Why? and Themselves Tune!

The new Why? album will be here soooooon! And I for one, can’t wait! Last years ‘Alopecia’ album has meant Why? are the most listened to artist on my last.fm chart. And if that wasn’t enough, Themselves also have a new album on the way. There are few artists I count down the days to a new release (or at least the days to a leak – which I believe there’s a Why? one out there), but for these two, I’m close to starting an Anticon Advent Calender.

So anyway, Why? and Themselves have recorded a tune together for an, as yet, unreleased compilation.It’s called Canada:

I caught Why? in Andrews Lane Theatre last year and it was great. My only disappointment was the fact I arrived too late missing Crayonsmith AND getting a shitty standing place. So when Why? was returning to Andrews Lane a few months later, I was well chuffed to win tickets from MP3 Hugger. Only to find out it was the same night as a going away party for a friend in Donegal (who was leaving to live in Spain – but only to return two months later – Thanks Jay!). So, I’m bloody ecstatic at the chance of seeing Why? again, hopefully on tour with the new album. It’s the kinda stuff I wouldn’t expect to be pulled of well live, but oh so wrong. Somehow they got everything in live, perfectly. Just went on a wee trawl for live videos and it’s just reminded me how well they pull it off.

Like this, way stripped back – and love the video (day to night, eh?):

Some mega glock action on ‘Sky for Shoeing Horses Under’…

Alopecia was definitely a move to a more accessible sound after the likes of, the also brilliant but somewhat more ‘difficult’, Elephant Eyelash and Sanddollars. But Yoni seems to think the new album will be even more straight forward saying “This record, Eskimo Snow, is really the least hip-hop out of anything I’ve ever been involved with. I mean, they feel like song-songs with– I don’t want to say a typical verse-chorus structure, but they’re song-songs.”

The Blackest Purse is a track of the new album due out in September – and yup, it does seem a bit more ’straight’ but with good ol’Yonis strange a wonderful lyrics and phrasing. I do kinda hope it’s not all this ’striaght’ though I have to say.

Touch Me, I’m Sick.

I woke up this morning at 6am feeling decidedly rough, but i mustered on and tried pull myself together to get into work. The bike ride into the office was THE most horrendous cycle ever. It’s only about 2 miles but it turns out I was as weak as an 80 year old women cycling against a hurricane – coughing and spluttering as I went.

Arriving into work I became aware that I should just have ‘contagious’ written on my forehead. But with a live radio show to go on air, it wasn’t an option not to turn up. Though the discussion quickly spread to swine flu and the paranoia set in. I think if I had swine flu I’d know about it, right?? But either way, I have been instructed to inform the bossio if it turns out to be something more serious. Its a cold! Just a bad, horrible cold.

Swine Flu Kiddies Party

But it also got me thinking about the whole Swine Flu thing. People are actually holding Swine Flu parties to get it over and done with before it becomes more serious. Might be a godsend to have it now. So I thought, forget quarantines! Anybody with Swine Flu should broadcast the fact and invite people for a wee knees up in their company. Or in the words of Mudhoneys Mark Arm, “Touch Me, I’m Sick”.

****Of course – My advice is completely invalid and stupid.****

Rockin’ and a Rolls Royce

Today I got to have a very short spin in a 1926 Rolls Royce in the name of work. And I couldn’t help but be impressed by it. The leather seats, the little wipers, the indicator flip switch installed, the doors, the horn, its engine purr and quirky horn – it was beautiful…. And I generally have no love or care for cars.

1926 Rolls Royce

Anyway, I was looking for music that might suit the piece on radio and I was searching for a tune to hint of the pre-war era the vintage car came from. I found the very literal song, ‘Rolls Royce Papa’ by Virginia Liston but the recording was very poor.

[can't hear it? Go Here]

So off I went to think and two songs came to mind from the 1920s pretty instantly.
First of all, the very obvious but brilliant ‘The Charleston’ from 1923.

