BATUSIS - Live

I couldn’t tell you how pissed off I was that Batusis (Sylvain Sylvain from the New York Dolls and Cheetah Chrome from The Dead Boys new band)cancelled their recent UK gigs, (Hatfield was calling) so I didn’t, but I can tell you how pleased I was when I came across this on the traders den torrent site. It’s a recording from one of their recent US gigs, and there was nothing instructing/ordering people not to share or convert to MP3. So here you are. Batusis live in Philadelphia on 25th July 2010. I’ve had split it into two parts, cos I have converted the flacs, but to a high bit rate. The front cover is cobbled together from a couple of photos from The Big Take Over where there’s a review of their New York, Brooklyn show. The back cover is a set list from the bands Washington DC show, (it would appear they kept the same running order) which was ‘borrowed’ from the rather fine There Is A Site That Never Goes Out blog, which has a great review of the Washington gig. Over at Bleedin’ Out there’s another review of their Brooklyn gig with some video footage. Was the volcanic ash cloud the real reason for Batusis cancelling the tour, or was it just a smokescreen for poor ticket sales? who knows. Never mind shit happens or doesn’t, and didn’t. I hope the band do make it over the pond for some gigs, perhaps The DeRellas could be the support band, now that would be some showdown. If you wanna see what us Brits missed out on, have a read of the set list, but if you wanna hear what we missed then here’s part one of Batusis Live @ M Rooms, Philadelphia and there’s part two. Enjoy! and remember it’s better not to burn out, or fade away, but to keep on keeping on!

BATUSIS - 4 Track EP (A Review)

Far more interesting than the pizza leaflets and election propaganda that had come through my door while I was away, was a package from NoblePR, containing a copy of the Batusis E.P Sylvain Sylvain from the New York Dolls, and Cheetah Chrome from The Dead Boys new ’supergroup’ I dunno about super, but it’s a great fuckin’ record. A 15 minute gasoline soaked whiskey ride down the devils highway, that puts many of today’s contenders/pretenders to shame when it comes to blasting out some decent and honest Rock’n’Roll. Sandwiched between the two instrumentals; Blues Theme and Big Cat Stomp. (The first is the theme from 70’s biker film The Wild Angels and originally preformed by Dave Allen and The Arrows, while the second is Cheetah and Sly’s sequel) are a couple of tunes that sum up Rock’n’Roll for me; What You Lack In Brains is a piano ladened boogie with Sly’s tounge planted firmly between either his cheeks or some blond bimbo’s, or as Mrs Wolf said “What’s this sexist shit?” err “Rock’n’Roll, and I think they’re taking the piss.” Bury You Alive on the other hand is Cheetahs dark, apocalyptic growler of a song about ‘the man’ falling which references 9/11 and the Iraq War, Mrs Wolf said it sounded like the Lords Of The New Church. So if you’re interested and like all things Rock’n’Roll; the Batusis 4 Track EP is available from Smog Veil Records on May 4th.