Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Nothing much going on at the minute 'cept chores. Things that have been left undone and that need attending to. In addition to these, I have a Hello Saferide article to amend, a recipe for veggie haggis to check out and some e-mail to answer before the last of the Paris documentaries comes on. Will there be life après Sandrine Voillet? That is perhaps the most pressing question at this particular minute.
And at noon tomorrow, the EIFF programme comes out so that has to be picked through and the schedule arranged. It's all bleedin' go innit?
And at noon tomorrow, the EIFF programme comes out so that has to be picked through and the schedule arranged. It's all bleedin' go innit?
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Stands to reason doesn't it. There's more (alleged) music on TV these days at a time when it seems to be well down the priority list despite the ipod ownership. And no wonder. It's almost uniformly duff and seemingly scheduled by the ailing music business. Wouldn't it be something for there to be some objectivity from the presenters too? Like they could cut away from some honking set to see everybody holding their noses or holding up a card with "stinker" sharpie'd on to it?? Never gonna happen but think about how great it would be if there wasn't all the fawning and hard-sell. Would it be such a bad thing to express an opinion? Just one??
It's my own fault I know but I like to see and hear what's supposed to be popular. That creates a perspective for me between what is and what, in my opinion, should be popular. Just because this stuff is peddled en masse doesn't mean that it's actually popular either. HMV did a mailout today trying to capitalise on the LiveArse thing. Selling product by the artists cheap that included the Al Gore documentary. This was the dampest of damp squibs, these things simply don't work anymore. The world has moved on, not too much further but maybe 100 yards or so.
Even Spinal Tap wasn't as exciting as the prospect of them appearing but it was OK. I read some report about how they has falling rocks as stage props. Dearie me. You just expect people to be cultured. If the drummer had "exploded" at the end, now that would have made all the difference. However, being introduced by Marti De Bergi was a nice touch, irrespective of carbon footprint considerations. And why did the BBC cut away as they went into "Big Bottom"? Would the expression "bum cakes" cause the nation to run amuck?
And as I sit here The Fratellis "Chelsea Dagger" is blasting into the ol' bunker from Nedstock™ (courtesy of Mr McLean) and it's all very perplexing and so very, very dull. I'd really like to have seen a couple of songs by The Skids but you possibly have to have that cable or satellite caper involved so I'll wait for YouTube.
Another weekend over, running on fumes and careering toward the inevitable. Need to go and look out my Martin Rev albums, inspired by the fact he's playing in San Francisco on July 26th.
It's my own fault I know but I like to see and hear what's supposed to be popular. That creates a perspective for me between what is and what, in my opinion, should be popular. Just because this stuff is peddled en masse doesn't mean that it's actually popular either. HMV did a mailout today trying to capitalise on the LiveArse thing. Selling product by the artists cheap that included the Al Gore documentary. This was the dampest of damp squibs, these things simply don't work anymore. The world has moved on, not too much further but maybe 100 yards or so.
Even Spinal Tap wasn't as exciting as the prospect of them appearing but it was OK. I read some report about how they has falling rocks as stage props. Dearie me. You just expect people to be cultured. If the drummer had "exploded" at the end, now that would have made all the difference. However, being introduced by Marti De Bergi was a nice touch, irrespective of carbon footprint considerations. And why did the BBC cut away as they went into "Big Bottom"? Would the expression "bum cakes" cause the nation to run amuck?
And as I sit here The Fratellis "Chelsea Dagger" is blasting into the ol' bunker from Nedstock™ (courtesy of Mr McLean) and it's all very perplexing and so very, very dull. I'd really like to have seen a couple of songs by The Skids but you possibly have to have that cable or satellite caper involved so I'll wait for YouTube.
Another weekend over, running on fumes and careering toward the inevitable. Need to go and look out my Martin Rev albums, inspired by the fact he's playing in San Francisco on July 26th.
OK let’s cut to the chase, some music that will blast away the cobwebs of anything you’ve seen on TV this past few days. Masquerading under the banner of a cause or just playing for maximum bucks in a muddy field. I’ll take that back if HS end up on TV next weekend but until then… as always, myspace links are provided so, no need to take my word for it, even although you should.
