Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Bored Teenagers...The Adverts Story and Show # 216


The Adverts were formed in 1976 by TV Smith (real name Tim Smith) (vocals), Gaye Advert (bass), Howard Pickup (real name Howard Boak)(guitar), and Laurie Driver (real name Laurie Muscat) on drums. The band began playing gigs in London, England at The Roxy in 1976. Michael Dempsey became their manager after seeing them support Generation X in 1977. The Averts also caught the attention of Damned guitarist Brian James, who let the band open for them, they got signed to Stiff records as a result. The bands first single was titled "One Chord Wonders". After barely playing a handful of live shows, The Adverts went on a tour with The Damned. The promotional tour posters read "The Adverts know one chord, the Damned know three. See all four at…"

The band then released their second single "Gary Gilmore's Eyes". They song went into the UK top 20, but was seen as controversial. The lyrical subject matter made reference to an American Murders wish to have his eyes donated to medical science after his execution. Their next single was "Safety in Numbers"", it did not chart. Their fourth single would crack the UK top 40, bringing the Adverts back into the charts; The song was "No Time To Be 21". In February of 1978 Crossing the Red Sea The Adverts first full length album was released. It featured three of the bands first four singles and debuted at number 38 on the UK albums chart. Many feel that their first album is their best. It is seen as a strong debut by many and all of the songs were composed by vocalist TV Smith.


In 1979, Cast of Thousands was released. The album produced three singles "Television's Over", "My Place", and "Cast of Thousands". It also featured a different sound compared to Crossing the Red Sea, once again all songs were composed by TV Smith. It was seen as a poor effort by many and soon after a gig in October of 1979 and the accidental electrocution of their manager Michael Dempsey, The Adverts split up. TV Smith was seen as a song writer who captured the spirit of the times in his music, Gaye Advert was seen as one of the first female punk icons. Not only a bassist, she also had a style that would influence female punks for quite some time. After the Adverts finished, TV Smith went on to form TV Smith's Explorers and The Cheap. In the 90's he would create music as a solo artist.

The Play List:

1. Wire - The 15th (Live Rockpalast 1979)
2. Proud Scum - I Am a Rabbit
3. Terrorways - Short Haired Rock n' Roll
4. Suburban Reptiles - Saturday Night Stay At Home
5. The Victims - Television Addict
6. Celibate Rifles - 24 Hours (sos)
7. Modernettes - Barbra
8. Diodes - Noise
9. Evaporators - Gassy Jack
10. Forgotten Rebels - I'm Surfin' On Heroin
11. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - New Pleasure
12. Killing Joke - Eighties
13. The Adverts - One Chord Wonders
14. The Unknowns - teenage Terrorist
15. 63 Monroe - Media Junkie
16. Sinners - No Brains Required
17. 222's - Hold Up
18. Hot Nasties - Get Away From Me
19. Wreckless Eric - A Pop Song
20. Radio Birdman - Hand of Law
21. The Jam - The Place I love
22. Franz Ferdinand - Jaqueline
23. Dead 60s - All Over By Midnight
24. The Clash - Somebody Got Murdered (Live Reitle Festival, France 1980)
25. Buzzcocks - A Different Kind of Tension
26. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers - Do You Love Me?

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Septemberr 30th, 2008.

Videos:

One Chord Wonders (1977)
Gary Gilmore's Eyes (Top of the Pops 1977)
Live At the Vortex 1977 (On the Roof, New Day Dawning, No Time to be 21)
Bored Teenagers (OGWT 1978)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Live at Shea and 1000 Hooks...Show # 215

This week i'll be talking about some new releases. First the new Clash release (which comes out on October 7) and second some Luger Boa news.


Recorded in October of 1982, Live at Shea Stadium showcases the Clash playing live just after the release of their album Combat Rock. The concert would feature original drummer Terry Chimes due to the fact that drummer Topper Headon was kicked out for drug addiction at the time. The show was proposed for release in the late 90's when Joe Strummer found the tapes during a house move. He proposed that they release Shea in it's entirety, but the record company released the live compilation From Here to Eternity instead in 1999. The album comes with a limited edition booklet. The concert was one where the band opened for The Who, and was recorded at a time when The Clash were gaining a larger following. The Clash would fire guitarist Mick Jones shortly after, and then they would split up in 1984 after an attempt at one more album.

