#Alec Bathgate

[bandcampsnoop]

10/6/23.

I'm still incredibly sad about the passing of Hamish Kilgour. It was nearly a year ago that I found out. He meant so much to me musically - his solo albums, The Clean, The Great Unwashed, The Mad Scene and The Sundae Painters.

I'm so grateful that Leather Jacket Records (Christchurch, New Zealand) is releasing a full LP of material from the collaborative band The Sundae Painters. The band is made up of Kaye Woodward and Paul Kean (The Bats, and Minisnap), Alec Bathgate (Tall Dwarfs and solo) and Hamish Kilgour (above bands plus a ton more). Not only are we getting an eight-song LP, but the artwork is clearly the work of Hamish as well.

Only "Sweet Dreams" is available, but what a bittersweet song. It sounds like Hamish is singing, and I really pray that he is enjoying some sweet sweet dreams wherever he is.

[dagwolf]

Spinning: Alec Bathgate. Gold Lamé. 1996.

[dustedmagazine]

Listening Post: The Tall Dwarfs

The Tall Dwarfs emerged out of Toy Love in the early 1980s.  It had two members. In the beginning, Alec Bathgate set up the basic instrumental foundation for duo’s pop-slanted, fuzz-crusted oddities, while Chris Knox wrote the lyrics. Later, their roles overlapped, as Bathgate sang the lyrics he wrote, and Knox began playing instruments beyond the loops around the second or third EP.

The two of them had a knack for compressed, transporting lyricism, hitched to eccentric, roughly recorded production, in line with the fuzzy tunefulness of the rest of the Flying Nun roster, but quirkier and more eccentric.  The duo never had a drummer or a bass player and were known for MacGyvering a rhythm section out of whatever was at hand, banging on boxes and stomping on floors to improvise a beat.  They were also early experimenters with tape loops, often splicing recorded fragments together with scotch tape, playing them back and recording to two- or four-track recorders.  The pair of them lived in different cities, Bathgate in Christchurch and Knox in Auckland.  As a result, they saw each other infrequently and often arrived at one or the other’s house to with only the vaguest framework, writing and recording their songs at the same time. 

Their very first EP, the 3 Song EP, was meant to be a one-off.  Instead, it initiated a 30-some year collaboration that ended only when Knox had a debilitating stroke in 2009. Alongside, their friends and fellow Flying Nun artists the Clean, the Chills, the Bats and others, the Tall Dwarfs defined the outer edges of New Zealand lo-fi.  Douglas Wolk, in his Trouser Press entry on Chris Knox summed up their influence, stating, “Chris Knox is the godfather of the New Zealand alternative-music scene — if Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Robyn Hitchcock and Lou Reed were all the same person, that’s how important he is to Kiwi pop.”

For Unravelled: 1981 – 2002, Bathgate compiled a roughly chronological sampling of 55 Tall Dwarfs songs, from this giddy, serrated-edged glory of 1981’s “Nothing’s Going to Happen” to the jaunty garage stomp of “Gluey, Gluey” from 1998.  It was too much of a joy to assign to a single writer, so we decided to all listen to it together and share our thoughts with you.

Intro by Jennifer Kelly (with some help from Bill Meyer)

Unravelled: 1981–2002 by Tall Dwarfs

Jennifer Kelly: How are you all getting along with the Tall Dwarfs compilation?   I've just listened to "Life Is Strange" four times in a row, marveling at the way it balances scrappy raw-ness and lyricism, oddity and a universal hook.  What are you guys liking the best?     

Jonathan Shaw: I listened to Tall Dwarfs a ton through the late 1980s to late 1990s (my wife loves Knox's music, the solo stuff as much as Tall Dwarfs, and I like the band a lot, too). What's really knocking me out is the early stuff, which I felt like I knew very well. I suppose some time away from those records is giving me fresher ears, but holy shit, songs like "Paul's Place" and "Turning Brown and Torn in Two" are just as confounding as they ever were, even with so many, many bands working out of similar bags of tricks. I didn't expect to be so floored again by those early tunes. It's really fun.

Bill Meyer: Like you, Jon, my acquaintance with the Tall Dwarfs goes back to the 1980s. I started with the Hello Cruel World LP and the Dogma EP. Those songs you picked are ones that also stay with me, because they are simultaneously as pop-catchy as a good Beatles tune, and constructed with pop-music-rules-disregarding Kiwi ingenuity. The MacGyvering that Jen refers to, I think connects to that ingenuity. There’s a certain cultural pride in the ability of a typical New Zealander to make things work using fencing wire and the contents of your toolbox. 