[Can't hear it? Go Here]

And then, through my ol’obsession for Smashing Pumpkins randomly enough, ‘My Blue Heaven’ came to mind (which was a hit in 1928 for crooner Gene Austin).

Smashing Pumpkins included a cover of ‘My Blue Heaven’ in their Aeroplane Flies High boxset, and this was the first time I heard the song.

[can't hear it? Go Here]

This then lead me to find Fats Dominos version which was popular n the ’50s.

[Can't hear it? Go Here]

And it was through that song that I began to listen to more and more Fats Domino. At that stage I hadn’t listened to much ’50s rnb or rock n’roll, so this was a bit of an entry point. And weirdly enough it was during my obsessive Smashing Pumpkins period as a teenager, that i discovered Fats Domino’s Blueberry Hill, Aint That Shame, Blue Monday, The Fat Man etc…

So from a 1920s vintage car, to a ’90s rock band cover, to a ’50s rock n’ roll legend….I’ve, um, got to Rock and Roll via Rolls Royce.

Now playing – Fats Domino – Blue Monday

Have a listen to Fats Domino on Spotify – here’s his ‘Best Of.

On another tangent, this has now got me in the mood for Bugsy Malone. Love the fact that the horn at 1′30 is pretty much the sound of the Roll Royce.

PS. We didn’t use any music in the end….

Blur & dEUS – Point Depot, Dublin ‘99

I don’t know many people who didn’t witness Blur play Glastonbury either in person or more likely on BBC last night (1.9million viewers according to the Guardian -and 7 million tuned into Glastonbury coverage throughout). I was watching online before the whole bandwidth was clogged up and I had to turn on my shoe box telly. And even on this Blur where bloody brilliant. Just showed what a great band they are. Sitting on the floor in front of my telly like a kid on a Saturday morning, I was totally excited in the moment and it got me thinking to my first gig.

Blur @ Glasto 2009

In 1999 I would have been a whole 14 years of age. And it was around this time that the first signs of my unhealthy relationship with music began to show. My memory is a bit fuzzy in some places but ultimately the lead up to and the night of 22nd July ‘99 will always be ingrained in my mind.

My memory starts with buying ‘13′ in Wee Gerry’s music shop in Donegal Town on my way to grab the bus to Navan with my sister. I didn’t have a portable CD player at the time, so I’m guessing I nicked my brothers. I remember thinking, ‘I must know these songs’ before tomorrow. So I listened on repeat on the bus till we arrived at my aunts. I listened to ‘13′ the moment I was in the door and then fell asleep listening to…. ‘13′.

The next day was to be the first gig I had EVER been to. I remember lining up and worrying if they’d let me in. Anxiously I waited, and moved forward and waited and moved forward. And once through, I ran! Right to the front barrier. Don’t know if my sister was as impressed to be there so early but I thank her now. (She also came to Glasgow with me for Smashing pumpkins the next year and I will be forever grateful).

Opening up were dEUS, and although I had vaguely heard of them before, I had never listened to them. Little did I know what I was witnessing! I just found a wee review on Cluas which has made me discover that instead of Blur or dEUS being the first band I witnessed live, it was probably Shack… but I have no recollection of them at all.  dEUS on the other hand, I remember blowing my little mind – and that was without knowing any of the songs.

Then Blur came on and I just remember being in glee the whole time. Right against the barrier in front of Graham Coxon. One of the most ecstatic moments of my life at that point. I’d just discovered the absolute thrill of live music.

There’s a bootleg floating about somewhere and I think I need to find this. At the time I reckon alot of people probably thought Blurs hayday was coming to an end, but when you consider ‘Tender’, ‘Coffee & TV’ and ‘No Distance Left to Run’ where all of ‘13′, hindsight is a great thing.

