Fending off recent press tosh regarding the fact that she is quitting music, Annika Norlin returns with her Säkert! crew to prove otherwise. Conclusively.
“Facit” is the second album by Säkert!, her Swedish language combo. Those of you who pay attention will already be on tenterhooks. It’s worth noting at this point, that versions of these songs in English will be coming down the pike in the not too distant future. You can be sure that the subtitles will be every bit as potent as these originals.
I’ve written about how you need to listen to Annika a lot over the life of this portal and make no apologies for that. In any lingo, her attention to detail and ability to turn me into an awe-struck fan is unsurpassed. If I ever feel like knocking this malarkey on the head, I listen to Annika and that reboots my faith in the thing called popular music.
“Fredrik” kicks the proceedings off, reminding me of an early Wannadies song that I must have seen that band play when I caught them first in Berlin at the 1990 BID. “Rotary” also employs this wonderful spirit. “Honung” (“Honey”) has a similar tempo to the Robyn cover that Ms Norlin did with Anna Järvinen on Swedish Television some time ago. It breaks in a choral wave against a chiming guitar that will undoubtedly pack quite a kick when they get it out on the road. “Isarna” (“Ice”) is a lyric trade off between Annika and Lovisa that’s anything but frosty with a beautiful, almost African guitar flourish below the main thrust. Adding to the majesty as it races toward the finish line.
“Fär Jag”(“May I”) is a quiet, symphonic song that uses her voice to maximum effect while the slow burn of the band bathes the track in a shimmer. “Riot” ultimately transplants a Black Angel Death Song screech into a brooding anthem that will undoubtedly become a staple. Imagine Nico with a warm mulled wine kind of accent. It never quite spills over but the tension is palpable. The recorded equivalent of the last few frames of the final episode of The Sopranos, I felt pretty wiped out after my first encounter with this one.
No sign of “Fallar Isär”. The vinyl version of the album will include an additional song, “Ner i gruvan” ("Down In The Mine" – According to Google translation!).
This band just swings from pillar to post. The way the guitar occupies each song is an utter joy and the percussion too. Nothing overstated, nada overdone. "Facit" is something that you can only chalk up to chemistry.
Burning many degrees hotter than The Arcade Fire for me, Henrik Oja has produced the perfect blend of folk and pop and makes sure the band lives up to their moniker. Nothing is more sure than this deserves to blaze a trail right across the planet. I’ve never been more certain of anything. Of course, If that doesn’t happen then I’ll hold each and every one of you accountable.
Local French beat/yéyé combo Les BOF! are hosting this mini 3 bands garage rock festival. Opening with Lord Rochester(blues/R'n'R from Dumfries/Edinburgh) and headlined by The Carpet Sellers(garage rock from Paris) + DJ. A unique blend of French 60's beat served with a Bo Diddley style starter. Not to be missed!
Grand Mal’s “Clandestine Songs” (Groover Recordings) is like one of those old faithful New York City albums. Fans of old time Lou Reed and Elliot Murphy will find much to savour in Bill Whitten’s worldview. It has the feel of the pre-Guiliani metropolis before Manhattan got turned into a theme park that approximated that location’s one-time greatness. Cool stories set to hard boiled tuneage the way they almost never seem to make them anymore.
There’s a rumour of Television too in terms of the mercurial guitar interplay. The piano is what skews it and ultimately adds that all important x ingredient. These are head turning tunes alright. If you heard one on the radio then you’d stop the car so you could write down who it was.
“Praxis Tape” is the most peculiar cut, like Santana if they’d started out in CB’s circa ’65. “You Done My Head In” is like a cousin of Mose Allison’s recent “My Brain”. David Dundas’ “Jeans On” as realised by the Velvet Underground. “Children of Light” is St Marks Place Motown. Classy gear.
“Slowpokes” by Rebecca Turner is one of those albums that creeps up on you. It features my old friend Rod Hohl on guitars, that was a nice surprise. Some of you might recall his playing with Mary Lee Kortes way too long ago. 11 songs delivered without fuss or clutter in a pop Americana style.
Rebecca has a voice that’s easy on the ear, maybe a little downwind of Suzanne Vega or one of The Roches. She calls the content “a casserole of styles” and that pretty much sums it up. If comfort food were songs then they’d sound like this.
Ludwig Bell of Dreamboy (singular – not to be confused with the Peter Capaldi/Roddy Murray/Craig Ferguson combo) is just about to release his debut solo set on the rarefied imprint of Razzia. It’s a grandiose Aztec Camera-esque feast of sumptuous pop, all in Swedish.
I’m thinking of adopting “Jag är en Idiot” as my theme song, whaddaya reckon? Check out the video for “Kärlek Slutar Alltid Med Brak”. The Stockholm locations make me homesick for a session at Tranan. I am in relative awe of the roster that this label has a beat on.
Mixed fortunes yesterday and the result that I felt fried after I got home so I just turned this thing off. I had the best of intentions too...
Rolled up to the station to catch the minute from noon train as I'm prone to do. Thought nothing of it. Managed to get on but only just. Surely all these people aren't going to see the "Gainsbourg" movie, I thought? And this might all seem light hearted now but it was a fucking nightmare. I'm pretty sure it was way over capacity - maybe not in indian terms - but certainly for here. Where are the health and safety zealots when you need them? OF COURSE, nowhere to be seen.
Anyway, the journey was hell. Spent ticking like a time bomb. I was thinking, what must visitors to this pathetic country think? Such a rinky-dink transport system and anything but even quaint. Getting off at Haymarket and ambling up toward the Cameo was quiet. That part of town isn't affected by the scumhordes. At the cinema, I thought that I was to have the place to myself but 3 other people came in. Still, not bad to have such a big space realtively unscathed. And you don't get pond life in there anyway, that's why it's a pleasure.
Dug the film and the two hours passed quickly. No one who has an interest in it's subject will be disappointed. It is a little peculiar though and the question of the music is largely dealt with in terms of the soundtrack.
