31 July 2009
Encores
en·core n.
1. A demand by an audience for an additional performance, usually expressed by applause.
It's been a while since I've had a bit of a rant, I think the last time was when I went on about cardigans. Since then I have mainly gotten caught up in the recording of/hunting out sessions, gig announcements and anything else that I hope might of interest to anyone who might visit. For a while I toyed with various things that annoyed me, then I started to think I was getting a bit too Larry David-like the older I get. Up until this point I had kept my angry old man self locked away, only venting my opinions out to anyone who's stupid enough to listen to me at the end of a drunken evening. After reading Bob's review of the Ross Clark and his 'encore', it reminded me that I had planned to write about this before, so here goes.....
October the 23rd, 1994 - My first ever gig, Stone Temple Pilots at the Barrowlands, essentially the gig that got me hooked on live music. The thing that's I remember from that night would have to be thrill of being at a gig, the purple joker smile I was sporting after drinking several pints of Diesel (Snakebite n' black), 9 folk including myself going over the first aid section to ask for scissors so we could cut up Scott Weiland's towel which we were all claiming ownership of, and lastly screaming my lungs out for the band to do an encore.
Why am I trying to convince that I wasn't always an old miserable cnut, well I'll tell you why, encores, they're not what they used to be. I'm not sure if it's always been this way, but if you look at a bands set list these day's there is always the inevitable line seperating the main set and the encore, i.e. it's pre-planned. My point is that surely an encore has to earned, pre-programming it as part of your set surely defeats the purpose of what an encore should actually be. Fair enough if a band wants to go off for a minute and chill out, but then again this should really only apply to old fart bands and junkie fucks. If you are that fucked after playing ten songs you really shouldn't be in band.
My worst experience of encores was seeing the Smashing Pumpkins back in 1996 or was it '97, actually who cares, the point I wanted to make was that they did what felt like 7 encores, by which stage most of the crowd had left through the sheer boredom of it all.
My most obscure encore would have to be Baby Chaos supporting the Wildhearts at the Garage, when there was no demand for them to come back on (apart from me, I loved the Chaos back in the day), but Ginger the 'hearts lead singer made them go back on an do an encore just for him. That was class.
The Arctic Monkey's had it right when I saw them at the ABC, play all your songs and then fuck off, none of this going off for two minutes, then sauntering back on stage to wild reception. simply play your tunes, blow everyone away, then fuck off. If only others would follow suit.
So to sum up, play all your good songs, then leave the stage. If you were that good, then folk will want more, don't plan for folk to demand that you come back.
RANT OVER
King Creosote busks his way round London
The lovely folk over at Bandstand Busking have just posted up KC's set recorded, and fecking lovely it is too. As per usual I've recorded the audio, I'd recommend that you make sure and watch the videos though.
Track Listing
1. Camels Swapped For Wives
2. Rims
3. Coast on By
4. Jump At The Cats
Download
Watch the videos
Track Listing
1. Camels Swapped For Wives
2. Rims
3. Coast on By
4. Jump At The Cats
Download
Watch the videos
30 July 2009
Go-Away Birds - Marc Riley Session (29/07/09)
Track Listing
1. Can We Skip This Song
2. Safe Sad You
3. Highwire
Download
Myspace
Home
Comprised of Ireland's Catherine Ireton (now of God Help the Girl fame)and Scotland's Michael John McCarthy (of Zoey Van goey fame), they play acoustic folk music. They only came to my attention because of the whole GHtG link. having recorded far too many songs for just one album, the duo have decided to release an EP for each season for the next 8 years or so. so far we are up to EP number two, which is free to download from their Homepage. If anyone has a copy of the original EP I'd love to hear it.
Go-Away Birds play the Captains Rest on the 26th of August.
