KISS is playing the Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus this week; time for a KISS Saturday Night Special re-run.
Read MoreJoe Peppercorn's Nine Least Favorite Beatles Songs to Play (of the 215).
They can’t ALL be winners; Joe Peppercorn on his least favorite Beatles tunes, reprinted from 2015.
Read MoreTommy Stinson - The George Harrison of The Replacements by Colin G.
Tommy Stinson's Cowboys in the Campfire will be performing at Used Kids Records Monday March 26th, 7 pm. He will also be taping a Big Room segment with Brian Phillips on CD1025 airtime TBA. This story was originally published in the past.
It's Replacements week here at Pencilstorm. Along with my Watershed pals - Hitless Wonder author Joe Oestreich and the living literary legend, "Biggie" - I have been invited to St. Paul, Minnesota, to witness The Replacements' homecoming show on Saturday September 13th at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, MN. In honor of this we decided to knock out some 'Mats-related material for your enjoyment. - Colin G. Click here for previous Mats' story.
Here are three facts about Tommy Stinson:
1) He joined one of the most notoriously dysfunctional bands in rock history just as he was entering puberty. Even as his older brother was kicked out of the band and eventually died of alcoholism-related complications, and as the Replacements fell apart, he emerged from the mess as a completely functional adult as if he was raised in a New England boarding school.
2) He is the only person never to have been fired from Guns n Roses by Axl Rose.
3) Tommy Stinson always looks like a rock star.
On the merits of those three facts alone, I think one could argue that Tommy Stinson deserves admission into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. But you know what hardly anybody mentions when they talk about Tommy Stinson? He is an amazing musician who makes GREAT solo records.
In fact, I think if you put Tommy's post-Mats' solo output head-to-head against Paul Westerberg's, Tommy has a higher percentage of great songs. No knock on Paul, he is on the Mt. Rushmore of great rock songwriters, but Tommy - simply put - doesn't release sub-par albums. Unlike Paul at times, it obvious Tommy he puts everything he has into each of his records.
His three full-length records in the past twenty years are: Bash n Pop - Friday Night is Killing Me, Tommy Stinson - Village Gorilla Head and Tommy Stinson - One Man Mutiny. Perfect is good as well, but we will stick to the full-lengths.(* Author's note: Since this story was published, Tommy released the record Anything Could Happen with his band Bash and Pop. I think it's his best record yet. )
These records all age well and there isn't a weak track in the bunch. More so, a number of tracks are as good as the best of any Replacements records. If Paul is the Lennon/McCartney of the 'Mats, Tommy Stinson is the George Harrison.
The funny thing is, nobody listens to Tommy Stinson records. Especially Replacements fans, it seems. Hell, even I took over a year to press one single button on my phone so I could check out One Man Mutiny. I don't know why it took so long. It just didn't seem important. Then, within the first thirty seconds of the the opening track that familiar light- bulb went off, "Oh yeah, I forgot, I fucking love Tommy Stinson. Why did I wait so long to play this?"
I have since played One Man Mutiny about 100 times and loved every spin. Great songs. Great vocals. Great sound. You know what would be really cool? If somehow the "new" Replacements could let Tommy slide over to center stage every night a-la Keith and do a couple of solo songs. I think that after all Tommy Stinson has lived through, survived and meant to rock and roll, he deserves a little glory all to himself. - Colin Gawel
Colin Gawel plays in the band Watershed and was once kissed on the lips by Tommy Stinson onstage for covering a Kinks songs at Stache's in Columbus,OH. You can read about that and whole bunch more in the best-selling book "Hitless Wonder- A Life in Minor League Rock n Roll" by Joe Oestreich
Secret Bonus Track. A Tommy Stinson Primer.
Click here for a massive Tommy Stinson playlist some maniac put together on youtube. Songs, videos, and interviews. Below are some of my picks.
Tommy Stinson - One Man Mutiny
Listen to This! "All This Way For Nothing"
Tommy Stinson - Village Gorilla Head
Listen to This! "Without a View" (opening track on record)
Watch this! "Someday" (fan video with a bunch of cool pics)
Listen to this! "Not a Moment Too Soon"
Bash n Pop - Friday Night is Killing Me
Watch the Video For "Still Love Christmas" and Request at CD102.5
It's time for the Andymanathon so fire up those phones, dial 614 221-1025 and request your favorite Colin Gawel or Watershed song!
