11/30/09

Anniversary of the Seattle WTO protests


Today marks the tenth anniversary of the 1999 Seattle WTO protests. Here are some news articles about this anniversary from Common Dreams, People's History Project, and Seattle Indymedia.
Always ahead of the curve, Jello Biafra along with Krist Novoselic (Nirvana), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), and Gina Mainwal performed at a Dec 1 protest under the name The No W.T.O. Combo. Shepard Fairey did the cover artwork for the live recording, as he did most recently for the cover art on The Audacity of Hype. Here's some behind-the-scenes perspective on that day from Matt "The Tube"'s blog.
We are selling both the CD and LP of "Live From the Battle in Seattle" for $6.

11/27/09

Black Friday

Early Capitalism


they are perfecting the pillow
with which
you are being suffocated

now it sings to you
and shows you pictures-


- Joe Wenderoth
The Nation 11/23/09

11/26/09

William S. Burroughs on Thanksgiving



P.S.- Alternative Tentacles is closed Thursday and Friday for the U.S. national holiday of Thanksgiving. See ya Monday!

11/18/09

AT 30th Anniversary - Q&A with Akimbo


The "last hair band in Seattle", Akimbo, was kind enough to answer this Q&A for Alternative Tentacles' 30th Anniversary. Jon Weisnewski takes a second out of kicking the ass of video game world.

What is your first memory of Alternative Tentacles? What were you doing in 1979?

In 1979 I was UNBORN.
I discovered Dead Kennedys and Alternative Tentacles at the ripe age of 14. I was just getting into punk and listening to some undoubtedly awful pop punk when my Dad came into my room and told me if I liked that, I should check out the Dead Kennedys. He then played me "Too Drunk to Fuck" and "Holiday in Cambodia" (what a Dad!) and I was in the club. By the time I got around to In God We Trust, INC, shit was real.



What is your favorite Alternative Tentacles band? Favorite release?


My favorite AT band was easily Nomeansno. I bought the Sex Mad/You Kill Me CD used in a record store, simply because it had the bat logo on the back. Loved the album, but wasn't officially on board until I saw them live in 1998, at which point I used that handy catalogue that comes with all AT releases to order everything of theirs I could afford. I hate those catalogues, until you want something out of it, and then they're awesome. My favorite AT releases are (hands down!) Wrong, Sex Mad, and the Jello/Nomeansno collaboration The Sky is Falling and I Want My Mommy.


When did Jello ask you to put out a record on AT and how would life be different if you hadn't worked with AT?


Akimbo
caught a lucky break when we lost a show in Pittsburgh on tour, and we ended up getting thrown onto the opening slot of a Melvins show instead. Jello was there debuting some songs off of the first Jelvins project and he saw our set, and then asked us for a few LPs. That will freak any dude out. About a year later, Jello asked us to open for the Jelvins, and then after the show asked if we wanted to do a record on Alternative Tentacles. It's pretty goddamn insane to spend your most formative years foaming over a small group of bands on a small DIY label, and then through a loose chain of circumstances get personally asked to be a part of that very group by it's executive. It still blows me away when I think about it.


Where do you see yourself in 2039?

In 2039 I see myself playing the Biafra 8-0.

AT 30th Anniversary - Q&A with Grong Grong



George Vagas from Grong Grong took some time to email us back this Q&A all the way from Australia.

What is your first memory of Alternative Tentacles?

Alternative Records was and still is the No. 1 punk label. As a DJ myself I collected all Punk Records from America / England & Europe. I started my own Punk / Psychobilly / Trash / Swamp Rock nightclub called The Electric Torture Room in Adelaide around this time, then played drums in a few punk bands before we started GRONG GRONG.


What were you doing in 1979?

In 1979 I was DJing at numerous Punk / Ska / Rock / Rockabilly / Psychobilly events.


What is your favorite Alternative Tentacles band? Favorite release?

Favorite AT Bands would have to be Flipper / Butthole Surfers



When did Jello ask you to put out a record on AT?



Jello came to Australia with the Dead Kennedys in which GRONG GRONG supported DKs in Adelaide, South Australia and we were one of the best live acts he saw in Australia. That's why Jello decided to release us on AT. GRONG GRONG was invited by Jello to Tour America but unfortunately Michael Farkas our lead singer had a major drug overdose & was in a coma for 6 months and our band split up for 23 years.

How would your career/life be different if you hadn't had a record on
AT?


Without the introduction to Jello & the support to the Dead Kennedys in Adelaide we would definitely not have any of the international exposure we have today. The best thing that happened to GRONG GRONG was the record release on AT records.


Where do you see yourself in 2039?

By 2039 I see GRONG GRONG having at least another 1 or 2 record releases on AT and finally being able to Tour America and Europe with our band supporting Jello's "Spoken word" Tour.


Anything you want to add?

ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES is not just a record label, but a way of life and a major inspiration to the new acts and artists who can and will have a chance to a record release on the No.1 ALTERNATIVE label in the world.

11/13/09

Jello & Guantanamo School of Medicine LIVE!

Here's Jello and the Guantanamo School of Medicine LIVE in Grass Valley, CA in August, 2009, doing the ace new tune, "Clean As A Thistle!"


11/7/09

Over the TOP!

Better- yes BETTER!- that a Sly Stallone movie, it's DAY THREE of the INCEST-A-THON with Alice Donut, Victims Family, and Burning Image!

(and, of course, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine!)

Only a few tickets left!

11/5/09

And so it begins....

TONIGHT!
Alternative Tentacles 30th Anniversary Incest-A-Thon

Jello Biafra & the Guantanamo School of Medicine
Citizen Fish
Star Fucking Hipsters
MIA (original Las Vegas Hardcore)

SOME TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!

11/2/09

Witch Hunt back to the US

After a kazillion-month long tour, Witch Hunt's finally back in the US.

Here's them rockin' the Hazmat earlier this year in Oakland, CA.