When Francis Xavier turned into a penguin

"Francis Xavier was a Navarrese was a co-founder of the Society of Jesus.[...]. He also was the first Christian missionary to venture into Japan, Borneo, the Maluku Islands, and other areas".

A painting of Saint Francis Xavier, 
held in the Kobe City Museum

Couldn't get too much information as all the websites are in Japanese. But seems that someone added 2 dots to Francisco Javier's beard and turned it upside down. 

And a fabolous piece of artwork came out.

Extracted from Twitter

A Lux Interior Christmas Tape Compilation

Copy and paste from WFMU's Rock 'n' Soul Ichiban!

"Super giant thanks to Kristian Hoffman for sharing this on his Facebook Page. It's a picture of a tape Lux made with some amazing Christmas Music. A song or two from the Black Christmas tape, but much more swell tunes to sink your teeth in to.  Even an atheist would love it...".

An excellent 50s Christmas songs compilation by Lux Interior himself. He had such a good taste!

Gene Vincent singt im Star-Club

Reproduction of an original Star Club publicity card.

Bought it in Harajuku Jack's in Tokyo.

7" Thee Braindrops - Lorraine (Family Spree Recordings, 2018)

Ok. I'll copy and translate from Spanish: 

"Thee Braindrops are a Spanish based garage-rock and roll band formed in 2017. They are the Japanese frontman Bunny Shima (voice and percussion), Big Pablo (bass and chorus), Carlos (guitar) and Pablo (drums).

They play energetic and direct tunes influenced by 1960s, the most garage songs of The Woggles and de rawness of Billy Childish throughout the darkest and fuzz loaded side of The Fuzztones".

And I would add: Thee Braindrops play pure primitive garage-punk!!! This is their debut EP. Four songs that make me think about garage revival bands from 1980s. 

They are fans of Fuzztones ("Braindrops" was the title of an album recorded by this band!) also The Morlocks and The Masonics as we can hear on their shows. 

This is just an idea of what you hear in this EP. Garage rockers from around the world will love it!

Sexy and colorful comic-art cover by Mik Baro.

Tadanori Yokoo

Graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker and painter.

One of Japan’s most well-known artists, who began working with painting in 1966. In parallel, Yokoo’s early screenprints combined photographs with the influence of traditional Japanese ukiyo-e(woodblock prints) and pop art’s flat colours and overtly sexual content. [...].His work became influenced by mysticism following his trip to India in the 1970s, resulting in posters with eclectic imagery sharing the aesthetics of the underground psychedelic magazines of the time.* 

*Copied and  pasted from Tate website.

Pump It Up! A Power Pop Weekender. Done!!!

I haven't written here in a while! Only three weeks left for my trip to Tokyo and I can't focus on other thing! :D

Well, "Pump It Up! A Power Pop Weekender" took place last weekend at The Finsbury Pub in North London. Apart from the bands I usually see in the weekends (Los Pepes, Lucy & The Rats, More Kicks, Randy Savages...), I'd like to mention the debut show of The Speedways on Sunday. After only a couple of rehearsals, these guys played like if they have been playing together for years! 

More Kicks played after them. Their first single is already out and they are touring in Germany right now! Catch them if you have the chance (SO36 in Berlin on Wednesday night with The Briefs and StrgZ. Then a special surprise in Berlin on Thursday and KOMET Musik Bar in Hamburg on Friday. Next London gig Garageland at the Lock Tavern on 10 August!).

More Kicks

Regarding Saturday, I was excited to see Baby Shakes again as I'm a big fan of them. The set was quite similar as the one they played in April for Dirty Water. Songs from last album, some from previous recordings plus I wanna be loved of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers and Heart of the City of Nick Lowe. What a good taste they have!!!

Baby Shakes

Also Faz Waltz played in London a few months ago. Their thing is not so power-pop but it's close to glam music as you can hear on their riffs and sound. So glam music fans (me! :D ) were more than happy for this three piece band in this festival.

