Jan 092009
 

At some point in the mid-70s, I believe, some stoned DJs and marketing types at a kickin’ FM ROCK station came up with the bright idea to run a month-long promotion called ROCKtober. FM ROCK stations across the country picked up on this promotion. The details of ROCKtobers of my youth are hazy, but I remember things like featured artists of the day, culminating in a special concert broadcast from that day’s stadium stalwart; maybe an A-Z Weekend for each of the month’s weekends; and more Rock Blocks than we’d get the other 11 months of the year. To this day, although I don’t listen to any stations that might still be running a ROCKtober promotion, not an October goes by without me making reference to ROCKtober!

Although we’re a third of the way into the month January, we got the bright idea that it’s high time Rock Town Hall takes the lead in promoting JAMuary, a monthlong celebration of rock ‘n roll jams! Each day we’ll feature a rock ‘n roll jam session that will try the patience of 3:30-and-out crowd. But that’s cool. We know most of you can roll with the changes.

We’ll need your help in selecting key jams! If you’ve got a jam to suggest, how ’bout writing me offlist, at the address that will follow the jump, at the end of this thread. We can make arrangements to load the track for you, because a classic rock jam will likely be too much digital information to load through standard Back Office means, if you know what I’m talkin’ about. If you’ve never started a thread on The Main Stage, we’ll talk about how it’s done and see that you sponsor your rock jam for all it’s worth!

Read on for more information and our first rock jam of JAMuary!
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Caption!

 Posted by
Jan 082009
 

I think this iconic image needs a proper caption, don’t you? But what exactly would that be?

You may focus on dialog, fan commentary from the adoring audience below, pithy academic observations about the subject matter — whatever you choose; but we need a caption!

I look forward to your responses.

HVB

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Jan 082009
 

Not this version!

As much as I rail at completists in rock and the crimes I’ve imagined them committing, like any rock nerd, I’m a bit of a completist myself. We read of edited middle eighths and jams long enough, and sometimes we can’t help but wish they were available for us to hear. For instance, as a huge Beatles fan, I’d love to hear the supposed missing 18 minutes of the Waterga—er, “Helter Skelter.” Has a bootleg version ever existed?

As a Graham Parker and the Rumour fan and a skeptic, I’d love to hear the supposed original recordings of the band’s third album, Stick to Me. The generally DOA sound of that album is attributed to some story about Nick Lowe losing the masters for the original recordings on the tube and the band having to quickly re-record the whole thing. Or something like that. Come on, whoever found those supposedly superior masters, the value of Graham Parker recordings ain’t going any higher. Leak the tapes!

You’ve read the books. You’ve heard the rumors. What legendary recordings, edits, first recordings do you need to hear?

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Jan 082009
 

I SUMMON HOMEFRONTRADIO!

Quick: Name an album that you were familiar with in its original form that benefitted greatly from remixed or remastered reissue! What new qualities arose in the grooves?

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Jan 082009
 

Feel free to suggest your own typical publicity shot poses, but the ones that first come to mind for me are as follows:

Johnny Rotten’s psycho stare

Prince’s come hither doe eyes

I’ve always been pulled in by Rotten’s sinister stare no matter how much of a put-on it’s been. On the other hand, Prince’s doe-eyed Look is no more promising for me than the same Look Susanna Hoffs abused. Wonder if her mom ever said, “Susanna, your eyes are going to stick that way if you keep it up!”

(I have two friends who ran out on their own to see the Philadelphia debut of her movie, The Allnighter, only to see each other, sitting alone, in the nearly empty theater.)

The following publicity shot pose, however, is the one that has the greatest effect on me:
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Jan 082009
 

Me and a buddy were watching Letterman the other night when flavor of the week GlasVegas came on. My fiance is from Glasgow, so I know how tough it can be and these boys fit the part, leather jackets and all. But then the camera moved from the Joe Strummer impersonator singer to the drummer. My friend was first to comment: “Why is the lead singer’s mom drumming for these guys?” We then exchanged cracks around the imagined premise of him trying to get her into the group. (If I’m in. me mum’s the drumma yah fooks!”) Good times.

Anyway, to the point. Watch the video and ask yourself this question. Has there ever been in which the members have such a uniform look, but one stands out like a sore thumb? I think in this case it may seem even more discernible because she is actually kinda dressing like them…

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