United Fruit - Live at T in the Park (07/07/12)

Track Listing

1. Push It

2. Go Away, Don't Leave Me Alone

3. A Taste I Can't Give Up

Download

Stream the video

We've Got It Covered #83

 

This weeks cover comes from the post-hardcore quartet, United Fruit and their take on the Damned classic New Rose. The song was recorded as part of a session that they did for the Vic Galloway's Radio Scotland show back in October of last year. He liked them so much that he's invited them along to play at one of his 'Vic Galloway presents...' gigs at the The Electric Circus in Edinburgh on the 26th of this month alongside PAWS and Vasquez. Ahead of that gig, the boys are also playing a home town show at King Tut's this coming Monday (16th) alongside Lady North.If you fancy blowing a few of those January cobwebs away then get yourself along to one of these shows.

United Fruit-New Rose (Damned cover)

Scots Way-Hay - The Artists Albums of the Year 2011 (Part 2)

If you're already getting sick of all of this talk about albums of the year, then you might want to stay well away from this site for the next two weeks. Continuing on from last week, here's the second out of four scheduled Artists Albums of the Year. This is the bit where I get folk who've done interviews for me over the past two years to tell me a bit about what's been tickling their fancy in 2012, we even have one of our artists choosing an album by someone else who's writing about their favourite album - I hope to fuck that makes sense to you. This week we have the choices of Sebastian Dangerfield, Bronto Skylift, Sugar Crisis, Song of Return, Mike Nisbet, Neil Milton, Washington Irving, United Fruit, French Wives and The Scottish Enlightenment...

Bon Iver - Bon Iver chosen by Stuart (Sebastian Dangerfield)

The first thing that came to mind was “Bon iver’s, Bon Iver”. Then I thought, “Is that too obvious?” Then I thought; that’s probably the reason why it should be my favourite album this year.
I was nervous to hear that Justin Vernon was bringing a band in to do his second album and to record it in a purpose built studio, just incase he lost that intimate and unique sound he had on "For Emma...". But it’s a huge step away from the first album and is arguably an improvement that seems more confident.
The sound and the production are bigger, the songs are more detailed, and there are a few controversial synth noises just to keep you on your toes. It also helps that he has a cracking voice and a great sense of melody.... and the show at Usher Hall this year was the tits.


Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will chosen by Niall (Bronto Skylift)

I find it difficult when talking about anything as the best of the year because my moods vary wildly throughout the year and something I was maybe digging a few weeks ago (say, Mastadon) might not be massaging my eardrums as I write this so I guess i have to think about the piece of work that has drawn me back time and time again like some kind of magical Pony Magnet...
Honourable mentions have to go to the cassette based rumblings of PAWS even though they did not make an album but released enough to constitute an album and to the BREW RECORDS BRW015 Split 10" with Kong/That Fucking Tank/Castrovalva/Shield Your Eyes which has been melting my head and making we want to live in Leeds.

So, after studying flow diagrams, pie charts and polishing all metal objects on site I can safely say my album of the year has been - Mogwai: Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will.
I remember when they released Rano Pano as a free download. I instantly thought "these guys have made a ripper of an album and are so confident of it's rippage that they have given this for nothing" And how true a thought that was.The flow of the album is beautiful.
The sound so mighty and immersive that you could almost believe that anyone could learn a foreign language using Linguaphone.In two weeks.
At times when i listen to it and I'm drawing pictures I find myself ;sketching the legendary nature pundit David Attenburgh (White Noise) employing sharp lettering and slogans (Mexican Grand Prix) and feeling like I could take on the whole empire myself (How to Be A Werewolf)
Oh yeah and the title alone makes me want to tear the clouds from the sky and use them as loofers when in the shower.


Veronica Falls - Veronica Falls chosen by Neil and Lorna (Sugar Crisis)

They're such a beautiful sounding band and the songs are rocky and dreamy and a delight. Loved them from the first chord.

Radiohead - The King Of Limbs chosen by Graig Grant (Song of Return)

There was a time, I know there still is for other people, where I'd always create a lot of pomp and ceremony about my first listen to a new record by one of my "favourite" bands (in fact, my first listen to sigur ros' "takk" on the day of it's release whilst hanging the free embossed poster I made sure i got in early for made me 15 minutes late for work and almost got me fired). But in spite of how I still feel after all this time, I am not sixteen anymore. By a long shot. And yes I did pick up "King of Limbs" on the day it was released, but what I am getting at is that it was much more of a slow-release drug affair, like all music and the changing way people use and listen to it these days.

