Mohair Sweets

2011-11-28T10:42:00.007-06:00

Not much interest in posting over the past year or so... Too many people were dyin' frankly.
Some gigs out and about and a couple youtube videos surfaced.

And as guest with the Hatcher-Briggs Band. To say I was honoured would be an understatement. These guys are fantastic.

showzzz...

2010-03-29T10:14:00.003-05:00

Few things been goin' on around here including a line-up that features some old pals, new pals as well as some new music, some old music... We've been calling it Mohair Sweets but the handle won't last I don't think coz it's more than my thing so...
Anyhow, shows on April 3rd and 10th locally. So if you are local, uh, track me down.

But on the 17th my good friend Lloyd Peterson and I say will share a bill for a "solo" show... Not a very common occurrence so...

ok, ok...

2010-03-29T10:10:00.003-05:00

Yeah I haven't been posting coz frankly I really didn't want to post about the deaths of some of my heroes... I guess I will briefly now but what I find happens when these type of folks pass on is it turns into some sort of competition or something. Y'know like who discovered 'em first or who loved 'em more or knew more about 'em. It ain't anyways...
But may they rest in peace: Alex Chilton, Mick Green and Willie Mitchell.

Call To Arms...

2009-10-23T10:41:00.005-05:00

I guess I was lucky enough to have been around awhile. Yes, I survived!

There is a new doc out on the legendary Royal Albert Arms Hotel. Various local types were interviewed (including yours truly) though the focus seems to be largely 90s and onward. I was told from a couple of sources a longer version will be available on DVD in the future...

Monk makes the scene...

2009-10-23T10:37:00.002-05:00

My old pal Jeff Monk has got a new blog called Monk's New and Notable where he's collected some of his writings. Go visit!

Yes, that is us...

GASP!

2009-10-23T10:31:00.003-05:00

It's been a year since I've posted anything here... Why? Well apart from wasting countless hours on the likes of Facebook, myspace and various other bits of crap, life has just flown by, the last winter just dragged on and on and on into an absolutely terrible summer and here we are again with winter at our door. Ugh...

To top it all off? A 50th birthday looming. Maybe see you there.
Certainly though you will see me back here coz winter looks to be slow again.

great moments in "sports" #1...

2008-10-24T09:59:00.011-05:00

This bootleg (?) DVD is a great example of why the Kenney Jones era WHO were a return to the force they were before they lost track - at least of their "live" show selves - in the 70s. What was it Weller said to Pete in that infamous Melody Maker interview, "change yer set..."? He was right IMHO. The band's boozing, fashion sense and rock star status had them out of touch, sloppy and a fair target for the critics. Especially considering the quality of their 70s studio output. Anyone seen the Who's '77 Kilburn show DVD? Sorry, I don't believe the hype... I'll take this Kenney Jones driven tour de force anyday of the week over the Kilburn release! The band is driving and their playing and singing top notch. Sure, maybe - other than Roger - the guys were indulging but it sure doesn't show here.

I agree the 60s had some great of their classic stuff - I'm not denying it (see the French LP shot for my personal fave collection of the band's 60s sides)- but the class of Quadrophenia, the brilliance of "You Better You Bet", "Who Are You" and "Another Tricky Day" are certainly right up there for me as a fan. Yes, they were a different band - a rock band in fact - but as far as I'm concerned none of the other so-called "Legends of Rock" have ever even come close to the Who's recorded, and live, legacy and power. Nowadays is a different story, and I really kinda wish Pete and Roger might have gone out as Townshend/Daltry but that's a whole other, uh, opinion/topic to discuss somewhat later, maybe... Just a note too on the recent Clash article in Mojo; the Clash wish! They wish they were half the band the Who were, they wish they survived as long as the Who did, put out as much important music, learned to tune their guitars AND had their own cars to ride to the show in! Jeez... "Punk" in Shea Stadium? Gimme a break guys, that's where it all went wrong I'm afraid. "Radio Clash"? More like "Radio Crap". Humbug...

and holding...

