RANTS

JUNE 2004:

Yeah, I know…I’m late with another issue. What started out as the May issue morphed into the June issue. But, better late than never! Anyway, this issue turned out a lot different that originally planned and there are many articles that we are holding for our 5th Anniversary issue in August.

For instance, we had originally planned on featuring several SMiLE-related articles, including a section that reviews various recent fan mixes. But, we ended up getting so many that I wanted to wait and make it fair for all those who sent theirs in. Plus, August is only one month away from the official SMiLE CD release. Then there is our review of the DUMB ANGEL FAIRY TALE, the indie film that combines “Mount Vernon and Parkway” with the songs of SMiLE. Plus we have an interview with the film’s creator Rasmus Skotte. Nevertheless, the August issue will be well worth the wait for SMiLE fans.

We’ve also added to our writing “staff” here at EAR CANDY. Writers making their EAR CANDY debut include: Kerry Kompost, Jon Hunt and Robert Nase. And of course we have some of our regulars: Robert Pally, Sean Koepenick, Gary Pig Gold, Bill Vordenbaum and John Lane.

This month’s interviews include: Spiney Norman, Joe Ongie and Peter Searcy. Features include: a review of Brian Wilson - Gettin' In Over My Head; Los Lonely Boys; “Eight Questions for Bill Lloyd” by Gary Pig Gold; Why Isn't Billy Dechand A Household Name?; The Return of a Wizard - Todd Rundgren's LIARS; Fingers of Rock; More Brian Wilson fan mixes; and a sarcastic how-to-guide for journalists to write a Brian Wilson CD review. SMiLE Related articles include: a review of the Atlanta SMiLE Gathering II and a SMiLE set list from March 2, 2004. Film Reviews include: “Teenage Kicks – The Story of the Undertones” and Whaleman: "Underwater Attache". This months book reviews are: Bob Dylan and The Beatles (plus interview with author Al Aronowitz); Blondie, From Punk to the Present: A Pictorial History; Party Out of Bounds: The B-52's, R.E.M. and the Kids Who Rocked Athens, Georgia; This Whole World: The Complete Beach Boys Singles and EP Cover Collection; Village Idiom: Tribute To John Lennon; The Field Guide To Elvis Shrines; Da Vinci Code Decoded; and The Disinformation Book of Lists (Subversive Facts and Hidden Information in Rapid-Fire Format) .

And of course our music reviews: "Death By Salt", Spiney Norman, Brian Wilson, BMX, To My Surprise, Dennis Most & Audiolove, Larry Cordle & LST, Exploding F-Dolls, Coffin Lids, Dan Dugmore, Black Lips, The Prime Time Sublime Community Orchestra, Todd Rundgren, Jana, Whaleman, Peter DiStefano, Ben Kweller, Los Lonely Boys, Box O'Clox, George Mason & Friends, William Bates, Jordan Yaruss, Modest Mouse, Texas Terri Bomb, Die Hunns, Inner Terrestrials, Fizzle Like A Flood, Kevin K and the Real Kool Kats, Imaginary Bill, George Elliot, The Cogburns, iSOLA, The Bloody Hollies, Mystery Girls, The Willowz, Revenge, The Desert Fathers, Peter Searcy, Matthew Sweet, SlipKnoT and "Best of the Blues".

Anyway, I hope ya’ll enjoy and I’ll see ya in August!

FEB/MARCH 2004:

Its funny how things work out. This issue was supposed to come out in February, but due to factors too numerous to mention it didn't come out until March! While this was sometimes frustrating, it did give us the opportunity to squeeze several more articles in while we were waiting! Hence our big March issue...

Many thanks to the fanzines, webzines and other publications that let us use some of their articles this month. The list includes: OPEN SKY, ENDLESS SUMMER QUARTERLY, UTTER TRASH AND MELODY HILL. It helps widen our scope and hopefully lets people know of some other cool publications to check out.
Contributors this month include: Chris Allen, David Beard, John Lane, Doyle Tatum, Bob Ignizio, Donnie Thompson, and Wylie Reeves.
And of course thanks to our 'regular' gang of writers: Gary Pig Gold, J.R. Oliver, Jack Teague, Robert Pally, and Sean Koepenick.
We'd like to welcome a few new faces to the unofficial EAR CANDY writer's staff: Eric White, Jeff 'Weavil' Gauss and Dan Addington.
Finally, I'd like to thank the various people who gave us permission to use their SMiLe concert photos: Harvey Williams, Eric White, and Kristian Goddard.