However, when it came to music, people in the 1970s were expected to pay a lot of dues and do things a certain way. Tall Dwarfs arose from Bathgate and Knox deciding they would never do that shit after the miserable experiences their previous band, Toy Love, had while making an album and playing to hostile, uncreative audiences in Australia. They did it there was, with the gear they had, and put the songs together in ways that sounded right to them.  

Christian Carey: The Tall Dwarfs operated at the periphery of my listening in the 1990s and 2000s. This boxed set is a great opportunity to acquaint oneself with their earliest, most experimental work. It is clear that their colleagues in New Zealand, as well as the US and UK, listened closely, using Tall Dwarfs’ approach as a template for, successively, college rock, indie rock, and experimental music. It would be interesting to know if Robert Pollard heard the Tall Dwarfs and when. One can also surmise that, if They Might Giants, Yo La Tengo, and Stephen Malkmus weren’t listening to Tall Dwarfs, they truly were missing out on a possible wellspring for their own work. Hard to pick favorites, but “Turning Brown and Torn in Two,” “All My Hollowness to You,” and “Sign the Dotted Line” were on frequent repeat at our house.  

Jonathan Shaw: Bill might be able to tell us which American bands were early, enthusiastic listeners of Tall Dwarfs. If Pollard and Malkmus were tuned in, I wish they had picked up on the approach to lyrics. So many Tall Dwarfs songs are disarmingly direct (see "Luck or Loveliness," "Beauty," or in a different way "Crush," a song I love). Don't get me wrong: I really like some of Pollard's early writing ("Marchers in Orange," "Blimps Go 90"), and Malkmus has a way with rhyme. But they were so very, very much of their postmodern moment, bathed in endless layers of ironizing. 

Bathgate and Knox could get ironical, too. The mock-heroic guitar of "Nothing's Going to Happen" is comically undone by the lyric's fixation on banality. But the songs that just say it lay me out. So many of the songs from the 1980s do. Check out "The Slide," which is harrowing stuff. 

Jennifer Kelly: I am nowhere near as long or as deep a fan as some of you (ahem, BIll), but I had Stumpy on my phone for about a decade (it feel off in one of those data wipes native to the digital listening experience) and it seems to me that the selection in this box, while great in a lot of ways, irons out some of the oddity of the Tall Dwarfs.  Am I just imagining it or is it a lot more accessible and pop than the total catalogue?   

Bill Meyer: The Tall Dwarfs could be playful and weird, or they could apply spontaneous means to rapidly conceived songs that were as ruthlessly formal as anything by the Beatles. Sometimes the catchy stuff and the goofiness coincided, but I think that as time went on those elements tended to manifest on different songs. Some of the weirder stuff just didn’t make the cut. Also, the gradual accumulation of gear meant that in later years, it was easy to make a pro sounding rhythm track as it was to make a loop out of a spoon whacking a pot, and they’d already hit the pot, so it was probably more interesting to make the pro-sounding track.  

I think that Bathgate compiled what he thought were the strongest tunes, and since he did it during COVID and Knox has ongoing communication challenges, he did a lot of the compiling alone, on a deadline, during COVID time. So, I think the perspective of a guy in his 60s looking back on his wild times with his wacky old friend may shape the way this box was compiled. 

Jonathan Shaw: Stumpy is a strange one, given the collaborative nature of the record. I like it. "Up" is epic and moving, but it's an outlier. 

I think Jen and Bill both have sharp takes on the collection. I wish more of the noisy stuff from Up the Down Staircase had made it onto Unravelled, and more of the quietly freaked out songs like "This Room Is Wrong." There's a fondness to the selection, skewing things toward the charming end of the band's spectrum. As a result, the collection feels quite coherent. It listens well. 

Bill Meyer: A month ago, Jon opined, “Bill might be able to tell us what American bands were early, enthusiastic listeners of Tall Dwarfs. If Pollard and Malkmus were tuned in, I wish they had picked up on the approach to lyrics. So many Tall Dwarfs songs are disarmingly direct (see "Luck or Loveliness," "Beauty," or in a different way "Crush," a song I love). Don't get me wrong: I really like some of Pollard's early writing ("Marchers in Orange," "Blimps Go 90"), and Malkmus has a way with rhyme. But they were so very, very much of their postmodern moment, bathed in endless layers of ironizing.” 

