John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Hooker & The Hogs (May and June of 1965) 2003 | Urbanaspirines

John Lee Hooker With The Groundhogs – Hooker & The Hogs 

(May and June of 1965) 2003

an exceptional not to say uniquely weird blues marriage of the Master with a journeyman Brit Blues Band . . . . . legendary historic item from Kostas at URBANASPIRINES Brits went banging on about his grouping for years after ‘65

 

A KOSTAS SPECIAL re-issue

Kostas says: 

JOHN LEE HOOKER

American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Born: August 22, 1912 in Tutwiler, Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, USA.
Died: June 21, 2001 in Los Altos, California, USA. 

THE GROUNDHOGS

Groundhogs were an English blues and progressive rock band founded in late 1963. They touredextensively in the 1960s, achieved prominence in the early 1970s, and continued sporadically into the 21st century. 

McPhee and the Groundhogs' most important musical legacy, this 1965 set of Hooker and the Hogs has an unusual history. Tony McPhee and the Groundhogs first played with John Lee Hooker in June of 1964, when John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers were unable to fulfill a commitment to back Hooker on the final week of his British tour. 

                  

Rainy Day: Rainy Day 1984 (Susannah Hoffs et al) | URBANASPIRINES

Rainy Day: Rainy Day 1984

Kostas says:

Rainy Day was an all-star Paisley Underground band composed of members from other Paisley Underground bands, including Dream Syndicate, The Three O'Clock, Rain Parade and The Bangles. They began collaborating after meeting at a barbecue hosted by members of Green on Red. Rainy Day recorded and released their eponymous compilation album in 1984. It pays tribute to the various psychedelic and folk rock acts, and included covers of songs by Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, Big Star, The Velvet Underground, The Who and Jimi Hendrix. Rainy Day was an album released in 1984 on the now-defunct indie label Enigma so, this album is very difficult to find. It consisted of cover songs performed by various musicians from California's so-called "Paisley Underground" scene. This loose collective was assembled by David Roback, who was then a member of Rain Parade and later of Opal and Mazzy Star. 

BAND MEMBERS

Karl Precoda - Guitar
Kendra Smith - Vocals
Dennis Duck - Drums
Michael Quercio - Vocals, Bass, Percussion
Louis Gutierrez (a.k.a. Gregg Gutierrez)
David Roback - Percussion, Guitar, Bass
Matt Piucci
Eddie Kalwa
Will Glenn - Violin 
Susanna Hoffs - Vocals, Guitar 
Ethan James - Guitar, Bass, Tambourine, Keyboards 
Matthew Piucci - 12-String Acoustic Guitar [Acoustic 12-string]

 

read on here . . . .

 

From the 1984 album on Serpent Records, RAINY DAY. Susanna Hoffs (vocal), David Roback (guitar, tambourine, producer), Will Glenn (violin), Michael Quercio (bass); video footage from the 1961 Guy DeBord film, CRITIQUE OF SEPARATION. 

Rainy Day - "John Riley”

Guitar [Acoustic 12-string] -- Matthew Piucci* Guitar, Vocals -- David Roback Drums -- Dennis Duck Vocals, Bass -- Michael Quercio Violin, Vocals -- Will Glenn

Various: The Indie Scene 1982 + The Indie Scene 1983 + The Indie Scene 1984 The Story Of British Independent Music | Urban Aspirines

 Various: The Indie Scene 1982 + The Indie Scene 1983 + The Indie Scene 1984 The Story Of British Independent Music

Another Kostas Special

Another spectacular review of Brit Indie music from Aztec Camera (sic) to The Higson’s [comedian Charlie ‘Fast Show’ Higson), The Marine Girls (Tracy Thorn), 

New Order

 01. VARIOUS - THE INDIE SCENE 1982 - THE STORY OF THE BRITISH INDEPENDENT MUSIC

Yazoo - Alf and Vince (Clarke)

02. VARIOUS - THE INDIE SCENE 1983 - THE STORY OF THE BRITISH INDEPENDENT MUSIC

From Ben Watt to The Birthday Party, Depeche Mode to New Order, The Fall to Shriekback

03. VARIOUS - THE INDIE SCENE 1984 - THE STORY OF THE BRITISH INDEPENDENT MUSIC 

Nick Cave

Vol III From The Main They Couldn’t Hang to  Frank Chickens, New Model Army to A Certain Ratio

NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL MUSIC!

