This Completely Slipped Past Me

This slipped by me. My apologises.

On November 25, 1999. Creation Records announced it's closure. For those who may not know what Creation Records was, well in my humble opinion, it was one of the great indie labels that existed in the U.K. Bands that were on this label were
Oasis, Pete Astor,Primal Scream, Ride, Slowdive, Spectrum, Spotify, Sugar, Super Furry Animals, Swervedriver, Teenage Fanclub, 3 Colours Red, Bernard Butler, Biff BAng Pow,Television Personalities, The Bodines The Boo Radleys, The Jazz Butcher, The Pastels, The Telescopes, The Times, The House of Love, The Boo Radleys, The Weather Prophets, Velvet Crush, The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine to name a few. Here is a news story from The Guardian


Alan McGee, the chairman of Creation Records who propelled Oasis to superstar status gaining the ear of the prime minister along the way, yesterday announced that he would be leaving the label he founded next year to pursue other projects.

The announcement led to immediate speculation that Oasis would leave the label to establish their own company, and that Creation’s future would be threatened.

Sony paid £3.5m for a minority share in the label in 1992 and McGee is due to renegotiate the deal next summer.

But a spokesman for Oasis described the rumours as “complete rubbish”, while Creation said: “Oasis are contracted to Sony and licensed to Creation Records for the UK and until we hear otherwise – it’s business as usual.”

However, 39-year-old McGee predicted that the role of record labels would be fundamentally changed by new technology and that he was re signed to losing Oasis after their present deal expired. He said he hoped to establish a film production company next year financing 10 films for £100,000 each, as well as investing in an internet start-up.

Earlier this year, McGee offered to buy ailing London music radio station GLR after it emerged the BBC were considering turning it into a speech-based station. BBC chairman Christopher Bland is rumoured to have invited him in for talks, though a sale is thought unlikely.

Creation’s success was founded on McGee’s talent for discovering bands such as the Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Super Furry Animals and Oasis. The label was founded 17 years ago with McGee and his partner Dick Green, who will also be leaving, to promote unknown bands.

By the late 90s, McGee’s reputation as an opinion former led New Labour to court his approval, which he readily gave along with a donation of £50,000. Riding the wave of Cool Britannia that accompa nied Labour’s election win in 1997, McGee was invited to Downing Street with his star turns, moving the Daily Mail to condemn Mr Blair for mixing with a confessed drug-user. In 1994 he was admitted to a Los Angeles detox clinic.

Since those heady days, however, McGee has relinquished drugs and the Blair project, describing the latter as “Orwellian”, blighted by cronyism, and claiming the New Deal initiative stifles creativity.

Serious doubts must now surround the long-term future of the label, founded with a £1,000 bank loan in 1983.

McGee has always been a hands-on chairman at a company that has managed to retain an independent spirit. But without McGee as a buffer between the bands and Sony, Oasis may take matters into their own hands. Other groups on the roster, some of whom have resented the time and effort which has been lavished on the Gallagher brothers, may also be minded to look elsewhere.

LUSH: Remembered, Respected and Loved

Here is some Lush trivia for you.

Before they were Lush, they called themselves "The Baby Machine".


Emma has a bachelor's degree in art history.


Miki and Chris were massive fans of the Tottenham Hotspur, a local football club (This fandom led to their association with the Lillies).


Miki's mother is Japanese and her father’s Hungarian.


Phil King is a former NME photographer and associate editor, who has played bass and guitar with The Servants, Felt, Biff Bang Pow!, Apple Boutique, and See See Rider.

Phrase of the Day

Anarchism is founded on the observation that since few men are wise enough to rule themselves, even fewer are wise enough to rule others.


