Paul Prescott
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Paul Prescott
@paulrprescott.bsky.social
330 followers 330 following 390 posts
Co-editor of the oral history book about Canadian punk rock band NoMeansNo: From Obscurity To Oblivion published by PM Press.
Editor of Ready To Die For Xiu Xiu.
PhD in Engineering.
https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1505
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paulrprescott.bsky.social
A rainbow, a beer, and the new Hüsker Dü live album 1985: The Miracle Year playing in my headphones.
An iPad showing the new Hüsker Dü album 1985: The Miracle Year, next to a can of Two-5 Brewing Valencia IPA beer. In the background is a rainbow.
November 7, 2025 at 11:03 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
On this day of Dick Cheney's passing, I am reminded of this photo. These children had asked me to take their picture when I was traveling in Chibayish, Iraq in April, 1989.

Between the US wars, sanctions, and repression by Saddam Hussein, I wonder how many of these kids made it to adulthood.
Photo from Chibayish, Iraq taken in April, 1989 showing a group of children in front of the marshes.
November 4, 2025 at 11:04 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Having a cat that is completely chill about having his nails trimmed is a huge game changer.
Cat leaning back exposing his paws while sitting on a lap. Completely chill and purring after having his nails trimmed.
October 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
From the book NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion by Jason Lamb “Ian MacKaye—Minor Threat, Fugazi I’m surprised to see that Fugazi only ever shared one bill with NoMeansNo, and it was in DC. I feel like they flourished much more in Europe than they did here. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, bands like NoMeansNo, Victims Family, and Naked Raygun were quite huge over there. These bands weren’t in competition, but more like peers. These were bands in Europe that people really talked about. Part of the deal is when you are orbiting, you don’t cross other people’s orbits that often. They’re out there touring and doing the work at the same time we are. We’d play the same venues, but not at the same time. We did do one show with them in Washington, DC, in 1991. It was us, NoMeansNo, and the Ex. Wow, what a gig! We had a long-standing tradition of playing in church halls in DC. Not the church itself, or the sanctuary, but the halls. The rationale behind this, especially with Fugazi, was that in DC we never made a penny from the shows. Every show we did was a benefit or a free show. “The people organizing the shows, a political action group called Positive Force DC, never took money. The sound people would get paid, and you had to pay for the venue. The show with NoMeansNo was a benefit for the Washington Free Clinic. There were about 1,400 people there, and NMN and the Ex were great. We had to step up our game following them that night. Occasionally, you play with two bands, and both of those bands are just so unique and so fresh and so original. When you go onstage, you have your work cut out for you. That was one of those nights for sure.”
October 13, 2025 at 11:57 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Fugazi and NoMeansNo actually played one gig together in DC:
Text from the book NoMeansNo: From Obscutity to Oblivion by Jason Lamb “Ian MacKaye—Minor Threat, Fugazi I’m surprised to see that Fugazi only ever shared one bill with NoMeansNo, and it was in DC. I feel like they flourished much more in Europe than they did here. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, bands like NoMeansNo, Victims Family, and Naked Raygun were quite huge over there. These bands weren’t in competition, but more like peers. These were bands in Europe that people really talked about. Part of the deal is when you are orbiting, you don’t cross other people’s orbits that often. They’re out there touring and doing the work at the same time we are. We’d play the same venues, but not at the same time. We did do one show with them in Washington, DC, in 1991. It was us, NoMeansNo, and the Ex. Wow, what a gig! We had a long-standing tradition of playing in church halls in DC. Not the church itself, or the sanctuary, but the halls. The rationale behind this, especially with Fugazi, was that in DC we never made a penny from the shows. Every show we did was a benefit or a free show. The people organizing the shows, a political action group called Positive Force DC, never took money. The sound people would get paid, and you had to pay for the venue. The show with NoMeansNo was a benefit for the Washington Free Clinic. There were about 1,400 people there, and NMN and the Ex were great. We had to step up our game following them that night. Occasionally, you play with two bands, and both of those bands are just so unique and so fresh and so original. When you go onstage, you have your work cut out for you. That was one of those nights for sure."
October 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Suggested soundtrack:
Cover art illustration for the Bomboras album Head Shrinkin' Fun showing two boys playing a board game with eyeballs and shrunken heads.
October 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Today’s Bandcamp Friday haul:

A Guide to the Birdsong of Migration- 4th volume in series of music created from birdsongs.

Silberland Vol 3: The Ambient Side of Kosmische Musik- Bureau B series on experimental German music.

Mick Harris: Culvert Dubs Session Six- Latest heavy dub from Mr. Harris.
Bandcamp screenshot showing the album cover artwork of the three albums described above.
October 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Nothing like messaging a nearby farmer to get a resupply of locally grown....

