The Music Banter Members' Journals Monthly Update Thread
 

Dateline: April 14 2013

Message begins....

Welcome to the first edition of the New Music Banter Members' Journals Update Thread. We've finally been given out very own thread, so no more piggybacking on the "What's going on" thread! Yay!

First let me apologise for the turn the posts took recently. Having injected some humour into the update I feel I let it take over and it became more a comedy slot than a serious update. I know some people liked it, and I appreciate your comments, but in fairness the first and really only aim of this post, now thread, should always be to inform people about the journals being kept in the Members' Journal section, and to advertise them and try to encourage people to visit them. In that I feel I failed you all, and I offer my apologies. It'll be a lot saner from now on. Who said boo? ;)

Seriously: no more guest reviewers, no more lengthy comedy routines, no more "Jesus-you've-written-ten-paragraphs-and-still-not-mentioned-any-journals!" From now on, the focus is and will be detailing the content and status of the Journals Section.

With that in mind, let's get right to it!

And we have, for I think the first time in this update ever, a full page of entries! Right down to the end of page 1! Well done guys!

Antonio has not posted for nearly five months now, but he's making up for that this week. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ng-ground.html you'll find "Songs I'm diggin" with Ghost BC (who he interestingly describes as "satanic disco rock" (!), Joey Bada$$ and Odyssey, as well as looking at the soundtrack to the game "Metroid Prime". Good to have ya back Antonio!

You can always rely on the Batlord to have something weird in his journals, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html he's helping us comedown easy from his True Metal Epic with as he says himself, "something completely different". That could be Mayhem, or Arcturus, take your pick. Oh, and he's pleading --- well, he don't plead: demanding, ramming it so far up your --- you get the idea --- for "General Hospital" to be taken seriously. Dunno man, never watched it, but I hate medical drama of all kinds. Now, now, put that big chainsaw dow----

Or you could delve into his other journal, where http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html Believe it or not, this hard-as-**** metal god is trying to get into Country! Hey, but some Country is good. Oh yeah, but the Batlord and Country? Sounds like a marriage made in Hell, no? Anyway, his journey has now taken him into the world of the Man in Black: no, not that one! Johnny Cash! Tune on in and see what he thinks. That wasn't a request...

Big Ears is back! In his journal he's http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html about Frumpy 2, from, er, Frumpy, a 70s prog rock band with a singer you will NOT believe is female!

And after a short absence CanwllCorfe, the man with less vowels in his name than you reckon there should be, is http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...an-corner.html and is ruminating about what it is that makes him love or hate certain songs. He calls it "the thing", and you can read about it by heading his way.

Another one taking up the pen/stylus/mouse/keyboard and writing again in their journal is Kayleigh, and she's looking at songs that make her feel a certain way. Always a good move. You can check what makes her tick, musically, and how, here in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html

Having changed the name of his journal to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-sessions.html Goofle11 is now trying a new way of discovering new music, by watching videos of people who display their record collections. Hmm.

Ki is back with notes on albums by Darkwater, Kokomo and, er, Bring me the Horizon? Erm, yes, quite. You'll find it all (and more) here http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-things.html

Great to see a couple write about music, and Ki's ladyfriend Ladyislingering has started her own journal, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html where she's looking at music that has a special meaning for her. Welcome and we'll look forward to more from you soon; any friend of Ki's.... :thumb:

If you haven't yet witnessed the superb art that Pedestrian creates, shame on you! Head to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sswalking.html right now, realise what you've been missing and beg her forgiveness for being so late to the party!

Another amazing new journal is from The Phantasio, who is giving us what look like excerpts from a novel she's writing? And it's seriously good. You will not want to miss http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html --- get in now, before she becomes a famous author and you have to buy her books!

Shameless Plug time! Plankton has very kindly asked me to review his album, which I am working on at the moment and will have posted in the next day or so in my journal, so watch out for it. Meanwhile, he's throwing some more material into http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...um-bucket.html, with the evolving story of his journey to guitar greatness, which I have no doubt he is a gnat's whisker away from achieving!

PoorOldPo has some more http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ychedelia.html for you to enjoy, including offerings from Gong, Syd Barrett, Gonjasufi and Broadcast and the Focus Group. Check them out, as he says, NOW! Seriously, you do not want to mess with this guy! He's been inside! I mean it...

Another budding author is Psychedub Dude, and while I haven't had a chance to read his story, it looks pretty damn good, so head to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ool-stuff.html and start reading!

Not content with starting one new journal this week, and no doubt thinking himself the Batlord or (perish the thought!) Trollheart of the Journal World --- we shall do battle Sir! --- Screen 13 has started two! In his first, the spookily-titled http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ies-other.html he's doing exactly what it says on the tin: looking back to the days when record shops, or malls, were king; before itunes and Youtube, when you had to actualy walk to a shop to buy your music .... you don't believe any of this, do you? Walk? Shop? Money? Bah, kids today, don't know they're born, wasn't like this in my time, Generic-Oldie-Rant-About-The-Youth-Of-Today # 1,590....

And then he's back! With http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...album-day.html, this time going even further back in time, to the sixties. Screen, your writing is excellent and once I have a moment I will read all your entries, but the amount of new journals and updates this week (though I'm certainly not complaining!) has made it necessary for me just to skim through them in order to make the deadline for the update. Your work looks great though.

All of this updating and new journals being started makes me feel a little guilty, because I haven't touched either of my other two journals this week (though that will change tomorrow) and so you'll have to be content with http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html, where I'm looking at the legacy of a-ha's runaway hit "Take on me", reviewing albums by The Dixie Chicks and the new one from Bowie, and presiding over another "Marriage made in..." Suppose that's not bad really. Still, expect more. Much more. And soon. And watch for the review of Plankton's album in the next few days.

Wrapping up 1974, Unknown Soldier has reviews of Granicus, The New York Dolls and a whole host of the usual albums that "didn't make the cut", as well as a feature on Queen! http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html now surely pounds its way to 1975. We wait in anticipation...

Normally that's it, unless Urban has some pearl of wisdom to shoot our way, and US is left sweeping up and locking the doors after everyone else has gone down the pub (ever think of changing your username? Sucks being last!) :D But this time he gets to scarper and join us at the bar, as the illustrious Zero makes a comeback, with http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html, where he's talking about the Chemical Brothers. Nice one, Z! Don't forget to turn out the lights: electricity ain't free ya know! ;)

And that's usually where we leave it, but from today I want to open a special new section, in which I'll be taking an extract from a member's journal and posting it here, so that anyone who can't be bothered going to the section can see what they're missing. The extracts will usually be short and hopefully interesting, and with a bit of luck will encourage you to head in the direction of the journals if you're not already reading them.

http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/4...ine=1365523297

And there really is nobody else we could start off with, is there? The Batlord takes comedy and an abiding love for True Metal, mixes in a generous amount of fantasy and comes up with one of the most enjoyable posts I've read in ages.

