Ask Alex in NYC

So, let's proceed.

Dear Forksclovetofu,....

Well, what can I tell you? I'm not some profanity-laden jukebox that just churns out pithily obnoxious couplets to decry soulless, edgeless, meaningless music. You've got to be INSPIRED, man! Let your disgust with said product guide you like the Force. I know you can do it.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Oh well.

Andrew

What is your feeling regarding the proliferation of Vitamin Records' "string tribute to" series? (I get several of these sent to me every month.) Have you heard any? Are there any you'd want to hear?

best, Matos-Webster Dictionary

Sincerely,

Queen backing Obi Wan Kenobi? That's a fantastic story, but I can't imagine it. Perhaps he leant some speaking parts to Brian May's botched sci-fi album, Star Fleet or something. I can't say I can verify it, and Google tells me nothing.

Lemme know if you find out.

Cheers,
Alex

String Tributes are a bad idea. I know, I know...But Alex! What about all those Jaz Coleman symphonic tribute albums to the Doors, the `Stones, Led Zep, etc.? Y'know what? THEY SUCK! Just because Jaz Coleman sometimes fronts the greatest band of all time (that being Killing Joke), that doesn't mean that everything he does is brilliant.

I quite liked Apocalyptica (four cellists playing Metallica covers)....for about five minutes. It's a dumb gimmick....and people need to get over it already.

To the String'ers at Vitamin: Stick to the Bach, not the Rock.

Alex in NYC

It's not that the Strokes are (were?) bad, it's just that they weren't that exceptional. I actually quite like Is This it?, but I can't say I found it to be especially ground-breaking. You have to look at it in context, I guess. While they weren't doing anything that original, they happened to plop along right during a lull in the NYC rock scene, and all of a sudden, people started calling them flag-wavers of a new movement. Yawn. Whatever. Some good singles. Boring, boring, boring live. And once they start haning out with Drew Barrymore, Amanda deCadenet and Courtney Love, who really gives a fuck anymore. Second album dead on arrival.

They're our Oasis, at the end of the day.

Alex in NYC

precisely WHY do you dislike biggie, nas, jay-z, and other hip-hop artists like the foregoing?

also, would you have voted against having that gonzalez dude being the next US attorney general?

sincerely,

Could Hell sound any worse?

Do you ever fight with Alex in SF over who is "more Alex," and if so, what is the outcome?

Sincerely,
Mickey

How many Killing Joke concerts have you and your wife seen together? Assuming the answer is one or more, was she as into the show(s) as much as you were? (would that even be possible?)

BB

Well, for a start, I own and actually like a lot of stuff by Nas and Jay-Z (though I used to hate the latter, "99 Problems" and "Big Pimpin'" I could not resist). In terms of the Notorious B.I.G, I just didn't hear anything all that great about his raps. Some of the production was nice, i'll give'im that. I also shudder at the deification that he enjoys (just like Kurt, Sid, etc. etc.) Also, I hate acronymns that don't stand for anything. I'd sooner listen to him than to Tupac, though. Fuck that guy.

Hip Hop wise, I just miss the days when the envelope was pushed a little more. I liked a lot of the Native Tongue stuff (Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, etc.), as they seemed to be taking the genre/medium/artform/whathaveyou in entirely new directions. While the early N.W.A stuff was entertaining, I found the whole Gangsta thing sort've tired after a very short while (though Ice Cube had some great fuckin' tracks, notably "Wicked" and "When Will They Shoot?") Contemporary Hip Hop is just a wasteland to these ears. No one -- from my vantage point -- seems to be doing anything new or original. It's all lowest common denominator crap. But, I don't seek out the underground stuff, so maybe I'm completely wrong.

Peace out, yo!

Alex in NYC

I think I've crossed swords with Alex in SF before, not about who is "more Alex". I'm not entirely sure what that would mean. While I like my first name, I'd never suggest that I singuarly personify all that the name implies (literally a "helper of man"). Maybe he is more Alex than me. Don't know. May never know.

I also have an exceptionally dull last name. Names are for tombstones, baby.

In Nomine Satanus,
Alex in NYC

I am saddened to say that the wife and I have never attended a Killing Joke show together. I've been lucky enough to see them four times (and will be seeing them again at the end of this month), but never with the Mrs.. If truth be told, my wife isn't the tallest of women, so she's not a big fan of crowds. Moreover, she's much more of a hang back at the bar with a drink and a ciggy sort've lady, not a warrior of the trenches. There are precious few bands she's ever expressed interest in actually going to see in concert. She'd go for the `Bunnymen, The The and Duran Duran, but couldn't be arsed to go see the `Joke, alas.

She does like them, though. Among her enviable collection of 7" singles were some true prizes, "Love Like Blood" included.

`Til the Fearless Come and the Act is Done,
Alex in NYC

Have your colleagues ever commented on your sublime crazy-ass rantings on here?

Keep up the good work

Masked Gazza

Yeah, i'd have voted against Gonzalez. Fuck'im.

Alex in NYC

My direct colleagues here at the office are by now more than used to rantings from me, be they online or in person, so they tend to (wisely) tune most of it out. That said, said crazy-ass rantings may have helped me land a quasi-interview with the senior music editor of a weekly magazine not too long ago, so it's not all for nought, as they say. Ya really never know who is readin' this stuff.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

It's 2020, and 16-year old Charlotte in NYC wants to go on a little road trip with her friends. Nu-metal is experiencing a revival, and her friends are renting a van and want to follow the reformed Limp Bizkit on the NYC-Boston-Philly leg of their tour. Would you be OK with her going on the trip? If not, what would be your justification for not allowing her to go?

BB

please clarify "lowest common denominator,"

thnx

-david

Well, it would really depend on how well I knew her friends and what else was going on in her life at the time. In terms of thinking Nu-Metal's crap....I may think that, but if she were to enjoy it, who would I be to rain on her parade? We'll see.

Alex in NYC

By lowest common denominator, I'm referring to the reliance on topics, lingo and memes centered exclusively around tireless boasting about the acquisition of wealth and sexual prowess.
It's base and boring and depressing.

Alex in NYC

Have you ever bumped into a photog named Karen at work? I was wondering if she's still into Simon & Garfunkel.

Well, the photographers don't really hang around in my area, and in the new office layout, the photography department is on an entirely different floor. Can't say that the name Karen rings any bells either.

For my money, the best Simon & Garfunkel album was Bookends.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Can I borrow your nailgun?

Sincerely,

The ilm search engine reveals you citing the band The Fixx numerous times as a guilty pleasure.

How many Fixx records will you confess to owning?

I've always wondered what your favorite band is...j/k.

Actually, what do you believe is the "next big thing" in rock? Or polka for that matter.

What exactly is rockism???

Your lack of love for contemporary R'n'B is well-documented. Do you enjoy any older soul / funk / R'n'B, and do you have a cut-off year, as it were? Also, what specifically irks you about Usher and his ilk?

You can have my Nail Gun when you pry it....FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!

Fondly,
Alex in NYC

Fixx-wise, I have....

Shuttered Room
Reach the Beach
Phantoms (which is my favorite)
..and not one, but two "best of" compilations.....`cos, y'know, one just wouldn't suffice.

Saved by Zero,
Alex in NYC

Do you have any pets?

Sincerely,

Bimble

You're asking the wrong person who the "next big thing" in rock is. My lease on the cutting edge ran out, and I had to move off of it some time ago. Thus, I am no longer privvy to information that was easily gathered from that vantage point.

But I'm okay with that. Really I am.

Cheers,
Alex iin NYC

Rockism is a woefully overused term. That's really all you need to know.

Don't worry about it.

Alex in nYc

What's the best song about Jesus?

Hugs and kisses,
Dom

Do you like "classical" music? If so, who are your favourite composers?

I don't have a "cut off year," so to speak, but I love me lots of the old stuff, notably Gil Scott-Heron, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Isaac Hayes, Parliament, Brass Construction, Isley Brothers, War, Sly & the Family Stone and even little portions of Luther Vandross. I'm not a big Motown fan, though (just too overplayed/overhyped...I blame The Big Chill).

In terms of Usher and his vile ilk, I think my primary problem is the utterly needless melismatic vocal style. Okay...so you can leap-frog quickly from octave to octave -- WE GET IT!. Ugh! Hate that fuckin' stuff. No restraint at all. Also, Usher doesn't seem to have anything much to say. I mean, I've got nothing against silly love songs, so to speak, but can't you bring something else to the table? It's just not my thing. He seems like a perfectly nice gent, though.

Hope that clears it up,
Alex in NYC

Nope, no pets. I have a wife and a child and a couple of plants, though.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

MIA may be shit. The only MIA I remember was a hardcore band in the 80's, and I presume you're not talking about them. I don't remember them as being especially noteworthy, but I wouldn't have called them shit.

Here they are now...

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre600/e676/e67685nbljf.jpg

Alex in NYC

The best song about Jesus, as far as I'm concerned, is probably "Jesus Entering from the Rear" by the Feederz, which is as rude and disrespectful as it sounds.

God bless,
Alex in NYC

In a 1999 interview, Debbie Harry said that the only female fronted band she was interested in nowadays was Hole. What similarities do you see between "Celebrity Skin" and "Parallel Lines"?

I do like a lot of classical music, but I couldn't say I'm especially well versed in it. My step-father was quite big into it when I was a child, so I heard lots of it growing up, but didn't appreciate it at the time. I like the more "heavy metal" sounding stuff the most, probably (i.e. Wagner, Prokofiev, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, and of course, Bach & Beethoven). My favorite bits of classical music are probably Bach's "Tocata & Fugue" (sp?) as played on a big motherfuckin' pipe organ and Orff's "Carmina Burana," which is sort've like the over-the-top classical equivalent of Killing Joke (to me, anyway). Prokofiev's "Romeo & Juliet" is suitably dour and gothic and histrionic to my liking as well.

Vivaldi's "four seasons" is mighty nice too. My wife is a big Beethoven fan, so that gets a lot of airplay.

So, anyway, yeah, I like a lot of it, but am still finding my way with it.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Debbie likes Hole, eh? Well, there's no accounting for taste. I've never owned Celebrity Skin (which is no accident), so I'm afraid I can't draw and...er...parallels between it and Parallel Lines. I have owned both Pretty on the Inside and Live through This (though have since sold both), and can't hear or see any similarities between the two bands....apart from the fact that both singers were bottle-blondes.

Sorry, Dom, but Hole stink.

Alex in NYC

If it becomes apparent that Jose Mourinho did in fact make an illegal approach for Ashley Cole, should Chelsea be deducted four points, and what impact do you think this will have on the Premiership?

Can't help ya on that one.

Alex in NYC

Oh Christ, do they ever.

upthread, you said that you like prokofiev. have you ever heard his alexander nevsky cantata? if so, what do you think? if not, i think that you should -- i think that you would like it!

sincerely,

Eisbär

I've heard it in as much as I've seen the film, Alexander Nevsky, which rocks thoroughly, yes indeed.

Alex in NYC

Sincerely,
Ken L

I've enjoyed reading your posts about NYC's long-defunct record stores and music venues. What were your favorite old haunts that weren't music-related?

Regards,
Jody

I Herd you HAVE an energi Dome# on head of yoR Pee-Pee

TrU?

DannY, aged 12

Who's your Superbowl pick?

GO PATS,

MiR

I grew up in Manhattan and went to a high school called Loyola.

Why do you care?

Alex in NYC

I've attempted to do this, but many of my friends don't share my tastes

In any case,...

1. "After Hours" by Scorcese
2. "Blow-Up" by Antonioni
3. "A Clockwork Orange" (such a cliche by this point, but so be it)
4. "The Wind & the Lion" (Sean Connery at his veritable zenith)
5. "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three"

...and there are scads of others.

