Ugly Things Magazine

Home
United States
San Diego, CA
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." .

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]
.nl

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!
.cancelliere

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.
.etc

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

06/30/2025

And... WE’RE BACK! A brand new episode of the Ugly Things Podcast is available now for your listening pleasure. I hope you’ll enjoy my conversation with the great “Legs” Larry Smith, who shares hilarious tales of his years with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. In a wide ranging interview he talks about his childhood in Oxfordshire, art school in London, his early travels in America, his Mr Wonderful persona, and his experiences recording, touring and creating some of the most uniquely brilliant, eclectic and hilarious music of the 1960s.
Listen, subscribe, rate, review and enjoy. Better yet, help us out by becoming a Patreon member and get access to some amazing bonus material, including exclusive interview outtakes.

06/15/2025

What a great night! The Loons hadn’t played a gig since January — five months ago — so it felt especially good to get back onstage, make some noise, and ride that wave of beautiful, positive, organic energy that flows through every fiber when you’re playing music with your friends to a receptive audience in the coolest venue in California. The rust and cobwebs were shaken off after the first few numbers and after that it was nothing but fun and excitement. Seabase opened with a cool set of bass-centric surf sounds, including a twangtastic version of “Good Vibrations.” Jesika Von Rabbit headlined and she and musical partner Lee Joseph brought down the house with their compelling, bizarre, ultra-catchy and visually enticing set, climaxing with a terrific, trippy rendition of “White Rabbit.” We all got to feed our heads, and that’s what it’s all about.
Photo by Patty Patricia Micciche.
.cancelliere

06/13/2025

Our summer issue is almost ready, and it’s a banger! Just check out this line-up of mind-expanding stories, interviews, and reviews. We still have advertising space available so if you want to reach the hippest, smartest, most literate music gourmands in the rock n roll galaxy, you should get on board now. Drop us a message or an email for rates and other details.
.japan

06/10/2025

Saturday night at the Casbah! The Loons are back and excited to be playing with our high desert friend(s) Jesika von Rabbit, celebrating the release of her new album. Surf rockers Seabase will be opening the show. Don’t miss out on what promises to be an unforgettable night of music and merriment.
.cancelliere

05/18/2025

Mark St John passed away last night in Brighton after a long illness. Mark was the manager and producer of The Pretty Things for over thirty years as well as being their sometime drummer, songwriting collaborator, lawyer, babysitter, bully and enforcer. No one did more for the Pretty Things than Mark. He fought tenaciously for them, taking their old record companies to court and securing them ownership of their back catalogue — a virtually unprecedented feat at the time that helped reignite their flagging career.
Mark was a force of nature, single-minded in his devotion to the band, and fiercely protective of Phil in particular. Anyone or anything perceived as an obstacle or an irritant to Phil’s progress was dealt with swiftly and ruthlessly. Loyalty was everything to Phil, and it was the same with Mark. It was all or nothing with them. I’m the same way, which is one of the reasons I got on so well with both of them. Mark became a close friend and a confidant. He recognized me as someone who was as loyal to Phil and the Pretty Things as he was. We had some monumental Zoom conversations, ostensibly for the book, but usually ranging over all kinds of other subjects. Mark was a brilliant and hilarious conversationalist. He was also a mentor and a motivator. I could always count on Mark to get me back on track whenever my confidence flagged. As I write these words, the enormity of his loss is only just starting to hit me. He played a huge role in my life, and I’m a better person for having known him. I know that’s true for everyone in the Pretty Things family. I’ll end with the last words from his last message to me: ALL LOVE, MARK ###
(Photo by Judy Totton)

05/15/2025

Five years ago today we lost Phil May. A brilliant artist, singer, songwriter, lyricist, and a true and trusted friend. Over the past year I’ve made significant progress on my book about his life and times. Several key, deep, complicated chapters are nearing completion, the puzzle pieces finally clicking into position in a clear and satisfying way. I’ve interviewed dozens of people who knew Phil, sifted through hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, explored obscure roots and branches of his family tree, and immersed myself in the intimate, detailed journals he kept in the 1970s and ‘80s. I’m also revisiting the numerous interviews I did with Phil himself over the years. It’s been a fascinating journey, and when it’s completed I hope it will give us all a better understanding of his life, his inner world, and the incredible body of work he created with the Pretty Things. This evening we’ll raise a couple of glasses of red wine in his memory.

05/01/2025

Sorry to announce that due to a scheduling conflict The Loons will no longer be playing on Saturday at Permanent Records. We were really looking forward to seeing everyone in LA and playing with two excellent bands, the Killing Floors and the Violet Minefield, but unfortunately we are unable to make it. The Garage Frenzy show will go ahead without us. We hope to see you all very soon.
.cancelliere

Address

San Diego, CA

Telephone

+16193371966

Website

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ugly Things Magazine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Ugly Things Magazine: