Peter Hook & The Light - “Closer - Live In Manchester 2011” 2xCD, “Unknown Pleasures: Live in Leeds 2012” 2xCD, “Movement: Live In Dublin 2013” CD, “Power, Corruption & Lies: Live in Dublin 2013” CD

Co-founder revisits Joy Division and New Order classics

Peter Hook and his band The Light have a right, a legacy and a license, to cover the immortal Joy Division (and early New Order). Even more so as the rest of New Order are busy releasing tedious and vapid disco pop and generally ignoring their inspirational and innovative roots.

Fans like me were either too young (me) or just not around during the prime eras of the Manchester bands’ heydays, so Peter Hook and The Light are the closest we’ll ever get to seeing and hearing Joy Division’s material or the earliest (and best, in this writer’s opinion) New Order tracks in a live setting. Hook had a prominent part in these band’s sounds, and his re-claiming of them is a true godsend for fans of all ages and eras. 

All that said, these 4 CD releases of live shows from 2011-2013 capture the feels and vibes of the great studio recordings in top quality. Hook’s vocals are admirable and quite close approximations to Ian Curtis’, and his band, which includes his son Jack Bates on bass, cover Joy Division and New Order’s finest work with respect and power. 

“Closer Live Tour 2011: Live In Manchester” is a 21-song, double-CD set of album and single cuts, closing with (pre-Joy Division) cuts “Warsaw” and “Failure”, and climaxed by the legendary “Love Will Tear Us Apart”. “Colony” and “Atmosphere” are sung by former Happy Mondays and The Light collaborator Rowetta, bringing a soulful and reverential side to the “covers”. Overall, a great addition to any Joy Division collection, and a riveting live set.

“Unknown Pleasures Tour 2012: Live in Leeds” is another double-CD, including 24 tracks (with minimal overlay of the “Closer” set). The entirety of the great “Unknown Pleasures” LP is performed here, of course, alongside another wealth of other cuts from the era. As with the “Closer” set, it all sounds top-notch, with a post-punk fire that does the originals proper justice (and even reanimates them into a new era). “Interzone” or “The Drawback” out-punk the younger generation, and classics like “Transmission”, “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, and “Ceremony” close it all out with intensity and passion. Hook and his boys know these songs inside out, and these albums do them a great service, bringing it all back to life again.

“Movement Tour 2013: Live In Dublin” is a single disc and opens with 7 Joy Division cuts, including faithful and intense covers of “Incubation” and “Autosuggestion”, as well as “Ceremony”, before hitting the New Order debut LP, “Movement” and the album’s great opener, “Dreams Never End”. This album was a sort of middle ground from the band’s previous Joy Division incarnation and their more electronic and dance-worthy future as New Order. It echoes Joy Division’s starkness and raw post-punk sound, only hinting at the group’s lighter future. Hook’s band pound through the brief album’s 8 cuts before hitting a few New Order single B-sides. In all, it’s 18 tracks here, well worth any fan of either band’s time and cash.

“Power Corruption & Lies Tour 2013: Live In Dublin” is another single disc, with 14 tracks beginning with early New Order favorite “Everything’s Gone Green” before hitting the band’s second album in it’s entirety. The band transitioned from the darkness of their earlier work with this electro-pop album that had great tracks like “Age Of Consent”, as well as lighter, funkier cuts like “586” that don’t hold up as well. Favorites like “True Faith”, “Temptation”, and “Blue Monday” are used as finales alongside “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, closing this chapter in Hook’s homages to his past works. Of the 4 albums released here, this is the one that to me seems a bit less necessary. Nonetheless, it’s a solid work that invites further re-investigation into New Order’s earlier releases.

Overall, Hook and The Light do great justice to these classic albums, leaving any serious fan impressed and relishing the originals, yet making a new life for them as well, keeping them alive and making them as much about “now” as “then”. Bravo.

Westworld Recordings

“Every Everything: The Music, Life And Times Of Grant Hart” DVD (director: Gorman Berchard)

Husker Du alumnus deserves a look

Having not been much of a fan of Minneapolis’ most inspirational punk/post-punk band Husker Du, I’ve never truly explored much of either Bob Mould or Grant Hart’s careers over the past 20+ years. Well, a shame that is, as this excellent documentary proves.

