Steve Earle : Johnny Come Lately [ purchase ] Lucinda Williams : Changed the Locks [ purchase ] Though "alt.country" wouldn't be called that for a few more years, its big bang moment came in 1988, with the release of two of the most significant records the genre ever produced. In 1988, Steve Earle stood at a career crossroads. He had put out two fairly successful, left-of-center country records, Guitar Town and Exit 0. But, personality clashes and an escalating drug habit left Earle on the outs with his label, MCA. (Legend has it Earle for years refused to get a haircut, just to ...

Everything But The Girl : I Was Always Your Girl [ purchase ] These Star Maker Machine themes that recall a particular year provide for wonderful exercises in evoking reminiscences that reside in the far reaches of the memory bank. I was 22 in 1988, and memories, musical and otherwise, had yet to become a blur, but are ordered according to seasons. Everything But The Girl’s Idlewild LP came out in the southern hemisphere’s autumn. I remember first recording on to cassette tape, then buying the album. Other LPs I bought around that time included efforts by Aztec Camera, The Smiths ...

The Waterboys : Fisherman’s Blues [ purchase ] I’ve never understood why this Jewish New Yorker loves Celtic influenced rock music. It doesn’t make much sense, but it is true. It’s not like I was exposed to much of this style of music before I went to college, other than a little Jethro Tull and some Van Morrison, yet I remember falling in love with Horslips when I first heard them. And although I still think their soul inflected first album was better than their big hit, “Too-Rye-Ay,” I liked Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ version of Celtic infused pop ...

“It’s a hard honor, but it’s an honor to be here tonight.” On Saturday night at Beerland in Austin, those were the only words rocker Ted Leo could get out without stammering or choking up. He and some of the city’s most beloved punk bands packed into the popular dive bar for a night to celebrate Esme Barrera, 29, a leading light of the local music scene, murdered in her home early on January 1. Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Barrera was a huge fan of Leo, and the two had met and kept in touch ...

F*** THE BUDDIES by THE BUDDIES After watching a show at Pianos a couple years ago, where the European opening band made their NYC debut to an audience of three (myself and two other bloggers), I'm always impressed when an out-of-town opening band can fill the room. Last Friday night, The Buddies played a strong 40+ minute set of memorable whiskey-drenched songs reminiscent of The Replacements or a "Southern rock" version of The Pogues and the crowd stayed at the front of the stage throughout the band's set. The band wrapped up their set by playing their final ...

The fourth round of artists performing at this year's Bluesfest has been announced. A further 30 artists have been added to the bill, including Creedence Clearwater Revival stalwart John Fogarty, Ziggy Marley, Canned Heat and Candi Staton. Local additions include Eagle and The Worm, The Backsliders and The Audreys. Those artists just announced join a heritage-rich lineup that includes Roger Daltrey, Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Pogues and The Specials. Added artists:   JOHN FOGERTY ZIGGY MARLEY CANDI STATON DAVID BROMBERG BAND CANNED HEAT VUSI MAHLASELA RICHARD CLAPTON Attached Image(s):  Canned Heat 2011 read more

December is over, which means it is more than likely that you will not hear any music by The Pogues for another eleven months. If I’m preaching to the converted please excuse me, but by and large, the magic woven by Shane and the boys is criminally overlooked once Christmas has passed us. Yes 'Fairytale of New York' is a grand old song, but it’s the tip of the Titanic’s iceberg. So I’ve decided that this edition of Wax Lyrical will look at a few of the words that spout through that marvelous set of teeth ...

My parents introduced me to The Clash and the Dead Kennedys, but I would nevertheless say that I think they probably hate punk.  They listened to The Pogues play London Calling with Joe Strummer and weren’t happy with the amount of guitar-bothering going on.  The first stuff I used to play in the house which [...]

DOWNLOAD : The Buddies - "All the Beer is Gone" (from F*ck the Buddies ) F*** THE BUDDIES by THE BUDDIES I really enjoyed the music of Chicago post-punk band Welcome to Ashley (which sounded something like The Smiths crossed with Urge Overkill) and the band has now morphed into The Buddies (which has been called a "southern rock version of The Clash"...though I'm thinking more of The Pogues or Jason and the Scorchers). The Buddies combines three members of Welcome to Ashley (bassist The Mouse [aka Jeremy Barrett], guitarist Pete Javier and vocalist Coley Kennedy) with Justin, Kim and ...

Preston lads Failsafe recently popped into the studio with producer Pete Miles to record a festive cover, being a version of "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. You can listen to the track on their Tumblr , or have a gander at the video after the jump.

Once again, we made it through another Holiday season.  Hope y'all enjoyed our offerings this year.  Many thanks and much appreciation for all the kind words and emails (and even the grumpy fella who didn't much care for "Psycho (Santa)" )! Don't forget that we start our Best Records of 2011 countdown on Monday ! Now then, regular readers will already know what song(s) we're gonna post today.  We do it every year, and why not?  Both tunes represent what can be great about Christmas music, without being tired, overly cliched,  or inane.  You won't hear ...

1964 - The Rolling Stones placed an advertisement in the music paper New Musical Express, wishing starving hairdressers and their families a Happy Christmas.   1976 - The Sex Pistols recorded 'God Save The Queen' at Wessex Studios London, England. 1988 - Shane McGowan was arrested for smashing the glass from a shop window in a drunken rage. The Pogues singer was later fined £250   Story originally posted on SupaJam .

Ooh! What’s that bulging in Santa’s sack? Buoyed by the swell of traffic following the Pogues post (a wee bit below), here’s a shortcut to previous Plain Or Pan Christmas stuff: The James Brown Christmas album . Even better than it sounds. Here. Dora Bryan‘s 1963 novelty cash-in All I Want For Christmas Is A [...]

Christmas is a time for relaxing with friends, for escaping the thoughts and worries that occupy everyday life. Sparked by a conversation earlier this year, Editors frontman Tom Smith and Andy Burrows (once of Razorlight, now solo) set about recording a series of Christmas related material earlier this year. Expanding to include some of their hidden influences, 'Funny Looking Angels' is a warm, affectionate piece that has a touch of the festive about it. On the phone to Tom Smith, ClashMusic chose to throw a few Christmas related questions at him - read on to find out his thoughts on Brussel ...

Amigos míos, de nuevo un año más ya estamos aquí para celebrar estas entrañables fechas y por lo tanto me gustaría desearos unas felices fiestas con la canción de hoy. Me encanta. Se me pasa el mal rollo. Me pone de buen humor. Por este motivo la quería traer hoy. Bueno, también la traigo porque antes de que [...]