Something for the Weekend: Pink Floyd "Bike"

As we all drift head on into what is sure to be a sterling bank holiday weekend, Something for the Weekend delivers an old TV montage for you. Originally released in 1967, Pink Floyd's début album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, was a Syd Barrett driven mesh of drug induced psychedelia that was perfectly encapsulated in the album's closer "Bike". This was Pink Floyd at their manic and deranged best before they turned into the exponents of mass soft rock bullshit during the mid-1970's.
Broadcast on Belgian television during February 1968, this Universal Music Video produced photo montage shows the group in various poses and situations during the verses before descending into Doctor Who-like overlay effects during the chorus and outro. While not the most mind-blowing this anyone will ever see, it represents an interesting look at music video's before the days of music videos.

David Myerscough-Jones (R.I.P.)

One of the most intricate set designers of the 1960's and '70's, David Myerscough-Jones, has passed away at the age at the edge of 75. Between 1968 and and 1972, Myerscough-Jones worked on three stories for the classic Doctor Who series - most notably Patrick Troughton's The Web of Fear.
The six-episode epic, required sets to represent several London Underground stations and Myerscough-Jones built sets so realistic, that London Transport believed that the production had filmed in stations without their permission and filed an official complaint with the BBC.
Although the famed designer also worked on The Ambassadors of Death and Day of the Daleks for the famous science-fiction show, he also contributed to the production of the television version Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes and in 1980 Myerscough-Jones won a Bafta for his work on Thérèse Raquin. During the 1990's, Myerscough-Jones went freelance and worked mainly on stage and in opera before retiring to Calais.
(David Myerscough-Jones, 1934-2010)

Simon Armitage "Gig: The Life and Times of a Rock-star Fantasist"

Poets write funny and interesting books now? Never would have thought it possible, so how nice it was for Simon Armitage to come along and break the mould. Gig is littered with shattered tales about youth and lost stardom, neatly woven together by the sounds and musical influences of the late-70's; whether it be the Undertones, Morrissey or whatever punk/post-punk guitar-mangalist that John Peel happened to be promoting on that particular night.

Gig occasionally also brings Armitage's poetry to the fore with verses from prisons or haunted souls, as well writings about approaching middle-age and the years gone by. Both his father, Peter and wife, Speedy Sue, feature prominently throughout the book (and life), yet whenever a touch of self indulgence touches his brow, your eyes roll in tandem with his fellow protagonists.
It loses a few points though, purely because if you have never heard of the Fall or John Cooper Clarke or a whole host of other infamous post-punk artists, then the feel of some of the stories is probably a little too distant. Regardless of that fact, it is still a quick, easy and humourous read.

Told in a dry and convincing manner, Gig is easily one of the finest books that I have read in the last year and is absolutely deserving of a flick through at least.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Something for the Weekend: S'Express "Theme from..."

Emerging from the British dance scene from the late 1980's, DJ and producer Mark Moore created the acid-house project S'Express, which also featured fellow engineer Pascal Gabriel (see also Soft Cell, Erasure and New Order) and DJ/vocalist Sonique.
Throwing himself in the burgeoning sampling culture, the group's most famous song, "Overture/Theme from S'Express", utilised over a dozen sample cuts, including snippets from Debbie Harry, Gil Scott-Heron and Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry.

Released in April 1988, the song went to number 1 in both the UK Singles and US Dance charts - a feat that S'Express never repeated, although their follow-up "Superfly Guy" was not far behind. Just so you know, the single also claimed the top spot in Switzerland....
Unfortunately Sony Music have blocked You Tube embedding for the video due to their rather impotent approach to the internet; however the link to cheese festered video can be found below.
Sit back and enjoy what is truly a startling piece of music. Fun times.
S'Express "Theme from S'Express (7-inch version)"

Dutch XFactor

Don't ask me how I came across this, but earlier whilst arsing about, I came across this clip from the Dutch version of XFactor. The clip centres on a four-piece wannabe pop group called 4Granted whose ability to swing wildly in-and-out of tune has me frankly astounded. It's not as if they're bad singers n the who, but one moment they sound "angelic" and a moment later, they become a screeching herd of moaning cats.
Also, the entire show felt as if it were a representation of a school hall / localised talent contest - there is literally zero buzz going on in the studio and sounds as if only ten people are allowed to scream at any one time while the rest of the audience remain utterly silent. Of course, the rest of the audience could simply be not-reacting to the god-awful vocals...

