The Mancunian

A Final Thought On Merry Of Horror

2010-12-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

hi chaps,

Merry Christmas everybody! It's after midnight on Christmas day, and I am watching the Top Of The Pops episode of the day, including the Christmas number one, which is Matt Cardle, X Factor Winner with 'Many Of Horror'.

Previously, on my blog, I have shared various opinions on this topic, I would like to add one final point which has only just occurred to me. The video tells the story of Matt Cardle auditioning for the X Factor, going to the Judges' houses, etc.

That's what inspires me to think, in this context., the song can be seen to be a metaphor for the singers' relationship with the contest itself. A Dystfunctional relationship which will only end in pain for Matt Cardle? You decide.

VIDEO: Breton 'December'

2010-12-22T08:47:00.001-08:00

Hotly tipped for 2011, this lot rocked In The City this year, and promise great things with their indie-dance hybrid sound.

VIDEO: The XX 'Night Time'

2010-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

This version of Night Time is incredible, with a video performance partially caught on surveillance cameras adding to the dark, moody atmosphere.

Noah and The Whale : Wild Thing

2010-12-14T04:35:00.000-08:00

So, the wonderful Noah And The Whale return with this wistful tune. A wonderful mix of 80s influences including Dire Straits and Depeche Mode, it continues the introspective mood of their previous album The First Days Of Spring, augmenting it with electro elements.

Noah And The Whale - Wild Thing
- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Some Thoughts on 'When We Collide ' / Many Of Horror

2010-12-13T06:07:00.000-08:00

Last night saw the culmination of the UK's The X Factor TV music show competition, in which 27 painter decorator Matt Cardle beat off competition from Liverpudlian Rebecca Ferguson and teen boyband One Direction to win a £1 million recording contract, with Simon Cowell's Syco record label.

What was fascinating was the choice of debut release, something which has become a source of great contention in recent years, given the X Factors' domination of the prestigious Christmas number one single chart spot. Last year Rage Against The Machine successfully beat of competition from X Factor winner Joe McElderry to take their 1993 hit 'Killing In The Name' to the Xmas number one slot. It was a protest vote from the country against X Factor, Syco and pop blandless hegemony, and sent an important message, which the makers appear, to have a lesser extent, to have heeded.

This year the three finalists had individual songs to be released in the event of winning. Rebecca Ferguson got Duffy's 'Different Dreamer', boys One Direction got Alphaville's 'Forever Young', and winner Cardle got Biffy Clyro's 'Many Of Horror'. It's the last which is most fascinating to me, especially as there's a strong chance it will be at number one for Christmas next week.

Firstly, the producers have renamed the song 'When We Collide', as opposed to 'Many Of Horror'. It's a shame to see the artistic integrity of the original song compromised by tampering with it in this way, but the original's title has a strange, archaic quality which sounds vaguely Shakespearean, rather than contemporary English. Also, 'Horror' isn't exactly Christmassy. Personally, I'm always on the side of the artist, though, so I'd go with the original every time. That's probably why I'm not in a mansion sipping champagne, though.

Secondly, the choice of a Biffy Clyro song is for me a response to accusations of a lack of credibility and cool which have chipped away at the show. Biffy Clyro are a respected indie rock band, who have paid their dues, and the song has been written out of that context, that reality. They have earned to right to sing it, and in appropriating such a song, the X Factor will inevitably appropriate some of the indie glamour that goes with it, even if Biffy lose some credibility by association. I'm sure they'll not too much sleep over it, particularly when the massive royalty cheques start rolling in (anecdotally, I remember a mate getting £40 for a single play on a radio station of his song via PRS. Imagine that x £100,000 for all the poxy little radio stations in the country playlisting the song over Xmas, and into the new year!). They may even gain a new fanbase from it.

Then there are the visceral, gutsy lyrics. 'Many Of Horror' is the take of a violent, turbulent love / hate relationship. From the first person perspective, the teller of the story knows that he belongs with his opposite number, but that they are doomed to mistreat and torment one another. It's incredibly dark, particularly a Christmas song, to have the lyrics "I'll take a bruise I know you're worth it / When you hit me, hit me hard". One wonders what would have happened if a woman such as Rebecca Ferguson were singing it - the implication of domestic violence against a polite, even timid woman would be distasteful.

I'm sure the anthemic quality of the song, power of the tune, and the credibility of Biffy were a great combination, which is what made the final decision for the producers though. The general public, and by extension, decision makers, often don't care about lyrics, which often leads to history being littered with examples of songs inappropriately being appropriated. Look at the way 'Born In The USA' was used by Republicans in the 80s, even though it's a critique of the Vietnam war and blind patriotism. Or the way David Cameron likes 'Eton Rifles' and The Smiths.

In the end, though, all this debate is a testimony to the fact that, When We Collide / Many Of Horror, or whatever it's called, is first and foremost, a great song.

Top Ten albums of 2010

2010-12-12T11:44:00.000-08:00

Dear chaps and ladies, boys and gals, I think it's about time for us to look back over the best albums of the year!

Here's my top 10 of 2010 *queues The Wizzard circa Top Of The Pops 1985*

1. Caitlin Rose - Own Side Now.
2. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
3. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
4. Foals - Total Life Forever
5. The National -High Violet
6. The Like - Release Me
7. Janelle Monae - Archandroid, pts 2 and 3
8. Warpaint - The Fool
9. Plan B - Defamation of Strickland Banks
10. Mark Ronson - Record Collection.

(all links are to Spotify)

Honourable mentions, well, there are so many. Cee-Lo Green's 'The Lady Killer', Beach House's 'Teen Dream' (which I didn't take to initially at all, but I'm now re-appraising, now that it seems to be in a lot of year-end lists), Frighten Rabbits' 'Winter Of Mixed Drinks', and far too many others to mention. Erm, ok, Darwin Deez.

I was left feeling I could / should have listened to loads more, but I've only got two ears, and I have my fingers in several other pies, including TV journalism, tech, and film. I was fascinated that The Drums debut seemed to drop out of peoples' awareness, which confirmed what I believed previously - that they're a band who were built on hype. I am left doubting if there'll be much interest when they return, given that the interest in them was largely manufactured by a small portion of the media.

Kanyes' record was fascinating. Hugely overblown, full of celebrity cameos, but, crucially, it DID deliver. It was the antithesis of stripped-back '808s and Heartbreaks' in production, and perhaps a response to the doubters in the fallout from his public humiliation following the Taylor Swift debacle.

Caitlin Rose's debut was authentic, with beatiful songwriting, and tasteful 70s country-pop production, a true delight. Janelle Monae's record became one of the most talked about records of the year in media circles, and I guess people were impressed by the ideas and inventiveness of the whole archandroid concept, the variety of the songs, and the quality. r'n'b is often very conservative, and this was the opposite, harking back to the work of Stevie Wonder, or Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' in being a concept album in the soul genre.

Speaking of soul concept albums, the Defamation of Strickland Banks was another from Forrest Gate rapper Plan B, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is one of the most commercial albums in my list, and certainly inspired by the likes of Amy Winehouse and other contemporary takes on Motown, but I couldn't care less, the sheer quality of the songs overrides all other considerations.

Anyway, enjoy Xmas, and have a listen, if you haven't already!

Rayland Baxter : I Do Bad Things VIDEO

2010-12-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

hi chaps,

So, it's coming up to Xmas, so Seasons Greetings. I recently stumbled across this unsigned artist from Tennessee courtesy of Caitlin Rose, who I interviewed earlier in the year, on her Facebook.

Rayland Baxter is a solo singer songwriter, and this blues tale of badness and wrong love is truly astonishing.

'Game Over' Tinchy Stryder - Game Over ft Giggs Professor Green Devlin Tinie Tempah VIDEO

2010-11-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

Hi ya'll. This has definitely been the year that UK grime has broken through. Ok, there's been Wiley, Ms Dynamite, and Dizzee in the past, but the sheer numbers of artists releasing actual, proper artist albums, with chart hits is greater than ever.

The collaboration on this record pretty much sums up where it's at right now, and I've not heard anything as convincing since they heydays of 80s / 90s US hip hop, so I'm excited.

The National : Terrible Love

2010-11-06T15:22:00.001-07:00

Love this alternate version of Terrible Love, for the single, from The National. High Violet's one of my albums of the year, and this song is an improvement on the album version.

THE NARCOLEPTIC DANCERS - NOT EVIDENT

2010-11-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

Lots of boy / girl duos about at the mo. This is another one. I think the word I would choose to describe is "charming", tho you could say "twee", if you were being nasty. Personally, I like. ;-)

Warpaint The Fool - STREAM and LIVE VIDEO

2010-10-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

I'm loving the new Warpaint Album - The Fool, which I got in the post this week.

A lot of people are referring to stuff like The XX, in reference to it, but the dark atmospherics remind me of things like Massive Attack, and the hypnotic quality reminds me a bit of late 80s / early 90s shoegaze. The result is still surprisingly original, and probably one of the best records of this year.

I'm kicking myself for not making it to their Sunday night gig here in Manchester, but thankfully someone videoed it for us, so here is some of the footage!

enjoy

THAT Record sleeve for Kanye West's 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'

2010-10-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

Record sleeves recent made the news pages of music websites when geek rocker Weezer decide to put chubby Lost star Jorge Garcia, better known as the show's character Hurley, on the sleeve for their new record.

The results were greeted with much mirth, and merriment, though it turns out, they claim, that they were in fact naming it after the international surfware company.

Roll forward a few weeks to Kanye West, around whom a great deal of anticipation is building ahead of his forthcoming album, 'My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy'. The rapper says that is label told him US Chainn Walmart wouldn't stock the proposed cover, though they have just an hour two ago released a statement to deny this.

The rapper how now proposed to offer 5 different album covers in order to be able to offer one which will not offend national supermarket chains, and other mainstream retailers.