2. Safe Sad You
3. Highwire
Download
Myspace
Home
Comprised of Ireland's Catherine Ireton (now of God Help the Girl fame)and Scotland's Michael John McCarthy (of Zoey Van goey fame), they play acoustic folk music. They only came to my attention because of the whole GHtG link. having recorded far too many songs for just one album, the duo have decided to release an EP for each season for the next 8 years or so. so far we are up to EP number two, which is free to download from their Homepage. If anyone has a copy of the original EP I'd love to hear it.
Go-Away Birds play the Captains Rest on the 26th of August.
Frightened Rabbit announce - Spin Magazine Session
Track Listing
1. The Moder Leper
2. Swim Until You Can't See Land
3. Song Against Sex (Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
Download
Watch the videos
1. The Moder Leper
2. Swim Until You Can't See Land
3. Song Against Sex (Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
Download
Watch the videos
29 July 2009
Review: Ross Clark & The Scarves Go Missing, Diamond Sea and Ben TD - King Tut’s 17/7/09
Above: Steven, Diamond Sea (by Ghurdy)
Ben TD is an Australian solo acoustic artist who I first encountered just the other week at the excellent weekly acoustic jam in Sleazy’s. Here, however, he is accompanied by his band, The Ben TD Mess. They‘re a bit like a Teenage Fanclub cookie with just a wee bit of Fleet Foxes and Crowded House baked in to sweeten and enhance the flavour. The highlight of the set is the outstanding ‘The Science Of Breath’ which Ben plays without the backing of the rest of his band members. His voice is astounding throughout the set and he is possibly the best singer I’ve heard in Glasgow for a long time. It’s pretty good stuff and I really enjoyed it. They’re not a band I would go out of my way to listen to again very often but I wouldn’t be displeased to see them on the bill of a gig I had tickets for.
Next up are Diamond Sea. I’ve seen these guys many times now throughout their many line-up changes and this is the best I’ve heard them. Their aim is not to just go on stage and play some songs, but to move slickly from one song to the next. Each number segues into the next seamlessly in tonight’s primarily instrumental set. ‘Idleness Breeds Thought And Thoughts’ is particularly excellent, the gradual crescendo rising and rising until the colossal climax. ‘Pharmacology’ is another highpoint of the night. A superb set.
Ross Clark and his Scarves begn with probably my favourite track of his, ‘Captain Of A Ship’ from his latest album You Brought Evil. Soon after, a stomping ‘Black Bowl Park’ provokes a minor hoedown down the front involving a lad ( who evidently has not noticed that bowl cuts went out of fashion at some point in the mid 90s), his mates and anyone else drunk enough to join in. It provided a laugh anyway, if primarily from Hoedown Dancer No. 1’s hair. Further high points of the set are ‘Sex Is For Losers’, ‘Blue Suede Blues’ and set closer ‘Echo On The Night Train’. The band then returned to the stage to cover The Band’s ‘The Weight’ before the crowd emptied onto Glasgow’s humid, clammy streets. One minor gripe though, was that the band returned for the encore despite the crowd not really shouting for one meaning that most of the crowd were already on their way out of the room. Nothing major I know, but seeing bands do encores without being asked to is just one of my pet hates. Otherwise, an excellent set tonight from Ross and the band as usual.
FOUND - Marc Riley Session (28/07/09)
Track Listing
1. Anti Climb Paint
2. You're No Vincent Gallo
3. Blackette
4. Alsation Gull Scene
Download
Myspace
Check out FOUND's latest project Cybraphon here
FOUND play the Edinburgh Mill on the 9th of September along with Come In
Tokyo, The Ads and The OK Social Club. For free tickets Text MILL13N to 82500.
1. Anti Climb Paint
2. You're No Vincent Gallo
3. Blackette
4. Alsation Gull Scene
Download
Myspace
Check out FOUND's latest project Cybraphon here
FOUND play the Edinburgh Mill on the 9th of September along with Come In
Tokyo, The Ads and The OK Social Club. For free tickets Text MILL13N to 82500.
God Help The Girl - We Play A Show (4play documentary)
If you squint at the right moment you can see my shoes!
