Gavin: A lot happened in 2008. It seems so long ago now. Like any blog worth it’s salt and peppa though, we have decided to put together our best/worst gigs and albums of the year and used our clever little thinking boxes in our heads to have a guess (/dictate?) who will be floating boats in the next twelve months or so. Have a read and put us in our place about your favourite albums and who you think will storm 09…

Albums:

Bon Iver-For Emma, forever ago

Gav: From the brooding, elegant “Flume” right through to the mellow closer of “Re: Stacks”, this is a simple but greatly effecting album of heartbreak and recovery. The choice single, “Skinny Love” highlights what is truly great about Bon Iver: it could have been written at pretty much point in time from the 1920s onwards, but it is this timelessness that strikes such a chord with so many people.

For Emma

British Sea Power-Do You Like Rock Music?

Gav: Released right at the start of 2008, this album is pretty underrated and understated. “Do You Like Rock Music?” is a glorious celebration- equally wistful and triumphant. The way it floats elegantly from storming, epic soundscapes such as “Waving Flags” and “Down on The Ground” to serene, reflective ballads like “The Great Skua” and “Open The Door” will make sure it’s etched permanantly in many music fan’s hearts.

Deerhunter-Microcastle

Lauren: It’s predecessor Cryptograms was exciting to say the least but with Microcastle Deerhunter found a more complete yet simple style which is almost impossible to fault. Their ambient psychedelic sound is executed perfectly on the album especially on tracks ‘Little Kids’ and album opener ‘Cover Me (Slowly)’ which hint a completely overwhelming live experience.

Deerhunter-Little Kids

Goldfrapp-Seventh Tree

McAsh says: If you like Goldfrapp then you should listen to Seventh Tree, as it is rather good. If you don’t like Goldfrapp then you probably won’t like this album, as it is by Goldfrapp.

Goldfrapp – Some People

Los Campesinos!-Hold On Now, Youngster.

Lauren says: An album by music geeks, about being a music geek, written for music geeks. We spend hours online debating the best Sonic Youth ablum, we hate all the bands YOU like and when we fall in love or get our hearts broken it always has perfect musical accompaniment. What Los Campesinos! have captured in this album is everything involved in being a kitsch, pretentious arsehole and put it to music that sounds like Arcade Fire having a go on a play school’s collection of musical instruments, a huge, yet totally twee sound.

Los Campesinos!-My Year In Lists

M83-Saturdays=Youth

J_S_Peach: A surprise topper of one particular music site’s album list, Anthony Gonzalez 5th album took a rather unexpected turn following it’s predecessors Digital Shades Vol. 1 and Before The Dawn Heals Us. Taking inspiration from the films of John Hughes, M83 built on their intense electro shoegaze sound by popping it up to the max. That’s not to say this album is at all for the masses. The second album really pushes the boat out in terms of really minimalist build ups and long, drawn out pieces. The album’s closer, Midnight Souls Still Remain, nods towards the Brian Eno-esque tones of Digital Shades Vol. 1 suggesting that Gonzalez still has more to offer. Sturdays=Youth is one of the most complete albums of 2008, really pushing the boundaries of accessible contemporary music.

M83-Graveyard Girl

Sigur Rós-Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

Lauren says: To say this album isn’t the Icelandic four piece’s finest piece of work is far from an insult as they are so consistently brilliant that what isn’t their best is better than most bands can ever hope to ahieve. This, the band’s fifth studio release, saw the them explore new directions, most notably with the poppy, tribal wonder that is Gobbledigook which has not only fueled some unbelievable live performances this year but has also got thousands of adults at a time standing perfectly still singing ‘lalalalalalala’ in unison.

Sigur Ros-Gobbledigook

TV on the Radio-Dear, Science

Gav: TV on the Radio returned in 2008 with one of the most exciting and eclectic albums imaginable. “Dear Science,” is the sound of an uncountable set of ideas ricocheting from funk to rock, via dance and electronic music. It’s clever, ambiguous, witty, heartfelt and a million and one other things besides.

Golden Age

Youthmovies-Good Nature

Phil: With Youthmovies having been around for a good part of this decade, it’s hard to imagine that last year saw the release of their debut album. Good Nature is their most accessible work to date and Youthmovies bring their take on progressive rock into the mainstream, with one of the most poetic and stunning albums of the year.

Youthmovies – Archive it Everywhere (Live at ATP)

Why?-Alopecia

Phil: Based around songwriter Yoni Wolf, Why? manage to put some of the most vivid imagery concocted on to record; their third LP, Alopecia, is no exception. Despite not quite reaching the bar they set with Elephant Eyelash, they have returned with a more immediate album that still delivers a highly unique listening experience.

Why? – These Few Presidents

Gigs:

British Sea Power/Rescue Rooms/22.01.2008

Gav: Without this great gig, The Courteeners would have been the last band I saw for around three and a half months. Obviously not an optimal situation to be in at all. As it was, the bunch of English eccentrics that British Sea Power are blew the roof off Rescue Rooms in one of the best barn storming gigs of the year. Showcasing most of their excellent third album, “Do You Like Rock Music?” as well as a delving into the old back catalogue, this was an event of great fun and celebration between band and fans. The gig finished with a thrilling climax as guitarist Noble left the flag draped stage to climb the balcony and then drop onto the heads of the crowd as numerous musicians flooded the stage to create a fist pumping and emotional finish.

British Sea Power-No Lucifer

The Mae Shi/Dot to Dot Festival/24.05.2008

Gav: The combination of a bunch of LA punks shouting and slamming their instruments into overdrive whilst mostly positioned in the crowd as a big sheet envelops everyone made for one of the best sets of this years dot to dot. Fast and intense but also big and fun. Kind of like the Flaming Lips on crack (*insert other lazy music journalism cliche at your own disposal*).

