Waiting for...something.

Here we are, back again. Can't same to get a handle on writing this stuff regularly. Been outta a brain scorching semester for about a month. Got 2 more classes to go and I'm out into the world, finding myself...or something like that. If I haven't found IT yet, I don't think I ever will.

Leaving for Bored Straight tour in 5 days. Going to the Southwest for the first time. All the shows are booked before we are on the road. That's a new one. The records are still awol, though. Waiting on a small batch Test Presses, since we knew the entire lot would be a longshot. Now it's a nail biter to see if the Tests will make it in time.

This will be the final BS tour. Nicolai's heading out elsewhere. Looks like Duluth, but I don't know the final verdict on it. There'll be shows through the rest of the summer and maybe the occasional soiree after that. Glad we're only gonna hafta move 300 7"s and not 300 LP's.

Here's some randomness:

1. Bored Games - Joe 90 (Who Killed Colonel Mustard 12" EP/Flying Nun/ 1982). One of the tops outta New Zealand. Not as recognized as The Clean or The Chills or some others, but that's fine. I'd rather not read every hip pub. spouting about how some new lamebrains are copping the Kiwi sounds of the Bored Games. Punker than a lot of their Kiwi contemporaries. Probably the best thing Shayne Carter ever did.

2. Die Kreuzen - Don't Say Please (Cows and Beer 7"/Version Sound/ 1982). After much deliberation, I can't find any reason why Cows and Beer wouldn't be the top of the heap of WI hardcore 7"s. Flawless. Top 5 all time hardcore record. I'd rather not say much cuz words can't approach it. Just listen, dummy.

3. Television Personalities - Magnificent Dreams (Mummy Your Not Watching Me/ Whaam!/1982). So many have tried to tap into that Dan Treacy style, and most fail. The guy really locked into a genius groove for a good chunk of years. Up to the mid-80's, the TVPs were pretty much gold. After that, I'm not all that jazzed by 'em. Those early recs though, solid punk pop.

4. Morrisey - Yes, I Am Blind (Bona Drag/Sire/1990). Sometimes I think that I like Moz more solo than with The Smiths. But overall it's the fact that I like certain chunks of songs by both, but whole albums don't usually pull me in. This one's a slower number, typical of his early solo stuff. Sounds quite a bit like The Smiths, but less distinct guitar than Johnny woulda plunked out. You get the typical lyrical odd lines to make you think deeper into the song. Blah blah. Woulda rather been listening to "Suedehead."

5. Days Of... - Dream Girl (info on this one's hard to find). Found out about these guys in an article that Brian Walsby wrote for Left Of The Dial magazine, close to 10 years ago. Took quite a few years of searching to find the mp3s. Still haven't seen the actual record. Off the top of my head, can't even tell ya the title. Very Rites Of Spring/ Revolution Summer derived. Not at the ROS level, but good nonetheless. Featured Scott from Double Negative, maybe Kevin too. Sounds like his vocals. Fuck, I need to get my hands on this record.

6. Smoking Popes - Brand New Hairstyle (Inoculator EP/ Radius Records/ 1991). I've always been into these guys. The first show that got me outside of my hometown area was to see 'em with Alligator Gun at the Concert Cafe in Green Bay. This song's on a different level from the rest of their stuff. It's got a rawness that isn't found elsewhere in their catalog. Catchy too. Someone place the vinyl in my hands. Thanks. If time allowed, I could regal ya with some dumb tales of seeing them at a Christmas show (Wolfie ruled, whereas Karate put me to sleep on my feet), but I'll keep it to myself and move on.

7. Nada Surf - Hollywood (High/Low/ Elektra Records /1996). I really liked "Popular" when it was all over MTV throughout my HS years. Glad to find out that the rest of the record is solid 90's alt-rock. Can't say I care about the later stuff at all, but this record's great.

8. Avon Ladies - Arcadia Mom (demo/no label/20--). The notorious Chris Erba returns to the mic. Definitely the most immediately likeable thing I've heard him do. Thought I heard the lineup was him fronting Pigeon Religion, but I'm not sure. Regardless, it's great shit. Bass thud pulling along, guitar feedback n' squawk, demented vocals without sounding contrived. Great band.

9. TSOL - Black Magic (Change Today?/Enigma Records/1984). Bought this record when I was 16 and hated it. I just wasn't ready for it. Here we are, some years later, and it's sounding great to me. Deathrock with some post punk, and a little twang. It's a damn shame the later TSOL stuff's got such a bad rep, cuz people are really missing out. Ahh, who'm I kidding. Most people have shit taste.

10. NukkeHammer - Savage Winter (demo/ no label/ 20--). I don't understand the appeal of this band. The sea of D-beat is a deep one to wade through. Maybe I gotta catch 'em live?