Ugly Things Magazine

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Ugly Things Magazine

Wild sounds from past dimensions Ugly Things is a music magazine established in 1983, based in La Mesa, CA.

History
Contributing writers include such names as Mick Farren, Alan Clayson, Richie Unterberger, Doug Sheppard, Michael Lynch, Miriam Linna, Phil X Milstein, Don Craine, Mark St John, Pete Innes, Lenny Helsing and Michael Lucas. San Diego City Beat reviewed Ugly Things in an article titled, "Mike Stax of Ugly Things: A local scenester's internationally known music magazine." The Lama Workshop edi

tor Patrick Lundborg has stated about UT and editor Mike Stax: "1980s (music) zines have retired into the great recycling container in the sky (it's down to UT, Shindig!, and Misty Lane now), Mike Stax has managed not only to keep it alive, but expand his trip in various directions, and in the process become one of the very best -- perhaps THE very best -- 1960s-oriented writer out there." A review of Ugly Things in Head Press by David Kerekes sums up the publication, "When it comes to garage rock and everything associated with “wild sounds from past dimensions”, there is little to compare to the magnitude that is the mighty Ugly Things." .

09/23/2025

NEW EPISODE! A gripping interview with Robb Huxley (of the Saxons and the Tornados), who shares extraordinary stories about working with maverick independent record producer Joe Meek in the mid-1960s. I’ve known Robb for a while so I knew he had stories, but I wasn’t prepared for how much he was ready to reveal in this conversation. As well as talking about the music he recorded with Meek, Robb opened up with absolute honesty about some quite difficult and troubling subjects, and the sinister figures that lurked behind the scenes of the music business during that era. I was on edge of my seat for parts of this interview, and I expect you will be too.
Please listen, review, rate, recommend and subscribe. Also, consider becoming a Patreon member and get access to a growing archive of exclusive bonus content. This time Patreons get to hear an additional interview segment with Robb on the subject of Joe Meek’s obsession with the supernatural.

09/22/2025

R.I.P. Tom Ward. It’s been heartwarming to see the flood of tributes to Tom over the past few days. What better proof that he was deeply loved and respected by all of us who knew him? Authenticity was everything to Tom, in music, in fashion, in his interactions with others, in the way he lived his life. He was an outstanding musician with a meticulous sense of taste, style and tone. Although he played in numerous bands over the years, he’ll be most remembered for his work with the Nashville Ramblers with whom he logged countless, consistently sensational live performances as well as one immortal 45 (and compilation release), “The Trains.” Anja and I were fortunate enough to visit Tom shortly before he passed. I told him he’d used his time here well, that through his dedication to his music and his craft he’d brought pleasure to a lot of people. I told him how much I admired him as a bass player, as a musician, as a man. I was speaking for all of us, and Tom knew that too. He appreciated it. He wanted to be remembered, and he will be. I’m happy he is at peace now.
Condolences to all who knew and loved him, especially Ann who took such great care of him in his final years, and Carl who was a true and solid friend and musical brother right through to the final chord.

09/11/2025

R.I.P. Viv Prince. I just got word a couple of hours ago that Vivian Prince, the legendarily mercurial drummer of the Pretty Things (1964-65) passed away earlier this week at his home in Portugal. Viv, the self-appointed Prince of Drummers and, briefly, “King of the World” was an unforgettable character, most remembered for his wild on- and off-stage antics. But he was also a fantastic drummer whose propulsive playing was a crucial element in making those early Pretty Things records so unique and exciting. He also played drums for Carter Lewis & the Southerners, the Honeycombs (when Honey Lantree left her drum seat to sing), the Bunch of Fives, Vamp, Kate, and, in his early days, a number of trad jazz bands. I never met Viv, but I did have a couple of wild, rambling, intermittently hilarious phone conversations with him back in the early part of this century. My friend John Baker spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and was able to convey my best wishes. I was all set to give him another call, but cruelly time ran out. I wish I’d got to hear a few more of his stories. Wishing him happy trails on his next journey. Long live the Prince!

08/29/2025

Malibu, California, 1956. Natalie Wood stands on the shoulders of actor Steve Rowland. Hard to believe that ten years later Steve would be producing Pretty Things singles like “Come See Me,” “A House in the Country” and “Progress,” and their 1967 Emotions album. He also produced Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, the Herd and PJ Proby, among others, and made records with his own group, the Family Dogg.
Steve is still alive and kicking at the age of 92, and living out in Palm Desert. I interviewed him a couple of years ago.
(Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

08/18/2025

NEW EPISODE! It’s my interview with an unsung hero of 1970s NYC punk rock, Sonny Vincent, whose band Testors made some of the most viciously intense, soulful punk rock ‘n’ roll of the era. Sonny shares incredible stories about his days as a teenage runaway in the 1960s, his early bands, and the glory days of Max’s Kansas City and CBGBs. It’s a wild ride — jump in and buckle up!
Please rate and review us, and consider becoming a Patreon member. For a small monthly donation you get access to a growing archive of bonus material, including exclusive interview outtakes.

