Revolution Rock: Radio Brain Drain - Vancouver Special & Show # 626

To kick off CJAM FM’s Radio Brain Drain, a weeklong celebration of punk rock and all its forms, Revolution Rock hosted a special program. The show focused on the early Vancouver punk music scene along with new and old music from Vancouver that shares the spirit of the Ramones and punk rock. Also featured on the program was an interview that I did with Nick Jones of the now legendary punk/power pop band The Pointed Sticks in 2015.

You can listen to the interview here and download the radio program in a link below the playlist:



Radio Brain Drain 2016 Playlist:

1. DOA - Take A Chance (Something Better Change - 1980)
2. Active Dog - Rat Race (Rat Race/Good Filthy Fun - 1979)
3. Tim Ray - Dying In Brooklyn (Vancouver Complication - 1979)
4. Adrian Teacher & The Subs - Charmless Babes (Terminal City - 2016)
5. Thee Goblins - The Good Jacket Theme (The Good Jacket Presents ... Vancouver Special - 2000)
6. Riff Randells - Sombody's Mom (The Good Jacket Presents ... Vancouver Special - 2000)
7. The Secret V’s - Waiting For The Drugs To Take Hold (No Life Like It - 1980)
8. Tough Age - Snakes & Ladders (I Get The Feeling Central - 2015)
9. Energy Slime - Bustin’ Up (New Dimensional - 2014)
10. Nervous Talk - Nothing To Say (Nervous Talk - 2015)
11. Pointed Sticks - It’s O.K. (Waiting For The Real Thing - 2006)

Nick Jones Pointed Sticks Interview

12. Pointed Sticks - La La La (Pointed Sticks - 2015)
13. White Lung - Viva La Rat (It's The Evil - 2010)
14. Japandroids - Wet Hair (Post-Nothing - 2009)
15. Maow - Ms. Lefevre (The Unforgiving Sounds Of Maow - 1996)
16. Cub - Motel 6 (Betti-Cola - 1993)
17. The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic (Mass Romantic - 2000)
18. The Evaporators - I Gotta Disease (I’m Addicted To Cheese)(Ripple Rock - 2004)
19. The Evaporators - Nard Nest (Ripple Rock - 2004)
20. Mystery Machine - Japanese Dads (Western Magnetics - 2012)
21. Buddy Selfish - It’s Only Make Believe (Bud Luxford Presents: On Sale Inside - 1981)
22. Indian Wars - Denny (Songs From The North - 2012)
23. Dead Ghosts - On Your Own (Can't Get No - 2013)
24. The Modernettes - Rebel Kind (View From The Bottom - 1982)
25. The Dishrags - Carry On (Love/Hate - 1997)
26. Antheads - Think Fast (Some Plastic Flowers & Fruit - 2010)
27. Young Canadians - I Hate Music (No Escape - 1995/Vancouver Complication - 1979)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for August 13.

Pointed Sticks Nick Jones Interview & Show # 589

In 2009, Pointed Sticks, a punk/power pop band from Vancouver, released their second full-length album Three Lefts Make A Right following a reunion that began with live shows in Japan in 2006. Originally part of Vancouver’s burgeoning punk scene alongside bands such as D.O.A, The Modernettes and The Dishrags in the late 70s/early 80s among others, the Pointed Sticks combined their razor sharp witty lyrics with songwriting hooks. While they were part of the punk scene, like many punk bands, they took from a variety influences and were not just a band that played music at 100 miles per hour. Following a series of singles, EPs and an album entitled Perfect Youth in 1980, Pointed Sticks initial split was in 1981. But, after 2009’s Three Lefts Make A Right, Pointed Sticks went on a hiatus of sorts. In July of 2015, they returned with a self-titled album. Recorded by the band themselves at keyboardist Gord Nicholl’s studio, Pointed Sticks spent approximately five years working on this material, crafting their songs to define the sound that would present itself on this album. Doused in organ/keyboards provided by Gord Nicohll, subtle, melodic basslines by Tony Bardach, fuzzy guitar from Bill-Napier Hemy, the solid drum grooves of Ian Tiles and sharp thought provoking vocals by Nick Jones, Pointed Sticks features ten new songs.

