Journeyman guitarist, cantankerous recluse, “famous” dude. His kids like him.
1. REINCARNATION, IN THE TRUEST SENSE OF THE WORD. Out of the oubliette into the eye-blistering sunlight. Not for the faint hearted.
2. WHO AM I AND DO I REALLY GIVE A STUFF ANYMORE? Naturopath, gentleman (pfff!) farmer, college lecturer, grunt laborer, Rock God? And, as Commander Cody sez, “I got my home in my hand…” I haven’t unpacked my suitcase in a year from all the travelling. Whether it’s with the kids on the bucolic acres of Speck, NSW or with mi amor in O Mellor Pulvo, Espana…it’s all home to me.
3. MOST FUNNEST GIG OF THE YEAR. The Fleshtones at the annual festival in Viveiro, Galecia. Loud, tough, tight, cheesy. They started off in the audience and ended up with the audience on stage! And, some extremely rockin’ support bands. Garage au-go go!
4. HOLY MOLY MOMENT OF THE YEAR. Klondike’s North 40 rhythm section Red and Dave had entered The Cave one afternoon tentatively intending to put down four tracks for an EP. By sunset there were 18 songs in the can. Under the scrutiny of meticulous engineer/boffin Greg Clarke, that is No Mean Feat! .
5. BESTEST ALBUM. Niagara and The Hitmen. Yeah, rave on. I saw your jaw dropping side stage.
6. HIGH ROTATION. Lucinda Williams live at The Fillmore, Johnny Casino, Mick Medew and The Rumours, The Reverend Horton Heat, No Fuimos Nosotros, Baghdad Blues, Slim Gaillard, Eric Dolphy, Stan Getz, Los Straightjackets, The Hi Risers, Niagara and The Hitmen…
7. AND WHAT’S WITH THE FRENCH, ANYWAY? I think I finally understand. Read Raymond Queneau, Boris Vian, Jacques Prevert, Verlaine, Rimbaud, Mallarme… See what I mean? Huh? Huh?
8. A NEW STANDARD IN STUPIDITY. I deposited a cheque at the BDCU, then asked for 50 of My Very Own Bucks. The cashier told me that it would be cheaper to go outside and use the Texan Feller. I asked if that meant that there was now a fee on courtesy. She said “Yes.”
9. TECHNO-FEAR. I thought that virus protection protected you from computer viruses. My comp has been rebuilt 3 times this year. Thanks kids, thanks Norton, thanks AVG…
10. KLONDIKE’S YOU BETCHA EXERCISE ROUTINE. Get on your hands and knees and weed the garden for a coupla hours. Shovel horse shit and compost for one or two. Rake leaves until they’re raked up. Walk to the top of San Roque and hang out at the bar until your girlfriend comes to pick you up. Go play a gig. It works! I swear!
