Hangining on the telephone

Most people do not know that The Nerves wrote this song and Blondie's cover made it big.



The Nerves were the founding group of the pop and punk scene in LA in the mid-70's. They only produced one self-titled EP, which is my personal favorite, before they split up. Peter Case (bassist) and Paul Collins (drummer) later joined The Plimsouls-- you can recognize"A Million Miles Away" in this scene of Valley Girl(video link).

In 2008 Alive Records release a compilation of The Nerves' self-titled album (remastered) along with unreleased demos and songs. You can download "One Way Ticket" here for free.

Are you serious?

I don't know what it is, but I am so in love with pop-punk band,The Mean Jeans. I love their fast vocals that flow with the thrashing of their instruments, as well as their melodic lyrics about that party that everyone wants to be at on a Saturday night. Their tunes are so catchy and fun that it is no surprise that Dirtnap Records picked them up. Dirtnap represent a handful of my favorite (glue sniffing) bands: The Ergs, The Spits, and the late Exploding Hearts.






Mean Jeans' 2009 album, "Are You Serious?", has left a few critics asking them just that. They have been accused by adequacy.net of "manifesting a carbon copy of [The Ramones'] style." and allmusic.com says the album is "as catchy as it is dumb. Which is to say very dumb!"

Are you serious?!

In my opinion, the Mean Jeans' inspiration comes from one of the greatest parties ever thrown by the Ramones and Screeching Weasel. Of course The Toy Dolls and Marked Men make an appearance before Philly's "party animals", Bucket Flush (who the Mean Jeans most likely don't know at all) crashes the party "Not My House" style. (The last part is obviously a complete stretch in this hypothetical scenario) Nonetheless, their would be endless pizza, booze and "too much cocaine" on none other than a "Saturday night". All Cheesy puns intended because it's totally appropriate.



Further reading:
The Comune a visit to the Mean Jeans compound
SPIN "Exclusive: Cool Punk Band Mean Jeans Debut Video"

Movies and Music

Atari Teenage Riot makes a come back (Tokyo Drift did not count) in Big Man Japan! 

Who doesn't love Hanin Elias' crazy female voice screaming about police violence and revolution over Alec Empire's electronica beats and punk influences? 

Now mix that with a mockumentary-style parody poking fun at Japan's standard super hero and villain.. This is another entertaining film that is a part of the 6-Shooter Film Series.  (Another favorite on the list, Let The Right One In)

Unfortunately, it is not in theaters in Philadelphia, but I will get my hands on a copy!