planet mondo

A Crash Course For The Ravers

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:23:00 +0000

"Your flashy clothes are your pride and joy " David Bowie - The London Boys

Ahead of Sunday's Bowie by the Sea bank holiday shakedown (more on that later) - expect to see a Bo' post or two in your feed of a lunchtime this week, Starting at the beginning - with a re-up from November 2008

Bowie, Bolan, Bryan Ferry, Eno (and Rod Stewart) all made the breakthough from cult undergrounders to interstellar superstars as variants on the star-spangled glitterkid theme. They may have had stars in/on their eyes, but those platform boots were firmly grounded in Mod roots. The look-sharp and look-ahead apprenticeship of Mod, with it's made to measure mix of American soul and Italian style, Ivy League look meets British dandyism - an eye for the detail and an ear for a tune, was probably why Bowie (and the other moonage mods mentioned) endured beyond the best-before date and lipstick-brickie chic of their patent leather peers.

The sixties scene was an era Bowie referenced from his earliest recordings (London Boys) and one of the motifs and influences that's remained a constant throughout his peacock career - mentions of Lennon, Beatles and Stones on various singles. Twiggy and Jagger getting name checked on Aladdin Sane (along with a Stones cover), Pin Up's set of swinging London standards and Young Americans (covering classics like 'Knock On Wood' and 'Footstomping' during live shows), and pitching in with 'Pictures of Lily' on The Who tribute album through to the slim-fit suit on 'Reality' being almost a homecoming to the Lord John look pictured above...

David Bowie and The Lower Third - Can't Help Thinking About Me

(There's a clip of Bowie on his mod days, Steve Marriot and a 1999 version of 'CHTAM'here)

David Bowie - In The Heat Of The Morning - (BBC version)

(The Last Shadow Puppets made a healthy go of 'INTHOTM')

Davie Jones and the King Bees - Louie Louie Go Home

(LLGH was the B-side of Bowie's first single "Liza Jane")

Ziggy Stardust - The Mod Who Fell To Earth

A note on the tunes....and a Bowie Bonus

Can't Help Thinking About Me (1965)
The first recording to feature the newly named David 'Bowie', and almost a blueprint of Bowieness the outsider lyrics and ambiguous angst of "my head's bowed in shame" "blackened the family name" to the set piece template of semi-spoken verse and Bowie-bellow on the chorus, it's a tune that wouldn't seem out of place on any album since Scary Monsters.

In The Heat Of The Morning (1970)
For my earth pounds the BBC take of this tune is superior to the official album version, and benefits from being enhanced by the extra bounce of Alan Hawkshaw's fantastically funky keyboard coda.

The Beatstalkers (touted as the Scottish Beatles), were under Ken Pitt's management at the same time as Bowie (and also signed to Decca). They were offered first refusal on any unused Bowie compositions or offcuts, 'Silver Tree Top School For Boys' is one of these, and a Bowie penned 'Penny Lane ' sound-a-like from 1967.

The Beatstalkers (1967)- Silver Tree Top School For Boys

I am on something of a Bowie buzz lately (two Bo' posts in two weeks) brought on by reading the Fantistico Dave Thompson book To Major Tom - a gem and a joy of a read if you're into any type of music or movement from Bowie's catchment era

Mikabombing this Saturday and The Railway coming to Channel 4?

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:24:00 +0000

The explosive Mikabomb hit Southend's Railway Hotel this Saturday. Are they J-pop, is it J-punk?. Either way, come on down and have a J-pogo.

Parked midway between The 5.6.7.8's and The Ramones, - Mikabomb's setlist is loaded with sweet-toothed treats that explode like space dust, and power along like the Tokyo bullet train.

But don't just take my word for it - Steve Lamacq calls them the best band to come from Japan.

It's all free, and I'll be DJing in the bar before and after the band from eight. Sicknotes will be exppected for non-attandence. All the info you need to know is here....

And what's this The Railway coming to Channel 4!!!

P-P-Pick up a Podrophenia

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:29:00 +0000

Ready to plug and play is the latest Podrophenia - brought to you by the letter P, from the Podrophonic alphabet.

