Tommy Shots

My Gameboy is dying

2007-03-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Crystal Castles are nothing new and the Klaxons remix here has nodoubt already had its run on your ipod but I still think that they are doing something just a little different to anyone else out there just now. How manic screaming and dodgy computer sounds come together to make something this good I don't know. Alice Practice is so incredibly tense and I absolutely adore the Lovers who Uncover mix. Perhaps not for everyone but worth a go.

Crystal Castles - Alice Practice

The Little Ones - Lovers who Uncover (Crystal Castles Mix)

Klaxons - Atlantis to Interzone (Crystal Castles Mix)

File this one, once again, under the "not for everyone" tab but Hadouken's remixes seem to have grabbed a fair few blogs attention in the past few weeks with their work on Bloc Party and Klaxons and now here is their own track. Granted its already been a song of the week on Radio 1 so its not shiny new, but if you haven't heard this "grime-rave"(?!?) then give it a go.

Hadouken! - That Boy, That Girl

Enjoy...

Hopefully someone somwhere still checks into this...

2007-03-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

The Teenagers seem to be gathering a good amount of buzz of late, not least over at Good Weather for Airstrikes which has been showing them a lot of love. And it was GWFA that brought to my attention just how little original material of theirs that is going about. Whilst I am not about to dispel that, here is a little of their own stuff, granted most of it has been remixed, for people needing a quick fix. Its good stuff and the bass lines dominate especially on the cool as fuck "We are the Teenagers"; got to love a theme tune.

The Teenagers - We are the Teenagers
The Teenagers - Sleeping Bag (Yo Yo Version)
The Teenagers - Fuck Nicole (Detect Remix)
The Teenagers - Homecoming (Bono Must Die Remix)

I've got a handful of others if anyone is interested but the excellent remix of the NYPC track "The Bomb" is available enough I think for most folk to find it themselves.

Enjoy

New Rave?

2006-12-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

I really hate the term new rave just as much as anyone else but its beginning to really become quite its own scene now. I've already posted on Klaxons quite a bit, been to see CSS lately, loving me a bit of Van She, so here is another couple of tracks which I can't help but feel they fall into a similar category. I haven't been as excited about a band on hearing one track as I was when I first heard The French Open from Foals. Its everything you would want, great build up and then a complete blast of shouting and noise. The build up is in fact really quite long for a short track, imagine a DFA extended mix. Beautiful stuff. The other tracks on their myspace don't quite live up to it but they are in the same vain. These New Puritans have been kicking about a bit longer and more of a reputation and this song is particularly good. The intro has a Joy Division-esque feel to it but this comparison fades quickly when the vocals appear. Great track, enjoy.

Foals - The French Open (Demo) (Highly recommended)

These New Puritans - Chamber

Later...

A New Week...

2006-12-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

Scotland ain't doing so bad just now, what with the View taking over the charts and both Glasgow and Edinburgh (more to come on the latter's music scene soon) looking good with new bands a plenty. Union of Knives are one of the real gems though. This lot from Glasgow make superb tunes and I recommend this to anyone who has liked anything as wide ranged as I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness through to Stars.

Union of Knives - Evil has Never

Word is that Klaxons next single is to be Golden Skans. Excellent news. This track is far different to the sound which people have so far associated with the band which I think will bring them greater success than Magick which was easily their weakest track so far. The band looked every part the upcoming success story of 2007 on Jools Holland the other night. I imagine the track will be re-recorded for the album but here's an older version.

Klaxons - Golden Skans (removed at request of label)

Bloc Party. Enough said. This track is the most anthemic and currently my favourite from the forthcoming album "A Weekend in the City".

Bloc Party - I Still Remember

Hot Chip and DFA, what a combination. This one ain't anything new and its been flying about the blogs for ages but it has been keeping me company through some fairly dull studying this week so thought I'd share it with anyone who has been unfortunate enough to miss it thus far.

Hot Chip - Like We Breakdown (DFA mix)

and

in excellent news for Edinburgh, top newcomers Foals are playing a free gig at The Cabaret Voltaire with Supersystem!

and I cannot recommend to you enough that you head over to both Headphone Sex and Good Weather for Airstrikes, two of the best blogs going, and check out their posts on I Was a Cub Scout; Teenage Skin has been keeping me going all day.

Later...

The best of things while I was away...

2006-11-28T16:41:00.000-08:00

The best album of the year? Not sure, there's tough competition as expected but despite being amongs the biggest Manic Street Preachers fans out there, I had no idea what to expect from James Dean Bradfield's solo album. But I was thankfully blown away and never more so than this song which is sublime. I cannot recommend this highly enough and it was equally superb seeing him live in Dundee.

James Dean Bradfield - Still a Long Way to Go (Highly recommended)

On my travels to the USA this year I took in the fabulous Lollapalooza where I was lucky enough to see what is certainly up there with the best live performances I have ever seen. Broken Social Scene blew me away with the intensity of the gig. Having seen them in a small venue only a few months before and loved it, I had no idea they could up their game to this. Just immense. I have never been able to get a recording of the gig so this is a plea for anyone who may have it. This track is one which doesn't get enough praise; not a live track or anything but one which should be present on any good chill out mix.

Broken Social Scene - Lovers Spit (redux)

and Cold War Kids didn't do a bad job either in impressing me on one of the smaller stages; still love this song as much as I did when I first heard it.

Cold War Kids - Hang Me up to Dry

Favourite new Ryan Adams song without a doubt is this one and considering his output over th past year or two, this has been some find. This recording is from his Glasgow Academy gig, the very one where I saw him open his set with this new, previously unrecorded track and I fell in love with it straight away. Up there with his best without a doubt. Getting this recording almost made me forget how average his set at Lollapalooza was. Almost.

Ryan Adams - Don't Get Sentimental on Me (Live at Glasgow Academy 15/02/2006)

Best remixes? Well these 2 here ain't half bad. Everyone is giving Klaxons big love at the moment and rightly so, they are awesome and I think I had one of the earliest posts on them earlier this year. This remix of one of the less posted of the EP tracks is a delight, sure to delight anyone who has loved the Digital Penetration CD or "New-Rave" sene emerge this year. The Rapture, also pushing for album of the year, are treated to a fabulous quasi-rave-mix here courtesy of Simian Mobile Disco and its awesome with the "people don't dance no more" being pushed in your face from the start. Love it.

The Klaxons - The Bouncer (South Central Remix) (large file but very much recommended)

The Rapture - WAYU (Simian Mobile Disco Mix)

Later...

A taste of things to come...

2006-11-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

I would sit here and tell you all how rubbish getting my flat broken into was but that would just be dull. Instead lets get back to what I used to do, write about new British bands a lot and a little less about bands from elsewhere. This first post is a brief view of current listening, do enjoy.

What I have been wondering mostly is why Los Campesinos have not been getting blogged to death the world over? They are fantastic. Great, great fun, superb tunes and nicely although not importantly, Welsh. I'm not sure which other bands I hear in this track but the dueling lyrics work very nicely indeed.

Los Campesinos - Death to Los Campesinos

Fury of the Headteachers...good name/rubbish name? Not sure but I'll keep this brief; if you've liked iForward,Russia! or Maximo Park in the last few years and wonder what a mix of the two would sound like, then give this lot a try.

Fury of the Headteachers - Farewell Comrade

Peggy Sue and the Pirates - Lipstick

I've got a soft spot for 80s revival digital synth beats at the moment; for example...

Van She - Kelly

Lo-fi-fnk- Whats on your mind?

Enjoy, welcome me back, ignore me, have fun but if you do stop by, do comment

So....

2006-06-23T03:38:00.000-07:00

So I've had my flat broken into and all my stuff taken, including my laptop. So as of now, I have no music. Nothing. Its not good. I don't really know what to do. And it also means I won't be able to post. Gutted, but until I get a new one, this is my last post. Sorry guys but there ain't much I can do. I kind of wish I could post a song about this maybe like Been Caught Stealing, but I don't have a copy. They took that too. Bastards.

Later...

Demos/Fun stuff

2006-06-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Ever get into a band fairly early on and all you can get is some rough demos which, as its all you can get your hands on, are all you'll listen to for months on end. Then eventually the real version comes out and you of course love it, but you'll always love that demo you had that little bit more? Arctic Monkeys fans certainly know what I mean. I've had with numerous bands from the Killers to Ryan Adams and lately I seem to have come across more. This is a couple of my favourites that have since been remastered and gone on to have some radio play. Granted the actual version of this Men, Women and Children isn't hugely different from this demo but its certainly got a cleaner production and I think I prefer the unclean original. I don't know much about the band except it involves ex-Glassjaw member Todd Weinstock and I cannot wait to hear this track on a dancefloor.

Men, Women and Children - Dance in my Blood

Maybe it was the fact that even Jo Whiley is playing this on primetime Radio 1 now that makes me realise how much I love a demo. But Jamie T is about to become big and I recommend we cherish him in small venues on his next tour whilst we still can. I will personally be checking him out in Glasgow next Sunday at Nice n Sleazys, the night after my graduation ball. Its fair to say I'll be a little rough. Still cannot get enough of this track. Its just such damn good fun.

Jamie T - Sheila

Speaking of damn good fun songs, remember when Idlewild used to fucking rock? Remember when Roddy Woomble would scream songs from the start right to the triumphant end of Captain. Then remember when they stopped encoring with Captain and things went downhill a little? I can't slate them too much, I still love them and saw them at an invite only gig at the rather tiny Cabaret Voltaire last year which was superb. Nonetheless, this is why I got into this band and I hope they return to this form on their next album, or perhaps on Roddy's solo one.

