The Nits

8-7-09 The Nits

The Nits were recommended to me by a guy at Boudisque Record Shop in Amsterdam, Netherlands named Eric Heuseveldt. He knew I was a big Supersister fan, so – naturlijk, I would enjoy The Nits – and, besides, after producing some great music for The Nits – Robert-Jan Stips of Supersister actually joined The Nits on keyboards! So, my era of Nits expertise is up until approx. the album “Ting”.

These are the albums I can unconditionally recommend by The Nits:

LP NITS, THE SCRAMBLE NL 910.033

1978 12 TRKS

LP TENT CBS NL CBS 84051

1979 15 TRKS

CD TENT CBS NL CDCBS 32228

1979 18 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks)

LP NEW FLAT CBS NL CBS 84725

1980 14 TRKS

CD NEW FLAT CBS NL 461189.2

1980 14 TRKS

LP WORK CBS NL CBS 85427

1981 13 TRKS

CD WORK CBS NL 461190.2

1981 15 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks)

LP OMSK CBS NL CBS 25364

1983 12 TRKS

CD OMSK CBS NL 460652.2

1983 15 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks)

LP ADIEU SWEET BAHNHOF CBS NL CBS 25985

1983 11 TRKS

CD ADIEU SWEET BAHNHOF CBS NL CDCBS 25985

1984 13 TRKS (2 x bonus tracks)

LP HENK CBS NL CBS 26870

1986 12 TRKS

CD HENK / KILO CBS NL 450471.2

1986 18 TRKS 2 on 1

LP IN THE DUTCH MOUNTAINS CBS NL 460071.1

1987 12 TRKS

CD IN THE DUTCH MOUNTAINS CBS NL 460071.2

1987 15 TRKS (3 x bonus tracks)

CDx2 URK CBS NL 465843.2

1989 29 TRKS Live

CD3 TORNI promo CBS NL PRO 597

1990 1 TRK CD Single CD3, promo

CD GIANT NORMAL DWARF CBS NL 467496.2

1990 14 TRKS

LP GIANT NORMAL DWARF CBS NL 467496.1

1990 14 TRKS

CD TING COLUMBIA NL 472213.2

1992 15 TRKS

I was very friendly with The Nits from approx. ’82 – ’92. I visited Holland many times during those years. I only ever saw them live twice (once in Tilburg, Netherlands and once in Paris, France).

My favorite is likely still “New Flat” – which made a giant impression on me in 1981. I stayed with them through their fame & fortune in Holland (“In The Dutch Mountains” era), I was present when they made their video for “Radio Shoes”; I was also around for “La Grande Parade”, the LP of various artists that Henk Hofstede produced for Werf Records (The Nits’ label). I was who recommended Mam to Henk, for inclusion on this project.

Yes, I have tons of 7” & 12” singles – CD Singles etc. But if I listed everything here, it would make today’s blog too long. I also have lots of neat Nits video, which I’ve had ever since about ’85 or so – when the band gave it to me. In the new century, I understand it is possible to obtain Nits DVD’s. That’s great – it was so cool to have those videos 20+ years ago!

I really liked the single that goes with “Next”, their “Best Of” CD – “Broken Wing” – both English and French language versions. I was also fond of their ’98 CD “Alankomatt”. Alas, I have not followed The Nits much after ’98 – we lost track of one another.

I am also very friendly with their manager, Aad Link. I saw Aad less than 10 years ago, at ProgFest, when Supersister came and played live in L.A. – Aad and I get along real well. He has a real amusing sense of humor. I think I was video’d raving about Supersister at that show – and I’m a bonus feature on a Supersister DVD now. I do not have a copy of that, however.

I must also admit that I really enjoy the solo album by Michiel Peters, the original Nits’ guitarist – “The Infant King” (Werf Records). Michiel was who answered my fan letter in the early 80’s – I am out of touch with him at present, which is unfortunate, as he & I used to talk “record collector” stuff with each other. He always wanted ‘mono’ records – because he had significant hearing loss!

In the mid-80’s, Henk and his girlfriend Riemke came to the west coast of the US for a visit – Warren & I drove them to San Francisco from L.A. in Warren’s convertible (which Henk always called “an open car”). Good times, good times.

The Nits were one of those bands that I “Johnny Appleseeded” to anybody who would LISTEN. How did you find out about The Nits? From me or Brian Ware or Mark Moerman? (both of whom I told about The Nits) What’s your favorite Nits album?

Vive Les Nits!

