Strongly considering becoming an Anaheim Angles fan after what the Los Angeles Dodgers did tonight, though it pains me to say… to no end. Lucky for me, I’m a Milwaukee Brewers fan, and have no need to worry about any of our low budget pitchers throwing a perfect game, something that has only been done 23 times in Major League Baseball history… each team plays 162 games a year, just in case you forgot. Wishing you many, many sleepless nights, Dave Roberts.
Author Archives: The Prudent Groove
Pop Punk Fridays
From Diesel Boy to Pennywise, with a quick, noteworthy stop at NOFX, this Friday has taken an unscheduled turn down pop punk lane. Pennywise’s first (reissue here from 2014) is tonight’s current spin, with Bad Religion and the Bouncing Souls laying in the wing. Happy Friday, kids!33-210 MONO
As a break-off from Atlantic Records back in 1955, Atco Records served as home to non-soul / jazz / blues records throughout the early 1960’s and 1970’s, most notably Cream, Vanilla Fudge, Tim Hardin, and an early 1961 Beatles 7″ featuring Tony Sheridan (though some sources claim 1964). Before turning focus to mid-1970’s hard rock, Atco released catalog no. 33-210, which just so happens to be Tim Hardin’s earliest recordings (1963-ish), This is Tim Hardin. If the catchy logo doesn’t grab ya’, the historical significance of this genius’ earliest recordings should be enough to peak some interest, or at the very least, demand a spin on a random Thursday night.
Venus Envy
Fat Wreck Chords’ subsidiary, Honest Don’s Records, was a heavy-spun favorite back in my early college days. Diesel Boy’s Strap on Seven Inch (a 7″, naturally) was my first introduction to the snotty Santa Rosa band, and I’ve been (nostalgically) hooked ever since. Venus Envy is the band’s second studio album, and just arrived on my doorstep. If you know a Don, keep him honest. If you don’t, have your way over here.
88.9
Los Angeles isn’t known for its groundbreaking radio stations, unfortunately, but there is one that, to put it lightly, and without blemish, stands above the less than appealing hoards, 88.9’s KXLU out of Loyola Marymount University. If yesterday’s Big Wednesday by Buffalo Daughter is any indication of this station’s wide scope, and it is, one can not properly prepare (nor should they), but instead, should allow for the unimaginable to spray forth from 88.9 (FM stands for frequency modulation, btw… sorry if you knew). My digital dial to and from work is daily fixed on this magnificent frequency, and I applaud the station’s self-proclaiming, non-commercial approach. It’s refreshing, and informative (don’t Shazam and drive, kids). If you find yourself in LA, tune in. Latin fiesta, aka Alma del Barrio, every Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 6, and the International Voice of Reason (Ivor) Fridays. You’re welcome.
The Last Word
Let’s welcome Tuesday, be it any form that she sees. – Zombie
Monk Business
God bless Newbury Comics, for they’ve produced a 300 white vinyl pressing of the Monks’ (only) album, Black Monk Time. 300 copies, ladies and gentlemen… and they’re still available. Here… you’re welcome.
Brothers and Sisters
My knowledge of The Allman Brothers Band could fill a mid-century Social Studies textbook, assuming said textbook was completely blank. I know nothing of this band outside their infrequently played radio hit, Ramblin’ Man. Acquiring this album because it was (to me) a cover to a They Might Be Giants song, Jessica. Turns out, I had my starting and end points a bit skewed. Brothers and Sisters is fine, casual, late August, early September, autumnal soundtrack fodder, or something of the like.
Homecoming
Happy to welcome my first colored Tim Hardin record into the library. To my knowledge, it’s the only one, and a German pressing to boot. Titled The Homecoming Concert, this live performance was recorded in the songwriter’s home town the same year of his untimely death, and is rumored to have been his last live performance, though, the jury is still out on that claim.
A Quickie at the Kitty
Had a quickie at the Kitty on her last night. Sigh… This shot was taken on her last Punk Rock BBQ. Watt are you doing?! (a bit of Minutemen humor) I won’t say she was my favorite bar, but she was, by far, the best bar in Los Angeles. You, and the memories you’ve provided, will be sorely missed.
Bring it on Home
We’ve been sucked into the British Invasion vortex these past few weeks. A relatively calming and energetic state to find oneself, all things considered. On tonight’s rotation is the third studio album from Newcastle’s own, The Animals. Featured here is the 1965 US release on MGM Records titled, Animals Tracks, and as the cover boasts, contains their biggest set yet, but, you tell me… We Gotta Get out of This Place, Bring it on Home to Me, The Story of Bo Diddley, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, and Bury My Body. Personally, I don’t feel the self-promoting cover claim is anything outside of hot-damn accurate.
D-E-S-T-R-O-Y
There are some that will say that the best one-two punch-in-consecutive, one-two-tracks-on-an-album are something Zeppelin, or Beatles related. To them, this disclaimer is (likely) not accurate. For me, and mine, the KO comes from either RFTC’s Scream, Dracula, Scream!, or George Thorogood’s George Thorogood and the Destroyers. Find this out for yourself, I suppose.
Take Five
… or a bit more, use your discretion.
Obsession 2.0
Don’t order yours until I’ve ordered mine, cool? Cool.
Last Minute
So, last minute bugs prevent proper crop time, so here lies the honest, unedited depiction of tonight’s entertainment.
We Gotta Get out of this Place
My sentiments exactly (E 4305).
Jersey Shore
Reason no. 1309 justifying the existence of the Groove. I had stupidly, and for years, considered Wanted Dead or Alive a cut from 1988’s New Jersey. Having freshly experienced this angelic gem on LA radio the other morning, I found myself dodging lolly-gagging traffic on my escape home in order to spin Bon Jovi’s 2nd consecutive no. 1 album. To my reluctant surprise, Wanted Dead or Alive was nowhere to be found on ’88s NJ. Once again, and stupidly, I was reminded that WDoA was a / the seasoned favorite from 1986’s Slippery When Wet LP. I figure the moral is, grease up on your Bon Jovi history, fool!
(my) Tom
I used to love the Who. I used to love grape Nerds, tight-rolling my jeans, and collecting Rickey Henderson baseball cards. I can’t necessarily pinpoint when my love affair with the Who lost its passion, but I’ll never forget their fourth album, 1969’s Tommy. Rock operas aren’t my bag, to say the least, but Tommy, well, he’s a hard (rock) shell to crack, and I encourage anyone who hasn’t tested their endurance in a while to give it a solid shot.Famous…
The newest member to the ever-growing family of “necessary must haves” is Johnny Cash’s 2nd album, Sings the Songs that Made Him Famous. You know, I have half a mind to stop shopping brick & mortars all together. That’s the fluid ease of finding specific releases at specific grades for specific amounts, online, talking, not the logic that surrounds any given search at said B&M. Sure, I’m a strong advocate for RSD, and local mom and pops in general, but there is no way in Mississippi Hell that I’d be able to head to my local shop, specifically looking for this 58 year old record, and walk out with this precise pressing for the price I paid for it online ($14 shipped). Well, I guess the element of surprise is the draw, and for that I’m willing to continue the exercise. Any way you cut the meat, happy Monday, kids.
The Prudent Groove 