Spacelines

THIS IS WHAT SONIC BOOM CONSIDERS AS THE MAIN INFLUENCES FOR THE SOUND OF SPACEMEN 3, THE “ROOTS” TO THAT AMAZINGLY RICH MUSICAL TREE. And they were truly eclectics: here you can find ANYTHING from the rural folk-blues of LIGHTNING HOPKINS or JESSE MAE HEMPHIL to the gospel of THE STAPLE SINGERS (whose “Last Time” was likely to be a major influence in Jagger/Richards‘ own “Last Time”), from exotica (Xavier Cugat!!), to Sun Ra’s “Cozmic Blues”...



Plus, ultra-rare English Freakbeat such as The Syndicats -YES’ Steve Howe’s first band, with a huge liking for the feedback of Pete Townshend-, LA psychedelic surf from the Beach Boys-influenced Fantastic Baggies, and first-generation electronic music acts such as WHITE NOISE, or even Detroit High Energy Rock (MC5 with a rare “Rambling Rose” alive at the studio)...



And some unclassifiable acts such as DANIEL JOHNSTON, the mysterious HONOLULU MOUNTAIN DAFFODILS, or ROLF HARRIS, whose 1960’s song “Sun Arise” re-enacts the chants from the Australian aborigines... And many, MANY surprises (including a Christmas carol!). Search deep and enjoy with the music wisdom of Sonic Boom and find the roots to SP3’s musical enlightment!

Spacelines - song by song - album notes by SONIC BOOM

This May Be The Last Time - The Staples Singers
This Gospel gem, I believe written by Bobby Womack, is obviously the root of the Stones hit from '65. Pop Staples remains for me the greatest unsung guitar player. Forget all the Afro '70's late stuff, go for all those classic pre-66 sides -Vee-jay stuff especially... and that 'GREAT DAY' Fantasy recds release.....

You Don't Care - Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley - born Elias McDaniels - afore adopting his pseudonym - based on an old Delta instrument called a Diddley Bo - basically, two nails 2 ft apart on a door-frame, plucked at one end + "bowed" with a bottleneck at the other.
Anyhow - this guy invented more genres than anyone - ever. Scary... This classic from his amazing '50's sessions that somehow brings Africa to Chicago by way of the Delta in one foul tremelo rich swoop.
This track is really called You dont love me -sorry typo...

Sun Arise - Rolf Harris
This was a hit in the UK circa '62. Rolf went on to much fame as an ex-pat Aussie kids programme entertainer here , but this stunning one chord wonder -Rolf imitates Digeridoo -tho' he can play it, to great effect. Unfortunately his other "songs” were kiddie-turkeys... Presumably based on an old Aboriginal folk song. I think it captures so much mood and emotion it deserves a wider audience.

Transparent Radiation - The Red Crayola
Possibly the greatest Psychedelic band ever, almost certainly one of the first to truly understand it and take it somewhere.
This version is the demo Mayo Thompson recorded pre-Parable of Arable Land , and is the version I and Spacemen 3 usually covered .One of the most amazing lyrics and chord progressions ever .What more can I say -this is it!

Angels + Demons - Sun Ra
This is a genius vintage live SUN RA track from their early '60's Chicago club stint . This makes my spine tingle and my feet shuffle every time i hear it. Taken from the Amazing full length CD on Atavistic Records (Chicago), it sees Sun Ra at his best -this is what made him the legend he is.
Buy the LP!


side b

I'm So Glad You Don't Know what's On my mind - SheWolf /Jesse Mae Hemphill
I believe she’s from Tate County -anyways -somewhere in the muddy ol' delta. This song is my idea of the blues. Jim Dickinson has long been a part of this whole scene, and this piece comes from a compilation lp done by Tav Falco -One of Dickinson's sidekicks, back in the Eighties.
God bless 'em all. Respect.

Needed Time - Lightnin' Hopkins
Houston's genius bluesman here, on a recording over 50 years old, which makes me cry almost every listen shows Lightnin' lettin a little religion and gospel shine thru his massive oeuvre of work. Look out for the great stuff he did on the International Artists Compilation I.A.13 back in the late '70's. Plus the I.A. LP backed by 3 Elevators...