From there, I headed down to try and pick up my Neu ticket but can't do so until the night so that was a bust. From there to the Book Festival location and that was totally chocka too so headed for the high street where it took a lifetime to go the distance of something like a block. there were that many people rammed in to see the poxy street theatre bollocks that I'm surprised there wasn't an incident. The tourist fleecing was in full swing. Couldn't really do what I set out to do up there so in relative defeat and bealing with anger, I went for the train home.
This wasn't quite so sardine-like but full of noisy bastards. Why does travelling have to be an ordeal. Even such a short distance? It's true, I could drive but that's even worse. Actually that's a misnomer because you can't "drive" anywhere once you get into town. It was with equal relief of getting off the train earlier that I arrived in Polmont wanting nothing but to get as far away from these trolls as possible. I mean no ill to actual trolls you understand. It was good to be back in the bunker where I yakked on the phone, ate and fell asleep watching something on TV. No idea what it was at all at this point.
Oh yeah, one of those spambot feckers has infiltrated the blog here and added a comment to the last however many posts. I can't be arsed removing them, there are more than twenty. This is a sign of the times, one of the many that steams my bean.
I intend to try and sort out some more reviews today. Let's see how that pans out...
Saturday, August 14, 2010
John Lydon, eat your heart out... (thanks to Tomas Byström via fb)
Friday, August 13, 2010
I'm having a night off from this. But here's somewhere to go play. Start with "Small Town".
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Nomads in Denmark next week (in addition to the boat trip and the shows with Problem)
18 years ago today, I was in Dallas TX hanging out with Brother Randall and Sister Donna, just a wee bit before we headed for Memphis on the “In Search of Elvis” tour. I remember it like it was yesterday. Said US trek also included a pilgrimage to Springfield, Mo. And my SF debut to finally meet them Stims. Quite an adventure.
However, I’m feeling a tad long in the tooth because my nephew Jamie turned the age of that Alice Cooper chestnut today. I’m not sure if I want to seize the day or scuttle off and hide. If I’m being honest, the latter more suits my demeanour. Milestones like this flag up the concept of the long, strange road. They amplify the fact that what passes as an existence is all too short. If you don’t know what you want and you don’t know how to get it or you know what you want and you don’t know how to get it, how does that play out?
I’ve had enough of knowing how to get what I don’t want though. Still, I shouldn’t grumble. My own particular alternative universe isn’t such a bad place to be when I stop kvetching and think about it. I understand the concept of always wanting what you can’t have but it would be a right royal trip to buck that particular malady.
Crossed the 700 mark in terms of faceplook friends last weekend and I think I’m getting immune to status updating in direct correlation with the increase. Coming back to the valuable commodity of time, if we added together all the time we’ve spent/spend on there, that’s a hefty chunk that we’ll never get back. This was never factored in to my already waning time management skills.
I notice that a couple of blog posts actually turned up there but have no idea how the hook up works. Sometimes it rankles me, mostly I don’t care.
Need to polish my baseball mask and cleaver for tomorrow. Bye.
A wee state of the nation gathering of this and that might be in order ahead of the slide into autumn. Last night we had 15 minutes of the heaviest rain that I recall ever having seen. Pretty amazing and thankfully the drainage dealt with it. Touch and go though. Pretty busy around these parts with a couple of potential adventures on the horizon, I’m not gonna jinx them by blabbing too soon.
Some very cool new releases coming up by some house faves too and all will become apparent on that score very soon. The nights may well be drawing in but the drawbridge ain’t going up just yet. Plenty of time for that.
Need to take care of pressing demands but here’s a lengthy interview with “wir ain” Ms Lisa Fancher ahead of marking three decades of Frontier Records that’ll keep you amused.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Bandita Trails present
Part Wild Horse’s Mane On Both Sides Usurper Tube O’Mould Neil A. Simpson Red Death
at Leith Dockers’ Club on August 22nd 2010
(Academy Street, Leith, EH6 7EE - 0131 225 2042)
7pm - 11pm tickets £5 on the door
***Squeals and groans, cheap drinks, no flyers!***
PWHMOBS (Singing Knives): From Lyon (via Manchester), avant-primitivism of real beauty on flute, voice and an assortment of percussion courtesy of Kelly Jones and Pascal Nichols of Stuckometer/Cooper-Jones/Axis Mundi etc.
USURPER (Giant Tank): From Edinburgh, “(mostly) miniscule free-noise tantrums wi busted instruments from the mongs what brought youse Giant Tank and Pizza Boy Delivery.”
TUBE O’MOULD (Total Vermin): A new collaborative project from Rhian Thompson (Hockeyfrilla / Giant Tank) and Stuart Arnot (Smear Campaign / Total Vermin Records).
NEIL A. SIMPSON Repetitive guitarist (of Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo).
RED DEATH (Braw Industries): Synth syncopation and psychedelic drone.
This gem comes courtesy of Brother Nick Vahlberg of the Stockholm Parish! JT 1984.
Two home shows in one week for The Nomads coming up. One of those with the mighty Problem, to be repeated in Malmo also. I envy those who can attend. Details here.
And while we're out in that 'hood. Check out the new Razzia gear at their myspace.
Monday, August 09, 2010
I wasn’t ready for it being Monday and that condition hasn’t really altered through its course. If anything I’ve kinda fallen away. One thing I did do late last night was spring for a Hallogallo ticket for next week. HT saw them in NY last week and reckoned it was great. What price transportation to another dimension for a bit? Let’s just hope the sound in the HMV Picturehouse is up to channelling the sonic majesty of the raw material.
In case you didn't get Murray's message earlier, the Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby show at The Citrus club in Edinburgh (Thursday September 16th) is ON. £9 in advance/£13 on the door. You know what to do.
Have no fear, for SUSQUEHANNA INDUSTRIAL TOOL & DIE CO. has got you covered this week with both our monthly residency at the rootin' tootin' RODEO BAR -- and our first appearance at jive happy SWING 46 and its spacious dance floor!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11th / RODEO BAR /375 Third Avenue (at the corner of 27th Street) in Manhattan /Two honky tonkin' shows, from 10pm sharp until 12:30am / No cover!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12th / SWING 46 / 349 West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Aves.) in Manhattan /Three hep sets at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30!
