Danish band Mew were recently approached by an advertising company, working for a Norwegian Pay-TV channel, for the use of one of their songs in an upcoming campaign.
"Can we use Comforting Sounds in the new Canal Digital ad?" they asked.
"OK, but you'll have to pay us some money" said Mew.
"Err, we'll get back to you" replied the advertising company, who then proceeded to get someone to knock up a just-different-enough-so-they-won't-sue soundalike tune for their shiny new ad...
If you ask me that's not really different enough at all, it's practically the same. The band thought so to, as did their record company and their lawyers (if your Norwegian is good then you can read more information on the Verdens Gang website).
Following some intense legal banter later a deal was struck so that the ad could be shown this one time, with Mew compensated for the possible copyright exposure. Should the ad campaign be re-run at a later date however the tune in question will be changed to something that really doesn't sound anything at all like Comforting Sounds. Which, by the way, sounds like this...
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The Gigwatcher 28/03/2007
Shipoopi, Shipoopi, Shipoopi, the girl is hard to get.
Argh.
Do I not like the switch to Daylight Saving Time.
[insert long and aimless rant here about changing all the clocks in the house, which of course includes the video you never use anymore so you have to find the pesky remote which is behind the sofa but it doesn't work because the batteries are flat and it takes those tiny AAA ones which you never ever have quite enough of]
And relax.
*koff*
Yes well, that's quite enough of that.. here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME:
Dub Pistols @ Komedia, Brighton - 11/04/2007
The Beat @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 13/04/2007
The Ripps @ Lennons, Southampton - 14/04/2007
Foals @ Lennons, Southampton - 21/04/2007
Zico Chain @ The Joiners, Southampton - 23/04/2007
The Envy Corps @ Lennons, Southampton - 05/05/2007
The Black Ghosts @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 17/05/2007
The Envy Corps @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 18/05/2007
The Pigeon Detectives @ Southampton University, Southampton - 21/05/2007
The Holloways @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 01/06/2007
The Cribs @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 06/06/2007
If I'm not watching endless re-runs of CSI on FiveUS I'll add the above gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar. As mentioned once or twice before the Events Calendar is made of ticky tacky and to use it you just need to register on the SoMC forum. In a Blue Peter style, here are some gigs I found earlier:
Scott Matthews @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/04/2007
The Model Village @ Havana Café Bar, Portsmouth - 06/04/2007
Winnebago Deal @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 13/04/2007
Wiservice @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 14/04/2007
Jeniferever @ The Hope, Brighton - 20/04/2007
Curtis Stigers @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 26/04/2007
Cradle of Filth @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 30/04/2007
Peter & The Test Tube Babies @ The Joiners, Southampton - 30/04/2007
Hot Chip (DJ set) @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 12/05/2007
The Hold Steady @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 04/07/2007
The Cooper Temple Clause's planned gig at The Pyramids on Wednesday 4th April has been moved to Wednesday 23rd May at The Wedgewood Rooms. Original tickets remain valid and, in other news, Kubichek! have been named as the support.
Chichester's Golden Section will be appearing at The Wedgewood Rooms this Saturday as support for local outfit The Exits. Also on the bill are Hijera from Southampton (aka "that band that won that thing on BBC South Today last year"). Some new tunage from Golden Section can be heard on their MySpace (it's well worth a listen if you get the chance).
Some more additions have been made to the line-up for this year's Isle of Wight Festival. Koopa, who made history by becoming the first unsigned band to break the UK Top 40, will be appearing on the Friday night. The Sunday bill now boasts the presence of ex-Spice Girl Melanie C. *koff* If, like me, you were unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for this year's Newport shindig then help is at hand, the organisers have announced an auction of an additional 100 weekend tickets. The bidding begins on Ticketmaster at 9am tomorrow morning. Clickity.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I have mostly been listening to the new LCD Soundsystem album (and resisting the temptation to break out the glo-sticks) and trying to get the sound of Peter Griffin singing that damn Music Man song out of my head.
Argh.
Do I not like the switch to Daylight Saving Time.
[insert long and aimless rant here about changing all the clocks in the house, which of course includes the video you never use anymore so you have to find the pesky remote which is behind the sofa but it doesn't work because the batteries are flat and it takes those tiny AAA ones which you never ever have quite enough of]
And relax.
*koff*
Yes well, that's quite enough of that.. here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME:
Dub Pistols @ Komedia, Brighton - 11/04/2007
The Beat @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 13/04/2007
The Ripps @ Lennons, Southampton - 14/04/2007
Foals @ Lennons, Southampton - 21/04/2007
Zico Chain @ The Joiners, Southampton - 23/04/2007
The Envy Corps @ Lennons, Southampton - 05/05/2007
The Black Ghosts @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 17/05/2007
The Envy Corps @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 18/05/2007
The Pigeon Detectives @ Southampton University, Southampton - 21/05/2007
The Holloways @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 01/06/2007
The Cribs @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 06/06/2007
If I'm not watching endless re-runs of CSI on FiveUS I'll add the above gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar. As mentioned once or twice before the Events Calendar is made of ticky tacky and to use it you just need to register on the SoMC forum. In a Blue Peter style, here are some gigs I found earlier:
Scott Matthews @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/04/2007
The Model Village @ Havana Café Bar, Portsmouth - 06/04/2007
Winnebago Deal @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 13/04/2007
Wiservice @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 14/04/2007
Jeniferever @ The Hope, Brighton - 20/04/2007
Curtis Stigers @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 26/04/2007
Cradle of Filth @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 30/04/2007
Peter & The Test Tube Babies @ The Joiners, Southampton - 30/04/2007
Hot Chip (DJ set) @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 12/05/2007
The Hold Steady @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 04/07/2007
The Cooper Temple Clause's planned gig at The Pyramids on Wednesday 4th April has been moved to Wednesday 23rd May at The Wedgewood Rooms. Original tickets remain valid and, in other news, Kubichek! have been named as the support.
Chichester's Golden Section will be appearing at The Wedgewood Rooms this Saturday as support for local outfit The Exits. Also on the bill are Hijera from Southampton (aka "that band that won that thing on BBC South Today last year"). Some new tunage from Golden Section can be heard on their MySpace (it's well worth a listen if you get the chance).
Some more additions have been made to the line-up for this year's Isle of Wight Festival. Koopa, who made history by becoming the first unsigned band to break the UK Top 40, will be appearing on the Friday night. The Sunday bill now boasts the presence of ex-Spice Girl Melanie C. *koff* If, like me, you were unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for this year's Newport shindig then help is at hand, the organisers have announced an auction of an additional 100 weekend tickets. The bidding begins on Ticketmaster at 9am tomorrow morning. Clickity.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I have mostly been listening to the new LCD Soundsystem album (and resisting the temptation to break out the glo-sticks) and trying to get the sound of Peter Griffin singing that damn Music Man song out of my head.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Pure Reason Revolution - Victorious Cupid
Reading's Pure Reason Revolution have released a new tune, Victorious Cupid, for free download via their MySpace. The song will only be available for a limited period and, whilst perhaps sounding like a potted version of The Dark Third, is a good sign that the band is back on track after recent problems.
If you caught the band on their recent tour you may have picked up a CD sleeve which can be used to house this 'single' should you choose to burn the song to a CDR.
Furthermore a new fan-forum has sprung up, replacing the defunct official one on the band's label-led website. You can now join fellow fans in The Realm of The Divine. Which is nice.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Gigwatcher 21/03/2007
Do you want a pie with your gravy and fries combination?
I tell you, I'm getting proper fed up with the seemingly endless engineering works that Network Rail are inflicting on Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. Saturday night should have seen me quite happily sitting on a comfy chair, drinking beer whilst watching Holly Valance and Devon Aoki impress me with their martial artistry.
Instead I found myself standing at a bus stop for nearly an hour, freezing my Converse off, waiting for a replacement bus service because the men in the orange rave gear were doing things to the signals again. When the blinking flip bus finally arrived I impatiently leapt aboard (no, really I did) and scampered up to the top deck. All went well as far as Cosham, after which it soon transpired that I'd got on the wrong bus.
It sped past the Farlington turn-off and took me toward a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than Mos Eisley spaceport.
Havant Railway Station.
