Coldplay in ‘Doing promo shocker’
Written by: admin
I am hearing an awful lot about the death of the guitar band. Well that isn’t true is it. Razorlight and Keane might not be able to chart a single higher then a 100, but maybe they never deserved to. Decent guitar bands like Metallica get number 1 albums without too much of a bother.
This brings us to Chris(t) Martin and his merry gang. Who are usually above such things as getting down and dirty with a live session are doing one tomorrow. For some reason I didn’t realise Absolute Radio was the new name for Virgin, I thought it was some independent thing like Resonance FM.
Anyway tune in tomorrow to decide for sure that you do fancy Richard Hammond watch Big Brother and like Coldplay.
Or you could just listen to Death Magnetic again, just putting it out there.
Warner Brothers: More Daffy Duck then Bugs Bunny
Written by: Mary Whitehouse
A friend lucky enough to be in Warner records the other week. Their band was being made an offer and telling them what Warner Records could do for them. Now Warner Records has had some of my favourite acts over the years: Mr Bungle, Mastdodon, Even Red hot Chili Peppers weren’t always f**king bilious. Having Bugs Bunny behind you can open a lot of doors.
But in this case, I would love to site a moment of delusional hyperbole. So back into the room with Warner Brothers: Daffy Duck and chums wheeled out a recent case study to prove to these youngsters that they were so on the ball. They told a case study on how they ‘broke’ Seasick Steve…
Christ on a bike with a bad tummy! Man alive… I wish I was there at that moment.
Was this the same Seasick that had worked his arse off playing every festival to rapturous audiences before they signed him? Was this the same Steve that already been booked for TWO Jules Holland News Eve Specials before pen was put to paper? Was this the same Steve of a Seasick nature that had already sold over 60,000 records in the UK on the independent label Bronzerat? Finally was this the same Warner hit squad that broke a guy that had already won Best Newcomer at the Mojo Awards the previous year before they had ever met him?
You do have to worry for a Major Label that uses somebody else’s work as their flagship case study to new artists.
Something For The Weekend: Secret Wars London Semi-Finals
Written by: Hugh Platt
Okay, okay - we know it’s only Tuesday, put we thought you could do with an early heads-up for the Secret Wars Semi Finals, taking place in London town this weekend. Imagine two street artists going head-to-head while everyone goes seven shades of apeshit-crazy to kickass music, and you’ve pretty much got it.
Our good friend, Session, is going to be manning the decks on this one, so you’ve got no excuse not to have a good time. Also: a credit-crunch busting £2 entry fee. If we weren’t going to be lost on a boat adrift outside Helsinki this weekend (no, really), then we’d be there like a shot.
Check out their official website for more details.
Feature: 60 years of 45s
Written by: David Harrison
A knock on the door and my loyal postman gives me a small square package, I know what this is. Killing a finger in the process in the excitement to get it open, a as new copy of Nightrain by Guns n Roses on 7inch.
Recently me and the other half (pictured) were in an antique store and found an old classy looking radiogram for £40, we took it home and fixed it up. Suddenly we had this classic sounding turntable and stereo for the price of round of drinks in a poncy bar.
In the run up to Christmas: skint like the rest of the country looking for something that would mean a bit more for presents. Thought I would check out Alan’s Records in East Finchley. An ‘Alanadins’ cave of vinyl if you will. If you want ANYTHING, it is likely he can find it, get it, or has it in some garage somewhere.
And not a computer or search box in sight.
Now each weekend is become punctuated with a trip into the record shop. Playing music has become more valuable. Found afternoons to ourselves sitting around with our little seven inchs examining them, looking to see who produced it, looking what year and when. Best of all they are cheaper then Itunes.
It gets more fun with one of those Numark portable turntables. Ok so I can’t fit my whole f**king record collection in my pocket. But I don’t want to! I want some morsels to be savoured one tasty morsel at a time, not spray painted all over every where I walk or at the back of a bus. Somebody spent a lot of time recording this song, we should pay time and respect listening to it.
So new years eve we are outside a pub with the Numark, a collection of cheese and classics on 7inch. We only had 45’s so we had to listen to a few more then once. Serving some illicit mount gay rum. I have another look in the Birdcage, ok the DJ is playing some non-descript 12 inch dance remixes. Oooh this might be hard.