Anyway, for my own take, I think the proposed image does expose the dark spectre of racism which still looms large over US society. The half-woman half-phoenix straddling the beer-holding man may not be a clear representation of a human being, but the implication is clear - as is the sense that miscegenation is not welcome in America, and represents the worst fears of US's white majority.

The whole fiasco also reminds me of Spinal Tap's 'Smell The Glove' argument in their hilarious movie, where a woman kneels before a man, who is holding out a glove before. "You should have seen the cover they wanted to use", says their nefarious English manager to an uptight female record executive. "I tell you, he wasn't holding a glove".

Mark Sultan - Status

2010-10-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Mark Sultan is probably most famous for putting the ‘BBQ’ in the King Khan and BBQ show, but he’s also contributed to countless garage rock records on labels from Sub Pop to In The Red.

Mark Sultan - Status from Daniel Taylor on Vimeo.

VIDEO: Glasser - 'Mirrorage'

2010-10-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest revelations of In The City last week was LA's Glasser. The brain child of 26 year old Cameron Mesirow, the music recalls Bjork and Fever Ray, haunting, witchy, a bit bonkers, and beaty.

Anyway, this is an incredible promo vid, new as far as I know, for 'Mirrorage', from the album Ring. Checkit!

John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up

2010-10-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

I was highly impressed by John Legend and The Roots, with their new album of protest songs which is out this week. I'm a fairly political soul, and it seems to be we live in apolitical, apathetic times, with bands more intent on chasing the dollar than saying something of substance. Although my good Twitter buddy Dorian Lynksey would argue, that rock and roll has always been more about the right to do what you want than fight the system.

Anyway, besides a corking album of soul covers from the era of funk, soul, and black power, they have cooked up a mean cover of The Arcade Fire's 'Wake Up', (below), which I love.

Blogging In The USA

2010-10-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hi guys. I'm still processing all the incredible new bands and industry news I came across during In The City here in sunny Manchester last week. Probably the most fascinating debate I watched during the day was Blogging In The USA, a debate involving Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork, Ollie Russian of My Band's Better Than Your Band, Dev Sherlock from Hype Machine, and Drowned In Sound.

Ollie kindly posted the debate on his blog, so here it is in it's entirety. There were various themes, including the huge, ever increasing number of blogs, the need for bloggers to create a unique voice, and the blandness of just posting a different song each day. As the US representatives Ryan and Dev stressed the need for blogs stateside because of the lack of media covering new and upcoming music, as opposed to the great radar media we have here in this small country (Radio One, NME, etc). Ollie also said he thought music fans were looking to blogs to find out where the cool music was coming from, as opposed to Jon Peel, or Steve Lemacq.

The idea of underground / emerging musical tastes being crowdsourced by aggregator blogs like Hype Machine and other means was also stressed. The panel also felt that targeting underground media such as blogs for promoting their new artists, as opposed to being perceived as uncool by breaking their acts in mid level mainstream meda, was the way forward., to make them cool enough to climb the greasy pole of fame. Anyway, enjoy.

In The City: Music Blogging in the USA panel, 10.13.10 by rawkblog

Big Mama Thornton ft. Buddy Guy - Hound Dog

2010-10-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to entertain myself, I'm posting a bit more to this blog than the usual once-a-year update! It's a good spot to keep all the good stuff I've discovered, as much as anything else, as a lot of it gets forgotten or just lost during the year.

Twatting around on Twitter yesterday I was sent a link for this. I find the blogosphere a fairly overwhelming place with its' obsession with discovering new artists and new songs constantly, and so finding this old classic and sharing it seems a healthy antidote. They don't make em like this anymore. And frankly, it pisses all over Elvis.

In The City : Day 2

2010-10-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

ok guys, this is going to get patchy now, and my memory of the many bands we saw is already fading and swilling about!

I'm truly exhausted now this fine Manchester Saturday. Anyway, here's what I saw on Thursday. It all started at The Castle pub, with Brown Brogues, who lit up the small working class old school pub with their strange bluesy punk. They're an odd duo, giant, big bellied drummer, and tatooed, vest wearing singer/guitarist, and their music was strange but compelling. I like to hear what a lead singer is singing, though, so bit annoyed with hearing a warble.

Set 1 by brown brogues

Next was LA's Kisses, fresh in from performing in Tokyo, and after seeing a lot of industry types being too cool for school, it was refreshing to see punters genuinely enjoying their breezy, sun inflected pop. Like a ray of LA sunshine piercing the grim Manchester sky.

Kisses by Kisses

I then split to catch Fixers at Noho, who absolutely blew me away. Incredibly harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys, and a darkness tipping a hat in the direction of the Arcade Fire (who incidentally, seem to cast a long shadow over several bands at ITC).

Fixers - Iron Deer Dream by ITCManchester

Then it was time for Oxford one man band Chad Valley over at Noho. It was just one dude and some keyboards, so I was expecting the worst. I know some people loved D/R/U/G/S, and I am a fan of dance music, but as a spectacle, the thought of one or two dudes knob twiddling on a stage of keyboards and a Macbook or two is pretty boring to watch. But Chad Valley was good. His vocal added some personality and sense of performance to the music, which raised the dreaded term of "chillwave" in my mind, but without sounding like Travel advert music.

I also saw Oberhofer at Night and Day, and half Spaniard ensemble Crystal Fighters over at Dry Live, as well as Planet Earth at Gullivers, who all get honourable mentions. Favs of the nite have to be Kisses and Fixers, though.

In The City; Day 1

2010-10-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

Right, let the madness begin! This year I headed down to newly comandeered venue City Inn, where ITC headquarters are to be based for the conference itself. After getting my goodie bag, I check out the end of a fascinating debate on how bands can break into China, lead by the right honourable John Robb.

The elder statesmen of Manchesters' punk scene lead a fascinating topic, which revealed that there is a burgeoning market for live music in China - there is a huge explosion in the number of venues and bands out there, both domestic, and foreign acts. Modern Sky is a leading Chinese label at the heart of this scene, it was revealed. The scene is not without it's idiosyncrasies - one promoter revealed how his band Star 64, had their visa application refused because in china 6/4 is widely accepted to refer to the date of Tienanmen Square. A quick name change to Star 69, and the application was okayed!

Meanwhile, over in the next room, Blogging In The USA was a really fascinating debate lead by Ollie Russian of My Band Is Better Than Your Band, with notable panelists including Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork and Dev Sherlock of Hype Machine talking about the merits of blogging, and its' growing influence on the music industry. one of the key points was that having something unique to offer, and voice, or editorial, was key to standing out, as opposed to just posting song after song to drive traffic, as well as the idea that older conventional media publications are definitely threatened by the emergence of the power of blogs.

As for the gigs that evening, I was joined by the lovely Rhian Daly of abeano, who lead proceedings with her ear to the ground for hot new bands, and so we checked out boy girl duo Big Deal, I thought they were amazing. And they look great too.

Big Deal - Locked Up by snipelondon

r Dalston powercore trio No Age (why does everyone hate Dalston so much?) Beaty Heart who were like a more chaotic, less commercial, frantic Friendly Fires. I loved their energy, but I think these Goldsmiths students need the influence of a decent producer to introduce some discipline and tidy them up a bit! Finally, I got my one pick over at The Roadhouse, going to see Chiddy Bang.

Chiddy Bang - Stylo (Remix feat. Chiddy Bang) by pacificfestival

Personally I thought they were brilliant, but Rhian wasn't impressed much. *sadface*

Eleven Tigers: Stableface

2010-10-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

I'm quite liking this from Lithuanian producer Eleven Tigers, who'll be releasing long player Clouds Are Mountains soon. What with all the indie-shmindie stuff I get to listen to all day, a bit of minmalist dubstep is a breath of fresh air...

<a href="http://eleventigers.bandcamp.com/track/stableface">Stableface by eleven tigers</a>

October Journalism Roundup

2010-10-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

While I'm here, I may as well keep you up to date with my recent scribblings for various publications.

Firstly, my most recent piece was a 25 Classic songs of the 80s feature, which a lot of people seemed to enjoy.

Secondly, I hit the Guardian with another of my articles, this time on the recent falling out between Mani of Primal Scream, and Peter Hook. The disagreement thankfully got sorted, but I'm proud of the piece as a decent bit of journalism for a major publication.

Meanwhile, the recent visit of Mark Ronson to the city was exciting, and although the mess up by PR company meant I didn't get to interview him, I at least got a ticket in and wrote a review of the gig.

As a fan of Frank Turner, I was happy to get the chance to interview him, (he's currently in Europe, and will be back soon) for Skiddle, the results are here. He had some firm opinions on file sharing which were an eye opener.

It isn't just a succession of Indie bands that I interview, thankfully, as I spoke to young grime MC Aggro Santos about his two top twenty hit singles, the origins of the current, commercial "urban" scene, and his Grime background.

Back on a local tip, I interviewed Jeremy of band-of-the-moment, Everything Everything for Skiddle. He was just insanely eloquent and knowledgeable about the current music scene, and had a lot to say relationship that new bands like Dutch Uncles, Delphic, and EE have to Manchester's heritage. had to leave that bit out, because I had so much stuff, but a fascinating, cool guy, and a great band. Well worth a read.

Going back to the end of August, I was privileged to interview LA hotties The Like, a 4 piece girl group with the look of a 60s girl motown act, and the sound of a British invasion band like the Animals. They were hot and feisty. Great fun.

A completely different music style was offered by Trance meister Paul Van Dyk, who I had chance to interview this summer. He didn't seem to like it very much when I suggested the superclub and superstar DJ era was over, but nevertheless, a very high profile producer, and he had a lot of stuff to say.

