* New Hope for the Wretched/Metal Priestess by The Plasmatics. I recently rented a DVD of the late Tom Snyder's Tomorrow Show interviews with "punk and New Wave" groups -- which also includes the performances of the bands and musicians, In fact, it includes the entire shows. The Rev. Rex Humbard, the world's first televangelist  was a guest on the show the night that Wendy O. Williams and the boys blew up a car in the NBC studios while performing the song "Masterplan.". The good Rev.was surprisingly mellow about the band. Less tolerant preachers would have condemned them as porn-rock demons from Hell.

And, oh yeah, they played music -- basically a metal edged punk rock -- or punk-edged metal. Undoubtedly they were more impressive live -- with all their explosives and chainsaws and Wendy wearing nothing on her breasts but band-aids, etc.-- than in the studio.

Still, The Plasmatics are a lot of fun on record.   I like "Monkey Suit," which reminds me a little of "The Electric Prunes' "Get Me to the World on Time" and "Black Leather Monster." And this album, which includes their 1980 album and a 1981 EP (Metal Priestess)  includes several live tracks, including "Sex Junkie," "Squirm" and "Masterplan," which unfortunately isn't the Tomorrow Show version.

* '50s Rockabilly Hellraisers. Here's another impressive rockabilly obscurities bargain from a mysterious re-issue label called Rock-A-Billy. Just a few months ago, I got another one from eMusic -- 1950s Rock N' Roll & Rockabilly Rare Masters.

That one had 56 tracks. Hellraisers has 70, for a mere $5.99. Sure, I already had a handful of these, but still, what a bargain!

Some of my favorites here include "Switchblade Sam" by Jeff Daniels, which tells a tale tale involving Stagger Lee and Charlie Brown (The Coasters' hero not the Peanuts character. I assume); "Boppin' Wig Wam Willie" by Ray Scott (Are these cartoonish  1950s depictions of Native Americans actually racist or innocent fun. Talk amongst yourselves); "Move Over Buddy," a space travel novelty by Billy Jack Hale a no-wonder-you-never-hear-this-on-the-radio rocker, "Quicksand Love" by Macy Skipper, which features the immortal line, "I'm like an elevator, I'm goin' down all the time." YIKES!

There also are hree tunes by Mississippi rockabilly Andy Anderson, who lived a few years in New Mexico, including "Johnny Valentine," "Tough Tough, Tough," and "You Shake Me Up."



* The 31 tracks I didn't get last month from  A Night On The Town With The Rat Pack. The sound quality's not great, but that's easily overlooked by pure entertainment quality

Back when I was a kid in the '60s, I considered music like this to be somewhat of a guilty pleasure. This was your parent's music. So here's a lesson for today's youth: Wipe your nose, junior. Your parents probably are a lot hipper than you thought.


Plus:

* Nine tracks from Cameo Parkway 1957-1967. I heard The Dovells' "You Can't Sit Down" for the first time in years in a supermarket a few days ago and I was shocked and ashamed that it wasn't in my collection. I looked it up on eMusic and found this four-disc treasure trove.

Cameo-Parkway was a Philadelphia label best known for hitmakers Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker -- neither of whom I'm particularly wild about. But they also were home to Dee Dee Sharpe and The Orlons, two acts that twisted my head off as a youngster. In fact, in the early '60s, before Motown dominated the soul-pop market, Cameo-Parkway was the true "sound of young America." (And by the mid '60s, it also was the home to ? & The Mysterians -- though I already have all three of the songs on this collection.)

The Orlons always created a musical party that sounded like a lot more fun than most parties I've ever been to. "So Much in Love" by The Tymes still is one of of the most soulful doo-wop songs I've ever heard. And Dee Dee's "Gravy on My Mashed Potatoes" sounds as if it's based on a double entendre that I still can't quite figure out.

Among the other tunes I picked up are selections by Screamin' Lord Sutch ("She's Fallen in Love With the Monster Man"), Johnny Maestro ("I'll Be True," apparently from that period between The Crests and The Brooklyn Bridge) and Don Covay ("The Popeye Waddle," apparently a dance craze that never quite caught on.) And there's a great R&B version of Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin'" by a group called Billy Abbott & The Jewels. I'll be coming back for more here.

