Poppy & The Jezebeles

Central Station, Wrexham. 20/8/08.


I've been wanting to see these since I bought their mini album last year. Poppy are four young girls from the Midlands who play light piano driven pop songs with a monotone vocal.

With this gig being in Wrexham I'd arranged to stay with my sister Ruth which is really handy.

I got to Wrexham in plenty of time to drop my stuff of have a coffee and get into town. Did my usual ritual of pre checking the venue. The main band tonight were the Death Set so I was not sure what sort of crowd would be there. It was a Wednesday night and there was a football match going on in town too.
Come time for doors there were two young girls stood outside and myself. We went in and the show for this one was in the upstairs bar as opposed to the main stage.
It wasn't a big crowd probably only about 20 - 30 people. First band on were 'Mother of Six' a local Wrexham band who Sean had mentioned to me a while back. They weren't bad musically but I wasn't keen on the singer.

Poppy came up next. I really liked their EP last year and especially 'lips of Cleopatra' which has such an infectious piano riff in it.
Lead singer is Molly who sings a monotone style which suits their style very well. They opened with their new single UFO, which wasn't on the album. The set was all new material so I didn't recognise any of. All sounding good and they are interesting to watch. They did finish on 'Lips' though which was super.
With all the new material in the bank I hope they can get a full album out soon.

Those Dancing Days/Answering Machine/The Bangs.

Roadhouse, Manchester, 9/8/08.

After seeing DBT the night before and being off work this Saturday I decided to stay in Manchester for the day. There were a trio of bands playing in the Roadhouse. I phoned the venue to see if I could pay on the door, which I could. The only problem was that I'd have to shoot out before the end to get the last train home.

Got to the Roadhouse in good time and paid on the door £9, not too bad really three pound per band I suppose.
First band were a three piece from Manchester called The Bangs. Their led by two young ladies on guitar and bass. They play a grungy style which was ok. To my surprise after a couple of songs they switched guitars, the girls handed the other one her guitar and they swapped sides. After another couple of tunes they swapped again, interesting.

Next band were another Manchester band called The Answering Machine, I've heard the name about but haven't checked them out. A four piece standard issue. They play a jangly pop/rock, not a new sound but they were quite good though.

Those Dancing Days are a 5 piece all female pop band from Stockholm. There's quite a buzz surrounding this lot at the moment. I suppose it's the 'all female' 'Swedish' 'pop' that has made people take notice or is that just the cynic in me?

They came on after an introduction from the guy who runs the Roadhouse. There was a good packed crowd too and an expectant atmosphere. I don't know much of their material only the single that has been played a fair bit on R6. They seemed a bit disjointed at first but after a song or two got into their stride. The single 'Hitten' went down very well and seemed to uplift them a bit. The lead singer danced away swinging her arms in a windmill/swimming action which was kooky. The main characters in the band seemed to be the guitarist and the keyboard player. Guitarist Rebecka (ok I checked the name on myspace) played with a huge grin on her face most of the time. She also had the set list written on the back of her hand in pen. Whilst the keyboard player was the crowd motivator.

I'm not totally convinced but they are a young band finding their feet. Entertaining I suppose but they seemed to go down well with the fairly young audience.

Drive By Truckers

Manchester Academy 2. 8/8/08.


In truth DBT are not particularly my thing but I thought I'd go see them as I quite like their latest album. They do have a good live rep though. They are a six piece southern American rock band the main focus though is on the 2 main guitarists and the bass player.

The support act was an Aussie singer songwriter who wasn't bad in truth. He ended his set by saying "enjoy DBT and boy can these guys drink".

DBT came on with two of them carrying bottles of JD. One of them being the only female member the bassist a Ms Tucker as it happens!!
They launched into the set song after song. They barely broke between tunes and played a very big set.

The guitarist I was in front of was an excellent musician too, ok he had all the posses, southern American rock style!. Could back it up though. I did like Ms Tucker as well, Ah! flashback!! :[] she had an interesting bass style. Yes they did drink their way through the bottles of Jack announcing "excuse us we haven't had a drink since soundcheck" a bit cliched but...
A band that is good to watch in fairness. I can't say anything bad about them really. Their sound was good and loud but pitched correctly so was just right. Good musicians, rattled through a long set, so a value factor. Just the fact that southern rock isn't for me, if you like this type of band then yeah go see 'em. For me though, nah!

