NYC, May 9, 2013

photo by Bruce Pross

JUST CHAOS
Met lots of punk rockers last night - ahem… maybe I shouldn't have started with the word "MET".
There's been so many divided reviews of the Gala this week from the Metropolitan Museum's annual fundraiser Costume Ball.
I thought it was a bit bizarre when a presenter on TV actually asked Vivienne Westwood who she was wearing, and they didn't mean her Bradley Manning jewellery.

I read about the Gala in the Costa Coffee lounge at Heathrow.
They have free newspapers.
The Times of London loved it "Crowns are the new Tiara's" they wrote.
The Daily Mail hated it (probably because Lady Diana is dead and couldn't be there).

I was a bit confused about the fuss.
What I understood was some people thought the designer clothes weren't punk. But don't designers use an idea and move forward from there? It's not like the designers were meant to re-create 1976, were they? I thought Madonna's outfit with her signature crucifix on her bottom was trying hard, and please, someone, give Sarah Jessica Parker something to eat.

Anyway - I digress. Thursday 9 May I went to BOOK MARC.
Book Marc is a clean and bright corner bookshop owned by Marc Jacobs.
Yes the Fashion Designer.

He used to work for Louis Vuitton.
Now there's 200 Marc Jacob stores in 80 countries.


JUST CHAOS was organised by Roberta Bayley who invited these fabulous Photographers:
Janette Beckman
Stephanie Chernikowski
Laura Levine
Julia Gorton
Eileen Polk
Marcia Resnick
Leee Black Childers
Danny Fields
Godlis
Bobby Grossman
Bob Gruen
Chris Stein
and Joe Stevens
to put a few of their punk rock era photos each in the store windows and amongst the punk rock literature inside.

Because I had been a little thrown by the torrential rain in the morning but decided to visit the local thrift shop to see if they had anything interesting, $15 got me a pair of red tartan trousers.
Perfect!
I didn't see a pair of converse at the show but I did have a wonderful time - this included:
John Leyland (nee SPIN now NYT): We chatted about going to the punk show at the Met.
We both hoped the Gala was successful even if the punk exhibit fails.
John with Andy Schwartz

I saw Leee Black Childers (another Warhol Factory man) but we couldn't chat because he was being interviewed all evening pretty much.

I admired Laura Levine's photographic career and she told me how she organises events at her shop upstate called The Mystery Shop, www.lauralevine.com/mystery-spot and how much she liked the voice of the singer in Alessi's Ark.
Me Too.
Randy Haecker (Virgo) told me he's working on a Clash Box Set (i forget how many discs but there are quite a lot).
He had a Marc Jacobs bag and when asked to show-and-tell he didn't produce a shirt or a tie, but a book, nicely wrapped.

He'd bought Sheila Rock's photography book.
Sheila just had a book launch in London.

I met a real-life Ball Catcher for the Phillies baseball team: Ms Ronnie Norpel (right).
She's even written a book called BASEBALL KARMA (the book the Phillies don't want you to read!)
see: www.smashwords.com/books

I met Howie Pyro who told me his punk rock flyer collection is still up in the Bowery Electric and will be for a few more weeks.



I love Puma Pearl in her lovely t-shirt.

I stood with Jahn Xavier who could name most of the people on the sidewalk from his youth - and I mean YOUTH. He was 16 when he played bass for Richard Hell.. he named the CBGB's waitresses amongst others...
I met a Jewish Norwegian man who had given up smoking three days ago. WELL DONE.
I may have said, it's a bit of a mystery why we smoke, isn't it - and he produced a typed - on a TYPEWRITER - paper - why he liked smoking..

This is Huff Post TV's Mark Sax with Roberta fresh from the studio where were on the sidewalk.


Handsome Dick Manitoba and Handsome son Jake were present.

Just as Roberta was leaving, a young man in a beanie approached her with a clipboard said, "I'm casting for a commercial and looking for interesting people, would you be interested?"
Roberta said yes.
Man: What's your name?
RB: Roberta Bayley
I wrote it down for him as Roberta was holding flowers and so on.
Me: What's the commercial for?
Man: Levi's Jeans.
I thought that was funny since Roberta took that photo of the Ramones on the cover of their first album in their, now iconic, ripped at the knees jeans.

It was warm. It got dark.

Godlis took a last look at the window before heading off to his neighbourhood.

I hopped the uptown train with a good friend. We talked about dylan and people we knew and how we are going to raise some funds of our own, without mentioning google, internet, like it was 1976.

Lou Reed - thought for the day

Not sure if I am supposed to raise my fist in a bull's horn or just stand here with my mouth open.

Wow.



Y'know, a long time ago now, I went to see Lou Reed play in a small club in New York. It was a benefit for Victoria Williams (who I am happy to report is doing well. Living in Joshua Tree. Has a Facebook account. Sang in New York for the Radio Free Song Club recently. Breathtaking. I'll find it and post it for you.)

