Punk Turns 30

I have been away from updating this blog for a few days because I'm in Chicago, attending the Horizontal Action Blackout. Its the hottest ticket in the COUNTRY...why? Oblivians are headlining this event.... Horizontal Action is taking a hiatus of undetermined length. This is the LAST Blackout they'll ever throw. What better way to blow it out than with the band that, in the 90s, made the best trashy rock n roll with punk and garage and r&b infusions? Above is Greg, and here's Eric and Jack. I KNOW this will be an unforgettable show! Its been kinda difficult to get online on this trip. But be sure that AFTER the Blackout, there will be all kinds of cool new stuff! Drive safely over this holiday weekend....better stay home and BBQ

John Cale is a genius. The Welshman came to America and joined the experimental guru (and a composer I liken to JS Bach) La Monte Young in his ensemble The Theatre of Eternal Music alternatively known as The Dream Syndicate, not to be confused with the Paisley Underground California band of the same name (though they certainly knew whom they were name-checking.) The 1960's Dream Syndicate pioneered a heady drone music that proved to be the harbinger of Cale's next project, The Velvet Underground with Lou Reed, Nico, Sterling Morrison, Angus MacLise and later, Mo Tucker. Depending on whom you ask, Cale was either fired by Reed or he quit - in 1968/69. Regardless, John Cale's influence on decades of daring music to come already had a foothold in the few recordings he made with the Velvet Underground. His solo work, his collaborations with Nico, Terry Riley, Nick Drake, and an amazing array of musicians on a live album, June 1, 1974 - featuring Nico, Kevin Ayers, Eno, ...

It is winter, 1980 (November 11, to be exact) and The Slits from London are playing at the Whisky A Go Go. Their appearance drew a huge crowd including celebrities, ranging from Robin Williams, who at the time was known as "Mork from Ork" on the ABC television series, "Mork & Mindy" to Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, pictured here with Pistols road manager, Rory Johnston (hiding) and Slits guitarists Viv Albertine. Although they were around from the beginning of punk rock time (and drummer Paloma "Palmolive" Romero's boyfriend was the man who changed his name to Joe Strummer ), it wasn't until about 1978 that the Slits got themselves a record deal. Released on Island, their debut "Cut," produced by the renowned reggae record producer Dennis Bovell was more known for its sensational cover than for the band's punky reggae dub sound. While naked girls covered in mud might sound like an appealing record cover, the group was lam...

Ever since Joey Ramone passed away, there has been a Memorial Birthday Bash for him in NYC at Irving Plaza on the actual date of his birth, May 19. This year's show has been sold out forever. It is always both a tribute and a great night of bands inspired and influenced by the Ramones, and in some cases, were influences of the Ramones. While I write this, Cheetah Chrome is on his way to NYC to play in the event that also includes performances by Wayne Kramer and original Sex Pistol Glen Matlock The MC5/DKT were supposed to perform as a full band - that is the living members of the MC5 - Wayne Kramer, Dennis Thompson and Mike Davis with additional singers and guests. However, last week, Mike Davis was in a motorcycle accident on a freeway in Los Angeles. Thankfully wearing a helmet and leather, he survived, but suffered a fractured spine, bruised ribs and several abrasians. Therefore, while he recovers, the full MC5/DKT line-up won't be performing, and thei...

Whenever I hear the name George Tabb, I think of the Ramones. For those of you who don't know or know of George, click on his name and visit his website for a quick 411. Like so many of my friends, acquaintances and fellow New Yorkers, at the time of 9/11, George was living downtown - and he lived rather close to the site of the destruction. I remember the night of 9/11, I was living on Second Ave and 4th Street. I could smell the wreckage of burning plane, airplane fuel and buildings and all the toxins that are involved and thought to myself, "In a few years, someone will declare a cancer cluster here." Unbeknownst to me, George was thinking the same thing. Now, Old Skool Punk Rocker George Tabb is sick with what can only be described as 9/11 Mystery Illness and he's experiencing not only difficulties in getting the appropriate treatment, but with paying for it as well. Help out an old skool punk if you can. Visit his Help George Tabb page and see ...

Do you like this t-shirt that Joe Pestilence is wearing? Due to popular demand, Punk Turns 30 is offering you a chance to get one of these shirts that were promotional items for the Punk Turns 30 show at GonerFest2, at the same GonerFest2 low price of $10. We are now taking pre-orders for our next run of shirts. Orders received by June 1 will be fulfilled by the end of the month. We ship by US Postal Service Priority Mail - if you are an international customer - please write first! info@punkturns30.com Here at Punk Turns 30, we love our Paypal! Please indicate your size in the "comments" space in the Paypal shopping cart - we make girlie shirts up through XXL. The shirts are black - just like the one modeled by our fave frontman, Joe Pestilence. Click on the "Add to Cart" button to order!

Today, May 12, is the birthdate of many a great musician and pop culture icon - Steve Winwood, Burt Bachrach and Tom Snyder are but three. The best I save for last - today is the birthday of my old pal, Ian McLagan, an original member of the Small Faces and Faces, highly regarded and in-demand keyboard player ( Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Glen Matlock/Rich Kids, Georgia Satellites, Paul Westerberg, Billy Bragg and many many many more) as well as a solo artist in his own right and an influence to many... such as Atlanta's Forty Fives, two of whom are pictured here ( Bryan Malone and Mark McMurtry ) as well as the Georgia Satellites. I am pleased to say I had a little to do with both of those introductions as well as the one to Denmark's The Blue Van. The influence of the Small Faces informs a lot of punk and garage rock bands - so you should perhaps go back to the source and check out the Godfathers of Mod - The Small Faces for a listening ...

I just want to say that the Dead Boys have been on the forefront of my mind and I'm gonna step up some machinations that will hopefully put them at the forefront of YOUR mind soon too. Yeah - I know that's vague but I can't really say too much right now except that....you really ought to check out that Live Dead Boys DVD that's out right now...

Los Angeles Punk was bolstered by the contributions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans...no doubt about it. Perhaps the most iconic LA punk band is The Bags who were fronted by the lovely Latina, Alice Bag. And if you click on her hot-linked name, you will be transported to her site and can see a magnificent collection of memories from the early days of punk and some beautiful touches of Mexican-inspired art in the flyers and on her pages. Famous for being cool and beautiful, warm and welcoming, Trudie of the Plungers is of Mexican descent, and a wonderful keeper of the LA punk flame in more ways than you can imagine. The Brats, Los Plugz and the Zeroes were just a few more of the bands with members of Mexican descent. Kid Congo is proudly Cholo, and Jeffrey Lee Pierce was half Mexican. Dickies had Karlos Kaballero, Plimsouls had Eddie Munoz Eddie Munoz, far left There were Los Lobos and Los Illegals. Pleasant who is not Mexican but could pull off a great Frida Ka...

On this date in history, 1979 - the Sex Pistols had been broken up for 16 months but one of their nightmares came true: Margaret Thatcher was elected as Great Britain's first female Prime Minister. Labour was out, and the Tories were in. Boo-hiss. It marked the beginning of the end of many things... like the GLC (Greater London Council), being able to simply go on the dole - The Tories winning campaign slogan was "Labour Isn't Working." Our old pal, Dave Tregunna aka "Kermit" from Sham 69 and later the Wanderers and Lords of the New Church was happily on the dole for ages. Under the Tories, he was forced - and I MEAN FORCED to get some training. He learned how to teach computer skills to people. Too bad the Tories didn't let him give music lessons! On an American icon note: Today is boxing champ Sugar Ray Robinson's birthday - the US Postal service made a stamp in his honor!