Sizzla – Go Hard, Rokus Records Production, 2009.

Sizzla – Go Hard

Sizzla travaille toujours voire trop : il sort en moyenne cinq albums par an et depuis une quinzaine d’années…

Le morceau Go Hard pourrait résumer aujourd’hui le travail du raggaman. Il s’agit de son dernier morceau produit sur Rokus Records, autrement appelé le Sizzla-Novembre 2009. Ça ne change pas et c’est bon.

Spice – Chattie Back (Kartel & Shebba Counteraction), 2009.

La Jamaïque connait également des raggawomen de talent qui ont réussi à faire leur trou malgré tout.

Spice est l’une d’entre elles, une proche du dj dancehall Vybz Kartel. Comme Vybz Kartel, elle fait partie de cette relève qui s’aventure un peu n’importe où, capable d’user des pires effets sonores pour être mainstream tout en restant des chanteurs hors pair, flow made in Jamaica. En octobre, Spice sort le morceau Chattie Back, une réponse à un malentendu avec Vybz Kartel.

Spice – Chattie Back

Si vous aimez ce style ensoleillé, voici maintenant deux mélanges certifiés Reggae dancehall. Firehouse vous offre un historique de jamaican tunes en concoctant des mixtapes incontournables.

Le soundsystem danois (!) Firehouse complète sa série de mixtapes en avril 2009 avec Mastermind Computer Style III. Pure collection de ragga digital tunes, 50 titres cultes allant de 1985 à 1991. (no tracklist)

Firehouse mixtape – Mastermind Computer Style III

En 2007, Firehouse réalise la mixtape Original Rockers Mind. Un mix regroupant les tubes de dancehall les mieux toastés de 1983 à 1986. Comme le montre cette mixtape, le dancehall était Rocker style peu avant l’avènement du digital. No computer! Real roots ragamuffin!

Firehouse mixtape – Original Rockers Mind

PULL UP SELECTA:

1. Tristan Palmer “Greatest Lover” Black Solidarity 7″
2. Robert Ffrench “Run Come” Lord Koos/Abraham LP
3. Horace Martin “Zuggy Zuggy” Firehouse 7″
4. Horace Martin “Things I Did” Redman LP
5. Michael Prophet “Sing Fe Mi Grammy” Live & Learn 7″
6. Bobby Melody “Original Melody” Chopper 7″
7. Wayne Palmer “Hold Yuh Corner” Firehouse 7″
8. Michael Palmer “Them Nawh Sting” Waterhouse 7″
9. Junior Reid “Original Foreign Mind” Youth Promotion 7″
10. Earl Anthony “Sensi Man Rock” Look To Africa 12″
11. Echo Minott “Follow Me” Music Master 7″
12. Little John “Stick To Your Man” Skengdon LP
13. King Everald “Automatic” Waterhouse 7″
14. Winston Hussey “Look Man Fi Use” Live & Learn LP
15. Michael Palmer “She No Ready Yet” Jammy’s 7″
16. Frankie Paul “Mus Mus Tail” Jammy’s 7″
17. Rev. Danny Dread “Ruff Neck Business” Holy Trinity 7″
18. Wayne Junior “Police And Bad Boy” World Enterprise LP
19. Pompidou “New Body Rock” World Enterprise LP
20. Double Ugly “Get She Away” World Enterprise LP
21. John Wayne “Tired Body” Powerhouse 7″
22. Papa Levi “Trouble Inna Africa” Mango 12″
23. Tonto Irie “Ram Up Every Corner” Live & Love LP
24. Horace Martin “Shock Me A Shock” Dennis Star 7″
25. Junior Reid “Babylon Release the Chain” E.T. Records 7″
26. Robert Ffrench “Joker Family” Black Solidarity 7″
27. Wayne Wade “Lady” Ariola 7″
28. Beres Hammond “I Will Follow You” Live & Learn 7″
29. Little Kirk “Avoid Being Girlie Girlie” Black Solidarity 7″
30. Junior Reid “Boom Shack A Lack” Jammy’s 10″
31. Mikey Melody “Raggamuffin Sound” Black Scorpio 7″
32. Trevor Junior “Manchester Video” Thunder Bolt 7″
33. Tenor Saw “Come Me Just A Come” Blue Mountain 12″ (OG)
34. Tristan Palmer “Tek A Set” Black Solidarity 7″
35. Mikey General “Hustling” Blacker Dread 12″
36. Michael Palmer “Everyone Make Love” Midnight Rock 7″
37. Hopeton Lindo “Sidewalk Traveller” Gussie 80’s 7″
38. Trevor Junior “Hip Hip Hooray” Channel One 7″
39. C. Hylton “Keep Trying” Black Success 7″

LED Furniture is an unique water-resistant seating designed to look like a classic bench that can be set outdoors or indoors. It comes with a remote control that allows you to change the glowing color or set it to change automatically with a specific speed. You can even mix colors and create new ones to have hundreds of colors for the glow, or synchronize the bench with your sound system.

found @ www.ladiesgadgets.com

White box sound system – it’s not blessed in the looks the department, but in terms of sound quality and volume for the cost, weight and size it ain’t too shabby.

4x Infinity coax speakers in foamboard construction. Show with 12v SLA battery (5Ah 12v) connected via Anderson Powerpole connector and inline blade fuse (10A)

Critical Mass London hit the streets on 30th October 2009, with about 4 sound systems including this one.  There was the big “Pedals” or “Son of Pedals” rig, another smaller trailer system, and a another which looked like some domestic house speakers hanging from a front rack. There may have been others but I would easily miss them as I’m generally trying to avoid other systems and the resulting sound-clash.

Playlist

We opted for the easy life this time and stuck near the front during the ride.  Blasting off with General Midi’s  ”Audio Assault” seemed to go down well soon after departure, riding along York Road towards Westminster Bridge.  Tunes came via the excellent Spotify application for iPhone, the only snag was that there is no EQ function within the application. Normally I’d reduce the bass to prevent distortion at the highest volue –  like when playing from the normal ipod function, but this just wasn’t possible.  The approximate play list from that evening is also available.

Box Modifications

As mention in a previous post, I upgraded the amp from a 41hz.com 2x 25w “Amp6” to a 4×50w “Amp9” kit, which really added some oompf. Only problem was that the existing heatsink wasn’t enough so I carried out two modifications at once. First was to trim the back ‘corner’ (furthest from the speakers), this was necessary as the box was slightly too long and it would dig into the back of the bike saddle.

New heat sink

Secondly was to change the heat sink to something built for the purpose. This was fairly straightforward as (as before) the heat sink was pushed through the side wall with the amp simply bolted to the flat piece on the other side. In effect it’s not attached to the box, just trapped from both sides. With the new heat sink, the amp no longer overheats, and runs very very cool indeed. Going full tilt there is a bit of bass distortion, but I’m not sure if that’s supply voltage clipping or the speakers themselves.

