I think we are lucky that we have talented friends and I look forward to seeing them in bands. With this in mind, we set off to see Profane at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester the other weekend. We managed to miss everything that went on before the band but that didn't matter as Profane were our reason for being there. This was their first show featuring visual effects by Fata Morgana, which explained why everyone had white shirts on. Never seen Darryll in anything light coloured before! Anyway - the visuals worked really well and added to the atmosphere; not that they needed any help with that. If you haven't heard them, there are some definite progressive slants in there, some brutal noise, epic soundwaves and some good old Tool-esque angular rhythms. Pretty complicated stuff but never too challenging that you give up and get bored.
Profane hadn't played in Manchester since their ill-fated support slot with Ministry and there was a fair crowd there waiting to see their return.
First part of the set was older material from 'The Day we Scorched the Sky' which still sounds big and clever in all the right ways. The second part was new songs which are just phenomenal. I've listened to a new song they've got on myspace and they really don't sound like anyone else. There is a lot of complexity in the music but a great deal of subtlety too. Basically, I was very impressed and think the show was a big success. I really hope they carry on getting an increasing following and am sure they're destined for big things.
Good job Profane were so good else my lasting memory of the evening would have been being offered a lap dance in the Ruby Lounge.
Monday, 10 November 2008
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Taste of Chaos - Manchester Academy 2 - 30th September
I am pleased to report that I wasn't the oldest person at Taste of Chaos - Danny and Feisty were there too. We did look like we should have been there with our children though. That aside, I was looking forward to it.
HORSE the Band were quite unlike anything I have ever seen before. Their singer looked like Philip Seymour Hoffman with a mullet, keyboard player looked remarkably Napoleon Dynamite-esque and one of Flight of the Conchords appeared to be on guitar. They're quite a difficult band to describe. They don't sound quite like anyone else. Ever. Loud, shouty vocals, angular guitars and varied-tempo drums, with a sprinkling of what sounds like a Nintendo through the keyboards. Like Converge crossed with Manic Miner. After a couple of minutes of the full-on aural assault though, I was starting to appreciate the troupe of bouncy people yelling at us. It's good to see something different for a start and their website made me chuckle when I got home. Yes, I think I will definitely go and see them again if they play these grey shores again. Plus, they have HORSE in their name and I love horses best of all the animals...
Anyway, there was another band on that I didn't go to watch as I was chatting about knitting or something and couldn't be bothered moving. Sorry, MUCC.
As I Lay Dying were about as cheerful as you might deduce from the name. I stuck out about 2 songs of their quite generic power metal and then went to find someone to talk to about knitting. I really am very rock 'n' roll.
Story of the Year were a surprise. I was expecting a bit of a wishy-washy band as I only know that one song that goes 'Until the Day I Die' but they were a lot shoutier and more impressive. They seem to have a lot more depth to them live than on record, although I was hoping for the backflips they're famous for and they never materialised. It is a bit of a small stage in there.
Atreyu were the band I was most looking forward to. I've seen them a couple of times before and Lead Sails, Paper Anchor is a really strong album. I finally persuaded the other half to come and see them too. I wished I hadn't. They weren't dreadful, but the shouty, muscly man was really struggling with his vocals and the Academy 2 didn't quite seem big enough for the sound they make, so resulting in a lot of echo. Some of the songs (i.e. where shouty man stuck to shouting, leaving singing drummer to do the singing) still came across well and I'll never get sick of hearing 'Right Side of the Bed'. Other half looked positively worried at 'Blow' but I've still seen worse bands. Couldn't help feeling a bit let down.
7/10 (Mainly for HORSE being so good)
HORSE the Band were quite unlike anything I have ever seen before. Their singer looked like Philip Seymour Hoffman with a mullet, keyboard player looked remarkably Napoleon Dynamite-esque and one of Flight of the Conchords appeared to be on guitar. They're quite a difficult band to describe. They don't sound quite like anyone else. Ever. Loud, shouty vocals, angular guitars and varied-tempo drums, with a sprinkling of what sounds like a Nintendo through the keyboards. Like Converge crossed with Manic Miner. After a couple of minutes of the full-on aural assault though, I was starting to appreciate the troupe of bouncy people yelling at us. It's good to see something different for a start and their website made me chuckle when I got home. Yes, I think I will definitely go and see them again if they play these grey shores again. Plus, they have HORSE in their name and I love horses best of all the animals...
Anyway, there was another band on that I didn't go to watch as I was chatting about knitting or something and couldn't be bothered moving. Sorry, MUCC.
As I Lay Dying were about as cheerful as you might deduce from the name. I stuck out about 2 songs of their quite generic power metal and then went to find someone to talk to about knitting. I really am very rock 'n' roll.
Story of the Year were a surprise. I was expecting a bit of a wishy-washy band as I only know that one song that goes 'Until the Day I Die' but they were a lot shoutier and more impressive. They seem to have a lot more depth to them live than on record, although I was hoping for the backflips they're famous for and they never materialised. It is a bit of a small stage in there.
Atreyu were the band I was most looking forward to. I've seen them a couple of times before and Lead Sails, Paper Anchor is a really strong album. I finally persuaded the other half to come and see them too. I wished I hadn't. They weren't dreadful, but the shouty, muscly man was really struggling with his vocals and the Academy 2 didn't quite seem big enough for the sound they make, so resulting in a lot of echo. Some of the songs (i.e. where shouty man stuck to shouting, leaving singing drummer to do the singing) still came across well and I'll never get sick of hearing 'Right Side of the Bed'. Other half looked positively worried at 'Blow' but I've still seen worse bands. Couldn't help feeling a bit let down.
7/10 (Mainly for HORSE being so good)
Life Among People - Manchester Academy 23rd October 08
LAP made another appearance at the Academy Unsigned. Now a 3 piece again, the trio are edging closer to finding their own sound but already stand out against the rafts of generic rock bands being bandied around these days. Their new songs have a new-found intensity in their subtleties and sound fresh. They're lucky in that the overall sound isn't affected too much by being a 3 piece, though I must say it's a fuller sound with an extra guitar in the mix. I also must confess that I was recovering from a stomach bug so perhaps didn't take as much notice as I maybe should have but was still impressed. Their cover of the Terminator theme tune is still sublime although I am getting concerned that the younger elements of the crowds seem to not know what it is - the youth of today! I don't think it was one of their best performances but the Academy Unsigned nights are always a difficult crowd to please. I'm sure a big break must be on the horizon.
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Strike Anywhere 21st September 2008 - Music Box, Manchester
Crikey, I almost forgot to blog this one. I nearly missed the gig too as I only found out about it a couple of weeks ago. I first found Strike Anywhere on a cold and grey Glaswegian evening, supporting As Friends Rust. We saw them several times that tour, on account of us being addicted to seeing AFR and stalking them the length and breadth of the country. I was impressed by SA's honesty and energy and always check them out when they're in town. It must be a while since we saw them last though as I don't believe I have seen them on this tour for Dead FM, and they've been touring that for two years now.
Anyway, off we trot to the Music Box a.k.a. the downstairs of Rockworld. It hasn't changed one iota since I was waving my tresses about to L7 and the like in the last millennium. I took very little notice of the support bands, I'm afraid, as I'd had very little sleep over the weekend and a mad week of work prior to that. There's nothing like a Strike Anywhere show to blow the cobwebs off. There was a small but devoted crowd who went mental the minute the band came on stage. There were a lot of songs off the last two albums but we got 'Chorus of One' and a fair few off the 'Change is a Sound' record, which I think is still my favourite. SA always remind me of a punk version of the Levellers. There are dreadlocks and a very all-inclusive vibe though you never get the feeling you're being judged or preached to. 'Chalk Line' is dedicated to the girls in the scene who stop it being a boys club. I applaud that sentiment!
Their newer material is more punk than hardcore and I often think of them and Rise Against in the similar vein. Imagine my glee when I find out today that Rise Against are touring too.
I think it's fair to say that I've enjoyed other SA gigs better as the sound was not that great in the Music Box, but that's more to do with the acoustics of the venue than anything else. Singer Tom looks not a day older than the first day I met him and has lost none of that energy. Oh yeah, I got asked for ID on the way in too - result! He's still one of the most affable guys I've met and I'm pleased to hear they've got loads of new material written and just need the studio time. They play a good set that is well received and it's a lot like meeting up with old friends.
They're playing in Leeds next Friday so anyone who's not at a wedding (i.e. not us!) should go and check them out. You won't be disappointed!
8/10 (because of bad sound)
Anyway, off we trot to the Music Box a.k.a. the downstairs of Rockworld. It hasn't changed one iota since I was waving my tresses about to L7 and the like in the last millennium. I took very little notice of the support bands, I'm afraid, as I'd had very little sleep over the weekend and a mad week of work prior to that. There's nothing like a Strike Anywhere show to blow the cobwebs off. There was a small but devoted crowd who went mental the minute the band came on stage. There were a lot of songs off the last two albums but we got 'Chorus of One' and a fair few off the 'Change is a Sound' record, which I think is still my favourite. SA always remind me of a punk version of the Levellers. There are dreadlocks and a very all-inclusive vibe though you never get the feeling you're being judged or preached to. 'Chalk Line' is dedicated to the girls in the scene who stop it being a boys club. I applaud that sentiment!
Their newer material is more punk than hardcore and I often think of them and Rise Against in the similar vein. Imagine my glee when I find out today that Rise Against are touring too.
I think it's fair to say that I've enjoyed other SA gigs better as the sound was not that great in the Music Box, but that's more to do with the acoustics of the venue than anything else. Singer Tom looks not a day older than the first day I met him and has lost none of that energy. Oh yeah, I got asked for ID on the way in too - result! He's still one of the most affable guys I've met and I'm pleased to hear they've got loads of new material written and just need the studio time. They play a good set that is well received and it's a lot like meeting up with old friends.
They're playing in Leeds next Friday so anyone who's not at a wedding (i.e. not us!) should go and check them out. You won't be disappointed!
8/10 (because of bad sound)
Monday, 1 September 2008
August
Watch this space - I'm exhausted but will summarise August's gig-fest and be back later with some photos and a much better blog.
Started wonderfully with As Friends Rust at Camden Underworld (19th I think). I can't begin to express how excited I was about this though I was also apprehensive in case they had suffered from not playing for 6 or so years. They hadn't. It was fantastic. The atmosphere was super-charged, everyone was there like it was the only gig in the world ever and I think I've still got the grin welded to my face. Gutted it was a one-off tour but I'm still living in vague hope.
Then was Leeds festival but to be honest I've forgotten most of it. I'm tired. The Kills were great and I did enjoy the daftness of Tenacious D on the Friday. Saturday, QOTSA were way better than they have been the last few times I saw them and Rage Against the Machine were every bit as explosive as the last time I saw them (1996/7?). Still part of me wished to be in Stoke watching As Friends Rust. I was gutted at the loss of my duck umbrella, but pleased to see how ace the VIP loos were and very glad not to have to go in the ordinary campsie. I'm a complete lightweight. Sunday was capped off nicely with Manic Street Preachers, though I was deeply peturbed by the lukewarm response to Little Baby Nothing - it's a classic, you idiots!
