That sucks. His two Ramones demos from September '75 are incredible. I like his production on the Zeros "Beat your heart out" too. Very Phil Spectorish.

BREAKING NEWS – Legendary Punk Figure Marty Thau dead at 75

Written by: Dave Cantrell

It is almost too much to say, but the man behind such legends as the New York Dolls, Suicide, the Fleshtones, Real Kids, and involved with just about everyone else on the 1970′s New York punk scene, Marty Thau, has died aged 75. Very few details are known at this time but CITC will have a full remembrance tomorrow from a guest writer that knew him quite well.

Read more: http://caughtinthecarousel.com/breaking-news-legendary-punk-figure-marty-thau-dead-75/

Interview with Marty Thau from Mudkiss Fanzine.

If I can say only one it must be The Ramones- It's Alive, but have to squeeze in Dead Kennedys- Fresh fruit for rotten vegetables and any of the Iggy albums The Idiot/Lust for Life/New Values as well.

Work, what a bummer. Check them out if you ever get the chance again, Matt. I've been fortunate to see The Sonics a couple of times since the reunion and they are maintaining their cool, for sure. I also think the bass player from the Wailers is in there now, but i'm not too sure. Talkin' bout The Cramps, another mind-blowing original is Charlie Feathers truly breathtaking " I can't hardly stand it", how weird and wild ain't that piece? Just love it.
Also forgot to mention that as a very young kid i was fed some of the early Stones, stuff like "I just wanna make love to you", so when I later started to dig in on 60's Punk/Garage, something was already tuned in.
There is so much great stuff out there and I agree w.John that even though they're awesome, it is a pity so many people start and stop w the Sonics. Today I dig The Jim Jones Revue a lot, think they're very close to the truth.
Joined this site the other day, great place!

Matt , I just now saw your comment , was'nt ignoring it.....OH , NO !!!! well , the good news is , The Sonics are touring more , now , so , you may still get your chance. I hope so.....That sounds like fun , a Sonics /Wailers combo that plays house parties. I was especially lucky , I got to see The Wailers , once , too. i WAS FLOORED , THO' IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN with the Sonics......It was the 50th  anniversary of "Louie , Louie", and my friend said , why are'nt they doing a big "Louie Fest" in Seattle with The Wailers , The Sonics , Mark Lindsay , The Kingsmen (Who were basically a bar band when I saw them in '86 , but I hear they have their ups and downs...), and , was Richard BERRY STILL ALIVE iN '06 ? I FORGET , sorry.....But , The Sonics had yet to reform . The Wailers' (And , later, The Sonics') Drummer told us they did do a show with The Kingsmen and Paul Revere , but there were no plans for a BIG show to honor the song that put Seattle on the map , and I don't mean "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

I could'nt imagine being tired of The Sonics , even when I meet people who waited 20 and even 30 years for them to become "Hip"before they'd actually listen to them. But , sure , Imight walk away for a while , though , every time I HEAR THOSE FIRST TWO LPs , NOT TO MENTION THE Vastly UNDERRATED Third LP , I think "THAT'S the band that raised the bar.", and they still ARE.

The Cramps had everything to do with me getting into Garage , Rockabilly and Instrumental Rock in the early 80's , tho' I already knew and enjoyed quite a bit of the obvious stuff. I bought the "Born Bad" comps , because , for boots ,they were nicely laid out....THE EARLIER " Songs We Taught THE CRAMPS" (0r vice - versa?) has better sound and artwork , but , it took me years to find a copy.

I'd heard some of The  songs The Cramps covered , like '' Surfin' Bird", "Psychotic Reaction" and "Muleskinner Blues" on "Oldies Radio " in the 80's and on life - changing compilations like "40 Funky Hits" in The 70'S , but , imagine my shock , hearing "Save It" by Mel Robbins on Oldies Radio , once , in the 90's ! It was about 10:00 pm , but , STILL ! I was shocked to hear how much wilder it was than The Cramps' version, as much as I love that....

As much as I love The Sonics , it's a pity so many people start and stop , there. I'm going to go see them in a little over a week. I aw them in October and they were INTENSE. Anyone that's too cool to give 'em a chance , now , can't be too cool.    I don't listen to The Nomads that much ,anymore , tho' I still like 'em. I first heard them in 1984 , and kept that name in mind, until I found their first LP , TWO YEARS LATER ,and bought it. I did'nt realize songs like "I'm Five Years Ahead of My Time" , "Don't Tread on Me"and "The Way (You Touch My Hand" ) were cover songs , too....But , I got caught up.

I saw The Nomads 3 times in the 90's. First two shows were great , third one was pretty awful , tho ' everyone else seemed to love it.

Yeah John, I feel lucky my dad had so many cool records when I was a kid. I also had an older cousin who was really into music. He was in a metal band at 16 when I was probably 11 and I thought he was the coolest guy ever. He gave me Metallica - Kill'em All on cassette and that really started me into metal at an early age. However, I was still listening to garage music at the same time. I didn't really ever stick to one genera of music. 