Alison Moyet - Only you (Live For Burberry) live with Symphonic Orchestra

New Order - Temptation (Live at Alexandra Palace, 2018)

Frank Chickens - We Are Ninja (Norwegian TV 1985)

The Birthday Party - Sonny’s Burning (Peel Sessions Nov 82)

IN THE GHETTO (live) - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 1992 The Paradiso Amsterdam

Roddy Frame: The North Star 1998 + Surf 2002 | URBANASPIRINES (A Kostas personal dedication!)

 

 

Roddy Frame: The North Star 1998 + Surf 2002

Roddy Frame - Small World (for Kostas)

Wow a dedication from my friend Kostas over at URBANASPIRINES and on one of my favourite singer songwriters! Kostas tells us:

"Roddy Frame (born 29 January 1964) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and musician. He was the founder of the 1980s new wave band Aztec Camera and has undertaken a solo career since the group's dissolution. In November 2013, journalist Brian Donaldson described Frame as: "Aztec Camera wunderkind-turned-elder statesman of intelligent, melodic, wistful Scotpop." Since the end of the Aztec Camera project, Frame has released four solo albums, the last of which is 2014's Seven Dials. Best known as the leader of Scottish pop group Aztec Camera, Roddy Frame burst onto the U.K. pop scene as a songwriting wunderkind who became a critical favorite while still in his teens. If the stardom expected of him never quite stuck, Frame has earned a reputation as a gifted, literate tunesmith who has enjoyed a long-running and uncompromising career."

Surf features regularly in my top Ten, Twenty and always Thirty albums of all time.

I am so touched and please read on here . . . . . . .  Roddy Frame at Urbanaspirines

If you don’t have these two download them now you will not regret it I promise!

Roddy Frame - White Pony in 1080p (Live on The Review Show)

Roddy performed this song and 'Oblivious' on BBC's The Review Show on 10th Nov 2013 to promote his album 'Seven Dials'. This was his first TV appearance in 14 years.

There’s some Uppity Blues Women over at the URBANASPIRINES!

  . . . no I know me neither but what Kostas doesn’t know about obscure music geniuses (genii?) can’t be written on the back of my hand . . . what I don’t know is like the inside of Trump's brain ie howling winds of vast landscapes of nothingness!

 The Uppity Blues Women: The Uppity Blues Women 1990 + Hot Flash 1991 + Cleaning House 1996

Ann Rabson, Gaye Adegbalola and Earlene Lewis

by the looks of them you best go check ‘em out here . . . . . . .

Psychic Lemon: Psychic Lemon 2016 + Frequency Rhythm Distortion Delay 🍋

Psychic Lemon: Psychic Lemon 2016 + Frequency Rhythm Distortion Delay 2018🍋

no me neither but Kostas has been in overdrive with his incredible knowledge of prog rock and psychedelia since having some set backs so head on over and check him out . . . . 

🍋

Public Image Limited: records 1978 1979 1981 1990 | URBANASPIRINES

 Public Image Limited: First Issue 1978 + Metal Box (Second Edition) 1979 + The Flowers Of Romance 1981 + The Greatest Hits, So far 1990

Kostas does it again and posts a profile of the post Sex Pistols John Lydon joined forces with Jah Wobble, Keith Levine and drummer(s) Jim Walker & Martin Atkins

I bought Metal Box when it came out and loved that first foray into new musics for the former Pistol. Kostas goes on to say:

"Public Image Ltd (abbreviated and stylised as PiL) are an English post-punk band formed by lead vocalist John Lydon (previously, as Johnny Rotten, lead vocalist of the Sex Pistols), guitarist Keith Levene (a founding member of the Clash), bassist Jah Wobble, and drummer Jim Walker in June 1978. The group's line-up has changed frequently over the years; Lydon has been the sole constant member.

Formed by John Lydon in the wake of the collapse of the Sex Pistols, Public Image Ltd. is a shape-shifting musical project in which the bilious singer and lyricist explored his ideas without compromise.Depending on what period of the band's career you choose, Public Image Ltd. (officially abbreviated PiL) could sound like bass-heavy post-punk thunder (1978's Public Image: First Issue), an inspired fusion of Krautrock and dub (1979's Metal Box), muscular and expertly executed alternative rock (1986's Album), or polished but angular dance-friendly pop (1989's 9), with many other stops along the way. 

Despite a constantly shifting lineup and musical approach, Lydon's bitter howl -- full of anger, pain, and sometimes sardonic wit -- gave PiL's many guises a musical and thematic through line, and at their best, his collaborators created music as powerful and absorbing as Lydon's intense charisma. Lydon revived PiL for live work in 2009, and the reunion albums This Is PiL (2012), What the World Needs Now (2015), and End of World (2023) featured some of his strongest work since the '80s. In 2023, PiL released the unexpectedly tender song "Hawaii," a love song Lydon wrote for his wife, Nora Foster, who died after a long illness in April 2023. "

read on here . . . .

