I am giving a list of the top 10 bands, which through excess, bloated albums or self-important drug induced lyrics forced punk to happen. Don’t agree? Give me your top ten.

Number 10
Edgar Winter

I saw Edgar Winter live at the Country Club in Reseda in 1981 or 1982 with Secret Affair opening for him (poor guys). He performed for about an hour, nothing but sci-fi sound effects, and rock star poses. Like many of the bands of the 1970’s horrible long instrumentals and solos were supposed to be part of his appeal.

Number 9
Queen

Though, technically, good musicians. I could never get into the vocal theatrics of Freddie Mercury.

Number 8
Pink Floyd

Adding the sound effects of a heart beating, making concept albums, sorry . . . it’s all bullshit.

Number 7
Jethro Tull

A flute should never be played along side a guitar. And if you insist on doing it, don’t stand with your foot planted against your knee.

Number 6
Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Witty album cover titles, and extensive “progressive” soloing force these chaps onto this list.

Number 5
The Eagles

There are two bands (maybe three) that I have always felt were insanely overrated, Eagles and The Beatles (and maybe the Doors). The Beatles existed for about 10 years, hated each other after five. But continued to preach peace, and produced bloated tracks like Revolution #9. I can’t tell you how many copies of The Eagles Greatest Hits I have personally thrown out of people’s cars. I find it, I chuck it. No one I know will admit to owning the Eagles anymore.

Number 4
The Beatles

Self-important. Truly what did they accomplish? Other than encouraging a culture to grow their hair and take psychedelic drugs?

Number 3
The Doors

When I was writing my poetry book, my friend, poet, Clyde Wray (http://www.clydeawray.com/) encouraged me to study lots of other poets to see what different voices I could write in. I went to Barnes & Noble and bought the only author I recognized, Jim Morrison. 100% shit. One-line “poems,” like there is a monster at the door. The end. Self-important dope-head. I ended up buying Bukowski on my return trip, and never looked back.

Number 2
Boston

These guys would take a decade between albums to “adjust sound.” Every album sounded the same. And the album covers were oh so clever, is it a guitar, no a spaceship, whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Number 1
Yes

Crappy album covers, progressive music, and unneeded solos. What else is there to say?

Right Click To Download

Time: 59:51
File Size: 82.20MB

Tracks played:
01. The Jabbers – Don’t Talk to Me (American Standard)
02. BGK – Police Crimes (A Dutch Feast)
03. Child Abuse – Im Lazy (Bring It)
04. Death Sentence – Dawn Of The Dead (Not a Pretty Sight)
05. Dementia – Dont Hesitate (Await Disaster EP)
06. Kraut – Unemployed (Complete Studio Recordings)
07. Fun Things – Lipstick (Fun Things EP)
08. Cheifs – Drowning (Holly-West Crisis)
09. Law and Order – Soldier Of Fortune (Anthing But the Critics Choice)
10. Minor Threat – Look Back and Laugh (Complete)
11. JFA – I Want (Mad Garden EP)
12. Freeze – Wont Come Back (Land of the Lost)
13. Gay Cowboys In Bondage – Rip Off (The Completely Silly Discography)
14. Zany Guys – No Way Dude (This is Phoenix Not the Circle Jerks compilation)
15. The Enemy – Bang Bang You’re Dead (single)
16. Fear – Now You’re Dead (single)
17. Not For Sale – So What (S/T)
18. Mr. T Experience – A Mind Is a Terrible Thing (Night Shift at the Thrill Factory)
19. Subhumans – Helicopter (No Wishes, No Prayers)
20. Symbol Six -Taxation (Symbol Six EP)
21. Bad Posture – G.D.M.F.S.O.B. (demo) (GDMFSOB)
22. The Criminals – Dial H For Homewrecker (Never Been Caught)
23. Hummungus – I Hate Motherfuckin’ Cops (Counter Attack compilation)
24. Warkrime – Acid Reign (Tighten Up EP)
25. Scurvy Dogs – Botoxicated (Relieve Yourself)
26. FU’s – Walking Tall (Do We Really Want to Hurt You)
27. Crewd – We Don’t Give a Fuck (Gather ‘Round EP)
28. Social Spit – Drugz (Psycho Ward EP)
29. Sluggo – Erase The Thought (Contradiction EP)
30. Bill of Rights – Blind Society (Meltdown EP)

I am giving a top 10 of clubs I went to. So, CBGB’s isn’t going to be on here, and The On-Broadway isn’t going to be here. This isn’t a definitive club directory, just the top 10 clubs . . . based on my memories of them.

