Parasite Culture, complete with soundtrack

To one of my earlier posts, Anonymous commented "No good if we can't download them now is it ????????".

There is an implication that I owe someone something.

I can see the appeal of downloading rare and out of print recordings. Really I do. However it seems that the net has created a group of instant music snobs who can, with a few clicks, amass a truly awe-inspiring collection of the rarest of the obscure.

My question is, does one really value something that requires no effort or cost? Back in the pre-internet days, I spent a great deal of time and money trading records via snail mail, buying straight from the artist/label and spending hours in used shops tracking down that album I read about in tiny fanzines such as Impetus, Face Out, Outlet or Eurock.

It took some effort and cost to obtain the albums I wanted. I'm also saying that there was some satisfaction when that copy of ID Company or Hoisting the Black Flag fell into my hands.

No, I don't want to sit on a horde of records. Part of the enjoyment of music fandom is sharing the recorded treasures with friends and like-minded obsessives. The Gimme-Gimme aspect that seems to be developing is troubling.

Thoughts?

Atomic Bongos, Poptones and Instant Hits

I've made another mix inspired in part by Simon Reynolds' book "Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-84" (see link above).

Many of the bands included have seen regular play at the Mondobongos homestead from the time I first purchased the vinyl. Chrome, This Heat, Pere Ubu and 23 Skidoo sound as current and innovative today as they did in the 70's and 80's.

Why the inclusion of Can you ask? Their influence is undoubted on the best of the post-punk crowd, especially PiL and The Fall. Frankly, I'll use any excuse to include them.

1. Can -– Full Moon on the Highway
2. Lydia Lunch -– Atomic Bongos
3. James White & the Blacks -– Contort Yourself
4. Von Lmo -– Flying Saucer 88
5. Chrome -– Zero Time
6. This Heat -– 24 Track Loop
7. Robert Rental -– On Location
8. Pere Ubu -– Final Solution
9. Cabaret Voltaire -– Black Mask
10. 23 Skidoo -– Fuck You GI
11. Public Image Ltd. -– Poptones
12. The Slits -– Instant Hit
13. Scritti Politti -– Skank Bloc Bologna
14. A Certain Ratio -– Rialto
15. Robert Rental -– Double Heart
16. The Fall -– Rebellious Jukebox
17. Can -– Red Hot Indians
18. Cabaret Voltaire -– Eyeless Sight [live]
19. Public Image Ltd. -– The Cowboy Song