Filed under: On This Day — justwilliam1959 @ 11:57 pm
On February 1st 1967 Pink Floyd spent the day recording parts for the Syd Barrett songs “Arnold Layne’ and “Candy And A Current Bun” at Sound Techniques Studios, Chelsea, London. The Floyd also turned professional on this day after signing a deal with EMI Records.
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Last weekend it was my pleasure to attend a gig to launch Robo’s new single “All Night”. Check out my review of the single here and the review of the gig here. It was more than just a gig though, it was also a night which saw the premiere of the video that accompanies the song. The film was produced and directed by the abundantly talented Natasha Pugh. On the evidence of this film I believe that Natasha has a great future in film making! So many music videos, with some notable exceptions, in recent years have been formulaic, bland and not something to enhance a track. That is most definitely not the case with the video for “All Night”.
It is vibrant, exciting, a little left field and makes a great song even greater. While it retains some of the classic band performing their song trope it has so much more. At times it feels almost psychedelic and I love the way the visuals of the band jump from on angle to another to add more detail of the song. In particular where the main vocal is “she said” and then it cuts to the band doing the excellent call and response “what did she say” part. The film of the band is wonderfully “in your face” and the colour washes used in some scenes makes it look like a 21st century multi coloured and delightfully grainy homage to the video for A-Ha’s huge 1985 hit “Take On Me”. But what I love most about the film is that parts where the band and others don weird masks and run around the woods. That part could easily be an outtake from a lost 1970’s Dr. Who episode. Then you get dayglo tribal paint markings appearing on faces. As music videos go this one is truly epic!
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OK GO had their first chart success back in 2002. How the fuck was it that long ago? Back in those days they had a knack of mixing loads of genres. Everything from dance to slacker rock via punk and classic rock. Well they never really went away and have just released a nifty new single, “A Stone Only Rolls Downhill”. It doesn’t have the harsher heavy edge of 2002’s “Get Over It”, but it is a damned fine track. It is a kind of chilled pop dance song that will be the perfect soundtrack to a hot sunny day in a few months. In places it made me think of the Flaming Lips, but it still has that indelible original stamp of classic OK GO. The song is the first single from their forthcoming album ‘And the Adjacent Possible’ which will hit the streets later in 2025.
The video is one hell of a sight to behold. The clip features 64 videos on 64 phones laid out as a moving mosaic! The band did more than a thousand takes over the course of eight days, and the final video crams over two hours and twenty minutes of single-take clips into one frame. Once again directed by frontman Damian Kulash, this time in collaboration with Chris Buongiorno (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew), the clip showcases the band’s unbridled creativity and signature DIY aesthetic, while exploring the song’s lyrical take on modern split screen life. The band have a history of great videos, do you remember the one with treadmills for “Here It Goes Again“? I bloody love this new tune and I hope that you do too!
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Here comes Under The Covers With Mayhem Chapter 12, featuring the wonderfully named Dutch Criminal Record an indie surf band from Chichester in the UK with their delightful take on Chappell Roan’s mega hit from 2024 “Good Luck, Babe”. They give this perfect pop song a slight rock tinge and it works very well! I am off to listen to their debut album from last year now. It is called ‘Novium’ which is apparently the Latin translation of the name of their home town Chichester.
Constant readers know that my ideal cover version has a different slant from the original rather than just a facsimile-style cover. So the generic boy bands are probably never likely to feature, but you never know, right? Feel free to recommend any songs that you think should be included in Under The Covers With Mayhem. I want to stay clear of the mainstream ideally, but off-the-wall covers by major artists might work too 🙂 Finally and at last there is a playlist that collects all the Under The Covers With Mayhem tracks together. Currently fourteen songs and 56 minutes of music. Check it out below.
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Robo kindly invited me to this gig for the launch of their new single “All Night” and frankly it would have been rude to refuse! So obviously I went along and I am glad that I did. Community Centres like this one are like a home from home for me after more than 30 years as a mobile DJ. But it was an interesting place for a gig like this. There was some great support before the main event too. First up was Jasmine Lowe, someone I had heard a lot about but had not seen until now. She has a wonderful collection of sad songs that drift in the soft swell on a sea of serene fragility. The songs with spoken word elements reminded me of Kate Nash. In Jasmine’s voice I can hear not just Kate Nash but also Delores O’Riordan and on the saddest of the sad songs a hint of Sinead O’Connor too. Jasmine is a great performer and she knows how to write a great song. I definitely need to see her again.
