Michael DuClos' first release, Lustro, is a collection of his music and poems read by Deborah Harry, Kristin Hersh, Eszter Balint, J.G. Thirlwell, Vito Acconci, Peter Gallagher, David Lowery, Joan Osborne and Elizabeth Ashley, as well as DuClos. Also featured throughout is Robert Quine - creating lush tapestries (through loops and delay) and full-throttle assaults. To quote Quine: "I was on that day." Quine also shares writing credits on two tracks.
Described as everything from "Brilliant" (Lisa Germano) and "Excellent, very good... very interesting" (poet Charles Simic) to "Bizarre" (author William Kennedy) and "It scares me!" (Natalie Merchant), Lustro looks to be released in the coming months. Inquiries may be made to: duclos2@earthlink.net.
Vintage Guitar Magazine (2002)
An interview with Robert Quine is featured in the May 2002 (Vol. 16 No. 07) issue of Vintage Guitar. It presents a fine overview of Quine's career, covering: early influences, the Voidoids, recent work (see Lustro above), and a rundown on gear. Check it out.
Time, a compilation of rare Richard Hell recordings, is now out. The two CD set contains material circa 1975-84. Disc one is an expanded and remastered version of Hell's R.I.P., featuring demos, outtakes, and alternate versions. Additional bounty includes a 1975 demo of 'Chinese Rocks' by The Heartbreakers and the original demo of the Destiny Street classic 'Time'. Disc two showcases a 1977 London Music Machine set - where Hell & The Voidoids headlined on that year's tour with The Clash. Plus four songs from a CBGB benefit featuring Elvis Costello singing 'You Gotta Lose', and a great cover of The Rolling Stones' 'Shattered'.
The Quine Tapes (2001)
Thirty-two years after they were recorded on a portable Sony cassette player with a hand-held microphone, Robert Quine's bootlegs of The Velvet Underground have finally seen the light of day. The Velvet Underground - Bootleg Series, Volume 1: The Quine Tapes is a three disc box set, crammed with enough Velvets gems to satisfy any serious fan. What the recordings lack in high fidelity they more than make up for in historic value and insight into the band's ability to jam with the best of them. Some truly electrifying performances, including songs infrequently performed, and three shattering versions of the classic 'Sister Ray'. Read the liner notes.
Bait and Switch (2001)
Bait and Switch, the latest offering by R&B legend Andre Williams, was released on June 12th. Robert Quine lends his distinctive guitar menace to the tunes 'Head First' and 'Bigger Than Greed or Need'. The disc, Williams' first since his 2000 release The Black Godfather, also features guest vocal shots by Rudy Ray Moore and Ronnie Spector.
Beyond Cyberpunk, the first offering from Wayne Kramer's new Muscle Tone label - released in conjunction with MUSICBLITZ.com - hit the shelves on March 27, 2001. The playlist reads like a Who's Who of Punk from both past and present: Dee Dee Ramone, Pere Ubu, and of course, Richard Hell & the Voidoids highlight the former category; Mudhoney, Lesbianmaker (featuring former Dead Boy Jimmy Zero), and Quickie represent the latter.
'Oh', the first new recording by the original Voidoids in 23 years - previously available only as an Internet download - is finally out on disc. The song features incredible guitar solos by both Robert Quine (the 1st), and Ivan Julian (2nd). May increased exposure of this remarkable recording encourage the Voidoids to consider putting together an entire disc of new material.
Robert Quine in the Studio
Robert Quine has been busy in a couple of New York recording studios, lending his guitar talents to forthcoming works by as diverse a pair of artists as you're likely to find.
Quine
contributed to sessions for an album by Jenni Muldaur. The daughter
of musicians Maria and Geoff Muldaur, Jenni has been a vibrant
part of San Francisco's music scene since her early teens.
Robert
also worked on tracks for Andre Williams' follow-up to The Black
Godfather. Williams, known as "Mr. Rhythm" and considered by many to
be the father of rap, is perhaps best known for co-authoring the R&B classic
'Shake a Tailfeather'. Says Quine of the project: "Now I've worked
with two geniuses: Lou Reed and Andre Williams."
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Reunited in the studio for the first time in 23 years, from left: Richard Hell, Ivan Julian, Marc Bell, Robert Quine. |
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Photo courtesy of www.richardhell.com |
For the first time since 1977, the original Voidoids have regrouped to record the MUSICBLITZ.com exclusive song 'Oh' - available only on the Internet.
The Voidoids haven't lost a step since the release of Blank Generation. Recorded just scant months ago, 'Oh' is vintage Voidoids: Hell's signature just-off-the-mark vocals and snarling guitar solos by both Ivan Julian and Robert Quine.
Rumors of an accompanying live date to promote the tune were unfounded, but here's hoping an entire album may eventually be forthcoming.