Alex in NYC

OId non-music related haunts? Hmmmm.....welll, everything is kinda music related to me. It really depends on the time period yer talking about. Circa high school, some friends and I used to pathetically hang out in a small area of Central Park re-dubbed "Club 79" (so-called given its proximity to E. 79th Street.. and stand around drinking contraban beer and listening to 2112 by Rush). `Twas in this same area a few years later that an old schoolmate of mine, Robert Chambers, would strangle Jennifer Levin. In terms of shitty bars, though I grew up lamentably on the Upper East Side, I was never a great fan of the Dorian's scene (another Chambers allusion). I liked The Gaf on 85th Street (long gone, but shoebox sized) and Ryan's Daughter when it had a vinyl jukebox (not a CD one), with new wave nuggets courtesy of the Irish barmaid. I could cite a host of long vanished comic shops (once a geek, always a geek). You've already heard me rant about record stores, so I'll leave those out. I was friends with an ardent BMX fan, so spent a great deal of time biking around NYC. There were plenty of seemingly random spots we used to hang out (notably a plaza on E.45th street...for no readily apparent reason). Downtown, it was all the record shops up and down 8th street (all of them are gone, now) and St.Mark's, as cliched as that is.

Hope that answers your question.

Alex in NYC

I do have an energy dome, but it's on top of a bookcase.

Kill yourself,

Alex in NYC

Professional American Football is a cultural cancer far worse than any Hip Hop lyric or heavy metal album cover.

It makes me ashamed to be a bi-ped.

Alex in NYC

blech! my fratty ex-coworkers used to go there all the time.

Ryan's Daughter when it had a vinyl jukebox
I myself used to go frequently to Drake's Drum when I was just out of college and living on the Upper East Side. For real fun in those days, however, I'd go across town to some of the Columbia area bars like the Night Cafe which was on Amsterdam north of 106th St, IIRC. A few years later I could be found at Downtown Beirut or the Radio Bar aka the Tile Bar.

Remember the Lizmar Lounge? King Tut's Wah-Wah Hut (now Jesse Malin's Niagara)? Dk's (across from the Marquee)?

Of course I remember the Lizmar Lounge- I played a gig there once. Of course I remember the Wah-Wah Hut, a strange woman once placed a paper bag in front of my friend there and then made a pointing gesture at it- it turned out to contain a 40- her way of flirting I guess.

Second Avenue around 4th or 5th? Or maybe 1st? That general vicinity. (I lived upstairs from Stromboli Pizza 1985-89.)
Used to spend some time in King Tut's Wah-Wah Hut too. And wasn't the notorious hardcore punk venue 7A on that same corner?

Yeah, 7A was right on the other side of the pizza place.

Long gone,
Alex in NYC

Stence,....

Sorry to be such a cliche, but with a baby in the house, I just don't get out nearly as much as I used. Moreover, Siberia being smack in the middle of Hell's Kitchen, when I do get out, it usually isn't to there but rather more convenient locales. Sad, realy.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

That was a very fulfilling answer, thank you!

Here was the most startling, blinding ray of truth, though:

Professional American Football is a cultural cancer far worse than any Hip Hop lyric or heavy metal album cover.

If you were forced to choose a favorite garage rock song (any era), what would you pick?

Thanks.

The Fall - I Am Kurious Oranj
Led Zep - Houses of the Holy
Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Believe the Hype
Kraftwerk - Computer World
Wire - Pink Flag
Echo & the Bunnymen - well, I'd say the blue e.p. that featured the live version of "Do It Clean", but failing that I'd say Ocean Rain
Duran Duran - Rio

Cheerz.
Alex in NYC

No contest: "Dirty Water" by the Standells

Alex in NYC

I have always enjoyed your posts even if I don't always agree with everything you say. I was curious however, about the intense level of disdain you seem to hold for Pavement. What's up? Does Steve Malkmus owe you money or something?

sincerely,

J-rock

1) Paul Di'Anno or Bruce Dickinson?

2) Why is Iron Maiden the favored metal band among jazz/funk musicians?

Sincerely,

Jordan

Do you enjoy any of the more extreme forms of metal, i.e., death metal, grindcore, black metal etc and if so which? If not, why not?

Sincerely,
Piers

My "intense level of disdain" for Pavement is probably rooted in my experience with a former co-worker who would not stop singing their praises. Based on his recomendations (this is back in the early 90s), I picked up Slanted & Enchanted and just simply didn't hear what was so great about'em. That the character in question went onto secretly sleep with a woman who dumped me should play no role in this equation, but suffice to say, when he heard that I didn't think Pavement were so hot, it was as if I'd told him his kids all looked like mutant octopi. Whatever.

I'll say this, though, the Wedding Present's cover of Pavement's "Box Elder" is a fine thing.

Hope that clears it up,
Alex in NYC

I think Dickinson led the band to places they'd have never gotten to with Di'anno, but when Di'anno went, so did much of their....er...gruff thugishness. By comparison, Bruce was a much more conventional -- certainly more conventially metal -- frontman. I love them both, but when Paul was in the band (despite what Steve H. says today), there did seem like there was truth to the claim that they were the bridge between metal and British Punk (see Motorhead).

I know only one Jazz/funk musician....the excellently named Brent Butterworth....and he plays a dizzying Chapman stick....but he's no `Maiden fan. Metal wise, his favorite was Hellhammer (pre-Celtic Frost Tom Warrior's band). Beyond that, he's all into James Blood Ulmer and Ronald Shannon Jackson and Last Exit and that sorta stuff.

Jazz....delicious hot, disgusting cold,
Alex in NYC

I used to be a lot more into "extreme" metal circa high school, but sort've lost touch with a lot of it along the way. I was always a big Venom fan, which led to other bands like Metallica, Mercyful Fate, Voi Vod, Celtic Frost, Manowar (not proud of that one) and all that sorta stuff (which is all pretty ancient, by this point). I believe when i went off to college that I made a specific decision to leave lots of my metal vinyl home (for reasons which escape me now....it might've been because of limited space, but it probably had more to do with the arguable misconception that "chicks don't dig guys who like metal!")

I liked some of the Earache stuff for a while....and quite dug Fudge Tunnel in the early 90's, but after a while, I felt like a bit of a poser in that department. I'm quite out of touch with most of the metal scene today (which is odd, as it seems most of the stuff I scribble for the New Yorker is metal related -- ironic in that your average New Yorker reader would probably never go to a metal show.)

All the Scandiweigan Church-burning stuff, to me, is more comedy than anything else (unless, of course, you happen to be in the Church in question at the time).

In Nomine Satanus,
Alex in NYC

That should resolve the issue.

What do you reckon of Mark Grout's answers to my the questions that challenge the eternal mysteries at the very core of of our existences?

Personally I think he's talking a lot of cock; but I'd very much appreciate your decisive and definitive input on this delicate matter.

Thank you,

Strikes me that Mark couldn't summon ther herculean amount of cranial energy required to seriously address your query, although I quite liked the Turkish anecdote.

In terms of how I'd answer this question,

1. What does what all mean? Life? Well, I'd suggest that it's up to the individual to define and determine meaning in his or her own life. To borrow a line from Mark Holis (and one that I don't believe he initially coined), life's what you make it.

2. What's the point of what we ultimately do or say? Very little in the grand scheme of things, I'd imagine. I'd suggest you either find solace by devoting your life to helping others by whatever means available, or you spend each waking moment of your own life making sure that your life is filled with as much joy, excitement and fulfillment as humanly possible. Anything short of either of those two could arguably be construed as a life wasted. Then again, what's the point?

3. Does any of it matter to who? Yes, your own life and the lives or those around you -- be they loved ones, friends or complete strangers -- are ultimately entirely insignificant....mere grains of sand in the hourglass and all that. But, awareness of that fact won't change anything. Accept it, and continue to live your own little petty, insignificant life to its fullest. Stop worrying about the big picture, as you're ultimatley powerless to change it. Realize your own limitations and do your best.

4. Why do we bother? As opposed to what? Killing yourself and heaping a load of needless grief on your friends and loved ones?

I'd suggest getting on with it, and never take yourself too seriously.

Out of my depth,
Alex in NYC

Give you most honest prediction:

Where will Bright Eyes be in 10 years, and what will be Conor's Critical Reputation?

Sincerely,
JD

I'd love to say that his charred remains would be randomly strewn around patchs of unhallowed ground, but that wouldn't be very nice, now would it.

Why do people lose their shit over Bright Eyes? I don't understand it. I heard a snippet of one of his other bands (the Desaparecidos?). It was perfectly fine, but...I just don't get the adoration this boy enjoys. I admire the fact that he's evidently mounting a tour and playing at exclusivey NON-Clear Channel venues, but I just don't find his music very exciting.

So, in ten years? He'll probably have weathered a mighty torrent of accusations of SellOutery from his horrified indie demographic, but the money will have rolled in from the John Mayer fans who don't care about such things as indie conviction. He'll ultimately fail, however, to morph into this generation's Dylan and become just another yawnsome singer-songwriter.

I've been wrong before, though.

Alex in NYC

How goth is too goth?

Sincerely,

How Goth is Too Goth? Hmmmmm.....well, I'd say that in 2005, pretty much any Goth is too Goth. As far as I'm concerned, the heyday of all things Gothic ended about a decade and a half ago.

Sartorially speaking, though, I'd say the right amount of goth is clearly expressed strictly via the color black. When you start wearing laces and spider-webs and whatnot, that's too much!

Also, a quick bit of advice to the Goth contingent: USE HEAD'n'SHOULDERS!, as nothing looks quite so pathetic as a Goth with clearly visible dandruff. If yer gonna wear black all the time, at least be fastidious.

Release the Bats,
Alex in NYC

Due to the fervent nature of Conor Oberst's fans, when the post-Googling swarm of obsessive Oberstians shows up at your door for a slap-happy rumble, how many of them could you pummel before being overwhelmed?

Curiously,

Binky

I've said far more damning things about artists with far beefier fans than the chinless, doe-eyed waif nation that Conor commands. I remain unconcerned. Besides, I'm only expressing my opinion.

Alex in NYC

Alex Ross is a staffer there. I am but a paltry freelance conributor without even a proper byline there, alas.

Mournfully,
Alex in NYC

which is the better men without hats song -- "safety dance" or "pop goes the world"?

Eisbär

Jesus, you have to ask? "Safety Dance" EVERY. DAMN. TIME.

"Pop Goes the World" is a footnote..... AT BEST!

Alex in NYC...with hat.

Should I read Hugh Cornwell's autobiography, A Multitude of Sins: "Golden Brown", "The Stranglers" and "Strange Little Girls"?

Thanks,

What is it about Killing Joke that makes them your all-time favorite?
I don't think I've ever seen anyone who loves them as much as you do.

Please be specific and as detailed as you'd like. Also, this is a serious question- I'm not trying to rip on KJ or anything.

Yours,

cdwill

With Rock,
Jole

I have been to NYC, twice in fact. Both times it was way under freezing. When's a good time to see NYC in all its glory? i.e not when it's in meltdown, and also when the flight prices aren't mad.

Regards.

Mark.

Yes, you should read Hugh's autobiography. It's bizarrely non-chronological, so you can even skip over entire passages if you so desire. It makes a nice companion piece to the otherwise superior (in my opinion) No Mercy: The Authorised and Uncensored Biography of the Stranglers by David Buckley.

Hugh will never re-unite with them, he says. A pity, that.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Why Killing Joke? Well, despite their myriad missteps along the way, there really isn't another band I can name who singularly integrate everything I've ever wanted from music in one, cruelly beautiful and brutal sound. I've had -- and have -- other favorite bands, but those other bands' respective musics don't attain the same visceral level I get from Killing Joke.