Pointed Sticks opens with “La La La”, the song features dominate organ provided by Gord-Nicholl, crunchy guitar and lyrics provided with conviction by Nick Jones. Pointed Sticks start off this album, with catchy hooks and a 60s garage aesthetic. “You’re Not The One” adds in keyboards and salty acoustic guitars, contrasted with electric guitar that sounds as if it could have been on “Five Foot One” from Iggy Pop’s 1979 album New Values. “Broke”, another strong point on Pointed Sticks, adds to the band’s classic pop formula. This song provides the listener with guitar lines ala David Bowie & The Spiders From Mars guitarist Mick Ronson or Mick Jones of The Clash, flooding organ sounds and lyrics that seem to recall a realization. With lyrics such as “I should have known that for all these years”, “I was pushed out of line/I was losing track of the time” and “I never should’ve trusted fate/But everybody makes mistakes”, Pointed Sticks take their strong pop melodies while at the same time displaying a message of duality, one of which sounds like the story of a worn down human being, but the other that could perhaps relate to the band’s own situation. In “Broke”, Jones also seems to be reflecting on Pointed Sticks own predicament, contrasting realistic views of the past and present with a new hope, giving the song another element that warrants repeat listens. As many tracks do on this album.

“Lovely Bird” comes off with a sound in the vein of the sounds found on Vic Goddard & The Subway Sect’s 1980 album What’s The Matter Boy, while “Tin Foil Hat” blends jazz with French pop music. When speaking with Jones back in 2009, he mentioned that the band would bring a little bit of experimentation to their sound, and this song written and sung by bassist Tony Bardach, does just that. Bringing in dusty acoustic melodies, and hazy accordion flourishes, the lyrics tell the story of a rogue who is both rambunctious and invincible when wearing his a tin foil hat that was discovered on the street. “Skerabap’, a short approximately 40 second acoustic instrumental written by guitarist Napier-Hemy serves, along with “Tin Foil Hat”, as not just the halfway point of this album but also part of what separates it from the rest. In addition to their already emphasized pop dynamics and strong hooks, it shows that Pointed Sticks are still willing to try new things and not be pigeonholed. And despite the contrast in musical styles, these songs only add to the depth and overall melodies found on this album.

“Impatient” musically sounds like it is part “Gloria” by Them mixed with keyboard parts from an early Doors song, as the chorus kicks in, its infectiousness drives home a story about a character that wants to move forward, but does things so quickly that she doesn’t give them time to develop. “Yesterday’s Girl” is a song sung by keyboardist Gord Nicholl and is the first Pointed Sticks song that he has sung lead vocals on, “Tsune’s Song” is a stop and start power pop song that was written in part with Tsuneglam Sam of the Tokyo glam pop band Young Parisienens. The album ends with the song “Simply Nothing”. Featuring primarily acoustic guitar and a Ray Davies Kinksian slant circa their Lola vs. Powerman period, this defy all odds love song can also be reflective of Pointed Sticks in 2015. With a new album out and hopes to tour Europe, Pointed Sticks don’t pretend to be something they’re not on this album. They aren’t trying to re-write their past. The music and lyrics has an honesty that looks forward based on the experiences of the past, while at the same time maintaining the band’s boy meets girl songwriting dynamic. With this album Pointed Sticks reach what seems like another new beginning.

Listen to the interview that I did with Nick Jones of Pointed Sticks here:



Saturday Night Playlist:

1. Chips & Co. - Let The Winds Blow
2. Natives From Earth - How Can I Miss You (If You Won’t Go Away)
3. Archie & The Bunkers - Sally Lou
4. Bob Dylan I Want You (Take 4)
5. Chastity - Manning Hill
6. Hook And Eye - Poacher Of The King's Deer
7. Dirty Ghost - Cataract
8. The Milk Monitors - Drag You Down
9. The Victims - I Understand
10. Pointed Sticks - La La La

Nick Jones Pointed Sticks Interview

11. Pointed Sticks - You’re Not The One
12. Patti Smith - Wicked Messenger
13. Charlie Pickett & The Eggs - Overtown
14. Indian wars - Eight Feet High
15. George Jones - No Money In This Deal
16. Andre Williams - My Tears
17. Alex G - Bug
18. Pylon - Volume
19. X-Ray Spex - Germ Free Adolescents
20. Nervous Talk - Different Person
21. Young Rival - Living Like You Should

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for December 5. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

The Rebel Kind ... Canadian Punk From The Late 70s/Early 80s & Show # 522

On August 16, 1974, the Ramones played their first show as a four piece band at CBGB’s and using that as a starting off point CJAM FM celebrates the 40th anniversary of punk rock with a variety of programming from August 16-22nd 2014. For Revolution Rock, I decided to take a closer look at some of the bands that were involved in the first waves of the punk/new wave scenes of the late 70s and early 80s. Here is a short summary of some of the places (not all of them) in Canada that had various music scenes influenced by the punk rock attitude and ethos put forth by the loud, fast Ramones.

