TEXAS PUNK RULES, O.K.?

Fuck man, Texas has always had a very cool punk scene. The Big Boys, The Huns, Really Red, The Dicks, The Butthole Surfers, The Hates, Poison 13, The Nervebreakers, Bang Gang, The Offenders, The Hickoids, Marching Plague, and The Skunks are a small chunk that come to mind when I think of early TX punk.

Notable late 80's and 90's punk bands like Sugar Shack, The Reds, The Motards, The Cryin'Out Louds, The Hormones, The Bulemics, Inhalants, Jack O' Fire, The Sons of Hercules, The Jewws, & Lord High Fixes all ruled my turntable back then.

In the last 12 years Texas bands have continued to rule the world. Holy fucking shit, I can't keep up! Every time I turn around there is another great fuckin' band from Texas that I am totally blown away by. Riverboat Gamblers, The Marked Men, The Energy, Bad Sports, Secret Prostitutes, Crime Wave, No Talk, Mind Spiders, and Talk Sick Brats are some of my favorites since the year 2000.

Today I am sharing this link for a Texas compilation that showcases the Houston punk scene. "Shitting In The Funhouse...A Houston Punk Compilation" is perfect from start to finish. Please click the link and you will be able to hear this great comp. I haven't seen anything about it being released on vinyl, but let's hope so!

http://soundcloud.com/mike-grayum/shitting-in-the-funhouse-a

"Bigger Stones" my very short Song story entry for B.A.G.

Lyrics to "Bigger Stones" by The Beat Farmers.
From their debut LP, "Tales of The New West" (1985/Rhino Records)

Sometimes I wanna fall asleep and die off in a dream
The music takes me back to my old past when I was young and feelin' mean

And as I stare into the spotlight it's like drivin' my car
We had the girls and a will and a bill on a stolen credit card
Sayin' someday we'll be stars, Joe

Now, I feel the pain of growin' old I hear the voices in the rain
I see a vision of doubt that keeps rollin' through my baby's eyes
When she calls out my name each time that she complains

Seems like we rolled bigger stones back then
Seems like we rolled bigger stones
Seems like we rolled bigger stones back then
Seems like we rolled bigger stones

Now, I feel the pain of growin' old I hear voices in the rain
I see a vision of doubt that keeps rollin' through my baby's eyes
When she calls out my name each time that she complains

Seems like we rolled bigger stones back then
Seems like we rolled bigger stones


This song will forever remind me of my sister Kelly and our older brother Jack & I driving through the hills in California on our way back to his house. Kelly & I flew out to stay with him for a week back in 1988, although it could have 1987. We missed our older brother so bad, and I can remember how excited we were and a bit nervous too, during the flight.

Every time I spoke with my brother he kept raving about this Rootsy, Rock & Roll/Cowpunk band The Beat Farmers. He'd tell me these killer stories of seeing them at The Belly Up in San Diego, and hanging out with the band and these crazy 'ol stories Country Dick would tell him. For whatever reason, I waited to hear them until I got there. Back then, there was no internet, no downloading ect... You had to get your ass to a record store to get your fix, and that's the first thing I did when I got home.

So, we started driving back after a long day exploring the hills of Cali, and he pops in a cassette tape of "Tales of The New West" with "Van Go" on the flip. Bam! I instantly fell in love with this band! Every song on the tape absolutely ruled, but it's "Bigger Stones" which makes me think of the time we spent in California. Shit, I wish I still had that Beat Farmers t-shirt my big brother gave me with those two dogs humping! I do however, still have that cassette of their first two LP's! Memories...

Ricky Rat

Hey! It's a new year and why not post something for all you crazy kids out there!

Well, then! Let's start by saying this single came in a little less than a month ago, and hasn't been in it's dust sleeve much due to it's shear greatness. Ricky Rat, mostly known for his tremendously well played guitar slinging days in The Trash Brats, world touring with Kevin K, Texas Terri ect... has finally released this fine poultry platter for all you kiddies to consume.

