Author: Henry Owings

Big update coming very shortly. Been extremely busy, but I hate when people say that, so just think that I hate you instead.

Photos and reports are going to come shortly. Everything was amazing. A real tour de force. A fun time. God, I can’t begin to thank everybody enough. It was a blast.

All the house guests are now gone (not that they were a burden) and filling orders.

Oh, and I got burgled on Friday before I left for Athens. That sucks, huh?

So I was in Athens last night for the warm up Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise train wreck, er uh, show. At least the movie it was all supporting (Major Organ and the Adding Machine) was absolutely fantastic.

Ran into the manager of Ciné and he said he saw footage of The Plugz backing Bob Dylan on the Letterman show promoting Infidels in 1984. Bull-fucking-shit. But here it is. And here. And here.

Anybody know if they did a session with this line up or were The Plugz just hired hands?

So Teddy Rockstar came through with the Gainesville-house-party-band-turned-mall-punk-superstars Against Me! last week. On their way back from the "not Southern part of the South" (aka Florida) Teddy and company had a day off and we had a whirlyball rematch.

Sad to say, but the final score was 20 to 2. They put up a hell of a fight, but they’re no Mogwai.

And the Zach/Ted 7"s show up on Tuesday. Please be patient. 500 orders await! Oy!

Courtesy of old pal, Athens kid, film maker and chronic archivist Lance Bangs. Looking at this issue is like a band looking at their first clunky demo tape. Regardless, I’m really proud of everything that stemmed from this "goof" fifteen years ago.

Chunklet.com is proud to announce the release of two herculean Harvey Milk albums on double vinyl.

First up is Harvey Milk’s "My Love Is Higher Than Your Assessment of What My Love Could Be". Yes, this is the first time it has been issued on vinyl. Early purchases are rewarded with a special color that is available only for the first hours of its release.

This is ground zero for one of the nineties’ last true cult bands; now legendary for churning ghostly wailings, unearthly bellows, and gentle whispers together into one soaring, crawling, ugly and beautiful blend of brilliance. My Love… is essential listening for all fans of hard and heavy post-rock, and stands as the official starting point for your Harvey Milk education.

And next up is Harvey Milk’s "Courtesy & Good Will Toward Men".

Recut and remastered by Masterphonics. Repressed on two 180g dark grey 12" records. Exquisite jackets and insert letterpressed, die cut and embossed at Interrobang in Massachusetts. The epic "Courtesy & Goodwill" double album is being reissued in a third edition of 500. There’s only about 300 available for sale.

"Brutally heavy, painfully slow, and heartbreakingly beautiful! Amazing double LP of slow motion dirge and obfuscated experiments in rhythmic tension swaddled in old school Melvins style pummel, interspersed with the occasional whisper of a song, delicate and lilting. Even at its intended speed, it almost sounds like you’ve accidentally set a 78 on the turntable and set the controls for 16rpm. Epic and absolutely essential." — Aquarius Records

Get ready to have an awesome fall with these incredible albums in your collection.

The Chunklet 15th Anniversary is next weekend in Athens with Mastodon, It’s Casual, Brian Posehn, Deerhunter, Gentleman Jesse & His Men, Twin Tigers and Brent Weinbach at the world famous 40 Watt Club! DON’T MISS OUT!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, the Zach Galifianakis/Ted Leo 7" is being pressed this week and will ship very shortly. Sorry for the inconvenience.

So you don’t need to hear me say this again (because I’m sure it gets tedious) but I’ve been insanely busy. The new issue. The book. The 15th anniversary coming up. On top of it, my bestest buddy Garth came to town for the weekend and I was schlepping him around and Atlanta was lucky to get all the runoff from Gonerfest this last week (I got to see Tyvek, Psychedelic Horseshit, Eat Skull, Black Time and Vivian Girls in the course of 3 days!).

But I’ve been plowing through a stack of unwatched DVDs (I just finished the HBO series about John Adams which I strongly recommend for fellow history nerds) and a mountain of books as well.

One book that has more than kept me consumed here and there is Japrocksampler by Julian Cope. As many will remember, his book Krautrocksampler is an indispensible and enthusiastic study on music from Germany from the 60’s through the 70’s. Mr. Cope’s newest book is more of the same. However, whereas before I had a pretty solid knowledge of Can, Neu!, Faust and the lesser known K-rock bands like Witthüser & Westrupp and the Cosmic Jokers, from page 1 in Japrocksampler, I felt like I was being schooled in an as of yet discovered permutation of psych/noise rock that has eluded me. That is, until now….