Please Stay - Cryin' Shames
Joe Meek's last hit, and one of his saddest. Shortly before splattering his brains across his Holloway rd., London studio, he allegedly berated this poor singer into this performance.Whatever, it's stellar.
I believe the Drifters had the USA hit, but for me the magic in this record is un-equalled on any other version.

Stay - Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs
What can I say. One of the greatest R+B tracks ever. The soundtrack to a million nights of passion. One of my all time favourites of its era. I wanna dance everytime I hear it. This is the sort of sentiment I wanna hear more on records...

She's Coming Home - The Wailers
Not Jamaica's giants, but the Pacific Northwest's compadres of The Galaxies and The Sonics on the Etiquette label.
This is one of my favourite Christmas songs ever -along with a song Dean Wareham turned me on to called Little Toy Trains... and of course that marvellous version of Little Drummer Boy by the Harry Simeone Chorale The Etiquette XMAS lp this came from is well worth sounding out as it also features the Sonics’ Santa Claus masterpiece. To coin a Robyn Hitchcock phrase... Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva Viva SeaTac -they got the best coffee + computers + smack ... No fool that Hitchcock... haha


side c

I Can't Let Go - Evie Sands
This superb song was written by Chip Taylor of Wild Thing and Anyway That You Want Me fame.I believe Evie mighta done his demos... This song is so much better than the Hollies’ insipid hit it's almost a differant track.I used part of the middle 8 of the song to create How You Satisfy Me for SPECTRUM , but here you get the real deal in all its glory.

Crawdaddy Simone - The Syndicats
Again, a Joe Meek classic from his last couple of years - 'circa 65 on this track I think. I believe one of these guys ended up in Yes or summit , whatever , here is the meanest , coolest English Freakbeat around (like US garage punk, but earlier ) Bomp’s c.d.'s of UK Freakbeat are well worth searching out. This song has elements of Rave-up , punk , R+B, Blues -and all sounding punk as fuck... Enjoy.

Elevator Operator - The Rays
Elevator Operator is from the early 50's and it packs so much power, lift and humour into 2 minutes 30, that i'm constantly amazed by it. This vocal based group are so powerful , they practically invent psyche 30 years too soon.This record was a longstay on the jukebox at Liverpool's legendary jukebox. A 70's compilation called Jukebox at Eric's is well worth seeking. Solid gold.

Perfidia - Xavier Cugat
One of the most beautifull songs ever. Xavier Cugat has long performed genius versions of this standard, but this 1950's, almost Lounge-style version of it instrumentallydone, is enchanting. If you know The Tide Is High -you'll be hit by deja-vu. An alltime favourite. Priceless. Cugat, my respect.

It Was I - The Fantastic Baggies
One of the also-ran surf bands from California ... Perhaps most famous for their proto-punk Anywhere The Girls Are -on Bomp's vinyl Surf compilation in the '80's. This song however is more introspective, and a real feat of excellence. It's almost Everly Brothers-like harmonies transport you straight to that summer, with those people... Priceless.

Firebird - The White Noise
A long overlooked classic . White Noise were, along with Silver Apples, the first fully electronic bands. This track, written in '67 by the late Delia Derbyshire, sung by John Whitman + with David Vorhaus accompanying Delia on electronics remains one of the most enchanting pop songs from that era where it seemed ANYTHING might happen. Delia did much more work, mainly for the BBC Radiophonic workshop -check out the Rephlex vinyl LP for some delights... Her work is fascinating + varied.


side d

True Love Will Find You In The End - Daniel Johnston
One of the greatest singer songwriters of the last 2 decades or so. This song, also covered by SPECTRUM, is Daniel Johnston at his most open. You can practically feel the blood running down his sleeve... It's hard to say anything more than please find his '80's lp's -the early ones...

Just One Time - Juicy Lucy
Unfortunately , this is probably their only good song -but what a song.
Spacemen 3 re-worked this as MARY-ANNE, but here we have the original from the early '70's. Glen Cambell -the genius lap steel player from The Misunderstood -an amazing band -comes up trumps here. It almost sounds like some WE WILL FALL type IGGY/Stooges out-take. The mood on this is tangible. A piece of genius.