Review: Cheese People "Cheese People"

Cheerily listed as a no-budget, self-produced recording, Cheese People's self-titled début is a collection of thirteen rather spiky songs that bask in disco-punk and experimental funk headfucks. It swims delightfully in the fun absurdity of CSS, DAT Politics or New Young Pony Club, but this is no cheap copy.
The Russian four-piece make me want to boogie my buttocks to-and-fro to the sonic wonderment; that is, of course, if I had a hot bootie to shake. Unfortunately I have been lumbered with a lard-like rear-end that disgusts fellow humans, morning commuters and the great London Brainless Fuckwit Beautiful Community - but let them feel shit, they're wankers anyway. But I digress...

Cheese People is at times wonderfully disjointed that is also laced with dynamic synth-laden hooks, while Olya Chubarova's vocals sound like they were squeezed out at maddenly oblique angles - anyone has ever been trapped inside a large book (whether in reality or in a dream) will know exactly what i'm on about. If the point hasn't been made enough yet, this is quite a joyful and fantastic listen.
"Ua-A-A!" would be a fantastic single and come the end of the album, a rather monster remix of the track (by Gari Remix) is included by the thoughtful four-piece; how nice - it possible that it might have been released as a stand-alone single; quite frankly, I've no idea. Props to the band for the production as well. The album is very full and loud, but not in a way that detracts from the recording.
Originally released in Russia by Snegiri Music and in Japan under the Wow/Now music label, Cheese People will be released on iTunes next month and while the CD import may be a bit too pricey for most regular people, the digital copy is definitely worth a look in. G'wan t'fuck... Christ, I'm in a good mood lately.

Cheese People MySpace
Buy Cheese People from Amazon.co.uk (CD Import) // (Digital)
Rating: 4 out of 5

Interview: Sinead Ni Mhordha

Running club nights can be a pain in the arse - I know, because I did it for long enough. It takes time, effort, patience and (a whole lot of) cash; however one person who has garnered such energy and vigour is Sinead Ni Mhordha who recently started a new club night in Dublin called 'Now That's What I Called Music'. So I decided to ask her why and how and who and what and if and stuff...

Firstly, what's on your iPod at the moment?
Hmmm - I've had it on random lately and what I've been enjoying are the recent albums from Yeasayer, Animal Collective, Hot Chip and The Kills (sniff - I'll miss them). I've also been enjoying a bit of rockabilly from Imelda may and Kitty, Daisy and Lewis.

The depth of quality in the Irish music scene has grown massively in the last 6/7 years – how have things changed over the years for you with regards to Irish music and where do you see it going in the future?
Things really have exploded for Irish music in terms of musical depth, expansion and quantity! If you cast your minds back to 10 years ago or less - it was the singer-songwriter scene that was massive. The likes of Damien Rice, The Frames and Gemma Hayes were the bigger names filling venues but there has been such an incredible change in musical styles. The introduction of digital downloads and iPods have made it easier for bands to release their music, which has meant a constant steady stream of acts embracing so many elements of genres from electro to indie-rock to experimental and dance infused rock. This has resulted in bands here broadening their ears and music collection, hence tackling different music genres. Now you've got dance-electro from Bitches With Wolves, delicate acoustic from James Vincent McMorrow, instrumental touching Vs monstrous riffs from Northern noiseniks And So I Watch You From Afar, quirky eclectic sounds from Cathy Davey and the genius coupling of Neil Hannon and Thomas Walsh who created the fun cricket inspired concept album The Duckworth Lewis Method. This has made it very exciting in terms of picking music for radio and djing purposes and of course, it has been music to my ears! I see things continuing on similarly with more bands fusing different styles and not being afraid to try different sounds. Ireland has always had a healthy scene and I only see this getting better.

