Search for quirky pop performed on Thursday, 8th January 2009.
quirky pop
We found the term quirky pop in 184 articles.
Band Profile: Penny Broadhurst
Quirky, clever, melodic and catchy songs. Not lo-fi or acoustic.
The Bribes have a sound which can be described as quirky and upbeat. A driving sound which instantly grabs you by the lugs and kicks you in the stones, leaving you heaving in a pile by the side of the road waiting for another kicking.
Nutronstars: Melody Rules Everything (Handclaps and Fuzz)
If Carter USM had written theme tunes for midweek BBC family sitcoms, then it would have sounded somewhat like Nutronstars.
Thai Bride: Non Contact Sports
Judging them on this release Thai Bride are a bloke's band. Not that they play blokes music as such, it's just that they sing about bloke's things.
Matthew Lewis is a singer/songwriter from Leeds. He plays a mix of quirky and serious songs.
post-rock
The Ripps have produced something not too dissimilar to what the late 90's would have thrived on. "LOCO" is quirky pop punk that makes you feel like a snotty, rebellious kid smashing up the house after too many skittles.
Daniel Webster: While The Motors Are Humming Below Us
From the very start of the first track on this eleven song record, you realise that Mr. Webster knows his quirky pop music.
Awoo, the third album from Canadian oddball folk-rock types The Hidden Cameras continues on a similar musical, a lyrical exploration as previous albums Smell of our own(2001), and Eco Homo(2003).
indie rock
The Argonauts: Telling Stories
What is it with the British? We complain in winter that it isn't summer, then when summer hits it's "too hot", then when autumn and winter roll around again, we release perfect summertime music.
It has to be said that koala bears are possibly the cutest and most vicious animals that have ever graced this planet, beneath their cutesy exterior lies the heart of a cold blooded killer; Koala the band on the other hand have released one of those albums emotionally expansive albums that wrap a warm blanket around you on a cold winters day and serves you a hot mug of tea with those tiny marshmallows in.
Jim Noir's first single was a quirky piece of pop if ever there was one. His second offering bangs a drum to pretty much the same beat.
Band Profile: Number Crunchers
Number Crunchers sees core Dolores members Dave Pearson and Tom Lewis indulge their leftfield rock inclinations with the help of jazz drummer Jon Scott.
Fountains of Wayne: Stacey's Mom
Perhaps best known in the UK for 'Radiation Vibe' from their eponymous debut, Fountains of Wayne are ready to make a bigger impression with this first release from their third album 'Welcome Interstate Managers'.
I was disturbed when I received this CD through the post. Not by the cover or the content, but by what it said on the label stuck to it.
Unclejohnny: Old Men Round A Table
I've heard a lot about this band from various people but never actually seen or heard them so it was good to finally hear them.
Mclusky: Alan is a Cowboy Killer
Mclusky learnt their trade in the intriguing corner of the rock playground, took references from the big players to the small fry, the intellectual to the big and brutal, the pretty to the downright ugly, and blended it together into a mesmerising fix of off kilter rock and lyrical genius.
Tilly And The Wall: Bottom of Barrels
Sometimes the best ideas appear from the most unconventional of sources. Tilly And The Wall are no exception.
tribute
The Boy Least Likely To: Fur Soft As Fur
The third single from the exclusive in the know club that is "The Boy Least Likely To". Those in the know apparently include the likes of Steve Lamacq, Clare Grogan and Rough Trade.
Field Music: A House Is Not a Home
Plinky-plonky: the immediate sensory awareness of Field Music's latest single. Two and a half minutes later, you're not left disappointed; this is plinky-plonky of the highest order.
The Dirty Skirts: Feeling The Pressure
First impression of 'Feeling The Pressure' is that it tosses together bits of indie and electronica and expects them to sound coherent with minimal effort.
Let's look at it simply. "Caravan", Percy's latest release on Mook Records, is a whirlwind blast of a catchy alt rock tune within quick-fire distorted guitars.
Anton Barbeau: The Automatic Door
It's the first time I've come across the 'psychedelic power pop' of multi instrumentalist Californian Anton Barbeau although apparently he's made about 15 albums in the last 6 months whilst constantly touring with his esoteric, slightly quaint brand of 60's sounds.