I Take It That We're Through - The Riot Squad
One of Joe Meeks last recordings , with the unique Riot Squad. As well as having Mitch Mitchel, pre-Hendrix, on drums, this recording belies the myth that all Meek's recordings were muddy. The crazy eastern double-tracked guitar, weird organ, strange vocals are nothing if not a tribute to the fact that Joe had ears. Interesting title for one of his final works.........

Psychic Hitlist Number 8 - Honolulu Mountain Daffodils
Whether they're from Mars or Hawaii , these guys are amazing. I believe they did 2 LPs, but I never saw them. This record is just pure non-stop power pop -like early Hawkwind meets Kraftwerk. Jeesus...

Witchdoctor - John Mayal's Bluesbreakers
A searing piece of blues from the late '60s.
I'm informed this is '65 era Clapton at his rare best? It originally came out on Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate label.A label worth exploring with Reaction - dont even mention "waltz for a Pig " , by the Graham Bond Organisation...
Not much to say about this, other than i love it...

Ramblin' Rose - The MC5
This is one of the tightest heaviest bands ever. This rare version is devastating. The break near the end is skull crushing. Words fail me how insipid bands like Led Zep could steal their image + ideas -but still be shit?
What’s that about...


SONIC BOOM

It's the Devil's Night!

Acute
Follow You Home Mp3
Take A Step Back Mp3



There are a few good things to do tonight in Los Angeles if your not burning churches or sacrificing small animals. At Spaceland Acute are playing for free at Midnight.
Los Angeles rock trio ACUTE--who conjure a wide range of moods inspired by such artists as Grandaddy, Magnetic Fields, the Beach Boys, composer Ennio Morricone and even film director Federico Fellini--will release their debut EP SELECTIONS November 7 on Help Records. Produced by Dave Trumfio (Wilco, OKGO, My Morning Jacket), the five-song collection will be supported by the five-week Death & Taxes tour, which gets underway November 3 at Rockettown in Nashville and teams ACUTE with contemporaries Copeland, The Appleseed Cast and Owen.

ACUTE’s Death & Taxes tour dates with Copeland, The Appleseed Cast and Owen:



DATE CITY VENUE

Fri 11/3 Nashville, TN Rockettown

Sat 11/4 St. Louis, MO Mississippi Nights

Sun 11/5 Iowa City, IA Picador

Mon 11/6 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theatre

Tue 11/7 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre

Thu 11/9 Indianapolis, IN Emerson Theatre

Fri 11/10 Detroit, MI The Majestic Theatre

Sat 11/11 Cleveland, OH House of Blues

Sun 11/12 Chicago, IL Metro

Tue 11/14 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre

Wed 11/15 Salt Lake City, UT Avalon

Thu 11/16 Boise, ID The Venue

Fri 11/17 Seattle, WA El Corazon

Sat 11/18 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater

Mon 11/20 San Francisco, CA Slims

Tue 11/21 Pomona, CA The Glass House

Wed 11/22 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre

Fri 11/24 Pomona, CA Glasshouse

Sat 11/25 San Diego, CA SOMA

Sun 11/26 Phoenix, AZ The Clubhouse

Tue 11/28 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit

Wed 11/29 Dallas, TX The Door

Fri 12/1 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts

Sat 12/2 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls

Sun 12/3 New York, NY Irving Plaza

Mon 12/4 Boston, MA Axis

Wed 12/6 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

Thu 12/7 Atlanta, GA Masquerade

Fri 12/8 Orlando, FL House of Blues

Sat 12/9 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution



OK. Ok.


If you are not down with rock n roll tonight there is an alternative that i think may be very much worth your while.

MSTRKRFT and JUSTICE at The Standard Downtown. RSVP
WHAT!!!

oh and Ladytron dj set too.

JUSTICE!!! all the way from Paris,France.




MSTRKRFT

(don't watch this video at work)

Stuart A Staples

Stuart Staples played his first solo show in the United States Saturday to about 30 people in Los Angeles. Crazy right? He played with a couple members from his band the Tindersticks and played one of their songs. I am biased but the performance was breathtaking. I took some photos and I have a video clip that I will post as soon as I can figure out how to get it transferred from my camera to my computer of Stuart singing the duet "This Road is Long" with Maria McKee. I hope that Halloween party was good cuz you missed out on one of the most intimate nights of music I have ever witnessed.

