Happy Birthday John Lydon

Since it's John Lydon's birthday, here's a Public Image Limited appearance on Check It Out back in 1979. 

Make Me Famous screens at Hot Docs Cinema, Tuesday & Wednesday

The crazy tale of painter Ed Brezinski makes for an entertaining trip through New York's Lower East Side scene of the early 80s. 

Here's the scoop...

Make Me Famous is actor/filmmaker Brian Vincent's engaging deep dive into the life of Detroit-born Edward Brezinski, a charismatic Lower East Side painter on the fringe of success, who thwarted his career with antics that roiled NYC's art elite. Through a series of insightful interviews with a colourful cast of characters that includes David McDermott, Mark Kostabi, Eric Bogosian, Kenny Scharf and Richard Hambleton along with gallery owners Annina Nosei, Patti Astor and Patrick Fox, Make Me Famous reveals a unique snapshot of the 1980s art explosion while unearthing the truth of Brezinski's mysterious final journey to the Cote d'Azur. This madcap romp is an intimate look at the art world's attitude towards success and failure, fame and fortune, notoriety and erasure. Filmed in NYC, Detroit, San Francisco, Ireland, Berlin and France. 

Make Me Famous screens at Hot Docs Cinema on Tuesday (January 31) at 4 pm and Wednesday (February 1) at 1:30 pm. Join director Brian Vincent, producer Heather Spore, composer Jeremiah Bornfield and art critic/film subject Lenny Kisko for a Q&A at the Wednesday, February 1st showing. Moderated by Moe “Noam” Rosen. Watch the trailer below.
 

On The Buses with Jah Wobble

Jah Wobble just wrote a bunch of new material while in transit – check out The Bus Routes of South London below.  

Here's the scoop from the man...

ALL THESE TRACKS WERE WRITTEN ON BUSES GOING TO, THROUGH OR FROM SOUTH LONDON. MAINLY SOUTH WEST LONDON.. I USED MY IPAD AND TENDED TO WORK IN QUIETER PERIODS OF THE DAY/NIGHT. I FOUND THE EXPERIENCE ENTRANCING, FOR THE MOST PART ANYWAY.

Listen to The Bus Routes of South London on Bandcamp right here.

B-Side Wins Again: Big Chief

Remembering guitarist Phil Dürr on his birthday with Big Chief's "500 Reasons" B-side "Drive It Off" from 1991.  

R.I.P. Motown songwriter/singer Barrett Strong, 1941-2023

Sadly, songwriter Barrett Strong – who cut the definitive version of "Money" in 1959 – has passed away. He'll be greatly missed.

Happy Birthday Ahmed Abdul-Malik

Remembering jazz bassist and oud ace Ahmed Abdul-Malik on his birthday with a few entrancing performances. 

90s Nostalgia: New Kingdom

Here's hip hop duo Jason Furlow & Seb Laws performing "Cheap Thrills" on The Word in 1994 and "Mars" in Atlanta in 1996. 

R.I.P. Tom Verlaine of Television, 1949-2023

Sadly, Television songwriter/guitarist Tom Verlaine passed away Saturday at the age of 73. He'll be greatly missed. 

LINKS

NaimaPublication.com Richard Hell remembers Tom Verlaine

New York Times Influential guitarist/songwriter Tom Verlaine dies at 73

New Yorker He Was Tom Verlaine by Patti Smith

WFMU-FM Tom Verlaine guests on the Gaylord Fields' show 1/8/2006

Doom & Gloom From The Tomb Tom Verlaine at NYC's Avery Fisher Hall Nov 21, 1997

Whaddya mean you don't know David Jaeger

Canadian Electonic Ensemble co-founder David Jaeger put together "Quanza Dueto" (for 2 guitars & electronic tape) in 1976.

Happy Birthday Bettye LaVette!

Celebrating the birthday of Detroit soul great Bettye LaVette with a stellar 2013 performance of "Let Me Down Easy"

Dan Auerbach vs. Helene Smith

Dan Auerbach does a fine job with Helene Smith's "A Woman Will Do Wrong" on his new Arcs album Electrophonic Chronic - but it's tough to top Irma Thomas.

