Fake Fangs Records

What? I've just released the second episode of the Wicked Messenger Radio Show?

YES.

Music and music history?

YES.

It's 100% Power-Pop (both well-known tracks and rarities and obscurities by famous acts and little-known ones), and it's just for Premium Tier subscribers to my new website / newsletter.

Stream it whenever you want, along with the first episode, every episode thereafter, plus our new Podcast (which debuts in June), and all sorts of written articles and interviews -- all delivered right to your inbox.

Here's what one of our supporters had to say about episode #1:

"Love the subscriber newsletters, BUT the radio show!!!

L-O-V-I-N-G IT! For anyone who is not subscribed, this alone is well worth your contribution in supporting what Jim is doing.

Don't have time to do your own music digging, but appreciate the weird, eclectic, avant-garde, and the ability to have a discussion in your own head about whether you like or dislike a particular tune, and then immediately after, hear something so 180 (degrees) and delicious, interspersed with Jim’s wonderful storytelling and vast knowledge of fact?

You’re missing out on a great creative and entertaining endeavor."

Thanks, Jen MacGregor!

Dig it, folks.

Let's shake some action! Take a dive into the glory that is Power-Pop - from the 1970s to the present day...

Some of you know that I have been both very preoccupied and rather emotionally raw for quite some time now.

It would not be an exaggeration to say my mind has often been elsewhere, and I have been distracted from my work and my responsibilities of late.

Much of that has to do with the heavy weight of helping to oversee certain aspects of caring for and assisting my dear friend and longtime musical collaborator Greg Williams - Songwriter, as he navigated increasingly debilitating health issues.

An extremely tight-knit group of his closest friends and family members have been quietly doing their level best to be there for him as he struggled mightily against increasingly overwhelming odds.

Eventually, it became clear that Greg's injuries were insurmountable, and while it upsets me greatly to say that he passed away peacefully at 9:45 am this morning, after a little over a week in hospice care, I am heartened to know that he is no longer in the physical and emotional pain which has plagued him for the past five months.

Greg could be a difficult, stubborn, cantankerous, and volatile character. But he was -- without a doubt -- one of the greatest rock, pop, blues, and country songwriters this area has ever produced, as well as a tremendously talented guitarist anf one of the finest vocalists I have ever had the pleasure to hear up close and personal, and to work with in a creative, collaborative fashion.

Greg and I gigged together, made records together, laughed together, cried together, published a book of poetry together, and -- more than once throughout the 35 years I knew him -- screamed at each other till we were both red in the face.

I will miss him more than I can express, but I am glad he is finally at peace. Because he never once was, from the day we met until today.

More than anything, I will mourn the loss of his singular voice. Not just his beautiful singing voice, but his creative, lyrical voice.

There will be no more new "Greg Williams songs" in the world.

And, no matter what people may have thought of him as a friend, relative, neighbor, or business associate, I can only imagine that anyone with even a cursory knowledge of his skills and abilities as a tunesmith would have to agree that is a true shame.

"Hearts will mend, 'round the bend / Paths that cross, cross again."
~ Patti Smith, 1988

https://youtu.be/_oRLVcWdTk4?si=93dljBj69MKk53JO

Well, that sucks.

One of the most unique, gifted, sincere, and mesmerizing artists I have ever had the pleasure to know (and spend some precious bits of time with over the years) has moved on.

Malcolm Holcombe was one of the finest traditional songwriters and one of the most intense live performers this wicked world has seen. If you were one of the relatively few souls on the globe who got to experience his creative genius -- and I do not use that word lightly -- up close and in the flesh, consider yourself extraordinarily lucky.

If you were not able to be in the same room with Brother Malcolm and bear witness to his gifts, more's the pity.

However, there are albums of his you can buy, and video evidence of his mastery which you can view. And believe me when I say that you should absolutely do both of those things as quickly and as frequently as possible.

My heart goes out wholly to his wife Cyndi, who has been steadfastly by his side through some very trying times, and aided him immensely in getting his words and music out to the people. She is a gem of a person.

I am told of late that Facebook throttles the posts folks make which have videos attached to them, and that as a result, were I to attach a video to this post, it would not automatically appear in the feeds of the vast majority of my friends and followers on this platform.

So, in a comment below, I am including that link.

I do so hope you will all take a few moments out of your life and bear witness to a short, stunning clip which -- to my mind, at least -- amply demonstrates the magnitude of this loss.

Here's to you, Malcolm.

I was truly honored by the kindness and friendship you showed me when we were in each other's company, and I very much wish we had been able to spend much more time together over the years.

Your tenacity, your fortitude and your volcanic creativity were -- and remain -- a wellspring of inspiration to me, and I will miss you more than I can properly express.

REST IN PROTEST, AN O.G. PUNK ROCKER.

Seriously.

Wishing everyone a Happy James Brown Day!

Gone 17 years today.

HE is the reason for the season.

Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto James Brown

Folks, there is only ONE DAY LEFT to have your limited-edition, hand-numbered CD copy of Courtney Gains' brand-new EP "Safe Haven" personally inscribed and autographed by the artist!

Only 500 of these discs have been pressed and only a few dozen have been inscribed so far. Will yours be one of those rare copies?

Head over to FakeFangs.com to listen to the record for free, and if you feel like supporting Courtney and the label with a purchase of a physical CD (which also includes a full digital download of the songs in a wide variety of files formats, plus exclusive unlimited online streaming (this is UNAVAILABLE on Spotify, Apple, Tidal, YouTube, etc...), we sure hope you will do so.

Only $8 per CD...

Thanks, everybody!

Courtney Gains Group

YEAH!!!! Finally signing CDs!!!! Thanks to #jimreed @ #fakefangsrecords Looks and sounds great!!! 2 MORE DAYS to get your signed CD!! Go to FakeFangs.com NOW!!!!