There is a Path Mp3 from Leaving Songs

XTATIKA

Haena Kim is Xtatika,featuring hypnotic, trippy vocals, nasty electric bass and two driving Korean percussionists. Her debut Tongue Bath came out in 2001 on the Tzadik label. It's a good halloween record.

Tongue Bath

Quigley

Quigley's Point


Roger Patrick Martin Quigley is a French singer/songwriter and one-half of the indie pop duo known as The Montgolfier Brothers.

He has released multiple recordings, including two LPs — 1969 Until God Knows When, and Quigley's Point on Vespertine and Son. The latter effort was recorded under the At Swim Two Birds moniker, a name was inspired by At Swim-Two-Birds, a classic tome by Irish novelist Flann O'Brien.




1969 Until God Knows When

seefeel

Their music is ostensibly instrumental but not because it doesn't have voices; in fact many of their songs do have voices, but voices as fundamental instruments of sound rather than as the lead sound. The CD tracks are long pieces, firmly minimalist, with not much to ground them except repetitive bass and percussion, based loosely around a dub influence. In fact, were it not for the bass/drum backbone, the sounds would pretty much float out into total ambience, with nothing to hold onto. They use guitars, sequencers, electronics, synthesizers, and voices to create a brilliant mix that is utterly unlike anything else. OK, maybe that's not true: there were/are many others who have worked in a similar vein (Aphex Twin, Autechre, etc.), mining the possibilities of electronic repetition with ethereal-sounding music that is about texture rather than narrative. What makes Seefeel unique is that the quality of their work is superb, on a completely different level than all their peers (and they didn't have many) and more so, of the many people who came after them. And even more a dozen years after these recordings, their music sounds just as out of touch and out of sequence with anything that you might hear in 2006.


This particular album is not really an album since it's an amalgamation of two e.p.'s, the 4-song More Like Space and the 6-song pure, impure, both originally released in 1993. The title track from the former is quite literally one of the most brilliant pieces of music ever recorded, nearly nine minutes of repetition that is all about tones and textures, slowly and imperceptibly building, ebbing, lifting up to who knows where.


Who were Seefeel? They were basically Mark Clifford (guitars and the main guy), Sarah Peacock (guitars, whose lovely vocals provide the ethereal counterpoint), Daren Seymour (bass, radio), and Justin Fletcher (rhythm programming). They released their first proper album, the hour-long Quique (a lovely phonetic invention) in 1994 that was more an extension of the first two e.p.s rather than a major departure, although by the time you get to the final tracks on the album, it's clear that the band is now heading into territory that is without structure or reference to anything that one might recognize. An obvious reference point here is Aphex Twin, and indeed, Aphex Twin remixed several Seefeel tracks around this time (some of them featured on the Polyfusia compilation). Fred

Polyfusia

Go see Acute Tonight in LA.

Double Leopards

It is getting close to Halloween and Double Leopards should be the live band behind the black curtains at the scariest of all Haunted Houses right now well at least at my haunted house they would be. All over blogs and the really good record stores double leopards get some props for being dark and ugly noise that some how comforts the soul on a very primal level. Ok.. I just made that up, but some of their works are beautiful and some are scary and i wouldn't suggest listening to them at 3 or 4 in the morning alone in an empty building. Actually that would be a great way to hear this record. Halve Maen came out a long time ago and was released as a double lp limited to 1000. Ahhhh!
Halve Maen

Krautrock

Krautrock is a generic name for the experimental bands who appeared in Germany in the late 1960s. It was originally a somewhat derogatory term coined by the British music press from the slang term "Kraut", meaning "a German person" and taken from the traditional German dish of pickled cabbage, Sauerkraut. However, because much of the music produced by these bands has since come to be very highly regarded, the term "krautrock" is now generally seen as an accolade rather than an insult.

Neu! (the German word for "new", pronounced [nɔɪ] "noy") was a German band, that Michael Rother and Klaus Dinger started in 1971. I think? If you want to know what the krautrock is all about listen to Neu!'s debut record.



