The Garage Gods MUST love me. I got my Mummies tic right away. Coming from Washington, I really couldn't chance a door ticket.

Three day passes and individual tickets for the show on Saturday night are sold out! Sectmaniac said:

I believe it. The places are small and the tickets were limited. Which ones are sold out? The 3 day passes or the individual day ones?

I believe it. The places are small and the tickets were limited. Which ones are sold out? The 3 day passes or the individual day ones?

Sold out! What the hell?!

I just noticed the message on my facebook account... Thanks for keeping us posted :)

All right assholes! Listen up! Special weekend passes are available for sale NOW! They are VERY limited so get 'em while they last pendejos! http://www.hookorcrook.com/budgetrock8 There is a 2 ticket MAX! If you try and get more than that, your sale will be cancelled! So don't try it!! GOOD LUCK!! Remember - this will probably be yer last chance to see The Mummies or The Brentwoods!

Damn, I'm glad I was home today when your announcemrnt came. Just bought an on-line ticket an hour and a half ago. Coming from Washington, I really couldn't chance a door ticket. Sectmaniac said:

I posted ticket sale info this morning. All presale tix are now sold out. Sold out in less than 1 1/2 hours.

There will be 100 door tickets available for Saturday's show.

I posted ticket sale info this morning. All presale tix are now sold out. Sold out in less than 1 1/2 hours.

There will be 100 door tickets available for Saturday's show.

If you ever hear Elvis' version of Milkcow Blues, that riff is going through that version as well though at a very frantic pace. I think Howlin' Wolf took that riff from many of the country versions he heard and slowed it down. Not sure though as he never has been interviewed on that. Gas-House Gorilla said:

Agreed.

The only Link Wray that seems to qualify in any way is Hidden Charms - which is neither an instrumental, nor does it feature Wolfman Jack. It does however showcase Link doing his best Howlin’ Wolf impression. You can throw this track into the thread of Best Cover Songs too. Not only a great cover, but great use of the arrangement from the Kink’s cover of “Milk Cow Blues” (at least I think that's where that arrangement originates – please correct me if I’m wrong).

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I still think it's Wolfman by Bobby Fuller Four with Bobby providing the Wolfman vocals.

Agreed. The only Link Wray that seems to qualify in any way is Hidden Charms - which is neither an instrumental, nor does it feature Wolfman Jack. It does however showcase Link doing his best Howlin’ Wolf impression. You can throw this track into the thread of Best Cover Songs too. Not only a great cover, but great use of the arrangement from the Kink’s cover of “Milk Cow Blues” (at least I think that's where that arrangement originates – please correct me if I’m wrong). Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

I still think it's Wolfman by Bobby Fuller Four with Bobby providing the Wolfman vocals.

Thanks for the warning and the link to individual shows. Just bought the Mummies ticket. While the price of the Weekend pass is affordable and generous, I can't afford more than one night staying in San Francisco. I can't wait.

All right assholes! Listen up! Special weekend passes are available for sale NOW! They are VERY limited so get 'em while they last pendejos! http://www.hookorcrook.com/budgetrock8 There is a 2 ticket MAX! If you try and get more than that, your sale will be cancelled! So don't try it!! GOOD LUCK!! Remember - this will probably be yer last chance to see The Mummies or The Brentwoods!

Yeah, I actually had a good time at those. Seeing the New York Dolls at one with the Chesterfield Kings. The Zombies at another (now they just tour as Argent and Blunstone), and the Romantics and Shadows of Knight. A lot of my friends thought it was over blown but I thought it was fun. MikeL said:

Are you talking about the Rolling Rock tours? I saw a show from each tour, and I had a great time at all of them. I'm glad you liked them too:)

Oh, Crown of Thorns. That whole situation really bothered me big time. They certainly had no reason being on the show. I don't think it would have been that hypocritical of a tribute to the Cramps. He could have just mentioned that they don't play this band enough and appoligized for it and brought on some "experts" like Miriam Linna to help out. I'm sure she has a record collection that isn't that much different than the one Lux and Ivy had (though probably not as big). Gas-House Gorilla said:

