Primitive Sound System and DJ DontCloseMaxwells! - D.C.'s Tavern - June 6 - 9PM to Closing

Hello Y'all,
One brief word on the closing of Maxwell's and then we can all move on, or at least I will.  We started to go to Maxwell's sometime in 1982 or 1983.  I don't remember the order of the shows but I remember the Bongos were the big draw to head down to Hoboken.  Our Dad had been listening to FMU since it first went on the air so it wasn't that far of a stretch to think we would be at Maxwell's and in the City for shows.  I am not sure where other teenagers hung-out at the time… seriously what did they do?  Where did they go? But, we knew this was better than staying home and getting drunk at a friends house.  This was something to du.  I remember Ira and Georgia's wonderful DJ sets and backing John Klages before catching that fly ball and striking out on their own.  The desire to go to Maxwell's wasn't just the bands it was a place we felt comfortable and the characters contained inside were hilarious, creepy, cool, beautiful, ugly, friendly, obnoxious, etc, etc and we felt like we should never leave.  They were all like minded folks that luckily found the best possible place to be.  We never really were looking to be part of a scene so we always stayed on the edges never becoming to friendly or close to many people.  But, you will find that after you frequent a place for over thirty years people start to recognize you.

At one point we actually had gone to Maxwell's over fifteen nights in a row.  We had started a landscaping business which meant we were up early and finished early.  Long naps, some pizza and then we were off to Hoboken.  If the nap was short we tried to hit Pier Platters before driving around to the other side of town and parking down by the river because even then you were lucky if you got a spot really close to the club.  Our prime years were from the early 80's through the 90's so you can only imagine the bands we saw and we saw them all (except Mission of Burma).  I look to my buddy Dave Gilmour (who I first took there in 1985 to see the minutemen) and my brother to clarify the lineups.  I know, for the most part, what bands we saw and sometimes things stick out to help me remember the other bands on the bill.  If I am real lucky, I can possibly recall the time of year.  To me it has been one, big, long, endless bill… until now.

As many bands that we saw, there are a hundred times that in stories we could tell.  When my hair was long Peter Buck once bought me a beer and said, "Hey, Eddie Vedder, this one's on me."  Simply so he could get a laugh.  Of course I said thanks, and then drank it down in one big gulp.  I played my first show there with a band I was in called Love Onion and played one of the last with Hippopotamus, a band I was in for thirteen years.  I DJ'd Latin, Soul and Funk there every Tuesday for six years as well as many of the Christmas parties during that time.  I did some newspaper and magazine ads for the club, the first of which was for a Soul Food night.  I showed my art on its walls on several occasions and began doing pieces for "Weird NJ" because of it.  My son and his friend shared their third birthday in the back room.  As the party was winding down Lou Barlow began loading his equipment in.  At one point he sat on the stage and marveled at the kids running around.  I walked over, stood next to him for a minute and he finally spoke, "I can't believe I am going to be playing a show here and I am following a kids party."  There are a million more, and probably a million I can't remember.  It will be missed but sometimes you just got to know when to say good-bye.

I think that was just one word, right?

Thanks to everyone who ever made Maxwell's great.

Oh yeah, for years my brother and my friend Ronny always said they saw me in this Mudhoney video.  I had never seen the video until a few years back and at the 1:46 mark, don't blink, it is quick, there I is.  The footage was shot at Maxwell's.  What's even funnier is sometimes when you search the video, I am the thumbnail.

Mudhoney - "This Gift"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SRxWz3CDvg

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Chuck and I will engage in our usual battle royale.  Air guitars, drums, bass and any other spastic simulation we can muster will mostly be for our own entertainment.  So come on by, have a cold one, two or three and do something stupid for your own amusement.  Larry The Hunter will be minding the bar while you mind your own goddamn business!  So be kind and tip the man, especially since there are only seconds between reloads.

I spent the this past Sunday at the always amazing Black Gold Records in Brooklyn.  I picked up three very long time want list records as well as some other "must haves."  I also got a care package from the good folks over at Slovenly Records and Black Gladiator Records.  If there are labels putting out more consistently great Punk and Garage I have yet to find them.  I am not sure what I am more impressed with; their "ear" to find such mind-numbingly great bands or the bands themselves.  Who the fuck cares, just buy their records and be happy… or smash things.

Speaking of smashing things, and then I gotta go because this is the longest post ever, I picked up a copy of The Traits - "Nobody Loves The Hulk" after being tipped off by my friend John O'Toole.  Not only is this one of the best Garage records ever it comes in a super sturdy hardboard cover that is silk screened on both sides.  The lyrics on the back and an action shot of the Hulk about to ruin everyone's day.  Contrary to the subject matter, I Love the Hulk!  "HULK, SMASH HIT… RECORD!"  

Come by and let your ears be entertained while you numb your body and lower your IQ.

See you there.

- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Thursday, June 6th - 9PM to Closing
Pat. James Longo - Primitive Sound System
Chuck Daly - DJ DontCloseMaxwells!