Possible changes

I might run at 24v instead of 12v to give more “headroom” to the amp. I’m fairly sure that amp itself may clip due to not being able to exceed the input voltage on it’s outputs, rather than from an internal power limitation.  If correct, this would stop some bass distortion at high volumes. One way to test this would be to rig it up to an oscilloscope and track the input DC voltage – measured at the amp input terminals (to see potential voltage drop at high current), along with the  signal-input and power-output waveforms.  If the output waveform stays largely the same as the input signal waveform (especially at the peaks), then any distortion if heard will be coming from within the speaker drivers themselves. If the output waveform gets clipped-off at the peaks, it’s a supply voltage issue or, less likely, a power limitation in the amp.

Happy massing.

This is one of the best sound systems to ever come out of Jamaica. They are soon to be celebrating 37 years of sound boy excellence. … so i have to dig up this vintage gem with selecta Rory at the controls.  Stone Love we salute you!!

Big Up Weepo & Rory

StayUpBeUp!!

six hours tonight. only five podcast. missed the last hour? should’ve listened live then eh?
a cracking show though, or so people told me…see, it aint just me.

hope you enjoy it.

1. Crystalites – Stranger in Town (2:51)
2. Dynamites – Hello Mother (2:23)
3. Clarendonians – A Day Will Come (2:46)
4. Culture – Good Things (4:02)
5. Jahlights – Right Road to Dubland (3:03)
6. Millie Small – Honey Hush (2:49)
7. The Tennors – Smile (My Baby) (2:55)
8. Neasden Connection – Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (2:41)
9. Black Brothers – Why Oh Why (2:47)
10. Tony Tribe – Red Red Wine (2:56)
11. Jimmy Cliff – The Man (aka Man to Man) (2:38)
12. I. Roy – New York City (3:20)
13. Ike Bennett – Illya Kuryakin (3:22)
14. Micky Chung – Breezing (3:48)
15. Don Drummond/Tommy McCook – Music Is My Occupation (3:00)
16. The Valentines – Guns Fever (Blam Blam Fever) (2:46)
17. Tito Simon – You Can’t Be Serious (3:23)
18. Derrick Harriott – Do I Worry? (2:50)
19. The Aggrovators/Tommy McCook – The Big Boss of Dubs (2:57)
20. Ken Boothe – Can’t You See (2:54)
21. The Pioneers – Rudies Are the Greatest (2:01)
22. Derrick Morgan – Fat Man (3:08)
23. Save Ferris – Support Your Local Ska Band (1:28)
24. Johnny Moore – Riot (3:03)
25. The Viceroys – Work It (2:03)
26. Spunge – Skanking Song (2:23)
27. Whitmore – Alison (2:26)
28. Reel Big Fish – Where Have You Been? (4:01)
29. Madness – The Sun and the Rain (3:28)
30. The Specials – Monkey Man (2:41)
31. The Coventry Automatics – Little Bitch (2:38)
32. The Selecter and The Specials – The Specials / Longshot Kicked De Bucket (5:20)
33. the beat – whine and grine/stand down magaret (3:39)
34. Dakar, Rhoda – The Boiler (5:44)
35. Athlete – Black Swan Song (4:50)
36. Weezer – (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To (3:28)
37. Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications (3:16)
38. April March – Chick Habit (2:08)
39. Len – Steal My Sunshine (4:08)
40. Fergal Sharkey – Listen To Your To Father (3:10)
41. The Housemartins – Build (4:47)
42. The Automatic – Monster (3:41)
43. System Of A Down – Chop Suey (3:30)
44. Van Morrison – Have I Told You Lately (4:19)
45. Ronnie Dyson – I Wanna Be Where You Are (3:25)
46. Kirk Franklin – Looking for You (4:08)
47. The Offspring – Why Don’t You Get A Job? (2:51)
48. The Special Beat – Get A Job Live (3:38)
49. The Showmen – Our Love Will Grow (2:32)
50. The Beat – Hand’s Off She’s Mine (3:02)
51. Marvin Gaye – You’re a Wonderful One (2:43)
52. Marcus Brigstock – Religion (2:57)
53. Madness – Lovestruck (3:47)
54. Altered Images – See Those Eyes (3:11)
55. David Bowie – China Girl [Single Version] (4:18)
56. Green Day – Whatsername (4:12)
57. Long Tall Shorty – Going To A Jihad (2:24)
58. Taylor, R. Dean – There’s A Ghost In My House – (2:23)
59. Kid British – Part Time Job/Shirt And Tie (3:45)
60. Arctic Monkeys – Mardy Bum (2:54)
61. The Monkees – Last Train To Clarksville (2:46)
62. Brian Eno – Dead Finks Don’t talk (4:20)
63. The Twang – Either Way (4:03)
64. All American Rejects – Time Stands Still (3:29)
65. The Misfits – Where Eagles Dare (2:08)
66. Eagles Of Death Metal – I Like To Move In The Night (3:59)
67. Wolfmother – Apple Tree (3:32)
68. NOFX (ft Rancid) – Tenderloin (2:01)
69. Lars Fredericksen and The Bastards – Antisocial (2:06)
70. Rancid – Damnation (1:30)
71. The Distillers – Sick of It All (3:11)
72. Black Sabbath – Paranoid (2:50)
73. Marillion – Kayleigh (3:51)
74. Lynard Skynard – Freebird (9:07)

extra, live only tracks:
75. buzzcocks – ever fallen in love (with someone you shouldn’t've) (2:41)
76. The Highliners – Henry The Wasp (4:45)
77. Barnyard Ballers – Liquor Store (1:59)
78. The Cramps – Can Your Pussy Do The Dog (3:22)
79. Guana Batz – Dynamite (2:24)
80. King Kurt – Gather Your Limbs (4:16)
81. The Meteors – Radioactive Kid (1:43)
82. AC/DC – Rock n’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution (4:12)
83. Bad Company – Can’t Get Enough of Your Love (4:15)
84. The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary (Long Version) (6:59)
85. Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills (3:54)
86. Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name (5:13)
87. David Gilmour – Comfortably Numb (9:22)

The House of Blues hosted some viciously awesome metal Wednesday night, as Metalocalypse’s Dethklok and Georgia’s Mastodon packed the venue to the rafters with jacked-up metalheads. Throw in a couple of amazing underground metal bands in High on Fire and the insanely creative Converge, and you’ve got a metal tour that literally kicks the crap out of the big summer geezer quilting parties like Cruefest and Mayhem.

Is there anything more effing metal than this guy?

Unfortunately for a large number of fans (and this reviewer), the show started at the unholy crack of dawn (6:30pm, which for all intensive purposes may as well have been 6:30am), meaning most of the sold-out crowd missed out on openers Converge and High on Fire. Damn: should’ve taken that imaginary start time more seriously.

By the time progressive sludge metal rockers Mastodon took the stage, however, the HOB was packed to the gills: while the majority of the (younger) crowd was probably there to see cartoon metal, every serious metal fan in the country would kick their best friend in the junk for a chance to see Masto-effing-don live.

