Those other record sizes...

When you put a record on, they are usually 12" or 7". Sure there are those 10"s becoming more and more common, but there are those other, cool, odd sizes. Today at work during a pretty slow point (much of the day honestly) I was thinking about my favorite 10"s, and there are some great ones, a little further down I talked about the Radio Crimes 10", which is amazing with some great packaging. A couple of times at BANNED we did an all 7" night called "Singles Going Steady", but I always wanted to do an all 10" night, maybe "Check Out My Big Ten Inch....Record" after the old blues song. I am sure it would't go over nearly as well. Anyway, after those thoughts I started thinking about the other sizes that I also love. Maybe they are gimick-y, you ever hear about the Spazz 1"? I guess they are toy records that they made labels, covers and fake song titles for, LTD to like 20 or something, now that is rediculous...Anyway, onward to some of my favorites of the other sizes....
The 5"s

The famous Converge 5", or infamous! Hand numbered and LTD to 1,000, the plates were even said to be smashed afterwards, acording the liner notes anyway. I have heard that they numbered a bunch of them 666! I am pretty sure I have seen like three on ebay. Also I had heard that there was more white vinyl then black, making my copy more rare then the more saught after white...or I am just convincing myslf of that to make myself feel better. Either way great two track record, one of which was a Vio-lence cover! The other, Downpour was said to be only for this release, I have never checked, I kind of lost interest in Converge records along the line. But I have a bunch of rare shit from them, including the 1st 7".

I love the Vindictives! Honestly I think it's because my friend Jud played them a lot when we did a radio show together. I think I like their covers more then originals, and that is the beauty of these little records you don't have to take them too serious, and can do whatever. Here you get two Sex Pistols covers. I always thought they had great songs most of the time done better by other people. I love the Vindictives!

Spazz made a lot of records, I love some, others I could care less. Honestly I haven't listened to this is years, many years. I don't like it too much, but hold on to, it's a picture disc, so that's cool. The back says the songs (10 of 'em) were written and recorded in an hour, so maybe that gives you an idea of why I don't listen to it. Also I sort of hate the label, they put out some terrible records, but they put out the 1st From Ashes Rise 7" so they sort of get a pass....next.
8"ers...

Still Life. Fuck I love this band. I have something from this record tattooed on me, that's how much I love this record, which I am pretty sure was my 1st Still Life record. I used to have the insert tacked to my wall, they always made amazing records, great artwork, great lyrics, and emotional power that was fuckin'.....I don't even know. They used to be called emo, but that word has had many meanings since revolution summer, so whatever. Three songs on here, and I swear that at a warehouse show in Hamden I begged them to play all three, and I am pretty sure they did. The only thing, is that the vinyl is very thin, and flimsy. It's almost like they did that on purpose so you can't listen to it everyday, cause you'll kill yourself if you did. Go with a more durable record, like their 2x12", wait that one is dangerous too! I seriously love this record, LOVE it, all of their records really. I wonder if they are still around??

Assholeparade "Lhighve", live get it? Anyway 90's power violence, thrash whatever the fuck. For the longest time (maybe still??) this was the only Assholeparade I owned, it's awesome, I think it was recorded from a radio station,(it probably says on the inside, but I am lazy) very good, folks in Florida loved this kind of shit back in the day, as did I.
10"? 9"? Either way....

Blueprint Acoustic Flexi!!! That's right a flexi! Three songs from these one time split partners with Jimmy Eat World. This was a great band whom I am fairly certain didn't last too long, but managed to put out some great records. This one isn't so great on vinyl,so you can't really get a great feel on the songs. I remember liking one of them and including it on some mix tapes, but I haven't played it in a while due to it's lack of durability. But pretty cool. I was going to put out a flexi 7" comp to go with my zine but once I saw the cost, decided on a 7", then when my car brokedown, the whole thing was shelved, but that's another story....
The HWM other sizes....

I just realized this whole blog is on 90's bands, weird. Do I buy less irregular records, or are they just less common? Anyway, nothing says 90's punk rock like Hot Water Music! I was apeshit about HWM after seeing them for the 1st time @ the CT Bike Exchange in like 95 with Assuck. I think they were best when they had the beards. Don't get me wrong I like the Epitaph releases, love the Draft, Chris + Ship Thieves record is great, and I love Chuck solo (listening to his new one now, great as well!) But man when HWM were bearded they put out something fierce. This 9" split with Clairmel is them in their prime as is....

...This 11" split with Tomorrow. I am fairly certain that all of these HWM songs were on more common sized pieces of vinyl, but these were great versions, and just cool records to have, I played the HWM sides to death. Remember when I said in a previous blog about splits? No? well I tend to only listen to one side, my fault, I know, I remember digging both of these one word bands, but when I reach for these records, the side I love seemed to get played, then I would want to listen to more of them and would head toward another HWM record, except of course the Leatherface split...oh and the Alkaline Trio split. Remember this simple point from Uncle JV, you lose a little of your edge each time you shave.
Okay, lets not make this a total 90's blog, keep up with some of today. And man I will find a way to bring up.....