Heartbeeps

Jay Z-Glastonbury Festival/28.06.2008

Gav: After Signor Eavis’ clever little trick of telling us something along the lines of “a New York hip hop star will headline Glastonbury…but it’s definitely not Jay Z…” *winks* and Noel Gallagher saying it just wasn’t cricket to have rap music at the festival, there was something of a buzz around this performance. Almost every band that performed on the Saturday urged their crowd to go and see Jay Z that night and it seemed it was either going to be utter shit, on the scale of the Fiddy bottling at Reading, or it would be amazing. Of course, it was amazing. The fact is, it felt like you were part of something people would talk about for years and just seeing the endless crowd of the Pyramid stage all singing along to “99 Problems” was worth the ticket price alone.

Dirt Off Your Shoulders

Interpol/Sheffield Academy/09.07.2008

Lauren: Interpol are a band who’ve never afraid to admit there are times when their live shows are for nothing but the Benjamins but this warm up show for Latitude festival this summer seemed to be all for the fans. A more than generous set, some rarely played songs and some even rarer smiles from the band all made the show one that you couldn’t help but walk out of on air rather than sticky Sheffield Academy floor.

Interpol-NYC

Sigur Rós/Latitude Festival/18.07.2008

Lauren: Just as with their albums, Sigor Ros’ live shows are consitantly brilliant but below a setting sun melting into a clear night sky surrounded by the woods of Latitude Festival they delivered a life changing performance. Dressed in the splendor of what looked like mythical woodland creatures the four piece were backed by twenty or so similarly attired backing musicians it was like witnessing a party from another world.

Sigor Ros-Festival

Dananananaykroyd/All over the country/2008

Phil: I think it’s pretty apparent that us folk at INFTC like to dip our toes into the world of Dananananaykroyd from time to time. Without trying to kiss ass, I think it is safe to say that they are the best band I saw live last year. If you have seen them you will know what I mean, if you haven’t then go see them, now.

Dananananaykroyd-Some Dresses

Worst Gigs:

These New Puritans/The Bodega Social/15.02.2008

Lauren: Just because you’re pretty and your photos been in the observer doesn’t mean you no longer have to give a shit.

Glasvegas/Dot to Dot Festival/25.05.2008

Phil: After people were queuing out the door for Santagold, it was hard to believe that a half empty rescue rooms were waiting “the most important band” of this generation and the “best band out of Scotland for 20 years“. Glasvegas played for only 20 minutes but this was enough for a significant amount of people to leave. That really all that needs to be said; they were just poor.

Remixes: We wont write so you wont read, lets both just dance!

Friendly Fires-Paris (Aeroplane Remix Feat. Au Revoir Simone)

M.I.A.-Paper Planes (DFA Remix)

Metronomy-A Thing For Me (Breakbots B-live Miami Mix)

Dizzee Rascal-Sirens (Wargames Remix)

Bloc Party- mercury (herve_is_in_disarray_remix)

Tips For 2009:

Calories-Myspace

Phil: What more could you want from a band? Huge pop hooks, noisy riffs and more energy then three people should ever have. Last year they played shows with the likes of Tubelord and Johnny Foreigner, this year they have a debut album out in March. Expect to see the name Calories a lot this year.

Calories – Adventuring

CFCF-Myspace

J_S_Peach: Mike Silver, better known as CFCF, spent a lot of ’08 remixing for artists such as HEALTH, Crystal Castles and Genghis Tron but 2009 sees the release of his first EP-Panesian Nights. Having already recieved positive reviews in his native Canada it can only be a matter of time until you find yourself dancing to his beats at a club near you.

Bathtub Clash (CFCF Remix)-CFCF

Dananananaykroyd-Myspace

Gav: I’m jealous of anyone yet to see this band live becuase they will be instantly, repeatedly and joyously blown away. This six piece are charismatic yet refreshingly unpretintious, combining great wit and ridiculously exciting crowd participation. Most of all though, they have tunes which tear you apart, put you back together again, give you a little cuddle, push you around a bit then leave you sweaty, deaf and grinning like a tit. I’m pretty sure for some of their more Shoreditch oriented fans, their gigs are probably the first time they’ve had genuine fun in a long time. Details: Album, “Hey Everyone!” out in April, lots more tour dates (including supporting Kaiser Chiefs at the likes of the o2 Arena, mental etc) and hopefully some insane festival appearences.

The Greater Than Symbol and the Hash

Dolby Anol-Myspace

Lauren: Take one sixth of Dananananaykroyd (we quite like them if you hadn’t already guessed), a lovely man names Graham Peel and a shit load of wires and you’ll find yourself listening and throwing yourself about to the bizarre electro of Dolby Anol.  They’ve remixed everyone from The Futureheads to Beyonce and like their Danana friends their performances result rooms full of sweaty chaos. Definitely to dance outfit to look out for in 2009.

Dolby Anol – Dolby & Gabbana (Cuz we are Dolby Anol)

Passion Pit-Myspace

Gav: From the beautifully ambient, same-cooking-pot-as-Postal-service “I’ve Got Your Number”, to Holy Fuck bumping uglies with Prince to create “Better Things”, Passion Pit are a genuinly great little five piece of nerds from Massachusettes. “Sleepyhead”, meanwhile, is just biding it’s time before it becomes a globally accepted classic and a must for any indie disco DJ to put on at the end of the night for everyone to dance/slip around in beer to while hugging each other and crying slightly.

Passion Pit-Sleepyhead

Pulled Apart By Horses-Myspace

Gav: Riffs/melodies/riffs/shouting/FUCKING RIFFS. Ignore the fact that the singer can sometimes, ever so slightly sound like Jimmy from South Park having a screaming fit, Pulled Apart By Horses are a rough, raw slaying machine combining metal with something slightly more fun and accessible. And RIFFS, obviously.

Pulled Apart By Horses-I Punched A Lion In The Throat

Tubelord-Myspace

Lauren: A band we’ve never been afraid of showing love for in the past, Tubelord are a trio of oddballs who, through what we can only assume was a bizzare sequence of events, got themselves into a band to play to the world their own brand of pop-punk as loud as anyone will let them. 2009 will hopefully see the release of an album so pretty soon you can play it as loud as you parents/neighbors will let you.

