Random Rumblings

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)

2012-01-13T18:54:00.003-05:00

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981) was funded by some folks usually in the business of producing porn, but director Penelope Spheeris instead created this imperfect but classic documentary of the Los Angeles hardcore/punk world of 1979/80.
Interviews and performances from the Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X all provide a fascinating look at that period in musical history.

Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973) - MST3K

2011-12-16T16:19:00.000-05:00

As a pre-Christmas treat, here's the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew tackling 1973s Godzilla vs. Megalon - from their second season.

die kreuzen - 1985 - Atlantic City

2011-12-13T00:50:00.000-05:00

Check out the Midwestern hardcore and beyond sounds from Milwaukee, Wisconsin's die kreuzen. Presented here is footage from 26 July 1985 of a happening show at an Elk's Lodge in Atlantic City.

I dig this!!!

Set list:

Halloween
Melt
This Hope
Counting Cracks
Uncontrolled Passion
Rumors
Dirt And Decay
There's A Place
Fighting
Imagine A Light

The Snow Man (1932) cartoon

2011-12-10T17:17:00.001-05:00

Unlike the jovial and happy-go-lucky Frosty, the snowman on display in this 1932 cartoon is a much more malevolent creature. Once created, this snow man goes on a Frankenstein monster or King Kong-esque rampage in which he eats a happy lil fish and attacks a church, among other misdeeds.

The cartoon's animator and director Ted Eshbaugh was a competitor to Walt Disney in the arena of cartoons, but as events unfolded, he never attained that level of success.

We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen (2005)

2011-12-08T20:35:00.001-05:00

We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen (2005)
Excellent documentary on San Pedro, California
punk rock band the Minutemen.
Recommended viewing!!!

One Night In A City / Jedné Noci V Jednom Meste (2007)

2011-11-30T20:33:00.000-05:00

Presented here is Jan Balej's animated film Night In A City / Jedné Noci V Jednom Meste (2007) from the Czech Republic. Very little dialogue throughout, but instead a rich world of sounds and music which more than match the detailed animation and curious vignettes that create the film.

Black Flag - 1983 - Culver City

2011-11-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

Dig on this footage of a truncated 1983 Black Flag show in an unconventional venue. Here's the description that was posted with the video:

"This is all the video available from this incredible BLACK FLAG performance at a garage party in 1983. The clip begins with a few moments from the song MY RULES then goes into DEPRESSION, SCREAM, NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, THIRSTY AND MISERABLE, and just the intro to SIX PACK.

The Black Flag lineup at this time had Ginn, Dukowki, Rollins, Stevenson, and coincedentaly the last performance with Dez Cadena on 2nd guitar. Contarary to even Rollins own memory, this party was not in Mike Muir's garage, but was in the garage of one of the Suicidal Tendencies roadies (Albert, his grandmas actually) in Culver City, West Los Angeles, California. Black Flag played this party in the middle of the day as a favor to then Suicidal manager and often Black Flag photographer Glen E. Friedman. The occasion was to attempt to get as many of the suicidal kids with their hand drawn shirts into one place so they could be photographed for ST's debut LP cover. Black Flag played a tremendous set, Suicidal followed and could barely get through one song due to the insanity of the rabid suicidal followers, it was a nice afternoon."

Spider Baby (1968)

2011-10-23T15:09:00.001-04:00

Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told was one of director Jack Hill's (The Big Doll House, Coffy, The Swinging Cheerleaders, etc.) earliest features. Initially shot in 1964 but financial problems with the producers resulted in many complications and it was not released theatrically until 1968. A favorite of mine, this odd movie is perfect for some pre-Halloween viewing.

the trailer

the feature

Butthole Surfers - 1987 - Los Angeles

2011-10-17T20:48:00.000-04:00

Butthole Surfers

April 1987

Variety Arts Center, Los Angeles, CA

Witnessing the Butthole Surfers as they brought their Locust Abortion Technician tour to Chicago in late April of 1987 remains one of the most absolute favorite live performances I've ever attended. The sights and sounds blew my mind and I quickly realized this was not just another hardcore show and the naked dancer, smoke machine, weird films projected behind the band, etc. proved this point repeatedly.

Thanks to 1966Sickman (+ Credits to: Hothcanada, Notsaved & weldermatt) for posting the clips below which document the Butthole Surfers as they highlighted songs from the then newly released Locust Abortion Technician record at a show in Los Angeles in early April 1987.

Set list:
[01]. U.S.S.A.
[02]. Sweat Loaf
[03]. Julio
[04]. Creep In The Cellar
[05]. Psychedelic Jam
[06]. To Parter
[07]. Johnny Smoke
[08]. Pittsburg to Lebanon
[09]. Graveyard
[10]. No Rule
[11]. The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harveys Grave
[12]. Mark Says Alright
[13]. Roky
[14]. Jimi
[15]. Comb

Viy (1967) aka Вий

2011-10-04T15:39:00.000-04:00

Since October has just begun, here's the first of my Halloween themed posts.

Presented below is the 1967 Russian horror film Viy (Вий). The story concerns a monk who must spend three nights alone with a recently deceased witch in order to perform last rights. In doing so he faces a motley menagerie of demons and creatures and the special effects are well done for their time. While not as consistently visually surreal as my earlier post of the more kid centric 1963 Russian film Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors, Viy is still worth a peek for the curious.

There are no English subtitles on the above version, but here's a link to a version that I could not embed here, but has subtitles.

Sonic Youth - 1985 - Mojave Desert

2011-09-24T22:37:00.000-04:00

Sonic Youth
5 January 1985
Gila Monster Jamboree
in the Mojave Desert

Brother James
Kill Yr Idols
Brave Men Run
Death Valley 69
I Love Her All the Time
I'm Insane
Flower
Burning Spear

Eyehategod - 1993 - Raleigh, NC

2011-09-17T23:57:00.001-04:00

Here's some footage of Eyehategod bringing their rumbling,

feedback 'n heavy sounds to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1993.

Truck Stop Women (1974)

2011-09-12T23:50:00.001-04:00

1974s Truck Stop Women is a curious entry in the realm of 1970s U.S. exploitation cinema. Explosions, action plus t and a are both more than liberally sprinkled throughout, but it's ultimately down beat nature sets this film apart from contemporaries.

Starring one of my favorite actresses, Claudia Jennings, another notable face in the film is Len Lesser, better known as Uncle Leo on the Seinfeld show. Truck Stop Women was always been a favorite of mine, but can prove to be difficult to locate in the vhs waste lands, so it's presented below for viewing.

Sonic Youth - 1988 - Washington, DC

2011-08-21T21:30:00.000-04:00

Here's some choice 1988 footage of Sonic Youth on the Daydream Nation tour at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. plus these videos for selections from Daydream Nation
Providence Candle Silver Rocket Teenage Riot

Eaten Alive (1977)

2011-08-07T23:55:00.000-04:00

Tobe Hooper's next film after The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was 1977s Eaten Alive. I've alway dug this film and feel that it is unfairly derided by some critics and deserves attention/viewings as a prime example of American exploitation/grindhouse movie making.

