Notes from the underground.

AIN'T NOTHIN' LIKE GOIN' HOME TO SEATTLE for the holidays, especially since home is where the shows are. Saw a great one while I was there: first up was Joe Silverking. He played a quick set--just him, his guitar, and his Burger King looking outfit. The Royal Pains played, and because it was a little painful I split for a beer next door. Then came the Hot Rollers, an all-girl band with two dancers (?!), all wearing Viking hats and wigs. They seemed to have something to do with the developing roller derby shit going on in Seattle, and wound through a garagey set with the likes of Headcoats/ees and others covers. The finale was the ever-tremendous Gloryholes, who flat out stomp and wail harder than 99.9 percent of hands these days. Too bad they got day jobs, 'cause they are one of those bands that you aren't going to see touring much. If you get the chance to see 'em, don't blow it... Most people hate the French at this point because, as a country, they were smart enough to oppose going to war in Iraq, so since I am not most people, and since I can't stand most people and would love to look for a way to piss people off, I am going to embrace everything French. And to fucking start off with I am going to embrace Les Terribles and their great self-titled LP on Dionysus. It ain't the most hard rockin' shit out there, but rather set-in-the-'60s, stompin' mod/punk/garage. There's a bunch of covers on there, and you'll recognize the melodies, but not the lyrics as (get this!) they're sung ... in French!... And speaking of a trip back in time, check out the reissue of Naz Nomad and the Nightmares LP Give Daddy the Knife, Cindy, also on Dionysus. Originally put out in 1984, it is the Damned, essentially, doing garage, psych and rock covers, most of which you'll recognize if you got a smart bone in yer body. Look for it ... Got a great split CD in the mail from those Needles guys. It's them and the band Killing California, on a label called Major American Label. Both bands blow doors with Killing California sorta heavier and maybe metaler, and the Needles full bore guitar punk (think Candy Snatchers, and Gut's vocals will remind you of Larry's, pissed off and ragin'). Check it if you can find it ... And speakin' of pissed off and ragin', don't pass the Mistreaters' Playa Hated to the Fulles on Estrus. Okay, so maybe the record title wasn't the best they coulda come up with but the shit inside is on fire, with a few slowed down moments for the sake of bluesy dirge ... If the Ed Roth-inspired cover art didn't tip you off, maybe you should avoid the Million Dollar Marxists Give It a Name LP on Gearhead for the simple reason that you are a dufus. These north-of-the-border Canucks rock harder than most bands anywhere; high speed, two guitars and turmoil up front. They got a classic edge to 'em (Naked Raygun, Pagans) but they've obviously picked up stuff over the years (Devil Dogs, early Hives, Humpers)... Another hot ticket this month is the new CD by Austin, Texas' The Ends, Concrete Disappointments on Dirtnap. Combining elements of snotty late-'70s punk with early-'70s guitar heavy glam stuff (think Thunders and the New York Dolls), these guys work through some killer originals with some killer bonuses (horns, piano). Hit the bottle and hit the floor to pogo yourself silly ... By far the most skate-rockinest band to cross my path this month has got to be The Fakies. All skateboarders who are, uh, gettin' up there in years but who still make it a rip, I found a CD entitled Coping (get it? Coping!) with 13 tracks to keep the stoke going at your next session. Tracks include an ode to the Ballard Bowl, a plea for more skateparks ("Seattle Needs More Skateparks") and a well-aimed potshot or two (such as "Purkiss Rose Sucks"--you know, the crew who build those piles of utter dog shit they call parks while bilking cities of their hard earned skate funds). The bands got a couple guys you might recognize like Jak's team Tommy Bonehead (Alcohol Funny Car, Love Battery) and Tim Hayes (Cryin' Out Louds, Kings of Rock, Helldorado) ... There's a new Bell Rays LP out, Red, White and Black on Alternative Tentacles. All I'm doing is serving notice; you already know that it's more patented Maximum Rock 'N' Soul, and you should already have it by the time you read this ... On the smaller records, The Bags only 7" Survive on Dangerhouse has been reissued. Classic femme-fronted early (1978) LA punk from the Decline of Western Civilization days ...