Vile Vile Creatures (again)

Vile Vile Creatures, Levenshulme 28/7/07.

Having done my research as to where the place was and train times etc I got up to Manchester at 7pm. I had to go to the Crown & Anchor first to dump my stuff. I then got the train back out to Levenshulme. I got to the Klondyke at about 8:20 ish just as the Creatures were final sound checking. The place had most of the usual VVC crowd in there so I said my hi's to a few people. I went through into the bar and bought a drink. I came back through and Jen came over to say hi, and that they would be on shortly.
They started fairly soon with Sian sporting her S-K shirt. They were on good form again, and Jen had plenty of room to run around. I was noticeable they had been practising as they seemed much tighter than the last couple of times. A new song was played and shame on me I can't remember its title now. It sounded great though and to me had a Yeah Yeah Yeahs feel to it.
The only problem was the sound was not that good, but I'll forgive them that as the place was not a proper venue so to speak.

They ended with FF with Jen having some problems with the batteries in her megaphone, but they sorted it. Jen said latter that they had been putting in a lot of practice to get ready for their shows in Berlin and London. I told her that they even tighter than normal.

At about 10:30 ish I told them I was going to head back into town to get something to eat. They said they were going in latter and we should met up so I gave David my phone to put his no in. If I wasn't too tired I said I'll give them a ring and meet for drink. After I went back into town and had a quick bite to eat it was only about midnight so I took my phone out to ring 'em. No number! David had forgotten to press "save" after entering his no, Doh!!

Marnie Stern

Star & Garter, Manchester, 18/7/07.

Got back to Manchester in plenty of time to have a quick wander round Piccadilly records (didn't buy anything) and go and get something to eat.

As usual I went to check the venue at about 7pm, there was a guy stood outside who I got chatting to. He said they would be letting people upstairs at about 7:30 ish. He also said that they had sold more advance tickets for this show than any before. With it still being early I nipped to a good pub I know up the road from Piccadilly.

Got back to the S & G at about 7:50 and went in. The venue is an upstairs room which isn't bad but till they let you upstairs you have to have a drink in the bar. As mentioned before the S & G is a real basic "ale 'ouse" the people who drink here have miss-spelt tattoos and bent noses. They eventually let people up at about 8:30. I went up bought a drink at the bar and took up residence Carries side (unusually) I'd done my research and I knew Marnie set up stage left (jeez I'm a sad case!). One of the support acts, Lonelady, who I really like and have been keeping an eye on for a while, sent me a message saying she had to pull out at the last minute. She was stuck in Cardiff with transport trouble unfortunately. Shame I was looking forward to catching up with her. I spotted Marnie at the back of the venue at her merch table. I asked a guy who had also secured a place at the front of the stage to look after my beer while I went to say hi and see if there was anything worth buying. I said hi to Marnie and got her to sign my Cd sleeve (yes I took it with me) and told her I loved the album. She's a cute little thing with lovely blue eyes, but she has a quirky nature about her somehow.

Two support acts played not worth mentioning except the second band called Kong who wore masks and the bass player stripped down to his y-fronts. They tried to play an intimidation type rock that just came over as comical to be honest, or were they trying to be comical? who cares.

When it was time for Marnie to come on the place had filled quite well, actually the most people I've seen at the S & G. Marnie plays with another guitarist and a drummer, no bass player. Her set comprised of course of all the album (almost I think) and one song I didn't recognise. She certainly is a virtuoso guitarist and fascinating to watch. Her voice too didn't come over as squeaky as I thought it might. I'll also give a shout here to the secondary guitarist who too was an excellent musician. It was about half way through the set I noticed. All eyes are on Marnie of course but the other guy was also a very good guitar player, also the drummer held them together well. In all another good show. I left not long after she finished and went down stairs and out only to find Marnie sat on the floor outside getting some air, I said my "goodbye" and "enjoyed the show" etc and walked off into the er! nearest bar, oops!

A big day in the north

Levenshulme, Bolton, Manchester. 18/7/07.


With being off work this Wed and going to see Marnie Stern in Manchester, I decided to spend the day doing some research. I wanted to check Levenshulme (a Manchester suburb) to see whether it was possible to get to and get from the Vile Vile Creatures gig a week Saturday. I also wanted to check out a pub in Bolton where a band I've been listening too is playing this Saturday, The Ettes. They are playing two dates in London and this pub in Bolton, this was rattling my curiosity. Again I wanted to see whether it was possible to get there on Sat after work and if there was anywhere to stay.
With staying in Manchester the night I had to take my work clothes etc to work, save carrying them round all day. So up fairly early, deliver my stuff to work then on to the station to get the 9:19 train to Crewe then a connection to Levenshulme. Jeez Levenshulme is a s**it hole, the place the Creatures are playing is a sports/social club up the road from the station (it took me ages to find though). Ok there's nowhere to stay round here, so can I get out after the the gig? Last train 23:54, also buses run fairly regularly up till 1 am with it being a Saturday. This is logistically possible then, my main problem now can I get to work on the Sunday morning ?