Number 10
The Troubadour

Despite the “legends” that played this place (Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Dylan), it’s really no more than a garage with a twelve-inch high stage. I’ve been here more times than I care to admit. One time in the mid-80’s I went with some friends to see a guy from work play. And midway through the set Kevin DuBrow, and Frankie Banalli from Quiet Riot walk in. They stand in the back of the place, and after 30 minutes of no one talking to them, they walk out.

Rating: *** ** three out of five stars.

Number 9
Godzilla’s

Although it felt like Godzilla’s was around forever, I don’t think it lasted more than 6 to 9 months. I honestly don’t remember if I made it inside. When the place opened in December of 1981 you could hang out on the train tracks across the street. And I would hang out with people. It was a community thing.

Rating: **** * four out of five stars.

Number 8
The Lhasa Club

No much different from the description of the Troubadour. I don’t remember any hardcore, more alt stuff. I stood and watched about five minutes of Zoogz Rift, then walked out.

Rating: **** * four out of five stars.

Number 7
Valley West

This little club in the heart of the Valley (Tarzana) was a pretty convenient place for me to see shows. And my band, Cold War, got to play there once or twice. For those of you that don’t know my old band, or me that wasn’t our official logo. I did a couple of flyers copying Pink Floyd’s logo to get a couple of kids from school to come. I told them we were a Pink Floyd cover band. They didn’t talk to me for a while afterwards.

Rating: ***** Five out of five stars.

Number 6
Galaxy Rollerink

Similar to the Troubadour in the sense of nothing was there, but a stage. But with the bulk of the punk clubs. What mattered was who was playing, and if your friends could make it. It was the camaraderie. Like most places, it was a shoebox.

Rating: ***** five out of five stars.

Number 5
BeBop Records

Another cool Valley place. Once in a while this record shop would put on a cool show. Minutemen played here, I saw spoken word here from Jeffrey Lee Pierce, and Henry Rollins. Another relic from the past.

Rating: ***** five out of five stars.

Number 4
Whiskey A Go Go

Another shoebox with legendary history. Everybody from The Doors, The Misfits to Black Flag played here. Everyone, but Cold War. I went on a date with a girl in the mid to late ‘80’s. She said let’s to Hollywood, I say Great, she takes me to the Whiskey, and it’s a record release party for Poison’s first album. All these guys in make-up running around drunk and grabbing on women. I stayed 30 minutes then boned out.

Rating: ***** five out of five stars.

Number 3
The Roxy Theatre

I can’t remember who I saw here, but my biggest memory of going to the Roxy was the weather. I went one time in the middle of winter, and it had been pouring for a good week. And we had to stand outside for about 15 minutes before going in and I sat through all the bands, and by the time I left I was still drenched.

Another time, I hung out with Ed from 13th Love in the bar above the Roxy called On The Rox, spent on myself about $200.00 on beer, and starting chatting with Vince Neil’s wife, Ed pulled me away.

Rating: ***** five out of five stars.

Number 2
The Country Club

I have seen everybody here, Human Hands, Romeo Void, Secret Affair, Edgar Winter, TSOL, Flipper, Mau-Maus, Poison, Warrant, WASP, Cherry Bombz, etc.

I loved the place, it was within walking distance of my house, and it was a pretty classy place.

Rating: ***** five out of five stars.

Number 1
Devonshire Downs

This place was never a “real” club, but I loved the environment. So many people could fit in this place, it was unreal. I picked-up more flyers and fanzines in the parking lot than anywhere else I ever went. And inside was so big, you could spend at least 45 minutes talking with each group before you got to the front of the stage. I saw at least four bands here, maybe more, Public Nuisance, Sin 34, DOA, and TSOL. I went to a few shows here, but I don’t remember them all.

Rating: ***** five out of five stars.

Honorable mentions: Masque, The Starwood, Cuckoo’s Nest, Madame Wong’s, Anti Club, Cathay deGrande, Fleetwood, Al’s Bar and many others.

I was a bit overtired when recording this week, so pardon the lethargy in my voice. It’s not you, I swear, it’s me.