I do not know how tuned in Pollard and Malkmus were, but I suspect that each of them were set on their own paths as lyricists before  they might have heard Tall Dwarfs. The lyrical thrust of the Tall Dwarfs, I suspect, comes more from the extent to which Chris Knox backed up his in your face attitude with a big, bleeding heart, whose sentiments spoke directly through him and onto whatever notebooks he was keeping during the time leading up to a Tall Dwarfs session/whatever microphone he improvised into as he knocked out words while the hours counted down until one of them had to take a plane back home. 

[gummyartstradingcards]

[techtow]

Exploring the Charismatic David Tennant

Introduction:

David Tennant, a name synonymous with talent and charm, has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Born David John McDonald on April 18, 1971, in Bathgate, Scotland, Tennant has become a beloved figure among audiences worldwide. Whether he's portraying iconic characters on screen or gracing the stage with his theatrical prowess, Tennant's multifaceted career has earned him a dedicated fan base.

Early Career:

Tennant's journey into the world of acting began in the late 1980s, and he gradually honed his craft through various theater productions. His breakthrough came with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he showcased his exceptional acting skills. His ability to seamlessly embody diverse roles caught the attention of both critics and viewers alike.

Television Stardom:

The actor achieved mainstream recognition for his role as the tenth Doctor in the long-running British sci-fi series, "Doctor Who." Tennant's portrayal of the Doctor was a perfect blend of wit, emotion, and adventure, making him one of the most beloved incarnations of the iconic character. His on-screen charisma and the chemistry with his co-stars endeared him to fans, making his tenure as the Doctor a standout in the show's history.

Versatility in Acting:

Beyond "Doctor Who," Tennant's versatility shone through in various roles, showcasing his ability to seamlessly transition between genres. From the brooding detective Alec Hardy in "Broadchurch" to the lovable villain Kilgrave in "Jessica Jones," Tennant's performances consistently captivate audiences.

Stage Success:

In addition to his screen success, Tennant has made significant contributions to the world of theater. His performances in plays like "Hamlet" and "Richard II" have received critical acclaim, proving his mettle in live performances. Tennant's stage presence and ability to connect with the audience further underscore his status as a true thespian.

Personal Appeal:

One of the factors contributing to Tennant's widespread appeal is his down-to-earth and amiable personality. Fans appreciate his genuine demeanor during interviews and public appearances, creating a strong connection between the actor and his admirers.

Conclusion:

David Tennant's journey from a Scottish theater enthusiast to an international acting sensation is a testament to his talent and dedication. Whether he's exploring the cosmos as the Doctor or delving into the complexities of a crime-ridden town, Tennant continues to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment landscape. His ability to effortlessly connect with audiences, coupled with his undeniable charm, ensures that David Tennant remains a beloved figure for years to come.

[brookston]

Holidays 4.29

Holidays

Cheng Cheng Kung Landing Day (Taiwan)

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare (UN)

Day of the Tree (Colombia)

Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, Day 2 (US)

Drone Safety Day

Duke Ellington Day

End Jew Hatred Day

Feast of the Secret Masters

Fish Cleaning Night (David Letterman)

Football Day (Ukraine)

429 Day

Greenery Day (Japan)

Hesperia Asteroid Day

High Infidelity Day

International Astronomy Day

International Dance Day (UNESCO)

International Day of Immunology

International Yak Day

Leto Asteroid Day

Local Bike Shop Day (UK)

Local Yarn Store Day

Milk-Curdling Sunday (Gremlins; not always a Sunday)

National Adult Public Skipping Day

National Persian Gulf Day (Iran)

National Rugelach Day

National Supply Chain Day

Peace Rose Day

Penguin Day

Popolak Day

Praia City Day (Cape Verde)

Public Skipping Day

Queen's Night (Netherlands)

Rake Day (French Republic)

Shōwa Day (Japan)

Sinai Liberation Day (Egypt)

Solar Alignment at Teotihuacan (Mexico) [also 8.12]

Thesaurus Day

3D-TV Day

Vietnam Book Day (Gio to Hung Vuong Day; Vietnam)

Viral Video Day

Warm Weather Lunch Hour Appreciation Day

We Jump the World

Whacking Day (On “The Simpsons”)

World Day of Parkour (Mexico)

World Veterinary Day

World Wish Day

Zipper Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Rugelach Day

Shrimp Scampi Day

5th & Last Monday in April

Confederate Memorial Day (Mississippi) [Last Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Independence & Related Days

