It is with sadness that 17 Seconds Records will be issuing no more singles by X-Lion Tamer.
This Friday will be Tony T’s last gig as X-Lion Tamer, after which he will be doing something different. He has given the label three excellent singles in ‘Neon Hearts’/’Life Support Machine’; ‘I Said Stop’/Tugboat’ and ‘Hope’/’The Little Drum Machine Boy.’ He also recorded a session for Vic Galloway’s Radio 1 programme.
He will be playing at the Third Door on Lothian St this Friday. Be there!
Like most folk in their mid-thirties, I guess I’ve done some things that make me look back and cringe.
But I’ve also taken chances on things, and look back and think ‘Well, that was a leap into the unknown – but it paid off.’
And one of those was moving to Edinburgh.
Ten years ago, I was really not sure where I was heading. I had spent five years studying full-time, which had awarded me a BA and Masters in Philosophy, and still left feeling that I wanted to do something musically related. A relationship had crashed and burned, leaving me in a state, and wondering what it was all about.
I spent a few weeks in London trying to get a job selling advertising space (why??? I honestly thought in my frazzled state that this would lead me to working for the NME or something similar). Instead I got interviews but no job in this field (thank God) and was filing, once again, for my Mum. So I went up for a week to Edinburgh to see my little brother who was acting and doing comedy in the Festival and studying (t)here.
I fell hook, line and sinker for Edinburgh. I’d visited before and loved it, and couldn’t work out how I could move here. After a few days, I arranged that I would sleep on my brother’s floor for six weeks, try and find and job and a place to live. I briefly returned to England to attend V2001 (so long ago that Muse were headlining the second stage), and grab some clothes. I arrived on August 20, 2001.
I barely knew anyone apart from my brother, and a people I’d met through him. I volunteered at the Edinburgh book festival and within three days was working in a call centre. I thought it would be a stop gap measure for a few weeks; in the end I would end up working there on and off for over two years. But I met some of my greatest friends in Edinburgh there. Amongst those who worked there were Deborah Arnott from Blueflint and Ken McIntosh from Aberfeldy (the latter then playing with his twin in Edinburgh’s greatest lost band, Wayne Paycheck).
And I started to find my feet. I did find somewhere to live – almost directly leading to me meeting my wife. I ended up doing all sorts of jobs from the bizarre (I still can’t believe I ever worked as a door-to door salesman) to the dream come true of finally working in a record shop (or three, if you want to be pedantic).
As the years went by, I trained as a teacher and taught for a few years, as well as doing bits of TEFL. And of course, I sauntered vaguely downwards (with apologies to Terry Pratchett) into the Edinburgh music scene. Whilst I’ve not really got a band together, I’ve had a fair amount of stuff published online, interviewed bands I could only have dreamt about and DJed. And I made many new friends -and against all odds – married and have a wonderful son, and two much adored (if rather indulged) cats. In the last few years I’ve become a Hibee (supporter of Hibernian football club – now who would have thought I’d get into going to the football?) And running my own club night or record label? the sort of thing that people back in England told me I’d never do? Hah!
It’s not all been plain sailing. I’ve lost twelve months in that time to depression, which is one of the most horrible -and still misunderstood illnesses – around. But I’ve got through it, thanks to Edinburgh folk, and most particuarly my wife, brother and parents and close Edinburgh friends (you know who you are).
Against all odds, I gave up smoking and drinking (so much for the ‘sick man of Europe’ tag). I feel very much at home here, even if I bristle about casual anti-English remarks. And this far into my life I’m still ‘yes to vinyl, no to meat.’ A pretty long phase, then.
So God bless all of you who’ve made me welcome. I’ve done some daft things – but this wasn’t one of them.
A sampling of an Edinburgh soundtrack…
Withered Hand -‘Religious Songs.’ mp3
Last Friday’s covers seeemd to go down well, so I thought I’d post some more.
First up, two from The Breeders. ‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’ is taken from their debut album Pod, and originally appeared on The Beatles’ The Beatles (AKA The White Album). The second was by the Who, and appeared on the Breeders’ Safari EP. Some people have wondered if this was in reference to the fact that Kim Deal’s then other band The Pixies were about to call it a day.
The Breeders -‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun (The Beatles cover).’ mp3
The Breeders -‘So Sad About Us (The Who cover).’ mp3
Sticking with a 4AD related act, Belly’s cover of ‘Trust In Me’ appeared on the single of ‘Feed The Tree.’ The song originally appeared in The Jungle Book, and Siouxsie and the Banshees also did a version on their cover versions album Through The Looking Glass.
