Damn. Computer won't let me access The Gossip video.

I'm not sure I'd call them punk, either. But fans of Janis Joplin should check them out immediately. If not sooner.

Hec, you might be interested in this -- there's a new band called Angels and Airwaves, formed by former Blink 182 frontman Tom DeLong. Why would you be interested, you might ask? Well, their overtly stated mission is to bring positivity and a bit of bubblegum sensibility back to rock. They may not be your cup of tea, but for that reason alone, I thought you might be interested in checking them out.

Thanks, Sean. I've seen a gradual change in attitude over the last several years where the (as I see it) more British notion of Pop has gained some credence over in the States. That's cool.

As for punk, it is a deepy and mighty river. I kinda doubt your friend has heard everything of the old stuff. You know what I'd recommend? The fantastic 2-CD comp of Australian punk from the late 70s early 80s called Do The Pop.

Tons of great stuff, all very hard rocking but tuneful. Also with lots of garage and Stooges influences. Lime Spiders, Saints, Radio Birdman, New Christs. It's probably the single greatest compilation of hard rock/punk ever.

Oh, thanks for the rec, David. I'll try and track that down and send it to him. My friend's a big Stooges/Cramps fan, among others.

Also, the section you quoted had a they're/their typo, so I went back and edited.

What typo?

My friend's a big Stooges/Cramps fan, among others.

Well then he'll love this because those are the two biggest influences on Australian punk during this era. Then again he might already have it. But you can check!

Nice rec, David. Do The Pop is a great compilation.

Nice rec, David. Do The Pop is a great compilation.

Thanks, Jon. I was educated by my old roomie who had the nuggets-like LP Where The Birdmen Fly.

billytea got Emmett to play one of bt's board games while he was hear and I was much reminded of you and Emmett competing intently at the Powerpuff Girls game. I'm looking forward to seeing you this fall.

I'm looking forward to seeing you this fall.

Me too! Plus the new sprog! We are only going to be around for a few days -- we're arriving late Monday and leaving Friday, so any visiting will have to happen on Tuesday or Wednesday. I hope the timing works out.

I'm listening to Corinne Bailey Rae's self-titled CD even as I type. Very low-key mellow soul. If you liked "Put Your Records On" (a song shamefully ignored here in America, but enough of that line of rant), you'll like the whole CD. If you haven't heard that song, imagine what a non-psycho Macy Gray (or an up-to-date Norah Jones) could do.

Also, form what little I've heard, Corinne Bailey Rae doesn't seem to be so mindnumbingly boring as Norah Jones is.

Also, form what little I've heard, Corinne Bailey Rae doesn't seem to be so mindnumbingly boring as Norah Jones is.

Corinne has the advantage of growing up on punk and playing in a grunge band previously.