Johnny Volume, Record Time!

Come On Die Young s/t 7" Record Release version.

2011-07-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

This week saw the release of a fine Arizona bands debut recording, Come On Die Young’s self titled four song 7”. This release is also the debut release from their bass players own new label Man In Decline Records. These versions are from their record release show, July 9th at the Nile Basement with Joyce Manor, Rumspringer and the other band I didn’t see.

There are two versions of the record release version, LTD to 40 total, 20 of each. Transparent covers with blank color paper behind them,
red

and blue.

The Vinyl is also colored. Red cover has red streaky vinyl,

and the blue is clear with black streaks, very nice looking.

Certainly an impressive layout for a labels first release, each record also comes with a download code! I understand that there will be other LTD versions of the record as well, people like me love multiple versions of records, and this blog is proof! So stay tuned to here for more editions to come!

ELDERS "Blind Rage" LP

2011-05-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

I believe it's been well covered in here (I think it might even be the point of this blog), that I will buy multiple versions of a record, be it colors, different covers, pressings, etc...This still newish release from Arizona's own The Elders "Blind Rage" on King Of The Monsters is one example of that. You may (or probably not) remember a blog awhile ago on here where the King Of The Monsters and I attended the Elders tape release show (sparking a tape as a viable format blog).

At that show The Elders and KOTM hatched a plan to release Elders debut record. At the end of last year Elders headed to Tucson to play Mark Beef's Go Nowhere Fest, records ready but covers weren't, so these cleverly LTD versions of the LP were put together.

An obvious nod to The Feederz, with an earily lookalike to Mark Beef, Beefstock Version, LTD 16 of 20...

Yeah grip tape on back will fuck up the records you put it next to, which is why mine is in a thick plastic laser disc sleeve...

Here is the insert for this version...

A few weeks later Elders went on tour, and still the covers weren't done, so a tour version was put together...

Not sure how many were done for this tour, as they aren't numbered, or I haven't found it. Great cover though, came out really good! A different back as well...

And the insert, slightly different from the Beefstock version...

Finally the regular covers were done...

Back of Reg Ed...

Here is the LTD cover.

It says of 100, the KOTM site says of 108, either way.

Back of LTD. Ed...

Reg. & LTD insert...

With a nice special note...

And the other side...

And the vinyl itself, all versions black and except the LTD. to 100 (or 108) version which is white...

For the record, my wife hates this shirt, which might make me like it even more...

Please go and take a look at the KOTM webstore...
www.http://kingofthemonstersrecords.bigcartel.com/
and on here...
http://kotmrecords.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
~JV.

“…with his stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:5

2011-03-31T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well I've been threatening to post my Stryper collection on this blog for some time, and now in conjunction with my review of Stryper's aptly titled all covers album in this months The Trunk Space Slide Rule, The Covering,

here it is....

We'll start with Stryper's Debut, the Yellow And Black Attack ep. Not very original, on par with most 80's glam hair metal...Also, fittingly, pressed on yellow vinyl!

The cover art rules, God's rulling hand pointing the way for the attack on earth, to Stryperize it, sort of..
Now, for their first full length Stryper got a bit more original and started a sound that would be all their own. Soldiers Under Command was a great record, way more original then the ep.

For some reason the white vinyl version had eluded me for some time. But once I got one, I ended up with four...

Soldiers sold very well so the label thought they would capitalize and reissue Yellow And Black Attack with some bonus tracks. And some sweet packaging...

Round covers!

Also on blue vinyl!

But there are also more traditional square covers!

Together As One single from the Soldiers lp, and...

Reach Out 12" singles!
Reason For The Season 7" picture disc single!

Stryper's really big break out was their 2nd full length the massive, To Hell With The Devil! LTD Controversy cover of the boys sending the devil back to hell!!!!

The warning sticker, explaining the image...

The regular version...

The LTD Picture disc version, although mine is # 9846, so I am not sure how LTD they were..

My original tape copy that I bought after seeing the Calling On You video on Mtv..

Oh yeah my singed copy, from when I met 3 out of 4 some years back...

(Yeah Oz Fox wrote JC Rocks!)
All in all I think I own 9 copies of this amazing record!

Plus the Free/Calling On You 12" single...

As well as the 7" single...

...and the Honestly 7" single...

Finally a new record was coming, In God We Trust! I bought the 1st single the day it was available. And another copy some other time...

As well as the triangle picture single!

Finally the lp came out!

No color, no ltd covers, just there. And it wasn't even that good. Oh well...I sort of gave up buying their records after that, and the ceased being a band a few more times. They put out crappy solo records, and collections. While I worked at the record store I'd get promo copies of the cds...

Sometimes they get back together and tour. Once I even caught a bible!

I even rock this necklace sometimes! Pretty sweet huh?!
href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xAqB0T6anFE/TZVa_tCkeSI/AAAAAAAAAaM/x9mA9MTW92I/s1600/Stryper%2BBlog%2B038.jpg">
This one is pretty sweet too, it looks like a normal button!
href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QFsxyLDfDAY/TZVbLgSPnHI/AAAAAAAAAaU/N3y4aGZ7aM0/s1600/Stryper%2BBlog%2B039.jpg">
But it's a bottle opener on the back!! It doesn't work very well!

Well, I could probably go on for days about Stryper, but all I really wanted to do was show some of the records in my collection. If any record store has any of these records priced for more then like $7 or $8, tell them they are out of their minds! I have seen some of these very records hanging on walls proclaiming their worth and rarity, but fuck that, the reality is none really are, and should be cheap. I suggest picking some up...And if there are some you come across that I don't have, hit me up, I'll probably take it! Thanks for readin'....