Barracudas! They are celebrating 40th anniversary this year. After seeing them last time (3 years ago...? in The Pipeline) and feel disappointment, this time everyone got satisfied with the gig. The same with Protex. Even though they are one of my favorite power-pop bands from the old days, I hadn't heard good opinions about their show... And I'm not a big fan of the album recorded last year. However I felt the show energetic and they didn't miss some of their classics. Not too bad!

Dirty Fences

Anyway, this is what I think about the last show on Sunday: Dirty Fences were the BEST of the festival. This guys were something like "The Gizmos meet Ramones". Energy and rock'n'roll!!!!! I'd pay for experience that show again!

And that's all about my favorite ones (finally I wrote more than I thought!). Thanks to all the bands and special thanks Mauro and Simon. Hope you do it next year once again!!!

(Pics by ZigPix and Penelope York).

"Hello Kitty" Shinkansen

Oooooh nooooo... My sugar levels came up as soon as I read this new!!! Also my disappointment, as I don't think I'll manage to ride on this "Hello Kitty" bullet train during my next trip to Tokyo (next month!). It will run for the next three months only between the western cities of Osaka and Fukuoka.

Anyway, because my love and obsession for kawaii stuff and Japanese mascots, it well deserves to be published on here! 

Two fans at the Hello Kitty convention in Los Angeles

Crazy Date #0. Rock'n'Roll DJ set with Hey Paula!

I'll be playing records next Friday the 29th of June! Only 50s and 60s. No punk this time! This will be at the old The Hideway now called Northern Soul Bar & Kitchen, located exactly between Tufnell Park and Junction Road.

This is a free event. From 10pm til late!

Tales From The Woods. Doo Wop Edition!

This is happening NOW! at 100 Club in London. Gaynel Hodge, John Cheatdom and Tommy Hunt who will be celebrating his 85th birthday! 

Three legends from the 50s singing tonight along with The Four/Velvet Candles from Barcelona. 

Interview with The Speedways

One day, Matt Julian of The Breakdowns decided to write a few songs, play them, record them and… voilà! “Just Another Regular Summer” was born. An album that sounds like the most bubblegum side of Ramones, like if The Ronettes or The Shangri-Las were playing nowadays using electric guitars… Well, I should say this is for many the power-pop record of the year! 

We decided to ask a few questions to Matt to know more what’s behind The Speedways as well as the future of the band.

It’s been already more than two weeks since you upload “Just Another Regular Summer” in Bandcamp. I think it's been quite successful! It was like a love at first listen for power pop lovers. Did you expect such a good reception?

Thanks Paula! Yeah, it's been up for just over 2 weeks now and I've had a really positive response - 'love at first listen' amongst the Power-Pop community as you say!

I didn't have too many expectations - I had a small wishlist of 2 things...& they've both happened so that's really cool.


Who are (or who is) The Speedways?

The Speedways is a solo project, but I didn't wanna call it that because I felt daft, so I gave it a band name for some kinda security.

It isn't a throwaway name though. Everything about these songs, the artwork and the presentation is all very deliberate.

My friend played drums for me (with my bedroom demos as reference) then I took the drum tracks into the studio & layed everything on top. 

95% of all the recording was done first take. I was doing it on my own so I couldn't afford much studio time.

I did all the bass guitar, rhythm guitars and lead guitars in 6 hours or something stupid like that. The vocals took a bit longer because I double tracked everything & then had to harmonise with myself!

Percussion, keyboards etc.. were pretty straightforward after all of that.

The mix was tough though - It's hard to think straight when you're against the clock with 12 songs on the go.

However, there is now a real life, all-star band version of The Speedways preparing to hit the stage thanks to some very kind friends!


I've heard that Gods Candy Records it's going to release the album on vinyl. Tell us more about this!

Yes! I'm really excited about this one.

