The Mary Wallopers in Toronto
It’s been quite a few years since I went to the Opera House on Queen Street, though I used to go often – The Fall, Mercury Rev, the Rollins Band, Superchunk, Teenage Fanclub, Hurray for the Riff Raff and many others. The club holds about 800 people and has a decent sound system (the lights are a little meh, but nothing’s perfect). I discovered the Mary Wallopers about three days before their show at the Horseshoe last year, so of course it was sold out, but this time I was ahead of the game.
I arrived to catch the last couple of songs by Chuck Coles (Surely, not Chuckles?), a solo Toronto artist. I didn’t really hear enough to offer a qualified opinion, but he seemed well-received during the brief time he was on-stage while I was there.
The Mary Wallopers came on stage at 9:00 and played an 85-minute set of “Irish rock ‘n’ roll.” There were traditional sounding Irish tunes, almost Pogues-like blasts (the comparison is unfair to both, but I think you know what I’m trying to say), and affecting ballads as various band members were showcased throughout the set. What struck me was that throughout the stylistic changes from fast to slow to back again, the band’s hold on the audience grew stronger. We got more and more into the show, and the energy built.
But it wasn’t just the music that attracted. The band railed against the rich, the English (fair enough), anti-immigrant racism in Ireland, and the current slaughter in the Middle East (the last words from the stage were “Free Palestine.”) It’s often difficult to hear what bands are mumbling between songs, but it seemed they were a band who wanted to be heard, but also to be heard.
I’ve probably mentioned that I’m at the stage of my concert going life where I kind of think any show could be improved by me being able to sit down, but sometimes it’s still good to be on your feet.
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Internationalist Perspective on Loren Goldner (link)
I read this post on the IP site about the passing of Loren Goldner after I had written by own piece.
Loren Goldner
I was extremely sad to learn of Loren Goldner’s passing earlier this month. I met Loren on a number of occasions, and I was always impressed by both his range of passions and work, and by him as well. For those serious about understanding capitalism, and possessing a burning desire to overthrow it, Loren’s death is a great loss. What follows is not an obituary, but a small appreciation for the man and his work.
I first encountered Loren’s work in the late 1990s, and probably the first thing of his I read was his piece “Communism is the Material Human Community: Amadeo Bordiga Today.” (probably either in the Discussion Bulletin or sent to me by Curtis Price) It was one of those articles that left you with buzzing with questions and wanting to read more. It didn’t mean you had to agree with it, but you still had to consider it.
In the next few years, I met Loren several times; he stayed at my house in Toronto once. Another time meeting comrades in upstate New York. An Internationalist Perspective conference, and so on. In each case, on each occasion, it was impossible not to be struck by his intellect, his passion, and his wit. It was always a genuine pleasure as well as a learning experience.
During this period I was producing Red & Black Notes, and I distributed several of Loren’s books including Ubu Saved From Drowning and Vanguards of Retrogression. I still have some copies of his book on Herman Melville. At one point, I remember reprinting a piece of his on Marx (with permission) for an introduction to my own edition of the Communist Manifesto. In return, I often received huge documents on economics, and other subjects from Loren. I also recall a review of Insurgent Notes I wrote for International Perspective that he thought was sectarian.
When a comrade passes, it’s always a sad moment on a personal level. But also on a broader level for the milieu. We are deprived of a friend, but also of a comrade in the struggle. And in the case of someone like Loren Goldner, someone who made extraordinary contribution to that struggle. He is missed. But we honour him by remembering and continuing.
Happy April Fools Day.
I’ve been doing the Notes from Underground blog since April 2008 – 16 years. The first post was signed Dave E (The E was for Elswith, the wife of King Alfred, and a pseudonym I no longer use), but we’ve come a long way since then. I started the blog after I joined Internationalist Perspective, but wanted to write things (mostly the music stuff) that didn’t fit with the group.
Probably the most popular things on the blog were Margaret Atwood’s Song of the Worms, a piece on Orwell’s Politics and the English Language, and anything I wrote about the Spartacist League (especially more recent stuff). Still, it’s hard not to notice the decline in traffic (and also the frequency of posting). A few views a day, and often not even that.
No one quite knows the origins of April Fools Day (several theories exist – believe what you will); there is however, the tradition of the fool (or Jester) who mocked the rich and the powerful. (Note to self to read Foucault again). Perhaps we’ll continue in that vein.
