Fright-Rags Rings in Friday the 13th with MISFITS, BASKET CASE, & MASTERS OF HORROR Apparel

Fright-Rags Rings in Friday the 13th with MISFITS, BASKET CASE, & MASTERS OF HORROR
New apparel on sale now at Fright-Rags.com

Fright-Rags rings in Friday the 13th with new merchandise from the Misfits, Basket Case, and masters of horror Alfred Hitchcock and Lon Chaney.

Fright-Rags has once again joined forces with punk legends the Misfits for three shirts: “Fiend from Crystal Lake” crosses the band’s iconic fiend skull logo with Jason Voorhees’ signature hockey mask; "American Nightmare" gives Freddy Krueger a Misfits-style makeover; and "Mommy Can I Go Out and Kill Tonight?" puts a horror poster spin on the band's classic song of the same name.

Fright-Rags launched a collection of apparel for Frank Henenlotter's 1982 cult classic, Basket Case. It includes three new shirt designs, the classic poster art on T-shirts and baseball tees, and an enamel pin with slide action to reveal what's in the basket: the monstrous Belial.

Fright-Rags has expanded its Masters of Horror collection with new Alfred Hitchcock and Lon Chaney apparel. The Hitchcock shirt is dedicated to his influential Alfred Hitchcock Presents anthology series, while Chaney is featured on a shirt and a pair of socks in his iconic Phantom of the Opera makeup.

Misfits, Basket Case and Masters of Horror collections are on sale now at Fright-Rags.com.

Be sure to return to the site on April 20 for its latest "classick" re-print of Jeff Zornow’s The Burning shirt, available for three days only. Fright-Rags will also be participating in the Alien Day festivities on April 26 with several limited edition items.

THE CLASH: ALL THE ALBUMS, ALL THE SONGS" - New Book Next Month

COMING NEXT MONTH: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE ENTIRE STUDIO OUTPUT OF ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BANDS IN ROCK…

In THE CLASH: ALL THE ALBUMS, ALL THE SONGS, veteran music journalist Martin Popoff dissects each of the band’s 103 tracks, including the circumstances that led to their creation, the recording and writing processes, the historical contexts, and much more. In addition, an introductory essay sets the scene for each album, while sidebar features explore influences on the band, album art, non-LP singles, the band’s staunch political stance, and song details, such as running time, instruments played, engineers, and studios. A DEEP LOOK INTO THE MUSIC OF THE CLASH

Publishes May 8, 2018 by Voyageur Press | Hardcover, 240 pages with 250 color photos | $30.00 USD, $39.00 CAN

D.O.A. "Fight Back" new album coming May 1st

D.O.A., Canada's legendary pioneering punks who set the bar high for punk and basically invented hardcore, are ready to rip it up on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. They have a brand new album called Fight Back and they are embarking on a worldwide tour to support this impressive new effort. The "Men of Action" are ready to take on all opposition and lay down a punk rock path of wild music and free thought. Their rough and ready line up is led by the godfather of Hardcore, Joe Shithead Keithley (guitar, vocals) he is more than ably accompanied by the manic rhythm section of Paddy Duddy (drums) and Corkscrew (bass).

Early reviews indicate that Fight Back is the most innovative D.O.A. album since War on 45. D.O.A. has always been right on the pulse of what's going on in our screwed up world. Fight Back deals with what we have left, which in a lot of ways, is not much.
"When you really think about it, income inequality and disparity is at the root of a lot huge problems, like environmental degradation, war, sexism and hate" said Keithley who has been fighting the good fight for the last 40 years. It's why he's made TALK - ACTION = 0 his lifelong mantra.
Fight Back, released on Joe's own label Sudden Death Records, is a scathing and timely piece. Joe deals with all manner of unseemly low characters and issues. The album opens with acerbic "You Need an Ass Kickin' Right Now," next rips right into the startling "Killer Cops," then smashes into the anthemic "Time To Fight Back," which is street punk resistance at its fiercest. The album proceeds with the timely "Gonna Set You Straight" with violent and natural ease, and continues with the vitriolic "I Just Got Back From the USA." Then, the album takes a funny twist with "We Won't Drink This Piss" (down with bad corporate beer!) and "You Can't Stop Me," a song in which Joe delves into the character of Slapshot's playing coach Reggie Dunlop (a natural alter ego perhaps).
D.O.A. was formed amidst a whirlwind of controversy and upheaval. In 1978, three guys fresh out of high school from the backwaters of Canada's suburbs heard about the punk rock revolution. In February of that same year the band formed and started playing shows. They soon realized that there were no record deals coming in any time soon.
Keithley (aka Joey Shithead) who was working towards being a civil rights lawyer before he found punk rock, concluded that the band had to take the "do it yourself" approach long before DIY became a popular concept. He formed a fledging record label called Sudden Death Records and the label released D.O.A.'s first snarling slab of vinyl, the Disco Sucks 7" EP.
Disco Sucks soon became an underground hit and the band started touring from Vancouver to their newly adopted "home base" of California five to six times a year. In 1980, Keithley coined the term "hardcore" and the band soon released their landmark album Hardcore 81. The album became a hit, the hardcore movement took off, and D.O.A. pushed that expression into common vernacular.
Over the last four decades, D.O.A. have released 17 studio albums, sold over a million albums, and played 4,000 shows on five different continents. The band's albums, shows, and attitude have won over three generations of fans and influenced the likes of Green Day, Nirvana, Offspring, Henry Rollins, David Grohl and The Red Hot Chilli peppers, to name a few. Keithley has also written two books: I Shithead: A Life in Punk and TALK - ACTION = 0.
From day one, D.O.A. has helped organize and lead hundreds of benefit concerts and protests for good and just causes like environmental issues, women's rights, food bank benefits, and First Nations' rights. They have organized protests and stood against war, racism, weapons proliferation, and countless other causes.
Keithley has been called a cultural politician, trying to change the world from outside the system. He's currently running for Mayor of his home town of Burnaby, under the Green Party banner, attempting to change the system from inside. Keithley and the band were also ardent supporters of the Occupy Movement, realizing this was a step towards equality in our world. He is always looking for a way to push "grassroots democracy" and like his idol Pete Seeger, he and the band won't give up.
When the band takes their wild, unbridled show live show on the road, it's a must see, because it's a chance to see one of the last real punk rock bands that gets out there, kicks ass, and tells it like it is. It's a perpetual atmosphere of chaos, veering out of control, but somehow, at the last minute, D.O.A. manages to reign all of it back in. And in an indescribable way, you are not quite the same person afterwards.

