Has it really been twenty years since the first publication of Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk, the excellent and fascinating collection of interviews with punk rock icons as assembled by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain? That would make punk rock itself about forty years old! But none of that matters. What matters is that Please Kill Me was first published about twenty years ago and a new special edition of it has been published by Grove Press and, in order to publicize it,  Mr. McNeil and Ms. McCain were sent on the road to read from it, with a party being thrown at each location–an event room at an Ace Hotel.

The Boogaloo Bag writers will take it for granted that all readers have already read Please Kill Me. (If you have not read it,  you should immediately google it in order to see what an important work of literature it is. We’ll wait.)

Well, ok, a little background: Legs McNeil, along with John Holmstrom, founded Punk Magazine, a cool fanzine that coincided with the underground rock scene then developing in the East Village of New York City during the mid-seventies, especially at clubs like CBGB’s. So you know that this fellow knows about what was going on and who was doing it. Gillian McCain is a published poet who has worked with the Poetry Project at St. Mark’s Church, so you know that she is smart and knows how to put together a story. And what a story! The book traces the development of punk rock music from its roots to its explosion. From The Velvet Underground, The Doors and The New York Dolls up through The Ramones and The Sex Pistols.

It’s time to replace your old, beaten up copy of Please Kill Me with the new edition, which has some new material, including many more photosgraphs.

Suffice it to say, the publication of the 20th anniversary edition provided a great opportunity to throw a most excellent party at  Ace Hotel in Manhattan, and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was invited to DJ the event, held on July 13. As folks were entering the Liberty Hall, The Boog played some, shall we say, lower energy underground rock records for about thirty minutes.

The master of ceremonies was Michael Des Bares–the Boogaloo Bag writers remember him from his days in the seventies British glam rock group Silverhead and he currently hosts a show on Sirius XM Radio.

Michael Des Barres introduced Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil at the Please Kill Me – 20th Anniversary Tour event.

After Mr. Des Barres introduced Mr. McNeil and Ms. McCain, the authors proceeded to read passages from the book.  Then Mr. Des Barres engaged them in a question and answer period. After that, the authors signed books as The Boog played more raucous punk rock records, starting with “I Wanna Be Your Dog!”

Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil sign autographs at the Please Kill Me – 20th Anniversary Tour event.

Here is a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Please Kill Me 20th Anniversary Tour event at Ace Hotel*:

• Patti Smith–Pissing in the River (Arista)
• Television–Little Johnny Jewel Part One (Ork)
• The Velvet Underground and Nico–I’ll Be Your Mirror (Verve)
• The Doors–Wild Child (Elektra)
• Pere Ubu–30 Seconds Over Tokyo (Hearthan)
• Lester Bangs–Let It Blurt (Spy)
• Talking Heads–Love Goes to Building on Fire (Sire)
• Mink De Ville–Let Me Dream if I Want to (Atlantic; Germany)
• Iggy Pop–Sister Midnight (RCA; Germany)
• The Velvet Underground–What Goes On (M-G-M)
• Suicide–Rocket U.S.A. [from LP Suicide] (Red Star)
• Television–Marquee Moon Part I (Elektra; UK)
• the stooges–i wanna be your dog (Elektra)
• New York Dolls–Personality Crisis (Mercury)
• Ramones–Sheena Is a Punk Rocker (Sire)
• The Velvet Underground with Lou Reed–Sweet Jane (Atlantic; Germany)
• David Bowie–The Jean Genie (RCA Victor)
• Richard Hell & the Voidoids–Blank Generation [from the LP Blank Generation](Sire)
• Television–Ain’t That Nothin’ (Elektra)
• Sex Pistols–Pretty Vacant (Columbia; Japan)
• The Damned–Neat Neat Neat (Stiff; UK)
• Ramones–Blitzkreig Bop (Sire)
• New York Dolls–Jet Boy (Mercury; UK)
• The Undertones–Teenage Kicks (Sire; UK)
• The Jam–In the City (Polydor; UK)
• The Radiators From Space–Enemies (Chiswick; UK)
• The Saints–(I’m) Stranded (Power Exchange; UK)
• The Primitives–The Ostrich (Pickwick City)
• 999–Homicide (United Artists; UK)
• Talking Heads–Psycho Killer (Sire)
• The Adverts–Gary Gilmore’s Eyes (Anchor; UK)
• Blondie–Rip Her to Shreds (Chrysalis; UK)
• Magazine–Shot By Both Sides (Virgin; UK)
• The Clash–White Riot (CBS; UK)
• Lou Reed–Vicious (RCA; UK)
• The Feelies–Fa Cé La (Rough Trade; UK)
• The Only Ones–Lovers of Today (Vengeance; UK)
• Heartbreakers–Born to Lose [from LP L.A.M.F.] (Track; UK)
• Zeros–Don’t Push Me Around (Bomp!)
• Damned–Sick of Being Sick (Stiff; UK)
• Eater–Thinkin’ of the U.S.A. (The Label; UK)
• The Jam–News of the World (Polydor; UK)
• X-Ray Spex–The Day the World Turned Day-Glo (EMI International; UK)
• MC5–Human Being Lawnmower [from LP Back in the USA] (Atlantic)
• Iggy and the Stooges–Shake Appeal (Play Back)
• The Weirdos–Destroy All Music (Bomp)
• The Cramps–Drug Train (Illegal)
• Dead Boys–Sonic Reducer [from LP Young Loud and Snotty] (Sire – test pressing)
• Johnny Thunders–You Can’t Put Your Arms Round a Memory (Real; UK)