In between all this, we had a lovely weekend with friends in Brighton, a trip to Lille to ruin my insides with cream and egg-based foods and beer and a visit to the Burke clan in Sussex to celebrate my niece's 18th. That made me feel old.
I've 5 weeks and 2 days till the next foreign jaunt and far too much to do before then so I will go and prepare with a big sleep. I will do a proper blog soon, I promise!
Started wonderfully with As Friends Rust at Camden Underworld (19th I think). I can't begin to express how excited I was about this though I was also apprehensive in case they had suffered from not playing for 6 or so years. They hadn't. It was fantastic. The atmosphere was super-charged, everyone was there like it was the only gig in the world ever and I think I've still got the grin welded to my face. Gutted it was a one-off tour but I'm still living in vague hope.
Then was Leeds festival but to be honest I've forgotten most of it. I'm tired. The Kills were great and I did enjoy the daftness of Tenacious D on the Friday. Saturday, QOTSA were way better than they have been the last few times I saw them and Rage Against the Machine were every bit as explosive as the last time I saw them (1996/7?). Still part of me wished to be in Stoke watching As Friends Rust. I was gutted at the loss of my duck umbrella, but pleased to see how ace the VIP loos were and very glad not to have to go in the ordinary campsie. I'm a complete lightweight. Sunday was capped off nicely with Manic Street Preachers, though I was deeply peturbed by the lukewarm response to Little Baby Nothing - it's a classic, you idiots!
In between all this, we had a lovely weekend with friends in Brighton, a trip to Lille to ruin my insides with cream and egg-based foods and beer and a visit to the Burke clan in Sussex to celebrate my niece's 18th. That made me feel old.
I've 5 weeks and 2 days till the next foreign jaunt and far too much to do before then so I will go and prepare with a big sleep. I will do a proper blog soon, I promise!
Friday, 4 July 2008
Some tales from New York
I'm not convinced
anyone actually reads these things but it helps me remember what we've been up to. In this spirit, I'm going to attempt to summarise our 5 days in New York City for posterity. The first thing that struck me getting off the plane at JFK was how humid it was. The last time I was in New York was about the same time of year so it should have been no surprise. It's the first time I've arrived by air though. We did the obligatory yellow cab to the hotel, which gave us some good entered views approaching Manhattan. I was surprised how near the airport was and wondered why it takes up to an hour to get to Midtown. I realised why when we Manhattan and had Jimi's Crosstown Traffic stuck in my head for the next 20 minutes or so.
The hotel was the Affinia Manhattan, chosen using the old 'look through Tripadvisor ratings to find the highest rated one that you can afford in the right area' technique. It was a very swanky lobby and I felt quite scruffy after a long flight and rather hot cab journey. This didn't bother the receptionist who checked us in and upgraded us to a suite. Yay. He was really confu
sed why we weren't going to see Coldplay that night at Madison Square Garden (which was just across the road), especially as we were English. I restrained myself from launching into a tirade against dullness. The room was not the most modern but it was comfortable, well equipped (kitchen, lounge, bedroom and 2 bathrooms) and best of all with a view of the Empire State Building (ESB to those in the know...).
We were determined to not go to sleep until as late as possible so went out to find the world's largest camera shop. It was completely bewildering inside - like a technologically-advanced Argos with entirely Jewish staff and the most gadgets I've ever seen. Got a nifty camera bag in the end. We had a bit of a wander round and a nosy round the old ESB which was handily scaffolded and covered up at the bottom. Found a rubbish shopping centre before paying our one and only visit to Sbarro. I think we did quite well. And we managed to stay up past 10pm. What jetlag?
Day 2 started promisingly as we didn't get up till 9am. Wish it w
as that easy to recover from jetlag in the opposite direction. Plus I was excited that we were going to get to see Pearl Jam that evening. We decided on this trip we should try to do the things we didn't get to do last time and top of that list was a good nosy round the Rockefeller Center. Those of you who don't know what it is, see the link, but it's a marvel of Art Deco town planning. Beautiful buildings with loads of steel and murals. They've done up the top of the GE building so you can once again visit it. 'The Top of the Rock' apparently. We went up and needless to say, I am definitely still not keen on heights. Impressive views from up there though. The sun was blazing as well and it was nice to have a sit down up there and think just how far away from work I was!
Day 3 was a good start to the morning knowing that I would be off to see the greatest live band in the world again that night. We called in to Macy's on the way to the subway. The New York Subway is cheap and relatively useful, but also insanely hot and humid so we headed for the cool climes of the American Museum of Natura
l History. It's enormous and the main entrance hall has two dinosaurs in it (I think they were a brachiosaur and an allosaurus but I've slept since then). As it was so massive, we decided to tag onto a tour of the highlights of the museum. We saw dinosaur fossils, gemstones and minerals and proper retro-looking diorama featuring bison and other animals. We finished off our visit with the planetarium (I will always get 'Sanitarium' by Metallica in my head at this point) in the Rose Center's nifty planetarium. More steamy Subway travel, a quick visit to Times Square and the world's largest toy store (disappointingly i's a Toys R Us but it has a huge, mechanical T-Rex in it) then off for another great show at Madison Square Garden.
Day 4 and the time's going for too quickly. We went off to Grand Central Terminal to see the impressive vaulted ceiling and decorations. Had a knish in the food court underneath, set out like a train carriage, then nearly had a divorce over a wiped memory card upstairs in the concourse. Brian K Vaughan (writer of comics/graphic novels) was doing a signing at a comic store near Grand Central and I'd promis
ed the long-suffering other half that we could go. Plus, I finally got to go inside the Chrysler Building and coo over some more stainless steel and art deco. The geek line, I mean comic queue, wasn't too long, but I had time to have a wander off and stumble on a completely vegetarian burger bar, Zen Burger, which I earmarked for having tea in. Other half met BKV, I sulked that I didn't get to meet Pearl Jam and we fed our faces with burgers. Went back to the hotel and checked out the cocktail bar in the hotel, Niles. I had a cocktail and it was lovely. Then I had another one. Then we got one for free. Then I went to bed.
Day 5 had a slightly postponed start due to the sophoritic effects of 3 cocktails on a complete lightweight. We were booked on a river cruise from the South St Seaport to see some great views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Olafur Eliasson's Waterfalls. It was the hottest it had been that week I think but nice to get a breeze off the river. I was glad I hadn't had 4 cocktails though as I don't think I'd have
appreciated being on a boat. On Friday nights, the Muse
um of Modern Art is free. We thought it would be a goodidea to visit then, not realising that everyone else would have the same idea. It was busy and so we didn't get to see all of Olafur Eliasson's installation, but saw some impressive works nonetheless including Warhol's soup cans, lots of Mondriaan, Klee and of course a load of old Pollocks. Sorry about that. The photography exhibitions were impressive too. We called at the Rockefeller Center again on the way too to re-take some of the photos I thought I had lost, including Chris Burden's public art project, 'What My Dad Gave Me' - a 6-storey skyscraper made out of 1930s replica toy parts. We finally got to go to Franchia as well, a Korean vegetarian restaurant on Park Avenue. It was a lovely place and really tasty, though I am pleased to report that Manchester's own Koreana does a nicer bibimbap.
Day 6 meant a whistle stop trip to Central Park for a geocache near the Dakota building and a little wander round. I decided to attempt some shopping in the Time Warner Building but ended up with an Owly book and a Napoleon Dynamite board game. Very useful. A quick shower at the hotel, final trip to Macy's and it was time to get in our yellow cab back to the airport. A slightly disappointing duty free session (no beer and not the right perfume) and it was time to get on the plane. Sadly not time to take off though as the thunderstorm that had been threatening the whole week decided to show up. It's not much fun sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours in a thunderstorm but I guess it's less fun flying in it.
And that was that. I think I could keep going back and still never see everything. A busy place but not in a tiring way. Of course, Pearl Jam and cheap flights are always a good combination and excuse.
anyone actually reads these things but it helps me remember what we've been up to. In this spirit, I'm going to attempt to summarise our 5 days in New York City for posterity. The first thing that struck me getting off the plane at JFK was how humid it was. The last time I was in New York was about the same time of year so it should have been no surprise. It's the first time I've arrived by air though. We did the obligatory yellow cab to the hotel, which gave us some good entered views approaching Manhattan. I was surprised how near the airport was and wondered why it takes up to an hour to get to Midtown. I realised why when we Manhattan and had Jimi's Crosstown Traffic stuck in my head for the next 20 minutes or so.The hotel was the Affinia Manhattan, chosen using the old 'look through Tripadvisor ratings to find the highest rated one that you can afford in the right area' technique. It was a very swanky lobby and I felt quite scruffy after a long flight and rather hot cab journey. This didn't bother the receptionist who checked us in and upgraded us to a suite. Yay. He was really confu
sed why we weren't going to see Coldplay that night at Madison Square Garden (which was just across the road), especially as we were English. I restrained myself from launching into a tirade against dullness. The room was not the most modern but it was comfortable, well equipped (kitchen, lounge, bedroom and 2 bathrooms) and best of all with a view of the Empire State Building (ESB to those in the know...).We were determined to not go to sleep until as late as possible so went out to find the world's largest camera shop. It was completely bewildering inside - like a technologically-advanced Argos with entirely Jewish staff and the most gadgets I've ever seen. Got a nifty camera bag in the end. We had a bit of a wander round and a nosy round the old ESB which was handily scaffolded and covered up at the bottom. Found a rubbish shopping centre before paying our one and only visit to Sbarro. I think we did quite well. And we managed to stay up past 10pm. What jetlag?