Now I've followed radiohead since my teens, but what I think I appreciate most about their current 'embodiment', really from "In Rainbows" to present, is the distinct lack of pomp and ceremony. These guys have toured the world extensively. they have been the biggest band on earth at some points. But they are have not become the Rolling Stones, the don't live on separate islands that they own. they are just a bunch of regular guys living in rural Oxfordshire and using their time on earth to absorb beautiful and far out music, and transforming that education in to beautiful and far ourt music of their own. but yet, in spite of this new, accessible, down to earth persona, they have still managed to make something which is altogether elusive, mysterious, entrancing even. This combination makes a band magical, still makes one feel like the teenage fanboy.

And it's this mystery which draws me back listen after listen. It's a code. I remember from a great piece in Rolling Stone not long after it's release that "nothing at Radiohead HQ is an accident", meaning of course that the form and structure of the record, not to mention it's length, seem at first jarring. But it's all in there, waiting to be figured out. The content is there. It requires listening with intent to acquire it's hidden meanings. And that is what makes a great record. Mystery.

Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The Harvest chosen by Mike Nisbet

I fell in love with Gillian Welch on a cold dark night, out on the west coast mid winter, and I was a little drunk, the conditions were just right. Reading an online magazine and caught a picture of her, she look like she was from another time, and I had to know what this 'time' sounded like. Being a late comer to Gillian I didn't have to wait the 8 years everyone else did for this new record but god it was worth it! It's a world that I frequently sink into, a place I find painfully beautiful at times, a place that reminds me what a song can really do to you.

Highlight have got to be Down Along The Dixie Line & Hard Times, Gillian singing her cut throat lyrics 'I've never been so disabused, I've never been so mad, I've never been served anything that tasted so bad' underpinned by Dave Rawling on lead guitar (my favourite guitarist of all time, hands down by the way) with harmonies that at points can bring you to your knees.

If you've not ventured through the music of Gillian Welch yet, wait till it's dark, pour your self a stiff drink and welcome home.

Jóhann Jóhannsson - The Miners' Hymns chosen by Neil Milton

I first heard Icelandic composer, Jóhann Jóhannsson around 2006 when he released what has become one of my all time favourite albums, IBM 1401 - A User's Manual. Since then he has become a great inspiration to me so I was excited to hear he would release the soundtrack he had written to accompany the Bill Morrison film, The Miners' Hymns. Like everything that Jóhann does it seems to balance delicately between glorious, sweeping celebration and poignantly sorrowful nostalgia. Its use of brass, a group of instruments commonly associated with colliery life, perfectly identifies with the social history of the northern English miners that the film sets out to depict. The Miners' Hymns is a beautiful modern-classical requiem and one I can't recommend highly enough.

Mike Nisbet by Vagrant chosen by Joe (Washington Irving)

This album takes the prize for me. There’s no-one like Mike in Scotland at the moment. Taking influences from Nick Cave and Tom Waits, he’s produced something really unique with a lot of guts, dirt and soul. The song ‘El Frida’ shows a real step up in his song writing and guitar playing, and tracks like ‘Snow Me In’ and the title track ‘Vagrant’ show him at his most mournful and melodic. The record has consistent sense of morbidity, loss and desire set in Mike’s own desolate, wintry world. I think the reason I rate it so highly is because the listener is invited into this place, or at least catches a glimpse of it and sees Mike, guitar in hand, wandering down his long, lonesome road.

Empros by Russian Circles chosen by Marco (United Fruit)

Basically it is the best thing to happen to instrumental music since Godspeed.

A Different Kind of Fix by Bombay Bicycle Club chosen by Jonny (French Wives)

We were lucky enough to support this band at the tail end of last year, however, regrettably, I'd never paid much attention to them; previous offerings have never stood out and grabbed me in the way that this third record has.

Arguably a combination of genres from the first and second record, 'A Different Kind of Fix' marks a huge step up for BBC. A beautifully restrained effort, the album flows with such a consistent groove yet never threatens to lose it's dark, lo-fi appeal. Tracks like 'Lights Out, Words Gone' and the initial single 'Shuffle' demonstrates intelligent vocal layers and some truly remarkable rhythms. Heavier tracks such as 'Your Eyes' and 'Take the Right One,' although bold in exterior, Jack Steadman's haunting tone keeps them perfectly in line with the understated feel of this record.

A genuinely great album and I think I've given it as birthday presents to about 4 people which can't be a bad sign!


