News 8/31/10:
--------------------
I have a few copies for sale of my solo Sir Plastic Crimewave Sloow Tapes release, "From the Depths". A limited-type release of solo banjo ragas/harsh guitar jams from a sweet Belgium label, so get it now or weep!
I've been getting some fun illustration commissions lately, but most exciting is an album cover for the "Father Yod and the Spirit of 76" (aka Ya Ho Wha 13) reissue for the Quibco label. Covers should be screenprinted too...yeah! They needed the art ASAP, so it should be out sorta soon...
My bro and I were happy to aid legendary underground ESP records folksinger Ed Askew get some VERY rare footage up on youtube. This footage is from the era of my next GZDisk/Drag City release, "Imperfiction" by one Mr. Askew.
1986 TV Show Parts 1-3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nugX1PL9GE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCcM-4x5Vmo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yncro-yvSPk
I Used To Live Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfhtOJ1Q21I
I have just a few more the Spur "of the Moments" LPs, my latest label release with Drag City. This may be the last pressing, so get em now! Good reviews have come in from Pitchfork and the Washington Post...
For those wanting more by this excellent Belleville, IL country/folk/psych band, a bunch of outtakes and cool unreleased tracks can be found on the Record Fiend blog as the digital-only release "Spur Points":
http://record-fiend.blogspot.com/2010/08/spur-spur-points-record-fiend-special.html
This Weekend Haps:
-----------------------
Fri Sept 3--
Solar Fox, the space/komische/ambient project of myself and Ms. Libby will be opening a happenin psychedelic show at the Crown Tap Room, 2821 N.Milwaukee. Also performing is the jammin cosmic rockers Dire Wolves from Pittsburgh, featuring ex-members of astral folksters Black Forest/Black Sea and the Iditarod, as well as underappreciated east coast cosmonauts Urdog. freakfusioners El is the Sound of Joy headline and krautgazers Verma play second...things should start about 9:30, donations accepted.
Sat Sept 4--
I am thrilled to be sitting in with the reunion of experimental spacestreamers Frontier, who were easily the only band to be "sonically bringin it" in 90's Chicago (ok except Utopia Carcrash and the Unshown, but those are reunions for another day). Their shows were always epic happenings of smoke, lights and magical sounds, and this will prove no exception, with guest stars galore--truly a once in a lifetime reunion kinda deal, with limited vinyl reissues available??? ooooohhhhh...see an article in this week's Reader. 10pm, Empty bottle.
Sun Sept 5--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment still finds us in "Metal Month", discussing and playing the sounds of mysterious doom-metallers Sorcery.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon Sept 6
Caricatures at Empty Bottle--9:30pm-close. Performing is Aleks Eva of Aleks and the Drummer fame, excited to hear her new band (w/members of Icy Demons) and the aforementioned "Drummer", Deric "goofball" Criss will be playing with Charlie Deets..wow.
Upcoming:
------------
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs acoustic
Sept 11-12--Lakeview street fair caricatures
Sept 13--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--w/Mako Sica
Sept.17--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Tonic Room w/Dark Fog and Black Wyrm Seed
Sept.18--Fug/Holy Modal Rounder Peter Stampfel at the Hideout!
Sept 20--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--w/Radar Eyes
Sept 25--Moonrises at the Hideout with Mondo Drag and the Mediums
Sept 30--My b-day, and The Clean are playing!! yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 8/23/10:
--------------------
Due to a mix-up at the Reader, no Secret History strip this week, but three strips will run in Sept, continuing with "Metal Month" the 2nd, 9th and 23rd. Up next: Sorcery, Winterhawk, and......
The Neon Marshmallow fest was a rousing success i'd say, i had blast playing and was particularly into sets by Tom Carter, Social Junk, Emeralds and Astral Social Club. it was also endearing to see folks consulting the program i designed...good noise vibes all around!
I have more copies of the Spur of the Moments LP, my latest label release with Drag City. This may be the last pressing, so get em now! Good reviews have come in from Pitchfork and the Washington Post!
For those wanting more by this excellent Belleville, IL country/folk/psych band, a bunch of outtakes and cool unreleased tracks can be found on the Record Fiend blog as the digital-only release "Spur Points":
http://record-fiend.blogspot.com/2010/08/spur-spur-points-record-fiend-special.html
This Week haps:
-------------------
Wed 25--
Moonrises at Crown Tap Room 2821 N Milwaukee Ave. w/Seattle rockgods Unnatural Helpers (my pal Dean of Michael Yonkers Band and Sub Pop rec. fame), fearsome chooglers Velcro Lewis Group and spacey jammers Black Wyrm Seed. 9pm, donations.
Thurs 26--
Solar Fox does a Coach House Sounds session
Sat. 28--
THE MOPERY'S FINAL SHOW: " A Night To Forget Many Nights Forgotten" boo hooooooooo, i'm crying, but it'll be a blast, as Ms. Libby and I crash ONO's set for a rousing rendition of Velvet Underground's "Heroin". Also performing is Running, Loose Dudes, Lechuguillas, Tiger Hatchery, Battleship, Sunglasses, Unmanned Ship, Sun Splitter, etc etc...a wild time is promised.
Sun. 29--
no SHoCM radio show, i'll be at the Stooges show! yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Upcoming:
------------
Sept 2--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--w/Jeff the Brotherhood
Sept 3--Solar Fox at Crown Tap w/Dire Wolves (Pittsburgh), El is the Sound of Joy and Verma
Sept 4--DJ-ing the Whistler
Sept 6--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--w/Aleks Eva
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs acoustic
Sept 11-12--lakeview street fair caricatures
Sept 13--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--w/Mako Sica
Sept 20--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--w/Radar Eyes
Sept 25--Moonrises at the Hideout with Mondo Drag and the Mediums
Haps 8/15/10:
-------------------
Sun Aug 15--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment finds us in "Metal Month", discussing and playing the sounds of power-shredders Amulance (no, that's NOT a typo). Members are slated to call in too.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Wed. Aug 18--
Don't dare miss the debut of Scum Ra, a goth-noise duo of myself and Ms Kathleen Baird of Spires in the Sunset Rise. At the-soon-to-be-gone (sniff) Mopery, 2734 N Milwaukee Ave. 10-ish pm. With J.Graf of legendary dark experimentalists Metalux (Baltimore), Salamander Wool (Baltimore), Panicsville and Ben Baker Billington solo.
Friday Aug 20--
I will be doing a solo set at the sweet 4-day noise/new age/drone Neon Marshmallow festival at the Viaduct Theatre, 3111 North Western Avenue. I go on at 9:30 on the "Blossom stage", All sorts of sweet world-spanning acts performing, like Astral Social Club (UK), Cornucopia (Puerto Rico), Dave Phillips (Switzerland), and US legends Keith Fullerton Whitman and the Haters.
I'm also drawing the official fest program/zine, available only at thee fest.
Check out the whole gnarly fest at: www.neonmarshmallowfest.com
Sat Aug. 21--
Caricatures at Irazu 20th Anniversary/Milwaukee Ave. street fest, 12-8. Only $5 a drawin, come on....
Upcoming:
-------------
Aug 25--Moonrises at Crown Tap w/Unnatural Helpers (Seattle)
Sept 3--Solar Fox at crown tap w/Dire Wolves (Pittsburgh)
Sept 4--DJ-ing the Whistler
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs acoustic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 8/3/10
----------------
Hey, my latest GZD/Drag City label release, "Spur of The Moments" got a purty good Pitchfork review:
http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14517-spur-of-the-moments/
The next few weeks:
------------------------
Thurs Aug 5--
Epic 5-band monster show! Plastic Crimewave Sound's first gig w/Lawrence Peters in some time....
with the excellent freakrocker Frustrations (Detroit), the destructive Druid Perfume (Detroit), Zygoteens (Milwaukee) and local progsters ET Habit at Crown Tap, 2821 N Milwaukee Ave (between Woodard St & Dawson Ave). I THINK things start 9-ish, and have no idea on the order--yay!
Sat. Aug.7--
DJing The Whistler from 10-3, all 45's of goodness, crusty boogie to new wave and back to breakrock and pop psych.
Wed. Aug. 11--
Moonrises at the Empty Bottle w/Black Math, Above/Below Sea Level, Ken Camden. We go first at 9pm--yay again!
Fri. Aug.13--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30 close w/Rabble Rabble returning from tour...
Upcoming:
------------
Aug 18--Scum Ra (PCW/Kathy Baird duo) debuts at The Mopery w/J.Graf (of Metalux, now in Baltimore), Salamander Wool (Baltimore), Panicsville and Ben Billington solo.
Aug 21--Caricatures at Irazu 20th Anniversary/Milwaukee Ave. street fest, 12-8pm
Sept 4--Frontier reunion show, guest performin'
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs acoustic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 7/29/10
------------------
Whoa, FOUR new PCW-related releases out!:
I have copies of "String/Soul/Eye" CD from Sir Plastic Crimewave (solo), abstract banjo ragas reign on this one.
http://kendrasteinereditions.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/new-cdrs-from-sir-plastic-crimewave-ophibre-derek-rogers/
Still awaiting copies of the Sloow Tapes (Belgium) cassette "Into the Depths" also by Sir Yours Truly, full of more banjo ragas and some noisy guitars too. Limited to 80 copies, i guess these sell out fast!
http://sloowtapes.blogspot.com/
Velcro Lewis Group's "White Magick Summer" LP is ready on the swell Spiral Staircase records, featuring a cover by myself, all nice and vinyl-sized. It's available all over town, but here's a nice description from Permanent Records:
http://shop.permanentrecordschicago.com/index.php?product=N-LP%20Velcro%20Lewis%20Group%20-%20White%20Magick%20Summer
The latest Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City reissue, Spur "Of The Moments" LP is pressed, ready and in stores, i have a limited amount of copies.....truly revelatory Belleville, IL country/garage/folk/psych with much unreleased material and insert!
http://www.dragcity.com/artists/spur
and here's one pretty positive review:
http://spectrumculture.com/2010/07/spur-spur-of-the-moments.html
Also pleased to announce 2 new GZDisk LPs have been given the go-ahead, NY gay baroque folkster Ed Askew's lost 1984 cassette lo-fi symphony, "Imperfiction", and The George Edwards Group Archives, with a ton of sweet unreleased stuff from the vaults.
The Djin Aquarian/Plastic Crimewave Sound "Save the World" gatefold LP on Prophase is mastered and art is nearing completion!
This Weekend:
-------------------
I have two pieces (one sold!) in the The Art of Touring art show, still up this weekend at Johalla projects, 1561 N.Milwaukee ave (above Earwax). Folks like Ken Vandermark, Jim Newberry, Tim Rutili, Jeremy Lemos, Noah Leger, and Allisa Anderson also showing work.
http://johallaprojects.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/art-of-touring-opening-july-16-runs-through-august-7th/
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/turn-the-page-the-art-of-touring/Content?oid=1173128
Sat. July 31--
Doing caricatures at the Wicker Park street fair, at the Chicago Reader tent from 1-8pm. Will be doing said caricatures on special "Secret History of Chicago Music" paper stock, where you shall appear in the fancy SHoCM border with logo...oohhhhhhh
There's tons of booths of fun/food, and performing will be hot acts like Mission of Burma, Indian, and Holy Fuck.
http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com/play/wicker_park_fest/
Sun July 18--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will deal with 70s/80s avant-folk weirdos Care of the Cow, whose story has never been truly told! Members might call in too.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon July 2--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9pm-close, FREE. Performing are Vacations, Implodes, Tim Kinsella and Merryl.
Upcoming:
------------
Aug 5--Plastic Crimewave Sound w/Frustrations, Druid Perfume, Zygoteens and ET Habit at Crown Liquors
Aug.7--DJing The Whistler
Aug. 11--Moonrises at Empty Bottle w/Black Math, Above/Below Sea Level, Ken Camden
Aug.13--Caricatures at Empty Bottle w/Rabble Rabble
Aug 18--Scum Ra (PCW/Kathy Baird duo) debuts at The Mopery w/J.Graf (of Metalux, now in Baltimore), Salamander Wool (Baltimore), Panicsville and Ben Billington solo.
Aug 21--Caricatures at Irazu 20th Anniversary/Milwaukee Ave. street fest, 12-8pm
Sept 4--Frontier reunion show, guest performin'
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs acoustic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 7/13/10
------------------
The latest Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City reissue, Spur "Of The Moments" Lp is pressed and ready! Not yet in stores, i have a limited amount of copies.....truly revelatory Bellville, IL country/garage/folk/psych with much unreleased material and insert!
http://www.dragcity.com/artists/spur
This Weekend:
-------------
Thurs July 15--
DJ-ing psychedelic sounds 6-10pm at the Adler Planetarium, for the "Adler After Dark" event, NY's Sky White Tiger (ex-Polyphonic Spree, Bowie session man) performing.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/experience/events/afterdark
Friday July 16--
I'll be exhibiting 2 pieces in the Art of Touring art show, at Johalla projects, 1561 N.Milwaukee ave (above Earwax). The opening is from 7-11, and i'll be doing caricatures as well!!! Folks like Ken Vandermark, Jim Newberry, Tim Rutili, Jeremy Lemos, Noah Leger, and Allisa Anderson also showing work.
http://johallaprojects.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/art-of-touring-opening-july-16-runs-through-august-7th/
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/turn-the-page-the-art-of-touring/Content?oid=1173128
Saturday July 17--
Solar Fox (Ms.Libby and PCW) at Ottoman Empire 2820 W.Lyndale, w/Janina Angel Bath (SF)/Hands of Hydra sitar/tambura duo, Redwing Blackbird (NH) and Angel Olsen.
http://www.myspace.com/ottomanempirehouse
Sun July 18--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will catch up on the last two strips, hilarious free jazz genius Hal Russell, and urban gypsy folkster Sally Fingerett.... You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. July 19--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle, 9:30-close--FREE monday w/Loose Dudes (just did a SHoCM-style poster for them), Chicago Thrash Ensemble, The Muzzler, and Geffika
Upcoming:
----------
July 26--Caricatures at Empty bottle--FREE monday w/Sadhu Sadhu, Cool Memories, and Forget Cassettes
July 29--GZDisk/Drag City LP Spur "Of the Moments" official release date
Aug 5--PCWS w/Frustrations, Druid Perfume, ET Habit at Crown Liquors
Aug.7--DJing The Whistler
Aug. 11--Moonrises at Empty Bottle w/Black Math, Above/Below Sea Level, Ken Camden
Aug 18--PCW/Kathy Baird duo debuts at The Mopery w/J.Graf (of Metalux, now in Baltimore), Salamander Wool (Baltimore), Panicsville and Ben Billington solo.
Aug 21--Caricatures at Irazu 20th Anniversary/Milwaukee Ave. street fest, 12-8pm
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs (!!!) acoustic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/8/10--whew, a busy next coupla weeks:
-------------------------------------------
Friday July 9--
Last minute show at Box Social in Logan square, 2135 N Milwaukee Ave.
Either Moonrises OR Ms. Libby/PCW spacey ambient duo, Solar Fox will kick it. We'll know when Ben BB gets back into town tonight...ha.
The Great Society Mind Destroyers and Bourgeois Zeus also will also jam it, starting at 9pm.
Sat. July 10--
Plastic Crimewave Sound (w/guest drummer Ben Baker Billington of Tiger Hatchery/Moonrises) at the Abbey with Sweet Apple (J. Mascis plus members of Witch and Cobra Verde), Iowa psych-heavies Mondo Drag, and Detholz! We go on at 11pm
a few links:
http://chicago.timeout.com/events/rock-pop-hiphop/349609/sweet-apple-plastic-crimewave-sound-detholz-mondo-drag#comment-form
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2010/07/sweet-apple-forges-bittersweet-partnership-between-cobra-verde-singer-j-mascis.html
Sunday July 11--
PCWS (w/guest drummer Ben Baker Billington of Tiger Hatchery/Moonrises) at Millennium Park 1:30pm (by the bean) for the Great Performers of Illinois Fest--we will do a 1 1/2 hour set, so expect some lengthy JAMZ! and maybe a guest saxman....
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/tourism/plastic_crimewave.html
Thurs July 15--
DJ-ing pyschedelic sounds 6-10pm at the Adler Planetarium, for the "Adler After Dark" event, NY's Sky White Tiger (ex-Polyphonic Spree, Bowie session man) performing.
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/experience/events/afterdark
Sat July 17--
Solar Fox (Ms.Libby and PCW) at Ottoman Empire 2820 W.Lyndale, w/Janina Angel Bath (SF)/Hands of Hydra sitar/tambura duo, Redwing Blackbird and Angel Olsen
http://www.myspace.com/ottomanempirehouse
Sun July 18--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will catch up on the last two strips, free jazz genius Hal Russell, and urban folkster Sally Fingerett.... You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. July 19--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle--FREE monday w/Loose Dudes!! (just did a SHoCM flavored poster for them)
Upcoming:
----------
July 26--Caricatures at Empty bottle--FREE monday
July 29--GZDisk/Drag City LP Spur "Of the Moments" release!
Aug 5--PCWS w/Frustrations, Druid Perfume, ET Habit at Crown Liquors
Aug.7--DJ The Whistler
Aug. 11--Moonrises at Empty Bottle w/Black Math, Above/Below Sea Level, Ken Camden
Aug 18--PCW/K.Baird duo debuts at The Mopery w/J.Graf (of Metalux, now in Baltimore), Salamander Wool (Baltimore), Panicsville and Ben Billington solo.
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs (!!!) acoustic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 6/29/10:
-------------------
wow, pretty excited to be DJ-ing the Planetarium...
http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/experience/events/afterdark
Now that i have time to breathe, work on the Speed Guru (Kawabata Makoto of Acid Mothers Temple) vs Plastic Crimewave comic book/record is underway....yeahhhhhh
This Weekend:
--------------
Sat. July 3--
G L E A M I N G (droney "supergroup" DRMWPN, "reloaded" with some new members) at the Hideout, and openers Forbes/Young duo (free jazzy blazers of Tiger Hatchery/Thee Mopery) and horrorcore synthman Alex Barnett. Show starts at 9pm.
...and that same eve:
DJ-ing the Whistler, a tag team w/mod psychspert Sir Eric Colin, who will start at 10pm, and i will join him from midnight til 3am.
Mon. July 5--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle, FREE monday w/Nice Nice, Shapers, and Call Me on the Allophone Names Divine
Upcoming:
----------
July 10--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Abbey with Sweet Apple (J. Mascis plus members of Witch and Cobra Verde), Mondo Drag, and Detholz!
July 11--PCWS at Millennium Park 1:30pm (by the bean) for the Great Performers of Illinois Fest--w/special guests!
July 15--DJ-ing Adler Planetarium "Adler After Dark", NY's Sky White Tiger performing
July 17--Solar Fox at Ottoman Empire w/Janina Angel Bath (SF)/Hands of Hydra duo, Redwing Blackbird and Angel Olsen
July 18--Caricatures at Empty Bottle
July 26--Caricatures at Empty bottle--FREE monday
July 29--GZDisk/Drag City LP Spur of the Moments release
Aug 5--PCWS w/Frustrations, Druid Perfume, ET Habit at Crown Liquors
Aug.7--DJ The Whistler
Aug. 11--Moonrises at Empty Bottle with Black Math, Ken Camden
Aug 18--PCW/K.Baird duo debuts at The Mopery w/J.Graf (of Metalux, now in Baltimore), Salamander Wool (Baltimore), Panicsville and one of Ben Billington solo.
Sept 10--Sir Plastic Crimewave opening for The Strawbs (!!!) acoustic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 6/20/10:
-------------------
Thanks to all who made it to see my lil art show at the new Logan Square record store Saki, it has come down and i am officially not exbiting any art for a while now....whew.
So as if i didn't have enough musical projects going, I've started two new duos:
Solar Fox--a textural space/ambient thang with Miss Lybby of Moonrises, and the tenatively titled Morphia Abyss (we're accepting submissions, please) some doomy goth/noise w/Kathleen Baird of Spires That in the Sunset Rise. Git Ready!