Nile Record Fair!

2011-02-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

There is a record fair at the Nile Theatre this Sunday, come by and check it out! Myself and some friends will be playing records till about 4, when the bands take over. Bands and labels are encouraged to bring me test presses!

Candy Cigarettes, Capguns, Issue Problems! and Such

2011-02-08T12:28:00.001-08:00

Asian Man Records have issued this new Andrew Jackson Jihad collection of B sides, singles, comp tracks and a few previously unreleased tracks.

No doubt you will recognize a good amount of this stuff, as a majority has been out before, but it always cool to get stuff packaged together. It looks good, and Sean has some pretty funny quips inside about the material and his Grandmother thinking that You Tube is their web site. I would suggest picking it up soon, as it seems to be pretty limited. In fact it seems to be a weird pressing amount, 686.
(226 Black)

(234 Green)

(226 White)

Also word is that AJJ have nearly if not fully, completed their new full length, in addition No Idea has had listed as coming soon a split 9” with O Pioneers, for some time now, so obviously keep your eyes open. Oh also on the AJJ front, head on over to silversprocket.net for some AJJ pillowcases, seriously.
Till next time....

The Johnny Volume Awards Ceremony!

2011-01-27T23:06:00.000-08:00

Okay so it took me a long time to post my favorite incomplete list of records of 2010. There was some grey area, due to the inclusion of a Best Of 2010 mix tape. I wanted to make a few things clear, and the next few blogs which I hope are timelier then they usually are, will address those thoughts. And so, welcome to the Johnny Volume Awards Ceremony (J.V.A.C.) to address what really mattered to me this year, like anyone cares. The first, and really most important, my award for artist of the year, Good Men Die Like Dogs, from right here in good ole Arizona.

There are many reasons for Good Men Die Like Dogs winning the artist of the year for J.V.A.C. the first being, they are amazing people. I genuinely like them as people, if you’ve had a conversation with any of the three you see what I mean. But you don’t win the J.V.A.C. Artist of the Year for merely for being, umm good men. You have to make great music, and boy do they! Billy is a truly fuckin’ honest songwriter; I have always appreciated that about him. I remember upon hearing that Parkway Wretch broke up being bummed out for a number of reasons, but one of them was the last batch of new songs were amazing, I could tell Billy was on a roll. Well here we get a brand new band in 2010, Good Men Die Like Dogs, with not only Billy as Parkway alum but also Nasty D! And moving to the drum kit was the recently relocated back to Arizona Fuck You Ups guitar player Abe Ruthless. I remember hearing about Good Men before I had actually seen these good men play, interest was obviously peaked, and a recent project I was involved in, the Personality Disorder comp. had to include them, if for no other reason then for their mere existence as good men. But holy shit was “Spilling On The Floor” quickly becoming on of my favorite tracks on the comp!

I was assembling my birthday show, when these fine men were asking to be a part of it, of course! They had slayed me with one recorded track, what else was in store? I think they were great, really I don’t remember, it was my birthday, I was getting married the next week, I was pretty drunk! But the good men of Good Men Die Like Dogs were pressing a 10” and for my birthday had presented me with a test press of that record.

I took it home, and played it over and over and over again! Oh fuck, this was the roll Billy was starting at the end of Parkway and continued with this new band…Needless to say I LOVED it!

I remember professing my love of the record to Billy as he told me about their next record they had just recorded, Postscript.

The songs on the record would string together in the form of a letter. Sounded very interesting, I was intrigued, couldn’t wait to hear it, and of course picked it up first chance I could. I have to admit before I played it I was worried, concept records usually work as just that, a concept, yikes, would this be the point where they had jumped the shark? Fuck no, they are a pop punk band, who write, great songs! Each track stands out on it’s own as a great song! Proof, I picked one song off of this record to be in on my Best Of ’10 tape. Remember when I said many records were left off that tape because it didn’t fit the confines of a mix tape? Obviously it fit the parameters of that rule! Slam Dunk #3 of the year for the Good Men!

Good Men Die Like Dogs still had one more release to give us before years end, and this time a split 7” with friends and comparatively younger kids on the block, That’s Life!

This time with three different colors cause folks like me and Nate Cause Dizziness need all variants! Green, Black and mix! Two more great tracks, especially any one mentioning going to the record store!

(Green, Black And Mix Repectfully!)
Good Men Die Like dogs did in 2010 what most bands don’t do any more, and that is make shit happen for themselves! They got together, wrote fuckin’ great songs, and put out three records in one year! That doesn’t happen any more, and nothing feels more rewarding then falling in love with a band and having them give you a comp track, a 10”, a 7”, and a split 7” all within the year they formed! Thank you Good Men Die Like Dogs! Thank you for giving a track to a comp I was a part of, thank you for being a band, thank you for being honest, and truly amazing in every way! And congratulations on being the Artist Of The Year in the utterly useless Johnny Volume Awards Ceremony! www.goodmendielikedogs.com/

Top Records Of 2010*

2011-01-23T15:10:00.001-08:00

Well like nearly everyone I know, I have my favorite records of the past year. I have made this tape with a bunch of songs from said records as well, if you want one email me, and maybe I’ll have some left to send you, no promises though!