Thankfully the coach I was looking for made an appearance before too long and, with an ABBA loving coach driver at the wheel, I made it safely to Portsmouth.
I was only two hours late as well, which is pretty good for me.
*koff*
Moving swiftly on.. here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME (which this week came with FREE stickers, just what I need to decorate my Sociology textbook):
The Little Flames @ Lennon's, Southampton - 24/03/2007
Air Traffic @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 25/03/2007
The Bees @ Audio, Brighton - 27/03/2007
Stephen Fretwell @ Red Roaster, Brighton - 11/05/2007
Duke Special @ The Brook, Southampton - 11/05/2007
Laura Marling @ Mono, Southampton - 08/04/2007
Good Books @ The Hope, Brighton - 12/04/2007
Good Books @ The Railway, Winchester - 14/04/2007
Ghosts @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/04/2007
Luke Toms @ The Joiners, Southampton - 25/04/2007
The Cribs @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 06/06/2007
Kings of Leon @ BIC, Bournemouth - 04/07/2007
Babyshambles @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 25/11/2007
Babyshambles @ BIC, Bournemouth - 26/11/2007
If events don't conspire against me again, and I don't get on the wrong bus and end up somewhere in the back of beyond, I'll update the SoMC Events Calendar with the above gigs just as soon as I can. The Events Calendar ecky ecky ecky ftang ftang gnarly whoop and all you need to do is register on the SoMC forum to use it. Here are some gigs I've lifted from the Events Calendar to tickle your fancy:
Buswell @ The Nell Gwynne, Portsmouth - 24/03/2007
The Strange Death Of Liberal England @ The Registry, Portsmouth - 29/03/2007
The Fall @ The Old Market, Brighton - 29/03/2007
The Cheese Doctors @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 31/03/2007
The Mods @ The Brook, Southampton - 05/04/2007
The Hollies @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 11/04/2007
Voodoo Glow Skulls @ Nexus, Southampton - 18/04/2007
Steve Winwood @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 21/04/2007
Loudon Wainwright III @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 22/04/2007
The Go! Team @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 17/05/2007
The ELO Experience @ The Brook, Southampton - 18/05/2007
Monday night's cancelled Deftones gig at Portsmouth Guildhall has been rescheduled to Sunday 15th April. Karnataka's cancelled Thursday 1st March gig at The Brook has been rescheduled to Thursday 19th April. Original tickets for both events remain valid, which is nice.
What must be the worst kept secret this year, that The Rolling Stones will be headlining the Sunday night of the Isle of Wight Festival, was inadvertently sort of confirmed by Virgin Radio yesterday. The official site have yet to say it's so, and the article on Virgin Radio's website has up and disappeared, but it looks certain that rock's favourite pensioners will be strutting their stuff in Seaclose Park this June (if they don't fall asleep during Keane's set that is).
As mentioned previously the mighty Brannigan's Law will be sailing out into the Solent for their next gig, having been booked to play Spitbank Fort on Saturday 12th May alongside The Model Village and The Fret. As some regular readers may recall the SoMC's own guitar hero Ant Shue is in the band, pictures of him perfecting his power lunge are available on the band's MySpace. Giggity!
In other news, I've posted up a link to the Museum of Bad Art on the sleepy confines of the forum; it really does feature some of the most appallingly bad paintings I've seen. Excellent.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to Paul Anka swinging his way through some contemporary rock and pop classics. His take on Black Hole Sun is, arguably, better than the original.
:o)
PS One last thing, is it just me or does the new Take That single sound like the theme to The Fall Guy in places?
I tell you, I'm getting proper fed up with the seemingly endless engineering works that Network Rail are inflicting on Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. Saturday night should have seen me quite happily sitting on a comfy chair, drinking beer whilst watching Holly Valance and Devon Aoki impress me with their martial artistry.
Instead I found myself standing at a bus stop for nearly an hour, freezing my Converse off, waiting for a replacement bus service because the men in the orange rave gear were doing things to the signals again. When the blinking flip bus finally arrived I impatiently leapt aboard (no, really I did) and scampered up to the top deck. All went well as far as Cosham, after which it soon transpired that I'd got on the wrong bus.
It sped past the Farlington turn-off and took me toward a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than Mos Eisley spaceport.
Havant Railway Station.
Thankfully the coach I was looking for made an appearance before too long and, with an ABBA loving coach driver at the wheel, I made it safely to Portsmouth.
I was only two hours late as well, which is pretty good for me.
*koff*
Moving swiftly on.. here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME (which this week came with FREE stickers, just what I need to decorate my Sociology textbook):
The Little Flames @ Lennon's, Southampton - 24/03/2007
Air Traffic @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 25/03/2007
The Bees @ Audio, Brighton - 27/03/2007
Stephen Fretwell @ Red Roaster, Brighton - 11/05/2007
Duke Special @ The Brook, Southampton - 11/05/2007
Laura Marling @ Mono, Southampton - 08/04/2007
Good Books @ The Hope, Brighton - 12/04/2007
Good Books @ The Railway, Winchester - 14/04/2007
Ghosts @ The Joiners, Southampton - 15/04/2007
Luke Toms @ The Joiners, Southampton - 25/04/2007
The Cribs @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 06/06/2007
Kings of Leon @ BIC, Bournemouth - 04/07/2007
Babyshambles @ Brighton Centre, Brighton - 25/11/2007
Babyshambles @ BIC, Bournemouth - 26/11/2007
If events don't conspire against me again, and I don't get on the wrong bus and end up somewhere in the back of beyond, I'll update the SoMC Events Calendar with the above gigs just as soon as I can. The Events Calendar ecky ecky ecky ftang ftang gnarly whoop and all you need to do is register on the SoMC forum to use it. Here are some gigs I've lifted from the Events Calendar to tickle your fancy:
Buswell @ The Nell Gwynne, Portsmouth - 24/03/2007
The Strange Death Of Liberal England @ The Registry, Portsmouth - 29/03/2007
The Fall @ The Old Market, Brighton - 29/03/2007
The Cheese Doctors @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 31/03/2007
The Mods @ The Brook, Southampton - 05/04/2007
The Hollies @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 11/04/2007
Voodoo Glow Skulls @ Nexus, Southampton - 18/04/2007
Steve Winwood @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 21/04/2007
Loudon Wainwright III @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 22/04/2007
The Go! Team @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 17/05/2007
The ELO Experience @ The Brook, Southampton - 18/05/2007
Monday night's cancelled Deftones gig at Portsmouth Guildhall has been rescheduled to Sunday 15th April. Karnataka's cancelled Thursday 1st March gig at The Brook has been rescheduled to Thursday 19th April. Original tickets for both events remain valid, which is nice.
What must be the worst kept secret this year, that The Rolling Stones will be headlining the Sunday night of the Isle of Wight Festival, was inadvertently sort of confirmed by Virgin Radio yesterday. The official site have yet to say it's so, and the article on Virgin Radio's website has up and disappeared, but it looks certain that rock's favourite pensioners will be strutting their stuff in Seaclose Park this June (if they don't fall asleep during Keane's set that is).
As mentioned previously the mighty Brannigan's Law will be sailing out into the Solent for their next gig, having been booked to play Spitbank Fort on Saturday 12th May alongside The Model Village and The Fret. As some regular readers may recall the SoMC's own guitar hero Ant Shue is in the band, pictures of him perfecting his power lunge are available on the band's MySpace. Giggity!
In other news, I've posted up a link to the Museum of Bad Art on the sleepy confines of the forum; it really does feature some of the most appallingly bad paintings I've seen. Excellent.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to Paul Anka swinging his way through some contemporary rock and pop classics. His take on Black Hole Sun is, arguably, better than the original.
:o)
PS One last thing, is it just me or does the new Take That single sound like the theme to The Fall Guy in places?
Friday, March 16, 2007
Under Byen - Af samme stof som stof
It's quirky, it's Danish and I just can't stop playing it:
The track is taken from Under Byen's 2006 album Samme stof som stof (which translates as 'same matter as fabric' according to their Wiki); the MP3 is also available as a free download from their website. Nice.