Here’s the setlist from ‘99 and wee reviews here:

Tender
Bugman
Coffee & TV
1992
BLUR EMI
Chinese Bombs
Advert
Coping
Popscene
Trimm Trabb
Battle
No Distance Left To Run
——————
Beetlebum
Country Sad Ballad Man
To the End
This is a Low
—————–
Girls & Boys
There’s no other Way
Parklife
Song II

Seriously Worth watching Blurs set at Glastonbury 2009 and all the BBC coverage. It really is amazing what they cover from the weekend, and even though I haven’t got digi telly I could watch BBC 3 & 4 live online and other packaged material on the site. Absolutely brilliant covereage:

BBC Glastonbury

Also, if you’re like me and all my Blur CDs are back in your parents, then you may make similar use of Spotify which has the works:

Blur on Spotify

I Hear a Bad Sound Rising at White Denim…and other happenings.

Yesterday was a day of wandering fun. Up at 6am for work. Wrapped up and exhausted by 12:30pm. Headed towards town where I stupidly killed some time in TopShop, Urban Outfitters and H&M…Then off to walk the streets of Belfast aimlessly with my purchases scrunched in my bag. This was no ordinary wander through the streets of Belfast though. This was carnival day!

It was great, and even better to see the crowds that turned out and the many familiar faces being aliens and space queens for the event.  Once the carnival subsided I relaxed with a couple of pints with a friend before heading back towards the carnival antics which involved a ’supergroup’ of aliens. Members of the Jane Bradfords, John Shelley and the Creatures, Katie and the Carnival, Mojo Fury and John Darcy, Steve Toner, Cara Cowen and Shauna Tohill all put on a spacetastic show. Which helped us arrive at the conclusion that Steve Toner (centre below) should never dress any other way.

Carnival Supergroup (stole from David Boyd's Facebook)

After that I took a trip up the Antrim Road with a friend who was making a stereo purchase and back down for food in Boojam…Anyway, that’s when a few of us where convinced to go see White Denim. I’ve heard tales of legendary gigs and that their records don’t do them justice. Trusted sources meant I, of course, went along.

The gig was ok. I could see how White Denim could be emmence under the right circumstances, but the reality was all I could hear was a bg mush of sound and drums. Yes, White Denim are pretty loud and ‘rock’, but there where times where I watched the bass players hands and he was playing something that I was most definitly not hearing. But then, that might be because all I could hear was ‘wah’ guitar and drums. The drums, it has to be said, where amazing. The drummer never stopped. And the energy was definitly there, but it was a big bassy blah out front. I probably should have moved to see if it sounded better elsewhere. But overall it made me happy to be there, but I’m not going to be raving about.

Anyway, moral of these ramblings… have no plans and wander through life. Nice things happen. Except for the bad sound.

Real Life Orchestra – Ulster Hall – BBC Radio 3

Yesterday my classical music loving housemate got free tickets to go see the Ulster Orchestra courtesy of BBC Radio 3. When asked if I’d go, I thought, hell why not. I’d never been to see a proper full orchestra before (and did i mention it was free?).

So off I went feeling a little under dressed and a little fuzzy after one large glass of wine at Pizza Express. Walking in only moments before the beginning I was expecting to be seated at the edge of all edges. Luckily, we got two seats smack bang in the middle.

I was informed they would be doing works by three composers: Mozart, Beethoven and Dvořák. Some dude called Howard Shelley was conducting (I vaguely think I heard of him before) but apparently this is quiet a big deal.

Apparently this guy conducting is a big deal....

As we sit down the strings are all tuning up and I had to turn and say to my housemate, “is it wrong that when I hear this I’m expecting Stg. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band to start”. She smiled. Said nothing.

Anyway, the famous composer dude came on stage and off they went. I can only give my uneducated opinion of what happened for the next hour and forty minutes.

Mozart. Gotta say, the moment it all started there where tingles down my spine instantly.
There where moments of awe and then moments of wonder followed by moments of day dream and slight boredom. After a while I kinda zoned out but then I was brought hurtling back by the crescendos of violins and cellos and… well other stuff. The strings were definitely the main focus of the Mozart piece.

Then to Beethoven and his Concerto No. 1. This was long. Howard Shelley whizzes round the piano like a mad man, and then is all twinkle like. Good but the naivety was gone somewhat and I’m getting very tired and day dreamy. I start to check out the paint pealing from the newly refurbished Ulster Hall. That didn’t last long.

