Revisiting the ones that matter #1 with Jimbo MacKellar of everywhere

Some, make that most, probably aren’t aware that there is a Facebook group connected to the blog. Or it would be more accurate to say that there is a group connected to the Facebook page that is connected to this blog.

But this post isn’t about promoting that. It’s about some of the content. Recently some regular posters, and myself, indulged in the nominating each other, to post their “ten favourite albums”, but instead of having them left bereft of comments we wanted something said to accompany them.

It could be anything.

The reason it was a favourite album, a memory associated with it. Literally anything that felt comfortable could be added.

Then from that it was decided that we would share them on here.

First up to feature is Jimbo MacKellar. Ex guitar hero of bands such as Fire Exit and Media Whores, the latter who were nominated for a Mercury Music Award, and who is currently fronting everywhere.

So now that the an explanation and a short introduction has been made, here are the albums that he revisits frequently, and some notes to go with them.

Enjoy

#1. Devo- Duty Now For The Future.

Jimbo - Devo's second album, produced by Ken Scott (The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust). Featuring their trademark polyrhythms, industrial guitars, and synth, this is a slightly more polished set of compositions than their debut.

Res Droogs - More polished as said, and more radio friendly too, but it is unmistakably Devo. There are few like them, and that's a positive. They broke the mould with Devo for sure.
Have New Traditionalists on us to listen to too

#2. David Bowie- Aladdin Sane.

Jimbo - Written during an American tour, this is a tour de force by a road hardened band using a unique palette of rock guitar, jazz piano and avant-garde sax and synth.

Res Droogs - The boss man in our opinion. There's not a month that passes without some Bowie being played in Res Droogs towers, but we didn't go for Aladdin Sane.

Not that we couldn't have. It was there as a contender, but after much deliberation and hand wringing we finally settled on another of his albums.

You will just have to wait and see what one it was.

#3- The Cardigans- Super Extra Gravity. 

Jimbo - An unusual choice, but it's an album that has a great overall production and no weak tracks.

Res Droogs - While being a sort of casual fan of the Cardigans it has to be said that we are not that familiar over all with their back catalogue. 

So, like you readers, this is our introduction to Super Extra Gravity too.

#4. Alice Cooper- School's Out.

Jimbo - This was the first album that I had bought that received adult respect.

I was at school camp and I put this on. My music teacher at the time was very impressed by the homage to Dave Brubeck that is Blue Turk. He told me later that he bought the album subsequently.

This is another album with a unique sound.

Res Droogs - A classic. No matter how you want to frame it. Like it, or loathe it, you can't ignore it. 

#5. Funkadelic- One Nation Under A Groove.

Jimbo - This album always brought a smile to my face. I used to love it when my pals rolled their eyes and said "I don't like disco music"...

Res Droogs - It's always funny when the years roll past and an album that you were belittled for having a connection with becomes one of those that features on "must have" lists in pretty much every magazine, and then gets cited as being a huge influence on so many artists.

Warms the cockles of the heart to be right.

#6. Eno- Here Come The Warm Jets.

Jimbo - A very important one for me. It introduced me to another galaxy where music wasn't polished, or tidy or self-reverential.

It's also a hell of a lot of fun.

Res Droogs - And again no complaints here. We know that for a certain age group Eno is someone that we are all well aware of , but for some of the younger whippersnappers who haven't delved far enough back to cover this then we recommend that you do.

#7. John Lennon- Plastic Ono Band.

Jimbo - Lennon's first conventional post Beatle album is fascinating as he applies his melodic genius to rock music. With the help of Ringo and Klaus Voorman he knocks Spector's wall of sound down and replaces it with something a little more exposed. Lyrically he exorcises a few demons from his childhood and career.

Res Droogs - If it only featured Mother it would be enough, but Working Class hero, God. We are spoiled for choice here.

#8. T-Rex- Electric Warrior.

Jimbo - The album that kicked off Glam Rock is actually a sassy, funky concoction of runic lyrics and hip cultural references. This is a great production job by Tony Visconti that uses his trademark pallette of backwards sounds and unusual instrumentation.

Res Droogs - We will not hear a band word about Marc Bolan around these here parts. Love love love a bit of Bolan Boogie.

Wrap yer ears around this.