Happy as a Windless Flagchosen by Douglas Firs' chosen by David (The Scottish Enlightenment)

My album of 2011 is Douglas Firs' Happy as a Windless Flag, and this has got nothing to do with them being on the same label as us. The record is totally fascinating. I keep finding new things in it to wonder at. I cant imagine how some of the ideas came into being and It probably wasn't the intention, but it's like Edinburgh cast in musical form. Neil's delicately warbling murmur and the fragility of the performances really draw you into the dark, quiet closes within the music that separate great slabs of blackened grandeur. This bipolarity of intimacy and bombast, and the diversity of rhythm that carries the songs on dancing feet, makes it a totally satisfying listen, and a case study in why albums are a really good musical format. They also happen to be the best live band in Scotland as far as my experience goes. Long live The Douglas Firs!

United Fruit - Vic Galloway Session (03/10/11)

Track Listing
1. Kamikaze
2. Go Away Don't Leave Me Alone
3. New Rose (Damned cover)

Download

United Fruit - Live at T in the Park

United Fruit - Go Away, Don't Leave Me Alone by RadioMagnetic

United Fruit - T Break Backstage Interview, T in the Park 2011 by Radio Magnetic on Mixcloud

United Fruit - T Break Stage Live Set, T in the Park 2011 by Radio Magnetic on Mixcloud

United Fruit - Ally McCrae Session (06/06/11)

Track Listing

1. Go Away Don’t Leave Me Alone
2. Dust To Light
3. Wrecking Ball
4. Red Letter

Download

Scots Way-Hay #60 - United Fruit

About ten years ago I was really into much louder stuff than I am nowadays, I guess I am just mellowing/getting boring in my old age. I spent many a night lying in bed with my ears ringing having deafened myself by standing down the front next to a speaker seeing bands like At the Drive In and Rival Schools. Nowadays I am far more likely to be found at out seeing bands that are a bit more folk or indie-pop orientated. It's safe to say that I have mellowed with old age, however, I do still like to dip my toe in and listen something a bit heavier from time to time. One such band that have been floating my boat a fair bit as of late are Glasgow four piece, United Fruits. The band first came to my attention after my partner in crime, Halina from the Glasgow Podcart continued to band on about how amazing they were. I must admit that I was a bit reluctant to check them out at first, for fear of being too much of a sap to appreciate them. How wrong I was, as their new album 'Fault Lines' which is due out at the end of the month is one of most brutally awesome albums I have heard in ages. Let's just say it certainly blows away a few cobwebs from my head on my walk into work in the morning. The band are currently out on a UK tour which culminates with a headline show at Bloc in Glasgow at the end of the month, followed by an appearance on the T Break stage at T in the Park in July. I caught up with the band to ask them a few questions about their influences and what they've got in store for the rest of 2011...


Would you care to introduce yourself?

Iskandar Stewart +Stuart Galbraith + Marco Panagopoulos + Ross Jenkins = United Fruit


How would you describe the music you make?

Angry Happiness euphoric terror


How did you come together as a band?

It was a totally organic process man! Yeah we all met by pure chance at a house party, bashing our heads to Hey Joni and talking for hours in the depths of some basement flat. It just so happened we all could play an instrument or 2. the rest is history!


How did you start out making music?
We flat hopped from place to place just to get a practice in. We were too skint to afford rehearsal space, so we settled for peoples homes. Marco's mum has a garage she never goes in, and we kinda turned it into a music space. We used to use a couple of abandoned warehouses. But we cant mention where, otherwise we would get in trouble from the collective think-tank that supplies so much of the creative output of the Glasgow music scene.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

We only write songs when something bad happens, but, the knock on effect of the band doing well has created far too much happiness within the ranks. We have now come to the conclusion that a healthy dose of sabotage for each individual member of the band is necessary in creating a mood of unhappiness which ultimately leads to better song-writing.


Who are your big musical influences?

Its such a big question with too many people to mention. We allow people to ask themselves what they think we sound like, we tend to respond with enthusiasm as it means they are relating it to something they appreciate most of the time. That will do for us. But we are very much influenced by the bands we play with. But if we had to put an influence on our band why not read, ' Our Band Could Be Your Life'.


What kind of influence do you feel that where you come from has had on the music you create?

Bands are always going to be influenced by where they come from and the people they are surrounded by on a daily basis. We don't really make a conscience effort to make music that sounds typically from Glasgow. We could start writing about housing schemes and high rise flats and junkies but it's not who we are are. We think the music we make is actually more universal than that. We want to create music and lyrics that have mass appeal.


What can people expect to see/hear from your live shows?

United Fruit shows are an assault on the eardrums. We like it loud and fast and so do our fans so we always try to put on a show. It can sometimes get pretty chaotic and we've had a few venues switch from glasses to plastic cups because we expect our fans to be as into the show as us.