Work on the next Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City release, "Spur: Of the Moments" is finished and release is set for July 29. Here's a teaser link with preview download:
http://www.dragcity.com/artists/spur
The kindly subversive folks at Arthur stumbled on a batch of my Million Tongues 2 thought-to-be-sold-out CDs, featuring exclusive tracks by folks like Jack Rose, Tony Conrad, Chris Connelly, Michael chapman, No Neck Blues Band, Josephine Foster, Bird Show, etc. i don't have many copies myself....here's the link:
http://store.arthurmag.com/product/sold-out-two-million-tongues-curated-by-plastic-crimewave
I just sent off masters for two new solo releases, which are banjo-raga heavy:
"Into the Depths", a fancy cassette on Belgium's esteemed Sloow Tapes, and "String/Soul/Eye", a CDR on Bill Shute's (Black To Comm mag) imprint Kendra Steiner Editions, out of San Antonio, TX.
Art and mastering is also nearly finished on the Djin Aquarin/PCWS "Save the World" gatefold LP! It's a doozy, but I'm biased.
Also, below check out a LOT of new shows booked!
This Week-ish:
--------------
Sun June 20--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will catch up on the last two strips One Eyed Jacks (soul-garage from Champaign), and Mountain Bus (some spacey/country Deadhead types from Rogers Park). Special guest callers too.... You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon June 21--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9pm-close, FREE show, featuring the sounds of Rabble Rabble, Jeff the Brotherhood, Natural Child and State Champion.
Sat June 26--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9pm-close, a Hozac label showcase featuring the blastin' sounds of Woven Bones, Mickey, Red Mass, and Radar Eyes.
Sun June 27--
Solar Fox debuts at Ronny's with an excellent line-up of garagepunkpsychthugs Vee Dee, Iowa psychprogheavies Mondo Drag and Royal Osprey...we play first, early, like 8:30!!
Upcoming:
-----------
July 3--DJ-ing the Whistler 10pm, tag team w/mod psychspert Sir Eric Colin
and.......
G L E A M I N G (DRMWPN reloaded) at the Hideout (yes i'm gonna pull this off)
July 5--Caricatures at Empty Bottle FREE monday
July 10--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Abbey with Sweet Apple (J. Mascis plus members of Witch and Cobra Verde), Mondo Drag, and Detholz!
July 11--PCWS at Millennium Park 1:30pm (by the bean) for the Great performers of Illinois Fest
July 15--DJ-ing Adler Planetarium "Adler After Dark", NY's Sky White Tiger performing
July 17--Solar Fox at Ottoman Empire w/Janina Angel Bath (SF)/Hands of Hydra duo, Redwing Blackbird and Angel Olsen
July 18--Caricatures at Empty Bottle
July 26--Caricatures at Empty bottle--FREE monday
July 29--GZDisk/Drag City LP Spur of the Moments release
Aug 5--PCWS w/Frustrations, Druid Perfume, ET Habit at Crown Liquors
Aug.7--DJ The Whistler
Aug. 11--Moonrises at Empty Bottle with Black Math
Aug 18--PCW/K.Baird debuts at The Mopery w/J.Graf (of Metalux, now in Baltimore), Salamander Wool (Baltimore), Panicsville and one of Ben Billington's jamz
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 5/31/10
-------------------
Another thanks to all who made my MCA exhibition- some of the performances, the opening, or just made it down to the MCA in May to check it out. The show has come down (boo hoo) so if you didn't make it down there to see it, yer not my friend and i hate you. ha.
My lil exhibit of posters, original art and such at the new Saki records will be up for 2 more weeks.
The latest GZDisk/Drag City joint LP release/reissue, Spur "of the Moments" is almost done, and i couldn't be more excited. This is going to blow the doors off all preconceived notions of country/folk/endearing garage/SF-style jammin psychrock, if there were any such notions.
Soon:
-----
Fri. June 4--
DJ-ing at the ol MCA First Friday mayhem from 7-8pm. Probably will play some different sorta jams, as i gotta maybe use CD PLAYERS? Heresy, i know.
and after a quick run home later...
Caricatures at Empty Bottle, 10 til close, it's a rawkin bill of Mannequin Men, Jacuzzi Boys, CoCoComa and Maximum Wage
Sat. June 5--
DJ-ing The Whistler at 10pm-2:30am, all sweet 45 goodness.
Thurs. June 10--
Moonrises at the Hideout w/Verma, Killer Moon and a robot (!!!) called Musiciology. Verma are one of my fave new bands in town, rockin a deadly shoegaze/krautrock (krautgaze?) stew. Killer Moon are sweet too, this should be a goodie. Plus a ROBOT???? I think we headline..? Show at 9pm
Upcoming:
----------
June 10-Moonrises at the Hideout w/Verma, Killer Moon and a robot!!
June 15--Moonrises at Empty Bottle, w/Man Forever (Kid Millions of Oneida), Noveller and Inferior Amps
July 3--DJ-ing the Whistler
July 10--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Abbey with Sweet Apple (J. Mascis plus members of Witch and Cobra Verde), Mondo Drag, and Detholz!
July 11--PCWS at Millennium Park
Aug 5-PCWS w/Frustrations, Druid Perfume and Great Society Mind Destroyers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 5/17/10:
------------------
First off a big thanks to all who made my MCA opening, talk and shows! All has been wondrous so far, with more performances to come and the exhibit is up til May 30...
Right as the MCA exhibition winds down, i will be exhibiting some artwork again! A new record store has hit Logan Square, Saki--run by the fine folks at Carrot Top distribution.
I will be hanging a mix of posters, original arts, album cover art and whatever i damn well please for their opening May 27, and the work will be up for 3 weeks or so. I will also be DJ-ing the shop along with the CHIRP crew May 29, see details below.
And the next few busy weeks:
-----------------------------
Tues. May 18--
MCA performance in conjunction w/my SHoCMusic exhibition in the 12 X 12 gallery at 7pm. 83-yr old living legend Philip Cohran, father of spiritual African soul/jazz, who worked with Sun Ra and helped found the AACM. FREE!
Thurs. May 20--
Caricatures @ Empty Bottle 9:30pm-til close. Punky mayhem w/The Spits, Nobunny and Mickey
Fri. May 21--
Plastic Crimewave Sound will be trying out a load of new material at The Bakery, 1854 w 21st Place. With Running, and two touring bands from Providence, Shearing Pinx and Nu Sensea.
Sun. May 23--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will catch up on the last two strips (Nick was in Ireland), Bil Vermette, experimental electronics whiz, and Jim Guercio, man of many talents and producer of the band Chicago. Special guest callers perhaps too.... You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. May 24--
The debut of G L E A M I N G (yes, DRMWPN born anew) at Empty Bottle (I'll be playing banjo) with punk-jazz-fusioners El is the Sound of Joy and the Krautrocklike Verma, starting at 9:30, FREE SHOW!
Tues May 25--
MCA performance in conjunction w/my SHoCMusic exhibition in the 12 X 12 gallery at 7pm. Chet Nichols, of garage band the Chosen Few, and solo artiste extraordinaire...his 70s LP "Time Loop" is a downer folk classic, and he still is writing, producing and acting! FREE
Sat. May 29-
DJing 5-6 PM at new rekkid store Saki, 3716 W.Fullerton
Upcoming:
----------
June 5--DJ-ing The Whistler
June 10-Moonrises at the Hideout w/Verma, Killer Moon and a robot!!
June 15--Moonrises at Empty Bottle, w/Man Forever (Kid Millions of Oneida), Noveller and Inferior Amps
June 27-Moonrises at Ronny's w/Vee Dee and Mondo Drag.
July 3--DJ-ing the Whistler
July 11--PCWS at Millenium Park
Aug 5-PCWS w/Frustrations, Druid Perfume and Great Society Mind Destroyers
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 5/6/10:
------------------
It's here! Yes, tomorrow the Secret History of Chicago Music MCA exhibit goes up, with the opening at 6-10pm, and the whole month of performances and excitement kicks off.
check out everything here, including a short promotional film on yours truly:
http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/exh_detail.php?id=247
Plastic Crimewave Sound has been invited to play Millenium Park! We'll be playing The Great Performers of Illinois fest, Sunday, July 11 from 1:30 pm until 3:00 pm on the Chase Promenade Central Stage--mark yer calendars!
Test pressings for the latest Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City vinyl release, Spur "Of The Moments" have arrived and sound great! Get ready for an incredibly mind-blowing country-psych-folk-rock discovery this summer!
This weekend/next week:
-------------------------
Fri. May 7--
SHoCM MCA show opening 6-10pm
Sun. May 9--
No SHoCM radio show this week, because host Nick Digilio will be out of the country. We will catch up on May 23
Mon. May 10--
I will be doing a rare-ish solo gig of banjo, guitar and voice at Empty Bottle w/the excellent Winston Troy (NY), Angel Olsen, and Laughing Eye Weeping Eye. I will be headlining i guess...the show starts at 9:30 pm, and is FREE!
Tues. May 11--
I will be fielding a Q&A session at the MCA in Puck's Cafe at 6pm, and the always-genius SHoCM subjects ONO perform immediately after at 7pm--FREE!
Sat. May 15--
The second show in the SHoCM MCA performance series. Electronic soundscaper Bil Vermette (see this week's SHoCM in the Reader for his amazing story) plays a rare set at 3pm w/special guests (yes, i'll throw down some space-guitar). FREE w/MCA admission.
Upcoming:
----------
May 18--MCA performance: Phil Cohran
May 20--Caricatures @ Empty Bottle-Spits/Mickey
May 21--PCWS at The Bakery with Great Society Mind Destroyers, Running, etc
May 24--G L E A M I N G at Empty bottle with El is the Sound of Joy and Verma
May 25--MCA performance: Chet Nichols
June 5--DJ-ing The Whistler
June 15--Moonrises at Empty Bottle, opening for Man Forever (Kid Millions of
Oneida), Noveller and Inferior Amps
July 3--DJ-ing the Whistler
July 11--PCWS at Millenium Park
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 4/30/10:
-------------------
Drone-Leader Jim Dorling has declared DRMWPN on hiatus for the foreseeable future. However, most of these cosmonauts continue to get the same joyous soul-buzz from the collective drone-type experience, and don't want thee magic to stop...
So nearly all DRMWPNers will be forming a new unit--with some new blood to freshen up the ecstatic stew. This new congregation is called:
G L E A M I N G
The grand unveiling is Mar 24 at Empty Bottle, a FREE show, with sick punk-jazz fusionists El is the Sound of Joy....
Sat. May 1st--
DJ-ing The Whistler, 10pm with special guest DJ Sir Eric Colin (of MODchicago)
All 45s of acid rock, bubblegum, french pop, krautrock, fuzz funk, 70s one-hit wonders, astral folk, garage rock, danceable groovers, sweaty soul, hard boogie, psych-pop and more.
Tues May 4--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle, KY noiserock freeks Hair Police and Dee-troit grungers Awesome Color perform
Upcoming:
----------
May 7--SHoCM MCA show opening 6-10pm
May 10--Solo PCW gig at Empty Bottle w/Winston Troy (NY), Angel Olsen, Laughing Eye Weeping Eye
May 11--MCA show talk/ONO performs
May 15--MCA performance: Bil Vermette performs w/special guests (!)
May 18--MCA performance: Phil Cohran
May 20--Caricatures Empty bottle-Spits/Mickey
May 21--PCWS at The Bakery with Great Society Mind Destroyers, Running, etc
May 24--G L E A M I N G at Empty bottle with El is the Sound of Joy
May 25--MCA performance: Chet Nichols
June 5--DJ-ing The Whistler
June 15--Performing w/Man Forever at Empty Bottle (Kid Millions of Oneida)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 4/15/10:
-------------------
Wow even snarky VICE mag is into the new GZDisk Yonkers LP:
http://www.viceland.com/int/v17n4/htdocs/records-410.php
Look for a short film about yours truly on the MCA website soon...
but this is up for now:
http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/exh_detail.php?id=247
And a big day Saturday:
-----------------------
April 17--
Daytime:
Caricatures 12-5 at Reckless Records for Record Store Day, 1532 N. Milwaukee
and great performances all day: PHIL COHRAN 12:30PM, THE ETERNALS 2PM, PNS from MOLEMEN 3PM, LIAM HAYES & PLUSH 4PM, AZITA 5PM
Evening:
No idea on the order, but Moonrises kicks it at the Mopery again with Puffy Areolas from Cleveland (one of my fave bands of the moment--true psychmadness), Running, old school experimenalists ONO, Bad Drugs (Cacaw peeps). Should start about 10....
Upcoming:
-----------
April 19--Caricatures at Empty bottle--David Vandervelde--FREE
April 23--DJ-ing Psychedelic Shindig at Weirder Park General Store
April 25--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Great Society Mind Destroyers
April 28--Armenian Oud player/fuzz-psych legend, John Berberian at Old Town School of Folk Music then Budgie plays later at Kinetic Playground???
May 1--DJ-ing The Whistler
May 7--MCA show opening 6-10pm
May 10--Solo PCW gig at Empty Bottle w/Winston Troy (NY), Angel Olsen, Laughing Eye Weeping Eye
May 11--MCA show talk/ONO performs
May 15--MCA performance: Bil Vermette performs w/special guests (!)
May 18--MCA performance: Phil Cohran
May 25--MCA performance: Chet Nicholls
June 5--DJ-ing The Whistler
June 15--Performing w/Man Forever at Empty Bottle (Kid Millions of Oneida)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 4/10/10
-------------------
Once again, The Secret History of Chicago Music art exhibition opening is at the 12 X 12 gallery at the MCA May 7, 6-10pm...please let me know ASAP if you'd like to attend, cuz i still have a few guest list spots--it's that "First Friday" hijinks going on as well, so it'd normally be like $12 to get in.
I will be giving a talk in the Puck's Cafe the following Tuesday the 11th at 6pm, and the live performances of "Secret History..." subjects in conjunction with the show are finally set:
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
ONO: Tuesday, May 11, 7 pm, Free
Bil Vermette: Saturday, May 15, 3 pm, Free with museum admission
Phil Cohran: Tuesday, May 18, 7 pm, Free
Chet Nichols: Tuesday, May 25, 7 pm, Free
http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/exh_detail.php?id=247
Here is a great interview w/Michael Yonkers concerning his new/old album "Lovely Gold" on GZDisk/Drag City--I even learned a few things...
http://bombsite.powweb.com/?p=9259
This Weekend:
----------------------
Sat/Sun April 10-11--
Caricatures at CHIRP record fair, 12-5pm, at Chicago Journeymen Plumbers, Local 130, U.A., 1340 West Washington Boulevard. Also all sorts of DJs and fun/records to be had.
Sun 11---
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will continue the (post?) "Winter Blues" series and features mysterious and legendary slide guitarist Homesick James. You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistor
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget the strips are archived here too...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
----------------
April 15--DJ-ing Rodan 10pm
April 17--Daytime: Caricatures at Reckless Records for Record Store Day
Eve: Moonrises at the Mopery with Puffy Areolas, Running, ONO, etc
April 19--Caricatures at Empty bottle--David Vandervelde
April 23--DJ-ing Psychedelic Shindig at Weirder Park General Store
April 25--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Great Society Mind Destroyers
April 28--Armenian Oud player/fuzz-psych legend, John Berberian at Old Town School of Folk Music
May 1--DJ-ing The Whistler
May 7--MCA show opening 6-10pm
May 10--Solo PCW gig at Empty Bottle w/Winston Troy (NY) and Angel Olsen
May 11--MCA show talk/ONO performs
May 15--MCA performance: Bil Vermette performs w/special guests (!)
May 18--MCA performance: Phil Cohran
May 25--MCA performance: Chet Nicholls
June 5--DJ-ing The Whistler
June 15--Performing w/Man Forever at Empty Bottle (Kid Millions of Oneida)
News 3/30/10:
-------------------
alright, alright i admit myspace kinda sucks these days--all i seem to get is spam from lame bands.
so yes, i've reluctantly given in to the pressure and i'm back on friggin Facebook after ditching it like 3 yrs ago, so now folks can actually know what events i got goin' on.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Krakow/746411223
It looks like i get a decent-sized guest list for the opening of The Secret History of Chicago Music art exhibition in the 12 X 12 gallery at the MCA May 7, 6-10pm...please let me know ASAP if you'd like to attend, it's that "first friday" hijinks going on as well, so it's normally like $12 to get in.
I will be giving a talk in the Puck's Cafe the following Tuesday the 11th at 6pm, with fave strip-subjects ONO performing from 7-7:30, but this is free. We are working on music programming for the 18th and 25th as well, with some potentially amazing performers...more info and ONO strip here:
http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/exh_detail.php?id=247
Thanks to all for making the last Guitarkestra a blast, we had some 30 players kickin it into the heavens!
The Michael Yonkers "Lovely Gold" LP on my Galactic Zoo Disk imprint/Drag City has sold out of it's initial 800 copy run! Another pressing is forthcoming, but will be limited to only 200 more, so if you didn't get one of these astounding previously unreleased 1977 folk-psych masterpieces you might want to preorder one from Drag City.
This Weekend:
--------------
Friday April 2--
Plastic Crimewave Sound w/Acid Mothers Temple and Over-Gain Optimal Death (basically a Mainliner tribute band!) at the Empty Bottle...we go on at 9:30. Our show w/AMT at SXSW was one of the wildest sets i've ever seen them do, and i've seen them some 20 or so times...so yeahhhhhhhh!
Sat. April 3--
DJ-ing The Whistler, 10pm-2:30am, all hot 45s of punk, funk, psych, krautrock, glam, folk, soul, hard rock, bubblegum, etc.
Upcoming:
------------
April 10-11--Caricatures at CHIRP record fair, 12-5pm, at Chicago Journeymen Plumbers, Local 130, U.A., 1340 West Washington Boulevard
April 15--DJ-ing Rodan (i think)
April 17--Daytime: Caricatures at Reckless Records for Record Store Day
Eve: Moonrises at the Mopery with Puffy Areolas, Running, ONO, etc
April 23--DJ-ing Psychedelic Shindig at Weirder Park General Store
April 28-Armenian Oud player/fuzz-psych legend, John Berberian at Old Town School of Folk Music
May 10--solo PCW gig at Empty Bottle w/Winston Troy (NY) and Angel Olsen
June 15--performing w/Man Forever at Empty Bottle (Kid Millions of Oneida)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News: 3/22/10:
----------------------
Revised Guitarkestra load-in info:
All participants should be present at 7:30pm, otherwise you may not be guaranteed a jammin spot. Again, all that is necessary is an amp, guitar and power strip if you have one. Exceptions for non-guitar instruments can be made (sitars, synthesizers, basses, etc).
SXSW was a total insane blast i must say-sensory overload through and through--Plastic Crimewave Sound's gig with Acid Mothers Temple and Ya Ho Wha 13 was packed and joyous, and i have never seen a disco ball used the way AMT bassist Tsuymama did on his bass! The party we played was way fun too, thanks to all who came out and supported the cause. The house where we stayed at had some great jam sessions too--and where else could i run into musician friends from the west coast, south, east coast, hawaii, australia, japan, etc? Nutty. The shows along the way in OK City and Columbia MO were way fun too.
Extremely exciting:
I have been selected to have a show of my art from the Secret History of Chicago Music strip at the MCA, in the 12 X 12 gallery May 7!!
More details forthcoming involving opening night performances and such, as well a talk coordinated w/the show the following Tues May 11.
Aw this is one of the nicest reviews i've ever gotten, i almost shed a tear:
http://www.visitation-rites.com/2010/03/sightings-checking-in-with-plastic-crimewave-and-michael-yonkers/
Here's some photos form last PCWS tour w/Marble Sheep that Ms. Libby found:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tin_mans_heart/4084698709/in/set-72157622634131677/
I have a few newer Sky Saxon-type posts on the Record Fiend blog:
http://record-fiend.blogspot.com/
And don't forget a new podcast devoted to Dutch psych and rock on the excellent Anthology Recordings site:
www.anthologyrecordings.com
And This Week:
------------------
Wed. Mar.24--
Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra VI w/The Gunslingers and Vee Dee, 9:30 pm--see the Reader this week for a nice write-up on Gunslingers...
the digs on thee Guitarkestra again:
I am hoping to make this the most cataclysmic and mind-melting Guitarkestra yet. We will be switching to the tuning of "D", and there will be a choir of vocalists:
Lindsay of Ga'an/Fielded, Angel Olsen, Travis of ONO, Dan Mohr of DRMWPN/Relaxation record, Kathy of Spires That in the Sunset Rise, and Aleks Tomaszewska of Aleks and the Drummer.
Plus Three Drummers:Alejandro of PissPissPissMoanMoanMoan/Running, Deric of Aleks and the Drummer, and Ben Billington of Tiger Hatchery/Moonrises.
