This article is terribly long, but a great read...

Meet The New Boss, Worse Than The Old Boss? -Full Post | The Trichordist

Not a masked band as such , but , I saw Blue Oyster Cult ,once , in 1979. During the inevitable Drum solo on "Godzilla" ,the strobe lights kick in , and suddenly , Alan Lanier is wearing a gigantic , regulation , licensed by Toho studios ,Godzilla mask ! Under the strobe , you'd see his own face return , then go back to the mask , as if by magic , while playing the drums. It was an effective illusion , to say the least.....Flash forward about 25 years later , and I'm seeing Brain Surgeons NYC , featuring Lanier and Ross The Boss (I was the only person there wearing a Dictators T-shirt. Everybody else wanted to talk about Manowar !). This was , of course ,  a small venue , so when THEY did "Godzilla " , Lanier simply grabbed the mask from behind his kit , put it on , did his solo , took the mask off again , and finished the song. No strobe lights , no suspension of disbelief. It was hilarious! 

Well , Brandon , You're right , too.....The Ramones tried to make their sound more commercial , or Sire tried to get them to do so by going for superstar Producers instead of Tommy Erdelyi ( Tho' I , too ,like Richie Cordell's production on"Subterranean Jungle" , but , again , the record would have benefitted from a real drummer throughout.) . But , a lot of their later songs only really sounded commercial in OUR world. Never mind the charts , they were'nt even getting airplay !    Barring Public Radio , and George Gimarc("PUNK dIARY")'s late night show in Dallas , I heard The Ramones a total of ONCE on the airwaves , when they were still a band. I still think "Road To Ruin" is a great album. I even like the "Country Rock" stuff , but , it was their way of keeping up with the changing times ("Punk is Dead" was already the word on the streets by 78-79.), without losing their edge or their identity.  I DON'T THINK THEY REALLY FELT LIKE THEY'D HIT A BRICK WALL UNTIL "END OF THE CENTURY", If only because it was'nt up to their own expectations , and because Spector was a little...um ....meshuggah.

But , as I recall , Punk was getting coverage in the magazines , but, outside of Documetary footage, you'd scarcely see any of these bands on Television. You would'nt have heard them on the radio or in record stores , unless , maybe, you lived somewhere like LA or NYC.

THE LACK OF COVERAGE , SOMEHOW , AFFORDED THE RAMONES  A CHANCE TO BUY SOME TIME. "ROCK'N'ROLL HIGH SCHOOL " COMPLEMENTED THE RAMONES IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY , EXCEPT COMMERCIAL VIABILITY , OR EARNED CREDIBILITY (THE CRITICS SEEMED JUST AS MIXED IN THEIR REACTIONS AS THE RECORD BUYING PUBLIC , FROM THE WORD "GO").      BESIDES , THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL - "THE 80'S ARE COMING ! BE A-SCARED !!!".

 
Brandon said:

well said, though they we're always trying to commercialize in fairness...they thought road to ruin would be top of the fucking pops and it really should have been. the early albums we're straight up american pop songs (in a good way if that makes sense).

You hit on it , right there , Mole. The Ramones were a concept , that had to be witnessed in the first few years of their existence to truly fathom. Everyone I know who saw then from 76 - 78 says so , with the possible exception of my Brother. But , most of us did'nt have the benefit of being old enough or hip enough to have seen them , that early on. That does'nt mean I'd trade back a single time that I did see them , from 84 - 96. With the second and third albums, they streamlined what they had on the first  album , just enough.....No , there WAS nothing like that first album , production - wise in '76. People who heard it , then , have told me it scared the shit out of them .
 
Mole said:

For me, the 1st album is far and away their best, more in terms of the concept of the production. I don't know of ANY other record made in '76 that has that almost 4-track production, with guitar and bass panned hard left and right. My understanding is that they were very influenced by early 2- and 4-track Beatles recordings, and were trying to capture that feel. Job done lads! Saying all that, I'm with Michael Cynic, it's really only the 1st 3 LPs that count. After that, for me it's an unsuccessful attempt at commercializing their sound ad reductum.

well said, though they we're always trying to commercialize in fairness...they thought road to ruin would be top of the fucking pops and it really should have been. the early albums we're straight up american pop songs (in a good way if that makes sense).

For me, the 1st album is far and away their best, more in terms of the concept of the production. I don't know of ANY other record made in '76 that has that almost 4-track production, with guitar and bass panned hard left and right. My understanding is that they were very influenced by early 2- and 4-track Beatles recordings, and were trying to capture that feel. Job done lads! Saying all that, I'm with Michael Cynic, it's really only the 1st 3 LPs that count. After that, for me it's an unsuccessful attempt at commercializing their sound ad reductum.

dude, they published literally hundreds of songs...of course there are going to be some real pieces of shit in there with the gold. I think its fair to say they were prolific though

...Someone asked me this evening , out of the blue , "Did the Ramones ever do a bad song?". I did'nt even egg him on.  I don't dislike anything some artists  did , but , sure , The Ramones had peaks and valleys.At the end of the  day , there's nothing I'd throw back.

i guess part of the reason I still like their later stuff as well as I do , is because they were still the underdog band , while other people were starting to get rich re-hashing what they basically invented. "Alternative Music" really WAS , at one time. 
 
