The Chukker & Tuscaloosa AL

Over the years, Tuscaloosa AL has proven itself as an oasis for rock and roll and managed to keep intact its unique Southern charm, while other Southern college towns undergo the general McDonald-lization into typical "college towns." Don't get us wrong, we love college towns and often the audiences there are fantastic, but what Tuscaloosa has managed to still hold on to is a balance between its institutions and the region that's a part of it. Let's face it folks, there's an inverse relationship between coffee houses and soul-food or bar-b-que joints. Proving that Tuscaloosa is still a great place for the Woggles to play and visit, below are a couple of photos from the show Friday June 28, 2002 courtesy of Brett Tannehill.

WEBCASTS!
Once again the Digital Club Network (dcn) has webcast a Woggles show! In February, the Woggles finished up their three day weekend west coast mini tour at San Diego's Casbah. The first two shows were in San Francisco (as part of Sleazefest West) and LA. If you go to their sight, www.dcn.com, and do a search for the Woggles, you can listen to the Casbah gig from San Diego. The set was supposed to be for 40 minutes, but the crowd was going nuts and the powers that be allowed the Woggles to rock a couple more tunes. Next time you see Buzz Hagstrom ask him how his back is doing. He took a pretty wicked tumble off of Montague's shoulder during "My Baby Likes to Boogaloo," but still managed to keep playing.

Another cool site to check out for a previous webcast is Amsterdam's famed VPRO radio station! In fall (2000) the Woggles played VPRO’s 50th aniversary show. This was the 50th show that the station has broadcast live over the past few years. Unlike radio stations in the US where a band might get to play a live set, at VPRO they set up a bar in their studio and encourage the public to come on down and see the show for free! Calling the studio/club Club Lek, VPRO brings all sorts of bands from all over the world. In addition to the audio portion of the program, the show is also "filmed" for a live video stream, while the band performs. You can check out the whole audio portion and some of the video portion of the show:

AUDIO

VIDEO

WOGGLES TRIBUTE BANDS?!?
The latest on Portland ME's the Wiggles, the all gal Woggles' tribute band, is that they've lost their guitar player, who had moved to the west coast. However, the ladies have not thrown in the towel, instead they are looking for a replacement, and are even willing to let a guy play with them.

What is it with gal bands and Woggles songs?!? The Sirens, a Detroit all gal garage band, recently contacted the Woggles and asked permission to record the Woggles tune, "Push." No word yet when they'll record or for what label.

The small German town of Villingen-Schwenningen, known as the gateway to the Black Forest, is now also home to a local rock band that takes its moniker from the Woggles' song "Ramadan Romance." The Ramadans feature a blend of garage, rockabilly, punk rock and some Woggles covers, plus "Ramadan Romance" is their theme song. They've put out records in Germany, but we're still waiting to see one.

Whether it’s Madrid Spain, Tokyo Japan, or right here in the US of A, true fans of heart pumping, adrenaline rushing, life affirming rock and roll know one simple fact: The Woggles are the globe’s greatest live act, bar none! Now for the first time, all their sweat dripping action is available to go! Captured live on their home turf, THE WOGGLES LIVE AT THE STAR BAR is a feast for anyone starving for the real deal!!

For years now the Woggles have bridged that elusive gap between primal garage and roots r&b. THE WOGGLES LIVE AT THE STAR BAR tears along like a drunk backwoods preacher careening down some dirt road at the wheel of a hopped-up Lincoln Continental. The results are staggering. . .it’s a watusi-inducing hit for any party and the most exciting live album in years!

The Woggles have reached into their bag of musical hits and treats to feature cuts off all of their full lengths, plus recorded a number of new tunes just for this album! Highlights include "Mad Dog 20/20", "My Baby Likes to Boogaloo", "I Got Your Number", "Carnivore", "Push", "Mule Lipped", "Green Fly", "Ramadan Romance", "Fractured", "Doin’ the Montague", "What A Girl Can’t Do", "Theme From Vindicators", and "Jezabel."

With the LP version you’ll be able to keep the Woggles right at your fingertips! The vinyl version has an insert containing "finger puppets" that you can cut out and play with while the album is cranked on your stereo! Can you guess which Woggle goes on which finger? If you have the CD version you can click here and download the finger puppet artwork!

For ordering info please check out our merch page! For the complete track listing check out our discography page! Blood Red Vinyl & Disc can be reached at bloodred@spiritone.com.

If you people didn't GET TOUGH when the Woggles told you to, then you'd better watch out, cause this time you'll get FRACTURED!! And be begging for more!

