The Indelicates

Telfords Whorehouse, Chester, 25/10/07.

This was an interesting one. A band I've been tracking (starting not to like that word, but you know what I mean) for a while are suddenly playing a show in Chester.

Their "my space" doesn't say where they are from but most of their gigs are in and around London. I assume they are from the south east area, but why 1 gig in Chester? it doesn't figure. I think they may have a local connection, from here, moved down south to Uni or vice versa.

It was a free/charity gig run by Oxjam an offshoot of Oxfam. There were 6 artists performing all of them local except The Indelicates.

The first three artists played in the main bar, all acoustic. It was pointless watching them as the noise from people talking etc made it impossible to hear. I moved myself to the lower level. This where the three "main" bands would play.

First up was a solo acoustic guy!! who's name I didn't catch. He was ok though, quite a good wordsmith. Main problem here was even though there were only 30 ish people watching there was a couple stood in the middle of the floor constantly chatting. It didn't help that the girl had one of those high pitched scouse accents that just grates on the ears. They were really annoying. I really wanted to tell them to shut up. If they wanted to talk go up to the main bar and be noisy there, you pair of *******.

Anyhow the Indelicates stepped up a 5 piece, standard format. I've only heard their "my space" songs so a full set from them would be interesting. I had a fear they may be a little too "poppy" though.

The lead singer Simon was having a few probs with his guitar but managed to get through the first couple of songs. They came over really well, a more rocky version of Los Campesinos as a point of ref. Simon and the keyboardist interacted during a couple of songs. The bass player was good too she was really into it and played alot with her eyes closed.

I really enjoyed them, they were a nice surprise. I'm gonna keep an eye on them.

Next band up were a basic three piece rhythm & blues pub type band that I didn't stick around to watch.

I was still intrigued as to where the Indelicates were from. I went outside and saw Simon from the band, I went up and introduced myself. I said I enjoyed their set. I then asked where they were from. No surprises on this one, Brighton, the Portland of England. I then asked why the one gig in Chester? "because we were asked" he said, "well go anywhere if were asked". I was really impressed with this and more bands should do this, though I appreciate it's not cost effective. They literally chucked their gear in a van this morning drove up to Chester played for 30 mins and then got ready to drive back to Brighton. To add to that they are going straight into the studio to record tomorrow morning too.

I had a really good chat with Simon about music and we got on well. I was really impressed with his attitude and thanked him for making the journey all the way up to Chester.

Land of Talk

Manchester, Night & Day, 16/10/07.


Was looking forward to catching up with LoT. I think they are my fave little discovery of the year. I saw them in May the night before I flew out to Germany, so I was probably in a good mood then. I was due to see them last week as they were the support for The Decemberists.

The latter cancelled their tour leaving LoT stranded for a week without any shows and a long way from home (Montreal).

I got to the N&D about 8 ish I think. I wasn't sure, as usual, what crowd they would get. The "mini album" doesn't come out here until next week (this week now, I think). I imported it 7 months ago so I knew about them and have been shouting about the album since I got it.

There were not many people in when I got there and I felt immediately it would be a poor attendance. I bought a drink and had a stroll round. I spotted Lizzie from LoT so I went up and had a chat with her. I said it was a shame about the Decemberists cancellations. It was obvious Lizzie was pissed off by them. She told me they only found out online themselves. She said it was her decision to stay on and fulfill their "solo" dates.

The first band on were a 2 piece, two guys sat down one with acoustic guitar the other an electric bass. Point of ref would be Turin Brakes ish. I liked them, I'm a TB fan anyway but yeah the "Sensorites" they were called, good start.

Next up were "Serpentine Pad" an interesting bunch. No drummer (computer generated) three guitars two lead one bass. They play punky 2 minute songs, say early Sonic Youth compressed!!. I liked them at first then after 4/5 songs they all started to sound "samey". They weren't bad but got monotonous after a while.

LoT came on soon after. They set up different than last time, Lizzie on the left and Blake on the right. They opened with "Street Wheels" which was a strange choice as it's the slowest song on the record. Again Lizzie was "bobbing" up and down, she has an interesting way of playing. They played most of the album and three new songs I did not know. The new stuff sounded good though. The album does not come out here till 22/10 and the UK copy has one of the songs they played, Hmmmm!