TIME TO FIGHT BACK AND CHANGE THIS WORLD

TALK - ACTION = 0

Ya Hey! D.O.A. - Forty years and going strong

The "Men Of Action" are returning to the US for some unfinished business.

US TOUR DATES (w/ MDC as main support):
5/21 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
5/22 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
5/23 - Fort Collins,CO @ Hodi's Half Note
5/24 - Denver, CO @ Streets Of London Pub
5/26 - Las Vegas, NV @ Punk Rock Bowling Festival
5/29 - Laguna Niguel, CA @ Karmann Bar
5/30 - West Hollywood, CA @ The Viper Room
5/31 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
6/02 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge
6/03 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
6/04 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
6/05 - Harlingen, TX @ Hop Shop
6/06 - Austin, TX @ Barracuda
6/07 - Houston, TX @ The Secret Group
6/08 - San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
6/09 - Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar and Grill
6/10 - Tulsa, OK @ Shrine
6/12 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
6/13 - Des Moines, IA @ Lefty's Live Music
6/15 - Billings, MT @ The Pub Station
6/16 - Spokane, WA @ The Pin!

US & CANADA TOUR DATES (w/ Down By Law + Kevin Seconds (of 7 Seconds) playing solo:
07/06 - Vancouver, BC @ First Annual Fight Back Festival, Rickshaw Theater
07/11 - Regina
07/12 - Winnipeg
07/13 - Thunder Bay
07/14 - Minneapolis
07/15 - Green Bay
07/16 - Madison
07/17 - Milwaukee
07/18 - Chicago
07/19 - Detroit
07/20 - Cleveland
07/21 - Buffalo
07/22 - Brooklyn
07/23 - Philly
07/24 - TBA
07/25 - Toronto
07/26 - Ottawa
07/27 - Montreal ¹77 Festival

LETHAL AMOUNTS ANNOUNCES SPIRITUAL CRAMP : A DOCUMENTARY ON CHRISTIAN DEATH AND ROZZ WILLIAMS

LETHAL AMOUNTS ANNOUNCES

SPIRITUAL CRAMP

A DOCUMENTARY ON THE LIFE AND TIMES OFCHRISTIAN DEATH AND ROZZ WILLIAMS

SEE MORE ON THE DOCUMENTARY AT PLEDGE MUSIC

Los Angeles gallery and promoter Lethal Amounts is excited to announce the documentary Spiritual Cramp, a film on the life of Rozz Williams, frontman of seminal goth rock band, Christian Death. Lethal Amounts has partnered with Pledge Music to raise funds to further the production of the documentary. Items available through Pledge Music include rare, limited edition merchandise, art pieces and collectors items. To see the full list of items click HERE.

Spiritual Cramp is more than just a music bio about a death-rock band. It examines the life of Rozz Williams - a young artist coming of age during the California punk explosion of the late 70s. At the young age of 16, Rozz Williams and his friends started Christian Death in their garage as a reaction to the growing hyper-masculine, straight male dominated SoCal punk scene. Christian Death ignited a new musical genre and opened the doors to what later became known as the Goth subculture.

The name Christian Death was an act of defiance in itself, especially for Williams. He grew up in an extremely religious household, and was brought up being told that to be gay sent you straight to hell. Christian Death’s music and their existence as a band acted as a rejection of traditional modes of thought and damaging religious beliefs. Their live shows blurred the lines between art and shock. The band gained a cult-like following around the world, influencing generations of outsiders and countless boundary pushing icons such as Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor.

Historically, Christian Death is important to the narrative of California music but what’s more, Williams is an archetype for the tortured artist. People looked up to his bravery as he fearlessly dressed in women’s clothing on and off stage in a time and a scene where that kind of self-expression could lead to arrest or even being killed. His image was not meant to be glamorous but to be feared and avoided. Much like Ian Curtis, Amy Winehouse or Kurt Cobain, Williams shared the same dilemma – trying to strike a balance between art and overcoming personal trauma.

Williams’ lifelong battle with depression eventually defeated him in 1998. He took his own life in a way that some may interpret as a staged, elaborate April Fool’s Day “prank” art tableau.

This documentary has been a longtime dream of Lethal Amounts owner and creative director Danny Fuentes. Fuentes grew up in the violent 90’s punk scene of East Los Angeles, dominated by hypermasculine and oftentimes homophobic attitudes. He often  felt obligated to keep his sexuality to himself in order to fit in. When he became interested in Christian Death he was fascinated and inspired by how bold Rozz Williams was when walking around in “Drag” at a punk show. To Fuentes, Williams was the embodiment of strength and fearlessness.

To honor the life of Rozz Williams, Lethal Amounts opened an exhibit at the gallery space in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday April 1st - marking the 20th anniversary of Williams’ passing. The exhibit includes never before seen Christian Death photos by legendary rock photographer Edward Colver, lyric sheets, set lists, original artwork, and personal artifacts that give an intimate look into his life as an artist. The exhibit will be up through the middle of April.

ABOUT LETHAL AMOUNTS
Lethal Amounts focuses on subversive and counter culture themes throughout history, addressing the social and artistic value of underground movements while highlighting taboo topics. Lethal Amounts showcases the extremes of those individuals who have moved culture forward and live on the edge of and outside of societal norms. Rock ‘n Roll of the past that has crossed over into pop culture fanaticism, street culture influences and cult hero worship.

