"I agree with everything you've said" -- begins a letter from Anne, who then qualifies that -- "about Soul Asylum. Except one comment about the Bayfront show. That blistering set did not end to deafening silence. I know I was definitely applauding and screaming." Ah, the sound of one fan clapping. Excuse me. Go ahead, Anne. "What a kickin' show! I even managed to squeeze up front for the first four songs (no small task, I'm 5-foot-4 and female). I had to back off when one of the mosh-mongers fell on my head." Anne laments not seeing other S.A. shows where they've played obscure selections. "It would almost make moving to Minnesota appealing. Almost. Not quite. Have you ever heard the 'Barstool Blues' they recorded for the Neil Young tribute? It's terrific." (Heard it? Child, I live it.) "Anyway, just wanted to let you know all the preaching wasn't falling on deaf ears." Hallelujah, and pass the collection plate.
Among the many fascinating items in the June-July issue of Rock & Rap Confidential is one revealing Warner Bros. execs' concerns about the "title song" of Deborah Harry's next album, "Communion." Deb's publicists don't know much about any of this, but they do note that "Communion" will be the second single from the album, which is actually titled Debravation (and is due out August 24). Warners is, of course, home to another devoutly religious (sometimes) blond (sometimes) -- Madonna. RRC says Warner Bros. consulted a monsignor prior to the corporation's decision to allow the "Communion" cut to reach the public. (The cleric said it was totally cool with him.) I've heard nothing about any such consultation with regards to Madonna, perhaps because only one of the two women has real musical talent (and it's not Madonna). I can hardly wait to see what happens when Rooster Head gets signed and decides to re-release their one-off "Glory Hole." Anyway, if you'd rather be reading the preaching of RRC (and I suggest you do), write Box 341305, Los Angeles, CA 90034.
Kreamy Lectric Santa is dropping a new single, "Supergroup 2000," with a live show at Yesterday & Today (at Bird and Red roads) about 4:00 p.m. this Sunday. The Pope himself has cleared the song for release.
I'm not sure if "tea dances" are passe already, but this seems a sort of trend replacement. On Thursday nights at 8:00 movies are projected outside at 1200 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. Sort of like drive-ins, something you're far too young to have enjoyed. This week's film is Blade Runner, Ridley Scott's 1982 futurecop fable, but the week's movie is not the point. It's an event, and the point is communal culturization and how that can prevent the invasion of replicants. Right here, right now.
They told me it was show: Mr. Tasty and the Bread Healers play Washington Square tonight (Wednesday). Voidville and Rooster Head team up tomorrow (Thursday) at the Button South (notable: it's eighteen-and-over, a rare Broward landing for the Voids, and a mere five bucks at the door). Bob Vandivort jazzes up Aruba Beach Cafe in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Check out Tom Bayes and the Heaters for some true blues outta Melbourne (Florida -- like there's any blues besides Dave Hole in Australia) this Friday at Tobacco Road. Second Son and Natural Causes team tomorrow at Toonz. Next Tuesday, the Bellefires join Black Janet at Stephen Talkhouse. Mondays at O'Hara's Jazz Pub now feature Dana Paul and His Nantucket Sound. Halo hangs its hat at the Square on Friday and at Abaco Oyster Bar in Lantana (not a bad place to visit, actually) on Saturday. Phil T. Rich unveils his adults-only live show at Cactus Cantina tomorrow at 9:00 p.m. with backing by a full band (the Fornicators) to celebrate the release of his tape File Under Carnal Knowledge. Velvet and Nails hit the Square tomorrow to showcase Too Tough to Give In and new songs.
About 300 years ago, back in the days of dinosaurs and drive-in movies, I went to high school, where I learned about journalism (I swear I did). My teacher was Leonor Murphy, who recently sent me a missive from her home in Idalou, Texas. "Somehow I thought July 4 a good day to be writing you," it begins. "Maybe because of your fiery prose...." As if that weren't enough to puff my already swelled head, she added, "I sure appreciate your free-swinging conversational style." Cell 63 reminded Mrs. Murphy (I'll always call her "Mrs. Murphy") that there's a band out there called 62-82 (named after two highways). She lives not far from Lubbock, where Buddy Holly was being honored during the holiday. Thanks to Mrs. Murphy's letter, I feel equally honored.
If you want to learn your lessons before you get burned in the music biz, you should obtain the Musician's Survival Course package. For $90 the musician gets five hours of audio and a book and enough knowledge to save $90,000 (and lots more) in the long run. Knowledge is power. Write Box 229, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758 or call 908-495-1763.
Hey Addy, get better. Just 'cause I missed the Slammies doesn't mean Quit had to. Course I didn't fall off a roof. I don't do crazy mixed-up things like that. I do stupid things like forgetting to hype the Slammies in the first place. Pure oversight. Though Quit couldn't play (thanks to Addy breaking his arm) they did win an award. Hope they fell, I mean feel, honored.
Butthorn of the week: You're damn right it's not just Union Bar. All those snooty South Beach nightclubs need to get those damn stanchions off my sidewalk. Now. Or I'll do it myself.
Bonus butthorn from a favored reader: "Ice-T went on Arsenio's show and said the second Rodney King trial was the result of the riots," notes Lionel Goldbart. "That's bullshit. I went to jail to help get civil rights laws enacted. Those laws are why there was a second trial."
The media circus: Oh no, fatal retraction time again. I was completely wrong about Leonard Pitts, Jr. I wasn't trying to tell lies on the guy. I had good information about the Miami Herald hiring a new music critic. Now I got better information. The daily is hiring a new music critic, but I was "wrong again," explains the Herald's executive features editor, Steve Sonsky, in a note to me. "Leonard'll still be writing music, too. He'll be doing it all." (Sounds like Leonard busts ass -- he might as well work over here.) "You may have it first," Sonsky goes on, "but, hey, it helps to get it right. Or it don't count. So: There'll be two on pop. As to the new guy, you presume -- you have a 50/50 chance of getting that right, at least. Really. Cause one of our finalists is male, the other the other. (Though we may still talk to some others.) If you'd like, I'll help you get it right this time. Call me in about a week, and we'll probably have a decision. (Well, maybe two weeks. You know how we corporations tend to be.)" Sounds like Steve has a sense of humor -- he might as well be writing "Program Notes.
