"It’s so much cussin’ on there, man, it’s like playin’ the dozens with somebody. That stuff tickles ’em." - R.L. Burnside (reflecting on the recording of A Ass Pocket of Whiskey, Pulse magazine 1996)
Speaking of Jon Spencer, back in 1996 the Blues Explosion decamped from NYC to record the LP become a member or log in.
Few songwriters have the gift that Jim White has. Channeling the strange and weird side of life into song-stories that are as compelling and moving as they are sometimes disturbing, Jim has helped push the Southern-gothic genre into music and back out into the limelight. His latest album, Transnormal Skiperoo, is a continuation and expansion on his familiar themes.
Earlier this month, in coordination with Aquarium Drunkard, Jim took time out of his current tour to stop at Northeast Guilford High School outside Greensboro, North Carolina, to talk with some creative writing students . . .
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This week we are giving away tickets to AD readers the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss (June 23/24) show taking place at the Greek Theatre here in Los Angeles. We have tickets for both nights, so be sure to note which night you are interested in. In the comments, leave your full name with a valid email to win a pair. Winners notified via email...tickets to be picked up at the Greek's will-call.
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Off The Record is a recurring feature, here on the Drunkard, that marries two of my greatest interests; music and travel. Having a locals perspective when visiting a new locale is the difference between experiencing it through the lens of a tourist and of that of a native.
Off The Record gathers some of my favorite artists, asks them to reflect on their city of residence, and choose a handful of places they could not live without, be them bookstores, bars, restaurants or vistas.
This installment of Off The Record again finds us in the expansive, eclectic, city of Los Angeles -- our fourth foray in L.A. since OTR's inception. Today the Parson Red Heads' Evan Way dons his tour guide hat guiding us from the Westside to the Eastside...even managing to throw in a little valley (a brave move with Summer here). The band just released their latest studio effort, the Owl & Timber EP.
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01. Chinatown (aka Chinatownland) :: Since the very first time I visited this area of the city, I’ve never been the same. It really calms me down. The nice smells, the peace and quiet (somehow traffic sounds don’t carry around there), and the paper lanterns overheard — can’t beat it, in my book. I go there whenever I can. It feels like a whole different world, to me. All the people are nice and friendly — they’ll just randomly strike up conversation with you! I’ve spent a few nights there, just walking around, exploring. Across the street from the main shopping area there is a street called Chung King Rd. Its got a bunch of art galleries, with apartments above them. I just walk up and down that street in awe. Its so beautiful! Go here in the early evening, and just spend some time looking around. Go into some shops, grab a bite to eat, and then wander around after the shops have closed down, and just take it all in. I’m promise, it’s a great experience! I’ll go with you, if you want company.
02. Red Rockets Glare Studio :: This is the recording studio owned and run by our friend (and sometimes musical collaborator) Raymond Richards. Its just got a great homey atmosphere (partly because it is located behind his home!), and is filled with the best gear you can lay your hands on. Anything from tape machines to full on plate-reverb tanks. Every time I go over there it seems he’s got some new toy that I am jealous of. On top of that, he is the easiest guy to work with, and has put out some of the best records in the LA scene over the past few years. Just pick up copies of records by The Broken West, Frankel, The Weather Underground, or The Idaho Falls — the proof is in the pudding! Great sounding albums, recorded at the best little studio around. I jump at any chance to get over there and play music in that place. It really feeds the soul.
03. Vegetable Delight :: Okay, so this restaurant is in Granada Hills (trust me, it sounds further away than it really is … although it is pretty far away). But it is worth ANY drive. There is a reason that it is #3 on my list. It is all vegetarian/vegan Chinese food, and I swear that it is better than any NON vegetarian/vegan Chinese food. And this is coming from me — a meat-eater! The Orange Chicken is awe-inspiring and heart-stopping (in a good way).
04. Downbeat Café :: This is my favorite coffee place on the East Side, by far. Super good coffee, GREAT peanut butter cookies, and the nicest folks working there. The Parson Red Heads always stop there on our way out of town, whenever we go on the road for shows. It is our tradition — stop at the over-priced gas station on the corner of Alvarado and Sunset, and while I fill up the ol’ guzzler, the rest of the band takes Downbeat by storm. And I get rewarded handsomely for my willingness to stay and fill up the van, with a nice Americano, a peanut butter cookie, and a hug (if I’m lucky).
05. Beachwood Canyon :: I love Beachwood Canyon for a few reasons. Its really really beautiful. Brette and I like to walk around the neighborhoods up there and just look around with a serious case of house-lust. Such beautiful homes, in such a peaceful place! All the trees really take me back to living in Oregon, which is nice. Its nice to be reminded about trees every once in a while, you know? I also love going up and hiking around near the big Hollywood sign. The massive view of LA in all its sprawled out glory is a sight to behold. And lastly, but not leastly, there is a great little diner (appropriately named Beachwood Café, I believe) tucked up there. Its got a great down-home vibe to it — all grandma’s house style. Really nice place to relax and grab a lunch before (or after) a hike.
