| Upcoming Gigs |
[Jul. 1st, 2009|09:20 pm] |
Hmmm, I'm getting a lot slacker at updates but they will come, but thought I would post the gigs i'm going to anyway
July
2 - Blur - Hyde Park*
3 - Terry De Castro + Decoration + Container Drivers - Half Moon *
5 - Gordon McIntyre - Roxy Bar & Screen
7 - Lucksmiths - Luminaire*
8 - Lucksmiths - scala*
10-12 - Guilfest *
15 - Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - 100 club*
18 - Duran Duran - Lovebox festival - victoria park*
19 - Doves + New York Dolls - Lovebox festival - victoria park*
21 - Morrissey - Brixton Academy*
22 - Smittens - Wilmington Arms*
23 - Black Box Recorder - QEH*
24 - Eden House - Scala
25 - Super Fury Animals + Teenage Fanclub - Ben & jerry's festival *
26 - Human League + Futureheads + Camera Obscura - Ben & Jerry's festival*
August
1 - Field Day*
3 - Edwyn Collins - Picadilly Waterstones
4 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Garage*
6 - See See + Tamborines - Lexington
8 - David Devant & His Spirit Wife - Buffalo Bar*
14-16 - Summer Sundae*
20 - Animal Collective - Brixton Academy*
22 - Wedding Present - At The Edge Of The Sea Festival - Brighton
23 - Reagan Youth - Underworld
28-30 - Reading festival*
September
1 - Magazine - RFH*
6 - Offset Festival*
7 - Drugstore - Dingwalls*
8 - Jello Biafra - Islington Academy
9 - Darren Hayman - Jericho Tavern - Oxford
12 - Steve Ignorant + Cockney Rejects + Angelic Upstarts + Uk Subs etc - Durham Punk Fest*
18 - Jesu - Luminaire*
22 - Girls - Rough Trade
24 - white town - brixton jamm
25 - Orbital - Brixton Academy*
26 - Finntroll - Underworld*
30 - Spearmint - ICA
October
1 - Luke Haines - Borderline
6 - Raveonettes - Rough Trade
8 - Wild Beasts - Garage*
9 - Pixies - Brixton Academy*
11- Pete Murphy - Indigo*
12 - Spiritualized Performing Ladies & gentlemen we're floating in space - Royal Festival Hall*
15 - Kabeedies - Luminaire*
16 - Saint Etienne - Shepherds Bush Empire*
21 - iLiKETRAiNS - Oxford
22 - Doves & Magazine - Roundhouse*
23 - Sonic Youth - Forum*
25 - Broken Family Band - Jericho Tavern*
26 - Health - Garage
28 - ZZ Top - Wembley Arena*
30 - Anti Nowhere league - Underworld
31 - Cornershop - ICA*
November
3 - Psychic TV - Tabernacle
8 - Saxon + Anvil - Koko*
12 - Luke Haines - Rough Trade East
13 - Sad Day For Puppets + My Sad Captains - Buffalo Bar
14 - 6comm + Sutcliffe Jugend - Underworld
15 - Legendary Pink Dots - Bardens Boudoir
16 - Gravetemple - ICA
17 - Gary Numan - Pleasure Principle - Brighton Dome*
18 - A Place To Bury Strangers + Sad Day For Puppets + Brothers Movement - Garage*
19 - Martin Carr - Legion
20 - Hugh Cornwell - Islington Academy*
21 - Cranes - Luminaire*
24 - Malcolm Middleton + Curly Hair - Bush Hall*
25 - The Specials - Hammersmith Apollo*
26 - My Life Story performing Mornington Crescent - Koko*
27 - Swervedriver - ICA*
28 - Motorhead + The Damned + Girlschool - Hammersmith Apollo*
30 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Bristol Thekla
December
2 - W.A.S.P -Shepherds Bush Empire*
4-6 - Nightmare before christmas curated by My Bloody Valentine*
7 - The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Upstairs @ the garage*
8 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Scala*
9 - Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Electric Ballroom
13 - Hawkwind - Shepherds Bush Empire
14 - Sunn o))) + Om - Koko*
18 - Pogues - Brixton Academy*
19 - Subhumans + Concrete Sox - Luminaire
20 - The Horrors - Forum*
21 - Public Image LTD - Brixton Academy*
2010
January
15 - Varukers - The Gaff
26 - Vivian Girls, Bar and Kitchen
29 - Vivian Girls, Tabernacle
February
13 - Resistance 77 - Bridgehouse 2
20 - Depeche Mode - o2 Arena*
March
4 - Wild Beasts - koko
26 - Cock Sparrer - Forum
27 - Cock Sparrer - Forum
May
3 - Iggy & The Stooges + Suicide - Hammersmith Apollo
11 - Pavement - ULU
14-16 - Pavement ATP *
August
5-8 - Rebellion Festival - 5-8 *
13-15 - Summer Sundae
* = ticket bought
I've Probably forgotten some so will edit them in later |
|
|
| (no subject) |
[May. 29th, 2009|10:16 am] |
Upcoming gigs Both Morrissey & Depeche Mode cancelled this weekend but I've made up for this with alternatives!
May
29 - Manic Street Preachers - Roundhouse*
30 - Tobacco Road - Bull & Gate
June
2 - Manic Street Preachers - Brighton Dome*
5 - The Horrors - Electric Ballroom*
8 - Manic Street Preachers - Forum*
9 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Madam Jojos*
10 - The Pains Of Being Pure At heart - Cargo*
11 - Britney Spears - o2 Arena*
12 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Soul Tree, Cambridge*
17 - Wedding Present - Welly - Hull*
18 - Amebix - Underworld*
19 - Wedding Present - Northampton Roadmender*
21 - Throbbing Gristle - Heaven *
24 - UFO - Shepherds Bush Empire
26 - AC/DC - Wembley Stadium*
27 - Neil Young - Hyde Park*
28 - Bruce Springsteen - Hyde Park*
30 - Malcolm Middleton - ICA*
July
2 - Blur - Hyde Park*
3 - Terry De Castro + Decoration + Container Drivers - Half Moon *
4 - Wilko Johnson - Half Moon
5 - Gordon McIntyre - Roxy Bar & Screen
6 - Silversun Pick ups - oxford academy
7 - Silversun Pickups - Heaven (hmm sold out that's why i'm considering oxford)
8 - Lucksmiths - scala*
10-12 - Guilfest *
15 - Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - 100 club*
18 - Duran Duran - Lovebox festival - victoria park*
19 - Doves + New York Dolls - Lovebox festival - victoria park*
21 - Morrissey - Brixton Academy
22 - Smittens - Wilmington Arms*
23 - Black Box Recorder - QEH*
26 - Human League + Futureheads + Camera Obscura - Ben & Jerry's festival*
26 - No Means No - Dingwalls
August
1 - Field Day*
2 - Adolescents + Stupids - Underworld
4 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Garage*
8 - The Damned - Northampton - Roadmender
14-16 - Summer Sundae*
20 - Animal Collective - Brixton Academy
22 - Wedding Present - At The Edge Of The Sea Festival - Brighton
23 - Reagan Youth - Underworld
28-30 - Reading festival*
September
1 - Magazine - RFH*
12 - Steve Ignorant + Cockney Rejects + Angelic Upstarts + Uk Subs etc - Durham Punk Fest*
18 - Der Blutharsch - Underworld
25 - Orbital - Brixton Academy*
26 - Finntroll - Underworld
October
11- Mudhoney - Koko
12 - Spiritualized Performing Ladies & gentlemen we're floating in space - Royal Festival Hall*
21 - iLiKETRAiNS - Oxford Bullingdon Arms
22 - iLiKETRAiNS - London Garage
November
1 - Marc Almond - Roundhouse
14 - Puressence - Manchester Apollo
26 - My Life Story performing Mornington Crescent - Koko
27 - Gong - Kentish town Forum
28 - Motorhead + The Damned + Girlschool - Hammersmith Apollo
December
4-6 - Nightmare before christmas curated by My Bloody Valentine*
13 - Hawkwind - Shepherds Bush Empire
2010
March
26 - Cock Sparrer - Forum
27 - Cock Sparrer - Forum
* = ticket bought
I've Probably forgotten some so will edit them in later
|
|
|
| The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Chorlton Irish Club (Manchester) 22/5/09 |
[May. 28th, 2009|12:17 pm] |
I sometimes wonder why i put myself through all this and travel to far off places on a megabus in order to see gigs when i can just see loads of bands in London including a fair few dates The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are doing themselves. Am I getting too old to trek up and down the country? I was questioning myself before this gig how long i can keep at this. Is it all still worthwhile?