Coffee!
Text messages: "Good morning Mr. Paul I am pretty sure we still have enough to supply you. How many pounds would you like?" "10 lbs please"
September 16, 2025 at 2:20 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Bandcamp Friday Haul!

Anna von Hausswolff album
New Hüsker Dü live album
Two Femme Cell albums
Powerhouse Vol 1 compilation
New Muslimgauze single
New JG Thirwell Venture Bros Vol 3 sndtrck
New Mick Harris dubs
New Yara Asmar album
New Saafi Brothers album
New Legendary Pink Dots live album
Picture of Bandcamp listing of the above albums. Picture of Bandcamp listing of the above albums.
September 6, 2025 at 12:10 AM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Poster for the Fugazi, NoMeansNo, and the Ez show in Washington, DC. This was the only time that NoMeansNo shared the stage with Fugazi.
August 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Today's Bandcamp Friday haul:

Latest Muslimgauze single,
New Sun Ra solo piano album,
Tear Garden new album.
Mick Harris's latest dub techno foray,
8 hours of Merzbow.

Plus, I also signed up for Peter Gabriel's Bandcamp subscription, so now I have another 12 GB of music to download.
Bandcamp listing showing new purchases as described on the post.
August 1, 2025 at 11:17 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Wait. There's money in soot?
Excerpt from the linked article with the highlighted sentence, "The Cabot Family, which first made its fortune in soot..."
July 24, 2025 at 12:20 AM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Don't know what these are, but they must've just hatched. Fortunately they are on the outside of the door frame.
Very small bright red bugs of some unknown species.
July 11, 2025 at 11:19 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
I characterize this period as being post-peak mullet. The peak mullet happened a few years earlier. There is some debate amongst mullet scholars as to the exact boundaries between these periods.
Picture of the Firm from 1985. Left to right is Paul Rodgers, Chris Slade, Jimmy Page, and Tony Franklin who is sporting a glorious teased out mullet. Everyone’s wardrobe is pure 80s with snakeskin boots, parachute pants, long scarves, and wrinkled cotton.
July 9, 2025 at 2:57 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
I like how the Yes chart also includes some of the side projects.
Wikipedia chart showing Yes band members over time
June 24, 2025 at 9:25 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Apparently I missed this New Order-Fleetwood
Mac collab.
Erroneous description from the link of the New Order album Power Corruption & Lies, Rumours. Of course that is not the real name of the album, conflating the New Order album with the famous Fleetwood Mac album.
June 18, 2025 at 11:02 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Originally, we had one basket for onions and one for potatoes.

Fred decided that was a waste of space.
Picture of a cat sleeping in a woven basket. Next to this is another woven basket containing potatoes and onions.
June 12, 2025 at 9:05 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Cheers! I've got Miles Davis Big Fun going now.
A can of Two-5 Valencia IPA beer with an orange cat in the background. Miles Davis playing in the background.
June 6, 2025 at 11:35 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Pitchfork review of the Xiu Xiu album Nina, giving it a 4.6
June 3, 2025 at 12:15 AM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
One year ago today at Punk Rock Bowling I saw Dead Bob whilst standing next to Greg Norton.

Seeing all the posts from this year's PRB is giving me serious FOMO, until I remember how garish Las Vegas is.

Despite its location, PRB is an incredibly well run festival and full of good people.
Photo from 2024 Punk Rock Bowling Festival with Dead Bob performing on stage. The back and side of Greg Norton (Ultrabomb, Hüsker Dü) is also visible.
May 27, 2025 at 11:10 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Wahoo! Painting of our house is done.
Picture of a freshly painted (white) concrete house, in front of a clear blue sky.
May 18, 2025 at 11:50 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
John Paul Jones opening his solo performance at the Big Ears Festival in 2024. Also performed as Sons of Chipotle and with Thurston Moore.
May 16, 2025 at 12:14 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Thanks to this wonderful substance called "beer," I just realized that I was probably born in the same hospital as Magic Dick.

Time for another beer and to listen to Full House.
May 13, 2025 at 11:16 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
Exchange forgiveness for another Bay City Rollers album and/or some tartan accented jumpsuits.
Album cover for Bay City Rollers Dedication. The lads are dressed in jumpsuits with tartan accents.
May 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
paulrprescott.bsky.social
In honor of the new Pope, I am listening to an old Violent Femmes bootleg album Les Enfants du Rock n Roll recorded in Rome in 1985.

At the end there is a brief interview segment where Brian Ritchie (?) says, "The Pope smokes dope, I can assure you."
Violent Femmes bootleg album cover Les Enfants du Rock n Roll
May 8, 2025 at 11:43 PM