The Human Hearts have one more full band show in 2025, at Mama Tried (787 3rd Ave., Sunset Brooklyn) on 10/12. We hit at 8 pm, preceded and followed by other good folks with guitars &c. We all look forward to seeing you.

If you are in Southern California, I am playing some songs, solo and w/ Kyle from Nothing Painted Blue, in the Redlands Library's performing arts series next week. (Actually a couple buildings away - see address below.) Early evening, family friendly, free.

55 [photo: Jack Silbert]

Tim Blanchard, Like Magic in the Streets. Covers the early days, to their 1st or 2nd LPs, of the 5 bands named, against the background of Thatcher-era U.K., esp. Glasgow, c. 83-84. Some new interviews, many press quotes. Earnest, ambitious, under-edited and over-decorated, like the music it's about.

Not sure I know anyone here who won't see this elsewhere (and is in the vicinity), but my band The Human Hearts are playing w/ some excellent friends at a nice room in Brooklyn next week. I will have a new piece of vinyl (and/or download card), which I'll flog separately when I take delivery.

I downloaded an episode of Robert Christgau's occasional podcast, and the thumbnail propagated to replace every album cover on my phone, which makes for a disconcerting scroll. They didn't even come with grades (except I guess the Forster, which he reviewed).

Some punk rock lyric/performance tips from Vehicle, a curious near-future novel by Jen Calleja (also a well-known translator, and onetime drummer of the UK's Sauna Youth).