Saturday, October 22, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

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RON ASHETON....

Posted: 22 Oct 2011 05:16 PM PDT


Ron Asheton Niagara Laurence Miller

Hey gang I noticed that a new and vastly improved Wiki page is up for Ron Asheton... THought I would share some of it with you. Also tomorrow I am going to visit a set where Ron Asheton filmed 2 movies. I can't wait to see this place.... it's an old school house and now a young band lives and pratices here. So stay tuned for this story tomorrow night...xRK

Ronald Frank Asheton (July 17, 1948-January 6,2009) was the American guitarist and co-songwriter with James Osterberg Jr (Iggy Pop) for the rock band The Stooges. Ron is ranked as number 29 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.



Asheton was born in Washington D.C. He already had five years of practice on the accordion behind him when he began playing bass guitar at age 10. Asheton was lead guitarist on the Stooges' first two albums, and later appeared as bassist for their third, Raw Power, when he was replaced in both instrument and songwriting prominence by The Stooges' new guitar player, James Williamson. When the Stooges reformed, however, he once again appeared as the band's guitarist.


Deniz Tek Ron Asheton Machinegun Thompson

Apart from The Stooges, Asheton also played in the bands The New Order (not the UK band New Order), Destroy All Monsters, Dark Carnival, New Race and The Empty Set.


Cammo jacket a gift from Deniz Tek

More recently he played with The Wylde Ratttz, a band composed of some of punk and alt-rock's most renowned and respected musicians. The band included Mike Watt of the Minutemen, J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, and Mark Arm of Mudhoney.



It contributed a cover version of the Stooges song "T.V. Eye" to the soundtrack for the Todd Haynes film Velvet Goldmine, which starred Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.



Asheton also acted, appearing with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre star Gunnar Hansen in Mosquito, which was released 1995. He also appeared in two other films: Frostbiter: Wrath of the Wendigo and Legion of the Night.

Asheton was found dead in his bed by police at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the early hours of January 6, 2009, apparently having died of a heart attack a couple of days earlier. Police were summoned to Asheton's house by his personal assistant, who had been unable to reach him for several days.

Guitars

Reverend Ron Asheton Signature guitar (Custom Volcano 390)
Reverend Jetstream guitar
Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Flying V
Fender Stratocaster
Gibson SG Jr.





Effects

Vox Wah
Reverend Drive Train
Mosrite Fuzzrite
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Vox Tone Bender

Discography

With the Stooges

The Stooges (1969)
Fun House (1970)
Raw Power (1973)
The Weirdness (2007)

With The New Order

New Order (1977)
Victim Of Circumstance (1989)
Declaration of War (1990)

With Destroy All Monsters

November 22nd 1963 (1989)
Bored (1999) - recorded in 1978

With New Race

The First and Last (1982)
The First To Pay (1989)
The Second Wave (1990)

With Dark Carnival

Live - Welcome to Show Business (1990)
Greatest Show in Detroit (1991)
Last Great Ride (1996)
HOTBOX Greatest Hits 6 Disc set (2006)

With The Empty Set

Thin Slim & None/Flunkie (1996)

With Powertrane

Ann Arbor Revival Meeting (2003)

Other contributions

Asheton is credited for helping to write the song "Hit Them Again" on the album Radios Appear (1977) by Radio Birdman, as well as one track that can be heard at the end of the movie Mosquito.

Some other tracks Asheton wrote had been recorded by the group "Wylde Rattz", for the original score of the movie Velvet Goldmine, but only one song was featured on the soundtrack (1998), as well as another on Beyond Cyberpunk a Wayne Kramer (MC5) assembled CD compilation (2001).

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Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Orders open for new Volkswagen Beetle in the UK

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 01:05 PM PDT

Beetle1

We mentioned this a while back when it launched worldwide, but now you can order the all-new Volkswagen Beetle in the UK.

The car isn't a radical departure from the existing VW Beetle, but it is a flatter, longer, sportier version of the Beetle, with more space to play with inside. According to Motoring, the interior is 'extremely retro' with large instruments, body-coloured inserts and a big glovebox lid  that's 'similar to the original old style Beetle'. No vase either, as VW chases the males as much as the females this time.