Right Click To Download

Time: 55:28
File Size: 76.2MB

Tracks played:
01. Chronic Sick – Public Suicide (Cutest Band In Hardcore EP)
02. Marching Plague – Rock ‘n’ Roll Asshole (EP)
03. No Fraud – Wastecase (The EP)
04. Ill Repute – Fuck With My Head (Oxnard, Land of No Toilets EP)
05. Doggy Style – Emotions (Work As One)
06. F – I Saw Your Vision In a Three Car Collision (Four From ‘84 EP)
07. Dils – I Hate the Rich (Class War)
08. Disappointments – Teenage Disease (Sex, Drugs and Puke)
09. The Suspects – I Had Fun (Who Cares compilation)
10. Hypnotics – Sick of Work (Indoor Fiends)
11. Cloak/Dagger – Electrocution (Pinata EP)
12. No Talk – Confusion (single)
13. Reprobates – Stress (Stress EP)
14. Kill Your Idols – Stop Comparing Us to Negative Approach (No Gimmicks Needed)
15. Tools – Hard Wark (single)
16. F-Minus – Tomorrow Burns (F-Minus)
17. Showcase Showdown – Oi Oi Deacon (Appetite of Kings)
18. Stupids – So Much Fun (Violent Nun)
19. Le Shok – Killed By Fuck (We Are Electrocution)
20. Vains – The Loser (EP)
21. Attak – Big Brother (Zombies)
22. External Menace – Watch You Drown (The Process of Elimination)
23. State – Attention (Nixed Life)
24. Disorder – Violent Crime (The Complete Disorder)
25. Varukers – Condemned To Death (The Singles 1982-1985)
26. Baseball Furies – I Hate Your Secret Club (single)
27. Bodies – I Gotta Go (Addicted To You)
28. Electric Frankenstein – Don’t Know How to Stop You (How To Make a Monster)
29. Youths – Zombie Youth (Youths EP)
30. Thee Headcoats – I Wish I’d Never Been (Conundrum)

Rick Barton
Band: Everybody Out!

In the years that I’ve been doing this column, I’ve had the privilege to interview, and meet some of my heroes, and idols. But of all the people I’ve interviewed Rick Barton was the fastest response, and the least egotistical musician I have ever encountered. Most musicians I contact will only agree to be interviewed if they see my questions first or I take them out to dinner. But not Barton, accepted the questions, and we had this whole thing wrapped up inside of a week. Great guy, great musician. Maybe those Boston guys are a bit more grounded . . .

1. As one of the founding members of the Dropkick Murphys you played on Boys on the Docks EP, Do or Die, The Gang’s All Here, and the Mob Mentality split album with The Business, how long were you in the Dropkick Murphys?

We started the band in Jan 96’ and I left in Apr. of 2000. I am also on Sing Loud Sing Proud, which features about 10 songs that I was part of writing including The Torch, which I am currently playing live with my band Continental.

2. Why did you leave the Dropkick Murphys?

It’s a long and sad story but the gist of it is the whole thing happened really fast and as strange as this may sound I was ill prepared for success! As humans we can be locked in to a certain mentality and mine has always been one of immense hard work and struggle. This is the tradition I am currently carrying on.

3. In the early 1980’s you were a member of the popular Boston band The Outlets, maybe best known for their song “Knock Me Down.” How was it was it playing in a band with your Brother David Alex Barton in the band?

We grew up playing together so it was really all I knew. I was kind of wasted during that whole period. I pretty much existed to attain as much false pleasure as I could possibly get!

4. How long were you with the Outlets?

The Outlets main run was from late 79’ till 92’ of which I was always a part. The last 17yrs has pretty much been reunion shows of which I am not always a part! Ha ha ha

5. What prompted you to leave the Outlets?

I was always there I just despise reunions and I should know because I’ve done my fair share.

6. How soon after leaving the Outlets did you start forming the Dropkick Murphys?

I guess this one has already been answered. With a bit of quick arithmetic

7. My big question is “What happened to Sweeney Todd”? I heard he deleted your My Space page, and then put up a new one stating Everybody Out! Was a side project!

I really wish I knew. He just developed a strong hatred towards me and the rest of the band. I’m not even sure he knew our bass players name. But man that guy is a star we could have gone all the way! But instead I just went all the way into debt to the tune of about 25 grand! More hard work and struggle.

8. In May I read that Eric Della Barbara, from The Confrontation was chosen as the new singer for Everybody Out! How did Eric win this position?

We just started playing with Eric as he is a friend of ours.

9. The first Everybody Out! EP (which I’m lucky enough to have bought at TAANG) sold out rather quickly, and now every bit of press mentions the “Sold-Out” first EP, any plans to re-press it, or to have Curtis Casella over at TAANG release it?

It is the best thing we recorded but it would be an injustice to re-release it as it was a limited pressing.

10. Your second EP, Struggle & Strife features the song A Battle Song, which is featured in Rooters: The Birth of Red Sox Nation, how did the film makers come about choosing your song?