Katzenmusik was Michael Rother's third solo record. It came out in 1979. Produced by Conny Plank, the man behind just about all the essential kraut records of the 70's, and playing drums was Can's Jaki Leibzeit. The record is a suite in 2 parts and has a nice dancey 4/4 groove to it as well as a nice ambient feel. Listen for yourself.

Katzenmusik






Fujiya & Miyagi are from Brighton,England and were formed in 2002. Transparent Things came out in May and is a wonderful record with great songs that are deeply influenced by Krautrock. I predict these guys are going to get very popular with music lovers. Trends in music over the last few years have been headed the krautrock way. So when you start hearing all these bands that rule! Remember it has all been done before!!!

Transparent Things

A Cupcake For You!

Here is a Cherry Chocolate Cupcake with Fennel Cream Cheese Frosting. It should help you get through this cold Friday.








Tracklist:
1.Acid House Kings - will you love me in the morning
2.Architecture in Helsinki - the owls go
3.Camera Obscura - Lunar Sea
4.Oh No! Oh My! - Walk In The Park
5.Rocketship - I Love You Like The Way I Used To
6.Beulah - Score From Augusta
7.The Cat's Miaow - Portland,Oregon
8.El Perro Del Mar - God Knows (You Gotta Give To Get)
9.The Magnetic Fields - You And Me And The Moon
10.The Pipettes - I Love You
11.The Real Tuesday Weld - La Bete Et La Belle

The Juggernaut Bitch!!

JANE

Here We Are came out in 1973. These guys are German and they liked Pink Floyd.



Here We Are

What is Indie?

I look at a lot of blogs about music because i have alot of free time on my hands. I see the word "indie" thrown around like shit in a monkey cage. So i said to myself, "What is indie music anyway?" After typing indie in my itunes search bar i got a list of bands that are indie. My taste in music is ok and i have a decent amount of music on my computer so this is just what i found out from the list i have in front of me. I just picked songs from bands to make a playlist that would fit on a cd. Here is the tracklist with my take on each band and why i think its considered "indie". I am no authority on the subject nor do i think this is going to define the whole genre.

1.American Analog Set - Cool kids Keep
These guys are the best. This song could easily be an indie kid theme song. If you are not familiar with this band go out and get all of their records. Quality!

2.Action Painting! - These things Happen
Don't know too much about this band except that they are from Brighton and this song was on a record that was on Sarah Records. Sarah records was a great indie label back in the day that put out 7"s which used to be a good indicator that your an indie band. not so much anymore. for more info on Sarah records go here.

3.Amy Millan - Baby I
Amy sings in a band called the Stars. I think there is a trend for women in bands to put out a solo record. Amy's is real country sounding and i like that cuz i am from Texas. Too bad for women in bands who go solo your stuck getting tagged indie unless you dress all hoochie and get rappers to guest on your records. That's not true but in my opinion the women of indie are more interesting and have better songs.

4.Asobi Seksu - Strawberries
Their website saids they are an indie rock band from New York so there you go. I like effects pedals and walls of sound. what is it with indie bands and the japanese lady singers?

5.Autoclave - Dr. Seuss
This DC band which featured Mary Timony and Christina Billotte didn't last long. Too bad. Women of indie punk bands will name drop this band for street cred.

6.Built to Spill - Girl
I have this 7in and remember how happy i was when i first placed the needle on the record and was wowed by this short little diddy. No one quite does it like Built to Spill.

7.Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah! - Gimmie me Some Salt
This band put out a record themselves and got really big in the music community. It was a good record and big labels wanted to buy it and make some money. This band said, "FUCK NO!" In the end this band never sold their record to any big label but got their good record distributed like it was on a big label. WHAT!!! This band is smart.

8.Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up to Dry
My cd player broke in my car and i have to listen to the radio for now. In LA there is a radio station call indie 103. They played this song. Why this song is on my computer is a mystery to me. I am sure these guys don't want to be indie.

9.The Hidden Cameras - Awoo
This band is Gay. Homo and Happy. The Gays are taking over indie music. Awooooooo!