Day 2 started promisingly as we didn't get up till 9am. Wish it w
as that easy to recover from jetlag in the opposite direction. Plus I was excited that we were going to get to see Pearl Jam that evening. We decided on this trip we should try to do the things we didn't get to do last time and top of that list was a good nosy round the Rockefeller Center. Those of you who don't know what it is, see the link, but it's a marvel of Art Deco town planning. Beautiful buildings with loads of steel and murals. They've done up the top of the GE building so you can once again visit it. 'The Top of the Rock' apparently. We went up and needless to say, I am definitely still not keen on heights. Impressive views from up there though. The sun was blazing as well and it was nice to have a sit down up there and think just how far away from work I was!We took a self-guided walking tour of the Rockefeller Center, taking in the sights of St Patrick's cathedral, Radio City Music Hall and some of the buildings on the Avenue of the Americas. I think I was starting to be obsessed by the end of this so we headed over to the International Center for Photography which had some interesting exhibitions from Japan and the USA. Then it wa
s time to pick up the Pearl Jam tickets and buy a pizza that was unfeasibly large. It was supposedly a small but I've never seen one so large over here. I've gone into a lot of detail in previous posts about the shows so I direct you to those. I had a pretzel the size of my head on the way back to the hotel. It was sad to see so many homeless people sleeping rough as I think it's something you don't see so often over here these days. I think New York is still very much a city of a thousand contrasts and the USA feels like such a different place to the UK, even though we speak the same language. Actually, I doubt that after constantly asking for people to repeat themselves and people keeping thinking I was Australian.
s time to pick up the Pearl Jam tickets and buy a pizza that was unfeasibly large. It was supposedly a small but I've never seen one so large over here. I've gone into a lot of detail in previous posts about the shows so I direct you to those. I had a pretzel the size of my head on the way back to the hotel. It was sad to see so many homeless people sleeping rough as I think it's something you don't see so often over here these days. I think New York is still very much a city of a thousand contrasts and the USA feels like such a different place to the UK, even though we speak the same language. Actually, I doubt that after constantly asking for people to repeat themselves and people keeping thinking I was Australian.Day 3 was a good start to the morning knowing that I would be off to see the greatest live band in the world again that night. We called in to Macy's on the way to the subway. The New York Subway is cheap and relatively useful, but also insanely hot and humid so we headed for the cool climes of the American Museum of Natura
l History. It's enormous and the main entrance hall has two dinosaurs in it (I think they were a brachiosaur and an allosaurus but I've slept since then). As it was so massive, we decided to tag onto a tour of the highlights of the museum. We saw dinosaur fossils, gemstones and minerals and proper retro-looking diorama featuring bison and other animals. We finished off our visit with the planetarium (I will always get 'Sanitarium' by Metallica in my head at this point) in the Rose Center's nifty planetarium. More steamy Subway travel, a quick visit to Times Square and the world's largest toy store (disappointingly i's a Toys R Us but it has a huge, mechanical T-Rex in it) then off for another great show at Madison Square Garden.Day 4 and the time's going for too quickly. We went off to Grand Central Terminal to see the impressive vaulted ceiling and decorations. Had a knish in the food court underneath, set out like a train carriage, then nearly had a divorce over a wiped memory card upstairs in the concourse. Brian K Vaughan (writer of comics/graphic novels) was doing a signing at a comic store near Grand Central and I'd promis
ed the long-suffering other half that we could go. Plus, I finally got to go inside the Chrysler Building and coo over some more stainless steel and art deco. The geek line, I mean comic queue, wasn't too long, but I had time to have a wander off and stumble on a completely vegetarian burger bar, Zen Burger, which I earmarked for having tea in. Other half met BKV, I sulked that I didn't get to meet Pearl Jam and we fed our faces with burgers. Went back to the hotel and checked out the cocktail bar in the hotel, Niles. I had a cocktail and it was lovely. Then I had another one. Then we got one for free. Then I went to bed.Day 5 had a slightly postponed start due to the sophoritic effects of 3 cocktails on a complete lightweight. We were booked on a river cruise from the South St Seaport to see some great views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Olafur Eliasson's Waterfalls. It was the hottest it had been that week I think but nice to get a breeze off the river. I was glad I hadn't had 4 cocktails though as I don't think I'd have
appreciated being on a boat. On Friday nights, the Muse
um of Modern Art is free. We thought it would be a goodidea to visit then, not realising that everyone else would have the same idea. It was busy and so we didn't get to see all of Olafur Eliasson's installation, but saw some impressive works nonetheless including Warhol's soup cans, lots of Mondriaan, Klee and of course a load of old Pollocks. Sorry about that. The photography exhibitions were impressive too. We called at the Rockefeller Center again on the way too to re-take some of the photos I thought I had lost, including Chris Burden's public art project, 'What My Dad Gave Me' - a 6-storey skyscraper made out of 1930s replica toy parts. We finally got to go to Franchia as well, a Korean vegetarian restaurant on Park Avenue. It was a lovely place and really tasty, though I am pleased to report that Manchester's own Koreana does a nicer bibimbap.
Day 6 meant a whistle stop trip to Central Park for a geocache near the Dakota building and a little wander round. I decided to attempt some shopping in the Time Warner Building but ended up with an Owly book and a Napoleon Dynamite board game. Very useful. A quick shower at the hotel, final trip to Macy's and it was time to get in our yellow cab back to the airport. A slightly disappointing duty free session (no beer and not the right perfume) and it was time to get on the plane. Sadly not time to take off though as the thunderstorm that had been threatening the whole week decided to show up. It's not much fun sitting on the tarmac for 2 hours in a thunderstorm but I guess it's less fun flying in it.
And that was that. I think I could keep going back and still never see everything. A busy place but not in a tiring way. Of course, Pearl Jam and cheap flights are always a good combination and excuse.
Pearl Jam - Madison Square Garden, New York City, 25th June 2008
Well, I wasn't going all that way to not see Pearl Jam for a second night if they're in the same city. There was a complete fiasco surrounding posters outside the venue earlier on but I put it behind me and the staff inside the venue seemed to have a modicum of respect and intelligence so rudeness and unhelpfulness is not indicative of everyone there.
Anyway. We got in and were sat slightly nearer the stage for night 2 and thankfully the two beered-up ones in front of us weren't there either, so things were looking up. Managed to miss the support band again as we were getting some food and having a little rest after a day out sightseeing in the very humid climate. I was wondering what it was going to be like, seeing that they had played a good set the night before. They came on to Release which, to be honest, justified the flight prices alone to me. Eddie's voice sounded spot on and the whole of the Garden was singing along - I very nearly started to have a little cry but I'm a grown up these days so I didn't. It did remind me how very special this band can be when they get it right. I did worry that they rest of the show wouldn't match up to this opening, but we weren't disappointed. We had another 2 3/4 hour set with some surprises in it. World Wide Suicide and Severed Hand upped the tempo and even though we'd had Corduroy the previous night, I will never tire of hearing it. The backing singers came out again for All Night which sounded good again but made it clear we were going to get at least those 3 songs again from the night before. I'm not complaining as lots of bands these days play similar sets each night so us Pearl Jam fans are spoiled rotten with such varied setlists, but the element of surprise was gone for a couple of songs. Cropduster was a nice addition to the set as I think it's one of the better songs on Riot Act. Much as I like all their albums, the early-era stuff still gets me the most excited these days, especially when they pull Garden out of the bag. It sounded amazing and haunting and I think the crowd were one of the loudest I've ever heard. It's almost a spiritual experience being part of that. It's a rare thing to feel so engaged with a band in such a large venue. They must be doing something right.
They attempted to start Marker in the Sand (which made my husband happy as it's one of his favourites) but Mike seemed to completely forget how to play it. A bit of a reminder off the rest of the band though and he was sorted out. Next was a song I've never heard them play - I'm Open off the No Code album. It's not the most spectacular song they did but it reminds me of listening to No Code on repeat just before we went to see them for the first time in '96. Wishlist is nice to hear too. State of Love and Trust will always be one of my favourite songs in the world and tonight they pulled off about the best performances of it I've seen them do. My voice was starting to go at this point from so much singing. Next was EvenFlow, which is a lot of people's cue to spend a penny if needs be. It's a great song but I've heard it a million times and you have time to get out and back before the end of the guitar solo. Top tip there.
We had Who You Are with the guest vocalists nest, which was pretty much the same as the night before. Next was another song I've not seen them do: Rats which built up with Given to Fly with a frenetic end to main set of Do The Evolution and Go.
First Encore started with Inside Job then WMA with the guest vocalists again. Eddie invited us to settle down for some campfire music before launching into the short, sharp shock that is Lukin. I'm still too slow to sing along with that one. CJ R
amone came out again for I Believe in Miracles (see right) and the band didn't look any less in awe than the night before. Eddie started to sing Betterman and managed to get the whole of Madison Square Garden singing the wrong verse and collectively realising it. He started again but let the crowd continue. I thought he looked visibly touched by the intensity of emotion coming back at him from the crowd. Beautiful. Rearviewmirror was next and sounded as intense as the first time I saw them play it.
Encore number 2 started the same as the previous night with Eddie and his solo spot. A nice touch was seeing the band relocate to the back of the stage, complete with Matt on a little set of drums, to play Last Kiss for the people sat behind the stage. Every seat in the place was taken, even those all the way round the back of the stage. Why Go sounded massive but I was already starting to feel sad that the show
would soon be over. I thought that would be it for the surprises too, but they brought on no other than Ace Frehley to play Kiss' classic Black Diamond (see left). Eddie left the stage to leave Mike to start on the vocals and Matt to take over. I have to say I was really impressed with Matt's vocals. Eddie came back on for Alive and then we had Yellow Ledbetter which usually indicates the end of the show is nigh. I think that's why it always has a strange melancholic air to me. Mike finished off with a searing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner during which Eddie and Boom seemed to go for a sit down behind the drums before gazing in awe at Mr McCready.
And that was it. No more Pearl Jam till the next tour. It was really worth it though!
9.5/10
Anyway. We got in and were sat slightly nearer the stage for night 2 and thankfully the two beered-up ones in front of us weren't there either, so things were looking up. Managed to miss the support band again as we were getting some food and having a little rest after a day out sightseeing in the very humid climate. I was wondering what it was going to be like, seeing that they had played a good set the night before. They came on to Release which, to be honest, justified the flight prices alone to me. Eddie's voice sounded spot on and the whole of the Garden was singing along - I very nearly started to have a little cry but I'm a grown up these days so I didn't. It did remind me how very special this band can be when they get it right. I did worry that they rest of the show wouldn't match up to this opening, but we weren't disappointed. We had another 2 3/4 hour set with some surprises in it. World Wide Suicide and Severed Hand upped the tempo and even though we'd had Corduroy the previous night, I will never tire of hearing it. The backing singers came out again for All Night which sounded good again but made it clear we were going to get at least those 3 songs again from the night before. I'm not complaining as lots of bands these days play similar sets each night so us Pearl Jam fans are spoiled rotten with such varied setlists, but the element of surprise was gone for a couple of songs. Cropduster was a nice addition to the set as I think it's one of the better songs on Riot Act. Much as I like all their albums, the early-era stuff still gets me the most excited these days, especially when they pull Garden out of the bag. It sounded amazing and haunting and I think the crowd were one of the loudest I've ever heard. It's almost a spiritual experience being part of that. It's a rare thing to feel so engaged with a band in such a large venue. They must be doing something right.They attempted to start Marker in the Sand (which made my husband happy as it's one of his favourites) but Mike seemed to completely forget how to play it. A bit of a reminder off the rest of the band though and he was sorted out. Next was a song I've never heard them play - I'm Open off the No Code album. It's not the most spectacular song they did but it reminds me of listening to No Code on repeat just before we went to see them for the first time in '96. Wishlist is nice to hear too. State of Love and Trust will always be one of my favourite songs in the world and tonight they pulled off about the best performances of it I've seen them do. My voice was starting to go at this point from so much singing. Next was EvenFlow, which is a lot of people's cue to spend a penny if needs be. It's a great song but I've heard it a million times and you have time to get out and back before the end of the guitar solo. Top tip there.