Idlewild - When I Argue I See Shapes

Later...

Am I the only person thinking this?

2006-06-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

This post may well be on a bit of a tangent but nevertheless you do eventually get to the new Klaxons single. Their new track is hugely influenced by rave and techno and in particular I hear quite a lot of the KLF especially in the opening seconds. If the guys in the Klaxons are like myself in their early 20s, then they probably only got into the the KLF towards the end of their brief career, but I reckon they have been listening to them somewhat since then. Further, I'm not even sure you can be influenced by a band that only existed for about a year but I reckon that this track sounds a little like Test-Icicles (R.I.P.) and particularly like the track I'm posting.

Thus: Test-Icicles + The KLF = Atlantis to Interzone (Sort of)

For more info on the KLF have a read at the extensive details here.

The KLF - Last Train to Transcentral

Test Icicles - Circle Square Triangle

The Klaxons - Atlantis to Interzone

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Yeah YSP!WSD! have been blogged the hell out of but I'm off to see them in Glasgow tomorrow night at King Tuts and I think it will be superb; I'll let you know if they satisfy. Here's my favourite on the off chance they are new to you.

You Say Party! We Say Die! - Midnight Snack

Later...

Fall Out Boy (Yes thats right.. Fall Out Boy)

2006-05-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

What with my Panic! At the Disco love getting greater every day despite them becoming more and more mainstream with every passing minute, I might aswell just come out and say how damn fantastic I think this acoustic version of Sugar We're going Down is. Thanks to Binky the Doormat for providing the mp3. If you haven't heard this yet and even if you are usually one to hate anything emo-shaped, seriously give this a go. Its really just Patrick from the band live on Radio 1 but its one of the best things I've heard in weeks.

Fall Out Boy - Sugar We're Going Down (Acoustic)

Later...

Recent Gigs

2006-05-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night I went to see a superb line up for only £5 at Cabaret Voltaire which had Emmy the Great (very pretty, may well post on in the future), Semifinalists (see previous post and who were really great) and which had Tilly and the Wall headlining. I had come across a few songs by this band over time but it was when I first heard Nights of the Living Dead on the Moshi Moshi compilation (which also featured the Grates who I have posted on at Come Pick Me Up) that I became really interested. I loved this song straight away but I had no idea who much fun this band would be live. Visually they are quite different not least because they have three women standing centre stage, one of whom is tapdancing instead of the band having a drummer. The band were really good fun and I warmed to them greatly. One track stuck in my mind though and I think this is a lovely Americana-tinged love song.

Tilly and the Wall - Pictures of Houses

Guillemots may well have been blogged to death, and quite rightly so, since the release of the fabulous Trains to Brazil, but Friday night was the first time I had seen them live. Strangely the upper floor of the usually brilliant Liquid Room in Edinburgh was closed which straigh away cut down on the atmosphere but beside that I just think this was a poor crowd. The first half of the gig suffered a little from this but from Made Up Lovesong 43 onwards things picked up and towards the end the band really got in their rhythm and it was great. The high point however was when Fyfe Dangerfield took centre stage with only a tiny keyboard, no amp and no mic to sing Blue would still be Blue, everyone was won over. Good gig but I would love to see them with a better audience.

Guillemots - Blue would Still be Blue

Although I haven't seen this band live yet, I was sent a promo of Waxplanet's new single which is pretty awesome. I have to agree with the NME who said there was a touch of the Pixies about this band but I think its the vocals which sound much like Frank Black during his quieter moments. The new single Streets on Fire is particularly good but as I would rather you guys went out and bought your own copy, I highly suggest this older track to see you by until you buy it.

Waxplanet - Turn Me Up

later...

It would probably be difficult to blog much less

2006-05-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

I tend to go to gigs at least one a week, often more and I often come out saying how awesome I've thought a gig has been. Usually I realise within a couple of days that it was good but little more. Over two weeks on, I'm still ranting about how good Primal Scream were at One Big Weekend in Dundee. Phenomenal. So stunningly brilliant. A pure rock n roll set. Rocks, Jailbird, Country Girl and Movin' on Up were some of the highlights but it never let up; it was sensational from start to finish. Even the "this is a new song, join in if you want" didn't stop things. Usually this gets a bit of a groan. When Bobby Gillespie says do it, you sing. And everyone did, and everyone loved the song. So here it is.

Primal Scream - Dolls

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Ok so it doesn't take much of a reason for me to post that picutre of Be Your Own Pet with Jemina Pearl looking unbelievably hot at the front, but right now I have a reason.Having bought the album a good few weeks ago I have had a good few listens to it but the problem is that I rarely get past this track. Its so good yet a little frustratingly short. Superb though and reason enough to catch them live any time soon, I highly recommend them.

Be Your Own Pet - Wildcat

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Get Cape Wear Cape Fly. Yeah the name doesn't do much for me either but this music is pretty damn good. Maybe not what the average Tommy Shots track is like. Nothing to get up and dance to but this is really good and does definitly not sound like the product of Essex. A little digital touch to an emo-ish acoustic track, I can;t describe it but its really pretty good. Have a go.

Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - Whitewash is Brainwash

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Two pretty girls in one post? Yeah why not. The Ropes got in touch with me suggesting I gave their stuff a listen. So I did. And I liked. Not quite sure how to put it but there is a digitial sound going on and I hope they don't take offence but on a couple of tracks I hear Blink 182 type sound going on at the chorus. I'm pretty sure I'm on my own with that. Either way, nice stuff.

The Ropes - Kill her Off

Later...

I just wanna go home, and listen to the Ramones!

2006-05-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

The Hourly Radio came to my attention when I saw them supporting Stellastarr* in Dundee which was a most excellent gig not only because the starr* still rock despite some scathing reviews of their latest album, but because the unadvvertised Hourly Radio were fantastic. Although it was a small venue I didn't get a chance to talk to the band but after struggling to find any mp3s to post I emailed them asking if I could get some tunes, and they very kindly provided me with some. Since then I 've picked up a few more which have all been excellent and there are several more on their myspace. All the tracks are pretty brilliant but this one in particular has held my attention and been on most constant play. There is definitly a Stellastarr* element to the guitar, maybe even a U2 thing going on there. They also come recommended by Clap You Hands Say Yeah so I don't think I need say much more than you should really give this track a go.

The Hourly Radio - Lost and Found
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Dustin's Bar Mitzvah have been kicking about for a while without doing anything of much importance. Then, like many a band lately, they released something that made me suddenly sit up and take note. If like me you are currently spending your whole day doing something you hate, studying for me, then this is the perfect tune for releasing some steam and jumping around at the end of the day. Great catchy tune which everyone can relate to, have a listen, you'll definitly enjoy this one.

Dustin's Bar Mitzvah - To the Ramones

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The Semifinalists recently put out their debut album on V2 to, sadly, very little promotion or press coverage. This being a real shame because on what is a pretty good album, there are some stunning moments. On the quiet moments they are a little like Soft Bulletin-era flaming lips whilst other times they go orchestral and a little Broken Social Scene. This stunning track falls somewhere in between. This track has within 3 weeks crept into the top 25 most played tracks on my i-pod and I put this down to what goes on at 2 mins 40 secons in when everything that has been threatening to happen comes together and its incredible, a real treat if you have liked anything such as My Latest Novel over the past few months.

Semifinalists - You Said [Highly Recommended]

and, if anyone cares, I got this leaked line up, stage times etc for the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Dundee, my home town. It cannot be overstated how much of a big deal it is for a gig like this to come to Dundee, hopefully someone who reads this site will find this useful. It is too large to post this pic so it would be readable so I recommend saving it and zooming in.

Later... (and if you are on this page anytime please leave a comment so I know anyone is still coming by!)

Been a While!

2006-04-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

Klaxons seem to be getting a bit of press at the moment in the UK with an NME live review and some shouts in several other magazines. Difficult to pin down to one sound but eclectic if nothing else they remind me of Bloc Party or Art Brut with perhaps the haphazard attitude of Test-Icicles (R.I.P.). Maybe a case of image over substance but this track is definitly worth a try.

Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow

The Fratellis sound may not be the most unique out their but they are still doing their thing very strongly. This Glaswegian outfit didn't impress me too much when I saw them early last year but rumour has it they kick ass live at the moment. You may hear certain bits of everything else going at the moment in a Monkeys/Libs type of vain but you are kidding yourself if you say you don't find the chorus to this track massively infectious.
The Fratellis - Creeping Up the Backstairs

Fields seem to me to be something like a British version of the sound between Death Cab For Cutie and Stars; not sure if you'll hear it but hopefully. Almost chilled out but with a slight apprehension its never quite comfortable. Really good music though and I could really see this band going somewhere. Anyone visiting this page who has enjoyed the Guillemots tracks should really take a look at this band.

Fields - If You Fail We All Fail
Fields - Song for the Fields

BONUS (and not British)

When this appeared the other week I had to get it straight away as this is the first of the solo effort from the lead singer of excellent Candian band, Stars. This is the first track to appear from lead singer Amy Milan's debut solo effort and I think it is absolutely sublime. If you can, have yourself wake up to this track.
Amy Milan - Skinny Boy

Later...

A disgusting lack of posts...

2006-03-13T16:14:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how much longer I can keep any of you coming back here to look at the blog when Im putting so little effort in. It sucks I know. But I've started blogging with Lizzy over at Come Pick Me Up so hopefully between mine, hers and the other guys over there, we'll keep giving you stuff you love.