I just submitted it and they loved it.

11. In the early part of September you announced yet another band, Continental, with your Son Stephen. Over the weekend of September 12-13, 2009, you posted your new 4-song demo, which received 1,055+ hits, how did this band come about?

This is just me and my son with a few of his friends I promised him if he got good enough we’d do a little jamming and he got good enough!

12. Over the weekend of September 19-20, 2009, you have two shows with Everybody Out! with the Ducky Boys, and a show with Continental opening up for another Boston legend, Joe Perry. How do you land such great shows, and don’t you ever get tired?

We just get asked and show up. The great thing about working hard and struggling is I don’t have time to be tired. I still routinely put in 14 hr days swinging the paintbrush. I’ve also been flying down to Houston helping out my friends with their new album and I can easily work those guys under the table in sweltering 100-degree heat!

13. For those who don’t know the story, how did Everybody Out! come to be?

I met Old Sweeney when he was a young buck of 19 back in 97’ in England. I was completely blown away by his singing. We didn’t stay in touch but I ran into him at The Abby one night 10 yrs later and he asked me if I’d like to work with him.

14. When will we hear another Everybody Out! album?

Unfortunately maybe never. Although Sweeney despises me I just don’t think the band works without him. And that has nothing to do with Eric . Working with Eric is great! I’d rather saw off one of my arms than have to work with Sweeney again!

15. Are there any more unreleased Sweeney Todd tracks that may find there way onto future releases?

I actually do have some material. A bunch of acoustic stuff.

16. After two self-released EP’s how did you end up on Curtis’ legendary TAANG records?

Curtis loved the first EP and of course I’ve known him for almost 30 yrs.

17. Of all the labels I reviewed and/or interviewed Curtis Casella is the busiest label owner I know. He attends as many shows of his bands as possible, every time I call him he is in another state. How has being on TAANG benefited Everybody Out!?

Curtis helped us every step of the way including paying about 10 grand to get Sweeney a 3yr visa. That’s still quite disturbing to me that he was able to quit after someone went out on a limb for him like that. Oh well LSD.

18. As one of the biggest Everybody Out! fans in the world (I own both EP’s, the TAANG CD release, the LP version, and have the Japanese version with the album and first EP on one disk, on order) where can people order Everybody Out! merchandise, t-shirts, posters?

They can contact TAANG

19. There is a handful of Everybody Out! video clips on Sweeney’s You Tube page, are there any plans of doing an official DVD release of videos and concert footage?

I think that would be a great idea!

20. As I mentioned in past Mike Check column’s on Strange Reaction, Everybody Out! is the best new band in the last twenty years, how long do see this lasting?

Well I guess I already answered that one too! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Sorry man but that’s the music biz.

Right Click To Download

Apparently cover songs are longer than the usual ones picked.

Time: 74:34
File Size: 102.0MB

Tracks played:
01. Angry Samoans – Time Has Come Today (Unboxed Set) (The Chamber Brothers)
02. Black Flag – Louie Louie (Everything Went Black) (The Kingsmen)
03. JFA – Lowrider (We Know You Suck) (War)
04. Plugz – La Bamba (Electrify Me) (Ritchie Valens)
05. Schlong – Rainy Days And Mondays (Essential Schlong) (The Carpenters)
06. D.O.A. – That’s Life (Punk Rock Singles) (Frank Sinatra)
07. MDC – Spanish Castle Magic (More Dead Cops) (Jimi Hendrix)
08. Slapshot – White Rabbit (Sudden Death Overtime)
09. The Dickies – Eve Of Destruction (single) (Barry McGuire)
10. Fear – We Got To Get Out Of This Place (The Record) (The Animals)
11. Ashley Von Hurter and the Haters – I Don’t Wanna Go Out (S/T EP) (X)
12. Government Issue – These Boots Are Made For Walking (Complete History 1) (Nancy Sinatra)
13. Poison Idea – Harder They Come (Official Bootleg) (Jimmy Cliff)
14. Me First and the Gimme Gimmies – Ben (single) (Michael Jackson)
15. 7 Seconds – 99 Red Balloons (Walk Together, Rock Together) (Nena)
16. Battalion of Saints – Ace Of Spades (Motorhead)
17. NOFX – Iron Man (Maximum Rock n Roll) (Black Sabbath)
18. Lurkers – Then I Kissed Her (Fulham Fallout) (The Beach Boys)
19. Husker Du – Sunshine Superman (Donovan)
20. The Damned – Help (Smash It Up) (The Beatles)
21. Diesel Queens – The Wanderer (Hooked On Moronics) (Dion)
22. Snuff – I Think We’re Alone Now (Six of One Half A Dozen of the Other) (Tommy James & the Shondells)
23. STD – Folsom Prison Blues (Another Dead Asshole EP) (Johnny Cash)
24. Elvis Hitler – Ballad Of The Green Berets (Hellbilly) (SSgt. Barry Sadler)
25. Ill Repute – Taking Care of Business (Covers compilation) (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
26. Meatmen – How Soon Is Now? (Pope On a Rope) (The Smiths)
27. Second Wind – Mr. Suit (Security) (Wire)
28. The Fits – Jumping Jack Flash (You’re Nothing, You’re Nowhere) (Rolling Stones)
29. Social Distortion – Under My Thumb (1945 EP) (Rolling Stones)
30. Circle Jerks – Put A Little Love In Your Heart (Jackie DeShannon)