The story centers around a grimy, decrepit hotel built next to a swamp/river which is run by the scenery chewing and increasingly unhinged Neville Brand, who takes care of evil folks with his trusty scythe and crocodile pal. Film veterans Mel Ferrer, Carolyn Jones and Stuart Whitman also appear in the film; as does Texas Chainsaw Massacre alumn Marilyn Burns plus a pre-Freddy Krueger Robert Englund as Buck. No explanations are provided as to the caretakers background and this adds to the slightly off and surreal nightmare -esque atmosphere. Tobe Hooper helped create the soundtrack, a dissonant and electronic score that works well to enhance tension. As it was shifted around for distribution the film was re-titled multiple times, with some alternate titles including: Brutes and Savages, Death Trap, Horror Hotel, Slaughter Hotel, or Starlight Slaughter.

the trailer

the feature

In Search Of... Bigfoot

2011-07-30T12:31:00.001-04:00

In Search Of... Bigfoot
Season 1, Episode 5 (4/28/1977)
Host Leonard Nimoy
Here's the second of possibly a few episodes
of video weirdness / nostaglia.

In Search Of... Haunted Castles

2011-07-30T11:23:00.003-04:00

In Search Of... Haunted Castles
with Host Leonard Nimoy
Season 2, Episode 44

Watched this show whenever I got a chance as a youth and this particular episode was an especially memorable and scary one!
More episodes to follow...

The Children (1980)

2011-07-18T19:07:00.001-04:00

I'm dating myself here, but once upon a time before cable television there were pay-tv channels that broadcast movies, specials and "adult" fare over uhf signals. In the metro Chicago area, one such service was named ONTV. You had to have a decoder box to sort out the signal, but that never stopped my pals and I from attempting to catch a glimpse of the nudity and forbidden films on display with out the decoder. I was lucky enough to have a buddy whose parents subscribed to ONTV and were cool with him and his pals watching the R-rated flicks, usually with them watching as well. Several of the movies I first caught in this pre-cable set up have always brought back memories of that channel and time with 1980's low budget horror flick The Children being one such film.

The plot concerns a bus load of little ones who pass through a cloud of toxic gas released from the neighborhood nuclear plant. This turns them into black-finger nailed killers driven to decimate the adult population with killer hugs. You might recognize actor Martin Shakar from his earlier role as the conflicted priest/older brother of John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

trailers

the feature

The White Stripes - 2005 - Brazil

2011-07-09T14:03:00.009-04:00

On 1 June 2005 The White Stripes were the first rock band allowed to perform at the long standing Teatro Amazonas Opera House in Manaus, Brazil, located within the Amazonian rainforest. The show generated a huge response among local fans and the musically curious with tickets quickly selling out. Video screens were then set up outside to allow for the over flow. Here's the footage.

Smashing Pumpkins - 1991 - Chicago

2011-07-09T00:21:00.000-04:00

This footage finds The Smashing Pumpkins doing an in-store performance at Reckless Records, Chicago on June 21, 1991. The video quality is not ideal, but the audio makes up for it. Thanks to lellius for posting these clips on YouTube.

Drown - Rocket

Siva - Smiley

Jesus Loves His Babies - Blue - Window Paine

The Mutant - Outer Limits episode w/Warren Oates

2011-07-08T20:24:00.000-04:00

During the first season of The Outer Limits, this episode titled "The Mutant" aired on March 16, 1964. Most notable to myself is the portrayal of the mutated space researcher Reese Fowler by none other than a favorite actor of mine - Warren Oates.

By way of an introduction to this episode, here's the opening narration:

"At this very moment, our horizon is menaced by two explosive forces, both man-made. One is a deadly wonder; the other, wondrously alive. Both forces have compelled Man to reach out for worlds beyond his own, new worlds where he may find peace, and room to grow. This is the first of those new worlds. The United Nations of Earth have claimed it, and called it Annex One. It is almost identical to Earth, except that there is no night--sunlight is constant. Early reports from the small expeditionary team stationed on Annex One indicated that the ancient planet appeared suitable for colonization by Earth's overflowing population. But the most recent reports have contained unspoken, oddly disturbing undercurrents, and the United Space Agency has decided to investigate. The man chosen: Dr. Evan Marshall, psychiatrist."

Daniel Johnston talks with Gibby Haynes

2011-07-01T18:45:00.000-04:00

Daniel Johnston speaks with Gibby Haynes from the Butthole Surfers about a variety of topics. This is extra footage from "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" and was probably filmed around 1987 which was also when Daniel Johnston recorded with the Butthole Surfers for A Texas Trip compilation - also heard below.

Daniel Johnston w/the Butthole Surfers
"Don't Play Cards With Satan"

Daniel Johnston w/the Butthole Surfers
"Grievances"

Butthole Surfers "Flame Grape"
from A Texas Trip

God's Angry Man (1983)

2011-06-26T20:01:00.000-04:00

God's Angry Man (1983) is a Werner Herzog documentary which looks at the controversial televangelist Dr. Gene Scott.

Crimes of the Future (1970) - early David Cronenberg

2011-06-19T20:08:00.000-04:00

Crimes of the Future is a David Cronenberg short from 1970. It involves some sort of medical institute or clinic in an odd, uneasy dreamlike world were all the women are dead and a skin disease has ravaged the population; who behave in a less than rational manner. This "creative cancer"/body revolt and evolution is another theme Cronenberg would return to often throughout his later films. The soundtrack is a highlight with bursts of low key yet abrasive, dissonant noise compromising the bulk. Non linear and also perhaps too slow moving for some viewers, this is a curious glimpse into Cronenberg's creative chrysalis of themes and visuals.

Stereo (1969) early David Cronenberg

2011-06-18T18:53:00.001-04:00

From David Cronenberg, this skillfully created short from 1969 involves a group of subjects at "the Institute" who receive experimental brain surgery in order to create heightened powers of telepathy or extra sensory perception, are encouraged to also include sexual exploration and the results. Similar themes of medically induced negative side effects would continue and are found in many of his later works such as Shivers, Rabid, The Brood or Scanners.

On the Right Track (1981)

2011-06-14T19:35:00.029-04:00

Are you like me? Has the fact that you have not viewed Gary Coleman's set in Chicago 1981 movie On the Right Track since Ronald Reagan was in the White House been keeping you up tossing and turning. Well say so long to sleepless nights and soak up the movie once again, as it's presented below for viewing.
Thanks to jdycus for posting the clips on YouTube.

Part 1 of 11

Part 2 of 11

Part 3 of 11

Part 4 of 11

Part 5 of 11

Part 6 of 11

Part 7 of 11

Part 8 of 11

Part 9 of 11

Part 10 of 11

Part 11 of 11

Butthole Surfers - December 1984

2011-06-08T21:56:00.001-04:00

Here are three choice clips from a December 1984 performance from the Butthole Surfers.

Cherub 1984 -12- 22

Dum Dum live 1984-12- 31

The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey's Grave live 1984-12-31

Andrea True "More, More More"

2011-06-04T23:56:00.004-04:00

Andrea True (born in Nashville - July 26, 1943) moved to New York City in the early 70s to seek work as a movie actress, finding small parts in films such as The Way We Were. When conventional roles proved too difficult to be found, she began working in adult features under stage names such as Inger Kissin, Andrea Travis, Catherine Warren and Singh Low.

While working on commercials in Jamaica, she found herself stuck on the island due to political unrest. Wanting to make the best of the situation, she worked with her friend, record producer Gregg Diamond who had a song ready and True added the lyrics, creating the song "More, More, More" which became a favorite at nightclubs and discos, eventually charting at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1976. She quickly followed that up with a full length record as the Andrea True Connection.

Andrea True pursued a music career with two more records, but further chart success proved elusive. Afterwards she then briefly returned to the adult industry.

Below is a video for "More, More, More" which was sampled in the 1999 song "Steal My Sunshine" by Canadian group Len.

Queens of the Stone Age - 2001 - Reading Festival

2011-06-04T13:05:00.000-04:00

Queens of the Stone Age
2001 Reading Festival

Quick and To The Pointless
interview
The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret

plus
Song for the Deaf - 2001 - Bizarre Fest.

