The Foreign Correspondent Returns - Stories About German Rock Music # 40

Maxim Rad is a German singer born in Hamburg, guitarist and composer. He published in 1980 his first solo album Times Ain't That bad, a mixture of New York New Wave and in British dyed pop. His main influences for this record were the early Talking Heads records and especially Television. He once said about this record: the forming member of this group, Tom Verlaine, belongs to few genius which the rock music has produced during the last years – not least because he proved ten years after the avant-garde rock the Velvet Underground recently that craft "dilettantism" could be more creative and produce a more interesting, because opener form of rock music, than the more virtuoso ex-servicemen in her artistic running dry. A rock form open in all directions is my image of ideal pop music. He divides the destiny of many other musicians that got a lot of positiv critical acclaim - he was less successful. I think, only a few people in Germany will remember his name but it's worth to listen to his songs again.

Enjoy and have a good weekend.

Maxim Rad - Times ain't that bad
Maxim Rad - Upset your doubts
Maxim Rad - What are you killing tonight
Maxim Rad - White action - African lemons

What Happened To Power Pop # 6

The dB's were an American power-pop band that released their first two records in the early 1980s. They played a fine combination of classic rock with a heavy influence of early power-pop. Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, their main songwriters, were found later after their break up as solol artists and on tour with REM or as producers. Their legacy was some real good power-pop songs.

The dB's - Amplifier

Twanging Tuesday # 45

You might know this song The Cramps covered years ago. Here's the original version by Kip Tyler and his Flips. Another song by godfathers of Psychobilly. Kip Tyler was a California based musician who played a wild kind of Rockabilly and was famous for joining the band on stage dressed in black leather and a motorbike. Really raw and mean. Enjoy.

Kip Tyler - Jungle Hop

The Foreign Correspondent Returns - Stories About German Rock Music # 39

 

When I have packed my move cardboards, some German records have also come to me to the hands which I have not already belonged for many years any more which fit, however, very well in this series.In 1975 it was not to be sung commonly for German rock musicians also in in German. Those them these tried ones were close to the left squatter's scene in Berlin. One was to be plumbed few which have tried the borders of the feasible one Kiev Stingl. His first record was called "Teuflichs (Diabolically)" and was expelled by the maple publishing company. It distinguished itself by partly poetic texts and mainly rather quiet music. With his second album „Hard like Mozart“ he sang about his sexual predilections without giving up, nevertheless, the society criticism and the poetry completely. At that time Spiegel caused (1979) a complaint of the magazine the cover of the first edition, because it was felt to a reflecting title-page. Where with the original the foreign prices stand, phone numbers of Hamburg prostitutes were printed. Then the cover was changed with the later editions.

Kiev Stingl - Teuflisch
Kiev Stingl - Babies

Hypno-Beat

In the mid 80s a band impressed me much because they brought the music from the psychedelic era and pre-punk into nowadays music. Someone described their music like colorfully mind-altering, but not in the sense of the acid rock of the 1960s; instead, the band developed its own minimalistic psychedelia. There are no more words to add. Spacemen 3 was a band that should never be forgot. Without them Spiritualized wasn't possible.

Spacemen 3 - Hypno-Beat

My Foolish Heart

At the moment I spend my free time to organise my move and to pack the move cardboards. So I have not the time to work on my regular series. George posted today a track by the Nigerian musician King Sunny Ade that is fantastic. Further to the east in Africa lies Zimbabwe which is already governed since decades by the dictator Robert Mugabe. Today's track comes from a band from this country - The Bhundu Boys.

Foolish Harp and Waerera

What Happened To Power Pop # 5

In the late 70s a mod revival started in Great Britain. Suddenly it was hip to wear raincoats, suits and Fred Perry-shirt and driving customized scooters again. The musicians reminded the bands of the 60s like The Who. It would be easy to name The Jam in this connection but I remember a band which existed only a few years but made a few great songs. The Chords were a London based band formed in the late 70s and got a little success in progress with the mod-revival. Some people may say that they were clones and jumped on the train to hitsville and sounded just like a lot of bands these days. Anyway - they did some good stuff.

Enjoy and have a good weekend.

Chemical Reasons

White man can do dub. This is a song by Markus Kienzl, member of the Sofa Surfers, an Austrian band which have plumbed the possibilities of electronic music. It is a dub version and it sounds very well in my opinion. For me it's an eclectic mixture of House, Dub and post-new wave music. Give him a listen and enjoy.

Markus Kienzl - Chemical Reasons (Featuring Oddateee)

Shaking All Over

One of my earliest records was The Who - Live at Leeds. It was released nearly 45 years ago and the planed live recording of their concert in Hull one day later couldn't record because of technical problems. I loved The Who since I turned into music. There was a great guitar played great riffs and solos as well. Keith Moon was maybe the best/weirdest drummer all times. And John Entwistle played a steady bass. Roger Daltrey was an extraordinary singer. There are so many song on this record that I could hear still. This one is for me one of the best. A cover version that impressed me so much. Especially the drum section by Keith Moon - he was crazy and weird but his work on drums is still awesome.

The Who - Shakin' All Over

Twanging Tuesday # 44

I don't know much about this band. My investigations lead me into nowhere. But I want to let you hear this little gem. It's just another great song that is close to the surf sound of the late 50s. Just a twanging guitar and very close to the roots of psychobilly.

Enjoy and have a good day.

