JonathanAgain

Originally entitled SECRETS OF THE GODS in 1976, this film was re-released to theaters two years later as THE FORCE BEYOND. Director William Sachs says it was intended as a spoof, but the fact is that there's nothing to distinguish the film from a host of other feature-length paranormal documentaries produced during the same period. It's full of bad UFO photos, muddy film footage of an alleged Bigfoot sighting, and predictions that "the gods" will soon return to Earth. Host and exploitation film veteran Donn Davison presents all of this material with a straight face. Fascinating in spite of itself, THE FORCE BEYOND features brief appearances by Bigfoot hunter Peter Byrne (a sincere individual who does not belong in this schlockfest), UFO abductee Charles Hickson (ditto) and "Secrets of the Great Pyramid" author Peter Tompkins. In addition, there's archival footage of Orson Welles following the "War of the Worlds" scandal, and newsreel clips of Peru's Nazca lines and the Gate of the Sun at Tiwanaku, Bolivia. The film is narrated by New York radio announcer Rosko. (The thumbnail is cropped from the cover of the film's VHS release by Media Home Entertainment)

A pensive, melancholy composition from Side 2 of MUSIC FROM ONE STEP BEYOND (Decca, 1960), the soundtrack album for the television series. Written and conducted by Harry Lubin; performed by the Berliner Symphoniker, a 75-piece orchestra.

Can an old house really provide a supernatural haven for lost souls? Find out in my favorite episode of this vintage anthology series, hosted and directed by John Newland. Written by Larry Marcus & J.G. Ezra Music: Harry Lubin Cast: Edward Binns (as Fred Graham), Fredd Wayne (as Lt. Barnes), June Vincent (as Ruth Graham), Byron Foulger (as Judge), Amzie Strickland (as Agatha Dunlap)

*The* Cleveland punk rock anthem (and one of the all-time greatest rock 'n' roll songs, in my estimation), this was the B-side of the Pagans' second single "Street Where Nobody Lives" (Drome, 1978). Michael Hudson - vocal / Mike Metoff (aka Tommy Metoff or Tommy Gunn) - guitar / Tim Allee - bass / Brian Morgan - drums Produced by Johnny Dromette (1978 gig flyer from the Johan Kugelberg punk collection, Cornell University Library)

This oblique political commentary opens Side 2 of Nesmith's greatest solo album AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMIN' (RCA Victor, 1972). Musically, it's almost unique in the Nesmith oeuvre; the only song that's even remotely comparable, to my knowledge, is "Writing Wrongs" from THE BIRDS, THE BEES & THE MONKEES. Michael Nesmith - guitar & vocal (pictured, right) / Orville J. "Red" Rhodes - pedal steel guitar (pictured, left) / James O'Rafferty - uncredited second guitar Composed & produced by Michael Nesmith

Obscure but tasty atmospheric dub that has appeared on various Trojan Records compilations over the years. The Velvet Shadows released three singles; this is the dub version of the second, "Wailing of Black People" (1977). Based in England, the group were led by songwriter/vocalist Godfrey Barrett (pictured). Unfortunately there are almost no credits on the record, so I can't namecheck the producer of this minor dub masterpiece.

An outtake from the sessions for their album PAINLESS NIGHTS (1981). Written by Belfer/Williams; produced by Eric Paul Fournier and Michael Belfer. Ricky Williams - vocal / Michael Belfer - guitar / Mike White - guitar / Ron MacLeod - bass / Brian MacLeod - drums (1978 gig flyer from the Johan Kugelberg punk collection, Cornell University Library)

Denmark Street demo, July 1976; engineered by Dave Goodman. Earlier that same month, the band had performed this song live for the first time. John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) - lead vocal / Steve Jones - guitar & backing vocal / Glen Matlock - bass & backing vocal / Paul Cook - drums (Live photo by Chris Morphet)

Live performance (Nov. 4, 1978) of my favorite song from their first album. Recorded by Marty Thau. Alan Vega - vocal / Martin Rev - keyboard, effects, rhythm machine

An outtake from their debut album SHADES OF DEEP PURPLE (Parlophone, 1968). Dubbed from acetate; produced by Derek Lawrence. Rod Evans - lead vocal / Jon Lord - organ & backing vocal / Ritchie Blackmore - guitar / Nick Simper - bass & backing vocal / Ian Paice - drums

This is what I like to call the ballad of the Zodiac Killer ("ballad" in the folkloric sense, rather than as a reference to musical tempo). It's a song I wrote in 1999 and recorded in 2003, with a few primitive moving images to accompany the music. Jonathan Mitchell - vocal & rhythm guitar / Wally Schulte - lead guitar / Payton Schulte - bass / Matt Odom - drums