Disclaimer: the Batlord uses a lot of, ahem, colourful language in his posts, and you just need to go with the flow, so if you're offended by such language, I believe he would respond thus: **** YOU!



Admit it: you want more, don't you? You want to find out what happened, where the Batlord went, what he did. Well, you're in luck, because next week we'll feature the second part of this YOU MUST BE JOKING! You want to read his epic tale you drag your sorry ass to his journal. The guy has put serious work into this and you need to give his journal the attention and honour it deserves. Seriously. You will never regret it even for a second.

Next week, something else.

Don't forget, you may not be a Metal Hyper-God like the Batlord, but you too can create your own journal. Just go to the section and post your thread. The mods will okay it and you're on your way. What are you waiting for? Do it. Now.

Oh, and if anyone currently writing a journal would like an extract published here, drop me a PM. And a thousand Euro. Okay, just the PM then. Cheap shower of....

See you next week, same time, new place.
Toodles.

I'm not telling people to take it seriously. Just the opposite. It's so gloriously ludicrous that I can't help but be entertained. A chick got chriogenically frozen for ****'s sake! How is that not hilariously awesome? And the hospital is just a setting for cheeseball soap opera drama. Scrubs is more of a medical drama than General Hospital.

And thanks for the shout out. I love my epics, and they do take far more effort than a sane man is likely to put into something so stupid.

Whoa sweet thanks for the mention Trollheart! I'll try to keep up the quality blog posts yo! :thumb:

This thread is gonna be awesome sauce.

Thanks! I will try to make sure that the music in the journals is varied and kept interesting while my information is as accurate as possible. I'm also doing a lot of research on the business surrounding the "Golden Age of Cut Outs", so I hope I can get everything together for posts focusing on that soon.

Update for week ending April 21 2013
 

Welcome to the second update of the Members' Journals here in our new home. Let's get right down to it then, shall we: there's a steak and onion pie in the oven as we speak with my name on it!

Batlord gets us going, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html he lets us into a little secret: there's a band he loves but has never heard any music from. Why does he love them? The name. What's the name? Shee! You think I'm going to do all your work for you? As he'd say himself, click the link, mutha! He's also looking at earlier incarnations of a favourite of many here, doom metal merchants Electirc Wizard. Over in his other journal, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html, the random *** he's currently listening to is ... yeah, still Country. But he's got taste. Jason and the Scorchers (whose "Thunder and fire" is a brilliant album by the way) and good ol' Townes Van Zandt are his picks. Sweet. We'll have ya wearin' a stetson and hopping on a rodeo bull yet man!

Now, if Country ain't your thang and you're more into extended keyboard solos and lyrics about dragons and wizards (sorry) then check out http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html, where Big Ears is starting a whole new series dedicated to answering the age-old question that has plagued Man for, um, several years: what is progressive rock? This way, this way, folks: welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. Well, it's just beginning actually, and you're right on time. Step right up!

That takes us to K, where Ki is looking at Daft Punk in his "Flashback " series and also having a Rant (have to have the capital R!) in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-things.html about the things that, well, annoy him.

And all the way down to S we go, with a new journal from scleaves, where in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-career.html he promises to let us in on his musicanship and post some of his music. Looks interesting! Watch this space!

S is also for Screen13, who has as we know two journals on the go. In the first, the amazingly creative and fresh http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ies-other.html he's looking at the self-titled debut from The Firm. Remember them? No, not the Tom Cruise movie, idiot! Jimmy Page? Paul Rodgers? No? Oh, you need to head to his journal in a hurry! Also he keeps a link to this in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...album-day.html, where he's talking about, among other artistes, The Yardbirds. Now you KNOW they were the precursor to Led Zeppelin, don't you? Thank goodness for that! He's also throwing a shoutout to one of my favourite artistes, Bob Seger, as well as music from Ike and Tina Turner and MC5, among others. Great stuff!

And so back to me. Sorry but Bitesize is undergoing something of a lean period at the moment, as I concentrate more on my other two journals, but there's plenty happening there to keep you entertained. What? Don't leave. You'll like it here. Really. Please? Ahem.

So, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html there are reviews of albums by Tom Waits, Steve Winwood, a triple review of Virgin Steele and most importantly of all, the one you've all been waiting for, the review of the first album from our own Plankton! And is it worth listening to, let me tell you! Over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there's another episode from Spooks, another New Statesman and an introduction to my favourite TV programme ever. What is it? You'll have to go to my journal to find out. Oh, all right then: it's "The Onedin Line". What do you mean, never heard of it? :yikes:

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html reaches 1975, but not before Unknown Soldier hits us with a serious writeup on Hawkwind! He says '75 was " a lean time for hard rock", so it'll be interesting to see what examples he has for us from that year.

And once again he escapes without having to do the washing-up, nipping smartly out the door and leaving Zero with the task of locking up. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html, he's revealing how talented he is in programming for the Android OS. Geeks and would-be geeks this way!

And now, the Showcase for this week. Already breaking my own rules, I want to focus on an entry from a journal that has not been updated this week, in fact has not been so for some time, but like many good journals it's one that when the author updates it's more than worth the wait.

http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/4...ine=1359799172

A realtively recent resident in Journal Land, Mankycaant has been writing his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html since last November, but some of the entries in it have been pure gold. Not one to fill it out with YouTubes and album reviews, the man who was once Muttley the pigeon-chasing, snickering dog and is now both Bowie AND Jagger takes a more considered approach, both to what he writes and how he writes it, which is why waiting for his often infrequent updates is never disappointing. Here's an example.

And that's why you should read these journals. Some of them --- most of them really --- are just places you could spend hours, grow old and wonder when you finish what those silver saucer-shaped things buzzing through the sky are, and why you feel suddenly so hungry? Yes, time can slip by but in the most pleasant way possible, and who knows, you may get the bug yourself. If you do, if you think you can do as well as or better than us, come and have a go if you think you're hard enough! You know what to do.

Until next Sunday,
Toodles!

Thanks for the mention. I posted two songs I wrote to be approved and I will be singing them soon for people here to hear.

I sort of lost interest in them after hearing their next album, Lost and Found. Seems they lost their original bassist before that album who was sort of the punk half of the band with Jason Ringenburg being the more rock'n'roll side. After he left the band went more rock'n'roll on Lost and Found and lost a lot of their energy and became dull.

Woah look! I'm famous! Awesome!