The Shorebirds “The Heavy Hands of Hunters”
The Shorebirds “The Heavy Hands of Hunters”
(Groover Recordings)
From Brooklyn, this combo have the chops and the songs to cut quite a dash. Like Rank and File jostling with primo Cockney Rebel. Mark Ephraim’s vocal has a kind of “Steve Harley” enunciation. There’s an understated glam-ness that’s a little Luna and a nice line in understated almost country tempo. This makes them quite contemporary and equally appealing to fans of groups like say, The Pixies. They don’t do the quietLOUD thing because they don’t have to. The fairground pulsebeat of “We Want It Bad” sounds like it would have been a 45 on Island Records around 1975. “If you don’t understand then get in the van”, ha ha, great. “Hovering Light” will appeal to fans of The Strange. It has that Dire Straits via The Modern Lovers vista. Roxy Music is mentioned in their roll call of influences and I can hear that too. It’s the early stuff though as you’d expect in such an esoteric setting. The Shorebirds emit a warm glow that I could hear echoing through darn big venues in years to come. Nice booklet art on quality paper too so this comes from a place that goes that wee league extra. Of course you expect a quality product from Groover and they never let you down. And I don’t think these Shorebirds will either.
Grand Mal
From Brooklyn, this combo have the chops and the songs to cut quite a dash. Like Rank and File jostling with primo Cockney Rebel. Mark Ephraim’s vocal has a kind of “Steve Harley” enunciation. There’s an understated glam-ness that’s a little Luna and a nice line in understated almost country tempo. This makes them quite contemporary and equally appealing to fans of groups like say, The Pixies. They don’t do the quietLOUD thing because they don’t have to. The fairground pulsebeat of “We Want It Bad” sounds like it would have been a 45 on Island Records around 1975. “If you don’t understand then get in the van”, ha ha, great. “Hovering Light” will appeal to fans of The Strange. It has that Dire Straits via The Modern Lovers vista. Roxy Music is mentioned in their roll call of influences and I can hear that too. It’s the early stuff though as you’d expect in such an esoteric setting. The Shorebirds emit a warm glow that I could hear echoing through darn big venues in years to come. Nice booklet art on quality paper too so this comes from a place that goes that wee league extra. Of course you expect a quality product from Groover and they never let you down. And I don’t think these Shorebirds will either.
Grand Mal
“Congratulations You’ve Re-Joined The Human Race”
(Groover Recordings)
Bill Whittlen was in the band St Johnny. The longer in the tooth of you might remember them being signed to Geffen something like 14 years ago. I recommend a visit to the directors cut of the bio to get the full picture. It’s quite the long winding road to get us here. Character building even. So anyway, this is a very New York record. But Max’s as opposed to CBGB’s if you get the gist. It tells a story like a Lou Reed album used to. It retains an opulent Velvets-like romanticism that’s long since been hosed off the streets of the city itself. “Cold As The Stars” has a lush, bleak beauty and “You Should Be So Lucky” explodes off the back of the final piano key stroke. Like Teenage Fanclub going T.Rex. In fact there’s more than a touch of Bolan about the whole album but not in an obvious way. In more of a spiritual sense than any sense of copping a style. This is music that is very much out of time. I think it’s the piano driven nature of many of the tracks. It doesn’t sound old but it feels weathered and thus reflects an authenticity that much of today’s disposable, flash in the pan, 15 minute wonders could never hope to capture. No matter what producer they care to rope in.
The Double Agents “Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time”
Bill Whittlen was in the band St Johnny. The longer in the tooth of you might remember them being signed to Geffen something like 14 years ago. I recommend a visit to the directors cut of the bio to get the full picture. It’s quite the long winding road to get us here. Character building even. So anyway, this is a very New York record. But Max’s as opposed to CBGB’s if you get the gist. It tells a story like a Lou Reed album used to. It retains an opulent Velvets-like romanticism that’s long since been hosed off the streets of the city itself. “Cold As The Stars” has a lush, bleak beauty and “You Should Be So Lucky” explodes off the back of the final piano key stroke. Like Teenage Fanclub going T.Rex. In fact there’s more than a touch of Bolan about the whole album but not in an obvious way. In more of a spiritual sense than any sense of copping a style. This is music that is very much out of time. I think it’s the piano driven nature of many of the tracks. It doesn’t sound old but it feels weathered and thus reflects an authenticity that much of today’s disposable, flash in the pan, 15 minute wonders could never hope to capture. No matter what producer they care to rope in.
The Double Agents “Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time”
(Infidelity Recordings)
Dirty country blues with a shot of Scientists dynamic? Oh yes and if you too are leaning toward the affirmative then this Melbourne combo will be your tipple of choice. This kind of finite garage isn’t as easy to pull off as it may seem. I like the way they alternate vocals between Kim Walvisch and Dave Butterworth. It keeps the album from seeming like a race for the finish line. “Wasting My Time” has a great Sticky Fingers-y Stones swagger to it. “I Won’t come Running” reminds me of US variety X while “You Make Me Feel” is sparse, atmospheric and verging on total disintegration. Somehow the expected crescendo never manifests itself bit it comes un-nervingly close. Greg Cartwright’s “Sour and Vicious Man” is the only cover on the album and it fits snugly with their oeuvre, if that’s not a contradiction. Must be a damn good night out to catch them in person but for now this’ll have to do those of us outwith the Antipodes.
