Posts filed under 'Music'
In the dark days at the end of 2006 I promised Jay a compilation CD of music that had graced my ears recently. We used to work together, and I guess I used to introduce her to a bit of new music occasionally. I have a tendency to be a bit of a music fascist, so I thought I’d update her.
The actual music was the easy bit. I got that all sorted (2 CDs worth) back in December, but since then I have been trying to find time to produce the cover art. This is a common problem for me. I get hung up on pointless details, leading to procrastination on a grand scale, and eventually the scrapping of whatever it was I was doing.
This is a particular problem with a compilation of recent music as it’s out of date already. I’m just going to sit down and do it tonight. No farting around. No slaving over details. Just get it in the post so I can begin work on the next one. I’ll post the track listing once she has it. Don’t want to ruin the surprise now.
February 5th, 2007
Yes, yes, I know Christmas is supposed to be over now but that doesn’t mean we can’t stock up ready for next year. Twelfth night is not even upon us, the tree is still twinkling in the corner and The Green Wing Christmas special isn’t on until tomorrow, but there are still bargains to be had.
As much as I’d like to live my life without patronising big corporations, especially slightly evil ones like Starbucks, they have the dubious honour of offering the above CD of Soul and Doo-Wop singers perfoming a collection of seasonal classics. When reduced to less than half price, irresistible. Myself and my wife are big fans of Christmas music. Not all year round, but come December we wheel out Nat and Dean and all the cheesy 80’s favourites. This is a fine addition to the collection.
If you are slightly disturbed now, tough. I intend to drag Christmas out for as long as possible and no amount of humbug will stop me.
January 3rd, 2007
I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it; if there’s a better musical act than Clutch, I am yet to see it.
Sunday’s instalment came in the form of a co-headlining show at the Astoria with Corrosion of Conformity. Seemed a bit of an injustice that Clutch were on before COC, seeing as the write up in TimeOut didn’t even mention COC, and the audience wasn’t split in COC’s favour judging by the amount of people leaving as soon Clutch left the stage. But they soldiered on.
A few old classics to start with, and a few new ones for the 14 year olds at the end. And lots of good stuff in between, including the best in-song drum solo I’ve seen in a long while. I keep thinking they have to do a bad show soon, but it never happens. COC, as expected couldn’t follow them, but they were hampered by very muddy sound so we’ll let them off this time.
February 3rd, 2006
There aren’t many bands that are almost 15 years into their career, are still relatively unknown, but who are as consistent or as influential as Clutch.
I first heard them in 1992 when they were signed to a local Nottingham record label called Earache. Their singer had the gruffest voice this side of a death metal band, and they had a strange bluesy element to their sound even though on the surface they seemed to be a punk band. Since then I have purchased every thing they have released, and seen them every time they have been to London. Never once have I been disappointed. The band I saw supporting CKY last night is made up of the same four guys that I heard in the early 90s (with the addition of a guy on Hammond organ), and although their sound is much closer to blues than punk these days, each time I see them it renews my belief in music.
Last night’s gig was a last minute thing. They got asked to support a band formed by the brother of Bam Margera (of Jackass fame) who’s only claim to fame appears to be that they had a load of their music used on Jackass. I don’t want to exhibit favouritism, but judging by the amount of 13 year olds wearing their T-shirts/badges/hats/bags at the Astoria last night their appeal is on a much lower level than Clutch. I’ve never enjoyed their music, and I made a swift exit as soon as Clutch finished their 50 minute set.
Which was, as always, fantastic.
September 30th, 2005
Having always had Nokia phones since the beginning of time (1998) I am the cautious new owner of a Sony Ericsson k750i. I do tend to be quite brand-loyal. Shoes: Macbeth/Etnies, Computers: Apple, Cameras: Canon. But a change of network provider was the opportunity for a new phone, and Nokia seem to be going out of their way to make their phones U-G-L-Y. The 2 megapixel camera on the SE was a draw too, as my proper camera ain’t that portable. I joined the camera brigade at the Foo Fighters gig on Wednesday, just to test it in the field. Result below:
Obviously I’m not about to break into music photography with it, but I reckon that’s pretty good considering how little light there was and that I was being thrown around by some bald, half-naked, sweaty meathead at the time. Texting with it is taking some mastering though.
August 26th, 2005
Only a couple of hours until the Foo Fighters play a surprise show in the compact surroundings (well, compact considering they’re playing 2 dates at Earls Court in a couple of months) of the Astoria in London Village. It’s almost 3 years to the day since we went to the last Foo Fighters surprise show at the Astoria. Becoming a regular thing.
Just been and collected my tickets and there is already a fairly substantial queue of spotty 14-year-olds, standing in the rain, hoping to get to the front and be sweated on by Sir David of Grohl. Crazy Fools.
Working in Soho certainly has its advantages.
August 24th, 2005
I had high hopes. Alkaline Trio are a great band, with great songs. Now, disregarding the fact that we ruined it for ourselves a bit (having again failed to listen to any of their first three records, despite being oblivious to 70% of the set at a previous viewing at ULU a couple of years ago), the sound last night in the Astoria was awful! Bass too high in the mix. Guitar too low. Vocals all over the shop. I’m half tempted to get tickets to see them again at Brixton in November, but I’m not a big fan of Brixton Academy. Despite going there on Monday to see Queens of the Stone Age!
Something about bigger venues attracts the kind of people that aren’t really bothered about music but go to gigs because they feel they’re missing out on something, then spend the whole show chatting with their backs to the stage. Pah. I’m just a gig snob.
Back at the Astoria on Wednesday for the Foo Fighter’s Reading Festival warm-up gig . Last one was a couple of days after Reading 2003, and I spent the whole gig struggling to stay upright after picking up student-lurgy from some brat on the campsite. Hopefully the sound and my health will be alright on the night.
August 19th, 2005