Chas Jankel

8-6-09 Chas Jankel

7" AI NO CORRIDA / LENTA LATINA A&M UK AMS 7570

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD CHAS JANKEL ANGEL AIR UK SJPCD 202

1980 8 TRKS (1 x bonus track) ('05 issue) Ian Dury bonus track

LP CHAS JANKEL A&M UK AMLH 68518

1980 7 TRKS

LP CHAZABLANCA A&M US SP-12503

1983 6 TRKS

7" GLAD TO KNOW YOU (EDIT) (mono) / (stereo) promo A&M US AM-2396

1981 2 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

7" GLAD TO KNOW YOU (EDIT) / AM I HONEST WITH MYSELF... A&M UK AMS 8213

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP LOOKING AT YOU A&M US SP-6-5050

1985 10 TRKS Ian Dury songs

7" NOVA CHAS, A A&M UK SAMP 14

1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo-only

LP QUESTIONNAIRE A&M US SP-6-4885

1981 8 TRKS Ian Dury songs

7" QUESTIONNAIRE / AI NO CORRIDA A&M JPN AMP-742

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

“Chas Jankel is musically direct” is how it once read on the liner notes / inner sleeve of an old Ian Dury & The Blockheads album or 45. Indeed. As far as I know, Chas Jankel’s earliest band was called Byzantium, and they had at least one album on Warner Brothers UK (that got a US issue as well).

Chas Jankel was the “music man” behind” Dury’s masterpieces “New Boots and Panties” and “Do It Yourself” – then he left The Blockheads for a solo career. Before Mr. Dury passed away, he was re-joined by Mr. Jankel, making the wonderful “Mr. Love Pants” CD.

As far as I know, Jankel’s 2^nd solo album, “Questionnaire”, isn’t on CD, as of the summer of 2009.

This album is wonderful. Easily my favorite of his stuff. I understand that the album was originally going to be called “Chasanova” by A&M UK (his 3^rd solo album was eventually called “Chazanova”), as I have a promo 3-track EP for it. This album has excellent Ian Dury songs on it, too – I always rather regarded this album to be the proper follow-up to the Blockheads’ “Do It Yourself” album. The animated music video for the track “Questionnaire” is amazing. I wonder why this album isn’t on CD? (Not even in Japan!) I have a CD of the first Jankel solo album, courtesy Angel Air Records in England.

And I suppose Quincy Jones covered “Ai No Corrida” because of his association with A&M Records? (It was, after all, Jankel’s label at the time). And I always rather enjoyed Jankel’s production of “Turbigo 12-12” by Marie Laure Beraud – ever hear that one?

Grace Jones

8-5-09 Grace Jones

Took 25+ years to finally see her perform live…

12" AMADO MIO MANHATTAN US V 15551

1990 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" APPLE STRETCHING, THE ISLAND UK 12WIP 6779

1982 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

12" APPLE STRETCHING, THE ISLAND BEL 600.687

1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" BREAKDOWN ISLAND US PRO-A-920

1980 3 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

LP BULLETPROOF HEART CAPITOL US C1-91737

1989 10 TRKS

CD BULLETPROOF HEART re-master EMI UK 578573.2

1989 14 TRKS (4 x bonus tracks) ('04 issue)

12" CRUSH MANHATTAN US SPRO-9981

1985 3 TRKS no pic sleeve, promo

12" CRY NOW, LAUGH LATER ISLAND US 0-99916

1983 3 TRKS no pic sleeve

12" DO OR DIE ISLAND US IS 1008

1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP FAME ISLAND US ILPS 9525

1978 7 TRKS

12" HUNTER GETS CAPTURED BY THE GAME ISLAND UK 12WIP 6645

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD HURRICANE WALL OF SOUND UK WO 5050CD

2008 9 TRKS 2008.11 release

12" I NEED A MAN BEAM JUNCTION 12BJ 1004

1977 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" I'M NOT PERFECT MANHATTAN UK 12MT 15

1986 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD INSIDE STORY MANHATTAN US CDP 746340.2

1986 10 TRKS 'DDD'

LP INSIDE STORY MANHATTAN US ST-53038

1986 10 TRKS

CD ISLAND LIFE (Collection) ISLAND US 842453.2

1985 10 TRK Collection

LP ISLAND LIFE (Collection) ISLAND US 90491.1

1985 10 TRK Collection

12" JA GUYS / NIPPLE TO THE BOTTLE ISLAND US 0-99964

1982 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

CD LIVING MY LIFE ISLAND US 90018.2

1982 7 TRKS

LP LIVING MY LIFE ISLAND US 90018.1

1982 7 TRKS

LP LIVING MY LIFE ISLAND UK PILPS 9722

1982 7 TRKS picture disc, poster

12" LOVE IS THE DRUG ISLAND UK 12IS 266

1985 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" LOVE ON TOP OF LOVE MANHATTAN US V 15508