I also need as many guitarists as possible! Whether you have Steve Vai-like virtuosity or you've never played a note, you are needed--even small children have participated! You will get in the show free, as long as you have guitar (or something like one--violin, sitar, even a synthesizer is ok), small amp and preferably power strip. Past Guitarkestras have been bonafide spiritual sonic happenings, and i want this one no different...invite friends to play, and e.mail me w/any questions at plasticcw@hotmail.com. Flowing robes are also encouraged...
Sat. Mar.27--
Moonrises at Rueben's Palace w/Runaway Suns (NY), Great Society Mind Destroyers and Implodes. 9:30pm, 1620 N.Fairfield, Rear Building, $5
Upcoming:
-------------
Mar.30--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Psychedelic Horseshit
April 2--PCWS w/Acid Mothers Temple at the Empty Bottle
April 3--DJ The Whistler
April 15--DJ Rodan
April 17--Daytime: Caricatures at Reckless Records for Record Store Day
Eve: Moonrises at the Mopery with Puffy Areolas
April 23--DJ-ing Psychedelic Shindig at Weirder Park General Store
April 28-Armenian Oud player/fuzz-psych legend, John Berberian at Old Town School of Folk Music
May 10--solo PCW gig at Empty Bottle w/Winston Troy (NY) and Angel Olsen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 3/11/10:
------------------
a few nice articles on ol Plastic Crimewave Sound have hit, one from a Cleveland paper written by our pal All-i-sun, and then another interview w/yours truly on aol.com's "Spinner" (i know, weird, eh?) for SXSW:
http://www.clevelandindependent.com/2009/11/25/review-plastic-crimewave-sound/
SXSW 2010: Plastic Crimewave Sound - Spinner
Also tell yer pals about PCWS's SXSW tour and fest appearance, or drop by if yer in Austin to be rokked:
*Sat. Mar.13--the Hideout, big SXSW kick-off show, we play at 8:15
*Mon. Mar.15--East Side Tavern in Columbia, MO w/Wet Hair
*Tues. Mar.16--The Conservatory, in Oklahoma City, OK w/UUVVWWZ
*Wed. Mar 17--PCWS w/Ya Ho Wha 13, Acid Mothers Temple (and a buncha others) in a Prophase/Alien8 Records Showcase at Rusty Spurs, South by Southwest Fest in Austin, TX, we go on at 9pm.
oh, here's a nice review of my recent/old solo CDR from the swell folks at Foxy Digitalis:
http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=5373
Upcoming:
-----------
Mar.14--'Secret History of Chicago Music' midnight radio show on WGN 720AM
Mar.23--Michael Yonkers "Lovely Gold" LP released on GZDisk/Drag City
Mar.24--Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra VI w/The Gunslingers and Vee Dee
Mar.25--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Old Fake
Mar.27--Moonrises at Rueben's Palace w/Runaway Suns and GSMD
Mar.30--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Psychedelic Horseshit
April 2--PCWS w/Acid Mothers Temple at the Empty Bottle
April 3--DJ The Whistler
April 15--DJ Rodan
April 17--Day: Caricatures at Reckless Records for Record Store Day
Eve: Moonrises at the Mopery with Puffy Areolas
April 23--DJ-ing Psychedelic Shindig at Weirder Park General Store
April 28-Armenian Oud player/fuzz-psych legend, John Berberian at Old Town School of Folk Music
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 3/9/10:
------------------
I have a new podcast up on the revamped Anthology Recordings site, dedicated to Dutch pop, psych, and hard rock. Check it out at www.anthologyrecordings.com
Guitarkestra Update:
It's happening Wed. Mar.24 at Empty Bottle! Not only will there be great openers Gunslingers from France (acid punk supreme) and Vee Dee (local greazy garage-psych toughs), but I am hoping to make this the most cataclysmic and mind-melting Guitarkestra yet. We will be switching to the tuning of "D", and there will be a choir of vocalists:
Lindsay of Ga'an/Fielded, Angel Olsen, Travis of ONO, Dan Mohr of DRMWPN/Relaxation record, Taralie and Kathy of Spires That in the Sunset Rise, and Aleks Tomaszewska of Aleks and the Drummer.
Plus Three Drummers!:
Alejandro of PissPissPissMoanMoanMoan/Running, Deric of Aleks and the Drummer, and Ben Billington of Tiger Hatchery/Moonrises.
I also need as many guitarists as possible! Whether you have Steve Vai-like virtuosity or you've never played a note, you are needed--even small children have participated! You will get in the show free, as long as you have guitar (or something like one--violin, sitar, even a synthesizer is ok), small amp and preferably power strip. Past Guitarkestras have been bonafide spiritual sonic happenings, and i want this one no different...invite friends to play, and e.mail me w/any questions at plasticcw@hotmail.com. Flowing robes are also encouraged...a load-in time should be set shortly....
A nice interview w/yours truly has appeared in Spanish mag "Chilena Comando," alongside greats like Magma, Jess Franco, and The Twinkeyez! I have no idea how one gets a copy, but if you read Spanish and want one i'll investigate!
Also wanted to mention the GZD Tape club is still taking subscriptions, get a year of mind-messaging sounds every other month for $35, see www.plasticcrimewave.com for details- i've also posted a bunch of other new goods for sale, like limited posters and such.
Thee next few weeks o' fun:
--------------------------
Wed. Mar.10--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30pm til close--featuring the hazy folk-psych sounds of Vetiver, Robbie Hamilton and Soft Drugs, and Czech shoegazers Please the Trees.
Sat. Mar.13--
Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Hideout, the big SXSW kick-off show! Come support the cause and help us earn some road-bread!
Thee schedule:
11:00pm Life During Wartime DJs
10:00 Tom Schraeder
9:45 Waco Brothers
9:00 Mickey
8:15 Plastic Crimewave Sound
7:30 The Hood Internet
6:45 Tyler Jon Tyler
6:00 Hollows
5:15 Love Of Everything
4:30 Via Tania
3:45 Mittens On Strings
Sun Mar.14--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will continue the "Winter Blues" series and features ace pianist/singer Sunnyland Slim. You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Also tell yer pals about PCWS's SXSW tour and fest appearance:
Mon. Mar.15--East Side Tavern in Columbia, MO w/Wet Hair
Tues. Mar.16--The Conservatory, in Oklahoma City, OK w/UUVVWWZ
wed. Mar 17--PCWS w/Ya Ho Wha 13, Acid Mothers Temple (and a buncha others) in a Prophase/Alien8 Records Showcase at Rusty Spurs, South by Southwest Fest in Austin, TX, we go on at 9pm.
Upcoming:
---------
Mar.23--Michael Yonkers "Lovely Gold" LP released on GZDisk/Drag City
Mar.24--Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra VI w/The Gunslingers and Vee Dee
Mar.25--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Old Fake
Mar.27--Moonrises at Rueben's Palace w/Runaway Suns and GSMD
Mar.30--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Psychedelic Horseshit
April 2--PCWS w/Acid Mothers Temple at the Empty Bottle
April 3--DJ The Whistler
April 15--DJ Rodan
April 17--Day: Caricatures at Reckless Records for Record Store Day
Eve: Moonrises at the Mopery with Puffy Areolas
April 23--DJ-ing Psycedelic Shindig at Weirder Park General Store
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 2/11/10:
-------------------
The Michael Yonkers "Lovely Gold" LP on Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City has been pushed back til Mar. 23, due to complications w/sleeve printing--funny enough Michael remembers the same thing happening back in the day w/his other silver-covered albums.
The next GZDisk/Drag City release, featuring brilliant southern Illinois country-tinged psych/folk/garage band Spur is slated for July.
Time to begin hyping the Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra VI, Wed. Mar.24 at Empty Bottle. Not only will there be great openers Gunslingers from France (acid punk supreme) and Vee Dee (local greasy garage-psych toughs), but I am hoping to make this the most cataclysmic and mind-melting Guitarkestra yet. We will be switching to the tuning of "D", and there will be a choir of vocalists including: Lindsay of Ga'an/Fielded, Angel Olsen, Travis of ONO, Dan Mohr of DRMWPN/Relaxation record, Taralie and Kathy of Spires That in the Sunset Rise, and Aleks Tomaszewska of Aleks and the Drummer--and if all goes well, 3 percussionists too...
I also need as many guitarists as possible! Whether you have Steve Vai-like virtuosity or you've never played a note, you are needed--even small children have particpated! You will get in the show free, as long as you have guitar (or something like one--violin, sitar, even a synthesizer is ok), small amp and preferably power strip. Past Guitarkestras have been bonafide spiritual sonic happenings, and i want this no different..invite friends to play and e.mail me w/any questions. Flowing robes are also encouraged...
I have contributed a new item to the fine Record Fiend blog as well, if you scroll down a bit you can probably guess which one...
www.record-fiend.blogspot.com
And a long exciting next week:
------------------------------
Sun Feb.14--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will begin the timely "Winter Blues" series again (ain't we all feelin' it?) starting w/neglected guitarist/singer/drummer/dapper-wildman Baby Face Leroy Foster. You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. Feb.15--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9pm til close...with Anatomy of Habit, Red and Blue, Let's Pet, Rabid Rabbit performing.
Tues Feb.16--
Moonrises at the Whistler--A Coach House Sounds Showcase with ONO, Lesser Birds of Paradise and readings, an early 7pm show--ONO on first, Moonrises second.
Wed. Feb.17--
Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Mopery, 2734 N Milwaukee Ave. 10pm. With Iowa psychrockers Mondo Drag, Marlo Eggplant, Meester Magpie, and more
Thurs. Feb.18--
DJ-ing Rodan 10pm, with some very HOT new 45's to spin (thanks Crispy) and some new/old dirty/messed-up B-movies to screen.
Upcoming:
-----------
Mar.1--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Tira Lirra
Mar.4--Moonrises w/I Love You and Apache Dropout at Bishops in Bloomington, IN
Mar.10--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Vetiver
Mar.13--PCWS at Hideout-- SXSW kick-off show!
Mar.15--PCWS at East Side Tavern in Columbia, MO w/Wet Hair
Mar.16--PCWS at the Conservatory, in Oklahoma City, OK
Mar 17--PCWS w/Ya Ho Wha 13, Acid Mothers Temple at The Rusty Spur, South by Southwest fest in Austin, TX
Mar.23--Michael Yonkers "Lovely Gold" LP released on GZDisk/Drag City
Mar.24--Guitarkestra VI w/The Gunslingers and Vee Dee
Mar.25--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Old Fake
Mar.27--Moonrises at Rueben's Palace w/Runaway Suns and GSMD
Mar.30--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Psychedelic Horseshit
April 2--PCWS w/Acid Mothers Temple at the Empty Bottle
April 3--DJ The Whistler
April 15--DJ Rodan
April 17--Day: Caricatures at Reckless Records for Record Store Day
Eve: Moonrises at the Mopery with Puffy Areolas
April 23--DJ-ing Psycedelic Shindig at Weirder Park General Store
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 1/29/10
------------------
Just wanna thank all who came out or participated in the grand shows this past weekend (in pretty shitty weather too) --both the Hideout Psychfest and the Cacaw/Moonrises/Running shows were sell-outs! This has me feeling very optimistic about Chi-towne's musical future/scene/whatever...
some pics from the Hideout show:
http://rockonphoto.com/Hideout-Chicago/plastic-crimewave-sound
and oddly WNUR/WBEZ Chicago public radio hyped Moonrises and the show, some half a dozen a people told me they heard it! it's sorta archived here:
http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=39520
Very excited for the next release on my Drag City label imprint, Galactic Zoo Disk--a totally unreleased 1977 soon-to-be classic by Michael Yonkers, "Lovely Gold." This is on par w/his finest (ala "Grimwood") and we have attempted to create the artwork as Michael planned it some 30 years ago, it'll be out officially Mar. 23, but it's already listed for pre-sale in places like the UK..?
you can see that and the sweet artwork here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MICHAEL-YONKERS-LOVELY-GOLD-VINYL-LP-ALBUM-DC428_W0QQitemZ370324552884QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20100123?IMSfp=TL1001232310001r32036
I've been getting merch orders from just about everywhere on this planet--from Arabia to Denmark! I've also been getting requests for recordings by some of my old bands, like The Unshown and for old posters. So this has finally inspired me to post some "new" merch on my site, CDRS and some backstock of screenprinted posters from past events, like the Million Tongues fests, Galactic Zoo mag release shows, etc--i have very limited copies of these, so check them out soon at:www.plasticcrimewave.com
oh, and if anyone has leads on cheap T-Shirt printing/screenprinting i'd like to make some PCW/GZD/art piece T-Shirts, as folks have been reqesting those as well!
And for those of you who didn't make the MCA Comic Art Battle a few weeks back, and didn't catch the NBC TV show clip last week--here ya go--you can see me for seconds even..! and my drawing..! and a whole lot of Bessie...
http://lxtv.com/1stlookchicago/video/10420
And....
------
Sun Jan.31--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will cover well known cartoonist/writer Shel Silverstein--but how many know about his prolific musical career and Chi-towne ties? You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. Feb.1--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30pm til close...performing: Rrind (ex-Coughs), Psychic Steel, John Bellows, Magic is Kuntmaster
Upcoming:
----------
Feb.6--DJ-ing the Whistler
Feb.15-Caricatures at EB-with Anatomy of Habit, Let's Pet, Rabid Rabbit
Feb.16--Moonrises at the Whistler with ONO, Lesser Birds of Paradise and readings--early 7pm show.
Feb.17--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Mopery with Mondo Drag, Marlo Eggplant, Meester Magpie, and more
Feb.18--DJ-ing Rodan
Feb.25--Caricatures at EB--with Cold Cave, Hair Police
Mar.4--Moonrises w/I Love You at Bishops in Bloomington, IN
Mar.14--PCWS at Hideout SXSW kick-off show
Mar.16--PCWS at the Conservatory, in Oklahoma City, OK
Mar 17--PCWS w/Ya Ho Wha 13, Acid Mothers Temple at South by Southwest fest in Austin, TX
Mar.24--Guitarkestra VI w/The Gunslingers and Vee Dee
Mar.27--Moonrises at Rueben's Palace w/Runaway Suns and GSMD
April 2--PCWS w/Acid Mothers Temple at the Empty Bottle
April 17-daytime: caricatures at Reckless Records for Record Store Day
eve: Moonrises at the Mopery with Puffy Areolas
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 1/15/10
------------------
Back from AZ- got me some sun, rekkids and a sweet new flying V guitar!!! But i'm all ready to get back into this Chicago heatwave action...
Here's a nice bit on the still-available Michael Yonkers/PCWS collaborative LP on a German site:
http://bisaufsmesser.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12584
To quote Art Battle host Ezra:
"In case you missed last week's Comic Art Battle at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, you're in luck! NBC covered it for their LXTV First Look program (www.lxtv.com), which airs in Chicago Saturday night (Jan.16) following Saturday Night Live (at Midnight) Check your local listings to see if it airs in your territory, too! If you've ever wondered what a Comic Art Battle might look like in late night broadcast HD, now's your chance to find out!"
So yes, see yours truly Art Battling on Network TV and shit...whoa. I'm scared.
At last i got a copy of the mighty UK tome "Krautrock: Cosmic Music and Its Legacy", in which i have a one page essay on the beloved Ash Ra Tempel/Cosmic Couriers axis. Its a pretty impressive book w/insane pics galore, including a color album art section guaranteed to melt minds. I can get copies for 1/2 off the sorta hefty $29.95 cover price, so if interested inquireth...
Another PCW Guitarkestra has at last been set! March 24 at Empty Bottle w/frenchy acid-punks The Gunslingers--who blew lots of doors off last time....
Also, a summer tour is in the works for Plastic Crimewave Sound and legendary LA glam-space-alien-punks Zolar X!! Pinch us, we're (cosmic) dreaming! Or as Zolar X would say in their own language, "Nok Voo!" (thank you)
Events:
-------
Sat. Jan.16--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 10pm til close for the CHIRP record benefit featuring Hollows, Rabble Rabble and The Yolks...come support a good cause (and me! ha)
Sun Jan.17--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will cover sax-prodigy John Klemmer, who all but invented jazz fusion and "smooth jazz"...? You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Friday Jan.22--
Psychfest at the Hideout at 8pm, w/Dark Fog, PCWS, Vee Dee, Great Society Mind Destroyers, Black Wyrm Seed, and featuring DJ Velcro Lewis...see a nice blurb in the upcoming Reader.
Monday Jan.25--
Moonrises play FREE titanic show at Empty Bottle with Cacaw headlining and Running (Alx of Pissspisspissmoanmoanmoan's new band) opening, 10pm
Upcoming:
----------
Feb.6--DJ-ing the Whistler
Feb.16--Moonrises at the Whistler with ONO, Lesser Birds of Paradise and readings!
Feb.17--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Mopery with Mondo Drag, Marlo Eggplant, Meester Magpie, and more
Feb.18--DJ-ing Rodan
Mar.4--Moonrises w/I Love You at Bishops in Bloomington, IN
Mar 17-21--PCWS at SXSW in Austin
Mar.24--Guitarkestra VI w/The Gunslingers
April 2--PCWS w/Acid Mothers Temple at the Empty Bottle
News 12/30/09
--------------------
Hope all are havin a happy holidaze!
Wow! i've never seen my artwork animated before! The kindly Mr. Ayal Senior had his pal do this to a logo i designed for him:
http://phlegthon.com/ayalsenior.com/audio_medusa.html
Post New Year fun:
--------------------
Sat. Jan.2--
DJ-ing the Whistler at 9:30pm-2:30am 2421 N.Milwaukee Ave.
Post-New Year's celebration of all-45 rekkid goodness: garage, soul, psychrock, funk, mopey winter pop....
Sun Jan.3--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will deal with unlikely Chicago 60s supergroup Truth, comprised of members of Baby Huey and the Babysitters, the Buckinghams and Belfast garage rockers Them..? It's a weird story...You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. Jan. 4--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 10pm til close. FREE great show with Vee Dee, Velcro Lewis Group (a release party for their new 45, with cover drawn by yers truly) and Casual Encounter (new PCWS bassist John Brearly's project)
Tues. Jan.5--
Comic Art Battle at the MCA, 6pm--i will be one of two actual artists (the other Richard Lee) for this battle, each acting as team captain for a rotating team of audience volunteers. This shit is fun, and i've even won before-woo.
Upcoming:
----------
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, DJ Velcro Lewis...
Jan.25--Moonrises FREE show at Empty Bottle with Cacaw and Running
Feb.16--Moonrises at the Whistler with ONO
Feb.17--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Mopery with Marlo Eggplant, Meester Magpie, etc
Sad News 12/8/09:
-------------------------
Well, i can't tell you what a rough last weekend i had...i got the news Saturday afternoon about the very untimely death of dear friend and phenomenal guitarist Jack Rose--aged only 38, a heart attack got him very unexpectedly that morning. Jack was an incredible, old soul of a guy that i can't even remember first meeting, it seems so long ago--it was probably through our then mutual label Eclipse records, at the SF Terrastock in 98, or booking his band Pelt in Chicago around the same time. Whenever it was, our love of Canned Heat, Robbie Basho and all musics psychedelic, boogie-ing, noisy or spiritually sublime probably brought us together initially. I booked Jack numerous times in Chicago, opened up for him and Peter Walker (which was a fuckin dream come true for me and Jack), was even lucky enough to appear on a recording session with him and Pelt, and to have him and Fursaxa sit in on a show i played in Philly. On said voyage to Philadelphia i ended up stranded with nowhere to stay for a week due to an inept booker, and Jack took me in, cooked for me, and we spent nearly every night drinking and listening to records--Jack informed me on genres i only toyed with: pre-war blues, ragas, Rimbetika... he also played me the best jams by Ry Cooder, Tony Joe White and the uneven 80s Fahey albums...i will always think of Jack when i hear this stuff.