Again I thoroughly enjoyed them, as they were leaving the stage myself and a girl next to me started shouting fo more. Lizzie looked a little embarrased as the crowd was so small up front (10 - 15?) but they stepped up and played one more.

After they left the stage the girl next to me asked if I would mail her my photos as she had forgotten to bring her camera. I went over to Lizzie after and said I enjoyed the new stuff the first thing she said to me was "I wish more people would come and see us" this took me aback a bit. I started to say something but she put her palm up in a "stop" gesture and said "don't mention the Decemberists". Again I just didn't know what to say, so I just said "shame cuz you would have been heard by a bigger audience though".

I felt really sorry for her and I left feeling down even though I enjoyed the gig immensely. When I took a look at my album I asked her to sign she'd written "Tim thanks for shouting about us".

I admit I had a tear in my eye at this point.

Gift or gimmick?

Radiohead - In Rainbows.

I've been meaning to post something about this for a while. I guess I've kind of missed the boat a little but I'll do it anyway.

Radiohead announced recently that their new album would be released online as a download, nothing new. The trick here was that fans, or anyone for that matter could choose the price they wished to pay for it. This was taken as ground breaking, fan friendly and a middle finger up to the record industry.

Don't worry y'all I'm not going to fly off on one of my Kristin Hersh rants. Though we all know K did this 2 1/2 years back and asked for no money whatsoever, just a "tip jar" if you wished to contribute. Ok 'nuff said on that.

To the album itself, some purists are complaining about the quality!! they need to get a life, it's fine. In fairness too the download was quick simple and without any hitches. Even for me.

The point here is Radiohead are band that can afford to do this. The vast majority of people will pay a fair price £5 - £10 (I paid £5). With them cutting out the middleman so to speak the revenue they get will be the same as any release. They also made available a full vinyl copy with loads of extra stuff etc etc, for £40. Hardcore fans would have chosen this option obviously.

So is this a gift or a gimmick?

In the cold light of day after the dust has settled, it's neither.

Los Campesinos! / YSPWSD / Sky Larkin.

Manchester, Night & Day, 13/10/07.

I was looking forward to this show. Three bands, one I've been tracking for a while (Sky Larkin) another one of my fave live bands (YSPWSD) the last a band I haven't made my mind up on yet (Los Campesino!).

I got to the N&D about 7:30 and there was a little queue outside, they soon opened the doors though. I went in bought a drink and had a wander round. Next thing a guy walks up to me and says hi!. It was Steve a chap I talked to briefly at the We Start Fires gig in Wrexham the other week. We chatted until SkyLarkin took the stage.


Sky Larkin are a three piece from Leeds who I've been keeping an eye on for a while. They're led by singer/guitarist Katie. I enjoyed them difficult though not knowing too much of the material. I'll continue to keep an eye on them though.
You Say Party We Say Die are one of my favourite live bands. I've seen them loads of times now and they never fail to entertain. Becky is so energetic and watchable.

Again they were great fun Steve and myself had moved up to the very front of the stage. Becky spent a lot of the time on the boxes at the front. At one point she was dancing almost on top of me. She also jumped into the audience too. They only played a very short set though which was a shame. But they were great as usual.

The last band up were Los Campesinos!. I wasn't sure about these I have their 6 song EP and there are a few good songs on there but still was not sure if I liked them.
Their cause was helped greatly when the lead singer came on stage wearing this --

They are a 7 piece band from Cardiff who play upbeat angular pop tunes with a quirky nature. It has to said they were really good live and got the crowd going well. Being a 7 piece the stage was fairly crowded. S-K shirt guy had to do a Becky at times and sing almost in the crowd.

Fair play to them they converted me, I'm really enjoying their EP now. They play a Pavement cover too called "frontwards" which was good.

I'll probably put this down as one of the most enjoyable gigs this year. It was a really good night three entertaining bands. Nice to meet Steve again.

At the end Steve and I went up to the merch stall and had a really good chat with Becky.

And a photie, Becky looking lovely and me awful as usual : (

Blood Red Shoes.

Liverpool, Barfly, 7/10/07.

