Ethan DeBoard and Evelyn May Nielsen are the duo that is Wasting May. They are from Orlando Florida and met in High School back in 2018 and began working on music together only last year. Ethan has always had a passion for music and taught himself to play guitar. Evelyn started out as a creative writer and is the mastermind behind Wasted May’s excellent lyrics. They played their first show on September 15th last year in their hometown. Since then they have released a single, “Maureen” and an EP ‘Machine’. Wouldn’t those two words make a great band name? The Maureen Machine anyone? Anyway, they have just released a new single, “In The Pines” and it is rather splendid. It is haunting and ethereal with an occasional feel of the Cocteau Twins. The sound is minimal but also cinematic in its ambition. Evelyn’s vocal is heavenly and the guitar work from Ethan is spellbinding. I love the change to almost a completely different song about two and a half minutes in. This pair should be given free rein to soundtrack a David Lynch film. I am in love with this tune and with Wasting May. You need this track in your life!
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
Sun Way Street is singer-songwriter Steven Eli and multi-instrumentalist Leor Manelis. The pair met online during the pandemic in 2020. Steven is from Ireland, and Leor lives in Colorado. They have spent the time since meeting recording songs, mostly remotely. But in 2023, the duo met face to face for the first time after Steven flew to Colorado, where they continued to record, this time in Leor’s studio and later in Colorado’s Coalesce Audio Studios. They strengthened their sound with the support of some skilled and experienced musicians from Colorado.
Their new single, “Burn It Down” came out a couple of weeks ago, and it is damned good. It has an infectious hook with indie-pop stylings and a retro 90s soft dock feel. It chugs along like the perfect hit songs always do, and it certainly deserves to be a huge hit. It is strangely different and quirky, and I hope it gets plenty of airtime. Sun Way Street are planning live shows in the US and Europe this year, I hope they play near me!
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
This is the nineteenth song in the Play It Again Mayhem series, which began in 2020. Check out the previous entries along with this new one in the Play It Again Mayhem Spotify Playlist click here to take a listen! It has only been 3 weeks since the last entry, so how about another quick one? Once again it is back to the 70s, to 1974. So far, 14 of the 19 songs are from the 1970s. This time it is the turn of the Faces, (or in the case of this release Rod Stewart and the Faces), a seminal British band that influenced countless others. The shortened title of the track can be seen in the header above. But, the full title, including parentheses, is “You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything (Even Take the Dog for a Walk, Mend a Fuse, Fold Away the Ironing Board, or Any Other Domestic Shortcomings)”. Has there ever been a title quite like that before or since? The single still holds the record for the longest-titled song ever to chart in the UK.
It was the last official single from the band and was recorded with a mostly classic lineup of Kenney Jones (drums), Ian McLagan (piano, organ), Ronnie Wood (guitar, backing vocals), and Rod Stewart on vocals. Ronnie Lane had previously left the band and was replaced on bass by Tetsu Yamauchi who plays on this track. The song was co-written by all five of them. It was recorded over a few sessions at Musicland Studios in Munich and Olympic Studios in London. It reached number 12 in the UK charts and scraped to number 100 in Australia, it failed to chart anywhere else, sadly. The song never appeared on a studio album but is on most of the greatest hits type packages from the band. It is my favourite Faces track and has been since I first heard it. It has a supremely happy and danceable vibe and I would love to have seen how this style might have developed had the band stayed together. So give it a spin and let me know what you think of it. Incidentally, fact fans, this is the second time Rod Stewart has featured on the Play It Again Mayhem playlist. He appeared back in May 2022 with a solo hit, “I Was Only Joking”.
I love the lyrics to the song, they really suggest someone very much in love with their partner, here they are.