The Flaming Lips cover Madonna
Having just played the Splendour in the Grass Festival in Australia, the Flaming Lips did a session for Triple J, which included a cover of Madonna, with a bit of Kylie thrown in too boot, they also played new song 'Enthusiasm for life defeats internal existential fear'.
If you want to listen without downloading then click the link at the bottom.
If you want to listen without downloading then click the link at the bottom.
28 July 2009
The Mill Celebrates being one with a pant wettingly good lineup
On Thursday the 27th of August, The Mill (Miller's takeover night at Oran Mor) will be celebrating it's first birthday and it's doing it in style. The stellar line up of Scottish acts boasts the following lineup:-
We Were Promised Jetpacks
Some Young Pedro
Broken Records
Sparrow and The Workshop
and even more amazingly all it will cost you is the price of a text!!
To get tickets for the Glasgow show all you need to do is text
MILL27N to 82500 and Bob's your uncle.
Here's the copy n paste part....
The Mill
We Were Promised Jetpacks
Some Young Pedro
Broken Records
Sparrow and The Workshop
and even more amazingly all it will cost you is the price of a text!!
To get tickets for the Glasgow show all you need to do is text
MILL27N to 82500 and Bob's your uncle.
Here's the copy n paste part....
 |
| Help us celebrate a year of The Mill |
|
| How time flies. It’s been a whole year since The Mill first opened its doors, and to celebrate this milestone we’re welcoming back your favourite bands. But that’s not the half of it. We’ve also offered them the chance to bring along the bands that they believe are currently the best in emerging music, for what promises to be a couple of nights to remember. What’s more, we’ll be recording a live CD of the evening so everyone attending the events can relive the magic of the night again and again. |
|
| A year of The Mill Glasgow - 27th August’09 |
|
| First up to kick-start the celebrations is The Mill Glasgow on August 27th. We’re particularly excited to play host to the ridiculously talented We Were Promised Jetpacks, fresh from releasing their critically acclaimed debut album ‘These Four Walls’. They’re recommending the raw rifts of Some Young Pedro - a fine choice we’re sure you’ll agree. Also returning are the great marauders of the festival circuit, Broken Records whose unique debut album ‘Until the earth begins to part’ is out now. They’ll be introducing the eclectic three-piece act the Sparrow and The Workshop to add some softer notes to the feel. |
The Mill
27 July 2009
Glasgow Twestival
Tickets for this years Glasgow Twestival have gone on sale this morning, taking place at the Living Room on St Vincent Street on the 10th of September.. The first act to be announced for the charity evening at are the Glasgow electro rock duo Any Color Black,
Tickets are a very reasonable £7 (early bird price/full price £10) and they can be purchased here. The early bird tickets will be available up until 12pm on Friday 4th August 2009 or once the first 100 tickets sell-out. For further details check out the links below.
Tickets are a very reasonable £7 (early bird price/full price £10) and they can be purchased here. The early bird tickets will be available up until 12pm on Friday 4th August 2009 or once the first 100 tickets sell-out. For further details check out the links below.
25 July 2009
Music Like A Vitamin 2009 line up takes shape
The Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, which includes the rather brilliant 'Music Like a Vitamin' concerts, returns this year running from 1 – 22 October 2009. Details of the programme will be announced officially on Tuesday the 1st of September, however details of some of the shows have already started to filter out.
Karine Polwart and Emma Pollock are the first acts to be 'announced' for the opening show at the Glasgow Fruitmarket on the 1st of October. Then on the 21st of October, Edinburgh is treated to the delights of the Attic Lights, Rod Jones Solo (Idlewild), Frightened Rabbit, Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) and Euro Child (performing as Johnny) at the Picture House (still haven't been there, is it any good?). I am guessing that none of this is supposed to be announced just yet, but hey it's not like the information isn't already out there. Go moan at ticketweb and the concert hall if you reckon I'm spoiling any surprises, god I am so defensive, perhaps it's because I haven't gotten so many folks backs up in the past with this blog, and genuinely I really don't mean to, honest guv.