Has there been a particular gig that has stood out for you so far (good or bad)?

One gig stands out from the rest due to the fact we had a guy somersault into the drum monitor. Don't actually know how he managed to get onto the stage as the amount of beer on the floor was insane. This guys ludicrous act had a knock on affect on the rest of the crowd and they proceeded to steal our instruments off us while our drummer kept the song going. We ended up dancing and becoming part of the crowd. There was no pretension that night and we really felt connected to everyone.


What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond? Do you have any new releases planned for any time soon?

We're doing a UK tour in May to promote our new album 'Fault Lines' which is released on the 30th of May. There's a lot of new songs in the pipeline as well so there could very well be another release towards the end of the year. We just want to gig in as many new places as possible so we're doing our first French tour in September. We will be working on a music video for the first single off of the album and that will be made available as a digital download. We will confirm the release of the video through one of our tour blogs but you'll have to keep an eye on it as we have a sneaky competition in which we will be asking fans to decipher hidden messages in our video tour diary. The lucky winner will receive a United Fruit goody bag!


United Fruit - Kamikaze

United Fruit release their debut album Fault Lines on the 30th of May, you can catch the boys in action on the 
27th at The Balcony Bar in Dundee 
and the 28th at Bar Bloc, Glasgow
, which will also be the albums official launch night.

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"Time is precious and everyone wants a piece of it"

"Time is precious and everyone wants a piece of it", very profound words, sadly it wasn't me that first said. Credit for that goes to a nice fella called Danny who manages the Sea Kings, never the less what he had to say struck a chord with me as nowadays I do find it a lot harder to keep on top of everything that I get sent. I used to be able to pride myself at being able to keep my inbox relatively clear, however in the past few months I guess things have just gotten on top of me and I now have a stack of unanswered emails waiting to be dealt with. So if you've sent me anything over the past few months and haven't heard anything back from me, I am not ignoring you, I just struggle to find the time to reply to everyone. For that reason I thought it would be a good idea to post some links to things that I have listened to and enjoyed recently.


First up we have Doug Johnstone and his debut solo EP, ‘Keep it Afloat’ which is officially due out tomorrow, but you can already nab yourself a copy on his Bandcamp page. Spookily I had been talking to my wife about Doug just a couple of days before he got in touch, however, it wasn't because of his music, it was because he had just released his latest book, 'Smokeheads'. As we had picked up his last novel, 'The Ossians' at Fences' Home Game Festival back in 2009, I was intrigued to hear what his music would sound like. Having cut his teeth in Scottish 'lo-fi shamblers' and part-time Fence Collective associates Northern Alliance, Doug's debut EP features songs about parenthood, homesickness, the creative process and having a car crash with Bjork. This won't necessarily appeal to everyone, as it is quite a lo-fi release, the lyrics are a wee bit clunky and he doesn't have the greatest voice in the world. That being said, I do really like this EP, there is something very endearing about it. If you are going to give it a chance then check out 'Keep It Afloat'.

Blue Sky Archives released their new EP, 'Plural', Blue Sky Archives', way back in March, but I've only now found the time to get round to listening to it (see I told you I was rubbish). The Glasgow five piece are quite unique in that their sound blends elements of post-rock with pop, as the summer months approach I am sure that you can expect to see them sound tracking a number of festivals.

Having firmly established themselves in their home town, Edinburgh four piece, Sebastian Dangerfield, release their new EP, ‘The Sound of the Old Machines’ this coming Monday (2nd May). The record is a mixture of brand new material and re-workings of previously self-recorded tracks. Having already gained a lot of exposure after featuring in the Pop Cops' last Music Alliance Pact post, the band look see for bigger things with this a catchy wee pop record.

Some of you with good memories might be able to remember the very first Scots Way-Hay post that I featured was with an Edinburgh called Ardentjohn, way back in February of last year. Since then things have been pretty quiet from the band, so it came as a nice surprise to receive word from Al Shields from the band who had been busy working away on a solo EP, Some Songs. Taking much more of a country tinge to his sound, Al is currently working away on his full-length debut album, which is due out later this summer 2011. You can stream his latest below and find out further information on his website.

Some Songs EP by alshields

I am going to sign off this wee post with some brutal fucking noise from Glasgow's very own United Fruit, who's debut album Fault Lines is out at the end of May. Having listened to my partner in crime, Halina of Glasgow Podcart cream her pants over this band for a while now, it has taken me an age to finally get my finger out and give them the once over. On first listen their At the Drive In meets McLusky noise is very much in your face, in a good way. Keep your ears peeled for a lot more from the Glasgow four piece.