Good points Rod. To be honest, I don’t listen to the syndicated show all that often, but I agree that a guest host is preferable to a recycled show. I also think there is a degree of truth in your “favoritism” comment. Who knows what goes on in selecting the bands he promotes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t all honorable. While I feel that much of it is based on merit/preference (I do dig what I've heard from both Tinted Windows and Noisettes – and from the new Cheap Trick album for that matter, MikeL), there are certainly other factors with some of the selections. You mentioned one act that has always bothered me – Enuff Z’nuff. The only reason they get any airtime is due to a personal relationship with Little Steven, when they have no genuine business of being played at all. Another UG band that has gotten under my skin lately is Crown of Thorns. I believe there was an initial attempt by Little Steven to create a Hard Rock record label (which is fine by me), and Crown of Thorns was signed at the outset. Well, I guess there weren’t any other unsigned Hard Rock bands out there worthy of promoting, and the whole new label idea fell apart. So what happens now? Crown of Thorns gets over-played and over-promoted to the UG listeners. Anyway, in the overall scheme of things, these transgressions are slight enough to me, and forgivable.

Good point on Lux Interior’s passing as well. I actually find the Cramps underappreciated/underplayed on the station, so perhaps it would have been hypocritical to suddenly showcase them after Lux’s death. Nonetheless, a bit of a tribute would have been nice.

Well, I did kind of say "Fuck Off" when I first started posting on this subject, but since everyone here has actually been pretty courteous, I'll take that back.

I've actually hung out with Michael a few times at various local venues. He can be charming at times, but he can really get under your skin too.

Jo Jo from the Charms told me that these "falling outs" happen all the time, but usually people kiss and make up in the end, although that sounds funny mentioning him since his band parted ways with LS. It's usually an ego problem on both sides, and I'm sure LS is just as full of himself as Gregg. They both like to think of themselves as martyrs to the cause. Plus just about everybody involved in this stuff has a bit of a Peter Pan complex, hence the immaturity mixes in with the egos like sodium and water.

I'm sure there are some other great pop bands out there. Currently, my favorite local band is Takeover UK, and I was hoping that they would get some airplay on the UG, but it look as though it's not going to happen. However, they are getting some airplay on AltNation, and maybe that's just as well, because I think they're a better fit for the channel.

I think it was the fifth or sixth show in which he first played the Cynics, then the following year he started playing the Paybacks and Gore Gore Girls when they were on Get Hip. He also played the Priests and High School Sweethearts just before Gregg ended up on his shitlist. I feel bad for the Priests, because they begged Gregg to sign them just so they could get played on the UG. A local band called the Breakup Society also signed to Get Hip for that same reason, but they never got any airplay either. Looks like it's a good thing that websites such as this exist, to play those bands that LS is either snubbing or ignoring. BTW, he may have deleted those names from the playlists, just out of spite, so maybe that's why you missed them.

Are you talking about the Rolling Rock tours? I saw a show from each tour, and I had a great time at all of them. I'm glad you liked them too:)

I haven't talked to Michael in years except for a moment or two on myspace, but I leave him alone mostly. I don't like what he listens to for enjoyment (he really doesn't listen to bands that are like his). But I've learned my lesson about saying "how can you listen to that stuff". Man, people take it very seriously as if you have hurt their feelings.

But I don't understand all these things about "having a falling out" with people. Cavestomp is a perfect example. Not one mention of the Return of the Sonics at what was probably the most exciting Cavestomp in years since the Monks (of course I went to neither, but I heard great things) but because he can't get his own bands on the bills, he takes it as an insult and totally ignores them. Most people would think of it as "yeah, I understand. No hard feelings. if I can help in other way...."

Though it doesn't look good, like I said, I think playing the Wicked Cool groups is OK simply for the fact that they did come from other places before being on his roster.

Care Bears on Fire are ok. I even sent a friend request on myspace, but then I got a friend request from their OFFICIAL street team and it just is a little too much. I also think there are other pop groups that could use his support instead of Tinted Windows. I can't think of any at the moment but I'm sure there are.

I'm gonna have to take another looke at the playlists because I thought the Cynics didn't make it on until year two but I don't remember.