2008-10-21T21:34:00.002-05:00

Woo hoo... And on the night there should be various and sundry Rickenbacker and Telecaster cowboy guests... Double woo hoo!

those were, in fact, the days...

2008-10-07T21:27:00.004-05:00

For a little more on those days - and of course these days as well - visit: Dub Rifles & Mohair Sweets

I'm only in it for the R&B...

2008-09-30T10:46:00.001-05:00

Get out while the weather is still liveable...

without a doubt...

2008-09-26T09:24:00.004-05:00

I'm proud to say that I'm voting Green - again! - in our upcoming election. Why? Because it makes complete sense. You can view the party's policies here : Green Party
This is no time to stick with the "same old, same old".

mo' fun...

2008-09-13T10:09:00.004-05:00

Comin' up on the 20th we return to Shannon's... A cool room and one we hope to frequent as often as possible. It has a dancefloor too so come on out and cut a rug!

Makin the scene maaan...

2008-09-09T09:51:00.003-05:00

The Black Aces and their sonically enhanced brand of rhythm 'n blues return to Hooligan's in slighty chilly Winnipeg, Canada this weekend...

18 July 2008 @ Hooligans

2008-07-13T00:03:00.001-05:00

'dats right... The Black Aces and Stiff Bishops fraternity get together for another summertime weekend matchup... So if yer in Winnipeg, Canada, uh, maybe see ya there...

if you see me....

2008-07-11T11:25:00.001-05:00

If you're in Canada and you see one of these, please drop me a line... Thx.

it was 1979....

2008-07-11T11:17:00.001-05:00

But mine was black... Sadly I can't find any pictures of me with the "Black Bomber"... At 60mph it was like riding a torpedo... Glorious...

oh the weather outside is... HOT!

2008-07-04T15:18:00.002-05:00

Canada Day shot courtesy Debster... A fun day but woowee it was a scorcher! Thanks again to Music Trader for havin' the BLACK ACES!

Canada Day...

2008-06-27T17:43:00.002-05:00

You'll find the BLACK ACES at 1 PM outside Music Trader in Osborne Village (that being approx. the corner of Osborne and River in sunny Wpg., Canada) on July 1st (duh, Canada Day eh..), 2008... C'mon sunshine!

the return of...

2008-06-13T10:30:00.001-05:00

And they're back... finally...

modchester...

2008-05-16T09:18:00.006-05:00

You gotta know that this is gonna be a blast! (clik for full size view)

bizzy...

2008-04-18T22:03:00.003-05:00

Been busy with a couple things of late including the proposed Dub Rifles reunion work (myspace page etc) and the show the BLACK ACES played a couple weeks back for our pal Eddie Asselin. Which I must say was a ton of fun and Eddie looked surprisingly well.
Very cool to see a ton of old faces.

Couple cool new releases I really need to get on this week so watch for some overdue (as always I must admit) reviews comin' soon.

Oh yeah, the scooter is back out! HOORAH!

Bish bosh Bishops...

2008-04-18T22:01:00.001-05:00

more Dub Rifles...

2008-03-23T09:12:00.002-05:00

Stay tuned to this and the myspace link for word on some serious activity in the Dub Rifles camp...

more Bishops...

2008-03-23T09:10:00.001-05:00

succumbed...

2008-02-24T16:59:00.002-06:00

Yeah, yeah, myspace sucks I know but a guy's gotta do sometimes what the rest of the monkey's are doin' too... Anyhow there are some audio files up too for anyone who's been wonderin' what all this Mohair Sweets lark is about... Find it HERE!

da Bishops...

2008-02-24T16:51:00.003-06:00

Should be a blast sharing the stage with our old pal John McGowan's new outfit the Afterlife...

the great British boot still made in Britain....

