6.29.2010

GARY GRIMSHAW AND LENI SINCLAIR'S NEW BOOK!


From Leni Sinclair:

Dear Friends and Readers,
It's been over a year since Gary Grimshaw and I started working on a book project called "Detroit Rocks! A Pictorial History of Detroit Rock 'n Roll 1965 to 1975."

For information about this project, please check out the attached flyer.

Due to a series of health as well as financial problems, progress has been a little slower than we had hoped for. Recently Gary faced the greatest health challenge of his life, which has him confined to the VA Hospital in Detroit for over three months now. (And yes, Gary is a Veteran, having served his country in the Navy in the early 60s.)

The good news is that Gary's life force is very strong, and he is making slow, but steady progress towards being himself again.

These challenges add an urgency to our quest to finish this book as soon as possible. We have gathered all the images, and Gary had started doing the layout, and he will continue overseeing the lay-out till it's finished.

We are self-publishing a very limited number of the hard-over edition of this book. So far we have over 60 "co-publishers" already, but we have to find a few more to cover the printing cost. Then we will hopefully find a publisher, who will publish the paperback version of the book in larger quantity at an affordable price.

I hope that you will be able to add your name to that exclusive list of co-publishers and/or pass this email along to some of your friends and contacts, who might be interested.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Let's kick out the jams!
Leni Sinclair

6.26.2010

MICHIGAN 2010 ELVIS FEST IN DEPOT TOWN YPSILANTI!



ELVIS in my favorite suit www.mielvisfest.com

We will be visiting the fabulous Elvis Fest in Depot Town to party and dance! Stanley T. Madhatter will be there doing the spot lights for the acts.





THOUSANDS DESCEND ON ONE OF THE LARGEST ELVIS CONCERTS IN NORTH AMERICAN COMMEMORATING THE 32st ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL


The 11th year of the Festival, sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. This is not a contest, but a true concert with spectacular performances from the first act to the last act, by the best professional Elvis Tribute Artist’s in North America. Also appearing with tributes to such artists as: Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, & Sir Elton John.

This unique event attracts families and fans alike. An attendance of 9,000 is expected for this popular Midwest festival.


Their charities for 2010 are the Depot Town Community Development Corporation, and the Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.


THE STOOGES: RIP ANNA MARYSE: ANOTHER LETTER FROM ANNIE

The Stooges at the Whisky photo Richard Creamer

Just saw that stooges poster from the whisky on your page. I never buy reproduction merch but I actually bought a reproduction of that poster from an online catalog last year - BECAUSE I WAS THERE.


The Stooges played at the Whisky a whole bunch of times in '73. The first stand was in June and it was 5 nights if I remember right, and the opening act (a truly bizarre pairing) was RUFUS featuring Chaka Khan.

Chaka Khan

For real. I always remember bizarre details and I remember her shoes - she wore these Candies wooden platform sandals adorned with black cherries... don't ask me why I remember details like that, but I do. I have a b+w pic from that show I promise to share when I get my pix out of storage. Promise.


The Stooges were a good draw but this stand was helped because Bob Hilburn the rock critic for the LA Times had done a big article about Iggy during the week of this stand (his weekday column came out on Wednesdays) and it was typical Stooges article describing his infamous peanut-butter-smearing and stage diving antics.


Whisky A Go Go circa 1970s

This gig was the first time I saw the Stooges live, and in fact the first time I went to the Whisky. It was an all-ages show and I was barely 16 and had to bribe someone to go with me the first night cuz I was afraid to go by myself. It was so awesome I did go back by myself every other night for the rest of the week.

The club was completely packed every night, SRO, and this was the era when Iggy wore those silver leather pants and had his hair bleached out platinum to match. Ron Asheton used to wear this very pimpish stretchy black button down shirt that had twinkly lurex running through it, and James Williamson used to have this insane black satin jumpsuit that had rhinestones and cutouts.

There was a lot of banter back and forth, Iggy would insult and/or spit on audience members who annoyed him, and these were great performances. They played the Whisky at least two other times in that time period toward the end of the Stooges, that 3 night stand in September (from the poster) and once more, the last one being something like 8 nights in a row... which was a pretty intense time because it was very close to the end and Iggy was going on stage in a serious state of intoxication.... he did one set there on a night where he was so high he simply lay on his back on the floor of the stage singing, or trying to... and often held on to the mike stand to hold himself up.

The road manager at the time was Doug Currie and he used to make sure someone (often me) was for sure down by the stage to hold on to the base of the mike stand when Iggy needed to be held up. It was pretty grim.

