BTW, Rod, some other things I want to bring up... As for Little Steven's accessibility, keep in mind that he is a celebrity who runs his own business, which oftentimes means he really is busy and unable to always meet with people. And keep in mind that some of those people who wanted to meet him may have had an inflated sense of entitlement. This happens a lot when people want to meet their favorite celebrities, and I've heard stories like this before. And if any of those people who wanted to meet him were in bands, well, I'll take a guess there may have been some ego involved as well. I'm talking about the kind of bands who think they're the greatest thing to happen to garage rock, then they're pissed because LS doesn't like them. I know a lot of musicians, so I know what I'm talking about. BTW, I've met him a couple of times myself, and he was nice enough to me. No, we didn't get to sit down and talk, or to hang out, but it was good enough for me. Also, keep this in mind...LS did not have to start his own radio show. He could have just taken the money he made from "The Sopranos" and the E Street Band and kept it for himself. However, he decided to use both his money and his celebrity capital to start the Underground Garage, and he admits that he's lost a lot of money from doing all of this. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves a lot of respect for his efforts. Maybe he's not as well versed in garage rock as the people at this site, but then again maybe that's because he does have other interests, which I think is a good thing. If you don't like what he does, fine. I still enjoy the UG, and that's all that matters to me. Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

It's mostly because he goes about promoting music in a half ass fashion and he is too proud to rely on a network of people who actually have knowledge of the genre like Tim Gassen, Mike Stax, Suzie Shaw. Hell, Little Steven even admited that Bruce Springsteen is the one who brought the Hives to his attention. If he actually read Gearhead, he would have heard of the Hives before his first episode ever aired. He dismisses a lot of what has happened for the scene like the actual documenters who took the time to write down or photograph the history. Believe me, I've heard a lot of people who were about to be introduced to him, or actually the staff wanted Steven to meet them, and he says "I don't have time, I got more important things to do". That's not cool. And I said before that the first year didn't have very much in the line of Voxx, Dionysus, Get Hip, or Estrus on the show when things were kind of slim in terms of new releases. And even with the new releases, he's hurry up and promote Jet before he'd mention the Dirt Bombs. I don't think the Reigning Sound got mentioned until after they toured with the Hives. His staff really doesn't do a lot of research either. He'll go on the show admitting that details are "vague" on the newest band he's promoting as the "Coolest Song in the World this week". It's just makes everything else look better by comparison, (which it is) but really doesn't help the scene as a whole.

Gas-House Gorilla said:

I just don’t understand the compulsion by some to blast Little Steven around here. Perhaps it’s human nature to cast aspersions at our neighbors? Hell, I recently read a comment from a Hound blog reader taking a shot at the GaragePunk Hideout. That’s the way it goes I suppose. It’s just beyond me. As Sleazy pointed out, Little Steven is about the only guy out in the corporate world promoting good music. Shouldn’t we be criticizing everybody else instead? Key to me is his Sirius station, where thankfully I can get in my car anytime and be assured of hearing quality music on my radio (and hear a great collection of hosts - Handsome Dick Manitoba, Mighty Manfred, Andrew Loog Oldham, etc). Perhaps the music doesn’t all fit into a narrow definition of “garage”, or perhaps you’re not as likely to hear an obscurity as you are with the GP podcasts (although, you’ll certainly hear some gems on Bill Kelly’s show), but that doesn’t make the music played any less great. Just count me in as a fan of anybody promoting good music. There are so few out there.

Well, Rod, in the end, all I really care about is the music, and Little Steven has turned me onto a lot of great bands that I probably would have never discovered. That includes bands that aren't "garagey" at all, but I still liked them. As far as the way he runs his business or deals with the bands, I'll just leave that up to him. I've heard the same stories about other people who run labels, i.e. they're assholes or they're unsupportive, so why is LS any worse? Besides, I just prefer to stay away from all of that bullshit Spinal Tap drama that goes on behind the scenes, and I think you should do the same, because nothing good comes out of it. And another thing...while I like garage rock, I'm not as obsessive-compulsive about it like you are, so that's another reason why I don't have a problem with LS. Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

It's mostly because he goes about promoting music in a half ass fashion and he is too proud to rely on a network of people who actually have knowledge of the genre like Tim Gassen, Mike Stax, Suzie Shaw. Hell, Little Steven even admited that Bruce Springsteen is the one who brought the Hives to his attention. If he actually read Gearhead, he would have heard of the Hives before his first episode ever aired. He dismisses a lot of what has happened for the scene like the actual documenters who took the time to write down or photograph the history. Believe me, I've heard a lot of people who were about to be introduced to him, or actually the staff wanted Steven to meet them, and he says "I don't have time, I got more important things to do". That's not cool. And I said before that the first year didn't have very much in the line of Voxx, Dionysus, Get Hip, or Estrus on the show when things were kind of slim in terms of new releases. And even with the new releases, he's hurry up and promote Jet before he'd mention the Dirt Bombs. I don't think the Reigning Sound got mentioned until after they toured with the Hives. His staff really doesn't do a lot of research either. He'll go on the show admitting that details are "vague" on the newest band he's promoting as the "Coolest Song in the World this week". It's just makes everything else look better by comparison, (which it is) but really doesn't help the scene as a whole.

