Grateful Dead

I agree-a brilliant album. I got this when it came out, and it seemed a really refreshing take on the blues. Most white blues bands I had heard up to that point seemed to rely on the virtuosity of lead guitarists-but The Gun Club adopted an irreverent punk attitude which emphasised speed and drama. The whole album is like a catalogue of short sharp shocks. Unfortunately, Miami was a massive let down, and I only heard one after that-The Las Vegas Story. By then they seemed like just another ordinary band. Maybe I got that wrong, and they returned to form later on. It was also through reading interviews with Jeffrey Lee Pierce that I came across the names of Son House and Charley Patton-who I still listen to. And lest it be forgot - Kid Congo/Congo Powers played with The Cramps on their Psychedelic Jungle album. Also a thumbs up for mentioning Julian Cope. But again it tends to be the earlier stuff he cut that I have heard-with The Teardrop Explodes. Their two albums are well worth hearing-Kilimanjaro and Wilder are both great - especially Kilimanjaro. Of the solo albums, the only one I remember hearing is one called "Fried"-which I liked at the time, but haven't heard since about 1989. There were a few good bands in Britain in the 1980s. Echo and the Bunnymen were alright - lead singer Ian McCulloch was in the same band with Julian Cope initially -"Ocean" may be their best album.But the absolute classic from that era, for me, is "Underwater Moonlight" by The Soft Boys. A tremendous Syd Barret inspired album. Leader Robyn Hitchcock went on to develop a solo career inspired by Barret-but the best thing he ever did that I have heard was "Underwater Moonlight". Yet another great album is "Chips off the Chocolate Fireball" by The Dukes of Stratosphere. Its a compilation featuring all of their brilliant EP and all their slightly less brilliant album. They were actually another band-XTC-who pretended to be a group called The Dukes..in order to make a psychedelic album. It works on every level.

Check your PMs Then your email "This message will self-destruct in *seven* days"

Having just read the posts on the other board about pressing charges, I wondered about the images which are shown down below on this board. Taken out of context, as the images are, they are a clear portrayal of child abuse. Which moves the whole debate into another, more serious area, in terms of breaking the law and the possible consequences of having done so.

(is it too soon to say) "Get Off My Lawn You Damned Hippies"

....good call. Stuff like that is why I revisit. Riptides be damned. 'tis but ripples.

....doh! Forgot about them. Seth knocked his knuckles on the side of my head and reminded me of them. So much music, so little time. And we ALL come here for the music. Psychotics besides....been on a female lead voice thing for a few days now. Fits like a glove. The fifty year olds of us appreciate the 80's. Chaffing the wheat. Big hair, coke, spandex and synth. I need Jim's mower.

...the joyful namechecking of so many Paisley Underground/80s Americana bands. Thin White Rope, Mazzy Star/Opal, etc. Even in this internet/FB age, I don't read much recognition of my personal favorite bands (except the team we all gather here in shared adulation of...). Amidst the ugliness that has dominated these parts this week, another great band was brought up. I have been interested in posting a link to a mindblowing version of "Preaching The Blues". I couldn't find the recording as a YT vid, so I didn't. The band performing is is The Gun Club and their album Miami was linked to here recently.I HEARTILY endorse The Gun Club! Miami is their second album and far from their finest hour. Their first album, Fire Of Love is stunning and their later works are powerful records by a maturing singer/guitarist/songwriter (Jeffrey Lee Pierce) living a maverick life that killed him young. Great starting points are the live albums Dans Kalinda Boom (featuring the band's second major line up with Kid Congo/Congo Powers on the other guitar) or Live in Europe (featuring the band's main 90s line-up and a great song selection). and Daverock/Dogon/Simonrob: Julian Cope, quite good, eh? Favorite: Peggy Suicide or Interpreter? Or a different album? I don't normally bother with minor pleasantries here, but the times seem to call for them, so: Welcome back Dave Duryea and Doc. May Jfr's sabbatical be shorter than either of yours!

....rock on.

....I would be on board 100% for that show. Plagent or not. Record it on Mayan stones. Just do it. Remember the days when we bantered about Jims time traveling John Deere? I do. I miss that lawn mower. I also recall sharing recipes. Because of food....because it was a beneficial topic.

Pretty sad state of affairs for a man when he has to begin his remarks with "this is not meant to be a personal attack".