Belly -‘Trust In Me.’ mp3
A final 4AD track for today; both the Jesus and Mary Chain’s Automatic and the Pixies’ Trompe Le Monde are underrated albums in those bands’ respective and highly respectable back catalogues. ‘Head On’ by the Mary Chain was covered by the Pixies on their final (so far) studio album in 1991:
Pixies -‘Head On (Jesus and Mary Chain cover).’ mp3
Speaking of underrated albums…I still have a soft spot for Neil Young’s underrated 1982 synthesizer opus Trans. So do Sonic Youth, it would appear…
Sonic Youth -‘Computer Age (Neil Young cover).’ mp3
The Cardigans covered a number of Black Sabbath songs in their own style. Here they take on an Ozzy Osbourne solo track:
Cardigans -‘Mr. Crowley (live).’ mp3
Speaking of bands covering bands that seem to be polar opposites…
Shop Assistants -‘Ace Of Spades (Motorhead cover, John Peel session).’ mp3
Dinosaur Jr’s take on the Cure’s ‘Just Like Heaven’ has a very sudden ending; to the extent that for years I was convinced I had only ever heard incomplete versions…Duh!!
Dinosaur Jr -‘Just Like Heaven (The Cure cover).’ mp3
I’ve not posted a lot of Elton John or the Beastie Boys in five years of doing this blog, so why not kill two birds with one stone?
Beastie Boys -‘Benny and the jets (Elton John cover).’ mp3
…and finally, just for good measure:
X-Lion Tamer -‘Starsign (teenage fanclub cover).’ mp3
Well, it’s a busy few weeks ahead of us, and I’ve been interviewed about 17 Seconds Records again. This too will pass, but thank you Peenko!
I’ve mentioned it before but tomorrow night, The Last Battle have the album launch for their debut album Heart Of The Land, Soul Of The Sea. Support comes from Glasgow’s magnificent Burnt Island and Edinburgh’s Matt Norris & The Moon.
And I will be DJing. Tickets are £5 advance, £6 on the door.
Some great reviews coming in already here, here, here and here. The album will be released on October 4.
Sunday will see 17 Seconds Records at Independents’ day at the Barron Theatre in St. Andrew’s, Fife. Chris Bradley and The Last Battle join a bill that also includes Found, Kid Canaveral, Panda Su, Jo Mango, Iona Marshall and Oates Field. We’ll be selling 17 Seconds Records’ er, records, and CDs as well. It’s more than just a little satisfying to see our logo next to that of Chemikal Underground on the posters.
Next week The Last Battle will play the Sufjan Steves’ tribute night at Stereo, with other acts including Endor and Julia and the Doogans…
Meanwhile, on September 24 at the Freshers’ event at Edinburgh’s College of Art, X-Lion Tamer will be playing, with My Tiny Robots and The Machine Room.
Keep the music live folks (as the musician union used to say)!
A good day for 17 Seconds Records.
First of all, the Last Battle have made a Free Live EP available via their bandcamp called ‘A Wee Red tale.’ (17SEC22)
Featuring three live tracks recorded at the single launch for ‘Ruins’ last monht, it really sounds awesome.
Not only that, but X-Lion Tamer‘s single ‘Hope’ is available to download from iTunes as of now (17SEC23). Oh, and Vic Galloway played it on Radio Scotland tonight as one of his ‘Future Scottish Anthems.’ Which was great!
Hope you’re well…I’m tired and really needing to sleeeepppp….zzzzz
…for my last Fresh Air radio show.
It’s been fun, and I’m hoping to make a return to the station come October when they broadcast again.
This week I will have live music from X-Lion Tamer, ‘gone but not forgotten’ is Orange Juice, and there’ll be another cover version of the week. Also a final track from the album of the month by Aberfeldy and my little brother’s going to put in an apperaance as well.
I’ve loved playing a whole host of new(ish) scottish bands and this week will be no exception, including the likes of Ming Ming and the Ching Chings, She’s Hit, and Midas Fall.
White Heath -‘Election Day (Live for 17 Seconds).’ mp3
X-Lion Tamer -‘Starsign (Vic Galloway session).’ mp3
X-Lion Tamer (AKA Tony Taylor) is not a man to let the grass grow between his feet. Since recording a session for Radio 1 in February, he’s supported Zoey Van Goey and played alongside 17 Seconds Records labelmates like Chris Bradley and The Wildhouse, to say nothing of working on amazing new tracks.