2008-02-02T15:04:00.001-06:00

The home of the great British boot now that Dr. Marten (just say NO! kids...) has sold out and moved to Asian production. NPS are the folks that made the boots/shoes for so many years previously. Maybe if the good Dr. had stuck to their original designs and not gotten so trendy and greedy they might still be made in the UK...? I'm happy to say that my pair of 8 hole Solovair boots (made by NPS) are perfect and just as they always had been. Support NPS and ask for Solovair from your local shop.
Visit them here: NPS

mo' reviews...

2008-02-01T15:40:00.001-06:00

VA: Birth of Soul Volume 4 (Kent) Volume four of this essential series collecting early and proto soul sides. This set runs 1959-1964 and features some real monsters you die-hard soulies, mods and R&B fans will be more than happy to add (that is if they ain’t already there) to your collection. Get the party goin’ with Marv Johnson’s dance-floor masher “Come On and Stop”, the Charmaines girl-group charmer “Where Is The Boy Tonight” and Kenny Lynch’s UK pop-soul gem “Puff (Up In Smoke)”. Keep ‘em comin’ Ace! (24 tracks. 59:22 playing time.) http://www.acerecords.co.uk

Reg King: Reg King(Circle Records) Circle Records now brings you the legendary 1971, obscure as hell solo album from Mod icon and former Action frontman Reg King! Truly one of the great voices of British blue-eyed soul/rock, Reg King left the business shortly after recording and releasing this, his only, solo album.- The recording itself was done in a very piece meal fashion over a period of many months utilizing members of the Action (then Mighty Baby), B.B. Blunder and some heavy friends including Brian Auger (organ) and Doris Troy on backing vocals. The music is along the lines of the Rolled Gold/Mighty Baby era things the Action lads did so if that’s what floats yer boat you will NOT be disappointed. There is some searing lead guitar too here alongside Reg’s always soulful delivery. Grab it now before it slips back into obscurity! Essential.(16 tracks. 78:02 playing time.) http://www.circlerecords.co.uk

The Five Aces: Shout and Shimmy (Saagaloo Records) The Five Aces kick arse. The Five Aces used’ta be known as the Boogaloo Investigators. The case was solved though so they done moved on, over and back to the shack where they been toiling all this time. Very important to note here that the Five Aces play, dress, record and deliver the way all REAL rhythm ‘n blues groups should. So many pretenders. So many f’ckin terrible groups NOT listening and learning from the music and legendary performers. The Five Aces have big, clean, good-hearing ears and do not mess with the messer. Respect. All hail the mighty Aces! (11 tracks. 40:45 playing time.) http://www.thefiveaces.co.uk

reviews...

2008-01-24T19:36:00.000-06:00

These are a few of the reviews that never made it up onto the old Mohair Sweets pages but are relatively recent releases from the likes of Ace, RPM, Revola and Cherry Red... More to come soon folks.

Luther Ingram: Pity For The Lonely, The Ko Ko Singles Vol. 1 (Kent) Sure the late Luther Ingram is best known for the massive “If Lovin’ You Is Wrong (I Don’t Wanna Be Right)” but soul fans the world over also know Luther recorded a whole heap and helping of other great sides. The Ko Ko imprint was started by Ingram’s manager, the infamous Johnny Baylor, and was absorbed into the Stax family after a couple of initial attempts at scoring a hit for Luther. Needless to say then that some of the backing provided on the Ko Ko/Stax era sides feature none other and no less than Booker and The MGs! The pre-Stax sides were overseen by none other than the great Willie Mitchell at Royal Recorders. Memphis soul magic anyone? Awesome. (19 tracks. 60:08 playing time.) Ace Records