The King Brothers “Blues” (Infidelity Recordings)
According to Eric Oblivian “The King Brothers are the best rock’n’roll band in the world”. I’m not altogether convinced that it’s possible to capture the sheer insanity of the real thing on a wee shiny disc but “Blues” is a good shout at attempting to try. Not that I’ve seen them, other than on the live dvd that accompanies this album. What on the face of it seems like the apocalypse raging out of your speakers, The King Brothers register a strange kind of restraint to inject a twisted Detroit soul transfusion amidst the cacophonous racket. Of course, in time honoured tradition they’re not real brothers in the biblical sense. They are however bonded sonically by an almost pathological disregard for making the listener comfortable. There’s nothing coffee table about this, unless you plan on wrecking one. I’m not sure it would be safe to drive with this on your player either, unless you want to get someplace very fast. Adrenalin levels need to adjust to this “rock’n’roll from the future”. Look what happened to The Ramones within 30 years, it’s a strange old world and “69” sans the “19” takes high energy into a whole different scale of voltage. This is the real “new rave”! I think my poor cd player is in shock.
Dirty country blues with a shot of Scientists dynamic? Oh yes and if you too are leaning toward the affirmative then this Melbourne combo will be your tipple of choice. This kind of finite garage isn’t as easy to pull off as it may seem. I like the way they alternate vocals between Kim Walvisch and Dave Butterworth. It keeps the album from seeming like a race for the finish line. “Wasting My Time” has a great Sticky Fingers-y Stones swagger to it. “I Won’t come Running” reminds me of US variety X while “You Make Me Feel” is sparse, atmospheric and verging on total disintegration. Somehow the expected crescendo never manifests itself bit it comes un-nervingly close. Greg Cartwright’s “Sour and Vicious Man” is the only cover on the album and it fits snugly with their oeuvre, if that’s not a contradiction. Must be a damn good night out to catch them in person but for now this’ll have to do those of us outwith the Antipodes.
The King Brothers “Blues” (Infidelity Recordings)
According to Eric Oblivian “The King Brothers are the best rock’n’roll band in the world”. I’m not altogether convinced that it’s possible to capture the sheer insanity of the real thing on a wee shiny disc but “Blues” is a good shout at attempting to try. Not that I’ve seen them, other than on the live dvd that accompanies this album. What on the face of it seems like the apocalypse raging out of your speakers, The King Brothers register a strange kind of restraint to inject a twisted Detroit soul transfusion amidst the cacophonous racket. Of course, in time honoured tradition they’re not real brothers in the biblical sense. They are however bonded sonically by an almost pathological disregard for making the listener comfortable. There’s nothing coffee table about this, unless you plan on wrecking one. I’m not sure it would be safe to drive with this on your player either, unless you want to get someplace very fast. Adrenalin levels need to adjust to this “rock’n’roll from the future”. Look what happened to The Ramones within 30 years, it’s a strange old world and “69” sans the “19” takes high energy into a whole different scale of voltage. This is the real “new rave”! I think my poor cd player is in shock.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
A report from the "the trenches" in Denmark by Mr Percival...
Roskilde, Denmark - one of the longest running festivals in Europe. I nearly made it here in 1983 when I was the right age for such occasions (19) with my pals Dave and Chris but it was not to be. I never thought 24 years later I would finally put in a appearance with my 18 year old daughter Ellen.
On Thursday it LASHED down with rain making the site an absolute quagmire. Fortunately I had brought my boots with me. I have never been a big festival goer and I was rapidly thinking "what the hell am I doing here?". Glad to say that Friday has been a dry day and the music has been fun.
First up were Camera Obscura, who many people had told me I would like. When that happens I tend to be cautious but they were indeed correct and the band from Glasgow put on a great first gig in Denmark before speeding off to the airport to head home for T in the Park (or P in the Dark as Lindsay calls it!)
Next up was New Young Pony Club. All the rage currently back home. What I had heard I liked and my daughter loves them. They were very good . Poppy electro rock with great hooks and a lot of fun live. Probably not the the taste of most NBT readers, but worth checking out just in case.
