John BattlesTo hear my recent podcast , google areyoufamousyet.libsyn.com click on the top google entry . You will see a list of previous episodes. Click on the top line , episode 196 , and you're there.
In an interview by Laura and Jake Scruggs , I yammer in... moreTo hear my recent podcast , google areyoufamousyet.libsyn.com click on the top google entry . You will see a list of previous episodes. Click on the top line , episode 196 , and you're there.
In an interview by Laura and Jake Scruggs , I yammer incessantly about my 35 years performing , starting in Texas , and ending up in Chicago , getting my first break from Reverend Horton Heat , singing back up vocals with Screamin' Jay Hawkins , making a Rockabilly tape with Clint Strong , future Guitar player for Merle Haggard , almost writing a song with Cordell Jackson , opening for the likes of Kid Congo , The Gories , Johnny Legend , The Legendary Stardust Cowboy , Bloodshot Bill , Davie Allan and The Arrows and '68 Comeback , venues that won't have me back and a scathing critique from Klaus Flouride that changed absolutely nothing.
I also get in four or five numbers. Check it out. You can always do something else while you listen.
Thanks , Gentleman John Battles less
John BattlesAUGUST 16 , 1997 . THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ELVIS' DEATH (OR , some would say , disappearance.). My friend , Msr. Jeffrey Evans , invited me to open a show with '68 Comeback (His post - Gibson Brothers outfit.)and Don Howland's post Gibson Bros. ban... moreAUGUST 16 , 1997 . THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ELVIS' DEATH (OR , some would say , disappearance.). My friend , Msr. Jeffrey Evans , invited me to open a show with '68 Comeback (His post - Gibson Brothers outfit.)and Don Howland's post Gibson Bros. band , The Bassholes , at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago. There was a terrible storm that night. Jeff and the band barely made it. Evans told me they'd driven their van into a ditch , but , they were rescued by a Stripper ( Jeff , ever the gentleman , put her on the guest list , but , she did'nt show.). Meanwhile , Don Howland , well known for missing his own gigs by this point , had yet to arrive when I started my set. As it turned out , he never showed. I had to extend my set to about an hour to fill the gap. The audience was suprisingly calm about The Bassholes ' not making it , and having to listen to me play without a band as long as I did. I did have drums , and , by request , did a ten minute version of "Parchment Farm' , after which I was told "Blue... less
John Battles commented on El Efe Efe's photo: These are called , what , again? Painted on metal , they're usually depictions of real - life fallen souls , whose loved ones beg that they be saved by Maria , Madre De Dios....... My parents have a few of these.
August 2
John BattlesGentleman John Battles , LIVE Radio Podcast on "Are We Famous Yet ?".
Sunday , August 6 , 1 :30 PM , CST .
The... moreGentleman John Battles , LIVE Radio Podcast on "Are We Famous Yet ?".
Sunday , August 6 , 1 :30 PM , CST .
The warped Rockabilly / Garage damaged song stylings of John Battles and his Monster Guitar will ooze through the internet , live , for the first time , ever , as his 35th year of performing grinds to a halt. John will be interviewed , live , by Laura Scruggs , regarding his own "Career" , and Scruggs' upcoming documentary on former Chicago and latter Baltimore day cool shit purveyor and art collector , Ted Frankel , aka "Uncle Fun". John recently completed the theme song to said film , and appears in interview segments (As does John Waters and the Mayor of Baltimore.). "Let's all Go To Uncle Fun" will debut on this program , along with other originals like "The Harold's Fried Chicken Song", "Put The Hurtt on You ( For the BAD Mike Hurtt. ) , "Werewolf of Wicker Park" and /or "Frankenstein Created Go Go Girls" an... less
John BattlesHAPPY BIRTHDAY , JOHNNY THUNDERS , PROGENITOR OF PUNK ROCK'N'ROLL GUITAR..... HIS BAD NIGHTS STILL BEAT MANY MONEY - RAKING UPSTARTS' GOOD ONES.
John BattlesI HAPPENED TO SEE THUNDERS AND SLASH (DOING A MERCIFULLY SHORT GUEST SPOT WITH MIKE MONROE .) ON THE SAME STAGE ABOUT A MONTH APART. IT TOOK JOHNNY WELL OVER AN HOUR TO EVEN PRETEND TO ATTAIN THE DEPTHS OF SUCK THAT SLASH ACCOMPLISHED IN FIVE MINUTES. ... moreI HAPPENED TO SEE THUNDERS AND SLASH (DOING A MERCIFULLY SHORT GUEST SPOT WITH MIKE MONROE .) ON THE SAME STAGE ABOUT A MONTH APART. IT TOOK JOHNNY WELL OVER AN HOUR TO EVEN PRETEND TO ATTAIN THE DEPTHS OF SUCK THAT SLASH ACCOMPLISHED IN FIVE MINUTES. It's true , Johnny was not "on" that night , but he was also not at the peak of his youth and fame , like someone.....Nor pulling in at least a million a year. I refuse to listen to G'n'R's verion of "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory." . As many people that were taken in by the band's phony rebellion (One friend even said they were bringing back the spirit of The Dolls. I DID do him a mitzvah , and turned him on to Hanoi Rocks.) , one co - worker at least was'nt so easily misled. Though she loved G'n'R , SHE TOLD ME , " I SAW THIS BAND OPEN FOR GUNS'N'ROSES THAT REALLY SUCKED ! JOHN , HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF .....SMASHING PUMPKINS?!" . And an angel got his wings. less
John BattlesHAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY , ROKY ERICKSON , THE HORROR ROCKIN' HORROR ROCK KING , PATRIARCH OF PUNK AND PSYCH , AND THE EMPEROR OF ICE CREAM !!! Roky and Dana Erickson , below.