My mate Austin from the Hip Priests recommended The Speedways to Brett at Gods Candy. Brett has a real passion for his label & especially the music so I was more than happy to release with them.

They have some brilliant acts on the label, it's great to be on board!

I really wanted 'Just Another Regular Summer' to come out on vinyl because I think the songs & the concept demand it. I'll be really proud when I get a copy in my hands.

The power pop weekender, Pump It Up, will take place in London at the end of July. The Speedways are going to share a stage with legends like Protex or Barracudas. Have you thought about any other band you would like to support in the future?

Protex are a personal fave, but the whole line-up at the Pump It Up festival is very strong. I've seen every band on the bill at least once before.

Mauro & Simon have done a brilliant job putting it together.

In the future? who knows?!


We can read in your Bandcamp: "1 album. 1 gig.  The End". Are you sure that's going to be the future of The Speedways?

I'm really not sure! I would like to play some more gigs later in the year. I have been offered a few.

I'd like to put out a 7" single. There were another 5 or 6 songs that I could have used on the album.

I was thinking of recording 2 of them as B-Sides for 'Reunion in the Rain' or something like that... Just an idea at this stage.

All the songs on 'Just Another Regular Summer' were written between summer 2014 & summer 2015 (apart from one which is a little bit older) ..so I've got loads of newer songs knocking around. Almost 3 years worth!

I've also written an album titled 'Empty Pages' which is for a female lead vocalist.

It's got some great tunes on it with titles like 'Chewing Gum In My Hair', 'In A World Without Love It's Hard To Stay Young' , 'About The Other Boys' etc...

I'd absolutely love to make that record with somebody one day. It'd be a hit for sure.


Finally, tell us about any song, album, band... whatever that you heard recently and blew your mind!

Every time I listen to 'Be My Baby' my mind is blown!


Thanks Matt! See you in "Pump It Up! A Power Pop Weekender".

You're welcome Paula! See you there!

7" Moron's Morons - Indecent Exposure (Slovenly Recordings, 2018)

New Moron's Morons' EP is here! This is their second release after their debut with No Front Teeth Records last year.

Melodic three power-chord songs played fast and distorted. Noise. Punk. Hardcore? And romantic lyrics about cocks, devils, teachers, vibrators and nazi girls. Real poetry!

Well done for these Polish guys. Nowadays it's not usual to find young bands like this one. They're promoting punk and rock'n'roll not only playing in Moron's Morons, but Pawel makes t-shirts of many of our favorite bands for his brand City Slang DTK. Dig it!!!

Things I find in junkshops:

Ok, it's just an envelope... but I love it.

7" The Moondogs ‎– She's Nineteen And Ya Don't Do Ya (Good Vibrations Records, 1979)

A power-pop gem.

Funtastic Dracula Carnival 2018!!!

Bands have been announced today! The venue has changed and this year it will be at Penelope Discotheque.

3 NIGHTS & DAYS OF SENSATIONAL GARAGE-PUNK-R'N'R DEMENTIA!!!! 

Artwork by Rockin' Jelly Bean ♥

LP Johnny Burnette and the Rock'n'Roll Trio - s/t

One of the best albums ever! 

Originally released by Coral in 1956 as a 10". Mine is LP. A UK reissue from 1978.

Nikki Corvette Japan Tour 2018

Because I love Nikki, because I can't wait to visit Japan (three months to go when this is been posted!), because the poster is soooo cool (click here to see more drawings by the artist)... That's why I'd like to mention Nikki's Japan tour which will start in one month! THE LET'S GO's will join her for a few days.

I wish I could be there. Enjoy, Nikki! ^^

7" Los Pepes - The Trap (Snap!! Records, 2018)

Los Pepes just back from their Spanish tour! This year they are promoting "Greatest Hits", a compilation of their three previous LPs and "The Trap", both released by Snap!! Records.