Tubelord-I Am Azerrad (Huw Stephens Session)

Youves (Formerly Mirror!Mirror!)-Myspace

J_S_Peach: Following successful performances at events such as Dot to Dot and shows with the likes of INFTC favourites such as Dananananaykroyd in 2008, Nuneaton punk-funkers Youves have put in the groundwork for an exciting 2009. With a name change and new EP Cardio-Vascular on the way through Holy Roar Records in May these boys are a hot tip.

White Lies- m’space

Just like how porn keeps sex pests, miserable old men and horny teens happy in a legal and safe way, stadium/pop rock should serve to keep little cretins off our music. White Lies will be big. Probably huge. This is fine.

Women-Myspace

Lauren: Despite their self-titled debut being released last year INFTC predict 2009 will see the rise of Canadian four piece Women. The band create lo-fi dreams that float out of your speakers somewhere in between Black Lips and Deerhunter, the latter they were set to support if it weren’t for illness.  You can still catch them with Wavves around the country in March and, in what is fast becoming my favourite London venue, The Lexington on the 3rd.

Women-Black Rice

Dananananaykroyd/Pulled Apart by Horses/Calf by Calf @ The Harley, Sheffield

With Youthmovies playing at Sheffield University, Death Cab for Cutie at the Academy and Fucked Up and White Denim also playing in Sheffield, there was an abundance of live music on around the city tonight. However, it was a small pub, The Harley, that would boast one of the finest line-ups of the night.

With one on the drums and the other on bass, local duo Calf by Calf start the proceedings. They begin their set with a version of The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me”, stopping suddenly to shout the chorus before taking up where they left off. Then seamlessly flying through their set, Calf by Calf manage to create a wall of sound that bands with 6 or 7 members struggle to achieve. With outstanding technical ability and flawless timing, Calf by Calf caused people who weren’t even fans of their music to pay attention.

From the moment the first chord is played, Leeds band Pulled Apart by Horses appear to be a volatile, fast-paced, guitar thrashing four-some. Mix into this elaborate solos, catchy hooks and a live set so energetic that three quarters of them remove their shirts, with guitarist James also doing away with his trousers, and you have a band that are producing some of the most exciting music around at the moment. Finishing triumphantly with single “Meat Balloon”, Pulled Apart by Horses whip the crowd up into a frenzy as crazy as themselves, before marching through the crowd semi-naked.

Dananananaykroyd having been storming around the UK on their first headlining tour and, if hearsay is anything to go by, they have become one of best live bands around. Tonight they play to an already sweaty, sold out crowd who are waiting to see if all the hype is true.

As they burst into their first song, lead singer Calum is already running through the crowd. Their energy never wavering, Dananananaykroyd set about burning the next hour into the minds of everyone present. As they explode through their set, the baying crowd laps up every song they play. With both vocalists, Calum Gunn and John Baillie Jnr (also a member of INFTC favourite Dolby Anol), running in and out of the crowd continuously, it’s rare that all six members are seen together on stage.

When ‘Chrome Rainbow’ kicks in, Dananana already have the crowd clapping along and it becomes apparent that they aren’t as hardcore as they seem on record. As the band chant the intro to ‘Pink Sabbath’ they take this further; forming a path through the middle of the crowd, they start a ‘wall of cuddles’, where, like in a ‘wall of death’, both sides run at each other, but instead of kicking the shit out of each other everyone is instructed to hug the first person they get to. This attitude is taken through the whole show with the band wanting everyone to “just be friends”.

This however didn’t seem to rub off on everyone. Well, one person anyway. After continuing to dance on bassist Laura’s peddles, after being asked to stop, this dick then tries to start a fight with one of the DJs and in the process nearly ruins the gig for everyone. With Dananananaykroyd returning to the stage for an encore, everyone is told to “calm down” and move back from the stage. This doesn’t hamper their performance, but leaves everyone slightly more sullen then they should be.

Despite all this, I am in no doubt that this is one of the gigs of the year and I am looking forward to seeing all three bands again.

What makes Dananananaykroyd stand out is that they don’t just perform their music for us to stand back and appreciate from a distance. They perform it in your face, they get you to shout, they get you to scream and they get you to dance along with them. They make their music your music and it creates one of the best, if not the best, gig experiences ever. Shit, even thinking about it is making smirk like a little boy.

Pulled Apart by Horses have got various gigs in various places coming up in December and Dananananaykroyd have just finished a Headlining tour but you can catch them at Bonefest in Leeds on 6th December.

Calf by Calf (myspace):

Let’s Fuck and Listen to CBC

Pulled Apart by Horses (myspace)(website):

I Punched a Lion in The Throat

Super Hang-On

Dananananaykroyd (myspace)(blog):

Chrome Rainbow

Dear Science, – TV on the Radio

Ever since releasing one of the best albums of 2006, Return to Cookie Mountain, people have been waiting for TV on the Radio’s follow up with huge amounts of anticipation. Finally, TV on the Radio announced that they would be releasing their third LP, Dear Science, towards the end of September.

As opening track “Halfway Home” begins to build up, TV on the Radio are already managing to create an atmosphere that was felt throughout Return to Cookie Mountain. By the two-minute mark, you are fully immersed into the sound; this is TV on the Radio as we know and love them. By the time the crescendo reaches its peak and the distorted guitars kick in, you are on your feet ready for the rest of the album.

From the Prince-like “Crying” and “Dancing Choose”, which in the latter, the lyrics almost being thrown out of the speakers to the listener before resorting back to a typical TV on the Radio chorus, through to the first single off the album “Golden Age” it seems as if TV on the Radio are trying to be more upbeat. It’s working for them too.

Having almost spoken too soon, “Family Tree” comes on. With a piano ringing through the intro and with lines like “…onto the blue nightmare, of your heart…” this is by far the darkest track on the album. Yet as it begins to pick up, you get a sense of nostalgia floating over. You find yourself smiling, as though remembering your childhood.