I have a serious problem ranking the records I do love from the year, and used to pain over deciding if a record deserved #4 or #5, but no longer. They are like my children and can’t place an order. So with that in mind, the tape was separated geographically only, Side AZ bands, Side Bands from other places! And like any good mix tape I tried to make each song segue into the next and create some sort of mood, rather then just placing tracks next to each other for some other reason. It’s kind of like what I try to do whilst DJing. Sometimes this is an utter failure and it all sounds like shit, but sometimes, and I think this tape showcases this, it comes together very nicely to make up a mix that is enjoyable to listen to, if I don’t say so myself. So, having said that, this tape doesn’t feature a song from all of the records I loved last year. For example the Off With Their Heads record IN DESOLATION, would push come to shove make my top 5, but no track from that record made the tape. One reason was that I seriously couldn’t find the right spot in the mix for it. And two, almost all of you have probably heard it…Now with that in mind here are some records I loved last year….What did you dig on?

Tape track listing...
Side AZ

1. The Answer –Casket Life

2. Sea Monster –Japanese Monsters

3. Complimentary Close- Good Men Die Like Dogs

4. Forever Alone –Tradewinds

5. Dear Mom- That’s Life

6. Again & Again & Again- Royal Monsters

7. Like Fangs –Cagematch

8. Reign Of Death & Raining Blood & Death & Stuff- Hotdog!

9. Painter –Earthmen & Strangers

10. Lonely Summertime – Lenguas Largas

11. Seems Like A Flusher –Rumspringer

12. Ex-Mas- The Chortys

13. Eclipse – Destruction Unit

14. Have You Ever Been Hit By A Flying Saucer? –Al Foul

15. Outlaws Billy The Kid & Clyde Barrow –Chip Hanna

16. Lonely Has A New Name – Tony Martinez

17. Truck City –Flathead

Side Bands from other places

1. The Envelope Song –The Arrivals

2. Simple Pleasures In America –The Arrivals

3. Effortless Amnesiac-Swingin’ Utters

4. Tears In My Beers –Mean Jeans

5. Drink To Win –Modern Action

6. Amazing Race –Boats!

7. Public Domain –The Dopamines

8. Substandard –Sundowners

9. The Other Side –Marked Men

10. Past Due –Potential Johns

11. Get Our Kicks –The Spits

12. You’ll Always Be My Girl-Vacation Bible School

13. Cindy’s Gonna Save Me –Young Governor

14. Last Caress –Dum Dum Girls

15. Bound –Parting Gifts

16. Haunted – Black Wine

17. Breathe Out –RVIVR

18. The Night Accelerates –forgetters

19. Higher Education – The Stitches

*=This can not be overstated, THIS IS IN NO WAY A RANKING!!!!!!!
(But those last two were my favorite two!)

A P.S. to the previous post....

2010-11-15T16:17:00.000-08:00

In addition these two Arizona bands of yesterday (with ties to current bands like Rumspringer, Might've Beens) have some free downloads. Go check them out!

John Denver's Last Flight
http://www.last.fm/music/John+Denver%27s+Last+Flight

Gary's Agenda
http://www.last.fm/music/Gary%27s+Agenda

LOCALS ONLY!

2010-11-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

Here we are with another installment of Johnny Volume Record Time! This blog has had two purposes, one to talk about records, and two to talk about Arizona music. I haven’t kept up, excuses and all; with this blog in general never mind with keeping both agendas! Well this edition of the blog will! I present to you some fantastic fucking records that have come out somewhat recently of Arizona Bands and/or Arizona labels! Get excited!!!

We’ll start with a couple of non records! First A-1 Pilsner Beer, Brewed by Nimbus Brewing Company in Tucson. I had been looking for a good AZ brew for a while, and none really got me. I had heard about A-1, that I guess was brewed in AZ till like the 60’s. It went under, and then was revived by Nimbus. It’s certainly one of my favorites now. But it’s not carried in a lot places. I got 6 pack at Tops and it ran me $10, which for a Schlitz, PBR, High Life man like me, is costly, but well worth it! Just cause I am a cheap beer guy, don’t assume that about A-1, I guess some folks would call it a craft beer, I don’t know what that means!

Next we have the Avon Ladies demo. Ripping hard core feat. members of Elders, Rumspringer, Hotdog! And I think h100’s. Great, brutal hc, watch out if you go see them, you might get hit by a flying object! http://www.cityslaang.com/

A couple of months ago this amazing 12” comp came out of some really great Arizona bands. Personality Disorder was a combined effort of me, May Cause Dizziness Records and the fellas of azpunk.com. The idea was for us all to pick some Arizona bands. Admittedly this comp was in no way a representation of all geographical, or stylistically diverse bands in AZ, but rather just ones we each liked. I chose some bands that are no longer around for different reason. (IE Japanese Monsters have been a favorite of mine, that I constantly tried to get people to pay attention to, and Streetside Prophets recorded an amazing record that never came out. And in light of recent popularity of Rumspringer, should be heard) But also there are AZ old timers Casket Life, Impossible Ones, and Jason Devore of Authority Zero (locked track even!) along with Hotdog!, Father Figures, Automatic Erasers, Good Men Die Like Dogs, Lenguas Largas, Cagematch, Plainfield Butchers, Said Gun, and Scottsdale douches Bro Loaf! It’s a great looking record, of course as all Of May Cause Dizziness Records look good, with a nice black paper sleeve, and as mentioned lock track! Some folks don’t like locked tracks, but that shit is cool, sort of like bonus track! http://mcdrecords.bigcartel.com/

Switching gears a little bit, here is a great new release from King Of The Monsters Records, Altars Hella split 7”. One or both of these bands are from Iran, and are sick lo-fi black metal! This version is LTD to 100 white vinyl with alternative cover! The Halla side is my favorite, pick this up and listen to the bass lines, sooo good. I love the black metal, and this was right up my alley! While you are over at KOTM pick up the re-release of the Gehenna "Upon The Gravehill" lp, I believe the purple ltd. To 100 are gone, but still get the black. Also KOTM will be releasing the OSS 7”, next Royal Monsters 7” and an Elders lp. Keep an eye out for those! http://kingofthemonstersrecords.bigcartel.com/

Oh yeah, and there is no labels on the record!