Hudley Flipside
Fanzine: Flipside
Label: Flipside Records
Video: Flipside Video

I contacted Hudley Flipside about doing an interview for Strange Reaction back in August. Lucky for me she agreed. I wrote up the questions and then emailed them off. Then, as an after thought I told her that she could rearrange the questions any way she wanted, or create her own questions, as I’m sure she has done 100’s of interviews, and knows if they are not done they can be boring as hell. So, Hudley scrapped the whole interview, and instead took us on a trip done memory lane. Oh, for those who don’t know Hudley, read this and you’ll get a bit of an understanding. – Mike E.

Hudley Flipside: Michael Essington wants the readers here at Strange Reaction to get know Hudley Flipside, by answering some simple questions. I had plenty of time to digest those questions between a crashing computer and random acts of emotional attacks from family, the economy, and perimenopausal rouge attacks on my body. I will answer the questions not in a linear way but in my circular way. I will do so by emotionally and mentally writing though the world of imaginational memory, facts, and emotional intelligence. Readers, your access to the computer is wonderful. I will not even try to compete with the vast acquired information that one can obtain on the subjects of punk rock or Flipside Fanzine. Yet, one cannot find the essence of the individual told within the confines of a story via search mode. This is a little bit of my essence story…now image a praying mantis very still on a purple flower…listen! Don’t get to close or I might reach out and bite you.

After I left the punk rock scene at the end of the 1980’s I eventually met a man, got married and gave birth to two boys. I also went back to college and got a BA in Religious Studies. Then I went on to try and complete a Masters in Religious Studies at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles. I did not belong to a religious dogma or the Catholic Church because my goal was to continue to study the diversity of faith and creation stories. The stories are great no matter where the source comes from. Then they tried to brainwash me into their religious way of thinking, I learned from them what they think happens when we are born and why we need to be baptized to be saved and stamped with the Holy Spirit on out souls? STOP…

Well, I think that is really weird and strange… because when I was born I had an altogether different stamp whacked on my soul… it was the stamp of punkism. Many from my generation, were stamped with this. That is what I have come to realize. We were meant to question authority, promote individualism, and be creativity in… wild action. This is my wild nature and these are my gifts to share with this fucked up world we live in. I am just a sample of my generation. Flipside is the way I chose to express it. I fought it for some time, but now I don’t and I let it take me where it will. The only thing that has brought order into my life since Flipside are my two boys and my husband “dancing John”. It is very difficult for me to stay in a controlled way of thinking or environment… it is fucking painful for me. Yet, I find that writing and art do help to set me free. Going to the local pub and seeing local bands around Los Angeles helps as well. I am a little tickled pink when I see a younger generation taking on elements of the 1980’s punk scene. I find it kind of nice to be acknowledged for the people I have known, like Darby Crash or Charged GBH. I think of it as the “continuity of punk”. Or as I have partly titled it for my memoir, My Punkalullaby, which mean one note since the beginning until I die. I think the first authentic punk note I heard was from the Sex Pistols, then the Saints, and then the Vibrators. Then my first live band notes were from the Dickies, The Avengers and the Middle Class at the Whisky A Go Go on Sunset Blvd.

The curse as a wild thing in my youth and throughout my growing up is paralleled with so many people from my generation. Not everyone though. I was never cool enough or smart enough to make it anywhere else. I was wild and grew up as a tomboy close to nature. Climbing trees, racing boys and riding horses bare back. I had the ability to play the piano without lessons. I never took classes in journalism in Jr high or high school: only paste-up art classes. I was a natural born artist as well. I think that is what the punk scene represents to me. We are individuals doing things differently and naturally. In a simple, new and rouge kind of way with bolts of eternal wisdom ragging throughout. I always try to keep an innocent edge on everything I do. I am not a collector, or music historian or one of those “knows it alls”. I just know things about music and books that I never forget, ‘cause I feel it!