Here's the scoop on Dan Auerbach's new Arcs album...

The Arcs just released their first full length album since 2015, Electrophonic Chronic, featuring the band’s full line-up of Dan Auerbach, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon and Homer Steinweiss, alongside the late Richard Swift. Also featuring artwork from their collaborator, El Oms, and animated videos from Robert "Roboshobo" Schober, the album has been met with advance praise from NPR Music, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and more. Esquire notes the album is "…a woozy mix of synth pop, celestial guitar riffs and plodding rhythm sections that feels like driving a Ford Bronco through the cosmos." You can get a copy of The Arcs new Electrophonic Chronic album via Easy Eye Sound right here. Check the link below for the full Dan Auerbach interview in Esquire. 

 

Co-produced by Michels and Auerbach, Electrophonic Chronic was largely recorded with Swift before his untimely passing in 2018. After a period where, as Michels puts it, "I think all of us couldn’t really listen to the music, couldn’t really face it and try to finish it," The Arcs revisited their old recordings, picking up the pieces and finding meaning in times that felt most difficult. “This new record is all about honoring Swift," Auerbach adds. "It’s a way for us to say goodbye to him, by revisiting him playing and laughing, singing. It was heavy at times, but I think it was really helpful to do it.” 

 

Born of the band's mutual obsession with recording and crate-digging, Electrophonic Chronic pulls inspiration from vast sonic archives: vintage soul – featured on the album is a gender-flipped cover of the would-be South Florida star Helene Smith's, A Woman Will Do Wrong (listen to both versions along with a stellar version Irma Thomas cut at Muscle Shoals below) – to old school garage rock,  including the album’s namesake "Electrophonic Tonic," the once-lost gem from Fred "Sonic" Smith and Sonic's Rendezvous Band, and the space age pop made famous by producer Joe Meek in the pre-Beatles 1960s. The record is a tribute to the shared passion that originally brought the three bandmates together. 

 

Auerbach and Michels have also been spinning selects from those sonic archives in a series of intimate DJ sets across London and Paris, plus upcoming shows in New York (Brooklyn's Sultan Room on January 28th) and Los Angeles (Gold Diggers w/ DJ Breezy on February 3rd). 

The pair also recently sat down with Vulture for a dive further into the multifaceted inspirations of Electrophonic Chronic, in a piece that breaks down newly-released, Only One For Me, co-written by two indie rock greats gone-too-soon in David Berman and Richard Swift, alongside Auerbach and Michels. Check it out here.

LINKS

Esquire Dan Auerbach knows it when he hears it

Take a look inside Galveston's Old Quarter Café with Otis Gibbs

Otis Gibbs takes you on a tour of Townes Van Zandt's old haunt, Galveston's Old Quarter followed by Rex Bell's insights.  

Happy Birthday Henri Texier!

Cheers to French bass boss Henri Texier on his birthday! Here are a couple of stellar performances from his classic Varech album.

One For The Weekend: Ronnie Foster

Here's Hammond ace Ronnie Foster playing "Mystic Brew" with his son Chris Foster on drums and Michael O'Neill on guitar. 

Doug Paisley shares "Sometimes It's So Easy" from Say What You Like album

Playing a tune while cruising around on a bike seems like no trouble at all for Toronto singer/songwriter Doug Paisley.  

Doug Paisley's much-anticipated Say What You Like album is out March 17th. Pre-order a copy via Bandcamp right here.

Happy Birthday Chris 'Klondike' Masuak

Raising a glass to Radio Birdman guitar slinger Chris Masuak with a 2012 Toronto appearance backed by Rob Sweeney and pals. 

B-Side Wins Again: Preston Love

The swingin' organ instro "Omaha Mash" was on the flip of Preston Love's '62 single for the Mexie label named for Preston's mom. 