Update for week ending April 28 2013
 

Apologies for the lateness of the update, but as some of you may have heard, I was without internet access for most of last week, so am way behind in just about every way. I had intended to read everyone's journals more thoroughly, to be able to give a better flavour of what everyone is writing about, but last week put the kibosh on that. However from this week I will do my best to keep up with everyone's writing. If anyone is planning anything special they would like to advertise, let me know and I'll include it in the update. If it becomes popular I may make a regular "Watch this space" or "Coming soon" feature out of it. Not surprisingly, I'll be pushing my own journal in this capacity, so don't miss the chance to let your readers know what you're planning --- provided you know, of course! I know some people just get drunk, stick on a funny hat and trust to luck (what do you mean, why am I wearing that funny hat --- hic!?) but anyone who is planning out sections or features can preview them here at their discretion.

Anyway, enough waffle (mmm... waffles!) from me, let's see what you've all been up to while I was staring at my monitor with "connection not found" blinking at me and screaming NO INTERNET! NO LIFE! NO HOPE! Okay, okay, I wasn't screaming, as such: it was more a high-pitched shriek...

The (one and only, accept no cheap imitations!) Batlord has been continuing his look at Electric Wizard's early incarnations, and also had a visit from Madball's lead singer, where they had, ah, a difference of opinion. He's still recovering. Read all about what happens in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html and while you're there, don't forget to check out his other journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html where he's wrapping up his first foray into the world of Country with Steve Earle and moving on to the Pixies.

Continuing his dissection of prog rock, you really have to read http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html, where Big Ears shows us all (yeah, me too!) how it's done with an almost scholarly appreciation of my favourite genre. I'll be reading this one avidly! He also throws in a review of a Budgie album, presumably just for fun!

Goofle11 is enthusing over Death Grips in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-sessions.html --- and it's NOT "The money store"!!

There's a welcome return for Ki's lady after a brief absence, and in her jounral http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html Ladyislingering is looking at those overlooked genius, Sparks. Personally I only know the one song, well, two, but if you're like me then she'll soon set you straight with an eclectic selection and some very funny videos!

Having found the pressure of reviewing albums he wasn't really interested in (we can't all be Jackhammer!) too much, Powerstars has ditched his original journal and in his new one http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html, he's going to review the albums that he wants to. Good idea, man! Great to see his first review is one of my favourite bands, Bon Jovi's new one which, I must admit, I have yet to listen to. He seems to like it though, so the signs are good... nice review, Powerstars. :thumb:

Looking back at some serious http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ychedelia.html, PoorOldPo features Gong and the late great Syd Barret, definitely worth a look.

I may have missed his previous entry but Psychedub Dude is talking about his favourite funniest music videos and his top video game heroes this week, and http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ool-stuff.html is where you'll find his work.

I haven't listened to any of scleaves' music, but in his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-career.html it's certainly provoking debate! Whether it's good or bad you can judge for yourself by checking it out...

There's some pretty psychedlic stuff being laid down in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...album-day.html, and an interesting little side-discussion on Bob Seger, which I really must read once I get a chance. Screen13 seems to certainly have an eclectic and interesting varied musical taste, so he's fitting right in here.

Now, like I say I'm using the excuse that I was offline most of the week to explain why my journals have been so poorly updated, but though I've plenty of stuff written in advance and ready for publication, once I got back online I didn't want to bombard the friendly mods with fistfuls of entries, so this is the best I could do. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html there's another section to my piece on Rory Gallagher, on http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there's another part to season one of Babylon 5, and I've managed to crowbar in an entry on http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html too, where I'm reviewing another album by a band who are rapidly becoming my favourite Spanish metal band, Saratoga. Much more to come this week, I promise!

And once again Unknown Soldier leads us out, where http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html takes us deep into 1975, with reviews of albums by Deep Purple, Sabbath, Montrose and Rainbow! NOW we're cookin' with gas!

And so on to our Showcase for this week.
http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/1...ine=1362974983

It would seem only appropriate that, as he won the award for best journal 2012 (fume, fume!) I should point you in the direction of Janszoon's wonderful and creative http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...e-all-die.html, which has sadly slipped to the second page now, where it has no right to be, but it's finished now and journals that are no longer updated sadly slide down the pecking order. I'd like to propose a motion though that this be stickied either in the journals section, or, more appropriately, Editors Pick? Anyway, it's a stunning journal and well deserved its award (fume, fume!) so here I present just a small snippet from it, for those of you who have not yet read it, and for those who have, and want to re-read it. THIS is how it's done!


And so, later than intended, that's the update for this week. Again, apologies for the lateness of the hour, but sometimes your path is strewn with cowpats from the devil's own satanic herd, and there's nothing you can do about it. See you next Sunday at the proper time for the next update. Till then, keep writing (if you are) and don't feel shy about starting up if you feel you would like to.

Toodles!

Shiiiiiit I wondered what happened to you last week! Hell you don't know Sparks.....this is a band (duo) with more than twenty albums. As for whether you'll like them I don't know, they're kind of too much off the wall for you perhaps.

Get ready for some WKNR survey talk as well! I found my notes I wrote down a couple of years ago based on the charts of the legendary AM Station that was the king of Detroit AM radio to cruise Woodward Ave. by way back in the day, especially pre-'67 riot and pre-FM Radio (WABX being the first king of that wave before WRIF took over the lead). There was an Oldies station that had a great Sunday Morning show featuring their charts that showed that songs that were misses nationally were pretty big in my local area then. Sadly as CKLW took over and despite a sister FM station that I think had Russ Gibb (much later someone behind the locally known New Wave/Punk TV show Back Porch Video that's still a great memory for people like me), WKNR quickly faded away by 1972.

To hint...the Parliaments single I posted a few days back was actually a #9 in The D. Also interesting to see Small Faces' "Tin Soldier" a #17, The Music Machine's "The People in Me" a #22 and a few local Seger including "East Side Story", "Persecution Smith", and even "Noah" gracing the WKNR Top 20 through those years!

What I try to tell people about Sparks is that they've covered so many genres that anyone can find at least one of their albums to be to their liking; if you have an offbeat sense of humor, an appreciation for bizarre wordplay, and a whole lot of patience, they're a uniquely fulfilling duo.

Furthermore, the fanbase (though small) is filled with genuinely kind, interesting people. Nobody is turned away from the group for any reason; I've never witnessed any weird "you're not a real fan" elitism or bullying within the fandom.

Long story short, Sparks fans are the nicest freaks you'll ever know. :D

Update for week ending May 5 2013
 

We're into a new month already, amazingly, and the sun is beginning to show its face, even here in rainy old Ireland, so summer will hopefully soon be on its way. Over here that's three days in July with maybe the August bank holiday weekend if we're lucky, but hey, it's something to look forward to.