That said, I don't listen to Killing Joke every hour of every day, despite what some may think.

I hope that answers your question.

Honor the Fire,
Alex in NYC

Did you receive the e-mail I sent you last week about "The Lost Album" by Red Beat being released imminently on CD?

Fantastic news isn't it?

Well, it would be a most unconventional undertaking, being that I've never produced a record and know virtually nothing about the process. That said, I'd love to get Killing Joke back in the studio and steer Geordie away from the Very Metal guitar sound he's been leaning towards on the last few records and try to re-capture the chime of the golden harp as heard on Revelations through Night Time. It has something to do with the Burman guitar amp. Beyond that, I'm not sure how we'd do it --- but no one would be allowed to leave until we found that sound again.

Also, I'd make Jaz sing more and shout less.

And Big Paul would play drums.

And we'd all have beer and cake and wear special hats.

The end.

alex in NYC

Below Freezing is a bad time to be anywhere, but it's most frustrating in NYC, as it hampers your ability to go anywhere. My favorite times of year in NYC are the Fall and the Summer. Winter's a pain in the rump as its either chock full of tourists (no offense) or too cold to function. Spring's nice too, I guess. Still, Fall in NYC is the greatest. It can get fuckin' hot here in the Summer, but I personally kinda like that.

Choos wisely,
Alex in NYC

YES, I did, and forgive me for not getting back to you. I'm quite curious to hear it. I've heard more about Red Beat than I've heard of their actual music, so I'm excited, yes.

And speaking of similar fare, Bimble was nice enough to send me some of the early Ski Patrol stuff on Malicious Damage. Have you heard that material? You should check it out if not.

The clock keeps on ticking...
Alex in NYC

You are in for a treat: Red Beat were *GREAT* - very like The Joke but more dubby and sloppy.

Yes, I've got (all 3?) Ski Patrol singles.

Are you (and Bimble, for that matter) familiar with 1919?

who were the icy hot stuntaz of our generation (i.e., for thirty-somethings)?

Eisbär

What exactly is Veedon Fleece, and what might it have to do with sisters of mercy? I apologize in advance if Van Morrison's not your bag.

I had a song of theirs on tape once from a 7" of some kind. I recall it being sortof...noisy goth? Didn't make much of an impression, particularly since it was immediately followed on the tape by some of the first Dead Can Dance I ever heard!

I'm actually glad Red Beat was mentioned because I realized about a week ago I actually still have the Red Beat 12" (I thought I'd sold it) and was halfway wondering if Alex might want me to send it or something (I honestly don't dig it much). But then I read that Alex no longer has a record player and I just kinda dropped the idea. Perhaps the new CD will make it redundant, anyway, but hey, if you're interested, Alex, it's sitting right here.

Stewart: I am completely crazy over Ski Patrol, so if you ever hear of anyone having a tape of their Peel Session, or any live stuff or anything at all like that please do let me know. Also, what label is releasing this Red Beat CD, out of curiosity? Do you have a link you can point me to or something? You're right about them being "sloppy", that's a good word for it!

Well, I suppose you could call 1919 "noisy goth" if you really insist.... but only if you'd describe the contents of the first couple of Killing Joke albums in the same terms!

If you like Killing Joke 'though (possibly something of understatement in the case of Mr. In NYC, I suspect?) then I really cannot begin to stress too strongly just how much you really need to acquire absoultely everything 1919 ever released, right now as a matter of extreme urgency.

Far more menacing and powerful than Ski Patrol or Red Beat, 1919 were arguably the ultimate Killing Joke tribute band: although they may have lacked lacked the keyboards and possibly some of the intellect / aloofness / mystique of The Joke, they more than made up for it with extra metallic sheets of guitar, shards of howling feedback and sheer snarling, venomous abandon.

I have in the past mischievously mixed several 1919 tracks (and a couple of Red Beat's less sloppy moments) in with some rarer Joke tracks like "Animal", "Malicious Boogie", "Nuclear Boy" and "What's The Matter" and convinced other Joke fans that they were demos / outtakes from the first couple of Joke albums.

Fortunately; to save you months of heartache trawling ebay, record fairs and secondhand shops; it's all readily available on one nice shiny little silver disc:

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005CEEU.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

No, I'm not receiving any sort of commission on sales.

If you're still unconvinced and you do that naughty download thing (and if you can find any of it available anywhere out there) then I particularly recommend you sample "Caged", "After The Fall", "Alien", "Machine" or "Ritual".

Alternatively, imagine, if you will, Messrs Coleman and Walker circa 1980/81, locked in a recording studio with no keyboard and the rhythm section from Discharge....

Not sure who's releasing the Red Beat album but it's supposed to be coming out on 29/03/2005 and will be available from (amongst others, I'm sure) these lovely people here.

"All 11 songs featured on "The Missing Album" were created between 1979 and 1981 and include the John Peel Session that included; "See" "The Wheel" "Tribe" and "Child"", apparently.

I can't say I remember the Peel session but as long as it contains their incendiary second single "Survival" then I reckon it's worth the price of admission for that little gem alone.

I'm afraid the only Ski Patrol stuff I have is the three singles, Bimble: have you heard any of the material their vocalist Ian Lowery recorded prior to forming Ski Patrol, when he was with The Wall?

ihttp://www.whizzkid1.com/images/chipmunk_punk.jpg

Alex in NYC

Veedon Fleece is a dreadful Van Morrison record (which is kind've like saying a "luminous glow" or an "alien outworlder"). Mercifully, it is not one of the Van Morrison albums my wife owns, so I can't say I'm as familiar with its wretched contents as I am with some of the great, fan, drunken bastard's other works. Veedon Fleece is also, if I'm not mistaken, a manufacturer of rugs and clothing.

What any of that might have to do with the Sisters of Mercy is a connection I am entirely unaware of. Apologies for that.

First, last and always,
Alex in NYC

..and it's the `StuNtaz, not the Stutaz (which sounds better, actually). Icy Hot Stutterers. Probably an accurate description.

Sorry, was up all night. The child went all exorcist on us last night...a certain t-shirt of mine will never be the same. Now, where's that Lysol?

So what do you think of (the band) Them?

Whatever your feelings towards Van Morrison's solo work may be, I simply cannot believe that you could possibly be impervious to the delights of "Here Comes The Night", "Baby Please Don't Go" or "Gloria".

as someone who appreciates the finer side to the industrial scene and living in the city where one of my "heros" lives, i therefore ask of you to recall your tales of your meets-n-greets with Jim Foetus. pop my long standing mental image of him being a really nasty geezer IRL.

i am sure you have had a beer or 2 with the man - hasn't everyone in NYC ?

afterall, i have read of your involvements with Cop Shoot Cop and i recall that there have been several collabs with jimbo and the cops ..

go on, make my day punk.

best regards
mark e
ireallylovemusic

Yeah, I don't mind Them (particularly the tracks you mentioned). I think I developed a palpable aversion towards solo Van Morrison in college, where fuckin' "Moondance" and "Brown Eyed Fuckin' Girl" were evidently mandatory daily listening for every dimwitted sorrority girl. While mercifully never in a sorrority, MY. OWN. WIFE. loves Van "the Man". I find him insufferable. And Astral Weeks is shamefuly overrated.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Well, yeah, I've met his Foetusness, and the stories aren't pretty. For a start, you're correct, he's a notorious scenester, and very easy to spot (he has an inimitable sartorial flair that you can spot a mile away). In any case, I do remember him circa `93/`93 hanging out at Max Fish, and a publicist who called herself Sioux Z. (geddit?) was, I believe, representing him at the time. It must have been an off night for the man, as he took one look at the likes of me and practically spat at me, then turning to Sioux Z. and bitching about how he was tired of meeting collegiate shitheads (or something along those lines). Hooray.

A few years later, after hanging around with Tod (who is huge pals with Foetus), I started dodging encounters with him whenever possible, still smarting from that first meeting. After a Firewater show at the Bowery Ballroom, I'm hanging out downstairs with my friends John and Rob. I am also at this point, HEROICALLY DRUNK! Tod comes over and says he wants to introduce me to Foetus, which he'd been trying to do for some time. I tell him no and try to stammer my way out of it, but he insists. So, I walk over (beer in hand). Tod introdues us. Foetus is a great deal shorter than I remember, and despite the fact that I am hugely intimidated by the guy, I'm still a big fan. Attempting to play it cool, I say "hi,".....and then proceed to drop my full cup of beer on the ground...fully splattering Foetus in the process (Freudian revenge for the first meeting?) I instantly shudder with visceral contempt for self, crawl back over to the booth I was sitting at (where John and Rob are wetting themselves laughing) and attempt to crawl under the table and die.

The next day, Tod calls: "Hey Butterfingers!" Ha ha. Very fuckin' funny. He then tells me not to worry about it, as he's seen Foetus himself make a simillar doofus of himself on many occaision (spinninig a tale of Thirlwell picking a fight with a homeless man, and then having that homeless man beat the crap out of him).

Anyway, that's it. I'm still a great fan of Foetus, but I don't think I ever want to meet him again.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

You're pleased you weren't in a sorority?

Is the understanding of the word "sorority" that I've gained from watching such eductional films as "National Lampoon's Animal House" (sorority (noun): house full of unspervised drunken teenage girls, all of whom are extremely attractive and positively gagging for it. See also: teenage masturbatory fantasy) in some way incorrect, or is there something wrong with you man?

my one live encounter with him (a gig in london) was also full on violence and rather unpleasant, eversince which i have decided he is one 'hero' i would rather not meet. yet i still look forward to his LOVE (haha) album.

once again, thanks ..
m.e

It's not I that was or wasn't in a sorrority (they're girls-only affairs, remember?), it's my wife. And while the notion sounds great (house full of drunken girls), the greek system at my particular college (and, I suspect, at many, many other colleges) was a magnet for idiots of all stripes. Thus, drunk and female or not, an irritating idiot is still an irritating idiot.

Alex in NYC

Yes, there are a few tracks by The Wall on my Small Wonder label compilation. They're okay but PALE in comparison to Ski Patrol. Incidentally, though I also have the *4th* Ski Patrol single (their last release as far as I know) and it's almost like a different band -nothing to get excited over at all.

Do you have any tips about how I might stop worrying so much? Besides our current political mess and a few bands here and there, not much seems to bother you, I've noticed. I mean this in all due respect. Thank you.

Not much seems to bother me? Are you high?

I'm in debt up to my eyeballs, I live in an expensive city, I have a job with no incentive for advance, finanical or otherwise, I have an infant daughter who contracted the flu last night and spent the last few hours of yesterday throwing up on everything. I can't get call-back from most of places I'm sending resumes to and my job is slowing crushing my very soul. I have tinnitus in right ear. I'm allergic to virtually every other foodstuff and half the things that fly around unseen in the air. I'm invariably going to have to leave my beloved hometown in a couple of years and move to the fuckin' suburbs because I won't be able to pay for a decent education for my child (or possibly children by that point, if my wife has her way), and yet I'll get slaughtered by the taxes out there. We have no nanny at the moment, so I'm a Mr. Mom for half the week.

What more do you want? Worry when there's need for worry.

And since when isn't our current political climate not something to worry about? Condoleeza Rice was just on the tube talking about not using force against Iran....YET! YET? What the fuck!!!!!

Incredulous,
Alex in NYC

Whatever.