Question here is if this isn't my type of thing then why did I go and see them? Well when I booked the gig there was tumbleweed drifting down gig street so it was the only band around to see that I could actually make it too.

So here's the thing...........

..............you know the way conversations in the pub go, by the end you haven't solved anything and are faced with broader more difficult question.

During a discussion regarding the Mercury music prize the other night some bright spark comes out with :-

"Ok then name the best 5 albums for each decade, starting with the 60's"

This of course sparked everybodys imagination. We stood silent for a while then a tirade of album titles littered the air. All the obvious were thrown out at first, the Beatles , Stones, Dylan, Hendrix, Velvets etc etc. Then the thought of "but I love that album by the Stooges, Zappa, Scott Walker" etc etc.

This patten carried on through the discussed decades, though often revisited they were. Each decade followed the same pattern an immediate first three of the top of the head, then a think, and a shout for the other two, then a change of mind then a sheesh! what about...

It all came down to is 'Revolver' better than 'Rubber Soul'? (no one mentioned Pepper btw their worst album in my seemingly controversial opinion!!) Is 'Freeweelin' better than 'Blond'? is 'Experienced' better than 'Ladyland'? is 'Trout Mask' better than 'Hot Rats' ?

This got so into the psyche of all present that even after the night was finished I got a phone call at 01:20 am from my mate Tim saying "I've decided to drop 'Horses' in favour of 'Radio Ethiopia'. Thanks mate just what I needed to know at that time of the morning.

So here is my present draft-

60's

Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefart.
To this day still sounds fresh and different.

Are you Experienced - Jimi Hendrix.
I defy anyone!!

The Stooges - The Stooges.
An album that took the 60's into the 70's, if that makes sense.

Here are the Sonics - The Sonics.
So far ahead of it's time.

Revolver - The Beatles.
Of course it's better than Pepper.

The 70's was a difficult one to nail, is 'Zep 4' better than 'Graffiti'? 'Horses' or 'Ethiopia'? (thanks Tim!) 'London Calling' or 'Clash'? 'What's going on' or 'Songs in the Key?'

70's

The Clash - The Clash
The definitive and best punk album no debate! In '77 most of the major 'rock giants' were between albums. I think Floyd were the only ones of that ilk to release (Animals). When 'The Clash' landed it was just Whoa!! WTF? it just sent everything else out the window.

Tapestry - Carol King.
Yes this still makes me cry Natalie. Possibly the greatest singer/songwriter album. I grew up with this and have never tired of it. It just seems to have been there all my life.

Metal Box - Public Image Ltd.
So far ahead of it's time. Pil were never received that well for some reason. I'll admit my original cynical opinion was to dismiss them. This their second album changed my mind, Lydon was trying to be different from his past and push new directions. Listen to this today and it stands head and shoulders, in terms of longevity, of anything Lydon has done. This is just my personal opinion.

Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin.
This was the first album, in '75, when I was 14 that just woke me up to the real power of music. This just smacked me in the face and said this how powerful and moving rock 'n' roll can be.

Talking Heads - Talking Heads.
With punk at it's height this was just the great alternative. It sounded fresh and vibrant at the time. There are alot of different influences in there

The 80's was a tough decade for me, married then skint etc etc. I probably bought less here than any time in my life. Have caught up well since though.

80's

Throwing Muses - Throwing Muses.
TM's first and it set the blueprint for them. K wrote this when she was 16, so full of hurt and psychoanalysis = genius. At times it's not an easy listen but but you know there is a lot special in there.

Surfa Rosa - The Pixies
Ok from the same stable as above (4AD) Again though you are aware of it's special quality.
Their freshest moment imo. This set a blueprint to what was to follow, a real landmark piece.


The Queen is dead - The Smiths
If any album saved the decade this is it. This just contains a band at their peak imo. Somehow it changed a 'thinking' Ok, I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here, It's just a bloody good album.

In My Tribe - 10,000 Maniacs.
Can't remember how I came across the Maniacs, I think it may have been Peel. I just remember falling totally for Natalie Merchants voice. Again when things were raging around it this just stood out and made you take notice of how great music can be simple yet complex.