We had Who You Are with the guest vocalists nest, which was pretty much the same as the night before. Next was another song I've not seen them do: Rats which built up with Given to Fly with a frenetic end to main set of Do The Evolution and Go.
First Encore started with Inside Job then WMA with the guest vocalists again. Eddie invited us to settle down for some campfire music before launching into the short, sharp shock that is Lukin. I'm still too slow to sing along with that one. CJ R
amone came out again for I Believe in Miracles (see right) and the band didn't look any less in awe than the night before. Eddie started to sing Betterman and managed to get the whole of Madison Square Garden singing the wrong verse and collectively realising it. He started again but let the crowd continue. I thought he looked visibly touched by the intensity of emotion coming back at him from the crowd. Beautiful. Rearviewmirror was next and sounded as intense as the first time I saw them play it.Encore number 2 started the same as the previous night with Eddie and his solo spot. A nice touch was seeing the band relocate to the back of the stage, complete with Matt on a little set of drums, to play Last Kiss for the people sat behind the stage. Every seat in the place was taken, even those all the way round the back of the stage. Why Go sounded massive but I was already starting to feel sad that the show
would soon be over. I thought that would be it for the surprises too, but they brought on no other than Ace Frehley to play Kiss' classic Black Diamond (see left). Eddie left the stage to leave Mike to start on the vocals and Matt to take over. I have to say I was really impressed with Matt's vocals. Eddie came back on for Alive and then we had Yellow Ledbetter which usually indicates the end of the show is nigh. I think that's why it always has a strange melancholic air to me. Mike finished off with a searing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner during which Eddie and Boom seemed to go for a sit down behind the drums before gazing in awe at Mr McCready.And that was it. No more Pearl Jam till the next tour. It was really worth it though!
9.5/10
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
Pearl Jam - Madison Square Garden, New York City, 24th June 2008
Right, first things first: I'm not mad - it's perfectly normal to travel to another continent to see a band. If you don't agree, then you must never have seen Pearl Jam. So, me and the long-suffering husband packed our bags and headed out to the Big Apple to see a couple of shows by my favourite live band and get a bit of sightseeing done on the way. The first night, I was still really tired and everything seemed a little surreal - picking up the tickets, going into Madison Square Garden and seeing it packed to the rafters. Things started very well indeed with the band opening with 'Hard to Imagine' - a song I've loved for years but never seen them play live. They stepped up the tempo with Save You and Why Go and it quickly became evident that we had definitely done the right thing in coming out to NYC. The crowd were really going for it too, right from the off. The band seemed to relax a bit more after the first few songs. I got the feeling at several points in the set that they were still trying to take in the fact that they were playing to a packed-out Madison Square Garden crowd who were singing their hearts out like their lives depended on it.
Another song I never heard came out next: All Night. They brought on 3 backing singers from New York to add a different slant to the song and I think it worked. Corduroy and Elderly Woman.. were massive singalongs as well. There were a few more surprises in the main set too with Present Tense and the backing singers coming out again for Who You Are. It's not amongst my favourite of their songs but sounded better with a new lease of life. This short East-Coast tour isn't promoting an album but there's a definite air of it being part of their intention to get people to vote in the upcoming elections. There's some well-received Bush-bashing and general incitement to encourage people to speak up and have their voice heard.
A rousing Do the Evolution ends the main set in style and everyone's rabid to hear more. Eddie said at the start of the set that they wanted to make it a special night and they continued to do so by playing their version of the Who's Love Reign O'er Me that they recorded for the film, Reign O'er Me. Eddie's voice sounds as strong as ever and the whole band looked happy to be out playing again. Stone seemed to get a bit more of the limelight than usual too and Mike's still bouncing around with far more energy than I'll ever have! Backing singers came out again for a stripped-down version of WMA, then we get Leash which is one of my favourite songs of theirs as it's got so much enthusiasm in it. There's some subtle lyrical changes ('Delight in the truth!') that prevent them from sounding like a band trying to recapture past glories. Spin the Black Circle is a frenetic few minutes that makes you think that the end of the show is nearing but we're proved wrong when the lights stay down when they leave after Wasted Reprise and Porch.
Encore 2 starts with Eddie and his guitar. Anyone who's seen the band in the last few years realises that 'No More' is coming and duly sing along with Vedder's protest song. Crazy Mary is atmospheric as they come and I get goose pimples hearing 20 000 people singing along. Probably the biggest surprise of the evening arrives shortly after when CJ Ramone joins the band on stage, replacing an ecstatic Jeff Ament on bass for a rousing rendition of I Believe in Miracles which PJ recorded for a fanclub single a few years back. All of the band look like they can't quite believe it and Vedder in particular can't keep his eyes off the erstwhile bassist. Alive is greeted with massive applause and the band leave the stage for the third time and the lights come up.
That must be the end, right? Wrong. Back on for All Along the Watchtower and then to be proved wrong by assuming that Yellow Ledbetter was going to be the closer by them playing Indifference to a crowd bent on screaming their lungs out and filling that very large room. That really was the end but after 30 songs, 2 3/4 hours and a pretty special set-list, I don't think anyone was feeling short changed! It wasn't the best time I'd seen them but it was certainly a good one!
9/10
Another song I never heard came out next: All Night. They brought on 3 backing singers from New York to add a different slant to the song and I think it worked. Corduroy and Elderly Woman.. were massive singalongs as well. There were a few more surprises in the main set too with Present Tense and the backing singers coming out again for Who You Are. It's not amongst my favourite of their songs but sounded better with a new lease of life. This short East-Coast tour isn't promoting an album but there's a definite air of it being part of their intention to get people to vote in the upcoming elections. There's some well-received Bush-bashing and general incitement to encourage people to speak up and have their voice heard.
A rousing Do the Evolution ends the main set in style and everyone's rabid to hear more. Eddie said at the start of the set that they wanted to make it a special night and they continued to do so by playing their version of the Who's Love Reign O'er Me that they recorded for the film, Reign O'er Me. Eddie's voice sounds as strong as ever and the whole band looked happy to be out playing again. Stone seemed to get a bit more of the limelight than usual too and Mike's still bouncing around with far more energy than I'll ever have! Backing singers came out again for a stripped-down version of WMA, then we get Leash which is one of my favourite songs of theirs as it's got so much enthusiasm in it. There's some subtle lyrical changes ('Delight in the truth!') that prevent them from sounding like a band trying to recapture past glories. Spin the Black Circle is a frenetic few minutes that makes you think that the end of the show is nearing but we're proved wrong when the lights stay down when they leave after Wasted Reprise and Porch.
Encore 2 starts with Eddie and his guitar. Anyone who's seen the band in the last few years realises that 'No More' is coming and duly sing along with Vedder's protest song. Crazy Mary is atmospheric as they come and I get goose pimples hearing 20 000 people singing along. Probably the biggest surprise of the evening arrives shortly after when CJ Ramone joins the band on stage, replacing an ecstatic Jeff Ament on bass for a rousing rendition of I Believe in Miracles which PJ recorded for a fanclub single a few years back. All of the band look like they can't quite believe it and Vedder in particular can't keep his eyes off the erstwhile bassist. Alive is greeted with massive applause and the band leave the stage for the third time and the lights come up.
That must be the end, right? Wrong. Back on for All Along the Watchtower and then to be proved wrong by assuming that Yellow Ledbetter was going to be the closer by them playing Indifference to a crowd bent on screaming their lungs out and filling that very large room. That really was the end but after 30 songs, 2 3/4 hours and a pretty special set-list, I don't think anyone was feeling short changed! It wasn't the best time I'd seen them but it was certainly a good one!
9/10
Still catching up - into June now - Mark Lanegan & Isobel Campbell, June 12th, Manchester Academy 2
I was really looking forward to this. I've loved Mark Lanegan's work with the Screaming Trees and the last solo album, Bubblegum, in particular was a fine effort. I'm not that familiar with Isobel's old band, Belle & Sebastien, but aware of her dreamy voice from the first album she did with Mark a couple of years back. They've done a second album now, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which builds on the dusky chemistry of the first album and is laced with lots of folky americana. Sadly, the first thing that hits me as the gig starts is that that chemistry does not appear to be captured live. Actually, it's the second thing, the first being that Isobel's ethereal and breathy vocals are lost in a venue as large as the Academy 2. It's sold out, no doubt on the strength of their two albums and both's strong musical heritage, and she's drowned out. Mark's voice is as strong as ever and though he sounds on top form, it's a shame we can't hear her very well.
With barely a glance at each other, it's hard to tell quite where the albums have come from. Both stand quite still when singing, though Isobel's obviously a multi-faceted musician and plays several instruments during the set. There's very little in the way of audience interaction either, though Mark's not the most chatty person on stage in any case.
They play a mix of songs from both albums, though the two that stand out to me are Backburner and Keep me in Mind, Sweetheart which show the range of their music together from brooding and atmospheric to gentle and playfully lilting. I think they're both great singers, but all the way through I'm wishing I was somewhere like the Night and Day where the atmosphere I was expecting could really have built. It's unfortunate too that the song that sounds best to me is when Mark sings one of the songs off his last solo offering, 'Wedding Dress'.
On the whole, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed as I was hoping for so much more, but I'm afraid it's a case of it working much better on record.
6/10
With barely a glance at each other, it's hard to tell quite where the albums have come from. Both stand quite still when singing, though Isobel's obviously a multi-faceted musician and plays several instruments during the set. There's very little in the way of audience interaction either, though Mark's not the most chatty person on stage in any case.
They play a mix of songs from both albums, though the two that stand out to me are Backburner and Keep me in Mind, Sweetheart which show the range of their music together from brooding and atmospheric to gentle and playfully lilting. I think they're both great singers, but all the way through I'm wishing I was somewhere like the Night and Day where the atmosphere I was expecting could really have built. It's unfortunate too that the song that sounds best to me is when Mark sings one of the songs off his last solo offering, 'Wedding Dress'.
On the whole, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed as I was hoping for so much more, but I'm afraid it's a case of it working much better on record.
6/10
Monday, 30 June 2008
Catching up on May gigs part 2 - LAP 27/05/08
I will get there in the end. I've done this back-to-front too. It will keep you on your toes. We went down to the Academy 3 on 27th May to see our friends LAP (Life Among People) play the Academy unsigned night. At first the audience seemed timid save for a few fans who were up at the front straight away but as the set progressed, more and more of the people here to see other bands were drawn into the crowd by the impressive noises coming from the stage. I've lost count of how many times we've seen LAP but seeing them on a larger stage with a professional sound and stage set-up shows them off to their full effect. The guys aren't at all phased by this and get things going with recent single Point and Shoot. In Dog Years You're Dead follows and is backed up by Zero Tolerance. Tony's a confident frontman these days but the overall sound benefits from the extra guitar brought by relative newcomer Ste.
