Taking a glimpse over Mikey Dread’s shoulder I noticed he’d included the words “…shaking off his Luddite shackles…” in a paragraph about my imminent arrival in the land of blog. Now let’s get something straight - I may have a penchant for a tailoring style that some have called Edwardian, but it doesn’t mean I yearn for a return to a romanticised past and “computems are the work of Beelzebub.”
However, by the same token, I have no longing for a romanticised future. Computers are a tool, a very powerful one granted, but a tool all the same. To many, the method of delivery is of more interest than what is actually being delivered, and modernity sprays a sheen over mediocrity. Now read on, dot dot dot.

Mr Clarkson - Glaswegian collector of psycho-billy, fine art and rare footwear, recently invited me to an exhibition featuring an artist whose work he collected. The painter in question was Frank McFadden.
Months later I have the pleasure of owning some of Frank’s work, including a painting inspired by ‘The Bullet Catcher’s Apprentice’. Rumour has it he is also making some work based on the ‘Wrong Meeting’ albums. I will be featuring a biog and examples of his work in episodes to come.

The crystals in the stereogram are currently white hot and vibrating to the following.

CHARLIE FEATHERS / LIVE AT THE HIBERNIAN CLUB FULHAM BROADWAY 1990. [BOOTLEG CD]
The king of rock-a billy plays it and says it like a man who knows his time is nearly up as indeed it was ,this being his last ever live show in Europe before his death. Legend has it his wages were spent on mounting hospital bills.I would like to thank Mr Max De Charne for donating this recording to the Rotters library.Tear it up !

PORTER WAGGONER / WAGONMASTER [ANTI]
You’re not likely to hear a better song than ‘Commited to Park View’ for quite some time to come.
Quality country from a veteran practicioner.

LITTLE RICHARD / EXPLOSIVE [EDSEL]
Mr Penniman with a set from 1966 that can only be described as Northern Soul.With some soulful ballads thrown in for good measure.

BE-BOP-DELUXE / THE SINGLES [HARVEST]
A collection that re-ignited some of my earliest [pre-punk] musical memories and influences.

EDWYN COLLINS / YOU’LL NEVER KNOW [HEAVENLY 7 INCH]
Proof that serious illness cannot diminish serious talent. And there’s a Dennis Bovell dub on the B-side.

THE LIMEHOUSE CUTTHROAT / NAKED UNDER LEATHER
An ‘electro psyche mix’ thrust into my hands at a Tony Wilson tribute night in the regimental canteen by a man I first met at a Tav Falco gig.Thank you Joe. 45 minutes off fuzz and filth both ancient and modern. More info at myspace.com/limehousecutthroat

BEARD SCIENCE / HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE EDIT [PROMO CD]
9 razor sharp edits whisking you through the doors of the martian disco.
Contact: beardscience@gmail.com
Beardspace: http//myspace.com/beardscienceuk

This week The Chairman’s Book Club proudly presents…..
‘Drums O’ Terror, Voodoo In The Cinema’ by Bryan Senn [Luminary Press,USA]
A tome that “chronicles,critiques and explores every English language voodoo film to date.

‘Who Killed Martin Hannett’ by Colin Sharp [Aurum]
A man of Hannett’s stature[in every sense of the word] was bound to create waves when he fell and those waves continue to be ridden by bands and producers to this day.
I’ll let Martin introduce himself via page 111:

“I am the Lord Of Disorder. I possess Raw Power. I am the Anti-Christ. I destroy passers-by. I come from Kill City and I am on a mission to kick out the jams motherfuckers.”

Sometime in the next week, Andrew Weatherall is going to break off his luddite shackles and start to write a regular column here.  It could be a full on rant, a special gig listing or what he had for breakfast.  Who knows what nonsense weeps from his brain…