Local punk gone country stalwart Chip Hanna(One Man Army & US Bombs) released a new 7” “OUTLAWS” via Rockstar Records, if you picked up his “Old Country” LP you know you are in for a good looking record, and sounding great is a given! Chip celebrates Bonnie Parker’s 100th Birthday with an A Side with lyrics taken from a poem by Bonnie and music by Chip. Side B is a Tom T Hall track about Clyde Barrow & Bonnie. The green cover yellow vinyl is LTD to 100, and you can get it domestically via May Cause Dizziness Records! http://mcdrecords.bigcartel.com/

The LTD green cover, yellow vinyl version!

Two newer bands released a great split recently via Tortilla Chip Records. Good Men Die Like Dogs have released a fantastic 10” and a great 7” based on the form of a letter, both I highly suggest! Here they pair up with That’s Life, who have been playing some great shows and finally get a recording out. Both are bands that I make an effort, sometimes unsuccessfully, but I do try, to see. I really like both a lot and I am seriously stoked on this release! Available on black, green and if you can’t see the one on the far right, “mix”. Go on over to Tortilla Chip and get all the releases they have put out! http://www.goodmendielikedogs.com/

This one is really an unknown to me, and I think to a lot of people around town who would love it. I tend to wonder into Eastside with no real agenda pretty often, and this Trade Winds was suggested to me on the promise that I would love it. And fuck do I? Sloppy lo-fi pop punk done right! I know nothing of the band; other then they do not exist any longer! Go on down to Eastside and get it!

This Nightgaun 7” is really great too! Still kind of a newer band, that I really enjoy seeing live. This is sort of noisy straight ahead punk rock. I am not going to try and describe the music, but the record itself is a nice sky blue. Great record! See them if you can, very good, and very fun!

Who loves Arizona? Dirtcult Records does! They release the debut of Hotdog! (ex & current too many to list!) Lo-fi, fun and so not serious punk rock! This will no doubt be so refreshing next to whatever you are listening to now! This is a split w/Hairdos On Fire, which is a member of Shang-A-Lang, you need no other reason to buy! So go!

Also Dirtcult released the 2nd 7” by Lenguas Largas! This record is fantastic, if you aren’t hooked on the A side, “Lonely Summertime” then your ears don’t work! This is the LTD to 100, and long gone, gold vinyl! And also Dirtcult released the 7” version of Shark Pants Automatic Pinner, which was a cd for an overseas tour, I believe. LTD Blue (not sure how many) and black vinyl! As you can see on the website, they are also releasing a new Earthmen & Strangers split 7”! http://dirtcultrecords.com/

I think it’ll be hard pressed for me to find a favorite this year over this record! Rumspringer’s debut full length Empty Towers has gotten a lot of play on my turntable since it came out. This is such a great record, I could gush over it for days, but will hold back the urge to do so! Just pick this up if you haven’t already! It also is one of my favorite covers! Great record! http://www.trafficstreetrecords.com/site/

I was going to mention a few other records too, the Sheriff Joe 7" feat. a new Andrew Jackson Jihad song, on Sheriff Joe's pink underware color vinyl! And the new Destruction Unit lp, on perfectly Round Records, who also released a fantastic Earthmen & Strangers 7". But I've had a few A-1s so I think I am just gonna put on a record and fall asleep. Maybe we'll leave those records for next time!

Terminal Boredom!

2010-07-16T01:59:00.001-07:00

BACK FROM THE DEAD!!! Okay not dead, just busy, getting hitched, going on kickass honeymoon, punk rock bowling, moving, (which with the records was not fun, the only real down side to serious record collecting) and of course, attaining more RECORDS!!!!!

I have had a couple of blog ideas in the past 6 months or so, but somehow I never got around to actually committing them to this connection to the World Wide Web. But one thing I have been thinking about is collecting multiple copies of the same record and color variants. I tend to not get too involved in it, as it can get out of control. I tend to get one color along with a black copy, as DJing in a dark club and trying to cue color (or god forbid picture disc) can be a serious pain in the ass, not to mention the grooves in color aren’t as deep, and therefore don’t sound as good, or last as long. But sometimes, every once in a while I get hooked, on one band, or even one release…And hence my current on again, off again fixation on variants….The Cute Lepers!

It started on a break up; don’t most great relationship start on a great break up? I, like so many loved the Briefs! LOVED them, and it seemed with more time (listens, seeing in concert) I loved them even more, but of course, they broke up…Hmmm well I had the records, memories, it would be okay. Till somewhere I saw a Steve E. Nix and Cute Lepers add for a 7”! I quickly ordered, and on beautiful clear wax this two song 7” arrived in the mail.

1-2-3-4 Go! Records released it, and I played it over and over again. I talked to Nate, who of course had not only heard it, but was pre-ordering the repress on green, should he order one for me? Fuck yeah!

If I could only have two songs, I would have each version! The Green copy also has green polka dots on the back instead of the pink like 1st press, nice to have differences.

A black copy came soon after, and I think they may have been it!

A 2nd 7” came soon after on Drunk ‘N Roll records out of Germany, and I think still to this point is the only label to release it. I may have missed something. I can’t remember if the orange or black vinyl came first, but they each have slightly different cover photos with different fonts. Again only two songs on this record, that I again played the shit out of…

Cool inside too!

And while the covers no longer stated Steve E. Nix & The Cute Lepers, the labels on the records do....

Finally a full length! Can’t Stand Modern Music! 1-2-3-4 Go! Was pressing the vinyl, and Joan Jett’s aptly named label, Blackheart Records was doing the cd, which came out much after this clear vinyl copy!

All four songs from the two 7”s appeared, and it was a fuckin’ great LP! Again I played it like crazy. When the cd came out, I played that @ Virgin all the time, put it on a listening station, forced people to take notice of that record! But more importantly, the Cute Lepers were coming! Granted it was opening for the Horror Pops, who I could give two shits about, but I got to say they have brought some great bands on tour with them! (Riverboat Gamblers previous to this for example!) And for their first real US tour, 1-2-3-4 GO! Did a tour only version on Green!

Nate and I of course snatched a couple up! Here is the set list for that show!

Next was a couple of 7”s from European labels featuring a song from Can’t Stand Modern Music on the A side and a cover on the B. I forget the order but here they go (or at least what I have attained)…
Damaged Goods out of London released this one on Green vinyl. LP track Out Of Order along with Sex Pistols cover of Lonely Boys, which was from The Great Rock ‘N Roll Swindle. Great cover, you can see how pop the Pistols songwriting could be.

Damaged Goods also did this great Terminal Boredom 7” on clear, like how the first Cute Lepers 7” of Terminal Boredom was on clear, except this featured a different B side, Any Danger Love by the Starjets. I actually don’t own the original, but need to get it, as this is a fantastic song!

Here again is another Damaged Goods 7”, this time with a new track as the A side, Berlin Girls! Mint Green and Orange vinyl, looks great, a nice deep color on each. The B side Fall In Love by the Vibrators, great rendition!

Next was this split with the Bite, from a Spanish label, again two new songs! Both, I believe in different versions, would appear on their next LP. Never flipped the record over. The Bite could be my next favorite band, but I wouldn’t know, as I have never listened to their side! Sorry, The Lepers seem to like Orange vinyl!

JOIN THE LEPERS! No Front Teeth did this one and this is where it started to get obsessive! Five copies of the same record with simply different color print? All of them black vinyl, with new track Long Hearts, and a Steve E Nix as the Lurching Leper track! A great record, Disco Lepers are good too, but no relation to the Cute or Lurching ones though…

And of course a repress! Different cover though! And now on color wax! Obsessed! Oh yes!!! But there would be a limit! This can’t continue!!

But it does! 1-2-3-4 Go! This time with the Blackheart Records logo included on the back, with a different back cover, repressed Can’t Stand Modern Music on Pink! With a patch!

….And again, on Purple! (No patch) Also with alt. back cover and again with Blackhearts logo!

News of a new LP surfaced, again on 1-2-3-4 GO! This time no Blackheart Records involvement. A single first! You Don’t Have To Belong To The Religious Right! Backed again by Any Danger Love, US audience should hear this as well!! Black wax for me, I think I had given up on the colors, variants, etc…I mean there was a few more Can’t Stand Modern Music versions coming out, Vomit is a color? Tri Color? Glow in the dark? I had taken a pay cut, I couldn’t keep up!

No Front Teeth was doing another new single as well, No Escape, again with different covers. I asked Nate (who usually was the one who got me these crazy singles!) to get me one, I didn’t care if it’s the “common” cover or what, I had to keep up on the music, that was the important part. So he got me this version, the LTD to 100 cover!

No Escape, the B side is Blackmarket Lepers 00, an exclusive!

Smart Accessories finally came out. I contemplated the color I would order. 1-2-3-4 GO! was even doing some crazy package with a test press! I simply could not afford it, I wanted it, but I wouldn’t be put in that position. I just walked down to Eastside Records and bought my black common copy and be happy with that! And I was, it’s a fantastic record! I could be happy with just one copy of a record……

A re press of No Escape, this time on greenish yellow vinyl, looks great, THREE different covers!

No Front Teeth loves the different covers! One (with the transparent cover) LTD again to 100 I think!

Oh damn, Damaged Goods just did three colors of Smart Accessories on clear, red and white! Okay, gotta have it, they cover the Beatles on the B side! You’re Gonna Lose That Girl, is as amazing as you could imagine! They got me!

Oh ok, Smart Accessories LP on green to, why not!

It was at Punk Rock Bowling, I had won some cash! Great set too! Opening for Me First, here’s the set list!

Oh, a European tour version of Can't Stand Modern Music on Yellow wax, from Damaged Goods, with a different cover too? Okay, that too…

See collecting can consume you, want to come over and see my record room as proof?
I am sure when the Cute Lepers are here next week opening for the Swingin' Utters, they'll have something else for me too...
(PS, Special thanks to Nate from May Cause Dizziness Records for helping me with many of these records, and suffering with the burdens of record collecting with me, I love you brother!)

POSTSCRIPT!!
Of course I got a few more records at the show, can you imagine??? But I had set a limit, and there was a couple I was looking for...

Glow in the Dark Can't Stand Modern Music, this is just cool! Granted I have a different record that glows in the dark, but come on this is rad. Sorry pics in the dark of record actually glowing, didn't turn out so good.

