With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

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

Under The Covers With Mayhem – Chapter 5 August 20, 2024

Filed under: Under The Covers With Mayhem — justwilliam1959 @ 10:25 am
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Here comes Under The Covers With Mayhem Chapter 5, this one features post-punk heroes the Raincoats with their cover of the Kinks’ “Lola”. This was released as a part of their self-titled debut album in 1979. The cover was never released as a single, but the album made it to number 5 on the indie album chart. I love that it isn’t a simple copy and that the all-female band changed the gender of the song’s protagonist.

I have said before 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 🙂 Oh, and there will, of course, be an Under The Covers With Mayhem Playlist soon!

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Weird Music Facts From Mayhem #5 August 19, 2024

Filed under: Weird Facts — justwilliam1959 @ 10:37 pm
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David John Harman, who later became Dave Dee of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, and Tich fame was a police constable in 1960. He was one of the first people on the scene of the April 1960 car crash that resulted in the death of American rock and roller Eddie Cochran and a very serious injury to Gene Vincent. He later explained that he began learning to play the guitar using Cochran’s impounded Gretsch guitar over several nights at the police station. Dee joined Cochran in the great gig in the sky in 2009. To remember them here are a couple of videos.

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“Two Sips” – Revivalry

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 10:18 pm
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Revivalry has become the youngest band to play the Main Stage at Kendal Calling and to cement their growing power they released a classy new song, “Two Sips” last week. It is a superpowered riff fest with some great vocals and harmonies and it overflows with sublime alt.rock, pop, and punk hooks. This bunch can go all the way and on the evidence of this single, they are more than ready for the journey. Here is the band explaining how “Two Sips” came to life. “It started with a riff, as it nearly always does. Ben brings that and everything follows from there. Because we are a 3-piece we use sonics around the bass instead of a rhythm guitar so Josh builds around the riff and Lewis sets the beat – the structure of the song tends to just build from here with all 3 of us in a room together. At times it can be painful, Ben is a perfectionist, Josh is keen to keep the flow of writing going and Lewis is pretty laid back – somewhere in the middle of that triangle is the sweet spot.” One of the best singles of the year in my humble opinion.

If you want to catch them live check out the dates below

23rd August, Victorious Festival (Seaside Stage), Portsmouth TICKETS

24th August, Camper Calling Festival, Warwickshire  TICKETS

31st August, The Imperial, Mexborough TICKETS

15th September, Garristonbury, Barnsley (SOLD OUT)

27th September, The Troubadour, London (supporting A.R.T) TICKETS

2nd November, The Leadmill, Sheffield, (supporting The Denabys) TICKETS

6th December, Deaf Institute Lodge, Manchester TICKETS

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“Pick Me Up” – The Search

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 4:41 pm
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Swedish band The Search released their new single “Pick Me Up” last week. It is packed full of emotion and has some gorgeous pop hooks. Vocally I am taken to a place where Aha might have taken a post-punk direction while under the influence of later period Roxy Music. “Pick Me Up” is anthemic, rocks along at a fast pace and stays in your head for ages. Apparently, the song is about rekindling the hope of second chances and healing in the aftermath of lost connections, exploring themes of reconciliation and the enduring quest for mutual understanding. It is taken from their forthcoming album, ‘Indulgence’.

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“The Shot” – The Giraffes

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 3:55 pm
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Brooklyn rock band the Giraffes have recently released a new single, “The Shot”, a precursor to their upcoming album (their eighth), ‘Cigarette’, scheduled for September 27th. The band says the album will be “a score for our current age of decay and disappointment, fear and fury, idiocy and hope”. “The Shot” is dark and brooding with some monstrous hooks and a kind of punky jazz feel. It has the sound of a band that really knows their stuff, but they have been around just shy of 30 years. After hearing this single I am really looking forward to the album!

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On This Day The Pistols Get Spots, Phil Gets Bronze And Kate Gets No Pictures!

Filed under: On This Day — justwilliam1959 @ 3:35 pm
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On August 19th, 1977, the Sex Pistols started a six-date undercover UK tour as “The S.P.O.T.S.” (Sex Pistols On Tour Secretly). Their reputation meant they would be unlikely to be booked into venues that would be shut down by the police, so, they assumed a different name in each venue (including “Tax Exiles” and “A Mystery Band of International Repute”)

In 2005 also on August 19th, a life-size bronze statue of Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott was erected in his home city of Dublin, Ireland. Lynott, who died in 1986 at 36, was celebrated during an unveiling ceremony, that was attended by his former Thin Lizzy bandmates, including Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, and Scott Gorham.

19 Aug 2014
On 19th August 2014 Kate Bush requested that fans did not take any photographs or record footage using mobile devices at her upcoming 22-date residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. The then 56-year-old star said on her website: “I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras. It would mean “a great deal to me, although I know it is a lot to ask”.

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Ryan Burnett – Fulford Arms, York – Thursday 15th August 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 2:03 pm
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This was originally a headline gig for Belle Velvet, but unfortunately, they had to pull out which meant that the new headliner was Ryan Burnett, but more of him later. The first to take the stage was the previously unbilled Michael Collinson. Michael is a singer-songwriter with a fine collection of heartfelt, hook-driven songs. I love how he introduces a great percussive element via his guitar and rather nifty looping talent. He also used some great backing tracks. “Bring It Back Again” showcased his acoustic guitar skills. The highlight for me was “Crying” (an original song, not a cover of the Roy Orbison classic). He reminded me of some of the best 1970s troubadours mixed with some sublime alt.country stylings on this song. Well worth checking out!