Something else to look forward to is a bunch of new updates to our members' journals, and as ever we go from A to Z, jumping over any of the letters inbetween that don't refer to members. Some of these entries have a definite sense of summer, while some, well, don't, but they're all worth checking out. We have returns for those long thought vanished off the face of the Earth, journal-wise, and even some new-ish journals, so let's get to it, shall we?

Our favourite lord of bats seems to be getting a little confused, as in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html he's featuring a review of Death's "Human", which is all well and good, but it's in the style of his other journal. Time to clear those flying mice out of your belfry, my friend! Speaking of http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html, this time he's listening to The Jesus Lizard and Velvet Underground. Oh, and Nico too. Though he doesn't seem to like her...

Big Ears is continuing his dissertation on Atomic Rooser, as part of his guide to progressive rock, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html: check it out.

Bob is back! No I an NOT joking! After almost a year --- that's right, I said a YEAR --- away, he's back with http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...oise-rock.html and he's looking at a band called The Means. And they sure sound mean. Welcome back bob: don't leave it so long next time, huh? ;)

Ki has shut down his journal. But don't panic: he's opening up a whole new one. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html he's already looking at his favourite game soundtracks (me, I haven't played anything since Doom II --- Halo what?) and introducing a section he calls "Song of the day", which he says will be interchangeable with the same section in his lady's journal. Sounds interesting. I like crossover episodes! Stay tuned: this could be good!

If you don't want a song stuck in your head avoid Ladyislingering's http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html, where she's trotting out her favourite earworms, among other songs she likes. I didn't heed the warning, and now all I can hear in my brain is I EAT CANNIBALS, FEED ON ANIMALS! Somebody HELP ME!!!

The Dog has become the Lion! At least, that's according to Mankycaant, and he'll explain more in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...er-abroad.html, so hurry along there now: his writeups are always worth reading, and you'll kick yourself if you miss this one!

In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html, the starry one is reviewing one of Queen's less respected albums, the disco-influenced "Hot space". Expect some harsh words, and it deserves them!

Screen13 has music from The McCoys, Terry Knight and the Pack (did you know they became Grand Funk Railroad?) and the unGoogleable ? and the Mysterians. Good stuff there Screen, and though the sixties ain't my bag I'm sure you're evoking memories for some around here! Check it all out in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...album-day.html

Bitesize has again had to take one for the team, as I've run out of pre-written material for it and need to get working on some more, but there's still plenty to keep you entertained over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html where I continue to pay homage to the late great Rory Gallagher, talking about another album that changed my life, while also reviewing albums by China Crisis and Suzi Quatro. If television is more your thing then come to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, where I'm beginning my reviews of the Onedin Line and throwing in another movie I love.

With a serious review of Thin Lizzy's "Fighting" as well as Nazareth's "Hair of the dog", http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html could be just the thing you need to cure that hangover you're suffering from. Or not. Either way, there's some powerful writing and oracle-like wisdom to be had from Unknown Soldier, as he continues to dissect rock music from 1975.

And finally, there's an odd conversation going on over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-stuff.html -- well, when isn't there? --- but this is really weird. Seems to concern Charlotte Church, the Fall and, er, Dana... Head bemusedly in Urban's direction to see what it's all about.

Now, before I get to this week's Showcase, I'd just like to set the record straight, because there are some people who are going to be saying "why wasn't my journal included? I updated this week!" Well yes, but some people are just putting up YouTube vidoes and while this is fine, and they're completely entitled to do that, I prefer to direct visitors towards those journals that are being a little more creative. I'm not getting at those who only put up YouTubes, but really, if you want people to read your journal and you're not just doing it as a sideline, interesting thing but don't care if people visit, then you need to draw visitors and the only way to do that is to have something for them to read, laugh at, be informed by, be entertained by. It's just a friendly piece of advice: put a little more thought and creativity into your journals and I'll certainly encourage people to go there and read what you've written.

But for now, any updates that consist purely of YouTubes with a line or two won't be included on the update. Maybe it'll give you the impetus to get those creative juices flowing. Maybe you'll sulk like a child in the corner. Maybe you're already loading a shotgun and buying a ticket to Dublin. You're not, are you? Come on, guys, I'm just doing my job here!

Anyway, that's the line I'm taking. Proper updates will be mentioned, one-liners won't. Oh, and as I think you already know, the update has to be by the author. Comments by others, including smilies, YouTubes or graphics don't qualify.

With that in mind, it's on to this week's Showcase.
And as he's been away for so long it seems only fair we should throw the spotlight on bob. And so we will.

http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/4...ine=1366210007

This was the first real entry in his journal, written all the way back in November 2011. You know, again it's not my thing but this guy knows his noise rock!

(Note: Videos are "Disconnected 666" and "Down come the mickey")

So that takes us to the end of this week's update, the first for May. Remember, if you would like to start a journal there's literally nothing stopping you. Make a thread in the section and once it's approved you're officially a member of Journal-Land. But remember to update it as often as you can, cos once you slide off page one you may as well be a record by Leonard Cohen, as Neil once complained in "The Young Ones". The journal section is a place where you literally have to make sure you're always on top!

Mind you, you'll be doing well to achieve that, as I am ALWAYS updating! No, I have no life. Still, if you're up for the challenge...

Till next week,
Toodles!

Thanks! There has been a bump in the road for my other blog due to a LOT of research being done for the next few installments, one focusing on one of my all time favorite bands, Devo. Shout from 1984 has been a cause for some discussion between fans and who's fall from the Pop Scene is seriously in perfect time to the falling down of the original New Pop era, with Shout being part of a long line of albums in Late 1984 that sounded the funeral horns for that era. Out of a love of their music, and knowing more in detail of how one can hear Shout as a big disappointment, the album certainly deserves more than the usual one-line statements from the critics that may have heard the album once without knowing the history - usually a bump in the road is just a bump in the road, but this is a look into a very influential band who's fall from grace has had it's share of people with wise-ass remarks just digging away. It has it's place with both Devo's history and the era of New Pop all together, and I even dig out the album from time to time to hear a couple of tracks that still deserve a play to have fun.

As for The 60's, I hope that people will get a good understanding of the under looked tracks of a decade that has had a lot of fandom, but still not too much understanding. There's a lot of great music that deservedly is highly regarded, no complaints there, but although some know about the lack of commercial acceptance of a lot of the music that is hailed today there's a lot that's still not heard as much. I love to at least introduce a lot of music to people and even bring in some local flavor in the process while also detailing about the radio business that was changing very fast as well.

