The Hamburglars

big D — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:00:37 +0000

Robble rob Robble rob-rob Cheeseburgers Robble Hamburglars!

Robble rob-bob-bobble uhhhhhh cheese robble Robblicious robble robble robblation robblty rob rob.

Another Decade Down

big D — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:15:20 +0000

Well, we made it through the 00′s … Technology-wise, I think it was a frighteningly amazing decade for music.

As for many fields, the World Wide Web shook the music world inside-out, upside-down (boy ya turn me) and basically gave everyone an all-access pass. It made searching for rare records, bootlegs, new music & concert info incredibly easy. It made purchasing these things much easier as well.

The MP3 really came into its own in the early 00′s – compression & quality improved greatly and stand-alone mp3 players started storing more songs & they became more affordable.

Computer processing speeds improved, storage space grew and software for recording-editting-mixing developed rapidly. It took some time for pricing to become more reasonable … but by the mid 00′s musicians now had the option to forego “The Studio”. Heck, even non-musicians now have the ability to purchase a program to create drum patterns, write key lines, use guitar samples, etc etc.

Exposure for bands was never simpler. Not only can you see a picture of the band, but you can listen to a song, read about their background, see if they’re coming to your town & then … you can contact them with a few clicks.

Alllll-Accesss … yep. Nice & easy … yep. Want it now … get it now.

It’s taken the work out of being a music fan. It’s taken some of the mystery out of rock-n-roll. No more tape trading lists to get live recordings, no more record swaps, no need for trips to new or specialty record shops … it’s all out there at the end of some keystrokes & web searches. Sure, “collectors” will still make the trips – maybe not as often but ya gotta scratch that itch sometimes. But folks whose desire to hear something rare, new or different from one of their favorite artists is more important than sheer collectibility are now missing out on what I call the “Holy Crap” moment.

There’s something to flipping through a used record bin & coming across that Misfits Beware EP or Blue Cheer’s debut album … that “Holy Crap” moment where you feel like Ponce De Leon. CD re-releases in the 90′s made it a lil’ easier to find rare songs but weren’t always cheap & often times were limited releases themselves. Now, finding mp3 versions of once hard to find songs/albums has all the excitement of finding a quarter in your couch. The “Holy Crap” moment has been replaced by the “Phew – I don’t have to look around for this anymore” moment.

To the purist, mp3′s will never measure up in the audio department. Since I’m not gonna be dropping a few grand on a receiver & a pair of speakers that would reveal all the imperfections that audiophiles bitch about, I can live with decently encoded (192 min.) mp3s. But, mp3s really take the sex appeal out of music. There’s nothing to touch, little to read, and really nothing to look at … well, unless you’re a code junkie. How lame is it to see a DJ working a laptop! There’s no excitement – no physicality.

“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should”, applies to many things (including this blog – but TFB I warned you I’m a ranter) … and sadly, there are several bands/players out there that need to review the “doesn’t mean you should” part of this old saying. So you got your free version of drumbox and audacity or reaper along with a mic – awesome! Or maybe you just got a Mac & garageband is going to unleash the musician inside. Yeahhhhhh … you can get all the music creation software in the world but no amount of effects or processing will cover up a lame idea. There’s gotta be a zillion Blink 182 knock-offs out there … why do you wanna be number one zillion & one?

Well, enough of my curmudgeony windbagging … overall, the technological advances of the last decade are a great thing. Personally it’s opened a buncha doors, educated me and saved me some money over the years. I just fear a greater disconnect with the physical side of music appreciation. Not to get all “Orwellian” … but imagine logging in to watch a concert rather than buying a ticket & going to a club. Sure, the band wouldn’t have travel expenses … the promoter wouldn’t get as big a cut … you’d save cash not having to travel or buy bar-priced drinks … you could smoke or not depending on your preference … you could be naked … win win win win win … really? There’s something to the experience of a live show that will never be replicated, broadcast nor downloaded.

Sentimentally I feel the same way about vinyl. But my back is shot & lugging all these things around is gettin’ exhausting. Rackin’ Frackin’ kids … get off my lawn … oh boy …

this rant is done.

(for now)

Boom-lakka-lakka-lakka

big D — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:09:11 +0000

Boom-lakka-lakka-lakka … Damn! Sly & The Family Stone was an amazing group! WTTW was broadcasting musical performance portions of the Ed Sullivan Show last night during it’s pledge drive. They showed The Beatles, Stones, Supremes, Animals & several others. Lots of cool stuff. The sheer volume of the screaming girls during “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” by Herman’s Hermitts was hysterical … you could barely hear the band!

But the footage of Sly & the Family Stone was the best of the night (that I saw – I didn’t stay up to watch all the clips interspersed between the calls for donations). This morning I pulled out a recording of The Family at the Texas Pop Festival in 1969. So much positive energy! So much Groove! So much Rock! So much improv! So much Soul! Damnnnn I bet seeing Sly & The Family back in ’67-’70 was one of the most uplifting things you could do. Hey Music Lover! Dance to The Music! I Wanna Take You Higher! And my fave Sing a Simple Song!