*unlike most lists, the order on this list is approximate due to the LP tracks not being noted when they were played, so their playing order is estimated here. None of these records are for sale.

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at the Please Kill Me – 20th Anniversary event.

If it is July—and sure has been hot enough to be July—then it must be time for Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus to make a guest DJ appearance at Lincoln Center’s fantabulous Midsummer Night Swing series of dance concerts held in Damrosch Park in Midtown Manhattan. Last year—and especially the year before—The Boog’s MSNS night was rained on. This time the weatherman went the other way: a very clear sky with hot, hot heat that made one burning, swingin’ night!

Eva Carrozza leads a crew of dancers as they teach the Lindy hop at Midsummer Night Swing!

On July 6, the evening started with a DJ set by The Boog that included some jumpin’ and swingin’ numbers. Then dance instructor Eva Carrozza and her crew broke quite a sweat as they taught the audience how to Lindy hop. Once the folks on the dance floor were fully in command of their dance steps, The Boog returned to the turntables as they were able to Lindy hop to more jump and swing music, commencing with the great Wynonie Harris’ version of “Good Rockin’ Tonight” (and including Joe Turner’s “Boogie Woogie Country Girl” in a small tribute to Doc Pomus, who was honored at last year’s rainy event).

Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swings at Midsummer Night Swing!

The headliner for this evening was the pre-Beatles, Philadelphia teen sensation Bobby Rydell.

From 1959 to 1963, Mr. Rydell released more than two dozen teen pop hits, including “We Got Love,” “Swingin’ School” and “Forget Him.” But Bobby Rydell—much like all the “Bobbies” of the time: Bobby Darin, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Vee—aspired to be a vocalist in the mold of Frank Sinatra. (Even the “anti-Bobby,” Bob Dylan, eventually had such aspirations!) Thus, ably backed by Philadelphia’s City Rhythm Orchestra, Mr. Rydell presented a set of mostly songs from the great American songbook, sung in a very Sinatra-like manner.

Bobby Rydell swings at Midsummer Night Swing!

If you are familiar with Bobby Rydell from just a handful of his hits (“Kissin’ Time,” “I Dig Girls,” “Ding-A-Ling”) you may scoff at the idea. Don’t. Mr. Rydell has a commanding voice and he was able to carry this off much better than any lounge singer. Although he did not sing any of our favorites (“The Fish,” “The Cha Cha Cha,” and his cool version of The Kinks’ “When I See That Girl of Mine”), he did perform “Wild One” and “Sway,” ending his portion of the show with “Volare.” Once he was off the stage, The City Rhythm Orchestra continued to swing for another half hour or so, much to the delight of the dance floor inhabitants. When the big band was through, soaking with sweat every one of them, The Boog barely had time to play four more songs.