VA: For Connoisseurs Only, Volume 3(Kent) The coolness continues with the third volume of soulful gems from the vaults of Kent/Modern records. From the jumpin’ Billy Watkins opener “Beverly” to the churchy vibe of Jackie Day’s “If I’d Lose You” and the psychedelic-soulful drive of the Windjammers’ “Poor Sad Child (Pt. 1)” this is yet another winner in Ace’s catalogue of rare, obscure and essential soul music. Plenty of other cool sides too by the likes of Mary Love, Terry & The Tyrants, Vernon Garrett and the Ikettes. (24 tracks. 64:52 playing time.) Ace Records

The Only Ones: Remains (Anagram/Cherry Red) A few years back I had the good fortune of having a cup of tea (biscuits too) and discussing records with Only Ones’ guitarist John Perry. I asked him about the Remains collection and he had a rather less than enthusiastic response. I s’ppose I can understand it from his "they never made it out of the can then" response but as a fan I must say this record has always (it’s actually been out a number of years now) been one of my favourite Only Ones releases. There are some really great lost classics here in "Prisoners", "Watch You Drown", "Hope Valley Blues", "My Rejection" and my personal fave - and the one where Mr. Perry really let’s her rip - "Counterfeit Woman". Essential stuff for fans. But then you already knew that right? Sweet. (14 tracks. 54:51 playing time.) Cherry Red

Big Bill Broonzy: Rockin’ in Chicago 1949-1953 (Revola) Nice collection of prolific blues legend Bill Broonzy’s work from 1949-1953. These are small combo recordings compiled by Dave Penny and he’s picked some solid tunes. No arguing with the likes of “You’ve Been Mistreating Me”, “Little City Woman” or the works included here featuring Washboard Sam. Nice. (27 tracks. 77:09 playing time.) Revola Records

VA: The Heart of Southern Soul, From Nashville to Memphis to Muscle Shoals (Ace) An absolute classic in Ace’s catalogue of soul. Track after track of incredible, deep, passionate and brilliant Southern Soul from the mid-60s to mid-70s on the Excello and Abet labels. This is one release any soul hound should track down and have a listen to. (24 tracks.68:03 playing time.) Ace Records

VA: SuperFunk Is Back, Volume 5 (BGP) The funky continuation in BGP’s search for rare funk is finally here. Dean Rudland has come up with - yet again - a fine set of obscure dance floor gems that should have you struttin’ your funky stuff and gettin’ your freak on once it hits the deck. The Mello Matics, Jackie Wilson, Smokey Wilson, the Uniques, Alvin Cash, Diplomats and plenty more. Give the drummer some!(21 tracks. 67:26 playing time.) Ace Records

The “5" Royales: Catch That Teardrop (Ace) Yes! Finally a great sounding, completeist friendly collection of the mighty “5" Royales’ House of Blues sessions and Lowman Pauling’s work for Federal and Savoy. Of course much has been said about the Royales’ King sides but less so of their work with Willie Mitchell in Memphis for the H.O.B label. I dig it all and the Lowman Pauling work as El Pauling & Royal Abbit, or Exciters, or the Royalton is equally compelling and marvelous. Put this one together with Ace’s previous Royales’ release It’s Hard But It’s Fair and you should be set for a mighty long time. An R&B, Soul fan essential purchase! (28 tracks. 78:12 playing time ) Ace Records

it happened back in the '80s, just to prove it wasn't all bad...

2008-01-21T13:42:00.000-06:00

One of those records that when you first hear it leaves you droolin' and your mouth hangin' open... Speechless I was and it's still the same whenever I hear it. Thanks Jody.

The Higher State...

2008-01-21T13:29:00.001-06:00

My pal Mole from the band forwarded this on to me and in keeping with the high quality, detailed and devoted work his previous band the Embrooks put forth this is indeed a marvel for one's ears to behold. Legit old-school garage-psych of the most harmonious and fuzz-fuelled order!

You'll find the lads here:
The Higher State @ myspace et here The Higher State

groceries...

2008-01-21T13:20:00.000-06:00

Truly delicious and so many, many ways to prepare...

Soul food indeed.

there is nothing...