Bishkek Foundation Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Act of Self-Determination; 1984)

Balzi (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Vietnam (Liberation/Reunification)

Praia City Day (Cape Verde)

Festivals Beginning April 29, 2024

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (Abu Dhabi, UAE) [thru 5.5]

AfrikaBurn (Tankwa, South Africa) [thru 5.5]

American Pie Council National Pie Championships (Orland, Florida)

Budapest Spring Festival (Budapest, Hungary) [thru 5.12]

Machynlleth Conedy Festival (Machynlleth, Wales) [thru 5.2]

NOLA Crawfish Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana) [thru 5.1]

Feast Days

Achieve Enlightenment Day (Pastafarian)

Catherine of Siena (Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican Church)

Dance Day (Pastafarian)

David Cox (Artology)

Endelienta (Christian; Saint)

Fiachna of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Frank Auerbach (Artology)

Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (Artology)

Hugh of Cluny (Christian; Saint)

Jean-Jacques Caffieri (Artology)

Joseph Cottolengo (Christian; Saint)

Milk-Curdling Sunday (Gremlins; Shamanism)

Nuzul Al-Quraan (Quran Revelation Day; Brunei)

Nuzul Quran (Malaysia)

Pagan Tree Day (Everyday Wicca)

Peter of Verona (Christian; Martyr)

Rafael Sabatini (Writerism)

Raja Ravi Varma (Artology)

Robert of Molesmes (Christian; Saint)

Rhydychen (Celtic Book of Days)

Taliesin Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Themistocles (Positivist; Saint)

Tito Jackson Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Torpes of Pisa (Christian; Saint)

Walpurgisnacht, Day VII (Pagan)

Wilfrid the Younger (Christian; Saint)

Zoonie (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [21 of 37]

Premieres

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series; 1984)

The Associate, by John Grisham (Novel; 2009)

Billy Bathgate, by E.L. Doctorow (Novel; 1987)

Blessings in Disguise, by Alec Guinness (Memoir; 1986)

The Creation, by Joseph Hayden (Oratorio; 1798)

Elmer the Great Dane (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1935)

The Eyes of the Dragon, by Stephen King (Novel; 1987)

Fair Warning, by Van Halen (Album; 1981)

Fast Five [F&F #5]

The Fishing Fool (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1929)

Forever…, by Judy Blume (Novel; 1975)

The Gift, by Vladimir Nabokov (Novel; 1937)

Hair (Broadway Musical; 1968)

Happy Valley (UK TV Series; 2014)

A Hat Full of Sky, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2004) [Discworld #32]

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Film; 2005)

Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil (Animated Film; 2011)

How to Cook a Wolf, by M.F.K. Fisher (Food Essays; 1942)

In the City, by The Jam (Song; 1977)

Keanu (Film; 2016)

Maid in China (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1938)

Mary Lou, recorded by Ronnie Hawkins (Song; 1959)

The Mating Game (Film; 1959)

Mr. Bad Guy, by Freddie Mercury (Album; 1985)

The Nautical Nut (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1967)

One Man’s Family (Radio Show; 1932)

Only the Strong Survive (Film; 2003)

Pluto’s Sweater (Disney Cartoon; 1949)

Porky and Teabiscuit (WB LT Cartoon; 1939)

Powaqqatsi (Documentary Film; 1988)

Quacker Tracker (WB LT Cartoon; 1967)

Respect, by Aretha Franklin (Song; 1967)

Roget’s Thesaurus (Reference Book; 1852)

72 Seasons, by Metallica (Album; 2023)

Something Wicked This Way Comes (Film; 1983)

The Thing from Another World (Film; 1951)

Valley Girl (Film; 1983)

Wings of Desire (Film; 1988)

Today’s Name Days

Katharina, Roswitha (Austria)

Hugo, Katarina, Sever (Croatia)

Robert (Czech Republic)

Peter (Denmark)

Kalmer, Kalmo (Estonia)

Teijo (Finland)

Catherine (France)

Hugo, Katharina, Katja, Robert, Roswitha (Germany)

Iason, Jason, Kerkyra, Sosipatros (Greece)

Péter (Hungary)

Antonia, Caterina, Cristino, Karen (Italy)

Laine, Raimonds, Vilnis (Latvia)

Augustinas, Indrė, Rita, Tarmantas (Lithuania)

Toralf, Torolf (Norway)

Angelina, Augustyn, Bogusław, Hugo, Hugon, Paulin, Piotr, Rita, Robert, Roberta, Sybilla (Poland)

