Remember the old episode of Benny Hill, were the word ‘Therapist’ is written on a swinging door, so when one of the door opens, it’s revealed to be ‘The Rapist,’ well likewise, you may write the word ‘Theme’ on this door, and when it opens it’s revealed to be ‘the me.’
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Wolf And Cookies
Frankly, I don’t remember what this band sounded like too much, though they were often played on WKDU in Philadephia circa 1987-1990. I bring them up because there’s a lot of interests in musical projects with the name ‘Wolf’ in these days in indie circles (perhaps with the exception of Howlin’ Wolf , alas) and when at a hipster party and the subject comes up, as it inevitably will, you’re almost guaranteed to get a rise out of someone with the mere mention of Wolf and Cookies—at least more than if you bring up the ‘Crow” (or ‘Crowe’) phenom of over a decade ago.
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Howlin’ Wolf, “Built For Comfort”/”Three Hundred Pounds of Joy.”
I single out this particular two-sided single from the summer of 1963 by Howlin’ Wolf because it’s still one of the best celebrations of being, as one politically correct friend once put it, ‘differently weighted,’ especially in the face of the recent obesity epidemic. Though these two songs have very different feels, with ‘Built For Comfort’ being straight-up Chicago blues while ‘300 Pounds’ has a more comic feel (thanks in large part to the horn section), taken together, they get their message across, and age far better than the contemporaneous “Blowin’ In The Wind” single, as done by Peter, Paul and Mary
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The Graves Brothers Deluxe
The Graves Brothers Deluxe, lead by frontman Stoo Odom, headlined a rockin’ anniversary party for San Francisco based Pirate Cat Radio, 87.9 FM. The event also featured Dr. Frank and more classic punk, including giveaways from Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label. If you don’t already know Pirate Cat Radio, they’re on the web at www.myspace.com/piratecateradio.
Yes, they’re the station that almost had a big commercial coup with landing Howard Stern’s satellite radio show. Stern didn’t mind, but his people did.
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Game Theory, “Sleeping Through Heaven
Do you like Big Star? Well, check out this song. Another hit that should’ve, coul’dve, would’ve been, with manic exuberance, intelligent (even visionary) words. As summer approaches, this 20 year old song still feels absolutely fresh to me, and may feel even more fresh to those who’ve never heard it
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Dylan Brody
Check out his piece “The Secret Shame of The Casual Conspirator,” at www.dylanbrody.com. Mr. Brody occupies the liminal zone halfway between short story writing and stand-up comedy a la Bill Hicks or David Cross. Definitely an up and coming voice woth keeping an ear on.
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Jessi Colter, _Out of The Ashes
More known to many as the wife ofWaylon Jennings, which is unfortunate, because Colter has always rocked as much as Jennings, and also has a way with the tear-jerker, such as big pop hit, “I’m Not Lisa,” from over 30 years ago. Both can be heard on her new album, Out Of The Ashes
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Tony Torn, Lee Ann Brown and Corrina Copp
Torn, Brown, and Copp are currently curating “plays on words: a poets and theatre festival” in conjunction with Richard Foreman’s ontological hysteic incubator and Anselm Berrigan’s poetry project, at Saint Mark’s Church, the venue established by Allen Ginsberg Brothers Deluxe and others almost 40 years ago.
In addition to poet plays by such luminaries as Anne Waldman, Jimi Hendrix biographer David Henderson, Carla Harryman, Tom Raworth and Tuli Kupferberg (most known in music circles for his work with The Fugs, the event will also feature a playlet by yours truly, on Monday May 15th at 8PM. Unfortunately, I live 3000 miles away and won’t be able to make it! Anyway, For more information, contact www.ontological.com
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Jolie Holland
Jolie will be releasing a new album come May, but this past week took some time out to play some violin as well as lend some vocals for a new Continuous Peasant song. I just wanted to say thank you!
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Fats Domino
Fats Domino is alive and well, and stepping up as a voice to help rebuild New Orleans. My friends in Nola tell me that this often under-represented founder of rock and roll gave an amazing performance at the recent Jazz Fest, and has also been stepping up his attempts to try to rebuild and save the city. Hail Fats!
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Music For America –
A San Francisco based non-profit organization that has been instrumental in combining rock music with get out the vote campaigns. For more information, contact www.musicforamerica.org