2007-12-04T10:03:00.000-06:00

Like plugging in some change and hearing "Green Onions" on a beauty like this AMi juke box circa 1958. Especially when the box is found in a soda shoppe or lunch counter...

Speed? Nah...

2007-12-02T16:30:00.000-06:00

What helps keep you up 24 hours?
Speed? Nah.
After a long flight overseas I recommend hanging out with Wilko Johnson after one of his gigs in North London. It always works for me...

And don't forget to take Wilko's advice and stay hydrated!

my kinda town, Memphis is...

2007-11-17T11:39:00.000-06:00

A personal archive shot... A blistering hot Sunday around noon a couple years back outside of Royal Recorders in Memphis. Who should roll up but Willie Mitchell himself, accompanied by his charming granddaughter. A true gent who offered us a private tour of the legendary studio. Of course we took it! What a guy and what a town.

some more words on the Dub Rifles...

2007-11-16T18:29:00.000-06:00

The final Dub Rifles line-up in Montreal, 1984. And to accompany the photo check into this link and some words from our old pal Vince on the Dub Rifles and post-punk... Thx, Vince.

Here's the link: Funky Monkey Ain't No Junkie

band lineage...

2007-11-16T15:46:00.000-06:00

Originally formed in 1980 in Winnipeg, Canada. The Dub Rifles 5 piece line-up (2 saxes, guitar, bass, drums) combined their primary influences of Motown, Stax, R&B, punk (60s and 70s variety), dub reggae, and original 60s ska and rocksteady into a highly danceable big rhythm blend that knocked them for a loop wherever they had an opportunity to lay it down. Often mis-labelled a "ska" band, the bands material ran the gamut from free-form funk meltdowns and feedback guitar, to supercharged Booker T and The MGs style instrumentals.

A couple of lengthy road excursions (Vancouver-Halifax) garnered them considerable college radio play and a healthy core of fans at a time when the CDN underground scene was just beginning to flourish.

During their brief career the band was featured on The New Music program, shared the stage with the likes of Steel Pulse and Midnight Oil, released 2 independent EPs on their own Notown label, made an appearance on ROIR's Trouser Press comp. The Best Of America Underground (lone CDN entry) and saw the release of a 12 inch EP on Hamburg, Germany's Jax Pax/Juicy Peeple label.

Following their final performance at Toronto's El Mocambo in April 1984, and shortly after a brief change of base to Montreal the winter of 1983/84, the band split up.

Singles
1982 No Town No Country [5 song EP] (Notown)
Tracks: No Town, No Country / Production Of Funds / Delicate Action / Number One / Reluctant Host

1983 Boom [3 song EP] (Notown)
Tracks: Stand / Testify / X

12 Inch
1983 Dub Rifles [3 song EP] (Jax Pax/Juicy Peeple - Germany)
Tracks: Number One / Stand / Testify

Compilation Tracks
1983 "Stand" on 'Trouser Press Presents: The Best Of America Underground' (ROIR)

local lineage...

2007-11-16T12:41:00.000-06:00

Taken back when the town had vibe...

award...

2007-11-16T09:08:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm not sure how it happened but the band I fronted a few years back called the Driving Wheel won a local award called a Brewno. More info here at Beer For Breakfast. Bit of a gag really from a radio show called Beer For Breakfast (I'm really more of a morning wine guy myself but...). The award was for "One More Time (Band We'd Most Like To See Reunite For A Night)". Nice.
After the demise of the Driving Wheel a two show second version - minus Rob and Rej -with horns appeared while the other fellows carried on in a project called the Windups. The drummer (Dan) has been MIA for the last couple years. Shame that.

a few more words about Jesse Hector and ...

2007-11-09T12:06:00.000-06:00

Is this the wildest album cover ever? Hmm... Could be! The fact that the band are actually presented "backwards" is a very interesting design choice, but the colours, planets and flashiness of the band's gear and hairstyles also go to making this one of the most stylish LP covers and the Gorillas one of the most unique groups ever to hit the stage.

