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Jon Rogers


Interviews


Fire Engines


Jon Rogers talks Davy Henderson from Edinburgh-based post-punks the Fire Engines about his group's brief, but influential history




Pere Ubu

Pere Ubu's David Thomas has reformed his first group Rocket from the Tombs almost 30 years after they broke up. He talks to Jon Rogers about the ardours of going back on tour with them, their new album 'Rocket Redux' and his disillusionment with punk













Profiles


Specials


Jon Rogers examines the short-lived but influential career of the Specials, whose two albums, 'The Specials' and 'More Specials', have just been re-released in remastered double CD editions




Siouxsie And The Banshees
Velvet Underground
Velvet Underground
Velvet Underground

Jon Rogers examines the latter years of Siouxsie and the Banshees, who have just reissued their final four albums, 'Through the Looking Glass', 'Peek-A-Boo', 'Superstition' and 'The Rapture'
In the final part of his three part series on the Velvet Underground's 1968 second LP 'White Light/White Heat', Jon Rogers examines critical perception of it since its release and its recent box set
In the second part of his three part series on the Velvet Underground's second LP 'White Light/White Heat', Jon Rogers continues to reflect upon its seminal impact
In the first part of a three part series Jon Rogers examines the recording and making of the Velvet Underground's 1967 second album, 'White Light/White Heat'


Live Reviews





Hallogallo
Roky Erickson
Grinderman

Hallogallo is the project of Neu's Michael Rother, Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley and Aaron Mullan from Tall Firs. Jon Rogers watches them play a forceful set at the Barbican in London
The legendary leader of 60's psychedelic pioneers 13th Floor Elevators , Roky Erickson recently played his first ever British gig at the London Royal Festival Hall as part of Jarvis Cocker's Meltdown Festival. Jon Rogers, however, finds it all rather ordinary
In an impressive double bill, Jon Rogers at the London Forum sees aging rockers Grinderman and Suicide which many younger bands could learn a lot from if they were less bothered about their career strategy


Favourite Albums




Jon Hassell
Lightnin Hopkins
John Cale / Terry Riley

Jon Rogers reflects on avant-garde composer and trumpeter Jon Hassell's 1990 recording 'City: Works of Fiction', which has just been reissued in a three CD box set
Jon Rogers examines Texan country blues guitarist Lightnin' Hopkins' 1968 album 'Free Form Patterns', which saw him collaborating with members of the 13th Floor Elevators and has just been reissued in a three CD box set
Jon Rogers reflects on Velvet Underground multi-instrumentalist John Cale and minimalist composer Terry Riley's 1971 avant-garde collaboration 'Church of Anthrax', which has recently been re-released


Features



Fall

Rush


In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love..' Jon Rogers writes about he went from being a so-so fan of the late Mark E. Smith's The Fall to an absolute fanatic as he reflects on his favourite songs by them.
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...', Jon Rogers reflects on his favourite songs by Canadian prog rock band Rush



Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Primal Scream
78 Rpms

In his 'Hitting the Right Note' column, Jon Rogers looks at the excessive demands of rock band riders
Jon Rogers in 'Hitting the Right Note' reflects on the media's hypocritical attitude to recent reports of alleged drug taking in bestselling boy band One Direction
In our 'Gig of a Lifetime' series, Jon Rogers recalls attending a terrible Primal Scream gig in Leicester in 1989
In our series, in which our writers write about ten songs that made them love a favourite band or artist, Jon Rogers in tribute to Lou Reed, who died in October, reflects on some of his favourite songs by the Velvet Underground


Reviews



Bob Marley And The Wailers
Chris Smither
KK Null
Hollis Brown

Occasionally ragged but overall strong live album from Bob Marley and the Wailers, which, previously only available on bootleg, was recorded at two 1978 Boston concerts
Excellent double CD reissue of 1990s albums from cult American blues singer-songwriter, Chris Smither
Experimental and thought-provoking but sadly often monotonous mini-album from Japanese guitarist, KK Null
Unnecessary and pointless remake of the Velvet Underground’s final album ‘Loaded’ from New York rockers, Hollis Brown


Gram Parsons
Eno and Hyde
Kirsty Maccoll
Kitchens Of Distinction

Unessential retrospective of early recordings, some unreleased, from the late Gram Parsons, which will prove of interest to his devoted fan base only
Admirable yet underwhelming joint album between Brian Eno and Underworld's Karl Hyde
Fantastic new double CD compilation from the much missed Kirsty MacColl, which includes several little-known tracks and obscurities
Flawed first album in nineteen years from criminally overlooked in their day South London-based alternative rockers, Kitchens of Distinction


Fall
Various
Motorhead
Holy Vessels

Incoherent but occasionally brilliant thirtieth album from the always unpredictable the Fall
Fine Nick Drake tribute album which, recorded live at concerts in Melbourne and London, includes contributions from Vashti Bunyan, Danny Thompson, Green Gartside and Robyn Hitchcock
Magical, if predictable live double album/DVD from heavy rock legends, Motorhead
Breezy and upbeat Americana on debut album from diverse Brighton-based five piece, Holy Vessels


Factory Star
Mono
Knife and Fork
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band

Atmospheric post-punk on six track mini-album from Factory Star, the new band of former Fall member and Blue Orchids front man Martin Bramah.
Frequently cliched, but also equally often impressive latest album from Japanese post-rock band, Mono
Captivating avant garde, experimental rock on second album from Knife and Fork, the project of Californian musician Eric Drew Feldman, who spent five years with Captain Beffheart and the Magic Band
Fascinating and absolutely compelling live footage recorded for German TV by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band during a turbulent 1972 European tour


Dead Rat Orchestra
Bailterspace
Rebellious Jukebox
Giant Giant Sand

Haunting and evocative debut offering from ambient folk trio the Dead Rat Orchestra, which is the soundtrack to a BBC documentary about the hunting of gannets in the North Atlantic
Often derivative, but largely enjoyable distortion-influenced indie rock on first album in thirteen years from New Zealand-based trio, Bailterspace
Accomplished electro rock on latest single from Birmingham trio Rebellious Jukebox, which however depends too much on its 80's influences
Underwhelming debut album from prolific Tucson-based songwriter and musician Howe Gelb's new twelve-strong project Giant Giant Sand, which has little to segregate it from his other projects


Silver Jews
Rusty Bear
Magic Castles
Lilygun

Endearing and revelatory collection of early lo-fi recordings from continuously underrated New York band, the Silver Jews
Easy-on-the-ear, but often inventive folk rock from Leeds-based trio, Rusty Bear
Underwhelming psychedelic folk on debut album from fantasy-inspired Minneapolis band, Magic Castles
Suprisingly subtle hard rock on their second single in their new line-up for London-based band, Lilygun






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