Next up was the legendary Roky Erickson. I know the Scandinavians love their garage rock legends and they do not come much more legendary than the founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators. 60 in 10 days time (1947 was a good year with Iggy and Lux also entering the world) and he was in great shape. I’d don’t think I’ve seen quite so much hero-worship in a very long time. The tent was packed out with the local Viking descendants going absolutely crazy. Roky was clearly having a great time with his very tight band. I don't know a huge amount of his material but "You're Gonna Miss Me" closed the main set and " I Walked with a Zombie" ended the evening with the crowd literally baying for more. He could have played on all night and kept the locals very happy. A great set from a true legend who has been a massive influence for so many great bands. Well worth seeing if you get the chance.
Martin
Roskilde, Denmark - one of the longest running festivals in Europe. I nearly made it here in 1983 when I was the right age for such occasions (19) with my pals Dave and Chris but it was not to be. I never thought 24 years later I would finally put in a appearance with my 18 year old daughter Ellen.
On Thursday it LASHED down with rain making the site an absolute quagmire. Fortunately I had brought my boots with me. I have never been a big festival goer and I was rapidly thinking "what the hell am I doing here?". Glad to say that Friday has been a dry day and the music has been fun.
First up were Camera Obscura, who many people had told me I would like. When that happens I tend to be cautious but they were indeed correct and the band from Glasgow put on a great first gig in Denmark before speeding off to the airport to head home for T in the Park (or P in the Dark as Lindsay calls it!)
Next up was New Young Pony Club. All the rage currently back home. What I had heard I liked and my daughter loves them. They were very good . Poppy electro rock with great hooks and a lot of fun live. Probably not the the taste of most NBT readers, but worth checking out just in case.
Next up was the legendary Roky Erickson. I know the Scandinavians love their garage rock legends and they do not come much more legendary than the founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators. 60 in 10 days time (1947 was a good year with Iggy and Lux also entering the world) and he was in great shape. I’d don’t think I’ve seen quite so much hero-worship in a very long time. The tent was packed out with the local Viking descendants going absolutely crazy. Roky was clearly having a great time with his very tight band. I don't know a huge amount of his material but "You're Gonna Miss Me" closed the main set and " I Walked with a Zombie" ended the evening with the crowd literally baying for more. He could have played on all night and kept the locals very happy. A great set from a true legend who has been a massive influence for so many great bands. Well worth seeing if you get the chance.
Martin
Friday, July 06, 2007
This thing wasn't working earlier or last night and I keep meaning to call the ISP but can't work up the enthusiasm. Having no faith or confidence in anything being done about the problem, this guy would would rather not bother than be fobbed off. More rain and a damp time in prospect for this weeks festival goers. I hope that the weather turns in time for the Hello Saferide visit to Latitude next weekend (Sunrise stage/Sunday 15th July). Also, I need to try and remember that Spinal Tap are part of this Live Earth carry on tomorrow. Wonder if there's a rundown of what's on when anywhere? Anyways, more serious news to impart before the weekend kicks into gear...RIP - Bill Pinkney (The Drifters)
RIP - New York
So now to click "publish post" and we'll see wha''appen...
Thursday, July 05, 2007
RIP - Boots Randolph
Unseen of The Cramps (circa 1986) at Stockholm Rock Action (Thanks Johan)
Coming up this weekend in Edinburgh...
Once more into the torrential rain...
Unseen of The Cramps (circa 1986) at Stockholm Rock Action (Thanks Johan)
Coming up this weekend in Edinburgh...
Once more into the torrential rain...
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Second episode of the three part BBC OU programme about Paris with Sandrine Voillet was on last night. She reminds me of Françoise Cactus and that reminds me about the Stereo Total album "Paris<>Berlin" that came out a couple of weeks ago.Anyways, I'm tempted to order the dvd of Paris, in order to brush up on places to visit the next time I'm lucky enough to swing a trip out there. Anyways, this is just a quick in and out to post the following items...
Suicide live in Hamburg circa 1978 anyone?
Gregg Turner at Cool Dude Quarterly
Still Game meets Big Brother (Thanks to Mr McLean for this link)
It's a funny old world. I imagine that there's an Anti-terrorist "Team" getting down to manoeuvres in and around Glasgow as I type... "they" (the would-be bombers) have absolutely no idea what they're letting themselves in for.
Another record retailer down... (link courtesy of Mr Percival)
It seems like it's hard out there. Support your local real record store. Not Virgin and HMV. Proper record stores. If you don't use them...
Celebrate July 4th with some CAKE!
A broad church of great music, going LIVE this very Independence Day...