I have mentioned about two of The Pack moving into GFR, with Terry Knight being the manager for their first few years. Actually, I forgot to mention that the Mel in GFR's equation was from ? and the Mysterians, which would have made it a perfectly themed post.

Anybody reading this, might actually think of me as being smart.

Don't worry. I would never do that.

Thanks for the kind words. I'll keep checking back here man! Oh, and defiantly check out the new album, it's awesome!

How does one defiantly check out an album? Do you give your stereo the finger?

Update for week ending May 12 2013
 

It's Sunday (maybe) it's whatever o'clock, and time to take our usual trip to Journal Land and see what the busy inhabitants have been getting up to over the last week. Look at them all: you can just see if you look closely enough --- but not too closely! They scare easily --- little faces, pale from lack of sunlight, sitting at little desks strewn with empty crisp packets, bottles of energy drinks or water, stubbed-out cigarettes in the ashtrays of those who smoke and piles of CDs, like dangerously toppling Leaning Towers. This is where it all happens, this is where the magic is made. But be quiet if you want to observe them: some of them will run away like Trollheart or Big Ears, while others like the Batlord will come out angrily with a shotgun or baseball bat in hand, to enquire what the heck you think you're doing, spying on him (though he'll use much more colourful langauge than that!), and still others will just shut their curtains and jealously guard their creations.

But if you're very quiet, and don't disturb them, you can take a look at what these industrious little frustrated authors have been scribbling over the past seven days. Stick close now, and please, no cameras... No, no camcorders either.

It's to the Batlord we go first, and don't mind those signs he has up saying KEEP OUT THIS MEANS YOU MOTHERFUCKER! Just be quiet and don't startle him. Very carefully and softly, let us enter http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html, where it seems we find the Batlord is indeed sitting on his throne, but far from hatching any evil schemes, this time he's sad about the state of metal, and how it's being commercialised. Aw. NO DON'T GO NEAR HI--- Oh-kayyy.. does anyone know that guy's next of kin? I warned you, don't mess with these guys. No, there are no refunds. Insurance? Are you crazy? Let's try his other journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html. Ah, this is more like it! He's listening to the Replacements, the Stones and the Sonics, as well as Judas Priest and Doctor Feelgood. Nice!

This one should be safe anyway: http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...an-corner.html, where CanwllCorfe is making up for lost time by writing a lengthy entry about his entire development of music down through his life. It's so good it's been chosen for this week's Showcase!

The Crossover has begun! In Ki's journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html he's featuring his Songs of the Day as well as those of his better half, Ladyislingering, and also looking at new releases due from Sabbath, Sigur Ros and Daft Punk. Mmmm.

And of course that brings us to said journal, where the lady is certainly lingering over many videos of songs that impress her, remind her of times or feelings, or that she just likes. You can catch it all in her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html.

Powerstars is looking at what must be Paul McCartney's first solo album, which apparently has a lot of demos on it. Sounds interesting though. You can check it out at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html.

That brings us to my humble abode. Step 'cross the threshold, weary traveller, and rest your head. That'll be a tenner please. Coffee? Another fiver. Hey, we're all hurtin' from this financial meltdown y'know: gotta make it where ya can! Anyhoo, in my main journal, through here, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html you'll find reviews of albums by Jaki Graham, Nine Stones Close (who?) and a 200-word review of Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell", while over there, if you want to sit down in front of the TV, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html has the third episode of Love/Hate and beginning a new series, the superb House of Cards trilogy. No, NOT the Kevin Spacey one! This is the real deal! I've even had time to update http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html with a review of one of Tank's early albums. More to come soon! Don't forget to pay your tab on the way out. Thank-you-come-again!

Now, whatever you do don't disturb Unknown Soldier: he has a serious amount of work to do and all those facts and figures don't jsut write themselves you know! Deep into 1975 in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html he's looking at albums by UFO and Alice Cooper, with more to come in the days ahead no doubt. No, leave him alone! Don't touch that green bubble: that's what's allowing him to communicate with the music of the seventies, and even the slightest touch could .... oh crap! Look, let's just get out of here before he notices ---- RUUUUNNNNNNN!!!!!

Quick! In here! We can take refuge in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html --- he'll never think to look here! Oh look: Zero is talking about Ethereal Wave, isn't that interesting? Don't look out the window, US is passing and if he sees us --- phew! Looks like he went past. Man, he looked mean!

So let's just take a moment to settle our nerves, and read the Showcase for this week then, shall we? As already mentioned it comes from CanwllCorfe, and it is in fact this week's entry in his journal.

http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/2...ine=1339702012

CanwllCorfe has been writing his journal on and off for four years now, though there have been large hiatuses, the most recent being a year-long gap since last March... Nevertheless, as Urban once pointed out, it's quality not quantity we look for here, and you certainly get the former in this journal. Here's this week's stunning contribution.

Note 1: I know I said at the beginning that these would be short extracts, but you can't shorten this, and you won't be able to deny the quality of the writing once you read it.

Note 2: I also know I said I'd refer to, but not post, the YouTube videos used, but there are so many here it's not gonna happen. Just go to the guy's journal: you won't be disappointed.

Okay then, everybody here? Headcount. Hmmm. Yes, other than him. Well, he should have read the t&c more carefully. No, he wasn't covered by insurance. Well, only one loss this time, getting better. Hope you all enjoyed your trip through Journal Land this week, and remember you too can join these hallowed ranks by, er, making a thread in the journal section. Who knows? Next time we could be looking at YOU through a window, or it could be YOU setting your dog on us and telling us to fuck off and leave you alone! You've got to dream! You've got to hold on to the dream!

Till next Sunday
Toodles!

On a personal note...
 

Just want to say thank you to all my viewers, as the Playlist of Life has just passed one hundred thousand views, a true milestone! Thanks again and I hope to continue entertaining you for another hundred thousand at least! :bowdown:

Thank you so much for featuring me! :D

I wish I never f*****g reminded you now.;)

Oh believe me, I needed no reminding! I've been watching that sucker climb since Christmas, had the insane hope that I'd hit the magic number before then. Goddamn you all, where were you when I needed you? :band: ;)

Reading better journals. http://www.atheistnetwork2.com/image...ace_smiley.png

Ye Who Have Not Updated: I'm gunnin' for ya!
 

Just a little note before the next update to advise I'm thinking of implementing a new section (what is this, a journal?) in which I'll be "going after" those who used to have or still have great journals but who have not updated in quite some time.

Now, before anyone gets on their high horse and demands why I think I can do this, bear this in mind: as with just about anything I write or purpose, none of this is meant to offend, so I hope it doesn't. What the intention is, is to draw attention to Great Journals We Miss and try to convince their authors to pick them up again. I of course realise there are many reasons why people stop updating, and very many of these reasons are valid. Life has a way of intruding. But sometimes it's just that people have become bored, see their work as stagnating, have run out of ideas or perhaps lost the will to continue writing as they believe nobody is reading.

