It is now estimated that more Ramones t-shirts have been sold worldwide than Ramones albums. Seriously? What is the world coming to? Personally I feel very lucky to have seen the band play live in London back in 1977
“I have played in every toilet but you still want to spoil it” August 17, 2017
Matt Bellamy off of Muse came up with the title of the band’s classic song “Muscle Museum” in a rather strange way, by looking at a dictionary. In most English dictionaries, the word ‘Muscle’ comes before ‘Muse’ and ‘Museum’ precedes it. Pretty strange huh?
KRON – “Raptoid” EP August 16, 2017
Los Angeles synth supremos KRON recently unleashed their unbelievably powerful EP “Raptoid” on Ring The Alarm Records. The sound this bunch make belies the fact that there are only three of them and that their sound is simply not organic in any way. It is pure synth power with hints of Giorgio Moroder circa the Midnight Express score. They produce a barrage of sound that will not just make you want to dance but will stand over you with menace until you start to move.
All of the eight tracks on this EP would fit perfectly into a film soundtrack. Opener “Proof You’re Gone” would grace the Exorcist and title track “Raptoid” would be perfect on the next instalment of the Terminator franchise. “Valley Of The Wind” is Mogwai on steroids. My favourite track is “Neo Kong” with its vocoderish sound that takes on Daft Punk and leaves them in a bloody pulp. Michael Sherer, Sean Krell and Sam Newell started out as the house band for Ghosting, a regular art/tech dance party held in a warehouse in LA’s Chinatown. The crowds just got bigger and bigger as they flocked to see the trio now named KRON. It was not just to hear the attack of KRON’s modular synths but also to witness the galactic analog video synth visuals.
I really need to see this band live and if they are ever playing in the north of England I will do my damnedest to be there. On Facebook they have perhaps the best genre description that I have ever seen; “Mortal Kombat-Safari House-Horror Synth”. They also describe themselves as “Equal parts Giorgio Moroder, Simian Mobile Disco, sentient rogue Microsoft screen saver, and Amun-Ra (the ancient Egyptian sun-god)”. It is the rogue screen saver part that really interests me. Bottom line this has the hallmarks of a classic album that will be played regularly in my house. A big thank you to those delightful folk at Noisy Ghost PR for letting me take this EP for a spin.
Hurray For The Riff Raff – The Crescent, York – Tuesday 15th August August 15, 2017
Having really loved Hurray For The Riff Raff‘s album ‘The Navigator’ on first hearing it earlier this year I was hoping to get the chance to see them live. Well that chance came around at a fabulous little venue, the Crescent, in my adopted home city of York. Were Hurray For The Riff Raff good? Well you will just have to read on to find out, but first let me tell you about the rather splendid support act, Alex Golisti. He played a great acoustic set including some of his own songs, one of which was an old banjo tune that he played on the guitar and had written his own lyrics for. He has a voice that at times shows similarities with both Tom Waits and George Ezra. He plays a style that evokes bluegrass and roots music with a modern twist. On top of all that he has a great self-deprecating sense of humour.
I was accompanied by my beautiful wife Catherine a.k.a. Catwoman this evening as she enjoyed ‘The navigator’ too. We were both very excited to be here and from the opening salvo of “Life To Save” and “Nothing’s Gonna Change That Girl” we were not disappointed. The energy shown by Alynda Lee Segarra and indeed the whole band never let up for the whole night. There were plenty of highlights notably for me the haunting rendition of “Fourteen Floors” with Alynda on keyboard. Then just when you think it couldn’t get better the band hit us with one of Segarra’s excellent protest songs, “Pa’ lante”. It has vision, power, heart, soul, deep emotion and an uplifting message. I understand that it is Spanish slang and that it means to “go ahead” or “go for it”. Alynda is very proud of her Puerto Rican roots and that shows on the current album and in her stage performance. The encore included a rousing cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark” which had absolutely everyone on their feet. This is a band on top form and one who were really enjoying themselves. I will definitely be seeing them again! This was another great show from Please Please You, thank you Joe Coates.
Broken Bellows – “The Card Table” EP
Upstate New York residents Broken Bellows have their first EP lined up for release on 25th August on Fervor Records. It is full of masterfully mellow rock with harmonies to die for and everyone one of the five songs could stand on their own as a single. I can hear influence from everyone from the National to Muse and the softer side of pop punkers Panic At The Disco. The duo’s second single “Misery” is also the second track on the EP and it is stunning. On this evidence Broken Bellows are a band that are now on my must see live list! I reckon Cory Brent and Will Prinzi are ready to blow you away at a festival stage very soon! Check them out, you will not be disappointed. A large thank you to those very nice people at Noisy Ghost PR for giving me the chance to hear this excellent EP.
Click here to check out second single “Misery” on Soundcloud.
PARENTZ – “Single” August 14, 2017
Oakland, California’s PARENTZ recently released a brand new single on Popgang Records which is imaginatively entitled “Single”. I wonder if their album will be called ‘Album’? Let’s hope not as Public Image Limited got there first with that one. Anyway “Single” is a shimmering slice of electro pop with great earworm potential. At times it flows across your senses like you would imagine a chill out album from New Order might. Also a big thank you to those delightful folks over at Noisy Ghost PR for giving me the opportunity to hear about the rather splendid PARENTZ. Also if you want to hear more from PARENTZ click here to check them out on Soundcloud.
Becca Richardson – “Wanted”
Becca Richardson, originally from Ohio, has recently released a new single, “Wanted”. It is a chilled number with a backing that is underpinned by a drilling yet subdued bass and a melody that suggests a yearning urgency. It bodes very well for her new album which is currently lined up for release later this year. The album will be called ‘We Are Gathered Here’. She is currently finishing the recording in Nashville. Click here to check out some other Becca’s other excellent songs on Soundcloud. A big thank you to those nice people at Noisy Ghost PR for giving me the chance to hear this fab track.
“Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues” August 13, 2017
In 1996, Ringo Starr appeared in a Japanese advertisement for apple sauce, why was that? Well in Japanese “Ringo” means an apple offering or peace be with you. Is that where Mr Starkey got his infamous “peace and love, peace and love, peace and love” comment from in his speech a few years back about giving up on autographs?
“Now my advice for those who die declare the pennies on your eyes”
Allegedly according to producer George Martin, the 60’s Batman TV theme tune inspired George Harrison of the Beatles, to write the hit song “Taxman”. Now there’s a thought for a brand new super hero team up; Taxman and Robbing! I guess it’s also fair to say that the Jam ripped off “Taxman” with start and Weller’s band also recorded a version of the Batman theme!
“They shared the driving all through the night” August 12, 2017
You often hear of stars, fossils, rare insects and such like being named after everyone from David Bowie to Frank Zappa. But how about a singer having a bus named after them? Well Leo Sayer had a bus named after him in Brighton, although it is no longer in service. So much for the show must go on right? Perhaps the driver was moonlighting?
Anyway why did Leo have a bus named after him in Brighton? Well that is where he was first discovered in 1970. The man who discovered him, Adam Faith also had a bus named after him. I would be interested to hear of any other musicians and singers that have had buses, coaches, cars, bikes, trains, boats, planes or rockets named after them.
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 