Edward Abbey (1927 - 1989)

On This Day: November 30, 2002

Today marks the 7 year anniversary of the passing of one of the greats in professional wrestling. On this day Tim Woods better known as Mr. Wrestling died of a heart attack.
He began his wrestling career at the age of 29 using the name "Tim Woods". He was given the name "Mr. Wrestling" by Nebraska promotor Joe Dusek. Mr Wrestling became a major superstar in the Georgia, Florida, Texas and Mid-Atlantic territories. Starting in the Seventies, he would alternate between his masked persona as Mr. Wrestling and wrestling unmasked as Tim Woods, depending on the territory. He had his final match in 1983, teaming up with Mr. Wrestling II against the Road Warriors.

Woodin was involved in the same 1975 plane crash that involved pilot Joseph Michael Farkas (he ended up in a coma and died the next year), wrestling legend Johnny Valentine (broke his back and bone fragments inpacted into his spinal cord, which ended his career), wrestler Bob Bruggers (broke his back and had a steel rod put in; Bruggers could have made a comeback, but he decided to retire), future legend Ric Flair (broke his back, but recovered and returned to wrestling), and JCP announcer David Crockett. At the hospital, Woodin gave them his real name (George Burrell Woodin), and told them that he was a promoter. Since Woodin wrestled under the name Tim Woods, a newspaper article in the Charlotte Observer listed his name as his real name, George Burrell Woodin, and mentioned that he was a promoter. Woodin was the only babyface wrestler on the plane, while the rest wrestled as heels, and this was back in the days when kayfabe was not broken (at the time, Woods was feuding with Flair and Valentine). Eventually, rumors began circulating that Woods was in fact on the plane. Unwilling to risk the exposure of professional wrestling, he got back in the ring two weeks after the crash and was obviously in extreme pain. Flair later said in his book "To Be the Man", that he was more than just 'Mr. Wrestling' that day, he was the man who saved wrestling. Woodin eventually returned to wrestling but retired shortly thereafter.He died in his home in Charlotte, North Carolina at the age of 68.

Born On This Day: John Ashton, November 30, 1957

John Ashton, guitarist for the Psychedelic Furs enters the world. John was born at Whips Cross Hospital, Forest Gate, East London.

Today In Alternative Music History: November 30, 1989

The Stone Roses make their debut on BBC1-TV’s Top Of The Pops.

Today In Alternative Music History: November 30, 2003

A Manhattan street is named after Joey Ramone. The Bowery street is near CBGB's, the Ramones’ early stomping ground.

Otavalo Naturaleza Escondida

Encontre este reportaje de la ciudad Otavalo y me parecio muy interesante. Disfrutenlo.


Otavalo es actualmente uno de los destinos turísticos más importantes del Ecuador. Es visitado tanto por turistas nacionales como extranjeros, atraídos por su enorme riqueza cultural en la que pueblos como los Kichwa Otavalo y los Blanco Mestizos mantienen su identidad que es fortalecida por sus mitos, leyendas, costumbres y tradiciones milenarias recibidos en herencia de sus ancestros.

Esta diversidad cultural se conjuga igualmente con una variedad de ecosistemas que encierran una diversidad biológica muy importante y representativa de la región tropandina, repartida entre las montañas, lagunas, ríos, quebradas y vertientes, que vistos desde la cosmovisión local, tienen vida y energía.

Christmas is Coming!!!!!

Here is another political cartoon that I found amusing for the upcoming holiday. Enjoy!!!

Banned! Songs That Were Specifically Banned By Radio, TV, or The Government

"Heart Of Glass" - Blondie

During the first couple of weeks of 1979, the New Wave band, Blondie is forced to replace some of the words to this #1 hit to gain air-play on U.S. Top 40 radio. The lyrics "Once I had a love and it was a gas / Soon found out, I had a heart of glass" were inserted over the top of the original lyrics "Once I had a love and it was a gas / Soon turned out to be a pain in the ass."

Alternative Bands Forced To Change Their Names, Sorta

This post will be on bands that had to change their name because of of other bands having the same name and to avoid lawsuits.