Rumspringer!! I love these dudes, seriously, my public statements of my love for them are known. Esp. Mikey Wretch! That dude is fuckin' gold. This record is going to be in my top 5 for the year, right now it looks like #3, Riverboat and Dear Landlord are in good company. See them, buy all their records, give 'em hugs.

Now I have a mission, to find more odd sized records that have come out in the last ten years! Anyway, post a comment on your favorite odd sized record. Man it's 10:45 on a friday night and I am "blogging" listening to records, even Eldridge is out, maybe I am a dork....Time to flip the record and get another beer....

(The Gym Is) Neutral Territory

Today's blog is simple, the record below is my favorite of all time, if you've never heard it, or it's been a long time, go check it out. If you have, and love it as much as I, listen to it anyway....

Tons of shows this weekend in the Valley....Check some out...

I am DJing the Bro-loaf show tonight, come out for a good time indeed...



Tons of shit on Saturday...Man I'm gonna try and bounce between a few....






Chippy back to Valley Fever this weekend on Sundday, always a good time...

Some records that I am digging these days...

Originally I was planning for this to be mostly record reviews, hence the Johnny Volume Record Time title. Granted it may in time turn out to be so, but for now, about a week into this blogs existence, not so much. I remember reading somewhere from like David Coverdale or someone, that writing about music is like singing about basketball. Lester Bangs may have not agreed, but either way, here are some pictures with a few words about those records, that I am digging....enjoy!



I am sure many of you here in the valley are very aware of one of Tempe's greatest bands, Grave Danger. In fact they are one of the first bands I saw when I moved here, and it was the first time I had ever been to Long Wongs (RIP). This is actually their first vinyl releases, and you get two great GD instrumentals. Amazing. PS If anyone has an extra copy of Valley Of Scum w/ the 2nd part of the Kevin Daly interview, send it my way....




BOATS! Awesome 4 song 7" on May Cause Dizziness Records. Think Stitches mixed with Briefs. Amazing, young band from Sacto...I am not going to even attempt to soil the greatness of this record with words, just get it, you won't regret it!



Now this band can't be described! Lenguas Largas! Issac from Shark Pants/Swing Ding Amigos latest project, and my favorite. This 7" is so good, but nothing compared to the live show. See them get the record, on Tic Tac Totally records.




The God Damned Doo Wop Band! Just what the band name may suggest, this is a bunch of punk rock folks doing doo wop. I have been playing this 7" @ BANNED, and the cd is pretty much the only one getting played at home. I don't think they tour much, so go to Awesome Fast to see them. Oh wait that's sold out, hope you got tickets....




You knew I'd get some Rumspringer in here! THE best band in the PHX area, that I have gone on and on about for so long already, but fuck the split 7" is amazing! Honestly the Dude Jams side has been played twice, once at BANNED! and once right when I got it.



Keepin' it in AZ with Andrew Jackson Jihad! This is a great 8", each side has the same song, once acoustic, once electric, and the grooves for each track are next to each other arther then one following the second. So once you drop the needle on the edge you get one version, and bump it and it's electric. I have seen AJJ play electric a few imes, and honestly, so so, I'll take acoustic. But on this the electric version is tops! Never played the other side, no offense to Mischief Brew, just haven't due to the AJJ side being so awesome. I promise when I do, I'll post it here....




Another May Cause Dizziness release! Radio Crimes, the newest project from Mr. Alex Empty! MOD style punk rock, that you can tell is still Alex! Did you like the Half Empties? This is the grown up version of that. Mr. Empty is moving back soon, so go get tattooed by him, congratulate him as he'll be a dad soon...Until then get this record!



This record is going to be hard pressed to be beat as record of the year for me! AMAZING! No other words....



An older record (1996) I have been listening to a bit lately. Prema's second and last record with a long poem like title, a few years before Fiona Apple, commonly called Drivel. These guys 1st record was a Krishna hard core record that was ok. But here I think they were doing drugs and got noisy. Great spastic, catch screamy punk rock ala Ink & Dagger, Icarus Line....

Anyway, here are a few of the records I am into at the moment. Stay tuned I am sure I'll have some more for you soon, and with more words, think of these as more like visual list rather then reviews. Stop by BANNED! Thursday, see below for what we've got going on, I am excited to hear what records Tyler brings...thanks.

This week @ BANNED! When your Casey Moore's Bartender becomes your DJ!

That's Right your favorite Casey Moore's Bartender is gonna come out and guest DJ with me on Thursday. You have heard him rant, rave and go on and on about bands and records, hear what the fuck he is always talking about, but can't keep up with...