#9. Sparks- Indiscreet.

Jimbo - A truly unique band, Sparks were simultaneously unmistakable in their core style, yet totally chameleonic in their genre hopping ability.

This collaboration with Tony Visconti crosses styles, decades, takes you from the 20s to the future in a series of witty short stories with tight arrangements and zero fucks given. 

There is no single track that sums up this LP, you just have to listen to it all. 

Res Droogs - We've been on a bit of a Sparks kick just recently. Mainly in prep for going to see them for the first time. We can't wait.

#10. XTC- Skylarking.

Jimbo - Ending this list on a high note. Andy Partridge's vision for "lost 60s classic", realised in the Dukes Of Stratosphear project, bore fruit for XTC in this sumptuous album.
The whole band rises to the challenge here, bringing subtlety and power by turns to Todd Rundgren's authentic production. This is a rare gem, and one to keep in rotation.


Res Droogs - One to revisit and re-acquaint ourselves with.

New video from Eureka Machines - Misery

First single from "Victories" the fifth album from Eureka Machines.
Four down and no weak links on show, no cracks. Just killing it release after release.
Wrap your ears around their back catalogue on Spotify and then head over to their website and buy the physical copies.
That's not a suggestion. It's an order. Everyone need the Eureka Machines in their life.

Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors - The Main Grains (Stereo - Glasgow 18/03/18)

Last year it was The Main Grains with the Drama Club Rejects that rolled into town. Between them they tattooed an indelible memory in my head.

And now on this outing they are back to open for another band that similarly impressed when I seen them on the Edinburgh date of their Heavy Heart tour in 2017. They would be the mighty Ryan Hamilton and his Traitors.

It was a cold day in Glasgow, but these two acts could easily heat up a cold day in hell on a solo jaunt, so we gleefully went in with high expectations for the show they were doing together, and we were not disappointed.

The Main Grains.

The Main Grains are heavily tapping into something that gets the primal blood pumping hot and fast through the veins.
It's difficult to put your finger on what it is though. When you break things down you might find yourself with all the parts, but in the process lose sight of why it all works so well.
The best bands, or the best in my opinion, all had this sum of its parts element. The Ramones, The Cramps, The Damned, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Motorhead, The Stooges etcetera.
You don't look too closely at it what's going on with them. Instead you simply stand back and let yourself be swept away with what they can do.
Thrashing drums, guitars chugging, or howling away, the bass underpinning it all. They are all creators of an aural drug that is highly addictive. And now so are The Main Grains.

Guitar rock and roll crack anybody?

What do we want to call it though? Good time rock and roll?
Is that enough?
I suppose it will have to do. It falls short, underplays the power, the passion, but what else fits?
They can certainly offer the soundtrack for a party. Not a cheese and wine gathering. The sort of party where casual nudity and vomiting in the bathtub will probably feature, or in short the best sort of parties that we all remember from misspent youth years.
It’s not a stretch to say that as a whole the band have positioned themselves to be ready to accept the baton from legends such as The Ramones, Stiff Little Fingers, and such and run with it.

Not a bad place to be really.
This is the third Main Grains show I've attended, and the best. They aren't content with getting incrementally better. They want to, need to, make the huge leaps, and they are doing just that with style.
My only concern is that with a tour of the UK and Australia coming up for Danny with The Wildhearts that it will possibly slow the momentum that the Main Grains are garnering, but apparently there are plans afoot to ensure that we don't forget about them.
I'm looking forward to these plans being revealed.

Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors.

Last year Ryan Hamilton rocketed to the top of my "new favourite artist" list, and then stayed there.
Late to the party I might have been, but damn I'm enjoying playing catch up.
From his solo releases, to that with The Traitors, to his recent country collaboration with Tony Wright of Terrorvision, I don't think there's been one misstep made.
In fact I'd go as far as to say that I've yet to hear one song from him that I would consider falls below a quality bar that he has set very high for himself.
How many artists could you say that about? Not one weak song!
Even his podcast "Lost the plotcast" is in my opinion essential listening.
You just have to get on board with everything he is doing.