With that, more international acts have been making their way over to Irish shores in recent years – how do you think this has affected the live music / club circuit?
All you have to do is look at the new venues popping up! Even though there is a recession here at the moment - it hasn't stopped the constant influx and demand for acts and djs! Venues are still packed. Shows are still selling out. The Mercantile has now opened and are featuring live acts and DJ's. Clubs are popping up in restaurants. What started out as a small live affair upstairs in Whelan's has led to renovation leading to a bigger room and stage with visiting acts being booked as well as Irish acts. These such international acts have had a huge impact on Irish acts in terms of inspiration as well as making it exciting for radio in terms of interviews and live sessions.

Anyhoo, with all that malarkey in mind, you recently started a new club night in the Academy called “Now That’s What I Called Music” with DJ Serena Sloane – what inspired you to start "Now That's...", how would you define it and are you both mad per chance?
Ok - Now That's What I Called Music is a look back to the 80s and all that worked about it. We're giving everyone the chance to re-embrace the atmosphere of the time and the opportunity to re-live the 80s. So - in order to re-live it and bring it forth to today - we have re-introduced 80s games Twister and Fooseball. We've dressed the venue with neon lights and a neon bar sign. We also feature 80s cocktails at a recessionary price for 2 for a tenner. We've also encourage 80s club goers to dig out their leg-warmers, lace, ra-ra skirts, head-bands and other 80s wear out of their wardrobe - and of course - there's the music and you can't not dance to 80s classics such as Gary Numan 'Are Friends Electric', Cyndi Lauper 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Billy Idol's 'Dancing To Myself' and New Order's 'Blue Monday'. The launch night last month was such a success. So many people dressed up and danced their socks off. There was even a Hen Party all donning leg-warmers! We wanted to offer something different and fun for people to immerse themselves in. We also feature Special Guest DJs. The Duckworth Lewis Method played the launch and had a blast! It also marked Neil Hannon's debut dj performance! This next one is going to be real special too with Choice Music Prize nominated and Meteor Award nominated act Fight Like Apes swapping the live stage for the DJ decks! To keep people of their toes, we also throw in a bit of kitsch 90s (like KLF and Deee-Lite) as well as some current favourites from the likes of Marina and the Diamonds and Foals.

There’s a real 80’s dance throwback/vibe with this “Now That’s…” – has it been difficult to tap that audience or is it something that is so prevalent at the moment?
I think it's totally prevalent - especially when you look at the recent craze of 80s inspired acts such as La Roux, Marina and the Diamonds and new material from Goldfrapp and Hot Chip. People can't ever put 80s behind them. There is something so essentially kitsch about the sounds from the 80s. It was a time that gave birth to electro sounds and dance beats. Synthesizers and samplers became hugely popular with artists then. New Order's Blue Monday became the biggest selling 12 inch of all time! With so many music-lovers swaying more towards 80s inspired artists today - it has helped revolutionise the music of the decade - so - it has definitely not been difficult to tap into that kind of audience.

What kind of guests do you have coming in the future?
We have Neosupervital booked for the following club night on Friday 14th May and Dark Room Notes on June 11th. We have asked a lot of well-known Irish acts and they are all well up for it!

The competition between club nights is Dublin was pretty fierce when I left in 2007 - how active is it now and how do you see the night developing as you go along?
It is but as this club stands out from others in terms of music genre and concept I'm pretty confident that it will prove a popular choice for those looking for something different. We hope to establish the name as thee monthly club to go to and to continue to bring well-known acts to the dj stage to showcase their love for fun, kitsch tunes from their music collections!

Lastly, a really important question – vinyl, CD or mp3?

Vinyl vinyl! There is something so special about playing records. The quality is something completely different and it does transport you back to the live studio where the music was recorded. I was listening to some old records from the 50s and 60s last night and there is something so gratifying at looking at the record sleeve, placing the needle on the record and feeling the atmosphere from the recording. They sound amazing! I also have the original Now That's What I Call Music on vinyl. It was released in 1983 and features tracks from Duran Duran, Heaven 17, Rock Steady Crew, Human League, Tracey Ullman and The Cure! Pure class!