For better or worse, the band’s entire set was more slow and ponderous than brutal: most of the songs off their newest album, Crack the Skye, sounded better on CD than live –although that may have had something to with the sound system, which featured the drums and a whole lot of indistinguishable fuzz. Towards the end of the set, when Mastodon went back to some of their earlier material, the sound was improved but the frequent and unexpected shifts in timing took most of the crowd out of any metal groove; after seeing Mastodon live, there might actually be such a thing as being too progressive.

While the band had no stage show whatsoever, they did spruce up the visual show (touring with Dethklok, you pretty much have to), spending most of the show playing in front of a silent movie-esque Rasputin Goes to Hell and Slays the Devil storyline, and later playing in front of their totally metal backdrops: the three-headed beast fetish from the cover of Blood Mountain, the massive white whale attacking a ship in icy waters from the cover of Leviathan, and the exploding horse from their first album cover, Remission. Much like the following band, Mastodon was seemingly content to blend into the foreground and provide musical accompaniment for the surreal visuals on the projection screen behind them.

Remember, kids: the more merch you buy, the more tours you'll get to see

Finally, at the decidedly non-metal time of 10:00pm sharp (say what you will about HOB, but they get their bands to start and end on time. As a performing musician myself, you have no idea how impressive that is), Dethklok took the stage. For those of you wondering how a cartoon band could “take the stage”, Dethklok’s solution was ingenious: have the real band play almost invisibly in the foreground, while full-length videos of the television show’s songs run on the big screen. It’s a herculean task requiring impeccable timing and musicianship, but Dethklok was up for the challenge.

The actual band centers around Metalocolypse’s creator/writer/director/songwriter/voices dude Brendon Small –you can listen to our interview with Small from last year’s tour here– and a motley cast of elite mercenaries, including wizened metal drummer Gene Hoglan, former Zappa guitarist Mike Keneally and bassist Bryan Beller. Despite playing second-fiddle to the cartoon characters behind them, the band itself actually put on quite a show, throwing themselves into the show with a surprising amount of stagecraft while never missing a beat.

The band played the popular songs with amazing precision –with one possible exception during Thunderhorse when the vocals and animation didn’t quite link up– and worked the crowd with Dethklok’s Queen-inspired brand of hooky thrash metal. For the most part, the show was little different from last tour’s, with a few new videos from the most recent season like Bloodlines, The Gears and Burn the Earth mixed in with older classics like Awaken, (the highly disturbing) Murmaider, Hatredcopter, Birthday Dethday and the Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle.

Almost as soon as the set started, however, it was over at 11pm sharp –likely just in time to let the younger members of the crowd get home in time for their favorite shows on Adult Swim– but I’m not faulting the 12- and 13- year old fans in any way. However you get introduced to the beauty and power of heavy metal, whether you grew up listening to bootleg tapes of King Diamond, accidentally heard Quiet Riot on the radio once, or (like me) was turned on to metal by Metallica’s Black Album –it’s all good.

2 hours of the soundsystem, and 4 hours of requests. thats an hour extra. you lucky people

this list does not include anything played on vinyl or streamed from elsewhere.

1. Rudies – Patches (2:56)
2. Nora Dean – Barbwire (2:22)
3. The Melodians – I’ll Get Along Without You (3:00)
4. Hubert Lee – Something on Your Mind (3:01)
5. Brother Dan All-Stars – Eastern Organ (2:53)
6. King Tubby – King Tubby’s Conversation (3:08)
7. The Silvertones – African Dub (3:40)
8. Byron Lee/Dragonaires – In the Mood (2:08)
9. Jackie Edwards – Come on Girl (3:06)
10. Harper, Raymond & Drumbago’s Orchestra – Breeze of the West (2:22)
11. Winston Laro – Goodnight My Love (3:28)
12. Alton Ellis – You Are the One to Blame (2:43)
13. Owen Gray – Jezebel (2:37)
14. The Dials – Bye Bye Love (2:33)
15. Derrick Morgan – Conquering Ruler (2:52)
16. Sly Dunbar – Collie (2:52)
17. Bob Marley & the Wailers – Rebel Version [Version 2] (2:41)
18. The Soul Sisters – Wreck a Buddy (2:30)
19. Lord Kitchener – Kitch You’re So Sweet (4:05)
20. Justin Hinds & Dominoes – No Good Rudie (3:09)
21. Lee “Scratch” Perry – The Upsetter (3:06)
22. Spunge – Make Me Happy (2:43)
23. Reel Big Fish – Sell Out (3:47)
24. sum 41 – open your eyes (2:44)
25. Streetlight Manifesto – The Saddest Song (3:18)
26. The Offspring – Spare Me The Details (3:24)
27. Mustard Plug – Brain On Ska (1:42)
28. Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Why Can’t We Be Friends (3:29)
29. The Slackers – Crazy (3:24)
30. Smash Mouth – Walking On The Sun (3:26)
31. Save Ferris – Under 21 (2:36)
32. Audioweb – Bankrobber (3:36)
33. The Beat – Hand’s Off She’s Mine (3:02)
34. The Selecter – My Collie (Not A Dog) (2:46)
35. Judge Dread – She Is A Big Girl Now (2:45)
36. The Bodysnatchers – Easy Life (3:02)
37. Bad Manners – Skaville Uk (2:34)
38. Madness – Don’t Quote Me on That (4:31)
39. X Rippers – Pop Idol (3:53)
40. Snow Patrol – Just Say Yes (4:00)
41. Eels – That Look You Give That Guy (4:15)
42. Camera Obscura – The Sweetest Thing (4:22)
43. Local Natives – Airplanes (3:58)
44. Ocean Colour Scene – Mrs Maylie (3:14)
45. McFly – Obviously (3:19)
46. Elvis Costello – Pump It Up (3:13)
47. The Sex Pistols – Anarchy In The Uk (3:31)
48. The Sex Pistols – Holidays In The Sun (3:18)
49. Angels and Airwaves – Secret Crowds (4:47)
50. Blink 182 – Not now (4:10)
51. The Jam – Town Called Malice (2:54)
52. The Mooney Suzuki – Alive and Amplified (3:04)
53. Alanis Morisette – You Oughta Know (4:10)
54. The Who – 5:15 (4:53)
55. Special Duties – I Wish It Could Be 77 (3:20)
56. The Lurkers – New Guitar In Town (2:39)
57. Sonic Boom Six – Piggy in the Middle (4:06)
58. The Vibrators – Baby Baby (3:40)
59. Long Tall Shorty – I Fought the Law (2:40)
60. Green Day – 21 Guns (5:20)
61. Madness – Johnny The Horse (3:17)
62. The Macc Lads – Fat Bastard (3:00)
63. The Macc Lads – Sweaty Betty (2:32)
64. Lads, The Macc – Blackpool (2:35)
65. Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc. (3:40)
66. Radiohead – Karma Police (4:21)
67. Muse – Hysteria (3:47)
68. Pop Will Eat Itself – Eighty Eight Seconds And Counting (3:56)
69. Therapy? – Screamager (2:37)
70. The Housemartins – We’re Not Deep (2:14)
71. The Raconteurs – Steady, As She Goes (3:38)
72. Suede – Trash (4:05)
73. The Blue Aeroplanes – Boy In The Bubble (3:42)
74. Shed Seven – She Left Me on Friday (3:30)
75. Blur – Tender (4:32)
76. Arctic Monkeys – A Certain Romance (5:30)
77. Oasis – All Around The World (9:20)
78. The Smiths – How Soon Is Now (6:45)
79. The Meteors – Fuck Off And Die (2:59)
80. Inspiral Carpets – Further Away (13:40)
81. U2 – All I Want Is You (9:50)