Out now at finer record stores across the USA and Europe, Telstar Records announces the latest victory in Rock and Roll from the Woggles titled FRACTURED. In Japan, you can get FRACTURED on the mighty Trippin' Elephant record label. This is the debut album release in Japan (CLICK HERE to check out the nifty Japanese artwork and liner notes!)! FRACTURED features fourteen throw down dancin' numbers from the Kings of the big beat that make you stomp you feet!

Recorded last November at Mark Maxwell's Studio in Athens GA, Jeff Walls once again takes the producer's chair, as Mr. Maxwell slides the knobs and dials in the magic as quickly as he's able, while the Woggles keep churning out the hits. Jeff also fills in as a side man contributing organ or piano to several cuts.

FRACTURED combines a number of longtime favorite songs from the Woggles live set, plus a slew of more boss tunes road hardened over the past few months.

Finally making its way onto vinyl/cd is the show finale "Doing the Montague," in which the Gue calls out to the initiated to, "Get together and form a line, make it quick don't waste my time!" It ain't right to keep the big man waiting, especially a man with an appetite. Like he says,"Steak and chicken in breaded suits. Both of these are my favorite food groups!"

Last year while touring Japan, the Woggles were fortunate to play in Takamatsu. While there, the kids turned the band onto a new version of the number one dance craze of all time with a new twist, the "Takamatsu Twist," that is!

Other highlights include rockin' and rollickin' numbers like "Believe Me Little Girl," "Love Is Such A Vise," "You Turn the Hex On Me," plus the Dan Electro penned anthem "No Time To Lose." On the dancin' side Buzz wants to let all the people know about true southern comfort in "Feelin' the Humidity." The Professor lectures on the proper treatment for celebrities, like the Woggles, in "V.I.P." and all the boys give the great Bobby Freeman a run for his money with a killer version of "C'mon and Swim."

The album winds up with what should have been the theme song to departed Art Bell's radio show "Coast to Coast." Titled the "Kingdom of Nye," the song takes you on an alien abduction through cattle mutilations and ends up in a seperate dimension! As you know the Woggles are ever endeavoring to get you FRACTURED right at your doorstep, so please check the dates section for a show near you!

For ordering info please check out our merch page! Telstar Records can be reached at TelstarRec@aol.com . For info on the Japanese version contact Trippin' Elephant via email or take a look at their snazzy web site.

MONSTER PARTY 2000
The terrifying tops for a haunted hootenanny, Musik Records presents a Halloween inspired compilation that'll have you "Bopping" for those damn apples! Twenty different bands contribute songs that will not only wake the dead, but will have them doing the Twist to boot! The list of the ghoulishly great include Satan's Pilgrims, the Boss Martians, Los Straitjackets, Deadbolt, Bleed, Freddy Fortune & the Four Gone Conclusions, plus a zombie host of others. The Woggles contribution answers (or raises) any questions you might have about Dracula's possible offspring. "Dracula's Daughter" was recorded last August at Bakos Amp Works in Atlanta and is engineered by Jeff Bakos. Special guest this time around is "Rockin" Clay Reed from Atlanta's Subsonics, who lends his talented fingers to tickle the ivories of an Acetone Organ.



LIVE ON THE RADIO!
This past December The Woggles were lucky enough to play for the second year in a row live on the air on Amsterdam's famed VPRO radio station! This was the 50th show that the station has broadcast live over the past few years. Unlike radio stations in the US where a band might get to play a live set, at VPRO they set up a bar in their studio and encourage the public to come on down and see the show for free! Calling the studio/club Club Lek, VPRO brings all sorts of bands from all over the world. In addition to the audio portion of the program, the show is also "filmed" for a live video stream, while the band performs. You can check out the whole audio portion and some of the video portion of the show:

AUDIO

VIDEO

During the video portion take special notice of the moment where the crowd spontaneously decides that they can go ahead and dance! Our thanks to radio disc jockey Jaap Boots (a rock and roll legend in his own right!) for interviewing us again and being such a hearty supporter of the band, and what a dancer! Thanks also to Oscar for allowing us to be part of the 50th party bash! And of course thanks to all the rest of the staff for making us feel so welcome!

SoundtrackNews
Troma Studios/Entertainment is considering releasing the Beggin Benny short film Deadbeats. The film features wrestler extraordinary Mick Foley as a small time crook turned credit card bill collector. The movie short also features two Woggles' songs in the soundtrack, the "Hoodoo Healer," and "Frosty." According to Barry Norman, the writer/director, if you are interested in seeing the film released on video, please e-mail Troma's Marketing Director (Steve@troma.com) and let him know that you want to see Mick Foley bust heads while "Frosty" croons in the background!