Probably my favourite discovery of the entire year has been that of Nashville / Dallas singer Caitlin Rose (pictured), who had her debut album out this August, and I had the chance to meet her in person and chat. She was cheeky, funny, and knew her music.

Later that same day I saw her perform at Manchester's Night and Day, where she was absolutely amazing.

Somewhere in there, dunno if I mentioned this before, I spoke to Esben And The Witch, who gave me their first major interview for a publication. They're now signed to Domino records with an album to come next year, so watch this space.

Sadly, it was the three year anniversary of the death of my mentor and journalistic idol, Tony Wilson this August, so I talked to Factory and Hacienda stalwart Dave Haslam about the late, great broadcaster.

That's it for now. There where a few other acts I spoke to and wrote about here and there, but you get the idea!

In The City 2010

2010-10-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. October. Weirdly sunny. And it's time for In The City, Manchester's music industry conference, complete with a roster of up and coming bands, as well as an unsigned competition.

I'm looking forward to the debates, particularly on Branding (there's a panel entitled Brand On The Wall), and a keynote interview with Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, who's this years' big name keynote "In Conversation With", alongside Mick Pickering of Factory / The Hacienda.

Bands-wise, I'm looking foward to Kisses, Team Ghost, No Age, Murkage, and generally just being surprised by discoveries / recommendations.

Oh, and Steve Lemacq and Marc Riley will both be broadcasting live on BBC 6Music live for the event.

I'll be keeping my eye on Twitter, and you can get touch with me there if you're at the event, my handle is:

@abbasali5000

See you there. Oh, and here's some music from the bands that will feature over the three days. (thanx DiS!).

Drowned In The City Of Manchester by sjaycats

The Brute Chorus :Heaven

2010-08-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

Rather liking this video from Londoners The Brute Chorus. The song Heaven comes from their second album, out next month. Ace.

Mancunian Journalism Roundup

2010-07-03T05:06:00.000-07:00

hi fellas & dames,

Back again. It's been a furious few weeks of gigs, writing and whatnot, and so it continues. Just got my first commission to write for The Guardian this week, and been uncovering lots of musical discoveries in my job as News Editor over at God Is In The TV. From the current crop, I'd recommend:

School Of Seven Bells: Blissful female vocal retro 80s/90s stuff, reminds me of Madchester era music, glorious 80s electro touches, Cocteau Twins, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Their new album is streaming here. And they play Manchester on the 16th of this month, I believe.
The Young Veins: Ex Panic! At The Disco members have done their own record with Bryds, 60s girl group, French influences. Their new album is streaming here.
I was quite liking the sound of Dead Confederate http://www.myspace.com/deadconfederate
Liking The Joy Formidable http://www.myspace.com/thejoyformidable rated by the Graun.

Anyway, the reason I came on here to post my music journalism. Here's a roundup of the most recent stuff I've done, as requested by my mate John, who makes a bloody good point, that I should put it in one place.

Here's my review of Kele's new album, The Boxer http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4459&type=Albums
A long deferred interview with Esben And The Witch http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4440&type=Interviews
We Are Scientists album 'Barbara'http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4420&type=Albums
My Interview with house DJ, Sonny Wharton http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Interview-Sonny-Wharton/6347/
Live review of The Gaslight Anthem's recent performance at Manchester Academy http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Review-The-Gaslight-Anthem--Manchester-Academy-/6335/
a review of hot new Laurel Canyon inspired female singer, Lissie at Night And Day http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Review-Lissie--Night-and-Day-Manchester-/6279/
Band of Horses expansive performance at The Ritz http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Review-Band-of-Horses--Manchester-Ritz/6245/
An interview with The Undertones & former That Petrol Emotion http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Interview-The-Undertones/6162/
Live review of my favourite punk folk duo, Slow Club http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Review-Slow-Club--Fac251-Manchester-/6096/
My interview with The Gaslight Anthem, http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Interview-The-Gaslight-Anthem/6085/
My Interview With the Mystery Jets http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Interview-Mystery-Jets/5947/
Interview with Jacob, the guitarist from The Drums http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Interview-The-Drums/5837/
Scottish Festivals roundup http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Festival-Guide-Scottish-Festivals/5835/
Interview with Oxfords' nu folksters Stornoway http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Interview-Stornoway/5816/
Interview with Mr Scruff. http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Interview-MR-Scruff-/5789/
Gogol Bordello live at Manchester Acdemyhttp://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4349&type=Live
Live review of Ash http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4330&type=Live
Live review of Dot To Dot Festival for Clash Magazine http://www.clashmusic.com/live-review/dot-to-dot-festivalmanchester

Theres plenty more floating about, but that's all I can get hold of for now. That's about 3 months, and 2/3 of the work I've done, not counting daily news stories for GITTV, and a few movie and TV reviews. Busy indeed. Anyway,thanks for reading, and enjoy.

FUC51 : Reactionary, but not wrong

2010-06-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

And so, it's saturday, so I go to the Guardian website to discover that bloggers Fuc51 have spread word of their campaign to the national media. For the uninitiated, they are a bunch of Manchester bloggers sick of the Manchester revival industry. Apparently the article explains that Ian Brown doing the Parlife Event at Platt Fields' park was the last straw for them.

For my own take, I'm sort of sandwiched somewhere between the "kids" and the old bunch of Peter Hook, Ian Brown, Mani, and other usual suspects living on past memories of this incredible music city. I'm sick of hearing about Manchester heritage stuff in the national media, about The Smiths, Joy Division, Factory Records, etc. And that's despite the fact I was there for part of it. The late 80s was part of my youth, but I feel strongly that it's important for the old guard to step aside and not keep forever going on about the past, and encouraging bands like Delphic, who sound like a pale imitation of New Order, for example.

I'd love to see bands that sound nothing like Manchester has produced before, but I think a lot of this is driven by Southern, London media expectations of what this city is about, as much as it is by the original players themselves wanting to relive they old days. Bands like May68 point where Manchester is going, and that's a very healthy thing. Whatever happens, we don't want to end up like Liverpool, it took them years of harping on about the Beatles before excellent bands like The Zutons and The Coral finally (amazing 80s stuff like Echo & Frankie not withstanding) were able to step out of the shadow of the city's heritage.

The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang (SideOneDummy Records)

2010-05-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

Last year was an incredible one for New Jersey punks Gaslight Anthem. The small town boys made good with their blend of feel good nostalgia for the America of yesterday appealed to a great many, coinciding perfectly with a critical reappraisal of the work of Bruce Springsteen, their biggest influence.

The two met and performed together on each other songs at the Glastonbury Festival, London Calling, and other UK shows. Those shows felt heavy with symbolism, the perfect passing of the baton from a passed generation to a new one. The question is, what have they done with the standard that they are now bearing?

Well, not a great deal, if listening to this album is anything to go by. The dual influences of Springsteen and the Clash cast a long shadow over this album, as they did over ‘The 59 Sound’. That record was full of vintage Americana, old Lincolns, sailor tattoos, and old fashioned radio sets. It was also a record from a humble, blue collar perspective, that yearned for lost youth and innocence, and ‘American Slang’ offers a continuation of these elements.

Right throughout, nostalgia abounds, as on second track, ‘Stay Lucky’, Brian Fallon recalls how “everyone used to call you lucky when you were young”, but now, aged 25, “mother never told me there’d be days like these”. Note the past tense, which continues almost all the way through. On ‘The Boxer’, another mid-tempo number, the singer offers the darker side of memories, remembering how a boy once endured the regular beatings of his father, a former professional pugilist. “They say it never leaves you” is clearly loaded with double meaning, demonstrating the singer’s capacity for writing thoughtful lyrics.

Whereas on ‘The 59 Sound’, all this nostalgia and harking back to the past was refreshing, here, it’s so ubiquitous, it becomes banal, and repetitive. Even the lead singer seems to be sick of his own shtick, where on ‘Old Haunts’ towards the end of the record, he sings “so don’t sing me songs about the good times / those days are gone and you should just let ‘em go”.

Overall, it’s a record that rarely leaves mid-tempo. From the opening track that shares the title of the album, it’s clear that this is a more considered Gaslight, the musical parts are more distinct, better played and better mixed with more of sense of dynamics between the instruments. The guitars don’t clash and merge into a muddy mess, for example. There are stabs at newer sounds, with the Clash-like ska of ‘The Queen of Chelsea’, and the ‘Diamond Church Street Choir’ recalling The Boss’s funkier moments.

Sadly, these newer elements aren’t enough to salvage American Slang from being a distinctly average, rock record. It’s solid and decent, but nothing more. There aren’t enough strong songs on it, and not enough bravery to try new, bold ideas and sounds. It all amounts to a less successful version of ‘The 59 Sound’, and leaves you feeling the band’s chief songwriter has spent more than enough time looking at the past, and needs to start living in the present.

Mancunian Rating: 3/5

Manchester : So much To Answer For

2010-05-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

hi Everyone. It's been a while. I have elsewhere, in the past few months, had an incredibly busy time as a journalist, interviewing Mystery Jets, The Drums, The Gaslight Anthem, Mr Scruff, and various others, as well as doing various news, reviews and stuff over at God Is In The TV.

This after several years out of the game - I last properly wrote (well, edited) professionally on a regular basis in the days when City Life was an actual regular magazine, 5 years ago, and, so it's been a while. It's really more like 10 years since I was doing this much writing, back when I was interviewing the likes of Doves, Campag Velocet (anyone remember them?), I Am Kloot, and other indie reprobates for Flux Magazine and City Life, as well as other internet startups which duly disappeared in the web 1.0 crash around 2000/2001.