“Across The Atlantic” by Sarah MacDougall is a disarming set of songs. Born in Sweden and based in Vancouver, BC – Ms MacD apparently toured here earlier this year. A fact to which I was oblivious but that’s my loss in this particular instance, “ATA” is just 10 songs long and indicates a nice line in the ability to leave people wanting more. She has that infused folk pop thing that seems to be in the Swede dna down pat and this swings from start to finsh.
Beautifully sung, played and recorded, “Ramblin’” and “Biggest Mistake” might be the standouts but I think that consideration could be subject to change. I would actually venture out to see this gal so hopefully my radar will be in better shape when she heads out this way again.
Tori Sparks“The Scorpion In The Story” (Glass Mountain) is likely to appeal to you folks that reckon that a new Mary Lee’s Corvette album is overdue. Billed as a “tale in thirteen parts”, it includes Will Kimbrough and Fats Kaplin among the musicians involved.
Root and branch music as opposed to regular Americana, it’s quite a broad canvas. Ms Sparks has one of those pristine voices that’s a little bit country and an equal part pop, similar to Eddie Reader before she turned into a folkie diva and without the affectation. Carlene Carter also comes to mind. Love the sound of “Rubbernecking” and those horns in “Background Music” evoke HS’s “Leaving You Behind”. What’s not to dig?
Bummer’s “Vintage Rock” is eight years old. That in itself is older than most claim to be “vintage” at this point. Note however the difference between this and the expression “classic rock”. The Spaniards embody the hard rock’n’roll ethos as pretty much only they and the Swedes can.
For the most part although there are exceptions in and around Newcastle, Glasgow and thereabouts. So if you like a little Foghat mixed with your Nomads/Hellacopters/Dictators flavoured kicks then I imagine that you’ll have a very good time in the company of these guys. “Party Lights” kicks the door in and “On The Moon” might well punt you over la luna. Thanks to Juancho for hooking me up, I can't find any links though...!
Woman are a NY combo that sound like they come from Australia. They have that solid Scientists style barrage and a Beasts Of Bourbon snarl. It’s a fairly intense wallop that they pack. Not unlike you always read that The Birthday Party did but never seemed to register on my seismograph. This has the bottom end that was always missing from that to the point that there’s a genuine danger of boiling over here. A tension previously only broached by maybe The Chrome Cranks. Brought to you courtesy of Bang Records.
It’s not an easy ride if you’re prone to bruising and you know the Hell hath no fury adage, right?
The Onepercentres are from Tokyo and their exuberant “Daydreaming Horses” album is an action painting of youthful punk pop energy. If Blink 182 had embraced the doctrine of Redd Kross instead of the route they took then they might have sounded like this. There are shards of The Yum Yums and Fountains of Wayne too plastered on their harmonic wall.
Had the pleasure of hanging out with Osamu at Jon and Suzy’s wedding and he tells me the band will be hitting up Spain in October when this will be issued there by Wild Punk. I love the spelling of the name too, it skews the meaning somewhat because they sound like they’re actually giving at least 119% at any given time.
“Nuisance” (a term I’m used to hearing) and “Wish” are like songs that might have been in a hyperactive Japanese re-make of “That Thing You Do”. The guitar hooks are provided plenty of light and shade to shine and the shifts in pace punctuate the basic song structures, never reducing them to a leaden thump. The harmony vocals are utterly charming too.
The expression “psychedelic” is overused these days in much the same way as “garage”. These terms have been misappropriated by hacks that use them to dupe the unsuspecting punter. It’s timely then that a combo like Donovan’s Brain can straddle all of that six week shelf life piffle to create something like “Fires Which Burnt Brightly” (Career Records). Pink Floyd and Crazy Horse via Traffic and Soft White Underbelly are just part of the complex equation that beats at the heart of this concept. This one even ropes in Sir Roy Loney so you just know that you’re gonna be getting something a little more classy than what anyone might tell you about the latest Str*kes effort.
Few can pull off the dark jangle like these days just check out “High Street Hit Man” if you ever considered what Teenage Fanclub might have sounded like if they’d sprung out of the Pacific Northwest. Not unknown origins then but a lovely way to burn nonetheless.
The Senders“Outrageous and Contagious” collects material from 25 years of r&b hellraising between 1976 and 2001. These guys were the Feelgoods crossed with The Heartbreakers and a little Lenny and the Squigtones thrown in. The opening cut “You Really Piss Me Off” pretty much sets the tone for a roughass but jaunty history lesson of a NY staple that kind of got lost in the punk-rock kerfuffle because they didn’t kow-tow. I think I saw The Senders at Continental Divide one night. When they used to give you the plastic dinosaurs in yer drink? And when I used to be able to put it away.
Devils Jukebox has put together this retrospective in a quest to see some justice done in bringing the band to the attention of the wider rock’n’roll consuming public. Couple of tracks even include Johnny Thunders for those of you that require to have everything the man ever did. Outrageous? Maybe back in “the day”. Contagious? For sure.
Vermillion Sands(Alien Snatch) is a cool Italian combo that do a nice line in twisted Nancy Sinatra flavoured pop. With 60’s roots but not stuck in some timewarp. They have a very contemporary frisson and “Monsoon Blues” reminds me of the way that SAHB used to arrange standards like “Delilah”. Listen to them. You’ll see.
I wonder whatever happened to my old amigo of the same name that used to work with the Rev. Nick Jones at Illegal Records back when everything seemed possible. V? you out there??
“Cry Tomorrow” by Stephanie Finch and The Company Men(Belle Sound) is a fine piece of femme pop that evokes two of my favouritist artists. Ms’s Angel Corpus Christi and Laura Cantrell are both pointers for this splendid set. It’s got a kinda Velvets chug to it too. Not overdone but just enough to skew it. Ms Finch is Mrs Chuck Prophet and the bloke has percolated quite the diggable sound here. Bet they’re amazing live because it just swings in a comfortable yet never obvious style. Like Eleni Mandell, there are a multitude of influences coming together to fuse something altogether special.
This is a keeper, check out “Tina Goodbye” or The Modern Lovers-tastic “She’s The One” for the type of sensory gratification one should demand from all popular music.
