Happy Birthday Kid Congo Powers!

Cheers to Kid Congo Powers on his 67th birthday! Here are a few interviews, some performances and videos worth checking.  

Tav Falco reveals the secret eye of the artist on the Todd-o-Phonic Todd show

Tav Falco talks about narrowly escaping a satanic cult, working as a railroad brakeman, Alex Chilton and more on WFMU. 

Here's the scoop...

Tav Falco recently appeared as a guest on the "Todd-o-phonic Todd" show on WFMU Radio. Although it originally aired on Saturday (October 4), the show has been archived right here: https://wfmu.org/archiveplayer/?show=156690&archive=277306

Following five tunes by Tav Falco's Panther Burns starting at around the 1-hour mark, Tav discusses his critically-acclaimed new 'Desire on Ice' LP (5 stars from Mojo, 8 out of 10 from Uncut) and his 'Urania Trilogy' of avantgarde films which will be screened soon in NYC.

Tav Falco – Desire On Ice

The songwriting of Southern rock ‘n’ roll provocateur Tav Falco is celebrated on his 14th studio album, Desire on Ice. With basic tracks recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Services in Memphis, Tennessee, Desire on Ice was created over an 18-month period by Falco and his longtime producer and musical partner, Mario Monterosso. Undoubtedly the most ambitious project in the artist’s 40-plus-year career, Desire on Ice features an astonishing lineup of all-star talent who are sympatico with his singular flair and vision. 

The lineup of featured players on Desire on Ice is impressive. The sessions were anchored by the members of Falco’s current touring band, Panther Burns: guitarist Mario Monterosso, bassist Giuseppe Sangirardi, and drummer Walter Brunetti. The guests include Ann Magnuson, Nicole Atkins, Jolie Holland, Bobby Gillespie, Pete Molinari, Kid Congo Powers, Jon Spencer, Rev. Horton Heat, Jimmy Rip, Chris Spedding, Boz Boorer, Richard Barone, Eddie Angel, Bubba Feathers, Chris Maxwell, Charlie Musselwhite, Mirko Dettori, Kai Eric, Rene Coman, Bertrand Burgulat, Alex Greene, Michael Perry Allen, Jim Sclavunos, and Ross Johnson, among others. Memphis writer and longtime Panther Burns confidante Robert Gordon has contributed new liner notes for the release.

'Desire on Ice' is available now on "black ice" vinyl LP, CD & digital from Org Music. Produced by Mario Monterosso. Get it here: https://orgmusic.com/collections/tav-falco/products/desire-on-ice

1. Prologue (Spoken word by Kid Congo Powers; guitar by Rev. Horton Heat)

2. Gentleman in Black (Vocal by Tav Falco; guitar by Jimmy Rip)

3. Cuban Rebel Girl (Vocal by Tav Falco; guitar by Chris Spedding; blues harp by Charles Musselwhite

4. Sympathy for Mata Hari (Vocals by Tav Falco & Jon Spencer)

5. Vampire from Havana (Vocals by Tav Falco & Ann Magnuson; guitar by Bubba Feathers)

6. Doomsday Baby (Vocals by Tav Falco & Bobby Gillespie; drums by Jim Sclavunos)

7. Crying for More (Vocals by Tav Falco & Nicole Atkins; guitar by Richard Barone)

8. The Ballad of Rue de la Lune (Vocals by Tav Falco & Pete Molinari; guitar by Boz Boorer)

9. Garden of the Medicis (Vocal by Tav Falco; piano by Bertrand Burgulat)

10. Lady from Shanghai (Vocal by Tav Falco; bass by Rene Coman; piano by Alex Greene) 

11. Chamber of Desire (Vocals by Tav Falco & Jolie Holland)

12. Epilogue (Spoken word by Nicole Atkins; guitar by Eddie Angel) 

Watch Fred Armisen knock out a few tunes and more

We're celebrating Fred Armisen's birthday with a few music performances along with a chat with David Cross and some old punks.

90s Nostalgia: The Knoxville Girls

Here's The Knoxville Girls' demo of "That's Alright With Me" recorded with Jerry Teel at the Funhouse.

Watch the video for Kid Congo's "He Walked In"

Here's the David Fenster-directed clip for "He Walked In" off Kid Congo's new Swing From The Sean DeLear EP out Feb 19th.

Wolfmanhattan Project preview new album with apocalyptic "Summer Forever"

"Summer Forever" is the title track off the new Wolfmanhattan Project album from Mick Collins, Kid Congo and Bob Bert. 

Whaddya mean you don't know The Wolfmanhattan Project

Bob Bert, Mick Collins and Kid Congo present their Wolfmanhattan Project at Brooklyn's Market Hotel tonight. 

Walter Daniels vs. Daniel Johnston

Harp hero Walter Daniels is joined by Kid Congo Powers for a fine rip through an old Daniel Johnston fave. 

WALTER DANIELS - Almost Got Hit By a Truck 7"

Spacecase Records put out a single by Walter Daniels, formerly of Jack O' Fire, '68 Comeback and Big Foot Chester infamy. Perhaps you've heard Walter Daniels' 2014 acoustic collaboration with John Schooley called "Dead Mall Blues."  Or maybe you've basked in the majesty of his recordings and performances with world class ensembles including The Revelators, The Oblivians, Texacala Jones & Her T.J. Hookers... need I go on? OK, I will.

Walter's update of Daniel Johnston's "Almost Got Hit By A Truck"  features his vocal & harmonica stylings accompanied by Kid Congo Powers (GUN CLUB, CRAMPS, BAD SEEDS) on guitar. The flipside has a cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "My Mind Got Bad" with Walter backed by Bill Anderson, Billy Steve Korpl, Kevin Cutin and Ralph White. Front and back cover art comes courtesy of the legendary Art Chantry. Limited to 300 copies. Available for the moment via Perpatrator Mailorder, contact: perpetrator_1@hotmail.com

Happy 60th Birthday Nick Cave!

Here's a rare Bad Seeds clip from a 9:30 Club performance in Washington, DC on February 8, 1989. 

Happy Birthday Walter Daniels!

Here's Walter's cover of Daniel Johnston's "Almost Got Hit By A Truck" off his Spacecase single followed by the original.

Kid Congo conjures William S. Burroughs

Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds have just released a new video for Conjure Man, directed and shot by Aaron Brookner, from the limited-edition 7-inch single recently issued by In The Red. Conjure Man is a creepy new Kid Congo original, while the B-side is a typically twisted take on the Sky Saxon classic Lose Your Mind' off The Steeds iconic 1966 debut LP. Neither track will be featured on the band’s upcoming album, Haunted Head due next month.

Legendary guitar stylist Kid Congo Powers (The Gun Club, The Cramps, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds) and long time cohorts, bassist Kiki Solis (Knife In The Water), drummer Ron Miller (Up The Academy), and guitarist Jesse Roberts (Sandrider, The Ruby Doe) are set to release their third album for In The Red, Haunted Head, on April 30. Check out the Conjure Man clip which prominently features a dreamachine similar to the one created by Brion Gysin and William S. Burroughs' "systems adviser" Ian Sommerville depicted above.