Live at Shea track listing:

1. Kosmo Vinyl Introduction
2. London Calling
3. Police On My Back
4. Guns Of Brixton
5. Tommy Gun
6. The Magnificent Seven
7. Armagideon Time
8. The Magnificent Seven (return)
9. Rock The Casbah
10. Train In vain
11. Career Opportunities
12. Spanish Bombs
13. Clampdown
14. English Civil War
15. Should I Stay Or Should I Go
16. I Fought The Law

Shea Stadium Teaser




Secondly, New Zealand band Luger Boa will release their album in November. The band contains former D4 member Jimmy Christmas and have recently released a video for their first single "1000 Hooks". For more info you can visit their Myspace page.

Luger Boa - 1000 Hooks Video



This Weeks Play List:

1. Magazine - Because You're Frightened (BBC)
2. XTC - Are You Recieving Me?
3. New York Dolls - Chatterbox
4. Pretty Things - Come See Me
5. Them - Just a Little Bit
6. Main Line - Don't Wait Around
7. 49th Parallel - Citizen Freak
8. Young Rival - The Haunt
9. The Oblivions - Trouble
10. Television - Ain't That Nothin'
11. Teenage Head - Top Down
12. The Squires - I Wonder
13. Neil Young - Don't Cry No Tears
14. Dirty Pretty Things - Plastik Hearts
15. Mother Mother - Body of Years
16. Big Audio Dynamite - Got it All From my TV
17. Wild Fits - Just Lust
18. The Damned - Liar
19. Ramones - I Don't Want You
20. The Hives - Return the Favor
21. The Kinks - Come On Now
22. The Saints - New Center of the Universe
23. Sex Pistols - Did You No Wrong
24. Stolen Minks - Bring It
25. Luger Boa - 1000 Hooks
26. Subways - At 1 AM
27. D4 - No Antidote (John Peel Session)

To download this week's show visit the CJAM archives and select the files 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Septemberr 23rd, 2008.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Cherry Kicks...The Caesars Story and Show # 214


Coming out of Sweden, The Caesars originally formed in 1995. The band also went by several names, at first they were known as Caesar's Palace, they were also known as Twelve Caesars in some countries. The band currently goes by the name The Caesars. The band was originally made up of Cesar Vidal (vocals), David Lindquist (bass), Joakim Ahuland (guitar), and Jens Örjenheim on drums(he would be replaced by drummer Nino Keller in 2000). The band was influenced by bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Sonics, Billy Childish, and the 13th Floor Elevators; It should also be noted that the bands sound is also heavily laced with experimentation's of Farfisa organ. Their first release was and EP titled Shake It, which was a collection of early demos. After releasing a few singles, the band released their first album Youth is Wasted on the Young in 1998; In the US it was released under the band name Twelve Caesars.

Their next release came in 2000, it was titled Cherry Kicks; This time they went by the name Caesar's Palace. The album Cherry Kicks would also feature a song titled "Punkrocker", which would also be recorded by guitarist Ahuland's other band Teddybears. The bands 2002 release Love For the Streets was an album that did them well in Sweden. The album went gold in Sweden and also won them a Swedish Grammy award. The album would also contain a song that would be a huge hit for them, "Jerk it Out". It is a organ filled pop song. A compilation album was then compiled for the US and UK markets in 2003, it was titled 39 Minutes of Bliss (In An Otherwise Meaningless World); Released as The Caesars. The band then toured Japan, Europe and the US in 2003, they also began work on a new album.


In 2004/2005 the song "Jerk It Out" would be featured in an Apple ipod TV commercial. This would bring the band recognition, the song would enter them in the charts, and would be featured in a remixed form on their next album Paper Tigers; "Jerk It Out" was also featured in many US video games. Paper Tigers did well in Sweden, and was released in 2005. The album also featured other interesting songs such as "May the Rain", "Soul Chaser", and "It's Not the Fall that Hurts". In 2008, the band released Strawberry Weed. The album is actually a double album, but when it was released in the US, it only featured twelve songs. The Caesars are a Swedish band who mix elements of 60's garage rock, pop, and organ creating a unique rock sound.

Next week my show will air Tuesday at 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. My show will now be on Tuesday mornings on CJAM 91.5 FM.