Leigh

Video: Health "We Are Water"

The always interesting American noise-rock band, HEALTH have just released a new video for "We Are Water". Taken from their second album, Get Color, the video for "We Are Water" shows a man in a dress, in a long blonde wig getting chased through a rainy forest by a fat bald man wielding the sword of impending death.
Thankfully the plucky young (wo)man had the good sense to prod a sharp pointed stick through the testicular region of the lard obsessed man before him (her), thereby puncturing his genitalia and making sure great wafts of blood pour endless all over over the floors. At this point, our vengeful hero(ine) takes the fat bastard's sword and lobs his head off as if it were a cheap haddock.
"We Are Water" was rather skilfully directed by Eric Wareheim, with special effects and editing from Fatalfarm and Luke Lynch respectively. You should probably watch this in HD, and probably with the lights out.

HEALTH "We are Water" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Fight Like Apes DJ Set (The Academy, Dublin, Fri 16th April)

Next Friday, national and international hard rock enthusiasts and destroyers of musical apathy, Fight Like Apes will be performing a DJ set at the Academy's new el diablo club night fantastico (ehhhh.....) 'Now That's What I Called Music'. The politely manic quartet shall be determined to coat the Academy in a warped, fiery and neon-rimmed eclecticism whilst they blast out reams of 1980's super-sonic retro indulgences.

Concentrating, tunnel-like, on past visions like a TV series that decides to make a clip-show episode, 'Now That's What I Called Music' shall knock out body slammers like the Human League, Duran Duran, Prince and a whole host of sparkly clad hits from over 20 years like some sort of chocolate ice-cream, topped up with wafers of modern day indie/pop-art like Marina & the Diamonds, Neon Neon, Yeasayer and an endless bag of other "stuff".
Fight Like Apes will be joined at the decks by resident purveyors of sonic reduction, Sinead DeLorean (currently FM104) and Serena Sloane (both formerly of Phantom FM).
Doors are at 11pm and door-tax is a measly €2.50 before midnight and a fiver thereafter (although it's free-in before 11.30pm, so get there early)...

...and stuff.

Malcolm McLaren (R.I.P.)

Earlier today the controversial fashion designer and band manipulator, Malcolm McLaren died at the age of 64 from cancer. The man who managed the New York Dolls during 1973, took the ideas and influences from the American quintet and used them to help shape one of the most iconic bands of the 20th Century - the Sex Pistols. McLaren also guided the music careers of Adam and the Ants - turning from a leather-clad second generation punk band into a hugely successful costume clad post-punk-pirate-pop band - and controversially Bow Wow Wow. In 1983, he had his own hit with the early hip-hop song, "Buffalo Gals".

While not a fan of McLaren per se, it is impossible to argue with his influence and with the music industry now being coordinated by groups of deaf and blind office workers, it is quite possible that we may never see the likes of him ever again. Although McLaren had been diagnosed with cancer some time ago, he had been apparently well until recently, at which point his health declined rapidly.
He could at times be cringe worthy. He could at times be annoying. He was always absorbing. He will be sorely missed.
Malcolm McLaren (1946 - 2010)

As an example of McLaren's influence on music from the mid-70's onwards, check out the nice collection below...

New York Dolls "Personality Crisis (live on the Beat Club, 1973)"



Sex Pistols "Anarchy in the UK (live on So it Goes, 1976)"



Adam and the Ants "Ant Music"



Bow Wow Wow "I Want Candy"



...and how could I possibly forget:
Malcolm McLaren "Buffalo Gals"

Review: Clytem Scanning "Clytem Scanning EP"

Hailing from Paris, Clytem Scanning's new self-titled EP has just been released for free via Bedroom Research. The four track release contains dark ambient soundscapes and some stark industrial-esque electronic sounds without the overt harshness that would normally be associated with the genre.
Scanning's own haunting vocals - at times reminiscent of Bjork or Alison Goldfrapp - pierce, dominate and reflect devilishly coy lyrics that draw the listener in by touching your curiosity - it makes me feel a little scared. Kraftwerk scared. The mantra running throughout the opener "Hold My Hand" is a prime example of words that invite, but also run cold in their execution. When the lines:

"...do you want to dance with me?
Come on and hold my hand.
Do you want to dance with me?
You won't be corrupted...";

flow through the speaker cone, then you know you are going to hell in a fiery ball.