The track is taken from Under Byen's 2006 album Samme stof som stof (which translates as 'same matter as fabric' according to their Wiki); the MP3 is also available as a free download from their website. Nice.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm
Loveable northern scamps Arctic Monkeys are back with a taster of the new album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, and there's still no sign of the inevitable backlash from the NME. On the contrary Brianstorm was named Single Of The Week in today's issue.
I've given the song a couple of listens and, though at first I wasn't too sure, now I'm certain they've borrowed Brian Molko's Rhyming Dictionary; lyrically it's weak, though there are a couple of typically choice lines. Musically the tune fair roars along. The drums are louder, the guitars faster and it would appear that all the touring has paid off with a desire to rock things up a bit.
The video is slickly done, though bears no relation to the song at all. I haven't the foggiest why the Monkeys appear to be locked in Joy Division's rehearsal room whilst P.Diddy's dancers shake their collective booty next door.
There's something about that initial "Brian" that makes me think of Monty Python. Guesses to how long before a "He's not an Arctic Monkey, he's a very naughty boy" mash-up hits the net on a postcard please.
I've given the song a couple of listens and, though at first I wasn't too sure, now I'm certain they've borrowed Brian Molko's Rhyming Dictionary; lyrically it's weak, though there are a couple of typically choice lines. Musically the tune fair roars along. The drums are louder, the guitars faster and it would appear that all the touring has paid off with a desire to rock things up a bit.
The video is slickly done, though bears no relation to the song at all. I haven't the foggiest why the Monkeys appear to be locked in Joy Division's rehearsal room whilst P.Diddy's dancers shake their collective booty next door.
There's something about that initial "Brian" that makes me think of Monty Python. Guesses to how long before a "He's not an Arctic Monkey, he's a very naughty boy" mash-up hits the net on a postcard please.
The Gigwatcher 14/03/2007
We now return you to our regular programming.
A weekend spent imbibing Jérôme Hatt's miracle elixir greatly assisted my recovery from last week's exertions; my muscles have recovered and I can now go from sitting to standing to walking smoothly (and not like the badly animated claymation figure I was last Thursday and Friday).
Excellent.
Though it was fun pretending to be Morph for a couple of days.
*koff*
No time for the Gallery I'm afraid, here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME (which this week came with a free DVD, so was of course dearer than usual):
Thirteen Senses @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 25/03/2007
Josh Pyke @ Engine Room, Brighton - 26/03/2007
Herman Dune @ Dome Bar, Brighton - 01/04/2007
Arctic Monkeys @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 09/04/2007 (tickets are only available via the band's website)
The Wombats @ Unit22, Southampton - 05/05/2007
Groove Armada @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 11/05/2007
Biffy Clyro @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 20/05/2007
If I'm not hiding in cigar boxes or plopping through Tony Hart's big desk I'll update the SoMC Events Calendar with the above gigs. The Events Calendar is yadda yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah and all you need to do is register on the SoMC forum to use it. The following gigs are a taster of what can be found on the Events Calendar:
OK Tokyo @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 15/03/2007
Captain @ LUX/Student Union, Portsmouth University - 16/03/2007
Stout @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/03/2007
10cc @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 18/03/2007
Fitkin:Garland @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 21/03/2007
Ben Mills @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 26/03/2007
Bad Manners @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Southsea - 29/03/2007
David Kitt @ Audio, Brighton - 21/04/2007
The Wildhearts @ The Brook, Southampton - 23/04/2007
Tom McRae @ Concorde2, Brighton - 20/05/2007
Alabama3 @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 05/06/2007
Following in the steps of The Police, Crowded House and Genesis the cheeky chaps from Squeeze have decided to dusting off their boots and head out on tour; they'll be stopping at Southampton Guildhall on Tuesday 27th November. From what I can make out it's Messrs Difford and Tilbrook plus some other guys, no sign of Jools Holland (who'll be on tour himself at roughly the same time), Paul Carrack or any of the other chaps on the band's Wikipedia entry.
More acts have been announced for this year's Isle of Wight Festival. Eighties legends Echo & The Bunnymen have been added to the Friday line-up, the combined talents of The Clash's Mick Jones and Sigue Sigue Sputnik's Tony James, aka Carbon/Silicon, are now performing on the Saturday. Woodstock icon Country Joe McDonald and Glasgow's The Hedrons have been announced for the Sunday but there's till no word on that day's headliner.
To celebrate the refurbishment of Bournemouth's Opera House a special Indie Rock'n'Roll Launch Party is being held there on Friday 1st June. Jo Whiley does the honours with the red ribbon after which The Twang, The Young Knives and The Holloways will be entertaining the crowd. The Futureheads will be performing a DJ set as well, which is nice.
The ever impressive Steve Arnott will be standing underneath the stairs again at the Frog & Frigate this coming Friday. As it's also Red Nose Day there's a slim chance he may treat you to a couple of the (fairly rude) comedic songs he knows, make him an offer and see what he says.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to OKGo and contemplating buying several treadmills to furnish my lounge with.
:o)
A weekend spent imbibing Jérôme Hatt's miracle elixir greatly assisted my recovery from last week's exertions; my muscles have recovered and I can now go from sitting to standing to walking smoothly (and not like the badly animated claymation figure I was last Thursday and Friday).
Excellent.
Though it was fun pretending to be Morph for a couple of days.
*koff*
No time for the Gallery I'm afraid, here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME (which this week came with a free DVD, so was of course dearer than usual):
Thirteen Senses @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 25/03/2007
Josh Pyke @ Engine Room, Brighton - 26/03/2007
Herman Dune @ Dome Bar, Brighton - 01/04/2007
Arctic Monkeys @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 09/04/2007 (tickets are only available via the band's website)
The Wombats @ Unit22, Southampton - 05/05/2007
Groove Armada @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 11/05/2007
Biffy Clyro @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 20/05/2007
If I'm not hiding in cigar boxes or plopping through Tony Hart's big desk I'll update the SoMC Events Calendar with the above gigs. The Events Calendar is yadda yadda yadda yadda blah blah blah and all you need to do is register on the SoMC forum to use it. The following gigs are a taster of what can be found on the Events Calendar:
OK Tokyo @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 15/03/2007
Captain @ LUX/Student Union, Portsmouth University - 16/03/2007
Stout @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/03/2007
10cc @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 18/03/2007
Fitkin:Garland @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 21/03/2007
Ben Mills @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 26/03/2007
Bad Manners @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Southsea - 29/03/2007
David Kitt @ Audio, Brighton - 21/04/2007
The Wildhearts @ The Brook, Southampton - 23/04/2007
Tom McRae @ Concorde2, Brighton - 20/05/2007
Alabama3 @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 05/06/2007
Following in the steps of The Police, Crowded House and Genesis the cheeky chaps from Squeeze have decided to dusting off their boots and head out on tour; they'll be stopping at Southampton Guildhall on Tuesday 27th November. From what I can make out it's Messrs Difford and Tilbrook plus some other guys, no sign of Jools Holland (who'll be on tour himself at roughly the same time), Paul Carrack or any of the other chaps on the band's Wikipedia entry.
More acts have been announced for this year's Isle of Wight Festival. Eighties legends Echo & The Bunnymen have been added to the Friday line-up, the combined talents of The Clash's Mick Jones and Sigue Sigue Sputnik's Tony James, aka Carbon/Silicon, are now performing on the Saturday. Woodstock icon Country Joe McDonald and Glasgow's The Hedrons have been announced for the Sunday but there's till no word on that day's headliner.
To celebrate the refurbishment of Bournemouth's Opera House a special Indie Rock'n'Roll Launch Party is being held there on Friday 1st June. Jo Whiley does the honours with the red ribbon after which The Twang, The Young Knives and The Holloways will be entertaining the crowd. The Futureheads will be performing a DJ set as well, which is nice.
The ever impressive Steve Arnott will be standing underneath the stairs again at the Frog & Frigate this coming Friday. As it's also Red Nose Day there's a slim chance he may treat you to a couple of the (fairly rude) comedic songs he knows, make him an offer and see what he says.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to OKGo and contemplating buying several treadmills to furnish my lounge with.
:o)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A fairly pointless thing for Last.FM users to play with...
If, like me, you're a sucker for Last.FM you may be interested in this fairly pointless internet doohickey I stumbled across.
