Hello--

Some USSA related news---

Duane Denison is currently touring (and eventually recording) with the Legendary Shack Shakers--coming soon to a venue near you! Check it out at www.myspace.com/legendaryshackshakers

USSA to begin recording new material in late summer/early fall

all for now

 

 

It's been a little windy around here, as no doubt everyone has seen on the news.  We sat in front of a big plate glass window and watched the doppler radar on tv.  Okay, it was a basement window.  And we were wearing football helmets.  It didn't get too exciting here in Nashville.  They said there was a tornado here, but it didn't make the morning news, so I guess it just plowed up a field south of town.  Those are disappearing fast.  Next time a storm in the same spot will take out a brand new Walmart, Target, or Ross Dress for Less.  Thanks to everyone for checking up on us, but if we hadn't been watching tv that night and the news the next day, we never would have known it was such a big deal.  A tornado did come through the middle of Nashville in 97, so I guess we're not due for another one for about a hundred years.  All kidding aside, yes, we are sending supplies to the needy, and suggest you do the same...it looks like a real mess northeast and southwest of here.

Hello Comrades,

Greetings to one and all in the new year. Many thanks to those who came out and saw us while on tour in the Fall Campaign of '07. We're sorry to have had to cut things short by a week, but rest assured that Mr Denison is healing up nicely and will back in action in a few weeks. Thanks for all the kind thoughts passed his way.

"The Spoils" will be released in Europe and the UK in early April through Essential(London), and will feature 2 original bonus tracks. These are not 'outtakes' or live fillers--both are new studio tracks recorded and mixed in post "Spoils" sessions. One is a scorcher entitled "Surveillance" and the other is a bit of an ambient instrumental called "Heavenly".

USSA will then come over the pond and proceed to infiltrate the continent and it's island neighbors for about 5 weeks, starting in May and perhaps going into June. Details are uncertain at this point, so keep in touch with us or with the booking agents Conspiracy.

Stay tuned in, turned on, dropped out. 

Unfortunately, we're headed home early.  Duane was injured at one of the shows,  and after two grueling weeks of pain ended up being sent home by a doctor for repairs (some minor but necessary surgery).  (And for everyone wondering why this page has been kind of dormant recently, now you know).  We'll be back out on the road as soon as possible.

Happy Holidays everyone.  Evolution Eve, we're bummed we won't be seeing you this trip (so close!).

So there seems to be a mini shit storm over my comments re: radio on the Fuzz page 2 months ago.  People, gimme a break.

Yes, I asked people to call their "local corporate radio lackeys" and their "local college radio losers" and request (no, demand!) some USSA.  Apparently some people don't see where I'm coming from with this, so I'll lay it out.  I was a regular guest dj on WNUR (Northwestern Univ.) when I lived in Chicago.  I've played benefits, done live on-air performances, and enjoyed a lot of college radio airplay.  I listen to WRVU here in Nashville (Vanderbilt Univ.), and actually call in and make comments and requests.  In other words, I've been an active participant in the college radio scene since the late 80's.  So, why the "college radio losers" comment?

Here's why: Have you looked at a college radio Top 10 list lately?  Seems like a lot of major label product in there, in the most watered down sense of the word -- and if these "artistes" aren't actually on a major label, they sound like they should be!  What happened?  College radio used to be the last bastion of play-list free broadcasting -- now it sounds like all the rest.  It galls me when I call in with a request, am told "we don't have it," and then get an earful of the latest professionally marketed lifestyle accessory band.  I know that all college djs don't suck (I never said they did) and there are still some out there that play good music (defined as stuff I like), interview interesting people, make announcements regarding upcoming shows, etc.  But there are just too many who don't.  (Actually this isn't a new problem -- remember everyone playing Lloyd Cole on college radio in the 90's? -- it just feels worse than ever).  I do have a bit of a bias here -- I do like music that feels like it is made by people who eat red meat, and regularly exercise their backbones.  And maybe I have a little more pent up aggression than most.  But what were you expecting?  My history is public knowledge.  And there is plenty in here for everyone to take issue with, so bring it on....

