UNKNOWN INSTRUCTORS - Funland {Smog Veil} Ask anyone who has no prior knowledge of this band to describe their thoughts and you’ll no doubt be told about hippies dressed in kaftans and headbands, acid, Monterey and/or Woodstock festivals, hash and more acid. In reality this is a project from one of the greatest rhythm sections of the USHC era - Mike Watt and George Hurley from MINUTEMEN (and fIREHOSE come to that). SACCHARINE TRUST’s Joe Baiza adds the guitar while Dave Thomas of PERE UBU and artist Raymond Pettibon assist with ‘vocals’. I’m sure Bass Player or Drum Talk magazines cream their pants over this; I purposely crapped mine just to try to stay awake. I’ve played this half-a-dozen times and never made it to the end. Think high-brow Jazz/hippy fusion boredom. Does it rock? No. Does it hold the attention? No. Did it annoy the fuck outta me? Yes. I wonder if Mike Watt is still touring with THE STOOGES? I bet IGGY rips the shit outta this!! (26.07.09)

VARSITY DRAG - Rock And Roll Is Such A Hassle: Live In Europe {Boss Tuneage} You should know Ben Deily was co-founder of LEMONHEADS and is the guiding force behind VARISTY DRAG. This was recorded in Austria in 2007 and features 15 choice cuts culled from the band’s debut ‘For Crying Out Loud’, a number of LEMONHEADS tracks and a few new tunes also. The band sounds appropriately relaxed, mixing BIG STAR pop subtleties with the more recognisable fuzzed Pop-Punkers. The production certainly lacks bass; it’s a very middley sounding recording and if there is a crowd numbering more than six it’s hard to imagine. Highlights include the breezy ‘Summertime’, the ‘Hate Your Friends’ pairing of ‘Uhhh’ and a stunning, disc-stealing highlight of ‘Ever’. ‘Creator’ is represented with four or five tracks. On a mellower note, there is the sublime ‘Blackout’. Have to say, Deily’s nasal whine got a bit frustrating at the end; would’ve been nice to have heard a bit of veracious ‘Creator’ fire in parts. This is a mid-price deal which is wise because, while this is enjoyable, it lacks the x-factor atmosphere needed for a genuinely good live album. (06.07.09)