The early punk scene was small enough to where you knew everyone, if only by constant sight. I met Al Flipside through a friend and we hit it off. We talked about music and magazines. I was reading and corresponding with Slash magazine at the time. So Al asked if I would be interested in working on his fanzine. I was just at the right place at the right time. We romanced and then marriage fooled us. Flipside became ours in the sense that we lived together and put out the fanzine together. We met so many creative and interesting people through our work on Flipside. I hope to put together a web page with everyone that worked on the magazine. I want to ask them to write their own bios.

The Los Angeles based fanzine Ink Disease has the best interview with Al and me. It was done during the 1980’s so it is fresh and current at that time and place for anyone wanting to know more about the early punk scene, Al, myself and the evolution of punk music etc. It is a great source and you can access it for free! (Just Google it and do it yourself, right!)

I don’t have a favorite issue of Flipside but I do have covers that I like best. Number one on my list is Flipside Issue 43.

I like this cover because I had the opportunity of taking this picture. It is funny because I asked Love Canal to take off their pants. I never thought they would do it. Love Canal is a fun band. This is when I experienced a little power while taking advantage of younger men. The next issue on my list is Issue 44, which was one of our best selling issues. Story art by Lee.

Publishing each issue took a lot of hard work and dedication. It was our advertisers that helped support our fanzine which were bands and independent record labels. I am hopeful that someday a Flipside compilation will be published: maybe in volume sets. I believe that is around 100 issues to date. This would give new readers a real look into the world of punk rock. We interviewed many punk bands and reviewed lots of records and fanzines, yet the letter section and the classified ad sections in Flipside fanzine documents what our readers were doing, and thinking at that time. We received these communications at our post office box, as Flipside P.O.Box 363 Whittier California. I know of people who formed their bands though these classified ads. It amazes me the stories I hear now. People send me emails telling me how much the letter section and classifieds helped them out. At the time it was a lot of typing for me to do. I grew to hate typing because it was a real repetitious type of job … now I am sorry I felt that way.

One of my most beloved bands what A.S.F. or Anti-Scrunti Faction. The excerpt included below is from My Punkalullaby: The Seminary of Praying Mantis, which I feel tells a nice little story bout these girls. The band members are Leslie Mau and Tracie Thomas. They wrote their songs and Leslie did the cover of the Album entitled Damsels In Distress put out on Flipside Records.

“A.S.F. were very nice women. We did not get the pleasure of seeing them play live when they came to visit us that summer, yet I was thrilled that they decided to give us a visit. I got my first tattoo with Leslie and Tracy. It was of an image I drew a lot in Flipside of a dancing stick person with wild hair. I got two on my right upper arm. Tracy got a parrot on her right forearm. Leslie got a tribal tattoo on her head. At the time she had a long Mohawk that she wore down on the side. The tattoo parlor was a dive and was located in Anaheim a block down from Disneyland… it really was a blast. The artist was a young guy I knew from the scene. As I was getting my tattoo, one of the more seasoned artists walked by and said to him, “Hey kid you doing your first tattoo…?” Then he looked at me and said in a very rogue voice, “Yea you are getting his first!” This particular artist’s name I have forgotten but I remember him rolling his tongue in concentration over his pierced tongue making a constant clicking sound as he needled my skin. He put the eyes in last because he said this contained the soul of each figure.”

Every day was Halloween when I was a hardcore punk. I lived it. It was like a cult I guess if you were looking at it from outside the scene. I felt it was a bit overwhelming at times. Especially when I would meet people whose expectations of me were weird. I mean what they thought a punk should be and how I was or how Al was wasn’t the same I guess. I cared too much about that back then. I don’t anymore. I feel more authentic as a punk now then I did then. I still feel it in my blood now, or when I hear punk music playing in a pub, or when I see a live band even today! That feeling vibrates genetically in my bones. Just because one gets older does not mean one has to lose that punk genuine genius. It stays with you always especially if you play with it and move with it. It is not about being cool or looking cool… it is just being there and enjoying it. Fuck what people say. As the Subhuman sing, “piss on you”!

