Motörhead - Another Perfect Day - 1983

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 Guitar player "Fast" Eddie Clarke had left the band and been replaced by ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson.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

Night Tide (1961) starring Dennis Hopper

In commemoration of the passing of Dennis Hopper (17 May 1936 - 29 May 2010), his performance in director/writer Curtis Harrington's 1961 horror/noir hybrid Night Tide is presented below. Hopper plays a lonely sailor who falls for an enticing and mysterious woman. His curiosity drives him as the movie progresses. The darkly (sadly, this print is also very dark and kind of beat up) atmospheric cinematography often shot around the Santa Monica Pier or Venice, California adds to the dreamy tone. It's a decidedly offbeat tale that had a difficult time finding an audience upon initial release, often playing the bottom bill on drive-in double and multiple features.


the trailer



the feature

Bill Hicks - 1988 - Rascals & Dangerfields

Bill Hicks articulated an intelligent and infuriated blend of humor and social commentary during his much too brief time on Earth. He was both erudite and beautifully profane in his ruminations, but his uncompromising ways forced him to pay a price with long time supporter David Letterman eventually censoring what would be Hicks last appearance on his program. Letterman attempted to rectify this years later by having Bill Hicks mom on the show and airing the once offending footage.

The two clips below are taken from U.S. cable comedy specials
from the late 80s.

Rascals - 9 June 1988


Dangerfields - 1988

Pavement - 1994 - Germany

Pavement
4 March 1994
Köln

Debris Slide


Summer Babe



Silence Kid


Pueblo



Gold Soundz


Stop Breathin'

Kyuss - 1995 - Germany

Kyuss
Bizarre Festival
Köln 19/08/95

Gardenia
Hurricane
Freedom Run
The Ol' Boozerony
Supa Scoopa & Mighty Scoop
One Inch Man
Green Machine

Frank Frazetta - R.I.P.

Frank Frazetta
9 February 1928 – 10 May 2010

In Praise of David Cronenberg's Shivers (1975)

In 1975, David Cronenberg's first feature film Shivers (aka They Came From Within or The Parasite Murders) made it's way into unsuspecting cinemas. With a shooting title of Orgy of the Blood Parasites, filming took place over a brisk 15 days. This mix of horror on both a cerebral and visceral level upset more than a few vocal opponents who were angry Canadian government financial assistance had been involved with the production. Some of this was offset by the fact that the film proved to be a more than respectable worldwide success and made a large profit.

The setting for the entire film is a very J.G. Ballard-esque ultra contemporary high rise apartment situated on a small island. We soon discover that within this seemingly perfect new world of multiple modern conveniences, all is not right. The juxtaposition between the ordinary and the horrifying steadily builds towards a frenzy of paranoid and bloody chaotic action. Recommended.



the trailer


segment from the program, "On Screen!" featuring
David Cronenberg's first full length feature Shivers


David Cronenberg speaks about Shivers