Looking at the life of drummer/singer/songwriter Hart from his own viewpoint (Hart is interviewed extensively here), his art is examined beginning pre-Husker Du and progresses through that band’s highs and lows, as well as his forays into solo rock and pop with bands like Nova Mob, his relationships with William S. Burroughs, Patti Smith, Bob Mould, Black Flag and the SST label, and even his visual art. Hart himself “hosts” this film, so it’s a very personal and honest portrayal of the events in his life.

Director Berchard has done a masterful job in collecting rare photos and films, and Hart’s well-spoken and charismatic personality more than provides a great intro to his world.

A wonderful film about a great artist who deserves more notice. Fans both casual and hardcore need to check this one out.

Every Everything site

Grant Hart site

“Positive Force: More Than A Witness - 30 Years Of Punk Politics In Action” DVD (director: Robin Bell)

Enlightening and inspiring punk doc

The punk music scene has evolved into a fully-established family tree, with branches drifting away from the original sprout in often surprising and diverse fashions. The nihilism of progenitors like the Sex Pistols or Stooges eventually became a lame stereotype, so punks (particularly ones in Washington DC), partially inspired by the anarchist ideology of English band Crass, became “positive”. This film is a lovingly rendered documentary of the Positive Force movement, spearheaded by the Discord Records roster of artists, and most often associated with Ian MacKaye and Minor Threat/Fugazi, who paved a lot of ground for angry, politically, and socially aware punks.

Director Bell brings together loads of pertinent artists, activists, and musicians here, often with slightly different ideologies, but united to make change. It sounds corny and idealistic, but these are people who are fighting for our own rights, confronting issues like racism, homophobia, homelessness, poverty, war, corporate and government corruption, animal rights, and environmental conservation. Positive Force has been and still is driving change like few others. 

This feature-length DVD (which includes a wealth of bonus short films and live performances) boasts of rare music clips, as well as footage both old and new to illustrate the grass-roots movement that Positive Force has driven for 30 years now. Of course, names like Fugazi, Bikini Kill, Nation Of Ulysses, Rites Of Spring, Jello Biafra, Dave Grohl, Ted Leo, Kathleen Hanna, and many more appear here, so you know there are good things going on.

In short, this is a superb document of a movement that may not garner a lot of media attention (naturally), yet is an essential component of our homegrown American music scene. Support work like this, and give this cause a boost, as it can make a serious difference in all of our lives. Word.

PM Press

Meatmen - “Savage Sagas From The Meatmen” CD

Ugly, dirty, and ultimately great return from Tesco and friends!

The immortal Tesco Vee and compatriots are back with their first Meatmen album in 5 years, an the first of all new material in over 20! “Savage Sagas” doesn’t tidy things up neatly for the kids, though. Nope, it’s as offensive, raucous, and out of control as ever before. With such family-friendly tunes as “Pissed Hot For Weed”, “The Ballad Of Stinky Penis”, “Big Bloody Booger On The Bathroom Wall”, or “Rock ’N Roll Enema”, you know it’s gonna be fast, hard, and ugly. And it is.

“Men O Meat” opens it all up with 55 seconds of speedy garage punk. “I’m Gonna Fuck You Up” is an anthem of only a minute and a half. Yikes! Tesco, Danny Dirtbag, Hindu Kush, and Bun Length are certainly firing on all cylinders. Production is perfect — raw but clear, and these 20 songs turn in at a quick and bouncy 48 minutes. “Shecky Presents…” is a bit of a comedic interlude, but fear not, kids, as “Speed Kills (But It Sho’ Feels Good)” is a thrashy, metallic punk monster. This one takes me back to the classic days of hardcore punk — with all the subversive nihilism and attitude. I will never tire of this sound. All hail the Meatmen! 

Self Destructo Records

Tesco Vee world

Alice Donut - "Freaks In Love" DVD (director: David Koslowski)

This documentary film looks at the life and times of weirdo New York freak-punk act Alice Donut, who have spent 25 years remaining steadfastly independent and confounding critics and fans. Director Koslowski does a fantastic job interviewing band members as well as peers like producer Martin Bisi, Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets), Jello Biafra, and Greg Werckman (Alternative Tentacles/Ipecac).

As well, there's tons of classic live footage and intimate behind-the-scenes clips, illustrating Alice Donut's fearsome and wild post-punk sounds. Biafra sums it up well with a cover quote: "The missing link between R.E.M. and the Butthole Surfers".