The Charlatans U.K. This Manchester band was forced to change their name in the U.S. because of Dan Hick´s 60s Cult combo The Charlatans.

Christmas is Coming!!!!!

Like I did with Halloween and Thanksgiving, I will posting tidbits, history, traditions and interesting things about Christmas. I found this political cartoon today and I had to post it for you to enjoy. So here starts the countdown to Christmas!!!!

R.E.M. Firsts

First Paid Gig: at the Koffee Klub in Athens, Georgia, April 19, 1980

KATE BUSH: JUST THE FACTS

In the credits of her 1985 album Hounds Of Love, Kate Bush mentions "Bonnie and Clyde" . They are the two dogs that are featured on the cover of the album with her.

News From Outside the Bubble

This entry will have off the wall news from around the world. Something for you to enjoy and at the same time scratch your head. Here is the first news item from Boston, Massachussetts.

Boston woman cooks Thanksgiving dinner while helping daughter deliver baby at home

November 28, 2009

BOSTON - A Boston woman has succeeded at one of the all-time great Thanksgiving Day juggling acts: She cooked the turkey while helping deliver her baby granddaughter.

Patricia McCalop was in the middle of preparing the meal when her daughter suddenly went into labor two weeks early.

McCalop called 911, and a dispatcher talked her through the delivery and helped her confirm that the baby girl was breathing.

Paramedics arrived shortly afterward and took Africa McCalop and her newborn to the hospital. They are both in good health.

Patricia McCalop said she kept running between the kitchen and her daughter in labor because she didn't want the turkey to burn while helping her child deliver the baby.

"I'm like, 'What are you doing with the turkey? We got the baby,'" Africa McCalop told the Boston Herald. "She didnt know what to do. Shes like, 'I got to go get the turkey baster.' Im like 'For what?'"

The infant weighed six pounds.

LUSH: Remembered, Respected and Loved

This new entry will focus on one of my favorite bands of all time LUSH. I have been a fan of theirs since they formed in 1988 and though they split in 1997 they are still very close to my heart. This first entry is a brief biography of who they were. Enjoy!!!



Meshing dreamy, feedback-drenched guitars with airy, catchy melodies, Lush were one of the most prominent shoegazing bands of the early '90s. Led by guitarists Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson, the British band earned a cult following within the British and American undergrounds with its first EPs, yet the group never quite attained the critical respect given to its peers My Bloody Valentine and Ride. Even so, Lush lasted longer than any other of their contemporaries (with the exception of the Boo Radleys), developing sharp pop skills as their career progressed. By the time of their final album, 1996's Lovelife, they had converted themselves into a power pop band with dream pop overtones, which resulted in the greatest chart success of their career. Their success was dealt a blow when drummer Chris Acland committed suicide in the fall of 1996, effectively bringing the band to an end.

Miki Berenyi, Emma Anderson, Chris Acland, Steve Rippon (bass), and Meriel Barham (guitar) formed Lush in 1988 in London, England. Prior to the group's formation, school friends Berenyi and Anderson had collaborated on a fanzine together, as well as played in a number of other bands individually. Anderson, who had been working as a DHSS clerical assistant, had played bass with the Rover Girls, while Berenyi had been a member of I-Goat, Fuhrer Five, and the Lillies. Berenyi's then-boyfriend, Acland had previous played with several other groups as well, including Panik, Infection, and A Touch of Hysteria. Barham left Lush soon after the band's formation to form the Pale Saints, and the remaining members began playing around London, quickly earning a number of fans, including Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins. Guthrie helped the band secure a contract with 4AD Records, and they released their acclaimed debut EP, Scar, in 1989. Lush supported the EP with opening tours for Loop and the Darling Buds, and by 1990, they had graduated to headlining tours of their own.