Beetle2

Prices start at £16,490, with a choice of 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI engine with seven-speed DSG gearbox or a 157bhp 1.4-litre TSI engine with six-speed manual gearbox. More engine options will be added as 2012 progresses.

n terms of extras, the basic Beetle models offers air-con, a CD player, DAB radio and central locking, while moving up to Design gets you 17-inch alloys, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, along with a a multifunction steering-wheel and body coloured dashboard trim. Go for the top-end Sport and you'll get 18-inch wheels, cruise control, parking sensors and sports seats.

On the downside, that top-end model will set you back £21,220. All will be available to drive away in spring 2012. Lots of detail on the VW site.

Volkswagen website




New limited edition Shag print: Bossa Nova Now

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 12:23 PM PDT

Shag

The swinging sixties are back in the latest Shag print - Bossa Nova Now.

Plenty of typical Shag themes, as well as some midcentury design, some hipsters and plenty of colour. The print is a 15-colour serigraph, sized at 52 x 72cm, signed and numbered as well as limited to 250.

Want one for your walls? $275 gets you one if you are quick.

Find out more at the Shagmart website

eBay watch: Vintage Bernard Villemot-designed Orangina promotional poster

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 04:21 AM PDT

Orangina

A few years up, we flagged up the Orangina bottle as an everyday design classic. But equally as iconic is the branding - and you can secure this vintage Bernard Villemot-designed Orangina promotional poster in eBay right now.

It is an iconic image, with the artwork dating back to 1953, this being the first advertising campaign poster for the soft drink. Note that this isn't a 1950s issue, it's an issue from the 1970s, when the imagery was first recognised as a midcentury classic. Still a collectable piece though.

The artwork measures a very large 27 1/2" x 36" and is described as being in 'incredible condition'. A lovely item and right now, selling for $4.95 or £3.16, depending on where you are in the world.

Find out more at the eBay website

Fanfare jacket from J Crew

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 04:01 AM PDT

Fanfare

If your penchant for retro 50s style is more tailoring-centric than full skirts and petticoats, you may wish to take a gander at this Fanfare jacket from J Crew.

Inspired by the eponymous Chanel suit beloved of the likes of Jackie O and Coco Chanel herself, the cosy wool jacket is cut in the classic cropped, boxy style. The use of the monochrome colour scheme is contrasted with the rather fancy gold toned buttons typify Francophile 50s chic. Pair with a pencil skirt and enormous sunglasses to complete the look.

The Fanfare jacket is £280 from Net-a-Porter.

The Hugo Collection at Graham & Green

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 03:00 AM PDT

Hugo
Now the nights are drawing in and there is a distinct chill in the air, it's time to settle down into a comfy chair with a good book and a glass of warming tipple. If you are lacking a suitable spot to while away the winter blues, take a look at the pieces in the new Hugo Collection at Graham & Green.

Taking inspiration from F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the collection typifies the more simple, sleek & sophisticated look of an art deco drawing room. The aged tan leather gives an unmistakably gentleman's club feel to the pieces. Two & three seater sofas are available in the range, as well as the armchair and ottoman pictured.  If there is a more inviting spot to retire to with a brandy this winter, we'll eat our trilbys.

The Hugo Collection starts from £425 and is available exclusively at Graham & GreenSee the website for more details.

Hay Blow Lounge Chair

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:55 AM PDT

8611
The Hay Blow Lounge Chair is a modern piece of design, but is takes its inspiration from the beanbag, a staple of retro interiors.

Made in Denmark, it is a response to the expensive practice of traditional upholstery. Here, the moulding process has been reversed so that the mould is covered with the fabric and the foam is then shot into the fabric rather than covering the set foam with fabric. Unlike a beanbag, the Hay Blow Chair maintains its shape and is therefore more comfortable. It is available in a choice of four colours; aubergine, black, grey or army green.

It costs just over £1,020 from Nest.

Calvo Side Table

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:45 AM PDT

Calvo-side-table-walnut_grande
Every lounge can benefit from a side table, giving you somewhere to rest your cup of tea. The Calvo Side Table is a particularly stylish option.

Designed by Lee Kirkbride, it is part of the SCP Boxed collection. Its tilted stem and three-point base gives it a distinctive look, but is equally functional, allowing it to be positioned closer to your armchair, so you don't have to reach too far for your cuppa. The solid walnut version as shown here costs £260 - it is also available in solid ash for £200, but this is the one I'd go for.

Buy it online at SCP.

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