From: demhopkins
Date: Thu Jun 5, 2003 1:01 am
As a rule, I don't do nostalgia shows, but this one was very different. RFTT is arguably the first US punk band and they came out of Cleveland, Ohio (1975). They were together less than a year, never recorded an album, and played less than 10 gigs. The three key members were Richard Lloyd (Television), Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys) and David Thomas (Pere Ubu). Songs like Sonic Reducer, Thirty seconds Over Tokyo, Final Solution, What love Is, etc. were first done by this band. Cheetah Chrome said that he really loved The Dead Boys--but loved this band more.
What this reunited band did last night before a over sold house that came to worship them was fucking unbelievable. This is the tour they never did--and it had the edge and energy of the early punk bands. They made it very obvious to me that the new bands, overall, really are missing an urgency in their music. But it wasn't a nostalgia show to them because they never had the opportunity to do it until now. David Thomas scowling over a sound problem early on and leaning on his cane with one arm and sipping from his flask with the other. Richard Lloyd laying down guitar licks that prove once again that Television was anything but a one man (Tom Verlaine) band. Cheetah Chrome--wailing on guitar and occasionally taking lead on vocals so that Thomas could show his ability to supplement straightforward singing with his own brand of weirdness. Thomas also showing, on tunes like Sonic Reducer, that he can wail and flail with the best of them. The packed house was a great mixture of people from 21-60--all going fucking nuts together. It was seeing the best of Dead Boys, Television, and Pere Ubu--all in one show. I don't know what their schedule is--but they are on tour. For younger members--if you want to know what 1976 felt like--this is the band that will get you there (because it is their first time touring with this material--and they are only doing their original 1975 material).
As a bonus, Cobra Verde is opening up for them. I haven't seen Cobra Verde in about 5 years. They are less glam and a little more raw sounding. Fucked up. They will always be a band's band. Drunk. Hysterical--as in locking the keys in their van and begging anybody who might be a locksmith or car thief to help them out. Also, very cool when they said they were going to do a song by another Ohio band, Devo, and then went right into Teenage Kicks by The Undertones. I'll always dig Cobra Verde--but RFTT definitely made this one of my top three shows this year--maybe the best. Too soon to tell and I am a sweaty mess who needs rest. Watch for this band! Oh, sweet bonus--they gave out free tickets to the Buzzcocks show afterwards. I was not planning on going to see The Buzzcocks (two nostalgia shows in a month is way too much)--but doesn't look like anything else is happening that day so I'll use the free ticket. I don't expect much from the Buzzcocks at this stage of their game. Hope they surprise me.
--Dem
The owner of the original legendary Chicago punk bar, OZ, and producer of the infamous punk album Busted at OZ comments on music along with others. Visit Busted At OZ
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Starlight Mints
From: demhopkins
Date: Sun May 25, 2003 10:27 am
If you need a quick fix of some 1960's/early 70's Kinks this is the band and out of Oklahoma of all places. Here is the link: http://starlightmints.com/
Go to "multimedia" for a generous selection of tunes. I'm hearing Ray Davies all over it--but some other interesting influences too. They will be playing in Chicago at the Q101 Belmont street fair on June 1 or 2 with Interpol. A very interesting billing.
--Dem
Date: Sun May 25, 2003 10:27 am
If you need a quick fix of some 1960's/early 70's Kinks this is the band and out of Oklahoma of all places. Here is the link: http://starlightmints.com/
Go to "multimedia" for a generous selection of tunes. I'm hearing Ray Davies all over it--but some other interesting influences too. They will be playing in Chicago at the Q101 Belmont street fair on June 1 or 2 with Interpol. A very interesting billing.
--Dem
Thursday, May 22, 2003
The Bamboo Kids tour update
From: demhopkins
Date: Thu May 22, 2003 6:02 pm
Chris from Bamboo Kids just called--they are in Alabama and recovering from their almost-gig in San Antonio, Texas. Turns out some skinheads (in the US it equals neo-Nazis) didn't dig the opening band, came into the club, attacked the opening act on stage, tore up the club (a fucking riot) and then went into the parking lot and slashed the tires of every band vehicle. Fortunately, The Bamboo Kids vehicle was spared and so was their equipment. But, these skinhead fucks tore up the club so badly that the sound equipment was trashed and the BKs couldn't play. What to do? They tied one on--and then about 1:30 AM another band asked them if they wanted to do a gig (right then) down the street. They wisely took a pass.
The point of this story: When I had OZ in Chicago back in the late 70's early 80's we had a real neo-Nazi/skinhead problem--my staff was instructed to kick the shit out of neo-Nazis at every opportunity and my club ended up without windows from throwing Nazis through the plate glass. I haven't noticed much of a neo-Nazi influence in the "punk" scene for years. Are there still parts of the country and world where neo-Nazis still attempt to recruit within the punk scene. I guess I would like to think that kids today have so much more sense that kids 25 years ago. Please, somebody--tell me that I am right about the scene today--that neo-Nazis don't hold much sway.