Night Finger launches Code Red EP at Houndstooth, Wednesday

Get a digital copy of Night Finger's "Code Red" EP via Bandcamp right here. Catch 'em live at 818 College tonight at 9pm.  

Happy Birthday Archie Turner!

Celebrating the birthday of Memphis keyboard great with both sides of his 1969 Blackrock joint "Yeah Yeah." 

Freakwater shares "Fullerene" digitally and recirculates 2016's Scheherazade album

Freakwater's excellent 2016 album Scheherazade is available now via Bandcamp. Hear Catherine Irwin's lovely "Fullerene" below. 

Here's the scoop...

Portland's Fluff and Gravy Records and Freakwater are thrilled to announce the re-release of their 2016 magnum opus, Scheherazade, and to begin of what is hoped to be a long and storied partnership. To celebrate we are digitally releasing the single "Fullerene" for the first time. Previously only available in physical format as the b-side to "The Asp And The Albatross" 7", the track is classic Freakwater. Recorded during the Scheherazade sessions, the Catherine Irwin penned track finds the band at their peak. 

As Irwin recounts, "I was burning some stuff in my living room one night. I remember looking up and noticing that the flames were casting shadows on the wall. The flames themselves were casting shadows.

"The song was almost called The Allegory of the Cave. That title seemed too pretentious -- which is pretty hilarious in retrospect. A fullerene is a beautiful little carbon molecule whose shape resembles one of Buckmister Fuller’s geodesic domes."

Anchored around the fragile and compelling harmonies of Janet Beveridge Bean and Catherine Irwin and the subdued, oracular bass playing of Dave Gay, the utterly unique sound of Freakwater is distilled from many sources. There’s the elemental ache and loss in the soil and limestone of Kentucky, the songs and struggles that passed over and over the Atlantic from the British Isles centuries ago. There’s the energy and freedom in the ratty punk clubs of Louisville and Chicago at a time when rules and formalities were meant to be ignored. 

Freakwater's song "Fullerene" is now available digitally and as the b-side to The Asp And The Albatross on 7" vinyl (right here). You can get Scheherazade digitally, on LP and/or CD at Bandcamp and the Fluff and Gravy Records Store (here) with wider physical distribution to follow. Check out "Fullerene" followed by a performance of "The Asp And The Albatross" below. 

Recently, Janet and Catherine from Freakwater spent some time hanging out with Sally Timms and Jon Langford of The Mekons which led to the 'Freakons' joint venture and a surprisingly engaging concept album about the pitfalls of coal mining. You can get the album directly from Fluff and Gravy's site here.

That time David Bowie appeared on Soul Train in 1975

Along with a short chat with host Don Cornelius, David Bowie does "Golden Years" and "Fame" for the Soul Train crowd. 

Happy Birthday electronic music composer Éliane Radigue!

Celebrating the 91st birthday of pioneering electronic music composer and Arp ace Éliane Radigue with a short documentary clip. 

Peter Case swaps guitar for piano on new album, Doctor Moan

Peter Case went full-on Yancy for his new Doctor Moan album due out March 31. Check out "Downtown Nowhere's Blues"

Here's the scoop...

SAN FRANCISCO, California – “I try to take things I love and use them in a new way,” said triple Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Peter Case of his 16th solo album Doctor Moan. Case brings his considerable songwriting ability to an 11-song collection, largely performed on piano, including his first solo recorded instrumental. Released by Sunset Blvd Records on March 31, Case’s piano-based songs are emotionally, sonically and stylistically rich.

“I grew up on 1950s and ‘60s rock & roll, jazz, classical and folk,” says Case. “I learned how to play blues as a kid, street singing in San Francisco and then was part of the punk rock movement. It’s all still in there; it’s my musical DNA.”

In addition to Case on piano, harmonica, mellotron and guitar, the record features Jonny Flaugher (Pokey LaFarge, Dan Bern) on electric and acoustic bass, and Chris Joyner (Tom Morello, Ben Harper) on B-3 organ.

