Glen Matlock at the 100 Club with special guest Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's, February 27th

The 100 Club played host to two of my favourite legendary bass players - Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols and Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's. Headliner Glen Matlock takes to the familiar stage where he has trodden the boards on numerous occasions - from the Sex Pistols appearance at the Punk Festival in September 1976 to the location of the press conference to announce the Sex Pistols reunion in 1996 and regular solo appearances over the years. Forsaking his bass for guitar and lead vocals, Glen is backed by his excellent band comprising the super cool guitarist Neal X (formerly of Sigue Sigue Sputnik), drummer Chris Musto and bassist Jim Lowe and they ran through a great selection of Glen's solo songs and cover versions alongside The Rich Kids "Ghosts of Princes In Towers" and of course the classic he penned for the Sex Pistols, "Pretty Vacant". It was no-nonsense, good time singalong Rock 'n' Roll that left all of us with huge smiles on our faces. Opening the night was Kathy Valentine, bassist with The Go-Go's, who entertained us with a set comprising some of her favourite songs such as Nick Lowe's "Heart of The City" and Suzi Quatro's "48 Crash" alongside solo material, such as my personal highlight "In My Closet" and of course a few Go-Go's songs such as "Vacation", "Apology" and "We Don't Get Along". She was joined by Glen's band to play a raucous take on The Go-Go's "The Whole World Lost It's Head" and the new collaboration with Neal X, a superbly catchy 7" vinyl single "I Love You More" released under the name KVNX, which was available for sale on the night. Kathy was behind the merch desk to sign copies of the single and her searingly honest autobiography "All I Ever Wanted: A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir" and I also took along my gig ticket from The Go-Go's last U.K. show back in 1995 when they played a fantastic show at the Shepherds Bush Empire. Kathy glady signed the ticket and reminisced about the show. Here are some photos and videos from the night.

 

 

"I Love You More" is available to download at the KVNX Bandcamp site here. You can see some more videos of Kathy's set at our Retro Man Blog YouTube channel here.

Glen Matlock's excellent "Triggers" book is a must read, it's a musical journey through his life told through a selection of various songs that had a big influence on him as a songwriter. His latest solo album "Consequences Coming" is also well worth getting hold of. 

 Glen at the recording of the Word In Your Ear Podcast, promoting his book "Triggers".

Retro Man Blog & Retrosonic Podcast's Compilations and Re-issues of 2021

Happy New Year everyone! Here's our favourite Compilations and Re-Issues of 2021.

1. Various Artists "Pop Psychédélique (The Best of French Psychedelic Pop 1964-2019)" LP featuring Fabienne Delsol, The Liminanas, L'Epee, Serge Gainsbourg, Stereolab, France Gall, Air etc.

2. The Delmonas "Hello We Love You! The Big Beat E.P.s" (Big Beat Records 10" Vinyl)

You can hear Saskia Holling talking about her excellent book "Girsville" The Story of The Delmonas & Thee Headcoatees" in our Retrosonic Podcast special episode here.

3. Joe Strummer "Assembly" LP

4. The Selecter "Too Much Pressure" (40th Anniversary Reissue LP)

5. The Courettes "Here We Are, The Courettes" (Damaged Goods Records LP)

6. Various Artists "Gary Crowley's Lost 80's Vol. 2" LP

You can hear Gary Crowley's talk and Q&A session from Sounds of The Suburbs Records about the Lost 80's compilation in our Retrosonic Podcast special episode here.

7. Various Artists "Strange Creatures - The Best of Rebels Vol. 2" (Raving Pop Blast Records LP) featuring The Fallen Leaves, The Galileo 7, The Jack Cades, Palooka 5, The Nettelles etc.

8. The Brian Jonestown Massacre & The Telescopes - "Before I Forget/Come Down My Love" (Split 10" Single on A Recordings)

9. BMX Bandits "The Janice Long Sessions E.P.s" (Precious Recordings 7" Singles)

10. Nancy Sinatra "Start Walkin' 1965-1976" LP

11. Buzzcocks "All Over You" (You Are The Cosmos Records Clear Vinyl 7" Single)

12. Various Artists "Box of Pin-Ups: The British Sounds of 1965" (Cherry Red Records CD Box Set)

13. The Stranglers "A Tribute To Dave Greenfield" (Live CD included with "Dark Matters" album)

14. Sonic Youth & The Pastels "Play The New York Dolls" (Purple Vinyl 7" Single)

15. The Charlatans "A Head Full of Ideas" LP

16. Aztec Camera "Backwards & Forwards 1984-1995" CD Box Set)

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 40: "A Primitive Psychosis" New Release Special incl. The Damned, Wire, The Go-Go's, The Limiñanas, The Speedways, Draculina, The Fleshtones, Billy Childish, BMX Bandits and More...!

To celebrate our 40th Episode here's a special "non-retro" Retrosonic Podcast where Steve from Retro Man Blog selects 22 brand NEW releases from some of his favourite new international bands and artists alongside some superb fresh material from a few old favourites such as The Damned, Wire, The Go-Go's and The Fleshtones. There's great music from BMX Bandits, Or Arrowe Hill, Cult Figures and The Sensible Gray Cells, there's Power Pop and New Wave from The Speedways, The Vapors, Treasures of Mexico and Phil Hendriks, Medway Garage Rock from Wild Billy Childish & CTMF and The High Span, French grooves from The Limiñanas, Ian Kay and Popincourt, Psychedelia from Melody Fields and Grandad Pants, Punk Rock from The Lurkers and we top it all off with some atmospheric Surf-Noir from Draculina. Retrosonic Podcast has a valid PRS licence. Retrosonic theme by Adam Donovan. This episode's cover star: Polina from Draculina.

Here's the full track-listing, please click on the highlighted links below for further information.

Wild Billy Childish & CTMF "Poka Hontas"

BMX Bandits feat. Anton Newcombe "Razorblades & Honey" (Hifi Sean Re-Mix)

The Limiñanas "Calentita"

The Damned "Manipulator"

The Sensible Gray Cells "So Long"

Ian Kay "Little Granadin"

Popincourt "Always Back (Like The Morning Dew)"

Melody Fields "Broken Horse"

Grandad Pants "On My Street"

The High Span "Dynamik 73" 

The Treasures of Mexico "Stick With You"

X "Alphabetland"

The Fleshtones "You Gotta Love Love"

The Go-Go's "Club Zero"

Wire "The Art of Persistence"

The Lurkers "Fits You Like A Glove"

The Vapors "Crazy"

Phil Hendriks "Radio Calling S.O.S.

The Speedways "Daydreaming"

Cult Figures "Camping In The Rain"

Of Arrowe Hill "All Roads Lead To Quinns"

Draculina "Taboo" 

Record Label/Merchandise Spotlight

Damaged Goods

Spinout Nuggets

MuSick Recordings

Milano Records

Coop Records Gotland

Pink Flag

Migas 2000 (The Limiñanas Store)

 

Please kindly support the featured bands, artists and record labels - thank you!

You can listen/download/stream directly below or via our main Retrosonic archive on Soundcloud or subscribe for free on iTunes/Apple Podcasts so you don't miss an episode! 

Retrosonic Podcast · Episode 40 "A Primitive Psychosis"