Go With The Flow - 2001 - Bizarre Fest.

They Live (1988)

2011-06-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

I count many of John Carpenter's films among my favorites and 1988s They Live is one of them. Starring bubblegum chewing and ass kicking pro-wrestler Roddy Piper, this movie moves briskly with loads of action and plenty of explosions to go along with the plots less than thinly veiled swipes at 1980s consumerism and conformity. Curious side note, the evil doers subconscious slogans of "obey" served as inspiration for visual artist Shepard Fairey. They Live - a four star popcorn flick!

the trailer

the feature

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - 1999 - Emergency Call from Japan

2011-06-01T22:17:00.000-04:00

A Japanese only release, Emergency Call from Japan presents mainly live footage (plus a video) of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion as they perform for a receptive Japanese audience.
Thanks to TheBopseconds for posting these on YouTube.

1 of 5
2Kindsa Love / Flavor / Attack

2 of 5
Talk About the Blues / Hell / High Gear / Sweat / Wail / All Aboard

3 of 5
Magical Colors

4 of 5
Blues Explosion Man / Get Down Lover

5 of 5

Dead Kennedys - 1984 - Los Angeles

2011-05-20T19:39:00.000-04:00

This is some quality footage from 1984 of the Dead Kennedys
roaring through a killer set at the cavernous Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Dig it!

Dead and Buried (1981)

2011-05-03T12:54:00.004-04:00

I've always considered 1981s Dead and Buried an attention worthy and under rated horror flick. It's plot is widely divergent from the standard slasher fare so prevalent at the time. The film didn't fare too well at the box office and quickly made it's way to cable television which is where I had my first screening not long after theatrical release. Repeated vhs viewings confirmed it for me.

One of the film's screenwriters Dan O'Bannon is notable for his work on standout genre films such as Dark Star, Alien, Blue Thunder and Return of the Living Dead.

Among other credits, director Gary Sherman would go on to direct another vhs exploitation favorite of mine Vice Squad in 1982.

the trailer

the feature

My Bloody Valentine - 1992 - Austin, Texas

2011-05-01T13:50:00.000-04:00

In early 1992 Dinosaur Jr, My Bloody Valentine and Babes in Toyland embarked on a U.S. tour and turned up the volume on their amps past 11. I saw 'em in March at Avalon in Boston. Stellar show from all bands, one of my favorites. My Bloody Valentine finished their set with a punishingly loud and especially feedback drenched version of "You Made Me Realize" - I mean REALLY loud, feel it in your organs loud - just like they did when the tour hit Liberty Lunch in Texas on the 8th of February 1992 as seen and heard in the clips below.

full My Bloody Valentine set list

1. I Only Said
2. Only Shallow
3. Slow
4. Nothing Much To Lose
5. You Never Should
6. Honey Power
7. Soon
8. To Here Knows When
9. You Made Me Realise

Honey Power

To Here Knows When

You Made Me Realise

my Boston show ticket

plus

Honey Power

Off Your Face

Butthole Surfers - 1985

2011-05-01T00:37:00.000-04:00

The year 1985 was an especially vital one for the Butthole Surfers
as they recorded, toured and created legendary live shows,
as seen in the clips below.

Too Parter LIVE 1985-01-04

Bar-B-Q Pope LIVE 1985-01-04

Gary Floyd 1985-08-25

Corrosion of Conformity - 2011 - Roadburn Festival, Holland

2011-04-16T17:22:00.001-04:00

The mighty three piece Animosity era Corrosion of Conformity line-up of: Mike Dean - vocals, bass guitar; Woody Weatherman - guitars and Reed Mullin - drums, vocals - are back together and currently playing Europe. The footage below is from yesterday when Corrosion of Conformity performed at the Roadburn Festival of 2011. Hope they make a Boston appearance!

Recorded live @ Main Stage,
013 Tilburg, Holland on April 15th, 2011.

Loss for Words

Holier

Butthole Surfers - 1986 - CBGB

2011-04-12T20:45:00.001-04:00

Here are a few clips with the Butthole Surfers bringing their
acid flavored hardcore to NYCs CBGB and beyond...

"Graveyard" + "Moving To Florida"
CBGB - Feb. 12, 1986

"Cherub" short film
with performance footage from the CBGB show

plus

"The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald"
Holland 1986

This was after the concert by The Butthole Surfers at the 688 Club in Atlanta in 1986 and videotaped by Nelson Sullivan, who was invited to the performance by band member Cabbage.

Slayer - 2002 - Hultsfred, Sweden

2011-04-08T18:15:00.000-04:00

Hultsfred Festival
Hultsfred, Sweden
June 14, 2002
------ Disciple
War Ensemble
Stain of Mind
Threshold
Postmortem
Raining Blood
Hell Awaits
Bloodline
God Send Death
Dead Skin Mask
Seasons in the Abyss
Payback
Mandatory Suicide
Chemical Warfare
Encore:
South of Heaven
Angel of Death

Disciple (no intro)

War Ensemble

Stain of Mind

Threshold

Post-Mortem

Raining Blood

Hell Awaits

Bloodline

God Send Death

Dead Skin Mask

Seasons in the Abyss

Payback

Mandatory Suicide

Chemical Warfare

South Of Heaven

Angel of Death

OFF! - 2010 - live on spinner.com

2011-04-02T22:36:00.003-04:00

This past Monday I had a chance to say a quick hello to Keith Morris and check out a live performance from his new band OFF! when they played the Middle East Downstairs. The show was ragingly excellent with a constantly moving pit and stage diving, but zero fights. Openers Trash Talk and Cerebral Ballzy were both great as well with hyperactive sounds that reminded me of 85/86 era American hardcore without being derivative.

Along with Keith Morris the ranks of OFF! are made up of: Steven McDonald - bass, Dimitri Coats - guitar and Mario Rubalcaba - drums. The footage below is a performance from October 2010 on spinner.com.

Black Thoughts / Darkness

Poison City / Now I'm Pissed

Jeffrey Lee Pierce / I Don't Belong

Crawl / Rat Trap

Atakke - 2009 - Tompkins Square Park, NYC

2011-03-24T20:32:00.000-04:00

I had been wanting to check out a live show from Brooklyn based thrash/death/crust outfit Atakke for a bit. Unfortunately, they disbanded around December 2010. So instead, here's the next best thing - footage of them bringing their powerful noise to Tompkins Square Park in New York City on 1 August 2009.

part 1 of 3

part 2 of 3

part 3 of 3

"Feel Flows" – The Beach Boys

2011-03-18T21:31:00.002-04:00

1971 found The Beach Boys in an odd spot. The pressures and stress of fame and maintaining a popular recording act had taken a toll on Brain Wilson. He had not been performing live with the band for some time and was contributing to the song writing process on a somewhat lesser level than previously. Into this situation, brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson stepped up and brought some A game material to the table and "Feel Flows" is a great example.

The song "Feel Flows" from their 1971 release Surf's Up was written by Carl Wilson and Jack Rieley. It's one of my absolute favorite songs. With it's calming yet melancholy subtle wash of sound; punctuated by an extended bridge highlighting a flute, playing against pointed electric guitar and keyboard.