Does this hit the spot on a Sunday morning or what?
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Been a bit preoccupied this week but I’m hoping that catch up can commence to some degree soon.
Just watched a really great Hoodoo Gurus documentary entitled “Be My Guru” that takes the story up to 2004. It’s part of a double DVD release that includes dozens of clips (live and video). I haven’t got to those yet.
Doctor H sent me this review of “Inception” that I thought was damn funny.
"Inception is the kind of movie that makes you think. It makes you think, "There go $13.25 American--admission for one senior and one adult--and two and half hours I'll never get back."
I’ll probably never see it because it won’t show at Bo’ness on a weekend afternoon. I’ve heard mixed reports and don’t really care.
Here’s Mr Alan Vegapictured in NYC just yesterday courtesy of HT.
Eric and Amy at The Citrus Club in Edinburgh on Thursday 16th September. Two shows in two nights, (Glasgow Stereo on Friday 17th) woo hoo!
OK, normal service just around that corner...
Friday, August 06, 2010
The Subway Surfers“Three Chords and a Mission” combines what made punk rock great from both sides of the Atlantic. Combining elements of The Barracudas, The Gizmos, The Fleshtones and Dead Kennedys to come up with something convincing isn’t easy. Just listen to the squillions of alleged PR hacks that are hauling their racket around the planet. Incidentally I include several of those from back then in that squall too. These guys should be at the Rebellion festival in Blackpool this weekend.
Hailing from Jersey City in the Garden State, there’s an element of this that reminds me of The Dictators demos. TCM isn’t a career statement but its bloody good fun. As you may be aware, authenticity alone doesn’t cut it with me. These guys are evidently old enough to know better and that’s what makes it. They imbibe the familiarity to the point where I think, if I had a band, I’d be pretty pleased if they sounded half as cool as this.
Among the ladies proudly sporting their SS buttons on the inside of the digipack is Ms Miriam Linna so this also signifies a certain pedigree. And what’s that riff on “Last Man Standing” again, and top marks to Fuzzco for his Peter Zaremba-like singing? I thought “Robot Love” was going to be The Valves song but it’s not and it includes a guest spot by Cynthia Santiglia.
“Punk Rock Casualty” closes the set and will appeal to anyone in various stages of that condition. There’s a roll call of credits that takes such an honour one step beyond the CD jacket too. You’ll like these guys because they’re doing this for all the right reasons. Is there any higher accolade?
The album is on the Deep Eddy imprint out of Austin, TX.
Thanks to John Bagnall via fb for the tip...
Just heard a great wee song on Iain Anderson(Not the Tull guy) Show from last night.
"Catalytic Converter" by Kitty The Lion. Listen to it at their myspace or facebook.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
I’ve had that condemned property feeling today. Woke up like that this morning and haven’t been able to shake it. Wabbit with a side helping of “cannae be arsed” and pretty much the polar opposite of perky.
Many moons ago, a popular beat combo coined the phrase once you get The Cramps you can’t get rid of them. Old times will remember that. Well last night I got excruciating cramp in my left leg. It caused me more pain that looking at the cover of “Fiends of Dope Island”. Haven’t experienced anything quite like it in quite some time. It seemed like a logical extension though of everything else that went down last night.
Although there was no apparent reason for the way everything went to shit, it did cross my mind that some miscreant might be sticking pins into an effigy of me and twisting them. Of course, as always – this stuff is relative. I’m aware that I have it relatively easy and that I’m my own worst enemy. Couple things coming up on the horizon then...
Ms Brijitte West at The Gaff next Tuesday, go there and score a copy of her latest album if you haven't already.
It's GO-GO! time again... this Saturday (7th August) DJs Tall Paul & Big Gus playing top 60s tunes til 5am with Guest DJ Lenny Helsing (The THANES) playing garage and psych.
Doors 11pm. free entry up til 11.30pm£5/4 after.
Upstairs @ Studio 24, Calton Road, Edinburgh. (Next date... Sat 4th September).
Do you think that TV placement of songs actually helps a band anymore? I mean, how does anybody find out what something is? With a movie, you get the closing credits but on a TV show – do they all have websites with soundtrack info? I should check that but I don’t have time right now. My reason for asking is that I heard Frightened Rabbit’s “Swim” on Chuck last night and it sounded pretty good as that "music bed" or whatever they call that stuff.
I wondered if it got a spike in downloads when that aired? Of course, no-one watches the same things at the same time anymore so maybe it was or is gradual as opposed to steep. It made me think what a great job it would be to be able to score a soundtrack. I really think that I could do that. In addition, I’d like to do that and there’s not much I can say that about.
Anyway, I came home full of good intentions tonight and have been worn down with this and that. Equal measures of both to be honest. That hasn't happened too often lately so I'm hoping it's a blip. What's the adage? These things are sent to try us?? It's not wrong. If I can rassle myself outta this tangle then I might be back later, if not - I'll sleepin' with the TV on.
Monday, August 02, 2010
OUT NOW! Third issue in eight months!!
I'm not sure how Nick and Co. do it either but do it they do.
Jings, I forgot all about this... good shout discos Brutusound via facebook!
Iain sent me a message about this, finger must have been to the left of the pulse on this one...
TUESDAY - August 3rd 2010
Tracer Trails present Calvin Johnson & Muscles of Joy at Hyndland Community Hall, Glasgow (Hyndland Road / Novar Drive, G12 9JE) 8PM BYOB ALL AGES
Tickets £6 + b.f. from Monorail (still £6 on the door)
Wednesday August 4th 2010
Tracer Trails present Calvin Johnson Ben Butler & Mousepad & eagleowl at Pilrig St Paul’s, Edinburgh (Leith Walk / Pilrig Street, EH6 5AH) 8PM BYOB ALL AGES
Tickets £6 + b.f. from Avalanche (still £6 on the door)
Thanks to Emily at Tracer Trails for the poster art.
Saw four films at the weekend, three at the cinema and one here in the bunker. Toy Story 3 on Saturday afternoon… I think it’s one thing for kids under say, 5, to watch a dvd at home on whatever size of TV their parents have but another thing entirely to expect them to sit through something in a cinema. This screening wasn’t that bad but there were a few as young as maybe 3. So you can imagine the kvetching and the launching of popcorn from buckets that are almost as big as they are.