 

Leonard Cohen: Discography 1967 - 1992 | URBANASPIRINES

Leonard Cohen: Discography 1967 - 1992

Well truly another iconic milestone from our Kostas as he turns his gaze upon the Master - Leonard Cohen  -1967 - 1992 . . it is simply essential to own the lot!  Think so, think that’s right?

First We Take Manhattan!

"Cerebral yet sensual Canadian poet, novelist, and singer/songwriter who is recognized as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Leonard Norman Cohen CC GOQ (September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016) was a songwriter and singer. Themes commonly explored throughout his work include faith and mortality, isolation and depression, betrayal and redemption, social and political conflict, sexual and romantic love, desire, regret, and loss. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Second only to Bob Dylan (and perhaps Paul Simon), he commanded the attention of critics and younger musicians more firmly than any other musical figure from the '60s who continued to work in the 21st century, which is all the more remarkable an achievement for someone who didn't even aspire to a musical career until he was in his thirties. "

01. Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1967)
02. Songs From A Room (1969)
03. Songs Of Love And Hate (1971)
04. New Skin For The Old Ceremony (1974)
05. Death Of A Ladies' Man (1977)
06. Recent Songs (1979)
07. Various Positions (1984)
08. I'm Your Man (1988)
09. The Future (1992)

read on here . . . .

these tracks below for Kostas at Urbanaspirines and his most regular fan Josef!

 especially the last song which frankly contains moments of comic genius!  including as it does the secret to the meaning of life revealed!!! (sic) . . . . . . . . 😉

Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah (Official Live in London 2008)

Leonard Cohen - Puppets

Leonard Cohen - Tower Of Song (Official Live in London 2008)

The Gits: Discography 1992 - 1994 | URBANASPIRINES - A Kostas Special

 Kostas does his usual tribute again to a band I hadn’t heard of but the terrifyingly sad story of their lead singer's untimely demise is worth checking out and lest we forget a unique voice of punk

MIA ZAPATA

Kostas says: "While the Gits were a band who made a strong impression with their music during their all too brief run, it was how the group suddenly ended that would come to dominate their story. Playing a unique and passionate fusion of first-era punk, hard rock, and streetwise blues, the Gits had a sound that set them apart from their peers in Seattle in the late '80s and early '90s, when the city was hip deep in the grunge explosion. The Gits also had a fearless and charismatic front-woman in lead singer Mia Zapata, but just as the group seemed poised to move up to the next level of popular acceptance, the potential of both the Gits and Zapata were snuffed out when she was raped and murdered in the summer of 1993." 

read on here

The Gits: Discography 1992 - 1994 (2 Albums)

PENETRATION: Moving Targets 1978 + Coming Up For Air 1979 | URBANASPIRINES

 Penetration: Moving Targets 1978 + Coming Up For Air 1979

Kostas does his usual in depth profile of Pauline Murray and PENETRATION first two albums - we loved Pauline and The Invisible girls but this a much more comprehensive look at her origins!

A KOSTAS Special

Kostas says?

"Penetration is a punk rock band from County Durham, England formed in 1976. They re-formed in 2001 with several new members. Their debut single, "Don't Dictate", is now acknowledged as a classic punk rock single and their debut album, Moving Targets (1978), is still widely admired. The band's lineup was lead singer Pauline Murray, Robert Blamire (bass), Gary Smallman (drums) and Gary Chaplin (guitar). Chaplin left in March 1978 being replaced with Neale Floyd, with second guitarist Fred Purser (later of NWOBHM act Tygers of Pan Tang) joining in July. The band dissolved in late 1979. They reformed in 2001 with original members Murray, Blamire and Smallman, and Steve Wallace and Paul Harvey drafted in as new guitarists. Pauline Murray was a force to be reckoned with. Easily one of the best singers to come out of English punk rock."

read on here . . . .

Pauline Murray and Invisible Girls - Dream Sequence [my connection as fearing I was too old for punk proper this sound hit me and bought this when it came out!)