The AEP Calculator works out how diverse your musical tastes are, or not, based on the top 50 artists in your Last.FM overall chart. Utilising some off-screen jiggery-pokery it does some sums and returns a number, usually under 5, equating to how varied your aural choices have been.
Greater than 4 means a very diverse taste in music, greater than 3 means fairly diverse taste in music, and so on. A 0 would most likely mean you listen to one artist obsessively, lower than that, and minus figures are possible, and you're probably faking it.
If you want to check what your AEP (apparently it stands for Anti-Exponential Profile) is then just click here and enter your Last.FM username in the box. Once your AEP is worked out you can add it to your Last.FM profile, show it off to your friends, that sort of thing.
My AEP is (currently) 3.09, though I think I could boost that it if I listen to more nose flute and Bulgarian hip-hop. Well, it's something to do.
The AEP Calculator works out how diverse your musical tastes are, or not, based on the top 50 artists in your Last.FM overall chart. Utilising some off-screen jiggery-pokery it does some sums and returns a number, usually under 5, equating to how varied your aural choices have been.
Greater than 4 means a very diverse taste in music, greater than 3 means fairly diverse taste in music, and so on. A 0 would most likely mean you listen to one artist obsessively, lower than that, and minus figures are possible, and you're probably faking it.
If you want to check what your AEP (apparently it stands for Anti-Exponential Profile) is then just click here and enter your Last.FM username in the box. Once your AEP is worked out you can add it to your Last.FM profile, show it off to your friends, that sort of thing.
My AEP is (currently) 3.09, though I think I could boost that it if I listen to more nose flute and Bulgarian hip-hop. Well, it's something to do.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The Gigwatcher 08/03/2007
I feel like a military academy, bits of me keep passing out.
No, it's not the latest song by Panic at the Disco, it's genuinely how I feel today. After helping Banto move house yesterday (hence the 24 hour delay in the Gigwatcher hitting the streets) I appear to have discovered muscles that I'd long neglected. After discovering them I gave them a good kicking and told them not to bother me again.
Does anyone have a girdle I could borrow?
*koff*
Eyes down for a full house, here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME:
The Xcerts @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/03/2007
The Electric Cinema @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 27/03/2007
The Rakes @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 30/03/2007
Camera Obscura @ The Joiners, Southampton - 04/04/2007
Fortune Drive @ Ocean Rooms, Brighton - 07/04/2007
The Moths @ Audio, Brighton - 13/04/2007
Camera Obscura @ Komedia, Brighton - 17/04/2007
The Electric Soft Parade @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/04/2007
Mr Hudson & The Library @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 20/05/2007
If I'm not liberally spraying parts of myself with Ralgex (which, as everyone knows, has a more potent effect than Lynx) I'll update the SoMC Events Calendar to include the above gigs. The Events Calendar is sprinkled with a wide variety of gigs in this here locale, to access it all you need do is register on the SoMC forum. For your consideration I've snipped the following gigs from it:
Jack Peñate @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 09/03/2007
Dragon Eye Morrison @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 10/03/2007
Rachelle Van Zante @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 14/03/2007
Mastodon @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 14/03/2007
Perfect Alibi @ The Brook, Southampton - 24/03/2007
Keith Waith and the Macusi Players @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 24/03/2007
Martin Simpson @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 28/03/2007
Scott Matthews @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/04/2007
Racketeers @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 13/04/2007
Julian Cope @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/05/2007
As nearly every other date on the Cold War Kids current tour has SOLD OUT it should come as no surprise that their gig at The Wedgewood Rooms on Thursday 19th April has done the same. Grobbits. The 36 Crazyfists gig at The Wedgewood Rooms on Sunday 22nd April has also SOLD OUT.
The Red Stripe Music Award 2007 Tour, effectively a countrywide battle of the bands competition (though the website says otherwise), pitches up at Talking Heads in Southampton on Thursday 12th April. Local acts Hijera, The Young Brothers Band and I Falter will be plying their trade in front of press, promoters and A&R types. Once the tour finishes in April a judging panel (made up of A&R teams present at each gig) will pick the best six acts from the whole shebang. The final will be held in London in May with the winning act receiving a support slot on tour with "a profile band". Which is nice.
The most excellent Erin McKeown has been announced as the support for the equally excellent Thea Gilmore on her imminent tour (which visits The Brook on Sunday 18th March). I'll be there, as will Smudger and The Shar, and hopefully I'll have recovered from whatever St Patrick's Day shenanigans I inflict on my liver the night before.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I mostly listened to Pure Reason Revolution (which doesn't sound like a good name for a band, but it is.. a band I mean) and the sonorous offerings of Mr Perry's Didgeridoo (which isn't a band but sounds as though it should be).
:o)
No, it's not the latest song by Panic at the Disco, it's genuinely how I feel today. After helping Banto move house yesterday (hence the 24 hour delay in the Gigwatcher hitting the streets) I appear to have discovered muscles that I'd long neglected. After discovering them I gave them a good kicking and told them not to bother me again.
Does anyone have a girdle I could borrow?
*koff*
Eyes down for a full house, here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME:
The Xcerts @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/03/2007
The Electric Cinema @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 27/03/2007
The Rakes @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 30/03/2007
Camera Obscura @ The Joiners, Southampton - 04/04/2007
Fortune Drive @ Ocean Rooms, Brighton - 07/04/2007
The Moths @ Audio, Brighton - 13/04/2007
Camera Obscura @ Komedia, Brighton - 17/04/2007
The Electric Soft Parade @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/04/2007
Mr Hudson & The Library @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 20/05/2007
If I'm not liberally spraying parts of myself with Ralgex (which, as everyone knows, has a more potent effect than Lynx) I'll update the SoMC Events Calendar to include the above gigs. The Events Calendar is sprinkled with a wide variety of gigs in this here locale, to access it all you need do is register on the SoMC forum. For your consideration I've snipped the following gigs from it:
Jack Peñate @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 09/03/2007
Dragon Eye Morrison @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 10/03/2007
Rachelle Van Zante @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 14/03/2007
Mastodon @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 14/03/2007
Perfect Alibi @ The Brook, Southampton - 24/03/2007
Keith Waith and the Macusi Players @ The Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 24/03/2007
Martin Simpson @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 28/03/2007
Scott Matthews @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 03/04/2007
Racketeers @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 13/04/2007
Julian Cope @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/05/2007
As nearly every other date on the Cold War Kids current tour has SOLD OUT it should come as no surprise that their gig at The Wedgewood Rooms on Thursday 19th April has done the same. Grobbits. The 36 Crazyfists gig at The Wedgewood Rooms on Sunday 22nd April has also SOLD OUT.
The Red Stripe Music Award 2007 Tour, effectively a countrywide battle of the bands competition (though the website says otherwise), pitches up at Talking Heads in Southampton on Thursday 12th April. Local acts Hijera, The Young Brothers Band and I Falter will be plying their trade in front of press, promoters and A&R types. Once the tour finishes in April a judging panel (made up of A&R teams present at each gig) will pick the best six acts from the whole shebang. The final will be held in London in May with the winning act receiving a support slot on tour with "a profile band". Which is nice.
The most excellent Erin McKeown has been announced as the support for the equally excellent Thea Gilmore on her imminent tour (which visits The Brook on Sunday 18th March). I'll be there, as will Smudger and The Shar, and hopefully I'll have recovered from whatever St Patrick's Day shenanigans I inflict on my liver the night before.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I mostly listened to Pure Reason Revolution (which doesn't sound like a good name for a band, but it is.. a band I mean) and the sonorous offerings of Mr Perry's Didgeridoo (which isn't a band but sounds as though it should be).
:o)
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Brannigan's Law at "the ultimate venue"
Mr Shue has given me the head's up on the next outing for the mighty Brannigan's Law. They'll be clambering onto a boat and heading out into the Solent for a gig on one of Lord Palmerston's follies:
As venue's go it's definitely one of strangest (not quite as bizarre as Sealand I'll grant you but it's not far off) and has all the makings of an excellent evening. Local bands The Fret, The Model Village and Brannigan's Law are all confirmed, Reading's The Skies complete the bill and tickets are a bargain £10.
OK so there's the additional £5 for the boat to Spitbank Fort to consider but, for a night's entertainment in most unusual surroundings, I can't see that being a problem. Buy your tickets, buy them now.