Later...

Tuesday Already?

2006-02-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

Weeks are going far far far too fast at the moment, not a clue where they are going but it seems to be a week between posts here and I'm never sure why. The last week has seen a little less gigging from me although I did get a nice free ticket to the Magic Numbers, who were very good and were supported by the sadly very average Concretes. But I have been checking out some of the bands appearing on the South By South West page and this is some of the highlights.

If you get a moment, fire down a comment about whether you like them or not and any others you might have found.

Kissing Tigers were my favourite I think. I've been really into guitar bands that I can dance to recently, (maybe why I find myself uncontrollably liking Panic! At the Disco). This band definitly tick the danceable box and I think this is a really strong track, sounds like someone else but not sure who.

Kissing Tigers - Stay in Love

Gingerbread Patriots drew my attention for that name and I'm glad they did because this is a band I really like the sound of. They have a little Pavement in them but I'm really hearing contemporary influences like the Postal Service and Architecture in Helsinki going on here. From New Mexico and making an appearance at SXSW I'd really like to hear more of this band. If you like this track I really suggest you have a listen to an unsigned London band called My Sad Captains who I posted on previously and who have made one of my favourite tracks of the year.

Gingerbread Patriots - Wax Lips and Hummingbirds

My Sad Captains - All Hat and No Plans

The Velvet Teen have toured with the likes of Death Cab for Cutie and you can definitly hear the similarity on some of their tracks. Having said that, the track I'm linking to is quite different and even reminds me of Antony and the Johnsons a little. Maybe just me. Really good band though and have liked the other stuff on their myspace. Go have a look, you may well like!

The Velvet Teen - A Captive Audience

Later...

So this is what I've been up to...

2006-02-22T14:36:00.000-08:00

I'm fairly sure none of you will read any of this but on the off chance you do, the reasons for my lack of posts have been uni work and the fact that I have been going to plenty of gigs to fill my evenings in between, giving me plenty to post about now. So its all worked out nice.

My first post is a tie in between two things that I have loved over the past week. The first was Broken Social Scene at the Art School in Glasgow. Absolutely superb gig that lasted over two hours during which they played all their hits, if you can call them that, and more. The highlight was when they reached the curfew time and knew they had to leave the stage. They did so but the crowd kept on shouting and cheering for an encore. The band came back saying they literally had no more to play but the crowd were insistent. Despite the venue cutting their power to force them back on, after BSS telling the crowd to let the cheering be the encore, they eventually came back on and did an incredible version of Ibi Dreams of Pavement. They had already done it but they had no other rehearsed tracks to play and it did more than suffice. I think this is the first time I have ever seen a band encore a track from their actual set and still be cheered on to go for more. wonderful stuff not hurt in any part by having the beautiful Lisa Lobsinger doing backing vocals, the highlight with her being Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl, which was sublime. (Mentioning her of course gives good reason to also post a picture. The volume she gets to that hair is something else)

I'm sure you already have this track but as it was nothing but sublime, both times, I cannot do anything but post and hope you have a listen.

Broken Social Scene - Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Half)

As I said there were two parts to this, the other was that Feist, part time member of BSS, has had her most famous track, Mushaboom, remixed by the excellent Postal Service. It is one of the best tracks I have heard in weeks and I thoroughly recommend you have a listen.

Feist - Mushaboom (Postal Service Remix) (thanks to Gorilla vs Bear for this one)

Later...

I'm BACK!!!

2006-02-22T14:18:00.000-08:00

I'm back, dissertation in and ready to post again, I'm away to put together some top notch posts (I hope) but first I'm putting up a track as a favour for someone and also because its a pretty damn great track. Anyone who downloaded the Coldplay remix the other week will want to get involved with this. Its a little less dancy and a little more chilled but is another excellent job from a great remixer.

The Killers- Mr Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)

Later...

Apologies

2006-02-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the lack of posts at the moment, it is due to work at university and I would rather wait and put up good posts rather than little bits here and there that I don't really care about.

Any comments or suggestions for bands to put up in the mean time are always welcome. I will be putting up some treats this weekend so be sure to check back.

Later...

The Rakes

2006-02-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Wednesday day night brought another gig, this time the ever fabulous Rakes at the QMU in Glasgow. The band didn't come alone though, this time they came with 3 support bands; White Rose Movement, Duels and Switches.

Taking each band as they came we started with Switches. Personally I thought they were really poor, nothing original at all and even worse than that they reminded me of Hard-fi; a band I will never understand the popularity of save for the irritatingly good Hard to Beat. I don't see them becoming much mostly because of some terrible lyrics. But if my opinion means very little to you click the link and see their myspace where you can have a listen.

Next up were Duels. Posted on this lot before. They have some good tunes in that set of theirs just a shame some don't come across as well as they do on record. They ended on the excellent Potential Futures which I've posted before but as I think its so damn excellent and I can't think of any track to make you like the band more than it, I'll post it again. Sorry for the laziness but if you didn't get it last time then I really suggest you give it a try.

Duels - Potential Futures

Duels were followed by the band I had not seen before and was perhaps most excited about seeing before hand, the excellent, White Rose Movement. The band came on looking as painfully fashionable and London-esque as you can imagine. they kicked off in fine style with a vigour and style that could have easily fooled you they were the headliners. They played all the singles I've come to love so far including Love is a Number which would be outstanding in anyones setlist. They somehow didn't get the reaction from the crowd I had expected but they did a fine job and finished on their heaviest, but still danceable, Alsation. Definitly a band to keep an eye on, you can find the album on all the networks at the moment and its really worth a listen.

White Rose Movement - Alsation

But the night was in the end all about one band. Before the gig I was lucky enough to sit next to the Rakes new keyboard player, Ethan, in the bar and had a word with him. He said the band felt like they needed something to make the sound on stage complete and so this was the first tour that they had employed a keyboard player. I hadn't expected it to make such a difference. The band came on to, if memory serves me right, Terror!, which went down excellently. Singer Alan Donghue pogo'd about all night with his ever unique moves and really got the crowd alight. Every song was a treat and even the new tracks that they mocked wouldn't go down so well, went down a treat( see last week for a link to new single All to Human). This was the fourth time I've seen the band but by far the best. Any other band would look like they were going through the motions having toured for the last year pretty much non-stop but not the Rakes, far from it. Simply brilliant throughout, although slightly hampered by sound at the QMU the Rakes seem to be looking fresher than ever. What struck myself and a friend who had been at the Arctic Monkeys last week, was simply that this band have better tunes, better attitude and simply better onstage. I have no idea why this band haven't made all the headlines yet but on the basis of the new material I don't think it will be long. Still, I've got a soft spot for the old ones so in a Tommy Shots first, and to celebrate a band really at the top of their game, here's two tracks from the boys. Enjoy.

The Rakes - Terror! (Extended Mix)

The Rakes - Work Work Work (Pub Club Sleep)

In a totally unrelated post and really just to celebrate the return of one of my favourite bands, here is another Yeah Yeah Yeahs track. This was a track that I got into when the first album came out by getting this mp3 of the band. It was about the time I was getting some of their Unitard tracks, acoustic versions of their main stuff, such as the amazing version of Our Time. This track is apparently going to feature on the new album in some form and I am very exicted by that, it was simply too good to go unreleased although it is strange for such a good track to be unused for the first album. The track certainly makes a lot more sense when you have heard the style of the new track Gold Lion and the overall idea they are going with. As you may realise when you play the track has been ripped by someone other than myself but after that annoying intro, its all good.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cheated Hearts (Live Acoustic)

Later...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs!!!

2006-02-08T01:53:00.000-08:00

I know I'll be the 100th blog you see hosting this today but just in case I'm the first that you see, here's the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs track. Pretty different, leave comments as to what you think or anything else you have heard lately you would like me to post.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Gold Lion (not that remix or any radio rip - proper full length edit)

Later...

What a weekend!

2006-02-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

What a great weekend. Two amazing gigs, Scotland beat France at the rugby and my dissertation is finally beginning to take shape, all in all pretty good.

But its the gigs that we will of course concentrate on.

But first...

Roland Shanks have been a bit of an obsession of mine the last few days ever since I heard Steve Lamacq play their new single Cutting Teeth last week. It took me by surprise as I hadn't even read the name before let alone heard them before. Then I downloaded some of their stuff and everything I have so far is brilliant. Joy Division base, new wave vocals and some Bloc Party-esque drumming; simply brilliant. If you like Bloc Party, White Rose Movement or the Rakes then I definitly recommend this one, you will not be disappointed! This may very well be everyone's new favourite band.

Roland Shanks - August

My first gig was Jose Gonzalez at the liquid rooms on Saturday night. First was a support band who I cannot remember the name of but thats mostly because they were like a poor Mazzy Star and didn't really do much for me. Jose has been on my stereo ever since I heard Heartbeats at the beginning of last year; nobody could have guessed the success he would go on to have with that track. Its also funny that nobody on the radio or in the press here is mentioning that the song is a cover of The Knife. If you haven't heard the original I would recommend hearing it if only for the huge difference between the two, I would recommmend even more that you go to Said the Gramophone and download the version that they put up last week. Jose was as expected not absolutely breathtaking but he was consistently excellent throughout, a highlight being when someone thew some bouncy balls on stage during Heartbeats, very funny and he took in his stride and continued. All the album favourites were on there and he did his now famous covers of Massive Attack's Teardrop and the track I'm going to post, Kylie's Hand on Your Heart, which I'm sure you'll all have but is superb and certainly worth getting if you currently don't.