Here’s a list of all the 45s played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at this year’s Midsummer Night Swing event:

• Earl Bostic–Summertime (King)
• Aki Aleong and His Licorice Twisters–Tonight [from EP Twistin’ the Hits] (Reprise; France)
• Bobby Bland–Blue Moon (Duke)
• Fats Domino–I’m in Love Again (Imperial)
• The Five Keys–It’s a Groove (Capitol)
• Sam Price and His Texas Bluesicians–Rib Joint (Savoy)
• Gene Krupa; vocal by Anita O’Day–Let Me Off Uptown (Gold Mor)
• Ralph Marterie and His Orchestra–Ring Dang Doo (Mercury)
• Amos Milburn–Chicken Shack Boogie (United Artists Silver Spotlight Series)
• LaVerne Baker and the Gliders with Orchestra–Tweedle Dee (Atlantic)
• Pearl Bailey; Orchestra conducted by Don Redman–I Can’t Rock and Roll to Save My Soul (Mercury)
• Wynonie Harris–Good Rockin’ Tonight (King)
• Johnny Hodges and his Orchestra–Castle Rock (Verve Clef Series)
• Don and the Upbeats–Night Train (Lana)
• Quincy Jones–Choo Choo Ch’Boogie (Mercury)
• Count Basie & his Orchestra–Beaver Junction (Columbia)
• Ray Charles and His Orchestra with the Raelets–Smack Dab in the Middle (ABC-Paramount)
• Jackie Verdell–Bye Bye Blackbird (Peacock)
• Louis Jordan–Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens (Tangerine)
• Louis Prima–Jump, Jive an’ Wail [from EP The Wildest!] (Capitol; France)
• Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra–Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Decca)
• Joe Turner and Orchestra featuring Van ‘Piano Man’ Walls–Boogie Woogie Country Girl (Atlantic)
• Dud Bascomb and His Orchestra–Tuxedo Junction (Savoy)
• Bill Doggett–Honky Tonk (Part 2) (King)
• Dakota Staton; Benny Carter Orchestra–Hey Lawdy Mama (Capitol)
• Harry James–Two O’Clock Jump (Gold Mor)
• Ernie Field’s Orch.–In the Mood (Rendezvous)
• Frankie Lymon–Goody Goody (Gee)
• Bobby Darin–Splish Splash (Atco)
• Eddie Cochran–Summertime Blues (Liberty)

None of these records are for sale.

Bobby Rydell and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus discuss the finer points of early sixties Philadelphia pop music after Bobby’s performance at Midsummer Night Swing!

Ol’ Stark and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Artists and Fleas on the Fourth of July!

Fourth of July is always a fun time and on this Fourth there were two things made it even better: 1. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was asked to DJ at the Artists and Fleas room at the Chelsea Market by Ol’ Stark, who sells records and groovy threads there. 2. Our old pal Marty Jourard was in town and dropped by to make the scene.

As the astute Boogaloo Bag reader knows, it was just a couple days prior to the Fourth that Ol’ Stark joined Phast Phreddie the Booogaloo Omnibus at the Bootleg Bar in Bushwick for the WHAM-O WATUSI. That spirit of camaraderie carried over to the early evening of the Fourth of July when the Phast Man showed up at Ol’ Stark’s booth with a box full of surf instrumentals. Ol’ Stark passed out wine (The Boog had a diet soda), bags of salty cheddar cheese-flavored snacks and Artists and Fleas tote bags to those in attendance, making it a very festive occasion.

Marty Jourard and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at Artists & Fleas on the Fourth of July!

Marty Jourard, as the perceptive trainspotter will tell you, is the keyboard/saxophone player for the cool L.A. new wave band The Motels. The Boogaloo Bag writers have known him since the late seventies, and indeed, he often played saxophone with Phast Phreddie & Thee Precisions. Marty also hosts a website that pays tribute to a saxophonist that both he and the Phast Man admire: Earl Bostic. Marty took part in the festivities, even going so far as to purchase a pair of sharp looking shoes from Ol’ Stark’s booth.

After The Boog played all 26 records he brought, he and his buddies hung out a bit, then he and Boogaloo Bag photographer Nancy “Jeannie” Gardner, Marty Jourard and his gal-pal Natalie walked not too deep into the West Village to an eatery called The Bus Stop, where dinner was served.

It was great catching up with Marty. He has been touring with The Motels recently. Also, he has just written a book about the music scene of his hometown Gainsville, Florida called Music Everywhere: The Rock and Roll Roots of a Southern Town. He was clearly excited about the good reviews and fine reception it has received. The Boog has just ordered a copy, and it comes highly recommended to Boogaloo Bag readers. After dinner, the group walked up to the High Line Park, back in Chelsea. Although it was on the wrong side of Manhattan to properly see the fireworks, some pyrotechnics were observed between the buildings as it gently sprinkled.

The Fourth of July, as seen from the High Line Park.