I arrive in manchester and it's raining. I do like the place though and it seems really familiar now. Not so much Chorlton though which is outside the city centre and quite a posh area which in London you'd never get bands playing. the venue itself is like a working man's club. My friend forgot his ticket so i waited with him for someone to bring it. i could've gone in but i was just thinking I'd end up seeing loada local bands who wasn't much cop, however i misjudged this and missed half of Help Stamp Out Loneliness whom i really do like. Still the sound was awful tonight just a huge rumble onstage and you couldn't really hear how good their brand of electronic indie pop should sound. I still enjoyed what i heard but this isn't how they are meant to be so hopefully i can see them again soon.
So then some local bands, i saw a pub rock band upstairs then a band which sounded like reef downstairs then some oasis wannabes upstairs, with the pains of being pure at heart scheduled to 1130 this was going to be one long night!! things did improve with The Dutch Uncles who although starting off quite average got better as it went along and the last 2 songs were excellent. i wish i got closer and got some photos but I will definitely check them out more same goes for LoveLikeFire from Chicago who were noisy dreamy pop a thoroughly enjoyable set throughout.
I chatted to Kip Singer/Guitarist from the pains of being pure at heart) as I hadn't had a chance to say hello on this tour up until now. I was worried that they weren't the next band on as someone else was setting up stuff onstage but he told me it was their tour manager and they're on next, phew! I made my way to the front and waited for them to start, it was now gone 1130 and really I should be on my way home now or tucked up in bed or in my own town! It was a packed crowd at this stage and as the band kicked off with Doing All the Things That Wouldn't Make Your Parents Proud as I jumped around alone.The band sounded excellent and it was hot and I was tired this of course was going to be a good gig despite all this I mean they're a great band and always put on a great gig so I was happy to be here for this despite me questioning my actions earlier in the day but it was more than that a lot more.....A few others joined in as the set progressed and then the whole front was going crazy and everybody went wild. I wasn't expecting this but the atmosphere was absolutely electric. People were crowd surfin too, not the usual kicking people in the face sort of thing but being lifted in the air in good spirit. I was tempted myself but didn't wanna lose my money, how wise and sensible I've become! Every songs belted out tonight was received like an absolute classic. This was truly a sign of how great this band are and it's amongst those legendary "I was there" type gigs, yes I know the pains are a fantastic band and yes the times I've seen them I've loved them but this was something else tonight, this was a band who people were no longer just checking out because they've read they were good, tonight this was a band people loved every song and wanted to express how great these wonderful blasts of noisy indie pop songs wereas people danced with passion. The band themselves couldn't believe the reaction they were getting they seemed chuffed just to be in Manchester at first but then as the crowd went crazy they kept making comments how great everyone was and you could genuinely see the chuffed expressions on their faces and they announced it was the best gig they've ever done, oh and Morrissey also got a happy birthday from them!! 103 was dedicated to the heat of the venue as sweat was dripping off the ceiling by now but that wasn't stopping anyone. the band just got better as they put their heart and soul into playing and produced their finest performance ever to entertain the best audience they've had so far. The encore was inevitable as kip removed his jacked as his shirt was drenched in sweat. He thanked everyone again as the band played 2 more songs Kurt Kobain's Cardigan ended this wonderful tonight and although a little known song to most it was still a brilliant end to a wonderful night. So if I had resigned myself to the fact i can just go to see gigs in London this would never have happened. Nights like these do make those long Journeys on megabus worthwhile, sometimes you just have to go further afield to catch a piece of magic like this. I will never forget how great tonight was. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart truly are one of the best bands on the world right now.
( More Pains )
|
|
|
| Idlewild - Dingwalls 19/5/09 |
[May. 21st, 2009|03:55 pm] |
Last year idlewild performed all their albums and more in Glasgow. so I was extremly excited when the something similar came to London although with a slight change, they were to play 2 albums per night including their new one Post Electric Blues. So i was happy to have tickets for all 3 nights of this.
So this the first night was to start with Post Electric Blues, Just to get everyone in the mood and the fact they were nervous about playing songs for the first time they started off with some older ones which was a bit of a tease as I was eager to hear what the new album has to offer. Time had arrived as they played the album in full and got a brilliant reception for every song. This on first listen sounds like an excellent album and has picks from different Idlewild eras through the years but blending together nicely. One song saw Rod doing his first lead vocal although Roddy did sing a lot of the song too, also Rod was on the piano for a song. I can't wait to hear the recorded version as there was so much depth here throughout.
After a short break they returned to played Hope Is Important. of course being from the early days this is a very hard album. Roddy announced they played the same venue 11 years ago on the tour for this album to which I yelled "I was here" he said thanks for coming back and asked if anyone else was there to which one other replied. I guess this was no surprise as the majority of the crowd looked too young to have been there, it's weird just like Ash, Idlewild's fanbase never seem to grow up! It was a joy to hear these songs amongst them some of my early favourites such as Film for The Future and one of my all time favourite Idlewild tunes Everyone Says Your So Fragile. I decided to abandon my place at the second row to get into the mosh more for 4 People Do Good and what a sweaty one it was and great of course to hear that song after so many years. Close The Door another rarely played tune really brought memories of Idlewild of old flooding back, I do like the way they've progressed as a band but the punk sound of this album sounded like no other band although maybe touches of Husker Du in places. The set ended with album closer Low Light as the crowd stood dripping in sweat demanding more. They returned with Roddy announcing that they are playing the next one for a guy who shouts for it every single gig the song was Satan Polaroid from the mini album captain, I was hoping some or all tracks would be played from this on this nights so I was happy to hear this also welcome was Captain itself which ended a wild night. Being their hardest full album things were not going to be as crazy as this from now on but i am looking forward to some brilliant music to come.
Setlist:
Too Long Awake
Roseability
Ghost In The Arcade
Younger Man
Readers
City Hall
Back To Life
Follow
Island
Post Electric Blues
Smithsy
Show Me
I'm Awake
Take Me Back
-----------------------------
You're Lost Your Way
Film For The Future
Paint Nothing
When I Argue I See Shapes
4 People Do Good
I'm Happy To Be Here Tonight
Everyone Says You're So Fragile
I Am A Message
You Don't Have The Heart
Close The Door
Safe & Sound
Lowlight
-----------------------------
Satan's Polaroid
Captain
( More pics )
|
|
|
| The Lucksmiths are splitting up :-( |
[May. 13th, 2009|07:57 pm] |
Very very sad about this. Got into this band a great deal over the last few years and am eternally grateful to the person who introduced me to their music. A fantastic band who will be missed. I will get to see them for the last time at the scala in july at least.
here's the statement from the band themselves
May 2009
A sad message to all our friends
Dear Friends,
There's no easy way to put this, so please accept our apologies for the seemingly abrupt nature of this post. We are saddened to announce that after sixteen years as The Lucksmiths, the band has decided to break up.
The last few years have been an uphill battle in many ways, so this isn't a hasty decision based on any falling-out between band members, but rather, an acceptance of the inevitable. This decision was finally reached a few months back, so we've had plenty of time to let it sink in.
We had tried to operate the band in a way that would suit all of us, but at the same time we've been very conscious that too much compromise would in the end affect our creative output. We're very proud of the music we make, and we certainly didn't want it to start stinking. So, in taking our cues from Devo, we've decided to whip the proverbial cream before it sits out too long.
We're really excited about our upcoming European tour, and have booked some Australian dates for our "farewell tour" in August. The details for these shows are in our gig guide. We really hope to see as many people at these shows as possible, as we will be playing super long sets, cramming in as many old favourites as possible.
