My Ever Changing Moods

This video is amazing on so many levels. The song is a forgotten favorite that I just heard for the first time in years.

I never knew this video existed until today, so what a shock it is to see young Paul Weller lip-syncing while riding a vintage 80s road bike. (Notice how their saddles are sitting almost directly on the frame? That’s how they sized ‘em back then, two sizes too large!)
1984
I dug this up from my old collection of mixtapes. I’ll tell you more about them later because it’s quite a story. In the meantime, here are more gems from that pile.

Paul’s old band. 1980:

Mark E. Smith and his revolving door band The Fall have more records than I have parking tickets. Lucky for me, their best was released while I was a college radio DJ, so I got to play the hell out of I Am Kurious Oranj. There are a handful of stellar tracks on that LP that stand up well to the times. 1988:

box.com download

The Damned 1979:

Damn I had way too much industrial music on those cassettes. Not much of that Wax Trax Chicago shit sounds very good today so all of those tapes can go directly in the trash.

One industrial band that really holds up well is Nitzer Ebb. I even have a friend of a friend to recently admitted than they’re still his favorite band. Both from 1988:

I’ll leave with an early Madchester track from Happy Mondays. The press reported that leader Shaun Ryder was tripping balls 24/7 and he looks to be as such in this video.

I wrote for luck, they sent me you. Classic. 1989:

Removable Lids

Sly Fox is supposedly releasing cans with fully removable lid. This was announced in March so I dont’ believe it is an April fools joke.

I like the idea, but worry about all those lids laying around the ground, cutting my bare feet just like the old pull tabs from the 70s, which I STILL see from time to time.

More from CraftCans.com

Good Friday 2

This is also credited to Zoot Simms and sometimes The Supertones. It is a Studio One cover of a Fugitives tune. Around 1970:

The Slickers are better known for their hit Johnny Too Bad. Some think this is actually the Pioneers. 1968:

MP3: The Slickers- Nana

This appears on The Starlights (Featuring Stanley Beckford) 1993 album but I believe it was recorded much earlier. The Pioneers also did quite a different version.

MP3: The Starlights- Samfiman

Goin’ in a totally different direction here but I have to share this 1978 disco cover of Ann Peebles hit:

Nu Disco de Mexico from Joseph Terruel:

I can’t leave without including a Philly track– People’s Choice from the 1975 LP Boogie Down USA on Philly International Records:

Furtunes

This is their only release so far:

Big tune on the Adam & Eve riddim from Konshens:

Sly & Robbie dancehall riddim at its finest circa 1988:

Kotch- Tears (DivShare link)

J.J. Barnes is northern soul from Detroit circa 1969:

From France:

1965:

The Mad Lads- Don’t Have To Shop Around (DivShare)

Beats from Australia:

Not only did I NOT know Shuggie Otis was still alive, but he’s touring the world, and has rereleased his two classic early 70s LPs. 1974:

That Peruvian Boy, Happy house from Scotland, naturally:

That Peruvian Boy- Don’t You Know (ZippyShare)

This is the first CD I’ve bought in years. I had to since I couldn’t find it anywhere else. Sweet soul from Uraguay. Previous Billy Jones post here:

Billy Jones And The Stars- Save All My Lovin’ (DivShare)

New Ride 3

Unfortunately it’s not mine but a coworker’s who just moved to the area.

This will be his commuter bike; he hasn’t owned a car in a decade. He should be OK in the Philly area considering he was also carless in Austin and Salt Lake City as well as Germany.

It was built and purchased and built Fairmount Bicycles right in my ‘hood.

The beautiful hammered steel fenders are Velo Orange. He said they’re pretty noisy tho

Not A Joke- Killing Joke Touring

Eighties UK post punk band Killing Joke‘s music has stood the test of time rather well. Now they’re releasing a box set and touring the world. They’ll be in Philly in April (the above flyer is from a long ago Philly show)

MP3: Killing Joke- Complications

This is from their 1980 self-titled LP. A friend gave me her copy back in the early 90s because she lost the cover. I consider it their best album since there’s not a clunker in the bunch.

Must Read: Karen Heller’s column on the absurdity that is the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

The column State Stores aging like a rancid wine appeared in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer and it’s an amusing read. Governor Corbett has been trying to abolish the BLCB and I thought he was making progress… but apparently not. I guess I haven’t been keeping up on the latest news.

Karen Heller does a great job of poking fun at the antiquated and absurd Pennsylvania state liquor store:

The board was founded at the end of Prohibition to, as Gov Gifford Pinchot declared, “discourage the purchase of alcoholic beverages by making it as inconvenient and expensive as possible,” a promise we can agree it has made good on to this day.

Our State Stores don’t date to the Depression, but many do ‘depressing’ exceptionally well, replicating the decor and lighting of the Graterford Prison waiting area..”

Aww yah!