And as to what Cheese says, I too was very much into punk and hardcore before I got into garage in any serious way, as in record collecting way. The Cramps had a big impact on me learning about old garage rockabilly. The Sonics and the Wailers really blew me away when I first heard them. I spent so many years playing BOOM over and over, I thought I'd never wanna hear it again at one point. Me and friends from various local Indiana bands put together a Sonics/ Wailers cover band for house parties. That was many years ago and we never took it seriously cause we were all in real bands, but those were some fun sets to play.

The Sonics played here in Toronto 4 or 5 years ago. It was a free outdoor show. I HAD TO WORK. I think I was the only person in the city who did not go to this show. Very sad. 

I came from punk and early 80's HC-scene, after a while i was looking for wilder and sexier sounds and found The Cramps and Gun Club. Those two bands definitely kicked my first garage door wide open and i still hold them high. I knew the Cramps played obscure covers but at that point i didn´t really bother to check the originals out scince the Cramps were so GREAT already. Yeah, "Songs the lord thought us" is THE album that got me hot for garage Rock 'n' Roll.
Swedish pioneers The Nomads, especially "Where the wolf bane blooms", and later on the brilliant "Back From the Grave" comps took me further on the path that led to The Sonics. From then on it was no turning back. "Here are the Sonics" and "Boom" are both simply "the best Garagerock album". The Sonics have the ultimate sound and on top of that they look soooo Bad Ass on that Boom-cover.

[URL=http://s66.photobucket.com/user/Mattkillings/media/Unknown_zpse1602378.jpeg.html][IMG]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Mattkillings/Unknown_zpse1602378.jpeg[/IMG][/URL]

I googled it. There are cups for Jaws, Smokey Robison, Dracula...wonder if they did KISS? Too lazy to look now. Pretty cool.

Alice says : You'll be BACK !!    Yeah , 7 -11 had , in the 70's , maybe very early 80's, "Trading Cups", limited editon. First there were Baseball trading cups , later maybe other sports , I don't remember , Superhero cups (Marvel only , as I recall. Maybe DC ,too.), Monster cups (Which were based mainly on monsters in folklore ,that SOMEONE believed existed.....The Yeti , Bigfoot , The Golem , maybe Vampires , Werewolves , too , but not specific to any movie versions.). Eventually , they did the "Rock Star Cups'. Though , I remember seeing a picture of Johnny Cash with his 7-11 cup , calling it "The true mark of a man's success", so there may have been a line of C & W star cups , as well.... The funny thing is , these cups are SO small , it'd probably take FIVE of them to get you busted in New York City (I think that law was repealed , along with the "No Dancing" statute.). They were literally smaller than a "Gulp" size drink  , today. All these cups had pretty nice illustrations.When he got his cup , Alice was still riding high on the "Welcome To My Nightmare" album , TV special and concert film . But , despite good rockers like "Go To Hell" (Which I heard on the radio , ONCE.) , his only real radio action would be the likes of "I Never Cry" , "You and Me" , and , to a lesser extent ,"How You Gonna See Me Now". The game is called Survival , and Alice won.    "Clones" did break the cycle of hit ballads. I rememer the Rock stations trying to get behind Alice , after "Flush" , still promoting his shows , but , unable to find radio - friendly material.....

Or now...

Yeah man, this documentary should be cool. I’ve seen a pre-screening of it. The Banger Films guys have their office down the street and the director is my neighbour/ friend. I’ll keep ya posted on its release.

Alice Cooper 7/11 slurpee cup! Wow, never heard of that. That is the exact kind of kitschy stuff that I drool over and which clutters my apartment.

Yeah, Flush the Fashion isn’t the strongest album, but I feel it doesn’t get the credit it deserves. I rarely listen to it all the way through, in fact since my friends have been working on the Alice Cooper doc, I’ve become quite tired of all Alice Cooper—I’m sure after a years rest though it will be good to hear again.

This above comment makes no sense and was suppose to be a response to a different topic. I had typed some long winded shit about Alice Cooper here... I don't know what happned, sadly I am sober, yet still out to lunch. I will come back to it later.

Yeah John, I feel lucky my dad had so many cool records when I was a kiid. I also had an older cousin who was really into music. He was in a metal band at 16 when I was probably 11 and I thought he was the coolest guy ever. He gave me Metallica - Kill'em All on cassette and that really started me into metal at an early age. However, I was still listening to garage music at the same time. I didn't really ever stick to one genera of music.

And as to what Cheese says, I too was very much into punk and hardcore before I got into garage in any serious way, as in record collecting way. The Cramps had a big impact on me learning about old garage rockabilly. The Sonics and the Wailers really blew me away when I first heard them. I spent so many years playing BOOM over and over, I thought I'd never wanna hear it again at one point. Me and friends from various local Indiana bands put together a Sonics/ Wailers cover band for house parties. That was many years ago and we never took it seriously cause we were all in real bands, but those were some fun sets to play.m

Really ? A documentary on The Alice Cooper Group ? How cool is that?  That's great , that you did'nt have to stand in a long line to meet him.   I did , at a Tower Records signing , and , while I did'nt mind , I could tell he was pretty tired by the time I got to my place in line. They originally let us  have three items signed , but , there were so many people there , they changed it to one . I opted to get my 7-11 Alice Cooper Slurpee cup signed. I met him outside the Hou$e of Blue$ after a show. I was with my friend , Dan , who'd been following Alice since '71 , but , had never met him , even tho' he'd lived in Phoenix much of his life.  Alice's handler tried to ask us to leave. He was polite about it.  Alice told him , no , it's  all right , and shook hands with us , and we just said hello , and told him what a great show it was.

