Punk Rock Academy Fight Song – Good Guys Don’t Wear White

“Show me a hero and I’ll prove he’s a bum.” That is one of my favorite quotes by one of my heroes. The man who spoke it was World War Two fighter pilot Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, a medal of honor winner with a reputation for hard drinking and rule breaking but also some one who quickly realized the inherent danger of putting people up on a pedestal especially if he was the one on that pedestal. Precisely the type of person any impressionable young Punk couldn’t help but be attracted to. I mean there was even a movie about the guy called “The Flying Misfits” if that isn’t some kind of cosmic match I don’t know what is. But over the years that quote took on more and more meaning and made more and more sense. It wasn’t just some one who was uncomfortable with new found fame and notoriety being self deprecating but instead it was more of a warning and also a bit of a blueprint for the type of people we should be looking up to.

Part of the allure of Punk rock has always been the fact that most of our heroes have always been slightly damaged and have always been keenly aware of that. Our heroes weren’t better than us they were us. We don’t have guitar gods we have mere mortals banging out three chords that seem to say “come on man get off your ass and do something...this is for everybody”. We don’t try to hide our frailties and short comings behind some facade of perfection but rather celebrate the fact that we’ve all screwed up but some how are better for it. If you start out with nothing you’ve got nowhere to go but up, right? That’s why I’ve never been a fan of the the golden boys, the perfect smile, perfect hair all Americans-because those guys are usually hiding something and the more people look up to them the harder it is for them to maintain the illusion of heroic perfection and people just cant wait to watch em fall-I think The Bangles even had a song about that. As most people find out the hard way there is no greater disappointment than finding out some one you admire or look up to is a Grade A screw up but if you already realize they are a screw up then once again there is only room for improvement and you can’t be that let down when they falter. Still most people still find themselves subscribing to the ideal that the clean cut Dudley Do-Right types (look him up kids) are those who should be admired for their supposed high moral character and ability to throw a ball, read a line or play a guitar better than the rest of us. Now I’m not saying that you shouldn’t admire those people Im just saying that I personally choose not to because I can’t really relate to them.

All of this bring me to another badass, and another quote. At the risk of being cliche its from Johnny Cash-yup the man in black of course. Johnny Cash upon meeting Merle Haggard-who had actually done real time in prison, supposedly said to Haggard “Nice to meet you you’re who everybody thinks I am”. So even when we look up to people for being anti heroes we still run the risk of getting the myth and the reality mixed. This doesn’t make Johnny Cash any less cool in my book but rather even cooler because he was able to call bullshit on himself and the ideal of what people thought of him. At the end of the day we all need someone to look up to some one to provide us with hope and inspiration but I just prefer that person to be some one that's kind of like me instead of some one I know I can never be.

-Daniel N-
Big Wheel Staff Columnist

 

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I Need That Record! The Death (Or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store

There are a number of record stores closing around the nation as a result of bad business and a whole lot of both legal and illegal mp3 downloading. You knew that before you read this; though what you will learn from watching “I Need That Record” is a revealing look at how the music industry has nearly collapsed on itself in the last decade and half.

This tell-all documentary explains how music and music formats have de-evolved as vinyl, cassette, and CD have nearly gone the way of the do-do bird.

In essay like fashion director Brendan Toller visit’s a number of indie record stores throughout America’s vast land. He interviews numerous shop owners, employees, long time customers and musicians who have ultimately lived through the music they happen to sell, make, and buy. It’s an eye opening peek at how many people in the indie music scenes have always stood together to support what stands as a cultural and musical foundation in communities across America.

Everything in relation to record sales is discussed here as the corporate mishandlings of label money take radio stations hostage and force feed consumers of the world a butt load of aural crap. The effect big label head honchos have on the record industry is scary as this DVD explains the decline and fall of a once multi million dollar industry that can now barely stay afloat. Interviews with Minor Threat’s Ian Mackaye, The Talking Head’s Chris Frantz, Punk Magazine Legs McNeil, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore and Minutemen’s Mike Watt make this more interesting from a punk rockers perspective.

I don’t want to reveal too much, but this DVD is a must have for any music lover out there who has shopped at an independent music store and wants to know why things in the music world have happened the way they have. As someone who has been purchasing music since the age of 10 this is a heartfelt look at how the music I love and care for may nearly be impossible to purchase in store in the not so distant future.

-Louie B.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter
 

 

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Snew – We Do What We Want

I received Snew’s latest release just the other day and immediately put off listening to their record because of their name alone, sorry if that comes across as being judgmental, that name is just awful!

When I placed We Do What We Want’ in my stereo it took a mere 30 seconds before I started to imagine a scenario where Satan explores the depths of hell in search of his pal Bon Scott, ex front man of AC/DC. Is it possible Bon has escaped Hell and climbed his way back to earth to lend his vocals to Snew? Hmm just maybe!

We Do What We Want is an album that may contain zero originality points, but it makes up for it in balls to the wall execution. The boys have clearly been influenced by Highway to Hell and Back in Black, there is no disguising it as there isn’t a song on this record that doesn’t seem like a lost track from the said albums. I happen to love the aforementioned records and can understand how influential they are, just look at Richard Ramirez career as a prime example!

Everything from lead vocals, guitars and drumming down to the chorus vocals just shouts (literally) classic AC/DC. It may seem redundant in this review, and I apologize though one can’t really distinguish Snew’s attempts at a record from what AC/DC perfected 30 years ago. If you don’t want to wait for the new AC/DC record to hit the shelves then I highly suggest picking up We Do What We Want, you won’t be disappointed!

 

-Louie B.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter
 

 

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Spawn Atomic – Retro Future

Spawn Atomic are back at it again and boy do they sound pissed! I recall reviewing their last album around Halloween 2010 to much enjoyment, it was a spooky affair to say the least!

Their newest effort is punk rock fury in a different vein; a less tongue in cheek vein that slices through the toughest skin and straight through the jugular. Still the band look like crimson ghost characters, but their sound now reflects that of an 80’s hardcore punk band looking to drop an atomic bomb on your town, musically speaking that is!

The cover artwork still reflects the bands playful side as their fanatical sci-fi imaginations run wild in a punk rock fashion, but this is once again a more serious effort from a band coming up in the California punk scene. The track titles alone may grab your attention, especially if you’re into sci-fi or horror film genres. The standout tracks on this disc are indeed Twilight, Silver Bullet, Hello Clarise, Dr. Zaus Was Wrong.

Do ya see where I’m going with this? It’s great, and likely right up your alley, so go and get it and turn it up loud and stomp away your frustrations.


 

-Louie B.-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter
 

 

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Brian Setzer Orchestra Show Preview: at the Gibson Amphitheater – Universal City, CA – December 17, 2011

Brian Setzer will be leading his jazz orchestra in a Christmas Extravaganza at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal City Walk on December 17. Setzer has made a habit of touring around the holidays, and will be stopping in Los Angeles on his "Rockabilly Riot Tour," to bring us some swinging Christmas cheer.

 

 

Setzer became popular as the energetic front man and guitarist of the 80's rockabilly group The Stray Cats. In the 90's he formed a big band style jazz orchestra, fronted by him and his signature hollow body Gretsch guitar.  The Brian Setzer Orchestra has had many hits since then, most notably their upbeat rendition of Louis Prima's Jump Jive and Wail.  They have a large catalog of music, mixing swing staples with original jazz and rockabilly tunes.

They have also released a number of Christmas themed recordings.  They are masters of getting an audience in the Christmas spirit, with many holiday tours under their belt.  The large horn section adds an electrifying touch to holiday hits such as Blue Christmas, Jingle Bells, and Boogie Woogie Santa Claus.  Setzer has an energetic and young hearted stage presence, with a powerful voice reminiscent of Elvis or Buddy Holly.  He adds flair and fun to the live performance,  which leads to concerts that grab the audience's attention from start to finish. 

The Brian Setzer Orchestra has been busy lately, recently releasing a HD DVD entitled "It's Gonna Rock...'Cause That's What I Do."  The DVD features their headlining performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival in June of 2010.  You can also catch their song "Malaguena" in the animated film "Puss in Boots," which is currently in theaters.  They will be starting the US leg of the "Rockabilly Riot Tour" on December 1 in Detroit MI, before making their was to Los Angeles.
   

This rocking concert will be the musical highlight of the Holiday Season, and a night of fun and Christmas magic.  Expect to hear a mix of swinging takes on Christmas classics, upbeat big band hits, original Brian Setzer Orchestra tunes, and maybe even a Stray Cat song or two.


For more info check out Briansetzer.com

 

-Mindiana Jones-
Big Wheel Contributor

 

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GWAR – at The House of Blues – Hollywood, CA – November 12, 2011 and at The Glasshouse – Pomona, CA – November 13, 2011

In 1862 John C Ceremony wrote in Life among the Apaches "The demise of a warrior provokes an excessive demonstration of woe and general sense of serious loss". This is something sadly familiar to many fans of punk, metal, and Gwar, who learned of guitarist Cory Smoot's untimely death a few short weeks ago.The band made the tough choice to continue on the current North American tour, as a memorial to Smoot (aka Flattus Maximus) and as a chance for fans to mourn together and say good bye.

The tour resumed it's first dates after the memorial service in Los Angeles, at the House of Blues, and in Pomona at the Glass House this Saturday and Sunday, where large crowds turned out, many clad in home-made "RIP Cory" t-shirts.

The video screen at the House of Blues was co-opted from it's usual mindless cycle of adverts to show a short memorial video, featuring live clips of Flattus. Fans roared from the floor, perhaps like the Klingons warning the dead that a metal warrior was coming, and there was a robust mosh pit to the footage, as people shouted Cory's name, and danced to give honor to his memory. The Glass House doesn't have a video screen on stage, so the video memorial was skipped on Sunday, but both sets started with singer Oderus Urungus announcing that Flattus Maximus had left for space, leaving them (and us) behind, and addressing the character of Death, who welcomed Gwar to his fortress, pointing out that he (Death) is a dick.

The sets that followed were dedicated to Flattus, with Oderus leading the crowd in a chant of his name at the House of Blues, and repeatedly dedicating the set to his memory in Pomona. The set it's self consisted of both old and new material, including "Where is Zog" and "Let us Slay" from the 2009 release, "Lust in Space", and older fan favorites like "Carnival of Chaos" and "Ham on the Bone". The encore concluded with "Sick of You", with Oderus saying Sunday, that they would never be sick of Flattus.

The death of band mate and brother Flattus didn't do much to quench Gwar's usual blood lust, however, and Snooki was presented as a housewarming gift from Bonesnapper, and rapidly disemboweled and beheaded, in fine Gwar tradition. The Biledriver also made an appearance, and the World Maggot II dealt with some struggling ladies before meeting it's own demise, showering the crowd in blood and gore.


The tour continues on through the end of this month. Further dates and information on how to donate to the Cory Smoot Memorial Fund can be found on Gwar's official website here: http://www.gwar.net/


 

-Jo Problems-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 
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