Author Archives: Tim

I’ve known David Godlis’ photographs longer than I’ve known him. If you’ve read any number of books or New York Times articles about CBGB and related subjects, chances are you know his work as well. I finally befriended him 6 or 7 years ago during one of my frequent periods of unemployment. He needed some help scanning proofsheets, and I was able and willing. Listening to a mix of Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, and Howard Stern broadcasts, we got to know each other pretty well.

The one surprising thing I found out was that he had never had a book published. “I’m working on something…” “I’m talking to some publishers…” “I may do a Kickstarter campaign…” These were the various things he said keeping things somewhat close to the vest. Well, he’s finally launched his Kickstarter campaign, and the response has been astounding. He met his initial goal of $30,000 within five days! Of course, if you’re interested in a limited edition copy of the man’s timeless work, you should still donate.

Godlis was generous enough to spend a few minutes talking about the CBGB days with us.

What did you shoot prior to discovering CBGB, and how did you discover the club?

Prior to arriving in New York City in 1976, I was a “street photographer,” trying to shoot like Diane Arbus, Robert Frank, Garry Winogrand, and Lee Friedlander all rolled into one.

When I moved here from Boston and found some work, I began looking for a club or bar to hang out in that had music or a good jukebox. I guess all paths were leading to CBGB’s after I spied an issue of Punk magazine and saw the back of the Village Voice with those adverts for bands with odd interesting names – Blondie, Television, Ramones, Suicide. I had also seen a photo in Boston of Patti Smith and Bob Dylan in the summer of 1975. So, down to the Bowery I went and the rest is history.

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With just a few days left for the Dust & Grooves Kickstarter campaign, we wanted to give you the heads up about it just in case you missed it the first time around. And yes, they’ve reached their goal however, like all Kickstarter campaigns, projects always benefit from a surplus of funds. So if you haven’t checked it out yet, please do. As stated a few weeks ago, the work is quite worthy of support!

Previously: In case you’ve never taken the time to check out photographer Eilon Paz’s vinyl obsessed website, Dust & Grooves, now would be a good time.

For the past few years Paz has been documenting vinyl collectors around the US and beyond, and the results are quite stunning.

And now Dust & Grooves is looking to self-publish a photo book further documenting collectors who have been shot by Paz, as well as folks who he’ll meet on a cross-country jaunt to gather new material later this summer. Check out the video and you’ll see the scope of the entire project—you’ll be impressed!

As if quickly taking the lead in my Album Cover of The Year wasn’t enough, The Hives have announced a North American tour that kicks off June 19 in Washington, DC which follows the release of their new (and excellent!) album, Lex Hives, on June 5. More dates will follow this fall. Tickets will go on sale to the general public, Friday, April 27 at 10:00am EDT via Ticketmaster.

The band recently visited the Jimmy Kimmel Show performing their current single, “Go Right Ahead”:

The band made a return to the live stage with two explosive Coachella performances, which were widely regarded as a festival highlight. During the first weekend, Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist enticed the crowd of thousands to sit down during their last song, then rise back up en masse. However on the second weekend, he upped the ante by getting the entire crowd to lie down!

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Originally released in a five minute version on 1985’s Low Life, New Order have released a nearly 18 minute vinyl version of “Elegia,” a tribute to Ian Curtis previously only available in a 2002 boxset, and a 2008 expanded CD issue of Low Life.

Latin for elegy, “Elegia” is certainly regal and elegiac. The b-sides (as they used to be called) are a John Peel session version of Power, Corruption, & Lies track “5-8-6”, as well as another track dedicated to Curtis, “Him” from Movement.

Fantastic. Buy it here.

With the recently announced full list of special releases for Record Store Day, it difficult for a label to separate themselves from the pack. One way to do it is is to follow Tompkins Square‘s example – release some 78 r.p.m. discs! Luckily I have a record player that can play at 78 so this will not be an issue for me.

San Francisco-based record label Tompkins Square announces the first in a series of releases in the 78 rpm 10″ vinyl format.

The first two will feature previously unreleased recordings from Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), and Ralph Stanley. Both 78’s will be released as a limited edition of 500 copies on Record Store Day, April 21, 2012.

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Calling all collectors—get out your cameras and show the world what you’re hiding in those shelves! Check this out from our friends at Dust & Grooves and Flea Market Funk! I’m in!

Wax On Film: A Vinyl Photo Contest is an opportunity for vinyl collectors of all walks of life to showcase their true love for vinyl. It’s put together by Jamison Harvey of Flea Market Funk and Eilon Paz, of the acclaimed vinyl documentary photo site Dust & Grooves.

The mission of this photo contest is to help preserve vinyl heritage, as well as the artists that make it, just as our contestants do with their collections.

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With the recent announcement of some US dates and some catalog replenishment over the last year or so, the Jesus & Mary Chain are a busy lot. This includes a brand new coffee table book by Andrew Catlin and Jim and Julie Reid.

Have a look at the entire thing above, or preview and order here. The price is $46.58.

Envoy Enterprises, NP Contemporary Art, and Mute pay tribute to Frank Tovey / Fad Gadget with a three-part project series in homage to Frank Tovey – founder of the 1970s/1980s British electronic group Fad Gadget, marking the 10 year anniversary of the pioneer’s death.

Summoning a diverse group of artists and musicians who have been both directly and indirectly influenced by Tovey, the series will take place from March 1st through to April 8th, 2012 featuring a group exhibition, live music performances, and a film screening. All events are free and open to the public.

FGFt was inspired in 2010 by the film Fad Gadget by Frank Tovey, a documentary produced by the Frank Tovey Estate and Mute, and directed by Morgan Tovey Frost. The documentary incited the possibility of paying tribute to a pioneer of the underground and post-punk music scenes who incorporated innovative electronic textures, Kafka-esque lyrics, and elaborately visceral performances.

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The Museum of Modern Art presents its first time-based artist retrospective with Kraftwerk–Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8, performed live on eight consecutive evenings from April 10 through 17, by Kraftwerk, the avant-garde electronic music pioneers.

Each evening will consist of a live performance, in the Museum’s Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium, of works from one of the group’s eight albums, created over four decades, followed by a selection of original compositions from their catalogue adapted specifically for this exhibition’s format to showcase both Kraftwerk’s historical contributions and contemporary influences on sound and image culture.

Kraftwerk–Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 is organized by Klaus Biesenbach, Chief Curator at Large at MoMA and Director of MoMA PS1, with the assistance of Eliza Ryan, Curatorial Assistant, MoMA PS1.

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Check out this teaser for the upcoming (fifth, I think) album from Justin Townes Earle which sounds very promising indeed. His last one, Harlem River Blues, was one of my favorite albums last year—it was released officially in 2010, but who’s counting?—and it sounds as if this one picks right up where that one left off. The kid’s got style.

The release date for Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now is March 27 on Bloodshot Records, but you can go to his website and grab a free MP3 of the title track in exchange for an email address.

Following up from the excellent “Show Me The Place,” shared back in November, Leonard Cohen has made another new track from his forthcoming album available. “Darkness” is yet another reason why I can’t wait to hear this album.

After 15-20 years in a haze of synthesized production sounds (not exactly lost), he’s returned to a more natural sound. Maybe that’s one of the reasons he’s called the new album Old Ideas? Thank goodness!