Friday Freebies

Edwyn Collins
Edwyn’s col­lab­or­a­tion with The Drums is available to download for free on his homepage.

Kowalskiy
Our blogger mate posted up his 10th Free Monthly 5-track Scottish EP this week, this months EP features Bottle of Evil, The Last of Barrett's Privateers, Jump: Press A, Loch Awe and Pooch. You can find find out more details here.

Johnny Reb
Having spent much of last year out in Portugal recording with Morrissey's guitarist Boz Boorer, Johnny Reb have made all of the sessions they recorded free to download on their Bandcamp.

Burnt Island
Peenko favourites, Burnt Island will be playing at this year’s Edinburgh Grassmarket Festival and at Fence's Homegame. Festival To coincide with these appearances, their label Chaffinch Records have made their song The Year Of Open Doors available for free download.

Panda Su
The awesome Panda Su released their new EP on Monday there, as part of the promotional tour they recorded a session for Folk Radio. You can download the session in full here.

United Fruit
If you like your bands to be noisy then United Fruited should be right up your street, you can make your won mind up though by downloading their song 'Go Away, Don't Leave Me Alone' for free here.

Alexi Murdoch
The title track of his new album Towards The Sun is available for free download via Bandcamp.
Check out the Pop Cop for an interview on his feelings about nationality.

Parts & Labor
KEXP have a free download of new Parts & Labor track 'Rush' up for grabs here.

Ginger Wildheart
You can download a free 10 track Ginger album on his Bandcamp page.

Jennie Abrahamson
Her new single "Wolf hour" is available now as a free download on Soundcloud.

Dan Dan Dan
Edinburgh's Dan Dan Dan have a couple of free downloads up for grabs on their Bandcamp.

Ya Ya Club
As a precursor to his debut commercial release, 'Born In The Eighties E.P.' Ya Ya Club have recorded an additional acoustic E.P. which can be downloaded for free here.

Friday Freebies

Mitchell Museum
As you might have gathered I have a lotta love for the 'Museum, so when it came to this weeks FF's this one went straight to the top of the pile. In anticipation of the release of their debut album, ‘The Peters Port Memorial Service’ they have decided to put a bunch a few old tracks out on a little 6 track EP called “We lost 1^st prize”. As if that wasn't amazing enough they're giving it all away for free on their Bandcamp.
Mitchell Museum with zeez tracks you are really spoiling us!

Eugene McGuinness/Eugene + The Lizards
Eugene + The Lizards are releasing a double A-Side single featuring the tracks 'Bugjuice' and I Want Action, the tracks will be available from 1st March via digital download. Oddly though Bugjuice is available now as a free download from his website, go figure. Or go download now.

Joanna Newsom
Drag City have put up a wee sampler from the forthcoming Joanna Newsom album 'Have One On Me', you can download the song 'Kingfisher', just right click save, and hey presto you're on your way to a better life.

United Fruit
The noisy as fuck weegie quartet, United Fruit have put up three songs recorded live at Oran Mor to for free download, get downloading here.

I'm From Barcelona
While touring around the world with their two latest releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and “Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona have been working on the upcoming “27 Songs from Barcelona”. Inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums in 1978, “27 Songs from Barcelona” features one solo song for every member in I’m from Barcelona. You can download the songs that have been posted so far here.

The Late Call
'Born in Germany, currently based in Stockholm, and having cut his teeth on the live circuit in Edinburgh whilst studying here, you could say the Late Call (aka Johannes Meyer) is a truly international artist'. The band have a free MP3 of their song 'Linnea' available to download over at Tapete Records. If you like what you hear then you you can catch The Late Call tonight at the Wee Red Bar in Edinburgh or tomorrow in Glasgow at the Flying Duck.

Plan B
I know it's not an MP3, but it's too good not to mention, Plan B the much missed indie magazine has put all of it's back issues up for free download (torrent), you can download them all here.

Triple J
The Aussie Radio Station has a whole host of free MP3's up for you to get your grubby little mitts on, so if you fancy checking out what's floating our Antipodean cousins proverbial boats then look no further. There is also a whole host of other stuff that you will have heard of, including Fyfe Dangerfield (Gulliemots frontman), Midlake and Shout Out Louds.
A banquet of free tunes awaits you here.

Beggars USA
Has a whole host of free MP3s up for download, including tracks from Taken By Trees, Holly Miranda, The Morning Benders, Basia Bulat, The Mountain Goats, Vampire Weekend, Golden Silvers, Jeffrey Lewis, Elvis Perkins, The XX, Blue Roses, British Sea Power, St. Vincent and Titus Andronicus. Get downloading here.