Toronto, Ontario

The Diodes were notable in the Toronto scene for two things, one for being the first Canadian punk act signed to a Canadian major label and secondly for running the Crash ‘n’ Burn, Toronto’s first punk club. This short lived club, also served as the band’s rehearsal space and was the subject of a 1977 film entitled Crash ‘n’ Burn, which can now be seen on Youtube. The Diodes released three albums, 1977’s The Diodes, Released in 1979, and Action-Reaction in 1980. There was also an outtakes compilation released in 1982 entitled Survivors. Several other releases have been put together and released through Bongo Beat Records. The Diodes along with many other bands in Toronto at the time such as The Viletones, The Ugly and The Scenics helped to define the early scene.

In 1978, a documentary film titled The Last Pogo was made by filmmaker Colin Brunton centering on what was billed as the last punk rock show at The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. It featured many bands from the Toronto scene, but also other bands such as Hamilton’s Teenage Head. Recently, this film has been expanded on this premise to chronicle the Canadian punk scene from 1976-1978. Titled The Last Pogo Jumps Again, the film is “a documentary about the punk/new-wave/alternative music scene in Toronto, from when The Ramones hit the stage of The New Yorker in 1976 to when the cops gave Teenage Head the boot at infamous The Last Pogo concert in 1978. Filmmakers Colin Brunton and Kire Paputts started the project in June 2006 and logged hundreds of hours of interviews, photos and film clips. Using the 1978 film The Last Pogo as a jumping-off point, the three hour and twenty movie explores the dynamics of what was arguably the most exciting cultural explosion in Toronto’s history,” according to the film’s official website. More information can be found at http://www.thelastpogo.net


The Last Pogo Jumps Again trailer from Colin Brunton on Vimeo.

Vancouver, BC

While most people identify the popular and influential D.O.A. as coming from the late 70s punk scene in Vancouver, there were also several other influential bands from that time. Active Dog was a band that featured future members of other bands, most notably John “Buck Cherry” Armstrong of The Modernettes/Los Popularos/Lost Durangos, Gord Nicholl and Robert Bruce of The Pointed Sticks, Ross Carpenter of The Melody Pimps, Antheads, and several others. They only released one single in 1979 the Rat Race/Good Filthy Fun single before splitting up and were featured on the Vancouver Complication album compiling bands from the Vancouver scene. The power pop/punk band The Pointed Sticks, one of the band’s that featured members from Active Dog reformed in 2009, releasing a Three Lefts Make a Right in the same year. They are currently finishing up a third full-length album that has an anticipated release date of 2014. The Young Canadians were another influential band in the scene at the time. The band is notable for featuring Art Bergmann, who was involved with many bands in the scene. He would go on to become a solo artist in the 1980s and 90s. The Young Canadians released two EP’s and a single before splitting up and were originally called the K-Tels, but were forced to change their name due to legal related actions. Art Bergmann recently announced a new upcoming EP to be titled Songs For The Underclass that is to be released in 2014.

In 2011, there was also a documentary created by filmmaker Susanne Tabata entitled Bloodied But Unbowed. The documentary digs deep into the late 70s/early punk scenes in Vancouver and features many of the key members that were involved in the scene at the time. The documentary “tells a tale of rebellion and music — a fiercely independent scene created from nothing and played out in a microcosm of urban squalor,” as stated on their official website. More information can be found at http://thepunkmovie.com



London, Ontario

London, Ontario featured many bands that were influential during the late 70s and early 80s, some of which included 63 Monroe and The Demics. Taking members from one of the first punk bands in London, NFG and members of another London band The Verge, 63 Monroe was born releasing their first EP entitled N.F.G in 1980. The band often called a glam punk band still continues to perform to this day. The Demics, while they only released an EP and album during their existence (1979’s Talk’s Cheap EP and the 1980 album The Demics) were formed in 1977 in London, Ontario and relocated to Toronto in 1978. They are perhaps known for their song and breakthrough 1979 enigmatic single “New York City”. This is a song sung with attitude and aggressive guitars, despite it’s catchy and memorable chorus.

