With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

Mayhem Virgins – Worry Party May 13, 2020

Filed under: Mayhem Virgins — justwilliam1959 @ 10:21 pm
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This is the eighth post in the Mayhem Virgins series  It began in November 2017 and only covers artists that I have never mentioned or featured before. The honour this time around goes to Worry Party a delightful ambient electro combo from the north of England. The band consists of Steven Chell on vox, guitar and keys, guitarist Chris Old, vocalist Laura Hilton and Glenn Whitfield on bass. Their sound is akin to symphonic film soundtracks with angelic ethereal vocals gliding masterfully over a chilled electro backing. Their first EP, ‘Souvenirs’, was released in March and contains four tracks; “Traveller”, “Beach Blood”, “True North” and “Waves”. But that is not all you get, there are remixes and instrumentals of each track. As an extended listen it is stunning. It saw me through a large part of my supermarket night shift recently. It also works as a beautiful soundscape to sit down and chill with a Jack Daniels on the rocks late at night when the rest of the world is mostly quiet.

I can hear a snatch of Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro in Steven Chell’s voice, especially on “True North”. The sounds bring to mind the likes of Mogwai and Four Tet for me. Apparently, ‘Souvenirs’ began life as a passion project never intended for release, it was written and recorded over the course of six months in Steven’s spare room. Then after feedback, it was reimagined and will become the core of more full-band electronic gigs going forward, well at least when COVID-19 is killed. Worry Party issued a surprise new instrumental track “The Reef” very recently and it adds to that sublime cinematic scope showcased on the EP. They have also recorded a wonderful cover of Placebo’s “Nancy Boy” that I think is one of the best covers I have heard in quite a while. For me a cover needs to be very different from the original and Worry Party have taken the song somewhere else completely, I would love to know what Brian Molko thinks of this version. Laura Hilton’s vocal performance on the song is as close to perfect as is possible. I get a sense of Beth Gibbons in her delivery too. It is well worth getting Worry Party in your life, you will not regret it!

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Pink Floyd in New Earswick?

Filed under: News,Observation,Trivia — justwilliam1959 @ 4:51 pm
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One of our ace writers Tom also has his own blog, Scruffy Theory, and recently he has posted some great investigative stuff about a gig that Pink Floyd allegedly played at the Folk Hall in New Earswick in York back in 1967. It has been difficult to find much evidence about the gig online, but Tom has found his inner bloodhound and donned his deerstalker hat to discover more. Is it true or not? Read Tom’s rather interesting posts (in sequence) to find out! If you know anything about this gig feel free to get in touch.

Legendary Gig or “Suburban myth” – Pink Floyd @ New Earswick Folk Hall, 1967

Pink Floyd in New Earswick Update

Pink Floyd in New Earswick: second update

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“False Prophet” – Bob Dylan May 9, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:00 pm
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Despite late-night speculation over on my Blog a couple of nights ago, Dylan today released a new single, not an album. He did, however, confirm via a Tweet that his new album, Rough and Rowdy Ways, will be released on 19th June.

“False Prophet” follows Dylan’s current trend for sparse, minimal arrangements but the sound palette is very different. Consisting of a snarling, overdriven guitar and more rock-style drumming, “False Prophet” has a sleazy, blues-rock vibe, calling to mind smoke-filled pool halls and bourbon on the rocks.

Lyrically, Dylan seems to be denying that he is the titular false prophet while framing himself as a kind of underdog hero. He declares himself “the enemy of treason” and boldly declares “you girls mean business and I do too”. He’s “first among equals/second to none/last of the best/you can bury the rest”. A sliver of the carefully choreographed arrogance of the early days of his career shines through here.

The back-half of the song seems to be an apology for dragging his loved ones into the kind of life he lives. The kind of life the lyrics to his music appear to suggest he lives, anyway. It’s unlikely that Bob is really out on the streets at nights fighting the man and righting wrongs, but that seems to be the image of himself he’s trying to project in these lyrics. This isn’t necessarily a criticism from me. Dylan, after all, is an actor who has played many parts and created many characters across his career. His latest one is particularly well written and vivid.

Written by Tom Ray

False Prophet is out now on all digital distribution platforms. Rough and Rowdy Ways is available on 19th June.