It is a while since I have seen Moongate (a.k.a Cat), her songs are still very sad laments, but that does not take away how good these tunes are. “Junction 5” is possibly her saddest song, so she confessed that she doesn’t play it very often. Let us not forget that sad songs can be very good, especially when they are played with an abundance of the grace and talent that Moongate possesses. Apparently, everyone hates Jonathan, Moongate certainly does, given that two songs in this set were about him. The new one featured a backing track that was “not top-notch, but nearly notch”. After those two songs, I think I really don’t like Jonathan much either. Her closing song, “Trigger”, is divinely and deeply sad. Will Moongate ever write a happy song? Maybe she will, but when the sad songs are this good does she really need to?

Finally, it was the turn of Ryan Burnett and this was his first time playing solo at the Fulford Arms. The clarity and depth in his voice is comparable to Jeff Buckley at times. His cover of the Vampire Weekend song “Campus” was perfect, he made it his own rather than just a facsimile. Ryan’s new “dark” song sent shivers down my spine, in a good way, as the ghost of Jeff Buckley showed up again. This guy has a hugely understated talent and I don’t think that he realises how good he is yet. Even a new song which remains a work in progress was good, even getting a little lost in the middle of that one took nothing away from Ryan’s stunning performance. To cap it all he received his A-level results earlier in the day, and I hear that the boy done good! 🙂

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“Peaches In My Halo” – Veronica D’Souza August 16, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:58 pm
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Veronica D’Souza is a former fashion pioneer and now an independent producer and songwriter. She is of Indian/East African/Danish descent. I believe that cultural melting pot makes her such a musical talent. She is a strong advocate for women and has helped many people on her life journey. With her music, she has the talent and the ability to help all of us through this troubled journey that we call life. “Peaches In My Halo” is a stunning inspirational and inspiring summer anthem that leaves you with a head full of heavenly hooks’ and, ears filled with majestic melodies and a wide smile on your face. The percussive drive to the song sticks with you long after it is over. The song is almost hymnal at times. It is a powerful song about breaking free and becoming you and not what other people’s expectations of you are. Veronica has said this about the track “We all live under a carpet of external expectations and internalized limitations. This song says to defy the confined boundaries and societal norms, dare to dream, and allow yourself to live out all the different versions of you. It’s about rebelliousness, transformation, and social critique. Throw your head back, take space, be it all, live it all. What would happen if you did, just for a minute.” I can see myself becoming a huge fan of Veronica D’Souza! Click here to listen to “Peaches In My Halo” on Spotify.

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Rolling Back The Years With Mayhem – 1962 August 15, 2024

Filed under: Rolling Back The Years — justwilliam1959 @ 11:25 pm
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This is the fourth in what I am sure will be a very long-running series, just like my long-running life, so far at least! I have decided to look at the most popular songs from every year that I have existed. There will be some artistic licence on my part as I will always seek to include at least a few of my favourites from each year. The format will be a top ten for each year and will cover the music and songs I grew up with, came of age with, and achieved my greatest success alongside music that comforted me in bad times. This fourth top ten goes back to my 3rd birthday year, 1962. I don’t remember actually hearing these songs back in 1962, but I have listened to them many times over the years. I have focused on the UK charts and this time the US bestseller does feature in my list. It is “Stranger On The Shore” by Acker Bilk. My Mum’s favourite singer Elvis Presley is in the top ten at number 7. The Tornados’ “Telstar” is at number one, this is one of my favourite tunes ever! Did you know that Matt Bellamy off of Muse was in the Tornados? So was possibly the greatest session drummer in history, Clem Cattini. So here is the fourth Rolling Back The Years With Mayhem Chart, for 1962. I reckon this is the best rolling back the year’s top ten so far! Please get on board the Time Machine now, it will be a rough journey so bring a sick bag! If you are too chicken to enter the Time Machine, click here for the playlist! The chart for 1963 will follow soon. The chart listing is below!

1 Telstar – The Tornados
2 Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker
3 Stranger On The Shore – Acker Bilk
4 Nut Rocker – B Bumble & The Stingers
5 Let’s Dance – Chris Montez
6 The Loco-Motion – Little Eva
7 Return To Sender – Elvis Presley
8 It Might As Well Rain Until September – Carole King
9 Sherry – The Four Seasons
10 The Wanderer – Dion

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“Volatile” – Delilah Bon

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:07 pm
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Everyone’s friendly neighbourhood, evil, hate-filled female Delilah Bon is back with the new single “Volatile”. She is brutally honest about how this world makes her feel but on top of that she ciphers about what is wrong with the state of the world. When her rhymes express anger the Bon bile is directed at misogynists and haters everywhere. (“Cos Mr Industry thinks that every woman’s the same”). Sexist pricks in the music industry and in society should fear the level of venom directed at them, but sadly they will not be, so it is up to all of us who believe in fairness and equality to join the Bon Bon Battalion and fight for it. Delilah is an inspiration to women and oppressed minorities everywhere, despite her own fears. Let us all stick up for those who are oppressed and can’t stick up for themselves. Let us be there for Delilah too. Minorities, those of you who have been abused and put down, we’ve got your back, and we stand up for Delilah’s punky, rebellious clarion call. Men, we know you mean well when you say, “it’s not all men”, but that doesn’t change anything does it? I am an old white male and I support equality for women, LGBTQ+, and all decent humans.

This song is a slow and dark metal rap that only Delilah Bon can do as adeptly as this. It describes many of her negative experiences in the music industry and once again it bodes incredibly well for the sophomore album which will be out next month. (There will be a review on these very pages!) Delilah is following in the footsteps of punk feminist icons from the past, particularly Poly Styrene and Kathleen Hanna! Delilah is a Riot Grrrl for the 21st Century. Poly Styrene once said “Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard. But I think “oh bondage, up yours!” Delilah Bon needs to be heard and more and more people are listening, if you haven’t listened yet, then start now!

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