With no further delays, here is what is featured in the March issue:

Beatles Related: With February 2004 being the 40th anniversary of the Beatles first visit to the U.S., we are featuring a few Beatle-related articles. Gary Pig Gold presents "A FAB FORTY", an interview with The Return, review of Tim Biancalana, The Beatles Are Coming!, A Hard Day's Day, The Grey Album, Let It Be...Naked,and "A Beatlemaniac's Pilgrimage to England '81".

Interviews this issue include: Eddy Medora of the Sunrays (Part II), Orange Hat, Mando Diao, Mark Linett, Al Jardine, Jeff Foskett, Ray Materick, The Wildhearts, and Cooterfinger.

Features, Tributes and Commentaries: "Ten You May Have Missed In 2003", Sufjan Stevens, Bangles-istory Lesson, and Rate An Elvis part 3.

SMiLE Related: Now that Brian Wilson has finally unvieled the lost Beach Boys classic SMiLE live, we are featuring a few SMiLE/Brian Wilson-related articles, including: SMiLE live review-Sat Feb 21, 2004 at the RFH, London; SMiLE live RFH photo scrapbook; Brian Wilson fan mixes; Review of Project SMiLE Version 1.2.

Film Reviews: "TRIBUTE", "Utopia live in 1980", Siouxsie & Banshees-"The Seven Year Itch", Orange Hat-"Takes a ride on the Psychedelic Elevator" & "The Orange Hat Hour Volume One", and "A Mighty Wind".

Book Reviews feature: The Prankster and the Conspiracy (plus interview with the author) and Shane MacGowan: London Irish Punk Life and Music.

Cool Record Stores: Circle Sky Records and ChangesOne Record Shop.

Our Rock 'n Roll Case Study covers "Bubblegum In 3-D"

And of course our music reviews: The Darkness, Emerald Rose, Johnny Cheapo, Gun Crazy, Tsar, Cooterfinger, Handgun Bravado, Moonbabies, Orange Hat, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Leah Callahan, Dubrock, The Sunrays, Todd Rundgren, Utopia, The Bloody Lovelies, The Polyphonic Spree, Mark Gardener, Various Artists0-"Club Dread", Brody & Quint, Ill Mic, Hamfatter, Probot, The Undertones, Thee Snuff Project, Churchill’s Tractor, Aledo, The Sha-Pels, Kristian Hoffman, T.S.O.L., Anton Barbeau, George Elliot, Nini Camps, Electric Six, The Yardbirds, Ness, Mike Kindred with Dexter Walker, Josh Aran, and Mason Jennings.

Coming soon: Los Lonely Boys, Todd Rundgren-Liars; Book of Lies:The Disinformation Guide to Magick and the Occult, The Undertones-Teenage Kicks, Spiney Norman, Atlanta SMiLE Gathering II,Mebochi, Village Idiom-the book, Party Out Of Bounds-book, Whaleman-DVD "Best of the Blues", Larry Cordle & LST, Ben Kweller, Box O' Clox, Whaleman-CD, George Elliot, Imaginary Bill, Kevin K and the Real Kool Kats, The Hamicks, William Bates, The Romantics, Dash Rip Rock-"The Band, The Myth, The Legend" DVD, Jana, George Mason & Friends, Rusty Anderson, and much much more...

DECEMBER 2003:

The December 2003 issue features a little unfinished business from our previous issue - articles that weren't finished in time for the last issue. Of course with Yule fastly approaching, we feature a few yuletide-related stories!

This issue kept growing and growing, and that's why I pushed back the issue from November to December so that we could accomodate all the new articles. In addition to some of our regular writers such as Gary Pig Gold, Robert Pally, Bill Vordenbaum and Sean Koepenick, we welcome aboard a new writer to the EAR CANDY "staff", Bethany Carr. And Jack Teague, our regular book reviewer, has branched out to offer us interviews and reviews.

