Every Time I Die, Trash Talk, Defeater, Spycatcher

Thursday 1st of December 2011

Mad night! Every Time I Die gig supported by Trash Talk, Defeater and Spycatcher.

Amazing performance, for £14 it was a bargain for the four bands!

Spycatcher put on a good show, though slightly out of place in this line up! Still enjoyable.

Defeater were epic, great solo acoustic intro by the lead dude and then into the real shit! Loud and fast with vital melodic break downs. Loved it.

Trash Talk, what can i say… fucking mental. You knew it was a real hardcore show when the front man joined in the pit and  a drum carpet was being thrown over head! Chaos!

Every Time I Die. Insane. Such a good performance the crowd were pumped and I was loving it, climbing on stage and the wall of the venue was definitely a high light. Could have done with a longer set in my opinion. 

Managed to get a set list and signings from all members of ETID, who I have to say are all genuine dudes!

Portico Quartet, Brighton KOMEDIA 1st of March 2012

After Brighton(and the UK) saw PQ play last year with the Penguin Cafe Orchestra I think the most commonly said thing about them was…they need a full set or they needed to play longer..people wanted more!

This time its their headline tour and after immensely positive reviews from the London show on the 29th of February and the fact that the KOMEDIA had sold out I was pumped!

The performance was amazing and they began their set with tracks from their newest self titled release, this however may be controversial with the ‘older’ jazz fans, what they are doing now is branching further away from their previous releases and adding a heavier electronic base. This in some peoples eyes is perfect and looking around at the gig I would say their fan base is younger and ‘cooler’ then the last time I saw them, possibly due to this new direction? That is not to say they have changed their style completely, their sound is still there, nailed strongly down by their signature Hang Drum percussion and saxophone sound. However the drum kit is stripped back, trigger pads and KAOS pads are scattered through out which is the source of a lot of the odd new sounds.

A moment half way through the set where a murmur could be heard from the back as crowd members were talking was quickly shot down by the double bass player who asked “..Brighton are you still with us!?” which lead to cheering and applause as they went into the next track. I have a feeling this moment was when the ‘older’ jazz fans felt out of place in the new sound and fan base of PQ.   

The encore included an incredible drum and saxophone ‘battle’ which really showed their improvisation and jazz side! a nod to their first releases yet also showing a push forward to new territory. 

PQ are in an interesting stage where they are paving their way into new experimental territory. I think it has opened their fan base to newer electronic/dance fans and even post rock fans. The classic jazz fans will have to get onboard or they may get left behind!  

The Return

This blog is now operational.


CJW

Frenzy Californian Tour, Summer 2011.

So following Charlie's idea, I (Miles) went to California for a week.

Basically, I went on tour playing drums for the legendary rockabilly band Frenzy.

We wanted to keep a low profile when we got there and avoid any trouble, so naturally, as soon as we arrived in LA, Josh (merch bitch) got seriously interrogated by the customs devil. We all stood in queues waiting, and it was abit of a lucky dip as to which customs official we would get, be it the useless woman who let anybody in or the fat hench Mexican dude who kicked up a fuss about absolutely everyone. Thats the guy that Josh got. It fucked him up for abit, but we survived. I took photos with a fish eye camra while we waited for Brando (tour manager) to pick us up.

We went to one of LAs famous 'guitar centres' and I had a small orgasmic episode at the entire wall of Fenders. We got Taco Bell, looked at Disneyland and then got dropped of at Dave Gamblers (guitarist in Gamblers Mark, sick back tattoos!) place for the night. We slept straight on the floor in Daves music studio. This proved to be a trend for the rest of the week. Back problems ahoy...

We played in Sacramento the first night and got done over by the fat useless wench that 'promoted' the show (there was no one there) because she refused to pay us. That fucking sucked. On the plus side, one of the support bands were so bad it was just funny, we all had a chuckle at that before deciding it really was terrible, so I went to the 7/11 next door. I was also jet-lagged so The Seat (Frenzy guitarist) poured eye drops in ma' glaziers, which made me go a little hyper.

