September 25 – On This Day!

1986: Pussy Galore – O’Cayz Corral, Madison, WI, US
w/ Impaler

1993: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
w/ Pennywise and Blood On The Saddle

Band Portrait: Niels van Ipren
Live Image: Screen grab from footage shot for local TV

1999: Yo La Tengo with Jon Spencer and Rob Kennedy (as Brett Gurewitz) – Matador Records 10th Anniversary Concerts, Irving Plaza, New York City, NY, US

“…the Matador 10th anniversary show at Irving Plaza in 1999. The Other Dimensions horns join us for the beginning and end of our set, and in the middle we play “Cherry Chapstick” for the first time, all a mere amuse-bouche for the encore, for which we’ve worked up “Everything Flows” and “Slack Motherfucker” by Matador emeriti Teenage Fanclub and Superchunk. When the Blues Explosion has to cancel their appearance, we invite Jon Spencer to sing “Slack Motherfucker.” No rehearsal needed–we’ve learned our part, he’s a showbiz pro, what could go wrong? Some time earlier that day, Jon contacts me and asks if we’d mind if he brought a stripper on stage. I tell him something to the effect of he’s the front man, he should listen to his heart, and I can’t say for sure that I warned either James or Georgia what Jon’s heart was suggesting he do. Cut to showtime, we start “Slack Motherfucker,” Jon slides onto the stage in a snazzy suit with a price tag attached to the jacket and starts singing many of the song’s original lyrics. We reach the solo, and he instructs us to bring it down. We bring it down. Jon commences a tribute of sorts to Matador, though he points out that they’ve had some help along the way from Atlantic and Capitol Records. And in fact, he has big news: Matador has signed a deal with Epitaph Records. Onto the stage comes Brett Gurewitz, who bares an uncanny resemblance to Jon’s friend Rob Kennedy of the Workdogs. We continue vamping. At Jon’s insistence, Gerard and Chris make an appearance, and “Brett” fires Gerard. I’m sure Gerard can’t get off stage fast enough, and Chris is close behind, but Jon stops him. I don’t remember exactly how we get to the next part, but soon Chris has been seated center stage and there’s a woman giving him a lap dance. (If this sounds kind of funny and very creepy, then I’m describing it well.) When the lapdancer executes a particularly impressive flip, her legs ending up in the air, Chris seizes his opportunity to escape. He stands up, lifting her with him, and walks off. Jon says goodnight and starts to leave, but now it’s our turn to stop him–he’s still got the final chorus to sing.” – Yo La Tengo

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC, Canada
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Liars

Tour Poster Artwork: Paul Pope
Show Review from The Ubyssey

2006: Heavy Trash – High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI, US
w/ The Sadies

2007: Tiny Masters of Today – Bang Bang Boom Cake

This album was produced by and features Russell Simins.

2008: Heavy Trash – Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK

Main Illustration: Tony Millionaire (from the Going Way Out With Heavy Trash sleeve).
Jon & Matt Paintings (in the corners): Olivier Brut (VIEW: Original Artwork (IMAGE, FRANCE))

2009: Jon Spencer (DJ Set) – New York Night Train, Home Sweet Home, Manhattan, US

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Soirée de Poche, Paris, France

Live Photo: Thierry Chatain

Posted in On This Day!

September 24 – On This Day!

Pussy Galore - Exit, Chicago, IL, US (24 September 1986)1986: Pussy Galore – Exit, Chicago, IL, US
w/ End Result

Poster uses Groovy Hate Fuck cover photo by Cristina Martinez

1987: Pussy Galore – Phantasy Nite Club Lakewood, OH, US

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Showbox, Seattle, WA, US
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Liars

Rolling Tour of Sweat and Noise Artwork: Paul Pope

2005: Blues Explosion – Gagarin, Athens, Greece
w/ 700 Machines

2006: Heavy Trash – 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN, US
w/ The Sadies

2008: Heavy Trash – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, UK
w/ Powersolo and Rob K & Uncle Butcher: The Jam Messengers and DJs Lady Bambi & Witchell

Poster Artwork: Stevie Copter

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Album De La Semaine, Paris, France

Live Photos: Philippe Mazzoni / Album De La Semaine (https://www.facebook.com/AlbumDeLaSemaine)
Set List Image: rockerparis.blogspot.co.uk

Posted in On This Day!

S-E-R-V-I-C-E – NEW SHOWS!

S-E-R-V-I-C-E – State Street Pub, Indianapolis, IN, US (2 October 2021)
w/ Kleaner, Killgulls and Sundown

Poster Artwork: Ryan Dunn

Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/959965414828008

S-E-R-V-I-C-E – MOTR pub, Cincinnati, OH, US (3 October 2021)
w/ Gustaf

Info: https://www.motrpub.com/shows/gustaf-nyc-service-indy
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2890823867804145

Posted in Live, news, S-E-R-V-I-C-E

September 23 – On This Day!

1986: Pussy Galore – C.J.’s Downunder, Cincinnati, OH, US
w/ Wolverton Brothers

1988*: Boss Hog – CBGB’s, New York City, NY, US

*exact date unconfirmed, possibly with Rapeman on 23 September 1988.

Live Photo: Pat Blashill

1993: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Pfefferberg, Berlin, Germany
w/ Germ Attack

Poster Photo: Michael Lavine

1997: Duran Duran – Electric Barbarella – released in the US

Includes the The Electric Sex Mix and The Electric Sex Instrumental Mix by Russell Simins (which were not commercially released).

1999: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – A Nice Weekend in New York, Irving Plaza, New York City, NY, US
w/ Cornelius, Arsonists, Non Phixion, Red Snapper and Jega

2002: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Crystal Ballroom, Portland, Oregon, US
w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Liars

Tour Poster Artwork: Paul Pope

2003: Pussy Galore – Unauthorized Oven Bait – CD released

2006: Heavy Trash – Schubas, Chicago, IL, US

Photo: Kirstie Shanley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kirstiecat/)

2007: Heavy Trash – Cafe Nine, New Haven, CT, US

2008: Heavy Trash – Dingwalls, London, UK
w/ Powersolo

Poster Design: Scarlett Rickard

2016: Rachael Yamagata – Tightrope Walker – released in the UK

Features Russell Simins on the song EZ Target.

Photo of Russell Simins in the Studio: Rachael Yamagata

Posted in On This Day!

September 22 – On This Day!

1986: Pussy Galore – unknown US tour date

2005: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Village, Dublin, Ireland

2006: Heavy Trash – Larger House, Detroit, MI, US (23 September 2006)
w/ The Sadies

2007: Heavy Trash – T.T. the Bear’s, Cambridge, MA, US

2008: Heavy Trash – Thekla, Bristol, UK

2010: Harper Simon (w/ Russell Simins) – Taratata TV show, France
w/ Seal and Tim Robbins

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Zardoz Schallplatten, Hamburg, Germany

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Hotel Pacific, Hamburg, Germany

2012: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg, Germany

2013: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – The Passenger Bar, Brooklyn, NY, US

“Tonight at PASSENGER BAR: The one and only JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION will be playing a set of songs for our lovely friend Jo Murray’s birthday!!! Don’t miss out on this epic show!!! 9pm show time, party starts at 8, Spencer Bewley and Josh Styles rock it on the turntables! PBxRR! That’s how we do it!!! xx” – Passenger Bar

Live Photo: Edwina Hay (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eatsdirt/albums/72157679280573924)

Posted in On This Day!