“False Prophet” – Bob Dylan – Lyrics

Another day that don’t end
Another ship goin’ out
Another day of anger, bitterness, and doubt
I know how it happened
I saw it begin
I opened my heart to the world and the world came in

Hello Mary Lou
Hello Miss Pearl
My fleet-footed guides from the underworld
No stars in the sky shine brighter than you
You girls mean business and I do too

Well I’m the enemy of treason
Enemy of strife
Enemy of the unlived meaningless life
I ain’t no false prophet
I just know what I know
I go where only the lonely can go

I’m first among equals
Second to none
Last of the best
You can bury the rest
Bury ’em naked with their silver and gold
Put them six feet under and pray for their souls

What are you lookin’ at
There’s nothing to see
Just a cool breeze that’s encircling me
Let’s go for a walk in the garden
So far and so wide
We can sit in the shade by the fountain-side

I search the world over
For the Holy Grail
I sing songs of love
I sing songs of betrayal
Don’t care what I drink
Don’t care what I eat
I climbed the mountains of swords on my bare feet

You don’t know me darlin’
You never would guess
I’m nothing like my ghostly appearance would suggest
I ain’t no false prophet
I just said what I said
I’m just here to bring vengeance on somebody’s head

Put out your hand
There’s nothing to hold
Open your mouth
I’ll stuff it with gold
Oh you poor devil look up if you will
The city of God is there on the hill

Hello stranger
A long goodbye
You ruled the land
But so do I
You lost your mule
You got a poison brain
I’ll marry you to a ball and chain

You know darlin’
The kind of life that I live
When your smile meets my smile something’s got to give
I ain’t no false prophet
No I’m nobody’s bride
Can’t remember when I was born
And I forgot when I died

 

The pictures were found via Google if one of them is yours and you would like it removed or would like a credit please let me know. The lyrics were sourced from Far Out Magazine.

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“Rust” – Not Tonight and the Headaches May 8, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:21 pm
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Firstly top marks for the band name, Not Tonight and the Headaches is the best name I have heard for a long while. The band consists of Jimmy Headache a really deep bass plucked and Vocals/Backing Vocals, Snellitor bashing the Drums so hard that they are scared of him, Throbert on Guitar and also Vocals, to be fair with a name like Throbert he should be the bass player and King Awesome/Cadefunk delivering even more Guitar and Backing Vocals. You might have believed that these were not their given names, but in fact, they are. Their nicknames are James Elliott, Matt Snell, Rob Tew, and Matt Cade respectively, which all sound far more punk than the real ones, right?

The boys claim to be the 123rd best band in Grimsby, is that true? Are there actually that many bands in Grimsby? Not Tonight and the Headaches have been a bit quiet for a few years but they are definitely on their way back with a sparkling spanker of a new single “Rust”. The band claim to be “on a four-man mission to resurrect mid-nineties pop-punk’ and “Rust” proves that. It veers toward the softer side of pop-punk, but it is a hellishly good song. After listening to it 123 times I am hooked (just joking, it actually stayed in my brain like the best earworms after just a couple of listens. These lads hope to get cracking on their next album very soon, once we can all put this vile COVID-19 behind us. I am looking forward to that new album and getting a chance to see them live on the other side of this. Check them out, you will not be disappointed unless you are the 124th best band in Grimsby!

The video for “Rust” is below, click here to check out even more of their excellent stuff on Spotify!

The pictures were found via Google if one of them is yours and you would like it removed or would like a credit please let me know.

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‘From Darkness, Light’ – Brudini

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:09 pm
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Brudini has attracted attention from New York Punk legend Danny Fields (Iggy, Doors, Ramones ) and has co-started at a sold-out Soho underground alt cabaret. Louder than War love his music a great deal and on the basis of this delicately structured and striking debut it is easy to see why. Opening track “Roselight” sets the tone. Spoken word over an intriguing backing. Next track “Nightcrawler” picks up the beat in a gentle way. The vocals sound great over the sympathetic backing of drums and guitar, the introduction of keyboards adds an extra layer. Backing vocals add still further depth. The spoken word tracks are well balanced and add an extra dimension. “Hunger” is a poetic moment.

