Amoeba Music

Even if you're not a "Reddhead", the story of the band that Thurston Moore called "one of the most important bands of the last 30-40 years" will astound you...forming in 1978, the sheer love of music has keep the band and their 70's/trash/glam aesthetic together through, er, thin & thin. Check out the recently released doco "Born Innocent" too!

From his punky beginnings in the legendary Raw magazine to his best selling "Black Hole" graphic novel, Burns has always been a master at creating a foreboding & Cronenberg-ian tone in his tales of suburban horror, but this graphic novel continues the growth in his character development also…a masterpiece!

The step-daughter of acclaimed jazz musician Don Cherry, Neneh Cherry has had an amazing life, and it's all in here! From the early London punk scene via Rip Rig & Panic, Float Up CP, & The Slits to her solo success with the “Raw Like Sushi” LP in 1989, she’s been an inspiring and uncompromising artist.

A few months after I paid over $100 for an original (good timing pal!), this fantastic LP finally gets a reissue on record (along with their 5 other catalog titles). It's one of the best of the 1990's, Stereolab meets Pet Sounds meets Neu, best sampled on the epic (and lengthy!) groove of "Track Goes By"...while the single "Checking In, Checking Out" adds a hooky early Steely Dan vibe...but this is definitely best taken as a whole listen, its mood & subtle wonk will draw you in & get you coming back over & over...killer!

The Rap superstar (who died in 2020) simultaneously amazed & frustrated his fans with a litany of truths, half-truths, and straight up lies...was it even him behind the mask live? Fernando is an insider who gets to the bottom of the conundrum that was Daniel Dumile Jr's hiphop life.

Insanely thorough but consistently readable, "All Over The Place" is a fantastic story of the musical osmosis in the LA punk scene (& Paisley Underground shortly after) that resulted in this criminally underrated female band. This story of their early days is a tribute to their determination, passion, & plain ol' good taste.

I was happy to hear that "Jet Set" had been reissued. Los Straitjackets are always cool, but this album is a notch above their other efforts. It's one of my all-time favorite instrumental albums with great tunes like "Aerostar," "Jet Set" and "Fur Sophia." Give it a spin!

ACL is a long running video showcase for (mainly) roots artists. Johnny's performance kicks off with Folsom Prison Blues and proceeds to tear through a number of his famous hits, including my favorite, "Big River." Then he veers into the family portion of the show which is kind of schlocky IMO. However, any JC is good, and much of it is great!

If you like well-crafted songs with a twist, you need to check out Robbie Fulks. For some reason, he still flies under the mainstream radar although he is a premier songwriter guitarist and has a deep catalog. In his latest album he uses acoustic and Bluegrass instrumentation to beautifully compliment his tunes. My two favorites are "When You Get to the Bottom," and "Sometimes the Grass Is Really Greener."

Kelly was previously known for his work with the Monophonics. Here he steps out with some silky '70's style soul. My favorites are "Prove My Love" and "Cold World." I enjoyed hearing him when he played an in-store at Amoeba S.F. I also remember his dad Mike, who was a legendary singer/organist with the "Serfs" and the "Jerry Hahn Brotherhood" among others. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!