Lost and Found Video - Martini Ranch

Wow, that guy looks like Bill Paxton...

From martiniranchmusic.com: Martini Ranch is a band established in 1982 by Andrew Todd Rosenthal. (Writer/Vocals/Guitar). Bill Paxton was making videos and joined Martini Ranch in 1984 as video conceptualist, singer and sometimes lyricist. Robert O'Hearn played keyboards. Patrick O'Hearn of Frank Zappa & Missing Persons plays bass on "New Deal ". Martini Ranch released one album two singles and two videos on SIRE/WB Records. Album titled "Holy Cow" in 1988 was a alternative hit on KROQ and others. The song "How Can the Labouring Man Find Time for Self-Culture?" produced by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo features Bob Casale and Alan Meyers (OG DEVO Drummer)."How Can the Labouring Man Find Time for Self-Culture?" video is fantastic. Directed by Rocky Schenck,Bill & Andrew. James Cameron directed the video "Reach", both videos played on MTV and VH1. Cindy Wilson of The B-52's also sings background on some of these songs. Additionally, Mark Isham is on "World Without Walls" and actor Judge Reinhold (of Beverly Hills Cop fame) is the Whistler on the song "Reach".

Links!
Martini Ranch at All Music
Martini Ranch on Wikipedia

Headlines...

From Billboard:

• Reissues May Mark Replacements' Final Chapter
• Depeche Mode Unveils Summer Tour Plans
• U2 Album Leaks, Gets Streamed On MySpace
• Jane's Addiction Anchors Sasquatch! Lineup
• Simple Minds Sings From Its 'Soul'
• Gabriel Won't Perform At Academy Awards
• U2 Playing Five Nights On 'Letterman'

From NME

• New Order man guests on new Crystal Method album
• David Byrne to play The Big Chill 2009
• Men At Work singer receives death threat from guitarist
• Pet Shop Boys accept Outstanding Contribution To Music award at BRITs
• Paul Weller wins Best Male Solo Artist award at the BRIT Awards 2009

Elsewhere on the Internets:

• The English Beat Celebrates 30th Anniversary...For Crying Out Loud!
• Tears For Fears Tour Dates Confirmed
• Peter Buck On The All-New Murmur
• 'Years of Refusal' Out Now

And speaking of Morrissey...

I.R.S. Records Goes Digital!

Beginning February 10 and continuing until March 17, more than 100 albums and tracks from the celebrated vault of I.R.S. Records will make their digital release debuts. In an extensive, six-week online catalog campaign by Capitol/EMI, I.R.S. classics by The Fleshtones, Wall of Voodoo, Concrete Blonde, Oingo Boingo, The dB's, General Public, Lords of The New Church, and many others will be available for the first time for DRM-free download from all major digital service providers. Four new Best Of The I.R.S. Years digital collections will also be released, for The dB's, Over The Rhine, dada, and Dread Zeppelin.

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Lost and Found Video - Scruffy the Cat

This long-overdue entry is courtesy of Paul. As always, thanks! I am not worthy...

The sound of this Boston-based quintet straddled melodic pop and revved-up rockabilly, but inconsistency held them back from achieving the cult status of their contemporaries the Pixies and Throwing Muses.

From the 1987 album Tiny Days, this is My Baby She's Alright, their lone 1987 hit (and probably one of the few to deploy a banjo in the rhythm guitar slot). The tune had a brief run on the college/alternaradio-charts and MTV's 120 Minutes, but today they are fondly remembered primarily in their hometown, where this video was shot (at The Rat in Kenmore Square). Front man Charlie Chesterman now heads up Chaz & The Motorbikes.

Links!
The Unofficial Scruffy the Cat Homepage
Scruffy the Cat on All Music
Scruffy the Cat MySpace Fan Page
Chaz & the Motorbikes -- CharlieChesterman.com

Headlines...

Here (finally) are some headlines to peruse...

From Billboard:

• U2 Reveals New Album Track List
• Depeche Mode Unveils New 'Sounds'
• Lennox Closes Chapter With Solo Collection
• U2 To Play New Single At BRIT Awards

From NME:

• Exclusive David Byrne (among) tracks previewed online
• Famed LA indie rock station goes off the air
• Ron Asheton's family release details about late guitarist's funeral
• Morrissey to quit music?
• Morrissey reveals new single details
• Sonic Youth ready new album
• Pet Shop Boys announce Johnny Marr-featuring album

From Rolling Stone:

• Iggy Pop Remembers Stooges’ Ron Asheton In First Interview Since the Guitarist’s Death
• Talk Show Flasback: The Stooges Remember The Good Old Days
• Bono Talks Frank Sinatra in First “New York Times” Op-Ed