Interviews with: Eddy Medora of the Sunrays, Milo, Living Colour, The Factory Incident, Lisa Mychols, Days Away, Simple Minds. Features: "It's beginning to sound a lot like...well...you know what" by Gary Pig Gold, Austin City Limits Music Festival 2003, "Gary Coleman" Rock Stars: Part V-Cowboy Mouth. Another Retrospective of Atlanta area concerts of 2003: Damone, Soundtrak, The Floating Coats, What The...?, Orange Hat and The Psychics.

SMiLE Related: Review of the Atlanta SMiLE Gathering, Review of Project SMiLE Version 1.2

Book Reviews: The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley (plus interview with the author)/ The Shadow Over Santa Susana (plus interview with the author)/ Turn Off Your Mind: The Mystic Sixties and the Dark Side of the Age of Aquarius/ Charles Manson: Music, Mayhem, Murder/ Walk This Way : The Autobiography of Aerosmith/ Dream on: Livin' on the Edge With Steven Tyler & Aerosmith Rock 'n Roll Case Study: Too Much Joy, The Music of Charles Manson.

And finally, our 'tell it like it is' review section. Here's this month's lineup:

Lisa Mychols, Adrian Baker, Grandpaboy, Facetious, Kings Of Leon, Fountains of Wayne, "Moments of Suspension", Cari Lee & The Saddle-ites, The Woggles, Generation X, Milo, The Undertones, "Rockabilly Riot!", Galactic, Todd Steed And The Suns Of Phere, Scrape, The Halley Devestern Band, "Bonnaroo Music Festival 2003", Viva Stereo, "Promenade Food Compilation #1", Vue, Zucchero, Stellastarr, Red Bee Society, Alterstate, Let's Active, Charles Manson, Daniel Pruitt, Oceancolourscene, Kick In The Eye, Diffuse Light, Snatches Of Pink, Kevin K & The Real Kool Kats, Neurotic Swingers, Blue Epic, Robert Wheeler, Jennyanykind, Marat, The Talk, "The Best of Bluegrass", The Waukees and Marti Brom.

OCTOBER 2003:

The October issue of EAR CANDY pretty much has a minimum of my personal involvement. It wasn't planned that way, but due to the twists and turns of this thing called 'life' I had to put most of my articles on hold until next issue. But, that means that the December issue will have a ton of articles and lots of reviews!

This issue starts a little 'partnership' with both the magazine OPEN SKY and CIRCLE SKY RECORDS. With their permission we have reprinted articles from both of these magazines, featuring new writers Chris Allen, John Lane, "Valleri" and Donnie Thompson. Plus we have articles from our regular staff: Gary Pig Gold, Sean Koepenick, and Robert Pally.

In the meantime, let me introduce the October issue...
Interviews include: Dave Smalley, Lisa Germano, Anton Fig, Bruce Cockburn. Our features include: Gary Pig Gold gives us "Ten Reasons why JOHNNY CASH Always Matters", John Lane gives us "The Importance of Peter Lacey", MP3 Big Brother Is Watching, Double Your Pleasure-Not So Original Album Covers and a Retrospective of Atlanta area Summer concerts of 2003. There is only one book reviewed this month (but stay tuned for the next issue!): SEX MONEY KISS by Gene Simmons. 'Rock 'n Roll Case Study' takes a look at the 38th Anniversary of The Beatles concert at Atlanta Stadium.