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at Ol’ Stark’s Fourth of July shindig at the Artists and Fleas room in the Chelsea Market:

• Dick Dale and the Del-Tones–Let’s Go Trippin’ (Deltone)
• The Beach Boys–Surf Jam (Capitol; Japan)
• The Mar-Kets–Surfer’s Stomp (Liberty)
• The Astronauts–Surf Party (RCA Victor)
• The Astronauts–Che, Che, Che (Victor; Japan)
• Fabulous Continentals–Undertow (CB)
• Safaris–Kick Out (Valiant)
• The Carnations–Scorpion (Tilt)
• Jan Davis–Fugitive (A&M)
• Bobby Fuller–Stinger (Norton)
• Conrad and the Hurricanes–Hurricane (Era)
• The Pyramids–Contact (Cedwicke)
• The Challengers–Wipe Out (G.N.P. Crescendo)
• The Arrows featuring Davie Allan–Apache ’65 (Tower)
• The Atlantics–Bombora (CBS; Netherlands)
• The Challengers–Moondawg (Vault)
• The Surfaris–Santa’s Speed Shop (Decca)
• The Live Wires–Bona-Vista Twist (R.E.F.)
• The Lively Ones–Surf Rider (Del-Fi)
• Los Aragon–Merida Surf (Musart; Mexico)
• The Trademarks–Baha-Ree-Ba! (Part 2) (Jubal)
• Chantay’s–Pipeline (Dot)
• The Revels with Barbara Adkins–Church Key (Impact)
• The Avantis–Wax ’Em Down (Chancellor)
• The Rumblers–Boss (Dot)
• Jerry Cole & His Spacemen–Movin’ Surf (Capitol)

None of these records are for sale.

Ol’ Stark and Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus swing at WHAM-O WATUSI!

On July 2^nd, the WHAM-O WATUSI returned to its internationalist theme with guest DJ Ol’ Stark. He is a Frenchman with some super boss international records, and man, did he play them!

Ol’ Stark places another hot disc into rotation at the WHAM-O WATUSI!

If you have been reading the Boogaloo Bag (and before that, the Boogaloo Blog), you will know that Ol’ Stark is one of our favorite DJs. He has been a popular guest DJ at Subway Soul Club and his own Let’s Boogaloo was one of our favorite DJ nights. Currently, he provides the music for the Artists and Fleas room at the Chelsea Market (where he also sells records and groovy threads). He has access to records from around the world, and he played a bunch of them at the WHAM.

Ol’ Stark ques a boss record as Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus looks on!

WHAM host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus tried to help Mr. Stark feel at home by playing a whole slew of French language records (though many of them were from Canada!) and we think that the Bootleg Bar may have served more Burgundy wine that night than any other!

Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus:

