Lori Yates with Derek Downham @ Friar's Music Museum, Thursday

If you're near Shopper's Drug Mart (283 Yonge) on Thursday at 12:30, swing by for Lori's 30 minute set on the 2nd floor. 

Midweek Mixdown: HonkyTonk Jukebox: Crackpot Country

Dallas DJ Bryan C takes some of his fave offbeat country 45s for a spin on his HonkyTonk Jukebox podcast.  

Here's the scoop... 

Straight outta Dallas, DJ Bryan C spins classic juke joint, outlaw and Texas country on vinyl 45s for his HonkyTonk Jukebox podcast in a bid to save country music seven inches at a time. For show #161, he takes a crooked path less travelled through the oddball terrain of what he calls "Crackpot Country" which includes Hank Penny singing about his love for Molasses, Lois Williams crooning about her obsession with a certain Hee-Haw cast member, Faron Young wacky exploration of Dingaka and much more. 

Listen to HonkyTonk Jukebox show #161: Crackpot Country via Mixcloud right here. 

Check out the complete tracklist below.   

HonkyTonk Jukebox #161 – Crackpot Country

Hank Penny- I Like Molasses (RCA Victor)

Cal Smith - It Takes Me All Night Long (Kapp)

Lois Williams - I Fell In Love With A Feller On The Hee Haw Show ( Starday)

Faron Young - Dingaka (Mercury)

Ernest Tubb & Red Foley Dr Ketchum (Decca)

Jay Gardner - Big Mouth Woman (EIm)

Walt Wilder - I Love What's In My Arms (Homa)

Johnny Free - Lusty Lady (Pageboy)

Billy Gray & The Cowtowners - How Would She Look In A Kitchen (CMR)

Rudy Preston - Goat Ropers Need Love Too (Showman)

Jethro Burns - Dolly Parton's Sweet On Me (RCA)

Carl Dobkins Jr - Linda The Motel Maid (Chalet)

Tony Burris - White Lines And Dirty Minds (Tony Burris Music)

Kirk Hansard - Nudist Colony (Chart)

BJ Wright - JR (Soundwave)

JIm Furst - The Milkman's Get Your Wife (KDR)

Chuck Penny - Don't Forget To Feed The Cat (TIM)

Mark Grothier - Fore In The Morning (Stop)

Cal Cavendish - U-Haul Trailer (Westmount)

Chuck Wagon & The Wheels - The Gas Song (Let's Drop The Neutron) (Wagontracks) 

JG Thirlwell releases the final Foetus studio album "Halt"

JG Thirlwell's last Foetus album HALT is out now on double vinyl, digipak CD and digital download. Get it on wax while you can. 

Here's the scoop...

The long awaited and highly acclaimed final Foetus album HALT is available NOW on double coloured vinyl, deluxe digipak CD and digital. Both physical versions are close to being sold out and are being repressed. The second pressing of the vinyl will come in a slightly different colour, Habernero Red blend for the first vinyl and Grey Matter blend for the second vinyl.

HALT has been variously hailed by Foetus followers as “JG’s best work”, “so freaking good”, “this album is PERFECT” and “a masterpiece”. You can order the album from JG's own Foetus site here or Bandcamp here. 

What the media is saying...

“The end of the Foetus project has been on Thirlwell’s own terms – controlled, deliberate, and uncompromising to the last….It’s a reflection of Thirlwell as a writer, creator, composer, and also as a human being. From pre-boy to man – Foetus has left the building.” - Wesley Doyle, The Quietus

“Despite its overwhelmingly dark themes, the album is refreshing in its singular approach and an artist’s willingness to use his platform to explore humanity’s collective dysfunction.” - Mike, Avant Music News

Check out a couple of podcast interviews with JG Thirlwell, some performance footage along with "Succulence" off Halt. 

Happy 70th Birthday Lee Ranaldo!

Celebrating 70th birthday of Sonic Youth co-founder Lee Ranaldo with a few old faves performed with his pals in Yo La Tengo. 

R.I.P. Stick Men With Ray Guns bassist Bobby Beeman

Sadly, bassist Bobby Beeman of Texas punk crew Stick Men With Ray Guns has passed away after a lengthy illness. 

Writes SMWRG mainman Clarke Blacker...

As many of you already know, Stick Men With Ray Guns bassist Bobby Beeman has passed away after a long illness. Although Bobby was the last to join the band, he instantly became an integral part of everything. I always trusted his judgement above my own in all things concerning the band. He was a terrific partner and I will miss him always. My thoughts go out to his family in this difficult time. 

I feel broken knowing that he's not there, and won't ever be there again. I hope that Scott is aware of what has happened, but we haven't spoken in probably 25 years and he wanted to disassociate himself from the band. I've honored his wishes. If anyone out there can reach him, please let him know about Bobby. Despite the estrangement, I think that he might want to know. 

Goodbye Bobby.

Charles Hackbarth shows his Mercury Blues drawings @ Mercury Espresso Café, Feb 2-28

Toronto artist Charles Hackbarth has his boffo new drawings on display in Leslieville at Mercury Espresso Café (915 Queen St. E). 

Remembering saxophone great Sonny Stitt on his birthday

Raising a glass to Sonny Stitt – born Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. in Boston – with a few stellar performances.