It is also worth noting that throughout the mid 80s and early 90s London had a zine called What Wave, which was a fanzine celebrating Canadian and sometimes non-Canadian garage/garage punk acts. Several of these issues also came with compilation albums on cassette and sometimes vinyl records. Currently CHRW, a campus radio station in London, Ontario has a program hosted by What Wave Dave (who ran the What Wave zine with his wife Rena from 1984 to 1996) called Radio What Wave, which airs Thursday nights from 6:00 - 7:30 PM, featuring music from the What Wave archives and several other garage and punk related acts. In November 2012, What Wave # 24 was published with a cassette compilation featuring London, Ontario bands from 1978-1992.






Saturday Night Play List:

1. The Spy's - Underground
2. The Dry Heaves - South Windsor Punk (No Funk)
3. 63 Monroe - After
4. The Viletones - Rebel
5. The Dishes - Monopolies Are Made At Night
6. The Diodes - Time Damage
7. The Hot Nasties - I Am A Confused Teenager
8. Young Canadians -Automan
9. D.O.A. - Kill, Kill This is Pop
10. The Melody Pimps - Shell Out
11. Corsage - Rome
12. Tim Ray & A.V. - Quarter To Eight
13. Exxotone - Big Shot
14. Active Dog - Rat Race
15. Active Dog - Good Filthy Fun
16. The Verdix - Media
17. The Sturgeons - Punk Rock Virgins
18. Crash 80’s - Thrills
19. Tyranna - Back off Baby
20. The Scenics - Do The Wait
21. The Secrets - Teenage Rampage
22. B-Girls - High School Dance
23. The Mods - Step Out Tonight
24. The Government - Hemingway (Hated Disco Music)
25. Drastic Measures - Mr. America
26. The Pointed Sticks - I’m Numb/What Do You Want Me To Do (Live June 1980)
27. The Nils - Freedom
28. The Unusuals - Hit And Run
29. The Curse - Shoeshine Boy
30. The Bureaucrats - She’s An American
31. The Dishrags - Past Is Past
32. Teenage Head - Picture My Face
33. The Modernettes - Barbra
34. The Forgotten Rebels - This Ain’t Hollywood
35. The Demics - New York City

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for August 16. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Marching Song ... The Story of The Pointed Sticks & Show # 344

Abba meets The Stooges, bubblegum with fuzzy guitars, boy meets girl at 100 miles per hour, these are all sayings that have been attributed to The Pointed Sticks a Canadian Punk/Power Pop band from Vancouver. Pointed Sticks origins began upon the return of Nick Jones to Vancouver from the UK where he worked at a record store in the summer of 1978. Mixing the influential concoctions of the UK Punk scene with Pop music, the band would take influence from bands such as Buzzcocks, Ramones, Phil Spector, and 60s Garage acts such as The Sonics and Paul Revere & The Raiders. The original band consisted of Nick Jones (vocals), Bill Napier-Hemy (guitars), Tony Bardach (bass), and Ian Tiles on drums. Going through several names the band decided upon “The Pointed Sticks”, making reference to a Monty Python sketch. After winning the Second Georgia Straight Battle of Bands in 1978, The Pointed Sticks recorded their first single What Do You Want Me To Do?

Released on local label Quintessence, “What Do You Want Me To Do?” was backed with “Somebody’s Mom” and produced by Bob Rock. The two track single offered up two catchy Pop songs, but at the same time featuring the energy, sound, and influence of 70s Punk. While, “What Do You Want Me To Do?” is an excellent Pop gem, the B-side “Somebody’s Mom” was an aggressive quick paced track. The band line up shifted in 1979 when Robert Bruce was added as the bands new drummer and Gord Nicholl was brought in on keyboards, both new members had previously been the fellow Vancouver band Active Dog. A second single followed the same year The Real Thing, it was produced by Bob Rock. With new band members in their ranks the bands sound evolved. Immediately one could notice the improvement upon the bands earlier sound, while they still kept their Punk roots they had more melody than ever before, as evident with the spacious keyboard playing of Nicholl and backup vocal harmonies on “The Real Thing.” “Out of Luck” finished the 1979 single adding more of a raunchy element to their sound, featuring blistering guitar solos. Shortly after the singles release, Robert Bruce exited the group only to be replaced by drummer Ken “Dimwit” Montgomery, who had previously played with The Subhumans. With Ken behind the drums, The Pointed Sticks sound grew once again adding a thunderous backing section. One more single was recorded for Quintessence Records featuring Montgomery on drums, Lies backed with "I’m Numb" was released in 1979.