With this information gathered, I get the next train to Manchester Piccadilly. I now get a return ticket to Bolton, I have to get the Blackpool train which leaves from platform 14 (same as the Chester/North Wales route). From this platform you can see the Star & Garter pub where I'm going to see Marnie Stern tonight.

I get to Bolton about 12:30 ish, I have a rough idea where the Dog &Partridge is so I walk up to the center of town. Whilst walking I keep an eye for anywhere to stay for a night. This is Bolton the possibility of there being a hotel/ guest house in the center is remote. I keep a look out anyway. I get to where I think the place is but no sign, I then spot a lovely looking old pub called "Ye Olde Wench & Trinkets" I can't pass the opportunity of not popping in there for a pint. I need to ask where the "Dog" is anyway!!
Ye Olde Wench was a tremendous old pub, stone floors, some interesting side rooms and just not messed around with as too many old pubs have been these days. I ask the barmaid where the "Dog" is she tells me it's just up the road, she knows because they go there after work at the weekend. I have a brief chat with her and decide to go and check the place out.

The Dog & Partridge 1:15 ish Wed afternoon, closed!! Ok, I'll take a closer look, there's a poster in the window and yep top right as billed The Ettes. Why are they playing just two London shows and this pub in Bolton??

Who knows, anyway looks like it's on. My problem now is can I find anywhere to stay. I nip into another pub up the road and ask if there is anywhere to stay in the town center. No is the reply, there's a Travelodge by the station and a hotel just up the road and some B&B's out of town. I decide to check out the hotel. I find it ok and ask about a rate for this Sat, £45 for a single room.

I'll have to have a think about this one, again logistically it's possible but I'm not sure whether I'll make the trip this sat.

I think I will make the effort to see the Creatures as it's their last gig before they set out into the big wide world with gigs in Berlin and London.

I head back to the station and get the next train back to Piccadilly. I get back, book into my hotel and look forward to the Marnie Stern gig.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Academy, Liverpool 11/7/07.

Normal shenanigans, darted from work got the 5:15 train got to Liverpool at 6. I anticipated this would be a well attended show so I went straight to check the venue after getting to Lime St. There were a few people outside when I got there but they were all staff who had come outside for a smoke. I decided to pop to a pub I know round the corner, and had a quick pint and a ham salad roll (mmm lovely!!). I hadn't booked to stay overnight as I thought I could get the last train home (11:28). To cover myself I'd arranged with Nathan (my nephew), to crash at his place if I had a problem.

I got back to the Academy at 6:30, again there were a few people hanging around outside. I went up and parked up against the wall at the entrance. There were three girls stood there chatting away and it was obvious they were hardcore fans. They asked me about the venue and just general stuff really. They were hardcore, they asked if I was registered on the BRMC site etc. They seemed to shy away when I said I wasn't a registered fan. This amused me somewhat, they were pleasant though and not your archetypal "rock chick" I'd expected (hope that doesn't sound sexist, but you know what I mean).

At 7 there was a crowd of about 30 ish fans waiting, the doors opened, on time. I went in following said girls. when we got to the stage the girls split up two went well stage right and one center right. I followed to center right. The reason I'm not keen on the Academy in Liverpool is the barrier they have set approx 4' from the stage. It comes to chest height on me. I did think here this could get a bit lively and I could get crushed a bit. Aw well, I've been here before, give as good as you get I thought.

The support band came on and I missed their name I had to ask "hardcore girl" next to me who they were. It was the Black Angels, I'd checked these out some time ago. Not struck by them personally, they're a Texas band who play a form of folk rock with a southern tinge. Live they weren't bad though but I won't be running to buy their stuff.

By the time they had finished the place was full and tightly packed in. I was ok up against the barrier as there was still room for a bit of manoeuvre.