And finally, our 'tell it like it is' review section. Here's this month's lineup:

Poco, Noctorum, Facetious, Marshall Keith, Black Moustache, Killing Joke, Paul Westerberg, The Joykiller and Charlotte Martin

AUGUST 2003:

HAPPY BIRTH-
DAY TO US!
4 YEARS OF
EAR CANDY

Four years ago I would have had NO idea that EAR CANDY would become as successful as it has. Back then as I was just learning web design, I started out with a humble little webpage on XOOM, now a defunct server. I even called it "EAR CANDY 1999", having no intention of turning it into an ongoing project. But, one issue turned into the next and before you know it, it was 2003. When EAR CANDY started, I definitely had more going against me than for me. I had NO journalistic training. I had no experience dealing with all the publicists and record labels. And I had NO money to spend on EAR CANDY. But, I did have a little web design knowledge and a lot of enthusiasm for music! It helps that I can be a real asshole when it matters and that I enjoy a good confrontation. For some reason, the publicists at the record labels give a little more recognition to people who stand their ground and don't take 'no' for an answer than the typical sycophantic, college-trained journalist. There is more than a little satisfaction that I have overcome these obstacles on my OWN terms.

Along the way, the design of EAR CANDY got sleeker and more professional and our roster of artists that we interviewed grew. Although I had a few friends help me out in the writing department, I was the main writer for the first few years. The early issues of EAR CANDY featured mainly just interviews and occasional concert reviews. Our first major increase in readership came after we decided to do CD reviews. That really opened the floodgates since we had a standing policy of 'reviewing everything' we were mailed. Plus, we decided to put no restriction on genre. This led for the need to search for other writers to help with the onslaught of CD's that we received. We started including essays and other features, adding the glorious Gary Pig Gold to our staff of regular writers. Gary was influential in more ways than one, and it was his indirect influence that made me start reviewing rock and roll books and eventually films (our very first film review is in this month's issue). Slowly but surely, our 'staff' was growing - it was mind boggling to me that we even had a 'staff' of writers at EAR CANDY!

Sure, EAR CANDY has become a little more tedious, almost like a second job with enforced deadlines, etc. I still do all the layouts myself plus most of the legwork to secure interviews. Yes, I've been burned a few times by some of our past writers, sending them CD's for reviews and getting nothing in return - and had people take concert tickets without giving me a review or photos. But, I've simply learned from these past mistakes and now I usually rely on my reliable, tried-and-true core staff writers for each issue.

I recently had a spiteful publicist call EAR CANDY 'insignificant' (but that's a whole different story that you can read about here). So just what does 'success' mean to me in regards to EAR CANDY? No, I'm not talking 'success' in terms of ROLLING STONE or SPIN. I measure 'success' in the feedback we get (there are a lot more positive letters, but I only print the few negative letters we get because they are so damn entertaining), the amount of artists that contact US for exposure and the amount of hits the site gets. In 2003 we average 10,000 hits about every 5 days. That's a far cry from those early days in 1999. And, most telling, it means that somebody is reading EAR CANDY.

Some of the artists that I interview are shocked when they learn that I make nothing, not one red cent, from EAR CANDY. "It's just a labor of love," I tell them. Sure, it's work - but what other 'job' includes listening to the newest CD's, interviewing both past and present rock stars, going to concerts, seeing films and reading rock 'n roll books? I'm still enjoying it and will continue EAR CANDY as long as it still is fun for me.

"Insignificant"? Perhaps, but who is the one having the time of his life? For all those doubters...I'm laughing at YOU!

And thanks to Dennis Leary, for the inspiration in dealing with difficult people!

Now that I have ranted and rambled, I give you, with no further adieu, this issue's lineup:

Interviews include: The Big Bopper JR., Scattered Pages, Martin Gordon, Clint Conley, Flyswatter and The Illuminati.

Our features include: "Gary Pig Gold sees a Simply Saucer", "The Blues Explained", more "Gary Coleman" Rock Stars: Part V ("Corporate Rockers"), more letters from our fans; Jack Teague gives us a review of Queens of the Stone Age live at Lollapalooza and BunkyPunk gives us another installment of "In Search Of". With the news that the lost Beach Boys classic SMiLE is to be finally performed live in 2004, we are featuring four fan mixes of SMiLE and talk to their creators. This issue is the first of our rock 'n roll film reviews - and we feature a review of Jandek on Corwood - a Documentary Film. In "Rock 'n Roll Case Study" we talk about the Big Bopper.