As a lifelong touring artist, Case, like so many others during the pandemic, found himself with a wide open schedule. The piano in his living room beckoned him to play it until the songs began to reveal themselves.  “It was great to be able to write and complete an album without interruption,” he explained. “I didn’t have to jump up in the middle of things and go off on the road. I can’t remember another example of when I’ve been able to just complete a whole record like that.”  The album was recorded and mixed by Ryan McCaffrey (Go By Ocean) at The Sun Machine in Novato, California. The studio’s centerpiece for Case was its restored 1905 Steinway piano.

The cinematic and evocative opener, “Have You Ever Been in Trouble” featuring Case, Flaugher and Joyner, sets the tone for the album. “Downtown Nowhere’s Blues” is a lyrical snapshot driven by the percussive left-hand piano heard throughout Doctor Moan: The album summons the auras of Jimmy Yancey and Mose Allison without sounding like either. 

“That Gang of Mine” comes backed with lurking organ, while “Ancient Sunrise” paints sepia-toned pictures of a life unbound. The album’s sole guitar-based track, “Wandering Days,” is one of Case’s signature abstract narratives, while “Eyes of Love,” echoes the soul and spirit of gospel music.

“My recent albums are designed to take you on a musical journey,” said Case. His 2021 album, The Midnight Broadcast, was inspired by a late night car ride, “Looking at the headlights while this incredible radio show played in the dark.” 

Case grew up in Hamburg, New York in a house filled with music: Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles and, later, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. He wrote his first song at age eleven and by 16 he left home to begin his voyage of musical discovery, an odyssey chronicled in the 2022 documentary feature film, A Million Miles Away. 

As a founding member of the early punk-era trio The Nerves, Case toured the nation in 1977 sharing bills with the Ramones, Mink DeVille, Pere Ubu, and Devo. The Nerves' seven-inch single “Hanging on the Telephone” was famously covered by Blondie.  In 1979, Case formed the Plimsouls, a record-breaking live act in California, recording albums for Planet/Elektra and Geffen. Their single, “A Million Miles Away” – benefitting from an appearance in the 1983 film Valley Girl – entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #88 in late July 1983 (peaking a week later at #62) and remains a garage rock standard, performed by bands around the world. The Nerves' and Plimsouls' timeless teenage rock ‘n’ roll continues to appeal to fans of each new generation.

As he disbanded the Plimsouls, Case rediscovered his musical roots on his self-titled solo debut, produced by T Bone Burnett. The New York Times declared Peter Case the best album of 1986. It earned a five-star Rolling Stone review and a Grammy nomination. As one of the first songwriters of his generation to turn from rock music toward an acoustic sound, Case also helped usher in what became known as Americana music.

Case has released acclaimed albums, like The Man With The Blue Postmodern Fragmented Neo- Traditionalist Guitar, featuring Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner and David Hidalgo; his definitive folk blues collection Peter Case Sings Like Hell; the recently reissued and Grammy-nominated Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John (featuring Richard Thompson) and HWY 62 (with Ben Harper). American Songwriter called HWY 62 “An absolute joy from start to finish. A beautifully conceived, executed and lovingly crafted chain of songs from Peter Case, a guy who has been crafting great songs for decades now…”

Since moving back to San Francisco, Case began attending the St. John Coltrane African Orthodox Church, dedicated to the music of Coltrane and racial, social, and economic justice. 

“The hours spent playing there with the ensemble greatly increased my strength as a piano player,” he said. These times are more difficult than ever. I make music for the purpose of providing warmth and companionship in a difficult world.”

Check out "Downtown Nowhere's Blues" from the forthcoming Doctor Moan album followed by Peter demonstrating his Fender Rhodes chops on Chuck Berry's "Nadine" with his old Hamburg pals Mark Winsick (guitar) & Jim Whitford (bass) along with Rob Lynch on drums at Robby Takac's GCR Audio in Buffalo. 

Record Kicks reissuing Baby Charles' deep funk debut on vinyl

Baby Charles' 2008 debut album is being re-released in an edition of 1,000 copies on March 17th but you can pre-order it now. 