This blue with black streaks Smart Accessories looks great, I like a deep blue, very nice! Damaged Goods always have good looking records.

After giving me an endless amout of shit of this particular blog, the King Of The Monsters got me this nice grey Damaged Goods pressing of Smart Accessories, as it was one of the few records that I didn't have. A very nice grey, sometimes grey can look trashy, but again Damaged Goods got a nice deep color to it. The KOTM likes to call me a nerd for this type of thing, but that sir is the kettle/pot/black situation you know!

This nice Red, White Blue Damaged Goods pressing of Can't Stand Modern Music was what I was looking for, but they were unable to find. Once they did, I was at my limit for $$ for the night. Well it seems the Lepers are record collectors as well, and saw this blog, and Steve gave me this copy! Excellent, it's beautiful, I like this one the most I think. Trust me people, you do not, and should not try and get all of these, but maybe a single copy of one nice color of each lp is advisable! A great band, great records...and for all of you who gave me grief over this sort of absession, next time I'll do one of these of all the crazy Stryper records I own...Seriously, I'll show you!

These things are making a comeback? Well no...

2010-01-28T22:57:00.001-08:00

Last Friday The King Of The Monsters and I attended the Elders tape release show @ the PV.

I always enjoyed the Elders as well as the other bands on the show I had seen before (Tightholes, Reverend Doom) and the other (March Of the Rats, I think) who I had not seen proved to be pretty good too. It did strike me slightly odd that I could not recall one tape release show that I had gone to back when that format was still considered a viable format. Record or CD release shows for sure, and I am sure I had been to some, but I could not recall a one....I owned shit loads, to the envy of my elementary and middle school class mates even. Fuck, I still have some great ones, a couple I am sure you'd like to hear...Years ago I swore it the worst format EVER! (Come one, 8tracks? Far worse!) But in fact think about it, they were amazing, and I even recall the record industry telling me that home taping was going to kill them. Of course price gouging and terrible cds did that for them a couple of decades down the road, but whatever, "Some things Just Fall Apart"* But tapes are so amazing, after all the woman I am marrying in a couple of months is a bit younger then me, and thus of the burned CD age rather mix tape age of me, but our early romance was fanned by mix tapes I made her.

So take that iTunes!!! The point I am making is that as Rob Gordon said, a mix tape is a subtle art form, many dos and don'ts** whereas the burned cd?, Aaww come on, dragging, clicking, cut and paste track listing with some clip art cover maybe? Fuck no, record, stop, catch at the right time, no digital editing, hand written track listing (maybe not my hand writing, I print like a four year old, but whatever) finding a rad picture to cut and fit as the cover, shit, that shit is what makes someone else’s art your art, found art, audio and visual. I spent hours making mix tapes for girls in Junior High and High School, shit, college and beyond for that matter, so that I could say something that I didn't know how to say. But Milo, Jim Reid, or whomever did. And soon I am marrying a gal because of it, thanks guys, I owe you everything....ANYWAY, the point I am making is that tapes are punk as fuck. Rolling Stone, SPIN, the Newtimes or whomever may report music trends, styles and even fucking formats, but no matter what some kids are going to be banging out some punk rock in their basement or garage and documenting that noise to a cassette tape and will give them to their friends who will dub it, trade it, and get it around.

Bank on it. We lost one of those kids a couple of weeks ago, who made tapes in his room all the way till his death, and he was being called the next Kurt Cobain.

* The Have Heart lp I am listening to came in right on cue....
** FYI The 1st mix tape I made my wife to be was titled "A Subtle Art form Many Dos and Don'ts" In addition to being of the mix tape age, I am also of the John Cusack appreciation age.

I've been busy, these records took up some time....

2009-11-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

Holy shit I have not been on here much, you know that last post where I say that I am super busy and should have time? LIES!!! I had none to little time, work, DJing, a few shows, and trying to make time to listen to records, and I apologize for this thing taking a back seat, to records, Eldridge, going to shows, and oh yeah the old lady too…Anyway, while I was doing most of those things I was buying and listening to records…here are a few, first with the one I am listening to the right now.

Dead To Me “African Elephants”.

I am not one of those guys who finds not out yet records on the interweb to download and listen to; I am just not that internet crafty. But, this record “leaked” I guess, and then Nate played me the myspace leak of it, and it’s great, in my top ten of the year. The week the record came out; they played Yucca, and holy fuck! They are without Jack, as I am sure you heard, but god damned! To quote a die hard One Man Army friend, “I am glad Jack left, because they wouldn’t have made this record with him in the band”. And that shit is so true, I love this record, get it, listen, and let it absorb, listen again, and go see them.

When I was talking about shows, I meant I booked a couple, one of them, emphasized why I do shows, to have my friends play that are in bands I love…And good god do I have a few records from one of that show. First Ready The Jet on Asian Man Records. Let me explain a little back story. Matt (guitar, vocals) and Jay (drums, my old roommate) were in a band together back in CT that I loved, Mi6. When they both ended up in LA they formed this band. Think Husker Du and replacements, yeah you know I love it! Anyway, this two song 7” is amazing, I suggest you pick it up…..

Ready The Jet also did this great split 7” with Japanese Monsters, if not alone, then certainly one, of my favorite local bands. Not only do both sides of this record have some of the sweetest mother fuckers playing on it, but also this slab has four of the best songs. If it were up to me, then both of these bands would play every show I went to, to ensure that the night would kick optimal ass!!!