As venue's go it's definitely one of strangest (not quite as bizarre as Sealand I'll grant you but it's not far off) and has all the makings of an excellent evening. Local bands The Fret, The Model Village and Brannigan's Law are all confirmed, Reading's The Skies complete the bill and tickets are a bargain £10.
OK so there's the additional £5 for the boat to Spitbank Fort to consider but, for a night's entertainment in most unusual surroundings, I can't see that being a problem. Buy your tickets, buy them now.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
The Gigwatcher 28/02/2007
Thorin sits down and starts singing about gold.
So I ventured down into the staff restaurant at lunchtime, wondering what delights would await me as a Medieval theme menu had been organised for us hard-working civil service types. Much to my chagrin there were no busty wenches serving mead from large earthenware jugs, a serious lack of jousting and not one person humming the Knights of the Round Table song from Monty Python and The Holy Grail.
*koff*
OK, so hands up who's now got the tune in their heads? Excellent! Moving swiftly on, here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME:
The Strange Death of Liberal England @ The Joiners, Southampton - 08/03/2007
The Five O'Clock Heroes @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/03/2007
The Strange Death of Liberal England @ The Registry, Portsmouth - 29/03/2007
SixNationState @ The Joiners, Southampton - 06/04/2007
Midlake @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 12/04/2007
Yourcodenameis:Milo @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/04/2007
The Wombats @ Unit22, Southampton - 05/05/2007
The Pigeon Detectives @ Southampton University - 20/05/2007
Travis @ BIC, Bournemouth - 23/05/2007
New Young Pony Club @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 07/06/2007
New Young Pony Club @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 08/06/2007
I'll add those gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar as soon as I can, if I'm not too busy quaffing ale or saving young maidens from fiery dragons that is. The Events Calendar is jam packed of all sorts of gigs in the local area and can be clicked through to your heart's content just as soon as you've registered on the forum. To pique your interest I've plucked the following gigs from it:
Monique & The Paris Lite Band @ New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - 02/03/2007
Polly & The Billet Doux @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 04/03/2007
Barclay James Harvest @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 13/03/2007
Archie Bronson Outfit @ Audio, Brighton - 20/03/2007
DJ Format @ Ryde Theatre, Ryde - 24/03/2007
The Exits @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 31/03/2007
Martin Carthy @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 11/04/2007
Little Green @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/04/2007
Anti-Nowhere League @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 19/04/2007
Ugly Duckling @ The Consortium, Bournemouth - 27/04/2007
Bedouin Soundclash's gig at The Wedgewood Rooms on Thursday 15th March is now SOLD OUT. In a not so surprising turn of events so is the Rick Buckler & Bruce Foxton (from The Jam) gig there on Sunday 27th May.
Pancake Eating Freaks will be supporting The Rage Against The Machine UK Tribute at The Wedgewood Rooms on Friday 16th March. I mention this as it's also their uncle's birthday the same day. He's asked me to ask you to buy him a drink if you see him there, I'm sure you good people won't let me down.
The really rather tuneful One Weird Fish will be appearing at The Cellars at Eastney this Saturday. I'll be there and, although it's not my birthday until May, I'll let you buy me a drink if you feel you must. I'm easy like that.
If you're as confused by the current music licensing laws as I am then why not make yourself heard. A petition has been posted at the Number 10 website for you to register your disapproval, just point your browser here and do the necessary.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to ELO. Rock. Next week I'll be helping Banto move house, so the Gigwatcher will be hitting the streets on Thursday.
:o)
So I ventured down into the staff restaurant at lunchtime, wondering what delights would await me as a Medieval theme menu had been organised for us hard-working civil service types. Much to my chagrin there were no busty wenches serving mead from large earthenware jugs, a serious lack of jousting and not one person humming the Knights of the Round Table song from Monty Python and The Holy Grail.
*koff*
OK, so hands up who's now got the tune in their heads? Excellent! Moving swiftly on, here's what I found listed in the back pages of this week's NME:
The Strange Death of Liberal England @ The Joiners, Southampton - 08/03/2007
The Five O'Clock Heroes @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/03/2007
The Strange Death of Liberal England @ The Registry, Portsmouth - 29/03/2007
SixNationState @ The Joiners, Southampton - 06/04/2007
Midlake @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 12/04/2007
Yourcodenameis:Milo @ The Joiners, Southampton - 16/04/2007
The Wombats @ Unit22, Southampton - 05/05/2007
The Pigeon Detectives @ Southampton University - 20/05/2007
Travis @ BIC, Bournemouth - 23/05/2007
New Young Pony Club @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 07/06/2007
New Young Pony Club @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 08/06/2007
I'll add those gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar as soon as I can, if I'm not too busy quaffing ale or saving young maidens from fiery dragons that is. The Events Calendar is jam packed of all sorts of gigs in the local area and can be clicked through to your heart's content just as soon as you've registered on the forum. To pique your interest I've plucked the following gigs from it:
Monique & The Paris Lite Band @ New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - 02/03/2007
Polly & The Billet Doux @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 04/03/2007
Barclay James Harvest @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 13/03/2007
Archie Bronson Outfit @ Audio, Brighton - 20/03/2007
DJ Format @ Ryde Theatre, Ryde - 24/03/2007
The Exits @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 31/03/2007
Martin Carthy @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 11/04/2007
Little Green @ The Joiners, Southampton - 18/04/2007
Anti-Nowhere League @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 19/04/2007
Ugly Duckling @ The Consortium, Bournemouth - 27/04/2007
Bedouin Soundclash's gig at The Wedgewood Rooms on Thursday 15th March is now SOLD OUT. In a not so surprising turn of events so is the Rick Buckler & Bruce Foxton (from The Jam) gig there on Sunday 27th May.
Pancake Eating Freaks will be supporting The Rage Against The Machine UK Tribute at The Wedgewood Rooms on Friday 16th March. I mention this as it's also their uncle's birthday the same day. He's asked me to ask you to buy him a drink if you see him there, I'm sure you good people won't let me down.
The really rather tuneful One Weird Fish will be appearing at The Cellars at Eastney this Saturday. I'll be there and, although it's not my birthday until May, I'll let you buy me a drink if you feel you must. I'm easy like that.
If you're as confused by the current music licensing laws as I am then why not make yourself heard. A petition has been posted at the Number 10 website for you to register your disapproval, just point your browser here and do the necessary.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to ELO. Rock. Next week I'll be helping Banto move house, so the Gigwatcher will be hitting the streets on Thursday.
:o)
Monday, February 26, 2007
IOW Festival sells out
This year's Isle of Wight Festival has sold out, in record time no less.
Doh.
If being too slow off the mark wasn't bad enough, bless the organiser's cotton socks if they didn't email me to rub my nose in it for missing out on one of the 50,000 tickets that went on sale last week (unlike Mr Shue, who was all ticketed up by lunchtime last Thursday).
Of course, I could always go completely insane and buy one of the many tickets that have appeared on ebay since they were released for sale to the public. But, I have to ask myself, do I really want to fork out £360 to see Keane.
H'mm.
That'd be a no then.
Doh.
If being too slow off the mark wasn't bad enough, bless the organiser's cotton socks if they didn't email me to rub my nose in it for missing out on one of the 50,000 tickets that went on sale last week (unlike Mr Shue, who was all ticketed up by lunchtime last Thursday).
Of course, I could always go completely insane and buy one of the many tickets that have appeared on ebay since they were released for sale to the public. But, I have to ask myself, do I really want to fork out £360 to see Keane.
H'mm.
That'd be a no then.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Courtney Pine @ The Wedgewood Rooms 24/02/2007
Jazz.
Even saying the word can provoke an instant, sometimes violent, reaction in people. An over-exposure to Kenny Ball's Jazzmen at an early age can scar someone for life; just the image of a moustachioed man in a bowler hat can cause cold sweats and tremors in folks I know.
Not me though. Oh no.
Unfortunately it's likely this mental conditioning of what jazz is that puts people off. It may also explain the dearth of jazz in our record shops, something Courtney Pine railed against at the end of his set last night, and perhaps even the less than full venue in which he found himself.
Perhaps.
