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Ira Cohen’s Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda
Some would say that the spirit of the psychedelic 60’s is dead. Perhaps, but there will always be this vessel for it to live on. For those unaware, Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda has once again been re-released, this time by Arthur Magazine’s DVD imprint, Saturnalia. Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda is Ira Cohen’s 1968 Mylar Masterpiece, and is hailed as the only true psychedelic film. About a month back I was lucky enough to attend the DVD release party for this film, and see Mr. Cohen do a reading of some of his poetry, as well as the band Brain Damage play a live score to a piece one of the members had done using forgotten mylar film from Cohen’s archives. To top it off, Sunburned Hand of the Man played live over the film, doing their version of the soundtrack.
This film stands the test of the time like no other, simply because there will never be a single thing like it. Possibly the most interesting part is the soundtrack(s), as there is no actual dialogue and the way in which they compliment the film is stunning. This particular release of the film comes with 3 soundtracks. The original Angus MacLise score, joyous lake, one by Acid Mothers Temple and another by Sunburned Hand of the Man. It also includes the extras done by Brain Damage. Although at 30$ it is somewhat pricey, it’s an absolute necessity for all lovers of psychedelic art and expression. You can purchase it from the Arthur magazine website.
Dan Bejar Interview
Recently Dan Bejar was interviewed by CBC Radio 3 about (what feels like last year’s) Destroyer’s Rubies. These are really some of the most interesting insights into his relationship with his music that I’ve heard; plus, you get to hear the first 20 seconds of “3000 Flowers” like five times.
Thanks again to the Streethawk LiveJournal community for getting this to me. Click through to the full entry for a painstaking transcript.
Thursday, September 7th, 2006
Swan Lake Creeps Nearer
Despite my comforting reassurances to the contrary, Swan Lake’s MySpace page has not restored the two tracks from the upcoming Beast Moans that had temporarily been offered. Frankly I’m surprised the whole thing hasn’t leaked yet. In the meantime, Scratch Records, who I can only assume will be issuing Beast Moans on vinyl, as is kind of their thing that they do, is offering “Nubile Days” on their MySpace page. Good grief.
Click through to the full post for purported previews of some liner note art, c/o LiveJournal’s Streethawk Community.
Latest Concerts from NYC
Video
Long Time For Love
Long Time For Love
First off, here are a couple pictures & a short video from the final Sleater-Kinney show in NY. They rocked for a solid 2 hours with no air conditioning, so my hat really goes off to these ladies. It was a great show. I know no one left disappointed.
Up next, a day so beautiful, it should almost be illegal - this past Sunday (8/13 - crap! only 3 months until my birthday) - McCarren Pool offered up several bands & a DJ (super cool ?uestlove from The Roots) FOR FREE!. I got to see Apollo Sunshine, although, sorry Bostonians, I didn’t like it all that much - too jammy for me, Beirut, who’s slowly growing on me and headliners Deerhoof. A couple years ago, a friend of mine said Deerhoof was the modern Captain Beefheart. I can’t say it’s not true! They just have a high-pitched Japanese woman singer. :) I was joined at this show by two former WRUW DJs: Matt of applejacktheylack and Denise of The Make Please Me Radio Hour. It was nice to see those kids!
So, in response to the above show, I’d like to share a track from Beirut & Deerhoof, as well as the song I loved to hear by ?uestlove (hint - it’s a DJ Heroin(e) 80’s throwback favorite).
Carey Mercer: Phoning It In
Back in March, Carey Mercer was featured on Phoning It In, a weekly radio program on WMBR Cambridge and WBSR Providence, in which musical guests literally perform over the phone. Mercer did some old Frog Eyes material, three new (presumably) Frog Eyes songs (“Ambassador,” “Caravan Breakers,” and “Future Fortress”), and a song from the upcoming debut of his Bejar/Krug collab, Swan Lake (“The Partisan But He’s Got To Know”). The sound quality is understandably awful, but you can think of it as charming if you want.
The Phoning It In blog is worth subscribing to, as the show features some interesting performances. Hardcore Frog Eyes fans will also want to check out don’t laugh don’t choke, a fantastic resource with news, bootlegs, a forum, and more.
New Swan Lake Tracks
Update: This post has been rendered obsolete as a result of the named tracks being removed from Swan Lake’s MySpace. Keep an eye on it though, as they are likely to return.
The incestuous Canadian music scene is dangerously approaching critical mass with its latest collaboration, one between lit-rock powerhouses Dan Bejar of Destroyer/New Pornos and Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes. They’ve even let their little brother Spencer Krug (Frog Eyes/Wolf Parade) tag along! November 21 will see the release of Swan Lake’s debut LP Beast Moans on Jagjaguwar records, sneaking in just before 2007 to ensure prime placement on everyone’s year-end lists. The first promotional track, “All Fires,” has been floating around for a while now, and just today two more songs, “The Partisan But He’s Got To Know” and “The Freedom,” appeared on the band’s MySpace profile.
Friday, August 4th, 2006
TV Party
TV Party was a public access cable show that aired intermittently between 1978 and 1982 in New York City. The only things that really held it together were the host, Glenn O’Brien, the core three members of the revolving noise band TV Orchestra, and every participant’s vague but overwhelming sense that this was much, much more than a senseless, televised cacophony.
Somehow the hollowest of ideologies always strike me as the most fascinating and the most inspiring. Though lacking any focused, discernable agenda, these people were anything but nihilists. Theirs was a display of raw exuberance, one less of rebellion, rejection, and denial than it was of affirmation and empowerment. It was something to be believed in, its regulars, guests, and performances simultaneously crucial and incidental to this greater Thing.
And, at the same time, it wasn’t any of that.
Anyway, I was a toddler in Chicago when TV Party last aired, so it’d probably serve you better to read about it elsewhere, or better yet snag the torrent of the documentary (or, better still, purchase the DVDs from the official site).
Very special thanks to the consistently wonderful WFMU blog for bringing this to my attention.