Though Alice Donut never quite reached the heights of some of their indie peers in the 80s or 90s, they remain an iconic symbol of true independent spirit, and although the members have moved on in life, they still, on occasion, regroup to play shows and even record. The "scene" may be vastly different, but Alice Donut remain legends. "Freaks In Love" is a superb, well-done, and enlightening film for fans, or anyone interested in the legacy of a sometimes-forgotten but influential post-punk band. (MVD Visual)

Alice Donut site

"SpokAnarchy!" DVD (directors: David W. Halsell, Erica K. Schisler, Jon Swanstrom, Heather Swanstrom, Theresa Halsell, and Cory Wees)

This fun, energetic, and interesting documentary is subtitled "Where were you in '82?", and that sums up this look into Spokane's loose-knit underground & punk scene in the early 80s. Interviewing a number of scenesters, band members, artists, and associates from the years "before punk broke", "SpokAnarchy" also features a wealth of rare photos, flyer art, and live clips of bands who never "made it", but are now, fortunately, immortalized in digital form.

Suffice to say, if you weren't from Spokane in the 80s, you've likely never heard of these artists, renegades, outsiders, and punks, but I think nearly anyone from a small, conservative town can relate. There are so many great stories and memories, most of which are forgotten as time and technology march onwards. Congrats to all the filmmakers here, for capturing a time and place that would be long since forgotten. I'm inspired again, and wish someone would make a film like this about my own "small-town" punk scene. Hmm. (Carnage & Rouge/MVD Visual)

Spokanarchy site

"Fested: A Journey To Fest 7" DVD

"Fest" has come to be known as a sort of mecca for young and rising punk bands. Held in Gainesville, Florida, the weekend-long festival has brought thousands of young musicians and music fans to the small town for some revelry rarely seen (or allowed) in these times.

As a raw documentary, "Fested" shows the ins-and-outs of Fest, as seen through the eyes of some of the 2008 Fest participants. You get lots of footage of bands playing in some small venues, to very enthusiastic crowds. You get lots of drinking (I may never drink another PBR as long as I live), more drinking, and still more drinking. In short, Fest is a huge, drunken frat party, but with better music. As a documentary, "Fested" succeeds in presenting the festival truthfully, warts and all. As entertainment, I wasn't very interested. Maybe you just had to be there? (National Underground.org via MVD Visual)

American Speedway - "A Bigger Boat" album

This is some kickin' high-octane punk and roll from the Liberty city, and on their second full-lengther, American Speedway take no prisoners. 10 songs in 28 minutes means these guys (and girl) get straight to the point. Imagine AC/DC's Brian Johnson fronting a speed-punk act, and you have American Speedway. "I Killed Laura Palmer" is both catchy and fearsome, and "Ready To Roll" doesn't relent -- as intense and fast as any speed or thrash metal. But everything else here is a rip-roaring anthem just as well. A perfect audio caffeine for long, tiring drives along the interstate. Fantastic work, and I'd bet an amazing live act! (Prophase Music)

American Speedwayspace

American Speedway official page

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

Unholy Grave - "Grind Killers" CD

Ah, this one is interesting. Unholy Grave are a veteran grindcore act from Japan who've released spades of split LPs, EPs, and cassettes since 1993. This 23-track, 34-minute blast was recorded live in a Dutch studio, and is a growly, lo-fi clot of brief grind blasts that could easily be a mid-80's UK act. Tracks are pretty well interchangeable, save for a faithful (and humorous) cover of the Ramones' "Beat On The Brat", and Unholy Terror's political direction is definitely more punk than metal. Tracks like "No Racial Superiority" mince no words. And a number of anti-terrorism tracks also show that Unholy Grave aren't all about fantasy or "evil" for evil's sake. This is pure, uncut crust/grind cut from the same cloth as early Napalm Death. Cool and fun. (Selfmadegod Records)

Unholyspace

Iggy & The Stooges - "Escaped Maniacs" 2xDVD

Iggy Pop is a super-human. He is a rock god. If you have any doubts to that kind of lofty praise, a quick browse at the first disc of this set will confirm it. Recorded live in Belgium in 2005 during the Stooges historic reformation tour, this DVD set captures the ferocity and fearlessness of Iggy the entertainer. At 61-years young, the former Jim Osterberg is primal, relentlessly energetic, provocative, and a stage-driven wild animal who puts to shame rock stars half his age. The man oozes attitude and snarl. Here, joined by Stooges Ron and Scott Asheton and former Minutemen/firehose bassist Mike Watt, he takes control of the stage and never gives it up. The show, naturally, highlights plenty of the Stooges classic pre-punk rock, and great songs like 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' and '1969' are amped-up and still great after 30 years. He even ushers a bunch of fans onstage to dance (and even sing along with) a few songs - much to the chagrin of security! Hah!