As the album carries on, flowing through almost as many genres as there are tracks, “Shout Me Out” begins. Slowing the pace even more, the voice takes point, singing along with an almost lassiez-faire attitude. As he sings “Lord if you’ve got lungs, come on shout me out” the guitar and drums kick in and you feel yourself wanting to jump into the air. As soon as it reaches its full speed, it ends, and TV on the Radio move on to yet more styles.

As the final song, “Lover’s Day”, draws to an end, with its military style drums, you are left sitting there with a wide smile across your face. This album makes you feel happy throughout, whilst still leaving you pondering.

TV on the Radio have managed to produce an album that creates the same atmosphere as before, whilst giving the vocals more room, making it more accessible than the rest of their previous releases. In doing so, TV on the Radio have created their best record to date, and the best album of the year so far.

Dear Science, is released on the 22nd September, in the UK. The first single “Golden Age” is available to download now.

Check out their myspace, where you can listen to two tracks from Dear Science,:

myspace.com/tvotr

and here is a live version of one of the songs from Return to Cookie Mountain:

Province (live) – TV on the Radio

]]> http://www.itsnotforthecock.co.uk/2008/09/09/its-not-for-the-cock-its-for-a-return-from-cookie-mountain/feed/ 2 http://www.itsnotforthecock.co.uk/2008/09/06/its-not-for-the-cock-its-fo-jo-fo/ http://www.itsnotforthecock.co.uk/2008/09/06/its-not-for-the-cock-its-fo-jo-fo/#comments Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:11:32 +0000 Phil http://itsnotforthecock.dlpwd.co.uk/?p=272

Johnny Foreigner / Mae Shi @ DQ, Sheffield

Tonight sees the culmination of the tour between LA’s Mae Shi and an INFTC favourite, Birmingham trio, Johnny Foreigner. After releasing one of the best albums of the year “Hlllyh” the Mae Shi have been playing shows across the world for the last few months. This is the last show that they will play with Johnny Foreigner after a DrownedinSound sponsored tour of the UK.

Johnny Foreigner are on first, kicking off with “Champagne Girls…” with its feedback ridden guitar riffs, huge pop hooks and boy-girl vocals thrown in between shouts from both guitarist Alexei and bassist Kelly. At first seeming to be a mess it all blends together into a perfect pop song. Moving through the set each song is played with as much furore as the last.

What really stood out at tonight’s show was the musical talent that the band had. After going to see some bands that could hardly change between three chords, it was great to see a guitarist, such as Alexei, able to play his instrument well. With songs like “Yes! You Talk Too Fast”, where he finger taps his way through the intro, Alexei shows off his skill flawlessly and is still able to vocally perform.

As Johnny Foreigner’s set draws to a close it becomes apparent that they are going to be the future.

It’s pretty hard to describe how the Mae Shi sounds. So in their own words they sound like “…busted electronics, spazzier-than-fuck drums, crazy-ass boogie guitar, distorted caveman bass and throat-destroying vocals”. Another phrase that is often used to describe them is “fucking awesome”.

As everyone stands around waiting for the Mae Shi, one chord is played repeatedly. As everyone looks around trying to see where it is coming from, several voices around the crowd start to shout the line “I want almost everything”. This is the Mae Shi.

With the next song “Lamb and the Lion” the Mae Shi had the crowd on the edge of their metaphorical seats from the beginning. Moving seamlessly through each song without a pause for breath, the Mae Shi are by far the best live band I have seen this year. Spending more time in the crowd then on the stage, they bring a stool into the middle of the crowd, sit on it and begin playing “Book of Numbers”.

With each song played they get better and the crowd get more involved, three quarters of the way through the band pick up a huge white sheet and throw it over the audience. As this is going on, a member of Leeds band Slow Club gets on stage and starts to perform her version of the Mae Shi’s single “Run to Your Grave” before the Mae Shi take up their own instruments and take back their song. With the sheet still above the crowd’s heads, the audduence are pushed over the edge by the band and go into a frenzy.

As the Mae Shi finish with their best off the album “Young Marks” they leave the stage and the crowd are left begging for more; but I doubt the Mae Shi had the energy to go on.

I wrote this review a few months ago but haven’t been able to put it up on here till now. In this time, Johnny Foreigner have released their debut album “Waited Up Till It Was Light” and are still touring the UK with Dananananakroyd. The Mae Shi are back in the UK for two dates in October but will surely be touring here again soon.

You can check them out on myspace at

myspace.com/themaeshi

and

myspace.com/johnnyforeigner

Young Marks – The Mae Shi (mp3)

Run to Your Grave – Slow Club (Mae Shi Cover) (mp3)

Hennings Favourite – Johnny Foreigner (mp3)

Ninki Vs. Dingle – Johnny Foreigner (mp3)

Late of the Pier/ Slagsmalsklubben/ Video Nasties @ The Plug – Sheffield 26/02/08

The blog have been singing the praises of Late of the Pier for sometime now. However, it is only recently that they are starting to get a lot of attention from the rest of Britain. Tonight they take to the stage in Sheffield.

“We are Slagsmalsklubben, and we are from Sweden!” Slagsmalsklubben are the best thing since Abba to come from the other side of the North Sea. With their own unique sound of “Modern Keyboard Music” and with the name being the title to ‘Fight Club’ in Swedish, they had the crowd on their side from the start. Kicking off their set with ‘Sponsored by Destiny’, they had a near full crowd dancing and smiling from the first note. Playing through a great set, Slagsmalsklubben have drawn a lot of attention from a lot of people during this tour, and playing up to the crowd with comments like ‘We play music for the most beautiful people in the room” the crowd loved every minute of it. It was just a shame that they were on first so had such a short set.

To follow are London four piece Video Nasties. They are a great small band, it was just a shame they had to follow Slagsmalsklubben. Video Nasties give a great performance, climbing all over the stage and each other. The enthusiasm didn’t come through in their music and their sound seemed a little tired and boring, especially after such an energetic opening band.

