The Long Blondes

Manchester Academy, 18/2/07

Got away from work early, blah blah blah.
My hotel is literally across from the Academy and I noticed when I walked past at about 5:30pm there were already a group of people outside. I did think this would be a well attended show. Anyway I got sorted and went to eat at the pub round the corner (not a thing I normally would do, but necessity rained here). Got to venue about 6:30 and joined a queue of about 30/40. Probably waited about 45mins till the doors opened (ha! that was easy!!) Anyway got in handy and cuz I knew where I was going I got to front row (up against the friggin' barrier).
I don't know why but I actually did feel old here the venue was packed with 16/17 year olds, saying that the guy next to me was in his thirties (I think).
A couple of bands played nowt too exciting but ok. The main support were a band from Leeds called The ? damn! the name has gone, I'll get it eventually. They were ok two guys and a girl on drums, who was excellent.

The Long Blondes came on a five piece from Sheffield three girls and two guys. The lead singer is Kate Jackson who comes on wearing hot pants and a beret`. The best way to describe her would be a female version of Jarvis. She prances round the stage and really uses her sexuallity to the fullest. After a few songs though it started to get on my nerves, there are only so many times you can stand having Kates arse shoved in your face. I figure that most guys from 16 - 25 in there had their jeans become tight due to expansion!!. Nah! give me Corin or Louise Mason anyday.

That said they were an excellent band the guitarist and musical brains behind them (I deduce)Dorian is a very good musician. As a band they were tight and played all the album from last year plus a couple of tunes I did not know. Perhaps I'm being a little harsh on Kate she is an excellent front woman with a great band. Yes Kate your fit, sexy but show me something I don't know.

And the winner is - ME

Tuesday 20/2/07.
Sat at home fiddling about checking finances, paying bills and other boring stuff. I was listening to BBC Radio6 music (the best radio station in the UK, I refuse to listen to commercial radio) as I normally do. Gideon Coe announced a competition to win a signed copy of the new Laura Veirs album. An album I had pre-ordered the night before as it happens. I'm not a person that enters comp's, I don't do the lottery or anything to "win" stuff/money ect. Basically an audio (obviously) clip was played of a musician speaking in an interview and people had to mail or text in the identity of said person. As soon as I heard the clip I knew who it was, but I didn't mail in, as I said I don't enter comp's. As the morning wore on Gideon kept reading out mail from people and lots were saying it was Badly Draw Boy. I found myself getting frustrated at this thinking those are badly written e-mails. I finally gave in and sent an e-mail saying it was a clip of Sir Johnny Marr.
Then I was announced as a winner, Yay!!

So today I received this in the post-:

As it happens I do have a signed copy of Laura's last album the beautiful "Year of Meteors"

The Victorian English Gentlemans Club (again) & Welcome

Manchester, Night & Day, 14/2/07


Managed to get an early dart from work to catch the 16:54 train. Got myself sorted and out on the street by 18:20, I decided to go and eat before going to the gig. I wasn't sure about this taking into account the date!. Anyway got a table in one of the places I found last time round, an English/Med restaurant. English food in, errr! England, so bloody rare you have to take advantage when the opportunity strikes. Had a lovely meal though. I must just make a mention to a great piece of theater that happened. A couple came in obviously on a Valentines date. They got shown to a table and the guy before the waiter got chance pulled a chair back for the young lady to sit. She was too busy saying thanks to the waiter, didn't notice and pulled her own chair and sat down. The guy was left standing there like a lemon. The girl eventually noticed to her embarrassment. See girls chivalry isn't dead, it just goes unnoticed at times.

Got to the N &D about 19:50, a couple of support act played first band were ok second were awful. As I had suspected there wasn't much of an audience, again due to the date.

Welcome came on they are a band from Seattle. I bought their album last year and quite liked it. It didn't set the world alight but you can't say it wasn't interesting. They played a good set most of the stuff of the album. One thing noticeable though the level of musicianship, as musicians they were top notch. Played their instruments with ease, their stuff contains some complicated runs, rhythms and licks all played excellently.