Gas-House Gorilla said:

I just don’t understand the compulsion by some to blast Little Steven around here. Perhaps it’s human nature to cast aspersions at our neighbors? Hell, I recently read a comment from a Hound blog reader taking a shot at the GaragePunk Hideout. That’s the way it goes I suppose. It’s just beyond me. As Sleazy pointed out, Little Steven is about the only guy out in the corporate world promoting good music. Shouldn’t we be criticizing everybody else instead? Key to me is his Sirius station, where thankfully I can get in my car anytime and be assured of hearing quality music on my radio (and hear a great collection of hosts - Handsome Dick Manitoba, Mighty Manfred, Andrew Loog Oldham, etc). Perhaps the music doesn’t all fit into a narrow definition of “garage”, or perhaps you’re not as likely to hear an obscurity as you are with the GP podcasts (although, you’ll certainly hear some gems on Bill Kelly’s show), but that doesn’t make the music played any less great. Just count me in as a fan of anybody promoting good music. There are so few out there.

Thanks for your thoughts Rockin Rod Strychnine. I certainly respect a well thought out reply. Perhaps you’re correct on all of your points. I personally don’t see much of a difference in the frequency of the stuff he plays now from the labels you mentioned, versus back when he started. I know that he’s played the Cynics, Creatures Of The Golden Dawn, and others from the beginning. And with the structure of his programming being so broad, you’re only going to hear a smattering of such garage mixed in with the rest the stuff played (punk, girl group, British invasion, surf, rock ‘n roll, etc).

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.

It's mostly because he goes about promoting music in a half ass fashion and he is too proud to rely on a network of people who actually have knowledge of the genre like Tim Gassen, Mike Stax, Suzie Shaw. Hell, Little Steven even admited that Bruce Springsteen is the one who brought the Hives to his attention. If he actually read Gearhead, he would have heard of the Hives before his first episode ever aired. He dismisses a lot of what has happened for the scene like the actual documenters who took the time to write down or photograph the history. Believe me, I've heard a lot of people who were about to be introduced to him, or actually the staff wanted Steven to meet them, and he says "I don't have time, I got more important things to do". That's not cool. And I said before that the first year didn't have very much in the line of Voxx, Dionysus, Get Hip, or Estrus on the show when things were kind of slim in terms of new releases. And even with the new releases, he's hurry up and promote Jet before he'd mention the Dirt Bombs. I don't think the Reigning Sound got mentioned until after they toured with the Hives. His staff really doesn't do a lot of research either. He'll go on the show admitting that details are "vague" on the newest band he's promoting as the "Coolest Song in the World this week". It's just makes everything else look better by comparison, (which it is) but really doesn't help the scene as a whole. Gas-House Gorilla said:

I just don’t understand the compulsion by some to blast Little Steven around here. Perhaps it’s human nature to cast aspersions at our neighbors? Hell, I recently read a comment from a Hound blog reader taking a shot at the GaragePunk Hideout. That’s the way it goes I suppose. It’s just beyond me. As Sleazy pointed out, Little Steven is about the only guy out in the corporate world promoting good music. Shouldn’t we be criticizing everybody else instead? Key to me is his Sirius station, where thankfully I can get in my car anytime and be assured of hearing quality music on my radio (and hear a great collection of hosts - Handsome Dick Manitoba, Mighty Manfred, Andrew Loog Oldham, etc). Perhaps the music doesn’t all fit into a narrow definition of “garage”, or perhaps you’re not as likely to hear an obscurity as you are with the GP podcasts (although, you’ll certainly hear some gems on Bill Kelly’s show), but that doesn’t make the music played any less great. Just count me in as a fan of anybody promoting good music. There are so few out there.

OK, fair enough. Sorry if I came off as a little harsh. Keep in mind that I'm a fairly late convert to garage rock. I got my first exposure to it in the summer of 2000, when I first saw the Cynics at the 31st Street Pub. I saw the Swingin' Neckbreakers and Fleshtones later that summer, and this was all before I started listening to the UG. Hence I see things a little differently. Maybe if I had gotten into garage rock back in the early 80s, I would see things your way (Back then I was more of a metal fan). BTW, I do like Springsteen. I think "Born to Run" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town" are his masterpieces. If you don't like him, fine. IDON MINE said:

Yeah thanks... I ain't no purist (didn't get the impression that any of the other guys are by seeing what they do else on these forums and in their contributions and their shows), but I sure as hell am childish. A bit of shit-talking is due considering all the connections this FUZZBLOKEIA thing has in common with the HIDEOUT. If ya like it, no ones gonna give ya the eye, or shit like that. So please, don't get me into any discussions here, yer points respected and all.