I haven’t seen such a variety of people at a gig for some time. Girls who can’t have left school yet take the first two rows holding their glowsticks ready for some serious “raving”, guys as old as forty take their place, standing at the back, and everyone else huddles in the middle waiting for one of the most talked about bands of the year.

Almost marching on to the stage Late of the Pier take up their positions and begin with the intro, which has now become synonymous with their gigs, which leads into ‘Broken’, a funky dance track with the sole intention of getting everyone dancing. As the intro to now anthem ‘Space in the Woods’ begins the crowd go into a frenzy with everyone pulling shapes and jumping up and down. Playing this so early on you start to think that maybe they’ve peaked too earlier, but with tracks like ‘Heartbeat.Flicker.Line’ and the new single ‘The Bears are Coming’, Late of the Pier go from strength to strength and nothing seems to be able to stop them. That is until front man Sam Dust’s guitar broke. I don’t know whether it was they didn’t want to spoil the show by waiting for it to be fixed or they were lazy or it just couldn’t be fixed, but announcing “I didn’t like playing guitar anyway” the drums of their last single ‘Bathroom Gurgle’ kick in. The crowd didn’t seem to mind that the set had been cut short and made the most of their last chance to enjoy the gig; it was just a shame it only lasted half an hour.

Slagsmalsklubben are hoping to release their single ‘Haent’ in late spring. Late Of The Pier have just released a new single ‘The Bears Are Coming’ and are hoping to release an as yet untitled debut album later in the year.

Late of the Pier – myspace

Video Nasties – myspace

Slagsmalsklubben – myspace

Kom Igen Kommisarien – Slagsmalsklubben (mp3)

Stereo – Video Nasties (mp3)

Also here are two Late of the Pier tracks, a live one from the Social (or whatever it’s called now) in Nottingham and a remix by Metronomy.

Intro + Broken (Live at The Bodega Social Club) – Late of the Pier (mp3)

The Bears are Coming (Metronomy Remix) – Late of the Pier (mp3)

Los Campesinos!/Johnny Foreigner/Ultcult @ Leadmill 19/02/2008

Praised by Gareth Campesinos as his favourite band at the moment, four piece Ultcult have ended up playing their fourth ever gig as the opening support on the main stage for Los Campesinos. Their music has a strange, twisted feel to it, with the use of strings, delicate sounding keyboards and a drum machine, Ultcult have found that unique and interesting sound that so many bands strive for. However, being only their fourth gig, they had very little presence on the stage and seemed to struggle getting their sound across. Fair play to them for taking the opportunity, but it seems just a little premature, perhaps this would have been suitable in a couple of months, but for tonight it just didn’t seem to fit.

Johnny Foreigner, a trio from Birmingham, have been touted by many blogs, including this one, as a band to watch out for 2008. With fast-paced guitars, quick drums and alternate boy-girl vocals, Johnny Foreigner’s ‘noisy pop’ really got everyone’s attention. They lost momentum half way through with the decision to cover ‘The Pavements’ as they “didn’t have any slow songs of their own.” It wasn’t a bad cover, just that it didn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the set. Despite this Johnny Foreigner managed to pull off a blinder of a set, leaving Los Campesinos! the hard task of following such great support act.

Los Campesinos! take to the stage, jumping straight into “Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats” followed quickly by “Please don’t tell to do the Math(s)” proving instantly why they are the headliners. Gareth Campesinos! then announces that he is losing his voice. Throughout the gig he struggles on, putting everything he has into to it, however it is obvious to everyone that he is having problems and stops the crowd getting into the set. Los Campesinos! battle on managing to still put on quite a show. The strumming of one chord starts to ring out around The Leadmill signalling the beginning of signature track “You! Me! Dancing!” evoking the only reaction from the crowd all night, which was a shame; the band plays a set that would normally get any crowd going, but here the crowd remain stagnant. Finishing off with “Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks” Los Campesinos! leave the stage to polite applause only to return for an encore the crowd didn’t deserve.

Ultcult (Myspace)

Five Bedrooms Two Lounges – Ultcult (mp3)

Johnny Foreigner (Myspace)

Salt, Pepper and Spinderella – Johnny Foreigner (mp3)

Los Campesinos! (Myspace)

We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives – Los Campesinos! (mp3)

We are the Physics/Pistola Kicks/The Saga – Leadmill, Sheffield 19/1/08

With the support being two local Sheffield bands and the majority of the crowd coming to watch Pistola Kicks, it was going to be hard for We are the Physics to impress the home fans.

Locals The Saga were up first. Bands such as The Clash and The Libertines heavily influence their sound, however unlike these bands there was nothing special about them. All four members were good musicians; it was just that their song writing was not up to scratch. The simplistic chord patterns sounded boring and the lyrics were just bland. I really don’t like writing bad reviews, but these guys need to join other bands which don’t need a songwriter or hang up their instruments.

With the crowd about half full the Pistola Kicks took to the stage. These guys were a breath of fresh air compared to the previous band. It’s not often that you find a band with this much potential. With an intricate and flowing bass line, the sweet guitar licks and the vocal talents of both guitarists, Rich Martin and Joe Moran, Pistola Kicks have managed to create an interesting sound in a genre with so many bands sounding the same. People have started to compare them to The Libertines and I can see why, they even have a topless drummer, however they are not just another Libertines wannabe and I am sure they will be around for sometime.

All to go now was We are the Physics. The problem is half the crowd have left. It seems that the majority of the crowd were here for Pistola Kicks and only a handful decided to see what We are the Physics are like. This however didn’t get them down, right from the start We are the Physics showed what they could do. With their unique set of furious guitars mixed with a tight choreographed show, they cleared the bar easily set by the previous band. With hand claps and stopping half way through songs to push bassist and lead vocalist Michael’s glasses back on then to start up perfectly in time, We are the Physics are great fun to watch. The problem was still clear though; no one cared. Throughout the whole set We are the Physics were left standing still to a polite applause, where as in another place songs like ‘Action Action Action Action Action’ would have received huge crowd participation; here, the crowd stood still and waited for their cue to clap at the end. Even the fantastic finisher ‘Less than three’ left the majority of the crowd standing like statues. However those few dancing and shouting were rewarded when towards the end of ‘Less than three’ Bassist Michael joined the crowd and jumped around with them. Today was a real shame in terms of the crowd, but We are the Physics we just as good, if not better, as I remembered from Dot to Dot last year. If you haven’t seen them yet I strongly urge you to see them. There tour finishes tomorrow at the Faversham in Leeds and are definitely worth the small amount of cash you will be charged.