I ask to play a half hour of cheese? He says maybe, I whip out the 7inch, 7inch vs a 12inch. 7inch in this case is showing dedication to the cheese. Straight Cheesy Flush beats 12“ Full House we are in.
You should of seen the people on tables singing Jennifer Rushes Power of Love. This would not of happened if I turned up with a poxy Ipod an adapter.
The most beautiful moment was requests,
‘Do you have ? Soandso by whatever’
‘No I have 45 songs, that is it, you will hear them all’
‘Well how about?’
NO, I have nothing but 45 songs, there is no search option, there is no interactive universal lets all be DJs about this. There are fourty five 45’s and that is it. When they are done I will go, get up then and play something if you want?
The ipod or mp3 collection is something that sits in the background when you are working. But the enjoyment of music is a pastime in itself, not something you have in the background to pass time.
Bill Drummond at a performance of the 17 tells us, the first time he went home with Strawberry Fields and listened to it again and again. Looking at the light in the vinyl, wondering how each sound was made and how this tune came to be. It was a day before he even realised it had a B-side. How he has been searching for that elusive moment ever since.
Now not saying you will have the same epiphany of putting a 7inch bit of vinyl on a funny oversized disc. Not saying it is practical or efficient. But if an ipod has all the convenience of a city Smartcar. Indulging in 7 inches is like driving a nice classic Morgan at the weekend…
…but without the need for garage, or any mechnical skills, or a driving licence, or Jeremy Clarkson telling you about it.
Lazy Hack: Pithy Links of the Day
Written by: David Harrison
We get so many links every day to check out, and write about. Got me thinking.
Why don’t I just attempt post them all up everyday with a pithy one liner, from paying about 10 seconds attention to each one.
So here is a selection of what PRs tells me is cool today.
This is a cool animation on turntables
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=to99C-0cLGE
Secretly Canadian just signed these Psych rock guys from Johannesburg
http://www.myspace.com/blkjks
Adam Freeland has done an Obama mix
http://www.myspace.com/adamfreelandmusic
This is terrible, Indie / Rock / something
http://www.myspace.com/thexcerts
Prodigy are back – This time it is ..erm… like the first time.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xMVTKOoy1uk
Groove amarda’s new album sound better after a bottle of bacardi
http://www.groovearmada.com/
This is a bit naff
http://www.myspace.com/butcherboymusic
Get Physical relase Music to Die too… great playlist.
Erik Satie - 1. Gymnopédie – selected by DJ T.
Rob Gallagher – Little One – selected by Gilles Peterson.
Photek – Modus Operandi – selected by Storm.
The Stranglers – Golden Brown – selected by DJ Hell.
Cerrone – Supernature – selected by Kevin Saunderson.
Radiohead – Sit Down Stand Up – selected by Laurent Garnier.
Chloé – Paradise – selected by Chloé.
The Beach Boys – ‘Til I Die – selected by David Holmes.
Peggy Lee – Is That All There Is? – selected by Ewan Pearson.
Inti Illimani - Caramba, Yo Soy Dueno del Baron – selected by Ricardo Villalobos.
Link – Amenity – selected by Richie Hawtin.
Pharoah Sanders – Astral Travelling – selected by Francois K.
Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent) – selected by Coldcut.
Interview: Rev78’s search for that sound
Written by: Chris Watkeys
Rev78’s music is a collision between dark, clashing soundscapes, and bright, catchy melodies which seep like honey through a toxic sea. Think The Killers playing hooky three-minute versions of Godspeed You Black Emperor tracks and you’re halfway there; somewhere in that swirling maelstrom is the chemistry needed for rock ‘n roll greatness. Their music screams out for a voice truly worthy of it.
The departure six months ago of their original singer left the band somewhat cut adrift, and forced them into a seemingly fruitless search for a new frontman. Yet after a series of false starts, the band finally found their voice; his name is Ed Quick, and he just might be UK indie’s next superstar frontman.
“Without wanting to sound clichéd, I do feel at home on stage, do you know what I mean?” says the shy but engaging 21 year-old. “And every time I sing, I want to sing to the best of my abilities, and get as much emotion across as I can.”
