Surfer Blood - New and Interesting Grooves from the Sunshine State

Surfer Blood - CMJ 2009
Originally uploaded by Giulia Mazza

Surfer Blood caught my attention because someone described them as punk. I was hoping they would be punk revival along the lines of Against Me! or Anti-Flag. They didn't sound like that, but that is ok. They do have an interesting groove. More like power pop and indie rock rolled together. I hear the surf guitar of the 60s, the Shins, and a little My Morning Jacket along with some new stuff that washed up on the beaches of the Sunshine State. "Surfer Blood are a band from West Palm Beach, Florida. Their debut album, Astro Coast was released on January 19, 2010 on Kanine Records." That is all the information I can find about them on Last.fm. Simple enough. If you want to get some fresh grooves for the fresh decade of the 2010's, check out Surfer Blood.

Southern Culture on the Skids - Countrypolitan Favorites

Southern Culture on the Skids
Originally uploaded by astromonster zero one

This cd came out a couple of years ago, but I find myself listening to it continuously here lately. What they did was take a bunch of 1960's country tunes and give the the SCOTS treatment. Turbocharged, psychobilly style. It would be easy to write off these guys as a novelty act, but they are much more. Their music rocks, and their attitude toward the music is serious (from a musicianship standpoint) even though the material is lighthearted and fun. Sort of what NOFX does to punk, SCOTS does to rockabilly and traditional country. If Southern Culture on the Skids comes to a town near you, you might be a redneck. But check them out anyway. You won't be disappointed.

Wayne Hancock goes West Coast

Wayne Hancock
Originally uploaded by Brian Bubonic

I love old country music. Nashville killed real country music in about 1975 or so. I like the story telling, the manic songwriting, and the twang of real country music. That is why Wayne Hancock excites me so much. A throwback to Hank Williams Sr., his tunes are so authentic old school country, you can hear the pops and crackles of the old turntable in his voice. Thunderstorms and Neon Signs was the tune that turned me onto Wayne. His music tells stories the way Hank Sr, Ernest Tubb and others of the vintage 50s era did, full of sorrow and pain. Most of his dates are out west, but I have my eye on a gig he is doing in Nashville in a couple of months. Maybe some of that old country mojo will rub off on Nashville, but I doubt it. Country music has been long dead in the Ville. I would love to see Wayne, Hank III, and Junior Brown kick country music in its ass to get it going again.

Anti-Flag getting Busy for 2010

Anti-Flag
Originally uploaded by Kawahara 4am Photo

I just checked out Anti-Flag's website a while ago. Good news is that they have a bunch of gigs coming up. They have been busy recording and should have new material out soon. The tour looks like some midwest and west coast gigs so everyone will get a chance to check them out. One of my other favorites Against All Authority has been dormant for awhile, so maybe A-F can keep things stirred up til they return. These are some of the bands that are real throwbacks to the original spirit of punk.

Louisville Mourns the Loss of Francene Cucinello

Radio Daze
Originally uploaded by Ian Hayhurst

On the drive home today I was stunned to hear of the death of Francene, host of WHAS-AM's mid-morning talk show. She was 43. Francene was a middle-oft-the-road Republican, but unlike many talkers, she would not shout you down or drown you out. She would TALK with you. I called her program a couple of times, and she was ok with the fact that I am a Progressive and was against the Bush Administration. She was against alot of the bad stuff they were doing too at the time. Francene was a person with her own mind and her own viewpoint, not content to spew talking points like a Hannity or Limbaugh would.
I disagreed with much of her opinions, but I will miss her civility, spunk and enthusiasm. Rest in peace Francene.

Prayers for Haiti

It is so hard to imagine the devastation in Haiti. One of the poorest countries to begin with, and hit by a severe earthquake. Today I heard Pat Robertson say it is because they made a deal with the devil. Such callousness from a right wing nut does not surprise me. I also heard Rush Limbaugh talk to a caller today about the fact that since the US has given so much aid to Haiti over the years, the US should not do anything to help. Or maybe I misquote them both, I don't know... Perhaps they misspoke... Or maybe they are just heartless conservative nutcases who should not be given a microphone. I pray for those people and hope that God will ease their suffering. As Jesus once said, "Whatever you do for the least of these brothers of mine you do also unto me..." I see God in the face of the suffering in Haiti. Maybe Pat and Rush can search their hearts and see Him too.

Rudy Giuliani's Unique take on American History

Rudy Giuliani endorses Rick Lazio for governor, Dec 22 2009
Originally uploaded by CS Muncy

Today at work I was watching the Good Morning America show. I am not sure why. Maybe I was concerned about Kate Goselin's new hairdo or something. Anyway, Rudy was on there and George Steponmyface was lobbing softball questions at him. Rudy says that under Bush there were no terror attacks, but under Obama there has been one. Who was prez during 9-11? Dick Cheney I guess... And that shoe bomber dude that kinda looked like a homeless Ringo Starr... Who was prez during that episode?
The great part is that Steponsnufalupagus did not even challenge this great made up history. He just went on to the next question. Where is the liberal media when you need them? I wish Rudy had gone on to state that Lincoln was the leader of the nazi party and Millard Filmore was responsible for funding the pyramids. Maybe then someone might have CHALLENGED his misinformation.
Whatever...

Too Lazy for a 2009 Wrap up, but...

Most popular story on the Times this year was:

1 Dave Ernspiker dies
Local Louisville guitarist Dave Ernspiker died this year. Sad news, but I know he is in rock and roll heaven.

2 Agent Orange to tour
No, old punks never die...

3 CNN gives wingnut Ziegler credibility
So I blogged it. It pissed me off. I hope I didn't give the idiot any credibility by blogging about him...

4 Drag the River
Check out this band. They rock. Old dude style.

5 Polkaholics live New Years Eve show
This is THE ONLY PLACE to be on NYE.

6 Ten Essential Uplifting Punk songs for the recession
While I was laid off in 09, I dredged up some good punk tunes for tough times.

7 Dead Confederates
Cool psychedelia from the Deep South

8 Make Do and Mend
Just listen to them. They are good.

9 New Rancid CD
One of the few high spots of 09.

10 Royal Crescent Mob
When I feel old, I write about bands long dead for 20 years. These are one of those bands...
LETS HOPE 2010 is a better year!