“Looking For Johnny - The Legend Of Johnny Thunders” DVD (director: Danny Garcia)

Superb documentary on legendary rocker

For some, Johnny Thunders was a rock legend — never quite making a dent in the mainstream, but inspiring countless garage and punk guitarists through the years. His work with the seminal glam/punk band the New York Dolls, as well as his later work with the Heartbreakers and beyond influenced everyone from the Sex Pistols to Guns ’N Roses. Found dead of mysterious causes in New Orleans in 1991, at a young 38 years of age, Thunders’ legacy exists with the numerous recordings he left behind. Speculation of possible foul play are persistent, but with Thunders’ serious drug addictions (and his vaguely hidden advanced leukemia), the police in New Orleans are seemingly content to let the case cool.

Garcia’s documentary took him 18 months to assemble, and his efforts don’t go unrewarded. Most of Thunders’ former bandmates, family members, friends, and associates are all featured here, as well as tons of live and behind the scenes footage. It’s probably about as complete and comprehensive a documentary as can be done on the subject, and will easily stand as the hallmark of Thunders biographies. Not being all that familiar with Thunders’ work, this proved to be a great intro and a completely respectable look at the man who was plagued by several (likely fatal) vices, yet stood tall as a rock icon. A wonderful rock bio, and a fine film detailing a tragic rock star’s rise and fall.

MVD Visual

Johnny Thunders unofficial site

The Hangmen - "Lost Rocks - The Best Of" CD

Raw and honest garage/roots punk from Los Angeles, these guys (and girl) have all the rock swagger and snarl of the greats. There's some Stooges, some Stones, some punk, Johnny Thunders...you get the picture. "Bent" is a junkies lament, with a good amount of Americana thrown in for good measure. This is top-tier, high-octane rock. Some tracks are produced by Mike Ness (of Social Distortion), so you know the pedigree must be good, and fans of Social D will easily appreciate these gritty and streetwise songs. "Desperation Town" is nothing but a classic rock song you don't yet know. Ditto for "Wild Beast". "Rotten Sunday" carries a massive guitar riff that's as ugly as the Stooges and that's a great thing in itself. If you're looking for balls-out rock without pretension, this is it. All hail the Hangmen! (Acetate Records)

Hangmenspace

The Workhorse III - "The Workhorse III" CD

Brash and snotty sounds from a new Philadelphia act who play a raw and reckless sort of rock that isn't quite metal, punk, or sleazy post-grunge grime, but falls somewhere in-between. Vocalist Lisa Flynn has a brazen, snarly swagger that's like a female Iggy Pop, while her band creates a clot of loud post-punk that's messy but melodic. Fans of stuff like the Stooges, Radio Birdman, or the MC5 should appreciate this. "Infect The Masses" is especially vitriolic, and this short, sharp rock fix is catchy in all the right places. Enjoyably rough. (DRP Records)

WorkhorseThreespace

The Loons - "Red Dissolving Rays Of Light" CD

From San Diego comes this band of amped-up garage rockers who also dip their strings into mod retro power-pop territory. Loons have been around for 15 years now, and this, their 3rd album, recallls as much the Stooges and MC5 as Arthur Lee's Love or the Kinks. It's a terminally-cool and hip rock and roll sound, back to basics with melodic vocals, chiming Roger Guinn-style guitars (especially on tracks like "The Losers Win"), and freaky organ work. There are similarities with kindred spirits like the Brian Jonestown Massacre, as both acts liberally borrow the look and sound from before their time and illustrate the timelessness of the 60s rock era. But that's obscuring the fact that the Loons write some catchy singalong tunes. "Summer's End" has lively backing vocals and an upbeat vibe. "Diamonds, Garbage & Gold" is another anthemic standout. Surely a high point of the band's live shows.

I like that Loons aren't afraid to be "pop". But in their case, the "pop" is neither manufactured or artificial. Loons concoct a natural, organic, and human form of music that favorably crosses strong songwriting with an air of regal garage rock recklessness (and attitude). Loons' warm and classic sounds should find favor with a wide cross-section of listeners, and "Red Dissolving Rays Of Light" is full of balmy Summer sunshine to these jaded ears. (Bomp! Records)

Loonspace

The Mooney Suzuki - "CBGB OMFUG Masters Live - June 29, 2001" CD

Bearing abso-fucking-lutely no resemblance to their namesake (look it up if you don't know by now), New York's Mooney Suzuki are all primal garage rock, with a liberal tip of the proverbial hat to the great 60's pre-punk rousters like the MC5. Tracks like 'Oh Sweet Susanna' are raved-up slices of bluesy power-pop-rock, complete with big choruses (and even bigger riffs). If you dig on stuff like Thee Headcoats or even The Brian Jonestown Massacre, check out these wild boys, too. (MVD Audio)