1989 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD MILLENNIUM COLLECTION ISLAND US B0000729.2

2003 11 TRK Collection

LP MUSE ISLAND US ILPS 9538

1979 8 TRKS

CD NIGHTCLUBBING ISLAND UK CID 9624

1981 9 TRKS

LP NIGHTCLUBBING ISLAND US ILPS 9624

1981 9 TRKS

12" ON YOUR KNEES ISLAND US DISD 8869

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD PORTFOLIO ISLAND UK IMCD 19

1977 7 TRKS (842614.2)

LP PORTFOLIO ISLAND US ILPS 9470

1976 7 TRKS

CDx2 PRIVATE LIFE: COMPASS POINT (Collection) ISLAND US I2 24501

1998 26 TRK Collection

12" PULL UP TO THE BUMPER ISLAND UK 12WIP 6696

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" PULL UP TO THE BUMPER (Remix) ISLAND UK 12IS 240

1985 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" SEX DRIVE ISLAND US 535500.1

1993 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD5 SEX DRIVE ISLAND UK 535500.2

1993 4 TRK CD Single CD5

12" SHE'S LOST CONTROL / PRIVATE LIFE ISLAND UK 12WIP 6629

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

12" SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM ISLAND UK 12IS 206

1985 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM ISLAND US 90640.2

1987 8 TRKS 'DDD'

LP SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM MANHATTAN DE 1C062 240447.1

1985 8 TRKS

12" WALKING IN THE RAIN / PULL UP TO THE BUMPER (Remix) ISLAND UK 12WIP 6739

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

CD WARM LEATHERETTE ISLAND US 842611.2

1980 8 TRKS

LP WARM LEATHERETTE ISLAND JPN 20S-72

1980 8 TRKS insert; 2 diff. covers

Hard to believe I had not written a dedicated blog about Grace Jones, who I got to see recently at the Hollywood Bowl. She had not played L.A. in many years – and you definitely got the feeling that audience members had been ‘waiting for this’ for some time. The show was excellent. Great sound, good band, many costume changes etc. The concert was an absolute celebration of ‘outre’.

The centerpiece of her recorded oeuvre is “Nightclubbing”, I recommend it almost unconditionally. One must also seek out some 12” singles – notably “Pull Up To The Bumper” – the 12” version is still not on CD, despite the wonderful “Private Life: Compass Point” 2CD collection.

I did all of her 80’s material in 100% real time – waited on all the new releases etc. I also love her coffee table book, “Jungle Fever” (by Jean Paul Goude) One cannot underestimate the ‘art’ of Jean Paul Goude, the gentleman who ‘created’ her 80’s image.

“Hurricane” has not been released in the US, as of this writing. It is an excellent album, and worthy of her best work. At the concert, she joked, “Don’t worry, it’s coming…it’s coming…”

Ladies and Gentlemen…Miss Grace Jones!

- Ron

Cowboys International / Ken Lockie

8-4-09 Cowboys International / Ken Lockie

Cowboys International! Another entry into the British pop / new wave field in ’79.

7" AFTERMATH / FUTURE NOISE VIRGIN UK VS 253

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" NOTHING DOING / MILLIONS VIRGIN UK VS 267

1979 3 TRKS with pic sleeve (+ flexidisc, “Many Times”)

LP ORIGINAL SIN, THE VIRGIN UK V 2136

1980 11 TRKS U.K. version, plastic outer sleeve

LP ORIGINAL SIN, THE VIRGIN US VA 13138

1979 11 TRKS U.S. version

7" THRASH / MANY TIMES (Revised) VIRGIN FR 2097 817

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, clear vinyl

7" THRASH / MANY TIMES (Revised) VIRGIN UK VS 293

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

7" TODAY TODAY / FIXATION VIRGIN UK VS 326

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

Ken Lockie solo:

7" DANCE HOUSE / TENDERNESS OF FOOLS VIRGIN UK VS 408

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

LP IMPOSSIBLE, THE VIRGIN DE 203.699

1981 10 TRKS

7" TODAY / TRAIN OF EVENTS VIRGIN UK VS 394

1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

I started buying this stuff right away, without hearing it or knowing who / what it was. It was enough for it to be on Virgin UK in ’79 (I was working at a record distributor, anyway). My favorite C. I. single at the time was “Thrash”, I put that on dozens of cassette compilations, back in the day! Their debut 45, “Aftermath” is also excellent – very ‘pop’ (and under 3 minutes long)! I recently played the “Nothing Doing” 45, too – really nice stuff!