The film itself is pretty good, with characters that bear (no pun intended if you’ve seen it) some investment. Indicating more soul than many modern actors that thrash about amid blue screens and cgi. That evening, I watched the DVD of Edgeplay, Vicki Blue’s Runaways doc and it bummed me out. This is a prime example of why it’s maybe best not to know about what went on in the background with regard to a band that you gave a hoot about.
Managed to drag my tuchus out of the house on Sunday to catch a double bill of “Please Give” and “Friends with Money” both by a filmmaker - Nicole Holofcener, that I never heard of prior to this. In a coincidence with the title, “Friends” includes Jennifer Aniston and you get to listen to her cursing. It’s OK and closes with a great Ricki Lee Jones track that I never heard before. “Please Give” is a kind of "Crossing Delancey" type, New York based semi-black comedy with a good heart. Genuinely funny and touching with a great ensemble cast. Best film I’ve seen since "Cigarette Girl", no question about it. I was going to post the trailer but it gives too much away, best just to see it fresh. It's around UK cinemas now so if it's anywhere near you, treat yourself.
I seem to be having messages returned around 24 hours after I sent them out. Is the interweb gubbed again or is just me? Being paranoid I’m pretty sure it’s the latter but are any of the rest of you, particularly of the blueyonder persuasion experiencing anything similar?
27 Forever! - Eight of the fourteen songs on The Riverdales“Tarantula” clock in well under two minutes. A prime example of quality over quantity and as concise a burst of pure punk rock abandon as you’ll ever encounter. The guitar on “Infection” sounds like Tony Iommi doing a John Cummings and the closest this combo may ever have come to “a solo”. Continuing exactly where Invasion USA left off, there’s not one gram of flab. They’ve got that crunch down pat by now and by time that the hopped up, almost Bo Diddlified “Girls Town” closes side one you have the exact time that it takes to flip it over to catch your breath.
“Soultaker” is a ballad of “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” proportions and I could have imagined Joey singing this one. There are even bells and at that point, if there was any composure left, then you’ll be toast. The doo-wop commotion of “Crash of the Moons” is equally potent. By the advent of “Time Chaser” you should be checking the listings to see if they’re playing anywhere near you tonight.
If you don’t get a charge out of The Riverdales then I really don’t know what to say. They’re shaking up a can of the very dna of everything I hold dear and true when it comes to life-affirming rock’n’roll. "Tarantula" is coming at you via San Pedro’s Recess Records in several formats. I recommend the footlong.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
I don't recall who posted a link to this on fb yesterday but it's a brammer.
If you're within attending distance, don't forget the Rev. Richard Mazda's Alex Chilton tribute at The Secret Theatre in Long Island City this evening...
It’s been a reasonable week by my standards. One spent almost entirely in what I can only figure must be a good mood but there are creaking signs this morning. At first I thought the stats had gone but it seems to have been a glitsch. I still have no patience irrespective of demeanour and always plump for the worst case scenario. Call it a character trait.
I figured I’d give Jesus H Foxx a listen on myspace. Just to see what their recordings sound like and besides, I guess it wasn’t their fault that they were mismatched with a punk rock band. The verdict? There’s a semblance of a sound that wasn’t evident in the bowels of CV but they’re no Eagleowl. They mention Pavement too so that’s a sure sign of the generation chasm right there. But then Yo La Tengo too so maybe I was too hard on them. They’re only wee and I’d seen Moon Duo the night before.
Checked out Tiny Robots page too and find that they’re called My Tiny Robots. I never cared for the Postcard sound first time out and cross-pollenating this with the fence collective going all talking heids does little to cajole me but hey, I’m too sodding old for all this anyway.
And on that note, the chores are calling. I am ironing man. Cue Beavis, cue Butthead.
Friday, July 30, 2010
It’s symptomatic of the finest pop clobber that a song can just wash over you. Cleansing the ear palate to stand out as anything but the fodder that we’re constantly bombarded with. “Fredrik” has all the hallmarks of the former. It’s a reactively low key introduction to “Facit” but it bodes well in an understated almost subliminal shimmer. Nobody does it quite like Annika (Norlin) and her crew in Säkert!
Difficult to imagine that any visitor to this ‘hood is unaware of who and what this amounts to but there’s always a possibility that someone isn’t paying attention or might be a newbie. The campaign to spread the word never ceases hereabouts. Visitors to the bunker always go away pledging to buy and wondering just why they haven't heard this phenomenal talent.
It’s still to be established what form the version of the upcoming album with English lyrics will take. My wish is that it finally cements the plain as the neb on your fizzog reality that the world would be a better place if it embraced the works of this young lady who is currently being misrepresented in the Swedish press.
Everything seems possible on a Friday morning. It’s a point where some degree of optimism and expectation converge to provide some kind of rush based on the simple premise that it’s the preamble to 2.5 days off. This morning I was thinking to myself that I could judge the time by the light. Having consigned the alarm clock to OFF, I glanced at yon device only to find that maybe my skill wasn’t as honed as I thought. Ergo I lost nearly an hour of that aforementioned end of the week buzz.
Hoo-ever, no point in boo-hooing over that now. I’m home. I plan on spinning The Riverdales at warp volume sometime after I get to the bottom of the ongoing Car Insurance finagle. Ever get the feeling you’re being systematically shaken down? However, I have a (pipe)dream that’s keeping me afloat. I don’t want to say it out loud yet for fear that it’ll come down around my ears.
A lot of music and a couple or three movies is what figures most in the upcoming hours. It would have been cool to have made it to Southern Fried but you can’t always get what you want as that rubber-lipped fella once said.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Several things have happened recently that lead me to believe that perhaps there is some kind of higher power. Somebody even had the audacity to call me “chirpy”. No Sally Carr references please. Don’t despair, I’m sure that I’ll come crashing back to earth soon enough.
One of these was getting a finished copy of “Two-Way family Favourites” following Amy and Eric’s triumphant recent US tour. Yes I’m biased, and it’s been trailed here several times but it’s been on heavy rotation this week and shows no signs of wanting to leave the CD player.