The second night was in Fresno and wasn't that much better.

The third night, back in LA, was utter chaos. We sold out this pizza restaurant with punks and wreckers and they went mental for us. Some dudes had a fight with security for cutting our set and everything. Stve from the Henchmen (our tour support band) and I got on real good that night and everyone had a blast after the show.

Shame that trend didn't last.

We played San Diego the next day. In a Mexican restaurant. That was empty. It was shit. We got drunk. We drove home. I slept the 2 hour drive after Josh talked utter toilet water at The Seat and made us all laugh like crazy.

I had a decent chat with my girlfirend back home that night which was good, I was missing her pretty bad that day.

The final show was another LA gig and it was chaos again (maybe we should've just played 5 LA venues), it was an all day show in Bellfower. We saw some awesome support bands (check out The Limit Club & and Cold Blue Rebels) and a fat LA chick offered me and Josh a 4 way with her horrendously gross friend. I went upstairs and ate carrots leaving Josh to deal with the leviathan and her mate. Whitey (Frenzy bassist) got his knob out and put it on the merch table that night. I took a photo with the fisheye. I smashed in Nick's (Henchmen drummer) bass drum skin in aswell, so I had to play the last song with no kick. Sorry Nick.

The day after, we went to Amoeba Music (downtown LAs number one music show, its fucking massive) and I got a super rare Beastie Boys EP, a NIN single and buckets of stickers. Danny Exito (Daves bro and the bassist in Gamblers Mark) took us in his fucking massive pickup truck. He bought us Jack In The Box. Then he took us to meet Brando and he drove us to LAX.

The flight back was pretty hardcore. We hit some serious turbulence that nearly made me cry and the stupid infant in the seat in front would not shut up. It was a 10 hour flight and the little bastard literally cried through the whole flight. Whitey got annoyed with it, The Seat got annoyed with it, it did Joshes nut in and if I'd have been on that plane much longer I'd have forced it into the trash compactor. Noisy little cunt.

Charlie #3

Hey people I'm back, been away in North Wales (not quite as cool as LA i know)

Just a quick one really! pointing you ALL toward KCRW (a Los Angeles Radio Station) I hadn't heard it until I was over there, it plays a really varied and wide spread collection of music. Beware all those that expect KISS and Radio 1 as mainstream music is kept to a minimum. One particular show I recommend is Henry Rollins' (ye the legend himself) 2 hour show on Saturdays 6o'clock (LA time) don't worry there is a listen again feature and thats how I tune in! He plays such a wide range of music its pretty crazy. From Punk to classic Jazz tracks. After each song he gives a really informative talk on the track,label it was released on and where to get it, as well as underground information of how to get especially rare albums.

http://www.kcrw.com/media-player/mediaPlayer2.html?type=audio&id=hr100522kcrw_broadcast_64

This is a link to Henry Rollins' show, just search KCRW into Google to look at other programs they offer.

soo until next time


CJW

Miles #3

Hello!
Been a little while... I went to London for a few days... I got loads of new music, so I thought I'd tell you lot about it all. I bought a few CDs I already knew were good, and a few random purchases, which is always the best way to find new music. So, here goes...

Billy Talent I
Billy Talent II
These are both albums I have most of already. I love every song I've heard by them, so I thought I'd just buy em. If you think the Hives having a fight with an erratic child singing the 1st Sum 41 album then I think you should get your hands on em. Alternatively, (if you aint already) go on youtube and listen to 'Red Flag'. That song is fucking sweet.

Deftones - White Pony
This again is album I already loved, but I only realised after listening again recently that MJK from Tool is a guest on one track. Anyone who knows anything about music knows I don't need to say much about White Pony, its a pinnacle and legendary metal album that everyone who likes Metallica through to Slipknot and even Muse should own.