As a graphic artist I developed my skills slowly. I started to develop my style of watercolor painting later in my life. I also developed it by the many doodlings that I drew on the pages of Flipside Fanzine. Those mostly out of boredom or inspiration. Now, I draw and paint as a form of meditation. I try and capture the essence of what I am focused upon. It is my impression. Also I have recently helped some local promoters such as Security Productions with flyers for shows at Mr. T’s Bowl and at the Legion in Highland Park Los Angeles. You can view my art on Hudley Flipside ~ Myspace or Facebook.

So what is punk rock to me and why the praying mantis. I believe both are about the continuity and adventure of life, death and rebirth. This can be applied to anything. I apply this to punk rock music. Which means more to me than just an ideal or symbol. Praying mantis is seeing through the eyes of a wild thing that has order within. It is my personal connection to this process as a misfit woman who is an anarchist. If this seems strange all I can say is that sometimes I am vague on purpose … I have viewed many a praying mantis on sidewalks and in alleys leading to the sounds of loud music…not just on pretty flowers!

It’s the first week with the a new show schedule, and the first show played over at Punk Radio Cast. Requests? Send ‘em in.

Right Click To Download

Time: 62:53
File Size: 90.9MB

Tracks played:
01. Gang Green – I Don’t Know (Preschool)
02. Idiots – The Fix (Evel Knievel)
03. Eddie and the Subtitles – American Society (Fuck You Eddie)
04. Sado Nation – Fight Back (We’re Not Equal)
05. Picture Frame Seduction – No Way (Stop the Bloody Slaughter)
06. Shirkers – Drunk & Disorderly (single)
07. Annihilation Time – Teenage Rebel (II)
08. Government Warning – Blurred Yellow Line (Paranoid Mess)
09. Found Dead In Trunk – Combat Zone (Keresone Cocktail)
10. G.B.H. – The Prayer of a Realist (City Baby Attacked By Rats)
11. Bomber – Used (demo)
12. Part Time Christians – Strength Through Bowling (Rock and Roll Is Disco)
13. Forced Anger – Colored Rectangles (Pent Up)
14. Sacred Order – The Right To Be Poor & Radical (Buried Alive compilation)
15. D.I. – Nuclear Funeral (Team Goon)
16. Army of Jesus – Eternal Fuckup (Rats In the Wall EP)
17. Neos – Churchgoer’s Motive (End All Discrimination)
18. Double Negative – Excited About Myself (Raw Energy EP)
19. Faction – I Decide For Me (1982-1985)
20. Vicious Circle – Trapped (Search For the Solution)
21. Corrupted Morals – American Dream (Cheese It)
22. Rabies – Shasted (No Bullshit Volume 2 compilation)
23. Worst – Go To Hell (Expect the Worst)
24. Dirty Needles – Justine’s A Junkie (single)
25. Vandals – Anarchy Burger (Hold the Government) (Peace Thru Vandalism)
26. The Left – Youngster On the Force (Jesus Loves The Left)
27. Spitzz – Take Me to the Hospital (single)
28. New Bomb Turks – Up for a Downslide (Destroy Oh Boy!)
29. Hanson Brothers – Four Heads, One Brain (It’s a Living)
30. Facialz – Abortion Punch (Facial Humiliation)

Rancid
Let the Dominoes Fall
Released 2009
Hellcat Records

Tim Armstrong – guitar and vocals
Lars Frederiksen – guitar and vocals
Matt Freeman – bass and vocals
Branden Steineckert – drums

1. East Bay Night
2. This Place
3. Up to No Good
4. Last One to Die (video: http://www.epitaph.com/videos/player/1150)
5. Disconnected
6. I Ain’t Worried
7. Damnation
8. New Orleans
9. Civilian Ways
10. The Bravest Kids
11. Skull City
12. LA River
13. Lulu
14. Dominoes Fall
15. Liberty and Freedom
16. You Want It, You Got It
17. Locomotive
18. That’s Just the Way It Is Now
19. The Highway

My family, on my Mom’s side, has been in involved in the church; since before I was born. They helped build the churches (known as Ecclesias), run the churches, and anything else you can think of. The religion is/was called Christadelphian (http://www.christadelphia.org).

It wasn’t a bad religion to grow up in. My Great Grandmother worked at the “book store.” It really was a little shelf in the corner. And my Aunt’s were Sunday school teachers. Uncles, and Cousins did the bible readings, and handled the collections.

My Mother, Brother and I went to church together for years. On my Dad’s weekends he would drop me, and my Brother off, and then pick us up. For a while my Uncle Rick went, then he became disillusioned, and stopped going. My family, and I went until I hit Junior High, then something happened, and my Mom became disillusioned also, so we stopped going. There was talk of a few members of the Ecclesia who felt divorcees should be ex-communicated from the church. Religion, and power mess up a lot of people.