You have a lot of valid points and I appreciate the respectful way you've presented them and the fact that you didn't call everyone a bunch of jerks for having opposing views.

Hey, he has done a lot of good. He brought groups to the Northwest through his tours that wouldn't come otherwise and I personally like his shows with the circus atmosphere. I just wish he was a little bit more like he was a few years back.

And I listen to everything through his website since the syndicated show in on Saturday nights in our area a day before everywhere else.

Good points Rod. To be honest, I don’t listen to the syndicated show all that often, but I agree that a guest host is preferable to a recycled show. I also think there is a degree of truth in your “favoritism” comment. Who knows what goes on in selecting the bands he promotes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t all honorable. While I feel that much of it is based on merit/preference (I do dig what I've heard from both Tinted Windows and Noisettes – and from the new Cheap Trick album for that matter, MikeL), there are certainly other factors with some of the selections. You mentioned one act that has always bothered me – Enuff Z’nuff. The only reason they get any airtime is due to a personal relationship with Little Steven, when they have no genuine business of being played at all. Another UG band that has gotten under my skin lately is Crown of Thorns. I believe there was an initial attempt by Little Steven to create a Hard Rock record label (which is fine by me), and Crown of Thorns was signed at the outset. Well, I guess there weren’t any other unsigned Hard Rock bands out there worthy of promoting, and the whole new label idea fell apart. So what happens now? Crown of Thorns gets over-played and over-promoted to the UG listeners. Anyway, in the overall scheme of things, these transgressions are slight enough to me, and forgivable.

Good point on Lux Interior’s passing as well. I actually find the Cramps underappreciated/underplayed on the station, so perhaps it would have been hypocritical to suddenly showcase them after Lux’s death. Nonetheless, a bit of a tribute would have been nice.

Hey Rod, don't pull my string, man. hahaha Keep the words comin' I wanna read on about what you guys have to say! Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

And I do wish that some of the others on here who say they don't like him give a good reason why instead of just saying they don't like him...

