Kim Fowley "International Heroes" 1973

I REALISE it's getting to be an obsession, but what can I do? Even Viv Goldman, between bouts of trying to convince me to do myself a bit of good by writing features on some of the most catatonic bores of the new wave, acknowledges the fact that it's my mission in life (or one of them, at least) to make people aware of Kim Fowley and his contribution to our rock 'n' roll culture. So... alright you guys!
In between his 25 hours a day attempt at world domination through production / management / song writing, Kim Fowley sporadically tries for sold star status (which is, after all, his divine right as the one true rock god) via the release of any number of singles / albums under his own and other names (e.g.'Lance Romance'). For the purposes of this piece of literary subversion, however, I have to narrow it down to one. International Heroes is the one.
Deleted, of course, the album is available (or not) in two different sleeves, British and American. The UK version is shown here; the American cover was green and had. Fowley in makeup on the front: a nod to the then (1973) glitter / Bowie market. Rave review by Lester Bangs in CREEM. Sales: negligible. Which is a crime, considering the teen anthem lyrics of the title track. Made for YOU, Tom and Jane / Jackie and Sue. All about bein' stuck in the rain when you've missed the last bus home from that rock 'n' roll concert. And that's only one verse. A perfect encapsulation of teenage angst. - Sandy Robertson, Sounds, 30 July 1977Personnel:
Kerry Scott: Rhythm guitar, vibes, percussion / Glen Turner: Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, percussion / Charlie McCracken: Bass / Tony Mac: Drums, percussion / Justin Cheen & Ron Burns: Percussion / Tony Marsh: Piano / Jenny Duncan: Orchestration / Peter Moos: Banjo, autoharp, piano, mandolin, recorder, vibes, accordion, celeste, violin, organ / John Elstar: Harmonica
Madeline Bell, Kerry Scott, Glen Turner & Ron Charles: backing vocals
Arrangements by Kerry Scott, Glen Turner, Peter Moss, Jeffrey Cheen and Kim Fowley

trax:
01 International Heroes 02 E.S.P. Reader 03 King Of Love 04 Ugly Stories About Rock Stars And The War 05 I Hate You 06 Something New 07 Born Dancer 08 So Good Wish You Would 09 World Wide Love 10 Dancing All Night

THE OPTIC NERVE "Lotta Nerve" 1994

The Optic Nerve was formed in 1985 by leader Bobby Belfiore along with Elan and Orin Portnoy and Ira Elliott. Elan and Ira left to be full time Fuzztones, and Tony Matura was brought in for the lifetime of the band on guitar and vocals. Drums were handled by Frank Manlin, Greg Clark and Ken Anderson during the Optic Nerve’s duration and Tom Ward played bass. The band packed it in towards the end of 1988, but left behind a legacy of memorable live appearances and some incredible music.Entire recorded output by New York City's amazing Garage band from the 80's and still active today. All songs here are gorgeous originals, with a folk/rock sound that shimmers and sparkles. The songwriting is excellent across the board; with comparisons to Gene Clark, Emitt Rhodes and Michael Brown being easy to see. Certain songs jump out at the listener: “Like To Get To Know Her” with its breathtaking Byrds/Searchers-like harmonies, “Take Me” with the clever psychish opening, and “I See The Truth” with its hooks and guitar lines.trax:
1. Ain't That Man 2. Mayfair 3. Happy Ever After 4. Take Me 5. Leaving Yesterday Behind 6. Same Way Too 7. Kiss Her Goodbye 8. What's She Tryin' To Do 9. What's Been Missing 10. Like To Get To Know Her 11. She's A Drag 12. I See The Truth 13. The Girl With The Beautiful Eyes
...originally served by Gyro1966...