Female singer/songwriters/lad-mag-pin-ups really are 10 a penny these days. You only have to look at the charts to see Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Katie Meluah et al aiming to take a slice of Beth Orton's melancholic pie from under her bovine features.
Ian Wardle: Seven Hundred & Seventy Six Seconds
Ian Wardle has arguably done things the right way. Having served his time in various production line covers bands that may well have pushed him to breaking point, he has clearly learnt some valuable lessons in the art of song writing.
The Fiery Furnaces: Single Again
Coming on like a deranged DJ Shadow monkeyed off his eyeballs on uppers and downers, whilst various members of the Beta Band and the Delgadoes point and laugh, this is an eclectic yet energetic 218 seconds of mayhem.
The Four Marys: Sweet And Sour EP
It's seems that the mighty Pale Man Made have grown some legs and spawned another band in the form of guitarist Christianne's other project known as The Four Marys.
Wild Beasts to release a new single on Bad Sneakers Records
On 23rd April, Leeds band Wild Beasts will release their second single on the Leeds-based Bad Sneakers Records label.
It seems this EP is soaked in past experience and endeavours, a creation of years of gigging, frequent band additions and changes, and a whole heap of direction shift and renewed vigour.
Glasgow three-piece 1990s release 'See you at the lights', their first single off their up and coming album 'Cookies', and it doesn't disappoint.
The Beauty Shop: Rumplestiltskin Lives
Beginning with a quirky, memorable acoustic riff, this swaggers along for just over three and a half minutes, the vocals ranting about all the drudge of Americana like a drunken cowboy dragging his boots through the mud.
As ninepoundnote so politely put it, "Well there's people judging music on originality. I move my feet if I like the beat and that's good enough for me!" Well my ska punk playing friend this is Leeds Music Scene and you won't get far with that attitude.
Rudolf Rocker: Rabbiting With Richard Dido
This is Rudolf Rocker's second album released on Leeds' very own House Of Mook label. John Peel listened upon the band favourably, as he did with many 'Mook' arists and you can hear why.
'Brown Eyes Blue' opens with an acoustic guitar part that sounds like a speeded up version of Green Day's 'Time Of Your Life'.
The Loved Ones (UK): Self Destruction for Beginners
"Experimental? Avant-garde? Lo-fi? Analogue? Acoustic? Just plain odd?" - Nick Copland advertises for bands to play for the new Strychnine Lounge gigs to start up at The Packhorse in the New Year.
Staerimto can be described as lush, poignant, quirky folk. In this DIY solo effort lead by John Perry there are moments of brilliance and also emptiness.
Red Bee Society: When We Talk of Horses
Every so often a band comes out of nowhere and punches you in the kidneys before ripping out your heart and then skipping off down the pub laughing.
It's another night down at the Well and tonight we're in the presence of some nice ol' dirty rock. The night kicks off with Tricky Nixon.
I first saw Aqute Couch live at Joseph's Well, and I must admit right now that I enjoy their 9-track CD even more than I liked their live show.
Band Profile: The Hit and Runs
"'...Bradfords finest 'INDIE' cuisine...'"
Peggy Sue and the Pirates @ Brudenell Social Club
Jaunty acoustic duo Peggy Sue and the Pirates played to a sparse audience of hangers-on and plus-ones at a subdued Brudenell Social Club, but their winning chattiness and lack of pretension set me up to like Peggy Sue before they even sent a jerky, charming mixture of grime, nu-folk and doo-wop echoing round the room.
Enticed only by a cool name and a bit of a bravado, it was with anticipation I awaited the arrival of what was to be one of the most vital live sets I've seen.
Los Guys: La Noche De San Juan
Get yer fake afro on and don you best platforms. Los Guys have in "La Noche De San Juan" delivered what is a truly unique offering, a danceathon jazz fest which spins around your head like the supergran theme once did.
Accolade: Something In The Sky
There's a strong voice and some nice open tunes here. The simple chord changes are fluently done and a Radio 2 audience beckons.
We Start Fires: Caught Redhanded
Mathematics aside this is a valiant effort from this US grrrl-punk scene influenced quartet. Underneath the guitars and quirky 80s' keyboard effects of this album lies a fair dose of pop-punk fused with the daily trials and tribulations of your average young rock and roll girl.
Anyone who thought, like me, that after the success of the none-more-irritating 'Tubthumping' that Chumbawamba just simply vanished, are now obviously wrong.
