Eeew…feeling, tired, lethargic and with far too much to do. And I seem to have got the ‘flu in May. Hell.
Anyway, inbetween my lethargy, have ofund seven new (to me) sites that I think you should check out:
And for lethargy like this
The Pastels -‘Nothing To Be Done.’ mp3
Teenage Fanclub -‘Nothing To Be Done (Pastels cover).’
See you later…
Apologies for the lack of posts over the last few days, there have been other, non-blog related matters to attend to.
Anyway, here are ten more tracks from John Peel’s Festive Fifty. As my bandwith has been exceeded on two Fileden accounts (glad people are enjoying sampling the music which I hope they will buy, but it would be nice if a few more of you left comments) these are via Mediafire.
Eggs -‘Government Administrator.’ mp3 (1993 Festive Fifty no.10)
New Order -‘Fine Time.’ mp3 (1988 Festive Fifty no.44)
The Flatmates -‘I Could Be In Heaven.’ mp3 (1986 Festive Fifty no.42)
Cocteau Twins -‘Pearly Dewdrops’ Drops.’ mp3 (1984 Festive Fifty no.2)
McCarthy -‘Should the Bible Be Banned?’ mp3 (1988 Festive Fifty no.38)
Sleeper -‘Delicious.’ mp3 (1994 Festive fifty no.20)
Camera Obscura -‘Eighties Fan.’ mp3 (2001 Festive Fifty no.8)
Pastels -‘Truck Train Tractor.’ mp3 (1986 Festive fifty no.23)
Billy Bragg -‘Levi Stubbs’ Tears.’ mp3 (1986 Festive Fifty no.24)
Wedding Present -‘Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft.’ mp3 (1987 Festive Fifty no.3)
Whilst here, I should mention that Teenage Kicks, a John Peel-related blog that is so essential I check it every day has done a couple of excellent posts (as usual but even more essential) relating to the Men That Couldn’t Hang and also folk music from 1977. Yes, 1977 the year of punk. Go check them out here.
The Vaselines
Just a quick post, but felt like posting some classic eighties scottish indie.
From Perhaps, which may be the most underrated scottish record of the eighties.
Associates -‘Breakfast 12″.’ mp3
The Fire Engines were a big influence on many scots bands, perhaps most notably Franz Ferdinand. I will post the split single that both bands did here at some point…
Fire Engines -‘Candyskin.’ mp3
OK so Psychocandy is the definitive scottish record of the eighties, but let’s not forget that there were some fantastic records afterwards too.
Jesus and Mary Chain -‘April Skies.’ mp3
I’ve posted this before, but it had to be part of this post. Just sheer class. Post-punk meets indie. Oh yes, oh yay…
Josef K -‘Sorry For Laughing.’ mp3
Their second single on the legendary Postcard label, and my favourite song of Edwyn Collins’ ultra-cool scottish heroes.
Orange Juice -‘Blue Boy.’ mp3
Later covered by Teenage Fanclub, the Pastels, still going in 2007, are fantastic. I met Stephen Pastel earlier this year, the most down to earth and shy musician I have ever met.
The Pastels -‘Nothing To Be Done.’ mp3
A huge influence on Nirvana, who covered this and two of their other songs, the Vaselines might well be Scotland’s answer to the Velvet Underground.
The Vaselines -‘Son Of A Gun.’ mp3
If you like these tracks, seek ’em out, goddamit!
Gig Review: The Pastels/Electrelane/The Royal We
The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, April 29, 2007
And so…Triptych, the annual Scottish five day event that brings great music from around the world and celebrates the homegrown variety in Scotland’s principal cities draws to a close. A night of three bands at the small but delightful Bongo Club (which has some damn fine programming).
First up, the Royal We, who look almost as young as some of the kids I teach. They seem a little awkward, but they short but sweet set wins me over. their singer is like Siouxsie Sioux’s delightfully demenetd niece, and the band look like the archetypal scots indie twee kids (that’s meant as a compliment. Hey, we’re at the Pastels’ gig). ‘Three is a crowd’ sounds great, Is This Music? have covered them, so let’s hope they are getting more ocverage very soon.
Electrelane have just put out their rather fab no Shouts, No Calls (go, buy it. Now) album – hopefully will post a review here in the next day or so. They are a revelation live. I have never seen them live before but I would drive a long way to see them. They remind me of a more Germanic Stereolab, though the sheer attitude is unbelievable. Not in a riot grrl sense, but the utter subversion of what music sometimes expects of women. I swear I sore the ghost of nico look down from her great opium den in the sky and smile approvingly. I say to Mr. Toad from Song, By Toad that I think if Nico were alive and well in 2007 and she’d be seeking out Electrelane as her backing band. He points out, not unreasonably, that they are doing pretty well without her. And the soon to be Mrs. 17 Seconds is suitably impressed too.
Before Camera Obscura, before Sons and Daughters, Belle and Sebastian – heck, even before my beloved Delgados, there was The Pastels. Legends on the scottish indie scene – in fact, indie legnds full stop, the expectation tonight is high. Unfortunately, much as I want to be blown away by this legendary band, who I love on record, they have horrendous sound problems. They are joined by Japanese band The Tennis Coats, whose contributions add a nice touch that reminds me a bit of Durutti Column, but Stephen Pastel seems like a rabbit caught in the headlights. It’s a measure of how highly The Pastels are regarded that the crowd patiently waits, but his discomfort is obvious. I hoep there’s another time, because I want, so badly, to
love them live as much as I do when I hear their music on their stereo. Another time? Please??
For another, perhaps more positive review of this gig, visit Song, By Toad. See if you can spot the reference to the soon to be Mrs. 17 Seconds…and hear some great stuff by the bands from the last two nights’ worth of gigs.