This 45 cover by Nick Gerrard/Technimedia is also a great triumph of rock'n'roll art and speaks volumes about Jesse, the Gatecrashers and the Camden scene of the late mid-late 1990's. One of my faves. A great blend of mod/hard R&B and desperate rock'n'roll.

Another shot from the same session that produced the Gatecrashers 45 sleeve shown here. It doesn't get any more rockin' than this kids.

4 stroke lineage...

2007-11-09T12:01:00.001-06:00

In my humble opinion this machine is a modern classic...

a few words on Jesse Hector and The Gorillas...

2007-09-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

No doubt that in the very near future someone will take on the task of running a Jesse Hector/Gorillas website. Sadly I've neglected adding much to the pages currently (or now previously?) I've done at Mohair Sweets,though in fairness apart from the Gorilla Garage release and the forthcoming Jesse Hector story DVD ol' Jess ain't been up to much musically in the last few years. Bit o'jammin',but that hasn't resulted in any gigs or anything and after him blowin' out the Marriot tribute show at Albert Hall and other offers I've been told of it sure doesn't look like he'll be playin' any time soon. Shame really, but I understand a lot better now where he's comin' from with regards to all that.
Anyhow, Mohair Sweets the zine was started as a tribute to Jesse and other great faves of mine who are often neglected and under-appreciated and so as a tribute -- again -- to Jesse here, here is my take and tale as life as a Gorillas/Jesse Hector fan... THIS was probably the first I saw of the Gorillas; the sleeve of the legendary "She's My Gal" 45. It was in a local shop back just when the record came out and I immediately thought to myself, "Now THIS is a band with something to offer me!" The jump! The trousers! The sideburns! The shoes!
And you know what? I wasn't wrong. At this point I'd long been a fan of the likes of the Feelgoods, Slade, Dolls and any number of back to basics and original 50s and 60s rock'n'ravers, so when I slapped on "She's My Gal" and heard Jesse's Marriot-influenced wail and the band's hard drivin' rootsy beat I knew I had picked a winner and I'd be grabbing every new release I could find. On a trip to the UK in '79 my pal and I were lucky enough to run into Jesse in one of his favourite haunts (and no doubt on one of his regular rounds) Rock On Records (RIP) in Camden, the home of Chiswick/Ace Records and the most seriously cool record shop perhaps that has ever existed. It was here and then that Jesse proceeded to tell us about some of his fave bands and leap about the shop. To say we were seriously impressed with is enthusiasm and style would be an understatement. My only regret of that meeting is that we never asked if we could accompany him to the band rehearsal he was on his way to. Damn.
I wouldn't meet Jesse again until the very end of the 1990's, of course in Camden Town. I had discovered in '97 that Jesse had resurfaced with a 45 a couple of years before and felt this would be a great opportunity to chat and perhaps get back to doing something music related myself after a couple year layoff. Well that interview turned into a 5 issue print zine with international exposure, a long running website and more fantastic meetings and musical experiences than I can possibly relate here.
I guess a big "Thank You Jesse!" is in order here... So, yeah, thanks Jesse! And of course big thanks to his manager (at the time) and pal Philippe Korpar-Migrenne, Ace Records Roger Armstrong, and Phil King who has carried on Philippe's torch and tried his very best to get Jesse's name and bad self out to the world....
I think at this point I'll say "more later". I can see a few more words about one of the greatest rock'n'rollers ever comin' on down the line sometime soon...

colour lineage...

2007-09-15T13:05:00.000-05:00

electronic lineage...

2007-09-15T12:57:00.000-05:00

black and white lineage...

2007-09-11T10:28:00.000-05:00

two-stroke lineage...

2007-09-11T09:12:00.000-05:00

lineage...

2007-09-10T10:03:00.000-05:00