Irina (Russia)

Lea (Slovakia)

Antonia, Catalina, Hugo (Spain)

Tyko (Sweden)

Duke, Hewett, Huey, Hugh, Hughes, Hugo, Hutch, Keegan, Kegan (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 120 of 2024; 246 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 18 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 21 (Gui-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 21 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 20 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 30 Cyan; Lastday [30 of 30]

Julian: 16 April 2024

Moon: 70%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 8 Caesar (5th Month) [Pericles]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 42 of 92)

Week: 4th Week of April / 1st Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 10 of 31)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.29

Holidays

Cheng Cheng Kung Landing Day (Taiwan)

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare (UN)

Day of the Tree (Colombia)

Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, Day 2 (US)

Drone Safety Day

Duke Ellington Day

End Jew Hatred Day

Feast of the Secret Masters

Fish Cleaning Night (David Letterman)

Football Day (Ukraine)

429 Day

Greenery Day (Japan)

Hesperia Asteroid Day

High Infidelity Day

International Astronomy Day

International Dance Day (UNESCO)

International Day of Immunology

International Yak Day

Leto Asteroid Day

Local Bike Shop Day (UK)

Local Yarn Store Day

Milk-Curdling Sunday (Gremlins; not always a Sunday)

National Adult Public Skipping Day

National Persian Gulf Day (Iran)

National Rugelach Day

National Supply Chain Day

Peace Rose Day

Penguin Day

Popolak Day

Praia City Day (Cape Verde)

Public Skipping Day

Queen's Night (Netherlands)

Rake Day (French Republic)

Shōwa Day (Japan)

Sinai Liberation Day (Egypt)

Solar Alignment at Teotihuacan (Mexico) [also 8.12]

Thesaurus Day

3D-TV Day

Vietnam Book Day (Gio to Hung Vuong Day; Vietnam)

Viral Video Day

Warm Weather Lunch Hour Appreciation Day

We Jump the World

Whacking Day (On “The Simpsons”)

World Day of Parkour (Mexico)

World Veterinary Day

World Wish Day

Zipper Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Rugelach Day

Shrimp Scampi Day

5th & Last Monday in April

Confederate Memorial Day (Mississippi) [Last Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Independence & Related Days

Bishkek Foundation Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Act of Self-Determination; 1984)

Balzi (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Vietnam (Liberation/Reunification)

Praia City Day (Cape Verde)

Festivals Beginning April 29, 2024

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (Abu Dhabi, UAE) [thru 5.5]

AfrikaBurn (Tankwa, South Africa) [thru 5.5]

American Pie Council National Pie Championships (Orland, Florida)

Budapest Spring Festival (Budapest, Hungary) [thru 5.12]

Machynlleth Conedy Festival (Machynlleth, Wales) [thru 5.2]

NOLA Crawfish Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana) [thru 5.1]

Feast Days

Achieve Enlightenment Day (Pastafarian)

Catherine of Siena (Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican Church)

Dance Day (Pastafarian)

David Cox (Artology)

Endelienta (Christian; Saint)

Fiachna of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Frank Auerbach (Artology)

Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (Artology)

Hugh of Cluny (Christian; Saint)

Jean-Jacques Caffieri (Artology)

Joseph Cottolengo (Christian; Saint)

Milk-Curdling Sunday (Gremlins; Shamanism)

Nuzul Al-Quraan (Quran Revelation Day; Brunei)

Nuzul Quran (Malaysia)

Pagan Tree Day (Everyday Wicca)

Peter of Verona (Christian; Martyr)

Rafael Sabatini (Writerism)

Raja Ravi Varma (Artology)

Robert of Molesmes (Christian; Saint)

Rhydychen (Celtic Book of Days)

Taliesin Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Themistocles (Positivist; Saint)

Tito Jackson Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Torpes of Pisa (Christian; Saint)

Walpurgisnacht, Day VII (Pagan)

Wilfrid the Younger (Christian; Saint)

Zoonie (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [21 of 37]

Premieres

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series; 1984)

The Associate, by John Grisham (Novel; 2009)

Billy Bathgate, by E.L. Doctorow (Novel; 1987)

Blessings in Disguise, by Alec Guinness (Memoir; 1986)

The Creation, by Joseph Hayden (Oratorio; 1798)

Elmer the Great Dane (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1935)

The Eyes of the Dragon, by Stephen King (Novel; 1987)

Fair Warning, by Van Halen (Album; 1981)

Fast Five [F&F #5]