On stage is where everything Ryan does makes complete sense though.
He, and his band, are born to perform. The live environment is where it's at.
There's something familial about the experience. We are all in it together from the first note to the last, and that's a good feeling to spread about.
It's the sort of foundation that great things can be built on. You could imagine him a few years down the line playing a larger venue and reminiscing about playing club venues in Glasgow, and pretty much everyone who was there in Stereo would be standing front and centre and reliving the memory with him.
Like the Marines, Ryan probably isn't going to leave anyone behind.
There's something special about that, but I guess you had to be there to understand what I’m trying to convey.

Thankfully the upside is that you can be the next time he is in town.

It's not an exclusive party. Everyone is invited. So if you like your rock with a country twang, like your power pop bands too, then Ryan has his pen in hand and will tick all those boxes for you.

Highlight of the set wasn’t actually one of his songs, but a cover of Tom Petty that ended the night on a high. Similar to what was said about the Main Grains being positioned to take ownership of a baton Ryan is equally standing there with his hand out and ready to run too.

If you want to get in early and be able to crow about seeing these guys in clubs before everyone else picks up on them then now is the time.

Previous interviews with The Main Grains and Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors.
Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors.
The Main Grains. 

Crimedesk - Louder…..Faster

What is it with the old guard relentlessly releasing albums that would shame the wannabe punk stars of today?

For a genre that lays so much stock in short sharp burst of teenage rebellion it seems to me that in the last year or two it is the veterans of the scene that are using their life experiences, and the influences they have garnered through the years, to create music that is far more passionate and relevant that anything that they have done that precedes it.

That’s not to say that previous endeavours were lacking in anything, but that they all seem to have reached a point of maturity where the musicianship, song writing and live performances, are peaking.

That’s certainly what it sounds like when you slip the latest from Crimedesk into the stereo.

Like many of their punk peers in Scotland they are growing old disgracefully on the surface, but underneath the nihilistic veneer are showing themselves to be able to write and release nuanced songs that don’t lack in any artistry.

Yeah okay. They do feature a song about a Manky Hoor, but it is very clearly tongue in cheek and designed to raise a chuckle rather than any offence.

It’s possibly time for another Scottish punk compilation to be released. Maybe over-time.

If someone does do one then Crimedesk must surely have earned a spot on it.  

Facebook  -  Gigs

Reservoir Droogs in conversation with Ryan Hamilton

It gives us the distinct pleasure to feature Ryan and the Traitors (Again). Without gilding the lily we can hand on heart can say that he is one of our favourite artists.
One who jumped to the toppermost of the poppermost for us on hearing him midway through 2017. Embarrassingly so, we are a tad evangelical in spreading the word. Give us the slightest encouragement and we will drop his name into pretty much any music conversation we have.
If you haven't heard Ryan Hamilton & the Traitors, or any of his collaborations and solo work, then do something about that now. You will not be sorry.


It's not long until your UK dates with The Main Grains. Does it feel good to be getting back on the road? 

Ryan - Yeah it does! We've worked REALLY hard to gain our reputation as a great live band. It's important to me, and I LOVE playing shows and being on the road

We often hear that there's a different vibe to how audiences react depending on what country it is. How does the UK feel in comparisons to others? And do you feel there's even a difference across the UK too? 

People in the UK sing along louder, drink more... and just seem to have a better time! Haha. Seriously though. There's this extra cheerful, extra fun, extra "ohmygod we're at a concert!" thing that happens in the UK. I love it. The only difference is, some cities in the UK go even crazier than others. But it is ALWAYS a good time on tour in the UK. 

I love America, but it's way more chilled out to tour over here. 

You could be described as the new breed of artist. One who has taken the independence angle to heart. It's not that this is in itself a unique approach, but you self release, tour book, promote yourself, and in short cover as many of the bases as you possibly can that would have previously been the responsibility of a label/management team.

Tell us about the pros from your perspective, and the cons of working like this?

I could spend an hour talking about the cons of working with labels and managers... but I'll save you that hour. Haha. In today's world, we have the freedom, and the tools, to do what we want. Sky's the limit! You're really only limited by your work ethic and your imagination!... and money. That's the one place where the big, bad, major labels stay ahead of us independents. 

They have lots and lots of money to spend. 

