Cheery'o Chaps, Cheery'o Goodbye

Music and fashion, chalk and cheese. They go together so well, like pea’s in a pod. Musicians could be some of the most vainest people you will ever come across, they always wanted to look sharp and on to of the game when it comes to fashion. But every time I think of fashion and music, I think of a few things, mostly with two words in the name.

With outlets such as Top Shop and Urban Outfitters marketing fashion alongside music is the norm of these past eight years. Skinny jeans, tattered converse and long, un-kept hair is the fashion. Going to concerts and festivals are the new boy’s nights out or weekend breaks of the summer.

Some may say some publications and radio stations made this happen. The rise of The Strokes and there British counter parts The Libertines pushed this to the main stream and again we have a commercial scene, and right in the center, keeping this all going is music. Millions are again watching the two-hour television programmes on Friday nights. Gigs maybe at there highest in some years, but albums still aren’t selling what they used to be.

This will always be something that goes hand in hand. Fads fade, like pokemon cards and yo-yos. Music will always be with us, popular or not. It will always find its market. Let’s hope the trilby’s and rosary wearing ‘indie’ boys are one of it’s casualties.

Radio Free Europe

Pirate radio was one of the most important things to ever happen to popular music. When Radio Caroline began broadcasting, very few had heard such a sound. This was the sound of youth culture. Playing everyone from Screamin’ Lord Sucth, The Detours (later on becoming The Who) and Pink Floyd, there is no arguing pirate radio is undeniably a turning point in popular music.

Now you turn on Radio 1 and you hear the same, nostalgic sounds of the current crop of guitar based bands. Alex Turner and Peter Doherty rule the airwaves, the latar being, some may say one of the more important song writers of the twenty first century. We have had The Beatles, we have had Bob Dylan, and we aren’t going to have another act like either of these any time soon. Or do we even need them?
The sound’s we have coming from our radio these days sadly aren’t as exciting as past years. Gone are the days of chart fighting on a Sunday evening whilst eating a roast round you’re grandmothers house.

Step up, whoever you are Music is an evolving sound. We don’t need another Libertines or Kooks. We need a visionary.

No can do

So the punks came, and gave us a fuck you stance to you’re normal ethics of a band. Fast, three chords and a punch in the face. Hardcore kids did the same thing, but added the great fanzine, backyard party and D.I.Y of making your own records and selling them you’re self.

Now days you will find it hard to find a band or a record label that isn’t underground that have these ethics. Sub Pop… maybe, but they probably aren’t the label they were twenty years ago. But that’s the United States, and I live in Britain, with the boom of guitar based bands since the start of the millennium every label wanted there own Libertines or Strokes (depends if you’re label was American or British). Who could forget the bands that came after? The Vines, The Datsuns, Kings of Leon to name a few. With that fad gone, and I hope completely forgotten.

That time is over, the radio sadly is still filled with play lists with all these bands on it at some point of the day and then the new breed such as The Killers or (I know they aren’t new) that band with the bassist from that band Sunny Day Real Estate.

But with every fad, something exciting comes out of it. People are fed up of the shit they hear on the radio and see on MTV2. British bands such as Tubelord, Blakfish and Colour are some of these. All equally interesting, but all with there own sound, and edge to there music. American bands such as Abe Vigoda, HEALTH, No Age (who are signed to the Seattle Sub Pop) and Mika Miko. These bands came from The Smell, a vegan under 21’s club in down town LA. Since they were in high school they have been self-financing tours and singles to get their music out there.

These are the bands that need to be heard, these are the bands that are doing what is right for music.