Move to Portland, I'd like to put my feet up on the bar stool you were sitting in.

You know what really grinds my gears? When people shit talk Phoenix, or Arizona in general. Maybe it’s because I am not originally from here, so I haven’t built up a shit load of resentment for never having been anywhere else, but it’s fuckin’ pathetic. I felt CT was no longer the place for me, I didn’t like many things about it, so I moved. I love Arizona, Tempe especially, and never want to leave. There are awesome bands from here, shows coming through pretty often, the weather kicks ass, Eastside records around the corner, bars I like to hang out at, great friends, shit really, it goes on and on. But what I hear constantly is how it’s not LA, NY, or fuckin’ Portland! THEN GO, GET THE FUCK OUT!!! Stop bitching about a place I love, and go be a small fish in the big hipster cities, please! The bars could use a little more elbow room around here. The worst is when some shall remain nameless bands do the same thing. You have nerve! People come and support your shitty ass band and all you can do is talk about how the scene sucks here and it should be more like blank, blank or blank. Well you know those same places have so many flavors of the week, that your tired act wouldn’t get noticed, or maybe even booked on any shows! Bite the ear that listens to your band, you are the Mike Tyson of local bands, dicks. So go, leave, I’ll be wearing my “Love Phoenix or Leave Phoenix” shirt, watching the Suns game @ Casey’s, drinking a 8Th Street, after buying the new Andrew Jackson Jihad record from Eastside. I do it the Tempe way....

It's Thursday, BANNED! Tonight @ Jugheads!

New poster made by the Tallented Kelley Harris. Hope to see you there, I am going to do some digging through records when I get out of work to find some gems for ya...

American Steel, New Trust, Rumspringer, Cagematch tonight @ SETS

It seems that tonight’s American Steel show has slipped under some people’s radar, how? It’s American Steel! Their new record, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts, is great. I loved Destroy Their Future, but this one is a little more even. Some real hooks and gems on it, although I haven’t been home to spend enough time with it, yeah my iPOD is broken, and the cd player in my car has a cd stuck in it. So it is records at home only, pretty much. Anyway come out to the show tonight and pick up a copy. Also on the show is our own local darlings RUMSPRINGER!!! These guys are so great, you really should see them if you haven’t yet. I loved Streetside Prophet, and really who didn’t??? And I love anything and all things Mikey Wretch, and again, who doesn’t??? Razorcake called them the princes of Tempe, so you know that holds for a lot for me. They have a few split 7”s out as well as a great 10” which is also available as a cd for those of you who don’t own a turntable (and who are you????) The show is at the Sets, so all ages welcome, for those over 21 there is a PBR special, so you can’t loose! And don’t give me no shit about the weeknight thing, because weekday shows are the best! Did you read the myspace blog I wrote about that? No? Well here it is…..

I'll tell you what I love, going to shows. Drinkin' a beer, having a good time, watch a band rock out for the few people that came out to see them on a Monday night. That's what it's all about, you will see the best bands ever giving it there all in a dive, no matter how many people are there. If you forgot about rock and roll, this is where it is still alive and for real. These bands aren't crying over a rider, PA, or guest lists. Rancid did this once, Wilco did this once, the fucking Who did this once. Yeah I am bummed out that Green Day tickets are more then I can afford, and the venue will have $8 watered down Buds. But down the street some kids on a Tuesday is going to rock the fuck out with dollar Pabsts.


So hope you all can make it out, see you there when I get out of work @ The Method Man/Redman/Ghostface show…Yeah yer jealous!

Welcome! What will this blog be?

Hello everybody, thanks for swinging by and checking out my blog. This will be about a lot of different things, happenings on the local Arizona music front, record reviews, rants, raves, whatever else.

First the most bassic is that I am DJing every Thursday @ Jugheads for BANNED! Along with DJ LaRue. 9-2am with cheap beers, no cover, good times. Punk rock records, and other genres we feel like throwing in the mix, guest DJs, Bands, and whatever else comes along. I will try to keep an update of what was played the week before, or what new records I am bringing down for that week. I am pretty bad at remembering what the hell I did play or recently buy, but as I said, I will try. We have been doing BANNED! for nearly three years, with the new day and @ Jugheads since late March. If you haven't been to Jugheads since the new ownership and make over I suggest you do so soon. We have had a bunch of great shows there, with a bunch more to come! Stay tuned for more info!



In addition to BANNED! I have been doing Outlaw Country Brunch about once a month @ the Lucky Devil on Terrace and Apache in Tempe. No cover,cheap drinks, good food, and Outlaw Country records. No Keith Urban, Toby Keith, or Carrie Underwood. Merle Haggard! Johnny Paycheck! Waylon! Cash! Coe! That sort of thing. The next one is Aug.30th Noon-4pm, but I usually hang around long after gettin' saucy! Ask Ben Barnes or Corey how that is!