suzywatusi

Why oh why isn't Melbourne in Europe? If it was, I'd be traipsing from Berlin (tomorrow night, as a matter of fact) to Malmo to Stockholm to Helsinki all the way through to Toulouse, Paris and Madrid in pursuit of the BEST BAND EVER - the Sonics! Yes, they've featured in this group before, but as the good man says: too much Sonics is never enough...and this European tour is the perfect opportunity for a right royal Sonics overdose. Check their Myspace page for dates: http://www.myspace.com/thesonicsboom

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ...

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" - the Who - Won't Get Fooled Again...

Lance Rock - Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. The best movie name ever. ...

Rock'n'rolling in Barcelona! Hi folks Me again - sorry, I'm not trying to hijack this group but just a quick heads up for anyone who's in Barcelona tonight... ultra-cool local group Els Trons are playing and you should definitely go! I'd be there if I could. They're playing again on 19 Sept, so this isn't your only chance. Check out my LP group, Rockin' All Over the World for more details... http://www.lonelyplanet.com/groups/rockin-world

More rockin' good times in Barcelona! ELS TRONS is a totally spun-out group from Barcelona that plays old 60s garage/psych classics - but these guys aren't just any old cover band. Their music is as authentic-sounding as it comes, and....they sing the lyrics in Catalan! With amazing results. I was screaming with amazement when I first heard them. Anyway, they're playing TONIGHT (sorry about the late notice) and on 19 September too. Check out their MySpace for details and to hear their indescribably cool music: http://www.myspace.com/elstrons

Just read that Garotas Suecas will be in Melbourne as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival - Oct 24. Unfortunately, I can't go as my own band has a gig...

Hello again! Oh man, Discos Juandó looks like just the excuse I need to return to Barcelona. I was there in June last year, so a few months before the shop opened... it looks fantastic though! Thanks for the link.

Japanese garage pop legends in Melbourne For the first time in over 10 years, legendary all-chick Japanese band Shonen Knife hit Australian shores to rock our worlds with their girly garage pop. They're playing at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne on Sept 24. http://www.cornerhotel.com/ While I'm more of a 5.6.7.8s fan myself, I saw Shonen Knife at the Big Day Out in 1997, and they really are a cool live act - with a way tougher sound than their records suggest. And so adorable!

Best record shop in Barcelona!

Hiya
Love your group - I'm a big Barcelona fan; wish I was there right now in fact. Anyway, just thought I'd put in a word for the best record shop I've ever come across in my long and illustrious vinyl-hunting career:
WAH WAH RECORDS, C/ Riera Baixa 14, El Raval

They've got everything you could wish for - I could've spent my air fare all over in that place.
http://www.wah-wahsupersonic.com/

Hasta luego guapos!

Fuzzy guitar is *always* worth a mention! :-)

Ha! I wish. Maybe some of his talent would rub off on me? I agree, though, CCR have a very recognisable sound, but I spose that's why I love 'em... they never disappoint.

My mind is boggling at the thought of the Gypsy Kings "Hotel California" - just goes to show you can make a sow's ear out of a sow's ear!! That is so cute about the Bollywood soundtracks, though.

I sure am! :-) Hands down, in fact.
Huey Lewis? Hmmm, now there's a dazzling talent...hehe

At a loose end in Barcelona this Friday? Why not head down to Sala Apolo to see Argentina's wildest, wooliest garage cavemen, Los Peyotes in concert!? I saw these guys play at the Primitive Festival in Rotterdam last year, and they rocked my universe! Besides being an unforgettable live act and very cute, they're also another band guaranteed to liven up your Spanish studies a bit... el humo te hace mal, ¿no sabias?

Teach yourself a foreign language by listening to rock'n'roll! I've been learning Spanish on and off for years, and love honing my skills by listening to 'rock'n'roll en español'. If anyone out there is remotely interested, I can share some of my faves, but for starters, Los Straightjackets album 'Rock en Español' is a classic of the genre. Learn the castellano translations of hits like "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks, and "Wild Thing" by the Troggs. Sure beats verb drills!

Best band ever to come from San Francisco? I've been listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival while I work today, which got me thinking... CCR just HAVE to be the best band ever to come from San Francisco, surely! Technically, the Fogerty brothers hail from El Cerrito (town motto: 'where the music rocks and the hills roll') but it's part of the Bay area, so I reckon that's close enough for rock'n'roll. My other, more contemporary, vote would go for wild, all-female surf trio, the Trashwomen. Any opinions out there??

Los Angeles in August gives you....THE SONICS!! The absolute bestest, wildest, most rockin' band of the 1960s (yes, that comment is designed to provoke discussion/argument, by the way) is making a rare modern-day appearance in LA next month... I can't make it, but would LOVE to hear reports from any punters lucky enough to see these living legends in action. Details here: http://www.attheecho.com/?m=20090821&cat=2 Apologies for the lack of hyperlink facilities.

Hooley dooley, what a killer line-up! Question Mark & the Mysterions - how amazing would they be? And the Electric Prunes - oh my god. But Love without Arthur Lee? That, I can't imagine...

I wish I could be there! Los Chicos rule! So do the Coyote Men... who said Scottish music was all bagpipes and Simple Minds?!

Rock, rattle and roll in Rotterdam Ahh, to think almost one year ago, I was in Rotterdam for the Primitive Festival... and now it's rolling around again, and I can't be there. Wah! If you're in the neighbourhood, take my advice and DON'T MISS THIS FESTIVAL! For any fan of rough'n'ready, retro-flavoured rock'n'roll, Primitive truly is the business. I've never had so much fun in my life... this year's line-up looks KILLER.

Italians do it better I usually associate Italy with Dolce & Gabbana, Sophia Loren and sexy footballers, but recently I found out they do a nice line in vintage guitars too (can't say I'm that surprised)... this silver beauty is a Crucinelli, made by an *accordion* company in the 1960s! Bellisimo!

Melbourne's best live venue?

It's been a quiet old group lately, so I thought I'd try to generate a bit of activity with a quick survey...what's your favourite Melbourne live music venue? My current fave is Yah-Yah's on Smith St - high ceilings, cool DJs and bar staff, fun-loving crowd, and a groovy little stage with a minimal PA. It usually has rockin' bands (as opposed to sensitive indie cry-babies) and is open til the wee hours... what more could you ask for?