So, strange coming back to it, feels like I've gone round in a big circle. This week has been hectic, calling Alex Levine of Gaslight Anthem in New Jersey, and Damien O'Neill of The Undertones in London for various features, before throwing myself into 4 days of gigs, with the Hungry Pigeon Festival, and Dot To Dot Festival on Monday, for Clash Magazine. I also got word that I should be attending Latitude festival, and Reading this year for a website (which shall remain nameless until it's totally 100% confirmed).

Busy, busy busy. It's a good feeling getting back on the horse after all these years. In 2000, I was working for Tony Wilson and going out to loads of gigs, the big events at Castlefield, Glastonbury and other shenigans. Wilson was a man who truly inspired me. He would come in from presenting the Granada news every day to the In The City / Factory offices, and tell us stories about Joy Division, The Buzzcocks, The Mondays, Sex Pistols, and all sorts. He would occasionally roll up a joint and smoke it with us, and we would celebrate sales victories by ordering in rounds of drinks to the office, from Atlas bar over the road. A rock n roll office, my first proper job, and probably the best I ever had, besides City Life. Fresh out of uni, I was inspired by his passion for music and journalism, and he filled me with the confidence that I should be a writer in the fly by night creative industries.

That summer, I fell in love with someone (who shall remain nameless), but though she liked me, it turned out she fell in love with the lead singer of a very successful indie band (which shall remain nameless). There was something about that summer, it was perfect. There was something in the air, I had my life ahead of me and I was full of hope.

By the end of the year, in my rush to become a success, and my frustration at how things were going personally, I went off to London to work for Carlton, and it was never the same again, if I'm honest. I was never the same again. I lost my way, both professionally and personally. I was never really that happy for most of the time after that barring the occasional moments or brief periods.

But today, at the Hungry Pigeon festival, in Manchester's Picadilly Gardens, I felt that feeling again. I guess it was partly sparked by being in Factory251, the old Paradise Factory, last night. There's a feeling of renewal in me, a feeling of hope. After a terrible time scraping a living in call centres, and surviving the evil cut and thrust of bitching and gossip that makes those places hell on earth, I feel like I can "be myself" again, by doing what I love doing. I loved hanging round bars and watching bands, talking about books and TV shows, surrounded by scruffy, arty people, but I always felt ashamed of that, as if it wasn't a "proper" thing to do for a living.

When I was a kid, Tony Wilson gave me that permission I needed to do that, when I was young. He went to Cambridge (though once he told me he came close to going to Manchester, like myself), wore a suit, and gave a respectability to a love of rock n roll culture, debauchery and fun that made it seem ok to build a life around. Somewhere, I started to feel I *should* be doing certain things, and I think I quite badly lost sight of who I was. Hell, I even went to Law school, this from someone who agrees with John Lydon's quote, "Rules? Rules are for fools!"

Anyway, right now I have to scrape together a few hundred words on Sheffields' Slow Club, who are now my find of the year after their gig on Friday. They were like The White Stripes without Jack White's angry machismo, which makes it hard to like them sometimes. Thoroughly likeable, defiantly youthful, idealistic with beautiful souls. And they were really funny. I hope they never get old.

Other than that, I have to scrape together a piece on The Undertones, whom it was fascinating to talk to this week. That's all on top of preparing to interview Mystery Jets again on Monday, for Clash, along with possibly Lissie, as well as review the various bands on, and tweet (and twat) about it.

HUNGRY PIGEON

While I remember. Just got back from the Hungry Pigeon. Caught George Borowski, and The Jesse Road Trip. Borowski is, for those who don't know the fella "guitar George" mentioned by Mark Knopfler in the Dire Straits song Sultans Of Swing. A Mancunian folk hero. He was a bit annoying when he spoke, basically telling people off for having a bit of swagger, drinking too much cos there were kids there, etc. The music was amazing though, a mix of tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and other classic American rock, but with storytelling about everyday Mancunian stories, referencing Stockport station, and Openshaw. Great stuff, but it was so bloody cold I got indoors after 20 minutes, cos I may be from this city, and sometimes I love it, but I fucking hate the weather.

Jesse Road Trip, well she look hot in hot pants. They were good, but nothing special, a 4 piece band with a great female singer/guitarist (with incredibly guitar skills), outside the standard Mancunian bloke rock mould, thankfully, but perhaps missing that X factor or ingredient to make them stand out. Anyway, I'm signing off to get writing. See Ya!

The Futureheads - The Chaos (Nul Records)

2010-05-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

“5-4-3-2-1 Lets’ Go!” And so begins the fourth album by Sunderland’s not-so-new wave punksters, The Futureheads. They first came to emerged 6 years ago with their self-titled debut, but it was probably 2005 when they really grabbed people’s attention with their cover of Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds Of Love’, named Best Single of the year, by the NME. Their songs quirky sense of fun, and its’ weirdness captured the band. It opened doors for them, winning them support slots for major bands like The Foo Fighters, and TV appearances.

It’s fair to say the record also became something of an albatross for the band, misrepresenting them as a commercial entity alongside more obvious indie brethren like the Fratellis and the Pigeon Detectives, when the Futureheads are probably a more serious, earnest enterprise.

Unsurprisingly dropped by their label 679 Recordings in 2006, after becoming disillusioned with the mainstream, their interview on our very own pages reads this moment as one of liberation. Personally, I loved the record that followed, This Is Not The World, it’s lead single ‘Beginning Of The Twist’ delivering an urgency, and singular power pop kick, while the record as a whole explored their quirkier side.

For me, The Chaos continues this trend. While ‘Heartbeat Song’ offers a clear nod to commercial success with its’ simple pop love song formula, the record as a whole is a driving, urgent piece, full of allusions to being disaffected with the society and politics of Britain 2010.

Whether it’s the title track, and opener, ‘The Chaos’, where Barry Hyde despairs, “We’ve been told a lie, but you still toe the line,” or ‘Sun Goes Down’ where daytime workers go out at night to escape their soul-destroying drudgery, as “the double life begins”. While there’s definitely anger on The Chaos, The Futureheads still do fun, too, with songs like The Connector, a silly, Queen-influenced piece.

Overall, The Chaos sees the Futureheads find their place in music, following a groove set by the previous record, TINTW. It’s a place that’s unlikely to win them large numbers of new fans - it’s clear the band have eschewed a place alongside watered-down A-List Tesco-chasing bands like Snow Patrol. We live in musical era when, for example, The Courteeners’ Liam Fray recently shared his ambition to be as big as U2, while the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Plan B have made a pop records to please their bank managers. The concept of size and profile seems to be more important than quality, staying true to ones’ roots and authenticity. For that reason, The Chaos should be applauded, as a refreshingly humble labour of love.

Abbas Ali

Gogol Bordello, Mariachi El Bronx Manchester Academy 1, 08th May 2010

2010-05-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

Like result of an test tube experiment to combine the seed of Joe Strummer and Shane MacGowan, Ukrainian ex-pat Eugene Hutz is onstage, messianic, fuelled by the booze, and the centre of a huge party.

The guitar-wielding singer is the consummate performer, and he and his fellow musicians certainly know how to put on a show. Having come to this venue for over 15 years, I’ve never seen the crowds as loud or as raucous as they are for Gogol Bordello, a rag-tag band of gypsies who first got together 10 years ago in New York to play a cosmopolitan blend of their own traditional gypsy music, mixed with ska, rap, punk, and rock music. In recent years, the band recent decamped to Brazil, adding the Latin sounds of that continent to their influences.

When they first emerged, there was nothing like them, but in the decade since, the internationalism of music has reached new heights, with the likes of Foals and Vampire Weekend reaching out to embrace African music, while Damon Albarn writes Chinese monkey operas.

Things have changed for Gogol Bordello too. ‘Trans-Continental Hustle’ their new album is also their major label debut, and sees legendary label man / studio geek Rick Rubin on production duties, as the band move in a more commercial direction with the aim of reaching out to fans.
On tonight’s display, there is no faulting the band’s live credentials. The 8 piece band move about the stage frantically, changing gears at just the right time between tempos.

Songs like Wonderlust King and Ultimate provide high octane, pogoing thrills for those at the front, while ‘When Universes Collide’ and ‘Sun Is On My Side’ with its’ Latino blues, provide balladry and soothing acoustic sounds for those at the back. Meanwhile, ‘My Companjera’ is a love song almost sounds like what ABBA would do if they were a gypsy folk outfit.

Not just music for the heart, it’s angry, intelligent and political music too, railing against the injustices of the system, and the mistreatment and hatred of immigrants as the hard-rocking riffing of Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher) demonstrates. Hutz wears his immigrant roots on his sleeve.

Indeed, it’s no surprise that the band will be supporting Rage Against The Machine at their X-Factor payback gig in London next month, and were partly discovered by the agit-rockers in the beginning. Gogol Bordello are the natural successors to their angry, unifying music, and the logicial conclusion of their genre-bending – RATM were devastating and unique when they emerged for their convergence of rock and rap, but their heirs take things further and add many more kinds of music to the melting pot. If he was around, Joe Strummer would be proud.

Abbas Ali

Girls @The Deaf Institute, Manchester Tuesday 2 March 2010

2010-03-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

If 2009 was the year for girls, maybe 2010 will be a year most remembered for Girls. Weirdo San Francisco duo Chris Owens (pictured, right) and Chet “JR” White (left) aren’t a skinny, blonde girl from new York, or Hampshire for that matter. And thank god for that. The past year may have brought us gems like Florence, but now we’re scraping the barrel with Ellie blooming Goulding, maybe we should call it quits.

Tonight, onstage, the duo set up their equipment so innocuously for a packed, shoulder to shoulder audience, that they could be roadies. They catch me totally by surprise when they begin playing ‘Laura’. It’s a pretty representative of their album, last September’s slab of California surf-pop ‘Album’. It’s a heady mix of young love, Beach Boys melodies and psychedelic, Spiritualized-influenced interludes, delivered by a singer channelling Elvis Costello or Buddy Holly, which is much better for being heard live, as opposed to on their admittedly imperfect debut.

