Jim Jones: Back in Black

With Black Moses on hiatus, Jim Jones has been been working on a number of different music projects recently. One of which, The Jim Jones Soul Punk Revue played it's first gig in London last night. Here's a short clip of the band ripping through an old rock n roll standard:

The Horrors = Aces

I first heard of these guys when they sent me a friend request on myspace. I fell in love immediately with their no-chorus wonder "Excellent Choice" and bought their E.P. when it was released in the states last year. Then I stumbled across this gem on youtube. Directed by Chris Cunnigham (of Aphex Twin video fame), this may be the best video I've seen in years. Absolute aces!

Invasion of The Ettes!

Saw an amazing show last night at Thee Parkside featuring Los Angeles based garage rock outfit The Ettes and San Francisco-via-Italy's own Rollercoaster. Both bands cranked out high volume sets of rock n roll mania and it was great meeting Coco, Gem and Pony for the first time. Matteo also humored my request to play one of Rollercoaster's older songs "I Got The Feeling." Nice one.

Favorite Albums of 2006 (so far)

Considering that yesterday was this year's halfway point I thought I'd do a quick run down on which albums have been getting the most play on my iPod. So here (in no particular order) are my favorite albums of 2006 so far:



1. Chulahoma by The Black Keys (Fat Possum)
2. Wolfmother by Wolfmother (Interscope)
3. A Hundred Highways by Johnny Cash (Lost Highway)
4. Rock N Roll Is Dead by The Hellacopters (Liquor & Poker)
5. Be Your Own Pet by Be Your Own Pet (UMVD)

Far Out Sound at the Li Po Lounge

Headed over to Chinatown with Mike Gabriel last night to check out a set by San Francisco hipshakers Rollercoaster at the Li Po Lounge. After entering the venues rather cave-like entrance, we headed down two flights of stairs and were greeted by the band playing a kick ass set in what must have a been a opium den once upon time. Although the bunker-esque room didn't provide what I would call "optimal sound" the vibe and character more than made up for it.

In the studio with THE SERMON

I had a blast working with San Francisco's "Rock n Roll Colossus" The Sermon yesterday as they recorded new material for the upcoming album. Tapped for production duties, I "lent my ear" to what turned out to be a terrific session at Bart Thurber's famous House of Faith recording studio (now in Oakland, I began recording musical projects with Bart at the age of 14 when House of Faith was located in Palo Alto).

Ari Shine Back in SF

Dear friend and former collaborator (him and I were in band together in High School) Ari Shine, was in town last night playing a solo show at the Red Devil Lounge before moving on to do two shows in Portland. A gifted songwriter and guitar player Ari recently released his solo debut "Age/Occupation" which is now available on iTunes.

Japanese Garage Rock Invasion

Julie and I had a blast last night as we caught a set by Japanese rock n rollers The Dirtrucks at Thee Parkside in San Francisco. These girls knew how to crank it up and get down. Drummer Sae Dirtruck (far left) grew extremely shy and giddy when we mentioned that Black Moses had played here a few months earlier (apparently Sae is a big fan of singer JIm Jones).

Unbridled Nastiness

Gordon Elgart (a.k.a. G-UNIT!) and I went to see Chow Nasty’s set at Bimbo’s last night. Sufficed to say they put on one hell of a show! One part Elvis, one part James Brown, and one part Odelay-era Beck Mash-up, the band had the audience on full tilt from the gate with their manic energy and surefire intensity. Clearly and up and coming San Francisco band (I’m told they are originally from Chicago), their set hit the “11” mark when they played their tribal-chant single “Ungawa.”

Rock Muscle in Brussels

It's a shame international airplane tickets aren't cheaper as the Suicide Twist Festival going on in Brussels, Belgium next month (May 25th through May 28th) looks like to be one of the rock n roll highlights of the year. Seven live bands (including personal favorites The Doll Squad) will play along with go go dancers, a host of international DJs, film screenings, art exhibits and a "Outisde Rock Market" (featuring vintage clothing, a record fair, and rare DVDs). If only I had my own G4 plane...

KICK OUT THE JAMS

Not since the earthquake of 1906 did the ground shake as hard as it did during last nights amazing show at Thee Parkside. The Meat Packers, Ari Shine, The Sermon and Black Moses all turned in amazing sets to a packed house as rock n roll reigned supreme in San Francisco.



Jim lays the Voodoo down.

It was also my wife Julie's (pictured here with girlfriend Erin Beaton) Birthday!

Fish N Moses

Picked up the Black Moses crew (Jim, Zac, Dave and manager Ali) from the airport today and after checking them into their hotel (rock n roll mainstay The Phoenix) we headed out for some lunch. Considering San Francisco has almost any kind of food imaginable, where did the lads want to eat? "Gotta be fish n' chips then, ey John?" What else?!

Black Moses coming to San Francisco

I am thrilled to announce that Jim Jones' (formerly of Thee Hypnotics) new band Black Moses are coming to town as part of their spring West Coast tour. Yours truly will be promoting the show that will also feature long time friend Ari Shine and local rock n roll groups The Sermon and The Meat Packers. Tickets are now on sale at Virtuous.com

Dig it!