Race horses are an indie band who sing occasionally in Welsh and are therefore going to get compared to the Super Furry Animals and Gorkys which is no bad thing! These fresh-faced youngsters certainly have the innovation to take on that mantle. They had energy by the bucket-load and their sense of fun came across with intriguing lyrics and occasional comic moog sounds. Got their Goodbye Falkenburg CD which has been on constant rotation in the kitchen. I wonder what Marged Wedi Blino is about? Catch them while you can.
Jesca Hoop described herself as the palette cleanser between the other bands. Her sometimes mesmeric guitar licks induced a meditative-like state. No idea what she was singing about most of the time (one song was apparently inspired by a conversation with her mum who had cancer) but your attention didn’t wain…..and she used to babysit for Tom Waits – yes THAT Tom Waits! (the track’s called ‘Whispering Light‘ BTW)
I first heard the Fanfarlo album at Prof Ozs house (he has the beautifully packaged version which goes for +£50 nower days) and have played it to death since. If you had to describe them youd say they were in the same school as Arcade Fire, but as with most descriptions of music – it doesn’t do them justice. The crowd lapped it up and it looked like the band enjoyed themselves too! This footage of ‘Atlas’ is great. 3 new favourite acts in one night – you can’t complain at that can you!
Frustrated by previous themes, John suggested we just bring along our favourite albums..more difficult than youd think. Favourites form this year? Each decade? Each genre? Report to follow..
A cram packed evening at the Brudenell saw 3 bands supporting New Yorks Vivian Girls
First up were Medusa Snare who started a bit slow but then (fittingly as there was a New York theme and they had a girl drummer) eased into Velvets territory.
Manchesters Get Serious breezed in from the 80’s with their own brand of shouty girl pop – loved the guitar work.
Blood Oranges, whilst new on the scene sounded the most accomplished of the supports – one to watch
The Vivian Girls need a little getting used to. their first LP didn’t really do it for me on initial listening, but it’s a grower – as is their new one.
The tight harmonies can get lost in the thrash of their guitar sound which is why it was so nice that they did an acapella song (shangri-las style) to show this aspect of their sound off
2 mammoth sets from the prolific Adams played to the crowd with style and passion. I shouted out for Nuclear and got a “Hell no!” from the man himself – no accounting for taste is there. Neal Causal was great on guitar and the quality of the sound was amazing – from breathy lyrics with the strings barely stroked to rock out tunes – everything was heard crystal clear.
Adams has such HUGE hands – no wonder he can reach those difficult chords!
There are important ages in a vinyl addicts life: 16, 33 1/3, 45 and 78. Turning 45 at the end of last year I felt the need to mark the occasion with a bit of a do. Having not put a gig on for 5 years I felt it was time to do one now.
So I booked my favourite Leeds Venue (The Brudenell) and asked friends The Mandrills and Los Altibajos to provide the music. Unfortunately, the worst winter weather in 30 years meant a lot of people couldnt make it, but those who ventured out were treated to an evening of top entertainment.
Los Altibajas have been playing together for about a year now. My good friend Ana Luisa who previously sang with the Cuban Big Band now sings with this wonderful team of musicians. The Cuban rhythms are so infectious and got everyones hips moving. A bright future awaits these guys! Sledge got some video footage of them
The Mandrills play to the medical tent at Glastonbury each year and seemed the natural choice of party band. A friendlier, more affable bunch you couldnt hope to meet. They got the place jumping with a brace of covers that showed off their tight musicianship and wonderful vocals. Very short clip here
As an entrance fee, Id asked for a 7 single (keeping up the 45 theme) and got the good (Bomber by Motorhead on blue vinyl thanks sledge) the bad (Stars on 45 Thanks a lot Jez!) and the ugly (Jason Donovan!?!!!!). Everything from Jim Reeves to Depeche Mode via Baby Love (No.1 when I was born thanks Dave) and Inspiral Carpetlist of them at the bottom of this article.
Some photos of the night here
I also asked if folks could recreate an album cover I was going to put them on a power point and project it on a wall..but only got a few in the end (and 2 of them were mine!) see what you think.
Pretty Vacant/No Fun – Sex Pistols
Children of the revolution/Jitterbug love – T.Rex
(I can’t get no)Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
Just like heaven – The Cure
Tape it – Winter Kids
I’m not used to you – Winter Kids
Albatross – Fleetwood Mac
Happy Xmas (War is over) – John & Yoko/ The plastic ono band
Just like nothing on earth – The Stranglers
Baby jump + The man behind the piano – Mungo Jerry
Bomber – Motorhead
Fools Gold (limited edition) – The Stone Roses
I feel you – Depeche Mode
Police officer/Participation two – Smiley Culture/ The Reprobates
Know your rights – The Clash
You really got me – The Kinks
Get Dancin’ – Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes
Dead men don’t need season tickets/ Pythagorane Diese Menschen sind ehrlich/ Morbid sky – Half man half biscuit/ Faust + Die Goldenen Zitronen/David Thomas and two pale boys
Baby Love – Diana Ross and the Supremes
Stars on 45 – Star Sound
Happy Birthday – Altered Images
Do Re Mi/Climb ev’ry mountain – Doris Day/ Tony Bennett
Egyptian Reggae – Jonathan Richman and the modern lovers
Chant No.! (I don’t need this pressure on) – Spandau Ballet
Treason (It’s just a story) – Teardrop explodes
Laid so low (Tears roll down) – Tears for fears
Jump the gun – The Three Degrees
Twist and shout – Salt-n-pepa
Crackers International EP: Stop! – Erasure
Good year for the roses – Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Uniform – Inspiral Carpets
Greased Lightening – John Travolta
This is how it feels – Inspiral Carpets
In the army now – Status Quo
Lesons on love – Level 42
Purple Rain – Prince
Motor Bike Beat – The Revillos
Wenn es schneit in zillertal – Zillertaler Heimatklange
In a mansion stands my love – Jim Reeves
Vienna calling – Falco
Can’t stay away from you – Gloria Estefan
Radar love – Golden earing
Johnny & Mary – Robert Palmer
Sylvia – Focus
Under pressure – Queen & David Bowie
Someone’s looking at you – The Boomtown Rats
When you come back to me – Jason Donovan
Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane – The Beatles
I won’t run away – Alvin Stardust
Joy – Soul II Soul
More than a woman – Tavares
Kick over the statues/ Every bit of me Walls come tumbling down/ Taste of Cindy – Redskins/ Simply Red + Style Council/ The jesus and mary chain (Single free with The Hit magazine)
Dreaming – Blondie
Make me smile (Come up and see me) – Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel
Don’t come around here no more – Tom Petty and the heartbreakers
Bird of paradise – Snowy White
State of Mind – Fish
Illegal alien – Genesis
How Come/ Crazy – Ray Lamontagne (red vinyl)
A Little Respect/Stop! – Bjorn Again (Erasure-ish)
Spirit In The Sky – Norman Greenbaum
Whole Lotta Love – CCS
Mull Of Kintyre – Wings
Rough Justice – Bananarama
Living Next Door To Alice – Smokie
Thanks to everyone who made it, making it a top night
Bob the Chiropodist