• Les Baxter and His Drums–Ooch-I-Baba (Capitol)
• The Parisians–Ambush (Felsted)
• The Coronas–All Out Vota’ (Corona)
• Wes Dakus–Las Vegas Scene (Swan; UK)
• The Pace-Setters–Heads-Up (Äva)
• Jan Davis–Hornets Nest (Shamley)
• L.B. Wilson–Don’t (Vivid)
• Al Thomas–Summertime Monkeyshine (Scepter)
• Tommy Bruce with Harry Robinson’s Music–Over Suzanne (Capitol)
• The Dixie Cups–Ain’t That Nice (Red Bird)
• The Motions–Land Beyond the Moon (Mercury)
• The G-Clefs–Party ’66 (Loma)
• The Celebration–Junk Man (Challenge)
• Johnnie & Joe–Let Your Mind Do the Walking (J&S)
• Jon Thomas–Hey Hey Baby! (ABC-Paramount)
• Little Ann–Going Down a One-Way Street (The Wrong Way) (Ric-Tic)
• Judy Clay–I’m Comin’ Home (Scepter)
• Frank Alamo–Dis-Lui Non (Riviera; Canada)
• The Five Americans–See-Saw-Man (Abnak)
• The Waphphle–Goin’ Down (Elektra)
• Les Nobels–Les Oignons Verts (Télédisc; Canada)
• R. Alphonso & L. Sterling; The Ska Talites–Lee Oswald (CoxSone; UK)
• Techniques–Little Did You Know (Duke Reid; Jamaica)
• The Deeps (Deep River Boys)–Calypso Rock n’ Roll (Que)
• Bill Wray and His Show Band Royale–Morning Dew (Warner Bros.)
• Herman’s Hermits–It’s Alright Now (M-G-M)
• Chocolate Watchband–Let’s Talk About Girls (Eva; France)
• Mike Adkins & the Lemon Extract–Static (RCA Victor)
• Phil Flowers & the Flower Shop–Like a Rolling Stone (long version) (A&M)
• Jacqueline Taïeb–7 Heures du Matin (RCA Victor Canada International; Canada)
• Les Atomes–Pauvre Fou (Little Boy Sad) (Capitol: Canada)
• Les Planetes–Mon Aimi Noir (Vedettes; Canada)
• Les Commander’s–Yogo-Ma Ta-Houba (Disques Contact; Canada)
• Wilmar Walker–Stompin’ Roaches (Philips)
• Hollywood Hurricanes–Beavershot (Prima)
• The Ramrods–Soultrain (Rampage)
• Jerry-O–Popcorn-Boo-Ga-Loo Pt. 1 (Boo-Ga-Loo)
• Andre Williams–Do the Popcorn (Checker)
• Alvin Cash–Poppin’ Popcorn (Toddlin’ Town)
• Eddie Lovette–Boomerang (Steady)
• The Paragons; Lyn Taitt and the Jets–If I Were You (Merritone/Dub Store; Japan)
• Jimmy Lomax–Come on Home (Camille)
• Monty–Une Fois (Barclay; France)
• Boys Blue–You Got What I Want (ABC-Paramount)
• The Jay-Jays–Bald Headed Woman (Philips; Netherlands)
• The Wonders–That Thing You Do (Play-Tone; UK)
• The Fleshtones–I Surrender (Yeproc)
• Jamie Lyons–Soul Struttin’ (Laurie)
• Donald Lautrec–Action (Jupiter; Canada)
• Los Javaloyas–Yeh Yeh (La Voz de Su Amo; Spain)
• Mariette Levesque–L’ete Revient (Trans-Canada; Canada)
• Les Sultans–Pour Qui Pourquoi (DSP; Canada)
• Les Mersey’s–Si Tu M’Aimes (Telédisc; Canada)
• The Cryan Shames–Ben Franklin’s Almanac (Destination)
• The Chambers Brothers–All Strung Out Over You (Columbia)
• Guitar Gable–Gumbo Mombo (Excello)
• The Pagents–Big Daddy (Era)
• The Bikinis–Bikini (Roulette)
• Jingle Jumpers–Jumpin’ the Jingle (Disques Vogue; France)
• Gaby Laplante–Les Cornichons (Frantastic; Canada)
• The Clungels–Do the Dog (Artone; Netherlands)
• The Dave Clark Five–Bits and Pieces (Epic)
• Paul Revere and the Raiders–Night Train (Columbia)
• The Pretty Things–Road Runner (Fontana; UK)
• The Running Jumping Standing Still–Diddy Wah Diddy (Sunshine; Australia)
• Downliners Sect–All Night Worker (Columbia; UK)
• Antoine–Qu’est-ce Qui Ne Tourne Pas Rond Chez Moi (Disques Vogue; Canada)
• Les Chanceliers–La Generation D’Aujourd’Hui (Citation; Canada)
• The Ugly Ducklings–Nothin’ (Arc; Canada)
• Luke & the Apostles–Been Burnt (Elektra; Canada)
• The Girlfriends–My One and Only Jimmy Boy (Colpix)
• Ginette Reno–Quelqu’un a Aimer (Somebody to Love) (Apex; Canada)
• François Carel–Dansez Dansez (Carrousel; Canada)
• Jenny Rock–Dansez (Apex; Canada)
• Al Downing with the Poe Kats–Down on the Farm (Challenge)
• Chris Kenner–I Like It Like That Part 1 (Instant)
• Jerry Jackson–Shrimp Boats (Jamaican Ska) (Columbia)
• Ken Parker–I Can’t Hide (Original; UK)
• Dennis Al Capone with Tommy McCook All Stars–Teach the Children (Duke Reid; Jamaica)
• I Roy & Dennis Walks–Drifter (Moodisc)
• Ezz Reco and the Launchers with Boysie Grant and Beverly–Little Girl (Capitol)
• Chris Towns–Va Va Voom (Cee Tee)
• Los Strwck–W-A-Loo (Discos AZA; Mexico)
• Angel & Johnny Orchestra–Jumpin’ Around (Mardi Gras)

None of these records are for sale.

Please note: The next WHAM-O WATUSI will take place on Saturday August 20 instead of August 6. In September it will return to the first Saturday of the month.