They continue the set with ‘Ghost Mouth’, and as I listen closer, it strikes me how classically American their sound is, so traditional. Lead singer Chris Owen he says he was fed the classics when growing up, Elvis and the Beatles. And you can clearly hear that 50s US sound in there, that Elvis/Orbison axis. The fact that it is done with an arch, weird quality, psychedelic effects (and drugs, fuck yeah, lots of drugs), and punk attitude is what makes it so captivating.

And believe me, the overfilled room is captivated. They stand in silence most of the night, but it’s not the silence of boredom, it’s the silence of rapt attention and even reverence. Even when Girls switch up a gear, as bassist Chet “JR” White suddenly switches up the pedals on his guitar and knocks out a fat, overdriven bassline, and they suddenly turn, momentarily into the Stooges, only a few people start swaying at the front.

Perhaps it’s because skinny, fragile-framed, long haired Christopher Owens is so compelling and sincere as a frontman. So many musicians affect being deep or “tortured” as a badge of sincerity, but with this guy, you absolutely believe it. With his heartfelt blues, fucked up inner life, long blond hair and Oxfam-reject cardigan, he reminds me in many ways of Kurt Cobain tonight. Owens’ life has the makings of an bestselling biography in itself, with his childhood as a member of Californian cult Children Of God, a particularly disturbed group whose hobbies included prostitution, child abuse, and murder. Since absconding at the age of 16, and washing up homeless in Frisco, Owens met his musical partner JR and developed a prescription drugs habit which runs to this day.

For all the sadness in his life, and the heartbreak in the songs, Owens doesn’t come across as a sad person, instead someone in the process of turning things around. As the band encore with a nursery-rhyme style song with the refrain “it all comes back to love”, it’s clear there’s an immensely hopeful quality to his story, and that this band offers a form of personal rebirth. And, as his former cult family might say, amen to that.

Heligoland – Massive Attack (Virgin)

2010-03-02T17:05:00.000-08:00

You may have had enough of 80s revivals until you never want to hear a synthesiser or electro beat again, but is today’s music scene ready for 90s revival. Well, it’s a truth universally acknowledge that pop will eat itself, and, given that, we are destined to revisit the decade that brought us Britpop, grunge, g-funk and an explosion of dance music that exploded and mushroomed into a thousand different genres.

Anyone younger readers wanting to get ahead of the game and discover the best artists that the decade had to offer could do a lot worse than start with the Bristol collective of Massive Attack. Their trio of 3 classic albums in 90s defined and changed the face of music forever. Beginning with 1991’s Blue Lines, the sound they pioneer was ripped off a millionfold, and emulated everywhere. One only needs to listen to the top 40 now to find several tracks that borrow from their musical ideas (Timbaland has been a particular offender), in particular their post modern use of lush string arrangements and pianos over hip hop beats and scratched, sampled sounds. It sounds so obvious now, but back then, they were one of first to do it.

There was a moment in the mid nineties when they were considered to be the most achingly cool act in music. What made them cool was their extraordinary dynamism, their ability to cover so many different styles and sounds across a record, with effortless cool and ease. There was something uniquely British about them – white and black kids influenced by Jamaican dancehall, soul, dub reggae, US hip hop, and later, rock, willing to take on and subsume any sound. In this way, they sounded so modern, putting down a marker for the a new 21^st century British identity that we could all subscribe to.

Fast forward to 2010, and MA are elder statesmen on the music scene. This outing sees the return of Daddy G to the fold, and a host of guests, including the usual suspects such as Horace Andy, as well as newer guests, including Elbow’s Guy Garvey and Tunde Adebimpe of TV On The Radio. The former is provides one of the weaker songs on the album, through weak production which is no fault of his own, while the TTOR man starts the record with a downbeat, mournful opener ‘Pray For Rain’. Their contribution is welcome, as the changeup of newer acts brings a different feel to the album, making it clear this is a record for today, rather than a memorial to the past.

It’s an eye opener to see multi-talented, multi-project extraordinaire and 90s posterboy Damon Albarn on there collaborating on ‘Saturday Come Slow’, to provide one of the stronger songs, while Tricky collaborator Martine Topley-Bird also provides melodic vocals and biting breakup lyrics on Babel, another standup number.

While it’s unfair to expect them to meet the heady heights of former glories, Heligoland does provide some decent noughties thrills, though it’s difficult to say if it will bring them to a whole new audience or sink without trace. It is however reassuring to see one of the great acts that this country has produced moving forward than trading on former glories.

3/5

Songs Of The Year: 2009

2009-12-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

Hello people, hope you are all feeling well and festive at this time of year, and enjoying the food, frivolities and fun. It's time to share my songs of the year, and get a retrospective on a year in which girls and synths dominated. It's also a shock to think it's the final year of the decade. Here goes....

1. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) – Florence & The Machine. Though it sounds like she's saying "Lube it up" in the bridge instead of "Raise It up" (that's probably my filthy mind), this clever concoction of Alice In Wonderland meets Greek Mythology with pagan rites thrown in was refreshing, quirky introduced the world to Florence Welsh, who I've no doubt will be with us for many years to come, coming in a great tradition of British, cooky and brilliant female singer songwriters like Kate Bush and PJ Harvey. Pop brilliance, and though I'm sick of hearing it now, probably my favourite song of the year. 2009 was the year she was robbed of the Mercury Music Prize too, incidentally, by an unworth act I will not even grace with a mention, such is my wrath towards them....

2 Little Lion Man– Mumford and Sons. Seeing this 5-piece supporting the Maccabees in the middle of the year, I (rightly as always, ahem) predicted big things for this band, who are affiliated to the same London folk set that spawned Noah and The Whale and Laura Marling, and it shows. A sincere and heartfelt portrait of a failing relationship, this song forms a great companion to NTW's breakup album The First Days Of Spring.

3. Just Dance – Lady Gaga. Ok she's weird, and clearly one fruit short of a basket, but the 2009, if you remember, began with this slab of 80s revival pop perfection, which instantly reminded me of what Madonna might be doing if she was young and relevant, though on reflection, Gaga may lack the likeability and charisma to still be around in 20 years. Still, this song about getting hosed in a club and forgetting where you are is something most 16 year olds can relate to, so she seemed to capture a moment this year, not least with equally brilliant singles Poker Face and Paparazzi.

4. New York State of Mind – Jay-Z. The elder statesman/ grand dame of hip hop continued his return from retirement with his first album proper (soundtrack to American Gangster notwithstanding) to remind us all how it's done, with The Blueprint 3, and in this song he seems keen to confirm his legacy as on of the greats, putting himself in the same lineage as major league players such as Sinatra, telling us of the Big Apple, "And If I can make it here / I can make it anywhere". Alicia Key's chorus thankfully does well do distract you from his enormous ego. You've got to admire the man's ambition though, and this year, following the Glastonbury appearance of 2008, it seems that he had indeed cemented his reputation as a rapper and musician of genuine distinction, and so his various British media appearances felt like something of a victory tour.

5. I'm Not Your Toy - La Roux. I started the year hating this cauterwalling red headed 21 year old, as she surfed on a wave of Hoxton media set-sponsored acclaim into the charts with 'In The For The Kill'. I must confess I mellowed on her and by halfway through the year found myself liking this infectious synth number, even if it has a bizarre video. It does sound like a Yazoo, Depeche Mode or Erasure number that escaped from 1983, though.

6. Daniel – Bat For Lashes. Another mad as a brush female singer songwriter, though thankfully a good one, Natasha Khan, like many other girls, has a career to thank Amy Winehouse for. Not that they sound remotely the same but as is obvious from my run down of songs, which would normally be a lot more butch, 2009 was dominated by women as a result of the critical and commercial success of Wino back in 2006. Khan, like Florence, is clearly influenced by Kate Bush, but where as Welsh borrows, Khan steals wholesale. That's no bad thing however, and for a generation of music fans who've never heard the anything like this, 'Daniel ' was a brilliant record, which again could have escaped from the better end of 80s music. And apparently, the 'Daniel' it's dedicated to is in fact Ralph Macchio from Karate Kid. Wax on, Wax off!

7. Zero - Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Fashion icon Karen O and her uber-cool band of New Yorkers (pictured) returned this year, moving on from their punk beginnings. Forced into an early release by illegal copies circulating on the internet, the album from this came was a mixed affair which left some accusing the band of flattering to deceive with their promise of going electric, but this electro-punk number certain hit the spot.

8. Warm In The Shadows – Music Go Music. This song hasn't actually been released yet, but having done the rounds in certain critical circles, this LA band, signed to Mercury, toured England in autumn of this year in support of Franz Ferdinand, and, catching them doing a performance at this year's In The City, this is the one song that didn't leave my stereo for weeks. I expect big things from them in 2010, and this was one hell of a taster.

9. Eminem – Beautiful. Two or three years ago he Nearly cashed his chips after a run in with the kind of super-powerful prescription drugs that sadly finished off Michael Jackson this year, but this year everyone's favourite white rapper Marshall Mathers returned with 'Relapse', his first album in five years. Continuing his uniquely tortured, autobiographical style, we had portraits of serial killers in the chilling '3.a.m', insights into fame with 'We Made You', and this, self-produced, rather sentimental number. I have something of a penchant for soft rock, so I just couldn't resist the Paul Rogers intro.....

10. The 59 Sound – The Gaslight Anthem. I have a feeling they may go onto be a minor footnote in music, but I must admit falling in love with the whole 'Jersey Sound' thing early this year, particularly in the run up to Bruce ' The Boss' Springsteen's appearance at Glastonbury and Hard Rock Calling. The inheritors of his Blue-collar, East Coast rock released this compelling dose of story-telling punk rock earlier this year, and though the rest of the album didn't quite live up to it, I still love this record. There's a version from Glasto with them join on stage by the Boss himself here.