Play List:

1. Ride Theory - Alright
2. The Dirtbombs - Shake!!Shiveree
3. The Buzzards - You Got Me Down
4. David Bowie - Waitin' For the Man (Live Santa Monica 1972)
5. The Pogues - Dirty Ol Town
6. The Dials - All I Hear
7. Dry Heaves - I Can't Puke
8. Rock and Roll Bitches - Broad Daylight
9. Buzzcocks - I Don't Mind
10. Mach Kung Fu - Teach A Chick To Dance
11. Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet - Bennet Cerf
12. Atomic 7 - Phantom 101
13. Brian Wilson - Morning Beat
14. Raptors - Running Away
15. Crosstown Rivals - Bright Idea
16. Call the City - Don't You Wish
17. Bloc Party - One Mouth Off
18. The New Odds - Cloud Full of Rocks
19. Caesars - Turn it Off
20. Bruce Springsteen - Roulette
21. 14th Wray - Your Face in my Mind
22. Rolling Stones - Walkin' the Dog
23. 101'ers - Keep Taking the Tablets (Live)
24. Guided By Voices - Postal Blowfish
25. Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love
26. Blur - Movin' On

Videos:

Jerk it Out
It's Not the Fall that Hurts
We Got To Leave
Paper Tigers
(I'm Gonna) Kick You Out
No Tomorrow
Boo Boo Goo Goo

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

They're Gonna Get You... The Count Five Story and Show # 213


Coming out of San Jose, California, The Count Five went through several line up and name changes before settling on the name The Count Five. Previously known as The Renegades and The Squires, The Count Five were born when their previous drummer Skip Cordell and their organist Phil Evans quit The Squires. Drummer Craig "Butch" Atkinson joined future band members John "Sean" Byrne (vocals/rhythm guitar), John "Mouse" Michalski (lead guitar), Roy Chaney (bass), and Kenn Ellner (harmonica/vocals) in 1964. The band around this time would begin working on a song that would later be known as "Psychotic Reaction" during their live shows. They also were known for performing live with Count Dracula styled capes. The band went to various record labels and were turned down. After reworking the song Byrne brought to the group "Psychotic Reaction", the band got a record deal with an LA label, Double Shot Records.

Their full length album Psychotic Reaction was released in 1966. The album contained elements of bands such as The Yardbirds, Bo Diddley, and The Standells; They were known as a garage rock band and would not last very long. The single "Psychotic Reaction" is their best known song, it reached # 5 on the US single charts when originally released. While their album featured several garage rockin' originals such as "Double Decker Bus", "Pretty Big Mouth", and "They're Gonna Get You", it would not live up to the success of their hit single "Psychotic Reaction". The album would also feature two Who cover songs ("My Generation", and "Out in the Street") they were one of the first US bands to cover The Who. The band continued for a short while finally breaking up in 1969. The members of the group went back to College to get their degrees.

In 1972, Lenny Kaye released a compilation of 60's garage rock/psychedelic songs titled Nuggets. The compilation album would feature The Count Five's hit "Psychotic Reaction" re-introducing them to a new audience. The Nuggets compilation was re-released as and extended four CD set in 2004. The band reunited 1987, this was released as Psychotic Reaction Live. The band has since had numerous compilations released. Since they have spilt the band has been cited as an influence on the genre of punk that was to come in the late 70's. In the 90's bassist Roy Chaney formed a group called The Count (with former Count Five band member John Byrne) and released a CD titled Can't Sleep in 2002. In 1999, the Count Five drummer Craig Atkinson passed away. The Count Five will forever be known for their wonderfully executed garage rock hit single, "Psychotic Reaction".

On another note, my show Revolution Rock will be moving time slots from Wednesday night to Tuesday mornings. On September 23rd, 2008 my show will air at 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM. My last show at it's current time slot (9PM) will air next Wednesday September 17th.

Songs Played This Week:

1. The Standells - Dirty Water
2. The Express - Wastin' My Time
3. The Wailers - Out of Our Tree
4. The Munks - Long Time Waiting
5. The Haunted - Eight O'Clock This Morning
6. The Secrets - Cryin' Over Her
7. Painted Ship - And She Said yes
8. The Litter - Action Woman
9. The Brogues - I Ain't No Miracle Worker
10. The Seeds - Can't Seem To Make You Mine
11. The Kinks - You Can't Win
12. Young Rival - Your Island
13. The Sonics - Psycho
14. Ugly Ducklings - Just in Case You Wonder
15. Gruesomes - Leave My Kitten Alone
16. The Collectors - Eight Hour Day
17. Count Five - They're Gonna Get You
18. Count Five - Teeny Bopper, Teeny Bopper
19. Mojomatics - Miss Me When I'm Gone
20. The Weirdies - Let's Get Hot
21. Compulsive Gamblers - Way I Feel About You
22. Lou Reed - Nowhere At All
23. The Smugglers - That is Rock N' Roll
24. The Outsiders - Time Won't Let Me
25. Hentchmen - Yesterday's Trash
26. Young Rival - Too Hip
27. White Stripes - Black Math
28. The Strokes - When it Started
29. Rolling Stones - Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadows? (Live 1966)