On the same bill was Andrew Jackson Jihad, who as well are some amazing motherfuckers from good ‘ole Arizona making great music. This is without a doubt their greatest record. This makes me proud to have them in my hometown! Good dudes, who give great hugs!

My ears have a crush on Pretty Boy Thorson and the F’n A’s! I have played their 7”s over and over, and I finally got the LP, and seriously I listened every morning before work for at least a week! Great record, amazing live. I have told anyone who would listen how much I love this record! Makes days start better with a couple listens!

Kris Kristofferson writes the best songs. I go months were I hear his songs in my head. He isn’t just the Hollywood face in the Highwaymen.

Tim Barry. Do you personally know me? They you know my love of Avail. If you don’t know me, well I love Avail*. Tim Barry was in Avail, he now makes beautiful solo records. He has a leg up on anyone else on the Revival Tour. Have yet to listen to the flip side, and I like Frank Turner, but he isn’t Tim Barry.

Slayer, I have bought ever record they have put out from and including Seasons In The Abyss the day they came out. Exceptions, God Hates Us All, it was September 11th, stores did not open. And this one, I was broke. It had to wait 11 days till I had $$. It is great, about on par with Christ Illusions, except better produced.

If this band was called the Steve Version I’d still like it, but as it is it is called The Tim Version, and it contains the elements I love about Jawbreaker, Leatherface and Gram Parsons. This is the latest of their records I have obtained. If anyone associated with the North Park Awesome fast is reading this, next year, please?

There was more I was going to write, and such, but as it stands I am about to go eat and go bowling, and computers can’t hold a match to burritos and rolling some heavy ball, sorry! Here are some pictures of other records I like…..

That one is Eldridge on his Birthday!

*=Seriously, Avail is not only the greatest thing ever, but Tim Barry played my backyard one, it was sort of like how the Pope feels about god...

Broken Records

2009-09-30T01:02:00.000-07:00

Our lives are like broken records*...... I fucking hate replacing records, I have not re-purchased stolen records, because I'll feel like I already did, and somehow hope that it'll turn up, or the person who "borrowed" it will give it back. There are so many records I want at all times, that re-buying them pains me, it's like paying for parking. The same thing apply to broken records, which some of the examples below is understandable, they still play, or may no longer be as readily available. But even a damaged beyond repair record is very painful to purchase again. I hate it, even if I didn't pay for it to begin with. Granted I have some record bowls (1st Teen Idols lp) that were made post replacement, or even some that I have bought again (my entire Still Life collection suffered a warping in the car one careless summer day of 1997). But here are few for whatever reason I have not replaced and I still keep around.

This first group I call the Stevens group. When I first got him, he was a kitten and chewed a couple of his Daddy's 7"s. The Mighty Purple When Kingdoms Fall 7" was the most damaged.

I played in a very early version of this band, so I have always held on to it, never replacing, cause well, I also don't really listen to that much.
But this Fastbreak 7", oh man, I was bummed at the little guy for this one. The Where It Lies 7" was LTD to 250, this one #145.

At one point this 7" fetched a pretty good price, not that I would ever sell it, but you know there is a little pride to keeping a rare record in good shape. As you can see the damage isn't too bad, and obviously is still playable, but it does bum me out a bit. As a result my cats are always locked out of record room these days if I am not in there with 'em, and one them even if I am.

A year or so before the Stevens Incident, there was the annoying fucking upstairs crack addict water leak incident. They were really annoying and one day while no one was in my apartment, they let the bathtub run all day(what the fuck? who does that?) it flooded and water leaked into my room down a wall right where I had some 10" records sitting. There was like 10 of them that got soaked, and nearly all of them are still playable, so that was at least good, here are a couple.

This Face To Face 10" was awesome, I think (typical of Face To Face records) all of the songs were on other records, but these versions were better in my opinion. Green vinyl is fine, but I don't think this record is too common, and as I said, I really hate buying records I already own.

The Coalesce record was something else, as I think I have every version of 002 and A Safe Place on their own. I really liked that band a lot back in the 90's, would buy anything they put out, and would drive all over to see them, so when this 10' of those two (not nearly their best, but still I loved them) came out, I had to have it. Crack heads living above you be warned, some crazy shit can happen to your records.

Those examples were probably lessons to what I could have done to better protect my records, but shit I am not Dr. Dre and I do not have a fire proof basement in LA to house my records. But this one was just kind of shit luck. I stumbled into a used shop and found a few old Straight Edge 7"s for really cheap, one was this LTD to 300 Chorus Of Disapproval 7".

I had loved some of their other records, and knew this one to be a gem. I was excited to bring to my DJ night and give it a whirl. No lie former Straight Edge kids at the bar love it when you play old SxE records, when I throw on Project X, oh man....Anyway, as so as I took it out, It crumbled, this chip popped out and became many small pieces, the one piece there was the largest, so I kept that too. There was a tiny hairline crack in it then I hadn't noticed at in the store, although I probably still would have taken the chance even if I did....Bummed me the fuck out, esp as Full Circle Stop, the 1st song was gone, and it was the best on the record in my opinion. Heartbreaking....