Jim's been a friend of mine for some years but I'm still ever-impressed by his drumming abilities and
watching him and Martin drive the band forward through the faster songs leaves me feeling tired out! We got the Terminator theme tune mid-set, which although executed with a high degree of irony is atmospheric and epic. Always brings a smile to my face though they tend to shy away from playing it these days so as not to appear gimmicky.A couple more songs from their recent works see the crowd really getting into the set and I feel proud to see so many people finally appreciating the talent these guys have. Older song Trend is the show-closer and there's a definite buzz of impressed people as we leave to get home early as it is a school night after all.
8/10 (Photos by Danny Powell)
Trying to catch up! May's gigs part 1 - The Project: Chase HQ Allstars @ WA1
I'm really quite behind and this hasn't been helped by being out of the country for the last week. I've got 5 gigs to blog on so I'll make a start on it with The Project: Chase HQ Allstars at WA1 on 31st May whilst I'm still successfully fighting off the jetlag. Apologies if they're quite short but I'll learn and try to be more prompt, plus I've decided not to take notes at gigs as, for a start I look like a right geek and secondly, it's harder to enjoy yourself if you're fumbling around for pen and paper.
There's two things that are immediately obvious about Chase HQ Allstars tonight and that's that the regular gigs they're playing has made them a lot, lot better and more cohesive-sounding and that this sort of music does sound a lot better when it's warm and it's been sunny out. However, please note that if you're off to WA1 in the sun, don't wear shorts as they won't let you in!
CHQA's music is hard to properly define. I'd always stuck it in some dub-ska box without really thinking about it, but they've got samples, brass and guitars a-plenty and as they progress they're starting to get their own style more. Singer Dave's grown in confidence since we first started seeing the band (I've no idea how long ago that was - couple of years?) and holds the crowd's attention a lot more. Please excuse me not knowing the exact setlist or song names - again, I'll learn! The set leaned towards the more summery songs they play and we had a call to missing bassist Matt who was detained somewhere in the south and not able to get to the gig. I have threatened bad things to people who mix brass and guitars but the brass section is developing into a more integral part of the band rather than an add-on and it seems like the new songs written to include Sara and Jon show a more organic way of the band growing together.
In short, it's cheerful, happy music, perfect for a Saturday summer night and a band on the rise. Those picnic benches are really uncomfortable though and Scottish vodka is as bad as it sounds!
7.5/10
There's two things that are immediately obvious about Chase HQ Allstars tonight and that's that the regular gigs they're playing has made them a lot, lot better and more cohesive-sounding and that this sort of music does sound a lot better when it's warm and it's been sunny out. However, please note that if you're off to WA1 in the sun, don't wear shorts as they won't let you in!
CHQA's music is hard to properly define. I'd always stuck it in some dub-ska box without really thinking about it, but they've got samples, brass and guitars a-plenty and as they progress they're starting to get their own style more. Singer Dave's grown in confidence since we first started seeing the band (I've no idea how long ago that was - couple of years?) and holds the crowd's attention a lot more. Please excuse me not knowing the exact setlist or song names - again, I'll learn! The set leaned towards the more summery songs they play and we had a call to missing bassist Matt who was detained somewhere in the south and not able to get to the gig. I have threatened bad things to people who mix brass and guitars but the brass section is developing into a more integral part of the band rather than an add-on and it seems like the new songs written to include Sara and Jon show a more organic way of the band growing together.
In short, it's cheerful, happy music, perfect for a Saturday summer night and a band on the rise. Those picnic benches are really uncomfortable though and Scottish vodka is as bad as it sounds!
7.5/10
Sunday, 11 May 2008
May's Gig Extravaganza
We're only 11 days into May but it's been a good month for gigs so far.
First up was Shawn Smith, better known to some as the voice behind Seattle bands Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed etc. I saw Brad 11 years ago and it still ranks in my top 10 gigs ever, so when I found out about Shawn playing in the UK, I had to go. He's playing an unconventional set of venues but we plumped for York as it meant we could have a trundle round rather than wading our way through the mire of Birmingham!
The gig was in the Centre for Early Music in York, a converted church. It was one of the oddest settings for a gig I've been to, but I was getting pretty excited when we were waiting, sitting in the sunshine in the church yard and seeing that inside was a piano and maybe a couple of hundred seats. We managed to sit on the 'wrong' side so couldn't see much of Shawn whilst he had his music holder up, but once he was a bit more relaxed and closed it, we had a great view. He seemed a little nervous when he came out and started with 'The Day Brings' (I think - I was going to make a note of songs played but I was mesmerised and forgot!) as he got halfway through and forgot where he was up to. It felt like a privilege to be sat a few feet away in such an intimate setting. In his trademark hat and making use of his vocal range from dreamy to falsetto, I think we got 'some never come home' next, followed by Mother Love Bone classic Crown of Thorns, when you could almost feel like everyone was trying not to cry. We got a good set made up of Brad, Satchel and his solo stuff. Lots of good memories! There was a bit of banter with the crowd and a discussion around him bringing Brad over which prompted someone to call Stone lazy to which Shawn replied he's anything but. He said he'll come back soon anyway, which is an exciting prospect.
The crowd were chuffed when 'Buttercup' was played and though he must have played it a million times, he still sang it like every word was meaningful. We got a short encore with Purple Rain, which took me right back to when I saw Brad in '97. It morphed into a short rendition of Amazing Grace and back into 'The Day Brings' which brought things full circle and a fitting end to the show.
I had a quick chat to Shawn after the show but forgot to get a cheesy photo. I asked him if he'd play Crown of Thorns for a friend going to the London show and was more than chuffed to find out that he did - a man of his word indeed.
Next day we were off to a gig which could not have been more different. Not a piano or Panama hat in sight and certainly no room for falsetto vocals here. We were in the Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne to see some friends of ours in their band 'Profane'. The weather here's been unseasonably warm so the beer garden was packed and inside was pretty warm. Profane have been making waves on the rock/metal circuit for a few years now and have supported some long-established acts over the years like Life of Agony and up-and-coming big names like Enter Shikari. This was a headline show and there was a fair turnout and definitely some devoted fans up front. Their music is intense and we got a mixture of songs off their debut album 'The Day we Scorched the Sky' as well as some new material. They really don't sound like anyone else with their angular sounds, though if I had to place them next to anyone musically, there is more than a hint of Tool in there. I've always been impressed with Phil's vocals since seeing them years and years ago, back when they were called Day of Hate and playing Alice In Chains covers and there is a healthy mix of screaming and singing, which is always a winner in my eyes! They feel like a band on the verge of making it big and hopefully this will be their year. Check them out on Myspace and go and see them supporting Skindred later this month if you can.
Friday night brought an altogether different musical experience in the form of Jonah Matranga at the Roadhouse in Manchester. It nearly didn't happen thanks to my ever-manky sinuses but we got down there just in time. Those of you who don't know him/haven't heard me enthusing/weren't at our wedding (our first dance was a version of one of his songs that he recorded for us), he was the singer in 90s band Far and later in New End Original and Gratitude and has also released solo recordings under the moniker One Line Drawing. Now he is 'just' Jonah Matranga and is touring in support of his new album, 'And'. I've seen a lot of bands and artists over the years but few are as honest and genuine as Jonah is. He started with some songs on his own and then almost made me collapse by playing 'Nothingman' by Pearl Jam - one of my favourite singers playing a song by one of my favourite bands - and really well. He confessed to being a big Pearl Jam geek too - see, it's not just me! He got the band on stage with him after that and played an almost Greatest Hits set. We got New End Original songs like 14-to-41 and Lukewarm, Gratitude numbers like This is the Part but the warmest receptions were for old Far songs like Mother Mary and Bury White which still sound like he could have written them yesterday. This is what emotional music is to me - none of this crappy pop music that gets labelled 'emo'. There weren't even many fringes there. I like the way his voice is never perfect but always so genuine and expressive. Like I said before, there's always room for a little bit of screaming too, so that box is ticked.
Going to a Jonah gig always feels a bit like a gathering of friends. He was saying how he's really pleased to be able to play his music for a living and that he thinks he's quite good at it, and there's not a hint of arrogance in him. Everyone you meet who knows of him will tell you the same thing and I'm yet to meet someone familiar with his music who isn't totally floored by seeing him live.
So there - there's 3 bands/artists you need to check out - something for everyone there. I don't think I've much lined up now till LAP at the end of the month but the 3 great gigs this week will keep me going for a while! Like buses...
First up was Shawn Smith, better known to some as the voice behind Seattle bands Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed etc. I saw Brad 11 years ago and it still ranks in my top 10 gigs ever, so when I found out about Shawn playing in the UK, I had to go. He's playing an unconventional set of venues but we plumped for York as it meant we could have a trundle round rather than wading our way through the mire of Birmingham!
The gig was in the Centre for Early Music in York, a converted church. It was one of the oddest settings for a gig I've been to, but I was getting pretty excited when we were waiting, sitting in the sunshine in the church yard and seeing that inside was a piano and maybe a couple of hundred seats. We managed to sit on the 'wrong' side so couldn't see much of Shawn whilst he had his music holder up, but once he was a bit more relaxed and closed it, we had a great view. He seemed a little nervous when he came out and started with 'The Day Brings' (I think - I was going to make a note of songs played but I was mesmerised and forgot!) as he got halfway through and forgot where he was up to. It felt like a privilege to be sat a few feet away in such an intimate setting. In his trademark hat and making use of his vocal range from dreamy to falsetto, I think we got 'some never come home' next, followed by Mother Love Bone classic Crown of Thorns, when you could almost feel like everyone was trying not to cry. We got a good set made up of Brad, Satchel and his solo stuff. Lots of good memories! There was a bit of banter with the crowd and a discussion around him bringing Brad over which prompted someone to call Stone lazy to which Shawn replied he's anything but. He said he'll come back soon anyway, which is an exciting prospect.
The crowd were chuffed when 'Buttercup' was played and though he must have played it a million times, he still sang it like every word was meaningful. We got a short encore with Purple Rain, which took me right back to when I saw Brad in '97. It morphed into a short rendition of Amazing Grace and back into 'The Day Brings' which brought things full circle and a fitting end to the show.
I had a quick chat to Shawn after the show but forgot to get a cheesy photo. I asked him if he'd play Crown of Thorns for a friend going to the London show and was more than chuffed to find out that he did - a man of his word indeed.
Next day we were off to a gig which could not have been more different. Not a piano or Panama hat in sight and certainly no room for falsetto vocals here. We were in the Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne to see some friends of ours in their band 'Profane'. The weather here's been unseasonably warm so the beer garden was packed and inside was pretty warm. Profane have been making waves on the rock/metal circuit for a few years now and have supported some long-established acts over the years like Life of Agony and up-and-coming big names like Enter Shikari. This was a headline show and there was a fair turnout and definitely some devoted fans up front. Their music is intense and we got a mixture of songs off their debut album 'The Day we Scorched the Sky' as well as some new material. They really don't sound like anyone else with their angular sounds, though if I had to place them next to anyone musically, there is more than a hint of Tool in there. I've always been impressed with Phil's vocals since seeing them years and years ago, back when they were called Day of Hate and playing Alice In Chains covers and there is a healthy mix of screaming and singing, which is always a winner in my eyes! They feel like a band on the verge of making it big and hopefully this will be their year. Check them out on Myspace and go and see them supporting Skindred later this month if you can.