Jack the performer was truly larger than life when he sat down with a guitar---music from every age and genre poured through his fingers, filled with the pain and exaltation of said timeless ages as well. I almost couldn't believe he was self-taught, but another friend, Marcia Bassett, was Jack's neighbor and told me she heard him learning to play/pick through the floorboards--improving vastly by the day. The thing i loved about Jack perhaps the most, was his discrimating yet entirely enveloping nature--he was literally the only one who hung in there by my side for my entire 4 day "Million Tongues" festival, equally excited to see fingerpicker Michael Chapman as he was to see sadomasochistic noisemongers Whitehouse--he truly "got it" and absorbed it all (plus he had to sleep on my damaged couch). And despite his warmth, the man certainly took no shit from the shitters--at a semi-bleak Chicago gig he played at like 1am to some 8-10 people, 3 of which were talking loudly--in mid-song Jack stopped and exclaimed "HEY FUCK YOU", and kept right on playing. Luckily i recorded this set, and it became a track known as the "Hey fuck you rag" on a compilation i put together. When i last saw Jack a few months ago, he was all smiles--visibly excited at his deserved signing to the larger Thrill Jockey label. He handed me his latest recording as he always did, and told me how tickled he was that i'd included him as a "Damaged Guitar God" trading card subject for my Galactic Zoo Dossier magazine--which he'd bought of his own accord (of course i was gonna give him one!). I took off from the show early after he played. and said i'd see him in Philly in a few months on tour, and....i just can't believe i'll never see him again, and never hear his truly blessed guitar coaxings fill the room...
Somehow his hero John Fahey lived for two decades more than Jack did, with a most unhealthy lifestyle...it just doesn't seem right...this earth is a lot less of a place without Jack and i can never put into words how much i will miss him. His music will make him immortal, but it's just not enough for me, i want him popping open a brew on my couch while we rock out to some High Rise or Allman Brothers bootlegs, and it just won't be. i guess as the cliche goes, Jack wouldn't want us mired in misery...but it's sure hard to shake.
i managed to sneak an audio memorial at the end of my radio show segment Sunday, archived here:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
some other lovely memorials exist here:
http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Features/Jack_Rose_Obituary.htm
http://www.arthurmag.com/2009/12/05/remembering-jack-rose/
http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Features/Jack_Rose_Obituary.htm#VHF
another sad rembrance:
I was also just informed former co-worker (at Cargo records) Matt Arluck passed away on Thanksgiving, after a battle with cancer-- at a mere age 39...much too soon. I didn't know him terribly well, but he was a hilarious, talented guy with no pretentions, and he is summed up well here:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/TheBlog/archives/2009/11/27/mat-arluck-rip
And this week:
--------------
Wed Dec.9--
Plastic Crimewave Sound at Cal's, 400 S.Wells, with Velcro Lewis Group and 70s-style rawkers Leopold and his Fiction (from San Francisco, www.myspace.com/leopoldandhisfiction). We go on first at 10pm. Since our last gig was cancelled we are ready to rokk, with aforementioned post-tour tightness in effect!
Thurs. Dec 10--
DJ-ing Rodan at 10pm--all old 45's of psychedelia, acid folk, 70s rock, one-hit wonders, soul, funk, bubblegum, etc
Mon. Dec. 14--
DRMWPN plays at Links Hall, 3435 N.Sheffield, 7:30pm.
Curated by Links Hall Artistic Associates Dan Mohr & Rachel Damon, collision_theory is a series of monthly performances & events that explore contexts for improvisational music and dance that treat both forms equally. Primarily, the series presents improvised performances by curated first-time pairings of musicians and dancers. The final performance of collision_theory's fall season promises to be an intense coupling. Drone collective DRMWPN will be performing a completely acoustic, unamplified set, with dance by Julia Rae Antonick and Jonathan Meyer, who have been collaborating for a number of years on an extensive exploration of physical partnering. Both are studied in a variety of more spiritual/therapeutic somatic practices — from yoga to taiji to traditional Balinese dance. Both ensembles have spent years developing their work.
Upcoming:
----------
Dec.18--Moonrises at Automatic Collective w/Thee Great Society Mind Destroyers and Dark Fog
Jan.2--DJ-ing the Whistler
Jan.5--Comic Art Battle at the MCA, 6pm
Jan.7--vacation--yay!
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, DJ Velcro Lewis...
Jan.25--Moonrises FREE show at Empty Bottle with....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 12/01/09:
------
The "Introducing: Ryan Trevor" LP, out now on Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City has been getting some nice lil reviews:
http://ventvox.com/?p=10447
http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?id=r3rp4qw62x
http://www.mbvmusic.com/2009/10/20/mp3-ryan-trevor-blue-mornings/17297
http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=237853
And coming up:
----------------
Sat Dec.5--
DJ-ing at The Whistler, 2421 N.Milwaukee Ave 9:30pm-2:30am--all 45s of yer fave psychedelia, hard rock, funk, soul, garage rock, bubblegum, etc
Sun Dec.6--
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will catch up on two subjects, guitar/sideburn god Harvey Mandel, and folky-pop duo Chuck and Mary Perrin. You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Wed Dec.9--
Plastic Crimewave Sound at Cal's, 400 S.Wells, with Velcro Lewis Group and 70s-style rawkers Leopold and his Fiction (from SF, www.myspace.com/leopoldandhisfiction). We go on first at 10pm. Since our last gig was cancelled we are ready to rokk, with aforementioned post-tour tightness in effect!
Upcoming:
----------
Dec.18--Moonrises at Automatic Collective w/Thee Great Society Mind Destroyers and Dark Fog
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, DJ Velcro Lewis...
Jan.25--Moonrises FREE show at Empty Bottle
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 11/24/09
---------------------
well, whattaya know, i finally got a wikipedia page!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_Crimewave
Fri Nov.27--
Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Black Lodge, a loft at 1742 N Milwaukee Ave. 3rd Flr.
(between the damen & western stops on the blue line. cross sts: wabansia & milwaukee, on the west side of the st, right across from Aldi.)
showtime at 9:30--also performing: Legda Bentonia (Louisville, KY killer obscuro-psych covers band!!), Meester Magpie, Penelope Unity and more...
We're "tight" from tourin' n shit, so come and rock out...
www.myspace.com/blacklodgechicago
Upcoming:
----------
Dec.18--Moonrises at Automatic Collective w/Thee Great Society Mind Destroyers and Dark Fog
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, DJ Velcro Lewis...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lots O' News 11/15/09:
------------------------------
First off, thanks to all who made the Plastic Crimewave Sound/Marble Sheep fall tour one of our best yet! We had particularly awesome times in towns like Bethlehem PA, Cleveland Freakrock-city, Brooklyn, and of course Chi-towne (sorry about the line to get in)
a nice blog review of Philly and Bethlehem shows here from our man Andy P:
http://nicepooperzine.blogspot.com/2009/11/marble-sheep-plastic-crimewave-sound_07.html
http://nicepooperzine.blogspot.com/2009/11/marble-sheep-plastic-crimewave-sound_08.html
and a recording of the Bethlehem show (the vocals are a bit lost in the mix, but you'll get the idea):
http://feeds.feedburner.com/liberlimbia
and some photos by Karl Warren Wilson of the show are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tin_mans_heart/page3/
Some other fantastic Plastic Crimewave Sound news is that we've been officially invited to perform at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, TX, March 17-20, 2010. This'll be our first appearance at SXSW...
A funny (but spot-on) and hand-written (yeah!) UK review of PCWS's new collaborative LP w/Michael Yonkers, "Bleed Out" is here:
http://wasistdas.co.uk/YonkersBleed.htm
Also quite exciting is the release of a new PCW solo CDR, "Fire in The Whole"--which consists of unreleased 4 track demos recorded over a decade ago. Backwards guitars, broke-ass sitar, overloaded synths, and even a human beat box are employed in these damaged song fragments-- and the art is hand-painted by the talented Matt Shaw. Severely limited to 100 copies from the excellent UK label Apollolaan, info is available here...
www.myspace.com/apollolaan
At last i have a new podcast up at www.anthologyrecordings.com
this time focusing on some local town pride, as it is all Windy City psychedelia!!
Wanted to mention again too that The Galactic Zoo Tape Club has reached the end of another year/volume--I will be starting Vol.7 this Dec.--it's only $40 to join up, and you get a tape every other month for a year of rare and populist psychedelia, glam, hard rock, protopunk--you name it. Members in Chicago get a discount, because of the shipping costs being cut. You can use paypal via plasticcw@hotmail.com, or go to plasticcrimewave.com for details.
My Secret History of Chicago Music Mural (right next to Reckless Records on Milwaukee/Damen) has been restored from the numerous tags it has received in the past months--and new faces have been added too, like Jimmie Lee Robinson, Murice McIntyre, Ken Nordine, Syl Johnson, Paul Butterfield, etc.
And last but not least, i'm happy to now be a regular contributor to Big City Rhythm and Blues Magazine--they're reprinting my Blues-based SHoCM strips starting with the current issue, now out. For more info:www.myspace.com/bigcityrhythmbluesmag
This week:
----------
Tues Nov.17--
The latest GZDisk/Drag City LP release hits the shops-- "Introducing: Ryan Trevor." It's a genius slice of lo-fi outsider pop from 1977 that i'd compare to Emitt Rhodes and R.Stevie Moore, or maybe Bob Pollard's tapes from a mental institution visit---go get this exact repro w/bonus tracks ASAP before it sells out, like every other DC/GZD release so far!!
Thurs Nov.19--
DJ-ing Rodan at 10pm in Wicker Park w/Frankie Delmane from LA-- member of legendary glam-punks the Teenage Frames, The Crazy Squeeze, and The Wicked Wicked Ways. Expect largely rawkin' sounds, as well as some acid folk, glam, garage, etc....scored some new golden 45s on tour i'll be debuting as well!
Sun Nov.22--
DJ-ing Whistler at 9pm, 2421 N.Milwaukee Ave., inbetween FREE performances by superockerlegend Frankie Delmane www.myspace.com/superlegend (see above) and the awesome one man band, Bob Dey's Tank Engine Man www.myspace.com/tankengine
Mon Nov.23--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30 pm til close, a FREE show w/icky-named bands like Fuck Knights, Dumpster Babies and the Runnies (who rule!)
Upcoming:
----------
Nov.24-25 Chic-a-go-go #647 airs on channel 19, special 2nd annual "Secret History of Chicago Music" episode (pt 2), featuring the Little Boy Blues and Gabriel Bondage, hosted by PCW himself
Nov.27--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Black Lodge w/special guests....
Dec.18--Moonrises at Automatic w/Thee Great Society Mind Destroyers and Dark Fog
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, Great Society Mind Destroyers, etc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 10/30/09:
---------------------
Tell yer pals along thee east coast--Plastic Crimewave Sound will be touring with legendary Japanese psychsters Marble Sheep (ex-White heaven, and have had members like Ghost peeps Michio Kurihara and Masaki Batoh over the years) who've been at it since 1987, and are led by Ken, founder of Captain Trip records. Their first time in the US!
PCWS will be loaded-up w/new release goods: limited PCWS/Michael Yonkers LP-"Bleed Out," "Shockwave Rider"/"Bad Politics" 45 on Hozac, PCWS/Djin Auarian "Live Yod Devotions" Plus Tapes cassette, and i will have the relatively new Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 and pre-release copies of the new GZDisk/Drag City LP "Introducing: Ryan Trevor"
anyhow, here's the schedule:
*11/03--Chicago--The Whistler w/Great Society Mind Destroyers, 9:30pm
*11/04--Detroit--Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (5141 Rosa Parks Blvd.) w/Frustrations Katt Hernandez/Eve Risser and Darkred (ex-Paik), 8pm
*11/05--Pittsburgh--The Nerve (500 Dargan Street at Minerva St.) w/Dire Wolves, 7pm (yes, an early show)
*11/06--Bethlehem, PA--Secret Art Space (write wehaveheaven@gmail.com for location info) w/Fursaxa and We Have Heaven, 8:30pm
*11/07--Philadelphia--The M Room (15 W. Girard Ave) w/Kohoutek and Gondola, 9:30pm
*11/08--Brooklyn--The Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Ave.) w/No Neck Blues Band and 12000 Trees, 8pm
*11/09--Brooklyn-Matchless bar (557 Manhattan Ave.) w/Verily White Hills and Slasher Risk, 8:30pm
*11/10--Baltimore--Golden West Cafe (1105 W.36th St) w/Mother Sun Flower (mem. of Flying Eyes), 10pm
*11/11--Cleveland--Now That's Class (11213 Detroit Ave, Cleveland OH 44102) w/Puffy Areolas and Flat Can Co.,10pm
The Galactic Zoo Tape Club has reached the end of another year/volume--I will be starting Vol.7 this Dec.--it's only $40 to join up, and you get a tape every other month for a year of rare and populist psychedelia, glam, hard rock, protopunk--you name it. Members in Chicago get a discount, because of the shipping costs being cut. You can use paypal via plasticcw@hotmail.com, or go to plasticcrimewave.com for details.
Footage of my solo set at Empty Bottle from the Kurt Vile show has been posted on the always-excellent Acid Marshmallow site...
http://www.acidmarshmallow.org/
This week:
----------
Sun Nov.1--
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will be quite special, and a bit sad, as it covers recently deceased heady tin-pan alley songstress CJ. You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Tues. Nov.3--
Plastic Crimewave Sound with legendary Japanese psychsters Marble Sheep and the The Great Society Mind Destroyers at the Whistler--a Plus Tapes release show (PCWS/Djin Aquarian cassette!) starting at 9:30--see the nice blurb in this week's Reader.
Upcoming:
-------------
Nov.17--Next GZDisk/Drag City LP release hits, "Introducing: Ryan Trevor"
Nov.19--DJ-ing Rodan w/Frankie Delmane (LA)
Nov.22--DJ-ing Whistler w/performances by Frankie Delmane and Bob Dey's Tank Engine Man
Nov.24-25 Chic-a-go-go #647 airs on channel 19, special 2nd annual "Secret History of Chicago Music" episode (pt 2), featuring the Little Boy Blues and Gabriel Bondage, hosted by PCW
Nov.27--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Black Lodge w/special guests....
Dec.18--Moonrises at Automatic w/Thee Great Society Mind Destroyers
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, Great Society Mind Destroyers, etc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 10/23/09:
---------------------
Footage of Moonrises at Empty Bottle from Oct.4 has been posted on the always-excellent Acid Marshmallow site...the levels are a lil wonky at first and ya see a whole lot of Libby's hair glistening in the dark, but you'll get the idea...stay tuned for footage of my solo PCW set to be posted too...
http://www.acidmarshmallow.org/
The date of 2/13/10 has been set for the next GZDisk/Drag City release, Michael Yonkers' gorgeous, unreleased, late 70s avant-choral-folk LP "Lovely Gold"
Current happenings:
-------------------
Sat. Oct. 24--
Moonrises at the Whistler, 2421 N.Milwaukee with The Curious Mystery (K Recs.) and Spires That in the Sunset Rise (Madison creepy gal duo) We start off at 9pm.
http://whistlerchicago.com/
Sun. Oct.25--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 10pm til close. Old school synth-punks 6 Finger Satellite performs!
Oct.27--
DRMWPN at the Whistler, 2 sets starting at 9:30. Come drone on out.
Upcoming:
-------------
Nov.1--Next Secret History of Chicago Music radio segment at midnight on WGN, featuring acid-tin pan alley songstress CJ.
Nov.3--Plastic Crimewave Sound with legendary Japanese psychsters Marble Sheep and the The Great Society Mind Destroyers at the Whistler--a Plus Tapes release show (PCWS/Djin Aquarian cassette!)
Nov.4-11--PCWS east coast/midwest tour with Marble Sheep
Nov.17--Next GZDisk/Drag City LP release hits, "Introducing: Ryan Trevor"
Nov.19--DJ-ing Rodan
Nov.22--DJ-ing Whistler w/Frankie Delmane and Bob Dey's Tank Engine Man performing
Nov.24-25 Chic-a-go-go #647 airs on channel 19, special 2nd annual "Secret History of Chicago Music" episode (pt 2), featuring the Little Boy Blues and Gabriel Bondage, hosted by PCW
Nov.27--Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Black Lodge
Dec.18--Moonrises at Automatic w/Thee Great Society Mind Destroyers
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, Great Society Mind Destroyers, etc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 10/08/09:
-------
Here's a clip of DA from the completed 2nd annual Secret History of Chicago Music episodes of Chic-a-go-go. See air-times below in "Upcoming"
YouTube - DA on Chic-A-Go-Go
The long-awaited Plastic Crimewave Sound "Shockwave Rider"/"Bad Politics" 45 is ready from Hozac--there is a verrrrrry limited gold vinyl edition that you can get in touch w/either Hozac or me about.
The new limited PCWS/Michael Yonkers LP "Bleed out" is selling briskly, so get 'em while ya can....
And this weekend/next week:
----------------------------
Sat. 10--
Tell yer Pittsburgh peeps!
a rare out-of-town DRMWPN show (quartet version featuring Jim Dorling, Dan Mohr, Dan Singleman and myself) in Pittsburgh for the ROYGBIV festival. At the Nerve (500 Dargan St) 7-10pm--we will be playing in front of some giant mirrored sculpture i think.....Also playing are Technical Drawings, Gangwish and The White Deer
Tues. 13--
I'll be playing a rare SOLO set at Empty Bottle at 10pm--expect fuzz, scuzz, buzz and maybe a lilting banjo tune or two. I'll be opening for Kurt Vile and the Violators and The Love of Everything, with Ken Camden starting off at 9:30.
Sat.17--
DJ-ing the Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. Logan Square--9:30pm-2:30am.
I'll be spinning all 45s of acid rock, bubblegum, french pop, krautrock, fuzz funk, 70s one-hit wonders, astral folk, garage rock, sweaty soul, hard boogie, psych-pop and more. http://www.whistlerchicago.com/
Sun.18--
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will catch up on two subjects--grooovy funksters Rufus and insane new wave proggers Ariel, who's story has never been told til now!
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and at:
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
-------------
Oct 20-21--Chic-a-go-go #642 airs on channel 19, special 2nd annual "Secret History of Chicago Music" episode pt 1, featuring DA and Jimmy Dawkins, hosted by PCW.
Oct.22--DJ-ing Rodan
Oct. 24--Moonrises at the Whistler with The Curious Mystery and Spires That in the Sunset Rise
Oct.25--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--Synth-punks 6 Finger Satellite performs
Oct.27--DRMWPN at the Whistler
Nov.3--PCWS with legendary Japanese psychsters Marble Sheep and the The Great Society Mind Destroyers at the Whistler--a Plus Tapes release show!
Nov.4-11--PCWS east coast/midwest tour with Marble Sheep
Nov.17--Next GZDisk/Drag City LP release due, "Introducing: Ryan Trevor"
Nov.19--DJ-ing Rodan
Nov.22--DJ-ing Whistler w/Frankie Delmane performing
Nov.24-25 Chic-a-go-go #647 airs on channel 19, special 2nd annual "Secret History of Chicago Music" episode pt 2, featuring Little Boy Blues and Gabriel Bondage, hosted by PCW
Jan.22--Psychfest at the Hideout w/PCWS, Vee Dee, Black Wyrm Seed, Great Society Mind Destroyers, etc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 9/28/09:
------
Both the Plastic Crimewave Sound/Michael Yonkers collaborative LP "Bleed Out" (Spiral Staircase) and PCWS "Shockwave Rider"/"Bad Politics" 45 (Hozac) are out! Check respective label sites or local stores like Permanent Records and Reckless, or bug me for them...we got copies, but they will go fast....
Really Bad News:
----------
Producer/engineer of PCWS's latest "Painted Shadows" album, Mark Yoshizumi, was in a terrible van wreck with his band, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir. Mark seems to have gotten the very worst of it and is hopsitalized still, and all the band's equipment is destroyed. More info and how to donate to the cause here:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2009/09/chicagos_scotland_yard_gospel.html
we are all rooting for Yoshi, and the rest of the band. I've had tires blow out on tour while driving myself, so this is especially scary and hitting close to home, the no health insurance issue too, of course.
This week:
----------
Wed. Sept.30--
New Secret History of Chicago music strip in the Reader, on longtime funksters Rufus--though no radio show this week, because of Sunday commitments.
It's also my damn birthday--don't ask how old....sigh...
Thurs. Oct 1--
DRMWPN at 9:30 at Empty Bottle with White Hills (kickin' NY psychrock) and Wovenhand (ex 16 Horsepower).
Fri.Oct.2--
Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Viaduct 3111 N.Western Ave., with PissPissPissMoanMoanMoan, Sick Gazelle (aka Bruce Lamont) and Red Electric Rainbow--show starts at 10, and it will be the official debut of new bassist John Brearly (yeah, yeah a couple of Fall covers last week don't count), and we will have both Andrew "Lord" Ortmann on 'lectronics and Bruce Lamont guesting on some delayed sax squals.