There’s an interval after a prolonged period of clapping and I get a 101 in classical music from my housemate. Not in a patronising way, but in a lovely, classical for dummies, condensed and essential info only way. Then I wondered how much money all those instruments must be worth before commenting on how quiet it all really was. We were sitting in one of the best seats for sound in the house (apparently) and it all seemed a bit, ‘from over there’! Maybe I’m just used to stupidly loud rock gigs, and of course, there’s no amplification. The sound was perfect (I could hear everything), but I wish I was wrapped round with the sound rather than feeling like the music was from over there.

The orchestra returns. More clapping. They begin the Dvořák piece. Now! This, this is great. It woke me up and gave me an adrenalin rush. Trumpets, trombones, french horns – brass, brass, brass! Love it. Perhaps the volume of the brass let everybody play louder because for this piece, I didn’t get that disconnected feeling. It was bombastic [this word has been noted as inappropraite by Roe - thanks Roe - um, booomtastic], anxious and vitriolic at times. Then beautiful and soothing in others. Actually mainly light and summer, but those moments it grew dark and dangerous, I loved! I couldn’t help but be drawn to the brass and bass! Double basses, cellos, tuba and trombones. They made my night. With an honorable mention to the timpani.

Afterwords we clapped some more and I could see the admiration the orchestra had for that dude Shelley. He walks of, he walks on, he walks off, he walks on… I clap for what seems like hours and it brings me flashbacks of my graduation. But as I leave the Ulster Hall into the sunny streets of Belfast, I can’t but feel inspired and amazed (and I’ve decided to forget the few moments of boredom – the uncultured swine I am).

Good times!

PS. The only thing I have of the Ulster Orchestra (and a record I can’t get enough off) is the Ulster Orchestra performing Philip Glass: Violin Concerto.
Of course I know I couldn’t fit my stereotype more with Philip Glass being my ‘classical’ of choice. Anyway, it’s still brilliant. Here it is on Spotify.

Geocaching in Belfast

My good ol’friend Rosemary and her boyfriend Simon came up from Galway for a few chilled days in Belfast this weekend. I was expecting the typical weekend – gig, booze, dancing, recovery, DVD, chat….And it started that way. But just before a night filled with boozy dancing I got introduced to the world of Geocaching. As they explained I got more and more intrigued, if a little confused. Simon showed me a few ‘travel bugs’ they found and had to help on their mission. These are little toys that are traveling the world via geocachers.

I’m not gonna go into the full details, so if you’re intrigued visit Geocaching.com or here’s the wiki to help you understand more clearly.

Basically it’s a world wide treasure hunt that is organised via the internet. People place treasures all over the place and I was really surprised to see just how many are throughout Belfast. You go on the website and get the co-ordinates of the treasures or caches (which are usually little lunch boxes), then find them using GPS and clues.

So off we went around south Belfast searching for caches and it was amazing. Once you find a cache you sign the log book. Opening the log book revealed that all off them had been found by other geocachers that week. How many people are doing this?? In fact, while going through one cache my friend Rosemary pointed out that there were two lurkers – suspected geocachers looking for the same cache in Botanic Gardens.

Anyway, this is where it gets even more nerdy. Geocachers refer to non-geocachers as, um, Muggles. There are warnings when a cache might be in an area heavily populated by Muggles, and that one should be careful not to be seen discovering a cache by Muggles. (And yup, that name would originate from Harry Potter). A cache can be ‘muggled’ by ‘muggles’ if they see you put something back: ie. investigate what it was and steal it/destroy it.

All in all, yes, it is incredibly nerdy. But something I had no idea about. I may be going against etiquette by posting about it. I don’t know. I think I’m still classified as a ‘Muggle’. But while ‘geocaching’ I downloaded the geocache IPhone app, so now I can be walking on a street and think, you know what, I fancy finding a treasure – and bam I have a map, arrow, distance and clues.