Lethal Amounts inhabits a physical gallery space in downtown Los Angeles that features three exhibition rooms and over 2,500 sq. ft. In addition to the gallery space Lethal Amounts hosts and produces events throughout Los Angeles, including the monthly Sex Cells party, as well as a clothing line that partners with like-minded musicians and artists to release original licensed shirt designs and more.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space 30th Anniversary Event

Something Bitchin’ This Way Comes...

KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE 30th YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

A Premiere Live-to-Film Concert of The Original Cult Classic, With Live Music Performed by The Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, Conducted By The Film’s Composer John Massari

Featuring a Q&A With The Filmmakers – Including The Chiodo Brothers, John Massari, and Cast Members Grant Cramer and Suzanne Snyder

Plus Circus Performers, Magicians, Klown Kostumes, Body Art, and Fan Art Media Exhibits

And … Special Guests, The Dickies Performing Their Iconic Theme Song

Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Killer Klowns From Outer Space with a Bacchanalian Circus Celebration and Fan Tribute on May 19, 2018 at The Montalban Theater (1615 Vine St. Los Angeles, CA 90028​, tickets at http://bit.ly/2GmJmnU). 

America’s fascination with Killer Klowns From Outer Space began on screen in 1988, as a group of clown-like aliens land their trans-dimensional space ship and terrorize a small American town. The film has achieved cult status with its clever blend of horror, science fiction and comedy.


“Clowns can be frightening, bizarre and terrifying. We took that primordial fear and put it in a Sci-Fi movie,” explained composer John Massari.  “You have something that should make you happy and laugh, but now it will kill and eat you and… it’s from outer space! Who would have dreamed of this? That’s the craziest idea in the world.”  Over time the film has earned generations of fans – many of whom Massari has connected with both through social media and at conventions leading him to create this special celebration of all things Killer Klowns.

For the 30th Anniversary, Massari has created a three-ring Sci-Fi/Horror celebration, reuniting an amazing line-up of special guests, including the film’s creators, the Chiodo Brothers, musical guests The Dickies, stars Grant Cramer and Suzanne Snyder.

At 6PM, the Kosmic Klown circus celebration will begin with stilt walkers, balloon folding artist Buster Balloon Cadwell, contortionist Bonnie Morgan, plus fortune tellers, strong men and women, magicians, body art, fan arts and crafts, and of course the Killer Klowns.  There will be a pre-show Q&A at 7PM featuring Stephen Chiodo (writer/director), Charles Chiodo (writer/art director), Edward Chiodo (writer/producer), Grant Cramer (Mike Tobacco), Suzanne Snyder (Debbie Stone), members of The Dickies, and composer John Massari, moderated by Jim Branscome of Cinematic Void.

Following the Q&A, at 8PM, the film will be screened with it’s original musical score performed live by The Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Massari.  LA's very own original punk rockers, The Dickies, will perform their enduring classic Killer Klowns From Outer Space theme song.
Stephen Chiodo declares, “Whoopdee God Damned De Do!! What a fantastic way to celebrate a 30 year anniversary surrounded by fans, John’s incredible score and the Dickies.”

Varèse Sarabande Records will be releasing a new recording of the soundtrack on CD and LP, available for sale at the concert.  The album features the original score performed by members of The Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, with new orchestrations by Massari and Bernhard Eder. The Dickies recorded a BRAND NEW version of the film’s theme song featuring an extra creepy intro followed by their signature pure punk energized sound.

“For 30 years, love and loyalty from fans the world over made this extraordinary movie a beloved cult classic,” said Massari.  “This event is our way to celebrate Killer Klowns From Outer Space directly with these fans.”

"THE CLASH: ALL THE ALBUMS, ALL THE SONGS" - Publishing in May

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE ENTIRE STUDIO OUTPUT OF ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BANDS IN ROCK…

In THE CLASH: ALL THE ALBUMS, ALL THE SONGS, veteran music journalist Martin Popoff dissects each of the band’s 103 tracks, exploring the circumstances that led to their creation, the recording processes, the historical contexts, and more. In addition, an introductory essay sets the scene for each album, while sidebar features explore influences on the band, album art, non-LP singles, the band’s staunch political stance, and song details, such as running time, instruments played, engineers, and studios. 240 pages and 250 photos, publishing in May.

Publishes May 8, 2018 by Voyageur Press | Hardcover, 240 pages with 250 color photos | $30.00 USD, $39.00 CAN | ISBN: 9780760359341

Velvet Underground's 50-Year Legacy Celebrated With Career-Spanning Vinyl Box Set Featuring Lost "1969" Album

VELVET UNDERGROUND’S 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED WITH CAREER-SPANNING VINYL BOX SET
 
THE VELVET UNDEGROUND INCLUDES DEFINITIVE STEREO EDITIONS OF SIX CLASSIC ALBUMS INCLUDING ALL FOUR STUDIO RECORDS, THE “LOST” 1969 ALBUM AND NICO’S DEBUT LP

To celebrate the Velvet Underground’s 50th anniversary, Verve Records/UMe is releasing The Velvet Underground, a limited-edition career-spanning box that collects all four of the pioneering band’s studio albums, Velvets collaborator Nico’s debut LP, Chelsea Girl, and a reconstruction of the fabled “lost” 1969 album, making it available on vinyl for the first time. The six albums housed in a special black slipcase will be pressed on 180-gram black vinyl and feature stereo mixes and meticulously reproduced original cover art. The box will also include an exclusive 48-page booklet, featuring vintage photos, lyrics and a new foreword penned by founding member Maureen “Moe” Tucker. Limited to 1000 copies worldwide, the box set, which will be released February 23, is available for pre-order now exclusively at uDiscover:  https://UMe.lnk.to/TVULPBox

Assembled by Grammy-winning reissue producer Bill Levenson, The Velvet Underground incorporates six classic records from the band's vintage heyday including 1967's The Velvet Underground and Nico, their landmark debut, produced by the band's mentor Andy Warhol and includes such Velvets classics as “Sunday Morning,” “I'm Waiting for the Man,” “Venus in Furs” and “Heroin;” Nico's 1967 full-length solo debut Chelsea Girl, featuring songwriting and instrumental contributions from Velvets members Reed, Cale and Morrison as well as a young Jackson Browne; 1968's explosive White Light/White Heat, the group's final album with co-founder Cale; 1969's relatively restrained, introspective The Velvet Underground; and 1970's Loaded, which was the band's commercial breakthrough as well as its final studio album, with such beloved Reed anthems as "Sweet Jane" and "Rock & Roll."