Dia 08/11 (DOMINGO) vai rolar um evento irado aqui perto, na Comunidade São Remo. O evento é idealizado pela Tia EVA, grande militante da comunidade que batalhou muito para que fossem criadas 2 áreas verdes dentro da favela, e luta muito para que elas sejam preservadas. É surreal a luta dessa mulher..e estamos junto com ela para melhorar a realidade que ela presencia. As atividades começam cedo, entre 10 e 11h…onde ocorrerá o plantio de mudas, paralelamente os grafiteiros vão começar a colorir os muros ao redor e o sistema sonoro será ligado para alegrar os presentes. O VERDE VAI INVADIR! + de 20 grafiteiros Sistema Sonoro: B12 SS + Special Strugle Sounds + Marcel Selectah + convidados Plantio de mudas e Educação Ambiental Malabares Local: Av. São Remo s/n (comunidade São Remo) – ao lado do Bar da Tia Eva (ao lado do portão de pedestre da USP) Como chegar: Seguir pela Av. Corifeu de Azevedo Marques, até a alt. da Av. Rio Pequeno e entrar a direita (ao lado do 16º Batalhão), adentrar 300m e pronto! Quem for de carro, pode entrar pelo Portão 1 da Cidade Universitária (USP) e falar que vai no evento na São Remo, seguir até o portão de pedestre que fica ao lado da Prefeitura do campus.

Zackys Sound System adalah sebuah perusahaan yang melayani jasa persewaan untuk keperluan pesta seperti sound system, tenda-tenda, kursi, lighting, stage, karpet, genset, pagar dan sebagainya.

Alamat : Jln. Imam Bonjol No. 50 Singaraja
Phone : (0361) 21338
Email : zackyssound@gmail.com
Website : www.zackyssound.wordpress.com / www.zackyssound.co.cc

two hours of ska/reggae in the soundsystem, the 3 hours of requests and chat in the sunday social.

this is what you missed last night (vinyl played, not on this list)

1. SKA-P – Insecto urbano (4:12)
2. El Bosso & die Ping Pongs – Immer nur Ska (3:14)
3. Fuzigish – Monique (2:03)
4. Bluekilla – Naughty Girls (3:06)
5. Rantanplan – …aber die Zeiten sind andere (2:24)
6. The Zodiacs – Renegade (2:40)
7. Steer-Towners – Him Say You Say (2:14)
8. Beverley’s All Stars/Don Drummond – Dragon Weapon (2:35)
9. The Slickers – Johnny Too Bad (3:10)
10. The Deltones – I’ll Take You There (3:37)
11. Freddie Notes & The Rudies/Rudies – Guns of Navarone (3:18)
12. Lorna Bennett – Reverend Lee (3:48)
13. Rulers – Don’t Be a Rude Boy (2:22)
14. Ernest Ranglin – Felicia (1:51)
15. Clarendonians – The Jerk (2:44)
16. The Melodians – Swing and Dine (3:07)
17. Billy & Bobby – We Ain’t Got Nothing (2:43)
18. The Selecter – Carry Go Bring Come (2:55)
19. The Bodysnatchers – Ruder Than You (2:49)
20. Bad Manners – How Big Do You Love Me (3:23)
21. the beat – Click Click (1:31)
22. Madness – In the City (2:58)
23. The Specials – Too Much Too Young (2:06)
24. Tyrone Taylor – Delilah (2:30)
25. Cornel Campbell – Blessed Are They (3:21)
26. Messengers – Crowded City (3:04)
27. Brooks, Baba & His Band – Open the Door (2:50)
28. George A. Penny – Win Your Love for Me (2:49)
29. Carib Beats/Raymond Harper – Discipline (2:28)
30. Roland Alphonso – Blackberry Brandy (2:45)
31. Honeyboy Martin & The Voices – Dreader Than Dread (2:35)
32. Niney the Observer – Rasta Locks (3:20)
33. Derrick & Patsy – I’m in a Jam (2:46)
34. The Gaylads – ABC Rocksteady (2:08)
35. The Busters + Farin Urlaub – Like this (3:26)
36. Skalariak – Quien nos ha robado (3:21)
37. Athena – Yaþamak Var Ya (2:58)
38. Meganoidi – The king of Ska (4:03)
39. Goldfinger – Superman (2:44)
40. Warren Zevon – Werewolves of London (3:20)
41. Misfits – Halloween (1:52)
42. The Cramps – Aloha From Hell (2:35)
43. The Meteors – Graveyard Stomp (2:06)
44. king prawn – Not your punk (2:52)
45. Capdown – Ska Wars (4:11)
46. My Chemical Romance – Teenagers (2:41)
47. The Horrorpops – Kool Flattop (3:09)
48. Men at Work – Overkill (3:47)
49. The Gents – True Stories (3:07)
50. The Jam – But I’m Different Now (1:56)
51. The Chords – Things We Said (3:49)
52. Long Tall Shorty – Anti C.N.D (1:53)
53. Long Tall Shorty – Turn It Up (2:38)
54. Paul Weller – That’s Entertainment (4:11)
55. Noel Gallagher – The Butterfly Collector (with Paul Weller) (4:24)
56. James – Hymn For A Village (2:53)
57. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (4:01)
58. The Fall – How I Wrote Elastic Man (4:20)
59. Hole – Celebrity Skin (2:42)
60. The Smiths – What Difference Does It Make (3:49)
61. The Distillers – City Of Angels (3:29)
62. Morrissey – The First of The Gang To Die (3:38)
63. The Mock Turtles – Wicker Man (3:43)
64. Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel – Judy Teen (3:42)
65. Nick Lowe – I Love The Sound OfBreaking Glass (3:13)
66. Bowling for Soup – My Wena (2:50)
67. MC Lars – Download This Song (mastered) (3:44)
68. dan le sac VS Scroobius Pip – Thou shalt always kill (5:15)
69. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Zero (4:24)
70. Amy Winehouse – Fuck Me Pumps (3:20)
71. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Zero (4:25)
72. The Transplants – Diamonds and Guns (3:46)
73. The Transplants – Tall Cans In The Air (3:43)
74. iggy pop – lust for life (5:10)
75. Everlast – Whitey ford sings the blues (5:03)
76. The Cramps – Can Your Pussy Do The Dog (3:22)
77. No Way Sis – I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing (3:49)
78. William Shatner – Common People (4:40)
79. Rod Stewart – The Changingman (4:16)
80. Electric Light Orchestra – 10538 Overture (5:27)
81. Paul Weller – The Changingman (4:02)
82. The Police – Walking On The Moon (5:03)
83. James – Ring the Bells (7:20)

Ada 4 Tips dalam memilih atau Sewa Sound System untuk keperluan bermusik anda.

