Merle Travis "Sixteen Tons"

Although Tennessee Ernie Ford made it a huge hit, Merle Travis was the composer of the coal miner exploitation classic tune "Sixteen Tons."  Travis was also famous for his syncopated guitar picking which went on to be known as "Travis Picking."  Travis picked up this guitar style from blues musicians and other local musicians from his native Western Kentucky. Read more and watch the video after the jump.

"Another State of Mind" Featuring Youth Brigade, Social Distortion and Minor Threat

In commemoration of the upcoming celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday and in the spirit of his philosophy of judging people by the content of their character...I present to you you the film "Another State of Mind."

This incredible documentary details the ambitious international tour by Youth Brigade and Social Distortion in 1982. The film was released in 1984. I was lucky enough to catch a screening of it on "Night Flight" (remember Night Flight?) and the film really stayed with me. The story begins in California with Shawn Stern from Youth Brigade explaining his goals for the tour followed by a quick study of the converted school bus that will take them on the tour. The bus is the life force that literally takes the bands on their journey across North America, and along with the driver/mechanic Monk, it becomes another character in the story.  Read more and watch the movie after the jump.

The Troggs "Love is All Around"

I guess you just have to accept it and go with it...

Jay Reatard "It Ain't Gonna Save Me"

Sad news from the rock world, Jay Reatard died yesterday. He was just 29 years old. Thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans.

Andy Kaufman "That's When Your Heartaches Begins"

Andy Kaufman's Foreign Man morphs before your very eyes into The King of Rock and Roll on an appearance on The Johnny Cash Show in 1979.  This wasn't the first performance of the character or impression, but it's great nonetheless. I really like watching Johnny Cash interact with the Foreign Man.


The Andy Kaufman Show on Amazon.

The Cramps "Live at Napa State Mental Hospital"

Back in June 1978, The Cramps traveled across the country to play a free gig at California's Napa State Mental Hospital. The show was captured in beautiful black and white video. The only thing crazier than the audience was the band. The line-up includes Lux Interior, Poison Ivy, Bryan Gregory and Nick Knox.  Watch the concert after the jump.

The Blues Maker

When you lack the talent to bend a sad guitar string or blow a mean harp you can always head on down to The Crossroads and make a deal with the Devil himself, but if you're not quite ready to make that heavy of a commitment you can simply click on over to TheBluesMaker!

Annie Leonard "The Story of Stuff"

A bleak, but interesting, and well made document explaning the Materials Economy, or the linear lifecycle of a product from extraction of raw material through production, distribution, consumption and disposal...how it affects us and the world we live in.  It may be a bit short on answers or solutions to our consumption problems, but it certainly opens up the discussion.

The documentary was created by Annie Leonard, and her website also has a nice piece explaining "The Story of Cap & Trade."

Preorder the book from Amazon.

Back to some music tomorrow!

Peaches "Relax"

I don't know what she was thinking when creating this video because it definitely is not easy to relax while watching cyborg-like Peaches clones dancing their twisted dance in a laboratory from Hell.

Peaches Say Relax!  Watch the video after the jump.

The Clash "White Man in the Hammersmith Palais"

Okay, it's probably stating the obvious, but video cameras and video tape from thirty years ago really can't stand up to the digital power and quality of today's electronics, but does any of that HD power really matter if you're just watching crap anyway?  If nothing else, YouTube has shown us that quality comes second to content.  With that in mind, let's kick off 2010 with a great performance by The Clash from Passaic, New Jersey, 1980.  The video may be a little grainy, washed out and jumpy, but it certainly proves that none of that really matters if you have a lil' bit o' soul, and can sing from the heart.  Watch the video after the jump.