The band was then signed to the famed UK label Stiff Records in the summer of 1979, being the first Canadian bands to do so. An EP followed titled the Out of Luck EP. Produced by Brinsley Schwartz, the EP featured re-recordings of songs the band had previously put out. The three songs included on the EP were “Out of Luck”, “What Do You Want Me To Do?” and had more of a Garage feel to them. The band was then exported to the UK to record a full length album for Stiff, but things didn’t go exactly as planned. Recording with producer Nigel Grey (The Police, Siouxsie & The Banshees), an album was completed, but Stiff decided not to release it. At this point, which was around 1980, Stiff was going through financial difficulties and preference went to bigger named acts, the album remained unreleased in its complete form until recently when The Pointed Sticks released it through Base Records in Tokyo.

Returning to Vancouver from England The Pointed Sticks headed into the studio with Bob Rock to record their full length album Perfect Youth. By this point, the band line up had altered yet again to include Scott Watson on bass and John Farano on Saxophone. The album is defined by songs such as “Marching Song” an ultimate Power Pop song featuring ringing Punk power chords and New Wave-pseudo Garage sounding keyboards, “No Use For U” a song that reflects a Soul Motown essence with its melodic basslines, drum beats and saxophone lines, and “American Song”, which is a mature sounding pop song that is one of the catchiest moments found on Perfect Youth. There are also other tracks such as “True Love”, which reflects the bands earlier sound, a cover of The Sonics "The Witch", and the album ender “Part of the Noise” which is razor edged Pop Perfection. Overall, Perfect Youth was a very melodic album adding a new dynamic to the band with smoother production style, brass horn sections and keyboard arrangements which contributed new elements to the bands Pop and Punk style. Comparisons have often been made between this album and Elvis Costello & the Attractions, and the keyboard playing of XTC’s Barry Andrews has been contrasted to Gord Nicholls, but the album is ultimately a culmination of the bands influences at that point in time. In 1980, the band were also featured in the Out of the Blue a cult-classic movie by Dennis Hopper. The band, who were a popular underground act in the Vancouver scene at the time can be seen performing at the end of the film. After a tour in August of 1981, the band began to dissolve. In June 1981, the band called it quits.

In 1995 a compilation was released on Zulu Records called Part of the Noise. This was a compilation album that contained rarities, unreleased recordings and some tracks from the unreleased Stiff album recording sessions, it also generated a renewed interest in the band. In 2005, Joey "Shithead" Keithley of Vancouver band DOA helped to release the compilation album Waiting For The Real Thing on Sudden Death Records. The album compiled all of the bands early singles with Quintessence as well as a variety of live recordings, and previously unreleased recordings from the Stiff album recording sessions. As a bonus the last track features two hidden songs, both covers. Following the song “Automatic You”, there is a version of Pointed Sticks doing “Born To Cry” by Dion and the Belmonts, and Del Shannon’s 1964 song “Keep Searchin’”. A re-issue of the bands full length album Perfect Youth followed the same year. This re-generated interest in the band, particularly in Japan. As a result, the band decided to play three reunion shows in Japan in 2006. The band line up consisted of the original line up featuring Ian Tiles on drums and Tony Bardach on bass. The shows went extremely well, which resulted in further live appearances and even talk of a new recordings. In 2007, The Pointed Sticks decided to record two new songs at Paramount, which was Gord Nicholls studio. The songs were “My Japanese Fan”, a catchy Power Pop hook filled song, and “Found Another Boy”, an older song written by Nicholls, but never recorded in a studio. The songs were released as a seven inch single on vinyl in 2007 on Sudden Death Records. The single marked the first time in 25 years that the band recorded new material. In 2008, the band recorded two new Christmas songs (“Power Pop Santa”, “Xmas Time Again”) and made them available for free on their website.