1) Pilihlah besar daya yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan anda. Untuk penggunaan pribadi seperti latihan dll, cukuplah memilih amplifier dengan daya 15-20 watts. Pada kebanyakan amplifier berdaya kecil seperti ini telah tersedia fasilitas jack Head Phone, Alat Musik (misal: Amplifier Guitar Laser 20) yang sangat berguna terutama bagi kawula muda yang punya kebiasaan bermain alat musik hingga tengah malam.

Dengan memanfaatkan saluran untuk Head Phone ini, maka dijamin seisi rumah yang lain ataupun tetangga tidak akan terganggu “atraksi” kita.

Untuk penggunaan atau sewa sound system acara pesta, Anda akan memerlukan daya yang lebih tinggi lagi yaitu sedikitnya 125 watts atau lebih, karena amplifier ini akan dapat sekaligus kita gunakan sebagai monitor dari instrument musik yang sedang kita mainkan. Acara pesta pernikahan, party, ulang tahun, atau acara gathering memang membutuhkan sewa sound system yang lebih besar.

2) Pilihlah amplifier yang berkualitas baik yang sesuai dengan pencahayaan. Bila kita membutuhkan amplifier untuk keyboard, maka sangat disarankan untuk memilih amplifier yang tidak merubah warna suara asli yang dihasilkan oleh keyboard tsb (flat). Ada banyak amplifier yang menghasilkan suara yang berbeda dari suara aslinya, bila hal ini terjadi maka akan terjadi suara-suara yang lain yang akan mengurangi karakter asli dari bunyi yang sebenarnya dihasilkan keyboard dikarenakan terjadinya penambahan atau pengurangan terhadap frekuensi tertentu. Biasanya hal ini terjadi pada frekuensi yang sangat rendah (low bass) atau frekuensi yang sangat tinggi (high treble). Jadi kita harus jeli memilih atau sewa sound system yang sesuai atau sesuai dengan pencahayaan.

3) Model dan penampilan amplifier dapat menjadi pertimbangan terakhir. Model yang diinginkan akan bergantung pada selera masing-masing. Model yang bagus menurut seseorang, belum tentu bagus juga menurut orang yang lainnya demikian dalam sewa sond system tidak sembarangan .

4) Ada baiknya anda bertanya kepada jasa sewa sound system, karena mereka merupakan orang yang berpengalaman, sehingga anda tidak akan kecewa. Jadi kita bukan hanya mencari sewa sound sistem murah, tetapi kualitas harus tetap menjadi pilihan.

rootsonastring.com

If you are really serious about building a home theater, and you really want to maximize the results, it’s not just the equipment that is going to make your theater stand out.  Choosing a proper wall colour is one of the most important decisions to make when building a theater.

Everyone knows that light is absorbed by the colour black right?  That’s why baseball players put that paint under their eyes, that’s why you don’t wear a black t-shirt to the beach.  The same rule applies when painting your theater room.  A projector throws light over a large distance in an effort to reflect off of the screen.  Said screen will have, if it’s a good one, reflective attributes that will multiply the amount of light returning to the viewers eyes.  This is what is known as screen gain.  Generally the higher the screen gain, the brighter the image.

“What does this have to do with the wall colour?” you ask.  A projector’s lens is built to focus in a rectangular shape at a ratio of 16:9.  However, the light that leaves a lens will always, always, always create spillage around the intended target.  If the walls surrounding your screen are white, they will reflect this spilled light.  This reflected light will not only draw your attention to the walls, but will also shed light on the image causing it to wash out.  If they are black, they will absorb it.  It’s as simple as that.

Unfortunately, black walls are not in everyone’s design scheme.  Ideally, you should bite the bullet and work a black wall into your scheme, at least, on the wall the screen is mounted to.  If black is just plain not an option, choose the darkest colour you can live with.  Trust me, you will appreciate it in the long run.

Look at the way this image stands out on the black wall!

Sound System-etan azken urteotan entzun diren abestiak ditugu irratsaio honetan, denak bere dub bertsioarekin, nola ez!! Erritmo lasaiekin hasten da irratsaioa eta entzungo duzuen moduan gauza berotzen dihoa irratsaioa aurrera jun ahala. Disfrutatu!

1. Jah Marnyah – Rasta Is Love + Version (Scoops 10″)
2. Tony Tuff – Yuh Name Weh Yuh Name (Dubfront 12″)
3. Earl 16 – Teach Us Of Africa (Dubfront 12″)
4. Dubkasm feat Levi Roots – Sinsemilla Addict (Sufferah’s Choice 12″)
5. Dubkasm feat Levi Roots – Burning I-Schence (Sufferah’s Choice 12″)
6. Izyad Davis- Jah Jah’s Loving + Dub (Livication Corner 10″)
7. Ariwa Posse feat. Little Roy – Caution (Ariwa 7″)
8. Mad Professor – Cautious Dub (Ariwa 7″)
9. Prince Alla – Spiritual High + Dub (Black Redemtion 10″)
10. Kenny Knots – Rasta No Answer (Jah Vision 10″)
11. Crazy Hertz – My Life Version (Jah Vision 10″)
12. Afrikan Simba – Cultural Revolution + Dub (THC Records 10″)
13. Mungo’s Hi Fi ft. Brother Culture – Wickedness Refix (Scotch Bonnet 12″)
14. Mungo’s Hi Fi ft. Brother Culture – Wickedness Dub (Scotch Bonnet 12″)

zeureganatu: 16# urriak 26 – Dub Invasion

Buying a car can be a very tough process and sometimes it is hard to buy a car and take it to another shop to get more stuff done to the car.  D&M Auto Leasing is your one-stop shop for all your car buying needs.  They will look for anything you desire and only find the very best available cars with clean carfax histories.  D&M will also take care of your aftermarket needs in house so you don’t have to worry about taking your car to another shop just to get more stuff done to it.  Being based in the Dallas, TX area, they will ship your vehicle to you once they complete the work that you desire.

The service at D&M is what separates them from your normal down the street car dealer. They have everything from car insurance, to loan servicing needs, to car shipping , to aftermarket stuff in house for you.  D&M has been in business since 1977 so they have the longevity and have proven to be a successful company is automobile sales and customer service.  This is truly a one-stop shop.

Check out more in at www.dmautoleasing.com

Make sure to call Patrick Joiner at 512.260.9953 and let him start finding that car you need.  Patrick has dealt with numerous athletes and entertainers and knows the uniqueness of requests, so he is more than capable of handling any situation that may arise.