A delicious 5 track EP of diverse, eclectic and electric ambiance from musical visionary Eddie Tadross a.k.a Governortea.
Band Profile: Japanese Fighting Fish
Japanese Fighting Fish: 3 fisherman sold their trawler bought new gear and made a band. It all began back in the winter months of 07/08, Paulito and Stevo made the decision to try and pull karlost from his inevitable demise living on the mean streets of LS6.
In which a 25-year-old sweet and innocent looking gal makes a distinctly sweet and innocent sounding song.
It's an early start tonight at the Cockpit, it is 7:30 and Black Wire are already strutting their stuff on stage at their local.
Fine Apple, one of Bradford's unknown bands outside the area, choosing to ply their trade at Rios, bring us a great four-track EP.
'More' starts off with a nice lazy beat, a bit of jangly guitar and then in comes Peter Bott with the vocals.
The name Demon Summer immediately conjures up images of Satan chilling on a beach in Cornwall while the sun beats down on his already fiery flesh.
Kelly Joe Phelps @ City Varieties
Paul Curreri has the easy going charm that helps to make such folksy, sit down gigs pleasant affairs.
Bastion 4: The Tale Of Gideon Strange
There appears to be an uncanny tendency for singles that are described on their press blurbs as "infectiously summer-sounding" to make their way into my possession when the weather is generously providing me with the chance to experience first-hand what it might be like to be drowned in a tidal-wave of piss whilst making my way through a Norwegian tundra.
Oh my God, it's an album - ten tracks titled "Anthology 2000" - ok, I have a few hours, lets have a listen then.
Earl: What Are You Waiting For?
Now this one's a hard one, not often do I recieve or listen to dance tunes with a huge amount of interest, but as I put this CD on, I suddenly like dance music!!
I went to The Vine once in hope to see these guys play but unfortunately when I arrived they had finished and I was treated to this God-awful electro band - but finally I am happy to hear some of Vatican Jet's material.
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan @ City Varieties
Euros Childs, former frontman of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, provides some strange folk indie to warm up the crowd.
Emerging in the late 80s Senser were one of the first bands to bring us rap-metal. As innovators of the scene they were doing something new and refreshing.
Is it that Goth? Are they Goths? Is Goth overdue for a renaissance? The answers to these are no, not quite; possibly and: surely the River Aire will dry up before that happens.
The Cat's out of the bag - Cloth Cat officially launches....
The Cat is finally coming out of the bag! After being in existence for nearly 8 years Cloth Cat is now making its paw mark with 'The Cat in Hells Dance' event, which to all intents and purposes will be the project's launch.
Kid iD: That Dreaded Monster What If
Bright young things Kid iD charmingly fuse a clean living blend of acoustic blues and folk, occasionally tinkering with bordering genres to mixed effect.
Marc Rigelsford's alter-ego, Magic Arm, creates rather experimental music while still producing quirky and light indie tracks.
Leeds based four-piece, The Breech, were formed in July 2001 and have developed a deeply musical and distinctly unique sound.
I like this CD. Very much. Reviewing acoustic bands is not really my strong point, but this CD just shouts out "play me, play me".
This three track demo gives notice of an interestingly slap-happy West Yorkshire band with leanings in a Stephen Malkmus direction.
Tonight our two opposing bands compliment each other well. Both believe in experimenting and trying diverse, intriguing methods of song writing, which is always nice to hear.
I'll be honest. If this review stinks and subsequently I get annihilated by you good reader folks for not delving deeper, or trying to understand the songs or yabba yabba feckin' yabba then in this case, on this very occasion, it ain't my damn fault.
Second single to be released from Charlotte Hatherley's critically acclaimed debut album 'Grey Will Fade', 'Bastardo', is a poppy, sun-kissed, fun-packed offering.
I Am Kloot: From Your Favourite Sky
I like a good heartbreak song. For years I thought that Tony Bennett was the only man alive who could sing it better than anyone else, and I've yet to be proven otherwise, but this bunch of Mancunian misfits come damn close.
The 45s - now there's a name I don't think we'll be hearing the last of. Impressive at times (though I still think there's a lot to work on) pinpointing the influence in their style has proved difficult; though Britpop is a starter for ten.
A pair of beseated little smurfs and a big slutty rock vamp alight the stage in a cloud of barbershop-style harmonies.