No Folk For Old Men

There once was a time when folk music was for squares. Tweed wearing hippies, armed with an acoustic guitar and all peace and love. The sound of immigrants and refugee’s, the sound has been with us for hundreds of years. Singing songs of pain, sorrow, loosing the one you loved and hard struggles, it’s a sound that will never go away. The same could be said for jazz and gospel respectively.
London, home of the swinging’ sixties now has it’s own folk scene. Much like the one that was in Greenwich Village. The sound has been evolving from the post Libertines day’s around the west of the City and out to the suburbs that surround it. With the rise of the oddball outfit Mystery Jets in late 2005 to the mass media it was unaware of the party’s they threw on a small, bohemian island in Twickenham. Nearly four years have passed since these gatherings and the sound has gone from strength to strength in the city.
New acts are coming from the west once more, a few even packing there bags and moving to the bright lights of Piccadilly and the buzzing sound that is coming from the East-end of town. Artists such as Mumford & Sons, Eugene McGuinness, Kid Harpoon, Laura Marling (who was nominated for a Mercury Music prize this year) and Johnny Flynn. Gone are the days of middle-aged men singing tales that their elders had once sung to them. Now the sound is new, fresh and exciting. All still very young, but singing the songs that can rival these tales once sung.
Gone are the days where American singer songwriters rule the sounds of our stereos. The British have taken it back, and it seem’s like It won’t be handed to only one else very soon.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again

There were time’s when grabbing some guitars, drum sticks and making music YOU wanted to hear was something called ‘fun’, now days there are people in this world who make what they call music as a way to become rich. Don’t get me wrong, there are stadium rock bands with singer’s or guitarist’s from back in the day who wanted to do the same thing, but there are also some bands now who still have the same DIY ethics as the punk and hardcore kids from Great Britain and the United states around the 70’s and mid 80’s. With the sound dominating the airwaves from bands such as Motley Crue and Aerosmith, there wasn’t a scene the younger generations could relate to. All those band’s sung about getting girls, and driving fast cars. So with Hardcore in the 80’s, kids made there own gigs, tours and scenes. Band’s such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat flew the flag for the underground movement and with this came a whole new power to fight the corporate stadium sounds of Bon Jovi and KISS.

Underground band’s now days aren’t hard to find. They are around use, in every county, city and town, you can hear new and exciting music made by people who are level minded and have the same idea’s as you. With the constant search for ‘the next big thing’ by label’s and industry people it’s hard to come across these bands or artists just before they are picked up by the big music paper or exploited by television shows. But fear not, there are DIY labels and festivals, both British and American that showcase these exciting new talents. Labels such as Oxford based Try Harder records (Youthmovies, Adam Gnade and Jonquil) and Big Scary Monsters (Blakfish, Tubelord, Pulled Apart By Horses). Labels who will only release artists music via old cassette tapes such as Tapeclub Records (Thos Henley, Peter Lyons) in Southampton. And you can never forget the man player in the underground music scene in the states, Sub Pop Records. For just over two decades now this label has had their finger on the pulse of what Is happening under the radar. Bringing bands such as No Age, Fleet Foxes to a wider audience. Any band on the roster of each of these label’s are exciting and new. They are doing the music THEY want to make, not what Simon Cowell or Joe Whiley can make money from and want to hear.

Being in a band is not an easy feat, constant touring, playing disgusting dingy clubs in the middle of nowhere with hardly anyone showing up apart from the local punters and scenters from that town. Never ending plugging you’re shows, releases and new antics via certain music forums. Raising enough money so you can get some studio time together to try and record you’re first seven inch record so you can get some petrol money for more shows so MORE people can hear you’re music, but that is where being in a band wins over many a ‘hobbie’. You’re not working for ‘the man’, you’re not working a shitty supermarket under someone younger than you, you maybe missing some meals here and there in the week, but you’re doing what YOU want to do, making the music YOU want to make. If you’re heart and soul is in what you are doing, be patient, and you’ll get what’s coming.

The London Contingent no2 - Eugene McGuinness

With ‘The Early Learning Of Eugene McGuinness’, you could tell that there was something special to come with this young singer/songwriter.
With influences from John Lennon to Shane McGowan, it’s easy to pin down his sound, but it’s his melodic, tales of the cultures of the world are where this young talent shines.
Having attended the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, Eugene McGuinness met everyone from The Wombats to Paul McCartney. Now having released his self titled debut full-length record on Domino Records, home of the Artic Monkeys and Wild Beasts, his take on a very English way of looking at folk music has got a lot of people very excited.

His story’s of monsters under bed’s, kids getting lost in super-markets and surfing the internet late at night are things that keep his sound very contemporary, but the poetic nature of songs are what makes this 20 something troubadour an interesting prospect for this year and next.

