Joecephus and the George Jonestown Massacre’s MC5 Tribute Album (Alice Cooper, Jello Biafra, Phil Campbell and More) Out Now



On Friday February 2nd the Rock ’n’ Roll world was saddened the passing of “Brother” Wayne Kramer, founding member and guitarist of the legendary, influential Detroit band the MC5. Issued on Black Friday, 2023 via Saustex Records Call Me Animal: A Tribute to the MC5 was never intended as a send-off for Brother Wayne, but his untimely passing makes its recent release feel even more serendipitous. Conceived by Joey “Joecephus” Killingsworth, the album was several years in the making with his band/collective Joecephus and the George Jonestown Massacre and his production partner Dik LeDoux. Kramer himself participated in the project, laying down a smoking version of “Human Being Lawnmower” with Jello Biafra.
Continue reading


Sean Yseult To Curate Photography Show Of Other Musicians Next Month In San Francisco


 

B-Sides Heron Arts Sean Yseault ghostcultmag

Former White Zombie co-founder Sean Yseault is curating a photography exhibit featuring other prominent musicians as well as her own work. Presented by Heron Arts, B-­Sides: Nine Crossover Hits is a group show exhibiting artists including Moby, Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal), Mike Watt (Minutemen & The Stooges), Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs), Pat Sansone (Wilco), Henry Butler, and Louviere+Vanessa (The Quaalords) and Yseult herself. B-­Sides opens on September 10, 2016 with a reception from 6:30-9:30 PM and runs through October 1, 2016.

Continue reading


Lisa Sofianos, Robin Ryde and Charlie Waterhorse – The Truth of Revolution, Brother


Lisa Sofianos, Robin Ryde and Charlie Waterhorse - The Truth of Revolution, Brother

The Truth of Revolution, Brother: An Exploration of Punk Philosophy (Situation Press) is an interesting look at many of the common philosophies within the rebellious genre and it also acts as a biography for some of its key figures. Through a series of interviews authors Lisa Sofianos, Robin Ryde and Charlie Waterhorse, have crafted an insightful and at times dense examination of the personal beliefs that fuel the music, particularly in anarcho-punk.

Culled from over 20 different interviews with subjects including the likes of former Dead Kennedy’s vocalist Jello Biafra, producer Steve Albini and firebrand Gavin McInnes, The Truth of Revolution, Brother feels like a great documentary that hasn’t been shot yet. Punk isn’t just music, for the faithful it’s an unshakable bond that informs all of their daily decisions. It was an artistic liberation because it wasn’t the usual prog and arena rock that permeated the 1970s. If you had something to say now you can now express yourself even if you can’t play your instrument very well or have a record label to back you up. All the weirdos were allowed.

Punk changed the whole world for me,” says Albini. “Punk changed all of my friends. Everything that I do with my life. This studio. All of this that I am doing for a living. Everyone I know. Every significant friend I’ve ever had. Every significant life experience that I have had, I owe that to the Ramones.”

However, it is also quick to point out that while punk was the undiscriminating genre when it came to musical prerequisites, age or sex; it is also very much steeped in hierarchy as you are allowed to come in and participate only if you wear the right boots and black shirts. The prevailing Do-It-Yourself ethos acts as the backbone that allows punk to stand, but also means that there is less focus on quality control as anyone can come in and take a swing at it. Doing it yourself can sometimes lead to doing it badly.

But for me what was most interesting about this tome is that so many of the interviewed always pointed to anarcho-punk trailblazers Crass as one of their main inspirations and the reason for adopting the punk lifestyle. The consensus is that they were the first punk band to adopt the DIY mantra, foster pro-environmentalist habits and call for everyone to drop competiveness out of their nature in order to improve the community.