Tickets are available for the dirt cheap price of £5
Glasgow
Edinburgh
Home
Myspace
Thanks to Susie and Popcop for the tips.
24 July 2009
Frightened Rabbit - Live at the Siren Music Festival 2009
Track Listing
1. The Modern Leper
2. I Feel Better
3. Old Old Fashioned
4. The Twist
5. Square 9
NB this is not the full set, just what I found on youtube.
Download
Watch the videos
You can also read a nice review of the gig here
1. The Modern Leper
2. I Feel Better
3. Old Old Fashioned
4. The Twist
5. Square 9
NB this is not the full set, just what I found on youtube.
Download
Watch the videos
You can also read a nice review of the gig here
23 July 2009
Boycotts - Vic Galloway Session (23/07/09)
Mr Popcop has been banging on about this lot for a while, and to be honest I listened to a few of their songs at the time and enjoyed what I heard. Then some new shiny band came bouncing into view and my goldfish like memory forgot all about them. Thankfully though they were in session for Vic Galloway on last nights Introducing in Scotland show and fecking marvelous it was too.
The Boycotts celebrate the release of their debut E.P with a launch night
at the ABC2 on August the15th.
Track Listing
1. Real Life
2. Luella And Lies
3. A Lesson In Gravity
4. Scarper
Download
Myspace
Introducing - Mitchell Museum
About six months ago I succumbed to the slagging I was getting and 'upgraded' the tape player in my car to a CD player. Upon reflection this was one of the worst decisions I have ever made, mainly cause I bought a cheap piece of shit CD player that will play a song for about 20 seconds, then I'll hit a pothole and off the CD player switches. I pine for the heady days of my trusted tape player and it's ability to play albums in their entirety. WTF does this have to do with the Mitchell Museum you may well ask, well here's WTF it has to do with the Mitchell Museum, they're releasing a new single called 'Tiger Heartbeat' and it comes in MP3 format, but more excitingly it will also be sold on a limited run of 100 cassettes.
Here's the copy n past part
If you haven't already heard MM then you're in for a treat, I first came across them after Jim at Aye Tunes starting banging on about them a couple of months ago. I am glad he did, as I am sucker for fun indie pop and they just ooze fun. Listen to their new single below and prepare yourself to succumb to a joy that has me thinking I might just dig the old casette player out and stick it back in my car.
Mitchell Museum launch the single on Saturday the 1st of August at King Tuts,
get your ticket here.
Tiger Heartbeat
Here's the copy n past part
Following on from the success of Mitchell Museums debut single “Warning Bells” released on Vinyl and CD earlier this year, the second single features “Tiger Heartbeat” (a track from the forthcoming debut album), with a B-Side specially recorded for tape “In the Bloodwind.”
If you haven't already heard MM then you're in for a treat, I first came across them after Jim at Aye Tunes starting banging on about them a couple of months ago. I am glad he did, as I am sucker for fun indie pop and they just ooze fun. Listen to their new single below and prepare yourself to succumb to a joy that has me thinking I might just dig the old casette player out and stick it back in my car.
Mitchell Museum launch the single on Saturday the 1st of August at King Tuts,
get your ticket here.
Tiger Heartbeat
The Local Natives - Radio One Session (22/07/09)
Track Listing
1. Sun Hands
2. Airplanes
3. Cards and Quarters
4. Camera Talk
Download
Home
This session was recorded for Huw Stephens Introducing Show on BBC Radio One, and bloody lovely it is too. If you haven't heard of Local Natives before (if not, why not, I have been banging on about them for a while now, here and here), then you really are in for a treat. Have a listen to 'Airplanes', one of the most beautiful songs I've heard all year. The band play Glasgow in October as part of the NME Tour, tickets can be bought here.
If you like what you hear and want more then you can listen to/download
their Daytrotter Session here
1. Sun Hands
2. Airplanes
3. Cards and Quarters
4. Camera Talk
Download
Home
This session was recorded for Huw Stephens Introducing Show on BBC Radio One, and bloody lovely it is too. If you haven't heard of Local Natives before (if not, why not, I have been banging on about them for a while now, here and here), then you really are in for a treat. Have a listen to 'Airplanes', one of the most beautiful songs I've heard all year. The band play Glasgow in October as part of the NME Tour, tickets can be bought here.