None of this should work - the Clytem Scanning EP has all the ingredients of a Tesco Ham and Cheese sandwich, but it does work very well due to some excellent production and instrumentation. Latterly on "Kiss Hang Fire", there are large chunks of string samples that manage to avoid becoming the overbearing clichés of modern electronic music that they can be at the worst of times (think Moby at his most self-indulgent or even regular indulgent for that matter), but it also here that Scanning's voice to opens up and soars with an air of beauty. "Lions and Montgolfiers" is probably the only song of the release that comes close to representing a regular structure, yet its esoteric nature means it fits as well as the other pieces, while the swirling synths and pitch affected vocals of "Wargarden" bring this rather fantastic EP to a close.

Clytem Scanning's début album, Nereides will be released at some stage this year - keep an eye out on her MySpace for more info. "Do you want to dance with me? you won't be corrupted" - I think I may have been corrupted and I don't mind at all.
Download the "Clytem Scanning EP" for free from her MySpace
Rating: 4 out of 5

Blasphemous Art Exhibition

A new exhibition in the Irish Museum of Contemporary Art (IMOCA) created to highlight and challenge the new Irish Blasphemy Law opened on Good Friday last week. According to Atheist Ireland, the exhibition - entitled Blasphemous - is also a "...celebration of freedom of expression and expression generally..."
Recently, there has rumours that the Minister of Justice, Dermot Ahern will propose a referendum regarding the controversial law that was imposed on January 1st of this year.
IMOCA is located on Lad Lane, off Baggott Street in Dublin 2 and the exhibition will remain open from midday until 5pm every Friday to Sunday until April 25th. For more information regarding the exhibition itself or special bookings, contact Atheist Ireland or IMOCA.

Holidays and Stuff

Apologies for not being around, for I have been on holiday recently. What's that? Holiday... Holiday!! HOL-I-DAY!!

(fuck sake.)
Back up to stuff tomorrow morning.

(April 2010) Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist

Coming back for the second time is the Easy Music for Difficult Ears Spotify Playlist - once again this is just a whole pile of random chunked slapped together in comedic manner to create some form of mutant music playlist. Anyways, for you enjoyment...

April 2010 Playlist

1. Electrelane "Two for Joy" (Axes, 2005 Too Pure Records Ltd)
   
2. First Aid Kit "Wills of the River" (The Big Black and the Blue, 2009 Wichita Recordings)
   
3. Soft Cell "Chips on my Shoulder" (Non Stop Erotic Cabaret, 1981 Sire Records)
   
4. Client "Pornography (Motor Mix)" (Metropolis, 2005 Self-Released)
   
5. Kraftwerk "Aero Dynamik" (Tour de France, 2003 Mute Records)
   
6. The Chemical Brothers "The Boxer (DFA Version)" (The DFA - Remixes Chapter One, 2006 DFA LLC / EMI Records)
   
7. YACHT "Platinum (feat. Bobby Birdman)" (I Believe in You. Your Magic is Real, 2007 ERR)
   
8. The Notwist "Boneless (Grizzly Bear Remix)" (Come In, 2008 Bigstore)
   
9. Crackle "General Volume" (Heavy Water, 2007 Slowfoot Records)
   
10. Kreng "Meisje in Auto (Naar Prelude No. 20 in C Minor Van F Chopin)" (L'autopsie Phenomenale de Dieu, 2009 Miasmah)
    
11. Nils Frahm "Tristana" (Wintermusik, 2009 Erased Tapes)
    
12. Vera Lynn "We'll Meet Again" (Gold: 100 Songs From a Life in Music, 2009 Spectrum Music)