Before I was a blogger, I was a rock journalist in San Francisco and that led me to start my own indie label in the late 70s, 415 Records. Lester Bangs was visiting me one day and I was showing him around town. He kept drinking and by the end of the day he was falling down drunk and I was carrying him. He was big, too.

It was late afternoon when we passed the Mabuhay Gardens, the local punk joint and I was surprised and happy to see it was open. I dragged Lester in and put him down on a chair. Nes Aquino, the owner, was auditioning a band which had never played before. They were spectacular and I did something I never did before or after; I walked up to them when they were done playing and offered them a record deal. I hooked them up with David Kahne and they recorded ItsACondition. Eventually all the major labels offered to buy 415 to get the band, Romeo Void. You've probably heard their big hit, Never Say Never (produced by Rik Ocasek while they were touring) but tonight I thought I'd spring a less well-known song on you, "Say No."

We haven't done a contest in over a week. I have a good one for you. The prize is a deluxe 4-CD box set (plus a bonus DVD), THERE IS A SEASON by The Byrds. There are 99 tracks, including 5 that have never been previously issued. To win it, rewrite the paragraph I just used to introduce Romeo Void but show me you know more about everything than I do. Send your entry to downwithtyranny@aol.com (guest blogged by Howie)