The Stooges had a roadie named Eric Haddox. Eric's wife Deedee worked at the Whisky and may have had something to do with them getting these gigs. I'm just speculating on that. There was a lot of tension, a lot of worry whether they'd make it through the night each time, and concern whether he'd drop the mike into the audience and if so would a fan steal it, and so forth. Increasingly, there was a sick faction of Iggy watchers in the crowd who were fascinated by how bad a scene this was. And it was pretty grim.

There was a period even closer to the end when the stooges were working up their last (post Raw Power) new material at the practice studio SIR. I remember Iggy was doing a lot of quaaludes... during one session he announced that he was going to take a 'lude and did so, then someone asked him a question, which distracted him, then a minute later he was mumbling "I was gonna do something... I was gonna take a 'lude" and despite several witnesses trying to tell him he'd already taken one, he stubbornly downed another, and maybe one more after that.

The big practice room at SIR was where bands blocked their arena tour performances, with a full raised concert stage. Across the room was a wall of mirror so the band could see for themselves what their antics looked like from the stage. The day Iggy was taking all those quaaludes, he fell off the stage flat on his face and knocked himself out and I think that ended the session. It was very close to the end then....

Thank you Annie for the story and Goran for the photos from Jesus Loves the Stooges RK

6.25.2010

QUESTION MARK AND THE MYSTERIANS AT ALVINS ON CASS DETROIT!


TONIGHT @ ALVINS
ALVINS ON CASS
5756 Cass Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 638-6300

10 pm CIRCUS BOY w/MARGARET DOLLROD

11 pm THE RUINERS

12 am QUESTION MARK and the MYSTERIANS

6.23.2010

CIRCUS BOY. THE RUINERS, AND THE MOTOR CITY RAH RAHS!

Circus Boy

We had the BEST time at Rock Stock n Barrel at my old UAW local 735 on Michigan Ave near Hydramatic in Willow Run. I heard that this was a goodbye party as the hall is closing. not sure if that is fact or rumor.

Circus Boy my good buddies (and first band I went out to meet last summer) were playing close to my home so I wasn't about to miss them! Mike JTone, such a sweetie off stage and wild man onstage didn't disappoint! I brought along my daughter Lesley and CTN super camera man Jonas Sliuzas. My ever present friend, bodyguard, driver, the Rock n Roll Reverend, and Legendary Emcee Stanley T. Madhatter joined Kimmer.


Kimmer and The Hatter (Richard Blondy photo)

Just love hanging with the Hatter. The fans love him and he always draws a crowd around to listen to him tell stories and see his buttons and posters... What a charmer! Thank you Stanley so much for everything xxoo K


The Rah Rahs finally brought me my very own pom pom! YAY I just had to have it know what I mean?? Here it is with me and Mike McPheaters


Circus Boy and the Ruiners will be playing with one of my all time favorite retro rockers Question Mark and the Mysterians this week at Alvins on Cass. See more on the Circus Boy FB page HERE

My favorite photo.... Kimmer and Rick

The phenomenal Meridith Lorde great lead singer of Glamour Puss and girlfriend of Derek. She what I mean I was scared.... She is 5'12 barefooted check out her ruby slipper below!

Love Meridith's shoes... it's all about the shoes you know'!


I met the Ruiners at Paychecks and they were so much fun to watch! Cute guy and cute girl something for everyone! They rock and I love this band. I would love to see 4 sets and I aqnd going to be the first to buy their new record when it gets released soon I hope. Legend Hiawatha Bailey meets my daughter Lesley Bad ass bass man Skid Marx with Derek, what a great shot.

Stay tuned as I am doing a big piece on the Skid man soon and including his many bands with great photos from Sue Rynski. My daughter with my favorite punky cheerleaders...they make every show so much more fun to watch! They color the place with fishnets and sparkles! The high energy and laughing girls always make the night fun for me. Thank you Rahs!!

 

My shy camera man was surrounded by beautiful women all night so we had to turn the camera on him didn't we! The Motor City Rah Rahs, Meridith Lorde and Carrie Marx Legendary Bass Man Skid Marx MONEY SHOT

Happy guy at Susie Forkin Jonas and Queen Bee

6.22.2010

SYLVAIN SYLVAIN AND CHEETAH CHROME HIT THE ROAD

photo by Anna O'Connor

BATUSIS HIT THE ROAD!