Alex in NYC

Well, if "fronting" means taking into consideration other people's impressions before posting, perhaps I should invest more time in fronting, as I've put off, offended, scared, angered, pissed off, misled and alienated more people here than you can shake a stick at. As I've labouriously stated on other threads, I post on ILX under the persumed understanding that nothing here -- or at least nothing I say -- should be taken so deathly seriously. Sadly, not everyone has shared this perspective, and I've unwittingly rained on several people's respective parades and probably come across like a completely idiotic jackass on more occaissions than I can accurately quantify. Misunderstandings frequently erupt, but I think that's inherent to the medium of internet forums like this. At the end of the day, I'm just yet another idiot sitting at my computer typing stupid shit about largely insignificant stuff. No more, no less.

Alex in NYC

That should've been presumed.

You are most welcome! Glad you liked it.

I think that's what I like most about you.

Are you here in NYC? If so, maybe.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Pardon the profanity, but WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Get on it, man!

Concerned,
Alex in NYC

I've recently discovered the goodness of Killing Joke and I can see you'd be the best one to ask what I should look for next. I picked up Brighter Than A Thousand Suns a couple months ago on vinyl for dirt cheap, but wasn't all that impressed. Then last week I snagged What's THIS For...! and fell for it hard. What in the Joke's discography would I enjoy next?

Thanks,
JonviaChicago

I dunno, I just have this vague feeling that my love of Killing Joke belonged to a part of me that's dead and that I have no desire to resurrect.

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't have advised you to start with Brighter... It's a fine record, but it's in no way indicative of the band's strengths (they were, at the time, chasing the tale of a hit single, which never quite materialised)>

What's THIS for...!, by comparison, is a fucking striking beast of an album. If you like that, I'd suggest either picking up the first eponymous record next. What's THIS for..! probably caught them at their discoiest (largely Youth's doing). There'd be no such dance influence on the following album, Revelations, which is still a bit harsher and less accessible (and I love it for that). My personal favorite period for the band is the Fire Dances through Night Time era (appended by non-album singles like "A New Day", "Bird of a Feather" and the much-maligned "Me or You"). In this era -- featuring Raven replacing Youth on bass - the band found the perfect middle ground between the aggro and the accessible. Tunes with bite. After the success of the elegiac "Love like Blood", they tried to replicate the formula on Brighter..., with -- as you've heard. After that came Outside the Gate, and the less said about that record the better.

So, anyway, don't get me started on this, or we'll be here all day. Pick up the first record and enjoy.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Do you like the Replacements? Did you ever see the band live prior to 1987?

Thanks,
Don Weiner

I see on another thread that you mentioned you are currently selling off large chunks of your music collection. Have you considered holding a sale for ILM folks like Yanc3y did a couple of months back? I'm sure some of us would be eager to help you out.

yours in avarice,
o.nate

Well, I guess I understand. Still, if ya change your mind. I'll be at both shows, ready to buy you a beer or seven.

Honor the Fire,
Alex in NYC

Yeah, I love(d) the Replacements. I only saw them once, however, on the tour for Don't Tell a Soul (which, I guess was early `89), and by that time, the rot had already set in. They were still hilarious fun live, though. Apart from "Anywhere's Better than Here," that album went nowhere for me, and don't even get me started on the snore-a-thon that was All Shook Down.

I still have the TwinTone The Shit Hits the Fans on cassette...did that ever see a CD release?

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Holding a sale for ILX'rs? Nope, sorry. Too complicated. Ever since finding Second Spin, the entirely painful process of selling off cd's has become much easier for me. I used to drag piles of'em around from shop to shop, wasting time and making precious little money. Now, I just box'em up and ship'em out. Done and done.

Chances are, most of the stuff I'm selling you wouldn't be interested in anyway. The last box I sent out just this afternoon contained:
- Alice in Chains
- Blue Oyster Cult
- Emma Peel
- Failure
-Felix da Housecat
-Kula Shaker
- Ministry
- Bob Mould
-Nashville Pussy
- Oasis
- Pig Pen
- Seal
- the soundtracks to "Clerks" and "54".

Some decent stuff there, I guess, but nothing worth holding onto, really.

Sorry,
Alex in NYC

No, though it's widely bootlegged onto CD. I have the original as well--don't sell yours, dude. The original Maxell cassette that was used to make Shit is in the hands of Bill Sullivan. You Minneapolis people know who he is.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Are you a fan of Christgau's writing?
Why did he hate The Stranglers and Sabbath so much?

Sincerely,

tipustiger

I would never say i was a "fan" of Christgau. I mean, I read his stuff -- I don't actively avoid it -- but I've never thought much of it. There are rock critics whose work I greatly admire, follow and respect. He's not one of them.

Why didn't he like the Stranglers and Sabbath? Because he's a cock. Who knows? Lots of people hate the Stranglers. Either for being arguably non-authentic punks or for being needless misogynists or whatever, but fuck those people. Not liking Sabbath is a bigger issue, though. Okay, so the Stranglers might be an acquired taste, but how someone can listen to Black Sabbath and not get it or not hear the brilliance at work there is something I'll never get my head around. Similar to what I've said about Funhouse by the Stooges, if you don't like Black Sabbath, you simply don't like rock'n'roll.

So yeah, Robert Christgau: D MINUS

Alex in NYC

Dear Alex,

Could you please comment on the contributions to music that John Fogerty and Todd Rundgren have made.

ps totally agree with you on the Standells!

Thanx in advance

Well, I can't comment with any authority about their contributions, but I can give my opinion. In terms of Fogerty, I'd say I was a bit of a passive fan of CCR in a sort've "greatest hits" capacity. There's just no arguing with that riff on "Up Around the Bend" or "Run Through the Jungle". Forgerty solo has always left me a bit cold and clammy, or at least apart from "The Old Man Down the Road". I fuckin' hated "Rock'n'Roll Girls," though.

Todd Rundgren -- despite his alarmingly equine features -- could be credibly called a genius. Even if you only counted "Open Your Eyes" by the Nazz, "Hello, It's Me", "Can We Still Be Friends" and the production of XTC's Skylarking, I'd say the case makes itself. Hell, even "Bang on the Drum All Day" is damn entertaining. He's kind've gone a bit crazy lately, though, no?

There's a picture of him with Bebe Buell in "Please Kill Me," however, where he's wearing a big satin bow-tie and indefensibly stupid sunglasses that makes me not want to like him. He's also supposedly very difficult to work with. But so are a lot of people.

Must listen to "Hello, It's Me" now.

Alex in NYC

Why didn't he like the Stranglers and Sabbath? Because he's a cock. Who knows? Lots of people hate the Stranglers. Either for being arguably non-authentic punks or for being needless misogynists or whatever, but fuck those people. Not liking Sabbath is a bigger issue, though. Okay, so the Stranglers might be an acquired taste, but how someone can listen to Black Sabbath and not get it or not hear the brilliance at work there is something I'll never get my head around. Similar to what I've said about Funhouse by the Stooges, if you don't like Black Sabbath, you simply don't like rock'n'roll.

So yeah, Robert Christgau: D MINUS

Alex in NYC

-- Alex in NYC (vassife...), February 11th, 2005.

Alex, you rule. \\m//

Curiously enough, and despite the fact that the first impression created by the picture on the sleeve is to fulfill all your worst expectations, last year's Liars album is almost certainly the best thing he's done for 15 years - and arguably the best he's done for more like 25 years.

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drg300/g397/g39788tro6c.jpg

But I haven't heared the album, so let it stand.

This thread is awesome by the way.

What do you think of Killing Joke's music videos? They crop up from time to time on VH1 Classic and they naturally remind me of you. Are they brilliant? Ridiculous? Some mix? Any favorites?

Your fan,

*seethes with jealousy re: Shit Hits The Fans cassette*

Killing Joke videos, by and large, are lamentable excercises in absolute crap. This particular affliction, however, is not limited to Killing Joke. It must remembered, that they came of age in the relative infancy of the music video phenom. As such, many of their clips are rife with cliche and look very dated and/or ridiculous.

That said, I quite adore the video for "Eighties" (Geordie as whipped priest, Jaz as exhorting politician, Raven re-enacting Mark David Chapman's bullet party, etc.) It's awesome. The clip "A New Day" isn't bad either, despite some body paint shenanigans. There are more poor ones that I could mention, but why concentrate on the negative?

Regardless, I'd love to see them all officially released on a proper DVD (though I have most of them on poorly bootlegged video already). Not holding my breath.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Not crucial viewing.

Why the fuck don't you get back to work?

You suck,

your colleagues at the News Desk

So yes, like you said the other day, you'll show up for at least one NYC FAP end of March when I visit, I hope? :-)

Ned

Wife, baby and job permitting, I shall be there with bells on. This is a figure of speech, you realize. I shan't actually be sporting bells on my person. But, if I did, they'd be THE CHIMING BELLS OF IMPENDING APOCALYPSE!

...or something.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Awwww! Why can't I find a picture of the sleeve for Empire Song when I want one?

Are tempers more hostile around here than normal, or is it same as it ever was? Just wondering.

Yours,

Corduroy Flax

water flowing underground...

If proceedings are more hostile, I haven't noticed. If anything, I'd say ILX has settled into a pretty even, level-headed routine, but maybe I'm wrong.

Amicably,
Alex in NYC

Dear Alex in NYC,

Do you have or have you ever had any interest in Graham Coxon's solo work?

Just curious,

Bimble

No. Never cared to. He's a fine guitarist, yes, but his solo material just has never appealed to me. They seem a bit drab to me. But, y'know....maybe I'm wrong.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Would you rather have sex with Jessica or Ashlee?

Sincerely,
Shookout

Well, being that I'm very happily married, I'm going to refrain from answering the question,......but Jessica is probably the better looking of the two.

But they're both insipid whistleheads at the end of the day.

Alex in NYC

Anyway, just my opinion.

Is it a correct statement to call Joy Division rock? As in rock music?

Thanks,

Bimble...

Joy Division rock. As opposed to pop? I'd suggest they're certainly more rock than pop. But, y'know, in this day and age, Rock is everything from Fleetwood Mac through Death From Above 1979, so the term covers an awful lot of real estate.

If someone who had never heard Joy Division asked me what type of music they made, the word "rock" would probably be used in one form or another.

But, y'know, that's my take on it.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

A friend of the Cro Mags (in the record geek world) is a friend of mine. Could you recommend me some of your favorite hardcore albums?

Thanks,
Reed

Duly noted. Still catching up with other stuff at the moment, tho'. Good luck attaining your copy.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Okay, then....I'm sure I'll forget some, but in loose or no particular order:

Group Sex by the Circle Jerks (GODLIKE!)
Static Age by the Misfits (technically more "punk" than hardcore, I know...blah blah blah...)
Minor Threat by Minor Threat
Millions of Dead Cops by MDC
We're the Meatmen...and You Suck by the Meatmen
Troops of Tomorrow by the Exploited (if we count British bands)
Damaged by Black Flag
An Adjustment to Society by KRAUT
Ancient Artefacts by D.I.
Peace through Vandalism by the Vandals
Plastic Surgery Disasters by Dead Kennedys
No Policy e.p. by S.O.A.
Throb Throb by Naked Raygun
Walk Together, Rock Together E.P. by 7 Seconds (in retrospect, I can't imagine why I used to like these guys so much).
Murphy's Law by Murphy's Law
Cause for Alarm by Agnostic Front
Suicidal Tendencies by Suicidal Tendencies
Animosity by Corrosion of Conformity
Code of Honor/Sick Pleasure by Code of Honor and...er..SIck Pleasure
the Faith/Void e.p. by Faith and...er...Void

Those are the ones that immediately spring to mind.

I've already got mine mate.

Rob Thomas or Matchbox 20?

Could Green Day be the best mainstream American band of their generation?

I' no huge Green day fan but I must urge you to hasten to this thread as things have already got so bad that it has been suggested that Offspring, No Doubt and even The Dave Matthews Band may be preferable....

Do you like Dan St. Jacques?

-JW

Is a man not allowed to step away from ILX every once in a while to maintain his life?