Sorry … I’m still on a “Sly-High”.

Anyhow! Besides gushing over a band that has been a favorite of mine since 5th grade when I came across the double LP “Anthology” in my parents’ stack of records inside the hi-fi cabinet in the living room (yikes … run-on anyone?) I’d like to point out a few things I find remarkable about Sly & the Family. Sure ’67 was the Summer of Love and all that … but to form such a large band of men & women of different ethnicities was groundbreaking. To incorporate gospel, rock, blues, soul, country, etc. into such a vibrant sound that you could dance to and still get social & political ideas across was genius. The Family was also an integral part in taking Funk to the next level. I don’t want to start a “who’s the original” pissing match – but I really think Sly & The Family really opened up the world of funk. They made it more than raucous R&B “on the one” … they got down & dirty and rocked it and expanded the possibilities. Maybe it’s best summed up as they are the bridge from James Brown to P-Funk. Maybe that’s too simple … I dunno, but I really think that if “The Family” didn’t happen – alot of cool music wouldn’t have happened after them

How WNUR saved my life

big D — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:30:02 +0000

I’d like to take a moment to thank WNUR (Northwestern University Radio) … Well actually … ALL this area’s college radio stations – WZRD, WRRG, WDCB, WHPK, WLUW (I apologize to the stations I’ve forgotten) for enticing my ears & opening my mind. Without you I’d be happy to guzzle whatever garbage commercial radio has been serving up for the last 26 years of my life.

I’m gonna keep this short … (well, short for my ranting big mouth)

I recently attended a “festival” that featured several bands throughout the day. It was a mix of cover bands & bands playing originals. Some were great, some were background music and then there was the final act. I stood there watching & listening … giving them a “fair listen” … and then it hit me. THANK JEBUS I FOUND WNUR!!! If I hadn’t stumbled across 89.3 when I was 14 years old, I might have ended up in a band like the one that I was suffering through. Imagine a blend of all the worst parts about Metallica (including prima donna attitudes), Stone Temple Pilots, and a poorly executed dash of Skynyrd. I gave it 15-20 minutes before I opted for Karaoke at a nearby bar.

Yes … I said Karaoke! Those people singing their “out-of-key” hearts out were more interesting & genuine than the overgrown adolescent boredom-machine that I had just escaped. This band (which shall remain nameless) weren’t quite as old as me, but they were well out of their teens – I guess physically just not emotionally nor mentally.

Big D’s tip for the day … aww hell the week – month – forever! … take some time & listen to College Radio, your soul will thank you.

Also – donate during you favorite station’s pledge drive if you can … they need it. NOTE – I’m not affiliated with any media source, so this isn’t an “ad” for any particular radio station.

The Amino Acids Invade Quenchers

big D — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:30:22 +0000

August in Chicago generally means oppressive heat that swells with “pea soup-like” humidity. But something strange has been going on. The last week has been freakishly cold for August. Some may start thumping their recycling bins to say, “I told ya so” but that’s far too simple an explanation. I believe it all started last week when The Amino Acids came to town.

The Amino Acids, like visitors from another planet, command your attention even though fear of the unknown may surge through your body. You can’t turn away & you begin questioning your musical familiarity … Does thrash exist is surf? What would happen if you merged Dick Dale & Tony Iommi? Can you really trust a man (or alien) with a Theremin?

The Amino Acids play the darkest most aggressive breed of surf I’ve ever heard. It’s heavy, fast, melodic, fun, at times comical and some may even say bizarre. Clad in black, behind stark white smiling masks the Amino Acids put on one of the best shows I’ve seen this year. If they aren’t coming to your town any time soon, check out their latest release “Humanity Will Fall Like Pins”. It’s a down-n-dirty thrill ride that will give you a small taste of what an evening w/ The Amino Acids is like. And if they do come to your town, strange things may occur but fear not … do not alert the authorities … just remember “Klaatu Barada Necktie” and all will be well.

hee hee hee hee heeeee … www.theaminoacids.com

Metro Memories #1

big D — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:40:37 +0000

There once was a magical place called The Cabaret Metro. It was dark, smokey, loud, and filled with rock-n-roll degenerates … well, at least the nights that I was there, and I got to see some kick-ass shows there.

Some kind person on youtube has posted majority of one of those shows.
Nirvana from 1989:

THIS LINK will take you to the Youtube Playlist Page so you can watch all 9 songs.

This footage makes me smile

Roach (1966-2009)

big D — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:14:47 +0000

Damn … Chicago lost a character this week. Troy “Roach” Coates, frontman from The Plague – Lungbrush – Stunt Double Jesus – Rising Up Angry – Ghost of the Underground, passed away due to complications from a rare form of Adrenal Cancer.

I saw The Plague a few times & Lungbrush once, after that I lost track of Roach’s other bands. I was more of a fan of The Plague myself. They along with bands like Life Sentence & Zeotrope were important in the mid-late 80′s in Chicago because they were a bridge between the punks & the metal heads at the time.