Lates.
Music Notes: March 2024
A few worthwhile things. Just a few.
1 Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood
Saw Waxahatchee once (or twice?), and they (?) are such a great band. When you listen to the records, you run through so many emotions: Joy, sorrow, nostalgia and more. This new album is another magnificent addition to the collection.
2 The Jesus and Mary Chain – Glasgow Eyes
I’ve plugged this a couple of times, but finally had the chance to listen to the whole thing. Amazing. JMC has a sound, but it’s one that still sounds different, song to song. And it still sounds fresh. Too many bands continue to pump out material long after their sell-by date, but not these lads. I’m eagerly awaiting news of a North American tour.
3 The Sleaford Mods – “West End Girls”
Sleaford Mods cover the Pet Shop Boys. Nuff said?
4 Jah Wobble
I was a big fan of Public Image Limited, but never saw them live (and I never will). Saw Jah Wobble once at the Horseshoe in Toronto. He’s playing here this year on July 10th (my sixtieth birthday), so it seems like fate.
5 The Clash – London Calling
Ask me what my favourite album is today, and I’ll give you a different answer to the one I gave you yesterday, and the one I’ll give you tomorrow. So, today my favourite album is this one. I bought it on the day it came out in 1979, and it still sounds fresh 45 years later. A brilliant cocktail of punk, reggae, rockabilly, pop and more. Marvellous.
Until next time.
Immigration and the Klan
Here’s an interesting piece from the Gasoline and Grits site that appeared in my in-box the other day.
Immigration and the Klan in Russellville, Alabama by Curtis Price who used to put out the marvellous publication Collective Action Notes.
Damned, Damned, Damned
A few years back, Brian James and Rat Scabies, founding members of the Damned, were scheduled to play a show at Lee’s Palace in Toronto. Intrigued, I bought a ticket for the show at the sadly now-closed Soundscapes. A few weeks later, the show was cancelled due to poor ticket sales. I went to Soundscapes to get a refund, and the guy working there smiled, “Oh, you were the one that bought that ticket.” Don’t know how many tickets sold at other outlets, but I suspect I was part of a rather small group.
Which brings me to my point. After 34 years, the Damned are touring North America, and with the line-up from the 80s (Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Paul Grey, and Rat Scabies). They’re playing the Danforth Music Hall on May 27. My rule is never to see reunion tours with a few exceptions – if I never saw them in their prime or if they were a band I always wanted to see but never did. And the Damned never really broke up. I’m sure it won’t be like seeing them in their prime, but I’m willing to risk this one.
Montreal Anarchist Bookfair Postponed
The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair has been a long-standing fixture in radical movements. The first took place in 2000, and I was a regular seller from its inception until 2018. I was thinking of going as a visiter not a vender this year, when I received this note:
Montreal Anarchist Bookfair, 2024 and Beyond
For well over a quarter century, the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair has become a fixture of May–the “month of anarchy”–and indeed anarchism in this city. It’s almost hard to remember a time before this enormous gathering! And as a collective, we feel the weight of the expectations that we should forge ahead with a bookfair this spring, whether it seems possible or not.
Yet so much has shifted during these years, not only around the world, but within both Montreal and the bookfair. And this year has been particularly wrenching, from the pandemic dragging on, to the housing crisis, from fascism only worsening, to the genocide in Gaza, all straining our collective capacities and breaking our hearts.
After much deliberation, we’ve decided to postpone the next Montreal Anarchist Bookfair until May 2025, and instead focus on reimagining and refreshing it. We know this may disappoint, but we hope you’ll understand our (and perhaps your) need for a bit of a breather and some reflection time.
Here’s to a bigger, better, and more beautiful month of anarchy and bookfair in 2025!
Love+solidarity, the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair collective
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Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal, 2024 et au-delà
Depuis plus d’un quart de siècle, le Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal est devenu un incontournable du mois de mai – le « mois de l’anarchie » – et de l’anarchisme dans cette ville. Il est presque difficile de se souvenir d’une époque où le Salon n’existait pas encore! En tant que collectif, nous sentons le poids des attentes qui nous poussent à aller de l’avant avec un salon du livre ce printemps, que cela semble possible ou non.