--Dem
Date: Thu May 22, 2003 6:02 pm
Chris from Bamboo Kids just called--they are in Alabama and recovering from their almost-gig in San Antonio, Texas. Turns out some skinheads (in the US it equals neo-Nazis) didn't dig the opening band, came into the club, attacked the opening act on stage, tore up the club (a fucking riot) and then went into the parking lot and slashed the tires of every band vehicle. Fortunately, The Bamboo Kids vehicle was spared and so was their equipment. But, these skinhead fucks tore up the club so badly that the sound equipment was trashed and the BKs couldn't play. What to do? They tied one on--and then about 1:30 AM another band asked them if they wanted to do a gig (right then) down the street. They wisely took a pass.
The point of this story: When I had OZ in Chicago back in the late 70's early 80's we had a real neo-Nazi/skinhead problem--my staff was instructed to kick the shit out of neo-Nazis at every opportunity and my club ended up without windows from throwing Nazis through the plate glass. I haven't noticed much of a neo-Nazi influence in the "punk" scene for years. Are there still parts of the country and world where neo-Nazis still attempt to recruit within the punk scene. I guess I would like to think that kids today have so much more sense that kids 25 years ago. Please, somebody--tell me that I am right about the scene today--that neo-Nazis don't hold much sway.
--Dem
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Magnus
From: demhopkins
Date: Wed May 21, 2003 9:15 pm
I had the good fortune to see Magnus band a few months back--and met with three of their members at my house tonight. They are currently in the studio finishing their first album--and it is going to be a very fine, diverse product (in a good way--not like The Vines being all over the place). Rarely have I seen a band so committed to the process of making a great first album--most bands seem to want to get it out so quickly. I found it funny that they repeated that they see themselves as much more of a European band--they meant it in the best way possible. They are not a raw garage band--and their instrumentation sets them apart from any Chicago band I have heard in quite awhile. I am pushing them to give me one track I can post here--and, the good news is this group will hear it first. I hope to upload a song from their album within 2-3 weeks. Sometimes, I feel really good about the US heartland--Magnus did it for me tonight.
--Dem
Date: Wed May 21, 2003 9:15 pm
I had the good fortune to see Magnus band a few months back--and met with three of their members at my house tonight. They are currently in the studio finishing their first album--and it is going to be a very fine, diverse product (in a good way--not like The Vines being all over the place). Rarely have I seen a band so committed to the process of making a great first album--most bands seem to want to get it out so quickly. I found it funny that they repeated that they see themselves as much more of a European band--they meant it in the best way possible. They are not a raw garage band--and their instrumentation sets them apart from any Chicago band I have heard in quite awhile. I am pushing them to give me one track I can post here--and, the good news is this group will hear it first. I hope to upload a song from their album within 2-3 weeks. Sometimes, I feel really good about the US heartland--Magnus did it for me tonight.
--Dem
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
The Bamboo Kids
From: demhopkins
Date: Wed May 7, 2003 5:40 pm
Amazing show last night and it will be a better one tonight. Chris, Dwight, and Vince are the best band kids that I have hung with since the early Black Flag/DOA days (late 1970s). These kids are talented, amazingly modest, committed, and as kind and appreciative of their audience as I have seen. But what about the fucking music? It is the perfect synthesis of 1977 NYC and UK punk that I have seen. I think I have said that before. They don't pay a whole lot of attention to what is happening with current bands. Kind of charming--because they don't know how they fit in to the picture. They have found a niche that is uniquely their own--for the time being. They are planning the next tour that will be taking them through Kansas, Texas, NM, (LA dates are set) and then to SF, Seattle and Portland in June and early July). I'll have dates they are looking for posted tomorrow—I know this post is way off topic--but, after last night's show, I also know this band is worth it. And the merch--high quality, way cool!
--Dem
Date: Wed May 7, 2003 5:40 pm
Amazing show last night and it will be a better one tonight. Chris, Dwight, and Vince are the best band kids that I have hung with since the early Black Flag/DOA days (late 1970s). These kids are talented, amazingly modest, committed, and as kind and appreciative of their audience as I have seen. But what about the fucking music? It is the perfect synthesis of 1977 NYC and UK punk that I have seen. I think I have said that before. They don't pay a whole lot of attention to what is happening with current bands. Kind of charming--because they don't know how they fit in to the picture. They have found a niche that is uniquely their own--for the time being. They are planning the next tour that will be taking them through Kansas, Texas, NM, (LA dates are set) and then to SF, Seattle and Portland in June and early July). I'll have dates they are looking for posted tomorrow—I know this post is way off topic--but, after last night's show, I also know this band is worth it. And the merch--high quality, way cool!
--Dem
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