Friday night brought an altogether different musical experience in the form of Jonah Matranga at the Roadhouse in Manchester. It nearly didn't happen thanks to my ever-manky sinuses but we got down there just in time. Those of you who don't know him/haven't heard me enthusing/weren't at our wedding (our first dance was a version of one of his songs that he recorded for us), he was the singer in 90s band Far and later in New End Original and Gratitude and has also released solo recordings under the moniker One Line Drawing. Now he is 'just' Jonah Matranga and is touring in support of his new album, 'And'. I've seen a lot of bands and artists over the years but few are as honest and genuine as Jonah is. He started with some songs on his own and then almost made me collapse by playing 'Nothingman' by Pearl Jam - one of my favourite singers playing a song by one of my favourite bands - and really well. He confessed to being a big Pearl Jam geek too - see, it's not just me! He got the band on stage with him after that and played an almost Greatest Hits set. We got New End Original songs like 14-to-41 and Lukewarm, Gratitude numbers like This is the Part but the warmest receptions were for old Far songs like Mother Mary and Bury White which still sound like he could have written them yesterday. This is what emotional music is to me - none of this crappy pop music that gets labelled 'emo'. There weren't even many fringes there. I like the way his voice is never perfect but always so genuine and expressive. Like I said before, there's always room for a little bit of screaming too, so that box is ticked.
Going to a Jonah gig always feels a bit like a gathering of friends. He was saying how he's really pleased to be able to play his music for a living and that he thinks he's quite good at it, and there's not a hint of arrogance in him. Everyone you meet who knows of him will tell you the same thing and I'm yet to meet someone familiar with his music who isn't totally floored by seeing him live.
So there - there's 3 bands/artists you need to check out - something for everyone there. I don't think I've much lined up now till LAP at the end of the month but the 3 great gigs this week will keep me going for a while! Like buses...
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
The last month or so - LAP and The Breeders
Whoops. I've slipped a bit and not blogged for a little while. I'm sure I've missed something but I think there are just 3 gigs missing. First up we saw the mighty LAP/Life Among People twice in March. Both times they were supported by Pin Pim (think that's how you spell it) who play an engaging blend of straight rock and post-hardcore and are generally a good band to get yourself out to see. There was something in their music that's made me dig out the old Helmet cds again.
First LAP-ing was at Grand Central, which is always a bit of an odd venue but sound was pretty decent and there were people singing along at the front, which is great, if a bit weird seeing people we don't know doing that. It shows that they are really starting to get somewhere and soon will be more than 'Big in Scotland'.
LAP are a 4-piece again, which I think always works better as they get a much fuller sound. Check them out on Facebook or at www.myspace.com/lap for some of their new tracks. They're playing at the Academy 3 on May 27th as part of the Academy Unsigned series of gigs too and are well worth checking out. LAP do now have their own sound which makes it hard to pigeonhole them, but tight and pretty uptempo is the way they're heading.
The Chapel in Huddersfield is a neat little venue and the sound was incredibly good for such a small place. Seeing LAP there brought home how much of a professional band they are now and I hope all their hard work pays off soon.
This week was a little jaunt down memory lane. After the excitement of booking tickets for Pearl Jam in New York in June and for As Friends Rust in August, it seems a good idea to continue with the nostalgia. The other half even donned ripped jeans for the event - The Breeders. I only got their new album, 'Mountain Battles' two days before the gig and I kept forgetting to take it out with me, so I wasn't at all familiar with it. The new songs sounded very much in the vein of the old Breeders albums but a bit more stripped down I think. I'd bought tickets for the husband as he's a 'bit of a fan' to put it mildly, so again I'm not very good at the song titles. To be honest, they were pretty much exactly the same as the last time we saw them (2003 on the Title TK tour, I think) with the twins' voices blending wonderfully together over the scuzzy riffs. I think I lost a bet when 'Cannonball' came mid-set and everyone was thrust back to the days when Stomp was a club night and polishing your boots was a big no-no. Those were the days.
I'm very tired indeed and will need my sleep for May and June which brings a lot of excitement in the form of Shawn Smith and Jonah Matranga shows and the aforementioned jaunt to NYC. I'll try to pay more attention so I can blog properly, I promise!
PS - the tiredness is as a direct result of turning 30. So is the trip to New York I think!
First LAP-ing was at Grand Central, which is always a bit of an odd venue but sound was pretty decent and there were people singing along at the front, which is great, if a bit weird seeing people we don't know doing that. It shows that they are really starting to get somewhere and soon will be more than 'Big in Scotland'.
LAP are a 4-piece again, which I think always works better as they get a much fuller sound. Check them out on Facebook or at www.myspace.com/lap for some of their new tracks. They're playing at the Academy 3 on May 27th as part of the Academy Unsigned series of gigs too and are well worth checking out. LAP do now have their own sound which makes it hard to pigeonhole them, but tight and pretty uptempo is the way they're heading.
The Chapel in Huddersfield is a neat little venue and the sound was incredibly good for such a small place. Seeing LAP there brought home how much of a professional band they are now and I hope all their hard work pays off soon.
This week was a little jaunt down memory lane. After the excitement of booking tickets for Pearl Jam in New York in June and for As Friends Rust in August, it seems a good idea to continue with the nostalgia. The other half even donned ripped jeans for the event - The Breeders. I only got their new album, 'Mountain Battles' two days before the gig and I kept forgetting to take it out with me, so I wasn't at all familiar with it. The new songs sounded very much in the vein of the old Breeders albums but a bit more stripped down I think. I'd bought tickets for the husband as he's a 'bit of a fan' to put it mildly, so again I'm not very good at the song titles. To be honest, they were pretty much exactly the same as the last time we saw them (2003 on the Title TK tour, I think) with the twins' voices blending wonderfully together over the scuzzy riffs. I think I lost a bet when 'Cannonball' came mid-set and everyone was thrust back to the days when Stomp was a club night and polishing your boots was a big no-no. Those were the days.
I'm very tired indeed and will need my sleep for May and June which brings a lot of excitement in the form of Shawn Smith and Jonah Matranga shows and the aforementioned jaunt to NYC. I'll try to pay more attention so I can blog properly, I promise!
PS - the tiredness is as a direct result of turning 30. So is the trip to New York I think!
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls/Nomad Jones
I wasn't going to bother blogging this one, because I only went to keep the other half company and I am not a fan of Miles Hunt. However, their support, Nomad Jones, is worthy of a little blog so I decided I better have.
Nomad (apparently his real name is Damon - see what he did there?!) comes across as a very unassuming character with his floppy hair and shy demeanour, but this belies his voice. Backed with a cello, violin and bass, he creates what he terms as 'heartfelt folk' with his tales of heartbreak and late nights out with girls. He's still young but has a voice that shows experience and depth. It's not exciting music, but it's well written and, indeed, heartfelt. Worth a listen.
Miles Hunt irritates the bejesus out of me. Some of the Wonderstuff's songs were anthems of late-night journeys home on Saturday nights, or jangly accompaniments to summer days out in the Maestro. He only plays one of these, right at the end, when I was almost too far asleep to sing along with 'Golden Green'. He's written some good songs but, for me, ruins them by his sniping comments at people who've been a lot more successful than he has and with his overly nasal vocals. Erica's a fantastic violinist but it's Miles' show. I think for the Wonderstuff-devoted faithful in such a small show, it was a treat to see their idol so close up but reputation alone wasn't going to wash with me I'm afraid. He wasn't bad; I just don't get what the fuss is about!
And the Roadhouse smells funny now that there is no smoking!
5/10
Nomad (apparently his real name is Damon - see what he did there?!) comes across as a very unassuming character with his floppy hair and shy demeanour, but this belies his voice. Backed with a cello, violin and bass, he creates what he terms as 'heartfelt folk' with his tales of heartbreak and late nights out with girls. He's still young but has a voice that shows experience and depth. It's not exciting music, but it's well written and, indeed, heartfelt. Worth a listen.
Miles Hunt irritates the bejesus out of me. Some of the Wonderstuff's songs were anthems of late-night journeys home on Saturday nights, or jangly accompaniments to summer days out in the Maestro. He only plays one of these, right at the end, when I was almost too far asleep to sing along with 'Golden Green'. He's written some good songs but, for me, ruins them by his sniping comments at people who've been a lot more successful than he has and with his overly nasal vocals. Erica's a fantastic violinist but it's Miles' show. I think for the Wonderstuff-devoted faithful in such a small show, it was a treat to see their idol so close up but reputation alone wasn't going to wash with me I'm afraid. He wasn't bad; I just don't get what the fuss is about!
And the Roadhouse smells funny now that there is no smoking!
5/10
Friday, 29 February 2008
Chase HQ Allstars
Just realised I have another gig to blog before 
I forget. Last weekend was supposed to be gig-filled but due to extenuating circumstances, we only got to one. We always get lost in Warrington, to the point that all of it looks familiar as we've been past it at some point. Luckily I had the gps in my bag, so we made it to WA1 in the end. It smells of rubber gym mats, but don't let that put you off. The picnic tables aren't a good idea either as I really wanted some cheese sandwiches, a bag of crisps and a drink with a straw in it. Anyway, I digress. The purpose of our tour round Warrington was to see our friends' band, Chase HQ Allstars. We haven't seen them for a while and they have grown further - there is more brass, but I am ok with that,
honest! Anyway, they are friends so I'm not inclined to tell them where to shove their trumpet mutes.
I think last time I explained that I'm not a fan of dub or ska so I won't go into that again. What I will say though is that I was really surprised at how much better they have got since the last time we saw them. Singer Dave seems a lot more confident on stage and his voice has more range. The songs are more varied and more complex too and any band who can randomly pull out the Countdown music have my respect. The last song they played (again, I am awful at setlists and song names) had shouting in it, which is always a good
thing, and sounded really good. More shouting please, boys and girl!
The brass parts seem to fit in better now, probably a reflection that songs are starting to be written incorparating them, rather than adding brass parts later and I'm always impressed if someone can get straight off a train from London and start playing, like one of the bass players, Matty.
I might even have to change my mind about my ska-dub-phobia, but keep those Reel Big Fish albums out of my face or there will be trouble.
Oh yes - and I got a chip naan on the way home, which adds a point onto the total score: 7/10.