Pourtant, beaucoup de choses ont changé au cours de toutes ces années, non seulement dans le monde, mais aussi à Montréal et dans le Salon du livre. Cette année a été particulièrement déchirante, entre la pandémie qui s’éternise, la crise du logement, l’aggravation du fascisme et le génocide à Gaza, tout cela a mis à rude épreuve nos capacités collectives et nous a brisé•es le cœur.
Après de longues délibérations, nous avons décidé de reporter le prochain Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal à mai 2025, et de nous concentrer à le repenser et le rafraîchir. Nous savons que cela peut être décevant, mais nous espérons que vous comprendrez notre besoin (et peut-être le vôtre) de prendre un peu de recul un temps de réflexion.
À un mois d’anarchie et un salon du livre plus grand, meilleur et plus beau en 2025 !
Amour+solidarité, le collectif du Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal
Biden v. Trump: So, it comes Down to This (Again)
Well no. Not really. Whether Biden or Trump wins the US election in November, many things will continue in the same way. If Biden wins, it’ll be more folksy pantomiming as Biden slips further (on inauguration day, he’ll be 82), combining with a domestic policy that pretends to care (but really doesn’t), and an international one that is currently aiding and abetting genocide. Capitalism as normal. If Trump wins, the “stable genius” will push a revenge-driven set of policies. Capitalism as, well, perhaps not normal for the US, but still capitalism.
I’ve never been a follower of the ICC’s theory of decadence, but the fact that there are over 331, 000, 000 people in the US and these two are the choices, again, kind of makes you think the ICC has a point. Both Biden and Trump are coming to the end of their lives. Likely both are in their final decade. That’s not ageist. It’s reality. I’m going to be sixty in a couple of months. I think I’m relatively healthy and intellectually sharp, but whenever I say that, I always hear, “For a man of your age.” The idea that in two decades, I’ll still be in tip-top condition is absurd. I want to be in a home eating pudding.
Coincidently, which likely means it’s obvious to everyone, Jon Stewart made some of these same observations (he’s funnier) in a recent edition of the Daily Show. You don’t have to agree with everything Stewart says to see, he’s got a point.
Music Notes: February 2024
1 Tom Verlaine – Tom Verlaine / Dreamtime
Verlaine’s first two solo albums, released in 1979 and 1981 were repackaged in 2016 (minus two bonus tracks from Dreamtime in 2016. Less intense than Television, Verlaine’s angst tune and dreamlike guitar are still thrilling, still worth your time.
2 The Velvet Underground – The Complete Matrix Tapes
Can you believe this was released in 2016, and I’m only just listening to it now? A four-hour recording containing four sets over two night of really well-recorded Velvet Underground live material. Arguably the best live recordings in the band’s history. OK, Live at the Gymnasium is great, 1969 is too, and even Live at Max’s has its charms, but the sound quality and the variety of songs make this a winner. Fantastic.
3 The Mary Wallopers – Play Toronto in April. I missed them at the Horseshoe last year, but was quick to get tickets for their Opera House show on April 22. Looking forward to an evening of Irish folk-punk.
4 Hyphen – “This is Great Britain”
A friend sent me this. Fantastic rap about what’s wrong with the UK.
5 The Kills – God Games
Well, I saw the Kills a few days ago, so you know I’m a fan. Wasn’t a big fan of the last album Ash & Ice, but while slower, this one is more gripping. It’s a slow grower, but grow it does.
6 Luna – “Satellite of Love” / “Starman”
In the email announcing the cover, Dean Wareham confessed his unease about these covers given the originals, but the band acquits themselves with honour.
7 M(h)aol – “Pursuit”
Brand new release from the band. Quieter than previous singles, but building with anger through the story of a harrowing pursuit.
8 Kiwi Jr – Chopper
Prince Edward Island lads who now make Toronto their home. This is their third album, and the second for Sub Pop. Infectious pop sounds, and even though they’re not from New Zealand, they have that sound.
9 Minor Threat – Out of Step Outtakes
I was never a big hardcore fan although I do have a soft spot for Minor Threat. For fans certainly, but even for the casual appreciator like me.
10 RIP. Wayne Kramer; Mojo Nixon; Damo Suzuki. Three important losses. The best well to remember is to listen.
Till next month.
Notes from Underground 