Not only did Carl Wilson co-write the song; he also provides all vocals (the lead recorded with a well placed reverse echo effect) as well as lead guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. Additionally Charles Lloyd plays the saxophone and flute while Woody Theus provides percussion

Unfolding enveloping missiles of soul
Recall senses sadly
Mirage like soft blue like lanterns below
To light the way gladly
Whether whistling heaven's clouds disappear
Where the wind withers memory
Whether whiteness whisks soft shadows away
Feel flows (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel goes (Black hot glistening shadowy flows)

Unbending never ending tablets of time
Record all the yearning
Unfearing all appearing message divine
Eases the burning
Whether willing witness waits at my mind
Whether hope dampens memory
Whether wondrous will stands tall at my side
Feel flows (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel goes (Black hot glistening shadowy flows)

Encasing all embracing wreath of repose
Engulfs all the senses
Imposing, unclosing thoughts that compose
Retire the fences
Whether wholly heartened life fades away
Whether harps heal the memory
Whether wholly heartened life fades away
Whether wondrous will stands tall at my side
Whether whiteness whisks soft shadows away
Feel goes (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel flows (Black hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel goes (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feelings to grow (White hot glistening shadowy flows)

White hot glistening shadowy flows
White hot glistening shadowy flows
White hot glistening shadowy flows

Butthole Surfers - 1991 - Lollapalooza

2011-03-12T15:47:00.000-05:00

The summer of 1991 I was a broke ass college student about to start my Senior year that fall. Never been a particularly big fan of arena or big outdoor shed shows, but there were two tours making the outdoor venue circuit that season that caught my attention immediately - the Clash of the Titans tour with Slayer, Anthrax & Megadeth and the first installment of the Lollapalooza multi-band festival - headlined by Jane's Addiction.

I could scrape together enough cash for one, but not both so I had to make a tough decision. I'd already seen Anthrax once and Slayer multiple times in smaller indoor venues and after their first three records, my feelings on Megadeth are rather lukewarm. On the other hand, I'd missed several chances to see Jane's Addiction earlier and was amped up to see them. The deciding factor was the placement of one of my all time favorite bands, the Butthole Surfers, in the Lollapalooza line-up and that's my actual ticket up top.

Here's a clip of some off and on stage antics from the ever enthusiastic Butthole Surfers.

1991 Lollapalooza Line-up
Jane's Addiction
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Nine Inch Nails
Living Colour
Ice-T & Body Count
Butthole Surfers
Rollins Band

plus
MTVs 120 Minutes Lollapalooza 1991
interviews with NIN, Butthole Surfers, Rollins, etc.
(with some video in the middle)

and

Butthole Surfers "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" video

Danger: Diabolik "From Fumetti to Film" doc.

2011-03-05T02:20:00.001-05:00

With it's hyper colorful palette and sixties psychedelic style, 1968's Danger: Diabolik allowed director Mario Bava a chance to turn the hugely popular Italian comic into a fast paced action movie. Anti-hero Diabolik (John Phillip Law) steals from the government and delights in it, all the while plotting his schemes from a technologically avant-garde underground compound assisted by his curvaceous gal pal Eva (Marisa Mell).

The documentary below offers a glimpse into the film's
back story / creation along with commentary from Stephen Bissette.

the trailer

Stereolab - 1996 - Jools Holland

2011-02-26T22:54:00.001-05:00

Stereolab performs on UK television 1996 in support of
Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Cybele's Reverie

Les Yper Sound

plus
Motoroller Scalatron

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Dinosaur Jr - 1988 - Europe

2011-02-10T23:57:00.001-05:00

Dinosaur Jr
from 1988

Let it Ride and Freak Scene
Germany - 1988

part of Gargoyle
Biko's - Padova, IT - 1988

plus
Just Like Heaven video

HBO movie intro from early 1980s

2011-02-02T11:39:00.000-05:00

Back in the early 80s cable television was an exciting novelty offering a then enormous variety of programming. For my youthful inclinations, I was most interested in the movie channels offering the R-rated parade of fun.

While there were intro pieces for all channels, the ones created for HBO were often the most lavish and one I've always remembered was the stedi-cam fly over a miniature cityscape and beyond. It's an intricate and effects laden few momemts, whetting your appetite for the feature presentation. Included below are both the intro itself, as well as a behind the scenes, making of short film.

early 1980s long HBO opening

HBO Intro - Behind the Scenes

The Funhouse (1981)

2011-02-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

Tobe Hooper directed 1981s The Funhouse after completing the television mini-series Salem's Lot (1979) and just prior to his somewhat controversial involvement with the Steven Spielberg "produced" Poltergeist (1982). I first caught this on a cable tv viewing in 1982 or 83, and have always enjoyed it's horror stylings.

the trailer

the feature

Excel - Metallica : Startling Similar Songs

2011-01-28T22:46:00.000-05:00

When it comes to music, there have been many bands and specific songs that get labeled as sounding too close to existing material. Here I'm highlighting that possibility between "Tapping into the Emotional Void" by Excel as it relates to a song released a few years later to much wider audiences - Metallica's "Enter Sandman".

It's true that Excel's track does cop a small bit from Rush's "YYZ" but the acoustic guitar driven hook in "Tapping into the Emotional Void" sure sounds an awful lot like "Enter Sandman". Since Excel came from Venice, California and were tight with hardcore/metal stalwarts Suicidal Tendencies (often performing live on bills with ST and appearing on the Welcome to Venice compilation) I find it hard to believe that Metallica had no idea of the band or the song. But please check out the two songs and decide for yourself.

"Tapping into the Emotional Void" Excel
released in 1989

"Enter Sandman" Metallica
released in 1991

C.B. Hustlers (1976)

2011-01-21T23:31:00.001-05:00

Aside from the noteworthy and plentiful charms of Uschi Digard (billed here as Elke Vann), 1976s C.B. Hustlers is a competent, but not entirely spectacular, mid-70s dose of sexploitation cinema. The plot concerns hookers with hearts of gold, plying their trade over cbs with big rig truckers in shagtastic vans and 18 wheelers, versus the morally uptight lawman. For the curious and genre fans, it's presented below.

Hirax demo tape (1984)

2011-01-12T18:57:00.000-05:00

Here's some very early stuff from the mighty Hirax. Their sound on this release is full on heavy metal with little of the thrash that would characterize later records. Katon DePena's distinct vocals take center stage sonically, as do the fast and heavy guitar solos.

Born In the Streets

Battle Cry

Stand and Be Counted

Believe in the King

New Bomb Turks - 2006 - Somerville, MA

2011-01-05T20:10:00.001-05:00

The New Bomb Turks are/were a shining example of Ohio's galloping punk rawk and here's a lil clip of them showcasing "Tattooed Apathetic Boys" in Somerville, Massachusetts at their 18 August 2006 beer soaked reunion gig at the late, lamented Abbey Lounge.
Hey, I was there!

plus...

1993 Peel Sessions 'I Hate People' (Anti-Nowhere League)

Diane Arbus - Masters of Photography (1972)

2011-01-01T20:38:00.000-05:00

"I never have taken a picture I've intended.
They're always better or worse."
- Diane Arbus -

Martin Denny "Quiet Village" video plus more

2010-12-25T14:38:00.002-05:00

The musical genius of Martin Denny sounds fantastic most any season, so here's a rare filmed glimpse of the man who helped create and define the exotica genre and in doing so aided in the launch of a thousand tiki bars. Prolific in recorded output, Denny was also a constant live performer gigging with his band in Hawaiian hotel lounges. Filmed on local sandy beaches, I hope these clips of his wild sounds warm up frigid December temperatures.

Quiet Village

Dites Moi

Exotica

Fandango

Smashing Pumpkins - 1992 - Chicago

2010-12-18T16:45:00.002-05:00

The Smashing Pumpkins Gish (1991) is my favorite of their releases and these clips from a July 24, 1992 show at the Cabaret Metro in Chicago highlight some great footage from that era.