People don't realize that all the radio play, all the magazine interviews and ads... it's all PAID FOR. So much money is spent on acts like Ed Sheeran etc... it's nearly impossible to compete. Somebody like that also has a huge team of people to pay, and take care of. They also have a long list of people to answer to and obey. It may sound crazy, but I prefer being a medium sized successful independent artist. I'm in it for the music. Not the money. 

Are you one of those people who believe that you make your own luck? From the outside some may consider that you are in an enviable position just now, but might not appreciate that you have committed so much time and effort to get this far. So what is considered luck is really a relentless drive to create, and get what you create out there. Is that possibly under appreciated?

This is what I believe. I believe you have to work as hard as you have to... relentlessly. You can absolutely get there with a talent, and A LOT of hard work... and any "luck" that happens is an added bonus. I will say though; it's usually some random, "lucky", out of nowhere thing that results in the extra big breaks. 

As we are now onto talking about the perception of luck do you want to let us in on how the album with Tony Wright came about? Pull back the curtain. Obviously it wasn't just luck.

I don't know if I would call it luck, but it was super coincidental. We were both working with super talented producer & friend, Dave Draper. Tony with Terrorvison and me with the Traitors. Really just through the buzz we have going on in the UK, and a couple of conversations with Dave, Tony decided to check us out. Before I knew it, we had emailed back and forth a few times, and were recording a song together. It's strange, actually. I can't remember exactly how we got from there to here. But I'm really glad we did. Love that dude. Got a feeling we're gonna be friends for a very long time. We made an amazing album together, too. 

Pretty much as an aside I've got to say that your cover of Wild Horses blew me away. Similar to how Johnny Cash took Hurt away from Trent Reznor I'd say the Stones should just accept it belongs to you now. That being said, what's the track on the album that you are most proud of?

Haha. Awww, man... that's very high praise. Thank you very much. I think the track I'm most proud of is Whiskey River. We tacked that tune differently than anyone ever has. It's so simple... but so pure. I love the whole vibe of that tune. 

Will there be any live dates to promote the album? 

There will, indeed. In June. That's all I can say, for now. 

Jumping away from the Grand Ol' Otley to go back to your Traitors material I had noticed that you had an offer from a label and decided to keep going as it is just now. Personally I would say you made the right decision, but what would they have to offer for you to be interested in signing on the dotted line?

Yeah, it's been tough. We started getting some interest from "industry" types... and labels. I was excited at first, but it left a really bad taste in my mouth. If we ever partner with a label, I want to do exactly that, PARTNER. I don't wanna talk too much shit about the label folks. Because I know how lucky we are to even be in a position where people like that are paying attention. So, I'll just say this: Currently, we wouldn't change a thing. We are in control of our own destiny, and things couldn't be going any better :-) 

You've been honest on your podcast about being burnt before, and expressed a less than enthusiastic opinion on the music business in general. Have you got a once bitten, twice shy, attitude about that old style of approach to artists by labels and such?

Yeah I do! Haha. Again, as much as I'd like to, I don't wanna talk too much shit about labels or past experiences. I have definitely learned better. There's no way I would have rejected an offer 10 years ago. Very happy to be in a place now where I know when I'm getting screwed or manipulated. I try not to be jaded. But I'm a product of my own experience. 

And to tie that in with your equally honest revelations about your own mental health do you think the business side the mainstream labels promote are mentally unhealthy and just add an unjustifiable mental strain on artists?

100%. Can't tell you how many friends I've seen get pushed to their limits. It is SO unhealthy. Especially when you suffer from real Mental Health issues. It's an issue that is clearly very important to me. There's so much more that can be done to educate people on the issue. I will always do my part to do just that. That goes for the folks in this business of music too. Sometimes the most creative people suffer the most. 

On a lighter subject I heard you mention how you lived in a tiny home for a period. I love the whole idea of them, but I would need two. One for my record collection. What attracted you to living in one, and was it a positive experience?

Haha. I hear THAT! Holly (my wife) and I, our decision was primarily financially driven. We built our Tiny House on the base of an old travel trailer and lived in it for just over a year. I was essentially starting over in the music business, and need to find a way to survive financially WITHOUT going back and getting a "real job". I worked my ass off for the 8-10 months it took to build it. You learn A LOT living so minimally. Parts of it I loved, parts of it I really loathed. I am forever grateful though that Holly and I have that experience together. We now own about an acre of land, and have a new house we lovingly refer to as "The Medium House". The Tiny House has been converted into a studio... and sits just behind the new house. 