We must apologise for not making it back to the USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or Singapore, or to the other amazing European countries we've previously visited — and for never having made it to the other fifty or so countries we'd hoped to tour one day.
We really want to thank you all, especially the wonderful people who've helped us out in any way, and anyone who's listened to our music or come to a show. We've loved having you in our world and we will miss you dearly.
xo The Lucksmiths |
|
|
| upcoming gigs |
[May. 3rd, 2009|10:39 pm] |
May
6 - Killing Joke - Heaven*
7 - The Specials - Brixton Academy*
8-10 - ATP, The Fans Strike Back*
11 - Morrissey - Royal Albert Hall*
14 - School of Seven Bells - ULU*
15 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Pure Groove
15 - Saint Etienne - Bloomsbury ballroom*
16 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Brixton Wilndmill*
17 - Vivian Girls - Brixton Windmill*
19 - Idlewild - Dingwalls*
20 - Idlewild - Dingwalls*
21 - Idlewild - Dingwalls*
22 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Chorlton Irish Centre - manchester*
23 - Morrissey - Manchester Apollo*
24 - The Specials - Leeds Millennium Square*
25 - Crystal Stilts - Luminaire*
26 - Telescopes - queen of hoxton
27 - Antony & The Johnsons - Hammersmith Apollo*
28 - Jason Lytle - Islington Academy*
29 - Morrissey - Brixton Academy*
30 - Depeche Mode - o2 Arena*
June
2 - Manic Street Preachers - Brighton Dome*
9 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Madam Jojos*
10 - The Pains Of Being Pure At heart - Cargo*
11 - Britney Spears - o2 Arena*
12 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Soul Tree, Cambridge.
17 - Wedding Present - Welly - Hull
18 - Amebix - Underworld*
19 - Wedding Present - Northampton Roadmender
21 - Throbbing Gristle - Heaven *
24 - UFO - Shepherds Bush Empire
26 - AC/DC - Wembley Stadium*
27 - Neil Young - Hyde Park
28 - Bruce Springsteen - Hyde Park*
30 - Malcolm Middleton - ICA
July
2 - Blur - Hyde Park*
3 - Terry De Castro + Decoration + Container Drivers - Half Moon
4 - Wilko Johnson - Half Moon
5 - Gordon McIntyre - Roxy Bar & Screen
7 - Silversun Pickups - Heaven
8 - Lucksmiths - scala
10-12 - Guilfest
18 - Duran Duran - Lovebox festival - victoria park
19 - Doves + New York Dolls - Lovebox festival - victoria park
22 - Smittens - Wilmington Arms*
23 - Black Box Recorder - QEH*
25/26 - Indietracks festival
August
1 - Field Day
14-16 - Summer Sundae*
22 - Wedding Present - Brighton TBC
28-30 - Reading festival*
September
1 - Magazine - RFH
12 - Steve Ignorant + Cockney Rejects + Angelic Upstarts + Uk Subs etc - Durham Punk Fest*
18 - Der Blutharsch - Underworld
25 - Orbital - Brixton Academy*
26 - Finntroll - Underworld
October
11- Mudhoney - Koko
12 - Spiritualized Performing Ladies & gentlemen we're floating in space - Royal Festival Hall*
November
1 - Marc Almond - Roundhouse
14 - Puressence - Manchester Apollo
26 - My Life Story performing Mornington Crescent - Koko
27 - Gong - Kentish town Forum
28 - Motorhead + The Damned + Girlschool - Hammersmith Apollo
December
4-6 - Nightmare before christmas curated by My Bloody Valentine
13 - Hawkwind - Shepherds Bush Empire
* = ticket bought
I've Probably forgotten some so will edit them in later |
|
|
| Sonic Youth - Scala 27/4/09 |
[May. 3rd, 2009|07:37 pm] |
Sonic Youth for a time couldn't quite match their greatest moments live or on record. Some decent gigs and some pretty good albums such as Murray Street but they weren't quite matching the heights of the classics such as Sister & Evol. A Thousand leaves was the only one coming close to this. Sonic Nurse set the trend getting the band on track sounding their best as I was blown away by that then it was Rather Ripped which is most definitely one of their finest works so far and now with a new album The Eternal they seem set to do it again. Tonight's gig went onsale less than a week before the show and sold out within about 5 minutes. I was chuffed to secure my ticket and decided to arrive early in order to claim a barrier spot which I did.
When entering I was more than chuffed to find that the excellent Chora were the support band. I'd seen these once before in Sheffield supporting Psychic TV and for ages wanted to see them again, just as I'd forgotten about them they appear tonight. A 3 piece experimental band with some excellent sounds and interesting techniques. Sounding a bit like nurse with wound at times and with the ability to blow your head off as the set intensifies. I was surprised to see the audience so gripped to this set as some people just don't have the patience for experimental music but chora's hypnotic spell drew everyone in. Instruments included a bow sliding across some polystyrene, metal bowls thrown across the front of the stage and a bit of brass! the set ended to some of the best appluase i've heard for a support band and well deserved too.
The music was turned off and just Thurston walks onto the stage and starts giving it some with the guitar. One by one the other members walk onto the stage which include Mark Ibold ex Pavement, last to enter is the legend that is Lee Ronaldo. the band are jamming together a pounding hypnotic rhythm which soon becomes familiar as Thurston sings the words " She is not alone" I was expecting just new stuff tonight and would feel lucky if any older material was performed but wasn't expecting songs from Confusion Is Sex. Kim Gordon then took to lead vocals as Bull In The Heather was performed, this was powerful and certainly proving the band more than still have it vocally and musically. No Way was the first of the new songs and my fears that it might not quite follow Rather Ripped were erased as every new track tonight was stunning, there was a harder more menacing feel about the new songs and they instantly went down well with everyone there. As usual the songs had each member of the band doing their bit on lead vocals and each sounding brilliant. Tom Violence was in the set tonight which is a massive treat one of my favourite songs by the band rarely played. Mark played mostly bass but Kim Swapped between guitar and bass for the set and even just her on vocals at somepoints and there was even a song where Mark swapped places with Thurston taking the guitar whilst thurston was on bass. The set was a visual treat whilst this band blasted out some beautifu noise in absolute style with each member of the band really giving everything using their section of the stage with sheer energy, you wouldn't think this band were as old as they were. My favourite Sonic Youth songs Schizophrenia was thankfully included which really was all this wonderful set needed to be an absolute classic. The only bad thing about the gig was a couple of knobheads didn't know how to behave like the wanker crowdsurfing dragging his foot across people's heads or the little shit who kept going over the barrier onto the stage and getting in everyone's way, I made sure I shoved him back onto the monitor as he tried to escape security by jumping back into the crowd, i hope he got kicked out I never saw him again anyway. enough of the bad things as this gig really was a classic, even more songs from Confusion is sex was played which I really didn't expect so much of tonight 1 of these making up a ferocious encore The World Looks Red which was followed by Brother James from Kill yr Idols ep from the same era the place was really buzzing now everyone just blown away, they came back for a final encore and did Kool Thing, not one of my favourites but it sounded so good tonight and really the way they were playing they could do no wrong. Kim again just did the vocals for this and she came to the audience for people to contribute I got the mic for the final "I don't Think So" so I do apologise if it sounds bad on bootlegs! Thurston was going for it madly on this songs even kicking one of the monitors off the stage. the set ended with just Thurston left onstage really giving it some on the guitar, so just like it began really. Sonic Youth at their very best!
She Is Not Alone
Bull In The heather
No Way
Sacred Trickster
Hey Joni
Tom Violence
Calming The Snake
Antenna
Making The Nature Scene
Schizophrenia
What We Know
The Sprawl
'Cross The Breeze
--
The World Looks Red
Brother James
--
Kool Thing
( Moore pics ) |
|
|
| 39 |
[Apr. 25th, 2009|09:23 am] |
So the fire is almost out and there's nothing left to burn
I've run right out of thoughts and I've run right out of words
As I used them up, I used them up...
Yeah the fire is almost cold and there's nothing left to burn
I've run right out of feeling and I've run right out of world
And everything I promised, and everything I tried
Yeah everything I ever did I used to feed the fire
I used to feed the fire
I used to feed the fire
I used to feed the fire
But the fire is almost out is almost out...
