Lust". The albums first single was the non album track "Love You More". The song went to #34 on the UK singles charts. It was followed by the song "Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't Have), which went to #12 on the UK singles charts and was also featured on Love Bites. The third single was another non album track, "Promises" (#20 in the UK). The album itself went to #13 on the UK album charts.

The special edition of this album features the original eleven track album, with non album tracks and B-sides ("Love You More", "Noise Annoys", "Promises", and "Lipstick"), Peel Session tracks, demos and a live concert from July, 21st 1978. The Peel Sessions feature the first performance of the instrumental song "Late For the Train", which was apparently written for the show, but re-recorded for Love Bites. It also features a different arrangement of the song "ESP". The demos feature the song "Raison D'etre" which would be a song on the bands third album A Different Kind of Tension. There is also an early version of the song "Promises", it is called "Children". Finally the demos include the joke song "Mother of Turds", which is a fun song that is not only humorous to the listener, but to the band as well because they cannot stop laughing through out the recording. What's interesting about the live concert is that it really shows off the band in their prime. Steve Garvey plays the bassline to the song "Breakdown" different, and better than the original in my opinion, giving it melody and depth. He also helps sing on the song "Autonomy".

A full band history of the band can be found here. The Love Bites Special Edition can be purchased on the Amazon UK website or the Amazon.com website. Next week my show will have a feature on the third Buzzcocks Special Edition release A Different Kind of Tension.

Play List:

1. The Nerves - Hanging on the Telephone
2. Gruesomes - Cave In
3. Stolen Minks - Black Widow
4. Sacred Sailors - I Can't Stand It
5. (International) Noise Conspiracy - Washington Bullets
6. Waking Eyes - Wolves At the Door
7. Marble Index - We Can Make It
8. Ugly Ducklings - Do What You Want
9. The Clues - Footsteps
10. Velvet Underground - I Can't Stand It
11. RTT - Frustration
12. Ian Hunter - Lisa Likes Rock N Roll
13. Cut Copy - Unforgettable Season
14. Bloc Party - Waiting For the 7:18
15. Kaiser Chiefs - Can't Say What I Mean
16. The Clash - Revolution Rock
17. Neil Young - Stupid Girl
18. Will Curie and The County French & Sloan - Push Pins
19. Buzzcocks - ESP (Peel Session Version)
20. Buzzcocks - Nostalgia
21. Buzzcocks - Raison D'etre (Demo)
22. Buzzcocks - Breakdown (Live July 79)
23. Radio Birdman - Murder City Nights
24. Guided By Voices - Shocker in Gloomtown
25. Standells - Rari
26. Young Rival - Too Hip

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on December 2nd, 2008.

Videos:

Interview + What Do I Get (Live in Toronto 1979)