Late last year, Capitol Records finally repressed the IRS run of Concrete Blonde albums. This was pretty exciting news. I missed out on the 2017 pressings (because I just wasn’t paying attention, dammit). Those are now selling for about two times more than their original retail price.

Years ago, I found an original pressing of their self-titled debut in Charleston for a reasonable price. And, I got a 2024 pressing of Bloodletting at the Asheville FM Record Fair. I have been on the hunt for an original pressing of Free and the 2017 versions of their last three albums (which were never released on vinyl in the States before), but never found any of these at a price point I was willing to accept.

My only gripe is that I wish these 2025 versions were black vinyl like the 2017 pressings. Concrete Blonde is not the kind of band or music that screams out for color vinyl treatment. Someone once said that colored vinyl had become the Funko Pop of record collecting … and I can’t say that I totally disagree.

Anyhoo. Maybe I should dip into the tip money and order all these. *Drools*

Here’s the original, stripped-back album version of 6 Underground by Sneaker Pimps.

Weekender’s Sunday Session

After 16 years (and at least five years of teasing from Robert Smith), it feels totally surreal that the new album from The Cure is suddenly here. Get thee to your favorite streaming service (to listen) and your favorite local record store (to purchase).

This round of COVID seems to be in the rearview mirror. In just a few more days I can be unmasked around people. Thank goodness I had a super mild case. Honestly, if my second boyfriend hadn’t tested positive, I would have just thought I had allergies or a light head cold.  I am super happy it wasn’t worse.

Anyhoo … Here’s the 1999 Music Flashback Vibe for the day.

Pretty stoked to wake up to an announcement of Nonetheless, the new album from Pet Shop Boys! It will be released via Parlophone Records on April 26th.

Track Listing:
– Loneliness
– Feel
– Why am I dancing?
– New London boy
– Dancing star
– A new bohemia
– The schlager hit parade
– The secret of happiness
– Bullet for Narcissus
– Love is the law

The 2CD and double white vinyl deluxe editions of “Nonetheless“ include the bonus four-track EP, “Furthermore”, featuring completely new recordings of “Heart”, “Being boring”, “Always on my mind” and “It’s a sin”.

Of course, I have preordered the deluxe vinyl, deluxe CD, and the “Loneliness” CD single from their UK store (the US store isn’t offering the CD single). Plus, I should get a signed art card from the boys (exclusive to the UK store). Whoot, whoot!

You can stream the new single, “Loneliness” (featuring two non-album tracks) on all music streaming services and see the official video over on YouTube.

This is how things feel right now.

I have been remiss in crowing about how I will get to finally see Skinny Puppy LIVE next month! I am not sure who likes me up there, but they are playing The Orange Peel in Asheville on April 15 … and, apparently, the show is SOLD OUT. Now, I just need to make sure that I am right down front so I can get splashed with some of the fake blood. Whoot!

Life is still chugging along in its crazy, maddening, and somewhat weird way. Labor day has now come and gone and there’s definitely a hint of fall in the air. Love it!

Speaking of Labor Day …

We kicked off the holiday weekend by meeting up with the local gay group at one of our local breweries. This is a pretty new group and it’s been fun to get to know some gay men (and women!) that actually live in Waynesville.

That Saturday, we attended the last of the summer “gays only” pool parties that we have been getting invited to over in Asheville. The weather was supposed to be dodgy, but it ended up being a super nice day.

The pool before being tainted by all the homos …

We went to a “guys only” cookout the next day and that was pretty nice as well … even though we got stuck inside the whole time because the weather did end up being super dodgy that day.

So, all in all, it was a pretty gay Labor Day weekend!

In non-gay news …

I have finally started going through records that I have been given over the past several years and have been trying to salvage the ones that are not too beat up. Since I don’t have a fancy (or non-fancy) record cleaner, I will wash mine in the sink with a little soap and water. That can sometimes help tremendously if all you are dealing with is fingerprints or mold (or both) on the vinyl. And it’s always amusing the see them drying in the dish drainer.

And finally … here is Chip being cute as fuck.