A collection of songs that weren’t written by the artists in question then, and an undoubted treasure that brings together an assortment that only these two could get away with. Go to one of the upcoming shows or get it direct from the source. Actually, you need to do both but I’ll leave the logistics up to you. To paraphrase the song by Mr Tom Petty (and his Heartbreakers), some (albums) are diamonds and some (albums) are rocks but this one belongs firmly in the upper echelons of the carat method of measure.
Meanwhile, my plans for Perth have been scuppered due to one thing and another. Mainly having to re-new my flippin’ car insurance. My bubble has not been burst, it just has a slow puncture. So. I may not possess a pot to piddle in but I tend to measure wealth in other ways. On top of receiving “Two-Way” this week, the new Säkert!“single” "Fredrick" and also Iain just delivered The Riverdales“Tarantula” an hour or so ago. If Rita Redshoes turns up too then technically – that lot could just about see me oot.
Cool music has been making like the corporation bus, nowt for a while and then a whole bunch come along together. I’m not complaining – just telling you.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A recap from yesterday… the band that opened for Moon Duo was Mugstar. Didn’t one of Busted start a band called something like that?
Two school nights out on the trot… feeling the burn but not in a bad way, it seems almost like I have a life but now I’m back in the box. Rolled into Cabaret Voltaire around 8 and the first of the three band bill was on. I’m about to use some bad language now so if that kind of thing offends you then look away now. Said group, Tiny Robots (maybe Nanobots could take out an injunction?) sound like M*mford and Son. Or is it Sons? I don’t know but I do know that I get the dry boke when I hear them. That was bad enough but then Jesus H Foxx came on. They make a sound like overhearing someone playing haircut 100 on their iPod (would have been a walkman before)several seats down the train. I’m sure they’re nice kids, just keep them the fox away from me.
Neither of these groups complimented the headliners and nor did the horrible 80’s crap that was played during the breaks. I like Dum Dum Girlsrecent Sub Pop album a lot since hearing it between Trembling Bells and Wooden Shjips at Stereo earlier this year. Missed their Glasgow appearance at the same venue because of the Suicide stramash down south (I think). So here we are finally. A Tuesday night in Auld Reekie, right doon the front in direct proximity to the girlie action.
Under the old (music) business model, DDG would have presented a marketing potential on a Kiss scale. Toys, cartoons, all manner of merch could easily be associated with these girls. I’ve heard gripes and ho hums directed at them that seem to be utterly groundless. The songs are good, they look bloody scrumdiddeleyumptious and they can deliver live. What’s not to dig?
Whereas the record sounds very authentic to the C86 ethic, the live thing is faster and louder. It benefits greatly from the drums not sounding like a rhythm machine. The Richard Gottehrer production reminded me to look out The Prissteens“Scandal, Controversy and Romance” which was the classic girl group concept applied to yer more basic NY rock attack. If you don’t know that album then you’re missing a real brammer. DDG rattled though their set from a brooding slow burn “Play With Fire” and much of the “I Will Be” material. Under any justice system “Jail La La” should be a hit. The band is opening for MGMT on their UK tour in September.
I’m wondering if the three or more band bill should constitute festival status. In real terms these things do nobody any good. If an act has an hour’s worth of material then sure, have an opener but treat it like a cool double bill at the pictures.
I’m aware that it’s muchly about breaking even but let’s inject some decorum shall we. Let’s take the rather fabulous Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby franchise as an example. They don’t need no opening act. They could play anybody off the park in the world cup of outright entertainment. Like a two person E-street band. Having anyone else involved impedes what they do. Call me old-fashioned, and I am, but that travesty last night was the straw that broke this particular camel’s humph. No wonder every fucker is in various stages of ADD. It's about quality, not quantity and the former has sod all to do with being able to cajole all your herbert pals along.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Annika Norlin is NOT retiring from music
Some rumours, based on an interview in Swedish magazine Filter, is saying Annika Norlin (Hello Saferide, Säkert!) is giving up on music. This is not at all true.
However: - I started studying as well, I think it balances up nicely with writing songs. I used to work with other stuff alongside music, I have no idea why this has caused such a storm, says Annika.
- I get really annoyed with how media always portrays female musicians like some kind of super women, so I told Filter a bit about the hard parts about the job as well. This has later on been interpreted by other media like I am lying shaking on the floor and never want to do music again, which is completely untrue.
Thank you to every concerned listener who has been in touch.
The next Säkert! album, Facit, will be released on September 15.
(Thanks Martina)
And the bloody press wonder why the arse is falling out of their business... sheesh.
Go Bambi's!
Time for a wee catch up...
On Sunday, I took in a double bill of “A Prophet” and “The Beat My Heart Skipped”. It was between that and "Toy Story 3" but I figured that the latter is going to be around for a while. I didn’t want to be reduced to seeing “A Prophet” on DVD. As it was, TS3 might have suited my mood better but ye cannae unscramble eggs. I’d had 4 pints of Guinness the previous evening over a relatively short space of time in the company of a very dear old friend, That’s more than I’ve had to quaff, I thought in this country but there was London in May... I should qualify that by saying someone that I’ve known for a long time rather than the fact that said individual is old. The number 38 rings a bell. Anyway, long and short of it is that I’m a lightweight in the drinking stakes these days. Always was if truth be told, especially since the tequila incident. So there was a bit of a woozy fug going on and my attention was apt to wander here and there.
Anyways, I’d heard raves about “A Prophet” and it’s a very good film with one drawback for me, the bad guy in it looks like that pillock TV chef Anthony Worrall Thompson (sp?). It would be a little like that equally heinous twat Gordon Ramsay being a Bond villain. No disrespect to actual twats intended. In spite of all this though, it’s all fairly unpleasant and something of a visual roughing up. The brutality that permeates both films would seem to suggest that that this is Jacques Audiard speciality. “Beat” has some lighter moments and an actress (Aure Atika) that I was very taken with but it’s still pretty oppressive. Never reckoned much to The Kills but dug “Monkey 23” from the soundtrack. Electrocute are in there too. Apparently this is based on a movie called “Fingers” that I’ve never seen. Must check that out.