Duke Of Earl said:

My least favorite was probably AdiosAmigos, but I liked the Crusher. Not crazy about acid eaters either. I really liked MondoBizzaro though. TooTuffToDie was great, I like it a lot with the exception of wart hog and durango. Havn't heard the new one yet. I hope its good.

THAT'S ACTUALLY NOT A BAD IDEA. iT MAY MAKE PEOPLE SEE THAT PERIOD IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT.
 
Brandon said:

there was always at least 1 really great song on every Ramones album, but the later ones are better chopped up into a big compilation.

Thanks , MikeL .I HAVE TO SAY , THERE'S A LOT OF KICKIN' ON YOUR PART , AND EVERYONE ELSE'S , TOO.
MikeL said:

You sure kicked up a lively discussion around here, John;)

John Battles said:

I like "Strength To Endure" , BUT MAYBE IF IT HAD MORE OF A VOCAL PRODUCTION LIke"let the punishment fit the crime"....i DUNNO , JUST A THOUGHT.
 
Doc Detroit said:

Personally, I like "Strength To Endure" off of Mondo Bizarro. In fact, had we not done a cover of The Ramones' cover of "Let's Dance", my old band probably would have covered Strength To Endure.

Anyway, I'm not sure if I can agree that The Ramones never had a bad album, but all of their albums past End of The Century have at least one or two songs that I truly love.

there was always at least 1 really great song on every Ramones album, but the later ones are better chopped up into a big compilation.

One of my favorite mix-tape topics. Not songs that were originally GP, but songs from other genres that got the GP treatment.

A few of my top picks:
Zeke - Rhiannon (by Fleetwood Mac)
Minor Threat - Stepping Stone (Monkees)
The Crosstops - Six Days On The Road (Dave Dudley)

Ugly Things goes from strength to strength , and is not delivered in a snotty "If you don't know , why should I tell you?'' kind of way. The Johnny Echols interview is so in depth , yet , so personal , it makes me want to defend e-mail interviews for the first time.

Buy "Ugly Things" so Prince Phillip can cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of The Garage/Psych and Punk Hall of Fame , Shame and Infamy .

Yep, got my copy! This thing really shouldn't be called a magazine, though. Each issue is really a friggin' BOOK. Mike Stax & co. never cease to amaze me with the work they do on each issue. Talk about a labor of love...

Everyone who's ever been interested in this kinda music needs to order each and every issue. Well worth your measly ten bucks.

Just got the latest Ugly Things mag last week, and it's a KILLER!! For those who haven't seen/read it yet, there's a lengthy and detailed interview with Johnny Echols on his time with LOVE, great articles on Groep 1850, The Electric Eels, Syndicate and tons more!! Buy it NOW!!!

http://store03.prostores.com/servlet/uglythings/StoreFront?cart_id=572565

Zoe von Doll is no longer a member of the Hideout. I was actually about to give her the boot when I saw that she had voluntarily left the site of her own accord. Good! Anyone who not only doesn't appreciate the comp series or the podcasts but accuses of us "stealing" music for them obviously just doesn't get it, nor do they deserve to be a member of this community. So good riddance to her and anyone else out there who thinks that any of us involved with the comps or the podcasts here are somehow taking advantage of bands. Since her posts were deleted when she deleted her account, I went ahead and removed the responses, too. Now we can get back to the business at hand.

Cheers!

Good stuff.

Mole said:

The Bostweeds, "Little Bad News":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAxUbI_Ld8o

The Bostweeds, "Little Bad News":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAxUbI_Ld8o

How 'bout these dudes:

http://www.reverbnation.com/theflightreaction

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Playlist:

NEW COKE – All I want is your sunshine
The ANGRY DEAD PIRATES – I don’t mind

Thee VICARS – I wanna be your vicar
OUTER MINDS – Conversation
The HIT GIRLS – Not with you
I MITOMANI – Soldi (Money)

VIBRAVOID – Eruption of the green sun
FEDAVEES – Self a light
NEW CANDYS – Surf little surfer
KETAMINES – Teenage rebellion time

The MOVEMENTS – Put me down
The NEVERMORES – Like a pill
COSMONAUTS – Motorcycle 1
The SNOOKYS – Shoot you down

HELLSHOVEL – Ivan’s hammer
OOGA BOOGAS – Ooga booga II
POP.1280 – Burn the worm
The DE RELLAS – Stick it to the man

TY SEGALL & WHITE FENCE – Easy rider
The MOJOMATICS – Rain is digging my grave

 

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ELECTRIC MANCHAKOU - N'tselfik

ACID BABY JESUS – Fingerpainting
THICK SHAKES – Deep pockets
MUDHONEY – Editions of you
The MIGHTIES – Blood veil