For the most part the ebullient Pine entertained us with some funky slices of sax jazz, backed by his exceedingly talented band (two fifths of which had acted as his support). A selection of his back catalogue, mixed with jazz standards such as the classic Take Five, were dropped on us like funky bombs. The hep-cat kids standing next to me were getting down, the tall guy in front of me was definitely nodding his head.
Great.
Unfortunately just weaving around the melody wasn't enough for Pine; soon the stereotypical jazz noodlings started and I had to strain to hear the notes he wasn't playing. The hep-cat kids were in ecstasy but I was getting lost. And then it got silly. Playing a saxophone fast is one thing and there's no denying that the saxophonic callasthenics were technically impressive. But playing it with no hands, or playing two at once? That's just showing off.
This was showboating for its own sake, the kind of musical masturbation I imagine Steve Vai gets up to. But I appeared to be alone in my opinion. The majority of the audience clapped politely after each noodly tootle; the hep-cat kids next to me shouted their appreciation and blew a large herbal cloud in my direction.
Mellow.
If I could play two saxophones at once I'd damn sure let everyone know about it, but it's a talent I feel would be more at home on Opportunity Knocks than onstage at The Wedgewood Rooms. Thankfully the showing off was reined in toward the end of the set and we were treated to a funky take on the Billy Taylor Trio's I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) for putting up with it.
Nice.
Before sending us out into the rain, and after making us jump up and down seventy two times to show our commitment to jazz, Courtney Pine made an impassioned plea on behalf of the UK jazz scene. Sadly, to a casual bystander like myself, the more outlandish elements of the evening's performance appear to explain the state it's in.
Even saying the word can provoke an instant, sometimes violent, reaction in people. An over-exposure to Kenny Ball's Jazzmen at an early age can scar someone for life; just the image of a moustachioed man in a bowler hat can cause cold sweats and tremors in folks I know.
Not me though. Oh no.
Unfortunately it's likely this mental conditioning of what jazz is that puts people off. It may also explain the dearth of jazz in our record shops, something Courtney Pine railed against at the end of his set last night, and perhaps even the less than full venue in which he found himself.
Perhaps.
For the most part the ebullient Pine entertained us with some funky slices of sax jazz, backed by his exceedingly talented band (two fifths of which had acted as his support). A selection of his back catalogue, mixed with jazz standards such as the classic Take Five, were dropped on us like funky bombs. The hep-cat kids standing next to me were getting down, the tall guy in front of me was definitely nodding his head.
Great.
Unfortunately just weaving around the melody wasn't enough for Pine; soon the stereotypical jazz noodlings started and I had to strain to hear the notes he wasn't playing. The hep-cat kids were in ecstasy but I was getting lost. And then it got silly. Playing a saxophone fast is one thing and there's no denying that the saxophonic callasthenics were technically impressive. But playing it with no hands, or playing two at once? That's just showing off.
This was showboating for its own sake, the kind of musical masturbation I imagine Steve Vai gets up to. But I appeared to be alone in my opinion. The majority of the audience clapped politely after each noodly tootle; the hep-cat kids next to me shouted their appreciation and blew a large herbal cloud in my direction.
Mellow.
If I could play two saxophones at once I'd damn sure let everyone know about it, but it's a talent I feel would be more at home on Opportunity Knocks than onstage at The Wedgewood Rooms. Thankfully the showing off was reined in toward the end of the set and we were treated to a funky take on the Billy Taylor Trio's I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) for putting up with it.
Nice.
Before sending us out into the rain, and after making us jump up and down seventy two times to show our commitment to jazz, Courtney Pine made an impassioned plea on behalf of the UK jazz scene. Sadly, to a casual bystander like myself, the more outlandish elements of the evening's performance appear to explain the state it's in.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Mew Live in Copenhagen DVD
The Mew Live in Copenhagen DVD arrived on my doorstep this morning. This is Mew's first live DVD, recorded at a packed KB Hallen in Copenhagen last March. Needless to say the disc was out of the jiffy bag and into the player before the cellophane could hit the floor.
The 16 track DVD favours the recent And The Glass Handed Kites album but that's to be expected. There are a couple of gems from earlier albums included in the set, both 156 and Comforting Sounds are accompanied by their mind-bending rear-projected films (you'll believe a cat can play the violin, I'm still not sure what those white things are though). In addition Jonas performs a delicate solo medley of Panda, Mica and Saliva at the piano. Also included on the decidedly minimalist DVD (no fancy menus with music) is a bonus 60 minute "documentary" of the making of ATGHK (or rather a collection of clips of the chaps in various rehearsal rooms and studios).
The only criticism I can muster, given that I'm fairly stoked to get my grubby little mitts on it, is that the footage has been tinkered around with too much in post-production; it's decidedly murky in places (either that or my TV screen is due a clean).
The Region 0 DVD was released in Denmark last December and it's not on general sale elsewhere as yet. It can be purchased from the Mew website via a link to Vibrashop but, thanks to a tip-off on the Mew forum, I pointed my browser to the Irish CDWOW site. There the DVD is available for a bargain €5.99 (someone must have screwed up, it should be €22.00 at least!).
Anyway, enough banter, here's the opening track of the DVD, Special:
The 16 track DVD favours the recent And The Glass Handed Kites album but that's to be expected. There are a couple of gems from earlier albums included in the set, both 156 and Comforting Sounds are accompanied by their mind-bending rear-projected films (you'll believe a cat can play the violin, I'm still not sure what those white things are though). In addition Jonas performs a delicate solo medley of Panda, Mica and Saliva at the piano. Also included on the decidedly minimalist DVD (no fancy menus with music) is a bonus 60 minute "documentary" of the making of ATGHK (or rather a collection of clips of the chaps in various rehearsal rooms and studios).
The only criticism I can muster, given that I'm fairly stoked to get my grubby little mitts on it, is that the footage has been tinkered around with too much in post-production; it's decidedly murky in places (either that or my TV screen is due a clean).
The Region 0 DVD was released in Denmark last December and it's not on general sale elsewhere as yet. It can be purchased from the Mew website via a link to Vibrashop but, thanks to a tip-off on the Mew forum, I pointed my browser to the Irish CDWOW site. There the DVD is available for a bargain €5.99 (someone must have screwed up, it should be €22.00 at least!).
Anyway, enough banter, here's the opening track of the DVD, Special:
Friday, February 23, 2007
The Sweater & MuchMusic on late night TV
A long time ago, way before the internet had us in its grip, back when mobile phones were the size of house bricks, my local ITV franchise didn't really know what to do with its overnight strand of programming. It toyed with viewer's votes for dodgy b-movies, re-ran strange one-shot series from the sixties about ghostly detectives or indestructible super police-type people, then wrapped up before breakfast with Casey Kasem telling us what was on at the cinema across the pond.
In-between this random selection of shows some bright spark had decided to crowbar in a 60 minute music show. Of course, being late night tv and having a near non-existent budget they couldn't afford anything expensive. But they could afford something Canadian.
An off the shelf package of promos and interviews from MuchMusic (sort of like MTV, but Canadian) was snapped up. From an editing suite in Toronto came a weekly snapshot of the Canadian music scene ideal for the international market. Just what your average music geek insomniac could ask for. The show was full of bands and artists I'd never heard of and I was frankly surprised to discover that there was more to Canadian music than Bryan Adams or, well, one of his mates.
As much fun as it was staying up until silly AM though I soon decided to tape the programme, spending hungover Sunday mornings watching an odd and often inconsistent mix of artists. More often than not the content was nothing to write home about (there was a reason the show was on at three in the morning) but, once in awhile, an artist would pop up that I'd take notice of.
One such act was a bunch of wacky dudes called Barenaked Ladies (you may have heard of them, they had a hit or two awhile back), another was Meryn Cadell (who no-one seems to have heard of). She produced a bizarre yet catchy tribute to boy's sweaters, spoken word over a rolling beat, which had a fittingly bizarre and memorable video.
And the point of this nostalgic interlude? The album featuring the song is being re-released (after being out of print for ages). I know this because, it being a Friday, I spent the afternoon pootling around the interweb like I usually do and stumbled across the video for The Sweater on YouTube:
In-between this random selection of shows some bright spark had decided to crowbar in a 60 minute music show. Of course, being late night tv and having a near non-existent budget they couldn't afford anything expensive. But they could afford something Canadian.
