The soul still beats on!

A lovely woman just introduced me to these fellows and I'm won. The dirty southern gospel rock of days old are still beating on, we just gotta seek it out!

Before he was bad, he was a bad mother fucker

David Allan Coe's got a reputation for being the grandfather of raunchy country, but before he got there, he was a lowly bum sitting on deathrow for killing a man. It was there he wrote the first album of his infamous career, "Penitentiary Blues". Here, he wasn't so much country as he was a soulful bluesman, bursting with misery and pleads of mercy upon his warden. Bluesy wordplay, southern marinated guitar work and a touch of voodoo craftsmanship makes this whole thing a work of mad brilliance. Now, you listen to Monkey David Wine and see what I mean.

A little peace of mind amidst the mad world

An absolutely ecstatic cover by an ecstatic band.

This'll take you back....or somewhere

The Dukes of Stratosphear (AKA XTC)


And of course...the defining Dukes of Stratosphear song.....25 O'Clock!!!


and finally, what psychedelic album's complete without a song of golden dresses?

Charles Manson and The Family

Very eerie recordings here.

Laying the blueprints for a menacing step forward in Punk

Punk definitely saved us from the mediocrity of Classic Rock giants like Yes and The Eagles but I think the real meat and depth of this era in Rock came along with the help of two fantastic bands.
A little known group today in contrast to The Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks or Ramones; The Outsiders were actually the first Punk outfit to release their own self-released LP in 1977. That's saying a lot considering the strong fiber of Punk's DIY motif. They railed and ranted for 3 years until Adrian Borland grew weary of the unrelenting blitz Rock-form and yearned for some greater texture, tension and range. With this, The Sound was born, helping to lay the blueprints for Post-Punk; a much darker, more personal expansive sound than a lot of the trash Punk that pushed onward. Adrian is given the freedom to slow it down, way down. Just listen to:
Total Recall
and observe the cautious bass lines. The lyrics are liberated from the anti-government bravado and free to explore. The Punk philosophy isn't exclusive to government disdain after all.

Another group that still pushes it to this very day is Killing Joke, headed by the musically diverse Jaz Coleman. Their first self-titled LP can be considered a true Punk classic while it still cut a clear path in the New Wave direction. Listen to:
Complications
and you'll get a feel for the sheer doom behind the chugging guitar and the unmistakable New Wave synthesizers that are backing. It's perfectly vicious, maintaining the Punk sensibilities but the slight implication of mood gives them a sinister edge that the four-guitar blitzkrieg attack can miss out on. Mr. Coleman has also collaborated with Anne Dudley on an instrumental album "Songs From The Victorious City". It's here that his criminally wide range in musical intrigue shows through and I'd advise you to check it out if you're curious about that crazy Middle Eastern sound. And be sure to check out some other Post-Punk innovators like Television, Magazine, Public Image Ltd. (Johnny Rotten's brainchild), Joy Division, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and especially Wire. Some of you that can't really tolerate the abrasive Punk surface might enjoy the second-age a little more!

VA VA VOOM!!!

From the Frisco bay, check out this single track. Low Flying Owls were a very short lived band but they left some rollicking gems in their wake. Check em out, play 'em on the road, keep their tunes alive!
Va Va Voom!

The Entrance Band is back!

Guy Blakeslee's come out of hiding at last! This reclusive string plucking lunatic put on the best guitar-driven show I've ever seen and that doesn't go without mentioning the trio. As a band they will melt your face off with their ridiculous chemistry. The addition of lovely bassist Paz Lenchantin creates a sort of spiritual stage dance as the two twist about to the fanatical guitar's direction. Watch as the trio do their thing in very fine form:

If The Entrance Band is doing anything at all, they are making the guitar interesting again. February! Doug Fir Lounge! GO!!! And listen to these tracks while you're at it:
Grim Reaper Blues
and a Rapidshare download: Valium Blues


*photos courtesy of Nicole Cook*