Beef Warehouse return @ Daft Drunk at the Lexington 26th June
Written by: admin
Beef Warehouse used to run a regular packed out themed clubnight called ‘It’s All About…’ at North London’s Boogaloo until April 2008 when the less hairy one got barred for quarreling. They wanted to start a new night but got sidetracked with appearances at ATP, Latitude, Glastonbury and Leeds whilst narrowly avoiding arrest for indecent exposure at a family village fete in the Cotswolds. They’ve since played festivals in New York, fashion shows in Barcelona and car races in Los Angeles – but there’s no place like home and,... [Read the Rest]
Live: Bob Dylan @ The Camden Roundhouse, 26 April 2009
Written by: Dene Mullen
Maths was never my strongest point, but I’ve been doing some arithmetic lately. Bob Dylan began his recording career 47 years ago, in 1962, and since then he has released 33 studio albums. According to my calculations, this gives him 363 songs to choose from when playing live. And that is not counting the huge cannon of B-sides and other rarities that have spewed forth from one of rock’s greatest minds in the intervening years. With this in mind, it was unreasonable for anyone except the most steadfast Dylanophile to expect to be familiar... [Read the Rest]
In conversation: Alec Empire on Shivers, Patrick Wolf, and Financial Meltdown
Written by: Hugh Platt
When I first interviewed Alec Empire, over a sterile exchange of emails, I mentioned that I was glad of the arms’ length distance - no-one wants to find out that a musical hero, once off the pedestal we make for them, turns out to be a bit of a cock. So it was with some trepidation that I found myself sat next to my phone, awaiting a call from the man himself to discuss his new mini-album, Shivers, and the career-spanning ambitions of his forthcoming The Past-The Present-The Future tour. I needn’t have worred though. As an interviewee,... [Read the Rest]
Hippy f**ks don’t care about your stocks, rent out your house buy a tent and join in.
Written by: David Harrison
In the last couple of weeks almost everyone one we know has/is about to launch something. Last year live music overtook recorded music for the first time and in a celebration of defiance against bankers/manufacturing/housing crisis let us share with you the wonders of our friends new projects in this years live calendar. If you can go along and support them, in return they will support you. ————- The first man of France has just launched his 2009 Worldwide Festival and revealing his first artists that have been confirmed.... [Read the Rest]
Review: What happened last Friday 13th
Written by: David Harrison
I am four pints and in, and Todd are delivering great Melvinseque riff laden performance which ranty screamy lyrics from an out of control fella that gets down off the stage and joins the audience. Breaking the fourth wall of a gig he is throwing his preppy frame into the audience. People move back and i find myself at the front. He hurls himself about at the crowd, attempting to bring people down his long microphone lead caught underfoot. About three metres from me a bundle of people are on the floor. Reports say there is broken glasses and people... [Read the Rest]
Bangkok Rock: Jumpin’ Johnny Flash
Written by: Dene Mullen
The condensation runs down my bottle of beer, soaking the mat below. Despite the tricks that my eyes and ears are playing on me, my mind is still lucid enough to reassure me that I am not in the late 80s, watching a proponent of perhaps the most ridiculed musical ‘movement’ of all time. No, it’s 2009 and I’m sat in the upstairs room of a huge pub in balmy Bangkok, along with about 10 other people, witnessing one of the most unbelievable performances of my life. Anyone who has been to Thailand’s capital will tell you that, no matter how... [Read the Rest]
Interview: From laundromat to Morrissey
Written by: Sarah Holt
Los Angeles is a strange place. One minute you’re washing your smalls at the Laundromat, an hour later you’re interviewing Morrissey. Local radio station Indie 103.1FM announced that the former Smiths icon was holding a rare TV conference ahead of his residency at the Hollywood Palladium. A chance for Music Towers to infiltrate? So, I sped down Sunset Boulevard; charmed the doorman, courtesy of my finest Leicester accent, and next thing I knew it was my turn to quiz Morrissey. Morrissey had returned to Los Angeles for an unprecedented 10-day... [Read the Rest]
Posts are on hold for a while
Written by: admin
Sorry about updates slowing to a snails pace. A few things have slowed us down like MCPS wanting a fee for telling you about youtube clips. Earning money instead of kudos … And going to see bands that break us into little bits when we dance. Normal service will resume. Thanks MT Read More →
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... [Read the Rest]
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... [Read the Rest]
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... [Read the Rest]
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... [Read the Rest]
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... [Read the Rest]
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... [Read the Rest]
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’... [Read the Rest]
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... [Read the Rest]
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,... [Read the Rest]
Musical Advent Calendar - Recap Days 21 - 24
Written by: Hugh Platt
By the time you read this, it’ll be Christmas Day. Music Towers will have shut up shop for a while (at least until we’ve put the finishing touches to our 2008 Almanac), and will have settled down to watch the Dr Who Xmas Special with a big bottle of gin. Later on you will find us wandering the streets, drunkenly singing the four songs you can see below. We might be dressed as Santa, we might possibly just go naked - in either case, it won’t be pretty, but gosh darn it will be entertaining. Have a very merry Christmas, from all... [Read the Rest]
Zavvi goes into administration
Written by: Hugh Platt
Well, as predicted, Zavvi, the UK’s largest high street music retailer, has gone into administration today. The death knell came when the collapse of Woolworths took distributors EUK down with it - without it, Zavvi found themselves unable to re-stock, and the current financial climate was just too severe for them to survive. The downside is, of course, that now HMV are the only major player when it comes to high street music retail. Sure, there are still a smattering of independent stores (all of whom will be struggling) and supermarkets... [Read the Rest]
Musical Advent Calendar - Recap Days 16 - 20
Written by: Hugh Platt
Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? We have. We’re so up on Christmas like you would not believe. We’ve taken to striding about our office dressed as Santa Claus. Local children are terrified when thye see us struttung up and down the high street like a gaggle of red-clad drunks. It’s amazing. ANYWAY - here’s the last five days of our splendid musical advent calendar - we really love Joel Moss Levinson’s bitchin’ song we used yesterday. Day 16 - ‘Last Christmas’ - Wham! Day 17 - We Wish You... [Read the Rest]
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