* Three tracks from Soundway Records Presents The Sound of Siam : Leftfield Luk Thung, Jazz and Molam from Thailand 1964 - 1975. I'll write in detail about this next month when I pick up the rest of the tracks. Let's just say for now that this is a step or two beyond the wild and wonderful Thai Beat a Go-Go series, two volumes of which I downloaded on eMusic years ago. And, judging from what I've heard, it's worthy of Soundway's collections of African funk and psychedelia I've loved in recent years.

And for the holidaze ...

* "Christmas in Las Vegas" and "Jingle Bells" by Richard Cheese. (Both from Silent Nightclub) and "Christmas Lights" by Wild Billy Childish & The Musicians of the British Empire (from Christmas 1979 I'm slowly acquiring the whole album.)

Big favorite of mine is Kid Congo Powers' post-Cramps band Fur Bible who released one towering 4-song EP then disappeared in the face of widespread derision. Wish someone cared enough to do a Kid Congo career perspective collection.

Back in the day...   England, early 80's..  I went to a regular little club that was full of goths, rockabillies, punks and general new wavers.  All the music was just a mixture of everything.  There was no music rule.  Everyone jumped around to everything.  I was a wannabe psychobilly dressed like a rockabilly; and my girlfriend was a gorgeous Goth with big black hair and white make up.  it just didnt matter.  Our record collections would cross over and overlap.  I saw Bauhaus live several times, Souixie numerous times...  while I dragged my poor girlfriend along to wreck to the Guana Batz and Meteors gigs.

 

I still listen to most kinds of music (to a limit, obviously), but I will always have a fondness for the Goth scene.  There is a lot of humour behind the black and white make up and morbid lyrics.

 

I wonder what my gothy girlfriend is listening to now, 25 years later...   will never know.

Well, of course, that's the purpose..

Mardy Pune said:

If you are using that as a live setup you could always get the engineer to throw a mic in front of the amp or just mic it yerself.

If you are using that as a live setup you could always get the engineer to throw a mic in front of the amp or just mic it yerself.

Teddy Jungle King said:

I still haven't bought any tube preamp but I did some tests with a setting inspired by what you all recommanded: Shure 55sh (basically a shure sm57, nothing fancy) into preamp/delay pedal into germanium overdrive into small vox amp (30 years old, the only controls are Tone and Volume, and I'm not even sure about the wattage but I think it's something like 15 watts).

IT SOUNDED GREAT! I used a 50ms delay, the echo having less volume than the dry signal, so you almost can't hear it in normal conditions, but when you turn on the overdrive you start noticing it, it gives a very good rockabilly vibe! It's the first time that I'm using an OD on a mike, but I instantly thought of this one: the Germanium OD by Electro Harmonix, I often use it in guitar because with an other OD before, and the nice setting of course, you can get a Sonics like sound (yes, it sounds like a cranked amp with a pierced speaker, just like the sound of Louie Louie, that made me fall in love with garage instantly). This OD doesn't have a lot of gain, and a very unique texture, very warm (like all effects equipped with germanium transistors), that's why it's perfect for vocals! I'm actually really impressed by this pedal, I usually don't trust big brands when it comes to effects, nothing sounds worse than Boss to my ears for exemple, but Ehx seems to manage to make great sounding pedals with a low cost.

I don't know what this setting will be like without a small amp, because I can't really bring the amp during rehearsals every week, but I'll try it straight into the console, if it doesn't sound well, I'll try to use a tube preamp to see if it helps.
I would recommand to anyone into garage to test the od I talked about, or at least to listen to some demo on youtube, because I've never been that much impressed by a pedal, considering it's price, and I own quite a few boutique pedals!
And no I'm not paid by ehx to do advertising (Though that would be a sweet job for a 18 years old like I am), I'm just very much in love with the sound I got :), I'll try to record something when I have some time so you can judge by yourself the tone you can get this way.