Pass me that flask of Hemlock.

Re: Could Green Day be the best mainstream American band of their generation?

Well, with all due respect, I simply couldn't possibly care less. I can't think of any "successful", "mainstream" American bands I give two hoots about, so let'em think what they want.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

-- Alex in NYC (vassife...), July 6th, 2005 9:46 AM. (vassifer)

It's ok. But only for a short amount of time.

Now...Have you sceen the latest issue of Krenng? I hear there's a TWO page review of KJ's reissues. I must go check it out myself.

I guess this isnt your favorite type of music, nor is it mine, but what is your opinion of R.Kelly's "In the closet" series of songs/videos?

Do you like Dan St. Jacques?

I'm intrigued, but I need more info.

Alex in NYC

Stewart, I think No Doubt is the only of those bands anyone actually suggested as the answer. The other two were mentioned as belonging to the same generation, not as being preferable.

Not that this should make Alex care about the topic either way.

Now...Have you sceen the latest issue of Krenng? I hear there's a TWO page review of KJ's reissues. I must go check it out myself.

Which issue is it? Who is on the cover?

Alex in NYC

I guess this isnt your favorite type of music, nor is it mine, but what is your opinion of R.Kelly's "In the closet" series of songs/videos?

Dear JD....

While you are correct in assuming that R.Kelly is decidedly not my cup of tea, I can't help but admire the sheer ridiculousness of the whole "In the Closet" thing. I also love that he sings about every mundane little detail in the same histrionic, slavishly melismatic manner that he sings his Gospel crap with.

Alex in NYC

The beloved Killing Joke is said to also be in the magazine Classic Rock. The cover says "Special Collector's Edition - AC/DC- the story behind Back in Black", yet Killing Joke are interviewed by Ian Fortnam in the same magazine. Also, the reissues done by the Joke are reviewed on pg. 108.

Go get yourself a copy as will I. HONOUR THE FIRE!

Aja

Umm, are you actually reffering to the letter and the way it's written, as to which your reply would be sarcasm? I'm just curious. And this is "Ask Alex in NYC".

Yeah

Alex in NYC

Ok. Some band named Trivium is on the cover of the Kerrang magazine you want.

Aja

P.s. Love your sarcastic remarks. SeriousLY!

This is truly some sort of a classic. I used to have this on a twofer CD with some other considerably inferior Vandals album, but I fear I may have sold it back at some point.

it's starting to bother me how much you and Aja have in common. When will all of this get resolved?

Signed,
http://www.posterplanet.net/pictures/images/bp1c8.jpg

As has been labouriously pointed out in the past, Aja and I -- despite your veiled suggestion -- are two entirely different people, and it's reasonably simple to figure that out (ISP addresses and whatnot). As far as I'm aware, she is the daughter of former ILX'r Burma Kitty, who had an unhealthy fixation with Mission of Burma. Beyond that, I can't say much else other than that she likes the Foo Fighters and has adopted an admirable love for all things Killing Joke. As well she should. I'm also under the impression that she's in her pre-teens. I could be wrong about everything apart from the FACT that she and I are not the same person.

Wearily sincerely,
Alex in NYC

Youth or Raven?

Aja

P.S. If you already mentioned this somewhere else, please give a link. Thanks.

Youth or Raven?

In what context? Bass-playing? Well, techically, Raven is the more competent player, but Youth had more discernible style on the first three records (it sounds like he taught himself how to play). I like that rubbery sound to his bass, whereas Raven's is much thick, chunky and busy. When Youth came back circa Pandemonium, however, that "style" had vanished, suggesting that his time away from bass playing cost him. The live tracks on the "Jana" e.p. are positively shameful.

So, with this in mind, I'd say Raven, who is also immensely cooler, friendlier, more down to earth, funnier and not a fucking hippie.

Alex in NYC

Thanks for your input. I also choose Raven, but I've gotta say that the bass line to "Pssyche" is one of my favorites.

Aja

P.S. Did you just call Youth a hippe because Raven called him that, or are those your true feelings?

I called Youth a hippie because he IS a hippie.

http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/images/youth/youth14.jpg http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/images/youth/youth02.jpg http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/images/youth/youth18.jpg http://www.anirrationaldomain.net/images/youth/youth23.JPG

Alex in NYC

WTF is that second to last picture?

Aja

That's a promotional shot for Youth's record labels, Butterfly and Dragonfly (largely trance music).

Alex in NYC

Ok. Thanks.

I'm sitting in the Killing Joke chat room ALONE! Wanna talk? If you are too busy, or don't care it's ok. Just curious, as well as bord.

Aja

Chat-rooms are for pantsless sexual predators.

Alex in NYC

Yeah, probably.

But I trust you. And I think 2 other people who talk there.

Aja

Let Them Eat Jellybeans - Alt. Tent. compilation
Rat Music for Rat People - various artists,...live
The Record by FEAR
I Against I by the Bad Brains
Fear of Life by CH3
Violent Pacification e.p by DRI
Teen Babes from Monsanto by Redd Kross (technically not hardcore at all, but I forever lump them in with the hard corps)
Suburbia - official soundtrack album (featuring DI, the Vandals & TSOL)
Repo Man - official soundtrack

What is the feyist, mimsiest, wimpiest down right twee album you have been known to enjoy?

Thank You

PS elwisty

I suppose it depends on your definitions of "fey", "mimsy", "wimpy" and "twee", but I own albums by Everything But the Girl, the Smiths, Nick Drake, Cat Stevens, the Three O'Clock (have you heard "Girl with Guitar"? good lord), Young Marble Giants and -- some might consider them twee -- the entire catalog of the Cocteau Twins.

It's not all fire and brimstone in my collection.

You're Welcome,

Alex in NYC

I would pay good money to see a TV show where you and Aja review the week's new music releases, Ebert and Roeper-style. I thought you might like to know that.

MIR

What are your thoughts on this statement...

"Its not rock and roll unless it pisses someone off" ?

sincerely

JD from CDepot

This is similar to a question upthread, but here goes anyway. I was a little surprised when you mentioned that you like Depeche Mode on one of the Pet Shop Boys threads a while back. You also wrote something quite touching about Luther Vandross's "Give me the Reason" which caught me completely off guard, and honestly made my day. Are there any other bands or artists you enjoy which might come as a shock to the average ILMer who may have pigeonholed you as the Killing Joke big riff metal guy?

sincerely,

J-rock

I would pay good money to see a TV show where you and Aja review the week's new music releases, Ebert and Roeper-style. I thought you might like to know that.

Hold not thy breath.

Alex in NYC

What are your thoughts on this statement...

"Its not rock and roll unless it pisses someone off" ?

Seems a bit narrowly defined to me. I mean, Polka music pisses me off, and I wouldn't call that rock'n'roll.

Who said it? Sounds like a Lemmy quote.

Sincerely,
Alex in NYC

I was a little surprised when you mentioned that you like Depeche Mode on one of the Pet Shop Boys threads a while back. You also wrote something quite touching about Luther Vandross's "Give me the Reason" which caught me completely off guard, and honestly made my day. Are there any other bands or artists you enjoy which might come as a shock to the average ILMer who may have pigeonholed you as the Killing Joke big riff metal guy?

We had a big fight on the Gathering recently (the Killing Joke mailing list) as several people professed their love for bands like Duran Duran, Kiss and Rush. Somewhat predictably, many of the KJ orthodoxy got all uppity about this and grumbled things like "real Killing Joke fans wouldn't like blah blah blah...". It's all hogwash. Look, I like Prime Rib and I like Milk Chocolate (although not simultaneously). What a dreadfully boring and dreary life it would be if you only could listen to one type of music or could only eat one type of food or could only wear one color etc. etc. etc. Yes, I'm a huge and insufferably zealous Killing Joke fan, but I also own over 2,000 CD's, only a smattering of which are by said band. I like a whole bunch of stuff, albeit not in equal measures.

Arists I like that people might be shocked by (if they had nothing better to do with their time): Neneh Cherry, Gil Scott-Heron, Parliament, the Neville Brothers, Sade, Everything But the Girl, select singles by Paul Young and....wait for it...Simply Red (well, the Picture Book album, exclusively), Seal, Tasmin Archer, Anggun, Cat Stevens, ABC, ummmmm.....Human League....I can't think. Okay, howabout this? I own The Sign by Ace of Bass.

Whatever. Like what you like. Listen to what you want to listen to. Year Zero proclamations are for teenagers.

Expecting to catch much grief for this,

Alex in NYC

Sincerely,
Ken L

Well, for a start, Rocks in Your Head is down a small flight of stairs, which is a helluva lot of work with a stroller.

I find going into shops with a baby to be rather hugely unrestful for all parties concerned (myself, Charlotte, the shop owner, my fellow patrons, etc.), so I tend to do my disc shopping when I'm let off the daddy leash and have hours to myself....which is less and less frequently these days.

Also, Rocks in Your Head has never once stocked a single Killing Joke album, the fuckers (though I did buy a KJ t-shirt from them in 1984).

Yers,
Alex in NYC

WHY IS BILLY CORGAN BECOMING NOSFERATU?

Because of his steady regimen of ingesting Bat Guano.

At your service,
Alex in NYC

The most embarassing thing happened to me today. I was having my period, but when I looked in my purse I found that I was all out of tampons!! So I went to get some at the store but when I got to the front, I found that boy that I had a crush on was working the register!! I didn't know what to do, but I really needed the tampons, so I started walking up to pay for them and right when I was about to put them on the conveyor belt, MY COLOSTOMY BAG FELL OUT!! My crush and his co-workers just stood there laughing and pointing as my body fluids leaked out onto the floor. I was so ashamed, I didn't know what to do! I just ran out of the store and cried near the dumpster out back. I still hear their laughter echoing in my head. I feel so ashamed, I just don't know what to do. Please help.

Yours truly,
Michael Burble

One time I was in London and I went to HMV and bought the first Killing Joke album on CD....but it was a fancy hotel with a CD player in my room so I ended up leaving the CD in the CD player...I actually emailed them later but they acted like they didn't know what the hell I was talking about. I was pretty bummed out by that....Is there a remaster of that CD in print in America?

Thx
Matt

P.S. Also, is the first album a good intro to the band? I liked it the one time I listend to it before I left it in my stupid room.

Well, I don' think it's a difficult album to find, but there is a remaster of the first album hitting shelves as of July 11th (as an import, mind you), so if you can wait `til then, it might be worth your while.

Though they strayed from the formula on the first record, I'd say it's a pretty good introduction. Basically, if you don't enjoy that album, I doubt you'd enjoy their other records.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

if the animotion drummer is really who he says that he is, and he convinces none other than ms. astrid plane to come to ILM and the "obsession" thread, what (if anything) would you have to say to her?

Eisbär

I probably don't have anything else to say about "Obsession" (to her or anyone else) beyond the anecdote I already relayed on that thread. Good luck to her, I guess.

Alex in NYC

also is your favourite song "living in the eighties" or what ya homo

If I sent Chazzer a present, do you think she'd make me a Best Of Killing Joke CD comp?

Your pal,
Je4nne

She's too short to reach the keyboard, but she might persuade me to make one for you.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

I think you have the wrong thread. In any case, I don't know the answer to your question. Sorry.

good luck,
Alex in NYC

they dissed howard jones for fucks sake

Do you like any techno records?

Ronan.

I like select techno tracks (or at least I think the tracks I'm thinking could be called techno), but I'm not really the biggest fan of the genre.

Alex in NYC

is this latest onslaught of ilm posters who write like 12-year-old halfwits and call people faggots etc all the same person? can you make him/them go away?

your pal,
jones

Hopefully the moderators are aware of it, but I don't know what they can do about it.