OK, I can see more clearly where you're coming from. Somebody else brought up that point about him playing bands that are signed to his label on his radio program, and I'll admit that it does look kind of monopolistic, not to mention slightly incestuous. However, I really like the Chesterfield Kings and the Cocktail Slippers, along with the Maggots and Chevelles, so I'm not complaining. And I'm sure there's favoritism involved, although that is just a cold, hard fact of life. I'm not too keen on the new material by Springsteen and Cheap Trick (Although I do love it when he plays classic Cheap Trick and the more obscure songs by Springsteen), but I also know he has a vested interest in promoting Springsteen's new albums. This is just my personal opinion, but I do like those songs by the Care Bears on Fire, Tinted Windows and the Noisettes. I especially like that song by the Noisettes because it is a great pop tune with a hint of Phil Spector and Motown. It reminds me a lot of "Pull Shapes" by the Pipettes, which was another song that I loved. You have to understand that I'm a total sucker for great pop tunes. As for the Care Bears on Fire, "Everybody Else" is not a great song, and it sure isn't all that original, but it gives me hope to see kids making some noise. As for "Tinted Windows," I do like that song "KInd of a Girl," again because it is a good pop tune. As far as him being dismissive when you disagree with him, well, again, that can be said about a lot of people. Have you ever had a conversation with Michael Kastelic? I like Michael, but he can be a real dick sometimes when you bring up something he disagrees with. Keep in mind that nowadays I mostly listen to the Sirius channel. I stopped listening to the syndicated show because I just can't seem to stay awake for it anymore. I could do that before I got Sirius, but now that I can listen to the UG anytime I want, I'm not so compulsive about the syndicated show. I'm still pleased with the Sirius channel, so that's why I don't have a problem with LS. BTW, he did play the Cynics a lot in the early days of the show (along with other Get Hip bands), before him and Gregg had their falling out. You can see it in the playlists. And even thought Jet is not a garage band, I still like them, and I think "Get Born" is a masterpiece. Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Ah, don't get me wrong. I do enjoy his show on occasion (not this past year though and I'll get to that) and I do applaud him for helping bring rock and roll back to the forfront the best he can. It's only the first year and this past year that I have found really disappointing. Good Points:He's playing songs that have been slowly become endangered due to the disappearence of oldies radio and the really good ones at that. Before his show, I hadn't heard Talk Talk or Psychotic Reaction on free radio over the airwaves in close to 15 years. I even called one time to request one of those songs and they claimed they didn't have it. I asked them why not, and they claimed that they were too harsh for their station. What? Anyway, he also plays old songs that never made it to the radio (at least in the States) such as Midnight To Six Man or I Can Only Give You Everything. What else....He made the Ramones, Iggy Pop (and Stooges), MC5, New York Dolls, Sex Pistols, Dead Boys, early Clash, Damned legitimate acts. In that I mean, they are no longer just part of the KROQ ghetto. Sure, a lot more meatheads now know who they are, but in the long run, just taking the time to promote their existence means a lot. And maybe the bad qualities are out numbered by the good but that first year was horrid compared to others, simply for the fact that he didn't take the time to present a well rounded history of what came before for the last 20 years prior to his show. It would have been nice to hear Voxx bands during the first year instead of Enuff Z'nuff or Cotton Mather. And I don't like the fact they he says he'd rather promote bands instead of singer songwriters, but then why does he have Graham Parker (or something similar). Well at least his choices are better than what the stations usually play when he's show is not on. As for this year, he should have let some of his Sirius Hosts guest host for the national show and present some fresh shows while he's been on tour instead of just repeating past themes with only "Coolest Song In the World This Week" be the only new feature (plus incorporating other new songs into the shows taking place of last year's new songs). And the new bands he's been promoting thIs past few months almost stink of favoritism. I won't say payola because that's probably not true at all, and I don't mean bands on Wicked Cool, either (even though that REALLY doesn't look good). No, I mean promoting his BOSS's band, Cheap Trick, Green Day, and others who don't need his help, plus some of the weak choices pitched his way, such as this Care Bears on Fire, or Tinted Windows (with a Samshing Pumkin and a Hanson Brother no less. The Noisettes really aren't that good either. Last year and earlier this year, he had bands like the Urges, Satteliters, Thee Exciters, some others I can't recall at the moment on his show and I feel those are the bands that truly deserve his help, and he actually did a lot more of that during 2004-2007 but it's slowly drifting back to what his first year was like. And that's why I feel it's a half ass job these days. I also think it's a big slap in the face of garage rock that he didn't take the time to mention the passing of Lux Interior. He did just as much and probably more to promote the gospel of garage rock. He deserved a tribute.

You are right though. He should be commended for giving this genre a chance to be heard and giving rock a good shot in the arm that it deserves.

And I do wish that some of the others on here who say they don't like him give a good reason why instead of just saying they don't like him or what he appears to be ( a corporate fraud? Maybe. I don't think so. He's gotta pay the bills but I wish he wouldn't do it promoting the new U-2 album or Elvis Costello).

When I mentioned Jet, I was basically referring to his first two years or so when it was more likely that they or the Strokes, or the Vines, or Kings of Leon were going to get played and it was more as just an example. Steven's gotton better at getting bands like the Dirtbombs and the Cynics on the show but it seems like it took a while. I've never met him but some of my non musician friends have (one friend got to meet him backstage at the Sonics show in Seattle) and they all have mentioned that he's a nice guy. I just get the feeling that if you disagree with him to his face, instead of taking your comments into consideration, he's just going to dismiss you and not be kind about it. Gas-House Gorilla said:

I know that I personally hear the Dirtbombs on the station far more often than the likes of Jet. Plus he does have a (non-original) member of the Dirtbombs on staff as a host. I have also heard him (and others on his station) promote the garage labels you mentioned, along with Sundazed, Bomp, Norton and others, as well as tipping his cap (do-rag?) to Greg Shaw, Lenny Kaye, etc.

As for the personal anecdotes you mentioned, I have no reason not to believe you. Maybe the guy is an asshole. I fortunately don’t have such first hand experience, but I can see how that would sour you. I’m sure there are others here with more authority, as I know some members are on his record label (although hence, wouldn’t be likely to say anything disparaging – but other with personal knowledge might).