Sat. Oct.3--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle, 10 pm til close--one of my fave rock bands on the planet Pierced Arrows perform (with true heroes Fred and Toody Cole of Dead Moon, the Rats, Lollipop Shoppe, Zipper, etc) as well as Lover! and Canadian Rifle.
Sun. Oct.4--
Moonrises at 8 pm (yes early show, and we is first!) at Empty Bottle with Indian Jewelry, Oakeater, and Mayor Daley...only $3 too!
Upcoming:
-------------
Oct.15--DJ-ing Rodan
Oct.17--DJ-ing the Whistler
Oct. 24--Moonrises at the Whistler with The Curious Mystery and Spires That in the Sunset Rise
Oct.25-Caricatures at Empty Bottle--6 Finger Satellite
Nov.3--PCWS with legendary Japanese psychsters Marble Sheep and the The Great Society Mind Destroyers at the Whistler--a Plus Tapes release show!
Nov.4-11--PCWS east coast/midwest tour with Marble Sheep
Nov.17--next GZDisk/Drag City LP release due, "Introducing: Ryan Trevor"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 9/14/09:
------
Plastic Crimewave Sound suddenly has 3 new releases imminent, all in the final stages of production! The Michael Yonkers/PCWS collaborative LP, "Bleed Out," on Spiral Staircase records; The "Shockwave Rider"/"Bad Politics" 45 on Hozac (test pressings sound HOTTTT!!); and PCWS/Djin Aquarian (of Ya Ho Wha 13) collaborative cassette "Live Yod Devotions," on Plus Tapes---whew--get ready for thee onslaught...
This all comes with the not-so-good news that longtime bassist Mark Lux has left the band...but as they say, thee show must go on...we are trying out a new bassman John Brearly this week--see below...
Moonrises (myself, Ben Billington and Libby Ramer) has some great shows lined-up now (see upcoming list), and we also recorded a sweet Coach House session which yielded our best sounding recordings yet, they're posted on the myspace page at:
www.myspace.com/moonrisesband
and this week...
---------------
Thurs. Sept.17--
DJ-ing Rodan 10pm, with many hot new 45s scored out west to spinneth! Will be screening bad old B-Movies as per usual too...
Sat. Sept.19--
The Hideout 9pm, Plastic Crimewave Sound plays The Fall (the band) tribute night (last one was a blast) with Grimble Grumble, Blasted Diplomats, The Thin Man and others...this event also serves as a (PCWS drummer) Lawrence Peters benefit show! Yes, the poor lad shattered his heel and has been unable to work for some time now, and like most of us artsy types, he has no health insurance...but luckily he can still drum! So come help this excellent cause, and we will be trying out bassist John Brearly, so come heckle him! ha...
Sun. Sept.20--
Thee next installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will cover ultra-obscure 60s Oak Park folk/country/psychsters Fingletoad, Strange and Siho.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www..chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. Sept. 21--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle at 9:30pm to close for a FREE show, a cool-ass Victim of Time/Hozac event featuring Davila 666, Smith Westerns, Mother of Tears (ex-Ponys), and Mickey (Daily Void folks).
Upcoming:
-------------
Oct 1--DRMWPN at Empty Bottle with White Hills and Wovenhand
Oct.2--PCWS at the Viaduct with PissPIssPissMoanMoanMoan, Bruce Lamont and Red Electric Rainbow
Oct.4--Moonrises at Empty Bottle with Indian Jewelry and Mayor Daley
Oct.15--DJ-ing Rodan
Oct. 24--Moonrises at the Whistler with The Curious Mystery and Spires That in the Sunset Rise
Nov.3--PCWS with legendary Japanese psychsters Marble Sheep and the The Great Society Mind Destroyers at the Whistler--a Plus Tapes release show!
Nov.4-11--PCWS east coast/midwest tour with Marble Sheep
Nov.11--GZDisk/Drag City LP release due, "Introducing: Ryan Trevor"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 9/1/09
----------------
For a crazy tale of the "California 66 tour" show Plastic Crimewave Sound played with lone-standing touring band Love, check out the link below. The video was filmed at the Double Door show, though we're only visible on the marque. I saw the crazy manager-dude (who is a lawyer that defends mass-murderers i guess?) cutting up the posters (as in the vid) in a desperate attempt to save face too....it was nutty.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/08/15/VI2009081502847.html
I DJ-ed a sweet "dublab session" while in LA--coerced by the ultrakind jack-of-all-trades Mark "Frosty" McNeill. I spun just 45s--all attained out west from spots like Territory records (a fun place to spin, amazing records, and they serve BBQ!?), Amoeba, Don's in Pasadena (who's moving away, sniff sniff), LA thrifts, and Sir Frankie Delmane's lovely collection.
The session/breezy summer CA mix is posted here:
http://dublab.com/?id=2186
And this weekend.....
---------------------------
Saturday Sept.5--
Filming special "Secret History of Chicago Music" episodes of long-running cable-access children's dance show/funfest Chic-A-Go-Go-- taping at CAN studios (322 S.Green, near Halsted blue line stop) at 3pm.
Special guests: legendary raw bluesman Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Boyce of garage gods the Little Boy Blues, seminal art punkers DA, Tony Lisanto of prog-giants Gabriel Bondage, and of course fabulous dancers of all ages groovin to SHoCM sounds....all are invited to watch or dance--bring thee kids!
for more info go to: www.myspace.com/chicagogo
and that very eve...
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30-close, featuring thee stoneylords Dead Meadow and my fave local groovy rabble-rousers The Great Society Mind Destroyers!
Sunday Sept.6--
Major catch-up installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will cover jazz-proggers Proteus, dark art-punkers DA, and Rockford psyche-supreme Pisces.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
-------------
Sept.17--DJ-ing Rodan
Sept.19--PCWS plays The Fall (the band) tribute night at the Hideout--also serves as the official Lawrence Peters busted heel benefit show!
Sept.21--Caricatures at Empty Bottle for Victim of Time event...
October 24--Moonrises, The Curious Mystery and Spires that in the Sunset Rise at The Whistler
Nov.3--PCWS with Japanese psychsters Marble Sheep at the Whistler
Nov.4-11--PCWS east coast/midwest tour with Marble Sheep
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 8/25/09---
Just back from an incredible time in CA, with backing band the Wicked Wicked Ways (and Ms. Libby) and the shows were a blast, with lovely opening folks like the Kreamy 'Lectic Santa peeps, Gowns, T.I.T.S., Mans Assassination Man, Blank Blue, etc. Also saw many lovely old pals, hit the beach, and DJ-ed a dublab session and at the amazing Territory BBQ/rekkid store. I'm refreshed and exhausted. Even made it back just in the nick to play the sold-out DRMWPN show at the Bottle Monday...whew...
anyhow a lot of haps comin up this weekend:
Fri. Aug. 28--
DJ-ing the Whistler 2421 N Milwaukee Ave, 9:30-1:30am--MANY amazing new 45s scored out west to spin that will blow yer mind!!! truly....
Sat.Aug.29--
DJ-ing Andy "Lord" Ortmann's B-day bash @ Mortville 2106 S. Kedzie (corner of Kedzie & 21st) Performing: COCK E.S.P. (noise legends from MN) and ATTITUDE PROBLEM (Philly ex-Face Down In Shit) waiting on confirmations from OAKEATER and LAZER CRYSTAL...
Sun. Aug 30--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9pm-close, performing: Vivian Girls, The Beets, Daylight Robbery
Upcoming:
-----------
Sept.5--special "Secret History of Chicago Music" episodes of Chic-A-Go-Go, taping at CAN studios at 3pm--featuring Jimmy Dawkins, Little Boy Blues, DA, and...
Sept.6--major catch-up WGN Secret History radio show with Proteus, DA and Pisces
Sept.17--DJ-ing Rodan
Sept.19--PCWS plays The Fall (the band) tribute night at the Hideout--also the official Lawrence Peters busted heel benefit show!
October 24--Moonrises, Curious Mystery and Spires that in the Sunset Rise at Whistler
Nov.3-11--PCWS tour with japanese psychsters Marble Sheep
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOST EXCITING NEWS 8/5/09:
--------------------------------------
Plastic Crimewave Sound was just asked last minute to open the "California 66 Tour" featuring one of my fave bands ever Love (I know, no Arthur Lee, it's nutty--but still featuring original HOT guitarist Johnny Echols and drummer Michael Stuart i THINK) and also performing is Jerry Miller of Moby Grape, truly a genius songwriter and guitarist for another of the best bands to walk the planet!
This tour seems a bit cursed, as the Seeds were originally slated to play (RIP Sky) and the godly Electric Prunes, who dropped out recently...but alas, exciting to play with a few of my heroes.
Hopefully this won't keep any of y'all from still hitting the other long-planned PCWS show the day before (ulp) at the lovely Abbey pub with Seattle psychogaragesters Antique Scream.
More PCWS news: we are currently booking an early November midwest/east coast tour with legendary Japanese psychedelic-underground group Marble Sheep, the group headed by Captain Trip records founder Ken Matsutani (C.Trip did the Ya Ho Wha 13 and later Velvet Underground box sets, as well as stuff by the Deviants, etc). The band has radically changed styles since their inception in 1987 from garage rock to extended Dead-style jams, but currently a raging acid-punk sound reigns.
http://www.marby.or.tv/index.html
http://www.myspace.com/marblesheep
The Secret History of Chicago Music strip is back on regular schedulage every other week, but due to other commitments the radio show will not appear again until September 6.
Look this Wed. for the conclusion of "Prog Awareness" with Proteus (i spoke with mainman Sergio to get the scoop) followed by post-punksters DA, and recently unearthed (by Numero Group) Rockford psychsters Pisces.
The John Carpenter-ish influenced soundtrack i did for filmmaker Ben Olson's TV pilot "Domestically Challenged: Phantom Pants" can be heard a bit in this trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bencolson
And Coming up:
---------------
Fri. Aug 7--Caricatures at Empty Bottle at 10pm-close. Playing: The Warlocks, The Morning After Girls (AUS), Grimble Grumble, and The Vandelles (NY)
Sun. Aug 9--Moonrises (PCW, Ben Billington & Libby Ramer--our new band many are seeming to dig!) with Black Wyrm Seed at the Whistler 9:30pm
check out sounds at: www.myspace.com/moonrisesband
Tues. Aug 11--
PCWS at the Abbey Pub with Seattle's Antique Scream, Earth Program and Faggy Pussy 9pm
Wed. Aug 12--
PCWS at the Double Door with Love and Jerry Miller EARLY 7pm show
Then off to CA--!
Tell yer peeps out there about these gigs:
Aug 17--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ L' Keg in LA with Blank Blue (with Elvin aka Nobody) and Mans Assassination Man (ex-Residual Echoes)
Aug 21--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ 21 Grand in Oakland with Br'er and tba
Aug 22--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ the Hemlock in SF with T.I.T.S.
and back for:
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
Aug. 28--Caricatures at Empty Bottle, playing: MOTO farewell show
Aug 30--Caricatures at Empty Bottle, playing: Vivian Girls
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 7/27/09
------------------
The new Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 is out in stores! There are even nice lil prominent displays at Reckless and Permanent records--yeah!
Said GZD (and my pants?) gets some praise on this blog that seems purty cool, they were even a-titter about the JT IV LP months before it hit...
http://terminal-boredom.com/forums/index.php?topic=20269.0
and this weekend:
-----------------
Fri. July 31--
Plastic Crimewave Sound with the Frustrations (Detroit), The Runnies, and Dark Fog (first show in ages) at the Cobra Lounge, 235 N.Ashland 10pm. we're on at 11:30 i'm told...
Sat. Aug 1--
Moonrises (PCW, Ben Billington & Libby Ramer) at the Mopery, 2734 N.Milwaukee, with Cartright, Night Owl, and Old Fake.
Sun. Aug 2--
DJ-ing the Whistler 10pm-close, all hot-ass 45's of krautrock, new wave/punk, 60s sunshine pop, 70s hard rawk, etc....this is the after-party for the street-fest with Cave, Golden Ranch Square Band etc
Upcoming:
----------
Aug 9--Moonrises with Black Wyrm Seed at the Whistler (very limited silver/purple screen-printed posters will be for sale at the show only!)
Aug 11--PCWS at the Abbey Pub with Antique Scream, Earth Program and Faggy Pussy
Aug 17--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ L' Keg in LA with Blank Blue (with Elvin aka Nobody) and Mans Assassination Man (ex-Residual Echoes)
Aug 21--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ 21 Grand in Oakland with Br'er
Aug 22--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ the Hemlock in SF with T.I.T.S.
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 7/21:
--------
At last my new band, Moonrises, w/Libby Ramer and Ben Baker Billington has a myspace page up with a few rough versions of songs...check 'em out and be our lil friend...
www.myspace.com/moonrisesband
My interview w/UK folk god Steve Tilston (fans of Nick Drake and Bert Jansch would be wise to check him out) is up on the excellent Anthology Recordings site--also my latest podcast of "World psych" is up too, at:
http://www.anthologyrecordings.com/
For those who missed the NY Guitarkestra, there's some nice photos up here:
http://www.imposemagazine.com/tag/plastic-crimewave-vision-celestial-guitarkestra/
and even some video footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAkHpgerKCc
Thanks to Virginia Tate to hipping me to Judy Dyble's site/blog, and her posting of my "Astral Folk Maiden" trading cards! A true honor as Dyble is one of the first cards i drew, as she is one of my fave vocalists ever---her work with Fairport Convention, Trader Horne and Giles, Giles and Fripp (pre-King Crimson) is still unparalleled....check it out here:
http://judeblog-thewitterings.blogspot.com/2008/07/elderly-astral-folk-goddesses.html
and this week:
--------------
Tues. 21--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle, 9:30-close--Psychedelic Horsehit, Lovvers and Daily Void plays...
plus...Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 hits the stands!
Sat.25--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30-close--Obits, Disappears, Red Eyed Legends (last show) play
Sun.26--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will continue on with "Prog Awareness" with Gabriel Bondage. This will be a special segment as i am "breaking the story" of GB via interviews with bassist Tony Stram---who has even provided an unreleased 3rd album track for airplay!
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
----------
July 31--PCWS with Miss Alex White and the Frustrations at Cobra Lounge
Aug 1--Moonrises at the Mopery
Aug 2--DJ-ing the Whistler (street-fest afterparty)
Aug 9--Moonrises with Black Wyrm Seed at the Whistler
Aug 11--PCWS at the Abbey Pub with Antique Scream
Aug 17--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ L' Keg in LA
Aug 21--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ 21 Grand in Oakland
Aug 22--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ the Hemlock in SF
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News:
-------
Thanks to all who attended/assisted/vibrated with Ya Ho Wha 13 the other night--it was quite a night--featuring melodic soundscapes (MN's Daughters of the Sun), swingin freakrock (Great Society Mind Destroyers), ear-splitting frequencies (Plastic Boner Band) evil prog-synth doom (Ga'an), rural psych folk-rock (Singleman Affair), and of course the wild and wooly devotional jams of the (literally) godly Ya Ho Wha 13---and damn, i haven't seen such a joyous audience-participation freak-out in ages....we are blessed.
I interviewed guitarist holyman Djin Aquarian and archivist Isis Aquarian for the Reader blog, you can read it and all the lamo armchair critics' snide comments here:
http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/crickets/2009/07/09/q-ya-ho-wha-13/
I recently was interviewed in a quite hilarious off-thee-cuff fashion by saintly Oneida mainman (and NY Guitarkestra drummer!) Kid Millions for his "Katchin' Up with Kid" section on the always-fun
www.Brahrecords.com
Sat. July 11--
12:45-1:30 am DJ slot at Empty Bottle for the swingin' New York Night Train roving party machine (just DJ-ed this in NY and it was a blast) with DJ Jonathon Toubin, grunge rockers Awesome Color, Bitchin Bajas (Cooper of Cave), go-go dancer Anna Copa Cabanna (she's Australian--really), Mightt Robot light projections...whew...a happening.
Sun. July 12--
At last (yes sorry about the delay, the situation has been rectified) the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will continue on with "Prog Awareness," and focus on surreal space-rockers Pentwater.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. July 13--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30 pm til close, with doom-noisers Locrian headlining...
Thurs. July 16--
DJ-ing Rodan 10pm with rawker extraordinare Amanda Parris in celebration of fellow head-banger Jenn Tsai visiting (though she's now a big yoga/craft-loving Oakland hippie)-- come say hi and possibly mosh to lumbering psych jams, arena rock (Foreigner? uh oh) heavy stoner grooves, proto-metal, and some possible weirdness.
Upcoming:
-----------
July 21--Caricatures at Empty Bottle (Psychedelic Horsehit plays) and
Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 hits the stands
July 25--Caricatures at Empty Bottle (Disappears plays)
July 31--PCWS with Miss Alex White and the Frustrations at Cobra Lounge
Aug 1--Moonrises at the Mopery
Aug 2--DJ-ing the Whistler (street-fest afterparty)
Aug 9--Moonrises with Black Wyrm Seed at the Whistler
Aug 11--PCWS at the Abbey Pub with Antique Scream
Aug 17--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ in LA
Aug 21--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ 21 Grand in Oakland
Aug 22--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways @ the Hemlock in SF
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Much Stuff:
-----------
New York was quite a time, I somehow ran into folks like henry flynt, bobb trimble, richard hell (!), ol ben vida, psychic ills kids, the whole staff of anthology recordings (at last), etc etc: DJ'ed with gibby haynes (he literally went apeshit for the new mag) and guitarkestra-ed with members of oneida, the clean/bailter space, charalambides, puffy areolas, tower reordings, la otracina, mercury rev, bunnybrains, superstupid (from australia!) and ye olde druids of huge....good times, good times....still recovering...ow.
rushed back for the sandy bull film screening ultimate vag/500MG/DRMWPN show, which was moving and awesome--kick yourself if you missed it...hard!
A lot of peeps have been asking me if i did some sort of Sky Saxon tribute--why yes, funny enough Vice Magazine asked me to do a piece (?!) so here it is buried in their blog:
http://vice.typepad.com/vice_magazine/2009/06/new-york-fire-in-the-sky-saxon.html
I just did a solo banjo session for this radio station in Davis, CA via phone--an interesting idea indeed...check it out at:
http://phoningitin.net/shows/441-Plastic-Crimewave-Solo
Also Empty Bottle has announced that they will offer $10 tickets ($5 off) to past Million Tongues patrons for this Thursday's show--more info below!!
that brings us to Big Things comin' up time...
----------------------------------------
Saturday July 4--
10pm at Enemy, 1550 N Milwaukee Ave, 3rd floor-- Plastic Crimewave Sound with 2 special guest electronischers! Also playing: Freedom (Cleveland), Ratatosk+David Russell Stumble (Gutzeit/Zerang/Lonberg-Holm improvised Hardcore), Sam Goldberg (my dreamy-guitar jew soul brotha from Cleveland)
Thursday July 9--
A Million Tongues Event at Empty Bottle--DON'T MISS THIS!!!
Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 release party with Ya Ho Wha 13, Ga'an, Singleman Affair, Daughters of the Sun (MN), and Great Society Mind Destroyers. Sidestage: Plastic Boner Band.
This'll be the FIRST Chicago appearance of 70s LA cult/psych/tribal legends Ya Ho Wha 13! Recent books, films, and releases (drag city, prophase, swordfish, etc) have added to the mythos of Father Yod, The Source Family and YHW13--while Yod met his maker ages ago, the original bad-ass band of Djin, Octavius and Sunflower Aquarian will be convening for this special event, coming all the way from Hawaii and Mount Shasta, CA. They will also be celebrating the new Drag City archival YHW13 release "Magnificence in the Memory."
and again: $10 tickets ($5 off) to past Million Tongues patrons!
Upcoming:
-----------
July 11--late-ish DJ slot at Empty Bottle for NY Night Train partee with Awesome Color
July 12--Next Secret History radio show, on strange proggers Pentwater
July 16--DJ-ing Rodan
July 21--Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 hits the stands fo' real
July 31-PCWS with Miss Alex White and the Frustrations
Aug 1--Moonrises at the Mopery
Aug 2--DJing the Whistler (streetfest afterparty)
Aug 11--PCWS at the Abbey Pub with Antique Scream
Aug 22--PCW with The Wicked Wicked Ways (?!) plays the Hemlock in SF, mini tour
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
news 6/23/09:
Please tell yer NY peeps to come on out, or come on down and join in the fun!!
