It may be due to Freshers week or it may be down to under-promotion, but this freebie gig courtesy of Mr Gates and chums wasn't exactly heaving. Birmingham's Rainbow Warehouse seemed to have more technology than people, with Xboxes, Beatles Rock Band and smartpoints where a swipe of your gig pass updated your Twitter.
Which was a shame, because the bands on offer - Findo Gask, Copy Haho and Dananananaykroyd - were superb entertainment, and not just for their bizarre monikers.
First up were Findo Gask, who rival We Are Scientists for speccy cool and play an intriguing mix of rock, disco, funk, general electrobleepery and... a trumpet. It's a great show but the music seems destined to be enjoyed more live than on record. Indeed their trump card is actually the interchangeable line-up, in which band members swap their instruments like swingers swap car keys.
Copy Haho, conversely, had a more straightforward indie-rock sound. In the main fast and melodic, and driven by a beautiful black and white guitar, this quartet showed a lot of potential. One or two stronger mid-set songs and these boys could have a big future - even if their frontman looks like Murray Hewitt. Let's hope he's not their manager.
And so it was down to Dananananaykroyd to make a half-empty warehouse come to life. It didn't start great, as very low microphone levels meant that not only their breakneck shouty vocals, but the between-song conflabs as well, were difficult to hear. We weren't ignoring you, honest!
Then, genius. Sensing something was needed to kick the party off, the boys had the crowd remove the stage barriers and split into two groups. On the count of 4, the factions were to run at each other, merge and hug. "4" came, hugs flew and the band fired into action again. The Tuesday night shackles were well and truly thrown off.
There must be something in the Irn-Bru up there - the Scottish band's mind-blowingly energetic finale was a hugely impressive and well-received spectacle and it completed a big victory from the jaws of gigging defeat.
More news, reviews and tour dates at Bands Only.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
When Musical Giants Collide
Life’s full of unexpected and largely unexplained collaborations be it Andre Agassi dumping Brooke Shields for Steffi Graf or Michael Jackson turning up at Exeter City football club. Some musical one’s make even less sense (I’m thinking George Michael and Mary J Bilge…yeah, I know I’ve spelt it wrong). Then we come to the curious case of the Arctic Monkeys journeying to California to have their latest album produced by Rock God Josh Homme. This latest collaboration got me thinking - which musical acts should collaborate for their and, for that matter, our musical enjoyment.
The first thing that sprung to my mind was the merging of Tenacious D and Blink 182. Obviously one producing the other would probably be quite boring (Except for them making it. But where’s the fun for us?) So they almost certainly need to perform a joint live show. Just imagine those two live acts combined. I haven’t the words to describe it, but I’m guessing it would be the funniest, rudest most bizarre thing you would ever witness. Ever.
I’d also make Oasis work at gunpoint with a producer or artist who would push their boundaries. If they refused, it wouldn’t be like we’d be missing out on anything new creative-wise. I’m think of either Jay-Z (obviously), Calvin Harris or Dizzee Rascal. Come to think of it the Ting Tings would be hilarious. But I’d settle for a Franz Ferdinand.
Jamie Cullum and Slipknot anyone? I wouldn’t want to hear the result but, y’know, it might be the last work they produced. Hopefully.
I’d also give Muse a proper make over. Imagine the sound they’d make with Arcade Fire providing every instrument they could possibly use times a thousand. They could probably perform on the top of Everest and the whole world would hear.
Got any ideas? Write them below…
The first thing that sprung to my mind was the merging of Tenacious D and Blink 182. Obviously one producing the other would probably be quite boring (Except for them making it. But where’s the fun for us?) So they almost certainly need to perform a joint live show. Just imagine those two live acts combined. I haven’t the words to describe it, but I’m guessing it would be the funniest, rudest most bizarre thing you would ever witness. Ever.
I’d also make Oasis work at gunpoint with a producer or artist who would push their boundaries. If they refused, it wouldn’t be like we’d be missing out on anything new creative-wise. I’m think of either Jay-Z (obviously), Calvin Harris or Dizzee Rascal. Come to think of it the Ting Tings would be hilarious. But I’d settle for a Franz Ferdinand.
Jamie Cullum and Slipknot anyone? I wouldn’t want to hear the result but, y’know, it might be the last work they produced. Hopefully.
I’d also give Muse a proper make over. Imagine the sound they’d make with Arcade Fire providing every instrument they could possibly use times a thousand. They could probably perform on the top of Everest and the whole world would hear.
Got any ideas? Write them below…
Friday, May 15, 2009
Gig Review: Metric - Coventry Kasbah (13/05/09)
Maybe it’s a sign of the way the recession is hitting music, but I’ve never been to a gig with no support act. Not that this particularly matters when you go to watch Canadian new-wave band Metric. While tracks from their latest album, Fantasies, lack the raw emotion and energy of it’s predecessor, Live it Out, on record (or CD…or MP3 for that matter), the live versions certainly don’t.
A perfect case in point is Fantasies opening track, Help I’m Alive, second song of the night following Twilight Galaxy which saw front woman Emily Haines gradually thrusting a tambourine higher and higher as the chorus reached a crescendo.
As with her vocals, Haines presence on stage epitomises Metric’s vibe. After concentrating on the first half a dozen songs, still bounding about the stage with more energy then an infant laced with e-numbers, a ten-minute Empty (one of only three songs in the main performance not to come from Fantasies) featured a declaration of Metric’s musical manifesto and take on life. The audience responded and from then on the gig became a show with dedications to the front row on, er, Front Row and polished performances of Gimme Sympathy, Sick Muse and Dead Disco amongst others.
