April 2002

Justy's Musical Cavalcade

All right you bastards, I took a little time off and I have decided that now must be the time for my return. I have seen the Nether regions of the music world and ladies and gentlemen, things are far worse than I ever could have imagined. But that's really all I want to say about P.Diddle at this time, although I may come back to the subject some other time in the future.

Anyhoo, I have been enveloped in the wonders of Audiogalaxy. I was turned on to this site after I found that it contained a copy of Blam Blam Blam's classic song "There is no Depression in New Zealand." One of the angriest/funniest songs I do believe I have ever heard, and just a fantastic post-punk single. I do suggest you give it a listen sometime, even if the meaning of the song escapes you.

Other revelations from the Audiogalaxy universe (is there such a thing as a "galaxy universe"? anyway…) are: I have an affinity for the French crap that Grandpa and Godzilla have been listening to for years. "Sacrebleu!" by Dimitri from Paris, "Moon Safari" by Air, and various recordings by Stereolab have been finding more frequent rotation in my CD players lately. I never really disliked Dimitri, but I do believe that "Sacrebleu!" blows away any of the Playboy Mansion series. Maybe I like it because it is less disco. Anyway, good record. "Moon Safari" is kinda trippy and all, but there are some solid poppy songs on the record that make it a good listen on a long drive. Very calming. And Stereolab…wow. The best indie-rock techno band probably in the whole wide world. And a bonus with them is that now I know where that outstanding end sequence from Pavement's "Canyon Row" comes from. I'd still prefer bands in my CD player with guitars and drums and bass and all, but I'm slightly opened to this stuff.

In non-French developments, I gotta admit that The Beta Band are way better on CD than they were live. I listen to lots of Beta Band these days, but I was still super disappointed with their set opening for Radiohead last August. Hopefully things will sound different if I ever get to see them in concert again.

Last item, and one of great importance to me. The "Dead Kennedys" have been touring of late, minus lyricist/vocalist Jello Biafra. He lost a lawsuit brought by the three other current members of the band over control of the DKs music catalog, because he was refusing to make a profit by selling their songs for corporate and commercial use. This incarnation of the DKs features Brandon Cruz, late of Dr. Know, and far earlier of the classic TV sitcom "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", in place of Biafra. IF YOU SEE THIS JOKE COMING TO YOUR TOWN, don't just say no, but call the club where they are booked and scream and complain and get your friends to stay away from the show. Hell, if you're motivated enough, hang out front and inform the people of the travesty they are witnessing. Jello Biafra has worked too hard for too long to a.) lose control of the music he created, and b.) have the name of his band be tarnished for the sake of reunion dollars. This tour gnaws at the very principles the DKs stood for, like not cashing in and not selling out. I'm pissed. At least when the Sex Pistols reunited, it was no big deal because they never stood for anything anyway. This may be the true rock and roll swindle.

Anyway, I'm back. I am going to be starting a band soon with some friends out east of here (here being Evil Robots, Inc. Upstate New York Office), and we will probably be named Hammer and Nails. Keep your eyes and ears tuned, more developments to come.

PS - I'm listening to Otis Redding right now. You should be too.