The Pointed Sticks remained active, intermittently touring in between family schedules. In October of 2009, The Pointed Sticks released their second full length album. Produced by Mike Fraser, Three Lefts Make a Right was recorded at Vancouver’s Warehouse Studios. The album featured thirteen new tracks, all of which were worked on slowly over the course of a year and a half balanced in between the band members other careers. The songs maintained the classic hooks and melodies that The Pointed Sticks have been known for, but also added further groove and elements into the bands already established sound. Three Lefts Make A Right sounds as Nick Jones stated as “A natural progression” for the band. The album features songs such as “She’s Not Alone Anymore” which has the classic keyboard economics of Gord Nicholl and Punk Power Pop connotations that the band established on their album Perfect Youth, “Igor Said”, “By Your Side”,” Wireless” and “Something New” exemplify classic Pointed Sticks melodies and song structures, while tracks such as “All Night”, and “Leave Me Alone” are clear examples of the bands new found groove. Currently The Pointed Sticks are working on material for a follow up to Three Lefts Make A Right and the songs are said to lean a little in the experimental direction.

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The Following interview was done between myself (Dave Konstantino host of Revolution Rock) and Nick Jones (of Pointed Sticks). He touches on several moments in the bands early career, their second album, and the bands future.

RR: The bands name originates from a Monty Python sketch, but you decided upon this name after going through several other names. What were some of the band names that you were interested in before finally choosing the name Pointed Sticks?

NJ: We didn't really go through too many names at the beginning. About the only one we even really considered was The Girls, cause it sounded kinda like the NY Dolls and then we could have worn tons of makeup, but then we found out that there was already a band in Seattle called that. At one point we had a drummer called Ernie Dick, so for a while it was Ernie Dick and the Pointed Sticks, but we booted him before our first gig, so we never actually played under that name.

RR: What are some of your favourite albums and which bands had a big influence on the bands early days?

NJ: Same as pretty much every other bunch of kids starting a punk band in 1978, but we also liked the Buzzcocks, who weren't real well known yet, and also tons of 60's pop and garage music. We loved Phil Spector, Motown, Bubblegum music, and stuff like Paul Revere and the Raiders, and the Sonics. Our first few gigs were all covers, things like It Hurts To Be In Love by Gene Pitney, done at double speed...

RR: You were signed to Stiff Records in the UK, how did that occur?

NJ: They had heard our Quintessence singles, and wanted to have a presence in North America. So they signed us, Any Trouble, and the Feelies. We also had interest from Sire, but went with Stiff so we could record in England.

RR: Could you describe the sessions that you did for Stiff in the UK? When did they occur and why did they remain unreleased for so long?

NJ: The session took place in Jan/Feb 1980. First off, they had picked totally the wrong producer for us. Nigel Gray, the guy who had done the Police records. He was a nice guy, but he only knew one sound, and he wanted us to sound like the Police. He rearranged a bunch of songs, used horrible thin sounds, and generally was pretty unsympathetic to our ideas. We had asked for Nick Lowe, but our requests fell on deaf ears. Also at this time, Stiff was in the process of going bankrupt. They had way over extended themselves financially, and the problems of 5 kids from Vancouver didn't really register very highly on the importance chart for them. The Feelies album actually came out, but got no support and died a horrible death. Ours never came out at all, until we bootlegged it ourselves 28 years later!! Available on Base Records from Tokyo!

RR: The band worked with Bob Rock on three of your earlier singles and the full length album Perfect Youth. What was it like working with Bob and do you still keep in contact with him at all?

NJ: We saw him a couple of years ago when we were making 3 Lefts, but don't really keep in touch with him. He's a swell guy, and very talented. To be honest, I think he learned a lot about how to produce records from working with us. They were the first records to have his name as producer on them, and we all were very much into doing anything to make the song better, even if it was something way outside the normal record making procedure. We put mikes in stairwells, turned tape upside down and used weird instruments. We had a ton of fun in the studio with him, and it’s probably still our most fun place to be, even though we've grown to love playing live. That used to be pretty torturous for us back in the day, mostly because I bought into the role of tortured artist...ha ha ha!!!

RR: The Pointed Sticks were featured in the Dennis Hopper Cult classic Out of the Blue. How did the band get connected with Hopper and was it like meeting/working with Dennis Hopper?