Merry Xmas and Happy NY everyone!!!

Creature With The Atom Brain and The Dead Weather, Manchester Academy, 19 October

2009-10-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

With autumn, comes the return of students, and therefore bands, bands and more bands on the touring trail of the country's universities, hoping to capture gain and maintain a fanbase. Tonight's support, contenders Creature With An Atom Brain, are aiming to capture the heart of Manchester' students, and hail from Belgium of all places, Though it's unlikely you've heard of them, their claim to fame so far is that lead singer Aldo Struyf has played keyboards for Millionaire and the Mark Lanegan Band.

Sadly, it's most likely to stay that way, as the 4 piece offer a set that consists of 70s psych-rock, and which is, for the greater part, made up of overly long songs that sound identical, and proceed at exactly the same tempo. The addition of random time changes cannot disguise the basic over-indulgence, as most numbers are based around a single riff, and lack a sense of direction and purpose. And for a band influenced by Roky Erickson and 13 Floor Elevators, that's a shame, though their brand of drug-induced riffery might go down better in the US, to which the band clearly owe their sound.

While the assembled Academy crowd are largely respectful but unimpressed by CWTAB, everything changes the moment the lights go down, a mysterious blue symbol is lit up on the back wall, and the Dead Weather emerge onto the stage. A supergroup variously formed from members of QOTSA, The Raconteurs, The Kills and of course the White Stripes earlier this year, a quick chat amongst various punters reveals what we already know : most of tonight's audience are here to see what they perceive as Jack White's new band.

All eyes however fall immediately on the magnetic stage prescence of The Kills' Alison Mossheart, dressed all in black, smouldering, very much the rock goddess incarnate, as she sways around, dragging the mike back and forth. She's like every hot female lead singer ever, be it Debbie Harry or Chrissie Hynde, both irresistible and untouchable. The contrast with the support band is like night and day. The Dead Weather sway wonderfully, performing with a sense of theatre and rock and roll attitude lacking in CWAB's set. Beginning with 60 Feet Tall from the bands' one and only album Horehound, its' haunting trip hop blues reminiscent of Portishead.

The crowd are desperate for a sign of Jack White though, and indulging in his rock drummer fantasy behind the skins, he's hard to see, despite his Keith Moon style histrionics. By the fourth song, a cover of Them's 'You Just Can't Win' he's up assisting on vocal duties, which he dedicates to Noel Gallagher, and it's quickly becoming clear that The Dead Weather is very much his baby. The various elements that characterise his output, the early blues, the Dylanesque lyrics, the Zeppelin riffs, they're all present. The Dead Weather does have a much more contemporary feel than The Raconteurs, though, and the there's more of a sense of musical dynamism in the interplay between the musicians than is present in the simple, direct songwriting of The White Stripes. Ironically, Jack White is also a better drummer than his sibling/wife/mate/whatever Meg, but it's a bit like having Wayne Rooney in goal ; you know he can do the job, but you really want him up front.

By the end, that's where he is, as Mossheart sits up on the speakers, sipping what can only be strong liquor, and White plays a trademark solo on the epically plaintive blues of 'Will There Be Enough Water'. After a brief intermission there is the obligatory encore, which White begins by giving a shout out to Oldham (birthplace of his British wife) and telling the crowd that he “loves walking down the street down here”. The band end energetically on 'Treat Me Like Your Mother', and the song's refrain “You blink when you breath/ and you breath when you lie” is left ringing in our ears on what has been an impressive, accomplished and varied set which has been thrown together and rehearsed in a very short space of time, though it doesn't show. For most of its' members, The Dead Weather may not be their day job, but it sounds like it.

Credits for photos goes to Luke Hannaford get in touch with him if you like his photos!

In The City, Day 1, Sunday 18th October

2009-10-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

For those who don't know, In The City is the world famous conference for the music industry, where labels, journalists, and bands meet to discuss the big issues facing the business, and often, to do business. It's touted as Britain's answer to SXSW. That includes signing bands, and it's accompanying live shows, which are open to the public, have helped launch the careers of many major bands that have played, including Arctic Monkey (2005), The Chemical Brothers (1995), Oasis (1992), and Coldplay (1997).

This year will see performances by no less than 150 bands, some of whom have just been signed, and some of whom will be signed at the event, so this is the place to be to get an idea of what acts may breakthrough into the charts in the next year or two. I decided to get in on the action, so what follows is my review of the acts I managed to catch on the first night of the event.

Ou Est La Swimming Pool, Night And Day

It's early evening and the ITC festivities are just beginning. Members of the public who have bought wristbands are mingling with jaded industry types, waiting to be impressed. One of the first acts of the 3 days are Radio One's favourites OELSP, presumably named after a tricky lesson in GSCE French, in which they didn't pick up the word 'piscine'. Unlike many of the acts over the coming days, they are signed and rapidly in the process of becoming an established name, with an album to come in November, and so the 4 piece North Londoners decided to head north and grace the tiny, cramped stage of Night And Day with their presence.

It turned out to be a gig that set the tone for much of the evening, in that their 'boys with synths' schtick was repeated throughout the night – evidently this is what major label A & R execs think the forthcoming year is about, and the only variation apparently lies in the execution. Thankfully, OELSP did have charm and a sense of fun in their favour, and having supported the likes of La Roux, Mr Hudson and Reverend and the Makers, the live delivery to charm the punters in what is essentially a very tough gig.

First up was 'Jacksons Last Stand', and lead singer Charlie Haddon's energetic and forceful delivery, alongside cohort and fellow vocalist Khan gave their Pet Shop Boys sound a hip hop feel as they jumped about the stage, and walked up and down. With his shock of blond hair, and the fresh faced look of the front pairing, this made the act strangely reminiscent of East 17, or perhaps the Beastie Boys covering the Pet Shop Boys. Good or bad? You decide.

By OELSP's third song, a new number 'Better', described by Charlie himself, with his tongue firmly in cheek, as a 'love ballad', they had switched gears, and the result was like a footy hooligan getting in touch with his feelings and talking about his love for his bird. With another, more uptempo number, then breakup song 'The Key', singer Haddon said farewell on behalf of the band, and the Camden quartet finally ended proceedings with current hit single 'Dance The Way I Feel'. One suspects it's not the last we'll hear from those boys.......

Kirsty Almeida, Band On The Wall

Meanwhile, across on the other side of Manchester's hip Northern Quarter, the re-opened venue Band On The Wall sees the industry unveiling of Universal's new signing Kirsty Almeida, accompanied by, wait for it, an 11 piece backing band, including a 3 piece brass section known as 'Hornography', and a 4 piece string section.

This Gilbraltar-born singer songwriter has her work cut out for her finding her own space in the crowded marketplace that has become that of the female solo artist in recent years. Her sound fits somewhere between Norah Jones and Corinne Bailey Ray, but her take on that radio-friendly combination of jazz/folk/soul is slightly more esoteric, at various different times taking in styles as diverse as swing jazz, country (not the Alt. Stuff) and Latin, so she does make a different, and distinctive proposition.

Tonight there is a sense of occasion in the air, and as I chat to members of the audience, I discover friends of hers who tell me she has just returned from Spain, where she had been recording with a top producer (it turns out to be none other than 'Youth') for the last month working on the songs, so this evening is the first occasion to air her newly refined sound before industry bods.

After being introduced by her guitarist, who looks and dresses a bit like Mark Ronson, she begins her set rather appropriately by singing 'Gather Round', with it's country feel, funky bass and slide guitar, sounding like a jazzier Morcheeba. Almeida has a resemblance to Mel C of the Spice Girls, and, with her hair up, glitter on her face, and wearing a billowing black dress (which she later tells the audience, apparently in all serious, is a parachute!), looks very much like one of the beautiful people.

By the second song, which brass led, bossanova type number, with Latin horn stabs reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club, the singers' voice takes on a Billie Halliday like quality, before the third track, 'Cool Down Rewind'. Clearly the most commercial song of the set, it's a love song with big commercial radio hit written all over it, very much in the vein of Corinne Bailey Rae.

Similarly accessible 'You're The Wrong Mr Right', with it's playful lyrics sounds like it was made especially for the soundtrack of a Hollywood romcom. After singing the title in the chorus throughout the song, she ends by telling her mystery man 'But You're The Right Mr Wrong Tonight'. The truth is songs like this may indeed end up in a movie soundtrack. After a couple more numbers, 'Wishing Well', and another, Beatlesy big brassy number, I hurriedly leave Band On the Wall and make my way across town, reflecting. It strikes me that she will sit well alongside the likes of Jamie Cullum on Radio 2 or Smooth FM, and though her more esoteric influences may require a little effort to follow, it's entirely possible she will be coming to a supermarket CD rack near you.

I return to Night and Day to catch the end of Wolf Gang (pictured above at the ICA earlier this year), expecting a 80s throwback synth-driven solo artist. On closer inspection, what I get is actually a 4 piece band with lead singer switching between the guitar and synth for various songs. The result generic 80s rock which may grow on me, but at the time is underwhelming. They end proceedings with forthcoming single 'The King And All His Men', which I do enjoy, reminding me as it does of 80s synth dudes like Nick Kershaw, no bad thing. For me, the jury is out on this guy. He may have the potential to appear to a wider audience than OELSP, who seem to be a band that kids will love. One thing's for certain. The nation's radio stations are going to be hit with huge tidal wave of 80s synth music. Damn you, La Roux.