Perhaps as you mentioned, everything else is better by comparison. I don’t necessarily agree, but I do greatly appreciate all the other garage outlets available to me. Unfortunately there is nobody else out there with the stature/visibility of Little Steven promoting this great music. Once there is, I will applaud their efforts as well. Also, I believe you said earlier that you listen to the show’s archives, so you must enjoy them to some degree?

Anyway, I again appreciate your thoughts, and you make some constructive points.

I hate to say it but when it comes to promoters, it seems like a good idea to do a background check.

James Lowe of The Electric talks in the Lance Monthly about what went wrong with the big Electric Prunes/Sky Saxon/Love tour this summer. Saxon's death was only part of it! By the way Lance monthly is put out by Dick Stewart, whose Lance Records was responsible for lots of garage, surf, psychedelic and Chicano rock in New Mexico in the 1960s, including "I Wanna Come Back from the World of LSD" by the Fi Fi Four Plus 2. There's lots of cool stuff in the Lance Monthly.

I don't know if they were part of the New Orleans scene but John Fred and his Playboy Band formed before the Beatles came to america. I know they played Louisiana.

I don't know about NYC. Too many people from that city keep saying that seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan inspired them to pick up a guitar. All I can think of are Folk singers, Doo wop groups and twist bands (like Joey Dee and and the Starliters). You mentioned Buffalo and even though you only mentioned Wade Curtis, he did lead a group, the Pacers. Never heard of Stud Cole but I just looked him up and he sounds like he'd be entertaining. His bio doesn't list him in a group though, just a solo act. Anybody else from Buffalo?

I've heard there were tons of bands from Texas but Bobby Fuller is the only one who comes to mind pre 1964.

Plattsburgh is all the way up by Canada...I think it's a good 6-7 hours from NYC. That's what makes the Mike and the Ravens story all the more remarkable. What about NYC or Texas??....Texas - Bobby Fuller/post Buddy Cricketts who released a couple of good LPs/Terry Noland - there's more artists too. The Nightshadows (they were a Southern band) were around for a long time...probably late 50's/early 60's - the Garbage Man single came out a long time ago (early 60's). Maybe not a scene but Stud Cole and Wade Curtis both came from and played around Buffalo NY. Also, the New Orleans scene...early Dr. John and the groups he produced, played with or was a session man on... The Ends, Al Reed, Ronnie & the Delinquents, Sugar Boy Crawford, Bobby Hebb..among others. I heard they are reissuing a fairly unknown band's only album, The Nomadds from 1965 in Oct/Nov 2009 (check it out here... http://82.148.208.55/beyondthebeatgeneration/nomadds.html - hopefully someone will find this enjoyable). I've heard that it's a pretty good LP all the way thru but not the fuzzy garage punk sound, more teenbeat stuff, about half covers/half originals...influenced by early Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers. By the way, the new Mike and the Ravens stuff sounds pretty sharp. I don't own any of their new albums but I've heard some of the tunes and they sound mean, lean and occasionally fuzzy - aggressive stuff. Jason

I've only just begun to find out who Mike and the Ravens were and that whole Rollerland scene (that song is kick ass by the way). Not only is Mike Brassard promoting his new band of Ravens (or is it the same band but new material) but he's got a myspace page dedicated to the Ravens 1962. I remember that Untamed Youth did a cover of that on one of their albums but Deke Dickerson also put out a comp that tried showing scenes (especially Ohio) that existed before the Beatles. I should have mentioned So. California as well. I'm standing in the corner doing my time out. Thanks, any more scenes? Bob Blackstone said:

Ironically. I've heard they use to have rock n roll banaza's in Plattsburgh NY of all places. Mike and the Ravens held court there and released 3 good pre Beatles 45's (all collected on the Nevermore cd) and played live on a daily/weekly basis at Rollerland (I think it was called this) - with many other local groups.

Detroit had the Fugitives who eventually released an LP and some 45's but were around before the Beatles became popular. Plus you had guys like Gino Washington releasing some good rock n soul stuff.

Your right though, the Northwest had that impressive scene - Don and the Goodtimes, The Wailers, the mighty Sonics and so forth. This one requires some thought....