NJ: The producers of the film kind of used us, being the most popular underground band in Vancouver at the time, as a draw for the free concert that they filmed for inclusion in the movie. It was a freezing cold day, and about 600 kids were made to wait outside in the cold for 3 hours until they opened the doors at 6pm. Then a few bands including us and the Dishrags swapped sets until about 12:30 when Dennis and his gang of coked out cowboys arrived to film the wreckage. By that time, much alcohol had been consumed, and everybody was on edge, so the weirdness you see in the movie is honest....I love the movie, it’s very dark and a great snapshot of a city that no longer exists....recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Blue Velvet.

RR: Could you elaborate on the recording of the My Japanese Fan single that was released in 2007? How did the songs come about (My Japanese Fan and Found Another Boy) and where/when was it recorded?

NJ: MJF came about because we got tired really quickly of playing nothing but our old songs, after we had re-united in 2006 for the trip to Japan. We felt that unless we could actually do something new, that it would be boring and pointless to keep playing. Found Another Boy was an old song of Bills that we had never recorded way back when, and I really liked it. It reminds me of Be My Lover by Alice Cooper! MJF was Gords idea initially, but everyone in the band contributed at least one line to the lyrics and I think it’s a great pop song. It was recorded at Paramount, which is Gords studio.

RR: How was the recording process different when making Three Lefts Make A Right as opposed to recordings that you have done in the past. Is the song writing process any different than your previous efforts?

NJ: Well, because we recorded at Gords place, we had a lot more time to re-do things until we were happy with the performances. We also spent a full year doing demos before we recorded the final product, which gave us the chance to refine the songs down to their essence. We’ve never been much of a jam band, we like to say what we've got to say in as concise a way as possible. We also recorded most of our parts separately, due to work and family commitments, it was different, but necessity is the mother of invention, they say! As for the songwriting, Gord gave me a demo with a whole ton of ideas on it, and I messed around with them and gave them back, then he messed around some more, then we demoed them together until we were happy with what we had. On Tony and Bills songs, they brought them in to me and Gord arranged them a bit and changed a few little things, got the thumbs up, and went from there.

RR: What are the future plans for The Pointed Sticks?

NJ: Well, we have some new songs that we've slowly been working on, but everyone is very busy. Hopefully by the end of the year we'll have something new to share with the world. And the songs are different than 3 Lefts, a bit more experimental, I would say. And we might play again soon, or we might not. It will evolve the way it’s meant to be. We are all great friends, and when we do get together, it’s a great time, so I'm sure that the world hasn't seen the last of the Pointed Sticks yet...

RR: When I interviewed Ross Carpenter (of Active Dog) he mentioned a band that you (Nick) played in a band called The Melody Pimps. Could you elaborate more on this band?

NJ: Melody Pimps are a fuck band, one of many great Vancouver fuck bands and I think that to understand this properly, you should go to the appropriate webisode on the "Bloodied But Unbowed" website....all will be revealed.

Links of interest:

Pointed Sticks Official Website
Pointed Sticks Myspace Page
Pointed Sticks Facebook Page

This Week's Play List:

1. The Pointed Sticks - Marching Song
2. Simply Saucer - Dance The Mutation
3. Johnny West - Some Are Salt
4. Wildlife - When I Get Home
5. Justin Faubert - Evolution
6. What Seas What Shores - Cordyceps
7. Beekeeper - There's A Reason
8. Kman and the 45s - Nine Lives (Part 1)
9. The Nefidovs - Animal Love (Demo)
10. Tom Norcott Trio - Just Don't
11. Michel & The French Canadians - Cause I Believe
12. The Ugly Ducklings - 10:30 Train
13. The Hung Jury - Except the Whisky
14. The Locusts Have No King - Cruelty is King
15. Deja Voodoo - Red Garlic Shoes
16. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet - Bennet Cerf
17. The Pointed Sticks - Lies
18. Blue Peter - Do The Robot
19. The Government - Paranoid Downtown Funk Pt.2
20. Private School - Rock and Roll Radio
21. The Shades - New Clientelle
22. Active Dog - Nothing Holding You
23. No Fun - Old
24. The Pointed Sticks - My Japanese Fan
25. The Pointed Sticks - The Real Thing
26. The Pointed Sticks - Keep Searchin'

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for March 22. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

My show Revolution Rock, is nominated for the best Indie/Alternative/Rock show for CJAM's annual Jammy Awards.  If you're a listener of the show or visit this website, my show could use your support. You can vote here.

Canadian Punk Nuggets...Show # 317

Here are some video clips from some Canadian Punk bands:



The B-Girls are an all female Punk band that originates from Toronto. Thanks to Son of Spam for bringing this band to my attention.