D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550

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D.C.'s Tavern Record Swap
Saturday, June 22nd
Starting at 1PM
POSTER: http://www.gigposters.com/poster/161597_Primitive_Sound_System.html

* Disc Jockeys All Day
* Bring some records to trade or sell
* If you have more then a few records, stacks, or boxes - reach out to Theron (tsjammer@yahoo DOT com )and he can make sure you get some real space on the tables

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BLACK GOLD RECORDS: http://blackgoldbrooklyn.com

Tina Britt - "All The Way"  (Minit Records cat. LP 24023)

The Vibrations - The Vibrations' Greatest Hits  (Okeh cat. OKS 14129)

Supertramp - Indelibly Stamped  (A&M cat. SP 4311)

Claus Ogerman and his Orchestra - Soul Searchin'  (RCA Victor cat. LSP - 3366)

Wilmer & The Dukes - S/T  (Aphrodisiac cat. APH - 6001)

The Vibrations - Taking A New Step (Good Vibes)  (Mandala cat. MLP 3006 498)

Quincy Jones - They Call Me Mr. Tibbs  (United Artists cat. UAS 5214)

Johnny Zamot - Tell It Like It Is  (Decca cat. DL 74945)

The Fabulous Counts - Jan Jan  (Cotillion cat. SD 9011)

Hank Marr - Greasy Spoon  (King cat. KSD 1061)

Astaroth - Satanispiritus" b/w "Lady Of The Moon"  (Unseen Forces cat. UF0004)

The Sirs - "He's A Jerk" & "Social Divorce" b/w "Insanity" & "Tight Lines Screamin' Reels"  (Psychic Volt cat. PV 001)

The Sirs - "Miserable" & "Handshakes Of The Industrial Revolution" b/w "Song About Volcanoes" & "Older Sister"  (Psychic Volt cat. PV 009)

Adrenalin O.D. - "Let's Barbeque"   (Psychic Volt cat. PV 006)

The Soft Boys - "He's A Reptile" b/w "Song No. 4"  (Midnight Music cat. DING 4)

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SLOVENLY RECORDS  / BLACK GLADIATOR RECORDS:  http://slovenly.com

The Hussy - "Way With Words" & "Yr Stupid" b/w "Wrong / Right"  (Black Gladiator cat. BG 006)

Obnox - Record One: "Deep In The Dusk" b/w "I'm A Bug (Bugged Out)" & "Flying"  Record Two: "Hang on Sloopy" & "He's Forever"  (Black Gladiator cat. BG 007)

Paint Fumes - "Sally Smoked Dope" b/w "Killed By Puerto Rico" & "Ghost Highway"  (Slovenly cat. 702 - 125)

Las Ardillas - "Linda Nina" b/w "La Buscare"  (Slovenly cat. 702 - 129)

Mouthbreathers - "Nowhere Else To Go" b/w "MindBreathers"  (Slovenly cat. 702 - 130)

Livids - "Your House or The Courthouse" & "Zilch" b/w "New Values"    (Slovenly cat. 702 - 134)

Los Vigilantes - "Mi Siento Azul" b/w "Volvera" b/w "Me Imagino"  (Slovenly cat. 702 - 135)

Bronco Billy Dolan & Primitive Sound System at D.C.'s Tavern Thurs Jan 6th from 9PM to Closing

Hello Y'all,
My best of 2010 is listed below and is in no particular order. If you know me, then you know that at any given time I have 100s of songs that are my, "Favorite song of all time," or "The best song ever!" I also don't buy a lot of new music so to even have more than 10 was a surprise to me. I love bands like Russian Circles, Pelican, Isis, etc, etc but sadly I only picked up the Russian Circles LP this year. Luckily Russian Circles "Geneva" is easily one of my favorites. I love New Funk but unfortunately many of the bands are becoming far too slick and the LPs are filled with ballads, slow songs and weird remix style songs that sound like weak Hip Hop or lousy Acid Jazz. I love Hip Hop and Acid Jazz but these New Funk bands seem to be confused as to why people bought their records in the first place. Weird since the answer is right there in the genres name… FUNK! If I want Hip Hop, Neo-Soul or Acid Jazz I will listen to the bands who do that best. One of the biggest surprises for me this year was the amazing Nick Curran and the Lowlifes "Reform School Girls" CD. If there was EVER a record that deserved a vinyl release it was this one and sadly there is none. Mr. Curran and company also turned in my favorite live performance of the year.

Colemine Records were definitely a stand out in the New Funk genre. Terry Cole could prove to be a genius so let's hope for better and better things from his label. Will Sessions' Funk Night label also put out some incredible sides though not as consistent as Colemine the label could be a force to be reckoned with. I have yet to pick up their first LP but Dead Weather made a big impression on me this year. Someone sent me a video before the first LP came out but it was hard to get a bead on what the LP was going to sound like from the video. They could have easily been a run of the mill side project for Jack White but happily he has rarely ever been run of the mill. Just about a week ago the Syl Johnson "Complete Mythology" box set on Numero Group arrived at my door. If there was ever an artist who was deserved of such an honor it is the hugely talented Syl Johnson. Many years ago Collectable Records had done a Twinight / Twilight compilation CD, it cost just $4.99. I routinely would give it away as a gift and unfortunately I almost always had to explain to people who Syl was. Hopefully that will all change soon and Syl can be discussed in the same breath as James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Lee Dorsey, Dyke and every other Soul / Funk star that has made music not only something that we listen to but move to as well as feel in our hearts and minds.