Once more with sugar: I have no particular aggression against Little Steven, I just don't listen to him or Springsteen. Since they are bigshot stars, it should be possible to speak out towards them too, in whatever vocabulary I want and without the accusation of jealousy for their, uhm, achievements or some crap like that. Springsteen music gives me the pukes and "I" don't give a fuck what he chuckles at. Don't take it the wrong way OK? :)
But think whatever you want, of course.


MikeL said:

And another thing...you guys can talk all the shit you want about Springsteen (I'm sure he laughs about it all the way to the bank), and about LS (I think his Fuzztopia is way cooler than the Garage Punk Hideout just because of the graphics alone). If I don't get barred from this place for speaking my mind, then I'll stick around, because I do like to keep an open mind about these things, unlike some people.

I just don’t understand the compulsion by some to blast Little Steven around here. Perhaps it’s human nature to cast aspersions at our neighbors? Hell, I recently read a comment from a Hound blog reader taking a shot at the GaragePunk Hideout. That’s the way it goes I suppose. It’s just beyond me. As Sleazy pointed out, Little Steven is about the only guy out in the corporate world promoting good music. Shouldn’t we be criticizing everybody else instead? Key to me is his Sirius station, where thankfully I can get in my car anytime and be assured of hearing quality music on my radio (and hear a great collection of hosts - Handsome Dick Manitoba, Mighty Manfred, Andrew Loog Oldham, etc). Perhaps the music doesn’t all fit into a narrow definition of “garage”, or perhaps you’re not as likely to hear an obscurity as you are with the GP podcasts (although, you’ll certainly hear some gems on Bill Kelly’s show), but that doesn’t make the music played any less great. Just count me in as a fan of anybody promoting good music. There are so few out there.

Certainly the Southern California surf scene, with the Beach Boys, Challengers, Chantays, Surfaris, etc.

With the earlier discussion of Pre-Beatles 1964, I started wondering "which cities, counties, or states actually had a vibrant music scene prior to the Beatles coming to the states", therefore not needing them in any terms as an influence. We know that the Pacific Northwest had a ton of groups going on. I'm pretty sure Minneapolis had something going on and obviously Texas. Any idea what other locales had something going on that didn't cater to the Frankie and Bobby crowds? And I mean groups, not solo acts.

I've no idea what he's talking about, either. Are you sure it was actually Wolfman Jack? I'm wondering if it's just a Link Wray tune with Link's vocals. He had a pretty rough voice himself, ya know...

Either that or a sound bite of Wolfman Jack on the radio talking over a Link Wray music bed. That seems much more likely than Link actually recording a song with the Wolfman.

You can download the entire album of Wolfman Jack & The Wolfpack for less than $2 on Aimee St. (That's true right now. If it gets real popular the prce will go up) http://amiestreet.com/music/wolfman-jack/wolfman-jack-and-the-wolfpack/

yeah! it's insane how the lack of fcc (or whatever agency in charge) rules allowed them to shower the united states with the best music possible. Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Apperently his station produced enough wattage that they could be heard all along the South from Baja CA to Louisiana.

Apperently his station produced enough wattage that they could be heard all along the South from Baja CA to Louisiana.

Wolfman Jack's autobio makes for a pretty good read. Tales of setting up shop in a Mexican bordertown's radio station, while equipping the roof with enough guns and ammo to protect themselves against a local gang.

Hey man...I never claimed any band I've ever played in was good. I can't sing, play guitar or write a song to save my life...I only play in bands when there is nobody else doing what I wanna hear. Jokes on you man...that ubiquitous and colourless macho aggression IS me trying to ape Elton Motello...I just suck that bad! I play in shitty, joke bands that nobody likes...nobody (especially me) is gonna dispute this.The only thing I'm good at is listening to records...and I'm REALLY good at it. What does it matter if I think your band stinks? At least your music moved me enough(one way or another) to post a response on this messageboard...nobody else did. New Krime is garbage too...you really think it's a carbon copy of every cute no-fi band around? Shit man...this was supposed to be Hi-Fi...my "future-punk" project. Seriously though, what bands does the New Krime sound just like? I'm pretty out of the loop and would love to check 'em out so I can rip their schtick... Jesse J. Powell said:

Jesse J. Powell said:

You obviously have no idea what the fuck you're talking about or who the fuck you're talking to. You wanna hear facsimilies of your favorite bands or ape other bands with your music, go for it--no balls required! I think it'd be more interesting though if you'd ape something as dandy as elton motello instead of the ubiquitous and colourless macho aggression i've seen you ape-ing in bands so far. New Krime sounds a little sweeter to my ears, but a carbon copy of every other cute no-fi band around. Trend humper.