I would never advocate DVD over cinema viewing but both of these would work equally well on the small(er) screen. To be honest, it was all a bit too much over 5 hours. I’d rather have seen them individually in retrospect but hey, the price was right.
So here we are, the bast part of the way through Tuesday and I’m heading out the door shortly to attend the Dum Dum Girls recital in Edinburgh with The Iain Shaw. Just time to do a quick resume of the past wee while. I’ve been spending some time away from the bunker and, while my planned schlep up to Perth this weekend has been iced, it brings into sharp focus the adage of “ye cannae dae it a’”.
The Moon Duo show lived up to all expectations and those were pretty lofty y’know. This bijou combo makes a big, big noise proving once again that size isn’t everything. There was a bright full moon hanging out over the weej last night perhaps providing solar energy to the relentless groovenotic pulsebeat. With a drum machine set on “Nick Knox” and some blazing guitar that channelled early Gilmour via Ronnie Montrose – they oozed and throbbed just the way we like it. A solid hour of pummelling even included their interpretation of The Scientists “Set It On Fire”. Who the heck could ask for anything more?
Sanae Yamada and Erik “Ripley” Johnson cast excellent shadows below the oscillating light show. They look amazing as the volume gets pumped and frequencies conspire to disorientate. This is an undertow that will sweep you all the way out to sea if you let it. Delivered at a volume you could never recreate at home. Seeing them will enhance the listening experience when you next break out the albums. DO NOT MISS THIS COMBO!
It was a reasonable turnout in the end however, a pox on those who attended Public Image up the road a bit at the expense of this. I imagine that those individuals getting the feeling they were cheated right about now. Oh, wait… that was John’s other group. Rod Stewart was also holding the town to ransom last night but I guess that was no direct competition.
Openers Mudstar (?) made a reasonable racket that would work better using the less is more approach. It all got to be a bit lumpy bordering on grungey. Not in a good way. Other sections were thick and hearty like loud soup. Memo to one of the guitar players, waving your guitar about and dangling it off the stage didn’t seem to kick up any additional sound tingles. You might want to refrain – if not completely then at least some.
OK time to eat something and run. No time for links. Maybe later. Cheerie.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. continues its search for an elusive chicken -- with two fully feathered sets at Otto's Shrunken Head on Thursday!
This almost makes me want to get tickets for Glasgow in January...
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A timely reminder that Dean and Britta will be performing "13 Most Beautiful" at The Barbican in London next Friday. I cannot recommend this show highly enough. Hard to believe that it's been more than a year since they were in Dunfermline. it's a special occasion. Treat it as such.
And while we're on the subject, one of the most sublime moments is available on a limited pressing of 500. The Great Pop Supplement has released "I'll Keep It with Mine" a numbered edition in a beautiful 8 page minizine booklet. A real keepsake with strings that'll kill ya.
Thanks to Craig via Staysick for this. Always great to see new (to me) videos of Lux and Ivy talking...
Friday, July 23, 2010
There's much reportage about the Big Society here in the UK but I think that the press release actually came out with a typo. And I wonder if it's likely to include those utter fuckwits that drive while they yatter on a mobile phone? Anyway, it's not good to be wound up on a Friday afternoon and there's some good stuff coming up over the next day or three. In addition, I'm dealing with chores and other stuff that I've been procrastinating with for some considerable time. Headway is being made so I'm kind of going with the flow.
Anyway though, you could use a break from my yakkin' so if you're looking for click action...
I need to find links for a couple other things at this juncture. They've been mislaid. A bit like my mind it would seem.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Don't have much time for kicking around here tonight, Mr Percival sent me the link to this…
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
It was a veritable Marilyn this morning when I drove across the damp turnip smelling plains to the day prison. As in monsoon – Manson geddit? (well sod you then). Does "Shirley" or "Charlie" sound better? It’s alleged to get better toward the weekend but I ain’t about to fall for that old cheggie. And it matters not a jot in the grand scheme of things anyways. We’re over the sizeable hillock that is a Wednesday and heading downhill toward yonder weekend. This is one of those rare occasions where downhill can be interpreted as a positive thing.
So The Dwarves are headed for Glasgow in August. They deliver their particular brand of mayhem to Ivory Black’s in August and Mr Spence has a message for you about those particular shennani’s... "Glasgow's horriblest punks on the block, THE JACKHAMMERS, have got the opening support slot for the Glasgow show of those kings of slash'n'burn punk rock, THE DWARVES. And we got CHEAP tickets for it at just £6!!! - regular price is £9 plus booking fee. Give us a shout at jackhammers@bronx-cheer.wanadoo.co.uk if ya interested."
Did you clock the new DT’s 45 that’s just come out on Pure Vinyl of Austria? “God Damn Shame” is a brammer, like The Bellrays if that combo actually had some songs. I know some of you think they do but I beg to differ. Imagine a Joplin-esque soul shout embedded in a barrage not unlike the MC5 and you’ve got all the makings of a tune that’s definitely a hit (as in assault) to these ears. The flip, "High On A Horse", don’t slouch none either. And if you detect any hint of melon twisting going on then you can head over here and hear it for yourself.
Not sure where you get it from, I need to investigate and get back to you. Try Soundflat or Piccadilly for starters. I can’t remember the name of the cool store in Vienna that used to stock the physical NBT, my senility is getting worse... anyway, I bet they have it - provided they're still there. And I hope they are!
It’s been a bit damp out this way today. The inevitable torrents presented themselves and it’s a whole lot fresher out in addition to the obvious inconvenience of trying to get about in such conditions. The “flash flood” seems to be something that has only come about in recent times. Drainage systems get overwhelmed easily, I’m not sure we get more rain, it’s just heavier. Not really something that concerns me because I’m indoors for the night. Hopefully a week from tonight, conditions will be better for the Moon Duo shindig.
