International Hello/Monoshock's "Walk to the Fire" in Mojo/"Steel Wheels" Revisited

Fifteen years goes by quick don't it? Fifteen years between "It's Only Rock n' Roll" and "Steel Wheels." Fifteen years between "Walk to the Fire" and "International Hello." Driving around West Auckland is about as close to an experience of driving around Van Nuys or Reseda as I can get these days. I distinctly remember blaring an early cassette of what became for the most part, "Walk to the Fire" as I drove around the valley on an oven hot day around '95. So when I hear "Someone's Coming" from the International Hello (Holy Mountain) lp blaring on the car deck as I cruise down Railside Avenue on a hot, spring day, it is like having old friends back again - not unlike when you first heard "Mixed Emotions." So, does it surprise me when Monoshock makes the recent Mojo with the George Harrison cover? No, not really - I only wish it was a Macca cover.

Amazing Little Boxes/The Godz 1966/Amplified Freedom!

Like the great but seldom seen short film of artist Ronnie van Hout entitled “One Minus One” - yes, the Godard reference is tongue in cheek - of the Gordons live in their rehearsal space on the South Island in 1981 or thereabouts, Stanley has kindly supplied a link to a film by Jud Yulkut of the Godz jamming and partying live in 1966. Man, who knew such great footage existed. Only solidifies my take on the No-Neck Blues Band being one of the great heirs to harnessing that locale (NYC, Harlem to be exact for NNCK) and sound. God bless Dave Nuss for birthing both Metal Blade artists Angkor Wat in Texas and then moving to NYC to give the world NNCK in 1992. Which is why Stanley’s link dovetails so nicely with what I had intended to post today about one the 20th Century's unsung greats: Peter Stampfel and a shameless product plug. Hell, I would have gladly done the same as we are enamored of the product as well. First live show I saw in NYC I think was Gary Lucas and Peter Stampel as a duo so always have a soft spot. Did anyone else catch the Fugs flyer in the Godz footage? Ad courtesy on the mostly execrable Circus Magazine (July ’72, “Manassas” cover). More on that in the future.

CLE via Japan or a Pre-Electric Eels - Ladies and Gentlemen, Murahachibu

One of my numererous intentions is to share with you various pre-punk favorites from the dark ages. Not unlike the South Bay's unheraled Clap, what happens when you get a garagey/glammy, Stones-influenced band: something not unlike the Dolls. You also get, in this instance, something approaching the brilliance of "Flapping Jets" by the Electric Eels. This track, appropriately titled "Ah," is from 1971's "Kutabirete." If I could turn it up to 11 for you I would.



Here is string of clips from a Japanese dvd, looking like outtakes from Bob Gruen's "All Dolled Up"!! Anyone have spare Marahachibu vinyl to trade?



Now a live version: