G. E. Smith's "In the World" (1981 Mirage Records) is a lost power pop gem, IMHO. Tight and tough sound production by Bob Clearmountain. Heart Frozen Up, Real Love, Nuns With Guns, Powerman, Sad About Girls, are all killer tunes that you deserve to hear if you love this genre. 

Back in the 90's I wrote the folks at (the then upstart) Razor & Tie Records trying to convince them to reissue it on CD. They knew of and respected the work but didn't see any potential $$ value in its re-release. I grabbed as many copies as i could find in the vinyl cut-out bins back in the day for around 99 cents each and gave a lot away to friends. Still one of my most treasured LP's.

Otherwise: The Producers' "She Sheila", The Plimsouls' "A Million Miles Away", The Who's often overlooked 45 RPM "Call Me Lightning" are some other faves.

Some shameless self promotion I guess, but check out my old band The Beltways,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7m7B_QkJIg

and while you're at it, some good friends of ours, Splitsville.

http://www.youtube.com/user/captdusty?feature=watch#p/u/3/tzlj64oH0nM

Cheers for the tips. All great stuff. We had the Gigolo Aunts pass through here a few months back and I've been on a powerpop trip ever since.

Thanks for checkin' it out! I definately need to check out your recommendations, especially the documentary on road movies! Thanks!

Rhod said:

Sounds like an interesting read, joey! The author seems to have covered the subject comprehensively.

You might want to check out Rich Hall's BBC film documentary "The Dirty South" which took a look at how the American South was portrayed in movies. Highly recommended. He has a respect for his subject and completely avoids the usual pitfalls and stereotypes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/yoursay/dirty_south.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohzWgzVruic

He also did a documentary on the Western (haven't seen that one yet), and a recent one on Road Movies - also very good.

Sounds like an interesting read, joey! The author seems to have covered the subject comprehensively.

You might want to check out Rich Hall's BBC film documentary "The Dirty South" which took a look at how the American South was portrayed in movies. Highly recommended. He has a respect for his subject and completely avoids the usual pitfalls and stereotypes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/yoursay/dirty_south.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohzWgzVruic

He also did a documentary on the Western (haven't seen that one yet), and a recent one on Road Movies - also very good.

"Moonrunners" is a new website venture from Shooter Jennings, along with Adam Sheets (No Depression) and Josh Nutting (host of "Outlaw Radio Chicago"). The site's focus is on music, culture, heritage, current affairs, and reviews from a Southern perspective. I was honored to be asked to be a part of the site and be included as a contributing writer. The guys felt like I could bring a lot to it, so now the pressure's on! (Hahaha) I have just submitted my first article which is a review on the book "Hick Flicks: The Rise and Fall Of Redneck Cinema" by Scott Von Doviak. I reviewed this book here on the Hideout in the "Bookshelf" group, but this is a little more of a broader article. For those of you interested in the site, here's the website: http://www.moonrunnerscountry.com/

And for those of you on Facebook, here's that page address: www.facebook.com/MoonRunnersCountry

Definitely some Ty Segall!

kopper said:

I'd recommend the Hex Dispensers, Lost Sounds, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall... stuff like that.

Frustration from Paris on Born Bad Records

It's not anywhere near constant. Just flew in and out the other day (blood pressure is perfick though) and made me think about all the battering I've given my ears over the last decade. Cheers for the tips though.

they just drown out the music too much

Mine don't, they just lower the volume

That constant ringing in your ears is called tinnitus and I have it, too. It started a few years ago and really bothers me when it's especially quiet (like lying in bed at night). I can't stand wearing ear plugs at shows... they just drown out the music too much. I wear them anyway (too late, obviously), but lately I just don't go see live bands as much as I used to. Having kids kinda gets in the way of that, too.

Make sure it's actually due to noise exposure, and not high blood pressure or something! The occasional ringing out of nowhere is a tip-off...

Depends a bit on the noise you make I guess but I think -15 to -20 dB does the trick. In any case you'll need to consult with one of those specialist. They'll test your hearing, see what they're needed for and once decided they'll fill your ears with Goo to make a mold for a perfect fit....

Thanks. What filter would you recommend? Am kindda new to this side of things.

Been using them for some 20 years now and trust me, when a $ 100 more saves you your hearing... pay for it. You need something like this.... http://www.westone.com/hearing-protection-products/custom-fit-hearing-protection-products-4

After the last ten years of non-stop playing I'm starting to get a (very very occassional) bit of ringing from nowhere so I guess it's time to protect the ol' lug holes. Can anyone recommend some decent earplugs (not too pricey though). I can't use the bog standard, kind-of-like-reiforced-cotton-wool ones. I sing and play the guitar and when I use the cheap ones all I can hear is the voice inside my head when singing. Any advice would be great.

Cheers.

Yeah....just to point it out again...Man or Astro-man? have MANY vocal songs. There is nearly a complete list a few posts up. You could probably pull together about 3 full-length albums from the vocal material they have done.

jinx n scooter said:

are you askin' bout man or astro-man ? just to make sure that is the band/question... lol

i have just bout everything they have put out - love'em to bits and try to make every show the do round here - there haven't bin that many but still -shrug- most of the vocals i know can think of are sound bits off b movies - like "the lizard king attacks" love that track -  or off is it.... man or astro-man? "nitrous burnout"  project infinity cd/album has a few more vocals/sound bites  like - "transmission from venus" but "manta ray" is full/has full vocals on deluxe me in space  ep. there is the track named u-uranus and that also has full vocal - hope this help you out - and again this band RAWKS!!! lol keep kewl/keep warm/keep it garage!

just noticed that this question is from way back in nov. 2010 so not sure if your still on this site or what but feel free to answer me back and or too tell me to piss off - lmfao up to you

oh yeah here is an mp3 of them you might just dig it's one of the track i mentioned to yeah

jinx

are you askin' bout man or astro-man ? just to make sure that is the band/question... lol

i have just bout everything they have put out - love'em to bits and try to make every show the do round here - there haven't bin that many but still -shrug- most of the vocals i know can think of are sound bits off b movies - like "the lizard king attacks" love that track -  or off is it.... man or astro-man? "nitrous burnout"  project infinity cd/album has a few more vocals/sound bites  like - "transmission from venus" but "manta ray" is full/has full vocals on deluxe me in space  ep. there is the track named u-uranus and that also has full vocal - hope this help you out - and again this band RAWKS!!! lol keep kewl/keep warm/keep it garage!

just noticed that this question is from way back in nov. 2010 so not sure if your still on this site or what but feel free to answer me back and or too tell me to piss off - lmfao up to you

oh yeah here is an mp3 of them you might just dig it's one of the track i mentioned to yeah

jinx

The amazing Blue Oyster Cult ! Need I say more.

"Transmaniacon MC"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc6DvChtRes&feature=related

"Golden Age Of Leather"

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDgJpQZae0E

"Feel The Thunder"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rNZDlmqUz4

Name alone says it all...Dennis Hopper Choppers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOTQd1sNZA8

we were close to have one of our song for a car commercial but they took Dick dale instead ! haha

The Young Werewolves from Philadelphia are friends of mine, they've been at it a long time and put on a great show.

Hi dying,

It's a 1967 KAPA Minstrel teardrop.  KAPA was a small guitar company in Silver Spring, Maryland, near Washington DC.  KAPA made the bodies, bridges and tremolo units, and assembled everything; the necks, pickups and electronics originally came from Hofner (though later KAPA made their own), and the tuners came from Schaller.  KAPAs were were relatively cheap guitars, which meant that garage bands could afford them. I think KAPA ceased to exist in 1970 (bought out by Mosrite -- another great garage rock guitar maker).

-A

THEE DIRTYBEATS - 100% pure maximum vintage garage

dying slowly said:

what is that guitar?
THEE DIRTYBEATS said:

THEE DIRTYBEATS use mostly period instruments from the mid-60's, including KAPA, Mosrite, Rickenbacker and Fender guitars, Fender and Ampeg amps, Big Muff fuzzes, and Morley wahs.  It helps us better recreate the awful/glorious racket made by the original garage bands of the day.   

My '67 KAPA Minstrel teardrop (see attached pic) is a good example.  It was a cheap guitar way back when, and today the pickups are particularly touchy... but the sound, as unpredictable as it is, is so wonderfully gritty, it's just glorious.  I ended up using it on all the solos I played on our debut ep.

-A

THEE DIRTYBEATS - 100% pure maximum vintage garage

FREE DOWNLOAD 2011 DEBUT EP  http://theedirtybeats.bandcamp.com

The Bowery Electric is a really cool place.

 
MikeL said:

I like the Bowery Electric in NYC, along with the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH, and Skully's in Columbus, OH.  Here in Pittsburgh, I like the 31st Street Pub and Gooski's.

 

I like the Bowery Electric because it's just a couple doors down from where CBGB used to be, and it has something of a CBGB vibe.  

 

I saw two of the three Rolling Rock tours at the Beachland Ballroom, and I saw Manda and the Marbles during their CD release party for "Angels with Dirty Faces" at Skully's (One of my all time favorite gigs).  I also saw MATM for the last time at Skully's.

 

I like the Pub because it is like a home grown version of CBGB, without any of the history or prestige.  Gooski's has a great jukebox, full of garage, glam, punk, and post punk bands.

Very cool... many thanks...