It seems ALOT of tourists use Geocaching as a way of discovering special places as most are placed by locals in interesting, lesser seen spots. It also seems to be a really family friendly adventure. I’d honestly recommend it if you have children, and if you’re just a big nerdy child.

It might have been a once off but… then again…..

Click on the photos if you want an idea of whats going on….

My First Cache

Simon w/ Cache

Inside on the the caches

Offical Geocache

Owners Message

Rosemary and the Travel Bug

Simon Opens Cache

Simon

Mopple the Whale – Vacuum Pack

Mopple the Whale

A nose…

Brilliant. Caches aren’t always boxes. This one is genius.

Simon opening a disguised Cache

Roe’s entry into the log book.

Rival Schools – Trip back to 2002

I had to get Rival Schools ‘Used for Glue’ for a thing at work the other day. Immediately the memories came flooding back. That circular green image with the outline of kids running is ingrained in my mind. I wore that Rival Schools T-shirt for about 2 years straight.

Rival Schools

‘United By Fate’ was on rotation on my stereo (back in the days of CDs, bless) for at least a year. I spent hours air drumming and playing guitar along with this CD like a sad eejit, but I loved it. Having just listened to it for the first time in a long long time, it still gets me excited. But I can’t pinpoint why exactly.

I managed to catch them at Witnness (circa 2002) and I just remember being in awe and shouting my lungs out along to Walter Schreifels, which also resulted in some serious neck abuse.

Somehow, I kinda missed the fact that they reformed last year. Initially this seemed like great news. But then I started to think they might pale in comparison to my glorified memories? There’s no way they could live up to them. Could they? I refused to go see Smashing Pumpkins last year for this very reason – but we all knew that tour was like watching a man slowly die inside…

Back to Rival Schools and it seems they are supporting The Offspring in some ridiculously big venues. Surely any magic left will be lost? Even though I seen Rival Schools at a festival, it was a small stage. Where I’d really love to see them is in a venue of 1,000 max. Small and sweaty. I don’t think I’ll ever get that wish. Maybe it’s time to leave Rival Schools to nostalgia? HUmmmm…

For those who wish to relive Rival Schools – SPOTIFY HERE

Grappeli and Me

Yo de ho mon amigos….(sorry)

It’s been a while… I’ve been too busy filling in forms and talking crap to people above my station. But I’m back where I belong….

Had a few much needed beverages after work today. But I’m back home and remembered I bought a violin on Friday for £21. Where is it though? Obviously, it’s gonna be quality! But alas, it hasn’t arrived yet, and I’m tempted to pop into work just to see if it’s there tomorrow (I’ve got tomorrow off).

I’ve already tortured my neighbours with a trumpet I can’t play, a schizophrenic amp and a few too many party’s…. But what neighbourhood is complete without the endearing qualities of a complete novice on a £21 violin! (Plus, my neighbour has the option of removing her hearing aid – yes, there’s a slight bit of evil in me)

Listen out folks! The next Stefan Grappelli I be soon! (In fairness, I’m just assuming he’s good. I have no real idea – I’m more infactuated by Django, but hell….)

I’ll post my first attempt soon when I get it… Imminent failure abound!

(PS. I don’t really mean to intentially torture poor old women with hearing aids. Though last time, we didn’t really disturb her. Just her home help. :-/
I am shameful…. And this is my sensible self! )

The Search Begins….

Slowly beginning to search for a drummer.

New project on the way and I need someone who’s kinda jazzy, kinda rocky, kinda laid back, kinda intense…

Things I like and therefore probably influences this project in some ways:
Laura Veirs, Bowerbirds, Grizzly Bear, Broken Social Scene, Cloud Cult, The Dodos, The Album Leaf, American Analogue Set, Califone, Low, Department of Eagles, Iron & Wine, The Acorn, PJ Harvey, Why?, Andrew Bird, Dismemberment Plan….
Last.fm Chart

If you’re a drummer or know a drummer who would be interested in the Belfast area, email me.

amolta@hotmail.co.uk

That is all….