John Battles
i FELIZ CUPLEANOS , MIL MASCARAS ! 75 anos - Julio 15 , 2017 (CLICK ON IMAGE , IT GETS BIGGER.)
July 14
John Battles commented on John Battles's photo: Thanks , Damos. Two years later, Jim Morrison also died , also presumably by drowning. But , who can say ? On a much lighter note , this July 15 , Roky Erickson turns 70 , and Johnny Thunders would have turned 65.
June 28
John BattlesJuly 3rd , 1969. Patron Saint of Garage Punk , Brian Jones , dies at 27. An effort's been made to write him out of the history of the band he , himself , founded. No
John Battles
Thanks , Damos. Two years later, Jim Morrison also died , also presumably by drowning. But , who can say ? On a much lighter note , this July 15 , Roky Erickson turns 70 , and Johnny Thunders would have turned 65.
..... What was interesting was , that Iggy book had a grainy reproduction of the newspaper ad for the August '88 "Greatest Show on Earth" Chicago Aragon Iggy Pop / Ramones show. The Dickies were on the bill , too , but , it was'nt announced til the ... more..... What was interesting was , that Iggy book had a grainy reproduction of the newspaper ad for the August '88 "Greatest Show on Earth" Chicago Aragon Iggy Pop / Ramones show. The Dickies were on the bill , too , but , it was'nt announced til the day of the show. I WAS PSYCHED ABOUT THAT , I'D BEEN TRYING TO SEE THE DICKIES FOR YEARS ! &nbs...
June 6
John Battles shared Erik Carlson's post. GOD , you know , I was thinking about Brad , today . He was the only friend I knew who lived in my neighborhood ca. Late 80's - early 90's. I don't know anyone in my neighborhood , anymore , except a few couples and scattered individuals on my block. I ha... moreGOD , you know , I was thinking about Brad , today . He was the only friend I knew who lived in my neighborhood ca. Late 80's - early 90's. I don't know anyone in my neighborhood , anymore , except a few couples and scattered individuals on my block. I have'nt seen Brad in Yonks. Been in touch a bit on his You Tube page.
John, I'm reading Warner's newest Don't Be a Jerk.
I'm also reading Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff...Some seriously good shit
June 6
John BattlesHAPPY ALL SAINTS DAYS - PETER CUSHING (MAY 26.) , VINCENT PRICE AND CHRISTOPHER LEE (May 27.). Below - Vincent Price with my friend , Rick Lucey , THE FORMER EAST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY , 1983.
I FOUND ALVIN STARDUST'S FIRST UK ALBUM , RECENTLY. I've always liked what little I'd heard , but , apart from a couple of singles , I've never seen anything turn up. In fact , I already found a Shane Fenton (Stardust's previous hit venture in the 60's , ... moreI FOUND ALVIN STARDUST'S FIRST UK ALBUM , RECENTLY. I've always liked what little I'd heard , but , apart from a couple of singles , I've never seen anything turn up. In fact , I already found a Shane Fenton (Stardust's previous hit venture in the 60's , where he assumed the identity of his band's previous frontman , who had died suddenly . ) CD co...
May 22
John BattlesMore Acts for The 2017 Ponderosa Stomp Just Announced. The Ponderosa Stomp is being held this year Oct 5-7th at The Orpheum Theatre in New Orleans. Scheduled to appear are Roky Erickson , doing the music of The 13th Floor Elevators , Roy Head ,... moreMore Acts for The 2017 Ponderosa Stomp Just Announced. The Ponderosa Stomp is being held this year Oct 5-7th at The Orpheum Theatre in New Orleans. Scheduled to appear are Roky Erickson , doing the music of The 13th Floor Elevators , Roy Head , The Gories , The Mummies , Los Straitjackets , Linda Gail Lewis ( Jerry Lee's Sister , and truly the "Lady Killer".) , Doug Kershaw , Deke Dickerson , Barbara Lynn , Eve and The Exiles (Featuring Speedy Sparks and Mike Buck , both of The Sir Douglas Quintet and The Roky Erickson Band and Homer Henderson , heir more than apparent to Hasil Adkins' throne.) , Gary U.S. Bonds , Evie Sands, Archie Bell , Santiago Jiminez , Jr. ( Conjunto master , and Flaco Jiminez's Brother .) , also , from Japan , The Stompin' Riff Raffs , and more.