Jose Gonzalez - Hand on Your Heart

Then Sunday night was a real treat all round. Back again to the Liquid Rooms, same venue as the night before, but this time for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. This gig was being put on in association with BBC 6 Music which is the excellent on line radio station from the BBC which plays excellent new and old music all day, its a real shame its not broadcast on proper radio or I would have it on all the time. As a result of this we had Steve Lamacq compering which was a nice surprise. i must say that whilst Clap Your Hands were excellent, as expected, as were support band Two Gallants, the biggest shock of the night came from The Very, an Edinburgh band who I somehow had never seen before but were absolutely incredible. I don't remember the last time I was that blown away by a band I had never heard before. There are only two of them, a guitarist who looks like your usual indie art-rocker boy and a drummer who was not your usual indie art-rocker guy but a stocky long haired ginger bloke who drummed mind-blowingly throughout. If I was to compare to any bands it would be somewhere inbetween The Futureheads and the White Stripes. They have a few tracks up on their website but to be honest the recordings don't do their live ability credit.

Please go to their website http://www.thevery.com and have a listen to their stuff and show some love, Save Me from the City is particularly great and was even better live. So great live it was amazing.

Next up were Two Gallants. I have been listening to the few tracks of theirs I had for a while without feeling the need to investigate too much further. Shame though as everything was really good. All rocking country music, sometimes with an Irish folk vocal thing going on which wa cool. The drummer is absolutely mental though and looks like he's going to knock the whole kit over all the time, he looked a lot like Animal from the Muppets really, but didn't and played a solid set. Think I'll have a listen to the album soon as everything was really strong; strange lyrics at times which are worth checking out if you have a moment.

Two Gallants - Las Cruces Jail

And as for Clap Your Hands, well they were of course excellent. The chat was, as last time, kept to a minimum but it didn't really matter, the stage presence was aweseome. They did all the best from the album and my two favourite new ones, Satan Said Dance (see previous CYHSY post) and Cigarettes. Both excellent. The crowd really got into them and although some of the band were maybe going through the motions, frontman Alec Ounsworth was still doing his thing, sending vocals every which way and strutting round the stage rather chicken like. I still love them and still think are deserving of all the blog hype they got, just wish Wolf Parade would start getting the respect over here they deserve.

If you are burning through your CYHSY album, why not check out Alec's solo site where there are a handful of free mp3s.

Great couple of gigs though, sorry to leave the post so late

Later...

Some treats

2006-02-02T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Sunshine Underground are a band I have posted on before but after seeing their incredible latest single appallingly miss out on the top 40 on Sunday I feel I must do something to help bring them to people's attention. The band have relocated themselves to Leeds and are easily one of the best out of an incredible bunch of bands in the city.
This track and other remind me of the Killers with the beats of the Secret Machines and the swagger of Kasabian. I love this track and if you head to their myspace you'l get more of the same. There is absolutely no way that this is the last we will hear of this band and if you want to be able to say you were listening to this months before the inevitable re-release, I veru much recommend a download of this track.

The Sunshine Underground - Commercial Breakdown

The Harrisons are a band that have been kicking about doing very little for a while. I saw a hugely uninspiring set from them early last year in a small venue in Edinburgh and even though I could tell they had the tracks, they just weren't doing it live. I've been listening to Out Tonight for sometime but when I heard Steve Lemaq play this track the other day I remembered what it was i liked about them. This song is a really good track, very simple but very effective and I'm glad I came back to listening to this band. Apparently they filled in as support on some of Be Your Own Pets latest UK tour so if they are good enough for that then I think they must have improved somewhat since I last saw them.

The Harrisons - Blue Note

Now, a strange final post but one with good reason. I am posting this Ryan Adams track for a numerous reasons. One is that he is my favourite solo artist and ranks near my favourite artist/band whatever of all time. His volume of output puts all other bands to shame with the consistency and quality. He has done nearly 9 albums, depending on what you count, of solo material in about 6 years and that isn't including any of the live tracks of which anyone could make easily another 20 excellent albums. My other reason for posting is that I am going to see him next week in Glasgow and am very excited. My final reason for posting is that Liz over at
Come Pick Me Up blog has been showing good love for this blog and her Ryan obsession seems to equal mine so this post is mostly a thank you to her, but also for you guys who may not delve into his stuff too often, to hear how amazing he is live. I can't recommend anything by him enough but if it has to be one album then its the one that this song originally comes from; Heartbreaker, a near perfect album.

Ryan Adams - Oh My Sweet Carolina (Live)

Later...

Not the usual

2006-01-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

A few thngs today just to demonstrate the other type of tstuff I'm listening to at the moment along side the usual indie stuff.

Most unusually, I've been listening to a bit of Coldplay the past few days. Not that I would have anything against them ever but they are not a band I would ever put on a playlist or on out of choice in my room generally. This however is a rather special little remix by the main man of the remix, Jacques Lu Cont aka Les Rhythms Digital aka the Thin White Duke aka many other names. His name being next to a remix usually makes me give it a whirl, I particularly also like his remix of Mr Brightside, which if anyone requests it I would also happily post. This song is just brilliant though, takes all the best parts of the original, or the Kraftwerk bits if you want to get picky, and adds a brilliant beat and all types of other parts. It is about 9 minutes long though and is therefore quite a big file but nevertheless I recommend a listen as it is superb start to finish.

Coldplay - Talk (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)

Johnny Boy have been on rotation for me ever since they released the truelly incredible You Are the Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve. I wondered if they were ever going to make an appearance again and I am delighted to tell you that they are indeed back some fantastic new music. The music has a 60's pop feel to it but also I don't feel I can do justice to their sound with words. Its pure pop brilliance and when I heard this new track I was convinced that if this gets near the airwaves then this band could make it big. The boy girl harmonies and catchy lyrics on top of a great tune makes this one of my favourite songs of the year so far easily. Thanks to Yer Mam! for drawing this one to my attention!

Johnny Boy - Fifteen Minutes

Later...

The NME Show

2006-01-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

Yeah they weren't headlining but lets face it, the NME shows this year were all about one band.

Arctic Monkeys went on after an excellent show from We Are Scientists who I definitly need to post on as they rocked, who came on after the Mystery Jets who as far I could see, did nothing to endear themselves to anyone.

They came on, went straight into their latest number 1, When the Sun goes down and then straight into their last Number 1, Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor. Nothing short of arrogant little bastards but if you had seen the crowd last night, there was nothing short of absolute adoration for them. People went crazy. The crowd were rocking and for most of the tracks, the crowd knew every word. The first 2 tracks were excellent, Vampires sounded pretty good live but to be honest every track was great. Favourite point for me was when he stopped singing to point at a girl in the audience just to note, "she's brilliant"; which she was. As I've said before, nobody deserves the hype they've been getting but they come pretty close to deserving it. The track I'm posting for you says everything you need to know about hearing this band live. Just before the final chorus comes in, listen to the crowd take over, and this was even before this single even came out .

And I see they got a little more good news tonight.

And even better news for any American readers.

Arctic Monkeys - Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor (Live)

Maximo Park in all credit to them were equally good however, this not helped by the fact that a lot of the less intelligent members of the audience left after the Monkeys before Maximo Park came on; it must be so good for these people to be able to run and tell all their friends "I SAW ARCTIC MONKEYS!!!" Hype following idiots. But they missed out. And it wasn't like I went there wanting to love Maximo Park (last time I went to see them they were just starting out and were support band for Bloc Party at a small venue. Singer Paul Smith didn't exactly engage well with the Edinburgh crowd and they got boo'ed a lot. But afterwards I went up to him and said sorry about the booing but I thought you were really good. To which I got a, "yeah, I know". From a band who were that small at the time, and just been boo'ed all night?!?! All credit to him, he showed me and everyone else at the Venue that night!!!) They did all the hits, did a new one which was something about 5x5 being 25 but sounded excellent. They also had a really cool stage show and mental keyboard player. Loved them though, loved the night and except for an average Mystery Jets, an excellent show. Best song was probably Apply Some Pressure but as I think everyone will have that, here is their latest single. Enjoy

Maximo Park - I Want You to Stay

Later...

Little extras...

2006-01-28T09:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight I am away to the NME Show in Edinburgh where I shall be seeing:

Mystery Jets (see past posts)
We Are Scientists (will be a future post on)
Arctic Monkeys (my first time seeing and they aren't even headlining!!!)
Maximo Park (headlining)

I'll put a little report up about this in due time, I really hope it lives up to expectations!

Also, I got a load of CDs this week, every one I enjoyed immensely.

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat - is an excellent semi-country album that I have found excellent to study to.

Silversun Pickups - Pikul - excellent EP, track 1 Kissing Families is one of my favourite tracks of last year.

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - you know the score - simply brilliant and although nobody deserves the hype they have had I don't think there are many who would have deserved it better.

Rough Trade - Counter Culture 2005 - excellent annual roundup of the future and the obscure past.

The Rosebuds - Birds Make Good Neighbours excellent soft indie with some incredible lyrics.

I have to thank my favourite blog, Gorilla vs Bear for the heads up on Silversun Pickups and the Rosebuds.

I also have to thank Liz at Come Pick Me Up for both showing a lot of love for my blog, and for starting up one of the best new blogs on the net. Keep it going and I promise I will show the love with a Ryan Adams post very soon!

Later...