“Reflections” leads off on a great repeated bass line. The drums have a jazz feel. Brudini’s captivating voice returns to give us a hint of Michael Stipe and the instrumental section is stunning. The strings add depth and this track ends on a beautiful piano coda. It’s easy to see why this was chosen as a single. “Female Rimbaud” is more of the spoken word over a guitar phrase leading to “Emotional Outlaw” which has a driving feel. A hint of the Doors is evident here with the rhythm and almost chanted vocals. “Pale Gold” is introduced by a tuba and features a march meets tango feel. There is a Chanson feel and the introduction of a Mariachi band adds to the tracks strange melancholy. “God Unknown”‘s spoken word introduces “Radiant Man”. This track has the feel of an ethereal Glen Campbell. The vocals are pure and laced with quality. There is a strong piano figure and for me, this is the standout track of the whole album. This is a beautifully crafted track.

More poetry leads us into “Everything Is Movement”. Found sounds echo around the wonderfully tremulous vocal. A slower piece that fades away.
This excellent album closes on the slow but interesting “Boulevards”. There is a slight tip of the hat to “Space Oddity” here whether intentional or not. The theremin sounds which have been present throughout bring the track to a falling end. Brudini has been compared to other artists such as Nick Cave and Sufjan Stevens but this is original stuff and when gigs return I will be watching the press for shows by this extraordinary new artist.

Written by Paul Bamlett

The pictures were found via Google if one of them is yours and you would like it removed or would like a credit please let me know.

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“Forever” – Apollo Junction May 6, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:05 pm
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Those delightful and extremely talented chaps known collectively as Apollo Junction released a new single a couple of weeks ago. It is called “Forever” and it is the first single to be taken from their yet to be released second album. It is close to being a perfect lockdown anthem. It is upbeat, has a happy vibe, and a great singalong hook. I dare you to listen to it and not end up with a smile or singing along. If you do manage to frown and not sing along with this fabulous tune then you probably need to seek help. “Forever” is another leap forward for the band after the success of their first album ‘Mystery’ released at the end of last year.

The song evokes the best of 80s and 90s pop-rock and the kind of songs that many of the best British bands used tow write with ease in their prime; the Kinks, Small Faces, Oasis, Blur, and many more. I love the jangly indie guitars and a bass line that James Jamerson would have been proud of. The song is accompanied by a great video filmed by videographers Yorkshire Folk prior to lockdown. The film features drone footage of many Leeds’ landmarks such as Kirkstall Abbey, Roundhay Park, Headingley Stadium, and obviously, Elland Road. Put Apollo Junction on your list of gigs to see post lockdown, you will not regret it, you may even see me there! Jamie, Matt, Ben, Jonathan and Sam, I will see you on the other side of this!

The pictures were found via Google if one of them is yours and you would like it removed or would like a credit please let me know.

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Mayhem Virgins – Promethium

Filed under: Mayhem Virgins — justwilliam1959 @ 6:14 am
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The last Mayhem Virgins post was back in November, so it’s about time for another one I reckon. To refresh your memory the Mayhem Virgins series, which began in November 2017, only covers artists that I have never mentioned or featured before. This is the seventh recipient of the Mayhem Virgins title and it is the turn of Promethium, a five-piece metal band from Lancaster, Lancashire in England. Promethium have been on a slow but always upward trajectory since forming more than ten years ago in 2007. They released their fourth album last year, ‘Revisions’, an acoustic take on some of the best songs from their earlier albums; ‘Welcome To The Institution’ (2010), ‘Origins’ (2013) and ‘Faces Of War’ (2018). Their influences range from across the hard rock and metal spectrum from Black Sabbath to Metallica via Anthrax and Slayer with a little Pantera thrown in. But do not be fooled into thinking they are copyists, Promethium are definitely very much a magnificent metal band in their own right.