I forget. Last weekend was supposed to be gig-filled but due to extenuating circumstances, we only got to one. We always get lost in Warrington, to the point that all of it looks familiar as we've been past it at some point. Luckily I had the gps in my bag, so we made it to WA1 in the end. It smells of rubber gym mats, but don't let that put you off. The picnic tables aren't a good idea either as I really wanted some cheese sandwiches, a bag of crisps and a drink with a straw in it. Anyway, I digress. The purpose of our tour round Warrington was to see our friends' band, Chase HQ Allstars. We haven't seen them for a while and they have grown further - there is more brass, but I am ok with that,
honest! Anyway, they are friends so I'm not inclined to tell them where to shove their trumpet mutes.I think last time I explained that I'm not a fan of dub or ska so I won't go into that again. What I will say though is that I was really surprised at how much better they have got since the last time we saw them. Singer Dave seems a lot more confident on stage and his voice has more range. The songs are more varied and more complex too and any band who can randomly pull out the Countdown music have my respect. The last song they played (again, I am awful at setlists and song names) had shouting in it, which is always a good
thing, and sounded really good. More shouting please, boys and girl!The brass parts seem to fit in better now, probably a reflection that songs are starting to be written incorparating them, rather than adding brass parts later and I'm always impressed if someone can get straight off a train from London and start playing, like one of the bass players, Matty.
I might even have to change my mind about my ska-dub-phobia, but keep those Reel Big Fish albums out of my face or there will be trouble.
Oh yes - and I got a chip naan on the way home, which adds a point onto the total score: 7/10.
Jimmy Eat World
I'm a bit late with this blog as I've had a hectic few days since then. I have a day off today to catch up on stuff but am getting a stinking cold thanks to meetings in small rooms with germy people, so better do it now before I retreat with the Lemsips. Went to see Jimmy Eat World on 20th February at Manchester Academy. I've seen them a few times before (head's too fuzzy to work it out right now) and based on the fact that they are always great and the new album is a good 'un, I persuaded the other half to get us some tickets, which he duly did (good boy!). First off, the Academy is still not finished, the loos are still outside and cold and the sound still bounces off the walls. The sound was a little bit better than when we were there the other week to see Coheed & Cambria, but it's still a long way from good. There were some technical hitches too with some sound cutting out. I couldn't make up my mind whether Jim looked really annoyed or not but the sound was back on after not too long and, as my friend pointed out, at least she will know she has the right show when her CD shows up. One last aside - I had my new owl shows on, so that helped cheer me up and there were no vomiting incidents near them this week.
Anyway, it's all about the music isn't it? Opening song 'Big Casino' is my favourite on the new album, so that was going to be a good start. Jimmy Eat World get some criticism for not being the most edgy of bands and it's fair to say that a fair amount of their repertoire these days could quite happily be blasting out on commercial radio. However, they have tons of energy and sincerity, which is so often lacking in bands that have made it to the level of success that they have. They threw us a curveball and messed up my encore predictions when 'Sweetness' was the second song. It's possibly one of the best sings ever written in my opinion, so I am never going to complain when I hear it.
As I said, the sound wasn't great, which meant it wasn't the best Jimmy Eat World show I've seen, but the setlist was a fairly good mix of old and new, though as with a lot of bands, I prefer their older stuff to the newer songs. None of it sounded dull though and I got to point my elbows a lot at Salt Sweat Sugar and Pain. I've been a bit rubbish at remembering the setlist - I just keep remembering the ones they didn't play. I was glad to hear 'Hear you me' and have a sway about - reminds us they're not a one-trick pony and can do poppy and infectious and quiet and brooding all in one evening.
Jim introduced Dizzy as his favourite song on the new album (we'll have to agree to disagree there) and they ended the night with 'The Middle', which was hardly surprising, but got a lot of the crowd singing along.
They're a great band, but until the Academy gets sorted out, I don't think any band are going to sound truly amazing in there. Hopefully by the next time someone plays there that I want to see, it'll be OK!
8/10
Anyway, it's all about the music isn't it? Opening song 'Big Casino' is my favourite on the new album, so that was going to be a good start. Jimmy Eat World get some criticism for not being the most edgy of bands and it's fair to say that a fair amount of their repertoire these days could quite happily be blasting out on commercial radio. However, they have tons of energy and sincerity, which is so often lacking in bands that have made it to the level of success that they have. They threw us a curveball and messed up my encore predictions when 'Sweetness' was the second song. It's possibly one of the best sings ever written in my opinion, so I am never going to complain when I hear it.
As I said, the sound wasn't great, which meant it wasn't the best Jimmy Eat World show I've seen, but the setlist was a fairly good mix of old and new, though as with a lot of bands, I prefer their older stuff to the newer songs. None of it sounded dull though and I got to point my elbows a lot at Salt Sweat Sugar and Pain. I've been a bit rubbish at remembering the setlist - I just keep remembering the ones they didn't play. I was glad to hear 'Hear you me' and have a sway about - reminds us they're not a one-trick pony and can do poppy and infectious and quiet and brooding all in one evening.
Jim introduced Dizzy as his favourite song on the new album (we'll have to agree to disagree there) and they ended the night with 'The Middle', which was hardly surprising, but got a lot of the crowd singing along.
They're a great band, but until the Academy gets sorted out, I don't think any band are going to sound truly amazing in there. Hopefully by the next time someone plays there that I want to see, it'll be OK!
8/10
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
February giddy gig-ness
I am hoping that the rest of the year is as good as the first week in February has been with regard to gigs. It was always going to be good seeing as it involved seeing Coheed and Cambria twice in a weekend and they're one of my favourite bands. Added in was the fact that Spy Versus Spy have sort-of-reformed and were playing in Leeds on Saturday. Dodgy weather forecasts, a very busy week at work and other things going on and stressing me out made me question whether it'd all come off but 2 days later and I am still a bit hyper.
First off was Friday night at the Academy for the Kerrang! Tour, or, put better, Coheed and Cambria show 1/2. If anyone reads this from the Academy - GET IT FINISHED! It's a mess and it's cold going to those toilets outside! The sound was pretty bad too - noisy because there's nothing to absorb the noise. And it snowed. And someone was sick very near to my shoe which made me think about the first time I ever went there and my mother had read something about the streets being paved with vomit near the Academy. Well, about 15 years later I have finally seen some proof of that. Whingeing aside, we got there during Fightstar who were just like Fightstar always are - good at what they do and to see live but not quite good enough to make me actually listen to their album.
Madina Lake on Friday were, frankly, awful. More screaming girls again which made me bristle but they just sounded bad. They redeemed themselves a little on Sunday. Sort of.
I was there for one reason only anyway - the mighty Coheed and Cambria. OK so they're not everyone's idea of fun but there's just something massive about their music that makes everything OK for the hour or so they were on for. The setlist focussed on a lot of the new album, which sounded great. No World For Tomorrow is a big, big song and gave us time to get used to the female backing singers. Tried to push images of Bill and Ted and 'The Babes' out of my head for that. A Favor House Atlantic got the crowd going and I was more than pleased to hear Devil in Jersey City after The Trooper. My current favourite song on the new album is Feathers and seeing as I've been living under a stone for a while, I hadn't realised it is the next single so was rather chuffed they played it. The only 2 songs you can finish off a Coheed show with are In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth and Welcome Home. Epic songs for an epic band and lots of swaying and 'woh'-ing. Fantastic. Made me very excited for Sunday.
Saturday and a lot of the snow had gone so off we went on the M62, including a little song as we passed the farm in the middle, and turned up in Leeds. Checked into the hotel and went to find the pub where SVS were playing. Didn't look too hopeful in the food line so found a bizarre little Italian restaurant, stuffed our faces, then back to the Fenton for a quarrel with the bar staff over the quiz machine eating £1.60 of my hard-earned cash and refusing me even a simple geography question. First band on in the tiny room upstairs (glad no one was sick up there!) were Cocean, who I think said they were from Barnsley, though I may have dreamt that. I was surprised as when I'd seen a female singer with a keyboard, I had started to worry. Their post-rock sounds went down well though and I will probably get round to looking them up one day.
Had a bit of a sit down after that - it had been a long day - and have forgotten the name of the next band we saw, though I think it may have been 'Upon Me' or 'Above Me'. They were growly and Yorkshire and unfeasibly young but again surprisingly good.
Spy Versus Spy! We tried to figure how long since we saw them but gave up because it was too hard and we felt old. They opened with a new song, which to be honest, I didn't really get. I'm also clueless when it comes to the names of the band or the songs - more Danny's thing than mine. Anyway, the really shouty man has left and been replaced by a man who appeared to be a clone of Mark Arm in about 1991. When they played songs that I know (but not the titles I'm afraid) they were really very very good, but it just wasn't quite like it used to be. They still play it like they mean it though and the drummer is incredible, especially in his unexpected and prolonged drum solo - not de rigeur in this type of music (which I will allow you to tag as emo as this is what the term means to me - none of this poppy crap. Rant over.) Anyway, t'other half had a beaming grin, we had a chat with the drummer and then went back to the hotel with chip naans. Result.
Sunday started how all good days should i.e. with a breakfast buffet. Note of caution to anyone staying in the Holiday Inn Express - the air-con is stupidly noisy. We attempted to go in the Henry Moore Institute but most of it is closed whilst the latest exhibition is installed. The Art Gallery didn't open for a couple of hours so we had a mooch round the shops and I got the last 2 Amory Wars comics. Claudio from Coheed & Cambria was due to do a signing at Forbidden Planet but I'd not been able to get tickets as there were only 100 and I don't live in Leeds. Undeterred we popped off to the shop on the off-chance there were some returned. There weren't but the guys in the shop were helpful and I got to hold a massive Domo Kun for a couple of minutes.
The Art Gallery was great so we spent ages in there, leaving time for some p
ub grub and another wander to Forbidden Planet on the off chance. Got there and they nearly had all the ticket holders through so lucky us managed to tag on the back of the queue and get in! Got a bit giddy and got all my comics out but Claudio seemed a nice guy and signed all my comics and let me take a picture. I don't think I got too starstruck - honest - and went off to the gig with a stupid grin (see photo!)
As for the gig - same setlists etc really as Friday. Managed to see Circa Survive this time but couldn't make up my mind whether I liked them or not. Fightstar were the same as Friday. Madina Lake couldn't have been worse than Friday and seemed to benefit from the much better acoustics in Leeds Refectory. There were still screaming girls and they did a cover of 'March of the Pigs' (NIN) but I was still less offended by them than I was on Friday. Maybe I was in a better mood. Plus we'd wangled space on the balcony and had a good view and no one near who looked nauseous.
Coheed again! Much better than on Friday as the sound was better. Claudio seems much more talkative than on previous tours and we had some proper metal stances and playing of guitar behind the head etc. The setlist was (I think) the same as Friday so I grinned in all the same places and we had lots more woh-ing. New drummer, Chris Pennie, fits in well with the dynamic and Claudio's voice seems strong as ever. I was going to try to describe the band for any of you who don't know them, but it's hard apart from they have a lot of prog-rock elements but catchy hooks. Best just look them up! The setlist seemed more weighted towards what I refer to as the epic songs but the crowd lapped it all up. An hour is nowhere near enough to see what they have to offer, but it'll have to do till next time. Hope they come back with a 'proper' tour soon - can't wait!