Or text -- Request Still Love Xmas (or whatever song) to: 68683
so the number is : 68683 and the message has to start with: Request
Do it often.
Pencilstorm Hall of Fame Nominee: Get The Knack by The Knack - Scott Carr
When the idea of the Pencilstorm Hall of Fame was first hatched and the nominating committee began bouncing ideas around, Get The Knack by The Knack was the first thing that I thought of.
Released at the tail end of the 70's , Get The Knack is possibly the best power pop debut album ever released. Actually, you could say best debut album from any genre. Comparisons to The Beatles were often mentioned in early reviews of the band but The Knack felt musically they had more in common with The Kinks and early Who. Listening to Get The Knack proves the band was more in touch than their critics.
"My Sharona" still stands as one of the best singles ever released. The guitar solo in "My Sharona" is worthy of it's own nomination in the Pencilstorm Hall of Fame...it's really that good.
Beyond "My Sharona" the album is loaded with great songs. I won't bore you with all the details but you can read my article I wrote about it last year on it's anniversary here..
While I respect Pencilstorm mastermind Colin G's choice of Paul Stanley's 1978 solo album being inducted this year. Paul's album has one major flaw: has anyone heard the song "Hold Me, Touch Me"? It's a snoozefest. Get the Knack is 100% perfect start to finish. So, if we only induct one album into the hall this year it should without question be Get The Knack.
So I ask my fellow committee members to not "Nuke The Knack" and give this album some serious consideration for the 2016 class of the Pencilstorm Hall of Fame.
Listen to the "My Sharona" guitar solo in all it's glory.......
One listen to Get The Knack and you'll agree it deserves a spot in the Pencilstorm Hall of Fame....
....and lastly check out the trailer for the new movie Everybody Wants Some!
Scott Carr is a guitarist who plays in the Columbus, OH bands Radio Tramps and Returning April. Scott is also an avid collector of vinyl records and works at Lost Weekend Records. So...if you are looking for Scott....you'll either find him in a dimly lit bar playing his guitar or in a record store digging for the holy grail.
Rolling Stones Cbus Review by Stones Fan Jim Hutter
Click here to read Stones review by non fan Pete Vogel
THE ROLLING STONES
Ohio Stadium
May 30, 2015
By Jim Hutter
It is a rare occurrence when two iconic ‘60's rock bands play Columbus within two weeks of one another, but that is exactly what happened when The Who and The Rolling Stones came to town in late May. Many would argue that both bands are far past their prime, with neither having made a genuinely great album in over 30 years. Also, factor in that founding members of both bands are over 70 years of age, and it is easy to see why even the most ardent fan would have reservations about these British Invasion greats still touring 50 years after their initial breakthrough. Still, how often do Central Ohio residents get to see these musical legends? For that very reason, I made a pilgrimage to see The Rolling Stones play Ohio Stadium on May 30, 2015.
I admittedly prefer small nightclub performances to stadium shows, because I enjoy the intimacy of seeing musical performers as human beings. Sitting in C-Deck of Ohio Stadium, one could see the massive stage setup below. It included gigantic video screens and a 100-foot runway for singer Mick Jagger to strut his stuff. With his 72nd birthday rapidly approaching, would Jagger still have the athletic prowess to grace us with his fleet feet and soulful shouting? The answer came pretty quickly, and it was a very pleasant surprise.
After much fanfare of overblown theme music and a photo montage on the giant television monitors, Ohio Stadium was graced with the sound of Keith Richards pounding out the opening chords of “Jumping’ Jack Flash.” Jagger leapt to the occasion, dancing down the runway like a junior James Brown while belting some fine British blues. Close-ups of the singer on the video screens were revealing. While Jagger possesses an appropriately craggy countenance, his trim build and visible six-pack abs are stunning. He would be considered in great shape for a man 40 years his junior. The man still has it!
Next in line was a rousing take of “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It).” If anything, this song is anthemic. With a seventies-centered set list, the song is symbolic of everything The Rolling Stones stood for during that decade. Self-indulgent lifestyles aside, the band’s music remained unpretentious, raw, and blues-based. Jagger & Richards never attempted to write profound or poetic songs, nor did their music ever take itself too seriously. Instead, The Stones have lived up to the self-fulfilling prophecy of this song for over 40 years. God bless them for it!