Next up it was the Unnamed Band. This was the second time that I have seen them, the first was just a couple of weeks ago when they supported Pedestrian at the Fulford Arms. Once again they played mostly covers and as before that selection of classic songs was deliciously eclectic and included the Kaiser Chiefs, the Killers and Chuck Berry. Ace front man took a walk through the crowd during an incredible “Johhny B Goode”. They played a good version of the Hall and Oates 80s smash “Maneater”. The short, saxophone supported, excerpt from “Careless Whisper” dedicated to guitarist Luke and his girlfriend was nicely done. They then played “I Can See Your Face” which Luke actually wrote for said girlfriend. Luke it sounds like she’s a keeper! When I reviewed them earlier I said that I thought their originals were good but that they needed a bit of polishing. I was quite touched when I spoke to Arthur later and he said that they had taken that advice on. In fact that much was evident from their fiery, barnstorming closer “Don’t You Know”.
Finally it was time for Robo. I can tell you that for this performance, their first headline sell out, they were as tight as fuck! Their were shades of Television spliced with the Doors, but without the Ray Manzarek keys. On one song (was it something like “Appalachia”?) it was like hearing the ghost of Jeff Buckley. On the song were the band introduced each other and added each members star sign it took me back to the Floaters “Float On”, not in style, just in sentiment. Robo are far more rock than the Floaters ever were. Some of the band’s songs draw on the blues base of Led Zeppelin and drag it into the 21st Century. When they psych out they do it with style and panache. For one song they were joined on stage by a talented female vocalist who added a Nicoesque layer to the track. The finale was a storming live take on their new single “All Night”. You can find my review of that song here. But essentially if you imagine Tom Verlaine producing the Arctic Monkeys it might sound a little like this new song. This was a short, punchy and absorbing set from a band on top form. After that we were treated to a premiere of the “All Night” video which was produced and directed by Natasha Pugh. The video will have a separate review soon on these very pages. All I will say before that is that it is bloody good!
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A new collaborative single between long friends and musical partners Gregory Darling and Julian Lennon have just released a new single “A New Dream”. The song was written with their friend Anthony Caligagan. It first appeared on Gregory Darling’s album ‘Shell’ in 2006 in its original form. This re-imagining has a majestic magical feel as it builds from simple musical forms into a gorgeous and emotional crescendo. The voices carry emotion, sincerity and belief. At times the vocal reminded me of Roger Waters but without all the ex Pink Floyd mans pent up anger. Lyrically the song is inspirational. “I’m helplessly waiting, clocking the days of my innocent youth, oh I’m hopelessly romanticizing everything black and white, all the colors seem dark in the night, I need a new dream to get by on“. This couplet made me feel quite emotional. The video is rather beautiful too.
Lennon and Darling have known each other for many years and have collaborated before. Lennon said of the new release “Working with Greg is like working with your brother/best friend… And “A New Dream” is something we both aspire to. The message of “A New Dream” resonates with universal themes that connect all of us- our dreams, fears and insecurities- and it serves as a beacon of hope, reminding listeners that even the impossible can be achieved.” The song holds a greater significance given Lennon’s role as the founder of the White Feather Foundation and Darling’s position as the head of artist outreach for Reluvotion, founded by Professor Nicholas Dungey and founding partner JR Smith, as well as the Gift Of Love Foundation, founded by Jody Folz. Both organizations are committed to global change and supporting human potential, making this song an ideal embodiment of their shared values.
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It is less than 18 months since I became aware of ALT BLK ERA and what a time that has been. From my perspective I featured them on the Mayhem Virgins series in August 2023. That same month I was lucky enough to see them on the BBC Introducing Stage at the Leeds Festival. I was even luckier to get to interview them that weekend. They have made regular appearances in the Mayhem Charts. From Nyrobi and Chaya’s perspective they have had some amazing festival appearances and support slots (Tom Morello for one). They have collaborated with some great artists including Delilah Bon and Wheatus. This year they are on the BBC’s ones to watch list and will be heading to SXSW. On top of that they have released some incredible singles and the spectacular ‘Freak Show’ EP. Well now the debut album, ‘Rave Immortal’ is here on Earache Records!