What is so deeply emotional for me about Crass, in particular, is that when I was sent to the correctional boarding school I was completely alone” says Jon Gnarr. “And I was so afraid that I carried a knife. I felt so alone, and there was nobody to tell me right from wrong, there weren’t even teachers at that place, so at a very difficult time in my life, Crass was there for me.” Feeling dissatisfied with his government’s handling of the 2008 Icelandic financial crisis, Gnarr would use some of that punk influence and form the satirical Best Party. In a shocking upset Gnarr ran and was elected mayor of Reykjavík in 2010.

So many other of the interview subjects continuously cite the short lived anarchist bent Essex unit, that it starts to feel like that you are getting an oral history of the band. Adding to that feel are insightful chapters directly from former Crass members Steve Ignorant, Penny Rimbaud and Gee Vaucher.

Something worth noting is that with so many citing the same artists and similar philosophies as vital the book can begin to feel a tad repetitive towards the middle, but all things considered it shines a bright light on the inner machinations of one of rock’s most extreme wings. Now if we could only get that complete Crass biography.

8.0/10

HANSEL LOPEZ


Steve Stevens, Blasko, Wayne Kramer, etc Part Of 3rd Annual Rock Against MS Show


third annual rock against ms

The 3rd Annual Rock Against MS Benefit Show will be held once again at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, CA on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. The 3rd Annual brings back Rock’s elite artists in support of longtime friend and publicist, Nancy B. Sayle. This rock-fueled concert is to help raise awareness and funding for Sayle and the new foundation benefiting those living with MS.

The list of participating artists for the show include:

STEVE STEVENS (BILLY IDOL), STEVEN ADLER (GnR), BLASKO (OZZY), STEPHEN PERKINS (JANE’S ADDICTION), WAYNE KRAMER (MC5), MIKE WATT (STOOGES/FIREHOSE) GILBY CLARKE (GnR), BILLY MORRISON (BILLY IDOL), JEFF PILSON (FOREIGNER/DOKKEN), GRETCHEN BONADUCE, PHIL X (BON JOVI), PHIL BUCKMAN (FILTER), MARTY O’ BRIEN (LITA FORD), ERIK ELDENIUS (BILLY IDOL), JOE RETTA (THE SWEET), JOHNNY GRIPARIC (SLASH’S SNAKEPIT/WALTER TROUT), MATT STARR (ACE FREHLEY), ROBERT SARZO (HURRICANE/QUEENSRYCHE), JOEY ALLEN (WARRANT), CHAS WEST (BONHAM), & MORE!!

In its finishing stages, the ROCK AGAINST MS FOUNDATION will provide services from a three (3) grant resource system, which will provide daily care, quality of life needs and emergency funding, while assisting people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to live independent and full lives. Additionally, a brick and mortar facility we will call THE ROCK HOUSE is in the planning stages, and will provide free of charge, multiple programs and opportunities designed to heal the mind, body and spirit of all those whose lives have been affected by MS.

TICKETS:

• GENERAL ADMISSION – $35
• FLOOR – W/ PRE-SHOW MEET & GREET AT 6PM – $100
• BALCONY – VIP MEET & GREET – $150
• VIP – RESERVED BOOTH FOR 4 PPL W/ MEET & GREET – $500
• VIP – RESERVED BOOTH FOR 8 PPL W/ MEET & GREET – $1,000

PURCHASE: BUY TICKETS HERE.

ONLINE PAYPER VIEW TICKETS: LIVE FAR AWAY? CAN’T GET THERE? THIS WILL STREAM LIVE!
• $15 AND UP! The more you DONATE you get cool gifts!

PURCHASE PAYPER VIEW here.


The Melvins, Deafheaven, Converge Confirmed For Indigo Music Festival


indigo fest_1

The Indigo Music Festival is happening at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA on January 31-February 1, 2015. The confirmed acts include:

The Melvins
Deafheaven
Blonde Redhead
Deerhoof
Moving Units
Mike Watt
Talk in Tongues
Kiev
Rocket From The Crypt
Black Angels
Converge
Youth Code
The Warlocks
Fever The Ghost
Dahga Bloom
LA Witch
Morgan Delt