Admittedly, there was a bit of pandering to audience expectations. Recognizing that he was in the heart of Ohio, Mick Jagger led the audience in a sing-along of “Hang on, Sloopy.” It was calculated and corny, but not out of character for The Rolling Stones. Just remember that the original band cut their teeth by almost exclusively recording American rhythm and blues covers. “Sloopy” was cut from this same cloth.
Some pleasant surprises from the Brian Jones era were in store. First was the 1967 hit “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” It was beautifully driven by sideman Chuck Leavell’s boogie piano and Charlie Watts’ four beats-to-the-bar drumming. Charlie was awfully good tonight - not unlike Mick Jagger’s observation on the 1970 live album, “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out.”
After rocking “Tumbling Dice” into “Doom and Gloom,” the band swaggered out with the horn-driven “Bitch.” On this tour, the soulful saxophones were provided by Karl Denson and Tim Reis, who have replaced the recently-departed Bobby Keyes. “Bitch” was one of three classics taken from the recently-reissued 1971 album, “Sticky Fingers.” The others were “Wild Horses” and “Brown Sugar,” alternating melancholy with forceful lust. Ron Wood handled the smooth Mick Taylor solos with warmth and grace.
Another visit to the British Invasion was “Paint It Black.” It was somewhat surprising to see Ron Wood twanging away on an electric sitar, recreating the same licks played by Brian Jones in 1966. Propelled by strip-club drums and theatrical organ, the sonic onslaught was no less thrilling than it was some 49 years ago.
After the Charlie Watts’ percussive punch of “Honky Tonk Women,” Keith Richards took center stage and intoned two of his classics, “Before They Make Me Run” and “Happy.” At 71, the man does not look a day over 95 and rocks with more balls than many musicians under 30. I am convinced he is the Human Cockroach and will outlive us all.
When Jagger returned to the stage, he launched into the 1968 drama piece, “Midnight Rambler.” As the seasoned bluesman sang, “Did you hear about the Boston Strangler,” Charlie Watts laid down one of his exploding floor tom attacks. An avid fan in the audience could be heard exclaiming, “Goddamn!” with timing perfectly matching the tempo on “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out.” It was a perfect complement to a near-perfect song.
The band paid homage to the disco years with a funky “Miss You” from the 1978 classic Some Girls. Sideman Darryl Jones, who has been with Stones for over 22 years, laid down the perfect slapped bass line as he joked and jostled with Keith Richards. Why isn’t he considered a full-fledged band member? He is truly amazing on the four-string and deserves to be considered the proper successor to Bill Wyman.
A highlight of the night was “Gimme Shelter.” As backing vocalist Lisa Fischer broke away from her harmony partner Bernard Fowler, she stole the show by taking the runway and belting the female vocal solo in a manner that was equal parts angelic gospel and Aretha Franklin soulful. Ms. Fischer received a well-deserved standing ovation.
As fireworks exploded from behind the stage, Mick, Keef, Charlie, and Woody charged forward with “Start Me Up.” The pyrotechnics continued with “Sympathy for the Devil.” With hellfire projected onto the video screens, Jagger crooned the tale of ol’ Beelzebub while donning a crimson feather boa. Keith recreated his dirty slide guitar solo with menace. The performance was almost frightening.
“Brown Sugar” - with prerequisite out-of-tune Keith Richards’ chording - closed the main set. The first encore was “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” augmented by members of The Ohio University Chorale. The prim & proper choir beautifully contrasted with the dirt and grit of “The World’s Greatest Rock Band.”
Our gentlemen of distinction closed down the night with their 50-year-old signature song, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” While some would argue that their performance was a clichéd self-parody, there was no doubting the “satisfying” effect upon the crowd. While the performance was rawer and featured more sophisticated instrumentation than the original British Decca recording, it still sounded great, allowing Jagger, Richards, Watts, and Wood to go out on top.
Much like The Who, The Rolling Stones know very well that their best days are behind them, but they still know how to put on one amazing show. Wishing for the impossible, it would have been great to see them in 1965, 1969, 1972, or 1978, but I will gladly take 2015. It was that good.