This section will address a journal I pick out which I have particularly enjoyed, explain a little about what it's about, maybe take an extract, I haven't decided yet, and encourage the author to try to update. Of course, you're free to tell me to go boil my head, but maybe this could be the incentive/impetus you've been waiting for. Maybe it's time to drag out that dusty folder from under the coffee table, read your hastily-scrawled notes and think about maybe giving it another go.

I am under no illusions that people will just start writing again because I think they should, but there are some amazing journals here which have not been updated in months, some even longer, and it would be nice to see them come to life again. Hell, if only one in ten, one in twenty decide it's a good idea to try again I'll consider it worth the others I annoy who ignore me.

So watch out! I'm heading down into the dusty vaults of Journal Land (there must be a better name: Journalia? Journalopolis?) to see if I can pry open some of the forgotten, neglected coffins down there and pull out the stakes that have been pinning them to the earth for so long. Maybe I'll get my neck bitten, but hey, it's worth the risk, I feel.

Now, where's my crucifix and holy water....?

hey trollheart....i just wanted to say thank you for the kind words and the nod....i sincerely appreciate it....and will try my hardest to update at least once a week :)

i just finished my piece on Unsane

and thanks man....and i truly appreciate what you do here :)

http://www.popularvirals.com/images/...tions-0906.gif

. . . TH, on the 100,000 mark.

Update for week ending May 19 2013
 

Good to see a resurgence in updates people! No time for a snappy intro this week as I'm way behind schedule, so let's get right to it.

Now, as I've pointed out before there are loads of genres of music I personally am not interested in, but I will always read a well-written article, even if it's about something I have little or no stake in. A very good example is Antonio's truly incredible review of Tyler the Creator's "Wolf" album. I'll be honest: this was slated for this week's Showcase, and it's only the amount of time and energy Gavin B has put into his latest entry that has pushed it to next week's instead. But it will feature next Sunday. If you want to read it before then (and you should) here's where to go: http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ng-ground.html

Nothing in the Batcave this week, for perhaps the first time ever, but there's a good reason for that. More in a moment, but don't forget to check out http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html where the batty one is currently on, er, a Britney kick! Yeah, if you thought his forays into the world of Country (no doubt he'd drop the "o"!) were off the all for the Batlord, well just experience his views on Ms. Spears, where he seems to be determined to make it through her entire catalogue. Rather you than me, man! As for the reason there's no update to the Batcave, well, seems he's started a new journal, making now three in all. This one's different. He's reading Nick Hornby's seminal "High Fidelity", and so has created http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-fidelity.html, where he's already looked at ... er, nothing yet. But I'm sure the songs will start pouring in once he gets this going.

Gavin B is back! And has he got a treat for us. Now that the gates of http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...use-songs.html have been reopened, he's kicking off a huge essay on soul music, which really has to be read to be believed. It's going to be massive, and just to underline that, I've chosen an extract from it as this week's Showcase. Yeah, it's that good!

And speaking of the Showcase, bob is no doubt flushed with success from his being featured last week, and it seems to have galvanised him to write more! Yeah man! That's why I decided to start up this whole thing! Good for ya! Now keep it up... The next band to enter his crosshairs are apparently one of his favourite, if not his absolute alltime favourites, Unsane. He certainly knows his stuff. If you're into noise rock, and you're NOT reading bob's journal, I have only one question: why?

Ki's been doing a considerable amount of writing this week too, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html he's looking at albums from Iron and Wine and Streetlight Manifesto, as well as "Sixteen albums you should listen to", beginning with A Swarm of the Sun, Agalloch and Pendulum. Oh yeah, he's also starting a new section in which he asks the question "Worth the hype?" Worth the read? You know the answer to that!

Looking for your fix of Motown music? Head to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html, where Ladyislingering has everything you need, and more!

Powerstars is branching out! He's taking a break from rock albums to look at something called ... Chiptune? Hmm, I dunno: maybe an explanation as to what that is? Anyway, the album is called "The early attampts" and is by Fearofthedark, so make of that what you will. Also, delighted to see he took my advice and reviewed the album I sent him, Richie Sambora's excellent "Aftermath of the lowdown". Cool review. Oh, and he's having a rant against Windows Media Player --- who ever thought that piece of bloated software was a good idea?? All this and more at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html

And so we come back around to me. I've been trying to keep updates going this week, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html you'll find my next bit of "History set to music", with the release of Nelson Mandela, also my second Roll of the Dice, featruing Cancer Bats, as well as a review of Yes' s"Union" album. Oh, and we just passed one hundred thousand views! First time ever for a journal, as far as I can see. Thanks everyone!

Meanwhile, over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there's another episode from "The New Statesman" and the introduction to Michael Dobbs' political dark thriller "House of cards", the original one starring Sir Ian Richardson. There's also another update of "Supernatural" on the way; it may be posted by the time you read this, it may not, but it's certainly coming. And in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html there's a review of Belgian (I thnk) AOR band Frozen Rain's album "Ahead of time".

That takes us to Unknown Soldier, who's still http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html and rocking up 1975, where he has reviews of seminal albums from Led Zep and Aerosmith.

And normally that would be it, but we're favoured by the presence of the lovely Vanilla, who has an update to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-eargasms.html, where she's letting us all in on her musical tastes. An essential read.

So on that pleasant note we end another update. Not a bad week overall: new journals, resurrected journals and a whole lot of interesting and eclectic music to choose from. Where else would you get it only here, at Music Banter, the home of music. And banter. And music banter too, obviously.

And so to this week's Showcase. As mentioned, it was originally to be the amazing review of Tyler the Creator's "Wolf" by Antonio, but I've put that back just one week because I've been so impressed by this new article that Gavin B has started working on.
http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/2...ine=1292787017
It looks like it's going to be one hell of a read: educational, fun and entertaining. This is just the intro; he's already written two updates to this. I suggest you head to his journal and avail yourself of his knowledge, particularly if you're a soul aficionado, but even if you're not, as I said at the start, a good article is always worth reading.

So that's this week's Showcase. My apologies to Antonio, but you're definitely in for next week, mate. Superb review. (By the way, you people don't have to wait till next week: check out his article now. Nothing's stopping you. Look: it's just a few clicks of a mouse away!)

Till next week, remember to check out the journals and consider starting one yourself if you're not already doing so.