Sometimes I hate writing reviews. I got into it because I love writing and love music. But sometimes you have to review something that you really don't enjoy and it's horrible because it's no fun slagging off bands that put their heart and soul into their music.
Adam Green: Jacket Full of Danger
After recent support slot with fellow friends The Strokes and briefly having a diary in NME, Adam Green is back with his new album, Jacket Full Of Danger.
Yellow Stripe Nine: Look Sharp EP
Yellow Stripe Nine are a band I've heard of but never heard, until now, and on the basis of this CD I'm wondering why.
Having converted the many fans of We are Scientists and The Sunshine Underground as a support act on both these band's UK and Ireland tours late last year, The Blood Arm are back to try and win over some more followers with the second single from their new album, 'Lie Lover Lie'.
Talk to us about their stalker and news of a pending debut album...
Mr Hudson And The Library: A Tale Of Two Cities
I first caught this band on the Jools Holland show some months ago and to say that I saw a group of quirky individuals would be a huge understatement.
Tom Waits: Real Gone (sampler)
Tom Waits is a damn legend. It's that easy, the actor/musician/genius has always been producing work which provokes and stretches from every chord, this been no acception.
Metronomy are currently touring the country in promotion of their latest single 'Radio Ladio' as well as their 2006 album, 'Pip Paine (Pay the £5000 you owe)'.
The Scaramanga Six @ Royal Park Cellars
Sheffield noise mongers POLON pose a curious schizophrenia question. Just what is it that they want to be?
I can't believe how impressed I am with this CD. And not only do I get to listen to some cracking songs - and I mean cracking - I get a whole album of them through the post, a ten-track album I'd pay good money for.
"We're the warm-up band" announces Cooper's entrance to tonight's proceedings. Following on from the previous night where we were entertained not only musically but also through an on-going dialogue with Four Day Hombre, we are again in conversation with tonights bands.
Narco are the start of a riot. Machine gun fire pings round my room and I duck for cover before the dirty grinding bass line of 'Hey You' kicks in like an exploding atom bomb on repeat.
Modeliste @ The Royal Oak (Halifax)
Live music returns to Halifax town centre with the launch of "The Dog House", a new band night upstairs at The Royal Oak pub.
Joseph's Well saw a storming gig on Saturday night as everyone is treated to four top bands, a brilliant atmosphere, a full venue and plenty of beer.
Although not advertised on the initial line-up, the appearance of Morassi caught my eye at last Friday's Joseph's Well HMV Showcase gig.
Alternative Pop & Rock act with a nod towards the more obscure...
Upon the first listen to this EP I would have sworn I was listening to a group of twee American rockers, however these lads are from Essex!
Transgressive hasn't half done well for itself. Just a casual glance at the arsenal of bands at their disposal tonight to showcase to a global audience displays that.
No two ways about it. This is a purely beautiful debut album. Semifinalists have managed to condense hours of sweeping, emotional epic music all the way down into 3 minute wedges of charming pop music.
Hillstomp claim to play a brand of North Mississippi trance blues... yep that's what I thought. But surprisingly this is a real musical gem.
Field Music: Write Your Own History
The shining, swirling, sun-drenched pop with peculiar but often alluring percussion that made up Field Music's self-titled album is, unsurprisingly, the staple of this B-sides collection.
Making new discoveries is always exciting. Few self-respecting music fans will disagree that finding a promising new band is one of the main reasons to get up in the morning - perhaps only over-ridden if somebody's cooking something lovely for breakfast.
The Dharma: Can You Rely On Them
Upon receiving this CD, I thought - 'Looks promising, very slick. Maybe a better photographer could have made the live looking cover shot look a little less like they are performing at an open jam night to an empty pub.' 'Can You Rely On Them' is a tune that upon first listen seems to pull no punches, upon second or more listens you will be thinking 'what the hell is going on with these guys.' It is filled with lots of quirky little solos, which do showcase a lot of musical talent that is there, somewhere!
Band Profile: Bikini Black Special
indie pop
Every time I go to the Packhorse, Leeds seems to be in the middle of a hurricane or similar. The walk from the city centre up to Hyde Park is a blustery and soaking one, but once inside things start to pick up immensely, with one of the most impressive local lineups at the venue in some time.