The Fishing Fool (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1929)

Forever…, by Judy Blume (Novel; 1975)

The Gift, by Vladimir Nabokov (Novel; 1937)

Hair (Broadway Musical; 1968)

Happy Valley (UK TV Series; 2014)

A Hat Full of Sky, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2004) [Discworld #32]

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Film; 2005)

Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil (Animated Film; 2011)

How to Cook a Wolf, by M.F.K. Fisher (Food Essays; 1942)

In the City, by The Jam (Song; 1977)

Keanu (Film; 2016)

Maid in China (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1938)

Mary Lou, recorded by Ronnie Hawkins (Song; 1959)

The Mating Game (Film; 1959)

Mr. Bad Guy, by Freddie Mercury (Album; 1985)

The Nautical Nut (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1967)

One Man’s Family (Radio Show; 1932)

Only the Strong Survive (Film; 2003)

Pluto’s Sweater (Disney Cartoon; 1949)

Porky and Teabiscuit (WB LT Cartoon; 1939)

Powaqqatsi (Documentary Film; 1988)

Quacker Tracker (WB LT Cartoon; 1967)

Respect, by Aretha Franklin (Song; 1967)

Roget’s Thesaurus (Reference Book; 1852)

72 Seasons, by Metallica (Album; 2023)

Something Wicked This Way Comes (Film; 1983)

The Thing from Another World (Film; 1951)

Valley Girl (Film; 1983)

Wings of Desire (Film; 1988)

Today’s Name Days

Katharina, Roswitha (Austria)

Hugo, Katarina, Sever (Croatia)

Robert (Czech Republic)

Peter (Denmark)

Kalmer, Kalmo (Estonia)

Teijo (Finland)

Catherine (France)

Hugo, Katharina, Katja, Robert, Roswitha (Germany)

Iason, Jason, Kerkyra, Sosipatros (Greece)

Péter (Hungary)

Antonia, Caterina, Cristino, Karen (Italy)

Laine, Raimonds, Vilnis (Latvia)

Augustinas, Indrė, Rita, Tarmantas (Lithuania)

Toralf, Torolf (Norway)

Angelina, Augustyn, Bogusław, Hugo, Hugon, Paulin, Piotr, Rita, Robert, Roberta, Sybilla (Poland)

Irina (Russia)

Lea (Slovakia)

Antonia, Catalina, Hugo (Spain)

Tyko (Sweden)

Duke, Hewett, Huey, Hugh, Hughes, Hugo, Hutch, Keegan, Kegan (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 120 of 2024; 246 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 18 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 16 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 21 (Gui-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 21 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 20 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 30 Cyan; Lastday [30 of 30]

Julian: 16 April 2024

Moon: 70%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 8 Caesar (5th Month) [Pericles]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 42 of 92)

Week: 4th Week of April / 1st Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 10 of 31)

[bruceglobetrotter]

Hamish Kilgour photographed for Rip It Up by Alec Bathgate (1983)

[lastchancevillagegreen]

Wednesday, 12 October 2022:

Unravelled: 1981-2002 Tall Dwarfs (Merge) (released August 2022)

Maybe it was because I had a New Zealand friend on the Elvis Costello List way back in the 90s who made me a five cassette New Zealand Box containing an untold amount of great songs from an untold amount of New Zealand bands (which included Tall Dwarfs) or maybe it was because Merge released Anthology by The Clean (another New Zealand band) back in 2002 and I got tremendous mileage out of that compilation, whatever it was, I didn’t feel I could ignore another Merge two disc compilation concerning another Flying Nun band.

It doesn’t matter that I’ve long ago lost my beloved New Zealand Box made by my Costello List friend, I know that I’ll enjoy this set which is crammed with 55 tracks (that previously mentioned Clean anthology contains 46 tracks).  I know next to nothing about this band outside of the fact it is comprised of Alec Bathgate and Chris Knox who were also in Toy Love together (I own a compilation by that band as well). 

The first photo above show the album cover with a hype sticker on it.  The second photo shows the gatefold of the digipak (which I have left as you would see it if you bought it and opened it up) and that third photo shows the back of the digipak.  That huge sticker merely provides the tracklist so those on the fence about buying this will know what they are getting.  Below you will find the front and back of the digipak without the stickers.

This is a double CD and each CD comes inside a wallet card.  Below you will see the front of that sleeve and then the back.  The last photo is of that particular CD (CD 1).

The same progression follows for the second CD: front of the sleeve, back of the sleeve, CD itself.