Friday June 26--
Thee Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra will be happening at the Cake Shop 152 Ludlow St., New York, NY--with openers Prince Ruperts Drops, Samara Lubelski and the Bubble Electric, and Puffy Areolas (from Ohio--they rule and are on Siltbreeze now). Hope you are down with helping lift us to the sonic heavens --if you or someone you know wants to join in the ruckus, load-in is at 8pm (it's a first come, first-serve/play sorta deal, as the space is small) and please bring a guitar/amp/powerstrip/extension cord (if possible) and get ready to drone out in "E".
Special guests include members of Oneida, Charalambides, Espers, Metalux, Tower Recordings, Bunnybrains, White Hills, La Otracina, Vetiver and more!
Sunday June 28--
New York Night Train's Tripped-Out Happening, Santo's Party House, 96 Lafayette St Manhattan, NY--9pm-4am, $10 - DJs Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers), Plastic Crimewave (Plastic Crimewave Sound, GZD), Josh Styles (Smashed! Blocked!), Jonathan Toubin (New York Night Train) - live performances by Psychic Ills and Soft Circle (ex-Black Dice). Projections by Mighty Robot AV Squad, Spencer Bewley, and Larry 7...
http://www.newyorknighttrain.com/2009/06/22/4016/
here's way too much info:
PSYCHIC ILLS, named “Best Psychedelic Rock Band” by the Village Voice Best Of NY Issue, since ascending into stratospheric global cult popularity with their canonical 2006 Social Registry LP Dins (the finest psych rock album since the 1970s. Hands down!), remain uncompromising in their artistry and continue to blaze new sonic trails every day of their relentless touring and recording schedule. Still one of the supreme mind-melting acts in the world!
SOFT CIRCLE is the ambient/tribal/electronic musical project of Black Dice’s Hisham Akira Bharoocha who releases records on the Eastern Developments and PPM labels. Hisham takes a seat behind the drums and proceeds to record and loop sounds in front of your eyes then adds layers of drums and singing to create a cyclical symphony of rhythm and sound. Soft Circle, regularly touring with Boredoms, No Age, High Places, and a number of other subcultural notables, is also the musical director for Boredom’s 77 BOADRUM and 88 Boadrum performances featuring 77 and 88 drummers respectively. Hisham’s exquisite soulful percussive mantras need to be seen and heard live to be believed
LARRY 7 has been a huge force in a variety NYC underground scenes and mediums for years. From his musical work with everyone from Jarboe to Tom Verlaine to Can’s Michael Carlioli and Malcolm Mooney to his visual work with Warhol’s Factory, Matthew Barney, etc., to his longstanding mobile multimedia +/- night and live performances at galleries, museums, and live events all over Canada and Europe, though he’s a secret treasure at home, Larry 7 is a household names in the international avant garde. Larry, whose performances are all distinct, always makes the nature of his live work a surprise (last time Einstuerzende Neubauten’s Alex Hacke turned up to join him!).
ANNA COPA CABANNA, the sexy Australian showgirl icon who performs her choreography, plays her xylophone, and roller-skates in venues around the world, is equally well-known as the official go go dancer of the New York rock and roll underground.
DJ’S: GIBBY HAYNES is of course the gargantuan cultural force and musical talent best known for leading innovative Texas acid-punks Butthole Surfers as they changed the way underground music was played and presented throughout the 1980s and 1990s and reunited to much acclaim last year. Outside of his thousands of noteworthy exploits with the Butthole Surfers, Gibby also sang on Ministry’s MTV mega-hit “Jesus Built My Hotrod,” played in a band with Johnny Depp, and acted in a number of major motion pictures. More importantly for our purposes tonight, Mr. Haynes has become a popular DJ and successful visual artist the last few years – spinning and exhibiting for a growing fanbase around the world.
PLASTIC CRIMEWAVE is the one-man empire of Chicago artist/musician/DJ Steve Krakow. Leader of hallucinogenic sonic adventurers Plastic Crimewave sound, author of Drag City’s incredible hand-drawn zine Galactic Zoo Dossier, and the DJ behind WGN radio’s Secret History of Chicago Music show, Krakow is an international psychedelic cult-of-personality.
MR JONATHAN TOUBIN, New York Night Train’s Conductor and Soul Proprietor, has shattered the face of nightlife in the wormy apple, and lately, around the world, with his revolutionary parties and wild and wooly approach to his trademark 45rpm “maximum rock and soul” sets!
JOSH STYLES, Smashed! Blocked!’s DJ/conceptualist, who also moonlights as the drummer for Stalkers, is internationally celebrated as one of the world’s most prominent freakbeat DJs - throwing down the most choice 45s chock full o’ heavy duty beats, flipped-out guitar sounds, shimmering Hammonds, catchy riffs and choruses - plus loads of bounce and energy!
VISUALS: LARRY 7 (see above)
SPENCER BEWLEY, the English projectionist who has wowed crowds everywhere the last few years on the road with the likes of Death In Vegas, Warlocks, and A Place to Bury Strangers, manipulates found, purchased, and assembled loops on dueling 16mm projectors to blow peoples minds
MIGHTY ROBOT AV SQUAD, operating the multi-media visuals for years not only at their Mighty Robot and Secret Project Robot art spaces, discos, rock venues, museums, and other elsewhere on both sides of the Atlantic, employ an infinite overlapping juxtaposition of motion collages to form a kinetic visual feast! ambient, the symbolic, and the thematic!
and then running back to Chicago for this excitement......
Wed July 1--
Sandy Bull film screening at the Chopin Theatre--1543 W Division St, 8pm. Performing will be DRMWPN, 500MG (Mike Gibbons of Bardo Pond) and Ultimate Vag (Members of Kahoutek and To Live & Shave in LA), and Drag City DJ's. Here's a description of the film from the filmmaker:
"No Deposit No Return Blues” is a documentary K.C. Bull made about her father, psychedelic rock legend Sandy Bull. He played the role of the outsider, writing meditations on his instrument and bringing classical music to the cosmic happening. He was many things, but the way the film remembers him is through his instrument and how it connected him to the outside world. In the early sixties, before such six-string heroes as Ry Cooder, Leo Kottke and Richard Thompson impressed with their ability to hop among and fuse musical genres, Sandy Bull glided from classical and jazz to ethnic music and rock & roll with grace and verve. Incorporating elements of folk, jazz, Indian and Arabic-influenced dronish modes, Bull’s ethereal, psychedelic folk-rock recordings-- which looked beyond American roots music for its inspiration--and performances, made him a cult-hero to a generation of musicians and adventurous audiences. In 2001 Bull died of lung cancer, but not before his daughter began to fashion a personal portrait of a gifted musician and moving ode to a father and daughter relationship.
The film is KC Bull’s understated way of saying, “Have you heard of my dad? No? Oh, you should.” I agree, you should.
Thurs July 2--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle with the mighty sludge of Sunn O))) and Eagle Twin 10pm-1am
Saturday July 4--
8pm at Enemy, 1550 N Milwaukee Ave,3rd floor-- Plastic Crimewave Sound with special guest electronischers! Also playing: Freedom (Cleveland), Ratatosk+David Russell Stumble (Gutzeit/Zerang/Lonberg-Holm improvised Hardcore), Sam Goldberg (my dreamy-guitar jew soul brotha from Cleveland)
Upcoming:
----------
July 9--Million Tongues at Empty Bottle--GZD release party with Ya Ho Wha 13, Ga'an, Singleman Affair, Daughters of the Sun, Great Society Mind Destroyers, Plastic Boner Band
July 11--Next Secret History radio show, on strange proggers Pentwater
July 16--DJ-ing Rodan
July 21--Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 hits the stands fo' real
July 31-PCWS with Miss Alex White and the Frustrations
Aug 1--Moonrises at the Mopery
Aug 2--DJing the Whistler (streetfest afterparty)
Aug 11--PCWS at the Abbey Pub with Antique Scream
Aug 22--PCWQuartet (?!) plays the Hemlock in SF, mini tour with Wicked Wicked Ways
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 6/18/09:
Had a terrific time in Seattle, and now back to all sorts of busy but fun insanity!
This week:
----------
Thurs-18--
DJ-ing Rodan in wicker park 10pm-1:30am hot fire 45s--a few new jams from my spelunking in seattle...
Sat. 20--
Moonrises 2nd big show! Yes, the new punk/prog trio w/myself, Libby Ramer and Ben Baker Billington will appear again--performing with the legendary avant-shaman Travis of ONO--or as he puts it in his inimitable e.mail style:
WHAT: SCOTT PROJECTS "EVERYTHING AGAIN"
=KEVIN GALLAGHER/Aaron David Ross New Sound Work
WHERE: SCOTT PROJECTS 1542 North Milwaukee Avenue #3 Chicago
WITH: Jose Hernandez&Colin Self travis Moonrises
=Performances @ 10PM
http://scottprojects.com/ http://www.travistravis.com/
Mon.22--
Caricatures at Empty Bottle--9:30-1am. FREE show--Mediums, Velcro Lewis Group and Chylde
Upcoming:
-------------
June 26--PCWVCGuitarkestra at the Cake Shop in NY, with Prince Ruperts Drops and Puffy Areolas...and very special guests!
June 28--DJ-ing special event in NY with Gibby Haynes, Avi Spivak and performance by Psychic Ills--details forthcoming!!
July 1--Sandy Bull film "No Deposit, No Return Blues," with DRMWPN, 500MG, Ultimate Vag at the Chopin Theatre
July 4--PCWS at Enemy with Sam Goldberg, Freedom (both from Cleveland)
July 9--Million Tongues at Empty Bottle--GZD release party with Ya Ho Wha 13, Ga'an, Singleman Affair, Daughters of the Sun, Great Society Mind Destroyers, Plastic Boner Band
July 16--DJ-ing Rodan
July 21--Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 hits the stands!
July 31-PCWS with Miss Alex White and the Frustrations
Aug 1--Moonrises at the Mopery
Aug 2--DJing the Whistler (streetfest afterparty)
Aug 11--PCWS at the Abbey Pub with Antique Scream
Aug 22--PCW Quartet (?!) plays the Hemlock in SF, mini tour with Wicked Wicked Ways
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate ( i might not make this, but y'all should go)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 6/7/09
------
Copies of the long-awaited new Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 are due in a bit sooner than expected, so both the NY Guitarkestra gig June 26th AND the July 9 Million Tongues event with Ya Ho Wha 13 will also be official GZD release parties! yahoo! i've only seen the trading cards and CD booklets so far, but i'm immensely pleased! get ready for some heavy purple and green-ness on this one...
other than at these events, i won't have copies for sale to the general public til the official release date of July 21.
The Secret History strip will have a few minor delays due to out-of-town adventures, so the strip will skip a week and reappear June 25--however the next radio show will not occur til July 12, for the strip after that...i apologize for the wait, but June is a bit nutty! "Prog Awareness Month" will continue into July actually, as we get into Proteus and the story finally breaks on the mysterious Gabriel Bondage...ooohhhh
Also look below in the "Upcoming events" for many new additions--this summer will be sick with FUNnnnn...yup.
And this week...
------------------
Monday June 8--
caricatures at empty bottle 9:30pm til 1am
FREE garagey show with The Blackbelts, Howlin Tumbleweeds, Jonny Rumble
Saturday June 13--
DJ-ing Gainsbourg's in Seattle, 8550 Greenwood Ave N. (North Seattle, in the greenwood neighborhood) starting at 9pm. Willie and Pete of the excellent Red Telephone paper
(to which i regularly contribute) will also be spinning...tell yer Seattle peeps!
Upcoming:
----------
June 18--DJ-ing Rodan in wicker park 10pm-1:30am hot fire 45s
June 20--Moonrises 2nd show at Uprise
June 22--Caricatures at Empty Bottle--free show--Velcro Lewis, Mediums
June 26--PCWVCGuitarkestra at the Cake Shop in NY, with Prince Ruperts Drops and Puffy Areolas...and very special guests!
July 1--Sandy Bull film "No Deposit, No Return Blues," with DRMWPN, 500MG, Ultimate Vag at the Chopin Theatre
July 4--PCWS at Enemy
July 9--Million Tongues at Empty Bottle with Ya Ho Wha 13, Ga'an, Singleman Affair, Daughters of the Sun, Great Society Mind Destroyers, Plastic Boner Band
July 21--Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 hits the stands!
Aug 1--Moonrises at the Mopery
Aug 11--PCWS at the Abbey Pub
Aug 22--PCW plays the Hemlock in SF, mini tour with Wicked Wicked Ways
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at Empty Bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
A Lot of News 6/01/09
---------------
*At last my dream has been realized---we're CLASSIC ROCK!!!
Move over Rush or Kansas--or is it Hendrix and thee Doors? Toto anyone? Kyuss? sure....
http://classicrockmusicblog.com/cds-lps/plastic-crimewave-sound-plastic-crimewave-sound/
*The solo banjo/voice Sir Plastic Crimewave cassette, "Bait/Switch Banjo Raga/Rags" is out on As Above So Below tapes, featuring little ditties and extended modal jams. featuring full-color artwork too, they're available at Reckless and Permanent records, and i have a few copies for sale.
*The limited hand-painted Folk and Violence CDR, "Wolf Blues" is out on UK-based Apollolaan Recordings.
Featuring Little Howlin Wolf, PCW, Mark Lux, Chris Heightchew, Lawrence Peters (on metal chair), this long track features a killer set of blooz, drones and general cacophony played at Enemy in 2008.
For more info/ordering:
http://www.apollolaan.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/apollolaan
*Also finally available is the new T-shirt design i did for Permanent Records--very retrofuturistic Hawkwind-ish in inspiration--my fave is the metallic silver ink on black design (also gold and a blue version) but i'm very happy how they turned out overall....i guess they're sellin' like hotcakes so get 'em before they're gone at ol Permanent Records on Chicago ave.
*A lot of you folks have been asking me about the Sandy Bull film screening July 1 at the Chopin Theatre--here's a description from the filmmaker:
"No Deposit No Return Blues” is a documentary K.C. Bull made about her father, psychedelic rock legend Sandy Bull. He played the role of the outsider, writing meditations on his instrument and bringing classical music to the cosmic happening. He was many things, but the way the film remembers him is through his instrument and how it connected him to the outside world. In the early sixties, before such six-string heroes as Ry Cooder, Leo Kottke and Richard Thompson impressed with their ability to hop among and fuse musical genres, Sandy Bull glided from classical and jazz to ethnic music and rock & roll with grace and verve. Incorporating elements of folk, jazz, Indian and Arabic-influenced dronish modes, Bull’s ethereal, psychedelic folk-rock recordings-- which looked beyond American roots music for its inspiration--and performances, made him a cult-hero to a generation of musicians and adventurous audiences. In 2001 Bull died of lung cancer, but not before his daughter began to fashion a personal portrait of a gifted musician and moving ode to a father and daughter relationship.
The film is KC Bull’s understated way of saying, “Have you heard of my dad? No? Oh, you should.” I agree, you should.
Performing will be DRMWPN, 500MG and Ultimate Vag, and Drag City DJs.
*The full line-up is set for the NY Guitarkestra! Tell yer NY peeps to come out and rok:
Thee Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra will be happening at the Cakeshop June 26, with openers Prince Ruperts Drops, Samara Lubelski and the Bubble Electric, and Puffy Areolas (from Ohio--they rule). Hope you are down with helping lift us to the sonic heavens --if you or someone you know wants to join in the ruckus, load-in is at 8pm (it's a first come, first-serve/play sorta deal, as the space is small) and please bring a guitar/amp/powerstrip/extension cord (if possible). Special guests include members of Oneida, Charalambides, Espers, Metalux, Tower Recordings, Bunnybrains, White Hills, La Otracina, Vetiver and more!!!
*Also a November 11 date has been set for the next GZDisk/Drag City vinyl reissue release, "Introducing Ryan Trevor"--a pop outsider somewhere inbetween Emitt Rhodes and R.Stevie Moore maybe...?
And this week.....
---------------
Thursday June 4--
My first DJ gig at the Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. Logan Square--9:30pm-1:30am.
I'll be spinning all 45s of acid rock, bubblegum, french pop, krautrock, fuzz funk, 70s one-hit wonders, astral folk, garage rock, sweaty soul, hard boogie, psych-pop and more… come on out!
http://www.whistlerchicago.com/
Saturday June 6--
We'll let Lawence Peters' description do the work here:
Plastic Crimewave Sound noises it out with Baltimore's excellent Vincent Black Shadow at Chicago's favorite car-repair-shed-turned-bar/venue Ronny's (2101 N. California). The show starts at 9pm. Also on the bill are The Catburglars, Empty Heads, and The Conniption Fitts.
Sunday June 7--
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will feature th beginning of "Prog Awareness Month," and will deal with froofy Champaign progsters Starcastle!
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and at:
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
------------
June 13--DJ Gainsbourgs in Seattle
June 18--DJ Rodan
June 26--PCWVCGuitarkestra at the Cake Shop in NY, with Prince Ruperts Drops and Puffy Areolas...and very special guests!
July 1--Sandy Bull film "No Deposit, No Return Blues," with DRMWPN, 500MG, Ultimate Vag at the Chopin Theatre
July 9--Million Tongues at Empty Bottle with Ya Ho Wha 13, Ga'an, Singleman Affair, Daughters of the Sun, Great Society Mind Destroyers, Plastic Boner Band
July 21--Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 hits the stands!
Aug 1--Moonrises at the Mopery
Aug 24--DRMWPN free show at empty bottle with Chandeliers and Roommate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 5/19/09:
------
The next Million Tongues event, July 9 at Empty Bottle is fully booked:
Ya Ho Wha 13
Ga'an
The Singleman Affair
Daughters of the Sun (MN)
Great Society Mind Destroyers
Sidestage:
Plastic Boner Band
Also confirmed is a very exciting event:
July 1 at the classy Chopin Theatre, screening of a 50 minute film on 60s raga guitar god
Sandy Bull, prepared by his daughter---with rare footage galore! first ever showing in the midwest!
DRMWPN will perform, and from Philadelphia:
500MG (Mike Gibbons, guitarist of dissonant shoegaze legends Bardo Pond)
Ultimate Vag (members of Kahoutek and To Live and Shave in LA)
The limited to 100 copies, color, screen-printed, promotional Monks poster i'm doing for the light in the attic label is going fast! get em before they're gone!
https://lightintheattic.net/buy/item.php?product_id=545
Also while they last, you can order thee limited Plastic Crimewave Sound "Extended Haze" 8-track and cassette from excellent Canadian label Scotch Tapes here:
http://www.scotchtapes.ca
And comin up shortly:
------------------------
Thurs May 21--
Spinning 45s at Rodan in Wicker Park--many hot new jams scored in Rantoul, IL (!) and left behind from the Bun B Pirani collection.
Sun May.24--
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will feature obscure afrocentric soul/jazzers Boscoe.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. May 25--
caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30-1am (or so) FREE show!
this has been going extremely well, so once again in the front/merch room i'll be drawing rock n' roll caricatures for a mere $5 a piece, as you rock to the sludgy, heady sounds of Minsk, Across Tundras (TN) and Electric Desert.
Wed. May 27--
new band with myself, Libby Ramer, Ben Billngton--"Moonrises" debuts at Ottoman Empire, 2820 W.Lyndale, 9pm with Angel Olsen, Meander and Cabinet of Natural Curiosities
Upcoming:
------------
June 6--PCWS at Ronnys w/baltimore spacepunks VBS
June 12-- PCW DJs Seattle?
June 26--PCWVCGuitarkestra at the Cake Shop in NY. Opening: Prince Ruperts Drops and Puffy Areolas...and with very special guests!
July 1--Sandy Bull film, DRMWPN, 500MG, Ultimate Vag at the Chopin
July 9--Million Tongues at Empty Bottle with Ya Ho Wha 13, Ga'an, Singleman Affair...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 5/9/09:
------
The next Million Tongues event is confirmed for July 9 at Empty Bottle, featuring the first Chicago appearance of 70s LA cult/psych/tribal legends Ya Ho Wha 13! Recent books, films, and releases (drag city, prophase, swordfish, etc) have added to the mythos of Father Yod and YHW13--while Yod met his maker ages ago, the original bad-ass band of Djin, Octavius and Sunflower Aquarian will be convening for this special event, coming all the way from Hawaii and Mount Shasta, CA
Support acts include Ga'an, the Singleman Affair and Plastic Boner Band, with more to be announced.
