Bobby Steele and The Undead

I forgot to post about The Undead show at Clash Bar a couple of weeks ago. I was a little iffy at first because Bobby has gotten a little shaky over the years, but it turned out to be a fun show. The drummer in the band Hitomi is a really petite lady who can hit the crap out the drums and Hiromu is an awesome bassist with a friendly attitude. Yay for Japanese band members! Bobby's vocals were good along with his guitar solos and he spent most of the set shirtless.

The Undead covering "Rat Fink" by The Misfits

NOFX New EP Cokie The Clown Review

original review in The Aquarian
I’ve never seen a Punk-O-Rama compilation without NOFX on them. Does that make them super punks? Even though NOFX has graced the t-shirts of teenage adolescents with bad acne for more than two decades, the band still remains at the top of punk rock charts. Why? Because people will always associate punk with acting like assholes, musicians selling their soul to bad hair, and having less than two minute songs, which NOFX fits perfectly into that punk rock formula.

NOFX have always been clowns in my book, so it’s perfect that their new EP Cokie The Clown has a portrait of Fat Mike as a drugged up clown that’s snorted one too many lines. I hate to admit this because I’ll probably loose around 100 punk rock points, but I liked all of the strung out pop punk songs on this EP. The title track has funny lyrics about a drug cocktailing clown’s stage show accompanied by fast bass lines and simple guitar solos. The EP also features an acoustic version of “My Orphan Year,” which is a heart-warming song about Fat Mike loosing his parents in 2006. Though it’s strange hearing a sincere tune from NOFX, it’s a straightforward likable song. The rest of the songs are your average everyday fast NOFX that people can’t get enough of. The band really are those annoying circus slapstick acts that you’ve seen over and over again, but you still end up smiling no matter how bad they are.

Cokie The Clown shows that NOFX still have a sense of humor and they can make fun of themselves like they’ve been doing since 1983. It’s nice that these guys don’t take themselves seriously, so you can’t bash them for their sloppy stage show and crappy lyrics. Though I stopped listening to NOFX years ago, they still haven’t changed and for once that’s a good thing.

UKEPUNK!!!!

So we all know about Jake Shimabukuro and how he's mastered "the guitar face", but lets try something simple this time.... Love Punk? Love Ukuleles? You'll love UKEPUNK... Such good covers!!! Even though his voice is a little bit low, his uke sounds awesome. Check him out!

New Model Army Coming To The Jersey Shore!

original article from The Aquarian

I love how every time I’ve seen New Model Army, I’ve never had to pay over $15 and I leave feeling like I’ve experienced something new. Having punk undertones with a touch of goth and folk rock, it’s hard to categorize this band as they keep on reinventing themselves. With Justin Sullivan’s manic stares, poetic lyrics, and dynamic voice, it’s surprising how the band injects the same amount of talent into their militant, yet soulful sound. From their visas being denied to long time managers dying unexpectedly, it seems that after 30 years nothing can stop this band from touring. They will be playing The Saint in Asbury Park on Sept. 16. Ages18 and up.

BUY TICKETS

photo by Ralf

Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers Playing NJ and NYC

The Stranglers have always been different from the punk bands of the '70s. Their bass is raw and chunky, while the keyboards add a nice melody along with Hugh Cornwell's recognizable voice.

After The Stranglers' breakup in 1990, Cornwell has been going solo. His music does have a little bit of a Stranglers feel, but his sound focuses more on guitars and harmonizing. You could download his new album for free off of his site.

The Brighton Bar on Wednesday Sept. 9 at 8:30 pm.
121 Brighton Ave, Long Branch, 07740, US

He will also be playing The Highline Ballroom in NYC on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. $15.00
BUY TICKETS

photo by g_cowan

If you could make it to NYC in 30 min... GO SEE WALTER LURE!

he still wears that tie!

Seriously! One of the few punk rock legends that are still alive and kicking is playing at the Bowery Electric in NYC at 10p.m. TONIGHT!

Not only is Walter Lure known for being the guitarist in The Heartbreakers, but his work with The Waldos is amazing!!! What better way to celebrate JT's birthday then with his fellow bandmate? This is as close to Johnny Thunders as you're gonna get!


video by thiswasnotpunk

Three shows coming up that will make you feel like it's 1988 ...(NJ and NYC)

For those of us who were learning how to color inside the lines during the '80s, this is our chance to go to a show, block the camera phones and digital cameras out of sight, get your pointy black boots on, and dance around like it's 1988.