The Chiara L's kick off tonight's trio of female fronted bands each of whom bring their own distinct style and charisma to proceedings.
When Morrissey sang the immortal Smiths lyrics: "I should have been wild and I should have been free/but nature played this trick on me" he had in mind the kind of people that are in the groups I'm watching tonight.
The Coral: Nightfreak & The Sons of Becker
The latest recording form The Coral is the product of improvisational sessions. I awaited the release of this CD with anticipation since I saw them in November and heard two of the songs live.
four day Hombre @ Royal Park Cellars
"i found a skull today by the motorway its bone was paper thin could crack under anything" because drat create fiercely intelligent ferociously random observational songs with two guitars a bass a drums and a notebook that lends catchy loops to some of the quirkiest yet shamelessly honest compositions i've encountered for a while sung through telephones bolted to microphone stands following introductions every bit as surreal i mean songs about bells palsy don't hit you in the face very often even if youd only half notice when they did but drat are an aural and visual acyclovir-prednisone cocktail tasting of smile on my lips which is of course a first rate thing as the bending notes plus quirky chords swish with sway around the busy buzzy royal park cellars where there are no s m u k punk royal girls stretching today but lots of untailored folk instead even sitting on the floor which is effective although i wouldnt as its covered in stout spilt earlier but got away with i think a sample lyric might shed some light so theres one at the top of the page on their exemplary website there is brittle pale blue and theres even a guitar tuner so go and observe for yourself four day hombre get better and healthier every time i glimpse them which hasn't been enough lately but sufficient to see their hair grow out as their songs strengthen until i love the choruslines that flex and spin like simone clarke like on don't go gently where they probably really did give it away but its okay to remember and reflect that if your miss u contestant did thump you in the chest it was probably just to keep you going believe me sometimes thats more than you deserve child then the im sorry song lifts the place back up in a flurry of oxymoronic harmony joy soon theres drink too both beer and tea which is apt since four day hombre are so very english sounding by which by i suggest they are eloquent when using its not like it used to be you need to download the video you need to offload but in the interim simon or richie or both can do that for you by proxy while you put your hand in the back pocket of those jeans but not to buy the boys the drinks they request from the stage maybe later because right now bathed in red light he looks like john cale before the nobodys little girl song resolves and until the epic single room wends steadfastly into the night we don't have to go home from for a while yet
Various Artists: At Least You Can Die With A Smile On Your Face
Do you have a special friend who sends you compilations of their very secret favourite tunes? Someone you love enough to want to discover new bands to play for them?
The Scaramanga Six @ Joseph's Well
Well blimey! I walk into Joseph's Well at about 3:20pm after standing in the pissing rain for 20 minutes outside the place (yes, you said you were opening at three!) but at least it gave me chance to sober up slightly seeing as I had been in Carpe Diem for the three previous hours and was somewhat jolly already.
"Five men, a large number of instruments" proclaims the press release accompanying Xi's latest magnum opus, the three track EP "Low".
The Grates are a difficult band for a young man such as myself to review. Having seen them live I am aware of something which cannot fail to cloud my judgement of their latest record.
Dave Cooke takes his material from the wistful, listless and mundane corners of pop vernacular. He dries it out, tidies up the lyrics, gives it a tune and then mocks it with delicious and subtle cruelty.
Commercial Dual Purpose: The James Bailey Experience
I got such a charming email. And the two-part album on lovingly made CD-Rs (£2 each, £3 the pair) looked so good that I really wanted to review and like this album.
Brazil are probably the most over-underrated Leeds band not to come from Leeds. Tonight there are times in their set which opens up the night that are literally entertainment of the highest order, and at other times they drift off into a sort of in-between world where your mind wanders and you lose focus on what they are trying to do.
Mountaineers: Motions Of Interplanetary Dust
Mountaineers 'do not aspire to evoke a past we cannot relate to, they do not sound like anyone else...
The Futureheads @ Brudenell Social Club
The Holy Terror are four impossibly fresh faced youngsters apparently raised solely on a diet of the Slits and Babes In Toyland.
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity for any action on stage and supping the over priced bottles of beer (because the draft had run out!) Oceansize took to the stage amidst an array of guitars (6 in total), laptops and large drum set-ups.
Viva la Britpop! There's been a lot of talk lately about the resurrection of that old forgotten genre of Britpop.