And there's nothing left to burn
No there's nothing left to burn
Not even this...
And the fire is almost dead and there's nothing left to burn
I've finished everything...
And all the things I promised, and all the things I tried
Yeah all the things I ever dreamed I used to feed the fire
I used to feed the fire
I used to feed the fire
I used to feed the fire
But the fire is almost out...
Half my life I've been here
Half my life in flames
Using all I ever had to keep the fire ablaze
To keep the fire ablaze
To keep the fire ablaze
To keep the fire ablaze...
But there's nothing left to burn
No there's nothing left to burn
And the fire is almost out
The fire is almost out
Yeah the fire is almost out
Almost out, almost out
Almost out, almost out...
And there's nothing left to burn
p.s sorry I've not updated this much but i promise I will be back on track soon, tonight I see the wonderful Butcher Boy, Cats on fire and Pocketbooks, what more can a birthday boy wish for? |
|
|
| AC/DC - o2 Arena - 14/4/09 |
[Apr. 15th, 2009|11:44 am] |
In those dark days of 2001 I went to see AC/DC play Milton Keynes Bowl. I was excited about this and had been building up to it for a very long time as I'd been a fan since the early 80s when i first took music seriously. I took a bottle of wine with me on the train up as I sometimes did to kick off a few festivals but got talking to this South African couple and ended up getting a few more drinks than needed and was basically hammered and had a massive argument with my then girlfriend on the phone during offspring(let's face it arguing is better than watching the offspring!) but then hardly having much recollection of AC/DC. I know I enjoyed it I must have done but it did feel like for the most of it that i hadn't seen them. Everytime I thought about that night it gave me deep regret and I now make sure I don't get too hammered when I see a gig because of that, times I have came close but very rarely.
So now to the glory days of 2009, no girlfriend to argue with and no Offspring! Although the day didn't start too well. I had an argument with my mum during the day which really pissed me off and had learned the day before that, RGS one of my gig companions for tonight who was as much looking forward to the gig as i was was taken into hospital and today it was confirmed that he shall miss out. Then came the long bus journey, 90 mins for which should've been about 45! so then into the dreaded o2, I just wasn't feeling rock n roll tonight. I went into the arena itself and saw the long platform coming out as I remembered from the last gig and looked at the stage and started to feel the excitement I was really going to see AC/DC again! and completely sober this time round too!!
The first band The Answer I had seen before but didn't remember much about them, they're a northern Irish metal band who play old school metal and are ok at it. The songs are nothing special and easily forgettable but they are played well and the singer has a decent enough voice. certainly alright to pass half hour or so away and let's face it they wasn't the offspring!
The lights went down in the arena and massive screams from everywhere erupted including from me, by now I was so excited! attention was on a massive screen on the stage where a film was played with the band on a big train where angus was getting a bit of action from some sexy girls! the ending saw the train crash as explosions were on the stage as a massive AC/DC train appeared on the stage itself! the band then kicked off the wonderful Rock N Roll train which was their single to kick off their latest campaign. by now I was truly blown away and this was just the start! Angus Young was dressed in his traditional school boy uniforms and he used the wholestage and the platform giving it everything Brian Johnson was equally captivating dressed in a cut off shirt and his traditional flat cap, a man now in his 60s but looking great and what a voice he has, Still as powerful as it was back in the 80s! he also used the platform infact more than Angus as he came towards the crowd singing to certain people and really getting the place going. Although Angus did steal the show on the platform as he got to the edge at onepoint and it raised into the air as he played high above the crowd! The rest of the band took a bit of a backseat compared to Angus & Brian when it came to performance but they looked fantastic and they played giving the band a powerful driving force,Yes it was the o2 and the o2 is still shit but AC/DC with their great sound and spectacular show made you forget you was in such a hole and really took you some place else. Back In Black was played early in the set and was played to perfection. One of the most classic metal songs of all-time and there was many of them tonight. The set was well balanced including most of the classic songs and some great album tracks and some from the excellent Black Ice album. this is just everything i wanted tonight and the ghosts of 2001 were being blown from memory as now I knew that AC/DC live will be remembered with everything that went on tonight. I'd recently seen Stephanie Dosen sing some of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap at some of her gigs and craved for the real thing. As Brian introduced the song tonight i just couldn't contain myself and yelled with huge excitement! infact the whole set just had me buzzing inside especially as the iconic imagery was shown onstage. Angus Stripped off his school uniform during another of the set highlights The Jack to reveal his AC/DC underpants which he bent over to flash, now I never thought seeing a man in his pants would get me this excited! The big bell came down for Hells Bells as Brian swung on the rope to ring it. all this was truly a feast to the eyes! War Machine was the best of the newer songs with some fantastic video imagery to accompany it. You Shook Me All Night long was truly fantastic, yes it's one of the cheesiest rock n roll songs from their back catalogue but what a tune! Brian sang and posed a lot on the platform for this. a Whole Lot of Rosie saw a huge inflatable woman appear over the train, the train and Rosie disappeared for a backdrop of classic album covers and AC/DC logos through the years as an epic Let There Be Rock was unleashed this saw Angus give everything in a long guitar solo as he stood at the back of the stage infront of the screen to which you could see him stood under huge live video of himself and his guitar. this went on for a while but not for one moment did I tire or seeing or hearing this, The sounds coming from that guitar were truly amazing. this ended the mainset but it wasn't long before Angus reappeared on the stage from nowhere wearing Devil horns as the stage was lit with red lights for Highway to Hell, another of my all time favourites. To end this wonderful night the cannons were brought onto either side of the stage which could only mean one thing! For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) the sensations inside of me when the intro to this song was played i just cannot describe right now, Seeing the cannons explode as Johnson screamed the word "Fire" was such a wonderful sight. yes this band really put everything into it visually and musically, I can now safely say one of the greatest live bands in the world! and I have the same again Thursday night!!!
'Rock 'N' Roll Train'
'Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be'
'Back In Black'
'Big Jack'
'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap'
'Shot Down In Flames'
'Thunderstruck'
'Black Ice'
'The Jack'
'Hell's Bells'
'Shoot To Thrill'
'War Machine'
'Anything Goes'
'You Shook Me All Night Long'
'T.N.T.'
'Whole Lotta Rosie'
'Let There Be Rock''
'Highway To Hell'
'For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)'
( More AC/DC ) |
|
|
| Teenage Jesus & The Jerks - Corsica - 5/4/09 |
[Apr. 10th, 2009|02:09 pm] |
I keep meaning to update this but I've had a lot on lately and just never get round to it. anyway here's something from sunday just gone.
I've been a fan of Lydia Lunch ever since i bought the split 12" with The Birthday Party in the early 80s. I've seen her do both spoken word and music shows but it's always the music I like best. She's played the corsica a lot recently and I keep missing out which is annoying but I was relieved I could make this one as Teenage Jesus & The jerks is one of my favourite projects from Lydia.
First up was An Experiment on a Bird In An Air Pump, I've seen and reviewed these before but I was a bit bored by them last time, tonight I wasn't, tonight their noise had more passion, feeling and urgency about it and I felt it a whole lot more. I don't know how I got it this time it was similar to the last with each of the 3 girls swapping instruments and having a go each at singing but it sounded very good indeed.
Now I was a bit confused here as I was expecting Big Sexy Noise which featured Lydia joined by Terry Edwards, James Johnston and Ian White next, ok those people were onstage and I thought "hang on this sounds exactly like teenage jesus & The jerks!" well that's because it was! the first part was dedicated to that era of Lydia's career although i never expected those people to be joining her for this. Still with Lydia on guitar, james Johnston on Bass, Terry briefly playing the sax(for Red Alert & Less Of me) and Ian bashing away and the percussion it sounded fantastic, Lydia's vocals are rougher and harder these days and she sounded menacing as ever if not better than the more squeeky Lydia of the past. Now Teenage Jesus & The jerks never released that much material and what they did release was very short. they performed 12 songs tonight which was almost everything from the band's back cataogue although Crown Of Thorns the shortest of these songs was played twice. Orphans ended this excellent set being my favourite songs from Teenage Jesus & The jerks, Lydia said "that was then"...