Oh, wait just a tension-popping moment... I almost forgot!
http://www.trollheart.com/crypt2.png
There are of course many reasons why people stop writing their journals. After all, it's not exactly a top priority for most people, and it's hardly the most important thing in their life. Assuming you have a life, unlike me. But there have been some truly amazing journals in the past few years, many of which have not been updated for a long time, and have consequently slid off page one and into the nether realms of Journal Land, never to be seen again except for those with too much time on their hands (yes, again, guilty!) who go looking for them.

This is a cry for those journals to be resurrected, or if not, to at least draw attention to them so that, even if their authors have no intention of getting back into them, or are unable to, or have even left our community, they can be read and enjoyed.

So, with the hope that maybe this spotlight being shone into the dark and cobwebbed recesses of the latter pages of the journal section may revitalise or even lead to the rebirth of some journals which don't deserve to die and be forgotten, here's the first in a series of journals I was really impressed with, and hope someday maybe to see back in the land of the living.

http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/2...ine=1338181179
While I know he is still very much around, and busy with his other journal exorting people to give int to the temptations of smooth jazz (also worth a look at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ed-masses.html), I miss http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-obscure.html, which for a time I considered Anteater's main journal. In this he reviewed some pretty weird and eclectic stuff, though from what I read a lot of it was AOR and prog, two of my favourite genres, and his. Here's just a small sample, with the quiet hope that if he gets a spare moment we might see this excellent journal drag itself back onto page one, which I believe is its rightful place.

Okay, so that's it for another week. Don't forget, if you're reading journals, it does pay to move beyond page one, as there is some amazing stuff there. And also remember, even a comment by you can bring that journal back onto the first page, which could be the first step towards its eventual rebirth. Come on: you know it's your civic duty!

Until next week, Journalads and Journalasses
Toodles!

Chiptune is like video game styled music. This album in particular sounds like it's coming from a Super Nintendo. I highly recommend it.

Hey TH: Sorry for the late response, but thank you for profiling my journal a few weeks ago! It's always nice to hear some positive feedback. :)

Yeah Trollheart thanks for the mention!

Update for week ending May 26 2013
 

And so we're into the final update for May, as summer should be winging its way towards us --- unless you live in Ireland of course! Interesting and encouraging to see that the entire first page of the journals section is this week up for grabs, with a whole fistful of new entries and some resurrected journals too. So let's dive right in then.

Until Anteater makes his presence known in the journals again, it's at B we start and so to the Batlord, where in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html he's still on a female pop kick, with Britney already reviewed, now he's checking out Kylie and Ke$ha. Careful man: you're in danger of losing your post as Hardest Metal Guy on the Forum! Still, he does also review Lou Reed''s "Metal machine music", though he seems as bemused about it as most of us are.... Over in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...t-schemes.html he's looking at Dark Angel, the perfect antidote to those "up-and-at-em" mornings, apparently, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-fidelity.html he's started talking about the songs, with Neil Young, The Smiths, Aretha Franklin and more!

Gavin B continues his musical journey while talking about The School, April March and Aquaserge, Caro Emerald, The National.... look, there's just too much to note it all here. Just rest assured that you'll find something to interest you in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...use-songs.html, okay?

Goofle11 is talking about that Catherine Wheel album again! Check out what he has to say at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-sessions.html

Another journal coming out of the archives is Hermione's http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ised-fire.html which seems to have had its last update in 2011. But now she's talking about Britpop, in particular the Stone Roses, so head her way to discuss.

Delight knows no bounds! Janszoon is back to tell us more about http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sible-man.html and as usual you'll get not only great and strange music here, but incredible prose. This time our insubstantial friend is listening to Byetone, "Death of a typographer". Cool. You need to check this journal out. And Jansz, you need to update more!

Ki's taking a short break from his journal, but before he does he's taking a look at the new album from Daft Punk, which everyone seems to love. Not my thing, you understand --- disco, vocoders, all that --- but it's a pretty fine review. Catch it before he heads off on his holidays at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html

And of course we then come to Ladyislingering, where she's paying tribute both to the late Ray Manzarek of the Doors, who died earlier this week, and legend Marc Bolan, who seems to be something of an obssession with her. They're all in her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html, along with a lot of other cool stuff.

Pedestrian has completed her pilot script for a TV comedy! :beer: And it's pretty damn good, too. Check it out at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sswalking.html
and tell her what you think.

And Powerstars is widening his focus in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html with reviews of the Beatles (no, wait...) Sonny Moore aka Skrillex apparently, an album I sent hs way by 3 and, er, Super Mario Brothers. Hey look: if you can't find something there to pique your interest there's something wrong!

Another to return to us this week is Screen13, always welcome, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...album-day.html you'll find a feature on the movie Mondo Bizzaro: I don't know it but apprently it's very famous. Sixties nostalgia, eh?

I've been doing what I can to update my journals as regularly as possible, though I am currently writing a lot of material that won't see publication for some time. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html there's a review of one of what I consider a-ha's greatest albums, a new section called "Two sides of the same coin", along with a new "Words get in the way" and one of the closing few entries on my Rory Gallagher special. Red Dwarf season one comes to an end in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, and Supernatural is getting there too: two more episodes from that as well as another from Spooks, with the announcement too of yet another new series due soon, this being the much-loved comedy Frasier. What about http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html? Yeah, I've managed to throw in a review there too, well sort of. Just have a look, you'll see what I mean.

And so on to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html, where Unknown Soldier introduces us to Angel, plus two live albums and a bunch of other albums that again, didn't make the cut for this year. So much to read, so little time...

But before US has the chance to lock the door Vanilla is sliding in (stop that, all of you!) and telling us all about the Pretty Reckless in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-eargasms.html. What a way to end!

Now, last week I promised Antonio I would feature his review on Tyler the Creator as the Showcase and, well, here it is.
http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/2...ine=1304145234

Whether you're into this sort of music or not (I'm firmly in the latter camp) you really should read this because it is one hell of a great review. Sadly Antonio's journal has slipped off the front page, mostly I think because so many people are suddenly updating this week, but if you go to read this and his other material you'll be helping him by moving him back to page one, where he deserves to be.

So that's it for another week. Great to see so many updates, renewals of journals and really top-notch writing all round. Keep it up, everyone!

Until next week,
Toodles!

lol I liked what you wrote about mine.

Thanks for the mention. Mondo Bizarro is an Exploitation Movie fan's favorite, especially that of those who look into the pre-MPAA Rating era of Exploitation and Sexploitation which started in Nov. 1968, when a couple of the first X ratings were for Greetings, Directed by a young Brian De Palma and starring Robert De Nero, and Girl on a Motorcycle starring Marianne Faithful and later called Naked Under Leather in a early 1971 re-issue (In '69, small cuts would turn the film into an R).