They were “in the machine” – Virgin UK got their album released in the U.S., with a totally different cover (I know the Americans wouldn’t go for that plastic cover used for the UK LP). I believe the “selling point” in the U.S. was that Keith Levene of Public Image Ltd. guests on one song. I do not think they ever came and played live in L.A. – I would’ve noticed that! I have some performance videos of them (“Today Today” and one other song, 1980), from the Old Grey Whistle Test (British TV).

After the sole LP by C. I., there was a sole solo LP from Mr. Ken Lockie, the writer / singer of C. I. I don’t know if he did anything else in eth music business – I certainly am not aware of any other releases by Ken Lockie or Cowboys International. And I don’t think any of this stuff in on CD as of 2009.

There were so many ‘new’ bands back then! I will never forget arriving in London, England in the fall of ’79 – Spizzenergi, The Slits, Gary Numan, The Selecter…I distinctly remember those bands, as I walked Soho and the West End in general.

New Month

8-3-09 New Month

Ah, blogs for a new month. This is a busy month for me: My birthday is on the 10^th, which I will spend in San Francisco (KUSF LP swap meet, Sun. Aug. 9). There is also a trip to San Diego planned. My band will reconvene towards the end of the month, with an eye towards completing our first LP in 25+ years.

And my work (livelihood) will change! I got “bumped” at work – someone took my job, and bumped me down to a job with less hours ( = less pay). The new office is even closer to my home, and with less ‘work’ hours, I will be home more (it’s lookin’ like a 4-day work week is in my future). I really hope my new-found “available time” can be constructively used towards cleaning my place up; get all of the LP’s filed etc. I have a storage locker to empty out, too!

I will be selling at the next Claremont, CA LP swap meet – Sunday, September 20^th. I’ll be bringing 6 big cartons of LP’s that have never been out before at a swap meet. If you’re in Southern California, mark your calendars!

Last month, we were lucky enough to see both Grace Jones and Philip Glass – both at the Hollywood Bowl. It was the 2^nd time this year that we’ve seen Philip Glass play live!

Starting to think about compiling some of my writing about music into Manuscript form. Yep, I’m thinking of writing a book about music, my relationship with ‘popular’ music, my path ‘through’ it, record collectors, record collecting etc. Whenever I’ve written “personal nostalgia” about looking for phonograph records in the late 60’s and early 70’s – it always seems to get a good reaction. Anybody know a good book publisher? Or it is time to talk Vanity Press book here?

I’ve written music blogs 5 days a week for 7 years now, almost without fail. Surely I can find the link between Hermeto Pascoal, Wayne Cochran, The Nits, Serge Gainsbourg, Toshio Nakanishi, Sean Kelly, Phil Judd, Sue Thompson, Black Randy, The Screamers, Hajime Tachibana, Lucio Battisti, Gilberto Gil, Murray Roman, Pete Brown, Horace Silver, Tot Taylor, Gruppo Sportivo, Don Bowman, Frank Zappa, The Bill Black Combo, Dave Dobbyn, Sammie America’s Gasphetti, Robert Wyatt, Hugh Hopper, Gaskin & Stewart, 10cc, Wally Badarou, A Certain Ratio, Roger Chapman, Sonny Clark, Slim Gaillard, The Doors, Sean Bonniwell, Floyd Cramer, Doug & Rusty Kershaw, Stan Freberg, The Firesign Theatre, Barry Humphries, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook, Harry Belafonte, Roland Bocquet, Lavvi Ebbel, Jim Pembroke, Adriano Celentano, Ian Dury, Mort Garson, Grace Jones, Philip Glass, Mary Hopkin, Jackie Lomax, Chet Baker, The Harmonicats, Procol Harum, Traffic, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Slade, Magazine, XTC, Ultravox (with John Foxx), Wire, Frazier Chorus, Blam Blam Blam, Machinations, I Am Joe’s Music (Fane Flaws), Pizzicato Five, Cornelius, Hideki Kaji, Yoshinori Sunahara, Y.M.O., Mute Beat, John Cale, Tortoise, Belle & Sebastian, The Gordons, Ivor Cutler, Lard Free, Nurse With Wound, Magma, Il Balletto Di Bronzo, Le Orme, Split Enz…

Pictured: '09 Island Box, 3CD, Universal UK