The London Contingent no1 - Kid Harpoon

Now days, the name Bob Dylan is name checked by every singer/song writer this side of Greenwich Village. The psychedelic folk sound crafted by Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett is someone a bit better described as a sound Chatham’s Kid Harpoon plays.
Kid plays a sometimes-aggressive take of folk, but that isn’t to say he hasn’t got the melodic side that some folk singers only use. With songs such as ‘Her Body Sway’s’ you can hear the Americana sound coming through, but with an English edge. Debut single ‘Riverside’ is a strong part of the set Kid Harpoon plays, now with backing band ‘The Powers That Be’ the frantic singer style of young Tom Pritchard comes threw strong and powerful.
Folk music in Britain is at a high with many a young minstrel touring the country back and forth. Having played the Medway towns and Kent to death, Kid Harpoon moved to London where he is now a main player on the solo circuit. Gaining support slots for artists such as the Kooks and Mystery Jets.

Featured Artist no3. Wild Beasts

Only now getting the recognition for their obscure take on pop music, Wild Beasts are supporting such artists as Foals, Vampire Weekend and Tricky.
Forming in 2002 and after a number of 7" limited singles, they were signed to Domino Records in the February of 2007. With a label that already has the great Eugene McGuinness, Arctic Monkeys and The Kills signed, they have definatly picked a very respected and well run choice.

'Limbo,Panto' the bands debut full length hit stores in June this year. HOW It wasn't on the shortlist for the Murcury Music Prize won by SHIT Elbow is completely beyond me, but this album Is one of the best of this year, with Hayden Thrope, Wild Beasts have a singer with a voice matching Jeff Bukcley vibrato vocals and a male Kate Bush eary tones.

Wild Beasts - Devils Crayon


New single 'Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants' a re-release of their first single on Bad Sneakers Records will be the next to drop from 'Limbo, Panto'.
You can catch the band supporting Foals on their upcoming tour, and also Vampire Weekend.

Myspace

Get In Boooooooi's

Just a quick one, TUBELORD ARE IN THE NME!!!!!

Band Of The Moment no2 - Mumford & Sons

West London In It's recent time has churned out such act's as Noah and the Whale and the prog turned 80's outfit Mystery Jets. It's had It's fair share of major acts coming out of the area. All with note able influences from folk, non more so than the bluegrass inspired, american folkey types, Mumford & Sons.

Forming at the end of 2007, Mumford & Sons have already captured the ears and eyes of the Londoners that concentrate on finding "the next big thing". Having already all played in different bands around the country (most notably Ted and Marcus playing with Laura Marling) they are no strangers to the stage. Releasing their stunning four track EP titled 'Lend Me Your Eyes' on Chess Club records in the July of this year, the group has released upon our eyes something beautiful.
A limited pressing of 10" EP's titled 'Love Your Ground' will be the next release, again on Chess Club Records, make sure you DO NOT miss this.

Myspace

Featured Artist no2. Redjetson

Some band's stay under the radar for so long that It's not until album number 4 that they get the praise they deserve. And then there are some band's stay under It, and under It, and under It until they can't take It any more and disband because they just simply don't want to waste their precious time and getting know where.
In this case, It would be Redjeston who was that band. That's right WAS. Sadly 'jetson split in the summer of this year, 2008. After numerous singles, ep's and only two albums (another coming out in the winter) worth of material.

Some would say six people in a single band is too much... some may say three guitar's in a single band is too much. Well, having more members and more instrument's in a band can make the music some of the most ear blowing, blissfull music you have ever heard. This is proven on the bands first album 'New General Catalogue'. With some song's spanning over 8 minuets, the post-rock side of this band stands out a mile, but the elegant vocals of front man Daniel Carney make this band a little differant than you average post-rock outfit.

After loosing their guitarist Dan Hills, the band continued recording and releasing verious material via indie labels all around europe.Even though the band my be know more, a brand new full length has been penciled in for the winter of 2008 and It includes the incredible track 'These Structures". Be sure to pick a copy up from the obvious outlet's.

The history of Redjetson at wikipedia
Myspace

New York, Neeeeeeeeeeeeeew Yooooooooooooork

Waking up In my bitterly cold, noisy road side front room turned bedroom I log onto the BBC iPlayer to watch last night's Later...With Jools Holland. Catching my eye instead was picture of 1970's New York City. This being a documentry on the GREAT channel that is the underated BBC Four.