Tristessa

Drown

Hello Kitty Kat

Daydream

Starla

Disarm

Luna

Offer Up

Hummer

Burden of Dreams (1982)

2010-12-08T22:27:00.001-05:00

The films of Werner Herzog have always impressed me and several are among my top favorites, most notably 1972s Aquirre: The Wrath of God. In the documentary Burden of Dreams director Les Blank followed the painstaking and chaotic production of Fitzcarraldo, which would eventually earn Herzog the Best Director award at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.

Director Herzog had once earlier tackled filming in primeval wilderness with Aguirre, but Fitzcarraldo presented him with a new galaxy of challenges. Numerous delays were caused by several changes in the actor portraying Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, aka Fitzcarraldo. A Herculean effort was also involved with the moving of an actual steamship first across thick rain forest jungles, then over a mountain and finally through waterways and white water rapids. No CGI was used, making many scenes breath taking in their intensity and realism.

the trailer

the feature

Funkadelic "Cosmic Slop" video

2010-12-02T17:24:00.007-05:00

Funkadelic's Cosmic Slop was released in 1973 on the Westbound label. Not a particularly big seller for the band upon its initial release, the record has aged well and stands out as a classic album from a prolific period in the bands history.

Cosmic Slop was the first Funkadelic record to feature Pedro Bell's unique style of artwork. He would continue to design record covers and liner notes for all subsequent releases until the early 80s.

The video below is a promotional clip for the album's title track, shot in New York City.

"Nappy Dugout" (George Clinton, Cordell Mosson, Garry Shider)

"You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure" (Clinton, Sidney Barnes)

"March to the Witch's Castle" (Clinton)

"Let's Make It Last" (Clinton, Eddie Hazel)

"Cosmic Slop" (Clinton, Bernie Worrell)

"This Broken Heart" (W. Franklin)

"Trash A-Go-Go" (Clinton)

"Can't Stand the Strain" (Clinton, Hazel)

The Cure - 1980 - Boston

2010-11-20T15:55:00.002-05:00

The Cure made one of their first U.S. appearances on 20 April 1980 at the Underground in Boston (specifically located in the massively student populated neighborhood of Allston) with Mission of Burma opening the show. Had to re-visit this early footage.

The Underground was a tiny subterranean club without any proper stage that didn't exist for very long before Boston University bought the building for dorm rooms, closed it down and turned the basement space into laundry facilities for their eager scholars. I've heard from folks who were making the scene back then that it was a happening little spot that featured shows from bands like The Jam and was scheduled to be one of Joy Division's stops on what would have been their first U.S. tour.

The footage was captured by some M.I.T. folks with access to then cutting edge video cameras and equipment who had initially planned on filming only the Mission of Burma portion of the evening festivities.

Grinding Halt

In Your House

Subwaysong - Accuracy

Killing an Arab

Secrets

A Forest (Album Version)

Mainset:
Seventeen Seconds
Play for Today
Three Imaginary Boys
Fire in Cairo
Grinding Halt
In Your House
Subway Song
M
10:15 Saturday Night
Accuracy
At Night
Boys Don't Cry
Jumping Someone Else's Train
Another Journey by Train
A Forest

Encore 1:
Plastic Passion
Killing an Arab

Encore 2:
Secrets
Seventeen Seconds

Harvey Milk - 2008 - Olympia, Washington

2010-11-17T12:12:00.005-05:00

Harvey Milk
1 August 2008
at Old School Pizzeria
Olympia, Washington

"Barn Burner"

"Death Goes to the Winner"

"Motown"

Torche - 2010 - Cambridge, Massachusetts

2010-11-14T20:26:00.005-05:00

Here's Torche at the Middle East Downstairs in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 23 October 2010. Also on the bill that night were Kylesa and High on Fire. I was present at this show and thought all bands brought top shelf musical entertainment for the appreciative Saturday night crowd.

From Miami, Florida; Torche issues forth a powerful and heavy style to their sound and contained former members of Floor and Cavity.

UFO + Arrowhead

Shine On My Old Ways + In Return

Piraña + Sandstorm

Hideaway, Rockit + Out Again

Thanks to 80taul for posting on YouTube.

"Bring Me Home"
from the 2007 ep In Return

Baroness - 2010 - Metropolis, The Netherlands

2010-11-07T19:35:00.001-05:00

The hugely rocking Baroness are based in Savannah, Georgia (same as Kylesa) and combine influences such as classic rock, HEAVY metal and basement hardcore. The intricate and frame worthy artwork for their releases is handled by John Baizley (also providing guitar + vocals). His art has also been featured on output from Kylesa, Torche and Pig Destroyer - among others.

Along with John Baizley the line up includes: Summer Welch - bass, Allen Blickle - drums and Peter Adams - guitar, vocals.

The Baroness footage below comes an appearance at Metropolis - Rotterdam during 2010. Thanks to Rachel (rrijsdijk ) for posting on YouTube.

Bullhead's Psalm & The Sweetest Curse

Jake Leg

Grad

Kylesa - 2010 - Arizona

2010-11-05T13:45:00.005-04:00

Dig this footage of the thundering
Kylesa playing at a house party in Flagstaff, Arizona
1 October 2010

Thanks to Kylesa for the excellent sounds
and Derrell Stanfield for filming and posting on YouTube.

Hollow Severer

Unknown Awareness / Running Red

Tired Climb / Said and Done

Forsaken / Only One

Bottom Line / Don't Look Back

Scapegoat

Color Me Blood Red (1965) plus The Gore Gore Girls (1972)

2010-10-30T15:03:00.005-04:00

It's almost Halloween, a perfect time for a double feature from H.G. Lewis and his cavalcade of tasteless, blood soaked cinematic madness from the fringes.

First up is 1965's Color Me Blood Red, a story of an unhinged artist who finds creative inspiration in spilled hemoglobin. Followed by 1972's The Gore Gore Girls, a "murder mystery" centered around a bucket of blood strip club and the freak show regulars, on stage and off. Both push the limits of on screen bloodshed with very limited budgets and sensibilities far removed from politically correct notions.

H.G. Lewis was a true pioneer of do it yourself, guerrilla film making. Whether in genres of soft core sex comedy or horror, his exploitation movies often turned a modest profit. The Gore Gore Girls was Lewis's last film for many years and easily one of his sleaziest features, also utilizing set design that would be at home in any number of porno films of the era. It was also one of the few films he submitted to MPAA, were it received the X rating.

the trailer

the feature

plus...

the trailer

the feature

Possessed - 1987 - Baltimore

2010-10-22T15:20:00.005-04:00

Formed in 1983, Possessed were an early and heavily proficient thrash/death/black/crossover/etc. metal combo from the San Francisco Bay area. Initial membership shakeups eventually lead to this line-up: Mike Torrao - guitar, Larry LaLonde - guitar, Jeff Becerra - vocals + bass and Mike Sus - drums; which put out three releases - Seven Churches (1985), Beyond the Gates (1986) and The Eyes of Horror (EP) (1987). Their sound moved from Satanic themed hyper-fast death brutality towards a more thrash infused style.

After Possessed broke up, guitarist Larry LaLonde joined San Francisco metal band Blind Illusion in 1988. Soon after in 1989 he and Blind Illusion's bass player, Les Claypool, started up long running funk metal act Primus.

Here's some footage of Possessed playing Baltimore in 1987.

Seance

Holy Hell

Swing of the Axe

Burning in Hell

The Exorcist

Fallen Angel

Confessions
from The Eyes of Horror ep

Phantasm
from the Beyond the Gates lp

Satan's Curse
from the Seven Churches lp

Black Sabbath (1963) - American and Italian versions

2010-10-20T21:45:00.001-04:00

Mario (Black Sunday, Planet of the Vampires, Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs , Danger: Diabolik, etc.) Bava's 1963 horror show Black Sabbath seems almost quaint in comparison with the gut wrenching (literally) ongoing output as modern scare films ramped up the realism, blood and gore from the late 60s onward.

