updated July 31, 2001

STRUMMER HEADING STATESIDE

Joe Strummer is touring later next month in support of his new record "Global-Au-Go-Go" The last record on Hellcat got good reviews but did not sell exceptionally well. So the lowered expectations this time around has given him the freedom to experiment by doing some local in-stores, getting those grassroots planted once again. As he explained recently in Billboard, "I'm hoping to draw people in, and maybe they'll buy the record and maybe they'll go and tell their friends. I'm trying to work a word-of-mouth network here, 'cause we ain't really a pop act. We're not really R&B. We couldn't get on MTV if we spent 6 million quid. So, you have to accept the way the world is."

In England his band The Mescallaros are totally ignored by radio programmers. KCRW in LA is playing the new record locally but you will not be hearing it on KROQ or MTV2. Where is Swedish Eagle when you need him? Strummer is undaunted. In my own country, here in Britain, we can't even get one play. I don't think we even had one play at all on any station. So it's like, never mind, big boys don't cry. You can still get on with it, because it was like that in the early days of punk, anyway. So, when we were making this record, I was thinking, 'We gotta get out there and get the news out about this record. Why don't we do a whistle-stop tour, playing in-stores in any big city we can get it going?'"

Strummer is still getting the 'reunion' question thrown his way whenever he sits down for an interview. So what's the answer? "I don't think it's really gonna happen," he says. "Maybe when the heat's off in 20 years' time, we'll get together and make a blues record or something. I often think it would be a laugh to do a tour when we're 78. That is a punk-rock idea." Until then you can catch him in October and November with the Mescaleros. Last time around they did a few Clash covers.

SOPRANOS HATE POLICE TOO

Remember that great punk tune "DICKS HATE POLICE"? Did you ever flip it over and check out the b-side. Well the news comes from former Dicks leader Gary Floyd that a "Texas Terri" recording of the Dicks song "Lifetime Problems" is set to appear in the upcoming gangster flick This Thing of Ours, starring James Caan and The Sopranos' Vincent Pastore. The original Dicks version of the tune was the B-side of "Dicks Hate Police," and Terry Laird says the song is one of three demo tunes produced by her pal Jack Douglas (he worked with Aerosmith!) After tours of Spain and the U.S. earlier this year, and after having her band the Stiff Ones named Best Punk Band in the L.A. Weekly's music poll, it's now time to "stay at home and write" for her next album with Douglas likely at the helm. Floyd, meanwhile, reports that he's "still happily in love and dealing with life as it comes," and that his current band Black Kali Ma is playing lots and also writing material for a new CD.

BACK FROM THE DAMNED GRAVE!!

The Damned release their brand new album, "Grave Disorder" on August 21on Nitro Records. This marks the first album with both Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible have collaborated on an album since the classic "Strawberries" was released back in '82. Produced by Grammy Award winner David Bianco, it's more goth than punk but if you liked the "Phantasmagoria" album then this should please you. There's also some hints of "Strawberries" on there but the songs are not nearly as catchy. Some of titles of the songs on the new record: "Lookin For Action" "Song.com" "Democracy?" "Would You Be So Hot" and "Thrill Kill". Apparently this time around all details concerning songwriting credits and future royalties have been sorted out. At press time, Rat Scabies had no comment.

HEÕD RAHTER BE LIFTING

If you happen to run into Henry Rollins on the Warped Tour, make sure you don't ask him who's playing next. "I can't say I know anything of the bands we are playing with, nor do I even know who is on the bill," Just because Rollins Band will join the annual punk rock carnival for nine dates beginning July 31, that doesn't mean the seasoned singer wants to be there. He was pretty much begged to do it. "They ask every year," the former Black Flag frontman said. "I say, 'No. I don't want to waste everyone's time.' When you're 16, why do you want to see a man with gray hair playing primitive caveman music? They'll be bored. And a half hour set does not satisfy old Hank. I need two hours to get it on."

ON THE AGNOSTIC FRONTÉ

Agnostic Front bassist Rob Kabula has left the band in order to spend more time at home to concentrate on being a dad. The new bassist is Mike from NYC On The Rise. Roger Miret has a new band called Roger Miret and the Disasters. They are in the studio right now recording some recently written material. The Disasters have more of a street-punk feel than AF. You can hear an exclusive track from this promising new band on the upcoming Outsider compilation SCENE KILLER #3.

BUT WILL IT SELL 387,000?

The LA TIMES had an article over the weekend on the staying power of Bad Religion and the imminent release of their new album. Here are a few quotes that lend some insight into getting older and still staying true to the punk rock ideals that inspired them in the first place. With 20 years experience under their belts, it's with a little reluctance that the members of Bad Religion can also invoke the "M" word. "I hate to use the word matured .... " says Graffin, who often concocts the long sentences you'd expect from one who's still working on his doctorate in zoology at Cornell University when he's not singing punk rock. "But certainly our lyrics have evolved and they reflect a growth that is normal for a person who is . . . a songwriter going through life and accepting the changes that life brings, while still being able to identify with punk themes." If there's a secret to Bad Religion's staying power, it's probably found in the words of wisdom Gurewitz got from a friend following that first show 21 years back in a rented Santa Ana warehouse. "I'll never forget this," Gurewitz says. "He told me, 'You guys are really good. Even though you might not realize it, if you just don't break up, you'll get popular.' Besides not breaking up, Bad Religion also has persistent intolerance continually re-energizing them and their music. "That's good for the longevity of our songs," says Graffin with a wry smile. "As long as we focus on those never-ending problems, there'll always be something for us to write about. As long as society continues to be restrictive, and to come down hard on the youth, then our audience will always be energized by our songs."

THE SKYNARD LOOSES ANOTHER

Leon Wilkeson, bassist of legendary southern rock act Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in his sleep Friday in his room at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Beach Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. He was 49. A St. Johns County medical examiner reported that Wilkeson was apparently suffering from chronic liver and lung disease and likely died of natural causes. Confirmation will come from toxicological tests that are yet to be conducted. Those results are expected within three weeks. Wilkeson was in Florida to address charges of driving under the influence, for which he was cited earlier this year. The band was due to begin a tour this week in Chula Vista, California.

"NARDCORE" IS BACK - RKL REFORM FOR NEW RECORD!

According to bassist-songwriter Bomber Manzuello RKL are done writing a new album and he hopes to release the new material as soon as possible. The new record will also feature a new line-up. Barry and Dave are out but Chris Flippin (Lagwagon) and Derrick Plourde (Sweet Action, Bad Astronaut, No More Lies, Ex-Lagwagon) were hired to fill their shoes. The band also recently played a couple of shows with NOFX but now it seems like the reunion is actually happening. Manzuello is currently holding down a day job as an engineer at Microsoft. And FINALLYÉ U.K. punk legends MENACE will definitely be journeying to U.S. shores to play a string of gigs in September. Check our SHOWS page for details. The East Coast tour begins on September 7th and goes to the 16th.ng for Menace on all shows will be BLIND SOCIETY. A mini tour of the West Coast is also being planned.

END.