“hey baby, I wanna say something to ya’, listen sometimes when I get out of my head and I say all the wrong things sometimes I know I stay out late at night and I get back fighting, hey babe somehow all my plans keep slippin’ through my hands and I end up crying, but listen I can be a millionaire honey when you’re standing there you’re so exciting you can make me dance, you can make me sing you can make me do just any old thing and I love it sometimes I wanna get up so early and get away from here girl summer’s gone and before long north winds blow, that bring the snow I’ll keep us warm girl my schemes it seems are merely dreams fading with each morning, hey babe but this old heart of mine is far too proud not to keep on trying you can make me dance, you can make me sing you can make me do just any old thing, yeah baby so little bird don’t fly away want you here every day don’t ever leave me I’d rather lose both my eyes than never see your smiling face again girl you can make me dance, you can make me sing you can make me do just any old thing you can make me dance, you can make me sing you can make me do just any old thing hey babe, keep on loving me babe yeah, keep on loving me babe just keep on loving me babe … just keep on loving me darling … woww, alright, hey baby, oh darling keep on loving me darling just keep on loving me darling …”
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
This was the first matinee gig I have been to in many years and the final gig celebrating the 10th birthday of the fabulous Fulford Arms. It was a two-set show from the magnificent New York Brass Band, a New Orleans-styled jazz-type band from York. But they are so much more than just a jazz or brass band. They are the ultimate party band that can raise a storm at festivals, parties, weddings, and intimate gigs like a matinee birthday party for the Fulford Arms. They are an 8-piece unit including four family members, and oh boy can this bunch play. They had the crowd on their feet from the first number and kept it that way the whole afternoon. I always think a band performs better when they are having fun themselves, and the New York Brass Band were having their own on-stage party. I loved some of the brassed-up Motown tracks they played, particularly “I Want You Back” and “Just My Imagination.” The female artist medley was ace and included some Spice Girls, B*Witched, S Club 7, and Weather Girls. I also feel that their version of Bruce Channel’s “Hey Baby” took ownership of the song back from DJ Ötzi who had a huge hit, a UK number one, in 2000 with an atrocious version of the track. The second set was even funkier with some excellent renditions of Earth, Wind, and Fire and Kool and the Gang tunes. At one point we even had a very polite York mosh circle/ conga going on which was huge fun! The cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” was one of the highlights for me, in an afternoon full of them. To quote from that tune, “hot just like an oven” was exactly what the New York Brass Band made the Fulford Arms feel like on a cold Sunday afternoon in January! Bring on next year’s birthday, this one was fabulous! Well done to the Fulford Arms and all the fantastic staff and punters!
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
On January 26th, 1975, the Alan Yentob-directed documentary of David Bowie’s weird travels and travails in America was shown on BBC TV in the UK. It was filmed when Bowie was at the height of his cocaine addiction and magnified his paranoia and probably very fragile mental state. But, for me and many Bowie fans, it remains one of the best documentaries about the former David Robert Jones ever. Another piece of Bowie’s history took place on that date but in 1967. It was the day that he began recording one of his best-loved tunes, “The Laughing Gnome”. 😉
Meanwhile, on January 26th, 1961, Elvis Presley was number one in the UK singles chart with his sixth UK chart-topper, “Are You Lonesome Tonight”. It also hit number 2 in the UK when it was reissued in 2005. It was an old song written in 1926 by Roy Turk and Lou Handman. The Blue Barron Orchestra took the song to the US Billboard Top 20 in 1950. Apparently, Elvis recorded the song following a suggestion made by his manager Colonel Tom Parker. Marie Mott, Parker’s wife had said it was one of her favourite songs. Posting this piece also gives me a chance to once again share the laughing version of “Are You Lonesome Tonight”
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
KMFDM are lining up their 23rd studio album, ‘Let Go’ for release and they are most definitely not stale. The new single “Airhead” comes just days after the previous one “Let Go”. It has a fabulous 80s and 90s rock vibe which reminded me of both Joan Jett and Garbage. If the rest of the album is as good as these two tracks it will be very special indeed. KMFDM was originally named Kein Mehrheit Für Die Mitleid, which was loosely translated by the band as “no pity for the majority” They are a multinational industrial rock band from Hamburg led by Sascha Konietzko, who founded the band in 1984 as a performance art project in Paris. The current line-up includes Sascha “Käpt’n K” Konietzko (on Bass, Beats, Synths & Vocals), Lucia Cifarelli (on vox), Andy Selway (Drums) and Andee Blacksugar (Guitars). Lucia provides the voice on “Airhead” and gives it her best Shirley Manson. This is a great single and I am most definitely looking forward to the album! The video is a splendid journey down memory lane and so are the lyrics, especially the opening lines, “Born the year of the Chia pet – Blondes were in, but I’m brunette – Vietnam and Donkey Kong – I was busy getting high with Cheech & Chong.” Check out this fabulous song, you will love it, I certainly do!
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
Following the success of their 2022 Christmas tune “It’s Christmas In Ukraine” Afro Neat returns with “Save the Children / Tuwaokoe Watoto” and all proceeds will be going to the charity Save The Children. It is a jaunty tune with a great message and Afro Neat, who I think are a collective of musical talents are fronted by Kenyan Producer J Nana and Lano Msanii, also from Kenya. The song was written by Frank Robinson. There is a mini-album/ EP of the tune, also called “Save The Children / Tuwaokoe Watoto” which contains seven different versions of the song including instrumentals and Swahili versions. Give this track a spin, it is a nifty little tune and you will be raising money for a great cause too!