Pistola Kicks (myspace)

We are THE PHYSICS (myspace)

Friday Night – Pistola Kicks

You Can Do Athletics btw – We are THE PHYSICS

Less Than Three – We are THE PHYSICS

Ok, so we’ve waved goodbye to 2007 and blogs all over the UK are getting rapidly updated due to the procrastination of students everywhere and INFTC is damned if it’s going to miss out on the action. We’ve all had our Christmas break and now we’re back with a new member and a round-up of the best, and worst, music we experienced in 2007; and anyone who even thinks of uttering the word ‘late’ gets a kick in the teeth!

Gigs of 2007 (chronological order)

Metronomy, Shy Child/Stealth/date unknown

Princess says:Just an absolutely filthy gig, as shows in Stealth often are. Between us, the blog members saw Metronomy put on a sterling performance numerous times in 2007 but this was the night everything fell into place. Fake facial hair, an audience going nuts and a shout out to our very own John.

Los Campesinos!, Sky Larkin, Johnny Foreigner/The Social/01.03.2007

G Town says: Surely one of the best tour line ups in years- this gig highlighted three sparkling new talents for the year. With raucous but gorgeous melodies the main thing shared in common by the bands, it was an excellent night.

Sky Larkin-One Of Two

The Maccabees, Jack Penate/Rescue Rooms/24.04.2007 Review

G Town says: This was just before The Maccabees released their debut album-Colour It In, yet the majority of the crowd sang every song back to the band in a triumphant call to arms. Rescue Rooms was absolutely packed and The Maccabees turned anyone who wasn’t already into a life long fan.

The Maccabees-About Your Dress

Maximo Park, Art Brut/Rock City/25.04.2007 Review

Princess says: ‘Our Earthly Pleasures’ may have barely compared to the band’s 2005 debut ‘A Certain Trigger’, but this year Maximo Park’s live shows went from strength to strength, starting with their headline tour in April. Supported by the forever underrated Art Brut, Paul Smith and Co treated their primed audience to an emotive show and generous set list. It was the kind of set you’d expect from a festival, but with the atmosphere crammed into a small venue and the energy and enthusiasm shared between just over a thousand people.

Late of The Pier/Rescue Rooms (Dot to Dot Festival)/27.05.2007 Review, Another Review

G Town says: Just a fucking beautiful mess. Personally the (joint) best gig of the year. The memories will most probably make me weak in the knees for many years to come.

Late Of The Pier-Space And The Woods

Bonde Do Role/Stealth (Dot to Dot Festival)/27.05.2007

Princess says: After dry humping with glow sticks down their pants, Bonde Do Role’s stage was swamped with a swarm of ecstatic fans. While their recordings do little to impress, the spontaneity and chaos made them an essential band to see in 2007. With the loss of their female vocalist, Marina, it’ll be a miracle if they stay together, never mind perform like that again.

Dolby Anol/Stealth (Dot to Dot Festival)/27.05.2007 review

Flip says: This gig was what Dot to Dot was about. Stumbling into Stealth to see a guy crowd surfing and another standing in front of two apple laptops going crazy. And the crowd are going just as mental. Playing through their set of energetic electronic music, Dolby Anol got everyone dancing. Dolby Anol are great live band and are well worth seeing.

Chromeo-Needy Girl (Dolby Anol French Mistake)

Patrick Wolf /John Peel Stage (Glastonbury Festivals)/23.06.2007

Captain Lovebead says: Having never heard of the guy, I wasn’t sure how I ended up in the tent for new and upcoming talent. But when Patrick began to sing Tristan from halfway up the lighting rig, I knew that fate had been on my side.

LCD Soundsystem/NME Tent (Leeds Festival)/24.08.2007

Princess says: When ‘dance’ acts play with a live band it can go one of two ways. Either their sound is totally lost or it gets a new and wonderful dimension added to it and LCD Soundsytem gets just that. James Murphy’s live voice is outstanding and, even though he claims to hate touring, his performance was energetic and, at times, really heartfelt. The set was perfectly split between both albums and ‘All Your Friends’ was just a very special moment.

Chemical Brothers/Main Stage (Bestival)/07.09.2007 Review

Princess says: An incredible back catalogue coupled perfectly with an awesome light show. The heroes of British dance music pulled off this headline show flawlessly.

Chemical Brothers-Galvanise(Live)

Does It Offend You, Yeah?/Stealth/29.09.2007 Review

G Town: Possibly the best thing about this gig is that nobody really expected anything great. The result was, however, very different. It was wild, shambolic and dirty- great electro played in the place for great dirty electro to be played.

Bloc Party-The Prayer (Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix)

Late Of The Pier/The Bodega Social (Opening Party)/30.09.2007 Review

Princess says: Yet another riot incited by the band. People shouting, amps falling and t-shirts disappearing. Long live the Bodega!

Lethal Bizzle/Stealth/04.12.2007 Review

G Town: One of the success stories of 2007 did a lap of honour at the end of the year to a great reception. Despite various hiccups with the sound, Bizzle whipped the assorted rude boys, indie kids and trendies into a violent, but joyous, storm.

Lethal Bizzle-Babylons Burning The Ghetto(Spank Rock Mix)

Justice/Rock City/08.12.2007 Review

Princess says: An awesome mix of one of the year’s best dance albums with some complete tunes. An absolutely awesome crowd aswell and just enough room for some serious R.A.V.E.I.N.G. Just glad we managed to escape before CSS came and ruined it for everyone.