The beginnings of Punk, Disco and Hip-Hop are all documented in this hour long story of a city In complete decay. With everyone from The New York Dolls, to Grandmaster Flash, this Is a must see.


BBC Four page on the documentary.

Band Of The Moment no1 - Abe Vigoda

Exciting things are happening In Los Angeles at the moment, new sounds are coming from everywhere around the city of angel's. One place In particular Is the all ages venue The Smell. A place like this couldn't stand up here In London. No drinks are served, all the people that help out are volunteer's and It also has It's own gallery space.

One band from the so called Smell 'Regulars' are the mighty Abe Vigoda. Taking there name from the actor who was In such films as The Godfather and also the extra special Good Burger, these four young gentlemen from Chino, CA are something to shout about. With constant comparisons being thrown there way to Vampire Weekend (who are no where near as good as these guys) you could shrug them off pretty easy.
Having released a number of split records for a few years, Abe Vigoda finally let the world have the great 'Skeleton', released on PPM Records (Dean Spunt from No Age's label) In the summer of 2008. There started a long, but needed North American tour for the country to come, and dance to this steal drum, reverb heavy take on punk music.

Before 'Skeleton' we had the hectic record that is 'Kid City', now, If you're one of the few that has heard this LP you would know that the sound on this Is a much more caotic, avant-garde sound that the one that Is produced In 'Skeleton'. With the expection of the great closer that Is 'All Day and All Night', you wouldn't really hear much of a similarity with said records.
'Skeleton', In my eyes, Is the best record to be released this year so far. Over In a short but well deliverd half an hour, Id dare you to find such a well flowing, thought out sound as the one that Is playing whilst you listen to this record. With songs lasting no longer than the three and a half minuet mark, this album Is a fast paced, down to the dirty stuff, DIY record.


Abe vigoda - Don't Look Down session NYC - Hyacinth Girls



With bands such as Health, No Age, Captain Ahab and Mika Miko, Abe Vigoda have got themselves In a very warm and cosey space. All the bands are In the music worlds radar with the buzz that Is surrounding them.

Abe Vigoda will be heading out on a UK tour In December. Date's as follows:

December
1 LONDON - Old Blue Last
2 LONDON - Tufnell Park Dome
3 MANCHESTER - No Wave @ The Deaf Institute
4 LIVERPOOL - Korova
5 NOTTINGHAM - Bodega Social

Abe Vigoda's MySpace

Featured Artist no1. Beach House

Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally make up Baltimore's Beach House. Armed with a guitar, keyboard and a drum loop, they create a sound not far from dreamy. Forming in 2005 they've released two enchanting albums, 2006's self titled release and 2008's follow up 'Devotion', both on Carpark records In the states and on the fine label that Is Bella Union over here In the UK.
With the first release 'Beach House', the haunting voice of Mss Legrand comes threw with a beautiful reverb sound flowing out of the speakers, most notably on the mezmerick song "Master Of None".
The follow up "Devotion" Is, In my eyes, Is a ritcher sounding record with songs such as "Gila" and "You Came To Me".

A non album track "Used To Be" will be released on a 7" via Carpark records on October 21st.

Beach House play the Cargo, In London on the 2nd December.

Is It whiskey you're drinking?

Winchester.................. exactly, I don't really know what good things have come from this small Surrey town, but I'm sure there have been a few. Caesura are the most exciting thing I've found from the place, well... ever.

Merging a beautiful minimal lyrical style with Explosions In The Sky powerful post-rock, this band Is not a band that should be playing small, smelly pubs in west London on a horrid night.
Only with a short discography under their belts, this band Is not short of songs to make you take note.

If you don't know, Caesura are part of the Big Scary contingent (feature soon). They tour frequently with bands such as Colour, Secondsmile and Kingston's great Tubelord.
Having recently released the mezmerizing sound of 'Weight and Carrige' on the Big Scary Monsters '6 Machine' 10", on which they are joined by Birmingham's Blakfish and Bridport's scatty post-hardcore Minotaur Explode, they are demoing new material for further release.

Caesura's MySpace