Piley, Planet of the Apes, Paul Hill and Producer Dave Dawson can all be seen in the pic above.

While below - the podcast edition is packed with Public Service Broadcasting, the Pursuit of Happiness, Pirates and Professionals and live music from from Seasider and now solo artist - Paul Hill....

Download or listen in here....

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Radio Podrophenia the Letter P (right click and save as)

Vive Le Wilko

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:52:00 +0000

Centred in the twelfth issue of Vive Le Rock - amongst features on The Adverts, The B52s,Tom Tom Club and The Cramps you'll find ten pages of wall-to-wall Wilkoness.

Editor Eugene Butcher offers an exclusive and emotional interview with the King of Canvey Island. While I've pulled together eight pages of features and contributions from assorted pals.

Piley brings you a Dr Feelgood biography, Wilko biographer Zoë Howe hand-picks five key tracks from his back catalogue. Barry Cain pitches in with a Lord of Oil City interview from 1977. While Dave Alexander (Eight Rounds Rapid) , Steve Hooker, Dave Dulake and Roman Jugg all give unique insights into what gives Wilko his Wilkoness.

Me, I chip in telling the tale of the day we did an improv gig together, chat with Wilk's about his hero Chuck Berry, and review his final farewell show at Koko....

And worra result to be DJing last Sunday, when Wilko dropped in to catch his favourite local band Martin McNeill - where I happened to have VLR handy for him to put his squiggle on.

Picture by Wilko's best pal French Henri

Sunday Sessions: Bank Holiday Hoedown and a free CD

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:26:00 +0000

It's that time of the month, when Martin McNeill and The Bottletop Blues Band return for their Sunday residency at Southend's Railway Hotel. Having said that, Martin, JJ (bass), Steve Weston (keys/harmonica) , Roy Webber (drums) - were in for an improv gig last Tuesday - where I even managed to jump on (bass) for a jam 'n' run around on this Gatemouth groover

So ready your dancing legs as it's bound to be a bank holiday blast with a similar swish to this recent session

I'm in from four spinning the tunes - with Big Bo (below) possibly popping up on the playlist. And early birds behold: I'll be bringing in a few copies of an all new comp' Rocking at The Railway packed with floor-shakers and faves from our Sunday Sessions...

Big Bo Thomas and The Arrows - How About it Part 1

Five reasons to grab yourself a copy of the new Level 4.. ...

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:03:00 +0000

1) Piley's interview with Eight Rounds Rapid - yes the very same 8RR as played on Mark Radcliffe recently. Channel Swimmer in fact - dig in below..

2) Marmite Boy's music reviews...

3) My previously unpublished interview with Wilko

4) The photography of Paul Hughes (see Wilko and Eight Rounds pics)

5) It's completely free and available at these locations

Radio Podrophenia: P is for .......

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:21:00 +0000

The April edition of Radio Podrophenia brings you the sixteenth instalment of our Podrophonic Alphabet - the letter P...

Politics, pants, peace, pursuits and pettiness are all on the playlist. As well as talk of print editions

And, we welcome in an all new guest for the Podrophenia Sessions as Seasider Paul Hill steps aboard for live tunes and chat..and an exclusive spin from Thee Faction's minty-new album

Join us at Radio Novalujon - live from 9. Or swing by the Facebook page and say hello...

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blues...

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:54:00 +0000

Can you find all four Fabs hidden in the pic

From today through to Sunday it's a three way whammy of music, gigging and disc-spinning.....

Friday: the long-awaited wedding of Southend pals Su and Jack, with a reception at The Railway. Stomping, shaking and shindigging will be taking place from 2pm through to who-knows-when? musically there'll be a selection of live music from local talent and (larger than local) legends. I'll be on the decks (and possibly on bass for a bit) pinging in an improv playlist of soul, funk and old nuggets and new treasures...

Saturday: National Record Store Day and a medley of local DJs Daryl Easlea, Curly Dan (pictured above), Beardy Al, Prof Andrew Branch of the Middle Age Spreaders and Podrophonic representation from myself are all parking up at Fives in Leigh Broadway, rotating actual vinyl records instore from 8 - 3. With live music from Hannah Marsh and Tom Burgess. A Dansette Disco we're calling it with double decking of these portable players. One on loan from home.