OPS MEMBERS- MAKE SURE TO TELL PATRICK YOU ARE A MEMBER OF OPS WHEN CALLING

For those of you building a new home or wanting to add or change your home audio and video setup, Audio Video Intelligence has you covered.  They will plan, design and setup everything for you.  They will also travel around the country to install your home audio and video system depending on the size of the job!  Several professional athletes and entertainers have already used Audio Video Intelligence and has nothing but great things to say about them.  Check out more info at www.av-intel.com.

Call 508.238.1930 to get started with your new system!

Tell them you are a member of OPS and speak to James Shapiro

OPS MEMBERS- FREE CONSULTATION ($150 VALUE) AND 10% OFF TV’S AND VIDEO PRODUCTS

Ainda monto um sound system pra magrela como esses do vídeo.

Rolê de bike, dub e sound system é uma combinação sensacional, pra ficar perfeito tinha que ter uma gata pedalando hehe

WELL….we were having a pretty good evening before the broadcast server decided to pack in! 40 minutes or so before the end of the show too. lousy timing. so around four and a half hours of a show tonight, with the usual 90 minutes of the soundsystem, before the social. this week, almost entirely taken over by requests from new listener Jase. good choice of songs too.

enjoy,

please note the first four minutes of the podcast are silent as i had not clicked on the right button. you only miss adverts though!

1. Ambassadors/Virtues – Amen (2:36)
2. Tillermen – Be Loving to Me (2:58)
3. Gregory Isaacs – Tam Tam (3:14)
4. Aggrovators – Dub on My Pillow (3:12)
5. Cameron, Dion & The Three Tops – Lord Have Mercy (1:52)
6. Blue Benders – The Girl Next Door (2:28)
7. Jivers – Our Love Will Last (2:29)
8. The Pioneers – Reggae Fever (2:51)
9. Lover, Johnny & Destroyers – Nevada Joe (3:05)
10. Ken Boothe – Love Don’t Love Nobody (3:48)
11. Judge Dread – Bedtime Stories (2:58)
12. Madness – In the City (2:58)
13. Bad Manners – Ne-Ne Na-Na Na-Na Nu-Nu (2:41)
14. The Specials – Pearl’s Cafe (3:11)
15. Ian Dury – The Bus Driver’s Prayer (1:00)
16. Derrick Morgan – Tougher Than Tough (2:24)
17. Brooks, Baba & His Band – Alcatraz (2:55)
18. Joe White – So Much Love (3:07)
19. Nicky Thomas – Come Back Girl (3:13)
20. Alton Ellis – Blessings of Love (2:26)
21. Setters – Brixton Reggae Festival (2:08)
22. Owen Gray – Lonely Days (1:58)
23. Lester Sterling – Zigaloo (3:13)
24. Message – Rum-Bum-a-Loo (2:21)
25. Delroy Williams – Down in the Boondocks (2:47)
26. Catch-it Kebabs – Skankin Sausages (1:58)
27. The Slackers – Don’t You Want A Man (3:30)
28. Bowling For Soup – The Bitch Song (3:33)
29. Rancid – Time Bomb (2:24)
30. The Distillers – City Of Angels (3:29)
31. Dandy Livingstone – Rudy a Message to You (2:34)
32. The Coventry Automatics – Dawning of a New Era (2:41)
33. Streetlight Manifesto – Point / Counterpoint (5:27)
34. mcfly – stay with me (live) (4:14)
35. Gladys Knight and the Pips – Midnight Train To Georgia’ (4:35)
36. The Lurkers – New Guitar In Town (2:39)
37. The Cure – Killing an Arab [Live] (2:27)
38. Stray Cats – Stray Cat Strut (3:14)
39. Face to Face – Disconnected (3:27)
40. Vic Reeves & The Wonderstuff – Dizzy (3:19)
41. Misfits – American Nightmare (1:42)
42. Devo – Mongoloid (3:44)
43. Bloodhound Gang – Picking On Me (3:21)
44. Mothers, The Rugby – Ohmeohmy (2:46)
45. The Rugby Mothers – Dads Tattoo (4:01)
46. Anti Nowhere League – So What (3:11)
47. Green Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams (4:20)
48. The Clash – Rock the Casbah (3:43)
49. Reel Big Fish – Fuck Off Song (3:25)
50. Snuff – Arsehole (2:37)
51. King Kurt – Fuck Off Status Quo (2:44)
52. Sultans Of Ping FC – Wheres Me Jumper (3:08)
53. Agent Orange – Seek And Destroy (4:26)
54. The Frank and Walters – Fashion Crisis Hits New York (3:27)
55. Paramore – Crushcrushcrush (3:09)
56. Infectious Grooves – Violent and Funky (4:18)
57. Misfits – Last Caress (1:59)
58. Dead Kennedys – Viva Las Vegas (3:28)
59. Me First And The Gimme Gimmes – Take Me Home Country Roads (2:19)
60. The Exploited – S.P.G. (2:07)
61. propaghandi – ska sucks (1:50)
62. Eels – novacaine for the soul (3:09)
63. Daisy Chainsaw – Love Your Money (2:41)
64. AFI – The Days of the Phoenix (3:27)
65. Rollins Band – Liar (6:35)
66. Bowling For Soup – The Bitch Song (3:33)
67. Lena Lovich – I Think We’re Alone Now (2:45)
68. The Smiths – Panic (2:18)
69. Zebrahead – Anthem (3:33)
70. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Happy (3:57)
71. David Bowie – Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (6:44)
72. Save Ferris – Come on Eileen (4:08)
73. Green Day – East Jesus Nowhere (4:34)
74. Flogging Molly – Drunken Lullabies (3:50)

tracydontplaythat@facebook

(FROM THE UPCOMING BOOK, MANY FACES OF THE SAME WOMAN.

chapter 7:  Susan the Gypsy

We all had fun until it was time for me to play. I went to the DJ booth ready to get it on.  “What up man how are you tonight.” “I’m good brother but you can’t come in the booth no one is allowed in here except Djs.” “Ok well I’m up next my name is Cornel DJ Rhythm.” “Oh yo, my bad I didn’t recognize you man I met you once back at the China club, Yo you are real good son. I know you gonna kill it tonight.” “Thank you, you did your thing yourself their kid.” “Yeah whatever I know when I’m out of my league, Rhythm.”

He was pretty much terrible but I had to gas him up some just to stay humble. I hit the set and started out with the rowdy hip-hop. Blazing up mixes to precision that drove the crowd of two thousand to a rage of screams. Forty minutes later it sounded like the Super bowl the noise was so loud. That’s when I switched gears on them and dropped in all the old school favorites. I remember the musical journey I took them on, won much approval and the sharks were surrounding the DJ booth. Woman coming from everywhere to get a up close look, while Michael Jackson’s {Billy Jean} and my microphone skill was steady talking to them, making them sing along.