I still haven't bought any tube preamp but I did some tests with a setting inspired by what you all recommanded: Shure 55sh (basically a shure sm57, nothing fancy) into preamp/delay pedal into germanium overdrive into small vox amp (30 years old, the only controls are Tone and Volume, and I'm not even sure about the wattage but I think it's something like 15 watts).

IT SOUNDED GREAT! I used a 50ms delay, the echo having less volume than the dry signal, so you almost can't hear it in normal conditions, but when you turn on the overdrive you start noticing it, it gives a very good rockabilly vibe! It's the first time that I'm using an OD on a mike, but I instantly thought of this one: the Germanium OD by Electro Harmonix, I often use it in guitar because with an other OD before, and the nice setting of course, you can get a Sonics like sound (yes, it sounds like a cranked amp with a pierced speaker, just like the sound of Louie Louie, that made me fall in love with garage instantly). This OD doesn't have a lot of gain, and a very unique texture, very warm (like all effects equipped with germanium transistors), that's why it's perfect for vocals! I'm actually really impressed by this pedal, I usually don't trust big brands when it comes to effects, nothing sounds worse than Boss to my ears for exemple, but Ehx seems to manage to make great sounding pedals with a low cost.

I don't know what this setting will be like without a small amp, because I can't really bring the amp during rehearsals every week, but I'll try it straight into the console, if it doesn't sound well, I'll try to use a tube preamp to see if it helps.
I would recommand to anyone into garage to test the od I talked about, or at least to listen to some demo on youtube, because I've never been that much impressed by a pedal, considering it's price, and I own quite a few boutique pedals!
And no I'm not paid by ehx to do advertising (Though that would be a sweet job for a 18 years old like I am), I'm just very much in love with the sound I got :), I'll try to record something when I have some time so you can judge by yourself the tone you can get this way.

They sell some great stuff. Their pickups are good value for money.

KK Dirty Money said:

Also, this company makes good stuff for cheap:

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Pro-Delay-Classic-Vintage-Delay-Tones-E...

Also, this company makes good stuff for cheap:

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Pro-Delay-Classic-Vintage-Delay-Tones-Echoplex-Style_p_1081.html

These are all excellent recommendations. Surf Craigslist for good deals on used pedals. Look on ebay to see what the good price range is. Go to a couple music stores and just demo as many different pedals as possible. Take notes on what you discover. Once you do a little bit of homework, you can probably nab a good deal on a gently used pedal (patience is also a good ingredient). 

If you put in that little bit of extra work, chances are you'll find a happy deal.

But, Danelectro and Behringer (if you're really strapped for cash) are always good for the money. You may find everything you need in one of these pedals, in new condition, for under $50 (especially if you're not too picky). 

It is a good time to be playing guitar because there are so many choices out there for good prices.

Good luck.

Jamie; Your right, they do filter the repeats to make sound analogue. Most companies just cut the top end of the repeat to make it sound like an analogue repeat, but the repeats don't degrade like the analogue ones do.

 

Giannis; sorry the link should have read "Memory Toy" not "Memory Boy" and your also right, the Memory Toy was given bad reviews when it was released. The issues have been addressed by EHX and it's a great little pedal now. I use one as my number one delay now instead of my old Boss DM-2, which seems to be developing a mind of its own.
Jamie said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have much experience with delays, but I thought the "lo-fi" aspect of analog delays could be captured with digital if they were "filtered" in the same way. However the time between repeats for analog delays decreases over time and stays the same with digital.. Hope that makes sense.

 

Also, Giannis did you try the Digitech Hardwire reverb in your reverb search? I'm interested in comparisons between that one and the FRV-1.

Check out the Marshall Echohead.

It's digital but has some great sounds including a tape echo (at 2:31 in the demo)...

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

I use one of these and it sounds great live. It's also virtually indestructible.

Thank you Mardy.I'll probably go try the behringer.Though i've heard really bad critics for the memory boy.

 

Jamie, sorry but i didn't try it.I couldn't find anywere to try it.Though i never really like digitech this must be a good reverb.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have much experience with delays, but I thought the "lo-fi" aspect of analog delays could be captured with digital if they were "filtered" in the same way. However the time between repeats for analog delays decreases over time and stays the same with digital.. Hope that makes sense.