"CAKE’s play-list is a deep mix of tunes covering (primarily) rock, reggae, punk, ska, blues, rock & roll, soul, r&b and pub-rock, but with some skiffle, funk, outlaw country, psychedelia, electronica, folk-rock, protest, instrumentals, jazz and, occasionally, a little classical thrown in. “New” tracks get added every day so by the end of the week the entire play-list has been refreshed."
A broad church of great music, going LIVE this very Independence Day...
"CAKE’s play-list is a deep mix of tunes covering (primarily) rock, reggae, punk, ska, blues, rock & roll, soul, r&b and pub-rock, but with some skiffle, funk, outlaw country, psychedelia, electronica, folk-rock, protest, instrumentals, jazz and, occasionally, a little classical thrown in. “New” tracks get added every day so by the end of the week the entire play-list has been refreshed."
There's a permanent "button" over there on the sidebar to help you connect easier.
Artwork by Alan Suicide.
Monday, July 02, 2007
When I was just about finished reading "Chasing Cool", I happened upon something that was the polar opposite of this much sought commodity. The “Concert for Diana” from Wembley Stadium in London. What a stinker, the biggest karaoke event in history (maybe) but supposedly it had more viewers than Live Aid.Which surely made it "cool"? Er, just joshing... It shocked me too but then I got to thinking. We’re always striving for consensus and this travesty of alleged entertainment nailed it by getting the biggest viewing audience in recent living memory. More than Live Aid back in whatever day.
There’s a theme throughout "CC" that sort of irks me and that’s the constant mention of the sodding ipod but let's not dwell on that. Cool is a perception that has been co-opted by those that bastardise expressions and descriptions for their own evil ends. If it even exists anymore then the commoditisation (is that even a word?) of it has been devalued to the point of being simply a label. Or maybe a big indelible pen mark on the forehead.
Cool is understated. Something that doesn't know or care that it makes a difference, it just does. Many, many things to different people but rest assured, any tangible pursuit of it is misguided. Anyone or anything that claims to be c**l almost never is. If on the other hand, an individual reckons something is of worth then it's their call. The fact that an ipod seems to be both well designed and easy to use is perhaps an indication of a successful product but that isn't necessarily cool. You hear twonks blurting out "c**l!" during their mobile phone confabs. Some people think those things are the bee's knees but in my humble op, they are the spawn of something way more wayward than satan. They're homing devices that will ultimately be the portal that handles all of your entertainment, at a price.
It will aid the compilation of vast amounts of information to be used agin you but never mind. Could be worse... The title is perhaps purposely misleading to snare those who actively do just that. “Chasing Aesthetic” simply isn’t as catchy. I should admit also to never having heard of most of the participants. Neither mover nor shaker do I claim to be.
“Standing Out in Today’s Cluttered Marketplace” is the strapline, but will it help you achieve that? Quite possibly not but the material is presented in an easy to browse format. I disagree with Ahmet Ertegun though in retrospect I think his angle that “celebrity sells” should be updated to read “celebrity sold” or “used to sell” but the public is equal parts fickle and sophisticated. The lifespan of most everything in this conned-sumer society has rapidly accelerated and nothing lasts anymore. And then came that "Diana" concert, I bet that all of that audience have ipods and have been downloading Kanye West and Did Puffy (or whatever his name is) all day.
Like an extended magazine article, "Chasing Cool" is as easy to dip in and out of as it is to read in one reasonably lengthy train journey. Info-mation isn't really my bag but this is a constructive pot-pouri that doesn't take itself too seriously. Careful with that C-word...
"Chasing Cool" by Noah Kerner and Gene Pressman is published by Atria Books.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
They keep referring to these people who caused the kerfuffle in Glasgow yesterday and the potential carnage in London as "terrorists" rather than "fuckwits". Or some comparable term that could be aired prior to the watershed. As stated before, disruption is preferable to what could have happened but the TV and radio is awash with minutae. Technology has made all reportage look like Big Bogbrush. But anyway, I hope my friends made it out of there yesterday before all this. Not sure when they were supposed to fly...
Tis July and last month saw a jump in our hits. Been trying to keep this updated so gracias for sticking with it. Also, Mr Arnoff showed me how to add "music" to the myspace page so I try to do that regularly too. However, I still don't manage much activity on there.
Several deadlines are looming so I'm off to deal with those. However, there's always the chance of distraction and just plain cannaebearsedness.
Tis July and last month saw a jump in our hits. Been trying to keep this updated so gracias for sticking with it. Also, Mr Arnoff showed me how to add "music" to the myspace page so I try to do that regularly too. However, I still don't manage much activity on there.
Several deadlines are looming so I'm off to deal with those. However, there's always the chance of distraction and just plain cannaebearsedness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)