Throughout 1990, the band's reputation in the British music press began to grow as they released the acclaimed EPs Mad Love and Sweetness and Light, played high-profile gigs like the Glastonbury Festival, and became favorites of the music weeklies' gossip columns. Gala, an album compiling their three EPs, became the band's first American release at the end of 1990. Lush spent most of 1991 recording their debut album, releasing the Black Spring EP in the spring. Rippon left the band during the sessions, and was replaced by Philip King, a former picture researcher for NME and a previous member of Felt, Servants, and Biff Bang Pow. Lush finally released their delayed debut album, Spooky, in the spring of 1992. While the album sold well, reaching the British Top Ten and topping the U.K. indie charts, it was criticized in the press for Guthrie's heavy-handed production. The band supported the album in America by appearing on the second Lollapalooza tour, but their dream pop wasn't well-received by an audience hungry for metal. Lush released their second album, Split, in the summer of 1994 to mixed reviews. Split was lost in the twin waves of Brit-pop and American post-grunge, even through the band's songwriting was more pop-oriented than ever.

After regrouping during 1995, Lush returned in early 1996 with Lovelife, an album that showcased a debt to the pop-single ideals of Brit-pop. The musical changeover paid off as "Single Girl" and "Ladykiller" became their two biggest hit singles, and the album became a British Top 20 hit; in America, it was their highest-charting album, even if it just scraped the charts at 189. Lush had completed their supporting tours and summer festival appearances when Chris Acland unexpectedly hanged himself in his parent's house on October 17, 1996. Devastated by his death, the remaining members of Lush went into a long period of mourning, eventually disbanding

Movies With Alt-Rockers in Acting Roles

This new entry will focus on those movies that had alternative musicians in acting roles. Off we go!!!

The Blank Generation (1980). German Director Ulli Lommel's combination of Euro-style romance and alt-rocker Richard Hell, who also performs several songs with his band the Voidoids(and who's best-known song provides the film's title).

Born On This Day: Jerry "The King" Lawler, November 29, 1949

Jerry Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), working and wrestling on its Raw brand as the color commentator. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee
Lawler has won more than 140 championships throughout his career, including one reign as American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion and more than 30 reigns as American Wrestling Association Southern Heavyweight Champion. Lawler held the latter championship another 17 times when the National Wrestling Alliance controlled it. He is also a 3 time World Class Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion (United States Wrestling Association Unified World Heavyweight Champion in the third case). He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Overall he has held more championships than any other current WWE employee.

In 1982, Lawler had a notorious feud with comedian Andy Kaufman. At the time, Kaufman wrestled women as part of his skits and had declared himself the Intergender Heavyweight Champion. On April 5, Lawler, who had taken exception to the skits, wrestled Kaufman in Memphis. During the course of the match, Lawler delivered two piledrivers to his opponent, sending him to the hospital. On July 29, Lawler slapped Kaufman in the face on an episode of Late Night with David Letterman. Kaufman responded by throwing his coffee on Lawler. Years later, Lawler appeared as himself in the Kaufman biopic Man on the Moon; the movie revealed that Lawler's feud with Kaufman had been kayfabe (staged). On March 31, 2007, Lawler was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by William Shatner. Happy birthday Jerry!!!

Naming Names: How Bands Got Their Names: Echo and the Bunnymen

Echo was the name of the band´s drum machine, which kept the Bunnymen´s beat until human drummer Pete DeFreitas signed on. Echo´s name remained, though.

R.E.M. Firsts

This is a new entry for the Athens Georgia band R.E.M. What I will posting here is all things they did first. Enjoy it!!!!! Here we go!

First Rehearsal: January 1980

First performance: A party at a desconsecrated church turned University of Georgia student residence, April 5, 1980

The Discreet Charm of Morrissey

"I don´t try to inflict the way I feel upon other people, because that's quite boring."

Phrase of The Day

The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.