Recorded Aug. 27, 1989 at the Middle East Café in Cambridge, MA, this performance appeared on the live album ANTI-SOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER (Ever Rat, 1990). GG Allin - lead vocal / Tom Nava - guitar & backing vocal / Pearl Murder - bass & backing vocal / Chris Burkoff - drums

Vintage low-budget horror anthology hosted by cadaverous John Carradine in full evening wear; also starring Lon Chaney as a mad scientist carrying on the work of Dr. Frankenstein. If you've never had the total VHS experience, here it is in all its fuzzy glory...so nuke some popcorn and enjoy. (And yes, the movie's in English, not German. I love the German poster art, so I used it as the thumbnail.) Cast: Lon Chaney (Jr.), John Carradine, Rochelle Hudson, Roger Gentry, Ron Doyle, Vic McGee, Karen Joy, Joey Benson Original Stories: Russ Jones Producer/Director: David L. Hewitt

The last two songs from our Nov. 25, 2000 show at the Royal Avenue Recreation Center in Florence, AL. Jonathan Mitchell - vocals (and additional guitar on "Freeze-Up") / Eric Gebhardt - guitar / Ashley Simmons (Meat) - bass / Joey Mitchell - drums

Tang Fu, the cousin of Bruce Lee's character in "The Way of the Dragon," battles an international criminal organization in this sequel filmed in Taiwan. Martial arts action at its most chaotic and (unintentionally) hilarious. YouTube removed this same video on March 31, 2024...so, by all means, enjoy it here and give YouTube (and greedy con artists Severin Films) a rousing "fuck you!" Leading Stars: Tong Lung, Hua Toi Co-starrings: Robinson Jack, Tang France, Wang Fei, Yan Chong, Ching Ching Fei Producer: Yap Gun-Han Directors: Yang Yang, Yang Chieg

From Lou's final performance with the VU (until their 1993 reunion) - August 23, 1970 at Max's Kansas City, NYC. Originally appeared on LIVE AT MAX'S KANSAS CITY (Cotillion, 1972). Lou Reed - guitar & lead vocal / Sterling Morrison - guitar / Doug Yule - bass & backing vocal / Billy Yule- drums

Recorded April 20, 1972; appeared on the album BLUE & RAG'D (Trix, 1974). Willie Trice - guitar & vocal

Starry Night, Portland, OR - Aug. 23, 1985. Originally appeared on WHO'S GOT THE 10½? (SST, 1985), Black Flag's second live album. Greg Ginn - guitar / Henry Rollins - vocal / Kira Roessler - bass / Anthony Martinez - drums

A song from the legendary DC pop-punk band's first recording session (circa late 1978/early '79). Howard Wuelfing - bass & vocal / Marc Halpern - guitar / Sherry Deatrick - organ / Unknown (Cathy Hutzell? Harry Raab?) - drums

Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA - Nov. 9, 1969. Audience recording. Mick Jagger - vocal / Keith Richards - rhythm guitar / Mick Taylor (experiencing amp trouble) - lead guitar / Bill Wyman - bass / Charlie Watts - drums

Fantastic version of the GG Allin & Antiseen anthem, followed by a short drum solo from Dino Sex (whose birthday this was). Filmed at Sharks' Sports Bar, Panama City, FL - June 19, 2019. (Cell phone video.) Merle Allin - bass & backing vocal / Dino Sex - drums / PP Duvay - lead vocal / Duane Rollick - guitar & backing vocal

Recorded May 26, 1930; released 1931 on the Victor label. Bukka White (credited as Washington White) - guitar & spoken asides / Napoleon Hairston - vocal

The UK hit from Wire's second album CHAIRS MISSING (1978), followed by the B-side of their 1979 non-album single "A Question of Degree." Filmed at the Mercy Lounge, Nashville, TN - Mar. 6, 2020. (Cell phone video.) Colin Newman - guitar & lead vocals / Graham Lewis - bass & vocals / Robert Grey - drums / Matthew Simms - guitar

Bootlegged studio recording of the L.A. synth punk trailblazers, circa late 1978. Never officially released. Tomata du Plenty - vocal / Tommy Gear - synthesizer / Paul Roessler - electric piano / KK Barrett - drums

From the ROCK AND ROLL HEART album, released on Arista Records in Nov. 1976. Lou Reed - acoustic guitar & vocal / Michael Fonfara - electric piano / Michael Suchorsky - drums / Bruce Yaw - bass