Our ever-growing book review section includes a few author interviews this month. Here's the lineup: THE BEATLES ON APPLE RECORDS (plus interview with author Bruce Spizer); ELVIS LIVES (plus interview with author Pamela Thomas-Williams); STONED: A MEMOIR OF LONDON IN THE 1960S; THE BEATLES-TRUE BEGINNINGS; DROP FORGED LENNON-THE OTHER SIDE; THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED. Plus we have Jack's Book Reviews: We Can Be Heroes - Life On Tour With David Bowie; New York Dolls: Too Much Too Soon; The Life and Times of Little Richard; Close To The Edge: The Story Of Yes; Led Zeppelin: A Celebration; Random Precision Recording: The Music of Syd Barrett 1965-1974.

And finally, our 'tell it like it is' review section. Here's this month's lineup:

Pushing Red Buttons, Some Girls, Mando Diao, Scattered Pages, The Shocker, Susan Hickey, Deadwood Forest, George Elliott, Saticoy, Buchanan, Joe Ely, 89 Mojo, Ringsend, Twiztid, Dakona, Steve Ripley, A Northern Chorus, "Fishing Music", Churchill's Tractor, Easy Star All-Stars, The Illuminati, Sparrowhawk, Simply Saucer, Chumbawumba, TECH N9NE, Mazeppa, Team Emu, Eve 6, Flashlight Brown, A Picturebook of Saints, Mike Pursley, Eric Hutchinson, Pierson/Parker/Janovitz, Government Issue, Down By Law, Johnny Marr & The Healers, and Electric Candy Shop.

MAY-JUNE 2003:
In the eclectic tradition of EAR CANDY, our May-June 2003 issue features a cross section of classic rock, power-pop, metal and of course the best up-and-coming indie artists!

Our interviews include: Peter Lacey, Tom Scholz of Boston, Damone, Slobberbone, Joe Jackson, Quiet Riot, Wondermints and Tom McRae. Gary Pig Gold gives us "All-Time Top Ten Car Tunes". Our review of rock 'n roll books covers: KISS ALIVE FOREVER plus interview with author Curt Gooch, IT HAPPENED IN MONTEREY plus interview with photographer Elaine Mayes, Foundation Stone: The Influences & Shaping of Brian Jones and THE DEVIL, ME AND JERRY LEE. In "Rock 'n Roll Case Study" we talk about the lost Brian Jones album: A DEGREE OF MURDER .

Last, but certainly not least are this month's record reviews. Talk about diversity, check out our review roster:

Peter Lacey, The Waking Hours, Wondermints, Townhall, Damone, Kings of Leon, Ringo Starr, Laura Love, Masked Superstar, Boston, Teenage Girls, Amberjack, Radio Theory, Spare Change, The Silver Thread, Gordon B. Isnor, Robert Wheeler, sodamnhip, Unloco, The Vibrators, 13 Stories, Napoleon Murphy Brock, The Sawtelles, Churchill’s Tractor, Schnurstrax, Scrappy Hamilton, VUE, Hotwire, Josh Dodes, Buzzcocks, The Alarm, Emerald Rose, Handgun Bravado, "We’re A Happy Family-A Tribute To The Ramones", Pseudo Heroes and Dennis Most & The Instigators.

Interviews include: Henry Rollins, Duvall, ZOSO, ILL MIC, Da Vinci's Notebook and Slutrag. Gary Pig Gold gives us: Puffy AmiYumi. Bill Vordenbaum reviews the Austin City Limits Music Festival 2002. Bunkypunk gives us: "In Search Of-Part II" Metalflakes reviews Ronnie James Dio and HammerFall. The contents of "Rock 'n Roll Case Study" are: The Gene Pitney Story Retold; Roky Erickson; Patience and Prudence. Book Reviews include: DROP FORGED LENNON (plus interview with author Sharon Richards) and DUMB ANGEL: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF DENNIS WILSON (plus interview with author Adam Webb).