PSYCHEDELIC FURS
Friday, June 12- House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ- $25- Ages 18+
Saturday, June 13- Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ- $23- All Ages
(click on the link for tickets)

These guys are awesome live! They have a lot of energy after all these years. Richard Butler has nice dance moves and is really sweet. Last time I saw them, he held on to my hand and sang his heart out... Yes, I melted even though he's in his 50's. I also recall him ripping up a dollar bill and fans going crazy to grab the pieces..(I got some!) They play a variety of songs from their albums and not just their hits like "Pretty in Pink".

Photo by Jeremy Brooks

PETER MURPHY
Monday, July 6 and Tuesday, July 7, Highline Ballroom, $35, All Ages

C'mon dude... It's Peter Murphy! Bauhaus? King of da Goffics? (haha) I've never seen him live, but I've heard that his shows are an experience that people never forget. From things like him giving the microphone to the audience and doing a Q&A session with them (how sophisticated!) and other things like covering Joy Division, he doesn't seem to disappoint.

Photo by Charlois

THE CHURCH
Wednesday, July 8th, Irving Plaza, $30 Advanced $35 at the door, Ages 16+

This is the show at the top of my priority list. I can't and will not miss this show. I've never seen them, but that doesn't matter. I know this show is going to be amazing because The Church is just that. If you don't have a copy of Of Skins and Heart and/or Starfish, there is something wrong with you! They are really underrated and deserve a lot more recognition!
Photo by Tiare Hellberg

At least at these venues you have the chance to see them up close and get right up on that stage. Hope to see you there!

The Damned at the Stone Pony

It’s hard for people like me, who were born a couple decades too late, to actually get to see a band that was around when punk music was at its prime. Some of these punk bands that are still around now consist of just one original member and put on horrible shows and makes me wonder why they still use the original band name. Then there are bands that may have had a few line up changes, but allow fans to go back in time and enjoy a taste of punk rock bliss. The Damned did just that when they played at the Stone Pony yesterday.

The bands that opened up for them were Electric Frankenstein and The BellRays.

Though EF seemed to pump up some people in the crowd, others just stood around. They’re one of those bands that feel the need to turn up their scratchy guitars up way too much, when really; they could use a cleaner crisp sound and some more melodies. There wasn’t even a need for the singer to have a guitar honestly. It’s not that they’re a horrible band, they just sound like a lot of other generic bands that I’ve seen.

The Bellrays on the other hand, really blew me away. If the MC5 had a woman with a huge afro singing, that’s what the Bellrays sound is. Wayne Kramer himself has shared the stage with them in the past. They got the crowd energized with singer, Lisa Kekaula’s shrieks and soulful voice. They were really tight!

The place wasn’t that packed, but once Pinch came out to his drums, more people edged their way up to the front. Captain Sensible (guitar) with his red beret, Monty Oxymoron (keyboards) wearing a skull patterned shirt, Stu West (bassist) wearing his striped shirt, and Dave Vanian (vocals) in a suit, white button down shirt, and a black cravat.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, How do!”

The Damned put on such a great show. From fixing the light fixtures themselves, to the traditional stage banter, to Captain and Monty drum soloing, to Dave dancing with one of EF’s daughters during, “Little Miss Disaster;” it was a very memorable night.

Their set list ranged from early Damned songs like “Love Song,” to their infamous cover of “Alone Again or” (they sang the trumpet solo), to songs like “Dr. Woofenstein,” from their newest album, So, Who’s Paranoid? It’s nice to see a band that doesn’t just play their new album with one or two old songs. Though I wouldn’t mind a few more off the new album, it’s pretty good!

The Damned definitely made sure they hit different songs from the different decades they’ve been around for. Captain Sensible talked about being able to jump from decade to decade with songs and joked about how bands like Green Day couldn’t do that.

My only complaint was that I couldn't hear Monty that well, but it could’ve been because I was on the opposite side right up front by where Captain was.

My face hurts today because I was smiling all night long. I hadn’t seen them since 2002. I love seeing this band live, it gets better and better. I hope they come back soon!

SET LIST

Love Song
Second Time Around
Anti-Pope
New Rose
Alone Again or
Under the Wheels
There will come a day
Disco Man
Dr. Woofenstein
Eloise
Perfect Sunday
Neat Neat Neat
Dark Asteroid

Encore
Curtain Call
Noise Noise Noise
Little Miss Disaster

Melody Lee
Smash it Up

Bellrays photo by Mosieur J.