A little more

2006-01-28T09:05:00.000-08:00

New Rhodes have been about some time, I first saw them supporting Bloc Party way back October 2004 and thought they were better at the time than the other support band, a certain Maximo Park. Since then they don't seem to have come to far and are only now getting headline slots. Lack of success however doesn't take away from how much I loved this song when I first heard it and how much I still enjoy it now

New Rhodes - I Wish I Was You

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The world isn't really fair is it? The Killers and the Bravery come along and everyone thinks they reinvented the indie disco sound and everyone else just jumped on the bandwagon. Trouble is VHS or BETA were on that wagon a long before them and doing it a lot better (than the bloody Bravery anyway. Shouldn't bitch too much, enjoyed them live before I realised how bad an album they had put together). Saw V or B last year at the Edinburgh fesitival and thought they were brilliant. This is still one of the few American bands I've put up here but I think its ok to put another up who have been so criminally overlooked. This is disco inide of the highest order. I'd love to see them go out on tour with LCD Soundsystem, I think they would get a good fanbase from their fans.

VHS or BETA - The Melting Moon

Next up we have the lovely Long Blondes( I swear I'm not picking groups with hot girls intentionally, it really just happens to be that way). The band hae put out some good stuff lately and I particularly recommend Separated by Motorways. This is maybe less instant but I've been giving it a few listens lately and I'm impressed. A bit darker than some of the stuff here but the little Gang of Four lyric does it for me I think.

The Long Blondes - Autonomy Boy

Later...

A lot to say in a week

2006-01-28T08:36:00.000-08:00

Well this week went by very quickly without me getting much of a chance to blog but here we go.
I've noticed this week that albums by White Rose Movement and Be Your Own Pet have appeared around the net. I'm yet to listen to them both all the way through but needless to say that both have some excellent stuff on them and I'm pretty excited about getting my hands on them proper. Wouldn't mind getting my hands on Jemina from the band either (dear god shes amazing... anyone know what this photo shoot was for?

Be Your Own Pet - Let's Get Sandy (Big Problem)

Also out this week but properly in the shops was the new Rough Trade compilation, Counter Culture 2005. Each year I get very excited about the release of this and each year it lives up to expectations. This year I knew a lot more of the bands than previous years but that didn't take away from it making brilliant listening. My favourite track came from an artist I had no idea about , Matson Jones with a brilliant tune called New York City Fuck Off. I think I'll do a post on them once I know a bit more and sort out an mp3. Also on the CD was a track by Good Shoes, a band who I post on last month. I have to admit how wrong I was about this band because after initially being lukewarm to them, I'm loving them now. This is the track that appears on the album and its currently my favourite, everything about it is just right.

Good Shoes - Small Town Girl

Couple of bands that, appealling enough, came recommended by a friend and if you are into your darker indie may be worth checking out, both have stuff on their myspace pages for listening.

The Horrors - London (goth/punk/indie)

The Objects - London (I think) (indie/disco)

The Rakes

2006-01-21T17:57:00.000-08:00

In regards to talking up the Rakes so much in the last post it had somehow passed me by that they had a new single coming out that had not featured on the album. Instead of taking all the credit as I may often do, head over to You Fucking Love It and have a listen. Not sure myself yet but that is only after a listen.

Later...

Saturday Already

2006-01-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

Usually a week goes by and it doesn't bother me too much. However, with every week that goes by at the moment, its a week closer to handing in the dissertation I have done so very very little of. But hey, it will work out.

Not that they are needing any help with hype or anything, but if you get a moment, head over to Take Your Medicine who has an mp3 of the Arctic Monkeys brilliant/hilarious cover of Love Machine by Girls Aloud. Seriously, they do it pretty damn well.

Few bands who you should own some stuff by or at very least have heard a good deal by.

Dogs were one of the first of all the bands I have posted on, that I got into. I saw them live last year touring on the Jim Beam tour which was quite good as it was with the excellent Raveonettes and the somewhat less excellent Boxer Rebellion. The band share a lot with the Paddingtons and Libertines. Lyrics about London, wanting to escape and of course a little bit about love. In my opinion, much of their debit album, Turn Against this Land, was equal to anything that more successful yet similar acts such as Razorlight put out, just that nobody played it. If you get a chance to see them live I would recommmend you do so but first, have a listen to this. ( If you like, I suggest tracking down other stand out tracks, London Bridge and End of an Era)

Dogs - Tuned to a Different Station

The Rakes. What more can I say. They are excellent. Truely an excellent, fun band with more catchy choruses and smart lyrics than any of the other London bands going. I am seeing them next month with support from the excellent White Rose Movement and there are few gigs I have been excited about. Saw the Rakes first supporting the Others at the Liquid Room, then at T in the Park and then headlining there to a passionate sell out crowd during the Edinburgh festival in August. Brilliant each time and front man Alan Donoghue becoming more confident and eccentric each time (and addmitedly each time a little less of a charicature Ian Curtis). This track was the first they released and although a version ended up on their excellent album , Capture/Release, I think this original version is superior. Fast, always danceable, always relevant and instantly likeable, I particularly love a good clap along to this track; just try and resist.

The Rakes - 22 Grand Job (original edit)

The Rifles are a band I have not seen live and who I do not have in the pipeline to see either, but would love to. Both their singles so far, When I'm Alone and the fantastic Peace and Quiet have been instantly addictive and have gone down very well on mix CDs for friends. Both have been put on their own label, Right Hook Recordings, and have had decent, although nothing on what they deserved, airplay from Zane Lowe and some at Xfm. I think they are an exciting prospect and with new single Local Boy having been produced by ex Lightening Seed Ian Broudie, this band could definitly have a bright future.

The Rifles - Peace and Quiet

Finally just a couple of bonus tracks from bands who for some reason or another haven't quite made it yet, but have definitly deserved to.

The Crimea are a great band who's top new album, Tragedy Rocks, seems to be another destined to be forever overlooked. This is a track which had some decent airplay and made it onto daytime Radio 1 and seemed to get some good right ups but never came to much. Having been a huge favourite of John Peel, this track deserves some of your time and that the band have toured with the likes of Kings of Leon should tell you that you should give them a listen at least.

The Crimea - Lottery Winners on Acid (Peel Session - with a brilliantly Peel-esque introduction)

Eastern Lane may not have released much in a while but hopefully they will be putting stuff out again soon. The NME gave them some big love when they first came out and most agreed with them. Of course not everyone makes it based on good reviews alone and the band quickly fell from favour. Sad that because in this track that I am posting, is one of the best songs of recent years and although the intro in particular has a very Libertines-esque feel to it, listen further and you'll hear just how good this band are. Do not pass up this opportunity to get this track of you may seriously regret it!!!

Eastern Lane - Holy Arms

Later...

Far far far too long

2006-01-18T13:53:00.000-08:00

Its been far too long, but I've got to that unfortunate time in my university career where its work work work unfortunately. Add to that a small effort to go to the gym a bit more and the small time it takes to update this hasn't happened.

Here's some little tunes for tonight though.

The Strange Death of Liberal England are a band I know near nothing about but Drowned in Sound named them their tip for 2006 so there must be something there. Its all ambient and progressive stuff but seems very nice. If you head over to their myspace and download Motor in the Sky and see what you think. Personally, from the bands Drowned in Sound were comparing them to, such as Jamie T, I'm surprised they won, but its good enough. If you have a second leave a comment saying what you think and if its good I'll track down some more and post it.

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Morning Runner are another band that I have been listening to a fair bit. At first I was put of somewhat by the fact that they supported Coldplay but it seems that this was just a very good choice of support band rather than looking for band who sounded similar to the band. They employ a good piano sound, unlike Coldplay's however and good strong vocals. The songs are upbeat and catchy, I've seen them used to soundtrack some sport montages very well. All round impressed and I think their album will be very strong. Go see them on their tour if you get the chance.

Morning Runner - Be All You Want Me To Be

Bromheads Jacket are a Sheffielf band getting some nice write ups all round. They have a few good tunes but so far they aren't doing anything particularly special. Wooley Bridge is a track I like quite a lot but its been pretty heavily posted so I've chosen another just to spread the love. They remind me a little of the Cribs or Good Shoes but not sure their about to become big by any means, but don't let me put you off. They have a good fanbase and are touring a fair bit at the moment so check them out if you like what you hear.

Bromheads Jacket - Lions on the Prowl

Jamie Lidell is a name thats been going about for sometime now and even when he was on Jools Holland I wasn't all that impressed for some reason; to be honest I thought he was a little odd. But then I downloaded this track after seeing some people raving about it and I must say I was really wrong. This track is amazingly soulful and brilliantly put together for a white English guy. I've been listening pretty much every day to this track and still loving it, seems to be going down well when I've given it to friends too so if you haven't heard I highly recommend giving it a listen.

Jamie Lidell - Multiply

Later...

Those mp3s

2006-01-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

Good Shoes - Never Meant to Hurt You

The Automatic - Recover

and as a little bonus- I got thinking about the Komakino post and here is the Joy Division track from where the band take their name

Joy Division - Komakino

And a song which I have been listening to since I got the Aracde Fire's cover of the track from The Torture Garden the other week. I don't know but perhaps they became aware of it because of it featuring in the trailer for the new Sofia Coppola film. Don't know why a New Order track is used over a period drama trailer, maybe she's planning on another hip-as-hell soundtrack a la Lost in Translation? I think it has more than a hint of the same overall feeling to it as Just Like Honey, the Jesus and Mary Chain Track at the end of Lost in Translation. Even though the sound has very little in common, its all about the mood. See what you think.