Here's the scoop from Record Kicks HQ...

Record Kicks is unleashing a limited-run “15th anniversary” edition of British outfit Baby Charles’ self-titled deep funk debut album on vinyl – juat 1,000 copies – and a digital deluxe version with bonus tracks on March 17th.

Together with Nicole Willis And The Soul Investigators’ “Keep Reachin’ Up” album, 2008’s Baby Charles debut LP is the album that defined the European funk scene of the 2000s. Mojo Magazine described them as “the most likely candidates to lead the Deep funk scene” after hearing the album. Driven by the single “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor”, an afro-funk cover of the Arctic Monkey’s hit, the LP went rapidly sold out, it was never been repressed and it now changes hands for ludicrous sums on the web. English writer, DJ, and television presenter Mark Lamarr, who wrote on the album’s liner notes to “file it amongst your funk classics”, invited the band to BBC’s Maida Vale Studios, where they recorded a legendary live session for his BBC Radio 2 God’s Jukebox show. In France, the album benefited from a massive support from legendary Radio Nova station thanks to its”Nova Aime” campaign. Unfortunately, the band split up in 2011 when they were about to enter the studio for their highly anticipated follow-up. 

The 15th anniversary edition will hit the streets on March 17th as a limited-edition LP and a deluxe digital edition featuring two bonus tracks: “Time Wasting,” which displays the heavier psychedelic edge of Baby Charles, with an unstoppable chugging groove, a heavy horn-led break, and climatic chorus to finish the track off, and “Jackson Fingers,” for which the band created a brand-new groove that could work just as well as a sixties soundtrack or as a dance-floor friendly slab of soul-jazz.

The “Baby Charles” album was originally released on March 10th, 2008 and followed three heavyweight 45s, all of which found regular rotation in funk spots around the globe. On the album, Soul diva Dionne Charles delivers her unique, self-penned stunning vocal performance, while the band lays down the heavy funk grooves. Throughout the 12 tracks, the combo displays a range of styles, which reflect their diverse influences. There’s the Latin-inspired bass groove in “Treading Water”, the Meter’s style funk of “Invisible”, the James Brown influence on “Hard Man” and “No Controlling Me”, the afrofunk of “I Bet You Look Good On The Danceflloor,” there’s even some Egyptian jazz thrown in the mix on the instrumental track “The Sphinx” and a deep soul version of DJ Shadow's “This Time.” The result is a must-have album for diggers, djs and funk and soul fans. 

Pre-order the Baby Charles 15th Anniversary reissue right here. Check out Baby Charles' version of the Arctic Monkeys' "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" along with the two digital bonus tracks "Time Wasting" and "Jackson Fingers" below. 

Happy Birthday Pat Todd!

Celebrating Pat Todd's birthday with a pair of rip-snortin' Redwood performances by his Rankoutsiders. 

Whaddya mean you don't know Lee Stone

Check out Lee Stone's jazzy Oliver Sain-produced swinger "What Is Life" and the earlier "Hold On Baby" 

Guitar slinger Harvey Mandel returns with "Who's Calling"

Who's Calling is innovative guitarist Harvey Mandel's second album for Tompkins Square.

Here's the scoop...

Harvey Mandel is among the most innovative guitarists to emerge from the Chicago blues scene of the late 1960s. His career began at Twist City and other local hotspots, sharing stages with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Buddy Guy. He came up in that scene alongside Charlie Musselwhite, Mike Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg and Steve Miller, leading to an invitation from Bill Graham to open for Cream at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium in August 1967. 

Mandel was a member of Canned Heat, appearing with them at Woodstock. He played on numerous John Mayall albums, and on the Rolling Stones' 1975 LP Black and Blue ("Hot Stuff", "Memory Motel"), having auditioned for Mick Taylor's job, which ultimately went to Ron Wood. 