Even a few years after it's release, the film proved powerful enough to provide a fledgling blues/rock band from the UK with a suitably "heavy" name, changing from Earth to Black Sabbath - the rest of that story is music history.

Genre stalwart Boris Karloff introduces the festivities and also appears in "The Wurdalak" segment. Heavy on suspense and atmosphere throughout, my favorite of the three tales of terror that make up the movie is the one titled "The Drop of Water, which is the first up in the American version. "The Telephone" is the middle segment in the US release and is also the one most altered from the Italian original.

American version

Italian version

Peeping Tom (1960)

2010-10-13T21:34:00.003-04:00

Michael (The Red Shoes, Stairway to Heaven, The Tales of Hoffmann) Powell's 1960 film Peeping Tom caused quite a bit of controversy upon it's initial release. The very dark subject matter proved shocking to many movie goers, putting this in the same league as Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 fright flick Psycho. Also troubling to some was the combination of violence with a then rather unrestrained kink and sexuality on display, with some of the first views of female nudity in a big budgeted, Western studio produced film. An example is shown in the photo below. Heavily censored and initially unappreciated in the United Kingdom, the film also failed to find much of an audience in the United States or elsewhere until many years later. A chief supporter was Martin Scorsese, who would eventually assist in the films re-release in the late 1990s. In Roger Ebert's Chicago Sun-Times review of the 1999 reissue, Mr. Scorsese is quoted as having stated that this movie, and Federico Fellini's 8 1/2, "contain all that can be said about directing."

Much like Dario Argento's eyeball numbing Suspiria (1977) Peeping Tom also pursues an almost over saturated spectrum of vivid colors, brought richly to the screen. Actor Carl (Karlheinz) Böhm does a superb job of portraying a fragile and very dangerous character who produces a wide array of emotional responses in both those he interacts with in the film, as well as those watching the story unfold.

the trailer

the feature

Voivod - 1986 - The Ritz, NYC

2010-10-07T18:00:00.005-04:00

photo © 1986 Ronald Mc Gregor
Presented below is some nth generation video of French Canadian favorite Voivod's first U.S. show at NYC's The Ritz back in 1986 opening for Cro-Mags and Venom. I have been digging on the Voivod concept, artwork (executed by drummer Away) and sound since first hearing them back in 1986/87. Their live shows were/are always a superb showcase for bringing their "cosmic drama" to the masses.

This footage displays the band taking things from a somewhat more conventional extreme heavy metal milieu (Venom, Motorhead, etc.) into a bit more progressive, thrash centric and more hardcore punk influenced realm. As always, Piggy's guitar transcends the norm with a powerfully unique resonance. He may be gone, but the music he helped create continues.

1 of 5
1. Thrashing Rage
2. Warriors of Ice

2 of 5
3. Korgüll The Exterminator
4. Fuck Off & Die

3 of 5
5. Live for Violence
6. Order of the Blackguards

4 of 5
7. Nuclear War

5 of 5
8. Voivod

La Nave De Los Monstrous/Ship of Monsters (1960)

2010-10-02T17:00:00.002-04:00

This offbeat hybrid western/sci-fi/musical from Mexico, The Ship of Monsters, is entirely entertaining. The fact that this is in Spanish, a language I cannot understand, does little to stop the highly watchable fun. Much effort went into the superb set designs, special effects and especially the rocking monsters from outer space.

Sepultura - 1990 - El Paso, Texas

2010-09-25T17:25:00.002-04:00

During the late 80s, Sepultura (means grave in Portuguese) were hitting a career peak with their Brazilian crafted thrash/death metal, demolishing listeners on 1989s genre classic Beneath the Remains. Produced by Scott Burns in a rather old school Rio de Janeiro studio in a short amount of time, this record brought their extremely heavy and fast music to a larger audience through it's release by the Roadrunner label.

Was lucky enough to catch Sepultura on the 1989 leg of their first American tour in support of Beneath the Remains when then played Chicago at the modestly sized Exit. The Exit was still in Old Town near Second City then and at that point had a half domed, playground looking "thunderdome" set up around the stage, which helped cause additional mayhem. The show was incredible, with the power and force of the performance making it an all time favorite show for me. Saw them next in 1992 (very briefly) when they and Helmet opened for Ministry (which, even though I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, was the first and only time I saw Ministry - they were kinda tainted for me by their With Sympathy era - never dug that record). Sepultura also played on the Alice n Chains/Ozzy tour in 1992.

This footage represents a show towards the end of the Beneath the Remains tour, from El Paso, Texas.

Primitive Future

Inner Self

Mass Hypnosis

Troops of Doom

Stronger Than Hate

Slaves of Pain

Orgasmatron

Escape To The Void

Antichrist

Murder

Sarcastic Existence

Symptom Of The Universe

Policia

Beneath The Remains

Hüsker Dü - 1985 - San Francisco

2010-09-22T19:43:00.000-04:00

And here's footage of Hüsker Dü

from their show with SWA, Saccharine Trust,

the Meat Puppets and the Minutemen

1 March 1985

The Stone - San Francisco, California

1 of 3
Diane
Hate Paper Doll
Green Eyes

2 of 3
Divide And Conquer
Pink Turns To Blue
Eight Miles High

3 of 3
Makes No Sense At All
Louie, Louie (featuring Minutemen, Meat Puppets, etc)

Meat Puppets - 1985 - San Francisco

2010-09-22T19:07:00.003-04:00

Some more footage from "The Tour"
with the Meat Puppets (heavy on rough-hewn covers)

from their show with SWA, Saccharine Trust,

Hüsker Dü and the Minutemen

1 March 1985

The Stone - San Francisco, California

Sea Of Love

Up On The Sun

Midnight Rider

Good Golly Miss Molly

Paralyzed

plus Swimming Ground
from their 1985 record Up On the Sun

Minutemen - 1985 - San Francisco

2010-09-20T13:38:00.005-04:00

Here's some great footage of the Minutemen

from their show with SWA, Saccharine Trust,

the Meat Puppets and Hüsker Dü

1 March 1985

The Stone - San Francisco, California

Grave of the Vampire (1974)

2010-09-18T11:39:00.005-04:00

William Smith stars in 1974s Grave of the Vampire, a quirky horror tale that I first became aware after reading a video review in a mid 80s issue of Fangoria magazine. The result of a vampiric sexual assault; Smith portrays a hybrid human/vampire who searches for his neck biting father, the creepy Michael Pataki, in order to provoke a showdown with the creature.

New Order - 1984 - BBC Radio 1

2010-09-12T21:47:00.003-04:00

New Order
at BBC Radio 1 studios, 1984.

Age Of Consent

Temptation

In A Lonely Place

Blue Monday

Sooner Than You Think

Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)

2010-09-06T01:26:00.003-04:00

Bringing together iconic film tough guy William Smith with The Price is Right "Barker Beauty" Anitra Ford, 1973s Invasion of the Bee Girls (aka Graveyard Tramps) delivers on an over the top tale. An alien force is turning Earth women into black eyed bee creatures who kill the men they have sex with as part of an enterprise to take over the planet. Well alright then.

Heavy with 70s fashion and styles, you also get a visual time capsule of the Earth toned era. The soundtrack is superb, filled with lots of chukka wakka, interesting fuzzy funk. Sure, a lot of the acting is wooden and the film's pace could be a bit faster at times, but the bevy of attractive women plus the preposterous/puzzling plot turns up the 70s cinematic popcorn/cheese charm factor for me, making this a long time film favorite.