Burnin' Mike Vernon & 3 Balls of Fire "FIREPOWER" 2002

Collection of surf, jazz, and exotica. Get 'em while they're hot!My goodness! This is a stunning release! Burnin' Mike Vernon has brought his fine band 3 Balls Of Fire to a whole new era. Magnificent arrangements that are very well thought out highlight exceptionally good playing. The all instrumental material found within varies from jazz guitar to rich island themes, from epic adventures to grin bearing fun. All in all, a truly fine CD. Recommended. - Phil Dirt at Reverb Central

Burnin' Mike Vernon & 3 Balls of Fire:
Guitare, basse 6 cordes, sitar electrique, claviers : Burnin' Mike VERNON / Batterie, percussions, claviers, guitare : Freddie Steacy Krc / Basse : Vic GERARD, Michael ROBBERSON / Guitare : Homer HENDERSON

trax:
Ulan-Bator, 'Good Clone, Bad Clone', Sea of Tranquility, Bali Hi Skool, Beneath Mexican Stars, Blue Tango, The Ecstasy Of Gold, The Crying Game, Firepower, Rumble In The Congo, You Showed Me, Return To The Oort Cloud, Tenderly
...originally served by Teisco & Eek! The Cat...

GhoulTown "Live After Sundown" 2008

LIFE AFTER SUNDOWN, Ghoultown’s sixth CD release, showcases the band\'s unique sound and image like never before. Described as "an uncharted crossroads between Johnny Cash and Rob Zombie," Ghoultown delivers well-written songs which range from melancholy dirges of lost love - to blood-pumping outlaw punk - to well-crafted anthems featuring trumpets reminiscent of an Ennio Morricone western soundtrack. Solid production by Chris Telkes (producer and guitarist for Nocturne, Sonic Noise Terrorists), eye-catching artwork by Dan Brereton (who has also done cover art for Rob Zombie), and powerful songwriting make LIFE AFTER SUNDOWN a landmark release in the Ghoultown catalog. Each track stands on its own, bringing in elements of driving road rock ("Werewolves On Wheels"), western-themed psychobilly ("Dead Outlaw"), gunslinger ballads ("Against a Crooked Sky"), spaghetti western instrumentals ("Thunder Over El Paso"), and out-right "cow metal" ("Under the Phantom Moon") like only Ghoultown can do.

trax:
01 Cruel Winds Of Dusk 02 Dead Outlaw 03 Against A Crooked Sky 04 Werewolves On Wheels 05 I Spit On Your Grave 06 Thunder Over El Paso 07 Find A Good Horse 08 Drink With The Living Dead 09 London Dungeon 10 Train To Nowhere 11 Under The Phantom Moon 12 Life After Sundown
...served by Russ...

+ GhoulTown "Skeleton Cowboys" - EP 2008trax:
01 Skeleton Cowboys 02 London Dungeon 03 Hog Trail
...served by Russ...

I have a request for anyone out there...I've been looking for anything by the B-Girls (eg. Who Says Girls Can't Rock?) for ages now. Anyone help?
Many thanks in advance!
Russ

GhoulTown "Bury Them Deep" 2006

"...an all-out battle cry for lost souls and visionaries alike!" - Rue Morgue "BURY THEM DEEP", Ghoultown's fifth release, may prove to be their ultimate collection of songs. Having honed their unique twisted hellbilly style since their inception in 1999, the band has mastered the art of combining old west themes with blood-pumping cowpunk that features gritty vocals and mariachi trumpets. Yep, that's right, this band is one-of-a-kind! BURY THEM DEEP features "Walkin' Through the Desert (with a Crow)" which illustrates the band's mastery of upbeat western sounds along with a tuned-down, driving chorus. The rest of the CD hits equally as hard, displaying a unique songwriting vision and band image.

trax:
01 Requiem At Sundown 02 Tekilla 03 Blood On My Hands 04 Mexican Moonshine 05 Bury Them Deep 06 Revolucion 07 Texas Bound 08 Walkin' Through The Desert
...served by Russ...

GhoulTown "Live From Texas" 2004

Somewhere in the dark middle ground between Johnny Cash and Rob Zombie. A totally unique sound incorporating elements of rock, psychobilly and Spaghetti Western.GHOULTOWN is awesome! The loss of Ghoultown is undescribable, however their music and vision will live on. My band, The Gravetones, had the great pleasure of opening up for Ghoultown the last 2 times they played Chicago. Seeing them live was what made me a fan. I now have all their albums and a great live dvd to boot! For those of you who never got to see Ghoultown live, your loss - for those of you who "didnt make it out" - its your fault their gone. I at least live in Chicago, which is nowhere near where they normally play. They rocked Chicago twice and was about to do it a third time but cancelled. Ghoultown will be missed however the music lives and dvd is a great ending of a great vision. Rock on. - Joe Papa

trax:
01 To The Gallows (Intro) 02 Fistful Of Demons 03 Boots Of Hells 04 Wait Until Dark 05 Man With No Name 06 Pale Skin Diva 07 Dia De Los Muertos 08 Gunfight At Red Sands 09 Dirty Sanchez 10 Death Of Jonah Hex 11 Killer In Texas 12 Carry The Coffin 13 The Worm 14 Return Of The Living Dead 15 Legend Of Everett Sykes (Bonus Studio Track)
...served by Russ...