Bret Harte (1836 - 1902)

SUNDAY'S TOP 5: NOVEMBER 29, 2009

MY TOP 5 ALBUMS FOR THIS SUNDAY ARE:

1. THE CORONAS - TONY WAS AN EX-CON

2. SINGAPORE SLING - PERVERSITY DESPERATION AND DEATH

3. THE SILENT LEAGUE - BUT YOU ALWAYS BEEN THE CARETAKER

4. CUSTOMS - ENTER THE CHARACTERS

5. PRISCILLA AHN - A GOOD DAY

Thanksgiving is Coming!!!!!

Traditional Celebrations

U.S. tradition compares the holiday with a meal held in 1621 by the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is continued in modern times with the Thanksgiving dinner, traditionally featuring turkey, playing a large role in the celebration of Thanksgiving. Some of the details of the American Thanksgiving story are myths that developed in the 1890s and early 1900s as part of the effort to forge a common national identity in the aftermath of the Civil War and in the melting pot of new immigrants.

In the United States, certain kinds of food are traditionally served at Thanksgiving meals. Firstly, baked or roasted turkey is usually the featured item on any Thanksgiving feast table (so much so that Thanksgiving is sometimes referred to as "Turkey Day"). Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, other fall vegetables, and pumpkin pie are commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner. All of these are actually native to the Americas or were introduced as a new food source to the Europeans when they arrived. As an alternative to turkey, many vegetarians or vegans eat tofurky, a meatless turkey made of tofu.

The less fortunate are often provided with food at Thanksgiving time. Most communities have annual food drives that collect non-perishable packaged and canned foods, and corporations sponsor charitable distributions of staple foods and Thanksgiving dinners.

Phrase of The Day

Art is making something out of nothing and selling it.

Frank Zappa (1940 - 1993)

Today In Alternative Music History: November 22, 1997

INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence hangs himself. Whether it is an accident or suicide remains a mystery.

SUNDAY'S TOP 5: NOVEMBER 22, 2009

MY TOP 5 ALBUMS FOR THIS SUNDAY ARE:

1. NORAH JONES - THE FALL

2. STEREOPHONICS - KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

3. NIGHTSTALKER - SUPERFREAK

4. MAYER HAWTHORNE - A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT

5. SAINT ETIENNE - SO TOUGH (DELUXE EDITION)

Phrase of The Day

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Born On This Day: Jim Babjak, November 17, 1957

The guitarist for the Smithereens has a birthday today. Jim was born in Carteret, New Jersey.

Today In Alternative Music History: November 16, 1993

On this day Blur releases their album, Modern Life Is Rubbish.

Born On This Day: Gary "Mani" Mounfield, November 16, 1962

The former bassist for the Stone Roses and current bassist for Primal Scream has a birthday today. Gary was born in Manchester, England.

Phrase of The Day

Speech is conveniently located midway between thought and action, where it often substitutes for both.

John Andrew Holmes

SUNDAY'S TOP 5: NOVEMBER 15, 2009

MY TOP 5 ALBUMS FOR THIS SUNDAY ARE:

1. ARCTIC MONKEYS - CORNERSTONE (EP)

2. THEM CROOKED VULTURES - THEM CROOKED VULTURES

3. BEBEL GILBERTO - ALL IN ONE

4. EMILIE SIMON - THE BIG MACHINE

5. THEE HYPNOTICS - SOUL, GLITTER & SIN

Phrase of the Day

Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.

Franklin P. Adams (1181 - 1960)

Today In Alternative Music History: Novemebr 10, 1978

The Clash release their second album, Give 'Em Enough Rope. It is their U.S. debut release.

Thanksgiving is Coming!!!

We are now in the month of November which means Thanksgiving is around the corner. I will be posting tidbits on this Holiday. So here we go!!

Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day,which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863. It became a federal holiday in 1941. Thanksgiving was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God, and is still celebrated as such by many families, but it is now also considered a holiday seperate from religion.

Most Americans celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals which have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday is tied to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the harsh winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts and that event has become the foundation story for English North America.