The Scarlets - Stampede

Silent Still

During the next weeks I will move in my new flat. Therefore, I have spent the last days a lot of time to clear up my cellar and my attic to sort out what I don't want to bring to my new flat. Besides, things have come to me again which I had forgotten for a long time. So, for example, a whole cardboard completely with CDs in addition of various music magazines. It made fun to go back in time and recall what was new years ago. One of these CDs stood under the subject 'Forgotten songs from the New Wave era'. I put the CD in my player and the result is that I can present a little gem today. Modern Eon were a post-punk/new wave band formed in Liverpool in 1978. They just released on album and I just know this song that has everything what a song from this genre should have: a vibrant bass, short picked chords on the guitar, steady drums and a singer that fits to it all. If The Cure or Sisters of Mercy would played this song it would be a hit those days.

Enjoy and have a good week.

Modern Eon - Second Still

From The In-Box

During the last weeks came again a lot in new music. To sight this has cost time, but it has been worthwhile.

First we go to Belgium where Phil B. the singer, song-writer, guitarist and composer of the rock band Baiki. The songs are sung alternately on English and French. Phil calls as an essential inspiration for his music The Clash. And indeed when I listen to 'Walk the line' it sounds a little bit like early The Clash. Starting with a few riffs the song turns more and more to a hymn. This group is with her music well over the average.

Baiki - Walk The Line
Baiki - En Rose

From London music by Reegl arrived. I don't know if they are a band or if it is a name for a musical collective. Anyway, their interpretation of House and electronic music is worth to listen. As I have read is their remix of 'Sunshine every day' a veritable hit in the House-charts.

G. Owen Evans - Sunshine every day (Reegl Remix)

Let's cross the Atlantic ocean to Fort Worth, Texas. Home of Chris Watson and his band. Deeply based in classic Detroit Soul they play like this kind of music should be played. Most of the songs are added with a fantastic horn section and sometimes I think I hear Maceo Parker again. That they are also able to play something softer can be heard on 'Don't think about it', their reminiscence to Al Green and Otis Redding.

Chris Watson - Black White and Grey
Chris Watson - Don't Think About It

Meditative Animal is the band project of the American singer-songwriter Nick Mirisola. It's handmade music at it's best. Most songs are played in a relaxed mood based on acoustic guitars and hand percussion added with an electric guitar and piano. I think this music will work best played live in a pub or for yourself in the late hours.

Meditative Animal - Telescope Eyes
Meditative Animal - Timed Temperance

We finish our journey in Toronto, Canada with Joyslam, the solo project by the Aboriginal artist RJ Martine. Most songs based on influences of Funk and Rock but the more you listen to this songs you will find more other influences. Sometimes you can hear a jazzy guitar or the main theme of the songs changes to a song Steely Dan could be played as well. Not easy to listen to but you might get a gift if you do.

Joyslam - Re-Invent Yourself

That's What We Watched On TV Years Ago # 15

No, Bonanza is not the most long-lasting west series of all times. This honour may take up Gunsmoke for itself and ran from 1955 to 1975 at the American TV-station CBS. Besides, Gunsmoke is actually even older, because the series debuted already in 1952 on the radio. The story tells about Matt Dillon - Marshal of Dodge City, Kansas. The only one actor who belonged like James Arness of the series from beginning till the end was Doc Adam (Milburn Stone). In the early episodes (by which in Germany none was shown, Dennis Weaver played the auxiliary sheriff Chester Goode. In later results young Burt Reynolds embodied the blacksmith Quint Asper. Kitty Russel (Amanda Blake) led the Longbranch Saloon, the always returning meeting place within Dodge City. Indisputable star - beside James Arness - was from the middle of the 60s Ken Curtis in the role of odd Festus Haggen. Not that this series was very realistic but you learned to love the characters. I would like to see one or two episodes again.

What Happened To Power Pop # 4

Let me continue this series with a typical American band. The Rubinoos started their career as another High School band playing to dance in the early 1970s in California. They got signed to Beserkley Records among the rest, therefore because informal relations contact with the owner of the label existed. Suddenly they were label mates to Greg Kihn and Jonathan Richman. I listened to a lot of this stuff at this time and I remember some great songs from the publication of this label. The Rubinoos got a little success with a cover version of Tommy James 'I think we're alone now'. It's nice to listen to this song again.

The Rubinoos - I think we're alone now

Guns Of Brixton

Today's song is a classic by The Clash. One of the few song written by Paul Simonon in the Clash era. There are cover versions of this song galore but I think that this version is one of the best. I am a huge fan of Calexico not only that they created a sound of their own. I love their relaxed sound. Sometimes they make me feel like I am somewhere in south-east Asia, siting close to sundown at the beach, having a shot and feel very save. This is a song almost nobody can destroy in any version. And I don't want to comment the meaning of song - I've been stayed in Brixton for vacation when the riots started

Calexico - Guns of Brixton

Our Love

Hi, I'm back after more than a week. Not that I would have allowed myself a break, but I could not log in with my laptop any more according to the Internet. I tried any tricks my friends told me but finally I had no chance as to bring my laptop to a specialist. Although I have thought that I have well protected my computer I must have caught to me a virus and a trojan. The mistake was hidden so deeply in the system that him himself professionals only about the endless scan to the hard disk could find and destroy. him The mistake was hidden so deeply in the system that him himself professionals could find and destroy him only about the endless scan to the hard disk. Finally the laptop runs better and faster now than before. So I'll continue my blog with the title track of Caribou's newest release. Back with a fantastic mixture of 90s club music, Ibiza-rave-sound and a little bit of prog and Krautrock.