This month's reviews section includes: George Harrison, Various Artists-"Rise Above-24 Black Flag Songs To Benefit The West Memphis Three", The Vandals, Various Artists-"20 Years Of Dischord" Various Artists-Box Set, ILL MIC, Da Vinci's Notebook, Full Dimensional, Mountain Mirrors, Red Jetson, Leisure McCorkle, Choo Choo La Rouge, Kinski Spiral, Why Intercept?, Shame Train, Various Artists-"Alive & Kickin' International Anthems", Richard Snow, Various Artists-"He's a Rebel: The Gene Pitney Story...Retold", Boetz, Quadraphonic, Carson, Come On, Neurotic Swingers, The Bitter Little Cider Apples, Chickens and Pigs.

OCTOBER 2002:

Fortunately, the EAR CANDY staff has grown, because this was pretty much an editor-less issue due to my life "getting in the way" as it were. With that in mind, my hat goes off to our writers this month: Sean Koepenick, Bunkypunk, Sean Young, Josh Hillyer, Kim Filipek, Scot Livingston and of course Gary Pig Gold! Without these folks, there wouldn't have been an issue this month!

Interviews include: Buffalo Tom, The Springfields and Further Seems Forever. We have two articles in "Rock 'n Roll Case Study": The Phlegmtones and the Classic Rock Review. Gary Pig Gold gives us "Adam Marsland: 232 Days and Counting with Gary Pig Gold". Also, we have Sean Young's live review of F8 (featuring Leif Garrett) and Jimmy & the Teasers. Bunkypunk gives us "In Search Of...with Bunkypunk". Additionally, this issue sees the return of the "Gary Coleman Rock Stars"!

This month's reviews section includes: The Crayon Theatrical, The Wonder Boys, Radney Foster, Slow Jets, The Springfields, The Shakedowns, The Dream Is Dead, Andrew W.K., Hostile Omish, Pushing Red Buttons and Buffalo Tom.

AUG 2002:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!
Yep, it's our 3rd year of existence on the web! In classic, eclectic EAR CANDY style, the August issue presents a virtual plethora of genres of music.

This month, our interviews include Doctors Mob, Tommy Keene, Sunder, Jeniphoria, 4 Fourty, HiFiDriveBy and Hot Rod Circuit. Jason Walker talks to us about his excellent Gram Parsons book. Our live reviews include Bonepony, Rockfest and AthFest. Our "Rate an Elvis" makes its return. In our Rock and Roll Case study, we cover Squirrel Bait, Doctors Mob, and “Lost albums" by the Kinks, Gram Parsons and Beach Boys (fact or fiction?). Gary Pig Gold gives us A VERY IMPORTANT CANADIAN TURNS 50. We’ve got three rock ‘n roll books reviewed this month – yep, I guess I had a lot of spare time on my hands! The books are Pet Sounds-The Greatest Album of the Twentieth Century, SMiLE, SUN, SAND & PET SOUNDS and Gram Parsons: God's Own Singer.

We welcome aboard two new writers for EAR CANDY - Bunkypunk and Josh Hillyer. Other writers this month include - Kim Filipek, Gary Pig Gold, SiCkPuPpY, Scot Livingston, Kano, X-Man, GPR and Sean Koepenick.

Finally, our CD reviews include Asylum Street Spankers, Rob Halford, Tommy Keene, 4 Fourty, Making God Smile, Frank Cotolo, HiFiDriveBy, Henry Rollins, Jeniphoria, The Border Collies, Elaine Summers, Sunder, Milo, Trik Turner, The Miss, Amy Pike & the Last Cold Beer, Joel Tuttle, X and The Color Red.

JUNE/JULY 2002:

THE BEATLES, ELVIS, POWERFOLK AND CELTIC. That’s what we cover in our interviews with Paul McCartney, Bonepony, Emerald Rose, Day Tripper, Justin Shandor and Johnny Thompson. Our live reviews include Jimmy Buffett in New Orleans, Roger McGuinn in Atlanta and Paul McCartney in Atlanta. We also talk about the upcoming AthFest 2002 concert. Gary Pig Gold gives us ‘Ten Canadian Records You Shouldn't Live Without’. In our regular column, "Rock 'n Roll Case Study" we talk about rejected Beatles film projects. Continuing with a Beatles sub-theme, we review the Beatles fiction book “I Buried Paul”. Tired of the new trend of ‘80s nostalgia? Well, check out our essay on “Disposable ‘80s Nostalgia”.