The second disc is full of bonus materials, including a documentary '30 Years In 60 Minutes', which is very unsatisfying and scattered. Somewhere out there is a thorough and exhaustive history of Iggy Pop on video - but it's not here. Hell, a feature-length film would be barely touching the surface and stories that surround Iggy and his years in the 'business'.

Anyway, in-depth interviews with the surviving Stooges (and one of Pop's longtime girlfriends, even) are entertaining and informative, with Iggy himself, of course, being the highlight. The man is full of a wealth of knowledge and experience, and his animated and well-spoken demeanor makes for a fun and honest interview.

Overall? Great live DVD, superb interviews, lackluster documentary. And at around 5 hours in total, 'Escaped Maniacs' is easily a must-have for fans. (Charly Films/MVD Visual)

Iggy Pop website

D.I. - "Suburbia Sessions 1983" DVD

Californian second-wave punks D.I. are best known for their appearance in the Penelope Spheeris film 'Suburbia', where they performed their infamous 'Richard Hung Himself'. That track is included here, with 9 other songs, and illustrates the band's Reagan-era angst and political awareness. The recording, done by stalwart Flipside Magazine, is bootleg-quality, and this film (of a rehearsal - not an actual concert) is rough and intimate. In hindsight, D.I.'s music was much more melodic than many of their early nihilist brethren, even showing a shadow of new wave somehow. Still, it's a far cry from the fashion punk of today, and takes me back somehow, in a nicely nostalgic way. An interview (with defective audio) is appended here as a bonus feature, and it does nothing but show the band to be, as the camera person puts it, 'jerks'. Hah! No pretense here, just some real-life footage of an early punk band sweating, spitting, and swearing. As it should be. (MVD Visual)

Solution Unknown - "Aggressive Fish/Karen" LP

Those of you familiar with American indie rock are already more than familiar with the legendary Slint - the little Louisville band that captured the hearts of people all over the world with little more than their 1991 LP, 'Spiderland'. Seriously, this timeless piece of vinyl (or aluminum, if you're so inclined) will move you as much now as it did then. Anyhow, the seeds of Slint were sown in the punk rock scene of the 80's, and a large part of Slint's history lies in a long-forgotten punk band called Solution Unknown. Featuring future indie stars David Pajo (Slint, Tortoise, Papa M, etc. etc., now of Dead Child) and Todd Brashear (Slint, Palace Brothers, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy), as well as vocalist Eric Schmidt, bassist Kent Chappelle, and guitarist Mike Bucayu, Solution Unknown released one (highly limited) vinyl LP, titled 'Aggressive Fish/Karen' (though my copy makes no such proclamation).

The group existed from about 1986 to 1988 (with their final show opening for the mighty Chicago aggro-punk act Naked Raygun), and aside from a 7" single (and a comp appearance), this LP was the sole recorded output of Solution Unknown, and although a thorough compilation CD was released in 1996, it's impossible to find, as well. So without further fluff, here's the LP, as transferred from my original vinyl LP.

Solution Unknown LP download

Deeper bio

Pajo's new band, Dead Child, can be seen gigging around L-ville and beyond on occasion. I'll be catching them live one of these days, so expect a report at some point!

Social Distortion - "Prison Bound" CD and "Greatest Hits" CD

Mike Ness's Social Distortion were one of the coolest bands around when I was a teen. 'Another State Of Mind' (the album and tour documentary) was nothing short of a revelation, and Social Distortion's snotty, bratty, teen-angst anthems were catchy and nihilistic, echoing the overall feeling of suburban paranoia and alienation, but always with a sort of sad and romantic angle underneath the mohawks, spikes and spurs. 'Prison Bound' was sort of Ness' comeback LP from 1988, and this release alienated some of their hardcore audience as I remember. Here is where Ness first demonstrated some of his primary inspirations. Cuts like 'Like An Outlaw (For You)' were Johnny Cash western tales set to a West Coast punk-rock backbeat. Social Distortion would later synthesize these rockabilly and country roots much more effectively in the coming years, but 'Prison Bound' remains a kind of clumsy and weak offering in the group's usually strong catalog. The songs aren't nearly as memorable or catchy, and the production seems lightweight and kinda tinny & dated. This is one for completists only. (Restless Records, recently reissued on Time Bomb)