"Crosstown Summer", the a-side, has the correct recipe for rock & roll. It's got everything you have always wanted! Chiming guitars, pick slides, harmonies, & pounding drums. Classic powerpop/glam in the Heartbreakers meets Bay City Rollers vein. Speaking of Bay City Rollers....the b-side is a cover of their hit, "Saturday Night" and I think it fits in perfectly! Well done, Ricky! I look forward to hearing the full length, "Songs In C Major Love"!

Listen to "Crossfire Summer" here:

Blog Monster's Top 25 Records of 2011

Well, the year is ending and I have completed my top 25 LP's of 2011. I won't elaborate since I'm not much of a writer/reviewer, plus I seem to have very little time these days to do so between work, recording the new Mongrolls release, "Get Dumb", raking leaves, Christmas and so on...

In the list I have included one reissue, The Reactions and three 12" EP's, Crime Wave, Neighborhood Brats and Mother's Children. All worthy for the top 25!

Here it is kids, in no particular order...

1.) Bad Sports - "Kings of The Weekend" (Dirtnap)
2.) Sharp Objects - "S/T" (Modern Action)
3.) Night Beats - "S/T" (Trouble In Mind)
4.) The Energy - "Get Split" (Team Science)
5.) White Faces - "S/T" (Windian)
6.) Missing Monuments - "Painted White" (Douchemaster)
7.) Liquor Store - "Yeah Buddy" (Almost Ready)
8.) Kurt Baker - "Rockin' For A Living" (Oglio)
9.) The Connection - "New England's Newest Hit Makers" (Collector's Club)
10.) Something Fierce - "Don't Be So Cruel" (Dirtnap)
11.) Steve Adamyk Band - "Forever Won't Wait" (Dirtnap)
12.) The Amoebas - "S/T" (Modern Action)
13.) Neighborhood Brats - "S/T" (Modern Action)
14.) Modern Pets - "S/T" (Ptrash)
15.) Barreracudas - "Nocturnal Missions" (Douchemaster)
16.) The Cry! - "S/T" (Self Released/Top Shelf Entertainment)
17.) Crime Wave - "Savage Reaction" (Agrowax)
18.) Jack Oblivian - "Rat City" (Fat Possum)
19. Acid Baby Jesus - "S/T" (Slovenly)
20.) OBN III's - "The One And Only" (Tic Tac Totally)
21.) The Reactions - "Saturday's Gone Wild" (Cheap Rewards)
22.) Davila 666 - "Tan Bajo" (In The Red)
23.) Marvelous Darlings - "Single Life" (Deranged)
24.) Mother's Children - "Are You Tough Enough?" (Taken By Surprise)
25.) Mind Spiders - "S/T" (Dirttnap)

THE ALIENS ARE AMONG US!

Ok, ok...so it's been quite sometime since I've done anything with this Blog. So, with my return I offer this ultra cool 45 from Australia's Aliens. Released in 1979, their first, is a classic two-sider that certainly deserves a reissue. I've always considered them to be Australia's answer to The Undertones. Below you'll find both sides to the record as well as a live performance from November 1979. Listen up kiddos!

Confrontation: http://www.mediafire.com/?brt6oqless8r0il

The Boys In Black: http://www.mediafire.com/?bidf10o6jhsil9j

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Dx3-2h7pA&feature=related

Faster and Louder: Meet The Mongrolls

Faster and Louder: Meet The Mongrolls: "The Mongrolls have been a one-man band ever since a series of grave misfortunes befell the classic lineup you may remember from the pages of..."

CHINA STREET - 45 (1978)

Scored this gem the other day on eBay for .99 cents! Two great tunes from this Manchester, U.K. based band with Roxy Music, Blue Oyster Cult, Stooges & Captain Beefheart influences. Both tunes are fucking excellent. Download these now!

(copy & paste the links below into your browser)

Track 1: http://www.mediafire.com/?coxwpaodfxxgbac
Track 2: http://www.mediafire.com/?e2b018pfe8pb2uj



Over here you can hear their second 45...

http://toneandwave.blogspot.com/2010/05/china-street-rock-against-racism-7-1978.html
Thanks for following along! Enjoy!