Terry Edwards made his way back through the crowd playing sax as he walked back onto the stage, He took his place in the corner where the keyboards were, James Johnston swapped his Bass for a Guitar and Ian sat behind the full drumkit, Now this was now obviously Big Sexy Noise. I was surprised they were to finish the night with this rather than Teenage Jesus but it was so boody good that it worked so well. Musically this wasn't a million miles away from what we just got with lydia still on vocals but being more dramatic as she didn't have a guitar. The songs were slower but still noisy and a bit darker. this is a new project and definitely on evidence of tonight it's one of the best I've seen Lydia do. She had a fan at times and asked if anyone was hot as she waved it at the audience. She may now be bigger than she was and evidently older but she still has amazing character and stage presence and there's still a very sexy presence about her. he pulled her angry expressions and Stuck her middle finger out as she sang the chorus to Your Love Don't Pay My Rent. after the final song lydia told us we could shout for more but we wont get it and could shout in vain then told the dj to put the music on, That thorough arrogance is still intact!
( More Pics ) |
|
|
| Elbow - Brighton Dome 28/2/09 |
[Mar. 24th, 2009|02:52 pm] |
The rise of Elbow has given me mixed feelings, selfish ones I guess. I was never going to see them at Wembley arena so opted for this smaller 2000 capacity gig instead. Since selling out this tour they have won Brit Award for the best band, Now I have no idea what that will do to the band, will we lose them to arenas forever or can I still enjoy gigs like this one? I know it's best for the band it's what they deserve to sell a hell of a of records and having lots more people going to see them but at the same time something would be lost in a huge venue. For now though I can still enjoy this as I said it's 2000 capacity and what a lovely venue it is, it's like a round theatre venue but with a standing space (where I was) the stage is quite a high one.
First up was The Acorn. Now these are brilliant. It's dreamy Canadian indie folk, some excellent captivating songs which just build beautifully. They had the audience gripped, well apart from some old drunk bloke that is, no not me! I was sober and already said I liked them! definitely ones to see again and ATP will be that time.
Elbow started as they did the recent gigs with opener from The Seldom Seen Kid ----, complete with brass and a beautiful string section behind them. Some bands with the recent attention would change for the worst or develop and certain arrogance but not Elbow. They know how to put on an amazing show and stick with what they've always done best, A few welcome additions to the set this time with the wonderful Anyday Now making a rare appearance also the excellent Mexican Standoff made an excellent return after Guy saying they hadn't done it in ages and was worried about messing it up, far from it! Grounds For Divorce is probably never going to disappear for a while unfortunately and despite being a bit better live it was the only part of the gig I didn't like, Guy bashed away on some drums for the noisy part of it. There was the usual banter with guy keep asking if everyone is ok also commented on a banner where it said Pete Turner Guy Garvery Appreciation society. Eventually he had the banner onstage with him and danced around with it. Guy asked if there was any questions and predictably my friend zahid who always likes a bit of attention asks one. Zahid has a slight speech impediment also a bit of a mockney accent dropping his Ts despite his middle class up bringing so "Where's Your Brit" baffled Guy as he didn't understand what zahid was saying, He thought after a few attempts he was asking "Where's Your Bread!" when he finally understood he explained that they haven't actually got it and it was taken soon after they were awarded it to be engraved! highlights of the set included New born which was mesmerising as usual but much aided by the exceptional sound in this venue, One Day Like this which got the crowd singing to the relevant part this song really is a classic of modern times and one of the finest from last year and During the encore we got the wonderful Station Approach which was simply breathtaking. To end the night was Scattered Black & Whites which was again wonderful and a great end to a fantastic night, well worth the short trip to Brighton for this. Let's hope they do continue to do these kind of gigs inbetween the arena ones.
( more pics ) |
|
|
| upcoming gigs |
[Mar. 23rd, 2009|12:58 am] |
March
24 - Animal Collective - Forum*
26 - Mono - Scala*
27 - The Vaselines - Forum*
29 - The Stupids + Hard Ons - Underworld*
April
1 - The Fall - Koko*
2 - Puressence - Half Moon Putney*
3 - Stiff Little Fingers - Forum*
4 - Saville + Tobacco Road - Hope & Anchor
5 - Teenage Jesus & The Jerks - Corsica*
9 - Manhattan Love Suicides - Gramaphone*
10 - Conflict + Rubella Ballet + Blitzkrieg etc - Gathering Of The Thousands - Coronet* *postponed awaiting details*
14 - AC/DC - o2 Arena*
15 - Frightened Rabbit - Scala*
16 - AC/DC - o2 Arena*
17 - Whitest Boy Alive - Cargo*
21 - Let's Wrestle + Kabeedies - Lexington
23 - Ultravox - Brighton Dome*
24 - Ultravox - Hammersmith Apollo*
25 - Butcher Boy + Cats On Fire + Pocketbooks - Luminaire (superb line up at a fantastic venue and on my birthday!!)
28 - Duke Special - Scala*
29 - David Gedge & BBC Big Band - West Yorkshire playhouse*
30 - Ultravox - Roundhouse*
May
1 - Alec Empire - Underworld
2 - Doves - Brixton Academy*
6 - Au Revoir Simone - Bush Hall
7 - The Specials - Brixton Academy*
8-10 - ATP, The Fans Strike Back*
11 - Morrissey - Royal Albert Hall*
14 - School of Seven Bells - ULU
15 - Saint Etienne - Bloomsbury ballroom
16 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Brixton Wilndmill*
17 - Vivian Girls - Brixton Windmill*
19 - Idlewild - Dingwalls*
20 - Idlewild - Dingwalls*
21 - Idlewild - Dingwalls*
22 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Chorlton Irish Centre - manchester
23 - Morrissey - Manchester Apollo*
24 - The Specials - Leeds Millennium Square*
25 - Crystal Stilts - Luminaire
27 - Antony & The Johnsons - Hammersmith Apollo*
28 - Jason Lytle - Islington Academy*
29 - Morrissey - Brixton Academy*
30 - Depeche Mode - o2 Arena*
June
9 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Madam Jojos*
10 - The Pains Of Being Pure At heart - Cargo*
11 - Britney Spears - o2 Arena*
12 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Soul Tree, Cambridge.
17 - Wedding Present - Hull
18 - Amebix - Underworld*
20 - Wedding Present - Plymouth
21 - Throbbing Gristle - Heaven *
26 - AC/DC - Wembley Stadium*
27 - Neil Young - Hyde Park
28 - Bruce Springsteen - Hyde Park*
July
3 - Blur - Hyde Park*
10-12 - Guilfest
18 - Duran Duran - Lovebox festival - victoria park
22 - Smittens - Wilmington Arms*
25/26 - Indietracks festival
August
1 - Field Day
14-16 - Summer Sundae*
28-30 - Reading festival*
September
12 - Steve Ignorant + Cockney Rejects + Angelic Upstarts + Uk Subs etc - Durham Punk Fest
18 - Der Blutharsch - Underworld
25 - Orbital - Brixton Academy*
October
12 - Spiritualized Performing Ladies & gentlemen we're floating in space - Royal Festival Hall*
November
26 - My Life Story performing Mornington Crescent - Koko
* = ticket bought
I've Probably forgotten some so will edit them in later
|
|
|
| The Cure - o2 Arena (millenium dome in disguise) - 26/2/09 |
[Mar. 13th, 2009|01:06 pm] |
It's weird being weeks behind I have to try to remember what I was going to say!
there was a bit of a drama before this one. The company nme used to supply the presale tickets trinity went out of business so instead of nme honouring our tickets the gave us the opportunity to buy them again and chase our banks to get a refund! bloody nice of them! well after mass protest and then Robert Smith himself stepping in to say he wasn't happy about this, they backed down and said they made an arrangement with trinity that our original purchases would be honoured! phew!
anyway the gig took place at my most hated venue ever. I was thinking maybe since I hadn't been there for a while and last time I was in a bad mood to start with as Arsenal had just got knocked out the fa cup by man utd my judgement may have been a little harsh, I walked in and no, it was even worse than I remembered, a really horrible place. The sound wasn't even good tonight either. I have a few gigs coming up here this year then hope I don't have to come back, Infact I'm hoping that the place burns to the ground when Michael Jackson visits, he can have his Vincent Price voiceover as he burns so it's like the house of wax fim! I really do fucking hate Michael Jackson!