10.Oxford Collapse - Please Visit Your National Parks
I really like this song....title. Oh my sweet baby jesus! Uh, yeah i think i am getting old. This is soooo 10 years ago. If this sound is new to you go to your local record store and look in the emo section. Pick up Boys Life, Braid and whatever else is there. I don't know what else to say.

11.Pavement - Here
Why bother.

12.Poni Hoax - Involutive Star
Oh, the French! Euros don't do indie. They make love to Indie. They wear their influences on their sleeves and still sound like themselves. The good euros do anyway and they are not afraid to dance!

13.Sambassadeur - Ice & Snow
Sweden is heaven for indie kids. Bands like this are a dime a dozen there. God Bless em!

14.Stars - What I'm trying to say
The girl i was talking about earlier,Amy Millan, sings in this band. Its very indie to have boy and girl vocals singing together about how they love you. Why is it that a band can have all this good production and songwriting and not crossover to the monday night football crowd? Oh yeah! this is kinda pussy music.

15.Talking Heads - Heaven
Man! this band gets name dropped as an influence alot. Where is our Talking Heads for our generation?

16.Tokyo Police Club - Citizens of Tomorrow
Its Oct 2006 and this is the now sound for indie. sorta
I really need to clean up my itunes.

17.Voxtrot - Sunlight Bathed The Golden Glow (Felt)
I started the mix with a Texas indie band i will end it with one. Any band that cover the Felt are ok in my book.

I don't know about you but i didn't learn a damn thing.


What is Indie? Mix

The Spires

Seriously!

I know nothing of this band but they are really making me sad right now and that is a good thing. Lets see,they are from Ventura and they are a duo. They are playing Part Time Punks on Sunday. Wow!




The Spires - I Know Less Than I Did At The Start

The Spires - My Favorite Cigarette

DJ Nature is in Dallas,TX right now fucking shit up!!! I am nowhere near Dallas at the moment but Central Booking are and they are hooking up the rest of the world with the JAMZ!!
You want to check this out!

The Party Mix Vol. 3 “Candy Rain”
Mixed more or less live by DJ Nature

1. Love Come Down – Evelyn Champagne King
2. Oh Sheila – Ready For The World
3. I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On – Alexander O’Neil and Cherrelle
4. Pleasure Principle – Janet Jackson
5. Crush On You – The Jets
6. Single Life - Cameo
7. Nasty Girl – Vanity 6
8. It Feels Good – Tony Toni Tone
9. I Like It - Dino
10. I Want Her – Keith Sweat
11. My Perogative – Bobby Brown
12. Poison – Bell Biv DeVoe
13. Buffalo Stance – Neneh Cherry
14. Genius of Love – Tom Tom Club
15. I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
16. Cruel Summer - Bananarama
17. Tell Me When To Go – E40
18. Hmm Hmm – Beenie Man
19. Like Your Ass On Fire (Ghislain Poirier Remix)
20. Mr. Me Too - Clipse
21. Hey Girl – Curtis Vodka
22. Dance My Pain Away – Rod Lee
23. Shoulder Bounce 06 – Curtis Vodka
24. Boots – DJ Nature feat. Gar-los

Complicated Dance Steps Vol. 1

I made a mix for you today my friends and visitors. I will warn you now if you have ADD please get help and don't bother with this mix. It will drive you mad. Volume 1 is the start of many mixes to come. They will all have different sounds and themes. I am on my way to find out if i will ever walk normal again and i don't think i am going to like what the doctor has to say sooo...
I'll let the music do the talking. Oh! the spider reminds me of home.





Complicated Dance Steps Mix
Volume 1





Tracklist

1. Manyfingers
2. Broadcast
3. Soft Circle
4. Ekkehard Ehlers
5. Taylor Deupreé
6. Helios
7. Tim Hecker
8. Religious Knives
9. sunnO))) & Boris

Link in Comments

Pink Mountaintops

The Pink Mountaintops are playing tonight at the Echo. I saw them at SXSW at a house party in some guys front yard. There were alot of yuppies there with their kids and strollers and i thought the band was just amazing. There was bad sound and the setting was far from a rock n roll show feel but Pink mountaintops were the perfect band to play the late afternoon bbq.