“Big shouts to my fam up in here Poetic and Marley you know I gotta give a shout out to all the sexy ladies in the Roxy tonight, Oh yeah, and a special shout out to super sexy Ellen Watson in the house I got a special record for you baby check it.” That’s when I destroyed the place with Cindy Lauper’s {girls just want to have fun} That blew the roof off the place and from there I cruised into some Chicago house music. It was about 2am when I came in with the wickedest reggae set ever heard. The people went bananas I looked up and saw Ellen standing near me smiling with her frown look face. She raised a glass to me and we toasted from our positions.

The club promoter asked me if I was available for next Saturday and we made a deal on it. I walked out the DJ booth at 3:30 giving my man the finishing run I was beat from all the excitement. We took out the records and I sat down to rest smoking a cigarette. I felt a tap on my shoulder, “Well hello there Mr. Rhythm.” “It’s Cornel how are you Ellen did you have a nice time.” “Yes I did you are very talented indeed and I would have never known it was you if you hadn’t shouted me out, thank you.”

“It was nothing special I was a little off today.” “Yeah right you are the best I ever heard not that I go out much I work  lot’s hours at the hospital.” “The hospital huh what are you a kind hearted nurse?” “No actually I am a Dr.” “A doctor you naw you look more like a model not a doctor.” “Well I am a doctor not a model I wish I looked that good.” “What are you kidding you do you were the most beautiful woman here tonight, hands down you win.” “Sure, sure I bet you say that to all the girls.” “No I make it a rule not to date woman from clubs they are not interested in me but my talent. So I don’t talk to woman in clubs but there was just something about you, you arer one in a million baby you don’t know that?”

“I know Cornel got game and it’s not going to work on me, you probably are the biggest dog this side of Texas. I like your playing style thou let me know where I can hear you and I will come sometimes, maybe I can help chase off all your groupies.”  “Yeah I wish I had some all I require is your presence. It’s elementary my dear Dr. Watson.” “Ha, ha very funny I like a man with a sense of humor.” “Well just call me Martin Lawrence baby lets stay in touch.” “Sure Cornel why not, but only as friends I have a boyfriend can you respect that?” “Sorry to hear that but I will settle for friends with you I might learn something about medicine who knows?

I have an end of the summer boat ride in two weeks if you want to go?”  “Oh yes, but I’m bringing my man with me.” “Ok no problem I will call you with the ticket information.” “Good nice to meet you Cornel my friend is getting lonely let me go.”

Dr. Watson walked away like the goddess she was and we left the club and drove home. I didn’t mind playing the friend game because I knew if you stay a woman friend long enough sooner or later you could sleep with her. I usually didn’t do it this way that was for weak guys preying on when a woman was vulnerable waiting on a chance. Tonight I knew how they felt because I sure was going to wait out Ellen Watson, and man did I wait long two years.

even after 5 hours we go into a bit of overtime with about 40 minutes of classic rock especially for our newest convert Caz! seeing as she has to suff 4 Dinners in her life, we took pity, and relented. nah, as you all know, anything goes in the sunday social. so get YOUR reqests in and i’ll play them next week.

heres what was played this week. (not including vinyl and streamed tracks.)

1. Trojan All Stars – SFR Soundsystem Theme (2:19)
2. Madness – One Step Beyond (3:31)
3. Bad Manners – King skaFa (4:13)
4. The Specials – The Specials – You’re Wondering Now (2:37)
5. The Riffs – Darling (3:33)
6. Vincent McLeod – Too Late (3:17)
7. Pat Kelly – I Am Coming Home (3:47)
8. Owen And Leon Silveras – Next Door Neighbour (2:29)
9. Derrick Morgan – I Want to Go Home (2:21)
10. Harmonians – Music Street (1:56)
11. Bruce Ruffin – One Big Happy Family (2:54)
12. Dennis Alcapone – Ital Girl (2:51)
13. Joyce Bond – Help Me Make It Through the Night (2:34)
14. Granville Williams – Honky Tonk Ska (2:54)
15. Lloyd Robinson – No More Trouble (3:11)
16. Ska Boom – Long Shot Kick de Bucket (3:38)
17. Maroon Town – Travelling Light (3:35)
18. Ska-Dows – Ska-D for Life (3:25)
19. Selector – Three Minute Hero (2:57)
20. The Skatalites – Lucky Seven (2:50)
21. Cherry Pies – Do You Keep on Dreaming (2:36)
22. The Upsetters – Live Injection (3:16)
23. Tartans – What Can I Do (2:25)
24. Spanishtonians – Rudie Gets Plenty (2:40)
25. Amos Clarke – Chatty Chatty Woman (2:34)
26. Jackie Estick – The Ska (2:34)
27. Eddie Perkins – My Darling (2:38)
28. Winston Samuels – You Are the One (I Love) (2:23)
29. Lloyd Briscoe – Trojan (2:30)
30. Arthur Kay’s Originals – Limehouse Lady (4:04)
31. Ska-Dows – Apache (3:01)
32. Loafers – Everyday (4:20)
33. Bad Manners – Hoots Mon, There’s a Moose Loose About This Hoose (1:06)
34. Madness – Land Of Hope And Glory (2:57)
35. The Ventures – Sunday Social Theme (2:42)
36. Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) (5:12)
37. Babyshambles – Fuck Forever (4:39)
38. Band of horses – the general specific (3:08)
39. Interpol – NYC (4:21)
40. Carter USM – My Second To Last Will And Tes (2:37)
41. The Bluetones – Solomon Bites The Worm (3:09)
42. Feeder – Buck Rogers (3:12)
43. gus and finn – are friends electric (3:08)
44. Gugug – Blitzkrieg Bop (1:42)
45. The Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger (3:24)
46. The Beatles – Drive My Car (2:28)
47. The Sex Pistols – Anarchy In The Uk (3:31)
48. The Sex Pistols – Pretty Vacant (3:15)
49. Kid British – Elizabeth (2:49)
50. Suede – Lazy (3:19)
51. Placebo – Nancy Boy (3:48)
52. Pop Will Eat Itself – Token Drug Song (4:03)
53. Radiohead – The Bends (4:06)
54. Kirsty McColl – Days (3:00)
55. Meatloaf – Bat Out Of Hell (4:54)
56. The Kooks – Jackie Big Tits (2:28)
57. Republica – Drop Dead Gorgeous (4:30)
58. The Cure – Let’s Go to Bed (3:34)
59. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (3:37)
60. Reef – Place Your Hands (3:38)
61. Symposium – The Answer To Why I Hate You (3:32)
62. REM – its the end of the world as we (4:04)
63. The Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You (3:33)
64. The Coral – Pass It On (2:20)
65. The Feeling – Love It When You Call (3:35)
66. Echobelly – King of the Kerb (3:56)
67. The Farm – All Together Now (3:59)
68. Cranberries – Linger (4:34)
69. Oasis – Aquiesce (4:32)
70. The Stone Roses – This Is The One (4:58)
71. The Seahorses – Blinded By the Sun (4:40)
72. Shed Seven – Getting Better (4:13)
73. The Levellers – One Way (6:16)
74. The Faces – Stay With Me (4:38)
75. Genesis – Home by the Sea/Second Home by the Sea (12:14)
76. Whitesnake – Here I Go Again (4:36)
77. Asia – Heat of the Moment (3:51)
78. Kansas – Carry On Wayward Son (5:21)
79. Bad Company – Can’t Get Enough of Your Love (4:15)
80. Bachman Turner Overdrive – You Aint Seen Nothing Yet (3:51)
81. Thin Lizzy – Rosalie (3:11)
82. Bryan Adams – Summer Of 69 (3:34)
83. Black Sabbath – Paranoid (2:50)
84. Queen – We Are The Champions (3:00)
85. Status Quo – Caroline (4:09)
86. Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline (3:33)