Record reviews this issue include: Wammo, Moonbabies, Stanley Smith, Nashville Pussy, Brian Wilson, Emerald Rose, Nova Social, Monkeys Uncle, Jello Biafra, Oasis, Carson, Bonepony, AthFest, the Get Up Kids, Hayseed Dixie, George Elliott and more.

And...EAR CANDY goes to Vegas!
Sure, we could have covered the more "traditional" rock acts that were playing during our recent visit to "sin city". (including: Dennis De Young, Green Day, Blink 182, the Doobie Brothers, Oasis and Al Jardine) But why pay inflated Vegas ticket prices to see bands that tour all the time? We wanted to see the real VEGAS man, with all the scmaltz that defines the city!

Instead, we will have articles featuring:
Tony Orlando, Daytripper, Legends of Rock 'N Roll, Wayne Newton and of course Elvis, Elvis, Elvis (including interviews with Elvis impersonators Justin Shandor and Johnny Thompson).

MAY 2002:

This month, we interview William Bates about his new indie-release of his power-pop 9-CD box set. We have no less than three articles in "Rock 'n Roll Case Study", including Syd Barrett, Keith Moon and the Mynah Birds. Gary Pig Gold gives us "Mick VS Mick". Also, we have a live review of the new and improved DASH.

This month's reviews section includes: William Bates, Duvall, Joey Ramone, The Wonder Boys, What If I, Hifidriveby, Sam Knutson, Weezer and Through The Woods.
BIG issue next month!

MARCH 2002:
Power-pop, psychedelic rock, hard rock, art-rock, pagan-rock and plain old rock 'n roll...that's just a few of what we give you in the March 2002 EAR CANDY.

Interviews this month include: Van Dyke Parks, Dash, Fragile X, Gaia Consort and Wondermints. Reviewing the Judas Priest show for us is EAR CANDY newcomer, HardRocks69. Gary Pig Gold reveals THE TRUE DAVE RAVE CONSPIRACY. Kim Filipek gives us 'Marketing Female Singers'.

We also welcome aboard the newest addition to the EAR CANDY staff, Scott Homewood. Speaking of new, we have added a regular column to EAR CANDY called "Rock 'n Roll Case Study". Its basically for anything interesting that we want to talk about! This month we have 2 segments to this column: COLUMNATED RUINS STAND FIRM AND TALL (about the Beach Boys Smile album), Smiley Smile IS SMiLE (about the Beach Boys Smiley Smile album). [Coming next issue: Syd Barrett-the genius behind Pink Floyd.]

This month's reviews section includes: Beulah, Stan Ridgeway, Jon Dee Graham, The Buzzcocks, Garfields Birthday, Dash, The Unrequited Loves, Paula Kelly, Judas Priest, Ad Frank, Fragile X, DC Cooper, Gaia Consort, French Kicks, Brendan Benson, The Walkmen, The Reindeer Section, Sigur Ros, Karen Jacobsen, Masonic, Bedbug, Fivehead, The Dave Rave Group, The Redeemers, Linda Smith, the Mind Candy and more.

JANUARY 2002:
Presenting musical diversity at its finest is one of the primary goals of EAR CANDY and the January 2002 issue is no exception. We feature the diametric opposites of the musical spectrum with the Sex Pistols and the Captain & Tennille, chatting with Glen Matlock (of the Sex Pistols) and Daryl Dragon (of Captain & Tennille). Kim Filipek interviews Cactus Patch, reviews a live show of Dashboard Confessional and talks about supporting local music-Atlanta area bands. We talk with May Pang about her life before and after John Lennon. Gary Pig Gold gives you "Ten You May Have Missed in 2001". New writer Scott Platt gives us his opinion of the Beach Boys Smile album. Ever heard of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ synced with Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’? Then check out our review of the RUSH/WONKA PROJECT – it’s an amazing sync of ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ with the music of Rush! Finally, we present a little synopsis of Daryl Dragon’s SurferzRule project. It’s a noble project and it deserves some attention among us artistic folks, i.e. musicians AND music fans!

