Notes
T
he big question on everyone's mind these days: Will New Kids
On The Block be featured on the next SkateRock compilation?
Negotiations are in progress, but only time will tell.... Meanwhile, is
the Bahagavadgita the most-read book on the Eastern seaboard? Does NYHC
now stand for New York Hari (as in Krishna) Core? Former Youth of Today
member Ray Cappo would probably answer yes to both questions. Having
just completed a gig as main speaker at a big D.C. Krishna rally, Ray is now
in-studio with his now band Shelter recording a 12" titled "The Perfection
of Desire" for Revelation records. Murphy's Law is also feeling the power,
having lost guitarist Todd Youth to the robed fold. Richie from Underdog
will be filling in until a permanent replacement can be found. The muy
caliente thing in LA these days is El Vez. the "Mexican Elvis Presley," who
performs such hits as "You Ain't Nothin' But a Chihouha" and "That's All
Right, Mamacita" He also does a fine tribute to David Bowie (who was bom
on the same day as the King), a knock-out version of "Aladdin Sane" done
up as "A Lad From Spain." Too cool, with his solid gold sombrero and back-
up senoritas Glaysita and Lisa-Lisa Maria Presleyna... On the more sane
side of Elvismania, Club Lingerie hosted their annual Elvis' Birthday Celebra-
tion to Benefit the Homeless, which
featured Syd Straw doing "Don't,"
Dave Demunds, Rosie Flores, Jim-
my Angles and David Allen, among
others. And not only did John Doe (ex-
X) have all the girls swooning inside
the club, he was kind enough to go out-
side and serenade the people waiting
in line to get in. On the subject of
John Doe: His solo album for Geffen
is being mixed now and will be out this
spring. Also, is starring in an upcom
ing flick A Matter of Degrees (the Lemonheads have a few songs in the sound-
track as well). In further movieland news, eternal hoodoo blues king
Screamin' Jay Hawkins is reported to be a scene stealer in the new Jim
Jarmusch film, Mystery Train. 'Tis the season to be releasin': 1990 will
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Clockwise from Above: How New Kids On The Block got ahead in the music
business. Photo: Kevin J. Thatcher Planet Dread in orbit with Metal Maria
and Harley "Krishna" Cro-Mag. Trevor Rabin just says yes to a solo gig.
Sportina suave crop. Scott lan gruels the Anthrax axe. Low Meato posing
hard and juicy in some of their favorite positions. Photos: Kristin Callahan.
be a busy year for Alternative Tentacles records. New
releases from Jello's mold include a Biafra/No-
MeansNo Ep. a Biafra/DOA Lp. a new Lard Ep and
a collaborative Lp with various AT bands. Expect
a 7" by Even Score (formerly Only the Strong) and
a 12" by Four Walls Falling on new DC. label, Axtion
Packed Four Horsemen, Warzone and Reverend
will all have self-titled slabs on the stands soon.
Unrest's new arrival will be titled Kustom Karnal Black
Xploitation. And speaking of burly album names,
how about Suicidal's latest, Control by Hatred/Feel Like
Shit Deja V
Keep your eyes peeled for the
killer Killing Joke box set entitled The Incomplete Collection, 1980-1985. Every
album in this limited edition dandy has the original cover and a different
color of vinyl-Killing Joke is white. Night Time is clear, What's This For? is
green, Revelation is blue and Fire Dances is red. The Bad Brains rockin'
re-mix of Rock For Light (still produced by Ric Ocasek) will be out soon.
Trevor Rabin (from Yes) embarked on a solo tour recently, in support
of his very Yes sounding solo Lp. So, while there's argument over who really
is Yes, the members are out-playing the band. And here's a nightmare
for you: Imagine a post-show party with all the lovely members of the
Lunachicks and Gwar crammed into two small 'n' sleazy DC motel rooms
on New Year's Eve. Public health officials would not have been amused.
The Lunachicks' latest will be out soon on Blast First. Metal demons
Melijah Rage caught heat recently when they were busted flyering cars in
the parking lot of a New Jersey high school-by the school's principal no
less. Were they cruising chicks or do they just dig detention? In any case,
you can't say they're not hard workin' guys Planet Dread, another Joisey
unit, hasn't found a major market for their unusual avant-garde metal styl-
ings yet, but perhaps the children of the nineties will be demented enough
to love this twisted stuff. Are Big Apple libido farmers Low Meato ap-
proaching cult status? While this wacky trio's live set is said to include tons
of randy props and posturing, they're actually kind, humble guys. So kind,
in fact that CNBC (NBC's cable network) filmed them cooking, cleaning and
doing laundry to illustrate the fact that "underneath a hard, dirty rock band
lies a family" Anthrax is in LA. recording their new album. Word has
it they've been listening to lots of old Discharge tapes as of late-for musical
inspiration or hair care pointers? You decide. The Cramps' latest spooky
spinner, called Stay Sick, should be out on Enigma by the time you read
this Produced by glamour ghoul Ivy Rorscach, this slab is a terminally ill
effort, chock full of crazy, crampy croonerisms. Songs like "Journey to the
Center of a Girl" and "Bop Pills" ought to keep even the most die-hard fans
happy. Supposedly, band members Lux Interior and Poison Ivy signed the
contract for this effort on Bela Lugosi's grave at Holy Cross Cemetary in
Los Angeles on Halloween day. Boo! Metallica has recorded a cover
version of Queen's classic "Stone Cold Crazy" which will be released on
a compilation album through Elektra. It will feature new bands on the label
covering old songs from old label (ElektraAsylum) bands, including Motley
Crue playing a Tommy Bolin track. Pat Dubar quit both Uniform Choice
and Unity. Wah! He headed back to New Jersey to join with members of
M.O.D. and Celtic Frost in a unit called Mindfunk. Ooh! Bay Area's
Violence has switched labels to Megaforce. A new release is cooking.
Discharge has reformed and is releasing a live album recorded in 1984 at
the City Garden in New Jersey. Most other Discharge stuff is being pressed
Speaking of digitally recorded compact discs. Dischord has put
out both Fugazi 12's on disc and will be doing the Minor Threat singles
and 12" as well. Earache has some wall-cracking releases fresh out
to CD
by Napalm Death, Morbid Angel. Godflesh. Bolt Thrower and Carcass
Bringing you the best in death and grindcore. Still on the run and rock-
ing out heavily, Frankie and the Dog Nuts were spotted recently jamming
in the lounge of the Mexico City Hilton. Unconfirmed rumors state that this
gig lead to a private jam session with Cuban demagogue and party animal
Fidel Castro. Remember Mom's Make-Up? Well, those ultra slammin'
glamsters reportedly just signed a licensing deal with Maybelline.
Ketchikan, Alaska krazed krunchers Eskimo Picnic have just released their
third demo calied Stinking World of Humpies that is said to be melting the
polar ice cap. Their long-awaited Lp was again put on hold when their current
label, Fish Pancakes, took a turn for the worse
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