Videos:

Psychotic Reaction
Peace of Mind

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

In A Rut...The Ruts Story and Show # 212


Forming in early 1978, in West London The Ruts consisted of School friends. Paul Fox played guitar, Malcolm Owen did the vocals, John Jennings played bass, and Dave Ruffy played the drums. The bands sound was punk, reggae and dub influenced. The band also took on various political causes due to the nature of the times. They were known for playing for many anti-racist causes, this would be reflected in the bands lyrics. The Ruts first single was titled "In A Rut" and it was originally released in May of 1978. The B-side was an anti-drug song about Heroin, it was titled "H-Eyes". The single did not do very well, but was played frequently by BBC DJ, John Peel. The Ruts signed to Virgin Records in the Spring of 1979.

The single "Babylon's Burning" was recorded next. Released in 1979, the song was about the descent of Western civilization. It was also influenced by all the riots that were occurring in England around that time as well. The song reached number seven on the UK singles charts; The B-side was a song titled "Society". The bands next single "Something That I Said", would be released after they toured supporting The Damned. The song cracked the top 30 in the UK and the bands first full length album, The Crack would be released in October of 1979. The album was a mix of punk, reggae, dub, and had elements of Hardcore and Hard Rock. Another song featured on the album was the reggae/dub influenced track "Jah War". The song failed to chart, but was one addressing the issues of riots that occurred in Southall London. Due to it's controversial subject matter, the song was banned from the radio in Britain. Other interesting songs on The Crack were the anti-drug song "Dope For Guns" and "S.U.S", a song about the Vagrancy Act used by London Police.

Following a headlining tour, the band entered the UK charts again with the song "Staring At the Rude Boys". The band then began work for their second album and were preparing for another tour in the UK. Around this time lead singer Malcolm Owen, who had a long time Heroin addiction began using the drug more and more. He also was going through problems with his marriage. After the band completed the song "West One", they fired Malcolm. This seemed to help Owen clean up and get his act together, but in July of 1980 Malcolm died of a drug overdose. The song "West One" entered the Uk charts at #43 and in October of 1980, the band released Grin & Bear It. The album was a collection of the songs The Ruts had been working on before firing Owen and B-sides/Outtakes. In 1986, the bands BBC sessions were released titled The Peel Sessions. The remainder of The Ruts continued as Ruts DC, but would stop playing around 1983. In 1995, a compilation of the band was released titled Something I Said, and in 2001 EMI released a compilation of the band titled Bustin’ Out: The Essential Ruts Collection. The Ruts were a band from the UK known for their anti-racist and strong politcal stances. The band lasted for a very short while, but left behind interesting musical and political messages.

The Playlist:

1. The Banned - Little Girl
2. Red Squares - Ottawa Today
3. Active Dog - Rat Race
4. The Action - Downtown Boys
5. The Poles - CN Tower
6. Igenerants - Radio Interference
7. Pulp - Mis-Shapes
8. Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device
9. The Vibrators - Baby Baby
10. The Ruts - Babylon's Burning
11. Generation X - Kleenex
12. Johnny Thunders - Dead or Alive
13. The Ryvals - Time of Restraint
14. Infamous Scientists - American Bandstand
15. Stolen Minks - Reflexes
16. The Saints - No, Your Product
17. The Damned - Politics
18. Ramones - Surfin' Bird
19. Sloan - Emergency 911
20. Buzzcocks - Mad Mad Judy (BBC Session)
21. The Clash - Janie Jones (Live Boston 1982)
22. Nothing At All - Grand Central Station
23. Babyshambles - Delivery
24. Libertines - Up the Bracket
25. The D4 - Joe 90
26. The D4 - Get Loose

Rutty Videos:

In A Rut
Babylon's Burning (1979)
Something I Said (Music Video)
Jah War & Babylon's Burning (Live French TV 1980)
Staring At The Rude Boys (Top of the Pops)