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
Line Beauclair has just released her first single, “Soft”. It is a gorgeous concoction of love, emotion, fragility, and an almost transcendent and succulently sultry vocal. It is the kind of song that comes along very rarely that can open your heart and step right in, the hair on the back of my neck stood up throughout every play. The minimalist instrumentation helps create a perfect backdrop for lyrics that describe that point in time in a relationship where both parties are completely vulnerable with each other. Line said of “Soft” “I think this song captures the universal feeling letting go and being truly ourselves with another person, something that becomes harder every day in a society where appearances carry such weight.” She also said that it is “A song that I hope helps people be more open and vulnerable – something to remind you that putting up a front can sometimes be very detrimental and that we all need to be gentle with ourselves and others from time to time.” I love the lyrics, particularly the lines “And the world was rough. It scarred us. So we built our own. We don’t need to be tough. Just needed us. To have a home“
Line was born in northern France, her mother is French and her father is American. She appears to draw influences from both countries with shades of Jane Birkin and Lana Del Ray. Line lives in Paris and adds French cool and style to sublime US balladry and songcraft. Line describes her influences as ““Growing up I was surrounded by 60s French music and was heavily influenced by their ability to craft intelligent songs with deeper meaning all while creating a magnetic vibe and atmosphere. It really helped me integrate the idea that lyrics do not need to sacrifice melody or energy. I was able to understand that further thanks to American artists like Lana Del Rey or Taylor Swift, that are able to brilliantly combine both to create true pop anthems. I am now based in Paris but have lived all over France, which has inspired me greatly, and writing in places such as St Tropez and New York City have truly helped me refine my musical style.” Take a listen, if you love great music, you will adore this track.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
On this day, 24th January 2005, country singer Lynn Anderson was caught stealing a Harry Potter DVD from a Taos, New Mexico supermarket and arrested. She punched a police officer during the arrest process. She was charged with shoplifting, resisting arrest, and assault on a police officer. The assault charge was later dropped and so was the shoplifting charge. However, the latter was conditional on her not committing any further offences. She was 57 at the time and had a drinking problem. Thirty-five years earlier she had a huge hit with “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden” a song written by Joe South. Sadly Lynn passed away in 2015. Incidentally “Rose Garden” was a favorite of my Mum and Dad. Anderson was a hugely successful recording artist and in her younger years won several equestrian events.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
This was one of several shows to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the fabulous Fulford Arms. Only three years until the venue becomes a teenager! The poster above shows JUKU as a headliner supported by special guests. Sadly, no thanks to that bastard Covid-19, JUKU could not play. Which left us with Special Guests, who are Special Guests? Are they a band, no, but that might make a good name, right? There were three special guests; No Como Crees, Speedreaders, and new headliners PERCY.
So first up it was No Como Crees. We got two-thirds of a punky trio forced into an acoustic set thanks to drummer Dave getting the back door trots, or as Roxy Music once said, both ends burning! Did this stop No Como Crees? No, they were absolutely ace with a towering display of slacker rock! Their original tunes were fabulous and their cover of Jessie J’s “Price Tag” was stunningly spectacular and supremely sublime. Vinnie and Harrison, you fucking rock! I am sure Dave rocks too when he doesn’t have the Dehli belly!
Speedreaders were next with a kind of drone-driven indie sound. Sometimes it sounded like shoegaze on speed, and I do mean that in a good way. The harmonies were mostly perfect. There is a definite Velvet Underground influence with Speedreaders. The particular highlights for me were “Little Things” and “Nobody Died” and the wild wig out on the closing number was full-on psychedelic.
When JUKU had to pull out PERCY, those West Yorkshire Super Heroes, pulled on the number twelve shirt and headlined. They have a new album coming out later this year and their set was pretty much that whole album. They opened with what is now a solid PERCY classic, “What Les Said.” “Blackout” is brilliant and in my opinion owes a small debt to Ian Dury. I really love “Thinking Of Jacking It All In Again” and this was the first time that song had ever been played in York. It has a weird and mesmerising fairground-style rhythm to it. Introduced as a song for autistics who are not really autistic it was “Do You Think I’m On The Spectrum?” This is the kind of song that probably only PERCY could write. The same could be said of the wonderful and very dark “I Can Hear Orgies” which reminded me a little of Public Image Limited at their finest. ”It’s Not About The Money” (at least that is what I think it is called) is definitely a future PERCY classic. they closed with the modern ghost story in a song that is “Last Train To Selby”, a truly epic track. So many of the new songs have a classy and more punky edge and for me, this bodes very well indeed for the new album. This was another brilliant set from one of York’s finest bands as they enter their 28th year!
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 