An off the shelf package of promos and interviews from MuchMusic (sort of like MTV, but Canadian) was snapped up. From an editing suite in Toronto came a weekly snapshot of the Canadian music scene ideal for the international market. Just what your average music geek insomniac could ask for. The show was full of bands and artists I'd never heard of and I was frankly surprised to discover that there was more to Canadian music than Bryan Adams or, well, one of his mates.
As much fun as it was staying up until silly AM though I soon decided to tape the programme, spending hungover Sunday mornings watching an odd and often inconsistent mix of artists. More often than not the content was nothing to write home about (there was a reason the show was on at three in the morning) but, once in awhile, an artist would pop up that I'd take notice of.
One such act was a bunch of wacky dudes called Barenaked Ladies (you may have heard of them, they had a hit or two awhile back), another was Meryn Cadell (who no-one seems to have heard of). She produced a bizarre yet catchy tribute to boy's sweaters, spoken word over a rolling beat, which had a fittingly bizarre and memorable video.
And the point of this nostalgic interlude? The album featuring the song is being re-released (after being out of print for ages). I know this because, it being a Friday, I spent the afternoon pootling around the interweb like I usually do and stumbled across the video for The Sweater on YouTube:
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Gigwatcher 21/02/2007
Woop ah whoa yeah yeah.
Ah, that Wednesday feeling again. Don't you just love it? No? How about when you realise it's nearly nearly almost the weekend. Almost.
OK, so that's a bit desperate.
Umm.
Moving swiftly on; this week's NME features a wee article about the Danish music scene. Sadly it neglects to mention the mighty Mew (who's concert DVD I'm still waiting for CD-WOW to dispatch) but does name-check The Blue Van and Figurines. Nice. There's also a mention of probably the best night-club in the world (that I've been to), Vega.
If only I'd not dropped my cheese and onion roll onto the article midway through reading it.
*koff*
This way to the cafeteria... here's what I found listed in the back pages this week:
Jack Peñate @ Lennon's, Southampton - 03/03/2007
Pull Tiger Tail @ Audio, Brighton - 04/03/2007
Mando Diao @ Audio, Brighton - 05/03/2007
The Hours @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 10/03/2007
Bedouin Soundclash @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/03/2007
The Rumble Strips @ Audio, Brighton - 23/03/2007
Jack Peñate @ Engine Rooms, Brighton - 02/04/2007
Fortune Drive @ Ocean Rooms, Brighton - 07/04/2007
Mumm-Ra @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 14/04/2007
Mumm-Ra @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 16/04/2007
The Maccabees @ The Old Market, Brighton - 18 & 19/04/2007
The Maccabees @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 26/04/2007
The Twang @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 09/05/2007
The Maccabees @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 16/05/2007
Funeral For A Friend @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 21/05/2007
The Twang @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 28/05/2007
If I'm not trapped under something heavy I'll add the above gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar. As mentioned once or twice already the Events Calendar contains listings of gigs in the local area and available for all to peruse (just as long as they've registered on the forum). I've lifted the following teasers from it to tickle your fancy:
The Kiks @ Havana Bar, Southsea - 23/02/2007
Ed Tudorpole @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 24/02/2007
African Soul Rebels (featuring Femi Kuti & Ba Cissoko) @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 24/02/2007
John Otway @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 01/03/2007
The Frank & Walters @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 04/03/2007
Artie Fishel & The Promised Band @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 08/03/2007 (one for all you Klezmer fans)
Focus @ The Brook, Southampton - 16/03/2007
The Bootleg Beatles @ The King's Theatre, Southsea - 16/03/2007
Cutting Crew @ The Brook, Southampton - 22/03/2007
Three Men & Black (featuring Pauline Black from The Selecter) @ The Cellars @ Eastney, Portsmouth - 25/03/2007
The James Taylor Quartet @ Havant Arts Centre, Havant - 06/04/2007
Ticket prices for The Who's gig at the Rose Bowl have been released. Standing tickets are £45.00 though, with a 10% booking fee per ticket plus postage per order, they'll set you back considerably more. If that's too rich for your blood then local tribute act Who's Who will be performing Quadrophenia in its entirety at The Wedgewood Rooms on the 25th of May.
The Manic Street Preachers tour in May is now, apparently, completely SOLD OUT. No, I couldn't believe it either.
As mentioned earlier the provisional line-up for this year's Isle of Wight Festival has been released. Snow Patrol headline the Friday night with Muse topping the bill on the Saturday. The headliners for the Sunday night have yet to be announced, I'll update the thread on the forum with more information as and when it's released.
Jeff Wayne is breaking out the lasers and giant Richard Burton head once more to bring his classic take on War of the Worlds to the stage. Justin Haywood again joins an assembled group of session musicians this December for the tour which stops at the BIC in Bournemouth on the 17th and at the Brighton Centre on the 19th. Uuuulllaaaaaaaa!
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to The Killers and Iron Butterfly. If you want to know what I'm listening to the rest of the time then check out my Last.FM.
:o)
Ah, that Wednesday feeling again. Don't you just love it? No? How about when you realise it's nearly nearly almost the weekend. Almost.
OK, so that's a bit desperate.
Umm.
Moving swiftly on; this week's NME features a wee article about the Danish music scene. Sadly it neglects to mention the mighty Mew (who's concert DVD I'm still waiting for CD-WOW to dispatch) but does name-check The Blue Van and Figurines. Nice. There's also a mention of probably the best night-club in the world (that I've been to), Vega.
If only I'd not dropped my cheese and onion roll onto the article midway through reading it.
*koff*
This way to the cafeteria... here's what I found listed in the back pages this week:
Jack Peñate @ Lennon's, Southampton - 03/03/2007
Pull Tiger Tail @ Audio, Brighton - 04/03/2007
Mando Diao @ Audio, Brighton - 05/03/2007
The Hours @ Pressure Point, Brighton - 10/03/2007
Bedouin Soundclash @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 15/03/2007
The Rumble Strips @ Audio, Brighton - 23/03/2007
Jack Peñate @ Engine Rooms, Brighton - 02/04/2007
Fortune Drive @ Ocean Rooms, Brighton - 07/04/2007
Mumm-Ra @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 14/04/2007
Mumm-Ra @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 16/04/2007
The Maccabees @ The Old Market, Brighton - 18 & 19/04/2007
The Maccabees @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 26/04/2007
The Twang @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 09/05/2007
The Maccabees @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 16/05/2007
Funeral For A Friend @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 21/05/2007
The Twang @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 28/05/2007
If I'm not trapped under something heavy I'll add the above gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar. As mentioned once or twice already the Events Calendar contains listings of gigs in the local area and available for all to peruse (just as long as they've registered on the forum). I've lifted the following teasers from it to tickle your fancy:
The Kiks @ Havana Bar, Southsea - 23/02/2007
Ed Tudorpole @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 24/02/2007
African Soul Rebels (featuring Femi Kuti & Ba Cissoko) @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 24/02/2007
John Otway @ The Railway Inn, Winchester - 01/03/2007
The Frank & Walters @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 04/03/2007
Artie Fishel & The Promised Band @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 08/03/2007 (one for all you Klezmer fans)
Focus @ The Brook, Southampton - 16/03/2007
The Bootleg Beatles @ The King's Theatre, Southsea - 16/03/2007
Cutting Crew @ The Brook, Southampton - 22/03/2007
Three Men & Black (featuring Pauline Black from The Selecter) @ The Cellars @ Eastney, Portsmouth - 25/03/2007
The James Taylor Quartet @ Havant Arts Centre, Havant - 06/04/2007
Ticket prices for The Who's gig at the Rose Bowl have been released. Standing tickets are £45.00 though, with a 10% booking fee per ticket plus postage per order, they'll set you back considerably more. If that's too rich for your blood then local tribute act Who's Who will be performing Quadrophenia in its entirety at The Wedgewood Rooms on the 25th of May.
The Manic Street Preachers tour in May is now, apparently, completely SOLD OUT. No, I couldn't believe it either.
As mentioned earlier the provisional line-up for this year's Isle of Wight Festival has been released. Snow Patrol headline the Friday night with Muse topping the bill on the Saturday. The headliners for the Sunday night have yet to be announced, I'll update the thread on the forum with more information as and when it's released.