Back to the music now. You often speak about the authentic rock and rollers, and I think I recall you saying that you don't consider that they exist now. Or can't exist.

Now I'm happy for you to say I have got that wrong, but do you really think we won't see a Keith Richards, or the likes, again?

I'd say I know a few authentic rockers who just don't have a band, or any artistic talent, but they do tick the rest of the boxes. Swashbuckling heroes of the gutter. Even if that's only at the weekends. ;)

Isn't it maybe just a matter of the times, and not a paucity of rebel rousers?

You know, I wonder about that all the time. Are the last of the real rock n rollers gonna die and go away forever? It appears to be so. But, I'd be super happy to get proven wrong. For now though, it appears I am correct.

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OUT NOW - TRAITORS CLUB YEAR 1

Reservoir Droog, and you, interview Danny McCormack

Danny McCormack is without a shadow of a doubt a rock and roll warrior.

When you read about the lives of rock stars you can be assured that Danny has matched every high and low that you could care to mention.

Member of The Wildhearts, forming and fronting The Yo-Yos, a stint with Dogs D’Amour, currently forging forward with his band The Main Grains, and now in tandem with them he is back full circle to playing bass with The Wildhearts again.

He been here, there, and everywhere, and brought back the t-shirts to prove it.

So here we are in the calm before the storm that will be the Main Grains tour with Ryan Hamilton & TheTraitors, and his bass slinging with The Wildhearts on their Britrock Must Be Destroyed tour, and it gives us great pleasure to be able to bring you a fan based interview with the man himself.

It only leaves us to say thank you to Danny for being so gracious with his time, and thank you to everyone who participated by providing questions.

You’re all going to be stars in Japan.

And now jump in, and enjoy.

Reservoir Droogs - Hi Danny. As mentioned you have a busy schedule with the Main Grains tour with Ryan Hamilton & the Traitors leading into the Britrock Must Be Destroyed dates coming up. Jump back a few years and tell me, did you imagine that things would come full circle as they have and you would be back to gigging like this?

Danny - I didn’t know it would come full circle, but I’m sure glad it did. I’m enjoying music again and am getting a full on buzz about it all.

I took a long time out as I was suffering with being bipolar and I wasn’t on the right medication, but once I was diagnosed it was great that my illness had a name. I just thought I was nuts.

Res Droogs - As you mentioned your bipolar diagnosis, in hindsight to you think your drug use was an unconscious attempt to self medicate?

Danny - It was all about self medicating. When I was really low I took uppers and when I was too high it was downers. I just wish I had been diagnosed earlier and it would have saved a lot of total disparity. I was in a very bad place and it’s took its toll.

Jen Lambie (PowderKeg) - Hey Danny, is there anyone in the music industry that you'd love to work with one day that you haven't had the chance to yet?

Danny - There’s a band I’ve just got into called Cyanide Pills. I’d love to do something with them one day.

Reservoir Droogs - Cyanide Pills, Main Grains, Idol Dead, PowderKeg and Drama Club Rejects gig in Glasgow. Let's do it. 

Jen - OH YES PLEASE!

Danny - Have you heard of them Jen? If not check out the “Still Bored” album on YouTube. It’s killer.

Jen - I shall!

Pete Montador -  Will the Main Grains be playing any new material on the upcoming Ryan Hamilton tour?

Danny - Yeah if I can remember the words haha. We’ve got a new belter called “Unsung Heroes” in the set.

Jim McKellan - Is there any chance of engineering a Wildhearts/3 Colours Red supergroup? It'd be a beautiful noise. Just imagine I Wanna Go (With a Sixty Mile Smile)

Danny - I don’t think 3 Colours Red will do anything else. Especially after Keith dying.

Ray Townsend Jr - We know you love punk and rock n roll but who are your favourite metal bands if any?

Danny - AC/DC I think are great. A bit of Led Zeppelin too.

Ray - What about Manowar ha ha.

Danny - Er. No buddy.

Iain Smith - Do you have a favourite song or album from The Wildhearts that you didn't play on......and one's that you did play on?