Damned Photos by Tim Bugbee
(Check out his awesome photography here and here)

(photos are actually from the Boston show, but the band wore the same thing)

Lux Interior of the Cramps dies...

original article in the montclarion

Lux Interior, famous front man of the Cramps, died at 62 due to a pre-existing heart condition on Feb. 4.

The Cramps helped rockabilly get its way into the New York punk scene in the late '70s. With long-time fellow band mate and wife Poison Ivy, he created a sound and act that set them apart from the CBGB scene.

Though the line-up of drummers, bassists and guitarists has changed throughout the years, this didn't stop Interior and Ivy from touring and making albums with the same raw edge as they had years ago.

They have been considered to be the founders of psychobilly by some, which is a genre that is an incredible mash-up of rockabilly and punk music.

The Cramps have performed and recorded various covers ranging in artists and genres. They have explored rockabilly, surf and '60s garage rock. The Cramps made ghoulish interpretations out of anything from Peggy Lee's "Fever," to the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird."

One of their most popular songs was "Human Fly," where the Cramps give onomatopoeia meaning with Interior's buzzing and Ivy's echoing guitar. Other favorites are "I Was a Teenage Werewolf," "Goo Goo Muck" and "Garbage Man." It's hard to resist shaking one's hips or bobbing one's head to these tracks.

Their popularity was in its prime in the '80s, with their albums Psychedelic Jungle and Songs the Lord Taught Us.

With Interior's gender-bending fashion and horror-fueled lyrics accompanied by Ivy's mysterious glares, stage presence and guitar riffs, the Cramps put on a show that one would never forget.

Having memorable concerts like a free show at the California State Mental Hospital with patients dancing and singing along in 1978, to a show just as entertaining over 30 years later, the Cramps finished their most recent tour this past November.

Interior's infamous stage antics of stripping down to leopard print g-strings, shoving microphones in his mouth while singing during many songs and having those never-ending bottles of wine pour out of his lips; he made recent so-called shock rockers look like absolute amateurs.

Interior had also been an animal rights activist until his death. Instead of flowers, fans were asked to make donations to his favorite charity, Best Friends Animal Society.

The Cramps' official website said that Interior's death "was sudden, shocking and totally unexpected. Five days of heroic measures were unable to save him."

Leaving fans full of regret that they never went out to see the Cramps, or grateful that they got to see them in action(lucky me!), Interior will always be remembered as one of the most eccentric, creative and energetic frontmen and ring leaders of underground music culture.

b&w photo by Chad Johnson, colored by Stephen L Harlow

Liselotte Eriksson

original article in the montclarion

"A messy, easily distracted and often filthy record store clerk/artist with a great love for photography, chestnuts, dead things, avocado, big hair and Lady Grey tea with milk and shameful amounts of honey."

This is how Liselotte Eriksson from Sweden sees herself, and like every artist, her authentic personality sneaks its way into her art.
Eriksson, 28, grew up and still lives in Åkersberga, Sweden, just north of Stockholm. Having not taken any extra art classes other than the ones required in school, one is surprised by her talent in her illustration, photography and clothing/accessory-making skills.

Though influenced to make art by "anything and everything," Eriksson said that music in general has been very inspiring to her. A lot of her paintings are illustrations of her favorite songs.

"The Cure, definitely," said Eriksson when asked about music that's influenced her. "I discovered them when I was about 15, and it changed my life completely. Their way of being themselves no matter what other people think has greatly inspired me to do the same, to dare to be bold and express myself in any way I feel like."

From her self portraits as a bloodsucking zombie to illustrations of creatures from folklore and myth, her imagination is definitely intact, along with her amazing execution.

Her photography shows many different characters with staged shots, but also depicts regular days with her colorful friends. Her photo alterations in contrast and colors show the softness of a redheaded mermaid to the hard edge of a green-mohawked beauty.

Her newest project, Changeling's Closet, is a website where one can buy her wearable creations.

"It is an online shop where I sell handmade, wearable art inspired by nature and the world of faerie, such as charming little hats, horns, acorn pendants and hand-painted clothes. So far, it's all my own stuff, but I will eventually get work up by other people as well, jewelry and knitted hats among other things, and I'm hoping to sell unique perfumes as well," said Erikson.

She sells prints of most of her art online
http://www.liselotteeriksson.com/ and has had customers from all around the world buy her art thanks to her website.

"I have had websites of different kinds since I was about 16. I started selling art online about nine years ago, and since then it has been my primary way to get my art out there," said Eriksson.

So if you want to add some color to any room, any of Liselotte Eriksson's creations are perfect for adding uniqueness to any bare wall.

all photos and art by Liselotte Eriksson