Jeff Wayne is breaking out the lasers and giant Richard Burton head once more to bring his classic take on War of the Worlds to the stage. Justin Haywood again joins an assembled group of session musicians this December for the tour which stops at the BIC in Bournemouth on the 17th and at the Brighton Centre on the 19th. Uuuulllaaaaaaaa!
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I was mostly listening to The Killers and Iron Butterfly. If you want to know what I'm listening to the rest of the time then check out my Last.FM.
:o)
Monday, February 19, 2007
Isle of Wight Festival line-up announced
The provisional line-up for this year's Isle of Wight Festival was announced on Virgin Radio this morning. Unfortunately, despite an email reminder from the organisers, I slept straight through the announcement. Oops. Might've helped if I wasn't listening to the wrong station as well I guess.
Acts thus far confirmed to be appearing are as follows:
Friday 8th June
Snow Patrol
The Feeling
Saturday 9th June
Muse
Kasabian
Ash
Wolfmother
Amy Winehouse
Arno Carstens
Sunday 10th June
Headliner TBC
Keane
The Fratellis
Paolo Nutini
James Morrison
The Sunday headliner will be released in due course, as will most likely several more bands/artists to fill out the (radio-friendly?) bill. As per last year there are, unfortunately, no Day Tickets on sale; a Weekend non-camping ticket will cost £105 (plus booking fee), a Weekend camping ticket will set you back £125. Tickets go on sale at 9am this Thursday.
Acts thus far confirmed to be appearing are as follows:
Friday 8th June
Snow Patrol
The Feeling
Saturday 9th June
Muse
Kasabian
Ash
Wolfmother
Amy Winehouse
Arno Carstens
Sunday 10th June
Headliner TBC
Keane
The Fratellis
Paolo Nutini
James Morrison
The Sunday headliner will be released in due course, as will most likely several more bands/artists to fill out the (radio-friendly?) bill. As per last year there are, unfortunately, no Day Tickets on sale; a Weekend non-camping ticket will cost £105 (plus booking fee), a Weekend camping ticket will set you back £125. Tickets go on sale at 9am this Thursday.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Curtains for the Pyramids?
The News is reporting that Portsmouth City Council are pulling the plug on The Pyramids; apparently the cost of upkeep is too great to justify the expenditure given the numbers of people using the facility.
Of course it could be argued that, if proper investment had been made in the building over its lifetime, it wouldn't be in the rundown and more than a little bit dog-eared condition it now finds itself (and so the numbers of people using it wouldn't have plummeted). The bean counters have spoken however, and the complex looks likely to be demolished. In its place will be built a shiny new hotel and conference centre (which is just what Portsmouth needs... not).
The Pyramids might not be the greatest venue in the world but it's still a venue and one that fills a prime spot in the Portsmouth scene. It sits between The Wedgewood Rooms and The Guildhall, catering for bands too big for one and too small for the other, so it's going to be sorely missed should/when it goes (already the Frog On The Front, underneath the complex and one-time home of Messclean, has closed).
When The Pyramids was first used as a venue for bands it was, if memory serves, at the instigation of the Portsmouth Venue Campaign. Ironically, in their efforts to build a new venue in the city the ended up creating one out of a leisure centre. I wonder if they can do the same with a conference centre.
Of course it could be argued that, if proper investment had been made in the building over its lifetime, it wouldn't be in the rundown and more than a little bit dog-eared condition it now finds itself (and so the numbers of people using it wouldn't have plummeted). The bean counters have spoken however, and the complex looks likely to be demolished. In its place will be built a shiny new hotel and conference centre (which is just what Portsmouth needs... not).
The Pyramids might not be the greatest venue in the world but it's still a venue and one that fills a prime spot in the Portsmouth scene. It sits between The Wedgewood Rooms and The Guildhall, catering for bands too big for one and too small for the other, so it's going to be sorely missed should/when it goes (already the Frog On The Front, underneath the complex and one-time home of Messclean, has closed).
When The Pyramids was first used as a venue for bands it was, if memory serves, at the instigation of the Portsmouth Venue Campaign. Ironically, in their efforts to build a new venue in the city the ended up creating one out of a leisure centre. I wonder if they can do the same with a conference centre.
The Gigwatcher 14/02/2007
It's that time of year again.
Every year it looms up in front of us all and there's nothing we can do about it, just grit our collective teeth and hope it's not as painful an experience as the year before. Someone always makes a fool of themselves or does something to make you feel uncomfortable.
Just what is the point of the Brits anyway?
*koff*
In other news, it's St Cyril's Day, so I hope you all got cards with funny letters on this morning. Moving swiftly on, here's the pick of the gigs from the back pages of this week's NME:
Fields. @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 18/04/2007
Jamie T @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 21/04/2007
Pure Reason Revolution @ The Joiners, Southampton - 05/03/2007
Friendly Fires @ Unit22, Southampton - 10/03/2007
Kubichek! @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/03/2007
Buswell @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 23/03/2007
Buswell @ The Nell Gwynne, Portsmouth - 24/03/2007
If I'm not too busy opening up my many many valentine's cards (yeah right) I'll add the above gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar. As I've mentioned several times already the Events Calendar contains listings of local gigs and is both free and (relatively) easy to use. To whet your appetite I've plucked from it the following gigs for your delectation and delight:
The Secret Show @ Nexus, Southampton - 18/02/2007
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 23/02/2007
Rival Joustas @ Unit22, Southampton - 25/02/2007
Golden Section @ Unit22, Southampton - 28/02/2007
Theatre of Hate @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 28/04/2007
Cradle of Filth @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 30/04/2007
The Twang @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 28/05/2007
The Maximo Park gig at Southampton Guildhall on the 1st of May is SOLD OUT, as is the Klaxons gig at the Pyramids on the 17th of May. Grobbits.
Snow Patrol and Muse are lined up for this year's Isle of Wight Festival, rumour has it that The Rolling Stones will be there too (yes, that old chestnut again).
Some tuneful whistling in the office this morning led to a small debate on who was the better Hannibal (Lecter that is, not the guy with the elephants) so I knocked up a small poll on the forum to canvas opinion. Go votify.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I will mostly be listening to Klaxons and Cold War Kids. Nice.
Every year it looms up in front of us all and there's nothing we can do about it, just grit our collective teeth and hope it's not as painful an experience as the year before. Someone always makes a fool of themselves or does something to make you feel uncomfortable.
Just what is the point of the Brits anyway?
*koff*
In other news, it's St Cyril's Day, so I hope you all got cards with funny letters on this morning. Moving swiftly on, here's the pick of the gigs from the back pages of this week's NME:
Fields. @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 18/04/2007
Jamie T @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 21/04/2007
Pure Reason Revolution @ The Joiners, Southampton - 05/03/2007
Friendly Fires @ Unit22, Southampton - 10/03/2007
Kubichek! @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/03/2007
Buswell @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 23/03/2007
Buswell @ The Nell Gwynne, Portsmouth - 24/03/2007
If I'm not too busy opening up my many many valentine's cards (yeah right) I'll add the above gigs into the SoMC Events Calendar. As I've mentioned several times already the Events Calendar contains listings of local gigs and is both free and (relatively) easy to use. To whet your appetite I've plucked from it the following gigs for your delectation and delight:
The Secret Show @ Nexus, Southampton - 18/02/2007
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 23/02/2007
Rival Joustas @ Unit22, Southampton - 25/02/2007
Golden Section @ Unit22, Southampton - 28/02/2007
Theatre of Hate @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 28/04/2007
Cradle of Filth @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 30/04/2007
The Twang @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 28/05/2007
The Maximo Park gig at Southampton Guildhall on the 1st of May is SOLD OUT, as is the Klaxons gig at the Pyramids on the 17th of May. Grobbits.
Snow Patrol and Muse are lined up for this year's Isle of Wight Festival, rumour has it that The Rolling Stones will be there too (yes, that old chestnut again).
Some tuneful whistling in the office this morning led to a small debate on who was the better Hannibal (Lecter that is, not the guy with the elephants) so I knocked up a small poll on the forum to canvas opinion. Go votify.
And that just about wraps it up for this week, this afternoon I will mostly be listening to Klaxons and Cold War Kids. Nice.
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