If you like what you hear and want more then you can listen to/download
their Daytrotter Session here
22 July 2009
Frightened Rabbit announce new Glasgow show (start saving)
The Frabbit have announced they will be playing as part of the The Scottish Royal Variety Performance (wtf?!) on the 8th of October at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Sounds good so far, in fact you may even be getting a little excited, stop right there, as here comes the sticking point, tickets are a whopping £65/75. Now I know that I like my fix of Frabbit gigs, hell I have seen them for free more times than I have had to pay, but I am not sure if I'd be willing to stump up that kind of money, even if you were to chuck in Sandi Thom and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers to the deal. If it does sound like something you'd be up for then check out the link below.
Myspace
Ticket Details
Frightened Rabbit-Song Against Sex.mp3
Myspace
Ticket Details
Frightened Rabbit-Song Against Sex.mp3
21 July 2009
We Were Promised Jetpacks - Vic Galloway Session (20/07/09)
Track Listing
1. It's Thunder and It's Lightning
2. This Is My House, This Is My Home
3. Blindsided (Bon Iver cover)
Download
1. It's Thunder and It's Lightning
2. This Is My House, This Is My Home
3. Blindsided (Bon Iver cover)
Download
20 July 2009
19 July 2009
Frightened Rabbit - Live at the Pitchfork Music Festival 2009
Track Listing
1. The Modern Leper
2. Fast Blood
3. Old Old Fashioned
4. I Feel Better
5. Good Arms vs Bad Arms
6. The Twist
7. Head Rolls Off
8. The Greys/Square 9
Download
1. The Modern Leper
2. Fast Blood
3. Old Old Fashioned
4. I Feel Better
5. Good Arms vs Bad Arms
6. The Twist
7. Head Rolls Off
8. The Greys/Square 9
Download
18 July 2009
Introducing - AVI Buffalo
I feel old, well actually I always feel old 31 last week, I now go to gigs and my first thought is usually something like 'are these kids old enough to be in here'. After hearing AVI Buffalo I feel even older, having just from just graduated high school, the four piece hail from Long Beach, California
I picked up on these guys after hearing a snippet of one of their songs on Steve Lurpacks, In New Music We Trust show, and after listening to a couple of tunes on their Myspaz I must admit I was pretty impressed. Imagine the Shins, but a lot younger and singing about cum and you're pretty much there. Check out the MP3's below and let me know if it floats yer boat.
I picked up on these guys after hearing a snippet of one of their songs on Steve Lurpacks, In New Music We Trust show, and after listening to a couple of tunes on their Myspaz I must admit I was pretty impressed. Imagine the Shins, but a lot younger and singing about cum and you're pretty much there. Check out the MP3's below and let me know if it floats yer boat.
16 July 2009
Dananananaykroyd - Live at T in the Park
Track Listing
1. Black Wax
2. Some Dresses
*** Pink Sabbath has now been added, link updated***
Download
1. Black Wax
2. Some Dresses
*** Pink Sabbath has now been added, link updated***
Download
Franz Ferdinand - Live at T in the Park 2009
Track Listing
1. Take Me Out
2. Ulysses
3. Turn It On
4. Lucid Dreams
5. Unknown
Download
Bonus
Acoustic version of 'Can't Stop Feeling' MP3
1. Take Me Out
2. Ulysses
3. Turn It On
4. Lucid Dreams
5. Unknown
Download
Bonus
Acoustic version of 'Can't Stop Feeling' MP3
15 July 2009
Colin MacIntyre - Radio Scotland Session (15/07/09)
Track Listing
1. Cape Wrath
2. All Part of the Letting Go
3. The Edge of Nearly
Download
Colin will be appearing this week in FOPP in Glasgow's Union St this Thursday 16th July at 5pm. And at ROUGH TRADE EAST, Brick Lane, London, this Friday 17th July at 1pm.