The album opens with “Straight To The Heart” a song which has a great 80s pop club night vibe about it with some urgent drum ‘n’ bass beats underpinning it. Next up it is one of a clutch of great singles included in the collection, “Come On Outside”. It has a riotous, riff-laden grunge feel to carry its positive message. The chorus is alive and takes up residence in your brain almost immediately after the first listen. Chaya wrote the song for her sister Nyrobi and had this to say about it “For two years my sister was bed-ridden with a chronic illness that shot waves of pain throughout her body. The doctors couldn’t figure out what it was. I thought I was going to lose her. Thankfully, with lots of support, she is slowly getting better and she now has strong medication that helps her to manage the pain. This song is my message for Nyrobi, for you, and for anyone else who has faced physical or emotional challenges.” There is more great drum ‘n’ bass on “Crashing Parties” coupled with some perfect and incessant synth riffs. It opens with a warped heavenly angelic chorus. Throughout the track the vocals are the star though.
“My Drummer’s Girlfriend” is full of pop-driven punk licks and a gorgeous vocal delivery which reminds me of the Tuts and Kate Nash. Those riffs are mesmeric and stitch their way into your brain easily. I am not sure I am a fan of the potentially insane, drug-fuelled titular girlfriend in this story, but I am a huge fan of this infectious, electric firecracker of a tune. It is not on the album but check out the slacker punk reworking of this track that the band did with Wheatus. “Hunt You Down” has a wonderful dark Madonna feel to it with some stalker lyrics that border on the right side of creepy. this starts off with a deliciously dark vibe. It builds into something that would make Depeche Mode jealous. ALT BLK ERA seem able to tackle any genre. “Upstairs Neighbour” is a classy rave anthem which would sit perfectly along the best of the Prodigy. “Come Fight Me For It” is like an electro powered X Ray Spex which retains the punk attitude. I reckon Poly Styrene would have loved this.
“The track “Run Rabbit” is driven by a persistent and incessant electro riff overlaid with Nyrobi and Chaya’s urgent vocals. Lyrically it feels deliciously dark. This has the makings of a huge club banger, we need an extended remix! The video is rather spiffing too and features ALT BLK ERA running around in the dark to great effect. The opening of “Catch Me If You Can” has a horror film overture sound which I love. The vocals are melodic metal sung over a creepy orchestral synth background. The title track is saved until the end and what a way to finish it is. This is the best of the Prodigy, the Chemical Brothers and Enter Shikari. With some tasteful old school game sounds in the tune. This is rap for the 21st century and an anthemic call to arms for Generation Z and Generation Alpha. Chaya and Nyrobi Beckett-Messam are still young, but as a first album this is a masterpiece. I am excited to hear what they do next. But in the meantime I am sure that ‘Rave Immortal’ will be included in many albums of the year list later this year. It will definitely be on the Mayhem list! If I have any criticism it would be that at around 32 minutes it is quite short. But it doesn’t feel short when you listen to it and some of the greatest punk albums were around that length!
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Robo are a York band overflowing with talent and that is abundantly clear if you listen to their new single “All Night”. If Tome Verlaine produced the Arctic Monkeys it might have sounded a bit like this. Their is also a mood of 70s classic rock throughout this magnificent tune. I love the call and response element which runs a rich vein through the song. In my opinion this song has future classic written all over it!
I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch show for the “All Night” single and a review of that show will feature on these pages soon. The song is accompanied by a mind blowing video produced and directed by Natasha Pugh. The video is so good it deserves a separate review and that will appear here soon too!
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The Gringos are a band from Athens, Georgia and they have recently released a classy single called “In Retro”. It is full of soul and some delicious old school guitar licks. The vocals remind me of the Kings Of Leon when they first broke big. It feels modern and at the same time evokes the classic rock of the 60s and 70s. This song would not be out of place on the next ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ mix tape!
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German music powerhouse band Electric Callboy have just unleashed their latest single, “Elevator Operator”. It is an unforgettable blend of hardcore rock, electro dance, disco and pure pop. It has heavy guitar riffs. Club style synth sounds accentuate it. There are huge four to the floor beats. There are growly rock vocals alongside poppy disco vocals. In fact it has every-fucking-thing and it is destined to be huge! It reminded me of Junior Senior for its catchy infectious sound. It also reminded me of Electric Six for its smart and intelligent approach to music. The music is mainstream yet slightly leftfield at the same time. I bloody love this and I think you will too!
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