Remembering Harry Nilsson on his birthday

Here's an interview, two performances and some of Harry's memorable moments with Charles Nelson Reilly, Otto Preminger & Ringo.

Watch Tuareg guitar slinger Modu Moctar live in Naimey

Here's guitarist Modu Moctar and crew getting down in Naimey, Niger around the release of his 2021 album "Afrique Victime."  

Ichi-Bons are releasing a new single.. "Still On Zero"

 

Toronto's own Ichi-Bons will be unveiling their latest single "Still On Zero" b/w "The Back Alley Stroll" tonight at the Owl's Club.

Tickets for tonight's Welcome To Hipsville! event are now sold out. Get the Ichi-Bons single from Rollin Records here.

Happy Birthday Spooner Oldham!

Raising a glass to composer and soulful keyboardist Spooner Oldham with a few performances with sidekick Dan Penn and more.

Whaddya mean you don't know Sudbury's Inferno 5 Plus 1

Sudbury teen band Inferno 5 Plus 1 had their music used in Lawrence Zazelenchuk's 1967 film Attack of the Brain Demon. 

Here's the scoop... 

Inferno 5 Plus 1 live at the Inferno Teen Club

Sometime in 1966, teenage high school student and aspiring movie mogul Lawrence Zazelenchuk from the Northern Ontario mining town of Sudbury, had an idea for a horror film. He wrote, directed and created the special effects for Attack of the Brain Demon which he shot on 16 mm B&W film stock with high school friends as actors at a total cost of $3,500 (CAD). For the soundtrack, Zazelenchuk naturally turned to the Inferno 5 Plus 1. 

The house band at the Inferno Teen Club – a popular Sudbury hipster hangout – the Inferno 5 Plus 1 featuring John Bell (vocals), Lance Whitman, Randy LaRocque (guitars), Wayne Wallace (bass), Dave Powers (organ) and Leslie Maki (drums) delivered the garage rock ripper "I Can Take It." Penned by Randy and Dave, "I Can Take It" was recorded at Sudbury radio station CHNO by their manager/producer DJ John Loweth (also a part time A&R rep for ARC Records) who released it on his own Villa label with the instrumental "Fay's Gig" on the flipside. Apparently only "Fay's Gig" was used in the film. Have a listen to "I Can Take It" below, it's better than you might think. You can read more about Inferno 5 Plus 1 and their debut single on the Garage Hangover blog right here. Also, you can hear "Fay's Gig" right here.

Although Inferno 5 Plus 1's Villa label single for "I Can Take It" b/w "Fay's Gig" wound up selling an impressive 4,500 copies across Northern Ontario thanks largely to John Loweth's radio and retail connections, Attack of the Brain Demon didn't cause much of a stir. After a few local high school screenings, it was quickly forgotten but Zazelenchuk wasn't deterred. He channelled his earnings from his job at Sudbury mining operation Inco into the purchase of Sudbury's 69 Drive-In and bankrolled his next few productions, "Revenge of the Mummy," 1969's "Jami," and 1974's Corpse Eaters which is consider to be Canada's first-ever gore flick. 

Initially the hour-long feature about flesh eating zombies – building on the concept established by George Romero's "Night Of The Living Dead" in 1968 – Corpse Eaters was to be directed by Donald R. Passmore but producer Zazelenchuk (who also wrote the screenplay and created the ghoul makeup) replaced him after four days of shooting with the film's cinematographer Klaus Vetter. 

While Zazelenchuk thought making Corpse Eaters for just $36,000 (CAD) could be the film which finally brought him international recognition as a low-budget horror auteur – Sudbury's answer to Herschell Gordon Lewis – there was trouble ahead. As it turned out, the zombie film would be Zaslenchuk's ticket out of Sudbury just not the way he envisioned. 

After a few promising screenings at his own drive-in, Zazelenchuk signed a deal with grindhouse film distro kingpin Howard Mahler to capitalize on the local success with a wider release. Instead, Corspe Eaters was shelved by Mahler, declared a loss and used as a tax write-off. It's doubtful the film was ever shown in theatres outside of Sudbury. Soured on the movie business, Zazelenchuk sold the 69 Drive-In and bought a property in Florida where he apparently drank himself to death at the age of 36. A sad end for an innovative Canadian filmmaker who remains largely unknown outside of the cult of zombie film fanatics today. Seems like prime fodder for a feature documentary or at least an episode for a horror film podcast. 

As for Sudbury's promising Inferno 5 Plus 1, after a couple of line-up changes, they became East African Fair with Randy LaRocque and Dave Powers now joined by Dominic Fragomini (bass) and Rick Panas (drums) for the Herman's Hermits' inspired "Lovin' Every Little Thing You Do" b/w "I Won't Stare" on the Caravan label in 1968 (listen here). An opportunity to replace Robbie Lane and the Disciples as the house band on CTV's popular After Four show had LaRocque renaming the band once again, this time becoming York Lane. 

Corpse Eaters was rescued from obscurity by Encore Home Video who released a 57-minute version (4 minutes missing) on DVD in 1983 which was later used as the source for Patrick Summers' VHS edition which Video Hoarder put out in 2015 (there's a story about it out here). Check out "I Can Take It" from Attack of the Brain Demon by Sudbury's finest, Inferno 5 Plus 1. 

Remembering deep soul great James Carr on his birthday

Here's some rare footage of Mississippi-born deep soul legend James Carr performing "Love Attack" and more.

One For The Weekend: Kelly Finnigan feat. Renaldo Domino

Kelly Finnigan got vocal support from Windy City soul great Renaldo Domino who plays the Hideout in Chicago on Saturday! 

Here's the scoop...

Kelly Finnigan has teamed up with soul music legend Renaldo Domino for latest 45, released on May 23rd via Colemine Records.

The A-Side is another recording mined from the “A Lover Was Born” sessions. ‘Keep Me In Mind' was first recorded by the Buffalo, NY duo Samson & Delilah and released on ABC records in 1967. Finnigan’s rendition, much like the original, is a catchy mid-tempo track that makes your neck muscles do the wop. The track was recorded entirely to tape with sessions taking place in the Bay Area, Ohio & Chicago, resulting in this dynamic serving of soul music. Featuring a cavalcade of top musicians and names you trust, the rhythm section and horns are locked tight and provide the perfect bedrock for Kelly and Renaldo’s masterful singing. The two voices blend harmoniously, rekindling the classic sound of dual male soul serenading à la Sam & Dave, Eddie & Ernie and Bob & Gene. This song alone makes for a record that is sure to be every DJ and soul lover's friend! Get a copy of Kelly Finnigan & Renaldo Domino's collaborative 45 via Bandcamp right here. Have a listen below. 

Renaldo Domino & The Heavy Sounds perform – with a DJ set provided by the Heart of Chicago Soul Club DJs, led by Debbie Koller – as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of The Secret History of Chicago Music at Chicago's Hideout (1354 West Wabansia Ave) on Saturday (June 14) at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $20 US advance (plus fees) available here.