Ambient, alternative music is on the cards tonight in the ridiculous upstairs room of the Atrium. Peasman, aka.
Kill Manticore @ Royal Park Cellars
For all my scheming and plotting, it is the simple things in life that keep me most amused. Plans. I love plans.
Two Wheel Fury @ The Refectory
This is the honest truth: I just got off the phone to a friend of mine and when I mentioned that I had been to the student union Battle of the Bands, she said "Oh, and did the winner of the event happen to be a metal type band who did some well known covers?" The formula is that obvious then.
Nic Armstrong: The Greatest White Liar
Recorded at the currently hip Toe Rag Studios, produced and engineered by studio boss Liam Watson (cf Elephant and The Cribs) "The Greatest White Liar" is a fully realised retro-pop album of songs - and virtually a solo album to boot.
Its been four years now since The Dandy Warhols hit the Uk scene with their classic track "Every Day Should be a Holiday", which followed their self-titled album released in 1995.
Alec Empire: The Golden Foretaste of Heaven
Starting your own record label with an advance bestowed on you by another record label could either be a great example of "sticking it to the man", or being a supremely selfish narcissistic tit depending on your viewpoint.
It's a Friday night at the Vine, it's 8 O'clock, Duels are about to start so where the hell is everybody?
This was my first Tea Time Shuffle for some time, and I was excited to be down reviewing a band I actually discovered through LMS - Plastic Fuzz.
Various Artists: Rough Trade Shops - Counter Culture 2007
Every year since 2003 there's been a Counter Culture - or at least, a Counter Culture that's been documented by Rough Trade on a Counter Culture compilation.
The Search Map: Tiny Victories EP
Hearing genuinely talented musicians for the first time is something that I experience very rarely. The Tiny Victories EP by The Search Map gave me one such experience.
Rhode Island: Sunshine Skylark Bridge
Type the words "Rhode Island" into Google and you'll find websites on The Rhode Island Department of Transportation, The Rhode Island School of Design and The Official Web Site of the State of Rhode Island - Your gateway to information about living, working, visiting, and doing business in Rhode Island.
I had not heard any of these bands before the day of the gig, so I wasn't really sure what to expect.
Let's be honest and get everything out in the open. The whole of the Cockpit is here solely to hear and see "The Rat" in action, a blistering, demented, Ian Curtis joyride of a song which has been exploding everywhere without even a trace of hyperbole.
This was the most treacherous, cold, icy night so far this winter. Fell over on the way to work. How lame is that?
Four Planes in Four Days @ Packhorse
We are in the middle of a glorious transition, summer to autumn... the young 'un's are returning to school, and for the first time in my life, I'm free from all that bullshit.
Newton Faulkner: Hand Built By Robots
Quirky acoustic guitarists are not exactly redundant at the moment. So for something of this genre to be deemed 'important', in my opinion it has to be essential and most of all, interesting.
Can the quality of unsigned Leeds bands get any higher? The FutureSound 2000 has certainly opened a lot of people's eyes to the standard of music out there in Leeds, and if you think of the bands that aren't even playing...
CJ's Music Bar is a relatively new venue on the Leeds live music circuit and is tucked away somewhat in the depths of Kirkstall.
It's the craziest thing, really. Anyone who's been down this boozer of a daytime, or indeed walked past, will know that it's about as "indie" as Idi Amin.
Various Artists: I Can Count Volume One
Mmm, electro, n' stuff like that. Good, innit? 'Specially if you're signed to I Can Count Music, a record label fresh from Bob-Monkhouse-himself's seal of approval.
Things look very bright for the music scene in Leeds at the moment, and tonight is a great testament to that.
Entering the Leeds Irish Centre for the first time (after finding it with surprising ease) it was refreshing to find a large audience already gathered and paying attention to the support bands.
Ah, the mighty Dance To The Radio night strikes again. Never a month goes past without another three bands more than worthy of headlining a show all by themselves being wheeled out and cast asunder to a crowd that in the most part aren't overly familiar with the talent on show but are more than willing to co-operate (or at least pensively listen) to what DTTR has to offer.
Schizo Fun Addict: Atom Spark Hotel
As sensible as it is plain mental, as simplistic as it is complex, as delightfully naïve as it is pure genius.
A prolific indie band and a back-to-basics set from a folk-rock band interspersed with poems sung by a rather quirky young man to backing tracks on an iPod were always going to make for an extremely odd gig experience.