The VEG Club started to set up. I noticed imediatley a differant set up. Emma was setting her kit up on "Corins" side (stage right for the uninitiated). Adams mike was set forward of Louise' and Lou's (obviousley) towards the back. When they were ready to start Lou (lookin' hot by the way) went to the very rear of the stage, almost off stage and stood on a box and began the bass line into "Stupid as wood". I love the way Lou (still lookin' hot) positions herself at differant places to start songs.

I liked the way they set up for this show, again showing imagination which is rare these days.

Their set contained about three new songs which sounded good too. I think this was the best I've seen 'em their edginess was just at the right level to compliment the tune craft.

After the show I spotted the Welcome people watching from the side so I went over to say hi and that I enjoyed their album from last year. They seemed surprised I actually had it. I chatted with them about the state of music in the Pacific Northwest and why it seems to be such a hotbed for great music.

I then noticed Emma had taken up residence at the merch table. I went over to have a chat and buy a T, a black one with the scissor logo on. Emma told me they were going into the studio tomorrow to record some of the new material, I told her they should stay on a bit longer and record a full album.

I really do like this band, they are so different to anyone else. They are good live, change things round are edgy yet structured. Not many other people seem to have taken them up, Aw well! just me then. Oh! did I mention Lou's hot, ooops!!

Blood Red Shoes (Cancelled)

Friday 9/2/07

Unfortunately the BRS gig was cancelled as Laura was unwell. I decided to go to Manchester anyway as I was off the weekend and informed there was a show on at the Night & Day. Usual routine, train, book into the pub I'm staying in. I decide to book a table at a Chinese restaurant I know for later on, 11:45 ish. I got to the N&D fairly early to see who was playing. To be honest the bands playing didn't do much for me but I stayed until about 3/4 the way through the last bands set, Carlis Star who weren't too bad. I left about 11:25 and went to eat. Shame BRS had to cancel but it will be rescheduled.

The Decemberists

Manchester Academy, 5/2/07.

Changed routine here slightly. I took a half day of work so I could get to Manchester early and get something to eat before the show. I had done some research online and the best area of Manchester too look for a decent restaurant.

Managed to get the 3pm train and get there for 4pm. I booked into the hotel and got the bus into the city center area I had researched. Whilst walking around I found two lovely old Victorian pubs that I stopped of in and had a drink. Unfortunately though the beer was not that good in either place, lets hope I just caught them on an off day. I found a nice French restaurant and sat down to eat at about 5:45. I walked back to the Academy area (about 2 miles) where I noticed a queue was forming waiting for doors. I wasn't sure what crowd the Decmberists were going to pull to be honest. I joined the crowd as they started letting people in. By the time I got into the hall there were quite a few people up front and I was about six rows back. After a while though I managed to manoeuvre myself into third row with a decent view.






The support band came on and for the life of me I can't remember their name. They were a folksy band with a female lead singer who moved her arms around like a ballerina. They were ok though.

The Decemberists came on and opened their set with the first two songs off "The Crane Wife". For anyone who doesn't know the album the second track clocks in at about 11 mins. They were really good, they have quite a big sound for an acoustic based band. The best way to describe them would be "epic", yeah! I think that's close enough.
Colin Molloy is a great front man too. At one point he asked the audience to divide down the middle for a sing-a-long competition. As soon as this was achieved some people from the back ran up to the front, which was greeted with jeers from the rest of us. Molloy just stood there with his arms folded and said "I not singin' anymore until you go back". They eventually moved back tails firmly between legs. Great fun though. It was one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to for a while. I would urge anyone who gets the chance to see them. I would just like to say a thanks to Julia for the prod, I was not originally going to go but changed my mind, eventually

J'adore suis a` a`la maison sur une nuit froide froide.