 

Also, Giannis did you try the Digitech Hardwire reverb in your reverb search? I'm interested in comparisons between that one and the FRV-1.

A slap delay or slap back delay is just a short delay time. You don't have to buy a specifically named pedal to get this type of sound. Any cheap delay can give you this sound once you work out how to set it up.

There are two basic types of delay pedals available; Analogue and Digital. Traditionally the Analogue delay pedal will have a shorter range of delay lengths, up to 800 milliseconds and will sound more organic/warm. A basic digital delay will generally go up to 2 seconds these days, why anyone would want a 2 second delay is beyond me but each to their own and they also tend to sound quite clean and a little sterile.

If you want a great sounding analogue delay then go and try one of these: Electro Harmonix Memory Boy

For a cheap and good sounding analogue delay try one of these: Behringer Vintage Delay (these are unbelievable value for money)

One thing to note is that a lot of digital delay pedals will eat a 9 volt battery very quickly.

Ive used Blip on and off... sometimes it's a lot of hard work to find the good stuff.  But maybe that's how it's supposed to be..  a little reseach can repay big time. 

 

But on the other hand..  Last.FM is much more accessible, and runs more smoothly, with a whole world of info and groups etc.   Last.fm is great for music discovery, and hearing stuff you never knew existed; with quite a lot of information about the band/artist etc.

Whilst Grooveshark.com is pretty good; although a little less classy.  Grooveshark will find music for you, if you know what you are looking for.  Not so imformative, and slightly anonymous feel to it all.

 

rock'n'roll girl - the beat

fashion victim - reatards

switchin in the kitchen - pretty boy

i want you back - jackson five

frothing at the mouth - carbonas

let's dance on - monkees

you belong to me - duprees

i wanna die (but not right now) - hubble bubble

can't stand the midwest - dow jones and the industrials

wiggle it around - brian's dirty business

well if you think the sonics are gonna sound just as they did back in their hey day , it ain't gonna happen. larry puripya (SIC)still has a cool guitar sound. their worth seeing them if you've never seen them before

it wasnt cald Punk .........back then!!! get your shit together!!!!!

TeenFink said:

the FIRST punk era was from '65-'67, not '76-'80.

Compilation albums:

 

BEACH BLVD LP 1979

TOOTH & NAIL LP 1979

YES L.A. 1/2 LP 1979

DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION soundtrack LP 1980

the FIRST punk era was from '65-'67, not '76-'80.

Hahahahaha!  Yes!  And where did I FUCKUP????!!!  When you are a fuckup like me, people expect the least from you! 

ratoonie said:

joey....i wakje up every moorning...asking myself....where did ..I Fuck up!!!!!!!!!

ratoonie said:

everything that all the peoplle Listed........is on my 'list!!!!!!!........Road to Ruin......Ramones!!

joey....i wakje up every moorning...asking myself....where did ..I Fuck up!!!!!!!!!

ratoonie said:

everything that all the peoplle Listed........is on my 'list!!!!!!!........Road to Ruin......Ramones!!

everything that all the peoplle Listed........is on my 'list!!!!!!!........Road to Ruin......Ramones!!

Given the area I live in, we didn't get a lot of "cool" albums, so I have to go with what was available to me at the time..First I would have to go with Devo's "Q: Are We Not Men A: We Are Devo!", then the B-52's self-titled debut LP...I loved the Clash's 1st album, and I can't forget the Fleshtones' "Blast Off" cassette only release on ROIR...I also loved the B-52's second release "Wild Planet", but sadly, in my opinion, they kept deviating from their original formula of "surfy" party music...If I wanted to delve into a cheesy level, I still love the Vapors' "Turning Japanese"...Of course the Ramones was churning out gold then, too....And yes, I loved the Sex Pistols' album (You know the one)...

For me, it was finding my mother's 45 rpm of the Standells' "Dirty Water"...then I heard Paul Revere & the Raiders on oldies radio with "Kicks" and ? and the Mysterians' "96 Tears"...the Outsiders' "Time Won't Let Me" came afterwards...sure they're well known, but it started the catalyst...can't forget the Dave Clark Five's "I Like It Like That"...which led to the Fleshtones....