Then , they walked away. No one else noticed Alice was there. I did'nt want to attract attention to him , but , they were about to leave the premises , anyway. I said , "Guys , Remember The Coop , huh?" , and he waved , without turning around.

BTW- I still like "Clones" , and Alice's electronic version of "Talk Talk" , but never got into "Flush..." that much. I love his version of "Ubangi Stomp " on "Lace and Whiskey".

I think Alice was supriesed I brought Flush the Fashion, he did say he still liked "Clones." There were only like 10 of us, it was some meet and greet thing I got hooked up with cause these Banger Films guys are doing a documentary thing on the Alice Cooper group.  Anyway, he was nice - very down to earth. 

That's a great picture. I met Alice , briefly , twice. He's very cool. I could see where over - zealous fans could , rightfully , piss him off , but , he was very polite when I met him. I have'nt listened to "Diamond Dogs" in a long time. But , I was watching Bowie's 1974 appearance on The Dick Cavett Show. IT IS'NT BAD , BUT , that BAD  soul sister stole the whole damn show.....I forget her name. Someone that became famous , later, I think , as did  Luther Vandross , who sang backing vox with Bowie at the time.... 

I got a good , not great , copy of "The 1980 Floor Show" , unfortunately , like my previous copy , The Troggs are only shown doing "Wild Thing" ("Strange Movies " and "I Can't Control Myself" were edited when the show was later rerun.). Fortunately , I have all three songs on video.        I heard something about the Brett Smiley reissue.  I don't know , but , I heard the whole "Gay" thing was a put - on to attract attention. But I also read that Smiley later DEVELOPED A BAD DOPE HABIT contracted AIDS or HIV.......which might be partly true. Not sure.        Did Alice appreciate a fan praising the less obvious stuff?

I may be late to the game here, but just found out this Brett Smiley single got reissiued last year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfRXbZpi1H0

I've been trying to get a copy for a few years, guess I will settle for a reissue for now. I missed the boat on this Hector  - Wired Up 45 that was recently reissued with the "Wired Up" book. Sure it's obtainable if I put in some effort. 

I'm currently listening to Diamond Dogs album. The whole album is cool, Rebel Rebel even though it is a frequently played hit is a song I never tire of hearing. 

Also listened to the Hello album this morning. 

Oh and I just saw Alice Cooper last summer and got a Billion Dollar Bill. 

Hopefully this link works: Me meeting Alice Cooper and getting my copy of "Flush the Fashion" signed

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valleyboys/9242704330/lightbox/

God... I must have been smoking crack or something. I meant to say  "Thanks a lot Kopper. I will do that and it would be  cool to check out the Wray like Silvertone.

Thanks a lot Kopper. I will do that and it would ne coolto check out the Wray like silvertone.

If you need someone to show you, take it down to J. Gravity Strings on S. Broadway. Those guys are great. They also just got in a late '50s-era Silvertone that looks like it could've belonged to Link Wray himself.

I recently purchased a Danelectro D59 reissue. The sound is real sweet and everything, but my  day of reckoning struck last night as my high e string finally broke. Normally, I can change a string on a guitar no problem, but this Danelectro is a bit different as I have to raise the bridge and then string my guitar in some sort of loop formation. I can not find any decent instructions on the internet how to do this. I guess you unscrew the  two screws to raise the bridge. Also,  I would think that you need to loosen the stings a lot before rising the bridge. Unfortunently, the instruction booklet does not address this issue and  I can not find any decent instructions on the internet. Since I do not want to damage my guitar, I am wondering if I am right on track with changing strings properly without screwing up my guitar.

Thanks a lot!

I love ska and reggae traditional, skinhead dub…

Found a nice cache of 45s at Goodwill a while back, all late 60s/ early 70s reggae.

This Jackie Paris single was in there…

Love it..

Skinhead Reggae!

Yeah, they played in New Brunswick, NJ, once. One of the advantages of being old, I guess. I also saw the Doors and Janis Joplin, and lots of other classic rock bands.

You SAW The Dolls? There are'nt many people , here, who can make that claim. Some people have told me they came to be Dolls fans by way of Johnny's music. With me , and , I guess , a lot of people , it was the opposite. I went and saw Johnny in '86 , even though I did'nt own any of his records (They were nearly impossible to obtain in Dallas , at the time.), I was just a Dolls fan , and had'nt even been one for a very long, though my Brother had their second LP when it came out , in '74.

I've talked to people who knew about Johnny in his lifetime , but did'nt become fans until later . It will have been 23 years in April.