There is an insert included that is a three panel sleeve containing artwork from the various albums, singles and EPs the Tall Dwarfs have released in their time span together.  You see the front of said insert then the back of the insert below.

Lastly I provide close ups of the two yellow stickers you see way up at the top of this entry.

[fitsofgloom]

Love this, a great track from a New Zealand Punk group in 1980.  I don't think that this got airplay Stateside because I feel like I would've heard it before.  Their sound is very distinctive, with a touch of Country Western under all the New Wave guitars.  Frankie is, I believe, played by the bassist Paul Kean, and The Bride is essayed by the keyboardist Jane Walker.  I love how they're just blithely walking down the street in public by the conclusion, the glances of the stunned onlookers seeming genuine.

[bandcampsnoop]

3/5/23.

Playthings were a Christchurch, New Zealand band made up of Jay Clarkson (The Expendables), Janine Saundercock and Nicky Carter. Paul Kean (The Bats) joined as a sound engineer and took over bass/guitar duties after Saundercock left the band.

Leather Jacket Records (also Christchurch) is releasing this 6-song EP that seemingly contains the entire recorded output of the band. This May the band will reform to play some its songs along with songs from Toy Love (Alec Bathgate will be joining the band).

These songs have more of a punk or post-punk sounds (The Expendables, Toy Love) than the pop of The Bats or another Leather Jacket Records release - The Sundae Painters.

[spencerhall]

Image I knocked up for my all-organ covers band

Our first official release is a medley of NZ classics by Ray Columbus and Alec Bathgate

[111111119999999]

ohfukkwow

[aquariumdrunkard]

Tall Dwarfs :: Unravelled: 1981-2002

Spanning two decades and four LPs, Unravelled cherry picks 55 highlights from the dynamic DIY duo of Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate, showcasing a vast galaxy of anything-goes musical creativity.

[blogdeepbelieverbouquetworld]

  A new photo of a young David Tennant has been published in today’s Herald. It is taken from the new book Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: Raising the Curtain which details the history of David’s drama school.

David Tennant is best-known as the tenth incarnation of The Doctor in Doctor Who and DI Alec Hardy in the crime drama Broadchurch. He's even played serial killer Dennis Nilsen but this a view of him you've probably not seen before.

Here is the Bathgate-born actor as a young hopeful at Glasgow's Royal Conservatoire, formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Tennant. He attended classes as a schoolboy and Tennant has contributed to a new book about the institution’s first 175 years.

Entitled Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: Raising the Curtain, it is a detailed history of a distinguished academy that first saw life, in 1847, as the Glasgow Athenaeum...and the many famous names that have graced it.

х

David-Tennant.com

[brookston]

Holidays 4.29

Holidays

Cheng Cheng Kung Landing Day (Taiwan)

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare (UN)

Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, Day 2 (US)

Drone Safety Day

Duke Ellington Day

Feast of the Secret Masters

Fish Cleaning Night (David Letterman)

Greenery Day (Japan)

International Astronomy Day

International Dance Day (UNESCO)

International Day of Immunology

International Yak Day

Lag B'Omer begins at sunset (Hebrew harvest time)

Local Bike Shop Day (UK)

Local Yarn Store Day

Milk-Curdling Sunday (Gremlins; not always a Sunday)

National Adult Public Skipping Day

National Rugelach Day

National Supply Chain Day

Peace Rose Day

Penguin Day

Popolak Day

Praia City Day (Cape Verde)

Public Skipping Day

Queen's Night (Netherlands)

Shōwa Day (Japan)

Sinai Liberation Day (Egypt)

Solar Alignment at Teotihuacan (Mexico) [also 8.12]

Thesaurus Day

3D-TV Day

Vietnam Book Day (Gio to Hung Vuong Day; Vietnam)

Viral Video Day

Warm Weather Lunch Hour Appreciation Day

We Jump the World

Whacking Day (On “The Simpsons”)

World Veterinary Day

World Wish Day

Zipper Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Allagash Saison Day [2023]

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

Shrimp Scampi Day

4th & Last Saturday in April

Bob Wills Day [Last Saturday]

Canadian Independent Bookstore Day (Canada) [Last Saturday]

Children’s Day (Colombia) [Last Saturday]

Day of Trees (Colombia) [Last Saturday]

Doo Dah Parade Day (Pasadena, California) [Last Saturday]

Eeyore's Birthday Party (Austin, Texas) [Last Saturday]

Independent Bookstore Day [Last Saturday]