GhoulTown "Give Em More Rope" 2002

"The true tequila-guzzlin\' sounds of Texxxas!" exclaims Razorcake Magazine, which sums up the music and attitude behind the Texas-based band. Their unique heavy western sound has brought attention from both fans and press alike since their inception in 1999.Ghoultown really come into themselves with this album, finding their groove immediately with the awesome Fistful Of Demons (yes, it is similar to WASP's Fistful Of Diamonds in more ways than one, but so what?) and just going uphill from there. Dia de Los Muertos and Return Of The Living Dead are an amazing one-two punch, showcasing the band's ability to incorporate elements of traditional Mexican music and classic Misfits-styled horrorpunk into their very unique sound. I love this album all the way through. If you are into psychobilly bands like The Hangmen, classic hellbilly bands like Elvis Hitler, or modern insurgent country-punk like Hank Williams III & Assjack, you will dig Ghoultown. And I must say that Give 'Em More Rope is as good a place to start as any! Essential. - Timothy Schwader

trax:
01 Intro 02 Fistfil Of Demons 03 Dia De Los Muertos 04 Return Of The Living Dead 05 Wicked Man 06 Dirty Sanchez 07 Hang Me High 08 Smoke Break 09 Wait Until Dark 10 Man With No Name 11 Bloodshot 12 Draggin' Your Bones 13 Whipping Post 14 Bandito Sunrise 15 Carry The Coffin 16 To The Gallows
...served by Russ...

GhoulTown "Tales From The Dead West" 2001

Mixes furious rockabilly and cowpunk with dark lyrics and delivers it all with a Spanish flair. If you dig Cramps, Misfits, Gun Club, Ennio Morricone, etc. You'll love this CD!Ghoultown's first full-length album is a great blend of classic cowboy songs and classic horror. Every time I listen to this album I feel like I have been transported back in time to a 1950s double feature that has become reality, Twilight Zone style. The classic Killer In Texas is a standout, but I am just as fond of Ghost Riders In The Sky, Gunslinger, Death Of Jonah Hex, and La Noche Diablo. If you can imagine a bunch of zombies wreaking havoc in a classic cowboy movie, riding the rails dressed in black, your mind is ready to experience this album. Be afraid, but check it out anyway--you won't regret it! - Timothy Schwader

trax:
1. La Noche Diablo 2. Rotoriculous 3. Killer in Texas 4. Ghost Riders in the Sky 5. The Burning 6. The Worm 7. Midnight Train 8. Gunslinger 9. Death of Jonah Hex 10. Running From the Sun
...served by Russ...

GhoulTown "Boots of Hell" 2000

"Hiya RYP, Here's something that you might find interesting. It's the (pretty much) complete discography of PsychoBilly Spaghetti Western group GhoulTown. Hope you like them! I'm not a huge psychobilly fan but the mix of Spaghetti Western stuff in there really works for me. Cheers!" - Russ"An extreme take on rock music's twisted roots. Hellbilly from the black heart of Texxxas."

trax:
01 Boots Of Hell 02 After Two 03 Killer In Texas 04 Pale Skin Diva 05 Southern Witch
...served by Russ...

"AT THE PARTY" - R&B; Special VA

Another great rockin’ R&B; collection for those who love the Stompin’ and Savage Kick series. The party will go out of control with this wild collection!traxfromwax:
1. at the party - Big Sambo & The House Wreckers 2. don't monkey with somebody else's monkey - Carroll (Wild Red) Pegues 3. cute little girl - Jesse Johnson 4. baby, baby, baby - Joe Allen & His Alley Cats 5. back room - The El-Derocks 6. louisiana twist - "June Bug" Bailey 7. squeeze me pretty mama - Sam Samson & the Shufflers 8. rhythm feet - Carroll (Wild Red) Pegues 9. totaled - New Mason Dixons 10. my baby - Billy Cunningham 11. alley cats - The Alley Kats 12. rocking chair - The Alley Kats 13. Cop's Rock - Nicki Redman 14. count down - pt. 1 - Robert Hall
ripped from wax in glorious monoloudarama!
...originally served by Gyro1966...

