Earlier on this week my friend Callum asked me to compile him a “shoegaze” type mixtape that he could play at a gig that he is hosting. Just something that could act as a noise filler before, between and after the bands have played. I was undecided about whether or not to make it an hour and a half or 2 hours so instead settled for the standard 1 hour and 18 minutes to allow the mix to be transferred to CD if needed.
When it came to making this mix i wanted to make sure i incorporated all elements of shoegaze stylings in the music. There’s the heavy and quiet sides, an electronic element throughout, some less traditional styles of shoegaze, some well known, some lesser known, some shoe-pop or indie-gaze such as Radio Dept and The Rosebuds and onto the ridiculously cool side of shoegaze known as HTRK. There’s also a few audio samples from films included as usual and there’s a slight curveball at the end in the form of Maybeshewill remixing Minnaars. Techno-shoegaze-core anyone? God i hate genralization.
Anyway, it’s basically just a big effects laden, fuzz filled 80 minutes. Hope you enjoy and feel free to download from Soundcloud or Mediafire. Links are below the setlist.
THE KIDS WANT SHOEGAZE 1. 93 Million Miles From The Sun – Step Into The High 2. A Place To Bury Strangers – In Your Heart 3. Screen Vinyl Image – Cathode Ray 4. The Jesus and Mary Chain – Degenerate 5. Ringo Deathstarr – Swirly 6. Singapore Sling – Overdriver 7. The Band In Heaven – Dreams (cover of The Cranberries) 8. Crocodiles – I Wanna Kill 9. Rraaiillss – Red Strings 10. Manhattan Love Suicides – Skulls 11. Mixtapes And Cellmates – Soon 12. The Radio Dept – Ewan 13. Team Ghost – Only You Can Break My Heart 14. M83 – Teen Angst 15. Autolux – Turnstile Blues 16. HTRK – Ha 17. Stuck In The Sound – Zapruder 18. The Rosebuds – Border Guards 19. Tired Irie – Freeze Me A River (Maybeshewill remix) 20. Minnaars – Spelt With A K (Maybeshewill remix)
Some good news on the Eighties Matchbox front that i’ve been meaning to post….they haven’t split after all! 🙂
….however it seems they have once again went from a 5 piece to a 4 piece and yet another guitarist down. After the previous parting of ways by messrs Huxley, Fownes and Norris it seems that Trent McLenahan has now left the band. Although whether or it’s been on his terms or whether he’s been thrown out is another matter. If rumours are to be believed there was trouble brewing for a while in the Matchbox camp and it all exploded on stage earlier this month with Guy McKnight announcing on stage that the would no longer continue as a band. I don’t know the ins and outs of the story but apparently the show ended with a small scale riot after McLenahan struck newest member Dominic Knight with his guitar mid set. In the melee that followed bassist Sym Gharial allegedly hit a bouncer. But this is all fan forum talk and like i said i have no idea if it’s true or not, only the band know the truth of what happened. I’m just glad the guys have stuck together. They truly are one of the worlds most under-rated bands. A cult band to rule all cult bands.
And with a new show booked in for the 15th December it seems that The Disaster are ready to keep tearing up venues across the UK and beyond. Hallelujah!
In the event that the unthinkable should happen and Eighties Matchbox do split up for good, i think we’ve got an heir to their throne….
According to friends i use the word “fuck” way too much in every day life.
Examples i’ve been given…
A. “That’s fucking amazing!”
B. “What the fuck was that all about?”
C. “Did youfucking see that?!
D. “I’mfucked, man.”
E. “Fuckin‘ hell!” F(uck).
G. “Fuuuuuuuuuuuck!”
Obviously i use other swear words but apparently “fuck” and it’s various usages are my favourite. So here’s a fucking Monday List with a twist. Well make that two Monday Lists for the price of one. I had so much fucking fun making up a List with “fuck” in the song title that i thought i’d make another one up with swear words/insults in the bands name.
I thinking swearing is maybe a Scottish trait and is in our blood. We don’t mean any harm or offence by it. It’s just crept it’s way into out day to day language. We just fucking embrace it i suppose.
Today the five year plan is over but this “celebration” lives on in whatever way you want it to…..
I’ve stuck to the idea of “No Music Day” as much as i possibly could since it’s introduction in 2005 but his year i’m skipping class and breaking the rules, well i’m actually destroying them, by going to the ABC tonight to see Nathan Fake, Caribou, Four Tet, James Holden and Rocketnumbernine in an electronic and IDM-fest. And i don’t feel in the slightest bit guilty.
It’s up to you whether or not you give your ears the day off or not…
It’s been a while since i did a good old fashioned cover post without a theme or main focus on one artist. So without further ado here are a few random covers that have been pleasuring my ears recently. And of course the originals for you to compare too.
Yes it’s been a while, almost a week exactly, since i got to sit down and even consider a post. There’s been a lot going on, mainly gigs and stuff but there was also the long awaited visit from one of my best friends Keane. He’s been studying in Dundee (you may remember i posted about going to visit him in September) and has hardly had the time to see friends back down here in Glasgow so it was a massive plus that we could go to the Deftones gig together when he was back “home”. I bought him a ticket as his birthday present.
So, to the Deftones gig.