Continuing the theme, Newcastle/Kent act Everything Everything make a surprise last minute inclusion to the bill at Night And Day, and I am befuddled by them. I'm not the only one, I think. I don't even know where to begin. There's something of the cod-African guitar work of Foals, the dissonant jerky beats of Aphex Twin, and the pop sensibility of Duran Duran in their song My KZ, UR BF. You can hear the North East influence of bands like The Futureheads and Maximo Park in there somewhere too, I think. It's too much for my ears to take in in one go, like a Friday night in 1984 refracted through the lens of some very strong drugs. They're signed to XL subsidiary Salvia, their first single 'Suffragette Suffragette' is out in November, they're easily the weirdest of tonight's synth wave, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Music Go Music, Night and Day

Finally, the band I have been waiting for all night, Los Angeles' 5 piece Music Go Music. I've sort of fallen in love with their Myspace songs, with their perfect mixture of 70s disco influences, which come together to create pop perfection. Mostly, that means they sound almost exactly like Blondie, and I love Blondie, so I'm a happy boy. And somewhere in the bar, DJ and superstar producer Mark Ronson is watching, surely a celebriy endorsement that can do them no harm.

Resplendent in a white waistcoat and all black leotard, lead singer Gala Bell looks and wiggles a bit like Roisin Murphy, as the band crank into action with the first number 'I Walk Alone'. The combination of boy rock and girl vocals is intoxicating. If they ever get anywhere, I suspect Bell will have herself quite a few male (and probably many female) fans. They look like a band from LA, an odd, mismatched bunch with bassist (Torg) looking like Neil from the Young Ones, the guitarist looks like Neil Young after a hard night's drinking, and keyboardist Kamer Maza may have escaped from The Killers. This makes them very, very cool.

Sadly they ruin this by playing 'Light Of Love', which sounds a lot like Abba. And I hate Abba, because they sort of stole my first name and ruined Primary school for me. Thankfully Gala Bell smiles and shimmies like Karen O, and all is forgiven, and they take on the 60s psychedelia of Reach Out, which helps a lot, brilliant as it is. They end on the high note of their best song 'Caught In The Shadows' (http://vimeo.com/5944494) , which boogies with the funk of a glitterball, extending it to triple dip on the wonderful chorus, augmenting it with some incredible guitar soloing, and the crowd, myself included, are up and dancing, hardened music journalist that I am. And if they can melt the heart of hardened industry bods on a night like tonight, Music Go Music can surely do anything.

http://www.myspace.com/ouestleswimmingpool
http://www.myspace.com/almeidagirl
http://www.myspace.com/thisiswolfgang
http://www.myspace.com/musicgomusic

http://www.myspace.com/everythingeverythinguk

Tuesday night, In The City

2009-10-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

Wow. So I survived it. 3 days of bands, talk, and interviewing. My brain is friend, and my body is broken. Just got back an hour ago from seeing May68 and The Drums at Night And Day.

May68 were a band in the making, still finding their way, defining their sound and identity. The lead singer had obviously styled herself on Karen O, and the songs were lacking a dynamic quality, a clear distinction between verses and choruses, to give them a sense of direction. They were good though, and got better as the performance went on, and they're definitely ones to watch on the local scene, following in the electo footsteps of Delphic and The Whip.

Florida via NYC'sThe Drums had been hyped to high heaven as the band to go and see. Their myspace and the little press they'd done suggested they are in the same lineage as early Factory bands, and they'd obviously done their homework in this respect, but they left me cold, leaving me with a feeling that they were incredibly cynical, and had put together their look and sound in order to be 'cool', and hip according to a music scene / press definition, but weren't actually that good. Members of the audience told me that they were brilliant on their current E.P.but I refuse to buy it. The whole thing stank of the emperor's new clothes to me, so I left to fight, and write another day.

It's now time to sleep before writing up my interview with Mark Ronson, and the performance of The Dead Weather at the Academy on Monday. Nite!

In The City : Sunday 18th DAY ONE

2009-10-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

Ok chaps and ladies. It is that time of year again, here in Manchester. Delegates from all around the world gather at the prestigious Midland Hotel to discuss the future, past and present of the music industry, as well as watch 150 bands.

It will be time to run off and catch said bands in a moment for yours truly, but for now, a quick word on the 2 debates I managed to see. Firstly 'Licence To Ill; Digital Licencing, How Do We Build a Future' was a fascinating debate, with the CEO of We7 Steve Purdham, and James Healy from Universal, among others, contributing. It was fascinating to learn the various issues and structures behind licencing music to the likes of Napster, Amazon, We7, Spotify, Last.FM etc., and how incredibly difficult and disorganised this sector is - no wonder people many people don't pay for their music when the various commercial offerings from the music industry are only now beginning to develop a competitive market, with a variety of options.

Far more full of anecdotes was 'God Show Me Magic: The Story Of Creation Records', which was chaired by Radio 6's Steve Lemacq, with contributions from the labels' former MD, and Mark Garndener of the creation band Ride. It was crazy to hear how Mark once played as the keyboardist in Primal Scream on Top OF the Pops because the original keyboardist Duffy hadn't applied for his musician's union card, or how fisticuff fights took place in the labels' Hackney HQ.

Anyway, I'm off to catch Ou Est La Swimming Pool, Kirsty Almedia, Wolf Gang and Music Go Music. Hopefully, that is........

Editors 'In This Light And On This Evening' (Kitchenware Records).

2009-10-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Geography. Whether it's Lou Reed and David Bowie channelling the sound of Berlin as perceived through a drug induced stupor in the early 70s, the Smiths' bittersweet poetry about cemeteries and school bullying in the grim industrial Manchester of the 80s, the modern city has always provided a muse for the artist.

And so it is with Editors third album, 'In This Light....' . Lead singer, lyricist and chief miserablist Tom Smith has moved south from his native Birmingham, in with Radio One DJ Edith Bowman, experiencing parenthood and domestic bliss. On this record he channels the narcotic rush of the capital through lyrics of wonder “On this life and in this evening, London is the most beautiful thing I've seen” ; and fears of overwhelm (“damn this place makes a boy out of me”). This is surely a new range in his emotional vocabulary, but fans need not worry, his voice still has the haunting quality of Ian Curtis, and the lyrics overall still aim for a note of portentous melancholy that had defined the band up to now, as the singer curses god for not existing on current single 'Papillion', and the passing of youthful passion on 'You Don't Know Love'. Occasionally, the results sound forced and silly, as on the latter, which begins “You ran with the dead today, with the moles from the CIA”. But for the most part, it works.

Sonically, the band as whole strike of daringly in a new direction, experimenting with a new palette of sounds apparently taken from 80s movie soundtracks like Bladerunner and Terminator, and yes, Joy Division / early New Order. Melodies played out on atmospheric synths rather than guitars, and beats chiming on the tinny sound of drum machines may alienate those used to Editors 1.0, but the production by Mark 'Flood' Ellis ensures a 'Live' quality to the electronica, which is not ruined by being overly sequenced and quantised, retaining instead an organic feel.

Let's be clear. Editors have divided critics, some of whom have accused them of sounding like a modern, commercially acceptable version of Joy Division (and having beaten to it by Interpol by several years, for that matter), and this record will do nothing to refute those accusations for listeners unwilling to appreciate the innovation of this record, particularly its' referencing of 80s synth music by the likes of Vangelis. Such accusations miss the point ; if we are to see Oasis as a poor mans' Beatles, The Strokes as a poor mans' Velvet Underground, and the Libertines as a poor mans' Strokes, pretty soon we'd be left with no music at all.

Fans, despite their fear of change from the tested formula of Editors' earlier work, may listen to this record with kinder and more patient ears, and will find themselves pleasantly surprised I suspect, after the initial shock of new. 'In This Light' is a grower, which will reward on repeated listening.

Abbas Ali

4/5

In The City - 18th-20th October

2009-10-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

OK, peeps, so here we go. Manchester's world famous music conference In The City returns this weekend on Sunday, for a 3 day extravaganza of new music, debate, and record deals for those luck enough to impress the labels. Originally started by Tony Wilson and his wife Yvette Lyvsey in 1992, it has been dubbed the world's greatest unsigned event, and helped in the process of getting deals for the likes of Oasis, Coldplay, The Chemical Brothers and Arctic Monkeys.

This year, the highlights will include a debate between reknowned journalist and broadcaster John Harris, and formerly ubiquitous trombone merchant Mark Ronson and MD of his label Columbia Records, Mike Smith. There are some incredibly exciting bands on including my personal recommendations Blondie-soundalikes Music Go Music, Scotlands' Frightened Rabbit and 80s London synth pop dude Wolf Gang. To be honest, I've only just managed to scrape the surface of a long list, and have found these 3 to be excellent, but I am sure there are many more great bands on the long list of bands to be featured on the event.

I am going to be posting some reviews of the acts for God Is In The TV Zine, and will most likely post some blog news from / during the event.

Karima Francis : The Deaf Institute 25/03/09

2009-10-06T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hi, after neglecting this baby for a while, I'm going to be posting a few things on here, me thinks. Starting with a review of Karima Francis, back in March of this year....

Karima Francis - The Deaf Institute,“Keeping it real”. Isn't that what music's all about? Opening your heart and soul to the world and showing them who you 'Really' are? As a newly emerging singer Karima Francis, steps on stage to hushed silence, capturing the hearts and ears of the audience in the opening bars of tonight's first song “The Author”, the title track of her début album, she reveals herself with an openness with is unflinching and brave. Her highly anticipated appearance at this triumphant homecoming gig turns the room from a noisy bar-room to attentive audience instantaneously. The tension and drama of this opening number is only briefly ruined by a Dom Joly-inspired idiot in the centre of the capacity 300-strong crowd who get a call and decides to take it, to the ire of onlookers.