Sunday: Britain's premium harmonica player - West Weston returns to The Railway for a rare home town gig with his band The Bluesonics. West's last blast brought out the full roll call of Southend's Rock Aristocracy. Assorted Feelgoods, Hot Rods, Tonight and Lew Lewis... I'll behind the bar doing tunes between the bands...

Outside of the Bluesonics. West records with Scandanavian combo Trickbag, the new album *title* is out now has been on a repeat loop play since first play. Dig in and sample West's fruity-tooting blues above

She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:34:00 +0000

Do you know what the most energising aspect in the wake of Thatcher's death has been - whether it's overly-vocal protests (guilty on Facebook I know) or discreet and well deployed grumbles - that anyone who was there and lived through the toxic politics and nuclear threat of the Thatcher era, still hasn't forgotten the spiteful, pig-headed, bully boy backstabbing and squalid hypocrisy of her and the shape-shifting collection of corrupt cronies supporting: homophobia and racism/apartheid, the Hillsborough cover up, poll tax, selling off nationalised industries (diverting public money in to private pockets), choking the unions and union representation, US missiles at British bases, Northern Ireland, pit closures, inner city riots, the managed decline of northern towns.

When the Sun , the Mail, right wing sympathisers and Tories wave the Broken Britain flag - never forget who broke it...

Or how for all the current Tory soft-soaping, backsliding, historical repositioning and rewriting, glorification and chin-stroking - it was her own party, who after twelve years of an increasingly throttling clench on the country and the Cabinet - were the ones who gathered together to eject her Caesar style in 91. That, is her legacy

There'll be no retrospective tune echoing my thoughts on the most poisonous of British politicians - instead I'll direct you to the Thee Faction's new single Better Than Wages - and some smartly considered reasoning. The full post is here...

A rabid class warrior has died. The struggle continues. We don’t take moral exception to the celebrations. We just note that her death will do little, if anything, to loosen up the grip of bourgeois hegemony. In fact, if the hagiographical tributes the TV news is showing us are anything to go by, it’s a splendid opportunity for the ruling class to reinstall her as the postergirl of British capitalism. Which is very disappointing. So we need to redouble our efforts.

We celebrate everyone who stood up to her. Those who refused to believe the lies about apartheid, the lies about trades’ unions, the lies about ‘freedom’, the lies about selling off our industry and our housing stock. Those who told her she was wrong in her careful imbalancing of the tax system – whether income or community. We also honour her victims: those who didn’t make it, and those who weren’t strong enough for the new robust liberal individualism she forced on us all. Many of us retreated into traditional ties of solidarity, but any project designed to atomize society is going to leave a lot of people isolated. That’s the point, of course. United we stand, and they knew that.

Thatcher’s gone. But not forgotten. Let’s focus on what we’re fighting for. Onward.

The Sunday Sessions - Wilko approved and with added Digby

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:37:00 +0000

Martin McNeill and the Bottletop Blues Band will be blazing away from 4 today at Southend's most rock 'n' roll local and epicentre of the swelling scene.. The Railway Hotel

Expect a jazz spin on this Sunday's swing-ding as legendary trumpeteer Digby Fairweather is aboard as the special guest

But don't just take my word for what hot-rocking heat Martin McNeill and pal's generate - they're rubber stamped 'approved' by Wilko Johnson - who, in our just published interview (more on that later) had this to say...

They're a bloody good band. The whole of the band is really good - they're playing proper blues, which is quite a rare thing. The whole band is good - rhythm section, guitar - and the man himself.

And I couldn't let the death of the blackest of mambas go unmarked - so expect to hear..

Solomon Burke - Maggie's Farm

The wunderbar experience of playing bass for Ed Tudor Pole (Friday) - followed by cockle-rocking beats (Saturday)

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:16:00 +0000

A four-way whammy of winners were on Friday night's bill for The Railway shakedown. I'd managed to grab a loose-blues jam with opening act BONE down In the bar earlier that evening, but due to a few backstage scoops missed his and J.D Smith's main stage sets.