Ed Quick’s voice is immensely powerful and utterly dynamic, with the kind of chasm-spanning range which might have Muse’s Matt Bellamy looking over his shoulder. Ed was described by a fan as “Ian Curtis and Morrissey’s bastard lovechild”, which is as close to the mark as we think we’re gonna get.
It wasn’t easy for Rev78 finding their man, however. “It was a tricky few months trying to find someone who could replace the old singer, and put a new slant on it” says guitarist Dave Gritzman. A string of nearly-men raised and dashed the band’s hopes in quick succession. “We were putting ads in giving influences like Steve Marriott, Jack White, Interpol… you know, really distinct, powerful voices” says Jimi Laffoley – bassist, founder member and, together with Dave, Rev78’s creative core. “And some of the guys who came in… “ … here Jimi trails off, and shudders. “We had one guy come in who sounded like the guy from Maroon 5.”
Then there was the guy who’d won the Israeli version of The X-Factor. “He was a fabulous singer, but he was very Pop Idol, that kinda thing” says Jimi. “And one guy who looked like Meatloaf” adds sticksman Dan, Dave’s brother. It’s fair to say that at that point, things were looking increasingly bleak for Rev78. Yet at the same time Ed, unbeknown to them, had just arrived in London from Norwich, looking for a band. So what did he think when he first heard Rev78’s music? “I just thought it was something so raw, and there was something so beautiful about it, and I thought I could at least try and really put some good lyrics to this, you know. The band I was in before, there was always this kind of punk ethic, and it was all very… it wasn’t really so much about the vocal performance. So with Rev78 I thought I can sing again, you know.”
The first gig with the new line-up was at Camden’s Purple Turtle – “That was a bit nervy” says Ed. “It’s like giving birth, isn’t it – it’s good to get your first one out of the way!”. The new band now have a handful of shows under their belt, including a gig in front of two thousand fans at the VW Van Fest, and an incendiary performance at the soon-to-be doomed Metro on Oxford Street. Things are going well; recent recording sessions with Russ Keffert, whose past collaborations include Clinic and The Rakes, have pushed the band to the next level. Of the fruit of those sessions, ‘Every Bone’ is a sky-scraping, towering ballad which literally begs for airplay, while ‘Us Against Them All’ is an acerbic, energised shot of pure rock ‘n roll adrenalin. Both songs are among the contenders for a single download release slated in for early spring.
Chris Watkeys
www.myspace.com/revolution78music
The Music Towers 2008 Almanac: Better Late Than Never
Written by: Hugh Platt
Well, here it is - the Music Towers 2008 Almanac. It was a crazy-ass year and no mistake. We appreciate we’re late with this one, so we’re gonna keep it brief.
It’s been a terrible year for most of the Music Industry. Well, the ‘industry’ half of things at any rate. Distributors have closed down, there’s virtually nowhere on the high street to buy records from anymore, and everyone is wringing their hands and being depressed. But this is supposed to be us looking back on the GOOD stuff - the ‘Music’ half of that Music Industry equation. Let’s get to it.
By far the best discovery of 2008 has been Turbowolf. It’s to my eternal shame that I haven’t written more about them - since stumbling onto them quite by accident at Stag & Dagger, I’ve seen them a half-dozen times (each time = AMAZING) and even got them to sit still long enough for us to film a long-lost video interview with them, but for a variety of stupid reasons this has never made it into print. The Bristol four-piece make the kind of electronic punk-rock party music that makes your head swim and your balls drop.
Anyway, fuck the self-recrimination, all you need to know is that Turbowolf are the best goddamn band you never saw in 2008. They’re hitting SxSW and Canadian Music Week later in the year, so even you guys on the other side of the Atlantic will get a chance to catch these Bristol mentalists. Get involved!
There’s been plenty of other rock’n'roll highlights - anyone who came to any of the Beef Warehouse parties knows what I’m talking about. The year ended with a highlight with our Christmas shindig, but Leeds Festival, once again, was the Party Of The Year. Not only did we get to spend the day watching Cancer Bats, Rage Against The Machine and getting our heads sewn up from the time some C**T gashed our head open during Queens Of The Stone Age (check our review of the weekend here) but we then got to party all night on a giant £40K soundsystem. It didn’t matter than the rain had reduced the site to one giant mud-bath, we had ‘em dancing till dawn every bloody night/day. Check out our review here: Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.