White Lies were first up. I do really like their album and was surprised and pleased for them that it got to number one. I've seen them before on a couple of occasions and kinda liked them although nothing special. Tonight they just seemed a bit far too polished and clean it's Joy Division for t4 on the beach! they need to kick the distortion pedal or adopt a personality, just something, they were absolutely souless, although maybe the surroundings of the o2 hindered their performance.
Crystal Castes were up next. From the start it didn't look right on the big stage. This band to me represent the spirit of punk rock but it was all a bit lost here. I'd seen them before play electric ballroom and totally shake the place and blow everyone away but tonight despite the performance being a good one they just couldn't adapt to this monstrosity of a venue. The sound was awful you couldn't hear Alice's vocals apart from when she screamed. The music was performed well enough but it just didn't sound right, it certainly wasn't loud enough. Alice jumped to the front of the crowd at the end to a mostly confused looking crowd. I did enjoy the set because I like the band but it was a bit like watching a non league side giving it their best but struggling to get a result at a premiership ground. a big shame.
I was never intending to watch Franz Ferdinand. I have lived my life in great comfort having avoided them so far but being about 3 rows from the front I didn't want to move, Sod constructive criticism here they were fucking shit. The new songs was like scouting for girls for 40 year olds. I wont waste anymore time on this!
So The Cure. I knew this would be an abbreviated set so was expecting a string of singles. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. Starting with Underneath The Stars which is one of the highlights from 4:13 Dream the set was made up of a tracks from each of The Cure albums but with a few more inclusions from 4:13 Dream.It was strange that A Forest was played mid set. Also good to hear Maybe Someday as Bloodflowers is a great album. There were a few tracks included that were in the set a year ago and i would've liked different songs from the albums rather than some played but this was a minor flaw in a brilliant set. Soundwise it was low but did pick up about mid set and then sounded almost perfect. Primary was changed quite a bit as was Disintegration. Reworked versions of songs are much welcome if they sound as good as this, some weren't too happy about this though. Shake Dog Shake & One Hundred Years were the set highlights for me, both sending an eerie shudder through the hearts of everyone (white lies take note, that's what passion is!) The final track from 4:13 Dream it's over ended the main set which sounded stunning a lot more heavy guitar than on the recorded version It was approaching 11pm but a 90 min set of the cure was never going to do so they returned for an encore which pushed the full set up to 110 mins. The encore was similar to the one they did at Wembley but it was such a briliant set of songs, so great to hear them tonight, especially Killing An Arab which ended the night with a rowdy finish. I was in doubt that i'd go to this gig and thought at one point I wouldn't get to go but after all the fuss I did enjoy it and glad I went. still it would've been even better if it took place elsewhere.
'Underneath The Stars'
'From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea'
'The Perfect Boy'
'The End Of The World'
'Sleep When I'm Dead'
'A Forest'
'Three Imaginary Boys'
'Shake Dog Shake'
'Maybe Someday'
'The only One'
'In Between Days'
'Just Like Heaven'
'Primary'
'Want'
'The Hungry Ghost'
'Disintegration'
'One Hundred Years'
'Its Over'
'Boys Don't Cry'
'Jumping Someone Elses train/Grinding Halt'
'10.15 Saturday Night'
'Killing An Arab'
oh and look at me in the nme!
( More Pics )
|
|
|
| Wire - Cargo - 24/2/09 |
[Mar. 10th, 2009|05:18 pm] |
ok it's been a while, as I said I had busy week. It'll be a miracle if I do all the reviews since the last gig i did but I will start with the Wire one as I did miss out a review of their Scala gig last year and it was one of the hightlights.
this gig was rescheduled from January as one of the band had an injury. I was disapointed that it was tonight as it meant missing the first leg of Arsenal v Roma which I'd been looking forward to.
Support tonight came from Joe Gideon & The shark. I'd seen these before at Luminaire and can't remember who it was they supported. I quite like them though. Just a 2 piece with a girl playing drums and a guy on guitar with both of them singing bits, they're not like white stripes they're better than that! musically they're indie but with a bit of an avant garde feel about it and a bit of early pj harvey in places.
Starting off with Our Time, Wire played a set with more of a rawer punk edge to it tonight in this venue smaller than the gigs they did last year. There were a few changes in the set which was good to see, including the addition of the excellent Silk Skin which Colin announced they hadn't done in years. There was a request for Ambulance Chasers to which Colin started laughing saying "Not a fucking chance, I don't even know how to start it, you only said that to get a reaction" Graham Lewis added "You've got more chance of seeing god than us playing that". A stunning set throughout the older classics were still there to make up the later part of the set but with the addition of Underwater Experiences which sounded fantastic. a few people towards the front got jumping a bit including myself but there wasn't really the room for a full blown mosh tonight. Also in the set there was He Knows which Graham introduced by telling a tale of someone who would never have been alive if his grandmother didn't leave the titanic due to being ill. There was again huge applause for the band when they went off and they managed 3 encores tonight, the last seeing an excellent version of 12XU which wasn't included on the setlist.. Wire's fanbase may be quite small in this country these days but it's a loyal and demanding one which is a good thing.
( More Pics ) |
|
|
| upcoming gigs |
[Mar. 1st, 2009|02:40 pm] |
It's been a busy few days and hopefully the gigs I went to will be reviewed at somepoint, although it's a busy week ahead so no promises and some may never appear! anyway here's what's coming up!
March
1 - Bluetones - Oxford Academy*
2 - Wedding Present - Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms*
3 - Wedding Present - Colchester Arts Centre*
4 - The Bronx + Rolo Tomassi + Fucked Up - Electric ballroom*
5 - Peter Bjorn & John - Scala*
6 - Wedding Present - Southend*
8 - Tony Wakeford - Bar & Co*
11 - Broadcast - Shunt Vaults
13 - Wilko Johnson - 100 club
14 - Butcher Boy - Jamm*
15 - St Patrick's Day Festival -Trafalgar Square
16 - Camera Obscura - Lexington*
19 - Doves - Forum*
24 - Animal Collective - Forum*
26 - Mono - Scala*
27 - The Vaselines*
29 - The Stupids + Hard Ons - Underworld
April
1 - The Fall - Koko
2 - Puressence - Half Moon Putney*
3 - Stiff Little Fingers - Forum
4 - Saville + Tobacco Road - Hope & Anchor
9 - Manhattan Love Suicides - Gramaphone
10 - Conflict + Rubella Ballet + Blitzkrieg etc - Gathering Of The Thousands - Coronet*
14 - AC/DC - o2 Arena*
15 - Frightened Rabbit - Scala*
16 - AC/DC - o2 Arena*
17 - Whitest Boy Alive - Cargo*
22 - & you will know is by the trail of dead - Bristol thekla
23 - Ultravox - Brighton Dome*
24 - Ultravox - Hammersmith Apollo*
28 - Duke Special - Scala*
29 - David Gedge & BBC Big Band - West Yorkshire playhouse
30 - Ultravox - Roundhouse*
May
1 - Alec Empire - Underworld
2 - Doves - Brixton Academy
7 - The Specials - Brixton Academy*
8-10 - ATP, The Fans Strike Back*
11 - Morrissey - Royal Albert Hall*
17 - Vivian Girls - Brixton Windmill*
19 - Idlewild - Dingwalls
20 - Idlewild - Dingwalls
21 - Idlewild - Dingwalls
27 - Antony & The Johnsons - Hammersmith Apollo*
22 - Frank Sidebottom - Lexington
23 - Morrissey - Manchester Apollo*
24 - The Specials - Leeds Millennium Square*
29 - Morrissey - Brixton Academy*
30 - Depeche Mode - o2 Arena*
June
11 - Britney Spears - o2 Arena*
12 - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Soul Tree, Cambridge.