Instead, I crept in late to catch the incredible and insane world of Thomas Truax. Who, travels minstrel style around and about the hemisphere pitching up for gigs with an orchestra of self-built percussive and musical mechanicals. The Mother Superior,The Hornicator: think Wilf Lunn goes steam punk for a David Lynch soundtrack, with each song and instrument introduced and contextualised in a Rich Hall style Texan drawl.

Like TV Smith's solo sets - Ed Tudor Pole, sand-blasts punk's energy and attitude back to raw, acoustic roots, deploying his set as almost protest-folk in the tradition of Wat Tyler meets Woody Guthrie. Still as animated and erratic as when first stepped onto a stage to audition for the Pistols, Pal Ed is Wide-eyed, excitable and engages with audience, fidgeting 'n' twitching around the stage like a battery hen liberated and let loose into a widescreen horizon

At the close of Ed's set an in-house scratch band - Dave Deville, (guitar) Dave Dulake (drums) me (bass) were summoned onstage for a few Chuck Berry numbers, a gospel cover and of course Swords of a Thousand Men. And what an absolute first class blast was had by all. A blinder, a belter and teenage dream to share a stage with a former Sex Pistol (albeit by his own admission for just two weeks) .

Saturday and it's along to Old Leigh way for the Woodcock Festival. A shuffle of pre-booked bands and open mic types. After Dave Woodcock kindly pitching up for Podrophenia so regularly - it was a treat to be able to join him for an outdoor jam, with a pint on the table, the estuary behind us and the Crooked Billet ahead, blasting out the Chuck Berry and Little Richard covers.

There are even whispers we may be reuniting for a repeat performance on the 28th of April at the Sarah Moore - should you be buzzing about the Broadway that evening.

Tonight I shall mostly be playing bass for Ed Tenpole Tudor!

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:28:00 +0000

In the summer of 1980 as a trembling teenage punk - and some several years below the age requirement of an X Certificate - I managed to blag my way in to the local Odeon (wearing a homemade Who Killed Bambi T-shirt) to see the Sex Pistols cinematic release - the Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle. A rambling, scrappy and ultimately disappointing ninety minutes that could have offered so much more (are the hours of unseen out takes and extras ever going to be released?)

Although the opening moments had me wide-eyed and gripped, seeing live(ish) Sex Pistols actually moving around - in an era when the only snatched exposures of musical heroes and idols were frozen monochromatic music press photos - intercut with Helen of Troy collecting together the Swindle lettering while the Pistols auditioned for a Johnny Rotten replacement. A role that eventually went to the manic, erratic Ed Tudor-Pole -

The date of my visit to the flix is documented hereabouts (19th). So a mind-frying Friday night lies ahead tonight as I'll be sharing a stage for a few tunes with ex-Pistol himself - Tenpole Tudor!! It's a return visit to Southend's most rock 'n' roll local The Railway for Ed TP, on a bill that also includes J.D Smith, BONE and Thomas Truax And finally Dave Deville and myself will be joining Mr Pole for a few covers and of course....

If you're round and about Southend way swing by and come on down for a Friday night bounce...

The Southend Jazz Five

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:18:00 +0000

Dave Jazzy Dawson not pictured

This month's Podrophenia is a jazz-off with all shades and shapes of the form's modal tones gathered together - and includes something for everyone from beatniks to boppers, or even newbie jazzers who don't know their Acid from their elbow.

We've also got - replace the word 'love' with 'jazz' in song titles. And as a centrepiece - four live tunes from the American Songbook delivered by Dave Woodcock and Hannah Marsh ..

All contained hereabouts - dig in jazzers

Radio Podrophenia - Jazz

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Radio Podrophenia - Jazz Club...

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:41:00 +0000

Broadcasting live from the Podrophonic HQ (or upstairs at The Railway as some say), the March edition of Radio Podrophenia is fitted around the theme of 'Jazz'. Nice!

Expect to hear jazzed up Fabs, Trad, Mod, Bop and Acid Jazzers on the playlist. There may even be an exclusive preview from the James Hunter Six new album, an appearance from Pellicci legend Jukebox Jimmy.