SYLVAIN SYLVAIN (NEW YORK DOLLS)
CHEETAH CHROME (ROCKET FROM THE TOMBS/DEAD BOYS)
PLUS LEZ WARNER (THE CULT, JOHNNY THUNDERS)
AND SEAN RAY KOOS (JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS)

Chicago, IL, June 10, 2010 – Smog Veil Records announces Batusis line-up for U.S. tour dates today. The band, featuring Sylvain Sylvain of the New York Dolls and Cheetah Chrome of Rocket From The Tombs and Dead Boys will hit the road in support of their self-titled EP (Smog Veil Records) starting July 14th. Line up features Lez Warner on drums and Sean Ray Koos on bass. Bands like Prima Donna and Lust Killers will round out the bill on selected dates (see venue websites for details and list all local openers).

READ THIS GREAT INTERVIEW
BY CHRIS DUDA


Batusis U.S. Tour Itinerary (all dates may be subject to change)

Wed., 7/14 at Rutledge in Nashville, TN
Thur., 7/15 at High Tone in Memphis, TN
Fri., 7/16 at Off Broadway in St. Louis, MO
Sat., 7/17 at Rockbox in Chicago, IL
Sun., 7/18 at Small's in Detroit, MI
Tues., 7/20 at Opera House in Toronto, ON
Wed., 7/21 at Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH
Fri., 7/23 at Irving Plaza in New York, NY
Sat., 7/24 at Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ
Sun., 7/25 at M Room in Philadelphia, PA
Tue., 7/27 at Crooked I in Erie, PA
Wed., 7/28 at Quarter at Bourbon Street in Baltimore, MD
Thur., 7/29 at Black Cat in Washington, DC
Fri., 7/30 at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, NC
Sat., 7/31 at Earl in Atlanta, GA

IVAN KRAL'S FILM BLANK GENERATION JULY 29!


The Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan is screening Ivan Kral's fabulous BLANK GENERATION film this July 29. General Admission is $10. Let's all go back to the 1970's when rock n roll rebellion was in full swing. By all means punk out for this show!

Presented by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County
Blank Generation is a 1976 clip compilation on punk’s birth in New York. Shot by insider Ivan Kral (ex-guitar Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Blondie) this rare gem is packed with legendary rebels in their humble beginnings...




The film includes ultra-rare footage of the Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith, Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Television and others performing at legendary nightclub CBGB.


This D-I-Y time capsule was filmed by one of punk’s very own - for his personal home movies. It reads like a bunch of friends onstage, because that's what it truly was. Though Kral’s pawnshop camera didn’t record audio, Poe scored band’s demo tapes to create this un-synched 16mm labor of love. Each band’s unique style shines - visually and musically. Historians and filmmakers rely on The Blank Generation for its accuracy. 55 minutes. Not Rated.

Tickets for the BLANK GENERATION screening only are $10 and $7 for Michigan Theater members, available in advance at ticketweb.com and at the door.

Tickets for the pre-show reception are $50. To purchase, contact Alison Oumedian at 734-662-2829 ext. 227 or oumediana@ewashtenaw.org. Pre-show reception will benefit the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.

Official Trailer:


ADVANCE TICKETS HERE

6.21.2010

EDIE SEDGWICK RULED THE 60'S


Edie Sedgwick(1943-1971)

One of my most favorite 60's icons was Edie Sedgwick. An emotionally disturbed beautiful young girl that was one of Andy Warhol's biggest finds (stars). Warhol was blamed for her descent into drug hell and eventual death but she spent her life struggling with mental illness years before meeting Andy.


Read More Here

6.17.2010

MC5 RARE GRANDE POSTERS


From Collection:
Barbara Smith Benedaret





IGGY POP AND THE STOOGES AT THE WHISKEY


Stooges Whiskey a Go Go 1973

No specific date, but the band had a horrid residency at this club in 73. When people stopped showing up, the Stooges had no label and no money with which to score, so they limped back to MI. This is not watching a band simply die, it's watching a band implode.

Utterly, and fittingly, perfect crap sound, so 192 CBR is seemingly wasted on this. Still, it is a legendary disintegration of an incredible band, so it is worthy of any comprehending ear.

01 Raw Power
02 Head On
03 Search & Destroy
04 I Need Somebody
05 Heavy Liquid
06 She Creatures Of The Hollywood Hills
07 Open Up And Bleed
08 Gimme Danger

Open up and bleed!