Welcome to the Faversham. The pub is stuffed with students, NUS cards in one hand, trying to blag a cheap, fizzy, sweet, artificial, alcoholic drink, yet to realise the drinking maxim - no pain, no gain - nice tasting drinks are just not cricket.
The Scaramanga Six @ Joseph's Well
Malevolent. Not the crowd - the band. Politburo take to the stage. No lights, a speedy, last minute soundcheck.
International Trust @ Brudenell Social Club
I'm a prat. Got my times muddled and missed out on opening band Chops. Oops. I hear they were stupid but great, so that's that one hastily out of the way.
Southampton scamps Black Nielson swan onto the stage with all the demeanour of your average tramp plodding down the lane to the offie to buy a four pack of kestrel super strength.
¡Forward, Russia!: Life Processes
Let's take a leaf out of the Life Processes book and get straight on with this one (it's precisely three seconds before the first of many huge choruses on display here).
Using a quote from one of the recent CD reviews, I was "suitably impressed" with last night's gig. It's Gone Ballistic yet again gave another three young bands the opportunity to impress in one of Leeds' finest live music venues - as Draco, Lunar Camels and The Gift were the people to rock'n'roll us through the evening.
The Trophy Cabinet: The First Xi
The Colour Blind James Experience, Robyn Hitchcock, Lloyd Cole, New Order, Edwyn Collins, Blue Nile, Yo La Tengo, Sin Ropas, Cosmic Rough Riders, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci.
Themselves @ Brudenell Social Club
Mr. Whiskey and No Dice start proceedings with a DJ set that seems to last forever, but creates the atmosphere for Alias.
Fold your hands you walk like a rock star. The Dandy Warhols represent the triumph of substances over substance and their first two albums are testament to this with a handful of quirky, catchy and perfectly snotty pop gems along with dawdling tunes you might call "Atmospheric" or "Filler" if your in generous mood.
Once again I found myself racing for the front barrier with roughly half the population of Leeds' High Schools in order to witness what has to be said, one of the most mind bogglingly unhinged extravagancies this city has held in quite some time.
"Please excuse us, it's very hot in these cravats" winks Yellow Stripe Nine's quirky keyboardist with a cheeky smile pinned haphazardly across his malleable face, tongue firmly slotted into cheek, twinkly eyes joking merrily along with all this talk of decadence, sleaze and spotless white spats.
Christ this was a tough call. Kasabian, Spring and The Paddingtons all playing the same evening. Despite having high expectations of the Bears, (sorry!
The Hair make me want to do reasonably mucky things to people. I think. I'm not sure. Either that or maybe find a partner to relive certain aspects of 'Dirty Dancing' with right there and then on the shiny wooden floorboards of The Faversham, except we'd incorporate more modern and perhaps more subtle dance moves whilst substituting those items of footwear now relegated to the depths of a chiropodist's hell with slightly more comfortable shoes.
There is laughter in the air tonight; people look determined to have fun. Young innocent faces rejuvenate my past and my Sixth Form days come flooding back to me.
Sucioperro: Random Acts of Intimacy
Competing for the youth of the nation's musical hearts and minds is no easy task. Sometimes you need a gimmick, a ruse that will make you or your band stand out from the many others who are all after the increasingly short and fickle attention span of the mainstream media and record buying public.
pop indie
Electric Six @ Brixton Academy (London)
An evening of pure cheesy-student-rock music laced throughout with lyrics befitting the kind of teenage cliché that surfaces so often on title sequences to All American Highschool dramas.
i concur @ Brudenell Social Club
There's a strong sociable ambience at tonight's EP launch for i concur. The whole evening is endearingly informal - partly a product of the choice of venue, but most importantly of the obvious musical friendships between groups.
Up first tonight are US based band Five O'Clock Heroes. Perfecting cheerful pop sensibility alongside dirty rock they possess a fiery sound, with each beat of the drum, each bouncy bass line and vocal melody perfectly executed to produce a catchy rock sound.
Guillemots haven't yet arrived on stage, but the dimming of lights sends the audience into a frenzy only to be silenced by the haunting vocals of Fyfe Dangerfield that magically fill the room.
This is an interesting beast. It's a mere five tracks in length, but sprawls out over an hour's playing time.