"AT THE PARTY TOO: TOO MUCH GOIN’ ON!" - 16 Yelpin’ Scalpin’ Pow-Wowing Tunes VA

A companion LP to the amazing At The Party LP. There’s no let up in wild partying tunes here. It doesn’t get any better than this, folks!traxfromwax:
1. the zoo - Mickey Lee Lane 2. when johnny comes slidin' home - Hollywood Vines 3. too much goin' on - Joe McCoy & His Real McCoys 4. what's your name? - The Monorays 5. pedro joe - Red (Hot) Russell 6. strollin' on the beach - Hollywood Flames 7. shout mama linda - Fred Hughes 8. fender bender - The Original Starfires 9. geraldine - Ole Miss Down Beats 10. strollie bun - The Blonde Bomber 11. cruisin' - Hollywood Vines 12. fat mama twist - Buddy Sharpe & the Shakers 13. black sax - Danny Zella & His Zell Rocks 14. done done the slop - Ervin Rucker & The Blues Nighthawks 15. chicago bird - The Dial Tones 16. the whip - The Creeps
...originally served by Gyro1966...

"AT THE PARTY!" 16 Rompin’ Stompin’ Lease Breakin’ Tunes LP 1986 VA

After all these years, this is still one of the wildest 50’s/60’s R&B; comps that has ever been released. This is guaranteed to keep your party going out of control.traxfromwax:
1. camel walk - The Saxons 2. 24 boyfriends - Dee Clark 3. chicken rock - Scott Wood 4. sally mae - Casanova, Jr. 5. oh baby - Doc & Harvey 6. she's a fat girl - The Rock-a-Bouts 7. viddle biddly baby - The Schooners 8. stand by - Les Sabres 9. emulsified - Rex Garvin & The Mighty Cravers 10. loco - The Terrifics 11. hey miss fancy - The Premiers 12. double rock - Bobby & The Bengals 13. wolf call - Lord Dent And His Invaders 14. bip bop bip - Pretty Boy 15. at the party - Big Sambo & The House Wreckers 16. go - The Territones
...originally served by Gyro1966...

"TEENAGE RIOT!" 50.000.000 Delinquents CAN'T Be Wrong!!!

16 FULL-THROTTLED ROCKERS! Massive LP-only collection of killer fifties rockers, some of the wildest and scarcest records available! From Atomic Passion - it's a blast!Liner Notes:
YOUTH OF THE STREETS...
...savage beatings, knives and zip-guns and slum-style sex learned in pool rooms and cheap hotels...
YOUTH OF THE SLUMS...
...kids with ducktail hairdos and tight pants who live on marijuana and the big H and glory in viciousness...
...YOUTH ON THE RAMPAGE...
...kids hopped up on dopeand the lust for violence, thaught how to kill, rape, steal and destroy...
THE REAL PICTURE OF TODAY'S TEEN-AGERS GONE WRONG...
...vivid, brutal, honest and terrifying!traxfromwax:
1. PHIL JOHNS & THE LONELY ONES: Ballad of a Juvenile Delinquent 2. CHUCK HARROD & THE ANTEATERS: They Wanna Fight 3. PORTUGUESE JOE: Teenage Riot 4. GENE MALTAIS: Gangwar 5. CHUCK DANIELS & THE CLASSICS: Class Pak 6. ROBERT WILLIAMS & THE GROOVERS: Loud Mufflers 7. REGGIE PERKINS: High School Caesar 8. SAVOYS: Domino (not the Roy Orbison-song) 9. BETTY DICKSON: Shanty Tramp 10. RONNIE ALLEN: Juvenile Delinquent 11. BARRY WEAVER: Street Fight 12. BILLY LEDBETTER: Stealing Hupcaps 13. STEVE CARL & THE JAGS: Curfew 14. KIP TYLER & THE FLIPS: Rumble Rock 15. T.V. SLIM: Juvenile Delinquent 16. LITTLE JOHNNY & THE RUMBLERS: Riot In Cell Block No. 9
ripped from vinyl in glorious monoloudarama!