The ball buster, the dreamer, Mr. Smith, the old war hero, the crazy Italian, the Mormon with the funny name or the washed up actor?

We said this to someone yesterday, and they said we were cynical.

We do want to point out that, according to Yahoo news, Merle Haggard has come out in support of Hilary.  Now that is interesting....  If Merle Haggard is man enough to say he supports Hilary, maybe we should stop being pussies and jump on the band wagon too.  What do you think?  

The desert is a little weird.  I can't believe I felt like we were headed back to civilization as we drove toward California, but read on.

First, though, we want to say a word in memory of our young friend Jamie Jones, aka Kid Ice, who decided to end it all this week.  If you're a hard rock band touring through Nashville, you just lost a big fan, because he went to all of your shows and he always bought a tshirt.  Rest in peace. God damn it.  God damn it.

Alright, back to the desert --

San Antonio:  Went to the Pig Stand.  They claim to have invented onion rings, and to be the first restaurant with a drive through -- probably a crock, but worth a visit anyway.  Played at the Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar, home of the San Antonio hispanic punk rock/metal/goth crowd.  Second biggest crowd of the tour.  All the women looked like Morticia Addams, and that's a good thing.  Lots of guys asking a lot of questions about the Tomahawk record.  The Indian thing resonates in this part of the desert.  Went back to the hotel and watched Asi Es La Vida on tv.  Anyone seen that?  Hot hot hot half-naked women surrounding a bunch of bumbling gay men.  If a woman on the show is wearing clothes, she has something wrong with her.  Is this strange, or is it just us?  Apparently the hottest thing on Mexican tv these days.

On the way to Albuquerque, we nearly ran out of gas in the middle of the desert.   Word to the wise -- when you have a 1/4 of a tank of gas, don't ever pass a gas station and say "let's not stop -- we'll get gas in the next town."  I guarantee you that will be the day you realize the next town doesn't exist anymore.  So, we made it to Cherry Creek, TX on fumes, sweating all kinds of bullets, to find two guys working at a gas station.  One of them didn't give a damn, but Jerry was tickled to see a band come through, so he bought a record and had his picture made with us.  If we could figure out this myspace stuff, we'd show it to you.  Maybe when we get home we'll send it to our 17 year old intern, and she'll post it for us.

Tuscon.  This was basically a disaster.  The guy who booked the show got fired by the promoter and left town a couple of weeks before the show.  The club was more than a little surprised to see us, and not real happy about it.  But maybe that's because the Weedeater guys got juiced up and made a scene in front of the club.  Frankly, we're glad to still be in one piece.  But, we've said it before, and we'll say it again -- the people who are coming out to the shows are great.  Lots of enthusiasm.  Got to the hotel (Hotel Congress), which was inhabited by a bunch of middle aged alcoholic gay men (what's with the raging homosexuality thing out here -- to say these guys are flaming is the understatement of the milennium). It's also the first time I've ever played Tuscon that I didn't see the two headed man.  Does anyone know what I'm talking about?  (the street guy with the gigantic goiter with hair growing out of it -- he's always been there, for all these years, I've seen him every time I've been here and this time I didn't see him).  Chicago Music's still there...huge collection of sheet music, guitars piled in a heap, all kinds of collectibles, stuff you just can't find elsewhere, run by one right evil bastard.

Albuquerque:  Burt's Tiki Lounge -- next door to another tattoo bar.  Gay men, hot women, muscle cars, tattoos, creepy hotels.  That's our impression of the desert.  But, the  Tiki Lounge crowd was full of guitar geeks, and I'm a sucker for that kind of thing.  Lot of Johnny Rabb fans, too, and Johnny has been on it.  Consistently good, night after night.  A very enthusiastic crowd, and that makes all the difference.  We'll be back for more at a later date.

San Diego -- just saw Eugene from Oxbow.  He's got a book deal with Harper Collins, and three kids.  What is the world coming to?  But, people are streaming into the Casbah, and it's going to be a good night.  Hopefully we'll meet San Diego email list winner Sergio Flores.  Mr. Flores, you're on the list.

More later.