Who’s Calling is the 16th album under Harvey Mandel’s name as a leader, and his second for Tompkins Square following the 2016 acclaimed comeback, Snake Pit. Joined by guitarist and co-producer Ryan Jewell (Ryley Walker, Laraaji) and bassist Andy Hess (Gov't Mule, Black Crowes), Who’s Calling finds the 77 year old guitar legend as vibrant and creative as ever. Despite unspeakable health setbacks and of course a Covid shutdown, Harvey has emerged miraculously stronger, proclaiming he’s never played better than on Who’s Calling. 

Get a copy of Harvey Mandel's Who's Calling album via Bandcamp right here. Check out the tracks "Lucky Sevens" and "Crazy Town" followed by Harvey's performance at Slim's from 2017 and an informative Australian radio interview from 1999 below. 

Tristen shares cover of "Lee Shore" in memory of David Crosby

Tristen just made her version of David Crosby's "Lee Shore" available on Bandcamp here. Watch CSN's version from 1973.

Listen to "Mambo Afterdeck" by the Montagu Three plus One

Check out the Goombay-style mambo swinger "Mambo Afterdeck" by The Montagu Three plus One from 1963. 

Watch Thee Sacred Souls live @ Bandcamp HQ

Here are Thee Sacred Souls performing a short set in August. They play Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern on Wednesday, January 25. 

You can get a CD copy of the sweet new Gabriel Roth-produced album by Thee Sacred Souls via Daptone right here. 

Before They Were Famous: Diplo

Back in 2003, Mainland HS grad Wes Pentz was swapping sound library records and making tracks in Philly as Former Diplodocus.

Lori Yates & Hey Stella! @ The Cameron, Jan 21

Don't miss Lori Yates with David Baxter and the rest of her Hey Stella! crew playing a Saturday matinee from 6pm to 8pm. 

One For The Weekend: Adrian Quesada w/ Marc Ribot & Money Mark

Check out "Hielo Seco" (or "Dry Ice") off Adrian Quesada's new collaborative album Boleros Psicodelicos available right here.

Midweek Mixdown: Tobias Kirmayer of Tramp Records

Check out a swingin' set of jazzy jams put together by Tobias Kirmayer for The Jazz Meet podcast right here.

Grab the 14th volume of Tramp's funk singles collection via Bandcamp here.

R.I.P. rockabilly rebel Johnny Powers, 1938-2023

Remembering Detroit rockabilly great Johnny Powers with a documentary trailer and a performance on Art Fein's Poker Party.  

Watch The Cramps rock San Francisco's I-Beam in 1984

Sure, it is a bit dark, but hey, where else are you gonna see The Cramps with Chris "Click Mort" Doran on second guitar. 

R.I.P. Van Conner of Screaming Trees

Sadly, Van Conner of Seattle's Screaming Trees has passed away. Bandmate Mark Pickerel remembers Van Conner below. 

Mark Pickerel remembers his pal Van Conner

Please join me in lowering the flannel flag to half-mast today while we reflect and celebrate the life and legacy of Van Conner, who passed away yesterday, at the age of 55.

Van and I started playing music together when I was a freshman in high school and he was a sophomore. We were joined by his older brother, Lee, on guitar, who was already enrolled at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. After a year or two of failed attempts to be a cover band, we discovered that our real talents or strengths would not be realized until we learned to capitalize on Lee’s innate ability to write his own unique, psychedelic soundbites! 

After Van had a few fortuitous conversations with his classmate Mark Lanegan during their journalism class, bonding over their mutual passions and fascinations with everyone from Motorhead, Black Flag, Black Sabbath to The Dead Kennedy’s, it was quickly decided that Lanegan should attend one of our rehearsals. And while the original plan was for Lanegan to drum, and I would sing, it became evident that his time-keeping lacked the meter required for such an ambitious endeavor (having no previous time behind the kit) we quickly played some musical chairs, and I landed back where I belong, and needless to say, so did he!

Shortly after Lanegan joined our line up, we had the good fortune of finding ourselves under the tutelage of producer - Steve Fisk, who went on to produce our first few releases, and continues to be a good friend and occasional collaborator. Throughout all of our adventures together (running the Conner family video store together, building a band and a brand, getting religion, losing our religion, managing to graduate!? ) Van was my own personal John Candy, keeping me laughing through thick and thin, and to hell and back!