This last one isn't a broken record, just a huh????? The Clash made this amazing three record album on the heals of the amazing double London Calling. Sandinista was no London Calling, and was poorly received and reviewed upon release, but I love it. I think each side creates a great feeling, and judged side by side rather then a scattered, all over the place album, you really see some great songs as well as experimental. But what's puzzling about this is simple, where the fuck is my lp one? I have side three, four, five and six, but one and two? No idea. It would be easy to blame this on DJing drunk, as I am know to do, but I am fairly certain that this mishap happened pre regular DJ work. I have even looked through all my other records to see if it is in another sleeve by mistake, no it isn't. That shit is in the Bermuda Triangle, in a grave with Jimmy Hoffa or back home with E.T. And no I have never re-bought it, because I own two thirds of it, why spend all that $$ on one third of an album?? Damn, I feel like Charlie Brown, what a blockhead....
*Taken from song Broken Records by Jasta 14

Don't bury me, I still not dead.....

2009-09-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not kept up with new posts, I have not given up on this, I have just been swamped with work and shit. I should be able to get to some post soon, in fact I have a few ideas already, will be up as soon as I have the time, and if you have the money then I've got the time....

Great show tonight...Awesome Fast never ends....

2009-09-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

All of these bands are great, please come out to this awesome show, $5. Week day shows are the best!!!!

Rob Gordon Style NPAF top ten list #4

2009-09-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

Man, day three was the best day of NPAF for sure! Here is just a little of what took place...Not stoked on the drive home....
#5 After Off With Their Heads, we got burritos, Nate bought some bling! George, crazy dude gave us a ride to the next shows. Informed we were "floating in his load" awesome, thanks George.
#4 Ready The Jet dudes, love those guys, they played an awesome set. Nate wondered off. Spent the next hour or so rying to find him. Ready The Jet Japanese Monsters 7" came out too....
#3 Dead To Me, no Jack, but sounded great anyway. Good set, Talked to Chicken for a bit, he insisted I take a shirt...
#2 After all the shows, sat with Matt in our room talking Willimantic, 158, ECSU, Charlie, records, can't wait for Ready The Jet to play AZ in October!
#1 Walked a lot, rocked a lot, drank a lot, meet new people a lot, had a great fuckin' time, hope to do this all again next year, I suggest you get tickets next year and do his with us.....

Rob Gordon Style NPAF Top Five list #3

2009-09-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

Spent much of day two recovering from night one. Got ready for rocking just in time for the shows...Highlights from day two...
#5 Danny got stung by a stingray, Nate got beat up by waves. Ocean 2 Arizonans 0.
#4 God Damn Doo Wop Band, fuck, sounded awesome, couldn't see them, low no stage.
#3 Ray's Mexican. Vegi Supreme Burrito fuckin' killed! Go me over night one.
#2 I have found a heads up penny every day I have been here. Good luck indeed!
#1 Shang A Lang! That is it, Shang A Lang!

Rob Gordon Style NPAF Top Five list #2

2009-09-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Day one is over, everyone went to the beach, I am going for a burrito in a bit...Here are Top 5 of day one....
#5 Yelling "fags!" out the window at Mikey and Danny as we pulled up to the hotel.
#4 Killer pizza after long walk, Sicilian Pizza I think is what the place was called.
#3 Half of Underground Railroad To Candyland, catching nearly all of Tiltwheel.
#2 Arizonans down the hall, I think they stuck us all together.
#1 Nate's, ummm thing, and Mikey snapping a picture of it...that will haunt him.

Till next time....

Rob Gordon Style NRAF Top Five List #1

2009-09-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Top Five Bands I am excited to see this weekend.
#5 Tiltwheel. Amazingly, I have neve seen them.
#4 Gateway District. Just heard their LP last weekend, reminds me of Discount.
#3 Dead To Me. Just the see if Jack is going to be playing, I am sure not.
#2 Re-volts. The reason for #3 applies, but also I fuckin' love their 10".
#1 God Damn Doo Wop Band. Love their cd and 7", excited to see how it transfers live!

BANNED! Tonight, many NPAF bands being played...Have a good Labor Day Weekend!

2009-09-03T15:37:00.000-07:00

As I am sure you've heard this weekend is the North Park Awesome Fast. I am very glad to be attending, planning on a weekend of drunken nonsense, watching bands, swimming in a pool, eating some burritos and other hi-jinks...I am planning (planning, not promising) on posting updates from NPAF in Rob Gordan Top Five stylee...Stay tuned, I am sure some drunken postings that maybe funny, or may not make sense will occur. Anyway, come out to BANNED! Tonight, I'll be playing many NPAF bands..and if you aren't going and I won't be seeing you, have a great Labor Day weekend.

North Park Awesome Fast This weekend....

2009-09-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend Is Awesome Fast in San Diego. It's going to be awesome, I guess hence the name. Anyway if you are stuck in AZ and not able to attend, you still can see a great deal of the bands. In fact tomorrow there are TWO pre Awesome Fast shows, this early one all ages with Off With Their Heads and all the Phoenix area bands that are on NPAF...

Then this later 21+ show with cheap beer...Which also says Monday Sept. 2nd, but in fact is Wednesday Sept 2nd, and Tylurking is not the Tyurking, at least I think he isn't, but who knows?

The day after NPAF there is even a great post show. Pretty Boy Thornson and The F'n A's are so good, you will be in for a treat! I am pretty stoked for Drunken Boat and will get to see them twice. Parkway you know rules, and the other two I am not too familiar with, but all the bands on NPAF are great I am sure they are too!

Man I am stoked for all of this, and no doubt on Thursday @ BANNED I am going to play tons of bands from NPAF, so it going to be a great labor day weekend....

Those other record sizes...

2009-08-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T17:59:00.001-07:00

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...

2009-08-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-08-19T22:10:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-17T15:42:00.001-07:00

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.

2009-08-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-08-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

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!