Jesse J. Powell said:

You obviously have no idea what the fuck you're talking about or who the fuck you're talking to. You wanna hear facsimilies of your favorite bands or ape other bands with your music, go for it--no balls required! I think it'd be more interesting though if you'd ape something as dandy as elton motello instead of the ubiquitous and colourless macho aggression i've seen you ape-ing in bands so far. New Krime sounds a little sweeter to my ears, but a carbon copy of every other cute no-fi band around. Trend humper.

Geez, why does almost every thread from a year ago end almost as soon as it begins? I should shut up since I didn't log on last year except to accept friend requests (I had no internet at home and very limited time at the public library) but man no one else, either? This topic should be 40 pages long by now.

I like "Baby, I Still Need Your Lovin'" as done by the Lyres, "Why Don't You Smile Now" by Thee Headcoats, and "Social End Product" by the Makers.

Out of Our Tree is a Wailers original by the way but the last person before me probably doesn't log on anymore either so they're never going to read this.

In 1981 I interviewed Mark E. Smith of The Fall at Evangelos' -- a downtown bar in Santa Fe owned by a Greek family. I expected a loutish snotty punk, but he was really a nice guy. We talked about our mutual love of Captain Beefheart and Johnny Cash.

Not sure why but it took me some time to get into The Fall's music. My review of the show admitted I felt a little like Dylan's Mr. Jones -- I knew something was happening there but I just didn't know what it was. But now The Fall are among my top favorites. (So are Beefheart and Cash.)

I met all the guys from the Mooney Suzuki one time before a show. Just saw them all walking down the street a couple hours before the gig. Sammy was a pretty cool guy and all of them were really friendly.

More famous though, I met Monoman from the Lyres. He was an interesting dude to say the least. I don't know if he's deaf from 25 years of garage punk, or if he's had a few too many Diet Cokes, but he and I were definitely having two different conversations when we met.

I'm afraid none of it is especially Garage-y

Guild M-20 Acoustic
Deering Goodtime banjo

Telecaster-- mutt but all Fender parts. Someday I'll be pushing this guitar in a shopping cart.
Rickenbaker 330/12-- too many barnacles to be useable, but it was only $400 to begin with.

Sola Sound Wah Wah-- Dad gave this to me on the condition that I never quit playing
Dan Echo-- Cost me all of $20, never use it.
Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster-- I kinda stole this. Dude borrowed it to me and never asked for it back. At this point it's been two years and two cities, so I'll probably sell it for a fuzz box.

Roland VG-4 amp-- dropped off the truck at Mars Music (remember them?), bought it for $50 because the speakers in Roland amps are great. Turns out the on/off switch and the cabinet were the only broken things. It has a million bells & whistles, but I usually just set it to a "tweed" setting and let it be.

Ibanez "Gio" bass-- First electric instrument, I'm irrationally attached to this thing
Rickenbaker 4001-- 1979. It's very nice, but I've never connected with this bass. It's in the care of my parents as it's accruing some worth.
Ibanez "ATK" bass-- bought while I was in high school, going to sell this soon as it's too damn heavy to play.

SWR SM-400 head
Hartke 4X10 cabinet.

Because Internet Explorer sucks. Always has, always will. Get a different browser. I hear people really like Google Chrome. Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

But why would that interfer with my typing in the "Reply To This" window? I don't have trouble leaving comments on other websites.

kopper said:

Internet Explorer? Yep, that's your first mistake.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

See...I really don't know things like that. I have Internet explorer, Windows XP (I'm talking over my own head).

VarmentPoontang said:

I've been active on a few other forums and I rilly dig the look and function of this one. I am trying to turn on every old punk in KC on to it. I don't know how many members we have here but just sayin . Lovin it so far. Cool, kids.

But why would that interfer with my typing in the "Reply To This" window? I don't have trouble leaving comments on other websites. kopper said:

Internet Explorer? Yep, that's your first mistake.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

See...I really don't know things like that. I have Internet explorer, Windows XP (I'm talking over my own head).

kopper said:

Internet Explorer? Yep, that's your first mistake.

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

See...I really don't know things like that. I have Internet explorer, Windows XP (I'm talking over my own head).Firefox is a easy install, go for it.

I've been active on a few other forums and I rilly dig the look and function of this one. I am trying to turn on every old punk in KC on to it. I don't know how many members we have here but just sayin . Lovin it so far. Cool, kids.

Internet Explorer? Yep, that's your first mistake. Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

See...I really don't know things like that. I have Internet explorer, Windows XP (I'm talking over my own head).