So I’m enjoying the down time between the new issue going to the printer and the insanity that ensues once it arrives. Catching up on email, walking the dogs and walking down memory lane.

In 1985, I got to see Black Flag in Colorado. I was so single-minded in my excitement to see them, I totally didn’t pay attention to the opener. As I recollect, Black Flag were kinda metal. They were good, but I remember being very scared that I’d be killed at the show. Hey, remember, I was 15. Oh well, move on.

Years later, I put on a show with the VSS. Seeing as how they’re around my age and also from Colorado, they immediately started comparing notes with me as to what shows we were at together. Black Flag stood out.

from Forced Exposure (the magazine)…

"Do you remember who opened for them?," asked one of them. I couldn’t remember.

"Nig Heist."

Whoa!? I saw Nig Heist open for Black Flag? Well, here’s the thing, providing I did see Nig Heist, you’d think I’d remember them. Why? Most succinctly, they were the most provocation-inducing punk band in a sea of already-inducing-provocation style bands.

Nig Heist were a joke band to beat all joke bands. Helmed by Black Flag’s all-round-go-to-guy Mugger, the band thrived on confrontation and were hated and loved by the crowds that would see them. Obviously, a majority of their shows were opening for Black Flag and were the stuff of legend. They had a rotating line-up that would feature anybody that was there, but is more like a who’s who of the SST roster. Davo. Tom Troccoli. Spot. Chuck Biscuits. Bill Stevenson. Dez Cadena. D Boon. Oh yeah, and Ian MacKaye is credited as a former member. I dare you to top it!

…a brilliant flyer

Other than Black Randy and the Metrosquad, I can’t really think of a band that took the irreverence of punk rock to such high levels. Utter performance art genius. And yes, they were totally reviled. Hilarious.

So in their wisdom, Drag City reissued Nig Heist’s single and LP back in the late 90’s with profits from the Pavement back catalog to little fanfare. Of course, I bought it and I cherish it more than I really should.

The second bonus disc with the reissue was a collection of live recordings compiled by none other than Henry Rollins who, presumably, was in attendance at all of the shows featured.

So how did I go so long on chunklet.com without mentioning Nig Heist? Hell if I know! However, you can thank iTunes for pulling the live Nig Heist disc up amidst a sea of 800GB of mp3s on my drive.

Enjoy the crudeness. Enjoy the hatred. And yes, go find Nig Heist’s record. If you’re a purveyor of either comedy or punk rock, you’ll find it immediately worthwhile. Trust me.

Oh! And while I was searching youtube for clips of NH, I found this tremendous (yet unembed-able) video of this promoter from the Greystone in Detroit. I wonder if Corey Rusk’s got any interesting stories about him….

also from Forced Exposure…

Nig Heist – live

Although it’s been close to three years since the last issue, would you believe this new issue went surprisingly fast and easy? On top of it, I think it’s hands down the best issue ever.

Ah, Mac porn!

I’ll post the cover and other news later this week. Right now? I’d just like to go get a skinny latte and read the news. RIP Isaac Hayes.

Oh, the video below was sent to me this weekend by a buddy in Mugwump. Ironically, it’s how I feel now that I’ve finished the issue.

….special sauce, lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles on a sesame seed bun.

You know, it’s not all punk rock histrionics and hipster noise ‘round here. Sometimes we all need a good dose of what Cab Calloway called “churchin’ up”. I was lucky enough to come across this here elpee in a box of junk a few weeks back and well, it just knocked me on my non-believer ass. First we have the amazing cover and once I flipped it around and saw those two guitar-wielding gents in their finest Sunday morning white suits I knew this sucker had a home. Fret not, it’s no billion dollar treasure, it can be plucked off the web on the fair side of cheap and I promise it would make for money well spent. Little is known about the SPS, they came out of Washington, D.C. in the late 1960’s, recorded a couple of 45’s and a couple of LP’s and then, well, who knows, maybe they’re still at it. But this 1976 platter shakes the steeple baby and I’m giving you a taste of two swinging tracks. Also, I figured with the impending arrival of The Rock Bible we could use all the positive mojo we could muster. Can you dig it? I knew that you could.

(sorry for the semi-noisy vinyl rip, it’s the cross I bear)   

That says “Hey – check me out!”

That says “Well, what do we have here?”

That says – “SOLD!”

Sensational Prodigal Sons – Goin’ To A Meeting

Sensational Prodigal Sons – Witness

I’m a poor man with one copy of the Rock Bible. In a month I will have plenty. But now? I show it to friends who are in town.

Cole from The Black Lips……eyes closed.

Here’s The Black Lips and The Dirtbombs checking it out at last night’s show at the Variety Playhouse opening for Spiritualized.

Mick Collins from The Dirtbombs! He’s really giggling!

Best caption for any will win a free "We’re All In This Together" t-shirt.

Ben from The Dirtbombs and Jared Swiley from The Black Lips……

I’m feeling nostalgic. It was 25 years ago this December that SLUGGO recorded a whopper of Midwest hardcore, the “Contradiction” 7” E.P. I must have owned, given away, owned again, lost and found this beauty about ten different times. Luckily the last time I checked the boxes there it was and I felt it was time to share. (Also I took an epic nap this afternoon, hence I’m wide-awake in the a.m.). Sluggo were a frenzied gang of youths here in my hometown of Cincinnati, and I mean young, but played tight, ripping HC as evident with the 8 song 7” we are featuring half of here (again, posting the whole thing just ain’t square dealing, get out there and hunt). It can be had for a mere full tank of gas. KBD, DIY, OOP, H/C, SxE, all that good stuff. Enjoy. 

Ah, good old B&W punk rock sleeve.

Ah, good old vinatge punk rock flyer w/ some band from Michigan?

Ah, the…uh, back cover.

SLUGGO: Stitch

SLUGGO: Erase The Thought

SLUGGO: Suburban Haven

SLUGGO: Of It

I just finished watching this and all I could think was "wow". Harry Smith is undoubtedly one of the greatest assets to 20th century recorded music, but good god, this is some out there shit. Does anybody know more about this interview/video footage?

So there’s good news and there’s bad news. The bad news first. I’ve been extremely busy finishing up the new issue, so there’s not been much in the way of blog updates. And for that, I apologize. There’s a LOT going on, but I have to finish the new issue first. I should add that if you have money to put towards advertising or supporting this endeavor, I’m available.

The good news is that I’ve been seeing some absolutely stellar shows recently. Sex Vid, American Cheeseburger and the Bukkake Boys leveled an Athens pizza joint’s back room on Sunday. Boris, Torche and Clouds brought it on the day after Independence Day. But the big show (at least for me) was seeing Sic Alps perform here in Atlanta on Tuesday with local bands The Suitcases, The NEC and Hawks.

Sic Alps have been a recent fave here at the office and with a new record that came out on Siltbreeze this week, they’re keeping their Most Favored Band status for a while longer. After checking with the band and listening back to the recording, they are allowing me to post their performance in its entirety. It was recorded by Mr. Curt Wells.

I strongly recommend buying their new album (TJ, thank you for resurrecting the label!), the singles comp and the new single (complete with off center and way too big center hole) on Important.

Okay, me go back to work now. You’re gonna love the new issue. I promise.

Sic Alps – Atlanta July 2008

How rough are things when you’re selling Morbid Angel master tapes on eBay?

Thanks, Stephen.

What do you think of Columbia Records choosing this to launch their vinyl reissues campaign?

A record that one would say is as “common as rat shit”