But yes, it's a depressing bore.

cheers,
Alex in NYC

How long does it usually take for a UK mag to hit shelves in the US?

Aja

Depends on where you're shoppin'.

Alex in NYC

Thanks. I was just wondering because I'm going camping soon. Hope I'll have time to actually go to the store. Knowing my mom, we'll get there and the NEW issue of Kerrang will be on the shelves.

Aja

I wouldn't worry about it for the following reasons:

(a) Kerrang isn't an especially well-written magazine, thus I wouldn't imagine the review is anything to write home about, so to speak.

(b) It's a magazine composed by and tailored to slackjawed idiots who rank Slipknot as the pinacle of human accomplishment.

(c) the review will probably evenutally surface on the official site anyway.

Camp with a clear conscience,

Alex in NYC

Do you have slsk? You should download that Six Finger Satellite album from me. (Do you like Brainiac?)

J Dubzzzzzz

No, I am not among the seekers of souls, and I've only heard little bits of Braniac (though I do like Enon).

Alex in NYC

I also think that you would enjoy Braniac, and will YSI/gmail if requested...

That wasn't a question, was it?

Oh look, now it is!

Nope, no Bt Trrnt.

I'm so far behind in my listening to new stuff these days, that I'm going to thank you both but demure for the moment. Cheers, though.

Alex in NYC

Yeah, but I still want it.

Aja

P.S. I don't even want to go camping. All my mom told me was I was going camping with her and her boyfiend. TODAY I find out this will take place MONDAY!!!!!

Life's a bitch.

Alex in NYC

I respect your opinion.

Aja

P.S. Will YOU actually buy a copy of it?

I casually looked for it today -- but only with the intention of reading it in the store. I found several issues of Kerrang, but none seemed to have it in it. After a while, I got bored with looking.

Alex in NYC

I already told you who would be on the cover to SAVE you time. I'd like it if you'd actually take what I said into consideration and use it to your benefit.

Thanks.

Aja

Don't get snippy with me, young lady. For a start, I did taken into consideration what you'd said. I also took into consideration the very real possibility that you were mistaken. Thus, i looked at issues that did not feature the act you'd cited.

Alex in NYC

Alex:

Why do birds suddenly appear?

Sincerely,
Vegemite.

Why do birds suddenly appear?

To Kill Tippi Hedren, of course.

http://www.sonomawetlands.org/catalog/birds/thebirds.jpg

Now you know,
Alex in NYC

What is your favorite Psychedelic Furs album, and would you consider buying the new album, that is supposed to be released late this year or early next year?

Aja

My favorite is, was and ever shall be their first one, followed swiftly by Forever Now. In terms of buying any of their new albums, no, I'm just not interested. I have everything I need by the brothers Butler.

Alex in NYC

Sincerely,
Ken L

What Killing Joke track would most likely be of interest, and hook in someone who has not previously liked what they have heard of that band?

PS Good luck with that writing gig

Me too! Although I think I'm obsessed with Richard Butler at the moment and will probably get the next album, if it ever comes out. I just have one more question about the your thoughts on the Furs. What's your take on Book of Days? It's the only Furs album I don't have an wonder if it's worth all the searching I"ve been doing.

Aja

Little rich boy don't you cry

(Sorry Alex, I know you hate lyrics but India just got stuck in my head)

Well, personally speaking, I was never a huge fan of the Del Fuegos, so him making children's music can only be an improvement. I haven't heard any of it, but it certainly seems like a nice thing to be doing (or at least better than staging the inevitable Del Fuegos reunion).

Saw them perform once at the Central Park band shell. They were dull.

Alex in NYC

BTW Alex, have you even seen his former bandmate and current enemy Adam Roth do his stump-the-band thing? It's a lot of fun.

Well, it really depends on your own taste and sensibility. Personally speaking, the track that hooked me in back in the Summer of `84 was "Eighties", which was the perfect balance of punky aggression, catchy hook (courtesy of that much-lifted riff) and instrumental simplicity (who needs power chords?) That said, by this point, Killing Joke have attempted a myriad different styles (from post-punk/dub experimentation through ham-fisted prog wankery through metallic grind through elegiac chest-beating through tribal frenzy etc. etc.), so whatever suits yer taste, really. Maybe pick up the compilation Laugh? I Nearly Bought One and see what strikes your fancy (though you'd probably do well to avoid For Beginners). Good luck. You might just not like any of it, but y'know...c'est la guerre.

Thanks for the well wishes re: my star-crossed writing "career".

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

There are certainly worse bands to be obsessed with than the `Furs. I never heard Book of Days. I was so put off by Midnight to Midnight that I pretty much abandoned them up until the compilation All that Money Wants, and then gave up on them again (and I never cared for Love Spit Love, Richard's post-`Furs band).

The Butler brothers used to live quite nearby my home, actually, living across the street from one another on St.Mark's Place. Don't think they do anymore, though. I used to see Richard on the street all the time.

"India" is quite possibly my fave track of theirs (next to maybe "Pulse" and, of course, "Love My Way").

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

No, I'm unware of Adam Roth's current acitivies. Are they really "enemies"? Dan seems like a pretty affable guy. Not that I have a little sprog of mine own, I've been meaning to check out some of his children's stuff. Might do sometime soon.

Cheers,
AlexinNYC

Stewart - Thanks for advising about Red Beat. I haven't tried to get one, I had forgot about it. But this is very good information to know. It was funny the way you slyly revealed that you actually already had your copy! What did you do, sleep with someone to get it? *nudge nudge*

Dear Alex in NYC,
Can you recommend any good, non-violent kinds of films to watch? I'm gonna make a trip to the video shop probably tomorrow. Just thought I'd ask. Also, the newer they are the less chance I've probably seen them. Thanks.

sincerely,

Bimble

My favorite non-violent films:

"Picnic at Hanging Rock" (not violent in the slightest)
"Local Hero"
"After Hours" (maybe there's a tiny bit of violence, but nothing serious)
"Withnail & I"
"Blow-Up"

All absolutely amazing.

View with zeal,
Alex in NYC

Also Stewart - I was surprised by just how right you were about 1919 sounding like Killing Joke. The song "Storm" caught me off guard - I thought it WAS the Joke at first! Not sure about the rest of their stuff, though. The other song I heard didn't sound as much like them, but it was still good. I'd like to investigate 1919 some more at some point. My Cherry Red catalogue says they were from Bradford. Rather unlikely place to come from, I think? I can't name any other act I know that came from there, except maybe the one that named themselves Bradford?

My girlfriend's been having contractions at five minute intervals for the last hour and a half.

What's her problem?

Yours,
Buffalo Stan

She's pregnant.

ALex in NYC

This is happening and your response is posting on the internet?

cheers

Those hospital people have suggested we stay put until she really wants to go in. She's doing great though.

You've probably heard enough. I'll go back to sending work emails at unsociable hours.

How cool is this guy?

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/IBsmokin4sarah/alexsig.jpg

Yours faithfully,

Dom Passantino

Is this true? And if so, how would I collude to get you listings?

Yrs. trly:

Sorry, I thought you were just "taking the piss," as they say. In any case, don't be alarmed. If I remember correctly, the contractions can go on for hours and hours before the intensive part of labor begins. In any event, you should contact the hospital and ask them their advice. Good luck. Break a leg! See you on the other side!

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

He looks ripe for euthanasiatic execution and shames the name Alex for the rest of us.

Alex in NYC

Yes, I've been contributing to the "Goings On About Town" section of the New Yorker since early 2001. If you're looking for stuff I've written, it's generally the stuff about artists the average New Yorker reader would have little or no interest in. If you're looking to get something in there, just simply inform me a couple of weeks before the event, and I'll see what I can do.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Long time listener, first time caller. Due to a comedy of errors involving a small town and lack of record stores, I was entirely unable to get ahold of any Killing Joke until Brighter than a Thousand Suns, which I bought and promptly fell in love with.

Despite having heard the other albums since that point, I still hold a very special place for Brighter..., overpolished though it may be. Does this make me a useless twat of a man?

For sanity's sake,
Sean C

Did you hear -- one of the Icy Hot Stuntaz has gone solo! Whattya think of them apples?

Eisbär

You know I'm an Alex, too, right? Alexes rule, goes without saying. Anyhoo, who is your favorite musician named Alex?

Sincerely,

Alex R/Latebloomer

While it's far from their finest hour, Brighter Than... (or BTATS as the faithful refer to it) does have its considerable merits. Though they were shamelessly chasing popularity at the time, their is still the palpable whiff of ye olde Joke menace therein (especially on "Rubicon" and "Chessboards").

Owning and liking BTATS doesn't make you a useless twat of a man, no.

"Patterns I'm finding...."

Alex in NYC

I couldn't give a tinker's cuss, quite frankly. May death come quickly to him.

Cheerz,
Alex in NYC

My favorite musician named Alex? Hmmmmmm........

It's probably an obvious and predictable and too simple choice, but I'll go with...

i http://www.juggernuts.com/images/uploads/lifeson.jpg http://www.dropd.com/issue/57/Rush-1/lifeson.jpg

There is unrest in the forrest, there is trouble with the trees....

Alex in NYC

da flame (now known as "b-shoc")

I looked up the Killing Joke track you suggested "Eighties" and it did indeed hook me. I looked up the album that it came from "Night Time" and start getting tracks from that. It turns out that this was something that I simply missed from the 80s, and whatever I heard later, I didn't like. But this I really did like--shades of Teardrop Explodes, Stranglers, and Echo and Bunnymen, right up my alley.

Is there an album in a similar vein, or was this pretty much the album for that sound?

Sincerely,

Little Miss Orbit

Glad you enjoyed NightTime (it's my fave of the band's). The closest in sound to that album is proably Fire Dances (which came right before it). Brither Than a Thousand Suns you might like as well, but it lacks some of the edge of NightTime (in a nutshell, the band seemingly tried to replicate the sound and subsequent success of "Love Like Blood" from the NightTime album).

Both Fire Dances and NightTime are next in line for re-release, and here's hoping the bonus tracks will include the non-LP singles like "Birds of a Feather" the roundly-maligned-but-actually-quite-good "Me or You" and the utterly celestial "A New Day".

And I too am a big fan of the Teardrops, the Bunnymen and ESPECIALLY the Stranglers (I know Raven and Geordie are both big Stranglers fans as well).

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

"love like blood" is still my favorite killing joke song. am i just a hopeless heathen?!?

Eisbär

No, it's a great goddamn song. I sort've wish they didn't feel the need to still play it live (it's sort've become their "Pride [in the Name of Love]"), but it's still a fookin' masterpiece.

Sadly, they don't play "Eighties" live anymore. I suppose that makes sense, but still...

`Til the Fearless Come and the Act is Done....

Alex in NYC

I prefer pecan, myself....though this isn't really the season for either.

Sincerely,
Alex in NYC

Curiously enough, being an old-fashioned kind of guy, I paid for it with via Paypal using my credit card.

I have subsequently exchanged a couple of e-mails and some reminiscences with Red Beat's vocalist Roy Jones about the time (1st February 1981 to be precise!) I interviewed them at The Lyceum when they were supporting Delta 5, The Thompson Twins, and a bunch of arrogant upstart tossers who called themselves "U2"; and I have even sent him a copy of the interview - so who knows where this may lead.... ;~)

"Also Stewart - I was surprised by just how right you were about 1919 sounding like Killing Joke. The song "Storm" caught me off guard - I thought it WAS the Joke at first! Not sure about the rest of their stuff, though. The other song I heard didn't sound as much like them, but it was still good. I'd like to investigate 1919 some more at some point. My Cherry Red catalogue says they were from Bradford. Rather unlikely place to come from, I think? I can't name any other act I know that came from there, except maybe the one that named themselves Bradford?"

