Lots of gigs :-)

I've not got much time at the moment so it's just a quick gig run down today.

Last week I went on a scouting mission for my record label to see Black Cherry. They were a really good live act, but I'm yet to hear anything recorded which shows how good they were. Below is the video for 'Who's Your Enemy'.



The headliners on the night were The Wombats who put on quite a show. Having started with an acapello rendition of Girls, Boys & Marsupials (which they had rehearsed on the toilet) they continued to use their trio of vocals to stunning effect. Their next single (below) is 'Kill The Director'.



Coming up on Saturday (Nottingham), Scouting For Girls. This band create brillianly innocent sounding love songs; and "I love the way she makes me druel, I think you're beautiful" is a great lyric. Below is the video for 'It's Not About You'.



One gig which I will have to miss (due to needing to do some work towards my finals) is The Films. The video below is for 'Belt Loops'. This is a classic dirty little indie song.



Black Cherry Myspace
The Wombats Myspace
Scouting For Girls Myspace
The Films Myspace

Mercenary Rhymes

Mercenary Rhymes are Rob Sandall and Andrew Futral. The easiest way to describe their sound is to give you a brief run down of their history. Rob recently worked on a B side for Dntel, who are a Jimmy Tamborello (Postal Service) side project band. Whilst we're on the subject of Postal Service off-shoots, you may also want to check out Figurine. Whilst not making music with Rob, Andrew plays with The Age Of Rockets. Combine the sounds of all these influences in a big mixing pot and Mercenary Rhymes is what comes out. My slightly interesting, but largely irrelevant, fact of the day is that the artwork for their new EP has been done by Frank Turner (formerly of Million Dead).



Above: Postal Service - Such Great Heights



Mercenary Rhymes Myspace
The Age Of Rockets Myspace
Dntel Myspace
Figurine Myspace
Postal Service Myspace

Ejectorseat

A few weeks ago I was hunting for bands to book for a night I'm running in August. With so many bands looking for gigs, it was difficult to know where to start. The main problem faced by a band booker is that a band which sounds great in the studio can be weak live. The actual logistics of running a night are comparatively unimportant; the fate of the night is already designated as a success/failure as soon as you confirm that band. With this in mind, I sought the advice of friends on who they thought I should book. Having investigated a few bands, I decided to go for Ejectorseat, with Penfold Gate as support.



Above: Ejectorseat - What do they care | Buy

Lots of indie kids seem to be drifting in to nu-wave and dirty electro at the moment. Even the emo kids are listening to electro-popified tunes, courtesy of bands such as hellogoodbye. Don't get me wrong, I'm a bit of an electro slut myself on occasion and won't say no to a bit of musical filth on a night out. However, I wish that there were more bands who could integrate these synthy electro beats in to songs more subtly. By doing this bands can produce punchy songs, whilst maintaining the over-riding sound of classic indie-rock. This blend creates memorable, danceable indie classics. Ejectorseat are one such band who play riotous tunes which wake up the dance floor. Next time your out force the DJ to play one of their songs. Think Bloc Party meets Maximo Park and let your dancing shoes do the rest.

Ejectorseat - Attack, Attack, Attack (acoustic) | Download | Buy

Ejectorseat Myspace

Ejectorseat Website

Little Spitfire

If you went to a gig having not heard this band play before, you could be forgiven for expecting to hear a bit of pop-punk or emo. Dressed head to toe in black, apart from the odd stripey tie and pair of red shoes, they do look like that kind of band. If you're one of those indie kids who run for the hills at the first mention of emo, don't get your jogging shoes on quite yet. These power-popping guitar wielders actually play rowdy rock tunes with epic bass lines and catchy lyrics.

Below is the video for 'If I Look I See You', which reminds me of the video for Queens of the Stone Age - Go With the Flow.



If I look I see You Download | Buy

Miss You Download | Buy

Say Hello Download | Buy

Silly Girl Download | Buy

Website
Myspace

Anyone up for a good sonic read?

I hate genre labelling. I'm not very good at defining them or knowing which bands fit in where. (Guess I'll never work for NME then. Sigh.) Lets face it, all music is open to interpretation - thats what this site is all about. And so I offer up for your consideration, the genre defying GoodBooks.

Part indie, part emo, part pop, this is a band that lets you find in its music whatever you're looking for. For me its different everytime. So far its mostly been about the funk of 'Start/Stop' which includes some lovely dirty bass lines that make me want to dance every single time. However recently I have been fortunate enough to hear a few sample tracks from the forthcoming debut album, "Control" (you heard it here first kids!) and I have a new obsession, namely 'Beautiful To Watch'. Its just awesome. I've heard this track before on early recordings and at gigs and its never really blown me away. The album recording however makes it sound MASSIVE. The layers of this track build gradually and by the time the drums come crashing in, its taken you over. Completely. And the rest of the tracks work similarly, showcasing the considerable talent of each member, talent that is glaringly obvious during GoodBooks live shows. First time I saw them, all four members stepped away from their instruments and mics, and started the next song singing acapella, in harmonies and then in rounds. Brilliant.

However, what I love about this band more than anything is that they seem to appeal to such a variety of people. Pretty much everyone I've played tracks to have loved them. (Currently playing the CD at work and people are looking confused and involuntarily exclaiming 'I love this... Why do I love this?') So do yourself a favour and check them out. I can almost guarantee you'll like at least one song, no matter what you're looking for. Think I'm wrong? Think I'm right? Hit the comment button below. But in my opinion, GoodBooks are going to be best sellers for sure...



The Illness, above, was out yesterday | Buy

Website
Myspace

Content by Cerian.

Frank Turner

I had the pleasure of sitting in on Frank Turner recording a set for radio this afternoon. Formerly of Million Dead, Frank's sound has moved towards folk & country since going it alone. When watching Frank play, it is clear he's passionate about writing songs and playing music. It is this passion which flows in to the songs and makes them the masterpieces they are. Below is the video for 'The Real Damage', which is out on Monday.



The Real Damage - EP | Buy

Sleep is for the Week - Album | Buy

I couldn't write a post on Frank without mentioning this song. Below is a live version of 'Thatcher Fucked the Kids'.



Anyone who has known me for more than a week has probably had to listen to a rant about Margaret Thatcher at some point. The lyric "blame the folks who sold the future for the highest bid, that's right, Thatcher fucked the kids" perfectly summarises my feelings on the iron lady.

The set will be broadcast on 2 Hours BC, on LCR next Wednesday at 9pm. You can listen to the radio station live here or on 1350am.

Frank Turner Myspace

2 Hours BC

Last night I had the honour of picking a few tracks to play on Barry and Charlotte's radio show 2 Hours BC. These guys play a blend of post-rock and indie tunes, specialising in new & underground music.



My song choices were:

Data.select.party - she's an eyeful on the alley | Myspace
David & The Citizens - New Direction | Myspace
The Diggs - Everyone's Starting Over (Cassettes Won't Listen Remix) | Myspace

I've blogged about Data.select.party and David & The Citizens in the past but haven't mentioned The Diggs, so here's a live video to feast your eyes upon.



The show is on the old wireless at 1350AM and online at lcr1350.co.uk every Wednesday from 9pm.

LCR 1350 Website

2 Hours BC Myspace