To honor the band’s half a century legacy, Levenson has loving recreated the Velvet Underground’s much-mythologized “lost” album, 1969, specially for this set. Nearly 50 years later, much remains unclear about these mysterious recordings. While there’s been reports that the album was intended to be the band’s fourth record only to be rejected by MGM, it’s also possible they were scrapped by the band or possibly shelved by them for being ahead of its time. Whatever the real story is, these songs, recorded just after their lauded self-titled album, which include many gems like “Foggy Notion,” “Ride Into The Sun,” and “I Can’t Stand It,” help to tell the band’s enigmatic story and shine a light on their creative restlessness and rapid evolution. For this new vinyl recreation, Levenson has assembled the album using 1969 and 2014 mixes. Although these recordings have been previously released, they’ve never been represented on vinyl in this expansive 2LP format. Side four of the second LP is rounded out with bonus tracks recorded in 1968 including “Hey Mr. Rain” and “Stephanie Says.”

The Velvet Underground's gritty, fearless creative vision remains unique and unmatched. Although the band met with little commercial acceptance during its existence, the seminal New York foursome of Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker, along with Doug Yule, is now considered one of most important rock and roll bands of all time, laying the groundwork in the ‘60s for punk, alternative, avant-garde, psychedelic rock, post-punk and shoegaze. The Velvets' revolutionary body of work stands as a one of rock's most distinctive catalogs and today their influence looms larger than ever.

The Velvet Underground and Nico (March 1967)

Side One

1. Sunday Morning

2. I’m Waiting For The Man

3. Femme Fatale

4. Venus In Furs

5. Run Run Run

6. All Tomorrow’s Parties

Side Two

1. Heroin

2. There She Goes Again

3. I’ll Be Your Mirror

4. The Black Angel’s Death Song

5. European Son

Nico: Chelsea Girl (October 1967)

Side One

1. The Fairest of the Seasons

2. These Days

3. Little Sister

4. Winter Song

5. It Was A Pleasure Then

Side Two

1. Chelsea Girls

2. I’ll Keep It With Mine

3. Somewhere There’s a Feather

4. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

5. Eulogy To Lenny Bruce

White Light/White Heat (January 1968)

Side One

1. White Light/White Heat

2. The Gift

3. Lady Godiva’s Operation

4. There She Comes Now

Side Two

1. I Heard Her Call My Name

2. Sister Ray

The Velvet Underground (March 1969)

Side One

1. Candy Says

2. What Goes On

3. Some Kinda Love

4. Pale Blue Eyes

5. Jesus

Side Two

1. Beginning To See The Light

2. I’m Set Free

3. That’s The Story Of My Life

4. The Murder Mystery

5. After Hours

1969 (recorded May – October 1969)

Side One

1. Foggy Notion (original 1969 mix)

2. One Of The Days (2014 mix)

3. Lisa Says (2014 mix)

4. I’m Sticking With You (original 1969 mix)

5. Andy’s Chest (original 1969 mix)

Side Two

1. I Can’t Stand It (2014 mix)

2. She’s My Best Friend (original 1969 mix)

3. We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (2014 mix)

4. I’m Gonna Move Right In (original 1969 mix)

5. Ferryboat Bill (original 1969 mix)

Side Three

1. Coney Island Steeplechase (2014 mix)

2. Ocean (original 1969 mix)

3. Rock & Roll (original 1969 mix)

4. Ride Into The Sun (2014 mix)

Side Four – Bonus Tracks

1. Hey Mr. Rain (version one)

2. Guess I’m Falling In Love instrumental version)

3. Temptation Inside Your Heart (original mix)

4. Stephanie Says (original mix)

5. Hey Mr. Rain (version two)

6. Beginning To See The Light (early version)

Loaded (November 1970)

Side One

1. Who Loves The Sun

2. Sweet Jane

3. Rock & Roll

4. Cool It Down

5. New Age

Side Two

1. Head Held High

2. Lonesome Cowboy Bill

3. I Found A Reason

4. Train Round The Bend

5. Oh! Sweet Nuthin’

STRAIGHT EDGE: A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History, by Tony Rettman

STRAIGHT EDGE: A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History by Tony Rettman

Deluxe 400-page softcover book with foreword by Civ of Gorilla Biscuits

This deluxe softcover runs 400 pages, features a foreword by Civ of Gorilla Biscuits, includes a full-color insert, and after is available HERE. This is the latest authoritative and exhaustive leap by Bazillion Points into the vast demi-world of a powerful DIY subculture. Launch events were mobbed at the Sonos NYC store, Bridge 9 Records in Boston, and Hold Fast Records in Asbury Park, NJ, where Tony Rettman sat for a riveting Q&A with Minor Threat's Brian Baker.

Starting in 1981 via Minor Threat's revolutionary call to arms, the clean and positive straight edge hardcore punk movement took hold and prospered during the 1980s, earning a position as one of the most durable yet chronically misunderstood music subcultures. Straight edge created its own sound and visual style, went on to embrace vegetarianism, and later saw the rise of a violent militant fringe. As the "don't drink, don't smoke" message spread from Washington, D.C., to Boston, California, New York City, and, eventually, the world, adherents struggled to define the fundamental ideals and limits of what may be the ultimate youth movement.