And we've even got live music for you from jazz-age Journo Hannah Marsh accompanied by Southend's premier piano man Dave Woodcock.

All live from 9 on Radio Novalujon - tune in and tell a pal!!

A trio of home-grown jazzers - but who'll make tonight's edition?

Tommy Chase - Killer Joe

Get aboard with the double deckers

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:52:00 +0000

There's a dual action double-decking session over the next couple of days rocking away at the Railway Hotel, the epicentre of Southend's simmering music and social 'scene' (©Daryl Easlea)

Saturday from 7, it's likely to be an unscripted playlist of big 'n' beaty bouncers winging in everything from garage to glam, big beat to beatleg remixes to glam stompers and stampers

Sunday from 4, the award winning Martin McNeill is back for is every third Sunday, I'll be parked up at the bar rooting through blues, funks and soul - but trying to work in some never-before-played tunes...like..

Les McCann ltd Bucket o' Grease

Mini Vip - Block

So if you happen to round and about Clifftown Road, swing in for a scoop and a legshake

Fruity Friday: something for the weekend sir?

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:22:00 +0000

I say, this is a fruity ol' tune - crackling with swish, sass and sparkle

Sugarman 3 & Co - Down to It

And zip to 17 mins in, for the infamous sauce and scatter cushions gyrations

Have you heard the news, there's Vive Le Rocking…

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:06:00 +0000

Having been on a right roaring ol' buzz for The Heartbreakers L.A.M.F of late, (including bagging this bargain box set which includes a bulging booklet, badges and 4 CDs of demo's, out-takes and the unmuddied original album mix), what a treat then to be sharing mag space with Kris Needs hugely detailed study on the Johnny Thunders, the music, the myth and the murder theories. But thumb around from front to back and you'll also find: interview's with Adam Ant, The Flaming Groovies, Johnny Marr, The Blockheads and Brian Connolly remembered.

It's all in Vive Le Rock 11 where you'll also find reviews from me covering new releases by - The Chocolate Watch Band, Patrick Fitzgerald, The Electric Stars

And one on The Virginmarys - which reads thus....

The Virginmarys
King of Conflict (9/10)
DoubleCross/Cooking Vinyl Records

Northern Rock – No Sleep ‘til Macclesfield

Putting King of Conflict through its first spin - my guess was, our immaculately conceived pals were an Australasian outfit, why? The tightly mic'd stomp, the biker-bar brawl and boot-boy boom that echo Jet, The Datsuns and in places Rose Tattoo. Although there's no mistaking that Cooper Clarke twang of regional tongue - Manchester! The Virginmarys are homegrown heavies hammering out an album of high-firing blazers that's more headbutting than headbanging. On repeat plays I'd assumed the fully rounded sound was delivered by a five piece line-up. But no! The fidgety riffing and sand-blasted vocals are powered out by a Macclesfield power trio. King of Conflict is tattoo-knuckled; black-leather clad clout that's so revved up, red hot and rocket fuelled it's like a dragster race between Queens of the Stone Age and Bon-era AC/DC. And if Running For My Life and Dressed to Kill aren't ready-to-serve Bond-themes- I'll eat my License to R.O.C.K.

Podrophenia - The Years-cast: tunes, chat and live music sessions

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:47:00 +0000

Paraphrasing the old football cliche - the latest Podrophenia is a show of two halves - what starts out as the regulation songs and natter, become, midway through, a run of improv guest appearances and live music with a drop in track from Phillious Williams (below) and a double-header session from from Blow Up record's latest signing - Dave Woodcock (above)

There's exclusive news on Dave's debut single, breaking news on the formation of a punk super-group and an Elvis rarity

And behold as a new Podrophenia jingle is birthed in front of your very ears. All contained herein....

Radio Podrophenia - Years

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Radio Podrophenia - Golden Years. Live from 9pm tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:02:00 +0000

Tonight Piley and the other one will be reeling in the years picking one year a'piece and pitching in plays for Britpoppers and punks, disco dancers and glow stick ravers, indie kids and the Bowie brigade.