The limited to 100 copies, color, screen-printed, promotional Monks poster i'm doing for the light in the attic label is ready...
https://lightintheattic.net/buy/item.php?product_id=545
Plastic Crimewave Sound got a nice writeup on this kool blog:
http://ravensingstheblues.blogspot.com/
a few tracks are available from our new album for downloading there too, and a digital compilation we're on with an exclusive track...so scroll around and you should locate all these goods.
Also while they last, you can order thee limited Plastic Crimewave Sound "Extended Haze" 8-track and cassette from excellent Canadian label Scotch Tapes here:
http://www.scotchtapes.ca
And this week:
------------------------
Sun May.10--
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will be quite special, as it catches up on two strips, word-jazzist institution Ken Nordine and sadly neglected Chicago (the band) guitarist Terry Kath--we will have some very special guest callers, and some exclusive recorded material never heard before by the general public!
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Mon. May 11--
caricatures at Empty Bottle 9:30-1am (or so)
the first attempt at this new enterprise went extremely well, (thanks fairly-drunk patrons!) so in the front/merch room i'll be drawing rock n' roll caricatures for a mere $5 a piece, as you rock to the sounds of Thrones (Joe Preston of the Melvins and many other heavinesses), Pontiak (thrill jockey) and Helen Money (table of the elements)
Upcoming:
------------
May 21--DJ-ing Rodan
May 27--Moonrises debut at Ottoman Empire?
June 6--PCWS at Ronnys w/baltimore spacepunks VBS
June 12-13-- PCW DJs Seattle?
June 26--PCWVCGuitarkestra at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY, with special guests!
July 9--Million Tongues at Empty Bottle with Ya Ho Wha 13, Ga'an, Singleman Affair, and....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 4/28/09:
------
The first GZD/DC label release, JT IV is being repressed for a third time, maybe the last--so get 'em while you can!
at last my proto-punk podcast is up for real on the swell www.anthologyrecordings.com
the color screen-printed promotional Monks poster i'm doing for the light in the attic label is almost ready...
the PCWS canadian 8-track/cassette is "in the mail"--so if you want one of these, put in your claim now!
And the next few weeks:
------------------------
Thurs. April 30--
caricatures at empty bottle 10-12pm--yes, we're trying out an entertainment experiment here, in the merch room i'll be drawing rock n roll caricatures for a mere $5 a piece, as you rock to the sounds of greg ashley of gris gris, wizzard sleeve, box elders and radar eyes at this victim of time event. come on down! i'll draw ya real nice!
Wed. May 6--
PCWS rocks Cal's Liquors (wells and van buren) at 9:30pm along with the Van Buren Boys and our future Hozac labelmates Plexi 3. we'll be trying out some new material, and plexi 3 are the garage-punkiest/styliest.
Sun May.10--
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will be quite special, as it catches up on two strips, word-jazzist institution Ken Nordine (who sent me a very sweet message!) and sadly neglected Chicago (the band) guitarist Terry Kath--we may feature some very special guest callers, and some exclusive recorded material never heard before by the general public!
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
------------
May 27--Moonrises debut at Ottoman Empire??
June 6--PCWS at ronnys w/baltimore speedpunks VBS
June 12-13-- PCW DJs Seattle
June 26--Guitarkestra NY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greetings!
A big week o'fun ahead, and some potentially good weather!! Get excited!
Oh first, news 4/13/09:
My second Galactic Zoo Disk LP reissue-label release, The George-Edwards Group, has sold out of it's first pressing! It's quickly being repressed, so if you didn't get one, tell yer local record store to order it. Reckless and Permanent are sure to keep it in stock.
My old pal Ethan of Comets on Fire posted on his blog this old rockin mixtape i laid on him ages back:
http://silvercurrant.blogspot.com/2009/04/explosive-rock-comp-by-steve-krakow.html
Speaking of blogs, i posted some new rarities/rants on the happenin' Record Fiend blog...
http://record-fiend.blogspot.com/
Test pressings of the upcoming Michael Yonkers/Plastic Crimewave Sound collaborative LP are sounding sweeeet, art/recordings have been sent off for a PCWS 8-Track (!!!) from the Canadian Scotch Tapes label, as well as final preparations for a PCW solo banjo cassette, so expect some new hot goods soon!!
And this week:
---------------
Thurs April 16--
DJ-ing Rodan with all 45 action-10pm-1:30am
soul, psych, soul-psych, psych-folk, folk-funk, funk-garage, garage-punk, punk-blues, blue- boogie, boogie-rock, rock-for-moms like jim croce, air supply, joey scarbury and all your faves. 10pm-1:30am
Saturday April 18--
Drawing "Rock n' Roll Caricatures" at Reckless Records in Wicker Park, 1535 N.Milwaukee from 12-6pm (yes, come see the mural too). I'll draw you as your fave rockstar (or jazz, blues, polka star or whatever) in under 10 minutes (for a mere $5) as part of National Record Store Day. In-store music performances and exclusive giveaways abound....come support your local, essential, yet in-danger institution--the neighborhood record store, that has real records.
Sunday April 19--
I'll be Dj-ing from 2-3pm at the CHIRP Record Fair, @ the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union, 1340 W. Washington Blvd. The whole fair is for charity and goes from 9:30am til 5:30pm on Sat.-Sun. There'll be vinyl, cds, posters, zines, artwork, live music and special guest DJs all weekend long. You can read more about CHIRP and the Record Fair at http://chicagoindependentradioproject.org/recordfair
Comin up:
-----------
6/6--PCWS w/Baltimore acid-punks VBS at Ronny's
6/26--NY Guitarkestra
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All kindsa News 3/12/09! get ready......
---------------
The new Plastic Crimewave Sound album, "Painted Shadows" is available in a handsome gatefold digipak from Italian label A Silent Place. recorded some 2 years ago it will be our final with Nick D'Vyne on guitar-wailing. You can pick it up from my site, plasticcrimewave.com, or local stores like Reckless, Permament, and Lauries--and hopefulyl around the globe! (as we keep getting reviews we can't read from European magazines!)
here's a few reviews you can read (of older albums though)--
a great one by Fred Mills of Magnet:
http://www.blurt-online.com/reviews/view/862/
and a late but nice one for "No Wonderland"
http://www.deafsparrow.com/Plastic-CrimeWave-Sound-Review.htm
and thanks to Annette for finding this long-lost short film/interview from a few years back by some kids from my alma mater in Chambana--i'd never seen this actually....
Ninth Letter Arts & Literary Journal
...and some photos from the rainy day art battle:
Comic Art Battle: steve krakow on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
I am contributing regularly to the blog Record Fiend now at:
record-fiend.blogspot.com/
I have a few posts of hard-to-find Japanese psych, egyptian funk and tex mex soul up right now...
Also wanted to note that the new Stop Smiling "20 Interviews" issue is out, with my regular 2-page feature, but this time around inspirational Robert Crumb is on the cover! Gadzooks!
And last but certainly not least, wanted to dish out the full scoop on my festival in less than 2 weeks (holy shit). Very excited for this....
A Million Tongues Event, Wednesday Mar.25, 9pm at Empty Bottle
After the roaring success of the last Million Tongues night with Terry Reid and Mark Fry, Empty Bottle and Sir Plastic Crimewave are happy to present another night of psychedelic/rawkin/folkin/experimental/global musical mayhem.....
Mannequin Men--
Chicago's favorite fucked-up sons hardly need any introduction, but their rockist racket is informed of Chi-towne's past dangerous bands like the Jesus Lizard and Big Black, and the shambling pop of New Zealand avant-janglers like the Clean or Tall Dwarves. This'll be their first performance in some time, and they are known for selling out the joint, so please get there early if ya wanna catch the hijinx (and you should arrive fashionably early anyhow and see the other amazing acts).
Michael Yonkers with Plastic Crimewave Sound--
Underground legend and artistic anticipator of all from experimental noise, post-punk to loner folk, Minneapolis resident Michael Yonkers has been fiercely doing his own thing since the mid-60s. His visionary shelved 1968 LP "Microminiature Love," was rescued by Sub Pop and promptly blew every mind that thought Sonic Youth or even the Velvet Underground invented agit-noiserock. In the mid-70s Michael suffered from a terrible accident, breaking his back-- so he then stripped down his sound to create some of the most harrowingly beautiful bedroom acid folk ever committed to private press vinyl (DeStijl reissued the classic "Grimwood," and Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City will issue the never-released "Lovely gold" later).
Michael is basically coming out of retirement for this show, and it may be his last in Chicago--he is preparing a set of monumentally noisy sounds like none have ever heard of him before, and local spacepunks Plastic Crimewave Sound will be backing him up for half of his set. PCWS will also be celebrating the release of their latest album, "Painted Shadows," on the Italian 'A Silent Place' label.
Gunslingers--
Perhaps best described by ace head Sir Julian Cope as "French super freaks and guitar manglers who put to shame each n’ every proto-metal musician across this lickle planet," The Gunslingers will be making their US and windy city debut. The Parisians are acsending stars of the blown-out biker movie fuzzrock action, and they give even the best Japanese psychedelic speed freak a run for their money--be prepared for an incendiary set.
Cave--
Leading the current expansive, Kraut-worshiping pack is local heroes Cave, who are equally known for blowing minds as getting asses to shake with their spaced out trancerock. Indebted to groovy jammers like Can and crusty freefest chuggers Like Hawkwind, their gigs are a damn party and not to be missed, as well as their sweet LP release on the local Permanent label.
Thee sidestage:
A Million tongues tradition where the best of stripped-down local acts perform in between sets to the left of the main stage...
Ray Donato--
Psych-pounders Dark Fog's kingpin steps into the solo spotlight, with what will certainly be a face-peeling skree of a performance.
Bicycle Tricycle--
Chicago music scene stalwart Bohb Blair performs with a leaner version of his ongoing project, with melodious and spacious astral folk moves.
And this week:
--------------
Sun. Mar. 15 -
----------------
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment continues with the Winter Blues series (and ain't we feelin it after that taste of nice weather) and catches up[ on two legendary bluesmen, elegant guitar-slinger Jimmie Lee Robinson and vocalist/harpist extraordinaire Little Mack Simmons...
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Thurs. Mar. 19-
--------------------
DJ-ing Rodan in Wicker park. All 45s all the time....10pm
Sat. Mar.21-
---------------------
DJ-ing at Jerry's Sandwiches on Division/Damen--same story...9:30pm
Upcoming:
---------------
3/25--Million Tongues with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (FR), Mannequin men, Cave and more!
4/02--Plastic Crimewave Sound with Miss Alex White at the Cobra Lounge
4/04--debut of Moonrises?
4/18--caricatures at Reckless Records for national Record Store Day
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 2/22/09
---------------------
its a busy week folks!! get ready......
Tues Feb.24
------------
Plastic Crimewave Sound will somehow be doing a rare headliner set at Empty Bottle, going on at 11:30pm, opening is Rabble Rabble and Sugarfoot (sadly our pals Great Society Mind Destroyers had to cancel, due to a nasty accident)
there is a nice write-up of the show that appeared in the Sun-Times by ol Jim DeRogatis this past Friday here:
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/derogatis/1440089,WKP-News-live20.article
We will be indeed trying out some rawkin' new material...come on down and make it a happening...
Thurs. Feb.26
-------------
Comic Art Battle, 7pm at Pistol Bazaar, 1717 W Chicago Ave (between Hermitage Ave & Paulina St). What's an art battle you ask? This nice fellow Ezra Daniels hosts these contests where teams of artists/zinesters compete with on-the-spot audience participation/suggestions--it is WAY fun and other artists competing include Aaron Renier, Nate Beaty, Richard Lee and Grant Reynolds. This is truly the only form of competition i enjoy, and well, i won last time!!
y'all should also go see Dark Fog's record release show at the Hideout later that eve too...
Friday Feb.27
-------------
DJ-ing at Jerry's sandwiches on Division and Damen starting at 9:30pm--i picked out all sorts of hot "new" 45's of psych, funk, one hit wonders, french pop, glam, garage, etc (yup just did a thorough collection reorganization--woo)
Sunday Mar.1
---------------
Playing banjo with local drone/soundscape/devotional ensemble DRMWPN at the AV-aerie, 2000 W.Fulton. It'll be our first show in ages, and a "rcrd rls shw", that's a record release show (they're limited LPs so get 'em fast), along with excellent opening acts Pillars and Tongues and Leroy Bach, starting at 9pm.
so yeah, no Secret History radio show this Sunday, but check out the new SHOCM strip in this week's Reader this week, as the Winter Blues series continues (boy does it ever), featuring guitar god Jimmie Lee Robinson, the lonely traveller.
Upcoming:
----------
3/21--Dj-ing Jerry's again
3/25--Million Tongues with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (France), Mannequin Men, Cave and more!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 2/14/09:
------
Check out yer Chicago Sun Times this Friday the 20th, as author/"sound opinions" radio show dude Jim DeRogatis is running a piece/interview with ol' Plastic Crimewave Sound, previewing our show the 24th.
We MAY have our new album for the Italian 'A Silent Place' label for said show if all goes well too...
Note below the acts have changed for said show, as Great Society Mind Destroyers member Drew was wounded in a nasty car accident a few weeks ago and they had to cancel. If anyone is interested, Drew is a super-sweet guy who attends most Crimewave shows, so i'm trying to find out where to send him some reading material and music to keep him occupied while he's laid up...should know soon hopefully.
and this next week.....
Sun. Feb. 15-
----------------
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment continues with the Winter Blues series (and ain't we feelin it after that taste of nice weather) and features slide guitar master JB Hutto.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Thurs. Feb. 19-
--------------------
DJ-ing Rodan in Wicker park with all sorts of hot new 45s scored out west...come on down!
Upcoming:
---------------
2/24--PCWS at Empty Bottle with Rabble Rabble and Sugarfoot
2/26--Art Battle at Pistol Bizaar on Chicago Ave.
2/27--DJ-ing Jerry's on Division
3/25--Million Tongues with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (FR), Mannequin men, Cave and more!
3/27--DJ-in' Jerry's again
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
well, back from the southwest (had a swell time with P's/bro, rekkid hunting and even comic convention nerdery) and into the cold, but all sorts of HOT stuff coming up...
News 2/3/09:
-----------------
my interview with Walo Carrillo of Peruvian psych-rock legends Telegraph Avenue and Tarkus is up on the excellent www.anthologyrecordings.com site.
For those keeping track, no Secret History reader strip/radio show this week, my editor is on vacation and things got stalled a bit.
and this week:
----------------
Friday, Feb 6th
at enemy 1550 n. milwaukee ave in wicker park..
Trauma (Ben & Hans from Graveyards + Christopher Riggs)
Dave Reminick (from Paper Mice - Solo Sax)
Plastic Crimewave solo
Forbes Young Duo (blasting Sax & Bass)
Soliday/Sprikut (good old fashioned harshtronics)
Doors 8PM
Music 9PM
$5 suggested donation
All Ages
Upcoming:
---------------
2/19--DJ-ing Rodan
2/24--PCWS at Empty Bottle with Great Society Mind Destroyers
2/26--Art Battle at Pistol Bizaar
2/27--DJ-ing Jerry's
3/25--Million Tongues with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (FR), Mannequin men, Cave and more!!!
3/27--DJ-ing Jerry's
News 1/13/09
------------------
Just wanted to announce a new year of the Galactic Zoo Tape Club. Subscriptions are $40 domestic, $55 overseas, and if you live in town and postage can be cut out, $25. You get 6 tapes a year (one every other month) of psychedelic sounds--from acid-punk to dreamy psych-pop--also glam, hard rock, downer folk, bubblegum, experimental, and rares from the PCW archives. You can paypal me via this e.mail, or order here on the merchandise page.
I'm double hit right now w/roommate needs right now (in this failing economy, yay):
First off, at ol 1061 N.Western crime-headquarters, right down from Empty Bottle, a decent-sized room for habitation, a mere $350 a month plus utilities--plus access to the Crimewavian archives! Only one other roommate here, the soul x-pert Ben Pirani--lookin' to have someone move in in Feb or Mar.
Plastic Crimewave Sound also needs another band to share our relatively cheap, clean, big and conveniently located practice place, immediately! Inquire with yer musical pals if you can, please!
And this week...
---------------
Thurs Jan.15
DJ-ing Rodan starting at 10pm
Upcoming:
-----------------------
1/30--DJ-ing Jerry's sandwiches
2/26--Art battle at Pistol Bizaar on Chicago Ave.
2/24_PCWS at empty bottle
2/27--DJ-ing Jerry's
3/25--Million Tongues with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (FR), Mannequin men, Cave and more!!!
3/27--DJ-ing Jerry's
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
news 1/4/9
--------------
Hope all y'all had a swell holiday season, and you're recovering, cuz lots of exciting haps this week, and comin' up in the new year...i figured rather than come up with some lame resolutions, i'd think hard on artistical goals/projects that will come to fruition in 09--some set in stone and some just probable, but i'll go out on a limb and you can hold me to those potential failures if you wish...yay.
so my Top 10 (ok 11) resolvings of stuff to be completed in 09:
1.Plastic Crimewave Sound-"Painted Shadows" LP/CD on A Silent Place records (yeah Italy)
2.Galactic Zoo Dossier #8 on Drag City
3.The George-Edwards Group-"38:38" LP, the second on Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City as well as other hush hush in-the-works reissues.
4.Plastic Crimewave sound/Michael Yonkers LP on Spiral Staircase records
5.Debut of a new avant-prog musical unit, "Moonrises"
6.More Million Tongues fests/events--Michael Yonkers Mar.25, and some other artists i'm speaking with that have me EXTREMELY excited!!!
6.Secret History Of Chicago Music book collection, and many more strips/radio shows
7.Speed Guru (Kawabata Makoto) vs. Plastic Crimewave comic book/CD collaboration on Prophase Records.
8.I and/or my band make it to UK/Europe by hook or by crook.
9.Conducting a Guitarkestra in NY (in the works, but...)
10.PCWS/Djin Aquarian of YHW13 release (we got some sweet recordings all right)
11.I scam my way to Isreal. (yup, been tryin...but, help!)
and...
HELP! PCWS desperately needs another band to share our relatively cheap, clean, big and conveniently located practice place with...inquire with yer musical pals if you can, please.
and this week...
---------------
Mon. Jan.5
DJ-ing Rodan with many hot new 45 jams starting at 10pm
Thurs. Jan.8
Plastic Crimewave Sound will be opening up for legendary glamster freaks Bobby Conn and Monica Bou Bou (their first show in quite some time i think) and the wondrously abrasive Cacaw (yeah, ex-Coughs) for their record release show at the Hideout. We go on first at 9pm SHARP.
Sun. Jan.11
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will be the beginning of the "Winter Blues" series, focusing of course, on great Chicago blues artists who deserve more musical credit, no Buddy Guys here. The first will be the rough and nimble Jimmy Dawkins.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
-----------------------
1/15--DJ-ing Rodan
1/26--Art battle at Pistol Bizaar on Chicago ave.
3/25--A Million Tongues Event with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (FR) and more!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 12/26
---------------
Happy holidaze from this santy jew to all--hope yer x-mas rocked and all that jazz.
Artwork is finished and production has began on the next GZDisk/Drag City release, The George-Edwards Group, "38:38." Incredible spaced out basement folk, with a rare single tacked on, and oh just wait til April 14, when it comes out. It seems JT IV MIGHT be getting a repress too....
As hinted at strongly in the last update, I can also officially announce the next Million Tongues Event, Wednesday March 25 at Empty Bottle--featuring legendary proto-noiserock/bedroom loner-folk god from Minneapolis, Michael Yonkers. Michael is basically coming out of retirement to play this gig, and we are very lucky to have him once again. His shelved 1968 LP "Microminiature Love" (rescued by DeStijl/Sub Pop) is a singular, forward-looking work of throbbing pre/post-punk jitters and full tilt scree, and his 70s private pressed folk LPs like "Grimwood" are quavering, lilting lo-fi bliss. These days Michael has drifted further into the full-on noisy guitar attack-- he will be playing solo and will be backed up by Plastic Crimewave Sound. Also playing for the first time in the US, is France's scuzzed out rabble-rousers, the Gunslingers--hailed by Julian Cope on his Head Heritage site for their brand of biker/garage/japanese-style psych-punk. Local acid ass-shakers Cave are signed on too, with a few more acts to be announced....
And.......................
Sun. Dec. 28- (note different time!)
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at 11:30 central time due to a scheduling change, on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment features horn-addled garage/psych-pop hitmakers The American Breed.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
Upcoming:
-----------------------
1/05--DJ-ing at Rodan
1/08--Plastic Crimewave Sound with Bobby Conn/Monica Bou Bou and Cacaw (record release)
1/15--DJ-ing at Rodan
3/25--A Million Tongues Event with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (France) and more!!!