Tony Rettman traces the story of straight edge from adolescent origins to enduring counterculture via fresh first-hand accounts from the clear and alert members of Minor Threat, SS Decontrol, Youth of Today, DYS, Slapshot, Uniform Choice, 7 Seconds, Stalag 13, Justice League, Chain of Strength, No for an Answer, Insted, Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Bold, Project X, Lärm, Brotherhood, Shelter, H2O, Half Off, Resurrection, Raid, Strife, Earth Crisis, Vegan Reich, Mindset, Stop and Think, Mouthpiece, Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, Mental, Fucked Up, Trial, Have Heart, Praise, Clear, the Geeks, and many others.

Time Out New York calls the book: "a trip through the storied history of the straight edge punk movement, from its origins in 1981 as a call-to-arms from the band Minor Threat to its later flourishing as a fully-fledged counter-culture manifesto."

QUOTES

"What separates hardcore from punk is that punk was just saying, 'fkck this place.' Hardcore was saying, 'let's make a difference. Let's make our minds stronger and focus.'"

- Toby Morse, H2O

"We were out to create a revolution. We loved the power and energy of hardcore, but not the whole self-destructive punk ethos. We were into being healthy and living clean, mean, and smart."­

- John Porcelly, Youth of Today

"Straight edge became a religion. It's a very strange feeling to be one of the unwitting founders of this religion."

- Jeff Nelson, Minor Threat

"I'm honored to be part of this book, which accurately recalls a counterculture within a counterculture, a movement that changed the course of so many people's lives, including my own. Straight edge gave us some stable footing and handrails in a confusing time, and provided us a soundtrack of hard, positive, and life-affirming music to craft our progressive and positive adult lives. This book will serve as a crucial and authoritative glance into that world, shining light for fans around the globe on a time that we will never forget."

- Ray Cappo, Youth of Today

"I fxcking loved it! The SSD stuff was amazing, they were my game changer. I also really loved the Uniform Choice chapters. It's a great book. Tony Rettman has done it again, and I'm stoked to have a small part in it."

- Mike Ferraro, Judge

"I will look forward to having this on our coffee table and showing it and reading it with pride for my role in this beautiful movement, for what you've done and captured, and what straight edge was, is and will be." 

- Dave Smalley of DYS/All/Dag Nasty

"Tony Rettman's book is THE CHOICE for a firsthand account of the history, inner workings, and real truth of straight edge, one of the most important cultural influences of the last century."

- Al Barile, SSD  

"A fantastic read and a true documentation straight from the people who made this small scene an important piece of music history."

- Dennis Lyxzen, Refused

"I love this book! Everyone's stories are tied together to bring validity to the subject. Rettman covered a lot of ground here, and I'm impressed."

- Steve Larson, Insted

D.O.A.: A Right Of Passage coming to Theaters and Blu-ray + DVD

D.O.A.: A Right Of Passage 

coming to Theaters in November and Blu-ray + DVD December 8

Brand-new HD transfer of classic punk rockumentary following the 

Sex Pistols 1978 tour... Available for the first time.

"D.O.A. is as much of a Woodstock as punk may ever inspire."

- The New York Times

"D.O.A. features state-of-the-art performances... 

Still, it's the eerie Spungen-Vicious dialogue that will probably haunt most viewers."

- Rolling Stone

D.O.A.: A Right Of Passage is the ground-breaking classic rockumentary about the origin of punk rock. The film will be coming to select theaters in mid-November, and will also be available in a collector's edition Blu-ray + DVD package.

"High Times is pleased to finally uncover and restore this extraordinary, vintage film - D.O.A.," said High Times owner and CEO Adam Levin. 

The vision for the film can be attributed to two people: Tom Forcade (the founder of High Times magazine) and filmmaker Lech Kowalski (East of Paradise). The production centered around the Sex Pistols 1978 tour of the US, which ended with the group breaking up. Forcade and Kowalski followed the band with handheld cameras through the clubs and bars during their seven-city U.S. tour. 

Mixing this with footage of other contemporary bands, trends in the fashion capitals and punks of all shapes and colors, the film makers captured a grainy, stained snapshot of the punk movement at its peak (which includes the now famous footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen in bed) along with rare interview and concert footage of the late seventies punk rock music scene. 

As John Holmstrom, Founding Editor of PUNK Magazine, writes in his liner notes:

"D.O.A., the original 1950 film noir and A Rite of Passage's namesake, was about a dead man walking who wanted to get revenge on his killers. This aptly describes D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage, which was made by a man who killed himself a few months later, who wanted to get revenge on his tormentors: corporate and government control of rock music and youth culture."

With live performances by the Sex Pistols, The Dead Boys, Generation X (with Billy Idol), The Rich Kids, the X-Ray Spex, and Sham 69, along with additional music from The Clash, Iggy Pop, this iconic documentary is now available for the first time ever on disc!

Screenings:

11/15-11/16 - Phoenix, AZ - FilmBar 

11/16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Hollywood Theater

11/17 - Dallas, TX - Texas Theater 

11/21 - Baltimore, MD - Parkway Theater

11/29 - Iowa City, IA - FilmScene

12/1 + 12/3 - Boston, MA - Brattle (Cambridge, MA)

12/4 - Durham, NC - Carolina Theater

12/11 - Nashville, TN - Belcourt

12/18 - Maitland, FL - Enzian 

1/3 - Yonkers, NY - Alamo Drafthouse

1/12 - Tulsa, OK - Circle Cinema 

1/12-1/14 - Seattle, WA - Northwest Film Forum

1/15 - San Francisco, CA - Alamo Drafthouse

1/15 - Denver, CO - Alamo Sloans Lake 

1/18 - Louisville, KY - Speed Museum

Bonus Materials:

- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the main feature

- Original 2.0 Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)

- 12 page booklet with liner notes written by John Holmstrom, founding editor of PUNK Magazine

- 'Dead On Arrival: The Punk Documentary That Almost Never Was' - A feature length documentary about the making of D.O.A. A Rite of Passage produced by award-winning filmmaker (and former MTV Senior Producer) Richard Schenkman (HD)