Switzerland’s Max Picou Records is proud to release the Woggles latest 4-song 7". Produced by Jeff Walls, the songs were recorded in August of 1998 at Casino Studios in Atlanta.Three of the cuts feature Jay Thomas, formerly of the Royal Pendletons, on organ. The songs run the gamut from garage to 50s R&B, to surf instrumental. Also featured on this 7" is a version of the Fleshtones anthem like "Theme From Vindicators."

Artwork and layout is courtesy of Devlin Thompson, who has constructed a Woggles Hot Rod Model out of balsa wood and spare model parts that commands attention on the cover.

Japanese Tour Fall 1999!

For the fourth time, in as many years, the Woggles were able to raise the roof in the land of the rising sun! This past September saw the Woggles playing eight shows all over the country in Tokyo, Shizuoka, Yokahama, Nagoya, Osaka, Takamatsu, Kochi, and Himeji. This year’s tour started off in Shizuoka at the Velvet Sound and featured the Woggles alongside King Brothers, Antonio 3, and Estrella 20/20. Other bands the Woggles got to play with on this tour included the Havenots, Firestarter, Bunnies, Cheroshi, Accel 4, and Gyogun Rends.
	The Woggles were able to tour a chain of department stores this year with Gyogun Rends. Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka are all home to a department store chain called Quatro, and one of its departments is a rock club. Various floors of the stores have clothes, music, accessories, and at the top of the building is Club Quatro (Live Music House). Way more fun than being in Sears or Macy’s, the Quatro shows were all packed and/or sold out.
With Accel 4 the Woggles were able to make a visit for the first time toTakamatsu and Kochi. Club Imagine in Takamatsu is a veritable shrine to American Rock and Roll. Everywhere in the club were posters, records, and rock and roll paraphernalia. Through the week a dj spins oldies, but on the weekend the kids rock the joint. Montague has since penned an ode to the wild dancers in Takamatsu titled appropriately the "Takamatsu Twist." That night the Woggles got to sleep in an old style Japanese farm house.
	As always the after show parties are as much events as the shows, and this year was no exception. Sushi and beer flowed while kareoke voices warbled in celebration. The most memorable drink from this year was one Buzz tried. Pointed out as "He’s an Englishman. He’ll drink anything," Buzz was served up a concoction that included a fish head. Thirst quenching. When not crooning onstage, the Professor found time at the after show parties to slaughter all sorts of timeless classics via his kareoke versions. Songs like "Jumping Jack Flash," and "Fujiama Mama" have never had such bold interpretations.
The Woggles make it a point each year to bowl in Japan, and this year’s tournament was a rousing success. Dan Electro’s graceful ballet style awed his Japanese hosts and teammates. Thanks go out to Aoki from the Havenots, Akira Accel from Accel 4, and Patch from Gyogun Rends for making this tour possible and so successful! The Woggles feel very fortunate to have been able to play in Japan the past few years and look forward to returning this year! It’s always great fun to play the shows and meet with so many friends both old and new! Thanks!

To see other photos of the Woggles in Japan go to http://www2.117.ne.jp/~west

On the Road With the Woggles

 Woggles European Tour Oct-Nov. 1998!

Japanese Jaunt Jumped & Juked!

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Blood Red Vinyl and Discs proudly presents the ultimate Garage Rock Grudge Match, the "Blood Red Battle Royal," featuring the most fearsome 16 bone crushing, ligament pulling, head stompin’, chicken holdin’, garage bands to have ever stepped within the squared circle. It’s a tour de force mayhem of tag team workouts from the likes of the Fleshtones, Girl Trouble, the Hate Bombs, the Royal Pendletons, the Hentchmen, the Surf Trio, the Fiends among others, but especially home town heroes, the Woggles.

For this bout, the Woggles are set to take on T.R.O.U.B.L.E., and it’s more than just the name of the song they do! Stepping into the ring for the first time on this compilation for the Woggles is Jay Thomas, formerly of the Royal Pendletons. Rechristened as "Gorgeous Jay" he roughhouses with the farfisa to help wrap those three chords around any band foolish enough to get in the Woggles way!

"Trouble," on the Battle Royal compilation, is the first of a batch of songs that were recorded last August at Casino Studios in Atlanta. The rest will be featured on various other compilations as well as a 7" on Max Picou.