We're also hoping to be joined be a special guest Christian Philips, who's been part of almost every Radio Podrophenia by way of our intro jingle, played on the opening track of our very first radio run-out and had hit makers Alessi helping out on Make Do from his most recent album.

So which years Piley and I popping for, find out on Podrophenia live from 9pm at Radio Novalujon

The Sonic Executive Sessions

The Sonic Executive Sessions and Alessi

The Alessi Brothers

Two months in, two weeks apart - and we've already had two Gigs of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:58:00 +0000

Photo by Paul Hughes

Podrophenia Roadshow the Fifth was our most rammed do to date with representation from a sparkling selection of Southend scenesters: Zoë and Dylan Howe , the Middle Age Spreaders, Level 4 editorial team, a Polyvinyl Craftsmen. Musicians Darren Jones, Dave Woodcock, Wendy Solomon Tom Burgess and pals and Podophonic regulars E F Rice, Pouchy Paul, Simon Monk, Martin Read - were all aboard for a leg-shake and a post-gig shindig to the disco doings of Piley and myself.

Opening the evening to a (possibly over) capacity crowd, and kicking in after a Zoë Howe intro - Eight Rounds Rapid blazed through an unrelenting set, with all the clout and power of a raging electrical storm Dostoevsky, Steve, Britain's Got Talent (But Most of Us Haven't) - every track in fact connected with impact of a prizefighter's punch. As Billy Reeves of Thee Faction later said it was 'a defining performance' an 'I swear I was there' gig. similar to the Pistols at the 100 club or Manchester Free Trade Hall.

Breaking News: Eight Rounds Rapid are supporting Wilko Johnson on his Farewell Tour of the UK throughout February and March

Photo by Paul Hughes

For their triumphant Railway return, Thee Faction were bulked and buffed by the addition of a real live horn section Brass Kapital. As always - the songs are sharp, the between-song banter is both boisterous and inspiring - and the performances are powerhouse Revolutionary R 'n' B. Thee Faction are simply one of the most engaging, inclusive and welcoming bands to set foot onto a soundstage. Think Speakers Corner passion with Soul Revue swish....

Next, to Shoreditch and the groovy bar/boutique that is Paper Dress for a night of all out glam 'n' rocking. New-to-me The Blow were classic Les Paul based riffery - patrolling the borders between the Pistols, Led Zep and Jeff Beck.

After a selection of glam-stampers from my bag of discs and tricks, The Feathers delivered a set pitched at the pace of The Ramones with the sort of hooky choruses and ear-snagging anthems echoing The Revillos, The Runaways and Ronno-era Bowie. And behold two guests were on board a for loose-fitting re-tweak of the Dame's Cracked Actor Spizz Energi and errmm me!

But, let's leave the last word to Barry Cain who, said of our Feathered friends 'Great melodies, tight harmonies, glam and eggs. With the right direction they have huge potential.'

Electric Ballroom Glitz and Paper Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:27:00 +0000

Where the Wild Things Are

So, Sunday - was funk, hammond, Motown, disco - but, mostly reggae that sparked off the dance, leading into a live segue of me spinning this and The Basey Brothers picking up the Latin baton, then vamping a live version as the intro to their Sunday evening set.

Although tonight's earfuls will be spun from a much tougher cut of musical cloth. I'll be winging in a mish-mash bash of proto-punk, freakbeat, garage a go-go and all things good 'n' glamorous as part of my Mondophonic ad-hoc setlist. Tunes that will be set-dressing an evening of live music from two of London's rockingest bands at the capital's grooviest vintage boutique and bar - Paper Dress

Live-wise we've a double barrel bill of ....

The Blow

The Feathers

With me whacking in the sonic attack before, between and after the bands. If you fancy a preview - these two mixes should set the scene for the sequins 'n' spikes shindig.....

Harmonic Generation

33 and a 3rd Eye

The romper-stompin starts at 7:30 and runs until midnight. Paper dress also boasts one the most internationally panoramic bars in London with a bevvy of imported beer and fruity booze.

As Alvin said 'tomcat, you know where it's at' - so, coo ca choos - haul your boogie, your bovver boots and platform heels to 114-116 Curtain Road and Paper Dress for an evening of stompers, spanglers and sparklers.