The Waistcoats "Stark Raving Mod" 2000

From the land that gave us great artists such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh come the Dutch masters of '60's beat — The Waistcoats.Influenced by the mod sounds of the Who, the Hollies, the Kinks, and the Easybeats, these Groningen groove-meisters are an instant party of shagadelic proportions. This collection gathers their finest recent recordings, available for the first time ever on CD. Swing to their original instrumentals like "Little MGB" and "Bongo Time," or check out their excellent covers of the Who's "Can't Explain," Jimmie Page's "She Just Satisfies," or Don Covay & Steve Cropper's "Sookie Sookie." It's a smash, baby! Don't get even, get mod—Stark Raving Mod!trax:
1. What's in It for Me? 2. Little MGB 3. She Just Satisfies 4. Bongo Time 5. Shimmy All Night Long 6. I Can't Explain 7. Pickles 8. You Know He Did 9. You're Wrong 10. Walk That Walk 11. Unsatisfied 12. Package 13. On My Way 14. Little Miss J.A.J. 15. Sookie Sookie
...originally served by Gyro1966...

Andre Williams "Silky" 1998

"Raw, raunchy and excellent! This is one of the greatest garage rock n' roll albums EVER! For fans of Andre's early work as well as fans of the Cramps, Blues Explosion, Gories, ect. Mr. Rhythm is King!"Williams made his nickname of "Mr. Rhythm" by talking his way through a series of fun, creepy, sleazy-sounding R&B records back in the '50s. The 1998 Silky is a lot more, uh, explicit (there's a big difference between "Bacon Fat" and "Let Me Put It In"), and Williams sometimes sounds unconvinced by the words he's drawling, though his torn-up purr slyly makes the point of "Only Black Man In South Dakota." The band behind him - a group of garage rock all-stars including members of the Gories (Mick Collins) and Demolition Doll-Rods - is terrific, backing him up with an echoey multi-guitar roar that's nothing like what he used in his R&B days, but suits his rasp nicely. --Douglas Wolk

trax:
1. Agile, Mobile & Hostile 2. I Wanna Be Your Favorite Pair Of Pajamas 3. Bonin' 4. Through It All 5. Looking Down At You-Looking Up At Me 6. Bring Me Back My Car Unstripped 7. Car With The Star 8. Pussy Stank 9. Only Black Man In South Dakota 10. Let Me Put It In 11. Country & Western Song 12. Everybody Knew

The Hypstrz "Hypstrization" 1980

"A high octane Rock n Roll LP that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. This truly is loud, fast, and out of control." - PhiloThe Hypstrz are four floor-stompin' Garage Rock purists who have been wreaking all kinds of frenzied sonic havoc in the basements, ballrooms, bowling alleys and beer halls of Minnesota since the 1970's. Theirs is the primal, animalistic sound of wild-eyed, amphetamine-rushed Rock n' Roll filtered through a heaving behemoth squall of amplified distortion and a festering blitzkrieg torrent of snot and sweat. Its unwashed and unkempt 1960s-style Punk with a swaggering sex-infused twist of Soul, several of the songs being frantically savage covers of Nuggets classics and some being raucously blistering renditions of Wilson Pickett and James Brown standards. What a gritty and impure noise The Hypstrz make! - Moser / Under The Volcano
A damn good disc, with blistering renditions of some well-known and some more obscure songs. If you find the 60s a little slow, strange, dated and just a little too far out, and you lean more for straight ahead garage rock 'n roll, than you will dig The Hypstrz. - 7/11 Brother BucketThe Hypstrz:
Ernest Batson: guitar / Bill Batson: vox / Randy Wiess; bass / John Haga: drums

trax:
1. Midnight Hour 2. All Or Nothing 3. I Go Crazy 4. I Don't 5. Talk Talk 6. Tried To Hide 7. Slow Death 8. Riot on Sunset Strip 9. Shake 10. (This Has Gotta Be a) Joke 11. Little Girl 12. Louie Go Home 13. Don't Look Back 14. Let's Talk About Girls 15. 96 Tears
...originally served by Philo...