I adore being at home on a cold cold night.

I had a totally shitty day in work today, just full of constant hassle. I don't think I took the phone away from my ear for more than 5 minutes. Anyway I got through the day without loss of limb. If I'm honest I perversely enjoy the buzz of having to sort problem after problem. Unusually these days I stopped off for a pint after work as I felt I needed and deserved one. My day started to look up when Hannah the barmaid in the Marlborough reckoned I was only 37. I think she was only being kind as I have just lent her my copy of Kerouac's "On the road". It's bitterly cold tonight and I was glad to eventually get home and close the door behind and shut out the rest of the world. I put the heating on, go through my usual routine of a bit of exercise and a glass of fruit juice. Then into the kitchen and cook my tea, I made it up as I went along really. I made a tomato sauce with yellow pepper, mushrooms, shallots and some herbs I had lying around. A few drops of Tabasco then poached a chicken breast in it and served it with noodles.

I currently have 5 new albums on rotation. Kristin (of course), Deerhoof, The Shins, The Noisettes and the Hedrons. I put K's album on almost immediately, then switch on my computer (lap top). Whilst alternating between the bubbling tomato sauce and my computer I get this warm "I love being here on a cold night" feeling. I have good home made food, a bottle of wine to sip at, some great new music to listen too and the sites I visit nightly on my computer to rattle round. S-K net, K's site, my e-mail, amongst other less important places. I know there are a couple of messages I need to get sent on my myspace site, thanks again Andy. Then I need to do my review post of the Decemberists gig I went to on Monday.
I decided to post this instead (Decemberists review tomorrow , I hope). I just felt that after a hard day at work and a cold journey home I have this little sanctuary called home where I have all I need to occupy my tiny mind.
I'm a simple 37 year old!!
(Oh! don't ask me why the title is in French, I just stated to say it to myself in that way).

The Noisettes/Foals

Life Cafe, Manchester 30/1/07.

Usual routine scarper from work, get train to Manchester, book into hotel, get to gig. The venue was the Life Cafe which is where I saw Metric last year. Not one of my fave places it has to be said though the layout of the place is good they have one of those 6" (non) stage things that I'm not keen on. Anyway an opening act called Mayor McCa came on, a Canadian one man band guy who was, well shambolic. Some people liked him. I think that was more out of sympathy than anything, so I'll pass over it.
Next up were a band called Foals I've heard their name mentioned before and they're on my extensive "to listen too list". A five piece band who play, hmm difficult to categorize er think, say Gang of Four go fusion!! ?? Anyway they play fast jumpy staccato rock. I quite enjoyed them and I'll look out for anything they put out. Oh! one thing, I liked the way they set up, again a band that played side-on. One guitarist played most of the set with his back to the audience.















The Noisettes came up next a 3 piece from London who I've been tracking for a while. They have released an EP and a couple of singles that I, err! acquired online shall we say. They have a basic heavy rock duo in the drummer, who's excellent and lead guitarist but have a twist in the singer/bass player/guitarist. She is Shingai Soniwa who is an excellent front woman who is very lively onstage.

She makes them different to other bands of the same ilk. She has great energy different vocal styles and a good screech when required. She patrols the "stage" in bare feet too.
Another point here is that she carries 6 different guitars and plays them all. She switches between bass and guitar depending on the song. Her roadies set list had listed which instrument she was to play for each song. With the venue being so small he was next to me at the front tuning her guitar for the next song, then lent over and handed it to her between songs. I think she only played the same guitar for two songs in a row about twice. She had 2 bass, 2 six string and a twelve string that she played once and an accoustic, again played once.

In all though they were an excellent band and probably the best "new" band I've seen for a long while. If anyone gets the chance to see them live do so. Their album comes out on Monday (5/2/07). I've just read a review in Mojo which gives it a half page glowing review which is so unusual for Mojo for a new band.
I grabbed Shingais set list at the end, not the roadies one but her personal one, he!!