Drifting, as they do, in a special dimension of their own, Galitza pulsate on a separate cycle to the ones we can normally understand.
I've always liked The Primrose as one of Leeds' smaller music venues and I have always managed to catch some good bands there, tonight was no exception.
The monthly TTS, or the Tea Time Shuffle, could soon become an institution. It's Friday, it's 6 o'clock, the Hi-Fi bar is well and truly open and 3 and a half of Leeds finest bands are playing before your increasingly Southern Comforted eyes and all for just a fiver.
Band Profile: Becks and the Bullets
BECKS - Vocals and guitar ANDY HILLIER - trombone ATHOLL RANSOME - Sax/Flute JENNY HOY - Vibes and quirky percussion PHIL HEPWORTH - oo ar guitar JEZ ASHBY - Double bass JOE HERZBERG - Drums BECKS, at 15 was strumming along to Joni Mitchell in her bedroom when discovered by her mother who offered her first professional singing job on a tour around Ireland.
e·mo·tion (-mshn) n. An intense mental state that arises subjectively rather than through conscious effort and is often accompanied by physiological changes; a strong feeling Emo is a type of music that is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK, despite being popular in America for some time now.
Live music seems to be undergoing some kind of renaissance in Leeds at the moment, with several new venues popping up here and there.
Picture the scene, playing a gig and someone comes up to you asking to review their CD. OK or so I thought!
After the bloated corpse of Britpop (1992 - 1998) had finally gone up to the musical genre in the sky, it left its protagonists in an agonising position.
It doesn't seem all that long ago that you would see a Kaiser Chief every week, most often behind a bar.
I've always thought band names are important. They can say a lot about the band itself, or its music: like New Order, Spiritualized or Fear Factory.
Brass Moustache @ Joseph's Well
"Smile... JUST SMILE!" Cue camera flash. "Oh, Mum!" Not the most auspicious start to a gig, but what can you do to control proud parents?
It's nights like this that show what's great about the Leeds music scene. As I'm walking to the Well it pisses it down.
I didn't have a clue who the support was going to be this evening, so I eagerly awaited the arrival of the support band: Captain.
With Leeds festival just around the corner it's that time again for the Futuresound competition. Tonight was the turn of The Black Helicopters, Ten Seconds Of Chaos and The Xenith Sound to win over the crowd and more importantly the judges with their interpretations of what passes for good music these days.
Interview: Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
Currently on tour with US space rockers Yo La Tengo, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci cohort Richard James gets grilled on playing live, record labels and where that name comes from...
Aces & Eights are one of the only recent bands who have not come directly from MySpace. Rather than relying on the support of their, admittedly, over 1000 "Friends" they've worked their way up through the grimy Leeds pubs to arrive, not quite signed and slightly tainted, at the Cockpit.
There's always been a place for humour in music. All the best bands had wit without being cheesy and over the top with it, and tonight proves that humorous observations and amusing asides don't mean you have to be the Grumbleweeds.
Dave Cooke talks about life after Landspeed Loungers, Wrath Records, the local scene and the fortunes of his new band...
Duels @ Woodhouse Liberal Club
Dance to the Radio was an event. Is it possible to review an event? Even straight description couldn't get deep enough into the complexities and impossibilities of making such a thing not just happen but happen so brilliantly.
This review is really rather late, for which I apologise profusely. If I may, I shall explain how I came to be so rubbish at time-keeping, life-maintenance and being able to do stuff in general.
Jamie Lidell @ Across The Tracks Festival 2006
Jamie Lidell is an absolute nutter. Appearing as a diamond geezer dressed in silken bathrobe with gold rope strung loosely, provocatively, around his torso, he headbangs and face-pulls like a schizo on strychnine whilst a masked figure with white wires and whiskers coming out its face lurks about setting up cameras and sending disturbingly delayed footage to the screen at the back before propping up a mannequin's dismembered hand (which is, nicely, impaled on a metal pole, just in case you weren't freaked enough) in front of Lidell's mad-scientist decks; then leaves it to turn, slowly, in a revolving, demented circle.
Leeds' local punk, emo and ska promoters Strikepunks put on a veritable banquet of emo hardcore deliciousness this Friday, as the Cardigan Arms played host to four hot new bands playing the circuit for nothing more than that which is the greatest love of all, that wonderful love of music...