Klaxons-As Above, So Below (Justice Remix)

Rubbish Gigs of 2007 (Chronological Order)

The Long Blondes/Rock City/24.02.2007

Princess says: Don’t get me wrong, Kate Jackson is both an amazing singer and performer and the two male Long Blondes are talented and enthusiastic musicians and probably don’t really deserve to be in this category. However, with remaining members Reenie Hollis and Emma Chaplin looking like they were being forced to play to an audience of blind and deaf pensioners, the gig was just impossible to enjoy. Poor form ladies.

Captain Lovebead says: Ignore what Princess says, Reenie Hollis is fit. And that is all that matters.

The Rakes/Rock City/19.03.2007

G Town says: After releasing their fantastic, frantically paced debut album, the Rakes went off for a bit and came back with “Ten New Messages”. The general feeling in the press and music world was that the album was a little…crap. This gig at Rock City, therefore, was a bad combination of the half full, half arsed crowd shouting for 22 grand job throughout the set, the band making bad jokes about Freddie Flintoff and only about a third of the set being any good. They seemed more interested in getting people to come to the Social after “to take lots of drugs!” rather than playing a great set.

Klaxons- Leeds Festival 28/08/2007

G Town says: Although touted as the gig of the weekend by the NME, this was actually the point, for many, in which New Rave was put into perspective. LCD Soundsystem had just finished their beautiful, experimental, heart wrenchingly strong set on the same stage. Then Klaxons came on dressed in sparkling red capes and chain mail dresses. They seemed tired- their voices shot to pieces- as they duly pulled out the same set they’ve been playing for well over a year. This seemed more prog rock than new rave and although many lapped it up, it was a real disappointment for most after the genius of LCD Soundsystem.

The Teenagers/The Bodega Social (opening party)/30.09.2007 Review

Princess says:Boring boring boring, one OK song, boring boring boring.

CSS/Rock City/08.12.2007 Review

G Town: Justice=euphoric wizardry that brought the house down. CSS=Naff and tacky, relying far too much on gimmicks.

Albums of 2007 (Chronological Order)

Arcade Fire-Neon Bible-05.03.2007 Review

G Town: Epic, vital, touching and powerful. This album has created waves and is yet to grew old or repetitive.

Arcade Fire-Intervention

LCD Soundsystem-Sound of Silver-12.03.2007

G Town: The king of Indie-dance, James Murphy, returned in 2007 with Sound of Silver- an album which was complex yet simple, obvious yet subtle and fun but emotional and heart wrenching. “All My Friends” and “Someone Great” are both easily big contenders for song of the year and the album as a whole just worked. Fantastically.

LCD Soundsystem-All My Friends

Kings Of Leon-Because Of The Times-02.04.2007 Review

G Town says: Because of The Times was the album in which Kings of Leon went from being a good American garage band with hair a plenty to being a great band. Anthems galore, some ballsy stadium rock and the whole thing played with gritty Southern blues running through its veins.

Arctic Monkeys-Favourite Worst Nightmare-23.04.2007

Flip says: With a best selling debut album to live up to, Arctic Monkeys had their work cut out. However they managed to do it, putting out a second album which has more variety, more depth and overall a lot better album.

The Maccabees-Colour It In-14.05.2007

G Town says: The Maccabees were the word of mouth success story of the 2007. Avoiding hype, the band created a great following due to their live shows and singles. It was their album, however, that really proved their worth. Glorious melodies, punchy art rock, heartbreaking anthems, songs about swimming pools and one of the most distinctive voices in guitar based music, Colour It In was, and still is, fantastic in almost every way.

Dizzee Rascal-Maths+English-04.06.2007

Flip says: Three years since the release of his second album Showtime comes Dizzee Rascal’s best album yet. From the Bugsy Malone sample in Wanna be to Alex Turner’s appearance on Temptation to the almost N.W.A like Sirens. That ability, to use anything from all genres and create a great track, is what has given Dizzee Rascal his wide spread appeal.

Dizzee Rascal-Felx (DJ Q Remix)

Interpol-Our Love To Admire-09.07.2007

Princess says: Ok, so ‘The Heinrich Maneuver’ sounds alot like ‘Slow Hands’ and the artwork is very similar to that of another band. Get over it. This album is still on of the best I’ve heard this year. It ranges from catchy, clever guitar-pop to the epic, emotive materpieces that have become a trademark of the New York based four piece. On top of that, there’s yet to be a singer this decade with a voice as powerful and haunting as Paul Banks’.

Interpol-The Heinrich Maneuver

M.I.A-Kala-21.08.2007

G Town says: Flicking between different musical genres of the world as if it were nothing, MIA seemed to explore so much with “Kala”. Whether she was floating down a river in the Australian outback playing didgeridoo with a gang of aboriginals or dancing to a bonkers, bollywood-with-glowsticks anthem, the whole album was undeniably fresh. A complete original, a true visionary and without doubt one of the best albums of the year.

Beirut-The Flying Club Cup-08.10.2007

Princess says:An almost flawless follow-up to his 2006 debut ‘Gulag Orkestar’, ‘The Flying Club Cup’ is a beautiful exploration of european styles. Every song is rich and a glorious use of both unfamiliar styles and instruments for 22 year old Zach Condon. The album features luscious and fabulously indulgent string arrangements from Owen Pallet (of Final Fantasy) and these help to give the album the ‘over the top, dramatic feel’ Condon aimed for when recording.

Beirut-Forks and Knives (La Fete)

Soulwax-Most Of The Remixes-22.10.2007 review

Flip says: Soulwax. Legends of the remix. This is a collection of some of Soulwax’s best remixes that they have done over the years. From the Klaxons to Robbie Williams to DJ Shadow to Hot Chip this collection shows why Soulwax are some of the best producers at the moment. And if that wasn’t enough, the second CD sees fellow DJ’s 2manyDJ’s make a mix tape using the Soulwax remixes from disc 1. This album gets you dancing in your room to an abundance of quality tracks.