On the other hand, Social Distortion's 2007 collection, titled simply 'Greatest Hits', is a powerful punch all the way through. Though it's rather short at only 11 songs, you get some of the best tracks ever written by Mike Ness though the years, arranged chronologically from his kinda juvenile (but still tuneful and melodically strong) beginnings ('Mommy's Little Monster' ) to the 90's major label 'hits' ('Story Of My Life', 'Bad Luck', etc.), and a new song to boot. 'Greatest Hits' touches on all periods of this wonderful band's history. Ness' tales of down-and-out losers and streetwise dreamers are poignant and effective, and his band rocks with guts and balls, combining classic western vibes and structures with edgy post-punk aggression and volume. Ness is truly a rocker with heart and spirit - both traits lacking in 99% of the 'rock' bands out there today. He's an icon and a legend, and this disc proves that after 25 years in music, Social Distortion remains as relevant and listenable today as it did yesterday. Incredible and essential. (Time Bomb)

Gang Green - "You Got It" CD / "Older...Budweiser" CD / Can't Live Without It" CD

These limited 'gold disc' remasters from the popular and influential Boston skate-punkers Gang Green have aged reasonably well. Not overly concerned with social or political issues (as many of their punk brethren were), Gang Green were more adept at celebrating the libidinal aspects of adolescence, and the blessings of beer and skateboarding. 'You Got It' is a goofy and fun drunk/punk manifesto - only hinting at the metallic crossover sound they would pioneer a few years later. 'Older...Budweiser' inches closer to metal, but retains Chris Doherty's tuneless punk vocals, and adds on the group's Van Halen parody/response, the 'I81B4U' EP. Sure, it's juvenile and irresponsible, but it's also a helluva lotta fun - and a perfect teen party soundtrack (especially with cuts like 'Bedroom of Doom', or 'Bartender', to name just a couple of memorable ones). 'Can't Live Without It' is a live LP from 1990, and features most of the band's early faves - all recorded crisply and professionally. This one's actually a fiercer platter than their studio works, and features a slightly different line-up as members had moved on by the time this was recorded. Overall, some reasonably classic titles from one of skate/punk/metal's legendary acts. (Metal Mind Poland / Roadrunner)

Voodoo Glow Skulls - "Southern California Street" CD

Bouncy, punky Latin-inflected ska from, well, you guessed it, the West Coast. Voodoo Glow Skulls have been around for some time, first with stalwart punk labels Dr. Strange and Epitaph, and now with powerhouse Victory, so they have the credibility to back up their near-20-year history. But songs like “While My City Sleeps” are little more than buffoonish punk cuts with horn & skank sections. Lyrically, these guys are pretty vacant, and though musically they are easily top of the game (perhaps more so than their brethren in the Mighty Mighty Bosstones), this stuff comes across as little more than thuggish and sophomoric. (Victory)

Flipper – Live Targetvideo77 1980-81" DVD

Flipper were an essential anomaly in the early American punk scene. Nihilistic and dirgey, their noise-damaged music anticipated the hardcore scene, predated grunge, and even could be seen as a starting point for (some) industrial rock. This classic video, finally reissued in digital format, presents Flipper in all their sloppy, drunken, and chaotic glory. Taken from a pair of shows, this rough (but more than watchable) document shows both a more spunky side (a headlining gig from Berkeley) as well as a more cathartic and intense side (their 1981 Frisco show opening for Throbbing Gristle). Vocalist/bassist Will Shatter mumbles and grunts his way through fan favorites like 'Sex Bomb' or (my favorite) 'Life', while his band tumbles headfirst into characteristically messy, nearly-tuneless abandon. Flipper took punk and turned it upside down, and in the process inspired too many bands to list. This is the real deal. (MVD Visual)

"$100 And A T-Shirt: A Documentary About Zines In The Northwest US" DVD

As an old-school zine-maker myself (19 issues, thank you very much), this documentary serves as a wonderful summation of what drives certain people to create their own indie press publications. Focusing on the Portland-Seattle scenes, '$100 And A T-Shirt' was created on a shoestring budget by indie filmmaker Joe Biel, and it features a wealth of interviews with various publishers and writers from all walks of life and interests, resulting in a sort of symposium on the 'hows' and 'whys' of small-press publishing. It's really an enlightening and inspiring mix of subcultures who share a belief in the power of individual freedom and interpersonal relationships through art. It's great to see that this mode of expression is alive and well, especially in this era of impersonal blogging and mystalkerspace. This may well be the definitive portrait of this phenomenon and subculture. Long live zines! (Microcosm Publishing)