Flip your wig!

I've been waiting FOR-EV-ERRRRRRRR for someone to upload The Wigs onto Youtube. Hallelujah!!! This super fun band is from San Diego. I found this record in the Blue Meanie Records budget bin about 10+ years ago. I don't know anything about this band, only that they put out a 4-song 7-inch EP in 1980 and the singer, Cindy Bradley, apparently founded the San Pedro Ballet Company. I could be wrong, but the record may be on the same record label that put out The Standbys (another rad San Diego punk band) record (?) Photos by Marshall Astor

Who said girls can't rock?!

The B Girls lived such a small band life, but were great nonetheless. They relocated to New York from Toronto, sang back ups for Blondie on the Autoamerican album, stirred up some buzz in music zines, recorded a handful of songs... only to release one 45 on Bomp! Records. I really think they could have been the east coast version of the Go-Go's!! The original lead singer quit right before they were about to open for The Clash. They have a pretty cool website, check it out here. A compilation of all their recordings was released a few years ago and you can buy it here. Some of the songs were even recorded by Debbie Harry!!

Check out this awesome rare footage of a Sid and Nancy interview... the girl on the far right is Cynthia from The B Girls and her then-boyfriend. Some guy named Stiv Bators...never heard of him... ;-)

Shonen Knife in San Diego

Shonen Knife is playing in San Diego on November 2nd with the amazing Shannon and the Clams and my band (Jungle Fever). More info here!

Oh, Honey!

Honey Lantree stuck out like a sore thumb as the drummer of a great 60's English pop group called The Honeycombs. They had a few hits in the mid-60's and disbanded in 1966. Their biggest hit was Have I The Right:



They also recorded a German version of this song :-)



Honey was working as an assistant in her friend's salon. He taught her how to play the drums and about 6 months into practicing, he asked her to join his band, The Sheratons (who would later be known as The Honeycombs). Honey also sang backups on a few songs with Dennis D'Ell (can't seem to find these songs on the internet to share!)

Throughout the band's success, there was controversy over her drumming, and if she had really played on the recordings. Writers accused the band of being gimmicky because they had an attractive girl drumming. I mean, they are totally right. It's downright ludicrous to think that a girl can be attractive and also play an instrument!!! (end of sarcasm) Anywho, her drum kit was custom made by Carlton Drums, thankyouverymuch!





Their 4th single was written by Ray Davies of The Kinks - but I'm not sure if this song was written for The Honeycombs first? I personally like The Kinks version better:





After the band broke up, she attempted to start an all-girl band, but wasn't able to find enough female musicians to play with.

RIP Sylvia

I had NO IDEA that Sylvia Robinson, the awesome lady who co-sang one of my favorite oldies songs, Love is Strange (Mickey and Sylvia), was also considered the "Mother of Hip Hop" due to her involvement with Sugar Hill Records... she was the founder (!!!) and also produced Rapper's Delight and The Message!! I also didn't know she was the same Sylvia who did Pillow Talk. Sadly, she died of congestive heart failure on Thursday night. RIP girl!!

All right Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my close-up!!!

I guess this is kind of old news that I forgot to share. My friend gave me a heads up about this: ABC is doing a show about a 90's girl band (???) (!!!) Will it be good? Will it flop? Can I be an extra in it? Will I somehow be able to be friends with Juliana Hatfield? I think it would be cool if Matt Pinfield made some sort of guest appearance, yeah? Maybe even Kennedy? Am I the only one that liked Kennedy?! Discuss.

Before she was Poly Styrene

Before she was known as the powerhouse that fronted X-Ray Spex, Poly Styrene recorded a few reggae/pop demos on GTO Records under her real name, Mari Elliott. (GTO Records also released one of my favorite singles of all time!)





I recently purchased a reissue of this single on blue vinyl at Amoeba Records. Occasionally, the same record label who put out those Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen reissues has them on their eBay store, but it doesn't appear they have them for sale at the moment...

A Benefit Show For Christina Wagner

If you live in San Diego and you read this blog, I urge you to attend a benefit show on October 22 at the Til Two Club. Click here to view the Facebook invite. My band was asked to play and we couldn't say YEAH DUH OF COURSE fast enough. It's to raise money for a local woman who recently was diagnosed with cancer. Her insurance changed during her second cycle of chemotherapy and it's so expensive, she wasn't to complete the second cycle of chemo. She's married with three adorable children. Please tell your friends! RAD bands are playing as well: The Widows, JOY and The Grids (and JF).

LP Cover Lover: Girl Groups

If you're a fan of awesome (good awesome and bad awesome) record covers, you should check out LP Cover Lover. I really love their girl group category!!

Are you planning a bootleg LP...er...45?

I discovered three really fun bootleg 45s sold by Jump Up Records in Chicago by Lily Allen and the late, great Amy Winehouse last week and just got them in the mail today!!! The eBay link for one of the records is here and you can find the other two on their "see other items" page. They're 11 bucks a piece, which is really steep for a single, but I'm assuming these are limited edition and aren't east to find in stores, especially in San Diego.

I'll do the dirty work for you :-)

Amy Winehouse - The Ska EP:
Side A: Monkey Man and Hey Little Rich Girl
Side B: You're Wondering Now and Cupid

Her band is really amazing...







I especially love this one!!



Amy Winehouse - Nelson Mandela:
Side A: Nelson Mandela
Side B: Rehab and Valerie

This is all sorts of genius... love the choir and a dancing Annie Lennox!! :-)



Lily Allen - The Ska EP:
Side A: Gangsters
Side B: Blank Expression