18 - Amebix - Underworld*
26 - AC/DC - Wembley Stadium*
28 - Bruce Springsteen - Hyde Park*
July
3 - Blur - Hyde Park*
18 - Duran Duran - Lovebox festival - victoria park
25/26 - Indietracks festival
August
14-16 - Summer Sundae*
28-30 - Reading festival*
September
12 - Steve Ignorant + Cockney Rejects + Angelic Upstarts + Uk Subs etc - Durham Punk Fest
18 - Der Blutharsch - Underworld
25 - Orbital - Brixton Academy
* = ticket bought
I've Probably forgotten some so will edit them in later
|
|
|
| Sunn o))) - Corsica Studios - 22/2/09 |
[Feb. 26th, 2009|10:48 am] |
It is strange going back to my old estate which is in view of this venue. I'm surprised I never went to here more when I lived at Elephant & Castle but still it's only a 15 min walk from where I am now. I was especially looking forward to this as Sunn o))) are one of the loudest and most intense bands I've seen and I was expecting Corsica to bring out the best in them.
Up first was Grumbling Fur. This is the band that features Alexander Tucker and Daniel O' Sullivan. I'm more familiar with the work of Alexander Tucker who has a vast amount of styles and is a highly talented guy. He was playing a Cello tonight whilst O' Sullivan was on the violin. They had many effects attached to these instruments making a loud drone but with some nice melody too. Also there was the odd bit of vocal at times. This was a pretty mesmerising set, sometimes things got really loud and menacing whilst at others it was just mainly the sweet sound of the strings.
Tonight it was just the 2 members of Sunn o))) without any collaborators as they would be playing in the style of their early work Grimrobes. Sunn o))) usualy start subtle then get heavier to test you to the limit. Tonight it wasn't like that, The come onstage wearing their usual hooded robes and from the start it's fully intense. I was against the stage and even the frequencies were testing my ear drums to the limit, the left ear in particular has a high buzzing tingle. For some this would be hell, for me it's a huge buzz a great adrenalin rush. It's hard to describe what I like about this because at times it does feel like torture to be put through this volume. It's like getting on a rollercoaster and being thrown in the thick of it. I do enjoy the sounds I hear of course but there is a torturous element to them which stirs up feelings inside, It's all pretty mesmerising and weird. The dry ice was blowing more into the crowd tonight which O'Malley didn't look happy with as he wanted more onstage. I was thinking it wouldn't sound as complete with just the 2 of them but there was certainly a lot of substance in what they played tonight and more than enough to keep me mesmerised for almost 2 hours! Usually with Sunn o))) they arn't too visible beyond the clouds of ice but tonight you could see them pretty much throughout the set, ok it was still dark and a bit smoky but you could see the robes and their faces and hair at times. The set became less menacing as it drew on a bit like the other shows in reverse, both members passed their bottles of red wine into the crowd to which i had a huge glug of one. Greg Anderson rubbed his guitar against the lighting at one point but this was only a taster of what was to come later. It started with Stephen O'Malley attaching his guitar to the lighting on his side, Greg Anderson followed these actions, whilst playing still at the time and making sure the distortion and rumbles were still intact. Both of them began to worship their instruments. More so Anderson as he was on his knees with his arms stretched into their air and then together as he prayed to the almighty axe! writing this now it does sound tacky but at the time it looked brilliant and meaningful. Then again I'd rather worship a guitar than the false god others do week in week out! They both stood at the front of the stage after this and bowed to the crowd and a huge applause came from the crowd. I expect every person there was tested to the limit of sound and blown away as much as I was. Greg Anderson fipped the cardboard setist(more ike a inspiration guide list) up into the air which I just about caught!
( More Pics ) |
|
|
| Priest Feast - Wembley Arena - 21/2/09 |
[Feb. 23rd, 2009|08:11 pm] |
I've been looking forward to this one for ages, I was annoyed that they'd decided to close the Jubilee line the day I'm going to Wembley which was a pain, but we got there early and went to the wetherspoons to have beer and a meal, even if my mate did give 'em the wrong table number so we had to wait longer!
I've never seen Testament before but recall liking them in the 80s when I heard them but never followed it up. it was a pretty good performance and a great solid sound. The singer is a huge guy who walks round the stage with a small mic stand and also plays air guitar on it. The drum sound for these was brilliant really had the place shaking. Excellent thrash metal set.
Megadeth were up next who I've seen a couple of times before and quite enjoyed them, I've preferred these to the later Metallica stuff, well any metalica after and justice for all really. Tonight they were even better and was pretty blown away by the whole set. I never expected to like them this much to be honest. I love Dave Mustaine's guitar work a really fast fiddly screeching sound. This has inspired me to get some Megadeth as I have nothing. Particularly good was Peace Sells But Nobody's Buying. An hour set from these and every moment brilliant.
Judas Priest were up next. They had a back drop of Nostradamus which is their latest album. The intro of Dawn Of Creation started the set as the band entered the stage with main man Rob Halford on a stand with a silver robe around him as he sang Prophecy from the new album. There wasn't much included from that album which was unfortunate as it's a great concept album, but probably a bit too testing for some. The other songs they did play wasn't an obvious selection either with a few of their classic songs missing and them opting for album tracks instead. I liked this thought as I enjoyed everything and was prompted to go back and listen to the songs I was less familiar with which they played. Although there was the inclusion of some classics Breaking The Law being one of them, that's the main one I wanted tonight. it's a really short song compared to anything else in the set though. Rob Halford was on top form as he strutted around the stage singing in great style. He looked both menacing and camp! He headbanged despite having no hair and shouted out in his metal voice (as opposed to his brummy one) that they've been playing metal for 35 years! There was a good mix of eras in the set although some albums were ignored completely but it was good that we got Sinner from one of their early albums Sin After Sin also a couple from Defenders of the faith which is one I do need to play more. Hellion/Electric Eye was from Screaming For Vengeance which was a definite highlight, Angel from the previous album Angel Of Retribution was the only inclusion from that which was a shame as I still think it's one of their best. For the second song from Nostradamus "Death" which was part of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse part of the album. Rob sat in a throne and sang but got up during it with a walking stick and moved to the front of the stage looking evil! there was also a couple of tracks from one of their heavier albums Painkiller with the title track ending the style with some pure thrash. There were 2 encores tonight, the first started with Rob driving up to the stage on his Motorbike dressed in a leather and metal shiny jacket and cap, this of course meant it was time for the excellent Hell bent For Leather! The second encore saw Halford enter the stage draped in an England flag. He put everything into dancing to the final song the classic single You've Got Another Thing Coming. The whole band came together to bow at the end.
1 Dawn of Creation
2 Prophecy
3 Metal Gods
4 Eat Me Alive
5 Between the Hammer & the Anvil
6 Devil's Child
7 Breaking the Law
8 Hell Patrol
9 Death
10 Dissident Aggressor
11 Angel
12 The Hellion
13 Electric Eye
14 Rock Hard, Ride Free
15 Sinner
16 Painkiller
17 Hell Bent for Leather
18 The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)
19 You've Got Another Thing Comin'
( more pics ) |
|
|
| Parts & Labor - Cargo - 19/2/09 |
[Feb. 21st, 2009|09:28 am] |
when I I first saw parts & Labor I was blown away so mucn I vowed to see them every chance possible, they played a few more gigs which I kept missing due to already having tickets for anything else. I did manage to catch them at corsica studios last year though and was blown away so do feel fortunate to see their next london show at Cargo. I like cargo. It's a strange venue but is nice inside and has character. I sat in the seats for a while in the strange bar. I could see the guitarist from parts and labor in the comfy chairs looking like she was trying to stay awake. I didn't wanna look over too much incase she thought I was a perv! I mean I could stare at her all the time when she's onstage anyway! the singer/bassist was on the merch stand meeting and greeting fans. I went into the hall and the first band had stopped soundchecking, just.