Generally, you could be sure to see a fight if a pack of headbangers walked into a punk show & vice-versa. But with the growing Hardcore Scene, there was an acceptance at shows. I’m not saying people held hands screaming Kumbaya or anything, but the fights were over things other than the uniform you wore.

Anyhow – whether it was Cabaret Metro, The Cubby Bear, The Iron Rail or some dive bar Roach always put on a lively engaging performance. If memory serves correct, I think I saw Lungbrush at Circuits on Cicero when they were starting up – Good stuff, just more metal than I was hoping for. The Plague was fast, strong & in your face … and that’s what I dug about ‘em.

The scene is gonna miss you Roach! If you’d like more in-depth info … check out www.rockforroach.com

Life Sentence 1987

big D — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:28:44 +0000

Pulled out an oldie but a goodie today. The self-titled Debut LP (1987) from Life Sentence! Chi-town hardcore that at times reminds me of a blend of 7 Seconds & D.R.I. with a touch of Suicidal Tendencies on the guitar solos. And when I say solos, I mean brief blasts of seering fuzzed out guitar riffs … no wankery here! This is my favorite of their few releases. This record sounds like it was recorded at a VFW Hall while a herd of drunken teens were running around losing their minds.

There’s nothing subtle about this album, everything sounds hot & urgent. Even the skank-a-rific slower parts of “Race to Die” gets the adrenaline flowin’. “In the Streets” throws a few quick stop-starts at you & then the drums pummel you as if you were falling down a three story flight of stairs. “Punks for Profit” is another standout track, not just for the lyrical sentiment but the music starts out with a fists in the air stand-up & shout vibe and then whirls into a thrashing frenzy and back to the fists in the air and so on … it a brilliant 53 seconds which you should hear.

There are some other good tracks & then a few that are ok … but “In the Streets” “Punks for Profit” and “Race to Die” are three tracks that no midwest punk +/or hardcore comp should go without. Check ‘em out on MySpace … looks like there’s a reformation of the band hittin’ the clubs.

Life Sentence played on Radio

Ron Asheton 1948-2009

big D — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:18:10 +0000

2009 gets off to a crappy start with the discovery of Ron Asheton, dead in his home on Jan. 6th. If you’ve come across this entry from a google search, then you’re already aware of Ron’s importance in the world of rock-n-roll. If you’ve stumbled across this post & are not familiar with Ron Asheton – I’ll keep it brief.

Ron Asheton had a style & tone that challenged the established guitar world in the late 60′s. He created a sound that would bore through you and electrify your senses. It was down dirty & huge … and it probably frightened a fair amount of the general public.

Iggy gets most of the attention when The Stooges are referred to, but without Ron’s monstrous guitar & his brother Scott’s thundering drums, as well as Dave Alexander’s driving bass … The Stooges would have been just another garage band.

Although too young to see them in the late 60′s/70′s, I’ve seen 2 of the shows with Mike Watt on bass … and I’m saddened that I won’t be seeing any more.

Between the Stooges demise & the re-union, Ron was in Destroy All Monsters & Dark Carnival (both w/ Niagara), The New Order (no not the Blue Monday one), New Race (w/ Radio Birdman & MC5 members) and The Empty Set. And in the mid-90′s he was in a wonderfully “B” horror movie called Mosquito (w/ Gunnar “Leatherface” Hansen from The Texasa Chainsaw Massacre).

Here’s one of my favorite Stooges clips, from the television broadcast of The Cincinnati Pop Festival in 1970.

Jesus H. Tap-Dancin’ Christ … I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!

big D — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:25:29 +0000

Brothers & Sisters … although the path may be dark at times … although you may feel an emptiness in your soul … although you may think you’ve been forgotten … Brothers & Sisters, Fear No Longer! There is a light that will clear your vision, warm your being and embrace you with All that Rock-n-Roll should be!

This light … this energizing light … this almost Blinding Furious Ball of Light is known as The Jim Jones Revue !
Prepare to redeem your rock-n-roll soul!

The Jim Jones Revue recently released their debut self-titled album, and it’s just what I needed! It’s 30 sizzling minutes of rock-n-roll that’ll make ya wanna do flips like Jake in Church. This album was recorded really “hot” but natural … if you have some beat up Lil Richard 45′s layin’ around – you’ll find that The Revue’s debut fits in quite nicely with them.

Speaking of Lil’ Richard, there’s a cover of “Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey!” on the album and I think Jim Jones was possessed by the spirit of young Lil’ Richard during the recording … Holy Crap it SMOKES!!!

Jim Jones has been a part of some amazing bands (Thee Hypnotics & Black Moses) and The Revue is yet another one. It’s different stylistically but energy-wise it’s much like Thee Hypnotics “Liv’r Than God”.

This is an album full of riffs you’ve probably heard before, with traditional Rock-n-Roll themes, and it’s LOUD … it’s down-n-dirty blues-boogie ass-shakin’ hard-partyin’ rock-n-roll that has one thing in mind … A Damn Good Time! These are well written songs played masterfully by a pack of maniacs! I really hope they make it to America … specifically Chicago.