1. Cape Wrath
2. All Part of the Letting Go
3. The Edge of Nearly
Download
Colin will be appearing this week in FOPP in Glasgow's Union St this Thursday 16th July at 5pm. And at ROUGH TRADE EAST, Brick Lane, London, this Friday 17th July at 1pm.
14 July 2009
The Local Natives - 6Music Session (13/07/09)
The Local Natives, the hotly tipped buzz band from this years SXSW made their debut UK appearance on 6Music yesterday, after over coming initial technical difficulties the band shone through with an airing of new single Sun Hands, followed by a cover of the Talking Heads 'Warning Sign'. They're currently only doing a handful of shows in the UK, London and Lattitude I think, although they are due back in Blighty some time in September, I'll post details when they're announced.
STOP PRESS - fecking typical, i go and post that they'll be back in Sep/Oct and two hours later they announce they'll be on the NME tour with the Golden Silvers, details here. More importantly the Glasgow date is at Oran Mor on the 1st of October. tickets go on sale tomorrow.
STOP PRESS - fecking typical, i go and post that they'll be back in Sep/Oct and two hours later they announce they'll be on the NME tour with the Golden Silvers, details here. More importantly the Glasgow date is at Oran Mor on the 1st of October. tickets go on sale tomorrow.
Franz Ferdinand, Malcolm Ross (Josef K) and Edwyn Collins collaboration at T In The Park
Franz Ferdinand, Malcolm Ross (Josef K) and Edwyn Collins - Sorry For Laughing
As part of the BBC's coverage, they recorded the Scottish supergroup playing Josef K's song 'Sorry For Laughing' backstage at T In The Park. Sounds pretty amazing to me.
As part of the BBC's coverage, they recorded the Scottish supergroup playing Josef K's song 'Sorry For Laughing' backstage at T In The Park. Sounds pretty amazing to me.
13 July 2009
Jenny Lewis Video - "See Fernando"
This cheered me up on this miserable Monday, only been back at work for half a day and I'm already wishing my life away. Thank god for Jenny........
Jenny Lewis "See Fernando" from Team G on Vimeo.
12 July 2009
Robin Pecknold - Neumo's, Seattle WA (11/07/09)
1. Intro
2. Katie Cruel (trad)
3. False Knight on the Road (trad)
4. Silver Dagger (trad)
5. He Doesn't Know Why
6. Oliver James
7. Two Headed Boy (Neutral Milk Hotel)
8. Albatross (Fleetwood Mac)
9. Oh Sister (Bob Dylan)
10. Early In the Morning (B.B. King)
11. The Book of Love (the Magnetic Fields)
12. Icicle Tusk
13. Mykonos
14. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
15. Blue Spotted Tail
16. Encore Break + Requests
17. Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)
Download
Massive thanks goes out to Mr Stipe for the link
2. Katie Cruel (trad)
3. False Knight on the Road (trad)
4. Silver Dagger (trad)
5. He Doesn't Know Why
6. Oliver James
7. Two Headed Boy (Neutral Milk Hotel)
8. Albatross (Fleetwood Mac)
9. Oh Sister (Bob Dylan)
10. Early In the Morning (B.B. King)
11. The Book of Love (the Magnetic Fields)
12. Icicle Tusk
13. Mykonos
14. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
15. Blue Spotted Tail
16. Encore Break + Requests
17. Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)
Download
Massive thanks goes out to Mr Stipe for the link
Copy Haho - Huw Stephen's Introducing Session (09/07/09)
Track Listing
1. The Last Dash
2. The Be Good
3. Simper
Download
tracks 2 & 3 are together as one MP3, sorry boys 'n gals
1. The Last Dash
2. The Be Good
3. Simper
Download
tracks 2 & 3 are together as one MP3, sorry boys 'n gals
11 July 2009
09 July 2009
08 July 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)