Danny -  I love headfuck. Anything from earth vrs. Also the b sides. Mindslide especially.

Alan Greig - I love Mindslide. One of my favourite Wildhearts songs.

Colin Grainger - What's the best thing about being Danny McCormack?

Danny - The best thing about being me is my sense of humour.

Darren Quinn - Regrets...We've all had a few...What, if any, are your major regrets Danny?

Danny -  No major regrets. Life’s too short. Maybe my getting very heavily into drugs! I put it down to experience though and just get in with it.

Alan Greig - Danny, everyone has a guilty pleasure album that folks snigger at when you tell them. Mine is Abba's Super Trouper. What's your guilty pleasure album?

Danny -  ABBA. Good one. I’ve got no records in my collection that I’m ashamed of.

Adam Brearley - I've always loved, and still listen to Uppers and Downers. For me, it's as perfect an album as people say Appetite For Destruction is, and indeed, Earth Vs.

Is it album you're proud of? Also I'm thinking of having Sunshine Girl played at my wedding this year, good call?

Danny - That’s a great call mate. I’m so so proud of Uppers and Downers. Just a shame it didn’t make me rich haha. I still play it from time to time and I still love that record.

Colin Grainger - Uppers and Downers is the ultimate feelgood album. Which album do you go to if you need a bit of cheering up?

Danny - I go for “dig that groove baby” by the toy dolls. It’s a great way of picking yourself up.

William H Havers - Do you have a favourite tour story? I know you’ve had some long nights and long days. Also, Upper and Downers is one of my favourite records of all time.

Danny - My favourite tour story cannot be printed haha. Arrests would be made hahahaha. Normally drug fuelled madness.

I’m glad you like the Yo-Yos album mate.

Martin McCann - What’s your best, and worst gigs that you’ve played?

Danny - One of the best gigs was supporting the Sex Pistols in 96. The worst gigs are when I’m ill. Mental illness is real.

Roy Townsend Jr - Do you have hobbies and interests outside of music Danny? If so what? Do you like to collect anything?

Danny - It’s all about music and the dog for me. I’m a boring cunt.

Ben Wright - It’s great to see you back playing music again. And cheers for offering to answer a few questions from your fans. It’s also great that you and Ginger are on good terms again. How did it come to you guys burying the hatchet? Who broke the ice first? And what and where was that first face to face meeting like?

Danny - We made up at Camden Rocks and he asked for me to do his birthday bash and some Wildhearts support shows with the Main Grains. It was great seeing him again to be honest.

Tour Dates

Extra thanks and shout out to Pete Montador for manning the ship in choppy waters. yer a star.

Buzzbomb - Sixty Miles of Bad Road

Drop the bomb Trump. C’mon you deranged orange shit gibbon. I fuckin’ dare you. 

Once the dust settles we will just come out and party in the rubble to Buzzbomb. These guys are punk rock survivors who are more than able to provide the soundtrack to a brave new post apocalyptic world.

So on you go and throw whatever you want at them. 

They will just keep coming back for more and that’s a promise and a fact rolled into one.

You just can’t keep them down.

Over the years they have outlived many of their heroes and peers, they have hung around as venues arrived with a bang and vanished with a whimper, and now here we are in the present and I would wager hard earned cash on them turning up battered and bruised as the house band for a post end of day’s party.

They are the sort of punk rock hooligans that are referred to as the real deal, and with Sixty Miles of Bad Road they have managed to take all those years of paying their dues and distilled it all down into a blast of modern sounding street punk par excellence .

It’s all killer and it shoves your filler where the sun doesn’t shine. There’s no slacking as the foot remains pressed hard down on the accelerator from start to finish. 

This is ultimately a refreshing release because it has no faux pretence to be anything other than a celebration of punk and roll in all its wide and varied forms. From the Clash to Social Destruction, to The Ramones to Dead Kennedys, from old school thrashing to pop punk melodies, the influences keep being signposted as we fly past them at a dangerously reckless speed.

It’s an exhilarating experience when you strap yourself in to listen to this one, and it sounds as if every gig that they have played, and every release that they have unleashed on the public, was simply building up to this moment.

It’s the climax of years of putting blood, sweat, and tears, into playing in a band. 

Not bad really. Not bad at all.