Hot Chip-Ready For The Floor (Soulwax Dub)

Bands Of 2008

Vampire Weekend Myspace

Princess Says: This delightful New York foursome have a wonderfully luscious Shins-esque sound and the big string section in track ‘Boston’ really is amazing. So far, they only have one UK date planned but you can bet your bottom dollar that there are more on the way! Their self-titled debut album is out on 28h January in the UK.

Vampire Weekend-Boston

Johnny Foreigner Myspace

Princess says: Last year this band released one one hell of an E.P./mini album (it has 7 tracks so take your pick). ‘Arcs Across The City’ is not only a fusion of guitar and pop music with lyrics that lodge themselves in your head for days on end, it is also home to a pop-up sleave and therefore what is arguably 2007′s greatest artwork. They’re not dissimilar to Los Campesinos! but where LC! have the big sound of a seven piece, J’Fo make a more stripped down racket. The band are starting 2008 in the same way as 2007, by touring with team Campesinos, catch them before they both get huge!

Johnny Foreigner-Our Bi-Polar Friends

Late Of The Pier Myspace

G Town says: Late of the Pier pretty much damn well defined last year for many- and all the signs point towards more of the same this year. Having built up a following through wild gigs, a string of online demos and a couple of great singles- the band waited to get the right record deal which has now meant they are recording their debut in their house somewhere. With a headline tour and said album lined up for 2008, Late of the Pier look set to continue the weird and wonderful journey, penetrating us with their twisted minds.

Late Of The Pier-The Bears Are Coming

Metronomy Myspace

Princess says: It’s no secret that INFTC are well into Metronomy. Unlike the rest of our picks for 2008 they have already released a debut album, and an awesome one at that. However, more recent material has shown a change in style for the Brighton trio. Their weird and wonderful electronica has progressed into fabulous disco music with lyrics for us to sing along to. This, and the fact they toured with EVERYONE last year, will mean 2008 will likely be the year Metronomy go from quirky cult band to full blown heroes of dance music.

Metronomy-Radio Ladio

The Answering Machine Myspace

G Town: The Answering Machine are a quartet of charming, guitar bashing young folk who, by all rights, should see 2008 be their year. With their fast, scuzzy indie taking influence from the likes of The Strokes and The Libertines, they manage to carve out their own little take on the artrock sound. These guys are a real gem of a band, find them now before they’re everyone else’s gem as well.

The Answering Machine-Silent Hotels

Kissy Sell Out Myspace

Flip says: Not really a band, but Kissy Sell Out is starting to get a lot of attention from everyone everywhere. Being known for his trademark air horn and his energetic DJ sets Kissy Sell Out is now recognised as one of the best DJs in the country. With his killer sets and the air time from people like Annie Mac we are going to here a lot from Kissy Sell Out in 2008.

Gwen Stefani-Wind It Up (Kissy Sell Out Remix)

Friendly Fires Myspace

Princess says: Their current single ‘Paris’ may have chart success written all over it but that’s no reason to get on your high horse just yet. Ok, so it’ll probably end up on the playlist for every chain pub in the country, but so what? I’d like to see you find a better song to accompany your beer and burger or, for that matter, a chorus you’d rather chant while off your tits in a middle of a field this summer. Stylish, sexy and undeniably catchy, Friendly Fires have a real shot at breaking into the indie mainstream this year.

Friendly Fires-Paris

Digitalism/The Whip – The Plug, Sheffield

With The Whip headlining the live events and the electro band of 2007 Digitalism on the decks, this was sure to be a night of people pulling shapes.

Kicking off the events are local Sheffielders Atoness. With their dark rock sound mixed with synths and heavy beats they get the small crowd really going and despite the near empty room they put their heart into it with the guitarist jumping into the crowd and flying around the stage. This is a great small band and with tracks like ‘Magnus PI’ and ‘Waiting for the Monkeys’ they are going to get bigger in 2008.

Next to hit the stage are Dark Sparks. Deviating from electro theme of the night, this straight up indie four piece do little to impress. They just seem to have that average ‘indie’ band sound that seems to have hijacked the radio waves. Their set is nothing special playing through it with what seems little effort to get the crowd, now standing still, going. Then the lead singer steps up to the mic to announce their penultimate song ‘Into the Dark’. They start the first chords and as front man Leigh Greenwood starts to sing people start to look towards the stage, they actually have a good song and finishing with single ‘Blood Petrol Fire’ show that Dark Sparks could be an exciting band. They just need to expand on the few good songs they have.

Enter The Whip. With their blend of electro and indie rock they show the support acts how it’s done. Seamlessly flowing through their set. The crowd aren’t pushing to get to the front like at your usual gig, but are dancing their hearts out. This is what sets The Whip apart from all the other bands like them, in a sense they are more like DJs with instruments as their decks, instead of a live band, only interested in making everyone have a good time. With the synth heavy ‘Divebomb’ to great dance track ‘Sister Siam’ The Whip were made to get people dancing, and this makes for an electrifying set. The Whip are only going to get bigger with live gigs as good as tonight.

Then the lights dim. The crowd turn to face the back of the room to where a square box stands a few feet from the back wall. This is the DJ booth. And this is what people have been waiting for. Up steps German duo Digitalism. Jumping straight into probably one of the best DJ sets I have ever been to, and the crowd definitely agree. Remixing all the big dance tracks of the 2007, from Klaxons to Kanye West, the crowd just go crazy for them. Half way though their set you hear what seems to be a snippet of their single ‘Pogo’ and the crowd go mental, realising the response Digitalism begin dropping their own tracks within the set and everyone loves it. If this is Digitalism’s DJ set then I cannot wait to see them live.

The Whip are touring with Simian Mobile Disco throughout February and their latest single Sister Siam is now available to buy.

The Whip – Myspace

Dark Sparks – Myspace

Atoness – Myspace

Digitalism – Myspace

MP3s

Magnus PI – Atoness

Divebomb (Kitsune Edit) – The Whip

Anything New – Digitalism