Again I'm going to keep the text brief. I got some good pics of BRS this night, I only took a few too, because they were superb and I rocked my ass of most of the gig.
BRS are my second fave (current) band a duo from Brighton (the Portland of the UK it seems?) they're noisy, sometimes erratic but somehow structured. Laura-Mary and Steven are an "item" I believe and this shows as they are so comfortable together onstage and love playing "at" each other. Again I got talking to Sakura (photo girl) as she was there in her role as official photographer. Nice to talk to her again and I gave her an address of a hotel in Manchester to use when she's up there working. I think this is about the 4th time I've seen BRS and they just get better and better. First time I saw them in the N&D there was only myself and another couple up front watching. This night it was fairly packed up front. For a band yet to release an album their reputation is gaining a good momentum, due to the fact that they're good live. Ok and Laura-Mary's cute!!

At one point Laura-Mary jumped to the front on the step of the barrier they have at the Barfly. This shows a new confidence they have as I've not known her to move far from her mic or Stevens drum kit. An unexpected surprise, but a great one.

As I said this is the best I've seen BRS. They are gaining confidence in their ability and taking to their audience more. They have come on heaps in the 18 months since the first time I saw them.

They have just finished recording their debut album which will be out early next year. I feel that will be a top 5 one already.

Pram / Ill Ease

Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, 5/10/07.

Going to keep the text short here as I'm getting predictable and boring.

Ill Ease -

A one woman band from New York who I've been wanting to see for a while. She plays guitar and drums. She plays her guitar riff and loops it then plays her drum beats to it. I really enjoyed her though she only played a short set. I did recognise most of the material though mainly from "All systems a go go" and "Exorcist" her previous two albums.

Pram -

Pram are a strange band. They are from the midlands and are very low key. The best point of ref on them would be a cross between Portishead and early Floyd!. They play almost in total darkness and use background visuals (very early Floyd). A six piece band who make good use of some brass instruments too. Really glad I made the effort to see them as they don't play big tours and are difficult to pin down.

In all a great night. I had a chat with Ill Ease after and asked her which she prefered playing drums or guitar. She thought for a sec and said "drums, always been my first love". I got to sign my cd, and we had a nice chat for a few minutes. The people from Pram just seemed to melt away into the ether, typical.

We Start Fires plus (We are) Performance.

Central Station, Wrexham, 4/10/07.

Having left my hotel in Lisbon at 4:30 am, via Amsterdam, Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Chester I get to Wrexham at about 5:20 pm. I wanted to catch WSF as they were doing a signing in HMV at 5 pm. I got to HMV just before half past to told I missed them by 5 mins. Bit of a bugger after 13 hours travel. I got the bus back to Ruth's to drop my bag off have a coffee and then set off back to town, I wasn't sure whether doors were 7:30 or 8. No sign of any activity at 7:30 so I popped up the road to the Horse & Jockey for a quick pint. When I came back at 8 there was a queue of about 20 people and they opened the doors almost as I got there. I've never been to Central Station before so I was curious to see what this venue was like, it was never there when I was growing up in Wrexham.
It's not too bad a little venue really. Only one of those foot high stages though.
First band on were a local band called the Rigby's who were in my opinion not anything interesting, pass.
Next up were (We Are) Performance (pictured) a band I've been meaning to check out. As with everything in my life I'm behind schedule. A five piece who had a really good stage presence. Their sound was good too, they were solid, tight but loose enough to make you take notice. Well I know what I mean. I must check out more of their stuff. Hot lady guitarist too, though not my type.

I moved over to Carries side for WSF, don't ask me why, I just did. WSF are a four piece from Darlington. Erm! yes Darlington, the only band ever to come from there, I think!!
Three girls up front and a guy on drums. They play fairly straight forward punky rock tunes. I wasn't sure at first as they seemed to start off hesitant. After about 3/4 songs they seemed to get going. Due to the fact that most of the spotty oiks who had deserted the front of the stage after their "mates" the Rigby's had finished saw a couple of girls with guitars and started to take an interest. Anyway once they seemed to get into their stride they were ok. I won't rush out to their next gig if the truth be known, but I can't say I didn't enjoy them either.

I bought their CD from them later and told them the sorry story of my 13 hour travel to catch them at HMV and missing them by 5 mins. This brought a wave of sympathy from Becky (guitar) and Nikki (bass).

Stroke me I'm a Muppet.