Video: Jonathan Richman - Now Is Better Than Before (Later)

SHOWS OF NOTE: MON: Neon Indian/Ishi/Fizzy Dino Pop/Yeah Def (The Granada) MON: Leg Sweeper (Billiard Bar) TUE: Mammoth Grinder/Power Trip/Harms Way/Wiccans (1919 Hemphill) TUE: Center Divider/Emil Rapstine/Dim Locator (Dan's Silverleaf) WED: True Widow/Switchblade Razors/ WED: Darktown Strutters/Twisted Wires (The Lounge) THU: Billingham's Defense System/Ocelot/Blake Ward (Fallout Lounge) THU: Big J/Boy Tap/Melissa Meow (The Cavern) THU: James Prichard/Cyberina Flux/4D/Michael Todd/Cygnus (Leer St. Warehouse) THU: DJ G/Vulgar Fashion/Twisted Wires/Orvahnt's Engine/Visuals [...]

July turned out to be an excruciatingly busy month for Bongo Jazz, as work on an annual report consumed almost every minute of personal time. There were many late nights at the office poring over compliance documents, performance measures and financial statements — and if you think that sounds dull and soul-sapping, you'd be correct. But, once the office emptied at the end of the work day, and I settled in for the second-half of yet another double shift, I'd bring out my little iPod speakers and put on some music. I'd play new stuff, old stuff, loud stuff, quiet [...]

• Jonathan Richman - When We Refuse To Suffer