The first fruits of these will be released as a download single on August 30 ‘Hope’ coupled with ‘The Little Drum Machine Boy.’ If the latter title sounds familiar, that’s because an earlier version appeared on the Avalanche Records Christmas compilation at the end of last year. And no, it wasn’t anything to do with the title of the song Beck recorded years ago, and it still isn’t now.
There will be more to come from X-Lion Tamer before the end of the year. In the meantime, catch him supporting Deserters Deserve Death on Saturday July 31 at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh.
If you still haven’t heard the Radio 1 session check it out here, courtesy of Peenko.
The first two singles ‘Neon Hearts’ and ‘I Said Stop’ are still available on download from iTunes, eMusic etc.. the physical CD has now pretty well sold out.
You can stream the two new tracks here at 17 Seconds Records’ myspace page.
It’s getting busy here at 17 Seconds Records.
Next Thursday will see the launch of the debut single from The Last Battle ‘Ruins’, which takes place at the Wee Red Bar at Edinburgh College of Art, and features not only the band performing, but a solo set by Neil Pennycook of Meursault (who will be fresh back from Glastonbury), Jonnie Common and yours truly on the decks. Tickets are £5 (£3 concessions), and it lasts from 7-10. Which means you can still go home and get a decent night’s kip before work in the morning.
There’s a lovely write up over here at suitcase Orchestra. You can hear ‘Ruins’ on the most recent Song, By Toad podcast and also on Jim Gellatly’s latest podcast. Vic Galloway promised live on air that he would play it this coming Monday. You can bet I will be nudging him to do this…
Meanwhile, you can download the b-side to ‘Ruins’ for free NOW. Because we’re lovely people.
(NB due to the subject matter of the song, this does contain swearing. If you are easily offended, and God knows why you’re reading this blog, you idiot, DON’T LISTEN. Go and read Grazia or the Daily Mail instead. Fuckwit)
If you’re off to Kelburn Garden Party next weekend, not only will you be able to see excellent artists supported by this blog such as Broken Records, Panda Su, Meursault, Foxgang and Stanley Odd, but you will also be able to see our very own Chris Bradley who was added in the last month. Go Chris!
Chris Bradley -‘Golden Girl.’ mp3
If you aren’t going to Kelburn, you could catch the Dirty Cuts at the 13th note in Glasgow on Saturday July 3, ahead of their single launch for ‘Yummy Mummy’ on July 23, with a gig in Bristol and two in London coming up.
X-Lion Tamer will be releassing another four track EP with us in the next few months, and will be playing at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh, alongside the fabulous Deserters Deserve Death on July 31.
X-Lion Tamer -‘Life Support Machine.’ mp3
There will be more to come…watch this space!
OK folks, tis the last reminder I will post, but Tigerfest is underway, and tonight and Thursday are the 17 Seconds Records nights in Edinburgh.
£6 a throw, and with X-Lion Tamer, The Wildhouse and White Heath (not ours, but fabulous anyway!) tonight and Chris Bradley, the Dirty Cuts and the Last battle on Thursday…what more could you ask for?
X-Lion Tamer -‘Life Support Machine.’ mp3
Lots happening over the next couple of months with the label…
Over the next week alone, we have Chris Bradley doing a live session for Leith FM on Friday at 3PM (as it happens just three days after labelmates The Last Battle played!) and Chris will also be doing an instore at Avalanche Glasgow on April 7 at 5PM. Chris’ album At the Outpost came out on Monday and has some great praise, and is available online and at good indie shops, including Rough Trade, Avalanche, Coda, Underground Solush’n and now Fopp too! If you like things digital, try iTunes or eMusic. Please leave feedback!
The Dirty Cuts are back in the studio and over the next wee while they will be playing in Glasgow, London and Edinburgh – check their myspace for details. Their follow-up to debut single ‘2 Page Spread’ should be out very soon. As ever watch this space and hassle yr local station/indie club/blogger about them.
The next release from the label will be the ‘One EP’ by the Factory Kids. This will be available as a five-track download EP from all good download stores from April 12, and this is 17SEC18, our fourteenth musical release as a label. In the name of promotion and friendship (umm, or something) we’d like to offer ‘Factory Crease’ as a free download:
Factory Kids -‘Holiday Crease.’ mp3
Aberfeldy, Escape Act and The Wildhouse have all been getting studio tans (!), and both The Last Battle and David Scott albums should be out over the next few months. There will also be more stuff to come from X-Lion Tamer very soon…
If you read the post below you will see that we’re very involved with Tigerfest this year, with X-Lion Tamer, Chris Bradley, The Dirty Cuts, the Wildhouse and The Last Battle making appearances.
And before the month is out, a very special night at Limbo in Edinburgh. See the poster at the top!
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