- Reversible artwork

- 2-Sided Poster included

- Original Theatrical Trailer

- Limited Edition Retro 'Video Store Style' Slipcover / O-Card (First Pressing Only)

- Rare Sex Pistols photo gallery

Pre-order at MVDshop.com 

Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers' classic 1977 "L.A.M.F." album performed by members of Blondie, MC5, Replacements & Heartbreakers

Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers' classic 1977 "L.A.M.F." album performed by members of
Blondie, MC5, Replacements & Heartbreakers

Coming to DVD and CD on December 8th

"Arguably the best album to come out of the original wave of punk rock"

- Joe Whyte, Louder Than War

Sole surviving Heartbreaker Walter Lure was joined by Blondie's Clem Burke, The Replacements' Tommy Stinson and MC5's Wayne Kramer over two nights at New York City's 'Bowery Electric' club in November 2016, and the event captured for posterity. Also joining them on stage were guests including Jesse Malin of D-Generate, Liza Colby, and the Dead Boys' Cheetah Chrome. The DVD features bonus material of interviews with all four band-members along with Jesse Malin.

L.A.M.F. is the album recorded by Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers in punk-era London, after they accompanied the Sex Pistols, Damned & Clash on the aborted 'Anarchy Tour'. Being ex-members of the New York Dolls they were lauded by the young punks, and went on to record the high-octane rock'n'roll album, in retrospect labelled as a classic:

This live DVD, colored vinyl LP and CD follows on from the remastered 40th anniversary edition of L.A.M.F. and the reissue of an extended Definitive Edition 4CD box set (and triple-vinyl) of the albums many mixes and demos. See recent feature in MOJO.

The release coincides with Walter Lure taking his L.A.M.F. show on out the road again - this time with the Sex Pistols' Glen Matlock on bass, Social Distortion's Mike Ness on guitar & vocals, and again Blondie's Clem Burke on drums. They play six dates starting at the end of November 2017 covering US east and west coasts, with gigs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Brooklyn and New York.

All versions of L.A.M.F. are available at MVDshop.com

MVD Rewind Collection debuts this December with DOA and Killer Tomatoes

MVD Entertainment Group is proud to announce the launch of the "MVD Rewind Collection" series celebrating "cult classics and more from the video store" in special edition Blu-ray + DVD collector's sets loaded with special features.

Scheduled to debut December 2017, the MVD Rewind Collection will launch with special editions of the never-before-released-on-disc punk rock doc classic D.O.A.: A Right of Passage along with Attack of The Killer Tomatoes on two-disc collector's sets.

MVD Rewind Collection #1 coming on December 8, 2017...

D.O.A.: A RIGHT OF PASSAGE

D.O.A.: A Right of Passage is the ground-breaking classic "rockumentary" about the origin of punk rock. Centered around the Sex Pistols 1978 tour of the United States which ended with the group breaking up, the tour was the only one the Pistols played in the United States.

Director Lech Kowalski (East of Paradise) followed the band with handheld cameras through the clubs and bars of their seven-city U.S. tour. Mixing this with footage of other contemporary bands, trends in the fashion capitals and punks of all shapes and colors, Kowalski captured a grainy, stained snapshot of the punk movement at its peak (which includes the now famous footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen in bed) along with rare interview and concert footage of the late seventies punk rock music scene.

With live performances by the Sex Pistols, The Dead Boys, Generation X (with Billy Idol), The Rich Kids, the X-Ray Spex, and Sham 69, along with additional music from The Clash and Iggy Pop, this iconic documentary is now available for the first time ever on home video in this 2-Disc set!

SPECIAL FEATURES
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the main feature.
Original 2.0 Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
"Dead On Arrival: The Punk Documentary That Almost Never Was" - A feature length documentary about the making of D.O.A. A Rite of Passage produced by award-winning filmmaker (and former MTV Senior Producer) Richard Schenkman and featuring exclusive new interviews with PUNK magazine founder and Ramones cover-artist John Holmstrom, renowned music journalist Chris Salewicz, legendary photographer Roberta Bayley, Sex Pistols' historian Mick O'Shea, former Rich Kid guitarist and Ultravox lead singer Midge Ure, and original D.O.A. crew members David King, Mary Killen, Rufus Standefer, plus never-before-seen interview footage of Pistols founder, Malcolm McLaren. (HD)
12 page booklet with liner notes written by John Holmstrom, founding editor of PUNK Magazine
Reversible artwork
Rare Sex Pistols Photo Gallery
2-Sided Poster included
Original Theatrical Trailer (3:48, SD)
D.O.A.: A RIGHT OF PASSAGE
95 Minutes
ASPECT RATIO: 1.33:1 (4x3)
AUDIO: Mono
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
ITEM# MVD0237BR
UPC: 760137023784
Street Date: 12/8/2017

MVD Rewind Collection #2 coming on January 23, 2018...

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES

UFOs! Bigfoot! Communists! The government has swiftly dealt with many a crisis... But can it survive the diabolical ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES?

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the supermarket, you're face to face with terror so bold, so frightening it has never been seen on-screen before or since (not until the sequel, anyway).

After a series of bizarre and increasingly horrific attacks from pulpy, red, seeded fruit, Mason Dixon (David Miller) finds himself leading a "crack" team of specialists to save the planet. But will they be quick enough to save everyone? To save you?

You can't run! You can't swim! There's nowhere to hide!

The killer tomatoes are everywhere!