The Modernettes originate from Vancouver.



The Pointed Sticks also originate from Vancouver.


This Weeks Play List:

1. The D4 - Sleaze City
2. Crash 80's - Thrills
3. Dry Heaves - South Windsor Punk (No Funk)
4. The Sods - There's No Pictures
5. Intravein - Speed of the City
6. Sabre - Take Me Home
7. The Roulettes - Unread Books
8. Square Root of Margaret - Angelene
9. Scatterheart - You Try
10. James Brown - Don't Be Drop-Out
11. Nick Lowe - Play That Fast Thing (One More Time)
12. The Locusts Have No King - Song 6
13. The Black Lips - How Do You Tell A Child That Someone Has Died
14. Keep Me Safe - Report From The Trenches
15. Johnny West - Can't Get But Been Got
16. The Thermals - You Changed My Life
17. The Black Angels - Bad Vibrations
18. Pretty Things - Gonna Find Me A Substitute
19. Gun Club - For the Love of Ivy
20. The Vamps - I Only Saw You
21. Neon Hearts - Get So Many Pains
22. Luger Boa - FTK

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for September 14th. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Waiting For the Real Thing... Pointed Sticks Story and Show # 197

The Pointed Sticks are a Canadian punk/power pop band that came from Vancouver in Canada. Forming in 1978, the band named themselves after a Monty Python sketch. The band was a mix of punk and pop and only lasted until 1981. They were the first Canadian band signed to stiff records, but the label never released an album by the band just a few singles. After releasing four singles, the band released their only full length album during their first incarnation, it was titled Perfect Youth. Coming out in 1980, the album was produced by Bob Rock (later of Metallica producing fame) and contained twelve tracks.

The band consisted of Nick Jones (vocals), Tony Bardach (bass), Bill Naper-Hemy (guitar), and Ian Tiles on drums. The line up would switch up a bit when Scott Watson went on bass and Tiles was replaced by Robert Bruce. They would also get a keyboard player named Gord Nicholl who was from another Canadian band called Active Dog; Bruce (also from Active Dog) would also be replaced by Ken "Dimwit" Montgomery on drums.

In 1995, the band released the Part Of The Noise Compilation. The album was a mix of unreleased songs and songs from their previous releases, serving as a greatest hits of sorts. In 2005, Sudden Death Records re-issued the bands Perfect Youth album and released the live bootleg Waiting For the Real Thing. All of the re-issues contained bonus tracks, but Waiting For the Real Thing serves in my opinion as the best release by the band. It is an energetic and exciting album and its loaded with songs, 24 of them.

In 1980, the band was featured in Dennis Hopper's movie Out of the Blue. In 2006, the band reunited for a series of shows in Japan, and in tours in Canada and the US in 2006 and early 2007. The band has plans to tour and record again. For more info on the band you can visit their official website. Next week I will continue counting down to my 200th show by doing a show focusing on the band The Kinks. Leave requests in the comments section if there's anything you'd like to hear.

The Play List:

1. What Do You Want Me To Do? (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
2. Somebody's Mom (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
3. Real Thing (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
4. Marching Song (Perfect Youth 1980)
5. Perfect Youth (Perfect Youth 1980)
6. American Song (Perfect Youth 1980)
7. Must Be Crazy (Part of the Noise 1995)
8. Nothing Else To Do (Part of the Noise 1995)
9. Shape of Things To Come (Part of the Noise 1995)
10. Man of the Crowd (Part of the Noise 1995)
11. Careless (1980 Demo)
12. Middle Aged Teenagers (1980 Demo)
13. When She's Alone (Perfect Youth 1980)
14. True Love (Perfect Youth 1980)
15. 1-2 (Perfect Youth 1980)
16. The Witch (Perfect Youth 1980)
17. Out of Luck (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
18. Lies (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
19. I'm Numb (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
20. It's O.K. (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
21. Apologies (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
22. New Ways (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
23. All That Matters (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
24. The Witch (Waiting For the Real Thing 2005)
25. Part of the Noise (Perfect Youth 1980)
26. Somebody's Mom (Single Version) (Perfect Youth 1980)
27. Way You Do (Perfect Youth 1980)
28. My Japanese Fan (7" Single 2007)

Pointed Videos:

Lies
Out of Luck/Somebody's Mom (From Out of the Blue 1980)