You know how we love contests.  We are half way through our tour, and it just occurred to us to check our email mailing list.  We have found it to be sadly lacking.  So, to encourage you to sign up for the list, we are having the following contest.  For every show remaining on the tour, we will pick one person in that city from the email list to put on the guest list, for every show except L.A. and San Fran (the guest list is already blown on those).  If you live in one of the remaining cities on the tour, you have a good shot at this contest AND, as you can see, we're not real with it on this email thing so don't worry about us jamming your inbox.  We'll restrain ourselves to sending emails only when we've got something really important to tell you.  Winners to be announced via email.  Get going -- the Albuquerque show is tomorrow (or today, depending on what time zone you're in).

Attention: Can't find the sign up block?  It's right underneath the scrolling photos on the myspace profile page, on the left side.

Milwaukee -- We were dragging a bit by the time we got to Milwaukee, after the big show in Chicago (we forgot to mention Cynthia Plastercaster was there -- how could we forget that?  She's been after our "members" for years (but only for art's sake, of course)), and there was that photo shoot with Paul Elledge and Leasha Overturf (go to www.paulelledge.com for examples of their work).  So, we have to say it was the enthusiasm of the crowd that gave us what we needed to make the Milwaukee show happen -- and that means you, Laurie and pals, and you too, tipsy Brian (not too tipsy).  We'll be back -- you guys made it worth it.

DeKalb, Illinois:  Otto's -- we walked in and the first guy we saw jumped when we said something to him.  Spooked, he sent us downstairs to another guy who jumped when we spoke to him.  What gives?  Apparently guy number 2 saw a bar stool levitate and fly across the room before we got there.  Is the place haunted?  Some say yes.  The owner just says the lunatics are running the asylum. 

Kansas City: A ghost town during the opening act, but a better than expected turn out before the night was out.  You people sure can talk.  That town talked our ears off.  And damn it, we appreciate it.  We'll be back.

Denton, TX:  Once again -- better than expected.  But what was going on in that town?  Not a single hotel room in the whole city?

Austin:  You should be ashamed.  No promoter at the club.  PA still being built when we got there (and during the set, from the way things sounded).  Standing there with our (bleeps) in our hands on stage for 20 minutes while the sound man tried to figure things out.  No sound check.  Set cut short.  But one really cute, really sweet young girl waiting at the merch table to buy a record right after our set, beaming at us.   The angel of Austin.

San Antonio - Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar.  A real punk rock dive.  This is going to be good.  Promoter at the club when we got here.  Sound man knows the songs.  Sounding good.  Don't miss this one.  Okay, gotta eat.

Okay, I have to say, Chicago was awesome. 

Good crowd, good playing, good press.  Try this:

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/article/music/23050/ussa

or http://www.chicagoreader.com/music/thelist/ussa

The interview at Timeout Chicago answers a lot of the questions we get from people, like why we're not out there playing Ministry and Jesus Lizard songs.  But, we especially like the write-up in the Reader.  We like anyone who tells us we're smart smart smart, and if they tell us that we can make dumb stuff sound smart, we like it even more.  Because that's what we thought we were doing.  How many times did we ask ourselves whether something was too dumb?  Why is it always the dumb stuff that comes out the best?  How many artists see their "dumb" songs become big hits?  Lots...from Blur to Gary Glitter to Peter Gabriel.  Why is this?  Because, let's face it...dumb is fun.  Just ask Will Ferrell.  And yes, we love Talladega Nights.  And Anchorman. 

It was great seeing everyone, and coming back to town on a high note.  Especially good to see friends who came in from Michigan, and Nan from Bloodshot Records, and some of the guys from US Maple.  Good to see people disappear into the crowd only to pop up in front of us, making faces, only to disappear again.  You know who you are.  We spent today with photographer Paul Elledge, who did the photo you see at the top of our page, and the one under our band name, and the ones inside the album artwork.  We used props.   Stay tuned.

Also, good alcohol, and good sleep.  What a difference.  Now off to Milwaukee, to meet frequent poster and contest-winner Laurie.  Maybe she'll bring some casserole.  Or maybe she'll just buy Gary that drink she's been promising him for months now.