THE DEVIL'S EYE

Well, it absolutely sucks that my first post is a So Long, Funnyman....Losing Grant McLennan of the Go-Betweens hits home at Well Hung Central a lot worse than your average cultish rock star death -- because of friends who knew him personally, because of songs like "Bachelor Kisses," "Bye-Bye Pride," and "Devil's Eye," and because it was so out-of-nowhere unexpected (unlike, say, hard-livin' Nikki Sudden, love him though we do, or, y'know, that cheerful guy from Portland).

Incidentally, that's the first obituary we've ever read by someone who once played on a Giant Sand record.

More from Can't Stop the Bleeding:

Though hardly a household name, I can't really sum up for you how pivotal a figure McLennan was other than saying if you had even a passing interest in smart, funny, heartfelt rock'n'roll over the past quarter century, Grant played a considerable role in shaping a more interesting creative environment. There's a large stack of records on the Rough Trade, Postcard, Merge and Matador labels that might've turned out differently or never seen the light of day had he and Forster not teamed up. He'll be missed. Like crazy.

Agreed on Spring Hill Fair.

Finally, props to XM's new wave nostalgia station for tossing in "Cattle and Cane" this afternoon. Just wish there was a complete stream of The "J-Files" right this minute.