New Order - Age of Consent (how cool is this track!!!)
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Just Like Honey (if you don't already own it I highly recommend you get the album Psychocandy, on which this track is the opener)

Later...

A few bands for a dull Saturday

2006-01-07T09:07:00.000-08:00

Komakino are a band from the forever rock'n'roll Derby who take their name from a Joy
Division track. The band got a fair amount of airplay from Xfm and a few at Radio 1 for this track which I particularly like. It has a really fun feel to it, good riff and predictable throw away lyrics that are great for sing along. The band have played with fellow scenesters iForward, Russia! (who have been getting write ups on blogs accross the pond, see Central Village who are finally giving them some BIG love) and White Rose Movement. Enjoy

Komakino - Say Something

Good Shoes were a band that I thought were going to get bigger and bigger and I just wouldn't get. I visited their myspace a few times, had a listen and just didn't like. Then I heard the track below. I had downloaded it and put in a playlist and forgotten about it. Then it came on unexpectedly and I didn't know what it was, but I loved it. The band are another that potentially could be big, they seem to have a large fanbase, the number of hits on the myspace being testament to that. Whilst sticking to a farily regular contemporary sound they still manage to come across original and the vocal style on this track in particular is brilliant. The band tour at the end of the month with Be Your Own Pet which I'm sure sounds as good a prospect to you as it does to me. ( You Fucking Love It blog has a short bit on Good Shoes and has posted a different track for your pleasure)

Good Shoes - Never Meant to Hurt You

Ok, had a link to that track but as with The Automatic earlier, I just can't get it working. Go to their myspace for a listen and as with the other, I'll post it sometime soon.

Later...

The BBC Sound of 2006

2006-01-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

The BBC have just released their annual list of what they expect to be the sound of 2006. Last year they looked ahead with bands that I was already excited about; Bloc Party, the Bravery,
Kasier Chiefs and Tom Vek. This year I look at the list with nothing but disappointment. The list is both predictable and sadly looks to the US too much. Artists like Chris Brown and Marcos Hernandez don't need to be put on lists like this as they don't need any help getting noticed, they have huge labels behind them willing to put money into doing this (I understand they may still be the sound of 2006 for some but not in any important way). Other bands on it include Kubb, who are fine but I just don't like them, Guillemots who I love and The Feeling who are dangerously dull. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah make it in unsurprisngly as they are truely brilliant and are already this years Arcade Fire. I think CYHSY will only get as big as Arcade Fire, few radio plays and generally good sales of their albums but are too obscure for mainstream, but I really really hope I'm wrong. They tour again at the end of the month, and I cannot wait to see them again, last time they were phenomenal (as were excellent support band Hockey Night).
Another band who make the list are The Automatic, a bunch of Welsh lads who, whilst not setting the world on fire yet, have released a very good single in Recover. Its got synths and everything so no doubt it will get airplay on Radio 1 shoudl it get the inevitable re-release (I would post it but cannot seem to get the link working. If you want a copy right now, head over to Headphone Sex for a copy)

I personally, am surprised that Blackbud and Larrikin Love didn't get on but then this list is hardly difinitive (they missed Arcade Fire last time!)

Later...

Other band wonderings...

2006-01-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

The Cribs were, preceeding the Kaisers et al, the first band that I got into from the current Leeds scene. The sad thing is that whilst everyone loves to talk about them and namecheck them, they seem to be getting nowhere. They have a relatively big and very devoted fanbase and anyone who has seen them live whether on their own or supporting, knows they blow the crowd away everytime(they're known for doing a duet with the Kasiers, brilliant when I saw them last year doing it at the Liquid Room). The three brothers are quite simlpy brilliant and whilst each album has a couple of skip-able tracks, all in all they are amongst the most enjoyable albums of the last few years. This track I'm posting was featured in the OC and is always amongst their best live. I love to shout along, especially to the "Hey Darling! HEY! HEY! Darling!" every time. Such Fun. They are touring again end of the month and have the brilliant Giant Drag along with them; what other reasons could you need to go see?

The Cribs - Hey Scenesters!

Next up are The Paddingtons who are another hugely entertaining and exciting band, from Hull, that, whilst owing a little to the Libs, have a fun punk sound all of their own. Seeing them towards the end of last year, I realised how devoted their fans were. The album wasn't out but they had every fan singing every word. The music mags seem to be more concerned with the fact that the band featured in Italian Vogue and got involved in some fashion shoots but who can blame a few young guys for taking advantage of these situations. I met them when they played the Venue in Edinburgh last year and they seemed decent guys, far away from the image they try to portray of hardened estate boys done good. The singles they have released so far have all been very strong, especially Panic Attack but this song I'm posting remains the most played song on my i-pod. Not sure why I love it but I know this much; its makes you run faster, makes you drive faster and puts a smile on my face each and every time.

The Paddingtons - Worse for Wear

Lastly for today, Cazals. The band are London natives and have toured with fellow Londoners and blog favourites The Rakes and (above) The Paddingtons. I haven't seen this band live or read as much as I would like to about them, but of what I've heard I'm a very big fan. Other early single Beat Me to the Bone is also worth tracking down but its this one that has been on heavy rotation for me. They do the Ramones thing of putting the band name as the surname and seem to have a smart and cool image. I'll try go see them live when I get a chance but for now enjoy the track.

Cazals - Poor Innocent Boys

Later...

Some wonderings

2006-01-04T10:50:00.000-08:00

So here is a few bands that I'm either not sure why they haven't made it yet or I'm wondering what will become of them. Its quite an incoherent post but I know what I mean.

Mystery Jets are perhaps the band that the most is expected of this coming year. The pressure hasn't stemmed from any particuarly immense hype (such as Arctic Monkeys) but from their position on the forthcoming NME Awards Tour. The reason this puts such pressure is that they are the opening band for the night, following in the footsteps of Franz Ferdinand, Kasier Chiefs and Coldplay. NME have put some amount of faith in them. The difference for me is that well in advance of the tour in previous years, I have already been turned onto the band by a storming single, whether it be Darts of Pleasure or I Predict a Riot, in any case these bands had a song a lot of the crowd would know. I don't think that Mystery Jets have this luxury and will have to put on a stormer (although new song the Boy Who Ran Away should have had some airplay by then at least). I personally believe this may be the band that don't really make it huge but I'd love to be wrong as I really love some of their stuff especially my posted track. I'll get back once I've seen them live and hopefully more of you will be fans by then too.

Mystery Jets - You Can't Fool Me Dennis

Second up is a band which has excited me more than most over the last year. Introduced to me as so often by Zane Lowe, Be Your Own Pet are an immensely exciting live band who I think will make it big this year. The band are four very young, average of about 18 years old I think, boys and girl from Nashville (making them the first non - UK band for me to post about) who make quick and exhilirating bursts of punk somewhere between Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Cribs. A beautiful front woman never hurts the cause and seeing her onstage last year, supporting the Kills, she has certainly been studying Karen O a little; she is forever moving and has excellent presence, staring out the crowd from time to time too. I think the band are an excellent prospect and have numerous great tunes from Fire Department to the rocking Spill. This track I'm posting is perhaps my favourite of theirs but from what I've heard is not due to feeature on their debut album. I like to see this in bands, not relying on their first releases for their first album, I just hope they have some on the album to match it.

The band are touring the UK at the end of the month, I highly recommend you go see.

Be Your Own Pet - Damn Damn Leash

Next we have The Longcut, a Manchester band who seem to have fallen of the radar a little. I feel it has a little to do with the manner they went about releasing things. Two excellent EPs which got them a load of coverage and a solid fanbase but from their things went a little quiet. Hopefully they will get their album out as early as possible this year and get moving again because this song I'm posting was an instant hit with myself and others such as a Quiet Life are equally thrilling. So come on, get the album out, get a full tour together and live up to the potential!

The Longcut - Transition

Later...

Hogmanay finally done

2006-01-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

Well thats Hogmanay finally over with so life will be back to normal now, back to uni next week etc. Had a few computer problems but as of tomorrow updates will be regular again. Thank you to the people who have linked to me so far, it is hugely appreciated and I will return the favour when I figure out how to do it.

In the next few days I am going to post tracks by bands that seem to have fallen off the radar a little, not sure who yet but I'm thinking along the lines of The Longcut and also of posting the first tracks by non-UK artists who haven't made it yet either, maybe Be Your Own Pet. Any other bands that people would like to see a track put up by maybe leave a suggestion.

Later... (but soon)

Ones to watch for 2006 part 8

2005-12-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

Loving seeing 3 comments for one post! Please keep it up - and tell your friends - link me on your site - please! more readers equals more posts!

The Bridge Gang are another band from, no not Leeds, its the other one, London who are building up a reputation built on a fierce live show. As I've said before, a pretty girl is always a help and throw in a member who looks straight out of the Mars Volta and you've got the image nailed already. The name apparenlty comes from nowhere in particular and they come across friendly and sincere in interviews. The sound lies somewhere between Blondie and Nirvana, raw but with a distinct pop edge. Of the contemporary bands I'm hearing a Paddingtons sound and a little of the fun of the Cribs, especially in the sing-a-long of this particular track. Other tracks such as Pangs of Guilt have a stronger girl pop feel to them but this is a nice track to break you in.