The band that has stood out in the book has to be the Flower Travellin’ Band. You can read an in depth story here. What has always enamored me about Japanese rock is their ability to take an artform from the west and put it through a blender and bring it out the other end more extreme than anybody else. Give this video a listen. I think you’ll dig it. Rumor has it that they’ve reunited this year. Anybody got news on this?

As with with Julian Cope’s other books, I couldn’t reccommend this book more strongly. And while I’m at it, does anybody have a spare copy of Krautrocksampler? I  gave Jerry Fuchs my copy about 8 years ago. Stupid. Stupid Stupid.

I just got back from court in downtown Atlanta. Spent $10 on parking, but I successfully got a local hobo off the street for a week. Don’t say the justice system doesn’t work.

Anyway, there was another gentleman before the bench who was accused of being drunk and disorderly. Apparently he was arrested as he was loudly screaming at people in a liquor store parking lot and called 911 and asked them to "protect and serve his nuts."

I later saw this same gentleman out in the parking garage yelling at his girlfriend/wife about losing his parking receipt.

"Protect and serve his nuts." Priceless.

So I came across this article, and I was immediately taken aback by a number of really startling picks for the top 20 hardcore bands from America.

Now, I certainly don’t consider myself an authority, but to think that Mr. Sherburne does is a bit unnerving.

I sent this link to Billy from Shake It, and his response was:

For starters:
THE GERMS
Not HC and that album sucks (No. 1 !?).

POISON IDEA
RECORD COLLECTORS ARE PRENTIOUS ASSHOLES  – great band , lousy record. Everybody picks it for the title.

MINUTEMEN
DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME – In NO WAY HC, not even close in any "intellectual" stretch…and one should not use intelligence and HC in the same sentence.

HÜSKER DÜ
ZEN ARCADE  – once gain not a HC album. Was this list made by some 24 year old putz? And if you’re going to play the Dü card you play Metal Circus anyway, duh.

RITES OF SPRING
Okay, this is getting OLD. Not a HC record, nor band. A great band, but NOT a hardcore punk band, no matter how many ‘zines this guy read.

BIG BLACK
SONGS ABOUT FUCKING – Now he/she is just being a dick?

EYEHATEGOD
TAKE AS NEEDED FOR PAIN – I shouldn’t even have to explain this to a Pitchfork writer? Plus everybody knows "Dope Sick" is the shit for EHG.

BIKINI KILL
THE CD VERSION OF THE FIRST TWO RECORDS – Obviously now we’re dealing with a Liberal Arts major, somewhere on the Western seaboard, dunce.

BORN AGAINST
BATTLE HYMNS OF THE RACE WAR – "Legendary" and "Virginia" in the same breath? That’s a big "NO" unless you’re talking about Thomas Jefferson.

HEROIN
HEROIN – Oh for Christ’s sake, I give up.

Die Kreuzen?! HELLO?????????????

And upon sending the link to the kids in Sex/Vid, RJ’s response was even more harsh:

That list is the WORST! Jesus Christ!
1) Bubba Dupree did NOT SING IN VOID! How can someone who does not even know the singer of a band feel qualified to make a "top ___" list of ANYTHING?! That would be like me saying "when Jimmy Page screams ‘I’ve been dazed and confused,’ it’s so powerful!!!"
2) Yes, the Negative Approach 7" was mega-influential and its importance cannot be understated, but NYHC would have happened without it. The Bad Brains were already there doing their work. It would have been better for him to say something like "good hardcore MIGHT not have happened without the FIX" aka best band ever.
3) NO BOSTON HARDCORE? XCLAIM! Released some of the the best records of the era. They did not have a bad release, SSD both 12" DYS brotherhood, FU’s both 12", JERRYS KIDS is this my world. Also, bands like Negative FX , Last Rights, fuck, I mean wtf?
4) That is the wrong Born Against album. He should have put the singles collection.
5) THE DEAD KENNEDYS  SUCK DICK.
6) MDC is good, but boring as fuck. And by ‘good’ I mean, play it once every year and be like "why am I jamming this when I could jamming…..(which leads me to lucky number 7)
7) DRI DEALING WITH IT IS THE BEST RECORD EVER!
8) COC dude. Where the fuck is Eye for an Eye? Not EYEHATEGOD. EYE FOR AN EYE.
9) I reiterate: BUBBA DUPREE DID NOT SING IN VOID. "Man, when Keith Richards screams ‘please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and fame" it just GETS ME EVERYTIME!!!
10) He picked the right Misfits album. THAT’S ALL HE HAS. He picked the best Misfits LP. Hooray for him.