More Off The Record L.A. Picks and Parson Red Head mp3s after the jump...
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While out the the other night I heard "Making Plans For Nigel" - piping out of a juke - reminding me that I haven't spent near enough quality time lately with my favorite XTC album, Drums & Wires. The video aired when I was a kid. I'm happy to report that it's as bizarre now as I remember it being . . .
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Our weekly two hour show on SIRIUS, channel 26 Left Of Center, can now be heard twice, every Friday - Noon EST and then an encore broadcast at Midnight EST. Below is this week’s playlist.
SIRIUS 51: (Intro) Jean-Michel Bernard - Generique Stephane ++ Fruit Bats - Echolocation Stomp ++ Megafaun - Lazy Suicide ++ Richard Buckner - Lucky ++ Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Easy Does it ++ Ollabelle - I Am . . .
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Nigeria gained its independence from Great Britain in 1960, resulting in a series of national schisms that gave way to political unrest and military rule that continued officially until 1999 with the restoration of a supposedly democratic government. Many contend, however, that Olusegun Obasanjo’s two victories were stolen, and nearly the entire world condemned the 2007 election of Umaru Yar’Adua as being flawed. Nevertheless, a 2001 poll found Nigerians to be the happiest people in a group of sixty-five countries that includes North American and Western European stalwarts. (For the record, we Yanks came in at . . .
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As the vintage newspaper clipping above infers, those interested in early roots reggae most definitely need this 1975 album in their collection; it's just a seminal and essential listen.
Reissued in March by the folks at Pressure Sounds, Joe Higgs' Life of Contradiction had, until now, been out-of-print stateside for years. In its stead an import version had been available with an alternate tracklisting, including several additional tracks. The . . .
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He's doing it "Reynolds style." Author/collector Tom Hamling suffers from a condition that drives him to hunt down the very most obscure in vinyl records. Granted, this in and of itself would describe half of my friends, but Hamling strictly hunts only the horrible, wretched, thing that is celebrities cutting albums. Yup, Burt Reynolds did one, so did Mr. Spock, Ed McMahon, John Travolta, Don Johnson, Alyssa Milano, and Goldie Hawn. I could go on, and the book does. I've known Hamling for awhile now, and am pretty sure the guy actually has multiple copies . . .
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"A preachment, dear friend, you are about to receive on John Barleycorn nicotine and the temptations of Eve..." - The Hombres - Let It All Hang Out
Really, you never know who you're going to meet up with out there. Six or so weeks ago, while in Jackson, MS, I stopped by the legendary Malaco Records to do some coverage for the book and take a quick run through the old recording studio. If you know your southern soul and gospel history, then you know the Malaco pedigree . . .
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Earlier this week Aquarium Drunkard caught up with Silver Jews’ David Berman whose new album Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea drops June 17th via the Drag City label. Here, in part one of the interview, Berman discusses his faith, recovery, the documentary film Silver Jew, songwriting and his fairly recent role as bandleader in a live setting after years of non-touring, and what effect that has on one’s creative process. Stay tuned for part two of the interview which digs into the new LP and more . . .
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Off The Record is a recurring feature, here on the Drunkard, that marries two of my greatest interests; music and travel. Having a locals perspective when visiting a new locale is the difference between experiencing it through the lens of a tourist and of that of a native.
Off The Record gathers some of my favorite artists, asks them to reflect on their city of residence, and choose a handful of places they could not live without, be them bookstores, bars, restaurants or vistas.
Today's installment of Off The Record catches up with . . .
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Our weekly two hour show on SIRIUS, channel 26 Left Of Center, can now be heard twice, every Friday - Noon EST and then an encore broadcast at Midnight EST. Below is this week’s playlist.
SIRIUS 50: (Intro) Jean-Michel Bernard - Generique Stephane ++ Centro-matic - Patience For The Ride ++ Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation ++ Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Easy Does It ++ J. Tillman . . .
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Sometimes a rock ‘n’ roller needs to howl to be heard. Last night Athens, GA’s, The Whigs ripped through tracks from their Dave Matthews-label-approved Mission Control for a devoted crowd at the Echo, abandoning any of the subtlety that marks the record in favor of . . .
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Back in the late sixties CBS used to broadcast Playboy After Dark, Hugh Hefner's swinging variety show featuring artists, actors, beat poets, comics and, of particular interest, great musical guest performances from the likes James Brown, The Grateful Dead, Marvin Gaye, Harry Nilsson, The Byrds, and Ike & Tina Turner. Today we have become a member or log in.