The Bridge Gang - London Sky Tonight

Excellent myspace site as usual

But now for an artist who gave me, easily, one of my top 10 tracks of 2005 and I hope excels in the coming year, Jamie T. This track has been on constant rotation since I finally got a copy a last month. It can be found on the excellent Selfish Sons 7" which has been put out and is superb. The sound is something around stripped down Libertines and a distinct flavour of reggae in the intonation of his voice. His myspace and all on it is testament to his growing support which I think will flourish in the new year. I have no idea why Radio 1 didn't put this onto a higher playlist as whenever Zane Lowe played it the audience loved it. If you only download one track from my page ever, although I think you'd be foolish to do so!, please make it this, you won't regret it and the tune won't leave your head for days to come.

Jamie T - Back in the Game (***I recommend this more than any other song in this page***)

Later...

Ones to watch for 2006 part 7

2005-12-17T17:36:00.000-08:00

Firstly, i'm glad to see that some of the tunes are getting a high number of download. I don't know if someone else has linked to them or not but its cool, if you are looking at the blog at all, please please leave a comment as they mean a lot.

Todays bands indulge in a sound that takes its influence a little differently than most of the bands I have posted. In particular VV and the Rumble Strips seem to take influence from Dexy's Midnight Runners, but don't let that put you off as I am no doubt way off the mark.

The Victorian English Gentlemen's Club may have a name that makes you want to turn away and run but give them a listen and you'll be glad. Interestingly, the three piece are two thirds not gentlemen but are indeed of the fairer sex and make distinctly un-victorian music (pretty girls in the band is always a nice bonus). The band have toured with other blog favourites, Guillemots and British Sea Power and the latter's excentricity is a good idea of what TVEGC are all about. They are signed to Fantastic Plasic and have a short support tour with the Roger Sisters coming up.

The Victorian English Gentlemen's Club - My Son Spells Backwards

Don't know too much about Vincent Vincent and the Villains except that friends have said they were good live, have been going a little while, and this song remind me a lot Dexy's and Adam Ant stuff, different I know but give it a listen and see if you hear it. They are a London band, make a good sound and people are beginning to talk about them. Get in their early.

Vincent Vincent and the Villains - On My Own

The Rumble Strips have recently signed to Transgressive Records, have just toured with the highly recommended Young Knives and have put out a few records including recent single Motorcycle which was very good. Although I missed their recent support slot in Edinburgh, this live recording makes me a like them a lot and people must surely agree with me that there is a strong influence of Dexy's Geno here? Give a listen and shoot me down.

The Rumble Strips - Hate Me (Live)

Later...

Ones to watch for 2006 part 6

2005-12-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

Two very different bands for you tonight. Another from Leeds and one from Scotland. Sadly this is the first Scottish band I have posted for you but I would like to put up many more, I just have to see some more good ones first, the Edinburgh scene in particular being highly uneventful at the moment.

My Latest Novel are our Scottish band. The recommended track below is the first thing I heard of this band and if it is the first thing you are hearing then you are in for treat. The band come under that unfortunate term of "twee" so often applied to Scottish indie (see also Belle and Sebastian, Aberfeldy, Camera Obscura) but this song is so beautiful it doesn't matter what label you give it. Having seen this band at both T in the Park and supporting the Pixies this summer I can whole heartedly recommend this band too. Live they come across a lot like Sons and Daughters with the girl/boy thing going on but on record they are an entirely more gentle affair.

My Latest Novel - Sister Sneaker Sister Soul (wma)

The Sunshine Underground are our "Leeds band of the day" and are currently making quite an impression with Zane Lowe making them his hottest record in the world the other week. The band have a sound which, on this track, sounds a little like The Music or Kasabian which makes it all the more odd I like this track as I like neither of those bands much. New single Commercial Breakdown is also particularly good but this track is the one which got my attention and I think it may do the same with you.

The Sunshine Underground - Put You in Your Place

Later...

Ones to watch for 2006 part 5

2005-12-14T05:55:00.000-08:00

My Sad Captains are todays first band. They are unsigned and have played very few gigs but if Steve Lamacq can pick them out of all the demos he receives in a week, they must be something special. I first heard them discussed on Steve's music exchange with Nic Harcourt, get the Podcast on iTunes, its very useful for new bands. The band are from London but are far from the current scene, citing Sparkelhorse and Yo La Tengo as key influences. In this song you can clearly hear these but they have taken them and make them something quite special. They have a load more tunes over at their myspace, I highly recommend a visit.

My Sad Captains - All Hat and No Plans

Secondly we have Duels (yes, ANOTHER Leeds band) who, similarly to White Rose Movement (see previous post) should really have done better this year and are being given a good chance by,along with WRM, going on tour on The Rakes now extended UK tour. Duels have been kicking around the Leeds scene for as long as anyone and I last saw them supporting the Cribs during the Summer. They came across well, better than other support act Black Wire, and certainly had the tunes and an engaging front man, who reminded me a lot of Dominic Masters from The Others. This tune is certainly my favourite of what they have put out there so far and I think has a distinctly Kaiser-esque sound to it - see what you think.

Duels - Potential Futures

Later...

Ones to watch for 2006 part 4

2005-12-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

Nothing surprising about having another band from Leeds in here again but there isn't much you can do to avoid the output of that city at the moment.

Firstly is iLiKETRAiNS(not sure what the story with the "i" is but its fine with me), our Leeds band of the day. Saw them supporting fellow Leeds band iForward, Russia! a fortnight ago and whilst I wasn't completley blown away by them there was a lot to like. On stage they play wearing military uniform and play in front a projector screen. The projector plays fairly irrelevant images, all antiquated and sepia tainted, until the last song, for the featured song, which features a game of chess. The song has a story but you'll have to go find it yourself. The sound is essentially a cross between Hope of the States and Interpol and this song in particular seems to owe a lot to both of them. They have a record deal and appear to be putting out an album early next year.

iLiKETRAiNS - A Rook House for Bobby

Next is The Early Years (horrific to Google and search for music from) who I know very little about except they have signed to Beggars Banquet in the UK and are getting a little airplay from Radio 1 and XFM. They have a sound which has an epic quality to it and I'm definitly hearing Secret Machines in this song. Only born in 2004, this band is still in its infancy and it may be a while before they "make it" but here's hoping we hear lot more from them. The single is out January 16th, try make it a (probably small) hit.

The Early Years - All Ones and Zeros

Later...

Ones to watch for 2006 Part 3

2005-12-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Just the one band tonight but a rather good, and very new one

Captain, no website at the moment I'm afraid but the band have just made a big impact with new single Frontline which has just been released on the At Large label which is an offshoot of EMI. The sound is undeniably epic in a kind of Ultrasound meets Doves way but the vocals are more in line with a lot of the more contemporary indie. They made a big impact at the "In the City" festival earlier this year in Manchester. The band, as all current bands seem to, have relocated to London and have the male/female vocal sound that I've been loving lately (Magic Numbers, Stars). Good things all round though and this song is quite a lovely little number.

Captain - Frontline

Later...

Ones to watch for 2006 Part 2

2005-12-10T11:48:00.000-08:00

This blogging lark is a bit addictive when you find out someone is actually reading what you're doing. If anyone else happens to stumble across this blog then please please please leave a comment as it would be really appreciated and makes me want to put more up.

My next two bands are two that I was really surprised that they didn't make more of a mark this year but I can't see them being ignored much longer.

First up are Kill the Young, three brothers making music influenced by a darker theme than most of the bands making any impression at the moment. Citing Smashing Pumpkins and Placebo as influences, it is the single that I am posting that has really impressed me. Great fast tune with simple lyrics and a killer chorus. The band hail from Manchester, have the tunes to make it and have a small tour planned for January; I recommend you go see.

Kill the Young - Origin of Illness

Next up we have White Rose Movement, a band that should really have been grabbing the headlines all year but for some reason didn't get the airplay they deserved. The name, I believe, comes from a group in 1930's germany who opposed the Nazi regime, but I think it also makes for a good band name. They are from Norfolk, base themselves in London, and have hosted some cool underground parties. The band have so far put out two brilliant singles; Alsation, the video for which can be seen on their website and Love is a Number, the most played song on my i-pod. This may be because, like most of the bands I have loved over the past year, Bloc Party, Maximo PArk, Paul Epworth aka Phones, is the producer. If this man is a stranger to you then think of him as the rock equivalent of what the Neptunes were to Hip Hop over the past few years; yes, that good (check the remixes he has done for various bands including Futureheads, Dreams of Horses has posted several of them overtime). Love is a Number captures everything that the public have loved about bands such as the Killers and the Bravery, cool looks, cool synths and poppy chorus', but yet no love for this band yet. Strange. I shall be seeing them in February supporting the equally excellent The Rakes, and this shall be my first time, very excited to say the least. I trust others will be showing them the love they deserve by then.

White Rose Movement - Love is a Number

More soon

Later...

Ones to watch for 2006 Part 1

2005-12-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

Here's the first part of what I'm planning to do for the next couple of weeks. I'm not pretending to be ahead of the game or anything, but just bringing some new bands to the attention of people who may not have yet heard them.

First up is Blackbud who are getting quite a lot of airplay, both Radio 1 and Radio 2 here, and getting quite a fan base as a result. The track has been a favourite on mix CDs I've been doing for friends and that is usually a good sign. The band come from the West Country, are very young, have toured with the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs and Elbow and have just released a very good CD, the Heartbeat EP. Here is the title track which reminds me slightly of Pablo Honey-era Radiohead or Muses quieter moments, but that may just be me.