SLICES – Slices in the dark
DE KEEFMEN – Anything
DETROIT COBRAS – Bad girl
GLITTER WIZARD – I don’t like you

VANNY ZERO – American way of lie
DEAD ELVIS and his ONE MAN BAND – Primitive blues
DAN MELCHIOR und DAS MENACE – Carl iz banal
The FUNERALS – Head on backwords

Thee MARVIN GAYS – Gotta go
The CONJUGAL VISITS – Bruised from my hips
VAL VENTURA – Sun down California
PIPERITA PATTIES – Too cool for school

CANDY SNATCHERS – She’s getting loose
The DIRTYS – Born to lose live to win
MOSTROS – Mahara baby
The SPITS – SK8

HUNTERS – Deadbeat
The MAXINES – The hunch

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New forthcoming releases from Dirty Water with Thee Exciters,

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Playlist:

EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING – Pitch a tent

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NINE POUND HAMMER – Everybody’s drunk

Thee EXCITERS – Flower punk girl

LULU’ Y LOS CANIBALES – Mestura

BEASTS OF BOURBON – The beast I came to be

The LAST KILLERS – Robot lover

WHITE PAGODA – Brand new baby

The ROGUES – Welcome back

The HUNCHMEN – Lost & found

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The CREEPING IVIES – Buggin’ around

The CRAMPS – Mistery plane

WALKING SEEDS – Night of the long grass

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PAINT FUMES – Egyptian rats

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Young and old rock'n'roll bands tribute the oldest

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Ladies and gentlemen, the Rolling Stones!

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Playlist:

The HYDES - Have you seen your mother baby, standing in the shadow?

The LITTLE KILLERS - Think

SWINGIN'NECKBREAKERS - It's not easy

The HENTCHMEN - Surprise surprise

KING KHAN and BBQ SHOW - Out of time

I RAGAZZI del SOLE - Satisfaction (I can't get no)

CHESTERFIELD KINGS - Street fighting man

REDD KROSS - Citadel

The FLAKES - Stupid girl

I PIPISTRELLI - Get off my cloud

The OTHERS - The last time

The BREADMAKERS - Down home girl

The STANDELLS - 19th nervous breakdown

ROY LONEY & SENIOR NO - Who's driving your plane

The EYES - Not fade away

CHEATER SLICKS - Child of the moon

The HELLACOPTERS - Gimme shelter

The KELVINS - Dead flowers

JACK OBLIVIANS - 2000 man

The TELL TALE HEARTS - I'm free

The LOVE SUPREMES - Sing this song all together

The IGUANAS - Tell me

Thee HEADCOATEES - Paint it black

FORESOOTH , FIVESOOTH , EE -VUN ! THE SECT ARE A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE , BECAUSE THEY SWING WITH THE HOLY TRINITY - BO , MUDDY , AND CHUCK. THROW IN JIMMY REED TO SUPERSIZE THE WHOLE DEAL, AND HEAVENS TO MURGETROID !!!! IT'S LIKE 1963 , BUT , OUR FIRST HANDSOME PRESIDENT IS'NT ASSASSINATED.

I SAW SKY TWICE . FIRST TIME , UNBELIEVABLY GOOD. SECOND TIME , WELL....IT WAS A GOOD PARTY , ANYWAY. I WOULD'NT STEER ANYONE TOWARD THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT. SOHNS DID'NT WANT TO DO ANY OF THEIR ALBUM CUTS FOR YEARS. I HEARD LITTLE STEVEN HAD TO GIVE HIM WHAT FOR , TO DO ANY OF 'EM AT ALL , WHEN THE SOK TOURED FOR THE UNDERGROUND GARAGE. THE REMAINING CHICAGOBANDS ARE ALL STRICTLY FAIR CIRCUIT , THO' I DID SEE THE NEW COLONY SIX DO AN ALL - GARAGE SET, TWO YEARS AGO , AND IT WAS FANTASTIC.

I SAW THEE MIDNITERS AT THE PONDEROSA STOMP WITH GREGORY SINGING , AND THEY KILLED !  ? AND THE MYSTERIANS NEVER FAIL. RICHARD BERRY COUNTS , IN THAT HE WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS. I SAW RUDY RAY TRYING TO CROSS OVER , BACK INTO SINGING , BUT , HE SANG OVER A CD , EVEN WHEN THEY SUPPLIED HIMWITH AN ACE FUNK GROUP, THE  CROWN ROYALS.  I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE ABOUT THE ALARM CLOCKS , WAILERS , TRASHMEN , AND MONKS . I HAVE'NT SEEN THE SONICS , BUT , JUST LOOKING AT YOU TUBE CLIPS , I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE WHO HAVE , COMPLAIN SO MUCH.  I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THEIR TICKETS , IF I COULD HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED 1000 , 2000 , 10, 000 MILES FROM HERE ,WHERE THEY USUALLY PLAY.