1975 ROCKETS AND SRB POSTER



This is a gorgeouse piece done by
Dennis Loren and Gary Grimshaw
2 of My Favorite Bands
The Rockets!
The Debut of...
The Sonic's Renedezvous Band
1975
From the Collection of Barbara Smith Benaderet

6.16.2010

SKINNED ALIVE BY THE FANTASTIC FILMAKER BART SARIC


I just met Bart via the Godoy Twins stars of Bart's film about Tattooing, Punk Rock and Skateboarding. Off the rim you might say. These three areas were an unlikely match and yet in the late 70's they began to blend. This film tells that story and I couldn't move from my seat while watching it! Bart takes a light hand directing this film but it covers emotions from drama, sadness, humor, and danger with a very balanced approach. Fascinating! Great work Bart!


Here is Bart's new trailer just out today!!


For purchasing and screening information contact Bart the director himself at his website HERE I want to do a big screening of "Skinned Alive this December 10-11-12 in Ann Arbor featuring Bart Saric and his stars the Godoy Twins who will also be in town playing with the Deniz Tek Group at the Blind Pig


Great clip of The Godoys those hunky tatted up twins from out West....

6.14.2010

MARK FARNER IS COMING TO WATERFORD JULY 16!



MARK FARNER!

QUAKE ON THE LAKE JULY 16 2010
7800 GALE RD, WATERFORD, MI 48327
Get your Tickets HERE



Mark at the Vietnam Wall photo by Lesia Farner (my favorite)

6.10.2010

NEW JOHNNY THUNDERS BOX SET FROM EASY ACTION!

Johnny Thunders


Everyone at Easy Action is proud to announce we will be working alongside the Johnny Thunders Estate / Beta Petrol in producing a catalog of Johnny Thunders recordings on an exclusive imprint called Chatterbox. We have had great success with our relationship with the Stooges & Iggy Pop as well as producing high quality box sets and albums by The Sonic's Rendezvous (Love this one), Marc Bolan (Loved him) T.Rex, Steve Marriott and (KIMMER'S FAVORITE) the MC5. I really just discovered JT in recent years and dig his music totally and a lot of my friends have played with him over the years before his death.


Outside of Jungle Records, who have done a sterling job for thousands of Johnny Thunders fans - above and beyond the call of duty, and of course Warners ‘So Alone’ album, we will be looking at compiling a boxed set of unreleased material from 1975 onwards. We will also be re-issuing and re-mastering certain albums that have been out of print for some time. Reels of tape have been located already!
 

As fans, we want the profile of Johnny Thunders to return to the rock n roll music and fragile acoustic performances that he delivered.

We promise to produce highly packaged product and will liaise with fans to ensure we deliver exactly what they (and we)want on CD, LP, 7” and digitally.

Beta Petrol now have an archive of amazing photos, many unseen. With the official merchandise company “Don’t mess with us “ providing quality T shirts etc, we can at last
provide quality Johnny Thunders goods and hopefully bury all the cheap and vile product that has escaped over the years.

Carlton P Sandercock
Easy Action

Video from Rare Recordings

"KILLING IS EASY": THE VICIOUS GUNS NEW ALBUM


ЯICHEY VICIOUS JENNIE VICIOUS

I loved listening to this new band duo Richey and Jennie Vicious of The Vicious Guns. Obviously I love the black and white "Retro" look to their images and their music is so unique. Not being a music reviewer and just your average music lover, I found their music fun melodic and edgy at the same time. Check them out and see what you think. Their new album is available on July 13. For now you can hear them play on their website link listed below.

The Vicious Guns will be in Detroit June 22 at PJ's Lager House. The Lager House is Located at 1254 Michigan Avenue, three blocks East of old Tiger Stadium and two blocks West of The MGM Grand. 313-961-4668 info@pjslagerhouse.com

Tour Info HERE

What I particularly like is that their lyrics are meaningful, clear and they are both great singers!



The Vicious Guns are an electronic rock n’ roll duo who hail from Canada. With Jennie Vicious on vocals and bass and Richey Vicious on vocals and guitar, their music is characterized by lead female vocals, male harmonies, and a juxtaposition of impeccably clean/overdriven guitar tones against a backdrop of synthetic drums and samples.

According to Jennie, “Music is our passion, therapy, obsession, and love." Something their new album Killing Is Easy, which comes out July 13th can attest to. Influenced by a mutual love for political punk, glam, brit pop, and new wave... Jennie and Richey are open to letting their fans categorizes their sounds as they will. “I hear so many dimensions in my own songs from pop to punk to dance. Vocal phrasing or guitar tone may even be influenced by R&B or funk, but that doesn't permeate the entire collection of songs.”

Download their new song “New ChainHERE


The Vicious Guns Website HERE
Friend them on Myspace HERE
Be a Fan on Facebook HERE
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

addtoany