Detroit Punk - Friday Night!

And lest we be accused of being NY-centric, here's short notice of a great looking event happening in Detroit tomorrow evening (Friday 30th).

Celebrating three recent books that look at the Detroit scene and including readings, live music, and a photography exhibit, Detroit Punk Fest is curated by Carey Loren and takes place at Book Beat in Oak Park.

The books in question are:

Touch and Go: The Complete Hardcore Punk Scene, 79-83

Punk Rock Saved My Ass

and our very own

Cultural Dictionary of Punk, 1974-82, by Nick Rombes


The Detroit Free Press has a nice piece about the event, which you can read here.

Big Star Tribute this weekend in NYC

Well, in Queens, to be precise...

Joe Bonomo, author of the 33 1/3 on AC/DC's Highway to Hell forwarded this on to me. He has an essay in the program, and there will be a reading from Bruce Eaton's excellent 33 1/3 on Radio City. Plus a preview of the Big Star documentary mentioned a few posts down on this blog.

ALEX CHILTON/BIG STAR/BOXTOPS Festival

An incredible day of music, food, reading, screenings and a concert celebrating the incredible talent of Alex Chilton whose legacy gave us The Boxtops [famous at 16!], Big Star and of course incomparable solo work as well as amazing productions for The Cramps.

Featuring Steve Wynn Vocals/Gtr [Dream Syndicate, Miracle 3], Jim Sculvanos Drms [Nick Cave,Sonic Youth, Cramps], Adam Falcon,Ryan Mil...ligan, Radio 4, Alice Texas, Musical Director Anthony Rizzo [Vic Thrill, Little Embers].

Kevin Hudson - drums, Michael Rafalowich-bass, Arthur Schupback-guitar

Many other Special Guests to be announced

With an exclusive screening of a preview 'Nothing Can Hurt Me' a Big Star documentary from Brooklyn Film Makers Drew DeNicola and Danielle McCarthy & Drew DeNicola. Plus rare Box Tops, Alex and Big Star clips.

Readings from Radio City [33/1/3Continuum Books] by Bruce Eaton, The Big Star Story [Rob Jovanovic]. Award winning Record Producer Richard Mazda [Fleshtones/Nick Cave/Wall of Voodoo/Fall] will host and read

Special free memento program with exclusive essays from Joe Bonomo [The Jerry Lewis Story/Sweat] Linday Hutton [Next Big Thing/Cramps Fan Club Founder]

Food provided by Manducatis Rustica and featuring the Secret BBQ Grille.
Sponsored by Gibson Guitars and Manducatis Rustica

TICKETS $20 AVAILABLE ONLINE WWW.SECRETTHEATRE.COM OR CALL THE BOX OFFICE 718 392 0722
There's also a facebook page for the event.

Amsterdam Book Launch

June 25th saw the launch of Sytze Steenstra's stellar study of the work of David Byrne - Song and Circumstance.

It took place in Amsterdam's finest music venue, Paradiso - here are a couple of photos of Sytze in action...