Punk Turns 30

Paul Weller, the stylish and legendary singer/songwriter who founded both The Jam and Style Council famously worked through his milestone [50th] birthday last year. His life and career were chronicled over the course of his turning 50 by Britain's UNCUT magazine. So, it is actually no surprise to me, the calendar watcher, that Weller's 51st birthday on May 25, went unsung - even by me. Those aren't the kind of anniversaries acknowledged by the Mod Father. On a more somber note, it is difficult to mark Paul Weller's recent entry into the 5-decade club with humor. Last month, the senior Weller, John, Paul's dad, who was very much a part of the Weller music machine since day one, passed away. They were best mates, father and son and manager and client... inseparable men who closed each hard day's night by sharing a pint. I recall sharing an evening at the bar with the Wellers - John, Paul and Paul's wife. It was October 2003 and Paul performed at NYC's ...

Original Cramps drummer and co-founder of Norton Records and The A Bones, rock n roll lady extraordinaire, Miriam Linna just launched a blog with her memories of the earliest days of the Cramps, when she was their drummer. Miriam played in the line-up that included the late Bryan Gregory on guitar alongside Lux and Ivy. Bryan Gregory in foreground What strikes a chord in me, however, are the scans of letters Miriam has saved over the years. A couple years ago, Miriam showed me letters she received from our mutual friend, the late Stiv Bators. Seeing Stiv's familiar, Catholic school boy penmanship and his particular signature just brought back a flood of memories, and seeing them again on Miriam's blog and being able to read and re-read his words help bring the Dead Boy back to life. For anyone who knows only the Urban Legend of Stiv Bators, Miriam's blog will open your eyes. For those who knew Stiv, Miriam's blog may bring a bittersweet tear alongside the warm...

Jack Oblivian About a year ago, Jack Oblivian and his Tennessee Tearjerkers did a few dates with the Hives, the young Swedish rockers whose biggest influence was Memphis' Oblivians, hence the invitation to share a few stages. Howlin' Pelle Almqvist and Jack O Around the same time, Jack was going in and out of Memphis recording studios putting together a new record. That record is now available for your listening and purchasing pleasure! Just click the title of this blog post and you'll be transported to the Goner Records online store. Goner is also the label that is releasing Jack's latest... Disco Outlaw. Back in the 70s, "death to disco" was one of the many rallying cries of people who played or preferred punk rock to the other music that was born in that decade. I think it only fitting that the 90's best punk influenced rocker (just listen to any of the Jack O songs from the Oblivians repertoire....) takes the opportunity to poke some titular po...