International Sculpture Day [Last Saturday]

International Table Top Day [Last Saturday]

National First Ladies Day [Last Saturday]

National Go Birding Day [Last Saturday]

National Herb Day [Last Saturday; also 1st Saturday in May]

National Kiss of Hope Day [Last Saturday]

National Pool Opening Day [Last Saturday]

National Prepare-A-Thon! Day [Last Saturday; also 9.30]

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day [Last Saturday]

National Rebuilding Day [Last Saturday]

National Sense of Smell Day [Last Saturday]

Save the Frogs Day [Last Saturday]

World Healing Day [Last Saturday]

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day [Last Saturday]

World Veterinary Day [Last Saturday]

Independence Days

Balzi (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Achieve Enlightenment Day (Pastafarian)

Catherine of Siena (Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican Church)

Dance Day (Pastafarian)

Endelienta (Christian; Saint)

Fiachna of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Frank Auerbach (Artology)

Hugh of Cluny (Christian; Saint)

Nuzul Al-Quraan (Quran Revelation Day; Brunei)

Nuzul Quran (Malaysia)

Peter (Christian; Martyr)

Raja Ravi Varma (Artology)

Robert of Molesme (Christian; Saint)

Themistocles (Positivist; Saint)

Tito Jackson Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Torpes of Pisa (Christian; Saint)

Walpurgisnacht, Day VII (Pagan)

Zoonie (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [21 of 37]

Premieres

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series; 1984)

The Associate, by John Grisham (Novel; 2009)

Billy Bathgate, by E.L. Doctorow (Novel; 1987)

Blessings in Disguise, by Alec Guinness (Memoir; 1986)

The Creation, by Joseph Hayden (Oratorio; 1798)

The Eyes of the Dragon, by Stephen King (Novel; 1987)

Fair Warning, by Van Halen (Album; 1981)

Fast Five [F&F #5]

Hair (Broadway Musical; 1968)

Happy Valley (UK TV Series; 2014)

A Hat Full of Sky, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2004) [Discworld #32]

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Film; 2005)

Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil (Animated Film; 2011)

In the City, by The Jam (Song; 1977)

Keanu (Film; 2016)

Mary Lou, recorded by Ronnie Hawkins (Song; 1959)

The Mating Game (Film; 1959)

Mr. Bad Guy, by Freddie Mercury (Album; 1985)

One Man’s Family (Radio Show; 1932)

Only the Strong Survive (Film; 2003)

Pluto’s Sweater (Disney Cartoon; 1949)

Porky and Teabiscuit (WB LT Cartoon; 1939)

Powaqqatsi (Documentary Film; 1988)

Quacker Tracker (WB LT Cartoon; 1967)

Respect, by Aretha Franklin (Song; 1967)

Roget’s Thesaurus (Reference Book; 1852)

72 Seasons, by Metallica (Album; 2023)

Something Wicked This Way Comes (Film; 1983)

The Thing from Another World (Film; 1951)

Valley Girl (Film; 1983)

Wings of Desire (Film; 1988)

Today’s Name Days

Katharina, Roswitha (Austria)

Hugo, Katarina, Sever (Croatia)

Robert (Czech Republic)

Peter (Denmark)

Kalmer, Kalmo (Estonia)

Teijo (Finland)

Catherine (France)

Hugo, Katharina, Katja, Robert, Roswitha (Germany)

Iason, Jason, Kerkyra, Sosipatros (Greece)

Péter (Hungary)

Antonia, Caterina, Cristino, Karen (Italy)

Laine, Raimonds, Vilnis (Latvia)

Augustinas, Indrė, Rita, Tarmantas (Lithuania)

Toralf, Torolf (Norway)

Angelina, Augustyn, Bogusław, Hugo, Hugon, Paulin, Piotr, Rita, Robert, Roberta, Sybilla (Poland)

Irina (Russia)

Lea (Slovakia)

Antonia, Catalina, Hugo (Spain)

Tyko (Sweden)

Duke, Hewett, Huey, Hugh, Hughes, Hugo, Hutch, Keegan, Kegan (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 119 of 2024; 246 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 17 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 14 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Bing-Chen), Day 10 (Ding-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 8 Iyar 5783

Islamic: 8 Shawwal 1444

J Cal: 28 Aqua; Sevenday [28 of 30]

Julian: 16 April 2023

Moon: 67%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 7 Caesar (5th Month) [Themistocles]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 41 of 90)

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 10 of 30)