As the delicate sensitivity of 'The Author' is followed by current single 'Again', with its' strong chorus, her 4-piece male accompanying band begin to rock, albeit gently, and the clear commercial potential of Francis' proposition becomes evident. Fitting somewhere in the lineage of Britain's recent slew of young female vocalists, this is emotive, soulful pop music, without the drug-addled self-harm of Amy Winehouse , or the pouting tabloid-friendly blondeness of Duffy. It may be hearing it's last performance on a small scale, but her star is clearly in the ascendant, as she delivers music of the kind that could easily soundtrack Romcoms or fill stadiums.
Looking round at the varied mix of Manchester's beautiful people, with her family assembled on the balcony, one can feel the sense of occasion tonight. It is the week of the album and single launch for 21 year old Blackpool-born Francis, and there is an urgency and heartfelt passion in her voice that won't be denied. If her fragile, androgynous Bob Dylan-esque figure and her voice intimates otherwordliness and star quality, it's completely at odds with her down to earth persona. In between songs, she chats to the audience like a friend amongst friends (many of tonights audience undoubtedly are), talking openly about how her life is changing as fame ensues, with a mixture of what feels like trepidation and excitement. Sharing news of her support slot with the Stereophonics on the Teenage Cancer Trust bill at the Royal Albert Hall, she also tell us of a forthcoming slot on Later....with Jools Holland.”I'm on the same show as Carole King....Shit the bed!”

Halfway into the evening, she introduces an acoustic cover of Kings of Leon's 'Use Somebody', she questions herself for choosing a non-original song. “Guess this means I'm fake doesn't it?” she says, smiling self-effacingly. Her life and the company she keeps may be changing, but she has nothing to worry about there : Francis may be pop, but she's the real deal.

Setlist:

The Author

Again
Use Somebody (cover)
Morse Code
Francis
Chasing the Morning Light
Hold You Again
Laurel Avenue
Remember your Name (encore)

The Weekly Playlist....

2008-09-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

So, to re-invigorate this baby, here's a top 10 list of tunes I've been listening to, enjoy.

1) Gil Scott Heron - Home Is Where The Hatred Is - Legendary jazz poet/ proto rap dude muses about his real-life scag addiction and family breakdown, and you can hear the pain. Amazing.

2) Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire - new single by Deep South sons of a preacher man. Their best yet.

3) The Beach Boys - Sail On, Sailor - One of their great "lost" classics from the 70s, with lyrics by Van Dyk Parks.

4) Glasvegas - Geraldine - Glasgae flavours of the month with a heart aching song about a social worker. Not something you hear every day.

5) CSS - Cannonball - Brazilian minx Lovefoxx sounds as lovely as ever on this cover of The Breeders grunge anthem.

6) Playground - Make It Happen - phat bass from the GTA4 Soundtrack.

7) The Futureheads - This Is Not The World - angular Clash-style punk from the North East band sadly best known for covering Kate Bush.

8) The Verve - Appalacian Springs - final, blissed out track from the new album Forth.

9) The Specials - Too Much Too Young - The Coventry ska legends re-formed this weekend for Bestival, and peformed this gem, amongst others.

10) Twisted Wheel - You Stole The Sun - much-touted Oldham trio with a riotous Fall-meets Libertines banger.

Is Noel Racist?

2008-09-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

So, Noel Gallagher, one my favourite living musicians and songwriters, has posted his Top 10 of Rock N Roll bands on the Oasis website at

http://www.oasisinet.com/NewsArticle.aspx?n=649

It's not worth a butchers, as sadly you have to sign up to register for Oasisnet.com, but to save you the hassle, he tells on the blog

"In the dressing room the traditional debate has started about 'The Top 10'. This means the top 10 bands of all time. No solo artists allowed. No female artists allowed. No collectives allowed (Public Enemy etc.) This is the 1,000th time we’ve been here with this. It never gets any less interesting for me. For the record, THE DEFINITIVE top 10 is..

1: The Beatles

2: The Rolling Stones

3: The Who

4: Sex Pistols

5: The Kinks

6: The La's

7: Pink Floyd

8: The Bee Gees

9: The Specials

10: (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac"

Looking at the list, I've got to say I quite like most of what's in it. I love the Stones (though I am sick of hearing how great the Beatles are, and their music doesn't do much for me these days, for some reason). The La's only released one album, and there are only a handful of good tunes on that. Where are The Smiths? and the Stone Roses? Where are American bands like The Beach Boys, The Byrds and CSNY?

More importantly, there are no black musicians in the list, besides half of the Specials, but that then puts Jerry Dammers in front of Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, James Brown, and a lot of other dudes. There isn't much of a black influence beyond their ska, and the cod-funk/soul of the Bee Gees in their 70s era. Well, I suppose the whole thing is a list of artists influenced by black blues musicians, but it's so....damn white.

I remember the late John Peel talking about his music taste, and saying how it would be a shame if, though you might like, say, vanilla ice cream, that was the only kind of ice cream you ever ate. What about strawberry? What about Magmums, and Cornettos? You get the point.

Since much of black music is about collectives (like most of the great acts in hip hop, like NWA, Public Enemy, Wu Tang Clan, etc), especially my beloved Massive Attack, that's a huge chunk of black music out.

And then there's no female artists? What the fxxx? Gallagher and his fellow rockers may have loved the 60s and 70s, so what about Aretha Franklin, surely one of the greatest singers of all time? Janis Joplin, Carole King, Karen Carpenter, hell, do Blondie count if Debbie Harry promises wear a strap-on?

Given that a few months ago, Gallagher made some questionable comments about how Jay-Z shouldn't play Glastonbury because the festival "has a tradition of guitar music....I'm not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong", one has to wonder if the grandad of today's music scene (he has a lot to do with the Kaiser Chiefs and the Arctic Monkeys) is a bit of a racist, sexist old git on the sly. Your thoughts?

For the record, here's my list, which will no doubt change tomorrow on reflection. And bollocks to the aforementioned restrictions. In no particular order:

1. The Rolling Stones.

2. The Clash.

3. Bob Marley.

4. Jimi Hendrix (in all his various guises).

5. Stevie Wonder.

6. The Verve.

7. U2.

8. Neil Young.

9. Led Zeppelin.

10. Massive Attack.

11. Fuck the Beatles, they're over-rated.

Social Circle

2006-10-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

hi peeps. So, in the spirit of trying new, fun things, I decided to venture out as your humble correspondent and sample delights of Didsbury last night. A few weeks ago, I was temping in some dump of an office in Chorlton, when I met a really cool dude call Sean, just moved here from uni in Stafford, who's keen to get into making film & tv.

After texting and promising to hang out, I turned up last week and ended up meeting loads of people at a new thing called Social Circle, which happens each week. It's basically a free thing where people meet each week on a Monday night in the Slug and Lettuce at 8pm, lots of young professional types and students, and a chance to drink and hang out. They do lots of other meets and the website seems to be well updated, so if you're interested, it's something to do, and it's free.

There some really nice people there, and the next meet is on Friday for a pub crawl, so I may well report back (if I'm not too hung over on Saturday!).

The Departed

2006-10-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

So. Slow start to this blog thing. Ahem. Slowly getting into the spirit, I decided to venture out of my messy hovel and into the actual real world, and go do something.

I headed down to the Printworks with this in mind, and went to see The Departed, the new Scorsese flick, and I was not disappointed. Probably one of the best movies I've seen in years. It's a remake of the the Jap flick Infernal Affairs, and centres round 2 main characters, played by Leo De Caprio and Matt Damon. Both play rookie cops, 1 good, 1 bad. The dynamic of the story centres round the irony that Damons' character Colin Sullivan is rewarded by the law enforcement machine, says all the right things, and acts respectable, but is actually corrupt, and in the pay of Jack Nicholson's demonic mob boss character Frank Costello.

Meanwhile, Leo's character Billy Costigan is told he isn't clean enough to join the filth when he graduates the police training academy, despite his obvious ability, intelligence and sincerity, because of the criminal background of his family, and is kindly lumbered with the dirty assignment of going undercover and ingratating himself with Nicholson, all the while living in abject terror of being found out.

The result is a filmmaking masterclass from Scorsese, and the talented cast, with De Caprio and his evil foil Damon both standing out for particular praise. I've always had my doubts about De Caprio being a lightweight who's traded on his looks, but this is a heavyweight performance where he captures perfectly the angst of the character, who has courage and bombast in spades to hang out with villains, the genius and savvy to talk his way out of being found out again and again by Nicholson, and the vulnerability of a man terrified he's in over his head. Damon similarly plays the slimy Sullivan with great refinement, hoodwinking most of his colleagues and superiors, and gaining more and more power and influence.

Most reviews I've seen concentrate on Nicholson's mack daddy mobster Costello, at 69 one of the best things he's ever done. There's also a fine support from an ensemble cast with excellent performances from aggressive but honest cop Mark Walberg, good father figure Martin Sheen, and psychologist and girlfriend Vera Farmiga, who highlights the contrast between the scheming Sullivan and Costigan perfectly as she is torn between them.

Props ultimately go to Scorese himself for directing this mamma with the kind of gusto not seen since his glory days with movies like Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas. Business has been a bit hit and miss since the latter, with partial successes in the likes of Gangs of New York and The Aviator, but this touches on all of his finest work, even if the mileu is moved from New York Italian community he grew up in to the hard drinking, macho world of Bostons' Irish mob.

I could say more but I won't, other than go see it, undoubtedly the best movie of the year.

Evenin' all.....

2006-10-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

hi peeps,

So, this is it. After a year and a half out of the journalist game, and the demise of local listings magazine City Life, I'm back in. Couldn't resist the temptation I guess. Inspired by a couple of blogs I've seen around, I had a bit of time on my hands and realised writing my own reflections on culture, life and everything would provide a great outlet for my ever-evolving brain.

And so, that's what this is. I'll be posting reviews of movies, clubs, tv, music, gigs, etc, from my base here in Manchester, England. And I'll be giving you both barrels on life, the universe and everything when I'm feeling like it....