The band were called cold pumas and were on 10 mins late but the set was very short. I really enjoyed this. it was like the noisier moments of British Sea Power with a bit of early swans influence. very powerful stuff. The guitarist sang or rather shouted the first song but the drummer took over for the others, there wasn't many songs in the set and it was all over so quickly but very good it all was
An Experiment On A Bird in the Air Pump were next up. 3 girls which consisted of 2 basses and a couple of drums. They swapped round a lot, with each having a go at the drums or the bass(no they wasn't drum 'n' bass) and a few goes at the vocals each. The sound was nice and some good stomping rhythms but it needed more and I was bored very quickly as it dragged on a bit. It was by no means awful it just grated on me a little. It was thumping beats with shouty vocals and heavy grinding bass. I just wish it was better.
Parts & Labor next. I couldn't stare at the guitarist as much as I wanted because tonight the keyboard was in the middle of the stage. Not that i go to these things to look at girls onstage you understand! The new album is mellower than some of the previous stuff but it still builds into some chaotic sounds. quite a few tracks were played from that tonight proving what a fantastic record it is. Despite the hard music and the addictive rhythms people were reluctant to dance. the music is almost punk rock but the most active people were those onstage, ok and me. people did start to get going though and some went crazy including who I think were a French couple, my god they were mental! The music got harder as the set went on and some earlier material was played. The Bassist is quite a character, he seemed a bit more subdued to the previous time but was still giving a hell of a lot into his bass playing and moving around the stage a bit, He of course shared vocals with the keyboard player who was also in fine voice. Musically you'd fine Parts & Labor to be the missing link between big black and husker du. It really is powerful and full of great addictive melodies and pretty bloody mindblowing. It's one of those bands that I just feel everyone needs to witness live and they really do give everything. For the encore everything is what they did give with the final 2 songs. another 2 older ones. The bassist requested the Mirror Ball to be switched on and eventually to his joy it was. Me and a few others by this point were dancing madly then all of a sudden there he was with his bass leaping around in the mosh too. I jumped around with my arm round him at one point. Meanwhile onstage both the guitarist and the keyboard player were giving their instruments hell too. It was music armageddon I tell ya as this band were giving everything right now. the bass went smacking into my mouth and I thought for a moment my bottom teeth would be in danger but thankfully i just ended up with a fat lip! the keyboards onstage went flying over and the band all left the stage. As the bassist got back up on his way to exit I shook his hand firmly. One of the best bands in the world right now had again blown me away.
( more pics ) |
|
|
| Black Box Recorder - Luminaire - 18/2/09 |
[Feb. 20th, 2009|09:29 pm] |
I was pleased when Black Box Recorder performed at the Nick Sanderson tribute gig last year but thought they'd return to their hiatus, John Moore did say they'd be back soon but you can never tell with him being sarcastic but evidently he wasn't as there they were tonight! The gig was of course sold out and there was even a queue outside and people took their spots right at the front, Mainly blokes! I bet it was to get a better view of Sarah, bloody pervs the lot of 'em!!
first band tonight was Madam there was 2 of them a singer and a cello player. There's usually a few more in the band and I think this would've been a lot better if there were tonight as I found it all a bit dreary and it dragged. The singer had a nice voice and the cello sounded great but it just lacked that something which makes it good and it was just frustrating to learn that the something missing probably would've saved it. The banter was funny though. The singer stopped a song to sort her top from falling down, she was ok though I wasn't even looking (my eyes were on the cello player)
Black Box Recorder take to the stage as I'm Not Thick It's Just a Trick by Crass blares out of the speakers. Sarah is looking lovely as ever in fact she just gets better. Tonight saw a good cross section of songs from each of the 3 albums and to my joy a couple of new songs! John Moore introduced the first of them by saying "If this isn't number one by christmas you'll know the answer" Sarah then introduced the song "Do You Believe In God" a brilliant song it was too as was the other new one Keep it In The Family. I look forward to the new album and tour when it comes! You were supposed to dress smart tonight but I hadn't read any of that and turned up my usual scruffy self wearing a Smiths tshirt. Sarah commented on those who had made an effort. Luke Haines seemed in a good mood tonight and even smiled a few times, his credibility could be at stake here! He did say "cunt" though so all is not lost! there was a 4 song encore which included my favourite BBR song Swinging, I was over the mood that was included tonight as I never expect it. Also in the encore was Art Of Driving which Sarah introduced as something from their Fleetwood Mac era. The set ended as usual with the fierce sounding Lord Lucan Is Missing. Fortunately for us Black Box Recorder are no longer missing and are as good if not better than ever before.
'Girl Singing In The Wreckage'
'The English Motorway System'
'British Racing Green'
'Wonderful Life'
'Brutality'
'The Facts Of Life'
'Factory Radio'
'Straight Life'
'Child Psychology'
'I.C. One Female'
'Do You Believe In God?'
'Keep It In The Family'
'England Made Me'
'Ideal Home'
'Swinging'
'The New Diana'
'The Art Of Driving'
'Lord Lucan Is Missing'
( More Pics )
|
|
|
| Secret Machines + The Big Pink + Joy Formidable + Little Death - Islington Academy - 16/2/09 |
[Feb. 20th, 2009|06:30 pm] |
I'm starting to fall behind! eek. well I've been to a lot of gigs recently so here's one from Monday. Hopefully i don't get so far behind and start missing reviews like before but it is inevitable i guess.
So the second of the NME gigs this year, I even bought the NME last week because there was a David Gedge interview. Still didn't stop them ripping me off and me losing £36 on a cure ticket which they're not going to send me! (edit - fat bob has spoken and the nme have now decided to send out the tickets so i wont lose my money, I love fat bob!) I walked in the venue about 645 as it took ages quueing the day before to get my ticket and my ticket for this had got lost in the post so had to get a replacement on the door. although tonight there was no queue and the venue was open early than advertised as the first band were on at 7pm
that band was Little Death. I had a listen to the myspace beforehand and thought it average but live they made a good racket. There was a bit of Feeder about them which did put me off a tad but there was also a lot of great noise and energy which made up for that. None of the songs stuck in my head though but I'd imagine if they started cleaning up their sound I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as it may sway more towards the kinda pap feeder do these days. The set ended earlier than expected as the guitar amp broke. it was an old looking amp with a hole in it and a wonder that it ever worked in the first place but still they did most of their set and I was disapointed to see it end. so shows that I enjoyed it.
Joy Formidable were up next who I saw over a year ago and thought I'd like to see them again, until tonight I hadn't. Now these do have tunes that stick in your head very good ones, almost a pop band in a sense but they have quite a demented sound over that with lots of noisy guitar and the singer like to go Crazy jumping around the stage. It's kinda Transvision Vamp meets sonic youth I guess. Even when you think it's all over she grabs her guitar again and gives it a whole lot more, brilliant stuff.
The Big Pink I've also seen live before. Tonight they weren't quite as noisy or menacing as the previous time but still pretty fantastic. They sound somewhere between Curve and the telescopes with the big beats and noise but with a heavy garagey drive to the music. There's a lot of them in this band 2 keyboard players! they do sound huge. There seems to be a few bands coming up in this genre again and so far they are all pretty good although I expect soon some watered down crap in the style of the horrible Adorable to appear soon. Hmmmmm, don't let any of these bands get huge!!!
When I first heard secret machines I wasn't keen just thought they were ordinary sounding, they didn't quite hit the mark with the feedback and dreamy guitar for me. I saw them on mtv picking their favourite records which included Ride, Mercury Rev, Spacemen 3. I wanted to like this band more than I did, the records grew on me slightly but still didn't hit the mark. I had to see them live, They were brilliant at Reading festival a few years back but it took until now to see them again. I do really like the new album but it still aint quite there as in brilliance. Tonight live was something else entirely. They start off quite subtle but draw you into their hypnotic sound. A lot of it reminded me of Pink Floyd tonight some of it the Barrett era and some a bit later but with lots of fuzzy guitar and noise giving a spacemen 3 feel to it too. When things got really going I was just taken somewhere else. Swirly keyboards and a huge guitar sound this was absolutely mind blowing, weird psychedelic lights too. The drummer is pretty amazing lots of hair and a moustache a bit zappaesque, he's pretty wild and stands up at times hitting those skins so hard. A stunning performance from start to finish is all I can really say about this to sum it up. If you have doubts about this band don't judge until you see them live, yes I do admit now the records are pretty good but nothing compared to what they can do live.
( more pics )
|
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
| |
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
weddingpresent's journal