Beloved - Failiure On
These guys broke up years ago, and my friend introduced me to them a while after, about 3 years ago. I have a soft copy of this album but wanted to have the CD for myself. I wont go into too much detail, if you 'like Funeral for a Friend, chances are you'll like Beloved' is the simplest possible way to describe it - its emotional yet powerful - which is how music should be!

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown
If you wanna hear the good things about this album, pick up a Kerrang. If you wanna ear that bad shit, find a Green Day forum. I thought it was shit, I knew it was going to be shit, I just bought it in the hope that some of Nimrod would be left, which it isnt. Was too radio friendly for me.

Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
This, on the other hand, Is a classic. After not liking it the first time round, I gave it a second chance and loved it. The first release from Trent Reznors gargantuan catalogue, its another classic and I recommend every song. The live versions (look at videos from the With Teeth era) of the tracks on this album are mind blowing. Buy this album, turn it up, you wont regret it. And yes, BUY it. Its worth every single bleddy penny.

Rage Against the Machine at the Grand Olympic Auditorium
Again, classic. energy and emotion comes in leaps and bounds from this recording of RATMs last show - I recommend the DVD even more. The live versions of the songs from 'Evil Empire' don't have the same weight and power in their sound, but you can somehow really feel that weight still coming through. I particularly love Morellos live versions of solos, so find a video of 'Bulls on Parade' and see what the fuss is about.

Beastie Boys - Ill Communication ReMastered
This is just mint. I wont say loads, just get it. The B sides are awesome, the A side is better than it used to sound, 'Sabotage' still makes me wiggle a little bit and its just genius. Only way you can up it is to get 'Hello Nasty' and the only way to up that is to get 'Pauls Boutique'. Which, is not a stupid bag make. Its an amazing album.

Christ that was an angry one..! I downloaded How To Destroy Angels first release the other day aswell (its a free download, so you've got no reason to not get it) and that is the icing on top of my musical cake. I think my ears will be happy for a while, until they cave in from listening to Frenzys newest album, 'In The Blood', which I also massively recommend owning.

Happy listening folks!

Miles #2

Well then!
I decided to talk about some live music in this blog. I've always loved it, and I love it even more when bands choose to catch these shows on camera to release on DVD on BluRay.
My favourite live DVD is probably 'Muse Hullabaloo', with its 40 minute behind the scenes footage that comes on the 2nd disc.

Like Charlie previously mentioned, Beastie Boys 'Awesome I Fuckin' Shot That!' is always being played at my house, and this DVD is a special one for live music fans everywhere. Instead of getting in a professional film crew in, the hand out (and I quote) '50 Hi-8 video cameras to 50 hung'go audience members with one instruction, keep recording'. As a result of that rule, you get to see the show from the crowds point of view, with all the crowd related antics mixed in. Some dude actually goes for a piss halfway through the show and films it, you see people ordering beers & hotdogs and another guy continuously shouting 'Get on the DVD now folks, get real excited!'
Its also edited by Nathaniel Hornblower (one of MCAs pseudonyms) and I must say, the editing is just weird. loads of effects and the choice of shots used in certain places is fantastically immature, which is why I recommend it to everyone!
Another fanshot DVD to keep an eye out for (because its impossible to find for purchase) is Nine Inch Nails 'Another Version Of The Truth'. this also fan produced and has nothing to do with Trent Reznor, he just approved it, and consequently loves it. Filmed again by fans on everything from crappy phone cameras, HD camcorders & iPhones, it  captures the event (well, 3 events merged into one) fantastically, and really puts you in the venue. The tour was 'Lights in the Sky'  in support of 'The Slip' so the setlist is lengthy and varied, which is fantastic. With cinema touch-screens, a 40ft drum machine and 3 set changes its definatly worth watching. Oh yea, the light show is so stupidly over the top it would make a supersonic star collision, or something equally epic, look like a torch running out of power.
Thats enough rambling from me, I'll be back soon. Give me some suggestions of what to chat about!