I continued to go sporadically. In High School I was seeing a girl who attended that church, so I went. I stopped going after her, and I broke-up.

In late 1989 I started seeing another girl who was the grand daughter of a Christian preacher, so once again I attended church. But I disliked the fun, bouncy sermons. I felt personal chatter should be left at home, and just give me information right from the bible. That’s how I grew up. So, one Sunday I took the “girl” to my old church, and midway through I too was disillusioned. Something changed. I didn’t belong there. The people were different, and I felt like I crashed a private party.

In 1997 when I met my Wife, she was a diehard Catholic, and I started attending Church with her. Sometimes more than others, but I tried to attend on all the holidays, and the somewhat required Sunday services.

As a kid growing up in the Christadelphian religion, one of the lessons I remember most was the story of judgment day. In the Catholic religion you die, and you go to heaven. In the Christadelphian religion you die, you stay dead until you are raised, judged then you fight Armageddon with Jesus. At that judgment, if you are found unworthy, you go back to being dead.

Isn’t that a bitch.

The part of this story that messed me up was when they told me that you would be quizzed about your actions in life, one-on-one with God. And if you lied to God, the fear in your heart would be so great that your teeth would chatter so hard that they would turn to dust. That never left my head. I knew as a kid that God knew everything, why quiz me. If I was unworthy, leave me dead, and don’t judge me. Why raise me, quiz me, strike fear into my heart, then kill me.

Not very cool.

Anyway, about ten years ago, I was writing a few short stories for a poetry book I put out called “When Some, Lose Sum,” and I wrote my version of that judgment day. It may not be what the Christadelphian religion teaches, but this was my version of judgment day.

Enjoy!

Last Call

As Henry sat with his makeshift Moonshine, he listened to God.

God stood with a washcloth in tow;
In between statements, God would wipe down the top of the counter, always stopping short of the seventies looking bumper on the edge of the bar.

In a day & age when fire & brimstone was no longer working, heaven & hell were now images projected;
Projected in your mind. The images were as different as the people that were sent to these places.

As Henry sat with his makeshift Moonshine, he listened to God.

God stood with a washcloth in tow;
In between statements, God would finger through his black book. On the cover, in gold embossed lettering it read “Henry.” Each page was a numbered question. One by one Henry was to be asked each & every question, in between Moonshine. Henry was given a seven day essay quiz.

The assistant bartender, St. Peter, would casually tally up the score.

God stood with a washcloth in tow;
In between questions, God noticed Henry’s brow start to bead with sweat. With only, but a few pages to go, or a day or so, Henry’s fear was manifesting.

St. Peter strolled over to the jukebox, looked toward the bar & God flipped him a quarter. St. Peter selected F6, song six, began to play, “Bad Moon Rising.”

As God’s questions persisted, Henry’s fear manifested. Over the music you could hear the faint sound of teeth chattering.

God stood with a washcloth in tow;
God came to the last page. Read the question. St. Peter yelled out last call. And all parties watched each other for the answer . . .

Michael Essington ® July 18, 1999, All rights reserved.

On to the review . . .

I picked up this up shortly after this was released, and let me tell you it gets better every time I play it. I reviewed back in the beginning of 2008 (http://strangereaction.com/2008/01/19/376/), and I didn’t care for them very much. But at the insistence of my friend Jay, I did listen, and they went on to become one of my favorite bands. My Son loves the track Disconnected, and East Bay Nights. So, if you don’t trust my reviews, listen to my kid, he isn’t a bitter old hump who thinks every band he ever liked sold out.

A deluxe edition of the album was also released. In addition to the regular album, it includes a bonus CD featuring acoustic versions of twelve of the songs from the album, a DVD featuring a documentary about the making of the album, three posters, and four guitar picks. What more could you ask for?

The album debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200, making this Rancid’s highest charting album to date.

If you get the chance give it a listen.
Rating: **** * four out of five stars.

Currently:
Reading: Ask The Dust by John Fante
Listening: Dear Landlord – Dream Homes
Watching: Death Race directed by Paul WS Anderson

Free & legal download of the week: Rancid – Ruby Soho: http://www.epitaph.com/media/download/audio/285

I know I’ve been a bit flaky with the program the past 6 months or so and I apologize to anyone who actually likes it. They have a decent listener base and line up at Punk Radio Cast and combined with the fine folks here I’m hoping to kick this funk and get back to normal.

If you have a request for the show, as always feel free to shoot me an email.