Anyway - Lou Reed came on stage - in the dark. I hadn't seen him for years. I didn't know he wore glasses at this point, and my first thought was, "guitar tech." HOWEVER. He plugged in his guitar and strummed.

From just that one strum - you just KNEW it was Lou Reed.

And I remember thinking, "if this guy wants too, he could play something like the opening chords of Smoke On The Water - and he would flatten us all against the back wall".

Instead, he strums and tells us a story.

This summer - we were at Hop Farm. The line up on ONE stage was Magazine. Patti Smith. Lou Reed. Iggy Popp. Morrissey.

We noticed that Gang Of Four were playing at the same time as Lou Reed and I was told that Gang of Four were fantastic. And believe me. I LOVE the Gang of Four.

But I do have a deep respect for Lou Reed. And I found myself rooted to the spot.

I was sad he was older.
was surprised I was outside in a field.
I was sort of surprised I was in England.
I was glad it wasn't raining.

I thought he was pretty good. I know he was reading the words from an autocue. I know. I've got a memory like swiss cheese myself as it is.

His set list went:
Who Loves The Sun
Senselessly Cruel
Temporary Thing
Exctasy
Smalltown
Mother
Sunday Morning
Femme Fatale
Waves of Fear
Sweet Jane

Yes. Noone was more surprised than everyone aged 20 after December 1980 that he sang Mother.

I think John Lennon would have LOVED it.

I love Temporary Thing. So Much.

Okay I probably need a nap. I've got a bit emotional.

Pop Group and Public Enemy at ATP October 1st/2nd 2011

There are a few reasons to jump in the car and jet to the Jersey Shore next week:
number one is The Pop Group are going to play their first US gig this century.
I guarantee you will never see a band like them.
They were hot and funky in Punk Rock London last century and haven't lost any of their edge or groove.
I saw them this time last year at a tiny club called The Garage in Highbury Islington, London and don't regret the plane fare one bit. I went to both shows and both were magic.
I understand they have been in the studio together since 9/12/2010. My hope was for a Pop Group Christmas present but it hasn't happened - i believe that's a YET.

Mark Stewart has been working on a collaboration record and has some mind opening sounds in a recording facility near me. Hopefully that will be in the merch tent. Fingers crossed.

Their drummer is Bruce Smith fresh from Public Image Limited's recent outings to spots around the world including a recent visit to Japan. He'll give your skeleton a dance lesson.

The second reason to get a ticket for OCTOBER 2 is that PUBLIC ENEMY are going to play the whole of their BRILLIANT album Fear of A Black Planet.

There's a brilliant download available on this link - and it's also where you can get your All Tomorrows parties tickets

See you in the front row.
xxxdaisy

my first festival - Hop Farm 2011

http://www.youtube.com/user/titilak?blend=2&ob=5
Satellite of Love - Morrissey
Magazine (original line up), Patti Smith, Lou Reed and then Iggy Pop. After dark, headline: MORRISSEY. In order for Morrissey to take the stage, the festival asked all the food vendors Howard Devoto in fine form. Patti Smith morrisey singing Satellite of Love... at HOP FARM

Hop Farm 2011 Saturday

We saw Iggy Pop who bounced about like a ten year old - and I mean like the ten year olds that were in the field with me, next to me bouncing about! Lou Reed came out and I gather he has hasn't kept up his gym membership. He looked a little creaky. Patti Smith sung her heart out and ran about a bit along the front row of fans although quite what she was talking about, I have no idea - but she looked happy. Magazine were magnificent. I swear Howard has a bit of a crush on Knock-oh his guitarist in the silver trousers. and then it grew dark and Morrissey came on. He was magnificent.
And then we got in the landrover and slept on our blow up mattress. In the morning, the sun was blazing brightly across the field we had parked in - and there was a mist. It was beautiful. Then we drove to London. Had a nap and went to Hyde Park to catch PULP - the last band at Hyde Park Festival.

Tonight (& tomorrow) in Air Conditioned New York City

Alessi is over from the London UK and playing at The Living Room on Ludlow Street
Tonight at 11pm
and
Tomorrow at 6pm
The joint has air conditioning, relaxed atmosphere and beverages.

Hear Alessi sing KITE FLYING here

Find out where Alessi is playing next and hear some of her other delightfilled songs here: Alessi's My Space page AND tour dates

Hop Farm - Iggy, Patti (acoustic), Lou and Morrissey 2 July

2 JULY Line up at HOP FARM festival in the UK includes Lou Reed, Patti Smith (acoustic), Iggy and the Stooges, and Morrissey who will headline.

The day before you can catch The Eagles, and Bryan Ferry.

Hmmm. What to pack? I guess the flared trousers for friday and the black leather pants for Saturday. Oh, and the air mattress (for my old aching back) and the binoculars (for my old fading eye sight). Seeing how old all these bands are, do you suppose the lights in the farm field will go out round midnight and the trance dance disco tent might be a bit empty?

Probably not.

That's probably my imagination, running away with me.

I'll bet the yoof are going to want to see these Mega Stars before they burn out.