"The Trap" is a 7" which contains three songs extracted from their last album "Let's Go". If  you have seen them live, you know that this band can play super powerful catchy and fast melodies. They keep their own style since they started six years ago. But "The Trap" is for me THE BEST song they have recorded so far. It sounds like an attempt of Radio Birdman playing "Gloria", it sounds Buzzococks, you also can remember The Kids, the sound of some power-pop bands from 90s... It's absolutely brilliant!!!

They will be touring Europe at the end of June-beginning of July. Catch them if they play in your city!!!

Quinto Sardina Festival

Barcelona... Here we go!

Getting ready for the 5th Sardina Festival in Barcelona. Los Pepes and The Parkinsons will play their last gig on this tour. And I'm more than happy to support this event as invited DJ.

Can't wait to see The Kids again!!!

"True Love"

I don't know who is the author of this illustration but it's absolutely brilliant.

LP Lucy and the Rats - s/t (Stardumb Records, Surfin' Ki Records, Monster Zero. 2018)

Lucy came to London and soon she recruited three rats from Spain. So the Spazzy started jamming with members of bands like Thee Tumbitas and Los Perros. They recorded two 7" and finally their first album has been launched this year by three of the most popular pop-punk record labels: Stardumb, Surfin' Ki and Monster Zero.

This LP contains 10 tracks sung by Lucy's sweetest voice which will make you want to listen more and more. Get ready to hear catchy melodies influenced by 50s and 60s pop, surfey guitars and power-pop background.

Special mention to the artwork. It's not just nice to see lovely Lucy portrayed like a Suzy Quattro in the 70s, but I love the simplicity of this teenage/naïf cover!

Recorded in Denia, Spain and produced by Johnny Casino and Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs). 

Pop lovers... be aware!

Teenbeat #4. Poor & Weird DJs!

We've just recorded the cheesiest radio show in the history. But we don't care as we had fun! One hour of spoken show with some songs Poor and Weird DJs will play in Garageland next Friday the 13th. 

• 1Poor and Weird by The Briefs
• 2Teenage Beer Drinkin' Party by Teenage Head
• 3If Looks Could Kill by The Incredible Kidda Band
• 4Weekend by Bernie Tormé Band
• 5Headless Eyes by Moron's Morons
• 6Takin' It Easy by The Count Bishops
• 7Ain't No Surf in Portobello by The Valves
• 8Opening Up by The Cute Lepers
• 9Good Time is Callin' Loud by Faz Waltz
• 1048 Crash by Suzy Quattro
• 11Angelica by The Favourites
• 12Mars Bars by The Undertones
• 13Bama Lama Bama Loo by The Swingin' Neckbreakers
• 14Can I Take the Car Tonight? by The Incredible Kidda Band
• 15Long Gone by The Customs
• 16Do You Wanna Know by Teengenerate
• 17This is Rock and Roll by The Kids

Faz Waltz, Moron's Morons and The Blue Carpet will be playing @ The Lock Tavern in Camden Town, London. So expect to hear punk, power-pop, glam and pub rock. Or click in the image and you'll get an idea! 

Teenbeat #3. The Mummies Did It!

We survived to The Mummies gig and I managed to do a third podcast for Mixcloud! Here I upload some songs that The Mummies used to cover plus some mellow-saxo rock'n'rolls! 

• 1Sooprize Package for Mr. Mineo by The Mummies
• 2Dance Franny Dance by Floyd Dakil Combo
• 3Come On Up by The Young Rascals
• 4Your Love is (Stronger Than Dirt) by Jim Boss & The Sundowners
• 5Surfin' School by King Uszniewicz & His Uszniewicztones
• 6Oh Yeah by Chuck Higgins
• 7Love Me or Leave Me by Ray Collin's Hot Club
• 8The Blues is the Blues by Darrel Higham and The Enforcers
• 9All Night Long by Joe Houston

Click in the image  to hear!