On This Date, August 24th in 1981: Pete Shelley released his first post-Buzzcocks single, the very fun dance hit “Homosapien.” The single did not chart in the UK, helped in great part by a BBC ban on the song because of its underlying reference to homosexuality. By the late ’80s, Shelley had re-formed the classic lineup of TheBuzzcocks for some touring and, soon after, a new Buzzcocks was created with Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle forming the core. They still record and perform today. I interviewed Pete Shelley a number of years ago and was quite amused when he told me that he’d never been employed outside of music because, “Having a day job is something I just can’t get my head around.”
Guitarist Rick Derringer, who wrote and recorded “Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo” – one of my top five favorite songs of all time – turns 62 today, having been born on August 5th in 1947! Derringer (who also played with TheMcCoys, The Edgar Winter Group, and on a couple of album tracks by the original Alice Cooper band) was such a pretty boy way back in the day (like, seriously: pretty enough to be a girl). Sadly, he’s succumbed to at least one botched face lift in the recent past, giving him that Joan Rivers/Saran Wrap Face look that just does not rock in any way. Why can’t people just age gracefully?
When I was fifteen years old, I had the most ridiculous crush on a guy named Tom, who was the college roommate of my sister’s boyfriend. Although my adolescent longing for Tom’s relentless hotness went thoroughly unrequited, he and I did have a sweet sort of friendship. Lots of times, my sister would let me tag along on visits to her boyfriend’s apartment, and we would all listen to records together. Besides Frank Zappa’s Freak Outand Just Another Band From LA, Tom introduced me to an LP that made a strong and lasting impression on me; the just–released (at the time) Steely Dan epic, The Royal Scam. Like any Beatles album you can name, The Royal Scam is a true masterpiece of recorded music.
Thanks to my eagle eye, which spotted a FaceBook update for the page dedicated to promoting the film Anvil! The Story of Anvil!, I was able to snag two tickets for last night’s “Anvil Experience,” taking place at the East Village Cinema on Second Avenue, about a ten minute walk from the Chickpad. The Anvil Experience is part of the promotional tour for the film, where they show the Anvil movie, and then afterwards Anvil play a live set of about six songs. Continue reading Gail and Geoffrey’s Rad Anvil Experience→
Mick Mars Action Figure By Super 7 (Photo By Gail)
Motley Crue Guitarist Mick Mars (born Robert Alan Deal) was born on this day, May 4th, in 1951. At least that’s what the Internet says. Keep on rockin’ Mick!
