Well, in case you’re like us and have kids and/or just don’t feel like going out that night, you might consider inviting some friends over and flipping on the tube for what just might be a pretty interesting New Year’s Eve show. Little Steven’s Underground Garage, in collaboration with ESPN (WTF?) is hosting a big shindig at the (yawn) Hard Rock Café in Times Square, featuring the New York Dolls, The Troggs, The Mooney Suzuki, The Woggles, The Chesterfield Kings, and The Charms. No, it’s not thee most stellar lineup in garage rock history, but it might suffice as background entertainment for an evening partying at home. Those in the NYC area (and beyond) who shell out the THREE HUNDRED clams to see this live in person, though, must be outta their friggin’ skulls since there’s something else going on that night that you could take in for just $20 that’s a HELLUVA lot cooler (see below). And while I think this might make good background noise for a party, I seriously can’t think of a more UN-rock’n'roll event. Since when has ESPN or the Hard Rock Cafe had any interest in REAL rock’n'roll? And a $300 ticket price? C’mon! Let’s face it, the only reason any of this is happening is because of Little Steven and his show. I guess I have mixed emotions, feeling sorta torn between thinking this is a cool thing that can somehow be good for “garage rock,” and being completely disgusted by it as nothing more than overt exploitation. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how the whole thing plays out that night. By the way, don’t count on ESPN or ESPN2 to carry the whole event, because from looking at their online schedule, it appears that they’re only carrying this thing from 11pm (Eastern Time) ’til shortly after Midnight (although ESPN2 will be there until 1am, at which time it looks like it repeats), so I doubt seriously that you’ll see any footage of The Charms, The Woggles, The Mooney Suzuki [no big loss there, IMHO] and maybe even the Kings), but no matter how you slice it, it’s gotta be better than watching the ball drop. OK, so let’s hear some shit, right? Yeah, that’s all you fuckers ever want. Heh, can’t say that I blame ya! So, below I’ve posting some MP3s of some shit you might hear. But keep in mind that 3/5s of the Dolls are dead (I believe the current lineup consists of David Johansen on vocals, Sylvain Sylvain and Steve Conte [the latter of Johansen's '80s solo band] on guitar, Sam Yaffa [of Hanoi Rocks] on bass, and Gary Powell [of The Libertines] on drums), so I’ve no idea what they’re going to end up sounding like. I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping it doesn’t end up sounding like Buster Poindexter doing Dolls covers.

The Troggs – Lost Girl (MP3)
New York Dolls – Pills (MP3)
The Chesterfield Kings – I Don’t Understand (MP3) (from The Mindbending Sounds of… on Sundazed)
The Woggles – My Baby Likes to Boogaloo (MP3) (from Live! at the Star Bar on Blood Red)
The Mooney Suzuki – Half of My Heart (MP3) (from People Get Ready on Estrus)
The Charms – Action (MP3) (from Pussycat on Red Car Records)

For those of you in the NYC area…

NORTON NEW YEAR’S EVE BLAST!

Make plans to send this old year off with a bang by Crashing The Party here in Brooklyn, USA with MC MIGHTY HANNIBAL, as the A-BONES—with the GREAT GAYLORD in tow—and their special guests the BLACK LIPS (insane new album—and commemorative dinner plate—LET IT BLOOM out on the In The Red label, kids!) blast off on New Year’s Eve at Union Pool (484 Union in Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Brooklyn), with one-man band sensation BLOODSHOT BILL starting off the nite just rite plus the creme of the local disc jockey crew spinnin’ their tiny little brains out all nite long: WFMU‘s DAVE THE SPAZZ and REX of Fool’s Paradise fame, Crypt Records‘ TIM WARREN, fab tag team faves BAZOOKA JOE & XTINE 16 and the Little Killers‘ ANDY MALTZ. Union Pool boasts a beautacious old bar, excellent bathroom facilities, and a new showroom with all new fabulous sound system, lights, dance floor and full bar—plus a great big stage with velvet curtains, plus under-the-stars smoke-n-booze patio lounge for huffers, puffers and overheated Booty Greeners! Rumor has it that the Mighty Hannibal will instruct the curious with Fishing Pole dance lessons, and that the Great Gaylord may be squatting to the E! Also, the 24-hour Kellogg Diner is a block away for wee hour eggs and grits! Pass the hot sauce! Tickets $20. Union Pool, 484 Union Ave. at Meeker, Brooklyn, NY. (718) 609-0484

The A-Bones w/ The Greay Gaylord – Squat With Me Baby (MP3) (from Daddy Wants a Cold Beer… and Other Million Sellers on Norton)
Black Lips – Can’t Dance (MP3) (from Let it Bloom on In the Red)
The Mighty Hannibal – Big Chief Hug-Um an’ Kiss-Um (MP3) (from Hannibalism! on Norton)

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Posted by kopper in GaragePunk.com News | One Comment »