And while Van often hid behind his long bangs out of the spotlight, in the shadows of our enigmatic singer, it was actually Van who penned the Screaming Trees biggest hit, “I Nearly Lost You,” that appeared on the soundtrack to Singles, Cameron Crowe’s 1991 blockbuster film celebrating grunge and the Gen-X denizens of the Seattle Scene. The song became an international hit and furthered the band’s growing success—solidifying their association with their peers in Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Truly, Mudhoney, and Nirvana. 

It was often Van out there, shaking hands and hugging fans, building the friendships and nurturing a mutual loyalty that would become such an integral part of our success. He was loved and enjoyed by just about everyone he met.

His own mother, as well as his older brother, Lee, were responsible for turning him onto music at a very young age. Lee would also go on to usher him into a world of science fiction, cult films, Beat writers, and the leftist, radical teachings and views that have become synonymous with the 1960s.

All these influences would continue to play a pivotal role in Van’s life, creativity, parenting, gregarious nature and personality, often leading to conversations that were as loud as the music we made together! 

The Conner brothers’ parents, Gary Lee Sr. and Cathy Conner, were very instrumental in setting the stage for the Screaming Trees eventual success, and they were incredibly supportive—both financially and with their constant encouragement and praise. They could not have been more proud of the success their sons enjoyed as a result of all the hard work and sacrifice made by everyone involved. 

I felt so fortunate to have been unofficially adopted into the Conner family in my teens, enjoying a home away from home that couldn’t have been more different than my own. It wasn’t unusual for their entire family, toddlers and all, to be up into the wee hours of the night watching MTV or some cult-classic together, waiting for Lee to get home from his job delivering pizzas, hoping he’d walk through the door with a couple of pies for us. Getting to church on time on a Sunday morning was beyond challenging and considering the condition we were in upon our late arrival, probably would have been best if we’d just stayed in bed! 

We spent some wild years together, traveling the world, learning how to be resourceful together, learning how to manage sleep deprivation, boredom, loneliness and all the other byproducts of life on the road. We all supported each other to the best of our abilities. Van was always on hand, extending empathy, insight, humor, and support. As a drummer, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in the rhythm section, our chemistry required no effort, discussions or calculations. As well as being the talented bassist in The Screaming Trees, he also lent his talents to Dinosaur Jr., and played guitar and sang for his own band, Valis, as well as running his own record label—Strange Earth. 

He was a proud father and will be missed by his big, loving family and by friends all over the globe. A few days ago, I sat and held hands with Van, he lit up when we discussed an eventual Screaming Trees reunion, that would have featured guest vocalists, including his younger brother Pat, filling in for Lanegan, he became very emotional as we discussed future projects and our upcoming re-release campaigns. I'm so sad that with Van's passing, so also dies the dream of a reunion, this will be especially hard for me to process, as I've often imagined a reunion worthy of taking back out on the road.

I know we’re just a month shy of celebrating the one-year anniversary of the loss of our singer, the extraordinarily talented—Mark Lanegan, and it is with such a heavy heart that I find myself participating in so many conversations regarding the untimely passing of both he and Van and the difficult and sad circumstances surrounding their premature departures. But I ask you to focus on the great gifts they both generously bestowed upon us. Please enjoy some Screaming Trees, Valis, Solomon Grundy, Dinosaur Jr., or some of Mark Lanegan’s solo works today as you celebrate their lives and the creative imprint they’ve left behind.    – Mark Pickerel

 

Listen to a Diana Panton Trio session with Don Thompson & Reg Schwager

Since it's Don's birthday today, here's a 'Fan's Choice' live session with the fab Diana Panton Trio worth checking. 

Night Crickets share new video for "A Free Society"

Check out A Free Society shot by Ramzi Abed and starring Night Crickets' David J, Victor DeLorenzo & Darwin Meiners.