It was a while since the Deftones last played here in Glasgow and i could feel the anticipation building in the crowd from the moment i entered the arena. The chants of “Chino! Chino!” ring around the hall before the band have even contemplated hitting the stage. In fact the mere site of a soundman coming on to clear some debris after the support act (Coheed and Cambria for those interested…i wasn’t) have finished is enough to provoke adoring screams for the Sacramento quintet. When they do finally take to the stage the roar is deafening. All 5 members look genuinely awed and grateful at the reaction of they’re adoring Glasgow public. The crowd itself is made up of all sorts of people. Old die hard fans and new fans alike. There’s the skaters, students, girlfriends who look like they’ve been forced along, rap fans, frustrated nu-metallers, young girls who have clearly only heard new album “Diamond Eyes” mixed in with the older generation who are desperate to hear tracks off “Adrenaline” but isn’t that what it’s all about? Deftones are at a really good point in their career now were they have the luxury of being able to gain new fans AND still be able to hold on to the old ones. Those girls who knew every word to every song off of “Diamond Eyes” but no other ones will now go and check out the bands back catalogue (if they hadn’t already) and immerse themselves in this great bands history. This can only be good for the Deftones future. Oh and there was one guy who looked about 70. I’m assuming he misread the sign outside the O2 Academy and thought Dick Dale’s backing band The Deltones were playing. He seemed to enjoy himself anyway. So did i. From the moment they opened with “Rocket Skates” the mood was set. This was going to be one LOUD and pumped up, throat shredding show from Mr Moreno and his gang. They plowed and blitzed their way through a perfect set that ranged from “quieter” number such as Digital Bath onto the aggressive tracks like Lotion and many more. If i was to be picky i’d only have one kinda complaint…that nothing off debut album “Adrenaline” was aired but when they play a classic mix of old and new tracks so well then how can i even comtemplate complaining really. My favourite moment was early on in the show when there was a back to back segment of “Around The Fur”, “My Own Summer” and “Be Quiet and Drive” and “Lotion”. With the album “Around The Fur” being my favourite Deftones album there was nothing more i could ask for really. Well except maybe Max Cavalera making a special appearance for a version of “Headup”. One can but dream!
There was one notable absentee from the show. Original bassist Chi Cheng is still making slow progress from his car accident 2 years ago. Sergio Vega, however, was a more than able replacement. I know i’ve posted this link before but i’ll do it again….oneloveforchi. Please help out.
There’s some footage of the Glasgow gig on YouTube at the moment but it’s not the best quality so here’s one from the recent tour of the USA and Canada a few months back before they embarked on Europe. I think this is fantastic quality for a fan made video.
The Deftones gig was on Friday passed. Last night there was the small matter of Edinburgh troubadour Withered Hand at Stereo. Armed with a sore throat and a guitar he resolutely took to the stage and single handedly stole my heart…along with the rest of the crowds too. He holds his small but ever swelling fan base in the palm of his hand during live shows. All attention is focussed purely on this fragile yet strong voice. It’s the first time i’ve managed to see him live. The closest i’d came before was YouTube clips. It’s safe to say i wasn’t disappointed. He blissfully sang his way through a performance of odes that reached out and touched people who know exactly where he is coming from with his thought provoking and sometimes darkly humoured lyrics. A one man show for Scotland to be proud of.
Last night i was supposed to be going to see The Blood Arm at Captains Rest but alas i was defeated by man flu and had to refrain. Which is a shame cos i was looking forward to catching these guys live.
Tonight it’s Gold Panda at King Tuts. I’ve seen him live before and his blend of weirdness and electronics should have the King Tuts crowd in a jitterbug dancey state. I’m excited. Just hope the flu clears up at least a bit.
On Friday, London’s Ex Libras roll back in to town after their successful show at The 13th Note back in May. This time it’s the turn of The Buff Club sound system to be treated to their unique blend of “post break beat” attacks as the band continue with their tour of the UK in support of the recently released “Cut(s)” EP.
Saturday i’m off to Kilmarnock for the EP launch of Mechanical Smile. A few of my friends play in the band so it’s good to see the guys get another night to celebrate their music in style. They filmed their first music video a few weeks back. As soon as it hits YouTube i’ll be sure to post it. Meanwhile, here’s a live version.
And on Sunday it’s the big one. The 6 or 7 hour long relaxed eclectic minimal electro night at the O2 ABC. Headlined by Caribou who is ably backed by Four Tet, Nathan Fake, James Holden and Rocketnumbernine. I’m going to work my way through a lot of weed at this one i can guarantee that. I’ve long been looking forward to seeing Four Tet, James Holden and Nathan Fake live once again. But seeing them all together on the same night will be extra special. Caribou and Rocketnumbernine are acts as i’ve yet to experience live so that’s something to really look forward to.
Leading up to tonight i had a hard decision to make. You see there’s two very good shows on in Glasgow tonight. Make that three if you’re a Motorhead fan….
Wild Nothing is performing at The Arches and 10 minutes up the road at King Tuts God Is An Astronaut are playing. Decisions decisions….. I’ve seen them both before and both were amazing live so that didn’t make it any easier. What did make it easier though was the fact that i’ve been given free passes to Wild Nothing. My friend, who used to work in The Arches, has ensured that i’m on the guestlist with a +1. And i was assured of the passes a long time ago where-as i only found out God Is An Astronaut were playing like 7 or 8 weeks ago. So off to The Arches and a night with Jack Tatum and his gang it is for me. I’m sorry GIAA guys but in this current financial climate i need to take advantage of any freebies on the go! I promise i’ll come again next time! They were amazing at the Oran Mor earlier this year, visually they were inspiring and musically they were a sonic assault.
I actually have a slew of gigs to attend over the next two weeks. Including the likes of Ex Libras, Deftones, Gold Panda and many more. I’ll do a preview post on them during the week if i can.
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Someones In The Wolf 