‘Welcome To The Institution’ clearly laid out the Promethium metal manifesto and showed that they had far more depth than “just another metal band”. “Visions” has the power to blow up a planet with its huge pulsating riffs courtesy of Dan and Rossi. In fact, the whole album exudes immense power, but Promethium also show their slightly softer side on opening track “Distant Illusion”. Meanwhile “33.1” starts out sounding like a very dark 80s power ballad before moving immaculately into early Linkin Park territory. This was an incredibly confident and mature debut album and their sophomore release needed to be pretty special after the powerful statement of intent made by that first release. ‘Origins’ was very special too, “Won’t Break Me” pushes the riffometer up to eleven and shows just how important their rhythm section is with drums being attacked with the force of Mjolnir and body-shaking bass playing. The vocals are up by another notch from an excellent performance on the first album, especially so on “Rain” and “Gunslinger”. Once again the band show their more mellow side with album closer and title track “Origins”. It is nice to hear a band step beyond their prime sound in this way. It is something that Led Zeppelin were always good at.

A band’s third album is often referred to as the “difficult” one. I don’t know if this is the case for Promethium, but it sure doesn’t sound like it. ‘Faces Of War’ sees the band stepping up to yet another level with what sounds to me like a concept album about the futility and horror of war. This is a really tight band revelling in their talent and rocking like bastards. I heard a ghost of Iron Maiden in some of the tracks here. “Enemies Fate” kicks off the album in the hardest and heaviest way possible and it barely lets up for breath after that. This is an album that hits you with a tsunami-like force from start to finish and still leaves you feeling good at the end. “P.O.W” is probably my favourite track on this collection although “Shellshock” has a great hook and again takes a small sideward step away from their full-on metal assault in places. Their latest album is an acoustic rework of some of the best songs from their back catalogue and it showcases the strength of the songs as they work as perfectly in this softer acoustic setting as they do in the full band hard and heavy versions. Promethium have had some pretty tasty support slots in their career to date; Blaze Bayley, Diamondhead, We Are The Catalyst, and fellow Lancastrians Massive Wagons. They had big plans for 2020 with festival appearances and the recording of a new album. I am sure that the COVID-19 lockdown has put the brakes on this but hopefully, they can get moving on the new album soon and hit the festival fields in 2021. I have so far missed out on seeing them play live but I hope to rectify that as soon as it is possible post lockdown.

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Carol Hodge Interview May 2, 2020

Filed under: Interview — justwilliam1959 @ 9:44 pm
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I finally got around to posting and interview that I did with the obscenely talented Carol Hodge last month. She talks about her latest album ‘Savage Purge’, her new tune ‘A Song For You’, musical influences, and her favourite confectionery items. Click the link below take a listen and feel free to comment.

Interview with Carol Hodge – April 2020

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“Drugs” – Tommyrot May 1, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:59 pm

Tommyrot are another fine young band from York who were formed, last October, from the ashes of Azera. I saw Azera back in January 2019 and they were pretty bloody good. The big changes in becoming Tommyrot are that they no longer have a singing drummer, Rhys has moved from bass to drums, Greg from lead guitar to bass while Felix and Kieran are the new vocalists and stayed as joint axemen. The boys met at Access Creative College in York and have played four gigs so far. Hopefully, there will be many more post-COVID-19 lockdown.

They have their first single, “Drugs” out now (click here to check it out on Spotify). It is a funk and grunge blend that has been overlaid with the best elements of slacker rock. Imagine the Red Hot Chilli Peppers take on the Ohio Players, Nirvana’s quieter moments, and Pavement at their peak. If you like any of that combination you will probably love “Drugs”. The lyrics describe coming down from a particularly bad trip. The opening line “That’s a fat banana, why’re you whipping it out?” is not an outtake from a Carry On script, nor does it describe a huge spliff (which was my first thought). It is about the benefits of bananas making a comedown less extreme, according to Kieran. There is some truth in that though. Serotonin is the chemical in the human body that helps with feelings of wellbeing and happiness and Tryptophan is the amino acid that gets converted to 5-HTP, which eventually gets converted to serotonin in your brain. The key Tryptophan heavy foods are tuna, eggs, and bananas.

Use drugs sensibly people and maybe avoid a tuna, egg and banana smoothie to aid your comedown! But whether drugs are your thing or not make sure that “Drugs” by Tommyrot is your thing!

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“Will Of The People” – PERCY

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:17 pm
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West Yorkshire Super Heroes PERCY have just released a rather splendid video for my favourite song from their current album ‘ Seaside Donkeys’. The song is “Will Of The People” and the video is an incredibly angry and pertinent animation which shows Boris Johnson in the light he really deserves, i.e. a bad light!

Check out my review of the album here and click here to order it.

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