08/15/2025

Tomorrow: Saturday, August 16, the Loons will be at the Casbah with femme garage icons the Pandoras and San Diego rock n roll hotshots the Film Company, plus DJ Tony the Tyger. The joint will be jumping. Hope to see you there.
.cancelliere

08/12/2025

Tiki Oasis 2025! What an amazing weekend it was, and Sunday night’s show was positively climactic. The Loons were joined by the great Lenny Kaye and a parade of special guests for an electrifying set of Nuggets favorites. Robert “El Vez” Lopez delivered high kicking renderings of “Dirty Water” and “Night Time”; Carl Rusk and Ron Silva of the Nashville Ramblers were superb on “Lies” and “Don’t Look Back”; the icon of LA cool Johnny Echols lifted the roof on “My Little Red Book” and an epic, transcendent “A House is Not A Motel” with Johnny and Lenny wailing on double leads; and the ever-classy Deke Dickerson was fantastic on “Psychotic Reaction” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me.” Along the way Lenny serenaded the room with “Pushin’ Too Hard” and his own teen Nugget “Crazy Like A Fox”; I got to sing “Oh Yeah” and “I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night”; and the set closed out with the garage national anthem, “Gloria” and a rowdy singalong encore of “Louie Louie”/“Farmer John.” A lot of work went into making this happen, and with so many moving parts it could’ve fallen apart at any moment, but somehow it all came together wonderfully on the night. The place was packed and the audience stoked the energy level all night long. I’d like to thank everybody involved, starting with the fabulous musicians in the Loons: Anja Stax, Marc Schroeder, Chris Marsteller and Chris Cancelliere. All of our guests: Robert, Carl, Ron, Deke and Johnny; and Will Lerner, who did a first class job on keys. And of course the Master of Ceremonies, King Nugget and honorary Loon, Lenny the K. A shout out also to the superb sound crew, who were on top of every detail. Thanks also to DJ Tony the Tyger for keeping the dance floor moving and grooving, and to the exemplary Otto and Baby-Doe for instigating the entire event for the past 25 years.
.cancelliere .robertlopez .anthony59 .a.lerner

07/20/2025

A night of NUGGETS in San Diego! Sunday, August 10th at the Town & Country, Lenny Kaye will be playing a set of hand-picked ‘60s garage artyfacts from the seminal Nuggets album. He’ll be joined by the Loons and a roster of very special guests, including Johnny Echols of Love, Robert Lopez (El Vez), Deke Dickerson, and Carl Rusk and Ron Silva of the Nashville Ramblers. Every song a nugget-pickin’ smash to make your feet move, your fingers snap, your bones crack, and your head flip! Plus an opening set by the Loons, DJs Lenny Kaye and Tony the Tyger, go-go dancers, arcade games, record vendors, no-host bar... A night for the ages and it’s an early show: 6:00pm-10:00pm.
Tickets here: https://www.tikioasis.com/ticket
.cancelliere .robertlopez .anthony59

07/17/2025

I’m delighted to announce that Sonic Rendezvous will now be the main distribution partner for Ugly Things in Europe. Based in the Netherlands, they will be supplying the magazine to stores, and also selling it directly to their website customers.
If you used to receive the magazine via Clear Spot, please contact Sonic Rendezvous to place your order. You can also email me at: [email protected]
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07/12/2025

TONIGHT! Along with our usual set, we’ll be pulling out a few Nuggety surprises for you. Plus: The Hector Penalosa Gang and DJ Tony the Tyger. See you there!
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07/09/2025

Here we go again! Issue #69 is at the printer. Here’s your first look at Anja’s fab cover design. It’s a banger of an issue. Lou Reed is on the cover as David Holzer digs deep into his provocative experimental double-LP Metal Machine Music, fifty years after its release. The Saints are back with the third part of an expansive interview with Ed Kuepper who talks about the band’s adventures in the UK in 1977. The story of psychedelic mavericks Plasticland gets even freakier; Cheetah Chrome is interviewed about Rocket from the Tombs and the Dead Boys; Peter Stanfield exalts in the primal R&B sound of Them; and freewheeling Canadian folk-rocker Tom Northcott shares his remarkable story. Plus: the fascinating back story of Pete Morticelli’s 1967 moody garage killer “Lost”; female Dutch psych rockers Cinderella; Duncan Fallowell on Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust; Cyril Jordan on the Lovin’ Spoonful; a tribute to the Pretty Things’ Mark St John, and more. Not to forget, reviews of all the latest and greatest reissues and our esteemed book review section. Place your orders now.
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07/08/2025

THIS SATURDAY at The Tower Bar, The Loons are going to be bringing the cool sounds and even rolling out a few Nuggets in advance of the upcoming Tiki Oasis event. Joining us will be San Diego’s own Hector Penalosa Gang and boss man DJ Tony the Tyger. Hope to see you there!
.cancelliere

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San Diego, CA

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+16193371966

Website

http://www.ugly-things.com/

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