When in Rome , Kll me - Cud
Again I think a band I was introduced to by Sir John. What do you say about this? it was almost a concept album when the word was revilled. I may be wrong on that but what the hell. An album that doesn't have a dull or poor moment in it.


The 90's selection was one of the easiest for some reason. My final draft is almost identical to the first shout. Though I'm still struggling on 'Dead Bees' or 'Grace'.

90's

Red Heaven - Throwing Muses
K's guitar playing on this is just awesome. The opening, 'Kashmir' inspired???, 'Furious' just so makes you take notice of K's competence and how comfortable she was playing such a piece. It also contains 'Pearl' just freakin' awesome. Also 'Rosetta Stone' and 'Carnival Wig' 'nuff said.

Dry - PJ Harvey.
This just grabbed me straight away. It's abrasive, angry, at first not coherent. You then realize what a great work it is. It seemed so different to everything around it at the time.


Cure for pain - Morphine.
This was just a different take on how to present short simple songs. Played with just fretless bass, drums and tenor sax. It was just such a refreshing different sound. A great album. Lead singer Mark Sandman died tragically on stage in Italy some years later, such a loss.

Dead Bees on a Cake - David Sylvian.
I've always loved his voice, this is just a beautiful piece. I was always more a Japan fan as opposed to Duran, they seemed to be compared in those days. Sylvian's solo work can be hard work but this album is a masterpiece, again imo.

Dig Me Out - Sleater-Kinney.
Yeah ok, but quite possibly my fave album of all time. I can't eulogize enough. Opening title track through to 'Dance song 97' and 'Jenny' WOW!! The cover art a replica of a Kinks album and the great photo of the ladies on the back with Corin with her arms stretched high. What's that all about? I need not go on any more. xxx

As with the 90's the 0's I nailed fairly quickly.

00's

Sunny Border Blue - Kristin Hersh.
To my mind her finest solo piece, to date!!. Many people will argue 'Hips' but to me this just shows K's versatility as a guitarist and a songwriter. From the opening what seems a self analytical 'Your Dirty Answer' some great lines "your guitar's a race car, sex is your best friend" and "it's not my fault you don't love me when I'm drunk" It ends on probably my fave K solo song "Listerine" "how'd I trust a band who'd leave me one by one". Are you listening Tanya?


Year of Meteors - Laura Veirs.
Only one word for this 'beautiful'. Tucker Martine's 'soft' production on the rhythm section just lifts this so far above the norm. Allied with Laura's songwriting, excellent guitar work and lovely vocal, such a gorgeous piece.


Golden Ocean - 50 Foot Wave.
K's side project just rocks so much. How she found time to put together a new band, write new material and record a side project in the same 18 months as reforming Muses. Releasing a solo album (Grotto) and having a new born along the way. This lady is not human.


The Victorian English Gentlemans Club - S/T.
Eccentricity at its best. I just love this bunch they are not the greatest musicians in the world though they get better each time I see them. Em's is a very good drummer though. As an album it's one of those 'what the .....' then you just end up loving it.


The Woods - Sleater-Kinney.
Where to start here?
This just blows you away from the first chord to the last. The ladies changed labels and producer and listened to a lot of Led Zep. The result a modern rock classic. I've always been of the opinion that the running order of an album is vital to it's quality. Here it is never been more relevant, from the opening distorted microsecond of 'The Fox' they build it up, then the albums 'ballad' is set centrally to move on again to the 11 minute opus of 'Let's call it love' and take to it's conclusion with 'Night Light'. The running order is perfect.
I'm sure too that when they were recording this they knew it was their last album. You get the impression that they are saying this is how good we are. They walk out of the studio kick you in the stomach and say goodbye. It's a statement that's for sure.

So there you go, I'll have changed my mind in a minute or so though.

Back to the Mercury, though Burial is favourite I don't think it will win (Klaxons last year). I have a sneaky feeling for Elbow or BSP. Radiohead probably deserve it as they are one of the best bands around and at the peak of their powers, so they won't win it. My opinion for what it's worth? I'd give it to Rachel Unthank & The Winter Set a lovely little piece interjected with traditional sea shanty's, it's different.