Regulars to this neighbourhood will be familiar of my penchant for Stereo Total. If you haven't heard them then you're missing out. If you haven't seen them then you should because there is almost nothing more awe-inspiringly inspiring around. They take shards of everything and make it into an explosive cocktail that is so jaw-droppingly entertaining that I can't even begin to explain in mere words. It was nice to finally briefly meet them too because they're one of those great rock'n'roll couples. You know the other ones...

So yeah, Thursday night in The Hold located in the Basement of The Admiral bar. The group that opened, Fangs, organised this shindig so kudos to them for taking up the initiative. This is a power trio born out of the ashes of Motormark. A sort of retro-futuristic singles combo that could soundtrack the apocalypse. The guitar/bass player was positively wailing. I particularly liked the song that went along the lines of "I'm 17 and I know where you live". If they do then you better double lock the door. They look great too and this should be being force fed to 10 - 14 year olds. It'll make them better citizens. If you can imagine The Sweet crossed with Silverfish then you're in the ballpark. They're about to tour with Sons and Daughters so strap yourselves in for the Grand Old opry show if you can. That should be your average riot, right there.

And Stereo Total? Well the supremely groovy crowd frugged, boogaloo'ed and swum and did about 997 other dances to their sublime lesson in exactly what the great unwashed needs in their lives. Françoise and Brezel put on a great show which is frantic electropunk one minute and swoonsome outright pop the next. Utterly charming and completely bewildering. Why they aren't selling out venues at least the size of Barrowlands is quite frankly beyond me. Sometimes they nail the concept of popular music so sweetly that it gives me chills. Their oeuvre is entirely infectious and the energy level leaves the audience little choice but to get the f-word down. They continue to push it real good and seem to be having a very cool time doing so.

If they head to or even in the slightest bit near your town then you owe it to yourself to see them. Stereo Total offer sonic invigoration like imbibing a case of Red Bull. They'll give you wings and then some goddammit!

RIP - Norman Mailer

The fab Boonaraaas at DWC a week past Friday in full swing...

'SUITE 69'

The original 60's French Pop Discotheque
Djs Le Pape Du Pop & Le Marquis De Jardin play
Serge Gainsbourg, France Gall, Jacques Dutronc, Brigitte Bardot and many more
plus:
Scotland's only French language Garage Punk band
les BOF!
www.myspace.com/lesbof

SATURDAY 10th NOVEMBER
HENRY'S CELLAR BAR
MORRISON STREET, EDINBURGH
11pm - 3am £5/4