Discuss.

Courtesy of Mogwump. It sure is cold in the D.

Well, it took almost three years, but Chunklet 20 is ready to hit the streets!

In this, the 20th issue of Chunklet (20 issues, 15 years!), it promises to be the most brutal issue yet. Featuring interviews with Paul F. Tompkins, Zach Galifianakis, Jon Glaser and Sublime Frequencies. There are also features involving Whirlyball with Arcade Fire, The Shins, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Lips, Deerhunter, Death Cab for Cutie, Mogwai and countless others. Features also on music journalists, drug appreciation, good guys/bad bands and the usual array of Chunklet insanity (or inanity depending on your outlook).

The issue will be peppered all over the mom and pop shops from coast to coast. However, Chunklet.com always likes to treat people who frequent our website with a bit of "special" love and this issue is no exception.

Nobody thought it could be done, but it’s happening! Comedian Zach Galifianakis! Ted Leo! The Pharmacists! All on one seven inch single! Yes, you read correctly!

One of the world’s most innovative comedians, Zach Galifianakis, joined up with comedian AD Miles, record producer Jon Brion and Fiona Apple (yes, that Fiona Apple) to record the ultra-danceable track "Up In Them Guts". We guarantee that it’ll soon to outpace "You Look Mahvelous" by Billy Crystal but will only come close to touching anything off Joe Pesci’s solo album.

The flip is by Ted "Rockstar" Leo! Yes! Teddy went into the studio with his Pharmacists and recorded "Rock’n’Roll Dreams’ll Come Through" which is a song that was originally made popular on The Best Show on WFMU and featured on "New Hope For The Ape-Eared" CD by Tom Scharpling & Jon Wurster.

Both tracks are exclusive to this single. The first 500 are on picture disc!

And as with previous singles, it won’t be available in stores! It’s only available with purchase, and only chunklet.com has it!

Also! Due to vociferous international inquiries, the Rock Bible (ranked #1 in some truly silly categories at Amazon) is now for sale at Chunklet.com.

New issue! Whee! Get on it! Celebrate the new dark age with us!

I think this might be reinforced by the fact that I’m married to a lawyer….or the fact that I just love debates.

Word.

So yes, brothers and sisters, the Rock Bible is out! It’s a Friday, you’ve got some extra cash in your pocket and now you can save a bit of cash by ordering the new book presented by Chunklet right from the publisher!

Use promo code "CHUNKLET" to get 30% off the book (or any other purchase) at the Quirk site.

http://www.quirkbooks.com/Book.aspx?BID=298

Oh! And this guy’s probably going to be promoting the Rock Bible throughout the fall. Isn’t that nice?

So this is the week of a slew of big announcements. New issue. Rock Bible. Two new records. The bonus single with the new issue. Chunklet 15th anniversary. So much.

However, in the meantime, here’s a little bonus for all you!

Here’s a recording of the Atlanta show done by Drunken Unicorn sound monkey Chad. Our pal Sloan posted the Athens show over at Southern Shelter if’n you want that too! Great shows, but it’s a pity they always do the same set for an entire tour.

A few remaining posters are right here. Get it now!

And check out this video of Melvins performing "Star Spangled Banner" in Northampton. It’s always a hoot to watch Buzz fuck with assholes in the crowd. Then again, I remember what it was like when I had my first beer too!

Crank it!

Melvins – Atlanta 2008
Audio Player

I already bought seven.

But you could always order me another in case one of mine break.

Finally! Finally! FINALLY!
I know it could get me beaten up in certain circles, I think much of the Volcano Suns discography is as good, if not better, than much of Peter Prescott’s previous work in Mission of Burma.
Their first two albums, The Bright Orange Years and All Night Lotus Party, are being given the deluxe reissue treatment. Whereas I was rather disappointingly told originally (by a Sun) that Taang! was putting it out, thankfully Merge is now doing it.

