Notes: from the underground.

PERHAPS ONLY THE MOST anally-retentive obsessive-compulsive would have been previously able to attain the feat you can now roach in one quick trip to the record shop--all of the 5,6,7,8's singles from 1989 to 1996 They've been collected onto a double LP released by Tomb Bomb, entitled Bomb the Rocks. They me currently enjoying a modicum of fame due to their appearance in the Tarantino film Kill Bill (in which they play "Woo Hoo." which is actually an oldie, among others), and it's earned. Their stripped-down rock has an undeniable charisma and cutesy appeal, pushed along by poor English syntax of '60s-era pop cultural references ("Fruit Bubble Love," "Bomb the Twist," "Motorcycle Go-Go-Go," "She was a Mau Mau," "Eddie is a Sweet Candy," etc). It's a great collection and comes with an eight-page booklet with photos, fliers and a brief history (written in Japanese of course) ... Speaking of a great collection Dischord has released a DVD of old Minor Threat footage from three shows ('80, '82, and '83). including their first ever (despite the footage being so bad, it was included for "historical" purposes). The other two shows were filmed better, sound better. and have much longer sets (and it's great to see shows like Ibis when people used to go apeshit, slam dancing and stage diving). As a bonus there's some footage of Ian being interviewed by a totally clueless "journalist." and it's presented disjointedly, with all of the questions, and then all of the answers. It comes with a 16-page booklet, and it's all available at your local record store or through the mail ... "Enough with the history already" you're thinking. But wait, what about the new Rocket from the Tombs record? Do you want to pass up this reincarnation of punk first wave genius? Rocket from the Tombs was a Cleveland band with members who went on to found the Dead Boys and Pete Ubu, and some of the songs included here became Dead Boys and Pere Ubu songs. The band got back together alter a near 30 year hiatus (with Richard Lloyd from Television on guitar with Cheetah Chrome, and Pere Ubu's Steve Mehlman on drums) to record this and play some shows. I guess it's more history in the remaking than actual past history, but this shit rocks ... Russel Quan has a great track record, and it's funny to say that since he's usually the drummer But man. coming from The Mummies and other greats, he's continued to play in fantastic bands. His latest, The Flakes, is no exception Sine, the mop tops get kinds corny, but the guys can kick it out. Look for the "Talk About You" 7" but good luck finding it, it's limited to 500. On the live front, got to see two great San Diego bands last weekend at the Casbah. The Vexors feature Zach Connelly, the former team goon for 151 on guitar, but have an all-around solid lineup as a six piece. Their shit has some synth to it, but its rock and roll by a long shot. The other band was The Heartaches, who have Kristian Svitak on the skins. Pretty traditional late-70s style punk with a lot of rock that just plain kicks ass. During the set I saw they dropped The Victims cover in favor of a Real Kids cover, which was cool to hear The show was packed, both bands look as though they have sizeable followings, and both deservedly so. Check "em if you get a chance or wallow in pitiable misery, you jerk.