Four kids on tour, three thousand miles, in a four-door car, not knowin’ what was goin’ on / We got a million years, tourin’ out like this / Hell no, no premonition could have foreseen this

If you’ve listened to Rancid’s And Out Come The Wolves you may have noticed that some of their songs express nostalgia. That is for the bygone days of Operation Ivy, for Tim Armstrong (guitar, hilarious vocals) and Matt Freeman (bass, vocals) were in Operation Ivy along with Jesse Michaels (vocals).

Indeed, Tim and Matt formed Rancid after Operation Ivy broke up. Urban legend has it that 924 Gilman St, the legendary underground punk and alternative performance venue in Berkeley CA (famous for being the starting point for just about any punk band from the 90s onward; comparable with CBGB’s in the 80s in Britain) refused to book them after their tour because they had become too well-known. Regardless of the reason, Jesse was done with the band, Matt and Tim weren’t.

Operation Ivy released just one album, which was later re-issued with a handful of extra songs from an EP. And this album is the best album ever. Onto the music already!

Knowledge

In your face straight away, angry chords and bleak attitudes: wide open road of my future now, it’s lookin’ fuckin’ narrow. All we know is that we don’t know nothing – all through schooling we’re told we need to know this to pass the subject, need to know that to get ahead in life. We get told to decide / just like as if I’m not gonna change my mind hits home for me: a lot of my conversations with adults used to go down the road of where I was headed in life. I got the distinct impression that I was supposed to decide on a path, and that it was a decision that I couldn’t change my mind on. Very affirmative (and fun!) “that’s fine!” growled out at the end. Look no further for a defining example of what the 90s punk song should sound like.

Sound System

Try to describe it to the limit of my ability… This song is about the power of music: making you feel good. It’s only temporary, changing nothing in its wake but it lets us resist despair, and (in what is my favourite quote of all time, let alone favourite line in a song) to resist despair, in this world, is what it is to be free. At this point, Jesse is 17: too young to have a say in his own life or the political process, yet he has a deeper understanding of life than most people will ever have – and not only is he able to put this down in words, but he is able to put it in lyrics. Lyrics which don’t get in the way of this song doing exactly what he is describing in the first place. Mind-blowing. Jesse raps out some of the most well-thought and well-meant lyrics I’ve ever heard put to music. You just absolutely must enjoy yourself when this song is playing.

This is the first song I have ever heard by Op Ivy and is the last song I want to hear before I die.  – FatJustinCantSkank, songmeanings.net

Jaded

The punk scene is dead and you killed it! Something breaks inside of you, with the spectacle of all the shows / Your fifteen fights and your six bucks gone up some promoter’s nose. Every person witnesses their own personal death of punk – everyone has that “punk is dying” moment where the scene and the music and the attitudes turn sour for them. This is Jesse’s – but sometimes, every once in a while / it’s beautiful, I would say, I wouldn’t have it any other way. So this song is also about the moments when someone or something reaffirms your reasons for loving this crazy teenage music in the first place. And he warns against giving in to that “punk is dead” attitude: But I won’t burn my bridges and be just another jaded fool. This song had a massive impact when it came out: this album (89) and Bad Religion’s Suffer (also 89) are credited with starting the 90s punk revival (bringing you Green Day, NoFX in their prime, Offspring… basically every successful punk band ever).

Take Warning

No one’s got a thing against you / unless you got something to prove / we don’t need no new set of standards / we don’t need no new set of rules. This is quite literally a warning to the new generation of punks on how to behave. Operation Ivy were huge on social unity and unity within the scene, and the “chip on the shoulder” atttitude prevalent among young punks doesn’t seem to sit very well with him here. Much more of a reggae feel than the songs so far. We say stand together! Not to fight, just to exist is a great summary of Operation Ivy’s world view.

The Crowd

The crowd, the impersonal collection of disjointed disconnected people – we need a gathering instead! The routine of life (fifteen minutes of hygiene twenty minutes of eating thirty seconds to the door) and the escape in alcohol (when you feel like a wasp caught in the swarm you need to get away, any way that you can) tends to separate people; numb them to others. Jesse wants us to be more than just a crowd of disaffecteds; he wants a gathering instead. Continues the theme of social unity. Fantastic bass line too. That intro from about ten seconds in demonstrates Matt Freeman’s considerable skill quite amply. Read the youtube comments section for this video for gems such as “you dont disorve ears you are an idiot”.

Bombshell

Demonstrating that they still are teenagers at heart, this is a quick and energetic ditty about that girl – you know, at the party, she bought you a beer, you had a real connection, but you didn’t get her number and never caught her name? I’ve retraced my steps a thousand times / Seems like I’ve spent hours asking all my friends about her – it still manages to squeeze in some musical diversity underscored by a rapid-fire bass line that is all over the scale. In discussions of greatest bass players (a kind of ‘my dad could beat up your dad’ for musicians) Matt is often accused of playing fast, but without soul – too much of the chromatic scale and not in harmony enough with the rest of the song – but that is because they are trying to treat this like a rock and roll or blues band. That kind of motoring along on the roots and fifths is too common in punk rock, and although it makes for a very fast song, it often makes for a song that gets old quickly too. I think it suits the kind of music they’re playing.

Unity

There’s a war coming down between my brothers tonight / I don’t want no war going down, going down tonight. Tim opens the song and sets the tone for every sentence of this anti-war, anti-conflict, anti-hate song. Civilisation, hah! I call it as I see it / I call this bullshit, you know I still cannot believe it. How civilised are we, really? We frown on murderers but our soldiers are patriots, drug dealers are the scum of the earth but pharmacists are honest hard-working folk, slavers swapped iron chains for white collars… Our evolution now has gone the way of hate, a world evolved, resolved into this stupid fate. Again, Jesse’s desire for social justice and unity shine through his intelligent lyrics. He has such a sharp eye for the issues at the heart of discord in society and such a talent for expressing them lyrically. This song skips from scratchy ska guitar to what is probably the closest thing to a ballad they would allow themselves. He closes out the song with something that is part plea and part threat: Unity, as one stand together! Unity, evolution’s gonna come! As long as the hating kind keep killing each other, evolution will favour unity. At least, that’s what Jesse hopes for. I was born the year they broke up, but listening to that chorus – what I wouldn’t give to see an Operation Ivy show.

So, that’s my take on the first seven songs from the remastered re-released 2007 version of Energy. There’s 20 more where that came from later.