BRMC came on and opened with "Took out a loan" the opening track of the new album. They sounded superb, the sound was crisp an loud. The way the lighting was set up for them made it difficult for me to get good shots. I was too busy rockin' my ass off anyway. The early part of the set they played mostly new stuff it was when they played "weapon of choice" that the place erupted. I was really rammed up against the barrier, awkward chest height too. I asked hardcore girl to my left if she was ok, silly really she was obviously a veteran of BRMC shows. It calmed down a bit after that as they played some of their more broody material. Robert and Peter occasionally swapped sides, they had another guitarist who came on and played on the occasional song too. They finished the set with "American X" which I swear lasted 15 mins, absolutely rocked the place though. At the end they left the stage, except Peter. He picked up an acoustic guitar and played a couple of songs off the previous album. Then the rest came out again and said they were told they had 15 more mins left. They then played stuff off the first album which went down great.

In all an excellent live band, they sounded good and had a charisma about them. Yeah it was a lively show but then I expected that, so it didn't ruin it. I did manage to make the last train too.

Half term report.

So here we are 6 months into 2007, jeez it's going quick.
Where to start?

Ok fave albums of the year so far in no order :-
Actually I'm going to divide these into new (to me) artists and established (to me) artists.

NEW

The Ponys - Turn out the lights.
The Hedrons - One more wont kill me.
Land of talk - Applause cheers boo hiss.
Marnie Stern - In advance of the broken arm.
Love of Diagrams - Mosaic.
Grinderman - Grinderman.
Jets Overhead - Bridges.
Sailplanes - A second or ten years latter.

ESTABLISHED.

Kristin Hersh - Learn to sing like a star.
Laura Veirs - Saltbreakers.
Mary Timony - The shapes we make.
Deerhoof - Friend opportunity.
Modest Mouse - We were dead before the ship even sank.
Ted Leo - Living with the living.
Blonde Redhead - 23.
BRMC - Baby 81
Help she can't swim - The death of nightlife.
Electrelane - No shouts no calls.
You say party we say die - Lose all time.

There have also been some other great buys, but I can't list them because they were not released this year, it's my rule.
Bitch Alert, Figurines, Wet Confetti, Lonelady, Ill Ease, The Ettes, all good stuff.
I thought I was down on purchases this year but if I buy as many for the next 6 months as I have up till now I'll come out average for the last several years.

GIGS.
Been pretty good up till now. For the first 4/5 months I was doing about 1 a week. It's slowed down now as it is festival season and there isn't much about I find. Anyhow beyond that the future looks good.

So my fave shows of the year, again not in order.

Kristin, 3 nights in a row - awesome.
Silversun Pickups - N&D. (best live band I've seen in ages)
Decemberists - Academy (just great fun)
The Veg club - N&D (Love the way they're different every time)
Land of Talk - N&D (great musicians, and good to watch)
YSPWSD - N&D (Always a great band live, Becky's so entertaining)
Deerhoof - Barfly (didn't realise they'd be so minimalistic, great though)
Ponys - Late Rooms(Shame I was the only person stood watching, again musicianship excellent)
Joan - Club Academy (A good night, J was really relaxed)
BRS - N&D (They make such a great noise for 2 innocent faces)
Laura Veirs - Academy (Plugged in she is superb, her band were on form this night)

One thing I must mention is the amount of cancelled shows. For some reason I've had 7 cancel on me so far this year, it used to be about 1 in 10 now it's 1 in 4, strange.
So there you go a brief review of the first 6 months.

A note from Kristin.

About four or five weeks ago, or whatever. Kristin Hersh was touring her album round the States. After playing in the UK and Europe to pretty full venues, certainly the three shows I attended were. Reports were that some of the shows were not as well attended as they should have been. It seems strange to me that she would struggle to fill venues in her homeland, anyway that's not the point here.

Whilst driving through northern Idaho their tour bus broke down in the middle of nowhere. They had to pay for repairs, towing, had to rent other vehicles and transfer their gear. They had to cancel the Minneapolis show and incurred costs for extra accommodation and flights. Another nightmare for Kristin who only a couple of years ago lost her home and most possessions in New Orleans courtesy of Katrina.

Whilst describing their plight on the TMO board, an unusually demure Billy used the phrase "we are destitute". People on the board took it upon themselves to send them money via the "tip jar" they set up for the "Free Music" project a couple of years ago. I duly sent a donation via Paypal. I genuinely believed Kristin needed her fans help here.

I later received a thank you from TMO. They got through the rest of the tour, out of pocket and out of breath.

Tonight in my Inbox I have received a personal thank you from Kristin herself. It isn't an automated mail but sent by Kristin. She must have spent the last 2 months replying to all the TMO ers who donated. She ends her mail saying if there is anything I can do for you let me know.

Just continue making music Kristin, be it 50ft Wave, Throwing Muses or as a solo artist.

Thank you.

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

Ted Leo. Cockpit - Leeds 1/7/07.