News 12/11
---------------
i was asked by this psychedelic fellow Valis to do my year-end roundup picks for his blog "paisley ribbon panel", so here ya go, in no particular order:
top 10 releases of 08:
1.v/a--wayfaring strangers:guitar soli
2.spires that in the sunset rise-curse the traced bird
3.stack waddy-s/t reissue
4.kawabata makoto-kiss me goodbye cdr
5.mondo drag-holy spirit
6.josephine foster-this coming gladness
7.fursaxa-kobold moon
8.richard pinhas-singles collection
9.jack rose-dr. ragtime and his pals
10.v/a soul messages from dimona (soul messengers)
top 10 shows i saw of 08:
1.roky erickson at double door
2.DMBQ at the abbey
3.sri aurobindo at the talking head
4.dead c. at empty bottle
5.pierced arrows at empty bottle
6.terry reid/mark fry at empty bottle
7.homosexuals at the hideout
8.OnO at metal shaker
9.oneida at terrastock
10.simply saucer at subterranean
most listened to of 08:
1.sir douglas quintet
2.leon thomas
3.country funk
4.jt iv
5.baby grandmothers
6.chicago transit authority
7.mark fry
8.four tops
9.mothers love
10.smile (60s pre-queen)
Some more good reviews of the new PCWS album, via our swell label Prophase:
Plastic Crimewave Sound - Plastic Crimewave Sound
http://www.corazine.com/articles/p/plastic-crimewave-sound/reviews/plastic-crimewave-sound.aspx
http://goatsend.blogspot.com/2008/12/plastic-crimewave-sound-plastic.html
http://www.lollipop.com/article.php3?text=2008/12dec/plasticcrimewavesound.htm
..............and next week..............
Sun. Dec. 14-
----------------
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will be a special one, as it features recent collaborator Djin Aquarian of legendary LA cult band Yo Ho Wha 13, and his never-before told early history in Chicago!
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
Thurs Dec.18-
---------------------
Plastic Crimewave Sound will play our last show of the year at the new Bottom Lounge, 1375 w.Lake, in the Volcano room upstairs, as part of the "Action party" series, along with locals Radar Eyes (yeah i dig that Godz song too, so i'm curious) and Magic Johnson--show starts at 9:30, we're on about 11pm.
Upcoming:
-----------------------
12/29-Spinning records at Rodan, w/special guest Janina Angelbath (SF) reading Tarot cards.
1/08--Plastic Crimewave Sound w/Bobby Conn and Cacaw
3/25--A Million Tongues Event with Michael Yonkers, Gunslingers (France) and more!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News 11/24:
------
first off thanks to ALL who made the fest TOTALLY RULE! believe me, they don't always go so well, but this one was packed to the gills and free-flowing good vibes-ness all around! mark fry's first US appearance was fantastic and historic (an incredible guy too, as is his wife roxy) and terry reid (who stayed at my place and is a mad lovable dude full of incredible stories) was earth-shattering--both had amazing backing bands, i was truly moved, and i think so was the enthusiastic (and a bit drunk) crowd!!
even grumpy dan k at drag city called the night "another triumph." wow.
of course ellen mary mcgee was great too, as was virginia tate's solo set, insanely rockin' nashville band hans condor, and more great locals like piss piss piss OnO Ono OnO and gutzeit/hess...
Time Out Chicago magazine did a nice piece on yours truly in conjunction w/the fest that you can view it on-line here:
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/section/music
Also it seems my first label release LP on Galactic Zoo Disk/Drag City, JT IV sold out to retailers in about 2 days!! buy 'em up fast if you see it in stores! though more MIGHT be pressed.....we're working on the second release, The George Edwards group as we speak....
So this week:
--------------
it's a DJ double-header:
mon. 11/24 at rodan 10pm
wed. 11/26 at jerry's sandwiches 10pm-ish too
i got some hot new 45's on tour to spin at both!
Sun. 11/30
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will catch up on few-weeks-ago-subject and excellent jazz fusioners Streetdancer, and this-week's subject the Mauds, garage-soul rockers....
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
and next week:
--------------------
mon. 12/1-Plastic Crimewave Sound w/Walking Bicycles and My Gold Mask at Empty bottle-FREE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
news 11/17
------------------
thanks for all across the midwest and east who came out and helped out with the PCWS shows, we had such a blast w/great bands like la otracina, sri aurobindo, the pages, kohoutek, centipede e'est, and of course our gnarly touring mates mondo drag and djin aquarian of yo ho wha 13---who lifted us to new heights sonic-wise.
even getting turned away from canada didn't bring me down...much.
oh, and i got to meet up w/protopunk legend george brigman in baltimore too!
here's some show photos posted from DC:
http://www.flickr. com/photos/ 32416244@ N02/
and a nice review:
http://nicepooperzine.blogspot.com/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
..............and don't forget THIS FRIDAY!!!!!
freakin major excitement!!!
Million Tongues at Empty Bottle Friday Nov.21 8pm
featuring:
TERRY REID w/emmet kelly, leroy bach ryan rhapsys backing
MARK FRY w/singleman affair, hands of hydra, virginia tate backing
ELLEN MARY McGEE
HANS CONDOR
PISS PISS PISS ONO ONO ONO
GUTZEIT/HESS DUO
VIRGINIA TATE
see plasticcrimewave.com for more details on these artists....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and early next week it's a DJ double-header:
mon. 11/24 at rodan, and wed. 11/26 at jerry's sandwiches-and i got some hot new 45's on tour to spin!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and upcoming:
12/1-PCWS w/walking Bicycles and My Gold Mask at Empty bottle-FREE
news 11/15
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sadly plastic crimewave sound had to cancel the last 4 dates of our tour due to problems with entering canada....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
news 11/3
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First off-- to the east coasters (or tell yer east coast peeps!)
Plastic Crimewave Sound/Djin Aquarian/Mondo Drag
'Return to the Source' tour:
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friday 11/7: cleveland (grog shop)
saturday 11/8: pittsburgh (gooski's)
sunday 11/9: dc (the velvet)
monday 11/10: baltimore (the talking head)
tuesday 11/11: philly (marvelous records)
wednesday 11/12: nyc (knitting factory)
friday 11/14: montreal (casa del popolo)
saturday 11/15: toronto (sneaky d's)
sunday 11/16: detroit (detroit contemporary)
and this week:
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Nov. 6--Plastic Crimewave Sound w/special guest Djin Aquarian of Yo Ho Wha 13 at the Hideout, its our record release show (self titled out on L) and CD) opening for the legendary 70s UK art-punk band The Homosexuals. Opening is my fave new local band, Big Knife. the whole show starts at 9pm, we go on at 10pm.
Nov. 9 at 7:30pm i'll be on WXRT local Anesthetic (93.1 FM) playing more Secret History of Chicago Music bands and hyping my upcoming Million Tongues event and the first/new release on Drag City/Galactic Zoo Disk, JT IV.
There will be a new Reader strip this week, on jazz-fusion titans Streetdancer, but no radio show--we'll catch up in a few weeks!
Upcoming:
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11/18-First GZDisk release, JT IV out!
11/21-Million Tongues at Empty Bottle!
12/1-PCWS w/walking Bicycles and My Gold Mask at Empty bottle-FREE
News 10/21:
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The line-up is 100% finalized for the Million Tongues event 11/21 at Empty Bottle, see a full description of all the artists performing in the "Million Tongues" section of this site.
The new self-titled Plastic Crimewave Sound LP is out on CD already! wow...will wonders ever cease? you can get them around town at Reckless Records, and at Permanent and Lauries soon enough.
PCWS also has an as-of-yet unreleased track on a limited WFMU compilation with a lot of other swell bands, lookf ro it around, or you can download the comp at: freemusicarchive.org/prelaunch/samplerv2
The PCWS tour w/Djin Aquarian (of the legendary Source Family and cult band Yo Ho Wha 13) and Iowa heavies Mondo Drag is coming up fast, so tell yer pals in other towns, and come see us off Nov.6 at the Hideout as we kick off the tour...
thursday 11/6: at the hideout with the Homosexuals and Big Knife
friday 11/7: cleveland (grog shop)
saturday 11/8: pittsburgh (gooski's)
sunday 11/9: dc (the velvet)
monday 11/10: baltimore (the talking head)
tuesday 11/11: philly (marvelous records)
wednesday 11/12: nyc (knitting factory)
friday 11/14: montreal (casa del popolo)
saturday 11/15: toronto (sneaky d's)
sunday 11/16: detroit (the bohemian)
and this week...
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Fri. Oct 24-
i'll be sitting in with improvisational soundscape unit Folk and Violence at new venue the Metal shaker, up on the northwest side, 3394 North Milwaukee Avenue, 9pm.
Also playing will be OnO, Marvin Tate, Orange Coax and Suckling Pigs
Sat. Oct.25-
I'll be doing a solo performance on treated banjo at one of my fave record stores, Permanent Records, 1914 W.Chicago ave at 5pm, also playing will be the legendary fractured bluesman Little Howlin' Wolf!
Sun. Oct. 26-
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will feature flashy dancefloor soul/r & b legend Alvin Cash
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
upcoming:
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11/06--PCWS w/the Homosexuals at the Hideout
11/7-17--PCWS/Djin/Mondo Drag east coast/Canada tour
11/18--First GZDisk release, JT IV out!
11/21-- A Million Tongues event at Empty Bottle
11/26--DJ-ing Jerry's sandwiches on division and damen
Some Hot News 10/15-
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after much booking agony, Million Tongues will be a one day 'event' this time around on Friday Nov.21, with possibly a continuing chapter this winter/spring.
But the show is almost 100% set, featuring:
> Terry Reid (UK)
> Mark Fry (UK--1st US appearance!)
> Ellen Mary McGee (UK)
> Hans Condor (Nashville)
> plus one local opener to be determined shortly.
Sidestage:
> Brent Gutzeit
> Piss D'mOnO (pisspisspissmoanmoanmoan plus ONO)
> Virginia Tate (NY)
--Check out the mural in Wicker Park again, i added some more stuff, including an official 'Secret History of Chicago Music' banner, and even initials near the painted likenesses to give some clues as to who everyone is!
--Contracts have been signed on the 2nd GZDisk/Drag City release, The George-Edwards Group--some amazing Detroit spaced basement folk/synth-psych
--Plastic Crimewave Sound's latest self-titled LP is officially pressed on CD and we should have them in stores by next week...yay.
And this week...
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> Thurs 16th--
DJ-ing at Rodan, a few new 45s to unveil......
> Fri 17th--
Plastic Crimewave Sound at the Abbey pub, with Japanese psychedelic heavy-freak-rockers DMBQ, who put on an incredible show...also Pit Er Pat and An Albatross. We play at 9pm sharp til 9:40, with my kindly bro Adam once again filling in on guitar and sitar.
Upcoming:
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> 10/24--Folk and Violence returns
> 11/03--DJ-ing '100 songs' series curated by Empty
> Bottle at Sonotheque--the theme: 'Million Tongues and
> the psychedelic beyond'
> 11/06--PCWS w/special guest Djin Aquarian of Yo Ho Wha 13
> and the Homosexuals at the Hideout
> 11/7-17--PCWS/Djin/Mondo Drag east coast/Canada tour
> 11/18-release of 1st GZDisk/Drag City LP, JT IV
> 11/21-- A Million Tongues event at Empty Bottle wih Terry
> Reid, Mark Fry and more...!
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News 10/6/08:
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my radio show will be moving til midnight now since the entire nick digilio show is being bumped up an hour--take note below!
more sweet photos from the hideout block party guitarkestra here (and a few i'd never seen from the damo suzuki show!) thanks to ms. kirstie:
http://flickr. com/photos/kirstiecat/tags/plasticcrimewavesound/
i am negotiating with one of my fave music mags, Shindig! (from former editor of MOJO) for a regular comic strip!it's lookin good! very exciting.
This Week:
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Wed. Oct. 8--11 pm
I'll be DJ-ing jerry's sandwiches (Damen and Division) with psychspert Eric Colin, spinnin thee hot 45s most likely.
Come get a damn tasty sandwich too. (they have over 100 kinds--no shit)
Sun. Oct. 12-
the next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at midnight central time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will feature windy city proto-country-rockers Mason Proffit
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
and don't forget ...
www.plasticcrimewave.com
Upcoming:
-----------------------
10/17--Plastic Crimewave Sound w/Japanese freaks DMBQ and Pit er Pat at the Abbey pub 9pm
10/24-Folk and Violence return!
11/03--DJ-ing '100 songs' series curated by Empty Bottle at Sonotheque--the theme: '5 Million Tongues Festivals and the psychedelic beyond'
11/06--PCWS w/the Homosexuals at the Hideout
11/7-17--PCWS/Djin/Mondo Drag east coast/Canada tour
11/18-First GZDisk release, JT IV out!
11/21-22-- 5 Million Tongues at Empty Bottle!
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LATEST NEWS 9/08
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Just wanna push again for the largest, most happenin' Guitarkestra ever, you will get in FREE to a $25 show with all kinds of great bands, if you show up at 11am with guitar and amp....
Yes, The 5th Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra is at the Hideout Block Party at 11:30 am on September 20th. Last time we had over 60 guitarists and we need more sonic vibrations! Children and non-musicianshighly encouraged, you just need to play one measly E chord into infinity! Just bring a guitar, amp and power strip (and an extension cord is nice too) and you will get into the show FREE, as well as some drink tickets! Other acts that day include the incredible freakrockers,Plastic People of the Universe (one of my all time fave bands from 70s Czech republic), Giant Sand, Black Mountain, and Monotonix.
Early arrival at 11 am for pep talk,instructions and set-up is key...
Also just announced, PCWS will be playing a fairly last minute show at Reggies Monday Sept.22 (aka the new Record Breakers from Hoffman estates--woo) down on 2109 South State Street with Plexi 3 and soul/psych DJs, and over 100 beers to choose from...there’s also a painted-up school bus provided for an after party that will pick people up from the show tothe party back to the north side...
And this week: (besides going to see Keiji Haino and Henry Flynt)
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Thurs Sept.11--
Dj-ing at Rodan in Wicker Park, 10pm, all kindsa 45 record sounds.....
Sun. Sept. 14--
The next official installment of the radio version of the 'Secret History of Chicago Music' will air at 11pmcentral time on WGN 720AM on the Nick Digilio show.
This segment will feature a catching-up on the missed furious jammers The Butterfield Blues Band, and this week's strip of soul-mongers Simtec and Wylie.
You outta-towners can catch the webcast/stream deal at:
http://wgnradio.com/listen/index.htm
and strips are archived on-line at:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/secrethistory
and the radio shows are archived at:
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=297&Itemid=543
Upcoming:
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9/20--Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra at the Hideout Block Party 11:30am
9/22--PCWS with Plexi 3 at Reggies
9/25--DJ Jerry's sandwiches/bar on Division at 11pm with Frankie Delmane (from LA)
10/08--More DJ-ing at Jerry's sandwiches 10pm with Eric Colin
10/17--Plastic Crimewave Sound w/Japanese freaks DMBQ and Pit er Pat at the Abbey pub 9pm
10/?--PCWVCGuitarkestra in NY with very special guests...
11/03--DJ-ing'100 songs' series curated by Empty Bottle at Sonotheque--the theme: '5Million Tongues Festivals and the psychedelic beyond'
11/06--PCWS w/the Homosexuals at the Hideout
11/7-17--PCWS/Djin/Mondo Drag east coast/Canada tour
11/21-22-- 5 Million Tongues at Empty Bottle!
INCREDIBLE NEWS 8/24/08
get ready--there's a LOT...
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A bit last minute, but this Sunday, the 31st, the Plastic Crimewave Expanse (yes a slightly different name for a slightly different line-up, since Lawrence is out of town--- the extremely capable Druids of Huge drummer Ben Baker Billington will be filling in, as well as my bro Adam on sitar) will be opening for none other than:
ROKY ERICKSON AND THE EXPLOSIVES!!!!!!!
yes,one of my biggest heroes of all time, and leader of the divine 13thFloor Elevators--i couldn't even begin to go into how important his music has been to me, and the world. i saw him at the Abbey last summer, concentrating on his still-great 70s horror-rock/lilting folk-pop stuff, and his voice and guitar playing still sounded incredible...so happy he is back on the block so to speak, after years of neglect and problems.
the show is at double Door, and we go on first at 9pm.
This will cause my radio segment on WGN to be delayed a few weeks, so we will address the mighty Butterfield Blues Band next time, but look for the strip in this week's Reader.
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At long last www.plasticcrimewave.com is up!! there's still some uploading of art, info, merchandise, etc. to do, but it actually exists and will be updated regularly with exclusive art, songs and news. Thanks to Mule magazine's Liz Tapp for the hard work! Check out her new mag with a sweet Linda Perhacs interview and much more!
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The mercurial improvisational ensemble i play with, DRMWPN finally has a nice lookin myspace page up with some sound samplings--look for some limited UK releases this year finally too! check it out at:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=406970770!
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The 5th Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra has had the date/time moved slightly---at the Hideout Block Party at 11:30am on September 20th. Last time we had over 60 guitarists and we need more! Children and non-musicians highly encouraged, you just need to play one measly chord into infinity! Just bring a guitar, amp and power strip (and an extension cord is nice too) and you will get into the show free, as well as some drink tickets! Other acts that day include the incredible freakrockers, Plastic People of the Universe (one of my all time fave bands from 70s Czech republic), Black Mountain, and Monotonix. Early arrival at 11am for pep talk,instructions and set-up is key...
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Equally of an extremely exciting nature is that none other than TERRY REID has been confirmed for the next Million Tongues fest Nov.21! The man needs no introduction, but this incredible talent should've been THE huge powerful UK singer of the 60s/70s, as he certainly blew away Joe Cocker, Paul Rodgers or even ol Robert Plant--who Terry recommended for the singer-spot in Led Zeppelin, when he TURNED IT DOWN!!! He turned down Deep Purple too after Rod Evans left!!! Wow.The mind boggles.
His LPs are full of classic tracks covered by all from Donovan to Cheap Trick, and he toured in the day with the Stones (yes, the 'Altamont tour'--yikes) , Cream ('The Farewell Tour'!!), Jethro Tull and Fleetwood Mac. His works like 'River,' 'Seed of Memory,' and 'Bang Bang' are all classic albums of rural folk,psych-blues, earth shaking soul, and mod pop bliss. He's collaborated w/the Stones, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Mickie Most, Bonnie Raitt,even ol' Donny Henley, and countless others....He will be served well with a backing band organized by guitarist wunderkind Emmet Kelly and most of his Boogie Band (Leroy Bach, Ryan Rapsys, etc), who helped make all this possible.
Also confirmed is another UK legend, Mark Fry,who made one of THE classic conceptual acid-folk LPs in 1971, 'Dreaming with Alice'--recorded in Italy when Fry was a teenager!! Bootlegged and lauded by heads for years, this album is easily on par with Donovan, Nick drake, Bert Jansch, and even some of the groovier Can stuff! I am honored to present his absolute first US appearance!!!!
More acts to be announced......................
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Last exciting news: Plastic Crimewave Sound has been confirmed to open for infamous 70s UK deranged art-punk band The Homosexuals, Nov.6 at the Hideout!!! Fans of The Fall or This Heat would be well-advised to check out their work. There's a new 2 CD Homosexuals retrospective available. We will also have a VERY special guest playing with us i can't quite reveal......but you can probably figure it out....
Upcoming:
-----------------------
9/20--Plastic Crimewave Vision Celestial Guitarkestra at the Hideout Block Party 11:30am
9/25--DJ Jerry's sandwiches/bar on Division at 11pm
10/08--More DJ-ing at Jerry's sandwiches 10pm
10/17--Plastic Crimewave Sound w/japanese freaks DMBQ and Pit er Pat at the Abbey pub 9pm
10/22--PCWVCGuitarkestra in NY with very special guests...
11/03--DJ-ing'100 songs' series curated by Empty Bottle ast Sonotheque--the theme:'5 Million Tongues Festivals and the psychedelic beyond'
11/06--PCWS w/the Homosexuals at the Hideout
11/7-17-- PCWS/Djin of Yo Ho Wha 13/Mondo Drag east coast/Canada tour
11/21-22-- 5 Million Tongues at Empty Bottle!
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