There were some great albums too - I’m sure you’ve had your fill of Top 10’s by this stage, and don’t need to be told AGAIN how good certain records are. You might’ve missed them but ‘American Demo’ by The Indelicates and ‘This Gift’ by Sons And Daughters. The record that was on the stereo the most though was ‘Hail Destroyer’ by Cancer Bats, and I never even got round to reviewing that one. Ho hum.
Gig-wise, those cheeky Cancer Bats made our year with a sweatbox performance at the Kingston Peel. Close rivals were The Bronx at KCLSU, KISS at Download Festival, and, again, the mighty Turbowolf at pretty much every show we saw them at.
See? I managed to get through this without mentioning Guns ‘N Roses once. Oh. Go and listen to Turbowolf and I guaran-damn-tee you’ll start to feel better again.
Metronomy on a world tour - fancy that!
Written by: David Harrison
Joseph Mount and his merry men, who the world knows as Metronomy, seemed to have blagged themmselve a world tour. Blimey! Look at that. I guess the UK has spent all its money so there’s no point sticking around here.
Here’s an interview with Metronomy we did years ago. And down below is a tune, an oldy but a goody - You Could Easily Have Me. It nevers to get us shaking our cakes on the dancefloor. Also: the video makes us strangely aroused.
Yes, we will be seeking professional help. Just as soon as you international readers go and get yourselves some tickets for these shows. Check our the official Metronomy website for more details. GO ON THEN, CLICK IT.
6.1.09 O-East - Tokyo, Japan
7.1.09 Club Quattro - Nagoya, Japan
9.1.09 King Arms Tavern - Auckland, New Zealand
10.1.09 Bar Bodega - Wellington, New Zealand
15.1.09 Popfrenzy Night @ Sydney Festival’s Becks Bar - Sydney, Australia
16.1.09 Empire Hotel - Brisbane, Australia
17.1.09 Revolver, Upstairs - Melbourne, Australia
19.1.09 Standard Hotel (DJ SET) - Hollywood
20.1.09 Wasted Space - Las Vegas
21.1.09 El Rey - Los Angeles
22.1.09 Popscene - San Francisco
23.1.09 Holocene - Portland
24.1.09 Biltmore - Vancouver
25.1.09 Chop Suey - Seattle
28.1.09 Pink Bar - San Diego
29.1.09 Pomono - Glass House
30.1.09 Salon Cuervo - Mexico City
31.1.09 Escenica – Monterrey
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Live: Manu Chao @ Kentish Town Forum - 16 December
Written by: David Harrison
The Forum is packed full of people denying the Winter outside. The Latin vibe, mixed with the inter-rail generation is filling Kentish Town to its very brim. Music Towers struggles our way to the front, with people getting pretty stroppy till we get to all the funsters at the front.
Manu Chao these days is actually Radio Bemba Manu Chao’s Touring Band, and has been for the last few years. With gentle-giant Gambeat on bass, every time the the kick drum starts the crowd bouncing his thumping bass lines fuel the frenzy.
The storming guitar player, Madjid Fahem, curls his tongue like he should be in KISS. His ripspeed guitarism is better then anything those NY punks ever did though, with a flaming SG and his body twisting and turning in time with the music. When he switches to an acoustic, never have I seen a one-note solo been played so well, with an occasional lightspeed run.
In true British ignorance, I have no idea what any of the words are. Spanish, French Italian and Arabic mix about in pick and mix spendor. The outstretched hands in the air, from the front of The Forum, to the back, imply that hefty chunk of the audience do.
Tracks start taking a formula anthemic rally cry into reggae groove. Then a small break, fill or thumping of microphone into Manu’s chest. Then go mental as we are rocking out. Call and answer giant chants, and solo.
Watch ‘Me Llamen Calle’ bu Manu Chao:
So many elements are like a football match this evening - the layout of the band in a 4-3-1 formation, the amount of bald heads in the audience, the chanting, the crowd sweating buckets, with those call-and-answer chants reaching a frenzy.
Manu Chao himself kind of swans about, his clothing casually falling off. You can see a fair few faces lighting up as he shows off his Ladies’ Man credentials to this full house.
Last time they played a solo gig it was at Wembley Arena, and for Manu Chao and Radio Bemba this is a pretty intimate show. London has really have been missing out.
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