New Reviews & Songs Up Now!

I did the heavy lifting this update. Most if not all of my reviewers have been slacking off. You might notice a wiff of the impatient about the new reviews. You would be correct. No longer am I asking anyone to attempt to write the definitive, Lester Bangs review of an album. 99% of the time the records are so easy to decipher and so predictable that there's no point in looking for anything of substance beyond the eyeliner and poses.

Occasionally we are surprised. There are some great records still being made, or else we would have shuttered Culture Bunker a long time ago. All we really ask of the records that come in are:

1. Be original
2. Mean it
3. Give us a reason to care

That's it.

The Jukebox this Transmission is playing some old favourites.

1. Jonathan Fire-Eater: this band from DC moved to NY, was the darling of all the hipsters and then they imploded. Perhaps due to drugs, either lack of, or overabundance of. This song is from their EP right before their major label debut. Minus singer Stuart Lupton, they become the Walkmen, and kind of suck.

2. Jimbo Johnson & The Violators: this raw funk/soul scorcher from the late 60s is on a rare, if not impossible to find compilation called "The Get It." Soul Brother Bucket hipped me to this album several years ago. Pure gold. "Work on it, doggone it!"

3. Felt: This Scottish band perfected a hybrid style of Television meets classically trained guitarist and organist. Incredible poetry and beauty. I think they sold 6 records in the US, all to me. Their heyday was from 1983-1988. Went on to Denim.

4. Bob Mould: how can anyone not love the wind tunnel singing and tower of guitars? Mould is a wonderful songwriter, a true American icon. It's kind of weird to see him all yoked out these days, since he's been hitting the gym. Mould's work through Husker Du, Sugar, and his 6 solo albums is harrowing, exhilirating and hugely entertaining.

5. Sonic's Rendezvous Band: this is what Brother Sonic Smith created after the collapse and death of The MC5. The SRB gigged all over Michigan and several of these electrifying sets were captured and released in a boxed set, against the will of the Smith estate. Evidently Fred's widow, Patti Smith, is against these songs getting out, don't know why, as Asteroid B612 is almost the most intense rock 'n' roll workout you ever done heard in your life. God bless the MC5 and all her children.

6. Julian Cope: The archdrood. Quite the polarizing figure. If you are curious where to start with Cope's catalog, I suggest one of his early solo works like "Fried" or his mid-period masterpiece "Jehovahkill." Cope is mad as a hatter and comes up with some incredible stuff when he lands after one of his cosmic journeys. Also check out his first real band, The Teardrop Explodes.

7. Johnny Thunders / Heartbreakers: the fallen angel of New York Dolls landed on his feet with this great first Heartbreakers album. Heroin and stupidity would eventually claim his life, but we still have some classics. Why has no one covered this song?

8. Siouxsie & The Banshees: time to goth-out, since Halloween is just 'round the corner. This song shows everyone after 1985 how it's done. Check out that blistering guitar work all over this song, and Siouxsie's howl! Kids, goth music does not have to sound like a kiddie's haunted house novelty record!

9. The Mummies: Okay, maybe they are the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the history of the world. What shit-ass motherfucker is gonna argue? You!? Didn't think so.

10. Flux: this is the reformed, rejiggered art band that sprang from the radical punk band Flux of Pink Indians. This album ended up being a one-off, sadly. Super cool song.

11. Lowlife: a band that never even gained cult status stateside. This song is from their "Diminuendo" album and highlights the ropy, cathedral-esque bass of Will Heggie, who played for a bit with Cocteau Twins. In 1985 Scotland it wasn't crazy to build a song or a band around a bassline. If you love Joy Division's bass compositions, you'll dig Lowlife. Best of all, no one's heard of 'em! No movie is being made about them and you don't have to worry about the cunts at Kitson selling Lowlife t-shirts the way they're pimping "Unknown Pleasures" t-shirts!

12. The Three Johns: this is the semi-serious side project of Mekons' founder Jon Langford. They sound nothing like Mekons, and their reliance on a drum machine with abrasive guitars was fairly hip and original at the time. Ask Big Black or Shellac where they got their sound.

That's the musical selection for now. Hope you find some new favorites.

Paul