Robert Ebert gave the film a positive review back in 1973.
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19730620/REVIEWS/306200301

If you have Comcast, this is currently a free On-Demand movie.

the trailer

the feature

Hüsker Dü - 1983 - Philadelphia

2010-09-01T00:01:00.004-04:00

Hüsker Dü
Love Hall - Philadelphia
16 December 1983

Here's footage from the first half of
this rollicking show...

Something I Learned Today

It's Not Funny Anymore, From the Gut, Wheels,
and Everything Falls Apart

Chartered Trips and Sunshine Superman

Eight Miles High

Broken Home, Broken Heart

SET LIST
01) stay off the P.A.
02) Something I Learned Today
03) It's Not Funny Anymore
04) From The Gut
05) Wheels
06) Everything Falls Apart
07) Chartered Trips
08) Sunshine Superman
09) Eight Miles High
10) Broken Home, Broken Heart
11) Dianne
12) What's Goin On
13) Masochism World
14) Bricklayer
15) What Do I Want?
16) Pride
17) talk & feedback tuning
18) Data Control
19) Punch Drunk
20) Out On A Limb
21) In A Free Land
22) Statues

L-Seven EP (1982)

2010-08-31T21:12:00.001-04:00

Prior to playing guitar in the Laughing Hyenas with former Negative Approach singer John Brannon, Larissa Stolarchuk (later Strickland) performed vocal duties and released a 3 song ep during the early 80s with Detroit's sonically angular L-Seven. Not hardcore, but a bit too rough around the edges for new wave, L-Seven provided a startling difference to the super aggressive hardcore bands well represented in Detroit during this period. Despite a number of high profile support slots for acts like Echo and the Bunnymen, The Gun Club and U2, L-Seven's tenure proved short lived. Drummer Kory Clarke later achieved some commercial success fronting the major label band Warrior Soul.

Insanity

Secrets

Clear Vision

La Soufriere (1977) Warten auf eine unausweichliche Katastrophe

2010-08-25T20:20:00.007-04:00

La Soufrière - Waiting for an Inevitable Disaster
Recently watched the humorous (and recommended) mockumentary Incident at Loch Ness (2004) which was co-written by Werner Herzog and Zak Penn, who was also the director as well as appearing in the film alongside Herzog. Aside from the curious fact that among his other projects Zak Penn was the screenwriter for PCU (1994), I was reminded of the high quality and fascinating actual documentaries Werner Herzog has created throughout the years and La Soufriere is one of my favorites.

La Soufriere takes Herzog and a skeleton crew to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe as an enormous volcano has begun showing multiple signs than an cataclysmic eruption is imminent. Many years earlier, the volcano had erupted and killed everyone nearby (with one notable exception) and this fact has caused nearly all residents near the volcano to evacuate. He is drawn to the situation and interested in speaking with the one islander who has chosen to remain. The visuals are supplied with beautiful panoramas of rugged and lush landscapes which are contrasted with stark, "after-the-end-of-world" shots of the town completely devoid of humans - but with electricity still powering things such as traffic lights.

Sonic Youth - 1986 - St. Louis, MO

2010-08-23T21:56:00.004-04:00

Sonic Youth
Monday, 3 November 1986
Mississippi Nights - St. Louis, MO

Marilyn Moore
Tom Violence
White Cross
Shadow of a Doubt
Death to our Friends
Secret Girl
Green Light
Brother James
Expressway to yr Skull
--
Starpower w/fIREHOSE

Here's footage from most of the set...

Marilyn Moore

White Kross

Shadow Of A Doubt

Death To Our Friends

Secret Girl

Green Light

Starpower w/ fIREHOSE

Chick Corea/Return to Forever + Herbie Hancock/Headhunters - 1974 - Chicago

2010-08-14T13:52:00.001-04:00

Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters

Chick Corea and Return to Forever

from PBS Soundstage
1974 - Chicago, Illinois

Chick Corea & Return to Forever
1. Beyond the Seventh Galaxy [Take 1]
2. Vulcan Worlds
3. Rumble in the Beginning (a.k.a. Space Circus, Part 2)
4. Beyond the Seventh Galaxy [Take 2]

Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters
1. Butterfly
2. Interlude
3. Chameleon

Chick Corea & Herbie Hancock
1. Someday My Prince Will Come

1/6

2/6

3/6

4/6

5/6

6/6

Chick Corea & Return to Forever Stanley Clarke ... Electric Bass
Chick Corea ........ Fender Rhodes Stage 73 Mark I Electric Piano,
Hohner D6 Clavinet, Mini-Moog, Yamaha Organ,
Moog 15 Sample & Hold, Introductions
Al DiMeola .......... Electric Guitar
Lenny White ....... Drums

Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters Mike Clarke .......... Drums
Herbie Hancock .... Fender Rhodes Suitcase 88 Mark I Electric Piano,
Hohner D6 Clavinet, ARP Odyssey, Mellotron,
ARP String Ensemble, Vocals, Handclaps,
Introductions
Paul Jackson ........ Electric Bass
Bennie Maupin ..... Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Handclaps
Bill Summers ........ Percussion, Vocals

Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors (1963)

2010-08-10T21:22:00.016-04:00

This oddity of children's film fare from the former Soviet Union was written about in a past issue of the always excellent Shock Cinema and the high weirdness described in the review encouraged a viewing.

The movie opens with a persistently misbehaving young girl magically entering the Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors, accompanied by her own reflection, in an inter-dimensional battle against the bad guys. Loads of color and lavishly designed sets are a real highlight and impressive part of the production, often as trippy as the more lysergic Sid and Marty Krofft ideas. Filmed while the Cold War was red hot, even in this kiddie flick there is room to integrate condemnation for the stupidity of capitalism. For fans of bizarre cinema from around the globe - check it out!

Angry Samoans – 1982 – New Wave Theatre plus more...

2010-07-27T18:49:00.001-04:00

Angry Samaons

1982 – New Wave Theatre

Lights Out

Steak Knife

Right Side of My Mind (live - unknown date or venue)

Alice Cooper Group - 1972 - ABC In Concert

2010-07-23T18:20:00.003-04:00

This excellently ham handed and rocking footage of the Alice Cooper Group was filmed during a 1972 performance at Hofsta University and then broadcast in November as part of the first episode of the ABC In Concert program.

My taste in the music of Alice Cooper is chiefly found in the years 1969 -1973, when the magical music was created by the Alice Cooper Group. I own more than a few of the solo Alice Cooper releases (along with Pretties for You and Easy Action), but almost always find myself listening to the Love It to Death through Muscle of Love records more often than not. This footage revels in sonic and theatrical Grand Guignol exploits; heavy with the sounds of this era. We're treated to live tidbits of: Eighteen, Gutter Cat Vs The Jets, Streetfight, Killer and School's Out.

1/3

2/3

3/3

In Praise of William Friedkin's Sorcerer (1977)

2010-07-14T22:17:00.004-04:00

The under appreciated 1977 film Sorcerer is a long time favorite from the intriguing director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist, Cruising, Bug).

An English language remake of the 1953 French film The Wages of Fear, Sorcerer delivers a gritty and harrowing glimpse of men motivated to push themselves (and their machines) beyond the breaking point. For the most part, I've never much cared for film remakes, but this movie (along with John Carpenter's The Thing) bucks any negative notions about the necessity of such repeated cinematic endeavours and for me, stands out as a classic.