Please check the Merchandise page for ordering info. ($9LP/$12CD) ppd

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Continuing to spread the Woggles fame worldwide (or at least in the United Kingdom) England’s Butchers Wig label has released a 14 song compilation titled Don’t Tread On Me. The other artists range from the Mono Men & Original Sins to the Chrome Cranks & Gallon Drunk. The album is split evenly between bands from the UK and the USA, though the Woggles are the only band from the South. The Woggles contribution is "Do Just What I Say," a song often referred to in therapy sessions as part of a relationship healing process. This album was compiled in large part by the efforts of Jon from the Psyclone Rangers and we’re happy that it’s gotten to see the light of day.

For ordering info you can contact Butchers Wig at butcherswig@easynet.co.uk

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England’s One Louder Records proudly presents, Wailin’ with the Woggles! The new Woggles 10"/CD is now available worldwide! Recorded December 1997 at Reflection Studios in Charlotte NC, the very able Jeff Walls and Mark Williams returned to handle producing and engineering chores respectively. The Woggles feature 8 new tunes, this being the first batch with the Mighty Montague handling all the guitar chores, and you know, he doesn’t just handle them, he manhandles’em!

The tunes on this action-packed 10"/CD represent the band’s newest and heartiest efforts. You’ll take a trip to the Middle East on "Ramadan Romance"-an ode to the cool, cool water of a belly dancer’s hips. With a nod to One Louder’s countrymen (and women), the Honeycombs and Dave Clark Five, "Tear me Down" stomps with the best of’em. "I’m the Green Fly" is a brutal and tuneful musical lesson on how to set the pests in your life straight.

"I Don’t Need Your Love" and "Do me Wrong" are testaments to the timeless, garage rock addictions to put-down songs, and are destined to become classics of the genre. Speaking of roots, these aren’t neglected either as the Woggles whip the Arthur Lee/Sons of Adam tune "Feathered Fish" into shape.

Evoking the spirit of Duane Eddy, the instrumental "Sweet Tea" pays homage to the refreshing and soothing drink that fuels the true South.The song is as sweeeet as the brew-pay close attention to the clinking ice and the slurping of those first few delicious sips. If you listen right, you can feel it going down nice and smooth. It’s sweet enough to scrape the enamel off your teeth.

Finally, the 10"/CD winds down with the slow and seductive "Play Pretty." This number is crooned to those lovely ladies who mistakenly think that their siren call falls only on helpless sailors. Woggles, though, know who really pulls the strings in this crazy "le monde d’amour".

Video News

Last March the Woggles joined the ranks of the Buggles and others in their assault on the Radio Star. Under the direction of Sleazefest videographer Craig Zearfoss, the Woggles and legions of loyal mutant zombies converged at the Star Bar in Atlanta to capture "Ramadan Romance," one of the tunes off the new 10"/CD, on tape.

All the effort is paying off! The video has been broadcast on MTV Europe’s Alternative Nation, and is slated for M2 in the fall. In addition, it’s a hit on Irish TV having been played there a number of times. One Louder’s record chief John Esplen says that more airings are lined up and will be shown in the fall closer to the bands touring in Europe.

Thanks to everyone who showed up at the Star Bar and played a part of the electric live audience. Without your support and enthusiasm our romping through the numbers would have been pale indeed! Thanks also to Craig’s sidekick Dave for his help taping and Marty and the Star Bar staff for putting up with our goofballness.

The Continental that fine music magazine sporting a mixture of surf, garage, roots and all sorts of rock and roll related musics, graces its latest cover with the likes of our favorite goofballs! In a live action pose drawn by Rip Thrillby of the Penetrators, you see the Woggles set to tear up the dance floor, and get the people shaking and a vibrating! Inside this issue is a six page interview with the Professor and Dan Electro.

An extra added goody to the mag is that it comes with a free CD that has 29 tracks from all sorts of current fun music bands, including the Untamed Youth, the Von Zippers, Junior Varsity, the Penetrators, Thee Phantom 5, Jonny & the Shamen, etc. The Woggles have a cut featured from each of their full length releases, plus a live version of the "Kudzu Creep," recorded at a Halloween party at the Jam Room in Columbia SC back in ‘96. The live version of "Push" on the "Estrus Flameout" compilation is from the same party.

For ordering info you can contact Double Crown Records at records@dblcrown.com

Double Crown Records is proud to announce it has taken on the awesome task of putting together a Trashmen Tribute Record and it is a fantastic success! These band’s Trash are all Treasures! "Takin’ Out The Trash" is the ultimate tribute to the Crown Princes/Jesters of Party/Frat Rock & Roll!