One of the things that will make you extremely uncomfortable as a musician and a record collector is when friends give you their music. You usually have to be polite and hope the subject never comes up again. On the other hand, sometimes you have to approach a friend and tell them how big a fan you are of their music. Andrew Barker has been a friend for many years and our bands played together quite often through the 90's. I am always in awe of Andrew's drumming and have sought out his recordings time and time again. Years ago, Andrew told me he wanted to play guitar, so in the tradition of Dick Dale and Eddy Van Halen, Andrew turned his sights on a stringed instrument rather than a skin covered one. I was listening to some of Andrew's music on MySpace and stumbled upon his band Hallux. I IMMEDIATELY shot him an email and said PLEASE send me a copy of the LP NOW! I also wanted to get a copy of the LP for a mutual friend who had seen Hallux play live. The LP arrived and not only was the sleeve beautifully done it is on heavy green vinyl. I play the record at full volume every chance I get and there is even a track that sounds great when I DJ.

This year I continued to do artwork for the raw as hell Black Gladiator Records. So far every release has been beyond great but then I expect nothing less from the man known as Bazooka Joe. Black Gladiator is a subsidiary of one of the best Punk / Garage labels ever, Slovenly Recordings and the pairing couldn't be more perfect. In the truest tradition of Punk Rock these labels operate on a shoestring budget but in the end this turns out to be a benefit to me as payment comes by way of LPs and 45s. Slowly I am amassing a complete set of Slovenly Recordings that daily terrorize my turntable.

2010 proved to be one of the best years for me as a collector. I had the opportunity to buy and trade records in places I have never been and some I have been but never to buy records. I have never counted the records in my collection and have always said the day I do I will probably stop collecting because I would be surprised by the final count. I am not going to lie, the number of records I added to the collection this year was very shocking but the price of records had dropped so drastically I was lucky enough to take advantage.

[* I don't normally consider a CD a purchase and you can only imagine my feeling about MP3 downloads. Honestly, is that really collecting? When I was a kid I would "download music from the radio all the time. Then I would buy the recording and support my favorite bands. Hey congratulations MP3 hoarding, vidiot playing dicks. Enjoy all the major label crap floating in the toilet because your friends can no longer support themselves to tour since you keep giving their music away.]

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Syl Johnson - Complete Mythology (Numero Group cat. 032)
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - I Learned The Hard Way Seven Inch Set (Daptone Records cat. DAP - 021) & Sharon Jones
Cee-Lo - 12" Fuck You (voc, inst)
Vex Ruffin & the Lo-Fi Jerkheads ep (Black Gladiator / Slovenly Recordings cat. 702-94)
The Lo-Fi Jerkheads ep (Black Gladiator / Slovenly Recordings cat. 702-9?)
Tunnel Of Love - "Rockin' Rollin' Bitches" LP (Black Gladiator / Slovenly Recordings cat. 702-93)
Electric Crush - "Dropouts In A Drug Haze" (Black Gladiator / Slovenly Recordings cat. BG 003)
Personal and the Pizzas - "Raw Pie" LP (1-2-3-4 Go! Records cat. GO 0039)
Los Vigilantes - "Mi Mami Dijo" b/w "Que Mal" (Slovenly Recordings cat. 29)
Nick Curran and the Lowlifes - Reform School Girls *
Hallux (Phantom Ear cat. 001)
Russian Circles - "Geneva" (Sargent House / Suicide Squeeze Records cat. SH 030 (Gatefold double vinyl LPs that play at 45RPMs)) (Late 2009)
The Peripheral Enterprise Sound Revue - "Unortodoxy" (Peripheral Enterprises cat. ???) (I believe this was a 20110 release)
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- pat.

Primitive Sound System
VINYL RULES!
"Audio Visual Triumphs and Disasters" - http://primitivesoundsystem.blogspot.com

Thursday January 6th
Bronco Billy Dolan - 9 PM - 11:30 PM
Primitive Sound System -11:30 PM to Closing

D.C.'s Tavern
505 8th Street
Between Jefferson and Madison
BACK IN BACK
Hoboken, New Jersey
PH: 201-792-5550
http://www.dcstavern.com
http://myspace.com/dcstavern

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Some Links:

Slovenly Recordings
http://www.slovenly.com/catalog

Black Gladiator Records
http://www.myspace.com/blackgladiatorkills

Syl Johnson - Complete Mythology
http://www.numerogroup.com/catalog_detail.php?uid=01178

Hallux
http://www.myspace.com/halluxmusic

Cee Lo Green - "Fuck You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc0mxOXbWIU

Nick Curran and the Lowlifes
CAREFUL the music starts when the site loads - http://www.eclectogroove.com

Personal and the Pizzas
"Brass Knuckles" (video) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrXcApEa6h8

Russian Circles
http://www.russiancircles.net