William Friedkin was given a wide creative berth and sizable financing from Universal studios. As the costs for location shooting propelled the films budget skyward, Paramount became involved as a partner. Tensions on set caused some degree of feuding between Friedkin and producer David Salven, who was eventually fired by Friedkin. Clashes with the exacting director resulted in cinematographer Dick Bush quitting halfway through the films principal photography.

The film first introduces the origins of the main characters and illuminates why they find themselves in a remote South/Central American country, hopefully far enough away from the rest of the world as to prevent discovery. We then follow these men through the extreme rigors of survival in this foreign arena, mainly working dangerous manual labor for an oil company. A chance to earn some real money (and more) is produced when an accident at the oil well causes an explosion that cannot be handled. A long neglected cache of volatile nitroglycerin is needed to blow up the rig, but the nitro is miles away with little more than jungle trails between the destinations. After a helicopter transfer is ruled out, the company seeks drivers to transport the explosives on the suicidal end run for both the petro company and the desperate men. An unrelenting hell ride follows, as less than ideal trucks are used and mother nature (plus some very human obstacles) block them at every conceivable angle. In particular, the infamous bridge scene (spotlighted on the film's one sheet) packs a tremendous cinematic punch and is a true spectacle to view and hear, especially in a theater.

The often propulsive or discordant Tangerine Dream score adds to the increasingly high tension on screen. A standout soundtrack that perfectly fits and proved influential as well.

This was Freidkin's next film after 1973s The Exorcist and just prior to 1978s The Brinks Job and 1980s Cruising. It was released a month after Star Wars but garnered little at the box office and was dimissed by some critics, although I remember Siskel and Ebert showcasing the film on an early 80s episode of Sneak Previews devoted to "sleepers" - great movies that you might have missed. Sorcerer has a spot in my all time favorite films.

Director William Friedkin discusses the making of his
1977 film Sorcerer.

(In reference to Sorcerer) "...my favorite of all the films
that I have made. It's one of my only films
I can watch because it came out
almost exactly as I intended."
-William Friedkin in William Friedkin: Films of Aberration,
Obsession and Reality by Thomas D. Clagett.

the trailers

Betrayal - Tangerine Dream
from the Sorcerer Soundtrack

Harvey Pekar - R.I.P.

2010-07-12T17:13:00.016-04:00

Harvey Pekar passed away today.
Begining in 1976, Pekar combined his eloquent, brusque life stories with a series of comics drawn by a revolving crew of artists in American Splendor. Like a lot of America, I first became aware of his work through frequent appearances on Late Night with David Letterman during the 80s and a few are displayed below.

A true individual, Harvey Pekar leaves behind an enormous amount of work that deserves carefully consideration as a voice of a modern American underdog/working man.

Negative Approach - 2010 - Boston

2010-07-09T17:05:00.001-04:00

Since I didn't purchase a ticket in advance, I wasn't able to get into the sold out June 19, 2010 Negative Approach/DOA show at Church - Boston MA. Friends who saw the show could not stop raving about it and I bet it was sick. Thanks to kpcollinsdotcom posting these clips on Youtube I can get a glimpse of the vintage Detroit hardcore outfit's recent performance.

Lost Cause

Hypocrite

Sick Of Talk

Can't Tell No One

Said And Done

Evacuate

Ready To Fight

Whatever I Do

Why Be Something That You're Not

Nirvana - 1989 - Rhino Records

2010-07-06T22:31:00.001-04:00

Nirvana
23 June 1989
Rhino Records
Westwood, California

1. SCHOOL
2. FLOYD THE BARBER
3. LOVE BUZZ
4. BIG CHEESE
5. ABOUT A GIRL
6. SIFTING
7. SPANK THRU
8. DIVE
9. POLLY
10. NEGATIVE CREEP
11. BLEW

The audio is really poor for the first few songs
but improves after Love Buzz.

Pink Floyd - Interstellar Overdrive - 1966/67

2010-07-05T22:31:00.000-04:00

Pink Floyd
performing Interstellar Overdrive
at the UFO Nightclub, London 1966/67
from Peter Whitehead's film
Tonite Let's All Make Love in London

1/2

2/2

plus
this BBC clip
containing some footage from 1966-68

Ray Harryhausens skeletons

2010-06-23T20:01:00.003-04:00

Ray Harryhausen's special effects handiwork has been a highlight of fantasy films throughout the years before the advent of computer cinematic enhancement. An especially outstanding segment of his work has to be the animation of skeletons to battle human defenders in both Jason and the Argonauts (1963) as well as in The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad (1958), scenes from both movies are included below.

Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad (1958)

as a bonus, here's a compilation of all of
Ray Harryhausen's creations in chronological order
with Tito Puente's "Mon Ti" as the soundtrack

plus

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad - 1958 - trailer

This has been slightly edited from its originally posting
on MySpace blog Nov. 2009

Carnivore - 1986 - Brooklyn

2010-06-13T20:34:00.004-04:00

15 October 1986
Carnivore
L'Amours, Brooklyn NY

After the breakup of the band Fallout and prior to forming Type O Negative, Peter Steele played bass and performed lead vocals in the Brooklyn based thrash band Carnivore. The hard and heavy music was paired with often controversial and thought provoking lyrics. During it's brief existence Carnivore released two records with the sound changing from a more conventional metal style towards a faster, more hardcore crossover sound.

R.I.P. - Peter Steele

Carnivore / Predator / S.M.D.

Male Supremacy / God is Dead

Race War / U.S.A. For U.S.A.

World War III & IV / Five Billion Dead

Ground Zero Brooklyn

Freaks and Geeks - 1999 - pilot episode

2010-06-11T00:30:00.002-04:00

The 1999 series Freaks and Geeks was a one of a kind television series. Fairly realistically and thoroughly engaging, the program depicted life in the early 1980s at McKinley High School. Created by Paul Feig (who also directed the 2000 Discos and Dragons episode and has gone on to direct episodes of Arrested Development, The Office, Nurse Jackie, and others) the show was an early showcase for many young actors who went on to greater acclaim. Here's the pilot episode.

Superjail - where is season 2?

2010-06-04T20:00:00.003-04:00

The darkly hilarious, visually intricate and
ridiculously violent cartoon Superjail
became an instant favorite of mine after catching
an episode on Adult Swim awhile back. Unfortunately the
rumors of a second season have yet to materialize
with any new shows...

"Bunny Love" - pilot episode (lil video glitch at start)

"Superbar" - episode #1

"Combaticus" - episode #2

Motörhead - Another Perfect Day - 1983

2010-05-30T20:00:00.003-04:00

There are multiple Motörhead records among my all time favorites, but Another Perfect Day is one of the tops.

Their sixth record initially caused some controversy among fans on it's release in 1983. Guitar player "Fast" Eddie Clarke had left the band and been replaced by ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson. This line up change, along with the albums more expansive and melodic style didn't sit well with some folks. I'm a huge fan of the unique sound expressed on this one. "Rock It" even features prominent piano playing from Robertson; who stayed on long enough only to record this one record with the band.

1. "Back at the Funny Farm" – 4:14
2. "Shine" – 3:11
3. "Dancing on Your Grave" – 4:29
4. "Rock It" – 3:55
5. "One Track Mind" – 5:55
6. "Another Perfect Day" – 5:29
7. "Marching Off to War" – 4:11
8. "I Got Mine" – 5:24
9. "Tales of Glory" – 2:56
10. "Die You Bastard" – 4:25
"Turn You Round Again"* – 3:57
* Originally released as the B-side of I Got Mine.

Below are some videos and audio tracks of material from Another Perfect Day.

Shine

I Got Mine

One Track Mind

Rock It

Dancing on Your Grave

Turn You Round Again