Bands featured include The Untamed Youth, the Neanderthals, the Krontjong Devils, Fortune & Maltese, the Surf Trio, the Boss Martians, and the Penetrators among others. There are 21 tracks in all!

Into this delightful heap of "Trash" rock the Woggles recycle and refinish the Trashmen’s album cut "On The Move." Recorded in August of ‘98 at Casino Studios in Atlanta, and produced by Jeff Walls, the song features a couple of guest stars. Big Daddy Jay whoops it up on the Farfisa and the mighty Flesh Hammer joins Montague in a two guitar assault!

Please check the Merchandise page for ordering info. ($12CD ppd)

 

Video News

Thanks again to all the folks who helped make the "Ramadan Romance" video a success! Thanks to Craig & Dave for shooting it, and all the friends/dancers for putting up with hearing the same song over and over! It was in large part due to the video that the Woggles were able to tour Germany this past fall. The video was aired repeatedly on a German video show called VIVA, and because of that wound up getting airplay on MTV Europe. At all the venues that the Woggles played in Germany, the promoters were familiar with the band, because of the video.

 

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The Woggles rocked once again in Japan this past September doing a host of dates with the legendary Guitar Wolf! Hooking up with Guitar Wolf, the Woggles played a total of 8 packed and/or sold out shows in Tokyo, Shizuka, Himeji, Hiroshima, Osaka, Nagoya, and Yokahama. Things kicked off at the Shelter Club in Tokyo on September 19th. This was the one date that the Woggles didn’t play with Guitar Wolf, but had plenty of help rockin’ the kids alongside a veritable hall of fame of Japanese garage greats like Supersnazz, the Mad 3, Accel 4, Groygen Rens, Room for One, and Jackie & Enocky. The next three dates included the wild & frantic King’s Brothers on the bill. In Himeji the Woggles were taken aback and enthralled by the delicious spot -on harmonies by the all girl band, the Bunnies.
	On the way to Hiroshima, Buzz gave Seiji (from Guitar Wolf) some driving tips. The two of them were driving separately and Buzz took the wheel and discovered a brand new way to the club that wasn’t on any maps! Given up for lost, the two showed up at the club right on time with Buzz claiming his unfailing sense of direction had pulled them through. Though the Bunnies were not on the bill the next night, they travelled to Hiroshima to check out the show. Their organ player, Asami, joined the Woggles, keyboard in hand, for a rousing version of Mickey & the Cleancuts "Soapy" as a grand finale.
Osaka retains its title as the best city for rock and roll craziness in Japan. Folks just don’t cut a rug in Osaka, they scorch the concrete! Many thanks to King Joe for helping to promote the show! The only casualty of the night was one of the Professor’s front teeth that got broken in half on the first song. Luckily, it broke in such a way that neither the show or the rest of the tour was affected. (It’s since been fixed.) Both Osaka and Nagoya also featured garage noise masters Gasoline on the bill.
	In Yokahama the Woggles & Guitar Wolf were joined by the Have Nots and the all girl band Lulu’s Marble. During the Woggles set a devoted fan draped a towel cape-like on the Professor, in a James Brown sort of fashion, as the Professor worked his way through the crowd. Meanwhile, Montague, was briefly held aloft as he tried to make his way through the crowd. He was gently set down, and easily stepped off his would be hoisters. The last show was back in Tokyo at the Club 251. The King’s Brothers made a surprise appearance and were added to the bill. All the bands delivered explosive sets and the night was brilliantly exhaustingly sweat-soaked, a perfect ending for an incredibly fun tour!
One thing that Seiji was insistent on about touring in Japan was that every night after the show, it was time for a Japanese style party. This meant going to some sort of restaurant after the show and spending the next several hours eating and drinking. This was really fun, as the shows generally ended by 10PM. A multitude of food would be ordered and passed along so that everyone could sample some. The Professor discovered that it was best sometimes not to know exactly what was being tasted until much later, so that "the English name of the dish would not come into conflict with the joy brought to the palate."
Thanks again to Seiji and Guitar Wolf for setting up this year’s tour in Japan for us! Also we would like to thank Hijack, Guitar Wolf’s road manager, for putting up with some of our stranger requests and also for supplying Montague with fried chicken & cheeseburgers, when the Gue wasn’t feeling culinarily adventurous. Thanks also to all our friends for coming out to the shows and spending time with us! We made many new friends this time and feel lucky to have seen many of our old friends as well!