SPECIAL FEATURES
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of film (1.85:1)
Original 2.0 Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
Audio commentary from writer/director John DeBello, writer/co-star Steve Peace and "creator" Costa Dillon
Deleted scenes (SD)
Six exclusive featurettes:
-        "Legacy of a Legend" (14:13, SD) is a collection of interviews, including comments from John DeBello, Costa Dillon, film critic Kevin Thomas, fans Kevin Sharp and Bruce Vilanch, future Tomatoes mainstay John Astin and actors Steve Peace, Jack Riley, and D.J. Sullivan
-        "Crash and Burn" (3:40, SD) is a discussion about the famous helicopter crash that could have killed everyone because the pilot was late on his cue
-        "Famous Foul" (2:21, SD) is about the San Diego Chicken and his role in the climatic tomato stomping ending
-        "Killer Tomatomania" (4:33, SD) is a smattering of interviews with random people on the streets of Hollywood about the movie
-        "Where Are They Now?" (2:51, SD) fills viewers in on what the cast and crew have been up to over the past couple of decades
-        "We Told You So!" (3:07, SD) takes a hard-hitting look at the conspiracy of silence surrounding the real-life horror of killer tomatoes
"Do They Accept Traveler's Checks in Babusuland" (the original 8mm short that inspired Attack of the Killer Tomatoes) (with optional audio commentary) (SD)
Original theatrical trailer (SD)
Radio spots
Collectible poster
ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES
RUNNING TIME: 87 Minutes
ASPECT RATIO: 1.85:1 (16x9)
AUDIO: MONO
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
ITEM # MVD0703BR
UPC: 760137070382
Street Date: 1/23/2018

--------------

The MVD Rewind Collection is the brainchild of MVD Entertainment Group's Eric D. Wilkinson and the home entertainment team. Wilkinson not only manages acquisitions for MVD, but is also personally overseeing this new line of product for the company...

"Having spent the last year curating and pouring over every last excruciating detail of these releases, I'm really excited to share these with fellow collectors. Most of these will be on Blu-ray disc for the first time here in North America and some of these (like D.O.A.) have never been released on any format. Each of these numbered collector's edition sets will include plenty bonus material and supplemental features. Our plan here at MVD is to approach the "Rewind Collection" not just as packaged media releases, but also like the popular, collectible trend category. With video stores being a relic of the past, collectors are building their own libraries and are now basically turning their basements into their own, personal video stores. Our goal is to create something that you can display right alongside your action figures, posters, figurines and collectibles. We intend to use original artwork (either the theatrical or original VHS key art) on all of our releases whenever possible (unless it's really, really bad). Each release with have a limited-edition slipcover that will have a stylized, weathered look as if it's been sitting on a video store shelf for years, complete with wear and tear, stickers and more. In addition, our titles will include a four-fold mini poster of the cover art on the inside too. Most collectors like me, attend cons, autograph shows or horror conventions and it's nice to have a frame-ready poster to get signed. Some of our releases will include reversible artwork; some may have booklets with liner notes along other collectible goodies. And the MVD Rewind Collection isn't just focusing on one genre. The MVD Rewind collection will encompass ALL genres. If its "classic" (and I can get it) we'll try to put it out! I'm a dedicated collector of movies on disc, with over 8,000 plus discs in my collection and I want collectors to know that the MVD Rewind Collection Blu-ray + DVD sets are being overseen by a collector and I will do my best to create the kind of releases you will look forward to adding to your collection every month."

MVD Entertainment Group is a full service music and movie distribution firm, exclusively representing thousands of audio and visual products for DVD, Blu-ray, CD, vinyl, and digital rights, worldwide. MVD also exclusively distributes a growing line of merchandise including limited edition collectibles, tee shirts, and more. The company stays on the cutting edge of new media with a huge catalog of audio and visual digital rights, and by nurturing its direct relationships with the major digital and VOD platforms. MVD works with a variety of up-and-coming platforms and is actively pursuing new relationships.

Note: Street dates, special features and specs on Rewind Collection titles are subject to change without notice.

NO FUTURE: Punk, Politics and British Youth Culture, 1976-1984

No FuturePunk, Politics and British Youth Culture, 1976-1984By Matthew WorleyPub Date October 2017 | Paperback| 480 pp |

“Punk inspired both political engagement and cynicism. It also

encouraged, alongside the industrial culture that emerged

simultaneously,the explorationofsexual,psychologicaland

delinquentextremes;anything to escape the banality of late

twentieth-century living. To understand punk’s politics,

therefore, is not to find philosophical clarity or the basis of a

movement. Rather, the politics of punk resided in itsrefusal and

its practice: a recognition that‘blind acceptance is a sign of stupid

fools who stand in line’”

No Feelings. No Fun. No Future. The years 1976–84 saw punk emerge and evolve as a fashion, a musical form, an attitude and an aesthetic. Against a backdrop of social fragmentation, violence, high unemployment and socio-economic change, punk rejuvenated and re-energized British youth culture, inserting marginal voices and political ideas into pop. Fanzines and independent labels flourished; an emphasis on doing it yourself enabled provincial scenes to form beyond London's media glare. This was the period of Rock Against Racism and benefit gigs for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the striking miners.

Matthew Worley charts the full spectrum of punk's cultural development from the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and Slits through the post-punk of Joy Division, the industrial culture of Throbbing Gristle and onto the 1980s diaspora of anarcho-punk, Oi! and goth and recaptures punk's anarchic force as a medium through which the frustrated and the disaffected could reject, revolt and re-invent


About the Author
Matthew Worley is a Professor of Modern History at the University of Reading. He has written extensively on British politics in the interwar period, and more recently on the relationship between youth culture and politics in the 1970s and 1980s. Articles on punk-related themes have been published in History Workshop Journal, Twentieth Century British History, and Contemporary British History. Recent works include Oswald Mosley and the New Party (2010) and, as a co-founder of the Subcultures Network, contributions to books such as Fight Back: Punk, Politics and Resistance (2015) and Youth Culture, Popular Music and the End of 'Consensus'

WE WERE GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD: Interviews with Women From the 1970s & 1980s Southern California Punk Rock Scene

New Book Explores the Influential Southern California Punk Rock Scene of the 1970s and ’80s Through Interviews with the Women Who Lived It

 The punk rock scene of the 1970s and ’80s in Southern California is widely acknowledged as one of the most vibrant and creative periods in rock and roll. Over the years, many books have come out exploring this explosive time in music and culture, but none have exclusively focused on the vitality and influence of the women who played such a crucial role in this incredibly dynamic movement.

Stacy Russo has created a unique book about the punk rock era, focusing on the women who were such a huge part of it. We Were Going to Change the World: Interviews with Women From the 1970s & 1980s Southern California Punk Rock Scene (Santa Monica Press/August 21, 2017) captures the stories of women who were active in the punk rock scene in Southern California during this historic time, adding an important voice to the cultural and musical record.
Through exclusive interviews with musicians, journalists, photographers, and fans, Russo captures the essence of why these women were drawn to punk rock, what they witnessed, and how their involvement in this empowering scene ended up influencing the rest of their lives.

“As a librarian and college professor, I have always been interested in research projects I could do with my students,” Russo explains. “I came up with the idea of interviewing women like me, now in our middle or later years, who grew up in the punk rock scene in Southern California. How did punk rock influence the rest of their lives? What attracted them to punk rock, and how did they get involved? And, most importantly, what was it like being a woman in this music scene?”

The major influential musicians and performers of the era that Russo interviewed include:

Exene Cervenka
Alice Bag
Kira
Phranc
Johanna Went
Teresa Covarrubias
Jennifer Precious Finch

Russo also interviews such highly regarded journalists, DJs, and photographers as:

Ann Summa
Jenny Lens
Kristine McKenna
Pleasant Gehman
Stella
In addition, Russo includes interviews with the fans and scenesters who added so much color and energy to the music scene.

“This book was never meant to be a who’s who of punk rock,” Russo says. “I did not want to include only well-known women and performers. It was important to include women who created fanzines and art, and those who participated solely by going to shows and supporting the bands.”

We Were Going to Change the World is an important oral history of the crucial contributions women injected into the Southern California punk rock scene of the 1970s and ’80s. Empowering, touching, and informative, Russo’s collection of interviews adds a whole new dimension to the literature of both punk rock and women’s studies.



About the Author:

Stacy Russo is a librarian and associate professor at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, California. She has English degrees from UC Berkeley and Chapman University and a master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State University. She is a poet and writer. Stacy’s writing has appeared in Feminist Teacher, Feminist Collections, Library Journal, American Libraries, The Chaffey Review, Serials Review, Counterpoise, and the anthology Open Doors: An Invitation to Poetry (Chaparral Canyon Press, 2016). Her other books are The Library as Place in California (McFarland, 2007) and Life as Activism: June Jordan’s Writings from The Progressive (Litwin Books, 2014). She grew up in the 1980s Southern California punk rock scene, which has been a big influence on her life.


Mike Watt is the son of a sailor. He was born in 1957 in Portsmouth, Virginia, but has lived in San Pedro, California, for the last fifty years. He’s known mainly for starting the Minutemen with his buddy, D. Boon, but went on to later found Dos, Firehose, and, more recently, the Secondmen, the Missingmen, Cuz, and Il Sogno del Marinaio. He does bass, spiel, and writes songs. Watt also helped Porno for Pyros, Banyan, and J Mascis and the Fog, and had the huge honor of working for the Stooges during their reunion from 2003 to 2013.

THE AUTOMATICS "S/t" LP Out This Month from Mooster Records and MOOSTERMANIA 5!

THE AUTOMATICS LP IS ALMOST HERE

Unless youve been under a rock for the last month, you already know MOOSTER RECORDS is bringing you THE AUTOMATICS "S/t" LP

FIRST TIME EVER ON VINYL!

The long awaited 20th Anniversary edition of the 1st full length from Portland, OR's poppy punkers THE AUTOMATICS! Originally released in 1996 on CD by Mutant Pop Records and now finally on LP 20 years later, by Mooster Records

“S/t” is where it all began for THE AUTOMATICS! That Buzzsaw guitar, dueling Jesse's on vocals and thumping bass with stop on a dime drums have never sounded better now that they have been run through the masterful ear of MASS GIORGINI(Sonic Iguana Studios) for this special reMASStered package. 17 tracks including all the hits "All The Kids Just Wanna Dance", "My Life is Shit", "Do The Fish" and more!!

As always with Mooster pre-orders we have TONS of goodies. This time around you will be able to own ACTUAL pieces of punk rock history. Jesse K of THE AUTOS collected hundreds of pieces of ephemera related to AUTOS shows throughout the years and has graciously donated them to be included with every order. Flyers, posters, notecards, pics, reviews, CRAZY SHIT. Wait til you see it! Everyone get something.

Every order also includes a special 1 1/2" button featuring the album art!

AND there is a special option for purchase that will include 2005's V.M.Live Presents the Hanson Brothers/ Antiflag / The Automatics / J.F.A. on CD, VERY limited copies exist.

TONS of great stuff to celebrate 20 years of THE AUTOMATICS

The first pressing is on black and pink splattered vinyl and limited to 300 copies.

Order here: https://moosterrecords.storenvy.com

***These will ship sometime in Mid-OCTOBER***

MOOSTER MANIA 5

also coming this weekend MOOSTER MANIA 5! Our long running cheapo compilation series comes to and end!

This is the biggest tracklisting featured on a MoosterMania yet! We've got tracks from every release Mooster has put out in the last year from the likes of MORAL CRUX, MTX, POOL PARTY, THE HOMEWRECKERS, STILETTO BOMB 

as well as tracks from upcoming releases on MOOSTER RECORDS including NICK MINNOW, THE UECKERS, THE AUTOMATICS, (ORIGINAL FAMOUS) THEY LIVE!, VIBROLAS and more.

As well as tracks from friends of MOOSTER, SUNSHINE & THE RAIN, CRAZY & THE BRAINS, DARLINGTON, VISTA BLUE, THE DAMNED SHAMES, FASTPLANTS and more

Its a wonderful ride and will be up in the MOOSTER STORE and on BANDCAMP this weekend!