This month's reviews section includes: Pink, Michelle Branch, Mest, Lunch With a Bouncing Space, The Kowalskis, Ramonetures, Simple Minds and more.

DECEMBER 2001:
This month is a rather small issue...but we've got alot planned for the next issue.

Our December issue features an interview with Peter Quaife of the Kinks. Gary Pig Gold's ENDLESS WINTER. And last but not least, a Robert Mirabal live review.
Have a COOL YULE and we'll see ya'll in 2002!!!

NOVEMBER 2001:
Yet another eclectic mix in this month's issue of EAR CANDY. In our interviews and reviews, we cover no less than 9 of the following genres: bubblegum, psychedelic pop, glam punk, alt-bubble, progressive rock, psychedelic rockabilly, soul, classic rock, punk and some that even seem to defy description. Interviews include Napalm Stars (the glam/punk band from NYC) and Atlanta's own psychedelic-popsters, Van Gogh. Speaking of NYC, Gary Pig Gold reports on the INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW coming to New York! Live reviews include the Emerald Rose Celtic Autumn Evening concert and Joe Bonamassa live.

The excellent book, BUBBLEGUM MUSIC IS THE NAKED TRUTH is reviewed and we interview the editors of this cool book. In the spirit of Bubblegum, we are reprising Gary Pig Gold's article from last month, "Top 48 Bubblesongs of all time".

This month's reviews section includes: the Asylum Street Spankers, Van Gogh, the Woggles, Jackyl, Paul McCartney, Jack Breakfast, the Diplomats, Cactus Patch, Steve Kilpatrick, Joe Bonamassa, Illbilly Records Compilation, James Richard Oliver, Spiney Norman, El Majo, Peter Frampton, the Eggnogs, Josh Dodes Band and more.

OCTOBER 2001:
This month we are featuring the much-anticipated follow-up CD by Peter Lacey, with both an interview and a CD review. Emerald Rose presents a Celtic Autumn Evening. Gary Pig Gold gives us his top 48 bubblesongs of all time. EAR CANDY also welcomes aboard new writer John Hendrickson, with an Oasis live review and CD reviews. And...EAR CANDY has branched out into rock 'n roll literary reviews, this month with a review of the book, "The Quarrymen".

This month's reviews section includes: Peter Lacey, Suicide Cat, Paul McCartney, ELO, the Monkees, Tizzy, Spacehog, the Aloha Steamtrain, the Mitchells and the Beach Boys.

AUGUST 2001:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!
For our second anniversary August issue, we present another truly "eclectic" installment of EAR CANDY. We've got Billy Jonas, Mark Volman (originally with the Turtles), and Hayseed Dixie. Kisstory, the Kiss tribute band is interviewed. Plus, we talk to three new unsigned artists: In Bloom, 13 Stories and Jeff Evans; each of these with a different style of rock 'n roll. While the Beach Boys albatross (and Brian Wilson's opus) SMiLE has never been released since its inception in 1966, we do finally have a SMiLE of sorts in this high tech world. Project SMiLE has been released on CD-Rom and it is reviewed by EAR CANDY newcomer, Elliot Jackson.

This month's reviews section also represents an eclectic collection of artists. As usual, we "call 'em like we see 'em and take no prisoners!". Plus, we have added a LETTERS section to EAR CANDY. This was in response to an irate artiste who didn't like their review. Speaking of people who take music and rock 'n roll way too seriously, we have included the "33 1/3 Rules of Rock 'N Roll" for your reading pleasure.

JUNE 2001:
This issue truly follows the "eclectic" description of EAR CANDY. We've got the synthesis of rock 'n roll and Native American music in Robert Mirabal. We talked to Mike Peters of the '80s band, the Alarm. The Fab Four, the fabulous Beatles tribute band is interviewed. Plus, we cover no less than three new unsigned bands: Monomania, the Lovejoys and Flamin Anus. Each of these groups has a different take on rock 'n roll. And last but not least, much thanks to our friends at METALFLAKES for the Blackie Lawless interview!

And of course of reviews section, where we "call 'em like we see 'em and take no prisoners!" Oh, a final note: a few interviews that were intended for this issue were running late, so we saved them for the July issue!