I only got to see the Volcano Suns once and it was towards the end of their career. It was a Sunday night show at the Upstage in Pittsburgh. I had to study, so I left a smidge early, but what I saw of their set was great nonetheless.
In honor of this fantastic news, I’m uploading part of a radio session from the Bright Orange Years-era from WERS in Boston. This session is worth checking out not only because it’s the freakin’ Volcano Suns, but because the band is filled out with Gary Waleik and Steve Michener who went on to be in Big Dipper who, not coincidentally, got the deluxe reissue treatment earlier this year. And yes, that reissue is also completely necessary.

Volcano Suns – Track 1 (WERS 1984)
Audio Player

Volcano Suns – Track 2 (WERS 1984)
Audio Player
Volcano Suns – Track 3 (WERS 1984)
Audio Player
Volcano Suns – Track 4 (WERS 1984)
Audio Player
Volcano Suns – Track 5 (WERS 1984)
Audio Player
Volcano Suns – Track 6 (WERS 1984)
Audio Player
Volcano Suns – Track 7 (WERS 1984)
Audio Player

As somebody from Amish Country, I’m repulsed that somebody would go with an internet channel called "Scrapple TV". As I often told my mom growing up, I won’t eat anything with the word "crap" in it. However, I found this clip utterly hysterical.

I promise that more updates are forthcoming. Things have been pleasantly busy.

So I’m enjoying the down time between the new issue going to the printer and the insanity that ensues once it arrives. Catching up on email, walking the dogs and walking down memory lane.

In 1985, I got to see Black Flag in Colorado. I was so single-minded in my excitement to see them, I totally didn’t pay attention to the opener. As I recollect, Black Flag were kinda metal. They were good, but I remember being very scared that I’d be killed at the show. Hey, remember, I was 15. Oh well, move on.

Years later, I put on a show with the VSS. Seeing as how they’re around my age and also from Colorado, they immediately started comparing notes with me as to what shows we were at together. Black Flag stood out.

"Do you remember who opened for them?," asked one of them. I couldn’t remember.

"Nig Heist."

Whoa!? I saw Nig Heist open for Black Flag? Well, here’s the thing, providing I did see Nig Heist, you’d think I’d remember them. Why? Most succinctly, they were the most provocation-inducing punk band in a sea of already-inducing-provocation style bands.

Nig Heist were a joke band to beat all joke bands. Helmed by Black Flag’s all-round-go-to-guy Mugger, the band thrived on confrontation and were hated and loved by the crowds that would see them. Obviously, a majority of their shows were opening for Black Flag and were the stuff of legend. They had a rotating line-up that would feature anybody that was there, but is more like a who’s who of the SST roster. Davo. Tom Troccoli. Spot. Chuck Biscuits. Bill Stevenson. Dez Cadena. D Boon. Oh yeah, and Ian MacKaye is credited as a former member. I dare you to top it!

Other than Black Randy and the Metrosquad, I can’t really think of a band that took the irreverence of punk rock to such high levels. Utter performance art genius. And yes, they were totally reviled. Hilarious.

So in their wisdom, Drag City reissued Nig Heist’s single and LP back in the late 90’s with profits from the Pavement back catalog to little fanfare. Of course, I bought it and I cherish it more than I really should.

The second bonus disc with the reissue was a collection of live recordings compiled by none other than Henry Rollins who, presumably, was in attendance at all of the shows featured.

So how did I go so long on chunklet.com without mentioning Nig Heist? Hell if I know! However, you can thank iTunes for pulling the live Nig Heist disc up amidst a sea of 800GB of mp3s on my drive.

Enjoy the crudeness. Enjoy the hatred. And yes, go find Nig Heist’s record. If you’re a purveyor of either comedy or punk rock, you’ll find it immediately worthwhile. Trust me.

Oh! And while I was searching youtube for clips of NH, I found this tremendous (yet unembed-able) video of this promoter from the Greystone in Detroit. I wonder if Corey Rusk’s got any interesting stories about him….

Nig Heist – live
Audio Player

Although it’s been close to three years since the last issue, would you believe this new issue went surprisingly fast and easy? On top of it, I think it’s hands down the best issue ever.

I’ll post the cover and other news later this week. Right now? I’d just like to go get a skinny latte and read the news. RIP Isaac Hayes.

Oh, the video below was sent to me this weekend by a buddy in Mugwump. Ironically, it’s how I feel now that I’ve finished the issue.

….special sauce, lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles on a sesame seed bun.