Yes , I could have posted this as an event , but , no one would respond to it..... less
John BattlesI REMEMBER SEEING OF OF LINK WRAY'S LAST SHOWS , AT THE GREEN BAY FESTIVAL....He had Marty Fiere (sic) from 13 FG , and Link's 80's band , and Pete Curry from Los Straitjackets , Tingle Guild (First Chocolate Watchband offshoot.) and even The Chocolate Wa... moreI REMEMBER SEEING OF OF LINK WRAY'S LAST SHOWS , AT THE GREEN BAY FESTIVAL....He had Marty Fiere (sic) from 13 FG , and Link's 80's band , and Pete Curry from Los Straitjackets , Tingle Guild (First Chocolate Watchband offshoot.) and even The Chocolate Watchband , for one gig in '66 or 67. Should have been perfect. Bu t.....Link was really in a mood , and his guitar sounded godawful. But even BAD Link had it's moments.....He played one last time in Berwyn , Illinois , and that was actually a great.
April 9
John Battles
I meant 1313 ML (1313 MOCKINGBIRD LANE.) ....I was thinking of 13 Frightened Girls , Different band. Dimentia 13 , Dementia 13 , Poison 13 , 13th Floor Elevators , 13 Ghosts , 13 Tikis , you name 'em . All different bands.
TV - ";Chic A Go Go" (Dancer , Collaborator.).
"Chic - A - Go Go : The Movie"(Co -starred with Ratso.).
Briefly visible in the movies "Public Enemies" , "The Big Bounce" , "Plastercaster" and "Bubble Rama";.
Rev. Horton Heat's "Wiggle Stick"video.
Favorite Music
Cramps , Ramones , Fleshtones , Link Wray , Seeds , Elevators , Roky Erickson , Troggs , Pretty Things , Downliners Sect , Rolling Stones , Chocolate Watchband , Sonics , Paul Revere and The Raiders , Wailers , Don and The Goodtimes , Lincolns , Swamp Rats , Treniers , Chuck Berry , Little Richard , Esquerita , Screamin' Jay Hawkins , Fred Cole , Donny B. Waugh , Mickey Lee Lane , Ramones , New York Dolls , Johnny Thunders , Dictators , Dead Boys , Hanoi Rocks , Saints , Stooges , MC5 , Slade , Sweet , Suzi Quatro , Roy Wood , T-Rex , Gary Glitter (The music , not the other stuff....) , Ike Turner (The same.), Nancy Sinatra , Ann - Margret , Wanda Jackson , Sparkle Moore , Janis Martin , Collins Kids , Shadows , Ventures , Davie Allan and The Arrows , Travis Wammack , Al Casey , Bobby Wayne , ? and The Mysterians , monks , Third Bardo , Eater , Lurkers , Sex Pistols , X - Ray Spex , Vibrators , F.U.2 , Hubble Bubble , Los Punk Rockers , Stack Waddy , Pink Fairies , Deviants , Blue Cheer , Alice Cooper Group , Johnny Cash , Hank Williams , Jerry Lee Lewis , Conway Twitty , George Jones , Buck Owens , Elvis , The Pirates , Jesse Hector , Nervebreakers , Vomit Pigs , Superman's Girlfriend , Lithium Xmas , Peyote Cowboys , Reverend Horton Heat , Saints , Rezillos ,Radio Birdman , Paladins , Blasters ,Teddy and The Tall Tops , Sleepy La Beef , Charlie Feathers , Carl Perkins , Johnny Burnette , GENE Vincent ,Herbie Duncan , Andy Starr, Cordell Jackson ,Zakary Thaks , Motorhead , X , Moby Grape , Commander Cody , Iron Butterfly , Orphan Egg , Captain Beyond , Shitty Beatles (Dallas. The originals.) , Waste Kings , Lava Sutra , (Chicago) Mystery Girls , Oncoming Traffic , Greaseballs , Cynics , Brood , Woggles , Sons of Hercules , Fortune and Maltese , Royal Pendletons , Mack Stevens , Johnny Legend , Eddie Angel , Deke Dickerson , Msr. Jeffrey Evans , The Dyes , Los Gatos Diablos , Bloodshot Bill , NoBunny , Johnny Samson , Rockin' Johnny Band , Otis Rush , Muddy Waters , Howlin' Wolf , Leadbelly , John Lee Hooker , Hound Dog Taylor, Robert Johnson , Doug Sahm , Alice Cooper Group , early Bob Seger ,New York Dolls , Sonics Rendezvous Band , Scott Morgan in general , Mitch Ryder , New Colony Six , Shadows of Knight , Five Americans , Stack Waddy , Bubble Puppy , Funkadelic , Velvert Turner Group , Death ,Purple Image , Maximillian , Milano(The Leather Boy), Dean Carter , Jack Starr , Hasil Adkins
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