You were surprised that I was right???

Shame on you Bimble! You should know better than that by now: haven't you realised that I am always right???

Well, except for when I'm wrong, obv.

As regards your impuning the musical heritage of Bradford, why even a cursory glance at AMG will tell you that it was also the birthplace of no lesser luminaries than Tasmin Archer, Brendan Croker, Kiki Dee and indeed Allan Holdsworth!

Also, if I'm not very much mistaken, New Model Army originated in Bradford.

Bradford is also of course (sorry for the Geography lesson, but I've no idea where you're from) only about 10-15 miles from Leeds, home of Chumbawamba, Delta 5, Gang Of Four, The Mekons, The Missions, Sisters Of Mercy, Soft Cell, The Wedding Present....

...actually ,what the fuck. do you think a 48 year old is a little to long in the tooth to be still wearing band t-shirts? i have many,so if the answer is yes i will be accepting donations for a new wardrobe.

thanks in advance,
william

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000076LG.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Thanks for the tip re: October. I'll check that out.

In terms of band t-shirts, well....I dunno. I'm 37 and have far too many with nary an intention of giving them up anytime soon. I can't predict how I'll feel eleven years from now, but I can't imagine my sensibility will change that much. Funny haircuts and bondage trousers are one thing, but I don't think t-shirts belong to any one single age. We'll see.

And fuck anyone who says you shouldn't (not literally, mind you, unless of course...well you know what I mean).

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

I don't know if Jaz has ever dabbled in jazz, but he's musically fluent in many other genres (he's the composer in residence of the Prague Symphony Orchestra). That said, I'm not a huge fan of the man's orchestral work. I respect it, but it's not really my cup of tea, so to speak. Were he to release a jazz record, I might give it a listen out of curiosity, but I doubt I'd latch onto it in the way I have done with Killing Joke.

Alex in NYC

Ken L

pj

I do know a Dave B. -- we interned at SPIN together back in 1989 -- and he's gone onto become a film critic.....I forget if he was originally from Milwaukee, though. He usd to live down on 10th St. until they moved somewhere.

Same guy?

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Ace is cool, yeah, but I have to go with Gene. Always Gene.

Shout it Out Loud,
Alex in NYC

When are you gonna do an In Praise Of...TheMenInBlack? I was just listening to it today. "Thrown Away" was the first Stranglers single -and song!- that I ever bought/heard when I was a kid and I love it as much now as I did then. Even if it was kinda unrepresentative of their 70's output.(what did i know? i was 13 and i just wanted to hear all those first-wave punk bands and that was the first thing i came across.) What's with the fake German accent on that song? Were they listening to a lot of Trio when they recorded that? The whole album has that kinda teutonic robot vibe. What krautrock bands did the Stranglers like best? were they really big in germany? they must have been. Thanks for all your hard work. Your pal, Scott

Well, it sounds like you're well on the way to composing one yourself. Funnily enough, The Gospel According to the MeninBlack was one of the first LPs by the `Glers that I'd picked up as well (I'd heard several random tracks and just wanted to hear a full album, and this record was the only one they had of theirs at the time in Crazy Eddie's on Third Avenue & 86th Street.) While it was totally not what I'd come to expect from them (I was initially hoping for stuff more along the lines of "Peaches" and "Bring On the Nubiles"), it's utter strangeness and wrongness totally compelled me (I'm especially fond of the spooky "Manna Machine"). If you can track down....

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00000GAM6.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

...as it has some great live versions of some of the MeninBlack tracks (notably a smokin' version of "Just Like Nothing On Earth," but sadly no "Thrown Away").

In terms of what the band were listening to at the time, I'll have to go back and consult Hugh's Song by Song book. I don't recall any Krautrock mentions (though I'm sure they were well aware of that stuff). Stay tuned on that.

This is not hard work, but thanks.

Cheers,

AlexinBlack in NYCinBlack

who would win in a bar-room brawl -- killing joke or the stranglers?!?

Eisbär

Well, it's really a matter of the bass players. JJ Burnell is a Black Belt in Karate (and I think runs his own Dojo, or whatever it is that Karate masters do). So, I'd imagine he'd be the biggest threat. That said, Killing Joke boast Raven in their ranks, who is quite a large fellow who can invariably hold his own. The rest of the Stranglers (little Dave on the keybs, old fat Jet on the drums and ol' Hugh) probably wouldn't be too much trouble. On the `Joke side, you have loose cannon Jaz and -- were he still in the ranks -- Big Paul Ferguson, who could probably handle himself. Geordie and Hugh would probably retire to the bar for a few pints while the rest of them beat each other up.

Don't know, really, but it would be a crying shame as you'd think they'd be on the same team.

Alex in NYC

sincerely,

Bimble

I'm not especially well-versed in Taylor/Burton films beyond Cleopatra which, if I remember correctly, had something or other to do with Egypt. Never got around to I Love Huckabees.

Glad you dug Local Hero and ..Hanging Rock. Yeah, the ending of the latter is frustrating, but believe me -- the book's actual ending is much more infuriating, so I prefer the open-ended non-resolution.

happy viewing,
Alex in NYC

QUESTION:

If two trains leave, 500 miles apart, at the same time, one going east, and one going west, and simultaneously, a Sanford and Son marathon is airing on Nickolodeon, which leaves you conflicted at home because they're also showing a Bosom Buddies marathon at the same time and your VCR is broken from the time you used it as a shield when your drunk friend was shooting at you, and across your street, you see Andrew Ridgely, formerly the silent member of WHAM!, holding up a sign proclaiming "THE END IS NIGH".......

What does the price of Coca-cola become?

Being that I'm a Dr.Pepper man, the question is moot.

Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?

Sincerely,
Alex in NYC

PS: And even if I had been a Coca-cola drinker, I'd have boycotted it by now over those cringe-inducing ads fearting G.Love & Special Sauce cloyingly attesting that they'd like to teach the world to "chill".

SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS YOU BELIEVE JOSEPH MCCARTHY WASN'T REAL?

The Butler brothers used to live quite nearby my home, actually, living across the street from one another on St.Mark's Place. Don't think they do anymore, though. I used to see Richard on the street all the time.

You lucky bastard!

"India" is quite possibly my fave track of theirs (next to maybe "Pulse" and, of course, "Love My Way").

Yes! India is definately one of their best. I don't know what my favorite track would be from them...Maybe "It Goes On", but maybe not. I just can't decide at the moment. I think "Love My Way" sounds really good acoustic.

Aja

P.S. Did you LOOK at the issue of Kerrang? I'm still not sure if it's in stores in the U.S. yet.

Ohhh, I see. I feel much better now. Seriously, I tossed and turned in the dark that night a few times just trying to make SOME connection about events in the film that would explain it better. It wasn't long before I gave up.

Stewart - Those other names you mentioned from Bradford were only vaguely familiar to me, but I was delighted that you pulled out New Model Army as an example! I looked it up in my book here and sure enough it says they were formed in Bradford! Just call me a music trivia saddo with autistic-like information gathering tendencies, but this sort of thing makes me happy. Thanks. I actually listened to a track from NMA's second album recently, after not hearing it in eons, and man did it make me feel like a very silly righteous rebellious teenager again. I'll never forget the first time I heard them - it was "The Price" single. I went completely wild over them. I called the radio station requesting more but the DJ would say "who? I can't find any but here's a band called the Models will that do?" Arrrgh. Life was hell before the internet.

Also, sure I know all about the Leeds bands, but that doesn't count. Anyway, thanks again.

What's your advice for the broken hearted?

S.

Was that The Models as in Marco Perroni, post Banshees pre Rema Rema and Adam & The Ants, by any chance Bimble?

They only released one single as far as I can remember ("Freeze" / "Man Of The Year") but it was a scorcher.

Ken L

How did you become a Dr Pepper drinker in a place like NYC? Is it easier to obtain up there than it used to be?

I wasted far too many years of my life being "broken hearted", shrugging off other oportunities for the sake of wallowing in self-pity. My advice is GET OVER IT QUICKLY AND MOVE ON! Life's too short.

Hope that helps,

Alex in NYC

Yeah, I love Dave. He once kicked John Leland's lunch down the entirety of W.18th Street before delivering it to him (we were both interning at SPIN at the time). I laughed so hard I nearly gave myself a hernia. Please say hello to him for me and tell him to get in touch. I'd love to know what he's up to.

Cheers,
Alex in NYC

Dr.Pepper has always been easy to find up here. It's Mr.Pibb that you can't put your hand to north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Yers,
AlexinNYC

"fearting"?

Speaking about Stranglers, which album would you recommend to a guy who only has the "Peaches" compilation and enjoys the early tracks a lot?

By the way, when will the friggin' KJ remasters come out??

Regards,
JP

Well, they were supposed to be released last week (July 11), but that's the UK date. Don't know where you live. Pluse, I haven't been to the record store lately.

I know you weren't asking me, but....

example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009RRRC8/qid=1121728559/sr=8-4/ref=pd_ka_4/202-8209503-2314218

oh, and I'm from Portugal. :-) Thanx, Aja.

first album : Tracks are - 9.CHANGE
10:REQUIEM (SINGLE VERSION)
11:CHANGE (DUB) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
12:PRIMITIVE (ROUGH MIX) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
13.BLOODSPORT (ROUGH MIX)
________________________
whats this for : Tracks are - 9.FOLLOW THE LEADERS (DUB)
10.MADNESS (DUB) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
11.BRILLIANT
___________
reveltions : Tracks are - 11.WE HAVE JOY (ALTERNATE MIX)
____________________________________________
ha : Tracks are - 7.SUN GOES DOWN
8:BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Pandemonium: Some Mix of Pandemonium, I think & Another Cult goes down.

Democracy: Bonus Track: Democracy (The Russian Tundra Mix).

-- Aja (AsiaKitty200...), July 18th, 2005 5:58 PM. (aja) (later)

Same difference, really.

They only released one single as far as I can remember ("Freeze" / "Man Of The Year") but it was a scorcher.

No, it wasn't that band. Which is exactly who I feared someone might think I was referring to, hence my correction upthread! ;) Nope, I distinctly recall it was a band called the New Models. I've heard the Models single you speak of, though, and I think it's okay. Rema Rema on the other hand...ah, but I've raved about Rema Rema enough already on this board.

(You can only get it via the Beggars online store...)

ah now walk me home....

Wha...? No Pssyche? How can this be???

Who is the real Bullgod, Dave Wyndorf or Kid Rock?

Shookout

Quite a difficult choice there. Off Black & White, though, I think I might have to go with 'Nice 'n' Sleazy,' though 'toiler on the sea' and 'tank' are also dear to me.

I am unable to capitalize my t's on this keyboard (I'm at an internet cafe).

Alex in NyC

If it's the early Stranglers you dig, you really cannot go wrong with either Rattus Norvigicus or No More heroes, both of which are roiling with more bile, priapism, needless thugishness and rampant misogyny than you can shake an angry fist at.

KJ re-masters wise, already out are Democracy, Pandemonium, Killing Joke, What's thIS for..!, Revelations and hA! Killing Joke Live. As UK imports.

No idea when Fire Dances and Nighttime are coming out, nor what their bonus tracks are. In theory, that information should appear here: http://www.killingjoke.com, but....well, you know how it works. Or doesn't work, as the case may be.

Cheers,
Alex in NyC

Cripes, is this even a real question? Dave "Space Lord" Wyndorf was the actual Bull God back when Kid Rock still had a ridiculous fade and was rapping about grits sandwiches. Comparing Dave to Kid Rock is like comparing the Silver Surfer to a gasping, stunted spermotazoa.

Disgusted,
Alex in NYC

Oh, Fopp has all three KJ remasters, a fiver each.

