I know this blog has been weak/without quality posts for a few weeks. Things have been busy. I was studying again and I'm also planning my wedding. Exciting stuff. Anyway, this post redeems my vocal absence at least a bit. And later this week we can expect a full interview with M Jack Bee as well, so treats galore.
Dennis Hopper Choppers (Ben Nicholls) is a one-man-band from Sussex in the UK. You can read his extensive BIO here on his own website. His music is pounding country/blues/punkish-psych stuff. Let's say it is hard to pin down. His vocals are smooth and rockabilly-esque. He is featured along with other one-man-bands, including Honkeyfinger, in a new documentary I just came across: 'One Man In the Band' by Adam Clitheroe. (Adam has also filmed a doco on the The Mighty Boosh on tour.) I want to tell you a lot more about this documentary at a later stage and I will at a later stage. In any case, Adam has recorded some backstage footage of Dennis Hopper Choppers recording his new album with producer Ben Hillier, who has previously worked with bands such as Depeche Mode.
This is the great video for DHC's 'Little Johnny'. Directed by Barney Clay. Filmed in B&W Super-8.
Listening to MC5 from his first LP 'Chop' which is still available from Amazon.
This is a pretty interesting mini-documentary with some nice showcases of some legendary roots musicians. It has one-man-band Abner Jay (Myspace)playing 'hambone' in the first part. I posted about Abner Jay before here. The film is by Michael Johnson. Part 1 is particularly good. Part 2 is a bit too experimental for my liking, but who knows you might be into it.
This is part 1: "Over three days in April, 1993 at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, TN, the Shaking Ray Levi Society presented an incredibly diverse music festival with internationally acclaimed artists.
This is the first part of a 20-minute mini-documentary about the festival, featuring footage from "the last working Southern black minstrel" Abner Jay (his final featured performance), saxophonist and MacArthur "genius grant" recipient Anthony Braxton, and Kelly Hogan (the Jody Grind, Neko Case) with Bill Taft (the Jody Grind, Hubcap City). The Documentary is by filmmaker Michael Johnson." (Description From Youtube)
And part 2: 'This is the second part of a 20-minute mini-documentary about the festival, featuring footage from free improv violist LaDonna Smith (Trans Museq, String Trek), Catherine Jauniaux and Ikue Mori (DNA, Electric Masada), Amy Denio (The Tiptons Sax Quartet & Drums), guitarist Davey Williams (Trans Museq, Curlew), cellist Tom Cora (Skeleton Crew, Curlew), Southern Improvisers, Caroliner Rainbow, the Shaking Ray Levis (Dennis Palmer and Bob Stagner), and saxophonist and MacArthur "genius grant" recipient Anthony Braxton.'
The festival was organised by the Shaking Ray Levi Society.The SLRS is 'a collective-run non-profit that supports, produces and presents diverse genres of music, film and performance art through festivals, recordings and the Internet. The SRLS is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of non-traditional artists and arts advocates who will continue to challenge local audiences and enhance the cultural growth of Chattanooga, Tennessee.' (From their Website)
Without further ado: I came across this one via the legendary compilation 'attack of the one-man-bands' released by Rock N Roll Purgatory (other website) in 2007. The Double CD is for sale at CDBaby for a mere $15 for 58 songs, or 26 cents/song.