Mondo Bizarro was certainly an inspiration for the Ramones to call their 1990 album by that title, proven by their covers album a couple of years later being called the Acid Eaters, a film Produced and Distributed through David F. Friedman who was a friend and competitor of Olympic International's Bob Cresse. You can point to The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film as being a spark for a lot of interest in these films in The 80's and Something Weird Video's growth in the Early 90's.

"Back in the Day", it was a hit in Adult/Sexploitation film circles, and even was part of Olympic's 1970 campaign to get it's films into the growing Adult Theater business after the X Rating made these films more playable, although it certainly would have got an R today (it was from 1966, keep in mind). It's enjoyable, although some of Cresse's humor in the fake mondo scenes will be certainly be tasteless to some. This does not mean it was well known in mainstream circles, but it played well enough for many to remember both it's tasteless fake mondo scenes, fake credits, and the inclusion of some real captures in LA '66.

Actually, one of the background music selections was also used in Ray Dennis Steckler's flick Rat Phink a Boo Boo! Credited, too!

Update for week ending June 2 2013
 

Ah, June is upon us! Two days into the new month, halfway through the year already and here we are with another look at what the residents of Journal Land are up to this week.

Antonio beats the Batlord to the opening review this week, and he's looking at another rap/hip-hop album in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ng-ground.html, this time Chance the Rapper, whom he says is what could be possibly described as a "nice" rapper. Interested? Head his way: his reviews are always detailed and informative, and well-written.

Champing at the bit to go, but held back by Antonio's incredibly clever decision to have a username beginning with A, we had better let the Batlord loose, for he doth have much wisdom to impart! In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html he's continuing his girlpop kick and checking out Madonna's work, as well as more Ke$sha and, just to redress the gender imbalance (or more likely because he's getting bored), REM. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-fidelity.html he's up to page 37 and seems to have developed an unexpected appreciation for Bob Dylan...

Gavin B meanwhile is moving on to the Stax Records story and if you're not interested in that (and why not, I ask?) then poke around http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...use-songs.html and you'll also find a band called Piano Magic who have ... no piano in their music. There! Didn't I tell you there's always something different and interesting going on here? Don't doubt me in future, it makes me angry, and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Actually, you probably wouldn't like me when I'm calm. But enough of me, on we go...

Ki is next, and as he said, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html However, he and I have a disagreement. He thinks Asia's "XXX" is brilliant, I think it's ... not. Well to be honest I think it's terrible, but there you are: the world wouldn't be half as interesting and forums like this would certainly not exist if everyone thought the same. Still, you should know that he is wrong. ;) Check out what he has to say above.

And of course that takes us alphabetically to his better half, where Ladyislingering has once again astounded us with her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html, where you'll find music form Heart, Squeeze and Weird Al (remember him?) as well as her opinion on legendary producer Phil Spector (she thinks he's a douchbag. She's right.) :pssst:

Been a while since Plankton favoured us with an update, but then when you consider the quality of music he produces himself you can understand that. If you haven't already read my review of his album then head to my journal post haste, and thence to his website, there to download and enjoy! However, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...um-bucket.html he's getting back to talking about his musical influences growing up, particularly those that impacted on his later guitar playing. Here he's paying homage to Rush, and with a guitarist like Alex Lifeson, who would question that?

Powerstars has started going through his brother's record collection, and selected some gems to review. It says here. Anyway, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html the particular nugget he's decided on this week is Nirvana's "Nevermind". Not my thing, but he does a great review, and if you like Kurt and the boys then head his way.

Screen13 has also been busy this week. In the eerily-titled http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ies-other.html he's talking about a film called Times Square which, though something of a flop commercially, gave birth to a great soundtrack.

And so to me. What have I been up to? Nothing that could be proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law, I assure you! Oh, you mean in my journal! Well, let's see. In http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html there's a return for "More than words", as well as "Run for cover" which features Pulp and, er, William Shatner? I kid you not! There's also a new section in which I drone on about the albums I'm currently listening to, while http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html has a review of an album by Images of Eden, with the final episode of season one of "Love/Hate" and an announcement of the soon-to-be-commenced reviews of "Frasier" in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html.

Unknown Soldier is looking mostly at live albums in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html with albums by Kiss, BOC and Grand Funk, but he also has time to talk about Uriah Heep and some band called Armageddon. All this, and sleep too! Amazing!

And everyone's favourite grump shows us all how it's done with his new journal, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...79-2000-a.html, with albums already reviewed by Ry Cooder, The Undertones, Neil Young and Gang of Four. Shaping up to be one of THE journals to read!

Finally, Zero is no doubt contemplating summer in Ireland, as in his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-sound.html he's considering three albums for walking in the rain. Ooh yeah, bring on the summer, man! :rolleyes:

And now, this week's Showcase...

I've criminally ignored this journal for weeks now, so it's time to put this to rights.
http://www.musicbanter.com/avatars/5...ine=1350245575
Although he only began his journal last October, Big Ears has put an amazing amount of information, research and time into http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...s-journal.html, and I can only really compare his writing, in terms of research and knowledge of his subject, to that of Unknown Soldier. Yeah, I know: it's that good. Here's an excerpt:

A good way to wrap up the first journal update of June indeed, and with summer peeping over the horizon there are bound to be plenty of outdoor festivals and gigs happening, so if you're looking for something to start a journal about, there's an idea.

See you all next week!
Toodles!

One question...is there any way I can change the title of the journal just to Screen 13's 80's Cut Out Memories? It seems like the original title was way too long.

Oh don't do that! If you have to shorten it call it "Ghost Mall": that was the phrase that attracted me to the journal originally. It will lose a lot of its character if you take that away. Either way, I'm sure one of our friendly mods will help you out. Or maybe Urban... ;)

Even I can only listen to so much emotionally vapid music before I feel the need for some substance.

Many, many thanks (Double Double Good! There's a "Happy" reference for Monday!)!

A request to shorten my journal name to Ghost Mall Music, please. That will bring more ficus on what I'm trying to steer it to. Through the last few weeks, I have been thinking it many times over, and right now I have seen quite a few used albums that have both sold very well and went C/O - Devo's classic Freedom Of Choice being one of them (C/O on the upper right hand side, possibly due to maybe the band discontinuing the catalog that was in the original pressing and the label trying to get rid of them!). I thought that it was going to be an all too easy task, as my used album shopping was made easy for me looking for the dot or cut, but once I started to see albums like Rod Stewart's Tonight I'm Yours (C/O in The US possibly due to overpressing), it was going to be a crazy ride.

So, yes, give "Cut Out" the Cut, due to over-planning so that I can seriously focus on 80's Music in general. My used album buying still has that focus and I have some general articles about the business in the plans.

Please make my journal Ghost Mall Music. Thanks.