First off was Friday night at the Academy for the Kerrang! Tour, or, put better, Coheed and Cambria show 1/2. If anyone reads this from the Academy - GET IT FINISHED! It's a mess and it's cold going to those toilets outside! The sound was pretty bad too - noisy because there's nothing to absorb the noise. And it snowed. And someone was sick very near to my shoe which made me think about the first time I ever went there and my mother had read something about the streets being paved with vomit near the Academy. Well, about 15 years later I have finally seen some proof of that. Whingeing aside, we got there during Fightstar who were just like Fightstar always are - good at what they do and to see live but not quite good enough to make me actually listen to their album.
Madina Lake on Friday were, frankly, awful. More screaming girls again which made me bristle but they just sounded bad. They redeemed themselves a little on Sunday. Sort of.
I was there for one reason only anyway - the mighty Coheed and Cambria. OK so they're not everyone's idea of fun but there's just something massive about their music that makes everything OK for the hour or so they were on for. The setlist focussed on a lot of the new album, which sounded great. No World For Tomorrow is a big, big song and gave us time to get used to the female backing singers. Tried to push images of Bill and Ted and 'The Babes' out of my head for that. A Favor House Atlantic got the crowd going and I was more than pleased to hear Devil in Jersey City after The Trooper. My current favourite song on the new album is Feathers and seeing as I've been living under a stone for a while, I hadn't realised it is the next single so was rather chuffed they played it. The only 2 songs you can finish off a Coheed show with are In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth and Welcome Home. Epic songs for an epic band and lots of swaying and 'woh'-ing. Fantastic. Made me very excited for Sunday.
Saturday and a lot of the snow had gone so off we went on the M62, including a little song as we passed the farm in the middle, and turned up in Leeds. Checked into the hotel and went to find the pub where SVS were playing. Didn't look too hopeful in the food line so found a bizarre little Italian restaurant, stuffed our faces, then back to the Fenton for a quarrel with the bar staff over the quiz machine eating £1.60 of my hard-earned cash and refusing me even a simple geography question. First band on in the tiny room upstairs (glad no one was sick up there!) were Cocean, who I think said they were from Barnsley, though I may have dreamt that. I was surprised as when I'd seen a female singer with a keyboard, I had started to worry. Their post-rock sounds went down well though and I will probably get round to looking them up one day.
Had a bit of a sit down after that - it had been a long day - and have forgotten the name of the next band we saw, though I think it may have been 'Upon Me' or 'Above Me'. They were growly and Yorkshire and unfeasibly young but again surprisingly good.
Spy Versus Spy! We tried to figure how long since we saw them but gave up because it was too hard and we felt old. They opened with a new song, which to be honest, I didn't really get. I'm also clueless when it comes to the names of the band or the songs - more Danny's thing than mine. Anyway, the really shouty man has left and been replaced by a man who appeared to be a clone of Mark Arm in about 1991. When they played songs that I know (but not the titles I'm afraid) they were really very very good, but it just wasn't quite like it used to be. They still play it like they mean it though and the drummer is incredible, especially in his unexpected and prolonged drum solo - not de rigeur in this type of music (which I will allow you to tag as emo as this is what the term means to me - none of this poppy crap. Rant over.) Anyway, t'other half had a beaming grin, we had a chat with the drummer and then went back to the hotel with chip naans. Result.
Sunday started how all good days should i.e. with a breakfast buffet. Note of caution to anyone staying in the Holiday Inn Express - the air-con is stupidly noisy. We attempted to go in the Henry Moore Institute but most of it is closed whilst the latest exhibition is installed. The Art Gallery didn't open for a couple of hours so we had a mooch round the shops and I got the last 2 Amory Wars comics. Claudio from Coheed & Cambria was due to do a signing at Forbidden Planet but I'd not been able to get tickets as there were only 100 and I don't live in Leeds. Undeterred we popped off to the shop on the off-chance there were some returned. There weren't but the guys in the shop were helpful and I got to hold a massive Domo Kun for a couple of minutes.
The Art Gallery was great so we spent ages in there, leaving time for some p
ub grub and another wander to Forbidden Planet on the off chance. Got there and they nearly had all the ticket holders through so lucky us managed to tag on the back of the queue and get in! Got a bit giddy and got all my comics out but Claudio seemed a nice guy and signed all my comics and let me take a picture. I don't think I got too starstruck - honest - and went off to the gig with a stupid grin (see photo!)As for the gig - same setlists etc really as Friday. Managed to see Circa Survive this time but couldn't make up my mind whether I liked them or not. Fightstar were the same as Friday. Madina Lake couldn't have been worse than Friday and seemed to benefit from the much better acoustics in Leeds Refectory. There were still screaming girls and they did a cover of 'March of the Pigs' (NIN) but I was still less offended by them than I was on Friday. Maybe I was in a better mood. Plus we'd wangled space on the balcony and had a good view and no one near who looked nauseous.
Coheed again! Much better than on Friday as the sound was better. Claudio seems much more talkative than on previous tours and we had some proper metal stances and playing of guitar behind the head etc. The setlist was (I think) the same as Friday so I grinned in all the same places and we had lots more woh-ing. New drummer, Chris Pennie, fits in well with the dynamic and Claudio's voice seems strong as ever. I was going to try to describe the band for any of you who don't know them, but it's hard apart from they have a lot of prog-rock elements but catchy hooks. Best just look them up! The setlist seemed more weighted towards what I refer to as the epic songs but the crowd lapped it all up. An hour is nowhere near enough to see what they have to offer, but it'll have to do till next time. Hope they come back with a 'proper' tour soon - can't wait!
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Paramore/New Found Glory
29-01-08
Those of you who know me will know that Paramore aren't my most favourite band, but being the lovely wife that I am, I agreed to go and see them with t'other half the other night. It was indeed full of kids but this had the added bonus that it wasn't too crowded for us oldies at the back. New Found Glory are one of those bands I can take or leave and the sound was, frankly, awful when they were on. I will be generous and assume it was first-night-of-tour troubles. Still, had a bit of a singalong with some of their cover versions of songs that people don't like to admit they know.
Paramore are a lot better than they should be and despite being the bendiest band I have seen in a while, can hold their own even in a place like the Apollo. Biggest cheers were for single 'Emergency' and encore-finale 'Misery Business' but the highlight of the night for me was their bass player doing a somersault (a fair height too) whilst still playing. Lowlight was a misjudged cover of 'Sweetness' by Jimmy Eat World though there was amusement in seeing our 'world's biggest J.E.W. fan' in tow going purple. Only joking, Sara!
Still got more exciting gigs to go to yet but it was an ok sort of night - 7/10.
Those of you who know me will know that Paramore aren't my most favourite band, but being the lovely wife that I am, I agreed to go and see them with t'other half the other night. It was indeed full of kids but this had the added bonus that it wasn't too crowded for us oldies at the back. New Found Glory are one of those bands I can take or leave and the sound was, frankly, awful when they were on. I will be generous and assume it was first-night-of-tour troubles. Still, had a bit of a singalong with some of their cover versions of songs that people don't like to admit they know.
Paramore are a lot better than they should be and despite being the bendiest band I have seen in a while, can hold their own even in a place like the Apollo. Biggest cheers were for single 'Emergency' and encore-finale 'Misery Business' but the highlight of the night for me was their bass player doing a somersault (a fair height too) whilst still playing. Lowlight was a misjudged cover of 'Sweetness' by Jimmy Eat World though there was amusement in seeing our 'world's biggest J.E.W. fan' in tow going purple. Only joking, Sara!
Still got more exciting gigs to go to yet but it was an ok sort of night - 7/10.
Friday, 25 January 2008
2008 gigs so far
It's a new year and I appear to be incapable of remembering what gigs I saw last year, as I found out when trying to post a belated Top 5 on a website. So, to avoid this happening again, I'm going to write a small blog when I have been out and about. That way I won't forget! I'll adopt the good old marks out of 10 system I think.
I think I have only been to two gigs this year, but I could be wrong. That's why I need the blog.
First off was one of the Academy Unsigned gigs on 11th January. We went because our friend, Steve's band, The Allure, was playing. We caught the end of the first band, though not their name, who were more like Placebo than Placebo are nowadays. I'll admit that I was concerned when I was told I would be watching an indie band with no drummer, but The Allure were actually ok - which coming from someone who is not a fan of that sort of music is about as good as it will get. The singer has one of those voices that is a millimetre away from sounding off-key but doesn't and sounds better for it. Reminded me a little of Joy Division. Their guitarist was, of course, excellent and it's good to see bands who are enjoying being up on stage so much. I would say 6 out of 10 as it's not my bag but they were good.
Gig 2 as far as I recall was 22nd January - Dashboard Confessional. I must admit again that it wasn't my top-ranked must-see gigs of the year. I like Swiss Army Romance but was put off a little bit by the stadium rock that seemed to pour out when we saw Chris with full band at Leeds last year. Luckily he's back on his own and acoustic. He sounded good and played all the songs I like, well almost, but I was irked by the screaming girls and over-enthusiastic whooping. I think I am getting old or something but rather than adding to the atmosphere, it just made me feel cross! Still, it was a reasonable way to spend a Tuesday night and the support, Tournaments, were also surprisingly good in a sort of Wonderstuff kind of way. 7 out of 10.
I will probably write more enthusiastic reviews when I am less tired and after Feb 3rd when I will have seen 3 gigs that weekend that are making me very excited!
I think I have only been to two gigs this year, but I could be wrong. That's why I need the blog.
First off was one of the Academy Unsigned gigs on 11th January. We went because our friend, Steve's band, The Allure, was playing. We caught the end of the first band, though not their name, who were more like Placebo than Placebo are nowadays. I'll admit that I was concerned when I was told I would be watching an indie band with no drummer, but The Allure were actually ok - which coming from someone who is not a fan of that sort of music is about as good as it will get. The singer has one of those voices that is a millimetre away from sounding off-key but doesn't and sounds better for it. Reminded me a little of Joy Division. Their guitarist was, of course, excellent and it's good to see bands who are enjoying being up on stage so much. I would say 6 out of 10 as it's not my bag but they were good.
Gig 2 as far as I recall was 22nd January - Dashboard Confessional. I must admit again that it wasn't my top-ranked must-see gigs of the year. I like Swiss Army Romance but was put off a little bit by the stadium rock that seemed to pour out when we saw Chris with full band at Leeds last year. Luckily he's back on his own and acoustic. He sounded good and played all the songs I like, well almost, but I was irked by the screaming girls and over-enthusiastic whooping. I think I am getting old or something but rather than adding to the atmosphere, it just made me feel cross! Still, it was a reasonable way to spend a Tuesday night and the support, Tournaments, were also surprisingly good in a sort of Wonderstuff kind of way. 7 out of 10.
I will probably write more enthusiastic reviews when I am less tired and after Feb 3rd when I will have seen 3 gigs that weekend that are making me very excited!
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