Not sure why I send myself messages about buying viagra and fake rolex watches. I never buy any so you’d think that in that case, I would have removed myself from my own mailing list. Or maybe it’s subliminal? I mean, I’m daft but there’s a limit. This is what I hate about even going near a computer. The bombardment of pish like that. Even although it ends up in the spam, it takes seconds of my existence flushing it out. Seconds that amount to minutes and ultimately hours that one will never be able to redeem. Memo to any of the halfwits that are involved with such material, or that might be thinking about leaving a comment with regard to their wares on this particular post. Don’t. Or maybe by that I mean die. It’s easy to confuse those two when the irritation has gotten so blistery and it’s seldom those who deserve the latter that actually take that route.
Well I’ll be hornswaggled (with a bit of luck), the bloody sun has gone and shown it’s face...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
It’s Suzy Chain’s birthday, same day as Ms Evie Sands. Two powerhouse singers...
And there’s the YouTube rabbithole that Rory McGee presented when he posted this...
I made some progress this weekend and also did some lollygadding. If you find yourself in the vicinity of the San Diego ComicCon then Mike McCarthy will be hitting that up with “Cigarette Girl”. Next week I think... It’s Sunday evening and the dreaded Monday meechs (pronounced with that throat clearing sound) are descending. I’m about to make like a test card. Strangely the best example I could find was from Sweden. Nighty night.
September tour dates for Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby are right here. Edinburgh might be added prior to Glasgow...
Mr Cavanagh has news of some entertainment taking place off the normal beaten venue track this coming week...
As part of the Merchant City Festival, the Sharmanka Gallery hosts 3 evening events showcasing a wonderful range of music (and dance) from Glasgow based artists.
On Thursday 22nd July, The Rope and Duck Co. perform amidst Eduard Bersudsky's marvelous mechanical sculptures. This trio comprises Una MacGlone on double bass, Emma Roche, flute & Aileen Campbell, voice. In addition to their reputation as performers in their own right and within the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, Aileen, Emma and Una's trio performances have now found their way onto record and this show will also be a launch for their debut album on the Iorram label.
Friday 23rd July sees musician Daniel Padden in collaboration with dancer Kate E. Deeming. The range of experience and influences which one could list in describing these two performers could run to several pages, so I'll refrain from waffling on too much. Daniel's solo work, his One Ensemble, film soundtrack music and work with Volcano the Bear amongst other things have made him a consistently interesting and inspiring figure, while Kate E's dance projects have seen her performing on the Broomielaw, in Sri Lanka, Japan and many points in between!
Sunday 25th July will find Nalle at Sharmanka, as they close their tour promoting their third album, the very wonderful Wilder Shores of Love on the Alt Vinyl label. Nalle have enlightened Glasgow's music community for a few years now and their performance within Sharmanka promises to be a truly special experience.
All shows start at 8pm.
The number of people who can be in the gallery at any one time is quite limited, so it's advisable to book your place beforehand by e-mailing sharmanka2004@hotmail.com
OK! Let's set the record straight. It's the YUM YUMS which become THE TWISTAROOS when they're getting a little tired of doing that good old bubblegum/power-pop thing, starting to play soulful rhythm'n'blues and rock'n'roll, kinda like the DETROIT COBRAS and the FLESHTONES, so you know that you need to have this record anyway!!!
THE TWISTAROOS was conceived one late night at Sin City, a bar in one of the more shady areas of Moss, Norway. The atmosphere was irresponsibly high whipped up by way too many cocktails. The primitive, seductive rythms of garage rock, soul and rocknroll had long ago turned the dance floor to a vipers nest of transpiration exchanging sinners, and it was then the slender singer Ms Goodvibe sporting an outrageously short hemline and an advanced intoxication wiggled up against the no less animated guitar player Morty Mortaroo for the occation impeccably dressed in shirt tails ever so wild and with a multi colored lamp shade on his head.
Lets start a dance band, she said, licking her blood red lips. You know, not disco or anything, but the dirty kind that makes things move down below! She looked hopefully into his eyes while finishing yet another double Sin City Cocktail Delight. Seconds earlier Mortaroo had ruled the dance floor, juggling a myriad of young beauties, and it didnt take long before the immortal sounds of Louie Louie appeared in his head: Dadada-Dada-Dadada-Dada Yupp, he knew exactly what she was talking about, so he pushed the lamp shade back with an affirmative blink of the eye: Dance band - you got it! No sooner said than done Otto Gamstaroo, a well known to the music police in Moss, was brought on board as drummer. Der Gamster is a guy who treats his drums as he treats the men who gets in his way, he beats the hell out of them with a Bo Diddley beat. I brought a bass player, Otto said when the band was to make their debut show. He pointed towards a shady-looking gentleman at the end of the bar, already halfway through a stiff drink. This was not to be the last time Otto brought along a friend from the rhythm section circle in town. It was easier that way.
They came, did their job, got paid and left. No names no conversation. THE TWISTAROOS will do anything for money. They play weddings, birthdays, funerals, births. All kinds of parties! So book them now; they have expensive habits and need the cash!
Tracklist:
Side One/ 1. Do the Twistaroo/ 2. Tough Lover/ 3. Everybody's gonna get some/ 4. (Let's go) Where The Action Is/ 5. The Chase/ 6. Chills And Fever/ 7. I like It Like That
Side Two/ 1. Everybody Say Hey!/ 2. You Better Run/ 3. Dog Fight/ 4. Animal Instinct/ 5. I'm Ready/ 6. Baby Baby Baby/ 7. I May Never Get To Heaven
CD available on House of Rock but did you read that? This is VINYL!!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Andy, Tish and Snooky entertain you... Thanks to Monkeybeat Blog!
Fending off recent press tosh regarding the fact that she is quitting music, Annika Norlin returns with her Säkert! crew to prove otherwise. Conclusively.
“Fär Jag”(“May I”) is a quiet, symphonic song that uses her voice to maximum effect while the slow burn of the band bathes the track in a shimmer. “Riot” ultimately transplants a Black Angel Death Song screech into a brooding anthem that will undoubtedly become a staple. Imagine Nico with a warm mulled wine kind of accent. It never quite spills over but the tension is palpable. The recorded equivalent of the last few frames of the final episode of The Sopranos, I felt pretty wiped out after my first encounter with this one.
Ludwig Bell
Tori Sparks
Woman
The Senders
