Death of Samantha

Tonight Cleveland's DEATH OF SAMANTHA are playing their first gig in nearly 20 years.

I saw DOS many times back in the 1980's.  I think I was probably at their second or maybe third-ever gig, way back when they were only a 3-piece band.  Even in that early stage I liked them right away.  They had some really good songs...not to mention an additional mysterious "it" that all great bands seem to have.

This particular recording captures them at the very first gig they played with their then-new guitar player, Doug Gillard.  It was at the long-gone Pop Shop near Cleveland State University.  The date was May 25, 1984 and they had not yet recorded their first single.  With John Petkovic's permission, I was allowed to tape their set on my boombox that night.  He also told me, "In 28 years from now, please post one of the songs on something called the internet."  I didn't know what he was talking about of course, but now it is clear what a visionary person he was/is.

I should be at their show tonight, but alas can not make the drive to Cleveland.  Sucks.  Oh well, I hope they don't wait another 20 years to reform.  I don't think I can hold out that long.



I don't know how long this will be here.  It might disappear if someone from the band objects...

TA Miller - Something Right (mp3)

TA MILLER
"Something Right"
(mp3)



Click above to listen. Written, recorded and blah, blah, blah by TA Miller, Dec. 2011. Happy holidays.

Amy Winehouse

I'm an old guy, so I've seen this happen plenty of times. "(fill in the blank rock star), dead at age 27."  Why is that such a common age for rock 'n roll endings?  Jimi, Janis, Brian Jones, D. Boon, Kurt and quite a few others checked out at that age.

I never bought any of Amy's records (yes, I still call them records), but she had style and a lot of talent.  Too bad she also had some other things in excess.  Very sad to see a life - any life - thrown away.  This will probably sound bad, but I don't care: people like her piss me off.  People with addictive personalities are selfish.  It's all about them.  It has to be that way, they can't be any other way. It's either a cure or a quick death.  There are really no other roads to travel...and the only way to a cure is to look beyond yourself and realize that OTHER PEOPLE MATTER.  It's not all about you.

Sorry, that's all probably nonsense.  What do I know about it anyway?  I've never been an addict or an alcoholic; I'm also not a psychiatrist.  I do know a good song when I hear it, though.  Here's one of Amy's, the song "Help Yourself," from her first CD "Frank."   So long Amy...you should have stuck around longer.
 
Amy Winehouse
14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011

Funky Sisters

"Soul Woman" b/w "Do It To It" 

I don't know anything about this group other than this is probably from the 1960's and the A-side is a gender-specific rewrite of Sam and Dave's "Soul Man."

Last week I was using this post solely to promote the fact that I was selling this single on eBay.  I had placed a clip of the first 1:15 minutes of the A-side song.  Now that the auction is over, as promised, here are the full versions of both sides of this obscure soul 45.  Click the folder below and you will be directed to my Skydrive "Funky Sisters" files, where you can download the two mp3 files.



Once again this post is a departure from my previous practice of only featuring my own solo and band recordings.  I don't see why I should limit myself to any one thing.  Therefore I will continue to post more obscure records from my collection...at my usual snail's pace.

You might be able to listen to one of these songs on YouTube, but here you can download them right into your iPod, or whatever gadget you use to listen to music.

Your welcome and thanks for looking!

Pat and the Satellites

It's been a long time since I put anything up here.  I haven't been recording any songs.  Too much other things happening right now...and not particularly inspired at any rate.

The other day I bought a USB turntable at a yard sale for 10 bucks.  Because I've been using it to put sound clips on my eBay listings, I thought I'd post an oldie here.  For no particular reason, my goal was to see how fast I could make the sound file, take a picture and post this.  Turns out it took only 23 minutes.

According to some website, this was recorded on November 25, 1958, the very same day I turned 2 years old.




This is a real cool and raw garage instrumental thumper.  Enjoy.

Offbeats - Don't Take My Advice

Here's a song that never made it on to the Smog Veil reissue CD...or even on any of the several rip-off punk compilations that have, over the years, featured Offbeats recordings used without permission.  Like the one put out by the aptly-named "Grand Theft Audio" record label, for instance.

This is a song I always liked.  Unfortunately, I am not that fond of the long rant at the end.  What was my problem back then?  Who knows.  Ah, young musicians...usually self-centered and going on and on about their problems.  Whatever, dude.  The unnecessary ending bit is why I have always resisted reissuing this song in the past.  Actually, I now find it amusing.

CLICK THE FOLDER TO DOWNLOAD:



There are two mp3 files at the above link:  the original 1986 LP mix and a new 2011 "speedy ending mix."  Yes, I sped up part of the ending, in order to dispense with it sooner.  I prefer the new version, if any.  You might not, which is why I've included both.

Historical note and name dropping info:  The "Evolution" album was produced by Randy Burns.  His production resume includes such heavy hitters as:  Megadeth, Nuclear Assault, Possessed, Dark Angel, Ludichrist, Zoetrope and Death.  Also the first Flaming Lips album and the Pontiac Brothers.  So I guess this was our heavy metal album.

There is also a different recording of "Don't Take My Advice" that was released on the b-side of the "Out of Breath" single.  Sorry, I have not included it here.  You could always buy that record on eBay, if you are interested.  It usually sells for about 5 bucks.  Have a happy 2011 people!