If there's any album that renders the essence punk, glam and garage into a nippy fist of pacey riffing it's the Heartbreakers L.A..M.F . The notoriously muddy original mix, has been remixed, remastered and reissued several times But for an alt.take - lend an ear to the rare UK cassette mix. Distributed at the same time, but a sharper spikier sound than any other available version. And if you likes what you hears - grab a (free) copy hereabouts

Sunday Sessions: music and movement

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:47:00 +0000

Snow stopped play for the last edition of the Sunday Sessions - but this weekend, we shall have.... a mix of blues, soul, boogaloo, funk, fatback and disco. A three course Sunday roast that includes...

Blues 'n' Boogie - Martin McNeill and the Bottletop Blues Band.

Decks 'n' discs - that's me.

A'drinking 'n' a'dancing - that's you.

So let's gather together at The Railway Hotel from four. Salut!

Lowell Fulson - Man of Motion

Radio Podrophenia - The Letter O

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:30:00 +0000

The latest Podrophenia podcast with Piley, David Jazzy Dawson working the desk, you-know-who - comes fitted around the letter O. The 15th instalment in our Podrophonic Alphabet. Expect to hear: vintage punk , new tunes from local talent and pop classices re-covered..

As well natter and banter about the Queen Mother's book of condolence, Piley's creepy Dracula chum and some nut-popping monkey news.

You'll also discover what 'Spider-Man' and 'Umlauts'are (in a bedroom sense) get an earful of a salty new jingle from Phil Hubbard - and there's even a pop quiz. In two meanings of the phrase

Edition O is possibly our jazziest (in the mag sense) Podrophenia - so not recommended for the young of hearing

Radio Podrophenia - The Letter O

Or via iTunes

It's us! We've made the paper 'n' everything

I'm dedicating this post to the memory of Reg Presely - ashes to ashes, fairydust to fairydust...

Radio Podrophenia: Live and gigging

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:55:00 +0000

Boys, girls, bloggers and browsers - would you please, set your Podrophonic clocks for 9 PM tonight as piley and I return to the radio waves - for two hours of live chat, tunes and #hashtag natterabouts

You'll find us parked up in our all-new lodgings at Dave Dawson's Radio Novalujon - rolling out the letter O from the Podrophenia Alphabet

Friday night - you'll find us regrouping at Southend's Railway Hotel for a three way wingding built around two of the most exciting, pulse-pumping bands currently inhabiting known universe....

Eight Rounds Rapid race out of the traps first. Locally sourced and as salty and energising as a seafront breeze.

Thee Faction are heading up the event - blazing away with the finest Socialist R and B in the history of Socialist R and B. Think Dr Feelgood with a northern soul horn section (Brass Kapital) ..

And finally, Piley and I, dabbing about on and around the decks for an aftershow hoedown in the bar...nipping in tracks and tunes that could include..

Should you happen to be a Southender - try and grab last night's Evening Echo for a Podrophenia feature, or better yet - come and join us for a jive and some live entertainment Thursday, Friday or both...

Podrophenia Parish Newsletter....

noreply@blogger.com (Mondo) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:06:00 +0000

Dear Parishioners and Podrophenians - exciting times are ahead of us as the new year unfolds - so behold and become involved with our January and February programme of events and offerings .....

Radio: Next Thursday (31st Jan) sees the start of a new run of monthly live Podrophenia shows, with us parked up at Radio Nova Lujon. We can't wait!

Roadshows: One week today (1st Feb) sees the first live Podrophenia event of the year... and what a way to start! Back by public demand, the ultimate team up of Thee Faction and Eight Rounds Rapid. Piley and the other one will be spinning tunes in between and after through until 1 am. The venue is The Railway Hotel in Southend, free entry! And There's even talk of a guest DJ before the bands take to the stage - TBC.

But don't take our word for what a blazing night this will be - behold Thee Faction's take on the team-up

For a visual swatch of what both bands are about dig in below...

So, should you have a free evening next Thursday or Friday we'd be delighted if you are able to attend any of our gatherings - either , groups gigs or get-togethers via the wireless...