My
darlin’ on the wrong coast was sweet enough to hold her cell phone to the
speakers as The Blasters played “Shakin'” live in L.A. Reach out and rock
someone. The Blasters are back, baby.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย It was all classic corduroy and
sideburns as Thee Shams, from Cincinnati, wailed a la The Kinks at the Bug Jar
last Thursday, along with Chicago’s sonically piercing The Cells. Also on the
bill were Rochester nice boys/slicksters The Hi-Risers, who closed with an
awesome, dueling-drum-tempo tantrum called “Bigfoot.”
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Spent last weekend in the Speedball
Baby Studio in NYC watching an incredible, new, rockabilly/heavy-country
outfit, Unknown Soldier, get their groove on with guitar, bass, drums, small
artillery, and vocals with equal doses of lonely, dangerous, and mean.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Please, children: Don’t let fast
food take your soul. Booger King, Taco Hell, and the folks beneath the golden
crotches want you fat and stupid. Go to Aunt Judy’s on Portland Ave. and feed
your face. You may put on a few pounds, but at least now you’ll be going to
Heaven. Pop the new Johnny Cash in the dash on your way over.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย And speaking of stupid, howsabout
these new Molson bottles with “twin label technology.” Insipid little catch
phrases — “I see dumb people,” “Help me christen my hot tub,” “I’m not
wearing underwear” — are printed on them to initiate even more desperate
barroom drivel. Look, if you don’t know how to hit on girls properly, then
maybe you should just go home and reprimand your primate.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Love for sale. Good news for all you
strike-out kings: the hookers are back on Monroe Ave. They look a little worn
out and have apparently adopted a flannel-and-stonewashed-denim aesthetic. But
hey, crack ain’t cheap and beggars can’t be choosers.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย On a brighter note; rock ‘n’ roll
club guru, Casz (James Comunale) is out of his coma and talkin’ trash. He has
been moved to St. Mary’s and visitors are encouraged.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Canadian rocker Bif Naked was
powerful and aggressive as hell opening up the multi-band bill at Water Street
last Tuesday. The remaining bands, Good Charlotte, The Halo Friendlies, and
Homegrown, whipped the capacity throng into a frenzy. It’s encouraging to see
kids so devoted to these relatively underground groups. The problem is, these
bands all sound exactly the same and offer pretty much the same stage show. I
got a little bored and spent the rest of the evening hitting on the moms in
back while they sipped sodas, waiting for their little darlings to emerge from
the mosh pit.
This article appears in Nov 13-19, 2002.