King Crimson: Discography 1969 - 1974 | URBANASPIRINES

 King Crimson: Discography 1969 - 1974 

Kostas start with this "King Crimson are an English progressive rock band formed in London in 1968 by Robert Fripp, Michael Giles, Greg Lake, Ian McDonald and Peter Sinfield. Guitarist and leader Fripp has remained the only constant member throughout the band's long history. If there is one group that embodies progressive rock, it is King Crimson.Led by guitar/Mellotron virtuoso Robert Fripp, during its first five years of existence the band stretched both the language and structure of rock into realms of jazz and classical music, all the while avoiding pop and psychedelic sensibilities. The absence of mainstream compromises and the lack of an overt sense of humor ultimately doomed the group to nothing more than a large cult following, but it made their albums some of the most enduring and respectable of the prog rock era “ read on at the link (above )

 

 01. In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)

02. In the Wake of Poseidon (1970)

03. Lizard (1970)

04. Islands (1971)

05. Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973)

06. Starless and Bible Black (1974)

07. Red (1974)

Kostas does his usual thorough job on King Crimson discography from ’69-’74 and this is well worth the follow up on those fans interested in their origins. Fripp continues to fascinate ad his posts on Facebook on guitar playing are now legendary as are his videoblog entries with his wife Toyah and these are more light hearted and funny . . . check the names of their rabbits

Robert Fripp YouTube page

Robert at Home no 1 

(there are 27 by my count and if you play guitar these are essential (of course!)

Robert Fripp at Home

Happy 2026 from Toyah & Robert and Fripp & Eno!

Heroes (King Crimson London 3rd July 2000)

For KOSTAS!

Madness - One Step Beyond

 START YOUR SUNDAY WITH THIS DELICATE LITTLE DITTY

DON’T WATCH THAT . . . . .WATCH THIS!

Mostly for Kostas . . . . . . ( and his friend Josef!)

ONE STEP BEYOND!

🔉HEAVY HEAVY MONSTER!🔊

Peter Gabriel - Plays LIVE! 2 CDs 1983 | Urbanaspirines

 Peter Gabriel: Plays Live 1983

Not so interested in Genesis and (not at all after Peter G left!) but Kostas does his usual great profile of Peter G live recordings and if you haven’t considered the thesis you need to check this out

Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched his solo career with a hit debut single entitled "Solsbury Hill". After Gabriel released four successful studio albums (all entitled Peter Gabriel), his fifth studio album, So (1986), became his best-selling release; it is certified triple platinum in the UK and five times platinum in the US. A 2011 Time report said "Sledgehammer" was the most played music video of all time on MTV.

Producer, Vocals, Synthesizer, Piano, Words By, Music By – Peter Gabriel

Synthesizer, Piano – Larry Fast

Chapman Stick, Bass, Backing Vocals – Tony Levin

Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Jerry Marotta

Guitar, Backing Vocals – David Rhodes

Peter Gabriel - Birdy 1984 on Urban Aspirines HERE

Peter Gabriel - Shock The Monkey (Live in Athens 1987)

And . . . . . 

PETER GABRIEL - SOLSBURY HILL - PLAYS LIVE 1983

Madness: Albums 1979 - 1982 | Urbanaspirines

 Madness: Albums 1979 - 1982

A KOSTAS SPECIAL

Madness are an English ska and pop band from Camden Town, north west London, who formed in 1976. One of the most prominent bands of the late-1970s/early-1980s two-tone ska revival, they continue to perform with six of the seven members of their original line-up. Madness's most successful period was from 1980 to 1986, when the band's songs spent a total of 214 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, jointly holding the record with English reggae group UB40 for most weeks spent by a group in the UK singles chart during the 1980s.

With a sound rooted in ska, but also showing the influence of classic British pop, Madness have enjoyed a long career full of hit singles, influential albums, and satisfied concert audiences. They were known initially for blending ska rhythms with catchy melodies and a nutty sense of humor on their 1979 debut album One Step Beyond, one of the seminal works of the 2-Tone era. The core of the band formed as the North London Invaders in 1976, and included Mike Barson (Monsieur Barso) on keyboards, Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) on guitar and Lee Thompson (Kix) on saxophone. They later recruited John Hasler on drums and Cathal Smyth (better known as Chas Smash) on bass guitar. Later in the year, they were joined by lead vocalist Dikran Tulaine.

read on with Kostas here . . . . . .

MORDILLO - Urbanaspirines profile of Argentinian Cartoonist Guillermo Mordillo 1932 -2019

 I struggle to keep up with Kostas’ Urbanaspirines and frequently the running gag is he posts bands I have never heard of (even if they're British!) - [the depths of what you don’t know swappers is oceanic! - ED - R-U-D-E-! I call it!] but he excels today with posting a classic modern cartoonist the exquisite Argentinian MORDILLO!

A profile of whom is well deserved I reckon!

Kostas says:

Guillermo Mordillo (4 August 1932 – 29 June 2019), known simply as Mordillo, was an Argentine creator of cartoons and animations and was one of the most widely published cartoonists of the 1970s . . . . . . read on (link below)

here . . . . .