Quite how Haines manage to transmit so much energy bouncing around the stage, standing on speakers and playing keyboards for a whole tour may well be one of life’s unanswered questions. But it does make for a damn entertaining evening.
After a rousing sing-along with new favourite (and a damn fine album closing track) Stadium Love, an encore of a highly charged Monster Hospital and stripped down Live it Out, and the high fives with the front row it didn’t matter there was no support, it would have just detracted from a mighty fine performance.
As an interesting aside, despite the gig being in a small 300 (approx) capacity room and not being too far from the front, I came out with no ringing sensation in my ears, yet the sound quality was excellent. I’m not sure if this was down to the band or the venue but other small venues could learn from this lesson. Less was definitely more.
Venue rating 7/10: Why the hell did the ticket say the doors opening at 6 when we arrived at 7 and the doors had clearly only just opened? Oh, and the drinks seemed really expensive…but that may just be me getting old. But seriously good sound.
Bog rating: 8/10: Clean and large (for the small room). Plus the worst toilet troll in the world. Which is a good thing.
A perfect case in point is Fantasies opening track, Help I’m Alive, second song of the night following Twilight Galaxy which saw front woman Emily Haines gradually thrusting a tambourine higher and higher as the chorus reached a crescendo.
As with her vocals, Haines presence on stage epitomises Metric’s vibe. After concentrating on the first half a dozen songs, still bounding about the stage with more energy then an infant laced with e-numbers, a ten-minute Empty (one of only three songs in the main performance not to come from Fantasies) featured a declaration of Metric’s musical manifesto and take on life. The audience responded and from then on the gig became a show with dedications to the front row on, er, Front Row and polished performances of Gimme Sympathy, Sick Muse and Dead Disco amongst others.
Quite how Haines manage to transmit so much energy bouncing around the stage, standing on speakers and playing keyboards for a whole tour may well be one of life’s unanswered questions. But it does make for a damn entertaining evening.
After a rousing sing-along with new favourite (and a damn fine album closing track) Stadium Love, an encore of a highly charged Monster Hospital and stripped down Live it Out, and the high fives with the front row it didn’t matter there was no support, it would have just detracted from a mighty fine performance.
As an interesting aside, despite the gig being in a small 300 (approx) capacity room and not being too far from the front, I came out with no ringing sensation in my ears, yet the sound quality was excellent. I’m not sure if this was down to the band or the venue but other small venues could learn from this lesson. Less was definitely more.
Venue rating 7/10: Why the hell did the ticket say the doors opening at 6 when we arrived at 7 and the doors had clearly only just opened? Oh, and the drinks seemed really expensive…but that may just be me getting old. But seriously good sound.
Bog rating: 8/10: Clean and large (for the small room). Plus the worst toilet troll in the world. Which is a good thing.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Rock songs for beginner drummers
I'd describe myself as someone who plays drums, but not a "drummer". I'm not in a band and frankly, I'm not all that good. But as a hobby, nothing (ahem) beats it.
The way I set about playing was: I had a few lessons, bought myself the rather-excellent Roland HD-1 electronic kit, then sat down with my iPod and went for it. Playing along to pre-recorded full-band songs is an excellent way to both help a beginner drummer keep time and will actively encourage the player to learn by ear. But what to play along to?
Clearly, there's not going to be too many songs suitable but I've found a few that, in the main and with a bit of practise, are playable and great fun. So here is the Bands Only guide to rock / indie tracks that are suitable for beginners / hobbyists - the * denotes recommended starting points. Enjoy and let me know your own suggestions.
The way I set about playing was: I had a few lessons, bought myself the rather-excellent Roland HD-1 electronic kit, then sat down with my iPod and went for it. Playing along to pre-recorded full-band songs is an excellent way to both help a beginner drummer keep time and will actively encourage the player to learn by ear. But what to play along to?
Clearly, there's not going to be too many songs suitable but I've found a few that, in the main and with a bit of practise, are playable and great fun. So here is the Bands Only guide to rock / indie tracks that are suitable for beginners / hobbyists - the * denotes recommended starting points. Enjoy and let me know your own suggestions.
- *Too Cool For School - Fountains Of Wayne (iTunes, 7digital)
- About a Girl - Nirvana (iTunes, 7digital)
- If Only - Queens of the Stone Age (iTunes, 7digital)
- Suzie - Boy Kill Boy (iTunes, 7digital)
- I Believe in a Thing Called Love - The Darkness (iTunes, 7digital)
- Every You, Every Me - Placebo (iTunes, 7digital)
- Pumping On Your Stereo - Supergrass (iTunes, 7digital)
- *Song 2 - Blur (iTunes, 7digital)
- *Evil - Interpol (iTunes, 7digital)
- Get Over It - OK Go (iTunes, 7digital)
- No Tomorrow - Orson (iTunes, 7digital)
- The Take Over, The Break's Over - Fall Out Boy (iTunes, 7digital)
- *Ain't It The Life - Foo Fighters (iTunes, 7digital)
- Come As You Are - Nirvana (iTunes, 7digital)
- Teddy Picker - Arctic Monkeys (iTunes, 7digital)
- Dakota - Stereophonics (iTunes, 7digital)
- Sing For Absolution - Muse (iTunes, 7digital)
- Exhausted - Foo Fighters (iTunes, 7digital)
- Get Your Guns - Nine Black Alps (iTunes, 7digital)
- Chelsea Dagger - The Fratellis (iTunes, 7digital)
- Good Fortune - PJ Harvey (iTunes, 7digital)
- Algeria - JJ72 (iTunes, 7digital)
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