Yours helpfully

Mark.

Do you have any info on why the Joke are canceling so many shows lately?

Aja

No I don't, and it's most frustrating for my buddy Jester who handily runs the official website, as he's been inundated with e-mails asking the same question. Here's hoping it's nothing serious.

Oh, and time for a cheap-ass plug. Check out my newly-launched weblog at: http://vassifer.blogs.com

Enjoy,

Alex in NYC

Um, thanks. I know about how Jester feels.

Thinks people who recline their seat-backs into his lap during flights should be viscerally garotted

HA! Me too. I never do it beause I'm afraid to piss the person behind me off. One time a really tall guy sat behind me and asked me not to put my seat back and I told him not to worry because I wouldn't do it any way. I also hate people kicking my seat. Some one kept doing this while I was at a movie theater. Luckily the seat reclined, so I leaned back and pushed their legs into their stomach, at least I hope that's what I did.

You hate fishing?? Why?? I like it. Yet I also hate salmon.

Aja

P.S. There you go. Someone actually read it.

I hate fishing because I very nearly lost an eye doing it.

Hooray,

Alex in NYC

I'm sorry. I always catch a lot of fish. One time I got three medium size fish on the same hook, at the same time! Worst thing ever happened during my fishing experiences was I caught a huge maceral while my dad was buying hot dogs, and it was so heavy, I couldn't reel it all the way in, and had to pull the line up. Just as I got it up over the railing of the pier, the damn line snapped!

Oh, well.

Wishing you had a more enjoyable experience

Aja

PS Kerrang?? Crap? Also, have you bought any of the reissues?

Of course I bought the reissues! What am I? An asshole?

Alex in NYC

Umm, all of them? In that case, which is your fave so far? I'm guessing Firedances (if it ever gets remastered) would be my favorite remaster because you can tell the songs would sound so much better with just some modifications in the recording process, or something like that. I personally don't think the other albums NEEDED to be remastered. Well, maybe Democracy.

*I'll take all I can get*

Aja

PS Do you care for Murder Inc and/or Damage Manual?

Fire Dances isn't out yet.

Murder Inc. should've been great,...but weren't. Likewise Damage Manual, athough I do quite like "Blame & Demand," and "Sunset Gun" isn't bad.....for a cover of "When the Levee Breaks".

Alex in NYC

Fire Dances isn't out yet.

:Ahem:

I'm guessing Firedances (if it ever gets remastered)

Also:

would be my

Check out the case of the verb. (This shouldn't be too hard for you to figure out since you're a writer.)

Any way....

What's YOUR favorite remaster???

Aja

It was meant to be a joke question.

Best wishes,

Shookout

Have you ever seen Monster Magnet live and if so what did you think?

Shookout

If it doesn't exist yet, how could I choose it -- having not heard it?

Try thinking every now and then.

Alex in NYC

I'd have imagined my answer involving the Silver Surfer and sperm would've suggested that I wasn't entirely serious either. Oh well.

Yes, I saw Monster Magnet a long time ago (circa Spine of God...early 90s) as part of some New Music Seminar or CMJ thing. They were still comparatively low budget at the time (and more scuzzy-psychedelic than metallic). I remember seeing Wyndorf interviewed on some panel during the day by a disgruntled punk for "selling out" for growing his hair long and wearing bell-bottoms, etc. (Dave, prior to Monster Magnet, was a member of the more conventionally punky Shrapnel). "Dude," responded Dave with utmost cool, "investigate irony!"

"Negasonic Teenage Warhead", as far as I'm concerned, should be considered for inclusion in the pantheon of the single greatest achievments of mankind. Their over-the-top cover of Depeche Mode's "Black Celebration" is similarly inspired.

Yours in Rock,
Alex in NYC

If it doesn't exist yet, how could I choose it -- having not heard it?

Try thinking every now and then.

WTF??? I asked what's your favorite remaster!!!!!! DAMNIT! I know YOU don't want to choose (YET!!!), and I was just saying if it ever comes out, it'd be likely to be my choice, but I haven't chosen ANY of the remasters a favorites yet because I haven't heard ANY YET!!!!

So, I ask you yet AGIAN.

WHAT

IS

YOUR

FAVORITE

REMASTER

?

Patiently waiting for your legitament (sp) response,

Aja

P.S.

P.S.

I know YOU don't want to choose (YET!!!)

That should read "I know YOU don't want to choose Firedances (YET!!!!!!!!!!!!)"

J/K Alex. I just want you to answer my damn question!!

But honestly...I'd love to do reviews of singles with Alex. That'd be funny as hell, unless we agree.

Are you not answering my question because you are disappointed by the remasters? I mean, quit making excuses with Firedances isn't out yet, it's not an option crap! Please, I'm really asking you, just answer my question.

*I am a child of folly and now I want my way*

Aja

I HATE YOU!

Why must he do this? It's like the simplest question I've asked him! God, he's going to be a great father

Don't take that personally

Look. I'm really, really, seriously, honestly,...um can't think of any more synonyms....SORRY.

Really.

I'm really impatient and I have the bad habit of argueing with people I like intentionally. (Hard to believe, but oh so true. I know it sounds insane, but it's the truth, which apperantly is hard for anyone on here to believe because it's my truth. And that sucks.)

Alex, don't leave this place because of me. Please.

I'll stop with this nonsense now.

recently I purchased a red t-shirt, which features a reproduction of the cover of gang of four's classic entertainment! album. I faced a certain amount of internal conflict while making the purchase, eventually deciding that the negatives of the possible debasement of the cover art at the hands of the capitalist merchandising machine was outweighed by it being a great record and a cool t-shirt. as a noted expert on band t-shirt etiquette, how would you have approached this situation?

did you ever consider volunteering to do jail time in lieu of matthew cooper as a means to finally propel yourself up the TWInc-ie ladder of achievement? just an idea...

oh, and hi again. maybe I missed it, but where were you flying to and from? my wife and I (did I tell you I got married?) just got back from prague and vienna a couple of weeks ago.

yrs,
jon a.

Why didn't I follow you out of TW when I had the chance? Next time you see me, kill me please?

Congratulations on gettin' hitched! Prague, eh? That's where Killing Jok....oh nevermind.

E-mail me.

Alex

I keep picturing these two universes in my mind: the one where Nighttime gets resissued, and the one where it doesn't. Parallel universes - but which is the one to really come? I just have this gut feeling it will happen, this reissue, though, when I really try to guess.

And each of every one of these survivors has a copy of Nighttime, that has been remastered and reissued with bonus tracks, which they shall gather together to listen to in small groups, and shake their heads and mutter "oh, if only we'd listened to Jaz...."

I rather fear George Dubya's role in summoning forth the four horsemen of the apocalypse is actually going to be somewhat central.

Which means Killing Joke have got... what? Another 2-3 years at the outside to get Nighttime remastered and on the streets?

As did Jaz.

If Jack Natz is so dangerous, how come he used to wear leather trousers on stage that made him look like Bono?

Sincerely
Matt #2

You trying asking him that and see where it gets you in the "danger" department. I saw him not too long ago in my local deli. He now has a moustahche/goatee arrangment on his face that makes him vaguely resemble Dick Dastardly.

Good Luck,
Alex in NYC

I rather suspect Dubya would like to stop them being published during his presidency. He obviously thinks literacy is inherently subversive.

Good one my friend, I know not how to reply.

I only wanted to add something stupid and trivial about this silly old band called Rema Rema that Big Black COVERED...that's right I said BIG BLACK COVERED.

Furthermore, anyone who owns This Mortal Coil's first album "It'll End In Tears" should be aware that "Fond Affections" was originally a song by REMA REMA.

Additionally, anyone who likes Rema Rema and doesn't mind a bit of goth sprinkled in with their preferred first meal of the day should check out the post-Rema Rema project with some Rema Rema members - it's called Mass "Labour Of Love" LP. Vinyl is worth a fortune now, and you can't get it on CD, but...hey if you're courageous enough to investigate adventuresome, rockin', schizophrenic, goth post-punk folks, a record both creating and ending its very own GENRE, I recommend Mass "Labour Of Love" on -you guessed it- 4AD Records, 1981. Surely Throbbing Gristle would have approved of this?

End of Sermon.

Dear Alex in NYC,
Can you give me any advice about buying a good notebook PC?
I must be drunk because early R.E.M. is sounding like a good thing to pull out right now. Nah, but I'm just kidding. I'm not that desperate yet. Not when I've got new Fall CD's. Still no KJ CD reissue in the mail, damnit!!!

- Bimble

Re: a good notebook PC, you couldn't ask a less qualified person. I'm a Mac user through and through.

Early REM is great (well, Chronic Town, I mean).

Sorry to hear about KJ not arriving yet. Where'd you order it from?

Lood Guck,
Alex in NYC

Well damnit I know early R.E.M. and Chronic Town is great, but I'm just getting too stuck in me ways these days, I'm trying to challenge myself and pulling out safe and easy gems from the past like that isn't going to cut it.

I ordered the damn KJ from a company who let me down before when I tried to order the first Scritti Politti album, Songs To Remember. But still I went with them again because I am trying to save money. I may prove to be completely stupid, but my strategy is to wait. It took me a whole month got get that Genesis P. Orridge book in the mail. It hasn't even been a whole two weeks yet since I ordered the KJ. I know it will come. Just not on a WEEKEND, BECAUSE OF MURPHY'S LAW.

That's okay. I've got other stupid cheesy ideas of what else to play instead to amuse myself. I'll be okay. ;) Hahahaha.

- Bimble

The album you be thinkin'bout is the celestially wonderful Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven. And yes, it's magnificent.

Alex in NYC

Right. What was this about early R.E.M.? No no no I refuse. I'll put on Pylon instead I swear! I know I'll play Chronic Town but the time isn't right yet. I must have Pylon first.

Worth a fortune you say? Blimey, I'll have to get my copy out and put it in E-Bay immediately give it another listen!

I actually saw them once, bottom of the bill below Theatre Of Hate, Modern English and The Birthday Party. Can't say they made much of a lasting impression - but then being immediately followed on stage by The Birthday Party wouldn't have exactly helped them in that respect!

I've only got the album because 4AD kindly used to send me review copies of everything they released (in recognition of all the rabid plugging I gave to Bauhaus' In The Flat Field when it first came out and no-one else seemed to be paying much attention).

Wasn't it a couple of guys from Rema Rema but not Marco?

To be honest I'm not sure I ever actually heard Rema Rema - they were only about for quite a short time and I believe only released one EP, which I don't think I've ever come across.

If you're (somewhat crudely) referring to an anecdote I posted about being propositioned by some guys at a Bunnymen/Psychedelic Furs show at the Beacon Theatre a few years ago, no. I don't regret turning them down, but I remain flattered all the same.

Alex in NYC

So, like, if I were to Dare Suggest an NYC*FAP for Saturday, July 30...would anyone actually show up?

...and try to keep it classy.

I'm in Texas at the moment. Back on Sunday night.

You know that we all love ya, right?

Signed,

Dear Alex in NYC,

Would you like a million hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs?

Sincerely,

lol

Is that a euphemism for electrocution?

Ha! If only.

"In view of the particularly brutal nature of these heinous crimes, the state of Texas hereby sentences the accused to one million hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs"

Truman Capote's In Warm Smee

Alex, it is a line from a song that, were you to hear it, would cause you to spontaneously generate epithets so foul and violent that you'd find yourself surprised not to have coined them already. Please trust me when I say that the song in question is a vile gently simmering ramekin of pus bubbling atop a stove whose other three burners, all set on low, are encrusted with old cat shit and flecks of tomato paste.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMr52bCXNdU

And we finally have the post of the year folks, lets all take tomorrow off from the internet.

(xpost)

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