Blackbud - Heartbeat

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Second up we have, Guillemots, a band who many of you may already be familiar with after getting Jo Whiley's stamp of approval here in the UK which tends to be quite a good thing for getting both sales and credibility (she used to do the Evening Session with Steve Lamaq which remains the basis for putting the best new music on the radio here in the UK). The band have the advantage of having money behind them and a very strong debut EP, the I Saw Such Things in My Sleep EP. This doesn't take anything away from them being a brilliant new band who make very nice music which I think will appeal to a wide variety of people. Although I don't see much of a similarity, they could "do a Keane" as they make music which similarly doesn't rock to hard and thus is easy to the ear. New single Trains to Brazil is an absolute treat and I really hope it does as well as it deserves to. (again, sorry for the format)

Guillemots - Trains to Brazil

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Third and lastly for this post are Larrikin Love, who this week have a 2 page spread in the NME. No bad thing for any up and coming band. Although a brief listen may tell you this band owe a thing or 2 to the Libs, this is a band who infuse a range of influences including a bit of ska and of up beat Irish folk. From London but trying to distance themselves from any scene, the band have managed to round up quite a following which has seen Warners sign them up. With that sort of backing I think we can safely say that we will se more of this band, and thats not a bad thing at all. This song, from what they have called the Bunker Sessions shows everything there is to love about this band, strong lyrics, good riffs and an obvious idea of fun.

Larrikin Love - Downing Street Kindling

see their myspace for more streaming songs.

Later...

I had time for more...

2005-12-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

There was indeed, more gigs whilst I was absent from Blogging. I managed to squeeze in Arab Strap at Cabaret Voltaire which, due to the intimacy of the venue if nothing, was infinitly better than the last time I saw them at the cavernous Queens Hall. The crowd were as expected, fans, presumably for a long time, Arab Strap not being a band who are suddenly about to convert any previous haters. They did rock harder than I had guessed they would however and also did a beautiful version of personal favourite, Piglet. They did not, as they never do I hear, play First Big Weekend however. Personally I don't like when bands think they are above their biggest songs and don't do them in a sort of "look what else we do" type way ( such as Oasis after Wonderwall, which they have now reintroduced into their set, doing Ryan Adams version of it may I add). If you are unfamiliar with First Big Weekend I suggest you seek it out, shouldn't be too hard, as it is without doubt one of the greatest songs of the 1990s and it is a shame the public don't know it better and more of a shame that the band disregard it. Nevertheless, they were very good and I have since got myself a copy of The Weekend Never Starts Round Here.

My last gig was the upcoming Leeds favourites iForward, Russia! who I have previously written on. The band do stand out from the current "Everything's brilliant in Leeds!" scene as they rock harder and have an almost emo flavour to their sound. They rocked Cabaret Voltaire needless to say and converted some non-fans in the crowd. Starting off with last single Thirteen the band went through a set, of song all with numbers as names, barely taking a breath which suits the half hour set just fine. The band look the part in their uniform t-shirts, have an attractive drummer and now just need to be signed. This should not take too much longer on tonights performance and I hope the best for them. (Big shout to the support band iLiKETRAiNS who were brilliant in a miserable-Interpol type way - more on them soon)
This was the song they started the set with, and arguably their best so far. Had members of the audience asking them to repeat it at the, very rare, moments when the band were silent.

Forward, Russia! - Thirteen

Later...

Missed the Best One

2005-12-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

Cannot believe I missed the best gig I'd been to in that time but hey, mistakes happen.

The gig was Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at the ABC2 in Glasgow, yes another trip across country. The gig was put to the bigger venue of the ABC2 as the demand for tickets was greater than the original venue, Stereo, could cope with. The venue was still small enough though and there was a great atmosphere, the band wandering around at the beginning but this being there first time in Scotland, nobody really realised it was them.
Opening band Hockey Night were surprisingly brilliant. Not the support band I had expected from the most hyped band in the world right now, Hockey Night are a mix of Pavement with the fun of Ben Kweller mixed in. The crowd loved them and I highly recommend you head over to their site, show some love and download some tracks, particularly, for Guys Eyes Only which is a great fun track from their album Keep Guessin'.

The main act came out to a great crowd mainly complied of Scenesters with angular haircuts and bloggers who had had to wait too long to see this band. The band did not disappoint which was a huge relief after reading that Alec Ounsworth, singer, has a tendency to not put on a great show. This was not one of those however. The album tracks went by effortlessly and the crowd seemed to love everything. Is this love? and The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth were perhaps my favourites but it was a track which was new to me which I came away remembering. Satan Said Dance is quite different to anything on the album, but if this is the way the band are going then we have nothing to worry that they are going to be a one trick pony.
Awesome band, lived up to the hype and I've already got my tickets to see them in February (here in Edinburgh!! no travelling needed!)

CYHSY - Satan Said Dance (Live)

Later...

Been a while

2005-12-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

Through a mix of the internet in our flat playing up constantly and laziness the blog has been left for a while which I'm sure hasn't had too much of an effect on the world but I'm back and planning on doing something with it.

First of all, a little recap of the gigs that I've been to.

First of all, the other week I went to see the White Stripes at the Carling Academy in Glasgow (support band the Greenhornes were excellent, apparently they have a track on Bill Murray's latest Broken Flowers). It was the last night of their residency their and they were brilliant. The set looked fantastic and the songs were amazing. In partiuclar I enjoyed a, sadly short, version of Apple Blossom from De Stijl, my favourite of their 5 albums.

Although not a track they did that night, or one they are likely to do very often, this is the last song I came across of theirs which I fell in love with straight away. It is a cover, of Tegan and Sara, but like all good covers, is arguably better than the original

The White Stripes - Walking With a Ghost

Thanks to Stereogum for bringing it to my attention

The next gig, I think, was Antony and the Johnsons, again at the Carling. I was unsure what I would think of this gig and was going to be in a particularly critical mood as I had had to give up the opportunity to see Stellastarr* in Edinburgh(friends of mine went though and said they were as per usual, awesome).
Antony didn't disappoint at all however. He is a strangely endearing guy who despite being, or seeming, incredibly shy, comes across very well. His voice seems to come from nowhere and is, as said by every review of him ever, haunting. I was particularly happy that he did my favourite song, from his aponymous debut album, Cripple and the Starfish. The best of the night was Fistful of Love in which the rest of the band came alive. Getting the crowd to sing along with him was great fun and filled the huge space of the Academy. Great guy, great gig, further confirmed that he deserved to win the Mercury this year.

Most of you, presumably, have an opinion on Antony and even if you haven't liked what you've heard, I highly recommend this track. (Sorry for the m4a format)

Antony and the Johnsons - The Cripple and the Starfish

New Forward, Russia!

2005-11-10T07:04:00.000-08:00

This is a track by a band which I've been listening to a lot lately. Caught their first single, Nine, which they released as a double A-side with fellow Leeds band This et al. (also good but heavier) and then they released their own double A, Thirteen, Fourteen.

You'll be seeing a pattern emerge here with the track names. This one, Twelve is perhaps the hardest to get into of the singles so far but give it a few goes and you'll love it. Oddly the band are still unsigned but following on from a 2 page spread in the NME this week, I doubt that will last.

The band are away to embark on a full scale UK tour at a lot of small venues, so see what you think, go see them live and make them huge.

Foward, Russia! - Twelve

Later

Upcoming gigs

2005-11-09T03:10:00.000-08:00

As I seem to be able to successfully post links, not much of an achievement but hey, I'll tell you about some of the gigs I have coming up.

Planning on going to see
The Crimea @ Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire this Saturday (Nov 12th)
The White Stripes @ Glasgow Academy on Nov 15th
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ (the now larger venue, but still sold out!!!) ABC Glasgow on Nov 20th
and then a big problem, two gigs, one night, two cities, stupidly bought tickets for both not realising dates.
Stellastarr*@ Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire on Nov 30th
or
Antony and the Johnsons @ Glasgow Academy

What to do? Looks like it will probably be Antony as I'll not be able to sell the tickets as it has not sold out and I've seen Stellastarr* a good few times already, but why the same night!?!?!

If anyone gets round to reading this and has any more recommendations then I'll be very happy for suggestions.

Plus, you ever get into bands right after they have toured your area? Very annoying, here's the two thats annoyed me most lately

Guillemots (very good band, if you like British Sea Power check them out)
Blackbud (think early Radiohead, but I've also heard comparisons to Muse)

Later

The Cloud Room @ Music for Ants

2005-11-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

I'm still just trying to get things going with this site so sorry if you stumble across it but posting mp3s still seems a little away from me. First of all, lets try a link. We'll try one to a blog I'm a fan of which has recently posted a couple of tracks by The Cloud Room, a band well worth checking out, especially the track Hey Now Now(I'll put it up when I know how).

http://musicforants.blogspot.com

Well worth a look.

Also worth a look is the equally impressive Central Village which I'm sure many of you will be familiar with. They regularly review things going on in the New York scene making us in the UK very envious. Last week they talked about the Arcade Fire's random appearance in Union Square. Having been there I know how magic that area is, but I didn't see anything as brilliant as AF doing Cure and New Order tracks!

http://centralvillage.blogs.com/cv/

Always both worth a look.

Hope these links work - first time trying all this and all that...

Later

So this is the new blog

2005-11-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

I've never blogged before and may never again, but here I am, blogging.

This site will hopefully, if I can ever find out how to work it, host some lovely new music from upcoming UK bands and the best of US bands that some other blog has probably already told you about.

Bands that I would like to include in the next while;

Forward, Russia!
Blackbud
White Rose Movement
The Paddingtons
Broken Social Scene
Be Your Own Pet

Anyone who knows anything about those bands should get an idea of what I'm going to try to do with the site. Don't expect many posts anytime soon but they will come eventually. Promise.